Written Answers of 13 March 1989

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Court Service (Clerks)
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the salary structure for justices' clerks, their deputies and court clerks.

  Mr. John Patten
  The salary structure and scales are as determined by the joint negotiating committees for justices' clerks and magistrates' courts staff, and are subject to review by those bodies.

  D Notices
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has any plans to submit any new D notices to the defence, press and broadcasting committee.

  Mr. Hurd
  No.

  Attitudes to Crime Survey
  Ms. Richardson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his Department consulted women's organisations and others with expertise in rape, sexual assault and domestic violence before deciding to include questions on rape, sexual assault and domestic violence in his Department's survey on attitudes to crime; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John Patten
  The questionnaire for the survey was devised by a team of international experts on victimisation surveys. The survey in England and Wales was supervised by the Home Office research and planning unit the members of which have had considerable experience of victimisation surveys and research.

  Ms. Richardson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the interviewers who conducted his Department's survey on attitudes to crime and who telephoned women at random to ask questions about rape, and other sexual and domestic violence, were women; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John Patten
  About half of the interviewers used by Burke Marketing Research Ltd, who conducted the telephone survey of experience of crime for the Home Office, were women.

  Ms. Richardson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether women's organisations, or others with expertise on rape, sexual assault and domestic violence, were consulted or asked to contribute to the training programme for interviewers who conducted his Department's survey on attitudes to crime; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John Patten
  Interviewers underwent a full training programme for telephone interviewing and operated under 2
  the Market Research Society's code of conduct. There was also a full briefing for inerviewers by a female Home Office survey expert.

  Information (Unauthorised Access)
  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the potential deleterious effects of information obtained by unauthorised means about current Home Department casework on(a) police matters, (b) passport/ immigration, (c) deregulation and (d) criminal justice.

  Mr. Hurd
  The potential effects are indicated by the security classification or privacy marking given to the material.

  Police (Leicestershire)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will name the police officers interviewed by the inspectorate on their visit to Leicestershire in February.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  In the course of its inspections of police forces under the Police Act 1964 Her Majesty's inspectorate of constabulary may interview such police officers as it considers necessary in connection with its duties. It would not be right to disclose the names of those interviewed.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the duration and date of the visit from the inspectorate to Leicestershire in February.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Her Majesty's inspectorate of constabulary carried out the formal annual inspection of the Leicestershire constabulary under the Police Act 1964 from 27 February to 2 March 1989.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has received any representations concerning the investigations which are currently being conducted by the assistant chief constable of Derbyshire into the activities of the Leicestershire constabulary.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  No.

  Criminal Injuries Compensation Board
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the longest waiting time for any applicant to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board to have waited for their case to be resolved and for an appeal to be decided.

  Mr. John Patten
  The board does not keep information about waiting times in cases now disposed of. The oldest application still outstanding was received on 22 March 1974, and was the subject of a hearing in 1978. The case concerns injury to a young child who is still a minor. It is kept under review and a number of interim payments have been made.

  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many applications to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board in the last five years were rejected because a battered wife did not inform the police of the assault;
  3
  (2) how many applications to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board in each of the last five years relate to domestic violence; and what proportion were successful.

  Mr. John Patten
  Collation by the board of information on applications arising from violence within the family was discontinued in 1985. The information given in the

  Number of applications determined

  Year

  Awards made

  Applications rejected

  Withdrawn/abandoned

  Male

  Female

  Children

  Total

  1984–85

  39

  188

  12

  239

  151

  87

  1

  1983–84

  50

  161

  15

  226

  104

  120

  2

  1982–83

  46

  114

  5

  165

  95

  67

  3

  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications have been made to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board in each of the last five years; how many and what proportion of these were successful; how many of the unsuccessful ones appealed; and what proportion of appeals was successful.

  Table 1

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  per cent

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  Applications received

  31,939

  —

  34,890

  —

  39,697

  —

  42,301

  —

  43,054

  —

  Total decisions accepted

  25,963

  —

  23,636

  —

  26,299

  —

  25,236

  —

  24,175

  —

  Breakdown of decisions accepted

  Full awards

  18,618

  61

  17,089

  61

  19,906

  64

  19,147

  64

  18,186

  63

  Reduced awards

  591

  2

  510

  2

  590

  2

  579

  2

  570

  2

  Nil awards

  6,754

  22

  6,037

  22

  5,803

  19

  5,510

  19

  5,419

  19

  Requests for hearings

  4,339

  15

  4,244

  15

  4,677

  15

  4,510

  15

  4,583

  16

  Total of decisions accepted and requests for hearings

  30,302

  100

  27,880

  100

  30,976

  100

  29,746

  100

  28,758

  100

  Table 2

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  Decisions made at hearings

  Number

  per cent.

  Number

  per cent.

  Number

  per cent.

  Number

  per cent.

  Number

  per cent.

  Full awards

  1,754

  63

  1,932

  63

  1,807

  61

  1,943

  61

  1,980

  60

  Reduced hearings

  170

  6

  240

  8

  231

  8

  256

  8

  255

  8

  Nil awards

  868

  31

  903

  29

  908

  31

  970

  31

  1,065

  32

  Total

  2,792

  3,075

  2,946

  3,169

  3,300

  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the expenditure on the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board for each of the last five years, giving figures for the actual expenditure and in real terms

  £ thousand

  Year

  Compensation expenditure

  Gross domestic product adjusted1

  Administration expenditure

  Gross domestic product adjusted1

  1987–88

  52,000

  52,000

  6,760

  6,760

  1986–87

  47,500

  50,006

  5,400

  5,685

  1985–86

  41,497

  45,144

  4,340

  4,721

  1984–85

  35,600

  40,819

  4,200

  4,816

  1983–84

  33,000

  39,752

  3,835

  4,620

  1Cash figures adjusted to 1987–88 price levels by excluding the effect of general inflation as measured by the gross domestic product deflator at market prices.

  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of state for the Home Department what is the waiting time for an appeal to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board; and how many people are waiting.
  4
  following table is taken from the board's annual reports for the years 1982–83, 1983–84 and 1984–85. In these years, 10, 32 and 22 cases were rejected on the basis that the circumstances of the injury had not been reported without delay. It is not known how many of these applications were from wives.

  Mr. John Patten
  The following tables give the information which is kept by the board and published in its annual reports. Decisions made within the year concerned relate in many cases to applications made in previous years.

  Mr. John Patten
  The following figures include Scotland.

  Mr. John Patten
  At the end of February, 7, 783 cases were awaiting a hearing, the applicant being dissatisfied with the decision made by a single member after consideration of the papers. The following indication of the time taken by the board to reach a final decision in
  5
  3,878 cases resolved in 1987–88 in which a hearing had been requested is taken from the board's latest annaul report (Cm 536). Intervals shown are from when a hearing was requested.

  1987–88

  Per cent.

  Up to 3 months

  2

  3 to 6 months

  5

  6 to 9 months

  11

  9 to 12 months

  18

  Over 12 months

  64

  Press and Public Relations
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff, including vacant posts, in the press and public relations office of the Metropolitan police; and what is the proposed complement for 1989–90.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that 84 staff of all grades are currently employed in the directorate of public affairs of the Metropolitan police office. Of these 45 are in information officer grades and 39 are support staff. The complement is 89 posts. No major change in complement is proposed for 1989–90.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff, including vacant posts, in the press and public relations office of the Home Office; and what is the proposed complement for 1989–90.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  There are at present 19 press officers and four support staff employed in the Home Office press office. There are no vacancies. During 1989–90 these numbers are expected to increase to 20 press officers and five support staff.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the latest figure for(a) the estimated expenditure by his Department on press and public relations during 1988–89 and (b) the budget for 1989–90.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The full cost of staff and other costs of the Home Office press office is estimated at £647,500 for 1988–89. The expected cost for 1989–90 is £731,000.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the latest figure for(a) the estimated expenditure by the Metropolitan police on press and public relations during 1988–89 and (b) the budget for 1989–90.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that the latest estimate of staffing and accommodation cost and spending on press and public relations by the directorate of public affairs is £5,321,000 for 1988–89. Provision for 1989–90 is £5,470,000.

  Advertising
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the latest figure for the estimated 6
  spending in 1988–89 by the Home Office on (a) television advertising, (b) radio advertising, (c) newspaper advertising and (d) other promotional material; and what is the 1989–90 budget for each of these categories of spending.

  Mr. Hurd
  The latest estimate of Home Office spending for 1988–89 is as follows:

  £ million

  (a) Television advertising

  1·8

  (b) Radio advertising

  0·1

  (c) Press advertising

  3·2

  (d) Other promotional activity (including poster advertising; printing and distribution; film/video/ TV filler production; displays/exhibitions and market research).

  3·3

  It is not yet possible to say how the publicity budget will be allocated in 1989–90, but total expenditure is likely to be about £9·7 million.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the latest figure for the estimated spending in 1988–89 by the Metropolitan police on(a) television advertising, (b) radio advertising, (c) newspaper advertising and (d) other promotional material; and what is the 1989–90 budget for each of these categories of spending.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that the latest figures for 1988–89 are as follows:

  £

  Television advertising

  Nil

  Radio advertising

  6,000

  Newspaper advertising

  1,151,000

  Other promotional material

  1,469,000

  Expenditure for 1989–90 has not yet been decided.

  Statistical Staff
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff including vacant posts by grade, in the statistical divisions in the Metropolitan police; if he will differentiate between staff in statistical posts and staff in administrative posts; and if he will give the staffing complements by grade, and differentiated between statistical and administrative posts, proposed for 1989–90.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  At the end of February 1989, the complement and strength figures by grade for the statistics branch of the Metropolitan police office were:

  Complement

  Strength

  Grade 7

  1

  1

  SEO

  1

  1

  HEO

  3

  3

  EO

  8

  8

  AO

  60

  54

  Support Grade Band 1

  1

  1

  Support Grade Band 2

  6

  6

  80

  74

  Only the grade 7 post is filled by a statistician. the remaining posts being filled by executive, administrative

  7
  and support grades staff, who undertake a mixture of statistical and administrative duties. An additional grade 7 post filled by a statistician is located in the management support department. No change to the complement is proposed for 1989–90.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff including vacant posts, by grade, in the statistical

  Staff of Home Office Statistical Department

  Complement

  In post

  1 March 1989

  1 March 1989

  1 April 1989

  1 April 1990

  Statistical posts

  Grade 5

  3

  3

  3

  3

  Grade 7

  18

  18·5

  19

  19·5

  Assistant/Senior Assistant Statistician

  6·5

  7

  7

  8·5

  27·5

  28·5

  29

  31

  Other posts

  Grade 7

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Senior Executive Officer

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Higher Executive Officer

  11

  11

  15

  15

  Executive Officer

  24

  26

  30

  30

  Administrative Officer

  59·5

  60·5

  59·5

  62·5

  Administrative Assistant

  34·5

  40·5

  38

  37·5

  Other Grades

  9

  10·5

  10·5

  10·5

  140

  150·5

  155

  157·5

  Total

  167·5

  179

  184

  188·5

  Blackwall Tunnel (Closure)
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis as to what notice was given to the Metropolitan police concerning the closure of the southbound bore of the Blackwall tunnel on Saturday and Sunday 4 and 5 March; what steps the commissioner took to minimise congestion to traffic in east London and as to how many additional police officers, vehicles, or motor cyclists were deployed in order to ameliorate predictable traffic problems.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I am informed by the Commissioner that the two bores of the Blackwall tunnel are closed for essential maintenance, individually and on separate occasions, at certain times of the year agreed by the Department of Transport, the London boroughs of Tower Hamlets and Greenwich and tunnel management. The police are informed well in advance of the dates of closure, as are the local media and the motoring organisations, and the approach roads are signed in advance.

  The congestion arising from the closure of the southbound bore on 4–5 March was exacerbated by a number of other incidents in the area which could not have been foreseen. The situation was handled by local officers and no additional manpower was deployed.

  English Wine
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give consideration to granting a8
  divisions in the Home Office; if he will differentiate between staff in statistical posts and staff in administrative posts; and if he will give the staffing complements by grade, and differentiated between statistical and administrative posts, proposed for 1989–90.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The information requested is given in the table. During the course of the forthcoming year the responsibilities of statistical department are to expand and the staff complement is to change in consequence.

  special licence for the English Vineyards Association to charge for samples of English wine at the Festival of Food and Farming to be held in Hyde park on 4 to 7 May.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  There is no provision in law under which the Home Secretary may grant a licence for the sale of intoxicating liquor.

  Senior Police Officers (Press)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library details of any guidelines which he has issued concerning contact between senior police officers and the press.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Apart from guidance in December 1982 on the implications of the Contempt of Court Act 1981 my right hon. Friend has issued no guidelines on this subject to the police. It is an offence under the police discipline code for any police officer, without proper authority, to communicate to any person any information which he has in his possession as a member of a police force.

  Mr. Mushtaq Ahmed
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the immigration service at Hull received a request for information about Mr. Mushtaq Ahmed from an entry clearance officer at the British Embassy at Islamabad; whether the request was acknowledged; whether acknowledgement of such requests for information is standard immigration service procedure; when a reminder from Islamabad was received; and when the information is to be sent to Islamabad.
  9
  Mr. Renton
  The immigration service at Leeds/Bradford Airport received the request for information about Mr. Mushtaq Ahmed on 23 December 1987. The request was not acknowledged. No reminder was received from Islamabad. Regrettably, after an initial inquiry on 2 January 1988 the matter was overlooked in the Leeds/Bradford immigration office. I understand that the entry clearance officer in Islamabad has now taken a decision in Mushtaq Ahmed's case which will be conveyed to him shortly. Steps will be taken to improve the monitoring of outstanding action in the Leeds/Bradford immigration office.

  Latchmere House
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what consultation he has had with the legal, welfare and other organisations who are required to visit Latchmere house about the relocation of Latchmere house; what representations he has received about the relocation of Latchmere house; what facilities will be provided at the remand centre near Portsmouth for legal, welfare and other representatives; and whether staff from Latchmere house will be required to transfer to the relocated remand centre;

  (2) to what purpose Latchmere house in London will be put when it is closed as an immigration remand centre; what consultation he has had with appropriate trade unions about the relocation of Latchmere house; what arrangements he is making for those held on remand near Portsmouth to be visited by relatives and friends; and by whom staff employed at the relocated Latchmere house will be employed;

  (3) when Latchmere house, the London immigration remand centre is going to be closed and relocated near Portsmouth; how many people are currently held at Latchmere house; what is its capacity; what is the remand centre near Portsmouth to be called; what facilities will be provided; how many people it will hold on remand; and what is the total cost of relocating Latchmere house to Portsmouth and of any alterations or other necessary works.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The Home Office is planning changes at two prison service establishments, Her Majesty's remand centre Latchmere house at Richmond, Surrey, and Her Majesty's young offenders institution Haslar at Gosport, Hampshire. The certified normal accommodation of Latchmere house is 127. Its total population on 10 March was 157, including 94 persons detained under the Immigration Act 1971. Her Majesty's young offenders institution Haslar provides accommodation for 100 sentenced young offenders.

  The aim, for which detailed plans are being prepared, is that the young offenders should be removed from Her Majesty's young offenders institution Haslar so that the Immigration Act detainees may be transferred there from Latchmere house. This, in turn, would allow the prison service to use the accommodation at Latchmere house to hold remand prisoners from the London area, many of whom are now held in police cells owing to overcrowding in the London prisons. The establishment at Haslar would remain under the control of the prison service and would be manned by prison service staff.

  We informed many interested parties of this plan, including the relevant trades unions and the local authorities. Representations in response have been
  10
  received from my hon. Friend the Member for Richmond and Barnes (Mr. Hanley) and from Richmond borough council. Officials are to meet representatives of advisory agencies which specialise in immigration matters later this week.

  It is not possible at this stage to answer all of the hon. Member's detailed questions, but I shall write to him when the answers are available.

  Animal Experiments
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has any plans to collect statistical data on the severity of various forms of animal experimentation along the lines of the scheme of monitoring under the Dutch Animal Experimentation Act 1977; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The "Statistics on Scientific Procedures on Living Animals", which are published annually (1987; Cm. 515) are the most factually detailed of those produced by any nation. There are currently no plans to incorporate in these annual statistics assessments of the severity of procedures which have been carried out, because of the inevitably subjective nature of such assessments.

  Erythropoietin
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps are being taken to ensure that abuse of the hormone erythropoietin, does not become widespread in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  If there were evidence that this substance was being misused in the United Kingdom in such a way as to have harmful effects sufficient to amount to a social problem, it would be possible to consider bringing it under the control of the Misuse of Drugs Act, but we have so far received no such evidence.

  Broadcasting
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to ensure that the widening of the Broadcasting Standards Council remit to cover a code on anti-social behaviour does not result in overlap with that of other regulatory bodies; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Renton
  When the Broadcasting Standards Council was set up, part of its remit was to draw up, in consultation with the broadcasting authorities and the other responsible bodies in broadcasting, cable and video, a code on the portrayal of sex and violence and standards on taste and decency. We see such a code as contributing to the work of the broadcasting authorities in this area, not overlapping or undermining their responsibilities for programme standards.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Murders
  Mr. Kilfedder
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many murders, classed as sectarian
  11
  and non-sectarian have (a) been committed and (b) resulted in prosecution and conviction between October 1969 and October 1988.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  Information in the form requested is not readily available from existing records and could only be obtained at disproportionate costs. The relevant data which are available are given in the following table:—

  Year

  Number of murders1

  Murders cleared

  Persons proceeded against2

  Found guilty3

  1969

  5

  4

  4

  —

  1970

  14

  5

  1

  —

  1971

  123

  11

  10

  —

  1972

  376

  32

  5

  —

  1973

  200

  46

  39

  —

  1974

  205

  49

  42

  —

  1975

  238

  55

  79

  68

  1976

  280

  87

  71

  58

  1977

  116

  104

  82

  74

  1978

  82

  67

  48

  46

  1979

  128

  58

  68

  60

  1980

  85

  59

  24

  23

  1981

  95

  42

  35

  34

  1982

  99

  45

  23

  21

  1983

  86

  61

  20

  15

  1984

  63

  50

  18

  10

  1985

  59

  47

  44

  39

  1986

  85

  39

  31

  25

  1987

  100

  51

  23

  19

  1988

  111

  79

  24

  17

  1 'Number of murders'—includes all murders in Northern Ireland; it does not include cases classed as manslaughter nor infanticides.

  2 Only shows the number of people who were proceeded against for murder. Some cases initially dealt with as murder were dealt with in the High Court as manslaughter.

  3 Information for persons found guilty during the period 1969–1974 is not readily available. Conviction figures do not necessarily relate to incidents occurring that year.

  Less Favoured Areas
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many Northern Ireland farms have been classified as less favoured areas since the extension of the boundaries was agreed in 1983.

  Mr. Viggers
  The less favoured areas were last extended in Northern Ireland in 1984. Just over 13,000 farms in whole or in part were included in the area designated.

  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if the tribunal established to consider appeals from farmers who felt that their land ought to have been included within the revised boundary after the extension of the Northern Ireland less favoured areas in 1983 completed its task; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Viggers
  The independent panel completed its work in August 1987. Since then, it has been necessary to extract and analyse detailed statistical data in order to apply the exacting economic and demographic tests, specified in EC legislation, before land may be designated less favoured.

  Veterinary Students
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action is being taken to ensure the future availability of places for Northern Ireland students in veterinary schools in the United Kingdom generally and in Scotland in particular; and if he will make a statement.
  12
  Mr. Viggers
  The University Grants Committee set up a working group under Sir Ralph Riley in 1987"to consider the provision of veterinary education in the six veterinary schools in Great Britain and the scope for its rationalisation and to make recommendations".

  It reported in January 1989. Officials of the Department of Agriculture are considering the implications of the report for Northern Ireland's future needs on veterinary manpower and training.

  Electoral Registers
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what provision he has made to make available the annual electoral registers to(a) Members of Parliament and (b) Members of the European Assembly.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  Under regulation 53(1) of the Representation of the People (Northern Ireland) Regulations 1986, a Member of Parliament for a constituency in Northern Ireland is entitled, on request, to one copy of the register for that constituency free of charge from the Chief Electoral Officer. Similar provision exists in respect of Members of the European Parliament under the European Parliamentary Elections (Northern Ireland) Regulations 1986. In the latter case, the constituency is, of course, the whole of Northern Ireland.

  RUC and Army Raids
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) in how many homes in Northern Ireland raided by the Royal Ulster Constabulary and the Army weapons have been discovered during the last 12 months;

  (2) how many homes in Northern Ireland have been raided by the Royal Ulster Constabulary and Army in search of weapons during the last 12 months.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  [holding answers 23 February 1989]: I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Newry and Armagh (Mr. Mallon) on 2 March 1989 at column 310–11.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Cambridge University Veterinary School
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what savings it is estimated will arise from the closure of the Cambridge university veterinary school.

  Mr. Jackson
  The rationalisation recommendations of the University Grants Committee's review of veterinary education, currently out for consultation, do not envisage net savings. The intention is to strengthen existing national provision by making yet more effective use of existing resources.

  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received regarding the proposed closure of the Cambridge university veterinary school.

  Mr. Jackson
  I refer the hon. Member to the Answer I gave the hon. Member for St. Helens South (Mr. Bermingham) on 6 March at column 397.

