Written Answers of 20 July 1989

TRANSPORT

  White Papers
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if, for each of the last three White Papers issued by his Department, for which legislation has been started, he will state the time elapsed between their publication and the First Readings of any Bills connected with them; and if he will do the same for the last three White Papers issued by his Department prior to 1979.

  Mr. Channon
  The last three White Papers published by my Department, in which legislation was proposed and has been subsequently started or completed, were: Airports Policy (Cmnd. 9542), Channel Fixed Link (Cmnd. 9735) and Merchant Shipping (Cmnd. 239). These were published on 5 June 1985, 4 February 1986 and 2 November 1987 respectively and the First Readings of the Airports, Channel Tunnel and Merchant Shipping Bills resulting from them took place on 16 January 1986, 17 April 1986 and 18 January 1988. It is not for me to answer for the record of the last Government in this matter, but the information requested should be available in the Library of the House and the Official Report.

  London River Bus Service
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will consider making a further grant to the London river bus service in order that it may accept London Regional Transport tickets and passes.

  Mr. Portillo
  An arrangement for Riverbus to accept London Regional Transport's tickets and passes would be a matter for negotiation between the operators in the light of their commercial interests. I do not consider that it would justify a further grant.

  Summer Time
  Mr. Thornton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the equivalent figures for the years 1968–69 and 1970–71 to correspond with those from the transport and road research laboratory, illustrated on page 9, paragraph 28 of the Government's Green Paper, "Summertime", Cmd. 722.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The estimates for the winter of 1968–69 and 1970–71 that correspond to those contained in paragraph 28 of the Green Paper are:

  1968–69

  1970–71

  Reduction in:

  fatalities

  239

  226

  serious casualties

  908

  866

  slight casualties

  1,234

  1,211

  Mr. Thornton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport with reference to the transport and road 244
  research laboratory calculations illustrated in the Government's Green Paper, "Summertime", Cmd. 722, what would be the estimated effect on figure 3 on page 10, tables 1 and 2 on page 1I and table 3 on page 12 of an extra 1·5 million workers joining the morning and evening commuter rush hours.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  When roads are congested, accidents occur at lower speed, leading to lower risk of injury, and less serious injuries. Thus, transferring substantial numbers of trips to the peak periods could lead to fewer—and less serious—casualties among these travellers. While there could be more casualties in the less congested pre-peak period, the net effect on the results quoted in the Green Paper is likely to be negligible.

  Orange Badge Scheme
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will initiate a pilot survey to investigate the extent and nature of the abuse of the orange badge scheme;

  (2) if he has made any estimate of the extent to which abuse of the orange badge scheme has contributed to any overloading and ineffectiveness of the scheme.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  Any research into abuse of the orange badge scheme, no matter how carefully handled, could well be seen as questioning the parking concessions which many genuinely disabled people quite properly enjoy. That could spread unjustified alarm and lead to allegations of harassment of disabled people.

  Advice from organisations representing disabled people and letters to the Department by members of the public show that abuse of the scheme is widely perceived to be a problem.

  It is at present difficult for police and traffic wardens to spot misuse of orange badges by able-bodied people.

  We have proposed that the orange badge should be redesigned in the form of a personal passport-type document. There would be space for a photograph of the holder. We believe that this will do much to deter abuse and aid enforcement.

  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it an offence for non-disabled drivers to display an orange badge whilst driving, unless the person to whom it was issued is in the car, and whilst parking, unless the car is being used to pick up or drop off the badge holder.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  It is already an offence for an able-bodied person to misuse an orange badge. The maximum penalty is £400.

  We believe that our proposal to redesign the badge with space for a photograph of the holder will deter misuse.

  We do not rule out further changes to the operation of the scheme should they be necessary to preserve its value to severely disabled people.

  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport approximately how many people now possessing an orange badge were awarded it at the discretion of the local authority; and what is the estimated number of these who would lose entitlement if the recommendations of the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee were implemented.

  Mr. Bottomley
  Information on the criteria under which local authorities issue badges is not held centrally.
  245
  Soundings of a number of local authorities in 1986 suggested that about three quarters of badges were being issued under regulation 5(d) of the Disabled Persons (Badges for Motor Vehicles) Regulations 1982.

  We do not want to restrict badges only to those who receive mobility allowance. We propose to tighten the criterion in regulation 5(d). We shall consult widely on detailed proposals.

  There is no proposal to withdraw existing badges. Our aim is to ensure that in future only severely disabled people who most need badges will qualify for them.

  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many people currently receive mobility allowance; how many of them also have orange badges; and if any study has been made of the reasons why those with the mobility allowance who do not have the orange badge have not claimed it;

  (2) if his Department has collected evidence on whether people without mobility allowance, who have an orange badge awarded under the discretionary powers of the local authority, might be eligible for mobility allowance were they to apply.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  Some 580,000 people currently receive mobility allowance.

  We have no reason to find out how many mobility allowance recipients hold orange badges; why those recipients without badges have not claimed them; or how many people with badges might be eligible for mobility allowance were they to apply.

  We do not propose to restrict eligibility for orange badges only to those who receive mobility allowance.

  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has received any advice regarding the maximum and minimum number of orange badges that would give a fair balance between the needs of severely disabled people and the requirement to have a scheme that is not so overloaded that it becomes unworkable.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  Our proposals for the eligibility criteria are designed to ensure that people with severe mobility problems continue to qualify for a badge in accordance with the original aims of the scheme.

  We have no quota or target in mind for the number of badges on issue. There will be no rationing of badges.

  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will consider the proposal that all applications for orange badges to be issued under the discretionary powers of local authorities should be accompanied by a medical note from a doctor who is not the applicant's personal general practitioner nor from the same practice.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The introduction of independent medical assessments was considered in the Department's 1986 consultation paper which looked at possible changes to the orange badge scheme. Opinions on this idea were divided.

  We shall in due course be considering with interested bodies how eligibility criteria could be framed and how assessments could be handled.

  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if there has been any investigation of the contribution to the variation in the number of orange badges per capita issued by local authorities that is made by(a) variation in the local incidence of disability and (b) local authorities' differing interpretations of the guidelines.
  246
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The different issuing rates of certain comparable and neighbouring local authorities provide a strong indication that authorities do not apply the rules uniformly.

  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what evidence he has regarding the proportion of the people receiving an orange badge issued by local authorities under their discretionary powers, who supply a medical note from their own general practitioner with their application; and what proportion are examined by or supply a note from a doctor who is not their own general practitioner.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  It is for local authorities to decide how to assess applications for orange badges.

  This information is not held centrally.

  National Bus Company Subsidiaries
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Workington of 10 July, whether he will list the 18 properties in which mortgage charges were placed as part of the sale of 14 National Bus Company subsidiaries; and whether he will state at what price each of the National Bus Company subsidiaries was sold.

  Mr. Portillo
  Details of such properties are regarded as commercially sensitive. For similar reasons the proceeds of individual sales are not being disclosed, although details of the overall proceeds from NBC's disposal programme were provided to the House on 25 January in response to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Dover (Mr. Shaw).

  Driving Licences
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to improve the acceptability abroad of British driving licences; and if he will take steps to press for an extension of the validity of international driving permits.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  From next april DVLC will begin issuing a new-style pink driving licence which will in due course show all of an individual's driving entitlement—motor cycles, cars, lorries and buses—on a single licence. The vehicle categories on the driving licence will broadly conform to the categories used on international driving permits (IDPs), and the design of the licence will correspond very closely to the Community model prescribed in the first directive on driver licensing. Although we are unaware of any significant problems with international recognition of the current pink driving licence, the new licence should be even more acceptable and intelligible to overseas authorities.

  The maximum period of validity of an IDP is laid down in the international conventions governing their issue. It is not within the United Kingdom's competence to extend the validity of IDPs unilaterally.

  A1-M1 Link
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give the average daily flow of vehicles for the A1-M1 link road projected for its first year of opening and the comparable current and projected figures for the M45.
  247
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The required estimates, in terms of annual average vehicles per day, are:

  (a) projected flow on A1-M1 link in 1991–92–19,000.

  (b) projected flow on the M45 in its year of opening (1959) was 16,000.

  (c) the estimated flow on the M45 in 1987 was 7,900.

  The projected figure for the M45 was made before the opening of the M6, after which the traffic flow on the M45 declined considerably.

  Airports
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what study his Department has made of the agreements reached between the United States Government and other European states on access to their airports for United States carriers; when he now expects negotiations with the United States Government on access to Manchester airport to be re-opened; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  We understand that some European states' bilateral agreements automatically give United States carriers wide access to their airports. But our agreement requires the maintenance of balanced opportunities for the parties. The United States Government have indicated that they will soon propose a package of new rights for their carriers, including rights into Manchester. They are unlikely to be ready to negotiate before October, however.

  Scottish Lowland Airports
  Mr. Allan Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he intends to revise the traffic distribution rules for Scottish lowland airports before the House rises for the summer recess.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The Government are appealing against the recent ruling in the Scottish Court of Session, and understand that, pending the outcome of that appeal, the effect of the judgment is suspended. Scottish lowland airports policy remains as set out in the 1985 White Paper "Airports Policy" and confirmed by my right hon. Friend in his parliamentary answer of 8 May 1989, at column 343.

  Mr. Allan Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what have been the total costs incurred by his Department resulting from court action in relation to the implementation of Scottish lowland airports policy.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The Government have yet to be advised of the legal costs they have incurred in relation to the proceedings in court.

  South Circular Assessment Study
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on how many occasions since 1 August 1988, his officials have met Travers Morgan to discuss the south circular assessment study.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  Officials have held monthly progress meetings and other meetings as necessary.

  Used Vehicles (Roadworthiness)
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will outline the steps taken by his Department to empower trading standards officers to inspect used vehicles for sale on garage forecourts for roadworthiness.
  248
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The Director General of Fair Trading has submitted proposals on these lines on behalf of a number of organisations. These are being considered in the light of existing responsibilities and powers of the Department's vehicle examiners. Any purchaser of an older second-hand car, whether from a forecourt or elsewhere, would be well advised to seek a recent MOT certificate and consider employing a qualified independent third party to inspect the vehicle.

  HGV Wheel Loss
  Mr. Roger King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if, following the talks with the Institute of Road Transport Engineers, future funding of research into heavy goods vehicles wheel loss has now been determined.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  [holding answer 17 July 1989]: The principal reason for heavy goods vehicle wheel detachment is ineffective maintenance. The Department supports the initiatives being taken by the IRTE to remedy this including advice to operators.

  Further research into wheel and fixing design is a matter for the industry and is being considered by the appropriate BSI committee.

ENERGY

  Pressurised Water Reactor, Wylfa
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy why the standard consultation period of six months prior to a public inquiry has not been provided in the case of the application to build a third pressurised water reactor at Wylfa in North Wales; if he will reinstate a consultation period of six months; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  My right hon. Friend needs to set time periods in which objectors can make their views known to him. The statutory obligation on him is to give a period of not less than 21 days in which objections from the public can be made to him. I believe that the three months period which he has set in this case provides ample time for anyone who wishes to object to the proposal to do so.

  In the light of all the representations he receives, my right hon. Friend will then decide whether a public inquiry is necessary. If he calls for an inquiry to be held all objectors, registered pursuant to section 34 of the Electricity Act 1957, will be sent details of the inquiry, including the procedures to be followed if the objector wishes to give evidence.

  Mining Subsidence
  Mr. Heddle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) if he will publish in the Official Report details of the recommendations of the Waddilove committee on coal mining subsidence which have so far been implemented and the timescale in which he expects the remaining recommendations to be implemented, together with details thereof;

  (2) when he proposes that British Coal's code of practice in respect of compensation for coal mining subsidence will be brought into statute.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Ellesmere
  249
  Port and Neston (Dr. Woodcock) on 12 January, at columns 739–41. This lists those recommendations of the Waddilove committee which have been implemented wholly or in part by British Coal. The Government's proposals for legislation to deal with the remaining recommendations were set out in a consultation document circulated in April 1988, copies of which are in the Library of the House. These proposals, which include putting British Coal's code of practice on a statutory footing, will be implemented as soon as the parliamentary timetable permits.

  Fiddlers Ferry
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what information he has on when the Central Electricity Generating Board is going to install a flue gas desulphurisation plant at Fiddlers Ferry; and what is its estimated cost.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  This is an operational matter for the CEGB, and I have asked the chairman to reply to the hon. Member.

  Energy Efficiency
  Mr. Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the campaign to promote energy efficiency in the public sector.

  Mr. Parkinson
  The Government are leading a campaign to improve energy efficiency within the public sector.

  The campaign will start with Government Departments and then extend to the public services. The aim for Government Departments is to achieve savings rising to £45 million per annum—15 per cent. of the current total bill—over five years.

  A Minister within each Department has been given specific responsibility for energy efficiency. A list of these Ministers will be placed in the Library. My Department's Energy Efficiency Office is creating a small team to brief each Minister, enabling them to set targets for their Departments and agree plans for achieving these targets. This team will monitor progress and report to me, and targets and measures of performance will be published.

  Departments will be able to count these new gains towards their targets for efficiency improvements in three year running costs management plans.

  Mr. Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy whether he has given further consideration to the requirement for electricity suppliers to promote energy efficiency.

  Mr. Parkinson
  I have today placed copies of a revised condition 18 of the public electricity supply licence in the Library.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  ODA Videos
  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will give the print run, production and distribution costs of the Overseas Development Administration publication, "British Overseas Aid, Anniversary Review 1989" and the two associated videos with details of their distribution.
  250
  Mr. Chris Patten
  On the Anniversary Review I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Birmingham, Hodge Hill (Mr. Davis) on 14 July at column 648.

  The two new videos form part of the Overseas Development Administration's annual information programme. With supporting material the videos cost a total of £175,000 to produce and, like the Anniversary Review, were given the ODA's usual distribution for such publicity material.

  Africa
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the recently published African alternative framework and structural adjustment programmes endorsed by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  We agree with the ECA's objectives to ensure that economic growth in Africa proceeds hand in hand with the development of Africa's human resources and the alleviation of poverty. Spending in these areas should not be made the scapegoat in times of fiscal austerity.

  However, some of the policy measures and instruments recommended in the report would not, in our view, help the cause of "growth with equity". They would have the effect of slowing growth down and perpetuating distortions. They appear to represent a partial return to the kind of dirigiste policies from which increasing numbers of African countries have been successfully moving away.

  It must remain a matter of priority to bring down the excessively high levels of inflation and unsustainable budgetary deficits in many African countries which only hamper growth prospects and the ability to tackle longer-term issues—including poverty alleviation—in a sustainable manner.

  Nicaragua
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the total of bilateral aid given to Nicaragua by Her Majesty's Government in the year 1988–89.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  Final figures of bilateral aid for 1988–89 are not yet available. Provisional figures indicate that our aid to Nicaragua in that financial year was £260,000. This does not include our contribution through the European Community or to development projects jointly funded with British voluntary agencies.

  EC Budget
  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will be taking steps to try to secure an increase in the total expenditure under line 941 of the Community budget and in the percentage share of that expenditure going to United Kingdom non-governmental organisations; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  Member states are at present considering allocations under the 1990 Community budget
  251
  including line 941 which has increased substantially in recent years. We shall keep in mind the popularity and success of this programme during budget discussions.

  There are no set percentage shares for member states' NGOs, but United Kingdom NGOs have consistently received more support than those from other member states.

CIVIL SERVICE

  Child Care Facilities
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Minister for the Civil Service, pursuant to the answer of 7 July,Official Report, column 321, to the hon. Member for Oxford, East (Mr. Smith) concerning child care facilities, if he will publish in the Official Report the total number of whole-time equivalent child care places currently organised in Government Departments and the percentage of Government Departments offering full-time child care facilities.

  Mr. Luce
  [holding answer 18 July 1989]: The information is not held centrally as Departments have discretion to set up and support child care schemes. As far as I am aware, there are currently 42 full-time home-based child care places directly supported by the Department of Social Security in Newcastle. There are firm plans for three value-for-money nurseries at Home Office (Croydon), Ministry of Defence (London) and Civil Service college (Sunningdale). Fifteen departments are running holiday schemes for school-aged children for between three and 10 weeks a year and the number of schemes is increasing. In February this year, Government Departments were given the freedom to provide ongoing financial support for child care schemes where these offer good value for money. Real progress is now being made to expand child care arrangements to help our recruitment and retention needs in the 1990s.

WALES

  Quangos
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the female chairpersons of quangos appointed by him in Wales.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  Since taking office in June 1987 I have appointed the hon. Mrs. Lindy Price to chair the advisory group for breast cancer screening and Mrs. Sara Reeve to the Glamorgan agricultural dwelling house advisory committee panel of chairmen. I have reappointed the following:

  Mrs. Edith M. Herbert—Dyfed family practitioner committee

  Lady Crawshay—Local Government Boundary Commission.

  I also extended Ms. G. L. Thomas' period of office as chairman of the Powys agriculture dwelling house advisory committee's panel of chairmen for a further year

  Name

  Employer

  Occupation

  Expiry date of appointment

  Professor G. Owen (Chairman)

  Retired

  Former Principal, University College, Aberystwyth

  31 March 1991

  Mrs. E. Colwyn Foulkes

  Self Employed

  Architect

  31 March 1990

  Mr. J. Elias

  Self Employed

  Environmental Consultant

  31 March 1992

  252
  from 1 January 1989. I appointed Prof. C. M. Chapman to the Welsh national board for nursing, midwifery and health visiting in September 1988. The members subsequently elected her as their chairman.

  I also concurred with the proposal of my right hon. and noble Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to re-appoint Rhiannon Bevan as chairman of the Welsh Consumer Council in April 1988.

  Skill Shortages
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he proposes to publish his asessment of skill shortages in Wales and the impact of the single market; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  As part of my Valleys programme, a skills survey is being undertaken by the Training Agency, and my Department will be in close touch with the agency and with the Welsh Development Agency to ensure that appropriate action is taken to meet any training requirements which are revealed. This is part of a continuing review of the situation throughout Wales under which my Department maintains close liaison with the Training Agency on the range of Government training measures designed to provide young people, the unemployed and existing employers with the skills which employers need, taking account of the move towards the single European market. The greater involvement of employers, through the establishment of training and enterprise councils, will ensure that training is even more responsive to the needs of local labour markets.

  House Renovation Grants
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects to be able to inform local authorities about their capital allocation in respect of house renovation grants for 1990–91.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  Subject to the enactment of the Local Government and Housing Bill, capital allocations for 1990–91 will be replaced by credit approvals and capital grant. On present plans, I expect to notify individual local authorities of their share of resources shortly after the publication of the 1989 autumn statement. Resources are not generally hypothecated. It is for individual authorities to decide the balance between home improvement grant and their other spending.

  NCC Advisory Committee
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the names of members of the Nature Conservancy Council's advisory committee for Wales, giving in each case their occupation, employer and nominator, and the date upon which their term of office is due to expire.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  The information is as follows:
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  Name

  Employer

  Occupation

  Expiry date of appointment

  Dr. W. A. Evans

  Dyfed County Council

  Headmaster, Comprehensive School

  31 March 1992

  Dr. B. A. Haines

  Self Employed

  Freelance writer, Editorial Consultant Partner in agricultural consultancy

  31 April 1991

  Mr. J. M. Harrop

  Self Employed

  Farmer

  31 May 1990

  Dr. W. R. Howells

  Self Employed

  Consultant in pollution control, fisheries and conservation

  31 March 1991

  Dr. B. S. John

  Self Employed

  Geographer, Author, Publisher

  30 April 1991

  Professor G. R. Sagar

  University of Wales

  Vice Principal and Professor of Agricultural Botany, University College, Bangor

  31 March 1990

  Professor D. Taylor Smith

  University of Wales

  Head of School of Ocean Sciences, University College, Bangor

  31 March 1992

  Members are appointed by the Nature Conservancy Council following the approval of my right hon. Friend and are not nominated to represent particular organisations.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Remote Sensing
  Mr. Michael Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how much public funding was provided for research and development work related to the processing and application of remote sensing data in 1988–89; how much will be provided during 1989–90; and through which agencies such funds are distributed.

  Mr. Jackson
  Funds from the science budget amounted to about £5 million in each of the years 1988–89 and 1989–90. These are distributed through the Natural Environment and the Science and Engineering Research Councils.

  Mr. Michael Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans the National Economic

  Evening-only further education course enrolments: Bolton Education Authority

  Position at 1 November of year shown

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  Leading to a qualification

  1,398

  1,670

  1,696

  1,932

  2,352

  2,438

  Not leading to a specified qualification

  5,808

  5,956

  5,149

  5,839

  5,790

  4,541

  Source: Further Education Statistical Record.

  Ethnic Minorities
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many staff from ethnic minorities are employed in his Department in grade 5.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Three.

  Osteoporosis
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he expects the Medical Research Council to report on the criteria and techniques of screening for osteoporosis.

  Mr. Jackson
  The Medical Research Council has set up an expert group on osteoporosis, under the chairmanship
  254
  Research Council has to expand its work in the field of satellite remote sensing; and what would be the financial implication of any such expansion.

  Mr. Jackson
  The Natural Environment Research Council's published corporate plan for the period 1990–91 to 1994–95 states that the council plans developments in the use of remote sensing techniques and will seek to promote applications development in preparation for satellite programmes in the 1990s. It will be for the council to decide its specific research priorities within the overall resources available.

  Adult Education (Bolton)
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the number of students currently enrolled on adult education courses in the Bolton education authority area; what was the comparable figure for each of the previous five years; and what is the cost to the education authority for the current year and each of the previous five years.

  Mr. Jackson
  The number of students enrolled on evening-only further education courses, which will include most adult education courses, is shown in the following table. Corresponding cost data are not available centrally.

  of Professor D. L. Hamblen, to consider methods for detecting women at particular risk of fracture associated with osteoporosis. Screening methods based on measurements of bone density are regarded by the group as promising, and a trial is currently being designed to evaluate such techniques. It is not possible to predict when the outcome of these studies will be known.

  Social Work Courses
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science why his Department proposes to place social work courses on the lowest funding band for higher education; and what representations have been received regarding this matter.
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  Mr. Jackson
  The proposals in the consultation paper "Shifting the Balance of Public Funding of Higher Education to Fees" reflected available information on teaching costs. Before drawing up more detailed plans, we shall be considering the view of the Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work that social work degree courses should be in one of the higher bands. However, the majority of social work training is provided through courses which fall outside the scope of the fee proposals.

  Secondary Education
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many young people aged 19 years are currently in secondary education; and what is his estimate of the numbers of young people who will be in secondary education beyond the age of 19 years in 1990–91 and in each of the three years thereafter.

  Mr. Butcher
  In January 1989 there were some 1,260 pupils aged 19 or over in English maintained secondary schools. The Department projects that the corresponding numbers will be 1,200 in 1989–90 and 1990–91, 1,100 in 1991–92. and 1,000 in 1992–93 and 1993–94.

  A-Level (Replacement)
  Mr. Dykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has any plans to hold talks with relevant interested parties on a possible replacement for the existing A-level examination for school leavers.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  My right hon. Friend has no plans to consider the replacement of A-levels, and therefore no plans for holding talks on any such replacement. He hopes very shortly to reply to advice from the School Examinations and Assessment Council regarding the development and rationalisation of existing A-level provision and the promotion and further development of the associated AS examinations.

  Midland Examining Board
  Mr. Michael Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will direct the School Examination and Assessment Council to call for a report as to who at the midland examining group was responsible for the appointment of a probationary teacher as a moderator for the GCSE in technology, and as to what safeguards are to be instituted to prevent a recurrence.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  We look to the independent examining groups to ensure fairness and consistency in examination assessment. Officials have been in contact with the midland examining group which stressed that all moderation work is checked. I have asked the School Examinations and Assessment Council to verify that the group's moderation arrangements are adequate and that candidates' interests are safeguarded.

  Aluminium Toxicity
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what funding the Government are proposing to make for research into the toxicity of aluminium and the long-term consequences of ingestion of aluminium in(a) small and (b) large quantities.
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  Mr. Jackson
  [holding reply 13 July 1989]: The Medical Research Council, which receives a grant-in-aid from this Department, is the main agency through which the Government support medical research. The council, which itself determines the allocation of the funds at its disposal, is supporting research on the possible link between aluminium and Alzheimer's disease at its environmental epidemiology unit at Southampton and at its neurochemical pathology unit in Newcastle. It is also supporting research on the absorption of aluminium from soya-based infant foods at its Dunn nutrition unit in Cambridge. The council is not currently supporting work on the effects of ingestion of large amounts of aluminium.

  The council is always willing to consider soundly based proposals for new research programmes in competitlion with other proposals.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Interest Rates
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list in the Official Report the current level of base, or equivalent, interest rates in all European Community countries.

  Mr. Lilley
  There are no direct equivalents to United Kingdom base rates in the other European Community countries. The table below shows short-term interest rates in the EC countries on 18 July.

  Short-term interest rates in the European Community countries1

  Rates

  Germany

  7·1

  France

  9·1

  United Kingdom

  13·9

  Italy

  12·6

  Spain

  15·7

  Netherlands

  7·2

  Belgium

  8·5

  Portugal

  12·5

  Greece

  20·5

  Denmark

  9·5

  Ireland

  9·6

  Luxembourg2

  8·5

  1 3 month interbank rates for all countries except Portugal (3 month Treasury bill rate).

  2 No separate interest rate data is available for Luxembourg. Figure given is Belgian rate.

  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list every change in the rate of interest since 1979(a) by date of change and (b) by percentage change.

  Mr. Lilley
  The information requested is published in table 13.10 of Financial Statistics and table 200 of the Economic Trends annual supplement.

  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the average annual rate of interest every year snce 1979.

