Written Answers of 14 June 1989

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Fraud
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what further steps have now been taken to prevent fraud in intervention stocks and export refunds following the latest Court of Auditors report.

  Mr. MacGregor
  As my hon. Friend knows, I have been taking the initiative in the Council of Ministers on many occasions to press for further action to deal with fraud in the common agricultural policy. I am glad to say that the Commission has undertaken to present to Council later this month a report on follow-up action to the recent Court of Auditors report. This will include a proposal to require member states to carry out an annual check on intervention stocks, to ensure that actual quantities present tally with storekeepers' accounts, and a revised proposal on monitoring export refunds, which would require member states to carry out a minimum level of controls. I will again be pressing Council to take speedy action on these proposals. The Commission has also this month introduced a simplification of the system for beef export refunds designed to reduce opportunities for fraud.

  Potato Marketing Board
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is yet in a position to make a statement on the future of the Potato Marketing Board.

  Mr. Ryder
  I am still considering this.

  Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowances
  Mr. Amos
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make it his policy to oppose any European Economic Community proposals to impose headage limitations on its contributions to hill livestock compensatory allowances; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  The European Commission has recently made proposals for amendments to the EC legislation governing hill livestock compensatory allowances, as part of a package relating to reform of the structural funds. The proposals are currently being studied. I can assure my hon. Friend that we shall be seeking to preserve the United Kingdom interests in the forthcoming negotiations. In particular, I remain firmly opposed to the principle of ceilings based on farm size and other measures which would discriminate against the United Kingdom.

  Confusion Marks
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what have been for each of the last five years, the administration costs of maintaining a register of 410
  confusion marks for the purposes of the sheep variable premium scheme; and how many animals were so registered in each of these years.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  [holding reply 13 June 1989]: The cost of administering the confusion mark procedures are not separately recorded. Nor are the number of animals registered under the system noted centrally. Those figures could be extracted only at disproportionate cost.

  Fishing Industry
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many meetings he has had so far in the current year with representatives of the fishing industry in the United Kingdom; and what has been discussed.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  [holding reply 12 June 1989]: I am regularly in touch with the fishing industry. This year I met industry representatives when I visited Hastings and Newhaven on 1 February, the Fish Council in Brussels on 23 February, Billingsgate on 21 March, the Fishing '89 exhibition in Glasgow on 14 April and at the National Federation of Fisheries Organisations' annual general meeting on 10 June. I have discussed a wide range of issues, of both local and national interest, including total allowable catches, vessel licensing, enforcement, management of the Channel cod fishery, quota hopping, beam trawl restrictions, decommissioning, SFIA grants, structure of the fleet and light dues.

TRANSPORT

  Bridge Design (East London River Crossing)
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Newham, South, on 23 March,Official Report, columns 708–9, on the studies of bridge design for the proposed east London river crossing, he will state the date when the consultant's report was, or is expected to be received; and if he will make a statement covering its conclusion.

  Mr. Channon
  I have nothing to add to my reply of 23 March to the hon. Member.

  Birmingham Northern Relief Road
  Mr. Heddle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Mid-Staffordshire, on 12 May,Official Report, column 548, he can indicate when he will announce his decision following the public inquiry held in May 1988 on his Department's proposals for the Birmingham northern relief road.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  My right hon. Friend announced on 22 May his intention to arrange a competition relating to the design, financing and construction of a new highway which would serve broadly the same purpose as the proposed Birmingham northern relief road. A decision on the Department's proposals for BNRR will be made when the outcome of the competition is known.

  Davenham Bypass
  Mr. Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects work to commence on the Davenham bypass.
  411
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  This is a Cheshire county council proposal. I understand that it hopes to start work in 1992.

  M66/A664 Interchange
  Mr. Tom Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received about his new draft order for the M66 line order at the M66/A664 interchange; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  We expect to publish a connecting roads order for the M66/A664 junction next year. A period will be allowed for objection and comment.

  Semtex (Testing Kits)
  Mr. Churchill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information his Department has on the availability of explosive testing kits capable of detecting Semtex; and what steps he has taken to acquire these kits for United Kingdom airports or to recommend them to their operators.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The Department has a programme for testing—and, where appropriate, assisting with the development of—equipment designed to detect explosives hidden in items carried on aircraft. Several techniques and individual items of equipment have shown promising results in the laboratory, but we have not yet found any system which will perform satisfactorily under operational conditions at airports.

  M11 and M25
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will indicate his estimates of repairs and maintenance for each of the M11 and M25 for each of the next five years.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The need for repairs and maintenance of motorways is reviewed each year in the light of condition surveys. Major maintenance work for the M11 and M25 has been planned for 1989–90, as follows:

  Location

  Works

  Cost £ million

  M11

  Junctions 12–14

  Overlay

  1·0

  South of Junction 5 (Northbound)

  Overlay

  2·6

  South of Junction 5 (Southbound)

  Overlay

  2·9

  North of Junction 5 (Northbound)

  Overlay

  1·3

  North of Junction 5 (Southbound)

  Overlay

  1·2

  Total cost

  9·0

  M25

  Junction 24

  Reconstruction

  2·9

  Junctions 11–13

  Reconstruction

  0·9

  Total cost

  3·8

  Heavy Lorries
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his route signing in London proposals for change will fully allow for a London-made heavy lorry ban to be enforced; and if he will make a statement.
  412
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The review of signing in London relates to directional signs on the primary route network. Drivers need simple and logical direction signing if they are to reach unfamiliar destinations safely and quickly. It would not be appropriate to include detailed information on lorry restrictions on such signs.

  Mr. Allen McKay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if full compensation will be paid to local authorities for strengthening of bridges and roads in their areas should 40-tonne lorries be allowed on British roads.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  It is for highway authorities to maintain to the appropriate standards the bridges for which they are responsible. The provision of resources for this is considered in the annual public expenditure round. We shall shortly be discussing with local authority associations the implications of the recent decision that the United Kingdom's derogation from the EC lorry weights will end on 31 December 1998.

  Tow-away Zones (London)
  Mr. Amos
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what studies have been made by his Department into the introduction of tow-away zones in selected areas in London; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The Metropolitan police have powers throughout London to remove any illegally parked vehicle. It is for them to decide how these powers are exercised. The Department has commissioned studies of the effects of vehicle removal in parts of central London as one method of parking enforcement. The studies are not yet complete.

  Level Crossings
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many deaths and injuries there have been at level crossings, by type of crossing in Great Britain in each of the last five years; whether there are any limits on the speed of trains at each such type of level crossing; and how many of the incidents in each year resulting in death and injury involved collision with road vehicles.

  Mr. Portillo
  Table A shows the number of deaths and injuries from accidents at level crossings, by type of crossing, in Great Britain during the period 1984–88. Table B shows the number of incidents involving death and/or injury during those years which resulted from collision between rail and road vehicles. The Department's published requirements for level crossings prescribe limits for train speeds at open, automatic open and automatic half-barrier crossings. The criteria for automatic open crossings have been revised following a review of safety at these crossings by Professor P. F. Stott after the accident at Lockington level crossing on 26 July 1986.
  413

  Table A: Deaths and injuries in level cossing accidents

  Crossing type

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  11988

  Deaths

  Injuries

  Deaths

  Injuries

  Deaths

  Injuries

  Deaths

  Injuries

  Deaths

  Injuries

  Manned Gates

  —

  3

  3

  3

  —

  4

  —

  —

  1

  5

  Manned Barriers

  —

  7

  —

  —

  —

  2

  —

  —

  1

  6

  Manned Barriers with CCTV

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  12

  Automatic Half-barriers

  3

  4

  3

  11

  5

  4

  2

  1

  5

  4

  Automatic Open (locally monitored)

  1

  8

  2

  12

  —

  9

  5

  9

  1

  9

  Automatic Open (remotely controlled)

  —

  1

  —

  3

  11

  38

  —

  1

  1

  1

  Open Crossing

  —

  4

  —

  1

  —

  10

  —

  6

  —

  —

  User-Worked Crossing

  4

  9

  3

  9

  9

  6

  —

  6

  3

  8

  User-Worked Crossing with miniature warning lights

  —

  1

  1

  —

  —

  —

  2

  1

  1

  1

  Footpath

  3

  2

  2

  1

  2

  5

  5

  —

  5

  3

  Total

  11

  39

  14

  40

  27

  78

  14

  24

  18

  49

  Table B: Incidents involving deaths and injuries resulting from collisions at level crossings

  Year

  Number

  1984

  18

  1985

  24

  1986

  24

  1987

  26

  19881

  25

  1 Provision

  Roads (Chelmsford)
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will specify the proposed route of the new motorway from the M25 to Chelmsford as announced in the White paper "Roads for Prosperity."

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The first step is for the Department to appoint design agents to investigate possible schemes. Only then shall we have an indication of practicable routes.

  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what timetable he envisages for the building of the new motorway from the M25 to Chelmsford as announced in the White Paper "Roads for Prosperity";

  (2) what timetable he envisages for the widening of the Chelmsford A 12 by-pass following publication of the White Paper "Roads for Prosperity."

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  We shall seek to complete work on these schemes as quickly as possible. Details about timetable will be contained in a roads report to be issued later in the year.

WALES

  Iwan Edgar (Letters)
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when the Transport Policy Division of the Welsh Office received letters from county councillor Iwan Edgar, of Pwllheli, dated 21 November 1988, 2 February 1989, and 10 April 1989, and on what dates each of these letters was answered.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  I regret that due to an error a reply to the first letter was not sent. The subsequent letters were repeats of the first letter. A reply has now been sent.

  Drinking Water
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give details of which of the standards set in the European Community drinking water directive are regularly exceeded by each of the water supplies in Wales which have been granted derogations.

  Mr. Grist
  The information is as follows.

  The Welsh water authority has been granted derogations under the terms of article 9 of the EC drinking water directive (80/778/EEC) as listed in the following table. Information regarding the monitoring of those supplies is not held by the Department.

  Name

  Derogated parameter (1(=colour: 6.=pH unit: 15=aluminium: 3.3 = iron; 34=manganese)

  Nantybwch

  34

  Garw Levels

  33

  Strata Florida

  34

  Ystradfellte

  34

  Nantymoel

  34

  Wern Ddu

  6

  Afon Cwm-y-Llan

  l5

  Penygoyallt

  6

  Llanfynydd

  6,34

  Alwen

  1,34

  Georgetown

  6,34

  Cwmsymlog

  15

  Betws-y-coed

  34

  Garreglwyd

  33,34

  Gryn Goch

  33

  Nantmor

  5,34

  Rhyd-Ddu

  34

  Portis

  34

  Penyfan

  33

  Upper Wenallt Springs

  33

  Cwm Cegr Springs

  33

  Llanbedr Springs

  33

  Caerau

  34

  Llan Penmachno

  15,34

  Crai Reservoir

  34

  Croesor

  34

  Rhyd

  15, 33, 34

  Rhydyroncn

  33

  Tir-Gawen

  33

  Elan

  1, 6, 33, 34

  Pendinas

  34

ENVIRONMENT

  Water Purity
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he last discussed with a member of the European Commission the question of British compliance with European Community directives on water purity.

  Mr. Howard
  Last month my noble Friend, the Minister for Housing, Environment and Countryside satisfactorily concluded discussions with the Commission on the enforcement provisions in the Water Bill. A copy of a letter from Commissioner Ripa confirming this was placed in the Library.

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has responded to the reasoned opinion of 14 April about the failure of the United Kingdom to transpose and its failure to apply correctly Council directive 80/778/EC on the quality of drinking water.

  Mr. Howard
  A response will be made to the Commission this week.

  Planning Appeals (Windsor and Maidenhead)
  Mr. Andrew McKay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what percentage of planning appeals in the Royal borough of Windsor and Maidenhead he has approved in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Chope
  The information requested is in the table.

  Year

  Appeals decided

  Appeals allowed

  Percentage allowed

  1984–85

  90

  28

  31·1

  1985–86

  85

  44

  51·8

  1986–87

  109

  54

  49·5

  1987–88

  149

  80

  53·7

  1988–89

  130

  55

  42·3

  Wargrave Sewage Works
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will make it his policy to take into account the results of the investment being made before considering a relaxation of consent levels at the Wargrave sewage works;

  (2) what the discharge levels will be from the Wargrave sewage works when the current round of investment is completed in November;

  (3) what were the consent levels for discharges from the Wargrave sewage works in (a) 1980 and (b)

  Mr. Howard
  The consent levels for the works for 1980 and from 1983 up to the present time are set out in milligrammes per litre.

  Suspended Solids

  Biochemical Oxygen Demand

  Ammonical Nitrogen

  1980

  30

  15

  5

  1983 to date

  45

  18

  15

  The authority has recently undertaken some remedial work at Wargrave and is proposing to undertake further
  416
  improvements as part of its major programme for upgrading sewage treatment works. In connection with this, the authority has submitted an application for a time-limited consent in accordance with the arrangements set out in my announcement on 7 December 1988 at column 199—to cover the period up to completion of the works. This is being considered by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution who will take into account all relevant factors, including the effects of previous investment together with any representations which are received, before reaching a decision.

  Cemetery Clauses Act 1847
  Mr. Ken Hargreaves
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to amend the Cemetery Clauses Act 1847 to require local authorities to give details of the number of burial spaces available in each grave sold by the authority.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  None, as the Cemetery Clauses Act 1847 no longer applies to local authority cemeteries. A complete code of administration for local authority cemeteries is now provided by the Local Authorities Cemeteries Order 1977 (SI 1977 No. 204) as amended.

  Sewage Treatment Works
  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Copeland of 11 May,Official Report, column 520, if he will place in the Library an analysis of those sewage treatment works in respect of which applications have been made for revised sewage discharge consents, showing for each works (a) its eight-figure national grid reference, (b) the parliamentary constituency in which it is situated, and (c) the local authority area in which it is situated.

  Mr. Ridley
  The question can be answered only at disproportionate cost. The grid reference for each sewage treatment works is included on the application form submitted to Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution. These forms are available for public inspection at each water authority. The applications themselves, including grid references, have been advertised locally in the press. The other information would have to be specifically compiled and is not relevant to the consideration of the application.

  Bristol Channel (Discharges)
  Mr. Speller
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his reply of 6 June, if he will collate the list of consented discharges into the Bristol channel held by Wessex Water, Welsh Water and South West Water; and if he will publish these.

  Mr. Howard
  Information on discharge consents is not held by the Department in a form which would allow the identification of discharges in any particular area. Details of consents granted are, however, on the public registers maintained by the water authorities.

  New Towns (Land Disposal)
  Mr. Heddle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will arrange for the new town
  417
  development corporations to make details of their land disposals available to hon. Members by placing them in the Library on a six-monthly basis.

  Mr. Trippier
  New town development corporations and the Commission for the New Towns published annual reports which contain summary information about their progress in disposing of assets. These reports are laid before the House under the New Towns Act 1981. Discussion of details of land transactions can often involve considerations of commercial confidentiality.

  Mr. Heddle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, if he will introduce procedures to monitor the disposals of land by the new town development corporations.

  Mr. Trippier
  The Department already monitors new town development corporation land disposals.

  Housing (Harassment)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many cases of housing harassment have been reported in each of the London boroughs in each of the last three years.

  Mr. Trippier
  This information is not collected centrally.

  Housing Action Trusts
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his assessment of how long the tenants on the Angell Town estate will need to consider the consultants' reports on housing action trust areas; what steps he will be taking to ensure that tenants have access to the reports; and what resources will be made available to the tenants for these purposes.

  Mr. Trippier
  As my right hon. Friend announced in his reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Wyre (Mr. Mans) on 16 March, all residents in the proposed trust area in Lambeth have been sent copies of leaflets explaining the consultants' ideas and translations have been made available on request. We have also sent copies of the consultants' reports to tenants' associations, local libraries and advice centres, Lambeth council and to individuals on request. We hope that tenants will play a full part in discussions led by independent consultants about the proposals in the reports and that they will put forward their own ideas. How long these consultations take will depend on how the discussions develop.

  Vacant Properties
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what percentage of properties owned by his Department in Manchester, Westminster, Suffolk Coastal and the Isles of Scilly are vacant.

