Written Answers of 16 June 1989

SCOTLAND

  Gaelic Broadcasting
  Mr. Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with(a) BBC Scotland, and (b) STV on the future of Gaelic broadcasting, and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Rifkind
  Earlier this year I met the chief executives of Scottish Television, Grampian Television and Border Television to discuss their views on the White Paper "Broadcasting in the '90s: Competition, Choice and Quality" and on the possible future arrangements for broadcasting in Scotland, including the future of Gaelic broadcasting. My officials had similar discussions with staff of BBC Scotland and last December I discussed Gaelic broadcasting with BBC representatives at the offices of Radio Nan Eilean in Stornoway. In April this year, I met representatives of Comunn na Gaidhlig specifically to hear their views on the future of Gaelic broadcasting.

  As my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary said during his statement on 13 June, we will make announcements before long on our proposals for Gaelic broadcasting.

  Severe Weather (Highlands and Islands)
  Mr. Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to be in a position to respond to the several letters outstanding from the hon. Member for Ross, Cromarty and Skye concerning specific cases of individual financial losses or commercial damage as a result of the severe weather conditions in the Highlands and Islands earlier in the current year; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  A reply covering all eight cases raised by the hon. Member for Ross, Cromarty and Skye was sent by my noble Friend the Minister of State on 27 April, the day on which my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State announced the Government's package of measures for assisting with storm damage Hansard, columns 609–12.

  A follow-up letter from the hon. Member on behalf of one of the cases involved is being considered and a reply will he issued shortly.

  Unified Business Rate
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will consider introducing a link between rate poundages in Scotland and the new unified business rate to be applied in England after 1990.

  Mr. Lang
  We have announced firm proposals to achieve a common rate poundage for Scotland at the same level as for England. We are seeking powers through the 540
  current Local Government and Housing Bill to enable us to prescribe the actual non-domestic rate of each local authority for a transitional period beginning in 1990–91. Our intention is that rate poundages in Scotland will generally be reduced relative to the uniform business rate in England and Wales so that. after five years or so, they will be brought into line with the rate in England and Wales.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will consider introducing an extension of the mechanism of industrial derating to commercial premises in Scotland in the period leading up to the introduction of the unified business rate.

  Mr. Lang
  The future of industrial derating will fall to be considered once the likely effect of the 1990 revaluations on different sides of the Border and on different sectors of property become known later this year.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will provide for interim relief to business rate payers in Scotland to take account of the discrepancies in rates paid north and south of the English border in the period leading up to the introduction of the unified business rate.

  Mr. Lang
  The plans I have announced will ensure that the discrepancies are removed on a reasonable timetable which takes account of the likely timetable of changes in England and Wales.

  Land Registration (Scotland) Act 1979
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on progress being made to implement the provisions of the Land Registration (Scotland) Act 1979.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Progress to date has been as follows:

  Operational area and date of implementation

  County of Renfrew—6 April 1981.

  County of Dumbarton—4 October 1982.

  County of Lanark—3 January 1984.

  County of the Barony and Regality of Glasgow—30 September 1985.

  These four counties contain about 30 per cent. of the housing stock of Scotland.

  Further extension of the Land Register will be undertaken once current backlogs in the General Register of Sasines and the Land Register have been substantially reduced.

  Local Health Councils
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the future role of local health councils in Scotland.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I am considering a number of proposals put to me, and I shall make an announcement on this in the near future.

  General Register of Sasines
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish in the Official Report the average length of time it has taken to record a deed in the General Register of Sasines over the last 10 years.
  541
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information is as follows:

  Average turnround time in days

  Year

  Days

  1979

  63

  1980

  64

  1981

  85

  1982

  79

  1983

  115

  1984

  123

  1985

  110

  1986

  110

  1987

  137

  1988

  158

  Note: Turnround time is the number of calendar days between receipt of a writ for recording and its return to the presenter.

  Tourism
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take urgent steps to introduce common methods for use by assessors in Scotland when deciding questions relating to the status of tourist accommodation to include guidance in the assessment of the domestic element in computing the commercial rateable value of hotels and guest houses, the criteria to be used to classify bed-and-breakfast establishments as commercial subjects not subject to the standard community charge and circumstances to be taken into account in deciding whether self-catering cottages are subject to the payment of the full standard community charge.

  Mr. Lang
  There are no plans to do this. The decisions of assessors and community charges registration officers in matters of this kind are subject to appeal.

  Solicitors' Fees and Court Expenses
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to ensure that statutory instruments dealing with matters such as solicitors' fees and court expenses are not implemented until after the regulations are made available to the legal profession.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I appreciate the desire of solicitors for adequate notification of forthcoming revisions to solicitors fees and court expenses. The normal arrangements for publishing statutory instruments permit this.

  Tourism
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to monitor the effect the introduction of the community charge is having on the tourist industry in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lang
  The effects of rating reform on the various sectors of the tourist industry are being looked at in the light of representations which have been received.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he next plans to meet representatives of the Scottish tourist industry to discuss the effects on tourism of the introduction of the community charge in Scotland.

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

  East Kilbride Development Corporation
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he intends to maintain the existing number of appointees from local authorities to the board of East Kilbride development corporation when appointments fall to be made to the board.

  Mr. Lang
  In appointing members to new town development corporations, the Secretary of State is required to consult the local authorities and to have regard to the desirability of securing the services of at least one person resident in or having special knowledge of the locality. Both East Kilbride district council and Strathclyde regional council have been invited to offer nominees for vacancies due to arise in the board of East Kilbride development corporation on 1 January 1990. I cannot say at this stage what will be the outcome of that consultation, but all members are appointed because of the contribution their personal qualities enable them to make to the new towns.

  Forestry Commission Land
  Sir Hector Monro
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans the Government has with regard to the disposal of Forestry Commission land.

  Mr. Rifkind
  In answer to a question from the hon. Member for Suffolk, Central (Mr. Lord) on 8 November 1984(Official Report, columns 6–7), my right hon. Friend the Member for Ayr (Mr. Younger) announced that the Forestry Commission's disposals programme would be extended to 31 March 1989, and that its main purpose would be to rationalise the forestry estate thereby improving the commission's efficiency and the commercial effectiveness of the forestry enterprise.

  We welcome the important contribution that the rationalisation of the forestry estate has made to the increased efficiency of the forestry enterprise over the past few years. The commission has been able to dispose of a large number of plantations in a way which has assisted the streamlining of its management structure and enabled it to achieve significant improvements in its operational efficiency. The annual net call on Exchequer funds for the enterprise has been greatly reduced. At the same time the commission has been able to make an important contribution to the major new developments which have taken place in the wood-processing industry in recent years. The market for timber is now buoyant, to the great benefit of both public and private sector timber-growers.

  My right hon. Friends and I have considered the future extent and purpose of the commission's disposal programme. We have had regard to the needs of the wood-processing industry for a steady and secure source of supply; to the effect of the programme on the use of the commission's forests for public access and recreation; and to environmental considerations. We also accept that the commission must be able to plan ahead without the uncertainty caused by frequent reviews, and that it will continue to make a small but effective contribution towards the fulfilment of our targets for new planting.

  We consider that the rationalisation policy has been successful and that there is scope for it to continue to be pursued with vigour. In accordance with the general policy of this Government, we also wish to see some further transfer of forests out of the public sector. This will have

  543
  the important effect of strengthening and enhancing the role of the private sector, whose proportion of the nation's woodland estate has already risen to over 60 per cent. We also see it as a valuable opportunity to widen interest and participation in British forestry.

  We have therefore asked the Forestry Commissioners to proceed with the further disposal of some 100,000 hectares of forestry land and properties in the period up to the end of the century, of which they should seek to dispose of some 50,000 hectares in the first half of the period. The commissioners will continue to be responsible for selecting properties for sale, and in doing so they will have regard to the selection guidelines which forestry Ministers set them in 1981. In particular I have referred to the use of the commission's forests for public access and recreation, which my right hon. Friends and I warmly support and encourage. Forests have a major part to play in the enjoyment and understanding of the countryside and the commission will continue to have an important role in this.

  We are concerned, however, that the general public should also continue to enjoy access to those forests to be disposed of by the commission in a way which is compatible with management for forestry and other purposes. We are therefore giving careful consideration to ways of achieving the objective.

  It is estimated that, subject to market factors, the programme which we have now asked the commissioners to carry out should realise up to £150 million over the period. By settling this issue for a decade, we intend to put the commissioners in a position to implement the programme so as to consolidate their forestry estate in a rational and orderly manner.

  Head Injuries (Rehabilitation Centre)
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent representations he has received on the need to establish a centre in the south of Scotland for the rehabilitation of persons suffering from head injuries; and what progress has been made in funding the necessary resources and possible site for such a centre.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 15 June 1989]: I have had a number of letters about improving rehabilitation services in Scotland for people suffering from head injuries. I expect to receive a report very shortly, following a study by the Scottish Home and Health Department, on how these services could be improved, and what arrangements for funding and location would be appropriate.

PRIME MINISTER

  Falkland Islands
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will meet President-elect Carlos Menem to discuss the future of the Falkland Islands.

  The Prime Minister
  No.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Namibian Refugees
  Mr. Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much money Her 544
  Majesty's Government has allocated to assist in the repatriation of Namibian refugees; and how this will be deployed.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  We have provided £1·15 million—£500,000 to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and £650,000 to the World Food Programme for food for the returnees.

  Aid
  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, further to his reply to the hon. Member for Eccles (Miss Lestor) of 12 June,Official Report, column 274, what figures he used for (a) net development assistance, and (b) gross national product, in calculating the figure of 0·32 per cent.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  The figures are as follows:

  £ million

  Net official development assistance

  1,467·84

  Gross national product

  459,610

  Grants
  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the grants to United Kingdom non-governmental organisations engaged in overseas development made by the European Community in the latest year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  Under its NGO programme the European Community co-finances projects in developinging countries and development education projects with European NGOs. Normally the Community contributes 50 per cent. of the costs of individual projects. In 1987, the latest year for which figures are available, amounts granted to United Kingdom NGOs were as follows:

  1 For projects in developing countries

  £

  Accord

  384,571

  Action Aid

  298,789

  Africa Now

  41,823

  Aga Khan Foundation

  253,521

  Christian Aid

  833,272

  Commonwealth Trade Union Council

  169,086

  Concern Universal

  30,929

  Cooperation for Development

  633,954

  Friends of Ngora Hospital

  91,472

  Health Unlimited

  68,375

  Help the Aged

  446,044

  International Boys Town Trust

  17,767

  Intermediate Technology Development Group

  84,094

  Leonard Cheshire Foundation

  74,115

  Namibia Refugees

  89,060

  Order of St. John

  165,914

  Oxfam

  1,310,327

  Population Concern

  212,666

  Population Services

  446,373

  Richmond Fellowship

  158,701

  Rufiji Leprosy Trust

  57,242

  Save the Children Fund

  268,308

  SOS Sahel International

  253,521

  Sylvia Wright Trust

  28,798

  Tear Fund

  94,105

  Twin

  229,640

  Voluntary Service Overseas

  279,183

  World University Service—United Kingdom

  26,976

  War on Want

  140,845

  545

  £

  7,239,471

  2. For Development Education

  £

  Action for World Development Fund

  38,028

  Africa Centre

  85,241

  CAFOD

  99,615

  Centre for World Development Education

  45,634

  Christian Aid

  49,403

  Catholic Institute of International Relations

  83,594

  Federal Trust

  21,127

  International Boys Town Trust

  10,203

  National Association of Developing Education Centres

  74,690

  Namibia Support Committee

  62,639

  Oxfam

  44,703

  Oxford House Trust

  18,612

  Returned Volunteer Action

  65,705

  TV Trust for Environment

  76,125

  Voluntary Service Overseas

  19,177

  Workers Education Association

  32,917

  World Development Group

  19,471

  846,884

  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which official bodies and organisations outside the United Kingdom make grants to United Kingdom non-governmental organisations engaged in overseas development after either consulting or obtaining the approval of his Department.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  There are no formal arrangements for organisations outside the United Kingdom to consult my Department or seek its approval before making grants to United Kingdom voluntary agencies engaged in overseas development. But we are happy to put such organisations in touch with British agencies if asked to do so; and we have taken the initiative in encouraging the Japanese to use their grant aid in support of projects undertaken in developing countries by British and other third country NGOs.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Republic of Ireland
  Mr. Dennis Canavan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what subjects were discussed at his last meeting with representatives of the Government of the Republic of Ireland.

  Mr. Tom King
  I last met representatives of the Government of the Republic of Ireland at the meeting of the intergovernmental conference in Belfast on 24 May. At that meeting we completed the review of the working of the conference and copies of the joint statement were placed in the Library.

