Written Answers of 3 July 1989

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Conciliation Service
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Attorney-General what consideration the Lord Chancellor's Department is giving to the establishment of a conciliation service to assist the courts in matrimonial and custody cases.

  The Attorney-General
  The Lord Chancellor received the report of the conciliation project unit based at the university of Newcastle upon Tyne in March of this year. The report, and comments upon it, will be carefully evaluated and the role of conciliation considered as part of the Lord Chancellor's announced rolling programme of reform of family law and procedure.

  Family Courts
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Attorney-General what recent representations the Lord Chancellor has received on the subject of family courts.

  The Attorney-General
  My noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor continues to receive correspondence regarding family courts both from hon. Members and from members of the public and interested organisations. Precise information on the number of representations is not readily available as much of the correspondence refers to family courts as one of a number of issues or as an ancillary matter to the main focus of the correspondence.

  Immigration Appeals
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Attorney-General what is the longest and shortest time taken between the dispatch of an explanatory statement from the British embassy in Islamabad and arrival at the immigration appellate offices in London during the last year, to date; what is the longest and shortest time taken by the explanatory statements being sent from London and arrival in Leeds; and if he will make a statement.

  The Attorney-General
  Responsibility for dispatching explanatory statements from diplomatic posts overseas to the United Kingdom is the responsibility of the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs. Explanatory statements from Islamabad are sent to the appellate authorities by diplomatic bag. During the last year to date the longest transit time for diplomatic mail between Islamabad and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office was 11 days, the shortest two days. Mail received in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office addressed to the appellate authorities is forwarded by daily Government van service.

  Once received at the appellate authorities' headquarters in London, explanatory statements and the accompanying notices of appeal are checked, processed and where appropriate, dispatched to regional hearing centres.
  2
  During the last year to date, it is estimated that explanatory statements have taken between three and 17 weeks to reach the hearing centre at Leeds.

  The delay in dispatching case papers to Leeds reflects the pressure on the appellate authorities caused by the increasing volume of work. The number of cases received in 1988 was 60 per cent. higher than in 1987, and there has been a further increase in the first five months of 1989. The appellate authorities have employed additional staff and overtime in an endeavour to minimise delays and the Lord Chancellor's Department continues to monitor the position.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Attorney-General what representations he has received about delays in explanatory statements being dispatched from the post in Islamabad to the immigration appellate authorities in London and dispatch from London to Leeds; and if he will make a statement.

  The Attorney-General
  Responsibility for the despatch of explanatory statements from Islamabad to London rests with the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs. The Lord Chancellor, who is responsible for the administration of the immigration appellate authorities, has received no specific representations about the length of time taken for explanatory statements to be processed in London and sent to Leeds, other than from the hon. Member himself.

  Sunday Trading
  Mr. Stanbrook
  To ask the Attorney-General what action he proposes to take in the light of the expressed intention of the Storehouse Group to open its shops for trading on Sundays in defiance of the provisions of the Shops Act 1950.

  The Attorney-General
  It is the duty of each local authority to enforce the Shops Act 1950 in its area. I refer my hon. Friend to the written answer that I gave him on 17 April 1989.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Environment-friendly Products
  Mr. Tredinnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he has taken to encourage environmentally friendly products as part of the Government's overseas development strategy.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  We support research into a number of environmentally friendly products. For example, we fund the development of appropriate, energy-efficient technologies and of more precise application systems for pesticides. All programme managers in my Department are required to ensure the environmental soundness of projects.

  UN Environmental Convention
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the implications for overseas aid policy of the United Nations environmental convention initiative.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  The Government have proposed a simple framework or umbrella convention setting out
  3
  general principles for good practice in matters affecting the world's climate. The implications for our aid work would be to enhance the priority given in developing countries to programmes aimed at improving energy efficiency and at forestry. We are already using aid funds in these areas and are seeking to identify further projects which we might be able to support. It is too early to say how any specific protocol subsequently negotiated under the convention would affect aid policy.

  European Community (Aid)
  Ms. Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the combined average gross national product given in overseas aid by all members of the European Community, except the United Kingdom, in the latest available year.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  Figures are available only for those member countries of the European Community which are also members of the development assistance committee of the OECD. In any case, such figures are open to varying interpretations. The overall percentage of gross national product given in overseas aid by these seven countries, excluding the United Kingdom, was 0.53 per cent. in 1987 and is provisionally estimated at the same figure in 1988.

  Bursaries
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many applications he has received for bursaries for students from the Republic of South Africa and Botswana to attend courses at British further education establishments for the academic year 1989–90; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  The British Council, on our behalf, has received well over 2,200 applications for bursaries for the academic year 1989–90 for students from South Africa, and 100 applications for students from Botswana.

  Overseas Students
  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the current level of expenditure on overseas students funded under the aid programme; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  Provision for the financial year 1989–90 is £94 million in support of more than 15,000 overseas students. In addition, a contribution of £5.8 million is being made available to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office scholarships and awards scheme.

  Vietnam
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he expects to restore development aid to Vietnam in the light of Vietnam's withdrawal from Cambodia.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  It is still too early to give a firm indication on development aid to Vietnam. We will consider this in the light of the actual withdrawal of troops from Cambodia.

  Guyana
  Mr. Watts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what support he is providing for Guyana's economic reform programme.
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  Mr. Chris Patten
  Provided that the IMF programme remains viable, we shall be providing for the three years 1989 to 1991(a) £13·7 million capital aid for the purchase of United Kingdom imports; (b) a $US8 million bridging loan to help Guyana pay its debt service arrears to the international financial institutions when they fall due in November; (c) a waiver of about £1 million a year of payments due on past United Kingdom aid loans; and (d) a technical co-operation programme costing about £1·5 million a year, aimed primarily at strengthening public sector management.

  Central Africa
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proportion of official assistance to central African countries is given in the form of medical supplies.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  Information is not available in the precise form requested. In 1987, the latest year for which figures are available, 3 per cent. of the Overseas Development Administration's capital project aid to Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe, taken together, was spent on the health sector. In the same year the proportion of British aid-financed personnel in those countries working in health was 14 per cent.

  Sub-Saharan Africa
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the total bilateral aid in real terms given by the United Kingdom to sub-Saharan Africa in 1979 and in the latest year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  British bilateral aid to sub-Saharan Africa in constant 1988 prices was £410 million in 1979 and an estimated £400 million in 1988.

  Indonesia
  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) to which projects soft loans in the £50 million aid package to Indonesia announced on 14 June are to be applied;

  (2) what is the number of British companies and the types of products which will be supplied to Indonesia as part of the recently announced package of aid;

  (3) what is the number of British specialists who will be directly employed in Indonesia as part of the recently announced aid package;

  (4) whether the recently announced aid package to Indonesia will result in any greater preservation of the rain forest.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  The £50 million aid package to Indonesia announced on 14 June is the second tranche of a £100 million soft loan facility signed with the Government of Indonesia in December 1988, and means that £185 million worth of soft loans are now available to fund projects in Indonesia. These funds are not allocated at the outset to specific projects, but likely candidates are the subject of feasibility studies and appraisals and then, if both Governments agree, are allocated funds. It is not, therefore, possible at this stage to say which projects will be allocated funds, how many British companies or specialists will benefit or what types of products will be
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  supplied, but we will, of course, be seeking to maximise the benefits to British industry, as well as to Indonesia, of these funds. One of the leading candidates for funding is a forestry radio communications system project aimed at improving the Indonesian Ministry of Forestry's management and control of the rain forests.

  Soft Loans
  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the amount of soft loans currently provided by the United Kingdom in the form of aid to Commonwealth countries.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  In 1988 Commonwealth countries received £7,863,050 in the form of concessional loans qualifying as official development assistance. So far no soft loan agreements under the aid and trade provision have been concluded with Commonwealth countries, though several offers of soft loan assistance have been made.

  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the amount of soft loans currently provided by the United Kingdom in the form of aid to non-Commonwealth developing countries.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  In 1988 non-Commonwealth developing countries received £4,833,155 from the United Kingdom in the form of concesional loans qualifying as official development assistance. In addition 12 soft loans worth in total £399 million have been concluded with six non-Commonwealth developing countries under the aid and trade provision.

  Indonesia (Rain Forest Discussions)
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of the recent mission to Indonesia to discuss rain forest issues.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  The recent forestry project identification mission made good progress in discussing with the Indonesian Government the provision of technical co-operation in the forestry sector. The mission recommends a four year co-ordinated programme of assistance with emphasis on improving the management (including natural regeneration) of the lowland rain forest of Indonesia. Senior Indonesian officials support the mission's findings in principle and when the latter have been formally approved, three project preparation missions will be mounted, probably in late 1989.

  Tanzania
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance was provided to Tanzania for the purchase of vehicles.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  During the financial year 1988–89, we provided nearly £7·5 million for vehicles from within the finance we made available to support the Tanzanian balance of payments. We also separately provided over £750,000 as emergency assistance for trucks for the cotton sector. In addition, we provided vehicles as part of our support to a number of development projects.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what financial aid has been given to Tanzania in 1989.
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  Mr. Chris Patten
  Gross British bilateral aid to Tanzania in 1988 is estimated at £33·5 million. This year we expect to maintain our programme at a substantial level.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Irradiated Food
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will introduce legislation to forbid the sale of irradiated food in restaurants.

  Mr. Ryder
  The sale of irradiated food in catering outlets presents different practical problems from sales in retail shops. I am in the process of examining the issues involved.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the procedures his Minister will go through up to the lifting of the ban on food irradiation and the timetable for these procedures; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ryder
  I have made clear that we need to obtain wider powers to enable us to provide for the control mechanism that we consider necessary for food irradiation. It will then be necessary to consult all the interested parties over the details of the control system and to introduce the necessary regulations to give effect to this. The timetable will depend on a number of factors, in particular the timing of the primary legislation.

  Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he proposes to take any further action in the light of the Southwood report on bovine spongiform encephalopathy.

  Mr. MacGregor
  [pursuant to his reply, 13 June 1989, c. 352]: The detailed plans in relation to the next stage of this vital study have now been drawn up, and implementation will start shortly. This will involve the purchase of 660 cattle, 330 offspring of animals affected with BSE and 330 control animals. They will be transported to and housed at the Ministry's experimental husbandry farms at Boxworth, Drayton and Gleadthorpe. The study will last up to seven years and will cost an estimated £4·7 million.

  Farm Diversification Grants
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food further to his reply to the hon. Member for South Shields of 22 June,Official Report, column 251, if he is able to list the reasons for rejecting applications for farm diversification grant schemes in 1988.

  Mr. Ryder
  The reasons for rejection of grant applications were as follows:

  Number

  Able to carry out work without grant

  45

  Enterprises of works not eligible

  44

  Applicants not eligible

  27

  Receiving grant from other public funds

  4

  Planning consent refused

  4

  Not likely to be viable

  3

  Other miscellaneous reasons including work started before application

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  Gas Emissions
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, further to his reply to the hon. Member for South Shields of 27 June, if he will list all the schemes introduced by his Ministry which help reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ryder
  The measures include the designation of 19 environmentally sensitive areas since 1987; the introduction of the farm woodland scheme and the set-aside scheme in 1988; and the introduction, earlier this year, of a new farm and conservation grant scheme which offers grant inter alia for energy saving, effluent facilities and for the regeneration of native woodlands and heather moors. In addition, the policies adopted by the European Community in recent years to reduce surplus production of agricultural commodities will help to mitigate emissions.

  Agricultural Development and Advisory Service
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the number of man hours in the Agricultural Development and Advisory Service devoted to environmental training for each year since 1980; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ryder
  Although records have not been kept in the precise form requested, it is estimated that from 1980 to the end of 1988 on average 4,780 man hours per year have been spent on ADAS environmental core training. In addition, a significant amount of environmental training is undertaken as an integral part of discipline training for new entrants and ADAS advisers.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the number of posts in the Agricultural Development and Advisory Service devoted to training for each year since 1980; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ryder
  Participation in training activities is an essential and integral feature of the professional development and responsibilities of all ADAS staff. No individual staff are allocated full-time to training duties but all officers responsible for managing other ADAS staff, or with appropriate professional skills, or experience have responsibility to monitor, arrange or provide training in appropriate subjects.

  Food Poisoning
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list all the research projects directly aimed at(a) finding the causes of salmonella enteriditis, botulism and other similar infections such as salmonella typhimurium and (b) the treatment and or vaccination of poultry flocks.

  Mr. Ryder
  Research on the causes of human infections is a matter for the Department of Health. My Department however funds the following work aimed at minimising the risk of infection through the food chain:Predictive Modelling of the Growth of Pathogenic Microorganisms in Food Systems.
  A co-ordinated programme of research into the growth and survival of microorganisms in real food systems. The development of a modelling database and expert system for
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  eventual use by the food industry. The programme will initially concentrate on those food-related microorganisms that are of major public health significance: Salmonella typhimurium, Salmonella enteritidis, Clostridium botulinum, Listeria monocytogenes and other Salmonella and Clostridium species.
  Other Research involving Salmonella enteriditis, Salmonella typhimurium, Clostridium botulinum.
  Risk and Hazard Analysis in egg infections.
  Thermal destruction of Salmonella enteriditis phase type 4 in the domestic cooking of food containing eggs.
  Use of Non-radioctive DNA probes for the detection of pathogenic Bacteria in food.
  Enzyme-linked immunological Biosensors for detection and identification of Pathogenic Bacteria in food.
  Determination of Food Constituents and contaminants by ELISA.
  Heat induced thermotolerance in food Poisoning organisms.
  Survey of Bacteriological Quality of goats milk.
  Lysozyme destruction of Gram negative organisms in Chicken and Red meat.
  Bacteriological Hazards of large meat roasts in catering and long storage of chilled foods in catering.
  Detection and quantification of microorganisms in foods by novel lectin-based assays.
  An investigation into the use of biosorbants for the concentration, separation and detection of low levels of food contaminants with special reference to pathogenic microorganisms such as Salmonella.
  Guidelines for Pasteurisation.
  Develop and investigate novel methods to separate and concentrate microorganisms from food to enhance rapid microbiological methods.
  Development of design nucleic acid probes for the rapid detection of food microorganisms.
  Serological diagnosis of Salmonella enteritidis infection.
  Plasmid profile analysis of S. enteriditis.
  Development of a Salmonella enteritidis infection Vaccine to prevent Salmonella infections in chickens.
  Salmonella Service: Bacteria typing, Surveillance and work under the Protein Processing Order.
  Work being carried out under the Zoonosis Order and in collaboration with the Public Health Laboratory Service.
  Factors Determining Intestinal colonization by Salmonella.
  Investigating the basis of Virulence of the Salmonella genus.
  Variation in virulence of Salmonellas, Host Responses to infection, Novel Vaccines and Strategies for Use.
  Salmonellosis in Cattle—to determine the epidemiology in order that methods to minimize the spread of and effects of infection can be formulated and applied.

  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the specific arrangements for the monitoring of possible salmonella enteriditis or typhimurium, botulism and other infections in(a) animal feedingstuffs, (b) eggs and (c) poultry.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  Monitoring for the presence of salmonella eneteriditis and typhimurium in animal feedingstuffs is already carried out on a voluntary basis by many manufacturers. The Government are shortly to introduce voluntary codes of practice which require the monitoring of animal feedingstuffs and raw materials used in their manufacture. Poultry laying flocks are subject to compulsory monitoring with similar provisions to be introduced shortly for breeding flocks and hatcheries. There is no requirement to monitor for botulism toxin because botulism toxin occurs in isolated pockets and would not readily be detected.

  As regards other infections, investigations are carried out by the state veterinary service at veterinary investigation centres on material submitted from private veterinary practices and other sources.

  Meat Products (Contents)
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what regulatory provision exists concerning the minimum meat content of pies and other meat products; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) whether he will take steps to require food manufacturers to label meat pies and other meat products so that the percentage meat content is clear.

  Mr. Ryder
  The Meat Products and Spreadable Fish Products Regulations 1984 already require most meat products to bear a clear declaration of their minimum meat content on the label. In addition, they contain minimum meat content requirements for a number of products including meat pies.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Class Sizes
  Mr. Walden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what were the average class sizes in primary and secondary education in state and private schools, respectively, in the years 1979, 1984 and 1988.

  Mr. Butcher
  Information on class sizes in independent schools is not collected centrally. The average class size in maintained primary and secondary schools in 1979, 1984 and 1988 were as follows:

  1979

  1984

  1988

  Primary

  25·9

  24·7

  25·4

  Secondary

  21·0

  20·4

  19·9

  Classes relate to those taught by one teacher at a selected time on the day of the census count in January and do not necessarily represent the pattern of classes over the academic year as a whole.

  Book Acquisitions
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what information the Government have on whether(a) the University Funding Council intends to continue its initiative to provide specific funds for the purchase of books for university libraries after 1989–90 and (b) it intends to extend the initiative to libraries at polytechnics and institutes of higher education;

  (2) whether the Government have monitored the effect on library acquisitions of the additional funding provided in 1987–88 for university library acquisitions.

  Mr. Jackson
  It is for individual universities and polytechnics to decide their own priorities within the total

  Applications and acceptances through the Universities Central Council on Admissions of home students from England and Wales who had attempted A levels.

  Type of school

  1983

  1988

  Applications

  Acceptances

  Applications

  Acceptances

  Maintained sector

  Grammar/technical

  10,247

  5,320

  7,731

  4,588

  Sixth form college

  12,279

  5,997

  11,910

  6,403

  Comprehensive

  50,606

  22,119

  41,295

  20,658

  Other secondary and modern

  758

  286

  310

  120

  Total maintained

  73,890

  33,722

  61,246

  31,769

  Independent

  23,365

  12,814

  23,519

  14,217

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  resources at their disposal. I know of no plans by the Universities Funding Council to prolong the initiative launched by the University Grants Committee or by the Polytechnics and Colleges Funding Council to adopt such an initiative for its sector. Universities' annual expenditure returns are monitored by the Universities Funding Council.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received about the levels of funding for acquisitions in polytechnic and university libraries.

  Mr. Jackson
  Representations have been received from the Publishers Association and the standing conference of national and university libraries, as well as from a number of hon. Members in the context of general higher education matters.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he intends to take within the new system of student finance to assist students to spend more on books.

