Written Answers of 8 June 1989

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Public Debt
  Mr. Allan Stewart
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the proportion of the public debt which will have been repaid in the three years to 1989–90.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the proportion of the public debt which will have been repaid in the three years to 1989–90.

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the proportion of the public debt which will have been repaid in the three years to 1989–90.

  Mr. Major
  It is estimated that roughly one sixth of net public sector debt will have been repaid in the three years to 1989–90.

  Company Cars
  Mr. Riddick
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many tax-payers will be affected by the increased company-car tax rates(a) in total and (h) those driving more than 18,000 business miles per annum.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  The increase in company car scale charges for 1989–90 will affect about 1·4 million car drivers, of which about 0·3 million drive more than 18,000 business miles per year.

  Income Tax
  Mr. Hind
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would he the increased income tax payable by a married man on average earnings if the basic rate of income tax were restored to 33 per cent.

  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the increased income tax payable by a married man on average earnings if the basic rate of income tax were restored to 33 per cent.

  Mr. Greg Knight
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the increased income tax payable by a married man on average earnings if the basic rate of income tax were restored to 33 per cent.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  If the basic rate of income tax were increased to 33 per cent. a married man on average male earnings would pay an additional £15·12 per week in income tax in 1989–90.

  Mr. Brandon-Bravo
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement setting out the Government's objective for the basic rate of income tax.
  196
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement setting out the Government's objective for the basic rate of income tax.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement setting out the Government's objective for the basic rate of income tax.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  It remains the Government's aim, as my right hon. Friend announced in his 1988 Budget Statement, to reduce the basic rate of income tax to 20p in the pound as soon as it is prudent and sensible to do so.

  Mr. John Greenway
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what changes were made in the basic rate of income tax from 1974 to 1979; and what changes have been made since 1979.

  Mr. Franks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what changes were made in the basic rate of income tax from 1974 to 1979; and what changes have been made since 1979.

  118. Miss Widdecombe: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what changes were made in the basic rate of income tax from 1974 to 1979; and what changes have been made since 1979.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  Information is given in the table.

  Year

  Basic rate of income lax per cent.

  1974–75

  33

  1975–76 to 1976–77

  35

  1977–78

  34

  1978–79

  33

  1979–80 to 1985–86

  30

  1986–87

  29

  1987–88

  27

  1988–89 to 1989–90

  25

  Mr. Page
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the highest marginal rate of tax on income paid during the period 1974 to 1979; and what is the equivalent rate in 1989–90.

  Mrs. Currie
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the highest marginal rate of tax on income paid during the period 1974 to 1979; and what is the equivalent rate in 1989–90.

  Mr. Mans
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the highest marginal rate of tax on income paid during the period 1974 to 1979; and what is the equivalent rate in 1989–90.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  In each of the years 1974–75 to 1978–79 the highest marginal rate of income tax was 83 per cent. on earned income and 98 per cent. on investment income. For 1989–90 the highest marginal rate of income tax is 40 per cent.

  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of total income tax revenue was paid by higher rate taxpayers in 1978–79; and what proportion was paid by them in 1988–89.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  In 1978–79 higher rate taxpayers were liable to pay 20 per cent. of total income tax due. By 1988–89 their share had increased to 32 per cent.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Couchman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how much employment in the United Kingdom has risen since 1983.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how much employment in the United Kingdom has risen since 1983.

  Mr. Summerson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how much employment in the United Kingdom has risen since 1983.

  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how much employment in the United Kingdom has risen since 1983.

  Mr. Major
  Total employment in the United Kingdom has increased by 2,951,000 since March 1983.

  Mr. Stevens
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people are now registered as self-employed; and what was the comparable figure in 1979.

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people are now registered as self-employed; and what was the comparable figure in 1979.

  Mr. Major
  In December 1988 3,048,000 people were self-employed in the United Kingdom compared with 1,906,000 in June 1979, an increase of 60 per cent.

  Mr. Thorne
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for how many months adult unemployment has fallen continuously in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Major
  Unemployment in the United Kingdom has fallen for 33 months in succession.

  Manufacturing Output
  Mrs. Peacock
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the annual rate of growth of manufacturing output over the last two years.

  Mr. William Powell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the annual rate of growth of manufacturing output over the last two years.

  Mr. Major
  In the two years to the first quarter of this year, manufacturing output grew at an average annual rate of 7·1 per cent.

  Manufacturing Investment
  Mr. Mills
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the latest official projection for the growth of manufacturing investment in 1989.

  Mr. Major
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Wanstead and Woodford (Mr. Arbuthnot).

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Exchequer what was the level of manufacturing investment in the United Kingdom in 1979 and 1988.

  Mr. Lewis
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the level of manufacturing investment in the United Kingdom in 1979 and 1988.
  198
  Mr. Loyden
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the level of manufacturing investment in the United Kingdom in 1979 and 1988.

  Mr. Major
  The level of manufacturing investment in the United Kingdom in 1985 prices was £11,157 million in 1979 and £11,586 million in 1988.

  Corporation Tax
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the total amount raised by corporation tax came from private companies, and what was the amount for the most recently available fiscal year.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  I regret that information is not available about the amount of corporation tax paid by private companies. Broadly speaking, the largest 1,000 companies and building societies account for roughly three quarters of the corporation tax collected. The estimated total yield for 1988–89 was £18·4 billion.

  Excise Duties
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated reduction in inflation caused by a decision not to index excise duties.

  Mr. Brooke
  The estimated reduction in inflation in 1989–90 is around half a per cent.

  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated reduction in inflation caused by a decision not to index excise duties.

  Mr. Doran
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated reduction in inflation caused by a decision not to index excise duties.

  Mr. Graham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated reduction in inflation caused by a decision not to index excise duties.

  Mr. Lilley
  Indexation of excise duties would have increased the RPI by nearly half a per cent.

  Investment (GDP)
  Mr. Turner
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many countries in the EEC spend a greater proportion of their gross domestic product on investment than the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many countries in the European Economic Community spend a greater proportion of their gross domestic product on investment than the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Buckley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many countries in the European Economic Community spend a greater proportion of their gross domestic product on investment than the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many countries in the European Economic Community spend a greater proportion of their gross domestic product on investment than the United Kingdom.
  199
  Mr. Brooke
  On the basis of estimates for 1987, eight.

  Balance of Payments
  Mr. Wall
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will forecast the balance of payments in each year until 1992.

  Ms. Abbott
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will forecast the balance of payments in each year until 1992.

  Mr. O'Brien
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will forecast the balance of payments in each year until 1992.

  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will forecast the balance of payments in each year until 1992.

  Mr. Major
  The Financial Statement and Budget Report for 1989–90 provides a forecast for the current account of the balance of payments for 1989 and the first half of 1990. Forecasts for later years are not published.

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the balance of payments for the first quarter of 1989.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the balance of payments for the first quarter of 1989.

  Mr. Major
  I refer the hon. Members to the reply my right hon. Friend the Financial Secretary gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Clwyd, South-West (Mr. Jones).

  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest forecast for the United Kingdom balance of payments for 1989.

  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest forecast for the United Kingdom balance of payments for 1989.

  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest forecast for the United Kingdom balance of payments for 1989.

  Mr. Major
  I refer the hon. Members to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Cardiff, West (Mr. Morgan) on 6 June.

  Tax Harmonisation
  Mr. Ted Garrett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent submissions he has received on the tax harmonisation.

  Mr. Clelland
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent submissions he has received on tax harmonisation.

  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent submissions he has received on tax harmonisation.

  Mr. Lilley
  My ministerial colleagues and I have received a number of submissions from a variety of sources.

  Foreign Investment
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the net flow of foreign direct and portfolio investment into the United Kingdom in 1988.

  Mr. Major
  Direct and portfolio investment in the United Kingdom by overseas residents (net of disinvestment) is provisionally estimated at £11.2 billion in 1988.

  Workplace Nurseries
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on his policy in relation to the tax on workplace nurseries.

  Mr. Jack Thompson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on his policy in relation to the tax on workplace nurseries.

  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on his policy in relation to the tax on workplace nurseries.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  There is no special tax on workplace nurseries. A subsidised place in a workplace nursery is a benefit in kind and benefits in kind are subject to income tax.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on his policy towards the tax treatment of workplace nurseries.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  In principle, employees should pay income tax on the whole of their earnings whether received in cash or in kind. A subsidised place in a workplace nursery is a benefit in kind and any subsidy is a proper subject for tax.

  Government Debt
  Mr. Gow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the latest estimate of the interest payable on Government debt during the current financial year, and what was the comparable figure, adjusted for inflation, for the year ended 31 March 1979.

