Written Answers of 15 June 1989

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Exports (Group of Seven)
  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will publish a table of the volume of exports per head of population of the Group of Seven countries.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The information in both value and volume terms is in the following table.

  Exports per head of population, 1988

  1 Volume 1985=100

  Value Untied States$

  France

  110

  2,896

  Federal Republic of Germany

  111

  5,273

  Italy

  110

  2,247

  United Kingdom

  109

  2,538

  Canada

  117

  4,316

  United Stales of America

  129

  1,302

  Japan

  103

  2,160

  1 Export volume index adjusted for population change between 1985 and 1988.

  Source: OECD

  Post Office Monopoly
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what proposals he has for ending the Post Office monopoly.

  Mr. Forth
  We keep the options under review, but we have no present plans to end the monopoly. We have, however, made it clear that the Post Office's letter monopoly is a privilege, not a right, and that in the event of a cessation or serious disruption of the letter service, we would consider suspending it.

  Liquidators
  Mr. Aspinwall
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will give the figures for the number of certificates issued for licensed liquidators since the Insolvency Act 1986 came into operation.

  Mr. Maude
  There are currently 1,737 individuals authorised to act as insolvency practitioners under the Insolvency Act 1986.

  Telecommunications (Liberalisation)
  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether any decisions have been made as a result of the recommendations from the Director General of Telecommunications about the further liberalisation of telecommunication services; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  My right hon. and noble Friend the Secretary of State has received advice from the Director 480
  General of Telecommunications following a major consultation exercise which he undertook earlier this year. We are very grateful to the director general and his staff for the thorough and professional way they carried this cut.

  We have decided to accept the recommendations the director general has made for changes to the current regime for the provision of telecommunications services using the networks of, or circuits provided by, a fixed-link public telecommunications operator (PTO), that is British Telecommunications plc, Mercury Communications Ltd. or Kingston Communications plc.

  The first, and most important, of these is that we have decided to liberalise entirely the use made by companies of private circuits domestic to the United Kingdom leased from a PTO. Until now, companies leasing circuits have not been permitted to resell capacity to others or to share it with them. This prohibition arose from the fact that the price of private circuits leased from BT was historically below cost and provided significant opportunities for the use of leased lines to bypass the public network, tp the detriment of the ordinary user. For this reason, the operating licences of the PTOs prohibited until 1 July 1989 the use of leased lines to provide simple resale, that is the routing of a call from the public network, over a leased line and back on to the public network. This was intended to allow for the rebalancing of leased line and network charges.

  This rebalancing has now largely taken place within the United Kingdom, and we see no need any longer to prevent companies making use of leased lines however they choose, whether for voice or data services. We therefore intend to issue a licence permitting simple resale of United Kingdom domestic private circuits as well as other forms of resale, bypass and shared use. Those networks connected to the public switched network (PSN) will continue to be subject to the rules on technical quality standards.

  Although considerable tariff rebalancing has taken place on circuits within the United Kingdom, international tariffs are still out of line with costs. We have therefore decided to retain the current prohibition on international simple resale for the time being. However, we have accepted the director general's recommendation that he should keep the situation under review and advise us as and when further liberalisation is justified. The new licence will therefore be drafted in such a way as to allow us to liberalise international private circuits on a case-by-case basis as opportunities arise.

  The director general has also recommended other major changes to the existing licensing regime. In the light of his experience in administering the fair trading rules in the current value-added and data services licence, he has recommended that they be simplified in operation and more clearly targeted on companies likely to abuse a dominant position. Thus, companies which the director general considers dominant, with large businesses in telecommunications services, will continue to be covered by the present rules against cross-subsidisation, showing undue preference or discrimination and other detailed conditions. However, those rules in the current regime which impose heavy cost and which may deter people because of the difficulty of compliance are to be removed. These include the rule on publication of prices which is in abeyance already. Conversely, rules which are of value to

  481
  users, such as those on privacy and confidentiality, metering and numbering are to be applied to all operators, rather than just the largest.

  We have also accepted the director general's advice that the new licence should include a condition aimed at alleviating the nuisance to the users of the telephone, fax or other telecommunications systems caused by persistent but unsolicited attempts to sell products and services. Sellers by telephone or fax or those acting as their agents, will be required by the new licence to stop making these direct sales calls to any particular user of a telecommunication system when he has given them a written instruction to do so.

  Other changes which are to be made include provisions allowing greater flexibility for installers, maintainers and users of call-routing apparatus, the reduction of the minimum period for the termination of maintenance contracts to 42 days and the introduction of a requirement to provide inductive couplers in emergency telephones in lifts.

  Although the limit of 200 m for the provision of privately provided circuits between buildings will be retained, service providers will be permitted to run these systems on others' premises and the procedure for permitting exceptions to the 200 m rule (where justified) will be simplified.

  We believe these changes will add greatly to the freedom and the flexibility of telecommunications operators in the United Kingdom, and will keep the United Kingdom in the vanguard of telecommunications liberalisation both in Europe and worldwide. We intend to bring these changes about by issuing a new branch systems general licence during July. This will replace both the existing branch systems general licence and that for value-added and data services. My Department and the Office of Telecommunications are currently finalising the details of the new licence, and we shall inform the House when it is to be issued.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Civil Servants (Numbers)
  Mr. Amos
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the number of staff in post in central Government Departments at 1 April.

  Mr. Major
  On 1 April 1989, there were 569,215 staff in post in central Government Departments. Of these 499,821 were non-industrials and 69,394 were industrials.

  Trustees
  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make a statement about the residence status of trustees for income tax purposes in the light of the recent decision of the House of Lords in the case of Dawson v CIR.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  We have considered the implications of the House of Lords' recent decision in the case of Dawson v CIR, and have decided that the present law does not deal satisfactorily with the residence status for income tax purposes of trustees in cases where the trustees of a settlement include both a United Kingdom resident and a non-resident. We therefore propose to introduce new rules to determine the residence status of
  482
  such "mixed residence" trustees. Provided that the settlor was not resident, not ordinarily resident and not domiciled in the United Kingdom at the time he made the settlement (and at any later time when he provided funds), the trustees will be treated as not resident in the United Kingdom. Otherwise "mixed residence" trustees will all be treated as United Kingdom resident.

  This proposal will not affect trusts where the trustees are all United Kingdom residents, or all non-resident. In those cases, the existing rules will continue to apply.

  There will also be similar rules governing the residence status of personal representatives of a deceased person, where they include both a United Kingdom resident and a non-resident.

  There will also be provisions, applying to all trustees and personal representatives, to make it clear that income tax assessments may be made on any one or more of them.

  Further details of the proposals are set out in an Inland Revenue press release published today. The necessary provisions have been tabled for Committee stage of the Finance Bill.

  Savings
  Mr. Butterfill
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to increase the personal savings ratio.

  Mr. Lilley
  We expect many of the factors which led to the fall in the personal savings ratio to reverse themselves over the medium term. In addition, the rise in interest rates over the past year will encourage higher savings and lower borrowing.

  Orchids
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps Her Majesty's Customs and Excise take to prevent the smuggling of rare orchids into Britain.

  Mr. Lilley
  [holding answer 9 June 1989]: Customs and Excise makes every effort to prevent the illegal import of listed orchids and other items covered by the convention on international trade in endangered species.

CIVIL SERVICE

  Mr. David Morphet
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Minister for the Civil Service whether any conditions have been attached by the advisory committee on business appointments to the employment by Balfour Beatty of Mr. David Morphet, formerly of the Department of Energy; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Luce
  It is not our practice to divulge information about individual applications under the business appointment rules, as to do so would be a breach of confidence and privacy.

ENERGY

  AGR Fuel Rods
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy how many spent AGR fuel rods are expected to be produced in each year from 1989 to 2000 and if advanced gas-cooled reactors produce electricity at their planned output during the 1990s.
  483
  Mr. Michael Spicer
  This is an operational matter for the Central Electricity Generating Board. I have asked the chairman to write to the hon. Member.

  Spent Nuclear Fuel
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is the earliest date by which the proposed Heysham AGR dry storage facility could be ready; and whether it will be large enough to store all the spent AGR fuel from all of Britain's AG Rs for their planned lifetimes.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  This is an operational matter for the Central Electricity Generating Board. I have asked the chairman to write to the hon. Member.

  Nuclear Materials (Safeguards)
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will set out the details of safeguards inspection for civil nuclear materials and facilities agreed with the European Commission regulation 3227/76; and when such inspections began.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  Euratom inspections began in 1973. It is not the custom within Euratom to publish details of the inspection arrangements for any nuclear facility in the Community.

  Irradiated Fuel
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Newport, West, June, he will list the countries of origin and dates on which consignments of irradiated fuel have been returned to their countries of origin since 1979.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The country of origin of the shipments referred to in the answer to the hon. Member on 7 June is included in those listed in the answer given by my hon. Friend the Member for Eddisbury (Mr. Goodlad) on 18 February 1987 at column 635. Details of individual consignments are confidential.

  Plutonium
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy, pursuant to the reply to the hon. Member for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy, (Dr. Thomas)Official Report, 8 May column 289, whether the reports on plutonium production sent by reactor operators to safeguards authorities are detailed routinely to (a) single gramme quantities, (b) tens of grammes quantities, or (c) hundreds of grammes quantities.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  Euratom regulation 3227/76 article 21 (a) requires quantities of special nuclear material to be expressed in grammes.

  Uranimum (Namibia)
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy, pursuant to the reply to the hon. Member for Newport, West,Official Report, 19 May, column 314, which was the competent authority in Namibia which gave the N obligation code to the consignment of Namibian uranium imported to the United Kingdom since 1979.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The N obligation code was assigned by the Euratom safeguards authorities.

  Pollution
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will detail all his Department's policies and proposals regarding(a) acid rain and (b) pollution by nuclear waste; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The Government will ensure that the CEGB and its successor companies contribute to the emission reduction requirements of the European Communities' large combustion plant directive. These are to reduce emissions of sulphur dioxide by 60 per cent. on 1980 levels by 2003 and nitrogen oxides by 30 per cent. on 1980 levels by 1998. We shall encourage the development and application of renewable energy sources wherever they have prospects of being economically competitive and environmentally acceptable. Furthermore, the non-fossil fuel obligation which will be placed on the public electricity suppliers in the privatised electricity industry and the continuing work of the energy efficiency office will help to reduce acid rain.

  Policy on radioactive waste is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment.

  Conservation
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will detail his Department's specific proposals for energy conservation for each year since 1981.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  Details of the Government's proposals on energy efficiency have been published annually in the public expenditure White Paper and in response to reports of the Select Committee on Energy.

  Safeguards Agreement
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy how many withdrawals from safeguards, under article 14 of the 1978 tripartite safeguards agreement between United Kingdom—Euratom—International Atomic Energy Authority, have been made since May 1979.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  [holding answer 11 May 1989]: Some temporary withdrawals have been made for technical operational reasons with the material being returned to safeguards after it has been processed in unsafeguarded facilities. Some permanent withdrawals have also been made. It would not be in the public interest to reveal details of these.

WALES

  Careers Teachers
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many schools careers local education authority school teachers there were in Wales in May 1980 and at the latest available date; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  The information is not available in the form requested. However, information from the 1984 secondary school staffing survey indicates that in 1984 there were 473 teachers of careers education. A further staffing survey is currently under way.

  Education Reform
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he has met teachers' organisations to discuss his Department's plans to test children at seven years of age; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if he has met teachers' organisations to discuss his Department's policy of testing pupils at the age of 14 years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  Welsh Office Ministers and officials have met representatives of teachers' organisations on numerous occasions and the subjects discussed have included assessment and testing of children in accordance with the Education Reform Act.

  Dog Registration
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he has plans for compulsory dog registration in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  I have no plans to introduce dog registration in Wales.

  Shotton and Connah's Quay Bypass
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will meet Alyn and Deeside district council, Clwyd county council and the Deeside town and community councils to discuss how his Department might assist in the building of a Shotton and Connah's Quay bypass, including a new river crossing of the River Dee at Connah's Quay; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  It would not be appropriate: this is a matter for Clwyd county council as the responsible highway authority. However I am fully aware of its proposals and expect to receive a bid for transport supplementary support.

  Land Development (Shotton)
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will visit Clwyd county council and Alyn and Deeside district council to discuss with them how his Department might assist those local authorities in developing land adjacent to the River Dee which was previously the site of steelmaking activity at Shotton.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  No. My statutory responsibilities under the Town and Country Planning Act 1971 preclude me from discussing with local authorities the proposals for the development of specific sites. If proposals that emerge for the development of the site demonstrate a need for central Government financial support, my Department's officers will be available to discuss this with the local authorities.

  Hill Farms
  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give for hill farms in marginal land areas within the less-favoured areas the(a) average size in hectares, (b) farm income, (c) number of farms, (d) number of ewes and (e) number of beef cows for the latest period for which figures are available.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  Figures relating to holdings in the disadvantaged areas of the less-favoured areas in respect of June 1988 are given in the following table:486

  Figures

  (a) Average size in hectares

  41·5

  (c) Number of holdings

  6,082

  (d) Number of breeding ewes

  582,024

  (e) Number of breeding beef cows

  23,859

  A figure for (b) farm income is not published separately for marginal area farms. However, for all LFA livestock farms net farm income in 1987–88 was £9,453.

  Minibus Licensing
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the impact of proposed European Economic Community regulations on minibus licensing on voluntary organisations in Wales; and whether he will oppose the proposed regulations.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  The proposed EC regulation, which would require new minibus drivers to take a second driving test and to meet higher health standards, would have significant social and cost consequences for voluntary and community transport organisations which rely heavily on volunteer drivers. The Government consider there are no road safety reasons for the proposed change, and the European Commission is being pressed to avoid introducing unnecessary restrictions.

  Mandatory Repairs Grant
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales on what date Welsh local authorities were first informed of changes in the amount of mandatory repairs grant from 75 per cent. to 25 per cent. for landlords under sections 130 and 131 of the Housing Act 1988.

  Mr. Grist
  Local authorities were consulted about proposals for changes to the rate of repair grant for landlords during the course of 1987 and 1988, and were notified of the change in rate (to 20 per cent.) in advance correspondence which was issued on 10 January this year.

  Sewage
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Bridgend on 12 June,Official Report, columns 306–308, concerning the applications from the Welsh water authority for variations of existing discharge consents for sewage treatment works, if he will indicate for which of the works listed requests were made for the discharge standards to be (a) relaxed and (b) tightened up.

