Written Answers of 22 June 1989

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Kurdish Refugees
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place a copy of his reply to Charter 87 on the Government's treatment of Kurd refugees in the Library.

  Mr. Renton
  I hope to be able to reply shortly to Charter 87's letter of 8 June and will place a copy of that reply in the Library.

  Punishment in the Community
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will list all those organisations and individuals who responded to the Green Paper "Punishment, Custody in the Community", Cm. 424 and indicate which of them were in favour and which against(a) direct payment of compensation awards to victims of crime via court funds, (b) mediation by the probation service, (c) alterations of the minimum 40 hours for community service, (d) increasing the maximum period for attending a day centre, (e) greater use of tracking, (f) giving courts powers to require offenders to stay at home, (g) negative restrictions in probation orders, (h) judicial supervision of the proposed supervision and restriction order, (i) increasing the age limit for the juvenile court to 18 years, (j) giving magistrates or GPs the power to determine in which courts 16 to 20-year-olds should be heard, and (k) the setting up of a new organisation to take responsibilities for the arrangement of punishment in the community;

  (2) if he will make copies of the responses of the organisations and individuals who have responded to the Green Paper "Punishment, Custody in the Community", Cm. 424 available to researchers and other interested bodies.

  Mr. John Patten
  The main organisations that responded to the Green Paper "Punishment, Custody and the Community" were set out in reply to a question from the hon. Member for St. Helens, South (Mr. Bermingham) on 2 May. It is for those who responded to decide whether to make their comments available more widely.

  Remand System
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will list all those organisations and individuals who responded to the Green Paper, "Private Sector Involvement in the Remand System" Cm. 434 and indicating which of them were in favour and which against(a) privately managed secure bail hostels (b) the privatisation of remand prisons and (c) the privatisation of escort services;
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  (2) if he will make copies of the organisations and individuals who have responded to the Green Paper, "Private Sector Involvement in the Remand System" Cm. 434 available to researchers and other interested bodies.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Eighty five organisations and individuals submitted comments on the Green Paper. These are listed as follows. Copies of the responses (except that from one organisation which commented in confidence) were placed in the Library when my right hon. Friend made his statement of 1 March at columns 277–78. A wide range of views was expressed on many aspects of the issues raised in the Green Paper, and it would be misleading to attempt to summarise the responses in the form requested. The responses are available for inspection on application to the Remands Unit, Home Office, Room 723, Thames house south, Millbank SW1P 4QJ.

  Organisations and individuals who responded to the Green paper "Private Sector Involvement in the Remand System" (Cm. 434)

  1. Mr. J. Hunter, Governor, Her Majesty's Prison Highpoint

  2. Mr. A. Samuels, Barrister

  3. Sir Leon Radzinowicz (letter to The Times)

  4. Mr. E. Knapman, Assistant Chief Probation Officer, Northamptonshire Probation Service

  5. Correctional Medical Systems Inc. (USA)

  6. Mr. P. E. Ford, Grade VI, Her Majesty's Remand Centre Feltham

  7. Mr. D. Waplington, Head of New Entrant Prison Officer Training, Prison Service College, Wakefield

  8. Mr. A. Booth, Grade VII, Her Majesty's Prison Gloucester

  9. The Detention Corporation Limited

  10. The Magistrates' Association

  11. Mr. P. Turnbull and Mr. P. Quinn, Her Majesty's Remand Centre Risley

  12. Northumbria Probation Service

  13. Central Council of Magistrates' Courts Committees

  14. Justices' Clerks' Society

  15. Mrs. M. McCarey

  16. Trades Union Congress

  17. National Schizophrenia Fellowship

  18. International Hospitals Group Limited

  19. Conservative Group of Councillors on Lewisham Council

  20. Dr. Keith Soothill, Member of Board of Visitors, Her Majesty's Prison Preston

  21. Association of Chief Police Officers

  22. Police Superintendents' Association

  23. National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders

  24. West Yorkshire Probation Committee

  25. Bedfordshire Probation Committee

  26. Securicor Limited

  27. National Union of Civil and Public Servants (Lord Chancellor's Department Group)

  28. Berkshire Probation Service

  29. Institute of Psychiatry

  30. Mrs. B. Bingham, Education Officer, HMP Latchmere House

  31. Professor Anthony Bottoms

  32. Association of County Councils

  33. Tarmac Construction

  34. Standing Conference of Clerks to Magistrates' Courts Committees

  35. Home Office Trade Union Side

  36. Board of Visitors Co-ordinating Committee

  37. The Education Department, Her Majesty's prison Holloway

  38. Dr. David Wilson, Her Majesty's prison Grendon

  39. National Association of Probation Officers

  40. Association of Chief Officers of Probation

  41. Howard League for Penal Reform

  42. Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Probation

  43. Mr. John Greenway MP: Selsdon Group Paper

  44. Prison Reform Trust

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  45. The Mothers' Union

  46. Prison Governors' Association

  47. Mr. C. Lloyd, Member of Board of Visitors, Her Majesty's prison Sudbury

  48. Mr. T. C. Newell, Governor—Her Majesty's prison and Remand centre Winchester

  49. Police Federation

  50. Lord Chancellor's Department Trade Union Side

  51. United Kingdom Detention Services

  52. The Law Society

  53. London Diocesan Board for Social Responsibility

  54. Metropolitan Police

  55. Prison Officers' Association

  56. Prison Service Chaplaincy

  57. Contract Prisons PLC

  And the Boards of Visitors at the following establishments:

  58. HMYCC Aylesbury

  59. HMP Bedford

  60. LIMP Birmingham

  61. HMP Brixton

  62. HMP Cookham Wood

  63. HMYOI Dover

  64. HMP Erlestoke

  65. HMP and YCC Exeter

  66. HMYCC and RC Feltham

  67. HMP and YCC Grendon/HMP Spring Hill

  68. HMYCC Hatfield

  69. HMP Haverigg Camp

  70. HMP Hindley

  71. HMP Holloway

  72. HMP Hull

  73. HMP Latchmere House

  74. HMP Lewes

  75. HMP Leyhill

  76. HMRC Low Newton

  77. HMP Nottingham

  78. HMP Preston

  79. HMP Reading

  80. HMRC Risley

  81. HMP Sudbury

  82. HMP Swaleside

  Population of open prisons1

  Number of unoccupied places in open prisons1

  Number of category D prisoners in closed prisons2 3

  Prison service region

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  Midland

  849

  —

  33

  —

  390

  North

  958

  315

  52

  35

  550

  South East

  955

  75

  96

  0

  600

  South West

  591

  —

  3

  —

  370

  TOTAL

  3,353

  390

  184

  35

  1,910

  1 On 9 June 1989. Open young offender institutions are not included.

  2 On 31 March 1989, the most recent date for which information is available. The figures are known to contain some inaccuracies.

  3 Males only. Females are not categorised in the same way as males.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was(a) the average daily prison population and (b) the number of places in open prisons each year from 1966 to 1988.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The information requested is published annually in the report of the work of the prison service (appendix 4 of the latest issue, for 1987–88, Cm. 516).

  Television (Scotland)
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much money has been raised through the ITV levy from Scottish companies for S4C in each of the years since S4C was established.
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  83. HMP The Verne

  84. HMYOI Whatton

  85. HMP and RC Winchester

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he proposes to take to ensure that 15 and 16-year-olds cease to be remanded in custody to prison department establishments.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We are considering the present arrangements for juvenile remands in the light of responses to last year's consultation paper on the unruliness certification procedure and other representations.

  Hull Prison
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to improve facilities in B wing of Hull prison; and what resources are being provided for this task.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  A programme of work is in hand to improve conditions in B wing at Her Majesty's prison, Hull. To date, the bathing areas have been upgraded and the wing has been redecorated throughout. In addition, a library has been provided and existing classrooms extended; these are now used for association purposes in the evening. Fire precautions have also been improved, and polycarbonate windows are now being installed. The work to date has cost approximately £130,000.

  Prisons
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) occupied places in open prisons, (b) unoccupied places in open prisons and (c) prisoners categorised as category D but held in closed prisons, there are in each prison department region.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The information requested is as follows:

  Mr. Renton
  S4C is not funded from levy income. All ITV companies pay a fourth channel subscription to the Independent Broadcasting Authority, which is used to fund both Channel 4 and S4C. The IBA determines the proportion of this subscription to go to S4C, which may be up to 20 per cent.

  Fourth channel subscription payments by Scottish ITV companies in the years since S4C was established were as follows:

  Year ending

  STV

  Grampian

  Border

  Total (rounded)

  £ million

  £ million

  £ million

  £ million

  December 1982

  2·35

  0·12

  0·05

  2·52

  December 1983

  6·11

  0·46

  0·11

  6·68

  March 1985

  7·21

  0·53

  0·12

  7·86

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  Year ending

  STV

  Grampian

  Border

  Total (rounded)

  £ million

  £ million

  £ million

  £ million

  March 1986

  9·76

  0·59

  0·16

  10·50

  March 1987

  11·11

  0·55

  0·16

  11·82

  March 1988

  12·46

  0·40

  0·16

  13·01

  March 1989

  13·20

  0·39

  0·16

  13·75

  Total (rounded)

  62·20

  3·03

  0·92

  66·15

  These figures do not represent the net cost of the fourth channel subscription to the ITV companies. The subscription is offset by reduced levy and tax liabilities and fourth channel advertising revenue. Precise figures on the extent of these offsets are not available.

  Drug Abuse
  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the initiatives that he is taking to combat abuse of the drug known as crack.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Bosworth (Mr. Tredinnick) on 15 June 1989 at column 1113.

  Gambling
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will make representations to other Governments in the European Community that they only authorise gaming competitions on conditions that invitations to forward stakes are not sent through agencies or otherwise to countries whose laws forbid such lotteries within their national territories;

  (2) To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has made to other Governments in the European Community to prevent the unauthorised sale of foreign lottery tickets in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. John Patten
  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has approached the authorities in the Federal Republic of Germany to explore means of stopping the posting of invitations to participate in lotteries based there to people in Great Britain, as the promotion and conduct of foreign lotteries here is unlawful under the Lotteries and Amusements Act 1976. We have no evidence of need to ask for a similar approach to be made to the authorities in any other member state of the Community, but we would certainly do so if necessary. Our understanding is that gambling legislation is a matter for each member state of the Community, as in any other country; and the means, if any, necessary to achieve respect for the law on lotteries in another country is a matter for national determination.

  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what advice he has received from the European Commission on whether national legislation on gambling games is justified on grounds of public morality and consumer protection.

  Mr. John Patten
  None.

  Official Secrets Act 1989 and Security Services Act 1989
  Mr. Livingston
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date the Official Secrets Act 1989 and the Security Services Act 1989 will come into force.

  Mr. John Patten
  As soon as practicable.

  Tamil Refugees
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what representations he has received concerning Navaratnasingam Vathanan, a Tamil who was returned to Colombo in February 1988; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what representations he has received concerning Vythialingam Skandarajah, a Tamil who was returned to Colombo in February 1988; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Renton
  [holding answer 19 June 1989]: A judicial review of our decisions to refuse refugee status to these two cases and to four other Tamils was dismissed by the House of Lords in December 1987 and they were returned to Sri Lanka in February 1988. On 13 March 1989 an adjudicator upheld appeals against refusal of leave to enter in five of these cases. My right hon. Friend sought leave to appeal to the tribunal on 22 March but on 19 April the tribunal decided that it had no jurisdiction to consider this appeal because of a clerical error in the service of the papers. On 12 May my right hon. Friend sought leave to move for judicial review of the tribunal's decision and leave was granted on 17 May. We have received a number of representations about the cases from hon. Members, organisations and individuals.

  Pop Concerts
  Mr. Dykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will urgently examine existing legislation governing the holding of mass outdoor pop concerts and similar functions to assess the need to strengthen any provisions concerning (i) sound levels and decibel controls, (ii) prior warnings to local residents and (iii) provisions against exceeding any licence terms including time limits.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 14 June 1989]: The powers conferred on local authorities for the granting of public entertainments licences under the London Government Act 1963 and the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 are already very wide and should, in my view, be sufficient to enable them to regulate these matters.

  PC Gerald Corley
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will ask the chief constable of Manchester to list the complaints made by members of the public against former PC Gerald Corley and the action taken in each case.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 12 June 1989]: Responsibility for the investigation of complaints against police officers and for consideration of disciplinary action rests with the chief officer of the force concerned, subject

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  to the provisions of part IX of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984. My right hon. Friend has no part to play in these procedures.

  It is not the normal practice to reveal details from a police officer's personal file. I understand from the chief constable of Greater Manchester, however, that complaints were made by members of the public against ex-PC Corley on 19 occasions from December 1977. All these complaints were fully investigated in accordance with the statutory procedures in force at the time. Where a complaint was withdrawn prior to the completion of the investigation it was reviewed by a senior police officer in accordance with force procedures.

  In only two cases were complaints against Mr. Corley found to have a sufficient measure of substantiation to justify action being taken against the officer. Both concerned allegations of irregularity in procedure. On both occasions Mr. Corley was interviewed by a senior officer.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  "Phones on the Move"
  Sir David Price
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether there has been any further developments following the publication of the discussion document "Phones on the Move" in January; and whether he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  My right hon. and noble Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has considered carefully the responses to the discussion document in the light of our wish to select at least two operators to provide personal communications networks (PCNs) in the 1990s. We have also received advice from the Director General of Telecommunications.

  The director general has advised us that the capacity of Mercury Communications Ltd., a subsidiary of Cable & Wireless plc, to provide the full range of telecommunications services in competition with British Telecom is limited by the lack of a mobile radio network to compete with Cellnet, in which BT has a majority stake. We have therefore accepted his advice that a consortium led by Mercury or Cable & Wireless should be a prospective operator and in due course be offered one of the licences to operate a mobile communications network within the frequency range 1·7–2·3 GHz. This is subject to the submission of an acceptable proposal, both in regard to the consortium and in business and technical terms, by 14 September.

  On the advice of the director general, we intend to identify one, or possibly two, other prospective operators by the end of the year. We are issuing notes for the guidance of applicants today. Copies of these notes have been placed in the libraries of both Houses. The closing date for applications is noon on Thursday 14 September.

  Applications may be made by any company, whether or not it responded to the discussion document. The exceptions are Cellnet and Racal Vodafone, their associates and main shareholders. Since the new networks are intended to compete with these companies' existing cellular radio operations, we have decided, on the director general's advice, that they should not be able to participate in their development or operation either in their own right or as a member of a consortium. We will, however, keep
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  under review their needs for additional frequencies in the light of the progress they make on the pan-European cellular network and the development of competition in the United Kingdom.

  We have also considered the choice of PCN technology, which will govern the appropriate technical standards. The two technologies which emerged strongly from the consultation period were those being developed for the pan-European digital cellular radio system and the digital European cordless telephone. it is our intention that the PCNs should operate according to a common technical standard, in order to ensure competition between the operators. It would be highly desirable for this to be based on a technology developed in Europe. Accordingly, we have decided that applications must be based on one or other of these technologies, and applicants may, if they wish, put in separate proposals based on each. The selected common standard will be announced when the choice of operator is made and will take account of developments in Europe.

  We have also considered the major cost of linking the small radio cells needed to provide a true PCN. To aid the planning of these networks for the 1990s, we have decided that the operators will be able to provide their own radio-based network infrastructure between individual radio cells. However, the links to the public switched network, which provides the basic telecommunications service of conveying messages over fixed links, will still be provided by British Telecom or Mercury pending the outcome of the November 1990 duopoly review. In order to protect the position of the new entrants, any request by the existing cellular operators to provide similar radio links for their own networks will be considered in the light of their progress in implementing the pan-European cellular network but will in any event not be implemented until two years after both of the new PCNs have entered service, provided there are no undue delays in the introduction of the new networks.

  We have been aware of the possible affect of this initiative on the four Telepoint operators we announced in January. We do not believe that the PCN initiative should significantly affect their prospects for success. The new networks will offer two-way call initiation aimed to compete with cellular radio, with its relatively expensive and sophisticated technology, and will not begin service until 1992 at the earliest. By contrast the inherently lower cost one-way Telepoint technology has already been developed and we expect it to be introduced into the marketplace well before the end of the year. We have, however, asked the director general to pay particular regard to any new ideas from the Telepoint operators themselves as to how the Telepoint concept could be further developed in the future and to advise us as necessary.

  The "Phones on the Move" discussion document put forward our vision of the future in PCNs and companies responded to it with enthusiasm and imagination. We intend to maintain this momentum, and to encourage industry to make this vision a reality in the early 1990s. We do not anticipate any further major developments in new mobile telecommunications systems for some time. As a result of our announcement today and previous announcements on Telepoint, cellular radio, private mobile radio and paging, the Government have opened up new markets and provided for effective competition. We

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  hope that all the companies involved in this field will continue to respond vigorously and to exploit the opportunities that have been created.

  Public Houses and Clubs
  Mr. Riddick
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he has any evidence, in the form of comprehensive and reliable consumer surveys, on the state of consumer satisfaction or dissatisfaction with public houses and clubs in Britain.