  Mr. Lilley
  The information requested is published in table 13.15 of Financial Statistics.

  Retail Price Index
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will show, using 100 as the base, the increase in the retail price index in each European Community country from May 1979 to the most recent date for which figures are available.
  257
  Mr. Lilley
  The information is as follows:

  Published Consumer Price Indices of the European Community Countries (May 1979 = 100)l

  EC Country

  Index

  Germany

  134

  France

  205

  United Kingdom

  211

  Italy

  293

  Spain

  267

  Netherlands

  133

  Belgium

  161

  Portugal

  496

  Greece

  588

  Denmark

  198

  Ireland

  241

  Luxembourg

  158

  1Figures are for June 1989 for the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands; May for France and Belgium; February for Ireland and April for the other European Community countries.

  Foreign Exchange
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the current figure for total foreign exchange reserves held by Her Majesty's Government.

  Mr. Lilley
  At the end of June, the United Kingdom official reserves stood at $43,665 million, which is equivalent to £28,167 million when converted at the closing market rate on 30 June of £1 = $1·5502.

  Chemical Fertilisers
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to impose a tax on chemical fertilisers equal to 100 per cent. of the nitrogenous content; and what estimate he has made of the revenue yield from such a tax based on estimated sales to United Kingdom farmers in 1988.

  Mr. Lilley
  No, and none.

  OECD Statistics
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he supplied the information for the figures for gross and net operating surplus published in tables 7·1 of OECD Historical Statistics 1960–86; and if he will provide comparable information for 1987, 1988 and a forecast for 1989.

  Mr. Major
  The percentages for the United Kingdom given in the OECD publication are based on data supplied to the organisation by the Central Statistical Office and are compatible with the 1987 edition of "United Kingdom National Accounts". Later estimates, which will extend only to 1987, are currently in preparation, based on data in the 1988 edition of the CSO publication.

  Entitlement for 1989–90 cash limits resulting from the carryforward of capital underspends

  Class

  Vote

  Department

  Description

  Amount (£'000s)

  I

  2

  Ministry of Defence1

  Defence procurement

  435,690

  II

  1

  Foreign and Commonwealth Office

  Overseas representation

  4,518

  II

  3

  Foreign and Commonwealth Office

  External broadcasting and monitoring

  1,823

  Bank of England (Staff)
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff are employed by the Bank of England to undertake the bank's money market operations; and if he will list their grades and salaries.

  Mr. Lilley
  The information requested is a matter for the Bank of England. Some information on Bank of England staff numbers and salary levels is published in the Bank of England report and accounts.

  VAT
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total income raised by value added tax in 1988.

  Mr. Lilley
  The revenue yield from value added tax was £26·6 billion in 1988.

  Capital (Rate of Returns)
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish in the Official Report the net rate of return on capital employment in manufacturing industry each year since 1959 and his forecast for 1989 together with the return on trading assets.

  Mr. Major
  Official data for the current cost net rate of return on capital employed in manufacturing companies are published in "British Business", 30 September 1988. A copy is available in the Library. No official forecast is available.

  Capital and Running Cost Underspends
  Mr. Jeremy Hanley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the entitlements for 1989–90 resulting from the carry forward of capital and running costs underspends allowed under the end-year flexibility schemes.

  Mr. Major
  A list of entitlements totalling £620,595,000 for capital expenditure and £19,217,000 for running costs is shown in the following table.

  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimates, the individual cash limits and running costs limits will be increased when entitlement is taken up.

  The total increase in cash limits resulting from the take-up of end-year flexibility will be charged to the reserve and will therefore not add to the planned total of public expenditure.
  259

  Class

  Vote

  Department

  Description

  Amount (£'000s)

  IV

  4

  Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

  Other agricultural and food services and support for the fishing industry

  2,000

  V

  3

  Department of Trade and Industry

  Administration, regulation of trade and industry and consumer protection

  813

  VII

  2

  Department of Employment

  Employment programmes and central services

  2,931

  VIII

  1

  Department of Transport

  National roads, England

  22,832

  VIII

  2

  Department of Transport

  Administration and transport services

  2,000

  VIII

  4

  Department of Transport

  Driver and vehicle licensing

  1,913

  X

  2

  Department of the Environment

  Central environmental services, etc.

  1,599

  X

  4

  Department of the Environment

  Royal palaces, royal parks, historic buildings, ancient monuments and the national heritage

  927

  X

  5

  Department of the Environment

  Administration

  864

  XI

  2

  Home Office

  Prisons, England and Wales

  905

  XI

  3

  Home Office

  Administration, immigration and police support services, England and Wales

  183

  XII

  1

  Department of Education and Science

  Schools, research and miscellaneous services

  3,412

  XII

  2

  Department of Education and Science

  Higher and further education

  391

  XII

  4

  Department of Education and Science

  Administration

  177

  XII

  5

  Department of Education and Science

  Science

  1,607

  XIV

  1

  Department of Health and Social Security

  Hospital and community health and other services, England

  17,340

  XIV

  3

  Department of Health and Social Security

  Administration, miscellaneous health and personal social services, England

  1,003

  XVI

  2

  Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland

  Agricultural services and fisheries for Scotland

  2,000

  XVI

  3

  Industry Department for Scotland

  Regional and general industrial support, Scotland

  101

  XVI

  6

  Scottish Development Department

  Roads, transport and environmental services, Scotland

  1,673

  XVI

  11

  Scottish Courts Administration

  Administration of justice, Scotland

  1,685

  XVI

  14

  Scottish Home and Health Department

  Prisons, hospitals and community health services, etc. Scotland

  4,747

  XVI

  15

  Scottish Education Department

  Education, Arts, Libraries and Social work, Scotland

  750

  XVI

  19

  General Register Office

  General Register Office, Scotland

  637

  XVII

  5

  Welsh Office

  Tourism, roads and transport, housing, other environmental services (including civil defence), education and science, arts and libraries, and health and personal social services, Wales

  2,140

  XVII

  9

  Welsh Office

  Administration

  317

  XVIII

  1

  Northern Ireland Office

  Law, order, protective and miscellaneous services, Northern Ireland

  420

  XIX

  2

  Customs and Excise

  Administration

  2,171

  XIX

  7

  Inland Revenue

  Administration

  3,985

  XIX

  11

  Her Majesty's Treasury

  Administration

  661

  XIX

  13

  Her Majesty's Treasury

  Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency

  2,000

  XX

  7

  Ordnance Survey

  Ordnance Survey

  1,788

  260 261

  Class

  Vote

  Department

  Description

  Amount (£'000s)

  XX

  12

  Office of Fair Trading

  Office of Fair Trading

  125

  XX

  14

  Office of Telecommunications2

  Office of Telecommunications

  1

  XX

  15

  Office of Population Censuses and Surveys

  Office of Population Censuses and Surveys

  323

  Total voted

  528,135

  1 The five cash limited Defence votes are each separate cash limits but, by agreement with the Treasury are managed as Underspend on expenditure eligible for the scheme in these cash limits has been carried forward to Class I, Vote 2.

  2 This vote is a token one. Carryforward will be taken in the form of increased appropriations in aid of £88,000.

  Entitlements for 1989–90 cash limits resulting from the carryforward of capital underspends.

  Non voted cash limits

  Cash block

  Department

  Description

  Amount (£000's)

  NID1

  Northern Ireland

  Services broadly analagous to Great Britain services covered by cash limits including family practitioner services.

  2,059

  SO/LA1

  Scottish Office

  Capital expenditure in Scotland by local authorities on roads and transport, water and sewerage, general services, urban programmes, police and social work, schools further education, teacher training and arts and libraries.

  12,000

  SO/LA2

  Scottish Office

  Capital expenditure in Scotland by local authorities, new towns, and the Scottish Special Housing Association, on schemes financed by the Housing Corporation and commercial investment by new towns.

  24,900

  DOE/UA1

  Department of the Environment

  External financing requirements of urban development corporations and capital expenditure by local authorities and other bodies on the urban programme, the derelict land reclamation programme and other expenditure (including some inner cities initiative).

  26,251

  DOE/HC1

  Department of the Environment

  Capital expenditure in England on housing financed through the Housing Corporation.

  3,250

  DOE/NT1

  Department of the Environment

  Capital expenditure in England by new towns on housing, roads, commercial and industrial investment and certain water services.

  24,000

  Total non voted

  92,460

  Total carryfoward of capital underspends

  620,595

  Entitlements for 1989—–90 running costs limits resulting from the carryforward of running cost underspends

  Department

  Amount (£'000s)

  Intervention Board for Agricultural Produce

  89

  Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

  1,182

  Department for Trade and Industry

  1,251

  Department of Employment

  3,018

  Department of Transport

  1,288

  Scottish Courts Administration

  114

  Scottish Office

  975

  General Register Office (Scotland)

  50

  Welsh Office

  205

  Northern Ireland

  2,547

  Customs and Excise

  2,320

  Inland Revenue

  5,405

  Her Majesty's Treasury

  302

  Ordnance Survey

  279

  Office of Population Censuses and Surveys

  192

  Total carryforward of running costs underspends

  19,217

  Pay and File System
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any changes are planned to the rules for claiming reliefs when the new system of pay and file for companies comes into operation.
  262
  Mr. Norman Lamont
  The new arrangements for the assessment and payment of corporation tax by companies, known as corporation tax pay and file, are due to come into force in 1993 on present plans. The Inland Revenue has been discussing with a group of representatives of companies and professional practitioners details such as the design of the new corporation tax return and the way in which claims to relief would be made under pay and file. They will be reporting the outcome of these discussions to my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer for his decisions.

  Fixed Investments
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the increase in 1988 of fixed investments expressed as a percentage of total fixed investments.

  Mr. Major
  Total gross domestic fixed capital formation is estimated to have increased in volume by 12 per cent. between 1987 and 1988. In current prices, the increase was 18 per cent.

  Delors Report
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he last met the Governor of the Bank of England to discuss the Delors committee report; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lilley
  My right hon. Friend has regular discussions, on a wide range of subjects, with the Governor of the Bank of England.

  Junk Bonds
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the effects upon the United Kingdom economy of the development of the junk bond market; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lilley
  [holding answer 19 July 1989]: There is at present no junk bond market in the United Kingdom in the usual sense of that term.

  Hoylake (Bermuda) Ltd.
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consequences he anticipates for(a) the gilts market, (b) the shares in privatised companies and (c) foreign exchange levels arising from the recent Hoylake hid for BAT; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lilley
  [holding answer 19 July 1989]: It is not my policy to comment on takeover bids.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Computerisation
  Mr. Andrew Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what will be the minimum period needed for administrative purposes between the announcement of upratings and the beginning of the benefit year when the computerisation of his Department's records is complete;

  (2) what would be the minimum period needed for administrative purposes between the announcement of upratings and the beginning of the benefit year when the computerisation of his Department's records is complete if all social security benefits were paid by ACT.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The minimum period needed for administrative purposes between the uprating announce-ment and the beginning of the benefit year is 23 weeks. The 20 week renewal cycle for order hooks, and the three week period required for the selection of order books, will not be affected by the full computerisation of the Department's records. This renewal process is already fully computerised for pensions.

  There are no plans to make payment by ACT compulsory. Therefore, while order books remain in use, the minimum period needed between the uprating announcement and the beginning of the benefit year will continue to be 23 weeks.

  Nursing Homes
  Dr. Goodson-Wickes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will assess the impact of the uprating of nurses' salaries on the costs of providing nursing home care;
  264
  (2) what evidence he has that the fees paid through income support are sufficient to allow voluntary nursing homes to meet the costs of providing appropriate care;

  (3) whether he will consider making more frequent upratings of income support levels for people in residential nursing homes.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The level of charges in a home is primarily a matter between the residents and the owners of the home to agree on based on the services being provided.

  The Government receive evidence on the adequacy of income support, the level of fees and the factors governing costs in homes from a number of sources, including home owners and their representatives; and review the limits annually.

  More frequent upratings are not necessary. The Government take account of annual changes in reviewing the limits.

  Dr. Goodson-Wickes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the number of voluntary nursing homes which have closed because of difficulties in meeting the costs of care through fees paid by income support.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The Department does not collect figures on the closure of independent nursing homes.

  Dr. Goodson-Wickes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what evidence he has received from the Brendoncare Foundation of the financial difficulties in providing nursing care for elderly residents.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  We have received representations from a number of hon. Members who have forwarded correspondence from the Brendoncare Foundation about the levels of help available through income support for people in nursing homes. The foundation has also been in direct correspondence with us.

  Incomes
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of total average weekly household income in the northern region came from social security benefits in(a) 1975 and (b)

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The available information, which is drawn from "Regional Trends", is as follows. In 1975–76, some 10·9 per cent of total household income in the north came from social security benefits. In 1986–87, the corresponding figure was 16·2 per cent. These estimates exclude the contribution made by housing benefit to household incomes.

  Employment Training
  Mr. Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what guidelines are issued to his Department's staff reviewing the benefit eligibility of disabled people leaving the employment training programme; whether these guidelines are available to the public; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Disabled people who are not taking up full-time employment and who remain incapacitated may again receive sickness benefit, invalidity benefit, or severe disablement allowance provided that they produce medical evidence to substantiate their condition.
  265
  Departmental staff are instructed to this effect. Disabled claimants who were receiving an incapacity benefit immediately before starting their employment training course are sent a letter advising them that if they are sick within a period of eight weeks after their training course ends they may be entitled again provided that they make a fresh claim.

  The relevant guidelines for determining income support claims are set out in income support circular No. 15/88, and in the adjudication officers' guide paragraph 25495, both of which are published. Most disabled people receiving income support immediately before they start employment training continue to do so throughout their course. Although termination of training constitutes a change in status from employment trainee to unemployed

  Budgeting loans and community care grants for Leeds West ILO and nationally, percentage by client group 1988–89

  Per cent.

  (00)

  (01)

  (02)

  (03)

  (04)

  (05)

  (06)

  (07)

  (08)

  (09)

  (10)

  (11)

  (12)

  (13)

  (14)

  (15)1

  Leeds West ILO

  Budgeting Loans

  0·5

  0·6

  0·6

  4·3

  0·2

  2·5

  2·9

  48·4

  0·8

  2·4

  14·9

  17·2

  1·0

  3·6

  0·0

  n/a

  Community Care Grants

  0·5

  4·2

  0·9

  12·0

  0·5

  2·8

  4·2

  35·2

  0·0

  0·0

  8·3

  17·1

  4·6

  5·1

  0·0

  4·6

  Great Britain

  Budgeting Loans

  0·5

  0·3

  0·6

  3·9

  0·4

  3·6

  3·6

  43·9

  0·7

  2·1

  16·7

  18·8

  1·0

  3·8

  0·0

  n/a

  Community Care Grants

  0·4

  4·5

  3·7

  14·3

  0·9

  3·4

  10·0

  25·2

  0·7

  1·5

  9·5

  16·4

  2·0

  6·3

  0·0

  1·1

  n/a = not available

  1
  Key to client groups

  Code

  Meaning

  00

  unallocated or unidentified

  01

  over 80—with Income Support higher pensioner premium

  02

  aged 60–79—disabled with higher pensioner premium

  03

  aged 60–79—with ordinary pensioner premium, or over 60 without pensioner premium

  04

  lone parent with Income Support disability premium

  05

  family with disability premium

  06

  other with disability premium

  07

  lone parent without disability premium

  08

  signs at UBO quarterly with Income Support family premium

  09

  signs at UBO quarterly without family premium

  10

  signing unemployed or with training allowance with family premium

  11

  signing unemployed or with training allowance without family premium

  12

  others with family premium

  13

  others without family premium

  14

  involved in trade dispute

  15

  applicant not in receipt of Income Support—not applicable for budgeting loans

  Benefits
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Leeds, West of 6 July,Official Report, column 247, on income support totals; what is the imputed proportion of income support which his Department used in its calculation of the total amount payable to cover food costs under normal circumstances.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Income support is paid as a total amount intended to cover all normal day-to-day living expenses. There is no specific proportion included to cover individual items such as food.

  Medical Appeal Tribunals
  Mr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many medical appeal tribunals have been held in Edinburgh for each of the past five years; and how many of these found in favour of the applicant and how many against.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I regret that the Department does not hold the information requested. However, the office of the
  266
  or sick and/or disabled, payments of income support can normally continue provided the claimant re-registers as unemployed at the unemployment benefit office or submits suitable medical evidence.

  Grants and Loans
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the percentages of(a) budgeting loans and (b) community care grants which were awarded to each of the 15 client groups defined by his Department for (i) the Leeds, West area and (ii) nationally, for the financial year 1988–89

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The table provides the information available for the year 1988–89.

  President of Social Security and Medical Appeal Tribunals keeps certain statistics and the hon. Member may care to contact it direct.

  Residential Homes
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the current minimum and maximum difference in Nottingham between charges levied by private residential homes in Nottingham and the maximum weekly payment made by his Department; and how many elderly people have been evicted from residential homes in Nottingham in the last 12 months.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The level of charges in a residential care home is a matter between the residents and the owners of the home. Information on the fees charged by individual homes or on evictions is not collected centrally.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the maximum weekly payment made by his Department in Nottingham to support elderly people in private residential and private nursing homes.
  267
  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The maximum weekly payments towards fees in residential care and nursing homes from income support are:

  Residential care homes

  Nursing homes

  £

  £

  Elderly

  140

  190

  Elderly and blind or elderly and entitled to the higher rate of attendance allowance

  155

  —

  Physically disabled and the disability began under pension age

  200

  235

  Suffering from a terminal illness

  —

  235

  Retirement Allowance
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the numbers of people who retired on or after 10 April 1989 who no longer receive the reduced earnings allowance but receive the retirement allowance; what is the maximum loss of income which this change causes; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  It is estimated that 1,200 people who retired on or after 10 April 1989 are in receipt of retirement allowance. For virtually all recipients, the maximum possible benefit loss would be £21·36 a week. For a very small number of beneficiaries, fewer than five, who have two awards at the maximum rate of reduced earnings allowance, the maximum loss would be £49·84 a week.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the estimated saving in public expenditure in each of the next five years from replacing the reduced earnings allowance with the retirement allowance for people who retired on or after 10 April; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  It is not feasible to give firm estimates of future savings from this change. The estimated savings for the next three years are as follows:

  £ million

  1989–90

  2·0

  1990–91

  5·6

  1991–92

  9·7

  Social Fund
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make it his policy to create a right of appeal against refusals of social fund applications to independent social security appeal tribunals; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  No. Arrangements for review of decisions by social fund officers, first by a senior manager in the social security local office and, secondly, if the applicant remains dissatisfied, by an independent social fund inspector, are already provided for in social security legislation. These arrangements are more in keeping with the discretion-based social fund scheme than the appeal system which applies to other social security benefits where entitlement depends upon a person satisfying specific conditions or rules set out in regulations.
  268
  Mr. Favell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he proposes to publish his annual report on the social fund.

  Mr. Moore
  The report has been published today. It contains detailed information about the first year's operation of the social fund. I am happy to report that, despite the early fears expressed regarding the operation of the scheme, the figures speak for themselves; over 1 million people have received help from the fund, which has operated flexibly and in a way not previously possible under the old single payments scheme.

  Over half a million people on income support have received interest-free budgeting loans averaging £214, nearly 400,000 have received interest-free crisis loans averaging £45, an 153,000 people in vulnerable groups or families under stress have been helped with non-repayable community care grants averaging £271. There have been many examples of imaginative use of discretion by social fund officers which has enabled them to direct help to where it was most needed.

  The staff and management of my Department accepted the new challenge which the social fund presented. It is evident that those involved have worked hard to master the very different principles of this new scheme. It is a significant achievement by all concerned, all the more so when set against a background of hostility and scepticism from some quarters. And we are now seeing the tremendous experience gained in the first year being put to good use in the second.

  Copies are available in the Library.

  Mr. Pietro Camerino
  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when his Department intends to pay Mr. Pietro Camerino of 298 Harnall lane east, Coventry, the arrears of sickness and invalidity benefit that his Department's overseas branch has acknowledged are owed to Mr. Camerino since November 1984; if he intends to make any compensatory payment to Mr. Camerino; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Benefit has been paid to Mr. Camerino by his local social security office since 24 March 1989. Urgent arrangements are being made for the arrears of sickness benefit and invalidity benefit due from November 1984 to be paid to Mr. Camerino and payment should arrive shortly. A compensatory payment is being considered and I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

  Child Benefit
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he will make it his policy to extend payment of child benefit in respect of young people over 19 years who are required to remain in secondary education.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  No.

  Access Committee for England
  Mr. Gregory
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether the Minister responsible for the disabled is yet in a position to make a statement on the future of the Access Committee for England.

  Mr. Scott
  I have written to the retiring chairman of the Access Committee, Mr. Arthur Goldthorpe, and to the
  269
  chairman of the Centre on Environment for the Handicapped, the body which, at the Government's request, hosts the Committee, Mr. John Penton, to announce my decision on the future arrangements for the committee. In making my decision, I have taken account of the views I have received from the members of both the Access Committee and the CEH management committee. I have accepted the majority view that it would be best to retain a link between the committee and CEH. Their differing but complementary roles means that they can be more effective if they work together on access issues.

  However, I recognise that the Access Committee needs a more clearly defined independence of policy and finances, and that it needs a stronger direction. These needs have been provided for in the letters I have today sent to Mr. Penton and Mr. Goldthorpe, and will be fully reflected in the terms of reference for the committee which the Government will issue later in the summer.

  I hope to announce the appointment of the new chairman of the Access Committee shortly. Following that appointment, I hope that the Committee will be able to resume full effectiveness in the autumn.

  I am very grateful to all those concerned for their help and patience in the resolution of the difficulties of the Access Committee. I believe that we have now found a positive and constructive way forward.

  A copy of my letter to Mr. Penton has been placed in the Library.

  Disability
  Mr. Ron Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he has received recent representations from the British Council of Organisations of Disabled People about public funding; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  I have been asked to reply.

  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Greenwich (Mrs. Barnes) on 14 July 1989 at column 658.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Bread (Northern Ireland)
  Mr. Kilfedder
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will set up an inquiry into the high cost of bread in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Maude
  Under United Kingdom competition legislation it falls to the Director General of Fair Trading to keep commercial activities in the United Kingdom under review. The director general's office has considered the competitive situation in the retail sale of bread in Northern Ireland, and has taken into account the report of the General Consumer Council for Northern Ireland on the price of a large loaf in Northern Ireland published on 29 June, but does not consider that formal action under the competition legislation is warranted. If the hon. Member has any evidence of monopoly abuse, anticompetitive or restrictive trade practices he should draw it to the attention of the Director General of Fair Trading.

  Insurance Brokers
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many brokers are registered under the Insurance Brokers Registration Act 1977.
  270
  Mr. Maude
  As at 13 July 1989, 18,270 individuals, and 3,145 bodies corporate, were registered.

  Investment
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement about the level of investment in industry during the period 1979 to 1988.

  Mr. Atkins
  The latest estimates show that investment in the manufacturing, construction, distribution and financial industries in 1988 was at a record level of £34·2 billion at 1985 prices. This was around 60 per cent. higher than the level in 1979.

  European Single Market
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what plans his Department is making to mark the arrival of the open market of 1 January 1993 with exhibitions, exchanges, media campaigns or similar events.

  Mr. Newton
  [holding answer 17 July 1989]: We will be considering how to mark the occasion in due course. My Department's "Europe Open For Business" campaign is already alerting the business community to the opportunities and challenges the single market will bring, recognising that many of the measures to complete the single market will of course have been implemented well before 1 January 1993.

  Credit Cards
  Mr. Michael Morris
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when the report of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission on the supply of credit card services in the United Kingdom will be published; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maude
  The report will not be published before the recess.

  Film Industry
  Mr. Hanley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what plans he has for future funding of the British film industry.

  Mr. Atkins
  My Department is already committed to providing support of £2 million a year through British Screen Finance Ltd. for the five years 1986–90. I am pleased to announce that we have decided that this should continue at the same level for a further three years, until the end of 1993. I hope this clear indication of further Government support for United Kingdom film-making will help BSF to build on its achievements to date and that industry will also extend its own commitment.

  Shipbuilding and Ship Repair
  Ms. Quin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) if he will give the total amounts of the grants applied for by his Department from the European Commission for assistance under the Renaval programme for(a) Plymouth, (b) Gibraltar and (c) Strathclyde;

  (2) if he will list the information supplied by his Department to the European Community in support of the applications for assistance under the Renaval programme for (a) Plymouth, (b) Gibraltar and (c) Strathclyde;
  271
  (3) if he will supply the following information required under the terms of the Renaval regulation in respect of (a) Tyne and Wear, (b) Cleveland, (c) Merseyside and (d) Plymouth (i) the average rate of unemployment and the European Community average in the last three years and (ii) the percentage of industrial employment in total employment and the European Community average;

  (4) what information he has on the total number of redundancies in the shipbuilding and ship repair industries in Gibraltar since 1 January 1984;

  (5) what is the total number of redundancies in the shipbuilding and ship repair industries in Plymouth since 1 January 1984;

  (6) what is the total number of redundancies in the shipbuilding and ship repair industries in (a) Wearside, (b) Tyneside and (c) Tyne and Wear county since 1 January 1984;

  Total job losses shipbuilding and ship repair since 1 January 1984

  Average rate of unemployment 1986–88

  Industrial employment (standard industrial classification 1 to 5) in total employment in 1984, the latest available year

  percentage

  percentage

  Tyne and Wear of which:

  9,375

  17·3

  34·3

  Wearside

  2,775

  Tyneside

  6,600

  Cleveland

  1,680

  19·7

  36·6

  Merseyside

  20·1

  31·0

  Plymouth

  5,675

  12·8

  33·8

  Gibraltar

  580

  European Community average (estimate on comparable basis)

  —

  11·9

  35·0

  Sources:

  United Kingdom data—Department of Employment. Figures exclude self-employed.