  Mr. Grist
  I shall write to the hon. Gentleman with full details of the applications as soon as possible and I will place a copy of my reply in the Library of the House.

  Local Authority Services
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much was spent by central and local government in Wales, for the last year for which figures are available, on(a) local authority services, including the police, (b) health services and (c) economic development.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  [holding answer 12 June 1989]: Details of expenditure within my responsibility are given in "The Government's Expenditure Plans 1989–90 to

  487
  1991–92" (Cm. 617) and in the Welsh Office commentary. The last year for which firm outturn figures are available for local authorities is 1986–87. The net public expenditure figures requested are as follows:

  £million

  1986–87 outturn

  Local authority expenditure in Wales1

  2,015

  National Health Services

  989

  Industry and Employment

  178

  1 Including police and other non-Welsh Office services.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Heroin (Crop Substitution)
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what funds he is currently providing to promote crops substitution in Pakistan to control heroin traffic: how the funds are to be administered and monitored; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  We have committed £3·4 million to the United Nations fund for drugs abuse control crops substitution and special rural development programme in the Dir district of the North-West Frontier province. The programme is part of the special development and enforcement plan for poppy growing areas. £2·4 million of the grants has been spent so far.

  Administrative and monitoring arrangements are to be strengthened by the recruitment of a three-man technical support unit to assist provincial government officials and the UNFDAC field officer.

PRIME MINISTER

  European Commission
  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Prime Minister if she has received representations regarding the European Commission.

  The Prime Minister
  I receive a number of such representations.

  Rain Forest
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Prime Minister what communication she has received from the Government of Brazil concerning assistance with preservation of the tropical rain forest.

  The Prime Minister
  Following discussions with senior representatives of the Brazilian Government, the Secretary-General of the Brazilian Ministry of the Interior has written to my hon. Friend the Minister for Overseas Development inviting Her Majesty's Government to agree on a programme of technical co-operation in the environmental field. A team of British professional experts has this week returned from Brazil where they discussed how we might help; my hon. Friend will take this further when he visits Brazil in July.

  European Directives
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will raise at the next meeting of the European Council the scale and pattern of directives emerging from the Commission; and if she will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  I expect the European Council to discuss a number of current Community issues. I also refer my hon. Friend to my reply to him on 6 June at column 129.

  Engagements
  Ms. Mowlam
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 15 June.

  Mr. Michael Brown
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 15 June.

  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 15 June.

  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for 'Thursday 15 June.

  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 15 June.

  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 15 June.

  Mr. Hind
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 15 June.

  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 15 June.

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

  Government Publicity
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister whether, in the light of paragraph 13 of the guidance on conventions on Government publicity issued by the Cabinet Office, advice on the propriety of methods of releasing official information by officials will be sought from the Cabinet Office prior or subsequently to the receipt of ministerial sanction for express approval for the release of such information.

  The Prime Minister
  It is for Departments to decide whether and when to seek such advice in the light of paragraph 12 of the guidance.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Press Briefings
  Mr. Grocott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what guidelines he follows in determining which journalists are invited to press briefings by his Department.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The journalists invited to press briefings depend upon the matter under discussion.

  Medical Research
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish the amount of
  489
  money spent on medical research in each of the last 10 years broken down into (a) the total figure per year, (b) the percentage spent on AIDS and (c) as a percentage of the total research budget.

  Mr. Jackson
  The main agency through which the Government support medical research is the Medical

  (a)

  (b)

  (c)

  (d)

  (e)

  Grant in aid to MRC

  Amount of (a) spent on specific programmes of AIDS research

  (b) as a percentage of (a)

  Science Budget

  (a) as a percentage of(d)

  £ million

  £ million

  Percentage

  £ million

  Percentage

  1979–80

  57·2

  —

  —

  333

  17·2

  1980–81

  86·6

  —

  —

  396

  21·9

  1981–82

  101·5

  —

  —

  440

  23·1

  1982–83

  107·5

  —

  —

  469

  22·9

  1983–84

  113·7

  —

  —

  504

  22·6

  1984–85

  117·2

  0·1

  0·1

  535

  21·9

  1985–86

  122·3

  0·4

  0·3

  571

  21·4

  1986–87

  128·3

  0·7

  0·5

  603

  21·3

  1987–88

  139·8

  3·7

  2·6

  658

  21·2

  1988–89

  149·6

  5·0

  3·3

  709

  21·1

  In addition, universities and medical schools support a range of medical research, including AIDS research, from block grants provided by the Universities Funding Council (formerly the University Grants Committee). Other medical research is supported by the health authorities.

  Schools (Fences)
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will issue a circular to local authorities, concerning the dangers caused to pupils and teachers through inadequate fencing around primary schools.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  It is not necessary to issue a circular on the danger caused to pupils and teachers through inadequate fencing around primary schools. Local authorities are already aware of the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act and circular 11/74 issued by the DES following that Act.

  Gateshead City Technology College
  Mr. Clelland
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many tenders were received for the development of the Gateshead city technology college; and what were the various tender prices submitted.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Five tenders were received. Prices ranged from £6,730,000 to £7,245,000. The price offered by Laing Northern was the lowest, and its design proposals were considered to be the most appropriate of those submitted.

  Mr. Clelland
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science in the light of the contribution from public funds towards the development costs of the Gateshead city technology college(a) who will own the buildings, (b) who will own the land which constitutes the site once the project is completed and (c) to whom the assets will revert should the school fail to open or close at some future date.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The Tyneside city technology college trust will own the land and buildings. The funding 490
  Research Council. The following table shows, for each of the last 10 years, the grant in aid to the MRC, the amount of that spent on specific programmes of AIDS research, and the grant in aid to the MRC as a percentage of the total science budget:

  agreement between my right hon. Friend and each individual CTC will specify the conditions under which repayment will be made to him in the event that the school should close.

  Mr. Clelland
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science on what date John Laing plc became a sponsor of the Gateshead city technology college.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  John Laing announced its sponsorship of the CTC in Gateshead in October 1988.

  Mr. Clelland
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what elements of the national curriculum the Gateshead city technology college will be obliged to adopt.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  As a condition of grant, all CTCs will be bound to offer the full national curriculum including assessment arrangements throughout the compulsory years of education.

  Mr. Clelland
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what investigations were made into possible inner-city sites for the Gateshead city technology college.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Investigations were made into other sites in Tyne and Wear, but none was found to be suitable.

  Mr. Clelland
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the total contribution of the CTC Trust to the development of the Gateshead city technology college to date; for what specific purposes such money has been allocated; and what further advances are planned.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The CTC Trust has not itself contributed financially to the development of the Gateshead CTC. It was, however, involved in the negotiations for the acquisition of the site.

  Mr. Clelland
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proportion of the Gateshead city technology college roll must be drawn from the inner-city area in order for the college to comply with the aims and objectives of Her Majesty's Government's policy to develop city technology colleges.
  491
  Mrs. Rumbold
  The catchment area for the Gateshead CTC is not yet finalised, but it will be drawn so as to include surrounding areas of deprivation, and every effort will be made to ensure that as high a proportion of children as possible come from those areas.

  Mr. Clelland
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what were the opening and closing dates for the submission of tenders for the development of the Gateshead city technology college; and what date the tender from Laing Northern was received; and who had access to the tenders submitted prior to the closing date.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The date for submission of tenders was 12 May. All tenders, including the tender from Laing Northern, were received under sealed cover on that day. They were opened, stamped, and their contents formally recorded, in the presence of five witnesses. I do not know of any person who had access to the tenders before submission. The DES, and the sponsors (other than John Laing plc), and the members of the panel had no such access.

  Mr. Clelland
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science which of the sponsors of the Gateshead city technology college were involved in the decision to award the development contract to Laing Northern.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The decision upon the award of the development contract was made by an evaluation panel composed of Mr. Peter Vardy, as the principal sponsor, the chief architect of Argyll plc, the chief architect of the DES, the project director, and three independent assessors nominated by my Department. John Laing plc was not represented on the panel and had no part whatsoever in the decision.

  Student Loans
  Mrs. Wise
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if it is his intention to charge interest on student loans in cases where repayment is deferred because of low earnings after graduation.

  Mr. Jackson
  As was made clear in the White Paper "Top-up Loans for Students" (Cm. 520), the Government's proposals arc for a zero real interest rate on the outstanding balance of the top-up loan; where repayments are deferred because a graduate's income is low, a real interest rate of zero will continue to apply during the period of deferment.

EMPLOYMENT

  Dock Labour Scheme
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received about the future of the scheme ports once the dock labour scheme is abolished; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  I have received a number of representations supporting the Government's proposals to abolish the dock labour scheme so that scheme ports can become more competitive and attract new investment to provide jobs in the ports themselves and in surrounding areas.

  Lifting the barriers to business and jobs imposed by the scheme's damaging and unnecessary controls has been widely welcomed throughout industry.

  EC Social Charter
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards those clauses of the European Community's draft social charter which would ensure the participation of the work force in decision making within companies.

  Mr. Cope
  The Government believe firmly that employee involvement in the United Kingdom is best developed on a voluntary basis. We shall therefore continue to oppose attempts to legislate on this subject.

SCOTLAND

  Nuclear Accidents
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what contingency plans his Department has for dealing with an accident involving(a) any seaborne, (b) any airborne or (c) any landborne nuclear weapons, in the course of non-operational activities, including courtesy calls.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence gave today to a similar question from the hon. Member.

  Tree Planting
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, further to his answer of Thursday, 25 May,Official Report, column 25, if he will place those representations on tree planting in the Library.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The representations were contained in private correspondence and it would therefore be inappropriate to place them in the Library.

  Rates
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will produce a table for each district council showing the total yield from the rate payment for 1988–89 showing the breakdown of the amount attributed to district and region.

  Mr. Lang
  The estimated yields from rate payments are set out in the table.

  Total District Rate Income 1988–89

  Total Regional Rate Income 1988–89

  Total Rate Income 1988–89

  Islands Councils

  Orkney

  —

  9·076

  9·076

  Shetland

  —

  50·370

  50·370

  Western Isles

  —

  6·656

  6·6:56

  District Councils

  Berwickshire

  0·765

  3·925

  4·690

  Ettrick and Lauderdale

  1·766

  8·015

  9·781

  Roxburgh

  1·800

  7·345

  9·145

  Tweedale

  0·644

  3·426

  4·070

  Clackmannan

  4·617

  13·468

  18·085

  Falkirk

  12·819

  46·081

  58·899

  Stirling

  11·063

  26·574

  37·637

  Annandale and Eskdale

  1·958

  8·568

  10·526

  493

  Total District Rate Income 1988–89

  Total Regional Rate Income 1988–89

  Total Rate Income 1988–89

  Nithsdale

  3·425

  15·082

  18·507

  Stewartry

  11·32

  5·642

  6·774

  Wigtown

  1·242

  6·621

  7·863

  Dunfermline

  11·316

  52·843

  64·159

  Kirkcaldy

  13·738

  50·716

  64·454

  North East Fife

  5·250

  21·294

  26·543

  Aberdeen City

  25·213

  86·238

  111·451

  Banff & Buchan

  6·076

  23·127

  29·203

  Gordon

  3·009

  13·839

  16·847

  Kincardine & Deeside

  1·978

  11·195

  13·173

  Moray

  4·970

  22·472

  27·442

  Badenoch & Strathspey

  0·516

  3·604

  4·120

  Caithness

  1·344

  6·002

  7·346

  Inverness

  3·868

  22·961

  26·829

  Lochaber

  1·581

  6·148

  7·729

  Nairn

  0·339

  2·319

  2·658

  Ross & Cromarty

  3·142

  14·122

  17·264

  Skye and Lochalsh

  0·510

  2·367

  2·876

  Sutherland

  0·425

  2·467

  2·892

  East Lothian

  7·637

  27·209

  34·846

  Edinburgh City

  54·718

  200·989

  255·706

  Midlothian

  5·860

  20·778

  26·638

  West Lothian

  10·214

  41·445

  51·659

  Argyll & Bute

  5·842

  18·518

  24·360

  Bearsden &Milngavie

  3·045

  13·810

  16·855

  Clydebank

  4·431

  13·784

  18·215

  Clydesdale

  4·031

  14·429

  18·460

  Cumbernauld &Kilsyth

  4·980

  18·265

  23·246

  Cumnock &Doon Valley

  2·444

  8·575

  11·019

  Cunninghame

  14·997

  44·444

  59·441

  Dumbarton

  8·424

  26·847

  35·271

  East Kilbride

  6·721

  28·520

  35·241

  £ thousands

  Yield of district community charge

  Yield of region-al community charge

  Yield of water charge

  Total yield of community charge

  Islands Councils

  Orkney

  —

  1,812

  386

  2,198

  Shetland

  —

  1,746

  110

  1,856

  Western Isles

  —

  3,223

  800

  4,023

  District Council

  Berwickshire

  457

  2,565

  457

  3,480

  Ettrick and Lauderdale

  1,069

  4,428

  789

  6,286

  Roxburgh

  1,154

  4,780

  852

  6,785

  Tweeddale

  501

  2,026

  361

  2,888

  Clackmannan

  2,999

  6,825

  517

  10,340

  Falkirk

  4,873

  20,974

  1,589

  27,435

  Stirling

  5,729

  11,695

  886

  18,310

  Annandale and Eskdale

  1,312

  4,981

  781

  7,074

  Nithsdale

  1,699

  7,778

  1,220

  10,698

  Stewartry

  698

  3,368

  528

  4,594

  Wigtown

  936

  4,177

  655

  5,768

  Dunfermline

  5,231

  20,924

  1,712

  27,868

  Kirkcaldy

  6,597

  24,190

  1,979

  32,767

  North East Fife

  4.144

  11,119

  910

  16,173

  Aberdeen City

  13,552

  30,134

  4,783

  48,469

  Banff and Buchan

  3,510

  11,702

  1,857

  17,069

  Gordon

  2,259

  9,702

  1,540

  13,501

  Kincardine and Deeside

  1,115

  6,588

  1,046

  8,749

  Moray

  2,685

  12,083

  1,918

  16,686

  Badenoch and Strathspey

  326

  1,677

  186

  2,189

  Caithness

  498

  3,589

  399

  4,486

  Inverness

  1,179

  8,164

  907

  10,251

  Lochaber

  541

  2,630

  292

  3,462

  Nairn

  213

  1,371

  152

  1,737

  Ross and Cromarty

  1,382

  6,377

  709

  8,468

  Skye and Lochalsh

  238

  1,711

  190

  2,138

  Sutherland

  65

  1,958

  218

  2,241

  East Lothian

  4,401

  18,304

  1,148

  23,853

  Edinburgh City

  28,962

  95,541

  5,992

  130,495

  Midlothian

  3,543

  17.236

  1,081

  21,860

  494

  Total District Rate Income 1988–89

  Total Regional Rate Income 1988–89

  Total Rate Income 1988–89

  Eastwood

  3·022

  17·731

  20·752

  Glasgow City

  113·829

  262·992

  376·820

  Hamilton

  8·883

  29·705

  38·588

  Inverclyde

  6·870

  25·781

  32·651

  Kilmarnock & Loudoun

  6·690

  21·806

  28·495

  Kyle & Carrick

  10·509

  37·274

  47·782

  Monklands

  8·342

  27·957

  36·298

  Motherwell

  11·868

  44·333

  56·201

  Renfrew

  18·752

  62·941

  81·692

  Strathkelvin

  5·981

  22·301

  28·283

  Angus

  5·861

  24·001

  29·862

  Dundee City

  20·687

  53·522

  74·209

  Perth & Kinross

  9·262

  36·725

  45·988

  Scotland

  488·401

  1,697·242

  2,185·644

  Notes:

  (1). Rate income is less domestic rate relief.