  Mr. Forth
  I am aware of two surveys which are relevant. First the Consumers Association conducted a survey of 2,175 adults in May 1987, which formed the basis of their evidence of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission investigation into the supply of beer. A number of questions were asked which related to consumer satisfaction. According to the Consumers Association, of those respondents who said they visited pubs less often than two years previously, the largest single reason was that drinks in pubs were too expensive.

  Two thirds of respondents agreed that all pubs should be allowed to sell draught bitter from more than one brewer, and 61 per cent. agreed that pub prices were too high compared with supermarkets and off-licences. More recently, Haig Whisky has published results from a MORI poll of 1,037 adults who go to the pub at least once a month, carried out in 65 constituency sampling points in the second half of May 1989. This survey was carried out to examine attitudes towards the MMC's recommendations for changes in the brewing industry. It showed a majority in favour of the Government implementing the MMC recommendations. Eighty-four per cent. said landlords (that is publicans) should have more freedom to introduce other beers. Sixty per cent. thought the quality of pubs would increase as a result of the MMC recommendations.

  The Consumers Association and Haig Whisky have published documents containing the detailed results of their surveys. I am aware of recent reports that a survey commissioned by the Brewers Society comes to different conclusions, but I have not yet seen the details.

  International Organisations
  Mr. Patrick Thompson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards the continued location of the International Sugar Organisation and the Wheat Council in London; what is Her Majesty's Government's policy towards the anti-competitive foreign subsidies being deferred to those organisations; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maude
  As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister told the House on 25 April, the Government welcome the location of these organisations in London. They have based themselves here for many years because of the merits of London as the leading international trading centre for their products. The Government are therefore prepared to give the London chamber's proposal their full support including a financial contribution in equal partnership with the private sector. The Government will, of course, also provide the usual rates concessions to the two organisations. We shall continue to work to discourage subsidised competition so that different locations can compete fairly on their merits.

  Frag 12
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster in respect of which countries export licences have been applied for in respect of the weapon known as Frag 12; and what is the result of the application in each case.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  [holding answer 20 June 1989]: No application has been received for a licence to export the Frag 12 fragmentation grenade from the United Kingdom.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Clinical Cytogeneticists
  Mr. Amos
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the level of pay and recruitment of university clinical cytogeneticists.

  Mr. Jackson
  It is for the universities as employers to determine the level of pay and recruitment of their staff.

  English Teaching
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he expects his proposals for attainment targets and programmes of study for English for pupils in junior and secondary schools to be published for consultation.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales and I have now formulated our proposals for attainment targets and programmes of study in English for pupils in key stages 2 to 4 (broadly ages eight to 16). Our proposals endorse without modification the relevant recommendations of the national curriculum English working group, and build on the provisions in the order covering English in key stage 1 laid before Parliament on 31 May. We are grateful to the group for its clear and helpful advice.

  I have today referred our proposals to the national curriculum council to start the consultation in England required by the Education Reform Act. My right hon. Friend will be initiating separate consultations in Wales as required by the Act. I have placed a copy of our proposals and the working group's report, together with a copy of my letter to the national curriculum council, in the Library.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Radio Broadcasting
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what information he has available and what information is available to hon. Members concerning the scope and extent of reportage by sound radio of proceedings in the Chamber of the House of Commons throughout its sittings.

  Mr. Wakeham
  I am not aware of any recent systematic monitoring carried out, either by the House or on its behalf, of the use to which the sound feed from the Chamber is put. So far as the broadcasters themselves are concerned, I am advised that the BBC does not collate statistics of the degree of detail implied by the hon. Gentleman's question and that to do so would be a time-consuming and costly exercise.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what guidance is issued to departmental Ministers on the criteria to be observed in determining whether to answer parliamentary questions tabled during the previous day's sitting.

  Mr. Wakeham
  Ministers are expected to follow the provisions of Standing Order No. 17.

ENVIRONMENT

  Community Charge
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will publish the full set of community charge practice notes; to whom the public should apply for these notes; and when applications should be made.

  Mr. Gummer
  Community charge practice notes are published jointly by the Government and local authority associations. Nineteen notes have been issued so far and copies are available in the Library of the House. The notes are detailed, technical manuals intended for the use of local authority practitioners rather than the general public. A separate series of explanatory booklets are available to the public free of charge from Community Charge Leaflets Section PO Box 622, Bristol B599 1TR.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what guidelines he has issued on the evidence which is acceptable for poll tax purposes, that an individual is entitled to severe disablement allowance or to invalidity pension; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  The Government have no plans to introduce a poll tax.

  Detailed guidance on the evidence required to satisfy an exemption from the community charge on grounds of severe mental impairment is contained in community charge practice note No. 19, copies of which have been placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many local authorities have indicated to his Department that their costs in implementing the community charge are likely to be(a) less and (b) more than the amount granted for the purpose by Her Majesty's Government.

  Mr. Gummer
  The information we have on the revenue costs to authorities of implementation suggest that about 15 per cent. of them will be spending less than has been provided in the 1989–90 rate support grant settlement; most of the remainder intend to spend more.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his latest estimate of the proportion of total community charge implementation costs Her Majesty's Government have provided.

  Mr. Gummer
  The actual costs of implementation will not be known until next year but the figures contained in authorities' budget returns suggest that Government provision will support about half of authorities' estimated revenue expenditure on preparation. Similar figures for 200
  capital are not available. It was never the intention that resources received by individual authorities would necessarily meet in full the estimated costs of their own preferred plans. This would give no incentive to efficient implementation. We believe the resources we have made available—£110 million in the 1989–90 rate support grant settlement and capital allocations totalling £160 million—are sufficient to support reasonable levels of local authority expenditure in preparation.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received that his Department arrange for a survey to be made of the costs actually incurred by all local authorities on implementation of the community charge; whether he will undertake such a survey; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  We have received no such representations and have no plans to carry out such a survey. The usual financial returns from authorities to the Department will provide this information.

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek to exempt from the provisions of the poll tax those who are mainly or wholly dependent on moneys provided to victims of Nazi persecutions.

  Mr. Gummer
  The Government have no plans to introduce a poll tax.

  Individuals are exempt from the community charge if their circumstances conform to one of the categories set out in schedule 1 to the Local Government Finance Act 1988.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many newspapers printed his recently circulated articles on the community charge.

  Mr. Gummer
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer which my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State gave the hon. Member for Coventry, South-East (Mr. Nellist) on 23 May at column 488.

  Mr. Terry Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many requests for community charge practice notes have been refused.

  Mr. Gummer
  [holding answer 12 June 1989]: Community charge practice notes (which are produced jointly by the Government and the local authority association) contain guidance on technical details of the new system for the local authority staff who will be operating it. Copies of each note are provided free to all local authorities and others with a specific need for the information, and are placed in the Library of the House. Copies of the notes have not been made generally available to other bodies or the public. We have prepared a range of leaflets for that purpose.

  Mr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether itinerant workers under the community charge will have to pay a personal charge at their permanent address and a collective charge if they are living in a designated dwelling at or near their workplace levied by their landlord.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  [holding answer 21 June 1989]: A person registered for the personal community charge at his or her sole or main residence who stays in a

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  property designated for the collective community charge will pay contributions towards the collective charge payable by the landlord or owner of the property.

  Sites of Special Scientific Interest
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many sites of special scientific interest have been designated each year since the inception of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981; and how many he estimates will be created in the next 12 months.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 provides for both renotification of sites of special scientific interest originally notified under the National Park and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 and notification of new SSSIs. The number of such sites are:

  Financial year

  Number of new SSSIs notified in the year

  Renotifications

  To 31 March 1989

  3,187

  New notifications

  1981–82

  0

  1982–83

  35

  1983–84

  183

  1984–85

  268

  1985–86

  358

  1986–87

  261

  1987–88

  274

  1988–89

  282

  In addition the Nature Conservancy Council expects to renotify 135 sites and notify a further 250 sites in the current financial year.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what percentage of the total number of sites of special scientific interest have been(a) destroyed and (b) damaged since the inception of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  No information is available prior to 1 April 1984. I am informed by the Nature Conservancy Council that since then the numbers of SSSIs which have sustained damage are as follows:

  Number

  Per cent.

  1984–85

  192

  6·77

  1985–86

  151

  4·84

  1986–87

  205

  6·86

  1987–88

  139

  4·36

  This includes damage of all kinds, whether significant or not, and to both those SSSIs notified under the 1981 Act and those notified under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 and not yet renotified. The number of SSSIs suffering significant damage averaged about 1 per cent. over the period.

  Over this period three SSSIs were destroyed, two in 1984–85 and one in 1985–86.

  Full information is provided in the NCC's annual reports copies of which are in the Library.

  Bristol Channel (Discharges)
  Mr. Speller
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many sources of industrial and trade effluent discharges there are into the Bristol channel; and where they are located.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Responsibility for the control of discharges of industrial and trade effluent to the Bristol channel rests with the Welsh, Wessex and South West water authorities. Details of consents granted by the authorities in respect of such discharges are held on the registers maintained by each authority.

  Rating Reform
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will tabulate what a single person living in the london borough of Waltham Forest would pay(a) in community charge and (b) in a system of capital value rates plus local income tax paid in proportions of 80 to 20, respectively if the person earned (a) £40,000, (b) £80,000 and (c) £120,000 and lived in (i) property owned by that person worth £90,000, (ii) property owned by that person worth £120,000 and (iii) property owned by that person worth £150,000, making the same assumptions as in his reply to the hon. Member for Hornsey and Wood Green (Sir H. Rossi) on 22 March, Official Report, column 626.

  Mr. Gummer
  The information requested is provided in the table.

  Illustrative annual liability in Waltham Forest under a system of capital value rates combined with local income tax, 1988–89

  Single persons earnings

  Property value £90,000

  Property value £120,000

  Property value £150,000

  £40,000

  1,375

  1,655

  1,935

  £80,000

  1,940

  2,220

  2,505

  £120,000

  2,510

  2,790

  3,070

  The figures are based on illustrative tax rates placed in the Library on 23 June 1988 and are for 1988–89. It is assumed that the person lives alone and taxable income is taken as earnings less £260·5, the single person's allowance, in each case. The illustrative 1988–89 community charge in Waltham Forest is £269.

  Public Rights of Way
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he intends to introduce legislation in response to the Rubinstein case on definitive maps of public rights of way.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Government have announced their intention to introduce legislation to enable genuine errors in definitive maps to be corrected when there is a suitable opportunity.

  Hong Kong Citizens (Housing)
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has received any representations to allow large scale construction of new properties in the Yeovil constituency to accommodate citizens of the colony of Hong Kong claiming right of abode in the United Kingdom.
  203
  Mr. Trippier
  None, as yet. It would need about 1¼ million new homes to accommodate 3¼ million people.

  HOTCHA Scheme
  Mr. Hayward
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to be able to announce a replacement to the HOTCHA scheme; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Trippier
  The Housing Corporation has published proposals to introduce an incentive scheme in 1990 to help housing association tenants to move out and buy homes on the open market. The corporation is considering the responses.

  Community Charge
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the progress of student certification for the community charge in England and Wales.

  Mr. Gummer
  The Personal Community Charge (Students) Regulations 1989 were laid before the House on 17 March. They provide for certification officers in all relevant educational establishments in England and Wales, and place a duty on them to issue a certificate in the prescribed form to each person pursuing or about to pursue a full-time course of education. The regulations will come into force on 1 October 1989.

  Fossil Fuels (Pollution)
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received about reducing pollution from burning fossil fuels; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  We have received many representations on this topic. The commitments agreed by the Government under the large combustion plants and motor vehicle emissions directives of the European Community will lead to very substantial reductions in the emissions of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide.

  London City Airport
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has received an application to extend the runway at London City airport.

  Mr. Chope
  No.

  Nuclear Waste (Storage)
  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy towards the development of sub-sea bed dry storage for civil nuclear waste.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  UK Nirex Ltd. has been established to identify and develop a disposal facility for low and intermediate-level radioactive waste. Nirex is currently investigating a repository in the form of a mine under the land. The Government have endorsed this programme. The possibility of investigating other locations at a later stage, or of utilising offshore options cannot be ruled out.

  Bathing Beaches
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has had about imposing a statutory requirement on local authorities(a) to clean European designated bathing beaches of litter and (b) to clean any beach regularly used by the public after an oil spill.

  Mr. Moynihan
  I have had no specific representations on these subjects. We have, however, announced our intention to place local authorities under a duty to keep land clean. This is one of a number of proposals for legislation on litter which my right hon. Friend intends to announce soon.

  Childhood Cancer
  Mr. Cran
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what decision has been reached by the steering committee of the London School of Hygiene's small area statistics unit as to whether to proceed with an investigation into the incidence of childhood cancer in Humberside.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  I wrote to my hon. Friend on 20 June to explain that existing information is being considered by independent export members of the steering committee so that they can advise the committee when it next meets.

  Pollution (Wales)
  Mrs. Clywd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on his responsibilities for the control of environmental pollution in Wales.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  I refer the hon. Member to the Department's publication "Protecting Your Environment—A Guide" a copy of which is in the Library of the House. Pages 2 and 3 give a succinct but complete summary of the respective responsibilities of the Secretaries of State for the Environment and for Wales for environment protection.

  Rugby Union
  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he next expects to meet representatives of rugby union; and what subjects he expects to discuss.

  Mr. Moynihan
  I have no plans at present to meet representatives of the Rugby Football Union.

  Dioxins
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the report on dioxins will be published; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Department of the Environment has today published a report, "Dioxins in the Environment", in the pollution paper series. It is the report of an interdepartmental working group on poly chlorinated dibenzo-para-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans. The report is the culmination of work on dioxins which began two years ago. Copies have been placed in the Library.

  The main purpose of the report is to make available the best information we have on dioxins from the United

  205
  Kingdom and elsewhere. There is an analysis of what this means in terms of possible human health effects and environmental impact.

  Advice on the health effects of dioxins from the Department of Health's independent advisory committee on toxicity of chemicals in food, consumer products and the environment is also included in the report.

  It recommends that the major sources of dioxins should be identified and appropriate measures taken to reduce inputs of dioxins to food, consumer products and the environment.

  The Government welcome this advice and have already taken steps to implement the committee's recommendations.

  The report has been compiled jointly by the central directorate for environmental protection in DOE, the Department of Health, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the Department of Trade and Industry and the Health and Safety Executive.

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

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 14 June 1989]: A list has been placed in the Library of those supplies which regularly exceed the EC drinking water directive in respect of the standard indicated and have been granted derogations by the Department under the terms of article 9 of the directive. Such derogations can be granted only where the situation is due to the nature and structure of the ground and there is no public health risk.

  Catalytic Converters
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if, following the agreement of European Community Environment Ministers in Luxembourg on 9 June on the use of catalytic converters in small cars from December 1992, he has made an assessment of the increased contribution to the greenhouse effect that will be caused by carbon dioxide and water vapour released in exhaust gases from United Kingdom-based cars, in the period to the year 2000.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  [holding answer 19 June 1989]: Yes. A United Kingdom fleet of 3-way catalyst cars would emit about 7·5 million tonnes per annum more carbon dioxide than a fleet of vehicles conforming to the standards of the common position reached by Environment Ministers last November. The emission of water vapour from cars does not have a significant input on the greenhouse effect.

  Chlorofluorocarbons
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the progress on phasing out aerosols containing chlorofluorocarbon propellants; and if he expects to introduce legislation making the sale of such items illegal.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  [holding answer 21 June 1989]: Members of the British Aerosol Manufacturers
  206
  Association are well on course to meet the objective of eliminating the non-essential use of chlorofluorocarbons in their products by the end of this year. Legislation to this effect is not needed in the circumstances.

  English Heritage
  Mr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if English Heritage has any plans to commission a study of the archaeology of waterlogged urban centres.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  [holding answer 21 June 1989]: I understand that English Heritage intends to fund a number of archaeological surveys in urban areas. These will include waterlogged sites.

  Environmental Impact Assessment
  Mr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any plans to issue guidance to archaeological bodies on environmental impact assessment and monitoring.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  [holding answer 21 June 1989]: No. The broad principle of requiring information on the effect of proposed development being available before planning applications are considered will be discussed in guidance on "archaeology and planning", which is being prepared for local authorities, developers and archaeologists.

  Repairs Grants
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment on what date English local authorities were first informed of changes in the amount of mandatory repairs grant from 75 per cent. to 20 per cent. for landlords under sections 130 and 131 of the Housing Act 1988; and on what date they came into effect.

  Mr. Trippier
  Local authorities in England were notified of proposed changes in the rate of intermediate and mandatory repairs grants for landlords in a letter from the Department dated 14 December 1988, following consultation with the local authority associations in November. These changes were given effect by the Grants by Local Housing Authorities (Appropriate Percentage and Exchequer Contributions) Order 1989 (SI 1989 No. 72), made under sections 509 and 517 of the Housing Act 1985, which came into foce on 19 January 1989.

ENERGY

  Fossil Fuels
  Mr. Dykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what recent disussions he has held on concepts of fossil fuel utilisation fiscal devices to enhance or reduce the consumption of such energy sources.

