Written Answers of 27 July 1989

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Prison Dog Handlers
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department why the prison department has withdrawn payment of the grooming or care allowance to those prison officer dog handlers obliged to care for the dogs at home in their own time.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Prison officer dog handlers used to receive one hour plain time overtime per day to cover the time spent grooming, exercising and feeding the dog.

  Fresh start working abolished overtime beginning in 1987. We accept the need to recompense dog handlers for their continuing responsibility for the care and maintenance of their dog and have made two offers to the Prison Officers' Association, both of which have been rejected. Negotiations should be resumed in the near future.

  Conservative Party Conference 1988
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable of Sussex on the number of individuals upon whom he has records on computer relating to the 1988 Conservative party conference; for how long it is proposed to keep them; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hurd
  No. This is an operational matter for the chief constable.

  Immigration
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether any circumstance applies, which is neither exceptional nor compelling under his guidelines, but which has arisen because of(a) a mistake or (b) a misrepresentation of a relevant fact by an immigration officer, resulting in a proposed removal, in which he will accept representations from right hon. or hon. Members; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether (i) a mistake or (ii) a misrepresentation of a relevant fact is an exceptional and compelling circumstance enabling representations to him from right hon. or hon. Members.

  Mr. Renton
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to his previous question, on 16 June 1989 at column 565.

  Political Asylum
  Mr. Cartwright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from the Immigration Service Union about the granting of exceptional leave to remain in the United Kingdom to political asylum seekers as a result of his Department's backlog criteria; and what has been his response.
  794
  Mr. Renton
  Officials in the refugee unit have corresponded with the metropolitan liaison officer at the union's national executive committee, answering inquiries about a range of issues relating to asylum procedures, including the granting of exceptional leave to remain.

  Statutory Instruments
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for each of the last five parliamentary Sessions, including the 1988–89 Session, if he will list the number of statutory instruments that were issued by his Department; how many were negative and how many affirmative; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hurd
  From the beginning of the 1988–89 parliamentary Session to 26 July 1989, 107 statutory instruments were issued by the Home Office, of which 10 were subject to affirmative resolution, and 44 to the negative resolution, procedure. For the four preceding parliamentary Sessions, I refer the hon. Member to the respective Journals of the House.

  Prisons (Pin-up Pictures)
  Ms. Richardson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether all offensive pin-ups have now been removed from prison offices, particularly from rule 43 units for sex offenders.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Circular instruction 12/1989 (a copy of which is in the Library) advised governors in March this year that regional directors would be consulting and issuing guidance on the action which should be taken to prevent the display of offensive material in public and shared areas of prisons. This work is being carried forward, but information is not available centrally on the present position in individual establishments.

  Prisons (Drug Addicts)
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the available facilities in gaols in England and Wales for the treatment of known drug addicts; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  As the hon. Member is aware, the possibility of history of drugs misuse is one of the factors medical officers enquire into during the course of their examination of inmates being received into prison custody. The nature and extent of medical help offered is determined by the medical officer's clinical assessment of the individual case.

  The policy statement and guidelines, copies of which are in the Library, referred to in answer to the question from the hon. Member on 9 February at column 760 describe the framework for the development of help for drug misusers in prison.

  Prisoners (Ethnic Minorities)
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will list the percentage of male and female prisoners in England and Wales who derived from ethnic minority origin in(a) 1985, (b) 1986, (c) 1987, (d) 1988 and (e) at the latest available date; and if he will make a statement;
  795
  (2) what is the total number of female prisoners currently being held under sentence or on remand in a gaol in England and Wales who derive from ethnic minority origin; and if he will make a statement.

  Population in Prison Service establishments on 31 March 1989: by ethnic origin, and sex

  White

  West Indian, Guyanese, African

  Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi

  Chinese, Arab, Mixed origin

  Other, not recorded (including refusals)

  All persons in Prison Service establishments

  Males

  39,204

  4,812

  1,287

  877

  1,226

  47,406

  Females

  1,202

  341

  29

  63

  139

  1,774

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Total

  40,406

  5,153

  1,316

  940

  1,365

  49,180

  Females by type of prisoner

  Remand

  292

  84

  4

  19

  77

  476

  Sentenced

  906

  253

  25

  44

  61

  1,289

  Civil

  4

  4

  —

  —

  1

  9

  Prisons (Heroin)
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the total number of heroin finds in gaols in England and Wales for each of the last two years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  For the years to 31 May 1988 and 31 May 1989 there were, respectively, 17 and 31 reported finds of heroin.

  Measures to prevent and detect illicit drugs are kept continuously under review.

  "Custody and the Community"
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list those organisations and individuals who responded to his Department's document entitled "Custody and the Community" published in July 1988; if he will indicate which of those listed organisations and individuals favoured a supervision and restriction order, and which favoured the creation of a new sentence that combines probation and community service; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John Patten
  I have nothing to add to the replies given to questions from the hon. Member on 2 May at column 31 and from the hon. Member for Huddersfield (Mr. Sheerman) on 22 June at column 187.

  Female Prisoners (Drug Offences)
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the total number of female prisoners currently being held under sentence or on remand in a gaol in England and Wales whose area of origin is either west Africa, Latin America or Pakistan, and who have been convicted or are charged with a drug-related offence; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The offences with which remand prisoners are charged are not recorded centrally until the completion of court proceedings. On 30 June 1988, the latest date for which information is readily available, about 90 females serving custodial sentences in prison service establishments for drugs offences were known to be citizens of Pakistan or west African or Latin American countries.
  796
  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Information for each of the years 1985–88 was published in table 6 of "The Prison Population in 1988" (Home Office statistical bulletin, issue 12/89), a copy of which is in the Library. The latest readily available information is given in the table.

  Prisoners (Drug Users)
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the total number of prisoners currently remanded or sentenced in gaols in England and Wales who are known to be drug users; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The number of inmates reported by medical officers as having some degree of dependence on drugs at the time of their reception into custody is included in the medical statistics on page 78 of the report on the work of the prison service April 1987-March 1988 (Cm. 516) a copy of which is in the Library. They show that 2,628 were so reported during that year.

  Prisoners (Drugs Offences)
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the total number of prisoners in England and Wales who have been sentenced to a period of custody for a drug-related offence; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The latest readily available information, for 30 June 1988, was published in table 8 of "The Prison Population in 1988" (Home Office statistical bulletin, issue 12/89), a copy of which is in the Library.

  Prisoners (Suicide Attempts)
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the total number of prisoners who attempted to commit suicide during 1987–88 in gaols in England and Wales who were known to be drug addicts; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  This information is not available.

  Prisoners (Suicides)
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the total number of prisoners who committed suicide during 1987–88 in England and Wales who were known to be drug addicts; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given on 25 July to a question from the hon. Member for Warrington, North (Mr. Hoyle) at column 613.

  Contaminated Goods (Prosecutions)
  Mr. Shersby
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions have been initiated in accordance with section 38 of the Public Order Act 1986 concerning the contamination of or interference with goods with intention of causing public alarm or anxiety; how many persons have been convicted(a) on indictment and (b) summarily; and what penalties were imposed.

  Mr. John Patten
  Information available to me, which may be incomplete, shows no persons prosecuted in 1987 under section 38 of the Public Order Act 1986. Figures for 1988 are not yet available.

  CS Gas and Water Cannons
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is considering use of(a) water cannons and (b) CS gas by police forces; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Following an evaluation of water cannon, my hon. Friend the Member for Grantham (Mr. Hogg) announced on 18 March 1987 at column 529 in reply to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Newbury (Sir M. McNair-Wilson) that it was not proposed to add water cannon to the range of equipment available to the police. That remains the position.

  As the House was informed at the time, plastic baton rounds and CS equipment for use in dealing with serious public disorder were made available to police forces in Great Britain following the riots in 1981. My right hon. Friend announced the arrangements for supply of this equipment to police forces and the issue of guidelines covering its use in answer to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Lancashire, West (Mr. Hind) on 19 May 1986 at columns 15 and 16.

  Aid
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list all countries which received assistance from his Department during the past 12 months.

  Mr. Hurd
  We have provided assistance to a number of countries in a variety of fields including the fight against drugs; training of police officers, prison officers and immigration officers; forensic science service assistance and training; and the provision of equipment.

  The countries we have assisted in this way include Bermuda, Colombia, the Cayman Islands, Cyprus, Finland, France, Hong Kong, India, Jamaica, Lesotho, Oman, Pakistan, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey and the United States of America. In addition, one of Her Majesty's inspectors of fire service led a small team of London fire brigade officers to help in the aftermath of the earthquake in Armenia. A full list of the countries which we have assisted could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  London Fire Stations (Closures)
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has regarding proposals to close six London fire stations; and if he will make a statement.
  798
  Mr. Hurd
  I understand that London fire brigade's chief fire officer has recently completed a review of fire risk categorisation and standards of fire cover. The chief fire officer has yet to present his report and findings to the London fire and civil defence authority. Her Majesty's chief inspector of fire services was consulted by the chief fire officer about the methodology used in the review.

  A fire authority which proposes to close a fire station is required to seek my approval to the closure under section 19 of the Fire Service Act 1947. No application for approval has yet been made. I remain committed to maintaining nationally recommended standards of fire cover.

  Police National Computer
  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether any private limited company has ever had access to police files or to the police national computer.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  No non-Government organisations have ever had direct access to the Police National Computer, but arrangements exist for information from police records, including records held on PNC, to be disclosed to selected organisations where this is clearly in the public interest. Access to force records is a matter for chief officers.

  Tamils
  Mr. Marlow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the Tamils referred to in his answer of 3 December 1987,Official Report, column 682 have (a) since left the United Kingdom, (b) been given leave to enter and (c) have their cases still under consideration.

  Mr. Renton
  I shall write to the hon. Member and deposit a copy of the reply in the Library.

  Football Matches (Arrests)
  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were the total arrests at, and ejections from, football matches in England and Wales in each of the last five seasons; and of these how many were(a) women, and (b) persons aged 65 years or over; and what information he has as to comparable statistics for Scottish League clubs over the same period.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I shall write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

  Committal Procedure
  Mr. Patrick Thompson
  To ask the Secretary of Slate for the Home Department whether he has any proposals for reform of committal procedure.

  Mr. Hurd
  I am placing in the Library a copy of a consultation paper which my Department is issuing today, jointly with the Lord Chancellor's Department, on possible reform of committal proceedings. The purpose of the paper is to obtain comments from practitioners and others on the suitability, practicability and implications for resource use of a possible new scheme to replace existing arrangements for mode of trial procedure and committal. Comments are requested by 3 November. In
  799
  the light of the comments received, we shall consider further whether and, if so, how to bring forward detailed proposals for legislative reform.

  Parking
  Mr. Kirkhope
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made in his consideration of the report of the parking enforcement working party.

  Mr. Hurd
  We have given careful consideration to the report's conclusions. We have decided that no change should be made at present to the operation of parking enforcement outside London. The problems of parking enforcement in London raise many complex issues, to which we are giving urgent consideration.

  Durham Prison
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many strip searches have been carried out on women in Her Majesty's prison, Durham, in each of the last six months; and how many forbidden or dangerous items have been found.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Comprehensive records of strip searches are available only in respect of category A women prisoners, of whom there were four in Durham during the last six months. These records show that from 1 January 1989 to 30 June 1989 each category A prisoner was strip-searched 2·4 times per month on average. No unauthorised article was found.

  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has received the report on Durham H wing by Anthony Lester, QC and Dr. Pamela Taylor, commissioned by Women in Prison, Prison Reform Trust, National Council for Civil Liberties and the Howard League; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  We have received the report and its recommendations are currently being considered.

  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will authorise an increase in the amount of time allowed for exercise to women prisoners in Her Majesty's prison, Durham.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I will consider this in the light of the recent report by Her Majesty's chief inspector of prisons.

  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average number of prisoners who are employed; and what is the average working week, in Durham H wing.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Of the 37 women held in H wing of Her Majesty's prison, Durham, 36 are employed. The average working week is 25 hours.

  Women Prisoners
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will establish a full Home Office review of women prisoners' needs, environment and management.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The nature and requirements of the female prison population are already kept under regular review.

  Phan Ngoc Lan
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when Phan Ngoc Lan, a Vietnamese refugee, wife of Di Quang Tri of 6 Gosport way, North Peckham estate, SE15, will be admitted to the United Kingdom from China.

  Mr. Renton
  Instructions for the issue of a visa have now been sent to the British embassy in Peking. Arrangements will be made through UNHCR as soon as possible for Phan Ngoc Lan to travel to the United Kingdom.

  Litter
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions for leaving litter there have been in each of the past three years(a) in the borough of Taunton Dene, (b) in the London borough of Lambeth and (c) in England.

  Mr. John Patten
  The information available to the Home Office, which may be incomplete, is given in the table. Figures for 1988 are not yet available.

  Persons proceeded against for litter offences

  1985

  1986

  1987

  Taunton Dene, petty sessional division

  1

  4

  2

  Lambeth, petty sessional division

  —

  —

  —

  England

  1,354

  1,392

  1,671

WALES

  Correspondence
  Mr. Cran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales 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. Peter Walker
  The information is as follows:

  Number

  Letters received from hon. Members during January 1989

  257

  Letters sent to hon. Members during January 1989

  246

  Letters received from hon. Members during the whole of this session up to 1 July 1989

  2,233

  Letters sent to hon. Members during the whole of this session up to 1 July 1989

  2,169

  Inward Investment
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he intends to publish the Government's response to the report by the Welsh Affairs Select Committee on inward investment into Wales.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  I am pleased to announce that the response has been published today.

  Rural Initiatives
  Mr. Raffan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he has reached a decision on the future of the DRIVE grant scheme; and if he will make a statement.
  801
  Mr. Peter Walker
  The evaluation of the DRIVE grant scheme has demonstrated that the scheme has made a positive contribution to overcoming the problems of rural Wales. I have therefore decided that the scheme will be re-introduced from 1 September and will continue to be operated by the Development Board for Rural Wales and the Welsh Development Agency. The relaunched scheme will be competitive and will have the aim of increasing private sector investment on economic projects which create jobs and help to overcome deprivation in rural Wales. The scheme is expected to run until 1994–95 with up to £5 million of grant assistance available, and the scheme has the potential to generate more than £20 million of private sector investment and create over 1,000 jobs.

  Statutory Instruments
  Dr David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, for each of the last five parliamentary Sessions including the 1988–89 Session, if he will list the number of statutory instruments that were issued by his Department; how many were negative and how many affirmative; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  The total number of statutory instruments issued by my Department from November 1984 to 26 July 1989, for each calendar year, is as follows:

  Number

  November and December 1984

  20

  1985

  96

  1986

  110

  1987

  80

  1988

  83

  1989

  48

  Total figures are not readily available for each parliamentary Session.

  The number of negative and affirmative statutory instruments issued by my Department for each of the last five parliamentary Sessions is detailed in the following table:

  Negative

  Affirmative

  1984–85

  8

  —

  1985–86

  2

  —

  1986–87

  12

  13

  1987–88

  14

  4

  1988–89

  6

  —

  These figures are in respect of statutory instruments issued solely by my Department relating only to Wales and do not include statutory instruments made jointly which cover England and Wales.

  National Curriculum
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many national curriculum documents he has despatched to local education authority schools by heading and by volume; what is the estimated cost of(a) production and (b) despatch; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  The following documents in connection with the national curriculum have been distributed to local education authorities and schools by the Welsh Office. Most of the documents are produced and distributed by the Department and costs cannot be separately identified:802
  Circular 14/89: National Curriculum Mathematics and Science Orders.
  Circular 15/89: The School Curriculum and Assessment. Circular 32/89: Modern Foreign Languages in the National Curriculum.
  Draft Circular and draft Regulations: National Curriculum Temporary Exceptions for Individual Pupils.
  Draft Circular and draft Regulations: Information for Parents.
  Draft Regulations: Exemptions from English at Key Stage 1.
  Circular letter to Headteachers: National Curriculum Implementation.
  Guidance Note: LEA Training Grant Scheme and ESG—National Curriculum Development Plans.
  Education (National Curriculum) (Attainment Targets and Programmes of Study in Mathematics) Order 1989. Preceded by the Proposals of the Secretaries of State and consultation documents.
  Education (National Curriculum) (Attainment Targets and Programmes of Study in Science) Order 1989. Preceded by the Proposals of the Secretaries of State and consultation documents.
  Education (National Curriculum) (Attainment Targets and Programmes of Study in English) Order 1989. Preceded by the Proposals of the Secretaries of State and consultation documents.
  Design and Technology for ages 5–16. Proposals of the Secretary of State for Education and Science and the Secretary of State for Wales.
  English for ages 5–16. Proposals of the Secretary of State for Education and Science and the Secretary of State for Wales.
  Welsh for ages 5–16. Proposals of the Secretary of State for Wales.
  TVEI and the National Curriculum in Wales: The Way Forward.
  Teachers Guide to the National Curriculum.
  National Curriculum: Task Group on Assessment and Testing (TGAT)—report.
  English for ages 5–11: booklet.
  English and the National Curriculum Key Stage 1: booklet.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what action he will take to assist those schools and local education authorities who are having difficulty in obtaining in good time national curriculum documents; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  The distribution of national curriculum documents from the Department to schools normally takes place through local education authorities but some urgent documents have been distributed to local education authorities and all schools directly. Both methods have involved tight delivery schedules and material has been distributed as quickly as possible. Officials continue to seek improvements in the efficiency and speed of the distribution network.

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

  Mr. Peter Walker
  The amount spent on official hospitality in 1988–89 was £28,693·89.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Central America
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance in terms of(a) programme and (b) value was made available

  803
  in 1988–89 to (a) El Salvador, (b) Honduras, (c) Guatemala, (d) Costa Rica, (e) Panama, (f) Nicaragua, (g) Cuba, and (h) Belize; and what is projected for 1989–90.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Figures for the financial year 1988–89 are not yet available for all these countries. Latest provisional figures of bilateral aid in the calendar year 1988 are as follows:

  £ thousand

  El Salvador

  154

  Honduras

  1,212

  Guatemala

  4

  Costa Rica

  1,550

  Panama

  988

  Nicaragua

  180

  Cuba

  2

  Belize

  3,176

  This aid was in the form of technical co-operation, apart from:

  (a) Commonwealth Development Corporation investment of £817,000 in Costa Rica and £340,000 in Belize;

  (b) Capital aid of £1,547,000 for Belize and £615,000 for Honduras;

  (c) Financial aid under the aid and trade provision of £854,000 for Panama; and £47,000 for Belize;

  (d) £20,000 provided to Costa Rica and £180,000 to Nicaragua for relief measures following Hurricane Joan; further relief was provided in 1989;

  (e) £140,000 provided to El Salvador for refugee relief.

  These figures do not include our contribution through the European Community or to development projects jointly funded with British voluntary agencies.

  In 1989–90 we expect our aid to the region to remain at about the same level.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Jurors
  Mr. Ian Taylor
  To ask the Attorney-General (1) if he will increase the levels of compensation paid for loss of earnings to those on jury service;

  (2) what plans he has to increase the level of compensation paid for loss of earnings to self-employed people on jury service.

  The Solicitor-General
  The financial loss allowance, which may be paid to cover loss of earnings, was increased by a little less than nine per cent. on 3 July last.

  Where the period over which earnings or benefit are lost or additional expense is incurred is not more than four hours in any day, the maximum sum now payable is £16·15; where the period is more than four hours, the sum is £32·35; and where a juror has served on more than 10 days, for each day over the tenth the sum may exceed that specified but shall not exceed £64·70. These limits are reviewed annually in accordance with Treasury guidelines. All such sums are tax free. No distinction is made between those who are self-employed and others.

PRIME MINISTER

  Delors Report
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Prime Minister if she has received recent representations regarding the Delors report on economic and monetary union.

  The Prime Minister
  Yes; a considerable number from a wide variety of organisations and individuals.

  Horticulture
  Mr. Marland
  To ask the Prime Minister if she has received recent representations regarding the horticultural industry.

  The Prime Minister
  Since 1 April 1989 I have received representations regarding the horticultural industry on the subject of pesticides, research and development and the Apple and Pear Development Council.

  United Nations Secretary General
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Prime Minister when she next expects to meet the Secretary General of the United Nations.

  The Prime Minister
  I last met the Secretary General on 14 June. I have no plans for a further meeting in the immediate future.

  Quality of Goods
  Mr. Page
  To ask the Prime Minister if she has received recent representations regarding the quality of goods produced in the United Kingdom.

  The Prime Minister
  I am frequently reminded of the importance to- business of consistently reaching high standards of quality in order to succeed in competitive markets. I strongly support British business in its efforts to achieve this, and the Department of Trade and Industry provides help to industry in this area through its quality and design initiatives.

  Army
  Mr. Browne
  To ask the Prime Minister if she has received recent representations regarding the Army.

  The Prime Minister
  I regularly receive representations regarding the Army.

  Unemployment
  Mr. Leigh
  To ask the Prime Minister if she has received recent representations regarding the level of unemployment.

  The Prime Minister
  I have received a number of representations about the level of unemployment, which has shown a sustained fall over the past 35 months.

  Eastern Europe (Democracy)
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will make a statement on Britain's role in assisting the achievement of democracy in eastern Europe.

  The Prime Minister
  We believe in giving practical encouragement to the growth of democracy in eastern
  805
  Europe. For example, we have offered Poland £25 million over five years to help develop the expertise needed to run democratic institutions and a market-based economy. I am glad that the Paris summit decided to co-ordinate such efforts internationally. I welcome the seminar for Hungarian politicians being organised this week by the Great Britain/east Europe centre and look forward to further such ventures. We are ready to help other east European countries which embark on the road to democracy.

  Health Care
  Mr. Hind
  To ask the Prime Minister what representations she has received regarding the Government's achievements in expanding health care.

  The Prime Minister
  I have received a number of such representations. Since 1979, the level of resources for the NHS has increased by 40 per cent. in real terms and gross annual capital expenditure now stands at £1·25 billion. The numbers of those providing care has also increased, with 14,000 more doctors and dentists and 67,000 more nurses and midwives. There are now 1·5 million more in-patient cases treated in a year, 3·75 million more out-patient attendances and over 500,000 extra day cases. Considerable improvements have been made on screening, transplants and infant mortality. The Government have received much support for their commitment and record on expanding and improving the level of health care and for their proposals to build on these successes to create a service which is even more responsive to the needs of local communities whilst allowing patients improved choice.

  Litter
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will make a further statement on the Government's proposals for dealing with the litter problem.

  The Prime Minister
  The Government announced on 20 July our proposals for legislation to combat the menace of litter.

  Environmental Protection
  Mr. McCrindle
  To ask the Prime Minister what consideration she has given to an environmental protection commission, similar to the Environmental Protection Agency in the United States of America, to co-ordinate the activities of various Government Departments on green issues.

  The Prime Minister
  The Government considered the case for an environmental protection agency or commission in their reply to the second report from the Environment Committee on toxic waste (Cm. 679). The Government do not accept the need for structural changes.

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Prime Minister what action she is taking to co-ordinate the work of Government Departments on environmental policies.

  The Prime Minister
  Regular contacts between Departments, at all levels, ensure that the Government's policies on environmental issues are fully co-ordinated.

  Common Fisheries Policy
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Prime Minister if she has any plans to raise the common fisheries policy for discussion at the next European Council meeting.

  The Prime Minister
  No.

  Secondary Education
  Sir Hugh Rossi
  To ask the Prime Minister if she has received recent representations regarding secondary education.

  The Prime Minister
  I have not received any recent representations about secondary education. The introduction of the national curriculum from autumn this year will help to improve the standards achieved by maintained secondary schools.

  Steel Industry
  Mr. William Powell
  To ask the Prime Minister if she has received recent representations regarding the steel industry.

  The Prime Minister
  No.

  House of Lords (Abolition)
  Mrs. Roe
  To ask the Prime Minister what representations she has received seeking the abolition of the House of Lords.

  The Prime Minister
  The Government receive representations from time to time advocating abolition or reform of the House of Lords.

  Higher Education
  Sir Anthony Grant
  To ask the Prime Minister if she has received recent representations regarding higher education.

  The Prime Minister
  I receive many representations on education matters, including the Government's policies for higher education, which are aimed at increasing participation beyond the record levels already achieved.

  Administration of Justice
  Mr. Matins
  To ask the Prime Minister if she has received recent representations regarding the administration of justice.

  The Prime Minister
  I have received representations about a number of matters relating to the administration of justice.

  Biggin Hill (Selection Centre)
  Sir John Hunt
  To ask the Prime Minister what response she has made to the petition handed in to No. 10 Downing street on 14 July, with regard to the proposed closure of the RAF officer and aircrew selection centre at Biggin Hill.

  The Prime Minister
  I noted the petition carefully and I readily understand the strong feelings of those who wish to see the RAF's historic links with Biggin Hill retained.
  807
  Nevertheless, the RAF ceased flying from Biggin Hill in 1959 and the officer and aircrew selection centre is now the only unit based at the station. The decision to transfer this unit to the RAF college, Cranwell, was taken in the interests of efficiency, economy and the present day needs of the Royal Air Force. The memorial chapel will be retained at Biggin Hill as a permanent tribute to the station's role in the Battle of Britain.

  Ministerial Responsibilities
  Mr. Maxwell-Hyslop
  To ask the Prime Minister what is the target date for the issue of the Cabinet Office's list of ministerial responsibilities encompassing the recent ministerial changes.

  The Prime Minister
  As soon as possible during the summer recess.

  Ministerial Correspondence
  Mr. Maxwell-Hyslop
  To ask the Prime Minister whether she will remind Ministers to ensure that during the holiday period their private offices do not omit to send hon. Members a copy as well as an original of all ministerial letters.

  The Prime Minister
  My right hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury has written to Ministers accordingly.

  Retired Ministers
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Prime Minister what will be the total amount paid to Ministers retired from ministerial office following her latest announcements; and if any such Minister will not receive compensation.

  The Prime Minister
  Severance payments arising from the resignations announced on 24–25 July total £41,929. These will be made to outgoing Lords Ministers under the provisions of section 13 of the Parliamentary Pension Act 1984. The severance scheme recommended by the TSRB for Commons Ministers has not yet been implemented.

  Engagements
  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 27 July.

  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 27 July.

  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 27 July.

  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 27 July.

  The Prime Minister
  This morning I presided at a meeting of the Cabinet and had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House, I shall be having further meetings later today.

ENERGY

  Petrol Prices
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list the average sterling equivalent pump price per litre of premium grade petrol over the first four months of 808(a) excluding retailers' margin and Government taxes and duties and (b) including all Government taxes and duties in each European Community member state.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  The Department of Energy does not have data on retailers' margins. The figures from the Commission of the European Communities on the pump price (in pence per litre) of premium grade petrol in each of the member states, over the first four months of 1989 is as follows:

  Excluding Tax and Duty

  January

  February

  March

  April

  Belgium

  12·41

  13·11

  13·22

  16·72

  Denmark

  12·61

  13·37

  13·93

  16·58

  West Germany

  11·11

  12·08

  12·32

  16·49

  Greece

  9·85

  10·38

  11·05

  14·00

  Spain

  12·26

  12·87

  13·31

  14·66

  France

  10·24

  10·34

  10·90

  13·75

  Eire

  14·36

  14·11

  14·49

  14·61

  Italy

  12·34

  12·37

  13·03

  15·73

  Luxembourg

  12·85

  12·85

  14·02

  15·74

  Netherlands

  12·86

  13·55

  14·53

  17·96

  Portugal

  13·68

  14·32

  14·28

  15·62

  United Kingdom

  11·86

  12·86

  13·34

  15·33

  Including Tax and Duty

  January

  February

  March

  April

  Belgium

  37·44

  38·32

  38·82

  43·41

  Denmark

  52·06

  52·83

  54·01

  57·76

  West Germany

  35·36

  36·47

  37·11

  42·09

  Greece

  28·42

  28·25

  28·47

  28·44

  Spain

  36·25

  36·52

  39·96

  37·40

  France

  44·63

  44·89

  46·19

  49·95

  Eire

  48·10

  48·65

  49·63

  50·06

  Italy

  56·80

  56·95

  57·66

  58·25

  Luxembourg

  30·70

  30·71

  32·28

  34·36

  Netherlands

  42·58

  43·44

  44·95

  49·28

  Portugal

  44·51

  44·51

  44·94

  45·23

  United Kingdom

  37·14

  38·30

  38·85

  41·14

  Efficiency
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what progress has been made towards achieving the aim of 20 per cent. energy saving in the United Kingdom economy, as identified by the Energy Efficiency Office.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  When the Energy Efficiency Office was established in 1983, we believed that the nation could improve its energy efficiency by 20 per cent. leading to savings of £7 billion in our annual energy bill. At our last calculation in December 1987, the UK had so improved its energy efficiency as to be saving some £2·3 billion per year at 1983 prices. At this rate, the £7 billion or 20 per cent. saving is likely to be achieved by 1995.

  On-shore Licensing
  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he has any plans to announce a third round of onshore licensing.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  I have today placed in the Libraries of both Houses a copy of a notice inviting applications for landward exploration licences in a third round of onshore licensing. The notice will be published in the London and Edinburgh Gazettes at the earliest possible opportunity. Applications will be invited for any currently unlicensed

  809
  areas in the United Kingdom within the boundaries defined by the Petroleum (Production) (Landward Areas) Regulations 1984, and in accordance with the guidance given in the Gazette notice. In addition, holders of old-style exploration licences (XLs) will be allowed to convert them to new exploration licences provided that they are ready to carry out a drilling programme.

  Successful applicants will be offered landward exploration licences under the terms of the Petroleum (Production) (Landward Areas) Regulations 1984. The licences will be offered for a non-extendible term of six years and will entitle the licensee to carry out seismic survey and deep drilling work, subject to the need to obtain consent from the appropriate mineral planning authorities.

  Application forms and guidance notes will be available from my Department. Applicants will be expected to offer a suitable programme of exploration, which will generally involve both seismic survey and drilling work, designed to cover the whole of the area they are applying for.

  Applications will be returnable on 17 and 18 October 1989. I hope to be able to announce awards within a few months thereafter.

  Renewable Energy Sources
  Mr. Mans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will estimate the contribution of renewable energy sources to Britain's energy needs in the years 1995, 2000 and 2010.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The most recent estimates of the potential contribution from renewable energy sources were published in energy paper 55, copies of which are in the Libraries of the House. The Government intend to set orders for up to 600 MW of renewable energy capacity during the 1990s, in addition to whatever is contracted by the end of this year under the non-fossil fuel obligation in the Electricity Bill. The proposed levels of these special 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.

  Coal Mining
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy, what assessment he has made of the impact on the local economy, of the rundown in the deep coal mining industry of(a) the south Yorkshire and (b) the north Yorkshire areas.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  While no such specific assessments have been carried out, my Department helps to alleviate the difficulties caused by colliery closures through its funding of British Coal Enterprise Ltd.

  Coal-fired Power Stations
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list the coal-fired power stations operating in the United Kingdom, their opening date and anticipated closing date.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  This is an operational matter for the CEGB. I have asked the chairman to write to the hon. Member direct.

  Statutory Instruments
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy for each of the last five parliamentary Sessions including the 1988–89 Session, if he will list the number of statutory instruments that were issued by his Department; how many were negative and how many affirmative; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Wakeham
  The number of statutory instruments made by Ministers in my Department during each of the last five parliamentary Sessions, including the present Session to date, is:

  Parliamentary Session

  Total

  Negative

  Affirmative

  Not required to be laid before Parliament

  1984ߝ85

  195

  4

  3

  188

  1985ߝ86

  146

  10

  2

  134

  1986ߝ87

  56

  6

  2

  48

  1987ߝ88

  89

  16

  5

  68

  1988ߝ89

  34

  6

  3

  25

  Councillor Bett (Letter)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on his response to the letter from Councillor Graham Bett, the chair of Leicester city council's policy and resources (development schemes) sub-committee, dated 21 July.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  My right hon. Friend received a letter from Councillor Bett on 25 July and will be responding to him shortly.

  Combined Heat and Power
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the benefits of the combined heat and power schemes.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  Where it is economic, combined heat and power technology produces net benefits which stem from its higher fuel efficiencies compared with conventional plant. There are likely to be environmental benefits as a result of the reduction in the amount of fuel needed to meet a given demand for heat and power compared with using separate technologies. It is in recognition of these benefits that the Government have supported and promoted the development of economic CHP schemes. They have introduced measures in the Electricity Bill to enable CHP to compete with other established electricity suppliers. For example, licensed CHP operators will have new powers to break streets to lay electricity lines and heat mains. The Bill also enables the Director of Electricity Supply to monitor and collect information on the use and application of CHP. Output from CHP schemes based on non-fossil fuels such as refuse or landfill gas will count towards the non-fossil fuel obligation.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what was the level of cash guarantee demanded by the East Midlands electricity board in respect of the combined heat and power scheme in Leicester.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  This is a commercial matter between the East Midlands electricity board and Leicester Energy Ltd.

  Leicester Energy Limited
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if, in relation to the meeting held between Leicester Energy Ltd. and officials from his office in the recent past, he will state(a) the length of the meeting, (b) the date of the meeting, (c) the names of the officials attending and (d) what action was proposed by the Government to assist the project.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  Officials of my Department's electricity division and Energy Efficiency Office have met representatives of Leicester Energy Ltd. on a number of occasions. Representatives of Leicester Energy Ltd. and of the East Midlands electricity board last met my officials on 19 July. The parties confirmed that their decision not to proceed with the Leicester project was taken on commercial grounds and therefore the issue of Government assistance was not raised.

  Energy Conservation
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is, for each year since 1974, the total public expenditure on energy conservation schemes.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  Expenditure by my Department on energy efficiency programmes since 1979 is as follows:

  Year

  £ millions

  1979/80

  2·4

  1980/81

  4·5

  1981/82

  6·9

  1982/83

  9·4

  1983/84

  11·4

  1984/85

  17·5

  1985/86

  122·5

  1986/87

  124·5

  1987/88

  18·6

  1988/89

  18·5

  11986 was Energy Efficiency Year.

  Budget allocation for 1989–90 is £15 million. Information on years before 1979–80 is not readily available on a comparable basis.

  Atomic Energy Authority
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what scope he envisages for the diversification of the business of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  [pursuant to the reply, 24 July 1989. c. 723] The United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (AEA) recently commissioned consultants to assist it with its longer-term strategic thinking. In line with the consultants' recommendations, the AEA has decided to restructure its activities into a series of distinct businesses under the new corporate identity of AEA Technology. The businesses will be focused on the areas of work with the best commercial prospects. Each will have its own chief executive, who will be responsible for its efficient and profitable development. I understand that a number of key appointments will be announced shortly. The businesses will serve customers worldwide and will spearhead the effective commercial exploitation in selected markets of the unique skills which the AEA has built up over the years, largely in the service of the nuclear industry.
  812
  The Government welcome these developments. I believe that the AEA has the potential to improve the performance of a wide range of British industry. The Government also support its drives for increased exports and for greater efficiency.

  The AEA has recently submitted a revised corporate plan on the basis of the new business structure. My Department will be discussing this with the AEA in the coming months. It will also be consulting the authority about any changes which may be needed in the working relationship between the Department and the authority to reflect these developments and to secure the best value for money from the authority's operations.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Post Office Counter Services
  Mr. Stevens
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress has been made by the Post Office in the implementation of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission's report on Post Office Counter Services at Crown offices.

  Mr. Ridley
  The Monopolies and Mergers Commission's report (Cmnd. 398) was published on 23 June 1988. In September 1988 the Post Office produced an initial progress report detailing its response to the 80 recommendations made by the MMC on various aspects of the operation of Crown offices and wider issues. Of these, 35 were identified as of priority. As indicated by the then Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster in a written answer on 31 December,Official Report, column 271, the Post Office accepted 68 of the Commission's recommendations, rejected one and had reservations or qualifications about the remaining 11. The reply also indicated that my Department had agreed a detailed timetable for implementation of the accepted recommendations, many of which needed an extended period for implementation, and would be monitoring the Post Office's progress on the basis of reports in June 1989 and June 1991.

  I have now received the Post Office's report on progress to May 1989 and I am placing copies in the Library of the House. Good progress has been made in a number of areas. The report indicates that 18 of the recommendations which were wholly or partly accepted, including eight of the priority recommendations, have been implemented. They include improvements to budgetary arrangements, management information and working procedures; and the inclusion in this year's corporate plan, which we are currently considering, of the analysis of options for the business recommended by the MMC.

  Most of the remaining recommendations, including 24 of the priority recommendations, are on course for implementation within the agreed timetable. There has, however, been slippage on 14 of the recommendations. My Department will continue to monitor implementation of the outstanding recommendations and will pay particular attention to progress on those which are behind schedule. A further formal report will be made in June 1991.

  Lloyd's
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on implementation of the recommendations of the Neill committee on regulatory matters at Lloyd's.
  813
  Mr. Redwood
  Lloyd's was asked to implement the substance of the Neill report within two years. The Neill report contained 70 recommendations, of which 69 were addressed to Lloyd's, with the purpose of ensuring that regulatory arrangements at Lloyd's give protection for names comparable to that provided for investors under the Financial Services Act. The chairman of Lloyd's has sent me a memorandum which shows that, of the 70 recommendations, 65 have now been implemented. I will place copies of this memorandum in the Library.

  The one recommendation which was for Government to implement called for Lloyd's to be put in the same position as the Securities and Investments Board and the self-regulatory organisations in relation to exceptions to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary intends to lay a draft order before Parliament in the autumn.

  Of the four other recommendations not yet implemented, Lloyd's has issued consulation papers relating to its proposals for a Lloyd's members' compensation scheme, and for financial standards applicable to underwriting agents. Lloyd's will implement these two recommendations as soon as possible after the process of consultation has been completed. Another Neill recommendation related to inception date accounting under which greater precision would be given to allocating risks to years of account. This is still being considered by Lloyd's and I have asked the chairman to keep in touch with me on the resolution of the difficulties. The remaining recommendation requires Lloyd's to consider at the end of 1991, if there is no marked shift in the distribution of auditing work, limiting the number of syndicates which may be audited by any one firm. Lloyd's is keeping this under continuing review and will take action as necessary.

  The implementation of the substances of the Neill report has been a massive task for Lloyd's, and I commend the council of Lloyd's for the vigour with which it has tackled it. The objective of the Neill report in providing increased protection for names has been achieved.

  As the council of Lloyd's recognises, regulation requires constant vigilance and review and regulatory arrangements cannot be set for all time. I will continue to keep in close touch with the chairman of Lloyd's on these matters.

  Commodity Futures
  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he proposes to take following the United States Commodity Futures Trading commission's assertion of extraterritorial jurisdiction implicit in the terms of the exemption order issued on 15 May 1989.

  Mr. Redwood
  My hon. Friend the Member for Warwickshire, North (Mr. Maude) wrote on 12 May to the chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to express the Government's concerns about the need for moderation and restraint in the exercise of powers by one authority in respect of problems arising in the jurisdiction of another. In particular, he made clear our view that the CFTC should rely exclusively on the United Kingdom regulatory system for the protection of United States investors who place unsolicited futures business with United Kingdom firms. We are continuing to pursue this issue with CFTC representatives, keeping in close contact with the AFBD and other interested parties in the 814
  United Kingdom, with the aim of securing satisfactory arrangements which safeguard the public interest in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what information he has on the terms arid conditions attached to the exemption order issued by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission on 15 May 1989 under rule 30.10 of its rules, setting out the terms on which United Kingdom firms are permitted to transact business on United Kingdom markets for United States customers; and what assessment he has made of the problems which the exemption order will cause United Kingdom commodity trading companies.

  Mr. Redwood
  The terms and conditions attached to the exemption order issued by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission on 15 May were published in the United States Federal Register on 19 May. I am placing a copy of the relevant extract in the Library of the House. The order will enable those United Kingdom Commodity trading companies which seek exemption under it to market United Kingdom futures products in the United States without being subject to the full range of United States regulatory controls. As a condition of exemption, the CFTC has insisted on one main departure from United Kingdom regulatory requirements. Under SIB's Financial Services (Clients' Money) Regulations, experienced and professional United Kingdom clients are allowed to release firms from the obligation to hold their funds on trust in separate client accounts. This option would not be available to American investors whose funds must be segregated in all cases, in line with current domestic United States practice. The Government consider that on balance the exemption order will benefit British firms trading in the United States. We have however made clear to the American authorities our objection to the jurisdictional reach of the order, in particular its implied application to unsolicited business placed by United States clients with United Kingdom firms in the United Kingdom. We are seeking a satisfactory resolution to this problem in discussions with the CFTC.

  Financial Reporting Council
  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to make an announcement about the appointment of a chairman of the financial reporting council.

  Mr. Redwood
  I shall make an announcement as soon as the appointment has been made. It is too early to say when that will be.

  Statutory Instruments
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry for each of the last five parliamentary Sessions including the 1988–89 Session, if he will list the number of statutory instruments that were issued by his Department; how many were negative and how many affirmative; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Forth
  The answer to the question is contained in the following table:
  815

  Parliamentary procedure of the statutory instrument

  Total number of SIs

  Session

  negative

  affirmative

  non layers

  11988–89

  82

  5

  11

  98

  1987–88

  123

  30

  5

  158

  1986–87

  34

  11

  16

  61

  1985–86

  54

  16

  13

  83

  1984–85

  71

  14

  14

  99

  1 The number of Statutory Instruments for the 1988–89 session is up to and including 25 July 1989.

  European Single Market
  Mr. Butterfill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many firms have approached his Department for information on 1992 to date; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Forth
  The DTI has recorded over 246,000 requests for published information and other advice on the single market since the 'Europe open for business' campaign was launched in March 1988. The large majority of these requests have been from firms and business organisations. In addition, DTI Ministers and officials have spoken at more than 1,150 single market conferences and seminars since the campagin began; again mainly to business audiences.

  Cans
  Mr. Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has made representations to the canning industry or the large retail groups against the use of cans combining aluminium and steel.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  No.