  (2). Estimated figures calculated using actual penny rate products, rateable values and rate poundages from "Rating Review".

  Community Charge
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will provide a breakdown of the figures given in the table in his written answer of 12 June showing the amount attributable to the district and the region.

  Mr. Lang
  The figures given in the table are the estimated yields, in 1989–90, of community and water charges in the district, regional and islands councils in Scotland.
  495

  Yield of district community charge

  Yield of region-al community charge

  Yield of water charge

  Total yield of community charge

  West Lothian

  5,483

  29,143

  1,828

  36,454

  Argyll and Bute

  2,977

  10,267

  975

  14,220

  Bearsden and Milngavie

  2,392

  6,057

  575

  9,025

  Clydebank

  2,852

  7,314

  695

  10,861

  Clydesdale

  3,520

  8,585

  816

  12,920

  Cumbernauld and Kilsyth

  2,481

  8,862

  842

  12,186

  Cumnock and Doon Valley

  1,831

  6,425

  610

  8,867

  Cunninghame

  6,106

  20,697

  1,966

  28,769

  Dumbarton

  4,581

  11,597

  1,102

  17,280

  East Kilbride

  6,086

  12,258

  1,165

  19,491

  Eastwood

  2,698

  8,565

  814

  12,076

  Glasgow City

  46,323

  106,491

  10,117

  162,931

  Hamilton

  5,582

  15,505

  1,473

  22,560

  Inverclyde

  5,160

  14,334

  1,362

  20,856

  Kilmarnock and Loudoun

  2,984

  11,935

  1,134

  16,052

  Kyle and Carrick

  7,676

  17,250

  1,639

  26,565

  Monklands

  5,560

  15,027

  1,428

  22,015

  Motherwell

  9,295

  21,615

  2,054

  32,964

  Renfrew

  11,268

  29,652

  2,817

  43.737

  Strathkelvin

  5,143

  12,857

  1,221

  19,221

  Angus

  3,646

  15,427

  1,473

  20,546

  Dundee City

  10,746

  28,484

  2,719

  41,949

  Perth and Kinross

  5,530

  20,975

  2,002

  28,508

  Sir Hector Monro
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what arrangements he is proposing to make for relieving owners of unoccupied farm cottages of their liability to pay the standard community charge.

  Mr. Lang
  I have today laid before Parliament a set of regulations—the Standard and Collective Community Charges (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 1989—which provide that certain unoccupied and unfurnished agricultural dwellinghouses, which fulfil conditions prescribed in those regulations, will be exempt from the standard community charge and the standard community water charge.

  Forestry
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much land was approved for afforestation in(a) Scotland, (b) England and (c) Wales in the 12 months ending 1 April; of this how much was for (i) coniferous and (ii) deciduous planting; how much was actually planted; and of both approved and planted totals how much was in respect of land on which set-aside payments were being made.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The following areas of land were approved for afforestation under Forestry Commission grant schemes in the year ended 31 March 1989:

  Hectares

  Country

  Area of planting (including set-aside)

  Area under set-aside

  Scotland

  16,000

  120

  England

  2,100

  40

  Wales

  600

  nil

  Total

  18,700

  160

  Information is not held centrally on the breakdown of these areas between broadleaves and conifers.
  496
  The following were the areas of new planting on which grants were paid under Forestry Commission Grant schemes in the year ended 31 March 1989:

  Area of planting

  Hectares

  Country

  Conifers

  Broadleaves

  Scotland

  20,900

  1,550

  England

  750

  900

  Wales

  700

  200

  Total

  22,350

  2,650

  No planting grants were paid in respect of land on which set-aside payments are to be made.

  It should be noted that (i) areas approved for planting are not necessarily planted and grant aided in the same year, and (ii) the above figures exclude land for which planting grants were approved or paid in association with the farm woodland scheme.

  Language Teaching
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether Indic language teaching in Scottish schools is given equal status with European languages; and what is done to overcome any lack of availability of such classes for school children of Asian extraction who wish to learn one of the Indic languages.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 14 June 1989]: Guidance to education authorities on the teaching in schools of languages other than English, issued in SED circular No. 1178 of 12 January 1989, urges that Asian languages and the traditions they represent should be respected and fostered, and confirms that the inclusion of an Asian language within the curriculum from SI or S2 is appropriate where demand exists and can be met. It is for education authorities to decide whether and when it may be appropriate to include such a language in the curriculum of any school.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Eggs
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the shortfall in eggs to meet domestic demand this summer; and whether he has any control over the eggs imported to meet this shortfall.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  It is not possible to provide a precise estimate of the likely balance between the supply and demand for eggs this summer. Placings for egg layer production have fallen in recent months, in line with reductions in demand earlier this year, and this will have an effect on the supply situation. On the question of controls on imported eggs, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Angus, East (Mr. Welsh) on 20 April at column 280.

  Monofilament Nets
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the depth at which monofilament nets are usually set at(a) inshore waters and (b) at sea; and if he will list the regulations and byelaws which control the siting and setting of such nets.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  Monofilament nets are set at varying depths depending on the location and the species of fish sought. There are no specific national regulations governing the siting and setting of fixed nets within the fishery limits for England and Wales but their use out to six miles may be regulated by local byelaws made by water authorities and sea fisheries committees. Details of such byelaws are available from the offices of these bodies.

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether his fisheries inspectors routinely examine fixed monofilament nets by removing them from the water; if these inspections involved the recording and monitoring of the incidental capture of marine mammals and sea birds; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  There are currently no regulations on fixed monofilament nets and consequently no requirement for my fisheries inspectors to examine them. As regards the incidental capture of marine mammals, I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 20 March 1989 at column 464: my Department is continuing to develop its plans for the monitoring scheme. We have no plans at present for monitoring the incidental capture of sea birds, although we are keeping the situation under review.

  Slaugher and Compensation Schemes
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list those notifiable diseases in animals for which a slaugher and compensation scheme operates; and if he will list those notifiable diseases in animals for which a compensation scheme does not operate.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  The information is as follows:

  (a) Notifiable diseases for which a slaugher and compensation scheme operates are:

  African swine fever

  Aujeszky's disease

  498

  Bovine spongiform encephalopathy

  Brucellosis melitensis in cattle

  Cattle plague in ruminants and swine

  Classical swine fever

  Foot and mouth disease

  Pleuro-pneumonia in cattle

  Rabies

  Swine vesicular disease

  Tuberculosis in cattle

  (b) Notifiable diseases for which a slaughter and compensation scheme does not operate are:

  African horse sickness

  Anthrax

  Contagious equine metritis

  Dourine in horses, asses, mules and zebras

  Enzootic bovine leukosis

  Epizootic lymphangitis in horse, asses and mules

  Equine encephalomyelitis

  Equine infectious anaemia

  Fowl pest (fowl plague, Newcastle disease and paramyxovirus) in poultry of any kind

  Glanders and farcy in horses, asses and mules

  Paramyxovirus in pigeons

  Sheep pox

  Sheep scab

  Teschen disease of pigs

  Tuberculosis in deer

  Warble fly

  Nitrates
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he has concerning the leaching of nitrates from land formerly used for nitrogen-fixing crops once that land has been included in the set-aside scheme.

  Mr. Ryder
  Such information is not yet available from set-aside scheme trials, but it will be provided by experiments currently in progress. Meanwhile, scientific evidence indicates that nitrate leaching from land converted from nitrogen fixing crops to permanent fallow could be relatively high in the first year, but it would fall subsequently.

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what provision is made within the set-aside scheme to minimise pollution of ground water and water courses by nitrates.

  Mr. Ryder
  Under the rules for the management of land set aside to fallow under the scheme, a plant cover must be established and maintained on the land concerned and the use of fertilisers is not generally permitted. Furthermore, advice is available to farmers from my Department on the best practices for the avoidance of pollution by nitrates.

  Set-aside Land
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to announce his top-up scheme for enhancing the environmental value of set-aside land.

  Mr. Ryder
  The top-up scheme, which will be known as the countryside premium for set-aside land, will be administered by the Countryside Commission with advice and assistance from the Nature Conservancy Council, the Department of the Environment and my Department. Details of the scheme are to be announced on 19 June by the chairman of the Countryside Commission.

  Bovine Somatatropin
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether cows treated with bovine somatatropin under experiment can subsequently be sold for slaughter for human consumption; and whether his Department imposes any time limit on the period to elapse between the ending of bovine somatatropin treatment and slaughter.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  When the animal test certificates for BST products were assessed, the veterinary products committee, following rigorous evaluation of all the available data, was satisfied that it would be safe to eat meat from treated cows when they were culled. Accordingly, such cows may be sold for slaughter for human consumption; no withdrawal period has been specified.

  Dogs
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) for what purpose information is collected on each dog imported into the United Kingdom;

  (2) how many American bandogs are presently in quarantine following importation;

  (3) if he will make a statement on the powers available to his Department to control the importation of dogs;

  (4) if records on the importation of dogs kept by the animal health division of his Department are kept manually in written form, or on computers;

  (5) what advice has been issued to members of his Department concerning American bandogs; and if he will make a statement;

  (6) what information he has on the origins, purpose, characteristics and temperament of the American bandog; and if he will make a statement;

  (7) what is the number of Neopolitan mastiff bitches currently in quarantine in the United Kingdom; and what information he has as to the purposes of their import;

  (8) what records his Department keeps on the importation of dogs; and whether these include information as to the breed, sex, age, weight, name, colour, distinguishing marks, exporter and importer of each dog;

  (9) what returns of information on the importation of dogs are submitted by the animal health division of his Department to the central statistical unit of his Department.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  The Rabies (Importation of Dogs, Cats and Other Mammals) Order 1974 as amended restricts the importation of dogs to licensed animals landed at prescribed ports and airports and requires them to be quarantined for six months. These powers are designed to prevent the introduction of rabies into this country and not to limit the number and breeds of dogs imported. Applicants for import licences must provide information, necessary for identification should it escape during quarantine, concerning the dog's breed, sex, age, weight, name, colour and distinguishing marks, together with details of the owner, authorised carrying agent, quarantine premises and expected date of landing. No information is required as to the purpose of the importation.

  All information is retained on a confidential basis by the animal health division in the form of manual records. Summary data by breed are not kept and it is not possible
  500
  to say how many Neopolitan mastiff bitches or American bandogs are presently in quarantine, as these may not have been described as such in the licence application. I understand that an American bandog is a cross between a pit bull terrier and a Neopolitan bull mastiff bull. No advice has been issued concerning this breed.

  Rabies
  Mr. Colin Shepherd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the latest information he has on the prevalence of rabies in Europe.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  The WHO centre at Tuebingen, West Germany recorded 5,051 European rabies cases for the fourth quarter 1988. The total for the same quarter 1987 was 4,280 cases. A species breakdown for the fourth quarter 1988 reveals:

  Numbers

  Wild animals

  3,950

  of which Red Fox

  3,536

  Domestic animals

  1,100

  of which

  Dogs—Europe

  75

  Dogs—Turkey

  100

  Urban rabies continues to occur in Turkey, where 77 per cent. of all cases were in dogs, and 99·6 per cent. of all cases occurred in domestic animals. One human case occurred, in Blackburn, England. The disease had been contracted in Pakistan. There are undoubtedly cases of human rabies in Turkey but there is no regular reporting of these cases to the rabies centre. In several countries, a substantial rise in cases has been reported. Although a single quarter's figures must not be taken out of context, it is clear that the progress being made in the control of wildlife rabies in western Europe will be slow.

  The yearly total shows a reduction of 3·7 per cent. In West Germany, which has previously recorded dramatic falls in the number of cases, the number recorded was 31 more than in the fourth quarter 1987. A substantial increase in cases (490–53 per cent. of the country's total) occurred in the Bundesland Hessen. All the other Bundeslander registered slight rises or remained stable. However, the total for 1988 in West Germany was 2,628, compared with 791 in 1987. It seems that areas where the oral vaccination of foxes has only been used once are the most vulnerable. Clearly, this form of control has to be repeated regularly. Although expensive, this appears to be a successful method of limiting the number of cases. It is not, however, a procedure which will, without other supporting mechanisms, lead to the eradication of rabies from Europe.

  In Belgium, the number of cases continues to increase, taking the year's total to 515 cases; however, in the areas where oral vaccination of foxes has been carried out, the number of cases has reduced by 49 per cent.

  In France, there has been no extension of the "rabies front" westwards. A total of 2,223 known cases was recorded in 1988, 155 more than in 1987. Most of the cases are found in the fox.

  Italy has recorded 19 cases in the area bordering Yugoslavia. Much surveillance of wild and domestic animal carcases has been carried out, and some foxes were found positive in one Alpine region. Oral vaccination of foxes is planned in the spring, using the Tuebingen

  501
  vaccine, in conjunction with Yugoslavia and Austria. Vaccination of dogs and grazing animals is also compulsory.

  Switzerland recorded only 16 cases, and none were recorded from Ireland, Portugal, Denmark, Greece, Norway and Spain.

