Written Answers of 6 March 1989

WALES

  Rates
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the average rate per adult in Wales in 1988–89.

  Mr. Grist
  The average domestic rate bill per adult in Wales in 1988–89 is £156.

  Chlorofluorocarbons
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what is his best estimate of the amount of chlorofluorocarbon refrigerants under the control of his Department;

  (2) what plans there are to minimise the risk of leaks of chlorofluorocarbons from refrigeration and air conditioning systems under his Department's control.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  I refer the hon. Lady to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Merionnydd Nant Conwy (Dr. Thomas) today.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Seafarers (Taxation)
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what information he has on the extent to which the Governments of the Federal Republic of Germany and the Netherlands are contemplating following the example of the Danish and Swedish Governments in making special arrangements to reduce the burden of personal income tax and social security payments by or on behalf of their national seafarers so as to improve the competitive position of their merchant fleets in international trade; and if he has any plans to follow their example.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  The information that we have is as follows.

  In 1988 the Netherlands Government distributed NF1 50 million (£12,500,000) to shipowners in proportion to the tax and social security payments that they remitted. The Netherlands Council of Ministers has approved a proposal to reduce by 35 per cent. the taxable income of seafarers employed by shipping companies whose ships fly the Netherlands flag. If this proposal is enacted, companies will from 1 January 1990 be entitled to withhold from seamen's wages the amount of tax and social security thus saved, while employees' after-tax position will remain unchanged.

  I understand that the Parliament of the Federal Republic of Germany has agreed a Bill to establish a second German register for ships in international trade, the intention being that foreign seafarers not resident in the Federal Republic of Germany would be paid at rates agreed by the trade union of their native country.
  382
  On the final part of the question, I cannot anticipate my right hon. Friend's Budget statement.

  Public Service Pensions
  Mr. Andrew Bowden
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his best estimate of the number of widows of post-retirement marriages with public servants contracted after 6 April 1978 who receive a pension in respect of their late husband's service; and what is the average amount received.

  Mr. Brooke
  I regret that the information required is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  VAT
  Mr. Curry
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether, pursuant to the reply of 6 February,Official Report, column 548, to the hon. Member for Suffolk, South (Mr. Yeo), he has received any recent representations about the timetable for the imposition of value added tax on non-domestic construction and property;

  (2) what discussions he has had with representative bodies in the construction industry about the proposed commencement date of 1 April 1989 for the extension of value added tax to non-domestic construction; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lilley
  I have received a number of letters on this subject since 6 February. I met the joint taxation committee of the Building Employers Confederation and other construction industry trade bodies on 16 February. I told the committee that there was to be no change in the commencement dates I announced on 6 February following an extensive period of consultation.

  Mr. Curry
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will indicate when Her Majesty's Customs and Excise plans to publish guidance literature on the proposed extension of value added tax to non-domestic constructon; and what steps are being taken to see that traders affected by the new rules receive that literature sufficiently before the proposed start date for the new regime.

  Mr. Lilley
  The guidance for building contractors is now available in local VAT offices. That for property developers and landlords is expected to be available during the week ending 17 March. All the trade bodies have known about the main changes since 21 June 1988 and they have had the draft legislation since 6 February. They have thus had ample time to inform their members accordingly. In addition Customs and Excise has referred to the changes in "VAT Notes" (No. 2) 1988–89 and will do so again in "VAT Notes" (No. 1) 1989–90. "VAT Notes" goes to every registered trader with the VAT return and will alert traders to the further guidance available from local VAT offices.

  Workplace Nurseries
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will list all pre-Budget representations that have been received on the taxation of workplace nurseries.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer has received a small number of representations.

  Data Network
  Mr. Wood
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he will make a statement on the implementation of the Government data network and on the Government's plans for the future management of its voice and data traffic.

  Mr. Brooke
  After trials in January the initial phase of the Government data network has been accepted. It was implemented at 178 Customs and Excise sites throughout the United Kingdom on 20 January and is now in daily use.

  The Government will now be considering the future strategy for Government voice and data traffic as a whole. An interdepartmental collaborative study, led by Her Majesty's Treasury, has been set up to identify possible options for aggregating Government voice traffic and integrating voice and data traffic. Ministers will receive a report of the study in about six months' time and will announce their conclusions, in the light of the study, in due course.

  The study will be undertaken by a project team involving Her Majesty's Customs and Excise, the Department of Employment, the Home Office, the Inland Revenue, the Northern Ireland Civil Service and the Department of Social Security in conjunction with Her Majesty's Treasury's central computer and telecommunications agency. Consultancy support for the project team will be provided by Kermon Associates Ltd. and PA Consulting Group, and a third consultancy firm will be chosen to provide independent quality assurance.

  Excise Duties (Revalorisation)
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be(a) the revenue yield and (b) the impact on the retail prices index of revalorisation of excise duties at (i) the present rate of inflation and (ii) the present rate of inflation less the mortgage component of inflation.

  Mr. Lilley
  [holding answer 3 March 1989]: Estimates are as follows:

  Net revenue yield 1989–90

  RPI impact effect

  £ million

  Per cent.

  (i) Present rate of inflation (January 1989 RPI)

  1,350

  0·51

  (ii) Present rate of inflation less mortgage components

  995

  0·38

  Premium Bonds
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much the Government pay banks and post offices for their involvement in the selling of premium bonds.

  Mr. Lilley
  [holding answer 3 March 1989]: In 1987–88 banks, including Girobank, were paid a total of £2 million for their involvement in the selling of premium bonds. In addition, Post Office Counters Ltd. was paid a composite fee for servicing National Savings products. The premium bond element cannot be separately identified.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Leo Alexandrovskey
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations the British Government have made to the Russian authorities about their continued failure to grant an exit visa to Leo Alexandrovskey of Leningrad who first applied for such a visa in 1978.

  Mrs. Chalker
  The case of Lev Aleksandrovsky has only very recently been brought to our attention by my hon. Friend. We are now including it among those cases on which we consistently press the Soviet authorities.

  Angola (Weapons)
  Sir Ian Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has on the levels, quantities and types of Cuban and Soviet military equipment recently introduced into Angola; and what assessment he has made of the implications of this information for Her Majesty's Government's policy of supporting the United Nations embargo on the supply of weapons to South Africa.

  Mrs. Chalker
  We have no reliable information to provide about recent Cuban and Soviet military supplies to Angola but are encouraged by Cuba's commitment to withdraw all its troops from Angola within 27 months from 1 April 1989 and the deployment of the United Nations Angola verification mission (UNAVEM) to verify this. We remain fully committed to the United Nations arms embargo on South Africa.

  Israeli-occupied Territory
  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will arrange for a copy of the United States State Department report regarding human rights abuses in the Israeli-occupied territories to be(a) made available to interested Members and (b) deposited in the Library.

  Mrs. Chalker
  I am arranging for a copy of the report to be placed in the Library.

  Chlorofluorocarbons
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what is his best estimate of the amount of chlorofluorocarbon refrigerants under the control of his Department;

  (2) what plans there are to minimise the risk of leaks of chlorofluorocarbons from refrigeration and air conditioning systems under his Department's control.

  Mr. Eggar
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy (Dr. Thomas) today.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Race Relations
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department why the Government have decided not to uprate the grant for the Commission for Racial Equality in line with inflation.
  385
  Mr. John Patten
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the supply estimates, the Commission for Racial Equality's grant-in-aid provision for 1989–90—£11,440,000—will meet in full the commission's bid for additional expenditure.

  Information Technology
  Mr. Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement of progress on the introduction of information technologies to facilitate internal communications in his Department and the provision of information to the public concerning those areas for which he is responsible; and if he has any further plans to apply the newest technologies in these fields.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The Home Office makes increasing use of information technology, where this offers the best value for money, to help meet its business objectives. Developments in information technology and their application to the Department's business needs are kept under review, and the newest technologies are applied where these provide cost-effective solutions.

  Police Custody (Deaths)
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list all deaths in police custody since 1979, giving the date and cause of death, the age and sex in each case, the location of police custody at the time of death and the inquest verdict.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Information on deaths in police custody for the years 1980–87 is contained in the annual reports of Her Majesty's chief inspector of constabulary and of the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis for the years in question. Copies of these may be found in the Library. It was not the practice to compile figures relating to deaths in police custody before 1980 and information for 1979 can be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Information about deaths which occurred last year will appear in the 1988 reports, and these will be published shortly.

  Non-animal Testing (Grants)
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for grant have been received by the animal procedures committee under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 for funds for research into non-animal testing techniques in 1988–89 and 1989–90; how many grants were given; to whom; and for what purposes.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Of 124 applications received for Home Office research grants it was decided to fund four, following recommendations from the Animal Procedures Committee:Dr. P. A. Botham and Dr. G. J. A. Oliver, ICI Central Toxicology Laboratory.
  "Validation of an enucleated eye model".
  Dr. A. F. Bristow and Dr. S. Poole, National Institute for Biological Standards and Control.
  "Assay of Pyrogens measuring lymphokine production in vitro".
  Dr. A. Robinson, Public Health Laboratory Service.
  "Alternative potency tests for cellular pertussis".
  Dr. R. M. Stagg, now at Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Scotland.
  "Fish cell culture for toxicity assessment".

  386
  In addition, the Home Office has commissioned an investigation into antibody production and is supporting international work on acute toxicity testing aimed a t further reducing the need for formal LD50 tests.

  No applications have been sought or received for funding in 1989–90 whilst consideration is being given to the possibility of commissioning work in particular areas of concern.

  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the grant made to the animal procedures committee under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 to commission research into non-animal testing techniques in 1988–89; and whether he will announce the grant for 1989–90.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Home Office grants for research to reduce the number and severity of experiments on living animals in 1988–89 totalled £70,000. We have sought provision for 1989–90 of £120,000.

  Electronic Surveillance
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the companies which have tendered for pilot bail projects using electronic surveillance; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John Patten
  No companies have yet tendered. Invitations to tender will be sent shortly.

  Football (Offences)
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many exclusion orders have been granted against persons convicted of a football-related offence in(a) the Merseyside police area, (b) the Tyneside police area, (c) the Birmingham police area and (d) the Greater Manchester police area since 1 July 1987.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The exclusion order provisions of the Public Order Act 1986 came into force on 1 August 1987. I understand from the chief officers of police concerned that the information for their force areas since then is as follows:

  (a) Merseyside—56;

  (b) Northumbria—3;

  (c) West Midlands—150;

  (d) Greater Manchester—113.

  Blasphemy
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy to seek the advice of the hierarchy of the Church of England on reform of the law on blasphemy.

  Mr. John Patten
  We have noted the views of the group set up by the Archbishop of Canterbury to consider the Law Commission's recommendations for reform of the law of blasphemy, but we have no plans for any such reform.

  Remand Statistics
  Ms. Abbott
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give a breakdown by race on the most recent convenient date, of the prisoners held in the following remand establishments: Ashford, Chelmsford, Feltham, Latchmere House, Norwich and Rochester.
  387
  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The readily available information is given in the table. Ashford was not open on 30 September 1988.

  Population1 of selected prison service establishments on 30 September 1988: by ethnic origin

  Number2

  Establishment

  White

  West Indian, Guyanese, African

  Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi

  Chinese, Arab, Mixed origin

  Other, not recorded refusal

  Total

  Chelmsford local prison

  326

  53

  3

  10

  6

  398

  Feltham remand centre

  249

  107

  12

  20

  36

  424

  Latchmere House

  68

  59

  23

  11

  12

  173

  Norwich remand centre

  54

  1

  —

  1

  4

  60

  Norwich local prison

  193

  11

  2

  1

  16

  223

  Rochester remand centre

  147

  43

  4

  2

  16

  212

  1 Including sentenced and non-criminal prisoners.

  2 The figures are those recorded centrally and are approximate.

  Erotica
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether the strip show currently being transmitted on Super channel, which originates from Italian television station Rete Mia, is subjected to approval of the Broadcasting Standards Authority; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what powers the Cable Authority has to ban transmissions of an erotic nature from being carried out on cable networks; whether it is his intention to exempt satellite television operators from such a restriction; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Renton
  The Cable Authority is under a statutory obligation to ensure that programmes on cable do not offend good taste and decency. If, in the authority's opinion, a programme fails to meet these standards, it may give a direction excluding it from a licensed station and as an ultimate sanction has the power to revoke a licence.

  Most satellite services uplinked from abroad are received in the United Kingdom on cable and are regulated by the Cable Authority. Paragraphs 7.12–7.14 of our recent White Paper, "Broadcasting in the '90s; Competition, Choice and Quality" set out our proposals to safeguard against the possible future development of unacceptable satellite services not taken on cable.

  The terms of reference of the Broadcasting Standards Council require it to monitor and report on the portrayal of violence and sex and standards of taste and decency in television and radio programmes received in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has on whether the Italian television station Rete Mia, currently transmitting a strip show to the United Kingdom on Super channel, has plans to extend such transmissions via a Sky television transponder and a channel on the second Astra satellite; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Renton
  None.

  Mr. J. Garfinkle
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what compensation has been paid by the Metropolitan police to Mr. J. Garfinkle of 110 Dirleton road, London E16; what was the justification for the payment; and to what incident it related.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Mr. Garfinkle was arrested on suspicion of possessing a controlled drug but was released
  388
  without being charged. In a civil action claiming damages for assault; wrongful arrest and unlawful detention he was awarded compensation of £1,532·50p by the court.

  Raja Shahid Mahmoud
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department why Raja Shahid Mahmoud, Ref: TN4/IS81/161/2/889, was detained on arrival in the United Kingdom; whether he possessed a valid visa to visit the United Kingdom; where he was detained; whether he has been released from detention; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Renton
  Raja Mahmoud held a valid visit visa when he arrived on 13 February. He was detained under the authority of an immigration officer pending further examination, and pending a decision to grant or refuse him leave to enter. Raja Mahmoud was detained at Harmondsworth until 3 March when he was refused entry and released on temporary admission. He has a right of appeal exercisable before removal.

  Chlorofluorocarbons
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what allowance he has made in his Department's budget for each of the next five years to provide for the substitution of HCFC 22 for chlorofluorocarbon refrigerants covered by the Montreal protocol; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The cost of replacing refrigerants over the next five years will be contained within planned maintenance budgets.

  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is his best estimate of the amount of chlorofluorocarbon refrigerants under the control of his Department;

  (2) what plans there are to minimise the risk of leaks of chlorofluorocarbons from refrigeration and air conditioning systems under his Department's control.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the, Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Merionnydd Nant Conwy (Dr. Thomas) today.

  Magisterial Officers
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if approval has been sought for the
  389
  payment of grant for the purposes of authorising the pay award to magisterial officers for 1988 following Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service arbitration in January; when such approval is likely to be given; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) when he anticipates the pay award to all magisterial officers for 1988 will be implemented; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John Patten
  [holding answer 2 March 1989]: The management side of the joint negotiating committee for magistrates courts staff has sought confirmation that grant will be paid on the recent arbitration award.

  We hope to provide a response very shortly, taking into account recruitment and retention problems.

PRIME MINISTER

  Chlorofluorocarbons
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Prime Minister what steps she has taken to ensure the use of chlorofluorocarbons in food and other packaging in refrigerator units in Government buildings and in research stations operated on behalf of the Government is halted as soon as possible.

  The Prime Minister
  As I informed the hon. Member on 25 January at column 568, Government Departments have been asked to review their policies, specifications and practices with a view to promoting the objective of reducing use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and halons to the maximum possible extent. The Government's policies are aimed at ensuring that production and consumption of CFCs, whether in the public or the private sector, are eliminated as quickly as possible, and that all possible steps are taken to minimise emissions of CFCs currently in use.

  Lead-free Petrol
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will initiate a study to evaluate the total cost of converting(a) all ministerial and departmental cars and (b) all vehicles operated by Her Majesty's armed forces to lead-free petrol use.

  The Prime Minister
  No. The Crown Suppliers (a trading fund of the Property Services Agency) who supply vehicles to various Government Departments and manage the ministerial fleet through the Government car service, and the MOD, have already implemented a policy of purchasing vehicles which can run on unleaded petrol and a programme of converting the vehicles which can be adapted to run on unleaded petrol. The cost of converting vehicles, capable of conversion, to run on unleaded petrol is minimal. In the majority of cases this involves only minor engine adjustment.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will make it her policy to ensure all vehicles operated by(a) Government Departments and (b) the armed forces are converted to use lead-free petrol by installation of catalytic converters.

  The Prime Minister
  No. It is our policy that, where possible, vehicles should run on unleaded petrol. In the majority of cases this involves only minor engine adjustment. The installation of catalytic converters is not usually necessary.

  President Gorbachev
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will make it her policy to discuss with President Gorbachev during his visit to the United Kingdom on 5 April, joint nuclear disarmament initiatives under the provisions of article VI of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.

  The Prime Minister
  No. Article VI of the treaty on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons requires the parties to it to pursue negotiations on effective measures connected with nuclear disarmament. Since the United States and the Soviet Union possess between them the overwhelming preponderance of nuclear weapons it is universally recognised that the primary responsibility for negotiations falls to them. The United States and Soviet Union are currently engaged in such negotiations which aim at 50 per cent. reductions in their strategic nuclear weapons.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will make it her policy to discuss with President Gorbachev, during his visit to the United Kingdom on 5 April, joint United Kingdom-Union of Soviet Socialist Republics initiatives to implement a comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty under the provisions of the 1963 partial test ban treaty.

  The Prime Minister
  No.

  Middle East
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Prime Minister if, in her recent meeting with the Israeli Foreign Minister, she expressed concern over the Israeli development of a destabilising nuclear weapons capability in the middle east.

  The Prime Minister
  No.

  Engagements
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list the engagements she carried out on Wednesday 1 March.