  Mr. Utley
  The latest forecast of general Government gross debt interest payments in 1989–90 is 17.1 billion as published in the 1989 Financial Statement and Budget Report. In 1987–88 prices, general Government gross debt interest is £15·1 billion in both 1978–79 and 1989–90. As a percentage of GDP, general Government gross debt interests is 41/4 per cent. in 1978–79 and 31/4 per cent. in 1989–90.

  Interest Rates
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the impact of current level of interest rates on the development of manufacturing industry.

  Mr. Major
  Manufacturing investment reached a record level in 1988 and the outlook is for continued strong growth.

  Mr. Knox
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about the current level of interest rates.
  201
  Mr. Lilley
  Bank base rates are 14 per cent.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the current interest rates in(a) the United Kingdom, and (b) the rest of the G7.

  Mr. Lilley
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer my right hon. Friend the Chancellor gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Monklands, West (Mr. Clarke).

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his policy in respect of establishing stable interest rates.

  Mr. Lilley
  Interest rates are set at the appropriate level to maintain downward pressure on inflation.

  Tax and Prices Index
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the most recent estimate for the tax and prices index.

  Mr. Bell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the most recent estimate for the tax and prices index.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the most recent estimate for the tax and prices index.

  Mr. Brooke
  The tax and prices index increased by 8.3 per cent. over the year to April.

  Directors (Salaries)
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the average salary increase amongst the highest paid directors of the biggest 50 companies in the last year.

  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the average salary increase amongst the highest paid directors of the biggest 50 companies in the last year.

  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the average salary increase amongst the highest paid directors of the biggest 50 companies in the last year.

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the average salary increase amongst the highest paid directors of the biggest 50 companies in the last year.

  Mr. Brooke
  Pay is for the parties involved to agree and it is not for the Government to intervene.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated yield to the Exchequer in 1989–90 from income tax from company directors' emoluments.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  The income tax liability on company directors' emoluments is estimated to have been about £3 billion in 1985–86. Estimates for later years are not yet available.

  Business Start-ups
  Mr. Burt
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of the number of business start-ups in 1988–89.
  202
  Dr. Twinn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of the number of business start-ups in 1988–89.

  Dr. Goodson-Wickes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of the number of business start-ups in 1988–89.

  Mr. Major
  In the calendar year 1987, the latest for which figures have been published by the Department of Employment, the net increase in the number of businesses registered for VAT was 45,000, an average of nearly 900 a week. Indications are that the rate of increase since 1987 has been even faster, and may have amounted to over 1,300 per week. The figures for 1988 will be available later in the summer.

  Government Expenditure
  Mr. David Evans
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the amount of central Government expenditure in 1988–89 expressed as a percentage of money gross domestic product; and what were the comparable figures for the previous five years.

  Mr. Major
  The latest available information on the percentage of money GDP at market prices accounted for by central Government expenditure is given in the table. The central Government figures on which the percentages are based exclude privatisation proceeds and grants to local authorities but include debt interest payments.

  Per cent.

  1983–84

  34·00

  1984–85

  34·50

  1985–86

  33·50

  1986–87

  33·00

  1987–88

  31·25

  11988–89

  2900

  1 April-December only.

  Mr. David Davis
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the fall in general Government expenditure as a share of gross domestic product since 1982–83.

  Mr. Jacques Arnold
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the fall in general Government expenditure as a share of gross domestic product since 1982–83.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the fall in general Government expenditure as a share of gross domestic product since 1982–83.

  Mr. Major
  The 1989 Financial Statement and Budget Report gave a figure of 391/2 per cent. for the ratio of general Government expenditure (excluding privatisation proceeds) to gross domestic product in 1988–89. The corresponding figure for 1982–83 was 461/4 per cent.

  Inflation
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the rate of inflation in the last month for which figures are available; and what was the rate of inflation in West Germany, France, Italy and the Netherlands in the last month for which figures are available.
  203
  Mr. Lilley
  The current 12-month inflation rates for the countries in question are given in the weekly OECD publication "Current Economic Indicators", a copy of which is available in the House of Commons Library.

  Mr. McAvoy
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the current inflation rate in the United Kingdom; and what it was one year ago.

  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the current inflation rate in the United Kingdom; and what it was one year ago.

  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the current inflation rate in the United Kingdom; and what it was one year ago.

  Mr. Lilley
  I refer the hon. Members to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Western Isles (Mr. Macdonald) on 6 June.

  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the present level of inflation.

  Mr. Lawson
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Economic Secretary to the hon. Member for Western Isles (Mr. Macdonald) on 6 June.

  North Sea Oil
  Mr. Flannery
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total amount of money received by the Exchequer from North sea oil since May 1979.

  Mr. Major
  Total tax revenues and royalties to United Kingdom oil and gas production over the fiscal years 1979–80 to 1988–89 are estimated at £65·2 billion. Receipts from the gas levy over the same period amounted to a further £3·8 billion. Further details are contained in the report by the Secretary of State for Energy to Parliament of April 1989 (the Brown Book).

  Public Expenditure Survey
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are his priorities in the forthcoming public expenditure survey.

  Dr. Moonie
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are his priorities in the forthcoming public expenditure survey.

  Dr. Reid
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are his priorities in the forthcoming public expenditure survey.

  Mr. Major
  The public expenditure survey will be carried out within the framework of the Government's objective for public expenditure. This is to maintain a downward trend over the medium term in the ratio of general Government expenditure to GDP.

  Balanced Budget
  Mr. Patnick
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when, on present trends, a balanced Budget will be achieved; and when was the last occasion a balanced Budget was achieved.

  Mr. Major
  The Government intend to move gradually from the present surplus towards a balanced budget over 204
  the medium term. The PSBR has been in surplus in each of the last two years, something achieved in only one previous year since the beginning of the 1950s. In all other years, the PSBR has been in deficit.

  Balance of Trade (Manufactures)
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest forecast of the balance of trade in manufactures in 1989.

  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest forecast of the balance of trade in manufactures in 1989.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest forecast of the balance of trade in manufactures in 1989.

  Mr. Allen McKay
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest forecast of the balance of trade in manufactures in 1989.

  Mr. Major
  The Financial Statement and Budget Report for 1989–90 shows a forecast deficit for trade in manufactures in 1989 of £151/2 billion.

  Rateable Values
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects the Inland Revenue valuation officer to be able to inform businesses of the new rateable values following re-valuation.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  Inland Revenue valuation officers are to complete the revaluation and send each charging authority a copy of the proposed list for its area by 31 December 1989. The authority is then to deposit the copy at its principal office and give notice of its availability for public inspection. The list comes into force from 1 April 1990.

  Personal Disposable Income
  Sir Fergus Montgomery
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the growth of real personal disposable income for the latest full year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Waller
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the growth of real personal disposable income for the latest full year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Marlow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the growth of real personal disposable income for the latest full year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  Real personal disposable income is estimated to have grown by 5 per cent. in 1988.

  Business Investment
  Mr. Quentin Davies
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the share of gross domestic product represented by business investment in 1988.

  Mr. Michael Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the share of gross domestic product represented by business investment in 1988.
  205
  Mr. Major
  Business investment as a share of GDP was 14.6 per cent. in 1988, the highest level recorded.

  Poverty
  Mr. Henderson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he last met representatives of the Low Pay Unit to discuss the numbers of people in poverty.

  Ms. Mowlam
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he last met representatives of the Low Pay Unit to discuss the numbers of people in poverty.

  Ms. Quin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he last met representatives of the Low Pay Unit to discuss the numbers of people in poverty.

  Mr. Major
  My right hon. Friend has not met representatives of the Low Pay Unit recently.

  Credit Cards
  Dr. Michael Clark
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he last met representatives of the credit card companies; and what subjects were discussed.

  Mr. Lilley
  My right hon. Friend often meets representatives of financial insitutions to discuss a variety of issues.

  Gross Domestic Product
  Mr. Hanley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the growth of gross domestic product in 1987 and 1988.

  Mr. Andy Stewart
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the growth of gross domestic product in 1987 and 1988.

  Mr. Major
  Gross domestic product is estimated to have grown by 41/2 per cent. in both 1987 and 1988.

  Governor of the Bank of England
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he next expects to meet the Governor of the Bank of England; and what matters he proposes to discuss.

  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was discussed when he last met the Governor of the Bank of England.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was discussed when he last met the Governor of the Bank of England.

  Mr. Caborn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was discussed when he last met the Governor of the Bank of England.

  Mr. Lilley
  My right hon. Friend meets the Governor from time to time to discuss a variety of matters.

  International Debt
  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he next intends to meet other Finance Ministers to discuss international debt; and if he will make a statement.
  206
  Mr. Lilley
  My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer met other Finance Ministers on June 1 in the ministerial Council of the OECD. International debt was discussed among other issues.

  Balance of Trade
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest forecast of the balance of trade in visible goods in 1989.