  Recycling
  Mr. Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps has he taken this year to encourage recycling in industry; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  This year, my Department has continued to encourage recycling wherever economically viable. In addition, my right hon. Friend announced on 10 May details of the Department's new environment programme, which is aimed at raising industry's awareness of environmental issues, encouraging companies to take advantage of the growing market opportunities, at home and abroad, for environmentally benign products and pollution abatement and clean technology, and promoting waste minimisation, recovery and recycling. We are already among the leading nations in reclaiming such metals as copper, lead and zinc from scrap, and industry, local authorities, voluntary organisations and the general public are collaborating more and more to boost recovery of post-consumer wastes, such as glass, paper, aluminium and steel cans, and plastic bottles.

  Most recently, my Department has established a new business and environment unit to give even more focus to our initiatives in this important area.

  Balance of Trade (Manufactures)
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will publish a table in the Official Report showing in terms of sterling at specified
  816
  rates of exchange the overall and per capita surplus/deficit on trade in manufactures in 1959, 1967, 1977 and 1988 in the case of the United Kingdom, United States of America, Germany, Japan, France and Italy.

  Mr. Redwood
  The information is in the following tables:

  Trade in Manufactured Goods1 Balances

  £ billion

  United Kingdom

  USA

  FR Germany

  Japan

  France

  Italy

  1959

  1·9

  1·1

  1·9

  0·8

  0·9

  0·3

  1967

  3·3

  1·6

  3·9

  2·4

  0·5

  1·0

  1977

  3·2

  0·1

  16·8

  22·5

  3·2

  6·1

  1987

  -5·7

  -56·0

  37·5

  58·4

  -1·6

  9·9

  1988

  -11·0

  -49·1

  40·2

  61·3

  -3·5

  8·9

  1 Standard International Trade Classification Sections 5–8.

  Surplus/Deficit Per Capita

  £

  United Kingdom

  USA

  FR Germany

  Japan

  France

  Italy

  1959

  35·7

  6·2

  33·7

  8·7

  20·

  5·9

  1967

  60·3

  8·2

  65·5

  23·6

  10·5

  18·6

  1977

  57·1

  0·5

  27·30

  197·8

  60·2

  108·3

  1987

  -100·7

  -229·8

  612·0

  478·0

  -28·4

  172·8

  1988

  -192·7

  -199·4

  656·9

  499·7

  -63·0

  155·1

  Sources:OECD,UN and IMF.

  National currencies /sterling exchange rates

  USA US dollar

  FR Germany Deutsche Mark

  Japan Yen

  France Franc

  Italy Lire

  1959

  2·80

  11·76

  1,008

  13·82

  1,739

  1967

  2·77

  11·62

  996

  13·66

  1,729

  1977

  1·75

  4·05

  468

  8·57

  1,540

  1987

  1·64

  2·94

  236

  9·84

  2,123

  1988

  1·78

  3·12

  228

  10·60

  2,315

  Source: IMF, CSO.

  Imports
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will publish in the Official Report for the latest available date the figures for the share of the United Kingdom market taken by imports from the European Economic Community corresponding to ratio 1 in table 10 of the "Monthly Digest of Statistics"; and if he will provide a forecast in both cases for December 1988 based on the trade returns.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I assume the hon. Member is referring to table 15.10 of the "Monthly Digest of Statistics". It is estimated that, in 1987, 20 per cent. of the United Kingdom market for manufactured goods was taken by imports from the European Community. These estimates are readily available only on an annual basis, and there are no figures available yet for 1988.

  Exports
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is his estimate of the increase in imports and loss of exports as a result of access to the domestic and overseas markets of British companies acquired by foreign competitors.
  817
  Mr. Redwood
  There are no estimates of the trade effects of acquisitions of British companies by foreign competitors. Such acquisitions can provide important benefits to the economy and also have to be balanced against British company acquisitions of overseas companies.

  United Kingdom top ten exports 1979 to 1988

  Value in £ million

  Division

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  33

  Petroleum, petroleum products and related materials

  4,158

  6,133

  9,108

  10,686

  12,501

  14,852

  16,134

  8,208

  8,466

  5,576

  75

  Office machines and automatic data processing machines

  —

  —

  —

  1,600

  2,049

  3,047

  3,747

  3,562

  4,483

  5,297

  78

  Road vehicles (including air cushion vehicles)

  3,148

  3,158

  3,170

  3,109

  3,092

  3,319

  3,911

  3.954

  4,877

  4,992

  77

  Electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, n.e.s. and electrical parts thereof

  1,457

  1,799

  1,759

  2,117

  2,292

  2,805

  3,380

  3,383

  3,786

  4,343

  89

  Miscellaneous manufactured articles, n.e.s.

  1,537

  1,730

  1,909

  2,023

  2,393

  2,921

  3,175

  3,539

  4,357

  4,326

  79

  Other transport equipment

  1,802

  2,380

  1,726

  2,034

  2,342

  2,766

  2,737

  3,081

  3,759

  3,965

  71

  Power generating machinery and equipment

  1,789

  2,231

  2,642

  2,809

  2,473

  2,709

  3,061

  3,251

  3,241

  3,885

  74

  General industrial machinery and equipment, n.e.s. and machine parts, n.e.s.

  1,960

  2,317

  2,306

  2,412

  2,334

  2,557

  2,937

  3,037

  3,098

  3,578

  72

  Machinery specialised for particular industries

  2,313

  2,574

  2,558

  2,601

  2,335

  2,677

  3,078

  3,101

  3,300

  3,288

  51

  Organic chemicals

  —

  —

  1,496

  —

  —

  2,382

  2,743

  2,571

  2,831

  3,138

  66

  Non-metallic mineral manufactures, n.e.s.

  3,396

  3,551

  1,538

  1,610

  1,996

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  65

  Textile yarn, fabrics, made-up articles, n.e.s. and related products

  1,339

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  68

  Non-ferrous metals

  —

  1,771

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Notes:

  1. 1988 figures are provisional.

  2. Divisions listed in descending order based on 1988 values.

  Source: Overseas Trade Statistics.

  Manufacturing Output
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the percentage increase in output between 1959 and 1973 and 1973 and 1988 in, respectively, electrical engineering and instrument engineering goods together with (i) the percentage increase for the group using, respectively, 1959, 1970, 1975 and 1985 weights and (ii) the increase in import penetration between 1968 and 1977 and 1968 and 1988.

  Mr. Redwood
  I regret that an answer could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the percentage increase in output between 1959 and 1973 and 1973 and 1988 in, respectively, food, drink and tobacco, paper, printing and publishing, coal and petroleum products, cement, bricks, pottery, glass etc., timber, furniture etc. and other miscellaneous manufacturing together with (i) the percentage increase for the group using, respectively, 1959, 1970, 1975 and 1985 weights and (ii) the increase in import penetration between 1968 and 1977 and 1968 and 1988.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I regret that an answer could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost.
  818
  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the top 10 exports in each of the last 10 years; and if he will show the total value of each in each year.

  Mr. Redwood
  [holding answer 20 July 1989]: Information on the divisions of the standard international trade classification accounting for the greatest value of exports is given in the following table.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the percentage increase in United Kingdom output between 1959 and 1973 and 1973 and 1988 in, respectively, chemicals, manmade fibres, textiles clothing and footwear and leather, motor vehicles, trains, ships, aircraft etc. and mechanical engineering together with (i) the percentage increase for the whole group using, respectively 1959, 1970, 1975 and 1985 weights and (ii) the increase in import penetration between 1968 and 1977 and 1968 and 1988.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I regret that an answer could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost.

  Competitiveness
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will bring up to date the index on competitiveness given in his answer of 22 October 1979,Official Report, columns 56–60.

  Mr. Redwood
  The current estimates for the indices provided in the previous answer are available in tables D3 and F3 of the "Annual Supplement to the Monthly Review of External Trade Statistics", a copy of which is in the Library.

  BAT Industries
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will refer the bid by Hoylake for BAT Industries to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.

  Mr. Redwood
  The bid by Hoylake for BAT is currently under consideration by the Director General of Fair Trading, who will advise my right hon. 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 be inappropriate to comment on this case in advance of the director general's advice.

  Professions (Competence)
  Mr. Hanley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what criteria determine that examinations for competence are not considered a restriction to entry into a profession, with potentially undesirable consequences for competition, for dentists, doctors, solicitors, barristers, chartered accountants and stockbrokers, but are for members of FIMBRA who practice as independent financial advisers.

  Mr. Redwood
  FIMBRA has not introduced such a requirement, and so far as I am aware no such proposal has been discussed with the Director General of Fair Trading or his staff. No determination of the possible competitive effect of such a requirement has therefore been made. If such a requirement is introduced, it will in the first instance be for the director general to consider its effects on competition.

  Exhibitions
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many exhibitions Ministers from his Department have visited in an official capacity in the last 12 months or other convenient period, both within the United Kingdom and overseas; and if he will give comparable figures for the previous 12 months.

  Mr. Ridley
  Specific records are not kept, but I understand that previous Ministers in my Department visited at least 10 overseas exhibitions in the last 12 months compared with at least four in the previous 12 months. It would be too costly to identify figures of visits to United Kingdom exhibitions.

  Trade Statistics
  Mr. Haynes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) how he intends to maintain reliable intra-European Community trade statistics post-1992 without adding to the form-filling burdens on business establishments;

  (2) what assessment he has made of the rôle of reliable intra-European Community trade statistics for post-1992 business marketing and investment purposes.

  Mr. Redwood
  Following completion of the single market in 1992, the current source of intra-European Community trade statistics—customs' documentation—will probably disappear. An EC Commission proposal for a revised collection system has been put forward to be considered by EC Ministers later this year. This system 820
  involves collecting trade statistics directly from industry. However, with the elimination of customs' documentation and formalities, importers and exporters within the Community will benefit from a major reduction in costs and overall form-filling burden.

  The Government's aim is to ensure that any new statistical system achieves a reasonable balance between the burdens imposed on those who have to provide statistics and the needs of Government and industry for reliable figures.

  In order to assess these two aspects of any new system, a consultation exercise has recently been undertaken to obtain the views of industry. Individual businesses, trade associations and freight forwarders have all been included in the consultation. The results of this exercise are currently being assessed and will be used to help decide the United Kingdom's negotiating position in discussion on the new collective system.

  More information about the proposed new statistical system and details of the consultation exercise were included in an article in British Business on 19 May 1989.

  Multi-fibre Arrangement
  Mr. Haynes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will ensure that any changes in multi-fibre arrangement quotas within the member states, consequent upon the fulfilment of the single European market, post 1992, will not add further to import penetration of textiles, knitted and clothing products in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Redwood
  The present extension of the multi-fibre arrangement expires in 1991. Its future is a matter for negotiation in the current Uruguay round of multilateral trade negotiatons.

  It is the Commission's general view that the maintenance of indiviudal member state quotas will be inconsistent with the completion of the single market after 1992. How far this might extend to the treatment of textiles and clothing and, in that event, the likely implications for trade flows have yet to be discussed. Current arrangements in the Community's bilateral textile agreements already provide however for automatic transfer or quotas between member states up to a certain percentage which increases annually.

  Anti-dumping Rules
  Mr. Haynes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make it his policy to seek immediately a change in the European Community's application of the anti-dumping rules so that given a prima facie case of dumping a provisional duty could be introduced, with the required onus of proof, thereafter, being placed on the supplying country.

  Mr. Redwood
  The GATT anti-dumping code to which the EC is a party permits provisional anti-dumping duties only when a preliminary finding of dumping has been made and there is sufficient evidence of injury. However, the provisions of the code are under review in the current Uruguay round negotiations.

  Socks
  Mr. Haynes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what information he has on the increase in the level of sock imports from Indonesia(a) between 1987

  821
  and 1988 and (b) between 1 January and 30 April 1989; and if he intends to support the introduction of the multi-fibre arrangement quota on socks originating in Indonesia.

  Mr. Redwood
  Imports from Indonesia of socks and certain other hosiery products covered by multi-fibre arrangement category 12 rose from 2,365,000 pairs in 1987 to 10,767,000 pairs in 1988, an increase of 355 per cent. In the first four months of 1989, 3,276,000 pairs of these products were imported, compared with 1,095,000 pairs in the same period in 1988, an increase of 199 per cent. These imports accounted for 4·4 per cent. of the United Kingdom market for category 12 products in the first quarter of 1989, compared with 1·5 per cent. in the same period in 1988.

  My Department is currently considering a request from the Knitting Industries Federation for restraint action against these imports under the terms of the EC-Indonesia bilateral textiles agreement. United Kingdom producers currently hold almost 70 per cent. of a domestic market which has been growing and I will need to take this and other factors into account when assessing their case. In particular, it will be necessary to demonstrate clearly that the imports from Indonesia are causing or threatening to cause disruption to the United Kingdom market before a decision could be taken to submit the case to the EC Commission for consideration by the Community.

  Mr. Haynes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what information he has on the level of sock imports from Turkey(a) between 1987 and 1988 and (b) in the first four months of 1989; and if he intends to invoke the safeguard mechanism in the European Community-Turkey agreement in this respect.

  Mr. Redwood
  Imports from Turkey of socks and certain other hosiery products falling within multi-fibre arrangement category 12 rose from 6,775,000 pairs in 1987 to 13,692,000 pairs in 1988, an increase of 102 per cent. In the first four months of 1989, 3,542,000 pairs were imported, compared with 2,544,000 pairs in the same period in 1988 an increase of 39·2 per cent. These imports accounted for 4·8 per cent. of the United Kingdom market for category 12 products in the first quarter of 1989, compared with 3·4 per cent. in the same period in 1988.

  In order to invoke the safeguard mechanism of the EC-Turkey association agreement, it is necessary to provide evidence to the EC Commission and Council which clearly demonstrates serious injury as a result of imports from Turkey. Such evidence is not available at present. However following representations from the Knitting Industries Federation, officials are monitoring the situation closely.

  Certain categories of knitwear and clothing imports from Turkey are covered by informal voluntary restraint arrangements agreed between Turkish garment exporters associations and the EC Commission. The United Kingdom has already taken the opportunity of consultations within the framework of these arrangements to ensure that the EC Commission raised our concerns about sock imports with the Turks. Consultations will continue in September.

  Philippines
  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will estimate the volume and value of trade in fruit between the Philippines and the United Kingdom; and what tariff or other conditions apply to this trade.

  Mr. Redwood
  [holding answer 20 July 1989]: The United Kingdom imported 15,300 metric tonnes (£6·6 million) of fruit from the Philippines in 1988. There were no exports.

  Full details of specific customs duties are given in the integrated tariff of the United Kingdom, chapters 8 arid 20, a copy of which is available in the Library. Imports of prepared or preserved pineapples comprise some two thirds of fruit imports from the Philippines; these receive a general scheme of preferences concession on the normal full tariff rate.

  There are plant health standards that have to be met by certain fresh fruit imports.

  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what are the principal trading goods and commodities between the United Kingdom and the Philippines.

  Mr. Redwood
  [holding answer 20 July 1989]: The principal traded goods have been defined in terms of divisions of the standard international trade classification. The information is given in the following tables:

  United Kingdom imports from the Philippines in 1988

  Division

  Value £ million

  24 Cork and wood

  45·3

  77 Electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances and electrical parts thereof

  40·6

  63 Cork and wood manufactures (excluding furniture)

  35·9

  84 Articles of apparel and clothing accessories

  32·9

  05 Vegetables and fruit

  10·7

  89 Miscellaneous manufactured articles nes

  7·7

  82 Furniture and parts thereof (including bedding)

  7·3

  03 Fish (not marine mammals, crustaceans, molluscs etc and preparations thereof

  5·1

  29 Crude animal and vegetable materials nes

  4·7

  26 Textile fibres and their wastes (not manufactured into yarn or fabric)

  4·7

  Scottish Trade Missions
  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is the total amount spent by his Department in each year since 1979 on assisting Scottish trade missions; and if he will provide comparable information in respect of each planning region of England.

  Mr. Redwood
  [holding answer 20 July 1989]: The table is based on readily available information. Although the costs are shown by organising sponsors located in the areas specified, it is important to note that participation in a mission is on a United Kingdom-wide basis and that consequently all companies are eligible for consideration irrespective of their or a sponsor's location.

  Outward Mission Payments: Financial Year

  £'000

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  Total of which:

  1,446

  1,395

  1,301

  1,278

  Scotland

  175

  125

  129

  151

  823

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  South East

  600

  564

  585

  524

  West Midlands

  211

  239

  140

  183

  East Midlands

  57

  89

  62

  77

  Northern

  74

  81

  68

  70

  North West

  99

  84

  67

  70

  Yorks and Humberside

  119

  126

  152

  120

  South West

  54

  34

  46

  53

  Wales

  47

  46

  36

  26

  Northern Ireland

  10

  7

  16

  4

  Electrical Installations
  Mr. Randall
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list for the last 20 years how many deaths and serious accidents are attributable to faulty electrical installations.

  Mr. Forth
  [holding answer 24 July 1989]: The information is not available either in the form requested or for the whole of the last 20 years.

  Fatal and non-fatal casualties from fires in dwellings due to faults in electical appliances:

  Fatal

  Non-Fatal

  Year

  Fault in mains circuit

  Fault in appliance

  Fault in mains circuit

  Fault in appliance

  1978

  11

  37

  133

  379

  1979

  13

  52

  143

  485

  1980

  6

  38

  108

  407

  1981

  11

  41

  109

  459

  1982

  8

  33

  108

  443

  1983

  26

  42

  148

  498

  1984

  15

  33

  183

  502

  1985

  9

  40

  175

  620

  1986

  11

  38

  178

  600

  1987

  10

  23

  180

  571

  Source: Home Office Fire Statistics.

  Electrocutions: Fatal home accidents involving electrical products in England and Wales

  Year

  Fault in mains circuit

  Fault in appliances

  1979

  4

  23

  1980

  4

  17

  1981

  4

  15

  1982

  1

  32

  1983

  8

  28

  1984

  2

  14

  1985

  3

  20

  Source: HADD

  HASS: Electric current accidents, Hospital admissions

  Year

  Number

  1980

  11

  1981

  15

  1982

  19

  1983

  12

  1984

  12

  1985

  14

  1986

  12

  1987

  9

  Source: HASS

  Mergers
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will refer the proposed merger between Hodgson Holdings undertakers and Kenyon Securities undertakers to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.

  Mr. Redwood
  [holding answer 24 July 1989]: The proposed merger between Hodgson Holdings and Kenyon Securities is currently under consideration by the Director General of Fair Trading who will advise my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in the normal way on whether the proposed merger should be referred to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission. It would be inappropriate to comment in detail on the case in advance of the director general's advice.

  Exports
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what is his estimate of the percentage United Kingdom content of United Kingdom exports in 1959, 1970, 1979 and 1988 or the latest available date of finished manufactures less erratics made in the United Kingdom, taking into account the increase in imports of basic materials, semi-manufactures and intermediate finished manufactures;

  (2) whether he will publish in the Official Report his estimate of the percentage United Kingdom content in 1959, 1970 and 1988 of United Kingdom exports of, respectively, motor cars, commercial vehicles, clothing, textiles, mechanical engineering products and electrical engineering products, taking into account the increase in imports of materials and components used in each of these industries and assuming that the import content of exports is the same as that for the sector as a whole.

  Mr. Redwood
  I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible and place a copy in the Library.

  North East Shipbuilders Ltd.
  Mr. Clay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether any meetings took place or written correspondence was exchanged between his Department and the European Commission relating to the sale of North East Shipbuilders Ltd. between 17 April and the date of the meeting between the right hon. Member for Braintree (Mr. Newton) and Sir Leon Brittan.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  A full account of exchanges between my Department and the European Commission is contained in the note that my right hon. Friend has recently placed in the Library.

  Mr. Clay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to the reply by the right hon. Member for Braintree (Mr. Newton), to the hon. Member for Dagenham (Mr. Gould),Official Report, 13 July, column 1151, whether it was his Department or British Shipbuilders who informed the bidders for NESL of the anticipated difficulties with the European Commission; and whether this advice was provided in writing.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Advice was given orally by my officials.

  Mr. Clay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on which date the right hon. Member for Braintree (Mr. Newton) met Sir Leon Brittan to discuss the sale of North East Shipbuilders Ltd.
  825
  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  My right hon. Friend met Sir Leon Brittan to discuss this matter on 27 June 1989.

  Mr. Clay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on what date his Department was first made aware of a renewed interest in the purchase of North East Shipbuilders Ltd by the Egon Oldendorff line of West Germany.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  British Shipbuilders informed my Department on 13 April that an approach it had received from a further interest in North East Shipbuilders Ltd would be confirmed in writing that day.

  Balance of Trade (Manufactures)
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if, further to his reply of 30 November,Official Report, column 251, showing the balance of trade in manufactures in terms of 1988 prices, he will provide the outturn figure for 1988 and that for the first five months of 1989 together with the figures for each year in current prices; and if he will provide the corresponding figures for trade in manufactures with the European Economic Community.

  Mr. Redwood
  The figures for manufactures, excluding erratics, for 1988 and 1989 to date at 1988 prices are:

  Manufactures less erratics (BOP basis) at 1988 prices

  £ billion

  Exports

  Imports

  Balance

  1988

  59·3

  74·8

  -15·6

  11989

  62·5

  82·7

  -20·2

  1 The figures for 1989 are for January to May 1989 at an annualised rate.

  Figures for earlier years at current prices are shown in the following table:

  Table 2

  Manufactures less erratics (BOP basis) at current prices

  £ billion

  Exports

  Imports

  Balance

  1970

  6·3

  3·7

  +2·6

  1971

  7·1

  4·0

  +3·2

  1972

  7·2

  4·9

  +2·3

  1973

  9·0

  7·2

  +1·7

  1974

  12·2

  10·0

  +2·2

  1975

  14·6

  10·2

  +4·4

  1976

  18·8

  13·7

  +5·1

  1977

  23·3

  17·0

  +6·4

  1978

  25·5

  20·4

  +5·1

  1979

  28·1

  25·4

  +4·2

  1980

  3l·0

  25·1

  +1·3

  1981

  31·8

  27·6

  +4·2

  1982

  33·9

  32·6

  +1·3

  1983

  35·7

  39·2

  -3·5

  1984

  41·9

  47·0

  -5·1

  1985

  48·0

  51·9

  -3·9

  1986

  49·1

  56·5

  -7·4

  1987

  54·7

  64·3

  -9·6

  Estimates for trade in manufactures with the European Community are available only at current prices, and including the erratic items.
  826

  Table 3

  United Kingdom trade with the EC Manufactures including erratics (BOP basis) at current prices

  £ billion

  Exports

  Imports

  Balance

  1970

  2·2

  1·5

  +0·6

  1971

  2·3

  1·8

  +0·4

  1972

  2·5

  2·5

  —

  1973

  3·3

  5·7

  -0·4

  1974

  4·7

  5·2

  -0·5

  1975

  5·1

  5·7

  -0·6

  1976

  7·2

  7·7

  -0·5

  1977

  9·3

  9·8

  -0·5

  1978

  10·2

  12·0

  -1·7

  1979

  12·16

  15·2

  -2·6

  1980

  14·0

  15·2

  -1·2

  1981

  13·2

  15·9

  -2·6

  1982

  14·6

  18·9

  -4·3

  1983

  15·9

  23·1

  -7·2

  1984

  18·8

  27·0

  -8·1

  1985

  21·8

  30·5

  -8·7

  1986

  23·9

  34·0

  -10·1

  1987

  28·0

  38·4

  -10·4

  1988

  31·5

  44·0

  -12·6

  British Tourists
  Mr. Thorne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress has been made in giving protection to British tourists travelling abroad by making tour operators responsible to British courts for statements made in their brochures.

  Mr. Forth
  Negotiations on a draft EC directive on package travel continue. Meanwhile, the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) has recently revised its code of conduct for tour operators in consultation with the Office of Fair Trading.

  I welcome the new code. I believe that consumers will benefit in particular from the clear statement of their responsibilities which tour operators will now be required to provide in their brochures and booking conditions.

  Salmon Farm, Sian Bay
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will publish the advice that the Nature Conservancy Council submitted on the recent granting of a sea-bed lease for the purpose of salmon farming at Sian bay, Sutherland; whether the applicant submitted an assessment of the likely environmental impact of the salmon farm; and if he will publish the names of all those conservation or environmental organisations which objected to the proposal.

  Mr. Lawson
  [holding answer 20 July 1989.]: I have been asked to reply.

  The Crown Estate does not publish submissions made on applications for sea-bed leases. Such submissions may, of course, be obtained from the parties concerned. The scale of the development at Sian bay was below the level requiring an environmental impact assessment. Submissions were received from the Nature Conservancy Council, the Countryside Commission for Scotland and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.

  Liverpool Freeport
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether city grants will continue to be made available for the next stage of the Liverpool Freeport park development.

  Mr. Moynihan
  [holding answer 17 July 1989]: I have been asked to reply.

  The availability of the Government funding will depend upon whether the proposed development can satisfy all the criteria of city grant and in particular whether the project offers good value for money.

TRANSPORT

  40-tonne Lorries
  Mr. Waller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many bridges on the A1 trunk route are unable to carry 40-tonne lorries.

  Mr. Atkins
  In November 1987 we announced a programme of assessment and strengthening of bridges on motorways and all-purpose trunk roads to ensure that they can carry modern heavy lorries. This programme is continuing. It is too early to say how many, if any, of the bridges on the A1 require strengthening.

  Mr. Waller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has given any indication in the European Community Council of Ministers that the United Kingdom will move towards 40-tonne lorries on its roads before 31 December 1998 if it becomes practicable to do so.

  Mr. Atkins
  Last month the EC Transport Council agreed 31 December 1998 as the date when the deregulations from EC road vehicle weights will end. We undertook to use our best endeavours to advance this date as far as practicable. We have suggested that an addendum reflecting these statements at the Council meeting be made to the minutes of the meeting.

  Clapham Train Accident
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consideration the railway inspectorate has given to the possible implication of the Clapham train disaster that a large number of people standing could result in more casualties, when considering London Underground Ltd's specification for new rolling stock involving fewer seats and more standing space per train; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  The railway inspectorate has considered the relevant evidence given to the formal investigation into the railway accident at Clapham junction. This indicates little significant difference in the type of severity of injuries received by passengers in a severe railway accident, whether they are sitting or standing. However, some lessons have been learned regarding the interior design of railway rolling stock. These will be borne in mind when considering the specification for London Underground Ltd's new rolling stock and before that stock obtains formal approval.

  Airport Capacity, South-East
  Sir Barney Hayhoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will ensure that the letter dated 14 July from the Federation of Heathrow Anti-Noise Groups about airport and runway capacity in the south-east is carefully considered; and if he will make appropriate arrangements to establish reliable forecasts for future air passenger demand and for the size of aircraft that will be in the airline fleets to meet that demand.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The federation's letter will of course be given careful attention. A copy is being passed to the Civil Aviation Authority, who will be advising my right hon. Friend next summer on strategic options for meeting demand at United Kingdom airports in the long term. My Department last published air traffic forecasts in December, and will be updating these in due course. The authority will be concerned with average passenger loads in carrying forward its present commission.

  Buses (Wheelchair Access)
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many buses currently in operation on London Regional Transport routes are accessible to wheelchair users.

  Mr. Portillo
  London Regional Transport has 45 buses which operate scheduled services and are accessible to users of wheelchairs. Additionally, London Regional Transport funds the London Dial-a-Ride service which operates 141 wheelchair accessible buses, providing door-to-door services.

  Underground Stations (Exits)
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many London Underground stations have only one public exit from the platforms to the street; and what proposals he has discussed with London Underground Ltd. to provide these stations with secondary exiting.

  Mr. Portillo
  There are 118 stations with only one exit at street level, of which 29 are deep-level stations. In pursuit of recommendation 124 of the Fennell report, London Underground Ltd. has embarked on a programme of surveying stations with disused lift-shafts and passageways, to identify possible secondary exits and to establish the cost of conversion.

  Routemaster Buses
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many Routemaster buses have been sold by London Buses Ltd(a) to other operators within the United Kingdom, (b) for scrap and (c) to foreign owners.

  Mr. Portillo
  The disposal of surplus vehicles is a matter for London Buses Ltd.

  Harbours (ERDF Funding)
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list, in respect of each county in England and Wales, those harbour projects which have been funded or part-funded by the European Community regional development fund during the period April 1979 to March 1989; and if he will state the level of funding in each case.
  829
  Mr. McLoughlin
  The information requested is not immediately available. I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible, hopefully within a few days.

  Bus Deregulation, London
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what timetable he now envisages for the deregulation of bus services in London.

  Mr. Portillo
  No decisions have yet been taken on the timetable for deregulation of bus services in London, but it is our stated aim to achieve this by the early 1990s.

  East London Rail Study
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when his Department will publish the east London rail study.

  Mr. Portillo
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Wanstead and Woodford (Mr. Arbuthnot) on 26 July.

  Roadworks
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the Government have any plans to introduce legislation to oblige local authorities to recover their costs plus a margin for profit from suppliers of services seeking road closures and to charge a full rent at a rising daily rate in all cases of roadworks for the installation, repair and renewal of such services based on the amount of traffic diverted or inconvenienced and the duration of the work.

  Mr. Atkins
  Proposals for legislation to reform the Public Utilities Street Works Act 1950 were circulated in May to interested parties for comment. A copy of these proposals is in the Library. The proposals included a provision to enable highway authorities to recover from utilities certain of their costs such as those incurred by making temporary traffic orders. A provision to oblige highway authorities to charge rent for roadworks was not included. We have received several responses putting forward suggestions aimed at reducing the impact of utilities' works on road users, including charging for the road space occupied by those works. We are considering the responses to consultation.

  Dock Labour Scheme
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take steps to ensure that those dockers formerly employed at Denton's Wharf and G. E. Grays, but who were on the temporary unattached register at the abolition of the dock labour scheme, are paid full compensation for redundancy.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The liability for paying the compensation due to the former registered dock workers employed by Denton's Wharf Limited and G. E. Gray and Son (Shipping) Limited rests with those companies. The Department has explained the position to them and has repeatedly urged them to resolve the matter quickly. I understand that Denton's Wharf Limited has accepted its liability and will he taking steps to pay the compensation shortly, but that G. E. Gray and Son (Shipping) Limited 830
  is still awaiting legal advice. Under the terms of the statutory compensation scheme, the Department can pay the full amount of compensation due to redundant former registered dock workers only in cases where a company has become insolvent.

  Road Humps
  Mr. Waller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on road hump regulations.

  Mr. Atkins
  The Department consulted over 125 bodies on proposals for revised road hump regulations and over 50 responded. The consultation was in two parts. On relaxation of criteria currently set in the regulations, the response was almost uniformly favourable. On the wider relaxation encompassing proposals for the introduction of sub-30 mph speed limits, again responses were generally favourable.

  We are now proceeding towards making new regulations which will implement all the new proposals. A number of points of detail were raised and we shall be dealing with these in new advice for local highway authorities.

  The new regulations are a further step forward in civilising the motor car and in giving local authorities greater freedom of action.

  Seat Belts
  Mr. Heddle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has any plans to carry out research into the practicality of fitting seat belts on school buses; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  [holding answer 21 July 1989]: We are satisfied that it is practicable to fit seat belts in coaches and minibuses, although they would not be justified in city buses.

  It is our firm belief, on the basis of all the accident experience, that seat belts can make a major contribution to the survival of accidents in most types of motor vehicle, including coaches and minibuses.

  We regard it as one of our priorities, as we work towards a single set of safety requirements for Europe after 1992, that good quality, easy-to-use retractable seat belts should be fitted to all the seats in coaches and minibuses, and that they should be worn. We are taking every opportunity to press the European Commission, the member states and the bus industry on this point.

  M25
  Mr. Ground
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the review of the M25 referred to in the White Paper "Roads for Prosperity" will be published.

  Mr. Parkinson
  The M25 review is being published today. The consultants, Rendel Palmer and Tritton, have produced a range of recommendations which will need careful study. The proposal to widen the motorway to dual four lanes has already been announced in the recent roads White Paper. We shall need to weigh up the traffic and environmental implications of their recommendations with care. We shall consult widely, and shall announce further plans for action later this year. The consultants' views do not necessarily represent Government policy.

  I am placing copies in the House Libraries.

  A1
  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the current works of repair to the A1 between London and Dishforth, the dates works started and the expected completion dates.

  Mr. Atkins
  The following major maintenance works are in progress on the A1 between London and Dishforth.

  Location

  Works

  Start date

  Expected duration

  Cambridgeshire Wothorpe

  Bridge repairs

  17 July

  9 weeks

  Lincolnshire Cromwell to Muskham

  Carriageway repairs

  5 June

  19 weeks

  Foston

  Carriageway and bridge repairs

  18 July

  13 weeks

  South Yorkshire A1(M)/ M18 interchange northwards for 1·5 miles

  Carriageway repairs

  28 June

  23 weeks

  West Yorkshire Leeds, A64 junction northwards for 1·5 miles

  Carriageway

  19 July

  3 weeks

  Motorways
  Mr. Moate
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list all the motorways in England which are two lanes each way and for which widening plans have not been announced.

  Mr. Atkins
  No widening plans have been announced for the following sections of dual two-lane trunk motorway:

  Motorway

  Length (miles)

  M2

  Junctions 3–7

  21·0

  M3

  Junction 8–A33

  12·5

  M4

  Junction 1-Boston Manor

  3·0

  M10

  Junction 1–M1

  3·0

  M18

  Junctions 2–5

  11·0

  M20

  Junctions 12–13

  1·0

  M23

  Gatwick link

  0·8

  M26

  9·0

  M27

  Spurs to A36 (Junction 2) and A33 (Junction 4)

  3·5

  M41

  10·8

  M42

  Junctions 9–11

  13·0

  M45

  8·0

  M50

  21·0

  M54

  M6-Junction 5 and Junction 6–A5

  17·0

  M56

  Junction 3/J4–M63

  1·0

  M58

  Switch Island-Junction 1

  2·0

  M65

  Junctions 8–9

  2·0

  M66

  Edenfield-Junction 2

  6·0

  M180

  Junctions 3–4

  7·0

  M181

  M180–A18

  2·5

  M271

  A3057-Southampton

  2·0

  M606

  M62-Bradford

  3·0

  M621

  Gildersome-Leeds

  15·0

  A1(M)

  Darlington-Sunderland

  234·0

  A1(M)

  Darlington Bypass

  15·5

  A1(M)

  Doncaster Bypass

  15·5

  A3(M)

  Bedhampton-Homedean

  5·0

  A40(M)

  Wood Lane-Bramley Road and Paddington slip roads-Marylebone Flyover

  2·0

  A66(M)

  A1–A66

  2·5

  A102(M)

  Blackwall Tunnel-Rochester Way relief road

  1·3

  A308(M)

  M4 Junction 9–A4 West of Maidenhead

  0·6

  A423(M)

  M4 Junction 9–A308 South of Maidenhead

  4·0

  A627(M)

  4·0

  Total

  231·5

  832
  1Denotes dual 2-lane motorway with short stretches of dual 3-lanes or climbing lanes.

  2 "Roads for Prosperity" (Cm. 693) announced a study into the capacity of this section of the A1(M).

  Mr. Moate
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are his current plans for widening the M2; and what are the statistical bases for his decision to not yet announce plans to make it a three-lane each way motorway for its full length.

  Mr. Atkins
  A scheme for widening the M2 to dual three-lanes between junctions 1 and 3 is programmed. Subject to detailed investigation, it might also provide for the third southbound lane to continue some way beyond junction 3 as a crawler lane.

  Taking account of a transfer of Channel-bound traffic to the M20 on its completion, the forecast traffic flows do not justify widening the remainder of M2. The position will be kept under review.

  Rail Accident, Temple Mills
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement about the railway accident involving a train carrying nuclear material at Temple Mills on the evening of 18 May; what steps he is taking to avoid its reccurrence; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  A locomotive hauling a wagon which contained a nuclear flask overturned after the driver had passed a shunting signal which was showing no aspect. The signal should have been showing a red (danger) aspect but its light bulb had been damaged by vandals. The incident occurred at a low speed and the wagon holding the nuclear material was not derailed. Health physicists from the CEGB Bradwell nuclear power station examined the flask and confirmed that there had been no leakage and no contamination. British Rail has investigated the incident, established the cause and has taken appropriate steps.

  The incidence of vandalsim is to be deplored. I understand that there was no previous record of malicious damage to the signal in question which controlled the passage of trains within a siding. If a signal on a running line is damaged to the extent that it shows no aspect, it is detected and the previous signal would automatically revert to danger. British Rail is fully aware of the need to safeguard against such interference but it cannot totally prevent trespass.

  M11 Link Road
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on what criteria he selected land to replace land lost in Leyton at the Eastway sports centre due to the proposed M11 link road; what assessment he made of the benefits for Leyton residents; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  My right hon. Friend is required to apply the same criteria in all cases when selecting exchange land for public open space proposed to be taken for trunk road schemes. The land must generally be not less in area than the open space to be acquired and it must be equally advantageous to the public. Lee Valley regional park authority has accepted the exchange land offered as a suitable replacement for Eastway sports centre. The centre provides facilities for the public from a wide area well beyond the immediate locality of Leyton and Hackney. The area of land to be taken is relatively small and in our
  833
  view will result in no significant loss of amenity for users of the centre. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment has been consulted about the suitability of the exchange land and is considering whether to issue a notice of intention to grant a certificate under section 19 of the Acquisition of Land Act 1981. If he does, the notice will invite interested persons to make objections to, or representations about, the proposals. Any unresolved objection would be likely to be heard at the public local inquiry into the draft compulsory purchase order for the road scheme arranged to start in Leyton on 12 September.

  Bus Doors
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what responses his Department has received to his draft regulations which include provisions relating to the risk of people being trapped in power-operated bus doors; whether he proposes to improve the regulation or provide additional funds for more widespread application of the safe centre exit door mechanism on buses; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  There was general support for the measures proposed for centre exit doors. A number of consultees wished to see the measures applied to buses already in service. We shall be consulting the bus industry further on that point. We aim to make the regulations in the autumn.

  M2 (Maintenance Work)
  Mr. Cartwright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many lane closures have been imposed on the M2 motorway as a result of maintenance work between May and September in each of the past 10 years.

  Parliamentary Session

  Total

  Negative

  Affirmative

  1Others-printed

  2Local-not primed

  1984–85 (November 1984 to October 1985)

  659

  61

  9

  125

  464

  1985–86 (November 1985 to November 1986)

  735

  134

  18

  122

  479

  1986–87 (November 1986 to May 1987)

  435

  45

  3

  62

  325

  1987–88 (June 1987 to November 1988)

  1,174

  113

  11

  191

  859

  1988–89 (uncompleted November 1988 to June 1989)

  485

  63

  10

  92

  320

  1 Mainly commencement orders, trunk road orders and light railway orders.

  2 Mainly road traffic regulation orders.

  Underground Train Safety
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what regulations cover the evacuation of driver-only underground trains should a fire break out while it is in a tunnel.

  Mr. Portillo
  There are no statutory regulations. The matter is one for the railway operator. Every effort is made to design underground rolling stock so that the risk of fire breaking out is minimised or, if fire does occur, that it will not disable the train. In the event of a fire the driver's first responsibility is to get the train to the nearest station and inform the line controller by radio. No passenger has been injured by a fire on a train within the period 1984 to date. I understand from London Underground Ltd. that a programme to remove inflamable material from rolling stock has begun.
  834
  Mr. Atkins
  The information is not readily available in the form or for the period requested.

  The incidence of lane closures—affecting both carriagways of the motorways of the motorway and involving contraflow working—for major maintenance work between May and September in each of the last three years was as follows:

  Year

  Length (junction to junction)

  From

  To

  1989

  3–4

  1 May

  Present

  5–6

  19 June

  Present

  1988

  5–6

  1 May

  30 September

  5–7

  9 May

  2 July

  1987

  5–7

  9 June

  30 September

  In addition there were periods when lanes were closed for minor repairs such as barrier repairs and patching. The majority of these occurred in off-peak periods between 09.30 and 16.00 hours.

  Statutory Instruments
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for each of the last five parliamentary Sessions including the 1988–89 Session, if he will list the number of statutory instruments that were issued by his Department; how many were negative and how many affirmative; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  The number of Department of Transport statutory instruments made in each of the last five parliamentary Sessions, including the 1988–1989 Session. is:

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

  Mr. Atkins
  The Department spent £121,014 in 1988–89 on the full range of official hospitality.

  Car Sales
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his estimate of the number and value of new cars leased or sold in the United Kingdom in 1988 and 1989 to date together with his estimate of the proportion (i) imported and (ii) paid for directly as a business expense; and what proportion of the real cost of owning a comparable car is now added to the income of employees for tax purposes.
  835
  Mr. Atkins
  From January 1988 to the end of June 1989, 3·5 million new cars were registered in the United Kingdom. Of those registered in Great Britain, 54 per cent. were imported and 52 per cent. were registered in the name of a company.

  The benefit of a company car provided for a director or employee earning £8,500 a year or more is taxed by reference to a set of scale charges. Both the scale charge applicable to a particular company car and the cost of owning a comparable car depend on a number of factors. The proportion of the cost of private ownership represented by the scale charge will therefore vary from case to case.

  Information on the value of these cars is not available.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Crack
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Warrington, South, 29 June,Official Report, column 535, if he will explain the reasons which led to the conclusion that it would be counterproductive to reveal the inner-city areas targeted by drugs education co-ordinators in their campaign to persuade teenagers to say no to crack.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The Government believe that the threat of crack is best tackled locally, since the nature and scale of the problem, and hence the most suitable response, will vary from place to place. Drugs education co-ordinators and their colleagues in local youth, community and voluntary organisations are well placed to assess actual or potential problems in their areas and initiate responses. We have made clear to local agencies our readiness to provide appropriate support for their initiatives.