  EC data—Statistical Office of the European Communities.

  Eligibility also depends on the shipbuilding and ship repair proportion of industrial employment.

  NESL
  Mr. Clay
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many letters his Department(a) received from the Anglo-Greek bidders for NESL between 1 January and 30 June and (b) sent to the Anglo-Greek bidders for NESL between 1 January and 30 June.

  Mr. Newton
  One letter was sent and a reply received. The Department also received copies of certain correspondence between the bidders and British Shipbuilders.

  Mr. Clay
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on how many occasions during(a) 1988 and (b) 1989 (i) the right hon. and learned Member for Rushcliffe (Mr. Clarke) and (ii) himself met representatives of interests bidding for NESL.

  Mr. Newton
  The only such meeting was between myself and one of the interests in bidding for the yards, at their request, on 11 May 1989.

  Mr. Clay
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Dagenham (Mr. Gould), 13 July,Official Report, column
  272
  (7) what is the total number of redundancies in the shipbuilding and ship repair industries in the county of Cleveland since 1 January 1984.

  Mr. Atkins
  The European Commission has stipulated that grants can be based on up to 3200 ecu for each qualifying job loss in shipbuilding or ship repair. At prevailing exchange rates this would amount to £13·25 million for Plymouth, £1·34 million for Gibraltar and £14·5 million for Strathclyde.

  The information supplied by the Government in support of the applications related to the criteria for eligibility set out in the Renaval regulation, (EEC) No. 2506/8.

  The information requested on unemployment rates and industrial employment is as follows:

  1151, if he will specify (a) on what day in May a second shipbuilding bid was received for NESL and (b) whether this bid was in writing at that time.

  Mr. Newton
  British Shipbuilders received a formal offer in writing on 3 May.

  Mr. Clay
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Dagenham (Mr. Gould), 13 July,Official Report, column 1151, on what day an approach was made by officials of his Department to the Commission concerning a shipbuilding bid for NESL.

  Mr. Newton
  My officials saw Commission officials on 10 April following British Shipbuilders receipt of the first offer concerning shipbuilding on 6 April.

  Mr. Clay
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what were(a) the terms of credit agreed by his Department for the contract for two vessels to be built at the Govan yard for the Cosco company of the People's Republic of China and (b) the terms of credit requested by Cuban shipping interests in connection with their inquiries for NESL for 10 SDIS King cargo ships.

  Mr. Newton
  The credit terms for the two ships presently being completed at Kvaerner Govan Ltd. on behalf of British Shipbuilders for Cosco are financed under the £300 million financial arrangement relating to development loans signed between Her Majesty's
  273
  Government and the Government of China in May 1986. Under this arrangement 20 years' credit is available for the whole value of a transaction at an interest rate of 5 per cent. with a five-year moratorium. Acemex on behalf of Mambisa was looking for standard OECD shipping terms of 8 per cent. for 80 per cent. of the price of 10 ships with credit stretched from 8½ to 15 years. It was also looking for credit for the 20 per cent. deposit on the best terms available.

  Cuban Shipping Interests
  Mr. Clay
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on how many occasions between 1 April 1988 and 31 March 1989(a) he, or the right hon. and learned Member for Rushcliffe (Mr. Clarke) and (b) his officials, met representatives of Cuban shipping interests.

  Mr. Newton
  My officials met representatives of the Cuban shipping company Mambisa in Havana in July 1988. They have had other meetings with financial advisers to Acemex, a company which provides certain services in Mambisa.

  British Shipbuilders
  Mr. Clay
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on what date the Government formally decided to wind up British Shipbuilders Ltd. as a publicly owned corporation.

  Mr. Newton
  The Government decided to proceed with the disposal of British Shipbuilders' remaining facilities in April 1988. There are no plans at present to bring before the House proposals for legislation to wind up British Shipbuilders as a public corporation.

  Enterprise Zone, Sunderland
  Mr. Clay
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on what date he informed Tyne and Wear urban development corporation that preparations for an enterprise zone in Sunderland were to be suspended.

  Mr. Newton
  I announced to the House on 7 June that elements of the proposed remedial package not yet implemented, including designation of an enterprise zone, would be held in abeyance until decisions had been taken about the expressions of interest in NESL. The Tyne and Wear urban development corporation was informed the same day.

  Manufacturing Investment
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what was the amount of net manufacturing investment in new buildings, machinery and plant in the period 1980 to 1988; and what was the comparable figure for 1971 to 1979.

  Mr. Major
  I have been asked to reply.

  The latest estimates of net domestic fixed capital formation by manufactured industry for 1977–87 appear in the 1988 edition of the Central Statistical Office publication "United Kingdom National Accounts", table 13·5. Estimates for earlier years may be obtained from the CSO Databank, a collection of macroeconomic time series in computer readable form to which the House of Commons Library has direct access. Estimates for 1988
  274
  are not yet available. Separate estimates of net investment in new buildings and works, and plant and machinery are not of publishable quality.

  The published figures do not include capital goods leased from financial sector lessors. Furthermore, there are difficulties in measuring net domestic fixed capital formation since the national accounts estimates of the economic lives of fixed assets, used to estimate capital consumption, are very broad brush.

  Balance of Trade
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) if he has made an estimate of the balance of trade with Germany in 1992;

  (2) if he has made an estimate of the United Kingdom's balance of trade with the European Community in 1992.

  Mr. Major
  I have been asked to reply.

  No.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Proceedings of the House (Telephone Relay)
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what progress has been made on the proposal that a live relay of the proceedings of the House be made available to telephone subscribers as part of British Telecom's range of specialist call services.

  Mr. Wakeham
  A proposal from BT Citicall for a live telephone relay of the 1988 Budget speech lapsed, as the House had not nominated the Select Committee on Sound Broadcasting, to which it would have fallen to consider this application for the use of the sound feed. On 26 May this year the House agreed that the relevant responsibilities of that Committee should be transferred to the Select Committee on Televising of Proceedings of the House. I understand that BT is now considering the submission of a fresh application once legal and regulatory problems have been resolved. Any such application would raise important questions of principle about the way in which the sound feed is used, which the Committee would have to examine very carefully along with other proposals of a similar type which have been submitted. In addition, as was recognised by the Select Committee on Sound Broadcasting in its first report of Session 1986–87 (HC 281), the approval of the House as a whole would be required before a service of the kind suggested could proceed.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Lord President of the Council (1) if he will consider seeking a change in Standing Orders automatically to unstar all oral questions drawn below 30th place;

  (2) if he will consider seeking a change in Standing Orders to provide for a tabling limit of 10 written questions per Member each day.

  Mr. Wakeham
  I have no plans to do so.

  Phone Calls
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what is the total cost per annum of telephone calls made from the Palace of Westminster.
  275
  Mr. Wakeham
  A breakdown of all telephone charges is shown at appendix 1 of the first report of the Select Committee on House of Commons (Services) of this Session (HC(1989–90)143).

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Security
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the security situation in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the security situation in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Flannery
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the security situation in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Molyneaux
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the security situation.

  Mr. Tom King
  I refer the right hon. and hon. Members to the answer I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Sheffield, Attercliffe (Mr. Duffy).

  Local Government
  Mr. Bill Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will report on progress on the talks to improve democratic representation in local government in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Tom King
  Over recent months we have been exploring with politicians and others their ideas about how local elected representatives might be more fully involved in the administration of Northern Ireland. These discussions are continuing and I hope that the political parties will also discuss their ideas together.

  Sir Michael McNair-Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what inquiries into the efficiency and powers of the local government of the Province have taken place since the MacCrory report.

  Mr. Adams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he intends to proceed with changes in the operation of local government in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on his plans for local government in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Needham
  Two efficiency studies covering energy management and the provision of leisure services have been undertaken recently. Proposals for improving the general efficiency and effectiveness of local government were published last November. We are now considering 60 or so responses.

  Crime Statistics
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the recorded crime statistics in Northern Ireland for the most recent period for which figures are available.
  276
  Mr. Ian Stewart
  As stated in the chief constable's latest annual report, the level of recorded crime in 1988 fell for the second year in succession. The downward trend in the level of reported crime is encouraging, especially in the light of the improving crime detection rate.

  Planning Applications
  Mr. Clifford Forsythe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many planning applications were approved in 1988(a) in Newtownabbey borough council area and (b) in Antrim borough council area.

  Mr. Needham
  The figures are 448 and 426 respectively.

  General Practitioners
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement about the trend in the number of general practitioners since 1979.

  Mr. Needham
  The number of general practitioners has risen from 738 in 1979 to 934 in 1989.

  EEC (Communications)
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he is taking to improve communications between Northern Ireland and the rest of the European Economic Community.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  Plans to improve transport and communication links have been included in the regional development plan submitted to Brussels on 28 March under the star programme and the transportation programme.

  Payments for Debt
  Mr. Galloway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he last met groups seeking a repeal of the Payments for Debt (Emergency Provision) Act (Northern Ireland) 1971.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  There have been no such meetings on this subject recently.

  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the operation of the Payments for Debt (Emergency Provision) Act (Northern Ireland) 1971.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  The provisions of the Payments of Debt (Emergency Provisions) Act (Northern Ireland) 1971 continue to make an important contribution towards the objective of reducing the high levels of public debt in Northern Ireland.

  Ms. Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations he has had seeking to repeal the Payments for Debt (Emergency Provisions) Act (Northern Ireland) 1971.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  In the last year there have been a number of questions from hon. Members on this subject.

  Handicapped Children
  Mr. Buckley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the level of funding for services for handicapped children in the Province.
  277
  Mr. Needham
  Services for handicapped children are provided by a wide range of Government Departments and statutory and voluntary agencies. It is not possible to identify separately the total expenditure committed to meeting the needs of these children.

  Homes
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many homes in Northern Ireland are privately owned; how many are in the privately rented sector; how many are owned by(a) local authorities, (b) the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and (c) other public bodies; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Needham
  In October 1988, 322,000 dwellings were privately owned and 29,600 were in the private rented sector, including housing associations. The Northern Ireland Housing Executive is the sole public sector housing authority within the Province and owns 171,000 houses.

  Statistics on the total number of houses owned by local authorities and other public bodies are not available but the number is small.

  Student Loans
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the estimated cost of the introduction of student loans.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The estimated total costs for introducing the top-up loans scheme were given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science in his statement to the House on 19 June. The Northern Ireland component of these costs will be related to the Northern Ireland share of total costs which are still being discussed.

  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what annual level of inflation has been used to calculate the projected cost of the student loan scheme.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  In Northern Ireland the top-up loan scheme for students will operate on a parity basis with the rest of the United Kingdom. Details of the costs are outlined in annex E of the White Paper (Cm. 520) where the level of inflation is assumed to increase by 3·5 per cent. in 1990–91 and thereafter to run at 3 per cent. annually.

  Government (Province)
  Mr. Gow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proposals he has for the better government of the Province.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  We should like to achieve arrangements for the government of the Province which more fully involve local elected representatives. Steps towards that goal can be achieved only as the result of discussion and agreement between political representatives of both sides of the community. Meanwhile, the Government will continue their efforts to defeat terrorism, strengthen the economy, improve the public services and seek to ensure that Northern Ireland is a fair society for all.

  Transport Policy
  Mr. John P. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on transport policy.

  Mr. Needham
  The Government's policy on transport in Northern Ireland is to ensure that effective, safe and convenient transport services are provided to meet the needs of the travelling public. This policy is being pursued by continuing support within the financial resources available for public transport services and by a programme of investment in roads and related infrastructure.

  Secular Education
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much has been spent on the development of secular education in each of the years since 1979; and if he will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The law requires that religious instruction is given in all grant-aided schools other than nursery schools.

  Disaggregation of costs in the form requested cannot be provided.

  Transport
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he proposes to seek European Community structural funds to improve transport infrastructure and minimise peripheral disadvantages to Northern Ireland within the European single market.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  The broad strategy to improve transport infrastructure and minimise peripherality with regard to the European Community was one of the development priorities set out in the infrastructure section of the regional development plan which was submitted to the European Commission on 28 March 1989. This was the first stage in the new procedures in obtaining EC funds for Northern Ireland for this and future years.

  Negotiations with the Commission are continuing on the overall level of funding and the type of projects which will be eligible for EC assistance.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the transport needs of Northern Ireland in the context of the single European market.

  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what preparation he is making to improve transport links between Northern Ireland and the rest of the EEC.

  Mr. Needham
  The Government recognise the importance to Northern Ireland of transport links in its peripheral position in the European Community. Therefore, the Government are taking steps to improve transport to allow Northern Ireland industry to take advantage of the enhanced business opportunities offered by the single European market. These steps include the development of a transportation programme which is to be submitted for aid from the European regional development fund and which includes projects to improve port, airport and rail facilities and the roads network.

  Short Brothers
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made in the completion of the sale of Short Brothers; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Viggers
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Beverley (Mr. Cran).

  Disabled People (Funding)
  Mr. Lofthouse
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on Government funding of services for people with disabilities.

  Mr. Needham
  Services for people with disabilities are provided by a wide range of Government Departments and statutory and voluntary agencies. It is not possible to identify separately the total expenditure committed to meeting the needs of these people.

  Education Reform
  Mr. Michael Martin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent representations he has received regarding the problems for education reform.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The proposal for a draft Education Reform (Northern Ireland) Order was published for consultation on 13 June with a closing date of 12 September. No formal representations have yet been received.

  Emigration
  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the latest available figures for annual emigration from Northern Ireland to(a) Great Britain, (b) the Republic of Ireland and (c) the rest of the world.

  Mr. Needham
  The information is as follows:

  (a)16,000

  (b)1,400

  (c)4,200

  Figures are derived from the 1988 mid-year estimates of population and cover the period 1 July 1987 to 30 June 1988.

  Local Government Consultative Document
  Mr. Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations he has received concerning the local government consultative document issued by the Northern Ireland Department of the Environment.

  Mr. Needham
  Over 60 responses to the local government consultative paper were received from district councils, political parties, trades unions, professional associations and others. The comments made by these respondents are presently being considered.

  Transport Groups
  Mr. Bernie Grant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent representations he has received from transport groups.
  280
  Mr. Needham
  None.

  Structure Investment
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether his Department will be responding to the report by the Institution of Civil Engineers on structure investment; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Needham
  I shall write to my hon. Friend.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Welsh Farming Unions
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received recently from Welsh farming unions on the state of agriculture in Wales.

  Mr. McGregor
  My Department has in recent months received representations from the Welsh farming unions on a range of matters, including the general state of agriculture in Wales, the Commission's price-fixing proposals and the organisation of ADAS activities in Wales.

  Egg Producers
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many representations he has had on the problems of very small-scale egg producers in the context of the Testing of Poultry Flocks Order 1989; and whether he has any proposals to amend this order.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  I have received a number of representations from the operators of small flocks about the effect of the monitoring requirements contained in the Testing of Poultry Flocks Order 1989. A new order laying down registration requirements for laying flocks is in preparation, which will also contain provisions on the monitoring of poultry flocks to replace those in the Testing of Poultry Flocks Order.

  Nuvan
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether the chemical Nuvan can be used to increase the shelf life of salmon.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  Nuvan is not a permitted food additive.

  Potato Marketing
  Mr. Knapman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will announce his conclusions following the consultation exercise on potato market policy in Great Britain after 30 June 1990.

  Mr. McGregor
  My right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and for Wales and I have received a wide range of representations. A number of growers, supported by the processing industry and the multiple retailers, favour a free market (option (i) in the consultation paper). The majority of growers wish to retain the essentials of the present potato marketing
  281
  scheme but accept the need for non-producer interests to be represented (option (iii)). There was no support for option (ii)—retention of the scheme but without the board's basic area and quota powers.

  My colleagues and I have decided that we would propose to retain the basic elements of the existing potato marketing scheme in view of the need to maintain stability in the potato industry at a time of major adjustment in the arable crop sector generally. This is subject, however, to review in the longer term, and on condition that the following changes are made to the existing arrangements.

  First, we believe it is essential to ensure that consumers and other non-producer interests are given a greater influence in market management decisions. I have therefore invited the board to enter into discussions with other interests with a view to proposing modifications to the present scheme along the lines of option (iii). Secondly, it remains the Government's intention to abolish the guarantee arrangements as soon as parliamentary time permits. But in the meantime we shall be seeking substantial changes to the financial agreement between the Government and the board. We shall, therefore, be discussing with the board and the farmers' unions—as required under the Agriculture Acts 1947 and 1957:

  (i) A significant revision of the formula for allocating intervention costs with a view to enabling the industry to accept financial responsibility for its own affairs.

  (ii) A switch from pre-season contracts to direct intervention with a view to rendering intervention more cost-effective and strengthening the board's reserves.

  (iii) Elimination of the Government's contribution to the board's administrative costs.

  We aim to reach final conclusions on these matters by the end of September.

  Veterinary Products Committee
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to what extent members of the veterinary products committee have to declare an interest; and if he will list their interests.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  Members of the veterinary products committee are required to declare all their interests which might affect the impartial discharge of their functions. Their personal interests are to be published shortly in the committee's annual report for 1988.

  Unregistered Fishing Vessels
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps his Department has taken to notify all vessels not registered as British under the Merchant Shipping Act 1988 to stop fishing on the British quota.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  The fishing licenses issued by Fisheries departments make clear that they are valid only if the vessels are registered. Fishing by unregistered vessels is illegal, and where offences are detected prosecution action will be considered in the normal way.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many fishing vessels not registered under the Merchant Shipping Act 1988 are still(a) fishing in the British quota, (b) in FPOs and (c) have been notified by his Fisheries Department to stop fishing in the British quota.
  282
  Mr. Donald Thompson
  Fishing vessels which are not appropriately registered are not legally entitled to fish against United Kingdom quotas. To date we have evidence which points to illegal fishing by 19 unregistered vessels (of which seven are members of producer organisations). The owners involved are being notified of possible prosecution action in the usual way.

  Arctic Corsair and Arctic Range
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the registration status of the Arctic Corsair and the Arctic Range currently fishing in Greenland waters under the British quota in those waters.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  Registration is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport. I understand that both the Arctic Corsair and the Arctic Ranger have been accepted for registration under part II of the Merchant Shipping Act 1988.

  Marine Farms (Licensing)
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what criteria determine whether operators of marine and shell fish farms require a licence from his Department prior to commencing operation.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  A licence is not required for the operation of marine fish and shellfish farms. However, such operations must first obtain consent from the Crown Estate Commissioners and are also subject to statutory controls on aspects such as discharge and fish disease.

  Pesticides
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Caerphilly, of 27 June,Official Report, column 446, what exemptions on account of age apply to regulations on the handling of certain pesticides.

  Mr. Ryder
  In clarification of the reply given on 27 June the only exemption on account of age applies to people born before 1965 who are not required to hold an appropriate certificate of competence when using pesticides on their own land or on their employer's land. The requirement to hold an appropriate certificate of competence when providing a commercial service applies regardless of age.

  Age does not exempt anyone from the general obligation on users of pesticides to take all reasonable precautions to protect the health of people, creatures and plants and to safeguard the environment. In addition, anyone using pesticides in their business or employment must have had adequate instruction and guidance so as to be competent in what they are doing.

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list all those pesticides cleared for use in Britain under the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985; and what percentage these form of the total number of pesticides currently approved for use in Britain.

  Mr. Ryder
  All pesticides currently approved for use in the United Kingdom have been approved under the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985. A list of approved products is published annually and is available in the Library of the House.
  283
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many of his Department's scientists are currently engaged in reviewing pesticides under the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985 procedures.

  Mr. Ryder
  It is not possible to give a precise figure, as explained in my reply to the hon. Member for South Shields (Dr. Clark) on 23 March at column 726.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many older pesticides he expects to be reviewed by(a) the end of 1989, (b) the end of 1990, (c) the end of 1994 and (d) the end of 1999; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ryder
  It is not possible to predict how long reviews of particular pesticides will take.

  Farm Diversification Scheme
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, further to his reply to the hon. Member for Caerphilly of 18 May,Official Report, columns 293–94, if he will give a full description, by type, of the 23 environmental facilities established under the farm diversification scheme by that date; and if he will state the number of schemes including proposals to create wetland habitats such as ponds, reed beds, marshes, etc., and the area which such habitats cover.

  Mr. Ryder
  These projects cover nature trails, woodland walks and associated interpretation centres and educational facilities. Most of the nature trails incorporate existing wetland habitats or newly established ponds. Statistics on the precise area covered are not readily available.

  Fishing Vessels (Grants)
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he has regarding the total sums awarded by the European Community grants for fishing vessels to each maritime member state in the fourth round of European Community regulation 4028/86.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  The information requested is as follows:

  Regulation 4028/86 — 4th Round

  Member state

  EC vessel grants

  Stirling equivalent

  Mecus

  £ million

  Belgium

  0·18

  0·12

  Denmark

  1·83

  1·18

  Germany

  1·38

  0·89

  Greece

  2·84

  1·83

  Spain

  15·69

  10·12

  France

  5·37

  3·46

  Republic of Ireland

  0·48

  0·31

  Italy

  5·62

  3·63

  Netherlands

  0·03

  0·02

  Portugal

  5·31

  3·43

  United Kingdom

  1·99

  1·28

  Total

  40·72

  26·27

  Fisheries Multi-annual Guidance Programme
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he has regarding the steps taken by each maritime European Community member state regarding steps to meet the objectives set in the fisheries multi-annual guidance programme.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  Member states have adopted various measures, including a decommissioning grants scheme, to meet their programme objectives.

  Fisheries Management
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he has taken to support the principle of sustainable fisheries management based on scientific evidence; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  The Government provide over £15 million a year for monitoring and research towards achieving sound and rational management of fish as a renewable resource. Furthermore we have sought to ensure in discussions in the European Community that total allowable catches are set, as far as scientific knowledge allows, on a biologically sound basis and that appropriate technical conservation measures are adopted. We will continue with these policies.

  Aquatic Environment
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the ways in which he carries out his duties to protect the aquatic environment.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  A total of 130 scientists and support staff in my Department's fisheries laboratories carry out a substantial research and monitoring programme for the protection of the marine and freshwater environments. Reports are published of the results of research and of monitoring the environmental quality of our waters.

  We take a major role in international work to strengthen understanding and protection of the aquatic environment.

  Strict statutory controls under the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985 are applied to regulate disposal and incineration at sea of waste material, in conformity with international commitments to protect the environment. No waste may be dumped without a strict scientific assessment to ensure that disposal to sea will not harm the marine environment. The availability of disposal routes on land is also assessed. Licences are limited to one year to permit frequent review of the availability of land disposal. Concentrations of contaminants in sewage sludge have been reduced, and we are continuing to reduce the number of liquid industrial wastes dumped at sea as alternative means of disposal on land become available.

  Discharges to sea of radioactive waste are authorised jointly by my Department and the Department of the Environment and have been very substantially reduced over the lifetime of this Government.

  My Department advises upon applications for consents to discharge waste through pipelines to estuaries and coastal waters. These applications are carefully scrutinised with a view to avoiding any harmful effects from such discharges.
  285
  Under the Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986 the terms of approval of pesticides include any conditions relating to storage or use which are necessary to ensure protection and conservation of the aquatic environment.

  My Department plays an active role, both nationally and internationally, in the management and conservation of marine and freshwater fish and shellfish stocks.

  My agricultural development and advisory service advises farmers on ways to reduce pollution of the aquatic environment. Reducing pollution of our rivers and watercourses is a very important consideration in the operation of the recently introduced farm and conservation grant scheme. I have made available grants of 50 per cent. for the installation on farms of facilities for the safe treatment and disposal of slurry and silage effluent.

  Sharks
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the research on which the current Norwegian-European Community fisheries agreement quota for basking shark exploitation is based; whether the level of exploitation is sustainable; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  The Norwegian quota for basking shark in Community waters is set as part of the annual EC-Norway fisheries agreement. Data available indicates that there has been no decline in the stock in Community waters since 1978. The annual quota has remained the same since 1985. I understand that Norway's catch in the Community zone has been nil in the last two years. The species will not therefore have been affected by fishing in Community waters.

  Fisheries Inspectors
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the duties of his fisheries inspectors; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  The principal duties of my Department's fishery inspectors are to enforce EC and United Kingdom fisheries conservation and management regulations, to enforce EC fish marketing regulations, to assist in the enforcement of marine environmental protection legislation and to collect fisheries statistics and provide other information and advice to assist with the development and implementation of fisheries and other regulations.

  Marine Pollution
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list all the research projects and their locations which his Department carries out into marine pollution; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ryder
  My Department has a substantial investment in research on marine pollution covering almost 100 distinct projects. A full list of these projects is being placed in the Library of the House.

  Seals
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many post-mortem examinations of seals have been carried out by his Department in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.
  286
  Mr. Donald Thompson
  My Department's veterinary investigation service carried out the following numbers of post mortem examinations of seals in 1985–89 (to date):

  Number

  1985

  1

  1986

  7

  1987

  6

  1988

  8

  1989

  2

  Examinations are performed as part of the diagnostic service provided to private veterinary practitioners.

  The Department of the Environment has primary responsibility for matters concerning the recent epidemic of disease in seals.

  Organic Produce
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage of agricultural produce was produced in 1980 classified as organic; and what is the latest annual figure available.

  Mr. Ryder
  This information is not available.

  Anthrax
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has now been informed of the source of the anthrax infection in Clwyd; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  [holding answer 19 July 1989]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Caerphilly (Mr. Davies) on 14 July at column 667.