  Mr. Chope
  [holding answer 6 June 1989]: As at 31 May 1989, the total number of all properties (that is, residential, office, storage and specialised) owned by the Department of the Environment in each of the four areas was:

  Total number

  Number vacant

  Percentage vacant

  Manchester

  42

  1

  2·4

  Westminster

  191

  4

  2·1

  Suffolk Coastal

  25

  2

  8·0

  Isle of Scilly

  9

  1

  11·0

  418
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what percentage of properties owned by local authorities in Manchester, Westminster, Suffolk Coastal and the Isles of Scilly are vacant.

  Mr. Trippier
  [holding answer 6 June 1989]: Based on the information provided by the authorities in their last housing investment programme returns for April 1988, the number of dwellings owned by each of the four authorities was:

  Total number

  Number vacant

  Percentage vacant

  Manchester

  98,665

  5,166

  5·2

  Westminster

  22,175

  893

  4·0

  Suffolk Coastal

  5,678

  82

  1·4

  Isles of Scilly

  141

  1

  0·7

  Returnable Bottles
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has any plans to encourage the use of standard specification returnable bottles; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Forth
  [holding answer 12 June 1989]: I have been asked to reply.

  The Government have no such plans. We know of no evidence that the introduction of legislation or regulation of this nature would have significant benefit to the consumer, to trade and commerce or to the environment. However, the European Commission, in its draft amendment to the EC beverage containers directive (EC/85/339), has proposed that packagers should be required to label their beverage containers with common recyclable or refillable symbols. Discussions are continuing but, if implemented, this amendment would encourage consumers to return a greater number of bottles for refilling or recycling than happens at present.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Pensioners in Care
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security on what basis the personal allowance element of the pensions paid to residents(a) in local authority care or in long-term hospital beds and (b) in the private or voluntary sector is assessed; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The personal allowance for hospital in-patients has been increased over the years in line with the increases in benefit rates and is now £8·70, expressed in the relevant regulations as equivalent to 20 per cent. of the basic retirement pension rate. The allowance for those in local authority accommodation is fixed at the same rate as that for hospital in-patients. In respect of residents of independent residential care and nursing homes the addition for personal expenses is £10·05. This is uprated to reflect changes in prices in the same way as other income support applicable amounts.

  Press Briefings
  Mr. Grocott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what guidelines he follows in determining which journalists are invited to press briefings by his Department.
  419
  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Journalists are invited to briefings on the basis of the subject to be discussed.

  Social Fund
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list for his Department's local offices in Doncaster and Mexborough, what statistical information he has as to the different reasons given to applicants by social fund officers for nil awards in respect of application for community care grants.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The latest available information is given in my reply to the hon. Member on 26 April 1989 at column 543–45.

  Limited Appointments
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the number of limited appointments for each year since 1979 for each office of his Department in South Yorkshire.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The table gives the number of limited period staff appointments in social security offices in South Yorkshire from May 1987 to March 1989. This is the only period during which such appointments have been made.

  Limited period appointments

  May 1987 to March 1988

  April 1988 to March 1989

  Barnsley East ILO

  13

  —

  Barnsley West ILO

  8

  —

  Doncaster East ILO

  14

  —

  Doncaster West ILO

  5

  8

  Rotherham South ILO

  26

  1

  Rotherham North ILO

  9

  1

  Sheffield North East ILO

  19

  —

  Sheffield North West ILO

  19

  —

  Sheffield South East ILO

  16

  5

  Sheffield South West ILO

  1

  —

  Wath on Dearne AO

  6

  —

  Goldthorpe NIO

  2

  —

  Mexborough NIO

  0

  —

  Total appointments

  138

  15

  Staff Training
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what training is given to the staff in South Yorkshire following the introduction of new legislation by his Department.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  When new legislation is introduced full consideration is given in advance to the training

  Staff turnover in the South Yorkshire offices

  1 April 1984 to 31 March 1985

  1 April 1985 to 31 March 1986

  1 April 1986 to 31 March 1987

  1 April 1987 to 31 March 1988

  1 April 1988 to 31 March 1989

  Office

  Number of leavers

  Percentage of complement

  Number of leavers

  Percentage of complement

  Number of leavers

  Percentage of complement

  Number of leavers

  Percentage of complement

  Number of leavers

  Percentage of complement

  Barnsley East ILO

  21

  16·41

  14·0

  10·37

  10·5

  6·52

  12·5

  8·44

  13·0

  9·42

  Barnsley West ILO

  10

  9·61

  11·0

  10·09

  15·5

  12·92

  12·5

  10·96

  10·0

  9·90

  Doncaster East ILO

  29

  20·71

  14·5

  10·00

  22·0

  12·57

  13·0

  8·44

  8·5

  6·03

  Doncaster West ILO

  41

  22·40

  23·5

  12·11

  33·5

  16·03

  22·0

  11·52

  15·0

  8·20

  Rotherham North ILO

  13

  19·12

  8·5

  11·80

  17·5

  21·60

  25·0

  35·21

  4·0

  5·55

  Rotherham South ILO

  29

  14·95

  33·0

  16·18

  24·5

  10·16

  35·0

  15·62

  22·5

  10·56

  Sheffield North East ILO

  35

  18·04

  39·5

  18·81

  42 0

  17·57

  26·0

  11·35

  33·0

  15·42

  Sheffield North West ILO

  42

  22·58

  16·0

  7·51

  44·5

  18·31

  41·5

  19·21

  31·0

  16·58

  Sheffield South East ILO

  20

  14·18

  9·5

  6·21

  31·0

  18·02

  28·5

  19·00

  22·0

  16·54

  Sheffield South West ILO

  26

  16·35

  30·0

  17·14

  33·5

  16·18

  22·0

  12·15

  20·0

  12·50

  420
  requirements of all local office staff. Where the change is considered minimal or straightforward, instructions are sent to staff as circulars or amendments to the working manuals. Where the change is more complex or fundamental, additional training and advice material is also provided. This can take a variety of forms ranging from training at a national training centre to local training at the workplace using centrally prepared training material.

  Visiting Officers
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the number of visiting officers employed in each office of his Department in South Yorkshire from 1979 to date.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  We do not collect centrally information on the number of visiting officers employed on visiting work in individual offices. Staffing resources allocated for visiting in the Department's north-eastern region are estimated from available data for the following years.

  Number

  1983–84

  388

  1984–85

  517

  1985–86

  444

  1986–87

  395

  1987–88

  345

  1988–89

  244

  1989–90

  125

  The figures do not include specialist visiting or visiting from contributory benefits.

  Staff Turnover
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the turnover of staff in each year since 1979 for each office of his Department in South Yorkshire.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The table lists the turnover of staff in social security offices in South Yorkshire. Turnover includes resignations, retirements, dismissals, deaths and transfers to other offices. It also includes promotions within an office. The information is expressed as a percentage of the staffing complement as at 1 April in each year. Figures are not available for periods prior to April 1984.
  421

  1 April 1984 to 31 March 1985

  1 April 1985 to 31 March 1986

  1 April 1986 to 31 March 1987

  1 April 1987 to 31 March 1988

  1 April 1988 to 31 March 1989

  Office

  Number of leavers

  Percentage of complement

  Number of leavers

  Percentage of complement

  Number of leavers

  Percentage of complement

  Number of leavers

  Percentage of complement

  Number of leavers

  Percentage of complement

  Wath on Deane AO

  15

  22·73

  12·5

  17·86

  17·0

  20·00

  13·0

  17·81

  5·0

  8·06

  Goldthorpe NIO

  2

  12·50

  3·0

  15·79

  3·5

  16·67

  3·0

  15·00

  1·0

  4·76

  Mexborough NIO

  3

  15·79

  2·0

  9·52

  1·0

  9·52

  3·0

  14·28

  3·0

  14·28

  Therese Devine
  Sir Eldon Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the result of the appeal by Therese Devine, of Hargrave Green, Bury St. Edmunds, against his decision in 1986 that she was not entitled to supplementary benefit; and what steps he has taken to make the appropriate payments to her in the light of the tribunal's judgment.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The local social security office have no record of an appeal being received from Therese Devine in 1986 nor was a decision issued at that time refusing her supplementary benefit. I refer my hon. Friend to the reply to his letter of 1 March and the subsequent reply from my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Employment, dated 12 April in which these matters are fully explained.

  Ilford Park Polish Home
  Dr. Michael Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement about the future of Ilford Park Polish home.

  Mr. Scott
  Ilford Park Polish home, located near Newton Abbot, Devon, is the last remaining resettlement camp operated by the Department under the Polish Resettlement Act 1947. Polish people who satisfy the criteria laid down in the Act can be considered for admission. The current residents occupy accommodation which mostly predates the opening of the original camp in 1948. The buildings are situated in the central part of a 42-acre site owned by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment.

  In view of the declining resident population and the age of the accommodation the Department has for some time now been considering the future of the home. The average age of the residents is increasing and some of them are becoming frail. The present home has more the characteristics of a residential care home for elderly people rather than its original function as a resettlement camp. The present accommodation, age apart, is unsuitable and does not meet the standards required today for residential care homes.

  We have therefore concluded that Ilford Park Polish home should be rebuilt at its present site. The aim is to provide accommodation and facilities that meet the standards required of registered residential care homes and nursing homes. On provisional plans the work will be complete by 1992. There will be full consultation with residents and staff, as the details of the scheme are worked out.

HEALTH

  Illegitimate Children
  Mr. William Powell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list in the Official Report each parliamentary constituency, together with the proportion, in which the proportion of children born outside marriage in the latest year for which figures are available exceeds 20 per cent.

  Mr. Freeman
  This statistic is routinely available for local authority districts and for health districts and is published in the annual volume "Key Population and Vital Statistics" for local and health authority areas, which is in the Library. I regret that the statistic is not normally tabulated by parliamentary constituency and so could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

  Genito-urinary Clinics
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases were seen at genito-urinary medicine clinics in England in each year from 1980 to the latest available year.

  Mr. Freeman
  The information is given in the table.

  New cases seen at NHS genito-urinary medicine clinics, England, 1980 to 1987–88

  Grand Total all conditions

  Males

  Females

  Persons

  1980

  271,614

  187,365

  458,979

  1981

  281,189

  198,735

  479,924

  1982

  296,675

  220,993

  517,668

  1983

  309,040

  238,397

  547,437

  1984

  319,483

  250,445

  569,928

  1985

  332,840

  272,466

  605,306

  1986

  349,190

  298,169

  647,359

  1987

  328,467

  291,799

  620,266

  1987–88

  310,753

  282,972

  593,725

  Source: DH fors SBH60.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what indication he has on those district health authorities which are setting as a local priority the provision of a genito-urinary clinic.

  Mr. Freeman
  In a letter sent to health authorities in February the Department advised them that, as part of the reports required under the AIDS (Control) Act 1987, details should be given of all completed and planned developments in genito-urinary medicine services. District health authorities are due to publish their reports by the end of June.

  Health Service Management Board
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list for each of the members of the Health Service
  423
  management board his or her experience (a) in Health Service affairs and (b) in the supply of personal services to members of the public for which there is no fee or charge.

  Mr. Mellor
  The members of the NHS policy board were chosen for their capacity to give high calibre independent advice about the strategic direction of the NHS. A significant proportion have had distinguished careers in the Health Service. Others bring a variety of experience from the business world, and an outstanding record of achievement in giving direction to very large organisations.

  Family Practitioner Committees (Chairmen)
  Mr. Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish a list showing for each family practitioner

  Family practitioner committee

  Outgoing chairman

  Length of service

  Status

  New chairman

  Length of service

  Status

  Bedfordshire

  Mrs. W. Brothwood

  4(2)1

  Lay

  Dr. A. Wood

  —

  Lay

  Birmingham

  Dr. A. Llewellyn-Lloyd

  8

  Contractor

  Mrs. C. Vaughan-Griffiths

  —

  Lay

  Bolton

  Mrs. J. Rothwell

  4

  Contractor

  Mr. A. Pettengell

  —

  Lay

  Bury

  Dr. A. Burt

  15

  Contractor

  Mr. B. Wood

  —

  Lay

  Camden and Islington

  Mr. K. Judge

  2

  Lay

  Mr. H. C. Gilbert

  —

  Lay

  City and East London

  Mr. J. Keir

  2

  Lay

  Ms. J. Lait

  —

  Lay

  Croydon

  Mr. B. Pringle

  15

  Lay

  Mr. R. Lane

  —

  Lay

  Derbyshire

  Mr. B. Ashby

  3

  Lay

  Mr. M. Boissier

  —

  Lay

  Dorset

  Mr. B. Gillam

  5

  Lay

  Mrs. K. Mulliner

  —

  Lay

  Durham

  Mr. N. Thomas

  12

  Lay

  Mr. I. Bonas

  —

  Lay

  Enfield and Haringey

  Mr. B. Whycer

  6

  Contractor

  Vacant

  —

  —

  Greenwich and Bexley

  Mr. J. Stickland

  5

  Lay

  Mr. B. Marson-Smith

  —

  Lay

  Kingston and Richmond

  Mr. D. Lewis

  12

  Lay

  Mr. D. J. G. Banks

  —

  Lay

  Lancashire

  Mr. F. Pethybridge

  4

  Lay

  Mr. C. Jeanes

  —

  Lay

  Liverpool

  Mr. R. Clark

  5

  Lay

  Mrs. R. Hawley

  —

  Lay

  North Tyneside

  Dr. J. Gordon

  7

  Contractor

  Dr. G. Hetherington

  —

  Lay

  Nottinghamshire

  Dr. A. MacLaren

  10

  Contractor

  Mr. M. Dessau

  —

  Lay

  Oxfordshire

  Lady Williams

  12(3)1

  Lay

  Mrs. D. Levy

  —

  Lay

  Redbridge and Waltham Forest

  Mr. L. Bridgeman

  4

  Lay

  Vacant

  —

  —

  Sefton

  Mr. B. Worster-Davies

  10

  Lay

  Mr. C. D. Darley

  —

  Lay

  Trafford

  Dr. B. Tennant

  8

  Contractor

  Mr. A. Russell

  —

  Lay

  Walsall

  Mr. M. Wolverson

  7

  Lay

  Mr. J. Howell

  —

  Lay

  Warwickshire

  Mrs. M. Backhouse

  13

  Lay

  Mr. R. Gardner

  —

  Lay

  Wigan

  Mrs. C. Caley

  4(11)1

  Lay

  Mr. J. Lewis

  —

  Lay

  Wolverhampton

  Mr. D. Evans

  4

  Contractor

  Ms. T. Evans

  —

  Lay

  1 Figures in brackets show the length of service as a member before becoming chairman.

  Drugs Testing
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his policy on the use of patients in the United Kingdom for experimental test purposes for an American drug company provided that the company holds a valid clinical test certificate or clinical trial exemption certificate issued by the United Kingdom licensing authority; what arrangements there are for the patients to be informed that they are to be used for experimental test purposes; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  Within the National Health Service all research proposals on human subjects, including drug trials, should be approved by a local research ethics committee before they commence. The committee will want to look at all aspects of the research proposal, including any certificates issued by the United Kingdom Licensing Authority and what arrangements have been made for the information of patients involved, before giving or withholding their approval.
  424
  committee whose chairman was not reappointed in March-April 1989, the name of the chairmen not reappointed, their length of service on that family practitioner committee, their status on that committee, namely, as a contractor or lay person, and the name of the person appointed in their place, together with a note of their length of service on that family practitioner committee and their status and, where no reappointment has yet occurred, the date on which he hopes to announce the name of the new chairman and the cause of the hiatus.

  Mr. Mellor
  The information is contained in the table. We hope to announce names for the two remaining vacancies shortly.

  Medical Scientists
  Mr. Amos
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the level of pay for medical physicists in the National Health Service; and if he has any plans to change the level of retention and recruitment of staff.

  Mr. Mellor
  The pay of medical physicists is a matter for negotiation between the management side of the scientific and professional staffs council and the staff side representing scientists employed in the NHS. Negotiations are continuing on the staff side pay cliam for 1989/90. I understand that the management side has set up a working party which has been investigating the position with regard to recruitment and retention of scientists.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress he is making in negotiations to resolve the Whitley council PTAA staff pay claim for 1989, covering health care professionals, including clinical psychologists, biochemists, microbiologists and other scientists, including those at the public health laboratory service, Porton Down; and if he will make a statement.
  425
  Mr. Mellor
  The pay of clinical psychologists, biochemists, microbiologists and other scientists, including those employed at Porton Down, is a matter for negotiation between the management side of the scientific and professional staffs council and the staff side representing scientists employed in the NHS. Negotiations are continuing on the staff side pay claim for 1989–90.