  The Prime Minister
  During the morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. I had a working lunch with the president of Cyprus at 10 Downing street. In the afternoon I had further meetings including one with the United Kingdom/Japan 2000 Group.

  "Our Future World"
  Mr. Franks
  To ask the Prime Minister if she has yet received the report by the Natural Environment Research Council "Our Future World"; and if she will arrange for a copy to be placed in the Library.

  The Prime Minister
  I have done so today.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Isle of Man
  Mr. Holt
  To ask the Attorney-General when he last met with his opposite number from the Isle of Man.; and what matters were discussed.

  The Attorney-General
  I have not had the pleasure o f meeting the Attorney-General for the Isle of Man.

  Women Judges
  Mr. Bowls
  To ask the Attorney-General how many women are currently serving as recorders, county court and High Court judges and in the Court of Appeal.

  The Attorney-General
  There are at present 29 women recorders, 17 women circuit judges, 1 woman High Court judge, and 1 woman Lord Justice of Appeal.

  Rape Cases
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Attorney-General, pursuant to his reply of 27 February, concerning the discontinuance of proceedings in rape cases, under what kinds of circumstances it has recently been considered that the public interest does not require a prosecution.

  The Attorney-General
  I regret that the information requested is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  The code for Crown prosecutors at paragraph 8(vi)(b) states that where a Crown prosecutor is satisfied as to the sufficiency of evidence in a rape case there will seldom be any doubt that a prosecution will be in the public interest.

  Mr. Chander Singh
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Attorney-General what progress has been made in proceeding with the prosecution of Mr. Chander Singh for offences of fraud.

  The Attorney-General
  Inquiries into the affairs of Mr. Chander Singh are being pursued.

  Chlorofluorocarbons
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Attorney-General (1) what is his best estimate of the amount of chlorofluorocarbon refrigerants under the control of his Departments;

  (2) what plans there are to minimise the risk of leaks of chlorofluorocarbons from refrigeration and air conditioning systems under his Department's control.

  The Attorney-General
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Merionnydd Nant Conwy (Dr. Thomas) today.

ENERGY

  Single European Act
  Mr. Siliars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what assessment he has made of the impact that the Single European Act will have on his Department's operation of domestic policy; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Parkinson
  The impact of the Single European Act cannot be measured precisely given that many measures taken under new or amended provisions of the EEC treaty could have been taken under powers existing in the treaty before amendment. However the main areas within my Department's responsibility affected by the SEA are:

  (i) research and development and environmental aspects of emergency operations;

  (ii) operations which might affect the internal market. In this context the Council has generally endorsed a communication by the Commission on completing the
  392
  internal energy market—COM (88) 283 of 2 May 1988, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Acid Rain
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when the Ferrybridge and Eggborough power stations will be included in the acid rain clean-up programme.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The Central Electricity Generating Board and its successors will decide the order in which large coal-fired power stations should be retrofitted with flue gas desulphurisation equipment in order to meet their share of the United Kingdom's commitment to reduce sulphur dioxide emissions.

  Restart (Yorkshire)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make it his policy to visit miners and former miners in the south and north Yorkshire mining areas, and address a meeting on the redundant mineworkers' pension scheme in relation to the restart programme; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  My right hon. Friend and I have no plans to address a meeting in the south and north Yorkshire mining areas on the redundant mineworkers payments scheme. I refer to my answer to the hon. Member for Bolsover (Mr. Skinner) on 27 February at column 5 in which I made a statement on the problems caused by restart for beneficiaries under the scheme.

  British Coal (Salaries)
  Mr. Eadie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what are the salaries paid to(a) the chairman of British Coal, (b) the deputy chairman of British Coal and (c) the new joint deputy chairman of British Coal as announced on 28 February; and when the last-named takes up his appointment.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The current annual salaries of the chairman and deputy chairman of British Coal are £145,000 and £75,000 respectively. British Coal Corporation members' salaries are presently under review.

  Mr. David Kendall takes up his appointment as joint deputy chairman on 1 April 1989 and will receive a salary of £95,000 a year.

  Electricity (Privatisation)
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what proposals exist within the North West electricity board to mount a pre-flotation advertising campaign; what is the budget allocation(a) individually and (b) collectively with the other area boards; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  Proposals by the North West electricity board to mount pre-flotation advertising campaigns either individually or collectively with other area boards are a commercial matter for the board itself. I have asked the chairman of Norweb to write to the hon. Member.

  Chlorofluorocarbons
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) what is his best estimate of the amount of chlorofluorocarbon refrigerants under the control of his Department;

  (2) what plans there are to minimise the risk of leaks of chlorofluorocarbons from refrigeration and air conditionng systems under his Department's control.

  Mr. Parkinson
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given today to the hon. Member for Merionnydd Nant Conwy (Dr. Thomas) by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  "Our Changing Schools"
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many copies of the booklet "Our Changing Schools—a Handbook for Parents", have been printed; at what cost; to whom are they being circulated; and how are they being distributed.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Four million copies of "Our Changing Schools—a Handbook for Parents" have been printed.

  New mandatory and discretionary awards1 to university students

  Academic year

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  Bolton LEA

  376

  320

  325

  294

  307

  Average for all LEAs (England and Wales)

  626

  609

  615

  607

  606

  1 Excludes sandwich students on their placement year.

  Youth Service
  Mr. Clay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list in the Official Report for each local education authority in England and Wales the youth service provision component of grant-related expenditure, as assessed for the years 1986–87, 1987–88, 1988–89 and 1989–90.

  Mr. Butcher
  The information requested in respect of local education authorities in England is set out in the table. Although grant-related expenditure is assessed for individual services, rate support grant is unhypothecated and is intended to support expenditure on all the services for which local authorities are responsible. The figures for Welsh authorities are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

  Youth Service Component of Grant-related Expenditure

  1986–78—1989–90

  LEA

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  £ million

  £ million

  £ million

  £ million

  Barking

  ·53

  ·65

  ·72

  ·77

  Barnet

  1·14

  1·36

  1·60

  1·69

  Bexley

  ·68

  ·78

  ·89

  ·90

  Brent

  1·47

  1·70

  1·95

  2·08

  Bromley

  ·87

  1·01

  1·16

  1·19

  Croydon

  1·22

  1·45

  1·64

  1·71

  Ealing

  1·48

  1·72

  2·02

  2·13

  Enfield

  1·03

  1·19

  1·37

  1·42

  Haringey

  1·14

  1·31

  1·48

  1·53

  Harrow

  ·72

  ·85

  ·98

  1·02

  Havering

  ·72

  ·82

  ·92

  ·94

  Hillingdon

  ·77

  ·88

  1·02

  1·06

  Hounslow

  ·85

  ·99

  1·16

  1·20

  394
  The cost of printing was £483,000. Copies have been circulated to the headteachers of all LEA maintained schools in England, chief education officers, as well as to public libraries, day nurseries, play groups and relevant national bodies.

  The main distribution has been in response to requests from headteachers for additional copies to give to parents. Copies have also been available from many supermarkets. Copies are available from DES on request.

  Undergraduates
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many students from the Bolton education authority area gained places at universities during each of the last five years; and what was the average number from each education authority in England and Wales during each of these years.

  Mr. Jackson
  The available data are listed below. The figures represent the number of new mandatory and discretionary awards made to university students by Bolton local education authority and the average number of these types of award made by the 105 English and Welsh LEAs.

  LEA

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  £ million

  £ million

  £ million

  £ million

  Kingston

  ·38

  ·44

  ·51

  ·52

  Merton

  ·57

  ·66

  ·77

  ·81

  Newham

  1·29

  1·51

  1·70

  1·82

  Redbridge

  ·80

  ·93

  1·08

  1·14

  Richmond

  ·45

  ·53

  ·60

  ·63

  Sutton

  ·48

  ·56

  ·64

  ·66

  Waltham Forest

  1·02

  1·19

  1·36

  1·42

  ILEA

  11·49

  13·55

  15·80

  16·64

  Birmingham

  5·34

  6·21

  7·06

  7·28

  Coventry

  1·43

  1·65

  1·86

  1·93

  Dudley

  ·97

  1·14

  1·29

  1·33

  Sandwell

  1·46

  1·70

  1·91

  1·93

  Solihull

  ·68

  ·79

  ·89

  ·92

  Walsall

  1·14

  1·27

  1·44

  1·49

  Wolverhampton

  1·36

  1·58

  1·79

  1·86

  Knowsley

  ·83

  ·93

  1·05

  1·08

  Liverpool

  2·05

  2·35

  2·67

  2·76

  St. Helens

  ·64

  ·75

  ·83

  ·84

  Sefton

  ·96

  1·12

  1·25

  1·31

  Wirral

  1·14

  1·32

  1·50

  1·59

  Bolton

  1·04

  1·21

  1·38

  1·46

  Bury

  ·57

  ·65

  ·74

  ·77

  Manchester

  2·19

  2·58

  2·91

  3·04

  Oldham

  ·90

  1·4

  1·19

  1·21

  Rochdale

  ·85

  ·99

  1·12

  1·16

  Salford

  ·91

  1·08

  1·21

  1·26

  Stockport

  ·85

  1·00

  1·12

  1·16

  Tameside

  ·75

  ·86

  ·98

  1·03

  Trafford

  ·74

  ·85

  ·95

  1·00

  Wigan

  1·01

  1·19

  1·34

  1·38

  Barnsley

  ·72

  ·86

  ·96

  1·00

  Doncaster

  ·99

  1·17

  1·34

  1·38

  Rotherham

  ·87

  1·03

  1·18

  1·19

  Sheffield

  1·84

  2·14

  2·43

  2·48

  Bradford

  2·26

  2·61

  3·00

  3·11

  Calderdale

  ·71

  ·82

  ·92

  ·97

  395

  LEA

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  £ million

  £ million

  £ million

  £ million

  Kirklees

  1·62

  1·85

  2·11

  2·20

  Leeds

  2·55

  2·97

  3·35

  3·46

  Wakefield

  1·02

  1·19

  1·33

  1·35

  Gateshead

  ·69

  ·78

  ·88

  ·91

  Newcastle

  ·95

  1·12

  1·29

  1·38

  North Tyne

  ·58

  ·67

  ·74

  ·78

  South Tyne

  ·53

  ·64

  ·70

  ·72

  Sunderland

  1·03

  1·23

  1·40

  1·43

  Isle of Scilly

  0·01

  0·01

  0·01

  0·01

  Avon

  2·80

  3·24

  3·77

  3·94

  Bedfordshire

  1·94

  2·27

  2·58

  2·70

  Berkshire

  2·52

  2·91

  3·39

  3·55

  Bucks

  1·96

  2·31

  2·70

  2·83

  Cambridge

  1·96

  2·36

  2·73

  2·89

  Cheshire

  2·99

  3·53

  4·01

  4·12

  Cleveland

  2·22

  2·58

  2·91

  2·95

  Cornwall

  1·21

  1·44

  1·65

  1·74

  Cumbria

  1·39

  1·62

  1·83

  1·90

  Derbyshire

  2·91

  3·40

  3·91

  4·02

  Devon

  2·72

  3·19

  3·68

  3·89

  Dorset

  1·63

  1·93

  2·23

  2·36

  Durham

  1·94

  2·23

  2·56

  2·66

  East Sussex

  1·80

  2·08

  2·47

  2·58

  Essex

  4·36

  5·07

  5·82

  6·03

  Gloucestershire

  1·56

  1·83

  2·07

  2·18

  Hampshire

  4·68

  5·51

  6·31

  6·58

  Hereford and Wye

  2·02

  2·34

  2·67

  2·80

  Hertfordshire

  2·96

  3·49

  3·95

  4·08

  Humberside

  2·95

  3·42

  3·87

  4·03

  Isle of Wight

  0·32

  0·37

  0·43

  0·45

  Kent

  4·65

  5·41

  6·20

  6·41

  Lancashire

  4·83

  5·64

  6·48

  6·70

  Leicester

  3·21

  3·74

  4·28

  4·47

  Lincolnshire

  1·69

  1·97

  2·30

  2·40

  Norfolk

  2·03

  2·41

  2·76

  2·90

  North Yorks

  1·95

  2·28

  2·64

  2·75

  Northants

  1·82

  2·14

  2·46

  2·57

  Northumberland

  0·82

  0·99

  1·13

  1·17

  Nottinghamshire

  3·45

  4·05

  4·63

  4·77

  Oxfordshire

  1·79

  2·12

  2·43

  2·54

  Shropshire

  1·34

  1·54

  1·78

  1·84

  Somerset

  1·29

  1·51

  1·73

  1·82

  Staffordshire

  3·14

  3·67

  4·16

  4·28

  Suffolk

  1·81

  2·14

  2·40

  2·52

  Surrey

  2·93

  3·39

  3·87

  3·98

  Warwickshire

  1·58

  1·85

  2·08

  2·14

  West Sussex

  1·80

  2·09

  2·41

  2·52

  Wiltshire

  1·74

  2·05

  2·34

  2·44

  Total

  164·00

  191·50

  219·10

  228·00

  Note 1: The control total for the youth service provision component of the education GRE incorporates expenditure on youth service provision and on other educational services which include European social fund sponsored courses, and expenditure on sports, outdoor, activity and residential study centres.

  Note 2: The control total is distributed half in proportion to each LEA's population aged 11–17 and half in proportion to 11–17 population adjusted by the additional educational needs index.

  Mr. Clay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list in the Official Report for each local education authority in England and Wales the expenditure on youth service provision for the years 1986–87 and 1987–88.

  Mr. Butcher
  The information is given in the table. Figures for Wales are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

  LEA recurrent expenditure on youth and community services

  Local education authority

  1986–87

  1987–88

  £ million

  £ million

  Barking

  0·64

  0·59

  Barnet

  0·87

  n.a.

  Bexley

  0·67

  0·74

  396

  Local education authority

  1986–87

  1987–88

  £ million

  £ million

  Brent

  3·17

  3·56

  Bromley

  0·52

  0·62

  Croydon

  0·74

  0·84

  Ealing

  0·75

  n.a.

  Enfield

  0·68

  0·69

  Haringey

  1·76

  n.a.

  Harrow

  0·27

  0·29

  Havering

  0·75

  0·70

  Hillingdon

  0·70

  0·71

  Hounslow

  0·69

  n.a.

  Kingston-upon-Thames

  0·38

  0·40

  Merton

  0·24

  n.a.

  Newham

  n.a.

  n.a.

  Redbridge

  0·65

  0·75

  Richmond-upon-Thames

  0·30

  0·34

  Sutton

  0·42

  0·48

  Waltham Forest

  1·21

  1·29

  ILEA

  27·19

  30·54

  Birmingham

  1·45

  3·49

  Coventry

  0·85

  0·91

  Dudley

  0·68

  0·84

  Sandwell

  0·58

  0·66

  Solihull

  0·32

  0·39

  Walsall

  1·81

  1·96

  Wolverhampton

  0·64

  n.a.

  Knowsley

  0·43

  0·49

  Liverpool

  1·93

  2·10

  St. Helens

  0·05

  nil

  Sefton

  0·51

  0·61

  Wirral

  0·90

  1·03

  Bolton

  0·80

  0·91

  Bury

  0·53

  0·84

  Manchester

  2·17

  2·24

  Oldham

  0·36

  0·62

  Rochdale

  1·12

  1·32

  Salford

  0·51

  n.a.

  Stockport

  0·65

  0·53

  Tameside

  0·84

  1·04

  Trafford

  0·46

  0·54

  Wigan

  0·86

  0·82

  Bamsley

  0·57

  0·52

  Doncaster

  1·12

  1·32

  Rotherham

  0·76

  0·89

  Sheffield

  2·62

  n.a.

  Bradford

  2·42

  2·83

  Calderdale

  0·51

  0·93

  Kirklees

  1·22

  1·33

  Leeds

  2·74

  2·59

  Wakefield

  0·64

  0·68

  Gateshead

  0·59

  0·79

  Newcastle-upon-Tyne

  1·02

  1·16

  North Tyneside

  0·50

  n.a

  South Tyneside

  1·37

  1·55

  Sunderland

  0·71

  0·73

  Avon

  3·36

  3·72

  Bedfordshire

  0·97

  1·06

  Berkshire

  1·85

  n.a

  Buckinghamshire

  2·11

  1·94

  Cambridgeshire

  1·48

  1·63

  Cheshire

  1·62

  1·74

  Cleveland

  1·95

  2·35

  Cornwall

  0·43

  0·53

  Cumbria

  1·04

  1·26

  Derbyshire

  2·85

  4·51

  Devon

  2·36

  2·62

  Dorset

  1·32

  1·47

  Durham

  0·95

  1·10

  East Sussex

  0·96

  0·98

  Essex

  3·25

  3·39

  Gloucestershire

  1·35

  1·48

  Hampshire

  2·56

  2·86

  Hereford and Worcester

  0·99

  1·19

  Hertfordshire

  2·05

  2·44

  Humberside

  2·74

  3·18

  Isle of Wight

  0·40

  0·42

  Kent

  1·90

  2·29

  Lancashire

  3·46

  4·05

  397

  Local education authority

  1986–87

  1987–88

  £ million

  £ million

  Leicestershire

  2·23

  2·62

  Lincolnshire

  0·93

  1·01

  Norfolk

  1·08

  1·36

  North Yorkshire

  1·27

  1·41

  Northamptonshire

  1·44

  1·61

  Northumberland

  0·68

  0·70

  Nottinghamshire

  3·80

  4·26

  Oxfordshire

  0·93

  1·10

  Shropshire

  1·33

  1·55

  Somerset

  1·24

  1·93

  Staffordshire

  2·20

  2·42

  Suffolk

  1·54

  1·97

  Surrey

  1·76

  2·07

  Warwickshire

  1·06

  1·44

  West Sussex

  1·27

  1·39

  Wiltshire

  1·30

  1·50

  Notes:

  1. The expenditure is based on LEA returns to DOE and includes the cost of salaries and wages, premises and transport related expenses, supplies and services. It does not include the cost of central administration, debt charges or revenue contributions to capital outlay.