  Pollution
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is monitoring the input of nutrients, including nitrates and phosphates, into the North sea; and if he will give the results of any such monitoring.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  [holding answer 18 July 1989]: My Ministry monitors the input of nutrients to the sea arising from sea disposal operations licensed under the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985. Such inputs are a very small proportion of the total nutrient inputs into the North sea, of the order of 1 per cent. for nitrates and less than 3 per cent. for phosphates.

  Water authorities record inputs of nutrients from rivers to estuaries. This monitoring shows that there has been no change in nitrate inputs in the last 10 to 15 years. Phosphate inputs have shown a detectable rising trend.

  Ministry scientists have examined records of nitrate concentrations in sea water in winter, the period of maximum and stable nitrate concentrations. These show that there has been a cyclical pattern in nitrate concentrations but no consistent rising trend. The same cyclical pattern occurs throughout the mid and southern North sea and is believed to reflect climatic or other long-term changes rather than anthropogenic nitrate inputs.

  It is known that a substantial proportion of the nutrients entering the estuary do not reach the sea. An

  287
  investigation is now in preparation by MAFF scientists and others to establish the scale on which the removal processes involved occur.

  Conservation
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for South Shields of 22 June,Official Report, columns 252–53, how many of the 35 national training courses on wildlife and landscape conservation have been held in each year since 1981; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ryder
  [holding answer 18 July 1989]: The breakdown of national training courses on wildlife and landscape conservation since 1981 is as follows:

  Number

  1981

  4

  1982

  4

  1983

  4

  1984

  5

  1985

  7

  1986

  8

  Quantity (tonnes)

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  11989

  Cod

  23,987

  45,284

  60,719

  58,593

  59,441

  19,054

  Haddock

  5,733

  9,512

  10,613

  10,383

  16,786

  6,185

  Saithe

  925

  1,390

  2,228

  2,796

  2,462

  595

  Plaice

  3,645

  6,478

  7,537

  7,824

  8,124

  2,385

  Dogfish

  8

  1

  2

  —

  —

  —

  Flounder

  7

  1

  3

  —

  —

  —

  Halibut

  1,422

  1,812

  1,512

  2,231

  1,441

  636

  Ling

  43

  125

  140

  122

  158

  86

  Redfish

  790

  609

  719

  1,000

  1,065

  321

  Whiting

  21

  10

  1

  3

  10

  20

  Herring

  3,149

  2,800

  2,741

  3,888

  3,297

  2,177

  Mackerel

  —

  13

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Salmon

  21

  18

  1

  29

  32

  3

  Trout

  —

  —

  —

  —

  282

  1

  Other fish

  1,915

  2,113

  2,798

  2,537

  3,211

  1,229

  Livers and roes

  254

  467

  408

  295

  201

  56

  Shrimps and prawns

  591

  785

  927

  1,194

  895

  153

  Other Crustacea

  17

  —

  6

  34

  10

  2

  Squid

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Molluscs

  —

  6

  1

  —

  9

  —

  Fishmeal

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Prepared and preserved fish

  1,646

  2,466

  3,226

  3,319

  3,897

  11

  TOTAL

  44,175

  73,890

  93,582

  94,248

  101,321

  32,914

  1 January to April.

  Source: Customs and Excise Overseas Trade Statistics.

  Value (£000)

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  11989

  Cod

  22,847

  44,031

  70,090

  75,707

  73,281

  24,658

  Haddock

  3,949

  6,282

  10,698

  10,238

  17,293

  7,036

  Saithe

  323

  686

  1,612

  2,094

  1,854

  532

  Plaice

  2,633

  3,847

  6,022

  5,873

  5,991

  1,766

  Dogfish

  4

  1

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Flounder

  7

  1

  7

  —

  —

  —

  Halibut

  999

  1,360

  1,646

  2,336

  1,835

  752

  Ling

  13

  49

  95

  62

  81

  46

  Redfish

  243

  209

  384

  604

  798

  236

  Whiting

  6

  4

  1

  2

  11

  6

  Herring

  1,395

  1,324

  1,362

  1,768

  1,731

  1,097

  Mackerel

  —

  5

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Salmon

  9

  74

  3

  117

  120

  9

  Trout

  —

  —

  —

  —

  174

  3

  Other fish

  1,139

  1,367

  1,979

  1,894

  2,046

  710

  Livers and roes

  257

  533

  642

  662

  427

  157

  Shrimps and prawns

  2,393

  3,260

  5,662

  7,504

  4,998

  712

  288

  Number

  1987

  2

  1988

  1

  Since 1987, greater emphasis has been placed on regionally organised conservation awareness training for front-line ADAS advisers to meet their enhanced responsibilities under section 17 of the Agriculture Act 1986. Specialist training continues to be organised on a national and regional basis.

  Fish Imports
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the tonnage, species and value of fish and fisheries products imported into the United Kingdom from Iceland in each of the past five years and for the first four months of the current year.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  [holding answer 11 July 1989]: The imports of fish and fisheries products (fresh, chilled, frozen, dried, salted, in brine, smoked) and prepared or preserved fish into the United Kingdom from Iceland since 1984 have been as follows:
  289

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  11989

  Other Crustacea

  33

  —

  28

  195

  54

  16

  Squid

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Molluscs

  1

  23

  2

  —

  33

  —

  Fishmeal

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Prepared and preserved fish

  5,759

  9,635

  21,646

  20,188

  20,529

  64

  TOTAL

  42,011

  72,691

  121,879

  129,244

  131,256

  37,800

  1 January to April.

  Source: Customs and Excise Overseas Trade Statistics.

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the tonnage, species and value of fish and fisheries products imported into the United Kingdom from Norway in each of the past five years and for the first four months of the current year.

  Quantity (tonnes)

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989 January to April

  Cod

  20,599

  19,818

  21,323

  23,083

  18,565

  6,847

  Haddock

  3,079

  3,009

  5,252

  6,866

  9,247

  3,929

  Saithe

  5,626

  4,811

  3,098

  2,704

  2,723

  508

  Plaice

  698

  416

  316

  132

  109

  55

  Dogfish

  152

  1

  22

  1

  —

  —

  Flounder

  298

  —

  5

  —

  —

  —

  Halibut

  5

  4

  2

  45

  127

  14

  Ling

  100

  49

  36

  35

  41

  8

  Redfish

  41

  44

  174

  173

  169

  57

  Whiting

  1

  —

  104

  20

  134

  119

  Herring

  1,893

  4,164

  4,661

  2,253

  2,852

  3,133

  Mackerel

  379

  1,480

  218

  83

  95

  255

  Salmon

  1,739

  2,005

  1,684

  1,385

  2,143

  626

  Trout

  73

  11

  16

  124

  53

  7

  Other fish

  929

  1,010

  884

  1,673

  2,367

  418

  Livers and roes

  89

  89

  48

  6

  7

  —

  Shrimps and prawns

  99

  42

  2

  44

  33

  6

  Other Crustacea

  2

  23

  18

  19

  11

  7

  Squid

  146

  106

  108

  61

  318

  21

  Molluscs

  36

  26

  7

  44

  474

  9

  Fishmeal

  18

  12

  12

  12

  15

  4

  Prepared and Preserved Fish

  7,477

  9,788

  5,354

  3,067

  3,922

  79

  Total

  43,479

  46,908

  43,344

  41,830

  43,405

  16,102

  Source: Customs and Excise Overseas Trade Statistics.

  Value (£'000)

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989 January-April

  Cod

  19,982

  32,170

  39,414

  47,819

  34,918

  12,372

  Haddock

  3,735

  4,700

  8,314

  11,920

  14,214

  5,483

  Saithe

  3,819

  3,718

  3,051

  3,001

  2,523

  399

  Plaice

  409

  309

  253

  125

  113

  33

  Dogfish

  69

  1

  19

  1

  —

  —

  Flounder

  157

  —

  3

  —

  —

  —

  Halibut

  11

  4

  9

  87

  107

  11

  Ling

  53

  33

  38

  44

  46

  12

  Redfish

  25

  35

  169

  215

  141

  51

  Whiting

  1

  —

  80

  8

  63

  54

  Herring

  783

  1,859

  2,066

  936

  1,279

  1,386

  Mackerel

  18

  485

  53

  41

  36

  47

  Salmon

  7,970

  9,915

  7,380

  7,012

  9,360

  2,412

  Trout

  309

  42

  44

  440

  368

  72

  Other Fish

  805

  947

  1,225

  1,551

  2,388

  577

  Livers and Roes

  111

  141

  93

  19

  7

  —

  Shrimps and Prawns

  226

  129

  11

  262

  183

  29

  Other Crustacea

  —

  77

  46

  50

  32

  26

  Squid

  147

  136

  137

  130

  32

  26

  Molluscs

  26

  30

  26

  160

  448

  41

  Fishmeal

  94

  87

  76

  90

  119

  39

  Prepared and Preserved Fish

  27,793

  35,876

  30,015

  17,857

  19,531

  278

  Total

  66,543

  90,694

  92,522

  91,768

  85,908

  23,348

  Source: Customs and Excise Overseas Trade Statistics.
  290
  Mr. Donald Thompson
  [holding answer 11 July 1989]; The imports of fish and fisheries products (fresh, chilled, frozen, dried, salted, in brine, smoked) and prepared or preserved fish into the United Kingdom from Norway since 1984 have been as follows:

HEALTH

  Airline Meals
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Cynon Valley of 2 May,Official Report, column 100, if he has now given consideration to the report of a survey of microbiological quality of airline meals to three London boroughs; and if he will now make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  The survey by the three local authorities surrounding Heathrow was carried out between 1984 and 1986. The results are of concern to the Government and we are co-operating with both the airline catering industry and the appropriate environmental health departments to draw up codes of practice relevant to the operation of the airline caterers. These codes should incorporate all the best features of the present European and international guidelines as well as the Department's guidelines on cook-chill and frozen catering systems. We recognise that there will need to be detailed discussion between the interested parties, but we would expect the new codes of practice to be published in the spring of 1990. We will then consider whether any further measures are necessary to safeguard the public from food poisoning while flying on British-controlled aircraft. In our review of the Food Act, we will also consider carefully any revision of powers. I am advised that the food hygiene regulations apply to airline meals on any British-controlled aircraft and under certain circumstances the Air Navigation Order 1965/1643 article 47 could be evoked.

  Chiropody Services
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what is the current advice being given to people seeking an initial appointment and assessment for chiropody about(a) when they will be seen, (b) where they will be seen and (c) how to get to the place at which they will be seen in (i) Calderdale, (ii) Bradford, (iii) Kirklees, (iv) Wakefield and (v) Leeds; and what it is in each district health authority in England and Wales;

  (2) what is the National Health Service waiting list for an initial appointment and assessment for chiropody in (a) Calderdale, (b) Bradford, (c) Kirklees, (d) Wakefield and (e) Leeds; and what it is in each district health authority in England and Wales.

  Mr. Mellor
  We do not collect this information centrally. The hon. Member may wish to contact the chairman of the health authorities concerned for the information she is seeking.

  NHS Reform
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received about the proposals in the White Paper, "Working for Patients", to increase the number of consultants.

  Mr. Mellor
  Twelve letters and five parliamentary questions on this specific proposal have been received.

  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how women general practitioners will be affected by the new general practitioners' contract.

  Mr. Mellor
  The new contract will increase opportunities for women GPs. There is considerable demand 292
  from patients to have the choice of seeing a woman doctor, and partnerships will be keen to provide this option. Formalised arrangements for flexible working will provide specific opportunities for women doctors with domestic or other commitments.

  Mr. Maxwell-Hyslop
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether expressions of interest by persons employed in, or associated with National Health Service hospitals, in the hospital concerned changing status to the proposed National Health Service trust status, were supposed to be referred for comment to members of the regional health authority in whose area the hospitals affected lie; and whether he has relieved regional health authorities of that duty before they forwarded such expressions of interest to his Department without regional health authority members having the opportunity to comment on them.

  Mr. Mellor
  The chief executive of the National Health Service management board, in his letter of 14 March to regional general managers, asked regional health authorities to invite interested parties in their regions to provide outline expressions of interest on their proposals for establishment of NHS hospital trusts. Regional health authorities were asked to consider the expressions of interest and to send them, together with any comments which they might have on the proposals, to the Department. The letter did not explicitly require expressions of interest to be referred to the full health authority for comment at this stage. There will, of course, be opportunities for full discussion of any applications which are developed from initial expressions of interest.

  Immunisations and Smears
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how a refusal by a person or a parent to have or allow an immunisation or smear despite repeated requests from the general practitioner will be counted under the new contract.

  Mr. Mellor
  It is important that all children should be immunised and all eligible women should have smear tests taken. We recognise, however, that in a few cases it may be impossible for a doctor to carry out these procedures because the patient cannot be persuaded. The target levels that we have set reflect this, and there is no need to make any additional allowance for such cases in the calculation of coverage for payments purposes.

  White Papers
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if, for each of the last three White Papers issued by his Department, or its predecessor, for which legislation has been started, he will state the time elapsed between their publication and the First Reading of any Bill connected with them; and if he will do the same for the last three. White Papers issued by the Department of Health and Social Security prior to May 1979.

  Mr. Mellor
  The last three White Papers published by the Department of Health and Social Security, in which legislation was proposed and has been subsequently started or completed, were: "Promoting Better Health", "Law on Child Care and Family Services" and "Reform of Social Security: Programme for Action". These were
  293
  published on November 1987, January 1987 and December 1985 respectively and the First Readings of the Health and Medicines Act 1988, Children Bill and Social Security Act 1986 took place on November 1987, November 1988 and January 1986. It is not for me to answer for the record of the previous Government in this matter, but the information requested should be available in the Library.

  Consultants
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many new consultants' posts will be created in north-west England as a result of the proposals in the White Paper.

  Mr. Mellor
  Under the White Paper proposals 100 extra consultant posts will be allocated in England. Their distribution cannot be determined until bids for them have been received from regional health authorities, and analysed.

  General Practitioners
  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health for how long it is proposed that the new general practitioners' contract should run unamended.

  Mr. Mellor
  The new contract represents the first major change to the family doctor service for over 20 years. We shall monitor the effect on patient care and, although no further major changes are planned, we shall be ready to amend the contract should that prove necessary in the light of events.

  Health Authorities
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list in rank order of size of the waiting list the health authorities for which he is responsible as at 31 March indicating in each case the change in position in the rank order since 31 March 1988.

  Mr. Mellor
  We do not yet have available information about the number of people waiting for hospital in-patient treatment at 31 March 1989. The latest published figures are for 30 September 1988 and a copy of the booklet "Hospital In-patient Waiting Lists—England" is in the Library.

  Bone Mass Screening
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the locations at which bone mass screening is available within the National Health Service.

  1980–81

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  Central Public Health Laboratory

  359

  291

  299

  300

  289

  309

  305

  295

  295

  Centre for Applied Microbiology and Research

  259

  323

  305

  302

  308

  313

  318

  315

  323

  Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre

  30

  30

  30

  30

  31

  44

  50

  54

  61

  Area and Regional Laboratories

  1,469

  1,493

  1,421

  1,375

  1,362

  1,363

  1,360

  1,361

  1,364

  Headquarters

  57

  57

  73

  79

  78

  78

  84

  89

  98

  The cost of each branch of the service since 1980 expressed as net expenditure is:
  294
  Mr. Freeman
  We do not hold this information centrally.

  Centre for Advanced Microbiological Research
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place a copy of the agreement between the Centre for Advanced Microbiological Research and Porton International Limited in the Library.

  Mr. Freeman
  No. Agreements between the public health laboratory services centre for applied microbiology and research and companies in the Porton International group are commercially confidential.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the income generated by the Centre for Applied Microbiological Research in each year since 1980.

  Mr. Freeman
  The income generated by the centre for applied microbiology and research for each year since 1980, including grants for specific work, has been:

  £ million

  Year

  Amount

  1980–81

  1·8

  1981–82

  2·0

  1982–83

  2·3

  1983–84

  2·2

  1984–85

  2·5

  1985–86

  3·0

  1986–87

  2·8

  1987–88

  3·7

  1988–89

  4·2

  Hormone Replacement Therapy
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will state the number of patients receiving hormone replacement therapy within the National Health Service in each year since 1982.

  Mr. Freeman
  We do not hold this information centrally.

  Public Health Laboratory Service
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has(a) the employment in and (b) the costs of, each branch of the public health laboratory service in each year since 1980.

  Mr. Mellor
  The number of staff employed by the public health laboratory service in each branch since 1980 is:
  295

  1980–81

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  Central Public Health Laboratory

  3·6

  4·3

  4·1

  4·1

  4·1

  4·9

  5·4

  5·9

  6·5

  Centre for Applied Microbiology and Research

  3·3

  3·2

  3·4

  5·3

  4·2

  4·3

  5·3

  4·6

  5·7

  Communicable Diseases Surveillance Centre

  0·3

  0·4

  0·4

  0·5

  0·7

  0·7

  0·9

  1·1

  1·3

  Area and Regional Laboratories and Headquarters

  11·1

  13·6

  13·9

  15·1

  15·9

  17·3

  17·8

  20·1

  21·7

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the basic pay of all grades of staff employed by the public health laboratory service in animal handling; and what is the actual average gross pay and hours worked on each public health laboratory service site.

  Mr. Mellor
  The basic pay varies according to salary grades and duties but the average gross pay per annum including overtime is £9,663. Average hours worked per week by animal handlers on PHLS sites with such a facility vary between 37 and 43.

  Porton International Ltd.
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what were(a) the fees paid to, (b) costs of services supplied to, and (c) income derived from Porton International Ltd. in each year since 1982.

  Mr. Freeman
  This information cannot be disclosed as it is commercially confidential.

  Mr. Graham Gaskin
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice his Department has issued to local authorities regarding a client's access to past social work records following the recent ruling of the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Mr. Graham Gaskin.

  Mr. Mellor
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Liverpool, Mossley Hill (Mr. Alton) on 18 July at column 133.

  York City Hospital
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he has taken to ensure that the discharges of elderly patients from York city hospital into private residential care are being handled in accordance with the requirements of his Department's circular on discharges of patients issued during 1988.

  Mr. Freeman
  This is a local matter. The hon. Member may wish to contact the chairman of York health authority for such information.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to reply to the letter, reference number 22.s.13/VJN/H, from the assistant chief executive of St. Helens metropolitan borough council which was sent to his Department on 26 May; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  I am making inquiries on the delay and shall ensure a reply is sent as soon as possible.

  Lead-free Petrol
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many health authorities have converted their petrol-driven vehicles to run on lead-free petrol; and what action his Department is taking to encourage such conversions.

  Mr. Freeman
  Of 14 regional health authorities in England, nine already have a policy of conversion to lead-free usage wherever possible. The rest have the matter under active consideration. The Department, through its procurement directorate, has encouraged regional supplies directors to move as quickly as possible towards use of lead-free vehicles and is planning the issue of general guidance on the subject later this year.

  Energy Efficiency
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action his Department is taking to encourage health authorities to implement energy efficiency policies.

  Mr. Freeman
  Energy use in the NHS is monitored using performance indicators to ensure that the Department's 1985 commitment to the Public Accounts Committee to achieve savings of £1·3 billion (or savings of 1·5 per cent. per annum) over 15 years is being achieved.

  Detailed guidance, under the general title "Encode", has been issued to health authorities on a range of energy efficiency measures, including measuring energy usage, setting targets for savings and measuring effectiveness. Computer software for building management systems has also been developed and marketed. A third volume of guidance, aimed specifically at managers, is in preparation. Construction of an exemplar nucleus low-energy hospital designed to secure energy savings of 50 per cent. is well advanced at Newport, Isle of Wight. Construction of a second exemplar low-energy hospital, which aims to secure even greater energy savings, has just commenced.

  Bleaching
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action his Department is taking to encourage manufacturers to phase out the practice of bleaching wound dressings and incontinence products.

  Mr. Freeman
  None, because the evidence of the recently published report "Dioxins in the Environment" is that residue levels of dioxins arising from bleaching of such products are at the limits of detection and pose no risk to patients. However, until alternatives to bleaching can be found, bleaching is necessary to make natural cotton absorbent. I welcome industry efforts to find an acceptable alternative which will satisfy performance requirements.

  Chlorofluorocarbons
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures his Department is taking to encourage health authorities to phase out the use of chlorofluorocarbons in hospitals.

  Mr. Freeman
  NHS authorities have been urged to phase out their use of CFCs in all but essential medical and refrigeration uses by the end of 1989 and to purchase CFC-free alternatives. In some cases the alternative products may involve an increased flammability risk, and guidance on safe storage and disposal of such products was issued in November 1988. Where no alternative is currently available, the overall CFC usage is likely to be small, but we will continue to encourage industry and other efforts to find suitable replacements.

  Incineration
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what resources his Department is providing to bring incineration facilities up to the required legal standards.

  Mr. Freeman
  Health authorities are expected to comply with current statutory standards governing emissions to the atmosphere. New and more stringent statutory controls are expected to be introduced in 1990 and the Department will shortly be issuing guidance to health authorities to enable them to ensure that their installations comply with the new statutory requirements. It is anticipated that these requirements will provide a transitional period for the replacement of existing incinerators. Many incinerators will therefore be upgraded or replaced at the end of their useful lives as part of the normal cycle of planned equipment renewal. Authorities will also be expected to review waste disposal services, taking account of the scope for rationalising and reducing the number of incinerator facilities and the contribution the private sector can make.

  Playgroups
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received about the imposition of registration and inspection fees on pre-school playgroups; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  Five from hon. Members and four from members of the public. The Children Bill, which has completed Committee stage in this House, proposes to give the Secretary of State power to make regulations to prescribe fees to be levied by local authorities for registration and inspection of childminders and providers of day care. No decisions about the levels of fees will be made without prior discussion with interested parties such as local authority associations and voluntary organisations.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research he has undertaken about the likely impact of registration and inspection fees being imposed on pre-school playgroups(a) in Bradford and (b) elsewhere.

  Mr. Mellor
  None.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will take steps to provide grants for pre-school playgroups in areas where there is no public nursery provision.
  298
  Mr. Mellor
  No. This is a matter for local decision.

  Speech Therapy
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what speech therapy is available to children with severe learning difficulties who attend schools within the Liverpool area health authority's district; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  We do not hold this information centrally. The hon. Member may wish to contact the chairman of the Liverpool district health authority.

  Hearing Aids
  Mr. Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average delay in the provision of hearing aids; what are the regional differences in waiting times; and if he will make a statement about the action he may be taking to speed the delivery of such hearing aids.

  Mr. Freeman
  According to a survey carried out in 1986 by the British Association of Audiology Technicians, the average waiting time for a hearing aid fitting in the United Kingdom is 7·2 weeks. Information on regional differences in waiting times is not held centrally. We are considering the action which might be taken in response to the Royal National Institute for the Dears "Fair Hearing" campaign.

  NHS Staff (Pensions)
  Sir George Young
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health on how many occasions in each of the last five years he has exercised his discretion under regulation 62 of the National Health Service (Superannuation) Regulations 1980 and reduced the pension or retiring allowance of National Health Service staff.

  Mr. Mellor
  On only one occasion in the past five years, in June 1986, has the Secretary of State directed that the forfeiture provisions of regulation 62 should apply. That decision was subsequently reviewed and upheld earlier this year.

  Welfare Milk Tokens
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he intends to reduce the value of welfare milk tokens in relation to the full cost of the doorstep pint of milk.

  Mr. Freeman
  We have no plans to reduce the value to beneficiaries of welfare milk tokens. But the Department is negotiating a reduced price with the liquid welfare milk suppliers.

  Lowermoor Incident Group
  Mr. Neale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about the report of the Lowermoor incident health advisory group.

  Mr. Freeman
  The report of the Lowermoor incident health advisory group is being published today. The group was set up in January 1989 at my request to provide independent expert advice to the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly district health authority on the implications for the health of the population in the Camelford area following
  299
  the contamination of their drinking water in July 1988. Copies of the report have been sent to the Department of Health and to the Department of the Environment, and I am placing copies in the Library. I am grateful to Dame Barbara Clayton and her colleagues for their very thoughtful and authoritative report.

  The Government welcome the group's advice that no long-term effects on health are expected. The group's main findings are that:

  (i) early symptoms, which were mostly gastrointestinal disturbances, rashes and mouth ulcers and which appeared to be mostly mild and short-lived, can most probably be attributed to the incident. Other causes such as viral infections cannot be discounted for some of the cases.

  (ii) it is not possible to attribute the very real current health complaints to the toxic effects of the incident, except insofar as they are the consequence of the sustained anxiety naturally felt by many people. A number of factors have contributed to this anxiety, particularly in relation to long-term effects, and these are addressed in the report.

  It is for the district health authority to take any further measures it thinks necessary for the health of the local population in the light of these findings. The Department of Health notes that the advisory group welcomes the DHA's survey of pregnancy outcomes as a sensible precautionary measure and also the continuance of the special consultant sessions for people who are anxious and unwell. The Department has asked the DHA for its observations on the group's recommendations about the availability of patch tests for patients concerned about aluminium hypersensitivity and has noted that general practitioners are advised to consider referral to a rheumatologist for patients with persistent joint or muscle pain.

  The report also addresses several recommendations to central Government. We accept all these recommendations; indeed, some have already been implemented.

  A formal requirement for a water utility to notify the district health authority without delay of such incidents is included in the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 1989 (SI No 1147). The need for the population and the media to have proper medical and scientific advice as promptly as possible for advance planning to ensure sound management of any such crisis, and for good communications were all addressed by the Government's review of water utilities' management anti operating procedures at treatment works following the incident.

  The provision of alternative drinking water supplies is also part of normal contingency arrangements, but the terms of the recommendation on this aspect, especially as it relates to bottle-fed infants, will be taken up with the utilities. The need for health authorities to have immediate access to an authoritative source of medical and toxicological advice is accepted, and we are studying the practical details of implementation. A further statement on all outstanding aspects will be made as soon as possible.