  Mitchell House School for the Handicapped
  Mr. John D. Taylor (Stratford)
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many pupils are resident at Mitchell House school for the handicapped, Holywood road, Belfast; what proposals he has for them after the closure of this school; and at which other similar schools there is residential accommodation available for these students.
  546
  Dr. Mawhinney
  [holding answer 15 June 1989]: Ten pupils are currently attending the boarding department at Mitchell House special school, Belfast. The only other school providing residential accommodation for physically handicapped pupils is Fleming Fulton special school, Belfast. I understand that the Belfast education and library board is currently considering the closure of the boarding department at Mitchell House school but no decision has yet been taken. Should the board decide to close this facility, it would be required to publish a development proposal which would enable objectors to make their views known to the Department of Education within two months. The Department would have the ultimate decision in the matter.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Press (Referral)
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is the current position of the referral of the press to the Office of Fair Trading and Monopolies and Mergers Commission.

  Mr. Maude
  I understand that the Director General of Fair Trading is continuing his inquiries into the structure of newspaper publishing, competition between newspapers, and the involvement of newspaper groups in other media. If a full-scale investigation were seen to be necessary it would be likely to take the form of a reference to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.

  Inflation
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what representations he has received on the effects of the level of inflation on industry.

  Mr. Forth
  A number of representations which I receive refer to inflation. The great majority of these recognise that the control of inflation must remain the prime objective of economic policy.

  Manufactures (Trade Deficit)
  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is the present trade deficit on manufactured goods.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  In the first four months of 1989 there was an estimated seasonally adjusted deficit in trade in manufactures of £5·8 billion.

  Open University Technology Centre
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he has any plans to visit the newly founded centre for technology strategy at the Open university in Milton Keynes.

  Mr. Forth
  The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster is aware of the recent formation of the centre for technology strategy at the Open university in Milton Keynes but has no plans for a visit.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Full Funding
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what he expects to achieve through the Government's policy of full funding.

  Mr. Lilley
  The aim of the full fund policy is that the Government should conduct their own financial affairs so as to have a broadly neutral impact on liquidity.

  Housing Costs
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, further to the Economic Secretary's answer to the hon. Member for Islington, South and Finsbury on 12 June,Official Report, column 272, he will indicate what other housing costs are included in the Italian index of consumer prices quoted by him on 7 June; and what housing costs other than mortgage interest payments are included in the United Kingdom retail price index figures.

  Mr. Lilley
  [holding answer 15 June 1989]: The only housing costs included in the Italian consumer price index are rent, water charges and repairs. The housing group of the United Kingdom RPI includes rent, domestic rates, water and other charges, repair and maintenance charges, do-it-yourself materials and dwelling insurance and ground rents as well as mortgage interest payments.

CIVIL SERVICE

  Crown Servants (Business Appointments)
  Mr. Cyril D. Townsend
  To ask the Minister for the Civil Service whether he will publish a further report on business appointments of former Crown servants.

  Mr. Luce
  I have today placed copies of a statistical report entitled "Acceptance of Outside Appointments by Crown Servants—1988" in the Libraries of both Houses of Parliament.

TRANSPORT

  Lead in Paint
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects lead to be eliminated from paint used for road markings.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The constituents of road materials are specified by the British Standards Institution. I understand that the institution has not yet set a timetable for substituting a lead-free pigment in their specification. Work to develop such a pigment of acceptable performance and durability is in progress.

  Pervious Road Surfaces
  Mr. Amos
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what conclusions have been drawn from the research into pluvious road surfaces being carried out at the Transport and Road Research Laboratory with regard to(a) whether spray-reducing benefit can be applied to the resurfacing of existing roads and (b) whether this will be a general specification of new roads as proposed in the White Paper, "Roads for Prosperity"; and if he will make a statement.
  548
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The Transport and Road Research Laboratory has been undertaking a full-scale trial of pervious macadam road surfaces since 1984 on the A38 Burton bypass.

  Trials of new materials normally last for five years so that their performance can be compared with conventional materials before they are permitted for general use.

  In this case the material appears to be as durable as conventional materials and is effective in reducing vehicle spray.

  We are proposing to amend the Department's specification to allow the use of pervious macadam on new or existing trunk roads. The aim is to issue it early in 1990 as soon as the trials have been completed and the results fully assessed. This will depend on those results being satisfactory.

  Pervious macadam could prove more expensive than conventional materials and if so its use is more likely to be justified on sections of road where, for example, increased accident savings can be demonstrated.

  MV Majestic (Sinking)
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has concerning the circumstances in which the fishing vessel MV Majestic was sunk between Shetland and Orkney on 13 June; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  The Fraserburgh registered fishing vessel Majestic capsized and sank some 30 miles west of Sumburgh Head at about 1300 on 13 June with the loss of five lives. Two crew survived.

  The vessel was pair trawling at the time of the incident when the net snagged on an underwater obstruction. There are no indications at this stage of any involvement by a submarine.

  One of the Department's marine surveyors has been appointed to investigate the casualty.

  Birmingham Relief Road
  Mr. Richard Shepherd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was his Department's latest estimated cost for completion of the previously preferred route for the Birmingham relief road; and if he will estimate the number of man hours his Department has spent on the previously preferred route.

  Mr. Portillo
  [holding answer 15 June 1989]: The estimated cost of the Birmingham northern relief road is £219·5 million at May 1989 prices. The Department is unable to disaggregate the number of man hours spent on individual schemes.

ENERGY

  Electricial Supply Industry
  Mr. Blair
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is the current number of people employed in the electrical supply industry by region.

  Mr. Parkinson
  This is a matter for the electricity supply industry. I shall ask the Chairman of the Electricity Council to write to the hon. Member.

  Rexo (Member's Letter)
  Mr. Ashton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy whether he is now in a position to reply and treat as a matter of urgency the letter from the hon. Member for Bassetlaw of 11 April regarding redundancy payments at Rexo which was passed on to him by the Department of Employment on 30 May.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The hon. Member should now have received my reply which was sent on 14 June.

WALES

  School-Business Links
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on his Department's policy of encouraging high schools in Wales to develop links with businesses.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  It is important that there should be effective links between schools and business so that young people have the opportunity to experience the world of work and learn about the career choices available to them, and business has a workforce better prepared and equipped to meet its needs.

  We have a range of activities designed to improve communications between schools and industry and to encourage enterprise activities in schools. The Technical and Vocational Education Initiative has proved successful and is being extended to all schools and colleges. The GCSE examination has an emphasis on learning by experience and the certificate of pre-vocational education also assists in the transition from school to adulthood and the world of work. The new national curriculum has as one of its main aims the preparation of pupils for adult life and work. Businessmen also have the opportunity to become governors of schools and colleges.

  Each local education authority in Wales has an officer responsible for education/industry links and there is evidence of increasing interest in organisations at the local level working to develop partnerships between education and industry.

  In addition, we now have a network of enterprise and education advisers whose purpose is to market to employers the benefits of links with schools and persuade them to become involved. Also, in the context of my valleys programme, I have met with the chairmen of the education committee and director of education of each of the five valleys LEAs to discuss ways of improving links between schools and industry. Positive action has already been taken and I hope to have further meetings in the near future.

  Sewage Works (Pollution Standards)
  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will list sewage works in Wales that are at present failing the established effluent pollution standards.

  Mr. Grist
  The following Welsh Water Authority sewage treatment works failed to meet their consent standards during 1988:

  Ross New (Lower Cleeve)

  Kenderchurch

  Presteigne

  Llanbister

  550

  Eardisley

  Rockfield

  Llanbedr

  Ponthir

  Bonvilston

  Weycock Cross

  Acton Green

  Stoke Edith

  Hereford Rotherwas

  St. Owens Cross

  Fair View

  Llanwarne—Monkton Place

  Walford (Caughton Place)

  Carnay

  Kidwelly

  Rhydypandy

  Carew

  Kilgetty East/Stepaside

  Rosemarket

  Devils Bridge

  Llanybyther

  Rhandirmyn

  Brithdir

  Bryncrug

  Dolgellau

  Llandwcwyn

  Tyddyn Hywel

  Cynon

  Deinolen (Brynrefail)

  Edwin Ralph

  Ffeirh

  Fountain

  Glewstone-Wilson

  Groes Bronallt

  Gwalchmai

  Talybont (Price Bros.)

  Llangefni

  Llanfaes 'A'

  Sarnau

  Sesswick

  Five Fords

  Mold (Filters Plant)

  Gresford

  Maes Y Groes

  Penley

  Henllan

  Denbigh

  Nantglyn

  Llanbedr Dyffryn Clwyd

  Burton

  Flint

  Bagillt (East)

  Bethesda

  Bettws

  Brendenbury

  Bynea

  Capel Iwan

  Cefn Mawr

  Chwilog

  Cilfynydd

  Cilgerran

  Clyro

  Connahs Quay

  Coolech

  Crossgates

  Cwmyoy

  Rhoslefain

  Rhydymawyn

  Spamington

  St. Arvans

  Tirabad

  Weston Beggard

  Wolferlow

  Ystradgynlais

  Kupeck

  Kington

  Langdon

  Llanarmon Yn Ial

  Llanddew

  Llandegfan (Red)

  551

  Llanfechreth

  Llanfaes 'B'

  Llanfaethlu

  Llanfaglan

  Llangaffo

  LLangyli

  Llanrhidian

  Llanrug

  Llansey

  Llanvapley

  Llanyre

  Llanystumdwy

  Llynfaes

  Llysuen Village

  Melin Y Wig

  Pentraeth

  Pentre Halkyn

  Penygausi

  Local Authority Houses
  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the number of local authority houses to rent by district in Wales in(a) 1986, (b) 1987 and (c)

  Mr. Grist
  The information requested is as follows:

  Estimates of dwellings owned by local authorities or new towns at 1 April1

  Welsh Districts

  1986

  1987

  1988

  Aberconwy

  3,227

  3,139

  3,060

  Alyn and Deeside

  5,573

  5,503

  5,415

  Arfon

  5,304

  5,237

  5,194

  Blaenau Gwent

  11,012

  10,871

  10,749

  Brecknock

  3,095

  3,019

  2,967

  Cardiff

  22,551

  21,776

  21,190

  Carmarthen

  3,740

  3,711

  3,661

  Ceredigion

  3,700

  3,662

  3,631

  Colwyn

  2,877

  2,821

  2,746

  Cynon Valley

  5,699

  5,596

  5,497

  Delyn

  5,088

  4,992

  4,864

  Dinefwr

  2,795

  2,755

  2,711

  Dwyfor

  1,490

  1,484

  1,478

  Glyndwr

  3,284

  3,217

  3,154

  Islwyn

  6,858

  6,667

  6,470

  Llanelli

  7,626

  7,529

  7,360

  Lliw Valley

  5,547

  5,458

  5,351

  Meirionnydd

  2,259

  2,203

  2,153

  Merthyr Tydfil

  7,541

  7,357

  7,145

  Monmouth

  5,388

  5,351

  5,185

  Montgomery2

  4,626

  4,503

  4,435

  Neath

  6,190

  6,096

  5,959

  Newport

  14,020

  13,839

  13,699

  Ogwr

  10,892

  10,613

  10,333

  Port Talbot

  7,115

  6,834

  6,539

  Preseli

  6,286

  6,200

  6,117

  Radnor

  1,268

  1,262

  1,220

  Rhondda

  5,234

  5,153

  5,095

  Rhuddlan

  2,907

  2,905

  2,862

  Rhymney Valley

  10,920

  10,641

  10,460

  South Pembrokeshire

  3,112

  3,072

  3,005

  Swansea

  18,788

  18,554

  18,196

  Taff-Ely

  8,609

  8,356

  8,030

  Torfaen

  14,787

  14,519

  14,222

  Vale of Glamorgan

  7,105

  6,927

  6,738

  Wrexham Maelor

  16,857

  16,666

  16,533

  Ynys Moô

  6,087

  6,037

  5,994

  Wales Total

  259,457

  254,525

  249,418

  1 Includes some dwellings unavailable for rent, undergoing repair or improvement, awaiting sale or demolition, etc.

  2 Includes new town dwellings in Newton.

  Cottage-Community Hospitals
  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether he can give for each county in Wales the number 552
  of cottage-community hospitals with fewer than 70 beds in (a) 1985 and (b) 1988, and the percentage these represented of the total number of hospitals in (i) 1985 and (ii) 1988.

  Mr. Grist
  The total number of hospitals, including psychiatric hospitals, with less than 70 beds are shown in the table:

  Number of hospitals with fewer than 70 beds1

  Percentage of all hospitals in authority

  Health Authority

  1985

  1988

  1985

  1988

  Clwyd

  15

  17

  60·0

  70·8

  East Dyfed

  7

  7

  58·3

  58·3

  Gwent

  8

  8

  44·4

  44·4

  Gwynedd

  16

  18

  76·2

  81·8

  Mid Glamorgan

  13

  15

  41·9

  46·9

  Pembrokeshire

  1

  1

  33·3

  33·3

  Powys

  11

  11

  73·3

  73·3

  South Glamorgan

  5

  5

  31·3

  31·3

  West Glamorgan

  10

  8

  52·6

  50·0

  1 As at 31 December.

  Rivers (Pollution Standards)
  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will list those rivers in Wales which in 1988 were graded 3 and lower in pollution standards.

  Mr. Grist
  This is a matter for the Welsh Water Authority and I will ask the chairman to write to the hon. Gentleman.