  Bats found positive to rabies-related virus were recorded in the Netherlands (5) and West Germany (1). The total number of cases in Europe in 1988 was 53, compared to 140 in 1987. Denmark and Spain (affected in 1987) had no new cases. There continues to be no evidence of bat-related rabies virus in terrestrial mammals in Europe. During the quarter, 25 bats were examined in Great Britain, and all were found to be negative.

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

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  [holding answer 13 June 1989]: The beef variable premium scheme was administered on behalf of the Intervention Board for Agricultural Produce by the Meat and Livestock Commission in Great Britain and by the Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland in Northern Ireland. Their costs over the last five years are estimated to have been as follows:

  £ million

  1MLC

  DANI

  1984–85

  3·8

  0·6

  1985–86

  4·0

  0·7

  1986–87

  4·1

  0·7

  1987–88

  4·4

  0·8

  1988–89

  4·4

  0·8

  1 BVPS duties were usually carried out by MLC officers concurrently with their responsibilities under the sheep variable premium scheme. BVPS costs are therefore calculated as a proportion of the total cost of administering both schemes based on the number of presentations under each.

  These figures include the costs of administering the confusion mark procedures. These were operated on a local basis and the costs of administration and numbers animals were not centrally recorded.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Nuclear Accidents
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what contingency plans his Department has for dealing with an accident involving(a) any seaborne, (b) any airborne or (c) any landborne nuclear weapon, in the course of non-operational activities, including courtesy calls.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  Contingency plans throughout the United Kingdom for accidents involving nuclear weapons are a matter for the Secretary of State for Defence. In the event of any such incident affecting Northern Ireland these would be complemented by local contingency plans.

  School Buses (Accidents)
  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what information is available to indicate the 502
  incidence by area or district of road traffic accidents involving children disembarking from school buses, indicating the number of such fatalities in the past five years.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  [holding answer 15 May 1989]: Information is not available in the exact form requested. Existing records do not differentiate between types of bus operators and the following information includes buses operated by education and library boards, public service vehicles used solely for transporting children to and from school and buses used by the general public. Details of children, that is, persons under 15 years of age, killed immediately after alighting from buses are as follows:

  Location

  Year

  Number of fatalities

  1 Armagh

  1984

  3

  1 Lisburn

  1 Bellaghy

  1 Greyabbey

  1985

  1

  1 Loup

  1986

  2

  1 Ballymoney

  1 Castledawson

  1987

  1

  1 Coleraine

  1988

  1

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Immigrants
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about the policy of his Department in treating as illegal immigrants entrants who have been given leave to enter the United Kingdom and who are alleged to have withheld information from an entry certificate officer or immigration officer.

  Mr. Renton
  A person who deliberately withholds evidence and thereby gains entry to which he would not otherwise be entitled may be treated as an illegal entrant under the Immigration Act 1971 and removed from the country. It is clearly right that people coming to this country should not benefit from deceiving the entry clearance officer or the immigration officer. All such cases are fully and carefully considered before removal is authorised.

  Racial Harassment
  Mr. Dykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has been able to make an assessment of the anti-racial harassment campaign launched by the Metropolitan police at the beginning of the current year and its effect on public opinion and public reaction.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  It is for the commissioner, not the Home Office, to make his assessment of the Metropolitan police campaign, I understand that the commissioner intends that the campaign will be evaluated. The Metropolitan police are determined to meet the needs of the community in this sensitive area, and the campaign is playing a central part in their strategy.

  Neighbourhood Watch
  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many neighbourhood watch schemes are known to his Department; and what was the equivalent number five years ago.

  Mr. John Patten
  At the end of March 1989 there were 66,423 neighbourhood watch schemes in England and Wales, covering approximately 3.25 million households. This compares with 3,669 schemes in January 1985—an increase of 62,754, or 1,710 per cent. over the period.

  Prevention of Terrorism Act
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the working of the Prevention of Terrorism Act.

  Mr. Hurd
  During the 12 months ending 31 March 1989 a total of 184 people were detained in Great Britain under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Acts 1984 and 1989. A total of 173 of these detentions were in connection with Northern Irish terrorism and 11 were in connection with international terrorism. Twenty seven of those people were charged. During the same period, 17 people were made subject to new exclusion orders.

  Jersey (Housing)
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received concerning housing in Jersey.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  During the last year we have had representations about three such cases.

  Burglary (Humberside)
  Mr. David Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps his Department is taking to reduce burglary in Humberside.

  Mr. John Patten
  The Government believe that a high proportion of burglaries are preventable. That is why we have encouraged neighbourhood watch schemes which can do so much to help prevent crime. Five years ago there were no watch schemes in Humberside. There are now over 1,300 such schemes in Humberside, covering some 30,000 households. At the end of April 1989 burglaries from dwellings in Humberside had fallen by 21 per cent. compared to two years ago. Detection of burglaries has increased by 28 per cent. over 1988 figures. Hull has agreed to participate in the Home Office safer cities programme and a project is being set up in the city this year. Its aims are to reduce crime, lessen the fear of crime, and create a safer city within which economic enterprise and community life can flourish.

  Prohibited Drugs
  Mr. Patnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a further statement on his plans to ensure that prohibited drugs are not imported into the United Kingdom after 1992.

  Mr. Hurd
  In our discussions with other member states of the European Community, we are maintaining the position that, given our island geography, frontier checks 504
  are, and will continue to be, an indispensible part of the protection for our citizens against the evil of drug trafficking. Sir Leon Brittan confirmed in a speech to the Association of Chief Police Officers' drugs conference on 20 April that the control of drugs trafficking involves, among other things, the ability to conduct checks.

  Electoral Registration
  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he plans to produce new publicity material to encourage people to register to vote, in the light of the recent Office of Population Censuses and Surveys reports on electoral registration.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We shall, as in previous years, support electoral registration officers in their statutory task with a nationwide advertising campaign during the autumn. We also plan to issue guidance to electoral registration officers on the need for a co-ordinated local publicity strategy.

  Community Trusts
  Dr. Goodson-Wickes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has had discussions with the chief charity commissioner regarding the future development of community trusts.

  Mr. John Patten
  No, but I know that the charity commissioners played an essential part, with my Department, in promoting the community trust movement in this country by, among other things, advising on the development of model trust instruments.

  Vagrancy
  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will seek to collect more frequent statistics about the numbers of young people charged under section 3 of the Vagrancy Act 1824.

  Mr. John Patten
  Information is currently collected on all young people proceeded against or cautioned for offences under this Act and summary statistics are published annually.

  Time Zones (Harmonisation)
  Dr. Michael Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what response he has received to his consultation document on harmonisation of time zones in Europe.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The Government plan to publish a Green Paper in the next few weeks. Harmonisation with the central European time zone is one of three options presented for discussion on future summer time arrangements.

  Mentally Disordered Prisoners
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to reduce the number of mentally disordered offenders in the prison population.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The guidance in "The Sentence of the Court" is now being revised to encourage courts to
  505
  avoid sending mentally disturbed people to prison if at all possible, for example by using their powers to remand to hospital under the Mental Health Act 1983, or make attendance at or admission to hospital a condition of bail. We are also preparing a circular to the police and courts on provision for mentally disturbed offenders.

  Football Matches (Policing)
  Mr. David Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimates he has of the total cost of policing football matches in England and Wales in 1988.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  There is no central record of the costs of policing football matches. This information could be obtained only at dispropotionate cost, but substantial resources are involved. Typically 5,000 officers are deployed, at a total cost of perhaps £200,000 to £300,000, each football Saturday.

  China
  Mr. Knapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to meet the Minister of Justice of the People's Republic of China; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hurd
  As my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs informed the House on 6 June, all scheduled ministerial visits have been suspended.

  Street Robbery
  Mr. Colin Shepherd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps his Department is taking to combat street robbery; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John Patten
  The police give high priority to dealing with street robbery. We are concentrating resources on certain urban high-crime areas through our safer cities programme, and we have produced a crime prevention handbook which contains advice on how members of the public can reduce the risk of being attacked; nearly 2·5 million copies of it have been distributed.

  Processions
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many requests he has received in the past 12 months to make orders under section 13 of the Public Order Act 1986, to prohibit processions; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hurd
  We have received four such applications during that time.

  Broadcasting Reform
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received concerning the proposals contained in his White Paper, Cm 517 to institute a regionally based privatised transmission system; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Renton
  We received over 3,000 responses to the broadcasting White Paper, a number of which touched on 506
  our proposals to privatise the transmission system. We published on 8 June the report commissioned from Price Waterhouse to identify options for privatisation, and we are considering its conclusions in consultation with interested parties.

  French Interior Minister
  Mr. William Powell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his recent talks with the French Interior Minister, M. Joxe.

  Mr. Oppenheim
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his recent talks with the French Interior Minister, M. Joxe.

  Mr. Hurd
  M. Joxe and I met on 19 May and had wide-ranging and fruitful discussions on matters of common concern, including immigration policy, action against terrorism, drug trafficking and organised crime, and the measures required to maintain the necessary controls in these areas after 1992. We also signed an arrangement providing for further practical co-operation between the United Kingdom and France on all these matters.

  Firearms Committee
  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to appoint a chairman of the consultative committee on firearms.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Ryedale (Mr. Greenway) on 25 May at columns 637–38.

  Special Constables (Harbours)
  Mr. Shersby
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the implications for matters within his responsibility of the use of section 47 of the Harbours, Docks and Piers Clauses Act 1847 to appoint special constables.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  This provision has operated without major difficulty at many ports for many years. However, I am aware of the concern expressed by my hon. Friend, some other hon. Members and the Police Federation following the recent use of this provision by a statutory harbour authority. My right hon. Friend has brought this matter to the attention of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport who has primary responsibility for the Harbours, Docks and Piers Clauses Act 1847. We shall jointly be examining the representations which have been made.

  Broadcasting (Ownership)
  Mr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he has taken to promote diversity of ownership in television and radio broadcasting.

  Mr. Hague
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how he proposes to ensure diversity of ownership in British television and radio.

  Mr. Renton
  I refer my hon. Friends to the reply my right hon. Friend gave to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Harrow, West (Mr. Hughes) on 19 May at column 317.

  Juvenile Crime (Parental Responsibility)
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps his Department is taking to encourage greater parental responsibility for the prevention of juvenile crime; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps his Department is taking to encourage greater parental responsibility for the prevention of juvenile crime; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Riddick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has any plans to make parents of children under 16 years of age responsible for the crimes committed by those children.

  Mr. Patten
  I refer my hon. Friends to the reply given to questions from my hon. Friends the Members for Warrington, South (Mr. Butler) and for Basingstoke (Mr. Hunter) on 11 May at column 981.

  Prisons (Crown Immunity)
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has any plans to abolish Crown immunity for prisons.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  There are no plans to remove Crown immunity from penal establishments. I am satisfied that the present arrangements are effective in setting and monitoring standards required by the relevant legislation.

  Police Cells
  Mr. Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners were held in police cells at the most recent available date.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  A total of 215 on 14 June, of which 182 were held in the north of the country as a consequence of the recent loss of accommodation at Risley remand centre.

  Bus Lanes
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis as to what action the Metropolitan police are taking in enforcement of bus lanes.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The enforcement of bus lanes is undertaken by the Metropolitan police as one of the many and varied demands made on police time by the enforcement of traffic law.

  European Police (Co-operation)
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress his Department is making in fostering greater co-operation between British police forces and their counterparts elsewhere in Europe.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I refer my hon. Friends to the reply given to questions from my hon. Friends the Members for Dover (Mr. Shaw) and for Ludlow (Mr. Gill) on 2 February 1989 at column 384.

  Durham Prison (Transfers)
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners at Durham prison were awaiting transfer to Thorp Arch prison at the end of the last four months.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The information requested is available only in respect of 31 May, when 42 prisoners at Her Majesty's prison Durham were awaiting transfer to Her Majesty's prison Thorp Arch.

  Car Crime
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps his Department is taking against car crime; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John Patten
  We are examining, in consultation with other Departments, the car manufacturing industry and other agencies, how best the recommendations of the 1988 Home Office standing conference on crime prevention working group on car crime might be taken forward. We are considering research into the correlation between car theft and road accidents, a car crime prevention video for use in schools, and the inclusion of assessments of car security features in published road tests. Publicity on the prevention of car crime will continue at a high level.

  Illegal Drugs
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he makes of the changes in volume and types of illegal drugs in Britain.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The Government attach high priority to tackling drug misuse in all its aspects and have developed a comprehensive strategy for that purpose, which is overseen by the ministerial group on the misuse of drugs. The group, which I chair, receives regular assessments of the drug misuse situation as it affects the United Kingdom, based on information from a number of sources.

  Prison Building
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the progress of the Government's prison building and refurbishment programme.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given today to my hon. Friend the Member for Taunton (Mr. Nicholson).

  Drug Abuse
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress is being made in the campaign against drug abuse; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The Goernment's strategy is to tackle drug misuse by a number of measures aimed at reducing both the supply of and the demand for drugs.

  In furtherance of the strategy, we are working through the United Nations, the Council of Europe's Pompidou group and bilaterally to strengthen international

  509
  co-operation against drug trafficking. We have given the police and Customs services substantial new resources to enable them to seize increased amounts of drugs. We have passed the Drug Trafficking Offences Act 1986, under which some £11 million of drug traffickers' assets has been ordered to be confiscated. Prevention, publicity and education are being stepped up, while funds for the expansion of drug misuse treatment and rehabilitation services have been increased to some £17·5 million in 1989–90.

  European Ministers of Justice
  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about the meeting of European Ministers of Justice in San Sebastian, Spain on 26 and 27 May.

  Mr. John Patten
  I represented the United Kingdom at this meeting, which discussed a range of topics of concern to European Community Ministers of Justice. I stressed the need for stronger co-operation to confiscate the assets of drug traffickers and other major criminals. I urged that the arrangements to enforce the payment of maintenance to women whose husbands moved to another Community country were not effective and should be made to work in practice. Similarly, on measures to prevent the abduction of children from one country to another, I stressed the need for practical action to help individual citizens.

  Sunday Trading
  Mr. Gow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are his present proposals for reform of the Sunday trading laws.

  Mr. Renton
  The Government are continuing to meet interested parties to try to devise reforms which are both workable and likely to command parliamentary majority. As yet, there is insufficient agreement to support early legislation in this area.

  Fire Service (Wage Negotiations)
  Mr. Ilsley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received regarding wage negotiations for fire service employees.

