Written Answers of 24 July 1989

PRIME MINISTER

  Single European Market
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Prime Minister what is her estimate of the number of jobs likely to be lost in the United Kingdom arising from the Single European Market of 1992; and what are the estimates available from the European Community.

  The Prime Minister
  The European Commission's own estimates last year predicted that United Kingdom employment would rise by around 1·5 per cent. as a result of completing the single market. This country's success in creating new jobs will depend on how well and how quickly individual firms respond to the new challenges which will face them. Under this Government's policies of enterprise, deregulation and incentive, there has been sustained economic growth and record business investment. British industry is thus well placed to take advantage of the opportunities which the single market will offer.

  Attorney-General
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Prime Minister what is her policy as to whether the Attorney-General should possess a legal qualification; and if she will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  The Attorney General is the principal legal adviser to the Crown in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, with the statutory duty to superintend the two Directors of Public Prosecutions and the director of the Serious Fraud Office. The Attorney-General appears personally on behalf of the Crown in appropriate cases. Accordingly, it is essential that he should be legally qualified, and the Attorney-General is a member of the Bar of England and Wales. He is given by statute, by virtue of his membership of the Bar of England and Wales, the same rights of audience in Northern Ireland as members of the Bar of Northern Ireland.

  Colin Wallace
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister how many documents were received in relation to Colin Wallace and sent by or on behalf of Colin Wallace to No. 10 Downing street for onward transmission to the Hughes inquiry into the Kincora boys' home; how many were sent on to Judge Hughes; and what are the reasons for the difference between the two figures.

  The Prime Minister
  A file of papers relating to Mr. Colin Wallace was submitted to my office on 1 November 1984, but was returned to the sender on 24 November. No complete record of the documents was retained. No question arose at that stage of the papers being intended for onward transmission to the Hughes inquiry. When it was subsequently requested that the papers should be sent to the inquiry, such documents as had been copied and retained were duly made available.

  Mr. Derrick Gregory
  Mr. Amos
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will make one last urgent appeal to the Malaysian Government not to carry out the execution of Mr. Derrick Gregory.

  The Prime Minister
  As I am sure my hon. Friend is aware, Mr. Derrick Gregory was executed in the early hours of 21 July. I regret that the Malaysian Government were not able to accept the plea for clemency we made on humanitarian grounds.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  National Union of Teachers
  Mr. McCrindle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what recent discussions he has had with representatives of the National Union of Teachers; and what was discussed.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  My right hon. Friend met representatives of the National Union of Teachers on 11 July to discuss future pay determination machinery.

  School Leavers
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many pupils with five or more good GCEs left school last year at 16 years of age and did not continue in full-time education.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  In the academic year 1987–88, some 22,500 16-year-old pupils left school in England with five or more grades A-C in the GCSE (including any equivalent grades gained at O-level and CSE previously), with no intention of continuing their full-time education.

  Teacher Numbers
  Ms. Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he is taking to ensure that there will be sufficient teachers qualified in all the necessary subjects to teach the national curriculum in its further stages from September 1990.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  My right hon. Friend is taking the requirements of the national curriculum fully into account in setting the intakes to initial teacher training, in revising the criteria for initial teacher training courses, in planning the LEA in-service training grant scheme and education support grants and in managing the action programme on teacher supply.

  Teacher Shortages (Leicestershire)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what measures he is taking to provide himself with an accurate picture of teacher shortages in Leicestershire.

  Mr. Butcher
  The Department collects data on vacant posts from local education authorities each January. Consultations are continuing on information to be collected regularly from authorities and schools to monitor the national curriculum and other policies. Proposals on information about teachers, their deployment and movements will emerge from these consultations.

  Nursery Schools
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he has any plans to increase the funding for local education authority-run nursery school places.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 4 July to the hon. Member for Truro (Mr Taylor) at column 121.

  Student Loans
  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he expects the top-up loans for students scheme to make a cumulative net saving.

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what he estimates will be the first year in which the top-up loans scheme for students will make a cumulative net saving in public expenditure, assuming(a) 80 per cent., (b) 90 per cent. and (c) 100 per cent. take-up of the loans scheme and allowing for all costs of defaults, write-offs, and all administrative costs of the loans administration vehicle and his Department, the start-up costs of the loans administration vehicle; and his estimate of the costs of the interest subsidy to students.

  Mr. Jackson
  My answer on 21 March,Official Report, columns 497–99, showed the costs and savings associated with top-up loans on the basis of 80, 90 and 100 per cent. take-up. Those figures took account of default and write-off. They also showed the effect of the interest subsidy; if higher interest were charged, repayments would be larger, depending on the rate selected. Those figures did not include administrative costs.

  On that basis, the scheme will show savings for the taxpayer as follows:

  take-up

  80 per cent.

  90 per cent.

  100 per cent.

  Savings first exceed outgoings

  2002

  2006

  2010

  Cumulative saving first arises

  2013

  2018

  2022

  Administrative costs have not been estimated beyond 1995. However, on the illustrative assumption that they average 20 million a year, savings would first accrue in 2003, 2009 and 2010 on 80, 90 and 100 per cent. take-up respectively, and cumulative savings would arise in 2014, 2021 and 2026 respectively. Inclusion of administrative costs will have only a marginal effect on the date at which the scheme breaks even.

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science by how much he expects the recurring costs of student loans administration to rise(a) in total and (b) per account, in each year beyond 1995.

  Mr. Jackson
  The preparatory work on the administration of top-up loans has not so far included an assessment of operating costs after 1995; as is the case before 1995, I would expect costs to rise less fast than the total number of accounts with which the company will be dealing.

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has accepted the conclusion of the Price Waterhouse study on student loans that 1995 is typical of the scheme in full operation.
  442
  Mr. Jackson
  By 1995 the loans scheme will have been fully established, and it will be in the state of steady expansion which will be typical of its operation for a substantial number of years; so the choice of 1995 as a basis for calculating operating costs was entirely reasonable.

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he expects to complete the detailed analysis and cost-time estimates scheduled for August 1989 in the Price Waterhouse study on student loans.

  Mr. Jackson
  The next stage of detailed analysis on the administration of the top-up loans scheme is now under way; it is due to be completed by the end of September.

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) if he will estimate the costs of(a) marketing to counter a poor take-up rate, (b) incentives and enthusiastic debt collection to counter a default rate, and (c) providing arm's-length return on investment to counter a poor level of participation or high level of exit, to counter the operational risks to the student loans scheme set out in the Price Waterhouse study;

  (2) if he will estimate the costs of (a) reimbursement of nugatory expenditure if legislation is not passed or delayed, (b) marketing of the student loans scheme to counter student opposition and (c) protection of banks participating in the event of a change of Government policy or change of Government; and by how much he expects the latter cost to rise by 1991–92, to counter the external risks to the student loans scheme set out in the Price Waterhouse study.

  Mr. Jackson
  The Price Waterhouse initial feasibility study identified these items as potential risks. More detailed work on the administration of the top-up loans scheme is now under way: that work, and the associated negotiations with the financial institutions, will no doubt address at least some of the items listed, but it is too early to say what conclusions will be reached.

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) if he will estimate the number of accounts in default in each year from 1990 to 2027, assuming the Government's estimates of student numbers rising to 1·15 million by 1995 and to at least 2·5 million by 2027, and a default rate of 10 per cent.;

  (2) if he will estimate the total numbers of repayments, defaults and deferrals on the top-up loans scheme for students in each year from 1991 to 1995 and for each year afterwards for which figures are available on the basis of the table in appendix VII, statement 3 of the Price Waterhouse study;

  (3) if he will publish the basic statistical data and working assumptions about student take-up, default rates and repayment profiles which he provided for the Price Waterhouse study on student loans.

  Mr. Jackson
  The following tables were supplied to Price Waterhouse. They show respectively estimated numbers of accounts, and the sums involved in 1990 prices. Table 1 shows in addition estimated numbers of accounts in default, deferring and making repayments. The tables are based on the same assumptions as annex E of Cm. 520, including estimates of graduate incomes based on historic data; faster growth in graduate incomes will reduce the level of deferment.
  443

  Table 1

  Top-up loans: number of accounts (thousands)

  of which:

  Academic year

  Drawing loan

  of which: New

  Due to repay

  (1) Making repayment

  (2) Defaulting

  (3) Claiming deferral

  Total number of accounts

  1990

  427·6

  427·6

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  427·6

  1991

  424·2

  148·5

  152·8

  55·0

  6·1

  91·7

  577·0

  1992

  415·2

  145·6

  305·6

  110·1

  12·2

  183·4

  720·8

  1993

  406·9

  143·6

  458·9

  192·7

  21·4

  244·8

  865·8

  1994

  400·4

  141·7

  607·2

  273·6

  30·4

  303·2

  1,007·5

  1995

  395·5

  140·1

  752·2

  374·0

  41·6

  336·6

  1,147·6

  1996

  394·6

  143·0

  834·9

  418·1

  46·5

  370·3

  1,229·5

  1997

  402·8

  150·2

  915·8

  461·1

  51·2

  403·4

  1,318·6

  1998

  414·3

  153·4

  965·8

  489·1

  54·3

  422·3

  1,380·1

  1999

  424·1

  153·6

  1,019·8

  519·0

  57·7

  443·1

  1,443·9

  2000

  427·4

  152·6

  1,057·4

  530·9

  59·0

  467·5

  1,484·8

  2001

  427·4

  152·6

  1,157·4

  596·9

  66·3

  494·2

  1,584·8

  2002

  427·4

  152·6

  1,257·9

  664·0

  73·8

  520·1

  1,685·4

  2003

  427·4

  152·6

  1,315·5

  693·6

  77·1

  544·8

  1,742·9

  2004

  427·4

  152·6

  1,374·3

  724·9

  80·5

  568·9

  1,801·7

  2005

  427·4

  152·6

  1,425·9

  743·5

  82·6

  599·8

  1,853·3

  2006

  427·4

  152·6

  1,477·7

  762·1

  84·7

  631·0

  1,905·1

  2007

  427·4

  152·6

  1,506·2

  759·8

  84·4

  662·0

  1,933·6

  2008

  427·4

  152·6

  1,601·1

  817·3

  90·8

  693·0

  2,028·5

  2009

  427·4

  152·6

  1,694·9

  873·9

  97·1

  723·9

  2,122·3

  2010

  427·4

  152·6

  1,811·0

  950·5

  105·6

  754·9

  2,238·4

  2011

  427·4

  152·6

  1,865·7

  971·9

  108·0

  785·8

  2,293·1

  2012

  427·4

  152·6

  1,942·9

  1,013·7

  112·6

  816·5

  2,370·3

  2013

  427·4

  152·6

  1,996·7

  1,041·5

  115·7

  839·4

  2,424·1

  2014

  427·4

  152·6

  2,050·3

  1,069·2

  118·8

  862·2

  2,477·7

  2015

  427·4

  152·6

  2,088·8

  1,083·3

  120·4

  885·1

  2,516·2

  2016

  427·4

  152·6

  2,112·1

  1,097·5

  121·9

  892·7

  2,539·5

  2017

  427·4

  152·6

  2,135·6

  1,111·7

  123·5

  900·4

  2,563·0

  2018

  427·4

  152·6

  2,151·2

  1,118·9

  124·3

  907·9

  2,578·6

  2019

  427·4

  152·6

  2,167·1

  1,126·0

  1251

  916·1

  2,594·5

  2020

  427·4

  152·6

  2,190·7

  1,139·7

  126·6

  924·4

  2,618·1

  2021

  427·4

  152·6

  2,207·3

  1,153·4

  128·2

  925·8

  2,634·7

  2022

  427·4

  152·6

  2,224·1

  1,167·2

  129·7

  927·3

  2,651·5

  2023

  427·4

  152·6

  2,225·7

  1,167·2

  129·7

  928·8

  2,653·1

  2024

  427·4

  152·6

  2,227·1

  1,167·2

  129·7

  930·2

  2,654·5

  2025

  427·4

  152·6

  2,227·6

  1,167·2

  129·7

  930·7

  2,655·0

  2026

  427·4

  152·6

  2,227·6

  1,167·2

  129·7

  930·7

  2,655·0

  2027

  427·4

  152·6

  2,227·6

  1,167·2

  129·7

  930·7

  2,655·0

  Table 2

  Top-up loans: Grants and repayments

  (£ million, 1990 prices)

  Repayments

  Academic year

  Gross loan outlay

  No deferral/ default

  Deferral, no default

  Allowing for 10 per cent, default

  Actual repayments

  1990

  167·4

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  1991

  193·2

  6·0

  2·4

  ·2

  2·2

  1992

  215·2

  24·0

  9·6

  1·0

  8·6

  1993

  235·8

  54·4

  23·0

  2·3

  20·7

  1994

  255·7

  94·2

  42·5

  4·2

  38·2

  1995

  275·2

  138·9

  67·4

  6·7

  60·6

  1996

  296·7

  174·5

  92·2

  9·2

  83·0

  1997

  324·6

  194·3

  113·7

  11·4

  102·3

  1998

  355·6

  204·4

  131·4

  13·1

  118·3

  1999

  385·5

  208·4

  145·5

  14·5

  130·9

  2000

  409·6

  211·7

  157·2

  15·7

  141·5

  2001

  430·0

  233·0

  173·4

  17·3

  156·1

  2002

  449·8

  272·8

  196·0

  19·6

  176·4

  2003

  469·1

  296·4

  213·3

  21·3

  191·9

  2004

  487·8

  302·4

  225·1

  22·5

  202·6

  2005

  505·8

  307·7

  234·7

  23·5

  211·2

  2006

  523·4

  311·7

  241·7

  24·2

  217·5

  2007

  540·4

  313·2

  244·9

  24·5

  220·4

  2008

  540·4

  339·2

  256·5

  25·7

  230·9

  2009

  540·4

  392·0

  279·4

  27·9

  251·5

  2010

  540·4

  445·6

  306·0

  30·6

  275·4

  2011

  540·4

  480·3

  328·6

  32·9

  295·8

  2012

  540·4

  494·6

  346·8

  34·7

  312·2

  2013

  540·4

  506·8

  366·2

  36·6

  329·5

  2014

  540·4

  516·9

  382·5

  38·3

  344·3

  2015

  540·4

  525·2

  396·3

  39·6

  356·6

  444 445

  Repayments

  Academic year

  Gross loan outlay

  No deferral/ default

  Deferral, no default

  Allowing for 10 per cent, default

  Actual repayments

  2016

  540·4

  531·5

  407·4

  40·7

  366·7

  2017

  540·4

  536·0

  417·3

  41·7

  375·6

  2018

  540·4

  538·7

  425·0

  42·5

  382·5

  2019

  540·4

  539·9

  430·5

  43·0

  387·4

  2020

  540·4

  540·3

  436·3

  43·6

  392·7

  2021

  540·4

  540·4

  442·8

  44·3

  398·5

  2022

  540·4

  540·4

  448·9

  44·9

  404·0

  2023

  540·4

  540·4

  452·8

  45·3

  407·6

  2024

  540·4

  540·4

  454·5

  45·5

  409·1

  2025

  540·4

  540·4

  455·9

  45·6

  410·3

  2026

  540·4

  540·4

  457·0

  45·7

  411·3

  2027

  540·4

  540·4

  457·8

  45·8

  412·0

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will estimate the numbers of students repaying loans in each year from 1990 to 2027 on the basis of 80, 90, and 100 per cent. take-up, assuming an increase in the numbers of students from 1·15 million in 1995 to 2·5 million by 2027 and repayment periods of five, 10 and 15 years, respectively.

  Mr. Jackson
  Estimated numbers of graduates making repayments are shown in the table, for the take-up rates specified. In other respects the table is based on the assumptions used in annex E of Cm 520, including the assumption that the repayment period increases progressively from five to 10 years.

  Loan repayment numbers (thousands)

  Year

  80 per cent.

  90 per cent.

  100 per cent.

  take-up

  take-up

  take-up

  1990

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  1991

  55·0

  61·9

  68·8

  1992

  110·1

  123·9

  137·6

  1993

  192·7

  216·8

  240·9

  1994

  273·6

  307·8

  342·0

  1995

  374·0

  420·8

  467·5

  1996

  418·1

  470·4

  522·6

  1997

  461·1

  518·7

  576·4

  1998

  489·1

  550·2

  611·4

  1999

  519·0

  583·9

  648·7

  2000

  530·9

  597·3

  663·6

  2001

  596·9

  671·5

  746·1

  2002

  664·0

  747·0

  830·0

  2003

  693·6

  780·3

  867·0

  2004

  724·9

  815·5

  906·1

  2005

  743·5

  836·4

  929·4

  2006

  762·1

  857·4

  952·6

  2007

  759·8

  854·8

  949·8

  2008

  817·3

  919·5

  1,021·6

  2009

  873·9

  983·1

  1,092·4

  2010

  950·5

  1,069·3

  1,188·1

  2011

  971·9

  1,093·4

  1,214·9

  2012

  1,013·7

  1,140·4

  1,267·1

  2013

  1,041·5

  1,171·7

  1,301·9

  2014

  1,069·2

  1,202·9

  1,336·5

  2015

  1,083·3

  1,218·7

  1,354·1

  2016

  1,097·5

  1,234·7

  1,371·9

  2017

  1,111·7

  1,250·7

  1,389·6

  2018

  1,118·9

  1,258·8

  1,398·6

  2019

  1,126·0

  1,266·8

  1,407·5

  2020

  1,139·7

  1,282·2

  1,424·6

  2021

  1,153·4

  1,297·6

  1,441·8

  2022

  1,167·2

  1,313·1

  1,459·0

  2023

  1,167·2

  1,313·1

  1,459·0

  2024

  1,167·2

  1,313·1

  1,459·0

  2025

  1,167·2

  1,313·1

  1,459·0

  2026

  1,167·2

  1,313·1

  1,459·0

  2027

  1,167·2

  1,313·1

  1,459·0

  446
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will estimate the total cost of defaults and the cost per defaulting account on student loans in 1995 on the basis of the estimates set out in appendix VI, statement 1 of the Price Waterhouse study.

  Mr. Jackson
  On the basis of the assumptions set out in annex E of the White Paper "Top-up Loans for Students" (Cm 520), including a default rate of 10 per cent., the cost of default in 1995 would be £6·7 million. That is equivalent to £161 per defaulting account.

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will estimate the total number of student loan deferrals and write-offs in each year from 1991 to 1995 and for each year thereafter for which figures are available on the basis of the table in appendix VIII, statement 3, of the Price Waterhouse study.

  Mr. Jackson
  I refer the hon. Member to my other replies today showing estimated numbers claiming deferment of repayments. For the costings in Cm 520, no allowance was made for write-offs of debts arising from death. Numbers of loans written off because deferment continues for 25 years are estimated as follows:

  Number of write-offs

  Year

  Number

  2016

  15,300

  2017

  15,300

  2018

  15,300

  2019

  14,800

  2020

  14,500

  2021

  21,600

  2022

  21,300

  2023

  21,300

  2024

  21,600

  2025

  22,400

  2026

  22,900

  2027

  22,900

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) if he will estimate, and give an itemised breakdown of(a) marketing and publicity costs, (b) university administration costs and (c) other costs to his Department in each year up to 2027, which were excluded from the cost estimates in the Price Waterhouse study on student loans;

  (2) if he will publish an equivalent to table 2 on page 12 of the Price Waterhouse study on student loans for each year from 1990 to 2027.

  Mr. Jackson
  This information is not available.
  447
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the occasions on which his officials participated in the Price Waterhouse study on student loans, specifying the nature of their contributions.

  Mr. Jackson
  Officials from the Department provided the Price Waterhouse team with a variety of information on both the Government's policy on top-up loans—as set out in the White Paper "Top-up Loans for Students"—and the analyses underlying the costings set out in that White Paper. Officials also discussed the findings of the study with the consultants. There were frequent contacts while the study was being carried out.

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will place in the Library the independent assessments contributed by the banks which

  Table 1—Summary of Costs1

  Start-up costs

  Recurring costs

  Cost category

  Low

  High

  Low

  High

  £

  £

  £

  £

  Systems

  1,580,000

  2,656,000

  1,577,000

  2,249,000

  Staff

  250,000

  370,000

  3,300,000

  4,860,000

  Professional fees

  1,300,000

  1,700,000

  200,000

  250,000

  Premises

  3,275,000

  4,250,000

  750,000

  1,000,000

  Branch costs

  —

  —

  2,500,000

  3,000,000

  Other

  1,862,000

  2,533.000

  2,039,000

  2,649,000

  Operating costs

  8,267,000

  11,509,000

  10,366,000

  14,008,000

  £

  £

  Depreciation on start-up costs

  827,000

  1,151,000

  Interest on initial investment

  537,000

  748,000

  Debt collection agency fees

  2,780,000

  4,480,000

  Total vehicle-related cost to government

  14,510,000

  20,387,000

  1All figures in 1989 £'s.

  It should be noted that certain of the costs indicated, for example those identified as depreciation on start-up costs and interest on initial investment, will not arise if start-up funding is provided by grant rather than loan; and that the reference to debt collection agency fees is to the possible use—which will be the subject of further discussion—of debt collection agencies to collect repayments from graduates who are in default. The cost of normal loan recovery is included in the £10·4 million to £14 million estimate of recurring costs.

  On the basis of the estimates of operating costs included for the years 1990–1995 in the Price Waterhouse report, and excluding the depreciation, interest and debt collection agency items, the operating cost per account would be as follows:

  Year

  Operating costs (£ million)

  Estimated number of accounts

  Operating cost per account

  £

  1990

  8·5–11·5

  430,000

  20–27

  1991

  8·8–11·6

  577,000

  15–20

  1992

  9·1–11·7

  721,000

  13–16

  1993

  9·5–11·9

  866,000

  11–14

  1994

  9·9–13·3

  1,008,000

  10–13

  1995

  10·4–14·0

  1,148,000

  9–12

  Figures for the years after 1995 are not yet available.
  448
  provided the basis for the students loans administration vehicle costings set out in the Price Waterhouse feasibility study on top-up loans for students.

  Mr. Jackson
  The feasibility study by Price Waterhouse drew on a variety of sources of information.

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State tor Education and Science if he will publish the table summarising start-up and recurring running costs of the student loans administration vehicle on page 11 of the Price Waterhouse study, and estimate the cost per account, for each year from 1990 to 2027, taking into account the statement in the Price Waterhouse study that annual costs will increase as the number of students repaying loans increases.

  Mr. Jackson
  Following is a copy of the table referred to.

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if the same repayment regime will apply to graduates whose banks opt to leave the proposed loans administration vehicle in the Price Waterhouse study on student loans.

  Mr. Jackson
  I would not expect any banks to cease to participate, but a graduate's obligation to repay, together with the opportunity for deferment in the case of low income, will remain in force in any case.

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what commitments in respect of bearing all credit risk he has entered into, or plans to enter into, as set out in section 1(3) of the Price Waterhouse study on student loans.

  Mr. Jackson
  The Government have made it clear that they are ready to stand behind the cost of default on the top-up loans scheme: that cost was explicity taken into account in the costings published in the White Paper "Top-up Loans for Students". We envisage that the company administering the loans scheme will receive, as part of its fee, an incentive to maximise repayments.

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what guarantees of reimbursement of start-up costs he has given, or plans to give, to the banks in the event of legislative defeat or substantial alteration of the forthcoming student loans Bill.

  Mr. Jackson
  My right hon. Friend said in his statement on 19 June that the Government would meet the costs of detailed preparatory work by the Committee of London and Scottish Bankers and by the company.

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he expects to have secured
  449
  the agreements for ownership of the loans administration vehicle, cost reimbursement and the participation of the banks scheduled for May-June 1989 in the Price Waterhouse study on student loans.

  Mr. Jackson
  My right hon. Friend announced in his statement on 19 June that a scheme had been designed which was agreed to be a cost-effective and feasible means of introducing top-up loans in September 1990; and that it was clear that, subject to the satisfactory outcome of the contractual negotiations, a sufficient number of financial institutions would wish to participate from the outset to ensure that the company would be viable.

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he plans to accept the criteria(a) that loans be kept off the balance sheets of participating banks and (b) that loans be funded by the Government, including default liability, for devising a loans administration vehicle as set out in the Price Waterhouse study.

  £ million

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  Cash

  AFRC

  9·7

  10·3

  10·1

  9·5

  9·5

  8·9

  8·8

  9·9

  Other

  0·6

  0·6

  0·7

  0·7

  1·0

  1·5

  2·0

  2·2

  Total

  10·3

  10·9

  10·8

  10·2

  10·5

  10·4

  10·8

  12·1

  1988–89 prices

  AFRC

  14·0

  13·9

  13·0

  11·7

  11·1

  10·1

  9·4

  9·9

  Other

  0·9

  0·8

  0·9

  0·9

  1·2

  1·7

  2·1

  2·2

  Total

  14·9

  14·7

  13·9

  12·6

  12·3

  11·8

  11·5

  12·1

  Grants from the AFRC are in respect of both recurrent and capital expenditure and consist of both grant-in-aid from the DES Science Budget and commissions from MAFF.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the employment at each site of the Institute for Horticultural Research in each year since 1982; and what is his estimate of the effect of the Barnes review implementation on employment at each site.

  Mr. Jackson
  The Institute of Horticultural Research came into existence in 1986 and was based on four former institutes of the Agricultural and Food Research Council. The numbers of staff employed at the four sites on 1 April in the years 1982–85 were as follows:

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  East Mailing

  338

  340

  329

  299

  Littlehampton

  261

  261

  253

  233

  Wye College

  7

  7

  7

  6

  Wellesbourne

  223

  224

  220

  197

  Figures are not available for each site for the years 1986–88, but the total number of staff of the institute were:

  Number

  1986

  630

  1987

  579

  1988

  562

  Currently the numbers of permanent staff are:
  450
  Mr. Jackson
  The White Paper "Top-up Loans for Students" made it clear that the cost of funding top-up loans, allowing for default, would fall to the Exchequer. The formation of a separate company to administer the loans scheme, as described in my right hon. Friend's statement on 19 June, means that there is no question of loans figuring on the balance sheet of participating financial institutions.

  Institute of Horticultural Research
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the sources of funds for the Institute of Horticultural Research distinguishing between statutory work grants, grant-in-aid, and contributions from the Agriculture and Food Research Council in each year since 1982 both in current and standard prices.

  Mr. Jackson
  Details of the sources of funding of the Institute of Horticultural Research are as follows:

  Number

  East Mailing (including Wye)

  236

  Littlehampton

  182

  Wellesbourne

  169

  The number employed at each site in future will depend on the organisation of horticultural research. This has been considered by a working group which put forward a number of options to my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State, the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Secretary of State for Scotland and the chairman of the AFRC. These are at present under consideration.

  Small Businesses
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the achievements of his Department and his policies in helping small businesses over the last 12 months compared with the previous 12 months; and if he will publish the performance indicators by which his Department monitors those achievements and the statistical results of such monitoring.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  It is estimated that during 1988–89 the Department purchased goods to the value of £6·1 million (£3·8 million previous year) of which some £2·4 million benefited small firms (£1·3 million previous year).
  451
  Approximately 40 per cent. of our services—minor works, cleaning, transportation and so on—continue to be provided by small firms.

  Performance indicators and a computerised procurement monitoring system are currently being developed. Meantime the Department continues to operate a policy of including small firms on tender lists whenever an appropriate opportunity arises.

  General Teaching Council
  Mr. Speed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what discussions he has recently had with the teaching unions about the setting up of a general teaching council for England and Wales.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  No such discussions have been held with the teacher unions.

  Medical Research
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list in the Official Report the information he has as to the amounts spent by (a) private companies and (b) charities on medical research in each of the last 10 years, or the latest periods for which figures are available; and what is his estimate of the United Kingdom proportion of spending on medical research this represents.

  Mr. Jackson
  [holding answer 19 July 1989]: Information is not collected centrally on the spending of private companies or charities on medical research. The majority of larger medical charities are members of the Association of Medical Research Charities, and I understand from the association that spending on medical research by their member organisations in recent years has been as follows:

  £ million

  1982–83

  72·6

  1983–84

  76·8

  1984–85

  86·6

  1985–86

  108·8

  1986–87

  110·2

  1987–88

  137·6

  1988–89

  148·2

  Assessment
  Mr. Patrick Thompson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he has received advice from the Schools Examinations and Assessment Council about assessing and reporting achievement in the light of national curriculum requirements.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  [pursuant to his reply, 5 May 1989, c. 258]: The School Examinations and Assessment Council has offered advice about the development, implementation and operation of the national curriculum assessment system. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales and I welcome the council's outline proposals, and look forward to receiving its more comprehensive proposals in December 1989.

  I have placed copies of the council's letter and my reply in the Libraries of both Houses.

WALES

  Residential Education
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many children are receiving out-of-county special residential education in Wales, and if he will give the per capita cost to each county over the past 10 years.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  Information about children receiving out-of-county special residential education is not collected centrally. However the number of Welsh children receiving out-of-county special residential and non-residential education in maintained and independent schools in England and Wales over the past 10 years is as follows:

  Maintained schools2

  Independent schools1 2

  1978–79

  497

  225

  1979–80

  549

  155

  1980–81

  443

  90

  1981–82

  461

  179

  1982–83

  380

  194

  1983–84

  419

  98

  1984–85

  391

  129

  1985–86

  360

  93

  1986–87

  327

  131

  1987–88

  207

  144

  1 Includes those children educated otherwise than at school.

  2 Includes both children who are the subject of a statement and those who have not been statemented.

  Corresponding expenditure figures are not available.

  Small Businesses
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the achievements of his Department and his policies in helping small businesses over the last 12 months compared with the previous 12 months; and if he will publish the performance indicators by which his Department monitors those achievements and the statistical results of such monitoring.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  This Department continues to attach a high priority to the promotion of enterprise and to helping small businesses. General economic policies at a national level, national enterprise support policies and initiatives that are unique to Wales are all helping to make Wales a place where small businesses can flourish. Performance indicators including job creation and costs appear in the Government's public expenditure White Paper and the annual reports of the relevant sponsored bodies concerned. In Wales the latest available figures show that by 1987 the total number of businesses registered for VAT was 78,719; an increase of 11·8 per cent. on 1979. The Department's specific policies to encourage enterprise in Wales are:

  Gateway Network
  Launched in 1987 to provide a high quality advice and information service. Gateway network was expanded in 1988 with the inclusion of all of the main banks in Wales to make the service available from an even greater number of organisations. Evaluation by officials indicates a high level of use and customer satisfaction while identifying potential areas for improvement and expansion.

  Support for Local Enterprise Agencies
  Three local enterprise agencies have been approved in Wales during the last 12 months bringing the total to 23. Grants towards their running costs under the grants for local enterprise agencies in Wales scheme totalled £330,000 in 1988–89 (£116,000 in 1987–88).
  453
  Enterprise Wales
  Launched in January 1988, the consultancy initiatives have proved extremely popular. More than 1,600 companies have already applied and this equates to about 6 per cent. of the United Kingdom's share: for higher than would be expected given the size of the Welsh economy. In 1988–89 we exceeded our targets for both business reviews (by 65 per cent.) and applications referred to scheme contractors (by 42 per cent.).

  Regional Selective Assistance, Regional Enterprise Grant
  Small businesses continue to take advantage of the help available under regional selective assistance. In the year to the end of June 1989, 145 small firms (employing less than 200 people) accepted offers of RSA totalling £11·5 million. This compares with 68 small firms accepting offers of £4·9 million in the previous 12 months. Since April of last year firms employing fewer than 25 people have been eligible for regional enterprise grant: to date 265 offers have been made worth £2·2 million.

  WDA Advisory Services
  In 1988–89 the WDA's business development unit handled 12,000 requests for advice; 12 per cent. up on 1987–88. Overall the Unit handled over 52,000 general inquiries, an increase of 20 per cent. over the previous year.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Afghan Refugees
  Mr. Sumberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make further funds available for Afghan refugees in Pakistan.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  We have just agreed a further contribution of £3 million to international relief work for Afghan refugees in Pakistan. This brings our contribution to the support of Afghan refugees to a total of £15 million over the last 18 months.

  Brazil
  Mr. Knapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has any plans to help Brazil with its tropical rain forest problems.

  Mr. Wood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last visited Brazil; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the outcome of the recent visit of the right hon. Member for Bath (Mr. Patten) to Brazil; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has for a programme of environmental co-operation with Brazil.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  I visited Brazil from 4 to 9 July and signed a memorandum of understanding on a programme of technical co-operation in environmental matters, including rain forest conservation. We are now pressing ahead with various specific proposals which the Brazilians have put to us.

  Sri Lanka
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what amount of overseas aid is being given to Sri Lanka for 1989.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  On the assumption that there is no further deterioration in the security situation, we expect to spend around £18 million in 1989.

  Aid (Developing Countries)
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the United Kingdom's current aid investment in developing countries; and what is the comparable figure for other major countries.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  In 1988 United Kingdom official development assistance totalled £1,485 million and private direct investment in developing countries is provisionally estimated at £1,400 million. Comparable figures for 1988 are not yet available for other major countries. The following table contains the 1987 figures for all member countries of the development assistance committee of the OECD.

  Net official development assistance and direct investment in developing countries from all DAC member countries: 1987

  £ million

  DAC member countries

  oda

  Direct investment

  Australia

  383

  372

  Austria

  123

  n/a

  Belgium

  418

  145

  Canada

  1,150

  -50

  Denmark

  524

  65

  Finland

  264

  18

  France

  3,982

  425

  Germany

  2,679

  403

  Ireland

  31

  n/a

  Italy

  1,596

  229

  Japan

  4,548

  4,528

  Netherlands

  1,278

  158

  New Zealand

  53

  16

  Norway

  543

  6

  Sweden

  839

  56

  Switzerland

  334

  -99

  United Kingdom

  1,160

  1,802

  United States of America

  5,458

  4,891

  Total

  25,363

  12,965

  Source: DAC Chairman's Report 1988 with United Kingdom figures (and hence totals) slightly revised.

  Zimbabwe
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the level of economic aid to Zimbabwe.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  Zimbabwe has received more than £200 million in British aid since independence. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister pledged further project aid totalling £25 million during her meetings with President Mugabe last October and her visit to Zimbabwe in March.

  Rain Forests
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in what ways he is working with other Governments to prevent depletion of the world's tropical rain forests.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  Both the European Council meeting in Madrid and the recent Paris summit acknowledged the serious problems posed by tropical deforestation. The summit participants, whilst recognising the sovereignty of developing nations, urged sustainable use of tropical forests; recommended greater and quicker implementation of the tropical forestry action plan; appealed to members
  455
  of the International Tropical Timber Organisation to join their efforts to ensure conservation of the forests; and pledged financial and technical co-operation to conserve forests.

  Soft Loans
  Mr. Cran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects to announce the conclusions of the review into the future of the soft loan facility scheme.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  I expect to announce the conclusions of this review in the autumn, following the public expenditure survey.