  Mr. Major
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Stretford (Mr. Lloyd) on 6 June.

  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what importance he attaches to the balance of trade(a) with the rest of the EEC and (b) with the rest of the world; and what account he takes of the EEC deficit when framing his economic policies.

  Mr. Major
  The overall current account is one indicator among many that are assessed within the framework of the Government's financial strategy. Movements in trade balances with individual economies or groups of economies will reflect, among other developments, changes in the United Kingdom's commercial and trading arrangements with them.

  Value Added Tax
  Ms. Armstrong
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of gross earnings a one-earner family with two children on average earnings pays in value added tax in(a) 1979 and (b) now.

  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of gross earnings a one-earner family with two children on average earnings pays in value added tax in(a) 1979 and (b) now.

  Mr. Lilley
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the hon. Member for Edinburgh. South (Mr. Griffiths) on 6 June.

  Higher Rate Taxpayers
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of total income tax revenue was paid by higher rate taxpayers in 1978–79; and what proportion was paid by them in 1988–89.

  Mr. Andrew MacKay
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of total income tax revenue was paid by higher rate taxpayers in 1978–79; and what proportion was paid by them in 1988–89.

  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of total income tax revenue was paid by higher rate taxpayers in 1978–79; and what proportion was paid by them in 1988–89.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  In 1978–79 higher rate taxpayers were liable to pay 20 per cent. of total income tax due. By 1988–89 their share had increased to 32 per cent.

  Output Statistics
  Mr. Janman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are his latest figures for output per hour worked in the United Kingdom.
  207
  Mr. Major
  The April 1989 edition of the "Economic Progress Report" presented estimates by a leading academic which show that output per hour worked in the United Kingdom economy as a whole in 1986 was about 50 per cent. higher than in Japan and only 5 per cent. lower than Germany.

  Tax Reform
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement setting out Government policy on tax reform.

  Mr. Carrington
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement setting out Government policy on tax reform.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  The Government's programme of tax reform has sought to create a climate in which businesses can thrive and individual initiative and risk-taking are rewarded. A major objective has been to leave people more of their own money, so that they can choose for themselves what to do with it. In particular the Government have reduced marginal tax rates so that an extra pound of earnings or profits is really worth having. We have reduced the basic rate of income tax from 33 to 25 per cent. and set a target of 20 per cent. Business taxation has been radically restructured, leaving the main United Kingdom corporation tax rate at 35 per cent., one of the lowest in the industrialised world. Five major taxes have been abolished completely.

  We have also tried to ensure that, as a general rule, people's choices are distorted by the tax system as little as reasonably possible. In general, the aim is to charge lower rates on a broader base; thereby improving incentives and reducing distortions. However, the Government has also been prepared, when it is sensible, to promote well-targeted tax reliefs which will help to make the economy work better. Other important objectives have been to provide a fair deal for married women and to simplify the tax system.

  Bank Rate
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the bank rate on(a) 8 June 1988 and (b) 8 June 1989.

  Mr. Lilley
  The bank base rates stood at 81 per cent. on 8 June 1988 and 14 per cent. on 8 June 1989.

  European Monetary System
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received on his policy on the European monetary system.

  Mr. Lilley
  My right hon. Friend has received a number of representations on that subject.

  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the major disadvantages he has identified of including the pound sterling in the exhange rate mechanism of the European monetary system.

  Mr. Lawson
  I refer the right hon. Member to the speech I made to the Royal Institute of International Affairs on 25 January.

  Married Man's Allowance
  Mr. Wood
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent consideration he has given to phasing out the married man's tax allowance.

  Mr. Lamont
  When independent taxation begins in April 1990 the present structure of income tax allowances will be replaced by the personal allowance and the married couple's allowance. A husband and wife will each have their own personal allowance and the new system will continue to recognise marriage through the married couple's allowance. This will be given in the first instance to the husband. The personal allowance and the married couple's allowance will together be equivalent to the present married man's allowance.

  Group of Seven
  Mr. Patrick Thompson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he next intends to meet his counterparts in the Group of Seven finance Ministers; and what matters he intends to discuss.

  Mr. Lilley
  At the economic summit in Paris in July.

  Delors Report
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received on his response to the Delors committee report on economic and monetary union in the European Community.

  Mr. Lilley
  My right hon. Friend has received a number of representations on the Government's response to the Delors committee report.

  Overseas Assets
  Mr. Curry
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the latest figures for the identified stock of United Kingdom net overseas assets; and what these represent as a share of gross domestic product.

  Mr. Major
  An estimate of the value of the stock of United Kingdom overseas assets identified at end-1988 will be included in the Pink Book in August. The latest estimate is of the order of £115 billion to £120 billion, which represents about one quarter of money GDP.

  Payroll Giving
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps are being taken to ensure that organisations funded by the Treasury introduce chargeable payroll deductions for charities.

  Mr. Brooke
  There are no plans to change the present practice of deducting donations to charities free of charge.

  Indirect Taxation (EC Proposals)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about the European Commission's proposals for indirect taxation and the related issue of the definition of foodstuffs.

  Mr. Lilley
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Southend, East Mi. Taylor) on 23 May 1989 at column 440. The Commission has yet to define "foodstuffs" for the purposes of its proposals.

  EEC (Net Contribution)
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the net contribution to the European Economic Community in the calendar year 1989.

  Mr. Brooke
  The Government's latest estimate of the United Kingdom's net contribution to the Community budget in 1989 is £1,966 million, which was published in the "Statement on the 1989 Community Budget", Cm 680, in April this year.

  Net Overseas Assets
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the latest figures for the identified stock of United Kingdom net overseas assets; and what these represent as a share of gross domestic product.

  Mr. Major
  An estimate of the value of the stock of United Kingdom net overseas assets identified at end-1988 will be included in the Pink Book in August. The latest estimate is of the order of £115 billion to £120 billion, which represents about one quarter of money GDP.

  Gross Domestic Product (Business Investment)
  Mr. Watts
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the share of gross domestic product represented by business investment in 1988.

  Mr. Major
  Business investment as a share of GDP was 14.6 per cent. in 1988, the highest level recorded.

  Mr. Strang
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has made any study of the likely effect of a further increase in interest rates on the level of manufacturing investments in the current year.

  Mr. Major
  Developments in the economy are constantly monitored. Manufacturing investment is growing strongly and the outlook remains good.

  Civil Servants
  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has further to improve the skills and professionalism of civil servants.

  Mr. Brooke
  Her Majesty's Treasury is today issuing guidance to Departments on improved personnel management arrangements for two key groups, information technology staff and purchasing and supply staff. In future, most entrants to these groups will be recruited for these specific areas of work, and developed and promoted primarily on the basis of their specialised skills rather than those required for general administration. To meet their needs for specialised expertise, Departments will have the facility to recruit staff at more senior levels on a permanent basis. They will also be able to recruit, if required, on a short-term basis. There will be a greater emphasis on professional training and development for both groups. I am confident that the new arrangements will allow Departments to develop rounded professional expertise and thus further improve value for money in their IT and purchasing work.

  Premium Bonds
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list in the Official Report the value of and percentage
  210
  of premium savings bonds sales made in denominations of £10, £20, £30, £40, £50, £60, £70, £80, £90 and £100 for each of the last five years.

  Mr. Lilley
  [holding answer 25 May 1989]: Premium savings bonds are no longer issued in denominations of £60, £70, £80 or £90. The estimated value and percentage of premium savings bond sales made in denominations of £10, £20, £30, £40, £50 and £100 for the financial years 1984–85, 1985–86, 1986–87, 1987–88 and 1988–89 are shown in the attached table.

  Ending March

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  £10

  £ million

  10·3

  11·0

  10·3

  10·1

  9·8

  Percentage of total value of sales

  5·0

  5·9

  4·8

  3·4

  3·2

  £20

  £ million

  1·3

  2·3

  3·1

  3·4

  3·6

  Percentage of total value of sales

  0·6

  1·2

  1·5

  1·1

  1·2

  £30

  £ million

  1·5

  1·9

  2·2

  2·3

  2·4

  Percentage of total value of sales

  0·7

  1·0

  1·0

  0·8

  0·8

  £40

  £ million

  1·4

  1·6

  1·7

  1·8

  2·0

  Percentage of total value of sales

  0·7

  0·8

  0·8

  0·6

  0·6

  £50

  £ million

  11·8

  13·3

  14·4

  14·8

  16·2

  Percentage of total value of sales

  5·7

  7·2

  6·7

  5·0

  5·2

  £100

  £ million

  17·3

  16·0

  16·5

  17·1

  17·5

  Percentage of total value of sales

  8·3

  8·7

  7·6

  5·8

  5·6

HEALTH

  Births
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information he has as to how many sets of(a) twins, (b) triplets, (c) quadruplets, (d) quintuplets and (e) sextuplets were born in England and Wales in 1988; and what was the total number of maternities in that year.