  Mr. Jackson
  It is for individual students to decide what priority to accord to particular items of expenditure within the resources at their disposal. Top-up loans will increase these resources.

  Research Grants
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how much money his Department expects to save through the withdrawal of funds for scientific research deemed near market; and how he intends to reallocate the money saved.

  Mr. Jackson
  This Department funds basic and strategic research through the science budget. We have not withdrawn any funding in respect of near market research.

  University Applications
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information he has as to how many advanced level secondary school pupils from(a) local education authority maintained secondary schools and (b) private sector maintained secondary schools applied for a place at each university in the United Kingdom in 1979 and in 1988; and how many, from each sector, each university finally accepted.

  Mr. Butcher
  Information on individual universities is not available. Available information for all United Kingdom universities is given in the following table.

  Library Provision
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what steps he is taking to improve the library provisions in universities and polytechnics;

  (2) when he last discussed the subject of adequate funding for libraries of universities and polytechnics with the Universities Grants Committee.

  Mr. Jackson
  Decisions on the funding of university and polytechnic libraries are for the institutions themselves, in consultation as necessary with the relevant funding council.

  Teacher Shortages
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has had any recent representations about the loss of teachers and head-teachers from the profession because of(a) house prices and interest rates, (b) recent education reforms, (c) powers to school governors and (d) ability of schools to opt out.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  My right hon. Friend has received a number of representations about the effect on teacher supply of house prices in the south-east. I am not aware of representations on loss of teachers and headteachers from the profession for the other reasons listed.

  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the progress being made towards implementing the national curriculum and on whether teacher shortages are likely to delay its implementation in any area.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Implementation will start this autumn, when schools must begin teaching programmes of study in maths and science to 11-year-olds and in maths, science and English to five-year-olds. Pupils aged five to 14 must also study the foundation subjects for a reasonable time. We do not expect teacher shortages to delay implementation. My Department's action programme to combat teacher shortages is designed to help local authorities and schools to recruit the teachers they need.

  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the progress being made towards implementing local management schemes for schools and how such schemes can tackle teacher shortages.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Good progress is being made by local education authorities towards producing schemes of local management for submission to my right hon. Friend by 30 September. Approved schemes will be introduced from 1 April 1990. Local management will ensure the best possible match between schools' needs and the deployment of resources including the key resource of teachers.

  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what further steps he will be taking to encourage local education authorities to organise individual financial packages to solve difficulties encountered in recruiting high-calibre teachers and heads.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The interim advisory committee believes that teacher recruitment and retention measures should be flexible and precisely targeted, and that this is 12
  best achieved if they are designed locally. It recommended that authorities review their present policies to ensure that they are meeting the needs of their schools. My right hon. Friend has strongly endorsed this recommendation. Appropriate measures may include relocation and housing assistance and should embrace the flexible use of incentive allowances, an additional 27,500 of which will become available from September.

  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has to recruit Danish and other European national qualified teachers to fill teacher vacancies in the United Kingdom.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  It is for local education authorities and schools, as the employer, to recruit teachers. On 21 December 1988 the Council of Ministers of the European Communities adopted a directive which will enable a range of professionals, including teachers, to have their professional qualifications recognised for the purpose of practise in member states other than their own. The directive must be implemented by 1991. My right hon. Friend proposes to make regulations according the benefits of the directive to members of the teaching profession qualified in other member states from September this year. This should assist LEAs in their recruitment of teachers from other member states. In addition, the Department has agreed to support a project to recruit and train teachers from France and West Germany, and is considering another in respect of German science teachers. Officials have put local authorities who have expressed an interest in touch with the Danish authorities.

  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has had in the past four months on teacher shortages region by region, subject by subject and from education authorities, headteachers or governors.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The information is not readily available in the form requested. My right hon. Friend has received in the past four months some 200 letters from local education authorities, headteachers, governors and parents about teacher shortages—including correspondence forwarded by hon. Members.

  Maintained Primary Schools
  Mr. Raison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his best estimate of the number of children in maintained primary schools where the age of transfer is 11, 12 and 13 years, respectively.

  Mr. Butcher
  In January 1988 the numbers of pupils in maintained schools of the following age ranges were as follows:

  Age range of schools

  Total pupils

  5–11, 7–11, 8–11

  2,589,690

  5–12, 8,12

  255,580

  9–13, 10–13, 11–13

  196,350

  There were no primary schools in 1988 with a transfer age of 13: all the schools shown in the table with this age of transfer were middle or secondary.

PRIME MINISTER

  Official Journeys
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Prime Minister when she last used(a) a scheduled British Rail train service and (b) any scheduled public transport service when travelling on official business.

  The Prime Minister
  February 1987. For reasons of practicality and security it is difficult for me to travel by rail on official business. I do so when a suitable opportunity arises.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Soviet Union (Emigration)
  Mr. Wheeler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will ascertain from the Soviet authorities the cause of the delay in the appearance of new legislation on emigration promised by the Soviet Union for the last 18 months.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  We are continuing to press the Soviet authorities over the urgent need for a new emigration law. We believe that this should establish clearly the principle that all Soviet citizens must be free to leave their country when they wish, and would thus —if properly implemented —provide a lasting solution to the refusenik problem.

  Human Rights
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many representations he has made complaining about the denial of human rights and the use of torture in the last five years in South Africa.

  Mrs. Chalker
  We make frequent representations to the South African Government, both bilaterally and with our European partners, to express our concern about human rights. More detailed information is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many representations he has made complaining about the denial of human rights in the last five years in Saudi Arabia.

  Mr. Eggar
  We have made no specific representations, but the Government of Saudi Arabia are aware of our view that all Governments should respect human rights.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many representations he has made complaining about the denial of human rights in the last five years in New Zealand.

  Mr. Eggar
  None.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many representations he has made complaining about the denial of human rights in the last five years in Chile.

  Mr. Eggar
  We have made a number of representations about human rights to the Chilean authorities over the last five years. The precise information requested is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
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  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many representations he has made complaining about the denial of human rights in the last five years in Austria.

  Mr. Eggar
  None.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many representations he has made complaining about the denial of human rights in the last five years in Belgium.

  Mr. Eggar
  None.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received on recent allegations of torture in Fiji.

  Mr. Eggar
  None.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many representations he has made in the last five years complaining about the denial of human rights and the use of torture in Yugoslavia.

  Mr. Eggar
  We have made a number of representations about human rights to the Yugoslav authorities over the last five years. The precise information requested is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many representations he has made in the last five years complaining about the denial of human rights and the use of torture in Paraguay.

  Mr. Eggar
  We have made a number of representations about human rights to the Paraguayan authorities over the last five years. The precise information requested is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many representations he has made in the last five years complaining about the denial of human rights and the use of torture in India.

  Mr. Eggar
  None. I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 23 May.

  Islamabad
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what he is doing to speed up the dispatch and processing by his Department of explanatory statements prepared by the post in Islamabad and by the appellate authorities within the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I have given to his similar question today. Explanatory statements are sent to the appellate authorities by diplomatic bag and this arrangement will continue.

  Responsibility for the independent appellate authority (IAA) rests with the Lord Chancellor. I understand that in 1988 the volume of cases received by the IAA increased by 60 per cent. compared with 1987 and that the volume has risen further this year. In order to cope with that considerable and unexpected rise in workload the IAA has recruited an additional four staff in the last six months. Overtime is being worked and other measures are being taken to help improve efficiency.
  15
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what he is doing to speed up the processing by the post in Islamabad of explanatory statements prepared by the Home Office; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  In recent months staffing levels of the immigration section of the British embassy in Islamabad have been increased. On average, explanatory statements are now prepared and forwarded to the appellate authorities within four to six weeks of receipt of an appeal. Individual cases may take longer depending on what further inquiries the entry clearance officer needs to make in the light of the grounds for appeal.

  Mrs. Anwar Sultana
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when Mrs. Anwar Sultana, whose date of birth is 9 May 1957, and whose reference is IMM/92028, first applied to the post in Islamabad to enter the United Kingdom; and when a decision is to be taken on her application.

  Mr. Eggar
  In accordance with the recent guidelines on the handling of representations by Members of Parliament in immigration cases, issued to Members on 14 December 1988, I have referred the question to the correspondence unit of the migration and visa department of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The hon. Member will receive a reply from the unit in due course.

WALFS

  Research Grants
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much money was provided by his Department for research into the links between pollution and human health (i) each year from 1979–89 and (ii) in the current financial year.

  Mr. Grist
  The Department has funded or contributed toward the costs of, a number of research projects concerned with the effects of pollution. Details of the major studies supported during the period in question are contained in the reports entitled "Research Wales" which are published annually by the Welsh Office. Copies of these reports are available in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much of his Department's budget is devoted to research purposes; how much is given in grants for research; and what proportion of each figure has been devoted to near market research(a) in the current financial year and (b) in each of the last three financial years.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to Tables 14a and 14b of the "Annual Review of Government Funded Research and Development 1988", a copy of which is in the Library of the House. None of my Department's budget is devoted to near market research.

  Research Grants
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the research grants given for near market research for which his Department is directly or indirectly responsible in the current financial year and each of the last two financial years.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  I have not made any such grants.

  Drinking Water
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Dewsbury (Mrs. Taylor) of 14 June,Official Report, column 416, he will list the number of people affected and the main population centres supplied with water from supplies subject to European Community derogations; and when he now expects the need for derogations will be removed.

  Mr. Grist
  Supplies subject to derogations are mainly in rural areas with most of the supply areas affected being situated in Gwynedd, north Dyfed and south Powys. Information concerning the numbers of people affected is not available. The need for most of the derogations should be removed by 1990 and all by 1995 at the latest.

  Welsh Development Agency (Management Buy-out)
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he proposes to permit a management buy-out of the Welsh development Agency's sub-regional west Wales organisation; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if he has received proposals for management buy-outs from the board of the Welsh Development Agency; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) if he will meet the chairman of the Welsh Development Agency and indicate to him that he should forbid senior managers of the agency from working on buy-out proposals; and if he will make a statement;

  (4) if, when he next meets the board of the Welsh Development Agency, he will instruct the board to cease the consideration of buy-out plans by senior managers and to improve the board's capacity to attract inward investment and to build advance factories in Wales.

  (5) what is his policy concerning management buy-outs and the Welsh Development Agency; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  I have received no proposal for management buy-outs from the board of the Welsh Development Agency, though I encourage the agency to be alert to any prospect for increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of its activities through greater private sector involvement in the full range of its activities.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will institute an investigation and publish a report into proposals by the Welsh Development Agency's west Wales regional director and the west Wales senior investment executive to buy out the west Wales region and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  No. This is a matter for the Welsh Development Agency.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the number of employees and the value of, or the rent of the premises of the west Wales Welsh Development Agency.
  17
  Mr. Peter Walker
  There are 17 full-time employees in the Welsh Development Agency's west Wales region. As at 31 March 1989 the value of premises administered by the region was £5·1 million.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if the Welsh Development Agency research, secretarial and technical facilities were used by the Welsh Development Agency employees to facilitate studies and proposals concerning management buy-out proposals; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  As far as the Welsh Development Agency is aware, none of its research, secretarial or technical facilities was drawn on to formulate the proposals made for the west Wales region.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when the senior management of the Welsh Development Agency's west Wales region first proposed to the Welsh Development Agency's chairman that there should be a management buy-out; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  I understand from the WDA that this particular proposal was first mentioned within the agency in October 1988.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what are(a) the current, (b) the 1987, and (c) the 1988 budgets of the west Wales Welsh Development Agency; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  These are matters for the agency, but it informs me that the expenditure budgets directly under the control of the west Wales regional office amounted to a total of £1·4 million in 1987–88 and £1·7 million in 1988–89. In the current year they will amount to £1·5 million. The figures are not, however, directly comparable due to a reorganisation of the agency's regions in July 1988. The figures also omit a number of items of major expenditure including new factory building which are controlled and accounted for by central departments of the agency.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) when he last met the west Wales Welsh Development Agency's senior investment director;

  (2) when he last met the west Wales Welsh Development Agency regional director; and if he discussed management buy-outs.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  I am not aware that I have met these officials of the Welsh Development Agency and have certainly not discussed management buy-outs with them.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  West Link (Belfast)
  Mr. Kilfedder
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action is being taken to relieve the current congestion which is occurring on West Link in Belfast in the light of the construction of the new cross-harbour bridges.

  Mr. Needham
  Proposals for the improvement of West Link are included as part of the highway measures in the Belfast urban area plan. The recommendations of the inspector following the public inquiry are awaited.

  M1 Motorway
  Mr. Kilfedder
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are his intentions regarding the improvement of the road from the M1 motorway at Dungannon to Omagh, Strabane and Londonderry; and what is the accident rate on (i) the present road and (ii) as an average for the Province.

  Mr. Needham
  Proposals for the improvement of the road from the M1 motorway at Dungannon to Omagh, Strabane and Londonderry are currently under consideration. Stage I of the Omagh through pass is currently under constructon and stage I of the Strabane bypass will commence very soon.

  The three year average of accidents/million vehicle kilometres on this stretch of road is 0·48. There is no national average for the Province. The United Kingdom national average is 0·35.

  Dual Carriageways
  Mr. Kilfedder
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what consideration is being given to the construction of lengths of dual carriageway or climbing lanes on arterial routes and roads to ports supporting heavy lorry traffic; and when essential schemes already commenced in stages will be completed.

  Mr. Needham
  The roads system in Northern Ireland is constantly under review and capital improvements are dictated by capacity demand. Each proposed scheme is subjected to a strict cost-benefit analysis which determines its priority within the roads capital works programme. Arterial routes and roads to ports are fully catered for within that programme.

  Essential schemes already commenced in stages are planned for completion as follows:

  Omagh through pass—1994

  Enniskillen stages 1, 2 and 3—1990

  Newry bypass—1994

  A/26 Antrim-Ballymena stage II late 1993

  Payments for Debt
  Ms. Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland from how many people deductions were made under the Payments for Debt (Emergency Provisions) Act (Northern Ireland) 1971 in each of the years from 1979 to 1989 inclusive.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  [holding answer 20 June 1989]: The number of people from whom deductions have been made is not available, but the number of debt cases, recorded by the four main creditor bodies, in respect of which deductions were made in 1988–89 under the Payments for Debt (Emergency Provisions) Act (Northern Ireland) 1971 was 16,479. Directly equivalent information for the earlier years is not available, but I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave her on 25 October 1988, Official Report at column 137.

  With effect from April 1988, the major proportion of deductions from benefits against arrears of rent, rates, electricity and gas charges have been made under the provisions of the Social Security (Claims and Payments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1987, and the 1988–89 figure given already referred to excludes deductions under these regulations.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Magistrates Courts
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in what percentage of cases dealt with by magistrates courts, judgment or sentence is deferred from the original hearing; and what proposals he has to shorten the length of time between arrest and the conclusion of a case and to cut the number of appearances of individual defendants in respect of a single charge.

  Mr. Hurd
  In 1988 it is estimated that 76 per cent. of cases were adjourned one or more times. Measures to reduce delays include the establishment of a scrutiny of the magistrates courts service and of a committee to review the procedure of the magistrates courts; the introduction on an experimental basis of power for courts to remand defendants in custody in certain circumstances for up to 28 days at a time; the development of the magistrates courts management information system; and the progressive introduction of statutory time limits which govern the period during which an accused may be held in custody awaiting committal or trial.

  Television Licences
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many complaints his Department has received about anomalies in the application of the concessionary television licence scheme since the rules change in May 1988; and if he will give details.

  Mr. Renton
  Since the change in the regulations in May 1988, we have received visits from five hon. Members and 202 letters, 98 of them from hon. Members, about aspects of the concessionary TV licensing scheme. The nature of each complaint is not separately recorded, but the main points raised were whether the scheme should be extended to ordinary housing, the treatment of new residents of schemes which no longer qualified and whether the circumstances of individual housing schemes fitted the new regulations.

  Miss S. A. Lawrence
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will inquire into the reasons why Miss S. A. Lawrence of 68 Sutton road, Southend whose date of birth is 1 February 1952, and who applied to his office in Croydon on 27 December 1987, and forwarded a cheque for £170, has had no notification since that time apart from an immediate acknowledgement; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Renton
  The Home Office received some 300,000 citizenship applications in the course of 1987, mostly in connection with the ending of certain registration rights under the British Nationality Act 1981. This led to delays in completing naturalisation that are currently around 22 months. Miss Lawrence applied for naturalisation in December 1987. Her application will reach its turn for consideration within the next few months. I am not aware of any reason for giving it priority.

  Ethnic Minorities
  Mr. Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to publish the results of the scrutiny of the working of section 11 of the Local Government Act 1966 which was undertaken by his Department.

  Mr. Hurd
  The report of the scrutiny of section 11 grant is being published today, and a copy has been placed in the Library.

  The Government welcome the report's thorough analysis of the way in which the system has operated. The report shows that there is still a need for special provision to help break down barriers which prevent people from the ethnic minorities from using fully their opportunities for educational, economic and social development.

  We are considering further what changes need to be made to improve the effectiveness of help provided to ethnic minority communities by services funded under section 11 grant. Such services are one important means of enabling men and women from Britain's ethnic minorities to play a growing and confident part in the mainstream of our national life.

  Police Stations
  Mr. Shersby
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish in the Official Report in tabular form the results of the Home Office survey conducted in December 1987 into the extent of old and sub-standard police stations in the Metropolitan police area giving the names and locations of stations which are (a) first class, (b) second class, (c) vulnerable and (d) irrecoverable.

