Written Answers of 28 June 1989

DEFENCE

  Low Flying
  Mr. Snape
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many low-flying sorties were flown over the United Kingdom by United States Air Force aircraft based in the United Kingdom in 1987 and 1988.

  Mr. Neubert
  A total of 21,869 low-flying sorties were flown over the United Kingdom during 1987 by United States Air Force aircraft based in the United Kingdom and 22,050 during 1988.

  Lead-free Petrol
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many motorised vehicles in his Department and in the armed forces run on lead-free petrol; if he has any plans to increase the use of lead-free petrol by vehicles run by his Department and the armed forces; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Neubert
  The majority of my Department's current vehicle fleet uses and will continue to use diesel fuel. We have already implemented, for petrol-engined staff cars, vans and minibuses, a policy of purchasing vehicles capable of running on unleaded petrol. The remainder of the current fleet of petrol-engined vehicles, which can be technically and cost-effectively adapted to run on unleaded petrol, is being converted during routine servicing.

  Surface Fleet
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list in the Official Report the names of the destroyers and frigates of the surface fleet, available for service at 24 hours' notice on 1 June 1988, 1 January 1989, and 1 June 1989.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Details of ships available for operations at precise periods of notice are classified. However, the names of the destroyers and frigates that were available for operational deployment immediately or within a short period for each of the dates requested are as follows:

  1 June 1988

  1 January 1989

  1 June 1989

  HMS Achilles

  HMS Achilles

  HMS Achilles

  HMS Active

  HMS Active

  HMS Active

  HMS Alacrity

  HMS Alacrity

  HMS Alacrity

  HMS Amazon

  HMS Amazon

  HMS Amazon

  HMS Ambuscade

  HMS Ambuscade

  HMS Ambuscade

  HMS Andromeda

  HMS Andromeda

  HMS Andromeda

  HMS Apollo

  HMS Arethusa

  HMS Argonaut

  HMS Arethusa

  HMS Avenger

  HMS Ariadne

  HMS Avenger

  HMS Beaver

  HMS Arrow

  HMS Battleaxe

  HMS Birmingham

  HMS Avenger

  HMS Beaver

  HMS Boxer

  HMS Beaver

  HMS Birmingham

  HMS Brave

  HMS Birmingham

  458

  1 June 1988

  1 January 1989

  1 June 1989

  HMS Boxer

  HMS Brazen

  HMS Boxer

  HMS Brave

  HMS Brilliant

  HMS Brave

  HMS Brazen

  HMS Bristol

  HMS Brilliant

  HMS Bristol

  HMS Broadsword

  HMS Bristol

  HMS Charybdis

  HMS Cardiff

  HMS Broadsword

  HMS Cleopatra

  HMS Charybdis

  HMS Campbeltown

  HMS Cornwall

  HMS Cleopatra

  HMS Cardiff

  HMS Danae

  HMS Cornwall

  HMS Charybdis

  HMS Edinburgh

  HMS Coventry

  HMS Cleopatra

  HMS Euryalus

  HMS Cumberland

  HMS Cornwall

  HMS Exeter

  HMS Danae

  HMS Coventry

  HMS Gloucester

  HMS Edinburgh

  HMS Cumberland

  HMS Hermione

  HMS Euryalus

  HMS Danae

  HMS Juno

  HMS Gloucester

  HMS Edinburgh

  HMS Jupiter

  HMS Hermione

  HMS Gloucester

  HMS Liverpool

  HMS Juno

  HMS Hermione

  HMS London

  HMS Jupiter

  HMS Jupiter

  HMS Manchester

  HMS Liverpool

  HMS Liverpool

  HMS Minerva

  HMS London

  HMS London

  HMS Newcastle

  HMS Manchester

  HMS Manchester

  HMS Nottingham

  HMS Newcastle

  HMS Newcastle

  HMS Penelope

  HMS Nottingham

  HMS Nottingham

  HMS Phoebe

  HMS Penelope

  HMS Penelope

  HMS Scylla

  HMS Phoebe

  HMS Phoebe

  HMS Sheffield

  HMS Scylla

  HMS Scylla

  HMS Sinus

  HMS Sheffield

  HMS Sheffield

  HMS Southampton

  HMS Sirius

  HMS Sirius

  HMS York

  HMS York

  HMS York

  Electro-Magnetic Propulsion
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what expenditure has been incurred by the British Government on research and development work on the electro-magnetic propulsion of projectiles.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  It is not our practice to give details of funding of particular projects. However, I can say that such funding represents only a very small proportion of the defence research programme.

  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what work has been carried out by the royal armament research and development establishment on the electromagnetic propulsion of projectiles.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The royal armament research and development establishment has been undertaking research into electro-magnetic propulsion of projectiles since the early 1980s. It is not our practice to go into details of particular projects. However, it has a wide-ranging potential application for land, sea and air-based weapons.

  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether any injuries have been caused as a result of research or development work into the electro-magnetic propulsion of projectiles.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  I am not aware of any injuries caused as a result of research or development work into electro-magnetic propulsion of projectiles undertaken in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the Ministry of Defence has received any funding from the United States Department of Defence to carry out research or development work into the electromagnetic propulsion of projectiles.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Yes, in December 1986 for a period of three years.

  Strategic Defence Initiative
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what work has been carried out at the royal armament research and development establishment on behalf of the United States Government strategic defence initiative programme.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Such a programme of work has been in hand at the royal armament research and development establishment since December 1986 with the purpose of achieving a greater understanding of electro-magnetic launcher capabilities.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Unichem Ltd.
  Mr. Oppenheim
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what action he proposes to take following the publication last month of a proposed order to prohibit UniChem Ltd. from continuing to operate its share scheme as recommended by the Monopolies and Mergers Commission in its report published on 17 May.

  Mr. Maude
  I have today laid before the House the UniChem Limited (Allotment of Shares) Order 1989 which will come into force on 19 July. Except for a minor technical amendment, this will follow the draft order published in May.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Mr. T. Gizaw
  Mr. Andrew Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, in view of the libellous statements made about Mr. Louis Fitzgibbon of Portland place, Brighton by Mr. T. Gizaw, the Ethiopian press counsellor, he will take steps to expel Mr. Gizaw from the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Eggar
  No. The Foreign and Commonweath Office maintains an impartial stance in this private libel action, where the facts are disputed.

  Students (China)
  Mr. Sedgemore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has made any representations to the Chinese embassy in Britain concerning the protection of the lives and interests of students from China who are studying in Britain; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Chislehurst (Mr. Sims) on 16 June, at columns 559–60.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Tax Liability
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will indicate, for each fiscal year since 1979, the total amount of taxation income forgone by Her Majesty's Treasury as a result of extra-statutory decisions on tax liability.
  460
  Mr. Norman Lamont
  Extra-statutory concessions are operated locally and it would be disproportionately expensive, for the Departments and taxpayers, to collect the detailed information needed to determine precise annual costs. Most concessions are made to deal with what are, on the whole, minor or transitory anomalies under the legislation or to meet cases of hardship at the margins of the tax code. They generally apply to relatively few people and usually involve small amounts of tax in individual cases. There are, however, some exceptions—where the numbers of taxpayers benefiting from a concession and the amounts of tax involved in individual cases are larger.

  The Inland Revenue has been able to estimate, in terms of broad orders of magnitude, the current annual revenue costs of most concessions appearing in its published booklet (IR1). The details are given in the table—references are to the numbers that appear in the booklet. The five largest concessions are all practices of long standing—A 1, A5 and A67 date from the 1940s, A63 from the 1960s and A65 from the start of North sea oil exploration.

  Revenue Cost—£ million

  Inland Revenue (Booklet IR1)

  250 :

  A63 External training course—expenses borne by employer.

  200 :

  A5 Expenses allowances and benefits in kind (mainly removal expenses and bridging loan costs borne by employers).

  50–100 :

  A67 Payments to employees moved to higher cost housing areas.

  10–50 :

  A65 Workers on offshore oil and gas rigs or platforms—free transfers from or to mainland.

  A1 Flat rate allowances for cost of tools and special clothing..

  3–10 :

  A2 Meal vouchers.

  A6 Miners: free coal and benefits in kind.

  A19 Arrears of tax arising through official error.

  A22 Long service awards.

  A27 Mortgage interest relief: temporary absences from mortgaged property.

  D2 Residence in the United Kingdom: year of commencement or cessation of residence.

  D22 (CGT) Relief for the replacement of business assets: expenditure on improvements to existing assets.

  D24 (CGT) Relief for the replacement of business assets: assets not brought immediately into trading use.

  D26 (CGT) Relief for exchange of joint interests.

  I2 Direct exports from tanker-loading fields.

  I5 Petroleum Revenue Tax instalments.

  461
  Of the remaining 181 Inland Revenue concessions currently in operation, which include about 40 that are obsolescent and a further eight that are being legislated this year and/or are likely to become obsolescent as a result of legislation this year, the relevant revenue costs are thought to be:

  Revenue Cost-£ million

  Number of Concessions

  0·5–3

  13

  0·1–0·5

  30

  below 0·1

  85

  This leaves 53 for which the costs are not known, although the majority of these are thought unlikely to involve significant amounts of tax.

  Customs and Excise concessions are published in notice 748. They have 39 concessions currently in operation, of which nine are being legislated this year. They estimate that at least 10 of these—and almost certainly more—involve minimal negligible cost in terms of tax forgone.

  War Loans
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will redeem the 3½ per cent. war loans; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lilley
  There are no plans to redeem 3½ per cent. war loan.

  EC Finance Ministers
  Mr. Adley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he next intends to meet his EC counterparts; and what he intends to discuss.

  Mr. Brooke
  EC Finance Ministers meet on a regular basis. The next Ecofin Council will take place in Brussels on 10 July 1989.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  European Elections
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has received any representations about enabling EEC nationals, long resident in the United Kingdom to vote for United Kingdom Members of the European Parliament; what is his policy on this; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We receive, from time to time, representations that citizens of other European Community states should be able to vote in European Parliament elections held here. It is for the European Parliament to make any recommendation for such a system to be adopted by the member states and none has as yet been forthcoming.