  Civil Service Dispersal
  Mr. Cran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what progress is being made in his Department's review, in line with Treasury guidelines, of the potential for further relocation of Civil Service posts outside London and the south-east; and when he expects the review to be completed.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  As a first step in its review, the Department has considered what work could be relocated from London and the south-east to the existing office in Darlington. Thirty posts were transferred in 1988; a further 50 posts will be transferred in 1990 and will be filled mainly by locally recruited staff. A scrutiny will be mounted later this year to consider a longer-term strategy.

  I expect the results to be available by mid-1990.

  Special Educational Needs
  Mr. Cartwright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he intends to publish the replacement circular for DES circular 1/83 on special educational needs.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  My right hon. Friend hopes to publish the new circular in the foreseeable future.

  Schools (Meals and Transport)
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for each year since 1978–79 public expenditure on (i) school meals and (ii) school transport in cash and in real terms.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The information requested is as follows:

  Expenditure1 on school meals and home to institution transport 1978–79 to 1987–88—England

  £ million

  School meals

  Transport

  Cash

  Real terms2

  Cash

  Real terms

  1978–79

  388

  793

  117

  239

  1979–80

  422

  740

  136

  238

  1980–81

  397

  587

  160

  237

  1981–82

  397

  535

  174

  234

  1982–83

  411

  517

  184

  232

  1983–84

  427

  513

  195

  234

  1984–85

  432

  495

  199

  228

  1985–86

  435

  472

  208

  226

  1986–87

  459

  483

  215

  226

  1987–88

  443

  443

  222

  222

  1 The figures are based on LEA expenditure returns to the Department of the Environment.

  2 The cash figures for the earlier years have been repriced to 1987–88 prices using the Gross Domestic Products (Market Prices) Deflator.

  Note: The figures in the table are all net of income received from pupils and adults who pay for their meals or their transport.

  Statutory Instruments
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science for each of the last five parliamentary Sessions including the 1988–89 Session, if he will list the number of statutory instruments that were issued by his Department; how many were negative and how many affirmative; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Details of statutory instruments subject to parliamentary control made by the Secretary of State during the last five Sessions, are as follows:

  Year

  Total

  Negative Instruments

  Affirmative Instruments

  1988–89

  52

  50

  2

  1987–88

  33

  30

  3

  1986–87

  22

  20

  2

  1985–86

  17

  13

  4

  1984–85

  12

  10

  2

  Haberdashers' Aske's Schools, Deptford
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will consider public representations on an application for leave under section 14 of the Education Act 1944: if he will postpone a decision on the application being made by the governors of the Haberdashers' Aske's Hatcham schools in Deptford until after the school holidays, so as to allow parents and the governors of neighbouring schools sufficient opportunity to make representations; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  My right hon. Friend, the former Secretary of State, set out the factors he would take into
  837
  account in considering an application for leave under section 14 of the Education Act 1944 in his answer of 23 January 1989 to my hon. Friend the Member for Dartford, (Mr. Dunn) Official Report column 383. Plainly, these will include the views of governors, parents, and others. My right hon. Friend will take a decision as soon as he is in a position to do so.

  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if, in deciding whether to grant leave to the governors of Haberdashers' Aske's Hatcham girls school, Deptford, to discontinue the school for the purpose of establishing a city technology college he will take into consideration the no vote by a majority of parents to the question, "Do you wish the school to become one of a pair of city technology colleges?"

  Mrs. Rumbold
  My right hon. Friend, the former Secretary of State, set out the factors we would take into account in deciding such an approach by the governors of the Haberdashers' Aske's schools in his statement of 23 January 1989 at column 307. These will include such views as were expressed to the governors during the public consultations they undertook before they made this approach.

  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science in the event of city technology colleges being established on the site of the Haberdashers' Aske's Hatcham schools in Deptford, what requirements he will place on the admission policy and catchment area of these city technology colleges to ensure that they benefit children drawn from the north Lewisham and the Deptford task force areas in particular; and how the catchment area for the city technology schools will relate to that of the proposed Bacons city technology college in docklands.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  As we shall shortly be considering this approach by the governors of the Haberdashers' Aske's schools under the provisions of section 14 of the Education Act 1944, it would be inappropriate to comment on these questions of detail in advance of that decision. The catchment area of each city technology college is subject to a specific agreement between the sponsors and my right hon. Friend; and we have always made it clear that each will focus on disadvantaged areas.

  Teacher Training
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what funds are available for the training of teachers in the new national curriculum; what are his plans to help already trained teachers with in-house training; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Specific grants are available for additional expenditure by local education authorities to support the introduction of the national curriculum, including in-service training for teachers. These will support £100 million expenditure in 1989–90. We have allowed schools two extra closure days for training, and the National Curriculum Council has provided advice and training materials.

  County Councils
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what limit he intends to impose on county council spending on capital projects in the public sector; and if he has any plans to allow the county councils to spend their own money, above the capital allocation approved by the government, for the refurbishment and maintenance of ageing school buildings.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The Local Government and Housing Bill which is currently before the House provides for a new system for the control of local authority capital finance. Under that system, which we propose to introduce in 1990–91, the Government will not control an authority's spending on capital projects but it will limit the level of such spending which can be financed by borrowing or the use of other credit arrangements. Authorities will he free to incur additional capital spending which might be financed from revenue or by the use of the permitted proportion of capital receipts. Decisions about the appropriate level of credit approvals for 1990–91 and future years will he announced in the autumn.

  Higher Education (Grants)
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proposals he has to increase capital grant for higher education; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jackson
  Decisions on the level of public provision for the education service, including provision for higher education capital, will be taken during the current public expenditure survey round.

  Academic Pay
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what proposals he has under consideration to enhance academic pay in higher education to achieve closer parity with recent graduates and postgraduates working in comparable non-academic professions; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what proposals he has under consideration for increased levels of pay for research in higher education. and for similar enhancement of postgraduate awards; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jackson
  My right hon. Friend is not at present considering any such proposals in respect of pay: a settlement has recently been made, with his agreement, for salaries of academic and related staff in the universities, including those engaged in research. The employers are negotiating salaries with representatives of the lecturers. In the Government's view, salaries should be set so as to recruit, retain and motivate the staff concerned.

  The levels of postgraduate studentships are determined by the award-making bodies, in consultation as appropriate with the Department and amongst themselves, in the light of all the relevant factors, including the number and quality of applications for support and other claims on their resources for training and research funding. My right hon. Friend has, however, recieved advice on this and other matters from the Advisory Board for the Research Councils. This is being published today.

  City Technology Colleges
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what agreements have been entered into, and what draft proposals for agreement are in existence, between him and any promoters of any city technology college, under(a) section 105 of the Education Reform Act and (b) any other relevant provision; what are the main elements of those agreements; and if he will deposit copies in the Library.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  My right hon. Friend has entered into a number of preliminary agreements with individual CTC sponsors to purchase land or buildings for CTC development and to incur transitional costs to be met before CTCs open. These are confidential to each project. All CTCs will be subject to a detailed funding agreement made under section 105 of the Education Reform Act 1988. This will cover capital and recurrent expenditure and set out the terms and conditions on which grant will be paid. A model which forms the basis of such agreements is being placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information he has available to his Department as to the salaries of teachers and head teachers in city technology colleges.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Our recurrent grant to 'city technology colleges is based on an average of expenditure by local education authorities on secondary schools in similar areas. This includes expenditure on the salaries of teachers and headteachers. The precise level of staff salaries in CTCs is a matter for their boards of governors.

  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the expenditure per pupil on(a) books, (b) computers and allied equipment, (c) other equipment, (d) head teachers' salaries and (e) teachers' salaries in respect of (i) pupils in city technology colleges and (ii) pupils in maintained schools.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The latest available data on outturn recurrent expenditure in maintained secondary schools are set out in the table. Comparable data for city technology colleges are not yet available.

  1988–89

  Grants to universities and colleges, etc.

  For Recurrent Grants

  General Purposes

  Overseas Research Student Awards Scheme

  Redundancy

  Total Subhead C1

  Computers Subhead D2

  £000

  £000

  £000

  £000

  £000

  Aston University

  19,296

  32

  625

  19,953

  244

  Bath University

  17,911

  53

  992

  18,956

  788

  Birmingham University

  45,925

  91

  1,281

  47,297

  427

  Bradford University

  18,185

  14

  612

  18,811

  260

  Bristol University

  37,871

  59

  1,208

  39,138

  295

  Brunel University

  15,947

  2

  679

  16,628

  176

  Cambridge University

  53,482

  1,189

  0

  54,671

  533

  City University

  15,085

  18

  1,570

  16,673

  109

  Durham University

  20,788

  38

  732

  21,558

  87

  East Anglia University

  17,515

  26

  2,118

  19,659

  174

  Essex University

  10,817

  41

  469

  11,327

  195

  Exeter University

  19,469

  18

  1,088

  20,575

  126

  Hull University

  18,344

  12

  1,339

  19,695

  243

  840

  Average Expenditure1 per Pupil in Maintained Secondary Schools

  England 1987–88

  £

  Text and library books

  15

  Educational equipment2

  47

  Teacher salaries3

  1,075

  1 The figures are based on LEA expenditure returns to the Department of the Environment and pupil number returns to the DES. They are given in cash terms.

  2 A breakdown of expenditure on different types of educational equipment is not available.

  3 A breakdown of expenditure between head teachers' salaries and other teachers' salaries is not available. The teacher salaries figure given in the table includes the salaries of head teachers.

  Examinations
  Mr. John Carlisle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will consider setting a minimum required amount of coursework or attendance before a school pupil is allowed to sit a public examination.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  It is for individual schools to enter their pupils as candidates for public examinations. In doing so, they must naturally have regard to pupils' fitness to sit the examination, including such matters as the courses they are undertaking and the standards they have attained.

  Advisory Board for the Research Councils
  Mr. Anthony Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has received advice from the Advisory Board for the Research Councils in relation to the public expenditure survey for 1989; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jackson
  The advice is being published today and copies are available in the Library. I would like to express my appreciation to Sir David Phillips and the board for the work which has gone into its preparation. I shall be considering the advice in the normal way during the 1989 public expenditure survey discussions.

  Universities (Grants)
  Mr. Anthony Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will list the grants made available to universities in Great Britain in the financial year 1988–89, on the advice of the University Grants Committee and the computer board.

  Mr. Jackson
  The information is as follows:
  841

  For Recurrent Grants

  General Purposes

  Overseas Research Student Awards Scheme

  Redundancy

  Total Subhead C1

  Computers Subhead D2

  £000

  £000

  £000

  £000

  £000

  Keele University

  10,013

  14

  1,954

  11,981

  181

  Kent University

  14,299

  10

  188

  14,497

  216

  Lancaster University

  17,062

  28

  729

  17,819

  174

  Leeds University

  50,450

  211

  1,490

  52,151

  417

  Leicester University

  22,704

  19

  412

  23,135

  172

  Liverpool

  45,161

  55

  1,249

  46,465

  328

  London Business School

  2,070

  3

  4

  2,077

  17

  London University including its College and Schools

  299,383

  969

  21,087

  321,439

  6,580

  Loughborough University of Technology

  24,040

  19

  678

  24,737

  317

  Manchester Business school

  1,323

  0

  156

  1,479

  66

  Manchester University

  60,368

  191

  1,532

  62,091

  3,963

  Manchester University Institute of Science and Technology

  20,969

  407

  1,583

  22,959

  Newcastle upon Tyne University

  38,294

  64

  1,065

  39,423

  361

  Nottingham University

  34,717

  31

  459

  35,207

  375

  Oxford University

  54,583

  821

  1,401

  56,805

  496

  Reading University

  22,632

  —

  249

  22,881

  219

  Salford University

  16,759

  13

  1,462

  18,234

  205

  Sheffield University

  37,932

  101

  3,739

  41,772

  300

  Southampton University

  32,456

  70

  637

  33,163

  376

  Surrey University

  15,695

  43

  1,750

  17,488

  190

  Sussex University

  18,420

  70

  1,627

  20,117

  189

  Warwick University

  24,602

  26

  197

  24,825

  194

  York University

  15,432

  17

  126

  15,575

  130

  University of Wales, including University Colleges and Institute of Science and Technology

  89,677

  149

  2,632

  92,458

  971

  Aberdeen University

  26,345

  57

  1,229

  27,631

  223

  Dundee University

  18,794

  50

  639

  19,483

  135

  Edinburgh University

  57,970

  184

  2,025

  60,179

  612

  Glasgow University

  55,849

  127

  1,852

  57,828

  313

  Heriot-Watt University

  15,139

  21

  811

  15,971

  171

  St. Andrews University

  15,007

  62

  903

  15,972

  138

  Stirling University

  11,255

  11

  563

  11,829

  130

  Strathclyde University

  31,604

  145

  811

  32,560

  293

  Other payments

  1684

  289

  3387

  860

  41,050

  Total

  1,512,323

  5,670

  68,039

  1,586,032

  23,169

  1 £662,000 paid direct to the University Central Council on Admissions and £22,000 in respect of the National Engineering Laboratorv, East Kilbride.

  2 £63,000 paid to Cranfield Institute of Technology, £23,000 to the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals for administration of the Overseas Research Student Fees Support Scheme and £3,000 to the Royal College of Art.

  3 £87,000 paid to the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals.

  4 £311,000 fees paid to the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency (CCTA) for negotiating contracts and £749,000 paid to the Rutherford and Appleton Laboratories (SERC) for networking projects.

  1988–89

  Grants to universities and colleges, etc.

  For capital expenditure

  Universities etc.

  Medical and dental schools

  1Equipment and furniture

  Computers

  Subhead A1(1)

  Subhead A1(2)

  Subhead A2

  Subhead B1

  £000

  £000

  £000

  £000

  Aston University

  —

  —

  1,496

  —

  Bath University

  167

  —

  1,423

  2,311

  Birmingham University

  —

  4

  3,321

  3

  Bradford University

  —

  —

  1,288

  11

  Bristol University

  34

  —

  2,423

  768

  Brunel University

  —

  —

  1,268

  1

  Cambridge University

  26

  1

  5,353

  1,437

  City University

  —

  —

  872

  —

  Durham University

  —

  —

  2,033

  209

  East Anglia University

  19

  —

  901

  —

  842 843

  For capital expenditure

  Universities etc.

  Medical and dental schools

  1 Equipment and furniture

  Computers

  Subhead A1(1)

  Subhead A1 (2)

  Subhead A2

  Subhead B1

  £000

  £000

  £000

  £000

  Essex University

  —

  —

  684

  4

  Exeter University

  1,008

  185

  944

  99

  Hull University

  —

  —

  1,060

  54

  Keelle University

  52

  —

  568

  389

  Kent University

  —

  —

  694

  110

  Lancaster University

  —

  —

  1,212

  493

  Leeds University

  —

  —

  3,651

  155

  Leicester University

  —

  356

  1,677

  —

  Liverpool University

  —

  —

  3,355

  223

  London Business School

  —

  —

  126

  —

  London University, including its Colleges and Schools

  683

  8,700

  22,680

  5,211

  Loughborough University of Technology

  —

  —

  1,806

  67

  Manchester Business School

  —

  —

  66

  —

  Manchester University

  —

  —

  4,891

  1,787

  Manchester University Institute of Science and Technology

  127

  —

  2,051

  Newcastle upon Tyne University

  —

  2,324

  2,880

  210

  Nottingham University

  —

  2

  2,630

  —

  Oxford University

  825

  122

  5,429

  304

  Reading University

  45

  —

  1,885

  22

  Salford University

  1,671

  —

  1,533

  90

  Sheffield University

  —

  16

  2,730

  44

  Southampton University

  618

  —

  2,953

  105

  Surrey University

  —

  —

  1,496

  44

  Sussex University

  —

  —

  1,242

  89

  Warwick University

  —

  —

  1,373

  46

  York University

  —

  —

  1,132

  60

  University of Wales, including University Colleges and Institute of Science and Technology

  2,198

  —

  6,739

  761

  Aberdeen University

  —

  —

  1,713

  14

  Dundee University

  131

  —

  1,355

  153

  Edinburgh University

  —

  —

  4,371

  265

  Glasgow University

  512

  2

  4,336

  532

  Heriot-Watt University

  4,465

  —

  1,899

  9

  St. Andrews University

  —

  —

  858

  43

  Stirling University

  —

  —

  532

  6

  Strathclyde University

  382

  —

  2,333

  —

  Other payments

  —

  —

  —

  647

  Total

  12,963

  11,712

  115,262

  16,776

  1 The sums provided from Subhead A2, earmarked for individual universities as shown, were transferred to a Deposit Account with the Paymaster General from which issues were made as required towards meeting the costs of furniture and equipment. The balance remaining in the Deposit Account at 31 March 1989, which is not liable to surrender to the Consolidated Fund, was £18,737,000. This sum includes £1,725,000 in respect of the Engineering and Technology Programme.

  Note: In addition a further £72,000 was transferred to the deposit account to meet expenditure by Universities for the Engineering and technology Programme. Other payments comprise £647,000 paid to the Rutherford and Appleton Laboratories (SERC) for networking projects.

  Grants and loans for long terms capital projects, universities etc. (Subhead A1( 1))

  1988–89

  Details of expenditure on works services costing more than £1,000,000 shown in Table 1 to the Estimate

  Project

  Provision

  Expenditure

  Expenditure compared with provision

  Less than provided

  More than provided

  £000

  £000

  £000

  £000

  Building projects and purchase of existing buildings:

  New and on-going projects originally expected to cost £1 millionor more

  Bath university: Building 6 East

  310

  168

  142

  —

  Bristol university: Veterinary School

  425

  34

  391

  —

  Cardiff university/UWIST: Joint Faculty Building

  1,900

  8

  1,892

  —

  Cardiff/UWIST Mechanical and Civil Engineering

  400

  124

  276

  —

  Dundee university: Library

  365

  131

  234

  —

  Exeter university: Education

  945

  31

  914

  —

  Glasgow university: Chemistry Rationalisation II

  1,035

  72

  963

  —

  Heriot-Watt university

  (a) Chemical and Process Engineering

  135

  54

  81

  —

  (b) Library Phase II

  285

  303

  —

  18

  (c) Brewing and Biological Science

  1,145

  2,086

  —

  941

  (d) Economics and Social Studies

  880

  968

  —

  88

  London university:

  Queen Mary College—Library

  340

  481

  —

  141

  844 845

  Project

  Provision

  Expenditure

  Expenditure compared with provision

  Less than provided

  More than provided

  £000

  £000

  £000

  £000

  Imperial College, Chemistry II

  900

  —

  900

  —

  UMIST: Library

  145

  125

  20

  —

  Oxford university: Electrical Engineering/Computer Science (ETP)

  735

  824

  —

  89

  Salford university:

  (a) Physical Restructuring

  1,220

  56

  1,164

  —

  (b) Library II

  680

  82

  598

  —

  Southampton university: Library

  85

  209

  —

  124

  Strathclyde university: Royal College rationalisation II

  235

  382

  —

  147

  Total (Subhead A1(1))

  12,165

  6,138

  7,575

  1,548

  Grants and loans for long term capital projects: Medical and dental schools, (Subhead A1 (2) )—1988–89

  Details of expenditure on works services costing more than £1,000,000 shown in table 2 to the estimate

  Expenditure compared with provision

  Project

  Provision

  Expenditure

  Less than provided

  More than provided

  £'000s

  £'000s

  £'000s

  £'000s

  Building projects and purchase of existing buildings:

  1. New and on-going projects originally expected to cost the UGC £1 million or more

  London University: St. Mary's HMS, phase IB

  183

  65

  118

  —

  London University: Institute of Child Care, Cardiac wing, remedial works

  227

  51

  176

  —

  London University: Royal Postgraduate Medical School, Cyclotron building, remedial works

  98

  —

  98

  —

  London University: Cardiothoracic Institute, Cardiothoracic centre, phase 1

  714

  —

  714

  —

  London University: Institute of Dermatology, relocation at St. Thomas' hospital

  872

  —

  872

  —

  Manchester University: Royal Infirmary, phase II

  920

  —

  920

  —

  London University: Queen Mary College

  3,727

  618

  3,109

  —

  Newcastle University: Royal Victoria Infirmary, phase V

  2,781

  —

  2,781

  —

  2. New and on-going phased medical projects, the total contribution to all phases expected to be £1 million or more

  London University: Royal Postgraduate Medical School, redevelopment of Hammersmith Hospital, phase 1

  155

  —

  155

  —

  London University: Royal Postgraduate Medical School, Redevelopment of Hammersmith Hospital catering centralisation

  250

  —

  250

  —

  London University: University College Middlesex, HMS Whittington Hospital development, phase 1

  371

  —

  371

  —

  London University: University College Middlesex Hospital Medical School, resiting clinical areas

  623

  —

  623

  —

  Sub Total

  10,921

  734

  10,187

  —

  3. Projects expected to start in 1988–89 on which the UGC contribution not yet agreed

  400

  —

  —

  —

  4. On-going projects not separately identified

  306

  —

  —

  —

  5. Furniture on health-controlled schemes

  300

  —

  —

  —

  6. Sites and leases

  700

  —

  —

  —

  TOTAL (MEDICAL AND DENTAL SCHOOLS) (SUBHEAD A1(2))

  12,627

  734

  10,187

  —

  TOTAL (UNIVERSITIES, ETC.) (SUBHEAD A(1(1)) (TABLE 1))

  12,165

  6,138

  7,575

  1,548

  TOTAL SUBHEAD A1

  24,792

  6,872

  17,762

  1,548

  846 847

  1988–89

  Grants for expenditure long term capital computer projects, (subhead B1)

  Details of expenditure on computer projects costing more than £1,000,000 payable under subhead B1

  Project

  Provision

  Expenditure

  Expenditure compared with Provision

  Less than Provided

  More than Provided

  £000

  £000

  £000

  £000

  Projects costing £1 million or more1

  Aberdeen University (new computer)

  301

  6

  295

  —

  Bristol University (new computer)

  1,330

  1,323

  7

  —

  Glasgow University (new computer)

  470

  470

  —

  —

  Kings College, London (new computer)

  —

  917

  —

  917

  Manchester University (new computer national centre)

  41

  21

  20

  —

  Loughborough University (new computer)

  1,195

  —

  1,195

  —

  Oxford University (new computer)

  303

  283

  20

  —

  Sub Total

  3,640

  3,020

  1,537

  917

  Projects costing less than £1m

  End-year flexibility

  13,151

  13,756

  —

  605

  Total (Subhead B1)

  16,791

  16,776

  1,537

  1,522

  1All projects are for the replacement of centrally managed computer facilities whose total Computer Board contribution exceeds £1,000,000. The purchases are made on the basis of fixed price contracts when payment profiles extend over more than one year.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  British Telecom Services
  Mr. Oppenheim
  To ask the Lord President of the Council if he has any plans to require British Telecom to introduce itemised billing within the next 12 months for its services to the House.

  Sir Geoffrey Howe
  [holding answer 26 July 1989]: The monitoring of British Telecom's operation in the House over the next 12 months is not expected to involve the preparation of itemised bills.

  Mr. Oppenheim
  To ask the Lord President of the Council how much it will cost to maintain the British Telecom monopoly provision of services to the House of Commons over the next 12 months; and what is the figure with the option of using Mercury's services.

  Sir Geoffrey Howe
  [holding answer 26 July 1989]: On the basis of figures given for 1988 in appendix 1 of the first report of the Services Committee for Session 1988–89 (HC 143), the total cost of telecommunications services for the 12 months to 31 March 1990 is estimated to be £1,689,000, of which call charges will account for some £618,600. It is estimated that a change to Mercury outgoing telephone lines as proposed by CCTA would save some £50,000 to £75,000.

  Mr. Oppenheim
  To ask the Lord President of the Council if he will ensure that Oftel's policy of promoting competing telecom operators, for the benefit of consumers, is adopted by the House.

  Sir Geoffrey Howe
  [holding answer 26 July 1989]: The effect on the House of Oftel's national policy of promoting effective competition between telecommunications organisations was considered by the Services Committee in its first report of this Session (HC 143). I have nothing to add to the statements made in that report.

  Mr. Oppenheim
  To ask the Lord President of the Council if he will ensure that there will be close and careful monitoring of the existing services provided by British Telecom to the House during the next 12 months.
  848
  Sir Geoffrey Howe
  [holding answer 26 July 1989]: Such an exercise is already being considered by the authorities of the House in response to the first report of the Services Committee of this Session (HC(1988–89)143) on "Telecommunications: The Provision of Services to the House."

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Ivory
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if any consignments of ivory have been seized or detained at ports of entry since 12 April.

  Mr. Ryder
  [holding answer 20 July 1989]: Yes, but records of such seizures held centrally are incomplete at this stage. Records of detentions are not maintained centrally and the information sought could be obtained only at disproportionate expense.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what information he has regarding cargoes of raw and worked ivory currently held at British ports of entry; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ryder
  [holding answer 20 July 1989]: Consignments of ivory continue to be intercepted by Customs and may be detained or seized according to the circumstances. The Department of the Environment is consulted as necessary in individual cases.

  Gross Domestic Product
  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the elements of economic activity by which he measures gross domestic product; and whether there are any significant differences in measurement between the United Kingdom and other members of G 7.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  Economic activity, as measured by the gross domestic product (GDP), includes all those activities which result in the production of goods and services exchanged for money. These include the production of physical commodities, that is, the products
  849
  of the agriculture, extractive, manufacturing and construction industries. It also covers service-producing activities: transport and communication, wholesale and retail distribution, hotels and catering, financial services, hospitals and education, as well as public administration and defence.

  Additionally, some activities not exchanged for money are included. Three main examples are: the provision of owner-occupied housing; the non-trading use of fixed assets owned by the Government and by private non-profit-making bodies; and the cost of employees' income in kind.

  Further information on measurement of GDP may be found in the introductory section of the 1988 edition of "United Kingdom National Accounts", otherwise known as the "CSO Blue Book", and "United Kingdom National Accounts: Sources and Methods", both of which are available from the House of Commons Library.

  GDP and other national accounts estimates supplied to international organisations are based on the United Nations system of national accounts (SNA). These estimates are similar to the Central Statistical Office's estimates appearing in the CSO Blue Book and other CSO publications, with small variations mainly reflecting presentation rather than differences of substance.

  Balance of Payments
  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table showing the balance of payments surplus or deficit in each year from 1964 to the nearest available date.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  Figures for the current account balance are published in Economic Trends, annual supplement, 1989 edition, table 29 (for the years 1964 to 1987) and in Economic Trends, June 1989, table A 1 (giving the latest estimate for 1988). Copies of these publications are in the Library.

  Independent Taxation
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on progress towards the introduction of independent taxation in April 1990.

  Mr. Lilley
  Preparations are well in hand for the introduction of independent taxation in April 1990.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how much total employment has risen since 1983.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  Since March 1983, the work force in employment has increased by 3,123,000.

  CBI
  Mr. Oppenheim
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he last met the chairman of the Confederation of British Industry; and what matters were discussed.

  Mr. Adams
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he next expects to meet representatives of the Confederation of British Industry to discuss United Kingdom economic policy.
  850
  Mr. Norman Lamont
  My right hon. Friend meets representatives of the CBI from time to time, and a wide range of subjects is discussed.

  Economic Growth
  Mr. Anthony Coombs
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the rate of economic growth in the lastest year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  The output measure of gross domestic product is estimated to have grown by 2½ per cent. in the year to the first quarter of 1989. But this figure was depressed by accidents in the North sea oil sector. Excluding North sea oil, output grew by 4 per cent. in the year to the first quarter of 1989.

  Public Spending Planning
  Ms. Short
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will makes statement on the public spending planning total.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  The public expenditure planning total is the aggregate used by the Government for planning and control purposes. The outturn for 1989–90 is expected to be in line with the plan of £167·1 billion.

  Public Expenditure
  Mr. Callaghan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps the Treasury is taking to ensure adequate levels of efficiency and value for money in Her Majesty's Government's public expenditure programmes.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  I refer the hon. Member to the speech my predecessor gave on 21 June, a copy of which is in the Library of the House. This speech describes the very considerable progress which the Government are making to secure greater efficiency and value for money in the public services.

  Income Tax
  Mr. John Evans
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the income of a single person on half average earnings went on income tax in 1979–80 and 1988–89.

  Mr. Lilley
  In 1979–80 a single person on half average male earnings paid 16·4 per cent. of his earnings in income tax. In 1988–89, he paid 15·2 per cent.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has revised the figures given in his reply dated 10 April,Official Report, column 348, concerning the number of tax units and tax liability by range of total income; and whether he will publish in the Official Report a table breaking down the figures to show (i) steps of £1,000 between £10,000 and £15,000 (ii) for £15,000–£17,499 (iii) £20,000–£24,999 and (iv) £100,000 and above.

  Mr. Lilley
  The figures in the reply of 10 April to the hon. Member,Official Report, column 348, have not been revised.

  I regret that reliable estimates for more detailed income ranges are not available, as estimates are based on a projection of the 1986–87 survey of personal incomes. All estimates are provisional and subject to some degree of uncertainty.
  851
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people make up the 1 per cent. of taxpayers who pay the most tax; and at what level of income this 1 per cent. begins.

  Mr. Lilley
  [holding answer 25 July 1989]: In 1989–90 the top 1 per cent. of income tax payers includes about 210,000 single people and married couples with income of over £60,000 per annum. This estimate is based on their income subject to tax, before deduction of tax reliefs and personal allowances.

  Manufacturing Profitability
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the increase in manufacturing profitability during the latest full year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  The latest full-year estimate of manufacturing companies' profitability, as indicated by the net rate of return on capital employed, is for 1987. Manufacturing profitability increased from 7·5 per cent., in 1986 to 9·2 per cent. in 1987. The level of manufacturing profitability in 1987 was the highest since 1969.

  Stamp Duty
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will provide an up-to-date estimate of the yield of stamp duty on the sale of domestic premises in the current financial year and in 1988–89, with a breakdown by regions where possible.

  Mr. Lilley
  I shall answer when resources permit.

  Interest Rates
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the effect of high interest rates on(a) the inflow of short-term capital, (b) the supply of credit and (c) the supply of money; and if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for each year since 1970 the rate of inflation, the average rate of interest, the public sector deficit, the trade deficit and the estimated inflow of foreign funds.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  I shall answer when resources permit.

  Foreign Funds
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what was the inflow of foreign funds in 1988 to finance the purchase of(a) British companies and (b) other assets; and if he will provide an estimate for this year to date;

  (2) what effect the inflow of foreign funds is having on asset prices and on the rate of inflation.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  I shall answer when resources permit.

  Current Account Deficit
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how much of the budget surplus in 1988 was used to neutralise the effect on credit and the money supply of the current account deficit; and how this was achieved;
  852
  (2) whether he will publish in the Official Report his estimate of the monetary counterpart of the current account deficit in 1988 and in the first five months of the current year;

  whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for each year since 1970 the balance of payments with the EEC and with the rest of the world on current account less viable trade at current and at 1988 prices; and to what he ascribes the change of mind.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  I shall answer when resources permit.

  Lending (Overseas Residents)
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the amount of sterling lending to overseas residents in each of the past 10 years.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  I shall answer when resources permit.

  Output Statistics
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will bring up to date the information on output per head of the working population given in his reply of 8 November,Official Report, column 111.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  The information requested is given in the following table:

  Output1

  1959

  69·2

  1963

  74·8

  1968

  87·3

  1972

  95·1

  1973

  99·1

  1974

  97·6

  1975

  94·8

  1976

  95·6

  1977

  96·8

  1978

  99·2

  1979

  99·9

  1980

  96·2

  1981

  94·4

  1982

  95·8

  1983

  98·4

  1984

  98·7

  1985

  100·0

  1986

  102·2

  1987

  106·4

  1988

  110·9

  1 Output per head of work force excluding class 13 (1985 = 100).

  Average annual increase Per cent.

  1959 to 1973

  2·6

  1973 to 1988

  0·7

  1979 to 1988

  1·2

  Notes:

  1. Based on mid-year estimates of the work force.

  2. 1959 is given as the first year because consistent figures on employees are not available earlier.

  3. Figures refer to United Kingdom.

  European Single Market
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what effect he expects the single market to have on the balance of trade with the EEC in invisibles; and if he will list the sectors for which exports are expected to increase faster than imports.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  I shall answer when resources permit.

  Taxation
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the percentage of total personal income taken by(a) direct taxes on household including rates and (b) employees social security contributions in 1973–74, 1978–79 and 1988–89.

  Mr. Lilley
  I will answer when resources permit.

  Pension Fund Holidays
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish in the Official Report the value in 1988 and the current year to date of pension fund contribution holidays taken by employers and employees respectively, together with his estimate of the amount of tax due thereon.

  Mr. Lilley
  I shall answer when resources permit.

  Statutory Instruments
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for each of the last five parliamentary Sessions including the 1988–89 Session, if he will list the number of statutory instruments that were issued by his Department; how many were negative and how many affirmative; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ryder
  As at 25 July, the figures for the current Session, 1988–89, were as follows:

  Number

  Affirmative Statutory Instruments

  7

  Negative Statutory Instruments

  38

  Total

  45

  For early parliamentary Sessions, I refer the hon. Member to the respective sessional Journals of the House of Commons.

  Finished Manufactures
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of United Kingdom exports of finished manufactures now consist of imports of personal computers and of the products of screwdriver plants; how many constituents of the index of manufacturing output are based on other than net output; and what is their weight.

  Mr. Redwood
  I have been asked to reply.

  Information in respect of personal computers and screwdriver plants is not available.

  For an explanation of the methods and sources used for the index of manufacturing output, I refer the hon.
  854
  Member to the article "The Rebased Index of Production" which was published in Economic Trends (February 1989), a copy of which is available in the Library.

  Manufacturing Output
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for 1973, 1978, 1987 and 1988 the estimated increase in the value and weighted average volume of output of manufacturing industries less food, drink and tobacco, paper, printing and publishing and other minerals and mineral products.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I have been asked to reply.

  The values of output required may be derived from the summary tables to the annual census of production for the years in question. The index of production for the required aggregate is given in the table:

  Index of Industrial Production (1985 = 100) Manufacturing industries less food, drink and tobacco, paper, printing nd publishing, and extraction of minerals n.e s.

  Value

  1973

  113·0

  1978

  107·4

  1987

  106·2

  1988

  114·0

  Tax Incentives
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has any plans to amend the tax reforms to give incentives to mothers who choose not to go out to work but stay at home to raise their families.

  Mr. Lilley
  [holding answer 25 July 1989]: I have no plans to do so.

  Millionaires
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the number of millionaires in Britain.

  Mr. Lilley
  [holding answer 25 July 1989]: The latest provisional estimate is that about 18,000 individuals owned wealth exceeding £1,000,000 in 1986.

  Public Spending
  Mr. John Greenway
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his assessment of the implications for public spending of the sustained fall in unemployment.

  Mr. Nicholas Scott
  I have been asked to reply.

  We estimate that spending on the Social Security programme would be about £3·3 billion higher than planned in the current year if the sustained fall in unemployment over the last three years had not taken place.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Lacky Bridge Checkpoint
  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many soldiers were released for other duties as a result of dismantling Lacky bridge permanent vehicle checkpoint.
  855
  Mr. Cope
  Although I am not prepared to give specific information about the number of troops involved in particular tasks, the removal of the permanent vehicle checkpoint will mean a useful addition to the number of soldiers available for other duties in the Lacky bridge area, and will allow them to operate in a more flexible, mobile and unpredictable manner.

  Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
  Mr. McCusker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many of the 13 confirmed cases of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in Northern Ireland have been in dairy cows; and how many have been in beef cattle.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  There have been 15 confirmed cases of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in Northern Ireland, the most recent being confirmed on 18 July.

  All the animals affected were cows belonging to dairy breeds and all originated in dairy herds. By the time of diagnosis, two of these cows had been transferred to suckler herds used to raise calves for beef production.

  Fixed Penalty Tickets
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many fixed penalty tickets have been issued in the last 12 months; and how many of these have been paid.

  Mr. Cope
  In the 12 months ended 31 May 1989, 64,539 fixed penalty notices were issued of which 55,822 have been paid to date.

  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many fixed penalty tickets have been issued by traffic wardens in the Lenadoon and Ardoyne areas of west Belfast and how many have been paid in the last 12 months;

  (2). how many fixed penalty tickets have been issued in respect of parking in an area unmarked by double yellow lines or other road markings adjacent to bollards at the car park entrance to Murrayfield shopping centre;

  (3). how many fixed penalty tickets have been issued in Larne, County Antrim by traffic wardens in the last 12 months; and how many of these have been paid.

  Mr. Cope
  Records are not maintained of the geographical distribution of fixed penalty notices and this information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Traffic Wardens
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many traffic wardens are employed in Lame, county Antrim.

  Mr. Cope
  Four.

  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many traffic wardens are employed in the Lenadoon and Ardoyne areas of west Belfast.

  Mr. Cope
  None.

  Dogs (Northern Ireland) Order
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will amend the Dogs (Northern Ireland) Order (S.I., 1983, No. 764) by deleting at line 4 of section 33 the word "shall" and replacing it with the word "may" and by deleting the word "shall" at line 8 of the same section and replacing it by the word "may".

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  No. The existing provisions of article 33 of the Dogs (Northern Ireland) Order 1983 were designed to replace the permissive provisions of previous legislation which were clearly not having the desired effect of requiring dog owners to keep their animals under control. This was a matter of serious public concern at the time of making the order.

  The reason for the inclusion of article 33 (1) in its mandatory form was to effect the removal of an anomaly in the existing law whereby humans did not have the same protection from attack as livestock.

  Before the introduction of the Dogs (Northern Ireland) Order 1983 the provisions of the Dogs Act 1906 as amended by the Livestock (Protection from Dogs) Act (Northern Ireland) 1968, section 3, required courts to order the destruction of a dog which had caused injury to sheep. There was no comparable provision for humans and this, naturally, led to considerable Government and public concern when biting dogs were free to repeat their attacks. This point was also reflected in the report of the 1976 working party on dogs.

  The making of a destruction order does not, of course, necessarily mean that a dog will automatically be put down since the Dogs Order makes provision for appeal.

  Prisoners (Transfers)
  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list any cases in the past seven years where transfers of prisoners from Great Britain were refused by the Northern Ireland Office.

  Mr. Cope
  [holding answer 25 July 1989]: The Northern Ireland Office does not have overall responsibility for decisions on transfer requests from inmates in Great Britain. The final decision is taken by the Secretaries of State for the Home Department or for Scotland as appropriate. Twenty-eight requests have been refused on the Northern Ireland Office's recommendation since 1982. It would be a breach of confidentiality to name the individuals who made these requests.

  Fishing Industry
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many(a) full-time and (b) part-time fishermen there are; and if he is in a position to estimate the number of people employed (i) full-time and (ii) part-time in the non-catching section of the fishing industry.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  [holding answer 26 July 1989]: The information is as follows:
  857

  Full-time staff

  Part-time staff

  Enterprise

  Male

  Female

  Total

  Male

  Female

  Total

  Total

  Catching

  956

  —

  956

  295

  —

  295

  1,251

  Processing

  329

  441

  770

  61

  102

  163

  933

  Wholesalers

  26

  4

  30

  6

  —

  6

  36

  Boatbuilding

  44

  5

  49

  —

  —

  —

  49

  Harbour staff/others

  24

  9

  33

  12

  1

  13

  46

  Retail outlets

  29

  3

  32

  2

  2

  4

  36

  Total

  1,408

  462

  1,870

  376

  105

  481

  2,351

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many fishing vessels operate out of each of the fishing ports; and what is their overall size and their approximate age.

  Table A

  Vessels over 10 metres registered length classified according to registered length and home port at 31 December 1988

  Port

  Registered length of vessels (metres)

  10 to 11·9

  12 to 17·9

  18 to 23·9

  24 to 32·9

  33 to 41·9

  42+over

  Total

  Kilkeel

  8

  31

  63

  7

  2

  —

  111

  Portavogie

  1

  30

  41

  —

  —

  —

  72

  Ardglass

  1

  12

  3

  —

  —

  —

  16

  Others

  14

  8

  3

  —

  1

  1

  27

  24

  81

  110

  7

  3

  1

  226

  TableB

  Vessels over 10 metres registered length classified according to age at 31 December 1988

  Age

  Registered length of vessels (metres)

  10 to 11·9

  12 to 17·9

  18 to 23·9

  24 to 32·9

  33 to 41·9

  42+over

  Total

  Under 10 years

  12

  —

  17

  1

  1

  1

  32

  11–20 years

  11

  17

  25

  2

  2

  —

  57

  21 years and over

  1

  64

  69

  3

  —

  —

  137

  Total

  24

  81

  111

  6

  3

  1

  226

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list in the Official Report the weight and value of landings of fish in each of the fishing ports in each of the past 10 years.

  Live weight and estimated value of all fish landed in Northern Ireland

  Total

  Ardglass

  Kilkeel

  Portavogie

  Other N.I. ports

  Year

  Tonnes

  £

  Tonnes

  £

  Tonnes

  £

  Tonnes

  £

  Tonnes

  £

  1979

  12,817·51

  6,616,813

  2,390·44

  1,181,582

  6,317·27

  3,309,119

  3,792·27

  1,949,250

  317·53

  176,862

  1980

  13,636·55

  4,622,052

  3,483·62

  1,120,791

  6,425·46

  2,294,712

  328,8·05

  1,088,534

  439·42

  118,015

  1981

  21,134·07

  6,510,404

  4,219·87

  1,225,651

  8,175·17

  2,455,314

  8,263·10

  2,612,878

  475·93

  216,561

  1982

  3,4074·19

  9,625,534

  3,265·05

  1,006,335

  11,112·93

  4,449,450

  9,290·84

  2,956,618

  10,405·37

  1,213,131

  1983

  36,989·64

  10,646,732

  2,811·29

  1,018,966

  9,276·61

  4,623,889

  5,895·32

  2,573,299

  19,006·42

  2,430,578

  1984

  31,923·24

  9,418,010

  2,224·30

  757,544

  8,085·41

  3,876,137

  7,660·82

  2,817,243

  13,952·71

  1,967,086

  1985

  23,272·97

  10,264,507

  3,037·35

  1,370,338

  8,562·07

  4,488,573

  10,095·19

  4,112,725

  1,578·36

  292,871

  1986

  21,935·66

  13,547,228

  2,283·67

  1,344,238

  8,683·86

  6,459,041

  9,633·38

  5,268,811

  1,334·75

  475,138

  1987

  21,444·48

  15,232,415

  2,781·84

  1,601,166

  9,781·92

  7,659,284

  7,939·15

  5,475,568

  941·57

  496,397

  1988

  23,814·52

  15,813,829

  4,440·94

  1,985,599

  9,564·38

  7,116,720

  8,105·62

  5,428,954

  1,703·58

  1,282,556

THE ARTS

  South Bank
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what information he has regarding the impact on the activities of the south bank arts complex by the proposed works for British Rail's Channel tunnel link.