  Mr. Parkinson
  I have had a number of recent discussions with my officials and others about the details of the levy on fossil fuel use for power generation, provision for which is included in the Electricity Bill now before Parliament.

  Electricity Privatisation
  Mr.Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy whether he intends to make any further appointments to regulatory posts covering the privatised electricity industry.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  No. Under the terms of the Electricity Bill it is the Director General of Electricity Supply who will be empowered to appoint the staff of the Office of Electricity Regulation, subject to Treasury approval of their numbers and conditions of service.

SCOTLAND

  Sheriff Courts
  Dr. Reid
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects publication of the report by Dr. Carol Jones of Edinburgh university on contested cases in the Scottish sheriff courts.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Dr. Carol Jones' report on contested cases in the Scottish sheriff courts has not yet been submitted in final form. The question of publication will be considered after it has been submitted.

  Dr. Reid
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects publication of the report by Dr. Kenneth Miller of Strathclyde university on delays in summarising clinical cases in the sheriff courts in Scotland.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I hope to be able to publish Dr. Kenneth Miller's report on delay in summary criminal proceedings in the sheriff courts during the summer.

  Hectares

  England

  Scotland

  Wales

  NP

  R

  NP

  R

  NP

  R

  (a) Forestry Commission direct planting

  130

  2,890

  3,860

  3,980

  60

  1,720

  (b) Planting under woodland grant scheme

  150

  150

  150

  160

  20

  10

  (c) Planting under farm woodland scheme

  110

  —

  10

  —

  —

  —

  (d) Planting under other Forestry Commission grant schemes

  1,490

  2,180

  22,270

  2,090

  900

  250

  (e) Other non-assisted

  140

  100

  40

  —

  —

  —

  The figures given for categories (b), (c) and (d) are the areas on which planting grant was paid by the Forestry Commission during the period 1 April 1988 to 31 March 1989.

  The situation in Northern Ireland is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

  Health Service
  Mr. Allan Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been achieved as a result of competitive tendering in the National Health Service in Scotland.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Since the last general election savings from competitive tendering have increased from £600,000 to £29 million from 81 contracts for ancillary services. That represents substantial additional resources for patient care in Scotland's Health Service over the next three to four years. Almost three quarters of the contracts have been won by in-house teams. The success

  Forestry Commission Land
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the value of sales so far of Forestry Commission land; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Receipts from the disposal of land and property from the start of the disposals programme in 1981 to 31 March 1989 amounted to some £124 million.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to sell off, and over what period of time, Forestry Commission woodland; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer my right hon. and learned Friend gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Dumfries (Sir H. Monro) on 16 June at columns 544–45.

  Tree Planting
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a table showing the total planting between 1 April 1988 and 31 March 1989 in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, respectively, in each of the categories(a) Forestry Commission direct planting, (b) private planting assisted by the woodland grant scheme, (c) planting under the farm woodland scheme, (d) other assisted private planting and (e) other non-assisted planting.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information, showing new planting (NP) and restocking (R), is as follows:

  of the competitive tendering programme so far has encouraged health boards to press ahead with further tendering.

  Water Quality
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the water supply at Lochaber is in breach of European Community guidelines for aluminium content, or for any other additives, metals or pesticides.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 19 June 1989]: Lochaber district is served by numerous public water supplies; which have differing qualities. These supplies are the responsibility of the Highland regional council from which information on any particular supply may be obtained. A number of supplies in the area contain naturally derived aluminium at concentrations which occasionally exceed the European standard but on average are below it. Work to reduce the lead content of water at consumers' taps

  209
  in lead-plumbed properties is virtually complete. No supply has been found to contain other metals or pesticides in excess of the EC standards.

  Forestry Commission (Wildlife)
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the last advice he received from the Nature Conservancy Council concerning the practice of blocking of badger setts and digging of fox earths by fox hunters on Foresty Commission land.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [pursuant to his reply, 21 June 1989; c. 127]: The Forestry Commission has an earth stopper's code which is designed to prevent undue interference with badger setts and fox earths.

  Reasons for refusal of Social Fund loans and grants 1988–89

  Grants

  Loans

  Number of times reason given

  As percent of total times reason given

  Number of times reason given

  As percent of total times reason given

  OFFICE: Eston ILO

  Savings over £500 sufficient to meet cost

  3

  0·9

  0

  0

  Not in receipt of IS

  n/a

  n/a

  107

  6·4

  Not in receipt of IS for 26 weeks

  n/a

  n/a

  300

  17·8

  Not in receipt of IS and unlikely to become entitled

  30

  8·9

  n/a

  n/a

  Excluded items

  11

  33

  81

  4·8

  Excluded persons

  11

  3·3

  2

  0·1

  Amount <£30 (not travelling expenses

  9

  2·7

  52

  3·1

  Total debt of £1,000

  n/a

  n/a

  1

  0·1

  Previous application and decision for the item

  10

  3·0

  78

  4·6

  No serious damage or risk to health or safety

  n/a

  47

  2·8

  Inability to repay

  n/a

  8

  0·5

  Help available from another source

  6

  1·8

  6

  0·4

  Insufficient SF funds, priority too low

  8

  2·4

  929

  55·1

  Suitable alternative available

  1

  0·3

  3

  0·2

  Loan refused because CCG awarded

  n/a

  n/a

  31

  1·8

  Other

  248

  73·6

  40

  2·4

  337

  1,685

  OFFICE: Hartlepool ILO

  Savings over £500 sufficient to meet cost

  3

  0·6

  2

  0·1

  Not in receipt of IS

  n/a

  —

  156

  25·4

  Not in receipt of IS for 26 weeks

  n/a

  —

  434

  24·9

  Not in receipt of IS and unlikely to become entitled

  72

  13·4

  n/a

  n/a

  Excluded items

  26

  4·8

  81

  4·6

  Excluded persons

  10

  1·9

  2

  0·1

  Amount <£30 (not travelling expenses

  18

  3·3

  52

  3·0

  Total debt of £1,000

  n/a

  —

  1

  0·1

  Previous application and decision for the item

  22

  4·1

  78

  4·5

  No serious damage or risk to health or safety

  n/a

  —

  77

  4·4

  Inability to repay

  n/a

  —

  84

  4·8

  Help available from another source

  9

  —

  62

  3·6

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Social Fund
  Ms. Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish a table, similar to the one printed on 15 May,Official Report, columns 76–78, in reply to the hon. Member for Leeds, West, (Mr. Battle) but in respect of his Department's local offices at Eston, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Stockton, showing reasons for social fund loan and grant refusals during the period April 1988 to March 1989.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  [holding answer 9 June 1989]: The information requested is set out in the table.

  The proportions have been calculated as percentages of the total number of reasons for refusal. The total number of reasons for refusal may equal or exceed the total number of refusals because the social fund officer can give more than one reason for refusing an application.

  I refer the hon. Member to my pursuant reply to the hon. Member for Leeds, West (Mr. Battle) today.
  211

  Grants

  Loans

  Number of times reason given

  As percent of total times reason given

  Number of times reason given

  As percent of total times reason given

  Insufficient SF funds, priority too low

  25

  4·6

  583

  33·4

  Suitable alternative available

  4

  0·7

  17

  1·0

  Loan refused because CCG awarded

  n/a

  —

  31

  1·8

  Other

  350

  64·9

  85

  4·9

  539

  1,745

  Office: Middlesbrough ILO

  Savings over £500 sufficient to meet cost

  7

  0·6

  3

  0·1

  Not in receipt of IS

  n/a

  —

  283

  8·1

  Not in receipt of IS for 26 weeks

  n/a

  —

  562

  16·1

  Not in receipt of IS and unlikely to become entitled

  88

  7·1

  n/a

  —

  Excluded items

  42

  3·4

  180

  5·2

  Excluded persons

  67

  5·4

  3

  0·1

  Amount < £30 (not travelling expenses)

  23

  1·9

  103

  3·0

  Total debt of £1,000

  n/a

  n/a

  3

  0·1

  Previous application and decision for the item

  40

  3·2

  132

  3·8

  No serious damage or risk to health or safety

  n/a

  n/a

  199

  5·7

  Inability to repay

  n/a

  n/a

  77

  2·2

  Help available from another source

  8

  0·6

  17

  0·5

  Insufficient SF funds, priority too low

  124

  10·0

  1,600

  45·8

  Suitable alternative available

  11

  0·9

  38

  1·1

  Loan refused because CCG awarded

  n/a

  —

  128

  3·7

  Other

  829

  66·9

  163

  4·7

  1,239

  —

  3,491

  —

  Office: Redcar ILO

  Savings over £500 sufficient to meet cost

  5

  1·1

  0

  0·0

  Not in receipt of IS

  n/a

  —

  90

  8·1

  Not in receipt of IS for 26 weeks

  n/a

  —

  273

  24·5

  Not in receipt of IS and unlikely to become entitled

  56

  12·1

  n/a

  —

  Excluded items

  30

  6·5

  84

  7·5

  Excluded persons

  0

  —

  2

  0·2

  Amount < £30 (not travelling expenses)

  14

  3·0

  31

  2·8

  Total debt of £1,000

  n/a

  n/a

  0

  0·0

  Previous application and decision for the item

  8

  1·7

  36

  3·2

  No serious damage or risk to health or safety

  n/a

  n/a

  40

  3·6

  Inability to repay

  n/a

  n/a

  46

  4·1

  Help available from another source

  5

  1·1

  19

  1·7

  Insufficient SF funds, priority too low

  162

  35·0

  404

  36·3

  Suitable alternative available

  1

  0·2

  1

  0·1

  Loan refused because CCG awarded

  n/a

  n/a

  55

  4·9

  Other

  182

  39·3

  32

  2·9

  463

  —

  1,113

  —

  Office: Stockton ILO

  Savings over £500 sufficient to meet cost

  3

  0·2

  1

  ·0

  Not in receipt of IS

  136

  10·5

  265

  10·2

  Not in receipt of IS for 26 weeks

  n/a

  n/a

  453

  17·5

  Not in receipt of IS and unlikely

  n/a

  n/a

  —

  —

  to become entitled

  136

  10·5

  n/a

  n/a

  Excluded items

  49

  3·8

  149

  5·7

  Excluded persons

  260

  20·0

  8

  0·3

  212 213

  Grants

  Loans

  Number of times reason given

  As percent of total times reason given

  Number of limes reason given

  As percent of total times reason given

  Amount <£30 (not travelling expenses)

  24

  1·9

  73

  2·8

  Total debt of £1,000

  n/a

  —

  0

  ·0

  Previous application and decision for the item

  65

  5·0

  117

  4·5

  No serious damage or risk to health or safety

  n/a

  n/a

  134

  5·2

  Inability to repay

  n/a

  n/a

  251

  9·7

  Help available from another source

  13

  1·0

  39

  1·5

  Insufficient SF funds, priority too low

  17

  1·3

  885

  34·1

  Suitable alternative available

  2

  0·2

  10

  0·4

  Loan refused because CCG awarded

  n/a

  —

  118

  4·5

  Other

  588

  45·3

  91

  3·5

  1,293

  2,594

  n/a—Not applicable.

  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if, further to his reply on 4 May,Official Report, column 220, he will categorise the reasons for the remaining social fund loan refusals and community care grant refusals for the year 11 April 1988 to 31 March 1989.

  Reasons for refusal of Social Fund loans and grants 1988–89

  Loans

  Grants

  Number of times reason given

  As a per cent, of all reasons for refusals

  Number of limes reason given

  As a per cent, of all reasons for refusals

  Savings over £500 sufficient to meet cost

  938

  0·3

  2,498

  1·7

  Not in receipt of IS

  35,613

  9·6

  n/a

  n/a

  Not in receipt of IS for 26 weeks

  99,907

  27·0

  n/a

  n/a

  Not in receipt of IS and unlikely to become entitled

  n/a

  n/a

  15,842

  10·6

  Excluded items

  30,759

  8·3

  9,563

  6·4

  Excluded persons

  1,094

  0·3

  13,734

  9·2

  Amount < £30 (not travelling expenses)

  11,952

  3·2

  3,707

  2·5

  Total debt of £1,000

  198

  0·1

  n/a

  n/a

  Previous application and SFO decision for this item

  14,639

  4·0

  5,071

  3·4

  No serious danger or risk to health or safety

  24,266

  6·6

  0

  0·0

  Inability to repay

  14,971

  4·0

  0

  0·0

  Help available from another source

  8,281

  2·2

  2,136

  1·4

  Insufficient SF funds, priority too low

  84,027

  22·7

  13,419

  9·0

  Other agencies not providing back-up

  n/a

  n/a

  85

  0·1

  Suitable alternative available

  3,978

  1·1

  1,177

  0·8

  Loan refused—CC6 awarded

  14,725

  4·0

  n/a

  n/a

  Other

  25,113

  6·8

  82,400

  55·1

  Note: Percentage may sum to move than 100 due to rounding.

  amily Credit
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many new claims for family credit were made, how many were decided and how many awards resulted in each week since the beginning of April 1989; how many renewal claims, decisions and awards were made; how many existing awards expired and were not renewed; and what was the net increase in the number of current awards.

  Mr. Scott
  [holding answer 13 June 1989]: The available information is as follows:
  214
  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  [pursuant to his reply, 15 May 1989 c.76–78.]: I regret that the reply given has been found to contain an error. The information requested with the amended figures is as follows:—

  Registrations1

  Decisions

  Awards

  New Claims

  Week ending:—

  7 April

  7,639

  7,535

  4,383

  14 April

  8,697

  7,656

  4,597

  21 April

  16,995

  8,554

  4,660

  28 April

  22,867

  10,926

  5,018

  5 May

  17,881

  10,975

  4,191

  12 May

  24,166

  15,740

  5,541

  19 May

  26,267

  17,141

  6,038

  26 May

  26,586

  14,003

  4,714

  2 June

  17,803

  12,990

  4,150

  215

  Registrations1

  Decisions

  Awards

  9 June

  20,927

  23,886

  8,744

  16 June

  17,014

  21,968

  8,391

  Renewal claims

  Week ending:—

  7 April

  7,795

  6,615

  5,799

  14 April

  7,600

  7,152

  6,394

  21 April

  7,425

  7,115

  6,325

  28 April

  6,475

  6,912

  6,124

  5 May

  4,770

  5,044

  4,371

  12 May

  7,705

  5,978

  5,207

  19 May

  8,572

  5,902

  5,100

  26 May

  9,115

  4,652

  4,025

  2 June

  7,552

  4,263

  3,592

  9 June

  8,713

  8,854

  7,662

  16 June

  6,938

  8,381

  7,213

  45,964 awards expired in April, and 64,345 in May, and 44,038 are due to expire in June2.

  1 Some claims received each week were not registered until the following week. On 16 June, 1,127 claims were awaiting registration.

  2 Figures for awards expiring are available only on a monthly basis. No information is available about how many of the awards expiring were not renewed.

  The number of current awards is not available on a weekly basis. At the end of March 253,500 awards were actually in payment, and at 18 June this had risen to 255,702.

  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the average amount of family credit awarded in each week since the beginning of April 1989.

  Mr. Scott
  [holding answer 13 June 1989]: I regret that the information requested is not available. The latest information relates to all awards of family credit in payment on 18 June 1989, when the average amount was estimated to be just over £25. This is broadly the same as the average amount in payment in March 1989.

  Form RR4
  Mr. Andrew Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if form RR4 is available in all post offices; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  [holding answer 16 June 1989]: Leaflet RR4 "Housing Benefit—new rules" is no longer available in all post offices.

  From mid-June 1988 to the beginning of April 1989 the leaflet was on display in all Crown post offices. It was removed two months ago at the time of the benefit upratings and changes in some benefit rules. In Crown post offices the four A5 format leaflet display space that the department purchases is now occupied by information on family credit, housing benefit, NHS costs, and in Scotland, community charge rebate.

  In sub-post offices, whilst leaflets such as RR4 are sent to all of them, neither the Department nor the Post Office has the power to instruct that these leaflets should be displayed or given out. As independent retailers sub-postmasters/mistresses can only be requested to do so.

TRANSPORT

  Road Accidents
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to implement 216
  recommendation 23 of the efficiency scrutiny into his Department's activities in relation to local authorities' capital expenditure on roads, published in November 1988, which would allow accident investigation and prevention schemes on local roads to be eligible for transport supplementary grant.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  When the efficiency scrutiny report was published last month, I said that there were seven recommendations which the Department wished to discuss with the local authority associations. Recommendation 23 is one of those.

  Officials of the associations reported the views of their members on the matter at a meeting on 7 June. I expect that it will be discussed when my right hon. Friend and I meet representatives of the associations on 4 July.

  LRT (Fares)
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are his current instructions to London Regional Transport concerning the level of fares; when they were published and in what form; which instructions or guidelines they replaced; and when he modified his instruction that fare increases should, in general, parallel changes in the cost of living index.

  Mr. Portillo
  An initial remit has been given to the new LRT chairman, Mr. Wilfrid Newton. This was set out in a written answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to the hon. Member for Richmond and Barnes on 22 March at columns 594–95. It asked the chairman for proposals for a management, investment and financial strategy which aims to give London safe and reliable rail and bus services; provides good value for money; and, so far as possible, transfers costs from the taxpayer to the passengers and other beneficiaries. It gives no specific instructions on fare levels. This remit replaced the objectives given to the then chairman of LRT on 20 July 1984.

