Written Answers of 20 June 1989

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Bail Hostels
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many bail hostels for women will be established in the next three years; and where they will be located.

  Mr. John Patten
  To date we have agreed proposals to provide a total of 32 additional places in approved hostels for women on bail by April 1990. These will be at hostels in Basildon, Birmingham, Brighton, Cardiff and inner London. Plans for the following two years have not yet been agreed.

  Prisoners
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many inmates at present serving a life sentence in England and Wales are over the age of 60 years.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  According to records held centrally on 31 May 1989, 81 males and three females aged over 60 years were serving life sentences in prison service establishments in England and Wales.

  Deportation
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the number of people deported from the United Kingdom during each of the last five years.

  Mr. Renton
  Information on the number of persons removed from the United Kingdom under the deportation process in the years 1984 to 1988 is published in table 24 of "Control of Immigration: Statistics United Kingdom 1987" (Cm. 415) and in table 14 of Home Office Statistical Bulletin Issue 10/89 "Control of Immigration: Statistics—Fourth Quarter and Year 1988", copies of both of which are in the Library.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the number of persons(a) detained by the Metropolitan police on suspicion of being an illegal entrant and (b) subsequently not charged for 1988 and in each month in 1989 to the nearest available date.

  Mr. Renton
  Information is not available in the form requested.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will list the numbers of illegal entrants to the United Kingdom detected in each quarter in 1988 and in each month in 1989 to the nearest available date;
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  (2) pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Edinburgh, Central, of 6 June, Official Report, column 51, if he will list the total number of notices of intention to deport issued between 1986 and 1988 and in each month in 1989 to the nearest available date.

  Mr. Renton
  Information for 1986 to 1988 on the number of notices of intention to deport issued and the number of persons against whom action was commenced as illegal entrants are published in tables 13 and 14, respectively, of Home Office statistical bulletin issue 10/89 "Control of Immigration: Statistics—Fourth Quarter and Year 1988", a copy of which is in the Library. The next issue of the bulletin giving information for the first quarter of 1989 will be published around the end of the month.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what criteria are applied in determining whether a notice of intention to deport should be considered and signed by a member of the immigration and nationality department or by a member of the immigration service.

  Mr. Renton
  The issue of a notice of intention to deport may be authorised by designated members of the immigration service not below the rank of inspector in cases where an officer of the service, in the course of carrying out his duties, discovers a person who is liable to deportation under section 3(5)(a) of the Immigration Act 1971 as an overstayer or for working in breach of conditions. The issue of a notice in all other circumstances is authorised by members of the deportation section of the immigration and nationality department.

  Prison Visitors
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he plans to increase the allowance that can be paid to members of the prison board of visitors; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Allowances for travelling expenses for board members were increased on 1 January 1989, and they will shortly be notified that allowances for loss of earnings have been increased with effect from 15 May 1989. These rates are tied to those paid to justices of the peace.

  Members of boards of visitors who serve on local review committees receive travelling expenses in line with Civil Service mileage allowances, which were increased with effect from 1 July 1987.

  Overseas Students
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received with regard to allowing female overseas students to be joined by their husbands for the duration of their studies in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Renton
  Two representations have been received recently on this subject: replies have been sent to both.

  Although the rules make no formal provision for husbands to accompany or join their wives who are studying in the United Kingdom, entry clearance may be granted for this purpose where there are compassionate circumstances. We have considered whether the rules ought to go further, but have concluded that they should

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  not. One of the basic purposes of immigration control is to restrict the numbers coming to live or take employment in this country. Changing the rules so that they allowed female students to be accompanied by their husbands would represent a considerable relaxation in the control, which could result in substantial additional numbers coming to work in the United Kingdom.

  Representations of wrongful conviction and consequent references to the Court of Appeal under section 17(1)(a) of the Criminal Appeal Act 1968

  Period

  Number of representations considered

  Number of cases referred to the Court of Appeal

  Appeals allowed by the Court of Appeal

  Appeals dismissed by the Court of Appeal

  1 October 1984 to 30 September 1985

  770

  2

  1

  1

  1 October 1985 to 30 September 1986

  773

  4

  1

  3

  1 October 1986 to 30 September 1987

  784

  6

  3

  3

  1 October 1987 to 31 March 1988

  274

  23

  —

  2

  1 April 19881 to 31 March 1989

  536

  32

  1

  —

  1 The method of collecting statistics was revised in April 1988.

  2 One case awaiting determination at 31 March 1989.

  3 One case awaiting determination at 31 March 1989

  In other cases free pardons were granted and relevant figures are given in a reply today to another question from the hon. Member.

  In the other cases considered it was decided that there were no grounds in the information available for intervention in the conviction.

  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many criminal convictions, disregarding motoring offences, were quashed by him without reference to the Court of Appeal for each year since 1980.

  Mr. John Patten
  My right hon. Friend has no power to quash a conviction. In addition to his powers under section 17 of the Criminal Appeal Act 1968 to refer a case to the Court of Appeal, he may, in exceptional circumstances, recommend to Her Majesty the Queen that a free pardon should be granted. This course is normally followed in respect of summary convictions where there is no power to refer the case back to the courts for their consideration.

  The following free pardons have been granted in the years 1980–88 (excluding motoring offences):

  Number

  1980

  15

  1981

  14

  1982

  10

  1983

  11

  1984

  16

  1985

  6

  1986

  7

  1987

  13

  1988

  9

  Mr. Wai Man Chung
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department why 19 days after notifying the constituent of the right hon. Member for Swansea, West,

  Criminal Convictions
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases of alleged miscarriage of criminal justice were considered by the C3 department of the Home Office for each year from 1980; how many of these were referred to the courts; how many of these were rejected; how many were dealt with in other ways; and how many convictions were quashed.

  Mr. John Patten
  Information in the form requested is available only from 1 October 1984, as follows:

  Mr. Wai Man Chung, that entry clearance to United Kingdom from China had been granted to his wife, Mrs. Shi Jian Chung, his Department had not notified the visa section at the Foreign Office of its decision, so that it could notify the embassy in Peking.

  Mr. Renton
  A letter authorising the issue of a visa to Mrs. Chung was sent to the migration and visa department of the Foreign Office on 26 May—the same day that Mr. Chung was notified of the decision. The migration and visa department has confirmed that instructions to issue Mrs. Chung with a visa were sent to Peking on 16 June.

ENVIRONMENT

  Local Authority Contracts (Tenders)
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to ensure that private sector companies tendering for local authority contracts maintain the existing employment conditions of local authority employees.

  Mr. Gummer
  None. Companies which are successful in winning local authority contracts under the compulsory competition regime will no doubt consider whether it is advantageous to employ all or some of the authority's relevant work force, but they are under no obligation to do so.

  New Towns (Developments)
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will ensure that a copy of the section 7(1) submission submitted to him concerning possible housing development at High Warren, Appleton is made available to the Member for Warrington, South.

  Mr. Trippier
  I have not received a submission under section 7(1) of the New Towns Act 1981 for housing
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  development at High Warren, Appleton. I have however asked new town development corporations to ensure that they have satisfactory arrangements in place for informing hon. Members with a constituency interest of section 7(1) applications in which they have expressed an interest.

  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what arrangements he intends to make to ensure that hon. Members whose constituencies were affected by new town section 7(1) submissions receive copies of such submissions as a matter of course from new town development corporations.

  Mr. Trippier
  I have asked new towns development corporations to ensure that they have satisfactory arrangements in place for informing hon. Members with a constituency interest of section 7(1) applications under the New Towns Act 1981 in which they have expressed an interest.

  Illuminated Advertisements
  Mr. Cartwright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from environmental organisations about his proposed relaxation of controls over illuminated advertisements; and what has been his response.

  Mr. Chope
  Joint representations opposing the introduction of "deemed consent" provisions for illuminated advertisements were made on 29 March by the Association of Conservation Officers, on behalf of 11 local authority, professional and conservation organisations. The Georgian group subsequently supported these representations. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of my reply.

  Council Housing (Tenant Initiatives)
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what arrangements his Department has made to consult local authorities over grant funding of secondary housing co-operatives to promote tenant management co-operatives in council housing under section 16 of the Housing and Planning Act 1986; what consultation there has been over which organisations receive such funding and at what level and what steps his Department has taken to consult local authorities to co-ordinate funding on tenants' intiatives in council housing.

  Mr. Trippier
  There are no existing formal arrangements for consulting local authorities over section 16 grant funding of secondary agencies. Where necessary, the Department will discuss applications with the relevant authority.

  Local authorities were invited to submit evidence on matters, including section 16, to the recent housing co-operatives review. The Government are now considering the review committee's report.

  Disabled People (Housing)
  Mr. Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how much money the Housing Corporation allocated in 1989–90 for the construction of wheelchair housing(a) in total cash terms, and (b) as a percentage of the total budget each year for the last six years;
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  (2) how much money was allocated by the Housing Corporation, to housing associations to adapt properties occupied by disabled tenants for each of the last six financial years, and how many housing associations in each of those years received money for this purpose.

  Mr. Trippier
  This information is not held by the Department. The distribution of public funds to individual housing associatons and projects is largely a matter for the Housing Corporation to determine within the broad policy framework established annually in discussion with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment. I have therefore asked the Housing Corporation to respond to my hon. Friend direct.

  Mr. Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what percentage of local authority housing built in 1989–90 and in each of the last six previous financial years is wheelchair housing.

  Mr. Trippier
  New wheelchair dwellings completed by English local authorities as a percentage of their total new housebuilding completions are as follows:

  Percentage

  1983–84

  1·0

  1984–85

  1·4

  1985–86

  1·0

  1986–87

  1·3

  1987–88

  1·3

  1988–89

  1·5

  Information for 1989–90 is not available.

  Council House Sales
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he intends to introduce a scheme to convert council house rents into mortgages along the lines of that announced by the Scottish Office; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Trippier
  No. The Scottish scheme will entail voluntary sales to tenants of Scottish Homes. There is no organisation in England equivalent to Scottish Homes for these purposes.

  Planning Appeals
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many planning appeals were lodged with his Department in 1974, 1979, 1984 and the last full year for which figures are available; and, for each year, how many were allowed.

  Mr. Chope
  The information requested is as follows:

  Year

  Appeals Received

  Appeals Allowed

  1974

  13,324

  2,715

  1979

  12,990

  2,602

  1984

  16,192

  3,773

  1988–89

  28,659

  7,734

  Water Privatisation
  Mr. Wood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is in a position to give further details of the share offer arrangements for employees of the privatised water authorities.
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  Mr. Howard
  The Government welcome the opportunity which privatisation of the water authorities provides for employees to become shareholders in the new plcs. I can now announce the following special arrangements for eligible employees of the new water plcs and their wholly owned subsidiaries:

  (i) employees will be offered free shares worth around £70 at the offer price plus about £2 of shares for every year of continuous service with their new company and the predecessor water authority up to a date close to flotation. In addition, people who were employed by the predecessor water authority on 1 April 1974, when the authority took over from bodies previously responsible for water supply and sewerage services, will be treated as having an additional five years' entitlement;

  (ii) employees will also be offered two free shares for each one bought at the full offer price on a matching basis up to a maximum of £400 worth of free shares; under this element of the package, if an employee bought shares worth £200 at the offer price he would receive shares worth in total £600;

  (iii) employees will be able to buy up to a maximum of £2,350 worth of additional shares at a discount of 10 per cent. from the full offer price;

  (iv) employees applying for shares will be treated on a priority basis over the general public, up to an individual limit of shares worth £12,000 at the offer price; this is in addition to the free, matching and discount shares.

  The free and matching shares will be available to employees who satisfy certain minimum qualification periods on length of employment and hours worked per week. The discount and priority shares will be available to all employees at a date close to the flotation date.

  We have also decided that pensioners of a new water plc, its wholly owned subsidiaries or its predecessor water authority should be able to apply on a priority basis, over the general public, for shares up to an individual limit of £12,000 at the offer price.

  Property Services Agency (Vacant Buildings)
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those buildings which are rented, leased or owned by the Property Services Agency which have lain vacant for more than the last 12 months.

  Mr. Chope
  [holding answer 13 June 1989]: Yes. The list is as follows.

  Schedule of buildings rented, leased or owned by the PSA which have been vacant for more than 12 months as at 9 June 1989

  Property

  Local authority area

  UBO Palmers Green, N13

  Enfield

  Dale House, Cardinal Road, Feltham

  Hounslow

  87 Burlington Road, New Malden, Surrey

  Kingston upon Thames

  Alpine Avenue Standard Office Buildings, Tolworth

  Kingston upon Thames

  29 Abbotsbury Road, Morden

  Merton

  17 Victoria Road, Strechford

  Birmingham

  58–72 John Bright Street, Birmingham

  Birmingham

  Britannia House, Station Street, Burton on Trent

  East Staffordshire

  County Court Offices, Bank Place, Nottingham

  Nottingham

  CG Lookout, Spurn Point, Humberside

  Holderness

  Storage Depot, Tyne Mills, Hexham

  Tynedale

  22 and 29 The Springs, Wakefield

  Wakefield

  Longworth Road, Horwich

  Bolton

  Storage Depot, Hob Lane, Dunham Hill

  Chester

  Storage Depot, Meadowview, Mickle Trafford

  Chester

  Magowan House, 11A West Street, Portadown

  County Armagh

  116A Bradshawgate, Leigh

  Wigan

  224–226 Queens Road, Aberdeen

  City of Aberdeen

  70

  Property

  Local authority area

  Sheriff Court House, Castle Street, Aberdeen

  City of Aberdeen

  276 Old Rutherglen Road, Glasgow

  City of Glasgow

  65–87 Cowlairs Road, Glasgow

  City of Glasgow

  Norfolk House, 15 Princes Square, East Kilbride

  East Kilbride

  C and E Offices, Grange Dock North, Grangemouth

  Falkirk

  163–165 Bank Street, Coatbridge

  Monklands

  146–156 Main Street, Coatbridge

  Monklands

  Virginia Buildings, High Street, Buckie

  Moray

  Land at Yardie, Buckie

  Moray

  Windsor Street, Shotts

  Motherwell

  69–73 Crossgate, Cupar

  North East Fife

  Gremista, Lerwick

  Shetland Islands

  Storage Depot, 270 Kirkintilloch Road, Bishopbriggs

  Strathkelvin

  CG Lookout, Helmsdale

  Sutherland

  Hut Number 3, Chaucer Barracks, Canterbury

  Canterbury

  41 Medina Villas, Hove

  Hove

  Park House, Barrier Road, Chatham

  Medway

  CG Hut, Rye Harbour, Rye

  Rother

  Drakewalls, Gunnislake

  Caradon

  CG Building, South Esplanade, Burnham-on-Sea

  Sedgemoor

  Shire Hall, Shuttern, Taunton

  Taunton Deane

  Telford House, Park Gardens, Yeovil

  Yeovil

  Cold Store Depot, New Pond Road, Guildford

  Guildford

  Part Building No. 71, Bletchley Park, Bletchley

  Milton Keynes

  Stores, Shirburn Road, Watlington

  South Oxfordshire

  35, 36, 38 and 39 Castle Street, Swansea

  Swansea

  These 44 buildings represent less than 1 per cent. of the total stock held by PSA. Thirty-four of the properties have been declared surplus and are in the process of disposal and the remainder are undergoing, or being considered, for refurbishment or redevelopment to allow reoccupation by a Government Department.

  Community Charge
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many copies of his Department's leaflet "The Community Charge (The So-called 'Poll Tax'): How It Will Work For You" have been mailed to addresses in Scotland; what was the cost of distributing this material outside England; and if he will now write to those households in Scotland which received the leaflet to explain the error.