  Small Businesses
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the average time taken to process applications for discretionary grants in respect of capital investments by small businesses; and what action is being taken by his Department to reduce the time taken to process applications and forward grants.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  The main forms of discretionary grants towards capital investment by small firms are regional enterprise grants (investment) and regional selective assistance. The average times taken to process grant applications and payment claims during the period 1 January—31 May 1989 were as follows:

  Weeks

  Regional enterprise grants (investment) applications

  3·9

  Regional enterprise grants (investment) payment claims

  1·2

  Regional selective assistance applications

  7

  Regional selective assistance payment claims

  3·1

  The Department is continuing its downward pressure on processing times consistent with the proper administration of the scheme.

  Botulism
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consideration was given by officers of his Department to the need to publish advice to the public in Wales prior to the Government's recommendation on Monday 12 June that people should not consume hazelnut yoghurt pending the outcome of investigations into the recent incidents of botulism.
  553
  Mr. Peter Walker
  My Department became aware of suspected cases of botulism associated with the consumption of hazelnut yoghurt on 12 June. Standard arrangements are that the Department of Health notifies national and regional media interests in such cases, including those in Wales. Copies of the Department of Health's press statement were subsequently sent by my Department to chief environmental health officers and medical officers for environmental health in Wales for information.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what information he has available on the cases of botulism in Clwyd referred to in the answer of his right hon. Friend to the private notice question on Tuesday 13 June.

  Mr Peter Walker
  My officials are in close touch with the chief administrative medical officer/director of public health medicine in Clwyd health authority regarding the four suspected cases of botulism. Investigations are continuing as to the source of the outbreak.

  Food Hygiene
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what research projects into food hygiene and food production are currently sponsored by his Department; what resources are allocated to each project and what plans he has for expanding such research in Wales.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  My Department has no agricultural research funds. Last year the Government funded 436 research projects on food in England and Wales. Details can be found in the draft National Programme of Food R&D 1988–89, a copy of which was placed in the Library of the House on 13 June 1989.

  Future plans for Government funded research will be guided by the advice of the Research Consultative Committee on Food Safety and Applied Nutrition which is expected to report at the end of August. This Government are firmly committed to food safety research and will place the work with the most appropriate contractors.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will make it his policy to increase the resources available to local authorities in Wales to enable them to increase the number of environmental health officers available to inspect food producing and processing establishments in view of fresh public concern over dangers to health.

  Mr. Grist
  Provision for local authority spending in 1989–90 was announced in the rate support grant report published on 8 December 1988. My officials are presently discussing with the local authority associations their need to spend for 1990–91.

  The bulk of resources provided to local authorities are unhypothecated: it is for the individual authority to determine its own spending priorities.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he is taking to ensure the future security of adequate funding levels with predictable continuity for S4C in the light of the statement on 13 June, by the Home Secretary on the future of commercial television.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  The White Paper on broadcasting made clear the Government's view that S4C has been a554
  considerable success. At present the Independent Broadcasting Authority determines the channel's level of income. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary and I envisage that the Independent Television Commission and S4C will make similar arrangements to ensure adequate funding for the channel in the future.

HEALTH

  Project 2000
  Mr. McLoughlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what will be the level of bursaries to be paid to nursing students undertaking the first Project 2000 training courses; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  The Government have accepted the proposal of the United Kingdom Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting, made after consultation with the nursing professions, that Project 2000 students should have student, rather than employee, status and receive bursaries rather than salaries. The personal element of these bursaries will not be means-tested.

  Project 2000 students in receipt of bursaries will not be liable for income tax or national insurance or superannuation contributions. All Project 2000 students will pay only 20 per cent. of the personal community charge, like other full-time students, and will have the benefit of seven weeks' holiday each year, compared with the four or five weeks for those who continue to be trained under the existing arrangements.

  The following basic levels of bursary are to be offered to students undertaking Project 2000 courses. They are broadly comparable with the average net basic salary of existing student nurses.

  Under 26 at start of course:

  £

  London:

  4,700

  £

  Elsewhere:

  4,000

  Age 26 and over at start of course:

  £

  London:

  5,200

  £

  Elsewhere:

  4,500

  In addition to the above basic/personal levels of bursary, there will be additions for dependents which will be means-tested on the basis of Department of Education and Science mandatory grant rules.

  Existing NHS staff who enter Project 2000 training, provided they have been employed at least one year, will retain their current salary rather than receiving a bursary.

  Pre-registration nursing students who are not on Project 2000 courses will continue to receive salaries.

  Private Patients (Doncaster)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the revenue generated from private patients at hospitals in the Doncaster area in 1988; and what were the comparable figures for each of the last 10 years, at 1989 prices.

  Mr. Freeman
  The available information is given in the table.
  555

  Income from private patients: Doncaster health authority (at 1988–89 prices)

  £

  1978–79

  17,141

  1979–80

  19,611

  1980–81

  27,382

  1981–82

  50,428

  1982–83

  53,757

  1983–84

  46,051

  1984–85

  52,258

  1985–86

  71,592

  1986–87

  79,595

  1987–88

  165,837

  1 Latest available.

  Notes:

  1. The figures have been expressed at 1988–89 prices by the use of the gross domestic product deflator.

  2. The Doncaster health authority was established on 1 April 1982. The figures used for earlier years are derived from the annual accounts of the former Doncaster area health authority which was broadly comparable to the present district health authority.

  Community Charge
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what guidance has been given to registered medical practitioners on issuing certificates for poll tax exemption on the grounds that the individual is severely mentally impaired; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) whether he has issued any guidance in relation to the poll tax on the question as to whether those seeking a certificate of exemption from a registered medical practitioner will be required to undergo any examination; who will pay for any such examination; if there will be guidance on any standard scale of charges; how much will be charged for such certificates; and who will be required to make the payment.

  Mr. Freeman
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Government have no plans to introduce a poll tax.

  Guidance to registered medical practitioners on issuing certificates of severe mental impairment in connection with applications for exemption from payment of the personal community charge will be issued as soon as possible.

  Queen's Park Hospital, Blackburn (Maternity Unit)
  Mr. Ken Hargreaves
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with the North West regional health authority since 14 April regarding provision of a maternity unit at Queen's park hospital, Blackburn; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health will be meeting the chairman of North Western regional health authority on 19 June to discuss the implications of the extension of maternity services in phase IIIA of Queen's Park hospital, Blackburn, for the region's current review of its capital programme. It is unlikely that the outcome of the review will be known before the autumn of this year.

  Miss Claire Johnson
  Mr. Cartwright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when his Department's superannuation branch first received a request to transfer pension rights in respect of Miss Claire Johnson from the National Health Service to the Professional Association of Teachers; why it has failed to reply; and when he expects the transfer to be effected.
  556
  Mr. Freeman
  National Health Service superannuation branch first received a request to transfer Miss Johnson's pension rights on 30 August 1988 when the Professional Association of Teachers (PAT) wrote. They enclosed a copy of correspondence they had sent to Central Nottinghamshire health authority about the same subject.

  No reply, apart from an inquiry of the PAT about their scheme and routine acknowledgements, has yet been sent because the transfer value of the service was not apparently available. The health authority had exceptionally given details of Miss Johnson's final year's salary on 28 April 1988 when giving details about the cessation of her employment. This information was overlooked when the transfer request was received. A standard inquiry was therefore sent to the authority on 23 September 1988. Only when a belated reply was received on 8 May 1989 was attention drawn to the previous information.

  Urgent action is being taken to give details of a pension transfer value. Miss Johnson will then have the option of transferring the pension value or leaving it in the National Health Service scheme.

  Pharmacists
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 19 May to the hon. Member for Swansea, East (Mr. Anderson) setting out the amount due to pharmacists from 1978 to 1988, if he will specify the amounts included which are in respect of drug and container cost reimbursement; whether the amounts due for profit are stated on a pre-interest basis; if he will express these as a percentage of turnover; and if he will give estimates of the amount due for costs in £m and the profit in £m and percentage of turnover for 1988–89 and 1989–90.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 15 June 1989]: The figures given in my reply to the hon. Member for Swansea, East (Mr. Anderson) on 18 May at column 284, excluded the payments made as reimbursement of expenditure on drugs and containers. The amounts due for profit included interest on capital employed. Amounts due for profit expressed as a percentage of amounts paid as reimbursement of expenditure on drugs and containers in England and Wales were as follows:

  Year

  Percentage

  1978

  3·57

  1979

  3·52

  1980

  4·78

  1981

  5·48

  1982

  5·10

  1983

  4·67

  1984

  4·62

  11985

  5·28

  1985–86

  5·19

  1986–87

  4·79

  1987–88

  4·58

  1 1 January 1985 to 31 March 1985.

  Current estimates for 1988–89 are: amount due for costs £437·2 million amount due for profit £70·7 million, profit as a percentage of drug and container costs 3·68 per cent. As from 1 April 1989 amounts due for costs and profit are no longer calculated as separate items of remuneration.

  Portable Oxygen Cylinders
  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the cost of a portable oxygen cylinder; and what guidance he issues to doctors on the provision of portable oxygen cylinders for use in the home and elsewhere by patients with chronic lung disease.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 15 June 1989]: The basic cost of a portable oxygen cylinder is at least £157·00. Such equipment for use in the home and elsewhere may be provided through the hospital service on the prescription of a hospital consultant if he considers it clinically necessary for the treatment of his patient. Guidance on the provision of oxygen and other specialised equipment is contained in the booklet MHM50, "Provision of Medical and Surgical Appliances". A copy is in the Library.

  Nebulisers
  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he will ensure that compressor-driven nebuliser systems are made available to patients when so advised by a consultant with specialist knowledge in thoracic medicine.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 15 June 1989]: It is for health authorities to decide whether to issue compressor-driven nebuliser systems (either permanently or on loan) to patients for whom they are prescribed by hospital consultants. In making these decisions, health authorities will have regard to the costs of the equipment and its potential benefit to patients and the competing claims on available resources.

  Benzodiazepines
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health on how many occasions, and by what means, his Department has drawn the attention of the medical profession to the dangers of represcribing benzodiazepine drugs; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 15 June 1989]: The Department issues regular advice to doctors on a wide range of topics which from time to time include guidance on the prescribing of benzodiazepines. Exampls include:

  (i) Guidance on Good Clinical Practice in the Treatment of Drug Misuse, issued free in 1984 and 1985 to all doctors, includes advice on withdrawal from benzodiazepines. This publication is also issued annually to medical schools for distribution to final year medical students.

  (ii) The Committee on Safety of Medicines reinforced prescribing advice on benzodiazepines in "Current Problems No. 21" issued in January 1988.

  (iii) Up-to-date information on benzodiazepine prescribing is included in the British National Formulary, which is issued twice a year free to all doctors, pharmacists and to all first and final year medical students.

  (iv) The Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin, issued fortnightly and distributed free by the Department has, on occasions, published articles on benzodiazepines.

  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice he has received from the Committee on the Safety of Medicines on the use and prescribing of benzodiazepine drugs; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 15 June 1989]: The Committee on the Safety of Medicines advice about the
  558
  use and prescribing of these drugs remains as published in its bulletin "Current Problems No. 21" issued in January 1988. A copy is in the Library.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  China
  Mr. Adley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his latest meeting with the chargé d'affairs at the Chinese embassy in London.

  Mr. Eggar
  My right hon. and learned Friend's latest meeting with the Chinese chargé d'affaires was on 5 June. He reported this meeting to the House on 6 June. A senior official had a meeting with the Chinese chargé d'affaires on 12 June, at which he further clarified our view of events in Peking, particularly with respect to the prospects and procedures for the implimentation of the joint declarations on Hong Kong. He also raised reports of Chinese embassy harassment of Chinese students here and the case of the Hong Kong resident detained in Shanghai.

  Mr. Sims
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has concerning allegations that Chinese students in this country have received threatening telephone calls from officials at the Chinese embassy; whether he has made representations to the Chinese chargé d'affaires on the matter; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  We have noted press reports that the Chinese embassy has been harassing Chinese students in this country. A senior official raised this matter with the Chinese chargé d'affaires on 12 June and reminded him that we expected the Chinese embassy to act in accordance with British law. The Chinese chargé d'affaires said that the reports were a complete fabrication.

  Mr. David Young
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will grant to Chinese students studying in the United Kingdom, on completion of their courses, extension of stay until their safety can be guaranteed.

  Mr. Renton
  I have been asked to reply.

  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I have given today to questions from the hon. Members for Leyton (Mr. Cohen), for Leeds, West (Mr. Battle) and for Tooting (Mr. Cox).

  Hong Kong
  Mr. David Young
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will seek to amend the treaty with China to exclude the stationing of the Chinese army in Hong Kong after 1997.

  Mr. Eggar
  The prospect of the stationing of Chinese troops in Hong Kong after 1997 has always been a matter of concern in the territory. Recent events have increased this. We shall be considering how best to meet this concern when we resume our discussions with the Chinese authorities about the future of Hong Kong. But we have no plans to seek to amend the joint declaration, which is a solemn international agreement equally binding both Governments.
  559
  Mr. David Young
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had seeking to ensure that a democratic Government are fully in place in Hong Kong before 1997.