  IDA (Replenishment)
  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the current negotiations for the replenishment of the World Bank's International Development Association.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  The third meeting of the IDA deputies on the ninth replenishment of IDA resources was held in Copenhagen on 6 and 7 July. Further meetings are scheduled for Washington in September and Kyoto in November. The Paris summit communiqué stressed the importance which participants attached to a substantial replenishment of IDA resources.

  Aid (Annual Review)
  Mr. Terry Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much it cost to publish the annual review of British overseas aid in 1988.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  A total of 5,000 copies of "British Overseas Aid 1987" were produced in 1988 at a unit cost of £5·89.

TRANSPORT

  Rear Seat Belts
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many serious injuries were sustained by rear seat passengers in road accidents in 1986, 1987 and 1988.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  Too many.

  The following table shows the number of casualties in cars, how many of these were recorded as being in the rear seat, and how many rear seat passengers were recorded as wearing seat belts, for 1986 and 1987. Only those casualties who were killed or seriously injured (KSI) are included. The figures for 1988 are still provisional, and cannot be disaggregated in this way.

  Casualties in cars or vans: Great Britain 1986, 1987

  1986

  1987

  Total killed

  2,364

  2,279

  Total KSI

  30,902

  30,346

  In rear seat:

  Killed

  363

  362

  KSI

  4,998

  4,696

  Wearing seat belt:

  Killed

  14

  18

  KSI

  229

  260

  Rail Electrification
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many miles of railway line, including underground service, there are in England, Wales and Scotland, respectively; and how many miles of these have so far been electrified.

  Mr. Portillo
  British Rail maintains the relevant statistics on the basis of railway regions, so separate figures for Wales and England are not available.

  Route mileages at 31 March 1989 were as follows (electrified portion shown in brackets):

  Route mileage

  Electrified portion

  England and Wales

  British Rail

  8,616

  (2,443)

  London Regional Transport

  245

  (245)

  Docklands Light Railway

  7

  (7)

  Tyne and Wear Metro

  35

  (35)

  Total

  8,903

  (2,730)

  Scotland

  British Rail (Scottish Region)

  1,698

  (276)

  Strathclyde Passenger Transport Executive

  7

  (7)

  Total

  1,705

  (283)

  British Rail plans to electrify a further 245 route miles by October 1992.

  Road Signs
  Mr. Knox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress he is making with the Road Traffic Signs Regulations with regard to more realistic tolerances of design, construction and maintenance.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 1981 (SI 1981 No. 859) are currently being reviewed. Representations received in consultation to date do not suggest difficulties in meeting the requirements of the current regulations. If my hon. Friend has any specific points in mind, perhaps he will write with the details so that they can be considered in the review.

  Small Businesses
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the achievements of his Department and his policies in helping small businesses over the last 12 months compared with the previous 12 months; and if he will publish the performance indicators by which his Department monitors those achievements and the statistical results of such monitoring.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  Overall responsibility for helping small businesses rests with the Department of Employment, which provides a range of measures to stimulate their development.

  The Department of Transport is concerned to ensure that transport infrastructure is adequate and to lift the burden on businesses caused by unnecessary regulation so that all businesses can flourish.

  A2-M2
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has concerning delays experienced by motorists on the A2-M2 in the last month; what were the comparable figures for delays in the five previous years; and what proposals he has to reduce those delays in future years.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The information is as follows:

  Delays within last month

  M2

  Junctions 3–4

  Minor delays

  Junctions 5–7

  Peak period (6–9.30 am)

  Tailbacks 3–4 miles

  London-bound carriageway

  Usually clear within 1 hour

  Evening peak

  At times 2 mile tailback

  Coastbound carriageway

  A2

  During the last two weeks of June there were four instances of the carriageway of A2 near Bean breaking up due to heat; emergency repairs caused serious congestion.

  Longest delays

  The worst incidence of queuing has occurred on fine weekends when tailbacks have reached seven miles.

  Previous five years

  The only information readily available is:

  1987–88 Junctions 5–7—Peak hour delays of up to 20 minutes. No delays off peak.

  1988–89 Junctions 5–7—Peak hour delays up to about 20 minutes. Off peak three to four minutes.

  Weekend delays for traffic returning from the coast have involved tailbacks of up to four to five miles.

  Proposals to reduce delays in future years

  (a) Current five-year programme of major maintenance on M2 will be completed by 1992; on A2 west of M2 by 1993, and on A2 east of M2 by 1994.

  (b) Contracts which will result in delays will be let on lane rental basis to minimise construction periods.

  (c) Greater use will be made of advance signing.

  (d) Every effort is, and will continue to be employed on designing works to avoid delays consistent with safety.

  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his estimate of the cost of widening the carriageway of the A2-M2 section north of Canterbury to three lanes.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  There are no present plans to widen the A2 south of Canterbury to dual three-lanes, so estimated costs are not available.

  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the cost of the current maintenance work being carried out on the A2-M2 two-lane section north of Canterbury.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The figure is £8·7 million.

  A20
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the current position with regard to the A20 proposed road improvements between Dover and Folkestone.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The scheme for the improvement of the A20 from the M20 at Folkestone to the Eastern docks at Dover is being prepared in two sections.

  Authority for the western section from M20 to Court Wood is provided by the Channel Tunnel Act. Authority
  458
  for the eastern section from Court Wood to Dover is being sought by orders under the Highways Act which were the subject of public inquiries held in 1988. The inspector's report is being carefully considered. It is hoped to announce decisions on these by the early autumn this year.

  Subject to the satisfactory completion of the outstanding statutory procedures, the aim is to complete both sections in time for the opening of the Channel tunnel in 1993.

  Drivers (Probationary Plates)
  Mr. David Young
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received seeking the introduction in Great Britain of probationary plates for qualified but inexperienced drivers.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  Various suggestions for probationary number plates are put to us from time to time. There is no evidence that such schemes reduce casualty rates.

  A number of schemes were introduced in other countries during the 1960s. None has so far been successfully evaluated. In New Zealand, for instance, the scheme has now been abandoned.

  A P plate system is in use in Northern Ireland, where the legal system for road traffic law enforcement is different. The casualty rate in Northern Ireland over the last five years has been consistently higher than in Great Britain, despite the P plate scheme.

  Dock Workers
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many registered dock workers have accepted redundancy following abolition of the national dock labour scheme; and what is(a) the number and (b) the percentage of registered dock workers (i) at each port and (ii) nationally.

  Mr. Portillo
  At 21 July 1989, 2,288 former registered dock workers had been made redundant or been given notice of redundancy following the abolition of the dock labour scheme. This represents 25 per cent. of the number of RDWs at 3 July 1989, when the scheme was abolished. I understand that at some ports some former registered dock workers made redundant have been re-employed by a different employer; and at other ports dock work is now being carried out by existing employees who were not registered dock workers. The position in each port is as follows.

  Ports

  Number of registered dock workers made redundant

  Percentage of registered dock workers in the port

  Aberdeen

  149

  100

  Ayr

  14

  100

  Barry

  20

  31

  Bristol

  2

  0·4

  Cardiff

  157

  96

  Charleston

  1

  100

  Fleetwood

  4

  9

  Fowey

  44

  100

  Garston

  79

  73

  Goole

  72

  44

  Grimsby and Immingham

  442

  60

  Hull

  242

  36

  Ipswich

  32

  27

  Kings Lynn

  40

  75

  459

  Ports

  Number of registered dock workers made redundant

  Percentage of registered dock workers in the port

  Liverpool

  69

  5

  London

  393

  23

  Lowestoft

  27

  90

  Manchester

  42

  26

  Newport

  82

  42

  Par

  28

  100

  Plymouth

  11

  37

  Sharpness

  2

  4

  Southampton

  210

  31

  Swansea

  78

  89

  Tees and Hartlepool

  37

  7

  Wisbech

  11

  92

  Irradiated Fuel
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if the flasks used for transportation of irradiated fuel from the reactors at United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority, Harwell, fully meet the International Atomic Energy Authority's impact and thermal standards; if he will make public the results of tests performed to confirm the safety of these transport flasks; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The flasks used by UK AEA Harwell have been assessed and certified by experts in this Department as fully complying with the IAEA design and test requirements. The test results are the property of the UKAEA, and are supplied to the Department on a commercial-in-confidence basis.

  Scottish Lowlands Airports
  Mr. Allan Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he has considered the implications for Scottish lowland airports policy of the proposals by United Airlines for flights between Washington, Chicago and Glasgow; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if he has considered the implications for Scottish lowlands airports policy of the announcement by United Airlines that it has no intention of proposing flights from the United States of America to Prestwick airport.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  Scottish lowland airports policy remains as set out in the 1985 White Paper "Airports Policy" and most recently confirmed in my right hon. Friend's announcement on 8 May,Official Report, column 343.

  Abbotsinch Airport
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many airlines have applied to operate transatlantic flights to and from Glasgow Abbotsinch airport; and if he will list the names of such airlines.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The Civil Aviation Authority at present has applications from two airlines, Air Europe and Air 2000, for such licences. The Department does not have any outstanding requests from foreign carriers for permits to operate transatlantic services to and from Glasgow.

  M1
  Mr. Latham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will instruct his Department's contractors to take immediate steps to improve traffic flow 460
  and reduce inconvenience to road users arising out of the road works on the north bound carriageway of the M1 between junctions 11 and 12.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The maintenance work taking place on the M1 is divided into several phases. The current phase involves offside lane closures. Throughout this phase there will be three lanes available to southbound traffic. Northbound traffic will have two lanes available except on Fridays, when three lanes will be made available between 12 noon and 10 pm. Future phases of the work will involve the use of contraflow during which there will be two lanes available in both directions. The traffic management arrangements use the minimum road space necessary for the safe and efficient working on the site.

  A1
  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many man hours have been spent by his officials dealing with proposals to improve the A1 between Wetherby and Dishforth with orders 198; and what have been the costs involved.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The information requested is not readily available.

  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many of his officials have been handling the proposed improvements under orders 198 for the A1 between Wetherby and Dishforth; and where they are located.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The Department's work on this scheme has been handled primarily in the Leeds regional office where 18 staff have been involved at some stage.

  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement about the delay in reaching decisions about improvements to the A1 between Wetherby and Dishforth as they relate to orders 198.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The joint decision by the Secretaries of State for Transport and for the Environment took longer than usual to make because the independent inspector recommended a substantial change to the published proposals. This was for the addition of discontinuous hard shoulders not in compliance with normal departmental standards for all-purpose trunk roads.

  The outcome is that the scheme is to be revised to incorporate not only hard shoulders but other design changes, with the intention of bringing this stretch of road up to near-motorway standard.

  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the safety of motorists using the A1 between Wetherby and Dishforth.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  We are conscious of the need to make conditions as safe as possible for motorists. On this length of trunk road, special attention has been paid to eliminating potentially hazardous turning movements. Over the past two years 13 gaps in the central reserve have been closed and three overbridges provided.

  Central reserve safety fencing has also been erected recently over most of this stretch. The final section will be installed later this year as part of the Dishforth interchange scheme.
  461
  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will set out evidence of the volume of traffic using the A1 between Wetherby and Dishforth since 1979; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The recorded annual average daily flow of traffic using the A1 between Wetherby and Dishforth is as follows:

  Year

  Traffic Flow (vehicles per day)

  1981

  28,500

  1982

  30,400

  1983

  28,600

  1984

  33,600

  1985

  33,970

  1986

  34,100

  1987

  37,800

  1988

  43,100

  The information on earlier years is not readily available.

  The traffic flows substantiate the Department's proposals for widening to a dual three-lane carriageway.

  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects that the improvements to the A1 between Wetherby and Dishforth will now be completed.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  Subject to the satisfactory completion of the outstanding statutory and other processes, we hope that these improvements can be completed in the mid-1990s. The works will need to be staged over a four-year period to limit the traffic disruption over this 16-mile stretch of road.

  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the inspector's report on the public inquiries held between 17 November and 11 December 1987 into orders 198 for the improvement of the A1 between Wetherby and Dishforth was received in his office.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The inspector's report was received in March 1988.

  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether tendered prices were received by contractors for previously proposed works of improvement to the A1 between Wetherby and Dishforth under orders 198; and what was the cost of providing tender documents.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  This scheme has not been developed to a point where tenders could be invited. This is because the compulsory purchase order had still to be published before acquisition of the necessary land. No tender costs have, therefore, been incurred.

  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will set out the dates orders 198 proposing improvements to the A1 between Wetherby and Dishforth were published, the number of hours the public inquiries held between 17 November and 11 December 1987 were in session and the costs.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  Draft orders were published for this scheme in May and July 1987. The public inquiry sat for approximately 98 hours. Details necessary to give the cost of the inquiry is not available.
  462
  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish the number and description of reported accidents on the length of the A1 between Wetherby and Dishforth in each of the last 10 years.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The reported accidents along this length of the A1 since 1981 are:

  Year

  Fatal

  Serious

  Slight

  1981

  5

  23

  18

  1982

  2

  22

  35

  1983

  0

  21

  17

  1984

  2

  17

  26

  1985

  0

  24

  34

  1986

  6

  20

  28

  1987

  3

  23

  21

  1988

  3

  13

  35

  Information before that date is not readily available.

  Trunk Road Improvements
  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has any proposals for speeding up the implementation of improvements to main trunk roads.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  We have set targets for reducing the average time taken to progress a scheme from entering the road programme to opening for traffic by the order of a quarter. In introducing the changes we have taken care to ensure that the rights of interested parties will not be affected.

  Cycleways
  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will set out his proposals for improving the number of cycleways; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  Cycleways and cycletracks can be important elements in creating safer routes for cyclists.

  Responsibility for improving conditions for cyclists rests with individual highway authorities.

  The Department offers technical advice on the design and construction of cycling facilities, based on a continuing programme of research.

  Comprehensive guidance from the Department was contained in a local transport note published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office in June. Entitled "Making Way for Cyclists" it covers a wide range of planning, design and legal issues.

  East London River Crossing
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he is now able to announce the result of the review of the design for the Thames bridge for the East London river crossing scheme.

  Mr. Channon
  Yes. The consultants for the scheme were asked to investigate whether there is an alternative design for the bridge which would be practicable, acceptable within the broad order of costs of the bridge originally proposed by the Department, would satisfy the objectives of the scheme and keep options open for the future use of London city airport. The consultants have recommended that a box girder bridge with a shorter main span of 240 metres would satisfy all these requirements. Having considered the consultants' report on the review which I
  463
  initiated, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment and I agree with their recommendation. A letter announcing this decision is being sent to interested parties.

  We take particular note of the Royal Fine Art Commission's comment that the design of this bridge should be of the highest quality. We shall be consulting the commission further on the design.

  The decision to review the bridge design followed our consideration of the report from the inspector who conducted the local inquiries between September 1985 and December 1986. The inspector considered that a dual three-lane standard would eventually be needed. With the bridge design originally proposed, it would not have been possible to provide three full-width lanes. With the new bridge design it will be possible to do so.

  The inspector recommended that a cycleway be provided across the bridge. With the new bridge design this will be included. Objections were also received concerning the implications for the future use of London city airport of the height of the towers of the original bridge. The new bridge design should avoid this difficulty.

  Draft orders will shortly he published to put the new proposals into effect. There will he the usual opportunity for people to make representations or object to these proposals and if necessary a further public inquiry into the new bridge proposals will be held.

  Without prejudice to any decisions that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment and I may be called upon to take in the future, and subject to the completion of the statutory procedures, it is hoped the bridge will be in place by the mid-1990s.

  Copies of the consultants' report on the review of the design of the bridge, together with our decision letter, are being placed in the Library.

ENVIRONMENT

  Grants
  Mr. Batiste
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many companies in receipt of a cash grant from his Department to establish a business in a particular place have discontinued such business within five years of establishment.

  Mr. Trippier
  Two companies who received urban development grants for the regeneration of inner-city sites have since ceased their business operations. This represents less than 1 per cent. of all completed schemes.

  Water Supply (North Sheffield)
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will consider lifting the ceiling on capital investment currently operating in the Yorkshire water authority in order to help it improve the quality of water supply to parts of north Sheffield; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Howard
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment has received no requests from the Yorkshire water authority to increase its capital ceiling for this year. The authority has a substantial investment programme aimed at improving the water supply to all its customers. One of the advantages of privatisation is that my right hon. Friend will no longer set any ceilings on 464
  capital investments. Once in the private sector, Yorkshire Water will be able to spend whatever is needed to achieve the necessary standards for its customers.

  Empty Properties (Wandsworth)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the number of empty properties in the London borough of Wandsworth on 1 July.

  Mr. Trippier
  The latest available information was provided by the London borough of Wandsworth in its April 1988 housing investment programme return (HIP1), a copy of which is in the Library.

  Housing Associations
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will list the housing associations in the London area which have signed a programme agreement to go onto tariff arrangement; and what assessment he has made of how the procedure is working.

  Mr. Trippier
  It is for the Housing Corporation to enter into such agreements, and I have asked it to provide the hon. Member with a list. It is too early to make a detailed assessment of the new procedures, but the corporation will continue to keep them under review.

  Workington Enterprise Zone
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment from what date amendments relating to the prohibition of housing development in the Workington enterprise zone were effective.

  Mr. Trippier
  The modification to the planning scheme to bring housing back under full planning control in zones 2, 4 and 5 took effect on 14 March 1989.

  Planning Inspectorate
  Mr. Heddle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on his proposals to create an independent planning inspectorate on an agency basis.

  Mr. Howard
  As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced on 21 December last year, he is considering whether the planning inspectorate should become an executive agency. As an agency, the inspectorate would continue to be part of the Department of the Environment accountable to the Secretary of State. The change in status would not alter the inspectorate's functions nor the Secretary of State's statutory responsibilities for the planning system.

  Planning Appeals
  Mr. Heddle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish in the Official Report the number of planning appeals lodged each year since the implementation of sections 36 and 37 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1971.

  Mr. Howard
  The information requested is listed in the table.
  465

  Section 36 and 37 planning appeals

  Year

  Number

  1971

  9,818

  1972

  14,408

  1973

  18,326

  1974

  13,324

  1975

  11,690

  1976

  11,656

  1977

  10,833

  1978

  11,609

  1979

  12,990

  1980

  16,208

  1981

  16,637

  1982

  13,900

  1983

  13,699

  1984

  16,192

  1985

  17,053

  1985–86

  17,839

  1986–87

  19,856

  1987–88

  22,482

  1988–89

  28,659

  Note: From April 1985 the Department's published figures on appeal performance have covered financial rather than calendar years.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many planning appeals have been(a) allowed and (b) refused by his Department for each year since 1979.

  Mr. Chope
  [holding answer 20 July 1989]: information requested is listed in the table:

  Planning Appeals

  Year

  Allowed

  Dismissed

  1979

  2,602

  6,331

  1980

  4,044

  9,086

  1981

  4,721

  9,730

  1982

  4,003

  8,912

  1983

  3,633

  7,588

  1984

  3,773

  7,870

  1985

  5,477

  9,162

  1985–86

  5,581

  8,549

  1986–87

  6,208

  9,405

  1987–88

  6,955

  11,519

  1988–89

  7,734

  13,327

  Note:—From April 1985 the Department's published figures on appeal performance have covered financial rather than calendar years.

  Architects
  Mr. Heddle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has received any representations concerning the definition of the word architect in the context of the Architects (Registration) Act 1931 and the Architects Registration Act 1938.

  Mr. Trippier
  The subject has been discussed informally with my officials by representatives of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

  Mr. Heddle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will initiate discussions with relevant parties, including the Office of Fair Trading with a view to reviewing the various Acts of Parliament under which architects can practice in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Trippier
  My noble Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry recently issued a White Paper "Opening Markets: New Policy on Restrictive Trade 466
  Practices" which proposes new legislation to prevent such practices. The new legislation would extend to professional bodies including those representing architects. My Department will co-operate fully with the Department of Trade and Industry and with the Office of Fair Trading in any review of the architectural profession.

  Direct Labour Organisation
  Mr. Thornton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list for each financial year between 1983–84 and 1986–87 the number of local authority direct labour organisations which undertook(a) general highway works and works in connection with the construction or maintenance of a sewer, (b) new construction, other than general highway or sewer works the cost of which in the estimation of the authority or development body exceeded £50,000, (c) new construction, other than general highway or sewer works, the cost of which in the estimation of the authority or development body did not exceed £50,000 and (d) building maintenance within the meaning of the Local Authorities (Goods and Services) Act 1970, other than in connection with highways or the maintenance of a sewer.

  Mr. Gummer
  The number of local authority direct labour organisations which undertook each category of work between 1983–84 and 1986–87 is indicated in the following table. Authorities exempted from the legislation on de minimis grounds are excluded.

  I

  II

  III

  IV

  1983–84

  268

  72

  86

  301

  1984–85

  280

  67

  81

  320

  1985–86

  290

  84

  105

  315

  1986–87

  287

  81

  98

  304

  I—General Highways/Sewer Works

  II—New Construction over £50,000

  III—New Construction under £50,000

  IV—Building Maintenance

  Ozone Layer
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions are taking place with Governments of eastern European countries to promote co-operation to protect the ozone layer; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  International co-operation to protect the ozone layer is primarily through the Vienna convention on the protection of the ozone layer and the Montreal protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer. Although not all eastern European countries are parties to these agreements, all are invited to meetings of the parties, and all attended the recent Helsinki meeting of the parties to the Montreal protocol. They were invited to the saving the ozone layer conference in London in March, and all but one attended.

  Acton Town Centre
  Sir George Young
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will announce his decision on the public inquiry into Acton town centre.

  Mr. Chope
  I hope that the decision will be issued before the end of July.

  World Bank Environment Programme
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any plans to meet with the director of the environment programme of the World Bank.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  No. The director of the environment programme of the World Bank called on the Overseas Development Administration on 19 July.

  Super-insulated Houses
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has made any study of the application of super-insulated houses developed in Canada and Scandinavia for construction in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Trippier
  In conjunction with the Building Research Establishment, my Department keeps under review the cost-effectiveness of developments in low-energy housing in other countries, including Canada and Scandinavia. The use of very high levels of insulation in these countries is related both to the severe external climate and to the relatively high levels at which internal temperatures are normally maintained. In general, this would he unlikely to he cost-effective in the different conditions which exist in this country.

  United Nations Environment Programme
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the outcome of the governing council of the United Nations environment programme meeting held between 15 to 26 May in Nairobi, in terms of decisions which affect(a) the United Kingdom and (b) the European Community.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  At the governing council of UNEP in May the opening ministerial statement was made by my noble Friend the Minister for Housing, Environment and Countryside, who led the United Kingdom delegation. His calls for a framework convention on climate change and for the strengthening of UNEP to undertake this and other important global environmental tasks were generally endorsed by the other Ministers attending. A number of countries agreed to increase their financial support of UNEP following the lead of the United Kingdom which has more than doubled its contribution this year. The main governing council decisions of importance to both the United Kingdom and the European Community concerned future work on climate change, including our proposal for a framework convention, agreement on a convention to safeguard genetic diversity, an improved understanding of the concept of sustainable development, and constructive proposals to the General Assembly on preparations for a major United Nations conference on environment and development in 1992.

  Domestic Rates
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimates he has for the total amounts raised by domestic rates in(a) Somerset, (b) Dorset, (c) Devon and (d) Wiltshire in the last three financial years for which comparable figures are available.

  Mr. Gummer
  The figures sought are:468

  £ million

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  Somerset

  67

  76

  85

  Dorset

  109

  120

  129

  Devon

  135

  154

  172

  Wiltshire

  78

  86

  95

  Note: Figures are net of rate relief grant and gross of rebates. The figures for 1989–90 are based on budgets.

  Travellers (Permanent Sites)
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether there have been any changes to Government policy on the provision of permanent sites for gipsies and travellers since his answer to the hon. Member for Hornsey and Wood Green (Sir H. Rossi) of 6 February,Official Report, columns 856–58; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Trippier
  No. We are concerned to assist and encourage authorities to fulfil their duties under the Caravan Sites Act 1968. In two cases, Hertfordshire and Surrey, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment has used his powers under the Act to direct that such provision should be made as quickly as possible.

  Carnwath Report
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to implement part or all of the Carnwath report on enforcing planning control.

  Mr. Howard
  I refer my hon. Friend to my reply on 24 May to the hon. Member for Don Valley (Mr. Redmond)Official Report, volume 153, column 942.

  Local Government Finance, Lambeth
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what element of the poll tax in Lambeth would represent rent arrears assuming no change in the current level of rent arrears in Lambeth and assuming repayment of those housing rent arrears from the general rate fund will spread over a period of five years.

  Mr. Gummer
  I assume that the hon. Gentleman is referring to the community charge. The latest available information from the council shows its housing rent arrears were some £12·6 million at 31 March 1988. It is the authority's responsibility to collect those arrears. But if it does not, we estimate the cost to the community charge payer would be some £13 per annum if spread over five years.

  Recycled Paper
  Mr. Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to enable local authorities to purchase recycled paper at a price higher than that for equivalent non-recycled paper without incurring financial or other penalties.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  No. Local authorities have a duty to their ratepayers to obtain the best value for money in their purchasing of all supplies, including paper. This duty does not preclude them from purchasing recycled paper, or paper with a significant proportion of recycled fibre. Many people who have changed to them have found
  469
  that such products fully meet their requirements and are cheaper, or no more expensive, than those which they used before.

  Rent Arrears, Corby and East Northamptonshire
  Mr. William Powell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list in the Official Report the total rent arrears at the latest convenient date, and the number of current and former tenants in arrears in the districts of (a) Corby and (b) East Northamptonshire.

  Mr. Trippier
  A list of local authorities showing reported cumulative rent arrears at 31 March 1988 was placed in the Library on 1 March 1989. Corresponding information for the position at 31 March 1989 is not yet available.

  Information about the number of current and former tenants in arrears with rent, rates or other charges, where reported, is contained in the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy publication "Housing Rents Statistics at April 1988", a copy of which is in the Library.

  Right to Buy, Corby and East Northamptonshire
  Mr. William Powell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the number of accepted right-to-buy applications being dealt with, but not yet completed, at the end of March in the districts of(a) Corby and (b) East Northamptonshire.

  Mr. Trippier
  The latest return received from Corby district shows 1,075 applications in the pipeline at the end of June 1988; East Northamptonshire has reported 182 such applications at the end of March 1989.

  Green Belt
  Mr. Cran
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many acres of countryside now have green belt status; and what was the comparable figure for 10 years ago.

  Mr. Chope
  In 1979 there were about 1·8 million acres of approved green belt in England. Today there are around 4·5 million acres.

  Sir Rhodes Boyson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Uxbridge (Mr. Shersby) on 19 April,Official Report, columns 36–7, he will indicate the policy he now intends to apply when considering applications from local authorities under section 5 of the Green Belt (London and Home Counties) Act 1938 for his consent to their disposal of property held under that Act in cases where disposal arises under other legislation.

  Mr. Chope
  [holding answer 21 July 1989]: Since 1984 my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State's policy on the use of his powers under the 1938 Act has been based on a statement made in November 1984 by the former Secretary of State for the Environment about the future ownership of land held under the 1938 Act by the former Greater London council.

  At the time of the 1984 statement, the Secretary of State considered that transfer of a 1938 Act property from local authority to private ownership under the right-to-buy provisions of the Housing Act 1980, and subsequently of the Housing Act 1985, did not require his consent under
  470
  section 5 of the 1938 Act. In March 1988, however, the High Court ruled that the provisions of section 5 continued to operate notwithstanding that other legislation also applied to the transfer. My right hon. Friend has reconsidered the policy expressed in the 1984 statement in the light of the High Court judgment and of his further experience in the consideration of applications under the 1938 Act.

  My right hon. Friend now takes the view that the policy of enabling council tenants to buy their own homes, as given effect by the Housing Acts, is a matter which he can properly take into account when considering applications under section 5 of the 1938 Act. He takes the same view in respect of the right of leaseholders to acquire the freehold of their homes under the Leasehold Reform Act 1967.

  In determining applications under the 1938 Act my right hon. Friend's primary concern will continue to be to ensure that the land concerned continues to fulfil the objectives of the 1938 Act and of green belt policy as set out in planning policy guidance note 2. Bearing in mind the safeguards provided by strict planning controls over development in the green belt, and the need to consider each case on its individual merits, my right hon. Friend is confident that his ability to secure these objectives will be unaffected by his acceptance that the aims of right-to-buy and leasehold reform legislation may contribute to the factors that he will accept as justifying the granting of his consent under section 5 of the 1938 Act.

  Rating Reform
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what recent representations he has received on the effects of the poll tax registration procedures on personal privacy.

  Mr. Gummer
  The Government have no plans to introduce a poll tax and there are no poll tax registration procedures.

  I have received a number of representations about the extent of information requested by registration officers in compiling their community charges registers. It is clear that many registration officers have not followed the detailed advice sent to them on this matter. This may well require some change to their procedures if they are to comply with the Data Protection Act 1985. I have every confidence that the community charge arrangements fully protect the personal privacy of all citizens.

  Local Authorities (Housing Stock Transfers)
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the local authorities currently in process of transferring their housing stock to housing associations under the Housing Act 1985.

  Mr. Trippier
  Broadland district council has applied to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for consent to dispose of its housing to a housing association.

  I understand that Newbury district council and South Wight borough council have conducted ballots of their tenants about proposals to transfer housing to housing associations, but we have not received applications from those authorities. I am also aware that Medina borough council and Rochester-upon-Medway city council are in the process of balloting their tenants about proposals to transfer housing, in the latter case to an industrial and provident society.
  471
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the local authorities currently in process of transferring their housing stock under the tenants' choice provisions of the Housing Act 1985.

  Mr. Trippier
  Since April, one tenants' choice application has been served, on Westminster city council. Many other tenants' groups and potential new landlords are in preliminary discussions with the Housing Corporation.

  Mortgage Arrears
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he last discussed the question of mortgage arrears with the major banks and building societies.

  Mr. Trippier
  Ministers and officials at the Department of the Environment frequently meet representatives of the banks and building societies and discuss a range of issues, including arrears.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Grocott
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Derby, North (Mr. Knight) of 19 July, concerning illustrative figures on the community charge, what was the cost of compiling the figures under(a), (b) and (c).

  Mr. Ridley
  The information needed to produce the tables was already available within the Department. The cost of the computer runs to produce the three tables was less than £50.

  Project Funding (Tottenham)
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list by department all amounts granted in Government and European Community funds to projects in Tottenham, together with the name of the organisation receiving funds and the purpose for which it was granted; and if he will make a statement.

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

  Council Rents
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will place in the Library due documents showing projected rents for council tenants throughout the United Kingdom arising from setting rents according to property capital values; what rents were projected for tenants of Bradford metropolitan district council; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Trippier
  The Department of Environment has made no such projections. The Government have as yet made no decision on the overall national guidelines for rent income and management and maintenance expenditure which would be an essential part of any such projection.

  Total housing investment programme allocations: £ thousands

  1978–79

  1979–80

  1980–81

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  11989–90

  Luton

  5,084

  5,430

  4,139

  3,992

  5,579

  4,247

  4,396

  4,021

  3,129

  3,304

  2,904

  2,110

  Norwich

  11,396

  9,884

  9,360

  6,661

  9,085

  8,500

  7,640

  6,868

  5,981

  5,837

  4,606

  3,569

  Stevenage

  3,284

  3,592

  2,687

  2,353

  2,935

  2,881

  2,604

  2,320

  2,020

  1,894

  1,383

  1,152

  Cambridge

  4,226

  3,742

  2,969

  2,511

  4,290

  5,124

  3,845

  3,336

  3,029

  2,669

  2,359

  1,747

  Peterborough

  4,254

  3,778

  3,191

  2,941

  4,352

  3,596

  3,875

  3,372

  2,823

  2,849

  2,171

  1,739

  Rifle Range (House of Lords)
  Sir John Farr
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the cause of the delay in completing the programme of work to the rifle range under the House of Lords; and when this will be available for use.

  Mr. Chope
  I regret that this work has taken so long but it is now almost complete. Subject to a satisfactory inspection by the safety authority, the rifle range should he ready for use again by the middle of August.

  Seals
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the research projects on the effect of pollution on seals, and on the links between pollution and seal health; if he will give the spending on each; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  [holding answer 18 July 1989]: Within the past year, the Department of the Environment has commissioned three new research projects which examine the impact of contamination on seals, including possible effects on immuno-competence, as part of its North sea research programme with values in 1988–89 as follows:

  contaminant effects monitoring using seals (£10,000)

  possible links between environmental pollutants and seal disease (£35,000); and

  thymulin in seals (£10,000).

  The Department is also commissioning further work on contaminants and the marine food chain which will cost over £450,000 this year.

  Other relevant aspects of seal research including monitoring, analysis of contaminants and diet are contained in the research programmes of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the sea mammal research unit of the Natural Environment Research Council.

  HIP Allocations
  Mr. Irvine
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what have been the housing investment programme allocations in each of the last 12 years for(a) Basildon, (b) Cambridge, (c) Chelmsford, (d) Ipswich, (e) Luton, (f) Norwich, (g) Peterborough and (h) Stevenage.

  Mr. Trippier
  [holding answer 19 July 1989]: The information requested is listed in the table. Since 1981–82 local authorities have been able to supplement their allocations by expenditure financed from capital receipts. Nationally, two thirds of local authorities' spending power on housing in 1989–90 is expected to come from capital receipts.
  473

  1978–79

  1979–80

  1980–81

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  11989–90

  Ipswich

  5,393

  5,414

  4,562

  4,397

  6,551

  6,991

  6,314

  5,384

  4,528

  4,331

  3,877

  2,843

  Basildon

  5,414

  6,114

  4,972

  2,438

  3,672

  2,742

  3,399

  2,580

  1,975

  1,988

  1,505

  1,222

  Chelmsford

  2,900

  3,002

  2,244

  1,831

  2,624

  2,759

  2,690

  2,478

  2,185

  1,978

  1,685

  1,223

  1 Allocations issued to date.

  Homelessness
  Mr. Lester
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his latest estimate of the number of homeless single people in London; and what action he has taken to tackle the problem.

  Mr. Trippier
  [holding answer 19 July 1989]: Information on the number of single homeless is not collected centrally. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment is reviewing the homelessness legislation and hopes to announce conclusions soon.

  Community Charge
  Mr. Lester
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to ensure that everybody in full-time education or training will be treated alike for the purposes of the community charge.

  Mr. Gummer
  [holding answer 19 July 1989]: Full-time students will pay only 20 per cent. of the personal community charge while those in training who are on low incomes will be eligible to claim rebates of up to 80 per cent.

