Written Answers of 8 March 1989

ENVIRONMENT

  PSA Office, Newmarket
  Sir Eldon Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what study he has made of the feasibility of replacing the present accommodation at the Property Services Agency office at Falmouth avenue, Newmarket, with a two-storey extension; how many civil servants could be accommodated in such an extension; how many cars could be parked in the remaining space; and how much more or less this option is estimated to cost than the cost of moving the Property Services Agency staff now working in Newmarket to Cambridge.

  Mr. Chope
  The possibility of redeveloping the site at Falmouth avenue in Newmarket to accommodate PSA's eastern region headquarters was considered at an early stage in reorganisation planning in 1986. A detailed study was not carried out because the site was too small.

  Relocation
  Mr. Brandon-Bravo
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment 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. Ridley
  My Department already has nearly 200 staff in Nottingham. Under the policy which my right hon. Friend the Paymaster General announced on 31 March 1988, my Department is now reviewing the location of parts 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.

  Hedgerows
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many miles of hedgerow have been destroyed in the last 20 years; how surveys of landscape change are carried out; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Plymouth, Drake (Dame J. Fookes) on 24 January at column 500.

  Drinking Water (Yorkshire)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the number and location of breaches in the precautionary standard for pesticides in drinking water in 1988, in supplies provided by Yorkshire water authority; and if he will also list by location how much these breaches exceeded the standard laid down.

  Mr. Moynihan
  During the period December 1987 to November 1988 there were breaches of the standard of 0·1522
  microgramme per litre for pesticides, specified in the European Community drinking water directive, in water supplies leaving the following four treatment works of the Yorkshire water authority:

  Ripon Camp

  Blackhouse Spring

  Boltby

  Tophill Low

  Breaches of the standard at Blackhouse Spring, Boltby and Tophill Low were transient, and I am informed that recent samples from these works complied with the directive. The levels at which the standard was exceeded were below those which would be considered a risk to health.

  Sewage Works (Yorkshire)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how long he intends to let Yorkshire water authority relax legal controls under the criteria spelled out by his Department in a letter to water authority chief executives last November at(a) the sewage works at Hickleton in Don Valley constituency, and (b) the other sewage works in Yorkshire under the control of Yorkshire water authority; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Department has not received any applications for temporary variations in consent conditions from the authority. Each application is considered on its merits. The duration of any temporary variation granted in individual cases will, within the constraints set out in the Minister for Water and Planning's announcement on 7 December 1988, reflect the expected time scale of the capital improvements to be carried out.

  It is understood that the works at Hickleton will not be the subject of an application for a temporary variation as it is the authority's intention to close the works and pump all sewage to their works at Bolton on Dearne for treatment.

  London Docklands
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what procedure there is to monitor the achievement of the objective of 25 per cent. of new jobs created in the royal docks going to Newham residents as set out in the memorandum of agreement between the London borough of Newham and the London Docklands development corporation.

  Mr. Trippier
  The London Docklands development corporation and the London borough of Newham plan an employment monitoring unit, staffed by the borough, in an LDDC building in the royal docks. This building, which will also accommodate employment and training counselling, is to be refurbished by LDDC, and should be completed by the end of the year.

  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the 1989–90 London Docklands development corporation corporate plan will be published.

  Mr. Trippier
  The LDDC aims to publish the 1989 corporate plan in September.

  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has taken any action with regard to the
  523
  London Docklands development corporation following the National Audit Office report on urban development corporations; whether he will be taking any action in the future; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Trippier
  The effectiveness of the LDDC, and of the Department's controls, are kept under continuous review. The NAO's findings are influencing that process. The report of the Public Accounts Committee is awaited, and the Government will respond to that at the appropriate time.

  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the latest estimate of London Docklands development corporation spending on support of provision of education, training, community health care, and community and recreation facilities noted in the National Audit Office report on urban development corporations, paragraph 2.27; if he will give a breakdown by type of the proposed expenditure over the period 1988 to 1993; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Trippier
  The corporation is currently preparing this information for its next corporate plan, which will then be submitted to the Department for consideration. Expenditure from 1 April 1987 to 31 January 1989 on these items was as follows:

  £ million

  Voluntary sector

  1·375

  Health

  0·092

  Education and training

  2·840

  Other social

  6·421

  TOTAL

  10·728

  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what funding allocation for the construction of the Docklands light railway eastern extension to Beckton has been made to the London Docklands development corporation.

  Mr. Trippier
  No public expenditure has been allocated. The Beckton extension of the docklands light railway will be funded from land sales.

  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he intends to approve a deferred purchase or payment scheme to fund the construction of the Docklands light railway eastern extension to Beckton; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Trippier
  The DLR Beckton extension will be financed from land sales. No decision has been reached on the precise funding mechanism.

  Common Land
  Mr. Shersby
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement of his policy in relation to common land following the report of the Common Land Forum.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  We intend to introduce legislation based broadly on the report of the Common Land Forum at a suitable opportunity when parliamentary time permits. We are having discussions with various bodies and will make a further statement as soon as possible.

  London Green Belt
  Mr. Shersby
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many tenanted properties there were in the London green belt estate of the former Greater London Council at the time of its dissolution; if he will publish a list of such properties in the Official Report; and what is his policy towards the future ownership of these properties.

  Mr. Chope
  The Department does not keep records relating to these properties, title to which passed to successors to the GLC. The future ownership of the properties is a matter for those who hold title.

  Retail Developments
  Mr. Heddle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if, following his decisions on Cripps Causeway, Bristol, and Bricket Wood, St. Albans, he will make a statement about his policy on retail development in(a) out-of-town locations and (b) the green belt.

  Mr. Howard
  The Government's policy on major retail development remains as set out in "Planning Policy Guidance Note 6", a copy of which is in the Library. Ministers have repeatedly warned, and have demonstrated in the Bricket Wood case, that those who pursue to appeal proposals in flagrant breach of established green belt policy risk having costs awarded against them.

  Park Side House, Enfield
  Mr. Shersby
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to publish the report of the public inquiry into an application to purchase under the Housing Act 1985 the tenancy of Park Side house, Hadley road, Enfield, Middlesex, being part of an estate acquired under the Green Belt (London and Home Counties) Act 1938.

  Mr. Trippier
  The inspector's report of the inquiry into an application by the London borough of Enfield under section 5 of the Green Belt (London and Home Counties) Act 1938 for consent to dispose of the property known as Park Side house, Hadley road, Enfield is being considered. The decision will be issued as quickly as possible.

  Barium Sulphate Waste
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Meirionnydd Nant Conway,Official Report, February, column 600, what is the weight and volume of residual radioactive barium sulphate waste at Amersham.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The weight of residual radioactive barium sulphate waste safely stored in the site effluent treatment plant at Amersham is estimated at about 400 kg, associated with about one cubic metre of slurry. These figures are approximate. More precise figures will not be available until the site effluent plant is decommissioned.

  Dioxins
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment on what date he intends to publish his report on the investigations that he has carried out within his areas of responsibility into chlorine-bleached packaging, dioxins and food.
  525
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  As announced on 14 February at columns 189–90, the Department of the Environment in conjunction with the Department of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, is preparing a statement on dioxins in the environment. Publication is intended within two months.

  Chimneys
  Sir Dudley Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what current estimate he has of the approximate percentage of the housing stock which has chimneys.

  Mr. Trippier
  The 1986 English house condition survey showed that approximately 75 per cent. of the housing stock in England had chimneys.

  Grant-related Expenditure
  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what changes were made to the method of calculating grant-related expenditure in each rate support grant settlement from 1981–82 to 1989–90.

  Mr. Ridley
  The changes are set out in the rate support grant report (England) for each year. Further information is contained in the "Blue Book", "Grant Related Expenditure: How the expenditure needs of local authorities are assessed for block grant", and the "Green Book", "The technical handbook of grant related expenditure", published each year. Copies of these publications for years up to 1988–89 are in the Library. Blue and Green Books for 1989–90 will be published shortly.

  Farms (Rate Rebates)
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many farms in England and Wales which border Ministry of Defence or visiting forces' airports receive rate rebates.

  Mr. Gummer
  Agricultural land and buildings are not rateable, though farmhouses are. Information on the number of occupants of farmhouses receiving rate rebates is not available. In any event the location of a hereditament has no effect on the ratepayer's eligibility for rate rebate.

  Planning Control
  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what advice he has given to planning authorities in London on planning control of residential densities.

  Mr. Chope
  "Planning Policy Guidance Note 12" gives advice on the circumstances in which it may be appropriate to include policies on residential densities in development plans. As the PPG makes clear, that advice applies generally. More specific advice on densities in London is proposed in the draft strategic planning guidance for London which my right hon. Friend published for consultation on Monday. This indicates that each borough is responsible for setting its own general guidelines on densities and dwelling mix for their area as appropriate in the light of local circumstances, bearing in mind the requirement for additional housing in the 526
  borough. Provision for new housing should respect established conservation policies and the interests of existing communities; but this has to be balanced by recognition of the important contribution that can be made to overall housing supply in London by conversion of existing houses into smaller units and redevelopment at higher densities.

  Tenants Choice (Leaflet)
  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, if pursuant to his statement of 2 March,Official Report, column 418, he has any further information on the originator of the leaflet referred to: and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Trippier
  The leaflet was sent to me on 18 October by a correspondent who drew my attention to its availability in libraries under the control of Nottinghamshire county council. I apologise for having mistakenly told the House on 2 March at column 418 that the county council had itself produced this inaccurate and misleading document: I should have said only that I understood that the county council had made it publicly available through its libraries.

  Compulsory Purchase (Compensation)
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has to introduce legislation to provide for reductions in the level of compensation payable on a claim relating to the compulsory acquisition of land in respect of the increase in the value of other land owned by a claimant, in line with the provisions applying in Northern Ireland by virtue of section 9 of the Land Acquisition and Compensation (Northern Ireland) Order 1973 (S.I., 1973, No. 1896); and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chope
  Section 7 of the Land Compensation Act 1961 has, in England and Wales, the same effect as the provision referred to by the hon. Member.

  Havant Town Centre
  Sir Ian Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make it his policy to announce his decision on the planning inquiry into the future of Havant town centre development without further delay.

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 3 March 1989]: My right hon. Friend is considering the Havant Town Centre (Shopping Development) Compulsory Purchase Order, submitted for confirmation by Havant borough council, and the report of the inspector who held a public inquiry into objections. He will issue his decision as soon as possible.

  Sewage Disposal
  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will now publish details of the number of sewage works which breached their discharge consents in 1988.

  Mr. Ridley
  [holding answer 6 March 1989]: The latest year for which detailed figures on non-compliance of sewage treatment works are available is 1987, in which 887

  527
  works out of 4,238 tested (21 per cent.) were in breach of their consents. This compares with 23 per cent. failing their consent conditions in 1986.

  The figures for 1988 are not yet available, but indications are that they will show a further improvement.

  Water authorities have drawn up capital programmes, at a total cost of between £900 million and £1 billion, with the aim of bringing sub-standard works into full compliance with discharge consents in 1992.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Rain Forests
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the measures adopted by Her Majesty's Government or by European Community countries for the protection of rain forests; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  Details of Her Majesty's Government's activities to protect rain forests are given in a supplement to the December 1988 issue of "British Overseas Development", a copy of which I have placed in the Library. We have no record of the action taken by other countries to protect the rain forests. We and other members of the European Community support the tropical forestry action plan, which promotes action to conserve the tropical forests. As signatories to the international tropical timber agreement the United Kingdom and 10 other Community countries are pledged to encourage the development of international policies aimed at the sustainable use and conservation of tropical forests. The European Community's aid programme finances several rain-forest-related projects.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Student Loans
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish in the Official Report his response to the submission made by the National Union of Students on top-up loans for students.

  Mr. Jackson
  The submission from the NUS has been acknowledged, and my right hon. Friend will consider it with the other responses to the White Paper (Cm. 520). The Government will comment on these responses in due course when they make a further statement on the implementation of their plans.

  Select Committee Recommendations
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many Select Committee recommendations have been made about, and how many accepted by, his Department since June 1987.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  In the one departmental Select Committee report completed since June 1987, to which the Government have responded, 21 recommendations were made, of which 17 have been accepted in whole or in part by the Government, or noted, where no further action by Government was sought.

  Education Reorganisation, Trafford
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on secondary schools and the opting-out provisions as they affect the reorganisation of education in the borough of Trafford.

  Mr. Butcher
  The consideration by my right hon. Friend of proposals by Trafford LEA to reorganise secondary schools in its area was suspended whilst the parents of pupils at Sale boys' grammar school voted on whether the school should apply for grant-maintained status. The parents voted against such an application in January 1989, and my right hon. Friend has, therefore, resumed his consideration of the LEA's reorganisation proposals, and will announce his decision in due course.

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement about the implications of the recent judgment on sex discrimination in Birmingham selective schools as it affects the reorganisation of education in Trafford.

  Mr. Butcher
  The judgment by the House of Lords that the Birminghan LEA was in contravention of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 by providing fewer grammar school places for boys than for girls has no implications for the proposed reorganisation of county schools in Trafford as the current proposals in Trafford LEA will provide equal opportunities for selective places for boys and girls.

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement about the reorganisation of Roman Catholic secondary education in the borough of Trafford.

  Mr. Butcher
  In March 1988 the Salford Roman Catholic Diocesan Schools Commission published statutory reorganisation proposals for three Roman Catholic secondary schools in Trafford. My right hon. Friend was not satisfied that the proposed arrangements offered improved educational prospects for pupils of all abilities, nor that the high capital cost was justified. He accordingly rejected the proposals on 16 February 1989.

  Institute of Food Research
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the membership of the advisory board to the Institute of Food Research; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jackson
  Members of the advisory board are:Mr. S. G. Metcalfe (Chairman), Deputy Chairman and Managing Director, Rank Hovis McDougall plc.
  Professor D. C. Burke, Vice Chancellor, University of East Anglia and Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes.
  Dr. J. Edelman, CBE, Chairman of Council, British Nutrition Foundation.
  Mr. J. A. Lusher, Director, Food Division, Marks and Spencer plc.
  Professor J. R. Norris, Director of Group Research, Cadbury Schweppes plc.
  Dr. E. S. Page, Vice Chancellor, University of Reading and Chairman of the Food Advisory Committee.
  Mr. G. T. Pryce, Chief Executive, Dalgety plc.
  Mr. A. Sheppard, Chairman, Grand Metropolitan plc.
  Mr. W. G. Walker, Chairman, Van den Berghs & Jurgens Ltd.
  Mrs. R. E. Waterhouse CBE, Chairman, Consumers' Association.

  The advisory board comprises a unique mix of senior

  529
  executives reflecting the interests of industry, academia and consumers. It advises the director and management of the Institute of Food Research on strategic issues concerning the food industry nationally and internationally, on trends and developments on food supply and consumption patterns, marketing, manufacturing, and other aspects influencing the choice of the Institute's Research and Development programmes.

  Replan
  Mr. Franks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the future of the replan programme for the adult unemployed.

  Mr. Jackson
  Replan has been successful in focusing the attention of the education service on the needs of the adult unemployed, and is having wider benefits in encouraging new approaches by providers. The programme will continue in its present form until October 1991. The Government will conduct a policy review of the programme and its objectives later this year, drawing on the available evaluations of replan initiatives and taking into account changes in the context of employment and training. Decisions about the future of the programme after 1991 will be announced in the autumn.

PRIVY COUNCIL

  Consumers (Consultation)
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what arrangements there are for consulting consumers in the work and decisions of his Department.

  Mr. Wakeham
  The Privy Council Office neither provides nor regulates services to the general public and consultation with consumer organisations would not be appropriate to its work or decisions.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Court of Protection
  Mr. Andrew Bowden
  To ask the Attorney-General what was the total number of patients whose affairs were administered by the Court of Protection in each of the last five years.

  The Attorney-General
  The total number of patients whose affairs were administered by the Court of Protection for the last five financial years are as follows:

  Number

  1983–84

  18,848

  1984–85

  22,030

  1985–86

  22,134

  1986–87

  23,080

  1987–88

  25,778

  Mr. Andrew Bowden
  To ask the Attorney-General what was the total income received by the protection division in respect of(a) commencement fees and (b) annual administration fees for the Court of Protection in each of the last five years.