  Unconvicted Juveniles
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is seeking alternative accommodation to B wing of Hull prison for unconvicted juveniles; and whether he is considering the former detention centre at Gringley-on-the-Hill as a possible alternative.
  462
  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  There is at present no practicable alternative accommodation for the unconvicted juvenile prisoners who are held in B wing of Hull prison. The accommodation at the former detention centre at Gringley is unsuitable for those prisoners. However the Department of Health and the local authority have reviewed the need for secure accommodation for 15 and 16-year-old boys in the region and plans for a new unit for the Yorkshire and Humberside region are well advanced with a target date for opening in early 1991. A 300-place remand centre is also planned to open on Humberside in 1991. Meanwhile a programme of action has been put in hand to improve conditions in Hull B wing.

  Mr. Albert Baker
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Brent, East, 6 April,Official Report, column 239, if he will make a further statement as to the case of Mr. Albert Baker.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Mr. Baker was refused leave to move for judicial review of the Government's decision not to transfer him to Northern Ireland. His petitions remain under consideration and a reply will be sent to him as soon as possible.

  DNA Testing
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the projected public expenditure savings arising from the introduction of a central DNA testing scheme for those seeking entry clearance to the United Kingdom; and if he will identify the savings to his Department and also the appellate authorities.

  Mr. Renton
  We do not anticipate any reduction in Home Office expenditure from the introduction of a central DNA testing scheme into the entry clearance process overseas. The administration of the immigration appeals system is the responsibility of my noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor.

  Chinese Students
  Mr. Sedgemore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is taking any special steps to protect the lives and interests of students from China who are studying in Britain; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Renton
  If any Chinese student feels at risk in the United Kingdom he or she should contact the police.

  Mr. Sedgemore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will allow all students from China who are studying in Britain to extend their stay during the current crisis; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if he will estimate the number of students from China studying in Britain.

  Mr. Renton
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I, gave on 16 June to questions from the hon. Members for Leyton (Mr. Cohen), for Leeds, West (Mr. Battle) and for Tooting (Mr. Cox) at column 566.

PRIME MINISTER

  Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Prime Minister if, during the visit of the Prime Minister of Spain on 19 June, she raised the nuclear non-proliferation treaty and prospects for new initiatives to be developed with North Atlantic Treaty Organisation allies in the lead up to the fourth review conference on the nuclear non-proliferation treaty in 1990.

  The Prime Minister
  No, but the nuclear non-proliferation treaty and related matters are regularly discussed with Spain at official level.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Prime Minister if, during her meeting with the President-Designate of the Republic of South Africa, Mr. de Klerk, on 23 June, she raised the prospects of South Africa joining the nuclear nonproliferation treaty.

  The Prime Minister
  No, but the issue was raised by my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs during his talks with Mr. de Klerk.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Environmental Research
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has to increase his Department's budget for sponsoring research into environmental matters and ensuring that the findings of such research are readily available to inform policy making at a national and local level.

  Mr. Jackson
  The findings of research into environmental matters sponsored by this Department are published in national and international scientific journals. The Natural Environment Reseach Council publishes an annual report which is laid before the House; copies of the latest report, for 1987–88, are available in the Library. The NERC also issues an annual corporate plan, annual reports of each of its institutes, and other publications detailing strategies in individual areas of science; copies of these are available direct from the NERC. The other research councils have similar arrangements. The Government review their expenditure plans each year after they have received advice from the Advisory Board for the Research Councils.

  Parents
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what assessment he has made of the contribution of parents to the life and work of schools.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  My right hon. Friend and I view the contribution of parents to the life and work of schools as having the utmost importance, and many of our policies are designed to extend parental choice and influence. The Department has funded a major research project to examine the involvement of parents in their children's schooling. The report on the project is due later this year.

  Teacher Recruitment
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proposals he has to ease the problems of teacher recruitment(a) in shortage subjects and (b) in regions of high living costs.

  Mr. Butcher
  Action to tackle teacher shortages has been aimed in particular at London and the south-east where recruitment is hindered by the cost of housing. We have in place a series of measures which have cost £50 million over the last three years. The education support grant programme for 1990–91 includes support for expenditure of £2 million on local recruitment activity.

  Teachers
  Sir William Shelton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the number of teachers in(a) higher education and (h) postgraduate studies in each year since 1979; and what has been their average real earnings in each such year.

  Mr. Jackson
  Data are not readily available in the form requested. However, the following may be helpful. The number of teachers in(a) universities and (b) polytechnics, and average salaries for each group are shown in the following tables.

  Table A Universities

  Year

  Number of Lecturers

  Average Salary £

  Real Terms

  1979

  18,585

  8,458

  100·0

  1980

  18,757

  9,979

  96·9

  1981

  18,409

  11,187

  97·0

  1982

  17,406

  11,936

  94·6

  1983

  17,200

  12,543

  95·5

  1984

  16,504

  13,342

  96·6

  198S

  16,970

  13.964

  94·6

  1986

  16,959

  14,242

  93·6

  1987

  16,479

  16,592

  104·6

  Note

  1. These figures relate to lecturers' salaries and exclude other staff including professors, readers and senior lecturers for whom data are not readily available. Information on total earnings is not collected.

  2. The figures relate to full-time, non-clinical academic staff at universities in Great Britain.

  3. The Real Terms column is indexed using the Retail Prices Index as at April, with 1979 taken as 100.

  Table B

  Polytechnics

  Number of Staff

  Average Salary

  Real Terms

  1979

  16,854

  7,462

  100·0

  1980

  17,042

  9,016

  92·2

  1981

  16,824

  11,399

  112·0

  1982

  16,250

  12,359

  111·0

  1983

  15,883

  13,152

  113·5

  1984

  15,642

  13,842

  113·6

  1985

  15,490

  14,481

  111·2

  1986

  15,548

  15,453

  115·1

  1987

  15,299

  16,291

  116·4

  Note

  1. The figures for polytechnics relate to all grades up to and including Principals and to England and Wales only.

  2. The Real Terms column is indexed as for universities.

  Further and Higher Education
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science, how many people stayed on in full-time education after 16 for each of the last five years.
  465
  Mr. Robert Jackson
  The information is as follows:

  Participation in full-time education: England. Percentage of age group

  Age at previous 31 August

  16

  17

  18

  1984

  45

  31

  17

  1985

  45

  31

  17

  1986

  45

  32

  17

  1987

  45

  32

  17

  1988

  47

  33

  18

  Examination Dates
  Mr. Fry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what discussions he has had with education authorities and examination bodies over the possibility of moving the main dates for the General Certificate of Secondary Education and A-levels from the summer.

  Mrs. Angela Rumbold
  None.

  Teacher Morale
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he proposes to answer the letter of 17 March concerning teacher morale, sent to him by the hon. Member for Alyn and Deeside, acknowledged 20 March, Ref. 55 JB/0525/0076; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Butcher
  I replied to the hon. Member for Alyn and Deeside on 26 June.

WALES

  Cynon Valley (Pollution)
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on environmental pollution at the Phurnacite plant in the Cynon valley.

  Mr. Grist
  The hon. Lady will know from discussions and correspondence with my right hon. Friend that he is fully aware of local feelings about pollution from the Phurnacite plant. Coal Products Ltd's applications for planning permission for proposed developments at the plant to replace the outdated disticoke batteries with a mild heat treatment process are being considered by the local planning authority, Cynon Valley borough council. If planning permissions are given, Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution will need to be satisfied that the process is designed to meet current emission control standards before it is allowed to operate.

  Liver Disease
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many people died in Wales of cirrhosis of the liver in each of years 1975 to 1988; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Grist
  The numbers of deaths of residents of Wales where the underlying cause of death was recorded as cirrhosis of the liver were as follows:

  Year

  Deaths

  1975

  139

  1976

  123

  1977

  121

  466

  Year

  Deaths

  1978

  111

  11979

  147

  1980

  130

  1981

  165

  1982

  128

  1983

  149

  1984

  138

  1985

  177

  1986

  151

  1987

  165

  1988

  164

  1 Prior to 1979: Cirrhosis of Liver ICD 571 8th revision; from 1979 onwards: Chronic liver disease and cirrhosis ICD 571 9th revision.

  Source: Office of Population Censuses and Surveys.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Irradiated Food
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will place in the Library copies of any reports on the health effects of food irradiation which indicate that irradiated food might he unsafe.

  Mr. MacGregor
  A full review of the health effects of irradiation was carried out in the United Kingdom by the independent scientific Advisory Committee on Irradiated and Novel Foods, whose report contains an extensive bibliography. Copies of this report are in the Library. Similar reviews have also been carried out by the World Health Organisation, the Food and Agriculture Organisation and scientists of the EC Scientific Committee for Food. All have concluded that irradiated food is both safe and wholesome.

  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the Government's policy for the labelling of irradiated food, in the wholesale, retail and catering sectors, respectively.

  Mr. MacGregor
  The Council of the European Communities agreed on 14 June to amend the food labelling directive to provide for specific indication on the label of foodstuffs that have been irradiated. This requirement will be implemented into United Kingdom food labelling legislation in due course. Wholesale and retail sales are covered by the directive, as are sales to caterers, but not sales by caterers. The question of such labelling in the catering sector will therefore need to be given detailed consideration, bearing in mind my clear commitment to informed consumer choice in this matter.

  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the studies which have been conducted into the effects on human and animal health of food irradiation.

  Mr. MacGregor
  A full list could not be collated without undue expenditure of time and effort since research has been undertaken in a number of countries over a period of more than 40 years. References to the main studies will be found in appendix G to the report on the safety and wholesomeness of irradiated foods by the Advisory Committee on Irradiated and Novel Foods. A copy of this report is in the Library.
  467
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the radiolytic products which have been identified in irradiated food.

  Mr. MacGregor
  Most of the known radiolytic products in irradiated food are found either naturally in some foods or are formed as a result of cooking or other methods of preservation. The lack of unique radiolytic products is also reflected in the absence of a detection test for irradiated food. Extensive research has so far failed to find a radiolytic product which could be used as the basis of such a test.

  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the nutrients and vitamins in food which may be adversely affected by irradiation.

  Mr. MacGregor
  Some destruction of nutrients, including vitamins, occurs with cooking, storage and processing of all foods. In the case of proteins, carbohydrates and minerals, studies in general reveal no detectable effect through irradiation at the low levels of dose contemplated. The small reduction in some vitamins noticed in some studies would not produce any adverse dietary effects, and nutritional losses through irradiation are not considered to be significant in the diet as a whole. Nevertheless the nutrient content of irradiated food will be monitored under the existing arrangements for monitoring the nutrient content of all foods.