  Mr. John Patten
  Fire service pay is determined by an agreement of the national joint council for local authorities' fire brigades, under which the rate of pay of qualified firefighters is adjusted in November each year to a level which equates to that for the upper quartile of male manual workers, calculated by reference to the Department of Employment's new earnings survey.

  We have received a number of representations from hon. and right hon. Members and from members of the public on conditions of service issues in the fire service. We have explained that my right hon. and noble Friend Earl Ferrers, the Minister of State, has recently had a series of meetings with the member organisations of the national joint council with a view to establishing a working party to address a number of conditions of service-related issues raised by the Audit Commission and to consider whether the current pay formula represents the best way forward for the future.

  Crime Prevention
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps his Department is taking to promote effective crime prevention; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John Patten
  The contribution that the public can make towards reducing crime is the theme of a three-year publicity campaign which we started in March 1988; the associated crime prevention handbook, which contains a great deal of practical advice, is now in its second edition and nearly 2·5 million copies of it have been distributed. In May 1988 an independent crime prevention organisation, Crime Concern, was launched with financial support from the Home Office, with the objective of stimulating and developing local crime prevention activity. The development of crime prevention in the inner city is being taken forward through the safer cities programme which was launched in March 1988.

  Broadcasting Authorities
  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he next expects to meet representatives of the British Broadcasting Corporation and the Independent Broadcasting Authority; and what subjects he expects to discuss.

  Mr. Renton
  My right hon. Friend is in regular touch with the chairmen of the BBC and the IBA on a wide range of broadcasting matters.

  Burglary (Suffolk)
  Mr. Lord
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps his Department is taking to reduce burglary in central Suffolk; and it he will make a statement.

  Mr. John Patten
  Neighbourhood watch continues to grow in Suffolk and there are now more than 200 schemes covering over 10,000 households. There are crime prevention panels in Ipswich, Stowmarket and Needham Market and the Mid Suffolk police liaison committee is active in spreading the crime prevention message to the rural community. In the first three months of this year burglary figures were nearly 9 per cent. lower than in the corresponding period for 1988.

  Litter
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what impact police anti-litter campaigns are having upon crime prevention.

  Mr. John Patten
  The police deal with litter offences in their routine enforcement of the law. I am not aware of any particular impact which this enforcement has on crime prevention.

  Metropolitan Police (Supervisions)
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many serving Metropolitan police officers have been suspended from duty following allegations of improper conduct in each of the past three years.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The number of officers suspended from duty pending investigation of alleged misconduct is as follows:
  511

  Number

  1986

  73

  1987

  95

  1988

  74

  Drinking and Disorder
  Mr. Duffy
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to meet representatives of the drinks and fast food industries to discuss problems arising from drinking and disorder.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  My right hon. Friend the Leader of the House in his capacity as chairman of the ministerial group on alcohol misuse, has invited representatives of the drinks, fast food and leisure industries and the licensed trade to discuss these matters. A meeting should take place later this month or early next. My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and I will also be present.

  Mentally Ill Prisoners
  Mr. Lofthouse
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he intends to take to safeguard the mentally ill remanded in custody.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Prison medical officers in examining inmates on reception identify as a priority those who, by reason of their mental state, may require particular attention whether of a medical or general management nature. In such cases, referral to a psychiatrist would be an early course of further action.

  The police and prison services are working closely together to ensure similar early identification, and correct follow-up action can be taken in the case of a defendant who, because of overcrowding in local prisons and remand centres, is initially held in a police cell, where this cannot be avoided.

  Private Security Industry
  Mr. O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to consider the accountability and regulation of the private security industry.

  Mr. John Patten
  I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to questions from the hon. Members for Clwyd, South-West (Mr. Jones) and Walsall, South (Mr. George) on 15 December 1988 at column 716.

  Cruel Tethering
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) males and (b) females have been (i) charged and (ii) convicted under section 1 of the Protection Against Cruel Tethering Act 1988.

  Mr. John Patten
  Section 1 of the Protection against Cruel Tethering Act 1988 amended the Protection of Animals Act 1911. It is not possible from the information held centrally to isolate such offences from others under the Protection of Animals Act 1911.

  Greater Manchester Police
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has received a copy of the chief constable's annual report on the policing of Greater Manchester; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We have received the report; I am glad to see that there was a decrease of nearly 8 per cent. in the total number of crimes recorded during the year in his force area.

  Surplus Prison Property
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received about alternative uses for surplus prison property on the Isle of Wight.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The only representations received have been from my hon. Friend on behalf of the Isle of Wight Youth Trust. Of the 19 surplus prison quarters on the Isle of Wight, 10 are to be demolished—mainly on grounds of prison security—and nine sold.

  Hillsborough Inquiry
  Mr. Beaumont-Dark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Home Department what arrangements are being made to finance the cost of Lord Justice Taylor's inquiry into the Hillsborough stadium disaster.

  Mr. Hurd
  Parliamentary approval of the expenditure on this inquiry will be sought in a revised Estimate for the Home Office vote for "administration etc." (class XI, vote 3). Pending that approval, urgent expenditure estimated at £100,000 is being met by a repayable advance from the contingencies fund.

  Civil Disasters
  Mr. Lester
  To ask the Secretary of State for Home Department what conclusions he has reached following his Department's review of arrangements for handling major civil disasters in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Hurd
  Our emergency services have shown repeatedly how effectively they respond to widely differing disasters, but a number of suggestions have been made as to ways in which central Government could provide better support for those with operational responsibilities.

  The whole field of emergency response has therefore been reviewed. Consultations have involved the emergency services, local authorities, professional emergency planners, voluntary bodies and interested individuals, as well as other Government departments. A senior level seminar for those with operational responsibilities was held at the civil defence college, Easingwold, last November.

  Our main conclusions are:

  (a) prime responsibility for handling particular disasters should remain at the local level. It would not be helped by anything in the nature of a 'national disaster squad';

  (b) we need improved arrangements to give national oversight to the development of co-ordinated emergency planning, and to address specific practical issues raised by recent disasters;

  (c) more needs to be done to encourage and develop co-ordination of the various services at the local level.

  513
  To help meet these objectives I shall be appointing a civil emergencies adviser, charged with oversight of the whole subject and reporting directly to me. I shall announce a name as soon as I can.

  The adviser will consider matters of current concern in the field of civil emergency planning in peacetime, with a view to helping those with operational responsibilities to achieve the highest standards of co-ordination and compatibility between their contingency arrangements. He will not have an operational role during an emergency, but will be closely concerned with general questions of planning and training and with drawing out the broad lessons to be learnt from particular incidents. To achieve this he will work closely with senior officers of the emergency services, local authorities, voluntary bodies, safety inspectorates, Government Departments and others directly concerned. He will be supported by a small civil emergencies secretariat within the Home Office, working in association with the Cabinet Office. The secretariat will begin preliminary work immediately.

  A number of specific issues have been identified in the course of the review which I shall want the adviser to take forward as a matter of priority. These include the handling of casualty inquiries, psychological damage to survivors and relatives, assistance for foreign disasters, training and exercises. He may wish to draw on the work of existing groups which are already looking at some of the issues, or to convene interdisciplinary expert groups to address detailed questions.

  To support the adviser's work I am giving the civil defence college at Easingwold a wider remit and will expect it also to address questions of peacetime emergency planning irrespective of any wartime connections. This will be reflected in a change of name to "emergency planning college".

  In the course of the review local authorities argued strongly for a duty to be imposed on them to plan for peacetime emergencies. I have noted their views, but I am not at present convinced of the need for legislation. Much can be done without it. I will, however, keep the position under review as work progresses.

  The arrangements I have set out here do not alter the relationships or responsibilities of central Government Departments. The Department with the closest involvement acts as "lead department" co-ordinating the central Government response, organising the necessary executive action and keeping Parliament and the public informed. The lead department is supported by arrangements for collective discussion should that prove necessary. The new arrangements are complementary to existing arrangements and will provide as a new element, a central focus for the shared views and experience of the emergency services, local authorities and voluntary bodies.

  I am placing in the Libraries of both Houses a more comprehensive statement about the conduct and outcome of the review.

  Bail
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if magistrates will be able to impose the condition of participation in electronic surveillance schemes without the defendant's consent:

  (2) if the consent of the defendant will be required before a condition of bail is imposed by a magistrates' court in England and Wales.
  514
  Mr. John Patten
  The defendant's consent to a condition of bail is not required under the Bail Act 1976, and the Government have no plans to alter the Act in this respect. The trials of electronic monitoring will, however, proceed on the basis that in each case the willingness of the defendant to participate in the scheme will be established before the equipment is installed.

  Fire Authorities (Grants)
  Mr. Bill Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give details for each fire authority of the amounts of grant aid paid towards(a) salary costs, (b) training costs and (c) other costs in respect of each brigade emergency planning staff officer in 1986–87.

  Mr. John Patten
  The amounts of grant aid paid in respect of each brigade emergency planning staff officer for 1986–87 are given in the table. Training costs are not separately identified in records of grant paid.

  Fire authority

  Salary costs

  Training and other costs

  Avon

  8,979

  —

  Bedfordshire

  —

  —

  Berkshire

  14,190

  1,424

  Buckinghamshire

  14,255

  1,328

  Cambridgeshire

  16,818

  292

  Cheshire

  19,003

  831

  Cleveland

  14,402

  2,129

  Clwyd

  17,240

  1,160

  Cornwall

  16,446

  366

  Cumbria

  19,181

  2,506

  Derbyshire

  —

  —

  Devon

  14,837

  3,206

  Dorset

  15,194

  67

  Durham

  18,024

  1,996

  Dyfed

  10,454

  2,767

  Essex

  20,127

  1,488

  Mid-Glamorgan

  —

  —

  South Glamorgan

  —

  —

  West Glamorgan

  10,491

  948

  Gloucestershire

  —

  —

  Gwent

  —

  —

  Gwynedd

  18,641

  2,553

  Hampshire

  15,027

  3,934

  Hereford and Worcester

  17,397

  1,292

  Hertfordshire

  11.917

  2,294

  Humberside

  16,100

  1,916

  Isle of Wight

  13,210

  1,336

  Kent

  13,740

  3,116

  Lancashire

  16,999

  14

  Leicestershire

  —

  —

  Lincolnshire

  16,913

  —

  London

  12,012

  4,968

  Greater Manchester

  —

  —

  Merseyside

  —

  —

  West Midlands

  —

  —

  Norfolk

  12,448

  2,588

  Northamptonshire

  15,849

  3,116

  Northumberland

  —

  —

  Nottinghamshire

  16,193

  4,428

  Oxfordshire

  11,746

  2,018

  Powys

  14,144

  579

  Shropshire

  —

  —

  Somerset

  21,157

  414

  Staffordshire

  13,771

  1,575

  Suffolk

  10,833

  255

  Surrey

  16,571

  —

  East Sussex

  —

  —

  West Sussex

  12,342

  4,837

  Tyne and Wear

  17,381

  2,563

  Warwickshire

  10,418

  1,987

  Wiltshire

  15,139

  2,966

  North Yorkshire

  9,825

  852

  515

  Fire authority

  Salary costs

  Training and other costs

  South Yorkshire

  —

  —

  West Yorkshire

  14,626

  2,475

  Civil Defence College, Easingwold
  Mr. Bill Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give details of proposed expenditure in 1989–90, 1990–91 and future years on(a) the construction of a new lecture theatre at the civil defence college, Easingwold and (b) the refurbishment and upgrading of the bedroom annexes at the civil defence college, Easingwold; and if he will make a statement upon the future programme at the civil defence college.

  Mr. John Patten
  The information requested is as follows:

  £000

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  New Lecture Theatre

  285

  471

  452

  Bedroom Annex

  105

  75

  NIL

  Construction and refurbishment programmes at the college are planned on the basis of need and the availability of funding.

  District Authorities (Civil Defence Grants)
  Mr. Bill Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the amounts of Home Office civil defence grant aid paid to each of the district authorities employing emergency planning staff funded by such grant for each year from 1979–80 to the present.

  Mr. John Patten
  Civil defence grant in respect of expenditure incurred by district authorities is normally claimed on their behalf by the relevant county or fire and civil defence authority. No records are held of the amounts in respect of individual districts.

  Regional Fire Advisers
  Mr. Bill Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make arrangements to place in the Library of the House the minutes of, and any papers relating to, regional fire advisers meetings since 1979.

  Mr. John Patten
  No. It is not normal practice for the papers relating to such meetings to be placed in the Library.

TRANSPORT

  Midland Main Line
  Mr. Tredinnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has the report commissioned by midlands local authorities to consider the electrification of the midland main line; what representations he has received from Leicestershire's Conservative county councillors about its recommendations; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  I have not seen the report commissioned by a group of local authorities into the midland main line,516
  though I receive representations about the line from time to time. Services and journey times along the line have recently been substantially improved, and BR plans to improve them further when rolling stock becomes available from the east coast main line, following my right hon. Friend's announcement on 12 June of additional rolling stock. It is for British Rail to propose electrification schemes where it believes that they would be worthwhile. The midland main line is not presently due for reinvestment.

  Taxis
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Pembroke on 10 April Official Report, column 409, whether he now has plans to bring forward legislation to abolish the power of local authorities to restrict the number of taxis which might be operated in their area.

  Mr. Portillo
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Ilford, North (Mr. Bendall) on 11 May at column 488.

  Marine Radio Navigation
  Sir David Price
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement about the future of marine radio navigation in United Kingdom waters.

  Mr. Channon
  I am today publishing a consultative document entitled "The Future of Marine Radionavigation in United Kingdom Waters" which seeks the views of the marine community about decisions needed on the land-based system of radio navigation to be provided in United Kingdom waters into the next century. In essence the choice appears to be between continuing with the present Decca navigator system, which is operated by Racal Decca Marine Navigation Ltd. under contract to the general lighthouse authorities, or adopting a system known as Loran C as part of an international co-operative venture. The consultative document sets out the considerations to be weighed and reaches a provisional view favouring participation in the Loran C project. I have, however, not yet reached a firm conclusion and I am inviting views from all interested parties. These should be sent to the Department of Transport not later than 11 September. I expect to take a decision later this year taking account of the responses received and the position reached on the current international discussions on the Loran C option. If my decision were to be in favour of the Loran C system, this would be contingent on a formal memorandum of understanding being concluded between the participating countries.

  Copies of the consultative document have been placed in the Library.