  The Attorney-General
  The total income received by the protection division for the last five calendar years was as follows:
  530

  £

  (a) Commencement Fees

  1984

  48,0482·00

  1985

  337,465·67

  1986

  316,304·53

  1987

  285,449·40

  1988

  307,256·10

  (b) Annual Administration Fees

  1986

  2,992,743·20

  1987

  3,148,927·00

  1988

  3,858,094·60

  The figures for 1984 and 1985 calendar years are not held centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

  Patients (Receiver)
  Mr. Andrew Bowden
  To ask the Attorney-General what was the total number of patients for whom a receiver was appointed where the annual income of the patient was insufficient for any fee to be payable in each of the last five years.

  The Attorney-General
  Historical data on the total number of patients whose annual income are insufficient for any fee to be payable is not collected. The current figure is 1,410.

PRIME MINISTER

  Environmental Research
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Prime Minister what information she has on Government spending on environmental research in (i) Britain, (ii) West Germany and (iii) the EEC countries as a whole.

  The Prime Minister
  The Government of the United Kingdom will spend £161·2 million in 1988–89 on environmental research. Comparable figures are not available for West Germany and other EC countries.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. David Blunkett
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list the Civil Service salary scales on which special advisers attached to Government Ministries are paid, giving by Department employing the special advisers the scale upon which they are placed.

  The Prime Minister
  Special advisers are not paid on Civil Service salary scales but, with some exceptions, on a special advisers spine comprising 28 points, as follows:

  Scale point

  Salary (inclusive)

  £

  28

  40,520

  27

  39,570

  26

  38,625

  25

  37,420

  24

  36,210

  23

  34,560

  22

  33,280

  21

  32,000

  20

  30,660

  19

  29,310

  18

  27,960

  531

  Scale point

  Salary (inclusive)

  £

  17

  26,620

  16

  25,015

  15

  23,995

  14

  23,185

  13

  22,375

  12

  21,530

  11

  20,755

  10

  20,120

  9

  19,225

  8

  18,545

  7

  17,945

  6

  17,350

  5

  16,740

  4

  15,850

  3

  15,305

  2

  14,845

  1

  13,975

  The two most senior special advisers are paid personal salaries above the spine limit of £40,250; two other special

  Expenditure on research and development in England and Wales by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

  £ million

  Financial Year

  Agriculture

  Horticulture

  Top Fruit1

  Soft Fruit

  1978–792 4

  41·8

  9·5

  2·3

  0·7

  1979–802 3

  46·8

  10·5

  2·3

  0·7

  1980–812

  59·6

  13·4

  2·6

  1·0

  1981–822

  71·8

  13·7

  2·9

  1·0

  1982–83

  83·7

  17·3

  3·0

  1·5

  1983–84

  85·5

  17·1

  3·2

  1·5

  1984–85

  88·4

  18·6

  3·3

  1·6

  1985–86

  84·3

  18·2

  3·3

  1·5

  1986–87

  84·7

  19·1

  3·3

  1·2

  1987–88

  75·3

  18·1

  3·5

  1·3

  1Top fruit is primarily apples and pears but includes other fruits such as plums and cherries.

  2For these years certain expenditure now classified as research and development was excluded.

  3These figures include payments which should have been made in 1978–79.

  4These figures exclude payments which were delayed until 1979–80 as a result of industrial action.

  Agricultural research and development is also funded through the votes of the Department of Education and Science, Department of Agriculture for Scotland and the Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland.

  My Department does not hold information on the expenditure on research undertaken privately other than research funded by industry since 1986 through levies. This expenditure is shown in the following table:

  Levy-funded Expenditure on Research and Development by Industry

  Financial Year

  1986–87

  1987–88

  £ million

  £ million

  Agriculture

  45·0

  9·4

  Horticulture

  0·2

  1·0

  Top Fruit1 2

  0·1

  0·1

  Soft Fruit3

  0·1

  0·1

  1Top Fruit is primarily applies and pears but includes other fruits such as plums and cherries.

  2Funding by the Apple and Pear Development Council.

  3Funding by the Horticultural Development Council.

  4Approximate figure.

  Potatoes
  Mrs. Wise
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give details of permitted treatments of potatoes in store or pre-storage and their purposes, including any intended to prevent or discourage spoilage by rats.
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  advisers are unpaid; four are on secondment terms from the private sector and their previous employers are reimbursed for their services. The same salary spine is used by all Departments. It is not our practice to reveal the spine position of any adviser as it is negotiated individually in relation to previous earnings and is therefore confidential.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Research
  Mr. Moss
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in each of the last 10 years, what was spent on research by(a) the Government and (b) the private sector on (a) agriculture as a whole, (b) horticulture, (c) the apple and pear industry and (d) the soft fruit industry.

  Mr. Ryder
  The information requested in respect of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food's expenditure in the last 10 financial years is shown in the table.

  Mr. Ryder
  Post-harvest treatments of potatoes are controlled as pesticides under the Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986.

  The following active ingredients are the most commonly used in storage on ware potatoes, and are listed with their purpose. There are no specific products approved to discourage spoilage of potatoes by rats, but rodenticides are available for use in stores, subject to label restrictions.

  Active Ingredient and Purpose

  1. Thiabendazole—Systemic fungicide used to reduce gangrene, dry rot, skin spot, silver scurf.

  2-Aminobutane—Fumigant for control of skin spot and gangrene.

  3. Tecnazene—Fungicide for control of dry rot and Sprout suppressant.

  4. Chlopropham—Sprout suppressant.

  Select Committee Recommendations
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many Select Committee recommendations have been made about, and how many accepted, by his Department since June 1987.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  In the two Agriculture Select Committee reports published since June 1987, to which the Government have responded, 49 recommendations or observations were made. Of these 33 have been accepted, in whole or in part, by the Government or have been noted where no further action by Government was sought.

  Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much has been paid out by his Ministry in compensation for bovine spongiform encephalopathy-infected cattle.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  Up to the end of February 1989, £862,177 has been paid in compensation.

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information his Department has about the incidence of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in cattle by age, sex and breed.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  [holding answer 24 February 1989]: About 80 per cent. of cases of BSE have been confirmed in animals between three and five years of age; all but five, confirmed in bulls, have been female. There is no evidence of any particular breed pre-disposition to the development of BSE.

  Scrapie
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he intends to introduce controls on the export of meat and bone meal which may have originated from scrapie-infected sheep.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  Exports of meat and bone meal are subject to and must meet the health conditions laid down by the importing country.

  Growers

  Area

  Number

  Per cent.

  Hectares

  Per cent.

  In favour

  312

  30·9

  8,867·4

  44·7

  Against

  547

  54·2

  9,107·5

  45·9

  Spoiled forms

  9

  0·9

  130,5

  0·7

  Forms not returned

  141

  14·0

  1,737·8

  8·8

  Total registered at 9 February 1989

  1,009

  —

  19,843·2

  —

  Percentage of those voting who were in favour

  —

  35·9

  —

  49

  In reaching a decision on the future of the Apple and Pear Development Council, I shall take these results into account, along with the views of the bodies I am required to consult under the terms of the Industrial Organisation and Development Act 1947.

  Woodlands
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what further representations he has received about the farm woodlands and woodland grant schemes.

  Mr. Ryder
  [holding answer 7 March 1989]: I have received no recent representations about the woodland grant scheme as such and very few about the farm woodland scheme. Those that I have received concerned technical points on the rules of the scheme.

  Fresh Meat (Inspections)
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) on how many occasions for each year since 1980 establishments have provided meat for United Kingdom consumption whilst export licences had been suspended under the Fresh Meat Export (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations;

  (2) how many times he has used his powers under the Fresh Meat Export (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations
  534
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to ensure that meat and other animal products from scrapie-infected sheep do not go for human consumption.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  Scrapie has been present in this country for at least two centuries without any evidence to suggest that it has been, or can be, a risk to humans Neither has research identified any such risk. Such measures are not, therefore, appropriate.

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will make scrapie a notifiable disease;

  (2) what steps he is taking to eradicate scrapie in sheep.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  I have no plans to make scrapie a notifiable disease nor to introduce a slaughter policy.

  Fruit Growers
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has received the results of the poll of growers conducted as part of the quinquennial review of the Apple and Pear Development Council.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  Yes. The results of the poll are as follows:

  to suspend the export licence of any establishment approved under those regulations; and on how many occasions he has issued a warning of his intention to suspend such an export licence for each year since 1980.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  [holding answer 6 March 1989]:My Department suspends the export approval of establishments which fail to comply with the export regulations. Local authorities are responsible for enforcing the legislation on the supply of meat for consumption within the United Kingdom. Records of enforcement actions by local authorities are not maintained centrally.

  The Fresh Meat Export (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations apply in England and Wales and first came into force on 2 November 1981. The figures of suspension warnings, and suspensions since then are as follows:

  Suspension Warnings

  Suspensions

  1982

  6

  2

  1983

  12

  6

  1984

  2

  1

  1985

  11

  7

  1986

  14

  8

  1987

  22

  11

  1988

  6

  4

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he next expects a European
  535
  Community inspector to visit the United Kingdom establishments under the Fresh Meat Export (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations; and whether he will publish the results of the inspection.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  [holding answer 6 March 1989]: A visit by European Commission inspectors is taking place from 6 to 16 March. Reports made by inspectors following a visit refer to individual plants and must remain confidential. They are discussed with the inspectors, with the local authority concerned and with the plant management and any corrective action which is necessary is put in hand.

  Abattoirs
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the total number of abattoirs in the United Kingdom; what proportion have been and will be visited by European Community inspectors; and if. he will make a statement.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  [holding answer 6 March 1989]: At the end of 1988 there were 937 abattoirs in the United Kingdom, of which 99 were export-approved. European Commission inspectors aim to visit 10 per cent. of export-approved premises each year. The remainder is under the control of local authorities, which appoint environmental health officers for supervision.

  Listeria
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish the evidence for non-pasteurised milk becoming prone to infection with listeria bacteria; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ryder
  [holding answer 21 February 1989]: The results of a number of overseas surveys published in the scientific literature indicate that about 10 per cent. of raw milk may be infected with listeria species. It is possible that similar rates of infection exist in the United Kingdom milk supplies. Pasteurisation has however been shown to be an effective treatment for eliminating listeria and other more prevalent pathogens, such as salmonella and campylobacter.

  Information from the communicable disease surveillance centre on the 1,600 cases of food poisoning associated with untreated milk in the five-year period 1983–87 indicates that the main health hazard associated with untreated milk is not listeria but salmonella (which accounted for just over half the cases) and campylobacter (which accounted for most of the remainder).

TRANSPORT

  Channel Tunnel Rail Link
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many letters he has received (a) in support of and (b) in opposition to the proposed high-speed Channel tunnel rail link.

  Mr. Portillo
  We have received a large number of letters, mainly from people who were opposed to British Rail's original proposals. BR is today announcing a revised route proposal which takes account of the comments received.

  Roads (Private Finance)
  Mr. David Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his estimate of the amount of private finances to be invested in Britain's road network during 1988–89.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  We anticipate that about 30 agreements between my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport and private sector developers will be completed in 1988–89. Through these arrangements and the construction of the Dartford-Thurrock crossing the private sector will contribute an estimated £30 million in 1988–89 towards the funding of trunk road improvements in England.

  Local highway authorities also enter into agreements with the private sector to fund road schemes. Information on these is not held centrally, but the indications are that the private sector makes a major contribution to local schemes.

  Responsibility for roads in Scotland and Wales rests with my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and Wales, respectively.

  Infrastructure (North-West)
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on plans by British Rail and other undertakings to improve transport infrastructure in the North West region in the period before the opening of the Channel tunnel.

  Mr. Portillo
  A partnership of public and private sector interests in the North-West, led by chambers of commerce there, is already carrying out a study into the region's requirements arising from the single European market and the Channel tunnel. Government Departments will assist with information and advice as necessary.

  The plan that British Rail is required to prepare under section 40 of the Channel Tunnel Act 1987 on international passenger and freight services will cover all regions.

  The impact of the Channel tunnel is one of the many factors taken into account in planning the national trunk road programme. There is already a number of schemes in the programme that will improve North/South links. A review of the trunk road programme is in progress, and we expect to make an announcement in the spring.

  Swansea Coastguard
  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has any proposals to correct the problem of breakthroughs on channel O which can affect radio communications for the Swansea coastguard station.

  Mr. Channon
  This problem has been traced to a change of frequency used by the police, and the Home Office are dealing with it by modifying the coastguard radio sites affected.

  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take steps to ensure that the Swansea coastguard watch is always at full strength.

  Mr. Channon
  The watch is kept at full strength as far as possible, though unforseen absences for sickness, accidents or other problems are from time to time
  537
  inevitable. The posting of additional staff to Swansea following the recent merger has ensured that the full watch of four regular officers has been maintained on all but a very few occasions, and at no time has the combined strength of regular officers and auxiliary support fallen below four.

  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the number of coastguard visits to the Hartland area from the Swansea station.

  Mr. Channon
  All watchkeeping staff from Swansea have spent a four-day period visiting the Hartland area. Each watch has an ex member of the Hartland staff within the watch, who accompanied them on the visit.

  Further visits are planned during the summer, using a helicopter from RAF Chivenor, to gain maximum benefits from such a visit.

  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take measures to ensure the adequate working of the Hartland 641 telephone line to the Swansea coastguard station.

  Mr. Channon
  The Hartland 641 telephone number was installed when the station was closed so that local people could contact Swansea MRCC if they had general queries. British Telecom assures me that the problems with the line are being dealt with, and that the service will improve when new optical fibre cables are laid later this year.

  The public have of course been advised that anyone wishing to make an emergency call to a coastguard station should always dial 999.

  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the movement of the Hartland tape unit to Swansea.

  Mr. Channon
  The unit was installed at Swansea on 6 December last to deal with additional radio and telephone lines following the closure of the Hartland station. After defects were discovered, the equipment was comprehensively overhauled on 21 February. Two further, minor faults were rectified within 24 hours, and the equipment is now fully serviceable.

  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the agreed local expertise required to maintain safety levels in local coastguard areas; and if he will ensure that the numbers of coastguard with Hartland coast experience in the Swansea station will meet this requirement.

  Mr. Channon
  All coastguards take the necessary steps to equip themselves with adequate local knowledge, wherever they work and whatever responsibilities they hold. At Swansea, one member of each watch is an ex-Hartland watchkeeper, so maintaining continuity while Swansea staff become fully acquainted with their increased area.

  Channel Tunnel
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a further statement on the high-speed railway line to the Channel tunnel.

  Mr. Portillo
  British Rail is today announcing its revised route proposal which takes account of the comments received on their original proposals.

  Severn Crossing
  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to announce further details of the second Severn crossing.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  We announced on 28 February the shortlist of tenderers for the second Severn crossing. I refer my hon. Friend to the answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Harrow, West (Mr. Hughes) at column 116.

  We hope to be in a position to announce the successful tenderer by the end of the year.

  Thermal Neutron Activation
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the source of funding for development work on using the thermal neutron activation analysis technique for detecting explosives at Harwell; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  [holding answer 6 March 1989]: Research and development work at Harwell on using the thermal neutron activation analysis technique for detecting explosives is being funded by a commercial organisation in the private sector under a contract with the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority's Harwell laboratory.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Rape
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will elucidate the advice given in his Department's document on rape that women adopt secure common sense routines; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John Patten
  This advice is given in full in our crime prevention handbook "Practical Ways to Crack Crime".