  Mr. David Young
  To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the commercial organisations that wrote to or lobbied him in favour of irradiation of food.

  Mr. MacGregor
  No commercial organisation has lobbied me on the irradiation of food. Support has, however, been publicly expressed by the Food and Drink Federation, the Spice Trade Association and the Institute of Cereals Manufacturers.

  Farm Animal Welfare
  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will introduce legislation to safeguard the welfare of animals on farms.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  Part I of the Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1968 already makes it an offence to cause unnecessary pain or distress to farm livestock. In addition, regulations on farm animal welfare and welfare codes have been made under the Act. I hope soon to lay before the House draft regulations that will make some of the welfare code provisions mandatory.

  Abattoirs
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he has taken following recent reports that local authorities are failing to enforce regulations for abattoirs relating to hygiene, safety and humane killing.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  Recent reports in the media have criticised conditions in some slaughterhouses without identifying the establishments concerned. It is the responsibility of all, including those who produce such reports, to draw to the attention of the appropriate local authority any breaches in the law which they may have witnessed.
  468
  Local authorities take their enforcement responsibilities very seriously and I am confident that none would hesitate to take appropriate action if abuses were reported.

  Officers of the state veterinary service visit all slaughterhouses to monitor hygiene and welfare standards and give advice to enforcement authorities.

  National Fruit Collection
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he is taking to prevent the dispersal of the national fruit collection and archives at Brogdale.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  We have made clear our intention to ensure that the national fruit collection and its associated records are preserved, and we are considering what arrangements should be made in the event that Brogdale experimental horticulture station is closed.

  Torry Research Station
  Mr. Buchanan-Smith
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are his plans for Torry research station; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  Torry research station is one of the world's leading research institutes in the area of fish safety, hygiene and quality. It carries out a programme costing over £2 million per annum in support of Government policies for food safety and quality. In accordance with the high priority which the Government attach to these policies, this work, which includes important underpinning research, is to continue.

  In addition, there is work at Torry research station which is mainly concerned with product and process development. We have consulted the fishing and related industries about their readiness to fund near-market work in these areas. However, the industries have shown very little readiness to fund such work. Accordingly we are now setting in train the necessary steps to concentrate the research at Torry on those areas of work which are required in support of our policies for food safety and quality. This will mean stopping about one third of Torry's current programme. About 30 posts at the laboratory will be lost, although we will endeavour to keep the number of compulsory redundancies to a minimum. Naturally, if between now and the completion of this exercise, any new industry funding is forthcoming we will be ready to try to retain the necessary expertise and facilities to meet the proposed research contracts. In any event, I expect Torry research station to continue to attract significant outside funding for analytical services and consultancies as it has done in recent years.

  Forestry
  Mr. John Evans
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received concerning the decline in commercial forestry planting levels in England and Wales.

  Mr. MacGregor
  During the last six months I have received nine representations about the possible effects on planting levels of the forestry taxation changes introduced in the 1988 Budget. Some of these were general comments, while others referred to the problems of woodland
  469
  maintenance and the difficulties faced by forest nurseries. None of the representations referred specifically to a decline in commercial forestry planting levels in England.

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

  Monofilament Gill Nets
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he is able to estimate how many fishing vessels registered in English ports deploy monofilament gill nets, where they normally fish and for which species;

  (2) if he is able to estimate the number of fishing vessels registered at ports in Wales which deploy monofilament gill nets, where they normally fish and for which species.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  [holding answer 15 June 1989]: Data collected by my Department in 1988 of the landings of seafish made by registered vessels over 10 metres show that 251 vessels in England and six vessels in Wales used gill or enmeshing nets, the majority of which would have been of monofilament construction. Comparable data are not collected for landings made by vessels under 10 metres, but we estimate that some 1,000 craft under 10 metres in England and 200 craft in Wales would have used gill or enmeshing nets, some of these boats will also be licensed to fish salmon and sea trout. An illustrative map showing the location of the main gill net fisheries off England and Wales and the principal species caught has been placed in the Library of the House.

HEALTH

  Cook-chill Food
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment he has made of the implications for the food consumer of vitamin losses which occur during the cook-chill process;

  (2) what evaluation of the nutritional content of cook-chill food has been undertaken in the United Kingdom;

  (3) what information his Department has collected on whether foods which are high in polyunsaturated acids are suitable for use in the cook-chill process.

  Mr. Freeman
  After a thorough review of the available data the working group of independent experts concluded that wherever food is heated and/or stored there will be nutrient losses. Where food is to be stored, consideration at the menu planning stage should be given to the reduction in the amount of foods with high levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids as they are particularly prone to rancidity during storage.

  The expert group considered that the nutritional loss in a properly managed cook-chill catering system were no more than in any other large-scale catering system.

  Listeria
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the latest information his Department has received regarding the levels of heat resistance of listeria in food.

  Mr. Freeman
  The Department has received copies of the MAFF-sponsored research carried out by the Camden Food and Drink Research Association.

  Dental Laboratories
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what encouragement his Department gives to general dental practitioners to use the certification scheme for dental laboratories;

  (2) what involvement his Department has with the certification scheme for dental laboratories; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  At present there is no certification scheme for dental laboratories. The Dental Laboratories Association (DLA) has taken the initiative in the formation of an independent body known as the Certification Authority for Dental Laboratories and Suppliers (CADLAS), which plans to commence operation from October 1989.

  The Department's NHS procurement directorate was approached by the DLA on this matter in November 1987. Since then the directorate's technical staff have encouraged, advised and held discussions with the DLA about CADLAS, in terms of participating in a series of seminars arranged by the DLA throughout the United Kingdom, sending an observer to the first two meetings of the CADLAS council and advising CADLAS on quality assurance requirements and the draft good manufacturing practice (GMP) standard.

  The Department accepts the need for a recognised system of quality assurance in this field and is confident that CADLAS is equipped to fulfil this role. Its ultimate success will, however, depend on its acceptance and recognition by dental practitioners who have the prime responsibility for the quality of dental prosthetics.

  Midwives
  Mr. Hayes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will lay before the House the Government's response to the fourth report of the Select Committee on Social Services, HC 289, Session 1988–89, on midwives' regrading.

  Mr. Mellor
  My right hon and learned Friend has done so today.

  The Government welcome the Committee's interest in this matter, and have carefully studied its report and recommendations. The Government wish to take this opportunity of emphasising the importance that they attach to the role of the midwifery profession within the National Health Service and their recognition of the skilful and dedicated contribution that midwives make to the welfare of mothers and babies.

  The Government followed the principle set out in the Committee's fourth recommendation—that future regrading exercises for NHS staff be separated from assimilation to the new pay scales—when implementing the new grading structure for nursing and midwifery educational staff, but for the reasons given in their response are unable to accept the remaining recommendations.

  In the Government's view, it is important that the Committee's report should be considered in the wider context. Since March 1988 alone, midwives' pay has increased by over 28 per cent. on average, and the pay of midwives, like that of nurses and health visitors, is now at its highest-ever level in real terms. For the nine out of 10 staff midwives graded E or above in the new clinical grading structure, and the three out of four midwifery

  471
  sisters graded G, pay levels are now 50 per cent. higher in real terms than they were in 1979. Moreover, the new structure gives midwives, like nurses and health visitors, better clinical career prospects than ever before.

EMPLOYMENT

  Public Relations
  Mr. Blair
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment which public relations firms his Department has employed and at what cost, for each year since 1979.

  Mr. Cope
  Apart from the special circumstances of privatisation work, the consistent practice of successive Governments has been to avoid the use of public relations firms or other firms outside government for public relations work. The Department has not employed any.

  Employment Training
  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how much his Department paid out in advance funding to employment training agents and managers; how much has been recouped; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The information requested is not available except at disproportionate cost.

  All employment training (ET) training agents and training managers other than local authorities were entitled to 100 per cent. advance funding in the first three months of ET. Advances will be recouped where appropriate up to August 1989.

  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will state(a) the production cost, (b) the amount spent on television advertising so far and (c) the projected campaign budget, in respect of the current commercial for employment training.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The information required is as follows:

  (a) The production cost of the commercial was £494,500. This included producing both the 60 and 40 second versions.

  (b) The amount spent on television advertising up to 21 June 1989 is £2,024,000 excluding production costs.

  (c) The projected budget for the current TV campaign excluding production costs is £3,795,000.

  All figures are inclusive of value added tax.

  Mr. Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment to what extent extended introduction is being made available to people with disabilities on employment training; and whether its uptake is monitored by training agents, training managers and the employment rehabilitation service.

  Mr. Nicholls
  Disabled people form part of the client group which extended introduction is designed to help. Opportunities to join extended introduction are available in all the Department's Training Agency's areas. Statistics are not available on the number of disabled people entering extended introduction. However, training managers work to remove any obstacles such as premises constraints which could make it difficult for disabled people to take advantage of extended introduction.

  Mr. Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what measures are being taken to inform 472
  disablement resettlement officers of the residential training provision available to disabled people wishing to take part in the employment training programme.

  Mr. Lee
  The initial training of disablement resettlement officers includes information about residential training provision and incorporates a visit to a residential training college. While in post, they receive further information through written instructions and guidance, as well as through newsletters and information packs which detail the residential training available. Disablement resettlement officers have also taken part in Training Agency workshops about employment training, including residential provision for trainees.

  Mr. Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what percentage of trainees currently taking part in the employment training programme are registered as disabled under the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act 1944.

  Mr. Nicholls
  Information is not presently available in the form requested. However, people who identified themselves as having a disability or long-term health problem which affects the work they can do make up 12 per cent. of entrants to employment training.

  Mr. Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what proportion of the disabled trainees who entered the employment training programme by the end of February, are currently training with an employer on a work placement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The information requested is not available.

  Training Bonuses
  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement about his future policy on paying training bonuses in 1991–92, and when employment training is run by training and enterprise councils.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The policy for payment of training bonuses remains unchanged.

  Business on Own Account Scheme
  Mr. Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many applications for the business on own account scheme were received for each of the last five years for which figures are available; how many were approved; and what were the total grants made in each year.