  Mr. Gummer
  [holding answer 19 June 1989]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire (Mr. Kirkwood) yesterday. I naturally regret the fact that a comparatively few leaflets were wrongly delivered to Scottish households, but I do not think it necessary to write to each household concerned. The mailing house concerned has apologised for the mistake.

  Set-aside Land
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many planning applications have been made to date in respect of land on which set-aside payments are being made by the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food; and, of these applications, how many have been successful.
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  Mr. Chope
  [holding answer 19 June 1989]: Only a small proportion of set-aside proposals will need planning permission. The Department does not collect information from local planning authorities in the form requested, and I understand it is not included in the records of applications for set-aside payments kept by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

  Water Quality
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish the letter written by officials in his Department and sent to water authorities on 14 February giving advice on how to deal with the EC directive on water quality.

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 19 June 1989]: No. The letter referred to was a working document on the assumptions to be made in compiling expenditure projections for the purpose of k setting (k is the initial limit on price increases to be contained in companies instruments of appointment under the Water Bill). The letter made it clear that these assumptions would be subject to review until the end of the k setting process. We will state the assumptions underlying ks once they are determined.

  We have made it clear to water authorities and companies that expenditure arising from any obligations left out of initial k, for example because the costs are too uncertain for inclusion, and expenditure arising from new obligations imposed after ks are set, will be eligible for consideration in reviews of charges by the Director General of Water Services.

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what his current estimate is for complying with EC directive 80/778/EEC in each of the water authority areas.

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 19 June 1989]: The Government are fully committed to compliance with the EC drinking water directive as quickly as possible, taking account of practicalities. Water undertakers in England and Wales have drawn up improvement programmes for supplies which regularly or intermittently fail to comply with the directive in certain respects. Only when these programmes have been thoroughly assessed will it be possible to estimate the time scale for compliance with the directive.

  Environmental Assessments
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if, further to his replies of 4 May,Official Report, columns 247–50, with regard to environmental assessment, he will (a) list those matters taken into account when determining whether environmental assessment is required, (b) give details of the methodology used, (c) specify what criteria and thresholds are used, (d) indicate why some extensions of mineral workings required environmental assessments and others did not, (e) indicate why environment assessment was required in the case of one shopping complex and not in the case of other shopping complexes and retail parks, (f) give details of what information was given to the relevant local authorities following these directions and (g) indicate what information has been given to other local authorities
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  subsequent to these directions in order to help them apply the Town and Country Planning (Assessment of Environmental Effects) Regulations 1988 consistently.

  Mr. Chope
  [holding answer 19 June 1989]: In accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Assessment of Environmental Effects) Regulations 1988, environmental assessment is required of all projects of the types listed in schedule 1 to the regulations and of any project of a type listed in schedule 2 which is likely to have significant effects on the environment by virtue of factors such as its nature, size or location. Guidance on which projects are likely to have significant environmental effects so as to require environmental assessment is given in DOE circular 15/88, which also sets out indicative thresholds and criteria to which the Secretary of State has regard when considering whether to direct that assessment is required. Decisions on the need for environmental assessment turn on the facts of individual cases, and locational considerations may lead to different conclusions in respect of similar types of development. The regulations require the Secretary of State to give reasons when he directs that environmental assessment is required. Copies of decision letters are sent to the applicant and to the local planning authority, which is required to make a copy available for public inspection in the place where the planning register is kept. We are considering how best this information can be made more widely available to assist both developers and local planning authorities in the application of these regulations.

SCOTLAND

  Scottish Enterprise
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the Scottish Enterprise proposals.

  Mr. Lang
  We are currently reassessing the proposals in the Scottish Enterprise White Paper in the light of all the responses received and will announce our detailed decisions in due course.

  Population Statistics
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are his Department's estimates for the numbers of people aged 65 to 74 years, 75 to 79 years and over 80 years in the years 2000 and 2020 in Scotland; and what percentage increase this represents in each category over the actual figures for the last year in which they are available.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The information is set out in the table.

  Year 2000

  Year 2020

  Age group

  Projected population

  Percentage change from 1988 mid-year estimate

  Projected population

  Percentage change from 1988 mid-year estimate

  65–74

  427,703

  -1·6

  500,785

  15·2

  75–79

  160,311

  1·4

  161,124

  1·9

  80 and over

  188,592

  16·4

  213,814

  32·0

  Surgeries (Rural Areas)
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what additional funds he is making available to health boards to enable practice surgeries in rural areas to meet the requirements of the new contract.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 16 June 1989]: Funding for general medical services following the introduction of the new contract for GPs will be determined in the course of the Government's public expenditure survey 1989. The funds will take full account of the new contract, including those aspects which relate to rural practices.

  At present public expenditure on family practitioner services generally is planned to increase from £496 million in 1988–89 to £610 million in 1991–92, an increase of 23 per cent.

DEFENCE

  Fylingdales (Equipment)
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the primary purpose of the new radar equipment at Fylingdales.

  Mr. Neubert
  The modernised radar system at RAF Fylingdales will perform the same functions as the present system, which is to provide early warning of strategic ballistic missile attack.

  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of the cost of installing the new early warning radar equipment at Fylingdales comes from United Kingdom sources.

  Mr. Neubert
  The modernised radar system itself will be constructed by an American company, at United States Government expense. British companies will carry out all the work to be undertaken in the United Kingdom on the infrastructure for the facility, at British Government expense. This infrastructure work, for which contracts are shortly to be awarded, will amount to some 27 per cent. of the total.

  Military Communications
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what programmes are under way to develop protection for United Kingdom military communications satellites from anti-satellite systems.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The potential threat to United Kingdom military communications satellites from such systems is kept under constant review.

  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what programmes are under way to develop the use of satellite-laser systems for communications with submarines(a) in co-operation with the United States of America and (b) by the United Kingdom alone.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  It is not our practice to comment on operational matters of this kind.

  Anti-Satellite Weapons
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what research is currently under way concerning the development of an anti-satellite weapon programme.
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  Mr. Sainsbury
  No such research is carried out by the United Kingdom.

  Low Flying
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many complaints about low flying were received by his Department in 1988 from addresses in the Cunninghame, North constituency.

  Mr. Neubert
  In 1988 the Ministry of Defence received a total of four complaints or inquiries about military low flying from addresses in the Cunninghame, North constituency.

  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he has any information on military helicopters authorised to operate at low level in Scotland on 5 May 1988, additional to that given in his reply to the hon. Member for Cunninghame, North on 27 May 1988,Official Report, column 391;

  (2) pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Cunninghame, North of 22 December 1988, Official Report, column 368, whether the times of movements given for Army Air Corps Gazelle helicopter serial number XZ328 near Dalmally and at HMS Gannet on 5 May 1988 were expressed in Greenwich mean time or British summer time;

  (3) pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Cunninghame, North of 22 December 1988, Official Report, column 368, what was the point of origin of the flight to HMS Gannet by Army Air Corps Gazelle helicopter, serial number XZ328, on 5 May 1988; what route was flown by this aircraft through Argyll; and what was the purpose of the flight.

  Mr. Neubert
  Timings given for the movements of the Army Air Corps helicopter were expressed in British summer time. This helicopter, which began its sortie from RAF Leuchars, was carrying out a navigation exercise. I have nothing further to add to my reply to the hon. Member on 22 December 1988, at column 368, or to my letter of 24 February 1989 to the hon. Member.

  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Cunninghame, North of 22 December 1988,Official Report, column 368, if he will state the reasons for not listing medical establishments over which military low flying is prohibited.

  Mr. Neubert
  I have nothing further to add to my reply to the hon. Member on 22 December, at column 368.

  ELF Transmitter
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects the notice of proposed development relating to the proposed trial ELF transmitter at Glengarry forest to be submitted to the Highland regional council.

  Mr. Neubert
  Preparation of the notice of proposed development continues, but completion will take some time and it is not possible to say precisely when it will be submitted.

  Commissions (Sale)
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has any proposals for reviving the sale of commissions as part of the Government's programme of privatisation.

  Mr. Neubert
  No.

  Historic Aircraft Collection (RAF St. Athan)
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the dates of movement and final destinations of any aircraft from the collection of historic aircraft at RAF St. Athan which have been(a) sold, (b) scrapped and (c) moved to other locations since 1987; and what were the reasons for any such moves.

  Mr. Neubert
  A review of the RAF's policy on historic and non-flying display aircraft resulted in a decision in early 1988 to disband the RAF St. Athan regional collection of historic aircraft. Transfers effected to date are as follows.

  The remaining aircraft will be disposed of progressively over the next few months. It is not intended to scrap any, but those not required elsewhere within the service will be sold.

  Disbandment of the RAF St. Athan regional collection of historic aircraft

  Transfers effected up to 21 June 1989

  Year and aircraft

  1988

  Messerschmitt Me 163B

  Gifted to the German Air Force

  Auster T7

  Transferred to the regional collection at RAF Cosford, for display

  1989

  Kawasaki

  Transferred to the regional collection at RAF Cosford, for display

  Messerschmitt Me 262A

  Transferred to the regional collection at RAF Cosford, for display

  Mitsubishi

  Transferred to the regional collection at RAF Cosford, for display

  Fiesler Storch

  Transferred to the regional collection at RAF Cosford, for display

  Percival Proctor

  Transferred to the RAF museum at Hendon for display

  Swift

  Transferred to the RAF museum at Hendon for display

  Meteor F8

  Transferred to RAF Finningley as a gate guardian

  Spitfire Mk9E

  Transferred to RAF Abingdon as a reserve for the battle of Britain memorial flight

  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if it is intended to maintain a collection of historic aircraft at RAF St. Athan.

  Mr. Neubert
  No.

  Tornado Aircraft
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessments were made of(a) current and (b)
  76
  projected peacetime loss rates of the Tornado F2 and F3 in RAF service prior to the decision to order an additional attrition replacement batch in 1988.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  No Tornado F2s or F3s have been lost to date. The predicted peacetime attrition rate is classified.

  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration is being given to the placing of further attrition replacement orders for(a) air defence Tornados and (b) strike/attack/reconnaissance Tornados.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The need for additional attrition aircraft is kept under review.

  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what projected peacetime attrition rate was assumed for the Tornado air defence variant in calculating the size of the original order for 165 aircraft for the Royal Air Force;

  (2) what proportion of the original order of 165 Tornado air defence variants for the Royal Air Force was made up of attrition replacement aircraft.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The information requested is classified.

  Service Cars (Argyll)
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has on the presence of(a) Army and (b) Royal Navy Ford Escort estate staff cars in Argyll on 5 May 1988.

  Mr. Neubert
  The information requested is not readily available and could not be provided without disproportionate effort and cost.

  Aircraft Losses
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of the total number of Buccaneer aircraft procured for the Royal Air Force have been lost in accidents so far.

  Mr. Neubert
  Of the total number of Buccaneer aircraft taken into RAF service, 19·17 per cent. have been lost in accidents.

  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of the total number of Hunter aircraft procured for the Royal Air Force have been lost in accidents over the aircraft's service life so far.

  Mr. Neubert
  Of the total number of Hunter aircraft taken into RAF service, 32·36 per cent. have been lost in accidents.

  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of the total number of Jaguar aircraft procured for the Royal Air Force have been lost in accidents so far.

  Mr. Neubert
  Of the total number of Jaguar aircraft taken into RAF service, 23·76 per cent. have been lost in accidents.

  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of the total number of Lightning aircraft procured for the Royal Air Force were lost in accidents over the aircraft's service life.
  77
  Mr. Neubert
  Of the total number of Lightning aircraft taken into RAF service, 45·58 per cent. have been lost in accidents.

  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of the total number of Phantom aircraft procured for the Royal Air Force have been lost in accidents so far.

  Mr. Neubert
  Of the total number of Phantom aircraft taken into RAF service, 22·54 per cent. have been lost in accidents.

  Community Charge
  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the written guidance issued to armed service units in respect of poll tax payment.

  Mr. Neubert
  I have placed copies in the Library of the House.

  Howitzers
  Mr. Franks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he is now able to make a statement on the procurement of 155 mm self-propelled howitzers for the Army.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  In my reply on 8 June 1988, at column 586, to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Berkshire, East (Mr. MacKay), I announced the award of a contract to Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering Limited (VSEL), worth some £4 million, for further work on its AS90 self-propelled howitzer. This was to enable it to demonstrate more fully the performance of its design against the British Army's specification and to secure option prices for any subsequent production orders. In the interim period we have also closely followed the development in the United States of the M 109 howitzer improvement programme.

  Following a very careful and detailed evaluation of the two systems, and subject to the agreement of satisfactory terms, I have decided to place a contract with VSEL for the completion of development and a production order for 179 AS90 self-propelled howitzers. This contract, with initial spares and support, is worth some £300 million. I have also arranged an option for a further quantity of howitzers which may be exercised during the next two years.

  The new weapon will replace our 105 mm Abbot guns and will significantly enhance artillery firepower. Its introduction will mark a further step in our planned programme to ensure that the armed services are equipped with up-to-date and highly capable equipment.

  Rosyth Dockyard
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he is in a position to use a golden share over any takeover of Rosyth dockyard and under what condition.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  [holding answer 12 June 1989]: No takeover of Rosyth dockyard is proposed. The special share held by Secretary of State is in the Rosyth Royal Dockyard plc and not the Dockyard Management Company, in which Thorn EMI currently holds a 35 per cent. shareholding. Any change in the share ownership of the management company must receive the prior written approval of the Secretary of State.

Prime Minister

  Tropical Rain Forests
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Prime Minister what action she is taking to provide United Kingdom research into the alternatives to products of tropical rain forests.

  The Prime Minister
  The Forestry Commission has an active programme of research into the cultivation of native trees which are capable of producing wood that can be used in place of tropical timber.

  World Environment
  Mr. Leigh
  To ask the Prime Minister if she has received representations regarding the world environment.

  The Prime Minister
  I regularly receive representations about the many major environmental initiatives which this Government have taken at both the national and international level. Most recently, many nations have supported our call in the United Nations for an international framework convention on global climate change.

  China
  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Prime Minister if she has received representations regarding recent events in China.

  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Prime Minister if she has received representations regarding recent events in China.

  Mr. Page
  To ask the Prime Minister if she has received representations regarding recent events in China.

  The Prime Minister
  Yes, I have received many representations expressing shock and outrage at recent events in China. These are of course sentiments that I and the Government share.

  EC (Voting Procedures)
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will raise at the next meeting of the European Council the issue of the procedures adopted in determining which directives are subject to majority vote or unanimity; and if she will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  I refer my hon. Friend to the replies to him of 6 and 15 June.

  Developing Countries (Debt)
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Prime Minister what is Her Majesty's Government's policy for solving the crisis of debt repayment for developing countries.

  The Prime Minister
  The Government support the internationally agreed strategy which was reaffirmed and extended at the spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank on 3 and 4 April.

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

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

  Shipyards (EC Funding)
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Prime Minister if Her Majesty's Government have any proposals to seek a revision to the list of United Kingdom shipyards with access to the European Community shipbuilding intervention fund; and if she will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  As the hon. Member will be aware, the intervention fund is not an EC fund but a subsidy arrangement operated by Her Majesty's Government within the term of the EC sixth directive on aids to shipbuilding. We have no plans to revise current arrangements governing access to intervention fund by individual yards.

  Electoral Registration Advertising
  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to her answer to the hon. Member for Derbyshire, North-East on 12 June,Official Report, column 265, if she will give the amounts spent on electoral registration advertising for each of the past seven years at current prices.

  The Prime Minister
  Expenditure on electoral registration advertising over the last seven years, revalued at 1989 prices, has been as follows:

  £

  1982–83

  123,762

  1983–84

  153,631

  1984–85

  163,240

  1985–86

  184,243

  1986–87

  356,494

  1987–88

  294,190

  1988–89

  322,833

  Engagements
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 20 June.

  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 20 June.

  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 20 June.

  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 20 June.