  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 considering carefully suggestions for advancing and consolidating effective democracy in Hong Kong. My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State discussed this question with the Governor of Hong Kong on his visit to London last week and will be having further discussions with a broad range of Hong Kong opinion when he visits the territory early next month.

  Mr. Wajid Mahmood
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when Mr. Wajid Mahmood, whose date of birth is 19 July 1971 and whose reference is IMM /92276, first applied to the post in Islamabad for permission to enter the United Kingdom; and when a decision is to be taken on his application.

  Mr. Eggar
  In accordance with the recent guidelines on the handling of representations by Members of Parliament in immigration cases, issued to Members on 14 December 1988, I have referred the question to the correspondence unit of migration and visa department of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The hon. Member will receive a reply from the unit in due course.

  Mr. Abbass Tabbakhi (Execution)
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has regarding the execution without trial in Iran of Mr. Abbass Tabbakhi of Forest Gate, London E7; when Mr Tabbakhi was arrested; when he was executed; and if he will make the stongest representation to the Iranian Government about the execution of Mr. Tabbakhi.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  We have no information about the case of Mr. Tabbakhi. It is usually impossible to verify reports of individual executions in Iran, given the absence of information about the situation there. We have consistently expressed concern about Iran's human rights record and have taken vigorous action at the UN to try to persuade Iran to allow the UN special rapporteur to visit that country.

  Sharks (Slaughter)
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Governments of Japan and South Korea regarding the slaughter of sharks in the waters around the Galapagos Islands; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  We have asked the Japanese and South Korean Governments for assurances that their fishing fleets around the Galapagos Islands are acting in accordance with their obligations on the protection of endangered species. Sharks are not protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

  Private Education
  Sir Michael McNair-Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the sons and daughters of Foreign Office personnel can receive grants towards the cost of private education; and whether the Foreign and Commonwealth Office keeps a list of schools approved for the education of such young people.

  Mr. Eggar
  All members of the Diplomatic Service who have an obligation to serve overseas are eligible to apply for an allowance towards the costs of their children's boarding school education. The allowance is paid in order that children may be guaranteed continuity of education in the British system. In certain cases, provided the paramount principle of continuity is observed, it may be possible for an officer to be refunded the cost of private day school fees at a boarding school where the child will be educated when his/her parents are abroad.

  The allowance is based on an average of the fees of schools on the Headmasters Conference list, but attendance is not limited to those schools. Any United Kingdom boarding school can be approved, provided that it offers the full range of subjects normally offered by a state day school and in a form generally available in the state system. No attempt is made to keep a comprehensive list of schools which meet those criteria.

  Staff whose children are resident with them overseas may reclaim the cost of local private education in countries where the state education system is inadequate or unsuitable. Refunds in such cases are limited to tuition or scholastic activities of a kind which would be provided without cost under the United Kingdom state education services. Each overseas post maintains its own list of authorised schools.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Salmonella
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the current checks and controls for salmonella enteritidis undertaken by continental egg producers who export their produce to the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to differentiate between eggs being sold in retail outlets for tested flocks as opposed to untested laying flocks.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  It is a legal requirement that all UK flocks selling eggs should be tested. As for imports, I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Angus, East (Mr. Welsh) on 20 April at column 280.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many representations he has received for and against the continued sale of untreated green top milk; and whether he is now in a position to make a statement on such sales.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply that my right hon. Friend the Minister gave to the hon. Member for Ludlow (Mr. Gill) on 13 June at column 353.

  Beef
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received about seasonal variations in the price of beef and consequent shortages; and if he will make a statement about any proposals to alter support arrangements in order to ensure that there is a more even supply of beef throughout the year.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  The ending of the beef variable premium has removed from the support regime an element which included seasonal variation. However, in practice the rate of premium remained fixed at its maximum rate for extended periods which limited its impact. Under the present arrangements the EC Commission has at its disposal measures designed to moderate fluctuations in beef supply. It can release beef from intervention stocks onto the market when supplies are short or introduce aids to private storage to hold beef off the market in times of over supply. We and other member states encourage the Commission to make use of these provisions as appropriate to market circumstances.

  French Potato Growers (Payments)
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received about possible retrospective payments being made to French early potato growers in Brittany; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ryder
  I have received no such representations.

  Deer (Slaughter)
  Mr. Jopling
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will introduce a compulsory slaughter scheme for deer suffering from tuberculosis.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  Only a few herds are believed to be infected with tuberculosis, but in the interests of preventing it becoming established the Government have decided to introduce a compulsory slaughter scheme where this is necessary to control disease in deer kept in farms or parks. Compensation will be paid at 50 per cent. of the value of the slaughtered animal, subject to a ceiling. The necessary order under the Animal Health Act 1981 will be introduced as soon as possible. This measure, together with the steps already announced to make tuberculosis in deer a notifiable disease and to introduce movement controls and marking requirements, represent a major initiative by the Government to deal with the disease. I now hope that rapid progress can be made in devising a deer health scheme in co-operation with the industry.

  NUVAN Fish 500 EC
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if a product licence under the Medicines Act 1968 has been issued for NUVAN Fish 500 EC; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  A product licence for Aquagard sea lice treatment (formerly known as NUVAN Fish 500 EC) was granted yesterday. The product licence was granted in accordance with the provisions of the Medicines Act 1968 following a detailed and thorough assessment of 562
  data relating to the safety, quality and efficacy of the product. As part of this assessment very careful consideration was given to the safety of the product to the fish, the consumers of treated fish, those operators administering the product and to the environment.

  In reaching their decision to grant a product licence for Aquagard sea lice treatment Ministers were advised by the Veterinary Products Committee, an independent committee of experts in human and animal health. In reaching its recommendation, the Veterinary Products Committee took advice from experts in environmental safety.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Benefits
  Mr. Oppenheim
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what transitional help the Government give to those people who lose their benefit entitlement due to taking up a full-time job, and thus find themselves financially worse off than previously.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  In most cases, people who decide to accept a full-time job offer should find themselves better-off financially than when they were unemployed. The Department of Employment claimant advisory service helps claimants determine whether particular job offers could prove worthwhile financially. It also provides rapid access family credit facilities for unemployed people with children, so that delays in payment are minimised. People entering lower-paid remunerative work may receive help through the housing benefit and community charge rebate schemes if they are responsible for rent, rates or community charge in Scotland. If they have at least one dependent child they may also be entitled to family credit. Payment of these benefits will continue to be made as long as the qualifying conditions remain satisfied. People on low incomes are also able to claim help with dental, optical and prescription charges, and with the cost of travel to hospital for treatment.

  Mr. G. Watterson
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he hopes to hold an inquiry into the claim for industrial disablement benefit made by Mr. G. Watterson of North Park holiday centre, Totnes road, Dartmouth, on 23 June 1986, Ref. INS/5999/8057/4; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Arrangements are in hand for fixing a date for an inquiry and Mr. Watterson should he hearing from the appropriate branch in the next ten days.

  The Department will be doing all that it can to process the matter smoothly.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Public Order Act 1986
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has issued any guidelines for the use of section 39 of the Public Order Act 1986; and if he will make a statement.
  563
  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Home Office circular 11/1987 issued on 23 February 1987 gave guidance on those parts of the Public Order Act 1986, including section 39, which came into force on 1 April 1987. A copy is in the Library.

  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions and in what situations section 39 of the Public Order Act has been used; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  This information is not recorded by police forces or otherwise available.

  Immigration
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, further to his answer to the hon. Member for Islington, North (Mr. Corbyn)Official Report, 15 March, column 231, exceptional and compelling circumstances which would warrant the Minister deferring removal include (a) a mistake and (b) a misrepresentation of a relevant fact by an immigration officer; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Renton
  As I said in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Islington, North (Mr. Corbyn) on 15 March at column 231, the examples given in the guidelines introduced on 3 January are not exclusive but are illustrative of the sort of circumstances which would justify deferment of removal. A right hon. or hon. Member may contact my private office (or, out of working hours, the Home Office duty officer) in any case where he believes that the immigration service has wrongly refused to defer removal on the basis of exceptional and compelling circumstances.

  Prisoners (Transfer)
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) when he anticipates making a decision on the application for transfer to a jail in the North of Ireland from prisioner number 851715, John McComb;

  (2) when he anticipates making a decision on the application for transfer to a jail in the North of Ireland from prisoner number 463799, Ronald McCartney;

  (3) when he anticipates making a decision on the application for transfer to a jail in the North of Ireland from prisoner number B69204, Thomas Quigley;

  (4) when he anticipates making a decision on the application for transfer to a jail in the North of Ireland from prisoner number 119034, Paul Holmes.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Mr. McCartney's application was answered on 31 May. The applications of Mr. McComb and Mr. Holmes will be answered as soon as possible. To date, there is no outstanding request from Mr. Quigley.

  Police Custody (Escapes)
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners escaped from police custody before being sentenced in each police authority in the most recent period for which such figures are available.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The information is not held centrally.
  564
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the escape of five prisoners from police custody in Liverpool on the evening of 12 June.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I understand from the chief constable of Merseyside police that at about 5.30 pm on 12 June a police bus left the main Bridewell in Liverpool bound for HM prison Hindley with 14 remand prisoners and a police escort on board. Shortly after leasing the Bridewell, a number of the prisoners, who were in individual cells, made a concerted attempt to force off the roof of the vehicle, and four of them managed to escape through a gap in the roof. Two of the prisoners were recaptured immediately, one was caught later the same day, and the other one is still at large. The chief constable is conducting an investigation into the circumstances of the escape.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, following a further break-out of five prisoners from a police custody van in Liverpool on the evening of 12 June, he will review the regulations for holding and transporting people held in custody; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hurd
  I understand that the chief constable of Merseyside is conducting an inquiry into the incident and he will consider whether there are any lessons to be learnt for the future.

  Chinese Nationals
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy for Chinese students in London who feel unable to return to be allowed to remain beyond the expiry of their permit; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will extend the entry permits of all Chinese nationals currently in the United Kingdom on the same basis as the Australian Government have done; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will ensure that no Chinese students will be forced to leave the United Kingdom to return to China once their student visa has expired, until condition greatly improve in China; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what is the present number of Chinese students studying in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Renton
  There are between 6,000 and 6,500 Chinese nationals in the United Kingdom who are subject to immigration conditions and of these some 3,500 are studying here. In view of the current situation in China, we shall look sympathetically at applications for leave to remain here by Chinese nationals who do not wish to return to China at the present time. Any Chinese national therefore whose leave to remain here is due to expire soon, or has already expired, and who does not wish to return should write to the Immigration and Nationality Department, Home Office, Lunar House, Croydon CR9 2BY, and if they do not qualify to remain under the immigration rules, they will nevertheless be allowed to stay for a further six months on an exceptional basis. This is, I understand, a somewhat longer period than the Australian
  565
  authorities have agreed. I am taking steps to have this advice published as widely as possible in the universities and colleges, and in the Chinese community.

  Mr. Garcia (Money)
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis regarding money taken by Metropolitan Police officers from the home of Mr. Garcia of Stratford, London E1 5 on 6 February; where the money now is; and why it has not been returned to Mr. Garcia.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The investigation of alleged criminal offences is an operational matter and, as such, is the responsibility of the commissioner. My right hon. Friend has no authority to intervene in such matters and it would therefore not be fitting for him to call for a report on Mr. Garcia's case.

  Approved city grant schemes as at 13 June 1989

  Local Authority

  Project name

  Developer's name

  Approved city grant

  West Midlands

  Coventry

  Seven Stars Industrial Estate

  Deeley Investments Limited

  1·627

  Birmingham

  Startpoint Industrial Development

  English and Overseas Properties Limited

  0·283

  Birmingham

  The Bond

  The Bond Limited

  0·391

  Wrekin

  Ketley Business Park, Phase 3

  C. J. Pearce & Co. Ltd.

  0·230

  Dudley

  Washington Centre, Dudley

  Folkes Properties Ltd.

  3·500

  Birmingham

  Garrison Lane, Ind. Dev. Birmingham

  J. A. Elliot (Developments) Ltd.

  0·570

  Sandwell

  Windmill Lane, Smethwick

  Tarmac Contract Housing

  0·775

  Birmingham

  Constitution Hill

  T. S. Gandhi

  0·068

  Dudley

  Garrick Business Park

  Garrick Properties Limited

  0·750

  Birmingham

  Birmingham Factory Centre

  Slough Estates

  1·260

  Sandwell

  Sandwell Ski Centre

  Glenarn Investments Limited

  0·282

  Total

  9·736

  North West

  Oldham

  Park Road Hotel

  Florshiem Company (UK) Limited

  1·053

  Bolton

  Prospect Mills Housing

  Tay Homes (Northern) Limited

  0·650

  Bolton

  Frederick Street, Farnworth

  Allen Homes Limited

  0·203

  Bolton

  Rose Hill, Bolton

  Lovell Urban Renewal Ltd.

  0·560

  Manchester

  Carriageway, Manchester

  Upton Hunter Estates Ltd.