  Algae
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he is taking to deal with harmful blooms of algae in the Thames, Humber, Tyne and Forth estuaries; what steps he is taking to prevent further eutrophication in British waters; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 19 July 1989]: The authorities responsible for the Thames, the Humber, the Tyne and the Forth have informed the Department that there are no problems from harmful algal blooms in the estuaries of these rivers. Further, a recent survey carried out by water authorities and river purification boards has confirmed that eutrophication is not a problem in United Kingdom coastal waters and estuaries and where algal blooms have historically occurred there is no increase in their frequency. However, the responsible authorities are keeping the situation under review.

  Landfill Gas Sites
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the implications for the ozone layer and the greenhouse effect of discharges of gases from landfill sites; and what steps he is taking to mitigate these effects.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  [holding answer 19 July 1989]: From reviews and research work commissioned by the Department, it can be concluded that methane has a secondary stratospheric role, tending to reduce ozone in the upper stratosphere, but to increase it in the lower stratosphere. Methane is a strong greenhouse gas which currently contributes about 14 per cent. globally to the
  474
  greenhouse effect. Additionally methane contributes to ozone formation in the lower atmosphere which in turn also contributes to the greenhouse effect.

  Landfill sites are estimated to contribute about 20 per cent. of total United Kingdom emissions of methane from both natural and manmade sources. Combustion of methane produced carbon dioxide which is much less potent than methane as a greenhouse gas on a molecule-for-molecule basis.

  There are 26 schemes already using methane from landfill in operation with another 13 in the offing. In addition the Department is carrying out research on inhibition of methane production and oxidation of methane at landfill sites.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will announce the commencement date of the review he is proposing into methane in landfill.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  [holding answer 21 July 1989]: Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution commenced a review into the extent of methane generation in current and closed landfills on 18 December 1987. The report is expected soon.

  Dog Registration, Manchester
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what study his Department has made of Manchester city council's proposals for a dog registration scheme, details of which have been sent to him by the city's director of environmental health; if there is any action he will be taking; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  [holding answer 20 July 1989]: I will consider the letter to which the hon. Member refers when I receive it. We do not believe, however, that a national dog registration scheme is the answer to problems of dog control. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State recently announced proposals for giving local authorities new powers and duties for dealing with these problems. We will be issuing a consultation paper shortly.

  Footpaths
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he intends to provide extra funding for the Countryside Commission to bring all footpaths into good order.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  [holding answer 20 July 1989]: Decisions on funding for 1990–91 have not yet been taken.

  Fiddlers Ferry
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what recent figures he has on sulphur emissions from Fiddlers Ferry power station.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  [holding answer 20 July 1989]: I am advised by the CEGB that emissions of sulphur dioxide for 1988 were about 150,000 tonnes.

  Nature Conservancy Council
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) where the scientific work on estuaries, heathlands, woodlands, peatland and ornithology will be based once the proposed re-organisation of the Nature Conservancy Council is completed;

  (2) whether he intends to keep intact the Nature Conservancy Council's chief scientist's directorate.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  [holding answer 20 July 1989]: Detailed discussions are now taking place to determine the organisation, complement and geographical location of the bodies which will succeed the Nature Conservancy Council. The Government will ensure that each of the bodies has access to appropriate scientific expertise and hopes that it will be possible for all members of NCC's existing permanent staff to be offered posts by the successor bodies.

  Community Charge, Nottingham
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of what the community charge in Nottingham will be in May 1990.

  Mr. Gummer
  The level of the community charge in Nottingham in 1990 depends on the expenditure levels set by both Nottingham city council and Nottinghamshire county council. I have made no estimate of these and cannot forecast what the community charge might be. Illustrative estimates of charges had the new system been in operation this year were placed in the Library on 19 July.

  Consultative Council on Local Government Finance
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his policy in respect of smoking by participants at meetings of the consultative council on local government finance.

  Mr. Ridley
  [holding answer 20 July 1989]: My policy is freedom within the law.

  Departmental Working Hours
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment during what hours his office is normally open to inquiries from hon. Members and others.

  Mr. Ridley
  [holding answer 20 July 1989]: My office is always open to inquiries during normal working hours—and often well beyond.

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment why the office of the Minister for Housing, Environment and Countryside was unmanned on Friday 14 July from 12 noon until 3.30 pm.

  Mr. Ridley
  [holding answer 20 July 1989]: I understand that my noble Friend is writing to my hon. Friend.

  Royal Parks
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has concerning the numbers of applications for permission to use royal 476
  parks property for filming, photography and sound recordings which are dealt with each week by the press office facilities officer of his Department.

  Mr. Ridley
  [holding answer 20 July 1989]: My Department's press office facilities officer—in consultation with the parks and police authorities—deals with about 14 requests a week to use the royal parks, Trafalgar Square, Parliament square and Grosvenor square for the purposes of filming cinema and television dramas, documentaries, commercials and outside broadcasts; and about 30 applications a month for fashion and advertising photography which includes requests for annual passes.

  Major news companies, based in London, hold annual passes for frequent news features and commentaries on camera, mainly on Abingdon street gardens.

  Sound broadcasts are infrequent.

  Bottle Banks
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the proportion of bottle banks per head of population for each London borough.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  [holding answer 20 Jul) 1989]: I understand from the British Glass Manufacturers' Confederation that at the end of March the position was as follows:

  Population per bottle bank (000)

  Barking

  16·6

  Barnet

  60·92

  Bexley

  110

  Brent

  36·41

  Bromley

  59·2

  Camden

  11·47

  Croydon

  20·63

  Ealing

  22·49

  Enfield

  11·52

  Greenwich

  15·4

  Hackney

  26·7

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  16·49

  Haringey

  8

  Harrow

  19·92

  Havering

  15·87

  Hillingdon

  39·27

  Hounslow

  33·16

  Islington

  11

  Kensington and Chelsea

  68

  Kinston upon Thames

  16·72

  Lambeth

  20·42

  Lewisham

  9·67

  Merton

  20·68

  Newham

  21

  Redbridge

  19

  Richmond upon Thames

  8·51

  South wark

  27·12

  Sutton

  18·9

  Tower Hamlets

  21

  Waltham Forest

  26·94

  Wandsworth

  26·8

  Westminster

  8·8

  Clinical Hospital Waste
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether his Department has taken any action on the recommendation by the Environment Select Committee's second report on toxic waste that landfill sites no longer be used to dispose of clinical hospital waste.
  477
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Government response (Cm. 679 April 1989) to the Environment Committee report indicated that clinical wastes should be managed in accordance with guidelines in waste management paper No. 25 which advises that landfill is suitable for only a restricted range of clinical wastes. This advice is currently under review.

  African Elephants
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the intention of Her Majesty's Government as regards entering a reservation on behalf of Hong Kong at the CITES meeting in October when consideration is given to appendix I listing of African elephants.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  [holding answer 20 July 1989]: The Government support the case for the transfer of the African elephant to appendix I. We are in discussion with Hong Kong on the effect of such listing. All relevant issues will be discussed at the conference of the parties to CITES at Lausanne in October.

  Inland Waters (Jet-skis)
  Mr. Onslow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what consultation he has had with the Nature Conservancy Council, the Countryside Commission, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, the National Anglers' Council and other interested bodies on the environmental impact of the use of jet-skis and similar devices on rivers and other inland waters; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  [holding answer 21 July 1989]: No consultation has taken place with these bodies on the use of jet-skis.

  Housing Starts
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a table showing housing starts in each region in the quarter to April, showing the percentage change in starts from the quarter ended April 1988.

  Mr. Trippier
  [holding answer 21 July 1989]: Housebuilding starts for regions in England in the three months to April 1989 and the corresponding period a year earlier are given in the table.

  Housebuilding starts in thousands

  February to April

  1988

  1989

  Percentage change

  North

  2·4

  2·5

  + 2

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  4·4

  4·2

  -4

  East Midlands

  5·8

  4·7

  -19

  East Anglia

  4·4

  3·5

  -19

  South East:

  Greater London

  3·5

  4·0

  + 13

  Rest of South East

  16·5

  12·0

  -27

  South West

  6·9

  5·4

  -22

  West Midlands

  5·5

  4·0

  -28

  North West

  4·7

  4·8

  + 1

  England

  54·1

  45·1

  -17

  Housing Action Trust (Southwark)
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the policies of the proposed housing action trust in Southwark on rent arrears.

  Mr. Trippier
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave her on Wednesday 19 July at column 213.

  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if the proposed housing action trust in Southwark would be able to accept transfer applications from Southwark council tenants;

  (2) what effect would the creation of the proposed housing action trust in Southwark have on the rehousing, if places became available, of those tenants of the North Peckham and Gloucester grove estates, currently on Southwark council waiting lists.

  Mr. Trippier
  [holding answer 21 July 1989]: These would be matters for discussion between Southwark council and a trust.

  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment in the event of a housing action trust being created, what requirement would be placed on the trust to accept a share of homeless cases in Southwark.

  Mr. Trippier
  [holding answer 21 July 1989]: Where a local housing authority requested a trust's assistance in discharging certain of its responsibilities towards the homeless, section 70 of the Housing Act 1988 would require the trust to co-operate in rendering reasonable assistance.

  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what percentage of the membership of the proposed housing action trust board in Southwark would be tenants from either the Gloucester grove or North Peckham estates.

  Mr. Trippier
  [holding answer 21 July 1989]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave her on 19 July, at column 213.

  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he intends to take to ensure the independence of action of the members of the proposed housing action trust board in Southwark.

  Mr. Trippier
  [holding answer 21 July 1989]: The trust would itself be responsible for day-to-day decisions. Members will also be appointed for a number of years, fixed in advance. I would expect all of them to play a full part in helping to achieve a trust's objectives.

  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether there will be any limitations on the time the proposed housing action trust in Southwark could continue to exist.

  Mr. Trippier
  Section 88 of the Housing Act 1988 requires a housing action trust to use its best endeavours to secure that its objects are achieved as soon as practicable.

  Council Rents
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will list the estimated council rent rises assessed by his Department on the formula relating them to local house values.
  479
  Mr. Trippier
  [holding answer 21 July 1989]: The policy announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 14 June concerned a proposed mechanism for determining annual rent guidelines for local authorities by reference to the value of their housing stock. The mechanism does not in itself imply any particular levels of rents.

  Gipsy Sites
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many designated gipsy sites there are in England and Wales; and if he will list them by county area.

  Mr. Trippier
  [holding answer 21 July 1989]: The number of local authorities in England which are designated under the Caravan Sites Act 1968 is as follows: 94 shire districts, 10 metropolitan districts and 22 London boroughs. In these areas local authorities currently provide 130 sites for gipsies. There are a further 128 gipsy sites provided by local authorities in areas that have not been designated under the Caravan Sites Act. There are also some authorised privately operated sites in some areas, but information is not available on numbers of these.

  My Department publishes a list of gipsy sites provided by local authorities in England and I will send a copy to the hon. Member. Gipsy sites in Wales are the responsibility of the Welsh Office.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Recycled Paper
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Lord President of the Council if, pursuant to his answer of 4 July,Official Report, column 154, he will make it his policy to take into account environmental considerations when deciding what is to qualify as first-class stationery; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Wakeham
  The Accommodation and Administrative Sub-Committee is already fully aware of the need to take into account the environmental implications of decisions concerning the type of paper used in the House. Apart from its instructions to Her Majesty's Stationery Office and the authorities of the House to be kept informed of developments in relation to the use of recycled paper, the Sub-Committee is also engaged in consultations with the Department of Trade and Industry about the suitability of using paper containing recycled material for first class stationery.

  Green Card Requests
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Lord President of the Council if he will look into ways of shortening the time it takes for green card requests for personal interviews to reach hon. Members.

  Mr. Wakeham
  The Accommodation and Administration Sub-Committee recently agreed to a revised form of green card which is designed to facilitate speedier handling. Responsibility for the day-to-day management of this service lies, however, with the Serjeant at Arms and if the hon. Member has any specific complaint or suggestion to make he is advised in the first instance to consult the Serjeant at Arms.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Director of Public Prosecutions
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Attorney-General when he last met the Director of Public Prosecutions; and what matters were discussed.

  The Solicitor-General
  On 10 July. We discussed a matter of departmental interest.

  European Court of Human Rights
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Attorney-General when he last visited the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.

  The Attorney-General
  I represented the Government at the oral hearing of the Soering case on 24 April this year.

  Legal Profession (Reform)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Attorney-General (1) if he has received any representations from the Leicestershire Law Society concerning the effects on the network of national solicitors' offices of the proposals in "The Future of the Legal Profession"; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if he has received any representations from the Leicestershire Law Society concerning the takeover rate by insurance companies, building societies and other such institutions of estate agent firms; and if he will make a statement.

  The Attorney-General
  The Lord Chancellor has received representations from the Leicestershire Law Society in connection with his Green Papers on the future of the legal profession. The White Paper "Legal Services: A Framework for the Future" (Cm 740) published on 19 July describes the Government's decisions on the proposals in the Green Papers and its plans for legislation.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will list the organisations which have responded to the document entitled "The Future of the Legal Profession"; which organisations(a) favour and (b) oppose the proposals; and if he will make a statement.

  The Attorney-General
  The Lord Chancellor's three Green Papers published in January—"The Work and Organisation of the Legal Profession", "Contingency Fees" and "Conveyancing by Authorised Practitioners"—have been treated collectively as his papers on the future of the legal profession. They contained a variety of proposals and options. Over 2,000 responses were received from individuals and organisations. They included comments for and against some or all of the points raised. There would therefore be little benefit to be gained from seeking to construct a list of those for and against them as a whole. The White Paper "Legal Services: A Framework for the Future" (Cm. 740) published on 19 July contains a synopsis of the responses. The Lord Chancellor has also arranged, where authors have consented, for copies of all responses (except those which dealt only with personal cases) to be made available for inspection in the Libraries of both Houses of Parliament, in the Supreme Court library and on written application, in his Department's headquarters.

  Small Businesses
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will make a statement on the achievements of his Department and his policies in helping small businesses over the last 12 months compared with the previous 12 months; and if he will publish the performance indicators by which his Department monitors those achievements and the statistical results of such monitoring.

  The Attorney-General
  As the Government's principal legal adviser, I should regard it as my duty to provide ministerial colleagues with legal advice relating to small businesses if required. However, my Department, in the nature of its work, has no direct or particular responsibility towards small businesses as such.

  Malicious Communications Act 1988
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Attorney-General how many prosecutions were brought under the Malicious Communications Act 1988 in the London metropolitan area; and what was their outcome.

  The Attorney-General
  I regret that such information is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

EMPLOYMENT

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the total number and proportion of 16 and 17-year-olds in the northern region and Durham in full-time employment or recognised training schemes or unemployed.

  Mr. Cope
  Data for each of the groups requested, on a comparable basis, is available only from the labour force survey. Preliminary estimates from the 1988 LFS are shown in the following table:

  16 and 17 year olds—Northern region Spring 1988, thousands and percent

  000's

  Per cent.3

  (i) employees and self-employed in full-time1 employment

  15

  16·2

  (ii) on government employment and training programmes

  16

  17·2

  (iii) unemployed2

  11

  11·8

  1 Based on respondents own assessments, not on the number of hours worked.

  2 ILO/OECD definition.

  3 As percentage of all 16 and 17 year olds.

  Source: 1988 LFS, Preliminary results.

  The LFS is a survey of private households based on a sample large enough to provide estimates at national and regional level. However, it cannot provide estimates for smaller areas, such as Durham.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish in the Official Report the number and percentage increase or decrease in employment in the United Kingdom and the European Community as a whole between 1979 and the latest year for which figures are available, giving the total, full-time employment and part-time employment separately.
  482
  Mr. Lee
  Employment estimates are not yet available for many EC countries after 1987. The changes in total civilian employment for the United Kingdom and the EC as a whole between 1979 and 1987 are shown in the table. A breakdown of these figures between full-time and part-time employment is not available.

  Change in Civilian Employment: 1979 to 1987

  Thousand

  per cent.

  United Kingdom

  -19

  -0·1

  EC12

  + 701

  + 0·6

  Sources: United Kingdom (ED), Other EC countries (EUROSTAT)

  Youth Training Scheme
  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give, for Great Britain and each training agency area or employment service or careers service area, the number of people of YTS eligible age, at the latest available date, registered with jobcentres or the careers service who were awaiting an offer of a YTS place.

  Mr. Lee
  Only local careers services hold information on the total number of young people awaiting the offer of a YTS place. There is no central record.

  Training and Enterprise Councils
  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if training and enterprise councils may vary the financial terms and conditions of trainees on (i) ET or (ii) YTS; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Cope
  The detailed arrangements for ET and YTS under training and enterprise councils are currently under consideration. Announcements will be made in due course.

  Construction Training
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what were the average earnings for construction workers in the various trades in the south-east London area over the last five years.

  Mr. Nicholls
  Information is not available at the level of detail requested.

  Training (Accidents)
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the accident rate per 100,000 trainees on employment training.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The provisional rate for all accidents in employment training is 556 per 100,000 trainees.

  TVEI
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has for the expansion of the technical and vocational education initiative scheme.

  Mr. Cope
  The extension of the technical and vocational education initiative (TVEI) was announced in July 1986, setting aside £900 million over a ten-year period. Since 1987, 48 education authorities have already begun to introduce TVEI into their schools and colleges. Another 32 authorities will join this September and by the early 1990s, all schools and colleges will be participating and all pupils aged 14–18 should be influenced by TVEI.

  Tourist Attractions (Cornwall)
  Mr. Mudd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the top 20 tourist attractions in Cornwall in numbers visiting or attending; and if he will indicate the numbers, in each instance, for the previous comparable year.

  Mr. Lee
  The English Tourist Board's annual survey of visits to attractions gives the following figures for Cornwall in 1987 and 1988:

  Number of visits

  1987

  1988

  Truro Cathedral

  250,000

  250,000

  Mount Edgcumbe Country Park

  —

  200,000

  St. Agnes Leisure Park

  200,000

  200,000

  World in Miniature, Goonhavern

  195,000

  200,000

  Dobwall's Theme Park

  135,000

  190,000

  Newquay Zoo

  143,482

  186,000

  St. Michael's Mount

  172,975

  175,815

  Tintagel Castle

  135,935

  134,386

  Tescan Ltd (Tannery) Redruth

  —

  112,000

  Cotehele House

  79,937

  81,456

  Trelissick Garden, Nr Truro

  69,522

  75,244

  Pendennis Castle, Falmouth

  63,412

  70,739

  Goonhilly Satellite Earth Station

  56,684

  63,000

  Dairyland, Newquay

  60,000

  56,940

  Tintagel Old Post Office

  49,673

  55,048

  Trerice

  53,241

  52,250

  Callestock Cider Farm, Penhallow

  21,544

  50,000

  Monkey Sanctuary, Looe

  53,700

  48,000

  Padstow Tropical Bird Garden

  30,000

  43,000

  Charlestown Visitor Centre

  38,700

  40,250

  Action Plans completed by ET Training Agents: September 1988 to March 1989

  Agreed Action Plans

  Area Office

  September 1988

  October 1988

  November 1988

  December 1988

  January 1989

  February 1989

  March 1989

  South East Region

  Berkshire and Oxfordshire

  242

  798

  0

  922

  514

  450

  418

  Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire

  219

  294

  763

  411

  429

  520

  500

  Essex

  227

  550

  525

  1,051

  632

  748

  989

  Hampshire and Isle of Wight

  411

  487

  679

  409

  717

  670

  772

  Kent

  32

  610

  1,159

  488

  714

  652

  596

  Surrey

  102

  223

  174

  615

  190

  0

  196

  Sussex

  0

  682

  900

  470

  555

  652

  695

  London Region

  Inner London North

  505

  1,196

  1,545

  1,606

  1,651

  1,799

  2,090

  Inner London South

  510

  655

  616

  539

  645

  718

  736

  London East

  793

  735

  805

  670

  972

  1,117

  1,092

  London North

  732

  857

  935

  846

  858

  970

  996

  London South

  280

  320

  479

  340

  423

  542

  543

  London West

  591

  867

  811

  676

  900

  912

  952

  South West Region

  Avon

  238

  361

  411

  327

  453

  506

  489

  Devon and Cornwall

  665

  692

  1,244

  795

  1,294

  615

  1,192

  Dorset and Somerset

  418

  478

  386

  332

  342

  516

  471

  Gloucester and Wiltshire

  357

  546

  560

  433

  390

  479

  536

  West Midlands Region

  Birmingham and Solihull

  935

  1,026

  1,201

  756

  1,553

  1,685

  1,382

  Coventry and Warwickshire

  378

  617

  576

  322

  638

  812

  748

  Dudley and Sandwell

  818

  769

  899

  1,021

  978

  1,059

  1,416

  Staffordshire

  541

  906

  434

  1,145

  1,128

  929

  1,192

  The Marches, Hereford/Worcester

  0

  710

  677

  954

  406

  613

  1,330

  Wolverhampton and Walsall

  0

  1,055

  1,913

  308

  706

  821

  754

  Health and Safety
  Mr. Terry Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether he intends to make any regulations to provide for annual reports published under the Companies Act 1967 to contain information about the arrangements for securing the health, safety and welfare at work of employees of a company and its subsidiaries as provided in section 79 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

  Mr. Nicholls
  My right hon. Friend has asked the Health and Safety Commission to advise him whether regulations should be made under section 235 of the Companies Act 1985 which replaced the 1967 Companies Act and section 79 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

  Employment Training
  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what organisations have been granted ET training agent contracts; what were the planned volumes of trainees between September 1988 and March 1989; what are the planned volumes between April 1989 and August 1989; how many trainees have been referred to ET training agents; and how many action plans have been agreed at the end of each month since September 1989, for each Training Agency area.

  Mr. Nicholls
  [pursuant to his reply, 12 June 1989, c. 285–90]: I regret that there was an error in the original reply. The error is in table 2—Action plans completed by Employment Training training agents: September 1988 to March 1989. The figures provided for Northern region were monthly cumulative figures rather than in-month totals. The correct figures for the table are as follows:
  485

  Agreed Action Plans

  Area Office

  September 1988

  October 1988

  November 1988

  December 1988

  January 1989

  February 1989

  March 1989

  East Midlands and Eastern Region

  Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire

  502

  484

  520

  331

  400

  426

  362

  Derbyshire

  704

  742

  743

  501

  582

  677

  743

  Leicestershire and Northamptonshire

  499

  607

  604

  551

  718

  719

  736

  Lincolnshire

  192

  251

  267

  154

  296

  359

  313

  Norfolk and Suffolk

  586

  625

  652

  426

  753

  641

  961

  Nottinghamshire

  602

  909

  853

  669

  937

  923

  851

  Yorkshire and Humberside Region

  Bradford, Calderdale and Kirklees

  758

  944

  1,439

  911

  1,123

  1,186

  1,316

  Humberside

  858

  821

  791

  847

  949

  970

  938

  North Yorkshire and Leeds

  621

  826

  752

  743

  777

  1,035

  1,002

  Sheffield and Rotherham

  1,078

  1,387

  1,382

  961

  1,459

  1,236

  1,043

  Wakefield, Doncaster and Barnsley

  861

  1,154

  1,296

  990

  1,501

  1,547

  1,265

  North West Region

  Cheshire

  809

  826

  901

  588

  773

  951

  699

  Cumbria

  267

  280

  406

  269

  315

  377

  373

  Lancashire

  937

  1,050

  955

  943

  1,090

  1,164

  1,279

  Central Manchester

  597

  685

  945

  936

  954

  984

  837

  Greater Manchester North

  395

  699

  711

  423

  821

  834

  894

  Greater Manchester East

  484

  904

  784

  488

  604

  875

  913

  Merseyside

  630

  1,386

  1,715

  1,504

  1,995

  2,315

  2,220

  Northern Region

  Cleveland

  1,404

  1,229

  1,141

  799

  1,624

  1,764

  1,503

  County Durham

  1,027

  894

  897

  626

  1,014

  1,254

  1,060

  Northumberland, North Tyneside and Newcastle

  602

  962

  1,104

  849

  1,086

  1,258

  1,275

  Sunderland, South Tyneside and Gateshead

  1,356

  1,266

  1,325

  1,323

  1,349

  1,536

  1,488

  Wales

  Dyfed and West Glamorgan

  524

  759

  922

  749

  909

  930

  949

  Gwent

  268

  348

  536

  282

  747

  779

  681

  Gwynned, Clwyd and Powys

  309

  458

  545

  546

  573

  679

  497

  Mid and South Glamorgan

  826

  935

  1,073

  856

  951

  1,302

  1,301

  Scotland

  Ayrshire, Dumfries and Galloway

  550

  706

  895

  832

  802

  1,003

  826

  Central and Fife

  429

  459

  710

  603

  594

  832

  573

  Glasgow City

  828

  958

  1,263

  1,160

  1,198

  1,463

  1,915

  Grampian and Tayside

  937

  817

  825

  726

  918

  1,018

  1,267

  Highlands and Islands

  158

  207

  301

  351

  397

  400

  308

  Lanarkshire

  301

  649

  710

  480

  639

  800

  803

  Lothian and Borders

  604

  766

  1,269

  757

  805

  824

  940

  Renfrew, Dumbarton and Argyll

  339

  397

  607

  576

  770

  1,000

  1,122

  Note: Some months show no agreed action plans because of computer difficulties. Action plans agreed in the months are recorded in subsequent months.

  Child Care
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, what measures he is taking to encourage the provision of child care facilities in the work place; and what information he has on how many firms and Government offices currently provide such facilities.

  Mr. Nicholls
  [holding answer 5 July 1989]: My right hon. Friend takes every opportunity to encourage employers to help employees combine work and family responsibilities. Work place nurseries are one possible way of helping parents with childcare although it will not necessarily be the most appropriate in all cases. Other possibilities include help with childcare costs in the local home area and rearrangement of working hours and holidays to fit in with school hours and terms.

  My right hon. Friend does not have comprehensive information on the extent of employer-assisted childcare outside Government Departments but the indications are
  486
  that such provision is growing. In the Civil Service 15 departments provide holiday play schemes for the children of their staff. Two new inter-departmental schemes began in Westminster during the spring 1989 half-term. In addition two schemes were launched by the DSS during the Easter holidays: one at the Elephant and Castle and one, with the Department of Employment, in Coventry. The Departments of Employment and Social Security have set up "care-parents" schemes and the Ministry of Defence and the Home Office are both developing nursery schemes for the under-fives.

  I also take a full part in the ministerial group on women's issues which is currently considering the whole question of childcare provision and which recently issued a five-point plan designed to pave the way for the provision of childcare to suit family needs.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Army-Police Operations
  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many helicopter flying hours were available during June in support of army police operations from Newtownbutler and Rosslea Royal Ulster Constabulary stations in south-east Fermanagh.

  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many helicopter flying hours were required in support of the operation to dismantle the Lacky bridge permanent vehicle checkpoint.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  It is not the practice to comment on operational matters of this sort.

  Terrorist Activity (Fermanagh)
  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people have died as a result of terrorist activity in south-east Fermanagh since 1970.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  Since 1970, 30 persons are believed to have died as a result of terrorist activity in the south-east Fermanagh area.

  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many terrorists have been convicted of murders in south-east Fermanagh since 1970.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  Two.

  Helicopters (Fermanagh)
  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if there are any plans to increase the number of helicopter flying hours available for army-police operations to be carried out from Newtownbutler and Rosslea Royal Ulster Constabulary stations.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  This is an operational matter for local security force commanders, in the light of the current terrorist threat and security force operations to meet that threat. If the threat increases in any given area, additional helicopter hours can be allocated to that area.

  Lacky Bridge Checkpoint
  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if the opinion of elected representatives or the community leaders in south-east Fermanagh was sought before dismantling the Lacky bridge permanent vehicle checkpoint.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  Operational security matters are not normally the subject of advance public consultation but this matter was given careful consideration and consultation between the chief constable and the general office commanding in the light of all available information.

  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what consultation was carried out with the Royal Ulster Constabulary concerning the dismantling of the Lacky bridge permanent vehicle checkpoint; and what was the Royal Ulster Constabulary's response to the decision to dismantle.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  As in all security issues this matter was the subject of careful consideration between the chief 488
  constable and the general office commanding. It is not the practice to comment on the details of consultations on security matters.

  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what was the cost(a) to the Army and (b) to the Royal Ulster Constabulary of the operation to dismantle the Lacky bridge permanent vehicle checkpoint;

  (2) what would be, at current prices, the cost of re-establishing the Lacky bridge permanent vehicle checkpoint.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  It is not the practice to comment on the cost of security operations. But there was no significant additional cost incurred by the Army during the operation to dismantle the Lacky bridge permanent vehicle checkpoint. The Royal Ulster Constabulary was not involved.

  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the Lacky bridge permanent vehicle checkpoint was dismantled; and which elected representatives in Fermanagh and South Tyrone were notified from the Northern Ireland Office by letter or otherwise of the intention to do so.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  The permanent vehicle checkpoint at Lacky bridge was dismantled between 4 and 7 July. It was my intention to speak to the hon. Gentleman prior to this happening but he became aware of it in advance from another source.

  Checkpoints (Fermanagh)
  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when permanent vehicle checkpoints were erected in south-east Fermanagh; and how many terrorist murders have been committed in that area since that time.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  Permanent vehicle checkpoints were erected in the south-east Fermanagh area in October 1980; since that time six murders are believed to have been carried out by terrorists.

  Small Businesses
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the achievements of his Department and his policies in helping small businesses over the last 12 months compared with the previous 12 months; and if he will publish the performance indicators by which his Department monitors those achievements and the statistical results of such monitoring.

  Mr. Viggers
  The Government are committed to maximising the contribution that small firms can make to strengthening the Northern Ireland economy. A major priority is to help the Province's small businesses to prepare for the completion of the single European market. The publicly funded local enterprise development unit (LEDU) offers support to firms employing up to 50 who are establishing or expanding their businesses. For the year ended 31 March 1989, LEDU achieved record levels of activity, surpassing for the eighth successive year the performance of previous years in terms of jobs promoted.

  The main performance indicators used, and the results achieved for the past two years, are as follows—
  489

  1987–88

  1988–89

  Number of jobs promoted

  4,570

  5,004

  Cost per job promoted

  £4520

  £4518

  Percentage public contribution to total project cost

  36 per cent.

  32 per cent.

  Trading Standards Officers
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many trading standards officers there are in each local authority area.

  Mr. Viggers
  The trading standards service in Northern Ireland is a central Government function and is the responsibility of the Department of Economic Development.

  Branch headquarters are located at Newtownbreda near Belfast and there are local offices in Armagh, Ballymena, Coleraine, Enniskillen, Londonderry and Newry. The inspectorate, known as trading standards officers, comprises 20 qualified staff including the chief inspector. Of these, 13 are located at headquarters and the remainder at the outstations.

  Permanent Secretaries (Correspondence)
  Rev. Ian Paisley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the people whom he does not permit to correspond with the permanent secretaries of the various Northern Ireland departments.

  Mr. Tom King
  None. I should however be grateful if, in accordance with the normal well-understood practice, hon. Members who wish to raise with Northern Ireland departmental headquarters matters for which Ministers are responsible to Parliament would correspond with the appropriate Minister rather than with an official. I have requested permanent secretaries to draw this to the attention of an hon. Member if he is not following the usual procedure and to ask him to correspond directly with the responsible Minister. This will ensure that matters which are raised by constituents through their Members of Parliament receive the most prompt and proper attention.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Immigration
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list for each of the past five years, and the figure for the current year to date, of refusals to enter the United Kingdom in which primary purpose is part or the whole reason for(a) husbands, (b) wives, (c) fiancés and (d) fiancés seeking entry to join their partners with existing rights of stay in the United Kingdom, for each immigration post abroad.

  Mr. Renton
  The information requested is available only for posts in the Indian subcontinent and is given in the following table. Where the numbers are small, the figures for individual posts have been combined. Information on refusals which takes account of successful appeals is not compiled for periods shorter than 12 months.
  490

  Spouses and fiance(e)s in the Indian sub-continent refused1 entry clearance to the United Kingdom solely or partly because the primary purpose of the marriage was to obtain admission to the United Kingdom

  Number of persons

  11984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  New Delhi (including Calcutta)

  Husbands

  80

  50

  120

  110

  100

  Fiances

  320

  230

  270

  190

  170

  Wives

  —

  —

  2—

  2—

  10

  Fiancees

  —

  —

  20

  40

  50

  Bombay (including Madras)

  Husbands

  60

  50

  110

  120

  100

  Fiances

  120

  150

  210

  160

  160

  Wives

  —

  —

  2—

  10

  10

  Fiancees

  —

  —

  2—

  20

  20

  Dhaka

  Husbands

  20

  50

  30

  30

  80

  Fiances

  2—

  2—

  10

  2—

  10

  Wives

  —

  —

  —

  —

  20

  Fiancees

  —

  —

  2—

  —

  2

  Islamabad (including Karachi)

  Husbands

  70

  50

  120

  270

  480

  Fiances

  310

  320

  350

  320

  430

  Wives

  —

  —

  2—

  2—

  10

  Fiancees

  —

  —

  2—

  20

  2—

  Total Indian sub-continent

  Husbands

  230

  190

  370

  530

  760

  Fiances

  750

  710

  840

  680

  770

  Wives

  —

  —

  10

  20

  40

  Fiancees

  —

  —

  30

  80

  80

  1 Data for 1984 relate to person refused initially; data for subsequent years take account of successful appeals.

  2 Five or fewer.

  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many immigration inspectors are employed by his Department and where each is based; what is the comparable rank of(a) an immigration inspector and (b) officials taking decisions on deportation or leave to remain (i) in Lunar house and (ii) elsewhere within the Home Office; and what grade officer was required to take a decision to make a deportation order before he delegated his deportation decision-making functions to immigration inspectors.

  Mr. Renton
  [holding answer 17 July 1989]: On 30 June 1989, 52 immigration inspectors were in post at the following locations:

  Number

  Immigration Service Headquarters

  10

  Heathrow Terminal 1

  4

  Heathrow Terminal 2

  4

  Heathrow Terminal 3

  4

  Heathrow Terminal 4

  4

  Intelligence Unit, Harmondsworth

  3

  Technical Unit, Harmondsworth

  1

  Appeals Unit, Harmondsworth

  1

  Training Unit, Harmondsworth

  1

  Gatwick

  4

  Gatwick North

  2

  Isis House

  2

  Glasgow

  1

  Leeds Bradford Airport

  1

  Manchester

  1

  Birmingham

  1

  Harwich

  1

  Dover East

  3

  Dover West

  2

  Southampton

  1

  491

  Number

  Cardiff

  1

  Total

  52

  The level at which decisions are taken in immigration cases varies according to the complexity of the type of case. However, decisions to issue a notice of intention to deport under section 3(5)(a) of the Immigration Act 1971 may be taken by officials of at least inspector level in the immigration service (whose grade equivalent is senior executive officer) or at least higher executive officer level in the deportation section. Similar decisions under section 3(5)(b) and (c) may be taken at not less than senior executive officer level in the deportation section. Decisions to grant further leave to remain may be taken by officials of at least administration officer level in the Immigration and Nationality Department; and decisions to refuse leave to remain may be taken at not less than executive officer level. The levels at which decisions are taken in the deportation section remain the same as they were before the decision to delegate certain functions to immigration inspectors.