  Mr. Luce
  I understand that representatives of the South Bank board will be having discussions with British Rail in the near future.
  858
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  [holding answer 26 July 1989]: The information is as follows:

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  [holding answer 26 July 1989]: The weight and value of fish landings in each of the fishing ports in each of the past 10 years are set out in the table:

CIVIL SERVICE

  Creches
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Minister for Civil Service if he has received any recent representations about pilot or permanent workplace creches and similar incentives further to encourage the return to employment of women in the Civil Service; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Luce
  (holding answer 25 July 1989)My officials recently had an ad hoc meeting with the Council of Civil Service Unions to review developments. I am encouraging
  859
  Departments to assist recruitment and retention by setting up and supporting value for money child care schemes. In my Department, to date, the Civil Service college, Sunningdale, has plans for a nursery and the equal opportunities division co-ordinates the Westminster multidepartmental holiday scheme for five to 12-year-olds.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Members (Overseas Visits)
  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many overseas visits by hon. Members or former hon. Members his Department has sponsored in the past two years.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Fourteen hon. Members have travelled to the United Nations General Assembly in New York under FCO sponsorship (seven in 1987–88, seven in 1988–89). There have been no visits under the FCO sponsored visitors scheme. That figure does not include visits overseas by FCO Ministers, or hon. Members travelling in a ministerial capacity.

  Statutory Instruments
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for each of the last five parliamentary Sessions, including the 1988–89 Session, if he will list the number of statutory instruments that were issued by his Department; how many were negative and how many affirmative; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The details are as follows:

  Session

  Number of SI's issued

  Negative resolution

  Affirmative resolution

  1984–85

  37

  4

  15

  1985–86

  28

  4

  8

  1986–87

  52

  13

  3

  1987–88

  48

  9

  9

  1988–891

  26

  5

  2

  1 To date

  Malaysia
  Mr. Amos
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, consequent upon the execution of Derrick Gregory, he will make it his policy to review all British aid to Malaysia; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  We have already expressed our disappointment that the Malaysian Government were unable to respond favourably to our appeals for clemency. Nonetheless, Derrick Gregory was fairly tried under Malaysian law. He himself never denied his guilt. It is not appropriate to link this case with United Kingdom aid to Malaysia.

  Bulgaria
  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to what extent there has been an increase in the United Kingdom's diplomatic activities in Bulgaria over the past year.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  There has been no increase in United Kingdom activities in Bulgaria over the past year. We have 860
  consistently pressed the Bulgarian authorities to respect the rights of the ethnic Turkish minority and to fulfil all their CSCE commitments.

  Official Hospitality
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much was spent by his Department on official hospitality in 1988–89.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The forecast outturn for spending on official hospitality by both wings of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the financial year 1988–89 is estimated to be £5·3 million.

  African Elephants
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will hold discussions with the Governments of Botswana and Zambia about compensation for forgoing elephant cropping; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  I have no plans to do so. In preparation for the next meeting of parties to the convention on international trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora in October, the Republic of Cameroon is consulting African Governments on how best to afford protection under the convention of the African elephant.

  Overseas Opposition Parties
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement concerning guidelines followed when offering assistance to opposition parties overseas, and when they were first formulated.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  There are no general guidelines on assistance to opposition parties overseas. Decisions are made on a case-by-case basis.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will provide details of the assistance offered to opposition parties overseas for the most appropriate period for which such details are readily available; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Hong Kong
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, pursuant to his answer of 20 July,Official Report, columns 333–34, he will give details of the two seizures made by the special task force in Hong Kong.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  On 21 June 1989, a cargo of 58·9 kg. of ivory tusks was seized. The importer was fined HK$ 10,000, and the ivory has been mandatorily confiscated in accordance with Hong Kong law. The second case is still sub judice.

  Democracy (Warsaw Pact Countries)
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent offers have been made to Warsaw pact countries to assist in strengthening internal political democracy; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  We very much welcome steps taken in some Warsaw pact countries towards a more democratic system. We are glad to offer practical help where we can. We have, for example, established a "know-how fund" for Poland to help develop the skills needed to run a democratic and market-based economy.

  Israel
  Mr. Marlow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will ask the Israeli Government for an explanation of the circumstances of the death of Yasser Abu Ghosh of Beitunia.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  No. We hope that the inquiry announced by the Israeli authorities will be thorough and impartial.

  European Parliament
  Mr. Marlow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he anticipates giving the further reply promised in his answer to the hon. Member for Northampton, North of 10 April,Official Report, column 358, relating to European Parliament Members' expenses.

  Mr. Maude
  The information is as follows:

  (a) The figures for 1985, 1986, 1987 and 1988 are:

  ECU

  1985

  (1·6989 ECU =£1)

  Secretarial expenses

  14,934,557 (£8,790,721)

  Travel and subsistence

  16,894,616 (£9,944,444)

  Other

  9,881,776 (£5,816,573)

  1986

  (1·4948 ECU=£1)

  Secretarial expenses

  18,999,805 (£12,710,600)

  Travel and subsistence

  23,691,177 (£15,849,061)

  Other

  12,381,859 (£8,283,288)

  1987

  (1·4138 ECU=£1)

  Secretarial expenses

  21,640,304 (£15,306,481)

  Travel and subsistence

  24,176,592 (£17,100,432)

  Other

  13,308,058 (£9,412,970)

  1988

  (1·5057 ECU=£1)

  862

  ECU

  Secretarial expenses

  22,129,579 (14,697,203)

  Travel and subsistence

  26,904,820 (17,868,645)

  Other

  13,606,824 (£9,036,876)

  (b) The average amounts per member for 1988 were:

  ECU

  Secretarial expenses

  42,721 (£28,373 at 1·5057 ECU)

  Travel and subsistence

  51,940 (£34,496 at 1·5057 ECU)

  Other

  26,268 (£17,446 at 1·5057 ECU)

  Separate figures for accommodation and travel are not available.

  Chile
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the co-operation of Her Majesty's Government with the democratic opposition in Chile in the light of the next presidential election there.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  We welcome the good progress being made towards a restoration of democracy in Chile. With our partners in the Twelve, we continue to encourage that process. We regularly invite to Britain representatives of Chilean political parties.

  Namibia
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on United Kingdom help to the United Nations for fair and free elections in Namibia; and what is Her Majesty's Government's policy towards the presence in Namibia of South African troops during pre-election time.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  We are giving our full support to the United Nations operation in Namibia. We have contributed a signals unit to the UN force (UNTAG) and are making a major financial commitment to the cost of UNTAG. We have contributed £500,000 towards the costs of repatriating Namibian refugees and have also contributed about £650,000 worth of food aid. We support the provisions in the United Nations plan for the restriction to base and phased withdrawal of South African forces from Namibia.

  Central America
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement regarding Her Majesty's Government policy towards the Esquipulas II agreement and dialogue with those central American countries parties to it.
  863
  Mr. Sainsbury
  We have consistently supported efforts to promote a peaceful negotiated settlement to the various conflicts in central America within the framework of the Esquipulas II and subsequent agreements. With our EC partners, we participate actively in the dialogue with the central American countries through the San Jose series of conferences.

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

  Mr. Sainsbury
  [pursuant to the reply, 20 July 1989, c. 335]: The Peruvian prison authorities provide sustenance for all persons detained in their prisons. The food served is Peruvian fare.

  All British nationals currently detained in Lurigancho prison are in receipt of funds from their relatives and friends in the United Kingdom for additional prison comforts.

  Sir Trevor Skeet
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what information he has about the detention of John Boxall and Brian Tristram in a Peruvian gaol since 6 December 1988 and the reasons they have been detained without trial.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  [pursuant to the reply, 20 July 1989, c. 335]: Mr. Boxall and Mr. Tristram were detained by the Peruvian police on 6 December 1988 on suspicion of drug trafficking. They were formally charged on 27 December 1988 and remanded to Lurigancho prison. The judicial investigatory process is continuing. The delay in bringing them to trial is not unusual.

  Sir Trevor Skeet
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps are being taken to ensure that John Boxall and Brian Tristram both of the county of Bedfordshire will be speedily brought to trial in Peru.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  [pursuant to the reply, 20 July 1989, c. 335]: Mr. Boxall and Mr. Tristram are legally represented and it is for their legal representative to seek to ensure that their trial is held as speedily as possible. He has taken action to this end. It would be contrary to internationally accepted practice for us to seek to interfere in the judicial process of an independent sovereign state. We would not tolerate such interference in our own judicial processes.

EMPLOYMENT

  White Papers
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment 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 by his Department prior to May 1979.
  864
  Mr. Nicholls
  The last three White Papers produced by this Department for which legislation has started are: "Building Businesses … Not Barriers", Command 9794, 22 May 1986; "Employment for the 1990s", Command 540, 5 December 1988 and "Employment in the Ports: The Dock Labour Scheme", Command 664, 6 April 1989. Proposals first published in Command 9794 were incorporated in the 1988 Employment Bill which was first read in the Commons on 30 November 1988. Clause 21 of the Bill (now the Employment Bill 1989) was incorporated on 16 March of this year and derives from Command 540. The Dock Work Bill had its First Reading on 7 April of this year.

  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.

  Training
  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will place a copy of the Atkinson/Revington study of regional office organisation in the Training Agency in the Library; and what monitoring Training Agency regional offices will carry out with regard to training and enterprise councils.

  Mr. Eggar
  The document is an internal organisational review and is not appropriate for deposit in the Library. Training Agency regional officers will monitor a TEC's performance to check contract compliance and to ensure that each TEC is performing in line with the targets and objectives set out in the agreed business plan.

  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many YTS places were agreed by each payment type; how many young people were in training by each training type; and what was the proportion of those in training relative to the number of agreed places by standard Training Agency region, for Great Britain as a whole, and for each of the last three months.

  Mr. Eggar
  Since the introduction of the new funding structure for YTS in April of this year, the number of agreed places is no longer available by payment type. The tables give the other figures requested.

  Table 1

  In-training as a proportion of agreed places

  Region

  April

  May

  June

  South East

  68·5

  68·0

  68·1

  London

  69·6

  70·2

  70·5

  South West

  71·7

  71·7

  72·3

  West Midlands

  64·1

  63·4

  68·0

  East Midlands and Eastern Region

  74·1

  72·7

  75·3

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  74·1

  72·6

  77·2

  North West

  76·1

  76·6

  79·5

  Northern

  77·9

  76·6

  80·3

  Wales

  84·6

  83·8

  86·1

  Scotland

  78·8

  77·5

  82·2

  Great Britain

  73·4

  72·8

  75·7

  865

  Table 2

  Number in-training by payment type by region as at the last three months

  Basic

  Premium

  ITEC

  Additional Units

  April

  May

  June

  April

  May

  June

  April

  May

  June

  April

  May

  June

  Scotland

  38,514

  37,584

  39,620

  8,434

  8,226

  8,304

  1,196

  1,160

  1,310

  323

  375

  368

  Northern

  20,768

  20,014

  20,982

  8,101

  7,880

  8,087

  854

  832

  851

  297

  455

  660

  North West

  45,255

  44,591

  46,455

  11,663

  11,402

  11,439

  1,779

  1,844

  1,968

  471

  569

  682

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  36,528

  35,449

  37,355

  7,153

  6,709

  7,105

  908

  865

  906

  497

  667

  839

  Midlands

  36,036

  35,159

  36,785

  6,097

  5,899

  6,015

  970

  888

  994

  136

  258

  412

  Wales

  17,925

  17,638

  18,110

  5,166

  4,972

  5,123

  656

  736

  738

  157

  223

  315

  South West

  26,417

  25,765

  25,587

  2,874

  2,729

  2,848

  590

  569

  592

  82

  119

  180

  South East

  35,169

  34,362

  34,473

  3,172

  3,052

  3,061

  1,078

  1,042

  1,018

  240

  351

  362

  London

  16,882

  16,642

  16,693

  3,065

  3,109

  3,128

  651

  649

  655

  203

  257

  319

  East Midlands and East

  39,958

  38,849

  39,985

  4,986

  4,781

  4,980

  893

  873

  874

  168

  *275

  339

  Total

  313,452

  306,053

  316,045

  60,711

  58,759

  60,090

  9,575

  9,458

  9,906

  2,575

  3,549

  4,476

  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what were the numbers of accidents on YTS, broken down by fatal, major and minor, for the latest available three-month period; and how many YTS placements were closed or not accepted in that period and in the three preceding months.

  Mr. Eggar
  Table A provides YTS accident figures for the period 1 April 1989 to 30 June 1989.

  Table A

  Accidents1

  Fatalities

  2

  Major injuries2

  126

  Minor injuries

  599

  Table B provides the closure and non-acceptance figures for the quarters 1 January 1989 to 31 March and 1 April to 30 June 1989. These figures are provisional.

  Table B

  1 January 1989 to 31 March 1989

  1 April 1989 to 30 June 1989

  Placements closed

  39

  3

  Placements not accepted

  19

  3

  1 Training Agency figures have been compiled on a similar basis to those prepared by Health and Safety Executive on employed persons. However, the Training Agency's figures will include a number of accidents to trainees in educational establishments and road traffic accidents which may not have been reportable to the Health and Safety Executive had the individuals been

  Table to show the number in training by age at 30 June 1989 by region

  Region

  16

  17

  18

  19

  South East

  5,835

  18,566

  13,460

  1,051

  London

  2,892

  9,189

  7,523

  1,191

  South West

  4,697

  14,017

  9,824

  668

  West Midlands

  8,838

  20,409

  14,236

  718

  East Midlands and Eastern

  8,575

  21,388

  14,918

  1,297

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  9,543

  21,111

  4,657

  892

  North West

  11,829

  27,952

  19,159

  1,603

  Northern

  5,875

  14,502

  9,781

  422

  Wales

  4,672

  11,217

  7,903

  494

  Scotland

  5,116

  21,873

  11,979

  628

  Note The ages given are made up of banded age groups as follows:

  16—under 17 years old

  17—over 17 and under 18

  18—over 18 and under 19

  19–19 and over.

  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, if he will publish up-to-date figures for Great Britain and each Training Agency region the characteristics of all entrants to employment training,
  866
  employed.

  2 Major injuries are classified according to the severity criteria laid down in the Reporting of Injuries, Disease and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1985.

  Mr. Trotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give the average length of stay of trainees on YTS for the most recent convenient period by Training Agency region.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The average length of stay of YTS trainees is not available by region; however the national figure is around 69 weeks for trainees with two-year entitlement and 36 weeks for trainees with one-year entitlement.

  Mr. Trotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give the average length of stay of 16, 17, 18 and 19-year-olds, respectively, on YTS by Training Agency region for the most recent convenient period.

  Mr. Nicholls
  Average length of stay is calculated using a complex model; the information requested can be supplied only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Trotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give the numbers of 16, 17, 18 and 19-year-olds, respectively, on YTS by Training Agency region for the most recent convenient date.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The table gives the information requested as at 30 June 1989.

  showing how many were (a) men and (b) women, time they had been out of work, their ethnic backgrounds, and whether they had any disabilities.
  867
  Mr. Nicholls
  The latest available figures for entrants to employment training, cumulative to 14 July are given in table 1. Figures for entrants showing what proportion are men and women, duration of unemployment prior to joining the programme, their ethnic background and whether disabled or having a health problem are given in table 2. The proportions are cumulative to the end of April (to the end of March for people with disabilities), and are the latest available.

  Table 1

  Employment Training Entrants1

  Region

  Cumulative 5 September-14 July

  South East

  22,700

  London

  32,100

  South West

  19,700

  Table 2

  Employment training characteristics of entrants (September-April) (all figures are percentages, figures may not total 100 because of rounding)

  Region

  Men

  Women

  Unemployment duration (months)

  Ethnic origin1

  PWD2

  0–6

  6–12

  13–23

  24+

  1

  2

  3

  4

  5

  Yes

  No

  South East

  64

  36

  25

  28

  12

  34

  91

  2

  2

  2

  2

  15

  85

  London

  58

  42

  14

  32

  16

  37

  51

  25

  11

  7

  6

  10

  90

  South West

  68

  32

  24

  33

  13

  30

  93

  2

  1

  2

  2

  15

  85

  West Midlands

  68

  32

  17

  27

  13

  42

  79

  9

  8

  2

  2

  12

  88

  East Midlands and Eastern

  72

  28

  12

  34

  14

  39

  88

  4

  5

  1

  2

  14

  86

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  74

  26

  20

  31

  14

  35

  90

  2

  4

  1

  2

  10

  90

  North West

  72

  28

  19

  31

  14

  37

  92

  2

  3

  1

  2

  11

  89

  Northern

  74

  26

  17

  35

  15

  34

  96

  1

  1

  1

  2

  9

  91

  Wales

  71

  29

  19

  36

  14

  31

  95

  1

  1

  1

  3

  11

  89

  Scotland

  73

  27

  12

  32

  17

  39

  96

  ¨

  ¨

  1

  2

  11

  89

  Great Britain total

  70

  30

  18

  32

  14

  36

  88

  5

  4

  2

  2

  12

  88

  1 Ethnic origin

  1—White

  2—Black/African/Caribbean

  3—Indian/Pakistan/Bangladeshi/Sri Lankan

  4—None of those

  5—Prefer not to say.

  2PWD—People with disabilities. Those trainees answering whether they had a long-term health problem or disability which affected the type of work they could do.

  ¨=less than 0·5 per cent.

  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish up-to-date figures for Great Britain and each Training Agency region for each month since September 1988, of the cumulative number of(a) referrals to employment training from the employment service to training agents, (b) agreed employment training action plans at training agents and (c) starts at employment training managers.

  Table 1

  Cumulative employment service referrals to employment training: September 1988 to June 1989

  Employment service region

  September

  October

  November

  December

  January

  February

  March

  April

  May

  June

  London and South East

  20,700

  38,600

  55,500

  69,600

  87,800

  106,000

  124,700

  141,000

  157,100

  176,100

  South West

  5,100

  9,500

  13,400

  16,900

  21,800

  26,700

  31,800

  36,100

  39,900

  43,300

  West Midlands

  10,300

  19,000

  28,100

  36,300

  46,800

  57,200

  67,900

  76,500

  84,400

  94,100

  East Midlands and Eastern

  7,500

  14,200

  20,500

  25,100

  31,800

  38,400

  45,000

  51,600

  57,000

  63,900

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  10,100

  19,200

  28,100

  35,700

  45,800

  54,700

  64,700

  74,100

  81,900

  91,100

  North West

  12,700

  24,100

  35,300

  44,400

  58,100

  71,000

  85,700

  98,500

  109,500

  123,900

  Northern

  12,500

  20,100

  26,600

  32,200

  40,500

  48,300

  56,000

  63,100

  69,500

  77,400

  Wales

  5,200

  10,600

  16,300

  21,400

  27,500

  33,800

  40,100

  45,900

  50,900

  56,300

  Scotland

  12,300

  23,900

  36,100

  46,500

  59,600

  73,600

  89,400

  100,500

  111,800

  127,000

  Great Britain

  96,500

  179,400

  259,800

  328,100

  419,700

  509,600

  605,300

  687,700

  761,900

  853,100

  868

  Region

  Cumulative 5 September-14 July

  West Midlands

  40,400

  East Midlands and Eastern

  29,100

  Yorkshire and Humber

  49,600

  North West

  56,500

  Northern

  38,400

  Wales

  27,200

  Scotland

  43,300

  Great Britain total

  359,200

  1 Combined regional figures may not equal Great Britain totals because of rounding.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The information requested is given in the following tables. Employment service referrals are provided in table 1, by employment service region as the information is not available by Training Agency region. Action plans and starts are provided by Training Agency region in tables 2 and 3.
  869

  Table 2

  Cumulative employment training action plans at training agents: September 1988 to June 1989

  Training agency region

  September

  October

  November

  December

  January

  February

  March

  April

  May

  June

  South East

  1,200

  4,900

  9,100

  13,400

  17,200

  20,900

  25,100

  28,700

  31,700

  34,900

  London

  3,400

  8,000

  13,200

  17,900

  23,400

  29,400

  35,800

  40,300

  44,500

  49,300

  South West

  1,700

  3,800

  6,400

  8,200

  10,700

  12,800

  15,500

  17,800

  19,900

  22,200

  West Midlands

  2,700

  7,800

  13,500

  18,000

  23,400

  29,300

  36,100

  41,000

  44,900

  49,500

  East Midlands and Eastern

  3,100

  6,700

  10,300

  13,000

  16,700

  20,400

  24,400

  28,000

  31,000

  34,400

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  4,200

  9,300

  15,000

  19,400

  25,200

  31,200

  36,800

  41,900

  47,000

  51,800

  North West

  4,100

  9,900

  16,400

  21,500

  28,100

  35,600

  42,800

  49,200

  54,500

  60,900

  Northern

  4,400

  8,700

  13,200

  16,800

  21,900

  27,700

  33,000

  37,600

  42,000

  46,800

  Wales

  1,900

  4,400

  7,500

  9,900

  13,100

  16,800

  20,200

  23,000

  25,800

  28,500

  Scotland

  4,100

  9,100

  15,700

  21,200

  27,300

  34,600

  42,400

  48,100

  53,500

  59,700

  Great Britain

  30,800

  72,700

  120,200

  159,400

  206,900

  258,700

  312,100

  355,800

  395,000

  438,000

  Table 3

  Cumulative starts at employment training managers: September 1988 to June 1989

  Training agency region

  September

  October

  November

  December

  January

  February

  March

  April

  May

  June

  South East

  1,500

  3,600

  5,600

  7,300

  9,600

  12,100

  14,200

  16,500

  18,100

  20,500

  London

  2,500

  5,600

  8,700

  11,100

  14,900

  18,300

  22,100

  25,200

  27,700

  30,900

  South West

  1,100

  2,800

  4,800

  6,600

  8,700

  11,200

  13,500

  15,500

  17,200

  19,100

  West Midlands

  2,500

  6,200

  10,000

  13,300

  17,700

  22,700

  27,600

  31,700

  35,000

  38,800

  East Midlands and Eastern

  1,800

  4,500

  7,400

  9,600

  12,500

  16,100

  19,300

  22,400

  24,800

  27,600

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  3,000

  7,500

  13,000

  17,400

  22,900

  29,000

  34,300

  39,200

  43,300

  47,800

  North West

  3,000

  8,000

  13,500

  17,700

  23,100

  30,200

  36,700

  42,400

  47,300

  53,600

  Northern

  2,400

  5,600

  9,300

  12,200

  15,800

  20,600

  25,200

  29,000

  32,300

  36,300

  Wales

  1,400

  3,300

  6,000

  8,200

  11,100

  14,700

  17,900

  20,900

  23,200

  25,800

  Scotland

  2,300

  5,500

  9,500

  13,400

  17,100

  22,500

  28,500

  32,900

  36,800

  41,700

  Great Britain

  21,500

  52,500

  87,800

  116,600

  153,300

  197,300

  239,400

  275,700

  305,700

  342,100

  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what were the number of accidents on employment training(a) fatal, (b) major and (c) minor, from the start of the scheme to the latest available date; and how many (i) employer-based work and (ii) project-based work placements have been either rejected or closed on health and safety grounds during the same period.

  Mr. Nicholls
  Table A gives the accident figures since the inception of employment training on 5 September 1988 to date.

  Table A

  Number

  Fatal

  Nil

  Major

  109

  Minor

  618

  Separate figures for closures and rejections for employer-based and project-based work placements are not kept. However, table B gives the figures of closures and rejections on health and safety grounds from 5 September to 30 June 1989. These figures are provisional.

  Table B

  Number

  Closed

  10

  Rejected

  Nil

  Job Start
  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish up-to-date figures showing the total number of payments made under the job start scheme, together with a breakdown of the wages of jobs covered by the scheme in the same format used in the reply given on 10 December 1987,Official Report, columns 231–32.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The total number of payments made under the job start programme from 1 July 1986 to 30 June 1989 is 35,393. The breakdown of wages of jobs covered by the scheme is as follows:

  / 1 July 1986 to 30 June 1989

  Wages

  Number

  £

  Under 40

  1,064

  40 to 49

  919

  50 to 59

  4,199

  60 to 69

  7,512

  70 to 79

  14,779

  80 to 90

  6,441

  Information not available 479.

  Statutory Instruments
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment for each of the last five parliamentary Sessions including the 1988–89 Session, if he will list the number of statutory instruments that were issued by his Department; how many were negative and how many affirmative; and if he will make a statement.
  871
  Mr. Eggar
  The number of statutory instruments made by the Department of Employment in the last five parliamentary Sessions is as follows:

  Year

  Negative resolution

  Affirmative draft

  1984–85

  32

  8

  1985–86

  23

  8

  1986–87

  24

  9

  1987–88

  34

  7

  1988–89

  26

  7

  Agricultural Inspectors
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many agricultural inspectors have been employed by his Department for each year since 1979; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The total number of agricultural inspectors employed by the Health and Safety Executive in each year since 1979 is as follows:

  1 April

  Number

  1979

  190

  1980

  178

  1981

  176

  1982

  166

  1983

  159

  1984

  154

  1985

  162

  1986

  163

  1987

  166

  1988

  158

  1989

  165

  1 July

  1989

  167

  The commission and executive plan to have 175 agricultural inspectors in post by April 1990.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the number of environmental training courses that have been organised for agricultural inspectors for each year since 1986; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  Environmental training for agricultural inspectors has formed part of the Health and Safety Executive's training programme for enforcement of the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985 (FEPA). Thirteen FEPA courses were held between February 1986 and February 1987. Such training also forms part of the intensive training of all new agricultural inspectors recruited to HSE.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement about the role and duties of his agricultural inspectors.

  Mr. Nicholls
  Her Majesty's agricultural inspectors are appointed by HSE under the provisions of section 19(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 for carrying into effect the relevant statutory provisions within their field of responsibility namely, agriculture, horticulture, forestry and allied industries. Their work also involves an enforcement role under the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985.

  Inspectors are responsible for seeing that HSE's objectives are met. The aim is through selective inspection,
  872
  advice, persuasion and where necessary the enforcement of legal requirement, to secure good standards of health and safety in the agricultural industry and to see that reasonable steps are taken to ensure that agricultural activities do not endanger the public.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what new areas of responsibility were placed on his agricultural inspectors as a result of the Food and Environment Protection Act 1986; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The Health and Safety Executive's agricultural inspectors are authorised to enforce the Control of Pesticides Regulations (CoPR) 1986 made under the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985. The regulations provide protection for the users of pesticides, the public and the environment by imposing statutory controls on the sale, supply, advertisement, storage and use of pesticides. Inspectors provide advice and guidance on the legislation and carry out enforcement duties on those premises where HSE is already the enforcing authority.

  The Government increased the commission's financial provision for 1988–89; the additional resources will be used in part to increase numbers of inspectors in the agricultural inspectorate to enforce CoPR.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether he has any plans to increase the number of agricultural inspectors employed by his Department; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  Ministers agreed in the last public expenditure round to increase financial provision to the Health and Safety Commission and Executive for 1989–92, and this will allow for an increase in the total number of agricultural inspectors employed.

  The commission and executive plan to have 175 agricultural inspectors in post by April 1990, compared with 167 in post on 1 July 1989.

  A recruitment board has just completed interviewing candidates, and offers of appointment will be made shortly; a further recruitment exercise is planned for later in the year.

  Dock Labour
  Mr. Peter Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what financial provision has been made to finance the dissolution of the National Dock Labour Board.

  Mr. Fowler
  The Department of Employment is seeking to make provision of £6,000,000 for the dissolution of the National Dock Labour Board; and for connected purposes. Parliamentary approval will be sought in a supplementary Supply Estimate for the Department of Employment: employment programmes and central services, Class VII, Vote 2. Pending that approval urgent expenditure will be met by repayable advances from the contingencies fund.

  Collieries (Safety)
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) how many underground fires occurred in British Coal collieries between April 1987 and September 1988; and at how many collieries there were three or more such fires;
  873
  (2) how many cases of underground fires at British Coal collieries between April 1987 and September 1988 fire or smoke alarms or similar monitoring devices were alerted; and what were the reasons for any failures.

  Mr. Nicholls
  [holding answer 25 July 1989]: During this period there were 99 outbreaks of fire below ground at British Coal collieries and eight had three or more such occurrences. Information is not available on the number of devices alerted or failures that have occurred.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Family Incomes
  Mr. Lester
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how would his estimate of the number of working families affected by marginal tax rates of over 40 per cent. be affected if take up of family credit and housing benefit were 100 per cent. and if the effects of the parental contribution to student grants were also taken into account.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The information requested in the first part of the question is not available. Any overlap between families with children on income-related benefits and parents making a contribution to mandatory awards is likely to be negligible. Questions concerning parental contributions to mandatory grants are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science.

  Retirement Pensions
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he has studied the state pension schemes in other European Economic Community countries with a view to the completion of the internal market in 1992; and if he will publish the comparable figures for retirement pensions for each of the European Economic Community countries for an adult male worker with a lifetime's contribution record.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The Department has kept itself informed about the pension schemes in other European Community countries, and since 1977 has published an annual review of the various schemes in the form of the "Tables of Social Benefit Systems in the European Communities", copies of which are in the Library.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for each group listed in his answer of 14 November 1988, Official Report, columns 517–18, the number of state pensioners receiving income support; the total number of state pensioners in that group; and the cumulative cost at each incremental stage of increasing the level of income support for the elderly by six successive increments of £1 and £1·50 for singles and married couples.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The latest available estimates are as follows:

  Millions

  Number receiving Income Support and Retirement Pension

  Singles

  1·27

  Couples

  0·20

  874

  Millions

  Number receiving Retirement Pension

  Singles

  4·6

  Couples

  2·6

  Cumulative costs (at 1989 rates) of increasing income-related benefits for those aged 60 and over by 6 successive increments of £1 for singles and £1·50 for couples

  Singles (£ million)

  £1

  100

  £2

  200

  £3

  305

  £4

  410

  £5

  515

  £6

  620

  Couples (£ million)

  £1·50

  55

  £3

  110

  £4·50

  175

  £6

  240

  £7·50

  300

  £9

  360

  Claimants (Credit Transfer)
  Mr. Knapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he will make it his policy to encourage claimants to opt for automatic credit transfer.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Current policy is to encourage people to have their benefits paid into bank accounts by automated credit transfer. This method of payment is cheaper, more convenient for many, and reduces the risk of fraud. A leaflet explaining the advantages of ACT is included with retirement pension and child benefit claim forms.

  At present, 38 per cent. of new pensioners and 32 per cent. of new recipients of child benefit choose to be paid by this method.

  Mortgages
  Sir Ian Gilmour
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many and what percentage of families with children have mortgages, distinguishing between working and out-of-work families and between those who earn(a) under £150 per week, (b) £150–£200, (c) £200–£300 and (d) over £300.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  I will write to my right hon. Friend.

  Statutory Instruments
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security for each of the last five parliamentary Sessions, including the 1988–89 Session, if he will list the number of statutory instruments that were issued by his Department; how many were negative and how many affirmative; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The information is in the table. For earlier Sessions, the figures are for only those statutory instruments issued by the Department of Health and Social Security which relate to social security matters.
  875

  Session

  Affirmative instruments

  Negative instruments

  1984–85

  12

  51

  1985–86

  9

  46

  1986–87

  13

  56

  1987–88

  19

  121

  1988–89

  8

  32

  Mobility Allowance
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will give the numbers of(a) appeals to a medical board for mobility allowance and (b) allowances then awarded over the latest 12-month period for each area in England;

  (2) what was the number of claims for mobility allowance made over the latest 12-month period for each area in England;

  (3) what was the number of claims for mobility allowances over the latest 12-month period which have been successful at the first stage, after examination of doctor's reports, for each area in England.

  Mr. Scott
  I regret that it is not possible to provide information in the form requested. For the information which is available, I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney (Mr. Rowlands) on 17 January 1989 at column 120.

  Real increase rents 1988–89

  Cost of 1 per cent, increase in 1988–89

  Increase on HB in 1988–89

  Real increase rents 1989–90

  Cost of 1 per cent, increase in 1989–90

  Increase on HBin 1989–90

  per cent.

  £ million

  £ million

  per cent.

  £ million

  £ million

  (1)

  (2)

  (1)x(2)

  Rent rebates

  England

  1·7

  26·1

  44·4

  —

  —

  —

  Wales

  3·5

  1·8

  6·3

  —

  —

  —

  Scotland

  3·5

  4·3

  15·1

  —

  —

  —

  Great Britain

  —

  —

  —

  12·5

  35·0

  87·5

  Total rent rebates

  —

  32·2

  65·7

  —

  35·0

  87·5

  Rent Allowances Great Britain

  5·5

  13·5

  74·3

  28·0

  15·6

  124·8

  Total rents (rebates + allowances)

  —

  —

  140·0

  —

  —

  212·3

  Rate rebates

  England

  1·7

  15·1

  25·7

  32·2

  15·7

  34·5

  Wales

  3·7

  1·0

  3·7

  32·6

  1·0

  2·6

  Total (England and Wales only)

  —

  —

  29·4

  —

  16·7

  37·1

  1 Assumption quoted in paragraph 48 of Cm. 615 (1989 PEWP); latest information and GDP deflator consistent with it.

  2 Assumption quoted in Cm. 615; no information on actual position presently available.

  3 Based on latest information and consistent with GDP deflator; no forecast in Cm. 615.

  Transfer of Work
  Mr. Riddick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether the trial exercise to transfer certain accounting work presently carried out at the Post Office at Chesterfield and Edinburgh to the Department of Health and Social Security in Northern Ireland has been successfully carried out.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The trial has been fully evaluated in consultation with the Post Office and results have shown that the work can be carried out more efficiently and economically at the paid order store in Northern Ireland.
  876
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the number of people who, but for their age, would be eligible for mobility allowance.

  Mr. Scott
  [holding answer 20 July 1989]: We estimate that there are a further 1,150,000 people who would qualify for mobility allowance if the age limits were abolished, thus tripling the current caseload at a cost of nearly £1½ billion. This estimate is based on projections of the numbers who are already receiving the allowance.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he will publish in the Official Report his estimate of the increase in public expenditure in 1988–89 and his forecast for 1989–90 as a result of the increases in housing benefit required to compensate for increases in, respectively, rents and rates.

  Mr. Scott
  Increases in rents above the level of inflation increased housing benefit expenditure by an estimated £140 million in 1988–89 and by a further £210 million in 1989–90.

  Rate rebates are not treated as public expenditure but real increases in rates are estimated to have increased spending in these years by about £30 million and £35 million respectively in England and Wales.

  It has been agreed that the remainder of the work should be transferred to Northern Ireland on a phased basis, starting with Scotland in October 1989. It is planned to be completed by March 1991.

  The transfer will have no affect on the counter network.

  Widows
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what information he has and from what sources, on the proportion of widows, under 45 years who remarry.
  877
  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  [pursuant to the reply, 22 May 1989, column 435]: I regret that the reply given has been found to contain an error. The amended reply is as follows:
  Latest available information indicates that the proportion of widows under 45 remarrying in 1987 was approximately 10 per cent.

  Table 3 of the article by John Haskey, of OPCS, entitled "Widowhood, widowerhood and remarriage", published in "Population Trends" No. 30 (January 1983), shows that of those widows aged 40–44 who had remarried in 1980–81, 90 per cent. had done so within 10 years of their being widowed.

  Family Income Supplement
  Mr. Clay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish a table showing how many children there are in families who did not take up their entitlement to supplementary benefit and family income supplement.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  [holding answer 15 February 1989]: In 1985, families eligible for supplementary benefit but who did not claim are estimated to have included 160,000 children. The corresponding figure for family income supplement, based on the two years 1985 and 1986 and excluding the self-employed, was 231,000.

  Pensioners
  Mr. Andrew Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many pensioner couples not entitled to income support will receive(a) an increase in rent rebate of £2·28, (b) an increase in rent rebate of 70p, (c) an increase in community charge rebate of 53p and (d) become newly entitled to housing benefit in October;

  (2) what is the number of single pensioners not entitled to income support who, (a) will become entitled to housing benefit, (b) will receive an increase in weekly rent rebate of £1·63, (c) will receive an increase in weekly rate rebate of 50p and (d) will receive an increase in weekly community charge rebate of 38p when applicable amounts are raised in October.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  [holding answer 14 July 1989]: The numbers likely to be affected by the October 1989 pensioner premium changes in housing benefit only are estimated in the table.

  Housing benefit: Pensioner premium changes, October 1989

  000s

  Rent rebate/allowance

  Newly qualified

  Singles gaining > £1·63

  *

  Couples gaining > £2·28

  *

  Singles/couples gaining £l·63/£2·28 or less

  5

  Existing Claimants

  Singles gaining £1·63

  240

  Couples gaining £2·28

  155

  Singles gaining < £1·63

  75

  Couples gaining < £2·28

  60

  Do not gain

  *

  Total (including starred groups and after rounding)

  545

  Rate rebate (as if in place throughout GB)

  Newly qualified

  Singles gaining > 50p

  20

  Couples gaining > 70p

  15

  Singles/couples gaining 50p/70p or less

  10

  878

  000s

  Existing Claimants

  Singles gaining 50p

  320

  Couples gaining 70p

  210

  Singles gaining < 50p

  100

  Couples gaining < 70p

  65

  Do not gain

  5

  Total (after rounding)

  740

  Community Charge rebate (as if in place throughout GB)

  Newly qualified

  Singles gaining > 38p

  5

  Couples gaining > 53p

  5

  Singles/couples gaining 38p/53p or less

  *

  Existing Claimants

  Singles gaining 38p

  375

  Couples gaining 53p

  330

  Singles gaining < 38p

  120

  Couples gaining < 53p

  70

  Do not gain

  5

  Total (including starred group and after rounding)

  900

  1. Numbers rounded to nearest 5,000. Starred groups denote numbers less than 2,500.

  2. Existing claimants already receiving maximum HB do not gain extra rebates or allowances.

  3. The Scotland only effects of CC rebate cannot be separately identified. The table shows alternative figures (a) on the assumption that rate rebate was in place throughout GB in 1989–90, and (b) on the assumption that Community Charge rebate was in place.

  Benefits
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he will publish new estimates of the take-up of supplementary benefit, housing benefit and family income supplement; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  I have today placed in the Library technical notes setting out take-up estimates for supplementary benefit and housing benefit for 1985. A further note provides family income supplement take-up estimates based on the two years 1985 and 1986. These estimates confirm previous results and indicate that overall almost £9 out of every £10 of available income-related benefit expenditure is claimed. They also show that overall almost four out of every five people who are eligible for these benefits claim them. This demonstrates that. income-related benefits are an efficient and effective way of helping those in financial need.

  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list all the changes in social security law since May 1979 which have affected the entitlement of(a) 16 to 17-year-olds, (b) 18 to 20-year-olds and (c) 21 to 25-year-olds to supplementary benefit or any other benefit or which have affected the entitlement to any benefit of their parents in the same format as his answer to the hon. Member for Derby, South of 20 December 1985, Official Report, column 422.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will set out the main changes in social security law since the end of 1985 specifically affecting the entitlement of young people and their parents, showing who was affected by the change and the relevant legislation in the same form as in the Official Report, 20 December 1985, column 422–6.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  [holding answers 12 June and 29 June 1989]: I refer the hon. Members to the reply given to

  879
  the hon. Member for Derby South (Mrs. Beckett) on 20 December 1985, at columns 422–26. This listed the main changes from May 1979 to November 1985 in social

  Date

  Change

  Persons Affected

  Legislation

  November 1985

  Extension to the categories of those aged 25 or less who can be treated as in board and lodging accommodation.

  Boarders aged 25 or less

  Supplementary Benefits (Requirements and Resources) Miscellaneous Provisions No. 2 Regulations 1985—SI 1985 No. 1835.

  1986

  Secretary of State empowered to recognise as education being received at home as full time education, if it began before the child became 16.

  Claimants aged 16–19

  Social Security Act 1986

  November 1986

  Students: convenanted parental contribution contributable only to grant-aided period; excess taken into account over whole year—reduces loss of benefit during long vacation.

  Claimants aged 16–25

  The Supplementary Benefit (Requirements and Resources) Miscellaneous Amendment Regulations 1986—SI 1986 No. 1293.

  November 1986

  i. definition of "course of advanced education"; and
  ii. redefinition of "student". Students excluded from entitlement to Supplementary Benefit during Christmas and Easter vacations.

  Young people in higher education

  Supplementary Benefits (Conditions of Entitlement) Amendment Regulations 1986—SI 1986 No. 1010.

  April 1987

  Easter school leavers who still have examinations to take cannot claim Supplementary Benefit until their examinations are completed.

  Claimants aged 16–19

  The Supplementary Benefit (Conditions of Entitlement) Amendment Regulations 1987—SI 1987 No. 358.

  April 1987

  Defect in SI 1982 No. 907 (estranged 19 year olds) amended. Also entitlement to Supplementary Benefit extended to 16–19 year olds who cannot be supported because their parent(s) are chronically sick, in prison, or unable to enter the country.

  Claimants aged 16–19

  The Supplementary Benefit (Conditions of Entitlement) Amendment Regulations 1987. (SI 1987 No. 358).

  April 1987

  Disregard of excess of a custodianship allowance over child scale rate.

  Custodians of young people under 19

  The Supplementary Benefit (Resources) Amendment Regulations 1987. (SI 1987 No. 660).