  2. "Youth and Community Services" covers youth clubs, residential and non-residential youth centres and the employment of youth leaders.

  3. The LEAs who have not submitted expenditure returns are marked "n.a".

  Headteachers
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many headteachers would

  Public expenditure on higher education, calendar year 1984 (provisional estimates)

  Country

  Year of data

  Current expenditure at 1984 prices1

  Typical length of course

  Excluding student support and welfare and R&D

  Student support and welfare

  Per qualifier

  Per student

  University

  Other

  (£ thousands)

  (£)

  (Years)

  (Years)

  France

  1983

  5·9

  180 (loan + grant)

  4

  2

  Germany2

  1984

  10·0

  70 (loan only)

  4

  3

  Italy

  1983

  n/a

  40 (grant only)

  5

  2

  Japan3

  1982

  14·5

  30 (loan only)

  4

  2

  Netherlands

  1984

  14·4

  360 (loan + grant)

  5

  4

  United Kingdom4

  1984

  9·1

  750 (grant only)

  3

  2 to 3

  United States of America5

  1982

  19·2

  270 (loan + grant)

  4

  2

  n/a Not available.

  1 At purchasing power parity; data prior to 1984 have been adjusted via consumer price indices.

  2 Revised coverage of source statistics.

  3 Excludes public subsidies to private education and qualifiers in the private sector. Private sector course characteristics suggest lower cost.per qualifier overall.

  4 Excluding expenditure and students on nursing and paramedical courses at DHSS establishments. Also excludes tuition fees and in-service teacher training secondments and costs.

  5 Provisional, includes capital.

  Sources: Statistical Bulletin 4/87

  UNESCO Statistical Year Book

  OECD Comparative Statistics

  Correspondence

  Veterinary Education
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what will be the number of new posts and additional pupils created by proposals to rationalise veterinary education at(a) the university of Liverpool, (b) Bristol university and (c) the university of London; and if he will make a statement;
  398
  receive a salary increase of more than £2,000 per annum on the implementation of the 1989 report of the interim advisory committee on teachers' pay.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The Government have accepted the recommendation of the interim advisory committee on school teachers' pay and conditions that salaries of heads and deputies should be increased by 7·5 per cent. from 1 April 1989. As a result some 2,050 head teachers will receive salary increases of more than £2,000 per annum.

  Higher Education Courses
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish tables showing for each EEC country, the United States of America, Japan, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and such other OECD countries for which data are available (1) the estimated per annum(a) total cost and (b) cost to public funds of (i) tuition, and (ii) maintenance in respect of courses in universities and other institutions of higher education of United Kingdom first-degree standard, (2) the average length of courses in each country, (3) the wastage rate, and (4) the estimated cost to public funds of (i) tuition and (ii) maintenance of each successful graduate.

  Mr. Jackson
  The readily available information is given below and covers public expenditure on higher education as a whole. Data on wastage rates are not generally available.

  (2) what will be the costs of rationalisation of veterinary education at (a) the university of Liverpool, (b) Bristol university and (c) the university of London; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) what will be the effect on staff and pupil numbers of monies expended in rationalising veterinary education in Scotland; and if he will make a statement;
  399
  (4) what will be the effects on the total numbers of staff and pupils of the proposals to rationalise veterinary education in England; and if he will make a statement;

  (5) what costs will be incurred by the rationalisation of veterinary education in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jackson
  The available information is in the University Grants Committee report "Veterinary Education into the 21st Century", a copy of which is in the Library. The principal recommendations are to reduce the number of veterinary schools from six to four by merger of the Glasgow and Edinburgh schools on the Edinburgh site, and the cessation of para-clinical and clinical teaching at the Cambridge school; and that each of the four schools should, principally through redistribution of posts, have a clinical staff of 36 and have the capacity for an intake of 75–85 home students, a total of 300–335. Current intakes are towards the bottom of this range. The 1987 intake totalled 306 with the following figures for individual schools: Bristol—42; Cambridge—41; Edinburgh—54; Glasgow—54; Liverpool—45; and London—70. The report estimates the cost of the recommended rationalisation to be some £20 million.

  These recommendations are currently out for consultation. Decisions will be taken by the new Universities Funding Council which takes over full funding responsibilities for universities on 1 April.

  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) if he will list the representations he has received concerning proposals to terminate paraclinical and clinical teaching at the veterinary school at Cambridge; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what representations he has received concerning proposals for the closure of the veterinary school at Glasgow; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jackson
  In respect of each proposal, we have received about 300 letters, including many from hon. Members. In addition, I am meeting some hon. Members.

  Foreign Students
  Mr. Ian Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will provide the figures for the numbers of foreign students attending full-time courses of higher education in the United Kingdom for each of the last 10 years.

  Mr. Jackson
  The information is shown below. Before 1984–85 the definition of a student from abroad included those charged a fee at the overseas rate. From 1984–85 students from abroad have been defined by domicile. Where available, adjusted figures are shown for comparison of number by both definitions.

  Full-time and sandwich students from abroad in higher education in the United Kingdom

  Academic year

  Thousands

  1977–78

  58·0

  1978–79

  59·1

  1979–80

  56·2

  1980–81

  51·6

  1981–82

  50·7

  1982–83

  46·7

  147·9

  1983–84

  46·5

  146·9

  1984–85

  48·6

  400

  Academic year

  Thousands

  1985–86

  53·7

  1986–87

  57·1

  1 Adjusted.

  Source: Education Statistics for the United Kingdom (HMSO).

  Private Schools
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many children and young persons currently attending private schools within the Wakefield metropolitan district are normally resident in other local authority areas.

  Mr. Butcher
  This information is not collected centrally.

  Secondary School Teachers
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when the survey of secondary school teachers was completed; what were its conclusions; and when it will be published.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  The 1988 secondary school staffing survey has not yet been completed—validation and processing of the complex survey data are still in progress. Key results are expected to be available by about the end of April.

  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the cost of the survey of secondary school teachers.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  The exact cost of the 1988 secondary school staffing survey is not yet known, as work on the survey is still continuing. However, the eventual cost is expected to be about £250,000 (excluding any costs to schools and teachers participating in the survey).

  Chlorofluorocarbons
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what it his best estimate of the amount of chlorofluorocarbon refrigerants under the control of his Department;

  (2) what plans there are to minimise the risk of chlorofluorocarbons from refrigeration and air conditioning systems under his Department's control.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Merionnydd Nant Conway (Dr. Thomas) today.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Relocation
  Mr. Brandon-Bravo
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will meet executives of Nottingham Development Enterprise to discuss the relocation of parts of his Department to Nottingham as part of the policy on relocation of such posts away from the south-east.

  Mr. Maude
  Under the policy which my right hon. Friend the Paymaster General, announced on 31 March
  401
  1988, my Department is now reviewing the location of its work with a view to finding sites offering easier labour markets, value for money and increased operational efficiency. Where appropriate, areas which are the focus of the Government's regional and urban policies, such as Nottingham, will be considered. My officials will be consulting local representatives in relevant sites as appropriate.

  Single European Act
  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what assessment he has made of the impact that the Single European Act will have on his Department's operation of domestic policy; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maude
  The Single European Act has had an impact on many areas of my Department's work. All new and existing departmental policies and initiatives take our obligations arising from the Act into account. In particular our "Europe—Open for Business" campaign is designed to alert business to the need to prepare actively for the completion of the single European market.

  Telephone Tapping
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on how many occasions within the Doncaster district(a) British Telecom engineers and (b) other specialist engineers, have monitored telephone conversations on domestic telephone lines in the last year for which figures are available; what were the comparable figures in 1978; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Forth
  The arrangements for the interception of the public telecommunication system are governed by the provisions of the Interception of Communications Act 1985. The information that is available is given in the annual report of the commissioner appointed under section 8 of that Act.

  Post Offices
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list(a) the main post offices and (b) the sub-post offices in (i) the Doncaster area and (ii) South Yorkshire as a whole which have opened or closed since 1979, showing those which have gone onto a part-time basis since 1979; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Forth
  I have consulted the Post Office, which has supplied the following information. There are currently 10 main post offices and 266 sub-post offices in the Doncaster post code area, and 10 main post offices and 365 sub-post offices in the South Yorkshire postal address area. There has been no change in the provision of main post offices in these areas since 1979. During the same period one sub-office has been opened in the Doncaster post code area, 13 have been closed and 18 sub-offices have been converted to part-time (community) offices. In the South Yorkshire postal address area 15 sub-offices have closed and 10 have been converted to part-time (community) offices.

  The sub-offices concerned are as follows:

  Doncaster post code area

  Opened—1

  Wybers Wood
  402
  Closed—13

  Redbourned

  Haighton Avenue

  New Clee

  Hatcliffe

  Kexby

  Ladborough

  New Conisborough

  Town Moor

  Wiseton

  Woodlands East

  Whitton

  Barnby on the Marsh

  Asselby

  Conversions—18

  Bigby

  Waddingham

  Grasby

  Austerfield

  Badsworth

  Hooton Pagnell

  Womersley

  A1. thorpe

  Eastoft

  East Stockwith

  Slotton

  Babworth

  Bole

  Balne

  East Lowick

  Sykehouse

  Laxton

  Howden Dyke

  South Yorkshire postal address area

  Opened—0

  Closed—15

  New Conisborough

  Town Moor

  Wiseton

  Woodlands East

  Cranemoor

  Ickles

  Bridgehouse

  Upper Allen Street

  Carbrook

  Thorpe Salvin

  Walkley Road

  Shirelygreen

  High Hoyland

  Frederick Street

  Burgoyne Road

  Conversions—10

  Hooton Roberts

  Austerfield

  Brodsworth

  Hooton Pagnell

  Womersley

  Wadshelf

  Dunford Bridge

  Crow Edge

  Stantree

  Woothorpe

  British National Space Centre
  Dr. Hampson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what payments have been made to British Telecom International from the British National Space Centre budget; and for what purpose.

  Mr. Atkins
  None, except for services purchased on a commercial basis. However, under arrangements instituted at the time of formation of Eutelsat in 1978, the BNSC shares the United Kingdom subscription to that
  403
  body with British Telecom International. The BNSC payments, which are made through the European Space Agency, have so far amounted to £7·99 million.

  Dr. Hampson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is the value of the activity undertaken by the United Kingdom space industry as a direct output of the British National Space Centre civil space budget for the financial years 1988–89 and 1989–90, excluding the value of sub-contracts placed outside the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Atkins
  Space expenditure falls to the budgets of the individual Departments and research councils who are partners in the BNSC. Their total contributions to the European Space Agency's programmes are estimated at £90 million in 1988–89 and £82 million in 1989–90. Some 80 per cent. of these contributions will, in accordance with ESA rules, return to United Kingdom industry in the form of contracts. In addition, the national programmes of BNSC partners amount to about £50 million per year. These include expenditure on space science in universities and research institutes. The proportion spent in industry is between 40 and 50 per cent.

  Iraq
  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is the current rating of Iraq in respect of the export credit guarantee scheme; what consideration is being given to increasing cover to Iraq; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  ECGD cover for Iraq is presently available for United Kingdom exports ranging from consumer goods and raw materials to capital goods and projects.

  The United Kingdom/Iraq financial protocol, negotiated on an annual basis, governs the level of support for contracts eligible for extended credit terms. The last protocol was signed by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster in November 1988. This provided additional United Kingdom credits of £340 million for contracts placed in 1989. These facilities have yet to be utilised and no further increase in support is presently being considered.

  Harmonisation
  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps he has taken to assemble any observations sent by British enterprises, trade associations, or similar bodies to the Commission of the European Economic Community for consideration during the pre-publication stage of the proposals it plans to present to the Council of Ministers within the scheduled programme of harmonisation.

  Mr. Maude
  It is most important that business makes its concerns known to the Commission, both directly and through Government channels, if possible before particular proposals are published. Business usually keeps Departments informed of direct contacts with the Commission, and this is extremely helpful. My Department and other Departments with responsibilities in this area take business concerns fully into account in our contact with the Commission before the publication of proposals and during subsequent negotiations.

  Licensed Trade
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when he expects the Monopolies and Mergers Commission report into licensed trade will be published.

  Mr. Maude
  The report will be published as soon as possible.

  Chlorofluorocarbons
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) what is his best estimate of the amount of chlorofluorocarbon refrigerants under the control of his Department;

  (2) what plans there are to minimise the risk of leaks of chlorofluorocarbons from refrigeration and air conditioning systems under his Department's control.

  Mr. Forth
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Merionnydd Nant Conwy (Dr. Thomas) today.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Aid (Environmental Factors)
  Mr. Lord
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how environmental factors are assessed in consideration of overseas aid projects.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  All programme managers in the Overseas Development Administration are required to ensure the environmental soundness of projects. A manual is being published this week to help them to do this. I shall place a copy in the Library.

  Lomé IV (Negotiations)
  Ms. Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of the European Community, African, Caribbean and Pacific ministerial negotiating meeting on Lomé IV in Brazzaville.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  The meeting, which I attended, identified the main areas of agreement and disagreement and set a framework for the next stage of the negotiations.

  Dr. Twinn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the progress of negotiations for a successor to the third Lomé convention.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  The ministerial negotiating meeting on a successor to Lomé III in Brazzaville on 16 and 17 February identified the main areas of agreement and disagreement and set a framework for the next stage in the negotiations.

  Development Budget
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the level of the United Kingdom overseas development budget at current prices in 1979; and what is the planned level for 1989–90.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  At today's prices the net aid programme stood at £1,489 million in 1979–80. The aid
  405
  budget for next year will be £1,430 million plus additional provision for Nigeria which I currently expect to be a further £47 million.

  Iodine Deficiency
  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contribution the British aid programme is making to cure the problem of iodine deficiency in developing countries.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  Both UNICEF and the World Health Organisation support work to prevent and control iodine deficiency disorders. During this financial year we have contributed £7·5 million to UNICEF's general resources, from which projects to correct iodine deficiency disorders will be funded.

  AIDS
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what projections his Department has made of the impact of AIDS in assessing the overseas aid needs of central African countries.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  More research is needed before we can estimate the impact of AIDS on developing countries. We are supporting work in this field. It is one element among many which we use in assessing a country's assistance needs.

SCOTLAND

  Information Technology
  Mr. Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement of progress on the introduction of information technologies to facilitate internal communications in his Department and the provision of information to the public concerning those areas for which he is responsible; and if he has any further plans to apply the newest technologies in these fields.

  Mr. Rifkind
  The Scottish Office has made steady progress with its strategy of exploiting information technologies to improve its efficiency by developing systems which support the management and policy priorities which are identified in departmental and divisional management plans.

  Communications have been improved by the introduction of an office automation system providing word processing and electronic mail facilities linking the offices of Ministers and senior officials in Edinburgh, London and Glasgow, and by the installation of a digital telephone system covering the main Scottish Office buildings in Edinburgh and linked to the Government telephone network.

  Computer systems have been developed to support financial and personnel management and the diverse needs of the office. Some 500 microcomputers are in use together with 600 visual display units linked to the mainframe computer in Edinburgh. A number of these visual display units enable officers who are in direct contact with the public to provide an improved service.

  The Scottish Office strategy for information technology is endorsed by its top management and subject to refinement, monitoring and review by the standing
  406
  committee on information technology services. That committee considers plans and proposals for further projects as necessary.

  Working Hours
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he has on the average number of hours worked per week in Scotland by(a) primary school teachers, (b) secondary school teachers, (c) National Health Service doctors, (d) National Health Service nursing staff, and (e) employees of the Scottish Development Agency.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The available information is as follows:

  Average hours per week

  (a) Primary school teachers

  25·9

  (b) Secondary school teachers

  27·4

  (c) National Health Service doctors

  n.a.

  (d) National Health Service nursing staff

  32·0

  (e) Employees of the Scottish Development Agency

  n.a.

  Notes:

  Figures at (a) and (b) are from 1984 and relate only to the timetabled working hours in school in a normal working week. Due to industrial action schools comprehensive data for subsequent years was not collected. Data from the 1988 School Census will become available later this year. In January 1987 new conditions of service for teachers, including working hours, were agreed in the Scottish Joint Negotiating Committee for Teaching Staff in School Education.

  Figures shown at (d) are estimates based on recorded hours worked in the period ended 30 September 1988. They include data for part-time staff and staff in training. No corresponding information is available for doctors.

  Comparable figures are not available for staff of the Scottish Development Agency. The majority of SDA staff are in salaried non-overtime grades and usually work considerably more than their contracted 35 hours. All but the most junior grades are contracted to work 35 hours per week plus hours governed by the exigencies of the work.

DEFENCE

  Chemical Weapons
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the accuracy of Mr. Gorbachev's estimate of the Soviet chemical weapons stockpile as 50,000 tonnes.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The Soviet claim that its stockpile of chemical warfare agents is no larger than 50,000 tonnes has not been backed up by any supporting data. We assess, in common with other Western estimates, that total Soviet chemical warfare stocks are several times higher.