  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 20 June.

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

  Government Information Service
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister what response her press secretary made to the Institute of Professional Civil Servants when it asked him to support a proposed code of ethics for the Government information service.

  The Prime Minister
  It is not my usual practice to publish exchanges of this kind.

  Endangered Species
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list those gifts received in her official capacity over the last 80
  year while on foreign visits and during visits of foreign dignitaries to Britain which have required an import licence under the CITES.

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 13 June 1989]: In the last year I have received three items of silver and ivory jewellery from my visit to Zimbabwe. These items have all been deposited with Her Majesty's Customs and Excise. In view of the ban on ivory imports announced by the Government on Friday 9 June, I have decided that these items should be retained by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise. Information on gifts given by foreign dignitaries during visits to Britain is a matter for them, but I am not aware of any such gifts which I have received in an official capacity which have required an import licence under the CITES.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Water Power Rights
  Mr. McCusker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list in the Official Report those water power rights which have been acquired by the Government as a consequence of the activities of the drainage division of the Department of Agriculture, indicating how many have been wholly and how many partially acquired.

  Mr. Viggers
  In the course of drainage division activities the Government wholly acquired water rights on two occasions, once in the upper main drainage scheme and once in Broughshane flood protection scheme. In both cases the right was expunged by removal of a weir and infill of a millrace.

  Turbines (Rivers)
  Mr. McCusker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what requirement he has to determine the mean, low water and maximum flow of a river at the sites of water mills, and the capacity of any water turbine, pelton wheel, or waterwheel being installed.

  Mr. Viggers
  There is no statutory requirement to determine the mean, low water and maximum flow of any watercourse.

  It may be necessary when consenting to a new installation to establish the capacity of any water turbine, pelton wheel or waterwheel being installed to ensure that it does not adversely affect the flow of water in a watercourse. It is usually the case that an existing weir or dam is used as a source of power, leaving the regime of the watercourse unchanged.

  Employment
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps his Department is taking to increase employment opportunities in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Viggers
  The Department of Economic Development, and its two industrial development agencies, the Industrial Development Board and Local Enterprise Development Unit undertake a wide range of programmes to assist the private sector to create new employment in Northern Ireland. In the year to 31 March 1989 the two agencies made financial offers to companies
  81
  which could lead to the creation of 10,234 jobs. A wide range of advisory, training and other services is also available to assist firms to develop and to become more competitive. In addition it is planned to provide in the present financial year 12,400 work experience and training places to assist the long-term unemployed to re-enter the labour market and to provide 13,800 places for youth training.

  Tourism
  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will estimate the number of new jobs created in the tourist industry in Northern Ireland in the last five years.

  Mr. Viggers
  Information on tourism-related employment as a whole is estimated only at national level. The available information for regions relates specifically to employees in employment in the hotels and catering industry. Employment in this sector in Northern Ireland increased by 1,810 (or 12 per cent.) over the last five years, to March 1989.

  Housing Executive
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish a table in the Official Report showing (a) how many void dwellings there are in the area covered by each district office of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive as at the latest available date, (b) how many dwellings in each such area have been void for more than three months and (c) the reasons for such voids or as much of such information as is available to him.

  Mr. Needham
  This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. I am advised by the chairman of the Housing Executive that at 1 May 1989 the number of void dwellings, that is dwellings on which the executive is not seeking to collect rent, in each district office and the number void for more than 13 weeks in each such area is as follows:

  District

  Total number voids

  Total number voids vacant more than 13 weeks

  Belfast 1

  110

  101

  Belfast 2

  396

  333

  Belfast 3

  299

  245

  Belfast 4

  525

  468

  Belfast 5

  726

  639

  Belfast 6

  264

  218

  Belfast 7

  250

  224

  Belfast Total

  2,2570

  2,228

  Bangor

  52

  30

  Newtownards 1

  76

  54

  Newtownards 2

  24

  10

  Castlereagh 1

  58

  25

  Castlereagh 2

  12

  5

  Lisburn 1

  94

  47

  Lisburn 2

  30

  21

  Lisburn 3

  8

  4

  Downpatrick

  178

  116

  South East Total

  532

  312

  Banbridge

  69

  50

  Newry 1

  136

  83

  Newry 2

  49

  24

  Kilkeel

  14

  11

  Armagh

  87

  65

  82

  District

  Total number voids

  Total number voids vacant more than 13 weeks

  Brownlow

  346

  285

  Lurgan

  75

  32

  Portadown

  89

  70

  South Total

  865

  620

  Ballymena

  148

  93

  Antrim

  553

  473

  Newtownabbey 1

  262

  172

  Newtownabbey 2

  89

  66

  Carrick

  82

  34

  Larne

  156

  111

  Ballycastle

  5

  1

  Ballymoney

  31

  22

  North East Total

  1,326

  972

  Derry 1

  232

  205

  Derry 2

  167

  146

  Derry 3

  22

  12

  Limavady

  33

  14

  Coleraine

  244

  201

  Magherafelt

  14

  5

  Strabane

  38

  31

  North West Total

  750

  614

  Omagh

  39

  21

  Cookstown

  28

  13

  Dungannon

  106

  62

  Fermanagh

  89

  41

  West Total

  262

  137

  Northern Ireland Total

  6,305

  4,883

  Of the total of 6,305 void properties (3·6 per cent. of total stock):
  837 are temporarily vacant awaiting allocation or have no tenant available;
  1,207 are bricked up due to/or to avoid vandalism;
  452 are awaiting improvements which will be completed within 12 months;
  520 are bricked up and are awaiting improvements which will not be carried out within 12 months;
  487 are bricked up for sale/or homesteading;
  1,776 are awaiting demolition in redevelopment areas; and
  1,026 are void for a variety of reasons such as decanting or security reasons.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Namibia
  Mr. Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what recent representations he has received from the leader of the Kwanyamas tribe on behalf of eight other Namibian tribes about the role of the Namibian Council of Churches as the sole and authentic agent of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in the administration of the returning South West Africa People's Organisation refugees to Namibia; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what recent representations he has received from the leader of the Kwanyamas tribe on behalf of eight other Namibian tribes about the intimidatory actions of the NANSO student organisation; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) what recent representations he has received from the leader of the Kwanyamas tribe on behalf of eight other Namibian tribes about the protection of citizens in the northern and eastern territories of Namibia from the

  83
  People's Liberation Army of Namibia following the demobilisation of the South West Africa Territory Force; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Chalker
  Mr. Gabriel Kautuima, senior headman of the Kwanyama tribe, met an official of the FCO on 16 June and handed over a copy of a petition submitted to the United Nations special representative for Namibia and the Administrator General of Namibia on the matters referred to in my hon. Friend's questions. Mr. Kautuima was assured of our continued commitment to the United Nations plan for Namibian independence and our support for the efforts of the United Nations Secretary General and his staff to ensure that the best possible conditions prevail for the holding of free and fair elections in Namibia.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Russian Language
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proposals his Department has(a) to promote school exchanges with the Soviet Union and (b) to promote the learning of the Russian language in schools; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jackson
  My right hon. Friend visited the Soviet Union last October and concluded an agreement with the Soviet chairman of the State Committee for Public Education which envisaged a programme of up to 50 school exchanges on each side by the end of the 1991–92 academic year. In this, the first year of the programme, 10 school exchanges on each side have been arranged and are under way. In the next academic year, 1989–90, it is proposed that 20 school exchanges can be arranged, rising to 35 exchanges in academic year 1990–91 and 50 exchanges in academic year 1991–92. At that stage up to 2,000 pupils from each country will be involved.

  The aim of the programme is to use the medium of school-to-school twinning to promote a greater degree of mutual understanding among young people of both countries through a wide programme of exchange of schoolchildren and teachers, letters, photographs, tapes and project work, for example in mathematics, science and computing. Language-based exchanges will be a significant component, but the intention is to include also the study of subjects in which the practical elements can be shared.

  The national curriculum will include a modern foreign language as a foundation subject at secondary level to be studied by all pupils between the ages of 11 and 16. Russian is among those modern foreign languages specified in the Education (National Curriculum) (Modern Foreign Languages) Order 1989 as eligible to be taught as a national curriculum foundation subject. Within this framework, my right hon. Friend is encouraging schools to offer a greater diversity of languages, including Russian, and we are providing education support grants for pilot projects in some local education authorities in England to promote the preparation and implementation of plans for language diversification.

  Teachers
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish a table showing teacher 84
  vacancies by region in January 1989, distinguishing between vacancies in (a) nursery and primary schools and (b) secondary schools.

  Mr. Butcher
  Full information on the number of teacher vacancies in maintained nursery, primary and secondary schools in England in January 1989 is not yet available. Figures for those regions where the data are complete are as follows:

  Nursery and primary schools

  Secondary schools

  North

  92

  62

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  200

  155

  North West

  307

  219

  East Midlands

  145

  145

  West Midlands

  222

  262

  East Anglia

  47

  59

  Greater London

  n/y/a

  n/y/a

  Other South East

  617

  542

  South West

  181

  161

  n/y/a=Not yet available.

  Ms. Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) how many teachers have resigned during the academic year 1988–89;

  (2) what steps he takes to monitor the number of resignations of teachers.

  Mr. Butcher
  Information on the number of teachers resigning during the academic year 1988–89 is not yet available.

  Detailed annual returns of teachers in service are made by local education authorities at 31 March, together with information on those entering and leaving service during the previous year. The returns from some authorities are subject to considerable delay, and the most recent period for which complete data are available is the year ending March 1987. The number of teachers leaving full-time service in the maintained nursery, primary and secondary sector in England in that year was 28,960, of which 2,840 were aged 60 or over.

  Following a recent report by the management consultants Logica, a number of proposals are being pursued to improve the flow of teacher information to the Department. These include measures to improve the timeliness of the annual returns and the completeness of termly appointment and withdrawal notifications.

  Training Grants Scheme
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he intends to introduce legislation to amend the Education Acts to bring all unpaid workers in voluntary organisations within the scope of the training grants scheme.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  All aspects of the scheme are under regular review.

  Design and Technology
  Mr. Ken Hargreaves
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he expects his proposals for attainment targets and programmes of study in design and technology 5 to 16 to be published for consultation.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales and I have now formulated our
  85
  proposals for attainment targets and programmes of study for design and technology for pupils aged five to 16 in the light of the report from the national curriculum design and technology working group. We are very grateful to the working group for its prompt and helpful report.

  I have today referred our proposals to the National Curriculum Council to start the consultations in England required by the Education Reform Act. My right hon. Friend will be initiating consultations as required by the Act in Wales. I have asked the council to report to me on the outcome of the consultations, with advice and recommendations, by 3 November 1989. I have placed a copy of our proposals and of the working group's report, with my letter to the council, in the Library.

WALES

  Planning Applications
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many planning appeals were lodged with his office in 1974, 1979, 1984 and the latest full year for which figures are available; and, for each year, how many were allowed.

  Mr. Grist
  The information is shown in the following table:

  Section 36 planning appeals

  Year

  Lodged

  Allowed

  1974

  676

  127

  1979

  844

  164

  1984

  806

  229

  1988

  1,133

  325

  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales on how many occasions during the past five years he has called in planning decisions for a final decision.

  Mr. Grist
  My right hon. Friend and his predecessor have, since June 1984, called in for their own determination 17 applications for planning permission.

  Preventive Medicine
  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what measures he has taken to promote the cause of preventive medicine in Wales, in particular in relation to the high incidence of heart disease in the Principality.

  Mr. Grist
  The promotion of good health and the prevention of ill health has been one of the Government's major priorities for the health services in Wales for some years. Within the drive for better health we established the Welsh Health Promotion Authority in 1987 to have specific responsibility for the subject, including the operation of the Welsh heart programme—"Heartbeat Wales". This was to augment the work already being carried out by district health authorities and primary care services. Their priorities in relation to health promotion, which include action to combat heart disease, were set out in the corporate management programme for the Health Service in Wales, issued by the Department last year.

  Compact Schemes
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the companies taking part in compact schemes with schools in Wales.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  Many schools in Wales have links with business and industry, some of which may be along the lines of a compact, but information is not held centrally on which companies are involved.

  Community Hospitals
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the number and location of community hospitals which have been built or adapted in Clwyd and Gwynedd since 1974.

  Mr. Grist
  The information requested is as follows:

  Clwyd

  Chirk Community Hospital

  Colwyn Bay Hospital

  Denbigh Community Hospital

  Mold Community Hospital

  Prestatyn Community Hospital

  Royal Alexandra Hospital, Rhyl

  Ruthin Community Hospital

  Gwynedd

  Bryn beryl Hospital, Pwllheli

  Dolgellau Hospital

  Tywyn Hospital

  Training and Enterprise Councils
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish a list of those companies in Gwynedd which have been invited to participate in training and enterprise councils.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  Copies of the TEC prospectus have been sent to all employers with a work force of 20 or more. I understand that a number of different interest groups have started discussions about TECs in Gwynedd but no bid has yet been received.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish the names of people from Gwynedd whom he has appointed to public and statutory bodies since June 1987.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  We do not collect information on where public appointees come from, but as an example the hon. Gentleman may know that the current chairman of the Welsh Development Agency came from Gwynedd.

  Population Statistics
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what are his Department's estimates for the numbers of people aged 65 to 74 years, 75 to 79 years and over 80 years in the years 2000 and 2020 in Wales; and what percentage increase this represents in each category over the actual figures for the last year in which they are available.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  Current estimates and the most recent projected figures for the age groups requested are shown in the following table:
  87

  Elderly Population of Wales

  Thousand

  Projected Population2

  Year 2020

  Year 2020

  Ages

  1988 mid-year estimate1

  Number

  Percentage change1988–2000

  Number

  Percentage change 1988–2020

  65–74

  271·7

  260

  -4·3

  317

  +16·8

  75–79

  96·6

  108

  +11·9

  +11·1

  +14·6

  80 and over

  102·3

  127

  +24·4

  144

  +41·0

  1 Office of Population Censuses and Surveys.

  2 Government Actuary's Department 1987 based population projection.

  Supermarket, Holyhead
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects to be able to publish the results of the application for assistance under the urban development programme in respect of a supermarket development at Holyhead.

  Mr. Grist
  Applications for urban investment grant are treated in confidence. An application for urban investment grant support towards development at Holyhead has not been made to the Department. Decisions on full appraisal of UIG grant applications are made within 10 weeks of all the appropriate information being received by the Welsh Office.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Fishing Industry
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will now provide the information required by the European Commission for the multi-annual guidance programme, in order to unlock the grants approved for construction of new beam trawlers and other fishing vessels.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  The Commission will continue to suspend construction aid for United Kingdom fishing vessels until we can demonstrate sufficient progress towards meeting our programme targets. We are currently considering with the industry various options for reducing fleet capacity.

  Food Irradiation
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what research has been undertaken into the effect of food irradiation on the nutritional content of food; and with what results.

  Mr. Ryder
  I refer my hon. Friend to the report on the safety and wholesomeness of irradiated foods by the Advisory Committee on Irradiated and Novel Foods published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office in 1986, a copy of which is in the Library of the House. Chapter 7 and appendix E refer.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Book Publishing
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what estimates he has of the proportion of the United Kingdom-based book publishing industry which is American owned.
  88
  Mr. Atkins
  There are a number of measures of publishers' output, none of which is readily available by the nationality of the publisher. The information necessary to make an estimate could be assembled only at disproportionate cost and would be subject to qualifications.

  Merger Policy
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what progress has been made in the Council of Ministers in relation to the proposed directive on merger policy; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maude
  The proposed EC merger control regulation was most recently discussed in the Council of Ministers on 3 May and there was a brief follow-up discussion at the June Council. It was concluded that further consideration was needed, particularly of thresholds, criteria and the relationship of a regulation to articles 85 and 86 (EEC).