  Police (South Yorkshire)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the village and main police stations in the A (Doncaster) division of the South Yorkshire police area and which have(a) opened and (b) closed since 1979.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The police stations currently in use in the Doncaster division of the South Yorkshire police are:

  Main police stations

  Adwick-le-Street

  Armthorpe

  Askern

  Bentley

  Conisborough

  Doncaster divisional and sub-divisional head-quarters Edlington

  Police posts

  Balby

  Belle Vue

  Cantley

  Doncaster market place

  Royal Infirmary Tickhill

  Mexborough

  Rossington

  Stainforth

  Thorne

  539
  The following police stations have opened or closed since 1979:

  (i) In 1981, five police houses and offices were closed at Branton, Campsall, Clayton, Marr and Toll Bar and were not replaced;

  (ii) In 1984, Doncaster market place police post was opened;

  (iii) In 1985, Cusworth section station was closed and not replaced.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable of South Yorkshire as to the number of police employed to cover the A division (Doncaster) of the South Yorkshire police area annually from 1979 to the latest date.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The information requested is as follows:

  Police strengths

  South Yorkshire police—Doncaster division

  Year (as at 31 December)

  Number of officers

  1979

  471

  1980

  479

  1981

  493

  1982

  479

  1983

  452

  1984

  488

  1985

  490

  1986

  509

  1987

  497

  1988

  504

  Juries
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has any plans to review the method of random selection of juries or to introduce legislation thereon.

  Mr. John Patten
  Provisions of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 which came into effect on 5 January this year have abolished the right to challenge jurors without cause, and ensure that a person summoned for jury service may not have it deferred indefinitely. We expect to bring into effect in July provisions enabling people up to the age of 70 to serve as jurors, if they are willing to do so. We will keep the working of the jury system under review but we have no present plans for further changes in the law.

  Cleveland Constabulary
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable of Cleveland as to what improvements have been made in the last five years to the effectiveness of the Cleveland constabulary.

  Mr. Douglas Hurd
  I understand that among the improvements made in the last five years by the chief constable and his police authority are the release of over 100 police officers for operational duty through the civilianisation of police posts; the implementation of a comprehensive information technology strategy; the amalgamation of two divisions; and the enhancement of the police estate. The chief constable would be pleased to discuss with my hon. Friend these and other examples of the effectiveness of the Cleveland constabulary.

  Armley Prison
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from the Howard League concerning conditions at Armley prison; and what reply he has sent.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The director of the Howard League wrote to my right hon. Friend on 25 January to express concern about conditions at Leeds prison. I replied on 21 February acknowledging her concern and informing her that the deputy director-general of the prison service has been asked to report to the Home Secretary on the young offender wing at Leeds. My right hon. Friend announced the main recommendations of the report and our response in reply to a question from the hon. Member for Leeds, West (Mr. Battle) on 7 March at columns 455–56.

  Suicides in Custody
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the ages of all those who have committed suicide in custody since 1979, together with the prisons and units in which they were held at the time of their deaths.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The information that follows relates to those inmates of prison department establishments found by coroners' inquests to have committed suicide, and gives the establishments at which they were held and their ages; information as to the units within establishments where these inmates were held is not readily available. Information on those inmates who committed suicide after 1 January 1987 is contained in the reply given on 24 February to a question from the hon. Member for Huddersfield (Mr. Sheerman) at columns 834–39.

  1979
  Gartree, 36; Wormwood Scrubs, 33; Dartmoor, 39; Wandsworth, 37; Brixton, 32; Wandsworth, 25; Lincoln, 43; Wormwood Scrubs, 22; Brixton, 33; Lincoln, 43; Liverpool, 36; Shrewsbury, 62; Winchester, 22; Liverpool, 18; Leeds, 47; Pentonville, Brixton, 26; Lewes, 20; Brixton, 52; Stafford, 24; Brixton, 32.

  1980
  Risley, 46; Wandsworth, 25; Brixton, 19; Liverpool, Brixton, 33; Pentonville, 29; Risley,24; Wakefield, Shrewsbury, 23; Brixton, 33; Brixton, 28; Leeds, Leeds, 22; Canterbury, 28; Maidstone, 41; Featherstone, 23; Brixton, 39; Oxford, 46; Wormwood Scrubs, 25; Bristol, 38; Swinfen Hall, 19.

  1981
  Brixton, 42; Manchester, 37; Long Lartin, 22; Wakefield, 56; Winchester, 32; Wakefield, 58; Cardiff, Birmingham, 53; Brixton, 39; Lincoln, 32; Long Lartin, 24; Winchester, 33; Dartmoor, 34; Exeter, 24; Brixton, 57; Rochester, 16.

  1982
  Canterbury, 18; Brixton, 29; Lancaster, 76; Wakefield, 34; Bristol, 56; Canterbury, 28; Durham, 46; Lewes, 22; Leeds, 28; Parkhurst, 47; Stoke Heath, 19; Parkhurst, 34; Nottingham, 24; Lewes, 18; Long Lartin, 42; Cardiff, 23; Cardiff, 35.

  1983
  Stafford, 45; Dartmoor, 52; Winchester, 36; Channings Wood, 28; Manchester, 16; Norwich, 58; Dartmoor, 40; Liverpool, 43; Maidstone, 46; Camp Hill, 26; Leeds, 20; Pentonville, 28; Liverpool, 25; Brixton, 42; Brixton, 33; Stafford, 43; Brixton, 25; Highpoint, 41; Winchester, 25; Brixton, 28; Gloucester, 45.
  541
  1984
  Brixton, 44; Brixton, 31; Parkhurst, 33; Parkhurst, 37; Norwich, 27; Wormwood Scrubs, 53; Swansea, 17; Pentonville, 19; Brixton, 23; Durham, 47; Norwich, 26; Exeter, 22; Leeds, 37; Preston, 24; Kingston, 44; Exeter, 43; Leicester, 66; Brixton, 27; Shrewsbury, 37; Lewes, 26; Wakefield, 34; Wandsworth, 24; Brixton, 37.

  1985
  Pentonville, 31; Wormwood Scrubs, 40; Birmingham, 48; Leicester, 39; Pentonville, 24; Exeter, 33; Durham, 32; Manchester, 31; Wandsworth, 26; Preston, 79; Leeds, 35; Brixton, 46; Birmingham, 24; Leeds, 27; Lincoln, 31; Maidstone, 31; Brixton, 21; Durham, 21; Leicester, 29; Risley, 18; Wormwood Scrubs, 26; Gloucester, 48; Wandsworth, 34.

  1986
  Exeter, 19; Ashford, 19; Norwich, 32; Manchester, 71; Bedford, 37; Wymott, 24; Lincoln, 28; Cardiff, 23; Preston, 33; Preston, 25; Risley, 20; Brixton, 24; Wormwood Scrubs, 40; Brixton, 24; Wakefield, 28; Canterbury, 26; Manchester, 26.

  Broadcasting Sales (South Africa)
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has on the sales by(a) the British Broadcasting Corporation and (b) Independent Television companies to South Africa.

  Mr. Renton
  None.

  Prisoners' Pay
  Dr. Goodson-Wickes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now announce the form and scope of the review of prisoners' pay; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hurd
  In response to recommendations contained in reports last year by the then deputy director general of the prison service and by Her Majesty's chief inspector of prisons, I have decided to put in hand a review of the arrangements for paying earnings to inmates of prison service establishments in England and Wales.

  Inmates are paid at pocket money levels for work done, from which they may purchase items such as tobacco, sweets, stamps, soft drinks and additional toiletries from the canteen. Within approved limits, prison income may be supplemented by private cash. The present arrangements have been subjected to two main criticisms: first, that rates of pay are inadequate, particularly where inmates have access to pay-telephones; secondly, that the system of pay differentials, for different types of work and as between different establishments, does not provide the right incentives. The review will examine these points and a number of detailed aspects of the inmate pay system about which representations have been made from time to time.

  The vast majority of inmates employed at establishments are engaged in tasks for the prison service (including the manufacture of items for internal use, food production, cleaning, catering, building and grounds maintenance) and productivity is limited by the constraints of the prison routine, turnover of inmates and other factors. In the circumstances, I have decided that this review should not extend to the possibility of paying inmates full market rates of pay.
  542
  The review, which is to be conducted by the prison service's management services unit, is scheduled to start in April and I would expect to be in a position to reach conclusions by early next year.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Inner City Regeneration
  Mr. Patnick
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what recent contacts he has had with private sector organisations involved in inner city regeneration.

  Mr. Newton
  I frequently see representatives of private sector organisations involved in inner city regeneration. Since the beginning of 1989 I have seen the Association of British Chambers of Commerce, Business in the Community, British Urban Development, the Leeds chamber of commerce, the Wearside Opportunity, the Teesside Tomorrow Team, the Building Employers. Confederation and the Federation of Civil Engineering Contractors. I have also visited inner city areas of Leeds. Doncaster, Sheffield, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Preston, Rochdale and Hackney, where I have met many local people and private sector organisations active in the regeneration of their cities.

  Business in the Community
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when he last met representatives of Business in the Community; and what matters were discussed.

  Mr. Newton
  I last met representatives of Business in the Community at their president's committee meeting on 7 March 1989. The committee discussed how companies can contribute to community regeneration through their mainstream business activities, and what action companies can take to improve opportunities on housing estates.

  Estate Agents
  Mr. Ron Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what progress is being made in the regulation of estate agents.

  Mr. Forth
  I am currently considering the views of estate agency bodies and other interested parties as to whether it might be appropriate to supplement the existing consumer protection provisions of the Estate Agents Act 1979, perhaps with an effective self-regulatory system incorporating a code of practice. I hope to be in a position to announce the conclusion of my review soon.

  Teaching Company Scheme
  Mr. David Evans
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many programmes are financed under his Department's teaching company scheme; and what plans there are to increase the number of programmes.

  Mr. Forth
  The teaching company scheme is not a DTI scheme but is jointly funded by the DTI, the Science and Engineering Research Council, other public bodies and industry. Currently there are 350 programmes. The White Paper, "DTI—the department for Enterprise", (Cmd 278), states the Government's intention of substantially increasing the scheme's size by 1922 and of basing an increasing proportion of programmes in smaller and medium sized firms.

  Manufacturing Industry
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the medium-term prospects for manufacturing industry.

  Mr. Forth
  Manufacturing industry is performing well. Output was at a record level in 1988, over 7 per cent. higher than in 1987. And with productivity growing at 7·5 per cent. a year and investment at near record levels, there is every prospect of continued strong performance from manufacturing industry.

  Tradeable Information.
  Mr. Michael Marshall
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what guidelines are followed within the companies registration office with regard to tradeable information and collaboration with companies in the information services industry.

  Mr. Maude
  The guidelines within which the Companies House executive agency operates are set out in its policy and resources framework document, a copy of which is in the Library. The agency's chief executive tells me that there is close collaboration with his principal customers in the information services industry, both through the Companies House users' groups and discussions with individual companies. He would welcome an approach from my hon. Friend if he has any particular point in mind.

  Mr. Michael Marshall
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) if there have been any changes since 1986 in the description and guidelines concerning Government-held tradeable information, published by his Department in 1986;

  (2) whether a review of policy on Government-held tradeable information has been completed since 1986;

  (3) which Departments in accordance with the statement of policy contained in section 5 of "Government-held Tradeable Information—An Introduction," published by the Department of Trade and Industry in 1986, created a comprehensive list and description of departmental data and information holdings with a view to investigating the scope for commercial utilisation.

  Mr. Forth
  A review of the execution of the policy on Government-held tradeable information, whose description and guidelines are currently unchanged, is due to be completed by the summer. Departmental information surveys are a matter for individual Departments. Such a survey has been undertaken in my Department.

  Consumers (Consultations)
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what arrangements there are for consulting consumers on the work and decisions of his Department.

  Mr. Forth
  The Office of Fair Trading, National Consumer Council, the nationalised industry consumer councils and consumer organisations such as the National Federation of Consumer Groups give advice to the Department on consumer matters. It is the Department's practice to consult bodies and organisations representing the consumer interest on any proposals for legislation or other action directly or indirectly affecting consumers.

  Tobacco Companies
  Mr. Sims
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the financial assistance which has been given to tobacco companies under the various industry Acts in(a) England, (b) Scotland and (c) Wales since 1979; if he will list other financial assistance that has been made to tobacco companies by the Government in the same period; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  Total payments to tobacco companies under the Industrial Development Act 1982 both on regional selective assistance and the revised regional development grant schemes are £6·5 million. These are the only schemes under parts II and III of the Act under which payments have been made to tobacco companies. It is not possible to provide a territorial breakdown for England, Scotland and Wales on the grouds of commercial confidentiality as such information would go beyond that which is published in British Business. It is also not possible to provide details of any payments under the original RDG scheme except at disproportionate cost.

  So far as I am aware, no other Government financial assistance has been given to tobacco companies since 1979.

  Cinema Film Distributors
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when he expects to receive the Monopolies and Mergers Commission report on cinema film distributors; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maude
  The last report of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission on the supply of cinema films was published on 11 May 1983. An order based on that report was laid before the House on 7 March.

  Awareness Programme
  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will set out in the Official Report the approximate expenditure planned in respect of his 1992 awareness programme, together with the sums spent on each component of the programme; and what steps he has taken to acquaint each section of domectic industry or overseas visible or invisible trade interests with the final form of legislation of the European Economic Community relating to their activities.

  Mr. Maude
  [holding answer 6 March 1989]: Expenditure to date on DTI's campaign to encourage firms to plan for the single European market has been over £12·5 million. Of this, some £8·75 million is represented by national advertising. The other £3·75 million has provided a detailed and comprehensive range of literature; a major series of business conferences; a national telephone inquiry service and mailing operation; the Spearhead computer database; video materials; and research into business preparations. The campaign represents a major and sustained effort to help Britain's firms prepare for the single market. Resources will continue to be allocated accordingly.

  Government Deprtments seek to keep all sections of business fully up-to-date on the progress of relevant EC legislation. In addition, the DTI's Spearhead database provides details of all single market measures and other measures (such as environment proposals) of interest to business, including access to the full texts of the relevant

  545
  EC legislation. Where appropriate, spearhead gives details of how measures have been implemented in the United Kingdom. The DTI has also prepared a checklist showing in tabular form progress on the proposals in the Commission's 1985 White Paper on the single market.

  Elanco
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what discussions he or his officials have had with Elanco on the subject of a grant for a possible factory on Merseyside.

  Mr. Atkins
  [holding answer 7 March 1989]: Neither I nor my officials have had any discussions with Elanco on the subject of a grant for a possible factory on Merseyside.

  Rattan
  Mr. Latham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he will institute discussions with the Secretary for Commerce of the United States of America to bring about joint action under the general agreement on tariffs and trade to remove the ban by Indonesia on the export of rattan; and if he will make a statement

  Mr. Maude
  [holding answer 6 March 1989]: It is for the Community to pursue this issue with Indonesia and if appropriate in the GATT in the light of the impact of the Indonesian action on Community interests. I would hope to have the support of other GATT members, including the United States, for any action initiated in GATT.

  Mr. Latham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what action has been taken since 19 December 1988 by his Department to bring about the removal of the ban by Indonesia on the export of rattan; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maude
  [holding answer 6 March 1989]: The European Commission, which has competence in external trade matters, discussed this issue with a delegation led by the Indonesian Vice-Minister for Agriculture in Brussels recently. I regret that no progress was made.

  Further high-level consultations between the Commission and the Government of Indonesia are expected shortly, and my officials will be monitoring developments closely. The Community has also requested consultations with Indonesia under GATT dispute settlement procedures. The Indonesians have yet to agree a date for the consultations.

ENERGY

  Fast Reactors
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the recent agreement on fast reactors between the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority and their counterparts in France and the Federal Republic of Germany; for what time period the agreement will last; and if he has made any financial commitment to the agreement.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Caithness and Sutherland (Mr. Maclennan) on 27 February at column 85. The United Kingdom organisations concerned signed these agreements on the basis of the Secretary of State for Energy's statement of 21 July 1988.

  Sellafield
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy,Official Report, 9 February, columns 756–57, on safeguards application at Sellafield, what period elapsed between 15 December 1986 and the resumption of reprocessing in separate campaigns.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The next reprocessing campaign after 15 December 1986 was for unsafeguarded fuel from Calderhall and Chapel Cross reactors. It is not in the national interest to reveal the precise timing and operational details of such campaigns.