  Veterinary Students
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many veterinary students from abroad came to(a) study and (b) work in the United Kingdom in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Jackson
  The total number of full-time and sandwich veterinary science students with overseas domicile in universities in Great Britain in each of the last five years, is:

  Undergraduate

  Postgraduate

  1983

  41

  112

  1984

  51

  117

  1985

  61

  126

  1986

  77

  134

  1987

  92

  142

  While students "see practice" as part of their veterinary courses, they may actually practice only after qualification and subsequent registration with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.

  Advertising
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the latest figure for the estimated spending in 1988–89 by his Department on(a) television advertising, (b) radio advertising, (c) newspaper advertising and (d) other promotional material; and what is the 1989–90 budget for each of these categories of spending.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The latest figures for estimated spending by he Department on advertising, publicity and publications for the current financial year (1988–89) are as follows:

  £

  Television

  nil

  Radio

  40,000

  Newspapers (including magazines and directories)

  475,000

  Other expenditure (publications, videos, exhibitions etc.)

  3,400,000

  Figures for 1989–90 are not finalised.

  Privatisation
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the total sum paid out in fees to outside organisations in the furtherance of privatisation by his Department in 1979–80 and each year to date; and what is the estimate for 1989–90.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  In the privatisation of the National Seed Development Organisation and some of the assets of the Plant Breeding Institute, the fees and other sale expenses totalled about £0·6 million, as stated in the published appropriation account for class XII, vote 13 for 1987–88. This is the only privatisation conducted by this Department in the period referred to.

  Management Consultants
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what were the total fees paid out by his Department to management consultants in 1979–80 and each year to date; and what is the estimate for the current year.
  14
  Mrs. Rumbold
  The information requested is as follows:

  Year

  £

  1984–85

  140,000

  1985–86

  17,500

  1986–87

  23,200

  1987–88

  255,413

  1988–89

  176,251

  1 Estimated.

  Note:

  Information for earlier years could only be provided at a disproportionate cost.

  Press and Public Relations
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff, including vacant posts, in the press and public relations office of his Department; and what is the proposed complement for 1989–90.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The information requested is as follows:

  Grade

  Staff m post

  Present complement

  1989–90 complement

  Grade 5 (Assistant Secretary)

  1

  1

  1

  Grade 5 (Chief Information Officer)

  —

  1

  1

  Personal Secretary

  1

  2

  2

  Grade 7 (Principal Information Officer)

  2

  2

  2

  Senior Information Officer

  5

  6

  6

  Information Officer

  12

  12

  12

  Assistant Information Officer

  —

  1

  1

  Graphics Officer (Higher)

  1

  1

  1

  Graphics Officer (Lower)

  5

  5

  5

  Senior Executive Officer

  1

  —

  —

  Executive Officer

  2

  2

  2

  Administrative Officer

  6

  5

  5

  Administrative Assistant

  3

  3

  3

  Totals

  39

  41

  41

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will give the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff including vacant posts, by grade, in the statistical divisions in his Department; if he will differentiate between staff in statistical posts and staff in administrative posts; and if he will give the staffing complements by grade, and differentiated between statistical and administrative posts, proposed for 1989–90.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The information requested is as follows:

  Staff in post

  Present complement

  1989–90 complement

  Statistical posts

  Grade 3 (Director of Statistics)

  1

  1

  1

  Grade 5 (Chief Statistician)

  2

  2

  2

  Grade 7 (Statistician)

  9

  10

  10

  Senior Assistant Statistician

  2

  2

  4

  Assistant Statistician

  4

  4

  4

  Administrative and technical posts

  Grade 6

  1

  1

  1

  15

  Staff in post

  Present complement

  1989–90 complement

  Senior Executive Officer

  1

  1

  1

  Senior Executive Officer (Tech.)1

  3

  3

  3

  Higher Executive Officer

  12

  12

  12

  Higher Executive Officer (Tech.)1

  8

  8

  8

  Executive Officer

  19

  19

  19

  Executive Officer (Tech.)1

  220

  17

  17

  Administrative Officer

  22

  23

  22

  Administrative Assistant

  10

  11

  9

  Personal Secretary

  4

  4

  4

  Totals

  118

  118

  117

  1 Technical staff undertake data processing.

  2 Including three supernumerary staff.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the latest figure for(a) the estimated expenditure by his Department on press and public relations during 1988–89, and (b) the budget for 1989–90.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The latest estimated expenditure for the current financial year on press, public relations and departmental publications, including staff costs, is £4·9 million. Figures for 1989–90 are not finalised.

  Drama
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has for drama as an educational tool in the national curriculum for children in(a) primary, (b) middle and (c) high/secondary schools.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Drama has an important part to play both as an element contributing to various national curriculum subjects and as a non-foundation subject in its own right. It is included in the terms of reference of the national curriculum English working group in connection with dramatic works of literature and as a medium for the development of a range of oral skills. These aspects will be taken into account in the development of the relevant national curriculum statutory orders.

  Health Education
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has any plans to amend the national curriculum to include health education; and if he will make a statement about the role of health education in all schools.

  Mr. Butcher
  Health education has been identified by the Government as an important cross-curricular theme to be covered within the national curriculum. When the order for national curriculum science is laid this will include explicit requirements for pupils to cover relevant aspects of health education. Other foundation subjects will cover different aspects of health education, as appropriate. My right hon. Friend has also asked the National Curriculum Council to advise him on the place and content of personal and social education, including health education, within the curriculum as a whole. The council has been asked to submit a progress report on its work by the end of March.

  Down's Syndrome
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information he has 16
  concerning centres which are currently undertaking research into the therapeutic and remedial treatment of Down's syndrome.

  Mr. Jackson
  The Medical Research Council is currently funding five centres where research of relevance to the therapeutic and remedial treatment of Down's syndrome is being carried out. The details are as follows:

  Centre and project title

  MRC Human Genetics Unit, Edinburgh

  Consequences of chromosome abnormalities in the newborn: the Edinburgh Longitudinal Study.

  MRC Cognitive Development Unit, London

  Development of cognitive abilities of the mentally retarded.

  MRC Social Psychiatry Unit, London

  (1) Camberwell Mental Retardation Case Registers.

  (2) Evaluation of the rundown of a mental handicap hospital and of the alternative services provided.

  Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh

  (1) An investigation of differences in cognitive development in Down's syndrome and normal infants.

  (2) Early learning and development in infants with mental handicap.

  Department of Psychology, Institute of Education, London Special abilities in gifted and handicapped children.

  In addition, university departments and medical schools and regional health authorities support a range of basic research, from public funds, which may be relevant to the therapeutic and remedial treatment of Down's syndrome.

  Mr. Paul Scruton
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on his Department's letter to Mr. Paul Scruton, Secondary Examinations Council, 45 Notting Hill Gate, W II, of 9 February, designating him for transfer to the SEAC by parliamentary order effective from 7 March, in the light of the statement in the Official Report, 16 January, column 186.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Under section 15 of the Education Reform Act 1988, my right hon. Friend designated for transfer to the School Examinations and Assessment Council all SEC staff who did not by resignation indicate their unwillingness to serve in suitable posts. Mr. Paul Scruton was duly transferred to a post in SEAC to which he was eminently suited.

  Cancer Treatment (Animals)
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has to ensure the continuation of radiotheraphy cancer treatment for animals and the close collaboration with research work on human cancer in the event of the Cambridge university veterinary school closing.

  Mr. Jackson
  The Universities Funding Council will wish to take matters such as these into account in its decisions on the recommendations of the review of veterinary education, which is currently out for consultation.

  Violence in Schools
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish the report of the inquiry under the chairmanship of Lord Elton into violence in schools; and if he will make a statement on its conclusions.
  17
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he expects to publish the report of the committee of inquiry into discipline in schools; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  I am arranging for the committee's report to be published today. Copies of the report are being placed in the Libraries of both Houses of Parliament. I am grateful to Lord Elton and his colleagues for carrying out a thorough and wide-ranging inquiry.

  The Government believe that immediate action should be taken to deal with indiscipline in schools and violence, wherever it occurs. It fully supports teachers in their efforts to establish good order in the classroom. It welcomes the contribution which the committee's report makes to solving these problems.

  The Government have decided to act immediately on the following recommendations in the report:

  I have accepted the committee's recommendation that in future all initial teacher training courses should include separate, compulsory elements of practical training in how to manage pupil behaviour, and that these skills should be a key factor in assessing a student's performance and competence to teach.

  I propose to set a clear national standard for the amount of time which teacher trainers must spend in school, so as to ensure that they have sufficient recent practical experience. I shall take action forward through the review which I am conducting of the criteria for approval of initial teacher training courses.

  Subject to the necessary consultation, I propose to accept the committee's recommendation that the management of pupil behaviour should become a national priority in the local education authority training grants scheme for in-service training of teachers in 1990–91.

  I accept the committee's conclusion that the procedures for excluding pupils from school should be monitored closely. I propose to institute a monitoring scheme for two years, rather than the five years recommended in the report. I will require reports in all cases where a head teacher's decision to exclude a child from a school is overruled by either the governing body or the local education authority. At the same time I shall require full details of incidents leading to exclusions, so that we have a national picture. At the end of that period I shall decide on the future of the existing statutory provisions.

  Subject to the necessary statutory consultations with the local authority associations, I propose to make an education support grant available to encourage local education authorities to work up coherent plans to address the problem of difficult pupils, whether on-site or off-site. I also propose to support through education support grants a programme to encourage local education authorities and schools to take positive action to tackle truancy. Both grants would be made available in 1990–91, and would be targeted on inner-city areas in the first instance.

  I intend to require all local education authorities to introduce teacher appraisal schemes covering all their teachers within the next few years; and I shall expect these schemes to pay close attention to classroom management.

  I am asking the school management task force to act on the committee's recommendation that management training programmes for headteachers and other senior
  18
  staff should give emphasis to the skills required to motivate and lead staff, and to manage institutional change.

  The National Curriculum Council is already considering the place and content of personal and social education in the curriculum. I have asked the council to report progress to me by the end of March.

  The committee's recommendations are addressed not only to Government, but to local education authorities, teachers, governing bodies, parents, the police and others. I look to all those groups to play their part in responding to the report. In particular, I hope that governing bodies and schools will look hard at what they can do to win parents' active support and partnership for their policies on discipline. I hope they will find opportunities to emphasise to parents the key role which they play in promoting good discipline in schools through the example they set and the control and guidance they provide in the home.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales is considering similar action in Wales on those matters falling within his responsibilities.

  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when the inquiry into violence in schools was established; when its report was received; and what was the cost of the inquiry.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  I announced the establishment of the inquiry into discipline in schools on 18 March 1988, in reply to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Salisbury (Mr. Key) at column 687. The committee's report was received on 31 January. The cost of the inquiry is approximately £70,000. This includes the cost of the survey commissioned by the committee from Sheffield university but excludes the costs of publishing and distributing the committee's report.

ENERGY

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

  Mr. Parkinson
  My Department has contact at both ministerial and official level with groups interested in energy matters and, when appropriate, initiates more formal consultations. There are no arrangements for routine consultation.

  Unleaded Petrol
  Mr. Warren
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will ascertain from the major oil companies why they are not prepared to ensure that their tied garages are supplied with unleaded petrol if they wish to sell it; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  The supply of unleaded petrol is a commercial decision for the oil companies. The number of garages selling unleaded petrol is growing steadily. The latest available figures, for the end of January, were a weekly conversion rate of over 200 garages and over 4,300 already converted.

  Statistical Staff
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will give the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff including vacant posts, by grade, in the statistical divisions in his Department; if he will differentiate between staff in statistical posts and staff in administrative posts; and if he will give the staffing complements by grade, and differentiated between statistical and administrative posts, proposed for 1989–90.

  Mr. Parkinson
  The table gives the latest figures for complement, staff in post and vacancies in the Department's economics and statistics division. No decisions have been made to change the complement for 1989–90.

  Grade

  Complement at 1 March

  Staff in post at 1 March

  Vacancies at 1 March

  1989

  1989

  1989

  Statistical grades

  Chief statistician

  1·0

  1·0

  —

  Statistician

  5·0

  5·0

  —

  Senior assistant statistician/ assistant statistician

  1·0

  1·0

  —

  Sub total

  7·0

  7·0

  —

  Economist grades

  Senior economic adviser

  3·0

  3·0

  —

  Economic adviser

  11·0

  10·0

  1·0

  Senior economic assistant/ economic assistant

  16·0

  5·0

  1·0

  Sub total

  20·0

  18·0

  2·0

  Administration grades

  Grade 3

  1·0

  1·0

  —

  Grade 7

  1·0

  1·0

  —

  Senior executive officer

  5·0

  4·0

  1·0

  Higher executive officer

  7·0

  7·0

  —

  Executive officer

  1140

  12·0

  2·0

  Administrative officer

  11·0

  10·0

  1·0

  Administrative assistant

  0·5

  —

  0·5

  Senior personal secretary

  1·0

  1·0

  —

  Personal secretary

  4·0

  4·0

  —

  Sub total

  44·5

  40·0

  4·5

  Grand total

  71·5

  65·0

  6·5

  1 Includes supernumerary posts.

  Privatisation
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what was the total sum paid out in fees to outside organisation in the furtherance of privatisation by his Department in 1979–80 and each year to date; and what is the estimate for 1989–90.

  Mr. Parkinson
  Total expenditure on fees paid to outside organisations in relation to the privatisation of Amersham Interntional, Britoil and Enterprise Oil could not be provided without incurring disproportionate cost. Fees paid to outside organisations in the case of the privatisation of British Gas and in the preparation for the privatisation of the electricity supply industry in England and Wales are:20

  £ million

  British Gas

  ESI

  1985–86

  1·4

  —

  1986–87

  162·4

  —

  1987–88

  10·5

  0·8

  11988–89

  9·7

  6·0

  21989–90

  0·3

  27·0

  1 Estimated outturn.

  2 Current estimate.

  Management Consultants
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what were the total fees paid out by his Department to management consultants in 1979–80 and each year to date; and what is the estimate for the current year.

  Mr. Parkinson
  The information requested is no longer available for the financial years 1979–80 and 1980–81 and is only available for 1981–82 to 1983–84 at disproportionate cost. The cost of administrative consultancies for 1984–85 onwards is as follows:

  Financial year

  Expenditure £

  1984–85

  53,328

  1985–86

  31,209

  1986–87

  30,101

  1987–88

  35,451

  11988–89

  25,000

  1 Estimated

  Press and Public Relations
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what are the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff, including vacant posts, in the press and public relations office of his Department; and what is the proposed complement for 1989–90.

  Mr. Parkinson
  The staffing of my Department's press office, including the public inquiry point and support staff, is currently 13. There are no vacancies and no decisions have been made to change the complement for 1989–90.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is the latest figure for(a) the estimated expenditure by his Department on press and public relations during 1988–89 and (b) the budget for 1989–90.

  Mr. Parkinson
  The estimated expenditure for 1988–89 is £475,000. This figure includes:

  (i) forecast expenditure by the press office;

  (ii) staff costs (salaries, accommodation and common services) for all permanent information service and support staff currently in post in the press office including the public inquiry point.

  Currently proposed expenditure for 1989–90 is £575,000.

  Drinking Water
  Mr. John Garrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy whether the drinking water supply in his Department's head office building meets the European Economic Community standard.

  Mr. Parkinson
  Water for the Department's head office building is supplied from a borehole and the quality does
  21
  not meet the requirements of the EC directive. The premises are to be refurbished later this year and I understand that the water supply then will be taken from Thames water authority's public mains supply.

  In the meantime, point of use filters have been installed to improve the quality of the drinking water.

  Advertising
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is the latest figure for the estimated spending in 1988–89 by his Department on(a) television advertising, (b) radio advertising, (c) newspaper advertising and (d) other promotional material; and what is the 1989–90 budget for each of these categories of spending.

  Mr. Parkinson
  The latest estimates of expenditure by my Department in 1988–89 in the following areas are:

  £ million

  (a) Television advertising

  nil

  (b) Radio advertising

  1—

  (c) Press advertising including newspapers

  2·4

  (d) Other promotional material

  1·3

  1 £3,504 has been spent on radio advertising

  Currently proposed expenditure for 1989–901 is:

  £ million

  (a) Television advertising

  nil

  (b) Radio advertising

  nil

  (c) Press advertising including newspapers

  0·5

  (d) Other promotional material

  0·7

  1 Departmental expenditure on electricity privatisation will include expenditure on advertising although at present no decision has been taken on its size and timing.

  West Burton B
  Mr. Ashton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) what communications he has received from(a) the Bassetlaw district council, (b) the Nottinghamshire county council and (c) the Central Electricity Generating Board on the fulfilment of planning conditions for the proposed West Burton B power station; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what factors are now preventing him announcing his permission for the construction of the West Burton B power station.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave him on 3 November 1988 at column 713.

  My Department has recently been advised by the Bassetlaw district council that agreement has now been reached, in principle, between the local planning authorities and the CEGB on the outstanding matters concerning the construction and operation of the station.

  My right hon. Friend will wish to receive confirmation of this, together with copies of the separate agreements between the councils and the CEGB, before proceeding with his consideration of the application.

  Sulphurous Emissions
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will direct the Central Electricity Generating Board to continue to test systems for cleansing sulphurous emissions from large fossil-fuelled power stations; and if he will make a statement.
  22
  Mr. Michael Spicer
  In order to meet the requirements of the EC large combustion plant directive the Central Electricity Generating Board will wish to appraise both the technical and cost efficiency of various methods of reducing sulphur emissions. The type of process chosen for future plant as well as that retrofitted to existing power stations will be a matter for the commercial judgment of the CEGB and its successors.

  Fiddlers Ferry
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will direct the Central Electricity Generating Board to fit a regenerative flue-gas desulphurisation system at Fiddlers Ferry power station; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Spicer:
  The Central Electricity Generating Board and its successors will decide the order in which large coal-fired power stations should be retrofitted and the type of flue-gas desulphurisation process to be used.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Advertising
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the latest figure for the estimated spending in 1988–89 by the Foreign Office on(a) television advertising, (b) radio advertising, (c) newspaper advertising and (d) other promotional material; and what is the 1989–90 budget for each of these categories of spending.

  Mr. Eggar
  Latest Foreign and Commonwealth Office estimates of expenditure on advertising and other promotional material for 1988–89 and their 1989–90 budget provision are:

  1988–89

  1989–90

  £

  £

  FCO Diplomatic Wing

  291,000

  499,000

  FCO ODA Wing

  714,000

  820,000

  1,005,000

  1,319,000

  A disaggregation of these figures to identify the medium used is not available.

  Statistical Staff
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will give the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff including vacant posts, by grade, in the statistical divisions in the Foreign Office; if he will differentiate between staff in statistical posts and staff in administrative posts; and if he will give the staffing complements by grade, and differentiated between statistical and administrative posts, proposed for 1989–90.

  Mr. Eggar
  The Foreign Office diplomatic wing-nil. For the Overseas Development Administration the information is as follows:
  23

  Latest figures

  Proposed for 1989–90 complement

  complement

  In post

  Statistical Posts:

  Chief Statistician (Grade 5)

  1

  1

  1

  Statistician (Grade 7)

  4

  3

  4

  Assistant/Senior Assistant

  3

  14

  3

  Administrative Posts:

  Higher Executive Officer

  1

  1

  1

  Executive Officer

  2

  2

  2

  Administrative Officer

  4

  4

  4

  Personal Secretary

  1

  1

  1

  TOTAL

  16

  16

  16

  1 Including a casual appointment to senior assistant statistician and a sandwich course student.

  Privatisation
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the total sum paid out in fees to outside organisations in the furtherance of privatisation by his Department in 1979–80 and each year to date; and what is the estimate for 1989–90.

  Mr. Eggar
  No such fees have been paid for the period in question.

  Management Consultants
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what were the total fees paid out by his Department to management consultants in 1979–80 and each year to date; and what is the estimate for the current year.

  Mr. Eggar
  Foreign and Commonwealth Office expenditure on management consultants in the financial years 1986–87, 1987–88 and estimated expenditure in 1988–89 is as follows. The figures include expenditure for both the diplomatic and aid wings.

  Year

  Amount

  1986–87

  68,329

  1987–88

  257,272

  1988–89

  62,512

  Prior to 1986–87 consultancy expenditure was not separately identified in the FCO's accounts.

  Press and Public Relations
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff, including vacant posts, in the press and public relations office of the Foreign Office; and what is the proposed complement for 1989–90.

  Mr. Eggar
  The full complement of staff in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office diplomatic wing's news department and the aid wing's administration press office is 18. There are presently no vacant posts. The complement for 1989–90 will depend on the workload during the year.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the latest figure for 24
  (a) the estimated expenditure by his Department on press and public relations during 1988–89 and (b) the budget for 1989–90.

  Mr. Eggar
  Total expenditure on press and public relations is estimated as follows:

  £ million

  1988–89

  1989–90

  Payment to Central Office of Information for overseas information material and related activities

  19·2

  21·4

  Other information services

  1·0

  1·6

  Running costs of diplomatic wing information/news departments

  1·9

  2·0

  Running of ODA wing information department

  0·3

  0·4

  Cost of information staff at overseas posts

  18·4

  20·2

  Total

  40·8

  45·6

  Afghanistan
  Sir John Farr
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what policy considerations underlie the continuing absence of a British ambassador from Afghanistan; and what arrangements are made for United Kingdom nationals such as Red Cross workers when in need of diplomatic assistance.

  Mr. Eggar
  We withdrew Her Majesty's ambassador from Afghanistan in 1980 to register our disapproval of the installation of an unrepresentative regime by the Soviet army. Before the temporary withdrawal of the remaining embassy staff in February this year, we informed British nationals that consular assistance would no longer be available.

  British nationals who travel to, or stay in, Afghanistan now do so in the knowledge that this is so.