  0·099

  Manchester

  Every Street Housing Scheme

  Tay Homes (North West) Ltd.

  0·457

  Manchester

  Bell Crescent, Manchester

  Tay Homes (North West) Ltd.

  0·622

  Salford

  Hazel Avenue and Acme Mill Housing Development

  Brackenlea Homes

  0·580

  Salford

  Salford University Tower

  Manchester Pare Securities Limited and Amec Regeneration Limited

  2·550

  Blackburn

  Atlantic Mill Site

  Hillcrest Homes Limited

  0·381

  Blackburn

  Ice Rink, Blackburn

  Arena Associates Ltd.

  0·680

  Blackburn

  Oozebooth Mill

  Euro Jeans Ltd.

  0·142

  Total

  7·977

  Northern

  Hartlepool

  Hartlepool Business Park

  East Mercia Developments Ltd.

  0·634

  Newcastle

  7–19 Mosley Street

  Kelburn Holdings Limited

  0·413

  Stockton

  West Row, Stockton

  Glynns Estates (Cleveland) Ltd.

  0·097

  South Tyneside

  Boldon Business Park

  Washington Developments Ltd.

  1·231

  Sunderland

  Ascot Court, Phase 3, Farringdon

  Two Castles Limited

  0·101

  Hartlepool

  Teesbay Business Park

  Humberside Properties Ltd.

  1·916

  Sunderland

  Ascot Court, Sunderland, Phase 4

  Two Castles Limited

  0·055

  Sunderland

  Gilley Law, Sunderland

  Wimpey Homes Holdings Ltd.

  1·221

  Gateshead

  Wellington Road, Dunston

  Stannah Lifts Limited

  0·201

  South Tyneside

  Mowbray Court, South Shields

  North Country Estates Ltd.

  0·101

  Newcastle

  43–49 Grey Street, Newcastle

  City & Northern Properties Ltd.

  0·487

  Mr. Bahadur Singh
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department further to his letter to the hon. Member for Bradford, West on 23 March concerning Mr. Bahadur Singh; reference IMP S656383/4(S), when he expects to despatch his explanatory statement to the appellate authorities and to Mr. Singh and his representative.

  Mr. Renton
  The explanatory statement will be despatched to the appellate authorities very shortly. They will make arrangements for it to be forwarded to the appellant's nominated representative.

ENVIRONMENT

  City Grants
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list(a) all projects and (b) the companies involved and the amounts they are likely to receive, which have been offered a city grant.

  Mr. Trippier
  The information requested is as follows:
  567

  Local Authority

  Project name

  Developer's name

  Approved city grant

  North Tyneside

  Coach Lane, North Shields

  Onix Construction Ltd.

  0·089

  Newcastle

  Dean Street, Newcastle

  Avatar

  0·351

  North Tyneside

  Grosvenor Mews, North Shields

  R. A. Construction Ltd.

  0·065

  Hartlepool

  Owton Manor, Hartlepool

  Wimpey Homes Holdings Ltd.

  0·570

  Total

  7·532

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  Kirklees

  Site 2, Ringway Industrial Centre

  Slough Properties Limited

  0·223

  Kirklees

  Canalside Warehouse

  Mr. Marino Belivacoua

  0·100

  Sheffield

  Victoria Buildings

  Lynthorpe Properties

  0·073

  Sheffield

  175 Arundel Gate

  Manor Developments(Chesterfield) Ltd.

  0·246

  Leeds

  Maxi's Chinese Restaurant

  Maxi's (Yorkshire) Co. Ltd.

  0·074

  Calderdale

  Abbey Park

  Barrett Leeds Limited

  0·365

  Bradford

  Holroyd Hill/Wibsey Bank

  Amex Regeneration Limited

  0·700

  Sheffield

  Huttons Buildings, Sheffield

  Crofton Place Estate Co.

  0·270

  Total

  2·051

  London

  Hackney

  Ackermans Chocolates Ltd.

  Ackermans Chocolates Ltd.

  0·070

  Tower Hamlets

  Atlantis Paper Co.

  Atlantis Paper Co.

  0·400

  Lewisham

  Catholic Church Site, Deptford High Street

  First Premise Limited

  0·158

  Tower Hamlets

  Alami Import/Export

  Alami Import and Export

  0·780

  Southwark

  Alaska Works, SE1

  Charterhouse Estates Limited

  4·162

  Total

  5·570

  East Midlands

  Derby

  Sir Francis Ley Industrial Park South

  J. F. Miller & Company Limited

  3·287

  Nottingham

  20, 20A Fletcher Gate

  Garratt Properties

  0·160

  Nottingham

  Players Court, Nottingham

  Thomas Long & Sons Ltd.

  0·969

  Derby

  The Former Art Annexe

  Michael Goodall Quality Homes Limited

  0·120

  Nottingham

  Pilcher Gate, Nottingham

  James McArtney Architects

  0·080

  Nottingham

  Glasshouse Street (Avalon Court)

  Avalon Holdings Limited

  0·674

  Leicester

  Arnhem House, Leicester

  London & Manchester Assurance Co. Ltd.

  0·708

  Leicester City

  St. Johns Corner

  Provident Mutual Life Assurance Assoc.

  0·566

  Nottingham

  The Nottingham Business Design Centre

  Local London Group

  2·196

  Nottingham

  3 and 4 Kayes Walk, Nottingham

  Spenbeck Ltd.

  0·129

  Nottingham

  Rutland Square Hotel

  Wendchoice Limited

  0·738

  Nottingham

  Lamberts Factory Office Development

  Pickering Developments Limited

  0·796

  Nottingham

  8 Stanford Street, Nottingham

  Emmermoss Limited

  0·305

  Total

  10·728

  Merseyside

  Knowsley

  Former Huntley & Palmer Building

  Montrose Holdings Limited

  0·335

  Total

  0·335

  South West

  Bristol

  Bristol Hawks Gymnastics Centre

  Hawkeshyde Motel Limited

  0·145

  Total

  0·145

  Grand Total

  44·074

  Dog Registration
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will place in the Library a copy of the dog registration proposal submitted to him by the Association of District Councils in association with the RSPCA, the Institution of Environmental Health Officers and the National Farmers Union.
  568
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Yes.

  Planning Gain
  Mr. Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what directions have been issued by his Department since 1979 with regard to planning gain.

  Mr. Chope
  My Department's circular 22/83 gives advice to local authorities about the proper scope for
  569
  "planning gain". That advice is summarised in paragraphs 25–26 of Planning Policy Guidance Note 1, issued in January 1988.

  New Parliamentary Building
  Mr. Ray Powell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress had been made in implementing the recommendation in the Services Committee's report, "New Parliamentary Building Phase 2: The Next Steps", HC561, that the Property Services Agency should undertake a feasibility study for the development of the phase 2 site; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chope
  Since the House approved the report in December, the agency has undertaken a wide-ranging search to identify an architectural practice with the talent and expertise to undertake the development of this highly sensitive and technically difficult site. Following interviews by a panel chaired by Bryan Jefferson, CBE, past president of RIBA and special advisor to the Secretary of State on architectural matters, a short-list of suitable practices submitted fee bids. I am now able to announce that, with the agreement of the New Building Sub-Committee, Michael Hopkins and Partners have been commissioned by the Department to carry out the studies on the Palace Chambers site, Nos. 1 and 2 Bridge street and the proposed subway in accordance with the Committee's recommendations.

  I am grateful to the hon. Member and his colleagues on the New Building Sub-Committee for their advice and support in making this recommendation and look forward to a close working relationship between the Department and the Sub-Committee in developing the proposals for the benefit of Parliament.

  I hope to be able to report the results of the studies before the end of the year.

  Community Charge
  Mr. Cartwright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations his Department has received about the impact of the community charge on the residents of almshouses who currently receive the benefit of mandatory or discretionary rate relief; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  [holding answer 13 June 1989]: I continue to receive representations on all aspects of the community charge.

  Rate relief for almshouses arises because they are used for charitable purposes. With the introduction of the community charge they will no longer be subject to rating. The community charge is a personal liability which is not linked to the status or value of the property occupied by the chargepayer. Protection for people on low incomes,

  Number of unemployed claimants by duration in the United Kingdom

  11983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  April 1989

  0–6 months

  1,303,262

  1,318,098

  1,341,831

  1,352,052

  1,206,243

  1,004,031

  794,075

  percentage of total

  43–4

  41·7

  40·9

  40·8

  40·0

  41·4

  42·2

  Over 6 months

  1,696,541

  1,840,157

  1,939,523

  1,960,331

  1,809,307

  1,421,895

  1,098,506

  percentage of total

  56·6

  58·3

  59·1

  59·2

  6·00

  58·6

  57·8

  6–12 months

  599,848

  610,779

  607,263

  606,079

  549,276

  431,006

  345,386

  percentage of total

  2·00

  19·3

  18·5

  18·3

  18·2

  17·8

  18·3

  Over 12 months

  1,096,693

  1,229,378

  1,332,260

  1,354,252

  1,260,030

  990,889

  744,120

  percentage of total

  36·6

  38·9

  40·6

  40·9

  41·8

  40·8

  39·5

  12–24 months

  572,894

  557,781

  538,746

  509,233

  463,082

  329,301

  252,454

  570
  including residents of almshouses, will be provided through rebates of up to 80 per cent. of the community charge plus, where appropriate, an amount included in income support in respect of the remaining 20 per cent.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many representations he has received concering exemption for disabled people from the community charge, also known as the poll tax.

  Mr. Gummer
  [holding answer 14 June 1989]: I have received a large number of representations on this subject. People who are severely mentally impaired as defined in schedule 1 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988 are already exempt from the community charge. Others will be liable to pay the community charge, as they now are to pay domestic rates if they are rateable occupiers of domestic properties, and, depending upon their income, would be entitled to rebates. Disabled people with limited means receive particular help under the community charge rebates scheme.

  Caravan Sites Act 1968
  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any proposals to seek to amend the Caravan Sites Act 1968; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ridley
  No. I completed a review of the policy just over two years ago and announced the conclusions on 6 February 1987.

EMPLOYMENT

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish in the Official Report (a) the average number, and (b) the average percentage of the unemployed who have been unemployed for (i) 0-six months, (ii) over six months, (iii) six months to one year, (iv) over one year, (v) one to two years, (vi) over two years, (vii) two to three years, (viii) over three years, (ix) three to four years, (x) over four years, (xi) four to five years, and (xii) over five years, in each year 1979 to 1988 and April 1989.

  Mr. Nicholls
  [holding answer 13 June 1989]: The information is available from the Library. The table shows, for the United Kingdom, the annual average number of unemployed claimants, and these as a percentage of the total in each duration category requested, for the years 1983 to 1988 and the corresponding information for April 1989. Information for the years 1979 to 1982 is only available at disproportionate cost.
  571

  11983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  April 1989

  percentage of total

  19·1

  17·7

  16·4

  15·4

  15·4

  13·6

  13·4

  Over 24 months

  523,799

  671,596

  793,514

  845,019

  796,948

  661,587

  491,666

  percentage of total

  17·5

  21·3

  24·2

  25·5

  26·4

  27·3

  26·1

  24–36 months

  263,665

  302,447

  299,044

  274,968

  233,989

  181,730

  121·382

  percentage of total

  8·8

  9·6

  9·1

  8·3

  7·8

  7·5

  6·4

  Over 36 months

  260,133

  369,149

  494,469

  570,050

  562,959

  479,857

  370·284

  percentage of total

  8·7

  11·7

  15·1

  17·2

  18·7

  19·8

  19·7

  36–48 months

  143,302

  186,590

  205,688

  194,894

  162,775

  121,320

  89,815

  percentage of total

  4·8

  5·9

  6·3

  5·9

  5·4

  5·0

  4·8

  Over 48 months

  116,831

  182,559

  288,780

  375,156

  400,183

  358,536

  280,469

  percentage of total

  3·9

  5·8

  8·8

  11·3

  13·3

  14·8

  14·9

  48–60 months

  50,940

  92,462

  139,600

  147,500

  128,096

  93,523

  63,862

  percentage of total

  1·7

  2·9

  4·3

  4·5

  4·2

  3·9

  3·4

  Over 60 months

  65,890

  90,097

  149,180

  227,656

  272,087

  265,013

  216,607

  percentage of total

  2·2

  2·9

  4·5

  6·9

  9·0

  10·9

  11·5

  Note: Annual averages are the averages of the four months January, April, July and October. Figures are individually rounded and therefore may not appear to balance.

  1 Average of two months, July and October.

  Employment Schemes
  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what are the monthly statistics since December 1988 for employment training for each standard GB region showing(a) entrants in each monthly period, and the number of cumulative entrants since the scheme started, (b) a breakdown of entrants which shows how many were male and female, the length of time they had been out of work, their ethnic backgrounds and whether or not they had any disabilities, (c) the number of trainees in each monthly period who entered work placements and the cumulative total of how many are in project places at the latest available date, (d) trainees who left the scheme in each monthly period, and the number of cumulative leavers since the scheme started, (e) for all those trainees who have left the scheme how many found work, failed to attend, went on to another course of training or education, completed the course, left for sickness or went back into umemployment and (f) the total number of currently filled places.