  Food Safety
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will give additional powers to local authorities to allow them to deal more effectively with listeria-contaminated food;

  (2) if he will issue clear guidelines on the level of listeria contamination which makes food unfit;
  300
  (3) when his Department was first notified of listeria-contaminated pate being imported into Britain; when he issued warnings; and what was the reason for the delay.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 18 July 1989]: While local authorities already have powers under the Food Act 1984 to deal with food contamination, we are proposing measures in a new Food Bill which will strengthen these powers.

  In a report "Foodborne Listeriosis" published in 1988, the World Health Organisation concluded:
  "Virtually nothing is known about the infectious dose of Listeria monocytogenes in man, nor is there good quantitative information relating to the amount of contaminated foodstuff ingested with the risk of acquiring disease. It is likely that infectious dose may be related to host susceptibility."
  We understand that this conclusion is shared by experts in this country. Hence we have no sound scientific basis upon which to issue guidelines on dangerous levels of Listeria monocytogenes in foods.

  On 30 June 1989, the Department was informed of the results of a survey of pates which had been carried out in two districts in Wales. At that time, the problem appeared to be mainly one of poor handling in the local stores and our understanding was that appropriate advice had been given to the supermarkets concerned by the local environmental health officers, in particular about the correct storage temperature and handling of paté. There was nevertheless the possibility that there might be a more general problem with patés. Arrangements were made for a nationwide survey, by the public health laboratory service, of all types of paté on sale in England and Wales. The EC and Belgian authorities were alerted and asked to inspect the Belgian factories. In the light of further evidence received by the Department from one of the importers on the evening of 11 July, the public were alerted on 12 July that certain vulnerable groups should for the time being avoid eating paté.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  White Papers
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, for each of the last three White Papers issued by his Department, for which legislation has been started, he will state the time elapsed between their publication and First Reading of any Bill connected with them; and if he will do the same for the last three White Papers issued by his Department prior to May 1979.

  Mr. Hurd
  The last three White Papers published by my Department in which legislation was proposed and has been subsequently started or completed, were: "Criminal Justice Bill Plans for Legislation" (Cm 9658); "Firearms Act 1968: Proposals for Reform" (Cm 261) and "Reform of Section 2 of the Official Secrets Act 1911" (Cm 1108). These were published on 6 March 1986, 2 December 1987 and 29 June 1988 respectively and the First Readings of the Criminal Justice, Firearms (Amendment) and Official Secrets Bills resulting from them took place on 14 November 1986, 17 December 1987 and 30 November 1988. It is not for me to answer for the record of the previous Government in this matter, but the information requested should be available in the Library.

  Orange Badge Scheme
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department by what percentage the £400 fine for the unauthorised use of the orange badge would have to be increased for the fine to have the same real value as it had when it was first introduced; and what has been the percentage increase in the general parking fine over this period.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The maximum fine for unauthorised use of the orange badge was set at level 3 on the standard scale in May 1984. The maximum fine for parking and waiting offences was also set at level 3 in May 1984. Since that time, the general index of retail prices has risen by 30 per cent.

  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will discuss with chief constables the possibility of improving the monitoring of the misuse of orange badges and penalising the offenders.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  A number of proposals for improvement of the orange badge scheme were announced on 25 April by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, the hon. Member for Eltham (Mr. Bottomley). The implementation of these proposals should result in a significant reduction in opportunity for abuse of the scheme. The operation of the scheme will be carefully monitored and discussions held with chief police officers as necessary.

  Asylum seekers in certain Western European countries and Canada by year of application 1984 to 1988

  Number of persons

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  Total

  Austria

  7,200

  6,700

  8,700

  11,400

  15,700

  49,700

  Belgium

  3,700

  5,300

  7,700

  6,000

  5,000

  27,700

  Canada

  7,100

  8,400

  25,000

  35,000

  34,000

  109,500

  Denmark

  4,300

  8,700

  9,300

  2,100

  4,700

  29,100

  France

  15,900

  25,800

  23,400

  24,800

  31,000

  120,900

  Netherlands

  2,600

  5,700

  5,900

  14,000

  7,500

  35,700

  Norway

  300

  900

  2,700

  8,600

  6,600

  19,100

  Sweden

  12,000

  14,500

  14,600

  18,500

  20,000

  79,600

  Switzerland

  7,500

  9,700

  8,600

  10,900

  16,700

  53,400

  United Kingdom

  3,900

  5,400

  4,800

  5,200

  5,100

  24,400

  West Germany

  35,000

  73,900

  99,700

  57,400

  103,000

  369,000

  TOTAL

  99,500

  165,000

  210,400

  193,900

  249,300

  918,100

  Information on the population of these countries is available from a number of published sources including the "United Nations Demographic Yearbook", a copy of which is in the Library.

  Kurdish Refugees
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what further measures he intends to undertake to assist the plight of Kurdish refugees.

  Mr. Renton
  Existing central and local government services provide for asylum seekers' basic needs. We have agreed to reimburse some of the exceptional expenses incurred by churches and community and voluntary organisations in helping Kurdish asylum seekers who have recently arrived from Turkey. We are considering whether any further assistance is required.
  302
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy to increase the £400 fine for the unauthorised use of an orange badge to £2,000.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  No.

  Asylum
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were granted asylum in the United Kingdom in each year since 1978.

  Mr. Renton
  The numbers of persons granted refugee status or asylum in the United Kingdom in each of the years 1979–88 are shown in table 2 of Home Office Statistical Bulletin Issue 25/89 "Refugee Statistics, United Kingdom 1988", published today, a copy of which is in the Library. This shows that the provisional number of asylum applicants given refugee status in 1988 was 960, the highest figure since 1983. Corresponding information for 1978 is not available.

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what estimate he has of what proportion of all refugees seeking asylum come to Great Britain;

  (2) if he will list in ranked order the 10 main refugee-receiving countries in Europe expressed as a figure per head of the population.

  Mr. Renton
  Information is not available on asylum applications to all countries. The information available for the principal countries is given in the following table.

  Privacy
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) by what date he has asked the review body on privacy and related issues, announced on 21 April,Official Report, column 593, to report to him;

  (2) how many people will be appointed to serve on the body appointed to review privacy and related issues, announced on 21 April, Official Report, column 593;

  (3) whether he will publish the detailed terms of reference of the review of privacy and related issues, announced on 21 April, Official Report, column 593;

  (4) whether he will publish the report of the review of privacy and related issues, announced on 21 April, Official Report, column 593;
  303
  (5) whether the membership of the body appointed to review privacy and related issued, announced on 21 April, Official Report, column 593, will include representatives of (a) the churches, (b) the press trades unions, (c) working journalists, (d) consumer groups and (e) media rights groups;

  (6) whether the review of privacy and related issues announced on 21 April, Official Report, column 593, will be able to (a) invite evidence from organisations and (b) commission research and surveys;

  (7) whether the review of privacy and related issues, announced on 21 April, Official Report, column 593, will take evidence (a) in public session, (b) at regional meetings, (c) in Scotland, (d) in Wales and (e) in Northern Ireland;

  (8) whether the review of privacy and related issues, announced on 21 April, Official Report, column 593, will inquire into (a) ownership and control of the press, (b) the future of the Press Council, (c) the right of reply, (d) freedom of information and (e) alternative means of address to the public.

  Mr. Renton
  As my right hon. Friend announced in reply to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Winchester (Mr. Browne) on 5 July at column 193, the terms of reference of the committee to review privacy and related matters will be as follows:
  "In the light of recent public concern about intrusions into the private lives of individuals by certain sections of the press, to consider what measures (whether legislative or otherwise) are needed to give further protection to individual privacy from the activities of the press and improve recourse against the press for the individual citizen, taking account of existing remedies, including the law of defamation and breach of confidence; and to make recommendations."

  The chairman, Mr. David Calcutt, QC, has been asked to complete his report speedily. We hope it will be published by next summer. The membership is being considered. The task of the committee will be to concentrate on privacy and recourse for the citizen in respect of the press. This includes recourse against inaccuracies as well as intrusion. The committee will be able to consider any matter that it regards as relevant to that task and to seek what evidence it wishes.

  Mr. Tarek Sharif
  Mr. Ron Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations he has received from Mr. Tarek Sharif, a Libyan, about his since its inception. passport; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Renton
  I understand that Mr. Sharif's passport was impounded by the court. I have received letters from Mr. Sharif and his solicitors. His immigration status is under consideration.

  Criminal Injuries Compensation Board
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will seek an explanation from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board as to why it has not yet responded to correspondence dated June 1988 from the solicitors acting for Mr. James Bloomfield of 45 Cheltenham street, Bosford, Nottingham.

  Mr. Hurd
  Jointly with my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland I have responsibility for general oversight of the criminal injuries 304
  compensation scheme. However, under the terms of the scheme the board is entirely responsible for the handling and determination of individual applications for compensation. I have therefore referred the matter to the board, which has been asked to write to the hon. Member.

  Broadcasting (Competitive Tendering)
  Mr. Grocott
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 13 July,Official Report, column 635, how many submissions he has received supporting the principle of competitive tender for the award of commercial television and radio licences.

  Mr. Renton
  I regret that the information sought would involve a fresh analysis of more than 3,000 submissions and could therefore be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Female Prisoners
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for improving the management of longer-term and life-sentence female prisoners; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The policy for the management of female longer-term and life-sentenced inmates has been reviewed recently. It is now intended to increase the number of establishments which cater for these inmates, other than those in category A. The result of the new policy will be that female prisoners serving life or long sentences can be allocated to prisons closer to their homes and a wider variety of regimes can be offered. In addition to those prisons which currently cater for life-sentenced inmates, four more will take these prisoners in future. They are the closed prisons at New Hall in Yorkshire and Bullwood Hall in Essex, and the open prisons at Drake Hall in Staffordshire and East Sutton Park in Kent. I have written to the hon. Members concerned.

SCOTLAND

  Govan Initiative
  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the grants and loans made by the Scottish Development Agency to the Govan initiative in each year since its inception.

  Mr. Lang
  Grants made to the Govan initiative by the Scottish Development Agency since its inception are shown in the table. These grants represent payment towards core funding of the initiative. No loans have been made by the agency.

  £

  1986–87

  14,000

  1987–88

  28,000

  1988–89

  85,000

  Farming
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many whole farms have been set aside from agricultural production under the European Community scheme in each region in Scotland.
  305
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The table gives details of holdings where participants have opted to set aside all their eligible arable land. As indicated in the table, the area set aside represents considerably less than the whole farm area.

  Region

  Number of holdings

  Total area set aside

  Total area of holdings

  (ha)

  (ha)

  Borders

  3

  76

  334

  Central

  3

  216

  357

  Dumfries and Galloway

  —

  —

  —

  Fife

  3

  43

  96

  Grampian

  76

  2,093

  4,738

  Highland

  12

  572

  1,240

  Lothian

  4

  226

  733

  Strathclyde

  6

  168

  390

  Tayside

  12

  328

  846

  Islands areas

  —

  —

  —

  SCOTLAND

  119

  3,722

  8,734

  Sewage, Firth of Forth
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what quantity of raw sewage and sewage sludge is discharged into the firth of Forth each year from(a) Fife, (b) Central and (c) Lothian Regions.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The quantities of untreated sewage discharged in 1988 were:

  (a) Fife: the information is not available in the form sought. However, 84,000 cu m per day, much of it screened, were discharged into Fife's estuarine and coastal waters.

  (b) Central: 4,800 cu m per day.

  (c) Lothian: the information is not available in the form sought. However, sewage, much of it screened, from a population of approximately 90,000 was discharged into Lothian's estuarine and coastal waters.

  Since sewage sludge is a product of the treatment of sewage, there is none arising from the discharges noted above. Sludge generated at treatment works is not discharged to the sea, although 250,000 wet tonnes of sludge from works serving the Edinburgh area is dumped at sites in the outer firth of Forth. This disposal operation takes place in accordance with the terms of a licence issued by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland under the Food and Environment Protection Act.

  Dental Hospital (Edinburgh)
  Mr. Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can indicate a starting date for the building of a new dental hospital in Edinburgh.

  Mr. Rifkind
  The nature of future dental hospital provision in Edinburgh depends initially on the Universities Funding Council's decision about the future of undergraduate dental education in Edinburgh. Once that decision is known, it will be for Lothian health board to progress appropriate hospital development in Edinburgh.

  Edinburgh Dental School
  Mr. Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the catchment area and its population in and around Edinburgh for cases available for teaching purposes was considered before he accepted the proposal to close the Edinburgh dental school.
  306
  Mr. Rifkind
  I have not accepted the approval to close the Edinburgh dental school. This is a matter for the Universities Funding Council.

  Before making its recommendation, the working party on the review of dental provision in Scotland advised, on the basis of outpatient attendance figures, that
  "the attendance figures between Edinburgh and Dundee are sufficiently close as to make little difference in terms of undergraduate education".
  I have sent its report to the Universities Funding Council, and asked the council to consider the working party's advice in reaching decisions on undergraduate dental education.

  School Staffing
  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if, in the light of paragraphs 5.3 of SED "Statistical Bulletin" 5 January 1989, he is yet in a position to offer guidance to determining staffing needs in Scottish primary and secondary schools; and what provision for school staffing in session 1989–90 has been included in central Government funding made available to regional councils.

  Mr. Lang
  The provision made for teaching costs in schools in Scotland in the revenue support grant settlement for 1989–90 was £879 million. This was based on the staffing standards contained in the draft circular which was issued last year following the Department's review of school staffing. The settlement for 1990–91 will similarly be based on these standards. Consideration is still being given to the nature of any final guidance which might go to authorities.

  New Towns
  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will estimate the outstanding debt in the industrial and commercial properties and land of each of the five new towns.

  Mr. Lang
  Outstanding long-term loans payable to the National Loans Fund at 31 March 1989 were:

  £000

  Cumbernauld

  233,362

  East Kilbride

  117,948

  Glenrothes

  149,773

  Irvine

  163,622

  Livingston

  295,576

  Total

  960,281

  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will estimate the total income received from industrial and commercial properties and land of each of the five new towns.

  Mr. Lang
  The total income from non-housing activities received by the five development corporations for the financial year which ended on 31 March 1989 was:

  £000

  Cumbernauld

  2,992

  East Kilbride

  6,439

  Glenrothes

  3,745

  Irvine

  2,656

  Livingston

  6,729

  Total

  22,561

  307
  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will estimate the value of the industrial and commercial properties and land in each of the five new towns.

  Mr. Lang
  The new book values of industrial, commercial properties and land at 31 March 1989 for each of the five development corporations are set out in the following table.

  £'000s

  Industrial

  Commercial

  Land

  Cumbernauld

  26,005

  6,497

  14,100

  Glenrothes

  16,872

  12,268

  4,580

  East Kilbride

  40,705

  30,245

  8,040

  Irvine

  19,603

  6,522

  8,084

  Livingston

  60,633

  27,598

  347

  TOTAL

  163,818

  83,130

  35,151

  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will give an estimate of the amount of debt of industrial and commercial properties and land, in each of the new towns, to be written off as part of the wind-up proposal as agreed to in July 1987;

  (2) if, pursuant to paragraph 9.4, page 17, of "Scottish New Towns—The Way Ahead", he will give the estimated value of writing off loans not represented by asset value in each of the five new towns.

  Mr. Lang
  The amount of debt to be written off will be derived from a calculation of the amount of debt which the corporations' industrial and commercial activities will be able to service and repay until wind-up. The precise amount of debt to be written off has yet to be determined.

  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take steps to ensure that the industrial and commercial assets in each of the five new towns will be sold at market value as part of the wind up process.

  Mr. Lang
  Yes, other than in exceptional cases which will be treated strictly on their merits.

  Development Agency
  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if any discussions have taken place with the chief executive of the Scottish Development Agency regarding the sale of the equity investments in Scottish companies.

  Mr. Lang
  Yes.

  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if companies renting factory space from the Scottish Development Agency will retain the right to buy.

  Mr. Lang
  Detailed arrangements for the disposal of agency properties, including any conditions relating to existing tenants, have yet to be determined. In the meantime, requests to purchase particular properties will be considered by the agency on their individual merits, having due regard to the agency's duty to make the best use of public assets within its control.

  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will estimate how much factory space, owned by the Scottish Development Agency, has been sold in each of the years 1979–80 to 1988–89 inclusive.
  308
  Mr. Lang
  Factory space sold by the Scottish Development Agency in each of the years 1980–81 to 1988–89 inclusive is shown in the table. No information is available for 1979–80.

  Factory Space Sold (Square foot)

  1980–81

  286,664

  1981–82

  269,000

  1982–83

  1,016,271

  1983–84

  1,217,684

  1984–85

  2,110,043

  1985–86

  1,779,481

  1986–87

  1,996,000

  1987–88

  1,821,000

  1988–89

  1,536,009

  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give an estimate of the value of(a) factory space, (b) land and (c) commercial property owned by the Scottish Development Agency.

  Mr. Lang
  The estimated value of industrial property, land and commercial property owned by the Scottish Development Agency as at 31 March 1988 (latest available date) is shown in the table.

  Property Type Owned

  Value

  (£ million)

  Industrial property

  130·1

  Land

  20·9

  Commercial property

  1·4

  152·4

  The industrial property shown includes business centres which in some cases may include office accommodation. The commercial property shown is confined to the agency's own offices.

  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give an estimate of the value of the Scottish Development Agency investment portfolio in each of the years 1982–83 to the latest year for which information is available.

  Mr. Lang
  The cumulative total of the Scottish Development Agency's investment portfolio is published each year in the agency's annual accounts. In accordance with the agency's accounting policies, the investments are. stated at cost and consist of secured loans, unsecured loans, loan stocks, preference shares and equity shares. Funding for these investments comes from grant-in-aid, public dividend capital, the National Loans Fund and the European Coal and Steel Community. The net cumulative total of agency investments (after provisions) for each year from 1982–83 to 1988–89 is set out in the table.

  £.000

  1982–83

  29,988

  1983–84

  37,259

  1984–85

  43,077

  1985–86

  42,032

  1986–87

  47,306

  1987–88

  52,065

  1988–89

  148,654

  1 Unaudited.

  309
  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the average rental per square foot of factory space owned by the Scottish Development Agency and what assessment he has made of the likely impact of the sale of those assets on rents.

  Mr. Lang
  The agency does not produce a figure for average rent for its properties, because the variations in rent between different locations, for different types of property and for other reasons render such a figure meaningless. On the impact of any sale on rents, tenants will continue to occupy their premises in accordance with the terms of their existing leases, which include provisions for rent reviews. Any change in rents will take place as a result of these reviews. These will take place over an extended period as they fall due, and it is not possible to anticipate what the effect might be.

  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the estimated value to be realised by the sale of factory space, land and commercial property owned by the Scottish Development Agency.

  Mr. Lang
  No.

  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list by constituency factories, land and other commercial properties owned by the Scottish Development Agency.

  Mr. Lang
  This information is not available in the form requested and cannot be provided without incurring disproportionate cost.

  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the institutions being consulted regarding the take-over of the Scottish Development Agency's investment portfolio.

  Mr. Lang
  I have received advice from Quayle Munro Ltd. in connection with the possible disposal of the agency's investment portfolio. The agency has also sought professional advice as appropriate. There has otherwise been no formal consultation with financial institutions.

  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the Scottish companies which have shown an interest in the purchase of total land and property assets of the Scottish Development Agency.

  Mr. Lang
  No. This information is commercial in confidence.

  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take steps to ensure that all factory space, land or commercial property sold by the Scottish Development Agency will be sold at market value.

  Mr. Lang
  Yes, other than in exceptional cases which will be treated strictly on their merits.

  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the date on which all land and factories owned by the Scottish Development Agency are to be sold.

  Mr. Lang
  I expect to announce my decision on the sale of the agency's property portfolio, including the timing and nature of any such disposal, shortly.
  310
  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the Scottish Development Agency or the Scottish Office has consulted(a) those who have leased land or property and (b) local authorities over the possible sale of industrial and commercial assets owned by the Scottish Development Agency.

  Mr. Lang
  No.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was(a) the long-term unemployment total for each month January 1987 to June 1989 and (b) the percentage change of long-term unemployment for each month over the same period.

  Mr. Lang
  The information requested is available only on a quarterly basis.

  The number of claimants unemployed for one year or more in Scotland in each quarter from January 1987 to April 1989 (the latest date for which information is available) and the percentage of the total unemployed claimants this represents are set out in the table.

  Scotland

  Date

  Claimants unemployed for one year or more

  Percentage of total unemployed claimants

  1987

  January

  148,957

  39·2

  April

  146,702

  40·4

  July

  142,212

  41·5

  October

  136,185

  41·8

  1988

  January

  131,213

  39·3

  April

  123,873

  40·1

  July

  117,173

  40·3

  October

  110,846

  41·8

  1989

  January

  106,190

  39·5

  April

  98,248

  40·0

  Due to a change in the compilation of the count in September 1988 these figures are not directly comparable. This information is available in the Library.

  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was(a) the seasonally adjusted unemployment total for each of the months January 1987 to June 1989 and (b) the percentage change for each month over the same period.

  Mr. Lang
  The information requested is set out in the table which shows for Scotland for each month since January 1987 the level of seasonally adjusted unemployment, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate and the change in the rate compared with the previous month.
  311

  Seasonally adjusted unemployment, Scotland, January 1987 to June 1989

  Level

  Rate-Workforce Basis

  Change in Rate from previous month

  (000's)

  Per cent

  (percentage points)

  1987

  January

  340·6

  13·7

  February

  337·8

  13·6

  -0·1

  March

  336·0

  13·5

  -0·1

  April

  337·6

  13·6

  +0·1

  May

  329·3

  13·2

  -0·4

  June

  326·6

  13·1

  -0·1

  July

  323·2

  13·0

  -0·1

  August

  318·7

  12·8

  -0·2

  September

  313·6

  12·6

  -0·2

  October

  309·4

  12·4

  -0·2

  November

  305·1

  12·3

  -0·1

  December

  302·3

  12·1

  -0·2

  1988

  January

  299·7

  12·0

  -0·1

  February

  296·6

  11·9

  -0·1

  March

  293·3

  11·7

  -0·2

  April

  288·4

  11·5

  -0·2

  May

  284·8

  11·4

  -0·1

  June

  279·7

  11·2

  -0·2

  July

  275·9

  11·0

  -0·2

  August

  273·4

  10·9

  -0·1

  September

  272·3

  10·9

  -0·0

  October

  270·1

  10·8

  -0·1

  November

  266·5

  10·7

  -0·1

  December

  260·2

  10·4

  -0·3

  1989

  January

  256·6

  10·3

  -0·1

  February

  253·4

  10·1

  -0·2

  March

  250·5

  10·0

  -0·1

  April

  243·3

  9·7

  -0·3

  May

  239·5

  9·6

  -0·1

  June1

  234·9

  9·4

  -0·2

  1 Provisional.

  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the reduction in unemployment in Govan constituency in the past two years; what are the numbers who have found employment in the age ranges(a) 16 to 20 years, (b) 21–30 years, (c) 31–40 years, (d) 41–50 years, and (e) 51–60 years; and how many in each age range went into part-time employment.

  Mr. Lang
  Between June 1989 and June 1987 unemployment in the Govan constituency fell by 1,529. Information on numbers going into employment by age ranges is not available.

  Electricity Privatisation
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what consultations he has had with the Scottish members of the Association of Independent Electricity Producers with regard to the Government's proposals to privatise the electricity industry in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lang
  I met representatives of the Association of Independent Electricity Producers on 8 June. A number of issues related to the present operation of the electricity supply industry in Scotland and the proposed arrangements for privatisation were discussed.

  Sports Clubs (Rates)
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the system of rate relief for non-profit-making sports clubs from local authorities in place in Scotland.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The decision whether to give rate relief to sports clubs, and if so how much, is at the discretion of local authorities. Where an authority does give relief, it is compensated for the lost rate income by a corresponding increase in revenue support grant.

  Fishing
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps have been taken by his Department to notify fishing vessels not registered under the Merchant Shipping Act 1988 to stop fishing.

  Mr. Lang
  The fishing licenses issued by fisheries departments make it clear that only registered vessels are entitled to fish against United Kingdom quotas. Where necessary, appropriate enforcement action will be taken to ensure compliance with this condition.

  Nursery School Places
  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will estimate the annual revenue cost of creating and maintaining a nursery school place.
  313
  Mr. Lang
  Most children attend nursery school on a part-time basis. In 1987–88, the last year for which figures are available, the average annual revenue cost per child was £781 and the whole-time equivalent cost £1,488.

  Hospital Service Capital Programme
  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will express in real terms, using 1966 as base, the expenditure within Scotland on the hospital service capital programme for each of the past 22 years; what is his estimate for the current year; and if he will also give the figures in real terms for revenue expenditure over the same period.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The expenditure by health boards on hospital services for the past 22 years and the estimated expenditure for the current year at 1966 prices is as follows:

  Year

  Revenue

  Capital

  £'000s

  £'000s

  1966–67

  84,631

  12,439

  1967–68

  89,098

  13,835

  1968–69

  92,918

  13,849

  1969–70

  97,341

  12,198

  1970–71

  107,111

  13,091

  1971–72

  115,441

  14,464

  1972–73

  122,141

  16,295

  1973–74

  134,342

  17,523

  1974–75

  156,944

  16,570

  1975–76

  167,402

  16,867

  1976–77

  167,021

  14,029

  1977–78

  166,779

  12,698

  1978–79

  171,560

  15,363

  1979–80

  175,265

  14,905

  1980–81

  190,361

  12,924

  1981–82

  194,342

  16,334

  1982–83

  193,326

  17,091

  1983–84

  195,269

  17,040

  1984–85

  198,333

  17,655

  1985–86

  198,559

  18,869

  1986–87

  204,499

  15,330

  1987–88

  210,782

  15,182

  1988–89

  218,912

  15,945

  1989–90

  1220,987

  118,833

  1 Estimated.

  Notes:

  1. The above figures apart for those for 1989–90 were taken from Health Boards annual accounts.

  2. The capital expenditure is total expenditure on hospital and community health services. Hospital services arc not shown separately in the annual accounts.