  Sir John Farr
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when Her Majesty's ambassador will return to Afghanistan.

  Mr. Eggar
  The then British ambassador was withdrawn in 1980 shortly after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. We have since then had no ambassador in Kabul. It is too early to predict when it would be appropriate to appoint an ambassador again.

  PLO
  Mr. Latham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will seek clarification from the Palestine Liberation Organisation about the public support for the use of petrol bombs expressed by Salah Khalaf (Abu Iyad) in a published interview in Abu Dhabi on 1 March.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  No. We have already made clear to PLO representatives that the intifada should be pursued with the utmost restraint.

  Angola
  Mr. Mudd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) whether the United Nations has been directly involved in mediation between the MPLA-PT and UNITA;

  (2) when the situation in Angola will next be discussed in the United Nations;
  25
  (3) when was the last occasion that the United Nations Security Council or other United Nations for a discussed the civil war in Angola; and what resolutions were passed;

  (4) what contacts have been made in the last year between Her Majesty's Government and African countries concerning the civil war in Angola;

  (5) whether he has made representations through the United Nations or other international organisations in order to facilitate national reconciliation in Angola and the holding of free and fair elections;

  (6) what is Her Majesty's Government's policy towards UNITA, its leader Dr. Jonas Savimbi, and its stated objectives of national reconciliation and the holding of free and fair elections in Angola;

  (7) when he last met representatives of the Angolan Government; and what was discussed;

  (8) what contacts have been made by him with other governments concerning the holding of free and fair elections in Angola;

  (9) what representations he has made to the MPLA-PT Government of Angola concerning the holding of free and fair elections in Angola.

  Mrs. Chalker
  We meet regularly with representatives of the Angolan Government in the normal course of diplomatic relations. The Angolan Ministers of the productive sector, foreign affairs and justice have all visited the United Kingdom since the beginning of 1988. In February this year my hon. Friend the Minister of State for Overseas Development visited Luanda for the annual SADCC meeting and called on President dos Santos. A wide range of international, regional and bilateral matters was discussed.

  We are in regular touch with African leaders in the region, who are best placed to mediate, about moves towards internal peace in Angola. We would welcome any move to establish internal peace which had the support of both sides, but it is not for us to prescribe how elections should be conducted in another sovereign state. We have made no representations through international bodies on this subject.

  We maintain contact with UNITA at official level. Mr. Savimbi is free to visit Britain as a private individual but is not received officially.

  The mandate of the United Nations Angola verification mission (UNAVEM) is to verify the redeployment northwards and the phased and total withdrawal of Cuban troops from Angola according to the agreed timetable which is due to start on 1 April. The internal political situation in Angola is not the subject of discussion at the United Nations.

  Departmental Officials
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the officials in the Civil Service box during Foreign Office questions on 8 March.

  Mr. Eggar
  The officials present were appropriate for the business before the House. I see no reason to give names of officials in the officials' box on such occasions.

  Salman Rushdie
  Mr. Latham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will meet the Secretary General of the Arab League to ask him to press 26
  member states and organisations to repudiate the statement on 5 March by Ahmad Jibril, secretary-general of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine General Command, threatening to murder Mr. Salman Rushdie.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  We condemn threats to murder Mr. Rushdie from any source, and welcome all statements by other states and organisations which repudiate such threats.

  Immigration
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when Mushtaq Ahmed, ref. GV100/4412, was interviewed at the British embassy at Islamabad in connection with his entry clearance application to enter the United Kingdom; when the entry clearance officer who interviewed him wrote to the United Kingdom immigration service requesting information about Mr. Ahmed; when the entry clearance officer sent a reminder as no reply to his request had been received; and when he expects to take a decision on Mr. Ahmed's application.

  Mr. Eggar
  Mr. Mustaq Ahmed was interviewed at the British embassy at Islamabad on 30 November 1987. The entry clearance officer wrote to the immigration service on 7 December 1987 requesting that Mr. Ahmed's fiancee be interviewed. Due to an oversight, no reminder was sent to the immigration service until 6 March 1989. The entry clearance officer has now taken a decision on this application, which is in the process of being conveyed to Mr. Ahmed.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when Mushtaq Ahmed, ref. GV100/4412, first made an entry clearance application to the British embassy in Islamabad to come to the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Eggar
  On 11 June 1986.

  Hong Kong
  Mr. Cyril D. Townsend
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the annual report on Hong Kong will be laid before Parliament.

  Mr. Eggar
  I am laying the report before Parliament today. It is also being published today, and copies will be placed in the Library of the House.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Consultation Papers
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the cost in(a) real and (b) cash terms for each of the last five years to his Department and its predecessors of producing and distributing printed material pertaining to consultation exercises on matters within his present responsibilities as (i) Green Papers and (ii) White Papers.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Green and White Papers are generally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office. The Department, like its predecessor the Department of Health
  27
  and Social Security, purchases the number of copies it requires of each paper for distribution internally, and to certain other recipients, frnm Her Majesty's Stationery Office. The information on the costs of such purchases can be produced only at disproportionate cost. Records of distribution are not retained and retrospective distribution costs cannot therefore be calculated.

  Transitional Protection
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will indicate, by area, how many people in the Northern region in receipt of transitional payments will have no overall increase in their incomes from pensions and social security benefits this year as a result of being placed on transitional payments since April 1988.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I regret that this information is not available, but refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Holborn and St. Pancras (Mr. Dobson) on 6 March at column 445.

  Computerised Information (Confidentiality)
  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what consideration he has given to the potential risks of social security fraud under a computerised system; and if he will take measures to minimise these risks;

  (2) if he will quantify the risks posed to individuals from computerisation of the Department's files;

  (3) what measures he intends to take to protect, from unathorised internal or external entry, newly computerised elements of the social security network.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire (Mr. Kirkwood) on 15 December 1988 at columns 693–94. I add that the introduction of new computerised systems for administering social security will substantially reduce the risk of certain types of social security fraud.

  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will quantify and qualify progress made in the provision of the computer network for his Department's social security files; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  This year's Public Expenditure White Paper (Cm. 615) sets out the progress made in the development of our huge computerisation programme, the operational strategy. We are happy to add another achievment to that list, the largest and most ambitious system yet, namely the local office project which deals with the processing of income support, which was successfully introduced in Bolton and Edinburgh, South local offices on 27 February.

  Benefits (Monitoring)
  Mr. Lester
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he expects to announce the outcome of his monitoring of the benefit system for 16 and 17-year-olds; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  Our policy is the correct one for the vast majority of 16 and 17-year-olds; it would be irresponsible to provide a perverse incentive for people of this age to leave home needlessly. However, our monitoring and our 28
  discussions with representatives of the voluntary sector and the local authority associations reveal that a minority are facing real difficulties.

  We recognise that young people on income support who, for good reason, have to live independently, will have extra and unavoidable expenses. We have therefore decided that these 16 and 17-year-olds should receive a higher personal allowance in income support. They will qualify for the allowance payable to young people between ages 18 and 24 which, from April, is £27·40 a week. The increase will be available to those genuinely estranged from their parents and those who would meet the qualifying conditions for income support which already apply during the child benefit extension period.

  We will also introduce a similar relaxation in the rules governing housing benefit. Young people living independently can find that they are worse off taking a YTS place or job than on income support because of the effect of housing costs and expenses such as travel costs, associated with their training or work. We therefore plan to increase the housing benefit applicable amount for all 16 and 17-year-olds.

  We also plan to introduce some further minor changes. First, we will wholly disregard payments made by local authorities under the Child Care Act 1980 and the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 to young people leaving care.

  Secondly, we shall extend entitlement to income support during the child benefit extension period to young people genuinely estranged from their parents, in line with the proposal for increasing the level of benefit paid to this group.

  Thirdly, 16 and 17-year-olds who seek emergency accommodation in night shelters need time to sort out their affairs before taking up a YTS place. These cases will automatically be considered by the Secretary of State under the severe hardship provisions.

  Fourthly, young people who have become estranged from their families or who have had to leave home for some other good reason are usually in a very vulnerable condition. Officials who deal with their claims need to do so sensitively and I plan to introduce special training to help them to carry out their task in an understanding way.

  The total cost of these changes to the income-related benefit rules will be some £3·7 million in a full year. subject to the necessary consultations with the Social Security advisory committee and the local authority associations, we intend introducing the changes this July, except that the new arrangement for people in emergency accommodation will take effect from April. I believe that this package of extra help for 16 and 17-year-olds is well targeted towards those most in need. Our wider policy, of encouraging such youngsters to stay in the parental home and, if they are not in education or employment, to take up the offer of a YTS place, remains appropriate for the vast majority of young people of this age.

  Staff
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he proposes to begin to monitor customer service and efficiency at local social security offices following staff changes.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The Department monitors customer service and efficiency in two main ways. First, clearance times for claims and accuracy of payments are monitored on at least a monthly basis in order to remedy problems
  29
  when performance falls below target levels. At present 50 per cent. of local social security activity is monitored in this way and from April 1989 this will increase to 75 per cent. Secondly, the Department also monitors the quality of service in several other key areas such as caller waiting times, telephone service, correspondence, and interviewing, and additionally does local customer opinion sampling about service standards.

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will give details by local office of changes in staffing for social security in the north-west region between March 1988 and now and planned cuts over the next 12 months.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The information requested is as follows:

  Local office complements: North western region

  Office

  1 March 1988

  1 February

  1989

  Accrington

  122

  103·71

  Ashton

  162

  129·78

  Barrow

  120

  113·18

  Belle Vale

  135

  105·69

  Birkenhead North

  231

  197·91

  Birkenhead South

  147

  131·69

  Blackburn

  218

  186·78

  Blackpool North

  245

  215·79

  Blackpool South

  125

  119·42

  Bolton

  287

  248·87

  Bootle

  166

  140·05

  Breckfield

  176

  168·52

  Burnley

  236

  199·16

  Bury

  219

  206·77

  Buxton

  39

  32·33

  Carlisle

  122

  106·13

  Central

  107

  97·07

  Cheetham

  165

  139·10

  Chester

  140

  120·25

  Chorlton

  127

  113·14

  City

  123

  103·62

  Crewe

  144

  127·92

  Crosby

  127

  107·86

  Edge Hill

  119

  157·01

  Ellesmere Port

  104

  83·76

  Failsworth

  183

  149·78

  Farnworth

  129

  110·11

  Garston

  113

  93·22

  Huyton

  189

  171·15

  Hyde

  141

  123·27

  Kendal

  51

  43·43

  Kirkby

  222

  186·13

  Lancaster

  169

  146·46

  Leigh

  157

  125·85

  Longsight

  162

  138·07

  Macclesfield

  72

  60·47

  Middleton

  124

  103·64

  Norris Green

  73

  61·10

  Northwick

  103

  57·28

  Oldham

  248

  194·51

  Openshaw

  117

  122·65

  Penrith

  37

  31·54

  Preston North

  166

  152·49

  Preston South

  157

  137·91

  Rochdale

  183

  154·55

  Rossendale

  78

  68·96

  Rusholme

  182

  146·69

  St. Helens

  265

  208·23

  Sale

  197

  158·15

  Salford North

  208

  173·57

  Salford South

  152

  119·05

  Skelmersdale

  141

  127·39

  Southport

  128

  107·47

  Stockport North

  163

  136·33

  Stockport South

  144

  125·58

  Toxteth

  196

  147·77

  30

  Office

  1 March 1988

  1 February 1989

  Wallasey

  151

  124·41

  Warrington

  226

  188·76

  West Derby AO1

  94

  68·19

  West Derby NIO1

  50

  —

  Whitehaven

  76

  60·03

  Widnes

  194

  157·99

  Wigan

  272

  227·95

  Wilmslow

  51

  47·24

  Workington

  84

  72·16

  Wythenshawe

  192

  149·32

  Total

  9,946

  8,473·43

  The numbers will continue until April 1989. Firm figures from April 1989 are not yet available.

  1 West Derby area office and West Derby national insurance office were combined to form the West Derby integrated local office on 11 January 1989.

  Access Committee for England
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the Access Committee for England's future status and role.

  Mr. Scott
  This matter is under consideration.

  Advertising
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the latest figure for the estimated spending in 1988–89 by his Department on(a) television advertising, (b) radio advertising, (c) newspaper advertising and (d) other promotional material; and what is the 1989–90 budget for each of these categories of spending.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Expenditure by the Department in 1988–89 is estimated as:

  £ million

  Television advertising

  3·281

  Radio advertising

  0·199

  Newspaper advertising

  1·999

  Other promotional material

  6·521

  The budget for publicity in 1989–90 is £16·3 million.

  Detailed decisions on expenditure by media have not yet been taken.

  Income Support
  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his latest figure for the total annual amount paid in income support to residents of private residential homes in Derbyshire.

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

  Press and Public Relations
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what are the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff, including vacant posts, in the press and public relations office of his Department; and what is the proposed complement for 1989–90;
  31
  (2) what is the latest figure for (a) the estimated expenditure by his Department on press and public relations during 1988–89 and (b) the budget for 1989–90.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Functions commonly associated with press and public relations are carried out by the Department's information division.

  The latest figures for the combined information divisions of the Department of Health and the Department of Social Security are:

  Numbers

  Staff presently employed

  77

  Full complement of staff including vacant posts

  80

  Note: 38 of the above staff are Information Officers.

  The estimated expenditure for both Departments on press and public relations manpower and running costs during 1988–89 is £1·344 million.

  Grade

  Staff in Post

  Vacancies

  Administrative

  Statistical

  Administrative

  Statistical

  3

  —

  0·33

  —

  —

  5

  —

  2·00

  —

  —

  7

  1

  9·00

  —

  1

  Senior assistant statistician

  —

  2·00

  —

  —

  Assistant statistician

  —

  2·00

  —

  —

  Senior executive officer

  2·00

  —

  —

  —

  Higher executive officer

  11·00

  —

  1

  —

  Executive officer

  19·50

  —

  3

  —

  Administrative officer

  33·00

  —

  1

  —

  Administrative assistant

  7·00

  —

  —

  —

  Personal secretary

  2·00

  —

  —

  —

  Total

  75·50

  15·33

  5

  1

  The staffing complement for 1989–90 is expected to be as shown above but some adjustments may be made following the split of DHSS.

  Privatisation
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the total sum paid out in fees to outside organisations in the furtherance of privatisation by his Department in 1979–80 and each year to date; and what is the estimate for 1989–90.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  No such fees have been identified and no such expenditure is planned for 1989–90.

  Management Consultants
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what were the total fees paid out by his Department to management consultants in 1979–80 and each year to date; and what is the estimate for the current year.

  Mr. Moore
  The estimated expenditure from 1984–85 onwards on fees and expenses for management consultants on social security matters is as follows:

  Year

  £ million

  1984–85

  0·959

  1985–86

  1·722

  1986–87

  0·959

  1987–88

  1·013

  1988–89

  1·020

  The figures are approximate since expenditure up to and including the 1988–89 financial year is from a joint
  32
  Discussions on the proposed complements and budgets for 1989–90 are not yet complete.

  Statistical Staff
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will give the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff including vacant posts, by grade, in the statistical divisions in his Department; if he will differentiate between staff in statistical posts and staff in administrative posts; and if he will give the staffing complements by grade, and differentiated between statistical and administrative posts, proposed for 1989–90.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Staff in post and vacancies in the Department's statistical branches at 1 March 1989 are shown in the table:

  Health and Social Security budget. In some cases expenditure has been apportioned where consultants have been engaged on both health and social security matters. The figures include some computer consultancy where this cannot be separately identified.

  The information for years prior to 1984–85 could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Approved Training (Refusal)
  Ms. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many young people in Halifax have been referred to an adjudication officer for consideration of refusal of approved training.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The numbers of claims referred to the adjudication office covering the Halifax area for consideration of refusal of approved training during 1988 were as follows:

  Decision on refusal or premature termination of approved training

  Quarter ended

  Claims referred to adjudication officer

  Disallowed

  Allowed

  31 March

  29

  11

  18

  30 June

  27

  13

  14

  30 September

  20

  12

  8

  31 December

  7

  5

  2

  Note: Figures refer to the number of claims, rather than to the number of individuals claiming. Some individuals may have had more than one claim referred for adjudication.

  Source: 100 per cent. count of adjudication officer decisions.

  Severe Hardship Rule
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many young people have been refused benefit after applying to him or his officers under the severe hardship rule.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  During the period 12 September 1988, when general entitlement to income support was withdrawn from 16 and 17-year-olds, to 3 March 1989, a total of 5,127 decisions have been made under the Secretary of State's discretionary power to avoid "severe hardship". A direction to enable income support to be paid was refused in 1,799 instances. These figures relate to the number of decisions made, not to the number of young people involved. Some young people have made more than one application.

  Income Support
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many young people who had been in local authority care during the previous 24 months have lost entitlement to income support since September 1988(a) nationally, (b) in Halifax and (c) in Yorkshire.

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

  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many claimants currently placed in board and lodging accommodation by local authorities and entitled to income support will have to make a second, separate, claim for living expenses from local Department of Social Security offices and will have to start claiming money for their housing costs from local authority housing benefits sections after April.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Claimants in this group already recieving income support will not have to make a new claim for income support in April. Local offices are sending them the necessary forms to claim housing benefit from April. The number placed in board and lodging by local authorities is not available.

PRIVY COUNCIL

  Visitorial Jurisdiction
  Mr. Barry Porter
  To ask the Lord President of the Council, in exercising visitorial jurisdiction over universities, in connection with petitioners referred to him, what procedures are adopted; whether there are any plans to change the procedures; to what categories of persons petitions are delegated before any decision is promulgated; how many petitions have been referred to him since 1979, with what type of matters, breaking the answer down between substantive and procedural matters, these petitions dealt; what procedure is adopted for disseminating the results of visitorial decisions amongst universities; how many visitorial decisions have been referred to the court for review since 1979; and what were the results.

  Mr. Wakeham
  The procedure adopted is informal and matched to the circumstances of the individual case. Where it appears that the visitor has jurisdiction, the process begins by obtaining the university's comments on 34
  the petition and, where appropriate, giving an opportunity to the petitioner to comment on the observations of the university. The opportunity is sometimes given to the parties to appear at an oral hearing.

  There are no plans to change the procedures themselves, except that, under the Education Reform Act 1988, when the relevant provision comes into force, matters relating to the employment of staff will no longer fall within the visitor's jurisdiction.

  The decision in relation to petitions for which the visitor has jurisdiction is always taken by the Lord President personally and no decision is delegated to another person.

  The number of petitions submitted since 1979 in respect of universities for which the Lord President exercises responsibility is 65.

  The majority (42) were complaints by students about various aspects of their academic assessment, 11 concerned complaints by academic staff about their employment or dismissal, six concerned complaints by students about disciplinary proceedings and the remainder concerned various matters relating to the Government or administration of the university.

  The decisions are normally disclosed only to the parties and are not disseminated to other universities.

  Two decisions have been the subject of applications to the courts for judicial review. One such application was dismissed by a Master of the High Court and the other by the Court of Appeal.

  Advertising
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what is the latest figure for the estimated spending in 1988–89 by the Privy Council Office on(a) television advertising, (b) radio advertising, (c) newspaper advertising and (d) other promotional material; and what is the 1989–90 budget for each of these categories of spending.

  Mr. Wakeham
  The information requested is as follows:

  (a), (b) and (d) Nil.

  (c) £3,710 will have been spent in 1988–89 on items published in the official gazettes; and the estimated figure for such expenditure in 1989–90 is £4,000.

  Statistical Staff
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Lord President of the Council if he will give the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff including vacant posts, by grade, in the statistical divisions in the Privy Council Office; if he will differentiate between staff in statistical posts and staff in administrative posts; and if he will give the staffing complements by grade, and differentiated between statistical and administrative posts, proposed for 1989–90.

  Mr. Wakeham
  Nil.

  Management Consultants
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what were the total fees paid out by the Privy Council Office to management consultants in 1979–80 and each year to date; and what is the estimate for the current year.

  Mr. Wakeham
  None.

  Press and Public Relations
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what is the latest figure for(a) the estimated expenditure by the Privy Council Office on press and public relations during 1988–89 and (b) the budget for 1989–90.

  Mr. Wakeham
  (a) £1,017; (b) Approximately £1,200.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Lord President of the Council whether any staff will be employed in press or public relations roles in the office of the Privy Council in 1989–90.

  Mr. Wakeham
  I have no plans to employ such staff.

SCOTLAND

  Advertising
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the latest figure for the estimated spending in 1988–89 by the Scottish Office on(a) television advertising, (b) radio advertising, (c) newspaper advertising and (d) other promotional material; and what is the 1989–90 budget for each of these categories of spending.

  Mr. Rifkind
  The latest estimates of expenditure by the Scottish Office on television, radio and newspaper advertising and printed and other material in the current financial year are £257,500, £34,300, £470,600 and £1·291 million respectively. These figures do not include the running costs of the Scottish Information Office.

  Proposed provision for expenditure by the Scottish Office on information campaigns in 1989–90 is £2·9 million. Detailed decisions on expenditure by media have not yet been taken.

  Statistical Staff
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff including vacant posts, by grade, in the statistical divisions in the Scottish Office; if he will differentiate between staff in statistical posts and staff in administrative posts; and if he will give the staffing complements by grade, and differentiated between statistical and administrative posts, proposed for 1989–90.