  Mr. Hurd
  [holding answer 29 June 1989]: The Home Office survey focused on the extent of old and sub-standard police stations in England and Wales. Questionnaries were issued to the Metropolitan police only in respect of police stations which were in categories C and D. The total number of stations and the number in each category, have changed since 1987. The position is summarised as follows:

  Numbers

  A first class

  27

  B second class

  64

  C vulnerable

  58

  D irrecoverable

  37

  Total

  186

  The details of the gradings of stations are as follows:

  Grades of metropolitan police stations

  Name

  Grade updated

  Acton

  A

  Addington

  A

  Barnes

  A

  Barnet

  A

  Brixton

  A

  Canon Row

  A

  Chigwell

  A

  Chingford

  A

  Chiswick

  A

  Croydon

  A

  East Dulwich

  A

  Epsom

  A

  21

  Name

  Grade updated

  Kilburn

  A

  Leman Street

  A

  Marylebone

  A

  Orpington

  A

  Paddington Green

  A

  Peckham

  A

  Plaistow

  A

  South Norwood

  A

  Southall

  A

  Southgate

  A

  Southwark

  A

  Stoneleigh

  A

  Uxbridge

  A

  Wembley

  A

  Wimbledon

  A

  Albany Street

  B

  Arbour Square

  B

  Barkingside

  B

  Battersea

  B

  Belvedere

  B

  Biggin Hill

  B

  Boreham Wood

  B

  Brentford

  B

  Brick Lane

  B

  Catford

  B

  Chadwell Heath

  B

  Cheshunt

  B

  City Road

  B

  Collier Row

  B

  Dagenham

  B

  Ealing

  B

  Enfield

  B

  Esher

  B

  Feltham

  B

  Finchley

  B

  Greenwich

  B

  Ham

  B

  Hammersmith

  B

  Hampstead

  B

  Harold Hill

  B

  Harrow

  B

  Highgate

  B

  Holborn

  B

  Holloway

  B

  Hornchurch

  B

  Hounslow

  B

  Kennington

  B

  Kensington

  B

  Kentish Town

  B

  Kingsbury

  B

  Kingston

  B

  Lavender Hill

  B

  Lewisham

  B

  Limehouse

  B

  Loughton

  B

  Mitcham

  B

  Notting Dale

  B

  Ponders End

  B

  Poplar

  B

  Roehampton

  B

  Romford

  B

  Rotherhithe

  B

  Ruislip

  B

  Shepherds Bush

  B

  Sydenham

  B

  Teddington

  B

  Thamesmead

  B

  Tooting

  B

  Vine Street

  B

  Walthamstow

  B

  West Drayton

  B

  West end Central

  B

  West Ham

  B

  West Hampstead

  B

  West Hendon

  B

  West Wickham

  B

  22

  Name

  Grade updated

  Whetstone

  B

  Woodford

  B

  Worcester Park

  B

  Barking

  C

  Bethnal Green

  C

  Bow Road

  C

  Bromley

  C

  Camberwell

  C

  Carter Street

  C

  Chelsea

  C

  Cobham

  C

  Earlsfield

  C

  East Ham

  C

  East Molesey

  C

  Edgware

  C

  Eltham

  C

  Fulham

  C

  Gipsy Hill

  C

  Golders Green

  C

  Greenford

  C

  Hackney

  C

  Hampton

  C

  Harrow Road

  C

  Hayes

  C

  Heathrow

  C

  Hendon

  C

  Highbury Vale

  C

  Hornsey

  C

  Hyde Park

  C

  Ilford

  C

  Isle of Dogs

  C

  Islington

  C

  Kings Cross

  C

  Leyton

  C

  Leytonstone

  C

  Muswell Hill

  C

  Norbury

  C

  Pinner

  C

  Plumstead

  C

  Potters Bar

  C

  Putney

  C

  Radlett

  C

  Rainham

  C

  Richmond

  C

  Rochester Row

  C

  Shooters Hill

  C

  Sidcup

  C

  Streatham

  C

  Surbiton

  C

  Sutton

  C

  Tottenham

  C

  Tottenham Court Road

  C

  Tower Bridge

  C

  Twickenham

  C

  Upminster

  C

  Wallington

  C

  Wealdstone

  C

  Westcombe Park

  C

  Winchmore Hill

  C

  Wood Green

  C

  Woolwich

  C

  Banstead

  D

  Beckenham

  D

  Bexleyheath

  D

  Bow Street

  D

  Brockley

  D

  Bushey

  D

  Caledonian Road

  D

  Cavendish Road

  D

  Chislehurst

  D

  Clapham

  D

  Dalston

  D

  Deptford

  D

  Edmonton

  D

  Erith

  D

  23

  Name

  Grade updated

  Forest Gate

  D

  Gerald Road

  D

  Harlesden

  D

  Kenley

  D

  Lee Road

  D

  Mill Hill

  D

  New Malden

  D

  New Southgate

  D

  North Woolwich

  D

  Northwood

  D

  Norwood Green

  D

  Notting Hill

  D

  Penge

  D

  St. Anns Road

  D

  St. Johns Wood

  D

  Staines

  D

  Stoke Newington

  D

  Sunbury

  D

  Waltham Abbey

  D

  Wandsworth

  D

  Wanstead

  D

  Welling

  D

  Willesden Green

  D

  Wandsworth Prison
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many student hours have been lost in recreation classes in the last three months in Her Majesty's prison, Wandsworth; and what percentage this is of the normal evening provision.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 28 June 1989]: In the 12-week period ending 23 June 1989 a total of 3,350 student hours were lost: this represents 35 per cent. of the normal evening class provision at the establishment.

  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number of books issued to prisoners in Her Majesty's prison, Wandsworth(a) in the three months before fresh start and (b) in the last three months.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 28 June 1989]: In the 12-week period preceding the implementation of fresh start (5 June 1988) 17,797 books were issued to prisoners. In the 12-week period ending 23 June 1989 a total of 9,546 books were issued.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions he has had with the governor of Wandsworth prison on staffing levels at the prison; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Staffing levels are discussed in the normal course between governors and regional management. A round of discussions on staffing levels has taken place between the governor of Wandsworth and regional staff over the last two months, and management is considering the position.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Internal Market Council
  Mr. Grylls
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will report on the Internal Market Council held on 14 June.

  Mr. Maude
  The Council adopted the electro-magnetic compatibility directive, designed to facilitate free trade in 24
  electrical apparatus by ensuring that it does not produce or receive interference. It reached common positions on the fifth amendment to the cosmetics directive; on modifications to three directives dealing with technical standards for tractors; and on the proposed regulation on the giving of security to ensure payment of customs debts (the last of these being subject to a United Kingdom parliamentary scrutiny reserve).

  The Council discussed the proposed European Community mergers regulation, and the proposed directive to ensure compliance with public procurement directives. The Commission withdrew its proposal for a right of residence directive and indicated that it would now put forward new proposals on this subject shortly.

  Community Charge
  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether licences for telecommunications operators contain provisions enabling them to inform community charge registration officers of changes of address by telephone subscribers.

  Mr. Forth
  [holding answer 26 June 1989]: There are no provisions in telecommunications licences which expressly enable operators to pass on such information.

  Business Development Consultancy Initiative
  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will give the total amount of expenditure on business development consultancy initiative between 1 April 1988 and 31 March 1989 and for each of the region and island authorities in Scotland.

  Mr. Newton
  [holding answer 29 June 1989]: In the period from 1 April 1988 to 31 March 1989 the Department contributed £1·6 million to the cost of consultancies in Scotland under the business development consultancy initiatives. It is estimated that those consultancies not completed by 31 March 1989 will cost the Department a further £2·1 million. A breakdown of expenditure for each region and island authority in Scotland is not available.

  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will give the total number of applications(a) received and (b) approved for business development consultancy initiative between April 1988 and 31 March 1989 and for each of the region and island authorities in Scotland.

  Mr. Newton
  [holding answer 29 June 1989] In the period from 1 April 1988 to 31 March 1989, a total of 1,529 applications were received for the business development consultancy initiatives in Scotland. In the same period, 1,235 applications were approved for assisted consultancy. A breakdown of the applications received and approved for each region and island authority in Scotland is as follows:

  (a)

  (b)

  Region/Island authority

  Number of applications received

  Number of applications approved for assisted consultancy

  Borders

  36

  34

  Central

  57

  46

  Dumfries and Galloway

  23

  11

  25

  (a)

  (b)

  Region/Island authority

  Number of applications received

  Number of applications approved for assisted consultancy

  Fife

  65

  53

  Grampian

  163

  116

  Highland

  43

  29

  Lothian

  239

  188

  Strathclyde

  797

  680

  Tayside

  101

  76

  Orkney

  2

  —

  Shetland

  1

  —

  Western Isles

  2

  2

  Total

  1,529

  1,235

TRANSPORT

  A33
  Sir David Price
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress he is making on the upgrading of the Otterbourne to Chilworth section of the A33 trunk road to motorway standards; and when he expects the work to be completed.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  Works in advance of the main contract for the Compton to Bassett section of the M3 are proceeding satisfactorily. We hope to award the main contract shortly. Construction should be completed around the end of 1991.

  Channel Tunnel Rail Link
  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he is satisfied with British Rail's safety measures associated with its proposal to run the proposed high speed rail link parallel to the M20 motorway through the village of Sellindge.

  Mr. Portillo
  British Rail will need to satisfy the railway inspectorate on this and other safety aspects of the proposed Channel tunnel rail link. Preliminary discussions have been held.

  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will ask British Rail to consider re-routing the proposed high speed rail link to the south of the village of Sellindge.

  Mr. Portillo
  That suggestion has been put to British Rail and I understand that it is looking at it, among many others.

  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will ask British Rail to reconsider the Rachel alternative to the proposed high speed rail link.

  Mr. Portillo
  British Rail has indicated why it thinks that Rachel is not appropriate, but is none the less studying it.

  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to seek to ensure that the village of Sellindge is environmentally protected from the proposed high speed rail link.

  Mr. Portillo
  British Rail will need to convince both the Government and Parliament that all environmental concerns have been fully considered and, so far as is reasonably possible, met.

  Community Bus Services
  Mr. Jacques Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will reduce the cost of registering community bus services.

  Mr. Portillo
  Yes. Regulations that I have made were today laid before Parliament to reduce the fees for registering or varying non-subsidised community bus services from £30 and £27 respectively to a flat charge of £10.

  Nuclear Material (Rail Transport)
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether any uranium is transported through Oxford by rail to Windscale or other destinations.

  Mr. Portillo
  The timing and routing of such consignments is a matter for British Rail. I am informed that nuclear cargoes do not normally travel via Oxford.

  A33 (Accidents)
  Mr. Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many accidents involving injuries and deaths have taken place for each year since 1979 in each direction on the A33 between the M3 and M27.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The M3 motorway was extended south to Bar End (Winchester) in 1985. Accident statistics for the A33 trunk road are not available separately for each direction of travel. The combined figures for accidents involving death or injury are as follows:

  A33 (T): M3 (A303/A30 Junction) to M27 Bassett

  Year

  Number of Accidents

  1980

  93

  1981

  89

  1982

  89

  1983

  91

  1984

  95

  A33 (T): M3 (Bar End) to M27 Bassett

  Year

  Number of Accidents

  1985

  66

  1986

  69

  1987

  69

  1988

  68

  Orange Badge Scheme
  Mr. Michael Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received following the three year review of the orange badge scheme for disabled car parking; and what consideration he is currently giving to the problems affecting 430 thalidomide victims arising from the outcome of that review and, in particular, for those with shortened arms such as Mrs. Alison Wright of Bognor Regis.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  We received nearly 700 comments on the discussion paper which we issued in August 1986 setting out possible changes to the orange badge scheme. The results of the review were announced in answer to a question from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe (Mr. Morris) on 25 April 1989, at columns 481–83.
  27
  A number of people have understood limited press reports to mean that badges will in future be restricted to recipients of mobility allowance. We do not want to restrict eligibility to this extent. Nor do we seek to ration badges or set targets for their availability.

  We have received many letters and telephone calls supporting our proposals for tackling abuse of the scheme. The idea of redesigning the badge with space for a photograph of the holder has been particularly welcomed by people with disabilities and their representative organisations.

  Public concern has recently been expressed about not extending eligibility for badges to all thalidomide victims with upper limb disabilities.

  We have accepted advice and representations from the statutory disabled persons transport advisory committee (DPTAC) that badges must continue to be restricted to people with permanent and severe mobility problems.

  The committee's constituent organisations include the joint committee on mobility for the disabled, the Disabled Drivers Association, the Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation and the Disabled Drivers Motor Club. The majority of DPTAC's members are people with disabilities.

  We are taking further medical advice on the mobility problems specific to some thalidomide people.

  Officials have met with the Thalidomide Trust and are in touch with the Thalidomide Society.

  We hope to make an announcement shortly on the outcome of this further consultation as it effects the eligibility of thalidomide victims in relation to the mobility criteria of the scheme.

  The greatest concern must be to protect the interests of those people who cannot move without the benefit of the national scheme and to avoid the growth and extension of local schemes conferring benefits only to local people.

  If the national scheme further loses its value and validity, the most severely disabled will suffer badly.

  Sir John Farr
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will consider introducing a two-tier system in the future for disabled persons, consisting of a red badge for less serious cases of disability, together with an orange badge for priority, as at present.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  [holding answer 30 June 1989]: No. For the scheme to be workable it is essential that only one class of badge is issued, and is restricted to those people with the greatest mobility problems. This approach has been strongly supported by organisations representing people with disabilities following our recent detailed review of the scheme.

  It has been a basis of the scheme from its inception that the issue of badges should be restricted to those most in need of the parking concessions conferred by it. This approach was endorsed in the recent review of the scheme.

  The main problem with the scheme is that badges are too easy to get, not too hard. Extending eligibility to those with less serious mobility handicaps (even if the full range of parking concessions were not provided) would increase considerably the number of badge holders. This would contribute to further traffic congestion in town centres. It would make enforcement of the scheme even more difficult.
  28
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received regarding the need for orange badges by those who have deformed arms or none at all; and what reply he gave.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The consultation paper on the orange badge scheme which we issued in August 1986 discussed the possibility of extending eligibility for badges to people with severe upper limb disabilities.

  This was generally opposed by those commenting on the paper. In particular, the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC) argued strongly that badges should continue to be restricted to those with severe mobility problems. Most of the major organisations representing people with disabilities are members of DPTAC.

  We have received several representations that badges should be issued to thalidomide victims without arms. We are taking further medical advice on whether there are any previously unknown mobility problems specific to thalidomide victims. We are in touch with the Thalidomide Trust and the Thalidomide Society.

  Severn Bridge
  Mr. Roy Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the total outstanding debt on the Severn bridge at 31 March.

  Mr. Portillo
  [holding answer 30 June 1989]: The estimated debt at 31 March 1989 was £114 million.

DEFENCE

  Married Quarters
  Mr. Cartwright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Army married quarters have been sold on the open market during each of the past five years; and what were the net annuals proceeds from such sales.

  Mr. Neubert
  The number of married quarters that have been sold on the open market during each of the five years is given in the table. The net annual proceeds from such sales are identifiable only for 1988–89 and 1987–88, since records were not kept in this form prior to 1 April 1987.

  Financial year

  Number of quarters sold on open market

  Proceeds of sale £ million

  1988–89

  81

  2·819

  1987–88

  212

  5·517

  1986–87

  326

  —

  1985–86

  100

  —

  1984–85

  67

  —

  Mr. Cartwright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in what circumstances and on what terms serving soldiers are able to purchase Army married quarters which are surplus to requirements.

  Mr. Neubert
  Surplus married quarters that are suitable for sale to individuals are offered to service personnel at a discount of 30 per cent. on the market value. In order to be eligible, service personnel must be aged 25 or over and neither they nor their spouses must have held a freehold interest in a house or other residential property, or a lease with an unexpired term of 21 years or more, since 1 December 1983. Where more than one application is made, preference is given to the applicant with the longest period of reckonable service.
  29
  Mr. Cartwright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Army married quarters have been made available for sale to serving soldiers in each of the past five years; and how many have been sold to(a) officers and (b) other ranks.

  Mr. Neubert
  Since 1 December 1983, a total of 1,195 surplus Army married quarters have been offered for sale to soldiers. A total of 339 were sold to officers and 642 to non-commissioned personnel. In the time available it has not been possible to provide a year-by-year breakdown of these figures.

  Nuclear-Powered Warships Safety Committee
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will outline the composition, role and powers of the nuclear-powered warships safety committee; who appoints it; to whom it reports: and what decision-making powers it has.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The nuclear-powered warships safety committee consists of serving and retired experts in nuclear and related fields from both within and outside the Ministry of Defence. Its members are appointed by the Secretary of State for Defence. Its terms of reference are to advise the Secretary of State and other Ministers on all public safety measures concerned with the construction, operation and maintenance of nuclear-powered warships. Although the committee has no executive powers, in practice the Ministry of Defence has always followed its advice on matters which fall within its terms of reference.

  Nuclear Test Veterans
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many further(a) deaths, (b) leukaemias and (c) multiple myelomas occurring to nuclear test veterans and to members of the control group have become known to the National Radiological Protection Board in the five years that have passed since the National Radiological Protection Board study was completed;

  (2) if he will request the National Radiological Protection Board to produce an interim report examining the developments there have been since the report on nuclear test veterans was completed.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  At this stage, I have nothing to add to my answer to the right hon. Gentleman on 19 May 1989 at column 326.

  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will discuss with the British Nuclear Tests Veterans Association the completeness of the service medical records used in the National Radiological Protection Board study of nuclear test veterans.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  I refer the right hon. Member to paragraphs 5.5, 7.5 and 8.1 of the National Radiological Protection Board report 214 of January 1988 where the completeness of service records is discussed. I can add nothing further to that.

  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will request the national Radiological Protection Board as part of its study of nuclear test veterans, to consult the United States scientists who provided the evidence to the United States Government on their nuclear test veterans.
  30
  Mr. Sainsbury
  It would not be appropriate for the Government to instruct the NRPB on how it should conduct its work. However, I am confident that the National Radiological Protection Board, comprising independent experts, will consult whoever it feels necessary in order to further its understanding of matters relating to the nuclear test veteran studies.

  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what analysis was made by the National Radiological Protection Board of the incidence amongst nuclear test veterans of the 13 cancers for which the United States Government are now willing to pay compensation to their nuclear test veterans.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  I refer the right hon. Gentleman to tables 7.1–7.15, 8.1–8.3, and tables F1–F13 contained in the National Radiological Protection Board report 214 of January 1988 where comprehensive analyses of the information pertaining to different types of cancers are listed.