  Computer Reservation Systems
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Romsey and Waterside (Mr. Colvin) on 8 June,Official Report, column 219, whether he will summarise the additional requirements concerning the disclosure of personal information described in the code of conduct about computer reservation systems produced by the European Community.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  Subject to national legislation on security, public order and data protection, personal information concerning a consumer and generated by a travel agent may be made available by the system vendor to those not involved in the transaction only with the consent of the consumer.

  M25
  Mr. McCrindle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many possible routes of the proposed motorway from the M25 to Chelmsford he has asked his officials to investigate;

  (2) when he expects to appoint consultancy engineers to determine the route of the proposed motorway from the M25 to Chelmsford.
  217
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  We expect to appoint design agents later this year. When they have carried out preliminary investigations we shall have an indication of practicable options.

  Mr. McCrindle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what environmental considerations will be taken into account in determining the route of the motorway from the M25 to Chelmsford.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  Choice of route is generally a balance of environmental, economic and operational considerations. Subject to that, we shall seek to adopt the route and solution which does the least environmental damage. On deciding on the options we shall as usual carry out a full environmental assessment.

  Coastal Waters (Chemicals)
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he holds concerning chemicals in drums or containers which have sunk within 100 miles of the British coast in the last 30 years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Portillo
  On each occasion of a loss of packaged chemicals into the sea from a ship being reported to the marine pollution control unit a decision is taken on scientific advice as to whether it is necessary to relocate and recover the chemical to protect the marine environment. Where it is not, no permanent record of the incident is maintained and the location of the lost chemical is generally unknown. Accordingly, the only detailed record held by the Department stems from the only chemical salvage operation carried out by the MPCU to date. This was after the mv Perintis sank in United Kingdom waters near the channel light vessel in March, 1989. All 12 of the drums of Cypermethrin and 16 of the drums of Permethrin carried by the vessel were successfully recovered, leaving four 50 kg drums of Permethrin which could not be found. 5·8 tonnes of Lindane from the same vessel floated off from the wreck in a commercial container was subsequently lost in the approaches to Cherbourg while under tow by a French tug, and its location remains unknown.

  Four tonnes of PCB contained in four electrical transformers were lost in the Piper Alpha disaster in July, 1988 and remain unlocated.

>HEALTH

  National Health Service (Reform)
  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many representations he has received to date on the White Paper "Working for Patients"; and how many have been critical of the Government's proposals.

  Mr. Mellor
  We have received over 7,500 representations on the White Paper, "Working for Patients". Many ask questions, many support all or some of the proposals, some refer only to specific aspects. It is not possible to distinguish the letters in the way the hon. Member suggests.

  Mr. Adley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many letters from members of the public about the 218
  proposed changes in the National Health Service, to which he has replied, have resulted in further correspondence from the writer.

  Mr. Mellor
  We have dealt with over 5,500 letters from members of the public about the White Paper "Working for Patients"; a very small number has resulted in further correspondence from the writer.

  Mr. Lofthouse
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will instruct the chairman of the Wakefield family practitioner committee to arrange a meeting between the full family practitioner committee and local Members of Parliament to discuss the White Paper "Working for Patients".

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 19 June 1989]: No.

  Speech Therapy
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to develop speech therapy services; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  It is for individual health authorities to determine the appropriate level of provision of their speech therapy services, having regard to local circumstances, competing priorities and available resources. The number of speech therapists employed in the National Health Service in England has risen by nearly 75 per cent. since 1979 and expenditure on speech therapy services has increased by 100 per cent. in real terms over the same period.

  Census Questions
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to inform the public in advance of the census; what purpose is intended in including in the census questions on educational qualifications; what use will be made of the answers to these questions; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  The information requested is given in the White Paper "1991 Census of Population", Cm. 430, published on 19 July 1988, a copy of which is in the Library. Publicity and information about the census is covered in paragraphs 45 and 46 and a statement on the purpose and uses of the proposed question on higher educational and professional qualifications is given at paragraph 23.5.

  Patients (Documentation)
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he has any proposals to expedite the transfer of patients' National Health Service administrative documents between general practitioner practices, when required by patients' removal, avoiding processing by family practitioner committees and the central registry in Southport; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  The computerisation of the central register due in 1990 should speed up the transfer of records. In addition, where necessary, special arrangements can be made by telephone between family practitioner committees and general practitioners for records to be transferred urgently. We attach importance to speedy transfers.

  Midwives (Grading)
  Mr. Ian Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will now make a statement about the recommendations from the Social Services Committee on midwives grading; and if he will provide a date for their implementation.

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

  Treatment Costs
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the variations in cost of treatment between different health districts.

  Mr. Freeman
  I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Pembroke (Mr. Bennett) on 18 May, at column 283.

  Tobacco Advisory Council
  Mr. Amos
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will meet the chief executive of the Tobacco Advisory Council to discuss its recent distribution of literature to hon. Members on 13 June; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  We are aware of the literature concerning environmental tobacco smoke which the Tobacco Advisory Council has sent to hon. Members, but we do not feel that a meeting with the chief executive is necessary. The Government accept the finding of the independent scientific committee on smoking and health concerning environmental tobacco smoke, that there is a 10–30 per cent. increased risk of lung cancer among non-smokers exposed to environmental tobacco smoke through most of their lives than for non-smokers not so exposed. This increase could account for several hundred deaths per year. The Tobacco Advisory Council's literature reflects the fact that it disputes this position, but the council, like all other representative organisations, is entitled to draw attention to its own viewpoint.

  Mr. Amos
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations he has received from the Tobacco Advisory Council about smoking and health; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  The Tobacco Advisory Council has recently made written representations on the draft EC recommendation on banning smoking in public places (which was adopted as a mixed resolution at the Council of Ministers on 16 May), and on the draft EC directive on the advertising of tobacco products. In addition to this, officials have had meetings with the Tobacco Advisory Council at which a range of tobacco-related issues have been discussed.

  Allocation of Resources
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his estimate of what would be the allocation of resources to each regional health authority in the current year if it was done on the basis of the formula proposed in the White Paper "Working for Patients".

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 25 May 1989]: It is not possible at this stage to produce reliable estimates of
  220
  notional regional allocations for the current year. Such notional figures would in any event have little meaning since the application of the new formula will be carefuly phased in and will not take full effect until 1992–93.

  West Lancashire Family Practitioner Committee
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish in the Official Report details of (a) the numbers of general practitioners employed, (b) the numbers of patients registered and (c) the cost of the general practitioners service, in the area covered by the West Lancashire family practitioner committee for 1979 and 1988 respectively.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 15 June 1989]: The figures for Lancashire family practitioner committee, using the latest available year, 1987–88, are:

  Date

  Figures

  Numbers of unrestricted principals

  October 1978

  578

  October 1987

  673

  Numbers of patients registered

  October 1978

  1,395,862

  October 1987

  1,434,464

  Cost of the service

  1978–79

  £10,543,000

  1987–88

  £38,328,000

  This represents an increase in real terms of £16,690,000, a rise of 78 per cent.

  Family Practitioner Committees
  Mr. Lofthouse
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the circumstances in which chairmen of family practitioner committees act as agents of the Secretary of State.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 19 June 1989]: I have nothing to add to my reply to the hon. Member for Normanton (Mr. O'Brien) on 6 June 1989 at column 105.

  Mr. Lofthouse
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the powers of chairmen of family practitioner committees.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 19 June 1989]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Gloucester (Mr. French) on 24 January 1989 at column 538.

  Mr. Lofthouse
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidelines about their responsibilities he gives chairmen of family practitioner committees on appointment.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 19 June 1989]: General guidance for chairmen, members and staff of family practitioner committees is issued as and when necessary in order to enable them to discharge the varied responsibilities placed upon them. The guidance takes many forms. The Department customarily invites newly appointed chairmen to a specially arranged seminar for this purpose.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Mr. Roc Sandford
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Attorney-General what were the reasons for the Director of Public Prosecutions'
  221
  decision not to institute criminal charges against the officers involved in the prosecution of Mr. Roc Sandford for possession of drugs in October 1985.

  The Attorney-General
  After careful consideration of the evidence the Director of Public Prosecutions concluded that it was insufficient to justify criminal proceedings against any of the officers concerned.

  Police Computers
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Attorney-General what is his policy on prosecuting under the Official Secrets Act unauthorised disclosures of personal data from police computers; and if he will make a statement.

  The Attorney-General
  I refer the hon. Member to my previous written answer to him on 12 May 1989.

  Immigration
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will publish in full in the Official Report, the recent correspondence between the Treasury solicitors department and immigration adjudicators concerning the application of the immigration rules in appeals tribunals.

  The Attorney-General
  No. I refer to my reply to the hon. Member for Walsall, North (Mr. Winnick) on 9 June, at column 255.

  Sunday Trading
  Mr. Cran
  To ask the Attorney-General what information he has concerning the level of enforcement of Sunday trading laws by local authorities; and whether he has any plans to issue guidance to local authorities on the enforcement of such laws.

  The Attorney-General
  I refer to the answer of the Solicitor-General on 14 November 1988 at column 738: and to my answer on 17 April 1989 at column 26 which I have drawn to the attention of a number of local authorities.

  Fiat Applications
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Attorney-General how many applications have been made to him in each of the past 10 years for his fiat; in respect of what proceedings such applications were made; and in how many and what percentage of such cases in each such category he granted and withheld his consent, respectively.

  The Attorney-General
  Records are no longer available for the entire period. In so far as records are available, the task of collating them so as to provide the information sought by the hon. Member could be undertaken only at disproportionate cost to the taxpayer.

PRIME MINISTER

  Government Information
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister whether she will raise during the course of her next meeting with Sir Leon Brittan, Vice-President of the European Commission, the implications for the treatment of sensitive documents pertaining to financial affairs of 222
  companies transmitted by Her Majesty's Government to the European Commission in the light of the recently revised Cabinet Office guidance on Government Information.

  The Prime Minister
  I have no plans to do so.

  United Nations General Assembly
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Prime Minister when she next expects to pay an official visit to the United Nations General Assembly.

  The Prime Minister
  I have at present no plans to do so. My right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary will visit the United Nations General Assembly in September.

  NATO Summit
  Mr. John Browne
  To ask the Prime Minister if she has received representations regarding the recent North Atlantic Treaty Organisation summit.

  The Prime Minister
  No. There is a general agreement that the summit was a success for the Alliance, for the reasons I set out in my statement on 6 June.

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

  The Prime Minister
  When I met General Jaruzelski on 10 June, I told him that we welcomed the holding of the elections in Poland, and the confirmation by the Polish authorities that they would stand by the results.

  Common Agricultural Policy
  Mr. Leigh
  To ask the Prime Minister if she has received representations regarding the common agricultural policy.

  The Prime Minister
  The Government frequently receive representations about the common agricultural policy. Reform of the CAP is well under way. The measures agreed at the February 1988 European Council, particularly those dealing with budgetary discipline and stabilisation of agricultural production and expenditure, represent the most significant steps to date. The Government's policy is to build on those major reforms in EC negotiations, and to work with our GATT partners to fulfil the commitment to achieve progressive and substantial reductions in agricultural support and protection.

  Energy Conservation
  Mr. Page
  To ask the Prime Minister if she has received representations regarding energy conservation.

  The Prime Minister
  I have received a number of representations regarding energy conservation and energy efficiency.

  Community Charge
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will pay an official visit to the Nottingham, North constituency to explain Her Majesty's Government's policy on the poll tax.
  223
  The Prime Minister
  I have at present no plans to do so. The Government have no plans for a poll tax. The purpose and application of the community charge has been admirably explained in the leaflets published by the Department of the Environment and the Welsh Office.

  Civil Service Records
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister where personal records of Downing street civil servants covering January 1986 are to he stored on their retiral from the Civil Service.

  The Prime Minister
  Personal records of any kind are stored in accordance with instructions given in general circular GC/228 issued in February 1984.

  Heads of Government Meeting, Madrid
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will state the matters that are now due to be place on the agenda of the forthcoming European Council, Heads of Government meeting, in Madrid.

  The Prime Minister
  The European Council in Madrid is likely to discuss monetary co-operation; social issues; progress on the single market; frontiers; the environment; external issues and other current Community subjects.

  Engagements
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 22 June.

  Mr Stern
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 22 June.

  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 22 June.

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 22 June.

  The Prime Minister
  This morning I presided at a meeting of the Cabinet and had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House I shall be having further meetings later today, including attendance at the plenary session of the Australian-United Kingdom conference on trade and investment.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Security Forces (Complaints)
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what complaints have been received about alleged violence by members of the security forces in the Ballymurphy area during the second half of May.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  The Royal Ulster Constabulary is currently investigating three complaints concerning the behaviour of soldiers in the Ballymurphy area of west Belfast. No complaints were made against the police.

  Licensing Law
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations he has received about the Licensing (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Order 1989; and if he will make a statement.
  224
  Mr. Needham
  The Government have received representations from various sources, including district councils, church bodies and trade organisations. The majority of respondents strongly supported the proposals and in particular the proposed extension of the ban on off-sales of alcohol after 9 pm. The Federation of the Retail Licensed Trade and other trade interests opposed the extension and suggested several other changes to the licensing laws.

  The Government will consider very carefully all the views expressed in finalising the contents of the draft order to be laid before Parliament.

  Debt
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he has any plans to repeal the payments for Debt (Emergency Provisions) Act (Northern Ireland) 1971.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent meetings he has had with groups seeking a repeal of the payments for Debt (Emergency Provisions) Act (Northern Ireland) 1971.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  There are no current plans to repeal the Act and there have been no meetings on this subject recently. The need for the legislation is kept under review in the light of prevailing circumstances.

  Ms. Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people were subject to deductions from(a) wages and (b) welfare benefits under the Payment for Debt (Emergency Provisions) Act (Northern Ireland) 1971 in the years 1979 to 1989 inclusive.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  [holding answer 20 June 1989]: The information requested is as follows:
  (a) The number of people from whom deductions from salaries have been made in the last two years under the Payments for Debt Act is approximately as follows:

  Numbers

  1987–88

  1,862

  1988–89

  1,809

  These figures are the total numbers of people from whom deductions from wages or salaries have been made on behalf of Northern Ireland Electricity, the Northern Ireland gas undertakings, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and the rating division of the DOE (NI).

  Figures for 1983–84 to 1986–87 are contained in the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Member for Tonbridge and Mailing (Sir J. Stanley) on 2 November 1987 (Official Report, column 612). Equivalent information for the years prior to 1983 could be produced only at disproportionate cost.

  (b) Information in relation to deductions from welfare payments is not available.

  Ms. Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what total levels of debt existed in each of the years from 1979 to 1989, inclusive, in each category for which deductions were made from debtors in those years under the Payment for Debt (Emergency Provisions) Act (Northern Ireland) 1971.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  [holding answer 20 June 1989]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon.

  225
  Friend the Member for Tonbridge and Mailing (Sir J. Stanley) on 12 February 1988 at column. 396. Comparable information for 1987–88 and 1988–89 is as follows:

  £ million

  1987–88

  1988–89

  NIHE (Rent, Rates, District Heating)

  16·8

  18·2

  NIE (Electricity)

  6·5

  6·0

  Rating Division

  8·5

  8·1

  Belfast Gas

  2·2

  1·9

  Prison Reform
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he last met a pressure group campaigning for a reform of the prison system.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  My right hon. Friend and I regularly meet various bodies with an interest in prison matters. The last such occasion when prison matters were raised was during a meeting between myself and NIACRO on 12 May 1989. I have also recently invited comments on proposals to improve conditions and facilities for visitors to prisoners.

  Local Government
  Sir Michael McNair-Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he will now set up an inquiry into the structure of local government in the Province.

  Mr. Tom King
  I have no such plans, although I am ready to consider and discuss any proposals which elected representatives from Northern Ireland and others may wish to put to me.

  EC Funding
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he has taken to maximise the share of European Community structural funds assigned to Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Frank Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what efforts he is making to ensure that Northern Ireland's share of European Community funding is maximised.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  I refer the hon. Members to the answer that I gave earlier to the right hon. and learned Member for Warley, West (Mr. Archer).

  Education (Reorganisation)
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the proposed degree of parental consultation on current proposals for the reorganisation of state education in certain areas of Northern Ireland.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  There are statutory development procedures for school reorganisation proposals. These provide an opportunity for all interested parties—including parents—to make representation to the Department of Education. School authorities would normally consult parents before publishing a proposal.

  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make it his policy to reject any 226
  proposals by the South Eastern education and library board to amalgamate Castlewellan Quoile and Killyleagh secondary high schools with Down high school, thereby removing grammar school status from Down high.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  No. Article 14 of the Education and Libraries (Northern Ireland) Order 1986 places a statutory obligation on the Department of Education to consider all proposals submitted by an education and library board.

  Security
  Mr. Flannery
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make an assessment of the security situation in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Molyneaux
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the security situation.

  Mr. Tom King
  I refer the right hon. Members to the answer that I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Sheffield, Attercliffe (Mr. Duffy).