  London Underground (Exit Gates)
  Mr. Bendall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether London Underground Limited has reported to him on progress with work on the Underground ticketing system to ensure that exit gates open automatically in the event of a single phase power failure.
  517
  Mr. Portillo
  London Underground informs me that the work has been completed some two weeks ahead of schedule and assures me that all the gates will now spring open automatically if there is a power failure of any sort.

  A16 (Improvement)
  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on progress being made with the A 16 Spalding to Sutterton road improvement scheme.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  We intend to publish draft orders for the A16 Spalding to Sutterton improvement this summer. We had hoped to do so earlier.

  London Underground (Automatic Barriers)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if, further to his answer of 16 May,Official Report, column 112, about the cost of installing automatic ticket barriers at London Underground stations, he will indicate (i) the revised costs when the full cost of the computer is included, and (ii) what proportion of the cost of computers could be attributed to the purpose of running the automatic ticket gates.

  Mr. Portillo
  Information in the form requested is not held in the Department. May I suggest that the hon. Member writes to the chairman of London Underground.

  Lichfield—Redditch Cross-city Line
  Mr. Heddle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, further to his answer to the hon. Member for Mid-Staffordshire of 7 June, if' he will investigate the reasons why he has not yet received British Rail's submission for the electrification of the cross-city line from Lichfield to Redditch via Birmingham New Street; if he will publish in the Official Report copies of relevant correspondence between his Department and British Rail; and if he will now make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  The position is described in my replies of 6 June to the hon. Member for West Bromwich, East (Mr. Snape) which included a summary of discussions between British Rail and the Department. Since these meetings, I understand that British Rail carried out further work on engineering and financial matters. I expect a formal submission shortly.

  Buses (Exit Mechanisms)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what commitment, including provision of finance, Her Majesty's Government have received from London Regional Transport of the extension of its safe centre exit door mechanisms to all buses; what is his estimate of the date when this is likely to be achieved; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  We have not received such a proposal from London Regional Transport or London Buses Ltd. However, I understand that London Buses is currently testing a safety mechanism which automatically reopens bus doors if they come into contact with an obstruction when closing.

  Safety is the Department's and LRT's highest priority. The Department has recently issued for comment draft
  518
  regulations which include provisions to reduce the risk of people being trapped in power-operated bus doors. The consultation period ended on 31 May and responses are now being considered.

  London Underground (Disabled People)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will make representations to the chairman of London Regional Transport to change its policy so that prior permission is not required for individuals confined to a wheelchair to use London Underground provided they are accompanied by an able-bodied person; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  Existing regulations are for the protection and convenience of disabled passengers. I understand that passengers in wheelchairs may use the surface and sub-surface Underground lines and need only advise staff at their local station of their wish to travel. Prior notice is necessary so that staff can ensure that there are no local difficulties preventing easy wheelchair access, and can give assistance if required.

  Buses (Concessionary Fares)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his answer to the hon. Member for Leyton of 26 April about concessionary fares on buses, stating that it is for local authorities to decide whether to make any changes in their present arrangements, represents a change from the pledges made by Her Majesty's Government during the passage of the London Regional Transport Act assuring the continuance of the free fares system for pensioners in London; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  There has been no change in the Government's stance on concessionary fares for elderly, disabled and blind Londoners. The present concessionary scheme in London is voluntarily agreed between the London boroughs. It is primarily a local authority decision as to what concessions are provided; that is no change from the position prior to the passage of the London Regional Transport Act 1984. However, this is underpinned in law by a reserve scheme which guarantees free travel should the boroughs fail to agree voluntarily upon a uniform Londonwide scheme.

  London Underground (Rolling Stock)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the railway inspectorate has examined any proposal for new Underground rolling stock submitted to them by London Underground Ltd. which would provide for(a) fewer seats or (b) more people to stand, than the current carriages; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  The railway inspectorate is currently considering London Underground Ltd's specification for replacing rolling stock on the Central line. This shows slightly fewer seats per train than existing stock and more space for standing passengers. The capacity of the replacement stock is not directly a matter for the inspectorate, which is principally concerned with its safety of operation.

  London Transport (Passenger Attacks)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many reported attacks there have been on passengers on London transport(a) buses and (h) Underground trains in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Portillo
  Assaults on passengers on buses in London are dealt with by the Metropolitan police. London Regional Transport does not maintain a central statistical record of such assaults. The numbers of recorded assaults on passengers on London Underground in each of the four years were:

  Year

  Numbers

  1985

  467

  1986

  646

  1987

  635

  1988

  777

  Passenger assaults in the first quarter of 1989 were 185 which represented an 11 per cent. reduction on the figure of 207 for the same period last year. A figure for 1984 is not available.

  South London Assessment Study
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to receive the consultant's reports on the south London assessment study; if he will outline the action that will be followed by his Department after these reports have been considered; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The consultant's report is expected late this summer. The results of the study will be published. There will be a period for public comment and discussion before decisions are taken. Subsequent action will depend on the measures adopted.

  Exeter (Northern Bypass)
  Mr. Maxwell-Hyslop
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) whether the proposal to construct a northern bypass for Exeter from the M5 originated in a proposal put to his Department by Devon county council as the highway authority;

  (2) whether the proposal to construct a northern bypass for Exeter from the M5 is a scheme originating in his Department, without consulation with, or the approval of Devon county council.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  [pursuant to his reply, 12 June 1989, c. 338]: When the routes for the M5 were originally investigated the choice lay between a route to the east and south and one to the north and west of Exeter. This was before the advent of public consultation and the then local authorities would have been consulted in confidence. I am sorry if my previous reply was not as full as my hon. Friend would have liked.

  M20
  Mr. Speed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will now state when he intends to let the contract for the Charing Heath to Ashford section of the M20 motorway.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  On 14 June.

  Birmingham Relief Road
  Mr. Richard Shepherd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how long, following his recent announcement that the proposed Birmingham relief road will now be subject to a competition for the private sector to finance, design, build and operate, he envisages this process will take; when he expects to publish the report of the inspector to the public inquiries; how much money has already been spent on compensation for the previously announced preferred route; and how many claims for compensation relating to the previously preferred route are currently under negotiation.

  Mr. Portillo
  The Government want to see the road constructed as quickly as possible, and will announce a timetable for the competition as soon as possible. A decision on the inspector's report will be announced when the competition has taken place.

  The compensation provisions do not come into force until the statutory orders for the scheme have been made. The Department has bought a number of properties under planning blight, costing approximately £2·3 million. A further nine cases are currently being processed.

  Mr. Richard Shepherd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish his Department's estimate of the cost to date of the work carried out by Sir Owen Williams and Partners and the estimated cost of any further contractual commitments with Sir Owen Williams and Partners relating to the previously preferred route for the Birmingham relief road.

  Mr. Portillo
  A number of specialist firms and consultants have been employed in the preparation of' the Birmingham northern relief road. The total cost so far is about £10 million. The work done is not abortive; the information gathered will be made available to the private sector. The future role of Sir Owen Williams and Partners is still under discussion.

  Mr. Richard Shepherd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if his Department will consider claims for compensation towards the legal costs of individuals, companies and local authorities represented at the public inquiry relating to the previously preferred route for the Birmingham relief road.

  Mr. Portillo
  Claims for compensation towards the legal costs of individuals, companies and local authorities represented at the public inquiry for the Birmingham northern relief road will be dealt with in accordance with the normal practice once a decision on the scheme has been announced.

  Mr. Richard Shepherd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are his Department's estimated costs to date for the previously preferred route for the Birmingham relief road; what are his Department's estimated costs to date of the various public inquiries relating to the previously preferred route; and if he will estimate his Department's costs in implementing the competition for the road.

  Mr. Portillo
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answers already given on costs. The Department is unable to disaggregate its own internal running costs to individual schemes. We are not able to give details of the indirect
  521
  costs of public inquiries, such as departmental staff costs. The direct costs, such as accommodation were about £39,000.

  It is too early to estimate what the costs of implementing the competition will be. Much will depend on how many bids are received and the nature of those bids.

  Minibus Drivers
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Battersea (Mr. Bowis), on 15 May,Official Report, columns 10–11, what progress he has made towards securing the withdrawal of the draft European Community proposals relating to licensing of minibus drivers.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  I would refer the hon. Member to the reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Southend, East (Mr. Taylor) on 12 June at column 331.

  Blackburn Southern Bypass
  Mr. Ken Hargreaves
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what changes have been made in the route of the Blackburn southern bypass of the M65 since the proposal in 1977.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  Since 1977 there have been changes in the route of the bypass at Brindle and Guide and a shift in alignment at Knuzden Brook. Last year we announced that the bypass would be extended westwards to link to the A585 and to Bamber Bridge bypass.

  Emergency Routes
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement in respect of his emergency transport plan "Main Road Route System", and the various major roads in England and Wales designated with military code names Hen, Mole, Moth, Newt, Pig, Tiger. Vole, Worm and Yak.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I have been asked to reply.

  No.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Hong Kong
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if any plans exist in the Hong Kong Administration for enacting a Bill of Rights and incorporating the international covenant on civil and political rights into domestic law during the transitional period to 1997; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  The international covenant on civil and political rights was extended to Hong Kong, with certain reservations, in 1976. It is at present implemented in Hong Kong, as in the United Kingdom, through a combination of common law, legislation and administrative rules. We are now considering with the Hong Kong Government as a matter of priority whether to enact a human rights ordinance, and if so, what form it should take.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what exceptions to aspects of the joint declaration have been excluded from the proposed second draft of the proposed Basic Law for Hong Kong; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  The latest draft of the Basic Law repeats many provisions of the joint declaration word for word. However, there are undoubtedly other areas where improvements would be welcome in Hong Kong. Consultation on the draft Basic Law has been temporarily suspended in Hong Kong. When consultation resumes, Hong Kong people will no doubt wish to continue to express their views.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what requests were received from the People's Republic of China seeking a postponement of direct elections to the Legislative Council in Hong Kong; what information he has as to the view of the People's Republic of China authorities as to the implementation of reforms to the political system in Hong Kong prior to the promulgation of the Basic Law; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  The Chinese Government made clear their view that any changes introduced in Hong Kong Government's 1988 White Paper on the development of representative government should be compatible with the Basic Law to be promulgated in 1990.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what specific measures have been taken to ensure that the high degree of autonomy promised for the special administrative region by the People's Republic of China authorities will be effected; what sanctions exist should that autonomy not be granted; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  A high degree of autonomy for Hong Kong is provided for in the Sino-British joint declaration of 1984, an international agreement binding under international law. We have the right to satisfy ourselves that the Basic Law fully and faithfully reflects the provisions of the joint declaration. We intend to live up to our commitments under the joint declaration and we look to the Chinese to do the same.
  524
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the power of independent and final adjudication of the Basic Law of the special administrative region of Hong Kong will vest in the territory's courts; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  The Sino-British joint declaration on the future of Hong Kong provides that the courts of the future special administrative region shall exercise judicial power independently and free from any interference, and that the power of final judgment shall be vested in the court of final appeal in Hong Kong. These provisions are reflected in articles 81 and 84 of the latest draft of the Basic Law.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, in the light of recent events in the People's Republic of China, he will consider ordering direct elections for the Legislative Council of Hong Kong; if a fully and directly elected legislature will be achieved prior to 1 July 1997; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  In the light of recent events in China, and evidence of a change of opinion in Hong Kong, we and the Hong Kong Government are taking a careful look at the programme for advancing and consolidating effective democracy in Hong Kong.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will suspend all extradition of prisoners to Hong Kong where there is a possibility of the extradited person being handed over to the People's Republic of China authorities on 1 July 1997; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  We have no plans to suspend the return of fugitives to Hong Kong. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary can only order the return of a fugitive when all court proceedings in the United Kingdom have been concluded. If a fugitive offender is returned to Hong Kong under the Fugitive Offenders Act before 1997, that will be for an offence against Hong Kong laws. It will not be for offences against the laws of the PRC. The case will be heard by the Hong Kong courts. Under the joint declaration, Hong Kong will retain its separate legal system after 1997, and will not be relying on the PRC criminal code.

  Mr. Ali Ghavami
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether there is any financial or contractual relationship between Mr. Ali Ghavami, formerly an information officer at the Iranian embassy in London, and his Department in relation to his work in west Africa and elsewhere; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Chalker
  There is no relationship between Mr. Ghavami and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

DEFENCE

  Military Command Centres
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what action is currently being planned or acted upon to update the United Kingdom's redevelopment and
  525
  replacement of subordinate military command centres; what rank of people and personnel will use them; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I assume that the surbordinate military command centres to which the hon. Member is referring are the area flag officers' headquarters, the Army district headquarters and the RAF group headquarters in the United Kingdom. There are no plans to replace these. A number of works programmes relating to them are at various stages of planning. It is not our practice to give details of the ranks of personnel stationed at particular locations.

  Naval Headquarters
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the plans for the(a) Royal Naval headquarters at Northwood and (b) Pitreavie castle, Fife; what ranks of personnel and people will be stationed at them; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Currently, and for the foreseeable future, the functions of these headquarters are as follows:

  Northwood is the headquarters of Commander-in-Chief Fleet, who also fills the NATO appointments of Commander-in-Chief Channel and Commander-in-Chief Eastern Atlantic; and of the Air Officer Commanding 18 group, who also fills the NATO appointments of Commander Air Eastern Atlantic and Commander Air Channel.

  Pitreavie is the headquarters of Flag Officer Scotland and Northern Ireland, and of Air Officer Scotland and Northern Ireland, who both also fill NATO sub-area appointments relating to the Channel and Eastern Atlantic areas.

  It is not our practice to give details of the ranks of personnel stationed at particular locations.

  RAF Headquarters
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the plans for the Royal Air Force headquarters at(a) High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire and (b) Stanmore, Middlesex; what ranks of people and personnel will be stationed there; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Currently, and for the foreseeable future, the functions of these headquarters are as follows:

  High Wycombe is the headquarters of the Air Oficer Commander-in-Chief, RAF Strike Command, who also fills the NATO appointment of Commander-in-Chief UK Air.

  RAF Bentley Priory, which I assume the hon. Member has in mind when he refers to Stanmore, is the headquarters of Air Officer Commanding 11 group, and of the Royal Observer Corps.

  It is not our practice to give details of the ranks of personnel stationed at particular locations.