  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what has been the cost of obtaining information about the ill health and mortality of nuclear test veterans in the five years since the previous cut-off point;

  (2) what is the estimated cost of analysing the information obtained since the cut-off date used for the first National Radiological Protection Board report on nuclear test veterans;

  (3) what was the cost of the National Radiological Protection Board report on nuclear test veterans; and what proportion of it arose from establishing the names of the nuclear test veterans, their involvement in the nuclear tests and the establishment of an appropriate sample.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The information is not available in the form requested. The total cost to the Ministry of Defence of the NRPB contract to date has been £540,000.

  Security Firms
  Mr. Hincliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether soldiers based at the Shoeburyness proof and experimental establishment, who are currently employed part-time by Centre Security Services undertaking security work at Southend civic centre have permission to undertake this additional employment.

  Mr. Neubert
  Approval was given to three soldiers to undertake such additional work during their off-duty hours, and two are currently engaged in it.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy on allowing security firms based close to Army garrisons to employ serving Army personnel on a part-time basis.

  Mr. Neubert
  Any officer or soldier wishing to take up any form of off-duty employment is required to obtain approval first. Approval is granted only when the commanding officer certifies that the appointment will not interfere in any way with the applicant's military duties.

  Headquarter Contracts
  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will list in the Official Report the value of payments made in respect of headquarter contracts to Rolls-Royce

  31
  Ltd. and Rolls-Royce plc by his Department for goods and services destined for the British armed services in each of the six years to 31 March;

  (2) if he will list in the Official Report the precise amounts paid in respect of headquarter contracts to each of the following contractors by his Department for goods and services destined for the British armed services in each of the three years to 31 March 1988: (a) the General Electric Co. plc, (b) British Telecommunications plc, (c) Lucas Industries plc, (d) BTR plc, (e) Austin Rover Group Ltd, (f) Dunlop Holdings plc, (g) United Scientific Holdings plc, (h) Courtaulds plc, (i) Massey-Ferguson Holdings Ltd, and (j) Commercial Shearing Inc.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  [holding answer 17 May 1989]: Detailed investigation has established that a substantive answer to these questions could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Company Cars (Nfileages)
  Mr. Riddick
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, of the 1·4 million company car drivers how many drive(a) less than 2,000 miles, (b) 2–3,000 miles, (c) 3–4,000 miles, (d) 4–5,000 miles, (e) 5–6,000 miles, (f) 6–7,000 miles, (g) 7–8,000 miles, (h) 8–9,000 miles, (i) 9–10,000 miles, (j) 10–11,000 miles, (k)11–12,000 miles, (l) 12–13,000 miles, (m) 13–14,000 miles, (n) 14–15,000 miles, (o) 15–16,000 miles, (p) 16–17,000 miles and (q) 17–18,000 miles annually.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  I regret that this information is not available from Inland Revenue administrative records.

  Exchange Rate
  Ms. Mowlam
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps Her Majesty's Government are taking to stabilise the exchange rate; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lilley
  I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend's speech in the Opposition day debate on Government economic policy on 7 June at columns 247–322.

  European Monetary System
  Mr. Dykes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has had recent discussions with the Spanish Minister of Finance on questions affecting membership of the European monetary system.
  32
  Mr. Lilley
  My right hon. Friend has regular discussions on a wide range of subjects with his EC Finance Minister colleagues, including the Spanish Minister of Finance.

  Investment
  Mr. Hind
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set out in tabular form the growth of total investment in the United Kingdom in the 1980s, together with the comparable figures for each of the other major European countries.

  Mr. Lilley
  The information is as follows:

  Percentage increase in Total Gross Fixed Capital Formation 1980–88

  Percentage

  United Kingdom

  39·1

  Germany

  4·4

  France

  6·7

  Italy

  11·1

  Spain

  33·6

  Netherlands

  17·1

  Belgium

  3·1

  Source: CSO 1988 National Accounts Blue Book and 20 June press release for United Kingdom. For other countries OECD National Accounts Volume I for 1980–1987 figures, 1988 figures from OECD Economic Outlook June 1989.

  Premium Bonds
  Mr. French
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received on his decision to introduce a minimum £100 purchase of premium bonds.

  Mr. Lilley
  I have received a number of representations. I refer my hon. Friend to the answer which my right hon. Friend the Chancellor gave on 5 May to the right hon. Member for Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale (Mr. Steel) explaining the reasons for this decision,Official Report, column 255.

  Investment Income Surcharge
  Mr. Greg Knight
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has any plans to restore the investment income surcharge.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  No.

  City Earnings
  Mr. Thornton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the total earnings by the City since 1965 in(a) the European Community, (b) the United States of America, (c) Japan and (d) the rest of the world.

  Mr. Lilley
  The data requested are not available.

  Output Statistics
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are his latest figures for output per hour worked in the United Kingdom, Germany and Japan.

  Mr. Lilley
  The April 1989 Treasury economic progress report presented estimates which show that output per hour worked in the United Kingdom economy in 1986 was about 50 per cent. higher than in Japan and about 5 per cent. lower than in Germany.

  Banking System (Complaints)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to establish a statutory system to replace the banking ombudsman in the light of public disquiet over the treatment of complaints relating to automatic telling machines.

  Mr. Lilley
  The report of the review committee on banking services law and practice, under the chairmanship of Professor Robert Jack, was published by command (Cm 622) on 23 February 1989. The committee has made 83 recommendations covering a number of banking issues including the banking ombudsman scheme. The Government are carefully examining these recommendations and will set out their detailed response in due course.

  VAT
  Mr. Quentin Davies
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received about the value added tax charge on the self-supply of new construction introduced by amendments to schedule 3 of the Finance Bill; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lilley
  I have received a number of written representations and met representatives of universities, independent schools and banks. In the light of these representations, I have decided to table further amendments for the Report stage of the Finance Bill which will tax the exempt use of new buildings on the basis of the historic cost of land plus the cost of construction.

  Independent Taxation
  Mr. Terry Davis
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what arrangements have been made to publicise the effects of independent taxation.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  [holding answer 29 June 1989]: A major programme of publicity for independent taxation is

  Total Investment Income and Earned Income

  £ billion

  Group of Income Tax Payers

  1988–89

  1989–90

  Investment Income

  Earned Income

  Investment Income

  Earned Income

  Top 1 per cent.

  4·3

  14·7

  5·0

  16·0

  Top 5 per cent.

  8·2

  43·0

  9·7

  46·9

  Top 10 per cent.

  10·5

  69·0

  12·5

  75·1

  Top 20 per cent.

  13·7

  108·8

  16·5

  118·5

  Top 25 per cent.

  14·9

  125·6

  18·0

  136·6

  Bottom 70 per cent.

  10·2

  119·5

  12·4

  129·4

  Bottom 50 per cent.

  6·6

  69·4

  8·0

  74·8

  All taxpayers

  26·1

  260·2

  31·7

  282·1

  34
  already under way. The first stage of the programme began in March and April this year to coincide with the issue of about 1 million extra tax returns for 1989–90. These returns will help the Inland Revenue divide married couples' income and tax reliefs correctly for the new system. Each return was accompanied by special message briefly outlining independent taxation and its effects and explaining the importance of completing the returns. Posters about the returns and independent taxation were also displayed in post offices, libraries and other locations. The Inland Revenue has published four new leaflets about the new system to give general guidance to taxpayers. These leaflets are available from tax offices and tax inquiry centres.

  Further publicity is planned during the coming months and will focus on ensuring that taxpayers, particularly married women, are aware of the change and its implications for them.

  Tax Returns
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people will be issued with personal tax returns by the Inland Revenue in 1988–89, 1989–90 and 1990–91.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  [holding answer 27 June 1989]: The number of people sent personal tax returns in 1988–89 was 9·098 million. It is expected that the figures for 1989–90 and 1990–91 will be:

  million

  1989–90

  10·188

  1990–91

  11·400

  Personal Incomes
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give (i) the total unearned and (ii) the total earned income of(a) the top 1 per cent., (b) the top 5 per cent., (c) the top 10 per cent., (d) the top 20 per cent., (e) the top 25 per cent., (f) the bottom 50 per cent., (g) the bottom 70 per cent. and (h) all taxpayers in the years 1988–89 and 1989–90.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  [holding answer 27 June 1989]: Estimates are given in the table. They are based on a projection of the 1986–87 survey of personal incomes and are provisional. All estimates are subject to a large degree of uncertainty since some investment income on which tax is deducted at source is not reflected in the survey.

  Territorial Army (Earnings)
  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what guidance is given to tax inspectors on the treatment of earnings from the Territorial Army for unemployed men receiving benefit.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  [holding answer 26 June 1989]: I can assure my hon. Friend that inspectors of taxes are given appropriate guidance to ensure that the earnings of all taxpayers are taxed correctly. If he has a particular case in mind, and would let me have the details, I shall be happy to look into it.

  Income Tax
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table showing the proportion of income taxpayers falling into the higher-rate and basic-rate bands, by region, for the last full year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  [holding answer 27 June 1989]: The table gives estimates of the proportion of tax units (married couples and single people) with liability to income tax for 1986–87, the latest available year, at basic rate only and at higher rates. The estimates are based on a sample survey, and their reliability is limited by the size of the sample available, particularly in regions where the total number of taxpayers is relatively small such as Northern Ireland and East Anglia.

  Proportion of taxpaying tax units liable to tax at:

  Region

  Basic rate only

  Higher rates

  Per cent.

  Per cent.

  North

  96·3

  3·7

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  95·7

  4·3

  North West

  95·7

  4·3

  East Midlands

  95·9

  4·1

  West Midlands

  96·4

  3·6

  East Anglia

  95·6

  4·4

  South East

  91·9

  8·1

  South West

  95·0

  5·0

  Wales

  95·7

  4·3

  Scotland

  95·4

  4·6

  Northern Ireland

  93·9

  6·1

  Business Expansion Scheme
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table showing total sums raised under the business expansion scheme, by region, for the last full year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  [holding answer 27 June 1989]: Provisional estimates of regional investment through the business expansion scheme for the year 1987–88 are as follows:

  Region

  1987–88

  £ million

  England

  South East

  134

  East Anglia

  8

  South West

  15

  West Midlands

  8

  East Midlands

  3

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  5

  North and North-West

  6

  36

  Region

  1987–88

  £ million

  Wales

  2

  Scotland

  11

  Northern Ireland

  1

  Total

  194

  Notes

  1. The estimates represent investment in 1987–88. Some money raised by BES approved funds during 1987–88 may not be invested until 1988–89.

  2. Each company is allocated to a region by the address of its registered office; it may conduct business elsewhere.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Disabled People (Benefits)
  Mr. Andrew Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to review social security benefits for disabled people.

  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has for involving disabled people and their organisations in the review of disability benefits.

  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to consult disability organisations about the review of disability benefits.

  Mr. Scott
  I refer my hon. Friend, the right hon. Gentleman and the hon. Lady to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Bolton, North-East (Mr. Thurnham) earlier today.

  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if, in the light of the Social Security Advisory Committee's report "Benefits for Disabled People: A Strategy For Change" he plans to increase spending on disability benefits.

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will give the financial terms of reference of the disability benefits review.

  Mr. Sims
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to increase spending on disability benefits.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what response he has made to the comments of the Social Security Advisory Committee, in its report entitled "Benefits for Disabled People: A Strategy for Change" that reforming the system unavoidably means putting in new resources.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if, in light of the Social Security Advisory Committee's report "Benefits for Disabled People: A Strategy for Change" he will increase spending on benefits for disabled people.

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what additional resources he plans to make available for disability benefits.

  Mr. Scott
  I refer my hon. Friend and the right hon. and hon. Members to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Exeter (Mr. Hannam) earlier today.

  Agencies
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how his Department's agencies will affect the work of social security staff.

  Mr. Moore
  Agencies will mean exciting new opportunities for our staff. They will have clearer targets and greater flexibility to provide an improved service to the public, and their pay will he matched to their success in doing so.

  Mr. Couchman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how the introductions of his Department's agencies will affect staff training.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Training will be more sharply focused on the specific aims and objectives of the agencies, with a particular emphasis on management training, to reflect the greater devolution of responsibilities which agencies will bring.

  Mr. Stevens
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what further agencies are envisaged for his Department.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  On 17 May 1989, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced plans for the establishment of an information technology services agency by April 1990; a national insurance contributions unit by April 1990; a benefits administration agency by April 1991. A further agency, the resettlement units executive agency, has already been established.

  Pensioners (Home Ownership)
  Mr. Hayward
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of pensioners own their own homes outright.

  Mr. Moore
  In 1986 about 48 per cent. of pensioners owned their own homes, of which only 4 per cent. had a mortgage and paid interest. This means 96 per cent. of pensioners did not pay mortgage interest.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of pensioners are owner-occupiers.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  In 1986, a total of 48 per cent. of pensioners were owner-occupiers; of those, 92 per cent. owned their homes outright.

  Attendance Allowance
  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people are receiving the higher rate of attendance allowance at the latest available date; and what was the comparable figure for 1979.

  Mr. Scott
  An estimated 310,000 people were receiving the higher rate of attendance allowance at any one time in 1988–89. The corresponding figure for 1978–79 was 122,000.

  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he has any plans to improve the attendance allowance system.

  Mr. Scott
  We are constantly seeking to improve the working of the attendance allowance system. We have 38
  substantially reduced the average time taken to decide new attendance allowance claims from 12·5 weeks in 1983 to 7·5 weeks currently. This year we are spending almost £1,200 million on attendance allowance, an increase of 230 per cent. in real terms since 1978–79. The reports of the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys disability surveys will help us judge how well the substantial current expenditure is targeted and whether there are better ways of helping those in greatest need.

  Pensions
  Mr. Knapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many European Community countries pay flat-rate retirement pensions.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Within the European Community, only the United Kingdom, Denmark and Ireland pay flat-rate retirement pensions. So far as the United Kingdom is concerned, that means that all pensioners are provided with a secure foundation for retirement. In countries that rely on earnings-related schemes low earners receive low pensions and very low earners have very low pensions.

  Benefits (Uprating)
  Mr. John P. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what action he intends to take to compensate those who are currently losing because of the disparity between inflation and the uprating increase.

  Mr. Moore
  In April, benefits were fully uprated in line with the movement in prices over the 12 months to September 1988. In the same way, the next uprating will take account of the movement in prices between September 1988 and September 1989. The use of the historic method for uprating is much fairer than the previous forecasting method. A switch to the forecasting method in 1976 meant that pensioners were not compensated for the price increases of 6 per cent. between March 1975 to November 1975. That meant pensioners got over £1 billion less, in today's prices, than they would have done.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what action he intends to take to compensate those who are currently losing because of the disparity between inflation and the uprating increase.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State's reply to the hon. Member for Vale of Glamorgan (Mr. Smith) earlier today.

  Living Standards
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security by how much the average living standards of couples with children has increased since 1979.

  Mr. Scott
  From 1979 to 1985, the average living standards of couples with children improved by 9 per cent. This improvement is larger than for couples without children or single people. Both these groups had improvements in their living standards of 6 per cent.

  Child Benefit
  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many families in receipt of child benefit contain an earner of more than twice national average male earnings; and what proportion of all such earners are part of a family unit receiving child benefit.

  Mr. Scott
  On the basis of the 1986 family expenditure survey, a little over 300,000 families in receipt of child benefit contained an earner of more than twice average earnings, representing just over a half of all such earners. Information about the incomes of families receiving child benefit is not routinely collected. Estimates are subject to normal sampling and response variation.

  Benefits
  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people are in receipt of social security benefits.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  There are a large number of different social security benefits serving different purposes and giving different sorts of help to different groups of people. The estimated average numbers receiving each of the various benefits in 1988–89 are:

  1988–89

  Thousands

  Retirement Pension

  9,720

  Widows' benefit

  385

  Unemployment benefit

  620

  Sickness benefit

  110

  Invalidity benefit

  1,130

  Industrial disablement benefit

  210

  Industrial death benefit

  25

  Maternity allowance

  15

  Non-contributory retirement pension

  35

  War pension

  255

  Attendance allowance

  760

  Invalid care allowance

  100

  Severe disablement allowance

  265

  Mobility allowance

  530

  Income Support

  4,215

  Child benefit—numbers of children1

  12,030

  Child benefit—number of families

  6,755

  One parent benefit

  680

  Family credit

  285

  Housing benefit2

  rent rebate

  3,100

  rent allowance

  925

  rate rebate3

  5,105

  Notes:

  1 Numbers of children in families receiving child benefit, including those also receiving one parent benefit.

  2 Most households getting assistance with rent will also be in receipt of a rate rebate.

  3 Includes estimates of people receiving community charge rebates in Scotland.

  At any one time, people can receive more than one social security benefit and there are cases where people (eg parents) receive benefits for others (children). In 1987, the latest year for which an estimate is available, social security benefits made some contribution to the incomes or family incomes of some 38 million men, women and children—about 70 per cent of the population of Great Britain.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he will make it his policy to commence payment to anyone granted(a) housing benefit
  40
  or (b) any other form of social security benefit with effect from the date from which the need for that benefit can be shown to date.

  Mr. Scott
  No. There are prescribed times for claiming housing benefit and other social security benefits some of which may be extended for up to 12 months before the date of claim where the claimant proves there was good cause for the failure to claim timeously.

  National Insurance
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what effect the current increase in earnings will have on national insurance fund contributions.

  Mr. Scott
  We expect that the current increase in earnings will increase the income of the national insurance fund by about £500 million compared with estimates published last autumn. The Budget measures on national insurance contributions and the abolition of earnings rule will cost the fund a net £1 billion in 1989–90. The national insurance fund's income from contributions is expected to be about £28·2 billion in the current year.

  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the percentage increase in contributions to the national insurance fund anticipated in the current year as a result of the increase in earnings.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The percentage increase in receipts from national insurance contributions to the national insurance fund resulting from the expected increase of earnings in 1989–90 is expected to be 9 per cent. in cash terms. This estimate is based on receipts net of statutory sick pay, statutory maternity pay and personal pension rebates, but includes premiums paid to the state scheme by occupational pension schemes. It also take account of the changes announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor in his Budget speech.