  Nuclear Submarines
  Mr. John Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions nuclear submarines docked in British ports in the last three years; and if he will list those ports.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The numbers of occasions during the last three years on which nuclear-powered submarines have docked in British civil ports are as follows:
  407

  Number of visits

  1986

  1987

  1988

  Cardiff

  2

  0

  3

  Liverpool

  4

  2

  4

  Southampton

  0

  1

  1

  In addition nuclear-powered submarines have made use of offshore berths at the locations listed below. Data on the use of these is recorded as an aggregate of numbers of days rather than by number of visits:

  Days in use

  1986

  1987

  1988

  Rothesay

  4

  7

  8

  Loch Striven

  13

  0

  0

  Loch Goil

  0

  0

  1

  Brodick Bay

  7

  1

  3

  Portree

  6

  2

  15

  Broadford Bay

  0

  2

  6

  Torbay

  0

  3

  6

  Offshore berths are covered by public safety schemes or special safety schemes, as are all ports where nuclear-powered submarines actually dock.

  Obsolete Nuclear Shells
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether, pursuant to his reply of 9 February,Official Report, column 767, he will discuss with the United States Government plans to scrap obsolete nuclear shells held in Great Britain and with the British armed forces in NATO; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  My right hon. Friend has no plans to do so at present.

  Low Flying
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measurements have been made of noise levels on the ground caused by military jet aircraft overflying at 100 ft and speeds of up to 550 knots within 20 miles of the RAF station at Finningley; and what compensation has been paid where dwellings are subject to noise levels from military aircraft of 125 db(A) or more in that area.

  Mr. Neubert
  No such noise measurements have been made within 20 miles of RAF Finningley, but I refer the hon. Member to my replies of 26 January to the hon. Member for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy (Dr. Thomas) at column 753 and of 6 February to the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire (Mr. Kirkwood) at columns 447–48.

  Royal Navy Mechanics
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Royal Navy mechanics served in each of the following branches:(a) air engineering, (b) marine engineering and (c) weapon and electrical engineering, in each year since 1983.

  Mr. Neubert
  The numbers of Royal Navy mechanics serving in air engineering, marine engineering and weapon and electrical engineering each year since 1983 are given in the table. All figures are at the 1 January point.
  408

  Year

  Air engineering

  Marine engineering

  Weapon and Electrical engineering

  1983

  1,915

  6,561

  8,803

  1984

  2,079

  6,275

  8,937

  1985

  1,979

  6,046

  8,929

  1986

  1,721

  5,512

  8,579

  1987

  1,639

  5,248

  8,262

  1988

  1,654

  5,103

  7,954

  1989

  1,665

  5,079

  7,799

  Note: Weapon and electrical engineers include air and marine engineers with electrical qualifications.

  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total outflow of Royal Navy mechanics in each of the following branches in 1988 and how many of these left prior to the completion of their engagements:(a) air engineering, (b) marine engineering and (c) weapons and electrical engineering.

  Mr. Neubert
  The total outflows of Royal Navy mechanics from the air engineering, marine engineering and weapon and electrical engineering branches during 1988 were as follows:

  Air engineering

  Marine engineering

  Weapon and Electrical engineering

  203

  548

  790

  Of these, the numbers who left to completing their engagements were:

  Air engineering

  Marine engineering

  Weapon and Electrical engineering

  158

  433

  576

  Engagements for naval ratings are generally open ended, up to a maximum of 22 years and ratings may leave at any time after an initial period at 18 months notice.

  Note:

  1. Weapon and electrical engineers include air and marine engineers with electrical qualifications.

  2. Promotions to officer have been excluded.

  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many mechanics qualified to serve in the following branches of the Royal Navy in 1988(a) air engineering, (b) marine engineering and (c) weapons and electrical engineering.

  Mr. Neubert
  The numbers of Royal Navy mechanics who qualified to serve in the air engineering, marine engineering and weapon and electrical engineering branches in 1988 were as follows:

  Number

  Air engineering

  91

  Marine engineering

  345

  Weapon and electrical engineering

  659

  Notes:

  1. Weapon and electrical engineers include air and marine engineers with electrical qualifications.

  2. These figures may be incomplete due to reporting delays.

  Aldermaston and Burghfield (Audit)
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what methods of communication and consultation were
  409
  used between his officials and the British Nuclear Fuels plc team carrying out the audit at Aldermaston and Burghfield during the month of January 1986.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  I refer the hon. Member to the replies that I gave him on 22 December 1988 at column 380 and on 18 January 1989 at column 199.

  Soviet Naval Activity
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has on changes in the level of Soviet naval activity in the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Since the end of 1985, there has been a significant reduction in the overall deployment level of Soviet naval combatants away from home fleet waters world wide. We believe, however, that in home waters the level of naval activity has remained at least constant, or indeed may have increased. The modernisation of the Soviet fleet has also continued, and its ability to conduct wartime operations has not diminished.

  Royal Navy (Training)
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total number of man weeks allocated to formal individual training in 1979 and 1974, across all categories of Royal Navy personnel, for each of the following areas:(a) new entry training, (b) specialisation training, (c) sub-specialisation training and (d) routine top-up training.

  Mr. Neubert
  Information on man weeks allocated to individual training was not produced in the form requested for the years up to and including 1979. Much of the detailed information over this period is no longer held. So far as later years are concerned, I refer the hon. Gentleman to answer 6 provided to the Defence Committee on 3 February 1988, reproduced on page 25 of the Committee's sixth report of Session 1987–88.

  Sea Time
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the average time spent at sea by(a) chief petty officers and petty officers, (b) leading ratings and (c) able ratings.

  Mr. Neubert
  Average sea time (that time during which a rating is drafted to an operational ship) is currently:

  Per cent.

  Chief petty officers and petty officers

  42

  Leading rates

  59

  Able rates

  64

  It does not follow, however, that such time is spent entirely at sea; ships spend a proportion of their operational time at their base ports.

  Norton Manor Camp
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence why a private security firm has the responsibility of patrolling Norton Manor camp, near Taunton; whether he proposes any changes in security at the camp following recent Irish Republican Army bombings at Army camps; and if he will make a statement.
  410
  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  A private security firm is employed at Norton Manor camp on routine and strictly-defined security tasks. Its presence constitutes only one element of the physical security arrangements in force at the camp. Security arrangements are constantly reviewed in the light of our assessment of the terrorist threat.

  Chlorofluorocarbons
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what allowance he has made in his Department's budget for each of the next five years to provide for the substitution of HCFC 22 for chlorofluorocarbon refrigerants covered by the Montreal protocol; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what is his best estimate of the amount of chlorofluorocarbons refrigerants under the control of his Department;

  (3) what plans there are to minimise the risk of leaks of chlorofluorocarbons from refrigeration and air conditioning systems under his Department's control.

  Mr. Neubert
  It is our policy to reduce the use of chlorofluorocarbons wherever possible. The information requested is not available centrally and cannot be obtained without disproportionate cost.

  Live Bombing Exercise
  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the next live bombing exercise is to be conducted in the Moray Firth; where, in relation to recognised danger areas, and British territorial waters, the exercise will take place; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Neubert
  [holding answer 2 March 1989]: There are no plans to drop live bombs in the Moray Firth.

TRANSPORT

  Relocation
  Mr. Brandon-Bravo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will meet executives of Nottingham Development Enterprise to discuss the relocation of parts of his Department to Nottingham as part of the policy on relocation of such posts away from the south-east.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  Under the policy which my right hon. Friend the Paymaster General announced on 31 March 1988, the Department is reviewing parts of its work with a view to possible relocation. Where appropriate. areas which are the focus of the Government's regional and urban policies, such as Nottingham, will be considered.

  Nottingham has been selected for relocation of the headquarters staff of the driver testing and training division in mid-1990.

  Manchester Airport (Rail Link)
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement about a railway link to Manchester international airport.

  Mr. Portillo
  My officials have recently received a joint paper from Greater Manchester passenger transport
  411
  executive and British Rail which seeks to demonstrate that the proposed rail link is commercially viable. The paper will be discussed at a meeting between the relevant parties and the Department at the end of this week.

  Seafarers (Taxation)
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has on the extent of refund to shipping companies of personal taxation and social security payments made by their seafarers made by the Danish and Swedish Governments; what estimate he has made of the value of this concession to the running costs of Danish and Swedish ships engaged in international trade; and what steps he proposes to take to enable British shipping companies to meet this challenge.

  Mr. Portillo
  I am advised that Danish nationals serving on ships registered on the Danish international register are exempted from the full rate of income tax with the savings passed on to shipping companies. The Swedish Government rebate to shipping companies income tax and social security payments made in respect of Swedish seafarers serving on Swedish flag vessels engaged in long distance shipping, at an estimated cost for 1989 of 550 million Swedish kroner. The Department has asked the EC Commission to consider the compatibility of the Danish arrangements with the Community's competition rules. The question of state aids to shipping is also under consideration as part of the second stage of the Community's shipping policy.

  Bus Services
  Mr. Patnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of local bus services outside London are now provided by private operators.

  Mr. Portillo
  Of the local bus miles outside London run during 1987–88, 58 per cent. were provided by operators which were in the private sector by March 1988.

  Severn Bridge
  Mr. Roy Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to receive the report following the inquiry on the proposals to increase the tolls on the Severn bridge.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  Not before the inquiry has been concluded and the report has been written.

  Chlorofluorocarbons
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what is his best estimate of the amount of chlorofluorocarbon refrigerants under the control of his Department;

  (2) what plans there are to minimise the risk of leaks of chlorofluorocarbons from refrigeration and air conditioning systems under his Department's control.
  412
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Merionnydd Nant Conwy (Dr. Thomas) today.

EMPLOYMENT

  Relocation
  Mr. Brandon-Bravo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will meet executives of Nottingham Development Enterprise to discuss the relocation of parts of his Department to Nottingham as part of the policy on relocation of such posts away from the south-east.

  Mr. Lee
  Under the policy that my right hon. Friend the Paymaster General announced on March 1988, the Employment Department is now reviewing the location of its work with a view to finding sites offering easier labour markets, value for money and increased operational efficiency. Areas which are the focus of the Government's regional and urban policies, such as Nottingham, will be considered. My Department already has large concentrations of headquarters staff in three such regional locations at Runcorn, Bootle and Sheffield and the study taking place is giving particular attention to those locations; but other sites in assisted and urban programme areas have not yet been ruled out.

  Wages
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish a table showing the average wage for(a) full-time male employees, (b) part-time male employees, (c) full-time female employees and (d) part-time female employees, for each of the last 10 years, for each economic region both in real and cash terms; if he will publish a further table showing average regional wages on the same basis for (i) manufacturing industry, (ii) the leisure industry and (iii) other service industries; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lee
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply he was given on 20 October 1988,Official Report, column 869. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of a table of 1988 data for part-timers which was not available at the time together with the available information by industry, copies of which have also been placed in the Library.

  Labour Statistics (Sheffield)
  Mr. Patnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment by what percentage unemployment has fallen in each of the Sheffield parliamentary constituencies since June 1987.

  Mr. Lee
  The following information is also available in the Library. The table shows the number of unemployed claimants in June 1987 and January 1989 for each of the Sheffield parliamentary constituencies, together with the percentage change over the period. The figures are affected by seasonal influences as well as by the change in coverage of the count due to new benefit regulations from September 1988 for young people aged under 18.
  413

  Constituency

  June 1987

  January 1989

  Percentage change

  Sheffield Central

  9,729

  7,282

  -25·2

  Sheffield Attercliffe

  5,801

  4,117

  -29·0

  Sheffield Brightside

  7,537

  5,610

  -25·6

  Sheffield Hallam

  4,425

  3,133

  -29·2

  Sheffield Heeley

  7,011

  5,012

  -28·5

  Sheffield Hillsborough

  5,524

  3,942

  -28·6

  Jobs
  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what proportion of the new jobs which have become available since 1983 are part-time and what proportion were filled by men and women.

  Mr. Lee
  There are no figures for job gains and job losses. Between September 1983 and September 1988, the latest date for which figures are available, the workforce in employment in Great Britain increased by 1,989,000. Of this net increase 1,167,000 (59 per cent.) was attributable to growth in part-time employment, 649,000 (33 per cent.) to growth in male employment and 1,339,000 (67 per cent.) to growth in female employment.

  The work force in employment is the sum of employees in employment, the self-employed, Her Majesty's forces and participants in work-related Government training programmes. In classifying the work force in employment between full and part-time, all programme participants are counted as in part-time employment.

  Mr. Oppenheim
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many full-time and part-time jobs were created in the United Kingdom in the latest year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Lee
  There are no figures for job gains and job losses. In the year to September 1988, the latest date for which figures are available, the work force in employment in the United Kingdom increased by 404,000. There are no estimates of full-time and part-time employment in Northern Ireland for these dates, and therefore no estimates for the United Kindom.

  The work force in employment is the sum of employees in employment, the self-employed, Her Majesty's forces and participants in work-related Government training programmes.

  Labour Statistics (Salford)
  Ms. Lestor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give the figures for female part-time jobs in the Salford area.

  Mr. Lee
  The available information taken from the September 1984 census of employment indicates that there were 17,700 female part-time employees in employment in the Salford local authority district.

  Labour Statistics (Luton)
  Mr. Bright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what the percentage fall in the number of unemployed has been in the travel-to-work area covering Luton in the last 12 months; how many people are currently registered as unemployed in Luton; and how many known job vacancies there are there.

  Mr. Lee
  In January 1989 the number of unemployed claimants in the Watford and Luton travel-to-work area 414
  was 12,773 compared with 20,858 in January 1988, a fall of 8,085 or 38·8 per cent. The comparison is affected by the change in coverage from September 1988 due to new benefit regulations for those people aged under 18 years. There were 4,022 unfilled vacancies at jobcentres approximately covering the Watford and Luton travel-to work area in January 1989. Vacancies at jobcentres do not represent the total number in the economy. Recent research shows that nationally only about one third of all vacancies are notified to jobcentres.

  Private Employment Agencies
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many private employment agencies he has investigated since 1979 which accept fees from job applicants for counselling or other services; and what: action he has taken in each case.

  Mr. Lee
  All private employment agencies are routinely investigated for breaches of any of the provisions of the Employment Agencies Act 1973 and regulations, including the provision prohibiting the offer of a job-finding service conditional upon the use of other services, such as counselling, for which job applicants may legally be charged a fee. There have been about 25,000 such inspections since 1979. If any infringement of the legislation is found, action is taken to ensure that it is corrected. If the infringement persists, prosecution would be considered.

  Wages Councils
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will produce a breakdown of the responses to his consultation document "Wages Councils", setting out(a) the total number of responses, (b) those in favour and those against, and (c) the responses of employers; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Edinburgh, South (Mr. Griffiths) on 15 February,Official Report, column 233.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the mid-year unemployment figure each year since 1979; and what was the increase or decrease in unemployment in each year both in numbers and in percentage terms.

  Mr. Lee
  The following information is also available from the Library. The table shows seasonally adjusted unemployment in the United Kingdom for each June from 1979, together with the change in numbers and percentage terms on the previous year.
  415

  Unemployment: Seasonally adjusted, consistent with current coverage in the United Kingdom

  Date

  Number

  Change (over 12 months)

  Percentage change

  June 1979

  1,069,000

  -83,900

  -7·3

  June 1980

  1,275,200

  206,200

  19·3

  June 1981

  2,177,400

  902,200

  70·7

  June 1982

  2,523,100

  345,700

  15·9

  June 1983

  2,807,400

  284,300

  11·3

  June 1984

  2,900,900

  93,500

  3·3

  June 1985

  3,027,600

  126,700

  4·4

  June 1986

  3,130,200

  102,600

  3·4

  June 1987

  2,857,200

  -273,000

  -8·7

  June 1988

  2,324,100

  -533,100

  -18·7

HEALTH

  Child Minders
  Mr. Archer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has of the extent of unregistered childminding carried out by children aged under 16 years; if he has any plans to legislate in relation to childminding carried out by children; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  It is not possible to provide an estimate. Local authorities have a duty under the Nurseries and

  Estimated average gross weekly earnings1

  Full-time

  Part-time (per head)

  Grade

  Female

  Male

  Female

  Male

  £ pw

  £ pw

  £ pw

  £ pw

  Non supervisors and chargehands

  Scale A

  114·49

  132·11

  54·84

  57·49

  Scale B

  113·36

  133·11

  62·55

  59·27

  Scale C

  138·00

  162·90

  71·25

  387·96

  Scale D

  3140·46

  156·59

  79·18

  2

  Supervisor

  Scale I

  141·89

  148·54

  79·39

  2

  Scale II

  145·73

  179·29

  96·53

  2

  Scale III

  134·71

  181·00

  2

  2

  Scale IV

  3154·36

  182·26

  2

  2

  1 The other information requested is not available—without incurring disproportionate cost.

  2 Numbers of staff in these grades are too small to provide reliable figures.

  3 These averages are based on relatively small numbers.

  Resource Management
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what resource management initiative select studies he considered when drawing up the relevant proposals in "Working for Patients".

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  I had available internal progress reports from the six resource management initiative pilot sites and three assessments of progress on resource management from the National Health Service training authority, the joint consultants committee's sub-group on resource management and the NHS management board's director of resource management.

  Plastic Surgery
  Sir John Farr
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the waiting time for plastic surgery in the Leicester health authority; what are the comparable figures for waiting times in(a) other authorities in the Trent region and (b) nationally; what assessment he has made of the
  416
  Childminders Regulation Act 1948 to register as child minders persons who for reward look after in their own homes child ren aged under five. We would not expect a local authority to register a child aged under 16 as a child minder. The Government will be introducing amendments to the Children Bill (now in the House of Lords) relating to the registration of child minders by local authorities.

  NHS Staff
  Mr. Henderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was(a) the number of ancillary staff employed in the National Health Service as of 30 September 1988, excluding nurse auxiliaries, (b) the number of whole-time equivalents in England, (c) the average hours of ancillary staffs by grade together with average pay by grade and (d) the average hours of part-time ancillary staffs by grade and average pay, broken down by male and female for each of categories (b), (c) and (d).