  Table 1

  Employment training entrants—December 1988 to May 1989

  Region

  December

  January

  February

  March

  April

  May

  Cumulative since 5 September

  South East

  1,700

  2,300

  2,500

  2,100

  2,300

  1,600

  18,000

  London

  2,400

  3,800

  3,400

  3,800

  3,100

  2,600

  27,600

  South West

  1,700

  2,100

  2,500

  2,300

  2,000

  1,700

  17,100

  West Midlands

  3,300

  4,300

  5,000

  4,800

  4,100

  3,200

  34,800

  East Midlands and Eastern

  2,200

  3,000

  3,600

  3,200

  3,100

  2,400

  24,700

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  4,400

  5,500

  6,100

  5,400

  4,900

  4,100

  43,300

  North West

  4,100

  5,500

  7,100

  6,500

  5,800

  4,800

  47,300

  Northern

  2,900

  3,600

  4,800

  4,700

  3,800

  3,300

  32,100

  Wales

  2,200

  2,900

  3,600

  3,200

  2,900

  2,300

  23,100

  Scotland

  4,000

  3,700

  5,400

  6,000

  4,400

  4,000

  36,800

  Table 2

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

  Region

  Men

  Women

  Unemployment duration (months)

  Ethnic Origin1

  PWD2

  0–6

  6–12

  13–23

  24+

  1

  2

  3

  4

  5

  Yes

  No

  South East

  64

  36

  25

  28

  12

  34

  91

  2

  2

  2

  2

  15

  85

  London

  58

  42

  14

  32

  16

  37

  51

  25

  11

  7

  6

  10

  90

  South West

  68

  32

  24

  33

  13

  30

  93

  2

  1

  2

  2

  15

  85

  West Midlands

  68

  32

  17

  27

  13

  42

  79

  9

  8

  2

  2

  12

  88

  East Midlands and Eastern

  72

  28

  12

  34

  14

  39

  88

  4

  5

  1

  2

  14

  86

  Yorks and Humberside

  74

  26

  20

  31

  14

  35

  90

  2

  4

  1

  2

  10

  90

  572
  Mr. Nicholls
  The information is not available in the precise form requested. Information is only available for the eight Training Agency regions in England and for Scotland and Wales. The figures for entrants to employment training are given in table 1. Figures for entrants showing what proportion are men and women, duration of unemployment prior to joining the programme, ethnic background and whether disabled or having a health problem, are given in table 2. Information about trainees entering work placements is not available. The figures for those on project placements are given in table 3. Figures for the number of people who have joined employment training since September and have now left are currently only available for Great Britain as a whole and are estimated; the figures are given in table 4. Information on the breakdowns requested is not available. Information about the number of filled places is given in table 5.
  573

  Region

  Men

  Women

  Unemployment duration (months)

  Ethnic Origin1

  PWD2

  0–6

  6–12

  13–23

  24 +

  1

  2

  3

  4

  5

  Yes

  No

  North West

  72

  28

  19

  31

  14

  37

  92

  2

  3

  1

  2

  11

  89

  Northern

  74

  26

  17

  35

  15

  34

  96

  1

  1

  1

  2

  9

  91

  Wales

  71

  29

  19

  36

  14

  31

  95

  1

  1

  1

  3

  11

  89

  Scotland

  73

  27

  12

  32

  17

  39

  96

  ֵ

  ֵ

  1

  2

  11

  89

  Great Britain total

  70

  30

  18

  32

  14

  36

  88

  5

  4

  2

  2

  12

  88

  1 Ethnic origin

  1 — White

  2 — Black/African/Caribbean

  3 — Indian/Pakistan/Bangladeshi/Sri Lankan

  4 — None of these

  5 — I prefer not to say

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

  ֵ = less than 0·5 per cent.

  Table 3

  Employment training in training on project placements—May 1989

  Region

  Number

  South East London

  4,200 8,500

  South West

  5,200

  West Midlands

  13,000

  East Midlands and Eastern

  8,700

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  12,700

  North West

  12,900

  Northern

  11,600

  Wales

  6,500

  Scotland

  13,800

  Table 4

  Employment training leavers (estimated)

  Number

  December

  7,000

  January

  11,000

  February

  19,000

  March

  26,000

  April

  23,000

  Cumulative since 5 September

  99,000

  Table 5

  Employment training filled places at 26 May 1989

  Region

  Number

  South East

  10,700

  London

  17,700

  South West

  11,500

  West Midlands

  22,400

  Restart counselling: Numbers referred to menu options

  1Greater London

  2Merseyside

  3Greater Manchester

  4Glasgow

  5Sheffield

  6Birmingham and Solihull

  7Coventry and Warwickshire

  April—June 1988

  (a) Job

  5,506

  2,828

  3,296

  1,487

  904

  1,512

  850

  (b) Restart course

  2,188

  801

  1,385

  669

  219

  776

  113

  (c) ET

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  (d) CP

  1,322

  1,189

  1,477

  789

  554

  493

  47

  (e) New JTS

  6,242

  2,642

  4,548

  2,112

  1,707

  2,141

  144

  (f) Jobclub

  9.076

  3,082

  3,837

  2,232

  678

  530

  193

  (g) EAS

  5,049

  1,259

  1,263

  310

  225

  700

  52

  (h) Voluntary work/VPP

  499

  374

  266

  189

  169

  152

  21

  (i) ERC

  168

  43

  106

  34

  29

  29

  5

  (j) DRO

  2,466

  761

  1,093

  664

  270

  428

  237

  (k) Claimant adviser

  5,815

  2,737

  2,206

  1,135

  698

  1,212

  444

  July—September 1988

  (a) Job

  7,705

  2,754

  3,329

  1,276

  1,216

  1,212

  594

  (b) Restart course

  2,052

  1,073

  1,405

  568

  351

  667

  321

  (c) ET

  5,188

  1,715

  2,527

  1,313

  1,189

  1,152

  758

  574

  Region

  Number

  East Midlands and Eastern

  15,300

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  24,900

  North West

  26,400

  Northern

  21,800

  Wales

  14,500

  Scotland

  22,300

  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, for each of the Training Agency's areas within Greater London, Merseyside, Greater Manchester, Glasgow, Sheffield, Birmingham and Solihull, Coventry and Warwickshire, and for each of the latest four three monthly periods available, how many unemployed people have been referred to the following outcomes as a result of their restart interviews and, for each of the outcomes, how many people started or attended them(a) referred to a job, (b) allocated to restart courses, (c) referred to ET, (d) referred to community programme, (e) referred to new job training scheme, (f) referred to jobclubs, (g) referred to EAS, (ft) referred to voluntary work/VPP, (i) referred to ERC, (j) referred to a DRO, and (k) referred to a claimant adviser.

  Mr. Lee
  The information is not available in the form requested. However, the attached table gives the information for the relevant Employment Service areas.

  We do not know how many of those interviewed ultimately end up in a job or other opportunity as a result of the Restart interview.
  575

  1Greater London

  2Merseyside

  3Greater Manchester

  4Glasgow

  5Sheffield

  6Birmingham and Solihull

  7Coventry and Warwickshire

  (d) CP

  639

  879

  846

  204

  302

  216

  387

  (e) New JTS

  5,570

  2,240

  4,310

  1,341

  1,562

  2,023

  1,690

  (0 Jobclub

  8,848

  2,722

  3,592

  1,621

  883

  1,900

  1,286

  (g) EAS

  5,440

  1,305

  1,499

  260

  239

  828

  414

  (h) Voluntary work/VPP

  545

  302

  161

  96

  109

  92

  218

  (i) ERC

  124

  34

  80

  16

  45

  20

  46

  G) DRO

  2,677

  880

  1,077

  669

  366

  461

  164

  (k) Claimant adviser

  6,085

  3,180

  2,478

  1,049

  878

  1,273

  439

  October—December 1988

  (a) Job

  6,156

  2,466

  2,587

  1,215

  810

  2,634

  505

  (b) Restart course

  1,663

  651

  1,302

  664

  415

  747

  198

  (c) ET

  16,467

  6,586

  6,928

  5,454

  1,354

  4,929

  2,306

  (d) CP

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  (e) New JTS

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  (f) Jobclub

  7,943

  2,074

  3,543

  1,949

  717

  1,210

  700

  (g) EAS

  5,085

  1,309

  1,582

  313

  223

  1,036

  238

  (h) Voluntary work/VPP

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  (i) ERC

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  G) DRO

  2,364

  720

  1,114

  741

  306

  511

  118

  (k) Claimant adviser

  5,490

  2,795

  2,462

  1,380

  689

  1,322

  527

  January—March 1989

  (a) Job

  7,766

  2,421

  2,971

  727

  717

  4,727

  756

  (b) Restart course

  1,976

  562

  1,135

  686

  381

  613

  253

  (c) ET

  16,648

  6,936

  6,907

  6,409

  4,662

  5,533

  1,951

  (d) CP

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  (e) New JTS

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  (f) Jobclub

  8,617

  2,616

  3,723

  2,504

  726

  1,574

  727

  (g) EAS

  5,570

  1,330

  1,628

  365

  177

  1,289

  244

  (h) Voluntary work/VPP

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  (i) ERC

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  (j) DRO

  2,518

  723

  1,033

  690

  220

  598

  137

  (k) Claimant adviser

  6,629

  2,848

  2,554

  1,510

  716

  1,486

  443

  1 Areas: London SE; Inner London S; Inner London E; Inner London Central; Inner London W; London N; London NW; London E; London S; London SW; London W.

  2 Areas: Liverpool and Wirral; Merseyside N; Merseyside S.

  3 Areas: Manchester City; Manchester NE; Manchester NW; Manchester S; Manchester W.

  4 Areas: Glasgow N; Glasgow S.

  5 Area: Sheffield.

  6 Area: Birmingham (includes Solihull).

  7 Area: Coventry /Warwickshire.

  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, for each of the Training Agency's areas within Greater London, Merseyside, Greater Manchester, Glasgow, Sheffield, Birmingham and Solihull, Coventry and Warwickshire, what are the monthly statistics for the latest available three months for employment training showing(a) entrants in each monthly period, and the number of cumulative entrants since the scheme started, (b) a breakdown of entrants which shows how many were male and female, the length of time they had been out of work, their ethnic backgrounds and whether or not they had any disabilities, (c) the total number of currently filled places, (d) the number of trainees in each monthly period who entered employer based work placements and the cumulative total of how many are in employer placements at the latest available date, (e) the number of trainees in each monthly period who entered project based work placements and the cumulative total of how many are in project based placements at the latest available date, (f) trainees who left the scheme in each monthly period, and the number of cumulative leavers since the scheme started, (g) for those trainees who have left the scheme how many found work, failed to attend, went on to another course of
  576
  training or education, completed the course, left for sickness, or went back into unemployment, (h) for those trainees who have left the scheme how many have obtained a vocational qualification and (i) for those trainees who have left the scheme how many have received a training bonus, giving the average training bonus received.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The figures for entrants to employment training for each of the last three months are given in table 1. Figures for entrants showing what proportion are men and women, duration of unemployment prior to joining the programme, ethnic background and whether disabled or having a health problem are given in table 2. The number of currently filled places is provided in table 3. Information about trainees entering employer and project placements is not available. The figures for those currently in training on project and employer placements are given in table 4. The numbers of trainees who left the scheme are not available on an area basis. Information on the breakdowns requested and for the number obtaining vocational qualifications is not available. Information on the number of trainees who have left the scheme who have received a training bonus and the average bonus paid is not available.
  577

  Table 1

  Employment training entrants March—May 1989

  Area

  March

  April

  May

  Cumulative since September

  London North

  850

  570

  580

  5,750

  London West

  280

  180

  190

  2,130

  London East

  490

  380

  340

  3,590

  London South

  300

  360

  220

  2,380

  Inner London North

  1,120

  930

  770

  8,780

  Inner London South

  760

  680

  460

  4,990

  Merseyside

  2,030

  1,860

  1,640

  13,810

  Manchester East

  800

  660

  550

  5,160

  Manchester Central

  870

  920

  770

  7,220

  Manchester North

  720

  620

  520

  5,250

  Glasgow

  1,310

  970

  800

  7,410

  Sheffield

  1,340

  1,140

  820

  9,390

  Birmingham and Solihull

  1,580

  1,440

  960

  11,080

  Coventry and Warwickshire

  570

  560

  410

  3,910

  Table 2

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

  Area

  Men

  Women

  Unemployment duration (months)

  Ethnic origin1

  PWD

  0–6

  6–12

  13–23

  24 +

  1

  2

  3

  4

  5

  Yes

  No

  London North

  54

  46

  19

  31

  16

  35

  45

  26

  14

  7

  8

  10

  90

  London West

  58

  42

  24

  25

  16

  35

  62

  11

  18

  5

  4

  10

  90

  London East

  63

  37

  10

  36

  16

  38

  61

  16

  17

  2

  3

  11

  89

  London South

  57

  43

  20

  29

  15

  37

  67

  16

  8

  4

  5

  12

  88

  In London North

  58

  42

  15

  30

  18

  37

  50

  26

  9

  7

  9

  9

  91

  In London South

  60

  40

  12

  32

  19

  37

  44

  35

  5

  10

  6

  7

  93

  Merseyside

  69

  31

  23

  27

  13

  37

  95

  2

  3

  1

  2

  8

  92

  Manchester East

  68

  32

  23

  31

  13

  33

  94

  1

  3

  1

  1

  11

  89

  Manchester Central

  70

  30

  22

  31

  14

  34

  83

  7

  5

  2

  3

  10

  90

  Manchester North

  66

  34

  25

  30

  14

  31

  91

  1

  5

  1

  2

  9

  91

  Glasgow

  74

  26

  19

  27

  14

  40

  94

  2

  1

  1

  2

  7

  93

  Sheffield

  76

  24

  13

  33

  14

  41

  90

  3

  2

  3

  2

  8

  92

  Birmingham and Solihull

  63

  37

  19

  26

  12

  43

  65

  17

  12

  3

  3

  8

  92

  Coventry and Warwickshire

  65

  35

  20

  25

  13

  42

  82

  5

  8

  3

  2

  13

  87

  1 Ethnic origin: 1—White; 2—Black/African/Caribbean; 3—Indian/Pakistan/Bangladeshi/Sri Lankan; 4—None of these; 5—I prefer not to say.