  Health Education Authority
  Mr. Andrew Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will set out the current remit of the Health Education Authority.

  Mr. Mellor
  The remit of the Health Education Authority is set out in its establishment and constitution order. The authority's main tasks are to advise my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Health on health education matters and to undertake programmes of health education in England, except for AIDS public education, which is on a United Kingdom-wide basis.

  Mr. Andrew Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what guidance has been given by his Department to the Health Education Authority on strategic and operational planning for health education programmes for elderly people;

  (2) what particular responsibility the Health Education Authority has for the promotion and support of health education programmes for elderly people.

  Mr. Mellor
  The Health Education Authority has no responsibility to provide health education for any specific age group. The planning guidelines issued by the Department of Health to the Health Education Authority ask that the Health education needs of elderly people be taken into account in the authority's forward plans which are currently being developed.

  Hospitals
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list in the Official Report those hospitals which opened in each district health authority in 1988, together with the number of beds.

  Mr. Freeman
  I regret that this information is not available centrally.

  Abortion
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list in the Official Report those recommendations

  Number of abortions carried out under the Abortion Act 1967 by gestation, statutory grounds and mothers age. Residents and non-residents of England and Wales, 1987.

  Statutory grounds Age

  Gestation weeks

  17–18

  19–20

  21–22

  23+

  All grounds

  Under 15

  67

  27

  35

  31

  15

  204

  92

  71

  38

  16–19

  1,608

  978

  539

  336

  2 (alone)

  Under 15

  65

  25

  35

  31

  15

  201

  91

  71

  38

  16–19

  1,552

  926

  520

  329

  3 (with or without 2)

  Under 20

  34

  23

  9

  4

  426
  contained in the Select Committee on the Abortion (Amendment) Bill 1974–75 which have been implemented; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  The then Secretary of State announced acceptance in principle of the nine recommendations made by the Select Committee and all of them were subsequently implemented in part or in full.

  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list in the Official Report those recommendations contained in the First and Second Reports of the Select Committee on Abortion 1976 which have not been implemented; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  The first report of the Select Committee recommended that the Government should introduce legislation to amend the Abortion Act 1967 in a number of ways. This would, however, have involved departure from the longstanding practice of leaving legislation on abortion to Bills brought forward by private Members as successive Governments have been neutral on abortion legislation. The second report concentrated on research, conscientious objection, disparity in the provision of NHS services, and the cost of abortion in the NHS, and made four recommendations which were not taken forward in the terms in which they were expressed.

  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will list the number of abortions performed on girls aged 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 years according to the grounds of termination in each year since 1968;

  (2) what was the total number of abortions performed on girls aged 10, II, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 years since 1968.

  Mr. Freeman
  1 regret that the information could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the number of abortions performed on girls aged 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 years according to the grounds of termination in 1987 and 1988 for 18 weeks and each week thereafter to 28 weeks.

  Mr. Freeman
  The exact information requested cannot be released for reasons of maintaining confidentiality. The table shows the data which can be released within these constraints for 1987; data for 1988 are not yet available.
  427

  Statutory grounds Age

  Gestation weeks

  17–18

  19–20

  21–22

  23+

  4 (alone)+ 4 (with any other except 1)

  Under 20

  26

  30

  9

  5

  Others

  Under 20

  1

  2

  1

  0

  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of abortions at 21 weeks, 23 weeks and 24 weeks gestation were performed during 1987 and 1988 on girls aged 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 years to save the life of the pregnant woman.

  Mr. Freeman
  There were three abortions performed in England and Wales in 1987 with mention of ground 5 of the 1967 Abortion Act (which allows abortions to be performed in order to save the life of the pregnant woman). Further details relating to age or gestation cannot be given for reasons of maintaining confidentiality.

  Data for 1988 are not yet available.

  Cancer Screening
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how far the recently agreed programme of breast screening for women aged over 50 years has been implemented; and whether he has any plans to widen the service.

  Mr. Mellor
  The table lists those breast screening centres in England which are now operational.

  Under the programme, all women aged between 50 and 64 years will be invited to be screened by mammography every three years; older women will be screened on request. The purpose of screening is to detect changes in breast tissue which might be cancerous at an early stage when treatment can be simple and most likely to be effective.

  Plans for extending the breast screening programme to cover all district health authorities in England are well advanced; a full nationwide service comprising about 80 centres (including mobile units) is expected to be operational in 1990.

  The breast screening programmes in the other parts of the United Kingdom are the responsibilities of my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Wales and for Northern Ireland and of my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.

  SCREENING CENTRES OPERATIONAL AS AT JUNE 1989

  Region and centres

  Northern

  Gateshead

  Newcastle

  428

  Yorkshire

  Huddersfield

  Trent

  Nottingham

  Leicester

  Lincoln

  East Anglian

  King's Lynn

  Suffolk

  Peterborough

  North West Thames

  Barnet

  North East Thames

  Epping

  Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Hospital

  South East Thames

  Camberwell

  South West Thames

  Guildford

  Wessex

  Southampton

  Isle of Wight

  Portsmouth

  Oxford

  Aylesbury

  Northampton

  Wycombe

  South Western

  Cornwall

  Avon

  West Midlands

  Stoke on Trent

  Coventry

  Dudley

  Walsall

  Mersey

  Liverpool

  North Western

  Manchester

  Bolton

  Wigan

  Midwives
  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he now expects to respond to the Social Services Committee regarding midwives' regrading; and whether he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Wallsend (Mr. Garrett) and my hon. Friend the Member for Batley and Spen (Mrs. Peacock) on 10 May 1989, at columns 450–51.

  NHS Reform
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many of the units expressing interest in self-governing status have complied with paragraph 5.3 of the self-governing hospitals working paper No. 1; and if he will take steps to require the remainder to do so;

  (2) if he will list those units contained in his list of medical units expressing interest in becoming self-governing who have consulted staff and patient representatives and have met with their approval;

  (3) when considering applications for self-governing status from ambulance services, whether he intends consulting other emergency services; and if he will make a statement;

  (4) whether he intends to consult medical staff and patient representatives when making a decision to approve or disapprove applications for self-governing status in light of his commitment to judge whether the changes would be in the interests of the National Health Service, hospitals and patients.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 12 June 1989]: Expressions of interest are no more than that. We are aware that in many cases informal consultation has taken place but it would be unrealistic to engage in formal consultation at this stage, because people may not have enough information to give an informed opinion. All the main interests—including staff and the local community—will have an opportunity to express their views when detailed proposals have been worked up. We will take all responses into account when deciding whether to approve an application.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list those units that are entire hospitals with 250 beds or over contained in his list of units expressing interest in becoming self-governing.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 12 June 1989]: The information is not available in the form requested. The table lists those units which include entire hospitals with 250 beds or over:

  Northern Regional Health Authority

  Darlington—hospital and community services

  Freeman Hospital, Newcastle

  Hartlepool District

  Mental Illness Services in Gateshead

  Newcastle General Hospital

  Newcastle Mental Health Unit

  Northgate Hospital

  North Tyneside District

  Yorkshire Regional Health Authority

  Bradford—Acute Hospital Trust

  Calderdale Hospitals, Calderdale HA

  430

  General Infirmary, Leeds and associated Units—Leeds Western

  Grimsby DGH and associated services

  High Royds Hospital Mental Health Services, Leeds Western

  St. James's University Hospital, Leeds Eastern

  Seacroft and Killingbeck Hospitals, Leeds Eastern

  Wakefield District—Mental Health Unit

  Trent Regional Health Authority

  Bassetlaw Hospital and associated community services

  Doncaster Royal Infirmary and Maxborough Montagu Hospital

  Nether Edge Hospital, Sheffield

  Northern General Hospital, Sheffield

  University Hospital, Nottingham

  Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield

  East Anglian Regional Health Authority

  East Suffolk Psychiatric Services

  Newmarket General Hospital

  Peterborough DGH, Edith Cavell DGH, Stamford and Rutland Hospital

  Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kings Lynn and associated services

  North West Thames Regional Health Authority

  Central Middlesex Hospital

  East Hertfordshire Acute Services Unit

  North Hertfordshire Hospital and Community Services

  North West Hertfordshire Priority Services Unit

  Northwich Park Hospital

  Mount Vernon/Hillingdon Hospitals with associated Community Services

  Westminster and Westminster Children's Hospitals

  North East Thames Regional Health Authority

  Basildon and Thurrock HA

  Central North London Mental Health Unit

  London Hospital

  Mid Essex Acute Unit

  Royal Free Hospital + North Middlesex Hospital

  St. Bartholomews, Homerton and St. Marks Hospital Trust

  St. Bartholomew's Hospital

  St. Margaret's Hospital, Epping

  Southend Acute Unit

  North East Essex Acute Unit

  North East Essex Mental Handicap Unit

  North East Essex Mental Health Unit

  Waltham Forest Mental Health Unit

  South West Thames Regional Health Authority

  Croydon HA—Mental Handicap Unit

  Croydon HA—Mental Illness Unit

  East Surrey HA—Acute and Community Services Unit

  Kingston and Esher HA—Kingston Hospital

  Mid Downs HA—East Unit

  Mid Downs HA—West Unit

  Mid Surrey HA—General (Acute) Unit

  Mid Surrey HA—Mental Illness Unit

  North West Surrey HA—Acute Unit

  North West Surrey HA—Mental Handicap and Mental Health Units

  St. George's Group Trust, Wandsworth HA

  St. Helier and Sutton Hospitals, Merton and Sutton HA

  South West Surrey HA—Acute Unit

  Worthing and Southlands Hospitals, Worthing HA

  South East Thames Regional Health Authority

  Brighton HA—main acute hospitals

  Bromley HA

  Camberwell HA (excluding mental illness services)

  Eastbourne Hospitals—Eastbourne HA

  Guy's Hospital

  Lewisham Hospital Unit

  Maidstone DGH

  Queen Mary's Hospital, Sidcup + Erith and District Hospital + Community

  Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead

  St. Thomas' Hospital

  431

  Tunbridge Wells Mental Handicap Unit

  West Lambeth HA—Priority Care Unit

  William Harvey and Buckland Hospitals—South East Kent HA

  Wessex Regional Health Authority

  Bournemouth Acute Unit, East Dorset HA

  Christchurch Hospital, East Dorset HA

  Psychiatric Division, Basingstoke HA

  Swindon HA—All District Services

  West Dorset HA—All District Services comprises 1, 2, or 3

  trusts

  South Western Regional Health Authority

  Bristol Royal Infirmary Acute Services

  Cheltenham and District

  East Cornwall Acute Services

  East Somerset (Yeovil): Acute/Primary Care Services + Yateman Hospital

  North Devon DHA

  Plymouth DHA

  Torbay DHA

  West Somerset (Musgrove): Acute Services

  Wonford Acute Services, Exeter

  West Midlands Regional Health Authority

  Alexandra DGH/Acute Services Unit (Bromsgrove and Redditch)

  Good Hope DGH/Northcroft/Jaffray/Community (N. Birmingham)

  Highcroft, Mental Illness Hospital (N. Birmingham)

  Manor DGH/Acute Services Unit (Walsall)

  Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital (Shropshire)

  Royal Shrewsbury Hospital (Shropshire)

  Rugby District

  St. George's Hospital/Mental Health Unit (Mid Staffordshire)

  St. Margaret's, Mental Handicap Hospital, (Walsall)

  Walsgrave DGH, Coventry

  Mersey Regional Health Authority

  Arrowe Park and Clatterbridge Hospitals

  Broadgreen Hospital, exc. Mersey Regional Cardio-Thoracic Unit

  Cranage Hall, Crewe

  Leighton Hospital, Crewe (Acute Services)

  Liverpool Mental Health Services

  Macclesfield DGH (Acute Services)

  Macclesfield Mental Health Services

  Royal Liverpool Children's Hospital (Alder Hey)

  Royal Liverpool Hospital

  Southport DGH (Acute Services)

  Southport and Formby Psychiatric/Community Services

  Walton and Fazakerley Hospitals, South Sefton

  Warrington DGH

  Whiston and St. Helen's Hospital

  North Western Regional Health Authority

  Christie Hospital, South Manchester HA

  Manchester Royal Infirmary + St. Mary's Hospital + Royal Eye Hospital

  Royal Preston Hospital, Preston HA

  Stepping Hill Hospital + Stockport Infirmary, Stockport HA

  Wrightington Hospital, West Lancashire HA

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will provide references for the passages in the White Paper, "Working for Patients" and associated documents, in which the implications of and safeguards required for primary care or ambulance services if they become self-governing are discussed.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 12 June 1989]: The White Paper discusses self-governing trusts in terms of hospitals or other units providing care or services for patients. But self-governing status could be practical for a wide range of
  432
  NHS services, and we are considering the implications for particular services in the light of any expressions of interest received.

  Mr. Kirk wood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) under what conditions he will approve applications from ambulance services to become self-governing; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) under what conditions he will approve applications from primary care services to become self-governing; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 12 June 1989]: We would propose to consider each application on its merits, provided it meets the general criteria outlined in the White Paper.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what is his timetable for approving or disapproving applications for medical units to become self-governing;

  (2) whether units other than 250 bed hospitals will have their applications to become self-governing approved in time to begin in April 1991.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 12 June 1989]: We would aim to establish the first NHS hospital trust as soon as possible after the necessary legislation receives Royal Assent, so that they can complete their preparations before April 1991, the earliest sensible time to establish the first self-governing hospitals. We would be prepared to consider a wide variety of units among the first self-governing units.

  AIDS
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his latest assessment of the possible spread of the HIV infection within prisons and after the prisoner is released; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I have been asked to reply.

  An informed assessment is not possible on the basis of HIV screening and practice.

EMPLOYMENT

  Employment Schemes
  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, at the most recently available date, and for the same months in 1986,1987 and 1988 how many people of YTS eligible age, registered with jobcentres or the careers service were awaiting an offer of a YTS place; and how many unfilled places on the scheme were available at those dates, broken down for each training agency region and for Great Britain as a whole.

  Mr. Cope
  The Government guarantee the offer of a suitable YTS place to all under-18-year-olds who want one.

  As at 31 May 1989, there were some 141,144 unfilled vacancies on YTS in Great Britain. The numbers for each of the Training Agency regions are as follows:

  Numbers

  Scotland

  13,770

  Northern

  8,910

  North West

  17,822

  433

  Numbers

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  16,518

  West Midlands

  24,343

  Wales

  4,454

  East Midlands

  16,796

  South West

  11,500

  South East

  18,267

  London

  8,764

  These figures far exceed the demand for places. Young people have a good choice of training opportunities. It is not possible to compare the current situation with that in previous years when the YTS guarantee was of the offer of a suitable place by Christmas to any of that year's school leavers who were unemployed.

  Departmental Expenditure Plans
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how much the change in the expenditure plans for his Department for 1989–90 from the 1988–89 estimated outturn will be(a) in percentage terms and (b) after adjustment for the gross domestic product deflator.

  Mr. Cope
  The 1988–89 estimated outturn for my Department is 2·8 per cent. lower than the 1987–88 outturn. After adjustment for the gross domestic product deflator, the 1988–89 estimated outturn is £289 million (8.5 per cent.) lower than the 1987–88 outturn.

  Rehabilitation Centres
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the total numbers of people who completed courses at employment rehabilitation centres in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and what percentage in each year subsequently(a) obtained employment or (b) entered a course of training.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The total number of people who completed courses with the employment rehabilitation service in each of the last five years was as follows:

  Number

  1984–85

  12,000

  1985–86

  13,440

  1986–87

  14,790

  1987–88

  16,000

  1988–89

  26,000

  The percentage in each year who either obtained employment or entered a course of training was as follows:

  Employment/Community Programme

  Training/YTS

  1984–85

  29

  9

  1985–86

  34

  10

  1986–87

  39

  10

  1987–88

  41

  10

  1988–891

  40

  17

  1 1 April—31 August 1988 only.

  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the average length of attendance at employment rehabilitation centres in each of the last five years; and what was the average per capita cost to his Department.
  434
  Mr. Nicholls
  The average length of attendance on courses run by the employment rehabilitation service in each of the last five years and the average per capita cost to the Department was as follows:

  Average length of attendance

  Average per capita cost

  £

  1984–85

  35 days

  2,287

  1985–86

  32 days

  2,214

  1986–87

  32 days

  2,332

  1987–88

  30 days

  1,250

  1988–891

  17 days

  2886

  1 1 April—31 August 1988 only

  2 Provisional figure.

  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the total expenditure on employment rehabilitation centres in each of the last.five years for which figures are available; and what percentage in each year was received in grants from the European social fund.