  Child Care
  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will show central Government financial support for child care services in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on Government policy.

  Mr. Lang
  The Scottish Office has provided support for expenditure on social work services by local authorities, including child care, through successive increases in rate support grant. It is for individual local authorities to decide on their spending priorities according to their own needs and available resources. In addition, we have made available grants under section 10 of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 to a wide range of voluntary organisations concerned with child care services.

  Community Charge
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people whose main place of residence in the United Kingdom is in Scotland, but who are exempt from payment of income tax as they work overseas and are resident in the United Kingdom for 90 days or less each year, have been exempted from payment of(a) all and (b) part of their community charge; and if he will make a statement on his Department's advice to local authorities in these circumstances.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  There is no provision which exempts a person from any of the community charges by reason of his being exempt from income tax in the United Kingdom through living abroad. A person's liability for the personal community charge in Scotland depends upon whether that person is solely or mainly resident in Scotland. This is determined by the community charges registration officer for the appropriate regional or islands council area on the basis of the facts and circumstances of each case. A person has a right of appeal against the registration officer's decision. A person who is resident abroad may be liable for the standard community charge if he owns or is the long-term tenant of a property which is nobody's sole or main residence. The decision about whether a standard community charge liability arises is again for the registration officer and again there is a right of appeal. My right hon. and learned Friend has not issued guidance to registration officers on how they should act in respect of particular cases, nor would it be appropriate for him to do so. It is for individuals to appeal against the registration officer's decisions if they disagree with those decisions.

  Basking Sharks
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what instructions he has issued to district fisheries inspectors about the recording of basking sharks that are landed; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lang
  The basking shark fishery has been carried out in recent years by a single vessel based in the firth of Clyde. The sea fisheries inspectorate obtains details of any landings.

  Scottish Consumer Council
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list members of the Scottish Consumer Council and indicate the method of appointing those members.

  Mr. Forth
  I have been asked to reply.

  The chairman and members of the Scottish Consumer Council are as follows:

  Mrs. Barbara Kelly (Chairman)

  Mrs. Joan Aitken

  Mrs. Patricia Bolton

  Mrs. Patricia Cooper

  Mr. Cowan Ervine

  Mr. Kenneth Gilbert

  Mr. Christopher Harley

  Mrs. Deirdre Hutton

  Father Matthew McManus

  Mrs. Winifred Sherry JP

  Mr. Gordon Smith

  Mr. Mark Steiner

  Dr. Douglas Williamson

  Members of the SCC are appointed by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.
  315
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give details of the salaries and remunerations paid to members of the Scottish Consumer Council including the director.

  Mr. Forth
  I have been asked to reply.

  The chairman of the Scottish Consumer Council receives a salary of £3,770 per annum as a member of the National Consumer Council. Other members of the SCC receive no salary but can currently claim a fee of £44 for attendance at council meetings. The salary of the director of the SCC is within the range 01113,318 to £17,149, which is equivalent to a senior executive officer post in the Civil Service.

  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met representatives of the Scottish Consumer Council; and whether he discussed the problem of alcohol abuse among young people in Scotland.

  Mr. Forth
  I have been asked to reply.

  I attended the SCC's council meeting on 19 May and discussed a number of topics of particular concern to Scottish consumers. The problem of alcohol abuse among young people in Scotland was not discussed.

  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what qualifications are required to be a member of he Scottish Consumer Council.

  Mr. Forth
  I have been asked to reply.

  Although no specific qualifications are required, prospective members would be expected to have an active interest in, and knowledge of, matters relevant to consumers in Scotland.

  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland who is responsible for the appointment of the director of the Scottish Consumer Council.

  Mr. Forth
  I have been asked to reply.

  The appointment is made by the Scottish Consumer Council, in consultation with the director of the National Consumer Council.

  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what qualifications are required for the post of Director of the Scottish Consumer Council.

  Mr. Forth
  I have been asked to reply.

  It is a matter for the two bodies concerned with the appointment to decide what qualifications are appropriate for the post.

  Greater Glasgow Health Board
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) on what date authorisation was given for the Greater Glasgow health board laboratory services and records department to be let out to competitive tendering; and who gave the authorisation;

  (2) who was consulted before Greater Glasgow health board put its laboratory services and records department out to competitive tendering.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 17 July 1989]: The laboratory services and records department of Greater Glasgow health board have not been put out to tender.

DEFENCE

  Low Flying
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many night low-level flights took place in the United Kingdom low-flying system in 1988.

  Mr. Neubert
  Central records are not available in a form which would allow the information requested to be provided.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy of 24 January,Official Report, column 555, whether centre is quantified as a radius in kilometres in the instructions to pilots concerning overflight of the centres of major conurbations and built-up areas in the United Kingdom low flying system.

  Mr. Neubert
  No.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the replies to the hon. Member for Meirionydd Nant Conwy of 9 November 1987,Official Report, columns 36–7, 20 January 1988, Official Report, column 765, and 10 May 1989, Official Report, columns 474–5, on what assumed average number of movements per sortie the figures for low-flying sorties in the years 1985, 1986, 1987 and 1988, as recalculated by the pre-1985 method of estimating sorties from numbers of movements, were based; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Neubert
  Yes.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the reply to the hon. Member for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy of 25 May,Official Report, column 732, what are the differences between the bases of recording low flying movements in the Borders tactical training area before and after July 1988.

  Mr. Neubert
  Depending on the route adopted, flights using the borders tactical training area after July 1988 may generate more than one movement in central records.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what advice is given to military aircrews on the use of the common North Atlantic Treaty Organisation radio frequency for low level flying when operating in the United Kingdom low flying system.

  Mr. Neubert
  There is no common North Atlantic Treaty Organisation radio frequency for low flying. However, a specially designated frequency is available for the transmission of flight safety information within the United Kingdom low flying system.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information on the location of planned entry into and exit from low flying areas is provided to RAF West Drayton by military aircrews planning low flying sorties.

  Mr. Neubert
  None.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the specific purpose of the Milford Haven low flying avoidance area; and if there are any plans to alter its extent and scope.

  Mr. Neubert
  It is not our practice to release specific details of the United Kingdom low flying system.
  317
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans exist to lower the minimum permitted altitude for terrain-following radar flying in the Highlands restricted area.

  Mr. Neubert
  Low flying military aircraft using the Highlands restricted area operate within the relevant height constraints of the United Kingdom low flying system and there are no plans to change this.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans exist to permit terrain-following radar flying in areas of the United Kingdom other than the Highlands restricted area.

  Mr. Neubert
  In appropriate meteorological conditions, terrain following radar may already be used to assist flying by suitably equipped aircraft anywhere in the United Kingdom low flying system.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has further to reduce the number and size of low flying avoidance areas covering special rules airspace around civil airports; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Neubert
  Special rules airspace and civil aerodrome traffic zones constitute in themselves avoidance areas for military aircraft, except where entry has been authorised by the controlling authority. There are no plans to change these arrangements.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what use is made of high frequency radio for air traffic control in the United Kingdom low flying system;

  (2) what use is made of satellite communications for air traffic control in the United Kingdom low flying system.

  Mr. Neubert
  None. The assistance of air traffic control is not required in the management of the airspace constituting the United Kingdom low flying system.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the percentage change in the number of low-level flights authorised at less than 250 ft between 1979 and 1988.

  Mr. Neubert
  This information is not available in the form requested. The information that is available has already been given in replies to the hon. Member by my predecessor on 2 November 1987,Official Report, column 487, and on 20 January 1988, Official Report, columns 764–65, and in the reply that I gave to the hon. Member on 25 May 1989, Official Report, columns 732–33.

  Chemical Weapons
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list all those North Atlantic Treaty Organisation countries which have chemical weapons stored or available for use on British soil.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  None.

  White Papers
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if, for each of the last three White Papers issued by his Department, for which legislation has been started, he will state the time elapsed between their publication and the First Readings of any Bills connected with them; and if he will do the same for the last three White Papers issued by his Department prior to May 1979.
  318
  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  My Department has not since 1979 issued White Papers which have formed the basis of subsequent legislation.

  It is not for me to answer for the record of the previous Government in this matter, but the information requested should be available in the Library of the House and the official record.

  Upper Heyford (Aircraft Noise)
  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will provide a table giving the number of dwellings which the Ministry of Defence has(a) offered to purchase because they fall within the 83 LAeq, 12H noise contour and (b) offered to provide noise insulation because they fall within the 70 LAeq, 12H noise contour, for RAF Upper Heyford and for each of the military air bases in the United Kingdom at which the above schemes apply.

  Mr. Neubert
  The information requested is show in the table:

  Number of properties situated within

  Airfield

  83 dBLAeq 12H contour

  70 dBLAeq 12H contour

  RNAS Yeovilton

  11

  483

  RAF Alconbury

  —

  138

  RAF Kinloss

  —

  49

  RAF Lossiemouth

  —

  293

  RAF Leuchars

  —

  1,070

  RAF Cottesmore

  —

  1,506

  RAF Honington

  —

  260

  RAF Leeming

  19

  926

  RAF Marham

  1

  265

  RAF Stornoway

  12

  180

  RAF Coningsby

  —

  800

  RAF Wattisham

  —

  540

  RAF Lakenheath/Mildenhall

  2

  5,600

  RAF Upper Heyford

  60

  770

  RAF Chivenor

  —

  18

  F111 Aircraft
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many United States Air Force F 111 aircraft are currently based at RAF Lakenheath; and what changes have occurred in this number since 1979.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I understand that 72 F 111F aircraft are assigned to RAF Lakenheath.

  Chemical Agent Monitors
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in which financial year the final batch of chemical agent monitors was ordered.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Financial year 1987–88.

  General Service Respirators
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in which financial year the final batch of general service respirators, S10, was ordered.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The order for the final tranche of the main production of S10 respirator face pieces was made in financial year 1987–88 and that for the respirator canister was made in financial year 1988–89.

  Contracted-out Services
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has on the proportion of those Ministry of Defence civilian employees made redundant as a result of contracting-out and privatisation since 1979 who have been subsequently re-employed by contractors providing services to his Department.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  No such information is held. The Ministry of Defence requires contractors to consider employing civilian staff being made redundant as a result of contracting-out, but the decision is entirely for the contractor. In the case of privatisation of Royal Ordnance and transfer to commercial management of the royal dockyards, staff were not made redundant but were all transferred to the new companies under the Transfer of Undertaking (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981.

  Arms Control
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures are taken by his Department to ensure that the Government's arms control policies maintain or enhance Britain's military position.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Arms control is an integral part of the Government's security policy. Our arms control objectives are designed to enhance the security of this country and of our allies, and the Ministry of Defence is fully involved in the formulation and implementation of our arms control policies.

  Nuclear Submarines (Disposal)
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what studies he has commissioned into the disposal of nuclear-powered submarines once their operational lives have been completed.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  I would refer the hon. Member to the House of Commons Defence Committee's report on the decommissioning of nuclear submarines (HC, 1988–89, No. 316).

  Pilotless Planes
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many incidents have taken place since 1987 when a plane flew over Britain without a pilot; and if he will make a statement outlining the precautions which were taken to avoid any repetition of the problem.

  Mr. Neubert
  Other than in brief instances when aircrew have had to eject, the only such occasion of which I am aware is the incident involving a Harrier GR5 aircraft on 22 October 1987 during a production test flight, when the pilot was killed after being ejected accidentally. The aircraft crashed into the sea some 500 miles west of the Republic of Ireland. A summary of the findings of the board of inquiry, including remedial actions taken, was placed in the Library in the usual way.

  Tropical Hardwood
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much tropical hardwood in cubic metres was used by the Ministry of Defence in 1988.
  320
  Mr. Sainsbury
  Purchases by the Ministry of Defence during 1988 amounted to around 600 cu m. Usage figures for tropical hardwood are not readily available.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of tropical hardwood used by the Ministry of Defence last year came from(a) Brazil, (b) the Ivory Coast, (c) Ghana, (d) India and (e) elsewhere; and in each case what steps were taken to ensure the wood used originated from plantations managed in a sustainable manner.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Of the tropical hardwood which was bought by the Ministry of Defence in 1988:

  16 per cent. came from Brazil.

  16 per cent. came from the Ivory Coast.

  27 per cent. came from Ghana.

  0 per cent. came from India.

  41 per cent. came from elsewhere.

  All tropical hardwood was procured competitively through importers and stockists in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps his Department has taken to eliminate the use of tropical hardwoods from non-sustainable sources.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  No specific measures have been taken, but the Ministry of Defence has, in recent years, adopted a general policy to minimise, wherever possible, the usage of all types of timber.

  Official Hospitality
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much was spent by his Department on official hospitality in the financial year 1988–89.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The amount spent on official hospitality by the Ministry of Defence in 1988–89 totalled some £3·520 million. This figure included expenditure incurred by the Ministry of Defence itself, by formations and establishments of the armed forces at home and abroad, and by individual officers occupying command and international appointments for which entertainment allowances are payable.

  Emergency Parking, London
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the cost of troop involvement in emergency parking arrangements during the current industrial action on British Rail and London Regional Transport; and who is responsible for meeting the cost.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The costs of service assistance in providing emergency parking facilities will not be known until the facilities are no longer needed and have been withdrawn. The Department of Transport will meet the extra cost incurred by the Ministry of Defence.

  Prime Minister (Transport Costs)
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the cost to his Department of providing transport for the Prime Minister on overseas visits in each year since 1985–86.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The Ministry of Defence charges the Office of the Minister for the Civil Service for
  321
  providing transport for the Prime Minister on official visits overseas at rates which are calculated in accordance with rules laid down by the Treasury. These rates are designed to ensure that no residual costs are carried on Defence Votes.

  Property Disposals
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total value of property disposed of by his Department in the financial year 1988–89; and what is the current estimate of likely disposals in 1989–90.

  Mr. Neubert
  Receipts from property sold in 1988–89 were £150·6 million. At this early stage of the 1989–90 financial year, we anticipate receipts of around £130 million.

  HMS Fearless
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Rhondda of 17 July,Official Report, columns 24, how the schedule for the refit of HMS Fearless has been revised; and what additional expenditure will be involved.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The completion date of HMS Fearless has been revised from the end of 1989 to spring 1990. The additional expenditure is still subject to negotiation.

  Computer Scientists
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current requirement for specialist computer science staff in the procurement executive.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Computer scientists are in short supply nationally. There is currently a requirement for 272 such staff, mainly in the research establishments.

  Procurement Executive
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total number of military staff employed in the procurement executive in 1980 and 1989.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  No central record of the number of service men employed in the procurement executive before 1 June 1981 exists; the number on that date was 1,655. It is too early in the year to give a definitive figure for 1989. However, it is expected to be around 1,200.

  Centre for Defence Studies
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his reply of 17 July,Official Report, column 254, whether he will state the planned location of the proposed centre for defence studies.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The intention is to establish the centre for defence studies at an existing university, polytechnic or institute. Its location will depend, therefore, on the outcome of the evaluation of proposals to which I referred in my reply of 17 July.

  Female Employment (RAF)
  Mr. Mans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he has plans to widen the opportunities for the employment of women in the Royal Air Force; and if he will make a statement.
  322
  Mr. Neubert
  We intend to widen the opportunities for women in the Royal Air Force by recruiting and training them as pilots and navigators for the following aircraft:

  Operational aircraft

  Training aircraft

  Tristar

  Chipmunk

  VC10/VC10K

  Bulldog

  Hercules

  Jet Provost

  Victor

  Tucano

  Sentry (AWACS)

  Hawk (AFT only)

  HS 125

  Dominie

  BAe 146

  Jetstream

  Andover

  Gazelle

  Canberra

  Wessex

  Sea King

  Wessex (SAR)

  It remains Government policy that women should not undertake direct combatant duties, and this has determined the aircraft in which women will act as aircrew.

  We intend to begin recruiting immediately, and in the first instance shall be looking for up to 10 per cent. women recruits, (25 pilots and 10 navigators) in the first year, but this will be kept under review.

  Single European Market
  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information has been prepared by his Department for defence contractors on the implications of 1992 and the single European market.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  [holding answer 19 July 1989]: Although European Community competence in defence procurement is circumscribed by article 223 of the treaty of Rome, the completion of the single European market will have an important impact on our suppliers, most of which operate in both the civil and defence sectors of the economy. The Department has therefore taken a number of steps to ensure that defence contractors are informed of the implications of 1992 for defence procurement. In April 1989, the Department held a forum for industry on the future of defence procurement in Europe; Ministers and senior officials have addressed the implications of 1992 in speeches and articles; and there are working-level contacts between the defence contractors and Ministry officials concerned with the impact of the single European market.

  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many personnel from his Department are currently employed in giving advice on the implications of 1992 and the single European market.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  [holding answer 19 July 1989]: A number of officials in the Ministry of Defence, particularly those concerned with legal affairs and with procurement and contractual matters, give advice on the implications of 1992. However, there is no post in the Department wholly or mainly devoted to advising on EEC matters.

  Nuclear Submarines
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy to reply to the Seventh Report from the Select Committee on Defence, on decommissioning of nuclear submarines, (HC, 1988–89, No. 316), before the House rises for the summer recess; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  [holding answer 13 July 1989]: The Ministry of Defence is studying the Committee's report

  323
  published on 21 June and will provide a formal response in due course. It will not, however, be possible to reply before the House goes into recess.

EMPLOYMENT

  Construction Industry Training Board
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the future of the construction industry training board.

  Mr. Nicholls
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 14 February to my hon. Friend the Member for Rutland and Melton (Mr. Latham) at column 153. Consultations with the board and organisations representing employers are almost complete. I expect to be in a position to make a decision shortly.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish in the Official Report the number, and percentage of (i) men and (ii) women aged (a) 50 to 54, (b) 55 to 59 and (c) 60 to 64 for men only who are in (1) employment, (2) part-time employment and (3) full-time employment.

  Mr. Lee
  The information requested, based on preliminary results from the spring 1988 labour force survey, is given in the following table.

  Persons in employment by whether working full or part time by sex and selected age groups

  Spring 1988

  Great Britain, Thousands and per cent.

  Full or part lime status1

  Sex Age

  All in employment2

  Part time

  Full lime

  Men

  Numbers

  50 to 54

  1,220

  26

  1,194

  55 to 59

  1,033

  38

  994

  60 to 64

  671

  65

  605

  Percentages of all in age group

  50 to 54

  83·1

  1·8

  81·2

  55 to 59

  72·7

  2·7

  70·0

  60 to 64

  49·3

  4·8

  44·4

  Women

  Numbers

  50 to 54

  924

  482

  441

  55 to 59

  729

  370

  359

  Percentages of all in age group

  50 to 54

  62·4

  32·6

  29·8

  55 to 59

  49·5

  25·1

  24·3

  Great Britain

  Numbers1

  Numbers2

  Numbers3

  Gross Average3

  Numbers3

  Gross Average3

  employed

  in temporary employment

  on adult rates

  earnings of those on adult rates

  not on adult rates

  earnings of those not on adult rates

  millions

  millions

  millions

  £ per week

  millions

  £ per week

  1988

  Males

  Full-time employees

  11·0

  0·3

  10·7

  245·8

  0·3

  98·2

  Part-time employees

  0·9

  0·2

  0·9

  69·8

  ..

  —

  324
  Source: 1988 Labour Force Survey Preliminary results.

  1 Full or part time employment is based on self-assessment by the respondent.

  2 Includes those who did not state whether they worked full or part time.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what are the latest figures for the unemployment rate for each of the social classes I to V; and what the corresponding rates were in 1979;

  (2) what is the percentage of each social class I to V who are unemployed; and by how much each of these percentages has changed since 1979.

  Mr. Lee
  Preliminary estimates from the 1988 labour force survey (LFS), as requested, are shown in the following table:

  Unemployment by social class—Great Britain Spring 1988, per cent.

  Social class1

  Unemployment rate2

  Percentage of each social class unemployed3

  per cent.

  per cent.

  I

  1·7

  1·6

  II

  2·7

  2·5

  III

  5·3

  4·8

  IV

  7·9

  7·0

  V

  10·5

  9·1

  1 Based on previous occupation of those unemployed or inactive and current occupation of those in employment.

  2 Unemployed (ILO/OECD definition) as a percentage of economically active (i.e. unemployed plus employed).

  3 Unemployed (ILO/OECD definition) as a percentage of all persons 16 or over.

  Note: Persons not in employment were not asked about their previous occupation if they left their last job three or more years prior to interview. These persons plus those who have never had a job are excluded from the above table.

  Data on unemployment by social class was not collected in the 1979 LFS on a basis comparable with the given estimates.

  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will update tables published in the Official Report on 25 March 1987, columns 171–72, showing for June 1979 and the latest available date, the number of male and female full-time and part-time workers on adult rates and the estimated average earnings in each case, and the number of full-time and part-time workers who were temporarily employed in each case; and if he will provide what estimate he is able to make of similar data for the self-employed and for workers on non-adult rates.

  Mr. Lee
  Such estimates as are possible for 1988, the latest available date, are provided in the table.
  325

  Numbers1

  Numbers2

  Numbers3

  Gross Average3

  Numbers3

  Gross Average3

  employed

  in temporary employment

  on adult rates

  earnings of those on adult rates

  not on adult rates

  earnings of those not on adult rates

  millions

  millions

  millions

  £ per week

  millions

  £ per week

  Self-employed

  2·2

  0·2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Full-time

  2·0

  0·1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Part-time

  0·2

  ..

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Females

  Full-time employees

  5·8

  0·2

  5·5

  164·2

  0·2

  86·7

  Part-time employees

  4·3

  0·5

  4·2

  62·0

  0·1

  26·4

  Self-employed

  0·7

  0·1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Full-time

  0·4

  ..

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Part-time

  0·4

  0·1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1 Relates to June 1988.

  2 Preliminary 1988 estimates.

  3 Relates to April 1988.

  —Data either not available or no reliable estimate possible.

  .. Figures not significant at the level indicated.

  Disabled People
  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many(a) registered disabled persons and (b) disabled persons were seeking employment at jobcentres for each of the standard regions, Scotland and Wales in 1985 to 1987, inclusive.

  Region

  8 March 1985

  4 April 1986

  3 April 1987

  (a)

  (b)

  (a)

  (b)

  (a)

  (b)

  Northern

  1—

  1—

  2,643

  6,804

  2,806

  7,184

  North East

  2,492

  6,411

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  2,591

  6,543

  1,975

  4,954

  2,123

  5,126

  East Midlands

  1,639

  3,631

  2,650

  5,587

  2,570

  5,578

  South East

  1—

  1—

  4,397

  9,454

  3,650

  8,293

  Southern

  3,677

  7,725

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  Eastern

  3,269

  6,763

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  London

  1—

  1—

  1,711

  3,842

  1,533

  3,381

  London North

  1,399

  3,340

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  London South and West

  924

  2,412

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  South West

  2,116

  4,908

  1,806

  4,338

  1,652

  4,391

  Wales

  2,864

  7,284

  2,371

  6,192

  2,431

  6,830

  West Midlands

  2,646

  5,991

  2,220

  5,086

  2,112

  4,703

  North West

  8,228

  15,973

  6,647

  13,066

  5,697

  11,349

  Scotland

  3,705

  9,640

  3,177

  8,360

  3,029

  8,537

  1 Regional boundary changes.

  (a) People with disabilities who were registered at jobcentres as seeking work and who were registered as disabled under the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act 1944.

  (b) People with disabilities who were registered at jobcentres as seeking work (including those in column (a)).

  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will estimate the number of companies in England, Scotland and Wales covered by the 3 per cent. quota scheme and the percentage of those companies that satisfy the standard.

  Mr. Lee
  On 1 June 1988, 32,441 employers were subject to the quota scheme. Of these, 23·8 per cent. were employing their full quota of registered disabled people.

  Remploy
  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many disabled people are known to be seeking work with Remploy but are unable to get jobs.

  Mr. Lee
  Information about the number of severely disabled people seeking work with Remploy is not held. The company has been recruiting and training between 1,000 and 1,200 disabled people a year.
  326
  Mr. Lee
  I regret that this information is not available in the form requested but the numbers of people with disabilities registered for work at jobcentres on 8 March 1985, 4 April 1986 and 3 April 1987 were as follows:

  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many disabled workers are employed by Remploy; in which areas they are located; and what is their average weekly wage.

  Mr. Lee
  On 31 May 1989 Remploy employed 8,706 severely disabled workers. The following table gives a breakdown into employment service regions:

  Region

  Number of severely disabled workers at 31 May 1989

  London and South East

  945

  South West

  523

  West Midlands

  624

  East Midlands and Eastern

  642

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  1,012

  North West

  1,610

  Northern

  885

  Wales

  1,442

  Scotland

  1,023

  327

  Region

  Number of severely disabled workers at 31 May 1989

  Total

  8,706

  The basic weekly wage is £109·72 for disabled manual workers in London and £96·54 elsewhere. With skill and productivity payments, average weekly earnings are £129·15 in London and £115·97 elsewhere.

  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people are in management jobs in Remploy; and how many of those are disabled.

  Mr. Lee
  Comprehensive information is not available, but four of Remploy's factory managers are disabled. It is the company's policy to provide opportunities for people with disabilities to fill jobs at all levels, and, through its development training programme for shop floor workers, to equip more disabled people for opportunities for promotion.