  Domestic Energy Resources
  Sir Dudley Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what current estimate he has of the number of households in England and Wales which are unable to obtain an electricity supply.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  This is a matter for the industry and I have asked the chairman of the Electricity Council to write to my hon. Friend.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Chile
  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Government of the United States of America about encouraging the transition to democracy in Chile.

  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Government of the United States of America about encouraging the transition to democracy in Chile.

  Mr. Harry Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Government of the United States of America about encouraging the transition to democracy in Chile.

  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Government of the United States of America about encouraging the transition to democracy in Chile.

  Mr. Eggar
  We have regular discussions on developments in Chile with the United States Administration, as we do with our European partners. All of us continue to encourage an orderly and peaceful transition to democracy in that country.

  Middle East
  Sir Dennis Walters
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on progress towards peace in the middle east.

  Mr. Dykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the recent visit by the Minister of State, the hon. Member for Bristol, West (Mr. Waldegrave), to Israel.
  547
  Mr. Bowls
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the visit by the Minister of State, the hon. Member for Bristol, West (Mr. Waldegrave), to Israel.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  My visit to Israel, the occupied territories and Jordan included a constructive discussion of the peace process with my various hosts, and underlined the enduring strength of both Anglo-Israeli and Anglo-Jordanian relations.

  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Anglo-Israeli relations.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the middle east peace process.

  Mr. Andrew MacKay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Anglo-Israeli relations.

  Mr. Fishburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the recent visit by the Minister of State, the hon. Member for Bristol, West (Mr. Waldegrave), to Israel.
  548
  Mr. Ernie Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the middle east peace process.

  Mr. Latham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on any recent progress towards a middle east peace settlement.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  I refer my hon. Friends and the hon. Member for Dundee, West (Mr. Ross) to the answer I gave earlier to the hon. Member for Crewe and Nantwich (Mrs. Dunwoody).

  EC (Foreign Policies)
  Mr. Knox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next proposes to have discussions with his European Community partners concerning the development of common European foreign policies.

  Mrs. Chalker
  My right hon. and learned Friend last met EC colleagues in the framework of European political co-operation in Madrid on 14 February. He will do so next at an informal weekend meeting in Granada on 15 and 16 April.

  Political co-operation matters were also discussed at the Foreign Affairs Council on 20 and 21 February, which I attended with my right hon. and learned Friend.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  International Terrorism
  Mr. Patnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made in achieving international co-operation to combat hijacking and other forms of international terrorism.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  In the last year major international agreements against terrorism have been adopted by the International Maritime Organisation and the International Civil Aviation Organisation. The United Kingdom has been instrumental in initiating work in ICAO on new international measures to combat hijacking and aircraft sabotage.

  Afghanistan
  Mr. James Lamond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government on the supply of arms to the anti-Government forces in Afghanistan.

  Mr. Eggar
  It has been the practice of successive Administrations not to comment on matters of this kind.

  Mr. Hind
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects British diplomats to return to Afghanistan.

  Mr. Eggar
  British diplomats will return to Kabul as soon as circumstances permit them to do a useful job.

  Drug Trafficking
  Mr. Rathbone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what actions have been taken by Her Majesty's Government following the Vienna conference on a convention against illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.

  Mr. Eggar
  The United Kingdom signed the new convention on 20 December, subject to ratification. We are actively developing closer international co-operation in areas covered by the convention particularly over the tracing, freezing and confiscation of traffickers' assets.

  United States Secretary of State
  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his meeting with the United States Secretary of State on 12 February.

  Mr. Eggar
  Secretary Baker and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State had most useful and wide-ranging talks on 12 February.

  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last met the American Secretary of State and what was discussed.

  Mr. Eggar
  My right hon. and learned Friend last met Mr. Baker in London on 12 February. They exchanged views on a wide range of subjects.

  Romania
  Mr. Arbuthnot
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make further representations to the Romanian Government about human rights.
  550
  Mr. Waldegrave
  Certainly. We frequently raise human rights violations with the Romanians, both bilaterally arid together with our EC partners. My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State raised our concerns about Mrs. Doina Cornea and the 22 co-signatories to her open letter to President Ceausescu with the Romanian Foreign Minister in Vienna on 6 March. Regrettably, the Romanian authorities have rejected all our representations. We shall continue to raise such cases as appropriate with the Romanian authorities.

  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received from Her Majesty's ambassador to Romania about human rights abuses in that country.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  We receive all-too-frequent reports of human rights violations in Romania, both from Her Majesty's embassy in Bucharest and from nongovernmental organisations. Romania's human rights performance is unsatisfactory in many areas, and its observance of CSCE commitments, freely entered into at the Helsinki, Madrid and Vienna meetings, inadequate. We raise these matters with the Romanian authorities on all appropriate occasions.

  Soviet Union
  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next expects to meet his Soviet counterpart; and what matters he will discuss.

  Mr. Andy Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next plans to meet the Soviet Foreign Minister, Mr. Edward Shevardnadze; and what subjects he expects to discuss.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State met Mr. Shevardnadze in Vienna on 6 March. He will meet him again during Mr. Gorbachev's visit to the United Kingdom on 5 to 7 April. He expects to discuss with him a wide range of bilateral and East-West issues, including human rights.

  Isle of Man
  Mr. Holt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last met with representatives of the Manx Government; and what matters were discussed.

  Mrs. Chalker
  My right hon. and learned Friend has had no meetings with representatives of the Manx Government. As my hon. Friend has been told, matters relating to the Isle of Man are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary.

  France
  Mr. Carttiss
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what matters were discussed at the Anglo-French summit of 27 February.

  Mrs. Chalker
  Discussion covered a wide range of bilateral and international issues. These included East-West relations, defence and arms control matters, and regional issues such as the middle east. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister expressed gratitude for French support over Iranian threats to Mr. Rushdie.

  NATO (Burden Sharing)
  Mr. Summerson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions have been taking place with the United States of America on burden sharing within the Atlantic Alliance; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The United States is fully involved in discussion of burden sharing within the Alliance, including for instance in the work which led to the report on enhancing collective security agreed by NATO Defence Ministers last December, a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

  Jacques Delors
  Sir Russell Johnston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last met Mr. Jacques Delors; and what matters were discussed.

  Mrs. Chalker
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State last met Mr. Delors at the Foreign Affairs Council on 20 February. The matters discussed were covered in the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Bexleyheath (Mr. Townsend) on 22 February.

  Hong Kong
  Mr. Michael J. Martin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received in regard to the second draft of the Basic Law for Hong Kong; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received in regard to the second draft of the Basic Law for Hong Kong; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received in regard to the second draft of the Basic Law for Hong Kong; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  The second draft of the Basic Law was published in Peking on 24 February. It will be the subject of further public consultation in Hong Kong. We have received no representations on this draft.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last met the Governor of Hong Kong; and what subjects were discussed.

  Mr. Eggar
  My right hon. and learned Friend's last meeting with the Governor of Hong Kong was on 22 February 1989 during one of his regular visits to the United Kingdom for routine consultations. The discussions covered the full range of Hong Kong issues.

  Botswana
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last held discussions with representatives of the Botswana Government; and what matters were discussed.

  Mrs. Chalker
  My right hon. and learned Friend last met President Masire and the Botswana Foreign Minister 552
  in London in July 1986. Discussions covered a wide range of bilateral and regional issues. I have regular contacts with Botswana leaders, and met both the President and Foreign Minister most recently during my visit to Botswana in November 1988.

  EC Foreign Ministers
  Mr. Galloway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next expects to attend a meeting of European Community Foreign Ministers; and what he expects will be discussed.

  Mrs. Chalker
  The next meeting of the EC Foreign Ministers will be at the Foreign Affairs Council on 20 and 21 March. The matters expected for discussion were outlined in the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Lancashire, West (Mr. Hind) on 1 March.

  Angola
  Mr. Riddick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Government have taken any steps to bring about reconciliation between the Marxist MPLA Government and UNITA in Angola.

  Mrs. Chalker
  We continue to be in touch with African leaders in the region who are best placed to mediate.

  Mr. Knowles
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the offer of a ceasefire and direct talks made by UNITA; what he is doing to promote a ceasefire or direct talks; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Chalker
  We would welcome any move to establish internal peace in Angola which had the support of both sides. We continue to be in touch with African leaders in the region who are best placed to mediate.

  EC (Fraud)
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what specific steps Her Majesty's Government are urging within the Council of Ministers to enable it to act effectively against financial fraud in the European Parliament.

  Mrs. Chalker
  We have presented a number of suggestions on combating fraud and mismanagement to the Council. These include proposals that the Commission:revise its 1987 proposal on the control and monitoring of export refunds in the light of the recommendations in paragraph 4.56 of the Court of Auditors report, 1987; bring forward proposals for improving the regulations governing intervention storage.

  In making these and other suggestions, we shall be looking to the Commission to detail the necessary proposals and carry out the essential monitoring to ensure an effective fight against fraud. But we shall emphasise, too, that all member states must demonstrate their determination to act by supporting practical proposals of a similar kind.

  President Gorbachev
  Mr. Brandon-Bravo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what subjects he intends to discuss with President Gorbachev during his forthcoming visit to the United Kingdom.
  553
  Mr. Waldegrave
  During Mr. Gorbachev's visit to the United Kingdom, my right hon. and learned Friend expects to discuss a very wide range of bilateral and East-West issues, including human rights.

  Iran
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what arrangements he is making for visa applications for Iranian nationals wishing to come to the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  Visa applications may be made at any of our visa issuing posts overseas.

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultations have taken place with the United Nations Security Council on relations with Iran.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  This issue has not been raised within the Security Council. However, we have raised it separately with individual members.

  Eastern Europe (Human Rights)
  Mr. Favell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on the abuse of human rights in eastern Europe.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Human rights abuses regrettably occur in many parts of eastern Europe. Romania is the worst offender, but the situation in Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria and the GDR also gives cause for serious concern.

  Mr. Mans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received on the abuse of human rights in eastern Europe.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  We receive frequent letters from hon. Members and from members of the public about human rights abuses in eastern Europe. We regularly take up such cases with the Governments concerned, both bilaterally and together with our partners.

  Central America
  Mr. Michael Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of the San Jose V conference.

  Mr. Patchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the outcome of the last european Community—central American meeting which he attended in Honduras; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Flannery
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what was the outcome of the last european Community-central American meeting which he attended in Honduras; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  The EC reaffirmed its support for the peace process in central America. In particular, the EC welcomed the latest proposals of President Duarte aimed at bringing peace to El Salvador. The texts of the political and economic communiqués issued by the conference will he placed in the House.
  554
  Mr. Norman Hogg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what subjects he discussed during his recent visit to central America.

  Mr. Eggar
  During my visit to central America from 23 February to 5 March I discussed prospects for peace in the region following the El Tesoro summit with several central American Ministers, and other politicians, as well as with President Arias. Where appropriate in these and other meetings I also discussed bilateral political, economic and commercial relations, our human rights concerns in the region, our technical co-operation programmes and how to combat the threat posed by drugs, among other subjects.

  Mr. Jacques Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the prospect for peace in central America in the light of the San Jose V conference.

  Mr. Eggar
  At the San Jose V Conference the EC reaffirmed its support for the Esquipulas peace process and welcomed the 14 February agreement reached by the central American Presidents. The conference also expressed support for President Duarte's latest peace efforts for El Salvador. The prospects for peace will greatly improve if commitments to democracy are carried out in spirit as well as in letter.

  West Germany
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what matters were discussed at the Anglo-German summit of 20–21 February in Frankfurt.

  Mrs. Chalker
  My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and Chancellor Kohl discussed East/West relations, arms control, the middle east, South Africa and the environment. My right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Defence, the Secretary of State for the Home Department, the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries arid Food, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State discussed with their German opposite numbers a range of issues which fall within their departmental responsibilities.

  Mr. Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the current state of Anglo-German relations.

  Mrs. Chalker
  The Federal Republic of Germany is one of our most important allies and partners. We have the closest relations, as is demonstrated by the recent summit meeting in Frankfurt, and by the wide range and frequency of ministerial and official contacts. A further summit is planned to be held in this country in March 1990.

  I shall be attending the annual Koenigswinter conference in Germany next week, to which members of the Bundestag and the Federal Government are also invited in their personal capacities.

  Conventional Forces
  Mr. Patrick Thompson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultations he has had with his NATO counterparts on the commencement of conventional forces in Europe talks in Vienna.
  555
  Mr. Waldegrave
  These talks, together with the negotiations on confidence and security-building measures, were among the subjects my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State discussed with his NATO ministerial colleagues at the North Atlantic Council in Brussels on 8 and 9 December last year. We outlined our objectives in the statement on conventional arms control, of 8 December, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Ethiopia
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the current situation in Ethiopia.

  Mrs. Chalker
  Fighting continues in northern Ethiopia. We remain concerned about the human rights situation. Fortunately there has been no recurrence of serious famine. We have urged the need for negotiation, the release of political prisoners, and the adoption of sensible economic policies.

  El Salvador
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Government will be sending representatives to monitor the conditions under which the next presidential elections will be held in El Salvador.

  Mr. Eggar
  We have not been asked to do so.

  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Government will be sending representatives to monitor the conditions under which the next presidential elections will be held in El Salvador.

  Mr. Eggar
  We have not been asked to do so.

  Drugs (Central America)
  Mr. Greg Knight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to co-operate with central American countries in the fight against drugs.

  Mr. Eggar
  I have just returned from a visit to the area. I had discussions with the Governments of Costa Rica, Guatemala and Honduras about strengthening anti-drugs co-operation, and on behalf of Her Majesty's Government handed over equipment worth a total of £30,000. We shall now explore ways to build further on these contacts.

  Turkey
  Mr. Jessel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on British relations with Turkey.

  Mrs. Chalker
  Turkey is a close NATO ally, with whom we enjoy good relations. In 1988, the Prime Minister paid a successful visit to Turkey and President Evren an equally successful state visit to Britain. British companies are involved in Turkey's economic development and we co-operate closely with Turkey on many issues. We welcome the progress made to improve human rights since the return to civilian rule in 1983.

  Nigeria
  Mr. Wood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on United Kingdom relations with Nigeria.

  Mrs. Chalker
  We enjoy close and cordial relations with Nigeria.

  Kenya
  Mr. Knapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on United Kingdom-Kenya relations.

  Mrs. Chalker
  We enjoy excellent relations with Kenya. President Moi has just completed a successful visit to London, during which he delivered the opening address at the international conference on saving the ozone layer, and had a working lunch with my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister.

  Vietnamese Refugees
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with other Governments in order to resolve the problem of Vietnamese refugees in Hong Kong.

  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with other Governments in order to resolve the problem of Vietnamese refugees in Hong Kong.

  Mr. Eggar
  We are in regular contact with other resettlement countries, countries of first asylum, the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, and Vietnam on all aspects of this problem. We have recently undertaken to resettle an additional 1,000 Vietnamese refugees in Britain, and have secured increased commitments from other countries at the same time.

  Mr. Charles Rester
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will now make representations to the South African authorities concerning the case of Mr. Charles Bester.

  Mrs. Chalker
  No. Mr. Bester has appealed against his sentence.

  Syria
  Mr. Terry Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government are considering restoring diplomatic relations with Syria.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  No. We could not consider restoring diplomatic relations without firm evidence that Syria had given up support for international terrorism.

  Cocaine
  Mr. Anthony Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on international co-operation in the fight against cocaine.

  Mr. Eggar
  Co-operation is close both bilaterally and in multilateral fora. The new United Nations convention,
  557
  adopted in December last year, will strengthen international efforts to combat trafficking in cocaine and other illicit drugs.

  Lebanon
  Mr. Cyril D. Townsend
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's relations with the Lebanon.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Our relations with Lebanon are complicated by the existence there of two rival administrations. We fully support the current efforts of the Arab League to help the Lebanese people resolve their differences.

  BBC Russian Service
  Mr. Waller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the current weekly listening figure for the BBC's Russian service.

  Mr. Eggar
  The BBC Russian service has an estimated average weekly audience of about 18 million listeners in the Soviet Union aged 16 and over.

  Cyprus
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what issues were discussed during the recent visit of the President of Cyprus in London.