  Mr. Freeman
  In 1988, there were 689,153 maternities in England and Wales. These included:

  Number

  Twins

  7,452

  Triplets

  157

  Quadruplets

  12

  Quintuplets

  1

  Sextuplets or over

  0

  Total number of maternities with multiple births

  7,622

  Schoolchildren's Diets
  Mr. Norris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to publish the final report on the survey of schoolchildren's diets undertaken in 1983.
  211
  Mr. Mellor
  The report "The Diets of British Schoolchildren" from the chief medical officer's committee on medical aspects of food policy (COMA), giving the final results of the 1983 survey of schoolchildren's diets, is being published today. I welcome this highly detailed scientific document which confirms the findings that we published in the 1986 preliminary report of the survey and copies have been placed in the Library.

  The information in these reports has been and continues to be an invaluable guide for the preparation of the health education messages that our children need if they are to benefit from a healthy diet. It shows beyond doubt that although our schoolchildren in all social classes were well nourished and thriving as never before, they ate far too much fat and that many of the older children, especially the girls, needed more detailed advice about their choice of foods and about spending their lunch money more wisely. The Government are continuing to encourage local education authorities and the Health Education Authority in their efforts to inform children and parents about healthy eating and to persuade them to choose a healthy diet.

  Dog Attacks
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent information he has on the approximate annual cost to the National Health Service of serious attacks on children and others by dogs; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  None. No information is collected centrally.

  Automated Cleaning Processes
  Mr. Gould
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information he has on the use by district health authorities of automated cleaning processes which emit considerable quantities of CFCs; and what steps are being taken to find alternatives.

  Mr. Freeman
  A minority of DHAs use automated cleaning and drying equipment in their sterile supplies departments for use prior to sterilisation of surgical equipment. Some of the older equipment will emit levels of CFCs within the statutory limit for operator safety and newer equipment involves solvent reclamation systems which considerably reduce the CFC emission levels. The three United Kingdom manufacturers of such equipment are all in the process of seeking alternative processes.

  Health Service Pay
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish details of the new package on pay and structure offered on 16 May to staff side representatives of Committee E; and what this will mean for operating department assistants.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 7 June 1989]: Details of the proposals, including the effect on operating department assistants, are contained in the professional and technical staffs B Whitley council documents PTB/J320. A copy has been placed in the Library.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Income Support
  Mr. Andrew Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many men aged 70 to 75 years receive income support; and what is this figure as a proportion of the total number of men aged 70 to 75 years.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The latest estimate is that there are some 82,000 men aged 70 to 74 (inclusive) dependent on income support. This represents 9 per cent. of all men in this age group.

  Loans and Grants
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the total value of(a) applications and payments for (i) budgetary loans, (ii) cash loans (iii) community care grants from the social fund for the 1988–89 financial year expressed in money terms and as a percentage of the available budget in respect of Department of Social Security offices covering the Nottingham, North constituency.

  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list for each Leeds social security office the funds allocated in 1988–89, and in 1989–90 for social fund(a) loans and (b) grants and the total expenditure in 1988–89 for (i) loans and (ii) grants.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The information requested can be obtained from the Library.

  However, social fund data for March 1989 are not yet available as a check of the figures has revealed some inaccuracies which have resulted from a new method of calculating the month end balances. The necessary adjustments are being made and the tables will be placed in the Library shortly.

  In addition, the value of applications processed during December 1988 remains unavailable because of an earlier computer malfunction.

  Attendance Allowance Board
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security on what dates in the current year the attendance allowance board has met.

  Mr. Scott
  The requested information is as follows:

  Attendance Allowance Board

  Dates of meetings in 1989 (to 6 June 1989)

  10 January 19891

  30 March 19891

  17 January 19891

  4 April 19891

  24 January 19891

  11 April 19891

  31 January 19891

  20 April 19891

  7 February 19891

  25 April 19891 (am)

  14 February 19891

  25 April 19892 (pm)

  16 February 19891

  27 April 19891

  21 February 19891

  4 May 19891

  23 February 19891

  9 May 19891

  28 February 19892

  16 May 19891

  7 March 19891

  23 May 19891

  14 March 19891

  6 June 19891

  21 March 19891

  1 "Small board" case work meeting attended by the chairman or deputy chairman and two other members.

  2 Formal meeting of the full attendance allowance board.

  Visual Handicap
  Mr. Favell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he will be able to publish the report of the working group on inter-agency collaboration on visual handicap.

  Mr. Scott
  I am pleased to announce that this report, which was commissioned in 1987 by the then Minister for the Disabled, is now available in book form (through Her Majesty's Stationery Office). Versions in braille, large print and on tape are available from the Department of Health. I am very grateful to the members of the working group, and I hope that the report will be carefully studied by all involved in statutory and voluntary services to visually handicapped people. I know that the detailed recom-mendations will be carefully considered by Ministers in the Department of Health and the Welsh Office.

  Disability
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security on what date he plans to publish the fourth report from the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys on disability.

  Mr. Scott
  [holding answer 7 June 1989]: The Office of Population Censuses and Surveys has today published the fourth report on the findings of the surveys of disability in Great Britain carried out between 1985 and 1988. The report covers all the remaining aspects of circumstances of disabled adults which were not included in reports I and 2, which were published last year. It provides information on a wide range of topics, including the use of services; equipment and adaptations; mobility and transport; employment; social and leisure activities; and, for those in private households, the informal help and care received. For those in communal establishments, some aspects of residents' finances are described.

  The large quantity of detailed and complex information contained in the report has been provided by disabled people themselves or their carers. It therefore reflects their own perception of their activities and experiences, including the type of services they receive and the disability equipment they use.

  Taken together, the OPCS reports will provide the most comprehensive and detailed information ever collected about the circumstances of disabled people in this country.

  We welcome comments on this report, as we have on the three already published.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Spain (Secretary of State's Visit)
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the follow-up action resulting from his visit to Spain, to discuss matters of mutual concern.

  Mr. Hurd
  I announced on 17 May the outcome of the meetings of European Community Immigration Ministers and Trevi Ministers, which I attended in Madrid on 12 May, in reply to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Portsmouth, South (Mr. Martin) at column 208. Suitable steps are being taken to give effect to these decisions.

  Dogs
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations he has received concerning legislation for control of dogs; what replies he has sent; and what action he proposes to take.

  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if there is any action he will be taking in response to the increasingly frequent reports of serious attacks on children and others by dogs; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Young
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what immediate action he is taking to deal with attacks by Rottweilers on people and animals.

  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will introduce measures to ensure that dogs with inborn aggressive tendencies must wear muzzles when in public places;

  (2) if he will introduce measures to ensure that all dogs must be kept on a lead when in public places.

  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if there is any action he will be taking in response to the increasingly frequent reports of serious attacks on children and others by dogs; if he intends to use the statutory powers that may alleviate the problem; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We have received about 55 representations and are examining the possibility of strengthening the legislation on dangerous dogs.

  Mr. David Young
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will ban Rottweilers as domestic pets or from being held on domestic premises.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I am not persuaded that a ban would be the right answer, but we are examining the possibility of strengthening the legislation on dangerous dogs.

  Mr. David Young
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will make it his policy to ban Rottweilers and other dogs bred for fighting from being kept in domestic premises or as domestic pets, without the express permission of the police;

  (2) what action he intends to take to deal with the problem of violent dogs and the environmental problems caused by neglected dogs.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 6 June 1989]: The Government are examining the possibility of strengthening the legislation on dangerous dogs.

  Terrestrial Broadcasting Transmission Networks (Study)
  Sir Geoffrey Johnson Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the study of privatisation options for the terrestrial broadcasting transmission networks which his Department commissioned from Price Waterhouse.

  Mr. Hurd
  I have today placed a copy of this report in the Library. Further copies are available from HMSO bookshops at a cost of £3·95.

  War Criminals
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he now expects to make a statement on the position of those persons in the United Kingdom who are alleged to have committed Nazi war crimes.

  Mr. John Patten
  I refer the hon. Member for the answer given to him on 11 May. I understand that the inquiry still expects to report this month.

  Crime (Essex)
  Mr. Janman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking in relation to crime in Essex; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John Patten
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply that I gave to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Harlow (Mr. Hayes) on 11 May at column 539.

  Deportation Orders
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many deportation orders were signed by immigration officers in each of the last five years; and how many of those were signed by officers at inspector level or above in each month since August 1988.

  Mr. Renton
  [holding answer 6 June 1989]: Deportation orders are always signed by Ministers, normally by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary.