  Frag-12
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether an application has been made for a manufacturing patent for a weapon described as Frag-12.

  Mr. Forth
  An application for a patent for Frag-12 has been made, but the application has not yet been published.

  EC Technical Committees
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the technical committees of the European standardisation committee, indicating in each case the country of the European Economic Community that provides the secretariat, and also the number of technical committee secretariats held by each country of the European Economic Community.

  Mr. Forth
  The latest information available is as follows:

  List of CEN technical committees as at 2 May 1989

  Number

  Total number of CEN technical committees (TCs)

  138

  Secretariats:

  West Germany (DIN)

  51

  United Kingdom (BSI)

  29

  France (AFNOR)

  24

  Italy (UNI)

  8

  Denmark (DS)

  7

  Belgium (IBN)

  7

  Netherlands (NNI)

  4

  89

  Number

  Sweden (SIS)

  3

  Austria (ON)

  1

  Portugal (IPQ)

  1

  Norway (NSF)

  1

  Ireland (NSAI)

  1

  To be allocated (TBA)

  1

  CEN/TC

  Title

  Secretariat

  ADHOC-WG

  Acoustics

  DS

  TC10

  Passenger, goods and service lifts

  AFNOR

  TC121

  Hoses and hose couplings for petroleum products, equipment for petroleum industry

  AFNOR

  TC15

  Inland navigation equipment

  DIN

  TC19

  Test methods and specifications for petroleum products

  NNI

  TC33

  Doors, Windows, shutters and building hardware

  AFNOR

  TC38

  Durability of wood and related materials

  AFNOR

  TC43

  Office furniture

  AFNOR

  TC44

  Household refrigerating appliances

  UNI

  TC461

  oil Stoves

  DIN

  TC47

  Atomizing oil burners and their components—function—safety—testing

  DIN

  TC48

  Domestic gas-fired water heaters etc.

  AFNOR

  TC49

  Gas cooking appliances

  AFNOR

  TC50

  Lighting columns and spigots

  BSI

  TC51

  Cement and building limes

  IBN

  TC52

  Safety of toys

  DS

  TC53

  Scaffolds, falsework and mobile access towers

  DIN

  TC54

  Simple unfired pressure vessels

  BSI

  TC55

  Dental products

  DIN

  TC57

  Central heating boilers

  DIN

  TC58

  Safety and control devices for gas burners etc.

  BSI

  TC62

  Independent gas fired space heaters

  BSI

  TC631

  Packages for washing and cleaning powders

  DIN

  TC65

  Portable grinding machines—mechanical safety

  DIN

  TC661

  Tests on glass fibre reinforced plastics

  IPQ

  TC67

  Ceramic tiles

  UNI

  TC68

  Building hoists for passenger and/or materials

  AFNOR

  TC70

  Portable fire extinguishers

  IBN

  TC72

  Automatic fire detection systems

  BSI

  TC741

  Flanges

  DIN

  TC781

  Capacities of glass jars for preserved fruit, vegetables and similar products

  DIN

  TC79

  Respiratory protective devices and diving apparatus

  DIN

  TC811

  Capacities of metal cans for fruit, vegetables and similar products

  DIN

  TC85

  Eye protective equipment

  AFNOR

  TC871

  Gas fuelled smokers' lighters

  AFNOR

  TC88

  Thermal insulating materials and products

  DIN

  TC89

  Thermal performance of buildings and building components

  SIS

  TC92

  Cold water meters

  AFNOR

  TC93

  Ladders

  DIN

  TC94

  Ready-mixed concrete production and delivery

  DIN

  TC95

  Technical safety requirements for the construction of injection moulding machines for plastics and rubber

  DIN

  TC98

  Mobile elevating work platforms

  DIN

  TC99

  Wallcoverings

  BSI

  TC100

  Tactile danger warnings on packaging

  DS

  90

  CEN/TC

  Title

  Secretariat

  TC101

  Steel drums

  DIN

  TC102

  Sterilizers for medical purposes

  DIN

  TC103

  Adhesives for wood and derived timber products

  BSI

  TC104

  Concrete (performance production, placing and compliance criteria)

  DIN

  TC105

  Valves and fittings to equip radiators

  DS

  TC106

  Large kitchen appliances using gaseous fuels

  AFNOR

  TC107

  Pre-fabricated district heating pipe systems

  DS

  TC108

  Homogeneous elastomers for static seals

  NNI

  TC109

  Gas-fired central heating boilers

  IBN

  TC110

  Heat exchangers

  SIS

  TC111

  Propellants for commercial ammunition

  IBH

  TC112

  Wood based panels

  DIN

  TC113

  Heat pumps and room air conditioning units

  DIN

  TC114

  Safety of machines

  DIN

  TC115

  European first aid box

  DIN

  TC116

  Bitumen sheeting

  DIN

  TC117

  Plastic and rubber sheeting for roofing and sealing

  IBN

  TC118

  Technical safety requirements for compression moulding machines for plastics and rubber

  BSI

  TC119

  Swap bodies for combined goods transport road/rail

  DIN

  TC120

  Sacks for food transport

  AFNOR

  TC121

  Welding

  DS

  TC122

  Ergonomics

  DIN

  TC123

  Lasers and laser related equipment

  DIN

  TC124

  Timber structures

  DS

  TC125

  Masonry

  BSI

  TC126

  Acoustics properties of building products and of buildings

  AFNOR

  TC127

  Fire safety in buildings

  BSI

  TC128

  Roof covering products for discontinuous laying

  ON

  TC129

  Glass in building

  IBN

  TC130

  Space heating appliances without integral heat sources

  UNI

  TC131

  Gas burners using fans

  DIN

  TC132

  Aluminium and aluminium alloys

  AFNOR

  TC133

  Copper and copper alloys

  DIN

  TC134

  Resilient and textile floor coverings

  BSI

  TC135

  Steel structures

  NSF

  TC136

  Sports, playground and other recreational equipment

  DIN

  TC137

  Assessment of workplace exposure

  DIN

  TC138

  Non-destructive testing

  AFNOR

  TC139

  Paints and varnishes

  DIN

  TC140

  In vitro diagnostic systems

  DIN

  TC141

  Industrial indicator pressure gauges

  AFNOR

  TC142

  Wood working machines—Safety

  BSI

  TC143

  Cold metal working machines—Safety

  UNI

  TC144

  Agricultural and forestry machines —Safety

  AFNOR

  TC145

  Rubber and plastics machines—Safety

  DIN

  TC146

  Packaging machines—Safety

  UNI

  TC147

  Cranes—Safety

  BSI

  TC148

  Continuous mechanical handling equipment—Safety

  AFNOR

  TC149

  Rail dependent storage and retrieval equipment—Safety

  DIN

  TC150

  Industrial trucks—Safety

  BSI

  TC151

  Construction equipment and building material machines—Safety

  DIN

  TC152

  Leisure and recreational machines/equipment—Safety

  BSI

  TC153

  Food industry machines—Safety

  DIN

  TCI 54

  Aggregates

  BSI

  91

  CEN/TC

  Title

  Secretarial

  TC155

  Plastic pipes

  NNI

  TC156

  Ventilation systems for buildings

  BSI

  TC157

  Non-refillable containers for liquefied petroleum gases

  AFNOR

  TC158

  Head protection

  BSI

  TC159

  Hearing protection

  SIS

  TC160

  Protection against falls from height including working belt

  DIN

  TC161

  Foot and leg protection

  BSI

  TC162

  Protective clothing including hand and arm protection and life-jackets

  DIN

  TC163

  Sanitary appliances

  UNI

  TC164

  Water Supply

  AFNOR

  TC165

  Drainage and sewerage

  DIN

  TC166

  Chimneys

  UNI

  TC167

  Structural bearings

  UNI

  TC168

  Chains, ropes, webbing, slings and accessories

  BSI

  TC169

  Lighting applications technology

  DIN

  TC170

  Ophthalmic optics

  DIN

  TC171

  Heating cost instruments based on consumption

  DIN

  TC172

  Paper, board and pulp

  DIN

  TC173

  Brushes

  BSI

  TC174

  Fruit and vegetable juices—methods of analysis

  AFNOR

  TC175

  Sawn timber and sawnlogs

  AFNOR

  TC176

  Heat energy meters

  DS

  TC177

  Prefabricated components of reinforced aerated or non-fines light-weight concrete

  DIN

  TC178

  Small paving units and kerbs

  BSI

  TC179

  Gas-fired air heaters

  NNI

  TC180

  Gas-fired overhead radiant heaters

  BSI

  TC181

  Dedicated liquefied petroleum gas appliances

  NSAI

  TC182

  Refrigerating systems—safety and environment

  DIN

  TC183

  Garbage containers

  DIN

  TC184

  High performance ceramics

  BSI

  TC185

  Threaded and non-threaded mechanical fasteners and accessories

  DIN

  TC186

  Thermoprocessing technology

  DIN

  TC187

  Refractory products and materials

  BSI

  TC188

  Conveyor belting

  BSI

  TC189

  Geotextiles and related products

  IBN

  TC190

  Foundry technology

  DIN

  TC191

  Fixed fire extinguishing systems

  BSI

  TC192

  Fire brigade equipment

  BSI

  TC193

  Adhesives

  AFNOR

  TC194

  Culinary utensils

  BSI

  TBA

  Air filters for ventilation purposes

  TBA

  1 Denotes dormant committee.

  Cars (UK Content)
  Mr. Marlow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list those makes of car which are 50 per cent. or more United Kingdom value.

  Mr. Atkins
  [holding answer 19 June 1989]: All cars manufactured in the United Kingdom by the volume producers have over 50 per cent. United Kingdom content by value. A list of specific models would serve little purpose, since in a number of cases the United Kingdom content of the same models sold here by the multinational producers (Ford, Vauxhall and Peugeot Talbot) will depend on whether they have been produced in this country or at the companies' plants elsewhere in Europe.

  China
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will discuss with his consultative committee colleagues the immediate tightening of the rules that apply to China; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Chalker
  I have been asked to reply.

  The United Kingdom will be discussing with its partners in the Co-ordinating Committee for Multilateral Export Control (COCOM) the implications of events in China for the present export control policy in COCOM towards China.

  Amendments to the COCOM control lists, which can be agreed only by consensus, are made on strategic rather than political grounds, following an assessment of the strategic threat posed by a given country to Western security. Decisions in COCOM, including any relating to China, will be based on this criterion.

ENERGY

  AGR Fuel Rods
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy how many spent AGR fuel rods have been reprocessed at Sellafield to date; and what is the expected capacity at Sellafield for reprocessing spent AGR fuel rods for each year from 1989 to 2000.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  To date some 18 tonnes u of AGR fuel from the Windscale AGR has been reprocessed at Sellafield. This was carried out for the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority in the early 1970s in a facility that was shut down in 1973.

  The thermal oxide reprocessing plant is scheduled to begin reprocessing operations in late 1992. In its first 10 years of operation, BNFL has contracted to reprocess 6,000 tonnes u of fuel, of which 1,850 tonnes u is AGR fuel (some 40,000 AGR fuel assemblies) from the home generating boards and some 30 tonnes u of fuel from Windscale for the authority. It is expected that an additional 1,000 tonnes of capacity will be available during the first 10 years of the plant, so that additional capacity could be allocated to AGR fuel.

  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the problem of conversion of spent AGR fuel rods in storage under water at Sellafield; what proportion are corroded; after how many years under water corrosion becomes a problem; what problems are encountered in reprocessing badly corroded AGR fuel; and how much more expensive it is to reprocess.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  BNFL did experience problems with corrosion in one out of its three storage ponds some four years ago. The measures taken to deal with these were successful. The company estimated that only some 3·5 per cent. of the fuel pins housed there had suffered. Representative samples have been dismantled without any problems and reprocessing should proceed smoothly with no additional costs to be incurred by the generating boards.

  British Nuclear Fuels plc has carried out extensive research into the storage of AGR fuel under water. I am advised that all available evidence suggests that, for fuel

  93
  maintained in the correct water chemistry, no significant corrosion will occur for at least 10 years, and possibly longer.

  Nuclear Materials (Safeguards)
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy on how many occasions nuclear material has been withdrawn from safeguards under article 14 of the tripartite safeguards treaty between the United Kingdom, Euratom and the International Atomic Energy Agency; and if he will list those occasions by date, facility, amount of nuclear material involved and when the withdrawal constituted a temporary change of status for operational convenience rather than use of the material for national security reasons.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  I have nothing to add to the answer that I gave to the hon. Member on 15 June 1989, at column 486.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when it was agreed by(a) member states of the European Atomic Energy Community and (b) member states and the board of governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency, that the principle of fungibility should apply to consignments of civil nuclear materials in regard to application of safeguards.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  I am advised that the existing practice regarding fungibility was formally recognised by member states of the European Atomic Energy Community by a statement of interpretation upon the adoption of Regulation 3227/76 of 19 October 1976.

  Spent Fuel Rods
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy how many spent fuel rods from advanced gas-cooled reactors await reprocessing in Sellafield.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  At 31 March 1989, some 895 tonnes u of spent AGR fuel (some 21,000 AGR fuel assemblies) and some 24 tonnes u of fuel (1,900 assemblies) from the Windscale AGR were held in storage ponds at Sellafield.

  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy how many spent Magnox fuel rods were reprocessed at Sellafield in each year from 1980.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  Weights of individual magnox fuel rods vary considerably and it is the usual practice to give the quantities of magnox fuel reprocessed at Sellafield in tonnes u. On average there are 100 fuel rods per tonne. For the annual reprocessing tonnages from 1980, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Member for Eddisbury (Mr. Goodlad) to the hon. Member for Islington, South and Finsbury (Mr. Smith) on 11 December 1985 at columns 638–39, and my reply to the hon. Member for Newport, West (Mr. Flynn) on 1 February 1988 at columns 473–74. The figures for 1986–87 and 1987–88 were published by my Department as part of annual information on plutonium production placed in the Library of the House. The tonnage for 1988–89 was some 875 tonnes u.

  West Burton B (Power Station)
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy whether he has discussed the failure to commence 94
  construction of a coal-fired power station at West Burton B with the Area Electricity Board or the chair of the Central Electricity Generating Board; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave the hon. Member for Ashfield (Mr. Haynes) on 15 May 1989 at column 4.

  Sizewell B PWR
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what information he has on the outturn cost of the Sizewell B pressurised water reactor power station and as to whether the construction is on schedule.

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

  Sellafield
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what were the total amounts of(a) alpha and (b) beta radiation discharges from Sellafield in 1978 and 1988.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  Radioactivity in liquid discharges to the Irish sea from Sellafield in 1978 and 1987 (the latest year for which figures are available) were as follows:

  Alpha(terabecquerels)

  Beta(terabecquerels)

  1978

  68·0

  7,124

  1987

  2·2

  89

  Coal Industry Productivity
  Mr. Cran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy by what amount productivity in the coal industry has increased since 1974.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  British Coal's productivity, measured in terms of tonnes per manshift, has risen by nearly 93 per cent. from 1973–74 to 1988–89. Between 1973–74 and 1978–79 productivity rose by just over 4 per cent. Between 1978–79 and 1988–89 it rose by some 85 per cent.

  Radioactivity
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is the total radioactivity in curies contained(a) within all nuclear reactors, (b) within all spent nuclear fuel cooling ponds at reactor sites and (c) low and intermediate level radioactive waste stored at each reactor site.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  Details of radioactivity in reactors, spent fuel and wastes stored at reactor sites are management matter for the nuclear reactor operators.

  Radioactive Waste
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what quantities of contained radioactive waste bearing plutonium traces are stored at(a) Sellafield, (b) Harwell and (c) Dounreay.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The quantities of plutonium-contaminated wastes stored at Sellafield, Harwell and
  95
  Dounreay are management matters for British Nuclear Fuels plc and the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority respectively.