  Pensioners (Income)
  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of pensioners have investment income.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  In 1986, a total of 70 per cent. of all pensioners, and 85 per cent. of recently retired pensioners received investment income.

  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of pensioners have income from some source other than state benefit.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  In 1986 just over 80 per cent. of pensioners were in receipt of income from a source other than state benefits.

  Dr. Twinn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, by how much pensioners' income from savings has increased since 1979.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Pensioners' average total net income from savings increased by 64 per cent. in real terms between 1979 and 1986.

  Source: Family Expenditure Survey 1986.

  Transitional Payments Unit
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security to what factors he ascribes the staff effort required to process each application to the housing benefit transitional payments unit having been three times greater than expected.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security to what factors he ascribes the staff effort required to process each application to the housing benefit transitional payments unit having been three times greater than expected.

  Mr. Ray Powell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security to what factors he ascribes the staff effort required to process each application to the housing benefit transitional payments unit having been three times greater than expected.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The staff effort required in the transitional payments unit was not three times greater than expected. An early planning estimate was made of the number of staff who would be needed at the transitional payments unit which proved to be an underestimate for two main reasons: the difficulty of estimating staff numbers in a wholly new area of work before detailed procedures had been worked out; and the fact that many of those employed in the transitional payments unit lacked any previous work experience. The general running costs of the unit in 1988–89 will be less than half the original estimate.

  Carers
  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the estimated annual saving to his Department from the existence of a network of informal carers.

  Mr. Scott
  This information is not available.

  Claimants
  Mr. Dunn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security which categories of claimants or potential claimants he has identified as being in greatest need.

  Mr. Butterfill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security which categories of claimants or potential claimants he has identified as being in greatest need.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  We recognised that less well-off families with children—those on income-related benefits-needed extra help. Income support and housing benefit include premiums providing extra help to families, lone parents and disabled children. Family credit provides more generous help to working families with modest earnings. In all three benefits, the amounts provided for children vary with their ages. In this year's uprating extra help, over and above the £2·1 billion needed to maintain the value of benefits, of 50p per child per week (worth £70 million in total) was provided for some 3 million children living in around 1·5 million families.

  Income support and housing benefit include premiums recognising the extra needs of pensioners and disabled claimants. The independent living fund provides financial help to enable severely disabled people who are receiving income support or have low incomes to pay for the personal care and domestic support they need to maintain an independent life in the community.
  42
  From July we are introducing measures to provide extra help for 16 and 17-year-olds who are forced to live independently which is worth up to £6·60 a week for these on income support and up to £5·61 a week for those on housing benefits only. From October we are directing extra help to elderly and disabled pensioners, costing nearly £200 million in a full year and worth up to £2·50 a week for single people and up to £3·50 for couples.

  North-West Office
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the total number of staff employed by his Department in the Department of Social Security north-west office.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The total number of staff employed in the north-western regional office is 647.

  Social Security Spending
  Mr. Patnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security by what amount spending in real terms on social security programmes has increased over the last five years for which figures are available.

  Mr. Scott
  Spending on social security in 1989–90 is forecast to be £51·1 billion in current plans, while in 1984–85 it was £38·1 billion. Despite a drop in unemployment of almost one third, with the consequential effect on expenditure on that group, overall social security spending has increased by 3·4 per cent. in real terms in the last five years.

  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the percentage of public expenditure spent on social security benefits now; and what it was in 1979.

  Mr. Scott
  The percentage of public expenditure spent on the social security programme in 1989–90 is forecast to be 30 per cent. on current plans, while in 1979–80 it was 24 per cent.

  Family Credit
  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the advertising cost for each successful new claim for family credit, above expected trends, received as a result of the recent advertising campaign.

  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what has been the notional advertising cost for each successful new claim for family credit, above expected trends, that has been received as a result of the advertising campaign.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Such cost estimates would not be meaningful. It is not possible to assess accurately how much of the increase in claims has been a direct result of the advertising campaign rather than other factors such as the increase in family credit rates in April. Furthermore, the campaign aims to raise levels of awareness of family credit not only to encourage claims by people who may be entitled at present but to encourage others to claim in the future should they become eligible through changed circumstances.

  In terms of the objective of increasing awareness within the target groups, there have been significant increases.

  43
  Research indicates a change from 25 to 82 per cent. awareness. This is matched by increases in applications. In the weeks before the campaign we had 164,000 applications. In the 11 weeks after the campaign started we had 295,000 claims and of the claims decided since the campaign began over 135,000 have been successful and 86,400 further claims are awaiting decision.

  The cost of advertising and other promotion of family credit since April to the end of July is approximately £4·8 million.

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

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Representations are usually to the effect that it needs to be improved. The recent advertising campaign has sought to increase public awareness of family credit and so promote increased take-up.

  Advertising
  Mr. Dykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he has undertaken an up-to-date assessment of any improvements in take-up ratios on targeted benefits following the completion of the spring advertising campaign launch by his Department.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The precise effects on family credit take-up rates will not be known until information is available from the 1989 family expenditure survey, but the increase in the number of claims received during the campaign has been very encouraging and the underlying caseload is now almost certainly over 300,000.

  Pensioners (living Standards)
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security by how much the average living standards of pensioners have increased since 1979.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Between 1979 and 1986 pensioners' average total net income increased by 23 per cent. in real terms.

  Source: Family Expenditure Survey 1986.

  Social Fund
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people have been refused loans by social fund officers on the basis that they have insufficient income to repay the loans.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  There were 18,931 loan applications refused for this reason in the period April 1988 to May 1989.

  Social Security Fraud
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many personnel are involved in the detection of fraud in social security benefits; and what is the total expenditure by his Department in this area.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Precise figures are not available, but it is possible to estimate the numbers of full-time equivalent posts on the basis of records of staff time expended on fraud-related work. The numbers of full-time equivalent posts are 3,335. Data for the total expenditure by the Department in this area are not available. Staff costs are now some £47 million in a full year.

  Mobility Allowance
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what recent discussions he has had with pensioners' groups on extending the age after which mobility allowance can be paid; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  I met a delegation from Pensioners Voice on 13 June, when the age limit for mobility allowance was one of the matters discussed.

  Prescription Charges (Exemptions)
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representation he has received about the operations of the Agency Benefits Unit regarding its processing of applications for exemption from prescription charges; what improvements in service to applicants can be expected; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The Agency Benefits Unit deals with claims made under the National Health Service low income scheme which provides help with the whole range of National Health Service charges and fares to hospital for treatment. Each claim under the scheme covers all these services, including exemption from prescription charges, so that separate information about the latter cannot be given.

  On the operation of the low income scheme generally, apart from many letters about the amount of help provided in individual cases, most representations have concerned the amount of time taken to deal with claims. A major cause of delay earlier in the year was a problem which arose in connection with the regulations governing the low income scheme, and which led to a stockpiling of cases at the unit. All the cases which had been stockpiled were cleared by the middle of April, but work is still in progress to correct the cases which had been dealt with before the stockpiling began.

  Representations have also been made about the claim form, and the design of the form is currently under review. The opportunity will also be taken to correct weaknesses in the form which have sometimes led to delays due to forms having to be returned to claimants because they were not properly completed.

  Elderly People (Income Support)
  Mr. Andrew Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the projected increase in cost of income support for elderly people in private residential and nursing home accommodation in the next five years.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The information requested is not available, but forecasts of public expenditure on income support as a whole are contained in the public expenditure White Paper.

  Mr. Andrew Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the total amount paid in income support to elderly people in private residential and nursing home accommodation for each of the last five years.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The table shows estimated expenditure on payments of supplementary benefit income support to elderly people in private and voluntary
  45
  residential care and housing homes; information for private homes only is not available. Before December 1985 such data were not collected.

  Date

  Annual equivalent expenditure

  £ million

  December 1985

  280

  May 1986

  360

  May 1987

  530

  May 1988

  680

  Source: December 1985, May 1986, May 1987 and May 1988 Quarterly Statistical Enquiries.

  Note:

  The amounts for 1985–7 relate to supplementary pensions, and that for 1988 to payments of income support to people aged 60 or more.

  Independent Living Fund
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his policy towards the payment of independent living fund grants in order to substitute for National Health Service services; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  Decisions are a matter for the trustees of the fund. Payments from the fund complement the provision made for severely disabled people by the statutory authorities and are not intended to replace them.

  War Widows
  Sir David Price
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he expects to he able to respond to the further representations which he has received about the plight of the pre-1973 war widows.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  My noble Friend has recently responded to representations made by the Officers' Pension Society and several hon. Members. Officials have provided a note to the Social Services Committee on the points raised on this subject at the hearing on 14 June. There are no other representations awaiting a reply.

  Young Claimants
  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will give the total number of 16 and 17-year-olds in Scotland and for each of the local Department of Social Security office areas who have(a) applied and (b) received income support as a result of direction from the Secretary of State under the severe hardship provision from September 1988 to the most recent date for which figures are available.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The table shows the number of applications for income support from 16 and 17-year-olds in Scotland on the ground of "severe hardship" between 12 September 1988 and 23 June 1989. It also shows the number of directions given to enable income support to be paid.

  (1)

  (2)

  (3)

  DSS Local Office

  Decisions taken

  Directions to enable benefit to be paid

  Aberdeen

  North

  67

  30

  South

  154

  105

  46

  (1)

  (2)

  (3)

  DSS Local Office

  Decisions taken

  Directions to enable benefit to be paid

  Airdrie

  45

  30

  Arbroath

  40

  24

  Ayr

  24

  13

  Bathgate

  225

  173

  Bellshill

  75

  56

  Campbeltown

  13

  9

  Clydebank

  15

  6

  Coatbridge

  6

  4

  Cowdenbeath

  61

  35

  Dumbarton

  59

  42

  Dumfries

  48

  34

  Dundee

  East

  29

  14

  West

  17

  10

  Dunfermline

  98

  79

  East Kilbride

  36

  27

  Edinburgh

  City

  74

  54

  East

  103

  78

  North

  70

  47

  South

  84

  62

  West

  89

  62

  Elgin

  69

  47

  Falkirk

  173

  114

  Fort William

  13

  11

  Galashiels

  103

  69

  Glasgow

  Anniesland

  66

  43

  Bridgeton

  61

  41

  City

  76

  46

  Craigton

  62

  46

  Cranstonhill

  27

  25

  Cumbernauld

  59

  28

  Laurieston

  142

  93

  Maryhill

  91

  63

  Parkhead

  85

  50

  Patick

  31

  17

  Provan

  164

  120

  Rutherglen

  129

  68

  Southside

  49

  33

  Springburn

  87

  63

  Greenock

  73

  48

  Hamilton

  40

  30

  Inverness

  29

  21

  Irvine

  90

  55

  Johnstone

  9

  1

  Kilmarnock

  88

  62

  Kirkcaldy

  109

  79

  Kirkwall

  12

  9

  Lerwick

  5

  5

  Leven

  47

  27

  Motherwell

  36

  23

  Oban

  9

  6

  Paisley

  142

  104

  Perth

  85

  58

  Peterhead

  47

  30

  Port Glasgow

  37

  25

  Stirling

  86

  54

  Stornoway

  37

  21

  Stranraer

  14

  10

  Wick

  2

  1

  Total

  3,916

  2,640

  Notes:

  1. Based on 100 per cent. count of applications received.

  2. Information relates to the number of applications received rather than to the number of individual young people involved. Some individuals may have received more than one direction.

  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will give the number of 16 and 17-year-olds
  47
  claiming benefit in Scotland and for each of the Department of Social Security local area offices in each of the months June, July, August and September 1988.

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

  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will give the total number of 16 and 17-year-olds in Scotland who have been exempt from the withdrawal of entitlement to benefit covering lone parents, registered blind, incapable of work by reason of disease or mental or physical disability, pregnancy or couple married with a child in the period September 1988 to the most recent date for which figures are available.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The information is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to the reply to the hon. Member for Fife, Central of 7 November,Official Report, columns 99–100, if he will outline the findings of the monitoring of the changed social security benefit arrangements for young people seeking a YTS place in the period September 1988 to June 1989.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The benefits involved in the changed arrangements for young people from September 1988 were income support and child benefit.

  As far as income support is concerned, I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Mid-Kent (Mr. Rowe) on 16 March at columns 305–06 and to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Broxtowe (Mr. Lester) on 13 March at columns 27–28.

  The changes in child benefit arrangements in the period July 1988 to June 1989 resulted in 418,000 invitations to claim extended child benefit being issued to the parents of those leaving school at summer or Christmas 1988 or Easter 1989. Payment of extended child benefit was made in 43,000 cases where young persons were registered for work or a YTS place.

  I am satisfied that the Training Agency has more than sufficient YTS places for all who want one. On 31 May (the latest figure available) there were over 141,000 unfilled places. Arrangements are in place at a local level with the careers service to ensure that the Training Agency is aware of and can satisfy demand for YTS places.

HEALTH

  Water (Contamination)
  Mr. Jessel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if, as a matter of urgency, he will direct the Chief Medical Officer to provide a second opinion on the risk to human health of chironomidae in water, including drinking water supplies.

  Mr. Freeman
  The Chief Medical Officer has sought expert advice on this matter. The advice is that there is no evidence that when these larvae have been found in drinking water supplies they have ever caused a human health hazard.

  Re-Solv
  Mr. Trotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what further plans he has to support the work of Re-Solv.

  Mr. Freeman
  Earlier this year I met colleagues from other Departments with an interest in solvent misuse to discuss the Government's strategy for tackling the problem. At that meeting we recognised the valuable work undertaken by Re-Solv. We agreed that half the cost of the Re-Solv director's salary over the next three years would be met by Government. The Department of Health is, in addition, making a grant of £50,000 in 1989–90 to Re-Solv to undertake a range of activities to combat solvent misuse. That amount includes a contribution towards the cost of the full-time director for the first year of appointment.

  Hospitals (Management Arrangements)
  Mr. Anthony Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will report further on his intention to introduce new management arrangements for the special hospitals service, as outlined in the ministerial statement of 4 May 1988.

  Mr. Freeman
  With the agreement of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department, the new Special Hospitals Service Authority came into being on 1 July 1989. Initially, the authority will work with the Department, and the Home Department, in formulating national policies for the service; in finalising the new arrangements; and in preparing the way for senior managerial appointments and for the handover of the functions currently discharged by the Department and the three existing local hospital boards. Further measures will be taken in due course to enable the authority to assume full responsibility for the service, from 1 October 1989. At that stage the Department will relinquish all its operational management responsibilities and the local boards will cease to exist, to be replaced as soon as possible by new local arrangements.

  As well as its administrative responsibilities, a primary task of the authority will be to determine policies and priorities within the strategic framework provided by the Government's stated objectives for the further development of the service. These include the overriding need to continue to ensure the safety of the public; to continue to improve standards of treatment and care; and to forge closer and more effective links between the special hospitals and the services to which they relate—the hospital and community psychiatric services and the prison medical service. It was with the achievement of those objectives in mind that my right hon. and learned Friend and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department agreed on the need to strengthen the management of the service, both in terms of the establishment of a central special health authority, and the introduction of general management.

  The new arrangements will provide an improved environment in which roles and relationships, and lines of accountability, are more clearly defined and in which better-informed decisions can be taken on key issues—including the quality of the lives of patients, and the use of resources.

  I am pleased to announce that Dr. David Edmond, the present chairman of the Rampton hospital board, has

  49
  accepted an invitation to serve as chairman of the new authority. He comes to the job with a proven track record both in the service itself, and in industry, and his knowledge, experience and deep commitment to the service will stand him in good stead in taking on this demanding appointment. The membership of the authority will be announced shortly.

  Blood Donors
  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action can be taken by donors to the blood transfusion service to ensure that the blood they supply is used exclusively within the National Health Service.

  Mr. Freeman
  The national blood transfusion service meets non-NHS hospitals' reasonable requests for blood according to availability and clinical need.

  The suggestion that donors should impose conditions is not only contrary to this principle but is impracticable in a service dealing with over 2 million units of blood each year.

  Competitive Tendering
  Mr. David Young
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what criteria have been issued to district health authorities to prevent specifications on competitive tendering being drafted in such a way as to facilitate the application of a specified firm.

  Mr. Freeman
  A wide range of guidance has been issued on the importance of openness in tendering. For example, the Department's guide "Option Appraisal: Medical and Scientific Equipment", published in 1988, advises that a range of equipment should be identified that appears to satisfy the functional requirements and that requirement specifications should not include performance features that would effectively limit the choice to only one model unless there is clear agreement by all concerned that they are genuinely essential. The Department's procurement directorate will offer health authorities advice on available choices, where required.

  Children Bill
  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received seeking information as to when he envisages that part VIII of the Children Bill[Lords] will be implemented; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 30 June 1989]: We have had a few representations on this particular point in the past year. I refer the hon. Member to what my noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor said on implementation of the Bill generally in the other place on 6 December at columns 534–35.

  NHS Grading
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health in what percentages of cases in each of the last three years where upgrading of National Health Service staff was approved by the Whitley council joint secretaries the award was backdated to the date of application.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 30 June 1989]: This information is not readily available and could be provided
  50
  only at disproportionate cost. If my hon. Friend has a particular case in mind he might wish to let me have the specific details.

  Self-governing Hospitals
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether maternity services will be included as part of the core services to be provided by self-governing hospitals.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 21 June 1989]: Exactly what core services different self-governing hospitals will provide will vary according to the facilities that they have available, the services other local hospitals provide and local requirements. Where, however, a self-governing hospital can best provide maternity services to which patients need guaranteed local access, it will be required to do so.

SCOTLAND

  Fish Farming
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the members of the committee appointed to advise the Crown Estate Commissioners on fish farming; if he will describe their remit; and if he will state their remuneration and criteria for appointment.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  My right hon. and learned Friend was happy to announce on 30 May the appointments of the hon. Lord Grieve and Professor George Dunnet to the chairmanship and deputy chairmanship respectively of the fish farming advisory committee being established by the Crown Estate. Background to the appointments is contained in Scottish Office news release 30 May/0948/89 copies of which have been placed in the Library of the House. The other members of the committee will be representatives of the relevant public bodies. Details of the bodies to be represented and the remit of the committee were contained in the reply my right hon. and learned Friend gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Dumfries (Sir H. Monro) on 19 December at columns 88–89. The question of remuneration is a matter for the Crown Estate.