  Mrs. Chalker
  My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State and I discussed progress in the intercommunal talks with President Vassiliou during his working visit to Britain from 28 February to 5 March. All the main issues of the Cyprus problem were covered. We encouraged Mr. Vassiliou to continue to negotiate constructively towards a comprehensive settlement, building on the positive elements in the proposals tabled by Mr. Denktash and himself.

  Foreign Affairs Council
  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Foreign Affairs Council on 20–21 February.

  Mrs. Chalker
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply that I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Bexleyheath (Mr. Townsend) on 22 February.

  Nuclear Weapons
  Mr. McTaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he will next be meeting Chancellor Kohl; and if he will raise with him the issue of short-range nuclear weapons.

  Mrs. Chalker
  My right hon. and learned Friend has no present plans to meet Chancellor Kohl.

  Paraguay
  Mr. Lofthouse
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government are taking to encourage a return to democracy in Paraguay.
  558
  Mr. Eggar
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by the Minister of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Bristol, West (Mr. Waldegrave), to the right hon. Member for Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale (Mr. Steel) on 24 February.

  Chancellor Kohl
  Mr. Litherland
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next expects to meet Chancellor Kohl; and what subjects he expects to discuss.

  Mrs. Chalker
  My right hon. and learned Friend has no present plans to meet Chancellor Kohl.

  Zambia
  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on relations between the United Kingdom and Zambia.

  Mrs. Chalker
  The United Kingdom enjoys friendlly relations with Zambia.

  Czechoslovakia
  Mr. Madel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he is planning to seek to improve the present state of diplomatic relations between Britain and Czechoslovakia; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  We should like to work for improved relations with Czechoslovakia, but this is impossible at present because of that country's persistent disregard of its CSCE commitments in the field of human rights.

  Namibia
  Dr. Goodson-Wickes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to meet the Administrator General of Namibia; and what matters he will discuss.

  Mrs. Chalker
  My right hon. and learned Friend has no present plans to do so.

  Immigration
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) how long a person applying for entry clearance on 31 March or the latest convenient date at each post in the middle-east, including Israel and Turkey, could expect to wait in each queue, for(a) first interview, (b) referral of the case to the Home Office and the requested information being received by the post, (c) decision after first interview and (d) the explanatory statement prepared by the post in the case of appeal against refusal to be despatched to the immigration appellate authorities in the United Kingdom;

  (2) what are the present waiting times to first interview for entry clearance for all categories of applicant in each country in the middle-east, including Israel and Turkey.

  Mr. Eggar
  The majority of visa applications received are straightforward and require no interview. In such cases visas are normally issued within 48 hours.
  559
  The information sought at (b) and (c) is not available. Processing times vary from case to case.

  As to (a) and (d) the position for all categories of applicant as at 28 February is set out in the table. Column (d) represents the time lapse from the date of receiving notice of appeal from the applicant. The distinction between residents and non-residents at Dubai, Istanbul and Nicosia reflects a high volume of applications from non-resident foreign nationals.

  (a)

  (d)

  Abu Dhabi

  7 days

  1 month

  Aden

  2 weeks

  2 weeks

  Amman

  3 days

  within 3 months

  Baghdad

  2 days

  1 week

  Bahrain

  3 days

  4–6 weeks

  Beirut

  2same day

  1—

  Cairo

  same day

  3 weeks

  Damascus

  3 same day

  1—

  Doha

  5 days

  2 weeks

  Dubai

  Residents

  4 weeks

  1 month

  Non-residents

  5 months

  1 month

  Istanbul

  Residents

  same day

  3 months

  Non-residents

  3½ months

  3 months

  Jedda

  2 weeks

  within 1 month

  Jerusalem

  4 days

  2 weeks

  Kuwait

  1 day

  1 week

  Muscat

  same day

  1 month

  Nicosia

  Residents

  same day

  1 week

  Non-residents

  1 week

  1 week

  Riyadh

  4 weeks

  8 weeks

  Sana'a

  1 week

  1 week

  Tel Aviv

  same day

  1 week

  1A limited visa service is in operation; cases involving lengthy interview and/or possible refusal are directed to nearby posts.

  2Straightforward cases only.

  3Urgent medical and compassionate cases only.

  Select Committee Recommendations
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Select Committee recommendations have been made about, and how many accepted by, his Department since June 1987.

  Mr. Eggar
  The Select Committee on Foreign Affairs has completed four inquiries since June 1987. Copies of the Committee's reports and our subsequent observations, made by means of Command Paper, are available in the House of Commons Library.

  Hong Kong Police (Pensioners)
  Mr. Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has received from the Royal Hong Kong Police Association on behalf of its members now retired in the United Kingdom on the effect of the devaluation of the Hong Kong $ on the £ sterling value of their pensions; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  We have received no such representations from the Royal Hong Kong Police Association. We understand that the association has, however, made representations to the Hong Kong Government about this matter.

  Peru
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Peruvian Government concerning the disappearance of Hugo Blanco and Luis Tresta de la Torre.

  Mr. Eggar
  We have on several occasions conveyed to the Peruvian authorities our concern about reported abuses of human rights. Her Majesty's embassy in Lima have informed us that Mr. Blanco awaits trial on charges under Peru's terrorism laws. We await information on Mr. Tresta de la Torre.

  Diplomatic Wing Budgets
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish what information he has regarding the total diplomatic wing budgets of all Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development member states expressed as(a) a percentage of gross domestic product, (b) a percentage of total Government expenditure and (c) pounds sterling.

  Mr. Eggar
  Information on the total diplomatic wing budgets of all Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development member states is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  In the financial year 1987–88 expenditure on the diplomatic wing of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (£660 million) amounted to 0·16 per cent. of United Kingdom GDP and 0·38 per cent. of general Government expenditure.

SCOTLAND

  Scottish Marriage Guidance Council
  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what funding was given for the Scottish Marriage Guidance Council in each of the last five years; what funding is set for 1989–90; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Funding under section 9 of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 (for training purposes) and under section 10(1) (for headquarters expenses) was offered to the Scottish Marriage Guidance Council as follows:

  Section 9

  Section 10(1)

  Current

  Capital

  Total

  1984–85

  10,327

  34,360

  2,524

  47,211

  1985–86

  11,700

  38,890

  2,361

  52,951

  1986–87

  12,200

  44,112

  1,986

  58,298

  1987–88

  14,600

  45,437

  2,000

  62,037

  1988–89

  13,600

  49,408

  2,810

  65,818

  1989–90

  14,200

  —

  —

  —

  Funding for the council under section 10(1) for next year has not yet been offered but will be in the region of £75,000.

  Storm Damage
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what penalties will be imposed on each local authority for expenditure to repair recent storm damage above the set guideline expenditure level.
  561
  Mr. Lang
  My right hon. and learned Friend has already made it clear that he would consider sympathetically the position of authorities that incur additional expenditure on repairs following recent storm damage.

  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what requests he has received from each local authority for special financial assistance to repair recent storm damage.

  Mr. Lang
  The Scottish Development Department is still receiving responses from housing authorities to the circular issued to them on 21 February following the recent storms. No requests for special financial assistance have been received from other local authorities.

  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what expenditure levels were set for each relevant local authority in Scotland to repair recent storm damage.

  Mr. Lang
  Levels were not set by the Government for expenditure by local authorities to repair recent storm damage. The provision for such expenditure is a matter for each local authority to determine.

  Rating Reform
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what level of personal community charge for 1989–90, in respect of each local authority in Scotland, would have been levied by the authority had the comparable expenditure of the authority been equivalent to that assumed by the Government in determining the authority's revenue support grant.

  Mr. Lang
  Spending at client group assessment—the basis on which grant was initially apportioned—would have implied personal community charges of £154 for each regional council and £42 for each district council. However, those figures take no account of other factors such as the use of balances, which affect the actual community charges set.

  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what level of personal community charge for 1989–90, in respect of each local authority in Scotland, would have been levied by the local authority in the absence of safety netting arrangements.

  Mr. Lang
  Local authorities took their budget and community charge decisions in full knowledge of the grant allocated to them. It is not for me to speculate on what decisions they might have taken in the light of different information.

  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what, in respect of each local authority in Scotland, is the level of personal community charge for 1989–90.

  Mr. Lang
  The information is set out in the table.

  £

  Borders

  174·00

  Central

  198·00

  Dumfries and Galloway

  178·50

  Fife

  220·00

  Grampian

  189·00

  Highland

  180·00

  Lothian

  287·00

  562

  £

  Strathclyde

  200·00

  Tayside

  220·00

  Orkney

  122·00

  Shetland

  107·38

  Western Isles

  137·00

  Berwickshire

  31·00

  Ettrick and Lauderdale

  42·00

  Roxburgh

  42·00

  Tweeddale

  43·00

  Clackmannan

  87·00

  Falkirk

  46·00

  Stirling

  97·00

  Annandale and Eskdale

  47·00

  Nithsdale

  39·00

  Stewartry

  37·00

  Wigtown

  40·00

  Dunfermline

  55·00

  Kirkcaldy

  60·00

  North East Fife

  82·00

  Aberdeen City

  85·00

  Banff and Buchan

  56·70

  Gordon

  44·00

  Kincardine and Deeside

  32·00

  Moray

  42·00

  Badenoch and Strathspey

  35·00

  Caithness

  25·00

  Inverness

  26·00

  Lochaber

  37·00

  Nairn

  28·00

  Ross and Cromarty

  39·00

  Skye and Lochalsh

  25·00

  Sutherland

  6·00

  East Lothian

  69·00

  Edinburgh City

  87·00

  Midlothian

  59·00

  West Lothian

  54·00

  Argyll and Bute

  58·00

  Bearsden and Milngavie

  79·00

  Clydebank

  78·00

  Clydesdale

  82·00

  Cumbernauld and Kilsyth

  56·00

  Cumnock and Doon Valley

  57·00

  Cunninghame

  59·00

  Dumbarton

  79·00

  East Kilbride

  99·00

  Eastwood

  63·00

  Glasgow City

  87·00

  Hamilton

  72·00

  Inverclyde

  72·00

  Kilmarnock and Loudoun

  50·00

  Kyle and Carrick

  89·00

  Monklands

  74·00

  Motherwell

  86·00

  Renfrew

  76·00

  Strathkelvin

  80·00

  Angus

  52·00

  Dundee City

  83·00

  Perth and Kinross

  58·00

  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what level of personal community charge for 1989–90, in respect of each local authority in Scotland, he announced, prior to the determination of the authority's budget, that it would be reasonable for them to levy.

  Mr. Lang
  My right hon. and learned Friend issued figures for the combined region, district and water community charges that were attainable if local authorities did not increase their expenditure by more than the rate of inflation plus allowances for community charge and school board administration. The figures are set out in the table.
  563

  £

  Orkney

  84

  Shetland

  202

  Western Isles

  126

  Berwickshire

  177

  Ettrick and Lauderdale

  180

  Roxburgh

  190

  Tweeddale

  174

  Clackmannan

  225

  Falkirk

  211

  Stirling

  249

  Annandale and Eskdale

  197

  Nithsdale

  192

  Stewartry

  196

  Wigtown

  178

  Dunfermline

  249

  Kirkcaldy

  256

  North East Fife

  251

  Aberdeen City

  201

  Banff and Buchan

  185

  Gordon

  183

  Kincardine and Deeside

  168

  Moray

  176

  Badenoch and Strathspey

  186

  Caithness

  196

  Inverness

  189

  Lochaber

  202

  Nairn

  181

  Ross and Cromarty

  190

  Skye and Lochalsh

  187

  Sutherland

  168

  East Lothian

  307

  Edinburgh City

  313

  Midlothian

  306

  West Lothian

  296

  Argyll and Bute

  293

  Bearsden and Milngavie

  280

  Clydebank

  293

  Clydesdale

  293

  Cumbernauld and Kilsyth

  293

  Cumnock and Doon Valley

  293

  Cunninghame

  293

  Dumbarton

  293

  East Kilbride

  293

  Eastwood

  264

  Glasgow City

  293

  Hamilton

  293

  Inverclyde

  283

  Kilmarnock and Loudoun

  293

  Kyle and Carrick

  290

  Monklands

  293

  Motherwell

  288

  Renfrew

  293

  Strathkelvin

  293

  Angus

  238

  Dundee City

  274

  Perth and Kinross

  237

  Damage to Animals
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the current regulations about compensation for damage to animals on farms in Scotland from the effects of heavy traffic and noise pollution; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Compensation may be available in some circumstances under the Land Compensation (Scotland) Act 1973 for the effect of noise from new roads where the value of land is depreciated. There are no specific provisions for compensation for damage to animals from noise.

  Farms (Rate Rebates)
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list by district the number of farms in Scotland, which border Ministry of Defence or visiting forces' airports, in receipt of rate rebates.

  Mr. Lang
  The information requested is not held centrally.

CIVIL SERVICE

  Hon. Members (Courses)
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Minister for the Civil Service if he will make places available on Civil Service college courses to hon. Members.

  Mr. Luce
  Applications from hon. Members to attend college courses suitable for them will be welcome. I shall arrange for copies of the 1989–90 prospectus to be placed in the Library.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Taxes and Benefits
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what proportion of total tax, direct and indirect, where figures are available(a) was paid in 1986–87 and (b) would be paid in 1989–90 assuming tax allowances are increased by (i) the increase in earnings, (ii) twice the increase needed for indexation and treating child benefit as negative income tax for the following groups (A) a single person on (i) 50 per cent., (ii) 75 per cent., (iii) 100 per cent., (iv) 200 per cent., (v) 300 per cent., (vi) 400 per cent. and (vii) 500 per cent. of average earnings, (B) a one-earner couple with no children, (C) a one-earner couple with two children and (D) a two-earner couple with two children for the same multiples of average earnings;

  (2) if he will publish in the Official Report a table along the same lines as in the answer provided to the hon. Member for Hornchurch (Mr. Squire) in the Official Report, 10 January, columns 633–56, with figures for 1989–90, given the changes to national insurance contributions and benefits already announced and assuming that all the basic allowances are increased (a) the increase in earnings and (b) twice the amount needed for indexation.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  [holding answer 28 February 1989]: The table gives payments of income tax and national insurance contributions as a proportion of earnings for the income levels and tax allowances specified. They assume no change in tax rates in 1989–90. Payments of indirect taxation would depend on the expenditure patterns of the taxpayer and on indirect tax rates for 1989–90. As the latter have not been specified, no estimates for indirect tax payments are provided. No estimates are given for tax paid by a two-earner couple with two children as this would depend on the distribution of income between the couple.
  565

  per cent.