  In the five years from 1984–88, the numbers of notices of intention to deport under section 3(5)(a) of the Immigration Act 1971, against which there is a right of appeal to the independent appellate authorities, signed by members of the immigration and nationality department were as follows:

  Number

  1984

  2,278

  1985

  1,578

  1986

  661

  1987

  794

  1988

  1,751

  Information about the number of notices of intention to deport signed by an immigration officer in this period on the authority of a responsible official in the deportation section of IND is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Since 1 August 1988, notices of intention to deport under section 3(5)(a) may be authorised by a member of the immigration service at not less than inspector level. The number so authorised (and signed by an immigration officer) since 1988 is as follows:

  Number

  1988

  August

  82

  September

  114

  October

  121

  November

  208

  December

  159

  1989

  January

  226

  February

  224

  216

  Number

  March

  252

  April

  171

THE ARTS

  Horniman Museum and Library
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Minister for the Arts if he will publish a timetable for establishing the independence of the Horniman museum and library in Forest Hill.

  Mr. Luce
  It is intended that the museum will be governed by an independent charitable trust following the abolition of the Inner London education authority. The necessary steps are being taken to put in place as quickly as possible an appropriate charitable trust framework for the museum.

ENVIRONMENT

  Rates
  Mr. Andrew Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the average domestic rates bill in England and Wales for 1989–90 of people in receipt of income support.

  Mr. Gummer
  The information requested is not available.

  Housing Action Trusts
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how and when he intends to conduct a ballot of the tenants of the Gloucester grove and North Peckham estates in Southwark in relation to a housing action trust;

  (2) whether the housing action trust ballot will be on the basis of one vote per tenancy;

  (3) who will be entitled to cast the vote in a housing action trust ballot when the tenancy is in joint names.

  Mr. Trippier
  I refer the hon. Member to the replies that I gave to her on 30 January(Official Report, columns 20 and 30) and to the hon. Member for Norwood on 24 May (Official Report, column 592).

  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many tenants in Southwark, living on the Gloucester grove and North Peckham estates proposed for the setting up of housing action trusts, were interviewed by the consultants Peat Marwick McLintock in preparing their report on the suitability of these estates for housing action trusts.

  Mr. Trippier
  The consultants' report acknowledges that they were unable to interview more than a small proportion of tenants living on the North Peckham and Gloucester grove estates. Nevertheless, they held in-depth interviews with 31 tenants and a similar number of people closely connected with the estates, and they used a variety of published sources to produce a good report of housing conditions in the area, with recommendations for improvements. Tenants and tenants associations on both estates are discussing the reports with the consultants as part of the current consultation exercise.
  217
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give an estimate of the amount of Government support necessary for improvements to the Gloucester grove and North Peckham estates along the lines of those recommended by the consultants in their report on the suitability of these estates for housing action trusts.

  Mr. Trippier
  The consultants produced an illustrative scheme for costing purposes which estimated the costs of improving the Southwark housing action trust area at around £112 million. We have allocated substantial resources to the housing action trust programme and are committed to pay for the improvements to be carried out by housing action trusts. The amount of resources for any particular trust will depend on the programme of work, to be decided in consultation with residents.

  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the future of existing and planned estate action schemes for the Gloucester grove and North Peckham estates in Southwark.

  Mr. Trippier
  Southwark council has received previous estate action allocations amounting to some £3·75 million for the Gloucester grove and North Peckham estates. The council bid unsuccessfully for Estate Action support towards housing and environmental improvements there in 1989–90, but their request for Estate Action support for the conversion of garages into local estate offices is being considered by the Department.

  If Southwark submits Estate Action bids for the Gloucester grove and North Peckham estates in future years, their applications, like all Estate Action bids, will be assessed on their merits.

  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimates he has received of the cost of rehabilitation of Gloucester grove and North Peckham estates from his consultants on housing action trusts.

  Mr. Trippier
  The consultants produced an illustrative scheme for costing purposes which estimated the costs of improving the Southwark Housing Action Trust area at around £112 million—£68 million for North Peckham and £44 million for Gloucester grove. Local residents are now being consulted about the proposals for their estates.

  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the(a) total cost of monies paid to consultants and (b) the cost to his Department in relation to proposed housing action trusts for the Gloucester grove and North Peckham estates in Southwark.

  Mr. Trippier
  We expect that the costs in relation to the proposed Southwark housing action trust will amount to around £192,000, including VAT, when all bills have been paid. This figure covers consultants' fees and other costs involved in producing reports and leaflets about the proposals, but excludes consultants' fees under the current consultation exercise. The cost of this contract will remain commercially confidential until it has been completed.

  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he intends to implement the consultants' conclusion that more money needs to be invested in the areas designated for housing action trusts in Southwark.
  218
  Mr. Trippier
  We have accepted our consultants advice that substantial resources should be allocated to a housing action trust in Southwark and have made public expenditure provision accordingly.

  Genetically Manipulated Organisms
  Mr. Janman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has for additional legislation on the intentional release of genetically manipulated organisms.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Department of the Environment together with the Welsh and Scottish Offices, have today published a consultation paper on proposals for additional legislation on the intentional release of genetically manipulated organisms. Copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Existing legislation provides comprehensive protection for the safety of persons against such organisms, but does not provide complete coverage for the environment. The aim is to have a parallel system to protect the environment and so ensure an adequate framework against which biotechnology can be properly developed and its full economic potential realised.

  We are proposing to augment the existing legislation to provide a comprehensive system for environmental protection with four main elements:
  a general duty of care to protect the environment on those releasing GMOs;
  notification to Ministers by those proposing to release GMOs;
  authorisation by Ministers of proposed releases;
  appropriate enforcement of the provisions;

  Interested organisations and individuals are invited to send their views to the Department by 25 August 1989.

  Community Charge
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will publish his best estimates of the numbers of staff involved in(a) the production and distribution of the Minister for Local Government's articles on the community charge, and (b) the direct contact made with local newspapers in connection with these articles;

  (2) if he will publish his best estimates of the total cost of (a) the production and distribution of the Minister for Local Government's articles on the community charge, and (b) the direct contact made with local newspapers in connection with those articles.

  Mr. Gummer
  [holding answer 6 June 1989]: As is customary with ministerial articles, several officials made suggestions or contributions. Information officers in London and each of the seven regions helped to contact local newspapers. In all cases, these activities constituted only a small part of the duties of the officials concerned. The precise costs are therefore not readily identifiable.

TRANSPORT

  Computer Reservation Systems
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what are the principal differences between the codes of conduct for computer reservation systems prepared by the European Civil Aviation Conference and the European Commission;
  219
  (2) what plans he has for extending the scope of the EEC code of conduct for computer reservation systems to cover non-scheduled passenger air services;

  (3) what steps he will be taking to reconcile the two codes of conduct for computer reservation systems prepared by the European Civil Aviation Conference and the European Commission;

  (4) when he expects to see agreement on the EEC code of conduct for computer reservation systems; and if he will make a statement on the timetable for its introduction.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  A regulation governing the operation of computerised reservation systems (CRSs) within the European Community was adopted by the Council of Ministers on 5 June 1989. It will come into force on 1 August, subject to certain transitional arrangements for CRSs already established in the Community.

  This regulation constitutes binding and directly applicable Community law and therefore takes precedence over the ECAC code of conduct within the member states of the Community. The two codes are consistent in all essential respects. The Community code contains enforcement provisions and lays down additional requirements concerning the disclosure of personal information, displays which are not comprehensive and the provision of a display based on arrival times.

  The Council of Ministers invited the Commission to examine the need for a regulation governing CRSs used for non-scheduled passenger air services and for air freight and to bring forward any necessary proposals by 31 December 1990 at the latest.

  Highway Investment (North-West)
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has yet had time to study the report "Highway Investment Needs Review: North West Region".

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  Yes. The massive increase in trunk roads spending announced on 18 May largely meets the needs identified in the report.

  Severn Crossing
  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received in respect of the proposed revisions to the routes of the link roads to the second Severn crossing.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  No formal representations have been received although further information has been sought.

  Public exhibitions of approach roads will be held shortly. They will be well publicised and the public will be invited to comment.

PRIME MINISTER

  Economy
  Sir Hugh Rossi
  To ask the Prime Minister if she has received recent representations regarding the state of the economy.

  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Prime Minister if she has received recent representations regarding the state of the economy.
  220
  Mr. Matins
  To ask the Prime Minister if she has received recent representations regarding the state of the economy.

  The Prime Minister
  I have received a number of such representations. Thanks to the policies that we have pursued for the past 10 years, and will continue to pursue, the economy is performing very well.

  Low Moor, Bradford
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Prime Minister when she next expects to pay an official visit to Low Moor in Bradford.

  The Prime Minister
  I have at present no such plans to do so.