  April 1987

  Students: to be treated as possessing income equal to assessed parental/spouse's contribution to a student grant. Excess grant/covenant income to be taken fully into account

  Claimants aged 16–25

  The Supplementary Benefit (Resources) Amendment Regulations 1987—SI 1987 No. 660

  April 1987

  Child Benefit to continue to be paid where a child leaves school before compulsory school age; it can be paid up to the terminal date after he attains compulsory school age

  Claimants aged 16–17

  SI 1987 No. 357

  April 1987

  Revised definitions of "advanced education" and "full-time education"

  Claimants aged 16–19

  SI 1987/No. 357

  Child Benefit to continue to be payable in certain cases where a child has been entered for an external examination

  Claimants aged 16–19

  SI 1987/No. 357

  April 1988

  19 year olds still in non-advanced education no longer treated as members of their parent's families—able to claim in their own right

  19 year olds in non-advanced education

  Income Support (General) Regulations 1987—SI 1987 No. 1967

  April 1988

  Full disregard in Income Support, Housing Benefit, Family Credit for payments by Local Authorities under Section 1 of the Child Care Act 1980

  Young people under 18

  Income Support (Gen.) Regs. 1987—SI 1987 No. 1967

  April 1988

  Local education authority awards to young people in further education and Educational Maintenance Allowances disregarded in full

  Parents of 16–19 years olds

  The Income Support (General) Regulations 1987. (SI 1987 No. 1967)

  880
  security law specifically affecting the entitlements of young people and their parents. The following information lists the main changes from November 1985 to June 1989.
  881

  Date

  Change

  Persons Affected

  Legislation

  April 1988

  Custodianship payments disregarded in full in child's capital in excess of £3,000

  Custodians of young people under age 19

  The Income Support (General) Regulations 1987. (SI 1987 No. 1967)

  April 1988

  Adoption Allowances disregarded in full in child's capital in excess of £3,000

  Adopters of young people under age 19

  The Income Support (General) Regulations 1987. (SI 1987 No. 1967)

  April 1988

  Shared children, only the party with primary responsibility can receive the Income Support dependency addition

  Parents of Young People under 19

  Income Support (General) Regulations 1987. (SI 1987 No. 1967)

  April 1988

  Young person's/child's income may not be treated as claimant's above child's young persons applicable amount—disregard no longer restricted to boarding out or fostering/adoption allowances

  Aged 16–25

  Housing Benefit General Regulations 1987 (No. 1971)

  April 1988

  Earnings disregards: complete disregard of all earnings of a child/young person who is still in full time education. £15 disregard for a lone parent £10 (£5 each) for a couple, £5 for a single claimant. £15 for a couple unemployed two or more years

  16–18 year olds

  Housing Benefit General Regulations 1987 (No. 1971)

  April 1988

  Dependant child's or young person's capital not treated as belonging to claimant

  16–18

  Housing Benefit General Regulations 1987 (No. 1971)

  August 1988

  Definition of "youth training scheme" introduced into regulations

  16–19

  SI 1988/1227

  September 1988

  Cessation of entitlement to income support for people under 18 years old except for those in certain specified categories.

  16–17

  Social Security Act 1988 Income Support (General) Amendment No. 3 Regulations 1988.

  September 1988

  A young person who has ceased full time education can nonetheless continue to be treated as a child for a short period after the terminal date if he is registered for work or for the youth training scheme.

  16–17

  SI 1988/1227 Social Security Act 1988.

  September 1988

  Period when most young people are ineligible for Income Support on leaving relevant education extended.

  Single people aged 16–17 and couples both of whom aged less than 18 who are required to be available for work.

  Income Support (General) Amendment No. 3 Regulations 1988—SI 1988 No. 1228.

  September 1988

  Introduction of employment training; training premium and training bonus not taken into account for Income Support purposes.

  18–25

  Income Support (General) Amendment Regulations 1988 Income Support (General) Amendment No. 4 Regulations 1988.

  April 1989

  Increase in personal allowances by 50p in excess of the amount needed to cover inflation.

  All young people aged 1673x2013;17 on Income Support, and parents claiming for 16–18 year olds.

  The Social Security Benefits Uprating Order 1989—SI 1989 No. 43

  April 1989

  Increase in personal allowances by 50p in excess of the amount needed to cover inflation.

  All young people aged 16–18 who are independently liable for housing costs and therefore able to claim Housing Benefit.

  The Social Security Benefits Uprating Order 1989—SI 1989 No. 43.

  April 1989

  Increase in personal allowances by 50p in excess of the amount needed to cover inflation.

  For Family Credit, parents claiming for 16–17 year olds inclusive.

  The Social Security Benefits Uprating Order 1989—SI 1989 No. 43.

  June 1989

  Extra help for 16 and 17 year olds in receipt of Income Support who have to live independently. This group will get the personal allowance normally appropriate to 18–24 year olds.

  16–17

  Family Credit and Income Support (General) Amendment Regulations 1989. SI 1034.

  June 1989

  All 16–17 year old Housing Benefit claimants will get the same Personal Allowance as 18–24 year olds.

  Housing Benefit (General) Amendment No. 3 Regulations 1989.

  882

  National Insurance
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what is his estimate of the cost to the national insurance fund in the current financial year of restoring the earnings-related supplement on the basis which applied before the Social Security (No. 2) Act 1980 for unemployed people only; what would be the saving in tax and other benefits; and how many males and females would benefit;

  (2) what is the current reduced rate of national insurance contribution for (a) married women and (b) widows; how many are still paying contributions at this rate, and what is the forecast for 1990–91; how many would otherwise be paying at the rate of nil per cent., five per cent. and seven per cent.; and what is the estimated cost to the national insurance fund in the current financial year;

  (3) whether he will bring up to date for the current financial year the information given in his answer of 10 December 1986, Official Report, column 204, to the hon. Member for Great Grimsby, concerning the distribution of incomes and national insurance contributions, adding (a) the saving on the abolition of the reduced rate contribution and (b) the numbers contracted-in and contracted-out together with their contributions;

  (4) whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the estimated income of the national insurance fund from national insurance contributions in the current financial year, the income which would accrue if the upper earnings limit on all contributions is removed and the income which would be lost if (i) the contribution rate for single persons is reduced to 5·5 per cent., (ii) the rate for married persons is dropped to 4 per cent., (iii) £3,000 is deducted from earned income for contribution purposes, rising to £6,000 for a contributor with a non-earning spouse and (iv) the reductions in (i) to (iii) are in operation at the same time;

  whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for those contracted-in and for those contracted-out, the national insurance contributions rates, including the class 2 and class 4 contributions and the reduced rate, in 1989–90 together with (i) the total number in each category, their sex and their maritial status and (ii) the aggregate contributions in each category and the earnings to which they relate;

  (6) whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for those below and those above pensionable age the estimated number of earned incomes subject to employers' national insurance contributions in steps of £1,000 between £15,000 and £25,000 and in £5,000 steps thereafter, showing single persons and one-earner and two-earner married couples together with the amount collected;

  (7) whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the number of male and female contributors expected to pay national insurance contributions (a) in
  884
  the current financial year, and (b) in 1978–79, broken down into each class and at each rate together with the numbers contracted in and contracted out; and if he will add his forecast of the amount paid or due in each case at current and 1989–90 prices.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how the figures for the expected yield of national insurance contributions in the current year, as stated in the oral answer of 3 July to the hon. Member for Ealing, North (Mr. Greenway),Official Report, column 11, and in the written answer of the same date to the hon. Member for Rhondda (Mr. Rogers), Official Report, column 40, were calculated, what the actual yield is expected to be; and whether he will publish in the Official Report a table accounting for the difference between the expected yield and the estimate of £27,887 million given in the Government Actuary's report on the 1988 Uprating Order (Cm. 537).

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  [holding answer 17 July]: The estimates of the expected net yield of national insurance contributions, as stated in the reply given by my hon. Friend the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State to my hon. Friend the Member for Ealing, North (Mr. Greenway) on 3 July at column 11, and the estimates of national insurance fund contributions as stated in the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Social Security and the Disabled to the hon. Member for Rhondda (Mr. Rogers) on 3 July at column 40 were calculated by the Government Actuary and are consistent. The figures differ because the estimated total net yield of national insurance contributions at column 11 includes the National Health Service allocation, which is paid out of contributions and meets part for the cost of the National Health Service. The NHS allocation is not paid into the national insurance fund. The total amount of money collected by contributions is equal to the sum of the national insurance fund's contribution income which are given at column 40 and the National Health Service allocation. Both estimates were consistent with Budget estimates of national insurance contributions.

  A full reconciliation of the estimates published in the Government Actuary's report on the 1988 Uprating and Rerating Orders (Cm. 537) and the estimates published on the 3 July 1989 in the Official Report is contained in the table.

  The recently announced extra growth in the numbers of personal pensions means that the Budget estimates of the net yield of contributions in the final line of the table and the net income of the national insurance fund from contributions, but not the estimates of the NHS allocation, might be about £2 billion less than previously estimated. Fuller details of these, and other, estimate changes that will have occurred since the Budget will be published in the autumn statement.
  885

  Estimated net yield from National Insurance contributions and contributions income of the National Insurance fund Great Britain 1989–90

  £ million

  Source of estimate

  Estimated net income from contributions of the National Insurance fund

  Estimated National Health Service allocation

  Estimated net yield from contributions

  Government Actuary's Report on the Uprating and Rerating Orders estimates excluding State Scheme premiums (Cm. 537)

  27,887

  4,084

  31,973

  Government Actuary's Report estimates including State Scheme premiums (Cm. 537)1

  28,137

  4,084

  32,223

  Government Actuary's Report estimates restated to nearest £100 million (Cm. 537)

  28,100

  4,100

  32,200

  Changes caused by faster earnings growth compared to Cm. 5372

  +500

  +100

  +600

  Other estimating changes

  +400

  —

  +400

  Effect of Budget Proposals3

  -800

  -200

  -1,000

  Budget Estimates4

  28,200

  4,000

  32,300

  Notes

  All estimates are net of Statutory Sick Pay and Statutory Maternity Pay and include, except where stated otherwise, State scheme premiums. (All Budget estimates are rounded to the nearest £100 million: figures do not add up to totals due to rounding.)

  1 State scheme premiums were estimated to be £250 million in 1989–90 in the Government Actuary's Report (Cm. 537). State scheme premiums are included in estimated net yield of contributions and in the estimates of the National Insurance Fund's income from contributions. The Fund's estimated income form contributions was given as £28·1 billion on this basis in the answer to the honourable member at Official Report, 12 July at Column 504.

  2 The Government Actuary in preparing his report on the Uprating and Rerating orders was instructed to assume that average earnings would rise by 7·5 per cent. between 1988–89 and 1989–90. The estimates reflect more up to date estimates of earnings growth in 1989–90 which were used when the Budget estimates were framed. Estimate given in Official Report, July 3 at Column 40.

  3 Estimates were published in the Financial Memorandum to the House of Lords Print of the Social Security Bill. The full cost of the Budget changes on the National Insurance Fund given at Official Report, July 3 at Column 40 was calculated as £800 million foregone contributions income arising from the Budget changes to primary Class I contributions and £200 million extra expenditure arising from the abolition of the retirement pension earnings rule.

  4 The estimate of net contributions collected in 1989–90 was given as "more than £32 billion" in the Official Report, 3 July 1989 Column 11 and the estimate of the National Insurance Fund's income from contributions (£28,200 million) was given in Official Report, 3 July 1989 at Column 40. These estimates are on a Great Britain basis: estimates in the Financial Statement and Budget Report were on a United Kingdom basis.

SCOTLAND

  Council House Sales
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many right-to-buy sales of(a) detached houses, (b) semi-detached houses, (c) terraced houses, (d) flats or maisonettes and (e) four in a block type dwellings by each local authority in Scotland and for Scotland as a whole were completed during each year from 1980–81 to 1988–89.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The breakdown requested was not collected prior to 1986. Information collected centrally prior to 1986 does not differentiate between sales under the right-to-buy provisions and

  Local Authority Right to Buy sales, Scotland, 1980–81 to 1988–89. Value of discount (£000)1

  District

  1980–81

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  Berwickshire

  112

  236

  225

  314

  612

  234

  791

  535

  1,195

  Ettrick and Lauderdale

  19

  521

  535

  1,164

  1,630

  949

  950

  1,362

  1,774

  Roxburgh

  n.a.

  827

  449

  846

  1,344

  644

  1,059

  1,573

  2,311

  Tweeddale

  n.a.

  341

  282

  367

  229

  207

  228

  399

  327

  Clackmannan

  558

  501

  541

  1,267

  1,079

  769

  966

  2,447

  4,110

  Falkirk

  294

  1,413

  3,419

  5,521

  4,778

  3,943

  4,139

  8,351

  14,223

  Stirling

  192

  304

  552

  1,987

  2,034

  1,766

  2,803

  3,539

  5,270

  Annandale and Eskdale

  71

  1,047

  915

  657

  707

  788

  897

  1,387

  1,989

  Nithsdale

  226

  1,285

  1,056

  1,190

  961

  1,397

  2,020

  2,831

  4,418

  Stewartry

  359

  705

  392

  238

  411

  370

  476

  906

  795

  Wigtown

  46

  1,047

  438

  851

  728

  599

  698

  1,009

  1,287

  Dunfermline

  6

  3,521

  3,252

  5,436

  4,142

  3,163

  2,963

  5,535

  8,854

  Kirkcaldy

  1,553

  812

  2,614

  3,470

  4,902

  5,342

  3,647

  5,632

  8,140

  North East Fife

  783

  1,596

  2,133

  2,145

  1,517

  1,654

  2,000

  2,398

  3,340

  Aberdeen

  n.a.

  1,170

  5,328

  7,007

  8,721

  5,353

  4,656

  6,435

  9,574

  Banff and Buchan

  705

  6089

  1,406

  2,433

  2,817

  2,866

  2,411

  2,381

  3,208

  Gordon

  n.a.

  816

  1,565

  2,710

  2,225

  1,320

  1,604

  1,065

  928

  Kincardine and Deeside

  637

  746

  738

  879

  703

  1,028

  629

  787

  773

  Moray

  567

  1,326

  1,034

  2,090

  2,716

  2,562

  2,468

  3,288

  4,323

  Badenoch and Strathspey

  n.a.

  524

  140

  240

  159

  144

  449

  424

  567

  886
  voluntary sales to sitting tenants. Tables giving the information available have been placed in the House Library.

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the value of right-to-buy discounts in thousands of pounds by each local authority in Scotland and for Scotland as a whole during each year from 1980–81 to 1988–89.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Information collected centrally prior to 1986 does not differentiate between sales under the right-to-buy provisions and voluntary sales to sitting tenants. The available information is set out in the following table.
  887

  District

  1980–81

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  Caithness

  125

  682

  502

  507

  423

  559

  514

  943

  839

  Inverness

  n.a.

  1,264

  1,371

  1,148

  772

  1,325

  1,040

  1,311

  1,871

  Lochaber

  54

  303

  242

  332

  380

  382

  882

  1,276

  1,337

  Nairn

  n.a.

  297

  204

  222

  401

  223

  231

  169

  259

  Ross and Cromarty

  169

  833

  496

  729

  388

  519

  851

  743

  792

  Skye and Lochalsh

  109

  144

  66

  70

  143

  177

  226

  174

  344

  Sutherland

  140

  212

  144

  136

  81

  154

  132

  255

  240

  East Lothian

  n.a.

  623

  3,558

  2,820

  4,073

  2,471

  3,218

  7,419

  9,161

  Edinburgh

  3,988

  5,561

  6,066

  7,479

  8,395

  10,101

  7,362

  16,219

  38,827

  Midlothian

  n.a.

  531

  3,022

  4,246

  3,034

  2,255

  2,293

  4,393

  8,268

  West Lothian

  1,217

  865

  1,209

  2,130

  1,949

  2,345

  2,277

  3,738

  6,801

  Argyll and Bute

  8

  674

  794

  1,160

  1,091

  1,392

  1,359

  1,400

  1,594

  Bearsden and Milngavie

  425

  393

  244

  523

  413

  296

  140

  219

  619

  Clydebank

  n.a.

  8

  744

  691

  544

  822

  1,507

  2,706

  6,213

  Clydesdale

  n.a.

  230

  199

  360

  390

  759

  913

  1,359

  3,864

  Cumbernauld and Kilsyth

  128

  232

  126

  346

  253

  507

  817

  1,273

  2,334

  Cumnock and Doon Valley

  155

  504

  276

  493

  356

  435

  1,197

  1,072

  n.a.

  Cunninghame

  1,451

  983

  858

  1,169

  1,827

  1,818

  2,647

  5,643

  8,757

  Dumbarton

  n.a.

  325

  636

  796

  856

  787

  1,101

  1,978

  4,573

  East Kilbride

  44

  410

  188

  170

  226

  335

  454

  633

  1,044

  Eastwood

  490

  436

  232

  296

  367

  235

  660

  827

  1,003

  Glasgow

  n.a.

  1,660

  13,854

  8,169

  6,223

  8,106

  10,989

  27,703

  46,086

  Hamilton

  161

  411

  1,751

  1,275

  1,442

  1,447

  2,664

  6,377

  8,411

  Inverclyde

  262

  550

  819

  1,338

  1,416

  2,907

  2,176

  3,512

  3,594

  Kilmarnock and Loudoun

  n.a.

  928

  464

  1,400

  1,238

  1,613

  2,302

  3,020

  6,037

  Kyle and Carrick

  1,505

  627

  1,335

  2,101

  2,553

  3,270

  4,455

  7,126

  9,176

  Monklands

  n.a.

  550

  839

  674

  687

  1,176

  3,117

  1,709

  n.a.

  Motherwell

  96

  912

  1,471

  1,406

  1,423

  2,570

  2,948

  5,894

  9,972

  Renfrew

  n.a.

  2,319

  4,617

  3,166

  3,443

  4,048

  4,917

  12,722

  19,116

  Strathkelvin

  500

  1,603

  1,087

  1,429

  1,025

  1,761

  2,384

  4,525

  6,487

  Angus

  349

  1,567

  1,827

  2,843

  2,931

  2,309

  2,274

  3,235

  3,978

  Dundee

  240

  744

  1,410

  1,581

  3,134

  3,246

  3,348

  5,915

  9,135

  Perth and Kinross

  1,191

  1,901

  3,839

  3,015

  2,879

  2,301

  2,336

  3,546

  5,303

  Orkney

  338

  441

  164

  96

  97

  116

  308

  368

  564

  Shetland

  n.a.

  470

  426

  444

  232

  285

  308

  453

  523

  Western Isles

  213

  781

  207

  625

  346

  364

  281

  307

  Scotland

  19,484

  50,315

  82,300

  96,199

  97,845

  98,510

  110,598

  192,421

  304,835

  1Including sales tenants on voluntary basis prior to 1986

  n.a. =Not available

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what was the(a) market valuation and (b) actual selling price of (i) detached houses, (ii) semi detatched houses, (iii) terraced houses, (iv) flats or maisonettes, and (v) four-in-a-block type dwellings for each local authority in Scotland and for Scotland as a whole during each year from 1980–81 to 1988–89.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The breakdown requested was not collected prior to 1986. Tables giving the information available have been placed in the House Library.

  Greater Glasgow Health Board
  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many joint consultative committees exist within the Greater Glasgow health board; and what is the management representation on each.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  There are two joint consultative committees at board level. The management representation on both comprises the chairman of the health board, the vice-chairman, one other board member, the general manager, the director of personnel, the director of administration, the director of finance (as required), the chief administrative medical officer and the chief area nursing officer. There are also a number of other local joint consultative committees below board level.

  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the conferences attended by the general
  888
  manager of Greater Glasgow health board since his appointment; what was the location and duration; and what were his expenses for each conference.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  This is a matter for the health board.

  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will publish a list of hospital visits made by the chairman of the Greater Glasgow health board in each of the past 12 months;

  (2) if he will publish a list of hospital visits made by the general manager of the Greater Glasgow health board in each of the past 12 months;

  (3) if he will publish a list of the visits made to hospitals by members of Greater Glasgow health board other than the chairman and general manager, in each of the past 24 months.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  This information is not held centrally.

  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish the attendance record of the members of the Greater Glasgow health board for the past two years.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  No.

  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish the names of members of the Greater Glasgow health board and indicate the part of the city in which they reside; and if he will state their jobs and ages.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The information requested is as follows:
  889

  Name

  Area of residence

  Occupation

  Dr. T. J. Thomson, CBE

  Jordanhill

  Retired consultant physician

  Mrs J. E. Cameron

  Bearsden

  Housewife

  Rev. R. D. M. Campbell

  Newton Mearns

  Minister of religion

  Dr. W.K.Davidson, CBE

  Stepps

  General medical practitioner

  Miss E. Donnachie

  Johnstone

  Director of midwifery services

  Mr. A. D. Garland

  Cathcart

  Chartered quantity surveyor

  Mrs A. Gilchrist

  Newton Mearns

  Director, Robert Gilchrist and Son Ltd.

  Lady S. Goold

  Clarkston

  Housewife

  Mr. P. W. Hoist

  Maryhill

  Insulation contractor, managing director

  Mrs. A. Jarvis

  Lenzie

  Company director

  Mr. B. A. Maan

  Pollok

  Company (managing) director

  Mr. A. J. Mack

  Cathcart

  Consultant surgeon

  Mr. C. MacKay

  Bearsden

  Consultant surgeon

  Prof. R. M. Mackie

  Bearsden

  Professor of dermatology

  Mr. C. Macreath

  Troon

  Solicitor

  Mrs M. McGarry

  Clydebank

  Housewife

  Mr. N. M. Naftalin

  Newton Mearns

  Solicitor

  Mr. J. A. Peel

  Bearsden

  Medical laboratory scientific officer

  Their ages range from 37 to 66.

  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the terms and conditions, including salary and fringe benefits, of the general manager of Greater Glasgow health board; and what percentage increase in salary he has received in each year since his appointment.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The remuneration and conditions of service of hearth board general managers are set out in circulars SHHD/DGM(1986)37, SHHD/DGM(1986)40, SHHD/DGM(1987)18, SHHD/DGM(1987)21, SHHD/ DGM(1987)71 and SHHD/DGM(1988)64. Copies of these circulars are being placed in the Library.

  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what have been the total of expenses claimed by the general manager of Greater Glasgow health board in each year since his appointment.

  Mr Michael Forsyth
  This information is not held centrally and is a matter for the health board to deal with in conformity with guidance issued in 1985 by the Scottish Home and Health Department.

  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what responses to date Greater Glasgow health board has received from its advertisements of works' contracts in the official journal of the European Communities dated 30 June.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Greater Glasgow health board has received expressions of interest from a number of sources.

  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when was the last joint consultative committee meeting within Greater Glasgow health board at which clinical biochemists and other scientific staff raised questions about the board's future plans for alternative methods of delivering pharmacy, radiology and laboratory services.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Wednesday 14 June 1989.

  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether Greater Glasgow health board took independent legal advice or sought legal advice through his office about where dilictual liability falls in the contract documents which have been prepared in respect of the works contracts advertised in the official journal of the European Communities dated 30 June 1989.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  No such contract documents have been prepared.
  890
  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland why the Greater Glasgow health board decided that clinical services might benefit from being tested in the market place before receiving a report of the strategic review undertaken for them by the laboratory consultants in Glasgow.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Health boards are expected to apply a market test to services where advantage may accrue from competitive tendering.

  Hospital Visits
  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish details of visits to hospitals undertaken by the relevant junior Minister in each of the past twenty-four months.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  My visits were as follows:

  Hospital

  Date visited

  1987

  Seafield Hospital, Ayr

  28 July

  Edinburgh Royal Infirmary

  15 September

  Annan Hospital, Annan

  22 September

  Ruchill Hospital, Glasgow

  30 September

  Stobhill Hospital, Glasgow

  30 September

  Lennox Castle, Glasgow

  30 September

  Woodilee Hospital, Glasgow

  30 September

  State Hospital, Carstairs

  14 October

  Stirling Royal Infirmary

  21 December

  Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Glasgow

  23 December

  1988

  Western Infirmary, Glasgow

  22 February

  Ross Hall Hospital, Glasgow

  22 February

  Biggart Hospital, Prestwick

  29 February

  Lennox Castle, Glasgow

  6 June

  Aberdeen Royal Infirmary

  22 July

  Princes Street Day Hospital, Stirling

  7 September

  Kincardine O'Neil War Memorial Hospital,Torphins

  14 September

  Dr. Gray's Hospital, Elgin

  15September

  Ninewells Hospital, Dundee

  20 September

  Edinburgh Royal Infirmary

  5 October

  Ruchill Hospital, Glasgow

  1 December

  1989

  Lennox Castle, Glasgow

  23 January

  Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Edinburgh

  6 February

  Borders District General Hospital

  17 March

  Haylodge Hospital, Peebles

  17 March

  Western General Hospital, Edinburgh

  20 March

  Western Infirmary, Glasgow

  20 March

  Perth Royal Infirmary

  10 May

  Astley Ainslie Hospital, Edinburgh

  24 July

  Health Boards
  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he or his responsible Minister personally interview prospective chairpersons of health boards before deciding on their appointments.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  It is not the practice of my right hon. and learned Friend to appoint to such important posts persons of whom he has inadequate knowledge.

  Dog Bites
  Mr. Michael J. Martin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people were treated in the Greater Glasgow health board area for dog bites for the years 1986–87, 1987–88 and 1988–89; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  This information is not collected.

  NHS Staff
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give for the last year for which figures are available the number of physiotherapists, radiographers, chiropodists and nutritionists employed by the National Health Service.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Provisional figures for whole-time equivalent numbers of qualified staff employed in the NHS in Scotland at 31 March 1989 are given in the table for physiotherapists, radiographers (including both diagnostic and therapeutic services), chiropodists and dietitians. Separate figures for nutritionists are not available centrally.

  WTE

  Physiotherapists

  1,211·6

  Radiographers

  973·6

  Chiropodists

  516·8

  Dietitians

  211·5

  Litter
  Mr. Bill Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to deal with the problem of litter in public places; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  We are determined to take vigorous and effective action to deal with the problem of litter. I am today publishing details of our proposals for legislation designed to improve the appearance and standards of cleanliness of public places in Scotland, and to enable and encourage local authorities, other landowners and individual citizens to take more effective action against litter and those who drop it. These proposals are broadly similar to those published on 20 July by my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for the Environment, for Transport and for Wales to apply in England and Wales.

  Our proposals include:
  a power for district and islands councils to introduce fixed penalty schemes for littering;an increase in the maximum fine for littering under the Litter Act 1983 from £400 to £1,000;a duty on local authorities to keep clean all land in their beneficial occupancy or control, open to the air and to which the public have access; this duty would include both litter and dog faeces;892 a similar duty on certain landowners with statutory functions;a power for district and islands councils to impose by designation order a similar duty on owners of certain defined categories of land in other ownership (such as car parks, shopping precincts and forecourts of commercial premises);rationalising street cleaning responsibilities by making district and islands councils wholly responsible for cleaning of all roads (except motorways);a statutory code of practice to which all those under the duty would be required to have regard, specifying standards of cleanliness and advising on the best means of achieving these;a system of enforcement whereby (a) an aggrieved citizen can apply for a court order directing a local authority, or any other landowner under the duty to keep clean, to discharge the duty; (b) the local authority has power to issue litter abatement notices requiring a private landowner to discharge his duty; and (c) the local authority has default powers to carry out cleaning work itself, and recover costs; and the extension of section 1 of the Litter Act 1983 to all areas covered by the duty to keep clean, and the widening of its scope.
  I am arranging for copies of the consultation document to be placed in the Library of the House. Copies are also being sent to interested parties, inviting comments by 29 September. Subject to responses to the consultation, the Government intend to introduce the necessary legislation at the earliest opportunity.

  Statutory Instruments
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, for each of the last five parliamentary Sessions, including the 1988–89 Session, if he will list the number of statutory instruments that were issued by his Department; how many were negative and how many affirmative; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Rifkind
  The information requested concerning statutory instruments prepared in the Scottish Office for the calendar years from 1984 to date is as follows:

  Year

  Total orders issued

  Negative orders issued

  Affirmative orders issued

  1984

  230

  100

  7

  1985

  190

  93

  22

  1986

  210

  90

  12

  1987

  255

  100

  11

  1988

  281

  154

  13

  19891

  139

  73

  9

  1 to date

  Sand-eels
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what research has been undertaken since 1 January into the sand-eel population in waters around Scotland, and in particular, around Shetland.

  Mr. Lang
  Regular samples have been taken of commercial catches both at Shetland and off the west coast of Scotland since the fishery began in April. In addition, a survey of the spawning grounds around Shetland was undertaken in February 1989, and larval and 0-group sand-eels around Shetland were assessed in May and June. A survey of the fishing grounds at Shetland is also to be undertaken later this summer.

  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he proposes to increase the amount and extent of research being undertaken by his Department into the
  893
  sand-eel population in the waters around Scotland, and in particular around Shetland; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lang
  Scientists from the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland marine laboratory regularly sample commercial catches of sand-eels in Scottish waters, and earlier this year undertook surveys of larval and 0-group sand-eels and the spawning grounds around Shetland. A further survey of the Shetland fishing grounds is planned for later in the summer. The programme for further research on sand-eels in 1990 and subsequent years is currently under consideration.

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, following from his announcement on licensing arrangements for the Shetland sand-eel fishery, whether he will estimate the level of fishing which the Shetland sand-eel stocks will be able to support during the first six months of 1990.

  Mr. Lang
  An assessment will be made before the end of the year of the appropriate level of fishing for 1990.

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has any proposals to introduce a licensing system for the sand-eel fishery in the Minch similar to the one recently introduced for the Shetland sand-eel fishery; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lang
  A licensing scheme for sand-eel fisheries in Scottish inshore waters (including the Minch) was introduced with effect from 1 July 1989 under the Sand-eel Licensing Order 1989. The detailed arrangements applying to west coast sand-eel fisheries for 1989 were announced on 13 July by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland.

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is considering the introduction of alternative methods of estimating sand-eel stocks to the present retrospective method, virtual population analysis; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lang
  New methods for assessing fish stocks are continually under development and scientists at the Aberdeen marine laboratory are in the process of refining the present methods for sand-eels using detailed fishing effort data and the results of research surveys. Given the data presently available, however, there is no known method of estimating the sand-eel stock size that is likely in the near future to provide a more accurate assessment than is obtained by virtual population analysis.

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the percentage of stock of 1 group sand-eels that was taken by the Shetland fishery prior to and after the end of June in each of the past 15 years.

  Mr. Lang
  The information requested, which has been derived from the most recent assessment by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea, is as follows:

  Percentage of stock of 1-group taken in Shetland fishery

  Before end of June

  After end of June

  1974

  5·0

  5·8

  1975

  2·8

  1·0

  1976

  11·9

  4·1

  894

  Before end of June

  After end of June

  1977

  18·9

  3·0

  1978

  23·0

  3·8

  1979

  17·1

  3·4

  1980

  4·0

  1·8

  1981

  15·1

  4·5

  1982

  22·4

  1·6

  1983

  10·0

  3·1

  1984

  6·0

  1·6

  1985

  10·7

  2·5

  1986

  6·3

  1·1

  1987

  11·1

  1·4

  1988

  4·1

  0·4

  Water Pollution
  Sir Hector Monro
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what responses have been received on his Department's consultative proposals for tighter controls over the most dangerous substances entering water; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Scottish Office proposals were set out in a consultation paper issued on 19 December 1988. Responses were received from 20 organisations representing industrial, environmental, agricultural, water and local authority interests. A summary has been placed in the Library.

  The respondents generally gave a strong welcome to the Government's proposals for the principle of a unified approach involving the use of both environmental quality standards and technology-based emission standards for controlling discharges of the most dangerous substances. Comments were invited and received on a number of matters of detail, and these have been taken into account in the conclusions reached.

  A key element of the proposals which was welcomed by many respondents, was the drawing up of a priority Red List of dangerous substances. The provisional list included in the consultation paper has been slightly amended in the light of the consultations and of new and corrected data now received. The initial priority Red List will be:

  Substance

  CAS number

  Mercury and its compounds

  Cadmium and its compounds

  gamma-Hexachlorocyclohexane

  00058–89–9

  DDT

  00050–29–3

  Pentachlorophenol

  00087–86–5

  Hexachlorobenzene

  00118–74–1

  Hexachlorobutadiene

  00087–68–3

  Aldrin

  00309–00–2

  Dieldrin

  00060–57–1

  Endrin

  00072–20–8

  Polychlorinated Biphenyls

  01336–36–3

  Dichlorvos

  00062–73–7

  1,2-Dichloroethane

  00107–06–2

  Trichlorobenzene

  12002–48–1

  Atrazine

  01912–24—

  Simazine

  00122–34–9

  Tributyltin compounds

  Triphenyltin compounds

  Trifluoralin

  01582–09–8

  Fenitrothion

  00122–14–5

  Azinphos-methyl

  00086–50–0

  Malathion

  00121–75–5

  Endosulfan

  00115–29–7

  This list is the same as that announced by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the

  895
  Environment in the House on 10 April, (Official Report, volume 150, column 405). In making his decision, my hon. Friend took account of the comments and suggestions expressed in the Scottish consultation exercise.

  Further substances may be added to the list from time to time where there are sound scientific reasons for doing so. These will be identified along the broad lines set out in the annex to the consultation paper. The selection scheme is being further developed and modified in the light of comments received. Candidate substances identified by the scheme will be subject to a second-stage assessment, taking particular account of the risk posed for the aquatic environment, and to consultation before addition to the list.

  Those respondents to the consultative paper who commented on the mechanism of control all favoured the principle that discharges from prescribed processes should be subject to control by the Scottish river purification authorities rather than controlled centrally. Strict environmental quality standards should be set for all Red List substances where they do not exist at present. River purification authorities' discharge consents will ensure that these standards are met as a minimum requirement. Enabling powers for this purpose are available in schedule 23 to the Water Act 1989, which substitutes new and amended provisions in part II of the Control of Pollution Act 1974.

  Such discharges would be subject to a requirement, to be introduced progressively for existing plant, that the process should be operated according to the best available technology not entailing excessive costs with a view to minimising discharges of the most dangerous substances.

  We shall be issuing shortly a further consultation paper which considers how the work of the river purification authorities in dealing with Red List substances should be co-ordinated with that of other pollution control agencies.

  The 1988 consultation paper discussed the question of inputs of Red List substances to water through indirect or diffuse sources. Several respondents agreed with the paper that diffuse sources are an important input for many dangerous substances. After considering the comments received, we still believe that existing controls over the supply, use and disposal of substances should generally be sufficient to deal with any potential problem from diffuse sources, but we shall be asking river purification authorities to put in hand more rigorous monitoring for priority substances and we are considering the need for new powers relating to the storage and more general use of certain hazardous substances.

  Measures are also required for controls over discharges to sewers where these discharges contain Red List substances. We shall be making proposals for how this should be done in the consultation paper referred to earlier.

DEFENCE

  Aldermaston
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what staffing and recruitment initiatives he is taking to ensure that the atomic weapons establishment, Aldermaston, has sufficient resources to manage the research work on a warhead for a new air-launched missle.
  896
  Mr. Alan Clark
  Every effort is made to ensure that the atomic weapons establishment has sufficient manpower for its priority tasks, including where appropriate work related to possible future systems. Special pay additions have been introduced, and major recruitment campaigns are maintained. The situation is kept under close and careful review.

  Exercise Migrant Merlin
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the purpose of, and what numbers are involved in, exercise Migrant Merlin to take place in October.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Exercise Migrant Merlin is 15 Infantry Brigade's annual exercise and will be held between 7 and 21 October on Salisbury plain. It is designed to provide battalion and brigade level training in essential wartime tasks. These include area defence, observation, patrolling, and limited attack exercising. A maximum of 3,000 troops are expected to participate at any one time; with the exceptions of the brigade headquarters, these will all be Territorial Army personnel.

  Civil Service Dispersal
  Mr. Cran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress is being made in his Department's review, with Treasury guidelines, of the potential for the further relocation of Civil Service posts outside London and the south-east; and when he expects the review to be completed.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The most significant element of MOD relocation planning has revolved around two major groups within the procurement executive.

  The proposed move of 1,500 quality assurance posts from Woolwich and Bromley to Teesside was announced in the House on 9 March 1989. Consultations are continuing with the trade union side about the move, which would take place over the period 1993–95.

  A feasibility study report of relocating some 3,500 posts in the land and air systems controllerates is currently with Ministers. Given reasonably early agreement on site selection, the effective date for these moves could be in the timescale 1993–95.

  Additionally, a number of smaller moves, totalling about 1,000 posts from London, have been agreed (and some have taken place) since the 1988 relocation initiative.

  The MOD will continue to pursue a policy of relocating work from London and the south-east to less advantaged regions whenever possible and the TU side will continue to be consulted on all relocation studies.

  RAF Depots
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the RAF aircraft storage depots in Britain.

  Mr. Neubert
  There are four RAF aircraft storage depots in Britain, which are located at Abingdon, Kemble, St. Athan and Shawbury.

  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the RAF equipment supply depots in Britain.

  Mr. Neubert
  There are three RAF equipment supply depots in Britain which are located at Carlisle, Quedgley and Stafford.
  897
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the RAF petroleum supply depots in Britain.

  Mr. Neubert
  Following the transfer of former Department of Energy depots to the Ministry of Defence on 1 April 1989, there are now some 44 RAF petroleum supply depots at various locations within the United Kingdom. However, it would not be in the public interest to give details of these sites.

  USAF Petroleum Depots
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the United States Air Force petroleum supply depots in Britain.

  Mr. Neubert
  There are no United States petroleum supply depots in the United Kingdom. Storage facilities are made available as necessary at RAF depots.

  Defence Estimates
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the reasons for the increase in project cost for the Sonar 2054, set out in the major equipment projects tables in the "Statement on the Defence Estimates 1989" and the "Statement on the Defence Estimates 1988".

  Mr. Alan Clark
  I presume that the hon. Gentleman is questioning the difference in the figures given in the Statement on the Defence Estimates (SDE) 88 and SDE 89. The £310 million given in SDE 88 represents the then approved programme. The £400 million given in SDE 89 includes further production orders and pay and price variations.

  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the reason for the slippage of one year in the in-service date for the type 2400 submarine, set out in the major equipment projects tables in the "Statement on the Defence Estimates 1989" and the "Statement on the Defence Estimates 1988".

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The slippage of one year to the delivery date for the type 2400 submarine is due, first, to industrial action at VSEL during 1988; and secondly, because of the number of technical problems with new to service equipment on this, the first of a new class of diesel-electric submarines.

  European Fighter Aircraft
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration he has given to the provision of a constant speed drive generating unit on the new European fighter aircraft; whether he has considered the Lucas system and that of Bendix/Ferranti; and if he has considered the respective weights and efficiency of power supplies in reaching a decision between the competing systems.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The United Kingdom and our EFA partners, in conjunction with the EFA prime contractor (Eurofighter), are in the process of evaluating the merits of the competing bids for the EFA main generating system development contract. All relevant factors, including those mentioned by the hon. Member for Liverpool, Mossley Hill (Mr. Alton), are being taken into account and a decision is expected in the very near future. In the circumstances it would be inappropriate for me to comment on the respective merits of either bid.
  898
  Mr. Dykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he next expects to meet his counterpart in the Federal Republic of Germany to discuss progress on the contract awards for the EFA project.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  I will write to my hon. Friend.

  Mr. Ernie Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what decision has been reached on the development contract for the European fighter aircraft radar.

  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration has been given to the development and production of two different versions of the European Fighter Aircraft, based upon two different radar systems.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  I will write to the hon. Members.

  RAF Finningley
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what studies have been carried out at RAF station Finningley, along the lines of those carried out at RA F station Manston, in respect of using RAF station Finningley as a joint military-civil airport; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Neubert
  RAF Finningley is a busy training station and the scope for civil flying is limited. My Department has not undertaken any studies on the greater civil use of the airfield but remains ready to discuss any viable proposals with the appropriate authorities.

  Chlorofluorocarbons
  Sir Hugh Rossi
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the guidelines issued by the Property Services Agency containing advice on the use of chlorofluorocarbons on the Government estate extend to cooling systems for munitions storage, Her Majesty's ships and submarines and communications network; and what plans exist to ensure the safe disposal of chlorofluorocarbon refrigerant material and chlorofluorocarbon 11 from such cooling systems.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The guidelines issued by the Property Services Agency (18 May 1989) on the use of CFCs in Government estate contain principles which were already being implemented within MOD. Government policy is being applied to CFCs in Her Majesty's ships and submarines and communications network. The means of ensuring the safe disposal of CFCs already in NIOD possession is the subject of current discussion.

  Trident
  Mr. Franks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the progress of the Trident programme.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The Trident programme continues to progress to time and to budget.

  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about progress on the Trident programme.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Nuclear Tests
  Mr. David Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how military and reconnaissance aircraft were disposed of at sea, following British nuclear tests; and what purposes were served by such dumping.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  I am not aware that any British military or reconnaissance aircraft were disposed of at sea. However, it was noted that a Grumman Avenger aircraft from HMS Warrior at operation Grapple was lost overboard in an accident.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in what manner water was imported into Christmas Island during British nuclear tests there in the 1950s; from where; and how it was monitored.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  Royal Navy ships fitted with special distillation equipment delivered on average 100 tons of fresh water per day for use ashore on Christmas Island. This was in addition to the main source of supply of treated surface water in which no radioactivity associated with the nuclear tests was detected. I refer the hon. Member to the replies given on 7 November 1988 columns 31–32 and 31 October 1988 column 528 which answered similar questions. The RAF was mainly responsible for monitoring all water and ensuring that it met public health standards.