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

  3 Less than 0·5 per cent.

  Table 3

  Employment training filled places at 26 May 1989

  Area

  Number

  London North

  3,555

  London West

  1,176

  London East

  2,198

  London South

  1,609

  Inner London North

  5,794

  Inner London South

  3,345

  Merseyside

  8,701

  Manchester East

  2,626

  Manchester Central

  4,189

  Manchester North

  2,622

  Glasgow

  4,505

  Sheffield

  5,489

  Birmingham and Solihull

  7,346

  578

  Area

  Number

  Coventry and Warwickshire

  2,662

  Table 4

  Employment training in training on project and employer placements May 1989

  Area

  Project placements

  Employer placements

  London North

  1,460

  1,000

  London West

  220

  290

  London East

  750

  510

  London South

  870

  240

  Inner London North

  3,190

  700

  Inner London South

  2,340

  130

  Merseyside

  4,790

  1,390

  579

  Area

  Project placements

  Employer placements

  Manchester East

  550

  1,420

  Manchester Central

  1,970

  1,220

  Manchester North

  870

  970

  Glasgow

  3,290

  630

  Sheffield

  2,960

  1,100

  Birmingham and Solihull

  4,920

  1,100

  Coventry and Warwickshire

  1,380

  510

  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, for Great Britain and each standard training agency region, and for each of the latest four three-monthly periods available, how many unemployed

  Restart counselling: Numbers referred to menu options

  Northern

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  East Midlands and Eastern

  London and South East

  South West

  Wales

  West Midlands

  North West

  Scotland

  Great Britain

  April to June 1988

  (a) Job

  3,687

  4,362

  4,996

  11,659

  2,338

  4,879

  6,970

  9,266

  9,843

  58,000

  (b) Restart course

  2,413

  883

  1,487

  3,683

  1,088

  1,811

  1,964

  3,378

  3,540

  20,247

  (c) ET

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  (d) CP

  2,364

  2,131

  1,725

  2,607

  909

  1,663

  2,551

  3,663

  4,074

  31,687

  (e) New JTS

  6,036

  8,267

  6,353

  12,169

  2,861

  4,115

  7,006

  10,642

  8,542

  65,991

  (f) Jobclub

  4,199

  3,788

  4,339

  14,133

  2,347

  3,826

  5,647

  9,938

  9,368

  57,585

  (g) EAS

  795

  1,464

  1,589

  7,456

  1,607

  1,246

  2,331

  3,412

  1,895

  21,795

  (h) Voluntary work/VPP

  336

  615

  1,010

  1,449

  446

  644

  741

  1,113

  663

  7,017

  (i) ERC

  124

  84

  195

  246

  30

  109

  119

  191

  152

  1,250

  (j) DRO

  1,235

  1,348

  1,144

  4,396

  939

  1,002

  1,872

  2,864

  2,461

  17,261

  (k) Claimant adviser

  2,892

  3,346

  3,223

  10,634

  2,139

  2,459

  4,812

  7,204

  4,395

  41,104

  July to September 1988

  (a) Job

  4,080

  5,121

  5,257

  14,387

  2,135

  5,311

  7,432

  9,321

  8,186

  61,230

  (b) Restart course

  2,141

  1,274

  1,717

  3,271

  1,081

  1,814

  2,032

  3,547

  3,305

  20,182

  (c) ET

  4,144

  5,104

  4,029

  9,632

  1,694

  2,842

  5,212

  6,307

  6,313

  45,277

  (d) CP

  1,755

  1,230

  954

  1,369

  346

  1,139

  1,333

  2,117

  1,709

  11,952

  (e) New JTS

  4,662

  7,230

  5,288

  10,033

  1,961

  3,754

  6,996

  8,976

  6,160

  55,060

  (f) Jobclub

  3,746

  4,114

  4,006

  13,425

  2,048

  3,675

  5,023

  8,928

  7,593

  52,558

  (g) EAS

  996

  1,798

  1,582

  7,987

  1,193

  1,420

  2,775

  3,912

  1,686

  23,349

  (h) Voluntary work/VPP

  194

  341

  563

  1,124

  219

  456

  412

  700

  365

  4,374

  (i) ERC

  148

  97

  131

  190

  15

  80

  87

  133

  105

  986

  (j) DRO

  1,399

  1,761

  1,278

  4,655

  968

  1,120

  2,261

  3,039

  2,397

  18,878

  (k) Claimant adviser

  3,261

  3,914

  4,038

  11,198

  2,243

  2,855

  5,903

  7,664

  4,931

  46,007

  October to December 1988

  (a) Job

  2,834

  4,179

  5,064

  13,228

  1,758

  3,375

  8,400

  8,184

  6,493

  53,515

  (b) Restart course

  1,405

  1,532

  1,472

  2,765

  1,310

  1,647

  1,890

  2,955

  2,887

  17,863

  (c) ET

  11,034

  14,518

  10,402

  26,940

  5,564

  9,188

  15,748

  18,415

  19,798

  131,607

  (d) CP

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  (e) New JTS

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  (f) Jobclub

  3,193

  4,230

  3,961

  26,304

  2,211

  3,451

  4,913

  8,169

  7,776

  50,075

  (g) EAS

  875

  1,749

  1,506

  7,475

  1,393

  1,305

  2,910

  3,822

  1,717

  22,752

  (h) Voluntary work/VPP

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  (i) ERC

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  (j) DRO

  1,199

  1,605

  1,174

  4,332

  1,007

  1,079

  2,129

  2,895

  2,472

  17,892

  (k) Claimant adviser

  2,241

  3,368

  3,529

  9,757

  2,251

  2,504

  5,613

  7,234

  5,505

  42,002

  January to March 1989

  (a) Job

  3,256

  4,193

  5,657

  15,763

  2,016

  3,960

  11,471

  8,391

  7,808

  62,515

  (b) Restart course

  1,475

  1,867

  1,288

  2,983

  1,240

  1,557

  1,738

  2,524

  3,173

  17,845

  (c) ET

  11,173

  13,032

  9,716

  25,445

  5,255

  9,104

  15,595

  18,117

  21,010

  128,627

  (d) CP

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  (e) New JTS

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  (f) Jobclub

  4,093

  4,292

  3,948

  12,719

  2,353

  3,711

  5,325

  8,680

  9,769

  54,890

  (g) EAS

  899

  1,613

  1,594

  7,909

  1,272

  1,446

  3,090

  3,828

  1,969

  23,620

  (h) Voluntary work/VPP

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  (i) ERC

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  (j) DRO

  1,132

  1,499

  1,034

  4,325

  925

  1,065

  2,062

  2,727

  2,428

  17,197

  (k) Claimant adviser

  2,411

  3,171

  3,403

  11,171

  2,104

  2,621

  5,150

  7,004

  5,593

  42,628

  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, for Great Britain and each standard training
  580
  people have been referred to the following outcomes as a result of their restart interviews and, for each of the outcomes, how many people started or attended them: (a) referred to a job, (b) allocated to restart courses, (c) referred to ET, (d) referred to community programme, (e) referred to new job training scheme, (f) referred to jobclubs, (g) referred to an EAS, (h) referred to voluntary work/VPP, (i) referred to ERC, (j) referred to a DRO, and (k) referred to a claimant adviser.

  Mr. Lee
  The information as requested is not available. However, information for Great Britain and the relevant employment service regions is given on the attached table.

  We do not know how many of those interviewed ultimately end up in a job or other opportunity as a result of the Restart interview.

  agency region, what are the monthly statistics for the latest available three months for employment training showing

  581
  (a) entrants in each monthly period, and the number of cumulative entrants since the scheme started, (b) a breakdown of entrants which shows how many were male and female, the length of time they had been out of work, their ethnic backgrounds and whether or not they had any disabilities, (c) the total number of currently filled places, (d) the number of trainees in each monthly period who entered employer based work placements and the cumulative total of how many are in employer placements at the latest available date, (e) the number of trainees in each monthly period who entered project based work placements and the cumulative total of how many are in project based placements at the latest available date, (f) trainees who left the scheme in each monthly period, and the number of cumulative leavers since the scheme started, (g) for those trainees who have left the scheme how many found work, failed to attend, went on to another course oftraining or education, completed the course, left for sickness, or went back into unemployment, (h) for those trainees who have left the scheme how many have obtained

  Table 1

  Employment training entrants1

  Region

  March

  April

  May

  Cumulative (since 5 September)

  South East

  2,100

  2,300

  1,600

  18,000

  London

  3,800

  3,100

  2,600

  27,600

  South West

  2,300

  2,000

  1,700

  17,100

  West Midlands

  4,900

  4,100

  3,200

  34,800

  East Midlands and Eastern

  3,200

  3,100

  2,400

  24,700

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  5,400

  4,900

  4,100

  43,300

  North West

  6,500

  5,800

  4,800

  47,300

  Northern

  4,700

  3,800

  3,300

  32,100

  Wales

  3,200

  2,900

  2,300

  23,100

  Scotland

  6,000

  4,400

  4,000

  36,800

  Great Britain total

  42,100

  36,300

  30,000

  304,800

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

  Table 2

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

  Region

  Men

  Women

  Unemployment duration (months)

  Ethnic Origin1

  PWD2

  0–6

  6–12

  13–23

  24+

  1

  2

  3

  4

  5

  Yes

  No

  South East

  64

  36

  25

  28

  12

  34

  91

  2

  2

  2

  2

  15

  85

  London

  58

  42

  14

  32

  16

  37

  51

  25

  11

  7

  6

  10

  90

  South West

  68

  32

  24

  33

  13

  30

  93

  2

  1

  2

  2

  15

  85

  West Midlands

  68

  32

  17

  27

  13

  42

  79

  9

  8

  2

  2

  12

  88

  East Midlands and Eastern

  72

  28

  12

  34

  14

  39

  88

  4

  5

  1

  2

  14

  86

  Yorks and Humberside

  74

  26

  20

  31

  14

  35

  90

  2

  4

  1

  2

  10

  90

  North West

  72

  28

  19

  31

  14

  37

  92

  2

  3

  1

  2

  11

  89

  Northern

  74

  26

  17

  35

  15

  34

  96

  1

  1

  1

  2

  9

  91

  Wales

  71

  29

  19

  36

  14

  31

  95

  1

  1

  1

  3

  11

  89

  Scotland

  73

  27

  12

  32

  17

  39

  96

  ֵ

  ֵ

  1

  2

  11

  89

  Great Britain total

  70

  30

  18

  32

  14

  36

  88

  5

  4

  2

  2

  12

  88

  1 Ethnic origin

  1 — White

  2 — Black/African/Caribbean

  3 — Indian/Pakistan/Bangladeshi/Sri Lankan

  4 — None of these

  5 — I prefer not to say

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

  ֵ = less than 0–5 per cent.
  582
  a vocational qualification and (i) for those trainees who have left the scheme how many have received a training bonus, giving the average training bonus received.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The figures for entrants to employment training for each of the last three months are given in table 1. Figures for entrants showing what proportion are men and women, duration of unemployment prior to joining the programme, ethnic background and whether disabled or having a health problem are given in table 2. The number of currently filled places is provided in table 3. Information about trainees entering employer and project placements is not available. The figures for those currently in training on project and employer placements are given in table 4. The numbers of trainees who left the scheme are not available on an area basis. Information on the breakdowns requested and for the number obtaining vocational qualifications is not available. Information on the number of trainees who have left the scheme who have received a training bonus and the average bonus paid is not available.
  583

  Table 3

  Employment training filled places at 26 May 1989

  Region

  Number

  South East

  10,700

  London

  17,700

  South West

  11,500

  West Midlands

  22,400

  East Midlands and Eastern

  15,300

  Yorks and Humberside

  24,900

  North West

  26,400

  Northern

  21,800

  Wales

  14,500

  Scotland

  22,300

  Great Britain total

  187,000

  Employment training in training on project and work placements May 1989

  Region

  Project placements

  Work placements

  South East

  4,200

  3,300

  London

  8,500

  3,200

  South West

  5,200

  3,000

  West Midlands

  13,000

  4,500

  East Midlands and Eastern

  8,700

  4,100

  Yorks and Humberside

  12,700

  6,200

  North West

  12,900

  7,400

  Northern

  11,600

  5,200

  Wales

  6,500

  3,900

  Scotland

  13,800

  4,700

  Great Britain

  97,000

  45,000

  Employment training leavers (estimated)

  Number

  February

  19,000

  March

  26,000

  April

  23,000

  Cumulative1

  99,000

  1 Cumulative leavers since September 1988.

  Training and Enterprise Councils
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received from the training and enterprise councils.