  Financial year 1985–86

  Financial year 1986–87

  Financial year 1987–88

  Financial year 1988–89

  Places occupied at 31 March 1986

  Approved ceiling at 31 March 1987

  Places occupied at 31 March 1987

  Approved ceiling at 31 March 1988

  Places occupied at 31 March 1988

  Approved ceiling at 31 March 1989

  Places occupied at 31 March 1989

  South East

  448

  491

  476

  669

  650

  21,529

  21,263

  London

  124

  226

  168

  319

  259

  South West

  311

  422

  376

  490

  472

  646

  616

  West Midlands

  1306

  338

  328

  491

  450

  650

  586

  East Midlands and Eastern

  363

  359

  522

  479

  621

  590

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  134

  227

  209

  322

  306

  465

  408

  North West

  219

  344

  300

  423

  376

  540

  482

  Northern

  58

  93

  72

  120

  99

  226

  183

  Wales

  88

  178

  149

  239

  240

  327

  312

  Scotland

  146

  281

  247

  379

  389

  570

  516

  1 The figure of 306 occupied places relates to the whole of the former Midlands region.

  2 The figures of 1,529 and 1,263 relate to the now combined London and South East region.

  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the expenditure on the sheltered placement scheme in each of the years 1985–86 to 1988–89 inclusive; and what is the estimated expenditure in each of the years 1989–90, 1990–91 and 1991–92 for each of the standard regions, Scotland and Wales.

  Mr. Lee
  The information is not available in the form requested. The following table gives details of the

  £000

  Region

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89 Forecast

  South East

  222

  497

  1,400

  2,698

  London

  284

  409

  558

  South West

  1,457

  2,545

  1,017

  1,316

  West Midlands

  123

  264

  969

  1,251

  East Midlands and Eastern

  382

  510

  1,031

  1,260

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  249

  473

  659

  871

  North West

  368

  504

  810

  1,029

  Northern

  79

  99

  213

  390

  Wales

  18

  58

  517

  667

  Scotland

  401

  705

  838

  1,102

  Great Britain

  3,583

  6,064

  8,012

  10,584

  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the number of places on the
  328
  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people are in supervisory jobs in Remploy; and how many of them are disabled.

  Mr. Lee
  Comprehensive information is not available, but 306 (46 per cent.) of the 659 supervisory staff in Remploy factories are severely disabled.

  Sheltered Placement Scheme
  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will provide figures for 1985 to 1989 inclusive for each standard region and for Scotland and Wales of the number of sheltered placement scheme places(a) approved and (b) occupied.

  Mr. Lee
  The information is not available in the form requested. The following table provides information on numbers of places occupied in each employment service region against the number each region had authority to fill in 1986–87, 1987–88 and 1988–89 financial years. Occupancy figures as at the end of financial year 1985–86 are also given. Regions were not given a specified number of places to fill until 1986–87.

  estimated expenditure nationally and by employment service regions. Boundary changes arising from the establishment of the employment service in October 1987 means that direct comparison at the regional level should be avoided between the years 1985–87 and 1987–89. Information on expenditure for 1989–90 and beyond is not available.

  sheltered placement scheme in each of the years 1985–86 to

  329
  1988–89 inclusive; and what is the estimated number of places in each or the years 1989–90, 1990–91 and 1991–92 for each of the standard regions, Scotland and Wales.

  Mr. Lee
  The information is not available in the form requested. The following table sets out the number of

  Employment Service region

  Places occupied at 31 March 1986

  Places occupied at 31 March 1987

  Places occupied at 31 March 1988

  Places occupied at 31 March 1989

  Estimated places occupied at 31 March 1990

  South East

  448

  476

  650

  21,263

  21885

  London

  124

  168

  259

  South West

  311

  376

  472

  616

  826

  West Midlands

  >1306

  328

  450

  586

  739

  East Midlands and Eastern

  359

  479

  590

  785

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  134

  209

  306

  408

  586

  North West

  219

  300

  376

  482

  676

  Northern

  58

  72

  99

  183

  297

  Wales

  88

  149

  240

  312

  428

  Scotland

  146

  247

  389

  516

  643

  Total

  1834

  2,684

  3,720

  4,956

  36,865

  1 The figure of 306 occupied places relates to the whole of the former Midlands Region

  2 The figures of 1,529 and 1,263 relate to the now combined London and South East Region

  3 A further 35 places have still to be allocated.

  Enterprise Allowance
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people have been granted an enterprise allowance in each year since the enterprise allowance scheme was introduced; what information he has about(a) the proportion of people who have become self-employed and (b) signed as being available for work at the expiry of the enterprise allowance; what proposals he has for the future of the enterprise allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Cope
  The numbers of people granted an enterprise allowance are as follows:

  Total number joined in that period

  Financial year

  Number

  April 1989 to June 1989

  22,511

  1988–89

  98,522

  1987–88

  106,305

  1986–87

  86,751

  1985–86

  60,037

  1984–85

  46,037

  August 1983 to March 19841

  27,629

  February 1982 to July 19832

  3,331

  1 National implementation.

  2 Pilot in five parts of the country.

  Information on the proportion of people who signed as being available for work at the expiry of the enterprise allowance is not collected on a regular basis. However, latest survey evidence shows that of businesses completing a full year on the scheme, six months later 74 per cent. were still trading, 9 per cent. were in paid employment or other self-employment, and 15 per cent. were unemployed (the remaining 2 per cent. were sick, retired, or provided no answer).

  In the future, responsibility for running the enterprise allowance scheme, along with training and other enterprise measures, will be passed to the training and enterprise councils (TECs).
  330
  places under the sheltered placement scheme in each of the years 1985–86 to 1988–89 inclusive, and estimated figures for the year 1989–90 for each employment service region. Firm estimates for the years 1990–91 and 1991–92 have not yet been made.

  Unemployment Benefit
  Mr. Terry Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many claimants in the west midlands region were suspended from receipt of unemployment benefit during the period from 11 April 1988 to 10 April 1989 for failure to show good cause for the termination of their last employment.

  Mr. Lee
  Information is not available in the precise form requested.

  However, for the period 1 January to 31 March 1989, the number of persons, in the west midlands region, who were disqualified from receiving unemployment benefit because they were considered to have left their employment voluntarily without just cause was 24,302.

  Retail Prices
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the change in retail prices over the period 1979–1988, measured against the retail price index, of(a) gas, (b) electricity, (c) bread, (d) beer, and (e) four star/premium petrol (i) net of duty and taxes and (ii) including duty and taxes.

  Mr. Lee
  The information requested is shown in the table:

  Percentage changes in retail prices June 1979 to June 1988

  Including tax and duty

  Excluding tax and duty

  Per cent.

  Per cent.

  All items

  + 92

  —

  Bread

  + 79

  —

  Gas

  + 134

  —

  Electricity

  + 106

  —

  Beer

  + 164

  + 147

  4/star petrol

  + 75

  -1

  Training Boards
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment which of the seven statutory training boards has made proposals to him on the establishment of the
  331
  industry level training organisation proposed in the White Paper "Employment for the 1990s"; and when he expects to be in a position to respond to each of the boards.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The chairman of each industrial training board has been asked to submit proposals by the end of this month. To date proposals have been received from the clothing and allied products, engineering, offshore petroleum and road transport industry training boards. I intend to respond to each board's proposals shortly.

  Small Businesses
  Mr. Patnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what steps his Department is taking to ensure that small firms are well placed to compete for Government contracts.

  Mr. Cope
  [holding answer 19 July 1989]: I launched a new booklet in June called "Think Big Buy Small", produced by our Department in collaboration with the central unit on purchasing (CUP). It is addressed directly to Government Departments, and advises them on improving the effectiveness and transparency of their purchasing and supply activities. It shows that purchasing officials can help small firms and get the best out of them by simply following good procurement practices. We thought it right to publish the booklet so that small firms themselves could see the advice given to Departments and I am pleased to say that it has been well received.

  In addition the small firms service has recently revised and expanded its booklet "Tendering for Government Contracts" which outlines the main purchasing requirements, contract procedures, and special opportunities or simplified procedures for small firms, for all major Departments.

  The Government's own purchasing procedures have been simplified so that firms are now usually exempt from normal approval procedures for contracts under £10,000; firms not on Departments' approved lists can bid for non-urgent contracts. The general information that firms have to provide for approval has been standardised between Departments which now review their approved lists regularly to encourage new suppliers and rotate invitations to tender. I am satisfied that the effect of these initiatives is to improve the value for money of Government purchasing.

  Employment and Training Schemes
  Mr. Lester
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish a table setting out for each of the different employment and training schemes for which he is responsible(a) the administrative costs, (b) the amounts spent on grants/allowances for participants, (c) the total costs and (d) the numbers of participants.

  Mr. Cope
  [holding answer 19 July 1989]: The information requested is mostly in the Department of Employment chapter of the public expenditure White Paper, Cm. 607, published in January 1989, a copy of which is in the Library.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the nuclear non-proliferation treaty was raised during the recent visit of a ministerial delegation from Uganda to the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  No.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what dates and what locations have been arranged for the second and third preparatory conferences for the fourth review conference of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The second preparatory committee will take place in Geneva from 11–18 September. The third preparatory committee will be held from 23 April—4 May 1990, also in Geneva.

  President Menem
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has any plans to meet the new Argentine President, Senor Carlos Menem.

  Mr. Eggar
  No.

  Mrs. Khalil
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he intends to send an independent observer to the trial of Mrs. Khalil, the president of In'ash El-Usra, to be held on 20 July.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  No.

  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations his Department has made on behalf of Mrs. Khalil, the president of In'ash El-Usra.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  We raised the case of In'ash EI-Usra with the Israeli authorities at the time of its closure last summer. We have not raised the specific charges brought subsequently against Mrs. Khalil.

  Nicaragua
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many visits have been made to Nicaragua by Her Majesty's ambassador accredited to that country since July 1988.

  Mr. Eggar
  Her Majesty's ambassador to Nicaragua, who is resident in San José, has made 10 visits to Nicaragua since July 1988.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if any assistance has been offered to the Nicaraguan Government in connection with the run-up to the elections in February 1990; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  The Nicaraguan Government have not asked us for any assistance in the preparation or conduct of the election due in February 1990.
  333
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if any resources have been made available by Her Majesty's Government to opposition parties in Nicaragua during the past five years.

  Mr. Eggar
  No.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Her Majesty's Government have requested the new Administration in Washington to cease their economic sanctions against Nicaragua; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  United States bilateral relations with Nicaragua are a matter for the two Governments concerned. We have normal economic relations with Nicaragua.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has any plans to visit Nicaragua during 1989; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has no present plans to visit Nicaragua.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contacts have taken place between Her Majesty's representatives in Nicaragua and representatives of Nicaraguan opposition parties in the past 12 months.

  Mr. Eggar
  In the course of their normal duties, Her Majesty's representatives in Managua maintain contact with individuals representing a wide spread of opinion, including the Opposition.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what response has been formulated by Her Majesty's Government to the request from President Ortega for an all-party group to visit Nicaragua in the run-up to the 1990 elections in that country.

  Mr. Eggar
  The question of sending an all-party group of hon. Members is for Parliament rather than the Government to consider. For our part, we indicated on 30 June our willingness to send an official observer. We have just received an invitation and shall accept it.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the last visit was made by a Minister of Her Majesty's Government to Nicaragua.

  Mr. Eggar
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, then Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, visited Nicaragua in May 1980.

  Eastern Europe
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if assistance has been offered by Her Majesty's Government to political parties in(a) Poland, (b) Hungary, (c) Yugoslavia and (d) the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in the past two years.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  We have not offered assistance to political parties in any of these countries.

  Ivory
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will give details of the staffing and budget of the special task force set up in Hong Kong to investigate and suppress illegal imports and exports of ivory; and how many cases have been investigated and seizures made to date.

  Mr. Eggar
  The special task force set up by the Customs and Excise Department in Hong Kong consists of one senior superintendent, one assistant superintendent, four senior inspectors and four inspectors. The task force does not have a separate budget but shares the resources of the Customs and Excise Department as is necessary for its duties. Since the task force was established on 1 June 1989, a total of 35 cases have been investigated. Seizures were made in two cases. Two cases are pending.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the current estimated stock of elephant ivory in Hong Kong.

  Mr. Eggar
  The current estimated stock of ivory imported into and held in Hong Kong under CITES regulations is approximately 500 tonnes of raw ivory and 170 tonnes of worked ivory.

  Central America
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made to the Costa Rican Government concerning ratification of the treaty establishing the Central American Parliament.

  Mr. Eggar
  We and our EC partners have, on a number of occasions, called on the signatories of the Esquipulas II peace agreement to fulfil their outstanding obligations under the agreement without delay. Ratification of the Central American Parliament treaty is, of course, a matter for national Parliaments rather than Governments.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when representatives of Her Majesty's Government last made representations to the Governments of Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador regarding the failure of those countries to abide by the terms of the Esquipulas agreements.

  Mr. Eggar
  We and our European partners have, on a number of occasions, called on all the signatories of the Esquipulas II peace agreement to fulfil their outstanding obligations under the agreement without delay.

  Panama
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement regarding Her Majesty's Government's relations with Panama.

  Mr. Eggar
  Relations would be improved if General Noriega were to stand down and open the way to democratic government.

  Political Parties (Aid)
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which opposition parties in which countries have received offers of assistance from Her Majesty's Government in each of the past five years.

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

  Peru
  Sir Trevor Skeet
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) since prisoners in Peruvian gaols have to provide for their own upkeep, what steps are being taken by Her Majesty's Government to ensure British nationals detained in Lurigancho prison have sufficient funds to obtain sustenance;

  (2) under what circumstances John Boxhall and Brian Tristram could be extradited from Peru and charged with offences in the United Kingdom;

  (3) what information he has about the detention of John Boxhall and Brian Tristram in a Peruvian gaol since 6 December 1988 and the reasons they have been detained without trial;

  (4) what steps are being taken to ensure that John Boxhall and Brian Tristram both of the county of Bedfordshire will be speedily brought to trial in Peru.

  Mr. Eggar
  The information required is not readily available. A further reply will be sent to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

  Mr. Derrick Gregory
  Mr. Amos
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will have urgent and immediate discussions with the Malaysian Government to save the life of Mr. Derrick Gregory, a British subject.

  Mr. Eggar
  My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has appealed for clemency at the highest levels in Malaysia. We have exhausted all avenues of appeal for the sentence of death to be commuted to one of life imprisonment. We do not believe that further representations to the Malaysian Government would be productive.

  College of Europe
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the purpose and role of the College of Europe.

  Mr. Eggar
  The College of Europe at Bruges is a good and effective institution for spreading understanding of the Community and promoting study of it. It provides post-graduate training for European, including British, students to equip them for entry into the European Commission.

  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been the cost of the College of Europe to United Kingdom public funds in each year since 1970 in 1989 money.

  Mr. Eggar
  We have made an annual grant of £2,500 to the college since 1963.
  336
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been the total cost of the College of Europe to European public funds in each year since 1970 in 1989 money.

  Mr. Eggar
  In 1987, the latest year for which such figures are available, the total cost of the College of Europe to European public funds was 79 million Belgian francs. The Belgian authorities contributed 67 million Belgian francs of this figure.

  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures he intends to take to ensure that the College of Europe is an effective forum for the exchange of ideas about the possible future development of the European Community.

  Mr. Eggar
  No further measures are necessary. The representative of the British Council in Belgium sits on the college's administrative council and is actively involved in all aspects of the college, including its curriculum.

  Hong Kong
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library a summary of the discussions he has had with European Ministers, and in particular his Portuguese counterpart, about the future of Macao; and whether he now intends to give similar European citizenship rights to Hong Kong people.

  Mr. Eggar
  We are in touch from time to time with the Portuguese Government on matters relating to Hong Kong and Macao. Such discussions are confidential and we are not at liberty to publish details. We have had no substantive discussions with other European Governments about the future of Macao.

  In order to enjoy the right of free movement and settlement within the EC, Hong Kong people would require full British citizenship. The Government have no plans to grant this to all Hong Kong people.

  USSR Compensation Order
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress is being made in implementing the Foreign Compensation (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) (Distribution) Order 1987.

  Mr. Eggar
  Good progress continues to be made. The Foreign Compensation Commission made an interim payment of 10 per cent. of the value assigned to a bond to successful bond claimants in November 1987. Of 2,596 property claims submitted, 529 have been established by the Commission, 1,120 have been dismissed and 72 have been withdrawn. There remain 875 property claims still to be determined by the Commission. Many of these are held up because information is awaited from claimants. Claimants should note that failure to supply essential information without delay may result in dismissal of their claims.

  It is now expected that the final payout to claimants is likely to be in excess of 40 per cent. of the value the Commission assigns to a claim rather than approximately 20 per cent. which was the best estimate at the time of the interim distribution to bond claimants in November 1987.

  The target date for announcing the final distribution to claimants remains the end of 1989.

  Turkey
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has on whether certain British nationals will shortly require visas to visit Turkey.

  Mr. Eggar
  Following the imposition of our visa regime on 23 June, the Turkish Government have decided that all British citizens who, were they Turks, would hold diplomatic, service and special passports, will from 1 August require visas for Turkey, for all visits, including those for the purpose of tourism.

  Discussions about the precise extent of the visa regime are continuing but it is likely to cover Members of both Houses of Parliament, judges, civil servants of assistant secretary grade and above, local government employees of equivalent grade, and officers in Her Majesty's forces of the equivalent Army rank of captain and above. Spouses and dependent children will not require visas.

ENVIRONMENT

  Area Mobility Scheme
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether it is his intention to continue the current quota of nominations for housing for hostel projects in London provided under statutory authority through the London area mobility scheme at the same level of provision after March 1990, when the current scheme ends.

  Mr. Trippier
  These matters are currently under consideration in a working party, comprising representatives of the London area mobility scheme and other interested bodies. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment will make a statement when their report is ready, and he has considered it.

  Housing Action Trust, Southwark
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) following the completion of the register of those tenants entitled to vote in any ballot on the proposed creation of a housing action trust in Southwark, what arrangements will be made to allow new tenants moving on to either the North Peckham or Gloucester Grove estates to be accorded voting rights;

  (2) how long, before any ballot on the proposed creation of a housing action trust in Southwark, the register of those eligible to vote will have to be completed.

  Mr. Trippier
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave her on 18 July.

  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) in which languages other than English any ballot form concerning the proposed creation of a housing action trust in Southwark will be made available;

  (2) what length of notice will be given by a ballot on the proposed creation of a housing action trust in Southwark; and in what form it will be given;

  (3) what will be the wording used on the ballot form concerning the creation of a housing action trust in Southwark;
  338
  (4) whether interpreters for non-English speaking tenants will be made available in the period immediately before any ballot on the proposed creation of a housing action trust in Southwark;

  (5) whether voters in any ballot on the proposed creation of a housing action trust in Southwark will be required to vote in the form of a straight yes or no.

  Mr. Trippier
  I refer the hon. Member to the answers that I gave her on 18 and 19 July.

  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what forum there will be for those not entitled to vote in any ballot on the creation of a housing action trust in Southwark, to put forward their views during the consultation process.

  Mr. Trippier
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave on 24 May 1988 to the hon. Member for Hammersmith (Mr. Soley) at column 599–600. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will take into account the views of all residents in any proposed housing action trust area before deciding whether to make a designation order.

  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether there will be separate ballots taken on the creation of a housing action trust in the Gloucester Grove and North Peckham estates in Southwark.

  Mr. Trippier
  Any housing action trust ballot will be in respect of the area proposed by the Secretary of State for a designation order under section 60 of the Housing Act 1988.

  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment who will be entitled to vote in any ballot on the creation of a housing action trust in Southwark.

  Mr. Trippier
  Each secure tenant, including each joint tenant, and any other categories of tenants prescribed by regulations, living within the area proposed for designation will have a vote.

  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment for what period members of the proposed housing action trust board in Southwark would be elected or nominated.

  Mr. Trippier
  We shall decide the period of trust appointments in due course.

  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how abstentions would be recorded in any ballot on the proposed creation of a housing action trust in Southwark.

  Mr. Trippier
  I refer the hon. Member to the answers that I gave her on 18 and 19 July.

  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how rents would be paid by tenants to the proposed housing action trust in Southwark.

  Mr. Trippier
  It would be for a housing action trust to decide how to collect rents.

  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how the proposed housing action trust in Southwark would deal with racial harassment.
  339
  Mr. Trippier
  A trust would have a duty under section 71 of the Race Relations Act 1976 to carry out its various functions with regard to the need to eliminate racial discrimination and to promote equality of opportunity. It would need to decide on policies to fulfil this duty, including how to deal with racial harassment. We would recommend to any trust two recent reports which my Department has drawn to the attention of local authorities: "The Response to Racial Attacks and Harassment: Report of the Interdepartmental Racial Attacks Group" and "Brunel Guide to Good Practice in Tackling Racial Violence and Harassment on Local Authority Housing Estates".

  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how the service provided by the proposed housing action trust in Southwark to different ethnic groups would be monitored.

  Mr. Trippier
  We shall encourage trusts to seek advice from the Commission for Racial Equality on the use of ethnic monitoring.

  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy that all the occupants of demolished properties will be rehoused on the estate, in the event of the establishment of the proposed housing action trust in Southwark.

  Mr. Trippier
  A trust would have to find alternative accommodation for any tenant whose home had to be demolished as part of a programme of improvements decided on after consultation with local people. A trust, like a local authority, could not require a tenant to move out of his home if it needed to be demolished unless it secured suitable alternative accommodation for him. Such accommodation could be either on the estates or nearby.

  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what would be the procedure for electing resident members of the proposed housing action trust board in Southwark.

  Mr. Trippier
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave her yesterday.

  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether he will publish a statement as to the allocation policies of the proposed housing action trust in Southwark(a) before any ballot and (b) after the housing action trust has been formed;

  (2) whether the proposed housing action trust in Southwark would maintain its own waiting list with its own prioritising policy.

  Mr. Trippier
  One of the primary objects of a housing action trust under section 63 of the Housing Act 1988 is to secure the proper and effective management and use of the housing for which it is responsible. It would be for a trust to decide on its allocation policy once it had been set up. It would be required, like Southwark council, to publish its allocation policy under section 106 of the Housing Act 1985. It would also have to consider how to make best use of any properties which become available for occupation.

  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the proposed housing action trust in Southwark would be given the responsibility of assisting residents in obtaining their correct benefit entitlements.
  340
  Mr. Trippier
  Where housing action trusts are set up, local authorities will retain responsibility for the administration of housing benefit.

  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the proposed housing action trust in Southwark would be able to receive housing benefit payments for tenants directly from the council in a similar way to housing associations.

  Mr. Trippier
  Housing benefit rent allowance payments to trust tenants would be governed by the same rules as apply to all rent allowance payments. Consequently, just as in certain circumstances a housing association can receive benefit payments direct from the local authority administering the benefit, so a trust could receive benefit payments direct.

  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the proposed housing action trust in Southwark would have an equal opportunities policy.

  Mr. Trippier
  Yes.

  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the proposed housing action trust in Southwark would support the activities of existing community groups.

  Mr. Trippier
  Section 63 of the Housing Act 1988 sets out the primary objects of a housing action trust which include the improvement of living and social conditions in its area. We expect that a trust would want to use its powers under section 63(2)(b) to work for the benefit of the community.

  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the proposed housing action trust on the North Peckham and Gloucester Grove estates in Southwark would employ multilingual workers.

  Mr. Trippier
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave her earlier today. It would be for a trust to decide whether it needed to employ multilingual workers.

  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if at the end of the operating period for a housing action trust created in Southwark, the option of returning to council management would be made available.

  Mr. Trippier
  Once improvements had been carried out, a trust would consult secure tenants about whether they wanted to transfer to a landlord approved by the Housing Corporation, such as a housing association or co-operative, or go back to the council. We would give local authorities the necessary supplementary credit approvals to enable them to buy back properties where tenants opted to return to them.

  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what training would be provided to enable residents to run a management co-operative at the end of the operating period for a housing action trust in Southwark;

  (2) what training would be provided to instruct residents on how to conduct their functions on the estate management boards, during and after the formation of the proposed housing action trust in Southwark;
  341
  (3) what would be the role of the proposed housing action trust in Southwark in the training or assisting of residents to take advantage of existing training facilities outside the housing action trust;

  (4) what would be the role of the proposed housing action trust in Southwark in the training or assisting of residents to carry out senior management roles, such as membership of the housing action trust board.

  Mr. Trippier
  I have already asked tenants' representatives from the North Peckham and Gloucester Grove estates to discuss training with my officials. Both before and after a trust is set up, we shall ensure that tenants who want to become involved in managing their own housing have access to the training that they need. Trusts may also have a wider role in helping residents to take advantage of other training and employment opportunities which may be available locally. We shall want trusts to discuss with all interested bodies and agencies how best to achieve this.

  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in the event of the establishment of the proposed housing action trust in Southwark, any provision will be made for individual blocks in the North Peckham and Gloucester Grove estates, to be able to withdraw their membership at any time.
  342
  Mr. Trippier
  As a trust completed improvements to parts of the estates, tenants in an improved block could opt to transfer to an approved landlord offered to them by the trust, or return to the council. They would also be able to exercise tenants' choice at any time during the life of the trust.

  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) under what circumstances he would have the power to impose a budget on the proposed housing action trust in Southwark;

  (2) what powers he would have to approve or disapprove the annual budget of the proposed housing action trust in Southwark.