  Nuclear Installations
  Mr. Blair
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what are the existing minimum emergency planning zones around nuclear installations; and if he has any plans to alter them.

  Mr. Parkinson
  The minimum emergency planning zones around nuclear installations within which detailed and pre-planned arrangements are required to ensure rapid evacuation vary from 1km and 2·4km depending on the type of installation. There are no plans to alter these minimum emergency planning zones. These arrangements also provide the basis for extending the response if required.

  Nuclear Emergencies
  Mr. Blair
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when the nuclear installations inspectorate and the Health and Safety Executive intend publishing their guidance on arrangements for responding to nuclear emergencies.

  Mr. Parkinson
  The Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) booklet "Emergency Plans for Civil Nuclear Installations" which was published in 1982 is being revised and updated to describe current arrangements. The HSE intends to publish the revised booklet later this year.

  Offshore Safety
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what steps he proposes to take to improve safety in the offshore oil and gas industry.

  Mr. Parkinson
  [pursuant to his reply, 20 March 1989, c. 412]: I have today laid before each House the Offshore Installations (Emergency Pipe-line Valve) Regulations 1989.

  Prior to the making of these regulations extensive consultations were carried out with organisations representing those persons within the offshore industry likely to be affected by them, including employers and the trade unions. They have been made on the advice of the Health and Safety Commission under the Mineral Workings (Offshore Installations) Act 1971. The regulations require emergency shutdown valves to be fitted on pipe-line risers serving offshore installations together with the periodic inspection and testing of these valves and their control systems. In addition an Order in Council was made on 13 June which has the effect of including these valves in the certification process of the installation.

  These regulations represent an important step forward in securing improvements in the safety of offshore pipeline systems. I shall in due course be laying further regulations to deal with subsea isolation systems.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  NHS Reform
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Central Office of Information has been asked to assess the effectiveness of the original launch of the National Health Service review.
  96
  Mr. Lilley
  [holding answer 19 June 1989]: COI has not been involved in what is largely a staff communications exercise.

CIVIL SERVICE

  Agencies
  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the Minister for the Civil Service if he will make a statement on whether there have been improvements in the delivery of service to the public and in labour relations in the civil service agencies established so far.

  Mr. Luce
  The main aim of the next steps initiative is to deliver Government services more efficiently and effectively, within available resources, for the benefit of taxpayers, customers and staff. Developments in service delivery and in industrial relations in individual agencies are matters for the Departments and agencies concerned, (in the light of responsibilities in each agency's framework document). Our overall policy is that each agency will account for its performance on an annual basis through a published report and accounts. We are also developing a policy evaluation framework for the initiative.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Vaccine Damage
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many vaccine damage payments were made in 1980, 1981, 1982 and 1983; and if he will categorise these according to the age of the child when the vaccination took place, the year of vaccination and the nature of the vaccination.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The number of payments awarded under the provisions of the Vaccine Damage Payments Act 1979 in 1980, 1981, 1982 and 1983 were 255, 74, 43 and 42, respectively. I regret that the details requested are not available for any of those made in 1980 and only some of those made in 1981 and 1982. The details that are available are in the tables.

  Table 1

  Vaccine damage payments scheme: awards made in 1981 by age of child at date of vaccination; year of vaccination and type of vaccination

  Type of vaccination cited on the claim form

  Age at date of vaccination(months)

  Year vaccine was given

  1. Triple/Polio

  3 to 6

  1966

  2. Pertussis

  3 to 6

  1959

  3. Triple/Polio

  3 to 6

  1973

  4. Triple/Smallpox

  0 to 3

  1955

  5. Triple/Polio

  12 to 15

  1970

  6. Triple

  9 to 12

  1967

  7. Diphtheria/Tetanus

  6 to 9

  1979

  8. Triple

  3 to 6

  1963

  9. Triple/Polio

  3 to 6

  1968

  10. Triple/Polio

  3 to 6

  1978

  11. Triple

  3 to 6

  1968

  12. Triple

  6 to 9

  1961

  13. Measles

  2 years

  1970

  14. Triple/Polio

  3 to 6

  1979

  15. Triple/Polio

  3 to 6

  1966

  16. Triple

  9 to 12

  1961

  17. Triple/Polio

  3 to 6

  1964

  18. Diphtheria/Tetanus

  6 to 9

  1978

  97

  Type of vaccination cited on the claim form

  Age at date of vaccination(months)

  Year vaccine was given

  19. Diphtheria/Pertussis

  6 to 9

  1952

  20. Triple

  6 to 9

  1964

  21. Triple

  3 to 6

  1979

  22. Triple

  6 to 9

  1960

  23. Triple

  3 to 6

  1968

  24. Diphtheria/Pertussis

  6 to 9

  1951

  25. Triple

  6 to 9

  1979

  26. Smallpox

  2 years

  1963–64

  27. Tetanus/Diphtheria/Polio

  9 to 12

  1977

  28. Pertussis

  9 to 12

  1974

  29. Triple

  3 to 6

  1965

  30. Measles

  12 to 15

  1971

  31. Triple/Smallpox

  3 to 6

  1960

  32. Triple/Polio

  6 to 9

  1975

  Note: Details are not available for the remaining 42 awards made in 1981.

  Table 2

  Vaccine damage payments scheme: awards made in 1981 by age of child at date of vaccination; year of vaccination and type of vaccination

  Type of vaccination cited on the claim form

  Age at date of vaccination(months)

  Year vaccine was given

  1. Pertussis

  6 to 9

  1978

  2. Pertussis

  3 to 6

  1973

  3. Polio

  9 to 12

  1960

  4. Triple

  9 to 12

  1970

  5. Pertussis

  3 to 6

  1980

  6. Tetanus/Polio

  16 years

  1977

  7. Pertussis

  3 to 6

  1981

  8. Measles

  15 to 18

  1979

  9. Measles

  3 to 6

  1981

  10. Triple/Polio

  6 to 9

  1976

  11. Polio

  32 years

  1979

  12. Pertussis

  3 to 6

  1978

  13. Triple

  3 to 6

  1970

  14. Smallpox

  3 to 6

  1960

  15. Pertussis

  3 to 6

  1978

  16. Pertussis

  6 to 9

  1971

  17. Triple/Polio

  3 to 6

  1978

  18. Triple/Polio

  3 to 6

  1980

  19. Triple/Polio

  6 to 9

  1976

  20. Smallpox

  0 to 3

  1961

  21. *

  3 to 6

  1965

  22. Triple/Polio

  3 to 6

  1979

  23. Triple

  6 to 9

  1976

  24. Triple/Polio

  6 to 9

  1977

  25. Pertussis

  3 to 6

  1972

  26. Triple/Polio

  9 to 12

  1968

  27. Triple/Polio

  3 to 6

  1973

  28. Diphtheria/Tetanus/Polio

  2 years

  1971

  29. Diphtheria/Tetanus/Polio

  2 years

  1971

  30. Triple/Polio

  3 to 6

  1973

  31. Triple/Polio

  6 to 9

  1978

  32. Triple

  3 to 6

  1972

  Note: Details are not available for the remaining 11 awards made in 1982.

  Table 3

  Vaccine damage payments scheme: awards made in 1981 by age of child at date of vaccination; year of vaccination and type of vaccination

  Type of vaccination cited on the claim form

  Age at date of vaccination(months)

  Year vaccine was given

  1. Triple/Polio

  6 to 9

  1979

  2. Pertussis

  3 to 6

  1981

  3. Pertussis

  3 to 6

  1980

  4. Triple

  9 to 12

  1971

  5. Triple/Polio

  3 to 6

  1971

  6. Triple/Polio

  6 to 9

  1970

  7. Measles

  12 to 15

  1980

  98

  Type of vaccination cited on the claim form

  Age at date of vaccination (months)

  Year vaccine was given

  8. Triple/Polio/Measles

  6 to 9

  1976

  9. Pertussis

  3 to 6

  1980

  10. Smallpox

  21 to 24

  1962

  11. Triple/Polio

  6 to 9

  1976

  12. Triple/Polio

  9 to 12

  1970

  13. Triple

  6 to 9

  1971

  14. Triple

  3 to 6

  1972

  15. Pertussis

  6 to 9

  1972

  16. Pertussis

  6 to 9

  1968

  17. Triple

  3 to 6

  1971

  18. Triple

  3 to 6

  1980

  19. Triple/Polio

  9 to 12

  1973

  20. Polio

  3 to 6

  1981

  21. Pertussis

  3 to 6

  1982

  22. Triple/Polio

  3 to 6

  1968

  23. Pertussis

  6 to 9

  1971

  24. Pertussis

  6 to 9

  1973

  25. Measles

  2 years

  1971

  26. Pertussis

  9 to 12

  1978

  27. Pertussis

  6 to 9

  1968

  28. Polio

  12 to 15

  1959

  29. Pertussis

  3 to 6

  1967

  30. Pertussis

  6 to 9

  1975

  31. Polio

  6 to 9

  1975

  32. Pertussis

  3 to 6

  1980

  33. Measles/Triple

  3 to 6

  1981

  34. Triple

  3 to 6

  1972

  35. Triple/Polio

  6 to 9

  1969

  36. Triple/Polio

  6 to 9

  1975

  37. Pertussis

  6 to 9

  1972

  38. Triple/Polio

  6 to 9

  1965

  39. Diphtheria/Polio

  3 years

  1968

  40. Pertussis

  3 to 6

  1980

  41. Pertussis

  3 to 6

  1981

  42. Pertussis

  9 to 12

  1978

  Mobility Allowance
  Mr. Boyes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he can state the percentage of successful claimants at each of the following stages(a) the examining medical practitioner/adjudicating officer, (b) the medical board and (c) the medical appeal tribunal of (i) deaf-blind and (ii) mentally handicapped claimants of mobility allowance in the survey which is being carried out by his Department; and if he will clarify the methods being used to obtain these figures:

  (2) what progress has been made by his Department on the analysis that they are carrying out on a sample of deaf-blind and mentally handicapped claimants of mobility allowance; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) when he expects the results of his Department's analysis of a sample of deaf-blind and mentally handicapped claimants of mobility allowance to be published.

  Mr. Scott
  Random samples of claims made by either mentally or visually handicapped people were examined, after the decision had been given, for each of the three stages of the medical adjudication system. The size of the samples and the outcome of the claims is shown as follows:
  99

  Adjudication stage for medical questions

  Sample size

  Percentage successful

  Mentally handicapped

  Adjudication Officer

  100

  36

  Medical Board

  100

  38

  Medical Appeal Tribunal

  100

  46

  Visually handicapped

  Adjudication Officer

  100

  32

  Medical Board

  75

  31

  Medical Appeal Tribunal

  25

  36

  The samples of cases have been analysed by the type of claim, the availability of additional evidence, and their outcome. Further analysis has been made of the nature of the findings on behavioural and balance problems, as appropriate. In practice it has proved difficult to isolate the effect of visual or mental handicap on the individual decisions about entitlement to mobility allowance, because of the frequent incidence of multiple handicap. The results must therefore be treated with caution. We do not therefore propose to publish detailed findings, but we shall use the information which has been collected when the guidance for examining doctors is being revised.

  Pensions
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he will amend paragraph 10 of schedule 2 to the Income Support (General) Regulations 1987 to extend entitlement to the higher pension premium to men aged 60 to 64 years who satisfy the condition of paragraph 12(1)(b) that they have provided evidence of incapacity for 28 weeks.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  We have no plans to do so.

HEALTH

  Drugs
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the total cost of the drug bill for the family practitioners service for the years 1978 to 1988 and the amount deducted from chemists' remuneration in respect of discounts for the same period.

  Mr. Mellor
  The basic cost of prescriptions dispensed by pharmacies in England and Wales and the amounts deducted in respect of discounts for the years 1978 to 1988 were:

  Year

  Basic cost

  Deduction for discounts

  £ million

  £ million

  1978

  557·0

  15·0

  1979

  636·8

  18·3

  1980

  769·9

  12·0

  1981

  896·4

  33·9

  1982

  1,0489

  57·2

  1983

  1,176·2

  66·1

  1984

  1,266·7

  109·0

  11985

  343·2

  21·4

  1985–86

  1,340·8

  82·8

  1986–87

  1,505·7

  117·2

  1987–88

  1,703·3

  134·0

  1988–89

  1,885·0

  154·7

  1 1 January 1985 to 31 March 1985

  Trent Regional Health Authority
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospital wards in the Trent regional health authority are not in use; and if he will list the reasons why in each case.

  Mr. Freeman
  I regret that the information requested is not held centrally. The hon. Member may care to write to the chairman of Trent regional health authority for the information he seeks.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give details for the Trent regional health authority of each capital project costing more than £1 million(a) actually under construction and (b) at the proposal or planning stage; and if he will give the estimated date of completion for each project.

  Mr. Freeman
  The information held centrally is given in the table; estimated completion dates are not held for all the schemes at the planning stages.

  Concise 1—Developed by Department of Health Health Building Directorate

  Trent Regional Health Authority schemes £1 million and over

  Ref.

  Scheme

  Estimated completion

  Schemes under construction

  3.67

  Bassetlaw DGH Phase 2

  1 December 1989

  3.51

  Doncaster Royal Infirmary Phase 2 Pathology Laboratory

  16 June 1989

  3.15

  Glenfield DGH Phase 2

  7 April 1990

  3.41

  Kendray—Sub Phase 2B—Mental Illness Unit—ESMI

  7 August 1989

  3.23

  Kings Mill DGH Phase 3

  29 November 1991

  3.11

  Leicester Royal Infirmary Phase 4B

  1 July 1990

  3.76

  North Hykeham ESMI Facilities

  17 September 1989

  3.54

  Northern General Renal Unit

  9 October 1989

  3.70

  Notts City Replacement and Extension of X-Ray Department

  1 March 1991

  3.64

  St. George's ESMI Facilities

  16 October 1989

  Schemes at proposal or planning stage

  3.46

  Bassetlaw DGH Phase 3

  August 1995

  3.29

  Chesterfield and North Phase 3 Geriatric Provision

  September 1993

  3.114

  Derby City ESMI Day Unit

  July 1992

  3.112

  Derby City Hospital Mental Illness Unit

  June 1992

  3.47

  Derby City Hospital Paediatrics

  April 1994

  3.118

  Doncaster Royal Infirmary West End Redevelopment Phase 2

  October 1994

  3.115

  Dukeries Community Hospital

  August 1993

  3.84

  Fulwood ESMI Unit

  March 1993

  3.73

  Gedling/Eastern Local Hospital

  May 1993

  3.103

  Glenfield DGH MI Department Inc ESMI

  January 1994

  3.28

  Glenfield DGH Phase 3

  March 1995

  3.94

  Grantham and Kesteven—Phase 6 Mental Illness Department

  February 1994

  3.48

  Hallamshire Acute Unit for the Elderly

  November 1992

  3.108

  Highbury Local Hospital for the Elderly

  February 1994

  3.59

  Hincley Hospital Facilities for Elderly Phase 1

  December 1991

  3.92

  Hinkley Development Phases 2, 3 and 4

  July 1994

  3.116

  Kendray Phase 3 Mental Ilness

  February 1994

  3.96

  Kings Mill Phase 4 Acute Wards

  3.101

  Leicester Royal Infirmary Phase 4C Post Main Phase

  September 1992

  3.45

  Lincoln County Phase 3A

  June 1994

  101

  Ref.