  Privacy Committee
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what factors influenced the decision to limit the Privacy Committee's terms of reference to the problems of privacy caused by the press and media; what areas indicated in his original announcement of the Committee on 21 April,Official Report, column 593, are not included; and whether he will make a statement.

  Mr. Renton
  As I made clear in the debate on 21 April at column 593 the precise terms of reference of the committee to review privacy and related matters were then still under consideration. They have been limited to the press because it is the activities of some sections of that industry that have caused such wide concern recently, and because the Government considered that the review should be carried out speedily.

  HIV (Prisons)
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners are known to be HIV positive; and in which prisons they are held.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  On 30 June 1989, 63 prisoners were known to be HIV antibody positive from tests carried out before or after they came into custody. Of these prisoners, nine were located in establishments in the north region, 10 in the Midland region, five in the south-west region and 39 in the south-east region. For reasons of medical confidentiality, it is not our practice to disclose the number of current cases in individual establishments.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many tests for HIV antibodies were carried out in prisons in England and Wales in the last year for which figures are available; and how many were positive;

  (2) what steps are taken to encourage prisoners to volunteer for HIV antibody testing;

  (3) what steps are taken to safeguard the confidentiality of the results of HIV positive antibody tests in prisons.
  492
  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  HIV antibody tests are freely available to prisoners, as they are to people in the outside community. Whether a test is advised in an individual case is a matter for the clinical discretion of the prison medical officer. In the 12 months ended 30 June 1989, 30 positive results were reported from tests carried out after the prisoners concerned came into custody. Negative results are not reported. Medical officers and their health care staff apply the normal rules of medical confidentiality to the test results and related diagnoses.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many times the AIDS videos for(a) prison staff and (b) prisoners have been shown in each prison establishment in England and Wales since they have been available.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Information in the form requested is not available. The staff training video is shown to all new entrant prison officers, and governors have been set a target for the training year ending March 1990 of showing it to all operational staff who have not attended a showing previously. The minimum target for the same year for showing the educational video for prisoners to those who wish to see it is to arrange at least one showing to every prisoner who has been or is expected to be in custody for four weeks or longer.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if it is his policy to restrict the location and activities of HIV positive prisoners; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what is the purpose of current viral infectivity restrictions in Her Majesty's prisons in England and Wales.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Our policy is to enable identified HIV antibody positive prisoners who are well to play as full a part in prison life as possible. However, having regard to the responsibilities of the prison service towards other prisoners and to staff, it has been thought right in the circumstances obtaining in England and Wales to enable medical officers to take precautions which may limit access to some regime activity. The main recommended restriction is location in single accommodation or communal accommodation shared with other identified HIV antibody positive prisoners. The medical officer may also restrict participation in activities which run the risk of physical injury such as work with machinery or sharp objects, and physical contact sports.

  The system of viral infectivity restrictions (VIR), which is also applied to prisoners with other infective conditions, has a secondary purpose of enabling local management to disclose a prisoner's VIR status, but not the actual diagnosis, to operational staff who are considered to have a "need to know". Experience in England and Wales is that this practice has been valuable in giving psychological reassurance to staff.

  Further guidance on the application of VIR is planned to encourage local management to place more VIP. prisoners in non-specialised locations and to widen opportunities for participation in normal regime activity.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what arrangements are made for clinical and psychological monitoring and care of HIV positive prisoners in England and Wales;

  (2) what arrangements are made for the continuing care of HIV positive prisoners after their release from prison;
  493
  (3) what counselling is available for HIV positive and AIDS prisoners.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The health care management of HIV antibody positive prisoners, including arrangements to ensure as far as possible that appropriate health care continues after release, is a responsibility of prison medical officers which they exercise in consultation with appropriate NHS specialists taking account of broad policy guidelines from the director of prison medical services. For the provision of counselling services they have access both to prison service staff who have been trained in HIV counselling and to outside agencies which provide such services.

  The director of prison medical service plans to issue further guidance on the clinical care of HIV infected prisoners. The importance of psychological monitoring will be stressed.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his policy for the provision of care and support units for prisoners with AIDS-related illness.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The need is recognised for medical facilities in each prison service region which will be capable of giving short or longer-term care and support to prisoners with AIDS, AIDS-related illness or other infectious illness, whose condition does not require admission to the specialised facilities of the National Health Service. A purpose-designed unit is planned for Brixton prison. Hospital accommodation with suitable facilities at other establishments will also be used to fulfil the care and support function.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the current programme for training of prison staff at all levels in relation to their responsibilities

  Isis House

  (i)

  (ii)

  (iii)

  (iv)

  (v)

  (vi)

  Illegal entrants

  Deportation orders served

  Seaman deserters

  Overstayers and workers in breach

  Notices of intention to deport served on those in (iv and v)

  1988

  January

  97

  19

  —

  48

  27

  February

  83

  12

  1

  50

  33

  March

  82

  19

  —

  61

  33

  April

  82

  8

  1

  42

  25

  May

  103

  22

  3

  53

  42

  June

  82

  17

  —

  52

  33

  July

  56

  5

  1

  49

  33

  August

  68

  13

  —

  55

  49

  September

  57

  21

  —

  65

  59

  October

  70

  16

  —

  79

  69

  November

  93

  16

  2

  134

  128

  December

  72

  12

  —

  119

  106

  (i)

  (ii)

  (iii)

  (iv)

  (v)

  (vi)

  Illegal entrants

  Deportation orders served

  Seaman deserters

  Overstayers

  Workers in breach

  Notices of intention to deport served on those in (iv) and (v)

  (iv)

  (v)

  1989

  January

  48

  19

  2

  61

  39

  61

  36

  February

  96

  12

  1

  68

  71

  66

  68

  March

  78

  17

  —

  81

  28

  76

  27

  April

  99

  20

  2

  70

  30

  69

  28

  May

  67

  19

  —

  59

  27

  58

  22

  June

  63

  17

  —

  46

  20

  46

  15

  494
  for the care of prisoners who have been diagnosed HIV positive, including those who may have developed AIDS-related illness.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Locally organised training programmes directed at operational staff provide basic health and safety information and ana understanding of the nature of AIDS and HIV infection at a level appropriate to their task of managing infected prisoners with no signs or symptoms of illness. Most training of health care staff is also arranged locally but will often include attendance at external courses and detachments to local NHS hospitals. External AIDS counselling courses have been attended by prison service staff from a variety of disciplines.

  The director of prison medical services plans to develop further training programmes for medical officers and other health care staff tailored to their specific needs.

  Immigration Offences
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many suspected immigration offenders against whom action was taken by officers in each month since January 1988, at(a) Isis house and (b) Harmondsworth were (i) alleged illegal entrants, (ii) the subjects of deportation orders, (iii) seaman deserters, (iv) overstayers, (v) people working in breach of conditions and (vi) claimed British nationality; and how many in each category were served with notices of intention to deport (1) by officers within the immigration service and (2) by officials within the immigration and nationality department.

  Mr. Renton
  The available information is set out in the table:
  495

  Immigration Service intelligence and investigation unit

  (i)

  (ii)

  (iii)

  (iv)

  (v)

  (vi)

  Illegal entrants

  Deportation orders served

  Seaman deserters

  Overstayers

  Workers in breach

  Notices of intention to deport served on those in

  (iv)

  (v)

  1988

  January

  73

  13

  0

  24

  25

  72

  0

  February

  72

  11

  0

  21

  36

  March

  99

  12

  1

  27

  34

  April

  253

  27

  0

  66

  63

  53

  0

  May

  June

  July

  208

  16

  1

  n/a

  n/a

  94

  (iv+v)

  August

  September

  October

  271

  20

  1

  n/a

  n/a

  185

  (iv+v)

  November

  December

  1989

  January

  108

  5

  0

  37

  57

  153

  109

  February

  107

  7

  1

  63

  47

  March

  146

  8

  0

  54

  43

  April

  123

  8

  1

  35

  21

  99

  40

  May

  76

  13

  2

  41

  14

  June

  101

  10

  1

  27

  23

  n/a=Not available.

  Notes:

  No figures are available to show the number of offenders who may have claimed British nationality.

  Column (ii) Some of those served with a deportation order may also have been served with a notice of intention to deport previously but no details are available.

  Column (vi) All notices were served by members of the Immigration Service either before 1 August 1988 on the authority of an official in the Immigration and Nationality Department (IND), or after 1 August 1988 on the authority of an Immigration Inspector or an official within IND. The breakdown of information on a port basis is not available and could not be obtained without disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many times in each month since January 1988, immigration officers at(a) Isis house and (b) Harmondsworth took action as a result of (i) police call-outs, (ii) denunciations, (iii) Home Office file inquiries, (iv) information provided by other Government agencies,

  Isis House

  Offenders identified from the following sources:

  (i)

  (ii)

  (iii)

  (iv)

  (v)

  Police call-outs

  Denunciations

  Home Office files

  Other inquiries and Government agencies

  Major or middle tier operations

  1988

  January

  80

  46

  17

  21

  —

  February

  80

  51

  15

  —

  4,320

  March

  90

  67

  17

  —

  12

  April

  71

  47

  11

  4

  —

  May

  70

  35

  20

  11

  45

  June

  85

  50

  16

  —

  —

  July

  55

  30

  10

  6

  —

  August

  73

  43

  —

  20

  —

  September

  100

  30

  7

  6

  —

  October

  100

  40

  15

  10

  —

  November

  170

  49

  20

  6

  —

  December

  Information not available

  1989

  January

  111

  13

  21

  3

  21

  February

  156

  38

  18

  2

  37

  March

  118

  29

  21

  36

  3

  April

  137

  26

  21

  40

  —

  May

  105

  34

  25

  15

  —

  June

  108

  19

  23

  12

  —

  496
  (v) information arising from a major or middle tier operation and (vi) information arising as a consequence of another inquiry.

  Mr. Renton
  The available information is set out in the table:
  497
  Notes:

  Column (iv)—This column relates to both information derived from other Government agencies and from other inquiries.

  Column (v)—Some of these cases were referred for action by the Immigration and Nationality Department headquarters—eg the figure of 4,320 relates to students enrolled at a college under investigation in February 1988.

  Immigration service intelligence and investigation unit, Harmondsworth

  Offenders identified from the following sources

  (i)

  (ii)

  (iii)

  (iv)

  (v)

  (vi)

  Police call-outs

  Denunciations

  Home Office files

  Other Government agencies

  Major or middle tier operations

  Other enquiries

  1988

  January

  87

  24

  53

  n/a

  20

  0

  February

  69

  27

  40

  n/a

  18

  2

  March

  75

  23

  55

  n/a

  18

  3

  April

  203

  58

  113

  n/a

  34

  1

  May

  June

  July

  216

  61

  131

  n/a

  41

  3

  August

  September

  October

  270

  75

  102

  n/a

  60

  0

  November

  December

  1989

  January

  95

  40

  15

  n/a

  28

  16

  February

  134

  36

  24

  n/a

  3

  18

  March

  94

  30

  24

  n/a

  54

  9

  April

  117

  14

  18

  n/a

  0

  27

  May

  83

  21

  20

  n/a

  3

  7

  June

  97

  12

  15

  n/a

  20

  9

  Asylum-Seekers
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how often and in what circumstances the immigration and nationality department discloses information held on computer about asylum-seekers and their families to(a) past, current or prospective employers and employees, (b) other members of their families, (c) advisers and advice workers, (d) the Department of Social Security, (e) other Government Departments, (f) police forces, (g) judges, magistrates and the courts, (h) the prison and probation services, (i) education establishments, (j) public libraries, the press and media, (k) the registrar general and (l) hon. Members of the House of Lords; and whether asylum-seekers are told that information collected from and about them is liable to be disclosed in this way.

  Mr. Renton
  Information on individual asylum seekers is treated in strict confidence. Information which is held on the refugee index is used for statistical purposes and as an aid to case workers in the Home Office's refugee unit. There is no disclosure from it outside Government of information on individual cases.

  Toxteth (Policing)
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Chief Constable of Merseyside as to what action he is taking in response to the report of Lord Gifford, concerning police involvement in drug trafficking.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  No formal allegations concerning the involvement of police officers in drug trafficking are made by Lord Gifford in his report.
  498
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he intends to take in the light of the findings of Lord Gifford's inquiry into policing in Toxteth, a copy of which has been sent to him.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  My right hon. Friend does not consider that Lord Gifford's report presents an objective and balanced assessment of the considerable progress made in improving police community relations in Liverpool 8 since 1981. Nor does he consider that there is a case for the establishment of an official inquiry into policing of the area.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he expects any prosecutions to arise in the light of Lord Gifford's allegations concerning trafficking of drugs in Toxteth.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The question of whether a prosecution should be brought in any particular case is entirely one for the Crown prosecution service in the light of the evidence obtained by the police.

  Small Businesses
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the achievements of his Department and his policies in helping small businesses over the last 12 months compared with the previous 12 months; and if he will publish the performance indicators by which his Department monitors those achievements and the statistical results of such monitoring.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Over the past 12 months, the Home Office has helped small firms by improving the information, access and opportunities necessary to enable them to tender for our business. We have issued a booklet
  499
  entitled "Selling to the Home Office", which provides details of our typical purchasing needs and guidance for potential suppliers on where and how to make the initial approach. The purchasing powers of local offices throughout England and Wales have also been increased; minimising procedures and extending opportunities for small firms.

  Home Office performance indicators on purchasing are directed at getting better value for the money we spend, and do not differentiate between the size of firms to which contracts are awarded or provide statistical information about business placed with small firms.

  Telephones (Prisoners' Access)
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department at what times of day grant of access to telephones is made at(a) each open prison, (b) each category C prison and (c) designated female and young offender establishments; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Cardphones for inmates' use have so far been generally installed only at open establishments. The times at which inmates have access to them are a matter for the governors concerned, but the main periods during which they can be used(a) on weekdays and (b) at weekends are as follows:

  HMP Askham Grange (a) 6 pm—9 pm (b) 9 am—9 pm; HMP/Y0I Drake Hall (a) 5.45 pm/9.30 pm—(b) 8 am—9.30 pm; IIMP/HMY0I East Sutton Park (a) 11.50 am—1.05 pm, 4.30 pm—9.00 pm (b) 8.00 am—9.00 pm; HMYOI Finnamore Wood (a) 6.15 pm—8.15 pm (b) 12 noon—4.45 pm; HMP Ford: all times other than midnight—7.45 am and periods of employment; HMP Foston Hall (a) 5.30 pm—8.30 pm (b) 10.30 am—8.30 pm; HMYOI Guys Marsh (a) and (h) 5.30 pm—8.30 pm; HMYOI Hatfield (a) 6.00 pm—8.45 pm; (b) times differ according to location within establishment; HMYOI Hewell Grange (a) 5.30 pm—8.00 pm (b) (Saturday) 10.30 am—12 noon, (Sunday) 5.30 pm—8.00 pm; HMP Highpoint (a) 6.00 pm—11.00 pm (b) all day; HMYOI Hollesley Bay Colony (a) and (b) 6.00 pm—8.00 pm; HMP Kirkham (a) and (b) 12 noon—12.45 pm, 5.00 pm—8.45 pm; HMP Leyhill (a) and (h) 7.30 am—9.00 pm; HMP Lindholme (a) and (b) all day to 10.45 pm, excluding periods of employment; HMYOI Lowdham Grange (a) 5.00 pm—8.30 pm (b) all day; HMP Morton Hall (a) and (b) 11.30 am—1.15 pm, (Monday—Thursday) 4.30 pm—10.15 pm, (Friday—Sunday) 4.30 pm—11.00 pm; HMP North Sea Camp (a) 5.30 pm—8.30 pm (b) 8.30 am—8.30 pm; LIMP Rudgate (a) 5.30 pm—8.30 pm (b) 12.30 pm—4.00 pm, 5.00 pm—8.30 pm; HMP Spring Hill (a) 12 noon—1.00 pm, 5.00 pm—10.00 pm, (b) 9.00 am—10 pm; HMP Standford Hill (a) and (b) 7.40 am—8.20 am, 12 noon—1.00 pm, 4.00 pm—9.00 pm; HMYOI Thorn Cross (a) 6.00 pm—8.00 pm (b) plus (Friday) 9.00 am—12 noon, 6.00 pm—8.00 pm, (Friday only) 2.00 pm—5.30 pm; HMYOI Usk (a) 6.00 pm—8.30 pm (b) 10.30 am—11.45 am.

  Mr. Bermingham:
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the maximum value of phonecard permitted for purchase by prisoners, and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The maximum value is £2. All inmates may however hold two cards, or more at the discretion of the governor.

  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the ratio of telephones to prisoners at(a) each open prison, (b) each category C prison and (c) designated female and young offender establishments; and if he will make a statement.
  500
  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Cardphones for the use of inmates have so far been generally installed only at open establishments. The average numbers of inmates to each cardphone is approximately as follows:

  HMP Askham Grange 59; HMP/HMYOI Drake Hall 75; HMP/HMYOI East Sutton Park 75; HMYOI Finnamore Wood 293; HMP Ford 89; HMP Forston Hall 207; HMYOI Guys Marsh 145; HMYOI Hatfield 221; HMY0I Hewell Grange 133; HMP Highpoint (Category D only) 71; HMYOI Hollesley Bay Colony 465; HMP Kirkham 168; HMP Leyhill 189; HMP Lindholme 51; HMYOI Lowdham Grange 127; HMP Morton Hall 85; HMP North Sea Camp 220; HMP Rudgate 125; HMP Spring Hill 102; HMP Standford Hill 72; HMYOI Thorn Cross 116; HMYOI Usk 75.

  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which prisons are eligible to install telephones for prisoners do not yet have them; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The following establishments are due to install cardphones for the use of inmates before the end of this year:

  HMP Acklington; HMP Aldington; HMP Blantyre House; HMYOI Buckley Hall; HMP/HMYOI Bullwood Hall; HMP Camp Hill; HMYOI Campsfield House; HMP Channings Wood: HMP Cookham Wood; HMYOI Deerbolt; HMYOI Dover; HMYOI Eastwood Park; HMP Erlestoke; HMYOI Everthorpe; HMP Featherstone; HMYOI Feltham; HMYOI Glen Parva; HMP Gloucester (Cat C Unit Only); HMP Haverigg; HMP Highpoint; HMYOI Huntercombe; HMYOI Kirklevington Grange; HMP Lancaster; HMP Littlehey; HMYOI The Mount; HMP/HMYOI New Hall: HMYOI Northallerton; HMP Northeye; HMP Norwich (Britannia Training Prison); HMYOI Onley; HMYOI Portland; HMP Ranby; HMP/HMYOI Rochester; HMP Send; HMP Stafford; HMP Stocken; HMYOI Stoke Heath; HMP/HMYOI Styal; HMP Thorp Arch; HMP Wayland; HMYOI Wellingborough; HMYOI Werrington; HMYOI Wetherby; HMYOI Whatton; HMP Wymott.

  Malicious Communications
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many complaints have been made in the London metropolitan area under the Malicious Communications Act 1988; and what was their outcome.

  Mr. John Patten
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on 13 July 1989 at column 644.

  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will make a statement about publicity given to the effect of the Malicious Communications Act 1988;

  (2) what sums he has spent on publicity to draw the attention of the public to the effects of the Malicious Communications Act 1988;

  (3) whether he will take steps to increase public awareness of the provisions of the Malicious Communications Act 1988.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We issued a press notice on 29 July 1988, when the Malicious Communications Act 1988 received Royal Assent, drawing attention to the Act's provisions. A Home Office circular was issued on 1 September 1988 to the courts, the police and the Crown prosecution service to explain the provisions of the Act and to advise of its commencement on 29 September. It is not possible to calculate the costs of issuing the press notice and circular without incurring disproportionate cost. The Government continue to take opportunities to keep members of the public informed about developments in the criminal law.

  Bail Hostels, Leeds and Bradford
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many bail hostels exist in the Leeds and Bradford area; what other forms of accommodation are available for persons on bail; what plans there are for increasing the number of hostels; and what advice is given to magistrates on the use of bail hostels.

  Mr. John Patten
  There are six approved hostels in the Leeds and Bradford area which take bailees—four in Leeds, one in Cleckheaton and one in Bradford amounting to 113 places in all. We have agreed in principle to outline proposals for two more hostels and additional places at existing hostels in West Yorkshire by April 1990 which will provide a further 50 to 52 beds.

  There is a wide range of other housing agency hostels and self-contained accommodation available for bailees including supported lodgings.

  The presumption in favour of bail was firmly established by the Bail Act 1976. More recently guidance on bail, including accommodation, was issued to magistrates courts on 11 May 1988 in Home Office circular 25/1988. A list of all approved hostels and their catchment areas is issued to courts by the Home Office from time to time; local probation areas notify courts when a new hostel opens.

  We are also encouraging the development of bail information schemes which give courts better information on which to take decisions about bail. A new scheme is due to start in Leeds on 31 July and a feasibility study is under way in Bradford.

  Armley Prison
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many hospital officers and medical officers work on the hospital wing of Armley prison during the day and during the night as distinct from the total number of staff employed to provide a service, for 1988 and 1989.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Because staffing levels vary from day to day it is not possible to make comparisons between whole years. The following information gives the situation at the mid-point of each year, that is, 30 June.

  On 30 June 1988 four full-time and two part-time medical officers attended during the day, one of the latter also attending in the evening. The same pattern occurred on 30 June 1989 except that five full-time medical officers attended on that day. On both dates one doctor was on call at night.

  The number of hospital officers working during the day on both dates ranged at different times between four and 10, and one officer on duty at night.

  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the staff-prisoner ratio on B wing of Her Majesty's Armley prison; and what training is given to staff in suicide prevention and dealing with young persons now and in 1988.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  There were 227 inmates on B wing on 21 July, and 23 staff are generally assigned to work on the wing. Training for prison staff in how best to identify and help suicidal inmates was introduced in 1987. Fifty-one staff at Leeds prison had been so trained by February 1989; 125 staff have now been trained, and 502
  weekly training courses are to take place throughout the autumn with the intention of training all staff by the end of the year.

  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number of persons on remand as a percentage of the total number of prisoners in custody in Her Majesty's prison Armley in 1988 and 1989 to date.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The information is given in the table.

  Remand population as a percentage of the total population of Leeds prison: January 1988 to May 1989

  Month end

  Untried

  Convicted unsentenced

  Total population number

  Per cent.

  Per cent.

  (100 per cent.)

  1988

  January

  49

  6

  1,380

  February

  50

  7

  1,350

  March

  46

  6

  1,340

  April

  48

  6

  1,320

  May

  49

  4

  1,350

  June

  48

  6

  1,370

  July

  44

  6

  1,390

  August

  48

  6

  1,400

  September

  46

  8

  1,310

  October

  49

  9

  1,260

  November

  48

  8

  1,280

  December

  46

  6

  1,210

  1989

  January

  48

  6

  1,290

  February

  46

  6

  1,290

  March

  47

  5

  1,270

  April

  43

  5

  1,240

  May

  45

  5

  1,280

  Attempted Suicides, Armley and Hull
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the numbers of incidents classified as suicide attempts and self mutilations at Armley and Hull prisons in 1988 and 1989.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Five incidents of self-injury were reported by the medical officer at Leeds during the year ending 31 March 1988, and 39 in the subsequent year. The corresponding figures at Hull were 53 and 93.

  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department who is responsible for deciding to classify an incident as a self mutilation or an attempted suicide at Armley prison; and what criteria are used.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  At all prison service establishments medical officers are responsible for distinguishing acts of non-fatal self-injury which are considered to have been committed with suicidal intent from those which appear not to have been so motivated. The categorisation of individual cases is a matter for clinical judgment on the part of the doctor.

  Suicides (Hull Prison)
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many suicides there were in Hull prison among(a) young people and (b) remand prisoners during 1988 and 1989.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  There were no inmate suicides at Her Majesty's prison Hull during the period in question.

  Leeds Prison
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the functions of Leeds prison; and how many category A prisoners are held there now and in 1988.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Her Majesty's prison Leeds is a local prison. As such its main function is to keep unsentenced prisoners in custody for the courts and to present them for trial or sentence; and to receive sentenced prisoners from the courts, keeping them in custody until they are categorised and allocated to training prisons or until they become due for release.

  Six category A prisoners were held in Leeds prison on 30 June this year, and 10 on 30 June 1988.

  Everthorpe
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the proposed plans for the site at Everthorpe; and when it will be completed.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  It is proposed to build a remand centre for 300 inmates next to HM young offenders institute Everthorpe. Detailed designs are now being prepared. Construction is planned to begin towards the end of this year, with the establishment opening early in 1992.

  Strip Cells
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is prison policy on the use of strip cells for persons who have attempted suicide; and if counselling is available for those who last attempted suicide.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Guidelines on the use of stripped rooms for suicidal inmates are set out in paragraph 33 of circular instruction 20/1989, a copy of which is in the Library. Counselling is normally available to all inmates from prison staff, particularly medical officers, chaplains and seconded probation officers; the help of Samaritans is also now available to prisoners at a substantial number of establishments.

  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the usage of strip cells in Armley and Hull prisons in 1988 and 1989; how many cells exist; for what purpose they are used; and how long each person is held.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible and deposit a copy of the reply in the Library.

  Remand Prisoners, Leeds
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans exist for building recreational or other facilities for the exclusive use of young persons on remand at Leeds.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The expansion and modernisation of Leeds prison currently in progress includes the provision of a new sports hall, outdoor sports areas and a library and educational block. Association and education facilities will also be provided in the two new living wings which are being built to house remand prisoners. Work on 504
  these wings is due to begin in March 1990. The whole programme of work is scheduled for completion in 1997, but many of the supporting facilities will be in use by the early 1990s. It will be for the governor to decide the arrangements for the use of these facilities by young persons on remand in the light of operational needs.

  Armley and Hull Prisons
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average daily intake of prisoners at Armley and Hull, including the maximum and minimum figures for May, June, August, November 1988 and May and June of the current year.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The information requested is given in the table.

  Her Majesty's Prison, Leeds

  Month

  Average daily intake

  Daily maximum

  Daily minimum

  1988

  May

  64

  131

  0

  June

  70

  123

  1

  August

  60

  112

  0

  November

  74

  130

  1

  1989

  May

  61

  117

  1

  June

  67

  120

  0

  Her Majesty's Prison, Hull

  1988

  May

  55

  97

  2

  June

  53

  88

  8

  August

  53

  96

  3

  November

  56

  90

  3

  1989

  May

  50

  83

  6

  June

  50

  105

  5

  Dyfed-Powys Police
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give the following statistics for the Dyfed-Powys police force for each year since 1974(a) the number of police officers, (b) the number of civilian staff employed, (c) the total population and (d) the ratio of population to police officers.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The information requested is set out in the table.

  Dyfed Powys

  At 31 December

  Police officers

  Civilians1

  Population2

  Police-population ratio

  1974

  850

  168

  420,300

  505

  1975

  912

  190

  422,500

  461

  1976

  908

  190

  424,600

  464

  1977

  908

  190

  425,100

  464

  1978

  907

  190

  430,000

  469

  1979

  918

  194

  431,000

  461

  1980

  929

  194

  433,000

  464

  1981

  925

  197

  433,000

  464

  1982

  930

  200

  443,000

  474

  1983

  924

  204

  444,000

  475

  1984

  922

  208

  446,000

  478

  1985

  924

  210

  446,000

  478

  1986

  929

  198

  447,000

  477

  1987

  929

  209

  451,000

  482

  1988

  927

  215

  457,000

  489

  505
  1Part-time civilians are included on a 2 for 1 basis.

  2 As at 30 June.

  Prisons (Catering Costs)
  Mr. Bendall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the approximate cost of the daily main meal for prisoners in Her Majesty's prisons; and what is the weekly food budget per prisoner.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The average weekly notional cost of food per prisoner in Her Majesty's prisons, including items supplied from prison farms and gardens, is £6·10; the approximate cost of food for the daily main meal is 44p.

  County Fire Service, Wales
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many section 19 applications he has received during each of the last five years in respect of the county fire service in Wales; and what was the outcome in each case.

  Mr. John Patten
  The information requested is not immediately available: I will reply as soon as possible.

  Mr. Xu Hai Ning
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the entry and resident status in the United Kingdom of Mr. Xu Hai Ning, a citizen of China; and if he has received any information from the immigration services concerning the circumstances of his departure.

  Mr. Renton
  Mr. Xu applied for asylum in Hong Kong. He arrived in the United Kingdom on 30 June and was given leave to enter for 12 months. On 17 July he contacted his embassy in London and said he wished to return to China. Immediately before his departure on 18 July the immigration service took steps to interview him privately and he told them that he was leaving voluntarily.

  Chinese Citizens
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps are being taken to protect Chinese citizens who are in the United Kingdom from pressure and threats to return to China.

  Mr. Renton
  Any Chinese national who feels at risk in the United Kingdom should contact the police. If the immigration service has reason to believe that someone is leaving the United Kingdom under pressure it will take steps to offer him a private interview before his departure.

  Overseas Students (Vacation Employment)
  Mrs. Roe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Home Department when he expects to be able to give a substantive reply to the hon. Member for Broxbourne in relation to correspondence from Mr. Baxendale of Cuffley, on the subject of paid employment during vacations for full-time overseas students, forwarded to the Minister of State, the hon. Member for Mid-Sussex (Mr. Renton) on 30 November1988, 5 January, 7 February, 22 March, 12 April and 17 May; what are the reasons for the delay; and if he will make a statement.
  506
  Mr. Renton
  My right hon. Friend wrote to my hon. Friend on 21 July. I am very sorry for the delay in dealing with this correspondence which was due to oversights on the part of the officials dealing with the matter.

  Chlorofluorocarbons
  Sir Hugh Rossi
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans exist to ensure the safe disposal of both chlorofluorocarbon refrigerant material and chlorofluorocarbon II in the foam in refrigeration and air-cooling equipment under the control of his Department.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 13 July 1989]I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to him by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Environment the hon. Member for Surrey, South-West (Mrs. Bottomley), on 13 July at column 631.

  Abbey National Shares
  Ms. Richardson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received about the disqualification of widows from the free allocation of Abbey National shares as a consequence of the terms of section 116 of the Building Societies Act 1962; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lilley
  I have been asked to reply.

  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for East Lothian (Mr. Home Robertson) on 18 July 1989, Official Report, column 86.

SCOTLAND

  HIV (Prisons)
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many tests for HIV antibodies were carried out in prisons in Scotland in the last year for which figures are available; and how many were positive.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Comprehensive figures are not available for past years. So far this year, at least 222 inmates in Scottish penal establishments have been tested for HIV antibodies. Of those tests, 18 proved positive.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what arrangements are made for clinical and psychological monitoring and care of HIV positive prisoners in Scotland.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Clinical monitoring and care of HIV positive prisoners is in the hands of prison medical officers, who consult outside colleagues and specialists as they judge necessary. If such prisoners require for clinical purposes to visit NHS facilities, appropriate arrangements are made. In some establish-ments regular clinics for HIV positive prisoners are run by NHS specialists. Full psychological services are provided within prisons, and on the counselling side staff are given specific training in dealing with HIV positive prisoners. Additionally, expert external counsellors are increasingly being made use of in prisons.

  Viral Infectivity Restrictions (Prisons)
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make it his policy to introduce viral infectivity restrictions in Her Majesty's prisons in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  My right hon. and learned Friend has not thought it appropriate to introduce viral infectivity restrictions in Scottish penal establish-ments, nor are there any plans for their introduction.

  Multiple births and maternities, Scotland, 1980–1988

  Twins

  Triplets

  Quadruplets

  Quintuplets

  Sextuplets

  Maternities

  1980

  658

  4

  —

  —

  —

  68,689

  1981

  611

  7

  —

  —

  —

  68,865

  1982

  607

  6

  —

  —

  —

  65,963

  1983

  677

  2

  —

  —

  —

  64,776

  1984

  665

  10

  —

  —

  —

  64,800

  1985

  682

  9

  —

  —

  —

  66,342

  1986

  721

  10

  —

  —

  —

  65,456

  1987

  721

  10

  —

  —

  —

  65,839

  11988

  706

  8

  1

  —

  —

  65,842

  1 Provisional figures.

  Youth Unemployment
  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the latest available figures for youth unemployment, as calculated under the juvos scheme, for each of the six wards within the Glasgow, Central constituency.

  Mr. Lang
  The number of unemployed claimants under the age of 25 for each of the six wards in the Glasgow, Central parliamentary constituency on 13 April 1989 (the latest date for which information is available) is set out in the table.

  Ward

  Unemployed claimants under 25

  Calton

  311

  Central

  275

  Crosshill

  318

  Hutchesontown

  327

  Kingston

  240

  Queen's Park

  231

  Total

  1,702

  This information is available in the Library.

  Trading Standards Officers
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many trading standards officers there are in each local authority area.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  This information is not held centrally.

  Southern General Hospital, Glasgow
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what reports the Solicitor-General has received of unauthorised entry being made to the Southern General hospital, Glasgow; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I understand that the procurator-fiscal, Glasgow, has received and is consider-ing a report from the police concerning a person who

  Births
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the number of sets of(a) twins, (b) triple's, (c) quadruplets, (d) quintuplets and (e) sextuplets, born in Scotland in each year since 1980; and what was the total number of maternities in each of these years.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The information is as follows:

  gained unauthorised entry to the Southern general hospital, Glasgow. It is not proposed that a statement will be made.

  Elder Cottage Hospital
  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will instruct the Greater Glasgow health board to extend its deadline for an off-market sale of Elder cottage hospital and the adjacent nurses' home to Linthouse Housing Association in order to give the housing association and Scottish Homes sufficient time to discuss with the board the arrangements involved in a successful transfer of the property to the housing association.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The Greater Glasgow health board has extended its deadline to 3 August 1989 to enable the association to submit an offer.

  Mortgage Defaults
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many homes have been repossessed in the last year for default on mortgage payments in the last year; and what are the corresponding figures for each year since 1979

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The Building Societies Association publishes statistics on the number of repossessions by building societies in the United Kingdom as a whole; but no corresponding information is available for Scotland only. No information is held centrally on other mortgage lenders.

  Dundee High School
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many places are available at Dundee high school under the assisted places scheme; and how much public expenditure this incurred, in the last year and in each year since its inception.

  Mr. Lang
  Expenditure at Dundee high school since the inception of the scheme is as follows:
  509

  School year

  £

  1981–82

  52,690

  1982–83

  110,612

  1983–84

  142,685

  1984–85

  185,286

  1985–86

  235,525

  1986–87

  270,669

  1987–88

  309,400

  1988–89

  '340,000

  1 Provisional figure.

  Warrant Sales
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many warrant sales have been carried out in the Dundee area in the last year; and what are the corresponding figures for each year since 1979.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  There were 11 warrant sales reported to Dundee sheriff court in 1988. The number of reports to that court of warrant sales from 1979 to 1987 are set out in the table.