  Mr. Trippier
  A trust's programme of work will be decided after consultation with residents and the local housing authority. This will form the basis of a plan, including a budget, which the Secretary of State will approve annually. Trusts will be funded through grant-in-aid, which Parliament will be invited to vote each year under normal procedures, and by borrowing up to an agreed limit.
  343
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will identify prior to any ballot on the creation of the proposed housing action trust in Southwark which blocks in the Gloucester Grove and North Peckham estates would be demolished.

  Mr. Trippier
  Under section 64 of the Housing Act 1988 a trust board, which would include tenant and council representatives, would be required to draw up a statement of proposals for its area in consultation with the residents and the local authority. The statement would include proposals for physical alterations to the estates. We would expect the trust to take account of the views expressed in the current consultation exercise in drawing up its proposals.

  Disabled Persons Rate Relief
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will make a statement on the future of disabled persons rate relief;

  (2) what consideration he has given to the payment of compensation to those disabled people who will no longer receive rate relief with the introduction of the community charge in April 1990.

  Mr. Gummer
  The present relief reduces the rateable value of a house to what it would have been if no adaptations or improvements were carried out by a disabled householder to accommodate their disability. Without this adjustment some disabled persons would have been required to pay more in rates because of their disability. No such adjustment is needed under the community charge arrangements because the charge is no longer related to the nature of the property. However, we have structured the community charge rebate system to target help to those who need it and this ensures that disabled people with limited means receive help towards paying their community charge.

  Lancashire Replacement Structure Plan
  Mr. Dover
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many representations have been received to date concerning modifications 13, 58 and 59 to the Lancashire replacement structure plan(a) by his office in Manchester, and (b) by his Department in London; and how many of these supported these modifications.

  Mr. Chope
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State received at 14 July a total of 780 representations concerning modifications 58 and 59, and somewhat more for modification 13, to the Lancashire replacement structure plan. Few of the representations received support modification 58 and 59, but elsewhere green belt proposals are for the most part supported.

  Multiple Deprivation
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what are the criteria for achieving relativities within ranking according to the score system on the accepted United Kingdom index of multiple deprivation; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what is the ranking according to the score system on the accepted United Kingdom index of multiple deprivation for (a) Bradford, (b) Birmingham, (c) Merseyside, (d) Manchester/Salford/Trafford and (e) Strathclyde; and if he will make a statement.
  344
  Mr. Trippier
  The information is not available in the form requested. An index was included in an analysis of urban deprivation in all English authorities, based on the 1981 census, which was published as "Census Information Note No. 2: Urban Deprivation" in February 1983. It is available in the Library.

  On the basis of that index which is available at district level, the rankings (out of 366 English local authorities) for the districts requested were:

  Rankings

  (a) Bradford

  32

  (b) Birmingham

  15

  (c) Merseyside:

  Knowsley

  26

  Liverpool

  15

  St. Helens

  86

  Sefton

  97

  Wirral

  94

  (d) Manchester

  11

  Salford

  38

  Traflbrd

  115

  No comparable analysis is available for Strathclyde.

  Land Sales
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many directives to sell land registered on the public land register have been issued each year since its inception by the following categories(a) land owned by Labour-controlled local authorities, (b) land owned by other local authorities and (c) other owners.

  Mr. Trippier
  The table shows the number of original directions issued to local authorities each year. A breakdown of these by controlling political party is not readily available. No directions have been issued to other owners.

  Directions issued to local authorities under Section 98 of the Local Government Planning and Land Act 1980

  Number

  1984

  4

  1985

  21

  1986

  14

  1987

  25

  1988

  13

  1989

  2

  Allotments
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what Her Majesty's Government have done since 1979 to improve the use of allotments.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Allotment provision and administration is a local government matter as provided for in the Allotment Acts 1908–1950.

  Canterbury Cross School, Handsworth
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement outlining reasons for delay in releasing promised inner-city partnership moneys in respect of Canterbury Cross junior and infant school, Handsworth, Birmingham.

  Mr. Trippier
  The project was submitted for DOE approval on 2 November 1988. Approval (ie authority to spend) was granted on 2 December 1988. Actual disbursement is a matter for Birmingham city council.

  Nature Conservancy
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Sherwood (Mr. Stewart) of 11 July,Official Report, columns 482–83, what measures will be taken to ensure a unified scientific approach to the United Kingdom's responsibilities under (a) the Ramsar convention on wetlands of international importance, (b) the European community directive on the conservation of wild birds, and (c) the Berne convention; and if the scientific criteria for selecting sites of special scientific interest on a United Kingdom basis will remain in place.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Government will ensure that the successor bodies to the present NCC are able to provide appropriate advice on the designation of ramsar sites and special protection areas. NCC's present country headquarters submit the proposals for individual sites. Provision will also be made for the Government to maintain a Great Britain overview based on the best scientific advice. The details of how best to achieve this having regard to the new organisational structure will be discussed with the NCC. No changes are proposed to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

  GLC Heritage Collection
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give details of each item sold from the Greater London council's heritage collection by the London residuary body; and how much was realised for each item.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  I have nothing to add to my answer of 11 April at column 462.

  Middlesex Guildhall Collection
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give details of the agreement made between the London residuary body and the London borough of Harrow in respect of the Middlesex Guildhall collection.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The agreement will be made by order under the Local Government Act 1985. London boroughs will be consulted about the proposed arrangements.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment who owns the items from the Middlesex Guildhall collection currently on display in the Middlesex Guildhall.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The London residuary body.

  London Residuary Body
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give details of the number of occasions upon which the London residuary body has sought his consent to dispose of assets for less than the best consideration reasonably obtainable.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  In the last year the Department has processed 65 applications by the London residuary body for consent to dispose of properties by means of voluntary sales to licensee occupiers at discounted prices.
  346
  In addition the London residuary body has sought consent in relation to seven other disposals.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment in what form records are kept in respect of prices paid and the details of new ownership of former publicly owned assets sold by the London residuary body; and what access is available to such records by members of the public and the press.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Such matters are for the London residuary body, and the purchasers.

  Coal-fired Power Stations
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the eight dirtiest coal-fired power stations in the United Kingdom.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Power station operations vary greatly in their load factor throughout the year, depending upon demand from the grid system, and also in their coal supply pattern. It is not possible to categorise them uniquely in terms of pollution.

  Jobs, Sunderland
  Mr. Clay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many new jobs in Sunderland have been created by the activities of the Tyne and Wear development corporation from its inception up to the latest available date about which he has information.

  Mr. Trippier
  Some 250 jobs have been created to date in Sunderland through the activities of Tyne and Wear development corporation. Further investment already in train is estimated to produce an additional 2,000 to 3,000 jobs.

  Sports Clubs (Rate Relief)
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to bring local authority rate relief for non-profit-making sports clubs in England and Wales into line with the situation in Scotland.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Local authorities levying rates in England and Wales, as in Scotland, have discretion to grant up to 100 per cent. rate relief to sports clubs and other non-profit-making organisations and will continue to do so after 1 April 1990.

  Paragraphs 20 and 21 of the consultation paper of 16 March 1989 on "Payments into the National Non-Domestic Rating Pool" set out the Government's proposals on the way in which the cost of any such relief should be met in England and Wales. The proposed approach, which differs from that in Scotland, is for the cost to be borne equally by community charge payers and by the national non-domestic rating pool. A number of representations on this point have been received and careful consideration is being given to the arguments advanced. I hope that a decision on this can be announced before too long.

  Crown Suppliers
  Sir George Young
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made in the privatisation of the Crown Suppliers.

  Mr. Chope
  It is the Government's intention that the Crown Suppliers should be privatised in the first half of
  347
  1990, and that parliamentary approval will be sought for the necessary arrangements for the transfer of the Crown Suppliers to the private sector. I expect to be able to launch a competition for the sale in the autumn.

  We have taken a number of steps to move the Crown Suppliers towards a more commercial mode of operation, reorganising it on business lines, installing a new computer system and allowing it to begin to trade with the private sector. The board of the Crown Suppliers has recently been strengthened by the appointment of three non-executive members to add further private sector experience and particular skills in finance and marketing to the direction of the Crown Suppliers at a critical phase. They are Mr. Ralph Kaner, formerly international marketing director of Rowntree plc, Mr. David Pearl, chairman of London Securities plc, and Mr. Edward Stanger, formerly chairman of Ford and Weston Group plc.

  Professional, technical and industrial grades will transfer to the purchaser by virtue of the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 and benefit from the safeguards provided by them. However, in the particular circumstances of the Crown Suppliers' privatisation, consultations have been taking place with the trade unions about the details of a secondment scheme which I hope can be applied to the generalist staff of the Crown Suppliers, for whom we can expect to find alternative Civil Service posts if necessary.

  Deloitte, Haskins and Sells has recently been appointed to act as reporting accountants for the sale, and Field. Fisher, Waterhouse as solicitors. They join Samuel Montagu and Co as the Government's advisers on the privatisation.

  Litter
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to deal with the problem of litter in public places; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ridley
  We are determined to tackle vigorously the problems caused by litter and litterers. I am today, together with my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Transport and for Wales, publishing details of our proposals for legislation designed to improve the appearance and standards of cleanliness of public places in England and Wales, and to enable and encourage local authorities, other landowners and individual citizens to take more effective action against litter and those who drop it.

  Our proposals include:
  An increase in the maximum fine for littering under the 1983 Litter Act from £400 to £1,000;
  A power for local authorities to introduce a fixed penalty scheme for littering;
  A duty on local authorities to keep clean all land in their beneficial occupancy or control, open to the air and to which the public have access (the duty to include both litter and dog faeces);
  A similar duty on certain landowners with statutory functions;
  A power for local authorities to extend by designation order a similar duty on owners of certain defined categories of land in other ownership (such as car parks, shopping precincts and forecourts of commercial premises);
  Rationalising street cleaning responsibilities by making non-metropolitan district councils wholly responsible for cleaning of all roads (except motorways);
  348
  A statutory code of practice to which all those under the duty would be required to have regard, specifying standards of cleanliness and advising on the best means of achieving them;
  A system of enforcement whereby (a) an aggrieved citizen will be able to apply for a court order directing a local authority, or any other landowner under the duty to keep clean, to discharge the duty; (b) the local authority has the power to issue a "litter abatement notice" requiring any other landowner under the duty to discharge that duty; and (c) the local authority has default powers to carry out cleaning work itself, and recover costs;
  The extension of section I of the Litter Act to all areas covered by the duty to keep clean, and the widening of its scope.

  I am arranging for copies of the consultation document to be placed in the Library of the House. Copies are also being sent to interested parties inviting comments by 22 September. Subject to responses to the consultation, the Government intend to introduce the necessary legislation at the earliest opportunity.

  Rent Collection
  Mr. Hind
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of local authorities' performance in the collection of housing rent; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Trippier
  It is the responsibility of all local authorities to collect efficiently the rents due to them and most authorities do just this. But a number of authorities have irresponsibly allowed their rent arrears to rise to very high levels.

  The Government consider that failure to collect rent due is wholly unacceptable, inevitably putting an unfair burden on others. Rent rebates are available for tenants on low incomes who might otherwise have difficulty in paying their rents. High arrears result from authorities' poor management and from tenants unjustifiably failing to meet their obligations.

  At present the burden of any uncollected rent can fall on either ratepayers or tenants, or both, as the authority chooses. Under the proposals for the ring-fenced housing revenue account (HRA) in the Local Government and Housing Bill, authorities will from 1 April 1990 not be allowed to use community charge payers' money to meet their housing costs. So if in future authorities fail in their duty to collect the rents due, the cost, like any other housing cost, will have to be borne on the housing revenue account and will reflect itself in levels of rents or service. This will put councils in the same position as any other landlord, or as any other business, where the costs of bad debts have to be met by cutting back on the service they provide or increasing the charges to their customers. This is a significant change from the present system, and it would have been unfair in earlier days, when council tenants were effectively locked into dependency on their landlords. But council tenants are no longer captive customers. As well as the right to buy, the new tenants' choice scheme gives them the chance to transfer their custom elsewhere, to people who can provide a better service.

  We also recognise that it would have been grossly unfair on those tenants who do pay their rents if at the outset of the new system, they were faced with having to make good other tenants' arrears which had accumulated under the existing system. We therefore announced on 26 June, that, exceptionally, the cost of any arrears outstanding at 31 March 1990 which councils do not

  349
  manage to collect should be met not from the ring-fenced HRA but from the community charge. We are also proposing that in the case of authorities with the worst arrears the cost on the community charge could be spread over three to five years. This will enable every council to start off its new HRA with a clean slate, while still providing an effective incentive on authorities to collect outstanding arrears. We hope tenants and council managers alike will strive to eradicate the irresponsibility which has allowed arrears in the past to build up to intolerable levels.

  Carbon Tax
  Mr. McCrindle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has received any proposals for the introduction of a carbon tax on carbon dioxide emissions; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Taxation in the United Kingdom is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer. I am aware, however, of a number of informal proposals for a carbon tax as a possible policy instrument for mitigating climate change. These are likely to be the subject of continuing discussions, particularly in the intergovernmental panel on climate change.

PRIME MINISTER

  Republic of Ireland
  Sir Hugh Rossi
  To ask the Prime Minister if she has received recent representations regarding the United Kingdom's relations with the Republic of Ireland.

  The Prime Minister
  No. But we have a close relationship with the Republic of Ireland based on our many shared historical, cultural and family links. I last saw Mr. Haughey on 26 June and look forward to continuing to work with him and his new team of Ministers.

  Government Papers
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will institute a review of the 30-year rule on the release of Government papers; what steps are taken to ensure the secure preservation of all prime ministerial papers; and if she will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  I have no plans to institute a review of the 30-year rule. The preservation of prime ministerial papers, as with all public records, is handled in accordance with the provisions of the Public Records Acts 1958 and 1967.

  South Africa
  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Prime Minister if she has received recent representations regarding the United Kingdom's relations with South Africa.

  The Prime Minister
  Yes. I have received support for our policy of encouraging South Africa to solve its problems through dialogue.

  Local Government (London)
  Mr. Cyril D. Townsend
  To ask the Prime Minister if she has received recent representations regarding local government in London.
  350
  The Prime Minister
  Yes. I periodically receive representations about a wide range of aspects of local government in London. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment made a statement yesterday about local government finance.

  Railway Privatisation
  Mr. Goodlad
  To ask the Prime Minister if she has received recent representations regarding railway privatisation.

  The Prime Minister
  I have received a small number of representations from hon. Members and others, most in favour of privatisation. As I said in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Colne Valley (Mr. Riddick) on 29 June at column 1103, we are not yet ready to bring forward proposals for the privatisation of British Rail which would require careful preparation.

  British Rail (Catering)
  Mr. Alexander
  To ask the Prime Minister if she has received recent representations regarding the future of catering services on British Rail.

  The Prime Minister
  No.

  Greece
  Sir Anthony Grant
  To ask the Prime Minister if she has received recent representations regarding the United Kingdom's relations with Greece.

  The Prime Minister
  No.

  Court of Auditors
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Prime Minister if she has received recent representations regarding the Court of Auditors in the European Community.

  The Prime Minister
  No.

  Wyke
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Prime Minister when she expects to pay an official visit to Wyke.

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

  Trade Union Law
  Mr. Leigh
  To ask the Prime Minister if she has received recent representations regarding reform of trade union law.

  The Prime Minister
  I do receive representations on this matter from time to time. I have recently received many representations deploring irresponsible industrial action in a number of public services.

  Kirkshaw's Coatbridge
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Prime Minister when she next intends to visit Kirkshaw's Coatbridge.

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

  US President
  Mr. Latham
  To ask the Prime Minister when she next expects to meet the President of the United States of America.
  351
  The Prime Minister
  I have met President Bush on several occasions in recent weeks which both of us have greatly valued and I am sure that there will be many more meetings in the future. No firm date has yet been fixed for my next meeting with President Bush.

  Soviet Union
  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Prime Minister if she has received recent representations regarding human rights in the Soviet Union.

  The Prime Minister
  We receive many representations which reflect the deep concern in this country about human rights in the Soviet Union. We are continuing to press the Soviet authorities over a range of individual cases, and over a wider need for institutionalised reform. These efforts do bear fruit. In the past year, 68 refusenik cases which we have raised have been resolved satisfactorily.

  Energy Conservation
  Mr. Page
  To ask the Prime Minister if she has received recent representations regarding energy conservation.

  The Prime Minister
  I have received a number of recent representations regarding energy conservation and energy efficiency. In cash terms the Government are this year spending six times the amount in energy efficiency programmes as was spent in 1979. Over the last four years for which figures are available, this country's ratio of energy use to GDP growth has improved at twice the average rate for the European Community.

  Sea Birds
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Prime Minister what advice she has been given by the Nature Conservancy Council in relation to Her Majesty's Government's international obligations to protect sea birds' feeding and gathering grounds; and if she will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the written answers I gave him on Tuesday 16 May, at column 119 and on Monday 19 June at column 1.

  Central Europe
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Prime Minister whether she has received recent representations on political developments in Central Europe.

  The Prime Minister
  The Polish authorities and Solidarity have recently made specific requests to Her Majesty's Government for assistance to support reform. No such representation had been made on behalf of Hungary. We have joined in the economic summit's commitment to co-ordinate assistance to Poland and Hungary. The United Kingdom has already pledged some economic assistance, including an offer of £25 million to supply know-how to Poland.

  Italy
  Mr. Marland
  To ask the Prime Minister if she has received recent representations regarding the United Kingdom's relations with Italy.
  352
  The Prime Minister
  No.

  Social Charter
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Prime Minister if the European Economic Community Commission reported to the European Council meeting at Madrid the number of directives it proposed to present to the Council of Ministers arising out of the social charter approved by that Council on a majority vote.

  The Prime Minister
  No. I would also refer my hon. Friend to my reply to him on Tuesday 18 July 1989, at column 141.

  Engagements
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 20 July.

  Mr. Ashton
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 20 July.

  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 20 July.

  Mr. Amos
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 20 July.

  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 20 July.

  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 20 July.

  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 20 July.

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

  EC (Contributions)
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will raise at the next meeting of the European Council the level of net contributions being made by member states to the European Economic Community.

  The Prime Minister
  I have no plans to do so and would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on 21 June at column 148.

  Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Prime Minister if, during her meeting with the Prime Minister of Canada in London on 11 July, she raised(a) the issue of the fourth review conference of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty and (b) nuclear exports and safeguards on uranium.

  The Prime Minister
  No.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Prime Minister if, during her recent visit to Paris, she discussed with President Sarney of Brazil the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.

  The Prime Minister
  No.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Prime Minister if, during her recent visit to Paris she discussed with the Prime Minister of India the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.
  353
  The Prime Minister
  No.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list the heads of Government and heads of state of African countries with whom she raised the subject of the 4 review conference of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty during her recent visit to Paris; and what representations she made in each case.

  The Prime Minister
  I did not raise the non-proliferation treaty review conference with African leaders during my visit to Paris.

  Brazilian Mahogany
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) what steps were taken to ensure that the plantation which supplied the Brazilian mahogany for the proposed refurbishment of the white and blue rooms at 10 Downing street is operated on a sustainable basis;

  (2) what steps were taken to ensure the area of the plantation which was cleared to supply the Brazilian mahogany for the proposed refurbishment of the white and blue rooms at 10 Downing street has now been replanted;

  (3) which plantation supplied the Brazilian mahogany for the proposed refurbishment of the white and blue rooms at 10 Downing street;

  (4) who owns, and whether there is any British involvement in, the plantation which supplied the Brazilian mahogany for the proposed refurbishment of the white and blue rooms at 10 Downing street.

  The Prime Minister
  Only about 25 cu ft of Brazilian mahogany is being used for refurbishment of the blue and white rooms at 10 Downing street, mainly for overdoor and other fine carvings for which it is the most suitable material. This is equivalent to about a quarter of one tree. The importer supplying the specialist joinery contractor undertaking the work has provided inspection certificates issued by the Brazilian Institute of Forest Development indicating that his sawn timber supplies are drawn from areas where officially approved programmes of forest enrichment are in force. This is a process of sustained management of mixed forests whereby mature trees are removed without damage to the remainder, and replaced by mahogany transplants in numbers which ensure that the density of hardwood in the forest is actually increased. The plantations in question are managed by Maginco Madeireira Araguaia S/A Ind Com e Agropecuaria and located at Fazenda Fontalina in the Rio Maria region. It is not known whether there is any British involvement.

  Community Care Minister
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Prime Minister if she has any plans for the appointment of a Minister for community care.

  The Prime Minister
  My hon. and learned Friend the Minister of State, Department of Health has responsibility, under my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Health, for monitoring the implementation of the Government's community care policies.

  Multiple Deprivation Indices
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Prime Minister if it is the policy of Her Majesty's Government that financial support from Government, and support which is sought 354
  from the European Commission, should reflect the relative need for such support as illustrated in the United Kingdom/European Community indices of multiple deprivation; and if she will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  Financial support from Government, where provided, takes account of the need for support as shown by indicators appropriate to the support scheme concerned. Applications for support from the European Community are made in conformity with the Community's rules.

  French Revolution
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Prime Minister what initiatives Her Majesty's Government will be taking arising from the celebrations of the French Revolution.

  The Prime Minister
  Anglo-French relations are excellent. We shall continue to work closely with the French Government over a wide range of issues.

  Tom Paine
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Prime Minister what proposals she has to commemorate the contribution to democracy of Tom Paine.

  The Prime Minister
  None. Tom Paines' beliefs and writings had a greater effect on the political evolution of the United States of America and of France than on that of this country.

  Official Hospitality
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Prime Minister how much was spent by her office on official hospitality in the financial year 1988–89.

  The Prime Minister
  The cost of official hospitality met by my office during 1988–89 was £22,008.

  Expenses
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will provide the final figure for 1988–89 and the estimates for 1989–90 for the total cost to public funds of all her offices, duties, accommodation and expenses.

  The Prime Minister
  The total cost of all my offices in 1988–89 was £6,443,711.1

  The estimated total cost for 1989–90 is £6,443,711.1

  Note:

  1 Salaries and wages, notional pension liability, administration costs, and the grant-in-aid to the Chequers Trust are included. My salary as a Cabinet minister is also included. My pay and allowances as a Member of this House are excluded.

  Official Residences
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will provide the final figures for 1988–89 and the estimate for 1989–90 for(a) the cost of maintaining and running 10 Downing street and additional cost at Chequers, (b) the grant-in-aid to the Chequers Trust and (c) the costs on a consistent basis and expressed at constant 1984–85 prices.

  The Prime Minister
  The figures requested are as follows:
  355

  (a) Cost of maintaining and running 10 Downing street and additional costs at Chequers1 2 3

  £

  1988–89

  6,593,793

  51989–90

  6,409,232

  (b) Grant-in-aid to the Chequers Trust

  £

  1988–89

  238,000

  1989–90

  238,000

  (c) Costs at (a) and (b) in 1984–85 price terms4

  £

  1988–89

  (a) 5,369,530

  (b) 193,810

  51989–90

  (a) 4,944,947

  (b) 183,625

  Notes:

  1 The figures include costs at both 10 Downing street and Chequers; the information is not available by location.

  2 Salaries and wages, notional pension liability, administration costs, the costs of office services and the grant-in-aid to the
  356
  Chequers Trust are included. The salary of the Prime Minister is excluded.

  3 These totals are calculated on a consistent basis with the total for 1986–87 in sub-paragraph (a) of the reply to the hon. Member on 23 October 1987 at column 846. If office services costs are excluded (to produce a figure consistent with those at sub-paragraph (c) of that reply) the totals are:

  £

  £

  1988–89

  6,063,266

  64,937,505

  1989–90

  5,841,190

  64,506,683

  4 Constant costs have been calculated using deflator for 1987–88 rebased to 1984–85.

  5 Estimate.

  6 At 1984–85 prices.

  Travel
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Prime Minister what was the total cost to public funds of travel by her and her staff in 1988–89.

  The Prime Minister
  The total cost of my travel and that of my staff in 1988–89 was £952,150.

  SOUTH-EAST ASIAN REFUGEES: RESETTLEMENT PLEDGES
  SOUTH-EAST ASIAN REFUGEES: RESETTLEMENT PLEDGES
  HAWK AIRCRAFT: SALE TO IRAQ
  HAWK AIRCRAFT: SALE TO IRAQ
  HOUSING RENT: ELIMINATION OF ARREARS
  HOUSING RENT: ELIMINATION OF ARREARS
  POST OFFICE: CAPITAL SURPLUS TO INVESTMENT REQUIREMENTS
  POST OFFICE: CAPITAL SURPLUS TO INVESTMENT REQUIREMENTS
  CREDIT AND SERVICES: MMC REPORT
  CREDIT AND SERVICES: MMC REPORT
  FILM INDUSTRY: GOVERNMENT FUNDING
  FILM INDUSTRY: GOVERNMENT FUNDING
  PESTICIDE EXPORTS: CONTROL
  PESTICIDE EXPORTS: CONTROL
  HULL PRISON: SUICIDES
  HULL PRISON: SUICIDES
  LEEDS AND HULL PRISONS: SUICIDE AND SELF-INJURY
  LEEDS AND HULL PRISONS: SUICIDE AND SELF-INJURY
  LEEDS PRISON: SELF-INJURY INCIDENTS
  LEEDS PRISON: SELF-INJURY INCIDENTS
  FEMALE LONG-TERM PRISONERS
  FEMALE LONG-TERM PRISONERS
  FIREARMS LEGISLATION: CONSOLIDATION
  FIREARMS LEGISLATION: CONSOLIDATION
  DRUG ADDICTS AND ALCOHOLICS: SENTENCING POLICY
  DRUG ADDICTS AND ALCOHOLICS: SENTENCING POLICY
  SALMON TAGGING IN THE NORTH EAST
  SALMON TAGGING IN THE NORTH EAST
  POTATO MARKETING
  POTATO MARKETING