  Multiple of average male earnings

  50

  75

  100

  200

  300

  400

  500

  1986–87

  Single person

  Income Tax

  16·8

  20·9

  22·9

  27·3

  34·0

  39·1

  43·3

  NIC

  9·0

  9·0

  9·0

  6·0

  4·0

  3·0

  2·4

  Total Tax

  25·8

  29·9

  31·9

  33·3

  38·0

  42·1

  45·7

  One-earner couple with no children

  Income Tax

  9·9

  16·3

  19·5

  24·9

  32·0

  37·4

  41·8

  NIC

  9·0

  9·0

  9·0

  6·0

  4·0

  3·0

  2·4

  Total Tax

  18·9

  25·3

  28·5

  30·9

  36·0

  40·4

  44·2

  One-earner couple with two children

  Income Tax

  -3·3

  7·5

  12·9

  21·6

  29·8

  35·7

  40·5

  NIC

  9·0

  9·0

  9·0

  6·0

  4·0

  3·0

  2·4

  Total Tax

  5·7

  16·5

  21·9

  27·6

  33·8

  38·7

  42·9

  (i) 1989–90 if tax allowances increased by the rise in average earnings

  Single person

  Income Tax

  15·1

  18·4

  20·1

  25·1

  30·0

  32·5

  34·0

  NIC

  9·0

  9·0

  9·0

  5·4

  3·6

  2·7

  2·1

  Total Tax

  24·1

  27·4

  29·1

  30·4

  33·6

  35·2

  36·2

  One-earner couple with no children

  Income Tax

  9·5

  14·7

  17·2

  22·8

  28·5

  31·4

  33·1

  NIC

  9·0

  9·0

  9·0

  5·4

  3·6

  2·7

  2·1

  Total Tax

  18·5

  23·7

  26·2

  28·2

  32·1

  34·1

  35·3

  One-earner couple with two children

  Income Tax

  -1·1

  7·6

  11·9

  20·1

  26·7

  30·1

  32·0

  NIC

  9·0

  9·0

  9·0

  5·4

  3·6

  2·7

  2·1

  Total Tax

  7·9

  16·6

  20·9

  25·5

  30·3

  32·8

  34·2

  (ii) 1989–90 if tax allowances increased by twice the increase required for statutory indexation

  Single person

  Income Tax

  14·6

  18·0

  19·8

  24·2

  29·5

  32·1

  33·7

  NIC

  9·0

  9·0

  9·0

  5·4

  3·6

  2·7

  2·1

  Total Tax

  23·6

  27·0

  28·8

  29·6

  33·0

  34·8

  35·8

  One-earner couple with no children

  Income Tax

  8·6

  14·1

  16·8

  21·8

  27·9

  30·9

  32·7

  NIC

  9·0

  9·0

  9·0

  5·4

  3·6

  2·7

  2·1

  Total Tax

  17·6

  23·1

  25·8

  27·2

  31·5

  33·6

  34·9

  One-earner couple with two children

  Income Tax

  -2·0

  7·0

  11·5

  19·1

  26·1

  29·6

  31·6

  NIC

  9·0

  9·0

  9·0

  5·4

  3·6

  2·7

  2·1

  Total Tax

  7·0

  16·0

  20·5

  24·5

  29·7

  32·3

  33·8

  Notes:

  1. The figures assume average earnings in 1989–90 are 7·5 per cent. higher than in 1988–89 (in line with the GAD assumption given in the Autumn Statement).

  2. Figures for a married couple with two children deduct child benefit from income tax.

  3. Income tax payments are calculated on the assumption that the tax payers have no other tax reliefs apart from the standard allowances. Earners are assumed to pay class 1 national insurance contributions at the contracted-in rate.

  British Industry (Unit Costs)
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how unit costs in British industry altered in 1988; what were the comparable changes in Japan, Canada, the United States of America and other EEC countries; and how have exchange rate movements affected the comparative unit costs of British industry relative to those countries.

  Mr. Major
  Indices calculated by the International Monetary Fund showing unit labour costs in manufacturing in 1987 and in the first three quarters of 1988 are given in the Department of Trade and Industry publication, "Monthly Review of External Trade Statistics", for all the countries in question except Portugal, Greece and Ireland. This publication gives unit labour cost indices in terms of 566
  country's own currencies and also in terms of common currency showing coos relative to those in other countries, allowing for the effects of exchange rate movements.

  VAT
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list for each of the last 10 years within the Doncaster district(a) the number of new businesses who have registered for value added tax and (b) the number of businesses that have ceased registering for value added tax; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lilley
  I regret that records are not maintained on a town or district basis. The local VAT office at 'Doncaster covers not only Doncaster but also the area which includes Selby, Barnsley, Scunthorpe and Wakefield. The numbers of VAT registrations and de-registrations processed by that office for each of the calendar years 1979–88 was:
  567

  Year

  New registrations

  De-registrations

  1979

  1,863

  1,515

  1980

  1,576

  1,396

  1981

  1,789

  1,245

  1982

  1,367

  1,162

  1983

  1,969

  1,497

  1984

  1,955

  1,722

  1985

  1,816

  1,936

  1986

  2,231

  2,308

  1987

  2,239

  1,972

  1988

  2,819

  2,089

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list for each of the past 10 years(a) the number of new businesses which have registered for value added tax and (b) the number of businesses that have ceased to register for value added tax in Greenock and Port Glasgow.

  Mr. Lilley
  [holding answer 7 March 1989]: I regret that statistics are not maintained on a town or district basis. The local VAT office at Greenock covers not only Greenock and Port Glasgow but a large geographical area including Oban, Paisley, Ayr, Kilmarnock, and Newton Stewart. The number of VAT registrations and de-registrations processed by that office for each of the calendar years 1979 to 1988 was:

  Year

  New registrations

  De-registrations

  1979

  2,711

  2,151

  1980

  2,172

  1,857

  1981

  2,345

  1,742

  1982

  1,803

  1,712

  1983

  1,933

  1,745

  1984

  1,640

  1,472

  1985

  1,929

  1,792

  1986

  1,913

  1,788

  1987

  1,840

  1,669

  1988

  2,466

  2,059

  Vehicle Taxation
  Mr. Bright
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many representations he has received since his last Budget seeking the removal of discriminatory taxation on motor vehicles in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Lilley
  My right hon. Friend has received a number of written representations seeking the abolition of car tax.

  Coal
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated increase in cost per 50 kg. bag of domestic coal to consumers when coal delivery merchants are charged value added tax at the importer's storage depot.

  Mr. Lilley
  Under the proposals for implementing the European Court of Justice judgment on VAT zero rates which were published on 6 February, the supply of coal to domestic consumers will remain zero-rated, but supplies at earlier stages in the distribution chain will be liable to the standard rate of VAT from 1 July 1990. Coal delivery merchants who are registered for VAT will be able to deduct any VAT charged to them by their suppliers under the normal input tax credit mechanism. The effect on the price to the domestic consumer should be negligible.

  Cigarettes
  Mr. Sims
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much revenue would arise in a full financial year from raising the tax on a packet of 20 cigarettes by(a) 5p, (b) 10p, (c) 15p, (d) 20p and (e) 30p; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lilley
  Estimates are as follows:

  Additional Tax

  Additional Revenue

  £ million

  5p

  170

  10p

  330

  15p

  495

  20p

  655

  30p

  965

  Mr. Sims
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much revenue would have arisen in the period 1988–89 from a tax on cigarettes 10p higher than was necessary to adjust for the effects of inflation over the preceding year; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lilley
  It is estimated that the additional revenue would have been £310 million.

  Consumers (Consultation)
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what arrangements there are for consulting consumers on the work and decisions of his Department.

  Mr. Brooke
  The public is kept in touch with policy developments in the Chancellor's departments in the usual way through command papers, consultative documents, parliamentary announcements, press notices and informal discussion with representative bodies.

  Newspaper Advertising
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will indicate the change in the ratio of Government expenditure between local and national newspaper advertising during the last 12 months for which figures are available.

  Mr. Lilley
  The ratio of expenditure between local and national newspaper advertising placed through the COI on behalf of other Government Departments is as follows:

  National expenditure

  Local expenditure

  £

  Per cent.

  £

  Per cent.

  1986–87

  25,633,000

  80

  6,236,000

  20

  1987–88

  25,483,000

  83

  5,346,000

  17

  Chlorofluorocarbons
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (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 chlorofluorocarbon from refrigeration and air conditioning systems under his Department's control.

  Mr. Brooke
  [holding answer 6 March 1989]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend

  569
  the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy (Dr. Thomas), on Monday 6 March at column 387.

EMPLOYMENT

  Wages Inspectorate
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many employers were found to be illegally underpaying and how many of them were prosecuted in the latest available year by the wages inspectorate divisions covering the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The information is not available in the precise form requested because wages inspectorate statistics about compliance with wages orders are compiled on the basis of establishments rather than employers. With that proviso, the figures in respect of the wages inspectorate divisions covering Great Britain are given in the following table.

  Northern Ireland has a separate wages council system which is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, but I understand that in 1988 112 establishments were found to be underpaying. There were no prosecutions.

  Division

  Establishments found to be underpaying in 1988

  Prosecutions for underpayment in 1988

  London

  317

  —

  South East

  537

  1

  Eastern

  462

  2

  South West

  1,156

  2

  Midlands

  747

  1

  North West

  869

  2

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  631

  2

  Northern

  369

  —

  Scotland

  509

  —

  Totals

  5,597

  10

  Decency Threshold
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many, and what percentage, of full-time male workers earned less than the Council of Europe's decency threshold in the latest available year in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many, and what percentage, of the full-time workforce earned less than the Council of Europe's decency threshold in the latest available year in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Nicholls
  There is no such thing as a Council of Europe decency threshold for a minimum acceptable level of earnings.

  Women Workers (Earnings)
  Mr. McAvoy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many, and what percentage, of full-time female workers earned less than the Council of Europe's decency threshold in the latest available year in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Nicholls
  There is no such thing as a Council of Europe decency threshold for a minimum acceptable level of earnings.

  Earnings (East Midlands)
  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many workplaces were visited and how many of them were found to be illegally underpaying for the latest available year by the wages inspectorate divisions covering the east midlands.

  Mr. Nicholls
  Wages inspectorate statistics are not compiled for areas smaller than the inspectorate's nine divisions. In the midlands division in 1988, 103 workplaces were visited for advisory purposes and 2,609 were visited for the purpose of checking pay. A total of 747 were found to have underpaid one or more worker. However, this cannot be taken as representing the general level of non-compliance with wages council orders because the wages inspectorate target checks by visit on those workplaces thought more likely to underpay workers.

  Earnings (North-West)
  Mr. John Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many employers were found to be illegally underpaying, and how many of them were prosecuted, in the latest available year by the wages inspectorate divisions covering the north-west.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The information is not available in the precise form requested because wages inspectorate statistics about compliance with wages orders are compiled on the basis of establishments rather than employers. In 1988, 869 establishments in the north-west were found to be underpaying. There were two prosecutions for underpaying.

  Earnings (Scotland)
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many employers were found to be illegally underpaying, and how many of them were prosecuted, in the latest available year by the wages inspectorate divisions covering Scotland.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The information is not available in the precise form requested because wages inspectorate statistics about compliance with wages orders are compiled on the basis of establishments rather than employers. In 1988, 509 establishments in Scotland were found to be underpaying. There were no prosecutions.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. John L. Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment by how much unemployment has fallen in the last two years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lee
  In January 1989 the level of unemployment, seasonally adjusted, in the United Kingdom was 1,988,100 compared with 3,051,300 in January 1987, a fall of 1,063,200 on a consistent basis. Unemployment is now at its lowest level for eight years.

  Earnings (Wales)
  Mr. Roy Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many workplaces were visited, and how many of them were found to be illegally underpaying, for the latest available year by the wages inspectorate divisions covering Wales.
  571
  Mr. Nicholls
  In 1988, 15 workplaces were visited for advisory purposes and 1,014 were visited for the purposes of checking pay. A total of 446 were found to have underpaid one or more workers. However, this cannot be taken as representing the general level of non-compliance with wages council orders because the wages inspectorate target checks by visit on those workplaces thought more likely to underpay workers.

  Training Places (Cost)
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the average cost to the Exchequer of an employment training place.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The average cost to the Exchequer per trainee on employment training is expected to be approximately £2,300.

  Mr. Derek Cain
  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether he has now received the written judgment of the High Court concerning the death of Derek Cain in 1982; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Cope
  Yes. The judgment related specifically to that case and no wide-ranging legal principles can be drawn from it. We are nevertheless studying the case closely to see what further practical improvements might be made in YTS health and safety arrangements.

  Chlorofluorocarbons
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (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. Cope
  [holding answer 6 March 1989]: 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) on Monday 6 March at column 387.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Community Care Grants
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what has been the take-up of community care grants since their inception;

  (2) what has been the cost to public funds of community care grants over the period for which figures are available.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I refer the hon. Member to the national summary information placed monthly in the Library.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what has been the annual allocation by his Department for community care grants since their inception.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The annual allocation in respect of community care grants for both 1988–89 and 1989–90 is £60 million.
  572
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what further steps he has taken to publicise the existence and availability of community care grants; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Don Valley (Mr. Redmond) on 17 January at columns 118–19.

  Bed-and-Breakfast Accommodation
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many families in Lambeth are receiving payments from his Department to meet the cost of living in bed-and-breakfast type accommodation.

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

  Transitional Protection
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people in the Northern region, by area, are in receipt of transitional protection as a result of the April 1988 changes in housing benefit regulations.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I regret that the information requested is not available.

  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the effect of transitional payments on the living standards of people who were in receipt of housing benefit prior to changes in the regulations in April 1988.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The transitional payments scheme represents a fast and effective response to the problems caused for those in vulnerable groups who would otherwise have suffered too sharp a drop in their housing benefit following the changes last April.

  Mr. Andrew Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will estimate(a) the total number of people and (b) the number of people in each local authority area who are entitled to claim for housing benefit transitional protection;

  (2) how many claims for housing benefit transitional protection had been made by 28 February (a) in total and (b) in each local authority area; and in each case how many were (i) successful and (ii) unsuccessful;

  (3) how many claims for housing benefit transitional protection are currently being considered (a) in total and (b) in each local authority area.

  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people have claimed transitional protection payments; what proportion of those have had their applications approved; and by how much the number receiving these allowances differs from the estimated take-up.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  [holding answer 2 March 1989]: Up to 300,000 people were originally estimated to be eligible for housing benefit transitional payments. Of the 439,129 applications for Housing Benefit transitional payments received at 3 March, a total of 183,783 have been successful. Of the 39,418 applications outstanding 30,487 are awaiting return of inquiry forms from local authorities.

  573
  Applications will continue to be accepted until 30 June 1989. Information requested is currently available only on a national basis.

  Social Security Spending
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish a table showing(a) the figures in table 15.8 of Cm. 615 in constant 1988–89 prices, (b) the numbers receiving the benefits in each category and (c) an index showing the level of real expenditure per recipient in each category.

  Total benefit expenditure by broad groups of beneficiaries in real terms (1988–89 prices)

  1983–84 outturn

  1984–85 outturn

  1985–86 outturn

  1986–87 outturn

  1987–88 outturn

  1988–892 outturn

  1989–90 plans

  1990–91 plans

  1991–92 plans

  Elderly people

  21,760

  22,000

  22,710

  23,530

  23,580

  22,960

  123,580

  124,600

  125,100

  Sick and disabled people

  5,530

  5,990

  6,350

  6,960

  7,250

  7,600

  8,260

  9,000

  9,600

  Family

  7,440

  7,710

  7,910

  8,040

  8,110

  7,990

  8,130

  8,600

  9,000

  Unemployed people

  6,960

  7,320

  7,640

  7,730

  6,640

  5,430

  4,990

  5,100

  5,300

  Widows and orphans

  1,340

  1,320

  1,280

  1,250

  1,200

  1,190

  1,160

  1,200

  1,100

  Total benefit expenditure

  43,020

  44,340

  45,890

  47,520

  46,770

  45,170

  146,120

  148,400

  150,100

  1 Includes extra help for poorer pensioners on income support from October 1989, announced on 24 November 1988 at column 249, of about £100 million in 1989–90 and £200 million in both 1990–91 and 1991–92.

  2 Estimated.

  Disabled People (Helios Programme)
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he is able to announce the names of the local projects in the United Kingdom assisting disabled people which have been selected to participate in the European Community Helios programme.

  Mr. Scott
  I am pleased to announce that 15 United Kingdom projects have been selected, covering a wide range of types of disability and geographical location. Both the statutory and voluntary sectors are represented, and I am confident that all the projects will make an excellent contribution to the exchanges of experience and learning across Europe made possible by the EC Helios programme. The projects selected for each of the Commissions four networks are as follows:

  Social Integration and Independent Living
  East Sussex Pilot Project, Brighton.
  Coleshill Social Centre, Llanelli, Dyfed.
  Waltham Forest Disability Resource Centre, Walthamstow, London.
  Grampian Health Board independent living project for mentally handicapped clients.

  Vocational Rehabilitation Centres
  Billingham Employment Rehabilitation Centre, Cleveland.
  Enham Industries, Andover, Hampshire.
  Pengwern Hall (MENCAP), Rhuddlan, Clwyd.
  Queen Alexandra College, Birmingham Royal Institute for the Blind.
  Court Grange, Royal National Institute for the Deaf, Abbotskerswell, near Newton Abbot, Devon.
  Atlantic House, Scottish Association for Mental Health (day services), Edinburgh.

  Vocational Rehabilitation and Economic Integration
  Mobile Assessment Project, Department of Economic Development, Employment Rehabilitation Unit, Newtown Abbey, County Antrim.
  Disabled Access to Technology Association (DATA), Bradford.
  Outset, Wandsworth, London.