  Mr. Mellor
  The latest figures available are:(a) and (b) September 987

  (a) 1 57,3 00

  (b)Male 41,500; female 73,500; total 115,000.

  (c) and (d) 1987–88.

  reasons for these levels; and what steps he is taking to reduce waiting times in Leicester health authority for plastic surgery.

  Mr. Mellor
  The median waiting time for plastic surgery in-patients treated in 1987–88 in the Leicestershire health authority, other authorities in the Trent region and England is given in the table. Some patients do however wait considerably longer than the times shown, as plastic surgery waiting lists comprise cases with widely different degrees of urgency. Epidemiological changes and medical innovation have led to substantial increases in plastic surgery workloads.

  A total of £69,000 has been made available to the Leicester health authority from the waiting list fund in 1987–88 and 1988–89, which has enabled them to treat an additional 350 plastic surgery patients from the waiting list. The regional health authority propose to continue to fund Leicester's plastic surgery waiting list fund project in 1989–90.
  417

  Median waiting time (weeks)—plastic surgery in-patients cases treated 1987–88

  Weeks

  Leicestershire

  5

  South Lincolnshire

  5

  Nottingham

  6

  Sheffield

  10

  Trent region

  7

  England

  7

  Note: Other districts in Trent did not treat plastic surgery patients during the year.

  Medical Secretaries
  Dr. Glyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has had with regard to the shortage of medical secretaries in the National Health Service; and whether he has discussed this with the Whitley Council.

  Mr. Mellor
  We have received about 180 letters since the beginning of March 1988 about medical secretaries. Negotiations are taking place in the administrative and clerical staffs Whitley council on management side proposals which include a scheme to supplement the national pay scales where recruitment and retention problems are experienced.

  Geriatric Wards
  Sir Eldon Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many beds are provided in long stay geriatric wards in the National Health Service hospitals in the following regions(a) East Anglia, (b) North East Thames, (c) North West Thames, (d) South West Thames and (e) South East Thames.

  Mr. Freeman
  The available information given in the table relates to general wards for elderly patients.

  Average daily available beds in general wards for elderly patients, National Health Service hospitals, by selected regional health authorities, 1987–88

  Regional health authority

  Available beds

  East Anglian

  2,539

  North West Thames

  3,386

  North East Thames

  4,260

  South East Thames

  3,535

  South West Thames

  2,832

  Hospital Trusts
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which sets of Korner data will be collected from National Health Service hospital trusts; and if similar data will be required from hospitals in the private sector.

  Mr. Freeman
  We shall be giving detailed consideration over the coming months to the information which will be needed centrally when National Health Service hospital trusts are established.

  Single European Act
  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the impact that the Single European Act will have on his Department's operation of domestic policy; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  The main impact is in the extent to which it facilitates the introduction of European Community 418
  legislation contributing to the establishment of the single market in areas falling within the Department's responsibilities and in its requirement that in proposals affecting health a high level of health protection shall apply. As far as can be foreseen at present the main effects of European Community legislation and legislative proposals on the Department's domestic policy will be in the areas of pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, the mutual recognition of professional qualifications and tobacco products.

  AIDS
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what sums have been allocated to all aspects of treatment., research and education related to AIDS and HIV for the current and next three financial years.

  Mr. Mellor
  In the current year, we have made available to health authorities in England £58·6 million as a contribution towards the additional costs of providing treatment and care for people infected with HIV and with AIDS. For 1989–90 a total of almost £130 million is being made available towards those costs. Details of the distribution of resources to regional health authorities were given in health circular HC(88)66.

  A number of Government-funded organisations are supporting HIV-related research, on which over £13·2 million is expected to be spent in this financial year. The Medical Research Council is the main agency through which we support biomedical research in relation to HIV and AIDS, and is funded through grant-in-aid from the Department of Education and Science. The MRC plans to spend, through its directed programme on AIDS:

  £ million

  1988–89

  5·0

  1989–90

  7·0

  1990–91

  8·0

  1991–92

  8·5

  The Department is providing the MRC with an additional £1,050,000 this year and £1·7 million in 1989–90 principally for epidemiological research on HIV. We are making available separately an estimated £593,000 for HIV-related health and personal social services research projects this year, and will be deciding shortly the Department's budget for such research for 1989–90.

  In respect of health education related to HIV and AIDS, the Department has allocated £8·7 million in 1988–89 to the Health Education Authority, and £1·3 million to the national AIDS helpline, which provides a free, confidential telephone advice service. The Department's budget for health education work in 1989–90 has yet to be decided. No decisions have yet been made on the Department's allocations for treatment, research and health education in future years.

  Mr. Rost
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what national data exists on which people known to be HIV positive develop AIDS.

  Mr. Mellor
  No national data are available showing which HIV-positive individuals develop AIDS.

  Mr. Rost
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether any people in the United Kingdom have been diagnosed as having AIDS without the presence of HIV.
  419
  Mr. Mellor
  Of the cases of AIDS reported to the communicable disease surveillance centre and the communicable diseases (Scotland) unit, 88 per cent. have been tested for the presence of antibodies to HIV or for HIV. Of these, results were positive in all but five individuals.

  Mr. Rost
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information he has on whether test for Epstein-Barr, cytomegalo lymphoma hepatitis B, herpes simplex viruses or anti-bodies in people with AIDS are routinely performed.

  Mr. Mellor
  These tests are not routinely performed. However, if the clinical findings suggest that any of these conditions may be present, the tests would be carried out in accordance with clinical judgment.

  Mr. Rost
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he has any evidence that virus infections such as leukaemia and lymphoma retroviruses can result in selective damage to specific cells of the immune system, and in particular to white blood cells known as T and B lymphocytes.

  Mr. Mellor
  I understand that there is a considerable scientific literature on the possible effects of retroviruses on elements of the immune system.

  Mr. Rost
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) in what percentage of people with Kaposi's sarcoma has HIV been isolated;

  (2) what percentage of people with AIDS are infected with syphilis.

  Mr. Mellor
  I regret that these data are not available.

  Mr. Rost
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what criteria he authorises spending on research and public education programmes which identify HIV as the sole cause of AIDS.

  Mr. Mellor
  The overwhelming consensus of expert opinion is that HIV is the causative organism of AIDS.

  Sir Michael McNair-Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer on 10 January,Official Report, columns 605–8 about the AIDS education campaign, if he will state the value of the AIDS advertising budget; and how many times advertisements have been placed in the newspapers and journals set out in his answer.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 17 February 1989]: The amounts spent on mass media advertising from the inception of the Government AIDS public education campaign to 31 December 1988 were as follows:

  Department of Health (to 31 December 1987)

  £

  Press

  3,196,047

  Radio

  880,939

  Television

  3,461,985

  Cinema

  855,284

  Poster

  1,865,599

  Miscellaneous

  94,568

  Total

  10,354,422

  420

  Health Education Authority (to 31 December 1988)

  £

  Press

  1,120,367

  Television

  2,300,000

  Posters

  880,694

  Total

  4,301,061

  A list giving the advertising insertions in the national and regional press and magazines for this period has been placed in the Library.

  If my hon. Friend would like details of advertising insertions and associated spending from 1 January 1989, he may wish to approach the Health Education Authority for this information.

  Information Technology
  Mr. Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement of progress on the introduction of information technologies to facilitate internal communications in his Department and the provision of information to the public concerning those areas for which he is responsible; and if he has any further plans to apply the newest technologies in these fields.

  Mr. Mellor
  Personal computers are used extensively throughout the Department, and many already communicate via an electronic mail service or over local area networks.

  We are refining further our information technology (IT) strategy, which includes the development of a centrally maintained IT-based information centre. This system draws data from the NHS for use by top management and Ministers.

  The Department's information technology branch keeps abreast of developments in the IT field and plans are constantly updated to improve our internal communications facilities where appropriate.

  "Working for Patients"
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what criteria were used in selecting the audiences of National Health Service staff addressed by him following the launch of "Working for Patients".

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  Those invited were people who would be closely connected with the implementation of the review, such as health authority and FPC chairmen and senior managers and professional staff and those who needed to be informed at first hand about the contents of the White Paper and to be able to question Ministers about its proposals.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which district medical officers were invited to the roadshow launch in the west midlands of "Working for Patients".

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  The district medical officers invited were:

  Dr. M. C. T. Wilkes, Kidderminster HA

  Dr. H. V. Duggal, Mid-Staffordshire HA

  Dr. M. E. Summerly, North Staffordshire HA

  Dr. J. S. Dodge, Rugby HA

  Dr. R. K. Griffiths, C Birmingham HA

  Dr. M. J. Carpenter, E Birmingham HA

  Dr. S. Gyde, N Birmingham HA

  421

  Dr. G. T. Pollock, Coventry HA

  Dr. J. Middleton, Sandwell HA

  Dr. G. M. Singal, Walsall HA

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if any instructions, verbal or written, were given to managers or other National Health Service staff about their comments to the press or media following the launch of "Working for Patients".

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  It is the responsibility of individual health authorities to determine policy on how their staff should deal with questions from the press and media, including questions on "Working for Patients".

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give the names of the press/public relations company responsible for the launch of the White Paper "Working for Patients"; if a process of competitive tendering was used before choosing the company; and if the press department at his Department was considered for the task.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  NML Presentations Ltd. was contracted by the Department to provide organisational, production and design services in connection with the NHS review launch communication programme. It was chosen from a number of companies which were asked to compete for the job. My Department's information division supervised and monitored the contract.

  Management Consultants (Cost)
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give each district health authority the spending on buying in advice from management consultants in the latest available year, giving this sum as a percentage of each district health authority's total revenue spending.

  Mr. Mellor
  The employment or use of management consultants is a matter for individual health authorities and their annual accounts do not separately identify any expenditure consequently incurred.

  Water Supply (Contamination)
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, further to his reply to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Provan of 27 February, if he will give the total number of qualified members of (i) the medical and (ii) the scientific staff of his Department dealing with matters related to contamination of drinking water by(a) micro-organisms, (b) chemicals, and (c) radiation.

  Mr. Mellor
  The numbers of qualified medical and scientific staff in post in the divisions which deal with

  Hospital and Community Health Services, England—Percentage increase in net current expenditure

  1979–80

  1980–81

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  Percentage increases in cash limit

  19·4

  31·9

  10·3

  7·7

  5·1

  5·7

  5·3

  7·4

  10·5

  Percentage required to fully cover HCHS pay and price inflation

  20·5

  28·0

  8·2

  6·5

  5·1

  5·8

  5·2

  6·9

  8·1

  Effective charge in purchasing power

  -0·9

  +3·0

  +2·0

  +1·1

  0·0

  -0·1

  +0·1

  +0·5

  +2·2

  The table is based on HCHS net current (outturn) expenditure figures for the years in which HCHS pay and prices information is currently available. These figures do not, of course, take account of income from cash-releasing
  422
  matters related to the contamination of food, drinking water and the environment are set out in the table. These figures do not include the chief medical officer and his deputies and the two medical heads of divisions, senior principal medical officers (SPMOs). SPMOs deal with selected issues according to their nature and importance.

  Contamination by

  microorganisms

  chemicals

  radiation

  Medical

  2

  7

  1

  Other scientific

  2

  16

  4

  Cervical Cancer Screening
  Mr. Allan Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what was the age distribution of screening examinations for cervical cancer in England and Wales in 1988;

  (2) how many women had a first cervical cancer screen in England and Wales in 1988.

  Mr. Freeman
  This information is not available at present. However, we hope to he able to provide figures for 1988–89 towards the end of this year, following the introduction of new cancer screening returns in April 1988.

  Mr. Allan Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total number of screening examinations for cervical cancer in 1988.

  Mr. Freeman
  The information is not available in the form requested but following the introduction of a new cancer screening return from April 1988 it is hoped to be able to give details of women screened in 1988–89 towards the end of this year.

  In 1987–88, in England and Wales, 4,322,345 cervical cytology cases were examined. A woman who was tested more than once was counted on each occasion, but where more than one smear was taken from the same patient at the same session, they were counted as one test.

  Cash Limits
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give for each year since 1978–79 the percentage increase in the cash limits set for hospital and community health services which was intended to cover pay and price inflation and the percentage increase which would have been required fully to cover pay and price inflation in each year.

  Mr. Mellor
  The information is as follows:

  cost improvements which, in the years since 1984–85 provided a significant contribution to the margin available for service development.

  Dental Charges
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information he has on the effects of the introduction of charges on the take-up of dentists' invitations for routine inspections.

  Mr. Mellor
  Information is not yet available which would enable a comparison to be made between numbers of courses of treatment commenced before and after the introduction of the dental examination charge.

  Residential Care
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he has received any evidence to indicate that the full cost to public funds of private residential care is less than that which would be incurred if similar care were provided by local authorities.

  Mr. Mellor
  We are aware of certain studies of the costs of residential care. However, the very limited scope of the studies and the difficulties in making comparisons means that we are unable to draw general conclusions as to the relative cost to public funds of provision in different sectors.

  Cook-chill Food
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, following the advice from his chief medical officer that all cook-chill food should be re-heated until piping hot before consumption, what action he is taking about those supermarkets which continue to retail cook-chill chicken labelled "ready to eat".

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  The chief medical officer's advice that cooked chilled meals and ready to eat poultry should be re-heated until they were piping hot was directed at pregnant women and certain others at special risk. As far as the rest of the population was concerned, he said that provided good hygiene practices were followed there was no need for them to change the types of foods that they regularly ate and enjoyed.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his policy towards the acceptance by health authorities of commercial sponsorship of the publication of newsheets relating to cook-chill catering.

  Mr. Freeman
  It is a matter for health authorities to determine their use of commercial sponsorship in the publication of any news sheets that they wish to issue provided they do not contravene current health policy.

  Food

  Salmonella SP

  Clostridium Perfringens

  Staphylococcus Aureus

  Bacillus SP

  Total

  Fish

  2

  —

  —

  —

  2

  Meat

  8

  24

  1

  2

  35

  Vegetables

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Eggs

  6

  —

  1

  —

  7

  Other foods

  Chicken

  24

  5

  2

  2

  33

  Turkey

  15

  4

  1

  1

  21

  Poultry

  2

  1

  —

  —

  3

  Other mixed foods

  14

  5

  7

  15

  41

  Information is not readily available on all cases involved in these outbreaks. Provisional information on outbreaks associated with these foods in 1988 suggests that, with the exception of eggs, there was no significant
  424
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will direct Wakefield health authority to ensure that future editions of "Catering Update" relating to cook-chill catering are produced without commercial sponsorship by companies closely associated with the introduction of such catering.

  Mr. Freeman
  No. Editorial control of such publications rests with the DHA.

  Chlorofluorocarbons
  Ms. Walley
  To the Secretary of State for Health (1) what is his best estimate of the amount of chlorofluorocarbon refrigerants under the control of his Department;

  (2) what plans there are to minimise the risk of leaks of chlorofluorocarbons from refrigeration and air conditioning systems under his Department's control.

  Mr. Freeman
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Merionnydd Nant Conwy (Dr. Thomas) today.

  Residential Care
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his latest estimate of the full annual cost to local authorities of supplementing the incomes of residents of private homes whose resources, including income support, fall short of their residential fees.

  Mr. Mellor
  This information is not available centrally.

  Food Poisoning
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will break down the figures for food poisoning according to numbers and types of cases associted with(a) fish, (b) meat, (c) vegetables, (d) eggs and (e) other foods.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  [holding answer 14 February 1989]: A suspected food is identified in only a small proportion of reported outbreaks. The following table gives details of outbreaks of food poisoning reported to the public health laboratory service in 1987, where a suspected vehicle of infection and causative agent has been indentified.

  difference in the numbers reported. However in 1988 the public health laboratory service received reports of 60 outbreaks of food poisoning, involving about 1,600 people, associated with the consumption of eggs.
  425
  Mr.Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of food poisoning from salmonella enteritidis have been reported over the past 12 months, broken down by the general circumstances of kitchen hygiene, catering or domestic.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  [holding answer 14 February 1989]: Reports of food poisoning cases are not routinely broken down by general circumstances of kitchen hygiene. Reports of outbreaks give information on such contributory factors. Salmonella enteritidis phage type 4 is associated predominantly with chicken and eggs. The number of reported food poisoning outbreaks linked with eggs, but not with chicken, showed a marked increase in 1988. Information suggests that while inadequate kitchen hygiene may have been a contributory factor in some of these outbreaks it cannot account for the marked increase in the total number of egg-associated salmonellosis reported in 1988.

ENVIRONMENT

  Teenage Mothers (Council Houses)
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the provision of council accommodation to teenage mothers.

  Mr. Trippier
  The allocation of council housing to tenants is a matter for local housing authorities.

  Homeless Persons (London)
  Mr. Randall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will estimate the number of men and women who are currently of no fixed abode within Greater London.

  Mr.Trippier
  It is not possible to make a relaiable estimate.

  Water Pollution
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will recommend the use of(a) mobile pollution detectors as used by a division of Wessex water authority and (b) the new anti-pollution vessel Thames Bubbler as used by Thames water authority, to other water boards in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Moynihan
  These are both interesting developments whose operational performance will, no doubt, be carefully assessed by the individual water authorities concerned.

  After Royal Assent of the Water Bill, the National Rivers Authority will take over the water authorities' regulatory functions. I would expect it to wish to review the scope for using mobile pollution detectors and oxygenating vessels more widely.

  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the location of each intermediate variation order currently under consideration by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution to each of the water authorities.

  Mr. Howard
  Details of applications made under the Control of Pollution Act 1974, including those for 426
  time-limited variations, are held on the individual water authorities' registers. These may be inspected, free of charge, by anyone at all reasonable hours.