  Mr. Lee
  The information requested about the business on own account scheme is given in the table:

  Number of applications

  Number of approvals

  Expenditure on grants £

  1984–85

  15

  7

  26,272

  1985–86

  14

  5

  42,506

  1986–87

  12

  1

  4,211

  1987–88

  9

  6

  22,012

  1988–89

  16

  8

  30,454

  The future development of my Department's special schemes for people with disabilities, including the business on own account scheme is being considered as part of our internal review of services for people with disabilities.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Pensioners
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the messages he has received from pensioner organisations(a) agreeing and (b) disagreeing with the sentiments of his recent speech to Age Concern.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the recent speech of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State at the sheltered housing conference on 5 June. We have received no messages from pensioner organisations relating to the speech made on that occasion.

  Social Fund
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security in what proportion of applications to social fund inspectors the applicant is represented.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The social fund commissioner has advised me that the information requested is not collected.

  Mr. Cartwright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much his Department's Woolwich office have been allocated for(a) social fund loans and (b) social fund grants in 1989–90; and what were the comparable figures in the preceding year.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The information requested is available in the Library.

  Independent Living Fund
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many civil servants and at what grade run the independent living fund.

  Mr. Scott
  Thirty-two, ranging in grade from administrative assistant to senior executive officer, working under the direction of the trustees of the fund.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will brief local social security offices about the independent living fund; and if he will make appropriate forms available at those offices.

  Mr. Scott
  Guidance on the independent living fund has been issued to all local offices. Posters and explanatory leaflets publicising the fund, and explaining how an application form may be obtained, have also been issued.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the budget for the independent living fund for each of the years for which figures are available.

  Mr. Scott
  Up to £5 million was made available for the first year of the independent living fund. A further £5 million has been made available for the current year, but this figure is under continuous review.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the criteria for deciding how much money an applicant gets from the independent living fund.

  Mr. Scott
  The amount payable is decided by the trustees and is based on the cost of reasonable care which cannot be met from other sources.
  474
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what items of guidance, by topic, his Department has issued to local authorities on the independent living fund.

  Mr. Scott
  The director of the independent living fund is writing to all local authority directors of social services, bringing the fund to their attention, and explaining what help it can give to severely disabled people.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps he is taking to advertise the independent living fund to potential claimants.

  Mr. Scott
  Publicity for the independent living fund has been mainly through the specialist press and organisations representing disabled people. The trustees are responsible for publicity and are continuing to use various methods to make the fund even more widely known.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the estimated cost per successful application for housing benefit transitional payments made by the Glasgow unit of his Department.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  [holding answer 12 June 1989]: The work of the transitional payments unit (TPU) involves the processing of applications and correspondence from applicants and local authorities, making awards and payments to successful applicants, liaising with local authorities, producing leaflets and claim forms, and maintaining a free advice line. Both capital and manpower costs were heavily concentrated in the unit's first year of operation; administrative costs have fluctuated according to the level of activity in the unit and will decline significantly in future years. It is not possible to apportion the costs of the TPU between the activities undertaken, nor to produce a cost per claim. However, the full administrative costs of the unit in 1988–89 amounted to 21p in every pound of expenditure on the transitional payments scheme in that year.

  Transitional Protection Unit
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will publish his Department instructions issued to the transitional protection unit and place a copy in the Library;

  (2) whether the instructions issued by his Department to the transitional protection unit includes a restriction on the amount of housing benefit transitional protection which can be paid because a local authority is rate-capped; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  [holding answer 19 June 1989]: The housing benefit transitional payments scheme is intended to provide help to vulnerable groups of claimants who experienced reductions in their housing benefit as a result of changes introduced by the Government in April 1988. Because the method of calculating transitional payments involves a comparison between housing benefit in payment before and after 4 April 1988, some applicants who lived in an area whose local authority was rate-capped and which reduced its domestic rates and who were therefore entitled to a lesser amount of housing benefit may well have received a transitional payment for this reason and

  475
  not because of the Government's changes to the housing benefit scheme. The procedural instructions to the transitional payments unit (TPU) do not provide for a different assessment in these cases, but some cases (less than 100) were incorrectly assessed and transitional payment was reduced on account of rate capping. If the hon. Member is aware of any such cases and will supply the Department with details, the transitional payment will be reassessed and arrears paid.

  In view of the proximity of the closing date for applications (30 June) and the transitory nature of the scheme there are no current plans to publish the TPU instruction manual.

TRANSPORT

  Trunk Roads (London)
  Sir William Shelton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the total capital expenditure invested in trunk roads in London in 1988–89.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  Capital expenditure on motorways and trunk roads in 1988–89 amounted to nearly £74 million. Of that total, just over £12 million was spent on capital maintenance.

  Light Dues
  Mr. Patrick Thomson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the amount of light dues paid by fishing vessels during the year 1987–88; and what was the original estimate.

  Mr. Portillo
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Moray (Mrs. Ewing) on 16 February at column 285. The general lighthouse authorities have now received some £191,000 in light dues paid for United Kingdom-registered fishing vessels for the financial year 1987–88. A similar sum is estimated to have been received in light dues paid by non-United Kingdom registered fishing vessels, but disproportionate effort would be required to establish a precise figure.

  Ports
  Mr. Patrick Thompson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much public subsidy is given to British ports; and what is the situation in EEC countries.

  Mr. Portillo
  The only grants that the Government make to British ports are for fishing harbour projects and severance payments to surplus registered dock workers. A few local authorities fund the losses of ports which they own. In some other member states public funds meet a large proportion of the cost of port infrastructure developments. Certain ports in all parts of the Community may also receive grants from the European regional development fund.

  Mr. Patrick Thomson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list by(a) volume and (b) value the amount of trade handled by British ports in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Portillo
  Her Majesty's Customs and Excise data on the volume and value of imports and exports through the seaports of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1988 (excluding imports of oil and gas by pipeline from the Norwegian sector of the North sea) are as follows:
  476

  Trade through United Kingdom sea ports

  Volume (million tonnes)

  Value (billion pounds)

  Imports

  Exports

  Imports

  Exports

  1979

  156·0

  89·3

  38·1

  31·7

  1980

  130·9

  93·0

  38·1

  37·0

  1981

  121·0

  116·5

  40·7

  40·4

  1982

  120·8

  115·7

  45·7

  43·9

  1983

  117·6

  121·5

  51·8

  47·2

  1984

  137·7

  127·2

  61·3

  53·8

  1985

  142·3

  133·1

  66·9

  59·7

  1986

  147·9

  137·6

  67·8

  53·6

  1987

  149·9

  136·0

  74·5

  58·3

  11988

  160·6

  123·1

  82·7

  59·0

  1 Provisional.

  Mr. Patrick Thompson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many passengers, cars and coaches passed through Britain's ports in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Portillo
  Information on car, coach and international passenger movements through the seaports of Great Britain, up to 1987, is published in "Transport Statistics Great Britain 1977–1987" (tables 1.9 and 4.11) copies of which are in the Library. Car and coach figures include domestic movements except those to the Isle of Wight. Corresponding figures for 1988 are 4,234,000 cars, including 262,000 by hovercraft services, 170,000 buses and coaches, and 24,867,000 passengers.

  Road Traffic Studies
  Sir Barney Hayhoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether those undertaking the London assessment studies have been asked to include consideration of road pricing, area licensing and other methods of road traffic restraint in arriving at their conclusions and recommendations.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The consultants will carry out sensitivity tests on a range of options within the study areas. These tests will assess the effects of road traffic restraint measures on the options.

  Sir Barney Hayhoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has received any representations from individuals or organisations in the Chiswick area in favour of the new road proposals through Chiswick and Grove Park contained in the west London assessment study published in 1988; and whether he will give summary details of such representations.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  We have received a large number of representations from individuals and organisations in the Chiswick area on different aspects of the west London assessment study. It would not be practicable to analyse them in the way requested.

  Sir Barney Hayhoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to publish the results of stage 2B of the west London assessment study; and whether he proposes a period of public consultation before the announcement of the Government's response.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  We expect to receive the consultants report on their assessment of options later in the summer. They will be published as soon as possible thereafter. There will be an opportunity for public comment before decisions are taken.

  Aircraft Noise
  Sir Eldon Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if, following the report of the inter-departmental land compensation working party, he will state the Government's policy in regard to insulation and compensation for injurious affection of schools and hospitals that are subjected to military aircraft noise exceeding 70 dba.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The general position is that compensation for injurious affection arising from the use of public works including airfields is limited to owners and owner-occupiers of residential property, owner-occupiers of agricultural property and owner occupiers of hereditaments not exceeding a rateable value of £2,250. There are no proposals to extend this eligibility.

  The land compensation working party set up a sub-group to look at the Noise Insulation Regulations 1975 and regulations governing certain civil airports with a view to their possible extension to buildings other than dwellings. It is expected that the sub-group's report will be submitted in July.

  Buildings near military airfields are not covered by these statutory provisions. However, the Ministry of

  Gatwick

  Heathrow

  Manchester

  Quota

  Actual

  Quota

  Actual

  Quota

  Actual

  1988 Summer

  4,430 (60)

  4,430 (57)

  2,750 (60)

  1,830

  6,760

  6,723

  1988–89 Winter

  2,025 (30)

  2,040 (11)

  2,982 (30)

  3,002 (30)

  —

  1,464

  1989 Summer

  4,580 (60)

  1,281 ( 5)

  2,750 (60)

  802 (39)

  7,098

  2,179

  Notes:

  1. 1989 summer 'actual' figures are given to 17 June.

  2. Figures in brackets are delayed noisy movements subject to special quota.

  3. Figures for Manchester airport provided by Manchester Airport plc who are responsible for setting the monitoring quotas at that airport. Winter night jet operations at Manchester are not subject to quota restrictions.

  4. The current summer season does not end until 24.00 hours on 28 October.

  5. At Gatwick and Heathrow the night noise restrictions permit the airport manager to disregard flights from the restrictions if they are delayed by widespread and prolonged disruption of air traffic or in other exceptional circumstances. In the summer season of 1988 Gatwick Airport Limited disregarded for quota purposes 1,598 movements and Heathrow Airport Limited disregarded 97. In the winter season 1988–89 Gatwick disregarded 95 movements while Heathrow disregarded 56 movements. At Manchester whilst restrictions were temporarily suspended for the same reason there were 961 night flights. All these flights are additional to the figures already mentioned.