  Mr. Rifkind
  The figures for the Scottish Office are:

  Staff in post at 1 March 1989

  Vacant posts

  Proposed staff 1989–90

  Professional grades:

  Grade 5

  2

  —

  2

  Grade 7

  15

  1

  16

  Assistant/senior assistant statistician

  8

  3

  13

  Administrative grades:

  Higher executive officer

  9

  —

  9

  Executive officer

  25

  1

  26

  Administrative officer

  48

  —

  47

  Administrative assistant

  22

  —

  22

  Personal secretary

  2

  —

  2

  Total

  131

  5

  137

  Privatisation
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total sum paid out in fees to outside organisations in the furtherance of privatisation by his Department in 1979–80 and each year to date; and what is the estimate for 1989–90.

  Mr. Lang
  No expenditure was incurred between the years 1979–80 and 1986–87 inclusive. In 1987–88, expenditure of £615,648 was incurred on advisers' fees relating to the privatisation of the electricity supply industry in Scotland. In 1988–89, the expected outturn expenditure in respect of electricity privatisation and of privatisation of the Scottish Bus Group is around £2 million. The provision for 1989–90 will be contained in the supply estimates to be published on 14 March.

  Management Consultants
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what were the total fees paid out by his Department to management consultants in 1979–80 and each year to date; and what is the estimate for the current year.

  Mr. Rifkind
  The following information on spending on management consultancy fees is readily available:

  £

  11984–85

  47,512

  1985–86

  491,864

  1986–87

  569,038

  1987–88

  198,338

  21988–89

  944,457

  1 The 1984–85 figure relates only to contracts let during the last quarter of the year: comprehensive figures for the full year are not held centrally.

  2 Estimated figure.

  Press and Public Relations
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed and the full complement of staff, including vacant posts, in the press and public relations office of the Scottish Office; and what is the proposed complement for 1989–90.

  Mr. Rifkind
  At 1 March 1989, the number of staff in post in the information officer grades in the Scottish Information Office was 29. At that date there were two vacancies. There are no proposed changes in staffing levels for 1989–90.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the latest figure for(a) the estimated expenditure by his Department on press and public relations during 1988–89 and (b) the budget for 1989–90.

  Mr. Rifkind
  The estimated running costs of the Scottish Information Office for 1988–89 are £1·2 million. The estimated expenditure for 1989–90 is £1·3 million. These figures exclude expenditure on information campaigns.

  Forestry Commission
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the number of Forestry Commission employees in the parish of Glenelg, Highland region, in 1986 and 1988, respectively.
  37
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The Forestry Commission had nine employees in the parish of Glenelg in both March 1986 and March 1988.

  Legal Profession
  Sir Hector Monro
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he intends to publish his consultation paper on the legal profession in Scotland.

  Mr. Rifkind
  I have today published my consultation paper "The Legal Profession in Scotland", and have placed copies in the Library. Copies have also been issued to a range of interests, and I look forward to receiving comments on the paper by 13 June.

  Council House Sales
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the annual cost to date of the publicity material promoting the right to buy council houses and flats.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 10 March 1989]: The information requested is set out in the table.

  Year

  £

  1980

  56,000

  1981

  75,000

  1982

  62,000

  1984

  100,000

  1985

  150,000

  1987

  120,000

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many council properties have been sold to council house tenants in(a) Inverclyde, (b) Strathclyde and (c) Scotland as a whole in each of the past five years; and what proportion of the total stock of council properties in (a), (b) and (c) these sales represent in each of the past five years.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 10 March 1989]: The information requested is given in the table.

  Sales to council house tenants in Inverclyde, Strathclyde and Scotland 1984–1988

  Number of sales

  Percentage of stock sold1

  1984

  Inverclyde

  104

  0·5

  Strathclyde

  2,848

  0·6

  Scotland

  11,860

  1·4

  1985

  Inverclyde

  293

  1·5

  Strathclyde

  3,526

  0·8

  Scotland

  10,969

  1·3

  1986

  Inverclyde

  224

  1·2

  Strathclyde

  4,026

  0·9

  Scotland

  10,306

  1·2

  1987

  Inverclyde

  216

  1·2

  Strathclyde

  5,900

  1·3

  Scotland

  13,813

  1·6

  38

  Number of sales

  Percentage of stock sold1

  1988

  Inverclyde

  281

  1·5

  Strathclyde

  210,425

  2·4

  Scotland

  321,785

  2·6

  1 Stock at 30 September of previous year used in calculation.

  2 Returns for Eastwood, Kyle & Carrick and Motherwell outstanding for October-December.

  3 Returns for 1988 are outstanding.

  Source: SDD S3 and Rent Returns.

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he has regarding the number of repossessions of properties purchased by ex-council house tenants who have exercised their right to buy.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 10 March 1989]: This information is not collected centrally.

  Inverclyde Royal Hospital
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is(a) the total waiting list, (b) the longest time any patient had to wait and (c) the numbers waiting by number of months' wait for ear, nose and throat department at the Inverclyde royal hospital over the last four years for which figures are available.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 10 March 1989]: The information available is set out in the tables.

  (a) In-patient waiting list as at 31 March

  Numbers

  1985

  329

  1986

  358

  1987

  462

  1988

  1253

  (b) The longest waiting time for those discharged during the year

  Year

  Longest waiting time (months)

  Mean waiting time (months)

  1984

  36·4

  3·8

  1985

  46·5

  3·6

  1986

  36·8

  3·0

  1987

  54·4

  3·5

  (c) Number of People on the waiting list by time spent on the waiting list at 31 March 19881

  Number

  Under three months

  104

  Three months to six months

  50

  Six months to nine months

  38

  Nine months to one year

  25

  One year to two years

  31

  Over two years

  5

  Total

  253

  1 The altered statistical system on which these figures are collected is explained in ISD statistical bulletin 1/88.

  This information is not available for earlier years and is not collected for deferred or repeat admissions.

  FSAs (Trees)
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the names of all landowners in the Caithness and Sutherland region who have received any form of Government grant for not planting commercial trees in areas deemed to be environmentally sensitive.
  39
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  I have been asked to reply.

  This information is treated as a confidential matter between the owners and occupiers of the land concerned and the Nature Conservancy Council. It is not our policy to disclose details.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Press and Public Relations
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Attorney-General what are the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff, including vacant posts, in the press and public relations office of the Lord Chancellor's Department; and what is the proposed complement for 1989–90.

  The Attorney-General
  At present, there are six staff employed in the press office of the Lord Chancellor's Department. There are no vacancies at present and no current plans to increase the complement.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will give the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff including vacant posts, by grade, in the statistical divisions in the Lord Chancellor's Department; if he will differentiate between staff in statistical posts and staff in administrative posts; and if he will give the staffing complements by grade, and differentiated between statistical and administrative posts, proposed for 1989–90.

  The Attorney-General
  The number of staff by grade presently employed in the statistics branch of the Lord Chancellor's Department, together with the full complement, are as follows. The unfilled post has only been vacant since 1 March 1989. No changes in complement are proposed for 1989–90.

  Grade of Staff

  In post

  Complement

  March 1989

  1988–99

  Grade 7/statistician

  1

  1

  Assistant/senior assistant statistician

  1

  1

  Higher executive officer

  1

  1

  Executive officer

  2

  3

  Administrative officer

  4

  4

  Administrative assistant

  2

  2

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Attorney-General what is the latest figure for(a) the estimated expenditure by the Lord Chancellor's Department on press and public relations during 1988–89 and (b) the budget for 1989–90.

  The Attorney-General
  The estimated expenditure by the Lord Chancellor's Department on press and public relations is £35,000 excluding staff costs. The budget for 1989–90 is £41,800.

  Legal Aid
  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will review the legal aid provision whereby a litigant may win damages from which the legal profession is entitled to deduct defence costs if the defendant fails to pay.

  The Attorney-General
  The legal aid authorities are required by law to retain, from any damages won by a legally aided plaintiff, an amount equal to that paid out of 40
  the legal aid fund in respect of the plaintiff's costs, if the defendant does not pay these costs. These costs include the solicitors' charges for conducting the case, barristers' and expert witnesses' fees and court fees. The Lord Chancellor does not propose to review this provision.

  Advertising
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Attorney-General what is the latest figure for the estimated spending in 1988–89 by the Lord Chancellor's Department on(a) television advertising, (b) radio advertising, (c) newspaper advertising and (d) other promotional material; and what is the 1989–90 budget for each of these categories of spending.

  The Attorney-General
  The figures for the Lord Chancellor's Department, excluding staff costs, are as follows:

  Estimated expenditure

  1988–89

  1989–90

  £

  £

  Television advertising

  Nil

  Nil

  Radio advertising

  Nil

  Nil

  Newspaper advertising

  15,000

  15,000

  Other promotional material

  45,000

  35,000

  Privatisation
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Attorney-General what was the total sum paid out in fees to outside organisations in the furtherance of privatisation by the Lord Chancellor's Department and the Law Officers in 1979–80 and each year to date; and what is the estimate for 1989–90.

  The Attorney-General
  None.

  Management Consultants
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Attorney-General what were the total fees paid out by the Lord Chancellor's Department to management consultants in 1979–80 and each year to date; and what is the estimate for the current year.

  The Attorney-General
  On the information available, the cost to the Lord Chancellor's Department of employing management consultants for each financial year from 1984–85 to date is as follows:

  £

  1984–85

  nil

  1985–86

  221,000

  1986–87

  473,837

  1987–88

  134,255

  1988–89

  205,882

  The figures exclude computer consultancy. Figures for 1979–80 to 1983–84 could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

WALES

  Artificial Limb and Appliance Service
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what developments have taken place in the provision of limb fitting centres in north Wales; and if he will make a statement;
  41
  (2) if he will list the location of wheelchair assessment centres in Wales; if he has any plans to expand this provision; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Grist
  Since 1 April 1988, management and operational responsibility for the artificial limb and appliance service in Wales has rested with the Welsh Health Common Services Authority. I have asked the general manager of the authority to respond directly to these inquiries.

  Medical Treatment (Travel)
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to reduce the need for patients from Wales to travel long distances to England for medical treatment; what effect the White Paper proposals will have on this travelling; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Grist
  Patterns of patient referral for treatment or diagnosis are only in part related to the location of the relevant services. Clinical and patient choice also influence such decisions. In the case of some specialised procedures, notably those designated as regional or supraregional services, the catchment population is necessarily so large or the availability of the specialist expertise so limited that only a small number of centres have been established. Although some of these are in Wales, where they are not it is desirable to refer Welsh patients to centres in England, in the same way as patients in England are sometimes referred to Wales.

  The Welsh Office keeps under review the access which Welsh patients have to specialist health care services. As a result in-patient services are being expanded to improve patient access. Examples include renal dialysis, radio-therapy and oncology in south Wales, medical genetics, bone marrow transplantation and cardiac services. A report on the future development of radiotherapy and oncology services for patients in north Wales is expected shortly.

  The arrangements for the management of regional services in Wales following the publication of the White Paper "Working for Patients" will be decided in consultation with district health authorities, within the Department's policy of developing in Wales as full a range of health services as is consistent with the clinical viability of the units concerned.

  Statistical Staff
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff including vacant posts, by grade, in the statistical divisions in the Welsh Office; if he will differentiate between staff in statistical posts and staff in administrative posts; and if he will give the staffing complements by grade, and differentiated between statistical and administrative posts, proposed for 1989–90.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  Current staffing levels within my Department's economic and statistical services division is shown in the following table:42

  As at 1 February 1989

  Staff in post

  Complement

  Professional Posts

  Senior economic adviser (grade 5)

  1·0

  1·0

  Chief statistician (grade 5)

  1·0

  1·0

  Statistician (grade 6)

  1·0

  1·0

  Statistician (grade 7)

  11·0

  11·0

  Principal research officer (grade 7)

  1·5

  1·5

  Economic adviser (grade 7)

  1·0

  1·0

  Senior assistant statistician

  6·0

  8·5

  Assistant statistician

  1·0

  1·0

  Total professional posts

  23·5

  26·0

  Administrative posts

  Higher executive officer

  1·0

  —

  Executive officer

  16·0

  16·5

  Administrative officer

  19·0

  21·5

  Administrative assistant

  7·5

  5·0

  Personal secretary

  2·0

  2·0

  Total administrative staff

  45·5

  45·0

  Grand total

  69·0

  71·0

  Staffing levels for 1989–90 will be determined in the light of running cost budgets.

  Privatisation
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the total sum paid out in fees to outside organisations in the furtherance of privatisation by his Department in 1979–80 and each year to date; and what is the estimate for 1989–90.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  All expenditure associated with privatisation has, up until 1988–89, been administered by the Departments of Industry, Transport, Energy and the Environment. An announcement in respect of any costs borne by the Welsh Office in connection with the privatisation of the water industry, will be made in due course.

  Management Consultants
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what were the total fees paid out by his Department to management consultants in 1979–80 and each year to date; and what is the estimate for the current year.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  I shall write to the hon. Gentleman and place a copy of my reply in the Library of the House.

  Press and Public Relations
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what are the latest figures for(a) the estimated expenditure by the Welsh Office on press and public relations during 1988–89 and (b) the budget for 1989–90.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  The estimated expenditure on press and public relations (inclusive of staff and press cutting service but excluding media advertising and promotional material) for 1988–89 is £469,000. The estimated budget for 1989–90 is £487,000.

  Benzodiampines
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he is taking or contemplating to reduce the number of people in Wales addicted to benzodiazepines.
  43
  Mr. Grist
  The central initiative for combating drug misuse funded by the Department makes its own contribution to dealing with these problems. We hope to be in a position to make an announcement on funding for the coming financial year soon. Additionally, the chairman of the Welsh Medical Committee wrote to all general medical practitioners in Wales last year, to draw their attention to the views of the Welsh Committee on Drug Misuse about the prescribing of benzodiazepines.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the trend in the prescribing of benzodiazepines.

  Mr. Grist
  I refer the hon. Lady to the answer I gave on 31 January at column 96.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will commission research to discover the number of people in Wales addicted to benzodiazepines.

  Mr. Grist
  If a suitable research proposal were put to the Department, then it would certainly be given careful consideration. The Welsh Committee on Drug Misuse is presently examining ways of collecting reliable statistical data on the incidence and prevalence of drug misuse in Wales. Their work may help to establish how many people in the Principality have problems associated with the use of benzodiazepines.

  Childbirth
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list for the years 1987 and 1988 the estimated percentages of women delivering in Wales whose deliveries were(a) spontaneous including abnormal presentation of head and breech spontaneous, (b) instrumental including forceps, vacuum and for breech extraction, (c) caesarean section and (d) other unspecified means.

  Mr. Grist
  The information requested for 1987 is given in the following table. Information for 1988 is not yet available.

  Estimated percentages of deliveries by specified mode of delivery: Wales

  Mode of delivery

  1987

  Per cent.

  Spontaneous including abnormal presentation of head and breech spontaneous

  79·6

  Instrumental—forceps, vacuum and breech extraction

  8·2

  Caesarean section

  12·2

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list for the years 1987 and 1988 the estimated percentages of women delivering in Wales(a) whose labours were induced, (b) whose labours were of spontaneous onset and (c) who had elective caesarean sections.

  Mr. Grist
  The available information is given in the following table. Information for 1988 is not yet available.

  Estimated percentages of deliveries by type of onset of labour: Wales

  Type of onset of Labour

  1987 per cent.

  Spontaneous onset and induced1

  94

  Elective caesarian section

  6

  1 Separate figures are not shown because the available information is unreliable.

  Domestic Animals (poisoning)
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what information his Department has received about recent cases of poisoning of domestic animals at Penpedairheol; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  Two incidents involving the deaths of dogs in Penpedairheol and Cefn Hengoed, Mid Glamorgan have been brought to my Department's attention. Laboratory tests have confirmed the presence of strychnine in the stomach of one of the dogs. The result of another sample is awaited. The police are investigating.

  Pesticides
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list for each of the last five years the number of cases in Wales of abuse of pesticides involving strychnine and if he will identify the domestic farm and wild animal species involved.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  The number of incidents in Wales of abuse of pesticides involving strychnine, identified by the Ministry of Agriculture's wildlife incident investigation service were as follows:

  Number of incidents

  Species involved

  1984

  8

  7 dogs, magpie, duck

  1985

  none

  —

  1986

  4

  2 dogs, fox, buzzard

  1987

  3

  3 dogs

  1988

  3

  3 dogs, magpie, buzzard

  Sewage Treatment
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the number of sewage treatment works in the Welsh water authority area which discharge effluent below the required standard.

  Mr. Grist
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Cynon Valley (Mrs. Clwyd) on 15 December 1988 at columns 663–7.

PRIME MINISTER

  Ozone Layer
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will place a copy of her address to the conference on saving the ozone layer in the Library.

  The Prime Minister
  A copy has been placed in the Library.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Prime Minister, if, during the conference on saving the ozone layer held in London on 5 and 6 March, she had an opportunity to discuss with the official Brazilian representative the present destruction of the Amazonian rain forest, in connection with damage to the ozone layer.

  The Prime Minister
  No.

  "Peace and Security"
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will obtain for the Library of No. 10 Downing street a copy of "Peace and Security" edited by Susan Forrester.
  45
  The Prime Minister
  No.

  United Nations Environment Programme
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will make it her policy to initiate an international campaign to achieve a doubling of the funding of the United Nations environment programme.

  The Prime Minister
  The United Kingdom's contribution to the voluntary fund of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is to be more than doubled to £3 million. At UNEP's governing council in May we will be calling on those nations that can afford it to make similar increases.

  "The Ark Manifesto"
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Prime Minister if she has received a copy of the document "The Ark Manifesto".

  The Prime Minister
  Not so far as I am aware.

  "The Time … The Place"
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will seek to obtain for the Library at No. 10 Downing street a recording and transcript of the television programme entitled, "The Time … The Place", broadcast on 3 March.

  The Prime Minister
  No.

  Statistical Staff
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) if she will give the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff including vacant posts. by grade, in the statistical divisions in her office; if she will differentiate between staff in statistical posts and staff in administrative posts; and if she will give the staffing complements by grade, and differentiated between statistical and administrative posts, proposed for 1989–90;

  (2) if she will give the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff including vacant posts, by grade in the statistical divisions in the Cabinet Office; if she will differentiate between staff in statistical posts and staff in administrative posts; and if she will give the staffing complements by grade, and differentiated between statistical and administrative posts, proposed for 1989–90.

  The Prime Minister
  The information available relates to the Central Statistical Office, part of the Cabinet Office. The following table shows complement and number of staff in post at 1 April 1988 and complement for 1 April 1989.

  Staff in the CSO

  Grade

  I April 1988

  1 April 1989

  complement

  staff in post

  complement

  Members of statistician group

  1A

  1·0

  1·0

  1·0

  3

  3·0

  3·0

  3·0

  5

  8·0

  9·0

  8·0

  7

  27·0

  25·0

  28·0

  Senior assistant statistician

  10·0

  6·0

  7·0

  46

  Grade

  1 April 1988

  1 April 1989

  complement

  staff in post

  complement

  Assistant statistician

  3·0

  3·0

  4·0

  Cadet statistician1

  7·0

  6·0

  6·0

  Members of administration and other groups2

  5

  1·0

  1·0

  1·0

  7

  4·0

  4·0

  4·0

  Senior executive officer

  8·0

  8·0

  7·0

  Higher executive officer

  21·0

  20·0

  20·5

  Executive officer

  37·0

  31·0

  36·5

  Administrative officer

  21·0

  21·0

  25·0

  Senior personal secretary

  1·0

  1·0

  2·0

  Personal secretary

  11·5

  11·0

  10·5

  Chief draughtsman

  1·0

  1·0

  1·0

  Senior draughtsman3

  2·0

  2·0

  1·0

  Higher draughtsman4

  2·0

  2·0

  1·0

  Draughtsman5

  7·0

  5·0

  7·0

  Information officer

  1·0

  1·0

  1·0

  175·5

  160·0

  174·5

  1 Cadet statisticians are employed to undertake postgraduate training for the Government statistical service and do not therefore contribute directly to the work of the CSO.

  2 Includes all other non-statistician group staff.

  3 Higher graphics officer from 1 April 1989.

  4 Map and chart officer from 1 April 1989.

  5 Graphics officer from 1 April 1989.

  Press and Public Relations
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Prime Minister what are the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff, including vacant posts, in the press and public relations office of her office; and what is the proposed complement for 1989–90.

  The Prime Minister
  Including support staff, eight people are presently employed in 10 Downing street on press and public relations activities. There are no vacancies at present. The proposed complement for 1989–90 is eight.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Prime Minister what are the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff, including vacant posts, in the press and public relations office of the Cabinet Office; and what is the proposed complement for 1989–90.

  The Prime Minister
  Eighteen staff are presently employed by the Cabinet Office, including the Central Statistical Office, the Office of the Minister for the Civil Service and 10 Downing street on press and public relations activities. There are no vacancies. The proposed complement for 1989–90 is 18.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Prime Minister what is the latest figure for(a) the estimated expenditure by the Cabinet Office on press and public relations during 1988–89 and (b) the budget for 1989–90.

  The Prime Minister
  The information is not available in the precise form requested. The latest estimate of expenditure on press and public relations in 1988–89 by the Cabinet Office, including 10 Downing street, the Central Statistical Office and the Office of the Minister for the Civil Service, as well as on such services provided to the Office of Arts and Libraries, is £525,000. The budget for 1989–90 for these services is £578,500.
  47
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Prime Minister what is the latest figure for(a) the estimated expenditure by No. 10 Downing street on press and public relations during 1988–89 and (b) the budget for 1989–90.

  The Prime Minister
  The latest estimate of total expenditure by 10 Downing street on press and public relations in 1988–89 is £312,530. The budget for 1989–90 is £346,520.