  Reports of sale

  1979

  10

  1980

  4

  1981

  6

  1982

  6

  1983

  10

  1984

  2

  1985

  10

  1986

  4

  1987

  9

  Community Charge
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will consider introducing legislation to reimburse those people who have stated that they are over 18 years, but have suffered civil penalties for refusing to divulge their date of birth on the community charge registration forms.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  No

  Local Health Councils
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to announce plans for the reorganisation of local health councils.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I discussed this matter with health board chairmen on 30 June and I hope to announce my plans very soon.

  Health Service
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to announce the appointment of the new chief executive of the Scottish Health Service.

  Mr. Rifkind
  I hope to do so shortly

  Care of Gardens Schemes
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many district councils in Scotland run care of gardens schemes for the elderly and disabled in Scotland.
  510
  (2) how many district councils in Scotland stopped care of gardens schemes after the termination of the community programme.

  Mr. Lang
  This information is not available centrally

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many district councils run care of garden schemes for the elderly and disabled under the employment training scheme.

  Mr. Lang
  This information is not collected by the Training Agency and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is Her Majesty's Government's policy on the care of gardens of the elderly and disabled.

  Mr. Lang
  This is a matter for local authorities to decide in the light of the resources available to them.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the revenue support grant for district councils includes any imputed amount for care of garden schemes for the elderly and disabled.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Revenue support grant is paid in support of authorities' income generally. It is not attributed to particular services.

  Electricity Disconnections
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many disconnections were made by the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board in the last year; and what are the corresponding figures for each year since 1979.

  Mr. Lang
  I am advised that the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board carried out 4,343 disconnections in the calendar year ended 31 December 1988. The figures for each year since 1979 are as follows:

  Numbers

  1979

  2,869

  1980

  3,373

  1981

  3,764

  1982

  2,830

  1983

  1,904

  1984

  1,893

  1985

  2,434

  1986

  3,104

  1987

  4,538

  1988

  4,343

  NHS Reform
  Mr. Bill Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what additional financial resources he has made available to health boards in Scotland in 1989–90 to meet the cost of implementing the proposals outlined in the White Paper "Working for Patients", Cm 555.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Some of the resources already allocated to boards this year are being spent on initiatives such as the development of information technology systems, on which implementation of the White Paper will build. However a further £3·95 million is to be made available to health boards in 1989–90 to help them meet the
  511
  additional costs this year of taking forward the proposals in the White Paper. The resources will cover development work by health boards in the following areas: hospital contracts, self-governing hospitals, and revised accounting arrangements; information systems and resources management; development of capital asset registers; development of GP practice budgets; medical audit; and pilot work on prescribing budgets. The Department will be advising health boards of the individual amounts they will each receive.

  Health Boards
  Mr. Allan Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Eastwood of 22 June,Official Report, columns 205–6, he will provide more detailed information on the contracts awarded by Argyll and Clyde, Ayrshire and Arran, Fife, Forth Valley, Grampian, Lanarkshire and Lothian health boards; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The information is as follows:

  Argyll and Clyde

  As at 30 June 1989 the board had awarded six contracts. All of these have been awarded in-house and are for domestic and catering services. The savings realised from the contracts awarded to date are:

  Contract

  Total savings1

  £

  Royal Alexandra: domestic

  16,160

  Inverclyde Royal: domestic

  21,200

  Dumbarton Group: catering

  18,000

  Lochgilphead: catering

  35,055

  Dumbarton: domestic

  15,102

  Renfrew Community-Gilmour House-Westward House: domestic

  13,449

  11 Per annum on previous budget.

  Ayrshire and Arran

  As at 14 July 1989 Ayrshire and Arran health board had awarded 13 contracts. All of these were won by the inhouse operator and no staff have been made redundant.

  Contract details

  Total price of successful bid

  Calculated savings

  VAT payment to Treasury

  VAT refund

  Number of staff redundant head count

  Redundancy payments from government

  Annual pension and lump sum payments

  £

  £

  £

  £

  £

  £

  Cameron Hospital (Catering)

  301,083

  33,819

  Nil

  Nil

  3

  3—

  3—

  Victoria, Forth Park, Hunter Hospitals (Domestic)

  1754,192

  102,386

  7,900

  (7,900)

  244

  230,431

  70,984

  (Catering)

  850,377

  10,673

  Nil

  Nil

  2

  3—

  3—

  Stratheden

  (Domestic)

  538,795

  2—

  4,500

  (4,500)

  None

  Nil

  Nil

  1 Unsuccessful in-house bid £864,989.

  2 A higher specification was drawn up for this exercise with a view to improving the standard of service.

  3 Figures where numbers of staff involved are small are not disclosed to protect confidential information.

  Forth Valley

  As at 16 June board had awarded four contracts, all won by the inhouse team. Coasts and savings are set out in the table.
  512
  Any VAT Payments made have been refunded. The estimated administrative costs are £60,000. Future plans include the board's painting maintenance programme for its estate and hospital hotel services for a number of its hospitals, health centres and clinica. Casts and savings are as follows:

  Contract

  Total price of successful Bid

  Total savings per annum on previous budget

  (£)

  (£)

  1. Head Office: Domestic

  13,987

  11,280

  2. Head Office: Catering

  25,153

  7,728

  3. South Ayrshire Clinics: Domestic

  34,954

  18,315

  4. North Ayrshire Clincs: Domestic

  38,296

  8,973

  5. Kilmarnock Maternity Hospital: Catering

  35,060

  1,204

  6. Brooksby House Hospital: Domestic

  24,186

  4,223

  7. Brooksby House Hospital: Catering

  29,960

  (368)

  8. Kilmarnock Maternity Hospital: Domestic

  26,340

  10,177

  9. Crosshouse Hospital: Catering

  779,000

  191,000

  10. Ayrshire Central Hospital:Catering

  516,000

  141,000

  11. Crosshouse Hospital: Domestic

  765,170

  1242,000

  12. Ayrshire Central Hospital: Domestic

  401,000

  1140,000

  13. Vehicle Maintenance and Repair

  120,930

  15,193

  1In addition to the savings achieved in the tendering exercise these figures include savings realised in the efficiency exercise carried out by managers in the run up to tendering as part of the overall competitive tendering/efficiency programme.

  Fife

  As at 11 July fife health board had let four contracts—three inhouse and one to a private contractor Further catering services, general ancillary services, gardens, laboratory, laundry and pharmacy are among the other areas the board is looking at for the future Costs and savings are as follows:

  513

  Contract details

  Total price of successful bid

  Calculated savings

  VAT payment to Treasury

  VAT refund

  Number of staff redundant head count

  Redundancy payments from government

  Annual pension and lump sum payments

  £

  £

  £

  £

  £

  £

  Cleaning

  Clackmannan County

  21,283

  658,084

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Falkirk Unit

  684,925

  Stirling Unit

  866,911

  Catering

  All hospitals except Bonnybridge

  2,594,367

  Grampian

  As at 6 July 1989 Grampian health board had let 11 contracts, four to private contractors. Costs and savings are as follows:

  Contract details

  Total price of successful bid

  Calculated savings

  VAT payment to Treasury

  VAT refund

  Number of staff-redundant head count

  Redundancy payments from Government

  Annual pension and lump sum payments

  Accrued holiday payments

  £

  £

  £

  £

  £

  £

  £

  Geriatric and specialist services unit

  Domestic1

  804,838

  209,074

  50,498

  (50,498)

  241

  169,152

  48,499

  54,792

  Catering

  878,872

  119,046

  Nil

  Nil

  None

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Mental health unit

  Domestic2

  885,045

  75,430

  56,097

  (56,097)

  138

  119,348

  36,370

  54,531

  Catering

  939,853

  137,312

  Nil

  Nil

  None

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Portering

  146,962

  23,385

  Nil

  Nil

  None

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Community unit

  Domestic3

  473,241

  64,950

  5Nil

  Nil

  99

  47,330

  51,970

  30,632

  Catering

  564,253

  100,057

  Nil

  Nil

  None

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  West unit

  Domestic

  468,511

  61,531

  Nil

  Nil

  None

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Catering

  540,872

  60,467

  Nil

  Nil

  None

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Area HQ

  Domestic4

  21,471

  12,310

  5Nil

  Nil

  17

  9,118

  2,648

  2,551

  Foresterhill unit

  Hotel

  3,475,485

  825,740

  Nil

  Nil

  None

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Price of unsuccessful in-house bid:

  1 £1,110,913

  2 £960,475

  3 £510,463

  4 £31,628

  5 Contract not commenced.

  Lanarkshire

  As at 3 July 1989 Lanarkshire health board had awarded eight contracts. All of these were won by the inhouse operator. The preparation and evaluation of

  Contract details

  Total price of successful bid

  Calculated savings

  VAT payment to Treasury

  VAT refund

  Number of staff-redundant head count

  Redundancy payments from Government Annual Equivalent

  Pension and lump sum payments Annual Equivalent

  Accrued holiday payments

  £

  £

  £

  £

  £

  £

  £

  Coathill Hospital (Domestic)

  150,161

  9,198

  Nil

  Nil

  None

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Stonehouse Hospital (Domestic)

  286,131

  20,133

  Nil

  Nil

  None

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Law Hospital (Domestic)

  729,324

  115,199

  7,574

  (7,574)

  38

  27,348

  13,418

  6,692

  (Catering)

  643,351

  112,076

  2,130

  (2,130)

  10

  6,827

  8,338

  2,313

  Hartwood Hospital (Domestic)

  858,250

  148,900

  5,348

  (5,348)

  26

  11,500

  10,681

  5,067

  Hairmyres Hospital (Domestic)

  420,433

  316,317

  5,450

  (5,450)

  44

  28,310

  17,828

  9,498

  514
  tenders now forms part of the normal duties of the administrative and support staff within the board and as such the duties are not costed separately. Costs and savings are as set out in the table.
  515

  Contract details

  Total price of successful bid

  Calculated savings

  VAT payment to Treasury

  VAT refund

  Number of staff redundant head count

  Redundancy payments from Government Annual Equivalent

  Pension and lump sum payments Annual Equivalent

  Accrued holiday payments

  £

  £

  £

  £

  £

  £

  £

  Bellshill Hospital (Domestic)

  231,895

  71,905

  2,800

  (2,800)

  9

  9,069

  3,882

  1,272

  Cleland, Wishaw and Roadmeetings Hospitals (Domestic)

  360,000

  77,600

  3,522

  (3,522)

  13

  7,570

  2,730

  2,402

  Lothian

  As at 12 July Lothian health board had let eight contracts—six in house and two to private contractors. Costs and savings are as set out in the table.

  Contract details

  Total price of successful bid

  Calculated savings

  VAT payment to Treasury

  VAT refund

  Number of staff redundant head count

  Redundancy payments from government

  Annual pension and lump sum payments

  Accrued holiday payments

  £

  £

  £

  £

  £

  £

  £

  Royal Infirmary and Associated Hospital Unit (Domestic)1

  1,384,699

  634,666

  207,705

  (207,705)

  420

  326,680

  206,560

  90,000

  Mental Health Unit (Domestic) 2

  1,155,943

  342,874

  173,391

  (173,391)

  412

  362,744

  135,960

  75,000

  Royal Victoria/Northern/Corstorphine/Beechmount (Catering)

  841,631

  29,519

  Nil

  Nil

  None

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  East Unit (Catering)

  1,054,412

  117,058

  Nil

  Nil

  None

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  St. John's Hospital, Howden (Pre-clean Domestic)

  8,273

  New service

  Nil

  Nil

  None

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Grounds and Gardens (Maintenance)

  242,316

  199,825

  Nil

  Nil

  Between 2 and 12

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  St. John's and Bangour (Domestic)

  700,016

  328,892

  Nil

  Nil

  Not yet known

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  St. John's (Catering)

  631,096

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  1 Total value of in-house bid £1,595,522.

  2 Total value of in-house bid £1,550,524.

  Forests
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what incentives he is considering to protect the forested areas of the United Kingdom.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The forested areas of Britain are generally well protected. The felling of trees is controlled by the Forestry Commission in exercise of its powers under the Forestry Act 1967; the commission is also active in protecting the health of trees.

  The protection of forests in Northern Ireland is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Professional Liability
  Mr. Heddle
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when he expects to announce the conclusion of his Department's study to establish the nature, scope, extent and implications of professional liability problems.

  Mr. Maude
  We have received the report of the professional liability review under the chairmanship of Professor Andrew Likierman which covered selected
  516
  professions: auditors, construction industry professions and surveyors. We are making arrangements for it to be published in October, and we shall make a statement at that time.

  White Papers
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 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 the Department of Trade and Industry prior to May 1979.

  Mr. Newton
  The last three White Papers published by my Department, in which legislation was proposed and has been subsequently started or completed were: "Intellectual Property and Innovation" (Cm. 9712), "Financial Services in the UK" (Cm. 9432) and "Safety of Goods" (Cm. 9302). These were published on 15 April 1986, 29 January 1985 and 12 July 1984 respectively and the First Readings of the Copyright Designs and Patents, Financial Services and Consumer Protection Bills resulting from them took place on 28 October 1987, 18 December 1985 and 19 November 1986. It is not for me to
  517
  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.

  Research Clubs
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many(a) research clubs and (b) research club members there have been in each of the past five years; what has been the extent of Government support to research clubs; and how many (a) clubs and (b) members there are in each standard region.

  Mr. Forth
  The information is not available in the form requested.

  My Department supports a wide variety of research clubs. Some of these are managed by DTI's own research establishments. Currently 44 clubs, with 1,981 members, are associated with DTI research establishments. Of these 15 are run by the national engineering laboratory in Scotland and 29 by laboratories in the south-east region. The members are firms and research organisations from all parts of the United Kingdom and some from overseas.

  Last year my Department published an evaluation report covering 104 clubs current in October 1987 which at that time had 2,430 members (including multiple memberships). The report is available from my Department's library. I will send the hon. Member a copy.

  Computers
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether his Department has investigated the implications for privacy that arise from the itemised billing computer systems of BT and Mercury when they have a warrant from a court; and whether he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  Provisions about customer privacy are already incorporated in the licences which have been granted by the Secretary of State to British Telecom and Mercury under section 7 of the Telecommunications Act 1984. The licences require each company to observe the terms of a code of practice on the confidentiality of customer information, approved by the Director General of Telecommunications, which regulate the disclosure of information about a customer.

  Girobank
  Miss Hoey
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps he is taking to review the decision to sell Girobank to the Alliance and Leicester building society in view of the refusal of the Building Societies Commission to permit the Alliance and Leicester to keep Girobank's leasing and commercial lending business.

  Mr. Newton
  The Government were aware that Girobank's leasing and commercial lending business would be ultra vires for a building society and took this into account in endorsing the Post Office board's decision to grant the Alliance and Leicester a period of exclusive negotiations. Appropriate arrangements in respect of these activities are among the matters covered in those negotiations, the details of which are confidential.

  Post Office Counters
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is his assessment of by how much the amount which would be realised from the sale into the private sector of Post Office Counters would exceed the book value of its property assets.

  Mr. Newton
  We have no estimate of the possible sale value of Post Office Counters Ltd. The net book value of its land and buildings at 29 March 1989 was shown as £70·8 million in its 1988–89 accounts.

  Beer
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Cardiff, West (Mr. Morgan), 21 June,Official Report, column 177, if he will list those representations he has received in favour and those against the recommendations of the report, "The Supply of Beer," Cm. 651.

  Mr. Maude
  I have received a considerable number of representations from many different organisations and individuals, including 1,980 letters. Of these, some were in favour of all of the MMC's recommendations; some were against the recommendations; and others were in favour of some recommendations and against others.

  In some instances, correspondents have written several times, amending their views following statements in the House and another place. In other cases correspondents have asked that their letters be treated in confidence.

  It is not possible, in these circumstances, to give a precise answer.

  Trading Standards Officers
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many trading standards officers there are in each local authority area in England and Wales.

  Mr. Forth
  Information on the number of trading standards officers employed in each local weights and measures authority is contained in "Trading Standards Statistics" published by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy, a copy of which is held in the House of Commons Library.

  Fireworks
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will publish details of firework injuries for 1988 by type of injury and in each geographical region.

  Mr. Forth
  The firework injury statistics given in a written answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Harrow, West (Mr. Hughes) on 20 April, at columns 256–58 included a breakdown by severity of injury and separated eye injuries from the total. No further details of the type of injury involved is available.

  The table contains an analysis of fire accidents by type of firework and regional health authority.
  519

  Great Britain

  Analysis of Firework Accidents 1988 by Type of Firework and Regional Health Authority

  Regional Health Authority

  Banger

  Rocket

  Roman Candle Etc.

  Sparkler

  Other Proprietary Firework

  Homemade or Extracted Powder

  Unspecified Type

  Totals

  Northern

  10

  8

  6

  8

  5

  3

  25

  65

  Yorkshire

  21

  15

  5

  9

  10

  0

  16

  76

  Trent

  14

  14

  4

  7

  6

  2

  16

  63

  East Anglia

  4

  6

  2

  1

  3

  0

  4

  20

  North West Thames

  4

  7

  4

  5

  6

  0

  18

  44

  North East Thames

  6

  12

  0

  4

  4

  0

  26

  52

  South East Thames

  15

  17

  6

  5

  12

  3

  28

  86

  South West Thames

  7

  6

  3

  5

  2

  0

  17

  40

  Wessex

  2

  7

  7

  10

  1

  2

  13

  42

  Oxford

  7

  4

  5

  3

  6

  1

  7

  33

  South Western

  9

  12

  4

  7

  5

  2

  7

  46

  West Midlands

  20

  16

  13

  17

  11

  0

  31

  108

  Mersey

  5

  5

  2

  4

  5

  0

  14

  35

  North Western

  20

  22

  12

  7

  6

  1

  18

  86

  Board of Governors

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Scotland

  9

  11

  6

  4

  3

  1

  16

  50

  Wales

  9

  1

  4

  6

  1

  2

  7

  30

  Total

  162

  164

  83

  102

  86

  17

  263

  877

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what representations have been made to him by(a) trading standards officers and (b) the Health and Safety Executive concerning proposals to change the procedures to test fireworks.

  Mr. Forth
  Trading standards officers have complained that there are too few test houses capable of testing fireworks for safety, and that those local authorities doing the most testing will face a financial burden. The Health and Safety Executive is concerned that it is not its proper function to test fireworks and that it is the proper responsibility of trading standards departments. My Department is looking into the arrangements for the testing of fireworks.

  Holidaymakers
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is his policy towards the recent EEC Commission proposals to provide increased consumer protection for holiday makers; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Forth
  The United Kingdom shares the concerns expressed by many member states at the Tourism Council on 14 December about the draft directive on package travel, particularly the provisions on liability. The Council concluded that the draft needed to be re-examined in the light of the debate and taking into account the views of the European Parliament. We are disappointed that the revised proposals submitted on 6 July do not reflect the concerns expressed at the Council. We will continue to negotiate firmly but constructively in Brussels.

  Small Businesses
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the achievements of his Department and his policies in helping small businesses over the last 12 months compared with the previous 12 months; and if he will publish the performance indicators by which his Department monitors those achievements and the statistical results of such monitoring.
  520
  Mr. Newton
  The Government's general policy towards small businesses is to create a climate in which they can flourish and to provide measures that support and help stimulate their development.

  The enterprise initiative was launched by my Department on 13 January 1988 with the aim of encouraging the process of wealth creation by stimulating individual initiative and enterprise. It comprises a number of individual initiatives covering the consultancy initiatives, research and technology, enterprise and education, regional assistance and the recently relaunched export initiative. All share the objectives of encouraging enterprise, developing management skills, promoting best practice and thereby improving competitiveness.

  The consultancy initiatives form a major element of the enterprise initiative. They offer financial support to small and medium-sized firms for between five and 15 days of consultancy in the following key management areas: design, marketing, manufacturing systems, quality, business planning and financial and information systems. Independent firms with less than 500 employees in most manufacturing and service sectors in England, Scotland and Wales may benefit from up to two of the consultancy initiatives.

  By 30 June 1989, a total of 29,800 applications had been received, 26,600 business reviews had been completed and 20,200 projects for assisted consultancy had been approved.

  One of the main objectives of the export initiative is to assist small companies to develop their export potential. New support for small companies includes the introduction of a national network of export development advisers targeted specifically at companies in the £1 million to £10 million turnover range. It is too early to access the impact of these new measures.

  Regional enterprise grants (REG) were introduced as part of the regional initiative in April 1988. They are aimed specifically at small businesses in the development areas and South Yorkshire employing fewer than 25 people, arid are designed to support their investment and innovation projects. In 1988–89, the first year of the scheme, my Department received 1,637 applications, and made 922 offers of grant with a total value of £7·7 million. The DTI, together with the Welsh and Scottish Offices, has

  521
  established a rolling evaluation programme for the scheme to assess the cumulative effect on recipient businesses and on the economy of eligible areas.

  Yearly figures for the work of the inner cities initiative are not available. However from the time the initiative began in 1986 until the 31 March 1988, it is estimated that the task forces have, in meeting their objective of encouraging enterprise, provided support for more than 3,800 businesses the majority of which are small ones. This assistance has taken a variety of forms including loans and grants from the task force development funds.

  The small firms merit award for research and technology (SMART) encourages small businesses to engage in high-risk projects in the fields of advanced manufacturing techniques, advanced materials, biotechnology and information technology.

  In 1988 a total of 140 cash awards were made out of a total of 930 applications. It is too early to judge the long term effects of the scheme, but it is hoped that the eventual success rate will exceed 50 per cent. of the firms that have been supported by the scheme.

  (a)

  (b)

  (c)

  Grants received (external financing limits)

  Estimated private investment attracted1

  Land reclaimed

  (£ million)

  (£ million)

  (Acres)

  Black Country development corporation

  25·4

  99·0

  104·0

  Bristol development corporation

  0·3

  —

  —

  Central Manchester development corporation

  2·5

  35·0

  2·5

  Leeds development corporation

  2·7

  0·2

  —

  London Docklands development corporation

  512·4

  6,857·0

  1,571·0

  Merseyside development corporation

  189·0

  44·0

  704·0

  Sheffield development corporation

  8·0

  0·4

  5·0

  Teesside development corporation

  26·0

  39·0

  84·0

  Trafford Park development corporation

  25·5

  201·0

  44·0

  Tyne and Wear development corporation

  28·0

  45·0

  54·0

  1 In addition to the figures quoted, there are various major investments currently in the pipeline.

  English Estates
  Mr. Gerald Howarth
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he will make a statement on English Estates' future development strategy.

  Mr. Newton
  In his statement of 27 July 1988, my right hon. and noble Friend the Secretary of State set out a new strategy for English Estates' operations in the assisted areas. The statement recognised that English Estates would continue to be an important instrument of Government regional policy, but that the significant improvement in the property market in some parts of the assisted areas meant that a major change of emphasis in the corporation's role was necessary in order to encourage the emerging private sector interest in providing industrial and commercial floor space in those areas. In particular it was envisaged that English Estates' role as a facilitator would assume much greater significance through the marketing of development opportunities, the preparation and disposal of serviced sites, and joint ventures; and that English Estates would itself only provide premises in the areas and of a type where private sector provision remained inadequate and was likely to remain so in the foreseeable future.

  The property market in the assisted areas has continued to improve, with rental levels rising strongly in many parts of the country. English Estates will shortly be publishing
  522
  Our White Paper "Releasing Enterprise" lists nearly 120 deregulation achievements across all Departments, with around 80 new proposals in the coming year. Although not targeted specifically at small businesses, these matters will be of particular benefit to them.

  Inner City Regeneration
  Mr. Heddle
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the impact of urban development corporations on the regeneration of inner cities, indicating inter alia(a) the amount of grants made, (b) the amount of private investment attracted, (c) the number of acres retained and (d) other benefits achieved in each of the urban district councils in England and Wales.

  Mr. Trippier
  I have been asked to reply.

  Urban development corporations are making a significant impact on the problems of dereliction and decay at the heart of several of our inner cities. The specific figures for each English urban development council, up to 31 March 1989, are as follows:

  brochures setting out its future development strategy region by region, with emphasis on proposals to be started during 1989–90.

  For the current financial year, I have asked the corporation to aim for an assisted areas programme of up to £44 million. In addition, English Estates has started work on a special programme for the provision in Sunderland of some £7·5 million for factory space over and above its existing commitment in the north-east. We expect £4 million of that special programme to fall within 1989–90, producing a total capital expenditure programme in the assisted areas this year of up to £48 million, compared to £45 million in 1988–89.

  Our intention is to give a clear signal to the private sector of the opportunities that exist or are becoming available for private investment in parts of the country which have previously been served by direct provision by public sector agencies, while at the same time reaffirming the Government's commitment to areas where, for the time being, the private sector is not providing the new industrial and commercial floor space needed for the promotion of viable new economic activity and employment opportunities.

  In addition to the assisted areas programme, English Estates has reached an agreement with a private sector company, London Industrial, to co-operate in a joint venture for a substantial programme to provide managed

  523
  work space in inner city areas of London. Other managed work space projects will be undertaken within the assisted areas in Manchester and Rochdale and there is a further project in Derby.

  Industrial Location
  Mr. Henderson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) what form of monitoring is under way on the net job changes which have arisen or which are projected to arise as a result of the impact of the Channel tunnel and 1992 on industrial location;

  (2) what form of monitoring is under way on the relocation of investment by British-based companies in mainland Europe arising out of the impact of the Channel tunnel and 1992.

  Mr. Newton
  [holding answer 11 July 1989]: Changes in unemployment between and within regions are regularly monitored. Information about direct investment by United Kingdom companies overseas is collected annually as part of the overseas transactions inquiry and published in the Business Monitor (MA4 overseas transactions). The latest information available relates to 1987. Information on cross-border acquisitions and mergers is published quarterly by my Department. Figures for the first quarter of 1989 were published on 15 July.

  National Engineering Laboratories
  Mr. Gerald Howarth
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what further steps are to be taken to facilitate the privatisation of the national engineering laboratory.

  Mr. Newton
  We made it clear on 17 May that, following advice from Touche Ross management consultants and the NEL supervisory board, successful privatisation of NEL required restructuring and a new commercially oriented approach to business. Privatisation of NEL remains the Government's objective so that it can best respond to the needs of its customers in industry.

  It is vitally important that a stable management framework be put in place so that the necessary changes to the laboratory can be introduced. To do this as quickly as possible we have decided that the laboratory should become a next steps agency with the objective of achieving commercial viability prior to privatisation.

  BAT Bid
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will refer the recent bid for BAT to the Director General of the Office of Fair Trading with a view to an inquiry by the Monopolies and Mergers Commission; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maude
  [holding answer 19 July 1989]: The bid by Hoylake for BAT is currently under consideration by the Director General of Fair Trading who will advise my right hon. and noble Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in the normal way on whether the proposed acquisition should be referred to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission. It would not be appropriate to comment in detail on this case in advance of the director general's advice.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Water Quality
  Mr. Speller
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on what dates the last two water quality or pollution checks were made in the Bristol channel; at which locations these were made; and what were the results.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  The two most recent shipboard surveys in the Bristol channel carried out by my Department were conducted in October 1987 from the research vessel Clione. On the first of these, 65 stations were occupied over the length of the Bristol channel. The objectives were to study the distribution of trace elements in the waters of the channel and to recover a number of fish from the area for trace metal analysis. The second cruise focused on a grid of 75 stations around the sewage sludge disposal ground. Sediment samples were recovered for trace metal and microbiological analysis as well as investigations of sediment-dwelling organisms.

  In addition to shipboard study, my scientists also collected samples of mussels from Minehead, Porthcawl and Lynmouth in 1988 for cadmium analysis.

  The results of these surveys wil be published as soon as possible.

  Environmentally Sensitive Areas
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he has had on the issue of access as part of the conditions for farmers receiving grants for designated environmentally sensitive areas.

  Mr. Ryder
  I have had no discussions on the matter because access is not a condition for farmers receiving environmentally sensitive area payments. These are paid to encourage the adoption of environmentally beneficial agricultural practices.

  Meat Tenderisers
  Mrs. Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research his Department is conducting into meat tenderisers.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  My Department is funding no current studies.

  Cereals Co-responsibility Levy
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement giving details of the operation of the cereals co-responsibility levy for the current year, including the total cost of administration of the scheme and the average length of time taken to make repayments of the levy.

  Mr. Ryder
  The cereals co-responsibility levy is collected from first buyers of grain, who are required to register with the intervention board for agriculture produce. The first buyers collect the levy from growers and submit it with their returns to the Home Grown Cereal Authority who act as the board's agents for this purpose. All registered first buyers are given full details of the operation of the scheme by the intervention board.
  525
  The total intervention board costs of collecting the levy in 1988–89, including £105,000 for the development of a computer system, were £430,000. Administration costs connected with the levy were also incurred by the four United Kingdom Agriculture Departments but these are not identifiable separately from other costs incurred in implementing policy in the cereals sector.

  The necessary information is not collected to produce an average period for the time taken to make repayments of part of the additional levy in 1988–89. However, distribution of repayment claims started in mid-December 1988 and the deadline laid down in Community legislation for the repayments to be made is 31 July 1989.

  Bovine Somatotropin
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recommendations he has received from the veterinary products committee on Elancom's application for a product licence for bovine somatotropin following its April and May meetings.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  I have received no such recommendations. At these two meetings the Committee considered that it needed further information and the company has been afforded the opportunity to provide it.

  Anthrax
  Mr. Martin Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cases of anthrax have been recorded in the last 12 months.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  In the past 12 months there have been three outbreaks of anthrax in Great Britain involving a total of 19 animals.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a product licence was granted for anthrax vaccine; if it is still valid; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  A product licence for an anthrax vaccine was issued on 21 November 1972; it expired on 31 August 1988, when the company concerned did not seek to renew it.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food under what statutory authority anthrax vaccine being produced at his Department's central veterinary laboratory is to be used; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  The use of this vaccine would be subject to the terms of an animal test certificate or a product licence issued under the Medicines Act 1968, and to the agreement of the farmer concerned.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for South Shields of 18 July on monitoring procedures for anthrax, how he identifies suspect and non-suspect animals under the Anthrax Order 1938; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  The Anthrax Order 1938 requires anyone who suspects the presence of anthrax in a carcase or live animal to notify that fact to the Ministry. If, after initial veterinary investigation, anthrax cannot be 526
  ruled out, the carcase is destroyed and blood or tissue samples are sent to the central veterinary laboratory for final diagnosis.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for South Shields of 18 July, whether the anthrax vaccine to be manufactured at his central veterinary laboratory is an autogenous one; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  The vaccine is not autogenous.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what further action has been taken by his Department with regard to the outbreak of anthrax in Wales.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  I have been asked to reply.

  The producer has accepted my offer of compensation for the slaughter of the whole herd.

  Animal Medicines
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask t he Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the product licences for animal medicines which have been granted without reference to the veterinary products committee in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  Each year a number of licences (174 in 1986, 99 in 1987 and 198 in 1988) are issued for new products. All applications relating to previously unlicensed ingredients, or to ingredients which though previously licensed are proposed for new routes of administration or to treat additional diseases, or which otherwise raise problems of assessment are reported to the veterinary products committee. Others, including applications for licences for products identical to other products already licensed, are assessed by officials. In addition several hundred licences are issued each year to renew expiring licences, without reference to the VPC.

  A record of licences issued without reference to the VPC is not maintained separately and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Farm Animals (Deaths)
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the total number of(a) cows, (b) pigs and (c) sheep which received post-mortem inspections to investigate the cause of death for each year since 1982; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  Yes. Information is as follows:

  Cattle

  Sheep

  Pigs

  1982

  3,044

  6,366

  3,992

  1983

  3,376

  7,052

  3,868

  1984

  3,253

  7,413

  3,578

  1985

  3,404

  7,141

  3,272

  1986

  3,264

  7,568

  3,014

  1987

  2,871

  6,293

  2,417

  1988

  2,891

  6,057

  2,107

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will introduce a requirement to record the deaths of farm animals and the movement thereof, in the animal movement book; and if he will make a statement.
  527
  Mr. Donald Thompson
  I have no plans to do so.

  Veterinary Products Committee
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many members there are on his veterinary products committee; and if he will give the numbers attending each of its last 12 meetings.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  The numbers of VPC members fluctuates as appointments are made and resignations occur. Including the chairman, the numbers of members at the times of each of the last 12 meetings and the members which attended are as follows:

  Number of members

  Number attending

  June 1988

  21

  14

  July 1988

  21

  14

  September 1988

  14

  14

  October 1988

  14

  9

  November 1988

  14

  11

  December 1988

  14

  9

  January 1989

  17

  14

  February 1989

  17

  16

  March 1989

  17

  15

  April 1989

  17

  15

  May 1989

  16

  13

  June 1989

  16

  11

  Nuvan
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for how long a product licence was granted by the veterinary products committee in respect of Nuvan's use on fish farms.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  In accordance with the veterinary products committee's recommendation, a product licence for one year has been issued for Aquagard sea-lice treatment.

  Cauliflower Florets
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the number of plant trials and tests carried out in each year since 1982 into the colour and solidity of cauliflower florets.

  Mr. Ryder
  I understand that trials were first carried out by the National Institute of Agricultural Botany in 1984. The number of trials undertaken by the institute in each year is as follows:

  Year

  Autumn harvest

  Spring harvest

  1984

  2

  1

  1985

  2

  10

  1986

  2

  2

  1987

  1

  2

  1988

  1

  1

  1989

  1

  1

  1 Trial failure.

  The colour, as such, of florets is not recorded, only off-colours.

  Plant Testing
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Minister of State for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what are the sources of funds for plant variety testing and seed certification in each year since 1982 both gross and net of fee income, and in both current and standard prices;

  (2) if he will list the sources of finance for the National Institute of Agricultural Botany in current and standard prices for each year from 1982 to 1988–89 distinguishing between Government grants for statutory work and grant-in-aid.

  Mr. Ryder
  Details of public funding for the National Institute of Agricultural Botany (NIAB) and other bodies engaged in plant variety testing and certification work are published in the appropriation accounts, copies of which are available in the Library of the House. Final outturn figures for 1988–89 are not yet available—provisional figures are given in supply estimates. The relevant references are:

  1982–83 Vol III Class III Agriculture Fish & Forestry 88-III

  1983–84 Vol III Class III Agriculture Fish & Forestry 614-III

  1984–85 Vol III Class III Agriculture Fish & Forestry 592-III

  1985–86 Vol III Class III Agriculture Fish & Forestry 586-III

  1986–87 Vol III Class IV Agriculture Fish & Forestry including IBAP and FC107-III

  1987–88 Vol III Class IV Agriculture Fish & Forestry including IBAP and FC7–7-III

  1988–89 Supply Estimates Class IV MAFF including IBAP and FC339-IV

  Details of NIAB private funding are published in the Institute's annual reports, copies of which are also available in the Library of the House.