  6. The quota of 3,000 movements for winter 1988–89 at Heathrow was reduced to 2,982 because 18 infringements of the maximum permitted noise level were recorded prior to 31 January.

  Noisy Aircraft
  Mr. Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what progress he has made in international negotiations towards the phasing out of noisy aircraft including the BAC 1–11 and the B727; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what progress he has made internationally in developing controls over aeroplanes certificated to ICAO's annex 16, volume I, chapter 2 standards; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  Internationally the Government have been actively pursuing their objective, first stated in the 1985 White Paper on airports policy (para 8.5), of securing the phasing out of chapter 2 aeroplanes such as the BAC1–11 and B727. Since aircraft have long operational lives, the replacement of chapter 2 by chapter 3 aircraft will be a long and expensive process, but a start has been made with the decision, supported by the United Kingdom, of the European civil aviation conference that from 1 October 1990 no further chapter 2 aircraft should be added to member states' registers. The issue of the
  478
  Defence deals with them on analogous basis. Their noise compensation scheme would reflect any change to the statutory provisions.

  Public Transport (South-East London)
  Mr. Gerald Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what forecast demand studies have been made for future public transport requirements in south-east London.

  Mr. Portillo
  I know of no recent specific studies of public transport demand in south-east London, but the consultants working on the south London and south circular assessment studies are considering whether public transport options might help to solve the problems which those studies are addressing.

  Night Flights
  Mr. Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many night flights have(a) been authorised and (b) taken place in the current year and last year at (i) Gatwick, (ii) Heathrow and (iii) Manchester airports.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  Quota and actual movement information for the three airports is as follows:

  eventual banning of operations of chapter 2 aircraft is one of the main topics to be discussed at the International Civil Aviation Organisation's general assembly in the autumn.

  Manchester Airport
  Mr. Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he is satisfied that Manchester airport plc has consulted adequately in conformity with section 35 of the Civil Aviation Act 1982 with representatives from local authorities affected by excessive aircraft noise.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  This is a matter between Manchester Airport plc and the local authorities in the neighbourhood of the airport.

  Mr. Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the designation of Manchester airport under sections 78 and 79 of the Civil Aviation Act 1982.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  My right hon. Friend is considering the various representations he has received about designation.
  479
  Mr. Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he has any plans to lower the maximum permissible take-off noise levels at Manchester airport;

  (2) if he has any plans to seek an improvement in the monitoring of noise levels in the vicinity of Manchester airport.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  These are both matters for Manchester Airport plc.

  London Underground
  Mr. Gerald Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what representations he has received regarding the provision of an extension of the Northern line of the tube into south-east London to Camberwell and beyond since January 1989;

  (2) what assessment has been made of the socioeconomic effects of an extension of the Northern line of the Underground to Camberwell and beyond, with particular reference to the effects of improving transport links to areas of higher employment in attracting new enterprise into the area;

  (3) what assessment has been made of the effects of an extension of the Northern line of the Underground to Camberwell and beyond on overcrowding in the Victoria area;

  (4) what assessment has been made of the effects of an extension of the Northern line of the Underground into south-east London to Camberwell and beyond on congestion on the roads of south-east London;

  (5) if, following the publication of the central London rail study in January 1989 and subsequent representations, he intends to provide for an extension of the Northern line to Camberwell and beyond; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  The Department has received 17 letters supporting the extension of the Underground to Camberwell. The central London rail study concluded that such an extension would not achieve the study's objectives. It is now for London Underground Limited and London Regional Transport to consider in the first instance whether a line to Camberwell is worthwhile in its own right and how it compares with the many competing schemes for improvements to the Underground network.

  Banbury Trunk Relief Road
  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to announce his decision in respect of the inspector's report relating to the compulsory purchase, side roads and bridge orders concerning the Banbury trunk relief road, stages II and III.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  Within the next few weeks.

  Driver and Vehicle Statistics
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will detail the number of vehicle first registrations, and of replacement driving licences issued by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing centre, Swansea in each of the past 10 years.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The numbers of first vehicle registrations and replacement driving licences issued have increased by some 15 per cent. and 100 per cent.480
  respectively since 1979–80. The tables provide the year-on-year information (the volumes include commercial vehicles and motorcycles, as well as cars):

  Vehicle First Registrations 1978–80/1980–89

  Year

  Volume

  1979–80

  2,386,868

  1980–81

  2,038,140

  1981–82

  2,004,335

  1982–83

  2,211,126

  1983–84

  2,306,742

  1984–85

  2,253,508

  1985–86

  2,277,893

  1986–87

  2,365,901

  1987–88

  2,554,442

  1988–89

  2,736,327

  Replacement Driving Licences 1979–80/1980–89

  Year

  Volume

  1979–80

  1,469,295

  1980–81

  1,576,957

  1981–82

  1,354,354

  1982–83

  1,869,745

  1983–84

  1,972,378

  1984–85

  2,035,602

  1985–86

  2,295,228

  1986–87

  2,808,782

  1987–88

  2,920,831

  1988–89

  2,930,869

  Privatisation
  Mr. Gerald Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has for any future privatisation programme; and if he will name the financial advisers employed to advise on such a programme.

  Mr. Portillo
  My right hon. Friend keeps the options for further privatisation under constant review. A study of the long-term options for British Rail is in progress, including the feasibility of transfer to the private sector.

  As part of that work Deloitte, Haskins and Sells was appointed to carry out a factual study of the structural options, National Economic Research Associates to advise on regulation and Samuel Montagu to provide financial advice.

ENVIRONMENT

  Dogs
  Mr. Knapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what measures he proposes to deal with the problem of dog fouling.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  As my right hon. Friend announced in the House on 14 June, we propose to place on local authorities a duty to clear up dog mess in public places. This will be enforced through a code of practice to which local authorities will be required to adhere.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if his Department uses a definition of domestic pet in relation to the keeping of dogs in private homes.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  No. The Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 lists those animals for which licences are required if kept on domestic premises.
  481
  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions has he had with local authority associations concerning dogs and public health.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  No formal discussions have taken place recently. We shall, however, be consulting the local authority associations and other interested organisations shortly about the proposal that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced on 14 June to place on local authorities a duty to deal with strays and clear up dog faeces in public places.

  Dogs (Registration)
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many representations he has received in the last month concerning the registration of dogs.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  We have received a large number of representations on this matter. My right hon. Friends the Secretary of State and the Home Secretary announced on 14 June a package of measures to deal with the problems caused by irresponsible dog ownership—dog attacks, straying and fouling. Registration is not the answer to these problems.

  Mr. Ashton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what would be the estimated cost of a compulsory dog registration scheme.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  We have made no such estimate. A recent report by the London school of economics on behalf of the RSPCA estimates that the cost of administering and keeping up to date a national dog registration scheme would be about £20 million annually. We do not believe that dog registration addresses the real problems caused by dogs.

  Council House Sales
  Mr. Dunn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will take measures to penalise local authorities which are inefficient in processing council house sale applications.

  Sir George Young
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he implemented the provision in the Housing Act 1988 for council tenants to set aside rent against mortgage payments in the event of delays by councils in processing their applications to buy their homes.

  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what measures he proposes to speed up the processing of council house sale applications.

  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he implemented the provision in the Housing Act 1988 for council tenants to set aside rent against mortgage payments in the event of delays by councils in processing their applications to buy their homes.

  Sir Hal Miller
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will take measures to penalise local authorities which are inefficient in processing council house sale applications.

  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what measures he proposes to speed up the processing of council house sale applications.
  482
  Mr. Trippier
  As I announced in my answer of 10 March to my hon. Friend the Member for Harrow, West (Mr. Hughes) at column 699, section 124 of the Housing Act 1988 came into force on that date. It enables tenants whose applications are delayed by the landlord to have rent payments set against the purchase price of their homes.

  Mr. Knox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many council houses have been sold to sitting tenants in England since May 1979.

  Mr. Trippier
  From April 1979 to March 1989 about 1,040,000 tenants bought their homes from English local authorities and new towns.

  Mr. Gow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has to extend the opportunities of council tenants to become owner-occupiers.

  Mr. Trippier
  I refer to the answer I gave my hon. Friend on 24 May at columns 591–92.

  River Don (Pollution)
  Mr. Flannery
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to ensure that sufficient measures are being taken to prevent further pollution of the River Don where it flows through Sheffield and South Yorkshire.

  Mr. Moynihan
  The river objective for the River Don, set by Yorkshire water authority is for fair quality-class 2. This should be achieved shortly for the Don upstream of Sheffield with the implementation of the final stages of the Don valley interceptor sewer. A major programme for upgrading and extending Sheffield's sewage treatment works and sewerage system, combined with improved trade effluent discharges, should result in 63km of the River Don downstream of Sheffield reaching this standard by 1995.

  Empty Properties
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to ensure the efficient and urgent use of empty properties before allowing green belt land to be used for property development; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Trippier
  There are already stringent controls on development in the green belts. They should ensure that all opportunities for meeting development needs elsewhere are fully considered.

  Unleaded Petrol
  Mr. Anthony Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the level of demand for unleaded petrol in March.

  Mr. Patnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proportion of total petrol sales in the United Kingdom are now accounted for by the sale of unleaded petrol.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  In the month to mid-March, unleaded petrol accounted for 6·4 per cent. of the market.
  483
  Uptake more than doubled in the following month to 14·4 per cent. The latest figure for the month to mid-May is 19·3 per cent., which shows that the switch to unleaded fuel is rapidly gaining momentum. The rate of progress is very encouraging as the average for the whole of 1988 was a mere 1·1 per cent. This can be attributed to the Chancellor's Budget incentive, the successful national television advertising campaign and many other Government and private sector promotional initiatives.

  Mr. Mans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what percentage of refuellings now take place at garages which stock unleaded petrol.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The United Kingdom Petroleum Industry Association advises us that approaching two out of three refuellings now take place at petrol stations where unleaded fuel is available.

  Empty Council Properties
  Mr. Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will supply the latest estimate of empty council properties in the Greater London area.

  Mr. Trippier
  London boroughs reported some 23,300 empty council properties in their housing investment programme returns for April 1988.

  Football Membership Scheme
  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he last met the Professional Footballers Association to discuss the proposed football membership scheme.