  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he intends to reply to the letter from Scottish Wildlife and Countryside Link on fish farming, dated 30 January.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  My officials met Scottish Wildlife and Countryside Link and discussed in depth the issues raised in the letter. We shall be keeping Link informed of developments.

  Heritage and Culture
  Mr. Greg. Knight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has for further promoting Scotland's heritage and culture.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The Government's booklet "Scotland's Heritage" was published on 9 June and copies were placed in the Library. This made it clear that our policy has been, and will remain, to support the conservation of Scotland's heritage and to promote wide public appreciation and understanding of Scotland's rich
  51
  and diverse culture. Amongst many initiatives giving effect to this policy, my right hon. and learned Friend announced on 9 June a commitment in principle to the development of a museum of Scotland which would exhibit the natural, social, economic and cultural history of Scotland.

  Crofts
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what area of land was under crofting tenure in(a) 1976, (b) 1983 and (c)

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  In 1976 about 881,000 hectares of inbye and common grazings land were registered as being in crofting tenure. Since then about 15,000 hectares, mainly inbye land, have been decrofted.

  Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowance
  Mr. Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received about the European Commission's proposal to limit the payment of the hill livestock compensatory allowance to 25 per cent. for the first 45 livestock units and 12·5 per cent. for the next 45 units.

  Mr. Rifkind
  We have received representations from several right hon. and hon. Members, the National Farmers Union of Scotland and the Scottish Landowners Federation expressing concern about the European Commission's proposals for changes to the hill livestock compensatory allowance arrangements.

  Mr. Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in the event of the European Commission's proposal to limit the payment of the hill livestock compensatory allowance to 25 per cent. for the first 45 livestock units and 12—5 per cent. for the next 45 units becoming effective, the Government will consider funding the deficit for Scottish farms.

  Mr. Rifkind
  Negotiations on the Commission's proposals—which are part of a package of measures relating to reform of the structural funds—have only just begun. It is premature to consider what action the Government might take if the proposals were to be adopted unchanged, but I can give a categorical assurance that in the negotiations we shall be seeking to ensure that full account is taken of the structure of farming in the less-favoured areas of Scotland.

  Wetlands
  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he next intends to announce the designation of an area either as a site under the Ramsar convention on the conservation of wetlands of international importance or as a special protection area under EC directive 79/409 on the conservation of wild birds, or both.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The next classification of a site will be announced as soon as the necessary consultations have been completed.

  Dental Schools
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will detail the involvement of his Department in announcing on 22 June the plans for the future of Scotland's three dental schools.
  52
  Mr. Rifkind
  I was extremely concerned at the premature and regrettable disclosure in a television programme on 22 June of the recommendations of the report of the working party on dental provision in Scotland, chaired by Sir Donald McCallum. My Department was, of course, not involved in that disclosure.

  Nurses
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list, by district health authority(a) the current nursing staff establishment, (b) the number in post at the latest available date and (c) the number who have left the National Health Service in the preceding year.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  There are no district health authorities in Scotland. The equivalent is a health board. The whole-time equivalent number of nursing staff employed in each health board at 30 September 1988 is set out in the table. Information about nursing staff establishments is not held centrally and the number of nursing staff who leave the NHS could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Number

  Scotland

  63,782·4

  CSA

  196·4

  Argyll and Clyde

  4,782·7

  Ayrshire and Arran

  3,376·0

  Borders

  1,146·6

  Dumfries and Galloway

  1,856·9

  Fife

  3,598·5

  Forth Valley

  3,530·7

  Grampian

  6,030·5

  Greater Glasgow

  15,283·4

  Highland

  2,369·8

  Lanarkshire

  5,391·4

  Lothian

  9,471·1

  Orkney

  197·1

  Shetland

  221·0

  Tayside

  6,034·7

  Western Isles

  295·6

  Art, Craft and Design Teaching
  Dr. Reid
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals he has to bring craft and design education into the curriculum for Scottish schools; what plans there are for the teaching of art; and by what date he expects such subjects to be part of the curriculum.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Current guidance for secondary schools is that the curriculum of every pupil up to the age of 16 should include subjects within the modes designated creative and aesthetic activity, which includes art, and technological activity and applications, which includes craft and design. Scottish certificate of education courses are available in both subjects at O-grade, standard grade and higher levels. Art and design may be taken at the level of certificate of sixth-year studies. Consideration is being given to the introduction of a certificate of sixth-year studies course in craft and design. Craft and design and art are also aspects of the primary curriculum, which is presently being reviewed.

  Community Care
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to make an announcement on his plans for community care; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  My right hon. and learned Friend plans to announce his proposals for community care in Scotland at the same time as decisions are announced on the Griffiths report. As has been indicated in the House, this will be before the summer recess.

  Food Poisoning
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many cases of(a) botulism, (b) salmonella enteriditis, (c) salmonella typhimurium and (d) other types of food poisoning have been reported or detected in Scotland for each month since January.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The numbers of food poisoning cases reported during 1989 are as follows:

  Number

  January

  150

  February

  181

  March

  114

  April

  165

  May

  160

  June

  255

  The cause is not always known but those recorded include:

  Botulism

  Salmonella enteriditis

  Salmonella typhimurium

  January

  Nil

  54

  32

  February

  Nil

  85

  31

  March

  Nil

  60

  21

  April

  Nil

  43

  9

  May

  Nil

  81

  27

  June

  Nil

  96

  32

  Scottish Constitutional Convention
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is now taking steps to take part in the discussions of the Scottish constitutional convention.

  Mr. Rifkind
  No.

  Lead Plumbing
  Mr. Norman Hogg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has any plans for replacing lead plumbing in pre-war houses and tenement blocks; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The replacement of lead plumbing within a house is the responsibility of the owner, though grants to private owners are available for this purpose from district and islands councils.

  In the period 1982–87, over 45,000 grants which included lead plumbing works were approved by local authorities. In the same period more than 350,000 houses were improved by local authorities and other public sector agencies; many of these houses are likely to have had lead plumbing replaced as part of the modernisation works.

  Water Supply
  Mr. Norman Hogg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has any plans to give any advice to regional water authorities concerning the addition of orthophosphate to the public water supply; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  There are no plans to issue further advice at the present time. Full advice was given to regional and islands authorities in mid-1984. The addition of orthophosphate has achieved considerable reductions in levels of lead in tap water in a number of areas of Scotland. The effectiveness of the treatment is kept under review.

  Sunday Trading
  Mr. Norman Hogg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if, in view of the growth of Sunday trading in Scotland, he has any plans for a review of the law so as to provide safeguards for employees and local residents.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  My right hon. and learned Friend has no such plans.

  Mr. Norman Hogg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received on people being denied jobs or being required to give up employment, if, on grounds of family or conscience, they do not wish to work on Sundays.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Other than those in the report "Scotland's Sunday Under Pressure", none.

  Mr. Norman Hogg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has received the publication, "Scotland's Sunday Under Pressure" by the Keep Sunday Special Campaign; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  My right hon. and learned Friend has received the publication and has noted its findings.

  Policewomen
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in the light of research findings of Professor Ray Wilkie on policewomen in Scotland, he will consider whether any policy changes need to be effected.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  We are examining the report, but the main implications of the research findings are for the police service itself to consider. I understand that copies of the report have been circulated to the chief constables of all Scottish police forces.

  Contracts (Tendering)
  Mr. Bill Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take steps to prohibit expenditure by certain local authorities on forming and operating separate companies for catering and cleaning services to compete with private contractors who may tender for local authority contracts; what assessment he has made of the effects of this practice on the ability of private contractors to compete fairly for these contracts; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Within the resources available to them, local authorities may do anything that
  55
  is calculated to facilitate, or is conducive or incidental to, the discharge of any of their functions. If authorities decide to set up companies for catering and cleaning services, they cannot award contracts to such companies without taking reasonable steps to secure competition for the carrying out of the work. I should be glad to be informed of any evidence that private contractors are being prevented from competing fairly in such circumstances.

  YTS
  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is monitoring the impact of the YTS guarantee on 16 and 17-year-olds.

  Mr. Lang
  I am satisfied that the Training Agency in Scotland has more than sufficient YTS places available for those young people under 18 who want one.

  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will estimate the number of summer school leavers eligible for YTS as a result of failing to obtain employment or a place in full-time education.

  Mr. Lang
  We estimate that up to 50,000 16 to 17-year-olds might leave school this summer. All are eligible for YTS, but only a proportion will seek a place. The Training Agency has consulted the careers service and is satisfied that it has sufficient places to meet likely demand, but further places can be provided if required.

  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give(a) the number of YTS places available and (b) occupied for each of the former administration areas of the Training Agency, known as area manpower boards.

  Mr. Lang
  This information is not available in the precise form requested. As at 31 May 1989 the Training Agency had 61,115 agreed YTS places in Scotland and 47,345 of these were filled. This information is broken down by Training Agency area office area as follows:

  Agreed places

  In training

  Glasgow city

  9,844

  8,434

  Lanarkshire

  6,306

  5,325

  Renfrew, Dunbarton and Argyll

  8,249

  6,260

  Ayrshire, Dumfries and Galloway

  6,969

  5,498

  Lothian and Borders

  7,655

  5,424

  Central and Fife

  9,287

  6,831

  Grampian and Tayside

  9,397

  7,220

  Highlands and Islands

  3,408

  2,353

  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when the YTS guarantee will be met for every 16 and 17-year-old summer school leaver in Scotland who does not enter full-time education or permanent employment.

  Mr. Lang
  We aim to ensure that every young person under 18 who is seeking a YTS place is offered one before his or her entitlement to benefit ends.

  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the YTS guarantee is being met; and how monitoring of this procedure is being undertaken.

  Mr. Lang
  Yes the guarantee is being met. Local arrangements with the careers service ensure that Training Agency area offices are aware of and can satisfy demand for YTS places.
  56
  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will estimate the number of 16 and 17-year-olds in Scotland who did not obtain a YTS place before the expiry of the period of extended child benefit or bridging allowance between September 1988 and the most recent date for which figures are available.

  Mr. Lang
  The guarantee of a YTS place to all 16 and 17-year-olds that want one means that there is no need for any young person who applies for a YTS place in reasonble time to be without financial support. Information about young people who are not on benefit or on YTS is not collected centrally. I cannot therefore offer an estimate of their numbers.

  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has met the regional and islands council careers officers to discuss the implementation of the YTS guarantee.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  My officials regularly meet representatives of Scottish careers services to discuss this and other matters.

  Dounreay
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much time has elapsed since he received the report from his reporter, Mr. A. Bell, on the public inquiry into the application to build the European demonstration reprocessing plant at Dounreay.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The report on the public local inquiry was received by my right hon. and learned Friend on 30 March 1988. He is currently considering the implications of the report.

  Planning Applications
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the planning applications, including outstanding applications, in respect of which public inquiries have been held since May 1979 and his decision has not been announced until a date more than(a) 12 months, (b) 18 months and (c) 24 months after the conclusion of the inquiry.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information is as follows:-

  1. Applications called-in by the Secretary of State in respect of which public inquiries have been held since May 1979 and where the decision was made more than

  (a) 12 months after the conclusion of the inquiry; Skiing development, Lurcher's Gully, Aviemore Aberdeen Central Comprehensive Development (Area B)

  Waste disposal plant, Inchbelly Farm, Kirkintilloch

  Landfill site, Dalinlongart, Argyll

  Travelling people's site, Hardhill Road, Bathgate

  Travelling people's site, Panmurefield, Dundee

  Lorry Park, Barnhill, Moffat

  Housing development, Small Glebe, Newtyle, Angus

  (b) 18 months after the conclusion of the inquiry;

  Refuse tip, Brandon Howe, Banff

  (c) 24 months after the conclusion of the inquiry; European Demonstration Reprocessing Plant, Dounreay

  2. Applications subject to appeal to the Secretary of State in respect of which public inquiries have been held since May 1979 and where the decision was made more than:

  (a) 12 months after the conclusion of the inquiry; Housing development, Garthdee Road, Aberdeen

  57

  Joiner's Workshop and store, Margaret Cottage, Grandhome, Aberdeen

  Housing development, Royal Nurseries, Old Dalkeith Edinburgh

  Housing development, Edmonstone Mains Farm, Edinburgh

  Housing development, Maybury Road, Edinburgh

  Housing development, The Drum, Gilmerton, Edinburgh

  Housing development, Strathblane Road, Milngavie

  Road proposal, Stepps By-pass, Glasgow

  Opencast extraction of fireclay, Crossgates Plantation, Braidwood, Carluke

  Reconstruction of station facilities, Williamwood Station, Giffnock

  Housing development, Meikle Earnoch, Hamilton

  Shopping development. Newhouse, Motherwell

  Shopping development, former British Leyland site, Bathgate

  (b) 18 months after the conclusion of the inquiry;

  Boreholes in Carrick Forest, Loch Doon

  Housing development, Dalhousie Mains, Bonnyrigg, Midlothian

  Shopping, housing and high technology park development, Maybury Park, South Gyle, Edinburgh

  Shopping development, The Craigs, Maybury Road, Edinburgh

  Shopping development, Hermiston Gait, Cultins Road, Edinburgh

  (c) 24 months after the conclusion of the inquiry;

  None.

  Glasgow School of Chiropody
  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will make a statement on the future of the clinical department of the Glasgow school of chiropody;

  (2) if he will make it his policy to guarantee the future funding of the Glasgow school of chiropody for the next five years.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I announced on 24 February 1988 my approval for the transfer of Greater Glasgow health hoard's school of chiropody to Queen's college, Glasgow in the higher education sector. The school will continue to be funded by the health board until this transfer is effected and after transfer will be funded in exactly the same manner as other institutions in the higher education sector. The health board is currently considering whether some of the chiropody services provided in a clinic adjacent to the school might be redistributed to other sites in their area.

  Rural Areas
  Sir Hector Monro
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what further steps he plans to take to ensure the effective co-ordination of the various Government policies and initiatives for the rural areas of Scotland.

  Mr. Rifkind
  This Government have always recognised the importance of rural areas in Scotland. We have responded to their changing needs and have demonstrated our commitment to their well-being over the years through many and varied forms of assistance to help sustain rural communities, stimulate economic activity, and maintain and enhance the environment.

  We are in a period of changing emphasis for rural Scotland. For instance, agriculture support policies are being reshaped; new development opportunities are being recognised, not least by local communities supported by the voluntary sector; and we are placing even greater emphasis on effective conservation of the environment. I
  58
  am encouraged by the increasing awareness of a need to achieve a balance between development and conservation to sustain the resources of our natural environment for the benefit of future generations while at the same time permitting rural communities to achieve their full economic potential.

  In order to ensure that our current and future efforts are fully co-ordinated and effectively targeted, I have asked my noble Friend the Minister of State, Lord Sanderson of Bowden, to take special responsibility for rural policy co-ordination in the Scottish Office in addition to his existing responsibilities for agriculture, fisheries, forestry, Highlands and Islands development and tourism. This appointment will ensure that the initiatives already in hand and further developments likely to occur in the coming years are properly co-ordinated and work together to achieve their common purpose of enhancing the position of rural areas.

  Other Ministers will retain their existing responsibilities. Lord Sanderson will concentrate on ensuring that, in a time of change, the right balance is struck between the protection of the environment and economic development.

  Roads
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has any plans to publish a White Paper on Scottish roads.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 30 June 1989]: I refer the hon. Member to the major statement made by my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State on 18 May in which he announced a substantial increase in funds for the trunk road programme. In that statement the Secretary of State indicated his trunk road priorities and referred to a planned consultation paper on the "routes south of Edinburgh" study, and a major review of the trunk and principal road network. The outcome of these consultations may form the basis of a policy document or White Paper in due course.

  Tree Planting
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Caerphilly, of 22 June,Official Report, columns 205–6, whether the figures given relate to actual hectares of forestry planted within the period specified or the number of hectares for which grant was paid within that period.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 30 June 1989]: As stated in the answer, the figures given in categories (b), (c) and (d) were the areas on which planting grant was paid, while the figures in categories (a) and (e) were, respectively, the areas actually planted and the areas estimated to have been planted, in the period specified.

  Erskine Bridge
  Mr. Roy Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the outstanding debt on the Erskine bridge as at 31 March.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 30 June 1989]: This figure will not become available until the bridge account for 1988–89 is finalised and laid before Parliament.

ENERGY

  Carbon Dioxide Emissions
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will set out the basis of the statement made by the hon. Member for Worcestershire, South (Mr. Spicer) to the international business machines conference in Bournemouth on 13 June that each new pressurised water reactor nuclear station operated would reduce United Kingdom carbon dioxide emissions by 6 million tonnes a year against a coal-fired station.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  Each tonne of typical United Kingdom power station coal burnt produces approximately 2 tonnes of carbon dioxide. The figure of 6 million tonnes a year of carbon dioxide equates to a 1·2 GW station displacing equivalent baseload coal fired plant burning a little under 3 million tonnes a year.

  Nuclear Waste
  Mr. Blair
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what commitments he intends to enter into on behalf of the Government in respect of National Power's costs for the decommissioning of nuclear power stations and the disposing of and reprocessing of nuclear waste; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Parkinson
  As my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy made clear to the hon. Member on Report on 10 April at column 667, the industry, and, therefore, the consumer, will pay these costs unless something happens which is not foreseen—such as the regulations concerning the environment being changed —and proper provisions could not, therefore, have been made in the accounts. The amendments the Government intend to table at Lords Report stage, announced by Baroness Hooper on 19 June at column 20, do not represent a change to this policy, but a particular means of implementing the Government's commitments under it.

ENVIRONMENT

  Water Use
  Mr. Hayward
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any further information in relation to water use restrictions following his answer to the hon. Member for Kingswood on 8 June,Official Report, column 87.

  Mr. Howard
  We are now aware of 16 cases in England where water utilities, using their powers under section 16 of the Water Act 1945, have imposed bans on the use of hosepipes for watering gardens and washing cars. These affect about 6 per cent. of the population.