  Terrorism
  Mr. Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much terrorist activity has cost in terms of damage to buildings and to businesses, investment and jobs in the last year; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  In the financial year ended 31 March 1989 the total cost of compensation for property damaged by terrorist activity was £18·7 million. This includes £9·4 million for damage to buildings, the balance including compensation for stock and contents, consequential loss, expenses and vehicles. These figures do not include damage to property held by the Crown or other public bodies who bear their own costs. The precise information which the right hon. Member seeks on the effects of terrorism on businesses, investment and jobs is not available, but terrorist activity cannot improve the perception of Northern Ireland as a location for investment which would reduce unemployment.

  Mr. Gow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has had with Ministers in the Government of the Republic of Ireland about granting to the police and armed forces of the Republic and of the United Kingdom reciprocal rights to enter the territory of the other in pursuit of suspected terrorists.

  Mr. Tom King
  Within the framework of the Intergovernmental Conference both Governments have regular discussions about ways of improving the effectiveness of security co-operation. My hon. Friend will understand why it is not possible to go into detail on the content of those discussions.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the current level of unemployment in the Province.

  Mr. Viggers
  The latest unemployment figures, released last week, are encouraging. They show that at 11 May 1989
  227
  the seasonally adjusted level of unemployment in the Province stood at 107,200, which is its lowest level for almost six years.

  Police Authority for Northern Ireland
  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he has any proposals to change the composition, and if he has assessed the level of commitment, of the Police Authority for Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Tom King
  I have no plans to change the composition of the Police Authority for Northern Ireland. I meet members of the authority on a regular basis and appreciate the commitment and courage of its members in fulfilling their responsibilities in relation to the police force in Northern Ireland.

  Security Forces (Vetting)
  Mr. Loyden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will review arrangements for vetting members of the security forces in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what measures he has taken to improve vetting arrangements for members of the security forces in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  Vetting arrangements for the RUC and RUC Reserve are the responsibility of the Chief Constable, and those for the remainder of the security forces in Northern Ireland are a matter for the Secretary of State for Defence.

  Catholics (Discrimination)
  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made in reducing discrimination against Catholics in employment since 1979.

  Mr. Viggers
  Since the introduction of fair employment legislation in 1976 there have been significant increases in the proportion of Catholics employed in various sectors of employment, most notably in the public sector which accounts for 42 per cent. of Northern Ireland's working population. The proportion of Catholics employed in the public sector as a whole is now more closely in line with their representation in the population. Improvement in the position of Catholics elsewhere in employment has however been less marked and it is this problem that the radical and far-reaching legislation now before Parliament is largely designed to address.

  Assembly
  Mr. Bill Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he now has any plans to introduce a devolved assembly in Northern Ireland; and if he has considered the impact of such a proposal.

  Mr. Tom King
  I have no present plans.

  Harland and Wolff Ltd.
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made in the disposal of Harland and Wolff Ltd.; and if he will make a statement.
  228
  Mr. Viggers
  Since the signing of the Heads of Agreement on 22 March significant progress has been made in preparation for the formal completion of the sale. Discussions between officials and the MEBO-Olsen team are continuing and officials have submitted the formal notification of the terms of the disposal to the European Commission. Subject to Commission approval and the satisfactory conclusion of other pre-contract conditions and procedures completion is planned for September.

  Physically Handicapped School Children
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the level of provision of boarding facilities for physically handicapped school children in Northern Ireland.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Provision of boarding facilities for physically handicapped children at schools in Northern Ireland is a matter for the education and library boards in the first instance. I have not had any proposals from boards for any change in that provision.

  Intergovernmental Conference
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was discussed at the last Intergovernmental Conference; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Tom King
  The last meeting of the Intergovernmental Conference in Belfast on 24 May completed the review of the working of the conference provided for in article II of the Anglo-Irish Agreement. Copies of the joint statement issued after the conference and the communiqué on the review were placed in the Library.

  "Who Framed Colin Wallace"
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the activities of the security services documented in the book "Who Framed Colin Wallace", by Paul Foot.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  No.

  Planning Procedures
  Mr. Kilfedder
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will take steps to give objectors the right of appeal to the Planning Appeals Commission against the granting of planning permission.

  Mr. Needham
  No, Sir.

  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland why the fencing and planting at No. 35 Ballygelagh road in the borough of Ards have not been provided in accordance with the conditions of planning permission; what proposals the Department of the Environment, planning division, has to ensure the implementation of the planning approval conditions; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 19 June 1989]: The occupier of the new development adjacent to No. 35 Ballygelagh road submitted a planning application on 18

  229
  January 1989 for the retention of the dwelling without compliance with the condition requiring the erection of the screen fence. Since there was no reasonable ground for refusal, planning permission was granted on 23 May 1989.

  Mental Handicap
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was his Department's participation in the first European national conference for vocational training for mental handicap which took place in Maastricht, Holland, in April; what lessons have been drawn from this event; and what efforts are being made to implement the findings of the conference in the Northern Ireland context.

  Mr. Viggers
  Two officials from the Department of Economic Development attended the conference together with a representative from the Industrial Therapy Organisation in Northern Ireland. The conference provided an opportunity to learn how other countries are dealing with this particular disability group and the experience gained will be valuable in the planning of future provision in Northern Ireland.

  Turbines (Rivers)
  Mr. McCusker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if, further to his written answer to the hon. Member for Upper Bann, 25 April,Official Report, column 483, he will list the principal statutory responsibilities of the Northern Ireland Departments of Agriculture, Environment and Economic Development, for installations affecting the flow in a particular water course for water abstractions and for health and safety at work considerations arising from the operation of such turbines.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  The information requested is as follows:

  (i) If the installation of any structure is likely to affect the flow of water in any particular watercourse, the consent of the Department of Agriculture is required in accordance with article 32 and schedule 6 of the Drainage (NI) Order 1973. The Fisheries Act (NI) 1966 contains requirements to provide and maintain fish passes in dams constructed, re-built, reinstated or heightened since 1842; and to close mill sluices for 24-hour periods at weekends or when mills are not in use.

  (ii) The Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland has power under section 14 of the Water Act (NI) 1972 to make regulations to control the abstraction of water from waterways if it is considered expedient to do so. No such regulations have yet been made.

  (iii) Where turbines form part of an undertaking for which the Department of Economic Development is the enforcing authority for health and safety at work legislation, the principal health and safety enactments which apply to the operation of turbines are the Health and Safety at Work (NI) Order 1978 and the Factories Act (NI) 1965.

  Table 1: Non industrial staff at headquarters and regions at 31 March 1988 and 31 March 1989

  At 31 March

  Housing and planning

  Technical services and direct labour organisation

  Finance

  Personnel and management services and information technology

  Information and Secretariat

  Total

  Belfast

  1988

  494

  253

  23

  56

  3

  829

  1989

  516

  262

  23

  49

  3

  853

  North East

  1988

  277

  84

  12

  23

  1

  397

  1989

  281

  91

  11

  19

  1

  403

  North West

  1988

  278

  95

  9

  25

  2

  409

  1989

  269

  88

  12

  27

  2

  398

  South

  1988

  258

  97

  13

  28

  2

  398

  Social Security
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many people awarded transitional protection as a result of the implementation of the new social security legislation from 11 April 1988 at each of the social security offices in South Down are no longer entitled to such a payment; (2) how many people were awarded transitional protection as a result of the implementation of the new social security legislation from 11 April 1988 at each of the social security offices in South Down.

  Mr. Needham
  This information is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Prisoners
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many prisoners in Northern Ireland, who were under 20 years of age when convicted, have now served 10 or more years in prison.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  Forty-two. Of these, 16 are Secretary of State's pleasure cases. The remaining 26 are life sentence prisoners.

  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 the number of persons recruited and employed in the headquarters, and in each regional and district office of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive in each of the last two years, broken down as far as possible into the various departments of the organisation, or as much of such information as is available to him.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 20 June 1989]: The information requested in so far as it can be readily provided is set out in the following tables. The figures shown for industrial and non-industrial staff represent permanent staff in post and do not take account of temporary staff as the numbers of such staff could not be disaggregated between various locations except at disproportionate cost. The figures for temporary non-industrial staff at 31 March 1988 and 31 March 1989 were 193 and 145 respectively. The figures for temporary industrial staff at 31 March 1988 and 31 March 1989 were 207 and 487 respectively.

  Information on the composition by departments of non-industrial staff at district office level and figures for recruitment of industrial staff cannot be provided except at disproportionate cost.
  231

  At 31 March

  Housing and planning

  Technical services and direct labour organisation

  Finance

  Personnel and management services and information technology

  Information and Secretariat

  Total

  1989

  255

  103

  12

  27

  2

  399

  South East

  1988

  288

  103

  10

  24

  2

  427

  1989

  296

  103

  13

  22

  1

  435

  West

  1988

  130

  71

  6

  22

  4

  233

  1989

  149

  63

  7

  19

  2

  240

  Headquarters

  1988

  62

  139

  206

  153

  19

  579

  1989

  53

  118

  205

  165

  19

  560

  Total staff in post

  1988

  1,787

  842

  279

  331

  33

  3,272

  1989

  1,819

  828

  283

  328

  30

  3,288

  Table 2: Non Industrial Staff in Post at Regional and District Offices at 31 March 1988 and 31 March 1

  Region and Regional Head quarters and District Office

  Staff in Post at

  31 March 1988

  31 March 1989

  Belfast

  Regional Head quarters

  457

  464

  Belfast 1

  45

  47

  Belfast 2

  54

  55

  Belfast 3

  56

  59

  Belfast 4

  47

  52

  Belfast 5

  52

  52

  Belfast 6

  45

  46

  Belfast 7

  73

  78

  Sub Total

  829

  853

  North East

  Regional Head quarters

  164

  165

  Antrim

  43

  46

  Ballycastle

  15

  15

  Ballymena

  41

  41

  Ballymoney

  22

  23

  Carrickfergus

  28

  30

  Larne

  23

  23

  Newtownabbey 1

  31

  30

  Newtownabbey 2

  30

  30

  Sub Total

  397

  403

  North West

  Regional Head quarters

  181

  169

  Coleraine

  41

  41

  Limavady

  27

  27

  Londonderry 1

  38

  40

  Londonderry 2

  33

  33

  Londonderry 3

  29

  29

  Magherafelt

  25

  24

  Strabane

  35

  35

  Sub Total

  409

  398

  South

  Regional Head quarters

  197

  193

  Armagh

  29

  32

  Banbridge

  27

  27

  Craigavon

  25

  24

  Kilkeel

  10

  10

  Lurgan

  27

  27

  Newry 1

  30

  32

  Newry 2

  28

  29

  Portadown

  25

  25

  Sub Total

  398

  399

  South East

  Regional Head quarters

  192

  188

  Bangor

  35

  36

  Castlereagh 1

  27

  27

  Castlereagh 2

  21

  21

  Lisburn 1

  32

  36

  Lisburn 2

  20

  21

  232

  Region and Regional Head quarters and District Office

  Staff in Post at

  31 March 1988

  31 March 1989

  Lisburn 3

  20

  21

  Newtownards 1

  27

  30

  Newtownards 2

  19

  18

  Downpatrick

  34

  37

  Sub Total

  427

  435

  West

  Regional Head quarters

  131

  133

  Cookstown

  20

  20

  Dungannon

  26

  29

  Enniskillen

  31

  32

  Omagh

  25

  26

  Sub Total

  233

  240

  Total

  2,693

  2,728

  Table 3: Recruitment of non-industrial staff during years 1987–88 and 1988–89

  1987–88

  1988–89

  Belfast Regional Office

  34

  38

  District Offices

  8

  33

  North East Regional Office

  1

  6

  District Offices

  2

  12

  North West Regional Office

  3

  9

  District Offices

  0

  2

  West Regional Office

  1

  4

  District Offices

  0

  5

  South Regional Office

  3

  12

  District Offices

  1

  6

  South East Regional Office

  9

  8

  District Offices

  0

  16

  Headquarters (including Linenhall Street and Carlton House)

  20

  30

  Totals

  81

  184

  Table 4

  Industrial staff in post at Regions and depots at 31 March 1989

  Depots

  31 March 1988

  31 March 1989

  West Region

  Cookstown

  28

  22

  Dungannon

  40

  35

  Eniskillen

  37

  33

  Omagh

  37

  32

  Total

  142

  122

  233

  Depots

  31 March 1988

  31 March 1989

  South Region

  Amargh

  39

  39

  Banbridge

  21

  17

  Carn

  61

  59

  Kilkeel

  13

  13

  Newry

  56

  54

  Total

  190

  182

  North West

  Pennyburn

  59

  56

  Drumahoe

  47

  41

  Strabane

  42

  40

  Coleraine

  36

  34

  Limavady

  19

  14

  Castledawson

  28

  28

  Total

  231

  213

  Belfast

  Gardiner Street

  114

  105

  Grosvenor Road

  98

  87

  Paulette Avenue

  85

  85

  Total

  297

  277

  North East

  Ballycastle

  11

  13

  Ballyclare

  31

  44

  Ballymena

  37

  52

  Ballymoney

  26

  27

  Total

  105

  136

  Grounds Maintenance Staff

  Belfast

  33

  27

  South East

  29

  29

  North East

  32

  28

  South

  28

  28

  West

  29

  29

  North West

  37

  36

  Total

  188

  177

  Ancilliary Staff

  Housing centre

  51

  42

  Belfast

  96

  92

  South East

  28

  30

  North East

  32

  30

  South

  31

  31

  West

  16

  17

  North West

  34

  30

  Total

  288

  272

  Total staff in post

  1,441

  1,379

  Population Statistics
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 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 Northern Ireland in the years 2000 and 2020; and what percentage increase this represents in each category over the actual figures for the last year in which they are available.
  234
  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 19 June 1989]: The information requested is as follows:

  Age groups

  1988 Mid-year estimates

  Year 2000

  Percentage change

  Year 2020

  Percentage change

  65–74

  113,000

  110,000

  - 2·7

  135,000

  + 19·5

  75–79

  41,000

  41,000

  0·0

  46,000

  - 12·2

  80 and over

  39,000

  47,000

  + 20·5

  54,000

  + 38·5

EMPLOYMENT

  Tourist Industry
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will now publish the report of the review committee into the tourist industry which he established in July 1988.

  Mr. Lee
  I have no plans to publish the report.

  Employment Training
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish in the Official Report (a) the number of ET starts (b) the number of people who have left the scheme and finished their courses, (c) the number and percentage of those leaving and finishing who obtained a nationally recognisable qualification and (d) the qualifications obtained for the latest available date.

  Mr. Nicholls
  To 9 June, the latest date for which information is available, 317,800 people had started on employment training. Information broken down as requested about trainees who have left the programme is not available.

  Training
  Mr. Clelland
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the sources for the figures for the number of single parents on employment training schemes at December 1988, given by his Department to the Gateshead metropolitan borough council's special programmes committee on 25 January.

  Mr. Nicholls
  [holding answer 15 May 1989]: The information provided to the special programmes committee of the Gateshead metropolitan borough council about the number of single parents joining employment training was provided by the Department's officials from the normal management information system. It relates only to those people who entered the programme under the special arrangements for lone parents in receipt of income support on an order book through the Department of Social Security. In addition, lone parents may enter under other eligibility conditions, including the main one of being unemployed for six months or more.

  The information I provided on 7 April about single parents on employment training to the hon. Member in my reply to his previous question is correct; there is no information presently available about the total number of single parents on the programme.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  China
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the application for asylum by a member of the Chinese educational mission in Middlesex.

  Mr. Renton
  I have been asked to reply. An official of the Chinese embassy walked into Ealing police station on 11 June and asked for political asylum. The application is under consideration.

WALES

  Derelict Land (Shotton)
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will call a conference on Clwyd county council, Alyn and Deeside council and Deeside town and community councils with a view to discussing how 7,000 new jobs might be created on the derelict industrial land adjacent to Shotton steelworks; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  Clwyd has clearly benefited from the success of the Government's policies to revitalise industrial and economic performance in Wales. Unemployment in the county has fallen by 4,860 in the last 12 months. Regional aid approvals since January 1988 are associated with capital investment of £590 million, including £200 million inward investment, forecasting some 11,300 new jobs.

  I am confident that this progress will be maintained and I see no reason to convene a meeting along the lines proposed.

  Broadcasting
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many times he has had formal talks with the chairman of the Welsh Fourth Channel S4C; and what plans he has for further meetings.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  My right hon. Friend has visited S4C twice since becoming Secretary of State, most recently last month. He has had informal discussions with the chairman and members of the authority, as well as with senior staff, on both occasions.

  Radiation
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether he now intends to conduct an aerial survey for radioactivity in the restricted area of North Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  No.

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list those sites for which he has given authorisation for the disposal of low-level radioactive waste during the last five years.

  Mr. Grist
  A list of current authorisations for the disposal of low-level radioactive waste issued in the last five years is as follows:
  236
  Clwyd

  North East Wales Institute of Higher Education

  Kelsterton College

  Connahs Quay

  Wales Gas Board

  Maelor Works

  Marchwiel

  Wrexham

  Clwyd Health Authority

  Maelor General Hospital

  Croesnewydd Road

  Wrexham

  Clwyd Health Authority

  Ysbyty Glan Clwyd

  Bodelwyddan

  Porton Products Ltd.