  Advertising
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Prime Minister what is the latest figure for the estimated spending in 1988–89 by her office on(a) television advertising, (b) radio advertising, (c) newspaper advertising and (d) other promotional material; and what is the 1989–90 budget for each of these categories of spending.

  The Prime Minister
  My office has incurred no expenditure on advertising and promotional material in the current year and there are no plans for such expenditure in 1989–90.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Prime Minister what is the latest figure for the estimated spending in 1988–89 by the Cabinet Office on(a) television advertising, (b) radio advertising, (c) newspaper advertising and (d) other promotional material; and what is the 1989–90 budget for each of these categories of spending.

  The Prime Minister
  The Cabinet Office does not expect to incur any expenditure on promotional advertising on television, radio or in newspapers in 1988–89 and 1989–90. The latest estimate of expenditure on other promotional material in 1988–89 by the Cabinet Office, including the Central Statistical Office and the Office of the Minister for the Civil Service, as well as on such services provided to the Office of Arts and Libraries, is £9,500. The equivalent budget for 1989–90 is £15,000.

  Privatisation
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Prime Minister what was the total sum paid out in fees to outside organisations in the furtherance of privatisation by the Office of the Minister for the Civil Service in 1979–80 and each year to date; and what is the estimate for 1989–90.

  The Prime Minister
  There has been no expenditure on fees to outside organisations in the furtherance of privatisation by the Office of the Minister for the Civil Service, or its immediate predecessor Department, the Management and Personnel Office, and no expenditure is planned for 1989–90.

  Management Consultants
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Prime Minister what were the total fees paid out by the Office of the Minister for the Civil Service to management consultants in 1979–80 and each year to date; and what is the estimate for the current year.

  The Prime Minister
  The expenditure by the Cabinet Office (including, from its creation on 1 October 1987, the Office of the Minister for the Civil Service) on management and computer consultancies in the financial years from 1983–84 is as follows:48

  £

  1983–84

  152,000

  1984–85

  423,818

  1985–86

  329,334

  1986–87

  505,092

  1987–88

  417,778

  1988–89

  439,806

  1 Estimate.

  Some 21 per cent. of the estimated expenditure in 1988–89 is on management consultancies and 79 per cent. on computer consultancies. The figures for earlier years cannot be separated except at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Prime Minister what were the total fees paid out by her office to management consultants in 1979–80 and each year to date; and what is the estimate for the current year.

  The Prime Minister
  There has been no expenditure by my office on fees to management consultants since 1979–80 and none is planned for the rest of this year.

CIVIL SERVICE

  Next Steps
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Minister for the Civil Service if he will make a statement on progress in the implementation of next steps.

  Mr. Luce
  Since I last reported to the House, on 1 February, my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer has announced that he has concluded that the Central Office of Information should become a next steps agency.

THE ARTS

  Advertising
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what is the latest figure for the estimated spending in 1988–89 by the Office of Arts and Libraries on(a) television advertising, (b) radio advertising, (c) newspaper advertising and (d) other promotional material; and what is the 1989–90 budget for each of these categories of spending.

  Mr. Luce
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given today by the Prime Minister to his corresponding question in respect of the Cabinet Office.

  Press and Public Relations
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Minister for the Arts (1) what are the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff, including vacant posts, in the press and public relations office of the Office of Arts and Libraries; and what is the proposed complement for 1989–90;

  (2) what is the latest figure for (a)the estimated expenditure by the Office of Arts and Libraries on press and public relations during 1988–89, and (b)the budget for 1989–90.

  Mr. Luce
  The Office of Arts and Libraries is serviced by the press office of the Cabinet Office. I therefore refer
  49
  the hon. Member to the replies given today by the Prime Minister to his corresponding questions in respect of the Cabinet Office.

  Statistical Staff
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Minister for the Arts if he will give the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff including vacant posts, by grade, in the statistical divisions in the Office of Arts and Libraries; if he will differentiate between staff in statistical posts and staff in administrative posts; and if he will give the staffing complements by grade, and differentiated between statistical and administrative posts, proposed for 1989–90.

  Mr. Luce
  The Office of Arts and Libraries has no staff in statistical divisions or posts. The present complement is 60 administrative and curatorial posts, and the details are as follows:

  Administrative

  Grade (level)

  Complement

  2 (Deputy Secretary)

  1

  5 (Assistant Secretary)

  4

  6 (Senior Principal)

  1

  7 (Principal)

  11

  Senior Executive Officer

  1

  Higher Executive Officer

  9

  50

  Grade (level)

  Complement

  Administration Trainee

  1

  Executive Officer

  10

  Administrative Officer

  8

  Administrative Assistant

  4

  Senior Personal Secretary

  1

  Personal Secretary

  4

  Total

  55

  Curatorial

  Curator E

  1

  Curator G

  4

  Total

  5

  The office currently has vacancies for one administrative officer and one administrative assistant. The staff complement for 1989–90 is also 60.

  Privatisation
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what was the total sum paid out in fees to outside organisations in the furtherance of privatisation by the Office of Arts and Libraries in 1979–80 and each year to date; and what is the estimate for 1989–90.

  Mr. Luce
  None Sir.

  Trustees
  Mr. Faulds
  To ask the Minister of the Arts whether he will set up an independent review into the suitability of the trustees who are selected by him for the various institutional boards.

  Mr. Luce
  The trustees whom I appoint to the boards of various arts bodies are appointed for their knowledge and experience in a number of fields. They make a most valuable contribution to the management and work of those institutions. I am grateful to the trustees of all OAL-sponsored bodies, by whomever appointed, for their trusteeship and public service.

DEFENCE

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

  Mr. Younger
  Since June 1987, the House of Commons Defence Committee has published the following reports, copies of which are available in the Library of the House:

  Session 1987–88

  First ReportߞEthnic Monitoring and the Armed Forces (HC 391)

  Second Report—Business Appointments (HC 392)

  Third Report—The Progress of the Trident Programme (HC 422)

  Fourth Report—The Defence Requirement for Merchant Shipping and Civil Aircraft (HC 476)

  Fifth Report—The Procurement of Major Defence Equipment (HC 431)

  Sixth Report—The Future Size and Role of the Royal Navy's Surface Fleet (HC 309)

  Seventh Report—Statement on the Defence Estimates 1988 (HC 495)

  Eighth Report—British Forces in Belize (HC 624) Ninth Report-Business Appointments (HC 622)

  Session 1988–89

  First Report—The Future of the Brigade of Gurkhas (HC 68)

  The following Government Responses have been published in the form of a Command Paper:

  CM 585 (responding to HC 392 and HC 622)

  CM 501 (responding to HC 431)

  CM 443 (responding to HC 309)

  Copies of these are available in the Library of the House.

  The Government are still considering their response to the Committee's first report (Session 1988–89) on the future of the Brigade of Gurkhas. In all other cases, where a Government response has been required, this has been made direct to the chairman of the House of Commons Defence Committee. The Committee has published the Government's responses in the following cases:

  Session 1987–88

  Second Special Report—Government reply to the First Report dated 6th July 1988 (HC 584)

  Third Special Report—Government reply to the Third and Fourth Reports dated 26th October 1988 (HC 674).

  Drinking Water
  Mr. John Garrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the drinking water supply in his Department's head office building meets the European Economic Community standard.
  52
  Mr. Neubert
  This building is supplied with water by Thames Water and since no drinking water is stored on the premises PSA does not take samples for analysis unless there is reason to suspect the quality of water. I am advised by Thames Water that in 1988 the supply generally complied with the EC directive.

  Advertising
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is the latest figure for the estimated spending in 1988–89 by his Department on(a) television advertising, (b) radio advertising, (c) newspaper advertising and (d) other promotional material; and what is the 1989–90 budget for each of these categories of spending;

  (2) what is the latest figure for the estimated spending in 1988–89 by the armed forces on (a)television advertising, (b)radio advertising, (c)newspaper advertising and (d)other promotional material; and what is the 1989–90 budget for each of these categories of spending.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  This information is not held centrally. I shall write to the hon. Member.

  Computer Hacking
  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will take steps to ensure the security of British and North Atlantic Treaty Organisation defence computers in the light of the KGB hacking activity in West Germany and the United States of America: and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The activities of the hackers in West Germany are being investigated. If this investigation indicates an increase in the threat to, or vulnerability of, British or NATO defence computer systems sufficient to warrant changes in our security policy, we will take the appropriate action to ensure that MOD information handled by these systems is adequately protected.

  Statistical Staff
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff including vacant posts, by grade, in the statistical divisions in the armed forces; if he will differentiate between staff in statistical posts and staff in administrative posts; and if he will give the staffing complements by grade, and differentiated between statistical and administrative posts, proposed for 1989–90.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  There are no statistical divisions in the armed forces.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff including vacant posts, by grade, in the statistical divisions in his Department; if he will differentiate between staff in statistical posts and staff in administrative posts; and if he will give the staffing complements by grade, and differentiate between statistical and administrative posts, proposed for 1989–90.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The staff complements by grade in Ministry of Defence statistical divisions as at 1 March 1989 is as follows:
  53

  Grade

  Complement

  Currrent vacancies

  Grade 3

  0

  0

  Grade 41

  1

  0

  Grade 5—Chief Statistician1

  2

  0

  Grade 61

  1

  0

  Grade 7—Administration

  0

  0

  Grade 7—Statistician1

  25

  4

  PSO

  0

  0

  SSO

  0

  0

  SEO

  1

  0

  HEO—Administration

  16

  2

  HEO—ADP

  6

  0

  HSO

  1

  0

  RO2

  0

  0

  SO

  0

  0

  EO—Administration

  35

  3

  EO—ADP

  17

  1

  AS/SAS1

  10

  1

  AO

  56

  9

  AA

  18

  6

  SPS

  0

  0

  PS

  3

  0

  Reprographic Operator

  1

  0

  SDP

  0

  0

  DP

  0

  0

  Total

  193

  26

  1 Statistical posts.

  As at 1 March 1989 there were also 14 service men employed in statistical divisions. It is not anticipated that there will be any significant changes in staffing complements for 1989–90.

  Privatisation
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total sum paid out in fees to outside organisations in the furtherance of privatisation by his Department in 1979–80 and each year to date; and what is the estimate for 1989–90.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The fees paid out by my Department to outside organisations in respect of privatisation relate solely to the sale of Royal Ordnance plc in April 1987. These fees amounted to £1·9 million and were for work carried out between 1 January 1985 and completion of the sale.

  Management Consultants'
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were the total fees paid out by his Department to management consultants in 1979–80 and each year to date; and what is the estimate for the current year.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Fees paid to management consultants engaged centrally by the Ministry of Defence for the years 1984 to 1989 are as follows:

  £ million

  1984–85

  0·604

  1985–86

  1·787

  1986–87

  6·203

  1987–88

  5·140

  1988–89

  13·673

  1Estimated expenditure.

  Figures for earlier years cannot be produced without disproportionate effort.

  Press and Public Relations
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what are the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff including vacant posts, in the press and public relations of the armed forces; and what is the proposed complement for 1989–90;

  (2) what the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff, including vacant posts, in the press and public relations office of his Department; and what is the proposed complement for 1989–90.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  There is a total of 217 posts on the strength of the Defence public relations staffs. These include staff in single service headquarters as well as in joint headquarters and in central staffs in the Ministry of Defence. Latest available figures show there to be 213 staff in post and four vacancies.

  The proposed complement for 1989–90 is 221.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is the latest figure for(a) the estimated expenditure by his Department on press and public relations during 1988–89, and (b) the budget for 1989–90;

  (2) what is the latest figure for (a) the estimated expenditure by the armed forces on press and public relations during 1988–89 and (b) the budget for 1989–90.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The Ministry of Defence expects to spend £2,419,000 on press and public relations in 1988–89. This comprises expenditure on films, exhibitions, publications and equipment, and covers expenditure on single-service activities as well as on central defence work. In addition, the estimated staff costs are £4,962,000.

  The estimated figures for 1989–90 are £2,784,000 and £5,210,000 respectively.

  Trident
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he now expects to place the order for the fourth Trident submarine.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The formal response from Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering Ltd to the tender invitation for the construction of SSBN07 was received by my Department on 19 February. and it is planned to place the order for the submarine later this year. Both the tender and the order for SSBN08 will follow in due course.

EMPLOYMENT

  Training and Enterprise
  Mr. Holt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement about the setting up of training and enterprise councils.

  Mr. Cope
  In launching training and enterprise councils on 10 March the Prime Minister underlined the need for and the benefits of this important initiative which will re-shape the way this country approaches training and help for growing business.

  We have had already an excellent response to our proposals from business leaders throughout the country. Groups are even now preparing their applications to become training and enterprise councils and I shall award the first development contracts in early July.
  55
  The first training and enterprise councils will be operational in early 1990.

  Training (Expenditure)
  Ms. Richardson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what proportion of the funds spent by employers on training in 1986–87 was spent on training women, and how much was spent on child care provision allowing (i) parents and (ii) women to attend training.

  Mr. Cope
  The information is not available.

  Child Care Facilities
  Ms. Richardson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether the provision of child care facilities is one of the stringent criteria which he states in the White Paper. "Employment for the 1990s", every organisation that participates in the youth training schemes has to satisfy to secure approved training organisation status; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Cope
  The provision of child care facilities is not one of the criteria used in assessing suitability for YTS approved training organisation status and there are no plans to introduce such a criteria.

  Retail Prices Index
  Dame Elaine Kellett-Bowman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what information he has on the components of the retail prices index of the member states of the European Community.

  Mr. Lee
  The prices index for the European Community is a simple average of the consumer price indices produced by individual member states. In each case the coveragte of goods and services in the national index conforms broadly to the classification of household consumption established by thc Community's Statistical Office (the European System of Ingegrated Economic Accounts, ESA), the main components of which are:

  Food, beverages and tobacco.

  Clothing and footwear

  Gross rent, fuel and power.

  Furniture, furnishings and household equipment and operation.

  Medical Care and health expenses.

  Transport and communication.

  Recreation, entertainment, education and cultural services.

  Miscellaneous goods and services.

  However, the precise definition of the component categories differs from one country to another. In particular, in the "gross rent" category most of the national indices include imputed rents to represent the "shelter" costs faced by owner-occupiers, whereas the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland include mortgage interest payments for this purpose.

  Dame Elaine Kellett-Bowman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what information he has as to whether any country other than the United Kingdom includes mortgage interest payments in their retail prices index.

  Mr. Lee
  Mortgage interest payments are included in the consumer price indices of the Republic of Ireland, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden and a number of smaller countries throughout the world.

  Hotels
  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give the number of hotels of over 15 bedrooms in(a) England and Wales and (b) Scotland in each of the last 10 years.

  Mr. Lee
  The national tourist boards' records currently show 5,376 hotels with more than 15 bedrooms in England, 530 in Wales and 1,098 in Scotland. Comparable figures over a period of years are not available.

  European Tourism Year
  Mr. Butterfill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what steps his Department is taking to promote European Tourism Year in 1990(a) nationally and (b) on the south coast.

  Mr. Lee
  In conjunction with the British Tourist Authority, my Department is actively promoting the objectives of the Year. The British Tourist Authority is organising a conference to launch the idea to industry representatives and to encourage their participation in the Year. This will be held on 25 May. It is intended that the Year will highlight the importance of the tourism industry throughout the country including the south coast.

  Income Support (Claims)
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether the computer paying unemployment benefit is programmed to draw to the attention of those claimants whose benefit is about to expire the need to make a separate claim for income support.

  Mr. Lee
  The unemployment benefit computer is programmed to notify claimants automatically of their right to claim income support. A letter is normally sent two weeks before entitlement to unemployment benefit is due to exhaust allowing a claim for income support to be made before payment stops.

  Working Hours
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what steps he has taken to advise unemployment benefit offices of the decision R(U)5/88: requalification for UB—hours of work of school teachers; and what steps he proposes to take to identify other part-time workers whose contract of employment requires hours of service or availability that are not directly remunerated.

  Mr. Lee
  All unemployment benefit offices were given written notice of the implications of R(U)5/88 (previously CU/009/1986) in March 1988. These instructions were subsequently updated in October 1988 and continue to apply.

  The decision specifically applied to part-time teachers and their contractual arrangements. It has no implications for other groups of part-time workers. There are no plans at present to change the rules applying to other groups.

  Advertising
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the latest figure for the estimated spending in 1988–89 by his Department on(a) television

  57
  advertising, (b) radio advertising, (c) newspaper advertising and (d) other promotional material; and what is the 1989–90 budget for each of these categories of spending.

  Mr. Cope
  The latest estimated spending as requested for 1988–89 is as follows:

  Expenditure

  £ million

  TV

  Radio

  Press

  Other

  Total

  3·7

  0·5

  3·9

  9·7

  17·8

  Note: This is the first year in which employment service expenditure is included. Training Agency expenditure is not included.

  Detailed decisions on expenditure by media for 1989–90 have not yet been taken.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the latest figure for the estimated spending in 1988–89 by the Manpower Services Commission on(a) television advertising, (b) radio advertising, (c) newspaper advertising and (d) other promotional material; and what is the 1989–90 budget for each of these categories of spending.

  Mr. Cope
  The latest estimated spending by the Training Agency (formerly MSC) as requested for 1988–89 is as follows:

  Advertising

  £ million

  Television

  12·6

  Radio

  —

  Press1

  6·5

  Other

  9·2

  Total

  28·3

  1 Includes a small amount of radio advertising. This cannot be identified separately.

  Detailed decisions on expenditure by media for 1989–90 have not yet been taken.

  Press and Public Relations
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what are the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff including vacant posts, in the press and public relations office of the Manpower Services Commission; and what is the proposed complement for 1989–90.

  Mr. Cope
  The number of staff presently employed in the Training Agency (formerly MSC) press and public relations office is nine. There are no posts vacant.

  Detailed decisions on the complement for 1989–90 have not yet been taken.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what are the figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff, including vacant posts, in the press and public relations office of his Department; and what is the proposed complement for 1989–90.

  Mr. Cope
  Sixty people are presently employed, with five posts vacant. The proposed complement for 1989–90 is 68.
  58
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the la test figure for(a) the estimated expenditure by his Department on press and public relations during 1988–89, and (b) the budget for 1989–90.

  Mr. Cope
  The estimated expenditure by the Department of Employment on press and public relations for 1988–89 is £1·458 million. The budget for 1989–90 is £1·627 million. The figures represent general administrative expenditure relating to costs for staff, accommodation and for regional services.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the latest figure for(a) the estimated expenditure by the Manpower Services Commission on press and public relations during 1988–89 and (b) the budget for 1989–90.

  Mr. Cope
  The estimated expenditure for 1988–89 by the Training Agency (formerly MSC) on press and public relations is £715,000.

  Detailed decisions on expenditure for 1989–90 have not been taken.

  Privatisation
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the total sum paid out in fees to outside organisations in the furtherance of privatisation by his Department in 1979–80 and each year to date; and what is the estimate for 1989–90.

  Mr. Cope
  There were no fees paid to outside organisations in the furtherance of privatisation by my Department in the financial years 1979–80 to 1987–88 inclusive.

  Fees to the value of £526,212 have been incurred in 1988–89.

  No firm estimates for 1989–90 are yet available.

  Working Women
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the annual percentage change in the number of full-time working women since 1979.

  Mr. Lee
  Between September 1979 and September 1988, the latest date for which figures are available, the annual percentage changes in the female full-time work force in employment in Great Britain were as follows:

  September of each year

  Percentage change since preceding year

  Per cent.

  1980

  -3

  1981

  -4

  1982

  -2

  1983

  +1

  1984

  +3

  1985

  +1

  1986

  +1

  1987

  +4

  1988

  +5

  The estimates have been adjusted for the effects of seasonal variations. The work force in employment is the sum of employees in employment, the self employed, Her Majesty's Forces and participants in work-related Government training programmes. In classifying the work force in employment between full and part time, all programme participants are counted as in part-time employment.

  Bridging Allowance
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many young people in Halifax have applied for bridging allowance since September 1988.

  Mr. Cope
  As at 9 February the benefit-related payment system shows that 289 young people had received bridging allowance in Halifax since September 1988. There may also be a very small number who received clerical payments.

  New Businesses
  Mr. Anthony Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many new businesses were registered for value added tax during 1988 in the Wyre Forest constituency.

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

  16 and 17-year-olds (Benefits)
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many 16 and 17-year-olds in Halifax have lost benefits since September 1988 because they are unemployed or have been unable to take advantage of their guaranteed YTS place.

  Mr. Cope
  The guaranteed offer of a YTS place to all 16 and 17-year-olds not in full-time education or employment means that there is now no need for young people to be unemployed. I am satisfied that the Training Agency has more than sufficient YTS places available in Halifax for those who apply for one.

  Restaurants
  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give the total number of restaurants categorised as such in each of the last 10 years in(a) England and Wales, (b) Scotland and (c) Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Lee
  The information available relates to numbers of businesses, which may include more than one individual restaurant. For the years 1980 to 1986 the table below shows the available estimates for numbers of businesses in Great Britain which were classified as restaurants, snack bars, cafes, etc., supplying food for consumption on the premises only. Comparable figures for earlier years are not available.

  Number of businesses

  1980

  11,512

  1981

  11,735

  1982

  11,817

  1983

  12,119

  1984

  12,692

  1985

  13,362

  1986

  14,348

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Short Sea Trades
  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest available estimate of the fiscal 60
  advantages available to shipowners in the short sea trades in (a) West Germany, (b) the Netherlands and (c) the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  I am advised that in the Federal Republic of Germany shipping companies can benefit from delayed taxation of profits carried forward from the sale of a vessel. Similar arrangements apply in the Netherlands. These are generalised provisions not specific to shipping.