  Scheme

  Estimated completion

  3.110

  Mansfield Victoria Community Hospital

  October 1993

  3.85

  Middlewood MI Rehabilitation-Community Centre

  November 1994

  3.82

  North East Unit L/S Facilities for the Elderly

  July 1993

  3.107

  Northern General Phase 3

  February 1996

  3.89

  Nottingham City Catering Department

  March 1991

  3.105

  Notts City ESMI Assessment Unit St. Francis Wing

  November 1991

  3.104

  Notts City Extension to Theatres

  2 October 1992

  3.97

  Notts City Medical Unit

  3.91

  Notts City Psychiatric Centre

  February 1993

  3.95

  Pilgrim Hospital—Phase 4 ESMI-Geriatric

  June 1992

  3.86

  Sheffield Genetics Etc. Department

  3.44

  Sheffield Obstetric-Gynaecology-Elderly Services

  3.117

  St. George's Local Community Hospital for Elderly

  January 1996

  3.88

  Walkley ESMI Unit

  3.93

  Bassetlaw DGH Phase 2A

  June 1992

  3.74

  Clay Cross Community Hospital

  November 1993

  3.106

  Commonside ESMI Unit Sheffield

  June 1992

  3.100

  Doncaster Royal Infirmary West End Development Phase 1

  October 1992

  3.98

  Leicester Health Authority Cook Chill Catering

  April 1990

  3.55

  Rotherham DGH Phase 3B—Geriatric Unit

  October 1994

  3.72

  Rushcliffe Hospital Development

  May 1992

  3.113

  Wharncliffe Long Stay Facilities for Elderly

  June 1992

  3.109

  Ashfield Community Hospital

  November 1991

  3.81

  Beighton Local Hospital for Elderly

  September 1991

  3.66

  Charles Clifford District Hospital New Extension

  3.25

  Derby City Phase 2 Geriatrics

  30 April 1991

  3.37

  Grantham and Kesteven Phase 5B

  August 1991

  3.26

  Lincoln County Phase 2

  October 1992

  3.27

  Loughborough Phase 1 Geriatric and ESMI Provision

  February 1992

  3.43

  Northern General Phase 2

  February 1992

  3.71

  Notts City Renal/Radiotherapy

  July 1992

  3.57

  Rotherham DGH Phase 3A

  15 March 1991

  Food Hygiene
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he now expects to lay before Parliament statutory instruments on standards of food hygiene.

  Mr. Freeman
  The Food Hygiene (General) Regulations 1970 already provide strict standards of food hygiene in food premises, and related regulations provide the same in respect of markets, stalls and delivery vehicles.

  We are currently considering amending the regulations so as to extend temperature controls to food intended for retail sale. We anticipate that these amending regulations will be laid before Parliament in the autumn of this year.

  Bio-Plan Ltd.
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the extra facilities provided by Bio-Plan Ltd. to the National Health Service patients of Leighton hospital with the date of their inception and the number of patients in the National Health Service who have had access to them.
  102
  Mr. Mellor
  We do not hold this information centrally. The hon. Member may care to contact the chairman of the Crewe health authority.

  NHS Reform
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what consultations will be held with(a) the staff and (b) the local authority representing the catchment area of any general district hospitals that apply to opt-out.

  Mr. Mellor
  Self-governing trusts will not opt out but will remain fully within the NHS. When a unit decides to submit an application, the RHA will seek the views of those with an interest, particularly the health authority concerned, staff at the hospital, GPs, CHCs and the local community. The Secretary of State will consider any responses alongside the application.

  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has had from general practitioners and others on the effects of the proposals in "Working for Patients" on rural practices; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 19 June 19891: We have received a number of representations from doctors about the possible effects on rural practice of our proposal to increase to 60 per cent. the proportion of a GP's income represented by capitation payments.

  A number of features of the new contract will be of benefit to GPs serving rural areas, including the new payments linked to the provision of specific services such as health promotion clinics, minor surgery and child health surveillance and the higher level of night visit fee. The new weighting of basic practice allowance will also benefit GPs with small lists including GPs in rural areas. In particular, the inclusion of home visits in the 26 hours a week availability, and the scope for GPs to fulfil this requirement over four rather than five days where the fifth day is spent on health-related activities in the public sector, will be welcomed by such GPs.

  In recognition of the strength of feeling among rural GPs against our earlier proposal to introduce a new rural supplement, we agreed with the general medical services committee's negotiators on 4 May that the rural practice payments scheme will continue pending its revision by the central advisory committee on rural practice payments.

  Sir David Price
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what change in administrative arrangements he intends to introduce for those specialised regional units in teaching hospitals where a close working relationship between the basic scientific research and developing clinical practice is common practice.

  Mr. Mellor
  The Government are still developing the details necessary for the implementation of "Working for Patients", but they recognise the value of the links between basic scientific research and developing clinical practice, and are taking these into account as their plans develop.

  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will detail those points where a substantial number of general practitioners are understood to support the National Health Service White Paper; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  A substantial number of general practitioners support our proposals for:
  103
  retaining the principles on which the NHS was based; better management in the NHS and the greater involvement of doctors in it;
  clinically led medical audit;
  extending resource management and better information systems so that the costs and results of decisions can be taken fully into account and so that the health service, for the first time, knows what it is doing, why, at what cost and to what standards;
  the need for a comprehensive health service;
  the vital role of a high standard of medical education and of an effective research programme;
  the need to build on the excellent track record of the NHS to meet the changing demands of the coming decade; the principle of money following patients; and
  many general practitioners have expressed interest in practice budgets.

  We are continuing discussions with representatives of the medical profession on the implementation of these and our other proposals.

  General Practitioners
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about the trend in the number of general practitioners since 1979.

  Mr. Mellor
  The table gives the number of general medical practitioners in England for each year between 1979 and 1988 (the latest year for which figures are available). The figures show that the number of general medical practitioners in England has risen steadily since 1979, with an overall increase of nearly 19 per cent. between 1979 and 1988.

  Number of unrestricted principals (England)

  Year

  Number

  1979

  21,357

  1980

  21,812

  1981

  22,304

  1982

  22,786

  1983

  23,254

  1984

  23,640

  1985

  24,035

  1986

  24,460

  1987

  24,922

  1988

  125,322

  1 Provisional.

  NHS Scientists
  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what action he intends to improve the pay and morale of medical physicists in the National Health Service;

  Population of England, thousands 1987-based projections

  Age group

  Mid-1987 estimates

  2000

  2020

  Per cent change projected

  1987–2000

  1987–2020

  65–74

  4,218

  4,007

  5,112

  –5

  21

  75–79

  1,555

  1,657

  1,716

  7

  10

  80 and over

  1,634

  2,038

  2,281

  25

  40

  BNFL, Sellafield
  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evidence he has of health problems, in
  104
  (2) what action he intends to take to improve the pay and working conditions of scientists in the National Health Service;

  (3) what action he intends to take to reduce the loss of National Health Service scientists to the private sector.

  Mr. Mellor
  The pay of medical physicists, non-medical scientists and clinical psychologists is a matter for negotiation between the management side of the Scientific and Professional Staffs Council and the staff side representing scientists employed in the NHS. Negotiations are continuing on the staff side pay claim for 1989–90. The management side has set up a working party to investigate the recuitment and retention of scientists in the NHS and is currently considering its findings.

  Toxoplasmosis
  Mr. Gerald Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he has any plans to publish and distribute, through the Health Education Authority, any information and advice for pregnant women about toxoplasmosis.

  Mr. Mellor
  We are currently giving consideration to the most effective ways in which messages about toxoplasmosis can be transmitted to pregnant women.

  Immunisation
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will publish in the Official Report any preliminary figures for the uptake of measles, mumps and rubella immunisation in each health authority in England during the first three months of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccines being available.

  Mr. Freeman
  Uptake of the measles, mumps and rubella combined vaccine is being monitored monthly in selected district health authorities. Early reports suggest an increase in uptake of 10 per cent. compared to matching cohorts of children vaccinated with measles vaccine one year previously.

  Population Statistics
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are his Department's estimates for the numbers of people aged 65 to 74 years, 75 to 79 years and over 80 years in the years 2000 and 2020 in England; and what percentage increase this represents in each category over the actual figures for the last year in which they are available.

  Mr. Freeman
  The data requested are in the table.

  particular those related to tissue and blood cancers, among children living within 10 miles of the British Nuclear Fuels plc's Sellafield facility; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  I refer the hon. Member to the report of the independent advisory group, chaired by Sir Douglas
  105
  Black (1), and to the published results of the birth and school cohort studies, recommended by the group and funded by Government (2). The results of the associated case-control study are expected later this year. In addition, the report on cancer incidence and mortality in the vicinity of nuclear installations in England and Wales (3) is also relevant.

  (1) Investigation of the Possible Increased Incidence of Cancer in West Cumbria. Report of the Independent Advisory Group. (HMSO 1984).

  (2) Gardner, M. J., et al (1987). Follow up studies of children born to mothers resident in Seascale, and those born elsewhere but attending schools in Seascale. British Medical Journal 295, 822 and 819.

  (3) Cook-Mozaffari, P. J. et al. Cancer incidence and mortality in the vicinity of nuclear installations. England and Wales 1959–80. (Office of Population, Censuses and Surveys. Studies on Medical and Population Subjects No. 51 HMSO).

  Details of grants awarded to the NSPCC for each of the past 10 years

  Year

  Section 64 grants towards headquarters administrative expenditure

  Grants towards the cost of seconding NSPCC staff on to social work qualifying courses

  Total of columns (b) and (c)

  Totals in column (d) as percentage of NSPCC's total income

  (a)

  (b)

  (c)

  (d)

  (e)

  £

  £

  £

  Per cent.

  1979–80

  86,500

  —

  86,500

  2·22

  1980–81

  132,450

  25,000

  157,450

  3·18

  1981–82

  200,000

  25,000

  225,000

  4·06

  1982–83

  168,000

  25,000

  193,000

  3·14

  1983–84

  113,000

  35,000

  148,000

  13·9

  1984–85

  167,000

  35,000

  202,000

  1·84

  1985–86

  167,000

  35,000

  202,000

  1·38

  1986–87

  167,000

  35,000

  202,000

  1·10

  1987–88

  125,000

  35,000

  160,000

  0·82

  1988–89

  125,000

  —

  125,000

  1—

  1 Details of total income are not yet available.

  The NSPCC received from the Department of Health £5,300 in the year 1987–88 and £39,198 in 1988–89 for a project it is undertaking to develop child protection training materials for child abuse consultants in local health authorities.

  In addition the Prime Minister has announced that the Department of Health will be making a grant of £800,000 over three years towards the cost of the NSPCC's new national training centre in Leicester.

  Dangerous Food Products
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he has notified the EC under the rapid notification scheme for dangerous food products about(a) salmonella in eggs, (b) bovine products and bovine spongiform encephalopathy, (c) listeria in cheese and (d) mineral hydrocarbons.

  Mr. Freeman
  [holding answer 19 June 1989]: Yes, where appropriate the Department has notified the EC. However, questions relating to bovine products and bovine spongiform encephalopathy and mineral hydrocarbons are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

  Tuberculosis Vaccine
  Mr. Terry Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when Evans Medical, the British supplier of tuberculosis vaccine, moved the production of this vaccine to a new site; what effect this transfer has had on the production of tuberculosis vaccine; and when he expects health authorities to be able to resume their routine school immunisation programmes.

  Mr. Freeman
  [holding answer 19 June 1989]: Evans Medical began production of tuberculosis vaccine at its

  NSPCC
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will list the sums of money given to the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children in each of the past 10 years; for what purpose these sums were provided by Her Majesty's Government; what percentage of the NSPCC's annual general income these sums represented; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what sums of money have been given to the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children for the purposes of training NSPCC personnel in each of the past 10 years; how much money is to be provided to the society by Her Majesty's Government in each of the next three years for this purpose; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 19 June 1989]: Details are provided in the table.

  new site in November 1988 and technical difficulties emerged earlier this year. Health authorities will be advised as soon as possible when regular supplies for the routine immunisation of schoolchildren can be resumed.

EMPLOYMENT

  Enterprise Allowance
  Mr. Eastham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the most recent total number of filled enterprise training places in the Greater Manchester area, by scheme type.

  Mr. Cope
  At the beginning of June there were 578 filled enterprise training places in the Greater Manchester area. This figure comprises 413 places via enterprise training within the employment training scheme and 165 places on the business enterprise programme, outside ET.

  Health and Safety Inspectors (Sunderland)
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the outcome of the recent visit of health and safety inspectors to employers in Sunderland.
  107
  Mr. Nicholls
  During the week commencing 5 June 1989 a team of inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive's north-east area office concentrated their efforts on a planned campaign of inspections to factories, construction sites and other workplaces in Sunderland. The aims were to raise employers' awareness of health and safety, to give advice to small firms, to publicise HSE's guidance and to identify firms with poor standards.

  The campaign was a success. Inspectors carried out 358 inspections, giving advice on a wide range of health and safety matters. Where necessary they used their formal enforcement powers to deal with serious health and safety risks, issuing 58 enforcement notices.

  Training and Enterprise Councils
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how he intends to monitor the efficiency of the training and enterprise councils.

  Mr. Fowler
  Each of the training and enterprise councils will operate under a contract with my Department which will set out the specific targets that they are to achieve. Their progress in meeting these targets will be monitored by the Training Agency.

  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a further statement on the role of training and enterprise councils in the provision of employment training.

  Mr. Cope
  Training and enterprise councils will deliver and develop employment training, YTS and other Government programmes and tailor these programmes to meet local needs. They will also stimulate enterprise and economic growth in the locality and provide practical help to local employers wishing to improve their own training efforts.

  Mr. Aspinwall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the role of training and enterprise councils in the provision of small business counselling.

  Mr. Cope
  As TECs are established in England they will contract with the Training Agency to take responsibility for the counselling currently provided through the Training Agency's small firms service along with the appropriate share of the counselling budget. Each TEC will decide whether counselling will be provided through direct contracts with counsellors or through local enterprise agencies or other appropriate organisations. In Wales counselling for small firms will continue to be provided by the Welsh Development Agency.

  Sir Marcus Fox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the role of training and enterprise councils in the provision of YTS.

  Mr. Cope
  Training and enterprise councils will have responsibility for the operation of YTS in their area, within the framework set out by the Secretary of State for Employment. The councils will deliver the Government's guarantee of a training place for all young people under the age of 18 who cannot find a job, and help to achieve the aim that every young person should have access to relevant education or training leading to higher levels of attainment, nationally recognised qualifications and to a job.
  108
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many training and enterprise councils have been established; and what progress has been made in attracting two thirds board membership from the private sector.

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

  The response from private sector employers has been excellent.

  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when the handbook for the training and enterprise councils will be published; and whether there will he an opportunity for the public to suggest amendments.

  Mr. Cope
  A training and enterprise council (TEC) prospectus was published in early March and circulated widely. A draft TEC operating manual for England and Wales was published in mid-April, aimed specifically at people intending to run a TEC, with the intention that it would be expanded and updated as TECs evolve. A copy of the manual was placed in the Library and copies are available to other interested parties on request. The Training Agency will take into account any comments received.

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many applications he has received from parties interested in setting up training and enterprise councils; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment which areas have put forward proposals for establishing training and enterprise councils; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will report on progress in establishing the first training and enterprise councils; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the progress being made in establishing training and enterprise councils.

  Mr. Evennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many expressions of interest his Department has received from groups of employers wishing to form training and enterprise councils; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Cope
  Twenty-two applications have been received by the national training task force, which is reviewing these proposals and will forward its recommendations to me. This is an excellent response. The table lists the areas from which applications have been received.

  List of TECS that have applied for development funding:

  Oldham

  Dorset

  Warwickshire

  Essex

  Rochdale

  Tyneside

  North West Midlands

  109

  Sheffield

  Calderdale and Kirklees

  Teesside

  Kingston

  Devon and Cornwall

  Birmingham

  East Lancashire

  Walsall

  Milton Keynes

  Hertfordshire

  Isle of Wight

  Hampshire

  North, West and South Norfolk

  South and East Cheshire

  Cumbria

  Secondary Picketing
  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received about secondary picketing; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The Government receive representations on many aspects of industrial relations. In the nine years since employers were given the freedom to restrain secondary picketing by the 1980 Employment Act representations on this subject have dwindled to nothing.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what are the latest youth unemployment figures for the Holloway travel-to-work area.