  Land Forces Headquarters
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what are the current plans for the war headquarters of the Army's United Kingdom land forces 526
  command at Hawthorn, Wiltshire; what ranks of people and personnel will be stationed there; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what are the plans for the war headquarters of the Army's United Kingdom land forces command at Sopley, Hampshire; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The headquarters of United Kingdom land forces is at Wilton. It is not our practice to comment on the existence or otherwise of particular contingency plans relating to the outbreak of hostilities.

  Nuclear Weapons (Accidents)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what contingency plans his Department has for dealing with an accident involving(a) any seaborne, (b) any airborne or (c) any landborne nuclear weapon, in the course of non-operational activities, including courtesy calls in England and Wales.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The Ministry of Defence has contingency plans to deal with a wide range of possible accidents involving nuclear weapons in the United Kingdom. These are kept continuously under review and are tested regularly in exercises. Other Government Departments, local authorities and the civil emergency services are consulted where appropriate, and participate in exercises.

  No. 2 Signals Brigade
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the(a) present and (b) future role of No. 2 Signals Brigade; how many personnel and of what rank the brigade contains; where it will be stationed during (i) 1989, and (ii) 1990; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The role of 2 Signals Brigade is the provision of communications. The brigade has its headquarters at Corsham, Wiltshire and is currently stationed at 192 further locations. It is not our practice to give details of the strengths of operational formations.

  Combat Body Armour
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he has invited manufacturers to tender for the supply of combat body armour for general issue; and if combat body armour will be introduced into general service in 1989.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Modifications were required to the original design in the light of experience during the troop trials. A further trial of the modified design is now taking place and should be completed shortly.

  Manufacturers have not yet been invited to tender for the supply of combat body armour for general issue. Its introduction into general service is now expected to begin in 1990.

  Greenham Common
  Ms. Richardson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will make a statement on the rights of commoners at Greenham common.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my hon. Friend the Member for Kettering (Mr. Freeman) on 29 April 1988 at columns
  527
  310–11. Negotiations are taking place over the extinguish-ing of rights of common in accordance with the relevant statutory procedures.

  Exercises (West Germany)
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many representations have been received from West German local governments in the past year concerning environmental damage by the British Army during exercises; if he will make a statement on the views expressed; and if he will outline the actions taken in the light of these representations.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  During the past year, four representations were received from West German land governments about environmental damage caused by British troops during exercise; all have now been satisfactorily resolved. At lower level, there are frequent exchanges with stadt authorities about matters of mutual concern, and frequent meetings between civil and military authorities at which environmental matters are often discussed.

  BAOR takes its obligation to protect the environment very seriously. All representations from local government in Germany are given careful and sympathetic consideration. Environmental issues are taken into account during the planning and conduct of exercises, and exercise play is adapted to meet local concerns where this can be done without unacceptable operational penalties. Some damage is, however, an unavoidable consequence of military training. Specific incidents are always fully investigated and a formal response made to any complaints. Well-established machinery exists for the quick processing of any claims.

  Budgeting loans and community care grants for the Doncaster and Mexborough areas: Numbers and percentages by client group

  Budgeting Loans

  Community Care Grants

  Doncaster East

  Doncaster West

  Wath on Dearne

  Doncaster East

  Doncaster West

  Wath on Dearne

  ILO

  ILO

  ILO

  ILO

  ILO

  ILO

  Number

  Per cent

  Number

  Per cent

  Number

  Per cent

  Number

  Per cent

  Number

  Per cent

  Number

  Per cent

  Unallocated or unidentified

  7

  0·3

  5

  0·2

  7

  0·3

  0

  0·0

  3

  0·7

  1

  0·3

  Over 80—with Income Support higher pensioner premium

  7

  0·4

  5

  0·2

  1

  0·7

  7

  2·3

  2

  0·5

  2

  0·7

  Aged 60–79—disabled with higher pensioner premium

  9

  0·6

  8

  0·3

  10

  2·4

  12

  3·6

  15

  3·5

  7

  2·4

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

  65

  4·1

  64

  2·9

  42

  7·3

  34

  10·4

  38

  9·1

  21

  7·3

  Lone parent with Income Support disability premium

  2

  0·1

  3

  0·1

  14

  3·1

  2

  0·6

  1

  0·2

  9

  3·1

  Family with disability premium

  33

  2·1

  35

  1·6

  100

  7·0

  13

  3·9

  7

  1·7

  20

  7·0

  Other with disability premium

  39

  2·4

  63

  2·9

  47

  11·5

  22

  6·8

  19

  4·4

  34

  11·5

  Lone parent without disability premium

  645

  40·5

  832

  38·1

  462

  23·0

  88

  26·5

  159

  37·7

  67

  23·0

  Signs at UBO quarterly with Income Support family premium

  5

  0·3

  13

  0·6

  16

  0·3

  2

  0·6

  5

  1·2

  1

  0·3

  Signs at UBO quarterly without family premium

  38

  2·4

  50

  2·3

  19

  1·0

  10

  2·9

  6

  1·5

  4

  1·0

  Signing unemployed or with training allowance with family premium

  470

  29·5

  603

  27·7

  326

  18·5

  65

  19·7

  85

  20·2

  54

  18·5

  Signing unemployed or with training allowance without family premium

  228

  14·3

  432

  19·8

  303

  18·1

  55

  16·5

  56

  13·3

  53

  18·1

  Others with family premium

  8

  0·5

  23

  1·0

  15

  3·1

  6

  1·9

  5

  1·2

  9

  3·1

  Others without family premium

  41

  2·6

  48

  2·2

  62

  3·5

  12

  3·6

  17

  4·0

  10

  3·5

  Involved in trade dispute

  0

  0·0

  0

  0·0

  0

  0·0

  0

  0·0

  0

  0·0

  0

  0·0

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

  n/a

  —

  n/a

  —

  n/a

  —

  2

  0·6

  2

  0·5

  0

  0·0

  n/a = not applicable.

  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of(a) budgeting loans and (b) community care grants were awarded to each of the 15

  Mr. Alan Thomas (Bonus)
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his reply of 24 April,Official Report, column 367, how the performance bonus of the head of defence export services designate, Mr. Alan Thomas, will be calculated.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  As with other performance increments at senior levels in the Civil Service, this will be assessed judgmentally. The assessment will be made, within an annual maximum of £25,000, by senior officials, with Treasury representation.

  Submarine Crews (Training)
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the hon. Member for Greenock and Port Glasgow can expect an answer to his letter, dated 12 May on the subject of the training of submarine crews.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I wrote to the hon. Member on 14 June 1989.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Loans and Grants
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the total number and percentage of(a) budgetary loans and (b) community care grants awarded to the 15 client groups defined by his Department for each of the departments of social security serving Doncaster and Mexborough areas in the county of South Yorkshire for the financial year 1988–89.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The table contains the provisional figures for the period 11 April 1988 to 31 March 1989.

  client groups defined by his Department for each of his Department's two offices serving the Coventry area for the financial year 1988–89.
  529
  Mr. Lloyd
  [holding answer 8 June 1989]: Estimates of the proportions of budgeting loans and community care grants awarded to client groups for the period 11 April 1988 to 31 March 1989 are given in the table.

  Budgeting loans and community care grants for Coventry (East) and Coventry (West) percentage by client group 1988–89

  Per cent.

  Client Group

  Budgeting Loans

  Community Care Grants

  Coventry

  Coventry

  Coventry

  Coventry

  (East) ILO

  (West) ILO

  (East) ILO

  (West) ILO

  Unallocated or unidentified

  0·4

  0·4

  0·0

  1·3

  Over 80—with income support higher pensioner premium

  0·1

  0·4

  4·4

  4·5

  Aged 60–79—disabled with higher pensioner premium

  0·5

  0·4

  2·8

  3·1

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

  2·8

  4·2

  14·0

  8·9

  Lone parent with income support disability premium

  0·3

  0·1

  0·2

  1·3

  Family with disability premium

  1·6

  2·8

  1·7

  2·2

  Other with disability premium

  4·3

  3·3

  12·0

  9·4

  Lone parent without disability premium

  46·3

  49·2

  33·4

  30·8

  Signs at UBO quarterly with Income Support family premium

  0·6

  0·7

  0·2

  0·4

  Signs at UBO quarterly without family premium

  2·3

  2·1

  1·5

  2·2

  Signing unemployed or with training allowance with family premium

  12·5

  16·5

  2·8

  8·5

  Signing unemployed or with training allowance without family premium

  23·4

  16·4

  16·6

  21·9

  Others with family premium

  1·0

  0·9

  1·7

  0·9

  Others without family premium

  4·3

  2·6

  7·4

  3·6

  Involved in trade dispute

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  0·0

  Applicant not in receipt of income support—not applicable for budgeting loans

  n/a

  n/a

  1·1

  0·9

  n/a = not applicable.

  Personal Data (Departmental Index)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the items of personal data held in the new computerised departmental central index, the size of the index, and how many accesses were made to the index over the last two months.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Each record on the departmental central index holds up to five items of information relating to one person and the index currently holds around 60 million records. The information held is the person's name, date of birth, address, sex and date of death where appropriate. Over the last two months, 1,503,485 trace and inquiry accesses were made of the system.

  Community charge benefit: net income at which minimum CCB of 50 pence is payable

  Local authority

  Annual community charge

  Single under 25 working

  Single 25 to 59 working

  Single pensioner aged 60–74 not working

  Pensioner couple aged 60–74 not working

  Couple two children under 11 working

  Alyn and Deeside

  216·00

  51·23

  58·73

  64·93

  112·84

  135·79

  Colwyn

  224·00

  52·05

  59·55

  65·75

  114·48

  137·43

  Delyn

  215·00

  51·13

  58·63

  64·83

  112·63

  135·58

  Glyndwr

  185·00

  48·05

  55·55

  61·75

  106·48

  129·43

  Rhuddlan

  201·00

  49·70

  57·20

  63·40

  109·76

  132·71

  Wrexham Maelor

  196·00

  49·18

  56·68

  62·88

  108·74

  131·69

  Carmarthen

  135·00

  42·93

  50·43

  56·63

  96·22

  119·17

  Ceredigion

  146·00

  44·05

  51·55

  57·75

  98·48

  121·43

  Dinefwr

  119·00

  41·29

  48·79

  54·99

  92·94

  115·89

  Llanelli

  150·00

  44·46

  51·96

  58·16

  99·30

  122·25

  Preseli Pembrokeshire

  136·00

  43·03

  50·53

  56·73

  96·43

  119·38

  South Pembrokeshire

  166·00

  46·11

  53·61

  59·81

  102·58

  125·53

  Blaenau Gwent

  124·00

  41·80

  49·30

  55·50

  93·97

  116·92

  Islwyn

  135·00

  42·93

  50·43

  56·63

  96·22

  119·17

  Monmouth

  187·00

  48·26

  55·76

  61·96

  106·89

  129·84

  Newport

  204·00

  50·00

  57·50

  63·70

  110·38

  133·33

  Torfaen

  168·00

  46·31

  53·81

  60·01

  102·99

  125·94

  Aberconwy

  193·00

  48·87

  56·37

  62·57

  108·12

  131·07

  Community Charge Rebate
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list by each charging authority in Wales the income level at which(a) a single person aged under 25 years, (h) a single person aged over 25 years, (c) a single pensioner, (d) a pensioner couple and (e) a couple with two children all with no savings would lose entitlement to a community charge rebate, assuming the most recent safety-netted community charge figures.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The information requested is given in the table.
  531

  Local authority

  Annual community charge

  Single under 25 working

  Single 25 to 59 working

  Single pensioner aged 60–74 not working

  Pensioner couple aged 60–74 not working

  Couple two children under 11 working

  Arfon

  145·00

  43·95

  51·45

  57·65

  98·27

  121·22

  Dwyfor

  182·00

  47·75

  55·25

  61·45

  105·86

  128·81

  Meirionnydd

  182·00

  47·75

  55·25

  61·45

  105·86

  128·81

  Ynys Mon

  178·00

  47·34

  54·84

  61·04

  105·04

  127·99

  Cynon Valley

  114·00

  40·77

  48·27

  54·47

  91·91

  114·86

  Merthyr Tydfil

  131·00

  42·52

  50·02

  56·22

  95·40

  118·35

  Ogwr

  162·00

  45·70

  53·20

  59·40

  101·76

  124·71

  Rhondda

  95·00

  38·82

  46·32

  52·52

  88·02

  110·97

  Rhymney Valley

  148·00

  44·26

  51·76

  57·96

  98·89

  121·84

  Taff-Ely

  166·00

  46·11

  53·61

  59·81

  102·58

  125·53

  Brecknock

  143·00

  43·75

  51·25

  57·45

  97·86

  120·81

  Montgomery

  142·00

  43·64

  51·14

  57·34

  97·66

  120·61

  Radnor

  144·00

  43·85

  51·35

  57·55

  98·07

  121·02

  Cardiff

  200·00

  49·59

  57·09

  63·29

  109·56

  132·51

  Vale of Glamorgan

  176·00

  47·13

  54·63

  60·83

  104·63

  127·58

  Port Talbot

  151·00

  44·57

  52·07

  58·27

  99·50

  122·45

  Lliw Valley

  147·00

  44·16

  51·66

  57·86

  98·68

  121·63

  Neath

  154·00

  44·87

  52·37

  58·57

  100·12

  123·07

  Swansea

  215·00

  51·13

  58·63

  64·83

  112·63

  135·58

  1. The levels of community charge used are the illustrative safety netted figures for 1989–90 given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales in reply to the hon. Member for Alyn and Deeside (Mr. Jones) on 12 June 1989 at columns 303–6.

  2. The net income levels shown have been derived using the current housing benefit rates and rules for calculating net income and applicable amounts. A maximum rebate of 80 per cent., a taper of 15 per cent., and a minimum weekly rebate of 50 pence per claim have been used.

  3. The following assumptions have been made:

  (i) no claimant is disabled;

  (ii) each claimant under pension age is in full-time work;

  (iii) no claimant over pension age is working;

  (iv) each claimant with dependent children is in receipt of child benefit and, where appropriate, family credit;

  (v) each claimant has assessed capital of under £3,000.

HEALTH

  Organ Transplants
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health of he will list by year for the last 10 years, the number of times a recipient receiving a transplanted organ from a donor has been infected by a disease from the donor that was not diagnosed at the time; if he will show in his answer the type of disease; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  Comprehensive information is not collected centrally, but the number of cases of disease transmitted through transplants is believed to be very small.

  Hospital Wards (Wirral)
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many wards in the Wirral would be classified as deprived under the Jarman formula.