  School Integration
  574
  Mr. Moore
  The figures in table 15.8 of Cm. 615 in constant 1988–89 prices are shown in the table. Many people receive more than one benefit at the same time and detailed records of the numbers of all multiple beneficiaries and the combinations of benefits held within each client group are not kept. Therefore information on the numbers receiving benefits in each category and on the level of real expenditure per recipient in each category is not available. However table 15.6 of Cm. 615 provides details of the estimated numbers receiving each benefit at any one time.

  River Bank School Project, Ashington, Morpeth, Northumberland.

  Swansea College Project, Swansea, West Glamorgan.

  Rating Reform
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he has any plans to make financial provision for people under 25 years receiving income support for payment of the community charge.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  People receiving income support will be entitled to a rebate of 80 per cent. of their community charge liability. And, as my right hon. Friend announced in his statement to the House on 27 October 1988 at column 455, there will be a once-and-for-all adjustment to income support levels from this April to help meet the minimum 20 per cent. contribution to the community charge which recipients will have to make. The amounts to be included in income support levels are £1·15 a week for single people aged 18 to 24 and £2·30 a week for couples.

  Leaflets
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the reasons for the delays in processing applications for leaflets from the leaflets unit at Stanmore; and if any measures are being taken to improve the service.

  Mr. Graham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what action he intends to take to reduce the six months' waiting time for his Department to supply information leaflets which have been requested by voluntary organisations in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  [holding answers 22 and 23 February 1989]: The principal factors causing delay in the distribution of some orders from Canons Park leaflet unit are the considerably increased demand for bulk orders, and the physical constraints of the unit which preclude an immediate expansion of capacity or the recruitment of any more staff to cope with this demand. Nevertheless a special

  575
  priority 24-hour turn round dispatch has been agreed for all requests from citizens advice bureaux which are the major distributors of bulk quantities of leaflets outside the Department itself.

  Individual copies of leaflets can be obtained from local offices of the Department or by ordering from the free telephone inquiry service, 0800 666 555.

  The Department is urgently considering how best to restore the supply of leaflets to an acceptable level.

  "Reform of Social Security"
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish a revised version of tables P1 to P6 of the technical annex to the White Paper "Reform of Social Security" taking into account changes in prices, earnings and other relevant factors since 1985.

  P1 Pension projections for men retiring in 2013 onwards

  Examples with more years of earnings

  Weekly pension basic pension plus additional pension plus personal pension or COMP pension

  Age in 1988 and earnings level

  Personal pensions

  Money purchase schemes

  Amount invested

  Amount invested

  SERPS—people without a contracted-out pension

  Rebate only

  Rebate + 2 per cent.

  Rebate+2 per cent.

  Rebate+4 per cent.

  Rate of return over prices

  Rate of return over prices

  Rate of return over prices

  Rate of return over prices

  3 per cent.

  3½per cent.

  4 per cent.

  3 per cent.

  3½per cent.

  4 per cent.

  3 per cent.

  3½per cent.

  4 per cent.

  3 per cent.

  3½per cent.

  4 per cent.

  16 Low earner

  81

  87

  93

  101

  112

  122

  133

  118

  129

  141

  144

  159

  175

  Middle earner

  105

  114

  123

  135

  155

  171

  188

  165

  182

  202

  208

  231

  257

  High earner

  113

  127

  139

  154

  175

  194

  217

  186

  208

  233

  236

  265

  299

  20 Low earner

  79

  84

  89

  94

  105

  113

  122

  110

  119

  129

  133

  144

  157

  Middle earner

  104

  116

  125

  137

  155

  170

  187

  165

  181

  200

  205

  227

  252

  High earner

  112

  130

  142

  157

  175

  194

  216

  187

  208

  232

  234

  261

  293

  30 Low earner

  74

  77

  80

  84

  91

  96

  101

  95

  100

  106

  110

  116

  124

  Middle earner

  106

  109

  114

  120

  136

  144

  153

  143

  152

  162

  171

  183

  196

  High earner

  115

  120

  126

  132

  149

  158

  168

  157

  167

  178

  187

  200

  215

  40 Low earner

  71

  69

  70

  72

  77

  78

  80

  79

  81

  83

  87

  88

  92

  Middle earner

  101

  95

  97

  100

  111

  115

  119

  116

  120

  124

  132

  138

  143

  High earner

  108

  101

  104

  106

  119

  123

  127

  124

  128

  133

  143

  148

  154

  P2 Pension projections for men retiring in 2013 onwards

  Examples with fewer years of earnings

  Weekly pension basic pension plus additional pension plus personal pension or COMP pension

  Age in 1988 and earnings level

  Personal pensions

  Money purchase schemes

  Amount invested

  Amount invested

  Rebate only

  Rebate+ 2 per cent.

  Rebate+ 2 per cent.

  Rebate + 4 per cent.

  Rate of return over prices

  Rate of return over prices

  Rate of return over prices

  Rate of return over prices

  SERPS—people without a contracted-out pension

  3 per cent.

  3½ per cent.

  4 per cent.

  3 per cent.

  3½ per cent.

  4 per cent.

  3 per cent.

  3½ per cent.

  4 per cent.

  3 per cent.

  3½ per cent.

  4 per cent.

  16 Low earner

  76

  81

  86

  92

  103

  111

  120

  108

  117

  127

  130

  142

  157

  Middle earner

  104

  112

  121

  132

  152

  167

  184

  161

  178

  197

  203

  226

  251

  High earner

  111

  122

  133

  146

  168

  186

  207

  179

  199

  222

  227

  254

  285

  20 Low earner

  74

  79

  84

  89

  98

  106

  114

  103

  111

  120

  123

  134

  146

  Middle earner

  103

  114

  123

  134

  152

  166

  183

  161

  177

  196

  201

  222

  247

  High earner

  110

  128

  140

  155

  173

  192

  214

  184

  205

  230

  231

  259

  291

  30 Low earner

  71

  74

  77

  80

  87

  91

  95

  90

  95

  100

  103

  109

  116

  Middle earner

  104

  107

  112

  118

  134

  142

  151

  141

  150

  160

  170

  181

  195

  High earner

  115

  120

  127

  132

  140

  158

  168

  157

  167

  178

  187

  200

  215

  40 Low earner

  68

  66

  67

  68

  72

  73

  75

  74

  75

  77

  80

  82

  84

  Middle earner

  101

  95

  97

  100

  111

  115

  119

  116

  120

  124

  132

  138

  143

  High earner

  108

  101

  104

  100

  119

  123

  127

  124

  128

  133

  143

  148

  154

  576
  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  [holding answer 13 December 1988]: The information requested is in the tables.

  It should be noted that the contracted-out rebate assumed is 5·8 per cent. of earnings between the lower and upper limits for national insurance contributions, declining to 3·75 per cent. by 2018. The future figures are purely illustrative and should not be taken as precise predictions of what the contracted-out rebate will be. The lower and upper earnings limits are assumed to increase in future in line with prices. In all cases the contracted-out rebate is boosted by the 2 per cent. incentive addition which is to be given to personal pensions and newly contracted-out occupational schemes up to 1992–93.

  Men are assumed to take their pension at 65, women at 60. The projections for widows assume that their husband dies after reaching 65.
  577

  P3 Pension projections for women retiring in 2013 onwards

  Examples with more years of earnings

  Weekly pension basic pension plus additional pension plus personal pension or COMP pension

  Age in 1988 and earnings level

  Personal pensions

  Money purchase schemes

  Amount invested

  Amount invested

  SERPS—people without a contracted-out pension

  Rebate only

  Rebate + 2 per cent.

  Rebate+ 2 per cent.

  Rebate+ 4 per cent.

  Rate of return over prices

  Rate of return over prices

  Rate of return over prices

  Rate of return over prices

  3 per cent.

  3½ per cent.

  4 per cent.

  3 per cent.

  3½ per cent.

  4 per cent.

  3 per cent.

  3½ per cent.

  4 per cent.

  3 per cent.

  3½ per cent.

  4 per cent.

  16 Low earner

  62

  60

  62

  64

  69

  71

  74

  71

  74

  77

  79

  83

  88

  Middle earner

  77

  74

  78

  82

  91

  96

  103

  95

  101

  108

  112

  120

  129

  High earner

  93

  91

  97

  104

  116

  125

  135

  122

  132

  144

  148

  161

  177

  20 Low earner

  60

  58

  60

  61

  65

  67

  69

  67

  69

  71

  74

  76

  79

  Middle earner

  75

  72

  74

  77

  85

  89

  93

  89

  93

  98

  103

  108

  115

  High earner

  92

  89

  93

  98

  110

  116

  124

  115

  122

  131

  137

  146

  157

  30 Low earner

  64

  57

  57

  58

  64

  65

  66

  66

  67

  68

  74

  76

  77

  Middle earner

  73

  65

  66

  67

  75

  77

  79

  78

  80

  82

  89

  92

  94

  High earner

  84

  76

  78

  80

  90

  93

  96

  94

  97

  100

  109

  113

  117

  40 Low earner

  52

  47

  48

  48

  50

  51

  51

  51

  52

  52

  54

  55

  56

  Middle earner

  59

  54

  55

  55

  59

  60

  61

  60

  61

  62

  65

  66

  67

  High earner

  69

  63

  64

  65

  69

  71

  72

  71

  73

  75

  78

  80

  82

  P4 Pension projections for men retiring in 2013 onwards

  Examples with fewer years of earnings

  Weekly pension basic pension plus additional pension plus personal pension or COMP pension

  Age in 1988 and earnings level

  Personal pensions

  Money purchase schemes

  Amount invested

  Amount invested

  SERPS—people without a contracted-out pension

  Rebate only

  Rebate+ 2 per cent.

  Rebate + 2 per cent.

  Rebate+ 4 per cent.

  Rate of return over prices

  Rate of return over prices

  Rate of return over prices

  Rate of return over prices

  3 per cent.

  3½ per cent.

  4 per cent.

  3 per cent.

  3½ per cent.

  4 per cent.

  3 per cent.

  3½ per cent.

  4 per cent.

  3 per cent.

  3½ per cent.

  4 per cent.

  16 Low earner

  61

  60

  62

  63

  67

  69

  72

  69

  71

  75

  76

  80

  84

  Middle earner

  76

  74

  77

  81

  87

  91

  96

  90

  95

  101

  103

  110

  117

  High earner

  90

  90

  95

  101

  109

  116

  125

  114

  122

  131

  133

  144

  156

  20 Low earner

  60

  58

  59

  61

  64

  65

  67

  65

  67

  69

  71

  73

  75

  Middle earner

  74

  72

  74

  76

  82

  85

  88

  84

  87

  91

  94

  98

  103

  High earner

  90

  88

  91

  95

  103

  108

  113

  107

  112

  118

  122

  129

  136

  30 Low earner

  53

  50

  50

  51

  54

  54

  54

  54

  55

  55

  58

  58

  59

  Middle earner

  64

  58

  59

  59

  64

  65

  66

  66

  67

  68

  72

  73

  75

  High earner

  78

  70

  71

  71

  80

  81

  82

  82

  83

  85

  92

  94

  96

  40 Low earner

  49

  45

  45

  45

  47

  48

  48

  48

  48

  49

  51

  51

  51

  Middle earner

  57

  50

  51

  51

  55

  55

  56

  56

  57

  57

  61

  61

  62

  High earner

  69

  58

  59

  60

  66

  67

  68

  68

  69

  70

  76

  77

  79

  P5 Pension projections for men retiring in 2008 onwards

  Examples with more years of earnings

  Weekly pension basic pension plus additional pension plus personal pension or COMP pension

  Age in 1988 and earnings level

  Personal pensions

  Money purchase schemes

  Amount invested

  Amount invested

  SERPS—people without a contracted-out pension

  Rebate only

  Rebate+ 2 per cent.

  Rebate + 2 per cent.

  Rebate+ 4 per cent.

  Rate of return over prices

  Rate of return over prices

  Rate of return over prices

  Rate of return over prices

  3 per cent.

  3½ per cent.

  4 per cent.

  3 per cent.

  3½ per cent.

  4 per cent.

  3 per cent.

  3½ per cent.

  4 per cent.

  3 per cent.

  3½ per cent.

  4 per cent.

  16 Low earner

  81

  81

  85

  90

  100

  106

  113

  104

  111

  119

  124

  133

  144

  Middle earner

  108

  111

  119

  129

  147

  159

  173

  155

  169

  185

  194

  211

  232

  High earner

  124

  131

  143

  157

  178

  196

  216

  190

  209

  233

  238

  264

  294

  20 Low earner

  78

  79

  82

  86

  94

  99

  105

  98

  104

  110

  115

  122

  130

  Middle earner

  106

  107

  113

  120

  137

  147

  157

  145

  155

  167

  176

  189

  205

  High earner

  125

  128

  137

  147

  168

  181

  196

  178

  192

  209

  218

  237

  259

  30 Low earner

  80

  72

  74

  75

  85

  88

  90

  89

  91

  94

  102

  105

  109

  Middle earner

  103

  95

  98

  101

  117

  121

  126

  122

  127

  133

  145

  152

  159

  High earner

  119

  110

  114

  118

  136

  141

  148

  142

  149

  156

  169

  177

  187

  40 Low earner

  65

  59

  60

  61

  65

  66

  66

  67

  67

  68

  72

  73

  75

  Middle earner

  88

  79

  81

  82

  89

  91

  93

  92

  94

  97

  103

  105

  108

  High earner

  102

  91

  93

  95

  104

  107

  110

  108

  111

  114

  122

  126

  130

  578 579

  P6 Pension projections for widows retiring in 2008 onwards

  Examples with less years of earnings

  Weekly pension basic pension plus additional pension plus personal pension or COMP pension

  Age in 1988 and earnings level

  Personal pensions

  Money purchase schemes

  Amount invested

  Amount invested

  SERPS—people without a contracted-out pension

  Rebate only

  Rebate+ 2 per cent.

  Rebate+2 per cent.

  Rebate+ 4 per cent.

  Rate of return over prices

  Rate of return over prices

  Rate of return over prices

  Rate of return over prices

  3 per cent.

  3½percent.

  4 per cent.

  3 per cent.

  3½per cent.

  4 per cent.

  3 per cent.

  3½ per cent.

  4 per cent.

  3 per cent.

  3½ per cent.

  4 per cent.

  16 Low earner

  72

  78

  82

  87

  95

  101

  107

  99

  105

  113

  116

  124

  134

  Middle earner

  107

  110

  118

  126

  141

  153

  165

  149

  161

  176

  181

  198

  216

  High earner

  124

  133

  143

  156

  173

  189

  208

  183

  201

  222

  225

  249

  276

  20 Low earner

  75

  76

  79

  83

  90

  94

  99

  93

  98

  104

  107

  114

  121

  Middle earner

  105

  106

  111

  117

  132

  140

  149

  138

  147

  157

  165

  177

  190

  High earner

  124

  129

  136

  145

  162

  173

  186

  171

  183

  197

  205

  221

  240

  30 Low earner

  68

  65

  66

  68

  72

  74

  75

  74

  76

  78

  82

  84

  87

  Middle earner

  94

  88

  90

  93

  105

  109

  113

  109

  114

  118

  127

  133

  139

  High earner

  113

  104

  107

  110

  125

  130

  134

  131

  135

  141

  153

  159

  166

  40 Low earner

  60

  55

  56

  56

  60

  60

  61

  61

  61

  62

  65

  66

  67

  Middle earner

  86

  75

  76

  77

  85

  87

  89

  88

  90

  92

  99

  101

  103

  High earner

  103

  86

  88

  89

  101

  103

  105

  105

  107

  110

  120

  123

  127

DEFENCE

  Relocation
  Mr. Brandon-Bravo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 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 the relocation of such posts away from the south-east.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Under the policy that my right hon. Friend the Paymaster General, announced on 31 March 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 that 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.