  Mr. Cope
  Twenty two applications for development funding have been received by the national training task force who is reviewing these proposals and will forward its recommendations to me. I will announce which TECs have been awarded development funding shortly after.

  Long-term projects—Details of capital projects costing over £500,000 and reconciliation with the Estimates (Subheads A2, A4, G2)

  £ thousand at 1989–90 prices3

  Current estimate of expenditure

  Project

  Year of start/original estimate of year of completion1

  Current estimate of year of completion

  Original estimate of expenditure2

  Total

  Spent in past years

  Estimates provision for 1980–

  To be spent in future years

  Field systems review Subhead A2

  1988–89/1992–93

  1992–93

  13,850

  13,850

  0

  750

  13,100

  Personnel data processing Subhead A4

  1987–88/1992–92

  1992–93

  937

  937

  0

  521

  416

  Local area network Subhead A4

  1989–90/1995–96

  1995–96

  2,065

  2,065

  0

  265

  1,800

  Total

  1,536

  Small Businesses
  Mr. Patrick Thompson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will report what the Government are doing to help small businesses; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Cope
  The Government have created an overall economic climate which has helped small firms to flourish and grown. It also supports a wide range of schemes to help new and growing firms gain access to professional advice, to finance and to training. These include the small firms service, the business expansion scheme, the enterprise allowance scheme and the enterprise initiative. In April I announced the extension of the highly successful loan guarantee scheme and I also launched business growth training to help small businesses improve their competitiveness and profits through training.

  The Reserve
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment to what extent and for what reasons his Department envisages needing to call on the Reserve over the planning period in Cm. 607; and if the Reserve is likely to be needed to provide for capital spending.

  Mr. Cope
  The Department is likely to call on the Reserve this year to the extent of £580,000 in support of end year flexibility on capital because of slippage.

  Major Capital Projects
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment to what extent major new capital projects are separately indentified in departmental booklets: what major new capital projects have been undertaken since Cm. 288; and what costs will arise from them(a) in 1989–90 and (b) in future years.

  Mr. Cope
  Major capital projects are separately indentified in my Department's Supply Estimates published each year. Details of projects costing over £500,000 are contained in table I to Votes 1 and 2 and table 2 to vote 4 in "Supply Estimates 1989–90, Class VII Department of Employment", Her Majesty's Treasury March 1989 (231-VII), copies of which are available in the Library.
  585

  Current estimate of expenditure

  Project

  Year of start/original estimate of year of completion1

  Current estimate of year of completion

  Original estimate of expenditure2

  Total

  Spent in past years

  Estimates provision for 1989–

  To be spent in future years

  Capital works below £500,000

  13,308

  Total subheads A2, A4, G2

  14,844

  1 The dates shown for year of start/completion refer to the main contracts. Only schemes on site during 1989–90 are shown in the table. Schemes which will reach practical completition before the start of 1989–90 or which are due to start on site after 1989–90 are not shown, though there may be expenditure on these schemes in the form of fees, equipment costs, enabling works etc. Expenditure figures shown include preliminary expenditure prior to the main contract and residual expenditure following completion of the work on site.

  2 Based on budget estimates updated to 1989–90 for inflation.

  3 All projected and outturn cash prices have been brought to 1989–90 prices using GDP deflators.

  1989–90, Class VII, Vote 2

  Long-term projects—Details of computer and construction projects costing over £500,000 and reconciliation with the Estimates (subheads D2 and L3)

  £ thousand at 1989–90 prices3

  Current estimates of expenditure

  Project

  Year of start/original estimate of year of completion1

  Current estimate of year of completion

  Original estimate of expenditure2

  Total

  Spent in past years

  Estimates provision for 1989–90

  To be spent in future years

  Refurbishment of Watford HQ—Subhead D2(3)(a)

  1987–88/1988–89

  1989–90

  1,979

  2,301

  2,223

  78

  —

  Construction UBO Gt. Yarmouth—Subhead D2(3)(a)

  1988–89/1989–90

  1990–91

  433

  1,196

  614

  562

  20

  Construction UBO Swindon—Subhead D2(3)(a)

  1988–89/1989–90

  1990–91

  1,155

  1,738

  415

  1,082

  241

  Construction UBO Handsworth—Subhead D2(3)(a)

  1986–87/1989–90

  1989–90

  1,312

  1,256

  1,248

  8

  —

  Construction UBO Camberwell—Subhead D2(3)(a)

  1986–87/1989–90

  1989–90

  2,131

  2,412

  2,074

  338

  —

  Extension and Refurbishment Fulham UBO —Subhead D2(3)(a)

  1987–88/1989–90

  1989–90

  1,357

  1,849

  1,832

  17

  —

  Construction UBO Dartford—Subhead D2(3)(a)

  1985–86/1987–88

  1989–90

  1,321

  1,615

  1,442

  173

  —

  Extensions and Refurbishment Exeter UBO— Subhead D2(3)(a)

  1988–89/1989–90

  1990–91

  709

  1,321

  147

  1,070

  104

  Construction new H.Q. Building Sheffield— Subhead D2(3)(b) and D4

  1988–89/1990–91

  1990–91

  12,600

  12,600

  368

  4,200

  8,032

  Additional Mainframe Peripherals and Resilience Programme—Subhead L(3)(1)

  1988–89/1989–90

  1990–91

  2,835

  2,835

  840

  1,050

  945

  Refurbishment Nottingham RO—Subhead D2(3)(b)

  1987–88/1988–89

  1989–90

  597

  712

  693

  19

  Extension and alterations Yeovil UBO— Subhead D2(3)(a)

  1988–89/1989–90

  1990–91

  394

  858

  436

  395

  27

  Construction UBO Kidderminster—Subhead D2(3)(a)

  1985–86/1987–88

  1989–90

  506

  694

  685

  9

  —

  Construction UBO Willenhall—Subhead D2(3)(a)

  1986–87/1988–89

  1989–90

  602

  564

  543

  21

  —

  Construction Failsworth UBO—Subhead D2(3)(a)

  1988–89/1989–90

  1991–92

  708

  708

  57

  187

  464

  Extension Bedminster UBO—Subhead D2(3)(a)

  1987–88/1988–89

  1990–91

  394

  532

  431

  96

  5

  Extension and Refurbishment Selly Oak UBO—Subhead D2(3)(a)

  1988–89/1988–89

  1989–90

  1,666

  861

  81

  780

  —

  Runcorn Services—Subhead L(3)(1)

  1987–88/1988–89

  1989–90

  755

  872

  857

  15

  —

  Computer Page Printing System Runcorn— Subhead L(3)(1)

  1989–90/1989–90

  1989–90

  630

  630

  —

  630

  —

  Supervacs—Subhead D2(l)(b)

  1988–89/1989–90

  1989–90

  1,909

  2,364

  1,276

  888

  —

  Total

  11,618

  Capital Works below £500,000

  70,050

  Total Subheads D2, L3

  81,668

  1 The dates shown for year of start/completion refer to the main contracts. Only schemes on site during 1989–90 are shown in the table. Schemes which will reach practical completion before the start of 1989–90 or which are due to start on site after 1989–90 are not shown, though there may be expenditure on these schemes in the form of fees, equipment costs, enabling works etc. Expenditure figures shown include preliminary expenditure prior to the main contract and residual expenditure following completion of the work on site.

  2 Based on budget estimates updated to 1989–90 for inflation.

  3 All projected and outturn cash prices have been brought to 1989–90 prices using GDP deflators.

  586 587
  Comparing the above projects with previous years' Estimates tables the trend is:—

  Long term projects—Details of capital projects costing over £500,000 and reconciliation with the Estimates (Subhead C)

  £ thousand at 1989£90 prices3

  Current estimate of expenditure

  Project

  Year of start/original estimate of year of completion1

  Current estimate of year of completion

  Original estimate of expenditure2

  Total

  Spent in past years

  Estimates provision for 1989–90

  To be spent in future years

  Office conversion and construction of new laboratory (Subhead C)

  Works in progress 1 April 1989

  London HQ office conversion

  1987–88/1990–91

  1990–91

  1,710

  1,710

  878

  780

  52

  Sheffield Laboratory

  1987–88/1993–94

  1993–94

  12,519

  12,519

  599

  967

  10,953

  Building projects total (A)

  14,229

  14,229

  1,477

  1,747

  11,005

  Other works costing up to £500,000 total (B)

  —

  —

  —

  634

  —

  Total (A & B) Subhead C

  —

  —

  2,381

  —

  1 The dates shown for year of start/completion refer to the main contracts. Only schemes on site during 1989–90 are shown in the table. Schemes which will reach practical completion before the start of 1989–90 or which are due to start on site after 1989–90 are not shown, though there may be expenditure on these schemes in the form of fees, equipment costs, enabling works etc. Expenditure figures shown include preliminary expenditure prior to the main contract and residual expenditure following completion of the work on site.

  2 Based on budget estimates updated to 1989–90 for inflation.

  3 All projected and outturn cash prices have been brought to 1989–90 prices using GDP deflators.

  Community Charge
  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the categories of information held by his Department that will be available for use by community charge registration officers.

  Mr. Cope
  Unemployment benefit offices are required to disclose details of the name and address of any person or their partner, aged 18 or over, to a registration officer for a charging authority. This information may only be disclosed if

  (i) at any time between 22 May 1989 and 31 March 1990 a person is in receipt of income support but is not receiving housing benefit; and

  (ii) from April 1990 where a person is awarded income support but has not made a claim for community charge benefits.

  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he has received a copy of the comparative training of clothing workers in Britain and West Germany by the National Insitute of Economic and Social Research; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Cope
  My Department has received a copy of the National Institute Economic Review (No. 125, May 1989) in which the article "Productivity, Machinery and Skills: Clothing Manufacture in Britain and Germany" appears.

  The article points to long standing differences between the training arrangements adopted in Britain and Germany and warrants careful consideration by the industry. In doing so they will be aware of the considerable progress made in recent years, notably through the introduction of two-year YTS and the "Clothing Skill Awards" accredited by the National Council for Vocational Qualifications in 1988.
  588

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  Percentage of projects with later completion dates than original

  —

  83

  75

  Percentage of projects with higher current estimate of expenditure than original

  —

  —

  60

  YTs (Teachers)
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many teachers are involved in full-time YTS and in what capacities; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Cope
  There are no statistics on the full-time involvement of teachers in YTS. Scheme staff frequently have teaching qualifications, and teachers are often employed in delivery of off-the-job training.

  To promote closer co-operation and understanding between teachers and trainers, the Training Agency has run two successful pilot schemes under which 78 teachers were seconded to YTS managing agents for periods of up to 16 weeks. Consideration is being given to the introduction of a national scheme of short duration secondments.

  Rexo (Member's Letter)
  Mr. Ashton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment why it took from 11 April to 30 May for his Department to decide that a letter from the hon. Member for Bassetlaw regarding redundancy payments at Rexo was the responsibility of the Department of Energy.

  Mr. Cope
  The hon. Member's letter was received by my Department on 19 April. My Department considered that the issue was the responsibility of the Department of Energy and the letter was forwarded to them on 21 April. Subsequently checks showed that the letter had been lost in transit. Action was taken immediately to despatch a further copy. I apologise for the delay.

  Departmental Expenditure Plans
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how much the change in the expenditure plans for his Department for 1989–90 from the 1988–89 estimated outturn will be(a) in percentage terms and (b) after adjustment for the gross domestic product deflator.
  590
  Mr. Cope
  The expenditure plans for my Department for 1989–90 are 2·3 per cent. higher than the 1988–89 estimated outturn. After adjustment for the gross domestic product deflator, the expenditure plans for 1989–90 are £85 million 2·6 per cent. below the 1988–89 estimated outturn.

  DEER WITH TB: COMPULSORY SLAUGHTER
  DEER WITH TB: COMPULSORY SLAUGHTER
  EC GAME MEAT PROPOSALS: DISCUSSIONS
  EC GAME MEAT PROPOSALS: DISCUSSIONS
  CHANNEL TUNNEL TERMINAL
  CHANNEL TUNNEL TERMINAL
  RADIOACTIVE WASTE: TRANSPORT
  RADIOACTIVE WASTE: TRANSPORT