  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how long he expects consideration of each application for intermediate variation orders to take; and by what date he expects all those applications received by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution on or after 28 March to be processed.

  Mr. Howard
  It is not possible to say how long consideration of each application for a time-limited consent variation will take. Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution will consider applications and where applicable, grant time-limited variations as quickly as possible. The inspectorate will remain responsible for issuing discharge consents until the National Rivers Authority is established.

  Legionella (House of Commons)
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, pursuant to his answer of 21 February,Official Report, column 582, specific tests for legionella have ever been undertaken in the air conditioning system and standby generator serving the underground cm park of the House; and if he will construct a table showing the numerical result of the last bacteriological count undertaken.

  Mr. Chope
  No specific tests for legionella have been necessary following the regular bacteriological sampling counts.

  The results of the last count, taken on 16 February 1989, are shown in the table.

  Microbiological services report (Standard analyses)

  Sample details

  K Plant Tower (air conditioning system)

  Emergency generator (underground carpark)

  Aerobic Bacteria

  Klebsiella spp (Highly significant potential slime former in industrial systems)

  Bacillus spp (Spore and potential slime formers)

  Other potential slime formers (Enterobacteria, Pseudomonads, Flavobacteria etc)

  <102

  <102

  Other Aerobic bacteria

  <102

  <102

  Total Aerobic bacteria

  <102

  <102

  Anaerobic Bacteria

  Dissimilatory Sulphate-reducers (Principally Desulfovibrio but includes other corrosive SRSs)

  Not detected

  Not detected

  Total Anaerobic bacteria (Includes Clostridia, facultative anaerobes and aerotolerant strains)

  Microfungi

  Mould-like forms (Significant as potential slime formers)

  Not detected

  Not detected

  Yeast-like forms (Unicellular microfungi, less significant as slime formers)

  Not detected

  Not detected

  Total Microfungi

  Not detected

  Not detected

  Information Technology
  Mr. Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement of progress on the introduction of information technologies to facilitate internal communications in his Department and the provision of information to the public concerning those areas for which he is responsible; and if he has any further plans to apply the newest technologies in these fields.

  Mr. Ridley
  The Department of the Environment (Central) operates, in accordance with its strategic framework for using information technology, a central computer bureau which runs a number of systems covering the Department's wide-ranging activities; this is supported by an extensive communications network. In addition, the Department operates office automation systems and standardised word processing facilities designed to expedite internal communications. All these developments assist with the provision of appropriate information to the public.

  The Property Services Agency has its own information technology strategy and has embarked on a major programme of computerisation. This is being developed against the back ground of my announcement on 25 May 1988 to put PSA on to a more commercial footing, and move to a trading fund status by 1993. Procurement of hardware began in November 1988 and some computer applications are currently being trialled in PSA's southern region, which includes the group and estates offices in Bournemouth.

  The IT strategies of both parts of the Department are subject to continual refinement, monitoring and review. The newest proven technologies will continue to be applied, where they support the Department's business and policy priorities and provide value for money.

  London Docklands
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how the recently published expenditure plans for the London Docklands development corporation take into account the securing of essential social infrastructure, and the need for London Docklands development corporation to be more effective in securing this provision, identified in the National Audit Office report on urban development corporations, paragraph 2.27.

  Mr. Trippier
  The Government's expenditure plans 1989–90 to 1991–92 (Cm. 609) take full account of LDDC's priorities, which include helping to improve social infrastructure. The LDDC is constantly concerned to use the resources which can be made available to it in the most effective way.

  Sewage Disposal
  Mr. Franks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will exercise his powers to call in for public inquiry the current proposals of the North West water authority for sewage disposal in Morecambe bay.

  Mr. Moynihan
  My right hon. Friend will consider the need for an inquiry when he has considered North West water authority's applications for discharge consents under the Control of Pollution Act 1974, together with the large number of representations made to him.

  Seal Products
  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if the Government intend to support an indefinite extension of EEC directive 85/444 banning the importation of the skins of bluebacked and whitecoated seal pups and products derived there from.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, North (Ms. Walley) on 15 February 1989 at column 281.

  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will investigate allegations that blueback and whitecoat seal skins have been illegally imported into the United Kingdom in contravention of EEC directive 85/444.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Enforcement of the prohibition on commercial importation into the United Kingdom of harp and hooded seal pup skins and products stemming from directive 85/444 (EEC), is the responsibility of Customs and Excise. It has no evidence to support allegations of illegal importation, but would be prepared to consider any such evidence made available to it. No licences have been issued for imports into the United Kingdom that were contrary to the ban.

  Water Supply (Contamination)
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish immediately(a) the terms of reference and (b) the membership of the independently-led inquiry into cryptosporidia contamination in the water supply in the Oxford and Swindon areas.

  Mr. Howard
  Mr. Terry Dick, chairman of the western consumer consultative committee of the Thames Water region, will conduct the independent investigation established by Thames Water into the cryptosporidia contamination of the water supply in the Oxford and Swindon areas. Mr. Dick will be able to obtain whatever support he needs from within or outside Thames Water. The investigation has the following aims:

  (i) to describe the events which called into question the purity of the water supply;

  (ii) to review Thames Water's handling of the incident, from both the technical and customer relations standpoints; and

  (iii) to assess the effectiveness of the remedial measures taken.

  The findings of the investigation will be made public.

  Ozone Layer
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the occasion of the forthcoming international conference on "Saving the Ozone Layer" on Her Majesty's Government's policy on the use of R22 in preference to R12 in refrigeration plant; and if he will give guidance to those making immediate international decisions for refrigeration plant with a life of 10 or more years.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Government's policy on the use of CFC22 is set out in its reply to the first report from the Environment Committee (Session 1987–88 HC 270–1) on air pollution (Cm. 522).

  "Environment in Trust"
  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the cost of the "Environment in Trust" leaflets published on 1 March; how many have been printed; and what was the total cost of the hire and use of the Queen Elizabeth II conference centre on 1 March.

  Mr. Ridley
  The one-off costs of creative design and artwork for the "Environment in Trust" series of leaflets are £117,594. The initial print of 25,000 leaflets has cost £99,760. The cost of the hire and use of the accommodation at the Queen Elizabeth II conference centre for the reception on 1 March 1989 was £2,571.

  This is remarkably good value for money.

  Water (Privatisation)
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what proposals exist within the North West water authority for mounting a pre-flotation advertising campaign; what would be the budget for such a campaign; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what proposals exist within the nine water authorities other than North West water for mounting a pre-flotation advertising campaign; what would be the total budget for such campaigns; and if he will make a statement.

  Properties taken into possession in period

  Building Societies (United Kingdom)

  Local authorities (England)

  Year

  Number

  Percentage of loans at end of period

  Year

  Number

  Percentage of loans at end of period

  1979

  2,530

  0·048

  1980–81

  1,000

  0·14

  1980

  3,020

  0·056

  1981–82

  1,100

  0·16

  1981

  4,240

  0·077

  1982–83

  950

  0·14

  1982

  5,950

  0·105

  1983–84

  840

  0·13

  1983

  7,320

  0·123

  1984–85

  570

  0·10

  1984

  10,870

  0·171

  1985–86

  630

  0·13

  1985

  16,770

  0·250

  1986–87

  490

  0·12

  1986

  20,930

  0·296

  1987–88

  330

  0·10

  1987

  22,930

  0·319

  1988

  16,150

  0·216

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the annual cost to date of the publicity material promoting the right to buy council properties.

  Mr. Trippier
  Annual expenditure to draw attention of council tenants to their right to buy under the Housing Act has been as follows:

  £

  1980–81

  655,000

  1981–82

  239,000

  1982–83

  84,000

  1983–84

  —

  1984–85

  1,306,000

  1985–86

  300,000

  1986–87

  670,000

  1987–88

  25,000

  1988–89

  175,000

  1 Provisional.

  430
  Mr. Moynihan
  This is a matter for the individual water authorities and I suggest the hon. Member approaches them direct.

  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals exist within the Water Authorities Association to mount a national, centrally co-ordinated campaign before flotation; what would be the budget for such a campaign; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Moynihan
  The water authorities are currently undertaking a national corporate advertising campaign. The details are a matter for the Water Authorities Association.

  Right to Buy
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has regarding the number of repossessions of properties purchased by ex-council tenants who have exercised their right to buy.

  Mr. Trippier
  The latest information on all building society and local authority repossessions is given in the table. Information separating repossession of ex-council houses from other repossessions is not available.

  Ordnance Survey
  Mr. Bevan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about the future of Ordnance Survey.

  Mr. Ridley
  The Ordnance Survey financial targets for the four years from 1986–87 to 1989–90 which were announced on 30 October 1986 have already been met, indicating the excellent achievements made by management and staff. In acknowledgement of the commitment to full cost recovery in the longer term, I have now set new targets for Ordnance Survey:

  (1) To recover by the end of 1991–92 a minimum of 55 per cent. of the total annual cost of core activities.

  (2) To recover the total cost of Public Sector repayment work at home and overseas.

  (3) To maximise revenue on small scale and specialist products recovering not less than 110 per cent. of the total costs of that category.

  I have today approved the Ordnance Survey plan for 1989–92 based on these targets and I shall arrange for copies to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Strategic Guidance for London
  Mr. Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will publish his strategic guidance for London; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ridley
  I have today published the draft strategic guidance for consultation. Comments are invited by 26 May. I hope to publish the guidance in its final form before the summer recess.

  The draft sets out guidance on those planning matters which must be dealt with on a Londonwide basis, in order to assist the boroughs to prepare effective unitary development plans for their areas. Its aims are to facilitate development and employment; regenerate rundown areas; maintain the vitality and character of established town centres; sustain the amenity of residential districts; allow for a wide range of housing provision; and accord high priority to the environment by maintaining the green belt and metropolitan open land, and by preserving fine views, conservation areas and surrounding countryside. The draft guidance includes the number of additional dwellings for which each borough should make provision in the 1990s. The proposals take account of the advice put forward by the London planning advisory committee, with the agreement of the boroughs. The boroughs will have discretion in their UDPs to identify suitable locations for housing development and to indicate densities and parking standards so as to ensure that such development can be accommodated without detriment to the local environment.

  Copies of the draft guidance have been sent to all London MPs and placed in the Library of the House.

  Chlorofluorocarbons
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the implications for his policy on safe destruction of ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons in the United Kingdom of the decision of European Community Ministers to eliminate most chlorofluorocarbon gases by the end of the century.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Policy on the destruction of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) is not affected by last week's Environment Council resolution agreeing that production and consumption of certain CFCs should be eliminated by the end of the century.

  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what allowance he has made in his Department's budget for each of the next five years to provide for the substitution of HCFC 22 for chlorofluorocarbon refrigerants covered by the Montreal protocol; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  As refrigeration and air conditioning systems in Government premises need replacing or servicing, full advantage will be taken of the best available alternatives to the Montreal protocol CFCs. This does not require any separate budgetary provision.

  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what is his best estimate of the amount of chlorofluorocarbon refrigerants under the control of his Department.

  (2) what plans there are to minimise the risk of leaks of chlorofluorocarbons from refrigeration and air conditioning systems under his Department's control.
  432
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given today by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy (Dr. Thomas).

  Rent Assessment Officers
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what guidance is being given to rent officers in assessing eligible rent in (1) boarding accommodation and (2) supportive accommodation as a result of the changes being implemented in April of the current year.

  Mr. Trippier
  Where the rent paid by a housing benefit claimant includes an amount in respect of board, the local authority will make a deduction in respect of that amount in accordance with the housing benefit regulations before referring the rent for consideration by the rent officer. Any other services provided—including supportive services—will be identified by the local authority in its application to the rent officer. Under the draft orders now laid before Parliament the rent officer will be required to determine the value within the overall rent of any of those service items which are ineligible for housing benefit.

  Environment Council
  Mr. Andrew Hargreaves
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Environment Council on 2 March.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  My noble Friend the Minister for Housing, Environment and Countryside, represented the United Kingdom at this meeting.

  Following the initiative of the United Kingdom, the Council agreed on the need to reduce production and consumption of the CFCs controlled by the Montreal protocol by at least 85 per cent. as soon as possible with a view to phasing them out by the end of the century, and to strengthen the protocol accordingly. This represents substantial and welcome progress since the Environment Council 24 November. The agreement gave a clear signal to this week's "Saving the ozone layer" conference and to the first meeting of the parties to the protocol in Helsinki in May. It puts the European Community firmly in the lead in trying to convince the rest of the world that tougher international measures are needed.

  I am pleased to report that the Council reached agreement on the municipal waste incineration directive, which sets sensible but appropriately rigorous standards for new municipal waste incinerators in line with the regime likely to be imposed for domestic reasons by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution when they come under its control at the end of March under regulations to be laid before the House within the next few days.

  The Council had a further useful discussion of the proposal for a directive on the contained use of genetically modified micro-organisms. A considerable number of points were resolved, and the proposal was referred back for further consideration of remaining issues.

  A proposal to introduce controls over discharges of four dangerous substances to waste was also discussed.

  The Council gave preliminary consideration to proposed technical amendments to the air quality directive on smoke and sulphur dioxide emission which do not affect the United Kingdom.
  433
  The Commission noted progress on the global transfrontier shipment of hazardous waste convention which is currently under negotiation under the auspices of the United Nations environment programme.

  A preliminary exchange of views took place on a communication from the Commission on measures to improve the conservation of the African elephant.

  Ministers also discussed the conference to be held in The Hague on 11 March and agreed a declaration stating that any member state attending the conference would not be asked to enter into international commitments liable to affect the environment policy of the Community as a whole.

  Civil Servants (Political Activity)
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many staff within his Department in the category "intermediate", as defined by the Civil Service pay and conditions code, have permission to engage in local or national political activity.

  Mr. Ridley
  [holding answer 27 February 1989]: My Department operates a block permission scheme related to the types of work on which staff are engaged. The number of staff employed in these areas varies over time. In November 1987, a total of 11,801 posts in the PSA and 1,165 in DOE (Central) were covered by permissions. More recent figures are not available.

  Thames Water Authority
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will place in the Library copies of(a) the report on water quality and (b) the operational response of the Thames water authority referred to in "Thames Water Board News" of 16 September 1988.

  Mr. Moynihan
  [holding answer 2 March 1989]: No. I understand that the documents are internal papers of the Thames water authority which were submitted to the authority's board meeting in September 1988.

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how Thames water authority has performed over the last eight quarters in relation to its potable water quality targets;

  (2) if he will make a statement relating to the quarter ended 30 June 1988 and for subsequent quarters on the performance of the Thames water authority in relation to (a) the European Community directive on quality of water intended for human consumption, (b) his Department's report 71 on the bacteriological examination of drinking water supplied and (c) World Health Organisation guidelines for drinking water.

  Mr. Moynihan
  [holding answer 2 March 1989]: I am making inquiries of the Thames water authority and will write to the hon. Member shortly on these two questions.

  Water Meters
  Mr. Churchill
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has made of(a) the average cost per household, and (b) the overall cost in England and Wales of installing individual water meters in each dwelling; to what extent this is to be at the charge of (a) the Exchequer and (b) the consumer; and what
  434
  estimate he has made of the cost to public funds of meter installations where the householder is in receipt of income support.

  Mr. Moynihan
  [holding answer 3 March 1989]: As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State said in a reply 1:0 my hon. Friend the Member for Derby, North (Mr. Knight) on 20 February at column 495, it will be some time before the metering trials provide reliable estimates of the average cost of installing meters on a wide scale. This will depend on a number of factors including the extent of complex plumbing, the number of common supply pipes, the siting of meters and the type of meter technology used.

  Where a water undertaker decides to introduce compulsory metering of existing properties, the cost of installing meters will be met by the water undertaker and recovered, in so far as they are reasonable, through charges to its customers as a whole. The amount of costs which they will be able to recover in this way will be subject to an average cash ceiling per installation set by the director general. There will be no charge on public funds.

  Bathing (Warnings)
  Mr. Churchill
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will require local authorities to fly red flags, or similar clear warnings of danger to be displayed, along all beaches where bathing may be hazardous to health, according to information available to him through the European Community or his own Department

  Mr. Moynihan
  [holding answer 3 March 1989]: A total of 67 per cent. of our bathing waters now meet the standards of the EC bathing water directive and water authorities are developing improvement programmes for the remaining waters. However, failure of a bathing water to meet these standards does not mean there is a serious health hazard. This would only arise in exceptional circumstances and it would then be for local environmental health officers to advice on appropriate action, including the provision of health warnings.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Agricultural Development and Advisory Service
  Mr. Ashton
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement on proposals for the privatisation of the Agricultural Development and Advisory Service research and development.

  Mr. Ryder
  I have no plans for the privatisation of the research and development service of ADAS.

  Bees
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will expand the use of the set-aside scheme so as to assist the bee industry by returning fallow land to a flower-rich environment by seeding with nectar and pollen-bearing plants.

  Mr. Ryder
  Land left fallow under the scheme must be kept in good agricultural condition. The detailed management rules forbid the use of insecticides and fungicides and require the establishment of a green cover crop (such as clover, which is particularly attractive to
  435
  bees). Farmers may sow conservation or wildflower mixes and are advised to consider doing so in the scheme literature. There is thus already ample opportunity under the scheme for the creation of set-aside land of conditions attractive to bees and other wildlife.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his estimate of the monetary value to agriculture of British bees as pollinators.

  Mr. Ryder
  We recognise that honey bees play a significant role in pollinating some major agricultural and horticultural crops, but is it not possible to put a monetary value on this because of other factors involved.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what his Department is doing to prevent the starvation of bees in the summer months in areas of intensive farming where pasture, woods and hedgerows have been eliminated as a source of nectar.