  Unit 9

  Ash Road

  Wrexham Industrial Estate

  Wrexham

  Pilkington PE Ltd.

  Glascoed Road

  St. Asaph

  Dyfed

  West Wales General Hospital

  Glangwili

  Carmarthen

  Penglais Estate

  University College

  Aberystwyth

  Welsh Plant Breeding Station

  Plas Gogerddan

  Aberystwyth

  Animal Health Research Unit

  Peithyll

  Capel Dewi

  Aberystwyth

  Withybush General Hospital

  Haverfordwest

  Gwent

  Nevill Hall Hospital

  Brecon Road

  Abergavenny

  ReChem International Ltd.

  Pontyvelin Industrial Estate

  New Road

  Panteg

  Pontypool

  Royal Gwent Hospital

  Newport

  St. Woolos Hospital

  Newport

  Allt-Yr-Yn Hospital

  Newport

  BT Consumer Electronics Ltd.

  Cwmcarn Factory

  Cross Keys

  Newport

  Mayer Cohen Industries Ltd.

  Newtown Industrial Estate

  Cross Keys

  Newport

  237

  Monsanto plc.

  Corporation Road

  Newport

  Gwynedd

  University College of North Wales

  Department of Marine Science

  Menai Bridge

  Anglesey

  Gwynedd Health Authority

  Gwynedd Hospital

  Penrhosgarnedd

  Bangor

  Mid Glamorgan

  Simbec Research Limited

  Merthyr Tydfil Industrial Park

  Cardiff Road

  Merthyr Tydfil

  Mid Glamorgan Health Authority

  East Glamorgan General Hospital

  Church Village

  Pontypridd

  Mid Glamorgan Health Authority

  Abcrdare General Hospital

  Aberdare

  Mid Glamorgan Health Authority

  Bridgend General Hospital

  Bridgend

  Perkin-Elmer Limited

  Llantrisant Trading Estate

  Pontyclun

  Miles Limited

  estern Avenue

  Bridgend Industrial Estate

  Bridgend

  Prince Charles Hospital

  Merthyr Tydfil

  Princess of Wales Hospital

  Bridgend

  South Glamorgan

  South Glamorgan County Council

  South Glamorgan Institute of Higher Education

  Western Avenue

  Llandaff

  Cardiff

  University of Wales College of Cardiff

  Cathays Park

  Cardiff

  South Glamorgan Health Authority

  University Hospital of Wales

  Heath Park

  Cardiff

  South Glamorgan Health Authority

  South Wales Radiotherapy and Oncology Centre

  Velindre and Whitchurch Hospitals

  Cardiff

  South Glamorgan Health Authority

  Llandough Hospital

  Penarth

  Welsh Regional Blood Transfusion Centre

  Rhydlafar

  St. Fagans

  Cardiff

  Dow Corning Ltd.

  Cardiff Road

  238

  Barry

  University of Wales College of Cardiff

  King Edward VII Avenue

  Cathays Park

  Cardiff

  University of Wales College of Cardiff

  Aberconway Building

  Colum Drive

  Cardiff

  University of Wales College of Cardiff

  School of Pure and Applied Biology

  Newport Road

  Cardiff

  Biotal Ltd.

  5 Chilton Close

  Ty Glas Industrial Estate

  Llanishen

  Cardiff

  RSR Ltd.

  Avenue Industrial Park

  Pentwyn

  Cardiff

  South Glamorgan Health Authority

  Prince of Wales Hospital

  Rhydlafar

  St. Fagans

  Cardiff

  The Public Health Laboratory Service

  Cardiff Royal Infirmary

  Newport Road

  Cardiff

  The Public Health Laboratory Service

  Public Health Laboratory

  University Hospital of Wales

  Heath Park

  Cardiff

  Cardiff City Council

  Environmental Health Department

  City Analysts Laboratory

  Roath

  Cardiff

  Amersham International plc

  Cardiff Laboratories

  Forest Farm

  Whitchurch

  Cardiff

  South Glamorgan Health Authority

  Cardiff Royal Infirmary

  Newport Road

  Cardiff

  West Glamorgan

  West Glamorgan Health Authority

  Neath General Hospital

  Neath

  West Glamorgan Health Authority

  Singleton Hospital

  Sketty

  Swansea

  West Glamorgan Health Authority

  Morriston Hospital

  Swansea

  British Steel Corporation

  Welsh Laboratory

  Port Talbot

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how many people aged 18 to 25 years have been unemployed for six months or more in Wales; and in each of the parliamentary constituencies of Wales; and if he will make a statement;

  Unemployed person aged 18 to 24 years1

  Parliamentary constituency areas

  Total all durations

  Total over six months2

  April 1987

  April 1989

  April 1987

  April 1989

  Alyn and Deeside

  1,141

  640

  595

  225

  Clwyd North West

  1,696

  1,027

  934

  448

  Clwyd South West

  1,144

  704

  571

  292

  Delyn

  1,221

  629

  668

  213

  Wrexham

  1,341

  823

  721

  311

  Carmarthen

  1,050

  633

  534

  283

  Ceredigion and Pembroke North

  1,107

  629

  513

  264

  Llanelli

  1,353

  793

  682

  290

  Pembroke

  1,785

  1,150

  833

  498

  Blaenau Gwent

  1,489

  1,108

  756

  493

  Islwyn

  1,011

  724

  512

  285

  Monmouth

  876

  484

  438

  182

  Newport East

  1,434

  830

  813

  357

  Newport West

  1,634

  960

  951

  426

  Torfaen

  1,503

  1,107

  767

  479

  Caernarfon

  969

  733

  487

  335

  Conwy

  1,175

  765

  623

  304

  Meirionnydd Nant Conwy

  563

  275

  275

  108

  Ynys Môon

  1,287

  944

  728

  434

  Bridgend

  1,042

  633

  505

  233

  Caerphilly

  1,609

  1,019

  944

  402

  Cynon Valley

  1,228

  953

  636

  408

  Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney

  1,562

  1,248

  766

  560

  Ogmore

  1,161

  794

  650

  322

  Pontypridd

  1,368

  886

  740

  392

  Rhondda

  1,648

  1,087

  989

  506

  Brecon and Radnor

  701

  340

  360

  127

  Montgomery

  511

  221

  234

  64

  Cardiff Central

  2,017

  1,189

  1,195

  591

  Cardiff North

  684

  352

  363

  137

  Cardiff South and Penarth

  1,559

  924

  987

  444

  Cardiff West

  1,709

  1,046

  998

  476

  Vale of Glamorgan

  1,346

  883

  709

  371

  Aberavon

  1,265

  713

  613

  274

  Gower

  1,016

  626

  577

  267

  Neath

  1,171

  751

  825

  302

  Swansea East

  1,542

  1,098

  838

  499

  Swansea West

  1,794

  1,201

  1,111

  551

  WALES

  48,772

  30,922

  26,056

  13,153

  1 Specific totals for the age group 18 to 25 are not available.

  2 Data quoted do not include persons unemployed for up to and including six months

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list in the Official Report the number of long-term unemployed people, male and female, indicating in each instance how many are under the age of 25 years in Wales and in each of the parliamentary constituencies of Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Parliamentary constituency areas

  All

  Male long-term unemployed1 Less than 25 years2

  April 1987

  April 1989

  April 1987

  April 1989

  Alyn and Deeside

  1,152

  496

  205

  58

  Clwyd North West

  1,557

  794

  344

  145

  Clwyd South West

  932

  519

  182

  69

  Delyn

  1,573

  567

  261

  64

  Wrexham

  1,400

  696

  294

  78

  Carmarthen

  986

  650

  129

  85

  Ceredigion and Pembroke North

  1,031

  525

  123

  61

  Llanelli

  1,301

  695

  210

  85

  240
  (2) how many people aged 18 to 25 years are unemployed in each of the parliamentary constituencies of Wales.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  The latest available figures are shown in the following table. This includes figures for two years earlier. I am sure the hon. Gentleman will join me in welcoming the substantial fall in the number of unemployed young people over the last two years.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  The latest available information, for April 1989, is shown in the table. This includes figures for two years earlier. I am sure that the hon. Gentleman will join me in welcoming the substantial fall in the number of long-term unemployed over the last two years.
  241

  All

  Male long-term unemployed1 Less than 25 years2

  April 1987

  April 1989

  April 1987

  April 1989

  Pembroke

  1,483

  1,082

  219

  142

  Blaenau Gwent

  1,857

  1,236

  286

  175

  Islwyn

  1,236

  702

  206

  95

  Monmouth

  844

  433

  121

  53

  Newport East

  1,634

  810

  352

  121

  Newport West

  1,892

  965

  400

  154

  Torfaen

  1,584

  845

  258

  138

  Caernarfon

  1,094

  656

  167

  104

  Conwy

  996

  617

  169

  85

  Meirionnydd Nant Conwy

  422

  213

  64

  30

  Ynys Mon

  1,527

  840

  275

  122

  Bridgend

  1,019

  539

  160

  62

  Caerphilly

  2,079

  964

  422

  122

  Cynon Valley

  1,524

  1,034

  277

  133

  Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney

  1,847

  1,211

  367

  215

  Ogmore

  1,689

  868

  314

  120

  Pontypridd

  1,523

  943

  325

  158

  Rhondda

  1,822

  1,033

  456

  205

  Brecon and Radnor

  581

  280

  94

  32

  Montgomery

  480

  140

  52

  12

  Cardiff Central

  2,073

  1,139

  447

  212

  Cardiff North

  782

  380

  150

  43

  Cardiff South and Penarth

  2,034

  1,116

  419

  171

  Cardiff West

  2,245

  1,260

  434

  200

  Vale of Glamorgan

  1,321

  753

  236

  105

  Aberavon

  1,154

  515

  227

  83

  Gower

  897

  420

  183

  46

  Neath

  986

  552

  151

  79

  Swansea East

  2,103

  1,174

  385

  197

  Swansea West

  2,180

  1,284

  516

  197

  Wales

  52,840

  28,946

  9,880

  4,256

  Parliamentary constituency areas

  All

  Female long term unemployed1 Less than 25 years2

  April 1987

  April 1989

  April 1987

  April 1989

  Alyn and Deeside

  360

  173

  97

  24

  Clwyd North West

  525

  243

  194

  43

  Clwyd South West

  375

  185

  113

  44

  Delyn

  428

  155

  113

  23

  Wrexham

  380

  198

  102

  45

  Carmarthen

  387

  219

  116

  42

  Ceredigion and Pembroke North

  411

  195

  109

  31

  Llanelli

  421

  193

  143

  36

  Pembroke

  547

  308

  192

  74

  Blaenau Gwent

  401

  235

  123

  49

  Islwyn

  276

  161

  77

  24

  Monmouth

  343

  174

  110

  31

  Newport East

  465

  236

  155

  49

  Newport West

  537

  252

  180

  55

  Torfaen

  451

  273

  139

  59

  Caernarfon

  300

  177

  85

  33

  Conwy

  323

  205

  110

  41

  Meirionnydd Nant Conwy

  177

  102

  44

  14

  Ynys Môn

  534

  381

  192

  85

  Bridgend

  292

  137

  66

  21

  Caerphilly

  392

  176

  138

  34

  Cynon Valley

  305

  190

  107

  38

  Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney

  369

  229

  140

  64

  Ogmore

  273

  141

  83

  21

  Pontypridd

  359

  183

  124

  38

  Rhondda

  398

  233

  160

  56

  Brecon and Radnor

  256

  118

  73

  15

  Montgomery

  208

  65

  49

  15

  Cardiff Central

  540

  293

  211

  84

  Cardiff North

  198

  118

  45

  17

  Cardiff South and Penarth

  387

  209

  152

  60

  Cardiff West

  456

  243

  186

  56

  Vale of Glamorgan

  447

  243

  134

  57

  Averavon

  311

  100

  106

  23

  Gower

  310

  137

  88

  32

  Neath

  359

  167

  109

  39

  242 243

  All

  Female long term unemployed1 Less than 25 years2

  April 1987

  April 1989

  April 1987

  April 1989

  Swansea East

  444

  236

  158

  65

  Swansea West

  509

  275

  185

  76

  Wales

  14,454

  7,558

  4,708

  1,613

  Source: Employment Department.

  1 Data quoted are for claimants who have been unemployed for more than 52 weeks.

  2 Claimants aged 16–24 years.

  Welsh Language
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he proposes to allow children whose first language is Welsh to take national curriculum testing at seven through the medium of Welsh; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  Yes. Children taught through the medium of Welsh will be assessed in Welsh. Organisations contracted to develop standard assessment tasks are preparing them in both English and Welsh.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he proposes to publish a Welsh Language Bill; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  I have made clear to the chairman of the Welsh Language Board that I will consider very carefully any specific proposals that the board might make.

  The strategy document that the board has published today makes clear the board's view that all those with an interest should have the opportunity to shape future policy in support of the Welsh language. The strategy document is the starting point in that process and the board will be consulting on it widely.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the representations he has received concerning national curriculum testing of pupils at the ages of seven and 11 years and whose first language is Welsh; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  A number of the respondents to the consultation exercise on proposals for attainment targets and programmes of study in English 5–11 commented on assessment and testing; most of these supported the Secretary of State's proposals. I shall write to the hon. Gentleman to list the respondents and to list those who subsequently responded to the consultation on the proposal to exempt pupils taught in Welsh from assessment against the attainment targets for English.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will meet the county councils of Wales to discuss his Department's proposals to enhance the status of the Welsh language; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  My right hon. Friend has no plans at present to meet the Welsh county councils to discuss the Welsh Language Board's proposals in relation to the Welsh language. The Welsh Language Board will however be consulting all those organisations with an interest.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his policy under the national curriculum on testing in English of pupils whose first language is Welsh at 11 years; and if he will make a statement.
  244
  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  Pupils who are taught through the medium of Welsh will be assessed in Welsh. At the age of 11 all pupils, whether taught in Welsh or English, will be assessed against the same attainment targets for English.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether he proposes to meet the Welsh Language Board to discuss the board's suggestion concerning the possible contents of a Welsh Language Bill.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  My right hon. Friend regularly meets the chairman of the Welsh Language Board to discuss any proposals that they make.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list those district councils in Wales which have published(a) bilingual poll tax forms, (b) English-only forms with a reference to provision of Welsh language forms if requested and (c) English-only forms with no such statement.

  Mr. Grist
  This information is not held centrally. A welsh translation of the model community charge canvass form circulated in practice note 8 was sent to all district councils in Wales. Camera-ready copy of this translation was also made available on request.

  Language Teachers
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will call a conference in Wales of local education authorities, teachers unions, parent-teacher associations, trades unions and employers organisations to discuss the shortage in Wales's high schools of teachers of modern languages; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if he will call an all-Wales conference to discuss the shortage of Welsh language teachers with the local education authorities of Wales; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) what initiatives he plans to end the difficulties of recruiting to the high schools of Wales sufficient numbers of Welsh language teachers; and if he will make a statement;

  (4) what plans he has to enable the recruitment in the high schools of Wales of sufficient teachers of (a) German, (b) French and (c) Spanish before 1992; and if he will make a statement;

  (5) what steps he has taken to ensure that there are sufficient numbers of teachers of the Welsh language to meet the requirements of the national curriculum in (a) local education authority secondary schools and (b) private secondary schools.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  There are no immediate plans to call a national conference to discuss shortages either of Welsh language or of other modern language teachers. The Department will shortly be consulting each of the Welsh
  245
  local education authorities about the number of teachers needed, including teachers of Welsh and other modern languages, to meet the requirements of the national curriculum and to discuss how the demand can be met.

  Officials are also in close touch with the training institutions and we intend to promote liaison between the Department, the Wales Advisory Body and the Universities Funding Council, over the distribution of initial teacher training places within Wales, to ensure that targets are set as high as demand requires and realistic recruitment expectation justifies. Measures to encourage recruitment both from traditional and non-traditional sources have already been taken in conjunction with the Department of Education and Science. The teaching as a career unit has developed a specific programme to attract more Welsh language and Welsh-medium students.

  We have no plans to ensure the supply of teachers to private schools but, in setting overall targets of teacher demand, full account is taken of the numbers of trained teachers expected to transfer to or directly enter the private sector.

  However, encouraging teacher recruitment, either direct from training or of teachers returning to the profession, represents only part of our strategy for staffing schools to deliver the national curriculum. A very large part of the demand will need to be met by the re-training of teachers already in service. A framework for delivering the necessary in-service training is in place under the local education authority training grant scheme. My right hon. Friend has made expenditure provision for £223,000 under the scheme in 1989–90 for Welsh language training and a further £2·8 million for other training related to the national curriculum, including that necessary for modern languages. A further allocation of £582,000 for school management is intended to help heads and senior staff to manage the changes arising from the Education Reform Act.

  We again expect to give a high priority to these training categories when the scheme allocations for 1990–91 are announced later this summer.