  United Kingdom shipowners benefit from relatively low rates of United Kingdom taxation and generous writing down allowances. In addition investment in shipping attracts favourable treatment in the timing of depreciation allowances and in the business expansion scheme.

  Corporation Tax
  Mr. Bright
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much has been paid in corporation tax in the United Kingdom by lower rate small companies in each of the last five fiscal years.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  Estimates of mainstream corporation tax paid at the small companies rate are as follows:

  £ billion

  1983–84

  0·4

  1984–85

  0·5

  1985–86

  0·6

  1986–87

  0·7

  1987–88

  10·8

  1 Provisional.

  Over the same period, total receipts of mainstream corporation tax are estimated to have risen from £4·1 billion to £10·8 billion.

  Computerised Information (Confidentiality)
  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the adequacy by safeguards of Her Majesty's Customs and Excise computer system against unauthorised entry.

  Mr. Lilley
  Her Majesty's Customs and Excise completed a thorough review of information systems security arrangements in 1988. As a result, existing measures have been strengthened including the establishment of a computer security committee and the development of an information system security strategy in accordance with CCTA-approved methods.

  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give consideration to the potential risks of unauthorised entry into the Customs and Excise computer system.

  Mr. Lilley
  These risks are kept under regular review by a computer security committee which uses the CCTA-approved risk analysis and management methodology.

  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer in view of the computerisation of Inland Revenue files, what steps he proposes to take to ensure the safeguarding of these files from unauthorised entry by internal or external computer hackers.
  61
  Mr. Norman Lamont
  Appropriate safeguards are built into the Inland Revenue's various on-line computer systems from the earliest design stages to prevent unauthorised access and ensure the integrity of the computer files. In particular, data transmission takes place over private circuits which denies external hackers the opportunity of calling up the systems. Terminals used by staff to access the on-line systems are subject to password control, and transactions are recorded in audit trails.

  The Inland Revenue's computer systems are continuously monitored for possible abuse, and reviewed whenever either a significant change is made to an existing system or a new security threat emerges. The Department has in place a structure of security committees to oversee and monitor this control process.

  Village Halls
  Mr. Heddle
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with organisations and others responsible for village halls on the question of short-term relief from the possible effect of value-added tax on non-domestic construction work by way of grant aid or a special reclaim scheme.

  Mr. Lilley
  Customs and Excise officials are currently engaged in discussions with representatives of village halls about the implications of the European Court of Justice judgment on VAT zero rates.

  Clothing Industry (Liquidations)
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many clothing industry liquidations there were in London in 1986, 1987 and 1988 reported to the Inland Revenue.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  The Inland Revenue does not have a record of the number of liquidations specifically reported to it. The numbers of clothing industry liquidations extracted by it from the London Gazette were:

  Calendar year

  Number

  1986

  2,688

  1987

  1,284

  1988

  456

  Tax Informers
  Mr. Sean Hughes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many tax informers were there in 1987–88; how many of those were subsequently proved to be giving true information; and how many were subsequently proved to be giving false information.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  The Inland Revenue does not have records on informers from which such information could be obtained.

  Cigarettes
  Mr. Amos
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will express in real terms the ratio of the price of an average priced packet of 20 cigarettes to the average weekly wage in each of(a) 1959, (b) 1969, (c) 1979 and the latest year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lilley
  The ratio of the average price of a packet of 20 cigarettes to the average weekly wage in the relevant financial years is shown below:62

  Per cent.

  1959–60

  1·1

  1969–70

  1·0

  1979–80

  0·6

  1988–89

  0·6

  Income Tax
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish estimates of the tax yield from a 1 p increase in(a) the basis rate and (b) the higher rate of tax, in each county, metropolitan district and London borough area.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  I regret that estimates by county of the effect of increasing the basic and higher rates of income tax by 1p in 1989–90 are not available.

  Privatisation
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total sum paid out in fees to outside organisations in the furtherance of privatisation by the Treasury in 1979–80 and each year to date; and what is the estimate for 1989–90.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  The gross expenses incurred by Her Majesty's Treasury in connection with the sale of shares in Cable and Wireless and British Petroleum were as follows:

  Thousands

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1987–88

  £

  £

  £

  £

  British Petroleum

  22,108

  656

  —

  —

  Cable and Wireless

  12,011

  440

  —

  —

  Cable and Wireless

  —

  —

  21,400

  —

  British Petroleum

  —

  —

  —

  1146,707

  1 Excluding subscription for new shares and expenses of the Bank of England share purchase arrangement.

  These expenses include fees paid to outside organisations, but those fees could be identified separately only at disproportionate cost.

  Any costs incurred by Her Majesty's Treasury in connection with the privatisation programme in 1989–90 will be announced in due course in the usual way.

  Press and Public Relations
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff including vacant posts, in the press and public relations office of Central Office of Information; and what is the proposed complement for 1989–90.

  Mr. Lilley
  The press office of the Central Office of Information is staffed by one information officer. No increase is proposed for 1989–90.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the latest figure for(a) the estimated expenditure by the Central Office of Information on press and public relations during 1988–89 and (b) the budget for 1989–90.

  Mr. Lilley
  The latest estimated cost of the press office of the Central Office of Information for 1988–89 is £44,350. The budget figure for 1989–90 is £48,200.

  Advertising
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the most recent estimate of spending on advertising by the Central Office of Information in 1988–89; and what is the estimated spending for 1989–90.

  Mr. Lilley
  The estimated spending on advertising through the Central Office of Information on behalf of other Government Departments for 1988–89 is £97 million.

  Detailed decisions on estimated expenditure on advertising through the Central Office of Information on behalf of other Government Departments for 1989–90 are for departmental Ministers.

  Central Office of Information
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total staff of the Central Office of Information; what it was in 1987–88; and what it is estimated to be in 1989–90.

  Mr. Lilley
  The information requested is as follows:

  Permanent staff in post

  1 January

  Number

  1987

  815

  1988

  804

  1989

  787

  Value Added Tax
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the latest position regarding European Community proposals for imposing value added tax on goods and clothing sold in charity shops.

  Mr. Lilley
  Discussions on the Commission's proposals for the approximation of VAT rates are continuing in the Economic and Finance Council. The Government's position, which has been repeated on numerous occasions, is that we are not prepared to accept proposals which would restrict our ability to retain VAT zero rates. Our position is safeguarded because changes to EC tax law require unanimity.

  Tax Forms
  Mr. Ralph Howell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total number of people who receive a tax form; and what percentage of the taxable population this represents.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  [holding answer 10 March 1989]: The total number of people receiving income tax returns and claims forms is 9·5 million which represents around 37 per cent. of the taxable population for whom records are held.

  Earnings
  Mr. Trotter
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many employees' earnings, including the value of benefits, exceed the rate of(a) £8,500 and (b) £17,000 per year;

  (2) how many employees earning more than (a) £8,500 and (b) £17,000 a year, in each case including the value of benefits, are assessed on benefits;
  64
  (3) how much tax is raised in a year from assessing for benefits those earning as employees more than £8,500 a year, including the value of benefits; and what is his estimate of how much tax would be forgone if the figure of £17,000 was to be substituted for that of £8,500.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  [holding answers 9 March 1989]: Provisional estimates of the number of employees in each of the categories specified are given in the table. Figures exclude directors because benefits received by directors are taxable irrespective of the level of their earnings.

  Number of employees (million)

  Annual rate of earnings

  £8,500

  £17,000

  Number of employees whose earnings in 1988–89 (including any benefits received but after deductions of contributions to approved pension funds) exceed each rate

  9·8

  1·9

  Of which:

  liable to tax on benefits received

  1·5

  0·7

  The direct revenue yield, in 1988–89 terms, arising from the taxation of expenses and benefits received by employees (excluding directors) with earnings above the £8,500 threshold is estimated to be about £510 million. A further £370 million arises from the taxation of benefits received by directors. The direct revenue cost of an increase in the earnings threshold used to determine whether an employee is liable to tax on benefits is estimated to be about £150 million in 1988–89 terms.

  Inland Revenue Staff
  Mr. Trotter
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many Inland Revenue staff in each grade resigned in(a) London and (b) the south-east in the last 12-month period for which the figures are available.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  [holding answer 9 March 1989]: The information, in relation to the main grades concerned, for the period from 1 February 1988 to 31 January 1989, is as follows:

  Number of resignations: 1 February 1988 to 31 January 1989

  London

  South East

  Tax Office Grades

  Inspector (Fully trained)

  75

  14

  Inspector (General group)

  45

  17

  Technical Trainee

  249

  84

  Tax Officer (Higher grade)

  Tax Officer

  190

  165

  Revenue Assistant

  245

  180

  Others

  64

  39

  Collection Office Grades

  Collector (Higher grade) and above

  8

  1

  Collector

  50

  3

  Assistant Collector

  184

  51

  Revenue Assistant

  45

  17

  Others

  15

  5

  Valuation Office Grades

  Professional Staff

  58

  28

  Valuation Technician and above

  16

  4

  Valuation Clerk

  51

  30

  Revenue Assistant

  42

  25

  Others

  17

  2

  Administration Group Grades

  Higher Executive Officer and above

  46

  16

  Executive Officer

  29

  49

  65

  London

  South East

  Administrative Officer

  38

  33

  Administrative Assistant

  133

  95

  Others

  65

  11

  Note: "London" and "South East" refer to the Inland Revenue's four London regions and South East regions respectively.

  Chlorofluorocarbons
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what advice he has received from the Heating and Ventilating Contractors' Association about the case for fiscal incentives for investment in plant required for recycling and safe destruction of chlorofluorocarbons.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  [holding answer 6 March 1989]: The association suggested the introduction of fiscal incentives for such investment.

  Charities
  Ms. Wise
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total amount paid by registered charities by way of value-added tax.

  Mr. Lilley
  I regret that this information is not available.

HEALTH

  Abortion
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total number of abortions performed to save the life of the mother in Basildon health authority area from April 1968 to the latest available date; and what percentage this represents of all abortions performed.

  Mr. Freeman
  There were no abortions performed under ground 5 of the Abortion Act 1967, which permits an abortion in emergency to save the life of the pregnant woman, upon women usually resident in Basildon and Thurrock district health authority or its equivalent areas prior to 1982 between 1968 and 31 December 1987.

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

  Mr. Mellor
  Ministers and officials have regular contact with representatives of all spheres of health service activity, seeking contributions towards improving quality of patient services, policy development and on technical issues. Meetings are also held on health matters with voluntary organisations and their representatives. In addition to individuals making representations either to the Department or their local health organisations, since 1974, the consumer voice has been represented by community health councils. These bodies contribute towards the planning and standard of local services and have an input when changes in the pattern of service delivery is being produced.

  Smoking
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many meetings he, his Ministers and his 66
  Department's officials have had with representatives of the medical and health professions on the subject of smoking since 1 January 1988; if he will list the dates, venues and purpose of each meeting; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  Department of Health Ministers or officials have not met with representatives of the health professions specifically to discuss smoking. There have, however, been frequent meetings with our expert advisory committees, including the Independent Scientific Committee on Smoking and Health, with the Health Education Authority and with bodies with an interest in the health aspects of smoking such as ASH. Ministers receive advice on the medical aspects of smoking from the chief medical officer and his staff.

  Seaham Harbour Dental Unit
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether Seaham Harbour school dental unit will close as a result of the recent reorganisation of community health services for the Easington district carried out by the Northern regional health authority.

  Mr. Freeman
  The information requested is not held centrally. The hon. Member may, however, wish to contact the chairman of Sunderland health authority, the authority which, from 1 April 1989, will be responsible for the management of community health services for Seaham.

  Computerised Information (Confidentiality)
  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what precautions are taken to ensure the confidentiality of computerised individual personal Health Department files from unauthorised internal and external penetration.

  Mr. Freeman
  The Department of Health has taken a number of precautions against unauthorised internal and external breaches of the confidentiality of personal files held on computer. There is a continuing programme aimed at raising the awareness of staff of possible threats to this confidentiality and approximate countermeasures most of which involve additional physical security. Department of Health computer systems that contain personal details of indentifiable individuals are registered in accordance with the Data Protection Act.

  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps have been considered to protect computerised departmental waiting lists from internal or external penetration.

  Mr. Freeman
  The responsibility for guarding against unauthorised access to information held on hospital computer files rests with individual health authorities all of which have been made aware of the requirements of the Data Protection Act.

  The issue of specific guidance to hospitals on the security of computer systems, including those holding waiting list information, is currently under consideration.

  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what techniques are used to protect, on-line computer-held departmental systems from unauthorised internal or external access.

  Mr. Freeman
  Currently, most Department of Health computer systems cannot be accessed on-line by other
  67
  systems. Where on-line access is possible security measures appropriate to the sensitivity of the data held and the possible consequences of data corruption are taken. These include procedures for the security copying of computer-held information and physical checks of cabling and communications equipment.

  All Department of Health computer systems are subject to physical security measures. The exact measures employed relate directly to the physical vulnerability of both the system type and its location.

  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice is given by his Department to relevant health authority offices to secure their computer terminals against unauthorised penetration of the Health Department mainframe in London.

  Mr. Freeman
  The Department of Health mainframe computer in London has linked terminals within its own location and at two more Department of Health central London offices. No other terminals have access to the system.

  Access from the linked terminals is controlled by use of suitable physical and logical security measures for the mainframe itself and for each terminal with validated access to information held on it.

  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what record is kept of the use made of Departmental computer files.

  Mr. Freeman
  For Department of Health computer held information registered in accordance with the Data Protection Act, the rules of the Act apply. Where it is considered necessary, further controls are maintained relating to permitted access and regular checking of system usage.

  Mr. H. W. Williscroft
  Mr. Heddle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will examine the correspondence from Mr. H. W. Williscroft of 6 Hill street, Rugeley, Staffordshire, to his Department's agency benefit unit at Long Benton, Newcastle upon Tyne, to ascertain the reasons for the delay in determining his entitlement to help with National Health Service costs.

  Mr. Freeman
  I have made inquiries of the agency benefits unit of the Department of Social Security and I understand that Mr. Williscroft's claim has now been determined.

  MMR Vaccinations
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people were administered MMR vaccinations in the year 1988–89; in how many cases contra-indications were reported after the administering of the vaccine; and how many cases of mumps, measles and rubella occurred in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Mellor
  Immunisation uptake figures for 1988–89 will not be available until later this year. However, from the launch of measles, mumps and rubella vaccine last October to the end of January, 1·2 million doses were made available. The number of children in the recommended priority groups (aged 15 months and 4 to 5 years) who became eligible for the vaccine in that period was 400,000.
  68
  Contra-indications are reasons for not administering vaccines and are not therefore reported. Mumps and rubella became notifiable only from 1 October 1988; since then 13,140 and 8,876 cases respectively have been notified. Notifications for measles for the last five years were:

  Numbers

  1984

  62,080

  1985

  97,408

  1986

  82,061

  1987

  42,065

  1988

  185,642

  1 Provisional.

  Source: OPCS (England and Wales).

  Medicines (Review Bodies)
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the names of those who serve on review bodies under the Medicines Act; how many medicines have been reviewed, and with what result; and what is the nature of the criteria used to assess risk/benefit ratios.

  Mr. Mellor
  The current membership of the Committee on the Review of Medicines is given in its annual report for 1987, a copy of which is available in the Library. This and previous annual reports of the Committee on the Review of Medicines from 1975 give details of the progress of the review. Of the approximate 3,360 medicines which have been reviewed so far some 3,205 were permitted to remain on the market and some 160 have been removed. The latest figure excludes medicines withdrawn by companies themselves: an estimated 39,000 medicines subject to the review were on the market when it began in 1975. Risk/benefit ratios are assessed on the available evidence in relation to the uses for which medicines are claimed to be effective. Particular guidance on herbal medicines was issued in 1985 in the herbal information sheet, a copy of which is in the Library.

  Cunliffe Evans Report
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the Cunliffe Evans report on alternative medicine was submitted to his Department; and when he expects to publish it.

  Mr. Mellor
  The report of the study on the control of medicines (the Evans Cunliffe report) was published in January 1988. Its main thrust was on the management and organisation of the general arrangements for licensing medicines. Only one of its 54 recommendations concerned alternative medicines. This was that product licensing was not appropriate for the control of homoeopathic and similar alternative medicines. However, the Medicines Commission in its annual report for 1987 expressed a preference for a product licensing system for homoeopathic medicines addressing safety and quality but not efficacy, which the Commission acknowledged would not be possible under the Medicines Act 1968 as it stands. The Commission of the European Community has a commitment to a directive on homoeopathic medicines. When a proposal is made to the Council of Ministers, we shall consider it carefully. It would serve no useful purpose to pursue meantime in the United Kingdom either the
  69
  Cunliffe Evans or Medicines Commission views until we have Commission proposals for European Community law on this matter.

  National Health Service Funding
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will list the National Health Service provision, excluding boards of governors and special health authorities, that is currently funded, completely or partly, directly by his Department;

  (2) if he will list the services, now funded by districts, which were started in the National Health Service with either direct central or supra-regional funding;

  (3) if he will list the National Health Service provision, excluding boards of governors and special health authorities, that has been funded completely or partly by direct central funding in the last 10 years.

  Mr. Freeman
  The services for which revenue funding has been specifically provided to regional health

  authorities in 1988–89 are:

  Waiting Lists and Times

  AIDS

  Breast Cancer Screening

  Measles Mumps and Rubella Vaccine

  Services for Drug Misusers

  Supra Regional Services:

  Spinal Units

  Cranio-facial Services

  Liver Transplants

  Chorion-carcinoma Services

  National Poisons Information Unit

  Neonatal and Infant Cardiac Surgery

  Specialised Liver Services

  Heat Transplantation (including Heart and Lung Transplants)

  Endoprosthetic Services for Primary Bone Tumours

  Psychiatric Services for Deaf People

  United Kingdom Transplant Service

  Quality Assessment of Clinical Laboratories

  Health Authority Central Fund (1)

  Portman and Tavistock Clinics

  London Emergency Helicopter Service.

  Other services funded in this way since 1983–84 are as follows. Information for previous years is not readily available.

  Local Dental Health Survey and Education Programme

  Psychiatric Rehabilitation

  Renal Services Expansion

  Transplant Advisors: Kidney Donors

  Rural Practice Payments for Dispensing

  Hearing Aids

  Cervical Cytology Kits

  Community Medicine Register.

  Note: Each year the Department reserves centrally a small proportion of resources to fund developments in the hospital and community health services where central intervention is considered both desirable and cost effective; for example, specialised new activities arising from research which needs to be tried under central oversight.

  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the National Health Service services which receive supra-regional funding.

  Mr. Freeman
  The following services have received supra-regional funding in 1988–89 and will continue to do so in 1989–90:

  Chorioncarcinoma Services

  Craniofacial Services

  Endoprosthetic Services for Primary Bone Tumours

  Heart Transplantation (including Heart and Lung Transplantation)

  70

  Liver Transplantation

  National Poisons Information Services

  Neonatal and Infant Cardiac Surgery

  Psychiatric Services for Deaf People

  Specialised Liver Services

  Spinal Injury Services

  Hearing Aids
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his estimate of the number of totally and profoundly deaf people who get no benefit from hearing aids but who might be helped by a cochlear implant.

  Mr. Mellor
  Estimates from those units which currently provide a cochlear implant service suggest that between 5,000 and 6,000 profoundly deaf people in England might get some benefit from a cochlear implant.

  Mrs. Rosie Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information is currently issued by his Department to people with a hearing loss.

  Mr. Mellor
  All National Health Service patients issued with a hearing aid are given a copy of the Department's booklet HA1 "How to use your Hearing Aid", a copy of which is in the Library.

  Mrs. Rosie Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information he has as to the number of hearing aid users in England and Wales.

  Mr. Mellor
  Figures provided by the Institute of Hearing Research suggest that around 1·3 million people aged 17 and over in England and Wales use a hearing aid. We have no precise information about the number of children using hearing aids.

  Mrs. Rosie Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he last reviewed the adequacy of the range of hearing aids available on the National Health Service.

  Mr. Mellor
  The range of hearing aids available under the National Health Service is kept under constant review by the commodities advisory group advising Mersey regional health authority, which is responsible for the procurement and distribution of all National Health Service hearing aids.

  Tobacco Advertising
  Mr. Amos
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what regulations currently govern cigarette advertisements in duty-free areas at ports, airports, and other similar areas under United Kingdom jurisdiction under current agreement with the tobacco industry; whether he will he taking steps in his negotiations with the tobacco industry to include such areas under new regulations; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  The current voluntary agreement with the industry requires companies to"continue to include a health warning in cigarette or hand-rolling tobacco brand advertising posters for display in lounges, corridors or shops of land duty free areas".
  Other forms of advertising in duty free areas are not covered by the voluntary agreement. The Government will consider whether to seek any appropriate extension or clarification of the agreement as regards duty free areas when renegotiating the agreement. Cigarettes sold in United Kingdom duty free shops are however, intended for consumption outside this country.

  Advertising
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the latest figure for the estimated spending in 1988–89 by his Department on(a) television advertising, (b) radio advertising, (c) newspaper advertising and (d) other promotional material; and what is the 1989–90 budget for each of these categories of spending.