  Mr. Cope
  In the London travel-to-work area, of which Islington, North parliamentary constituency and Holloway are a part, there were about 54.500 unemployed claimants aged under 25 years.

  Mr. Roy Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what are the latest available unemployment figures for the United Kingdom and the comparable figures for 1979; and what they would have been without the changes in the method of counting unemployment.

  Mr. Cope
  In May 1989 the level of unemployment seasonally adjusted was 1,835,200, or 6·4 per cent. compared with 1,088,500 or 4·1 per cent in May 1979, on a consistent basis. It is not possible to estimate current unemployment on the basis prevailing in 1979.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the reduction in long-term unemployment over the last 12 months.

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment by how much long-term unemployment has fallen over the past year; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  In April 1989, the number of unemployed claimants in the United Kingdom who had been unemployed for 12 months or more was 744,120 compared with 1,029,206 in April 1988, a fall of 285,086 or 27·7 per cent.

  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the current number of persons unemployed in the Southend-on-Sea area; and what was the comparable total in 1979.
  110
  Mr. Nicholls
  In May 1989 there were 3,602 unemployed claimants in Southend-on-Sea local authority area. Comparable figures are not available for 1979 on the same administrative basis and because of changes in the coverage of the count.

  Mr. Flannery
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the figure for unemployment in 1979; and what is the present figure.

  Mr. Nicholls
  In May 1989 the level of unemployment, seasonally adjusted, in the United Kingdom was 1,835,200 or 6·4 per cent. compared with 1,088,500 or 4·1 per cent. in May 1979, on a consistent basis.

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment in which standard planning regions in the United Kingdom there have been(a) increases and (b) reductions in employment since June 1979.

  Mr. Nicholls
  Between June 1979 and June 1988 the civilian work force in employment(a) increased in the south-east (including London), East Anglia, south-west, west midlands, and east midlands, and (b) decreased in Yorkshire and Humberside, the north-west, north, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Holt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the rate of fall of unemployment in the United Kingdom and in other comparable European countries; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The table shows the fall in the unemployment rates over the past two years for the countries of the European Community. Over the past two years the rate of unemployment has fallen faster in the United Kingdom than in any other EC country.

  Unemployment, latest month compared with two years earlier

  Country

  Latest month

  Percentage rate change

  United Kingdom1

  May 1989

  -318

  Belgium

  March 1989

  -2·6

  Ireland

  May 1989

  -1·6

  France

  March 1989

  -1·5

  Germany

  May 1989

  -0·9

  Portugal

  March 1989

  -0·7

  Netherlands

  December 1988

  -0·4

  Greece

  April 1989

  -0·3

  Luxembourg

  March 1989

  -0·3

  Denmark

  January 1989

  0·7

  Italy

  February 1989

  1·7

  1 Seasonally adjusted series consistent with current coverage.

  Mr. Dover
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people aged between 18 and 24 years were unemployed in April 1988 and April 1989, respectively; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  In April 1989, the number of unemployed claimants aged 18 to 24 years in the United Kingdom, was 530,376 compared with 697,718 in April 1988, a fall of 167,342 or 24 per cent.

  Mr. Andy Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment by how many the total of persons out of work for five years or more has fallen during the past year; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Favell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment by how much the total out of work for five years or more has fallen since April last year; and if he will make a statement.
  111
  Mr. Nicholls
  In April 1989 the number of unemployed claimants in the United Kingdom who had been unemployed for five years or more was 216,607 compared with 271,242 in April 1988, a fall of 54,635 or 20·1 per cent.

  Mr. Knapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment by how much the number of people in employment rose in 1988 in the United Kingdom and in other Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The table shows, for the United Kingdom and the major OECD countries, the increase in civilian employment in the year to the fourth quarter of 1988. The United Kingdom had the largest percentage rise.

  Increases in civilian employment United Kingdom and major OECD countries

  Thousands

  Percentage

  United Kingdom

  642

  2·5

  Canada

  288

  2·4

  United States of America

  2,386

  2·1

  Japan

  864

  1·5

  Germany (Federal Republic)

  159

  0·6

  Italy

  134

  0·6

  France

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a = not available.

  Sources:

  United Kingdom: Department of Employment.

  Other countries: OECD Labour Force Statistics, 1989/1.

  Mr. Quentin Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the fall in long-term unemployed in the three months to April.

  Mr. Lee
  In April 1989, the number of unemployed claimants in the United Kingdom, who had been unemployed for 12 months or more, was 744,120 compared with 821,419 in January 1989, a fall of 77,299 or 9·4 per cent.

  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment which major Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development country has had the sharpest fall in the rate of unemployment over the past two years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  Over the past two years the unemployment rate has fallen faster in the United Kingdom than in any other major OECD country. The unemployment rate in the United Kingdom is now lower than the European Community average.

  Mr. Norris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the number of people employed in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Nicholls
  Between March 1983 and December 1988 the work force in employment in the United Kingdom increased by 2,948,000 to 26,510,000, the highest level on record. This rising trend has now continued for more than five years. The figures have been adjusted for the effects of seasonal variations. The work force in employment is the sum of employees in employment, the self-employed, Her Majesty's forces and participants in work-related Government training programmes.

  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the current level of unemployment in the United Kingdom.
  112
  Mr. Nicholls
  In May 1989 the level of unemployment, seasonally adjusted, in the United Kingdom was 1,835,200 or 6·4 per cent. the lowest for more than eight years, on a consistent basis.

  Mrs. Maureen Hicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment by how much long-term unemployment has fallen among the 18 to 24 age group in the past year; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lee
  In April 1989, the number of unemployed claimants aged 18 to 24 years in the United Kingdom, who had been unemployed for 12 months or more, was 119,160 compared with 179,938 in April 1988, a fall of 60,778 or 33·8 per cent.

  Mr. Grocott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when he expects unemployment in the west midlands to fall to the level it was in 1979.

  Mr. Lee
  The Department does not forecast future levels of unemployment.

  Mr. Robert Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what has been the increase in the number of self-employed people in the United Kingdom since 1979; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Forman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what has been the increase in the number of self-employed people in work since 1979; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Cope
  Between June 1979 and December 1988, the latest date for which estimates are available, there was an increase of 1,142,000, or 60 per cent., in the number of self-employed people in the United Kingdom. It is estimated that over 3 million people are now self-employed. Self-employed people now represent 11 per cent. of the work force in employment.

  Mr. Kirkhope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what proportion of males and females are in employment in each major Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development country; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment which major Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries have the highest proportion of women in employment; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Cope
  The latest comparative information relates to 1986 (except for Germany) and is given in the table. It shows the United Kingdom's percentage in employment to be significantly higher than those of our major European competitors, though lower than those of Japan and the United States. This country's relative position may well have become still better since 1986 as employment has increased more rapidly here than elsewhere.

  Percentage of those aged 15 to 64 in employment(including armed forces)

  Males

  Females

  Japan

  85

  56

  United States of America

  77

  60

  United Kingdom

  77

  56

  Canada

  76

  57

  Federal Republic of Germany1

  74

  46

  113

  Males

  Females

  Italy

  74

  35

  France

  70

  48

  1 1985 figures.

  Sources:

  United Kingdom: Department of Employment.

  Other countries: OECD Labour Force Statistics 1966 to 1986.

  Mr. David Martin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment by how much the unemployment rate has fallen in the past two years in the United Kingdom and other European countries; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The table shows falls in unemployment rates over the past two years for the United Kingdom and other European countries. Over the past two years unemployment has fallen faster in the United Kingdom than in any other major industrialised country.

  Unemployment,latest month compared with two years earlier

  Country

  Latest month

  Percentage rate change

  United Kingdom1

  May 1989

  -3·8

  Spain

  March 1989

  -2·8

  Belgium

  March 1989

  -2·6

  Austria

  March 1989

  -1·7

  Finland

  February 1989

  -1·7

  Ireland

  May 1989

  -1·6

  France

  March 1989

  -1·5

  Germany

  May 1989

  -0·9

  Sweden

  March 1989

  -0·9

  Portugal

  March 1989

  -0·7

  Netherlands

  December 1988

  -0·4

  Switzerland

  March 1989

  -0·3

  Greece

  April 1989

  -0·3

  Luxembourg

  March 1989

  -0·3

  Denmark

  January 1989

  0·7

  Italy

  February 1989

  1·7

  Norway

  March 1989

  2·5

  1 Seasonally adjusted series consistent with current coverage.

  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the current youth unemployment rate in the United Kingdom and in other comparable European countries; and if he will make a statement.
  114
  Mr. Nicholls
  The table shows harmonised unemployment rates, seasonally adjusted, for those aged under 25 years, for March 1989 in the United Kingdom and other European Countries as published by the statistical office of the European Communities. The youth unemployment rate in the United Kingdom is about half the European Communities average.

  Under 25 year olds seasonally adjusted unemployment rate March 1989

  European country

  Total percentage rate

  Spain

  36·7

  Italy

  31·9

  Greece

  24·4

  Ireland

  22·8

  France

  21·4

  Belgium

  18·7

  Netherlands

  16·4

  Portugal

  12·2

  Denmark

  9·6

  Germany

  5·2

  Luxembourg

  4·1

  United Kingdom

  9·6

  EC average

  18·1

  Mr. Tracey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people are currently self-employed; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Cope
  In December 1988, the latest date for which estimates are available, there were, 3,048,000 self-employed in the United Kingdom. The numbers of self-employed have increased by 60 per cent. since June 1979 and currently represent 11 per cent. of the work force in employment.

  Mr. Stevens
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the number of people self-employed in April 1989 and April 1983, respectively.

  Mr. Nicholls
  In December 1988, the latest date for which figures are available there were 3,048,000 self-employed people in the United Kingdom and in March 1983 there were 1,906,000.

  Employment Training
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many employment training managers there are(a) nationally and (b) by standard region; and how many have been accredited with providing training of high and sustainable quality.

  Mr. Nicholls
  Nationally there are 1,251 training managers within employment training. All of them are at present undergoing examination for approved status.

  The regional breakdown by standard region is as follows:

  Number

  Scotland

  233

  Northern

  148

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  131

  North-West

  157

  West Midlands

  102

  East Midlands and Eastern

  106

  Wales

  131

  South-West

  69

  South-cast

  76

  London

  98

  National total

  1,251

  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether he has any plans to enhance payments to employment training trainees(a) nationally and (b) regionally.

  Mr. Nicholls
  At present my right hon. Friend has no plans to enhance payments to employment training trainees. However, training allowances are linked to individual benefit entitlement and so are enhanced whenever benefits are uprated. For this reason, training allowances were increased in April 1989. In addition, the levels of other payments to trainees are kept under continuous review and travel payments to trainees have been increased very recently.

  Ms. Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people are on employment training in each Training Agency area; and what is the drop-out rate for each area.

  Mr. Nicholls
  Information on the number of people on employment training in each area office is given in the following table. Information on the number of leavers is not available at the area level.

  Employment Training

  In-Training Figures at 2 June 1989

  Numbers

  Northern Region

  Cleveland

  6,141

  Durham

  5,063

  North Tyne

  4,259

  South Tyne

  6,357

  Total

  21,820

  East Midlands

  Derby

  2,861

  Norfolk and Suffolk

  3,141

  Leicestershire and Northants

  2,782

  Lincolnshire

  1,361

  Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire

  1,699

  Nottinghamshire

  3,345

  116

  Numbers

  Total

  15,189

  North West

  Cheshire

  2,899

  Cumbria

  1,387

  Lancashire

  4,220

  Manchester Central

  4,022

  Manchester East

  2,590

  Manchester North

  2,624

  Merseyside

  8,672

  Total

  26,414

  West Midlands

  Birmingham

  7,374

  Coventry

  2,682

  Dudley

  2,889

  Staffordshire

  3,629

  Marches

  2,654

  Wolverhampton

  3,144

  Total

  22,372

  South East Region

  Berkshire and Oxfordshire

  1,212

  Essex

  1,694

  Hampshire and Isle of Wight

  1,992

  Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire

  1,672

  Kent

  1,963

  Surrey

  445

  Sussex

  1,761

  Total

  10,739

  London

  Inner South

  3,309

  North London

  3,553

  East London

  2,195

  South London

  1,685

  West London

  1,197

  Inner North

  5,815

  Total

  17,754

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  Humberside

  5,253

  Leeds

  4,295

  Bradford

  4,540

  Wakefield

  5,332

  Sheffield

  5,342

  Total

  24,762

  South West

  Avon

  2,555

  Gloucester

  1,506

  Plymouth

  5,541

  Taunton

  1,868

  Total

  11,470

  Scotland

  Glasgow City

  4,525

  Lanarkshire

  2,534

  Renfrew, Dumbarton and Argyll

  2,682

  Ayr, Dumfries and Galloway

  2,991

  Lothian and Borders

  3,368

  Central and Fife

  2,852

  Grampian and Tayside

  2,583

  Highlands and Islands

  917

  Total

  22,452

  Wales

  Cardiff

  4,811

  Gwent

  2,235

  Swansea

  4,315

  Wrexham

  3,094

  117

  Numbers

  Total

  14,455

  Mr. Duffy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people are currently in employment training in South Yorkshire.

  Mr. Nicholls
  On 2 June 1989, the latest date for which information is available, there were 9,083 people on employment training in South Yorkshire.

  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many extra staff have been employed by the Health and Safety Executive to monitor health and safety on employment training schemes.

  Mr. Nicholls
  None. By virtue of the Health and Safety (Training for Employment) Regulations 1988, participants on employment training and similar training schemes at employers' premises are covered by the full range of statutory health, safety and welfare provisions applying to employed persons. Accordingly HSE inspectors do not, when examining conditions at workplaces, differentiate between trainees and employees.

  Mr. Jack Thompson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many accidents have occurred on employment training schemes since their inception.

  Mr. Nicholls
  Since the inception of employment training on the 5 September 1988, 556 accidents to ET trainees have been reported to the Training Agency.

  Mr. McAvoy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what specific measures are taken to monitor health and safety on employment training schemes.

  Mr. Nicholls
  Health and safety arrangements for ET closely parallel those for YTS. Training managers have the prime responsibility for monitoring work placements, and they are obliged to ensure that premises are properly notified to the relevant enforcing authority, that proper insurance arrangements are available and that, in general, there is appropriate health and safety management and supervision. Training managers are also required to report and investigate accidents; to provide relevant literature, including the new booklet "Safety First in Employment Training", and to arrange for proper induction and training in health and safety matters.

  The Training Agency's own staff conduct monitoring of all these requirements, by sample visits to training managers to check records and documents. They also visit work experience premises on a sample basis.

  Benefit Fraud
  Mr. Roger King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on investigations carried out by the west midlands employment fraud investigators at the Birmingham convention centre and on Operation Enterprise.

  Mr. Nicholls
  On 10 March 1989, investigators interviewed 450 building workers at the Birmingham convention site. As a result, 128 people withdrew their claims to benefit. The exercise yielded net benefit savings of approximately £98,000. Forty-four cases are being considered for prosecution.
  118
  Operation Enterprise investigated people registered with employment agencies. It commenced in July 1988 and finished in March 1989. Of the 2,350 investigations, 1,100 people withdrew their claims to benefit. The net benefit saving was approximately £800,000. A total of 147 cases are being considered for prosecution.

  Mr. Fishburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on Operation Rag Trade carried out by employment service fraud operators in the east end of London.