  Mr. Ryder
  Feeding of bees and similar matters of bee management are for individual beekeepers who can seek advice if necessary from the bee unit of the Agricultural Development and Advisory Service.

  ADAS advice on conservation matters is generally freely available, and when giving commercial advice to farmers, advisers seek to achieve a reasonable balance between the interests of agriculture and conservation considerations. My Department also provides grant aid towards the cost of new hedge planting and farm woodlands.

  Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Torridge and Devon, West (Miss Nicholson) of 27 February, what is the cost of his new programme of research and development into bovine spongiform encephalopathy; and how this programme is being funded.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  Decisions will be taken in relation to possible new areas of research into bovine spongiform encephalopathy in the light of advice received from the newly established research consultative committee.

  Hedgerows
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many miles of hedgerows have been replanted in the northern region in the last three years; and at what cost in grants.

  Mr. Ryder
  I regret that figures relating purely to hedge replanting are not available. Neither do we have details of hedge planting carried out without grant aid. Grant paid between October 1985 and September 1988 in the Ministry's northern region under the agriculture improvement scheme for hedge planting, hedge laying and associated gates and stiles amounted to £407,494 on eligible expenditure of £911,685. This broadly equates to 275 miles of hedge planting.

  Beef Premium
  Sir. John Farr
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether the beef special premium, due 436
  to replace the beef variable premium from 3 April, will be payable direct and in full to those engaged in finishing beef in the traditional manner.

  Mr. MacGregor
  The Community special premium for beef is payable to beef producers on up to 90 head of male animals per year at a rate of £28·42 per head. The detailed Community regulations implementing the decisions of the January Agriculture Council are currently being finalised. As we are required to apply the new scheme by 3 April, I have concluded in consultation with the Secretaries of State for Wales and Scotland that we should, at least in the first instance, make use in Great Britain of the option to apply the premium when cattle are sold at live markets for slaughter and at slaughterhouses, as we already have an administrative system for that in place. This will enable those finishing beef to continue to sell cattle through live markets and slaughterhouses and to receive the new premium at a similar marketing stage to the old variable premium.

  Farming and trade interests would, I know, see advantage in applying the premium on farm. I shall review in consultation with the Secretaries of State for Wales and for Scotland the practicability and cost-effectiveness of moving in due course to an on-farm basis. A separate announcement will be made shortly about the arrangements to apply in Northern Ireland.

  Sir John Farr
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how he expects the new beef special premium, due to come in on 3 April to replace the present beef variable premium will apply to the first 90 male animals in a herd only, compared with the present payment on all graded animals regardless of sex, to affect the specialist beef finisher; and to what extent he expects the smaller finisher in the traditional manner will lose premium.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  As my right hon. Friend explained in his reply to my hon. Friend today the new special premium is to be paid at the same marketing stage as the old variable premium. The rate of payment is £28·42 per head on male animals up to 90 head per producer. The old variable premium varies according to market circumstances and the weight of the beast with a typical value range of about £40 to £54 per beast. With a fixed rate for the new premium, beef finishers will be able to take it more predictably into account in their planning. They will also know that the quality standard which matters is not the certification standard imposed by scheme rules, but the demands which are imposed by market needs. I believe that beef finishers will find that the new premium will enable them to concentrate more on meeting the quality demands of the market. Finishers marketing less than 90 head of male animals per year will be able to claim the new premium on all of them and the payments they receive may well be higher than they would have received at times when the variable premium was paid at less than the maximum rate.

  Animal Research
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what response he is giving to the representations of the Animal Diseases Research Association regarding the need to continue funding research programmes into euzootic abortion, cryptosporidiosis listeriosis and toxoplasmosis.
  437
  Mr. Donald Thompson
  A letter on this subject from the Animal Diseases Research Association was received in my Department on 2 March and is receiving careful attention.

  Salmonella
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will itemise which of the 17 measures he has announced to counter salmonella in poultry since December 1988 require(a) new primary legislation and (b) new secondary legislation before becoming operative;

  (2) when he intends to introduce (a) secondary or (b) primary legislation for each of the 17 measures he has announced to control salmonella.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to him on Friday 3 March at columns 373–74.

  Salmon
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make representations to the Republic of Ireland about the threat to salmon stocks caused by Irish fishermen in international waters; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  The Minister of State at the Scottish Office and I had informal discussions with our opposite number from the Irish Republic. The United Kingdom fisheries Departments regularly monitor the effects of the Irish salmon fishery and the relevant enforcement bodies of our respective countries, along with those of Northern Ireland, will continue to work in close co-operation against any illegal fishing for salmon.

  Bovine Somatotropin
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will place in the Library the text of the advice given by the Veterinary Products Committee to his Department on an application by Monsanto to produce the genetically-engineered hormone bovine somatotropin to boost milk production in cows.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  No. The advice on individual applications which the committee gives from time to time is confidential under the terms of the Medicines Act.

  Chlorofluorocarbons
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what is his best estimate of the amount of chlorofluorocarbon refrigerants under the control of his Department;

  (2) what plans there are to minimise the risk of leaks of chlorofluorocarbons from refrigeration and air conditioning systems under his Department's control.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy (Dr. Thomas) today.

  Vine Stocks (Fungus)
  Sir David Price
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what effect the spread of the eutypiose 438
  fungus upon vine stocks is expected to have upon wine production in the European Community; and what steps are being proposed to contain the spread.

  Mr. Ryder
  [holding answer 2 March 1989]: Eutypa lata has been fairly widely distributed in the traditional wine producing countries for many years. I am not aware of any proposals from the European Commission specifically concerned with its treatment or containment. There have been no confirmed cases in which it has been identified in this country but ADAS horticultural advisers and plant pathologists have been alerted since 1987 to watch for possible signs of the disease.

  Agriculture and the Environment
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, whether he will give details of the work which will be undertaken by the Agricultural and Food Research Council in its £5·4 million plan for co-operative research on agriculture and the environment.

  Mr. Jackson
  I have been asked to reply.

  The AFRC, in conjunction with Economic and Social Research Council and Natural Environment Research Council, will shortly start a programme of research on agriculture and the environment. Funds are divided equally between the three research councils. The AFRC will take the lead in supporting work on herbivore/plant interactions and vegetation dynamics.

  Collaborative Research
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will give details of the work which will be undertaken by the Agricultural and Food Research Council under its £3 million plan to expand its LINK scheme for collaborative research with the Department of Trade and Industry.

  Mr. Jackson
  I have been asked to reply.

  The AFRC will be co-sponsoring the control of plant metabolism and protein engineering programmes. It is also considering co-sponsoring the eukaryotic genetics., molecular recognition, molecular sensors and food sciences programmes.

  Institute for Animal Health
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will give details of the work to be undertaken by the Agricultural and Food Research Council in its £11 million plan to restructure the Institute for Animal Health; and over what period such work will) be carried out.

  Mr. Jackson
  I have been asked to reply.

  Plans are well advanced for the first phase of the restructuring of the AFRC's institute of animal health on. to two sites. This will involve the relocation of poultry disease research from the Houghton laboratory to the Compton laboratory, requiring the provision of new poultry housing for experimental and production flocks as well as new laboratory accommodation for scientific staff. It is expected that this work will be completed within the next three years. Plans are also being made for the refurbishment of the Pirbright laboratory.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Chlorofluorocarbons
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what is his best estimate of the amount of chlorofluorocarbon refrigerants under the control of his Department;

  (2) what plans there are to minimise the risk of leaks of chlorofluorocarbons from refrigeration and air conditioning systems under his Department's control.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Merionnydd Nant Conwy (Dr. Thomas) today.

  Discrimination
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether, in his consideration of legislative proposals to deal with discrimination in Northern Ireland, attention was given to problems of discrimination on grounds of age, disability or ethnicity; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Viggers
  [holding answer 3 March 1989]: The Government's consultative paper on equality of opportunity in employment in Northern Ireland considered whether combined legislative and other measures should be taken on discrimination on grounds of religion, sex and disability. In the light of responses received, however, the Government decided that legislative action should concentrate on religious equality of opportunity.

  DNA Profiling
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what information he has on published 440
  research on the possibility of obtaining sufficient DNA for DNA profiling by mouth swabs by rubbing the area between lip and gum with a bud of cotton wool without recourse to taking scrapes from the inside of the buccal cavity, or using the polymcrase chain reaction test.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  [holding answer 21 February 1989]: I am not aware of any published research which specifically addresses the point raised by the hon. Member, although I understand that the application of the technique of DNA profiling to mouth swabs generally has been mentioned in a number of publications.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the research by scientists from the Northern Ireland forensic science laboratory on DNA profiling by mouth swabs will be published; in which scientific journal it is expected to appear; and if he will make it his policy to subject the papers to peer review prior to publication.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  [holding answer 21 February 1989]: I understand that it is at present too early to say when a report of the results of work done by the laboratory on DNA profiling of material from mouth swabs will be available for publication. Nor has any decision been taken as to the scientific journal to which this report may be offered. Whether or not the report is subject to peer review will be for decision in the light of the policy of the particular journal in which it is published.

  Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
  Mr. McCusker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many cases of bovine spongiform encephalopathy have been confirmed in cattle in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Viggers
  Ten cases to 28 February 1989.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Transitional Protection
  Dr. Moonie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people have lost transitional protection at the most recent date.

  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people have lost transitional protection at the most recent date.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I refer the hon. Members to my reply to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Rutherglen (Mr. McAvoy) earlier today.

  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many claimants were awarded a transitional addition in April 1988 and how many of these as a result will receive this April(a) reduced uprating, and (b) no uprating.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Precise information is not available. An estimated 1·4 million claimants were awarded transitional additions in April 1988. It is further estimated that 3¼ million claimants will receive their full increase at this year's uprating; approximately 610,000 will receive a partial uprating and 570,000 no increase.

  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security in respect of each Department of Social Security region how many claimants were awarded a transitional addition in April 1988, and how many of these as a result will receive this April(a) reduced uprating, and (b) no uprating.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The information is not available.

  Pensions
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners receive less than the full pension unprating in April 1989 due to having current protected transitional income support payments.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Precise information is not available, but we estimate that of the 1·7 million pensioners on income support 1·2 million will receive the full increase and 0·3 million a partial increase.

  Mr. Eastham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security at what level the basic old-age pension would now stand if it had been uprated in line with earnings since 1979.

  Mr. Scott
  Based on annual upratings in line with earnings, the current weekly value of the basic retirement pension would be £48·80 for a single pensioner and £78·15 for a pensioner couple. The key indicator of the priority that this Government give to pensioners' income is the 23 per cent. real-terms increase in pensioners' average total net income during our first seven years in office.

  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the level of basic pensions in April 1989 for single persons and couples had they been uprated in line with earnings since 1980.

  Mr. Scott
  Based on annual upratings in line with earnings since 1980, the level of basic retirement pension in April 1989 would be £53·20 for a single pensioner, and £85·20 for a pensioner couple.
  442
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security at what level the basic old-age pension would now stand if it had been uprated in line with earnings since 1979.

  Mr. Scott
  The information requested is as follows:

  Value of retirement pension if increased in line with average earnings since 1979

  Uprating dates

  Single

  Couple

  £

  £

  November 1979

  23·20

  37·15

  November 1980

  27·35

  43·80

  November 1981

  30·50

  48·85

  November 1982

  33·05

  52·90

  November 1983

  35·95

  57·50

  November 1984

  37·75

  60·40

  November 1985

  41·05

  65·70

  July 1986

  43·35

  69·40

  April 1987

  45·25

  72·45

  April 1988

  48·80

  78·15

  April 1989

  53·00

  84·85

  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish a table showing the current level of retirement pension for a single pensioner and a pensioner couple if uprated by prices or earnings, whichever was the higher, each year since 1980.

  Mr. Scott
  [pursuant to his reply, 22 February 1989, e. 682]: I regret that the figures provided have been found to contain an error. The figures assume that the upratings which took effect from November 1983 and November 1984 were based on the increase in prices or average earnings over the periods November 1982 to November 1983, and November 1983 to November 1984.. The increases should have been measured over the 12 months to May in each case.

  The amended figures are as follows:

  Up-rating Dates

  Value of Retirement Pension if increased in line with the higher prices or average earnings

  Single

  Couple

  £

  £

  November 1980

  27·45

  44·00

  November 1981

  30·75

  49·30

  November 1982

  33·30

  53·40

  November 1983

  36·20

  58·05

  November 1984

  38·05

  61·00

  November 1985

  41·40

  66·35

  July 1986

  43·70

  70·05

  April 1987

  45·60

  73·15

  April 1988

  49·20

  78·95

  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security at what level the basic old-age pension would now stand if it had been uprated in line with earnings since 1979.

  Mr. Scott
  [pursuant to his reply, 23 February 1989, c. 758]: I regret that the figures provided have been found to contain an error. The figures assume that the upratings which took effect from November 1983 and November 1984 were based on the increase in average earnings over the periods November 1982 to November 1983, and November 1983 to November 1984. The increase should have been measured over the 12 months to May in each case.

  The information requested, with the amended figures, is as follows:
  443
  Based on annual upratings in line with earnings since 1979, the current weekly value of basic retirement pension would be £48·80 for a single pensioner, and £78·15 for a pensioner couple.

  Elderly People
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of the social security budget is spent on the elderly.

  Mr. Moore
  I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Beverley (Mr. Cran) earlier today.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on his Department's spending plans on support for the elderly as outlined in "The Government's Expenditure Plans 1989–92" White Paper Cm 615.

  Mr. Scott
  Spending on benefits for the elderly continues to increase, and is planned to rise to nearly £28 billion in 1991–92.

  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much of the social security budget is spent on the elderly.

  Mr. Favell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the level of public expenditure on the elderly is now; and what it was in 1978–79.

  Mr. Scott
  I refer my hon. Friends to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Lancashire, West (Mr. Hind) on 2 March at column 323.

  Computerisation
  Mr. Kirkhope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when computerisation of the social security system will start to provide savings in administration costs.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The operational strategy—the Department's programme to computerise social security administration—is already producing some small savings in administration. These are expected to rise to £150 million per annum by 1995.

  Mr. Wyn Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the latest figures on the anticipated cost and savings of his Department's computerisation programme.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Members for Roxburgh and Berwickshire (Mr. Kirkwood and for Livingston (Mr. Cook) on 5 December 1988 at column 61.

  Public Expenditure
  Mr. Riddick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of public expenditure is taken up by his Department.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Maidstone (Miss Widdecombe) earlier today.

  Social Fund
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security why applications for loans from the social fund are being turned down.
  444
  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  To the end of January 1989, 61 per cent. of applications for budgeting loans and 90 per cent. for crisis loans were successful.

  My hon. Friend will no doubt be pleased to note that over 6,000 loan applications were refused because social fund officers awarded non-repayable grants instead. This is further evidence that social fund officers are properly considering whether individual needs can instead be met by a community care grant. This presents a rather different picture from that which opponents of the social fund would have us believe.

  I have set out in the table details of the full reasons for refusal.

  Reason for refusal as percentage of total applications processed

  (11 April 1988—31 January 1989)

  Reasons for Refusal

  Budgeting loans

  Crisis loans

  Per cent.

  Per cent.

  Savings over £500 sufficient to meet cost

  0·10

  0·01

  Not in receipt of IS

  4·29

  —

  Not in receipt of IS for 26 weeks

  11·71

  —

  Excluded items

  3·33

  0·35

  Excluded persons

  0·08

  0·08

  Amount less than £30, not travelling expenses

  1·06

  —

  Adjusted amount less than £30, not travelling expenses

  0·36

  —

  Total debt of £1,000

  0·02

  —

  Previous application and SFO decision for this item

  1·63

  0·36

  No serious damage or risk to health or safety

  —

  5·95

  Inability to repay

  1·32

  0·76

  Help available from another source

  0·30

  1·34

  Insufficient priority

  11·88

  0·22

  Suitable alternative available

  0·26

  0·43

  Loan refused—CCG awarded

  1·02

  0·03

  Other

  2·30

  1·50

  Notes:

  IS—Income Support

  SFO—Social Fund Officer

  SF—Social Fund

  CCG—Community Care Grant

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what has been the cost of loans from the social fund in Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Questions of expenditure from the social fund in respect of Northern Ireland are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

  Social fund gross expenditure to the end of January 1989 in respect of loans for offices in Great Britain is as follows:

  £ million

  Scotland

  19·0

  England

  70·0

  Wales

  8·5

  Mr. Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he has made of the correlation between the level of applications for support from the social fund and the percentage disposal of social fund total budgets from his Department's offices; and if he will make a statement.
  445
  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  We are closely monitoring the operation of the social fund. Information for each local office relating to the numbers and financial values of applications processed and awards made and the budgets remaining at the end of each month is placed in the Library at monthly intervals. A note explaining the basis on which the 1988–89 allocations were made is also in the Library.

  Spending Plans
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on his Department's spending plans as outlined in "The Government's Expenditure Plans 1989–92", Cm. 615.

  Mr. Scott
  We plan to increase spending on social security from £47·6 billion in 1988–89 to £51 billion in 1989–90, rising to almost £60 billion in 1991–92. This programme is by far the largest in Government, accounting for over 30 per cent. of the total.

  The plans imply a growth rate in spending on benefits of over 2 per cent. each year above the assumed increase in prices. This is on top of the 33 per cent. real terms increase in expenditure on social security which has taken place since 1978–79. The plans also take account of the continuing fall in unemployment, which more than accounts for the £900 million fall in expenditure this year, compared with previous plans, and which saves over £1·5 billion in each of the next three years. This has enabled us to keep the planning total for 1988–89 much the same as in previous plans despite plans to spend more on other parts of the programme, in particular on benefits for the long-term sick and disabled, where spending has already increased by over 90 per cent. in real terms since we took office in 1979.