  Mr. Mellor
  Expenditure in respect of Department of Health in 1988–89 is estimated as:

  £ million

  Television advertising

  1·724

  Radio advertising

  0·161

  Newspaper advertising

  1·176

  Other promotional material

  7·413

  The budget for publicity in 1989–90 is £19·586 million. It is not yet possible to say how this sum will be divided between categories of publicity.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the latest figure for the estimated spending in 1988–89 by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys on(a) TV advertising, (b) radio advertising, (c) newspaper advertising and (d) other promotional material; and what is the 1989–90 budget for each of these categories of spending.

  Mr. Freeman
  No expenditure of TV advertising, radio advertising and newspaper advertising is planned by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys for 1988–89 or 1989–90. The expenditure on other promotional material in 1988–89 is estimated to be £105,000. The corresponding budget figure for 1989–90 is £210,000. These figures include expenditure on or planned for the 1989 census test and 1991 census.

  Press and Public Relations
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff including vacant posts, in the press and public relations office of the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys; and what is the proposed complement for 1989–90.

  Mr. Freeman
  The number of staff presently employed in the press and publicity section of the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys is seven. There are no vacancies. The figure includes four staff who have been employed on a temporary basis to work on publicity activities for the 1989 census test and the 1991 census. An additional temporary post is to be added in 1989–90 to work on the 1989 census test and 1991 census.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff including vacant posts, in press and public relations offices in(a) the Health Education Authority and (b) the National Health Service generally; and what are the proposed complements for 1989–90.

  Mr. Mellor
  The Health Education Authority currently employs three people in its press office and has a vacancy for one public relations officer on the "Look After Your Heart" campaign. In 1989–90 one additional post is planned to deal with the new teenage smoking campaign.
  72
  The employment and numbers of press and information officers in the NHS is a matter for regional and district health authorities and not for the Department of Health. The hon. Member may care to write to the individual regional health authority chairmen.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff, including vacant posts, in the press and public relations office of his Department; and what is the proposed complement for 1989–90.

  Mr. Mellor
  Functions commonly associated with press and public relations are carried out by the Department's information division.

  The latest figures for the combined information divisions of the Department of Health and the Department of Social Security are:

  Number

  Staff presently employed

  77

  Full complement of staff inlcuding vacant posts

  80

  Note: Thirty-eight of the above staff are information officers.

  Discussions on the proposed complements for 1989–90 are not yet complete.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what is the latest figure for the estimated spending in 1988–89 by (i) the Health Education Authority and (ii) the National Health Service as a whole on(a) TV advertising, (b) radio advertising, (c) newspaper advertising and (d) other promotional material; and what are the 1989–90 budgets for each of these categories of spending by (1) the Health Education Authority and (2) the National Health Service as a whole;

  (2) what are the latest figures for (a) the estimated expenditure on press and public relations during 1988–89 and (b) the budget for 1989–90 for both (i) the Health Education Authority and (ii) the National Health Service generally.

  Mr. Mellor
  A large proportion of the Health Education Authority's expenditure is related to advertising, and promotional work. Expenditure is as follows:

  Health Education Authority

  £

  1988–89

  TV advertising

  2,000,000

  Radio advertising

  400,000

  Newspaper advertising

  4,450,000

  Other promotions and material

  1,548,000

  1989–90

  Advertising (media spit not yet determined)

  7,850,000

  Other promotions and material

  741,000

  For the National Health Service as a whole, this information is not collected separately.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the latest figure for(a) the estimated expenditure by his Department on press and public relations during 1988–89 and (b) the budget for 1989–90.

  Mr. Mellor
  We do not have the information in the form requested. However the estimated expenditure for
  73
  the combined Departments of Health and Social Security on press and public relations during 1988–89 is £1·344 million.

  The budget for the Department of Health for 1989–90 has not yet been agreed.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the latest figure for(a) the estimated expenditure by the Office of Population, Censuses and Surveys on press and public relations during 1988–89 and (b) the budget for 1989–90.

  Mr. Freeman
  The total estimated expenditure by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys on press and public relations activities in 1988–89 is £190,000. The corresponding budget figure for 1989–90 is £340,000. These figures include the salaries of staff employed on these activities, including those working on the 1989 census test and plans for the 1991 census.

  Number in post

  Number planned to be in post

  Number planned to be in post

  (1 March 1989)

  (1 March 1989)

  (1 October 1989)

  Statistical posts

  Grade 5 (Chief Statistician)

  3·0

  3·0

  3·0

  Grade 6 (Statistician)

  2·0

  2·0

  2·0

  Grade 7 (Statistician)

  11·5

  11·5

  11·5

  Senior Assistant Statistician

  3·0

  6·0

  6·0

  Assistant Statistician

  2·0

  2·0

  3·0

  Medical Officer Grades

  2·5

  2·5

  2·5

  Survey Officer posts

  Grade 5 (Chief Social Survey Officer 'A')

  1·0

  1·0

  1·0

  Grade 6 (Chief Social Survey Officer 'B')

  4·0

  4·0

  4·0

  Grade 7 (Principal Social Survey Officer)

  14·0

  12·5

  12·5

  Senior Social Survey Officer

  11·0

  12·0

  12·0

  Social Survey Officer

  4·5

  5·5

  5·5

  Assistant Social Survey Officer

  4·0

  8·0

  8·0

  Administrative posts

  Grade 6 (Senior Principal)

  2·0

  2·0

  2·0

  Grade 7 (Principal)

  12·0

  11·0

  11·0

  Senior Executive Officer

  17·0

  19·0

  20·5

  Higher Executive Officer

  57·5

  58·0

  59·0

  Executive Officer

  93·0

  110·5

  111·5

  Administrative Officer and others

  331·0

  368·5

  415·0

  Blood Transfusion Service
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what developments have taken place in the organisation of the blood transfusion service in England and Wales following publication of the study by the National Health Service management consultancy services branch; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  We announced on 28 July 1988 that new arrangements would be made to manage the supra-

  Statistical Staff
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff including vacant posts, by grade, in the statistical divisions in the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys; if he will differentiate between staff in statistical posts and staff in administrative posts; and if he will give the staffing complements by grade, and differentiated between statistical and administrative posts, proposed for 1989–90.

  Mr. Freeman
  The information is shown in the table. This covers all the staff employed in the statistical divisions of the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys including the medical statistics and social survey divisions. It excludes staff employed in the finance personnel and administration division and staff employed in the information technology division. Staff complements as such are no longer used since expenditure is controlled by financial rather than manpower limits. The planned staff figures for 1 October 1989 are therefore less rigid and subject to change.

  regional and national dimension of the national blood transfusion service (NBTS). Operational responsibility at national level is now exercised on behalf of Health Ministers for England and Wales by the NHS management board and undertaken by its director of operations, in consultation in respect of Wales with the director, NHS Wales. Day-to-day implementation of the national strategy is delegated to the national director of the NBTS and a small supporting staff.

HEALTH

  Stastistical Staff
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff including vacant posts, by grade, in the statistical divisions of(a) the Health Education Authority and (b) the National Health Service as a whole; if he will differentiate between staff in statistical posts and staff in administrative posts; and if he will give the staffing complements by grade, and differentiated between statistical and administrative posts, proposed for 1989–90.

  Mr. Mellor
  In 1988–89 the Health Education Authority employed one statistician, in its public health division. There are also 20 professional posts and one administrative post in the division, and a current vacancy for a statistical assistant. The complement will remain the same for 1989–90.

  Staff in post

  Vacancies

  Administrative

  Statistical

  Administrative

  Statistical

  Grade 3

  —

  0·66

  —

  —

  Grade 5

  —

  6·00

  —

  —

  Grade 6

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Grade 7

  1·0

  25·00

  —

  —

  Senior Assistant Statistician

  —

  3·00

  —

  —

  Assistant Statistican

  —

  3·00

  —

  —

  Senior Executive Officer

  13·0

  —

  2

  —

  Higher Executive Officer

  29·0

  —

  3

  —

  Executive Officer

  53·0

  —

  —

  —

  Administrative Officer

  56·5

  —

  —

  —

  Administrative Assitant

  17·5

  —

  —

  —

  Personal Secretary

  6·0

  —

  —

  —

  Total

  176·0

  37·66

  5

  0

  The staffing complement for 1989–90 is expected to be as shown but some adjustments may be made following the split of Department of Health and Social Security.

  Privatisation
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total sum paid out in fees to outside organisations in the furtherance of privatisation by his Department in 1979–80 and each year to date; and what is the estimate for 1989–90.

  Mr. Mellor
  No expenditure on fees to outside organisations in the furtherance of privatisation of health-related areas of work prior to 1986–87 has been identified. Expenditure in 1986–87 and each year to date, and the estimated expenditure in 1989–90, are as follows:

  Year

  £

  1986–87

  63,000

  1987–88

  61,000

  1988–89

  202,000

  1989–90

  250,000

  All expenditure up to and including 1988–89 has been from a joint Health and Social Security budget.
  76
  The number of whole time equivalent staff in post in the statistics and information area of work within the administrative and clerical staff group in the NHS (England) at 30 September 1987 was 867 whole time equivalent staff. Of these only four could be separately identified as being statisticians.

  We do not collect information on staff vacancies centrally. Staff complements for specific areas of work are a matter for local determination.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff including vacant posts, by grade, in the statistical divisions in his Department; if he will differentiate between staff in statistical posts and staff in administrative posts; and if he will give the staffing complements by grade, and differentiated between statistical and administrative posts, proposed for 1989–90.

  Mr. Mellor
  Staff in post and vacancies in Department of Health statistical branches at 1 March 1989 are shown in the table:

  Management Consultants
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what were the total fees paid out by his Department to management consultants in 1979–80 and each year to date; and what is the estimate for the current year.

  Mr. Mellor
  The estimated expenditure from 1984–85 onwards on fees and expenses for management consultants on health matters is as follows:

  Year

  £ million

  1984–85

  0·613

  1985–86

  0·479

  1986–87

  2·103

  1987–88

  1·316

  1988–89

  1·347

  The figures are approximate since expenditure up to and including the 1988–89 financial year is from a joint Health and Social Security budget. In some cases expenditure has been apportioned where consultants have been engaged on both health and social security matters. The figures include social services consultancy and some computer consultancy where these cannot be separately identified.

  The information for years prior to 1984–85 could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Health Service (Annual Returns)
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for health (1) if he will publish in the Official Report a list of annual financial and statistical returns made by district and regional health authorities to his Department;

  (2) if he will publish in the Official Report, for each statistical and financial return, a list showing which regional and district health authorities did not return such information on time;

  (3) which health authorities did not return their financial returns for 1987–88 by the published deadline.

  Mr. Freeman
  1987–88 was the first year for the new KÖrner data sets for hospital activity, patient transport, manpower and finance; 1988–89 the first for the community and paramedical services. A list has been placed in the Library showing the statistical and financial returns required for 1987–88 ad 1988–89 including those which existed before the implementation of the KÖrner review recommendations.

  Apart from the financial data which are currently submitted by each health authority, the general responsibility for submitting returns to the Department is on regional health authorities, who collate the returns from their districts; special health authorities submit their returns direct.

  There are more than 50 annual returns required for each district to target dates given in the list. It is not practical to expect all these returns to arrive by the appropriate target date (some are at site level and there are nearly 2,500 sites for which returns are made) nor to list, for each, those authorities that missed it. A full analysis would incur disproportionate cost. It is estimated that 93 per cent. of all district-level aggregated returns about hospital patient activity and facilities, 70 per cent. of all manpower returns and some 90 per cent. of all finance returns had been received within three months of the target date. On returns at site level, performance varied between 50 and 80 per cent. completion within three months of the target.

  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will next publish an edition of the Health Service costing returns.

  Mr. Freeman
  We intend to publish an edition of "Health Service Costing Returns" for 1987–88 during the summer.

  Capital Expenditure (North West)
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the progress of capital expenditure work by the North West regional health authority during 1988–89.

  Mr. Freeman
  Capital expenditure work has progressed as expected during 1988–89. The regional health authority has recently approved its major schemes capital programme for 1989–90 and it is expected that approval for capital projects up to 1991–92 will be given later this year. This is in line with the region's policy of only issuing a firm capital programme on a rolling three-year basis.

  Residential Care
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will identify the groups which have carried out studies 78
  of the costs of residential care and the full costs to public funds of private residential care of which his Department is aware.

  Mr. Mellor
  I am aware of the following studies of the costs of private and voluntary residential care:

  Title and Organisation

  Survey of Private and Voluntary Residential and Nuring Homes for the Department of Health and Social Security—Ernst and Whinney.

  Residential Care Homes Reasonableness of Charges. Reasonableness of Nursing Home Charges—University of York Social Policy Research Unit.

  National Survey of Independent Residential Care and Nursing Homes—University of Kent Personal Social Services Research Unit/University of York, Centre for Health Economics.

  Evaluation of Very Sheltered Housing—Department of the Environment.

  Copies of the Ernst and Whinney study and that into the reasonableness of charges in residential care homes are in the Library. The reports of the remaining three studies are awaited. As my reply of 6 March to the hon. Member for Wakefield (Mr. Hinchliffe) at column 421 indicated, none of these studies enable us to draw general conclusions about the full costs to public funds of care in either sector and only limited comparisons have been possible.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what provisions are made for the care and well being of residents of private homes during change of ownership; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  It is for registration authorities to see that adequate arrangements are made by those running a home for the continuing care of residents during a change of ownership. The code of practice for residential care, "Home Life", advises that proprietors notify the registration authority of any intended change of ownership. Advice to health authorities is that home owners be asked to make completion of sale conditional upon, and not effective until, the home is re-registered. This will avoid the nursing home having to cease operations until the new registration is granted.

  Benefit Payments (Delay)
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will adequately compensate the 8,809 claimants waiting for financial help with National Health Service costs for the delay in payment.

  Mr. Mellor
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to her on 7 March at column 491 regarding claims for refunds of charges paid while claims have been delayed at the agency benefits unit.

  Food Poisoning
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether there is a risk to the consumer of cook-chill food when his Department's 1980 guidelines are not followed.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply of 27 February at column 69.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cook-chill products examined recently by the public health laboratory set vice were found to contain salmonella.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  The survey conducted recently by the public health laboratory service was to test for the
  79
  presence of listeria monocytogenes and not for salmonella. However, out of 197 retail ready to eat cooked-chilled poultry and chilled and frozen retail ready-to-eat meals four were found to be positive for salmonella.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has conducted or commissioned into why so many cook-chill products contain listeria monocytogenes; and with what results.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  My Department has not carried out any research into why listeria monocytogenes is contained in some cook-chill products. We are working with the food industry to produce a code of practice designed to minimise the possibility of contamination of cook-chill products with listeria monocytogenes.

  Waterborne Diseases
  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what were the total numbers of incidents and cases of waterborne disease in the United Kingdom since 1979.

  Mr. Freeman
  [holding answer 28 February 1989]: The figures are not available in precisely the form sought, but during the ten years 1977–86 there were 15 recorded outbreaks of waterborne disease in the United Kingdom comprising 5,955 cases and no deaths. Subsequent observations have indicated that this is likely to be an underestimate.

  During the years 1987 and 1988 a further four outbreaks in England and Wales were reported to the PHLS communicable disease surveillance centre. Three of these were due to campylobacter; two outbreaks affecting over 36 people were associated with consumption of stream/spring water and in the other incident, when several people were taken ill at a youth hostel, organisms were found in the well water. The fourth outbreak, comprising at least 77 cases, was due to cryptosporidium and was associated with a swimming pool.

  I am sending to the hon. Member an extract from a published paper which gives further details of outbreaks of waterborne disease in the United Kingdom from 1937.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Scrapie
  Mr. Sean Hughes
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will break down the 16 cases of incidence of scrapie in goats in the last five years by year; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  Scrapie is not a notifiable disease but from samples submitted to the Ministry's veterinary investigation centres disease was confirmed in goats as follows:

  Cases

  1984

  4

  1985

  0

  1986

  1

  1987

  1

  1988

  10

  Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his estimate of the future incidence of bovine spongiform encephalopathy; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  It is not possible to predict the future course of the disease with any accuracy. However, having banned the use of feed, which is the most likely cause of the disease, and provided it does not pass from cattle to cattle, the incidence should start to decline after 1992.

  Mr. John Evans
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what further action he intends to take in the light of the Southwood report on bovine spongiform encephalopathy.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Bromsgrove (Sir H. Miller) on 27 February at columns 89–91.

  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether his Department has commissioned research to test the infectivity of bovine spongiform encephalopathy on human cellular material.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  No, but trials are under way using marmosets, which are primates.

  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to follow up recommendations contained in the report of the working party on bovine spongiform encephalopathy; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Bromsgrove (Sir H. Miller) on 27 February at columns 89–91.

  Food Hygiene
  Mr. Grocott
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has received any recent representations from food manufacturers on the issue of food hygiene.

  Mr. Ryder
  We have received a number of such representations and will be considering these with the Department of Health in the developing of our policies.

  Advertising
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the latest figure for the estimated spending in 1988–89 by his Ministry on(a) television advertising, (b) radio advertising, (c) newspaper advertising and (d) other promotional material; and what is the 1989–90 budget for each of these categories of spending.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  The latest figures for estimated spend by my Department in 1988–89 are as follows:

  (a) television advertising—nil;

  (b) radio advertising—nil;

  (c) newspaper advertising—£111,000 in the trade press only and £269,000 as MAFF's contribution to press advertising about salmonella in eggs;

  81

  (d) other promotional material—£992,000.

  Detailed decisions on expenditure by media have not yet been taken but we expect the overall publicity spend for 1989–90 to be £1·3 million.

  Statistical Staff
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff, including vacant posts, in the press and public relations office of his Ministry; and what is the proposed complement for 1989–90.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  The number of staff and the complement in the press branch of information division and related posts in the regions is 29 and 31, respectively. The complement of staff is expected to be the same in 1989–90.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff including vacant posts, by grade, in the statistical divisions in his Ministry; if he will differentiate between staff in statistical posts and staff in administrative posts; and if he will give the staffing complements by grade, and differentiated between statistical and administrative posts, proposed for 1989–90.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  The information requested is as follows:

  Grade

  Staff in post

  Complement

  1 March 1989

  1 March 1989

  Grade 5

  2·0

  2·0

  Grade 7

  10·0

  11·0

  Senior Assistant

  Statistician/Assistant

  10·0

  10·0

  Statistician

  Support staff

  127·5

  136·5

  It is expected that the staffing complements for 1989–90 will be similar to current levels.

  Privatisation
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the total sum paid out in fees to outside organisations in the furtherance of privatisation by his Department in 1979–80 and each year to date; and what is the estimate for 1989–90.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  My Department has not paid any sums to outside organisations for this purpose in the period 1979–80 to date. I keep continually under review the contribution that my Department might make to the Government's privatisation policy.

  Management Consultants
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what were the total fees paid out by his Department to management consultants in 1979–80 and each year to date; and what is the estimate for the current year.
  82
  Mr. Donald Thompson
  The total fees paid out by my Department to management consultants, excluding computer consultants, for 1984–85 to 1987–88 and the estimated expenditure in 1988–89 are as follows:

  £

  1984–85

  27,110

  1985–86

  174,724

  1986–87

  135,279

  1987–88

  44,015

  11988–89

  164,846

  1 Estimate.

  Information for earlier years is not available except at disproportionate cost.

  Press and PR
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the latest figure for(a) the estimated expenditure by his Ministry on press and public relations during 1988–89, and (b) the budget for 1989–90.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  The latest figure for the estimated expenditure by my Ministry on press and public relations during 1988–89 is £900,000. The latest estimate for the budget for 1989–90 is £1 million.

  Festival of Food and Farming
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what representations he is proposing to make to help ensure that the produce of 550 hectares of English vineyards and of English and Welsh agricultural land is exhibited at the festival of food and farming in Hyde park on 4–7 May;

  (2) whether he will make a grant to the English Vineyards Association to cover the cost of the planning and organisation which the English Vineyards Association is incurring to enable vineyards to exhibit at the festival of food and farming to be held in Hyde park from 4 to 7 May.

  Mr. Ryder
  I have been asked to reply.

  The festival of food and farming to be held in Hyde park from 4 to 7 May is being financed by sponsors in the industry, and by the many individual companies and organisations that have taken up exhibition space. It will be a fine opportunity for British producers to display the products of their enterprise to the general public. I am sure that it is right for such an event to rely on private initiative rather than on public subsidy for its success.

  Bacteriological Testing
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will consider setting up an accreditation scheme to control the quality of bacteriological testing of food; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ryder
  The Government have a well-established national measurement accreditation service (NAMAS) for all types of testing and calibration laboratories, which is managed by the Department of Trade and Industry. My Ministry is represented on the NAMAS advisory committee. Accreditation is open to any laboratory carrying out objective testing, including bacteriological laboratories and NAMAS has produced a guidance document covering the specific interpretation of the accreditation criteria for laboratories carrying out bacteriological testing.

  Abattoirs
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish the general conclusions of the European Community inspector's current visits to abattoirs in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  I will ensure that the hon. Member receives a copy of the letter which will be sent to all operators of export approved plants summarising the main points of the 1989 inspection visit.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food further to his answer of 8 March, Official Report, column 533–4, how many of the abattoirs which received suspension warnings in each year since 1982 subsequently received suspensions in the same year.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  The number of plants which received warnings and subsequently were suspended within a year is as follows:

  Number

  1982

  1

  1983

  4

  1984

  —

  1985

  9

  1986

  6

  1987

  8

  1988

  1

  Suspension warnings specify a period within which the deficiencies must be rectified. Where changes to practices are required the period may be one or two weeks. For structural work up to six months may be permitted, depending on the work required and its urgency. Exceptionally, the Ministry may grant a further extension of the time for structural work if satisfied with the progress which is being made.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what inspection of animals is carried out in non-European Community approved abattoirs prior to slaughter; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  The feeding to ruminants of animal protein derived from ruminants has been prohibited. The prohibition will remain unless and until it is possible to identify processing methods which are capable of destroying the agent which causes bovine spongiform encephalopathy and which are widely available.