  Mr. Nicholls
  Operation Rag Trade, which was carried out between October and November 1988, investigated possible benefit fraud among people engaged in the clothing industry in the east end of London. Over 1,150 investigations were undertaken with 173 people withdrawing their claims to benefit. This resulted in net benefit savings of £275,000 and five potential prosecution cases.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will report progress on tackling fraud among benefit claimants; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Brandon-Bravo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will report on progress in tackling fraud among benefit claimants; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  During the year April 1988 to March 1989, 435,969 investigations were carried out by investigators. This resulted in 86,895 claims to benefit being withdrawn with net benefit savings of £62·55 million. In addition, 4,045 people were prosecuted for social security offences.

  Ports
  Mr. Thornton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he plans to meet the general secretary of the Transport and General Workers Union to discuss industrial relations in the ports; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  My right hon. Friend has no such plans.

  Industrial relations in scheme, and non-scheme ports are a matter for employers and their employees. The Government's proposals for the abolition of the dock labour scheme provides an opportunity for ports which evolve new arrangements to secure better industrial relations and fewer strikes.

  Mr. Franks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many registered dockers under the dock labour scheme are currently on the temporary unattached register; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  According to National Dock Labour Board registers for 30 May 1989 there were 130 registered dock workers then on the temporarily unattached register.

  The temporarily unattached register is a product of the dock labour scheme. It maintains registered dock workers on basic pay even though they are not working and is funded by a levy on employers in scheme ports. No other industry bears the cost of such a requirement. The Government are abolishing the scheme so that scheme ports can compete on equal terms.

  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what volume of Britain's overseas trade
  119
  is currently handled by dockers working in ports (a) covered by the dock labour scheme and (b) those outside the scheme; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  Department of Transport port statistics for 1987 show that 51 scheme ports handled 59·73 per cent. of the volume of overseas trade, while 35 non-scheme ports handled 40·26 per cent.

  Ports which bear the costs of the dock labour scheme have lost a substantial share of trade to ports outside the scheme over the past 25 years. They have also lost jobs while jobs in non-scheme ports have grown. The Government are abolishing the scheme to allow all ports to compete on equal terms and win the business needed to sustain jobs.

  Mr. John Townend
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the current industrial dispute in the ports covered by the dock labour scheme.

  Mr. Nicholls
  It is a matter for the port employers to decide how they wish to respond to unofficial strikes by a minority of registered dock workers. I hope that dock workers will look to their future, and respond to the port employers offer to negotiate locally about arrangements to be established after the dock labour scheme is abolished.

  Mr. Barry Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he has any plans to reintroduce casual labour into dock labour scheme ports after abolition of the statutory scheme.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The Government believe that there is no evidence that there can be a return to widespread casual work. Modern ports have no need of it.

  Without the scheme's restrictions, non-scheme ports employ few casual workers and employers of 93 per cent. of dock workers in scheme ports have given assurances not to return to a system of casual work. They have indicated a willingness to examine this and other issues on the same port-by-port basis as already applies to other workers in scheme ports and to the one in three dock workers in ports outside the scheme.

  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many applications for redundancy have been received from dock workers working in ports covered by the dock labour scheme; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  My right hon. Friend has no means of knowing how many inquiries have been made to employers by registered dock workers about redundancy following the abolition of the dock labour scheme.

  The Dock Work Bill which abolishes the scheme provides for the Government to contribute 50 per cent. of payments of up to £35,000 for any registered dock worker who is made redundant in the 18 months following the abolition of the scheme, and 50 per cent. of payments of up to £20,000 in the 18 months thereafter. This will provide redundancy compensation of many times normal statutory requirements and will be in addition to entitlements to early retirement pensions available under the registered dock workers occupational pension scheme from the age of 50 onwards.

  Mr. Jacques Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received 120
  about negotiations between dock workers and their employers in scheme ports; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Riddick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received about port-by-port negotiations between dock workers and their employers; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received about the port-by-port negotiations between dock workers and the port employers; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  On 4 May the deputy general secretary of the Transport and General Workers Union wrote to my right hon. Friend urging negotiations with the employers about a national agreement to replace the scheme.

  It is for employers and employees to decide the form of negotiations which best meets their needs. The Government note that the Transport and General Workers Union negotiates locally about terms and conditions for all other workers in Britain's ports, in and outside the dock labour scheme, and that pay rates of registered dock workers in scheme ports are also determined locally. The union, therefore, recognises that local negotiations are an appropriate response to the widely differing requirements of our ports.

  The Government therefore hope that the union will lift its veto on similar local negotiations on conditions of employment for the minority of port workers who are registered dock workers.

  Mr. Couchman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has to discuss dock labour schemes with the Employment Ministers of the European Community; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  I have no such plans.

  It is for member states to decide their own framework for employment in ports in accordance with national needs and Community policies to minimise distortions to competition.

  Foreign Firms
  Mr. Ashby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what proportion of foreign firms plan to increase their employment in Britain; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Cope
  Although the information requested is not available, I have no doubt that a strong economy and a productive work force will prove as attractive to overseas investors in the future as they have done in recent years.

  Small Businesses
  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many new registrations for value added tax by small firms were made in 1988; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Cope
  In 1987, the latest year for which figures have been published, the net increase in the number of VAT-registered businesses was 45,000, or nearly 900 a week on average. The indications are that the rate of increase during 1988 has been faster. The vast majority of VAT-registered businesses are small.

  Single Market
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has to meet the training needs arising from the completion of the single European market.

  Mr. Cope
  The Government's plans for meeting future training needs, including those arising from the single European market, are set out in the White Paper "Employment for the 1990s" Cm 540.

  Skills Training
  Dr. Reid
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what steps he is taking to improve skills training in the retail sector.

  Mr. Cope
  The Government hope that employers within the retail sector will work closely with training and enterprise councils as they are established, to examine the local labour market and assess key skill needs and the adequacy of existing training arrangements.

  The Government are also seeking to establish national vocational qualifications based on competence. The retail sector recently launched its new retail certificate in England and Wales and the certificate in retail distribution in Scotland. These qualifications set standards for trainees in the retail sector. The introduction of YTS and employment training into retailing provides trainees with a properly structured training programme leading to these qualifications.

  It was encouraging to see that the 1988 national training award winners included winners from the retail sector, for example B & Q and J. Sainsbury.

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what help the senior management buy-out team of the Skills Training Agency have received either(a) financially or (b) professionally from his Department.

  Mr. Cope
  As I told the House on 13 March (Official Report, 13 March column 25), we shall provide financial assistance to the management buy-out team towards the costs of obtaining external professional advice. No professional help has been offered from within my Department.

  Tourism
  Mr. Boyes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when he intends to make an announcement on the future of section 4 tourism grant funding.

  Mr. Nicholls
  My right hon. Friend is still considering the future of section 4 funding in the light of the recent tourism review. He will make an announcement in due course.

  Ms. Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what recent representations he has received (a) in favour and (b) against the continuation of section 4 grants under the Development of Tourism Act 1969.

  Mr. Nicholls
  My right hon. Friend has received representations expressing a variety of views about the section 4 scheme and will be making an announcement on the future of the scheme in due course.
  122
  Mr. Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he is now in a position to make a further statement on the future of the section 4 scheme of financial assistance for tourism projects.

  Mr. Nicholls
  My right hon. Friend is still considering the future of the section 4 scheme in the light of the recent tourism review. He will make an announcement in due course.

  Business Growth Training Programme
  Mr. John Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on his plans to train the self-employed on the business growth training programme.

  Mr. Cope
  On 24 January I announced that business growth training would provide training for owners and managers of very small businesses in better management and business skills in order to help them run and develop their business (Official Report 24 January column 550]. This applies equally to the self-employed. Further information is available in the Library.

  Social Charter
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the proposals put forward by the European Commission for a social charter.

  Mr. Cope
  The Government firmly believe that there is a social dimension to the single European market; because it is directed at creating new jobs, reducing unemployment and improving real standards of living. The Government do not believe that a charter of the kind proposed can contribute to achieving those goals.

  International Youth Skill Olympics
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what support industry and Government are giving to the international youth skill olympics to be held at the national exhibition centre in August; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Cope
  The Government welcome the staging of the international youth skill olympics in Birmingham. It provides a good showcase for British industry to show the skills of its young people to the rest of the world. High standards of skill through quality training are essential if we are to have continued success in the market place in the next decade.

  Financial support for the international youth skill olympics is being raised primarily from industry. Sponsorship, in the form of cash, loan of machinery and materials, is expected to raise in the region of £4,000,000.

  The Government, through the Training Agency, provide financial support each year to the event organisers, Skill UK Ltd. During 1988–89 this amounted to £120,000 and £60,000 has been allocated for 1989–90. A contribution has also been made towards the cost of renting the national exhibition centre.

  Disabled People
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many young disabled people have been
  123
  accepted for a YTS place; what percentage of them were in severity categories 1 and 2; and what percentage were in severity category 5 and above.

  Mr. Cope
  The total number of young people with disabilities in training on YTS on 31 May 1989 was 12,001. There are no figures available on the percentage of young people with disabilities by severity category.

  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many employers fulfil their quota of 3 per cent. disabled people on their staffs.

  Mr. Nicholls
  On 1 June 1988, the latest date for which information is available, 7,736 employers with 20 or more workers were employing their full quota of registered disabled people.

  Training
  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will commission further research into the support that industry is prepared to give to non-statutory training organisations.

  Mr. Cope
  A review of the progress of non-statutory training organisations on a sector-by-sector basis is due to be undertaken early next year. The review will include consideration of industry's support for these organisations.

  Mr. Loyden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many places have been taken on Government training schemes in the Merseyside area.

  Mr. Nicholls
  On 31 May the number of people participating in Government training schemes in the Merseyside area was as follows:

  Number

  YTS

  14,958

  Employment training

  8,701

  Business enterprise programme

  1236

  Business growth training

  1257

  1 Figures for those in training are not kept for these programmes.

  The figures given are for starts from 1 April to 31 May.

  Strikes
  Mr. Watts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many working days were lost through strikes in the first five months of(a) 1989 and (b) 1979; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The estimate for May 1989 of working days lost through stoppages of work due to industrial disputes is not yet available; but for the first four months of 1989 it is provisionally estimated that 256,000 working days were lost, compared with 7,591,000 working days lost for the corresponding period in 1979.

  Mr. Burt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will introduce legislation to legalise sympathy strikes; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  No. The Green Paper "Removing Barriers to Employment", published on 20 March, states that the Government propose to make it unlawful to induce industrial action by workers of an employer not party to a trade dispute except in the case of lawful picketing.
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  Mr. Patrick Thompson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the number of working days lost through strikes in 1988.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The number of working days lost through stoppages of work due to industrial disputes in 1988 is estimated at 3,702,000. This is about a third of the annual average over the previous 10-year period.

  Mr. Cran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when he intends to publish his proposals to limit the incidence of unofficial trade union stoppages.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The Government are reviewing the law in relation to industrial action with a view to issuing a consultative document over the next couple of months and including proposals in legislation in the autumn.

  Council for Social Aid (Manchester)
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement concerning the situation of the Council for Social Aid in Manchester.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The Council for Social Aid operated as an ET training manager through a company called Manchester Diocesan Church of England Council for Social Aid Ltd.

  The directors of CSA Ltd. recently decided to put the company into voluntary liquidation when it became apparent that the company could not meet its financial obligations. The decision was a matter for the directors of the company and is not something in which I could intervene.

  My right hon. Friend's major concern was to ensure that everything possible was done to minimise the disruption for trainees so that they could continue to develop their skills and improve their job prospects.

  All the company's 1,011 trainees have been, or will shortly be, placed with alternative training managers.

  Picketing
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he has any plans to change the law on picketing; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The Green Paper "Removing Barriers to Employment", published on 20 March, states that the Government propose no change to the law on picketing.

  Job Share Programme
  Dr. Twinn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many jobs are currently shared under the job share programme; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  In the year to 30 May 1989, 166 applications were accepted under the job share programme, as a result of which 220 people have gained employment. I believe that the programme can play a useful role in helping unemployed people and encouraging more flexible patterns of work, and my right hon. Friend is considering action to give it more publicity.

  Closed Shop
  Mr. David Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what estimate he has as to the number of
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  employees working in pre-entry closed shops; and what proportion this constitutes of the total number of employees currently working in closed shops.

  Mr. Nicholls
  Our Green Paper "Removing Barriers to Employment", which was published on 20 March, estimates the total number of people covered by all types of pre-entry closed shop arrangements in Great Britain as being of the order of 1·3 million. This constitutes half the total of around 2·6 million people estimated to be covered by all forms of closed shop arrangements. These estimates are derived from a specially commissioned survey carried out between 22 February and 6 March 1989, a summary of which has been placed in the Library.

  British Venture Capital
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he has any plans to meet the chairman of British Venture Capital to discuss the expansion of small firms; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Cope
  I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Surbiton (Mr. Tracey) on 16 May,Official Report, column 175.

  Health and Safety Inspectors
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the current number of health and safety at work inspectors in post.

  Mr. Nicholls
  On 1 June 1989, 1,209·5 inspectors were in post in the Health and Safety Executive. The executive plans to increase the total number of inspectors employed to 1,277 by 1 April 1990.

  Tyneside Training and Enterprise Council
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when he now expects to make a decision on the Tyneside training and enterprise council submission.

  Mr. Cope
  I expect to make an announcement on the application for development funding from the Tyneside prospective training and enterprise council shortly.

  National Training Task Force
  Dr. Goodson-Wickes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when he last met the chairman of the national training task force; what matters were discussed; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Cope
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I last met the chairman of the national training task force on 22 May 1989 and we discussed progress on establishing training and enterprise councils. We are very encouraged by the progress made and are confident that we will have a number of high-quality TECs operational next year.

  Wages
  Mr. Beaumont-Dark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the Government's policy on minimum wages.

  Mr. Nicholls
  A national minimum wage would raise employers' costs and destroy jobs, including the jobs of those it was designed to help.

  Co-operative Enterprises
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will make it his policy to provide adequate resources to enable the Co-operative Development Agency to consolidate and develop its work in promoting co-operative enterprises in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Cope
  The Co-operative Development Agency is at present largely supported by my Department under the terms of the 1984 Co-operative Development Agency and Industrial Development Act. Under this Act Government funding was increased up to an overall limit of £3 million. At current rates of spending this limit will be reached in the financial year 1990–91. In January this year my Department wrote to organisations representing the interests of the co-operative movement and consulting them on a proposal that the agency's life should not be extended. The views received are now being carefully considered and I hope to announce our conclusions and intentions in the near future.

  Wages Councils
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the future of wages councils.

  Mr. Nicholls
  A final decision on the council's future will be made later this year.

  Industrial Relations
  Mr. Dicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what information he has on the proportion of foreign firms which believe that British industrial relations have improved significantly in recent years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  Such information is not held by my Department. There is no doubt that the last 10 years have seen major improvements in industrial relations. This is illustrated by the decline in recorded stoppages which in 1988 were at the lowest level since 1935. New jobs and employment opportunities have followed this improvement.

  Tourism and Catering
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what steps he is taking to improve skills training in the tourism and catering industry.

  Mr. Nicholls
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given on 16 May 1989 to my hon. Friend the Member for Fylde (Mr. Jack) at columns 149–50.

  "Perspective on the Future for Resorts"
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what action he proposes to take following the publication and submission to him by the British Resorts Association of the booklet. "Perspective on the Future for Resorts."

  Mr. Lee
  I welcome this initiative from the British Resorts Association. I am giving careful consideration to the issues raised and will be responding to the association in due course.

  Companies (Compact Schemes)
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the companies taking part in compact schemes with schools in England.
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  Mr. Cope
  The number of companies taking part in compacts is growing rapidly. A list could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

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  TURKEY: ALLEGED HUMAN RIGHTS INFRINGEMENTS
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  INHERITANCE TAX