  Mr. Nicholls
  As far as expenditure figures for the employment rehabilitation service are concerned I refer to the reply given to the hon. Member for Liverpool, West Derby (Mr. Wareing) on Wednesday 24 May 1989 at column 576.

  European social fund claims made in report of the employment rehabilitation service resulted in the following grants to HM Government:

  £

  1984

  6,144,397

  1985

  8,358,625

  1986

  2,710,925

  1987

  3,193,687

  1988

  2,667,794

  Disabled People
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what outcome measures of rehabilitation are used by his Department to assess the effectiveness of the employment services for people with disabilities; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The outcome measures used to assess the effectiveness of the employment rehabilitation service are as follows:

  (i) Total number of courses;

  (ii) Total number of clients attending courses;

  (iii) Clients with disabilities expressed as a percentage of the total client group;

  (iv) The percentage of clients who proceed to rehabilitation following an assessment course;

  (v) Average cost per disabled client;

  (vi) Average cost per week per disabled client;

  (vii) Average resettlement rate into employment or training;

  (viii) Average cost per disabled client resettled into employment or training.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many job vacancies in information technology industries were registered in the Bristol travel-to-work area at the latest available date, and two years earlier.
  435
  Mr. Nicholls
  The information is not available.

  Benefit Entitlement
  Mr. Sedgemore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many persons have been disentitled from receiving unemployment benefit where they have been deemed to be unemployed without just cause since October 1988(a) in England and Wales, and (b) in unemployment benefit offices in Hackney; and, in each case, if he will state the percentage of cases of which decisions were taken by adjudicating officers to suspend benefit for less than the maximum 26 weeks.

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

  Figures on the number of persons disqualified for leaving their employment voluntarily without just cause in the unemployment benefit offices in Hackney are not collected separately, and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Information requested on the percentage of claimants disqualified for less than the statutory period of 26 weeks is not collected. However, the Department of Social Security has undertaken a survey to establish the proportion of claims which are disqualified for the maximum period. The results are at present being analysed and will be published shortly.

  The number of claimants disqualified from receiving unemployment benefit because they left employment voluntarily without just cause for the period 1 July 1988 to 31 March 1989 in England and Wales was 156,683.

  Skills Training Agency
  Mr. Hague
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how he intends to finance the expenditure in connection with the privatisation of the Skills Training Agency.

  Mr. Cope
  The expenses will be covered by receipts from the sale. Parliamentary approval for the new service will be sought in a new token Supply Estimate (Class VII, Vote 5) for the privatisation of the Skills Training Agency, to be presented in the Summer Supplementary Estimates round, seeking provision for preliminary expenses and token provision for the main expenses. Later in the year

  Type of Crossing

  Year

  Total number of accidents

  AHB

  AOCL

  Controlled

  Deaths

  Injuries

  Deaths

  Injuries

  Deaths

  1984

  1

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1985

  2

  —

  —

  —

  4

  —

  1986

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  1987

  3

  —

  —

  3

  1

  —

  1988

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1989

  2

  —

  —

  1

  3

  —

  AOCL = Automatic open crossing locally monitored

  AHB = Automatic half-barrier

  All these accidents resulted from collision with road vehicles. In all cases the speed of trains was limited. The limit varies according to local conditions.

  Vocational Rehabilitation
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he is satisfied with the integration of
  436
  parliamentary approval will be sought for the substantive provision for the main expenses of the sale. Pending the necessary approval urgent expenditure on fees for professional advice, the first tranche of which is estimated to be £250,000, will be met by repayable advances from the Contingencies Fund.

  Mental Handicap (Vocational Training)
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement about the first European national conference for vocational training for mental handicap in Maastricht, in April; what official representation attended the conference from the United Kingdom; and if he will place in the Library any papers resulting from the conference.

  Mr. Cope
  [holding answer 12 June 1989]: The United Kingdom Government were not invited to send representatives. I understand that two officials from the Northern Ireland Department of Economic Development attended, though not in an official capacity.

  Claimants
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if benefit officers or staff, including fraud officers and claimant advisers, have targets for numbers of claimants who cease to claim or are removed from benefit.

  Mr. Nicholls
  [holding answer 13 June 1989]: No.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Level Crossings
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many deaths and injuries there have been at level crossings, by type of crossing, in Northern Ireland in each of the past five years; whether there are any limits on the speed of trains at each such type of level crossing; and how many of the incidents in each year resulting in death and injury involved collision with road vehicles.

  Mr. Needham
  The information requested is as follows:

  vocational rehabilitation with both the structure and administration of social security in Northern Ireland; what action he is taking to improve co-ordination; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 13 June 1989]: The Department of Health and Social Services and the Department of Economic Development have agreed

  437
  arrangements whereby people receiving social security benefits may participate in a rehabilitation programme and continue to receive benefit for a period of up to four weeks. If at the end of this initial period a person is considered suitable for full-time training, payment of benefit ceases and is replaced by a training allowance, payable at the rate of the previous benefit plus a premium of £10 a week. On completion of training, payment of benefit will resume if the normal conditions are still satisfied. The rules governing people's entitlement both during and after training will continue as at present.

  The need for informal co-ordination between Departments in providing help for the disabled will be examined as part of the Government's consideration of the results of the current survey of the disabled in Northern Ireland.

  Glen House
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which adjoining property owners have been formally notified of the planning application No. 0339 to develop lands at Glen house, Mountain road-Crawfordsburn road, Newtownards.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 13 June 1989]: The following occupiers were neighbour notified in relation to planning application No. 0339—Nos 3, 5, 7 and 9 Mountain road and No. 41 Crawfordsburn road, Newtownards.

  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which adjoining property owners have been formally notified of the planning application No. 0340 to develop lands at Glen house, Mountain Road-Crawfordsburn road, Newtownards.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 13 June 1989]: The following occupiers were neighbour notified in relation to planning application No. 0340—Nos. 7, 9, 11 13, 15, 17, 41, 43, 45, 47 and 49 Mountain road, Newtownards. The occupiers of Nos. 41 and 49 Crawfordsburn road, Newtownards should also have been notified but, due to an oversight, they were not. However, both these occupiers contacted the Department of Environment (Northern Ireland) about the proposed development and were obviously aware of it despite the lack of neighbour notifications.

  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which adjoining property owners have been formally notified of the planning application No. 0336 to develop lands at Glen house, Mountain road-Crawfordsburn road, Newtownards.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 13 June 1989]: The following occupiers were neighbour notified in relation to planning application No. 0336—Nos. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19 Mountain road, and No. 55 Crawfordsburn road, Newtownards.

SCOTLAND

  Severe Weather Payments
  Mr. Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will detail the total monies so far paid out,438
  to individuals and local authorities, respectively, as a result of the severe weather conditions earlier in the current year; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lang
  My right hon. and learned Friend announced on 27 April details of the special financial assistance being made available, and invited claims from local authorities and those eligible for the higher rates of agricultural grants which were announced at the same time. To date, my officials have held discussions with several local authorities about the possibility of assistance, and a number of inquiries about agricultural grants have been made by persons affected by the severe weather in February. To date, however, no claims under these measures have been received, and therefore no payments have been made.

  Health Screening
  Mr. Allan Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are his Department's current priorities for screening in health care in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Current priorities are the establishment of systematic programmes to screen women aged between 20 and 60 at five-yearly intervals for cervical cancer and women aged between 50 and 64 at three-yearly intervals for breast cancer. Computerised call and recall systems will enable health boards to invite all women in the eligible age groups to attend for a cervical smear test by December 1993 and for a breast screening test by March 1994.

  In addition, screening of all pregnant women is carried out for the purpose of detecting fetal abnormalities. Following birth, children are screened for inherited or developmental conditions and this is continued throughout the school years. Since 1 December 1988 screening for HIV infection has been available for all women attending ante-natal clinics in Edinburgh and Dundee.

  Publicity Campaigns
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list all current publicity campaigns being conducted by or for his Department or campaigns planned for the first three months of 1989–90, indicating those which involve television advertising and the starting and finishing dates of each campaign.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 19 April 1989]: My Department was conducting publicity campaigns on school boards and the community charge during April. They were scheduled to run from 9 April to 6 May and from 3 to 28 April respectively. Both involved television advertising. A campaign for road safety was shown on television from 6 March to 8 April.

  Planning of publicity campaigns for the whole of the first three months of 1989–90 is not yet complete.

  New Towns
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish the findings of the surveys carried out in the Scottish new towns on the question of the residents views on the disposal of the development corporations housing stock; and if he will make a statement.
  439
  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 13 June 1989]: This matter will be covered in the forthcoming White Paper on the Scottish new towns.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Plessey plc
  Mr. Thorne
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how, in the event that GEC/Siemens acquire the Plessey company, he proposes to ensure continued competitive solutions in the research and development field.

  Mr. Maude
  In its report on the proposed acquitition of Plessey by GEC Siemens, the Monopolies and Mergers Commission concluded that the effect of the proposed acquisition on research and development would not operate against the public interest. In accordance with the Commission's recommendations, however, my right hon. and noble Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has asked my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence to seek undertakings, amongst others, that would satisfy United Kingdom national security requirements as to the ownership and management of defence, research and development and semiconductor activities. Negotiations on undertakings continue.

  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how, in the event that GEC/Siemens acquire the Plessey company, he plans to ensure that Plessey radar and Plessey defence systems can compete equally with GEC companies.

  Mr. Maude
  Following publication of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission report on the proposed acquisition of Plessey by GEC Siemens, my right hon. and noble Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has made it clear that the proposed acquisition should not proceed until satisfactory undertakings have been obtained from GEC and Siemens, including undertakings from GEC that GEC should not acquire any interest in or influence or control over the management of the Plessey radar and defence systems businesses. Negotiations on undertakings continue.

  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) what measures are being taken to safeguard the position of Britain's base of enabling technology in semiconductors in the event that GEC/Siemens succeed in taking over Plessey;

  (2) what measures are being taken to safeguard the position of the United Kingdom as the European leader in application specific integrated circuits in the event that GEC/Siemens succeed in taking over Plessey.

  Mr. Maude
  In its report on the proposed acquisition of Plessey by GEC Siemens, the Monopolies and Mergers Commission concluded that the effect of the proposed acquisition on electronic components would not operate against the public interest. In accordance with the Commission's recommendations, however, my right hon. and noble Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has asked my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence to seek undertakings, amongst others, that would satisfy United Kingdom national security requirements as to the ownership and management of defence, research and development and semiconductor activities. Negotiations on undertakings continue.

  "Open for Business"
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what response there has been to his Department's European "Open for Business" campaign.

  Mr. Maude
  The response has been huge. Our weekly survey indicates that 90 per cent. of business throughout the country is now aware of the single market and around 50 per cent. is taking action or considering steps to prepare for it. DTI has received over 230,000 requests for information on the single market since the campaign was launched in March 1988, including over 132,000 calls to our 1992 hotline. In addition, DTI Ministers and officials have spoken at more than 1,000 single market conferences since the campaign began and are committed to over 130 other single market engagements during the remainder of this year.

  Imports (Consumer Goods)
  Mr. Butterlill
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what percentage of the 1987–88 imports figure was accounted for by consumer goods; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  Consumer goods (1) accounted for 18 per cent. of United Kingdom imports on an overseas trade statistics basis in each of the years 1987 and 1988.

  (1) Part of SITC 7 and 8, based on the United Nations broad economic categories.

  Refrigeration Industry
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what discussions he has had with representatives of the refrigeration industry about the effects of restrictions on CFC consumption; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maude
  My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Industry held a meeting with my hon. Friend the Member for Bolton, North-East and a delegation from the industry on 7 June.

  Additionally, officials have had a number of meetings with the industry during the last two years to discuss the implications of the Montreal protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer, which control the use of chlorofluorocarbons used by the refrigeration, air conditioning and other industries; the extent to which savings in the use of these substances may be made; and the forseeable effects of a strengthened protocol.

  Financial Services Act
  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many responses he received to the consultative document, "Possible Changes to the Financial Services Act 1986", published on 1 March; how many respondents supported the proposals; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maude
  My Department received responses to the consultation document entitled "Possible Changes to the Financial Services Act 1986" from 67 organisations, companies and individuals. The document invited comments on a number of possibilities, not all of which were related, and many of the responses were also wide-ranging. It would not therefore be meaningful to analyse them in the way requested.

  Eastern Europe
  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster to what extent trade with eastern Europe, excluding the USSR, has increased in the last 10 years.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  United Kingdom trade with eastern Europe, excluding the USSR, is given in the following table:

  United Kingdom trade with eastern Europe excluding USSR 1979 to 1988

  Value in £ million

  Imports

  Exports

  Balance

  1979

  563·7

  549·6

  -14·1

  1980

  492·5

  673·4

  + 180·9

  1981

  398·3

  600·1

  + 201·8

  1982

  484·3

  510·2

  + 25·9

  1983

  571·4

  503·8

  -67·6

  1984

  902·8

  572·8

  -3300

  1985

  851·7

  649·4

  -202·3

  1986

  827·4

  626·2

  -201·2

  1987

  825·5

  625·3

  -200·2

  1988

  859·3

  683·9

  -175·4

  Source: Table 1B of the Overseas Trade Statistics.

  Notes: 1. Figures for 1988 are provisional.

  2. Imports valued at cif, exports fob.

  Paperless Share Transactions
  Mr. Charles Wardle
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he will state the Government's intentions for facilitating paperless transactions and holdings in shares.

  Mr. Maude
  I announced on 1 December at column 369 that I was considering proposing changes to the law that would, if both the company and the shareholder wished, enable shares to be held on computer, without certificates, and to be transferred without the need for paper transfer forms. This process, sometimes referred to as dematerialisation, is important for London's leading position as an international trading market. Paperless schemes will also offer important benefits for wider share ownership by providing a more efficient service to investors.

  I issued a consultative document on the proposed changes and I am grateful to all those individuals and organisations who responded. It is essential that any schemes finally developed meet the legitimate needs of all potential users and I welcome the progress made by the international stock exchange as a result of its recent and continuing consultations.

  The moves towards paperless trading are intended to reduce transaction risks and costs. In considering possible changes to legislation it is essential to strike the right balance between the interests of shareholders, of companies and of the financial institutions. I have also borne in mind that schemes will develop over time and that competitors may emerge with different approaches from the nominee-based scheme currently being considered by the stock exchange. Against this background it is clearly important that the framework should be flexible.

  I hope to bring forward proposals in the form of amendments to the Companies Bill. These will be intended to ensure that the move towards paperless trading does not alter significantly the effect in practice of current company, investor protection and insolvency law. In order to achieve this the Secretary of State would be empowered to make regulations, subject to affirmative resolution, which would
  442
  then provide a framework within which authorised systems would operate. The purpose of the regulations would be:

  (a) to facilitate the introduction and operation of computer based systems for recording the holding of securities (or interests in them) and for their transfer;

  (b) to ensure that, as far as reasonably practicable, investors, issuers (ie companies) and other are in a corresponding position under such a computer-based system as they are under the present paper-based system.

  The regulations will make provisions inter alia for ensuring that authorised systems and their participants are properly regulated. They will also ensure that the speed and ease with which information about the identities of owners of shares is made available is comparable to present arrangements; and that investors continue to enjoy broadly the same rights as they do now.

  Electricity Boards
  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many representations he has received regarding alleged abuses of Fair Trading and Competition Acts by electricity boards.

  Mr. Maude
  [holding answer 12 June 1989]: Three.

  Eastern Electricity Board
  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will instruct the Director General of Fair Trading to investigate the current retail practices of the Eastern electricity board.

  Mr. Maude
  [holding answer 12 June 1989]: It is for the Director General of Fair Trading to decide whether to carry out an investigation to establish whether someone is engaging in an anti-competitive practice. I understand that the Director General is following up complaints from retailers of electrical hardware.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list those who have made representations regarding alleged anti-competitive practices by the Eastern electricity board; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maude
  [holding answer 12 June 1989]: No: I treat such representations in confidence.

  Beer (MMC Report)
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when he expects to announce his decision on implementing the Monopolies and Mergers Commission's report on the supply of beer.