  Education Reform
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will convene a conference of the local education authorities of Wales to discuss with directors of education and chairmen of local education authorities the (i) financial and (ii) professional consequences to the schools service of local management of schools and the national curriculum;

  (2) if he will visit each of the local education authorities in Wales to discuss with them the (i) financial and (ii) professional consequences of local management of schools and the national curriculum; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  No request has been made to my right hon. Friend by local education authorities to meet and discuss the consequences of the implementation of the Education Reform Act 1988. At official level discussions on these issues continue to take place through working groups on which all local education authorities are represented.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list in the Official Report all Government documents issued to (a) local education authorities and
  246
  (b) schools as a consequence of the Education Reform Act listing both the number of pages and the cost of the document; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  The following documents have been issued by the Welsh Office to local authorities and schools as a direct result of the passing of the Education Reform Act 1988. Most of these documents were produced within the Department and costs cannot be separately identified. I am ensuring that copies are available in the Library of the House.

  Length and Control of School Sessions: Draft Circular
  Admission of pupils to County and Voluntary Schools: Circular 47/88
  Charges for school activities: Circular 4/89
  Religious Education and Collective Worship: Circular 6/89
  Grant Maintained Schools: Circular 49/88
  Local Management of Schools: Circular 36/88
  Statutory Approval of Qualifications: Circular 33/89
  National Curriculum Mathematics and Science Orders: Circular 14/89
  The School Curriculum and Assessment: Circular 15/89
  Local Arrangements for the Consideration of Complaints made under Section 23: Circular 26/89
  Modern Foreign Languages in the National Curriculum: Circular 32/89
  Governance of Maintained Further and Higher Education Institutions: Circular 37/88
  Local Management of Further and Higher Education Institutions: Planning and Delegation of Schemes and Articles of Government: Circular 38/88
  Local Management of Further and Higher Education Colleges: Circular Letter

  Mathematics fin. Ages 5–16:

  Proposals of the Secretaries of State 1988
  Education (National Curriculum) (Attainment Targets and Programmes of Study in Mathematics) Order 1989
  "Mathematics in the National Curriculum" (Associated document to above).

  Science for Ages 5–16:

  Proposals of the Secretaries of State 1988
  Education (National Curriculum) (Attainment Targets and Programmes of Study in Science) Order 1989
  "Science in The National Curriculum" (Associated document to above).

  Design and Technology for Ages 5–16:

  Proposal of the Secretaries of State 1989
  National Curriculum Implementation: Circular Letter to Headteachers
  National Curriculum: Draft Statutory Regulations—Exemptions from English at Key Stage 1: Consultation Letter
  National Curriculum Temporary Exceptions for Individual Pupils: Draft Regulations and Circular
  LEA Training Grants Scheme and ESG—National Curriculum Development Plans: Guidance Note
  National Curriculum: Task Group on Assessment and Testing (TGAT): Report
  Education Reform: The Government's Proposals for Schools: Booklet
  School Governors: How to Become A Grant Maintained School: Booklet
  School Governors: A New Role: Booklet
  Shouldn't You Become A School Governor: Booklet
  School Governors: A Guide to the Law for County and Controlled Schools: Booklet
  English for Ages 5–11: Booklet
  English in the National Curriculum Key Stage 1: Booklet

  Cancer Patients
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he proposes to make public his plans to improve the facilities in north wales for cancer patients; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Grist
  Central funds have been made available to Clwyd and Gwynedd health authorities to improve facilities for cancer patients. A comprehensive study of cancer treatment services in north Wales, commissioned by the Welsh Office, is nearing completion and I will wish to consider it carefully, with the health authorities involved, in planning the further development of services.

  Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many cases of BSE infected cattle at EEC-approved slaughterhouses in Wales have been identified.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  Two.

  Environmental Pollution
  Mrs. Clywd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on his responsibilities for the control of environmental pollution in Wales.

  Mr. Grist
  I refer the hon. Lady to the reply given today by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment.

  Forestry Commission
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what is the current acreage of the Forestry Commission in Wales;

  (2) what is the estimated acreage in Wales of Forestry Commission land planted with (i) broadleaves, and (ii) conifers; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  At 31 March 1989 the Forestry Commission managed the following areas of land in Wales:

  Hectares

  Broadleaved woodland

  6,000

  Conifer woodland

  124,000

  Other land

  13,000

  Total

  143,000

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the estimated value of the assets of the Forestry Commission in Wales.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  The estimated value of the Forestry Commission's fixed assets in Wales at 31 March 1988 was as follows:Plantations (land, roads and timber) £440 million.
  Other tangible assets (land, buildings, machinery, plant and equipment) £11 million.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Scrapie
  Sir Geoffrey Johnson Smith
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will ban food 248
  stuffs made from scrapie-infected sheep for all fowls, animals and fish following the Southwood report's recommendation of a ban on such feeds for ruminants;

  (2) whether only ruminants were being fed with scrapie-infected feed when the Southwood report recommended banning it.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  The Southwood working party was aware of the fact that protein derived from ruminants was fed to types of animal other than ruminants, and recognised the fact. The working party endorsed the action that the Government had already taken in banning the feeding of ruminant-based protein in ruminant rations. There are no plans to include feed for other types of animal in this ban.

  Fur Farming
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations the British Government has made and will be making to the Council of Europe concerning its current discussions on fur farming.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  My officials attend these meetings at which recommendations for the welfare of fur-bearing animals are being elaborated. They are seeking to negotiate the most suitable recommendations for the welfare of these animals bearing in mind the Farm Animal Welfare Council's view that there is not enough evidence to set specific cage sizes and that further research is needed into some aspects of fur farming.

  Whales
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will raise at the next meeting of the European Community Council of Fisheries Ministers the continual slaughtering of whales by the whaling fleets of certain maritime nations; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  The European Community does not have competence on whaling matters as such, but those members with an interest in whaling are members of the IWC and we consult them in that forum. At the recent 41st annual meeting of the International Whaling Commission, the commission passed resolutions asking Japan, Iceland and Norway to reconsider their scientific research whaling programmes and rejected Japan's request for its small coastal whaling boats to take 320 minke whales off Japan. I welcome those decisions.

  Rabbits
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if there have been any reports in the last year of viral haemorrhagic disease in rabbits in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what steps he is taking to prevent viral haemorrhagic disease in rabbits entering the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  There have been no reports of viral haemorrhagic disease in rabbits in this country. Imported rabbits are subject to six months quarantine and this is an effective safeguard against the introduction of the disease.
  249
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish in the Official Report figures for the importation into the United Kingdom of frozen rabbit meat and live rabbits, and the countries of origin, for the last five years.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  Data on imported rabbit meat are not available for the years prior to 1988. For 1988, imports of frozen rabbit meat were not separately identified. But imports for 1988 of all presentations of rabbit meat (fresh, chilled, frozen and edible offal) were:

  Country

  Rabbit meat and offal (kg)

  France

  113,800

  Poland

  1,700

  China

  2,314,100

  Imports of live domestic rabbits and countries of origin for the last five years were:

  country

  Live rabbits (kg)

  1984

  France

  1,076

  Irish Republic

  3,000

  1985

  France

  720

  1986

  France

  412

  1987

  USA

  490

  1988

  USA

  3,362

  Food Labelling
  Mr. McLoughlin
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is yet in a position to make an announcement about the outcome of his consultation on the proposed guidelines by the Food Advisory Committee on the use of the word "natural" and similar terms in the labelling and advertising of food; and whether he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ryder
  We have received a large number of comments on the proposed guidelines from consumer, trade and enforcement bodies and from others with an interest in the proposals. I am pleased to say that there has been general support for the principle of the FAC's guidelines and for the voluntary approach proposed. However, concern has been expressed about the detail of certain parts of the guidance and some clarification has also been requested. In view of this, I asked the FAC to consider all the responses received and advise whether, in the light of these, they wished to amend their guidance.

  My colleagues and I have now received the committee's further advice. After careful consideration the committee has reaffirmed its recommendation for voluntary self regulation, in the first instance, in this area of labelling. The committee has also agreed some important revisions to the text of the statement, which I believe directly address many of the concerns raised by respondents, generally by clarifying or expanding on certain principles in the statement to ensure that they are as clear and unambiguous as possible. My colleagues and I consider
  250
  the committee's revised statement to he a sensible basis from which answers to problems in this area of labelling might be developed.

  I am sending the FAC's advice out to all interested parties in the United Kingdom with a firm suggestion that in future, when considering food labelling, they observe and adopt the principles that the Food Advisory Committee has set out. I shall watch carefully to see whether this voluntary approach achieves the desired results, and will consider whether further action would be appropriate.

  The FAC has also reaffirmed its advice that an advisory group of interested parties, to which cases of doubt could be referred, would ease adoption of the principles proposed. The committee has emphasised that it is not their intention that such a group should in any way circumvent the legal process but simply assist in interpretation of the guidance for particular cases. I cannot see, however, how such a group could operate effectively without becoming involved in matters of legal interpretation which are the responsibilities of the courts. I shall therefore not pursue this idea, but I shall ask my officials to inquire from the various interested parties, In 12 months' time, how the FAC's guidelines are working out in practice.

  I have also written to the European Commission enclosing the FAC's advice, and commending this approach to them in formulating their own policies for Community rules in this area of labelling.

  Fisheries Council
  Mr. Marland
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the outcome of the Fisheries Council in Luxembourg on 20–21 June; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  Together with my right hon. colleague, Lord Sanderson, Minister of State, Scottish Office, I attended the Council of Fisheries Ministers in Luxembourg on 21 June 1989.

  We secured agreement to an important amendment to restriction on beam trawl lengths that would have applied on 1 July. This will assist our inshore beam fleet and allow them to continue their operations without incurring costly modification. This is most welcome.

  We also secured in the negotiations a commitment from the Commission to review urgently this year's total allowable catch for Channel cod and other precautionary TAC's.

  After a difficult discussion the Council adopted a regulation laying down common marketing standards for preserved sardines. I ensured that our traditional sardine pastes and pates could continue to be marketed to the benefit of consumers.

  On quota-hopping, I stresed the Community-wide nature of the problem and expressed my hope that the Commissioner will come forward urgently with a Community solution. I received strong support from five other member states, and the Commissioner undertook to examine the problem and present the proposals to the Council. The Commissioner also undertook to ensure that in enforcing Community rules there would be no discrimination between member states.

  As we requested last December, the Commission reported on recent scientific advice reviewing the TACs for

  251
  North sea cod and haddock. We have to accept that there is no case for increasing these this year if we are to safeguard the future of these stocks.

  Set-aside Scheme
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much land he expects to be taken out of agricultural production under the set-aside scheme; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much land has been set aside under the set-aside scheme.

  Mr. Ryder
  United Kingdom arable farmers who joined the scheme for the 1988–89 crop year have set aside some 55,000 hectares of land. The scheme is open until 31 July 1989 for applications from farmers wishing to join for the 1989–90 crop year. The amount of additional land entered for the scheme, in this and future years, will depend on the decisions of farmers in the light of their own circumstances and the continuing reductions in support for arable crops under the stabiliser system.

  Multi-annual Guidance Programme
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been made by the United Kingdom and other European Economic Community countries towards meeting the targets set in the fisheries multi-annual guidance programme.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  A number of member states are deemed by the Commission to have made sufficient progress towards meeting their programme targets. The United Kingdom is currently considering with industry representations various options for reducing fleet capacity.

  Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the largest number of cases of BSE recorded on a single farm; what is the average number of cases per affected herd; what is the proportion of affected herds which have had a single case; and what is the proportion of all dairy herds that have had one or more cases.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  The information is as follows:

  —largest number of confirmed BSE cases on a single farm—18

  —average number of cases per infected herd—1·5

  —proportion of affected herds having a single case—71 per cent.

  —proportion of all dairy herds having one or more cases—6·5 per cent.

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Caerphilly of 19 June, when he intends to introduce recording of the information concerning the incidence of BSE at EEC approved and non-approved slaughterhouses.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  This is already in hand. The results will be collected each quarter beginning with the period April-June 1989.

  Tuberculosis
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the public policy 252
  considerations which underlie the decision to operate a slaughter with compensation scheme for cattle infected with tuberculosis but not for deer infected with tuberculosis.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  I announced on 16 June at column 563, in reply to my right hon. Friend the Member for Westmoreland and Lonsdale, (Mr. Jopling) my intention to introduce a slaughter with compensation scheme for deer suffering from tuberculosis.

  Animal Disease
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in respect of which notifiable animal disease he operates a slaughter without compensation scheme; and if he will list such schemes together with details of the appropriate authority.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  None.

  Divisional Headquarters
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the divisional headquarters offices of his Department.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  My department's regional and divisional Offices are situated in the following locations in England:

  Eastern Region

  Regional office:

  Cambridge

  Divisional offices:

  Chelmsford

  Huntingdon

  Lincoln

  Norwich

  Midlands and Western Region

  Regional office:

  Wolverhampton

  Divisional offices:

  Crewe

  Nottingham

  Preston

  Worcester

  Northern region

  Regional office:

  Leeds

  Divisional offices:

  Beverley

  Carlisle

  Newcastle-upon-Tyne

  Northallerton

  South Eastern region

  Regional office:

  Reading

  Divisional offices:

  Guildford

  Maidstone

  Oxford

  South Western region

  Regional office:

  Bristol

  Divisional offices:

  Exeter

  Gloucester

  Taunton

  Truro

  253
  Staff of my Department's Agricultural Development and Advisory Service are also located in Wales, but the Welsh Office is responsible for their accommodation.

  Price Fixing
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food with which organisations he or his ministerial colleagues had meetings to discuss the price fixing of agricultural produce prior to their agreement in Brussels in 1988.

  Mr. MacGregor
  In 1989, as in 1988 and previously, Agriculture Ministers and senior officials held meetings with a number of organisations to discuss the Commission's price fixing proposals. In 1989 these discussions involved, in particular, the following bodies:

  Agricultural and Allied Workers National Trade Group of the Transport and General Workers Union

  Consumers in the European Community Group

  National Farmers Union, Scottish National Farmers Union, Ulster Farmers Union

  Farmers Union of Wales

  Food and Drink Federation

  A number of other organisations were offered invitations to attend meetings to discuss the Commission's price proposals but declined to do so.

  Environmentally Sensitive Areas
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he intends to designate all the areas on the original list submitted to him by the Countryside Commission and Nature Conservancy Council as environmentally sensitive by the end of 1990; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ryder
  I have no plans at present to designate any further ESAs. All the areas shortlisted for ESA status in England by the Countryside Commission and the Nature Conservancy Council have been designated. These schemes are being monitored and I plan to carry out a full review of ESA policy before the first agreements terminate in 1992.

  Farm Diversification Grants
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the number of grants approved under the farm diversification grants scheme; and the number that were rejected on environmental grounds.

  Mr. Ryder
  During 1988, 669 applications for capital grant were approved under the farm diversification grant scheme; 137 applications were rejected but none were on environmental grounds.

  Between 1 January and 31 May 1989, 332 applications were received and 87 were rejected. I regret that information on the reasons for rejections during this period is not readily available.

  Hedgerows
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will list the names of all grant 254
  schemes available to farmers for planting hedgerows, giving their date of introduction, when they ceased; and whether they are still available, since 1959;

  (2) if he will list the names of all grant schemes available to farmers for renewing hedgerows, giving their date of introduction, when they ceased, and whether they are still available, since 1959.

  Mr. Ryder
  Grant was available under the following schemes for the provision, replacement or improvement of hedges:

  Name of Scheme

  Dale Introduced

  Date Closed to Applications

  Farm improvement scheme

  1 September 1957

  31 December 1970

  Horticulture improvement scheme

  14 April 1960

  31 December 1973

  Hill land improvement scheme

  14 August 1967

  31 December 1970

  Farm capital grant scheme

  1 January 1971

  30 September 1980

  Horticulture capital grant scheme

  1 January 1974

  30 September 1980

  Farm and horticulture development scheme

  1 January 1974

  30 September 1980

  Agriculture and horticulture development scheme

  1 October 1980

  30 September 1985

  Agriculture and horticulture grant scheme

  1 October 1980

  9 July 1985

  Agriculture improvement regulations

  1 October 1985

  28 November 1988

  Agriculture improvement scheme

  1 October 1985

  29 November 1988

  The closing dates quoted are those for the receipt of new applications. Expenditure incurred before the closing date could be claimed subsequently and where the applicant held an approved plan of investments, the expenditure too could be incurred after the closing date. Claims are still being accepted from holders of approved plans under the agriculture and horticulture development scheme and the Agriculture Improvement Regulations.

  Grants of 50 per cent. in the less favoured areas and 40 per cent. elsewhere for the provision, replacement or improvement of hedges are currently available under the farm and conservation grant scheme which was introduced on 20 February 1989.