  Nuclear Test Veterans
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the 12th Independent Field Squadron are now deceased; and what information he has as to the causes of death.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost. I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to a similar question on 22 December 1988 at column 376.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if Fijian forces have been studied by the National Radiological Protection Board; and if he has received representations from the Fijian Government about the health and welfare of their nuclear test veterans.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  Fijian forces were not included in the study carried out by the NRPB and ICRF. I am not aware of any representations from the Fijian Government about the health and welfare of their nuclear test veterans.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will release details of unit/service mortality amongst British nuclear test veterans and the causes of this mortality.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The information can be obtained only at disproportionate cost and, depending on the level of detail, could in any case be subject to the Data Protection Act.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what conclusions he draws with regard to his policy towards the compensation of British nuclear test veterans from the report of Dr. Karl Morgan of the health physics division of Oak Ridge national laboratory in Tennessee, dealing with the consequences of United States veterans' exposure during nuclear tests in the 1950s and 1960s.
  900
  Mr. Alan Clark
  Government policy on this matter is based on the conclusions reached in the National Radiological Protection Board report released last year, which concluded that no harm due to ionising radiation was suffered by participants in the United Kingdom nuclear test programme. However, the Government would be ready to pay compensation to those participants who suffer ill health from a disease if it could be shown, even on a balance of probabilities, that the incidence of that disease was linked to participation in the United Kingdom nuclear test programme. Individual reports, such as that to which the hon. Member refers, will not change Government policy unless they influence the NRPB conclusions; that is a matter for the NRPB who are the independent experts on these matters. I also refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 23 May 1989, at column 464.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what studies have taken place into beta dose erythema conditions amongst British nuclear test veterans.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  No studies of beta dose erythema have been carried out on British nuclear test veterans.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the function of the RAF balloon unit during British nuclear tests in the 1950s; to what proximity members of the unit approached ground zero; and with what frequency.

  Mr. Clark
  The function of the balloon unit was to operate a balloon system for hoisting devices under test to the prescribed altitude ready for detonation. Members of the balloon unit were withdrawn to a safe distance of not less than 12·5 km from ground zero at the time of detonation. After detonation balloon unit personnel returned to ground zero only when the induced radiation had fallen to such levels that the exposures were not sensibly greater than zero.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which military unit or squadron spent the most time in active service in the Christmas islands, during British nuclear tests there(a) cumulatively and (b) consecutively.

  Mr. Clark
  HMS Resolution remained in active service in the Christmas islands during the British nuclear tests from December 1957 until June 1964. 73 E and M Squadron RE remained in service from December 1957 to January 1964 and the RAF Unit Christmas Island was present from October 1957 until June 1964.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence who undertook the descaling of desalination tanks on Christmas Island, during British nuclear tests there in the 1950s; where these samples were taken for examination; and if the results of these examinations are publicly available.

  Mr. Clark
  The storage of drinking water at Christmas Island was the responsibility of the Army. The checking of the quality of fresh and raw water from ground sources and shore distillers prior to and in storage was the responsibility of the RAF medical service. There was no reason to descale the desalination tanks since they were only for the storage of clean potable water. The RAF medical service reports, under normal rules, would have been destroyed after two years.
  901
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence why an operation/biopsy took place on Mr. Andrew Dickson of Wakefield during his active service on Christmas Island; what was the purpose of this operation; and why it took place on the island rather than via referral to Honolulu.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  It is not the policy of this Department to discuss the detail of individual medical cases, which are covered by the rules concerning medical confidentiality. This policy accords with that of the NHS.

  Radiation Contamination
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what threshold of radiation contamination exists with respect to genetic effects.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The assumption is made for radiation protection purposes that there is no threshold for the types of radiation effect that produce mutations in the hereditary information in cells.

  Saudi Offset Committee
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what current proposals have been (i) discussed and (ii) agreed with the Saudi Government offset committee; what are the estimated amounts involved; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  In addition to the venture proposals referred to by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence Procurement to the hon. Member on 19 June 1989, col 56, I am pleased to say that three further venture proposals have subsequently been put to the Saudi Government offset committee for its consideration.

  As announced in a news release by my Department today the third proposal involves an imaginative series of potential collaborations from Royal Ordnance plc to develop jointly Saudi Arabia's defence industrial infrastructure. The fourth proposes that the United Kingdom company Technicare International Limited and the Saudi company Yusuf Bin Ahmed Kanoo collaborate on setting up a number of computer training centres in Saudi Arabia and number five is for a joint venture between Fryma Fabrics Limited of the United Kingdom and Nafa Enterprises of Riyadh to establish a manufacturing plant in Saudi Arabia to produce polyethylene yarn and tape and also to knit the yarn into agricultural and horticultural netting. All five initial proposals are presently being considered by the Saudi Government offset committee.

  All of the proposals will be the subject of further detailed feasibility studies before implementation and it is not yet possible to give an accurate assessment of the investment which will be involved. The present indication is that the total investment in the five project proposals should be in excess of £100 million over a period of 10 years or more.

  Statutory Instruments
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for each of the last five parliamentary Sessions including the 1988–89 Session, if he will list the number of 902
  statutory instruments that were issued by his Department: how many were negative and how many affirmative; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Nimrod Airframe
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how long the Nimrod airframe is likely to remain in RAF service; and whether his Department is currently looking at replacement options.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  We expect the Nimrod to give many more years of useful service. The question of a replacement will be addressed at the appropriate time.

  Tornado
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Tornado aircraft have crashed since the aircraft entered service.

  Mr. Neubert
  Since the aircraft entered service, 20 RAF Tornado aircraft have been damaged irreparably in accidents. The public release of aircraft accident statistics for other nations is a matter for the respective Governments.

  Procurement Executive
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many senior officials in the Ministry of Defence procurement executive have had previous long-term experience of working in the defence industry or any other manufacturing industry.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The information requested is not readily available. The majority of the senior staff in the procurement executive are career civil servants and comparatively few have worked for a prolonged period in industry. However, the commercial experience of staff in the procurement executive is steadily increasing as a result of a substantial programme of interchange with industry and through increased efforts to recruit those who have worked in the defence and other industries.

  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has any plans to appoint more civilians who have had long-term experience working in defence-related industries to the procurement executive.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  Yes. We are already running continuous recruitment campaigns seeking to fill posts at the lower and middle management levels of the procurement executive with people who have worked in industry. At the more senior level, we shall shortly be seeking to recruit two or three project managers with industrial experience.

  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is the current target for the employment of civilian specialist computer science staff in the procurement executive;

  (2) what is the total number of civilian specialist computer science staff currently employed in the procurement executive;

  (3) what the target for the employment of civilian staff in the procurement executive in each year between 1980 and 1989;
  903
  (4) what was the total number of civilian staff employed in the procurement executive in each year between 1980 and 1989.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Property Disposal
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will list the Army establishments, estates or property his Department intend to close or sell in the next five years;

  (2) if he will list the RAF establishment estate or property that his Department intends to close or sell in the next five years;

  (3) if he will list the Royal Navy and Royal Marine shore establishments, estates or property which his Department intends to close and sell in the next five years.

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

  Co-operation Projects (France)
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the current collaborative projects or co-operative arrangements that involve the French.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  A list of the collaborative equipment projects in which both the United Kingdom and France participate, reflecting the position as at 1 March 1989, appears at table 6, chapter 4 of volume 1 of the Statement on the Defence Estimates 1989.

  In addition, an Anglo-French reciprocal purchasing initiative was launched in September 1987. Under this initiative, we have set up machinery to establish closer links between the two countries and each now publishes its contract opportunities in bulletins available to industry in both countries.

  Nuclear Delivery System
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration his Department is giving to the use of the multinational MSOW as a nuclear delivery system.

  Mr. Neubert
  None.

  Defence Industry
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent study of the capability of the United Kingdom defence industry has been carried out by his Department; and what judgment he has as to which area of domestic defence manufacturing capability should be preserved for strategic reasons.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The Ministry of Defence keeps the capability of the United Kingdom defence industry under review. Our aim is to achieve value for money in the supply of equipment to our armed forces and our consideration includes, on a case-by-case basis, the advisability of ensuring a continuing United Kingdom source of supply.

  Senior Officials (Appointments)
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what records are kept by his Department of the number of senior Ministry of Defence officials and senior service personnel who have left his Department to take up appointments in defence-related industries.
  904
  Mr. Alan Clark
  This information is not available.

  Hong Kong
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he or any other Minister in his Department last visited British forces in Hong Kong; and when he or any other Minister from his Department next intends to visit.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The last MOD ministerial visit to Hong Kong was that made by my predecessor in January 1988. A further visit should take place within the next 12 months.

  Helicopters
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the other helicopter options that are being looked at as an alternative to EH101 to fill the Royal Air Force's battlefield support requirement.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  In accordance with normal procurement practice, we shall consider all appropriate helicopter types, including—where relevant—combinations of types, in order to determine whether the utility version of the EH101 helicopter continues to represent the most cost-effective solution for meeting the future requirement for support helicopters. This work will be taken forward during the project definition phase of the RAF EH101 programme, the first stage of which will be completed by April 1990.

  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions his Department has had with representatives of McDonnell Douglas concerning the possible purchase of Apache helicopters for the Army Air Corps.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether any Army Air Corps or RAF pilots have been involved in any recent trials of the Blackhawk helicopter.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The Ministry of Defence has not undertaken any recent trials of the Blackhawk. However, a flight observer from A&AEE, Boscombe Down, has flown in a Blackhawk which is used by Rolls-Royce as its flight test vehicle for the RTM 322 engine, as part of the MOD's monitoring of the RTM 322 development.

  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether any Army Air Corps personnel or pilots from ETPS, Boscombe Down have recently test flown the AH64 Apache.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  A number of Army Air Corps pilots and test pilots from A&AEE, Boscombe Down, have flown the AH64 Apache during the last 12 months.

  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the Royal Navy variant of EH-101 is to be fitted with a ship sonar when it becomes operational.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  It is intended that the RN anti-submarine warfare (ASW) variant of the EH-101 helicopter will be equipped with sonobuoy systems for the detection of submarines under water Consideration is also being given to fitting an active dipping sonar but no decision on the choice of equipment has yet been taken.

  Mig Crash (Belgium)
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether any RAF interceptor aircraft were airborne in the vicinity of the pilotless Mig 23 aircraft that crashed in Belgium earlier this month.

  Mr. Neubert
  No.

  Martin Maineth SLAT System
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the Royal Navy or RAF have tested or taken part in the testing of the Martin Maineth SLAT system.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Basic Trainer Aircraft
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether, in line with his Department's objective of achieving value for money, there has been any recent cost/benefit analysis of his Department's choice of the Tucano basic trainer over the PC-9.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Ships (Leasing)
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which Royal Navy or RFA vessels are currently leased to other countries.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  None.

  Rating Reform
  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer to the Member for Western Isles on 20 June,Official Report, column 75, (1) whether he plans to issue written guidance to armed service units in respect of poll tax payments in England and Wales;

  (2) if he will publish the written guidance issued to armed service units in respect of poll tax payments in England and Wales.

  Mr. Neubert
  Such guidance has already been issued, and I have placed copies in the Library of the House. It has been widely promulgated within the services and substantially reflected in a practice note published by the Department of the Environment. I have no plans for any further publication.

  United States Defence Secretary
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the subjects discussed in the course of his meetings with Mr. Cheney, United States Secretary for Defence, during his recent official visit to the United States of America.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  During his recent visit to Washington my right hon. Friend discussed a wide range of matters of mutual interest with Mr. Cheney.

  Air-to-Surface Missile
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a further statement on the possible procurement of a tactical air-to-surface missile.
  906
  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I have nothing to add to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Clackmannan (Mr. O'Neill) on 17 July at column 71.

  Central America
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which central American countries have received assistance from his Department in the past three years; and which countries are currently receiving assistance.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Belize has had an established programme of military assistance from the Ministry of Defence since independence in 1981 and that assistance continues. In addition, in 1987, one cadet from El Salvador attended the basic officer course at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst.

  Russian Speakers
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many military personnel are fluent Russian speakers; and what this figure was in each of the last 10 years.

  Mr. Neubert
  A total of 162 serving military personnel are qualified as Russian interpreters, of whom 32 serve in the Royal Navy, 94 in the Army and 36 in the Royal Air Force. Records are not held in a form which would enable the historical information requested by the hon. Gentleman to be readily provided, but I understand that the number of Russian interpreters has increased modestly in recent years.

  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what incentives are currently operating to encourage military personnel to take Russian language training.

  Mr. Neubert
  Financial rewards are provided in the form of lump sum grants for successful completion of the various levels of Russian language training in the services, with smaller grants being awarded upon requalification in that language. Additionally, members of the Services are encouraged to participate in Russian language training provided at voluntary weekend courses at university and other self-help courses, for which some financial assistance is given.

  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current level of funding for Russian language training for military personnel, and what it was for each of the last 10 years.

  Mr. Neubert
  I regret that the detailed information sought by the hon. Gentleman concerning expenditure over the last 10 years is not readily available. However, Russian language training at the Defence School of Languages at Beaconsfield is being provided at a cost of about £420,000 in the current year. There is no reason to believe that this differs to any significant degree from the general level of expenditure in the past.

  Nuclear Weapons
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his assessment of the efficiency of current technology to ascertain whether nuclear weapons are being carried at sea.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Defence Procurement
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if. pursuant to his answer of 20 July,Official Report, column 322, he will place copies of all the articles and speeches in which Ministers and senior officials have addressed the implications of 1992 for defence procurement in the Library;

  (2) if he will place a copy of the proceedings of the forum held by his Department for industry on the future of defence procurement in Europe in April in the Library.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Nuclear Waste
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will state the annual level of production of intermediate-level nuclear waste by his Department for each year prior to 1983 for which data is available.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  NATO Exercises (Observers)
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what was the annual cost in 1987 and in 1988 to his Department of providing appropriate facilities for Warsaw pact military personnel to observe NATO military exercises under the auspices of the Stockholm agreement;

  (2) what was the annual cost in 1987 and in 1988 to his Department of providing appropriate facilities to Warsaw pact military personnel to enable them to make challenge inspections of NATO military exercises.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  HMS Dreadnought
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the agreement on charges paid for HMS Dreadnought to be stored at Rosyth.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  [holding answer 25 July 1989]: Dreadnought has been stored afloat at Rosyth since 1983. Although she occupies a berth inside the basin (ie inside the licensed area) no specific provision was made in the term contract for payment to be made by the Ministry of Defence to BTL by way of berthing charges for her.

  Exercise Wintex 89
  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how may home service force personnel took part in Exercise Wintex 89.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  [holding answer 19 July 1989]: No member of the home service force took part in exercise Wintex 89.

  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Royal Naval Reserve personnel took part in Exercise Wintex 89.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  [holding answer 19 July 1989]: Over 600 personnel of the Royal Navy Reserve took part in exercise Wintex 89.

  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Territorial Army personnel took part in exercise Wintex 89.
  908
  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  [holding answer 19 July 1989]: About 500 personnel of the Territorial Army took part in exercise Wintex 89.

  Venture Glider
  Mr. Bill Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he has reached a decision on the type of motor glider selected to replace the Venture at volunteer gliding schools.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  [pursuant to the reply, 13 July 1989, column 588]: Following a competition, the Grob 109B motor glider, of GRP construction, has been selected to re-equip the air training corps. An order was placed with Burkhart Grob on 25 July 1989 for 53 aircraft. The order also includes the provision of a fatigue test specimen, training and the supply of spares.

HEALTH

  Regional Health Authorities (Staff)
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list by each regional health authority for each year since 1979 the numbers of staff expressed as a whole-time equivalent and as actual full-time and part-time members in the following categories(a) ancillary, (b) administration and clerical, (c) nurses and midwives and (d) professional and technical.

  Mr. Mellor
  Such information as is available has been placed in the Library. Information for the years 1979 and 1982 (inclusive) is available on a whole-time equivalent basis only.

  "Actual full-time and part-time members" has been interpreted as numbers (headcount).

  Management Consultants
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the current annual expenditure in the National Health Service on management consultants; what have been the comparable figures over the past 10 years.

  Mr. Mellor
  The employment of management consultants is a matter for individual health authorities and their accounts do not separately identify any expenditure consequently incurred.

  Community Health Councils
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give a list of the community health councils in England together with their expenditure of public funds in the latest available year.

  Mr. Freeman
  The expenses of community health councils are met by and form part of the total expenditure of the health authorities concerned. Information derived from the annual accounts of district health authorities in England for 1987–88 (the latest year available) have been placed in the Library.

  NHS Pay
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement about pay in the Health Service.
  909
  Mr. Mellor
  Increases for doctors, nursing and midwifery staff and the professions allied to medicine have been implemented following recommendations of review bodies. Settlements have also been negotiated for certain other groups. Just over 90 per cent. of all NHS staff are covered by these settlements for 1989–90.

  Civil Service Dispersal
  Mr. Cran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress is being made in his Department's review, in line with Treasury guidelines, of the potential for the further relocation of Civil Service posts outside London and the south-east; and when he expects the review to he completed.

  Mr. Mellor
  A team of officials is close to completing a thorough, systematic review of the location of our headquarters work. We expect to have a report of the team's findings shortly.

  Drugs Budgets
  Mr. Thornton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list those factors that family practitioner committees will take into account in deciding whether a general practitioner is justified in exceeding his indicative drugs budget.

  Mr. Mellor
  A GP practice will be considered justified in exceeding its indicative drug budget if this should prove necessary to provide patients with the drugs they need.

  Mr. Thornton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what sanctions regional health authorities will he able to impose should the majority of general practitioners in all or any of their family practitioner committee areas overspend their drugs budgets.

  Mr. Mellor
  Those GPs who overspend their indicative budgets will face disciplinary proceedings only as a last resort and solely when there is clear evidence of over-prescribing which, by definition, would be to the detriment of their patients.

  Mr. Thornton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the allocation of drugs budgets to regional health authorities under the reorganisation of the National Health Service will be fixed.

  Mr. Mellor
  Each year each regional health authority will be allocated a firm budget to cover expenditure on medicines in the family practitioner services within the region. The budgets will be set at sensible and realistic levels to ensure that patients receive the medicines they need and that medicines will be paid for at reasonable prices.

  Mr. Thornton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether, in his proposals for the National Health Service, the allocation of drugs budgets by regional health authorities to family practitioner committees will be in the form of a fixed amount of indicative spending limits.

  Mr. Mellor
  Regional health authorities will allocate their firm budgets for actual expenditure on medicines among their family practitioner committees (FPCs) which will in turn determine individual FPCs' overall indicative prescribing budgets.
  910
  Mr. Thornton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether, in his proposals to reorganise the National Health Service, he intends to fix a cash limit for the drugs budget of the family practitioner services; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  The financial arrangements for drug budgets are set out in working paper 4 of the NHS review series "Indicative Prescribing Budgets for General Medical Pracititioners". The precise mechanisms are still under consideration.

  Eye Test Charges
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the current estimated saving from eye test charges; and what was the original estimate.

  Mr. Mellor
  The latest estimate of savings in a full year is £90 million (England). The original estimate for the current year was some £70 million.

  Scientists
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to publish the report of the Whitley council management side working party on recruitment and retention of scientists; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  I understand that the report of the management side working party on recruitment and retention of scientists is confidential to the management side and will not be published.

  Mr. Amos
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will establish a pay review body for medical scientists working in the National Health Service, and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 26 July 1989]: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Eastwood (Mr. Stewart) on 24 July at column 536.

  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to improve recruitment and retention of biochemists, physicists, other scientists and clinical psychologists in the National Health Service.

  Mr. Amos
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to improve the level of remuneration, recruitment and retention of medical scientists working in the National Health Service; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 26 July 1989]: I refer my hon. Friend and the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Pontypridd (Dr. Howells) on 16 June at columns 101–02.

  Mr. Dixon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, following the report of the inquiry on the recruitment and retention of physicists, scientists and clinical psychologists, what steps he intends to take to ensure that National Health Service contracts are attractive to scientist graduates and to put right the erosion in their salaries.

  Mr. Mellor
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Pontypridd (Dr. Howells) on 16 June at columns 101–02.

  Skoal Bandits
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to announce his decision concerning the production and sale of Skoal Bandits; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  We are considering the detailed and extensive representations we have received on this matter and we will announce a decision as soon as possible.

  Hospital Physiotherapists (Pay Settlement)
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health from what date the pay settlement for hospital physiotherapists runs.

  Mr. Mellor
  From 1 April.

  Solid Radioactive Waste
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the hospitals in the Trent regional health authority which currently store solid radioactive waste on site; and what controls exist for monitoring and ensuring safety.

  Mr. Freeman
  The information requested is not available centrally. Hospitals are subject to the Radioactive Substances Act 1960 and guidance on good practice is contained in "Guidance Notes for the Protection of Persons Against Ionising Radiations Arising from Medical and Dental Use" issued in 1988 by the health departments, the National Radiological Protection Board and the Health and Safety Executive.

  NHS Staffing
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give for the last year for which figures are available the number of nutritionists, physiotherapists, radiographers and chiropodists employed by the National Health Service.

  Mr. Mellor
  The information is shown in the table. "Nutritionists" has been interpreted as dietitians.

  NHS qualified staff in post at 30 September 1987 England

  Whole time equivalents1

  Dietitians

  1,140

  Physiotherapists2

  9,330

  Radiographers

  8,250

  Chiropodists

  2,640

  Source: Department of Health (SM 13) Annual Census of NHS Non-Medical Manpower.

  1 Figures are independently rounded to the nearest ten (10) whole-time equivalents.

  2 Includes Remedial Gymnasts.

  Medical Records
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will review advice given to general practitioners concerning the time for which patients' medical records should be kept and the information to be retained; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  Under present arrangements, doctors are required to keep adequate records of the treatment of their 912
  patients for their patients' lifetimes. After this, the records pass to the local family practitioner committee (FPC) where they are retained for a minimum of three further years. We are currently reviewing these arrangements. Any changes need to be considered carefully, not least because of the resource implications for FPCs of storing records for longer periods.

  Community Care
  Mr. Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many severely mentally ill patients he expects to be discharged from hospital into the community between now and 1991; what is the current cost of maintaining them in hospital; and what is his estimate of the additional cost of looking after them in the community;

  (2) what is his estimate of the additional cost of caring for the severely mentally ill in the community over the cost of caring for them in hospital.

  Mr. Freeman
  Forecasts of future discharges from hospital of people with a mental illness are not made or collected centrally. The average inpatient cost per day in England for hospitals categorised "mental illness" in 1986–87, the latest year for which information is available, was £44·05 cash, equivalent to £308·35 per week. No comparable information is available centrally about the costs of caring for such patients outside hospital.

  Elderly Patients (Collection of Information)
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health who will own the information collected by general practitioners on the lifestyle and relationships of elderly patients, as will be required by paragraph 11 of appendix B of the new contract document; whether family practitioner committees or health authorities will be entitled to have access to this information; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  General practitioners collect and maintain information for the purpose of the treatment and care of their patients. Ownership of such information lies with the relevant family practitioner committee. FPCs will be entitled to have access to this information but, in accordance with the Department's policy on confidentiality of medical records, only in exceptional cases. A health circular and guidance for FPCs on the subject of ownership and confidentiality of data will be issued shortly.

  Land Development
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what extent in the proposed land transactions of health authorities with developers to upgrade, purchase and build community facilities for the mentally ill, capital receipts would be offset against regional health authority allocations to district health authorities.

  Mr. Freeman
  The policy is that district health authorities should benefit from the proceeds of sale of surplus property but the "Handbook on Land Transactions" makes it clear that the closure of hospitals for the mentally ill and mentally handicapped must be preceded by the build-up of comprehensive alternative services covering the whole of the hospital's catchment area. In these cases regional health authorities are required
  913
  to use their discretion as to the districts which are to benefit from sale proceeds within the general requirement to ensure that the proceeds are specifically used for development of services for the client group concerned.

  Social Care
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he will make a statement on the distinction between social care and health care as referred to in his statement of 12 July,Official Report, columns 975–79.

  Mr. Mellor
  In relation to community care, health care involves the investigation, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation undertaken by a doctor or by other professional staff to whom a doctor has referred the patient. In addition, it includes health promotion and the prevention of ill health.

  Social care consists of non-health care and support provided through the supply of goods and services to maintain or establish people in their own homes, or by residential or non-acute nursing home care, as appropriate to individuals' needs.

  Health and social care combined form the basis of community care.

  Mental Illness (Services)
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which bodies and individuals he intends to consult in constructing the substantive statement of good practice regarding the minimum acceptable professional standards for assessing patients prior to discharge, and for follow-up after discharge referred to in his answer of 13 July, to the hon. Member for Eddisbury (Mr. Goodlad),Official Report, columns 620–25.

  Mr. Freeman
  The Royal College of Psychiatrists has been invited to publish a document on good practice for discharge and after-care procedures, following a recommendation (17.24) by the Spokes report (committee of inquiry into the care and after-care of Miss Sharon Campbell), published in July 1988. The college is seeking the views of colleagues in other professions.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which bodies and individuals he will be consulting concerning his consideration of the possibility of proposing new legislation for compulsory treatment in the community referred to in his answer of 13 July to the hon. Member for Eddisbury (Mr. Goodlad),Official Report, columns 620–25.

  Mr. Freeman
  We are awaiting views of the Royal College of Psychiatrists on this issue. If, in the light of the college's views, we believe that it would be appropriate to consider new legislation, we will first consult representatives of health and social services authorities, and other relevant statutory services, appropriate professional associations and voluntary organisations.

  Schizophrenia
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will consider urgently the case for specific grant for training social workers and other local authority staffs in the care of people with schizophrenia, in the light of the Spokes report and his statement to the House on 12 July,Official Report, columns 975–79.
  914
  Mr. Mellor
  Special training arrangements already exist for approved social workers working with mentally ill people under the Mental Health Act 1983. We shall keep under review the need for any further training initiatives for social services staff in the light of the future development of community care services.

  Residential Homes
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the Government accept Sir Roy Griffiths recommendation that residential homes with less than four residents should be subject to regulation and inspection.

  Mr. Mellor
  As my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State said in his statement in the House on 12 July, the Government have concluded that, for the present, existing statutory functions relating to registration and inspection of residential care and nursing homes should remain unaltered.

  Performance Indicators
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what variations in the performance of health authorities the latest set of Health Service indicators shows.

  Mr. Freeman
  My hon. Friend will be aware that the booklet "Comparing Health Authorities" published by my Department in April 1988, copies of which are in the Library, illustrated wide variations in a number of aspects of performance. I will be placing in the Library tomorrow a copy of some key indicators for 1987–88. These show that variations remain substantial. For example, within England in 1987–88 for general surgery-urology and for all medical specialties, as in earlier years, the average expenditure per cash and average length of stay varied by a factor of about three. The indicators show wide variations in waiting time. For general surgery in some districts no patients had been waiting for more than a year on 31 March 1988 but in others over one third were in this position. Another indicator showing wide variations is the proportion of cases treated as day cases rather than admitted to hospital which ranges from less than 10 per cent. to over 30 per cent. for general surgery-urology and from less than 5 per cent. to over 20 per cent. for general medicine.

  Where there is no apparent good clinical explanation for these variations, and in those places where a high cost per case prevails, local management will need to investigate, particularly where other indicators such as waiting times appear to be poor. This critical examination of performance, as a routine part of managing the service, will be particularly important for all those providing, and all authorities purchasing, services if the changes set out in the White Paper are to be fully effective.

  Food Imports
  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action his Department is taking to ensure the wholesomeness of imported food.

  Mr. Mellor
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Caerphilly (Mr. Davies) on 18 July at columns 135–36.

  Food Businesses (Register)
  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether he will consider the need for a register of food businesses.

  Mr. Freeman
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Southport (Mr. Fearn) on 24 July 1989.

  NHS Reform
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what pricing policy he expects independent National Health Service hospitals to follow under his proposals in the case of operations for which there are long waiting lists everywhere; and how this will effect the budgets of family doctors.

  Mr. Mellor
  We expect all hospitals, whether they are self-governing or directly managed by the district health authority, to follow pricing policies which enable them to compete with other hospitals while covering their costs. Length of waiting lists should not have any particular effect on prices, save that for elective treatments district health authorities and GPs with practice budgets will be able to choose from a far wider range of providers than in other cases. Far more significant will be the effect that waiting lists themselves will have on competition between hospitals, since district health authorities and GPs will be seeking to place contracts with those hospitals that offer the best service to patients.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many different standard formats of computerised letters his Department has in response to those raising their concerns about Her Majesty's Government's proposals for the future of the Health Service; and how many in total have been sent out to date.

  Mr. Mellor
  Many correspondents have raised similar concerns about the proposals and have received similar replies.

  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place in the Library copies of those of the 8,000 representations on the White Paper, "Working for Patients" which do not come from individiuals.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 26 July 1989]: By far the majority of the responses are from individuals who have questions or concerns about the White Paper. Many of the major organisations responding to the White Paper or the working papers have already made their responses public. For some the responses form the basis of further discussion, which is still continuing. I see no use in combing through the many responses to see which could be usefully placed in the Library and which are already there.

  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress is being made on the quality initiative proposed in the White Paper, "Working for Patients".

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 25 July 1989]: The chief executive wrote to all health authorities last month to establish a programme for quality improvements. A copy of his letter has been placed in the Library. His letter asked
  916
  all authorities to establish a framework for broad, unit-based, quality assurance programmes, including provision this year to cover appointment systems, information to patients, and public areas and reception arrangements. £2 million has also been allocated largely for hospital-related medical audit projects, and we hope to announce a number of national quality demonstration projects soon.

  AIDS
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much of the £129·5 million he made available in 1989–90 to the National Health Service for the prevention of HIV infection and the services related to HIV infection and AIDS has been made available to Waltham Forest district health authority; whether any of the money has gone to substantial upgrading of genito-urinary medicine services in Waltham Forest; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  I am advised that Waltham Forest district health authority received £238,000 from North East Thames regional health authority's allocation of £16,655,000 for the prevention of HIV infection and the services related to HIV infection and AIDS. The district is reviewing the provision of genito-urinary medical services for its resident population which are currently provided by Tower Hamlets and Newham health authorities.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what response he has had from Waltham Forest district health authority to his February letter advising them to provide details of all completed and planned developments in genito-urinary medicine services; when they published the relevant report; if he will make a copy of it available to the hon. Member for Leyton; whether the response is in accord with his comments prioritising such services during the debate on AIDS on 13 January; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  I understand that Waltham Forest district health authority has sent the requested AIDS control report to North East Thames RHA, which is due to submit reports from all districts in the region to the Department at the end of July. A copy of the report can be obtained from the local health authority.

  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information is available to him on the relative efficacy of medicines prescribed to people with AIDS or AIDS-related complex according to whether they are, or are not, able to afford the high protein and calorie diets recommended to them by their doctors; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 25 July 1989]: We are not aware of any scientific information relating the efficacy of drug therapies for AIDS or AIDS-related complex to the consumption of high-protein and calorie diets.

  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information is available to him on the survival rate of people with AIDS or AIDS-related complex, analysed by level of income; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 25 July 1989]: We do not hold this information.
  917
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his estimate of the average weekly cost of medicines prescribed to people with AIDS or AIDS-related complex.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 25 July 1989]: People with HIV disease may be treated for a number of different illnesses with a number of different drugs. We do not have information in the Department on all the drugs administered to all people with AIDS or AIDS-related complex and cannot therefore provide an estimate of the average weekly cost per patient.

  Mr. Marlow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) to what extent foreign AIDS and drug dependency patients are treated by the Parkside health authority.

  (2) why it took Parkside health authority over six weeks to reply to a letter from the hon. Member for Northampton, North, saying that no information was available.

  Mr. Mellor
  Parkside health authority regrets the delay in replying to my hon. Friend's letter of 25 May which was occasioned by the need to check a number of potential sources of information within the authority. Information of this kind on patients' nationalities is not held centrally and could be extracted clerically from individual records only at disproportionate expense.

  Intra-uterine Device
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the local research ethics committee, including its composition, which approved the trial of the copper intra-uterine contraceptive device on patients in the United Kingdom for experimental purposes; what consideration it gave to the fact that the device had not been approved by the relevant authorities in the United States at that time and to notifying the patients that they were being used for experimental test purposes; and what steps he has taken to avoid United Kingdom patients being unknowingly tested by foreign drug companies occurring again.

  Mr. Mellor
  Information about particular local research ethics committees is not held centrally.

  With regard to the testing of medical products and the conditions under which they are administered to patients, I refer the hon. Member to my answer to the hon. Member for Lewisham, Deptford (Ms. Ruddock) at column 542 on 29 June.

  Sir Michael McNair-Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many complaints of infertility in women who have used the Copper 7 intra-uterine contraceptive device have been reported to his Department; and when the device was approved by the Department for use.

  Mr. Freeman
  In 20 letters received by the Department, women have expressed the belief that they have been adversely affected by the device, known in this country as the Gravigard. However infertility is not specified either in these individual cases, or in reports received under the scheme whereby doctors are asked to notify suspected adverse reactions.

  The Gravigard's product licence was granted on 17 December 1973 and took effect retrospectively from 7 November 1973.

  Audiology Students
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will undertake an urgent review of the grading of audiology students.

  Mr. Mellor
  I presume that the hon. Member refers to student physiological measurement technicians specialising in audiology. This is a matter for the professional and technical staffs B Whitley Council. Negotiations are taking place on proposals to introduce a new pay and grade structure for this and other groups of technical staff.

  Hearing Aids
  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he has taken, or proposes to take, in relation to the proposals on the provision of hearing aids advanced by the hon. Member for Torridge and Devon, West on 23 March,Official Report, columns 1299–1303.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what consideration he is giving to developing innovative pilot projects in community delivery of hearing aids;

  (2) what plans he has to reduce the time taken to obtain a National Health Service hearing aid;

  (3) what steps he is taking to improve the take-up and use of National Health Service hearing aids;

  (4) what steps he is taking to make hearing aid services more accessible, particularly to elderly people and to people living in residential homes;

  (5) when he intends to respond to the Royal National Institute for the Dears fair hearing campaign; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Rosie Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what guidance his Department has issued on the direct referral of patients needing hearing aids to hearing aid centres; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what plans he has for the improvement of National Health Service hearing aid services; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) what research his Department has conducted into the average waiting time for the testing and fitting of a hearing aid;

  (4) what response his Department has made to the Royal National Institute for the Deaf document, "Hearing Aids—the Case for Change";

  (5) whether he will take steps to increase the choice of hearing aids available on the National Health Service.

  Mr. Freeman
  I am very grateful to the Royal National Institute for the Deaf for bringing public attention to the difficulties which some people face in obtaining a hearing aid. There is a broad measure of agreement for the idea of making hearing tests and the supply of hearing aids more accessible to people in the community and I am pleased to be able to announce a number of measures towards this end.

  First, Sir Donald Wilson, chairman of Mersey regional health authority, which acts as the centre of responsibility for the procurement and distribution of hearing aids in the National Health Service, is meeting representatives of hearing aid manufacturers today to discuss ways of increasing the number of commercial hearing aids and accessories which are supplied to patients by National Health Service audiology departments in addition to the

  919
  standard National Health Service range of hearing aids. We will also be considering in the Department ways of enabling patients requiring hearing aids to obtain them more easily. We expect to begin consultations in the autumn.

  Secondly, I have asked my officials with the help of appropriate outside expert advice to draw up and consult interested bodies on a programme of action commencing in the new financial year to expand the number of direct referral schemes and set up a mechanism to evaluate them to ensure that they are operating with appropriate safeguards and are effective in reducing waiting times. Direct referral schemes would entail National Health Service patients being referred by their GPs direct to the audiology service for a hearing test and dispensing of hearing aids rather than going via hospital-based consultants.

  Thirdly, my officials are currently involved in the development of a national vocational qualification in audiology. I have asked them to begin discussions in the autumn with professional bodies and other interested parties to examine the scope for a greater measure of integration between the service provided by National Health Service audiologists and that provided by private hearing aid dispensers.

  I expect that these measures, together with the impact of the new Hearing Aid Council Act, which received Royal Assent earlier this month, will result in a substantial measure of improvement in service and greater choice for people who have a hearing impairment.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment has been made by his Department of the likely impact of the forthcoming demographic changes in demand for hearing aid services.

  Mr. Freeman
  The Institute for Hearing Research has produced figures which suggest that the prevalence of hearing loss is greater in people aged 60 and over. However, not all of these people require hearing aids.

  King Edward VII Hospital, Windsor
  Dr. Glyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will ensure that the acute services available at King Edward VII hospital, Windsor, are not reduced to the extent that constituents will be deprived of any local hospital and compelled to rely on facilities for which adequate public transport is not available.

  Mr. Freeman
  I understand that East Berkshire health authority will soon be starting formal public consultation on its proposals to rationalise the provision of acute services within its district. The matter may in due course be referred to Ministers for a final decision and it is therefore inappropriate for me to make any comment at this stage.

  Statutory Instruments
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health for each of the last five parliamentary Sessions, including the 1988–89 Session, if he will list the number of statutory instruments that were issued by his Department; how many were negative and how many were affirmative; and if he will make a statement.
  920
  Mr. Freeman
  The information is in the table. For Sessions earlier than 1988–89 the figures are only those statuory instruments issued by the Department of Health and Social Security which relate to health matters.

  Session

  Affirmative instruments

  Negative instruments

  1984–85

  2

  32

  1985–86

  1

  47

  1986–87

  0

  25

  1987–88

  1

  42

  1988–89

  3

  48

  Rubella
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many rubella-handicapped adults are estimated to live in England and Wales.

  Mr. Freeman
  This information is not collected centrally. SENSE, the National Deaf-Blind and Rubella Association, estimates that in 1965, during the last major rubella epidemic and, before rubella vaccine was introduced, about 1,000 babies were born in the United Kingdom with congenital rubella syndrome. Since the introduction of vaccine, numbers of such births have fallen to approximately 20 per year.

  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to increase funding made available to the National Rubella Council to encourage its work in preventing children being born handicapped by congenital rubella syndrome.

  Mr. Freeman
  Officials will be touch shortly with the council about its section 64 grant for 1989–90 and 1990–91. In addition, there will be further discussions with the council about support for the specific publicity proposals which it has put forward.

  Vaccine (Ethnic Minorities)
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to increase the uptake of the mumps, measles and rubella vaccine amongst ethnic minority groups.

  Mr. Freeman
  Leaflets in several ethnic languages were produced jointly by the Health Education Authority (HEA) and the Department of Health as part of the programme to launch MMR immunisation last October, and discussions between the HEA and the Department on future activity will include the need for information aimed at ethnic minority groups.

  General Practitioners (Contract)
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health w hen he next plans to meet the General Medical Services Committee to discuss changes to the new contract for general practitioners in the light of the completion of the general practitioners' referendum; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  At their request I met the negotiators of the General Medical Services Committee on Monday 24 July. I made it clear that I would have preferred an agreed basis for the new contract and that I had all along made considerable efforts to achieve an
  921
  agreed solution. The discussions satisfied me that there was no sensible basis on which anyone could now reasonably expect to reopen the issues agreed with them on 4 May. I believe the contract agreed on 4 May to be in the best interests of all patients, as it will improve the standard of care they can expect to receive. I did agree, at the negotiators' request, to extend the deadline for the formal response to the draft regulations to 15 August. I have no present plans for another meeting.

  Blood Donations
  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many donations of blood were(a) used in the National Health Service and (b) transferred to the private sector in each of the years 1978 to 1988.

  Mr. Freeman
  I shall write to the hon. Member with such information as is available as soon as possible.

  Salmonella
  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give details of the illnesses, deaths, cause, source, locations and time period of the recent outbreak of salmonella poisoning in north Derbyshire; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  I understand that during May of this year 61 cases of salmonella typhimurium were recorded in

  All admissions to mental illness hospitals and units with a diagnosis of presenile or senile dementia1, by Regional Health Authority of treatment. 1981–86

  Regional Health Authority

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  England

  14,855

  15,908

  16,707

  19,183

  19,931

  19,727

  Northern

  1,163

  1,050

  1,215

  1,499

  1,496

  1,270

  Yorkshire

  1,086

  1,230

  1,557

  1,587

  1,732

  1,744

  Trent

  1,190

  1,225

  1,397

  1,721

  1,935

  2,045

  East Anglian

  834

  1,000

  1,100

  1,409

  1,299

  1,237

  North West Thames

  799

  773

  989

  1,001

  1,088

  1,118

  North East Thames

  1,039

  1,173

  1,205

  1,395

  1,279

  1,237

  South East Thames

  899

  1,172

  959

  920

  1,085

  917

  South West Thames

  1,084

  893

  979

  1,061

  1,124

  1,217

  Wessex

  1,580

  1,563

  1,638

  1,836

  1,646

  1,551

  Oxford

  1,022

  1,208

  982

  1,286

  1,640

  1,759

  South Western

  1,106

  1,477

  1,370

  1,382

  1,491

  1,342

  West Midlands

  1,011

  947

  1,052

  1,154

  1,317

  1,385

  Mersey

  935

  970

  889

  1,280

  1,352

  1,342

  North Western

  1,085

  1,214

  1,349

  1,628

  1,431

  1,542

  Special Health Authority

  22

  13

  26

  23

  18

  21

  1 ICD codes 290·, 290·1, 290·2, 290·3.

  Source: Mental Health Enquiry.

  Contraception (Children)
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he has any information concerning the numbers of children aged under 16 years who were given contraceptive drugs and devices by family planning clinics and the Brook Advisory Service in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

  Mr. Freeman
  The available information relates to the number of clients seen rather than to the outcome of the consultation. In 1987–88 15,600 young people aged under 16 were seen at community and hospital family planning clinics in England. This figure includes those seen by Brook centres providing services on an agency basis for health authorities.

  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he has any information concerning the numbers 922
  north Derbyshire and neighbouring districts. Pork products were definitely implicated in at least 27 of the cases. The organism was identified in four people who died. Its contribution as a factor in their deaths forms part of the coroners' investigations, which are not yet complete. The outbreak has been fully investigated and appropriate action taken.

  Alzheimer's Disease
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the number of cases of Alzheimer's disease in each health authority area in England in each of the last 10 years.