  Equity Share Schemes
  Mr. Fry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many local authorities in the east midlands region have plans to build houses under equity share schemes.

  Mr. Trippier
  The Department does not collect information in the detail requested. Some indication of local authorities' intentions may be found in their annual housing investment programme submissions, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Bathing Waters
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment by which date he expects all identified bathing waters in the north-west region to meet the provisions of EEC directive 76/160/EEC; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Howard
  The Department is currently discussing with water authorities, including North West water authority, plans that they have drawn up aimed at bringing remaining bathing waters up to EC standards by the mid-1990s.

  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list North West Water's environmental quality objectives for all identified bathing waters on the Fylde coast, Morecambe bay and north Cumbrian coast.

  Mr. Howard
  Quality objectives for rivers and estuaries are at present set by water authorities; in future this will be the responsibility of the Secretary of State on the advice of the National Rivers Authority. The relevant standards for identified bathing waters are set out in the EC directive 76/160/EEC, a copy of which is in the Library.

  Surcharging
  Mr. Speller
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the last two occasions on which councillors have been surcharged for refusing to grant planning permission.

  Mr. Gummer
  The surcharging of councillors under sections 19 and 20 of the Local Government Finance Act 1982 is a matter for individual auditors. I am not aware of any case in which councillors have been surcharged for refusing to grant planning permission.

  Mr. Speller
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the last two occasions on which councillors have been surcharged.

  Mr. Gummer
  I understand that the last two occasions on which councillors were surcharged were in September 1985 when councillors from Lambeth and Liverpool were surcharged in connection with late rate-making.

  CO2 Emissions
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the carbon coefficient assumed for motor spirit and derv in producing carbon dioxide emissions; and what are the latest estimates of carbon dioxide emissions in the transport sector, broken down into road, rail and air transport.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  [holding answer 29 June 1989]: Estimates of carbon dioxide emissions from fuels are made by multiplying the fuel consumption figures by a factor which is the assumed carbon content of the fuel in question. These factors are subject to constant revision as more information becomes available from suppliers about the carbon content of their fuels. The factors used in calculating carbon dioxide emissions from petrol and derv are 855g/kg and 857g/kg of fuel used respectively.

  The most recent estimates of carbon dioxide emissions from road, rail and air transport for 1987 are based on

  61
  information supplied by Warren Spring laboratory. Both the carbon content of fuel and fuel consumption figures are subject to revision. These are the current best estimates available. In 1987, 96·2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide were emitted by road transport. The figures for rail and air transport are 2·2 million tonnes and 18·4 million tonnes of carbon dioxide respectively. Emissions from aircraft using fuel supplied in the United Kingdom will not all occur in United Kingdom air space. The figure of 18·4 million tonnes is an estimate of emissions occurring world wide from aircraft fuel supplied originally in the United Kingdom. The figures given here differ slightly from those published in the Department's "Digest of Environmental Protection and Water Statistics 1988", because of updating.

  Nature Reserves
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to publish the further report allowing publication of the strategy for national nature reserves; and what plans he has for consultation.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  I refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my noble Friend the Minister of State for Housing, Environment and Countryside in another place. Anyone wishing to send comments to the Nature Conservancy Council about the preliminary report is invited to do so. An announcement will be made in due course about the next stage of the review.

  Water Meters
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment to what extent the monthly cost of water bills in the pilot scheme in the Isle of Wight involving water meters differed from previous costs before the introduction of water meters.

  Mr. Howard
  The tariff used in the meter trials on the Isle of Wight have been set so as to recover the same amount of income in total from the island as would have been recovered under a rateable value basis. It is, however, too early to say to what extent individual bills will differ as customers on the island will not receive their first metered hills until October.

  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether there has been any formal evaluation of the pilot scheme for water meters in the Isle of Wight; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Howard
  Some preliminary results from the Isle of Wight and other metering trials were set out in the first interim report which was published last February. Other reports will be published from time to time over the next three years as information on various aspects of the trials becomes available.

  Housing Management
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has any plans to act on the recommendation in the Glasgow university report "The Nature and Effectiveness of Housing Management in England" to introduce a system of performance indicators for local authority housing management.
  62
  Mr. Trippier
  My noble Friend the Minister for Housing, Environment and Countryside intends to table an amendment to the Local Government and Housing Bill during Committee stage in another place.

  This would enable a performance indication scheme to be put in place in every local authority so that tenants will be able to see—for the first time—how efficient, effective and economical their authority is in managing its housing stock. Precise requirements will be for regulations. We plan to consult widely before introducing the scheme.

  Water Purity
  Mr. Jessel
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what reports he has received concerning the presence in water supplies in south-west London of the organism chironomidae; what action is being taken to eliminate the organism; how long he expects elimination to take; and if he will make a statement on how the matter arose and what action he intends to take to prevent a recurrence;

  (2) what advice or instructions his Department gives to water undertakings to monitor water supplies to test for the presence of unwanted organisms; whether he considers present practice to be adequate in the light of the existence of chironomidae in water supplies in south-west London; whether he considers Thames Water complied fully with the recommended procedures; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) what advice or instructions his Department gives to water undertakings to check their filter beds and other elements in the processing cycle for water supplies against physical objects which might lead to the entry and multiplication of unwanted organisms in the water supply; whether such instructions or advice were complied with by Thames Water in the light of the presence of contaminated water supplies in south-west London; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Howard
  My Department has received a report from Thames Water that chironomid larvae are present in the water supply to parts of the boroughs of Hammersmith, Fulham, Hounslow, Kingston, Lambeth, Merton, Richmond, Southwark and Wandsworth supplied from the Hampton treatment works.

  Thames Water found that two sand filters were passing larvae into the supply. These filters have been isolated for inspection and, if necessary, repair. Thames Water is also draining and cleaning the filtered water storage tank at the works. This cleaning operation is expected to take several days to complete. Thames Water is still investigating the cause of the incident.

  My Department has not issued specific advice on the monitoring of water supplies or the checking of filter beds for the presence of unwanted organisms such as chironomidae. It is the water undertaker's responsibility to check that processes are operating efficiently and to monitor the quality of water entering supply. My Department's standing committee of analysts has published methods of biological sampling for macro-invertebrates which includes chironomidae. I understand that many water undertakers use these methods to monitor certain water supplies at times of the year when the presence of chironomidae is possible.

  My Department will urgently review current practice with water undertakers when the cause of this incident is known.

  Drinking Water Quality
  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will place a copy of the Government's response to the European Community's reasoned opinion on drinking water quality in the Library.

  Mr. Ridley
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Dewsbury (Mrs. Taylor) on 30 June,Official Report, Vol. 155, column 580.

  Land Development Managers
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many water authorities have now an officially designated land development manager or a post carrying such specific responsibilities.

  Mr. Howard
  All the nine water authorities in England have property or estates managers whose responsibilities include the disposal of surplus land.

  Hospitals (Radioactive Waste)
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many hospitals currently store solid radioactive waste on site; and what controls exist for monitoring and ensuring safety.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Four hundred and eighty eight hospitals in England are authorised to store radioactive waste under the Radioactive Substances Act 1960 and under the Radioactive Substances (Hospitals' Waste) Exemption Order 1963. Monitoring and safety are ensured by inspectors from both Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution and the Health and Safety Executive.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a list of hospitals licensed under the Radioactive Substances Act 1966 to discharge radioactive wastes into the atmosphere or into the sewers.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Hospitals authorised to discharge radioactive wastes are given in the list of registrations in England and Wales issued under the Radioactive Substances Act 1960 for the keeping and use of radioactive materials and mobile sources. A copy is in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish figures for the amount of radioactive waste released into the atmosphere or down drains or stored on site at hospitals in each of the last five years.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Information about the quantities of radioactive waste discharged and stored at hospitals is not kept centrally; records are kept at individual premises.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what access local people and their representatives have to information about the level and potential dangers of the discharge of radioactive wastes from hospitals.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Monitoring and safety are ensured by inspectors from Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution and the Health and Safety Executive who visit 64
  the premises. Details of any hazards found are published in the inspectorate of pollution's annual report which is available in the Library of the House.

  Cyanide
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what measures his Department intends to take in order to protect the environment from the use of cyanide in prospective gold mining.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I have been asked to reply. Cyanide is not used in any gold mining operation in Scotland, nor are there any plans for its use in Scotland. The use of cyanide in mining would be subject to existing controls which apply, for example, to the use of substances hazardous to health and safety, to discharges to rivers or sewers and to the disposal of waste. I am not aware that any further controls are needed.

  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether his Department has commissioned research on the environmental effects of cyanide in prospective gold mining; and if he will publish the results.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I have been asked to reply. Cyanide is not used in any gold mining operation in Scotland, nor are there any plans for its use in Scotland. The dangers of cyanide to human health are well known and its use is thus strictly controlled. I am not aware of any need for research in this area.

  Sites of Special Scientific Interest
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proportion of land within the Argyll and Bute district council area is designated as sites of special scientific interest or otherwise protected.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I have been asked to reply. The Nature Conservancy Council has advised me that 7 per cent. of land within Argyll and Bute district council area is designated SSSI or otherwise protected.

  Community Charge
  Mr. Terry Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to the answer of 22 June,Official Report, column 198, how many copies of the community charge practice notes have been issued to people or organisations other than local authorities.

  Mr. Gummer
  [holding answer 29 June 1989]: In the case of the community charge practice note No. 19 "Exemptions from the Personal Community Charge (2)", published earlier this month, 2,700 copies were distributed to practitioners in local government and a further 700 copies were circulated to other organisations and individuals. Detailed records of distribution are not available for previous practice notes, but the proportion of local authority to other recipients was similar.

  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if, pursuant to his reply of 11 May to the hon. Member for Copeland,Official Report, column 521, he will state how many requests have been received from the public by the private company, contracted by the Central Office of Information, for the leaflets on the community charge listed on page 2 of "The Community

  65
  Charge (The So-Called Poll Tax): How It Will Work For You" delivered to all households in England: what is the average time taken to deal with a request for one or more leaflets; what monitoring of this company's performance is being undertaken by the Central Office of Information; and if lie will make a statement.

  Mr. Ridley
  [holding answer 28 June 1989]: There has been exceptionally high demand for these further leaflets with over 235,000 requests received so far. Many requests are for more than one leaflet. It was thought right to delay distribution until the outcome of court action by Greenwich borough council against the short leaflet "The Community Charge (the so-called Poll Tax)" was known and the implications of the judgment could be fully assessed. This and the level of demand has led to delays, both factors beyond my control, which I naturally regret. Orders arising for the short leaflet are, however, now being met and an explanatory letter is being sent to people who have placed orders which cannot be fulfilled until stocks have been replenished. Reprinting to meet the high demand is under way. The usual monitoring procedures are in place. All orders will he fulfilled as quickly as possible.

  Felixstowe Dock and Railway Company
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to ensure compliance by the Felixstowe Dock and Railway company with the terms of his consent issued under section 6 of the Felixstowe Dock and Railway Act 1988, for the phase one reclamation by the company of lands at Fagbury.

  Mr. Trippier
  [holding answer 30 June 1989]: The Department's primary concern for limiting the consent under section 6(3) of the Felixstowe Dock and Railway Act 1988 to phase one reclamation by the Felixstowe Dock and Railway company was to ensure that the environmental effects, in particular the damage and disturbance to the birds, were minimised.

  Before issuing the consent, I had regard to the various agreements and undertakings entered into by or on behalf of the company during the passage of the Act in respect of the establishment of a nature reserve at Trimley marshes, landscaping and other matters. I also had regard to the agreement reached between the Nature Conservancy Council and the company subsequent to the passage of the Act for a programme of ornithological and hydrological monitoring studies within the Orwell estuary to identify changes in the bird population and their habitats resulting from phase one of the works.

  It is up to the parties to the various agreements to monitor the situation and seek compliance with the terms of the agreement. It is understood from the Nature Conservancy Council that the ornithological monitoring studies are progressing satisfactorily.

  Water Supplies
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the monitoring arrangements he has made in respect of derogations of water supplies granted by him; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 30 June 1989]: Where a derogation has been granted by my Department to water undertakers under the terms of the EC drinking water
  66
  directive my officials carry out periodic reviews. Where improvements are necessary, my officials check on progress made by water undertakers.

  Sewage Discharges (North West)
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the monitoring arrangements he has made in respect of any derogation of sewerage either in force or under consideration in the north west; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer, 30 June 1989]: At present, consents to discharge effluent from sewage treatment works issued under part II of the Control of Pollution Act 1974 contain conditions which require that discharges are sampled by the water authority on the basis of agreed sampling guidelines. Under the Water Bill, it will become the responsibility of the National Rivers Authority to issue discharge consents and to determine appropriate sampling and monitoring arrangements.

  Rating Reform
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what alternative method to the rating valuation list he proposes to use after the introduction of the poll tax in England and Wales in April 1990 to calculate home loss payments.

  Mr. Gummer
  [holding answer 30 June 1989]: There are no plans to introduce a poll tax but instead a charge for the services provided locally.

  In paragraph 8 of the consultation paper on land compensation and compulsory purchase legislation which my Department issued on 7 March 1989, we have proposed provision for the Secretary of State to prescribe a single flat rate of home loss payable to all qualifying claimants at broadly the present level. However, the paper invited comments on whether, in the light of the general operation of the land compensation code, some further provision would be appropriate in the case of owner-occupiers who are displaced as a result of compulsory purchase. We are currently studying the responses of the consultation papers, a copy of which I am sending to the hon. Member.

  Water Supply (Yorkshire)
  Mr. Patchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the water supply in Yorkshire meets the European Community guidelines for aluminium content, and for any other additives, metals or pesticides.

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 29 June 1989]: Most supplies in the Yorkshire water authority area regularly comply with the standards set in the EC drinking water directive. Those supplies which regularly exceed the directive's standards, including those for aluminium, manganese and iron, and for which the Department has granted derogations under article 9 of the directive, are included in the list which I placed in the Library on 22 June. Derogations under article 9 can be granted only where the situation is due to the nature and structure of the ground and there is no risk to public health.

  I also refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Don Valley (Mr. Redmond) on 8 March, Official Report, column 521–22.

  HMS Cambridge, Wembury
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to receive notification under circular 18/84 of proposal, for new boundary fencing at HMS Cambridge, Wembury; and when he is planning to hold a public inquiry.

  Mr. Chope
  [holding answer 20 June 1989]: My hon. Friend the then Under-Secretary of State for the Armed Forces undertook to follow the procedures for Crown development laid down in circular 18/84. But it is for his Department to decide how to proceed within the terms of that circular. If the proposal is referred to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State he will then decide whether the proposal should proceed by way of a non-statutory local inquiry, an informal hearing or the exchange of written representations.

  River Pollution
  Mr. Clay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the sewage treatment works within Northumbria water authority's boundaries and the number of times each sewage treatment works has failed the discharge consent standard in each of the last two years.

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 21 June 1989]: Details of the sewage treatment works in the Northumbrian water authority area are held on the public register, which is maintained by the authority and is available for public inspection, free of charge, at all reasonable hours. The register includes information about any breaches of discharge consents.

  Water Companies (Deemed Consent)
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what changes his Department will make to the procedure of granting deemed consent to companies following the privatisation of water authorities.

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 26 June 1989]: The arrangement for granting deemed consents to companies was a transitional provision under part II of the Control of Pollution Act 1974 related to those categories of discharge brought under control for the first time. This applied only to applications received by 14 October 1987. There are no plans to reintroduce the procedure for granting deemed consents following privatisation of the water industry.

  April-June 1988

  July-September 1988

  October-December 1988

  January-March 1989

  (a) Called for restart interview

  10,923

  10,337

  12,308

  13,072

  (b) Attended restart interview

  8,731

  8,707

  8,434

  8,903

  (c) Referred to UBO for failing to attend interview

  669

  775

  663

  687

  (d) Disallowed for failing to attend

  56

  68

  40

  67

  Restart follow-up interviews (figures also included in totals above)

  (e) Called for restart interview

  134

  235

  1,177

  1,298

  (f) Attended restart interview

  47

  124

  765

  884

  (g) Referred to UBO for failing to attend interview

  2

  5

  63

  114

  Burnley Inner Area Programme
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to issue approval for Burnley inner area programme protect HS 205—Council for Voluntary Service single homeless project.

  Mr. Trippier
  Urban programme funding was approved for the project on 29 June.

  Water Privatisation
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, further to the answer to the hon. Member for Dewsbury, 26 June,Official Report, column 299, if he will specify the exact amount which was allowed for expenditure on the water authorities' current corporate awareness advertising compaigns when approving the water authorities' overall financing limits.

  Mr. Howard
  No. To do so would prejudice the authorities' media buying negotiations.

EMPLOYMENT

  Industry Training Boards
  Mr. Thornton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when he expects to publish his proposals on the future of the industry training boards.

  Mr. Nicholls
  I have asked the chairman of each ITB to bring forward proposals for future training arrangements in the industry by the end of July.

  Restart
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many unemployed people have(a) been called for a restart interview, (b) attended a restart interview, (c) been referred to UBO for failing to attend interview, (d) been disallowed, (e) been called for restart follow-up interview, (f) attended a restart follow-up interview, (g) been referred to UBO for failing to attend follow-up interview and (h) been disallowed after referral to UBO for the Training Agency covering the Doncaster area, for each of the latest four three monthly periods available.

  Mr. Lee
  The information requested is given in the table. The figures relate to the employment service, Humberside south area.
  69

  April-June 1988

  July-September 1988

  October-December 1988

  January-March 1989

  (h) Disallowed for failing to attend

  Not available in form requested—included in (d) above

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many unemployed people have been referred to the following outcomes as a result of their restart interviews and, for each of the outcomes, how many people started or attended(a) job, (b) restart course, (c) ET, (d) CP, (e) new JTS, (f) jobclub, (g) EAS, (h) voluntary work/VPP, (i) ERC, (j) DRO and

  April-June 88

  July-September

  October-December

  January-March 89

  (a) Job

  467

  666

  476

  520

  (b) Restart Course

  74

  104

  162

  222

  (c) ET (since 09.88)

  0

  915

  2,741

  2,591

  (d) CP1

  396

  142

  0

  0

  (e) New JTS1

  1,723

  1,611

  0

  0

  (f) Jobclub

  467

  382

  473

  437

  (g) EAS

  191

  218

  239

  223

  (h) Voluntary Work/VPP1

  108

  52

  0

  0

  (i) ERC

  9

  18

  0

  0

  (j) DRO

  288

  292

  272

  270

  (k) Claimant Adviser

  742

  831

  633

  452

  1 To September 1988.

  Tourism (Yorkshire and Humberside)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what are the top 20 tourist attractions in numbers of tourists attending or visiting Yorkshire and Humberside.