  Mr. Moynihan
  I have yet to meet representatives of the Professional Footballers' Association formally to discuss the national membership scheme, but I hope to do so shortly.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he last met officials from the Football Leagues to discuss the proposed football membership scheme.

  Mr. Moynihan
  My right hon. Friend and I last discussed the Football Spectators Bill with the chairman of the Football Association and the President of the Football League on 24 May.

  EC Water Directives
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he now expects to submit to the European Community proposals to meet the requirements of the European Commission bathing water directive and the drinking water directive in full.

  Mr. Ridley
  I expect to be able to present proposals to meet the requirements of the EC bathing water and drinking water directives to the European Commission shortly.

  Unified Business Rate
  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he makes of the level of the unified business rate in Oxfordshire.
  484
  Mr. Gummer
  We estimate that if the uniform business rate had taken effect this year it would have been of the order of 35p in the pound in England.

  Local Authority Services
  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what measures he proposes to introduce greater efficiency into the provision of local authority services.

  Mr. Gummer
  We have introduced a number of measures to secure greater efficiency into the provision of local authority services. The Audit Commission we established is responsible for reviewing value for money in local government. Local authorities are being required to put seven services out to competitive tender, and the community charge and our proposals for the new capital finance system and ring fenced housing revenue account will lead to greater accountability and increased efficiency in the provision of services.

  Street Cleaning
  Mr. Patrick Thompson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he proposes to seek to place a duty on local authorities to keep their local streets clean.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  A duty on local authorities to keep land clean, and to have regard to a code of practice, is one of a number of proposals for legislation on litter which my right hon. Friend intends to announce soon.

  Competitive Tendering
  Mr. Charles Wardle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what he estimates would have been the additional costs so far incurred if services currently put out to competitive tender had not been so treated.

  Mr. Gummer
  Research carried out by the Audit Commission and published in its report "Preparing for Compulsory Competition" suggests that savings of at least 20 per cent. can be made on previous contract costs, irrespective of whether a private contractor or the in-house organisation wins the work. Figures relating to competition under the Local Government Act 1988 are not yet generally available.

  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about the latest estimate for the savings from competitive tendering by local authorities.

  Mr. Gummer
  The Department will be asking authorities to supply information on the first round of tendering shortly. Earlier research into the voluntary competition indicated that savings of 20 to 30 per cent. were available on an expenditure of some £3,000 million.

  Community Charge
  Ms. Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the medical advice he has received on the exemption of severe dementia sufferers from the community charge.

  Mr. Gummer
  My right hon. Friend receives medical advice on these matters from the Department of Health.
  485
  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if the leaflet, "The Community Charge (The So-Called Poll Tax): How It Will Work For You" delivered to all households in England has been reprinted with amendments.

  Mr. Ridley
  Neither amendments nor reprints have been necessary.

  Mr. Grocott
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his latest estimate of the cost of implementing the poll tax.

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

  In advice that the Department commissioned from Price Waterhouse, the current cost of preparing for the community charge in 1989–90 was estimated to be between £99 million and £122 million, and the capital costs in 1989–90 was estimated to be between £125 million and £175 million. These estimates were at November 1987 prices.

  Mr. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has any plans to issue further guidance to community charge registration officers on the questions being asked on community charge registration forms.

  Mr. Gummer
  Clear and explicit advice on these matters has already been issued to community charge registration officers, as well as a model community charge registration form. It is for registration officers to ensure that their requests for information comply with the statutory requirements.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which three counties would on the current figures levy the highest community charge; and which party controls each of them.

  Mr. Gummer
  In the illustrative community charge figures published for 1988–89, the three shire counties with the highest over-spend per adult were Cleveland, Cumbria and Derbyshire, Cleveland and Derbyshire were Labour-controlled in April 1988, but no party had overall control in Cumbria.

  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has received so far regarding campaigns to encourage the non-payment of the community charge.

  Mr. Gummer
  The Government are aware of the actions of a number of bodies and individuals whose aim is to encourage people to evade their legal responsibilities in relation to the community charge. Such actions are irresponsible and undemocratic.

  New Settlements
  Mr. Haynes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on his policy for the siting of new settlements in the south of England.

  Mr. Chope
  Current policy on new settlements is set out in paragraph 11 of planning policy guidance note 3, which makes it clear that proposals must be subject to normal planning procedures and must be considered within the framework of existing planning policies.

  African Elephant
  Mr. Michael Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to safeguard the future of the African elephant.

  Mr. William Powell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will now recommend that the African elephant become an appendix I protected animal at the next meeting of CITES in October.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  We have introduced an immediate ban on the import of ivory into the United Kingdom pending the introduction of a Community wide ban, and have asked our European colleagues to support the case for transferring the African elephant from appendix 11 to appendix I of the convention on international trade in endangered species of fauna and flora (CITES). We shall play a full part in the discussions on this difficult and complex issue at the forthcoming conference of the parties to CITES.

  Schools (Sport)
  Mr. Frank Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has made of the number of school children participating in sport and recreation; and what action his Department is taking to ensure adequate facilities are available for outside school sports facilities.

  Mr. Moynihan
  I have no detailed information on which to base an estimate of the number of school children participating in sport and recreation. The Sports Council provides grant-aid towards the provision of sports facilities and this year has earmarked nearly £9 million from its allocated budget of £41 million for this purpose.

  Urban Development Corporations
  Mr. Bill Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give a breakdown of the money provided to each urban development corporation up to March 1989; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Trippier
  The total provision to 31 March 1989 was as follows:

  UDC

  Provision £ million

  Black Country

  25·4

  Bristol

  0·3

  Central Manchester

  2·5

  Leeds

  2·7

  London Docklands

  514·5

  Merseyside

  189·2

  Sheffield

  8·0

  Teesside

  26·0

  Trafford Park

  26·0

  Tyne and Wear

  28·0

  Litter
  Mr. Andrew MacKay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about future initiatives to combat litter.

  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what further measures he proposes to deal with the litter problem.
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  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  My right hon. Friend will shortly be announcing a number of proposals for legislation designed to ensure more effective action to be taken against litterers and litter; to set clear standards for cleanliness in public places; and to ensure that those standards are met.

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the Government plan to bring forward legislation to enable local authorities to issue fixed penalty tickets for litter offences; and whether he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Government are considering fixed penalty schemes for littering as one of a range of options for improving legislation to combat litter, which my right hon. Friend intends to announce soon.

  Sporting Events
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what efforts are being made to attract major sporting events to this country.

  Mr. Moynihan
  It is for the national governing bodies of sport to seek to attract major sporting events to this country. I have no doubt that, as in the past, we can look forward to many major sporting events being staged in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Sumberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment on how many occasions in the past 10 years Britain has been the venue for international sporting events; and what discussions are currently taking place on the possibility of future events being held within the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Moynihan
  This information is not held centrally. It is for the national governing bodies of sport to decide whether to bid to host international sporting events. I have no doubt we can look forward to many future international sporting events being held in this country.

  Environmental Research
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make it his policy to increase his Department's sponsorship of environmental research projects with particular reference to all matters of public interest for which his Department has some responsibility.

  Mr. Ridley
  The scale of my Department's expenditure on environmental research is assessed on the needs to inform decisions, guide policy, and monitor the achievement of environmental goals. It is planned to increase from £31·5 million in 1988–89 to £35·8 million in this financial year.

  Environmental Statements
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to recommend the environmental statement by Wyre Forest district council as a model for other local authorities.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  No. Local authorities have a range of important environmental responsibilities, such as the collection and disposal of waste and the control of certain sources of air pollution. We look to them to ensure 488
  that they discharge these responsibilities effectively, as well as taking informed purchasing decisions, which is a main concern of Wyre Forest district council's statement.

  Urban Programme
  Mr. David Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many projects in inner city areas have now been assisted by grants provided through the Government's urban programme.

  Mr. Trippier
  Since 1979–80, when the enhanced urban programme was introduced, an estimated total of some 43,500 projects have been assisted. This includes projects supported under the former traditional urban programme.

  Rivers
  Sir Peter Blaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has as to which European Community member states had more rivers in good or fair condition than the United Kingdom at the latest date for which figures are available.

  Mr. Howard
  The 1985 river quality surveys indicated that about 95 per cent. of river lengths in the United Kingdom were classified as being of good or fair quality. Comprehensive information on a comparable basis for other EC member states is not available. However, a study published in 1988 by the Water Research Centre, in reviewing classification schemes in member states, showed that on the basis of comparisons made using the United Kingdom river classification scheme, no other member state had a greater proportion of "good" or "fair" quality rivers, although our position was matched by that of the Netherlands. A summary of these results is published in the Water Authorities' Association publication "Water Facts 1988".

  Homelessness
  Mr. Cartwright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will give his Department's latest estimate of the number of families accepted as being homeless for inner London; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Trippier
  Latest estimates of households accepted as homeless in inner London appear in table 1(a) of "Local authorities' action under the homelessness provisions of the 1985 Housing Act: England. Results for the first quarter of 1989, Supplementary Tables", which are in the Library.

  Structure Plans
  Mr. Adley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about the future of structure plan procedures.

  Mr. Howard
  Our proposals were published last January in the White Paper on the future of development plans, Cm. 569. The counties will continue to have a key role in the planning process, but will be expected in future to concentrate on those planning issues which genuinely need to be considered on a county-wide basis. Structure plans will be replaced by statements of county planning policies—SCPPs—dealing with a specified range of topics. Each district planning authority will be required to have regard to the SCPP and to ensure that its district development plan is consistent with the SCPP.
  489
  Each county will be responsible for adopting its own SCPP, and for conducting the public examination of the draft statement. My right hon. Friend will continue to appoint the chairman of the panel, and the inspector member, but the statement will not be subject to his formal approval, unless reserve powers are invoked.

  Business Rates (Northumberland)
  Mr. Amos
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the estimated level of rates on businesses in Northumberland in 1990–91.

  Mr. Gummer
  The report of a preliminary survey carried out by the Inland Revenue of the effects of the uniform business rate and the 1990 revaluation of business property, which is available in the Library, suggests that rate bills for businesses in the northern region could fall by some £50 million a year once the transition to the new system is complete.

  Separate figures on the effects of revaluation in Northumberland are not available. However, if the uniform business rate had been introduced this year the effect would have been to reduce the rate poundage paid by businesses in Northumberland by between 15 and 24 per cent. depending on the district council area concerned.