  Mr. Maude
  [holding answer 12 June 1989]: I made a preliminary statement about the scope of application of some of the proposed measures on 8 June at column 229. I am anxious to settle the remaining issues quickly.

THE ARTS

  School Parties (Museum Charges)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Minister for the Arts which national museums impose charges for school parties; and what advice he issues museums in respect of educational charges.
  443
  Mr. Luce
  The National Maritime museum and Merseyside Maritime museum are the only national museums to levy charges for school parties. Both operate concessionary charge schemes.

  The policy on charging educational parties is a matter for the director and trustees of each individual museum.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Inner London Education Authority (Women Employees)
  Mr. Cartwright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received suggesting that the draft regulations on redundancy and detriment compensation discriminate against women employees of the Inner London Education Authority; and what has been his response.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  My right hon. Friend is currently considering representations from the TUC on this point.

  Further Education (London)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many 16-year-olds stay on in education after this age in the Inner London education authority.

  Mr. Jackson
  In 1987–88 there were approximately 11·5 thousand full-time students (a participation rate of 51 per cent.) and 1·5 thousand part-time students (a participation rate of 7 per cent.).

  Scottish Qualifications
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he intends to approve Scottish qualifications for use in maintained schools in England in 1990 and 1991.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  Yes. I intend that qualifications certificated by the Scottish Examination Board should be included in the supplementary list of qualifications approved for use in maintained schools in England in 1990 and 1991 which will be issued later this summer and which was foreshadowed in the Department's 31 May circular (11/89).

ENERGY

  Wind Turbines
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is the load factor achieved by the three wind turbines at Carmarthen hay(a) for 1988 and (b) to date during 1989.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The vertical axis wind turbine machine had a load factor of 13·3 per cent. for 1988 and 17·3 per cent. for the first quarter of 1989. The machine is being used as a test bed to support the VAWT development programme and, since 1987, has been operating in a different mode from that originally intended. Over this period, it has given satisfactory performance with an availability of 93 per cent.

  The Howden HWT300 machine has had a number of teething troubles with its control system, and representative operating data are not yet available; it is hoped that
  444
  suitable data will be acquired over the next year. The wind energy group MS3 machine is not yet fully commissioned, and load factor data are therefore not yet available.

  Energy Industries (Fatalities)
  Sir John Farr
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list in the Official Report annual totals of fatalities since 1970 in the United Kingdom energy industries, showing separately the figures for (a) coal, (b) civil nuclear, and (c) offshore oil and gas.

  Mr. Parkinson
  The figures are as follows:

  Fatal injuries to employees in the energy sector Dale of Accident (calendar year except where otherwise indicated)

  1Coal Mining

  2Civil Nuclear

  3Offshore Oil and Gas

  1970

  91

  —

  1

  1971

  72

  —

  4

  1972

  64

  —

  3

  1973

  80

  —

  3

  1974

  48

  —

  12

  1975

  64

  —

  10

  1976

  50

  2

  17

  1977

  40

  1

  11

  1978

  63

  2

  4

  1979

  46

  —

  10

  1980

  42

  2

  4

  1981

  35

  2

  6

  1982

  38

  2

  14

  1983

  30

  2

  10

  1984

  19

  —

  13

  1985

  25

  1

  8

  1986

  418

  1

  3

  1987

  412

  —

  6

  1988

  420

  —

  573

  1 Reported to the Health and Safety Executive's inspectorate of mines and quarries (figures include both British Coal and private licensed mines)

  2 None of the civil nuclear fatalities involved exposure to radiation.

  3 The statistics include all fatalities on or near installations and pipeline works or on attendant vessels in the course of any operation undertaken in connection with an installation. They also include fatalities in respect of pipelines or in the course of pipeline works. Fatalities involving helicopters flying to or from installations are only included if they occur in the vicinity of the installation.

  4 Figures for coal fatalities compiled on a financial year basis since April 1986. There were a further seven fatalities between 1 January 1986 and 31 March 1986.

  5 167 of these fatalities relate to the Piper Alpha disaster.

  Harwell (Laboratories)
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what new laboratories or existing laboratory upgrading and extensions have been built since 1979 at the Atomic Energy Research Establishment, operated by the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority at Harwell; which of these have been paid for from a parliamentary vote; and which paid for by commercial contracts signed by the UKAEA or AEA technology.

  Mr. Parkinson
  Since 1979 the Harwell laboratory has completed seven major laboratory schemes. Details and information on how they were funded is as follows:

  Description

  Funding provided by

  Electron Linear Accelerator facility

  Vote

  Extension to Environmental and Medical Sciences building

  Vote

  New and improved facilities for handling radioactive wastes

  Vote

  445

  Description

  Funding provided by

  Thoria Pelleting plant

  Industrial customer

  Refurbishment of Post Irradiation Examination Laboratory

  1Capital

  Improvements to Biochemistry Building

  1Capital

  1 Since 1986, when the finances of the UKAEA were put on a trading fund basis, capital investment which is intended to serve several research and development customers has been capitalised and is funded corporately within the AEA's external financing limit.

  Nuclear Materials (Safeguards)
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what period of notice the United Kingdom is required to give the safeguards authorities at the International Atomic Energy Agency and the European Atomic Energy Agency, Euratom, if nuclear material under safeguards is to be withdrawn from safeguards.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The United Kingdom is required to give to Euratom and the IAEA 10 days notice of withdrawal of material from the terms of the United Kingdom/Euratom/IAEA agreement unless otherwise specified in the relevant facality attachment.

  Sellafield
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what the basic technical characteristics of the Sellafield reprocessing facilities were submitted to Euratom for the purposes of developing safeguards arrangements for Sellafield.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  Basic technical characteristics for different material balance areas at Sellafield have been formally submitted to Euratom at different times in addition to Euratom inspectors obtaining the technical characteristics during inspections. The development of safeguards approaches is mostly influenced by that latter knowledge.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when the particular safeguards provisions for the Sellafield reprocessing facility were(a) first agreed and (b) first implemented; and if he will make a statement on the implementations of the safeguards arrangements at Sellafield.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  Four particular safeguards provisions were agreed and came into force in 1988. The others are in an advanced stage of consultation, to come into force progressively.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  International Fund for Agricultural Development
  Mr. Pake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the outcome of the negotiations to replenish the international fund for agricultural development; and what will be the British contribution.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  I am glad to say that IFAD members successfully agreed early on 8 June to replenish the fund with at least $523 million so as to cover its operations up 446
  to 30 June 1992. The final total, to be fixed by the end of September, will depend on how far the group of non-oil developing countries can raise their pledges towards $75 million, in response to an offer by western donors to match this by 3:1. If that figure is reached, the replenishment will come to $611 million, corresponding to over $730 million for a full three year period. But the level already secured, with reflows to the fund, is enough to allow it to continue operations at a reasonable level.

  The British contribution, like that of other western donors, will only be finalised at the end of September. I shall report it to the House thereafter, and it will naturally be subject to parliamentary approval.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Taxation
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the anticipated effect on the Exchequer of raising the higher rate of taxation to 50 per cent.; arid if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  The yield in a full year at 1989–90 levels of income of increasing the higher rate of income tax to 50 per cent. would be about £2½ billion. The estimate includes the consequential effect on the yield of capital gains tax. It is partly based on a projection of the 1986–87 survey of personal incomes and is provisional.

  Pension's (Civil Servants)
  Sir Peter Hordern
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table showing the total cost of pensions paid to civil servants in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Brooke
  Pensions paid to civil servants, along with certain other pension payments (including pensions paid to the dependants of former civil servants), are a charge on the civil superannuation vote. It is not possible to separate out the costs of the other pension payments but, with the exception of pensions paid to the dependants of former civil servants, the costs are small. Total pension costs, as recorded in the Appropriation Accounts for subhead A 1 of the vote, in each of the last five years are as follows:

  £'000

  1983–84

  855,079

  1984–85

  931,344

  1985–86

  1,017,876

  1986–87

  1,112,685

  1987–88

  1,163,226

  Sir Peter Hordern
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the average pension and lump sum paid to civil servants in retirement after 40 years service in each grade from grade 6 and above.

  Mr. Brooke
  A civil servant with 40 years' service and paid at the scale maximum of the respective grade (excluding London weighting where payable) would qualify on retirement for a pension and lump sum as follows:
  447

  Pension £

  Lump sum £

  Grade 6

  14,085

  42,255

  Grade 5

  15,801

  47,403

  Grade 4

  17,707

  53,122

  Grade 3

  19,500

  58,500

  Grade 2

  24,000

  72,000

  Grade 1A

  31,375

  94,125

  Grade 1

  34,250

  102,750

  Capital gains tax

  Capital transfer taxi Inheritance tax

  Reduction, compared with indexed 1978–79 regime, in:

  Total liability (£ million)

  1988–89

  1,250

  600

  1989–90

  1,350

  670

  Average liability 1(£)

  1988–89

  1,900

  8,500

  1989–90

  1,900

  9,500

  Taxpayer numbers (thousands)

  1978–79 indexed regime

  1988–89

  650

  70

  1989–90

  700

  70

  Present regime

  1988–89

  145

  24

  1989–90

  160

  24

  1 The reduction in the average liability is calculated using the estimated number of taxpayers under the 1978–79 indexed regime.

  The figures for capital gains tax exclude capital gains realised by companies and taxed within corporation tax. For each tax, the 1988–89 and 1989–90 tax bases are taken as given. It is not possible to determine to what extent changes to the taxes between 1978–79 and the present may have affected the levels of transfers and disposals. The comparisons can be regarded as no more than indicative of the orders of magnitude involved.

  Public Safety Films
  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the title and topic of those Government public safety films and announcements that have been screened on television in each of the last six months.

  Mr. Lilley
  [holding answer 8 June 1989]: Details of Government public safety films and announcements produced through the Central Office of Information on behalf of other Government Departments in each of the last six months for which data are available are as follows:

  PUBLIC SAFETY FILMS BROADCAST IN OCTOBER 1988

  Crime Prevention—Child Molestation

  Children Say No—Brownies

  Children Say No—Car

  Children Say No—Sweets (10s)

  Children Say No—Sweets (5s)

  Litter and Safety

  Keep Britain Tidy—Excuses (70s)

  Keep Britain Tidy—Excuses (40s)

  Keep Britain Tidy—Excuses (I0s)

  Fire Prevention—Children

  Welephant—Safe with Matches

  Fire Prevention—General

  Children Alone

  Cigarette Fires

  Clothes Fire Presenter

  Fat Pan Folly

  Taxation
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the reduction in annual liability to(a) capital gains tax and (b) capital transfer tax in 1988–89, 1989–90 and 1990–91 as against the 1978–79 indexed regime, specifying, in each case, the total and average reduction per taxpayer as well as the number of taxpayers in each year.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  [holding answer 15 May 1989]: Latest estimates for 1988–89 and 1989–90 are as follows:

  Fire at Night

  Fire Exits

  Fire in the Fat Pan Fire Routine

  Furniture Fires

  House that Jack Built, The

  How to Dial 999

  Last Smoke, The

  Phone Emergency

  Portable Heaters (60s)

  Portable Heaters (10s)

  Short Fires

  Upstairs Fire Escape

  Health-General

  Clean it up

  Collars and Leads

  Health Hazard

  Rabies Advice

  Rabies—Airport

  Road Safety—Children

  Charley's Tea Party

  Child Cyclist—Right Turn

  Children Crossing (40s)

  Children Crossing (20s)

  Pelican Pedestrians

  Road Safety—General

  Amber Gambler—Twins

  Dangerous Diamonds

  Don't Dazzle

  Driver Fatigue

  Elderly Pedestrians

  Eyesight when Driving

  Flying Motorbikes

  Hard Shoulders

  'Help'

  Horses and Cars

  How to Brake

  Junction Lanes

  Junction Parking

  Lane Discipline

  Let the Other Fella

  Know Look Out for Bikes

  449

  Mini Roundabouts

  Motorway Repair Sites

  Motorway Signals

  Overtaking near Junctions

  Passing Horses

  Pavement Parking

  Ply Group

  Read the Road

  Rear Seat Belts (60s)

  Rear Seat Belts (40s)

  Rear Seat Belts (10s)

  Safe Crossing

  Safe on the Motorway

  Safe Parking

  School Entrance Markings

  Separation Distances—Motorways

  Traffic Shapes

  Tyre Pressures

  Tyre Safety

  Yellow Box Junction

  Zig Zag—Parking

  Road safety—Motorbikes and Bicycles

  Bright Lights

  Helmet Advice

  Motorbikes—Stay Back

  Motorcycle—Overtaking

  Motorcycle Training (40s)

  Motorcycle Training (10s)

  Pedal Cycle Safety

  Road safety—Pedestrians

  Bright Aware

  Car Wash

  Lot on his Mind, A

  Road Dog

  Road Test Pedestrian

  Electricity and building safety

  Electricity—Sub-stations

  Electricity—Pylon

  Electricity—Fishing

  Keep Off Building Sites

  Safety—General

  Bare Wires

  BSI Chameleon

  Careless Fires

  Electricity Hazards

  Eye Protection

  Farm Machinery

  Farm Trailer

  Lifting Safely

  Slipping Ladders

  Safety in the home

  Children and Bottles

  Children and Bottles—Paint Stripper

  Children and Bottles—Anti-Freeze

  Children and Bottles—Danger Bottle

  Fatal Floor, The

  Flexes and Young Children (40s)

  Flexes and Young Children (20s)

  Flexes and Young Children (5s)

  The Right Steps (60s)

  The Right Steps (30s)

  The Right Steps (10s)

  Talking Gas

  Water safety—General

  Learn to Swim—Missing Out

  Swimming Lessons

  Winter

  Christmas Fire

  Driving in Fog

  Driving in Rain

  Motoway Fog

  Rear Fog Lamps

  Wet Motorbikes

  450
  PUBLIC SAFETY FILMS BROADCAST IN NOVEMBER 1988

  Crime Prevention—Child Molestation

  Children Say No—Brownies (20s)

  Children Say No—Car (10s)

  Children Say No—Sweets (10s)

  Children Say No—Sweets (5s)

  Litter and Safety

  Keep Britain Tidy—Excuses (70s)

  Keep Britain Tidy—Excuses (40s)

  Keep Britain Tidy—Excuses (10s)

  Fire Prevention—Children

  Welephant—Safety with Matches

  Fire Prevention—General

  Children Alone

  Cigarette Fires

  Clothes Fire Presenter

  Fat Man Folly

  Fire at Night

  Fire Exits

  Fire in the Fat Pan

  Furniture Fires

  House that Jack Built, The

  How to Dial 999

  Last Smoke, The

  Phone Emergency

  Portable Heaters (60s)

  Portable Heaters (10s)

  Short Fires

  Upstairs Fire Escape

  Health—General

  Clean it Up

  Collars and Leads

  Health Hazard

  Rabies advice

  Rabies—Airport

  Road safety—Children

  Child Cyclist—Right Turn

  Children Crossing (40s)

  Children Crossing (20s)

  Pelican Pedestrians

  Road safety—General

  Amber Gambler—Twins

  Clear Indication

  Dangerous Diamonds

  Don't Dazzle

  Driver Fatigue

  Elderly Pedestrians

  Eyesight when Driving

  Flying Motorbikes

  Hard Shoulders

  HGV Turning

  Horses and Cars

  How to Brake

  Junction Parking

  Lane Discipline

  Let the Other Fella Know

  Look out for Bikes

  Mini Roundabouts

  Motorway Repair Sites

  Motorway Signals

  Overtaking near Junctions

  Pavement Parking

  Ply Group

  Read the Road

  Rear Seat Belts (60s)

  Rear Seat Belts (40s)

  Rear Seat Belts (10s)

  Safe Crossing

  Safe on the Motorway

  Safe Parking

  School Entrance Markings

  Separation Distances—Motorways

  Traffic Shapes

  Tyre Pressures

  451

  Tyre Safety

  Yellow Box Junction

  Zig Zag—Parking

  Road Safety—Motorbikes and Bicycles

  Bright Lights

  Helmet Advice

  Motorcycle—Overtaking

  Motorcycle Training (40s)

  Motorcycle Training (10s)