  The extra package of help for poorer pensioners which we announced on 24 November last year is additional to the programme described in the White Paper. This adds almost £100 million to the totals in 1989–90 and £200 million a year thereafter.

  It is thanks to the growth in the economy and to the success of our economic policies that the country is able to afford the massive resources devoted to social security spending which are detailed in the White Paper.

  Family Support
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security by how much expenditure on support for the family has increased since 1978–79.

  Mr. Dunn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the level of public expenditure on support for the family now; and what it was in 1978–79.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  From 1974–75 to 1978–79, support for families, excluding extra help needed because unemployment was rising, fell by 7 per cent. in real terms. Under this Government, family support has risen by 27·3 per cent.—again in real terms. Expressed in 1988–89 values this means that between 1974–75 and 1978–79, family support fell by £500 million from £7,250 million to £6,740 million and then rose by £1,840 million to £8,580 million in 1988–89.

  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what support is provided in the United Kingdom and in other European Community countries for families with children.
  446
  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I refer my hon. Friend to the Department's publication "Tables of Social Benefit Systems in the European Communities (Position at 1January 1988)", a copy of which is in the Library.

  Income Support
  Mr. Allen McKay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security in how many cases, of which he ha; knowledge, those aged 16 and 17 years have ceased to receive income support without taking up a job or employment training at the most recent date.

  Mr. Scott
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Members for Kilmarnock and Loudoun (Mr. McKelvey) and for Paisley, North (Mr. Adams) earlier today.

  Mr. Dykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he has any plans to seek to improve the level o public comprehension of the income support system.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  There are already a number of indications that the public are finding the new income support scheme much simpler to understand. However, we are continuing to monitor and we will seek to take action to improve comprehension should it become necessary.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will give the number of income support recipients among(a) pensioners, (b) unemployed (c) long-term sick or people with disabilities and (d) single parents who will receive no increase in their benefits, due to still getting transitional addition payments, in each year from 1989–90 to 1999–2000, and beyond.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Precise information is not available. Estimated numbers derived from the technical annex to the White Paper "Reform of Social Security" (Cmnd. 9691) for 1989–90 and 1990–91 are in the table. No estimates are available beyond these dates; the numbers involved are expected to be tiny.

  1989–90

  1990–91

  Pensioners

  200,000

  50,000

  Unemployed

  210,000

  70,000

  Long-term sick or disabled

  10,000

  10,000

  Lone Parents

  40,000

  10,000

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will give the latest figures for the number of income support recipients awarded transitional additions for 1988–89 and the number who will still be receiving transitional additions in 1989–90.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Precise information is not available. It is estimated that around 1·4 million claimants were awarded income support transitional additions in April 1988, and that some 600,000 will continue to receive them following the April 1989 uprating.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will provide a breakdown of the number of transitional addition payments for 1989–90 by Department of Social Security region, and for Greater London.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Statistics on income support transitional protection are obtained through the annual statistical inquiries which follow uprating exercises and are
  447
  based on an examination of 1 per cent. of cases in receipt of benefit. The 1989 inquiry will be held in May and the information from this is necessarily not yet available.

  Information on housing benefit transitional payments will become available later this year, but this will be on the basis of local authority areas and not social security regions.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will indicate the number of claimants in receipt of income support for each of the following categories (1) unemployed claimants, (2) claimants not required to register for work, (3) pensioners and (4) young people aged 16 to 18 years; and if he will indicate the number of claimants in receipt of each premium within each of the above categories.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The latest available information is as follows:

  1. 1,559,000

  2. 1,186,000

  3. 1,671,000

  4. 137,000 (estimated figures for age 16 to 18 inclusive).

  Number of claimants receiving Supplementary Benefit or Income Support: 1979 to 1988

  Thousands

  Social Security Region

  1 1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  2 1988

  North Eastern

  475

  530

  636

  717

  735

  780

  789

  809

  793

  694

  London North

  466

  520

  627

  706

  734

  779

  791

  812

  803

  655

  London South

  432

  471

  548

  623

  645

  683

  699

  722

  703

  574

  Wales and South Western

  395

  427

  500

  560

  574

  617

  625

  637

  618

  532

  Midlands

  457

  520

  648

  747

  777

  819

  825

  848

  826

  694

  North Western

  450

  496

  594

  674

  697

  735

  744

  765

  753

  671

  Scotland

  294

  320

  385

  439

  461

  492

  501

  549

  548

  498

  TOTAL

  2,969

  3,284

  3,938

  4,466

  4,623

  4,905

  4,974

  5,142

  5,044

  4,318

  INDEX (using 1982 as the base year)

  66

  73

  88

  100

  103

  110

  111

  115

  113

  97

  1 Figures quoted for 1979 to 1981 are reworked data.

  2 Figures for 1988 are provisional and subject to amendment.

  Sources: November/December Quarterly Count of cases in action, which include a number of cases where benefit payment has ceased but other action is continuing. The data from the Annual Statistical Inquiry used in the reply on 1 February cannot be reworked in the way requested.

  Families (Policies)
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he intends to bring forward policies of social security designed to strengthen the family unit; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  One of the major objectives of the social security reforms introduced last April has been to focus additional help on families with children. We are continually looking at the social security system to ensure that benefits meet the genuine needs of families and do not harm the people they are trying to help by creating disincentives to independence.

  Single Parent Families
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, if he will make a statement on the disregard rules for single-parent families.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  To help those lone parents who choose to work, £15 of a lone parent's net weekly earnings is disregarded in calculating their entitlement to income support and housing benefit. Under family credit lone parents are entitled to the same credit as couples and their
  448
  I regret that information about the number of claimants in receipt of each premium within specified categories is not yet available.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his latest figure for the full annual amount paid in income support to residents of private residential homes within the Wakefield metropolitan district.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I regret that the information requested is not routinely collected and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne, Central,Official Report, 1 February, column 293, he will (a) rework the data for 1979, 1980, 1981 in terms of 1982 regions, (b) present a table showing claimants in each 1982 social security region from 1979 to 1988, provisional taking 1982 as the base year.

  Mr Peter Lloyd
  [holding answer 14 February 1989]: The information is as follows:

  one-parent benefit is wholly disregarded. We shall continue to monitor the benefit system and the incentives and disincentives to independence that it provides.

  Residential Homes
  Mr. Anthony Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he plans to review his Department's proposal for residents of those homes for the elderly, presently not requiring registration under the Registered Homes Act 1984.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  We have no plans to change benefit rules for elderly people in such residential care and nursing homes.

  Young People
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on his Department's spending plan on support for young people outlined in "The Government's Expenditure Plans 1989–92" White Paper, Cm 615.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Young people who have left school and are under 18 do not normally have title to social
  449
  security benefits in their own right. As the White Paper explains in paragraph 38, income support was withdrawn from this age group in September 1988, except for certain restricted categories. These include young people unable to take up a place on a youth training scheme (for example, lone parents) or, for a short period, young people not working, but seeking a youth training scheme place, who either have no home, or are unable to live there, or who would unavoidably be in severe hardship if income support were not paid. We expect the benefit expenditure on these groups to be quite small.

  Heating Allowances
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what has been the regional distribution of heating allowances in percentage terms in each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The table gives the information requested on supplementary benefit heating additions for the last three years for which information is available. These additions do not form part of the income support scheme which replaced supplementary benefit on 11 April 1988.

  Region

  1984

  1986

  1987

  North Eastern

  16·91

  16·54

  16·53

  Midlands

  17·05

  16·95

  17·12

  North Western

  14·72

  14·51

  14·92

  London North

  15·89

  16·14

  15·49

  London South

  12·90

  13·38

  12·62

  Scotland

  9·93

  10·02

  11·02

  Wales and South West

  12·60

  12·46

  12·30

  Great Britain

  100·00

  100·00

  100·00

  Source: Annual Statistical Enquiries. The information was not collected in 1985.

  Board and Lodging Payments
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the planned changes in board and lodging payments, paid to those in adult placement schemes.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I refer the hon. and learned Member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Bournemouth, East (Mr. Atkinson) on 20 February at column 475.

  Maintenance Payments
  Mr. McCrindle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he has received any recent representations on the need to increase the number of fathers making maintenance payments in respect of their children.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The Department receives representations on this issue from time to time from individuals and organisations, including the National Council for One Parent Families. The Government are naturally concerned that for three quarters of the lone parent families receiving income support the absent husbands and fathers who should be helping to support them pay no maintenance at all.

  Pensioners
  Mr. Andrew Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many retirement pensioners (i) aged 450
  65 to 70 years and (ii) aged 80 years and over both receive income from an occupational pension and receive housing benefit.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Latest information shows that in 1986 approximately 440,000 pensioner tax units1 where the head was aged 65 to 70 were in receipt of income from an occupational pension and received either a rent or rate rebate or rent allowance. The relevant figure for pensioner tax units where the head was aged 80 or over was about 220,000.

  Source: Family Expenditure Survey 1986.
  1A pensioner tax unit is either a single person of state pension age or over, or a couple where the man is of state pension age or over.

  Mr. McCrindle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners have an income in excess of £125 per week; what percentage they represent of all pensioners; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  [holding answer 21 February 1989]: In 1986, the latest year for which figures are available, about 1·25 million (19 per cent.) pensioner tax units' had gross incomes in excess of £125 a week.
  1A pensioner tax unit is either a single person of state pension age or over, or a couple where the man is of state pension age or over.

  Source: 1986 Family Expenditure Survey.

  Mr. Andrew Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would have been the level of the retirement pension for(a) a single person and (b) a married couple in each year from 1979 to 1989 had upratings in each year been in line with increases in the retail price index or with earnings whichever was higher in each year.

  Mr. Scott
  The information requested is as follows:

  Value of retirement pension if increased in line with prices or earnings

  Uprating dates

  Single

  Couple

  £

  £

  November 1979

  23·20

  37·15

  November 1980

  27·35

  43·80

  November 1981

  30·65

  49·05

  November 1982

  33·20

  53·10

  November 1983

  36·10

  57·70

  November 1984

  37·95

  60·65

  November 1985

  41·30

  66·00

  July 1986

  43·60

  69·70

  April 1987

  45·50

  72·75

  April 1988

  49·10

  78·50

  April 1989

  53·30

  85·25

  Pension Ages
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations he has received seeking equalisation of state pension ages; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  We received a total of 363 representations between 10 February 1988 and 7 February 1989. The Government are fully committed to the principle of equal treatment for men and women. Equalisation of state pension age involves the consideration of a number of important issues, including long-term
  451
  demographic and economic trends. Proposals for equalisation of pension age continue to be under consideration.

  Attendance Allowance
  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he will now take steps to increase attendance allowance.

  Mr. Scott
  We have no plans to increase attendance allowance except in line with the movement in prices.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what information he has regarding the numbers of families in Cornwall in receipt of attendance allowance prior to 6 April 1987 who will be expected to repay benefit under the Social Security Act 1986; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what information he has regarding the levels of repayments being required from families in Cornwall for overpayment of the attendance allowance prior to 6 April 1987; what is the minimum sum of repayment requested; and what is the maximum.

  Mr. Scott
  I regret that the requested information is not available.

  Information Technology
  Mr. Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement of progress on the introduction of information technologies to facilitate internal communications in his Department and the provision of information to the public concerning those areas for which he is responsible; and if he has any further plans to apply the newest technologies in these fields.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The Department already uses information technology extensively to improve service to the public, to improve efficiency and to enhance the working conditions for staff, and the major programmes of information technology which are now under way will further improve the Department's operations. The computerised benefit systems being developed under the operational strategy will enable clients to obtain information regarding their claims more quickly, while computer printouts will provide clear explanations of how the benefit is calculated, and of entitlement. Progress is also being made on improving communications by upgrading the telephone systems, the widespread use of facsimile machines and the increasing use of new telecommunications devices, such as electronic mail, throughout the organisation.

  Supplementary Benefit Live Load

  (1)

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  E

  2,073

  3,280

  4,245

  4,701

  4,923

  5,246

  6,650

  7,000

  Edinburgh City ILO

  A

  1,290

  1,377

  1,664

  1,877

  2,130

  2,408

  2,544

  2,800

  P

  2,361

  2,368

  2,341

  2,193

  2,254

  2,228

  2,230

  2,271

  E

  2,169

  3,434

  4,074

  4,254

  4,018

  4,026

  4,354

  4,373

  Edinburgh East ILO

  A

  1,950

  2,127

  2,270

  2,609

  2,896

  3,153

  3,414

  3,832

  P

  2,717

  2,866

  2,921

  2,629

  2,962

  3,013

  3,176

  3,490

  E

  1,998

  3,205

  3,552

  3,499

  3,886

  4,255

  4,902

  5,188

  Edinburgh North ILO

  A

  1,263

  1,385

  1,750

  1,932

  2,223

  2,392

  2,649

  3,223

  P

  2,654

  2,672

  2,689

  2,482

  2,553

  2,403

  2,465

  2,636

  E

  1,806

  3,057

  3,789

  4,301

  4,332

  4,398

  4,659

  4,819

  Edinburgh South ILO

  A

  1,533

  1,641

  1,992

  2,477

  2,688

  2,955

  3,170

  3,340

  Overpayment
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations he has received regarding the bringing into force of section 53 of the Social Security Act 1986 by the Social Security Act 1986 (Commencement No. 4) Order 1986 (S.I., 1986, No. 1959) and its effect on claimants who used due care and diligence to avoid overpayment as specified in section 119(2) of the Social Security Act 1975 prior to the Social Security Act 1986; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  None. The provision was brought into force from 6 April 1987 by the Social Security (Payments on Account, Overpayments and Recovery) Regulations 1987 (S.I., 1987, No. 491). On or after that date all decisions made by the independent adjudicating authorities on whether an overpayment of benefit is recoverable have been subject to a common test of misrepresentation or failure to disclose a material fact.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what advice local social security offices have received from his Department regarding the retrospective application of section 52 of the Social Security Act 1986; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  I assume that the hon. Member intended to refer to section 53 of the Social Security Act 1986. Section 53 has no retrospective effect. It applies only to decisions on overpayments made by the independent adjudicating authorities on or after 6 April 1987, the date on which the Social Security (Payment on Account, Overpayments and Recovery) Regulations 1987 (S.I., 1987, No. 491) came into force.

  All decisions on whether overpayments should be recoverable are made by the independent adjudicating authorities. Guidance to adjudication officers is contained in the "Adjudication Officer's Guide" which is published by HMSO and a copy is in the Library.

  Supplementary Benefit
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will provide the live load figures of supplementary benefit for each of the following categories (1) unemployed claimants (E load), (2) claimants not required to register for work (A load) and (3) pensioners for each of the six local offices in Lothian region for the years April 1980 to April 1988.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The information is as follows:
  453

  Supplementary Benefit Live Load

  (1)

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  P

  2,369

  2,434

  2,512

  2,477

  2,632

  2,745

  2,955

  3,106

  E

  1,630

  2,744

  3,301

  3,578

  3,964

  4,120

  4,877

  4,835

  Edinburgh West ILO

  A

  1,548

  1,759

  2,055

  2,318

  2,603

  2,831

  3,194

  3,406

  P

  2,874

  2,972

  3,021

  2,895

  2,881

  2,814

  2,793

  2,966

  E

  2,353

  4,702

  5,825

  6,701

  6,413

  6,306

  6,387

  5,746

  Bathgate ILO

  A

  1,743

  2,072

  2,933

  3,590

  3,980

  4,273

  4,628

  4,928

  P

  2,825

  2,980

  3,149

  2,885

  3,334

  3,109

  3,368

  3,535

  Note (1)

  E = unemployed claimants.

  A = claimants not required to register for work.

  P = pensioners.

  Source: 100 per cent. count of cases in action, which include a number of cases where benefit payment has ceased but other action is continuing.

  Family Income Supplement
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will indicate the number of claimants and the number of dependants and the percentage take-up of family income supplement for the years April 1980 to April 1989.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The information about awards of family income supplement current on each of the dates shown is as follows:

  Claimants (Thousands)

  Partners (Thousands)

  Dependent children (Thousands)

  April 1980

  88

  38

  191

  April 1981

  106

  52

  227

  April 1982

  142

  77

  306

  April 1983

  189

  110

  402

  April 1984

  204

  123

  431

  April 1985

  203

  120

  423

  April 1986

  209

  123

  432

  April 1987

  220

  128

  457

  Family income supplement was replaced by family credit on 11 April 1988. Immediately prior to the changeover 216,000 awards of family income supplement were current, but information about the numbers of dependants is not available.

  The available information about estimated take-up is as follows:

  By caseload

  By expenditure

  Per cent.

  Per cent.

  1981–82

  48

  53

  1983–84

  54

  65

  More up-to-date information is not yet available.

  Citizens Advice Bureau Volunteers
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if it is his policy to investigate the social security claims of citizens advice bureau volunteers.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  There are no special arrangements for investigating such claims.

  National Insurance Cards
  Mr. Favell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether the plastic national insurance number cards now issued to all 18-year-olds are capable of being used or adapted for use in cash dispensing machines; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Plastic national insurance number cards are not capable of being used in cash dispensing machines and there are no proposals for inclusion of further information on the magnetic strip.

  Chlorofluorocarbons
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what is his best estimate of the amount of chlorofluorocarbon refrigerants under the control of his Department;

  (2) what plans there are to minimise the risk of leaks of chlorofluorocarbons from refrigeration and air conditioning systems under his Department's control.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Merionnydd Nant Conwy (Dr. Thomas) today.

  Sickness (Self-certification)
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he has any evidence of employers refusing to accept sickness self-certification forms SCI.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  No. It is up to the employer what evidence of incapacity he requires from his employees when sick. But the employer cannot require a doctor's statement until a period of sickness has lasted seven days.

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