  Pre-packed Salads
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) in which year charges were introduced for tests on pre-packed crisp salad; and what income is derived from such charges;

  (2) what is the number of tests carried out on pre-prepared packs of crisp salad, together with the numbers of test failures in each year since 1983.

  Mr. Ryder
  Charges for microbiological and other laboratory tests undertaken by ADAS farm and countryside service were introduced in 1972. The results of such tests and the testing criteria are confidential to the customer paying for such work. There are no specific composition standards or definitions of "pre-packed crisp salad material". It is for the customer therefore to specify the material he wishes to be tested under this description and the tests to be applied. Information on the number of tests and the income from them cannot be reliably estimated in view of the range of materials and tests which could be involved.

  Seed Standards
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food at what date Britain became the technical co-ordinator for Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development work on seed standards; and at which agency this work is carried out.

  Mr. Ryder
  The National Institute of Agricultural Botany has acted since 1954 as co-ordinating centre for the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development seed certification schemes. The service is provided under direct contract.

  Post-mortems
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list all the animals, farmed, domestic and wild on which his veterinary investigation centre will carry out post-mortem examinations, giving for each type of animal the current cost of each examination and whether the cost is borne by(a) farmers, (b) the Ministry or (c) some other party; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  [holding answer 21 July 1989]: The Ministry's veterinary investigation service carries out post-mortem examinations for a range of animals for different purposes. The cost of examining a particular carcase varies according to its size and the detail of the examination required. Indicative costs, however, can be taken as those shown in the table for chargeable laboratory diagnosis.

  (a) Chargeable Laboratory Diagnosis
  A diagnosis service is provided for veterinary surgeons in private practice. Species covered include any farmed species of bird, fish or mammal. Charges are made to the veterinary surgeon or, in the case of fish or birds, the owner. Current charges, based on average costs and excluding VAT, are:

  Per carcase

  Per batch

  £

  £

  Birds, small mammals and fish

  10·00

  15·00

  Calves, sheep, goats and pigs

  17·00

  25·00

  Yearling and adult cattle

  30·00

  —

  Other animals would be charged according to size.

  (b) Statutory measures to protect the health of livestock
  This covers the Ministry's work in preventing and controlling disease. Species examined could include any bird, fish or mammal except man. Costs are borne by the Ministry.

  (c) Measures to protect public health
  As part of our work in protecting public health from zoonoses, examinations may be carried out on any kind of mammal (except man), any four-footed beast which is not a mammal or birds of any species. Costs are borne by the Ministry.

  (d) Post registration surveillance of agricultural chemicals
  Under the wildlife incident investigation scheme any free living bird, mammal (except man) or companion animal (that is, dogs, cats etc.) may be submitted for examination for the presence of chemical residues. Costs are borne initially by the Ministry and recovered from chemical manufacturers from fees paid for pesticide registration.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  China
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will take steps to make it clear to the Chinese ambassador that citizens of China now in the United Kingdom are not to be subject to any pressure or threats to return to China.

  Mr. Eggar
  As I informed the House on 16 June, we have already raised with the Chinese chargé d'affaires press reports of harassment of Chinese students in this country. The chargé assured us that these reports were a complete fabrication. We would be concerned at any evidence of attempts to induce Chinese citizens here to return to China against their own free will. If such evidence is available, we would of course raise the matter with the Chinese authorities.

  Mr. Salman Rushdie
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will issue instructions to all British posts overseas that no questions concerning Mr. Salman Rushdie or "The Satanic Verses" should be put at interviews with those, including priests, applying for visas to visit the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  No. Entry clearance officers must have discretion in establishing the purpose and bona fides of those applying to visit the United Kingdom.

  Small Businesses
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the achievements of his Department and his policies in helping small businesses over the last 12 months compared with the previous 12 months; and if he will publish the performance indicators by which his Department monitors those achievements and the statistical results of such monitoring.

  Mr. Eggar
  In 1988–89, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office continued to place a part of its requirements for goods and services with small businesses. The value of this business over the last two financial years was:

  £ million

  1987–88

  15·06

  1988–89

  16·38

  These figures represent 15·9 per cent. of the total expenditure in the last financial year compared to 12·5 per cent. the previous year.

  A number of FCO departments are involved in the purchasing function. Each department monitors and records its own expenditure with small firms. New systems are being introduced into the main purchasing centres to enable the information to be recorded by computer.

  The FCO director of purchasing disseminates to purchasing departments information and guidance on procurement from small firms. He ensures that, whenever possible, such firms are included in invitations to tender and that they are awarded contracts if their offer is the best on a value-for-money basis.

  The FCO also provides assistance to small firms through the export promotion services available at posts overseas.

HEALTH

  Leukaemia Clusters
  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evidence he has on alleged links between instances of leukaemia clusters and nuclear power stations; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  Two studies have been published which looked at leukaemia and cancer rates in the vicinity of nuclear power stations (as well as other nuclear installations) in England and Wales. The first study' was published in 1987 by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys. The second study2 was published earlier this year. Copies of this material are in the Library.
  531
  Both studies have been referred to the independent committee on medical aspects of radiation in the environment (COMARE), which provided a preliminary assessment of this work in its third report to Government' published last month, a copy of which is in the Library. For a summary of COMARE's findings, I refer the hon. Member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Newbury (Sir M. McNair-Wilson) on 21 June 1989 at column 151–52.
  1 'Cancer incidence and mortality in the vicinity of nuclear installations. England and Wales, 1959–80'. Office Population Censuses and Surveys. Studies on Medical and Population Subjects No. 51. (HMSO 1987).
  2 'Geographical variation in mortality from leukaemia and other cancers in England and Wales in relation to proximity to nuclear installations, 1969–78'. British Journal of Cancer 59 476–485.
  3 'Report on the incidence of Childhood Cancer in the West Berkshire and North Hampshire area, in which are situated the Atomic Weapons Establishment, Aldermaston and the Royal Ordnance Factory, Burghfield'. (HMSO 1989).

  NHS Funding
  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the figure in real terms for the increase in funding(a) for the National Health Service as a whole and (b) for the Harrogate district health authority since May 1979.

  Mr. Freeman
  Harrogate health authority was established on 1 April 1982. Prior to that date Harrogate formed part of the North Yorkshire area health authority and district based figures were not collected centrally.

  The table shows the real terms increase in gross revenue expenditure between 1982–83 and 1987–88 (the latest year for which figures are available):

  £ million

  1982–83

  1987–88

  Real terms percentage increase1

  All RHAs and SHAs

  8,141·2

  10,243·5

  10·1

  Harrogate health authority

  20·1

  25·3

  13·2

  1 Using the GDP deflator.

  Since then health authorities have received further real terms increases bringing the total estimated increase over the period 1982–83 to 1989–90 nationally, and in Harrogate health authority to over 14 per cent.

  Small Shops (Licensing)
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he has any plans to introduce a licensing system aimed at smaller shops, to ensure that they are fit and responsible enough to sell eggs and other produce.

  Mr. Freeman
  The Government have been consulting a large number of organisations on a thorough review of food legislation, including proposals for the registration of food premises. We shall be bringing forward legislation as soon as the parliamentary timetable permits.

  Community Health Councils
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what reviews or surveys are being carried out or planned into community health councils in England and Wales; with what terms of reference; and if he will make a statement.
  532
  Mr. Mellor
  No such review is being carried out or planned by the Department. I understand that the Association of Community Health Councils in England and Wales has recently endorsed a report from a pane] of inquiry into the role and organisation of community health councils, and we will be considering the report carefully.

  Child Migrant Schemes
  Mr. Michael J. Martin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children were sent to New Zealand and Australia by voluntary organisations under the child migrant schemes in each year since 1964.

  Mr. Mellor
  We do not hold this information centrally.

  Community Care
  Sir John Farr
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if, in drawing up his White Paper on community care, he will take account of the views expressed to him by CARE, Kibworth, Leicester, about funding an individual when a local authority declines to top up its proportion of the cost involved.

  Mr. Mellor
  We are pleased to receive views from all interested parties about our proposals for community care and will take them into account in preparing the White Paper to be published in the autumn. I am afraid that we are unable to trace the correspondence from CARE in Kibworth referred to by my hon. Friend, and I would be grateful if he could arrange for a copy to be sent to me.

  Swimming
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many fatalities have occurred in each of the last 10 years as a result of members of the public swimming in reservoirs and other waters not designated for recreational use in(a) the United Kingdom, (b) North West England, and (c) Bolton; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  The information requested based on details recorded at time of death registration could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Nurses and Midwives (Grading)
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will break down the information given in his answer to the hon. Member for Thurrock (Mr. Janman), on 11 July at column 468, about bids by district health authorities for additional financial allocations from the sum available in 1988–89 for flexible pay settlements for nursing and midwifery staff to show the number of bids in respect of midwifery staff, the grades of the posts concerned, and the number of such bids which were accepted.

  Mr. Mellor
  Four bids were received in respect of posts clearly designated as midwifery, covering 152 staff. Of these three were accepted, covering 146 staff graded at D, E and F, and one was rejected, covering six staff at grade I.

  A further 10 bids were received in respect of units related to maternity where the greater proportion of the posts may be filled by midwives. These were all accepted, and covered 267 staff at grades C to G.

  Cholesterol Tests
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what guidelines his Department issues for the use of over-the-counter tests for blood cholesterol levels;

  (2) if his Department has any plans to regulate the sale and use of over-the-counter cholesterol tests.

  Mr. Freeman
  We have not issued any guidelines on the use of over-the-counter tests for blood cholesterol levels and there are no current plans to regulate the sale and use of such tests.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department has taken to establish the accuracy of over-the-counter tests for blood cholesterol levels.

  Mr. Freeman
  The Department is funding an evaluation of the two most commonly used machines for measuring blood cholesterol levels in the United Kingdom, involving testing both under laboratory conditions and in GP clinics. The work is being carried out by Mr. Peter Broughton of Wolfson research laboratories in Birmingham, and includes accuracy testing, and investigation of performance variation when carried out by skilled and non-laboratory trained operatives. The final report will be available by the end of the year.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans his Department has to introduce nation wide blood cholesterol level screening for adults; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  We have invited the Standing Medical Advisory Committee to advise on the cost-effectiveness of wider cholesterol testing in the prevention and treatment of heart disease.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Cran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many letters were received from, and sent to, hon. Members by his Department in(a) January and (b) the whole of this session up to 1 July.

  Mr. Freeman
  The Department received 1,165 letters from, and despatched 1,176 letters to, hon. Members in January. In the whole of this session up to 1 July 14,348 letters were received and, by that date 10,615 replies sent.

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  Number of cases of principal types of food poisoning detected or reported 1983–88 (England and Wales)

  Clostridium botulinum

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Salmonella enteriditis

  1,774

  2,071

  3,096

  4,771

  6,858

  15,427

  Salmonella typhimurium

  7,785

  7,264

  5,478

  7,094

  7,660

  6,444

  Other salmonellas

  5,596

  5,392

  4,756

  5,111

  6,014

  5,607

  Listeriosis

  115

  115

  149

  137

  259

  1291

  Number of incidents (outbreaks and isolated cases) of other types of food poisoning reported 1983–88 (England and Wales)

  Clostridium perfringens

  68

  68

  64

  61

  151

  2—

  Staphylococcus aureus

  17

  10

  13

  11

  113

  2

  Bacillus sp

  24

  28

  22

  26

  124

  2

  Laboratory reports of Campylobacter infections

  17,299

  21,049

  23,619

  24,844

  27,415

  128,761

  1 Provisional

  2 Not yet available

  Source: PHLS

  NHS Reform
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many community health councils have made representations to his Department opposing the Government's White Paper "Working for Patients"; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  We have received a number of representations from community health councils. These generally welcome the proposals in the White Paper aimed at enhancing standards of patient care. Some express support for other proposals or raise questions on specific issues. I regret that it is not possible to quantify the representations in the way the hon. Member requests.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether his proposals for medical audit announced in "Working for Patients" will be extended to professional groups other than doctors; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 19 July 1989]: Obviously in the care of the patient a number of professions are involved and it is important that work on developing audit measures is complementary. Whilst "Working for Patients" focused mainly on the care and treatment provided by doctors, work to establish audit in other health professions is taking place. For example, an important part of the Department's project "Making Best Use of Nursing Skills" is concerned with developing a nursing audit package.

  Waiting Lists, Hampstead
  Sir Geoffrey Finsberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the waiting list figures for June 1988 and June 1989 in respect of the Hampstead health authority.

  Mr. Mellor
  The latest published figures, for September 1988, show 4,386 patients on Hampstead health authority's waiting list. The figure for September 1987 was 3,706. Provisional figures for March 1989 suggest a substantial reduction, to below the September 1987 level.

  Food Poisoning
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of botulism, salmonella enteriditis, salmonella typhimurium, listeriosis and other types of food poisoning have been detected and reported since 1983 for each month of each year.

  Mr. Freeman
  The information is not readily available in the form requested. Annual figures for 1983 to 1988 are given in the tables. It is not known how many of the campylobacter infections are food-borne.

  Regional Secure Units
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he intends to seek to amend section 66(1) of the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968 in order to include visitors to patients in regional secure units.

  Mr. Freeman
  There are no plans to amend this section of the 1968 Act.

  Small Businesses
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the achievements of his Department and his policies in helping small businesses over the last 12 months compared with the previous 12 months; and if he will publish the performance indicators by which his Department monitors those achievements and the statistical results of such monitoring.

  Mr. Freeman
  A booklet has been produced and a series of seminars held on how to do business with the NHS. Other initiatives include the issuing of a mission statement on electronic data interchange which encourages small firm involvement and progress has been made on harmonisation of European standards of equipment, which will assist small businesses in their future trading in Europe. Equal opportunity to trade on a value for money basis underpins all contracts with non-NHS organisations, the details of these are not collected centrally.

  Cigarette Advertisements
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether cigarette advertisements which contain only the warning that smoking when pregnant can injure the baby and cause premature birth, and not a more general health warning linking smoking to lung cancer and other respiratory illnesses, are treated as being in breach of the current code of practices in relation to cigarette advertising; whether he has any plans to strengthen the current arrangements; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  The warning "Smoking when pregnant can injure your baby and cause premature birth" is one of the six agreed warnings included in the voluntary agreement with the tobacco industry on tobacco products' advertising and promotion, and health warnings. This warning contains important information and we have no plans to discontinue its use. It is used in rotation with five other warnings which highlight the other health risks associated with cigarette smoking. On the question of re-negotiating the current voluntary agreements with the industry, officials have had some preliminary discussions with the Tobacco Advisory Council, and we are considering the way forward.

  Salomons Science Theatre
  Sir Barney Hayhoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he has taken to ensure that the covenants concerning the Salomons Broomhill estate are being fully honoured, and that the science theatre and its fixtures, fittings and contents are being properly maintained and protected against vandalism.

  Mr. Freeman
  These are matters for which the South East Thames regional health authority is responsible.
  536
  Sir Barney Hayhoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when Mr. Frank Holland, MBE, director of the British Piano Museum Educational Charitable Trust, may expect a reply to his letter of 27 April to Mr. K. Lau, regional liaison division of his Department, about the David Salomons science theatre.

  Mr. Freeman
  A letter was sent to Mr. Holland on 22 May. Officials will write again to Mr. Holland, enclosing a copy of this, in case he did not receive it.

  Scientific Staff
  Mr. Allan Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will make a statement on the extent of current shortages of National Health Service physicists, biochemists, other scientists and clinical psychologists;

  (2) what is the latest available information on the turnover of National Health Service physicists, biochemists, other scientists and clinical psychologists.

  Mr. Mellor
  We do not hold the information centrally.

  Mr. Allan Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will set up an independent inquiry into the determination of the salaries of National Health Service physicists, biochemists, other scientists and clinical psychologists.

  Mr. Mellor
  No. The negotiation of pay for these groups is a matter for the appropriate Whitley Council.

  Mr. Allan Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received concerning the re-establishment of the link between the pay of scientific civil servants and that of National Health Service physicists, biochemists, other scientists and clinical psychologists; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  We have received numerous letters from hon. Members enclosing letters from constituents who make reference to the pay of scientific civil servants.

  Cook-chill Catering
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will commission an independent study of the comparative nutritional values of cook-chill methods of hospital catering and the implications for the diet and health of short-stay and long-stay hospital patients a nd make public the results.

  Mr. Freeman
  No. I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 10 July at column 372.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his policy on the size of portions of food to be served to patients when district health authorities are introducing cook-chill meals.

  Mr. Freeman
  The provision of catering services is the responsibility of local health authorities.

  Abortions
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many abortions were performed under ground 6 of the Abortion Act 1967 in each year since 1968.
  537
  Mr. Freeman
  The information requested is shown in the table.

  Abortions performed under ground 6 of the 1967 Abortion Act, which allows an abortion in an emergency to prevent grave permanent injury to the physical or mental health of the pregnant woman, 1968–88

  Year

  Total

  1968

  45

  1969

  31

  1970

  36

  1971

  12

  1972

  15

  1973

  12

  1974

  6

  1975

  2

  1976

  9

  1977

  8

  1978

  7

  1979

  10

  1980

  3

  1981

  9

  1982

  5

  1983

  3

  1984

  8

  1985

  11

  1986

  4

  1987

  4

  11988

  5

  1 Provisional data.

  Mental Health Act Commission
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many special hospitals there are in the area covered by the Liverpool office of the Mental Health Act Commission; and if he will list them.

  Mr. Freeman
  Two; Moss Side and Park Lane hospitals.

  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he has any plans to close the Liverpool office of the Mental Health Act Commission;

  (2) if he has plans to review the work of the Mental Health Act Commission; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) what plans he has to centralise the work of the Mental Health Act Commission.

  Mr. Freeman
  We shall be considering shortly the Commission's review of its functions, organisation, staffing and finance. Centralisation is one of the issues being considered as part of that review. We expect to reach decisions well before the end of the year.

  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he last held discussions with the Mental Health Act commissioners in the north-west; and what subjects were discussed.

  Mr. Freeman
  We are in regular contact with the Commission chairman and secretariat, but it has not been the practice to meet commissioners on a regional basis.

  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health why no Mental Health Act commissioners in the north-west were re-appointed this year; and what is the position with regard to re-appointments in other regions.

  Mr. Freeman
  The normal length of appointment as a commissioner is now four years, though some are invited to serve for longer because of the exceptional 538
  contributions they make. Twenty-nine commissioners appointed by my predecessors complete at least four years in office this autumn, and five have been invited to serve for a further period because of their individual contributions. Two of these are based in the southern region and three in the north eastern region.

  Child Protection Registers
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what financial resources have been made available to local authorities in the last five years for which figures are available to alleviate the problem of unallocated cases on child protection registers; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  The overall level of central Government's contribution to expenditure by local authorities takes into account services authorities are required to provide. It is however for the authorities themselves to determine how to allocate the funds available to them in the light of local circumstances and overall legislative requirements.

  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information he has as to the number of children on the child protection registers of each London borough and the number in each London borough who have not been allocated to a social worker.

  Mr. Mellor
  The available information is in the table.

  Local Authority

  Number1

  Camden

  279

  Greenwich

  467

  Hackney

  176

  Hammersmith

  226

  Islington

  280

  Kensington

  146

  Lambeth

  565

  Lewisham

  412

  Southwark

  873

  Tower Hamlets

  238

  Wandsworth

  283

  Westminster

  138

  City of London

  0

  Barking

  77

  Barnet

  181

  Bexley

  205

  Brent

  212

  Bromley

  203

  Croydon

  170

  Ealing

  182

  Enfield

  106

  Haringey

  296

  Harrow

  70

  Havering

  53

  Hillingdon

  147

  Hounslow

  118

  Kingston-upon-Thames

  75

  Merton

  118

  Newham

  317

  Redbridge

  134

  Richmond-upon-Thames

  76

  Sutton

  95

  Waltham Forest

  208

  1 Children on Child Protection Registers.

  We do not hold information about unallocated cases centrally and it could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Foster Care Placements
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information he has as to the number of foster care placements by each London borough which are outside the boundaries of those boroughs; and whether any local authorities have reported to him any difficulties in recruiting foster carers.

  Mr. Mellor
  The latest available information is as follows:

  Children in care at 31 March 19871 boarded out by London authorities in the area of other authorities who were not boarded out with a relative or friend and were not living in a relative's household

  Local authority

  Number3

  Camden

  137

  Greenwich

  49

  Hackney

  204

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  103

  Islington2

  —

  Kensington and Chelsea

  75

  Lambeth

  244

  Lewisham2

  —

  Southwark

  248

  Tower Hamlets

  177

  Wandsworth

  147

  Westminster

  78

  City of London

  3

  Barking and Dagenham

  30

  Barnet

  13

  Bexley

  50

  Brent

  91

  Bromley

  34

  Croydon

  41

  Ealing

  92

  Enfield

  44

  Haringey

  96

  Harrow

  20

  Havering

  28

  Hillingdon

  18

  Hounslow

  59

  Kingston Upon Thames

  18

  Merton

  44

  Newham

  103

  Redbridge

  58

  Richmond Upon Thames

  12

  Sutton

  34

  Waltham Forest

  56

  1 Figures for 1987 are provisional and subject to revision.

  2 Figures for Islington and Lewisham were not available.

  3 Children in care who were boarded out in the area of another local authority and were not boarded out with a relative or friend.

  We understand that some local authorities are not successful in recruiting within their own areas a sufficient number and range of foster parents for children requiring placements.

  Indicative Prescribing Budgets
  Mr. Anthony Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health by what means general practitioners will monitor their indicative prescribing budgets; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  The Government indicated in working paper 4 of the NHS review series ("Indicative Prescribing Budgets for General Medical Practitioners") that the ideal way of providing information at all levels to operate the indicative prescribing budget scheme was an enhancement of the existing prescribing analyses and cost system known as PACT.
  540
  Our feasibility studies have confirmed that PACT can be speeded up, and made more frequent and more comprehensive. I have therefore asked the Prescription Pricing Authority and my Department to develop PACT to provide all general practitioners with monthly budgetary statements from April 1991. These budgetary statements will normally be provided no more than four weeks after the month in which the relevant prescriptions were dispensed. Existing PACT reports will continue to be provided.

  I will continue to hold discussions with interested parties before deciding upon the detailed content and format of these reports and other associated improvements to PACT. I shall also be making available PACT data aggregated at family practitioner committee level to all family practitioner committees and regional health authorities from 1 August 1989 to enable them to prepare for indicative prescribing budgets.

  My decision will take away from general practitioners the burden of paperwork which might otherwise be associated with the introduction of indicative prescribing budgets. An enhanced PACT will also provide regional health authorities and family practitioner committees with information they need both to set and to monitor budgets.

  Indicative prescribing budgets will take full account of the fact that some patients and groups of patients, for example elderly people, diabetics and patients on home dialysis, need a greater volume of drugs or more expensive drugs than others. The scheme will ensure that budgets fully reflect these costs. There will be no disincentive to practices to accept such patients or to begin to prescribe expensive medicines to existing patients, if there is a clinical need to do so.

  Overseas Visitors (Fees)
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health in what circumstances British citizens may be charged fees as overseas visitors for treatment within the National Health Service; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  Residence in the United Kingdom, not citizenship, is the measure of qualification for hospital treatment without charge under the National Health Service. British citizens not ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom will be charged as overseas visitors for NHS hospital treatment.

  General practitioners have the discretion whether to accept a visitor as a NHS patient. If a visitor is unable to find a GP willing to accept him onto the GP's list, he can apply to the family practitioner committee which will allocate him to a GP who must then accept him as a NHS patient.

  Disability
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health on how many occasions in 1989 meetings to discuss the implementation of section 7 of the Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act 1986 have been held between his Department and(a) the local authority associations and (b) the National Association of Health Authorities; on how many occasions meetings have been arranged but subsequently cancelled at the request of his Department; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 19 July 1989]: Officials had arranged to meet representatives of the local authorities

  541
  associations and the National Association of Health Authorities in February but this was deferred to March to allow further preparatory work to be done. The National Association of Health Authorities was invited but did not send a representative. At that meeting it was agreed that officials would work on identifying the processes likely to be required for assessment purposes and costings before another meeting is held. No further meeting has yet been arranged.

  Magnetic Resonance Scanners
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the locations at which nuclear magnetic resonance scanners are available within the National Health Service.

  Mr. Freeman
  [holding answer 20 July 1989]: Nuclear magnetic resonance scanners are located on the following National Health sites in the United Kingdom:

  Royal Infirmary, Aberdeen

  Southern General, Glasgow

  Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh

  Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham

  Hammersmith Hospital, London (RPMS)(2)

  National Hospital, London (2)

  St. Bartholomew's, London

  National Heart, London

  Mount Vernon, London Guy's, London

  Camden Children's, London

  John Ratcliffe, Oxford

  Addenbrookes, Cambridge

  Frenchay, Bristol

  Walsgrave, Coventry

  Royal Marsden, Sutton

  Castle Hill Hospital, Cottingham
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health from where the proposed finishing kitchen at Castle Hill hospital, Cottingham, will receive its supplies of prepared food.

  Mr. Freeman
  [holding answer 20 July 1989]: This is a local matter and not for me. We have no doubt however that the district health authority will seek to use the most cost effective and efficient source of supply available. The hon. Member may wish to contact the chairman of the East Yorkshire health authority for such information as may be available at this time.

  Cyclotron Machines
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if, before making funds available for the purchase of a cyclotron machine for St. Thomas's hospital, he took into account evidence of the use and success rate of cyclotron machines in other European Economic Community countries;

  (2) what evidence he had about existing cyclotron machines' performances in the United Kingdom before providing funds of the purchase of the cyclotron for St. Thomas's hospital.

  Mr. Freeman
  [holding answer 20 July 1989]: I refer the hon. Member to my reply to him on 17 February 1989 at column 419.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Inland Revenue (Relocation)
  Mr. Brandon-Bravo
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to announce a decision on the proposal to relocate over 2,000 Inland Revenue head office posts to Nottingham; and whether there are any plans to relocate the remaining pay-as-you-earn tax work currently carried on in tax offices in the London area.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  Following an internal review of its London headquarters accommodation, the Board of Inland Revenue published on 21 April this year a working party report which recommended that, in view of the continuing problems which faced the Department on its accommodation and staffing in the London area, over 2,000 posts in headquarters and other specialist officers should be relocated from south-east England.

  After full consultations with the appropriate Civil Service unions, with senior management and with staff, the board has concluded, with my agreement, that some 2,100 posts should be relocated. The great majority of these posts will move to Nottingham provided that a suitable site for a new office development can be obtained on satisfactory terms. As well as headquarters staff, it is envisaged that the capital taxes office, the superannuation funds office and the office of the inspector of foreign dividends will be included in the move to Nottingham. Depending on progress, it is hoped that the main relocation of work to Nottingham will take place from 1992.

  As for the PAYE tax work, my hon. Friend will be aware that the majority of this work in the London area was transferred to offices in other parts of the country in the 1960s and 1970s. It has now been decided to move the PAYE work of some further 400 clerical and executive staff in late 1989 to Cardiff, Bootle, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Livingston, and the Department is looking at the possibility of moving the work of a further 1,200 or so PAYE posts, including all of the remaining London posts, away from the London area in the period from mid-1990 to mid-1992.

  While work is being moved the Department will try to ensure that any inconvenience to the public is kept to a minimum. For the longer term, in order to maintain a service for those who need to make a personal visit to discuss their tax affairs, the existing network of local inquiry offices in the London area will be strengthened and enlarged where necessary.

  The moves will secure a good and cost-effective service for the taxpayer. Better recruitment prospects outside the south-east will result in a more experienced and stable work force.

  Life Assurance
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer in what respects investment-linked life assurance policies are taxed differently from endowment-linked mortgage policies; and what would be the saving to the revenue from treating the latter on the same basis as authorised unit trusts.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  For the life office, in no respects. For the policy holder, no distinction is drawn between investment-linked policies, as such, and endowment
  543
  policies associated with mortgages. For any sort of policy, the tax treatment will depend on the terms of the policy (in particular, whether it is a "qualifying" policy); the circumstances in which policy benefits are paid out; and the overall tax position of the policy holder. Most endowment policies associated with mortgages are not investment-linked and therefore cannot be treated on the same basis as unit trusts: no estimate can accordingly be made of the revenue effect of doing so.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate for 1989–90 of the figures quoted in paragraphs 6.9 and 5.16 of the recent consultation paper on the taxation of life assurance.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  There is no paragraph 5.16 in the consultative document to which the hon. Member refers. Information required to update the estimates to 1989–90 in paragraph 6.9 is not available.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the aggregate value of single premium life assurance policies; what is his estimate of the amount of tax collected per £1,000 of single premium over the life of a single premium life assurance policy in terms of constant prices; and what is his estimate of the gain to the revenue per £1,000 of premium from a tax regime meeting the criteria set out in paragraph 3.3 of the consultative document on the taxation of life assurance issued by the Inland Revenue in June.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  No estimate is available for the total value of single premium policies. None can be made for the lifetime tax yield per £1,000 of premiums paid on such policies whether under the current tax regime or under any alternative regime. This would vary widely depending on the future performance of each policy, on future tax rates, on the overall tax position of the life offices and policy holders concerned, and on the length of time for which each policy holder chose to retain his policy.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated revenue yield in the current financial year from fully implementing each of the options listed in paragraph 7.9 of the recent consultation paper on the taxation of life assurance; and if he will publish in the Official Report the charge falling on the policy holders and shareholders in the case of investment-linked and other life assurance, distinguishing where appropriate between qualifying and non-qualifying policies, current charges, exit charges and capital gains.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  The options to which the hon. Member refers set out in broad outline possible alternative approaches to the reform of life assurance. The extra yield, if any, to be expected from implementation of these options would depend on the precise measures assumed to be adopted. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in the Budget the Governments' proposals for implementation along the lines of "Option C" in the consultative document: estimates of the initial effect of these proposals on tax yield, and indications of their possible long-run effects, were published in the "Financial Statement and Budget Report" (HC 235).

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated revenue yield in the 544
  current financial year from taxing pension schemes on the basis of the first and last of the principles set out in paragraph 7.3 of the recent consultation paper of the taxation of life assurance.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  The first principle in paragraph 7.3 of the consultative document "The Taxation of Life Assurance" is that income earned for policy holders should be taxed as it arises and that capital gains should be taxed, at the latest, as they are reflected in benefits paid out. To apply this principle to funded occupational pension schemes would require that tax relief on the investment income of the funds should be withdrawn. It would be for decision whether pensioners would be allowed a tax credit to set against the tax due on the pensions paid to them to reflect the tax which had been borne by the fund on its investment income. The net revenue cost or yield would depend upon the precise proposal, on the nature of any transitional provisions and on the behavioural responses of investors and institutions. Any estimate of revenue would almost certainly involve disproportionate cost.

  The last principle is that tax effectively borne by policy holders and that actually reaching the Exchequer should as far as possible be in line. For occupational pension schemes, this already applies.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated share and estimated value of the pension and annuity business referred to in paragraph 6.23 of the recent consultation paper on the taxation of life assurance; and what is the amount of the disparity referred to in paragraph 6.25.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  On the basis of a sample of companies for 1986, pension and general annuity business liabilities at the end of that year amounted to about half of total life assurance liabilities, amounting to some £110 billion, of offices authorised to do life assurance business in the United Kingdom.

  The disparity referred to in paragraph 6.25 of the consultative document "The Taxation of Life Assurance" will be eliminated once relevant measures in the current Finance Bill come into full force from 1 January 1990.

  Savings
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for the various forms of institutional saving the estimated gain to the revenue in the current financial year from disallowing commission etc. as an expense.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  Information on which to base a reliable estimate is not available centrally.

  Engagements
  Mr. Siliars
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list his engagements when he expects to make a major speech on the economy.

  Mr. Major
  My right hon. Friend will be speaking on a number of occasions over the next few months, including the IMF/IBRD meetings in Washington (26–28 September), the Conservative party conference (10–13 October) and at the Mansion house (19 October).

  Charitable Donations
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what basis Customs and Excise assess liability for value added tax on the whole of a donation by a commercial company towards an advertisement by a charitable organisation, rather than on the value of that part of the advertisement which might be deemed to be promoting the company.

  Mr. Lilley
  There is no VAT liability on unconditional gifts of money, but where payments are conditional on a charitable organisation supplying clearly identifiable benefits in return, for example, advertising or publicity, such supplies are liable to VAT, and have to be accounted for at the standard rate by any charitable organisation whose taxable turnover exceeds the registration limits.

  TSB Scotland
  Mr. Siliars
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the text of the letter of assurance about the future of TSB Scotland which he received from the then chairman of the TSB Group at the time of privatisation.

  Mr. Lilley
  The letter written when the Trustee Savings Bank Act 1985 was under consideration was published in Hansard on 4 July 1985 at cols. 261–63.

  Mr. Siliars
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will institute an inquiry into the TSB before its proposed restructuring takes place, with a view to ensuring that pledges of autonomy for its Scottish operations, which were given at the time of flotation, are fulfilled.

  Mr. Lilley
  The future structure of the TSB is a matter for the TSB. I note that the TSB has recently confirmed that the assurances made at the time of its flotation will be honoured.

  Interest Rates (Mortgages)
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many letters he has received from members of the public on the level of interest rates or their impact on the cost of mortgages.

  Mr. Lilley
  My right hon. Friend has received a number of letters on this subject.

  "Official Report" (Sales)
  Mr. Cran
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the average daily sale of daily parts of the Official Report in 1988 and in each of the preceding nine years.

  Mr. Lilley
  The estimated average number of copies sold per issue for each year since 1980 is given in the table. I regret that figures for 1979 are no longer available.

  House of Commons Daily

  House of Lords Daily

  1980

  6,169

  3,855

  1981

  5,812

  3,688

  1982

  5,391

  3,295

  1983

  5,221

  3,234

  1984

  5,005

  3,290

  1985

  4,925

  3,038

  1986

  4,713

  3,030

  546

  House of Commons Daily

  House of Lords Daily

  1987

  4,638

  2,930

  1988

  4,535

  2,669

  Inflation
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the current level of inflation.

  Mr. Lilley
  The all items RPI inflation rate in the year to June 1989 was 8·3 per cent. the same as in May. A better indication of underlying inflation is given by the increase in the RPI excluding mortgage interest payments; it rose 5·9 per cent. in the year to June 1989, down slightly from the 6 per cent. figure in May.

  Small Businesses
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the achievements of his Department and his policies in helping small businesses over the last 12 months compared with the previous 12 months; and if he will publish the performance indicators by which his Department monitors those achievements and the statistical results of such monitoring.