  Pedal Cycle Safety

  Pedal Cycle Song

  Road Safety—Pedestrians

  Bright Aware

  Car Wash

  Lot on his Mind, A

  Road Dog

  Road Test Pedestrian

  Toddler Safety

  Electricity and Building Safety

  Electricity—Sub-stations

  Electricity—Pylon

  Electricity—Fishing

  Keep Off Building Sites

  Safety—General

  Bare Wires

  BSI Chameleon

  Careless Fires

  Electricity Hazards

  Eye Protection

  Farm Machinery

  Lifting Safely

  Slipping Ladders

  Safety in the Home

  Children and Bottles

  Children and Bottles—Paint Stripper

  Children and Bottles—Anti-Freeze

  Children and Bottles—Turpentine

  Children and Bottles—Danger Bottle

  Fatal Floor, the

  Flexes and Young Children (40s)

  Flexes and Young Children (20s)

  Flexes and Young Children (5s)

  Hot Drink Child

  Right Steps, The (60s)

  Right Steps, The (30s)

  Right Steps, The (10s)

  Water Safety—General

  Learn to Swim—Missing Out

  Swimming Lessons

  Fireworks Safety

  Fireworks—Dummy

  Winter

  Christmas Fire

  Driving in Fog

  Driving in Rain

  Motorway Fog

  Rear Fog Lamps

  Wet Motorbikes

  PUBLIC SAFETY FILMS BROADCAST IN DECEMBER 1988

  Crime Prevention—Child Molestation

  Children Say No—Brownies (20s)

  Children Say No—Car (10s)

  Children Say No—Sweets (10s)

  Children Say No—Sweets (5s)

  Litter and safety

  Keep Britain Tidy—Excuses (70s)

  Keep Britain Tidy—Excuses (40s)

  Keep Britain Tidy—Excuses (10s)

  Fire Prevention—Children

  Welephant—Safe with Matches

  452
  Fire prevention—General

  Children Alone

  Cigarette Fires

  Clothes Fire Presenter

  Fat Pan Folly

  Fire at Night

  Fire Exits

  Fire in the Fat Pan

  Fire Routine

  Furniture Fires

  House that Jack Built, The

  How to Dial 999

  Last Smoke, The

  Phone Emergency

  Portable Heaters (60s)

  Portable Heaters (10s)

  Short Fires

  Upstairs Fire Escape

  Health—General

  Clean it Up

  Collars and Leads

  Health Hazard

  Rubies Advice

  Rabies—Airport

  Road Safety—Children

  Child Cyclist—Right Turn

  Children Crossing (40s)

  Children Crossing (20s)

  Children Watch us Cross

  Pelican Pedestrians

  Road Safety—General

  Amber Gambler—Twins

  Clear Indication

  Dangerous Diamonds

  Don't Dazzle

  Driver Fatigue

  Elderly Pedestrians

  Eyesight when Driving

  Flying Motorbikes

  Hard Shoulders

  `Help'

  Horses and Cars

  How to Brake

  Junction Parking

  Lane Discipline

  Let the Other Fella Know

  Look out for Bikes

  Mini Roundabouts

  Motorway Repair Sites

  Motorway Signals

  Motorway Symbol

  Overtaking near Junctions

  Passing Horses

  Pavement Parking

  Ply Group

  Read the Road

  Rear Seat Belts (60s)

  Rear Seat Belts (40s)

  Rear Seat Belts (10s)

  Safe Crossing

  Safe on the Motorway

  Safe Parking

  School Entrance Markings

  Separation Distances—Motorways

  Steep Hill Warning

  Traffic Shapes

  Tyre Pressures

  Tyre Safety

  Yellow Box Junction

  Zig Zag—Parking

  Zig Zag—Sisters

  Road Safety—Motorbikes and Bicycles

  Bright Lights

  Motorbikes—Stay Back

  453

  Motorcycle—Overtaking

  Motorcycle Training (40s)

  Motorcycle Training (10s)

  Pedal Cycle Safety

  Road Safety—Pedestrians

  Bright Aware

  Car Wash

  Lot on his Mind, A

  Road Dog

  Road Test Pedestrian

  Electricity and Building Safety

  Electricity—Sub-stations

  Electricity—Pylon

  Electricity—Tree Climbing

  Electricity—Fishing

  Keep Off Building Sites

  Safety—General

  BSI Chameleon

  Careless Fires

  Electricity Hazards

  Eye Protection

  Farm Machinery

  Lifting Safely

  Slipping Ladders

  Safety in the Home

  Children and Bottles

  Children and Bottles—Paint Stripper

  Children and Bottles—Anti-Freeze

  Children and Bottles—Danger Bottle

  Fatal Floor, The

  Flexes and Young Children (40s)

  Flexes and Young Children (20s)

  Flexes and Young Children (5s)

  Loose Carpet Falls

  Right Steps, The (60s)

  Right Steps, The (30s)

  Talking Gas

  Water Safety—General

  Learn to Swim—Missing Out

  Swimming Lessons

  Youngsters Learn to Swim

  Winter

  Christmas Fire

  Driving in Fog

  Driving in Rain

  Motorway Fog

  Rear Fog Lamps

  Snow Seen

  Wet Motorbikes

  PUBLIC SAFETY FILMS BROADCAST IN JANUARY 1989

  Crime Prevention—Child Molestation

  Charley—Mummy Should Know

  Charley—Strangers

  Mr. Punch

  Children Say No—Brownies

  Children Say No—Car

  Children Say No—Sweets (10s)

  Children Say No.—Sweets (5s)

  Litter and Safety

  Keep Britain Tidy—Excuses (70s)

  Keep Britain Tidy—Excuses (40s)

  Keep Britain Tidy—Excuses (10s)

  Fire Prevention—Children

  Welephant—Safe with Matches

  Fire Prevention—General

  Children alone

  Cigarette Fires

  Clothes Fire Presenter

  Fat Pan Folly

  Fire at Night

  454

  Fire Exists

  Fire Routine

  Furniture Fires

  House that Jack Built, The

  How to Dial 999

  Last Smoke, The

  Old Smokers

  Overfilled Fat Pans

  Overloading Sockets

  Phone Emergency

  Portable Heaters (60s)

  Portable Heaters (10s)

  Short Fires

  Upstairs Fire Escape

  Health—General

  Clean it Up

  Collars and Leads

  This is an Emergency

  Road Safety—Children

  Pelican Pedestrians

  Road Safety—General

  Amber Gambler—Twins

  Clear Indication

  Dangerous Diamonds

  Don't Dazzle

  Driver Fatigue

  Eyesight when Driving

  Flying Motorbikes

  French Frank

  Hard Shoulders

  `Help'

  HGV Turning

  Horses and Cars

  How to Brake

  Junction Lanes

  Junction Parking

  Let the Other Fella Know

  Look out for Bikes

  Mini Roundabouts

  Motorway Repair Sites

  Motorway Signals

  Motorway Symbol

  Overtaking near Junctions

  Pavement Parking

  Ply Group

  Read the Road

  Rear Seat Belts (60s)

  Rear Seat Belts (40s)

  Rear Scat Belts (10s)

  Safe on the Motorway

  Safe Parking

  Separation Distances—Motorways

  Space Invader

  Traffic Shapes

  Tyre Pressures

  Tyre Safety

  Yellow Box Junction

  Zig Zag—Parking

  Road Safety—Motorbikes and Bicycles

  Bright Lights

  Motorbikes—Stay Back

  Motorcycle—Overtaking

  Motorcycle Training (40s)

  Motorcycle Training (10s)

  Road Safety—Pedestrians

  Bright Aware

  Car Wash

  Lot on his Mind, A

  Road Dog

  Road Test Pedestrian

  Electricity Safety

  Electricity—Sub-stations

  Electricity—Pylon

  455
  Safety—General

  Airguns

  Airguns—Leaflet

  Bare Wires

  BSI Chameleon

  Careless Fires

  Electricity Hazards

  Eye Protection

  Fagged Out

  Safety in the home

  Children and Bottles

  Children and Bottles—Anti-Freeze

  Children and Bottles—Turpentine

  Children and Bottles—Danger Bottle

  Fatal Floor, The

  Flexes and Young Children (20s)

  Flexes and Young Children (5s)

  Hot Drink Child

  Right Steps, The (60s)

  Right Steps, The (30s)

  Water Safety—General

  Children and Ponds

  Swimming Lessons

  Winter

  Driving in Fog

  Driving in Rain

  Rear Fog Lamps

  Snow Control and Spin

  Wet Motorbikes

  PUBLIC SAFETY FILMS BROADCAST IN FEBRUARY 1989

  Crime prevention—Child Molestation

  Charley—Mummy Should Know

  Charley—Strangers

  Mr. Punch

  Children Say No—Brownies

  Children Say No—Car

  Children Say No—Sweets (10s)

  Children Say No—Sweets (5s)

  Litter and safety

  Keep Britain Tidy—Excuses (70s)

  Keep Britain Tidy—Excuses (40s)

  Keep Britain Tidy—Excuses (10s)

  Fire Prevention—Children

  Welephant—Safe with Matches

  Fire prevention—General

  Children Alone

  Fat Pan Folly

  Fire at Night

  Fire Exits

  Fire in the Fat Pan

  Fire Routine

  Furniture Fires

  House that Jack Built, The

  How to Dial 999

  Last Smoke, The

  Overfilled Fat Pans

  Overloading Sockets

  Phone Emergency

  Portable Heaters (60s)

  Portable Heaters (10s)

  Short Fires

  Upstairs Fire Escape

  Health—General

  Clean it Up

  Collars and Leads

  Health Hazard

  Road Safety—Children

  Child Cyclist—Right Turn

  Children Crossing (20s)

  Pelican Pedestrians

  Supersafe with Super Ted

  456
  Road Safety—General

  Amber Gambler—Twins

  Clear Indication

  Dangerous Diamonds

  Dazzling Man

  Driver Fatigue

  Elderly Pedestrians

  Eyesight when Driving

  Flying Motorbikes

  Hard Shoulders

  'Help'

  Horses and Cars

  How to Brake

  If Only

  Junction Parking

  Lane Discipline

  Let the Other Fella Know

  Look out for Bikes

  Mini Roundabouts

  Motorway Repair Sites

  Motorway Signals

  Motorway Symbol

  Passing Horses

  Pavement Parking

  Ply Group

  Read the Road

  Rear seat Belts (60s)

  Rear Seat Belts (40s)

  Rear Seat Belts (10s)

  Safe on the Motorway

  School Entrance Markings

  Separation Distances—Motorways

  Steep Hill Warning

  Tyre Pressures

  Tyre Safety

  Yellow Box Junction

  Zig Zag—parking

  Road Safety—Motorbikes and Bicycles

  Bright Lights

  Helmet Advice

  Motorcycle—Overtaking

  Motorcycle Training (40s)

  Motorcycle Training (10s)

  Pedal Cycle Song

  Road Safety—Pedestrians

  Bright Aware

  Car Wash

  Lot on his Mind, A

  Road Dog

  Road Test Pedestrian

  Toddler Safety

  Electricity and Building Safety

  Electricity—Sub-stations

  Electricity—Pylon

  Electricity—Tree Climbing

  Electricity—Fishing

  Keep Off Building Sites

  Safety—General

  Airguns

  Bare Wires

  BSI Chameleon

  Electricity Hazards

  Eye Protection

  Fagged Out

  Farm Machinery

  Slipping Ladders

  Safety in the Home

  Children and Bottles

  Children and Bottles—Paint Stripper

  Children and Bottles—Anti-Freeze

  Children and Bottles—Danger Bottle

  Fatal Floor, The

  Flexes and Young Children (40s)

  Flexes and Young Children (20s)

  457

  Flexes and Young Children (5s)

  Right Steps, The (60s)

  Right Steps, The (30s)

  Right Steps, The (10s)

  Talking Gas

  Water Safety—General

  Children and Ponds

  Winter

  Driving in Fog

  Driving in Rain

  Rear Fog Lamps

  Wet Motorbikes

  PUBLIC SAFETY FILMS BROADCAST IN MARCH 1989

  Crime Prevention—Child Molestation

  Children Say No—Brownies

  Children Say No—Car

  Children Say No—Sweets (5s)

  Litter and Safety

  Keep Britain Tidy—Excuses (70s)

  Keep Britain Tidy—Excuses (40s)

  Fire Prevention—General

  Children Alone

  Cigarette Fires

  Fat Pan Folly

  Fire at Night

  Fire in the Fat Pan

  Fire Routine

  Furniture Fires

  House that Jack Built, The

  How to Dial 999

  Last Smoke, The

  Old Smokers

  Ovefilled Fat Pans

  Overloading Sockets

  Phone Emergency

  Portable Heaters (60s)

  Portable Heaters (10s)

  Upstairs Fire Escape

  Health—General

  Clean It Up

  Collars and Leads

  Health Hazard

  Rabies Advice

  Rabies—Airport

  Rabies—Landing

  Road Safety—Children

  Charley's Tea Party

  Child Cyclist—Right Turn

  Children Crossing (40s)

  Children Crossing (20s)

  Children Turn

  Pelican Pedestrians

  Supersafe with Super Ted

  Road Safety—General

  Dangerous Diamonds

  Dazzling Man

  Driver Fatigue

  Elderly Pedestrians

  Eyesight when Driving

  French Frank

  Horses and Cars

  How to Brake

  If Only

  Junction Parking

  Lane Discipline

  Let the Other Fella Know

  Look out for Bikes

  Mini Roundabouts

  Motorway Repair Sites

  Motorway Signals

  Overtaking near Junctions

  458

  Passing Horses

  Pavement Parking

  Ply Group

  Rear Seat Belts (60s)

  Rear Scat Belts (40s)

  Rear Scat Belts (10s)

  Safe Crossing

  Safe Parking

  School Entrance Markings

  Steep Hill Warning

  Traffic Shapes

  Tyre Pressures

  Tyre Safety

  Yellow Box Junction

  Zig Zag—Parking

  Road Safety—Motorbikes and Bicycles

  Bright Lights

  Helmet Advice

  Motorbikes—Stay Back

  Motorcycle—Overtaking

  Motorcycle Training (40s)

  Motorcycle Training (10s)

  Pedal Cycle Safety

  Pedal Cycle Song

  Road Safety—Pedestrians

  Bright Aware

  Car Wash

  Extra Careful

  Lot on his Mind, A

  Road Dog

  Road Test Pedestrian

  Toddler Safety

  Electricity and Building Safety

  Electricity—Sub-stations

  Electricity—Pylon

  Electricity—Tree Climbing

  Electricity—Fishing

  Keep Off Building Sites

  Safety—General

  BSI Chameleon

  Careless Fires

  Farm Machinery

  Farm Trailer

  Know your Tractor

  Slipping Ladders

  Safety in the Home

  Children and Bottles

  Children and Bottles—Paint Stripper

  Children and Bottles—Turpentine

  Children and Bottles—Danger Cupboard

  Children and Bottles—Danger Bottle

  Fatal Floor, The

  Flexes and Young Children (40s)

  Flexes and Young Children (5s)

  Hot Drink Child

  Right Steps, The (30s)

  Right Steps, The (10s)

  Water Safety—General

  Swim Song

  Swimming Lessons

  Youngsters Learn to Swim

  Holidays

  Absent Parents

  Bonehead Bather

  Coastguard

  Drink and Drowning (60s)

  Drink and Drowning (3m 20s)

  Drink and Drowning (10s)

  Lifejackets

  Look Out for Trouble

  Motorboat Explosion

  Rabies Advice

  Slipping Kids

  459
  Winter

  Rear Fog Lamps

  VAT
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Argyll and Bute (Mrs. Michie) on 13 March,Official Report, column 61, if he is yet in a position to inform the House of the outcome of the discussions on European Community proposals for imposing value added tax on goods and clothing sold in charity shops; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lilley
  No. The Commission announced its revised thinking on indirect taxation in the single market on 17 May. It now accepts that some zero rates may be retained. This is clearly a step forward and in indication of our firm stance and we welcome it. However, the Commission's new proposals need much more clarification before we can take a view on them. Fortunately because changes to EC tax law require the unanimous agreement of the member states, there is no question of the Commission's proposals being forced upon us.

  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been decided to date in the discussions in the Economic and Finance Committee on the approximation of value added tax rates and the harmonisation of customs and excise duties: and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lilley
  [holding answer 12 June 1989]: The Council of Economic and Finance Ministers have discussed these matters, which will be discussed again at a future ECOFIN Council. No decisions have been taken.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Regional Passport Offices
  Dr. Hampson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will consider meeting the seasonal pressure of applications by the establishment of passport office facilities in Leeds for those seeking passports who live east of the Pennines; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Renton
  There are at present six regional passport offices in the United Kingdom. Since the great majority of passport applications are usually dealt with by post, the location of the issuing office is not normally a significant factor in determining the speed of service. We shall, however, be reviewing the location and number of offices later this year. My right hon. Friend announced on 6 June in reply to a question from the hon. Member for Bolton, South-East (Mr. Young) at columns 47–8 a number of measures which are being taken to ease the present problem of delays at the passport offices.