  EEC (Trade)
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Prime Minister whether she will make it her policy that Her Majesty's Government will veto any proposals by the European Economic Community in the health, education, housing and social security field except insofar as this is necessary to remove impediments to trade.

  The Prime Minister
  The Government will continue to examine carefully all proposals for Community legislation to ensure that they are necessary to achieve the objectives of the Treaty of Rome as amended by the Single European Act and that they are appropriate to the Community's competence.

  Engagements
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 8 June.

  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 8 June.

  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 8 June.

  Mr. Grocott
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 8 June.

  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 8 June.

  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 8 June.

  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.

SCOTLAND

  Community Charge
  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what guidelines he has issued to regional councils about registration for poll tax purposes of Royal Navy ratings who are stationed outwith Scotland.

  Mr. Lang
  None. It is for community charges registration officers to decide in the light of all the facts and
  221
  circumstances relating to individual cases where a person, including a Royal Navy rating, is solely or mainly resident in their area and thus liable to be registered there for community charge purposes. I understand that, in the interests of achieving a measure of consistency in the treatment of service personnel, community charges registration officers have agreed with the Ministry of Defence working arrangements for their registration. However, this does not affect any individual's right of appeal against any registration decision.

  Skill Shortages
  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give details of reports commissioned by his Department on (i) skill shortages and (ii) skill shortages and the anticipated impact of 1992 on sections of Scottish industry.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 19 May 1989]: My Department is associated with a study commissioned by the SDA which will identify the commercial opportunities and challenges for firms in Scotland arising from the 1992 proposals.

  As regards skill shortages, the Department does keep the labour market situation under review. Although no specific studies of skill shortages have been commissioned recently, a report was published last year (December 1988) on new entrants to the labour market in Scotland in the 1990s. In addition the Training Agency in Scotland conducts regular surveys of Scottish industry as part of the routine process of local labour market information gathering which collect, among other things, information on skill shortages. More specifically the Training Agency in Scotland in conjunction with the SDA has recently completed a report (April 1989) on skill shortages on the engineering and oil industries in Tayside.

WALES

  Health Research
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much of his health budget is spent on research in Wales as a percentage and as a cash sum; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Grist
  [holding answer 25 May 1989]: The 1989–90 health and personal social services research and development budget of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health, which includes projects for England and Wales, has been increased to £19·02 million. Expenditure by my Department in 1989–90 will exceed £1 million and amount to approximately 0·08 per cent. of provision for the National Health Service in Wales.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Hong Kong (Refugees)
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the refugee problem in Hong Kong.

  Mr. Eggar
  There are now some 41,000 Vietnamese boat people in Hong Kong. Over 12,000 have arrived in the past month. The Government are doing everything 222
  possible to help the Hong Kong authorities to cope with the influx. We are working for a successful outcome to the international conference on indo-Chinese refugees in Geneva on 13–14 June and for a comprehensive and durable solution to the problem.

  Mexico (Illicit Drugs)
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has received about measures being taken by the Government of Mexico to combat the illicit drugs problem.

  Mr. Eggar
  During my recent visit to Mexico I was impressed with the commitment of the new Government of President Salinas to the fight against drugs. Despite economic constraints, the Mexican Government are devoting increasing resources to drug interdiction and eradication. The recent arrest of an alleged major drug trafficker and the government drive to root out corruption are indications of their resolve.

  China (British Nationals)
  Mr. Kirkhope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department is taking to protect British nationals in China in the light of recent events; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  Our paramount concern at the present time is the safety and well-being of British nationals. Everything that can be done is being done and these efforts will continue until we know that all British nationals who wish to leave China have done so. Her Majesty's embassy in Peking and Consulate-General in Shanghai are, however, working under extremely difficult conditions. The embassy has assisted in arrangements for the evacuation by commercial means of several hundred students, businessmen and others with whom they have been in contact. It is important to emphasise that all airports are open and international commercial flights are operating normally.

  We understand the deep anxiety of relatives of Britons in China. Firm information may not always be available or indeed possible to obtain. We are in touch with the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) about group tours that may still be in China. Inquiries should be made to the consular emergency unit in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office—Telephone No.: 01–270 2700—which opened on 7 June 1989.

ENERGY

  Carbon Dioxide
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if, during the Downing street seminar on 26 April on the greenhouse effect and energy policy options, any representations were made on the contribution to CO2 pollution made in the processing cycle for nuclear fuel.

  Mr. Parkinson
  No; the contribution to CO2 pollution from the processing cycle of nuclear fuel is very small and depends on the sources of energy supply used to run the individual processes involved.

  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for
  223
  Clwyd, South-West (Mr. Jones), Official Report, 15 May, column 105, what assessment the Government have made of the possibility of reducing carbon dioxide emissions from the use of oil and gas.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  Carbon dioxide emissions are an inevitable consequence of the use of any particular fuel containing carbon, although the CO2 release per unit of useful energy varies according to the fuel and the design of the installation. Studies are planned to investigate the possibilities of removing CO2 from flue gas, but these are aimed more at large coal-firing plant which produce more CO2 per unit generated than do gas and oil fired plant.

  Cost-effective energy efficiency measures which lead to fuel saving, rather than substitution, can of course reduce CO2 emissions from any fuel source.

  Magnox Power Stations
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if the Central Electricity Generating Board still retains the original construction plans for each individual magnox-type nuclear power station; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  I am advised that the CEGB has retained the construction plans for all of its magnox stations.

  Agricultural Crops
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what steps the Government have taken and intend to take to utilise agricultural crops to substitute for fossil fuels in industries.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  Fuels derived from agricultural crops are covered by the Biofuels programme, the broad aim of which was described in Energy Paper No. 55 "Renewable Energy in the UK: The Way Forward".

  This programme is intended to encourage the widespread commecial exploitation of biofuels by first identifying and then demonstrating where they can be both economically competitive and environmentally acceptable.

  Specific agricultural crops which have been investigated within the biofuels research, development and demonstration programme include:
  Straw. The development and evaluation of low cost systems for processing and burning baled straw, followed by demonstration of the best systems;
  Energy forestry plantations, both coppice and single stem crops. The assessment of likely yields, costs and returns resulting from the establishment of short rotation energy forestry plantation; the investigation of mechanical energy forestry; studies of its environmental impact.

  Oscillating Water Columns
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what steps the Government are taking to investigate and promote the use of oscillating water columns for electricity generation, and how much money has been spent on this area to date.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  A major element of the Department of Energy's programme of research and development into small scale wave energy is the development of an oscillating water column—Wells turbine shoreline rock gully device invented by Queen's224
  University, Belfast. At a cost of £308,000 my Department has funded research and construction of an experimental prototype on the island of Islay. I announced to the House on 23 March that the next phase of the project, to in stall an air driven power turbine and generator, will now proceed, subject to contract, on the basis of the data acquired so far.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Fur Farming
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he intends to set up an independent inquiry into the conditions under which fox and mink are farmed for their fur.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  No. The Farm Animal Welfare Council is an independent body which has only recently concluded an examination of fur farming and published a statement about it.

  Dolphins
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give an estimate of the number of dolphins around Britain's coasts and their estimated numbers for any year from 1959 onwards for which figures are available.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  I have been asked to reply.

  It is not at present possible to give reliable estimates of the numbers of small cetacean species, including dolphins, even for relatively small areas of coastal waters. Useful information has been derived from records of strandings and from the voluntary sightings scheme run by the United Kingdom cetacean group of the Mammals Society. Further projects are being considered by the relevant Departments and agencies.

  Food Irradiation
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will place a copy of his working party's report into control framework and safeguards for food irradiation in the Library.

  Mr. Ryder
  A copy will be placed in the Library as soon as it is published.

  Rabies
  Mr. David Young
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals he has to monitor the canine population for rabies.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  It is not possible to test an animal for the presence of the disease before clinical signs appear. The disease is in any case not present in the United Kingdom.

  Straw
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what quantity of straw is(a) burnt, (b) buried and (c) used to supply materials required for paper making and hardboard on average in each year.
  225
  Mr. Ryder
  My Department's annual sample straw survey indicates the following breakdown for England and Wales:

  Percentage of hectarage

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  Burned in field percentage

  37·7

  36·7

  27·7

  27·1

  27·2

  23·8

  Incorporated or cultivated percentage

  1·8

  7·1

  10·4

  12·4

  17·6

  17·6

  Baled and removed percentage

  60·5

  56·2

  61·9

  60·5

  55·2

  58·6

  Total area ('000 hectares)

  3,367·8

  3,431·9

  3,414·6

  3,416·9

  3,336·5

  3,305·4

  No significant quantities of straw are currently used for paper making, but an estimated 1 per cent. of the total has been used for hardboard manufacture in recent years.