  Mr. Freeman
  The table shows admissions to NHS mental illness hospitals and units in each regional health authority in England for the years 1981 to 1986 with a main diagnosis of presenile or senile dementia (ICD 290 0, 290.1, 290.2, 290.3). Alzheimer's disease is included under these diagnosis. The admission figures may be greater than the number of patients treated, as a patient can be discharged and readmitted more than once during the year. Not all cases of Alzheimer's disease will be admitted to hospital. Additional information is not available centrally or could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  of prescriptions for contraceptive drugs and devices which were issued to children aged under 16 years in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

  Mr. Freeman
  The information is not available centrally.

  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent steps he has taken to ensure that fits guidelines for National Health Service doctors on the issuing of contraceptives to children aged under 16 years without parental knowledge are also followed by the personnel of the Brook Advisory Service and the Family Planning Association.

  Mr. Freeman
  Voluntary organisations in the family planning field have copies of the guidance issued in March 1986 and I have no reason to believe that the guidance is not being followed.
  923
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether his Department has given any recent guidance to doctors about the action which they should take when approached by children under the age of 16 years who are the victims on incest and who are seeking contraceptives or abortions; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  No guidance on this specific point has been issued recently.

  Hospitals (Self-governing Status)
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the names and status of the sponsors of each of the expressions of interest in self-governing status.

  Mr. Mellor
  We have now moved forward in examining, with the health authorities concerned, the expressions of interests originally submitted to the Department. We see no good purpose in publishing a list which can change from day to day.

  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the timetable for the preparation of prospectus documents and business plans for self-governing hospitals.

  Mr. Mellor
  We will be issuing guidance in due course.

  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made with regard to allowing self-governing status to hospitals.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 25 July 1989]:I refer my hon. Friend to my response today to my hon. Friend, the Member for Wanstead and Woodford (Mr. Arbuthnot).

  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will deposit in the Library a copy of each of the submissions expressing interest in hospital self-governing status.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 25 July 1989]: No. Expressions of interest are not formal applications. When applications are prepared RHAs will seek the views of those with an interest.

  Food Safety
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health at what intervals the public health laboratory service central laboratory at Colindale collates regular reports of food contamination from regional laboratories.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 19 July 1989]: Reports of contaminated food of public health significance are sent to the Communicable Diseases Surveillance Centre (CDSC) on a weekly basis. In the event of an unusual occurrence, PH LS headquarters and CDSC are immediately informed so that appropriate investigations can be instituted and advice given.

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many incidents of listeria contamination in imported pate have been confirmed by the public health laboratory centre in England and Wales; and if he will list the circumstances under which samples were taken and the outlets involved, by county.
  924
  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 19 July 1989]: The results of surveys of pate made by the PHLS, at present available, are that the PHLS Cardiff laboratory examined 73 samples of pate and 37 contained listeria. Of these, 59 samples were produced in Belgium and 32 were positive. In a continuing study in Cardiff further samples have been examined, and positive results obtained, from a variety of retail outlets. A larger national survey is currently in progress.

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish details of codes of practice under which the public health laboratory service conducts routine tests on samples submitted to it for analysis as suspected cases of food poisoning.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 19 July 1989]: Each PHLS laboratory has its own procedures, adapted to local circumstances, based on the standard textbooks. In addition, the PHLS has a set of "Guidelines for the Microbiological Assessment of Foods".

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his Department assesses to be a potentially inefective dose of listeria.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 19 July 1989]: In a report "Foodborne Listeriosis" published in 1988, the World Health Organisation concluded that virtually nothing is known about the infectious dose of Listeria monocytogenes in man, nor is there good quantitative information relating to the amount of contaminated foodstuff ingested with the risk of acquiring the disease. It is likely that the infectious dose may be related to host susceptibility hence the early warning to vulnerable groups we issued on 12 July. With present knowledge and experience it is difficult to issue specific guidance on what constitutes a potentially infective dose of listeria.

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he will instruct the public health laboratory service to conduct tests for listeria during routine examination conducted by them on samples of food submitted by the public health service.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 19 July 1989]: The type of tests carried out by the PHLS on samples of food taken during routine examination depend upon the type of food and the processing that it has received. It would not be appropriate to examine for listeria in every case. It is a matter for environmental health departments and the PHLS to decide upon the appropriate tests to be conducted according to the circumstances.

  Psychiatric Hospitals (Catering Costs)
  Mr. Bendall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the approximate cost of the daily main meal for patients in psychiatric hospitals; and what is the weekly food budget per patient.

  Mr. Freeman
  [holding answer 24 July 1989]: The cost of providing daily main meals to hospital patients is not available centrally. The average daily cost of catering for patients in psychiatric hospitals in 1986–87 (England) was £2·53, of which £1·35 related to the costs of provisions. However, this excludes the costs of energy and utilities and accommodation overheads.

  Figures for 1987–88 are not yet available.

  Source: Costing returns submitted to the Department by health authorities.

  Prescriptions
  Mr. Patnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the latest figure he has for the total cost of drugs prescribed by general practitioners.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 25 July 1989]: The total cost of the drugs, dressings and appliances dispensed to patients in England in 1988, including prescriptions personally administered to patients by their GP, was £2·219 million. This compares with £1,770 million in 1986.

  District Health Authorities
  Mr. Patrick Thompson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he last met the chairmen of district health authorities; and what was discussed.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 25 July 1989]: We do not have formal meetings with all 190 district chairmen at any one time. However we regularly meet chairmen on an individual and group basis to discuss a wide range of issues.

  Creches
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he has any plans to encourage health authorities to establish workplace creches and similar incentives further to encourage the return of mothers into the health and caring professions.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 25 July 1989]: Mothers returning to work have a major contribution to make to staffing the NHS and other caring professions over the next decade. We fully recognise the value of workplace nurseries in attracting and retaining their services. In March this year we introduced a new collaborative venture between the Health Service and the Midland bank to set up and share creche facilities for staff throughout the country. I understand that the scheme has been well received by health authorities and that a number are discussing specific plans with the bank. The national steering group on equal opportunities for women in the NHS has produced a report and a guidance manual which we commended to all health authorities in April. They give detailed guidance on the implementation of workbreak schemes, including child-minding facilities. In addition, the NHS training authority is developing a "return and retain" scheme for staff wishing to take career breaks.

  Decisions about the implementation of such schemes are for individual employing authorities. But we take every opportunity to emphasise that there must be improvements and greater flexibility in working practices and recruitment and retention policies to counteract the substantial drop in the number of young people coming on to the labour market in the 1990s, as well as to provide worthwhile job and career opportunities for returning mothers and, for those who are professionally qualified, to secure the best investment from their professional training.

  Hospital Physicists
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy fully to fund any pay settlement negotiated by the employers with hospital physicists during the current year.
  926
  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 25 July 1989]: No. Health authorities are expected to meet all costs, including Whitley pay settlements, from their allocations.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if lie will set up a pay review board for hospital physicists.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 25 July 1989]: I refer the hon. Member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Eastwood (Mr. Stewart) on 24 July at column 536.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what were the salary scales for each of the last five years for hospital physicists.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 25 July 1989]: The information requested has been placed in the Library.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he last met the Hospital Physicists Association; and what matters were discussed.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 25 July 1989]: Neither my right hon. and learned Friend nor I has met the Hospital Physicists Association.

  Minor Operations
  Mr. O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give details of minor operations being carried out in general practitioners' surgeries within the areas of the five family practitioner committees in west Yorkshire; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 25 July 1989]: We do not hold this information.

  Mr. O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what training is made available to those general practitioners who wish to carry out minor operations in their own surgeries; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 25 July 1989]: It is the responsibility of the medical profession to provide such training as is necessary for the provision of general medical services. We are currently discussing the training implications of the GPs' new contract with interested educationists. No decisions have yet been made.

  Griffiths Report
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received on proposals for implementation of the Griffiths report.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 25 July 1989]: As yet we have received only a few representations on our proposals, for community care set out in the statement made by my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Health on 12 July. These and other representations will be taken into account in our preparations for the White Paper.

  Fair Hearing Campaign
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he last met representatives of the Royal National Institute for the Deaf to discuss the fair hearing campaign; if he has any plans to review the provision of National Health Service hearing aids; and if he will make a statement.
  927
  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 26 July 1989]: We are currently considering our response to the Royal National Institute for the Deaf's Fair hearing campaign, and will make an announcement in due course.

  Breast Cancer (Screening)
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list by district authority the percentage of women in the relevant age group who have so far responded to the national programme for screening for breast cancer.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 26 July 1989]: Statistics from the breast screening centres will not be available centrally until towards the end of 1990 following the receipt of Korner forms KC62 and KC63 ("Adult Screening Programme: Breast Cancer Screening") by the Department.

  Acceptance rates of over 70 per cent. of the women called for screening were, however, reported informally last year by over half the first screening centres.

  Nurses (Grading Appeals)
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State (1) how many nurses have been awarded a higher grade following an appeal to district or regional authorities; and what percentage this represents of all appeals heard to date;

  (2) if he will state his latest estimate of (a) the number of appeals by nurses against their new grade awaiting a hearing at regional level and (b) the number of such appeals so far to complete the appeals process at that level.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 26 July 1989]: We do not collect information centrally concerning the number of appeals to district health authorities. Approximately 2,600 requests for hearings at regional appeals committee level have been lodged to date, and none has yet reached the hearing stage.

  Water Supply, North Sheffield
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the incidence of unwholesome water supply in the north Sheffield area; if he will take steps to monitor the incidence of ill-health arising from the supply of the Yorkshire water authority; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Howard
  I have been asked to reply.

  I understand that drinking water from the north Sheffield area is supplied from the Yorkshire grid, from the recently built Langsett treatment works and from the Pennine treatment works. Supplies from the Yorkshire grid and Langsett treatment works are normally of very good quality although there may be occasional breaches of the EC drinking water directive standard for iron. These supplies serve the majority of the people of north Sheffield.

  Supplies from the Pennine treatment works, notably Loxley and Ewden, regularly fail to comply with the EC directive standards for manganese and aluminium. These substances affect the appearance of drinking water and are not considered to be a risk to health. Remedial works for both treatment plants are included in the Yorkshire water authority's current capital programme.

  Monitoring is already being undertaken nationally by the Communicable Diseases Surveillance Centre.

ENVIRONMENT

  Chironomid Larvae
  Mr. Sedgemore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about the presence of chironomid larvae found recently in the water supply emanating from Hampton works; whether there are any dangers to health; whether any pathogenic organisms, including cryptosporidia and aeromonas, could have passed through the works; and what action the communicable disease surveillance centre has taken.

  Mr. Howard
  Thames Water has informed me that it is satisfied that the chironomid larvae problem is under control. Initially five filters were taken out of supply as a precaution. Three were found not to be the cause of the problem and were returned to service. One of the others was marginally affected. This was drained down, inspected and re-sanded and is shortly to go back into service. The other bed which was most affected is undergoing a thorough structural investigation and will be out of service for some time. The contact tank at the Hampton works was also taken out of use in two stages, was cleaned and is now fully operational.

  Thames Water has been monitoring intensively the Hampton works and associated distribution system for pathogenic organisms including cryptosporidium. It did not detect salmonellae, entero-viruses or giardia in any of the samples. Aeromonas, an organism which can colonise slow sand filters, was detected in samples of water leaving the works and in the distribution system. It is commonly found in distribution systems and there is no evidence that when present in water supplies it is detrimental to public health.

  Thames Water found that many of the samples of water from the works and the distribution system contained low levels of cryptosporidia. As a precaution the Communicable Diseases Surveillance Centre is monitoring the occurrence of human cases of cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis in the parts of London supplied by the Hampton works in order to detect any significant increase in the number of cases, should this occur. So far no such increase has been detected. Thames Water is continuing to monitor samples of the works inlet and outlet for cryptosporidia.

  ERDF Funding (Merseyside)
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received about ERDF funding for the Merseyside integrated development operation; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chope
  My right hon. Friend has received letters from a number of hon. Members representing Merseyside constituencies about the level of ERDF funding which may be allocated to the Merseyside integrated development operation. Firm decisions on the allocation of resources have not yet been made by the European Commission, and the Government will be pressing for the best possible outcome for the United Kingdom as a whole and for Merseyside.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Cran
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment 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.
  929
  Mr. Patten
  The number of letters received from right hon. and hon. Members in January was 2,211 and for the whole of this Session up to 1 July the total was 17,991. The number of letters sent to right hon. and hon. Members was 1,802 in January and 15,968 for the whole of this Session up to 1 July.

  Housing Act 1988 (Grants)
  Mr. Heddle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, further to his answer to the hon. Member for Mid-Staffordshire of 26 May,Official Report, column 792, on the subject of grants under section 29 of the Housing Act 1988, what progress has been made and what discussion he has had with (a) the Lichfield district council. (b) the Stafford borough council and (c) the Cannock Chase district council.

  Mr. Howard
  Twenty-nine local authority cash incentive schemes have now been approved, and others are under consideration. The Department has written to the councils mentioned but none has submitted a scheme for approval.

  House Purchase and Sales
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he has had with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors' working party on ways to simplify the process of buying and selling houses; and whether he will introduce legislation based on the working party's recommendations.

  Mr. Chope
  The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors sent copies of the working party's report to my right hon. Friend the Lord Chancellor and my hon. Friend the Minister for Industry and Consumer Affairs.

  The Government wish the process of house buying and selling to be as simple and fair as possible and are therefore considering the report's recommendations together with other representations on the subject.

  Special Waste (Dumping)
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many enforcement officers are employed in Surrey to monitor the illegal dumping of special waste.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Surrey county council employs seven full-time inspectors and two part-time prosecuting officers to carry out enforcement responsibilities regarding waste management in its area.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the total sum which will be raised by the community charge in England and Wales in the first year of collection.

  Mr. David Hunt
  If English local authorities spend in line with the level of total standard spending proposed by my right hon. Friend on 19 July, and given the level of aggregate external finance he proposed, they would need to raise about £9·7 billion from community charges in 1990–91. The equivalent figure for Wales, announced by my right hon. Friend on 20 July, is £376 million. Not all of these sums would come from chargepayers, because of community charge benefit.
  930
  Mr. Hanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will prepare a leaflet explaining the effect of the community charge upon private tenants and their landlords.

  Mr. David Hunt
  My Department is preparing such a leaflet, which will cover landlords and tenants in the private, public and housing association sectors. It will be available free of charge later this year.

  Mr. Waller
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what will be the maximum percentage reduction in rates from which business will benefit in 1990–91, following the introduction of the uniform business rate; and whether he will make it his policy that any increase in this percentage figure during the transitional period should not be brought about by penalising those businesses liable to higher rate bills.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I will write to my hon. Friend.

  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether he plans to issue any guidelines to local authorities in England and Wales in respect of poll tax payments for(a) Royal Navy personnel and (b) merchant seamen;

  (2) what guidelines have been issued to local authorities in England and Wales in respect of poll tax payments for Royal Navy personnel and merchant seamen away from home for a period of more than six months, for both householders and non-householders; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Guidance on United Kingdom service personnel was included in community charge practice note No. 17 published in April this year. Guidance on questions of sole or main residence was contained in community charge practice No. 9 published last November. Copies of all practice notes are in the Library of the House. It is for community charge registration officers to decide where an individual is solely or mainly resident on the facts of each individual case.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the estimated yield in the current financial year of a business rate for (a) offices, (b) shops, cafes and restaurants, (c) hotels and boarding houses based on the capital value and (d) other business premises equal to, respectively (i) five per cent. in the City of London, (ii) four per cent. in the rest of London, (iii) three per cent. in the metropolitan districts and (iv) two per cent. elsewhere in the United Kingdom, together with his estimate of the yield in 1988–89 under the present arrangement and under the new arrangements.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The estimated yield in the United Kingdom for 1988–89 from business rates under the present arrangements is as follows:

  £ million

  Offices

  1,900

  Shops and restaurants

  1,800

  Hotels and boarding houses

  150

  Other businesses

  4,600

  The other information requested is not available.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will detail the community charge
  931
  liability of a carer who resides part-time in his other home and the remainder of the time in the home of the persons being cared for when the homes are in different boroughs; whether he will make the necessary arrangements to ensure that the carer pays only the equivalent of one poll tax however that is distributed between the two boroughs concerned; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Hunt
  My right hon. Friend intends to bring forward regulations providing for a separate class of standard charge property. The new class will include property which is unoccupied as a result of a person receiving care because of illness or infirmity, and will enable relief from the standard charge to be given in respect of such property. The precise details of the relief will be the subject of consultation in due course.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether an individual (i) receiving and (ii) applying for severe disablement allowance will be exempt from the poll tax; whether any doctor can declare a person eligible as required for severe disablement allowance; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Individuals in receipt of severe disablement allowance will be exempt from the personal community charge if they satisfy the definition of severely mentally impaired persons set out in schedule 1 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988. Details of the procedure to be followed to qualify for the exemption are set out in practice note 19, copies of which have been available from the Library of the House since 10 May.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list for each charging authority area, attributing grant income received by precepting authorities under the current grant system to each area in proportion to the aggregate of rateable values in that area(a) the estimated rate support grant for 1989–90, (b) the estimated amount of revenue support grant which would have been payable in 1989–90 under the proposed new grant system, had the system been in its first year of operation in 1989–90 within full safety nets and assuming needs assessment at 1989–90 grant-related expenditure levels, (c) the estimated amount of revenue grant payable in 1989–90 under the proposed new grant system after the end of safety nets and assuming needs assessment at 1989–90 grant-related expenditure levels, (d) the difference between (a) and (b), (e) the difference between (a) and (c), and (f) the difference between (b) and (c), showing aggregates for each figure for each class of charging authority and for each region, showing inner London, outer London and the rest of the south east separately.

  Mr. David Hunt
  [holding answer 26 July 1989]: A table giving the information requested has been placed in the Library.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list for each charging authority area, attributing business rate income received by precepting authorities under the current system to each area in proportion to the aggregate of rateable values in that area(a) the estimated revenue from the non-domestic rate in 1989–90, (b) the estimated amount which would have been raised in revenue by the national non-domestic rate in 1989–90 after the end of transitional arrangements and assuming rateable values at current levels, (c) the
  932
  amount which would have been paid from the national non-domestic rating pool to each area in 1989–90, (d) the difference between (a) and (b), (e) the difference between (b) and (c) and (f) the difference between (a) and (c) showing aggregates for each figure for each class of charging authority and for each region, showing inner London, outer London and the rest of the south-east separately.

  Mr. David Hunt
  [holding answer 26 July 1989]: A table giving the information requested has been placed in the Library. For the purpose of illustration, it is assumed that the national non-domestic rate multiplier is set to raise the same level of income as under the present system.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what guidance he has given to community charge registration officers on possible penalties and actions against individuals for non-payment of the poll tax in England and Wales; and if he will list these.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Guidance on recovery and enforcement of the community charge has been prepared jointly by the Government and the local authority associations in practice note No. 15 which we intend to distribute to local authorities next week. Copies of the document are available in the Library of the House.

  The practice note lists the measures currently available for the enforcement of domestic rates, explains how these are to be applied to community charges, and gives details of additional remedies available to charging authorities through magistrates' courts.

  Yorkshire and Humberside (Heritage and Culture)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has for further promoting Yorkshire and Humberside heritage and culture.

  Mr. David Hunt
  We shall continue to promote the conservation, preservation and presentation of the heritage in all regions through funding and support to English Heritage, the Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England, the National Heritage Memorial Fund and a wide range of national and regional voluntary heritage organisations.

  Hertfordshire Groundwork Trust
  Mr. David Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much grant was paid by the Countryside Commission to the Hertfordshire Groundwork Trust; whether the grant required his approval; and what monitoring of the use made of the grant is undertaken by(a) his Department or (b) the Countryside Commission.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  In 1988–89 the Countryside Commission paid £7,728 to the Hertfordshire Groundwork Trust by way of grants under the provisions of section 9 of the Local Government Act 1974. The grants did not require the approval of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment. Applications for grant in the current financial year are still under consideration.

  Letting Statistics
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the number of dwellings available for letting in each year since 1970 in the
  933
  private and public sectors, respectively, in total and as a proportion of the housing stock: if he will give a regional breakdown; and what is his estimate of the proportion in France. Germany and Italy.

  Mr. Chope
  The available information has been placed in the Library.

  Housing Associations
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many(a) houses and (b) flats were built by housing associations in the last year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Chope
  It is estimated that in 1988 housing associations completed 1,900 new houses and 7,200 new flats.

  Sheltered Housing
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many sheltered and very sheltered housing units were started and completed in the last financial year by(a) the public sector, (b) housing associations and (c) the private sector other than housing associations.

  Mr. Chope
  Numbers of new sheltered dwellings started and completed by sector appear in table 1.5 of "Housing and Construction Statistics part 1, No. 37", a copy of which is in the Library. Information about very sheltered housing is not available.

  Housing (Young People)
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many single person flats suitable for young adults were built in the last financial year in(a) the public, (b) the private and (c) housing association sectors; and what information he has on the availability of such accommodation nationally and regionally.

  Mr. Chope
  Housebuilding statistics are not classified in this way. However, regional and national estimates of completions of new one-bedroom flats appear in table 6.8(a) of "Housing and Construction Statistics 1977–1987". For recent quarters, the percentages of new flats with one bedroom (excluding housing association completions) appear in table 1.6 of the quarterly publication "Housing and Construction Statistics. Part 1, No. 37". Copies of both publications are in the Library.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is considering legislation to place a responsibility on local authorities to house single young persons, and to make adequate resources available to local authorities for the new build required.

  Mr. Chope
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment is reviewing the homelessness legislation and hopes to announce conclusions soon.

  Housing (Capital Resources)
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will give an account of capital resources available to the Yorkshire and Humberside region from the Government for housing purposes for each year from 1979 to 1989;
  934
  (2) if he will give an account of capital resources available to Wakefield metropolitan district council, from the Government for housing purposes for each year from 1979 to 1989.

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

  Total housing investment programme allocations

  £ thousands

  Wakefield

  Yorkshire and Humberside region

  1979–80

  16,577

  216,000

  1980–81

  13,459

  190,027

  1981–82

  10,177

  168,366

  1982–83

  15,367

  214,813

  1983–84

  11,267

  210,798

  1984–85

  10,026

  166,769

  1985–86

  8,474

  140,326

  1986–87

  7,136

  125,312

  1987–88

  7,897

  125,103

  1988–89

  7,654

  123,706

  1989–901

  4,683

  91,372

  1 Allocations issued to date.

  Winget Howes
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made in establishing an agreed method of repair for Winget-type houses.

  Mr. Chope
  None. Under the housing defects legislation, if reinstatement is not likely to be economic or feasible, assistance will be by repurchase.

  Housing Improvement Grant
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what studies he has carried out on the cost-effectiveness of(a) means-testing of individual applicants for housing improvement grants and (b) the present system of block grants.

  Mr. Chope
  Provision has been made in the Department's research programme to monitor the effectiveness of both means-tested renovation grants and block repair schemes.

  Water Disconnections
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the number of disconnections for non-payment in the year to April 1989 for each of the water authorities and statutory water companies in England and Wales.

  Mr. Howard
  The information requested by my hon. Friend regarding the English water authorities and statutory water companies is contained in the following table. Any request for information on the Welsh water authority, the Chester waterworks company and the Wrexham and East Denbighshire water company should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.
  935

  Disconnections in 1988–89(Domestic and non-domestic)

  1988–89

  Authorities

  Anglian

  1,880

  Northumbrian

  870

  North West

  779

  Severn Trent

  1,101

  Southern

  1,354

  South West

  100

  Thames

  935

  Wessex

  73

  Yorkshire

  999

  Water companies

  Bournemouth

  13

  Bristol

  108

  Cambridge

  177

  Cholderton

  n/a

  Colne Valley

  141

  East Anglia

  16

  Eastbourne

  10

  East Surrey

  120

  East Worcestershire

  15

  Essex

  1,109

  Folkestone

  120

  Hartlepool

  120

  Lee Valley

  420

  Mid Kent

  20

  Mid Sussex

  20

  Mid Southern

  573

  Newcastle

  558

  North Surrey

  110

  Portsmouth

  n/a

  Rickmansworth

  126

  South Staffordshire

  1,790

  Sunderland

  70

  Sutton District

  11

  Tendering Hundred

  30

  West Hampshire

  110

  West Kent

  0

  York

  79

  n/a—Not available.

  Environmental Assessments
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what information, including baseline data, other than that submitted by the developer he has when determining whether environmental assessment is required; and if he will make public all the information used in determining whether or not environmental assessment is required for schedule 2 projects;

  (2) what matters other than those referred to in general terms in paragraphs 18–29 and appendix A of circular 15/88 have been taken into account when determining whether environmental assessment is required for schedule 2 projects; and if he will give details of variations and the reasons therefore;

  (3) what variations there have been, and on what basis, in adherence to the numerical criteria and thresholds in appendix A of circular 15/88 when directing whether environmental assessment is required.

  Mr. Moynihan
  Environmental assessment is required for any projects of the types listed in schedule 2 to the Town and Country Planning (Assessment of Environmental Effects) Regulations 1988 which are likely to have significant environmental effects. Whether or not any particular project is likely to have significant effects so that environmental assessment is required is a matter of judgment from case to case. In exercising that judgment for the purpose of directing whether or not environmental 936
  assessment is required for any particular case the Secretary of State takes account of relevant information in his possession about the nature, size and location of the project and will if appropriate seek further information from the developer, the local planning authority or others with information in their possession. The Secretary of State has regard to the general guidance in DoE circular 15/88. That guidance, however, is indicative in nature and does not obviate the need for a judgment to be made in each case. The guidance in circular 15/88 will be amended or augmented from time to time in the light of the decisions which have been made. However, such amendment has not been necessary so far.

  Compulsory Purchase Payments
  Mr. Gerald Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether he will extend entitlement to farm loss payments to those displaced from only part of a holding; and whether he proposes to give effect to the proposals relating to farm loss payments in the Green Paper, "Land Compensation and Compulsory Purchase Legislation", dated March 1989;

  (2) whether he will introduce an additional allowance payable when land is compulsorily purchased to compensate for the factor of compulsion, as proposed by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors;

  (3) whether he will introduce legislation in the next parliamentary Session to simplify and strengthen the compensation code for compulsory acquisition.

  Mr. Moynihan
  We are at present considering the responses to the consultation paper on land compensation and compulsory purchase legislation dated 7 March 1987 with a view to introducing legislation as soon as the parliamentary timetable permits. In this context we are also considering the recommendations in the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors' memorandum on compensation for compulsory acquisition, including its proposal for an additional allowance to compensate for the factor of compulsion.

  Clearance (Market Value)
  Mr. Gerald Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will give effect to the proposal in the Green Paper, "Home Improvement—A New Approach", dated May 1985, that the arrangements for compensating those affected by clearance should be simplified and in future that all owners will be entitled to market value as of right.

  Mr. Chope
  Part IV of schedule 8 to the Local Government and Housing Bill contains provisions repealing the existing measures relating to compensation for unfit housing which is compulsorily acquired. The effect of this is that compensation for housing in clearance areas will be assessed in the same way as for any other compulsory acquistion, and owners will qualify for market value compensation.

  Statutory Instruments
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment for each of the last five parliamentary Sessions including the 1988–89 Session, if he will list the number of Statutory Instruments that were issued by his Department; how many were negative and how many affirmative; and if he will make a statement.
  937
  Mr. Patten
  The following is the information requested by the hon. Member as to the number of statutory instruments issued by my Department:

  Parliamentary session

  Number issued

  Negative

  Affirmative

  1984–85 (6 November 1984 to 30 October 1985)

  186

  85

  5

  1985–86 6 November 1985 to 7 November 1986)

  159

  94

  8

  1986–87 (12 November 1986 to 15 May 1987)

  82

  46

  4

  1987–88 (25 June 1987 to 15 November 1988)

  131

  90

  10

  1988–89 (22 November 1988 to date)

  130

  87

  6

  Note:

  In each case the balance represents those instruments, chiefly orders changing parish boundaries, which are subject neither to the affirmative nor to the negative procedure.

  Pollution
  Mr. Roberts
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list in the Official Report the appeals under section 10 of the Control of Pollution Act 1974 currently under consideration by his Department; and if he will indicate the dates such appeals were first lodged and indicate when decisions will be reached.

  Mrs Virginia Bottomley
  Following is the list of appeals currently under consideration showing the dates they were first lodged. Decisions are issued as quickly as possible bearing in mind the detailed technical nature of the issues involved, the need for full information and to provide for exchange of representations between the parties.

  Date

  Empire Brickworks

  10 June 1982

  Seal Sands

  26 June 1984

  Soothill Brickworks

  11 January 1985

  Empire Brickworks (4)

  8 September 1986

  East Tilbury Marshes

  26 March 1987

  Bradleys Sand Pit

  28 May 1987

  Aveley Clay Pit

  10 July 1987

  Auckland Road

  21 July 1987

  Charleston Road

  10 August 1987

  Gilbey Road

  7 September 1987

  Cabbage Hill

  12 November 1987

  Warren Vale

  24 November 1987

  Old Railway Cutting

  7 December 1987

  Unit 3, Hartlepool

  7 December 1987

  Springwell Hill

  9 December 1987

  Norwood Industrial Estate

  3 February 1988

  Florence Not Mine

  2 June 1988

  Whinfield Farm

  23 June 1988

  Mummery's Copse

  27 June 1988

  Springwell Hill

  1 August 1988

  Disused Railway Cutting

  4 August 1988

  Calf Fallow Farm

  11 August 1988

  Unit 10, Edderbridge

  19 August 1988

  Redbournbury Plant

  24 November 1988

  Grazebrook Industrial Estate

  6 January 1989

  Leabrook Road

  10 January 1989

  Butterley Hole

  6 February 1989

  Bakers Hole

  8 March 1989

  Martin Earles Pit (2)

  8 March 1989

  140 Moss Lane

  13 March 1989

  Grazebrook Industrial Estate

  4 May 1989

  Ministerial Cars (Washing)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what recent instructions have been given about the washing of ministerial cars; how many and which have been washed since his appeal to car owners to desist from washing their cars; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chope
  Washing of Ministers' cars ceased from midday on 24 July.

  The ban will stay in force until the London water shortage eases, except in circumstances where the safety of the vehicle would be adversely affeced.

  Shooting Rights
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment why he has forbidden the Nature Conservancy Council from(a) acquiring shooting rights in the process of setting up nature reserves, and (b) giving grants to other bodies for purchasing lands which carry the shooting rights; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  In considering land purchase proposals whether from themselves or by grant aid to NGOs, the NCC and the Government are agreed that traditional rights over uses of the land should be interfered with only when that use is incompatible with the interests of conservation.

  African Elephants
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to offer compensation and assistance to those east African countries which approve the transfer of African elephants to appendix I of CITES; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  We do not propose to consider offering compensation to East African countries which support the transfer of the African elephant to appendix I of CITES. Elephants can be of greater financial value to these countries as living tourist attractions than when killed for their ivory. We remain ready to discuss with African Governments further ways of helping them to conserve their wildlife resources, including elephants.
  939
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations have been received from ivory dealers in Hong Kong relating to the timetable for transfer of African elephants to appendix 1 of CITES; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Government have received several letters from representatives of the Hong Kong ivory trade about the implications of the proposal to transfer the African elephant to Appendix 1 of CITES. These issues will be considered by the forthcoming conference of the parties to CITES.

  Sir George Young
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will announce the outcome of his consultations on his proposal to establish a London pensions fund.

  Mr. David Hunt
  My right hon. Friend has now considered all the representations made on his proposal to transfer the superannuation fund and associated functions, rights and liabilities which the London residuary body (LRB) inherited on the abolition of the former Greater London council to a new corporate body, the London pensions fund, on 1 April 1990.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment has decided, in the light of these consultations, to lay before Paliament an order providing for the establishment of the new London pensions fund, a corporate body with a membership of between seven and 11 members appointed by him. As previously proposed it would have an independent chairman with the remaining board members being drawn equally from London local government and independent sources. The London local authorities via their associations are being invited to put forward recommendations for the initial board appointments from London local government and to establish a voluntary consultative committee which my right hon. Friend might consult over future appointments to the board. The proposal to retain existing ILEA contributors in the fund has also been preserved.

  It is intended that the LPF should come into corporate existence on 31 October 1989, to allow time for it to prepare for its new responsibilities, and my right hon. Friend will shortly be consulting the London boroughs, including the City, and other interested parties on the text of the draft order.

  Audit Commission
  Mr. Wood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what changes are proposed to the structure of the Audit Commission and the procedures for appointing commissioners when the remit of the Commission is extended to the Health Service.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  The Government propose to increase the size of the Commission from 13 to 17 members to 15 to 20 members when its remit is extended to the Health Service. All members, including the chairman and deputy chairman, would be appointed jointly by my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Health, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales and me. It is also intended to amend the existing statutory requirement to provide that in future we should be required before making an appointment to consult such persons and bodies as we think fit. We would of course, continue to consult the local authority associations, the 940
  accountancy bodies, the CBI and the TUC, as now. The Government intend to seek the necessary statutory provision for these changes in the proposed legislation on the reform of the Health Service.

  Uniform Business Rate
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has completed his consideration of the representations received in response to the consultation paper issued on 15 February on the Government's proposed transitional arrangements for the new uniform business rate; whether he has any further information about the likely effects of the 1990 revaluation of business properties; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales and I received some 150 initial responses to the consultation paper and further representations from all the major business organisations. We have considered them carefully, and have decided to make a number of modifications to the proposed transitional arrangements.

  We believe that our proposals achieve a satisfactory balance in the transitional period, with long overdue reductions in rates being realised as quickly as is consistent with the need to provide adequate protection for businesses which must bear increases. We intend therefore to proceed with our proposals to limit the year-on-year changes resulting from the introduction of the uniform business rate and the non-domestic revaluation. For businesses which in 1990–91 will have larger bills in real terms than in 1989–90, the ceiling will be 20 per cent. in real terms for larger businesses and 15 per cent. for smaller ones as we proposed. But, in the light of representations received, we have concluded that the threshold of rateable value below which this lower ceiling will apply should be doubled to £15,000 in London and £10,000 elsewhere. For businesses which in 1990–91 will have smaller bills in real terms than in 1989–90, we estimate that the annual limits on reductions will be about 15 per cent. for businesses with rateable values below the revised threshold and about 10 per cent. for those with rateable values above the revised threshold. The precise figures for reductions will be calculated, once we have fuller information about the revaluation being undertaken by the Inland Revenue valuation office, so as to allow the limits to be set as high as possible consistent with the requirement that reductions must balance the cost of protection for those facing increases, so that the total yield of rates from the private sector and the nationalised industries remains broadly the same in real terms. Over 75 per cent. of all businesses will benefit from the more generous rateable value threshold. At the same time, we propose to raise the de minimis threshold, below which transitional arrangements will not apply, from a new rateable value of £200 to £500 for all properties, except for advertising hereditaments which will not be subject to any limit.

  As proposed, properties first occupied after 1 April 1990 will not benefit from the transitional arrangements. Furthermore, for consistency with these proposals generally, we have decided that transitional protection for those facing increases should apply only to those who occupy property as at 31 March 1990 and continue to do so after that date. If a property changes hands on or after 1 April 1990, the new occupier will pay any increase due in full.
  941
  Reduction in rate bills will continue to be subject to annual limits, however, whether or not there is a change of occupier.

  We propose to give effect to the transitional arrangements by way of legislative amendments which will be introduced into the Local Government and Housing Bill after the recess.

  I am also placing in the Library today a copy of the latest sample survey by the Inland Revenue of the combined effects of the 1990 revaluation and the introduction of a uniform business rate. This incorporates the results of a large number of actual revaluations. In general the survey confirms the results published with the consultation paper on 15 February. The new sample suggests that on average values after revaluation will be 7·7 times the current average rateable value for non-domestic properties in England, and 7·8 times in Wales; that the poundage, in 1989–90 prices, is expected to be in the range of 32 to 36p in England, compared with a locally set average poundage of some 258p in 1989–90, and in the range 34 to 38p in Wales compared with an average 1989–90 poundage of around 283p; and that the new arrangements, once the transition is complete, will reduce the rate burden or businesses in the north and midlands by about £1 billion.

  Limestone Mines
  Mr. Cran
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what consideration he has given to the second report of the black country limestone advisory panel on "A Strategy for Limestone Mines"; and whether he will make a statement.

  Mr. Moynihan
  I have considered the second report of the black country limestone advisory panel and have taken into account the views expressed by the local authorities in the black country and Shropshire and by private sector financial institutions. Earlier this year my hon. Friend the former Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, the hon. Member for Rossendale and Darwen (Mr. Trippier), met the chairman and members of the panel to discuss the issues raised by this report.

  The Government welcome and endorse the strategy as proposed by the panel. They agree that overall priority should be given to action to protect public safety and that the protection of existing property and the potential for new development or re-development are important considerations. To that end, they will continue to give high priority to funding investigations of the limestone mines and to remedial action where it is appropriate and represents value for money. Over £20 million has already been spent under the derelict land grant provisions and a further £6 million will be spent in 1989–90.

  I understand that the first two targets established by the panel, for completion of initial desk appraisals and of investigations to establish the physical condition of a mine, are well on the way to being met. Only at the completion of these stages can the implications of the limestone problems be understood in their entirety and only then can a definitive programme of action to resolve the problems be established. I am, therefore, asking the panel to keep me informed on a regular basis on progress with investigations and proposals for remedial action so that the programme can be kept under review.

  It is important to recognise, however, that the amounts of money involved, while they cannot as yet be precisely
  942
  defined, are substantial. The timetable proposed by the panel may therefore need to be extended in view of the many competing demands for the limited resources which are available. It must also be recognised that it will not be possible to treat every individual mine immediately the need for treatment is identified. Following the panel's strategy, however, would enable all concerned to know what action would be taken, how priorities would be assessed and when they could expect the problems to be resolved. This should assist in removing a great deal of the uncertainty which has existed to date.

  Given these constraints, it would seem reasonable to suggest that it should be possible to resolve the bulk of the limestone problems in the west midlands by the middle to late 1990s.

  However, resolution of the problems does not necessarily mean complete in-filling of every mine. as has been recognised by the panel in its report. There may well be cases where the most cost-effective solution will be to repair any damage caused by subsidence as and when it occurs. In such cases, the Government would look to both local authorities and the private sector to work together with central Government as outlined in the Secretary of State's response to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Aldridge-Brownhills (Mr. Shepherd) of 6 April 1987. I believe that such a co-operative response, taken with the Government's endorsement of the panel's strategy, should go a long way in restoring confidence in the area and relieving the understandable concern that has arisen due to the presence of old limestone mine workings and the threat of subsidence that they pose.

  Maidenhead Sewage Plant (Discharges)
  Dr. Glyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he has taken to ensure that the relaxation of standards for discharged effluent, proposed by Thames water authority, for the Maidenhead sewage plant, is adequate in terms of public health standards; and how long he anticipates this temporary relaxation will continue before being replaced by permanent measures.

  Mr. Howard
  I will write to my hon. Friend.

  Mr. J. A. Reeves
  Mrs. Roe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will ensure that an urgent reply is given to the letter of 24 July from the hon. Member for Broxbourne concerning the future pension of Mr. J. A. Reeves, an employee of Thames water authority.

  Mr. Howard
  I will write to my hon. Friend.

  London Residuary Body (Properties)
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give details of the 65 applications by the London residuary body to his Department for consent to dispose of properties by means of voluntary sales to licensee occupiers at discounted prices.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Nature Reserve (Sheffield)
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what consideration he has given to the proposals by the Yorkshire water authority(a) to create

  943
  a nature reserve at Blackburn meadows in Sheffield and (b) to do this through specified leasing arrangements; and if he will make a statement.

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

  Asset Sales
  Mr. Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what arrangements exist for the public to inspect details of asset sales by the residuary bodies.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Section 79 of the Local Government Act 1985 provides for local electors to inspect residuary bodies' accounts and documents relating to them. Details of individual sale transactions are, however, matters for the vendor and purchaser and therefore commercially confidential.

  Broadwater Lake, Harefield
  Mr. Shersby
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information his Department has concerning any undertakings given by those concerned when gravel was extracted from what is now known as Broadwater lake, Harefield, in the London borough of Hillingdon, concerning its refilling and re-instatement as agricultural land; what representations he has received to the effect that the lake should not now be refilled; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chope
  [holding answer 26 July 1989]: A condition attached to the planning permission requires the site to be refilled. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has received representations from my hon. Friend the Member for Uxbridge about a change in the restoration proposals for the site. The enforcement or modification of conditions attached to a planning permission is, in the first instance, a matter for the local planning authority's consideration.

  Sports and Leisure Facilities
  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will list in the Official Report the individuals and organisations who have responded to the draft order on the Local Government Act 1988 (Competition in Sports and Leisure Facilities); and if he will place copies of responses in the Library;

  (2) when he will lay before Parliament the Local Government Act i988 (Competition in Sports and Leisure Facilities) Order; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  [holding answer 26 July 1989]: The Local Government (Competition in Sports and Leisure Facilities) Order will be laid later this year. The individuals and organisations which have responded to my Department on the draft order are listed as follows. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of their responses. Further copies are available from my Department's library.