  Mr. Major
  The Government's economic policies are designed to maintain a vigorous economy in which business and enterprise can flourish. Over the last 12 months we have continued our commitment to this goal. Among the specific measures helpful to small businesses introduced in the last Budget were:for the small companies' lower corporation tax rate of 25 per cent. profit limit raised by 50 per cent. to £150,000 and the limit for receiving transitional relief raised to £750,000; simplification of pensions rules and substantial increases in personal pension contribution limits;
  improved tax reliefs designed to encourage employee participation in PRP and employee share schemes (including ESOPS);
  abolition of close company apportionment rules;
  introduction of the receipts basis of schedule E (a simpler system for the assessment of earnings).
  extended relief for pre-trading expenditure;
  VAT registration threshold raised broadly in line with inflation;
  CGT gifts relief retained for business assets.

  We are continually looking at ways of reducing the burdens on small businesses. In addition to the continuous review of forms, explanatory notices and leaflets with the aim of providing guidance which can be easily understood, the following changes have been achieved in the last 12 months:
  The completion of the computerisation of PAYE and extension throughout the country of computerisation of the tax affairs of the self-employed.
  From 1 July 1989 the scope of the Community carnet was extended. Development work has taken place for the introduction on 1 August 1989 of two fast lane systems which will speed up the clearance of certain EC imports.
  Development work is proceeding on a new computerised system for the handling of import export freight which will speed up the clearance of goods.
  We have also carried out thorough examinations of:

  The VAT cash accounting scheme;

  Default surcharge;

  VAT bad debt relief;

  Export data capture;

  VAT second hand schemes; and

  PAYE communications between employers and the Inland Revenue

  547
  The results of these reviews are under consideration.

  Debt Repayment
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the exchanges between his officials and Sir Kit McMahon and the team of Midland bankers who visited Brazil in February to consider debt repayment problems.

  Mr. Peter Lilley
  [holding answer 17 July 1989]: It has been internationally agreed that it is not for the Government to intervene in negotiations between commercial banks and debtor countries, and the United Kingdom fully supports this policy. Accordingly there have been no discussions on Brazil's debts to commercial banks between my officials and Sir Kit McMahon or other members of the Midland bank team which visited Brazil.

  EC (Tax Relief)
  Mr. Lester
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish figures of the information he has for wage and salary earners in each of the member states of the European Community showing(a) which allow income tax relief against social security contributions, (b) which allow income tax relief against specified travel to work costs, (c) which have a non-specific earned income tax relief and (d) which allow income tax relief for work-related child care costs.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  [holding answer 19 July 1989]: According to our latest available information, these reliefs are allowed in the EC member states as follows:

  (a) In all member states, except the United Kindom and Ireland, social security contributions are generally an allowable deduction in the computation of taxable income from employment.

  (b) In Luxembourg and Netherlands specified travel to work costs are allowed as a deduction in the computation of taxable income from employment. Certain other countries, eg. Belgium, Denmark, France and Federal Republic of Germany grant a flat-rate expense deduction for employment income, which is intended to cover, inter alia, the cost of travel to work.

  (c) A general deduction in the computation of taxable income from employment, at varying percentages or flat-rates, is allowed in Belgium, Denmark, France, Federal Republic of Germany, Greece, Luxembourg, Netherlands and Spain. A flat-rate credit against tax due is allowed in Italy.

  (d) Certain reliefs in the form of deductions in the computation of taxable income from employment, with varying provisions regarding, for example, the marital status of the taxpayer and the age of the relevant children, and usually up to a specified maximum deduction, are allowed in Belgium, France, Federal Republic of Germany, Greece, Luxembourg and Netherlands.

  Family Deeds of Covenant
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will reproduce in the Official Report the text of the Inland Revenue press release sent out following the 1988 Budget regarding the date by which notification of family deeds of covenant executed before 15 March 1988 had to be intimated to the Inland Revenue; and to which newspapers and periodicals this press release was sent;
  548
  (2) what information he has regarding the newspapers and periodicals in which there was publication of a reference to the Inland Revenue press release issued after the 1988 Budget and relating to the 30 June deadline by which intimation had to be made to the Inland Revenue of family deeds of covenant executed before 15 March 1988.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  [holding answer 20 July 1989]: The text of the Inland Revenue press release issued on 15 March 1988 was as follows:
  "The Chancellor proposes in his Budget to abolish tax relief for payments made by individuals under non-charitable Deeds of Covenant made on or after today. Recipients will be exempt from tax on the payments. This will greatly simplify the existing system.
  The change will apply to covenants made to students by their parents, as well as to other covenants. Parental contributions to student grants will, however, be reduced for new students. Full details will be published by the Department of Education and Science tomorrow.

  Details

  1. Non-charitable covenants made by individuals on or after 15 March 1988 will have no effect for tax purposes. This means that:
  payers should not deduct tax from covenanted payments and will not get tax relief on them, and recipients will not pay tax on them or be able to claim repayment.

  2. The present rules will continue to apply to
  all covenants in favour of charities;
  other covenants made by individuals before 15 March 1988 provided they are received by the tax office by 30 June 1988.

  Deduction of tax

  3. The effect of the reduction in the basic rate of income tax on charitable covenants, and on other covenants made before today, is set out in a separate Press Release.

  NOTES FOR EDITORS

  Present tax position

  1. A deed of covenant is a way of legally transferring income from one person to another. It can be effective for tax purposes under present law if it is capable of running for more than 6 years (or more than 3 years if it is in favour of a charity).

  2. On making each payment under the covenant the payer deducts basic rate tax and so gets basic rate relief. If the recipient is not liable to tax he can claim the tax deducted from the payment back from the Inland Revenue.

  Effect of the Budget proposals

  3. The payer will not be entitled to deduct tax from payments made under a new covenant (unless it is to a charity). If he covenants to pay £100, that is the amount he will pay and the recipient will receive. The Inland Revenue will not be involved. A separate Treasury Press Release explains the background to the proposals. Details will be available from tax offices shortly.

  Students

  4. Student covenants made on or after 15 March 1988 will be treated in the same way as other new covenants. But since the payments will no longer be taxable, students will have the whole of their personal tax allowances to set against other income, such as vacation earnings. Furthermore, for new students there will be a new and more generous scale for assessing parental contributions to their maintenance grants.

  A word of warning

  5. A Deed of Covenant is a legal document and it is not permissible to put a date on it earlier than the date it is executed. This will result in refusal of any tax refund. It can also result in prosecution by the Inland Revenue for attempted fraud.

  Other transfers of income

  6. Covenants which transfer income from one person to another are "annual payments". The proposals will also apply to other "annual payments" which transfer income in a similar way from an individual to someone else; but they will not apply to interest payments or to payments made for commercial reasons in connection with the payer's business.
  549
  Copies of the press release were sent to all national newspapers, over 200 other periodicals and local newspapers, and over 3,000 individuals and organisations which receive copies of Inland Revenue press releases on subscription. A leaflet was also available from local tax offices shortly after 15 March 1988.

  There were many articles in the press about various aspects of the 1988 Budget measures, including the changes in the tax treatment of non-charitable covenants. Comprehensive information about press reports is not available, but the particular point about the 30 June 1988 deadline which the hon. Member has in mind was specifically mentioned in a number of publications, including the Financial Times, The Daily Telegraph, Which?, Taxation and the New Law Journal. The point was also covered in the BBC radio programme "Money Box".

  Freelance Journalists
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received about Inland Revenue procedures over taxing the earnings of freelance journalists.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  [holding answer 20 July 1989]: None in recent months.

  Endangered Species
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will provide a breakdown of the articles derived from endangered species by(a) type, (b) animal and (c) country of origin seized by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise in the year to 31 March.

  Mr. Lilley
  [holding answer 20 July 1989]: The detailed information sought will not be available for some time. As soon as it is, I shall write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my reply in the Library.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Newham, North-West of 26 May,Official Report, column 810, if he will now give the finalised record of articles derived from endangered species seized in 1988.

  Mr. Lilley
  [holding answer 20 July 1989]: The detailed information sought is not yet available. As soon as the necessary collation has been completed, I shall write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my reply in the Library.

  Freelance and Self-employed People
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will seek to introduce legislation to provide consistent treatment for tax purposes for all freelance and self-employed persons.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  [holding answer 20 July 1989]: No. I am not aware of any inconsistency in the legislative treatment, for tax purposes, of people in business on their own account.

  Official Hospitality
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much was spent by his Department on official hospitality in 1988–89.

  Mr. Brooke
  [holding answer 21 July 1989]: The amount spent by my Department on official hospitality was £56,451 in 1988–89.

  Dangerous Substances
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his policy on compensation of industry for restrictions imposed on the use of dangerous substances.

  Mr. Chope
  I have been asked to reply.

  I assume the hon. Member is referring to my Department's consultation paper of 17 May, inviting comments on draft regulations introducing controls over hazardous substances. There is no intention to provide a general system of compensation where restrictions are imposed on the location and use of such substances. This follows the principle that compensation is not normally payable for a refusal of planning consent, or for making a consent subject to conditions. The new regulations will, however, provide for deemed consents to be automatically available for established uses.

DEFENCE

  Aircraft Interceptions
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many Soviet Backfire aircraft have penetrated the United Kingdom air defence region since 1979;

  (2) how many unidentified aircraft entered the United Kingdom air defence region in 1988; how many of these were (a) Soviet military aircraft, (b) non-Soviet military aircaft and (c) civil aircraft.

  (3) in what year the Royal Air Force first intercepted a Soviet Backfire aircraft; and what was the approximate location of the interception;

  (4) what was the average number of Soviet military aircraft intercepted per week by Royal Air Force aircraft in the United Kingdom defence regions in 1988; what are the trends in the level of activity since 1979; and what are the reasons for these trends;

  (5) what was the average number of scrambles of Royal Air Force interceptor aircraft to locate and identify unidentified aircraft approaching the United Kingdom air defence region in 1988; and what proportion of these scrambles resulted in interception of an intruding aircaft.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I refer the hon. Member to the answers given by my predecessor to him on 3 May 1988 at column 384, and to the hon. Member for Western Isles (Mr. Macdonald) on 14 December 1987 at column 412. The average number of Soviet aircraft intercepted in the United Kingdom air defence region each week in 1988 was 2–3. Details of such interceptions, including numbers of scrambles and types of aircraft intercepted are classified. I am not prepared to speculate about the reasons for fluctuations in Soviet aircraft activity.

  Training (Kenya)
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many training man-days were carried out by the Army in Kenya in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The information is not held in the form requested. However, since 1979, Army training in Kenya has comprised the following:

  (a) Infantry Battalion Group training exercises—involving approximately 600 men for six weeks, triannually since 1979;

  551

  (b) Royal Engineer construction training—involving approximately 120 men for two and a half months, annually since 1979;

  (c) Royal Engineer survey training—involving approximately 35 men for four to six weeks, annually since 1979 with the exception of 1982 and 1984;

  (d) Royal Signals training—two exercises, involving approximately 120 men and lasting for two and a half months, one in 1983 and one in 1984;

  (e) Infantry Company training—five exercises involving approximately 120 men, for six weeks, in 1979, 1981, 1983 1985 and 1987;

  (f) Adventurous Training—since 1986 there have been 27 expeditions of various types and for various lengths of time involving 418 people; information for the years prior to 1986 is not available.

  No. 3 Squadron, RAF Regiment
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the date of formation, operational base, equipment, staffing and role of No. 3 Squadron, Royal Air Force regiment.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  No. 3 Squadron Royal Air Force regiment, which is equipped with a variety of vehicles and infantry equipment, was formed in 1987. It is stationed at RAF Aldergrove, with a peacetime role of ground defence and general security duties. It is not our practice to publish detailed information about personnel numbers in operational units.

  HMS Trenchant
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what changes have occurred in the projected in-service date of HMS Trenchant since 1987; and what are the reasons for the changes.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  HMS Trenchant was delivered by the contractor in February this year. The delivery date forecast in 1987 was September 1988. The delivery date changed because of industrial action at VSEL during 1988.

  HMS Upholder
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what changes have occurred in the projected in-service date of HMS Upholder since 1987; and what are the reasons for such changes.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  HMS Upholder is planned to be delivered by the contractor around the end of 1989. The delivery date forecast in 1987 was August 1988. This change was due, first, to industrial action at VSEL during 1988 and, secondly because of a number of technical problems with new-to-service equipment on this the first of a new class of diesel-electric submarines.

  Sharp Spear
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the nature and purpose of the forthcoming North Atlantic Treaty Organisation exercise Sharp Spear; when and where it will take place; and how many ships, submarines, aircraft and personnel will take part.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Sharp Spear 89 is a major NATO maritime exercise which will take place from 7 to 21 September 1989 in the Baltic, Baltic approaches, the North sea, and waters surrounding the British Isles, including the 552
  Channel. It will demonstrate and improve the ability of NATO maritime forces to conduct shallow seas operations and protect reinforcement and merchant shipping in the waters off north-west Europe. Over 270 ships and submarines and 320 aircraft, and their associated personnel from 10 NATO countries will take part in the exercise.

  Low Flying
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has on the number of military jet flights at less than 1,500 ft over the Federal Republic of Germany in 1988.

  Mr. Neubert
  Ministry of Defence records of flights over the Federal Republic of Germany are maintained only for Royal Air Force aircraft. In 1988 RAF Germany carried out some 16,000 fixed-wing low-level sorties over the Federal Republic of Germany.

  No. 1 Squadron, RAF Regiment
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the reason for the redesignation of No. 1 Squadron, Royal Air Force Regiment as a light armour squadron.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  No. 1 Squadron Royal Air Force Regiment was redesignated as a light armoured squadron in 1982 when it was re-equipped with combat vehicles reconnaissance (tracked).

  Contracted-out Services
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what records are kept by his Department of employment levels in companies providing services to his Department on contract in areas where these services were previously provided by Ministry of Defence civilian personnel.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  It is not our policy to maintain detailed records of employment levels in companies who provide equipment or services to the MOD. It is a matter for the companies concerned.

  Euclid Programme
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the Euclid programme for European collaboration on defence technology research; and what role and financial contribution will be made by the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Defence Ministers, at their meeting in Portugal in June, agreed to launch a joint programme of research and technology in defence which will he called EUCLID (European co-operative long-term intitiative in defence). The programme which it is envisaged will start in 1990, enjoys full United Kingdom support and will be based on the IPEG's work to establish a European technology plan for a number of technology areas important to defence. More detailed proposals—including funding plans—will be submitted to IEPG Ministers at their next meeting in February 1990. Present plans envisage IEPG nations spending about 120 million ECUs (£80 million) per year on this initiative with a United Kingdom contribution in the order of £15 million. European industry will, in due course, be invited to put forward proposals to meet the research priorities identified in the programme.

  Animal Experiments
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Newham, North-West of 11 July,Official Report, column 495, if he will give details of the animals used in experiments by his Department or undertaken on a contract basis for each year since 1985 by (a) animal, (b) numbers and (c) type of experiment or test.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  [holding answer 20 July 1989]: The number of Ministry of Defence animal experiments recorded by the Home Office under the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876 and the subsequent Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 between 1985 and 1987 (the last full year for which figures are available) is as follows:

  Number

  1985

  6,900

  1986

  6,600

  1987

  9,200

  It is not our practice to provide further breakdown of these figures. Such information could enable an informed observer to gain a useful insight into the scope and direction of MOD's work, to the detriment of national security.

  Contractors have the same reporting responsibilities as MOD under the act and their procedures are reported to the Home Office, not to MOD.

  Small Businesses
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the achievements of his Department and his policies in helping small businesses over the last 12 months compared with the previous 12 months; and if he will publish the performance indicators by which his Department monitors those achievements and the statistical results of such monitoring.

  Mr Sainsbury
  To assist in obtaining better value for money, the Ministry of Defence has implemented a number of measures to broaden its competition base, In particular, in November 1986 my noble Friend the Minister of State for Defence Procurement launched the small firms initiative which particularly sought to encourage small firms to bid for MOD business. The success of the initiatives can be measured by the degree of involvement of new companies in our competitions.

  Over the last three years the MOD has made total
  554
  payments each year to small firms of about £1,000 million. The number of small firms receiving payment on direct contract has increased from some 4,000 in 1986–87 to over 7,000 in 1988–89. In 1987–88 some 1,500 firms sought advice from the newly formed small firms advice division, and in 1988–89 the figure was more that 2,500. In recognition of the division's success, in November 1988 my noble Friend relaunched it as the new suppliers service, with the aim of making the benefits of this service available to potential new suppliers of all sizes (including foreign companies).

  The small firms initiative is still a key element in encouraging competition and the new suppliers service retains a cell dedicated to dealing with small firms. In 1988–89 about 3,000 companies of all sizes approached the division for advice, either direct—by telephone or letter—or at the 60-odd sessions involving seminars or "meet the buyers" held throughout the United Kingdom last year. The seminars allow MOD's procurement policies and procedures to be explained to a large audience, and the "meet the buyer" sessions enable a wide range of individual queries to be dealt with at one forum; such events have been held, increasingly, in association with regional development agencies, the CBI and other interested bodies.

  The new suppliers service is responsible for producing the booklet "selling to the MOD" which offers important guidance on MOD's policies and procedures, useful background information and contact points. The fourth, much expanded, edition was published last autumn, containing much new information, not only on selling directly to the MOD but to our prime contractors. A fifth edition is planned for later this year.

  The service is also responsible for promoting the small firms research initiative (as part of the small firms initiative) aimed at encouraging small firms to bid for research work. In 1987–88, 32 firms won business totalling £1·1 million. In 1988–89, 38 firms won business worth £1·3 million. The trend is encouraging and the level of interest by small firms remains high.

  Registration of new companies on the defence contractors list remains high. In 1988, 300 new small firms were registered, the same as in 1987.

  The tangible results of the SFI show that a high level of interest continues, and that the demand for briefings and advice remain high as well. We shall continue to encourage small firms and monitor their response, and the contributions which this makes towards better value for money.

  Warships
  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much time warships spent on average at sea in 1988, 1978, 1968, and 1959 or for the nearest comparable 10 year intervals back from the latest available date.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Comprehensive information is not available in the form requested from 1968 or earlier. However, the average time spent at sea by warships in 1988 and 1978, expressed as a percentage of operational time, was 41 per cent. and 42 per cent. respectively. The Navy is well aware of the possible consequences on morale of long periods spent at sea, and aims to set the optimum sea/shore ratio in its fleet programme.

  RAF Upper Heyford
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Leyton, (Mr. Cohen), 18 April,Official Report, column 112, what information he now has on the nature and purpose of the proposed additions to the flight simulator facility, the engine shop and the avionics maintenance shop at RAF Upper Heyford.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I have nothing to add to the answer I gave the hon. Member on 13 July at columns 589–90.

  Ordnance Explosions (Deaths)
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many deaths have occurred to service personnel as a result of controlled explosions of ordnance in the last 10 years for which information is available.

  Mr. Neubert
  Apart from the three deaths in the tragic accident at Kineton on 17 July this year, which are to be the subject of a board of inquiry, over the past 10 years there have been no fatalities as a result of the controlled demolition of ordnance.

  United Kingdom regular forces—rank breakdown by service and sex at 31 March 1989

  Royal Navy

  Royal Marines

  Army

  Royal Air Force

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  Total strength

  53,500

  3,450

  7,689

  149,062

  6,505

  85,144

  6,299

  Officers—total

  9,080

  386

  690

  16,270

  1,040

  14,352

  1,022

  Breakdown by rank—numbers

  Field Marshall

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  General

  4

  —

  —

  8

  —

  6

  —

  Lieutenant General

  13

  —

  1

  10

  —

  9

  —

  Major General

  40

  —

  3

  65

  —

  52

  —

  Brigadier

  28

  1

  2

  239

  3

  107

  2

  Colonel

  362

  5

  35

  625

  16

  423

  3

  Lieutenant Colonel

  1,198

  14

  103

  1,838

  28

  1,361

  15

  Major

  2,400

  68

  182

  5,201

  135

  3,713

  97

  Captain

  3,149

  190

  288

  4,804

  484

  5,813

  441

  Lietenant/2nd Lt.

  600

  69

  —

  2,890

  350

  2,681

  435

  Officer designate

  1,285

  39

  76

  590

  24

  186

  29

  Breakdown by rank—percentage

  Field Marshal

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  General

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Lieutenant General

  0·1

  —

  0·1

  0·1

  —

  0·1

  —

  Major General

  0·4

  —

  0·4

  0·4

  —

  0·4

  —

  Brigadier

  0·3

  0·3

  0·3

  1·5

  0·3

  0·7

  0·2

  Colonel

  4·0

  1·3

  5·1

  3·8

  1·5

  2·9

  0·3

  Lieutenant Colonel

  13·2

  3·6

  14·9

  11·3

  2·7

  9·5

  1·5

  Major

  26·4

  17·6

  26·4

  32·0

  13·0

  25·9

  9·5

  Captain

  34·7

  49·2

  41·7

  29·5

  46·5

  40·5

  43·2

  Lieutenant/2nd Lt.

  6·6

  17·9

  —

  17·8

  33·7

  18·7

  42·6

  Officer designate

  14·2

  10·1

  11·0

  3·6

  2·3

  1·3

  2·8

  556
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to be able to publish the results of the inquiry into the deaths of three Army personnel at Kineton on 18 July.

  Mr. Neubert
  A board of inquiry into the incident at Kineton on 17 July will be established, following the submission, as evidence, of the RMP report on the incident, and will be completed as quickly as possible. It is not our practice to publish board of inquiry reports but I will write to the hon. Member once the board's findings are known. Additional precautionary safety guidelines have been issued pending the outcome of the inquiry.

  Type 23 Frigates
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he intends to make an announcement about the selection of the command and control system for the type 23 frigate.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Shortly.

  Service Personnel
  Mr. Boyes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many men and women hold non-commissioned officer rank in each of the forces; and what percentage of the total in the forces this represents by rank and sex;

  (2) how many persons there are in Her Majesty's forces, by Navy, Army and Air Force and by men and women,

  (3) how many persons there are in commissioned ranks by Navy, Army and Air Force; and what percentage of the total in each service is represented by (a) men and (6) women.

  Mr. Neubert
  The information requested is given in the following table:
  557

  Royal Navy

  Royal Marines

  Army

  Royal Air Force

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  Servicemen/women—total

  44,420

  3,064

  6,999

  132,792

  5,465

  70,792

  5,277

  Breakdown by rank—numbers

  Warrant Officer Class 1

  881

  14

  26

  2,191

  31

  2,158

  21

  Warrant Officer Class 2

  —

  —

  201

  5,864

  76

  —

  —

  Staff Sergeant

  8,257

  146

  342

  7,671

  160

  6,104

  34

  Sergeant

  7,579

  392

  719

  14,422

  530

  11,463

  332

  Corporal

  9,753

  834

  1,245

  22,503

  984

  20,956

  1,200

  Lance Corporal

  —

  —

  —

  22,337

  1,283

  —

  —

  Private (Classes 1 to 3)

  12,454

  1,118

  3,612

  42,780

  1,673

  26,792

  3,409

  Private Class 4/Junior

  5,496

  560

  854

  15,024

  728

  3,319

  281

  Breakdown by rank—percentages

  Warrant Officer Class 1

  2·0

  0·5

  0·4

  1·6

  0·6

  3·0

  0·4

  Warrant Officer Class 2

  —

  —

  2·9

  4·4

  1·4

  —

  —

  Staff Sergeant

  18·6

  4·8

  4·9

  5·8

  2·9

  8·6

  0·6

  Sergeant

  17·1

  12·8

  10·3

  10·9

  9·7

  16·2

  6·3

  Corporal

  22·0

  27·2

  17·8

  16·9

  18·0

  29·6

  22·7

  Lance Corporal

  —

  —

  —

  16·8

  23·5

  —

  —

  Private (Classes 1 to 3)

  28·0

  36·5

  51·6

  32·2

  30·6

  37·8

  64·6

  Private Class 4/Junior

  12·4

  18·3

  12·2

  11·3

  13·3

  4·7

  5·3

  Notes:

  1. All ranks shown are Army ranks. Personnel of the other Services are shown against their equivalent Army rank.

  2. A dash (—) represents zero or, in the sections of the table showing percentages, a value of less than 0·05.

  3. For the RN and RM only those officers holding Commodore and Brigadier appointments respectively are shown against the equivalent Army rank of Brigadier.

  Recruits (Pay)
  Mr. Boyes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the level of pay for a new recruit in each of the forces by men and by women.

  Mr. Neubert
  For male recruits in the Army and RAF the annual rate of pay on joining is:

  Junior (aged under 17½)—£3,321·50 to £4,500·45, depending on age

  Basic Trainees (aged over 17½)—£5,953·15 to £6,226·90, depending on the length of their initial commitment.

  Officer Cadets—£6,781·70.

  Rates for the Royal Navy are similar except that all basic trainees start on £5,935·15. The Royal Navy also employs apprentice artificers at a starting salary of £4,387·30 per annum.

  For femal recruits in all three services the annual rate of pay on joining is:

  £

  Under 17½

  4,460·30

  Basic trainees

  5,898·40

  Officer Cadets

  6,719

  Overseas Postings
  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of Army non-commissioned personnel who live abroad on accompanied postings and own homes are accompanied on such postings.

  Mr. Neubert
  The proportion of service men united with their families whilst serving overseas on accompanied postings is 95·6 per cent. It is not possible to identify what percentage of these are home owners, without incurring disproportionate costs.

  Nuclear-powered Warships Safety Committee
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if, further to his reply of 6 July to the right hon. Member for Swansea, West,Official Report, column 263, the seven Ministry of Defence officials who are not full-time members of the nuclear-powered warships safety committee have voting rights; who is on the committee specifically to represent environmental or community viewpoints; and if there are any representatives from the Departments of the Environment, the Welsh Office, the Scottish Office or the Northern Ireland Office.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  No vote is taken at meetings of the nuclear-powered warships safety committee (NPWSC). Only unanimous advice is put forward. It is a committee of technical experts whose terms of reference are confined to public safety. The Department of the Environment is represented on the committee by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution (HMIP), and Scottish Office by Her Majesty's industrial pollution inspectorate. Although HMIP is part of the Department of the Environment, it also advises the Welsh Office, and where appropriate represents that Department on the NPWSC. The membership of the NPWSC includes experts from several other bodies which have environmental and public safety responsibilities: the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the Department of Health and the nuclear installations inspectorate; and the National Radiological Protection Board. The Northern Ireland Office is not represented as there are no berths or facilities for nuclear-powered submarines in Northern Ireland.

  Equipment Exhibitions
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many visitors are expected to attend this year's Royal Navy equipment exhibition.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Based on previous exhibitions, a total of some 25,000 people are expected to attend RNEE between 24 and 29 September.
  559
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will now make it his practice to publish the names of countries invited to British forces equipment exhibitions.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  No. It has been the consistent policy of this and previous Administrations not to release details of invitation lists to British forces equipment exhibitions. Invitations are issued on a confidential basis and it would be a breach of trust to release names.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what will be the total cost of this year's Royal Navy equipment exhibition.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The cost of the Royal Navy equipment exhibition is estimated to he £2·4 million. As is usual practice, the costs incurred will be fully recovered from the participating companies.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when and where the next Royal Navy equipment exhibition will be held; and on which dates it will be open to(a) overseas customers, (b) the press and (c) the British public.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The next Royal Navy equipment exhibition (RNEE) will be held at Whale island, Portsmouth between 24 and 29 September 1989. Sunday 24 September will be the press day and the exhibition will be open to VIPs and overseas customers on 25 to 27 September. The remaining two days are trade days although overseas customers will still be welcome. The exhibition is not open to members of the public.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence who will perform the opening ceremony at this year's Royal Navy equipment exhibition.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence is planning to perform this ceremony.

  Environmental Pollution
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much intermediate-level nuclear waste produced by submarine refits was dumped at sea prior to 1983.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  [holding answer 13 July 1989]: Sea dumping of intermediate-level nuclear waste prior to 1983 was carried out under a licence issued by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. No differentiation was made between ILW produced by the Ministry of Defence as a result of submarine refits and that arising from other sources.

  IUKADGE Command and Control System
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many changes were made to specifications for the IUKADGE command and control system between 1980 and 1988.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  [holding answer 17 July 1989]: There have been no changes to the IUKADGE command and control system operational requirement since the development contract was awarded to UKSL in 1980. However, as is usual practice, provision is made in the contract for changes to be made, by agreement between
  560
  the parties, to the detailed specifications, or for necessary additions to be made which were not foreseen at the tune of the contract. Such changes are promulgated by means of specification change notices, of which 28 have to date been agreed at prime contract level and 267 at lower levels. the majority of these were requested by the prime contractor.

  Electromagnetic Interference
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether electromagnetic interference has been a contributory factor in any accidents involving ground-based, seaborne or airborne weapons systems.

  Mr Archie Hamilton
  [holding anwer 20 July 1989]: Electromagnetic interference has not been a contributory cause of any accident involving ground-based, seaborne, or airborne weapons systems in the United Kingdom.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Mobility Supplement
  Mr. Colin Shepherd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what advice is given to the Legal Aid Board's assessment officers in respect of applications for legal aid by war pensioners who are in receipt of mobility supplement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The Department's asessment officers are instructed to disregard mobility supplement received by a war pensioner.

  National Insurance
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he will publish in the Official Report, (a) a list of the securities held by the national insurance fund, including the additions over the past 12 months, (b) his forecast of the surplus accruing to the fund in the current financial year for the purposes of the Autumn Statement, (c) the corresponding figures for the increase in revenue and (d) the purpose for which funds are being accumulated.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  (a) The national insurance fund securities, held by the national debt commissioners as at 30 June 1989 are as follows:

  National Insurance Fund Securities held by the National Debt Commissioners at 30 June 1989

  British Government Securities

  Nominal Value

  £

  Ways and Means

  37,945.000·00

  Treasury Bills

  1,050,000.000·00

  10 per cent. Exchequer Stock 1989

  124,185.081·66

  11 per cent. Exchequer Stock 1989

  261,200,000·00

  10¼ per cent. Exchequer Convertible Stock 1989

  36,046,819·20

  11 per cent. Exchequer Stock 1990

  103,315,703·11

  12½ per cent. Exchequer Stock 1990

  208,500,000·00

  8¼ per cent. Treasury Stock 1987–90

  15,000,000·00

  8 per cent. Treasury Convertible Stock 1990

  10,002,000·00

  8 per cent. Treasury Convertible Stock 1990 NILO

  50,000,000·00

  10 per cent. Treasury Convertible Stock 1990

  154,836,210·19

  10 per cent. Treasury Convertible Stock 1990 NILO

  50,000,000·00

  561

  British Government Securities

  Nominal Value

  £

  11¾ per cent. Treasury Stock 1991

  223,252,742·22

  10 per cent. Treasury Convertible Stock 1991

  3,000,000·00

  11 per cent. Exchequer Stock 1991

  173,910,000·00

  11 per cent. Exchequer Stock 1991 NILO

  60,000,000·00

  8 per cent. Treasury Stock 1991

  138,500,000·00

  8 per cent. Treasury Stock 1991 NILO

  50,000,000·00

  12¾ per cent. Treasury Stock 1992

  18,675,000·00

  10 per cent. Treasury Stock 1992

  132,200,000·00

  10 per cent. Treasury Stock 1992 NILO

  50,000,000·00

  8 per cent. Treasury Stock 1992

  205,200,000·00

  8 per cent. Treasury Stock 1992 NILO

  100,000,000·00

  10½ per cent. Treasury Convertible Stock 1992

  80,300,000·00

  12¼ per cent. Exchequer Stock 1992

  166,785,789·21

  12¼ per cent. Exchequer Stock 1992 NILO

  75,000,000·00

  13½ per cent. Exchequer Stock 1992

  36,200,000·00

  8¼ per cent. Treasury Stock 1993

  136,500,000·00

  8¼ per cent. Treasury Stock 1993 NILO

  115,000,000·00

  10 per cent. Treasury Stock 1993

  205,200,000·00

  12½ per cent. Treasury Stock 1993

  97,200,000·00

  13¾ per cent. Treasury Stock 1993

  83,200,000·00

  8½ per cent Treasury Stock 1994

  242,750,000·00

  8½ per cent. Treasury Stock 1994 NILO

  50,000,000·00

  13½ per cent. Exchequer Stock 1994

  55,150,000·00

  10 per cent. Treasury Stock 1994

  129,600,000·00

  10 per cent. Treasury Stock 1994 NILO

  25,000,000·00

  12½ per cent. Exchequer Stock 1994

  182,500,000·00

  9 per cent. Treasury Stock 1994

  46,500,000·00

  12 per cent. Treasury Stock 1995

  176,550,000·00

  12 per cent. Treasury Stock 1995 NILO

  50,000,000·00

  10¼ per cent. Exchequer Stock 1995

  154,500,000·00

  10¼ per cent. Exchequer Stock 1995 NILO

  50,000,000·00

  14 per cent. Treasury Stock 1996

  20,000,000·00

  15¼ per cent. Treasury Stock 1996

  11,000,000·00

  13¼ per cent. Exchequer Stock 1996

  46,500,000·00

  10 per cent. Conversion Stock 1996

  242,520,000·00

  10 per cent. Conversion Stock 1996 NILO

  75,000,000·00

  13¼ per cent. Treasury Stock 1997

  50,265,000·00

  10½ per cent. Exchequer Stock 1997

  268,650,000·00

  8¾ per cent. Treasury Stock 1997

  141,800,000·00

  8¾ per cent. Treasury Stock 1997 NILO

  50,000,000·00

  9¾ per cent. Exchequer Stock 1998

  306,050,000·00

  12 per cent. Exchequer Stock 1998

  183,800,000·00

  9½ per cent. Treasury Stock 1999

  61,805,491·36

  9½ per cent. Treasury Stock 1999 NILO

  50,000,000·00

  12¼ per cent. Exchequer Stock 1999

  85,000,000·00

  10½ per cent. Treasury Stock 1999

  20,000,000·00

  10¼ per cent. Conversion Stock 1999

  139,550,000·00

  10¼ per cent. Conversion Stock 1999 NILO

  30,000,000·00

  8½ per cent. Treasury Stock 2000

  163,800,000·00

  8½ per cent. Treasury Stock 2000 NILO

  50,000,000·00

  9 per cent. Conversion Stock 2000

  297,917,597·76

  10 per cent. Treasury Stock 2001

  112,300,000·00

  9½ per cent. Conversion Stock 2001

  2,562,270·00

  9¾ per cent. Conversion Stock 2001

  34,000,000·00

  9¾ per cent. Conversion Stock 2001 NILO

  100,000,000·00

  12 per cent. Exchequer Stock 1999–2002

  20,500,000·00

  10 per cent. Conversion Stock 2002

  45,200,000·00

  9½ per cent. Conversion Stock 2002

  1,704,750·99

  9¾ per cent. Treasury Stock 2002

  138,600,000·00

  9 per cent. Exchequer Stock 2002

  221,200,000·00

  9 per cent. Exchequer Stock 2002 NILO

  50,000,000·00

  9¾ per cent. Conversion Stock 2003

  6,860,738·55

  10 per cent. Treasury Stock 2003

  52,550,000·00

  11½ per cent. Treasury Stock 2001–04

  9,000,000·00

  10 per cent. Treasury Stock 2004

  2,450,000·00

  9½ per cent. Conversion Stock 2004

  176,500,000·00

  9½ per cent. Conversion Stock 2005

  217,000,000·00

  10½ per cent. Exchequer Stock 2005

  15,000,000·00

  8 per cent. Treasury Stock 2002–06

  264,118,200·00

  9¾ per cent. Conversion Stock 2006

  19,500,000·00

  11¾ per cent. Treasury Stock 2003–07

  35,000,000·00

  8½ per cent. Treasury Stock 2007

  190,831,042·37

  9 per cent. Treasury Stock 2008

  160,000,000·00

  8 per cent. Treasury Stock 2009

  75,000,000·00

  562

  British Government Securities

  Nominal Value

  £

  9 per cent. Conversion Stock 2011

  5,000,000·00

  9,662,239,436·62

  Local Authority Bonds

  11½ per cent. 23 August 1989

  539,000·00

  9⅜ percent. 15 May 1991

  340,000·00

  9 3/16 per cent. 2 December 1992

  250,000·00

  1,129,000·00

  Local Authority Securities

  6¾ per cent. GLC Stock 1990–92

  3,000,000·00

  Local Authority Mortgage Loans

  210,035·08

  Loans to Local Authorities

  Temporary Loans

  141,590,000·00

  Under one year

  153,425,000·00

  Over one year

  77,450,000·00

  Secondary mortgages

  26,300,000·00

  398,765,000·00

  Total nominal value of securities held

  10,065,343,471·70

  Cash uninvested

  3,442·70

  TOTAL

  10,065,346,914·40

  (b) and (c):

  The forecast of the surplus and increase in revenue to the national insurance fund for the purposes of the Autumn Statement are provided by the Government Actuary's Department. The Government Actuary provided in his report on the drafts of the 1988 Benefits Uprating and Contributions Rerating Orders (Cm. 537) the following figures in respect of the tax year 1989–90:

  £ million

  Surplus of income over expenditure

  519

  Increase in total income to the national insurance fund over 1988–89

  197

  Equivalent estimates for the 1989 autumn statement will be published by the Government Actuary's Department when the uprating and rerating orders for 1990–91 are laid before Parliament towards the end of the year.