  Nature Reserves
  Mr. Archer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will respond to the Nature Conservancy Council report, "Towards a Strategy for National Nature Reserves".

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  I refer the right hon. and learned Member to the statement made by my noble Friend the Minister for Housing, Environment and Countryside in another place on 3 May.

  Rural Housing
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his latest estimate of the deficit of affordable housing in rural areas.

  Mr. Trippier
  It is not practicable to make a meaningful, reliable estimate of the sort suggested.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what further proposals he has to increase the supply of low-cost houses for rent in rural and urban areas; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Trippier
  The Government have taken a variety of measures to encourage supply of affordable rented housing, including the deregulation of private letting, the encouragement of private investment in housing associations and an 80 per cent. increase in funding for the Housing Corporation.

  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has plans to advise planning authorities to make land available in urban and rural areas for(a) rented accommodation and (b) affordable housing; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chope
  My right hon. Friend's statement on 3 February—Official Report, column 433—set out the Government's policy on the role of the planning system in
  490
  securing the release of land for low-cost housing to meet local needs in rural areas. Planning policy guidance note 3 stresses that the planning system should cater effectively for the demand for land both for owner occupation and for rented housing. This applies to urban and to rural areas.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what recent representations he has received regarding the need for low-cost housing in rural areas.

  Mr. Trippier
  My right hon. Friend receives many representations on the housing problems of both rural and urban areas from hon. Members, from interest groups, and from members of the public. The Government's policy on rural housing was set out in his statement of 5 July 1988, and amplified in statements of 3 and 7 February, copies of which are in the Library.

  Council Works (Contracts)
  Mrs. Maureen Hicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is satisfied with the procedure of local authorities in awarding contracts for council works to the private sector.

  Mr. Gummer
  We are concerned about the high incidence of complaints to the Department about alleged anti-competitive behaviour by authorities in introducing competition under the Local Government Act 1988. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has strong sanction powers under the Act and he will not hesitate to use them when necessary.

  District Plans
  Mr. Colin Shepherd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many district councils in England have not yet completed their district plan and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chope
  Figures for November 1988 show that 243 of the 296 non-metropolitan districts in England do not have local plans on deposit or adopted which fully cover their areas. Planning policy guidance note 12 urged authorities to extend local plan coverage, and current indications are that most authorities intend to complete draft plans for the whole of their districts within the next two years. The proposals set out in "The Future of Development Plans" (Cm. 569) will ensure that these plans can, where appropriate, be incorporated into the new district development plans which all authorities will be required to prepare.

  Water Privatisation
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on progress of publication of the prospectus for water privatisation.

  Mr. Howard
  It is expected that the prospectus will be published in November this year.

  Sea Water
  Mr. Lord
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to improve the quality of the sea water around the beaches of the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.
  491
  Mr. Howard
  Water authorities are currently spending about £100 million a year on improvements to bathing waters.

  In 1988, a total of 6 per cent. of bathing waters in England, Wales and Northern Ireland met the mandatory coliform bacteria standards of the EC bathing water directive. I have asked water authorities to draw up programmes with the aim of bringing the remaining waters up to these standards by the mid-1990s.

  Planning Decisions
  Mr. Allen McKay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is now in a position to provide the information referred to in his answer of 22 March,Official Report, column 635 relating to planning decisions; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chope
  I wrote to the hon. Member on 5 April with a list of the cases concerned. I am sending him a further copy of my letter.

  Vacant Land
  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many homes he estimates could be built on the 49,900 acres of land currently vacant, unused and surplus to requirements and owned by local authorities; and what progress he is making in putting such vacant land to good use.

  Mr. Trippier
  It is not possible to estimate how many homes could in practice be built on such land. At 31 May 1989 approximately 14,700 acres of local authority land on the land register had a planning indication for residential use. It is for authorities to dispose of surplus land and make effective use og what they retain. By 31 May 1989 some 17,000 acres of local authority land had been removed from the register, mainly disposed of or brought into use. My right hon. Friend's powers to direct disposals will continue to be used where appropriate. By 31 May use of these powers had been initiated in respect of some 1,500 acres of local authority land.

  Nuclear Waste
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about the importing of nuclear waste.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  No nuclear waste is imported into the country.

  Land Register
  Mr. Bevan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many homes he estimates could be built on the 7,900 sites currently on the land register.

  Mr. Trippier
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 26 June to my hon. Friends the Members for South Hams (Mr. Steen) and for Bromsgrove (Sir H. Miller).

  Housing Defects
  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what additional allocations he intends to make in the current year's housing investment programme 492
  for local authorities who have difficulties in meeting their housing defects obligations; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Trippier
  Local authorities are normally expected to be able to meet their housing defects obligations from within their general housing programme resources, but to help authorities with particular difficulties with designated defective properties, we distributed an extra £15 million of resources this year.

  Water Quality
  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has received any recent representations about the quality of water in the Barnsley area.

  Mr. Moynihan
  The hon. Member for Barnsley, West and Penistone (Mr. McKay) has written to my right hon. Friend, and I have replied. The director of administration, Barnsley metropolitan borough council, has also written to the Department and a reply has been sent.

  London City Airport
  Mr. Grylls
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he next hopes to meet the chairman of the London Docklands development corporation to discuss the London City airport site and its surrounds.

  Mr. Trippier
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has no plans to do so at present.

  EC Ministers
  Ms. Quin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he next expects to meet his European Community counterparts; and what matters will be discussed.

  Mr. Ridley
  The European Community's Environment Council, which is usually attended by my noble Friend the Minister for Housing, Environment and Countryside, will next meet on 19 September. It will be for the French presidency to decide the agenda.

  Basthby Thorpe (Methane)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Scretary of State for the Environment if he has received any representations concerning the accumulation of methane in the Basthby Thorpe area landfill site; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  I discussed this case with the hon. Member and representatives from the local residents' association on 12 June. No other representations have been received.

  Sea Water Pollution (Southend)
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the pollution levels in the sea water at Southend-on-Sea.

  Mr. Howard
  At Southend-on-Sea, the Anglian water authority recently brought into use an extension to an existing outfall at a cost of £5 million. While this has brought about significant improvements in water quality,
  493
  it is clear that further measures are needed. In response to a request from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, the Anglian water authority is developing proposals for satisfactory long-term arrangements for sewage disposal at Southend.

  However, as a temporary measure, the water authority is disinfecting sewage with peracetic acid prior to discharge through the outfall. This has enabled the identified bathing waters at Thorpe bay and Westcliff bay consistently to meet the bathing water directive's mandatory coliform standards so far during the 1989 bathing season.

  East beach, Shoeburyness, which was recently identified as a bathing water under the EC bathing water directive, already meets those mandatory standards.

  Gleneagles Agreement
  Mr. Robert Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what advice his Department is giving to the organisation of the Henley regatta to ensure that both the spirit and the letter of the Gleneagles agreement are observed at this year's regatta.

  Mr. Moynihan
  The organisers of the Henley royal regatta are well aware of the terms of the Gleneagles agreement and of the Government's continuing commitment to it.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he last discussed the Gleneagles agreement with the chairman of the Sports Council.

  Mr. Moynihan
  I have not discussed the Gleneagles agreement formally with the newly-appointed chairman of the Sports Council. As chairman of the council, Mr. Yarranton issued a statement expressing his support for the agreement on 12 June.

  Housing Action Trust, Lambeth
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is now able to announce a timetable for a ballot on a housing action trust for the Angell and Loughborough estates in Lambeth.

  Mr. Trippier
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to him on 24 May 1989, concerning ballots in the proposed housing action trust areas.

  Planning Proposals (Consultation)
  Mr. Madel
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is considering a more important role for district health authorities in the consultative process of planning proposals at district council level in his forthcoming planning Bill; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Howard
  The White Paper "The Future of Development Plans" (Cm. 569) set out the Government's proposals for reform of the development plan system. Under the new arrangements district planning authorities will, when preparing their draft plans, be required to consult any statutory bodies likely to be affected. There will continue to be provision, as there is now, for local public inquiries to be held by an inspector appointed by my right hon. Friend to hear objections to deposited plans. It will be up to district health authorities to make appropriate use of those procedures.

  Marine Nature Reserves
  Mr. Geraint Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about the progress of consultations on marine nature reserves.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The first statutory marine nature reserve around Lundy island was established on 21 November 1986. The Nature Conservancy Council has formally submitted proposals for a second reserve at Skomer island —Marloes peninsular—to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales. A decision is awaited from the South Wales sea fisheries committee on a proposed byelaw controlling fishing before further progress can be made.

  The NCC published a consultation paper on Menai Straits in September 1988 and is considering the 175 responses it has received.

  Energy Conservation
  Mr. Lofthouse
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, what advice and help with grants for repairs and so on, his Department is giving to people on low incomes to conserve energy in their homes; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Trippier
  The homes insulation scheme, administered by housing authorities and funded by my Department, provides 90 per cent. grant for loft insulation in qualifying dwellings whose householders are recipients of income support, family credit or housing benefit. A departmental booklet for scheme applicants, distributed to all authorities, includes detailed guidance to those who wish to carry out the work themselves. Discretionary aid for energy conservation measures may also be available via home improvement grants, usually as part of a wider package of improvements. Advice to householders is contained in the Department's housing booklet No. 14.

  Rating Revaluations
  Mr. Riddick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what would be the effect of a rating revaluation on the level of rates payable on a typical terraced house with a current rateable value of £40 in the area covered by Kirklees council; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  Under the Local Government Finance Act 1988 domestic rates are to be replaced from 1 April 1990 by the community charge. No revaluation of domestic rateable values is therefore to be made. Such a revaluation would in any event now be very difficult to undertake because of lack of evidence of market rents for domestic property.

  Surrey Structure Plan
  Mr. Ian Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received in response to his proposed revised modifications to the first alteration to the Surrey structure plan; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Howard
  The Secretary of State has so far received three responses to the proposed revised modification which was formally advertised by the county council on 18 May. Six weeks are allowed for representations, the closing date for which will be 10 July.
  495
  The Secretary of State will then complete his consideration of the proposed revised modification, and his approval of the first alteration to the Surrey structure plan will follow as soon as possible afterwards.