  Mr. Freeman
  Professor Jarman's index of comparative deprivation for the 22 local authority wards in the Wirral is shown in the table. This is based on a national average of zero with the large positive numbers indicating the most deprived areas and the large negative numbers the least. The index ranges nationally from + 72·95 to - 62·52.

  Jarman Index—Wirral

  Ward

  1 UPA 8 Score

  Bidstom

  +45·33

  Birkenhead

  +37·62

  Tranmere

  +32·45

  Seacombe

  +21·13

  Leasoure

  +20·20

  Upton

  +13·29

  Liscard

  +11·47

  New Brighton

  +10·00

  532

  Ward

  1 UPA 8 Score

  Bromborough

  + 9·81

  Egerton

  + 8·83

  Oxton

  + 5·01

  Claughton

  + 4·68

  Moreton

  + 3·06

  Hoylake

  -3·24

  Preston

  -4·56

  Bebington

  -5·64

  Thurstaston

  -5·66

  Eastham

  -6·87

  Wallasey

  -7·66

  Royden

  -11·98

  Clatterbridge

  -14·33

  Heswall

  -1806

  1 UPA (Under privileged area) 8 score takes account of eight variable components.

  Mental Illness and Handicap
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients were discharged to the community from National Health Service mental illness and mental handicap hospitals and units after a stay of one year or more in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Freeman
  The table shows the number of patients discharged to the community from National Health Service mental illness and mental handicap hospitals and units in England after a stay of one year or more, for the period 1979 to 1986, the last year for which information is currently available. The table excludes death and transfers to other hospitals.
  533

  England (1979 to 1986)

  Discharges1 from mental illness and mental handicap hospitals and units

  Year

  Mental illness

  Mental handicap

  Total

  1979

  3,460

  1,178

  4,638

  1980

  3,376

  1,120

  4,496

  1981

  3,516

  1,246

  4,762

  1982

  3,465

  1,229

  4,694

  1983

  3,563

  1,457

  5,020

  1984

  3,928

  1,919

  5,847

  1985

  3,441

  2,052

  5,493

  1986

  3,751

  2,528

  6,279

  1 Excludes deaths and transfers to other hospitals.

  Food Safety
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how often the expert committee on microbiological safety in food has met; what topics it has discussed; and if he will refer the recent botulism outbreak to it.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  The microbiological safety of food committee held its first meeting on 14 April, and has met at approximately weekly to fortnightly intervals since then. At the request of Ministers it has been looking at specific questions relating to the increasing incidence of microbiological illnesses of foodborne origin, particularly from salmonella, listeria and campylobacter. The committee has no role in the handling of acute emergencies such as the recent outbreak of botulism. Once the outbreak has been dealt with, the committee will he asked to consider and advise on its implications when formulating its recommendation on microbiological food safety.

  Day Care
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish in the Official Report a table listing (a) the current number of day care places for the elderly per 1,000 of the population aged 65 years and over and (b) the number of day care places for the mentally handicapped per 10,000 of the population for each local authority.

  Mr. Freeman
  "Adult Training Centres for Mentally Handicapped People and Day Centres for Mentally Ill, Mentally Handicapped, Elderly and Younger Physically Handicapped People, at 31 March 1987—England" shows at tables A and C for each local authority, per 1,000 population of the relevant age groups, the most recent numbers of day centre places for the elderly and for the mentally handicapped and of adult training centre places for the mentally handicapped. A copy is in the Library.

  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the number of day care places for mentally ill and mentally handicapped people in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Freeman
  The table shows the number of day care places provided by local authority social services departments in each of the years specified. In addition, day care places are provided by mental illness and mental handicap hospitals in England, but the number of such places is not centrally collected.
  534

  Number of places provided by local authorities

  Year

  Mental illness1

  Mental handicap

  1979

  6,984

  42,061

  1980

  7,242

  42,337

  1981

  7,603

  43,627

  1982

  7,887

  45,152

  1983

  8,689

  46,558

  1984

  8,919

  47,464

  1985

  9,308

  48,824

  1986

  9,216

  50,374

  1987

  9,875

  51,732

  1 Including places made available to local authorities by voluntary or private organisations and estimates of places for mentally ill people in day centres for mixed client groups. 1987 figures are revised.

  Salmonella (Derbyshire)
  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the cases of salmonella poisoning reported in north Derbyshire during May.

  Mr. Freeman
  [holding answer 13 June 1989]: We understand that 61 cases of salmonella poisoning have been reported in Chesterfield, north-east Derbyshire and Mansfield. The health authority is thoroughly investigating the source of the outbreak.

ENVIRONMENT

  Housing Kirklees
  Mr. Riddick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what would be the estimated total payment of a couple on average earnings living in a house valued at(a) £60,000, (b) £30,000 in the area covered by Kirklees council in 1990–91 under a system of local income tax and rates based on capital values.

  Mr. Gummer
  The level of bills under a system of local income tax and rates based on capital values would depend primarily on the level of expenditure undertaken by Kirklees council and the amount of support available from Government grants and business rates. Such figures for 1990–91 are not known. However, figures were placed in the Library on 23 June 1988 showing the tax rates which would have applied in 1988–89. Based on these figures, with capital value rates providing 80 per cent. of the total raised in local domestic taxes, a couple each earning average full-time wages, and with only the minimum tax allowance, would have paid £970 in a £60,000 house and £595 in a £30,000 house.

  Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission (Grants)
  Mr. Hanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what grants in aid were received by the Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England for the maintenance and running costs of the three former Greater London council properties, Kenwood house, Rangers house and Marble Hill house during the financial years 1986–87; 1987–88; 1988–89 and 1989–90 in cash and real terms; and how these grants were apportioned between the three properties.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The year 1986–87 was the only one in which a separately identifiable allocation of
  535
  grant-in-aid was paid to the commission in respect of all the ex-GLC functions, including Kenwood house, Rangers house and Marble Hill house, for which it assumed responsibility; this amounted to £7·75 million in total. For subsequent years, provision for these properties was subsumed in the total grant-in-aid provision, the allocation of which is for the commission to decide. I have asked the chairman of the commission to write to my hon. Friend with the details he requests for 1986–87 and subsequent years.

  Local Authority Direct Labour Organisations
  Mr. Thornton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list for each financial year between 1983–84 and 1988–89 the number of local authority direct labour organisations which have failed to meet the required rate of return under the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980 on capital employed when undertaking(a) general highway works and works in connection with the construction or maintenance of a sewer, (b) new construction, other than general highway or sewer works, the cost of which in the estimation of the authority or development body exceeded £50,000, (c) new construction, other than general highway or sewer works, the cost of which in the estimation of the authority or development body did not exceed £50,000 and (d) building maintenance within the meaning of the Local Authorities (Goods and Services) Act 1970, other than in connection with highways or the maintenance of a sewer.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The number of DLOs in England on which reports are submitted to the Department and which have failed to meet the required rate of return on capital employed under the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980 is indicated in the table.

  I/

  II

  III

  IV

  1983–84

  18

  22

  21

  43

  1984–85

  20

  23

  12

  44

  1985–86

  21

  18

  6

  36

  1986–87

  21

  8

  5

  13

  I Highways.

  II Major Construction (over £50,000).

  III Minor Construction (under £50,000).

  IV Maintenance.

  The Department has not yet completed its examinations of DLO reports for 1987–88 and those for 1988–89 are not required to be received until 31 October 1989.

  Valuation and Community Charge Tribunals
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment why he intends placing staff of his Department in valuation and community charge tribunal offices; and what assessment he has made as to how these placements will affect the independence of the tribunal system.

  Mr. Gummer
  A small number of staff with specialised computer skills are to assist the clerks of the valuation and community charge tribunals in the use of new computer systems. The independence of the tribunal system is not affected.

  Bed and Breakfast (London)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many families were living in bed and breakfast accommodation in each of the London boroughs on I June 1989.

  Mr. Trippier
  The latest available figures, for the end of March 1989, appear in table 7 of "Local authorities' action under the homelessness provisions of the 1985 Housing Act: England. Results for the first quarter of 1989. Supplementary Tables", which is in the Library.

  Rhinoceros Horn and Ivory
  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he is taking to combat illegal trade in rhinoceros horn and ivory.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The United Kingdom implements the provisions of the convention on international trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora (CITES) under which commercial trade in rhinoceros and the Indian elephant is already prohibited. The European Council of Environment Ministers agreed on 8 June to support the extension of such a ban to the African elephant. A ban on imports of ivory into the United Kingdom came into force on 9 June. All these measures help prevent illegal trading.

  Parliamentary Offices (Heating)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment why the heating in the parliamentary offices in which hon. Members' secretaries work is not switched on when Parliament is not sitting; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chope
  Because members and staff continue to use their offices the heating is not turned off automatically at the start of a recess. This year the heating was first turned off on 8 May during the period of warm weather.

  Fauna and Flora
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will reconsider his opposition to the European Community directive on fauna, flora and habitats; what steps he proposes to take or is taking to protect endangered species of fauna and flora; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) whether he will make it his policy to support attendance by non-governmental organisations at meetings convened to discuss the implementation and management of the European Community directive 8149/88, when it is adopted.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  We are not opposed to the principle of Community action to protect Europe's natural heritage. However the European Commission's proposal for a directive on the protection of natural and semi-natural habitats and of fauna and flora (8149/88) was unanimously rejected by member states at the Environmental Council on 24 November 1988. Instead, there was agreement that Community action could most usefully be focussed on assisting member States, as necessary, to implement fully the existing international conventions. We remain ready to discuss any sensible and practicable proposals to secure this objective.

  Local Authority Dwellings
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish the estimated total capital value of dwellings owned by local authorities in England and Wales and the estimated outstanding loan debt on such dwellings.

  Mr. Gummer
  Total outstanding loan debt on local authority owned dwellings in England and Wales at 31 March 1987 was approximately £25 billion. The Department does not collect information on the capital value of local authority dwellings. However, the 1986 English house condition survey estimated the total capital value of local authority stock in England and Wales at 1 November 1986 to be £123 billion, based on market value with vacant possession.

  Offshore Mineral Dredging
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will outline the procedure that will be employed, under the recently announced review of licence applications for mineral dredging offshore to ensure that such activities are not damaging to the fish stocks, sea bird populations and marine mammals; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chope
  The revised procedures for determining licence applications for minerals dredging issued earlier this year make provision for an environmental assessment (EA) to be undertaken into the application where the Crown Estate Commissioners judge this to be necessary.

  Among the criteria used to assess the need for an EA are the potential impact of the dredging area on a marine nature reserve; the inclusion in the dredging areas of an important fish (including shell fish) spawning area or nursery ground; or whether the dredging area is within an area which supports a known important commercial fishery. A copy of the revised procedures is available in the Library.

  These new procedures reflect the important role which marine sand and gravel play in maintaining supplies to the construction industry whilst recognising the need to safeguard sea fisheries and the marine environment.

  Listed Buildings
  Mr. Sedgemore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any plans to introduce new legislation to safeguard listed buildings where redevelopment is proposed.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  No. We are satisfied that existing legislation provides an adequate framework for the protection of listed buildings.

  Mr. Sedgemore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will list those schemes in the City of London which he has approved since June 1987 which would allow developers to pull down listed buildings;

  (2) if he will list those schemes which he has approved since June 1987 which would allow developers to pull down five or more grade 2 listed buildings to enable redevelopment to go ahead.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  I will write to the hon. Member.
  538
  Mr. Sedgemore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will set out the criteria he uses to determine whether listed buildings should be retained in applications for redevelopment;

  (2) if, in the light of his decision to allow redevelopment of the Mappin and Webb site in the City of London, he will make a statement on his policy as regards preserving listed buildings.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Government's policy and criteria in respect of the protection of listed buildings are set out in DoE circular 8/87.

  Immigrating Birds (Protected Species)
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he is taking to ensure the adequate protection of immigrating birds of protected species.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Wildlife and Countryside Act provides a statutory framework for the protection of all wild birds in Great Britain including those who migrate here from overseas. Where appropriate, further action is taken through the classification of special protection areas under article 4 of EC directive 79/409 EEC.

  Endangered Species
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what criteria he follows in determining appeals against refusal for import licences under CITES; how many such applications have been made in each of the last three years; and of these how many were approved.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Applications for import licences are decided on their merits, in the light of advice from our scientific advisers and in accordance with the requirements of EC regulation 3626/82 which implements the convention on international Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) within the European Community. There is no statutory right of appeal against the refusal of an import licence, but if new evidence is presented the Department is normally willing to reconsider applications which have been refused. The Department has no record of the number of applications which have been reconsidered.

  Submarine Base, Faslane
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the length of delay in the construction of the ship lift in the Clyde submarine base at Faslane; what penalty clauses exist in the contract; and if any of these clauses have been invoked.

  Mr. Chope
  [holding answer 9 June 1989]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Dumbarton (Mr. McFall) on Tuesday 23 May at column 497. The contract does not contain penalty clauses, but liquidated damages may be invoked once a contract completion data has been passed. For commercial reasons it would not be appropriate to comment further at this stage.

  MARINE RADIONAVIGATION: CONSULTATION EXERCISE
  MARINE RADIONAVIGATION: CONSULTATION EXERCISE
  UNDERGROUND TICKET BARRIERS: AUTOMATIC OPENING
  UNDERGROUND TICKET BARRIERS: AUTOMATIC OPENING
  PARKING AREAS: NOTIFICATION OF CHANGES
  PARKING AREAS: NOTIFICATION OF CHANGES
  TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES: LIBERALISATION MEASURES
  TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES: LIBERALISATION MEASURES
  FOOD: LIAISON BETWEEN UK PROMOTIONAL BODIES
  FOOD: LIAISON BETWEEN UK PROMOTIONAL BODIES
  DEER: SLAUGHTER INSPECTION ARRANGEMENTS
  DEER: SLAUGHTER INSPECTION ARRANGEMENTS
  NHS REFORM PROPOSALS: IMPACT ON PATIENTS
  NHS REFORM PROPOSALS: IMPACT ON PATIENTS
  BLIND MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS
  BLIND MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS
  ROSE THEATRE
  ROSE THEATRE
  CIVIL DISASTERS: REVIEW OF EMERGENCY SERVICES
  CIVIL DISASTERS: REVIEW OF EMERGENCY SERVICES
  HILLSBOROUGH DISASTER: FUNDING OF INQUIRY
  HILLSBOROUGH DISASTER: FUNDING OF INQUIRY