  Information Technology
  Mr. Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 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. Sainsbury
  Within the departmental planning processes we are continually reviewing how information technology can assist in improving efficiency and effectiveness, including in the field of communications.580
  We have an extensive modernisation programme for voice and data communications. Videotext, CCTV, facsimile transmission and electronic mail are all being exploited, with a substantial increase foreseen for the latter if trials presently under way prove successful. Growing use is being made of technology-based training; and computer-based publishing systems play a significant part in text production of all kinds. For the future we will continue to take up relevant available technology as it matures and offers economical and effective ways of meeting our needs.

  YTS (Germany)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what factors he took into account in deciding not to establish a YTS centre in Germany; if he is intending to open YTS centres in any other country where British forces and their families are stationed; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The wide geographical spread of British forces and their dependants in Germany meant that it was inappropriate to establish one YTS training centre. Eleven YTS areas have been established to coincide with major garrison areas and "on" and "off' job YTS training is carried out within existing service establishments, service education centres and in one Service Children's Education Authority school. It is not intended to establish dedicated YTS centres in any other country.

  Defence Budgets
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish what information he has regarding the defence budgets of all Organisation for Economic
  581
  Co-operation and Development member states; and if he will show for each their defence budgets (a) as a percentage of gross domestic product, (b) as a percentage of total Government expenditure and (c) in pound sterling.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The Department does not hold information on Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development member states which are not members of NATO. For NATO nations, the information requested at(a) and (c) is given in the following table. The information requested at (b) is not reported by member nations to NATO and is therefore not readily available.

  Country

  Defence expenditure as percentage of gross domestic product

  Defence expenditure in £ million sterling

  United States of America

  6·1

  162,381

  France

  3·8

  20,181

  Federal Republic of Germany

  3·0

  19,877

  United Kingdom

  4·3

  19,621

  Italy

  2·4

  10,761

  Canada

  2·1

  5,567

  Netherlands

  3·0

  3,790

  Spain

  2·2

  4,113

  Belgium

  2·9

  2,369

  Greece

  6·6

  1,947

  Turkey

  4·2

  1,426

  Norway

  3·3

  1,640

  Denmark

  2·2

  1,313

  Portugal

  3·1

  709

  Luxembourg

  1·3

  46

  Note: These figures, which are provisional, have been compiled for the calendar year 1988 from NATO sources except those for the United Kingdom, which have been compiled from national sources. Defence expenditure is given in £ million sterling at 1988 average market exchange rates, which do not necessarily reflect the relative purchasing power of individual currencies and so are not a complete guide to comparative resource allocation.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  IRA (Funding)
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made on international co-operation on reducing overseas funding of the IRA.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  The Government are well aware of the need for close international co-operation against all forms of terrorism and are consistently active in promoting such co-operation. In particular, there are provisions in the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Bill currently before Parliament for bilateral agreements with other countries to make reciprocal arrangements which

  Claims made

  Claims outstanding

  Total

  Personal injury

  Total compensation paid in each year

  Total

  Personal injury

  £000' S

  1983–84

  2,674

  1,399

  704

  260

  147

  1984–85

  3,052

  1,806

  961

  382

  252

  582
  would allow for the enforcement of orders made abroad to restrain or forfeit terrorist funds. We will be encouraging countries with similar legislation to enter into such agreements.

  My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has already outlined the Government's proposals to EC colleagues in the Trevi forum and has agreed that these should form the basis of a study into ways of dealing with terrorist finances. The possibility of having reciprocal enforcement arrangements will be pursued actively once Parliament has agreed to the new provisions.

  Lead-free Petrol
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many outlets for the sale of lead-free petrol there are in Northern Ireland at present; and what steps he is taking to increase the rates at which petrol retail outlets are providing motorists with the opportunity to purchase lead-free petrol in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Needham
  At present there are 91 filling stations throughout Northern Ireland selling lead-free petrol. As part of the Government's initiative to encourage the use of unleaded fuel, I shall be sponsoring a Northern Ireland lead-free petrol week during 20 to 25 March. The Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland will be promoting a range of events during the week involving the oil companies, car manufacturers, the motoring public and the media. Information packs including maps showing the location of lead-free petrol outlets will be distributed free to motorists.

  Compensation
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish by district council or housing area in Northern Ireland information on(a) the number of claims made for compensation for alleged personal injury in each of the last five years against the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and Department of Environment (Northern Ireland) Roads Service, (b) the amount of compensation paid by the Housing Executive and Roads Service Northern Ireland in each of the last five years and (c) the number of claims lodged for compensation against the Housing Executive and Road Service which have still to be settled.

  Mr. Needham
  The chairman of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive has advised me that the information sought about the number of claims made against the Housing Executive for compensation for alleged personal injury and the number outstanding, is not available in the form requested for the last five years. For 1983–84 and 1984–85 the information available is:
  583
  For 1985–86 to 1987–88 the information available in respect of the total numbers of claims and compensation is:

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  Claims made

  Claims made

  Claims made

  Claims outstanding at 31 December 1988

  Region/district

  Total

  Personal injury

  Total

  Personal injury

  Total

  Personal injury

  Total

  Personal injury

  Headquarters

  —

  —

  1

  —

  3

  —

  —

  —

  Belfast 1

  176

  127

  165

  148

  141

  114

  250

  207

  2

  81

  49

  121

  82

  102

  66

  178

  126

  3

  397

  308

  436

  363

  383

  267

  734

  560

  4

  212

  170

  233

  191

  232

  165

  456

  351

  5

  175

  109

  197

  152

  195

  143

  346

  270

  6

  172

  114

  180

  133

  185

  139

  341

  260

  7

  139

  87

  120

  85

  113

  71

  225

  163

  South East

  Bangor

  23

  15

  22

  15

  26

  18

  37

  29

  Newtownards I

  23

  15

  27

  14

  26

  18

  45

  27

  Newtownards II

  10

  9

  15

  6

  21

  10

  28

  14

  Castlereagh I

  47

  23

  51

  27

  97

  31

  126

  52

  Castlereagh II

  14

  10

  17

  9

  20

  13

  31

  21

  Lisburn I

  59

  29

  83

  47

  73

  37

  89

  44

  Lisburn II

  19

  16

  25

  12

  31

  16

  43

  25

  Lisburn III

  144

  111

  128

  110

  125

  93

  219

  174

  Downpatrick

  80

  27

  90

  30

  68

  34

  130

  59

  South

  Banbridge

  33

  23

  34

  21

  35

  15

  53

  29

  Newry I

  90

  36

  109

  52

  104

  60

  150

  64

  Newry II

  26

  12

  34

  23

  22

  8

  44

  26

  Kilkeel

  7

  2

  8

  1

  9

  2

  9

  2

  Armagh

  26

  16

  34

  15

  41

  23

  63

  40

  Craigavon

  89

  65

  128

  89

  72

  53

  132

  85

  Lurgan

  66

  46

  65

  41

  57

  38

  90

  59

  Portadown

  35

  13

  36

  18

  34

  19

  63

  34

  North East

  Ballymena

  56

  12

  51

  19

  54

  20

  90

  38

  Antrim

  52

  24

  44

  24

  66

  31

  84

  39

  Newtownabbey I

  79

  57

  153

  115

  127

  111

  213

  166

  Newtownabbey II

  59

  19

  70

  34

  55

  24

  99

  52

  Carrickfergus

  22

  10

  24

  12

  27

  13

  40

  21

  Larne

  24

  6

  30

  18

  20

  6

  38

  18

  Ballycastle

  8

  1

  7

  1

  8

  4

  12

  5

  Ballymoney

  19

  3

  9

  3

  7

  —

  13

  4

  North West

  Londonderry I

  340

  267

  344

  275

  242

  187

  533

  424

  Londonderry II

  123

  71

  119

  68

  81

  39

  220

  119

  Londonderry III

  122

  101

  174

  132

  163

  131

  315

  238

  Limavady

  23

  9

  24

  14

  28

  8

  53

  19

  Coleraine

  51

  14

  43

  20

  69

  22

  111

  41

  Magherafelt

  22

  11

  19

  8

  34

  8

  55

  17

  Strabane

  36

  23

  23

  15

  33

  18

  62

  39

  West

  Omagh

  47

  18

  39

  17

  47

  19

  90

  32

  Cookstown

  48

  12

  32

  19

  45

  16

  75

  31

  Dungannon

  65

  41

  82

  50

  70

  37

  137

  72

  Enniskillen

  26

  11

  29

  9

  29

  9

  54

  16

  TOTALS

  3,365

  2,142

  3,675

  2,537

  3,420

  2,156

  6,186

  4,136

  Total compensation paid in each year

  £1,335,822

  £1,485,496

  £1,403,,904

  Note: The claims figures relate to the year in which the incident took place and are the numbers received by 31 December 1988.
  584 585

  Compensation claims made against the roads service of the Department of the Environment Northern Ireland are handled on a roads division basis. The information in respect of the total number of claims and compensation is:

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  Claims

  Compensation paid

  Claims

  Compensation paid

  Claims

  Compensation paid

  Claims

  Compensation paid

  Claims

  Compensation paid

  Claims still to be settled at 31 March 1989

  £'000s

  £'000s

  £'000s

  £'000s

  £'000s

  £'000s

  £'000s

  £'000s

  £'000s

  £'000s

  Ballymena

  240

  71

  266

  135

  316

  127

  339

  180

  348

  155

  235

  Belfast

  1,890

  1,199

  1979

  2,004

  2,594

  2,231

  2,920

  2,847

  2,855

  2,806

  4,616

  Coleraine

  458

  198

  509

  245

  780

  397

  969

  534

  824

  734

  450

  Craigavon

  418

  397

  492

  387

  599

  657

  651

  506

  695

  694

  523

  Downpatrick

  518

  324

  570

  465

  667

  440

  726

  533

  831

  655

  547

  Omagh

  327

  123

  409

  301

  433

  279

  488

  421

  1,500

  373

  490

  Whiteabbey Girls Training School
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the former Whiteabbey girls training school property at Old Manse road, Newtownabbey, which is now the subject of a planning application No. 0175 by the Northern Ireland fire authority, was transferred or sold to the authority by the Department of Environment (NI); whether the legal matters involved in the transaction have been completed; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 6 March 1989]: This property is owned by the Secretary of State for the Environment. It has not yet been sold to the Fire authority for Northern Ireland. Final completion of the sale awaits the outcome of the authority's planning application for a fire brigade training school. The Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland will shortly re-consult the Newtownabbey borough council as to its opinion on the planning application, following which the Department will then issue its planning decision.

HEALTH

  AIDS
  Mr. Rost
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what information he has on accuracy on the assay system currently most commonly used to identify people as HIV antibody positive; and what steps he has taken to ensure that there are no more prospects of people being identified as HIV antibody positive who were subsequently found not to be so;

  Number of newly diagnosed cases of malignant neoplasm of stomach and intestine, usual residents of Mersey regional health authority, England and Wales 1974–84.

  ICD 151

  ICD 152

  ICD 153

  ICD 154

  M

  E and W

  M

  E and W

  M

  E and W

  M

  E and W

  1984

  575

  11,253

  17

  327

  732

  14,840

  489

  9,577

  1983

  615

  11,553

  20

  316

  642

  14,612

  417

  9,500

  1982

  617

  11,537

  13

  282

  629

  14,608

  482

  9,353

  1981

  1 537

  11,687

  20

  323

  601

  14,671

  414

  9,419

  1980

  621

  11,731

  12

  285

  709

  13,843

  435

  9,280

  1979

  620

  11,904

  11

  340

  671

  13,891

  457

  9,249

  1978

  657

  12,242

  15

  329

  698

  14,144

  483

  9,104

  1977

  729

  12,430

  12

  341

  703

  14,115

  478

  9,056

  1976

  688

  12,235

  14

  345

  662

  13,997

  474

  8,870

  1975

  725

  12,610

  17

  339

  689

  13,759

  505

  8,932

  1974

  702

  12,417

  9

  304

  747

  13,580

  459

  8,711

  M=Mersey Regional Health Authority.

  E and W=England and Wales.

  International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes:—

  ICD 151 Maligant Neoplasm (MN) of Stomach.

  ICD 152 MN of Small intestine including Duodenum.

  586
  (2) what checks exist to determine whether people who test first positive and subsequently negative for the presence of HIV antibodies have been subject to inaccurate test procedures or have been able to disable and eliminate the HIV from their systems.

  Mr. Freeman
  The test system most commonly used at present for the detection of HIV antibody has an estimated specificity well in excess of 99 per cent. However, any specimen reacting positively in initial testing should always be retested and referred for further testing with an alternative test system, before any result is issued. With these procedures, true false positives should not occur.

  There have been a few recorded instances of people with confimed positive HIV antibody tests who later became seronegative. However, these people may be positive by more direct tests of viral infection suggesting that the explanation is not elimination of HIV, merely failure to produce antibodies.

  Cancers (Liverpool)
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people have contracted(a) stomach cancer and (b) intestinal cancer in the Liverpool area for each of the last 15 years; what are the national figures; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  ;The information is shown in the table. The latest available data year for cancer registration is 1984.
  587
  ICD 153 (8th Revision) 1974–78 MN of Large intestine except rectum. (9th Revision) 1979–84 MN of Colon.

  ICD 154 MN of rectum rectosigmiod junction and anus.

  1Approx 1,400 registrations for all forms of cancer were not available at the time of publication. Of these 1,000 were for Mersey RHA.

  Cervical Cancer Screening
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recommendations he makes to district health authorities about the interval between call-ups for cervical smears.

  Mr. Freeman
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Romsey and Waterside (Mr. Colvin) on 21 February at column 608.

  Cook-Chill Catering
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if, in view of concern about the suitability of cook-chill catering for hospital patients, he will require Wakefield health authority to ensure that patients are offered the choice of a conventional food alternative when cook-chill meals are introduced.

  Mr. Freeman
  No. I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. and learned Friend's reply to him on 27 February at column 68–9.

  Prescription Certificates
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information he has on the number of(a) prescription certificates issued by general practitioners and (b) prescription certificates prescribed to pharmacists, in each of the last 10 years.

  Mr. Mellor
  Information about the number of prescriptions written by general practitioners is not available. The number of prescriptions dispensed by community pharmacists and appliance contractors in England in each of the last 10 years was as follows:

  Millions

  1978

  307·1

  1979

  304·6

  1980

  303·3

  1981

  300·0

  588

  Millions

  1982

  311·3

  1983

  315·3

  1984

  320·5

  1985

  318·7

  1986

  322·5

  1987

  335·3

  Ambulance Service (London)
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place in the Library copies of each of the annual management reviews of the London ambulance service conducted by his Department since he assumed direct responsibility for determining its annual expenditure.

  Mr. Freeman
  [holding answer 1 March 1989]: My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Health does not determine the budget of the London ambulance service, which is a matter that he has delegated to the South West Thames regional health authority. A copy of the ministerial review of the South West Thames RHA is placed in the Library. It is not, however, appropriate to place in the Library the annual management review of the LAS which is conducted by officials.

  Kidney Transplants
  Mr. Evennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many kidney transplants were carried out in the four Thames health regions in the last year for which figures are available; and what was the corresponding figure in 1980.

  Mr. Freeman
  [holding answer 21 February 1989]: The figures for cadaveric transplants are as follows:

  Numbers

  1980

  236

  1988

  437

  They include transplants carried out by the London postgraduate special health authorities.

  EXOATMOSPHERIC REENTRY-VEHICLE INTERCEPTOR SUBSYSTEM
  EXOATMOSPHERIC REENTRY-VEHICLE INTERCEPTOR SUBSYSTEM
  PLUTONIUM EXPORTS
  PLUTONIUM EXPORTS
  FLUIDISED BED COMBUSTION TECHNOLOGY: GRIMETHORPE
  FLUIDISED BED COMBUSTION TECHNOLOGY: GRIMETHORPE
  HELIOS PROGRAMME: PROJECTS
  HELIOS PROGRAMME: PROJECTS
  POLICE RENT ALLOWANCE
  POLICE RENT ALLOWANCE
  NATIONALITY FEES INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT
  NATIONALITY FEES INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT
  REMAND PRISONERS HELD IN POLICE CELLS
  REMAND PRISONERS HELD IN POLICE CELLS