  Handel Telephone Line System
  Mr. Bill Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what effect problems with the Handel telephone line system will have on the United Kingdom Warning and Monitoring Organisation's ability to activate the national network of air-raid sirens from July of this year; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John Patten
  Improvements which British Telecom are making to the telephone network, which carries links 460
  in the warning system, will not affect the United Kingdom Warning and Monitoring Organisation's ability to activate the national network of sirens.

  Electronic Surveillance Schemes
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to ensure that a refusal to agree to participate in an electronic surveillance scheme will not be held to be a breach of bail conditions.

  Mr. John Patten
  During the trial schemes electronic monitoring will not be offered to defendants unwilling to participate: the question of subsequent breach of a bail condition should not arise.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the impact on the incidence of domestic violence or alcohol consumption of persons participating in electronic surveillance schemes.

  Mr. John Patten
  None.

  AIDS
  Mr. William Powell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many persons who have been prisoners and subsequently released have been diagnosed as HIV positive;

  (2) how many prisoners currently in Her Majesty's prisons have been diagnosed as HIV positive.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  On 12 June 1989 the prison population of England and Wales included 63 prisoners reported as having been identified as HIV antibody positive. A total of 174 such prisoners had been released since reporting began in March 1985.

  Colin Wallace
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has concluded his consideration of the conviction of Mr. Colin Wallace for manslaughter in the light of evidence of a conspiracy to pervert the course of justice set out in the book entitled "Who Framed Colin Wallace" by Mr. Paul Foot, referred to in his written reply to the hon. Member for Brent, East of 15 May,Official Report, column 96.

  Mr. John Patten
  We are considering the material contained in Mr. Foot's book. When this has been carefully examined we will decide whether any action is called for in respect of Mr. Wallace's conviction.

  War Crimes Inquiry
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will make a statement about the Government's response to the war crimes inquiry.

  Mr. Hurd
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Walsall, North (Mr. Winnick) on 8 June 1989 at column 215.

  Police Manpower (Derbyshire)
  Mr. Oppenheim
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the figure for police manpower in Derbyshire in 1979; and what is the latest figure available.
  461
  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The information requested is as follows:

  Police strength: Derbyshire

  Numbers

  31 December 1979

  1,757

  30 April 1989

  1,798

  Immigration
  Mr. Burt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has for the use of DNA testing in immigration cases; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hurd
  I announced in July 1988 that DNA profiling appeared to be the most accurate available method of determining parentage in immigration cases, and that we would continue to accept the results of DNA tests commissioned by applicants themselves. Since then, many hundreds of cases have been satisfactorily determined on that basis. In the light of the experience we have gained from this, my right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary and I have concluded that there is scope for introducing DNA testing into the entry clearance process more generally as a means of resolving relationship disputes. We have therefore set in hand the necessary arrangements with the view to the implementation of a Government scheme later this year in relation to first-time settlement applicants.

  DNA testing will not be offered as a matter of routine. We envisage that entry clearance officers will offer to arrange tests, with the consent of the applicant and sponsor, in cases where the relevant relationships could not easily be demonstrated by other means. If an applicant or his sponsor declines to undergo a test that would not of itself be a ground for refusing the application. But if an entry clearance officer is not satisfied as to relationship on the basis of the evidence before him, these arrangements will provide applicants with an opportunity to resolve the matter by taking a DNA test.

  DNA tests will be carried out, as at present, by independent scientific experts on a commercial basis. The level of the fee to be charged for application will need to strike a balance between not imposing too great a burden either on the individual applicant or on the taxpayer. My right hon. Friend and I will work up arrangements for financing a centrally-organised scheme on this basis.

  A number of cases have come to light where an applicant previously refused entry as a child (frequently after appeal to the independent appellate authorities), on the ground that there was no satisfactory evidence as to relationship, is now able to establish relationship by means of DNA evidence but is now over 18 and does not satisfy the requirements in the rules relating to the admission of adults.

  I do not believe that it would now be right to waive those requirements as a matter of course in all such cases, irrespective of the applicant's present age or circumstances. Previous decisions, including those of the appellate authorities, were taken in good faith on the basis of the information available at the time. There can be no automatic presumption that applicants now established as related after all should be admitted regardless of current circumstances. We have always distinguished between children, who are readily admitted to join parents here,
  462
  and adults, who will be admitted to join parents or relatives only in certain exceptional circumstances. Someone who was refused admission as a child when DNA was not available but has later established the claimed relationship should not by virtue of that fact automatically qualify for admission if the other qualification, namely childhood, is no longer fulfilled.

  I do not propose any change in the rules which would have the effect of blurring this fundamental distinction, which has been a settled feature of our immigration policy for many years. In many cases over-age applicants are likely to have settled into independent adult life and may also have married and established a family of their own overseas and I do not propose to waive the requirements of the rules in these cases.

  However, in the context of outstanding and future re-applications I am prepared to consider waiving the requirements of the rules in certain circumstances. To be eligible for such consideration a re-applicant aged 18 or over will have to show:

  (a) that he was refused entry clearance as a child on relationship grounds;

  (b) that DNA evidence establishes that he was, after all, related as claimed;

  (c) that he is still wholly or mainly dependent on his sponsor in the United Kingdom; and

  (d) that there are compassionate circumstances in his case.

  I shall not regard the fact that a re-applicant was refused entry clearance as a child on relationship grounds on any earlier occasion and was therefore unable to join his sponsor in the United Kingdom as satisfying the requirement that there be compassionate circumstances.

  In deciding whether to waive the requirements of the rules in cases which fall into this category I will consider all circumstances of the case including in particular:

  (a) the degree and nature of the dependency;

  (b) the extent and nature of the compassionate circumstances;

  (c) the re-applicant's present age and marital status;

  (d) whether other close family members, such as siblings, are already settled in the United Kingdom;

  (e) the lapse of time between the original application and the re-application.

  In considering the compassionate circumstances of the case, I will attach greater weight to compassionate circumstances relating to the situation of the re-applicant abroad than I will to those relating to the situation of his sponsor in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he intends to lay before Parliament changes to the immigration rules.

  Mr. Hurd
  I have today laid before Parliament a statement of changes in the immigration rules in consolidated form. The main changes of content are the introduction of a visa requirement for nationals of Turkey and Haiti; curtailing the ability of visa nationals to switch after arrival from visitor to student status; and a provision relating to the status of husbands of women admitted for employment or business. The changes are due to enter into force with effect from 8 July 1989, except for the visa requirement for Turkish nationals, which takes effect from 23 June 1989. A full explanatory statement listing all the changes of content and the reasons for them is available in the Vote Office.

  Dogs
  Dame Janet Fookes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has any proposals to strengthen the law on dangerous dogs.

  Mr. Hurd
  Under the Dogs Act 1871, if a court finds that a dog is dangerous and not kept under proper control it may order the dog to be kept under proper control or destroyed.

  My right hon. and learned Friend, the Secretary of State for Scotland and I have concluded that the penalties by which the Act is enforced ought to be strengthened. Subject to there being a legislative opportunity, we have in mind (i) giving the court a new power to order that the dog is destroyed by a person nominated by the court; (ii) substantially increasing the penalties for failing to comply with an order either to keep the dog under proper control or to destroy the dog; and (iii) giving the court a further power to ban the person against whom an order is made from owning or keeping a dog.

  Probation
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans the Government have for making a more concerted national network of probation service projects for offenders, in place of the current localised system.

  Mr. John Patten
  [holding answer 6 June 1989]: Steps are being taken to introduce more consistency in the work of the probation service and to disseminate good practice to all probation areas. National standards for the operation of community service orders were brought into effect in April, and all probation areas have been asked to develop action plans for the supervision of young adult offenders within guidelines issued by the Home Office. Ten probation areas have been invited to set up intensive probation projects which will be monitored centrally. Practice guidelines were issued to the probation service in 1988 on accommodation for offenders and the care for young offenders sentenced to custody.

  The Government are considering developments in the probation service in the light of proposals made in the Carlisle report on parole and the Home Office's Green Paper "Punishment, Custody and the Community".

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Eastern Europe
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about British relations with eastern Europe.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Our relations with the countries of eastern Europe are as varied as the countries themselves. We naturally have the closest relations with those whose systems and values come closest to our own. We welcome the substantial steps towards freedom and democracy taken recently in Hungary and Poland.

  Cocaine
  Mrs. Maureen Hicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what efforts have been made to co-ordinate international action against traffic in cocaine.
  464
  Mr. Eggar
  We discussed the growing threat from cocaine with our European partners at an extraordinary ministerial meeting of the Council of Europe's Pompidou Group in London on 18–19 May. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary, announced our willingness to host an international conference in London in 1990 on demand reduction in the context of the threat from cocaine.

  Anglo-Soviet Relations
  Mr. Ian Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Anglo-Soviet relations.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  In the last four years there has been a major improvement in Anglo-Soviet relations. We have developed a worthwhile political dialogue and many useful lower level contacts. But the recent expulsions have shown that serious problems remain in some areas.

  George Samoilovich
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made to the Russian Government about their failure to grant an exit visa to the family of George Samoilovich.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Her Majesty's embassy in Moscow has asked the Soviet authorities for a full clarification of the Samoilovich family's position.

  Kurds (Asylum)
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Iraq and Turkey concerning Kurdish asylum seekers.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  We have made no recent representations to the Iraqi or Turkish Governments concerning specific Kurdish asylum cases though no one can be in any doubt about our concern over human rights and the problem of Kurdish refugees.

  Namibia
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received with regard to the implementation of United Nations resolution 435 in Namibia.

  Mrs. Chalker
  We receive regular reports from our diplomatic missions in Southern Africa and are in frequent contact with all those involved in the implementation of the United Nations plan for Namibian independence.

  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the United Nations and South Africa regarding the timetabled withdrawal of South African troops from Namibia in keeping with United Nations resolution 435 on Namibia.

  Mrs. Chalker
  The phased withdrawal of South African forces from Namibia is proceeding in accordance with the United Nations plan. We have urged the South African Government to ensure that this remains the case, and fully support the efforts of the United Nations Secretary General and his special representative.
  465
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last met the United Nations special representative for Namibia; and what was discussed.

  Mrs. Chalker
  My right hon. and learned Friend has not recently met the United Nations special representative for Namibia. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister met Mr Ahtisaari in Windhoek on 1 April and discussed with him the implementation of the United Nations plan for Namibian independence.

  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made on the implementation of the settlement in Namibia.

  Mrs. Chalker
  We welcome the recent progress on the implementation of the United Nations plan for Namibian independence. Agreement has been reached on the repeal of discriminatory legislation and the declaration of an amnesty. The repatriation of Namibian refugees began on 12 June. South African forces are being withdrawn from Namibia according to the United Nations plan.

  M. Jacques Delors
  Mr. Galloway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last met M. Jacques Delors and what was discussed.

  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs when he last met M. Jacques Delors; and what subjects were discussed.

  Mrs. Chalker
  My right hon. and learned Friend met M. Delors at the Foreign Affairs Council on 12 June. I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. and learned Friend's reply of today to the hon. Member for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney (Mr. Rowlands) reporting the outcome.

  Austria
  Mr. Amos
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to have discussions with the Austrian Foreign Secretary to encourage Austria to submit an application to join the European Economic Community.

  Mrs. Chalker
  It is for the Austrian Government alone to decide whether to submit an application to join the European Community, taking account of the economic and political obligations of membership.

  Middle East
  Mr. Neale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the middle east peace process.

  Mr. Dykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the peace process in the middle east.

  Mr. Adley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the middle east peace process following the visit of the Israeli Prime Minister to London.
  466
  Mr. Waldegrave
  Mr. Shamir's election proposals are a step forward. It is now for the Israelis to develop them as part of a process leading to negotiations on the basis of land for peace, and for the PLO to respond constructively.

  Mr. Hind
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about Soviet involvement in the middle east peace process.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  We welcome all efforts, including those of the Soviet Union, to build confidence between the parties to the Arab/Israel dispute and to prepare the way for negotiations. Improved Soviet/Israeli relations can contribute to this.

  Mr. Grocott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has any plans to meet Mr. Yasser Arafat to assist the peace process in the middle east.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  We are certainly ready for further meetings with the PLO when they can serve a useful purpose. But my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State has no plans at present for a meeting with Mr. Arafat.

  Sir Dennis Walters
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on progress towards peace in the middle east.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Mr. Shamir's election proposals are a step forward. It is now for the Israelis to develop them as part of a process leading to negotiations on the basis of land for peace, and for the PLO to respond constructively.

  Human Rights (Romania)
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made by Her Majesty's Government about the abuse of human rights in Romania; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  There has been no improvement in the Romanian Government's lamentable human rights practices. My right hon. and learned Friend raised this matter with the Romanian ambassador on 9 May.

  The leader of our delegation to the Paris Conference on the human dimension of the CSCE drew attention to Romania's deplorable human rights record in his opening statement on 31 May.

  EC Commissioners
  Mr. Norman Hogg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next expects to meet the British members of the European Commission; and what issues will be discussed.

  Mrs. Chalker
  My right hon. and learned Friend has no plans at present to meet the British members of the European Commission, but looks forward to maintaining contact with them and their fellow Commissioners.

  Gibraltar
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultations are held with the Government of Gibraltar about reforms within the European Community which may affect their future.
  467
  Mrs. Chalker
  We are in regular contact with the Gibraltar Government over the full range of EC matters which concern Gibraltar.

  NATO Summit
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will report on developments at the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation summit.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  I refer my hon. Friend to my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's statement to the House on 6 June.

  Palestine
  Mr. Marlow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the role of the United Kingdom with regard to the achievement of Palestinian self-determination.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  We shall continue to work for a just and durable solution to the Arab/Israel dispute which takes account of the Palestinians' right of self-determination as well as Israel's right to security.

  Argentina
  Mr. Cyril D. Townsend
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Britain's relations with Argentina.

  Mr. Eggar
  We remain committed to seeking more normal relations with Argentina, while upholding our commitment to the Falkland Islanders. We believe it should be possible for both countries to benefit by working together on practical matters such as trade, air and sea links and fisheries conservation, leaving the issue of sovereignty, which most divides us, aside.

  Since 1982 we have accordingly taken a series of initiatives, but the Argentine response so far has been disappointing. Nevertheless our offers remain open, and will still be on the table when the new, President assumes power.

  Mr. Patnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether any message has been received by Her Majesty's Government from the new President of Argentina.

  Mr. Eggar
  No; in any case, the President elect Mr. Menem has not yet taken office.

  Foreign Affairs Council
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the last meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council.

  Mrs. Chalker
  The main item at the Foreign Affairs Council on 12 June was preparations for the Madrid European Council. A full statement on the Foreign Affairs Council is being deposited in the Library of the House today.

  London Information Forum
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of the London Information Forum.
  468
  Mr. Waldegrave
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Bournemouth, East (Mr. Atkinson) on 19 May at column 329. The view then expressed that the London Information Forum was a success has been borne out by comments received subsequently.

  European Foreign Policies
  Mr. Knox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next proposes to have discussions with his European Community partners concerning the development of common European foreign policies.

  Sir Geoffrey Howe
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave today to the hon. Member for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney (Mr. Rowlands). I next expect to discuss political co-operation matters with them during the European Council in Madrid on 26–27 June.

  Human Rights (Romania)
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made by Her Majesty's Government about human rights abuses in Romania; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  There has been no improvement in the Romanian Government's lamentable human rights practices. My right hon. and learned Friend raised this matter with the Romanian ambassador on 9 May.

  The leader of our delegation to the Paris conference on the human dimension of the CSCE drew attention to Romania's deplorable human rights record in his opening statement on 31 May.

  Afghanistan
  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received on the current state of the war in Afghanistan.

  Mr. Eggar
  It has long been our practice to stay in touch with a wide range of Afghan opinion and with other parties interested in Afghanistan. These contacts have confirmed our view that the resolution of the conflict requires the establishment of a truly representative Government in Kabul.