  Desiccated Liver Powder
  Mr. Gould
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will designate desiccated liver powder as a food product rather than a pharmaceutical product, so that it requires a health check.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  No. However, when the Imported Food Regulations 1984 are reviewed we will ensure that there is no room for doubt about the need for a health mark on imported desiccated liver except where consignments are solely for use in a licensed medicinal product.

  Veterinary Surgeons
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he is proposing to take to consider the supply and demand for veterinary surgeons, particularly in the light of the Riley report.

  Mr. MacGregor
  [pursuant to his reply, 11 April]: On behalf of United Kingdom Agriculture Ministers and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science I have appointed Dr. E. S. Page, MA, BSc as chairman of a committee to review veterinary manpower needs and demand for veterinary education. Professor K. J. Thomson, MSc Lond., MS Iowa, MA (Agric. Econ) and Mr. B. D. Hoskin, BVM & S, MRCVS, have been appointed as members of this committee.

  The terms of reference of the committee are:

  To assess:

  (a) the need for veterinary manpower in the UK, both for the public service and the private sector; and

  (b) the demand for veterinary education from home and overseas students;

  and, in the light of this, to consider and make recommendations on:

  (c) how any increased manpower requirement might he met having regard to constraints on public funding and to the potential funding from the UFC and other sources;

  (d) what future arrangements should be developed to assess the demand for veterinary manpower and determine the number of student places.

  The Universities Funding Council has decided to postpone consideration of the Riley report until the review is complete.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Balance of Trade (West Germany)
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what was the United Kingdom's balance of trade with West Germany in 1979 and 1988.
  226
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what was the United Kingdom's balance of trade with West Germany in 1979 and 1988.

  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what was the United Kingdom's balance of trade with West Germany in 1979 and 1988.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The crude balance of trade with West Germany in 1979 was £1,566 million in deficit and in 1988 was, provisionally, £8,145 million in deficit.

  Alcoholic Drinks
  Mr. Sims
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster following the Greek Government's removal of the regulatory and other discriminatory taxes on spirits as scheduled on 1 January, what subsequent action Her Majesty's Government have taken to press for the elimination of the remaining discrimination against, inter alia, Scotch whisky as compared with ouzo and brandy.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The European Commission's infringement proceedings against the Greek Government are still in progress in the European Court of Justice and, as before, we are keeping a close watch on developments. In addition the Government took steps earlier this year to re-register with Greek authorities the United Kingdom's continued concern about VAT discrimination against, inter alia, whisky along with the United Kingdom's general dissatisfaction with the current taxation structure applied to spirituous beverages in Greece.

  Mr. Sims
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what was the outcome of the recent talks in Lisbon between the European Community Commission and the Portuguese Government concerning the discrimination in rates of alcohol tax and value added tax on spirits; and what further steps Her Majesty's Government are taking to press for the removal of the discrimination.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  At Her Majesty's Government's request infraction proceedings have been initiated against the Portuguese by the Commission who are still awaiting a formal response. As a result of talks held in November between the Portuguese authorities and Commission services, however, the Portuguese have taken steps to equalise tax on all alcohol, both imported and domestically produced, at 500 escudos per litre.

  Mr. Sims
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether the Italian Government's proposed requirement with effect from 1 July for all bottled alcoholic beverages include on their label an anti-litter statement and identification of the container's raw material is compatible with the European Community Commission proposal currently under discussion which would prescribe two mandatory European Community symbols
  227
  for refillable and recyclable beverage containers, respectively; if he will seek suspension or postponement of the requirement for United Kingdom alcoholic beverages exports to Italy pending agreement on the European Community directive; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  If introduced, the Italian Government's requirement would pre-empt the discussions which are currently taking place between member states and the Commission on the Commission's proposed amendment to the Beverage Containers Directive EC 185/339, which would require labelling as to material, recyclability and refillability. I understand that Italy has declared its intention formally to notify the Commission of the proposed new law. My Department is keeping in touch with the Commission to ensure that the notification procedure, which would allow member states' observations during a standstill period, is gone through before the law can be introduced. The United Kingdom's position is that new national legislation in this area is inappropriate while discussions are continuing on a Community regime.

  Manufactures
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he will publish in the Official Report, a table showing for the years 1970 to date for the European Economic Community 12 and for the rest of the world, imports and exports of manufactures less erratics, at current and at 1988 prices, together with an index of relative export prices based on 1970 - 100.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  Taking the EC and the rest of the world as two blocks, and disregarding intra trade within them, EC exports may be considered equal to the rest of the world's imports and vice versa. Similarly relative export prices of EC to the rest of the world will be equivalent to EC's export prices relative to import prices. Because figures for a consistent configuration of the EC are not readily available for the period, a volume index is provided rather than a constant price series. It is not practical to identify and exclude erratic items for these trading blocks.

  The available figures are as follows:

  EC trade in manufactures1 with rest of world

  Value2

  Volume3 (1980 - 100)

  Terms of trade4

  Exports

  Imports

  Exports

  Imports

  (1980 - 100)

  1970

  46·9

  26·5

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1971

  51·5

  26·9

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1972

  55·3

  29·3

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1973

  67·2

  37·7

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1974

  94·8

  49·6

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1975

  101·8

  49·3

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1976

  118·6

  64·4

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1977

  137·4

  72·6

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1978

  145·6

  82·8

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1979

  158·7

  98·7

  99·8

  93·2

  98·6

  1980

  180·7

  118·3

  100·0

  100·0

  100·0

  1981

  205·6

  120·7

  106·7

  97·2

  97·0

  1982

  222·2

  130·5

  104·1

  96·4

  98·4

  1983

  234·9

  144·8

  102·3

  99·2

  98·1

  1984

  272·8

  174·9

  110·6

  108·1

  95·2

  1985

  299·9

  182·7

  115·6

  111·1

  94·8

  1986

  277·9

  185·7

  107·5

  120·2

  100·4

  1987

  275·9

  198·6

  104·5

  131·1

  103·6

  n/a Not available.

  1 SITC 5–8.

  2 Billions of European Currency Units; 1970–84 EC 10, 1985

  228

  onwards EC 12.

  3 1979–80 EC9, 1981–1985 EC 10, 1986 onwards EC 12.

  4 EC export unit value as percentage of EC import unit value; 1979–80 EC9, 1981–1985 EC10, 1986 onwards EC12.

  Source: Eurostat.

  Buses
  Mr. Hanley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when the Monopolies and Mergers Commission report on Ulsterbus Ltd. and Citybus Ltd. will be published.

  Mr. Maude
  The report is published today. The Commission concluded that Ulsterbus and Citybus ran a very efficient operation in spite of the severe problems presented by civil disorder.

  The Commission say that the companies have had to cope with a high level of civil disorder which has presented many severe problems, not least the destruction of over 1,100 buses since 1969 and many more damaged. Nevertheless, they found an efficient, low-cost, lean organisation with short chains of command, supported by loyal, hard-working and frequently courageous staff.

  They also found that there was little scope for the companies to reduce costs without affecting the quality of service provided and that:

  (a) manpower and vehicles were efficiently used and maintenance procedures were effective;

  (b) methods of determining the nature, amount and timing of capital expenditure would benefit from the use of systematic appraisal techniques and of whole-life costing;

  (c) further studies and experimentation were needed to refine the relationship between fares and costs; and

  (d) the companies' efforts to take more account of the impact of quality of service on demand and to make greater use of minibuses were worthy of support.

  They also make recommendations on the financial framework and management information systems, comment on the competition from the Black Taxis and discuss the question of fares evasion.

  In terms of priorities for action they first endorse and make recommendations about implementing the companies' new market-led approach and its emphasis on the needs of the customer and, secondly, recommend a clear financial framework in line with the 1978 White Paper on nationalised industries.

  The Commission found that neither company was pursuing a course of conduct which operated against the public interest. They were more than impressed by the dedication of the companies' staff at all levels to maintaining their services to the public in the face of severe harassment.

  Ulsterbus Limited and Citybus Limited will be producing a preliminary response to the Commission's findings within 3–4 months, in the light of which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland will make a statement.

  Imports
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what amount of imports came to the United Kingdom in 1988 for each £100 of exports; and what was the comparable figure in 1970.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  Imports into the United Kingdom in 1988 were estimated to be £126 for each £100 of exports on a balance of payments basis. The comparable figure for 1970 was £100.

  Balance of Trade (EEC)
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what estimate he has made of the balance of trade with the EEC in 1989; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  My Department has made no estimate of the 1989 United Kingdom trade balance with the rest of the European Community.

  Alcoholic Drinks
  Sir Anthony Grant
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what representations he has received from regional and local brewers about the consequences of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission report on the supply of beer; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maude
  I am aware that there has been considerable speculation in recent weeks about the discussions taking place with the Brewers Society and other interested parties.