  Mr. Lee
  The English tourist board's annual survey of visits to attractions gives the following figures for the Yorkshire and Humberside regional tourist board area in 1988:

  Number of visits

  York Minster

  2,100,000

  Flamingo Land

  1,001,000

  Jorvik Viking Centre

  865,909

  National Museum of Photography

  824,811

  Rother Valley Country Park

  689,329

  Castle Museum, York

  640,705

  National Railway Museum

  565,574

  Hornsea Pottery

  500,000

  Tropical World, Leeds

  500,000

  Lightwater Valley Theme Park

  421,121

  Bridlington Leisure World

  350,748

  Sheffield City Museum

  321,106

  Fountains Abbey

  274,414

  North Yorkshire Moors Railway

  250,000

  Leeds City Art Gallery

  236,223

  Bolton Abbey

  233,130

  York Dungeon

  231,149

  Thyrbergh Country Park, Doncaster

  225,000

  Bronte Parsonage, Haworth

  212,545

  Dalby Forest Drive

  205,000

  Jobcentres (Doncaster and Mexborough)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what checks are carried out by his Department's staff in the jobcentres at Doncaster and 70
  (k) claimant adviser for the Training Agency covering the Doncaster area, for each of the latest four three monthly periods available.

  Mr. Lee
  The information requested is given in the table. The figures relate to the employment service, Humberside south area. We do not know how many people ultimately obtain a job or other opportunity as a result of the restart interview.

  Mexborough, to establish whether vacancies advertised are offering rates of pay which fall below wages council rates.

  Mr. Lee
  Jobcentres have full details of wages council minimum rates of pay and instructions that, where vacancies are notified for occupations affected by wages council orders, rates must not be less than those specified.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether any vacancies advertised by his Department's jobcentres in Doncaster and Mexborough on 26 June were offering rates of pay which fall below wages council rates.

  Mr. Lee
  On 26 June, Doncaster jobcentre was displaying five vacancies and Mexborough jobcentre had three vacancies which were covered by wages council orders. 1 am informed that none of the vacancies concerned was advertising rates of pay below the minimum wages council rates.

  Tourism (Cambridgeshire)
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the total value of tourism in Cambridgeshire at current prices in each of the years from 1979 to 1989.

  Mr. Lee
  The available information for Cambridgeshire is shown in table 1 and relates to expenditure by overseas visitors to the United Kingdom who made a trip of at least one night to Cambridgeshire. Information about spending by domestic residents is available only for the whole of the East Anglia tourist board region, and is shown in table 2 together with the equivalent information for overseas visitors. Figures for tourist expenditure by United Kingdom residents on day trips to Cambridgeshire or East Anglia are not available.
  71

  Table 1

  Estimated spending in Cambridgeshire by overseas residents1 2

  £ million

  1979

  31

  1980

  34

  1981

  34

  1982

  31

  1983

  58

  1985

  42

  1986

  69

  1987

  73

  1988

  81

  Table 2

  Estimated spending in East Anglia3

  £ million

  By overseas residents1

  By British residents2

  Total

  1979

  111

  295

  406

  1980

  96

  308

  404

  1981

  95

  339

  434

  1982

  95

  349

  444

  1983

  126

  391

  517

  1984

  125

  4346

  471

  1985

  147

  350

  497

  1986

  157

  445

  602

  1987

  179

  490

  669

  1988

  189

  555

  744

  1 Source: International Passenger Survey.

  2 Source: British Tourist Authority.

  3 East Anglia Regional Tourist Board comprising: Cambridgeshire together with Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex.

  4 From 1984 an improved method of estimating expenditure was introduced for domestic spending. Figures for 1984 and later years are, therefore, not strictly comparable with those for earlier years.

  Employment Rehabilitation Centres
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if, pursuant to the reply to the right hon. Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe, on 14 June,Official Report, column 436, he will publish in the Official Report any changes to policy or guidelines which have

  Number of agreed YTS places and number of young people in YTS training in each region of England, Wales and Scotland for each month during period October to March 1989 (in thousands)

  October 1988

  November 1988

  December 1988

  January 1989

  February 1989

  March 1989

  April 1989

  May 1989

  Agreed places

  In training

  Agreed places

  In training

  Agreed places

  In training

  Agreed places

  In training

  Agreed places

  In training

  Agreed places

  In training

  Agreed places

  In training

  Agreed places

  In training

  South East

  62·1

  46·2

  61·7

  45·6

  61·7

  44·0

  60·1

  42·0

  60·3

  40·8

  58·9

  40·0

  57·9

  39·6

  57·1

  38·8

  London

  33·3

  23·2

  33·1

  22·9

  31·6

  22·5

  31·3

  22·1

  31·2

  21·4

  30·3

  21·2

  29·9

  20·8

  29·4

  20·7

  South West

  46·1

  34·6

  45·9

  33·6

  45·9

  33·0

  45·9

  32·0

  43·7

  31·3

  43·4

  30·5

  41·8

  30·0

  40·7

  29·2

  West Midlands

  71·3

  50·4

  72·5

  49·1

  72·0

  48·3

  70·8

  47·2

  71·3

  44·5

  69·1

  43·6

  67·5

  43·2

  66·5

  42·2

  East Midlands and Eastern

  66·1

  52·0

  66·2

  51·1

  65·2

  50·1

  65·2

  49·3

  65·2

  47·8

  63·5

  46·6

  62·1

  46·0

  61·6

  44·7

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  60·8

  51·3

  60·9

  50·1

  61·0

  49·1

  61·5

  48·3

  61·8

  46·7

  61·4

  45·2

  60·8

  45·1

  60·2

  43·7

  North West

  82·4

  67·9

  82·8

  67·1

  83·0

  65·9

  82·1

  64·6

  81·8

  63·0

  80·5

  60·7

  77·8

  59·2

  76·2

  58·4

  Northern

  40·4

  33·2

  40·5

  33·0

  40·4

  32·6

  40·4

  31·8

  40·4

  21·0

  39·6

  30·5

  38·5

  30·0

  38·1

  29·2

  Wales

  29·8

  26·2

  29·9

  25·6

  29·8

  25·5

  29·8

  24·8

  29·4

  24·2

  29·0

  23·8

  28·2

  23·9

  28·1

  23·6

  Scotland

  63·4

  50·2

  63·5

  49·8

  63·5

  48·9

  63·2

  51·2

  62·9

  50·8

  62·0

  49·8

  61·5

  48·5

  61·1

  47·3

  Totals

  555·7

  435·2

  557·0

  427·9

  554·1

  419·9

  550·3

  413·3

  548·0

  401·5

  537·7

  391·9

  526·0

  386·3

  519·0

  377·8

  Training Agency
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people are employed in his Department's Training Agency; and if he will give a breakdown of their main responsibilities.

  Mr. Lee
  On 1 June 1989, the latest date for which figures are available, the numbers of permanent staff employed in the Department's Training Agency were 11,893. Of these, 9,501 (including 2,623 Skills Training Agency staff) were employed in field offices on delivery and
  72
  caused a 50 per cent. reduction in the average length of attendance at employment rehabilitation centres; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The average length of stay of all clients in ERCs has reduced because many more people are finding short courses of assessment and guidance are meeting their needs. However, in 1989 the length of stay on rehabilitation courses was 35 days and has remained consistent over the last five years. I am also pleased to report that the number of people helped by the ERS has increased from 12,000 in 1984–85 to about 26,000 in 1988–89.

  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the future of the employment rehabilitation centres which share sites with skillcentres, when the Skills Training Agency is moved into the private sector.

  Mr. Lee
  The employment rehabilitation service, which includes employment rehabilitation centres, will continue. Contingency plans are being drawn up for individual centres on shared sites which may be affected in varying degrees by the move of the Skills Training Agency into the private sector.

  Mr. Thornton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many letters and representations he has received concerning the future of the construction industry training board and its statutory levy since the publication of his paper "Employment for the 1990s".

  Mr. Nicholls
  A total of 253 letters and representations have been received by my Department.

  Youth Training Scheme
  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give(a) the number of YTS places available and (b) the number of young people in training in each region, Scotland and Wales for each month from October 1988 to May 1989, inclusive.

  Mr. Cope
  The information is shown in the table.

  administration of the various programmes for which the Department is responsible. The remaining 2,392 were employed in head office; of these, 984·5 were employed in central services, 1,266·5 in policy and programmes division and the training standards advisory service and 141 in the Skills Training Agency head office.

  Employment Training
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many referrals there have been on a monthly basis from the employment service to employment training agents(a) nationally, and (b) by training area since September 1988.

  Mr. Cope
  Information on the level of employment service (ES) referrals to training agents on a national basis is given in table 1. Information on levels of referrals on a Training Agency area office basis is not available.

  Referrals to employment training training agents

  Month

  Total referrals

  6 September 1988

  96,525

  October 1988

  82,866

  November 1988

  80,407

  December 19881

  68,306

  January 1989

  91,606

  February 1989

  89,863

  March 19891

  95,765

  April 1989

  82,323

  May 1989

  74,284

  1 Five week month.

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many training managers, by training agency area, were receiving either (i) the standard, (ii) special, (iii) high level, (iv) extended introduction or further assessment supplementary grants for trainees on a monthly basis since September 1988.

  Mr. Nicholls
  This information is not available without disproportionate cost. Supplementary grants are a matter of negotiation between the Training Agency area office and the individual training manager.

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement as to the progress of trainees from their initial referral to the ET training agent and a placement with a training manager.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The latest evidence we have on the referral of trainees into employment training shows that 51 per cent. of initial referrals attend the training agent and 79 per cent. of these are placed with a training manager.

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will place in the Library a list of local authorities that have refused to co-operate with employment training.

  Mr. Nicholls
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Barnsley, West and Penistone (Mr. McKay) on 20 June 1989 at column 137.

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what has been the total budget spent on advertising employment training; and if he will provide a breakdown as to the nature of this spending.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The total spent on advertising employment training in the last financial year, 1988–89 was £9,654,954 and this financial year 1989–90 for the current campaign £4,375,750. This is broken down as follows:

  £

  Television

  11,366,822

  Press

  1,423,132

  Posters

  1,240,750

  74
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when his Department will have completed the examination of ET training managers for approved status; and how many staff within the Training Agency are working on this exercise.

  Mr. Nicholls
  It is planned to complete the examination of employment training managers by 5 September 1990. The number of Training Agency staff dedicated to this purpose varies from area office to area office depending on local demand.

  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give(a) the number of employment training places available in 1989–90, (b) the number of people in ET on the latest date for which information is available and (c) an estimate of the planned ET places in 1990–91 and 1991–92.

  Mr. Nicholls
  In May 1989 there were 255,000 available places on employment training. On 23 June, the latest date for which information is available, there were 192,000 people on the programme. Operational plans for 1990–91 and 1991–92 are not yet available.

  Sullom Voe (Explosion)
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the explosion at the Sullom Voe oil terminal on Thursday 22 June.

  Mr. Nicholls
  On 22 June 1989, the Health and Safety Executive was informed that due to the failure of a length of weld on a steel pipe drain at the Sullom Voe oil terminal, oily water was released causing an eruption of water and gravel. There were no injuries.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give(a) the total numbers of long-term unemployed and (b) the long-term unemployed as a percentage of the total unemployed in June of each year from 1979 to 1989, inclusive.

  Mr. Lee
  Unemployment is analysed by duration quarterly. Direct comparisons of unemployment by duration since 1979 are not possible because of the changes from a count of registrants at jobcentres to a count based on unemployed claimants in 1983 and other changes in coverage of the count. Following is the available information, which is also in the Library. The table shows the number of unemployed in the United Kingdom who had been unemployed over 12 months and these as a percentage of the total for each April from 1979 to 1989.

  Long-term Unemployment in the United Kingdom1 April 1979–1989

  April

  Unemployed over 12 months

  Percentage of total

  1979

  366,711

  27·4

  1980

  354,101

  23·3

  1981

  515,913

  20·4

  1982

  994,395

  33·1

  1983

  1,143,436

  36·1

  1984

  1,218,162

  39·2

  1985

  1,334,181

  40·8

  1986

  1,356,521

  40·8

  1987

  1,295,146

  41·7

  75

  April

  Unemployed over 12 months

  Percentage of total

  1988

  1,029,206

  40·6

  1989

  744,120

  39·5

  1 Figures for 1979–82 are for unemployed registrants at Jobcentres; those for 1983–89 relate to claimants unemployed.

  Minimun Trainee Allowance
  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if, pursuant to his reply to hon. Member for Coventry, South-East, of Monday 19 June,Official Report, columns 10–11, he will list those employers known to his Department who supplement the minimum trainee allowance; what percentage of YTS trainees are so covered; what is the average supplement paid; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Cope
  There is no list of employers who supplement the minimum trainee allowance. Twenty-four per cent. of trainees had employed status in May 1989, and were paid a wage by their employer. Survey evidence suggests that in addition about 14 per cent. of non-employed trainees receive an average supplement of £7 a week from their work experience provider on top of their trainee allowance. Payments above the minimum level are at the discretion of the employer, and reflect the value to the company of acquiring skilled workers.

  European Tourism Year
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what measures are being taken to help handicapped, disabled and disadvantaged tourists coming to Britain in European Tourism Year 1990.

  Mr. Lee
  [holding answer 30 June 1989]: Specific initiatives to mark European Tourism Year are in the planning stage. Measures to help handicapped, disabled and disadvantaged tourists are being considered by the British tourist authority which is responsible for planning and co-ordinating the United Kingdom campaign.

  Remploy
  Mr. McAvoy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make available the surveyor's report on Remploy's Rutherglen factory which resulted in the recommendation to close it down.

  Mr. Lee
  [holding answer 29 June 1989]: The board of Remploy is responsible for making decisions relating to the day-to-day business of the company. The information requested is commercial and confidential to the board.

  Health and Safety
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the level of fines imposed on each of the largest 100 companies for health and safety offences in the last five years; what was the nature of the accident and the date in each case; and how many persons were killed or seriously injured or suffered minor injuries on each occasion.

  Mr. Nicholls
  [holding answer 29 June 1989]: The information requested could be supplied only at disproportionate cost.
  76
  Mr. Patchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list for each year since 1974(a) the number of prosecutions of (i) managers, (ii) supervisors and (iii) company directors and (b) the fines under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

  Mr. Nicholls
  [holding answer 29 June 1989]: Available data do not differentiate between offences committed by managers, supervisors and company directors. The tables list the convictions obtained under section 36 and section 37 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. Section 36 provides for the prosecution of a person whose act, or inaction, has led another individual to commit an offence under the Act. Section 37 provides for the prosecution of a director, manager, secretary or similar officer of a body corporate for offence committed by that body corporate. Information is not available for years before 1981.

  Prosecutions under section 36 since 1981

  Year1

  Convictions3

  Average penalty per conviction

  (£)

  1981

  —

  —

  1982

  6

  158

  1983

  7

  275

  1984

  7

  300

  1985

  9

  500

  19862

  3

  417

  1986–87

  9

  156

  1987–88

  9

  261

  Prosecutions under section 37 since 1981

  Year1

  Convictions3

  Average penalty per conviction

  (£)

  1981

  7

  179

  1982

  11

  293

  1983

  6

  221

  1984

  6

  208

  1985

  11

  218

  19862

  1

  300

  1986–87

  5

  400

  1987–88

  4

  188

  1 1981 to 1985—calendar year.

  1986–87 onwards—year commencing 1 April.

  2 January to March.

  3 Data covers convictions obtained by the Factory and Agriculture Inspectorates (the vast majority of cases).

  Mr. Patchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list, for each year since 1974, the number of prosecutions of employees, and the outcome, under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

  Mr. Nicholls
  [holding answer 29 June 1989]: The table lists for each year since 1981, the number of convictions and average fines under section 7 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, which imposes a duty on every employee while at work to take reasonable care for the health and safety of himself and of other persons who may be affected by his acts or omissions. Information is not available for years before 1981.
  77

  Convictions under section 7 of the HSW Act

  1Year

  2Convictions

  Average penalty per conviction

  (£)

  1981

  19

  81

  1982

  21

  112

  1983

  29

  104

  1984

  23

  118

  1985

  30

  209

  Jan-March 1986

  7

  64

  1986–87

  21

  132

  1987–88

  27

  183

  1 1981–85—calendar years.

  1986–87 onwards—year commencing 1 April.

  2 Data covers convictions obtained by the Factory and Agriculture Inspectorates (the vast majority of cases).

  Factory Inspectors
  Mr. Patchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list, for each year since 1974, the number and proportion of female factory inspectors of the total employed.
  78
  Mr. Nicholls
  [holding answer 29 June 1989]: Since 1 April 1976 the number of female factory inspectors employed by the Health and Safety Executive, the total number of factory inspectors employed, and the number of female inspectors expressed as a percentage of the total are as follows. Figures for earlier years are not available.

  Female inspectors

  Total inspectors

  Females as percentage of total

  1 April

  1976

  61·5

  624·0

  9·86

  1977

  65·0

  676·5

  9·61

  1978

  75·0

  695·5

  10·78

  1979

  95·0

  742·0

  12·80

  1980

  105·0

  759·0

  13·83

  1981

  98·5

  735·0

  13·40

  1982

  81·5

  678·0

  12·02

  1983

  74·5

  654·0

  11·39

  1984

  71·0

  627·0

  11·32

  1985

  76·0

  652·0

  11·66

  1986

  74·0

  623·0

  11·88

  1987

  87·0

  621·5

  14·00

  1988

  84·5

  592·5

  14·26

  1989

  92·0

  604·0

  15·23

  1 June

  1989

  96·0

  621·5

  15·44

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