  Cocaine
  Dr. Twinn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will report on progress in initiatives to curb the international cocaine trade.

  Mr. Eggar
  On 18 May my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary announced a number of initiatives to help combat the threat from cocaine. These included provision of additional resources to United Nations drugs bodies, establishment of a customs training facility, targeting of overseas assistance on cocaine and the United Kingdom's willingness to host an international conference on demand reduction in the context of the threat from cocaine.

  Ethiopia
  Mr. Brandon Bravo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the current situation in Ethiopia.

  Mrs. Chalker
  The Ethiopian Government reasserted control after an attempted coup by military officers on 16–17 May. They announced on 5 June their readiness to enter into unconditional negotiations on the situation in Eritrea. We regard negotiations to resolve internal conflicts, together with respect for human rights and the adoption of sensible economic policies, as pre-requisites for positive developments in Ethiopia.

  Syria
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement concerning Britain's relations with Syria.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  We could not consider restoring diplomatic relations without firm evidence that Syria had given up support for international terrorism.

  Single European Market
  Mr. Stott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what efforts his Department is making in promoting the single European market.

  Mrs. Chalker
  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office and our posts abroad are fully involved in promoting the single European market. British embassies lobby and report on single market measures and also provide a range of services to help British exporters make the most of the growing opportunities.

  South Africa
  Mr. Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next expects to meet his South African counterpart.

  Mrs. Chalker
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State has no current plans to do so.

  Anglo-Soviet Relations
  Mr. Patrick Thompson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about Anglo-Soviet relations.

  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about Anglo-Soviet relations.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  In the last four years there has been a major improvement in Anglo-Soviet relations. We have developed a worthwhile and substantive high-level political dialogue. Contacts of all sorts have expanded rapidly, helping to break down the barriers of misunderstanding and distrust. But the recent expulsions have shown that there is still a long way to go before our relations with the Soviet Union reach the level of stability and mutual trust to which we aspire.

  Poland
  Mr. Sumberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what encouragement and assistance he is giving to the process of Polish economic reconstruction.
  470
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what encouragement and assistance he has given to the round table talks in Poland and the process of Polish economic reconstruction.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  We welcome recent political events in Poland. Economic reform and adjustment are possible only with the full consent of the people. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister told General Jaruzelski on 10 June of the help we are ready to provide: we will support an IMF programme which underpins effective economic reconstruction; we will support rescheduling of 1989 debt payments in the Paris Club; bilaterally we will contribute £5 million per year over five years to provide training and advice to support progress towards democracy and a market economy.

  Decision-making
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, at the forthcoming European Council, the British Government will make any proposals for improving the quality of European decision-making.

  Mrs. Chalker
  No.

  Anglo-Israeli Relations
  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about Anglo-Israeli relations.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Relations with Israel are good. We were glad to welcome Mr. Shamir to London last month and look forward to remaining in close touch with him on Arab-Israeli and other issues.

  Arab-Israeli Conflict
  Mr. Robert Hicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the latest position regarding the proposal to hold an international conference to resolve the Israeli-Arab conflict and the Palestinian problem in particular; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  An international conference remains the most suitable framework for negotiations between the parties to the Arab-Israeli dispute. We are working to help establish the necessary common ground and confidence between the parties to enable negotiations to begin.

  Gulf States
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next expects to visit the Gulf states.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  My right hon. and learned Friend has no plans to do so.

  China
  Mr. Riddick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on developments in the People's Republic of China.

  Mr. Eggar
  I refer my hon. Friend to the statement made by my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State in the House on 6 June on developments in the People's Republic of China.

  PLO
  Mr. Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is Her Majesty's Government's policy towards the attempts by the Palestinian Liberation Organisation to obtain a quasi-Governmental recognition by membership of various United Nations Organisations.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  We have not recognised the "state of Palestine" declared by last November's Palestine National Council. Accordingly, we do not believe that "Palestine" satisfies the criteria for membership of UN agencies. We have advised the PLO against pursuing these applications.

  Treaty of Rome
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consideration has been given by the Council of Ministers of the European Economic Communities to the activating of article 236 of the treaty of Rome.

  Mrs. Chalker
  No proposals under article 236 have been put before the Council since the amendment of the treaty of Rome by the Single European Act.

  Council of Ministers
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when he next expects to meet his counterparts in the Council of Ministers; and what he expects will be discussed.

  Mr. Radice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next expects to attend a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council; and what he hopes will be discussed.

  Mrs. Chalker
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State will next meet his EC counterparts at the Madrid European Council on 26/27 June. The next Foreign Affairs Council will take place on 17/18 July. The agenda is unlikely to be set until nearer the time.

  Mr. Wood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will report on the outcome of his discussions with the Nigerian Foreign Minister.

  Mrs. Chalker
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State and I had talks with Foreign Minister Nwachukwu, held during the state visit of President Babangida, that covered bilateral issues and international developments of mutual interest, focussing in particular on Southern Africa. Our discussions were extremely friendly, reflecting the close and cordial nature of our bilateral relations.

  Tibet
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last discussed Tibet with a representative of the Chinese Government.

  Mr. Eggar
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 12 April at col 559.

  General Wladislaw Sikorski (Remains)
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the 472
  Government have any plans to return the remains of General Wladislaw Sikorski to Poland in the foreseeable future.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister told General Jaruzelski at the weekend that we had reconsidered this question. We felt the time was not yet right. We would continue to review the matter, in the light of the changing situation in Poland.

  Russian Diplomats (Expulsion)
  Mr David Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many members of the Russian diplomatic mission have been expelled from the United Kingdom since 1970 for engaging in activities incompatible with their status.

  Mr. Eggar
  Ninety nine; a further 69 Soviet citizens who were not accredited as diplomats have been expelled during the same period.

  Agni Missile
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the recent test launch by India of its Agni missile; whether the missile is considered to have a nuclear capability; and if he proposes to discuss the matter in his next discussions with the Indian Government.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  We have noted the successful test launch of the Indian Agni missile. As a founder member of the missile technology control region, we are obviously concerned about the proliferation of ballistic missiles. When the MTCR was established in April 1987, the partners urged all states to adopt the guidelines of the regime.

  There have been press reports that Agni is a nuclear—capable missile, although the Indian Prime Minister has stated that it is not a nuclear weapons system. We have no immediate plans for discussions on this matter with the Indian Government but we make our views on non-proliferation clear whenever a suitable opportunity arises.

  Immigration Appeals (Bombay)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is he average time from an appeal being submitted to(a) the date of it being set and (b) it being heard at the post in Bombay.

  Mr. Eggar
  The average waiting time from receipt of an appeal at the deputy British high commission in Bombay to the despatch of the explanatory statement to the independent appellate authority is 11 weeks. The subsequent wait for an appeal hearing to take place in the United Kingdom (not Bombay) is a matter for the Lord Chancellor's Department.

  Disasters (Compensation Rights)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will take an initiative to achieve an international agreement under the auspices of the United Nations on safety and compensation rights in the event of such tragedies as the Bhopal disaster; and if he will make a statement.
  473
  Mr. Eggar
  Issues of safety and compensation for victims of major industrial disasters fall primarily within the competence of national legislatures and, in Europe, of the European Community. However, the UN centre of transnational corporations does work to promote safety and to minimise pollution and environmental damage; and the UN Disaster Relief Organisation has an overall co-ordinating role in respect of both natural and man-made disasters. The United Kingdom participates fully in the work of both these bodies and is currently consulting western partners with a view to putting forward proposals to enhance UNDRO's effectiveness. I see no justification for any further initiative in this field.

  WPC Yvonne Fletcher
  Mr. Shersby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made by Her Majesty's Government to the Government of Libya concerning the payment of compensation for the death of the late WPC Yvonne Fletcher in 1984; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  We continue to take every opportunity to remind the Libyans of our claim for compensation for the life and career of WPC Fletcher.

  Daya Bay Nuclear Plant
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, in the light of recent events in the People's Republic of China, Her Majesty's Government will withdraw United Kingdom co-operation and export credit guarantees for the Daya bay nuclear plant being built in Guandong.

  Mr. Eggar
  We have no plans to do so. Contracts for the project were signed by the companies concerned some time ago and work is proceeding. In these circumstances we do not intend to suspend ECGD cover.

  Soviet Union (Emigration)
  Mr. Dykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will seek to clarify with the Soviet authorities whether those wishing to emigrate will in future require permission from relatives remaining in the Soviet Union.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  We have repeatedly underlined our concern at the so-called "poor relatives clause" in the existing Soviet rules covering emigration. We have pressed the Soviet authorities to ensure that no provision of this sort is included in the new emigration law, which we understand is in preparation.

  Nuclear Arms
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has any plans to submit proposals on the full separation of civil and military nuclear facilities and attendant verifiable safeguards to the fourth review conference of the 1968 nuclear non-proliferation treaty, to be held in 1990, following the initiatives made at the third non-proliferation treaty review conference in 1985.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The final document of the third review conference of the parties to the treaty on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, held in 1985, recommended, inter alia,474
  "consideration of separation of the Civil and Military facilities in the Nuclear-Weapon States".

  We have no plans to submit proposals on this subject to the fourth review conference in 1990. However, the United Kingdom has made significant progress in the direction envisaged. In 1986, we brought to an end the co-processing of civil and non-civil materials at Sellafield. Inspectors of the European Atomic Energy Community have access to all civil material at Sellafield on a continuing basis.

  Anglo-Egyptian Relations
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about Anglo-Egyptian relations.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Our relations with Egypt are very close and friendly. The talks with the Egyptian Foreign Minister last week confirmed that our views of current middle east issues are very similar.

  Nigeria and Ghana
  Mr. Speller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has any plans to visit Nigeria or Ghana before the end of the current year; and if he will make a statement on his plans for bilateral assistance to each of the states.

  Mrs. Chalker
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State plans to visit Nigeria for the next round of United Kingdom/Nigeria bilateral talks, dates for which we hope will be agreed soon. He has no present plans to visit Ghana. I shall be visiting Nigeria from 25–27 June to lead a delegation from the Energy Industries Council for a DTI-sponsored seminar on the hydrocarbon sector in Nigeria; and I shall be visiting Ghana from 27–30 June.

  In addition to our technical co-operation programme for Nigeria, we have pledged this year $100 million balance of payments assistance in support of Nigeria's structural adjustment programme. As part of our substantial programme of development assistance to Ghana, we have offered this year a further £20 million balance of payments finance, in support of Ghana's economic recovery programme.

  Cyprus
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he will make to secure compensation for those British citizens whose property was expropriated in northern Cyprus in 1974.

  Mr. Eggar
  We do not recognise the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" and have no formal dealings with its authorities. The British high commissioner in Nicosia nevertheless has informal contacts with Mr. Denktash and we are thus able to protect the interests of British nationals.

  Whilst we are not aware of any instances of the outright expropriation of property by those authorities, we are continuing to press for all outstanding claims for compensation from our citizens to be dealt with expeditiously and for the remaining difficulties facing those attempting to establish their freehold title to property to be resolved.

  Diplomatic Staff (Vehicles)
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those British embassies whose ambassadors or consuls do not drive British manufactured motor cars as their official vehicle.

  Mr. Eggar
  With one exception, the official vehicles provided for heads of mission at British embassies and high commissions overseas are British-manufactured. In Addis Ababa, the ambassador has an EC-manufactured Ford Granada, which was purchased in Britain.

  There are five consuls-general/consuls who drive non-British manufactured cars. These are the consulates-general at Montreal (Chrysler), Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo (Chevrolet), and the consulates at Cape Town (Vauxhall Carlton) and Durban (Ford Sierra).

  It is FCO policy to purchase British manufactured cars where possible. However, for operational reasons, one head of mission and five heads of post around the world drive non-British-manufactured cars.

  Chile
  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures he is taking to assist the transition to democracy in Chile before the elections there.

  Mr. Eggar
  Both we and our partners in the Twelve fully support the continuing transition process in Chile. We welcome the satisfactory progress made this year towards the restoration of a democratic system in Chile. We regularly invite to Britain leading representatives of Chilean political parties.

DEFENCE

  Nuclear Weapons
  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government regarding the retention of battlefield and short-range nuclear weapons.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The Government share the assessment made by NATO at its recent summit that for the foreseeable future there is no alternative to the Alliance strategy of deterrence and that this strategy requires a mix of nuclear forces, including Europe-based ground-launched missiles. The Government therefore welcome the summit's rejection of a third zero.

  Protection Vests
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the dates when personal protection vests for use by armed forces in general war were issued to armed forces in each country belonging to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The information requested is not readily available and it would involve disproportionate cost and effort to obtain it.

  Alcohol Consumption
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what conveniently available figures over a recent 476
  convenient period of time he has (a) for excessive consumption of alcohol among service personnel and (b) for alcohol-related courts martial; and if he will set up an internal departmental committee to consider excessive alcohol consumption in Her Majesty's Forces.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Figures are not maintained for excessive consumption of alcohol among service personnel. Figures for alcohol-related convictions at courts martial for the years 1986, 1987 and 1988 are given in the table. Figures for 1989 are not yet available.

  1986

  1987

  1988

  Royal Navy/Royal Marines

  112

  110

  121

  Army

  136

  156

  145

  Royal Air Force

  34

  52

  54

  1 Figures relate to convictions where the charge was directly concerned with drink and exclude cases where the charge was for another offence.

  An existing tri-service committee on drug abuse prevention is the appropriate departmental committee for considering excessive alcohol consumption in the armed forces.

  Royal Navy Ships (Town Links)
  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the Royal Navy ships which have been granted honorary freedom of their affiliated towns or cities.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Many Royal Navy ships have been granted honorary freedom of their affiliated towns or cities. However, no comprehensive list of such ships is held centrally and one could only be obtained at disproportionate cost and effort.

  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what links each of the following Royal Navy ships have, or are expected to have with towns or cities in the United Kingdom: (1) HMS Cornwall, (2) HMS Cumberland, (3) HMS Campbeltown, (4) HMS Chatham, (5) HMS Norfolk, (6) HMS Marlborough, (7) HMS Argyll, (8) HMS Lancaster, (9) HMS Vanguard, (10) HMS Victorious, (11) HMS Vengeance, (12) HMS Venerable, (13) RFA Fort Grange, (14) RFA Fort Austin, (15) RFA Resource, (16) RFA Regent, (17) HMS Trafalgar, (18) HMS Turbulent, (19) HMS Tireless, (20) HMS Torbay, (21) HMS Trenchant, (22) HMS Talent, (23) HMS Triumph, (24) HMS Swiftsure, (25) HMS Sovereign, (26) HMS Superb, (27) HMS Sceptre, (28) HMS Spartan, (29) HMS Splendid, (30) HMS Churchill, (31) HMS Courageous, (32) HMS Conqueror, (33) HMS Valiant, and (34) HMS Warspite.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The ship to town/city links are as follows:

  Ship

  Town

  HMS Cumberland

  Cumbria

  HMS Campbeltown

  Campbeltown

  HMS Chatham

  Medway

  HMS Trafalgar

  Lancaster

  HMS Turbulent

  Warrington

  HMS Tireless

  Rugby

  HMS Torbay

  Torbay

  HMS Trenchant

  Shrewsbury

  HMS Swiftsure

  Southport

  HMS Sovereign

  Derby

  HMS Superb

  Stafford

  477

  Ship

  Town

  HMS Sceptre

  Wigan

  HMS Spartan

  Rothesay

  HMS Spendid

  Plymouth

  HMS Churchill

  Redbridge

  HMS Courageous

  Preston

  HMS Conqueror

  Congleton

  HMS Valiant

  Scarborough

  HMS Warspite

  Hereford

  Royal Fleet Auxiliaries are not affiliated to towns or cities. Most of the remaining vessels are under construction and as yet have no affiliation.

  Paper Products
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department spends on paper 478
  products; how much paper is consumed by his Department in an average month; what steps he plans to take to reduce the quantity of paper consumed; and if he has plans to purchase recycled paper for his Department.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The Ministry of Defence, world wide, spends some £7·7 million per year on paper products. This equates to just under 900 tonnes consumption per month.

  All demands for paper products are closely scrutinised; in particular, there is a continuing review of forms usage within the MOD which has already reduced the consumption of printed material and will continue to do so.

  The MOD is already obtaining many stock ranges with a high recycled content such as envelopes, notebooks, file covers etc. More recycled products will he purchased provided that this does not affect quality, versatility and represents value for money.

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