  The principal concern, both of the M MC and the Government, is the dominant market position of the national brewers, who account for 75 per cent. of United Kingdom beer production, 74 per cent. of the brewer-owned tied estate, and 86 per cent. of loan ties. We have no intention of introducing measures which might adversely affect the competitive position of regional and local brewers. Their continued success is vital to achieving the objective of a freer market with wider choice which was behind the MMC's recommendations.

  The MMC's principal proposal, which we are still considering, was to limit pub ownership to a maximum of 2,000—a proposal which of its nature applies only to the national brewers. I can say that our intention is that certain measures, in particular the requirement to allow tenants to choose a cask conditioned guest beer; the abolition of the tie on low alcohol and non alcoholic beers, ciders, wines and spirits and soft drinks; and any measures to reduce local monopoly, should apply to the national brewers but not to other brewers.

  There is general agreement that greater security should be provided for tenants. There appears to be a consensus that while it would be appropriate to amend the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 to remove the present exception for licensed premises, it would not be right to go further and require additional provisions for tenants' protection in a mandatory brewers code of practice.

DEFENCE

  Federal Republic of Germany
  Mr. Greg Knight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will outline the United Kingdom military contribution to the defence of the Federal Republic of Germany.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The British Army of the Rhine and RAF Germany are important parts of the overall United Kingdom contribution to NATO and they have an essential role to play in the defence of the European mainland. Full details of their composition and roles are contained in the 1989 Statement on the Defence Estimates (Com. 675-I).

  Nuclear Submarines
  Mr. John Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the most serious accident that has taken place in or near dock in British waters of a British or American nuclear-powered submarine.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Comprehensive records of accidents involving nuclear submarines since the start of the nuclear submarine programme are not readily available. The most serious accident in terms of harm resulting to people is believed to be the death of a Royal Navy officer who fell from HMS Dreadnought while in dock at Chatham in 1976. There has never been any accident involving a Royal Navy submarine which has led to a radiological hazard to service personnel or members of the public.

  The United States would be obliged under a bilateral agreement to inform Her Majesty's Government immediately in the event of an accident involving the reactor of a nuclear-powered warship visiting the United Kingdom; no such accident has been reported to us.

  Radiation
  Mr. Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what further radiation checks have been carried out on Royal Navy sailors and personnel exposed to nuclear weapons and reactors; and what were the findings.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Medical records of all naval personnel are analysed annually, and any health trends are identified. There have been no special surveys to determine whether there is any evidence of medical disorders arising from exposure of Royal Navy nuclear submarine personnel to radiation. However, routine medical surveillance is carried out for those Royal Naval personnel designated as radiation workers in accordance with the Ionising Radiations Regulations 1985.

  Radiation dose records are kept for RN radiation workers, and statistics of doses received were published in the replies I gave to the hon. Member for St. Helens, North (Mr. Evans) on 20 March at columns 477–8 and on 2 May at columns 61–2 this year.

  Regular radiation surveys are carried out on board nuclear-powered submarines to ensure that personnel not designated as radiation workers do not receive any significant radiation doses.

  Lance Missiles
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation first deployed the short-range nuclear Lance MGM-52C missile in West Germany.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  NATO first deployed the Lance missile system in West Germany in 1972.

  Plessey Takeover
  Mr. Churchill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how he proposes to ensure continued competition for defence-related research and development work between the wholly-owned laboratories of GEC and those in which they will have a 50 per cent. share following the acquisition of the Plessey Company by GEC Siemens.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  If the merger were to proceed, the Ministry of Defence would expect to retain competition
  231
  for research contracts and would involve GEC, GEC/Siemens and other companies, whenever it was appropriate.

  Mr. Churchill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures are being taken by his Department to safeguard the national interest in the event that, following their acquisition of the company, GEC and Siemens will jointly own Plessey's research and technology facilities.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The Monopolies and Mergers Commission report accepted that if the merger were to go ahead it would be necessary for GEC and Siemens to give certain undertakings to meet the requirements of national security. These are currently under negotiation. Because of their nature, they were not made public in the M MC report and I cannot elaborate further.

  Mr. Thorne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures he proposes to ensure that competition continues for the supply to the United Kingdom of the JTIDs system in the event that GEC and Siemens succeed in acquiring the Plessey Company.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The Monopolies and Mergers Commission recommended that GEC and Siemens should undertake to ensure that access to the technology and the licences for production of JTIDS equipment be available on terms satisfactory to the MOD, to competing companies designated by the MOD. Negotiations are continuing to secure such an undertaking.

  Mr. Thorne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures he proposes to ensure that national security is safeguarded when JTIDS information is more widely disseminated in order to maintain competition for the supply of the system to the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  There are well established procedures for safeguarding national security when sensitive classified information is released to companies. These procedures will, of course, apply in this case.

  Mr. Thorne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (I) what safeguards are being sought from GEC for the supply to the United Kingdom of the JTIDS system in the event that GEC and Siemens succeed in acquiring the Plessey Company;

  (2) what safeguards are being sought from GEC/ Siemens for the supply to the United Kingdom of the JTIDS system in the event that GEC and Siemens succeed in acquiring the Plessey Company;

  (3) what safeguards are being sought from Siemens for the supply to the United Kingdom of the JTIDS system in the event that GEC and Siemens succeed in acquiring the Plessey Company.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The Monopolies and Mergers Commission recommended that GEC and Siemens should undertake to ensure that access to the technology and the licences for production of JTIDS equipment be made available on terms acceptable to the MOD. An undertaking is being sought from GEC and Siemens to this end. Negotiations are continuing and it would be inappropriate to comment further.

  Bristol Channel (Survey)
  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the hydrographic surveys of the outer Bristol 232
  channel between Ilfracombe and the Gower peninsula were carried out; whether those surveys showed changes in sedimentation patterns in the estuary since the previous surveys of 1965 to 1972; what hydrographic surveys were conducted in 1988; what hydrographic surveys are being conducted in 1989; and when it is intended that the inner Bristol channel should be re-surveyed.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The latest hydrographic survey of the area between the Gower peninsula and Ilfracombe was carried out between September 1987 and June 1988 by HMS Beagle. This survey did not show any major change in the general form of the seabed since the previous survey, which dates mainly from 1949.

  No additional survey was conducted in this area in 1988. In 1989 work is in hand to survey the area between Port Talbot and Porthcawl by HMS Fawn. In addition, a contract has been placed by the Ministry of Defence for a further survey of an area along the southern coast of the Bristol channel from Lynmouth to Watchet and thence extending northeastward to the approaches to Cardiff and Newport. This work will complete the re-survey of the Bristol channel from the Gower peninsula to Newport with the exception of a small area in the approaches to Bridgwater. The remaining areas of the Bristol Channel are the responsibility of the port authorities of Bridgwater, Bristol, Cardiff and Newport.

  Tornado Aircraft
  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the extent to which the effectiveness of the Tornado in European defence is enhanced by its nuclear weapons capability.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Dual-capable Tornado aircraft constitute a vital component in NATO's theatre nuclear force posture in Europe.

  Armed Forces Personnel (Other Paid Employment)
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy towards serving members of the armed forces also being engaged in other paid employment.

  Mr. Neubert
  In accordance with Queen's Regulations a member of the regular forces may not, without Ministry of Defence approval, accept any continuous employment of profit during his full-time service. This includes carrying on a profession, engaging in trade or acceptance of any form of profitable employment with a corporation, company, partnership etc. Subject to certain conditions and the approval of his commanding officer, a member of the regular forces may accept temporary employment during normal leave or part-time employment during off-duty hours.

  Nuclear Weapons
  Mr. Speller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list those countries in addition to the United States of America, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, China, France and the United Kingdom which he assesses as having a nuclear weapon capacity, a ballistic weapons delivery capacity or both nuclear capacity and ballistic delivery capacity.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  I have been asked to reply.
  233
  No other country has declared itself to have a nuclear weapon capacity, although certain other countries may have the technological capability to produce nuclear weapons. We strongly support the principle of nonproliferation of nuclear weapons, and as a depositary power, we work actively for the widest adherence to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty. It is not possible to draw up a precise list of countries possessing a ballistic weapon delivery capacity, since different weapons programmes are
  234
  at different stages. However, the spread of ballistic missiles is a subject of increasing concern. The problem is widespread and as a founder member of the missile technology control regime (MTCR) the United Kingdom urges all countries to adopt the guidelines formulated by the seven governments to control the transfer of equipment and technology which could make a contribution to any missile system capable of delivering a nuclear weapon.

  BASS: CONSERVATION MEASURES
  BASS: CONSERVATION MEASURES
  GENETICALLY MANIPULATED ORGANISMS
  GENETICALLY MANIPULATED ORGANISMS
  IMPORTS OF WASTE: POLICY
  IMPORTS OF WASTE: POLICY