  Training Courses
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give the number of training courses given on protectiing rivers and streams from agricultural pollution by the agricultural development advisory service officers on(a) a national basis and (b) a regional basis; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ryder
  ADAS provides routine training for new entrants and specialist and general advisers on pollution avoidance and control measures. The training is undertaken at national and regional level as an integrated part of discipline training, but records are not available of the precise number of courses held.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give the number of training courses given on conservation of wildlife and landscape by
  255
  the agricultural development advisory service offices on (a) a national basis and (b) a regional basis in each year since 1981; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ryder
  Since 1981, 35 national training courses have been held by ADAS on conservation of wildlife and landscape involving approximately 900 advisory officers. Information on regional training over the same period is not available, but since 1987 more than 20 conservation courses have been held in regions. Conservation is also included as an integral part of discipline training for new entrants and ADAS advisers.

  Planning Applications
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) how many planning applications he has commented on(a) within national parks and (b) outside national parks since 1986; and in each category how many were opposed;

  (2) how many planning applications he has commented on (a) within environmentally sensitive areas and (b) outside environmentally sensitive areas since 1987; and in each category how many were opposed;

  (3) how many planning applications he has commented on (a) within areas of outstanding natural beauty and (b) outside areas of outstanding natural beauty since 1986; and in each category how many were opposed.

  Mr. Ryder
  The statistics on consultations with MAFF by planning authorities about development involving agricultural land are not kept in the format requested. The information is, therefore, not readily available

DEFENCE

  Territorial Army (Vetting)
  Mr. Allen McKay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he has any proposals to improve the arrangements for vetting members of the Territorial Army in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Neubert
  The procedures aimed at ensuring members of paramilitary or extremist organisations are excluded from service in the Territorial Army in Northern Ireland or any other part of the armed forces are kept under constant review.

  Photonics
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if any research programmes are under way concerning the use of photonics for communicating with Royal Navy submarines.

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

  Transmitters
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the sites of all current and proposed extremely low frequency, very low frequency and low frequency transmitters in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Neubert
  I am not prepared to comment on security grounds, beyond acknowledging the proposed trial of an 256
  extremely low frequency transmitter at Glengarry, which has been the subject of several previous answers to the hon. Member.

  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what plans his Department has to increase the number of low frequency transmitters in the United Kingdom;

  (2) what plans his Department has to increase the number of VLF transmitters in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Neubert
  I am not prepared to comment for security reasons.

  Submarine Communications
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what plans his Department has to increase the number of systems available for communicating with the Trident submarine fleet;

  (2) what water space management agreements exist to ensure that United States and United Kingdom SSBNs do not encounter each other whilst on patrol.

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

  Submarines (Communications)
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the reasons why a TACAMO-type system of very low frequency communication with submarines was rejected for the Royal Navy.

  Mr. Neubert
  No.

  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if there are any plans to equip Royal Navy submarines in order to receive Oscar or Lasercom signals.

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

  Tornado Aircraft (Storage)
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Tornado aircraft are currently held in storage at RAF Leeming.

  Mr. Neubert
  None.

  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Tornado aircraft are currently held in storage at RAF Coningsby.

  Mr. Neubert
  No Tornados are held in storage at RAF Coningsby. However, as the RAF's receiving point for new Tornado F3s, at any one time a small number of aircraft may be held there in reserve while awaiting allocation to their operational squadrons.

  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many Tornado GR 1 aircraft were held in storage on 1 April in each year since 1981;

  (2) what is the average length of time for which individual Tornado GR 1 aircraft have been held in storage since 1981.

  Mr. Neubert
  No Tornado GR1s were held in storage on 1 April of any year since 1981 with the exception of
  257
  1983 and 1984. Although detailed records are no longer held, it is estimated that seven and 18 Tornado GR1s were held in storage on 1 April 1983 and 1984 respectively, while awaiting allocation to their operational squadrons. The average period in storage of each aircraft is estimated to have been between six to nine months.

  RAF St. Athan (Aircraft Storage)
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the(a) average and (b) peak total number of aircraft held in storage at RAF St. Athan in each year since 1980.

  Mr. Neubert
  RAF St. Athan is a major maintenance depot and is used routinely for storing attrition aircraft and aircraft awaiting servicing. Records of the number of aircraft held in storage are not kept in the form requested. However, it is estimated that, on average, about 50 aircraft of various types and ages are held at RAF St. Athan.

  Land (Cunninghame, North)
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans exist for acquisition of additional land by his Department in the Cunninghame, North constituency.

  Mr. Neubert
  There are at present no such plans.

  Nuclear Deterrent
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Don Valley of 2 March,Official Report, columns 253–54, if he will make a statement as to what factors Her Majesty's Government consider to be the essential constituents of a fully effective, reliable and survivable deterrent.

  Mr. Neubert
  I refer the hon. Member to the second memorandum submitted by the Ministry of Defence to the Foreign Affairs Committee on 11 May 1988, which was published on pages 35 to 37 of the minutes of evidence in its third report of the 1987–88 Session (HC280). Paragraphs 6 to 8 in particular contain the information he seeks.

  Sea-based Nuclear Weapons
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether Her Majesty's Government have any plans to(a) withdraw some of the sea-based tactical nuclear weapons on Royal Navy vessels and (b) re-evaluate the utility to United Kingdom national defence of sea-based nuclear weapons.

  Mr. Neubert
  As part of the studies related to modernising the United Kingdom's theatre nuclear weapons capability, consideration is being given to the replacement of the full spectrum of United Kingdom tactical nuclear weapons, including sea-based systems. However, no decisions have yet been taken.

  F111 Aircraft
  Mr. Boyes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many United States Air Force F111 aircraft were withdrawn from bases in England in 1988; and what was the reason for their withdrawal.
  258
  Mr. Neubert
  None.

  "Who Framed Colin Wallace?"
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on allegations concerning the forging of CIA documents used by former serving army officers and civil servants reported in the book "Who Framed Colin Wallace?" by Paul Foot.

  Mr. Neubert
  The hon. Member made allegations as to the forging of CIA documents during the Adjournment debate of 20 June last year, but they are not repeated in Mr. Foot's book. I have nothing to add on this matter to the many answers the hon. Member has already received, for example in the letter sent to him on 15 August 1988 by my predecessor, a copy of which was placed in the House of Commons Library.

  Reserve Establishments
  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the locations of all Royal Naval Reserve and Royal Marines Reserve establishments in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Neubert
  Not all Naval reservist units have their own establishments; some are accommodated with other service units. The following is a list of all Royal Naval Reserve and Royal Marines Reserve units with their locations:

  RNR

  HMS Calliope, Tyne and Wear

  HMS Cambria, Cardiff

  HMS Camberdown, Dundee

  HMS Caroline, Belfast

  HMS Ceres, Leeds

  HMS Claverhouse, Edinburgh

  HMS Dalriada, Greenock

  HMS Dragon, Swansea

  HMS Eaglet, Liverpool

  HMS Essex, Shoeburyness

  HMS Ferret, Ashford

  HMS Flying Fox, Bristol

  HMS Forward, Birmingham

  HMS Graham, Glasgow

  HMS Hallam, Sheffield

  HMS Mercia, Coventry

  HMS Northwood, Northwood

  HMS Palatine, Preston

  HMS Paragon, Middlesbrough

  HMS Pellew, Exeter

  HMS President, London

  HMS Salford, Manchester

  HMS Scotia, Pitreavie

  HMS Sherwood, Nottingham

  HMS Southwick, Fareham

  HMS Sussex, Brighton

  HMS Vivid, Plymouth

  HMS Wessex, Southampton

  HMS Wildlife, Chatham

  RMR

  RMR City of London, Bermondsey, with detachments in:

  Chatham

  Portsmouth

  Henley (being established)

  RMR Scotland, Glasgow, with detachments in:

  Grangemouth

  Greenock

  Dundee

  RMR Bristol, Bristol, with detachments in:

  Cardiff

  Lympstone

  Plymouth

  Poole

  259
  RMR Merseyside, Liverpool, with detachments in:

  Manchester

  Birmingham

  RMR Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne

  Recruitment Offices
  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list those cities and towns in the United Kingdom which have recruitment offices for(a) the Army, (b) the RAF and (c) the Royal Navy.

  Mr. Neubert
  The information requested is given in the following tables.

  The Royal Navy have recruiting offices in the following towns:

  England

  Barnsley

  Birmingham

  Blackburn

  Brighton

  Bristol

  Cambridge

  Canterbury

  Carlisle

  Chatham

  Chelmsford

  Coventry

  Derby

  Dorchester

  Exeter

  Guildford

  Hartlepool

  Hull

  Ilford

  Ipswich

  Leeds

  Leicester

  Lincoln

  Liverpool

  London

  Central

  Blackheath

  Croydon

  Luton

  Manchester

  Milton Keynes

  Newcastle Upon Tyne

  Northampton

  Norwich

  Nottingham

  Oxford

  Peterborough

  Plymouth

  Portsmouth

  Preston

  Reading

  St Helens

  Scunthorpe

  Sheffield

  Shrewsbury

  Southampton

  Stoke on Trent

  Sunderland

  Swindon

  260

  Truro

  Watford

  Wolverhampton

  Worcester

  York

  Scotland

  Aberdeen

  Dundee

  Edinburgh

  Inverness

  Wales

  Cardiff

  Swansea

  Wrexham

  Northern Ireland

  Belfast

  The Army have recruiting offices in the following towns:

  England

  Aldershot

  Andover

  Ashford

  Ashington

  Barbury

  Barnsley

  Barnstaple

  Basingstoke

  Bath

  Bedford

  Birkenhead

  Birmingham

  Bishop Auckland

  Blackburn

  Blackpool

  Bolton

  Bootle

  Boston

  Bournemouth

  Bradford

  Brighton

  Bristol

  Burnley

  Burton on Trent

  Bury St. Edmunds

  Cambridge

  Cannock

  Canterbury

  Carlisle

  Chatham

  Cheltenham

  Chester

  Chesterfield

  Chichester

  Colchester

  Corby

  Coventry

  Crewe

  Darlington

  Derby

  Doncaster

  Dover

  Durham

  Exeter

  Gloucester

  Grantham

  Grimsby

  Guildford

  Halifax

  Harlow

  261

  Hartlepool

  Hastings

  Hereford

  High Wycombe

  Horden

  Horsham

  Huddersfield

  Hull

  Ipswich

  Kettering

  Kings Lynn

  Leeds

  Leicester

  Lincoln

  Liverpool

  London

  Central

  Acton

  Blackheath

  Camberwell

  Crayford

  Edmonton Green

  Finchley

  Forest Gate

  Holloway

  Norbury

  Penge

  Romford

  Surbiton

  Wandsworth

  Wembley

  Lowestoft

  Luton

  Maidstone

  Manchester

  Middlesbrough

  Milton Keynes

  Newcastle Upon Tyne

  Newport (IOW)

  Northampton

  Norwich

  Nottingham

  Nuneaton

  Oldham

  Oxford

  Peterborough

  Plymouth

  Portsmouth

  Preston

  Reading

  Redruth

  Rochdale

  St. Albans

  St. Helens

  Salisbury

  Scunthorpe

  Sheffield

  Shrewsbury

  Slough

  South Shields

  Southampton

  Southend

  Stockport

  Stoke on Trent

  Sunderland

  Swindon

  Taunton

  Telford

  Torquay

  Tunbridge Wells

  262

  Wakefield

  Warrington

  Warwick

  Watford

  Weston Super Mare

  Wigan

  Wolverhampton

  Worcester

  Workington

  Worksop

  York

  Scotland

  Aberdeen

  Ayr

  Bathgate

  Dumbarton

  Dumfries

  Dundee

  Dunfermline

  Edinburgh

  Elgin

  Galashiels

  Glasgow

  Glenrothes

  Greenock

  Hamilton

  Inverness

  Irvine

  Keith

  Maryhill

  Paisley

  Perth

  Springboig

  Stirling

  Wick

  Wales

  Bangor

  Cardiff

  Llanelli

  Merthyr Tyfil

  Newport

  Pembroke Dock

  Pontypridd

  Rhyl

  Swansea

  Wrexham

  Northern Ireland

  Belfast

  Coleraine

  Omagh

  Portadown

  Channel Islands

  Jersey

  The Royal Air Force have recruiting offices in the following towns:

  England

  Bedford

  Birmingham

  Blackpool

  Bournemouth

  Bradford

  Brighton

  Bristol

  Cambridge

  Canterbury

  Carlisle

  Chatham

  Coventry

  Darlington

  Exeter

  Gloucester

  Grimsby

  Guildford

  Huddersfield

  Hull

  Ilford

  Ipswich

  Leeds

  Leicester

  Lincoln

  Liverpool

  London (Central)

  Luton

  Manchester

  Middlesbrough

  263

  Newcastle Upon Tyne

  Norwich

  Nottingham

  Oldham

  Oxford

  Peterborough

  Plymouth

  Portsmouth

  Preston

  Reading

  St Helens

  Sheffield

  Shrewsbury

  Southampton

  Southend

  Stoke on Trent

  Sunderland

  Swindon

  Taunton

  Truro

  Wolverhampton

  York

  Scotland

  Aberdeen

  Ayr

  Dundee

  Edinburgh

  Glasgow

  Inverness

  Wales

  Bangor

  Cardiff

  Newport

  Swansea

  Wrexham

  Northern Ireland

  Aldergrove

  Nuclear Depth Bombs
  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what increase there has been since 1980 in the number of Royal Naval helicopters capable of dropping nuclear depth bombs; what plans are in existence or under consideration to increase this capability; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Neubert
  The number of helicopters capable of dropping nuclear depth bombs has remained broadly constant since 1980. Our plans in this area, as in all others, are kept under regular review.

  NATO (Report)
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he has received a copy of the report "New Directions for NATO: Adapting the Atlantic Alliance to the Needs of the 1990s" by the Institute for Resource and Security Studies and the Institute for Peace and International Security.

  Mr. Neubert
  Yes.

  BAOR (Security)
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel are involved in the maintenance of security at the British Army of the Rhine base at Osnabruck.

  Mr. Neubert
  A range of measures, including the use of service personnel, is taken to maintain security at the base but, for security reasons, I am not prepared to disclose details.

  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel are involved in the maintenance of security at British Army of the Rhine bases.

  Mr. Neubert
  For security reasons it is not our policy to divulge such details.

  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has about the reported bombing of Quebec barracks at the British Army of the Rhine base at Osnabruck; and if he will make a statement.
  264
  Mr. Neubert
  At 0130 hours on 19 June 1989 an explosion took place at Quebec barracks at Osnabruck. The attack involved five high explosive devices, only one of which exploded. Shortly before the explosion, an unidentified intruder was challenged by a German civilian employee. The intruder was armed and a shot was fired. The German civilian was then struck in the face by the intruder, sustaining minor injuries. As a result of the shot being fired, the occupants of a nearby accommodation block were roused, the alarm was raised and several suspected devices were discovered outside the accommodation block. The building was successfully evacuated before one of the devices exploded. There were no casualties. Police inquiries are in progress in Germany and elsewhere.

  It is worth noting that, like the failed attack on Clive barracks at Tern hill on 20 February this year, the terrorists' intention of causing significant casualties was thwarted by the vigilance and prompt action of on-duty personnel. In the case of Quebec barracks I would like to pay tribute to the action of the German employee who, though unarmed, challenged the intruder.

  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what was the annual expenditure on physical security arrangements for British Army of the Rhine bases in each of the last five years;

  (2) what was the annual expenditure on physical security at the British Army of the Rhine base at Osnabruck for each of the last five years.

  Mr. Neubert
  It would require disproportionate cost and effort to identify such figures.

  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the last co-ordinated test and evaluation of security at the Osnabruck British Army of the Rhine base was carried out.

  Mr. Neubert
  A co-ordinated test and evaluation of security at Quebec barracks was last carried out on 9 June 1989.

  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether any civilian workers at British Army of the Rhine bases have any involvement in the maintenance of security at those bases.

  Mr. Neubert
  For security reasons it is not our policy to disclose this information.

  Blind Take-off Manoeuvres
  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the purpose of the practice of blind take-off manoeuvres; how frequently this manoeuvre is carried out by(a) RAF aircraft based in the United Kingdom and (b) United States Air Force aircraft based in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Neubert
  Take-off manoeuvres by aircraft of the Royal Air Force or the United States Air Force stationed in this country are not carried out "blind".

  IRAQ: ALLEGED VIOLATIONS OF KURDISH HUMAN RIGHTS
  IRAQ: ALLEGED VIOLATIONS OF KURDISH HUMAN RIGHTS
  HONG KONG: DEVELOPMENT OF DEMOCRACY
  HONG KONG: DEVELOPMENT OF DEMOCRACY
  NATO: US COMMITMENT
  NATO: US COMMITMENT
  SOCIAL SECURITY BILL: ADMINISTRATION COST
  SOCIAL SECURITY BILL: ADMINISTRATION COST
  MR. L.E. OSMAN
  MR. L.E. OSMAN
  MENTAL HOSPITAL BEDS
  MENTAL HOSPITAL BEDS
  DISPENSING DOCTORS: PATIENT TRANSFERS
  DISPENSING DOCTORS: PATIENT TRANSFERS
  RADIOGRAPHERS: TRAINING AND SUPERVISION
  RADIOGRAPHERS: TRAINING AND SUPERVISION
  MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS: PCN SCHEME
  MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS: PCN SCHEME
  RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
  RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
  DIOXINS: DoE REPORT
  DIOXINS: DoE REPORT