  Local authority organisations

  Association of District Councils

  London Boroughs Association

  Association of Metropolitan Authorities

  Local Authorities

  Leicester City Council

  Congleton Borough Council

  Tonbridge and Mailing Borough Council

  Rochdale Metroliolitan Borough Council

  944

  Oswestry Borough Council

  Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council

  London Borough of Barnet

  Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council

  Guildford Borough Council

  Purbeck District Councl

  City of Chester

  Cambridge City Council

  City of York

  London Borough of Lewisham

  Tynedale District Council

  Epping Forest District Council

  Kerrier District Council

  Bassetlaw District Council

  London Borough of Croydon

  Reading Borough Council

  Suffolk Coastal District Council

  Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council

  London Borough of Lambeth

  London Borough of Hackney

  Burnley Borough Council

  City of Sheffield

  Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council

  London Borough of Tower Hamlets

  City of Carlisle

  New Forest District Council

  South Somerset District Council

  Castle Morpeth Borough Council

  Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council

  Eastbourne Borough Council

  Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames

  London Borough of Wandsworth

  Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council

  Borough of Havant

  Sports national bodies

  The Sports Council

  The Central Council of Physical Recreation

  Governing bodies of Sport

  Squash Rackets Association

  Amateur Athletics Association

  Amateur Swimming Association National

  Small Bore Rifle Association

  Other sports organisations

  South East Council for Sport and Recreation

  London Council for Sport and Recreation

  Yorkshire and Humberside Council for Sport and Recreation

  Northern Council for Sport and Recreation

  Leeds City Sports Association

  Bromley Sports Council

  Cleethorpes and District Athletics Club

  Cumbria County Hockey Association

  Yorkshire Cricket Association

  Lewisham Sports Council

  Greenwich Sports Council

  Sports Hall Athletic Association

  Professional bodies and Trade Unions

  National and Local Government Officers Association

  Society of Local Authority Chief Executives

  Chief Leisure Officers Association

  The Incorporated Society of Valuers and Auctioneers

  Trade Union Congress

  National Union of Public Employees

  Society of County Secretaries

  British Resorts Association

  Institute of Baths and Recreation Management

  Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy

  Institute of Leisure and Amenity Management

  Price Waterhouse

  Other organisations and individuals

  Fosse Day Centre

  National Federation of Gateway Clubs

  National Council for Voluntary Organisations

  Association of Direct Labour Organisations

  Commission for the New Towns

  945

  Public Sector Management

  Business in Sport

  Elgivia Management

  Tenants' Choice
  Mr. Cartwright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many(a) private landlords, (b) housing associations and (c) tenants' organisations have applied for registration under the tenants' choice provisions of the Housing Act 1988 in the Greater London area; and how many in each category have been approved.

  Mr. Chope
  [holding answer 26 July 1989]: The Housing Corporation has the responsibility to consider applications for tenants' choice landlord approval. I have asked the corporation to reply to the hon. Member.

  Valuation and Community Charge Tribunals
  Mr. Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will change the title of the Manchester North and Manchester South valuation and community charge tribunals as suggested in resolutions from the inaugural meetings of those bodies.

  Mr. David Hunt
  [holding answer 26 July 1989]: No.

  City Grants
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give the value of city grants made to authorities in the Yorkshire and Humberside region and outline their applications; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Moynihan
  [holding answer 26 July 1989]: Eight city grants totalling just over £2 million have been approved for developers undertaking projects within the Yorkshire and Humberside region. The projects will make an important contribution to the economies of the local authorities in which they are located by providing jobs, houses, offices and retail and industrial units.

  Bitumen Emulsifiers
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the latest estimate of hydrocarbons that evaporate from bitumen emulsifiers.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  [holding answer 26 July 1989]: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to his question yesterday.

  Building Contracts
  Mr. McCrindle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has been consulted over the development of model fair deal contracts between customers and contractors for building work; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chope
  This is a matter for the Director General of Fair Trading; I shall ask him to write to my hon. Friend.

  High Folds, Leigh (Land Reclamation)
  Mr. Terry Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total contribution from European Economic Community sources to the High Folds, Leigh land reclamation scheme.

  Mr. Moynihan
  [holding answer 24 July 1989]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment is not aware of any contributions having been made from the European regional development fund for the High Folds land reclamation scheme at Leigh.

  Cash Incentive Schemes
  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to answer the letter from the London borough of Croydon dated 23 May on the subject of cash incentive schemes under the Housing Act 1988.

  Mr. Chope
  [holding answer 17 July 1989]: I will write to my hon. Friend.

  Carbon Dioxide Emissions
  Mr. Moss
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if there are any plans to introduce legislation to reduce CO2 emissions from vehicles; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  [holding answer 24 July 1989]: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by the then Minister for Roads and Traffic in reply to the hon. Member for Lewisham, Deptford (Mrs. Ruddock) on 29 June 1989 at col. 132.

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

  Mr. Chope
  [pursuant to the reply, 20 July 1989, e. 338]: The Housing Act 1988 makes each secure tenant, including each joint tenant, eligible for a vote in a ballot or poll on a proposal to designate an area as a HAT area. Regulations have today been laid before Parliament prescribing certain additional categories of local authority tenants of houses or flats who would be entitled to vote. These additional categories are long leaseholders, business tenants, tenants of licensed premises and tenants in tied accommodation. Joint tenants would each be entitled to their own vote.

  Rate Support (Warwickshire)
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the amount of rate support paid by Warwickshire to assist other areas in each year since 1979; and if he will express this in a constituency form.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  [holding answer 6 July 1989]: The table gives estimates of the amount by which grant for authorities in Warwickshire was affected by resource equalisation in each year from 1981–82 to 1989–90. The introduction of the community charge will end these grant transfers.
  947

  Effect on block grant of equalisation for differences in resources measured by gross rateable values rather than population: 1981–82 to 1989–90

  (£ million)

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  Warwickshire County Council

  2

  1

  1

  2

  1

  -4

  -6

  -6

  -8

  North Warwickshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Nuneaton and Bedworth

  0

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Rugby

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Stratford on Avon

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Warwick

  0

  0

  0

  0

  -1

  -1

  -1

  -1

  -1

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Potato Marketing Board
  Mr. Hind
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has any plans to meet the chairman of the Potato Marketing Board to discuss the future of the board; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a further statement on the reform of the Potato Marketing Board.

  Mr. Gummer
  As my right hon. Friend announced on 20 July, the Government have decided to retain the basic elements of the existing potato marketing scheme in view of the need to maintain stability. However consumers and other non-producer interests should be given greater influence in the Potato Marketing Board's market management decisions.

  Irradiation of Food
  Mr. Oppenheim
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether the forthcoming Food Bill will include new powers to regulate the use of food irradiation.

  Mr. Gummer
  New food legislation to be introduced as soon as the parliamentary timetable permits will include powers to introduce a full licensing system, under central Government control, for the irradiation of foodstuffs.

  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from interested parties with regard to food irradiation.

  Mr. Maclean
  My Department has received representations from interested trade and consumer organisations on several aspects of food irradiation. A major concern is that consumers should be in a position to make an informed choice, and we intend to ensure this by instituting an effective system of controls which includes full and clear labelling.

  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many representations he has received from producers or consumers of food in favour of food irradiation.

  Mr. Maclean
  Support has been publicly expressed by the Food and Drink Federation, the Spice Trade Association and the Institute of Cereals Manufacturers. In addition, a number of consumer groups have recognised that, with proper controls, this technology has potential benefits for consumers.

  Environmentally Sensitive Areas
  Mr. Day
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether other European Community countries are introducing environmentally sensitive areas.

  Mr. Maclean
  Other EC countries are following the United Kingdom's lead in introducing ESA schemes. Germany, the Netherlands and Denmark now have approved areas.

  Mr. Alexander
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has any plans to increase the number of environmentally sensitive areas.

  Mr. Maclean
  Having designated 19 ESAs in the United Kingdom there is now a need to examine their impact and value for money. The scheme is to be reviewed in 1991 and future policy will depend on the outcome of this review.

  Fishing Vessels
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what recent representations he has received regarding the introduction of a decommissioning scheme for fishing vessels; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Curry
  As has been made clear in the past decommissioning is one of a range of options being considered for reducing the size of our fishing fleet.

  Mr. Michie
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Greenock and Port Glasgow (Dr. Godman) on Tuesday, 11 July,Official Report, column 453, he is able to estimate the number of vessels which will be taken from the United Kingdom fishing fleet in each of the years 1989, 1990 and 1991; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Curry
  No. The target reductions for multi-annual guidance programme purposes are expressed only in terms of tonnage and engine power. The number of vessels withdrawn will depend on action taken to reduce fleet capacity following our consultations with industry organisations.

  Eggs
  Mr. John P. Smith
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has any plans to increase checks conducted by his Department into imported eggs.

  Mr. Maclean
  We already inspect a significant proportion of eggs imported to ensure that they comply with the requirements of the egg marketing standards regulations of the European Community.

  Forestry Commission
  Mr. Franks
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, when he last met the chairman of the Forestry Commission; and what matters were discussed.

  Mr. Gummer
  I look forward to meeting the new chairman of the Forestry Commission, whose appointment begins on 1 September, when we both have had a chance to settle into our new posts.

  Small Farmers
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he has had in the Council of Ministers regarding EC schemes for direct income support for small farmers.

  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the Government's position with regard to direct income support for small farmers.

  Mr. Gummer
  The Council agreed in January on the main lines of a Community scheme for direct income aid. A regulation came into effect on 1 April establishing a framework under which member states may draw up plans to pay transitional aid to farms affected by the reform of the CAP. Proposals for detailed implementing regulations are now under discussion and need to be agreed before member states may submit new schemes, as required, for approval by the Commission.

  I have no plans at present to introduce an income aid scheme.

  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, when he last met the chairman of the Small Farmers Association; and what matters were discussed.

  Mr. Gummer
  I have not met the chairman of the Small Farmers Association.

  Food Labelling
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received seeking the introduction of a scheme of food labelling designed to inform consumers of food organically produced or reared and slaughtered under humane conditions.

  Mr. Maclean
  Initiatives taken within my Department led to the establishment in 1987 of the United Kingdom Register of Organic Food Standards (UKROFS) which, on 2 May, launched detailed production and processing standards, a certification and inspection scheme and a UKROFS symbol and approved labelling to enable consumers to identify organic foods produced according to the standards. I hope that producers will take full advantage of this exciting development so that a much larger share of the rapidly growing consumer demand for such produce is met by home production.

  Nitrates
  Mr. Janman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether farming and environmental organisations received copies of his Department's consultation document on nitrate-sensitive areas.
  950
  Mr. Curry
  Yes. My Department's consultation document on the nitrate-sensitive areas scheme was circulated to a wide range of interests including farming organisations, the Government's conservation agencies and other environmental bodies.

  Mr. Stevens
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many replies he has received in response to his Ministry's consultation document on nitrate-sensitive areas.

  Mr. Curry
  We have received over 100 responses to our consultation document on nitrate-sensitive areas.

  Women's Farmers Union
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he last met the chairman of the Women's Farmers Union; and what matters were discussed.

  Mr. Gummer
  I last met the Chairman of the WFU at the recent Festival of Food and Farming and I look forward to meeting her again in the future.

  Cereals
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received about the need for further incentives to take land out of cereal production.

  Mr. Curry
  I have been asked by the President of the National Farmers Union to reconsider the levels of payment for set-aside in the United Kingdom. I have decided to maintain the rates unchanged.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his estimate of the annual cost to the European Economic Community budget of growing a representative 500 acres of wheat in Norfolk in (i) 1988 and (ii) in the current financial year.

  Mr. Curry
  Information is not available in the form requested. However, an indication of the average cost of supporting 500 acres of cereals anywhere in the Community can be worked out by dividing the sums in the cereals chapter of the guarantee section of the European agricultural guidance and guarantee fund for 1988 and 1989 by the total cereals area of the Community in 1987–88 and 1988–89 respectively. This gives figures of some £16,800 and some £15,100 for 500 acres of cereals in 1988 and 1989 respectively.

  Mr. John Greenway
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many farmers claimed in the last cereals year under the small cereals producers aid scheme for a co-responsibility rebate.

  Mr. Curry
  The present deadline for claims under the small cereals producer aid scheme is 31 July. We do not as yet have a final figure for claims submitted but all the signs are that the figure will be disappointingly low. I am therefore extending the deadline for claims to 30 September so that producers have the maximum opportunity to apply under this scheme.

  Country Landowners Association
  Mr. Latham
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he last met the president of the Country Landowners' Association; and what matters were discussed.
  951
  Mr. Gummer
  I have met the chairman of the CLA on many occasions in the past and look forward to meeting him again in the future.

  Council for the Protection of Rural England
  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he last met the chairman of the Council for the Protection of Rural England; and what matters were discussed.

  Mr. Maclean
  I have not yet had the opportunity to meet the chairman of the Council for the Protection of Rural England but look forward to doing so at sometime in the future.

  Meat Inspection
  Mr. Archer
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has recently discussed with representatives of other EEC countries the consequences for the single market arising from the continued refusal of the Community to recognise the qualification of environmental health inspectors in connection with the inspection of meat.

  Mr. Curry
  In any discussions on arrangements for meat inspection within the single market, I shall seek to ensure a continuing role for our environmental health officers.

  Food Research
  Mr. Doran
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a further statement on his Department's support for research for the benefit of food-related industries.

  Mr. Curry
  My Department commissions research amounting to £16·8 million to support statutory obligations, policy development, the protection of consumers and work specifically directed to the improvement of competitiveness in the food industry. Support for work of direct commercial benefit to the industry will be phased out by the end of 1990–91 as a part of the Government's policy on near market research. This will not affect our commitment to food safety and other work on wider public benefit.

  A recent joint MAFF/DTI initiative on food processing sciences was announced in September 1988 as part of the LINK Scheme. £7 million has been allocated by MAFF and by DTI over a five-year period provided that this sum is matched by industrial contributions. This programme will concentrate on projects which will strengthen the industry's technical base in bioscience and encourage strategic developments in new processes, biotechnology and processing modelling and control.

  Soft Drinks
  Mr. Riddick
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has received a copy of the recent London Food Commission report on the fruit juice content of some soft drinks; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  This report has recently been brought to the attention of the Department but I have not yet had an opportunity to study it. However, we have already 952
  circulated for public comment draft proposals for the revision of the Soft Drink Regulations 1964 which, inter alia would introduce a requirement for the declaration of fruit juice content on the labels of fruit juice based drinks.

  Tenant Farmers Association
  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he last met the chairman of the Tenant Farmers Association; and what matters were discussed.

  Mr. Gummer
  I hope to meet the chairman of the Tenant Farmers Association in the near future.

  Food Exports
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on recent trends in agriculture and food exports.

  Mr. Maclean
  Over the first five months of 1989, exports of food, feed and other agricultural products reached a record for the period of £1,978 million. This was 19·5 per cent. higher than the same periods of 1988 and 1987 respectively. It should be noted that exports of some basic agricultural products, such as grain, livestock and lightly processed foods, can vary considerably from year to year. But apart from this, exports of more processed food manufactured in the United Kingdom have been growing steadily for a number of years.

  Fisheries Ministers
  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will next attend a meeting of the European Community Council of Fisheries Ministers; and what he expects to discuss.

  Mr. Curry
  The next Fisheries Council is on 27 November 1989. The agenda has yet to be arranged.

  Net Sizes
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals he has to give incentives to fishermen to use larger mesh sizes for better conservation.

  Mr. Curry
  I have no such plans but we are actively considering possible improvements in technical measures to achieve better conservation.

  Food Bill
  Mr. Hanley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has received representations calling for the registration of food establishments as part of the forthcoming Food Bill.

  Mr. Maclean
  This is one of the issues on which the Government have been holding extensive consultations as part of our proposed reform of food legislation. We have received a number of representations.

  Food Supplies (Dock Strike)
  Mr. Patrick Thompson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to ensure that the public have adequate food supplies during the dockers' strike; and if he will make a statement.
  953
  Mr. Maclean
  My Department is monitoring the position closely and maintains regular contact with the food industry.

  I am confident that food supplies will not be seriously affected.

  Common Agricultural Policy
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he proposes to take any further steps to combat fraud in the common agricultural policy; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  We have taken the initiative in the Council of Ministers on many occasions to press for further action to deal with fraud in the common agricultural policy and valuable progress is being made. The Commission has recently presented to the Council proposals to require member states to carry out an annual physical check on intervention stocks and a minimum level of inspections of export refunds, and to tighten up the system of audit checks on firms making or receiving CAP payments. I will continue to press the Council to take speedy action on these proposals.

  Sir Hal Miller
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his latest estimate of the effect in the current year of the common agricultural policy reforms on intervention stores; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  The process of CAP reform has contributed to substantial reductions in intervention stock levels. The latest estimates of stocks held in public stores show that since the beginning of this year stocks of the major commodities have been reduced as follows:

  Commodity

  Reduction in stocks ('000 tonnes)

  Reduction as a percentage of stocks at 31 December 1988

  EC

  United Kingdom

  EC

  United Kingdom

  Per cent.

  Per cent.

  Beef

  59

  7

  15

  28

  Olive oil

  105

  —

  30

  —

  Total cereals

  1,647

  582

  18

  48

  Butter

  57

  12

  56

  50

  Skimmed milk powder

  0

  1—

  0

  2—

  1 Less than 500 tonnes.

  2 United Kingdom SMP stocks at 31 December 1988 were negligible.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, further to his reply dated 25 May,Official Report, column 744, concerning the common agricultural policy, he will explain the reasons for the increase in expenditure in 1988 of over 20 per cent.; and whether this was anticipated at the time of the Fontainebleau agreement.

  Mr. Curry
  As explained in my previous reply, the 1987 budget year carried only 10 months' expenditure. Because of the change to a system of delayed advances for funding from the guarantee section of the European agricultural guidance and guarantee fund, 4,534 mecu (£3,261 million) of expenditure in November and December 1987 were charged to the 1988 budget. Total CAP expenditure for the 1987 calendar year was therefore 28,497 mecu (£20,418 million)—2 per cent. less in real terms than the expenditure 954
  charged to the 1988 budget. It is not possible to compare expenditure in calendar year 1987 with that in calendar year 1988.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) whether he will publish in the Official Report a table on the same basis as that given in the answer of 4 December 1984, Official Report, columns 105–116, showing for each of the commodities covered by the common agricultural policy (a) the amount currently in surplus, (b) the target/ threshold/intervention price in the United Kingdom, (c) the corresponding price in West Germany, (d) the corresponding central price for the European Economic Community, (e) the levy in the United Kingdom at the latest available date, (f) the world price and (g) the amount sold to third markets with financial assistance from the European Economic Community;

  (2) whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the tonnage of each agricultural product exported to non-European Economic Community countries under the common agricultural policy and the cost to the European Economic Community in each case; and if he will revise as necessary the figures given in his written answer of 28 April, Official Report, columns 315–16;

  (3) whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the estimated amount of each common agricultural policy product consumed in the United Kingdom in 1988, the height of the tariff or guaranteed threshold minimum price, the amount of the levy paid at the latest available date and the corresponding world price.

  Mr. Gummer
  Information on surplus production, as measured by self-sufficiency, is contained in the Commission's publication "The Agricultural Situation in the Community, 1988 Report", in particular, table 3.7.3. Details of institutional prices (in ecu and £ sterling) are contained in annex 1 of the note on the common agricultural policy price settlement 1989–90, deposited in the Library of the House on 17 May 1989. The prices applicable in Germany can be derived from the ecu prices using the green rates as follows: Cereals—2.37360, other crops and sheepmeat—2·36110; other animal products—2·35053.

  The import levies and threshold prices applicable in the United Kingdom on 21 July 1989 and the corresponding "world" prices are shown in table 1. I remind the hon. Member that the world prices shown are generally the lowest offer prices at the Community frontier which underlie the Commission's calculation of the variable import levies. These prices are the lowest recorded and it is likely that, on average, higher prices would have to be paid if larger quantities were to be purchased on world markets or if supplies to world markets diminished. Information on the consumption of agricultural products in the United Kingdom, as measured by "total domestic uses", is contained in "Agriculture in the United Kingdom, 1988". I must caution strongly against drawing conclusions from this particular array of data requested.

  Details of exports sold to third countries with financial assistance from the European Community are not available. Total exports from the Community in 1988 of selected commodities are shown in table 2; these will include some products exported without financial

  955
  assistance. An analysis of expenditure on export refunds by product in 1988 is set out in annex 2 of the draft 18th financial report for EAGGF guarantee section.

  Table 1

  Levy applicable in the United Kingdom, threshold price and notional "World" price on 21 July 1989 for main food Hems covered by the common agricultural policy

  Threshold equivalent price1

  Levy applicable in United Kingdom2

  Notional World" price3

  (£ tonne)

  (£ tonne)

  Common Wheat

  166

  72

  99

  Barley

  151

  72

  83

  Maize

  165

  94

  76

  Sugar (White)

  456

  4165

  300

  Butter (82 per cent, fat)

  2,428

  51,448

  1,021

  Cheese (Cheddar)

  2,514

  1,691

  880

  Skimmed Milk Powder

  1,406

  476

  959

  Beef and Veal

  2,781

  6l,701

  1,209

  Pigmeat

  1,519

  383

  905

  Sheepmeat

  2,403

  7

  8

  Poultrymeat

  1,049

  246

  864

  Eggs

  855

  156

  472

  Notes:

  All figures have been rounded to nearest £.

  1 For commodities for which there is no threshold price the following have been used: beef and veal—guide price converted to deadweight (using a killing out percentage of 53·8 per cent.); pigmeat—basic price; poultrymeat and eggs—sluicegate prices plus basic levy; sheepmeat—seasonalised basic price adjusted for stabiliser. All conversions at green rate.

  2 Levy is net of monetary compensatory amounts. Rates of levy vary for different tariff headings. The rates quoted are: beef and veal and pigmeat—carcase; poultrymeat—70 per cent. chickens; eggs—in shell.

  3Notional "World" prices have been calculated by subtracting the levy applicable from the "threshold" price. The beef price is also adjusted for duty. For pigmeat, poultrymeat and eggs the "World" price has been taken as the sluicegate price, less supplementary levy, where appropriate. The resulting estimate has been converted from ecu/t at the agricultural market rate of exchange: £0·762070 = 1 ecu on 21 July 1989.

  4 in practice the United Kingdom's imports from third countries are normally covered by the Lome convention and enter the Community levy-free.

  5 A special lower rate of levy is applicable to imports of butter from New Zealand.

  6 Most imports of beef from third countries are subject to special arrangements allowing entry at reduced levy rate.

  7 Imports of lamb under voluntary restraint arrangements with principal suppliers and related agreements are subject to a reduced charge of 10 per cent. ad valorem. Any imports outside these arrangements are subject to levies which cannot exceed the 20 per cent. tariff bound in the GATT.

  8 No appropriate "World" price is available.

  Exports from the European Community1 of selected CAP commodities to non-EC countries: 1988

  '000s tonnes

  Wheat

  12,387

  Wheat flour

  2,562

  Barley

  6,434

  Malt

  1,031

  Rice

  332

  Sugar2 of which:

  4,535

  Raw (white equivalent)

  24

  Refined

  4,511

  Olive oil

  144

  Oilseeds

  116

  Whole milk powder

  343

  Skimmed milk powder

  607

  Condensed milk

  383

  Butter and Buttermilk

  620

  Beef and veal

  615

  Sheepmeat

  6

  Pigmeat

  296

  Poultrymeat

  389

  Eggs

  82

  Wine3

  1,211

  Source: EUROSTAT.

  1 Excludes figures for Greece from August 1988.

  2 Includes raw sugar converted to refined sugar equivalent: I tonne raw sugar =0·92 tonne refined sugar.

  3 The figure previously shown for 1985 has been revised to 1,095 thousand tonnes.
  956
  Copies of the documents referred to are in the Library of the House.

  Oilseed Rape
  Mr. Derek Conway
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what income farmers have received from the 1988 oilseed rape crop; and if he will make a statement on the implications of the current prevailing price.

  Mr. Curry
  The value of oilseed rape output in the United Kingdom in 1988 is estimated at £242 million. Information on the income which farmers obtained from this crop is not available. The 1989 United Kingdom crop, like that in other member states, is expected to be smaller than the 1988 crop because of a smaller planted area. As a result, market prices are currently higher than at the same time last year.

  Meat Tenderising Injections
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will implement the recommendation of the Farm Animal Welfare Council that intrajugular meat tenderising injections be prohibited.

  Mr. Curry
  We do not believe that the procedure is inhumane and in our view a ban is not justified.

  Nephrops
  Mr. Graham
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has any proposals for nephrops to be designated a pressure stock; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Curry
  I have no such proposals. The various nephrops stocks around the United Kingdom are either not subject to quota or where they are the quotas have been generally under utilised. We will, however, continue to monitor these stocks closely.

  Anthrax
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Minister of' Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has any plans to alter the current regulations with regard to anthrax.

  Mr. Gummer
  I propose shortly to make some minor amendments to the Anthrax Order 1938 to allow an inspector of the Minister (as well as an inspector of a local authority) to serve a form A, declaring an infected place.

  There are no plans for any further changes.

  Intervention Board
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many farmers are in receipt of both payments from the intervention board for growing cereals and payments for subsequently storing such food; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Curry
  The intervention board contracts storage space for intervention cereals with storekeepers who have suitable premises and the necessary expertise. Records are not maintained to show whether any of the companies offer into intervention grain which they have grown themselves but the intervention board's policy is not to accept offers of grain for storage in the stores in which it is held at the time of offer. Nor would a company's offer of grain he allocated for storage in one of its own stores.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he proposes to announce a decision on the relocation of the intervention hoard.

  Mr. Gummer
  My right hon. Friend the Minister and my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are considering with colleagues the intervention board's proposals to locate part of its work away from the south-east of England. An announcement will be made as soon as possible.

  Cricket Bats
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent developments have taken place in tackling water mark disease and its effects on cricket bat production.

  Mr. Maclean
  A cricket bat willow research group was established on 3 May. This includes representatives of the growers, merchants and manufacturers, as well as representatives from the university of East Anglia, Essex county council and the Forestry Commission. The group has agreed that a voluntary levy should be raised on the sale of cricket bat clefts to fund research into methods of controlling watermark disease and to contribute to expenditure on inspection services.

  Research
  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he next plans to meet the President of the National Farmers Union to discuss agricultural research.

  Mr. Gummer
  I have already spoken to the President of the National Farmers Union and have arranged to meet him when no doubt we will have a wide-ranging discussion.

  Whisky
  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will show the export earnings value of the Scottish whisky industry in each year since 1975.

  Mr. Curry
  The value of United Kingdom exports of whisky from 1975 is shown in the table. The figures include some small amounts of whiskey bourbon.

  Year

  £ million

  1975

  366·6

  1976

  439·7

  1977

  512·6

  1978

  662·8

  1979

  709·7

  1980

  747·5

  1981

  787·2

  1982

  875·4

  1983

  863·9

  1984

  937·3

  1985

  1,001·0

  1986

  1,075·3

  1987

  1,142·4

  1988

  1,297·6

  Source: Overseas Trade Statistics (Her Majesty's Stationery Office)

  Radioactivity
  Mr. Frank Cook
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the total quantity of radioactivity in the soil, food chains and water systems in the United Kingdom attributable to(a) fallout from Chernobyl (b) United Kingdom military nuclear bases and (c) the United Kingdom civil nuclear facilities, and what steps he is taking to clean up the United Kingdom environment from radioactive pollution arising from human activities.

  Mr. Maclean
  My Department has responsibilities for the food chain and the aquatic environment. The Department of the Environment has responsibilities for the soil and drinking water.

  It is not possible easily to assess separately the contribution of background activity and that attributable to other sources. However, the general overall picture is as follows:

  (a) The contribution from the 1986 Chernobyl accident was greatest in the north and west of the country where high rainfall coincided with the passage of the radioactive plume with a result that total radiocaesium levels in the soil from all sources were in the region of 30,000Bq/m2 in parts of Cumbria.

  (b) (c) UK military and civil nuclear facilities have made a negligible contribution to radio activity levels in the soil with the exception of the 1957 fire at Windscale which led to a significant increase in levels in Cumbria.

  959
  Details of radioactivity levels in the food chain and in surface and coastal waters around major nuclear installations can be found in my Department's terrestrial radioactivity monitoring programme and aquatic monitoring reports (copies in the Library of the House). The results of my Department's monitoring of foodstuffs following the Chernobyl accident have also been published regularly and copies placed in the library of the House.

  With the exception of certain areas of the United Kingdom where sheep are still subject to post-Chernobyl movement and slaughter controls, radioactivity levels in the food chain throughout the United Kingdom do not require any remedial action. In the areas where sheep are under control my Department is actively investigating ways of reducing radiocaesium availability and uptake by grazing animals.

  Radioactive Waste
  Mr. Frank Cook
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what quantities of radioactive wastes will arise annually from the disposal of the radiation

  Year

  Average price of standard white wrapped and sliced loaf (800g)

  Weighted average price of United Kingdom wheat at point of sale1

  Actual price Indices

  1979 price2 Indices

  Actual price Indices

  1979 price2 Indices

  p/loaf

  1979=100

  1984=100

  p/loaf

  1979=100

  1984=100

  £/tonne

  1979=100

  1984=100

  £/tonne

  1979=100

  1984=100

  1979

  29·3

  100

  76

  29·3

  100

  120

  95·92

  100

  84

  95·92

  100

  132

  1980

  33·7

  115

  88

  28·2

  96

  116

  99·30

  104

  87

  82·96

  86

  114

  1981

  36·3

  124

  94

  27·2

  93

  111

  108·92

  114

  95

  81·65

  85

  113

  1982

  37·1

  127

  96

  25·8

  88

  106

  113·74

  119

  99

  79·21

  83

  109

  1983

  37·6

  128

  98

  24·9

  85

  102

  124·80

  130

  109

  82·70

  86

  114

  1984

  38·5

  131

  100

  24·4

  83

  100

  114·59

  119

  100

  72·57

  76

  100

  1985

  40·2

  137

  104

  24·1

  82

  99

  112·25

  117

  98

  67·26

  70

  93

  1986

  43·0

  147

  112

  24·9

  85

  102

  111·18

  116

  97

  64·34

  67

  89

  1987

  43·7

  149

  114

  24·1

  82

  99

  111·00

  116

  97

  61·33

  64

  85

  1988

  46·3

  158

  120

  24·0

  82

  98

  3104·83

  109

  91

  54·32

  57

  75

  19894

  49·1

  168

  128

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Source:

  Bread prices: Employment Gazette.

  Wheat prices: Annual Review of Agriculture; Agriculture in the United Kingdom 1988.

  1 The wheat prices quoted are net of co-responsibility levies.

  2 Using the GDP deflator (at market prices).

  3 Forecast.

  4 January to June inclusive.

  Pesticides
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many applications for the approval of a pesticide have been made in each of the last six years; and how many of these applications have been refused.

  Mr. Maclean
  The number of applications for pesticides approval received each year since the introduction of the Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986 is as follows:

  1987

  1988

  1989 (to date)

  Received of which:

  1,024

  1,324

  837

  Rejected

  283

  347

  324

  Refused

  N/A

  N/A

  84

  The figures distinguish between those applications which are initially rejected without evaluation due to insufficient supporting data and those refused approval following evaluation.
  960
  sources for food irradiation; what plans there are for their disposal; and if he expects any radioactive waste presently stored in the United Kingdom to be used as sources for food irradiation.

  Mr. Maclean
  No radioactive wastes will arise from the sources used to irradiate food. When the source has decayed beyond its useful life, it will be returned to the supplier for regeneration. I do not expect any radioactive waste to be used as a source for this process.

  Bread and Wheat Prices
  Mr. Ralph Howell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will express the figures on the price of bread and wheat given in his answer of 3 May,Official Report, columns 124–26, with (a) 1979 = 100 and (b) 1984= 100.

  Mr. Curry
  The figures requested are as follows:

  Synthetic Chemicals
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consultations have taken place between his Department and the European Economic Community Commission about its draft proposals on the production and marketing of agricultural products and foodstuffs obtained without the use of synthetic chemicals; and what United Kingdom bodies he intends to consult when such proposals are submitted to the European Economic Community Council.

  Mr. Maclean
  Since 1987 my officials have attended five meetings in Brussels with representatives of the Commission of the European Community and other member states held to discuss a succession of draft proposals put forward by the Commission on the production and marketing of organic foods. On a further occasion in October 1988 my officials hosted a meeting in London, attended by a representative of the Commission and by the Chairman of the United Kingdom Register or Organic Food Standards (UKROFS), in order to explain to the Commission progress towards establishing
  961
  UKROFS standards. After the UKROFS standards were announced on 2 May 1989 copies were sent by my officials to the Commission.

  Once the Commission's own proposals are submitted to the Council of Ministers it is my intention that, so far as is practical, there shall be detailed consultations with the UKROFS board and with a wide range of bodies representing the producers, processors, manufacturers, retailers and consumers of organic foods.

  Food Safety
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a further statement on food safety.

  Mr. Gummer
  I shall be making a full statement this afternoon.

  Liscombe Experimental Husbandry Farm
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether the agricultural industry has shown itself willing to finance near-market research work at the Liscombe experimental husbandry farm.

  Mr. Gummer
  Yes. As explained in a reply on 10 July to my hon. Friend the Member for Daventry (Mr. Boswell), a local industry consortium has secured a significant level of commitments to fund a programme of near-market research and development at Liscombe experimental husbandry farm.

  Zoonoses Regulations
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the average cost per test of applying the zoonoses regulations to egg laying flocks and broiler chicken flocks.

  Mr. Curry
  The Testing of Poultry Flocks Order 1989 requires rearing, laying, and breeding flocks to be monitored for evidence of salmonella. Cloacal swabs are taken from laying birds and tested at intervals from point of lay to slaughter (22 to 70 weeks of age) and dead birds are examined between 26 and 30 weeks of age.

  Many laboratories in both the public and private sectors carry out these tests and average cost figures are not available. The Government's veterinary investigations centres would expect to charge £109 per house for this range of tests on laying birds required under the order.

  Statutory Instruments
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, for each of the last five parliamentary sessions, including the 1988–89 session, if he will list the number of statutory instruments that were issued by his Department; how many were negative and how many affirmative; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Curry
  Records of statutory instruments issued by the Ministry are held by calendar year. The details are as follows:

  Affirmative

  Negative

  Made and Operate

  11989

  7

  31

  11

  1988

  11

  62

  17

  1987

  14

  73

  25

  962

  Affirmative

  Negative

  Made and Operate

  1986

  12

  88

  18

  1985

  8

  59

  22

  1 To date.

  Farm Woodland Scheme
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether the farm woodland scheme has encouraged the planting of broadleaved trees.

  Mr. Gummer
  Yes. Planting proposals received to date show that an average 75 per cent. of the area to be planted under this scheme will be with broadleaved trees.

  Fish Landings
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list in the Official Report the weight and value of landings of fish in England and Wales in each of the past ten years; and what proportion they represent of the total United Kingdom figures for those years.

  Mr. Curry
  [holding answer 26 July 1989]: The information requested is as follows:

  Total weight and value offish (including shellfish) landed into England and Wales, by British and foreign vessels, for the years 1979 to 1988

  Year

  Quantity (tonnes)

  Percentage of United Kingdom

  Value (£000)

  Percentage of United Kingdom

  1979

  556,070

  60

  165,179

  56

  1980

  471,596

  55

  139,617

  54

  1981

  339,956

  42

  119,512

  47

  1982

  305,601

  36

  129,754

  45

  1983

  283,573

  34

  125,654

  41

  1984

  208,237

  26

  117,750

  36

  1985

  180,685

  22

  123,857

  35

  1986

  172,317

  22

  137,561

  35

  1987

  217,845

  26

  169,478

  37

  1988

  188,378

  24

  157,939

  37

  Source: Sea Fisheries Statistical Tables.

  Her Majesty's Stationery Office Annual Publications.

  Shell Fish
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food under what control powers he ensures that the siting of shell fish farms causes minimal disturbance to ecologically important areas; whether he intends to seek to introduce new controls; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  [holding answer 25 July 1989]: My Department exercises no specific powers in relation to the siting of shell fish farms, though all such businesses must register with the appropriate fisheries department under the terms of the Registration of Fish Farming and Shellfish Farming Businesses Order 1985. However, shell fish farms are subject to a range of statutory controls including those relating to sites of special scientific interest notified under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Moreover, all such operations must first obtain the consent of the owner of the seabed, normally the Crown Estates Commissioners. There are no plans to change the present arrangements.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) to what extent he takes account of
  963
  a possible breach of section 14(1)(a) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 when granting a licence for alien shell fish cultivation; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) under what circumstances he licenses the cultivation of alien shell fish in British waters; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) under what powers he can prevent the release of alien shell fish into the wider marine environment; and if he will make a statement;

  (4) what monitoring and assessment he is making of the environmental impact of shell fish farming of alien species; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  [holding answers 25 and 26 July 1989]: Section 14 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 makes it an offence to release or allow to escape into the wild any animal of a kind which is not ordinarily resident in and is not a regular visitor to Great Britain in a wild state; or which is included in part 1 of schedule 9. However, introductions into the wild may be authorised by a licence granted under section 16 of the Act and after consultation with the Nature Conservancy Council. Such licences may be general or specific and subject to appropriate conditions. Presently general licences permit releases of Pacific oysters (Crassostrea gigas) and Portuguese oysters (Crassostrea angulata). The release of any other species of alien shell fish would require a specific licence. Moreover, all deposits of molluscan shell fish whether native or non-native, are subject to licensing under the Molluscan Shellfish (Control of Deposit) Order 1974, as varied.

  The suitability of alien shell fish for cultivation in our waters is thoroughly investigated by my fisheries scentists, who take account of the scope for natural recruitment and potential ecological impact. In addition, appropriate steps are taken to ensure that any imported broodstock are free from alien shell fish parasites or disease. There is no evidence of natural recruitment or ecological harm having arisen from the cultivation of Pacific or Portuguese oysters.

  Small Businesses
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 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. Gummer
  [holding answer 24 July 1989]: 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.
  964
  My Department has contributed significantly to this process. We have consistently worked for a more market-orientated common agricultural policy. Our success in this area has been of benefit to both large and small businesses in the agricultural industry. Important reforms of the CAP were brought into effect in 1988–89. Agricultural spending has been brought under control and surpluses have been greatly reduced. These achievements have helped to create a much more secure framework within which farmers can make their business decisions. They have also fostered a competitive and efficient industry, well placed to benefit from the opportunities which the completion of the single internal market will bring.

  We have sought to enable farmers to benefit from the economic climate that this Government have created. We have encouraged farmers—in particular those with smaller businesses which may not be viable on the basis of agriculture alone—to look carefully at their assets so as to identify all possible opportunities for generating income; and we have introduced a range of income-generating schemes, designed to encourage farmers to seek alternative sources of income without creating surpluses. Within the last 12 months we have introduced the farm woodland scheme, set-aside, the farm and conservation grant scheme, and feasibility and marketing grants under the farm diversification grant scheme. We have also expanded our efforts on existing schemes, such as environmentally sensitive areas. These measures not only help the individual participants, but bring environmental and other benefits, contributing significantly to the viability and vitality of the rural economy as a whole.

  All the schemes operated by my Department are closely monitored. Reports on particular schemes are published from time to time.

  Pigs
  Mr. Shersby
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what decision he has reached concerning the authorisation of a system of cheque book licensing for swill pig feeders to facilitate easier transportation of pigs to the abattoir following representations made to him by a delegation of swill pig feeders from Harefield led by the hon. Member for Uxbridge.

  Mr. Curry
  I intend to review the legislation which governs the movement of pigs within Great Britain as soon as our current programme of more pressing legislative changes permits. My specific aim will be to relax the licensing requirement of the movement of swill-fed pigs to slaughterhouses—if the review indicates that this is desirable.

  NORTHERN IRELAND: GRANTS TO VOLUNTARY BODIES
  NORTHERN IRELAND: GRANTS TO VOLUNTARY BODIES
  BULGARIA: TURKISH MINORITY
  BULGARIA: TURKISH MINORITY
  ROCKALL: TERRITORIAL SEA LIMIT
  ROCKALL: TERRITORIAL SEA LIMIT
  SPACE STATION
  SPACE STATION
  STANFORD TRAINING AREA
  STANFORD TRAINING AREA
  AWACS OFFSET AGREEMENT
  AWACS OFFSET AGREEMENT
  TECHNICOLOR HOLDINGS UK LTD AND METROCOLOR LTD: MERGER PROPOSAL
  TECHNICOLOR HOLDINGS UK LTD AND METROCOLOR LTD: MERGER PROPOSAL
  PALACE OF WESTMINSTER AND EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: STAFF COSTS
  PALACE OF WESTMINSTER AND EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: STAFF COSTS
  OPTICAL SERVICES AUDIT COMMISSION
  OPTICAL SERVICES AUDIT COMMISSION
  POSTIVELY WOMEN: GRANT APPLICATION
  POSTIVELY WOMEN: GRANT APPLICATION
  KATYN MASSACRE
  KATYN MASSACRE
  HOUSING ACTION TRUST BALLOTS: VOTING ENTITLEMENT
  HOUSING ACTION TRUST BALLOTS: VOTING ENTITLEMENT
  WEST KENNET FARM NEOLITHIC SITE: SCHEDULING
  WEST KENNET FARM NEOLITHIC SITE: SCHEDULING
  SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT APPRAISAL: REPORT
  SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT APPRAISAL: REPORT
  CHARITABLE TRUST BENEFICIARIES: ROLE OF ATTORNEY-GENERAL
  CHARITABLE TRUST BENEFICIARIES: ROLE OF ATTORNEY-GENERAL
  DRIVING PROSECUTIONS: EVIDENCE
  DRIVING PROSECUTIONS: EVIDENCE
  COMMITTAL PROCEEDINGS: PROPOSED REFORM
  COMMITTAL PROCEEDINGS: PROPOSED REFORM
  CROWN PROSECUTION SERVICE: STAFFING
  CROWN PROSECUTION SERVICE: STAFFING
  US EXTENDED AIR DEFENCE TEST BED: UK COLLABORATION
  US EXTENDED AIR DEFENCE TEST BED: UK COLLABORATION
  "ACTIVE EDGE" NATO EXERCISE
  "ACTIVE EDGE" NATO EXERCISE
  NATIONAL WESTMINSTER BANK: BANK OF ENGLAND SUPERVISION
  NATIONAL WESTMINSTER BANK: BANK OF ENGLAND SUPERVISION
  VILLAGE HALLS AND VAT
  VILLAGE HALLS AND VAT
  CTCs AND VAT
  CTCs AND VAT
  POLICE WILDLIFE LIAISON OFFICERS
  POLICE WILDLIFE LIAISON OFFICERS
  ASYLUM SEEKERS
  ASYLUM SEEKERS
  CENTRAL LONDON TRAFFIC SPEEDS
  CENTRAL LONDON TRAFFIC SPEEDS
  COAL IMPORT
  COAL IMPORT