  (d) The national insurance fund pays for all contributory benefits; the fund is administered so that contributions collected and paid into the fund are paid out as benefits. The fund has no borrowing powers, so that it must have a balance to insure against unexpected contingencies. The minimum target balance recommended by the Government Actuary is not intended to be a fixed target, but a prudent limit below which the balance should not he allowed to fall continually.

  Disability Benefits Review
  Mr. Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will announce the proposed timetable for the disability benefits review; and if he will make a statement.
  563
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if, following the publication of the final Office of Population Censuses and Surveys report he will make a statement on(a) the timescale for a review of the conclusions, (b) the terms of reference of such a review body and (c) the likely membership of the review team.

  Mr. Nicholas Scott
  The sixth and final OPCS report on disability in Great Britain was published on 17 July. This marks the point at which both the Government and organisations of and for disabled people can begin to look at the survey findings in the round. Once we have done so, I hope to be able to announce a timetable for further action.

  Departmental Press Releases
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will ensure that when his replies to letters sent to him are issued as his Department's press releases, copies of such letters are included in the press releases.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  When issuing press releases, we will continue to include any information that we judge to be appropriate in the circumstances.

  Benefits (Children)
  Sir Ian Gilmour
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, further to his reply to the hon. Member for Bournemouth, West (Mr. Butterfill) of 3 July,Official Report, column 41, if he will give a breakdown of his figure of 3 million children getting an extra 50p a week, showing how the figure is split between recipients of income support and of family credit, how it is distributed between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and giving the percentage of children in each region who are affected.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  On the basis of the assumptions underlying the Government's expenditure plans (Cmnd. 615), it is estimated that in the year 1989–90, 0·8 million children in families in receipt of family credit and 2·2 million children in families in receipt of income support in Great Britain will receive an extra 50p per week in their child allowances above the normal uprating increase. I regret that it is not possible to provide statistically reliable estimates of how these children are distributed among families in England, Scotland and Wales.

  Lone Parents
  Sir Ian Gilmour
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his latest estimate of the number of lone parents; how many are in paid work; how many are on income support; how many are on other out-of-work benefits; and how many are receiving family credit.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The most recent estimate of lone parent numbers is for 1986 and the income support and family credit schemes did not commence until April 1988.

  Information for 1986 is as follow:

  Estimated numbers of lone parents 11,010,000

  Estimated numbers in paid work 2440,000

  In receipt of supplementary benefit 3602,000

  In receipt of Family Income Supplement 585,000

  Notes:

  No information is held on number of lone parents receiving unemployment benefit.
  564
  There were 722,000 lone parents in receipt of income support at 4May 1988 and 108,000 in receipt of family credit at March 1989.

  1OPCS estimate see Population Trends 55 Spring 1989.

  2FES 1986, includes those in receipt of Supplementary Benefit with part-time earnings.

  3February 1986 ASE figure excludes prisoners' wives and the temporarily separated.

  4May 1988 ASE—figure excludes prisoners' wives and the temporarily separated.

  5February.

  Means-tested Benefits
  Sir Ian Gilmour
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his latest estimate of the public expenditure savings as a result of the low take up of means-tested benefits.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I refer my right hon. Friend to my reply to the hon. Member for Nottingham, North (M r. Allen) on 7 February 1989 at columns 628–29. Estimates of the take-up of the main income-related benefits for 1985 will be published before the summer recess.

  Mortgage Interest
  Sir Ian Gilmour
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish figures giving the disposable incomes, after taking into account means-tested benefits of single-wage married couples with two children under five years and mortgages of(a) £20,000, (b) £30,000, (c) £40,000 and (d) £50,000, firstly when out of work and receiving income support and secondly when in work earning £100, £150, £200, £250 and £300 a week.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  No precise figures are available. There are a variety of different mortgages, and mortgage interest fluctuations mean that mortgage interest payments can vary during the course of any given year. Social security provision for income support claimants with mortgages varies with the period benefit has been in payment.

  Sir Ian Gilmour
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the maximum amount of mortgage interest payable with income support; and whether he will consider aligning the family credit regulations to take account of mortgage interest.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  There is no maximum amount of mortgage interest which can be met in income support, but the amount can be restricted in certain circumstances. We have no plans to allow for mortgage interest in the assessment of family credit.

  Small Businesses
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the achievements of his Department and his policies in helping small businesses over the last 12 months compared with the previous 12 months; and if he will publish the performance indicators by which his Department monitors those achievements and the statistical results Of such monitoring.

  Mr. Moore
  The Government's general policy towards small businesses is to create a climate in which they can flourish and to provide measures that support and help stimulate their development. Over the past 12 months my Department has continued to identify ways to help small businesses. Specific measures which have been introduced included:
  565

  (i) In February 1989 we issued a new communications package for employers which provided guidance on the collection of national insurance contributions and the payment of statutory sick pay. We enlisted the help of external consultants and in line with their recommendations, the structure and design of the guidance was completely revised. The aim was to make our instructions easier for employers to understand, in particular for the small employer who may have to carry out payroll functions personally.
  At the end of February 1989, immediately after the dispatch of the new guidance material, a small survey was undertaken to sample initial reactions to the new material. The survey showed that 83 per cent. thought that the updating was a good idea and 69 per cent. agreed that they would be more likely to use the new guides than the old ones. A larger survey is currently under way to examine reactions to the material in use and to seek further improvements. The results are expected by September 1989.

  (ii) We have produced a video, specifically aimed at small employers, which outlines the basics of the calculation and payment of statutory sick pay, and which has been available since March 1989. Copies can be obtained from CFL Vision, PO Box 35, Wetherby, Yorkshire, LS23 7EX, price £14·50.

  (iii) In October 1988 we embarked on a series of experimental seminars for employers which provided instruction on the administration of statutory sick pay and statutory maternity pay. The pilot seminars were based in Scotland and found to be of value to both small and large employers. We intend to extend the service nationally and are currently selecting the staff to do this.

  (iv) We have worked with the Department of Employment in producing a starter pack for the newly self-employed and those who may be contemplating self-employment. The pack, "Working for Yourself: What You Need to Know" became available in July 1989.

  (v) We have undertaken a comprehensive review of all the inquiries local and central DSS offices make of business. Implementation of the report's recommendations will result in a lessening of the burden departmental inquiries place on business.

  We are continuing to take positive steps to give small firms opportunities to do business with the Department. Local purchasing staff are encouraged to make contact with small firms and they are doing a substantial proportion of their business with them.

  As yet we have not designed performance indicators specifically for monitoring achievements in this area, but my Department has a system to monitor proposals which impact on business to ensure the needs of small businesses are fully taken into account. We attach particular importance to action taken to help small firms and will continue to explore further ways of doing so.

  Community Charge
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list by each charging authority in England the income level at which(a) a single person aged under 25 years, (b) a single person aged over 25 years, (c) a single pensioner, (d) a pensioner couple and (e) a couple with two children all with no savings would lose entitlement to community charge rebate assuming the Department of the Environment's illustrative community charge figures for 1989–90.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The information requested has been placed in the Library.

  Benefits (Dundee)
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how much was spent on community care grants and social fund loans by the Dundee, East and Dundee, West offices of his Department in 1988–89; what proportion of their budgets for these benefits this represents; and how much they have been allocated for these benefits for 1989–90.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Such information is available from the details held in the Library.

  Pensioners
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners in receipt of less than full basic national insurance retirement pension, because of insufficent contributions(a) also receive income support, (b) are living with partners whose income added to their own, takes them as a couple up to or beyond the basic income support level.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Information collected centrally on retirement pensioners in receipt of income support does not indicate the rate of basic state pension in payment to those individuals.

  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security why leaflet NP1 advises only pensioners not receiving income support or housing benefit to read on and decide whether to claim income support; and whether he will take steps to amend the leaflets so as to avoid giving the impression that pensioners receiving only housing benefit cannot gain by claiming income support.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The leaflet does not refer to"only pensioners not receiving income support or housing benefit"
  but to people who do
  "not at present get either benefit".
  I do not consider that this gives the impression suggested, particularly as the next column of the leaflet sets out clearly the conditions of eligibility to income support.

  Elderly People (Evictions)
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make arrangements to collect information about elderly people who are evicted from residential homes for the elderly in the private/voluntary sector; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  We have no plans to do so.

  Women Pensioners and War Widows
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he has any information concerning the current average income of(a) women pensioners and (b) war widows.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  [holding answer 13 July 1989]: The average weekly gross income of all single1 women pensioners in 1986 was £73.30 (at 1986 prices). Comparable information is not available for war widows.

  Source: Family Expenditure Survey 1986.

  1 Information on the gross income of all women pensioners is not given because the available data on this group includes the income of the husbands of married women.
  567
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he has any information concerning the percentages of all women pensioners which fall into different total income brackets; and if he will give comparable figures for war widows.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  [holding answer 13 July 1989]: The proportion of single1 women pensioners in gross equivalent2 income quintiles is as follows:

  Number

  Quintile 1 (lowest)

  26·8

  2

  49·5

  3

  13·7

  4

  5·4

  5 (highest)

  4·6

  Comparable information is not available for war widows.

  Source: Family Expenditure Survey 1986.

  1Information on the income distribution of all women pensioners is not given because the available data on this group includes the income of the husbands of married women.

  2Equivalisation is a method of adjusting incomes to allow direct comparisons to be made between different family types, for example single and married people, those with and without children, householders and non-householders.

ENERGY

  EC Energy Policy
  Mr. Knox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on progress towards the development of a European Community energy policy.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  The Commission has recently drafted instruments on price transparency, transfrontier trade in gas and electricity, and on notification of certain energy investments.

  Fast Breeder Reactors
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what assessment he has made of the future of fast breeder reactors; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  My right hon. Friend announced the results of the Government's review of fast reactor policy to the House on 21 July last year at column 1288.

  Renewable Energy
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he intends to review the non-fossil fuel quota in the light of the study of renewable electrical energy potential in the north-west of England carried out by NORWEB and the energy technology support unit, Harwell.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The Government recently announced their intention to reserve a privileged place for renewables within the non-fossil fuel obligation. This will be done by setting special extra tranches of capacity which can be filled only by renewable forms of energy. The proposed levels of the tranches will be kept under review to ensure that when the obligations are laid they take fully into account the potential availability of renewable capacity. There is no need for further review at present.

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will publish the recently completed study of 568
  the renewable energy resource potential in the north-west of England carried out by NORWEB and the energy technology support, unit, Harwell.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The report and the accompanying overview report were published on 6 July. Copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what are the next regions to be studied by the energy technology support unit at Harwell for renewable electrical energy potential.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The potential for the use of renewable energy was assessed for the country as a whole and published in "Energy Paper 55". Since then two further studies considering electricity generation have been published; the "Cornwall Energy Project" by Cornwall county council and "Prospects for Renewable Energy in the Norweb Area" by the North Western electricity board and the energy technology support unit. No other specific proposals are in hand at present, but it is hoped that other electricity boards will follow Norweb's lead.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he has evaluated which renewable energy projects currently being developed or studied by the energy technology support unit at the Atomic Energy Research Establishment, Harwell, might prove suitable for export to(a) the Indian sub-continent and African states and (b) European Economic Community member states.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The Department's programme on renewable energy is focused primarily on the development of commercially viable and environmentally acceptable renewable technologies for the United Kingdom. Although at an early stage of development, many of the Department's projects could lead to products suitable for export to both industrialised and less well-developed countries. The United Kingdom is already involved in collaboration or information exchanges in a number of areas.

  Many of the technologies being examined as part of the Department's R and D programme should offer considerable export potential for United Kingdom industry.

  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the energy technology support unit, Harwell's, medium-term and long-term projects for renewable electrical energy generation in the North West of England.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Makerfield (Mr. McCartney) earlier today.

  Combined Heat and Power
  Mr. McCrindle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what consideration is being given to enabling electricity generated through combined heat and power schemes in the home to be fed into the national grid.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  Our privatisation proposals are specifically designed to encourage competition in generation and to ensure that all economic sources of electricity supply have access to the market. Any surplus electricity generated by CHP schemes is however more likely to be used locally than to be fed into the national grid.

  Coal and Oil Combustion (Tax)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what proposals exist for international negotiations on the taxation of coal and oil combustion in advanced western countries.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  I am aware of no formal proposals for such international negotiations, although several ideas have been floated for a carbon tax or levy as a way to discourage CO2 emissions. The proper forum for consideration of such ideas is the intergovernmental panel on climate change, which is examining strategies for responding to the greenhouse effect.

  Insulation
  Mr. Ray Powell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the proposal by the Select Committee on Energy of a target of 250,000 low-income households to be insulated in a year.

  Ms. Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make it his policy to set a target of a minimum of 250,000 low-income households to be insulated in the current financial year.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  I refer the hon. Members to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Gateshead, East (Ms. Quin) earlier today.

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is his latest estimate of the number of low-income households which will be insulated under neighbourhood energy action programmes in the current financial year; and what are the resulting energy savings.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment announced on 10 February a package of special measures to help boost the project network. The most recent quarterly monitoring returns relate to the period before those measures took effect, so we are not yet able to produce reliable estimates of the number of households which will be treated in the current financial year.

  Dr. Moonie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will hold urgent discussions on ways of stepping up the number of low-income households to be insulated over the next three years.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  The Secretary of State for Employment announced on 10 February a special package of measures designed to boost the network of community insulation projects which provide practical help to low-income households. Officials from my Department and the Training Agency are now discussing ways of maintaining and building upon the improvement which stemmed from those measures.

  Mr. Dykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the progress being made to date in insulation schemes for private dwellings in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  Amendments to the Building Regulations were laid before the House on 11 July. These will require improvements in insulation standards for new housing (and other new buildings) which should achieve a570
  saving of about 20 per cent. in heating requirements compared with standards under existing regulations. The amendments will come into operation on 1 April 1990.

  Community insulation projects, which provide a low-cost insulation (mainly draughtproofing) service for low-income households, have so far insulated over 600,000 homes, about half of which are in the private sector. Over 3·5 million grants have been paid under the homes insulation scheme for loft, tank and pipe insulation. Over 90 per cent. of homes with accessible lofts now have some degree of loft insulation.

  Coal Liquefaction
  Mr. Raffan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he expects the coal-to-oil liquefaction pilot plant at Point of Ayr to be commissioned; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The commissioning phase of British Coal's liquefaction project has already commenced, and I would expect this phase to be completed next year. My Department has offered to contribute up to 9 per cent. of the project cost up to a maximum contribution of £3 million, and is contractually committed to support the commissioning phase.

  Coal Orders
  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he expects to announce the level, duration and tonnage of coal to be ordered from British Coal by(a) National Power and (b) PowerGen from January 1990 onwards.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The negotiation of new coal purchase arrangements is primarily a commercial matter for the industries. The announcement of the details of such arrangements, once concluded, will also primarily be a matter for them.

  Coal Mining (Nottinghamshire)
  Mr. Haynes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is his most up-to-date estimate of the impact of electricity privatisation on employment in mining in the Nottinghamshire coalfield.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  Negotiations between the generators and British Coal are continuing. Following the conclusion of these negotiations, it will be for British Coal to estimate what effects there may be on its operations.

  Fossil Fuels (Levy)
  Mr. Patchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what recent representations he has received seeking a levy on the combustion of any fossil fuel.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  None.

  Nuclear Power (Privatisation)
  Mr. James Lamond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is his most up-to-date estimate of the cost of transferring nuclear power stations to the private sector.

  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he expects to announce the discount on
  571
  present net replacement cost value of £9·3 billion of the nuclear power stations of England and Wales, required to achieve a transfer to the private sector.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  I refer the hon. Members to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Vale of Glamorgan (Mr. Smith) earlier today.

  Gas Tariffs
  Mr. Rost
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he expects to meet the Director General of Gas Supply to discuss tariffs proposed by British Gas.

  Mr. Hind
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he has any plans to meet the Director General of Gas Supply to discuss the gas price tariff; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  I regularly meet the Director General of Gas Supply and discuss a range of matters of mutual interest.

  Electricity Generation
  Mr. Wood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is the industry forecast for future electricity generating capacity before the year 2000.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The final year of the load forecast which the electricity supply industry (England and Wales) adopted in October 1988 is 1997–98. The forecast of unrestricted demand for that year is 56·5 GW.

  Coal Imports
  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he next expects to meet the chairman of British Coal regarding coal imports; and if he will make a statement.

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

  Electricity Privatisation
  Mr. Clelland
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he has fully evaluated the value for money to be obtained from the £26·5 million allocated for advisers fees on electricity privatisation and the expenditure on departmental staff of comparable skills.

  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what steps he is taking to ensure that value for money is being obtained from the £26·5 million to be spent on advisers' fees to promote electricity privatisation.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The Department carefully evaluates the costs and benefits associated with each item of expenditure and seeks to negotiate the best possible price with advisers before entering into a contractual relationship.

  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what representations he has received from environmental or conservation organisations on the privatisation of the electricity supply industry.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  I have received a number of representations.

  Fluidised Bed Combustion
  Mr. Allen MacKay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a further statement on the Grimethorpe fluidised bed combustion proposal.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  My Department is currently working with British Coal to put together a substantial financial package involving both private and public sector funding, to carry forward the proposed experiments at Grimethorpe as part of the programme to develop the topping cycle concept. Once the outcome of these discussions is known, I will make a further statement.

  Energy Efficiency
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what priority he proposes to give to the encouragement of energy efficiency and conservation.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  The Government attach high priority to the promotion of energy efficiency through the work of the Energy Efficiency Office. Our proposals for the electricity supply industry will give further impetus to the promotion of energy efficiency, in particular through the duties they place on the Director General of Electricity Supply.

  Greenhouse Effect
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is the total number of nuclear reactors operating worldwide and the total amount of electricity demand met by them; and if he will estimate the total quantity of greenhouse gases that would be produced as a result of replacing them with coal-fired power stations.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  I understand from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that at the end of 1988 there were 429 nuclear reactors operating worldwide. Comprehensive figures for electricity generation are not yet available for 1988, hut, in 1987, nuclear power generated 1,625 billion kw hours of electricity, equivalent to the output from 211 pressurised water reactors (PWRs) of the Sizewell B type.

  It is difficult to be precise when estimating the increase in greenhouse gas production if nuclear power is replaced by coal worldwide but, on current figures, carbon dioxide (CO2) output would increase by about 1·3 billion tonnes per year, or 35 per cent. of the present global contribution due to coal-fired electricity generation.

  Thermal Efficiency
  Mr. Jacques Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what improvements in thermal efficiency have been achieved in the past 10 years.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  The efficiency of the nation's energy use has improved greatly over the past 10 years. In 1978 the United Kingdom consumed 1·23 tonnes of coal equivalent per £1,000 of GDP (at 1985 factor cost). In 1988 this had fallen to 1 tonne of coal equivalent per £1,000 of GDP in the same price terms, a reduction of 18·7 per cent. over the period.

  Nuclear Power Stations (Decommissioning)
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what representations he has received about the decommissioning of nuclear power stations; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  I have received a number of representations relating to various aspects of the decommissioning of nuclear power stations in recent months.

  British Coal
  Mr. Douglas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the issues he expects to raise when he next meets the chairman of British Coal.

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

  Power Stations
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list the power stations now being built in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  Sizewell B PWR power station is at present under construction.

  Landfill Gases
  Mr. Irvine
  To ask the Secretaryof State for Energy what recent assessment his Department has made of the possibilities for the generation of electricity from landfill gases; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  There is great uncertainty about projections for renewable sources of energy. Based on data given in "Energy Paper 55—"Renewable Energy in the UK: The Way Forward", it has been estimated that by the year 2025 up to 4·5 per cent. of current energy requirements might come from a wide range of biomass sources if the diverse technologies involved can be successfully developed and applied.

  It is not yet possible to assess with any certainty the contribution which electricity generation from landfill gases will make towards this proportion. However, there are indications that approximately 200 MW of landfill gas-fired generating capacity would be operating by the turn of the century.

  Oil Production
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what was the volume of United Kingdom oil production in 1988 and his estimate of production in 1989, 1990 and 1991.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  The figures requested are set out in my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State's report to Parliament, "Development of the Oil and Gas Resources of the United Kingdom" (the Brown Book), published in April 1989.

  Coal-fired Generation
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretaryof State for Energy if he will bring forward proposals to require that a proportion of electricity be generated by coal-fired power stations.
  574
  Mr. Michael Spicer
  No.

  Energy Conservation
  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the steps he is taking to promote energy conservation.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend for Devon, North (Mr. Speller) and the hon. Member for Nottingham, North (Mr. Allen) on 15 May,Official Report, column 105.

  CO2 Emissions
  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is his Department's estimate of the contribution that nuclear power will make to the required halving in United Kingdom CO2 emissions by the year 2025.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  There is no requirement on the United Kingdom to reduce the future emissions of carbon dioxide or any other energy-related greenhouse gas. The course of any necessary future action should become clearer when the intergovernmental panel on climate change (IPCC) reports in autumn 1990. Until then it would not be wise for the United Kingdom to act unilaterally in such a global matter.

  In the meantime, current policies in the energy field are pointing in the right direction to curtail the growth of these gases. The encouragement of cost effective energy efficiency measures, the development of renewable energy resources, the support of diversified supply options such as nuclear (which emits almost no CO2) in the Electricity Bill, are a firm basis for any future action. The United Kingdom's call for the strengthening of the Montreal protocol on CFCs will spur action on the most powerful of greenhouse gases.

  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what proportion of the United Kingdom's carbon dioxide emissions is caused by coal and oil-fired power stations.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  Emissions from coal and oil-fired power stations account for about one third of the total United Kingdom emissions from non-biological sources.

  Least-cost Options
  Mr. Speller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make it his policy to increase support for least-cost options to meet energy demand.

  Mr. Parkinson
  The Government believe that, provided market barriers are removed, market forces are the best way to meet energy demand at least cost. Our proposals for privatisation of the electricity supply industry, and the work of the Energy Efficiency Office, are designed to tackle and remove market barriers.

  Efficiency and Conservation
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what discussions he has had recently with the director designate of the Office of Electricity Regulation on the priority to be given to energy efficiency and conservation.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State discussed energy
  575
  efficiency issues with Professor Littlechild specifically on 6 June and generally on subsequent occasions. They agreed that the Office of Electricity Regulation and the Energy Efficiency Office would establish mechanisms for close co-operation on matters of common interest, both at national and regional level. I welcome these arrangements, which will reinforce the important work which both organisations will be doing to promote energy efficiency.

  Sulphur Emissions
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what will be spent in the next financial year in overcoming the problem of sulphur emissions from electricity power stations; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  This is an operational matter for the CEGB. I have asked the chairman of the board to write to my hon. Friend.

  Nuclear Generation
  Mr. Greg Knight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what proportion of electricity is generated by nuclear power in(a) France, (b) Belgium, (c) Sweden, Switzerland, (e) Finland, (f) West Germany, (g) Spain and (h) the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The latest available published information (1987) is as follows:(a) France 70·1 per cent.; (b) Belgium 62·2 per cent.; (c) Sweden 45·9 per cent.; (d) Switzerland 38·4 per cent.; (e) Finland 36·7 per cent.; (f) West Germany 31·2 per cent.; (g) Spain 30·9 per cent.; (h) the United Kingdom 18·2 per cent.

  Source: "Energy Statistics 1986–87" (OECD/IEA).

  Mr. Graham Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy whether he has any proposals to require that a minimum percentage of electricity distributed by the electricity boards will come from electricity produced by nuclear generation.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  Clause 34 of the Electricity Bill permits the Secretary of State to make orders to require public electricity suppliers to have available to them a certain minimum amount of non-fossil generating capacity. This is intended to encourage all economically viable and environmentally acceptable non-fossil sources. There is no intention to restrict such orders solely to nuclear generation.

  Uranium
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will request the Euratom safeguards authorities to re-designate all N-coded uranium imported to the United Kingdom since 1978 with a P code.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  In compliance with the terms of the Euratom treaty, it is not for the Government to seek to change the coding placed on imported nuclear materials by the Euratom safeguards authorities.

  White Papers
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy 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 576
  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.

  Mr. Parkinson
  Only one such White Paper has been issued by my Department since 1979. This was the White Paper "Privatising Electricity" (Cm. 322, 25 February 1988). The Electricity Bill had its First Reading on 30 November 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.

  Nuclear Power
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is the magawatt equivalent of the 15 per cent. to 20 per cent. range of electricity to be provided by nuclear power, as specified in the Official Report, 5 April, column 275; and if each area electricity board will have to accept this range.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The non-fossil fuel obligation will be set for each public electricity supply company in England and Wales later this year, taking into account its size and pattern of demand.

  Mines (Capital Investment)
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list the capital investments in the following mines for the year 1989–90(a) Murton, (b) Easington, (c) Dawdon, (d) Vane Tempest, (e) Wearmouth, (f) Westo and (g) Ellington.

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

  Coal-fired Power Stations
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list by year for the last 10 years, the tonnage level of purchases from(a) British Coal and (b) other sources of coal suppliers for use at power stations to be allocated to (i) National Power and (ii) Power Gen.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  Deliveries of coal to individual power stations are a matter for the CEGB. I will ask the chairman to write to the hon. Member.

  Energy Sources
  Mr. Adley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what assessment his Department has made on the question of environmentally comparable energy sources; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The chief scientist group at the energy technology support unit have carried out for my Department a number of appraisals of energy sources and their environmental impact is one of the range of factors assessed.

  A wide-ranging appraisal of most energy sources and technologies relevant to the United Kingdom was reported in "Energy Paper 54" and specific assessments of alternative energy resources such as "Hot Dry Rocks" ETSU-R-34, "Bioethanol as a Transport Fuel" ETSU-R - 44 and "Synthetic Fuel Options for Road Transport Applications" ETSU-R-33 have been published.

  Mining Subsidence
  Mr. Heddle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will publish in the Official Report, for each year for which figures are available, the cost of compensation and repairs for coal mining subsidence damage.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  Actual cash expenditure by British Coal during each of the last three financial years is as follows:

  £ million

  1986–87

  54·5

  1987–88

  48·9

  1988–89

  43·1

  Desulphurisation
  Sir John Farr
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he expects the first power station in the east midlands will be equipped with flue gas desulphurisation equipment; and when such equipment will be available for use in power stations in the Trent valley.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  This is an operational matter for the CEGB. I have asked the chairman to write direct to my hon. Friend.

  Low-wattage Light Bulbs
  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy whether his Department has made any estimate of the level to which the unit price of electricity to the private consumer would have to increase to make it economic for all consumers to switch to low-wattage light bulbs.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  Low-energy light bulbs already offer worthwhile savings to domestic consumers at current electricity prices. Their extra initial cost is more than compensated for by much longer lifetimes and lower electricity consumption.

  Landfill Gases
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy how many landfill sites have been identified by his Department where biodegradable wastes could produce significant volumes of biogas for commercial exploitation; how many sites are currently extracting biogas commercially; and what is the volume in coal tonnes equivalent he estimates can be exploited from British landfill sites.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  A recent estimate, made on behalf of my Department, has identified 438 sites where landfill gas from biodegradable wastes could be exploited commercially. Of this total, some 24 sites are already extracting and exploiting landfill gas and producing an energy equivalent of 0·16 million tonnes coal equivalent (mtce) annually. While there is great uncertainty about projections for renewable sources of energy, it is possible that this amount could more than double by 1992, and reach around 1·5 mtce by the turn of the century.

  Gas Prices
  Mr. Haynes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will take remedial action to alleviate the rise in interruptible gas prices following the removal of the ability 578
  of users to negotiate individual contracts, consequent upon the implementation of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission's recommendation to publish gas price schedules.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  The Director General of Gas Supply is responsible for ensuring that British Gas plc operates within the terms of its authorisation, as modified to give effect to the MMC's recommendations. Mr. McKinnon is at present in discussion with British Gas on a number of points concerning the structure and operation of the gas price schedule. However, the level of interruptible gas prices is a matter for British Gas.

  Petrol Prices
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what has been the percentage change in the average pump price of four star or premium petrol, net of retailers' margin, duty and taxes, between 1959 and 1988, measured against the retail prices index and in constant money terms.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  The percentage changes in the price of four star petrol (that is, premium), net of duty and taxes, over the period between 1959 and 1988, are as follows:

  Per cent.

  Petrol price (money of the day)

  407

  RPI

  769

  Petrol price deflated by RPI

  -42

  The Department of Energy does not have data on retailers' margins.

  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what has been the percentage change in the average price of four star and premium petrol, net of duty and taxes(a) between 1960 and 1988, (b) between 1970 and 1988 and (c) between 1980 and 1988, measured against the retail price index and in constant money terms.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  The percentage changes in the price of four star petrol (that is, premium), net of duty and taxes, over the relevant periods, are as follows:

  Petrol price (in money of the day)

  RPI

  Petrol price deflated by RPI

  Percent.

  Percent.

  Percent.

  1960 to 1988

  414

  756

  -40

  1970 to 1988

  453

  478

  -4

  1980 to 1988

  -19

  60

  -49

  Flow Charts
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy(1) if he will indicate when the last flow chart showing United Kingdom energy flows was produced; and if he intends to issue a new chart with the latest figures;

  (2) if he will provide 1988 figures for the information which was provided by the 1983 energy flow chart.

  Mr. Parkinson
  The last chart showing United Kingdom energy flows was produced in 1987, and was based on data for 1986. The flow chart is produced every three years; the next chart is scheduled for publication in
  579
  mid-1990. and will be based on data for 1989. The chart is prepared from data published in the annual "Digest of United Kingdom Energy Statistics." The 1989 edition of the digest, containing data for 1988, is scheduled to be published by HMSO on 27 July, and a copy will be available in the House of Commons Library.

  Small Businesses
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the achievements of his Department and his policies in helping small businesses over the last 12 months compared with the previous 12 months; and if he will publish the performance indicators by which his Department monitors those achievements and the statistical results of such monitoring.

  Mr. Cecil Parkinson
  My Department's activities in support of small businesses remain essentially as stated in my reply to my hon. Friend on 14 July 1987 at columns 414–15. In the development and implementation of my Department's policies full account is taken on their impact on small businesses. In particular over the last 12 months, Government funding for British Coal Enterprise has risen to £60 million and new job opportunities, many of which are in small businesses, now total 41,041 in 2,600 individual projects; I am seeking to encourage the development of small licensed coal mine operations and I
  580
  am considering proposing an early increase in the statutory limits on the size of licensed mines; the Energy Efficiency Office has published booklets giving advice on energy efficiency in hotels, offices, factories and warehouses and high street banks and agencies; The Offshore Supplies Office has held a seminar on the export opportunities for smaller companies which examined ways to help them carry out economical market research and encouraged them to share the costs of doing so in carefully targeted areas.

  Nuclear Materials (Safeguards)
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Newport, West (Mr. Flynn)Official Report, 20 June, column 91, where the statement of interpretation on regulation 3227/76 is published.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  [holding answer 5 July 1989]: The statement on quantity and quality of nuclear substances was made by Commissioner Mosar during the debate on transport of dangerous goods and substances in the European Parliament on 5 July 1988 and is contained in "Official Journal (Special Series) Annex No. 2–367" pages 89–90, which is available for inspection in the Library of the House.

  FUNERAL EXPENSES AND THE PUBLIC TRUSTEE
  FUNERAL EXPENSES AND THE PUBLIC TRUSTEE
  DISCONTINUED DENOMINATIONAL SCHOOL PROPERTY: SALE
  DISCONTINUED DENOMINATIONAL SCHOOL PROPERTY: SALE
  LEEDS PRISON: TREATMENT OF ATTEMPTED SUICIDES
  LEEDS PRISON: TREATMENT OF ATTEMPTED SUICIDES
  HAVERIGG PRISON
  HAVERIGG PRISON
  PRISONERS: ETHNIC ORIGINS AND SENTENCES
  PRISONERS: ETHNIC ORIGINS AND SENTENCES
  POLICE COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE: REJECTION OF RECOMMENDATIONS
  POLICE COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE: REJECTION OF RECOMMENDATIONS
  SALMON TAGGING: PILOT SCHEME
  SALMON TAGGING: PILOT SCHEME
  SALMON NETTING
  SALMON NETTING
  BRITISH FILM INDUSTRY: FUNDING
  BRITISH FILM INDUSTRY: FUNDING
  NATIONAL ENGINEERING LABORATORY: CHANGE TO AGENCY STATUS
  NATIONAL ENGINEERING LABORATORY: CHANGE TO AGENCY STATUS
  MMC MEMBERSHIP
  MMC MEMBERSHIP