  Stonehenge
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the future of Stonehenge.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  English Heritage is responsible for managing Stonehenge on behalf of my right hon. Friend. As my hon. Friend knows, it has plans for a new visitor centre and other major improvements in the way Stonehenge is presented to the public. Critical to the success of these plans is the choice of access route to the visitor centre. This has taken time to resolve because of the conflicting interests of adjoining landowners, and questions of archaeology and military security. However, discussions are taking place, and I hope that the matter will be resolved soon.

  Derelict Land
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take further steps to discourage development outside the conurbations and provide additional incentives to secure reclamation of derelict land within them.

  Mr. Trippier
  The Government are already firmly committed to the preservation of the countryside and the maximum use of urban land for new development. Under the derelict land grant, priority is given to reclaiming derelict sites in urban areas and city grant and urban programme grants are also available to reclaim derelict land and facilitate development. In addition, the 10 urban development corporations now established in England are making a significant impact on the derelict land in their areas.

  Nevertheless, the latest household projections make it clear that some land for housing will continue to be needed in the foreseeable future on new sites outside urban areas. Such sites will have to be identified with an eye to all material planning considerations.

  Playing Fields
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what measures he is taking to prevent building development by housing associations, local councils and other public bodies on school and other playing fields; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chope
  Local planning authorities are responsible for determining development proposals in the first instance. As I indicated in reply to the hon. Member for Durham, North (Mr. Radice) on 24 May, we have urged authorities to take account of the wider needs of the community and to consult local sports and recreational interests when considering proposals for the development of recreational land.

  Waste Disposal
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from Cambridgeshire county council on his consultation paper 496
  regarding the role and function of waste disposal authorities, and what was the nature of their representations.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  I have received detailed comments from Cambridgeshire county council. These, along with many others, are being given careful consideration.

  Rents into Mortgages Scheme
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has received any representations on the introduction of a rents into mortgages scheme for council tenants in England, similar to the one proposed for Scotland.

  Mr. Trippier
  My hon. Friend and a small number of members of the public have made such representations. The scheme announced on 11 May is confined to tenants of Scottish Homes and does not extend to local authority tenants.

  Rent and Rate Arrears
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received concerning(a) local authority members who are tenants of the same authority in arrears with their rents and (b) such members in arrears with their rates; and whether he has any proposals to deal with the rent or rate arrears by councillors.

  Mr. Trippier
  I have received various representations. It is obviously destructive to effective rent collection if those elected to local authorities do not set an example by not getting in arrears. I am considering whether it would be desirable to introduce arrangements whereby any allowances due to a councillor could be offset against significant sums that that councillor may owe to the authority.

  Sports Council
  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he last met the chairman of the Sports Council.

  Mr. Moynihan
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave earlier today to the hon. and learned Member for Fife, North-East (Mr. Campbell).

  Hostels
  Mr. Randall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much has been spent by his Department since 1981 on hostels which are financed and managed through the Department of Social Security system.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I have been asked to reply.

  Before 31 March 1985 the Department's accounting system did not specifically identify expenditure on its hostels (known as resettlement units). Also, up to 31 March 1987, most of the resettlement units were jointly run with the Department's re-establishment centres. Therefore, separate expenditure details for resettlement units are available only from 1987–88 after the closure of the re-establishment centres. Gross expenditure including that paid to PSA for certain maintenance work was as follows:
  497

  £ million

  1985–86

  112·5

  1986–87

  111·5

  1987–88

  12·1

  1988–89

  212·5

  1 Includes expenditure on re-establishment centres.

  2 Forecast.

SCOTLAND

  Electricity
  Mr. Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he intends to ensure that independent electricity producers in Scotland will be allowed equal access with the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board and the South of Scotland Electricity Board to the distribution network after privatisation.

  Mr. Lang
  Yes. There will be use of system arrangements which will ensure that independent power producers have access to the transmission and distribution systems of the Scottish utilities on an equitable basis. The principles for providing access and the structure of charging will be set out in the licences granted to the successor companies of the Scottish electricity boards and will be overseen by the Director General of Electricity Supply.

  Forests (Privatisation)
  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has any plans to extend private ownership of forests in Scotland.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that my right hon. and learned Friend gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Dumfries (Sir H. Monro) on 16 June 1989 at columns 544–45.

  Community Charge
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people in Scotland have paid the community charge; and how many have not.

  Mr. Lang
  The information requested is not available at present.

  Nature Conservancy Council
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary State for Scotland if he will list by region the number of land agents employed by the Nature Conservancy Council.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 27 June 1989]: The Nature Conservancy Council has advised me that the number of land agents currently employed by the council in its Scottish regions is as follows:

  Number

  North West region

  2

  North East region

  0

  South West region

  1

  South East region

  1

  The land agency complement in Scotland is 10 and efforts are being made to recruit the balance.

  Sites of Special Scientific Interest
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary State for Scotland if he will list by region the number of management agreements made between the Nature Conservancy Council and landowners in 1988 and each of the preceding two years.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 27 June 1989]: The Nature Conservancy Council has advised me that the numbers of management agreements made in its Scottish regions in the years 1986–87 to 1988–89 were as follows:

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  North West region

  13

  17

  12

  North East region

  16

  15

  18

  South West region

  10

  25

  9

  South East region

  9

  19

  5

  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary State for Scotland what is the average time taken between notification by the Nature Conservancy Council of its intention to place a restriction on certain farming activities on a site of special scientific interest and the reaching of a management agreement with the landowner.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 27 June 1989]: The notification of land as a site of special scientific interest by the Nature Conservancy Council does not restrict existing farming activities. Where such activities are damaging to the special interest, they may be restricted only under a voluntary management agreement. Where a farmer proposes changes in activity he is obliged to serve notice on the NCC which if it wishes to restrict such activities will, within four months, offer to negotiate a management agreement. For the length of time taken to negotiate a management agreement I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Environment on 14 February 1989 to the hon. Member for the Isle of Wight (Mr. Field), column 189.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Dogs
  Sir Michael McNair-Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether the dog registration scheme in the Province, set up under the Dogs (NI) Order 1983, is enforced by dog wardens; how many stray dogs are collected annually; how many dogs have been put down annually since the order was introduced.

  Mr. Viggers
  [holding answer 19 June 1989]: The provisions of the Dogs (NI) Order 1983 are enforced by Northern Ireland's 26 district councils, each of which employs dog wardens. The other information requested is as follows:

  Stray dogs collected

  Dogs put down (including at owners' expense)

  1984

  8,297

  7,828

  1985

  11,306

  10,567

  1986

  10,833

  10,384

  1987

  10,520

  10,575

  1988

  11,888

  11,907

  499
  Sir Michael McNair-Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many dogs are licensed by district councils under the Dog (NI) Order 1983; what have been the totals in 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987 and 1988; and if he will state(a) the amount of revenue generated by the scheme annually and (b) the cost of administration.

  Mr. Viggers
  [holding answer 19 June 1989]: The number of dog licences issued under the Dogs (NI) Order 1983 and the revenue generated from licences is as follows:

  Number of dog licences issued

  Licence revenue £

  1984

  84,137

  419,000

  1985

  70,001

  348,000

  1986

  69,046

  343,000

  1987

  64,847

  320,000

  1988

  70,315

  348,000

  The number of licences issued includes block licences (for three or more dogs). Information on the costs of administration is not collected centrally.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Early-day Motions
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Lord President of the Council how many early-day motions were tabled in each Session since 1966; and how many were subsequently debated on the floor of the House.

  Mr. Wakeham
  The information requested for the sessions 1966–67 to 1969–70 is as follows:

  Session

  Number of EDMs

  1966–67

  640

  1967–68

  446

  1968–69

  443

  1969–70

  300

  For information about subsequent sessions, I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Derbyshire, West (Mr. McLoughlin) on Monday 19 June, Official Report, column 34.

  The information requested in the second part of the question is not held in the form requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Lord President of the Council (1) if he will publish a list of early-day motions, other than 500
  prayers, debated on the Floor of the House in parliamentary time provided by the Government in each Session since 1966.

  (2) if he will publish in the Official Report a list of early-day motions, other than prayers, debated on the Floor of the House since 1966.

  Mr. Wakeham
  I regret that this information is not held in the form requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Private Members' Bills
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Lord President of the Council if he will publish in the Official Report a list of private Members' Bills where a division took place on Second Reading and where the Bill received the Royal Assent in each Session since 1966.

  Mr. Wakeham
  Since the 1966–67 Session, the following private Members' Bills have received Royal Assent having previously been read a Second time on a Division:

  Year

  Divorce Reform Bill

  1968–69

  Conservation of Seals Bill

  1969–70

  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Lord President of the Council if he will seek to amend Standing Order No. 90 so as to provide that, for private members' Bills, not fewer than 20 hon. Members rising in their places shall be required to constitute objection; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Wakeham
  I have no plans to do so.

  Procedure Committee Reports
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what representations he has received concerning the Procedure Committee's reports on use of time on the Floor of the House and private Members' time; how many supported the implementation of these reports; and how many expressed an opposite view; and what percentage the latter represents of the former.

  Mr. John Wakeham
  Since my reply to a similar question by my hon. Friend on 23 May at column 509, I have received one further letter which was in support of the recommendations in the two reports so far as they relate to private Members' time.

  WAR CRIMES INQUIRY REPORT
  WAR CRIMES INQUIRY REPORT
  SUMMER TIME: CONSULTATION DOCUMENT
  SUMMER TIME: CONSULTATION DOCUMENT
  POLICE COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE: AUTHORITY'S RECOMMENDATIONS
  POLICE COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE: AUTHORITY'S RECOMMENDATIONS
  HOUSING CO-OPERATIVES IN ENGLAND: REPORT ON REVIEW
  HOUSING CO-OPERATIVES IN ENGLAND: REPORT ON REVIEW
  A.4 HAMMERSMITH/CHISWICK SECTION: LITTER
  A.4 HAMMERSMITH/CHISWICK SECTION: LITTER
  TORRY RESEARCH STATION
  TORRY RESEARCH STATION
  PLUTONIUM: ALLOCATION SYSTEM
  PLUTONIUM: ALLOCATION SYSTEM
  MEMBERS' INTERESTS: REGISTER PROPOSAL
  MEMBERS' INTERESTS: REGISTER PROPOSAL