  Salmonella
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he is taking to prevent salmonella contamination in imported feedstuffs containing vegetable matter; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  A very small proportion of compound animal feedingstuffs is imported. The majority of imports comprise raw materials including vegetable protein which are incorporated into feedingstuffs. Detailed codes of practice will be introduced shortly for the control of salmonella in feedingstuffs and their ingredients, including measures for monitoring.

  Near Market Research
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list all the organisations he has consulted about near market research; and how many times each one has been consulted.

  Mr. Ryder
  The following organisations were sent a consultation document on agriculture and food listing the work identified as near market. My noble Friend the Baroness Trumpington has held a series of meetings, one with each sector of the industry and one with all sectors represented. Further meetings are due to take place in the near future.

  1 British Bedding Plant Association

  2 Mushroom Growers Association

  3 British Pot Plant Growers Association

  4 National Farmers Union

  5 Country Landowners Association

  6 Agricultural and Food Research Council

  7 Food and Drink Federation

  8 Home Grown Cereals Authority

  9 UK Agricultural Supply Trade Association

  10 Grain and Feed Trade Association

  11 Federation of Agricultural Cooperatives (UK) Ltd.

  12 Maltsters Association of Great Britain

  13 British Oat and Barley Millers Association

  14 Seed Crushers and Oil Processors Association

  15 British Edible Pulses Association

  16 Potato Marketing Board

  17 Potato Processors Association

  18 National Federation of Fruit and Potato Traders Ltd.

  19 National Association of British and Irish Millers

  20 Flour Milling and Baking Research Association

  21 Processors and Growers Research Organisation

  22 Federation of Oils Association

  23 British Starch Industry Association

  24 British Association of Green Crop Driers Ltd.

  25 Horticultural Development Council

  26 Horticultural Trades Association

  27 Apple and Pear Development Council

  28 National Hop Association

  29 UK Hop Growers Association

  30 Meat and Livestock Commission

  31 National Cattle Breeders Association

  32 National Pig Breeders Association

  33 British Veterinary Association

  34 National Sheep Association

  35 Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons

  36 Livestock Traders Association of Great Britain Ltd

  37 Livestock Auctioneers Market Committee for England and Wales

  38 Association of British Abattoir Owners

  39 National Federation of Meat Traders

  40 Federation of Fresh Meat Wholesalers

  41 UK Provision Trade Federation

  42 Bacon and Meat Manufacturers Association

  43 British Wool Marketing Board

  44 International Meat Trade Association

  45 British Poultry Federation

  46 British Poultry Breeders and Hatchers Association

  47 National Egg Marketing Association

  48 British Egg Association

  49 British Egg Products Association

  50 British Egg Industry Council

  51 Milk Marketing Board

  52 Dairy Trade Federation

  53 British Food Manufacturing Research Association

  54 Campden Food and Drink Research Association

  55 British Society of Plant Breeders Ltd.

  56 British Agrochemicals Association

  57 British Hotels, Restaurants and Caterers Association

  58 Federation of Wholesale Distributors

  59 British Retailers Association

  60 Farmers Union of Wales

  61 National Farmers Union of Scotland

  62 Scottish Landowners Federation

  63 Agricultural Engineers Association

  85

  64 National Office of Animal Health

  65 Scottish Potato Trades Association

  66 Scottish Seed Potato Development Council

  67 Scottish Seed Growers Association

  68 Scottish Seed and Nursery Trade Association

  69 National Association of Wholesale Meat Salesmen for Scotland

  70 Scottish Timothy Seed Growers Association

  71 Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers for Scotland

  72 Scottish Federation of Meat Traders Association

  73 Scottish Milk Marketing Board

  74 Aberdeen and District Milk Marketing Board

  75 North of Scotland Milk Marketing Board

  76 Scottish Dairy Trade Federation

  77 Royal Agricultural Society of England

  78 Women's Farming Union

  79 Fertiliser Manufacturers Association

  80 Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers

  81 Milking Machine Manufacturers Association

  82 Institute of Refrigeration

  My hon. Friend the Member for Calder Valley (Mr. Thompson) has consulted the following organisations on fisheries research and development:

  1 United Kingdom Association of Fishmeal Manufacturers

  2 Worshipful Company of Fishmongers

  3 Food and Drink Federation

  4 National Federation of Fish Friers Ltd.

  5 Scottish Fisherman's Federation

  6 Shellfish Association of Great Britain

  7 United Kingdom Association of Frozen Food Producers

  8 Association of Fish Canners

  9 Scottish Fish Merchants Association

  10 Sea Fish Industry Authority

  11 Herring Buyers Association

  In addition, many of these organisations will have had meetings with my colleagues and me at which near market research and development will have been one of the issues discussed.

  Pigs
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has any plans to prohibit the inclusion of animal products in feedstuffs for pigs; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  No. The use of animal products in feedstuffs is already subject to the strict statutory controls laid down in the Diseases of Animals (Waste Food) Order 1983, the Diseases of Animals (Protein Processing) (Amendment) Order 1989.

  Tropical Oils
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has any proposals to encourage food manufacturers to voluntarily remove tropical oils from their products; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ryder
  No sir. The real issue is not between tropical or temperate oils but between saturated and unsaturated fats. United Kingdom traders and consumers are aware of the medical advice in the COMA report on diet and cardiovascular disease that overall fat consumption, and particularly saturated fat consumption, should be reduced and our nutrition labelling guidelines provide for the indication of fat and saturated fat contents of food products.

  Rivers
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the level of funding allocated 86
  to field trials of the system of concrete deflectors for flow and flood control in meandering rivers currently being conducted on the River Roding and the River Wensum; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Thompson
  I am aware of the field trials carried out on the rivers Roding and Wensum which were undertaken by the University of East Anglia with funding from the Thames water authority and the Anglian water authority respectively. There has been no funding from this Department for these trials.

  Sheepmeat Regime
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied with the present state of the sheepmeat regime.

  Mr. MacGregor
  The regime that we negotiated in 1980 has served the United Kingdom well. Expenditure on the regime is, however, increasing rapidly and measures to restrain costs are needed.

  Official Secrets Act
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list all his advisory committees where members are required to sign the Official Secrets Act declaration.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  There is no precise definition of my advisory committees, but in the following cases we ask members to sign the Official Secrets Act declaration in order to bring it to their attention;Agricultural Development and Advisory Service Commercial Management Board (formerly Agricultural Development and Advisory Service and Regional Management Board).
  Review of the Organisation of Horticulture Research Group Steering Group on Food Surveillance.

  Sheep Remains
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has made any changes to the regulations covering the treating process of sheep remains which are included in animal feed; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  Inspection of animals prior to slaughter in non-EC approved abattoirs is not yet a requirement of legislation in England and Wales. In October 1987 the Government announced that it is to be made so. We have since agreed in the Council of Agriculture Ministers in Brussels that ante-mortem inspection should be introduced in non-exporting abattoirs from 1 January 1991.

  Veterinarians
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the. Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many veterinarians from(a) each of the European Community countries and(b) elsewhere overseas are currently practising in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  [holding answer 7 March 1989]: The numbers of veterinarians from overseas currently registered with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and believed to be practising in this country are:

  87

  Numbers

  EC member states

  Belgium

  28

  Denmark

  3

  France

  4

  Germany

  19

  Greece

  3

  Ireland

  29

  Italy

  1

  Netherlands

  30

  Spain

  1

  TOTAL

  118

  Other countries

  Australia

  173

  Canada

  22

  New Zealand

  75

  South Africa

  50

  TOTAL

  320

  Public-house Tenants
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received about the current conditions of tenure of public-house tenants, and in particular about the desirability of making the current voluntary code of practice on this subject enforceable in the courts; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ryder
  I met the National Licensed Victuallers Association on 20 February and took note of the association's views on this matter. It was agreed that there should be a further discussion after the report of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission inquiry into the supply of beer has been made public.

ENVIRONMENT

  Unleaded Petrol
  Mr. Summerson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what further steps he will take to promote unleaded petrol.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Measures to promote unleaded petrol are co-ordinated by the unleaded petrol group, which I chair. The Government provide a range of information and publicity material. On Friday, I launched Tyne and Wear lead-free petrol week, one of a series of national and local weeks which we support. Other initiatives are being pursued. Motability has responded to our request for help in encouraging the wider use of unleaded petrol: its campaign has the full support of Government.

  Water Pollution
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many pollution control officers with responsibility for water pollution under COPA are currently employed; and how many posts are vacant.

  Mr. Howard
  The information is not available in the form requested. At present, the 10 regional water authorities in England and Wales are responsible for the control of pollution from industrial, agricultural and domestic sources. When these functions transfer to the 88
  National Rivers Authority, approximately 450 staff working directly on these functions will transfer to the NRA, along with some 210 support staff. This excludes laboratory staff and others who also deal with other functions, and also excludes staff who will continue to work on pollution control and related functions for the PLCs.

  Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution employs 11 inspectors on water pollution control activities mainly in connection with consents issued on behalf of the Secretary of State for water authorities' own discharges. There are no vacancies.

  Lowermoor Treatment Works
  Mr. Neale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if any claim for damages has been received from any reputable source in relation to the production by a farm animal of deformed offspring in the Lowermoor treatment works distribution area as a result of the contamination incident in July 1988.

  Mr. Howard
  I understand that the South West water authority has received no such claims.

  Mr. Neale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment to what extent his Department's water inspectorate remains in contact with the South West water authority in conjunction with the supply of water from the Lowermoor treatment works; and if it continues to monitor the authority's performance in supplying water in the Lowermoor distribution area.

  Mr. Howard
  The Department maintains regular contact with the South West water authority and receives a weekly summary of results of sampling in the distribution system served by the Lowermoor treatment works.

  Tree Planting
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what funding for tree planting has been given following the hurricane of 15 and 16 October 1987; to which bodies it has been given; how many trees have been planted; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  In the period to 1991–92, we are providing some 13 million for replacement planting of amenity trees following the storm. Most grants are being allocated through Task Force Trees, a special unit of the Countryside Commission; others are administered by English Heritage. The bulk of aid from Task Force Tees has been given to local authorities, either in respect of their own trees or to assist planting by landowners; Task Force Trees have also assisted conservation bodies. In the last planting season Task Force Trees estimated that some 500,000 trees were planted with their help, and surgery had been carried out on 30,000 trees. There is assistance from English Heritage for the restoration of parks and gardens of outstanding architectural or historic interest; grants for parks and gardens of special historic interest are available from Task Force Trees. Other programmes of aid for replacing trees destroyed in the storm are administered by the Forestry Commission and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

  Environmental Protection
  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list his Department's priorities for protecting the environment.

  Mr. Ridley
  We will be following up this month's highly successful conference by continuing to take a lead internationally on the protection of the ozone layer. We will continue investing in research into the greenhouse effect. We will take forward our plans for establishing an integrated system of control over industrial pollution and reforming waste disposal legislation. We will further the implementation of the package of measures to protect the United Kingdom's marine environment agreed at the second North sea conference. We will continue to take steps to clean up power station and vehicle emissions and to promote the use of lead-free petrol. We will continue to support a high level of investment in sewage treatment and disposal in order to improve the quality of our rivers and beaches.

  Bathing Waters
  Mr. John Garrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether his Department's recent announcement that in 1988, 254 out of the 380 designated British bathing waters met European Economic Community standards used the same basis of evaluation as his written answer on 5 May 1988 that 262 out of 374 bathing waters met European Economic Community standards.

  Mr. Moynihan
  No. As my hon. Friend the Minister for Water and Planning explained in his reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Derby, North (Mr. Knight) at column 572, the 1988 results reported on 21 February were assessed on a more stringent basis.

  Drinking Water
  Mr. John Garrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the drinking water supply in his Department's head office building meets the European Economic Community standard.

  Mr. Chope
  The Marsham street building is supplied with water by Thames Water, and since no drinking water is stored on the premises, the PSA does not take samples for analysis unless there is reason to suspect the quality of the water.

  I am advised by Thames Water that in 1988, the last year for which complete records are available, the supply generally complied with the European Community directive.

  Press and Public Relations and Statistical Staff
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what is the latest figure for(a) the estimated expenditure by his Department on press and public relations during 1988–89 and (b) the budget for 1989–90;

  (2) what are the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff, including vacant posts, in the press and public relations office of his Department; and what is the proposed complement for 1989–90;

  (3) what is the latest figure for the estimated spending in 1988–89 by his Department on (a) television
  90
  advertising, (b) radio advertising, (c) newspaper advertising and (d) other promotional material; and what is the 1989–90 budget for each of these categories of spending.

  Mr. Ridley
  Estimated outturn for paid publicity and associated staff costs for my Department, including PSA, is £6·4 million for 1988–89. The budget for 1989–90 will be some £7·5 million. Expenditure is not broken down between different publicity media. The current complement for my Department's press office is 56·5, including three vacancies. The complement for 1989–90 has not yet been finalised.

  Rating Reform
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a table showing for each charging authority in England(a) the financial provision made for the administration of community charge registrations and collection preparations in 1989–90, and (b) the Government allocation aid grant for the same period.

  Mr. Gummer
  I have today laid in the Library a table setting out the resources the Government have made available to charging authorities towards their costs in preparing for the community charge. In addition, a further £55 million of expenditure will be supported through RSG in 1989–90.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what guidelines are to be issued to community charge registration officers with regard to the exemption of hospital patients from payment of the community charge.

  Mr. Gummer
  Preliminary advice was included in a practice note No. 2, "The Community Charge: Exemptions from the Personal Community Charge", published in June last year. More detailed advice will be included in a further practice note on exemptions, a draft of which is under discussion with the local authority associations.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will place in the Library copies of all written representations he has received in response to the draft community charge regulations.

  Mr. Gummer
  No, since we do not have the permission of those making the representations to do so.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment under what circumstances a community charge registration officer may refuse exemption to a severely mentally impaired person who has been issued with the relevant certificate by a medical practitioner.

  Mr. Gummer
  I would not expect a community charge registration officer to question the clinical judgment of a medical practitioner that an individual is severely mentally impaired.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what guidelines are to be issued to community charge registration officers with regard to how they establish relevant factors. such as where each member of the household works, in establishing sole or main residence for the purposes of community charge registration.
  91
  Mr. Gummer
  Community charge practice note No. 9, published in November last year, contains guidance for registration officers on establishing a person's sole or main residence. Copies of all community charge practice notes are in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff including vacant posts, by grade, in the statistical divisions in his Department; if he will differentiate between staff in statistical posts and staff in administrative posts; and if he will give the staffing complements by grade, and differentiated between statistical and administrative posts, proposed for 1989–90.

  Mr. Ridley
  The numbers and grades of staff and complement of the statistical divisions1 of DOE(C) at 1 March 1989 are as follows:

  Staff in post as at 1 March 1989

  Present complement

  Chief Statistician

  5

  5

  Statistician

  20

  19

  Senior Assistant Statistician

  4

  6

  Assistant Statistician

  3

  2

  G7

  3

  2

  SEO

  4

  5

  HEO

  16

  15

  EO

  33

  33

  AO

  44

  46

  AA

  16

  15

  Secretary/typist

  5

  5

  Total

  153

  153

  1 The statistical divisions in DOE(C) comprise Housing Data Statistics, Construction Industry Statistics, Local Authority Statistics, Iand and General Statistics, and Environmental Protection Statistics.

  There are also statisticians employed throughout the Department in posts of a largely administrative nature; these number 13 at 1 March 1989.

  Complements for 1989–90 have not yet been finalised.

  Privatisation
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total sum paid out in fees to outside organisations in the furtherance of privatisation by his Department in 1979–80 and each year to date; and what is the estimate for 1989–90.

  Mr. Ridley
  Following is the information for DOE(C):

  Year

  £ million

  1986–87

  1·1

  1987–88

  0·6

  1988–89

  15·0

  1 Provisional O/T.

  No expenditure was incurred on privatisation advisers prior to 1986–87. Cost incurred in 1989–90 will be announced in due course in the usual way. For PSA, expenditure in 1988–89 is £50,000.

  Fees
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what were the total fees paid out by his 92
  Department to management consultants in 1979–80 and each year to date; and what is the estimate for the current year.

  Mr. Ridley
  Information relating to the financial year between 1979–80 and 1984–85 inclusive is not readily available and cannot be obtained without disproportionate cost. Following is the information relating to the remaining financial years for my Department including PSA:

  Year

  £ million

  1985–86

  4·3

  1986–87

  5·0

  1987–88

  5·3

  11988–89

  8·0

  1 Estimate.

  Waveney (Pipeline Scheme)
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to announce approval for the Waveney district council pipeline in-out scheme at Holton, Halesworth, Suffolk, Ref: FLAZ/10/32/T3535.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The council was informed on 10 March that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State does not propose to issue an additional capital allocation for this scheme. It will, however, be open to the council to carry it out as part of its normal capital programme if it considers it to be of sufficient priority.

  Low-cost Rural Housing
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in the light of his answer to the hon. Member for Daventry (Mr. Boswell) of 3 February,Official Report,columns 433,on the role of the planning system in releasing land for low-cost housing in rural areas, he will incorporate his answer into "Planning Policy, Guidance" of 7 January 1988, paragraph 16, in order to allow local authorities to establish permanent low-cost rural housing.

  Mr. Chope
  We shall be incorporating my right hon. Friend's announcement into revised versions of PPG3 (land for housing) and PPG7 (rural enterprise and development) later this year. However, local planning authorities in rural areas are already entitled to treat local needs for low-cost housing as a material consideration in appropriate cases, on the strength of the recent announcement.

  Montreal Protocol (Ozone Layer)
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the countries which have so far ratified the Montreal protocol of 1987 on the ozone layer.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The following had become Parties to the protocol before the London "Saving the Ozone Layer" conference held on 5–7 March:

  Belgium

  Byelorussian SSR

  Canada

  Denmark

  Egypt

  Finland

  France

  93

  Federal Republic of Germany

  German Democratic Republic

  Greece

  Ireland

  Italy

  Japan

  Kenya

  Liechtenstein

  Luxembourg

  Malta

  Mexico

  Netherlands

  New Zealand

  Nigeria

  Norway

  Portugal

  Singapore

  pain

  Sweden

  Switzerland

  Uganda

  Ukrainian SSR

  United Kingdom

  United States of America

  Union of Soviet Socialist Republics

  European Community

  (Total 33) source: United Nations environment programme).

  At the conference some 20 further countries said that they would become parties and another 14 said that they would seriously consider doing so.

  Festival of Food and Farming
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what steps he is taking to ensure that at the festival of food and farming to be held in Hyde park on 4–7 May English food and the produce of English farming are both on display and available for purchase;

  (2)when his Department was advised of the forthcoming festival of food and farming to be held in Hyde park on 4 to 7 May;

  (3)in view of the cost of producing English wine, whether he will ensure that charging is permitted for samples of English wine at the festival of food and farming to be held in Hyde park from 4 to 7 May;

  (4)what steps he is taking to ensure that at the festival of food and farming to be held in Hyde park on 4 to 7 May English wine will be both on display and available for purchase.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Department was first approached about this event in March 1986. Approval for it to be held in Hyde park was given on 6 May 1988. Exhibitors may display and sell a range of agricultural goods, including food. Exhibitors may display English wine and take orders for later delivery or collection. They may also give away small free samples. I have accepted the advice of the Metropolitan police that alcohol should not be on direct sale to the public on site.

  Leeds UDC
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether he has issued any guidelines to the urban development corporation in Leeds as to the length of time it should take to process planning applications; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) whether he will provide information as to the total number of planning applications received by the Leeds urban development corporation; and how many of those have been determined within (a)four weeks, (b)six weeks and (c)eight weeks;
  94
  (3) whether he has given any guidance to the Leeds urban development corporation in relation to consultation on planning applications; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Trippier
  UDCs are required to operate within the same statutory framework as any local planning authority when considering planning applications. This includes requirements to undertake consultations in accordance with article 18 of the Town and Country Planning General Development Order 1988. All the relevant guidance has been provided to the corporations.

  All local planning authorities, including UDCs, are expected to provide quarterly returns giving details of the number of planning applications received and the number determined within the statutory eight-week period. These statistics are published by the Department. Figures for the final quarter of 1988 will include the first return from LDC. By 31 December 1988, LDC had received 51 applications, 14 had been determined and of these 12 (86 per cent.) were determined within eight weeks. This is substantially better than the national average.

  Working Groups and Working Parties
  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will place in the Library papers produced for recent meetings of the(a) new systems working group, (b) rates working party, (c) community charge working group, (d) community charge implementation sub-group and (e) capital programmes working party; and if he will undertake to do so for future meetings of these working groups and working parties.

  Mr. Ridley
  No.

  Severn-Trent Water Authority (SSIs)
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the sites and acreage of special scientific interest in the ownership of the Severn-Trent water authority.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The information is currently being assembled by the Nature Conservancy Council. I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as it is available.

  Capper Pass Works, North Humberside
  Mr. Cran
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has yet received Her Majesty's inspector of pollution's report on the subject of the emission of radiation from the Capper Pass works in north Humberside.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The report on emissions from the Capper Pass works completed by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution has been received by the Secretary of State and will shortly be placed in the House of Commons Library.

  Water Authorities (Capital Debt)
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has any proposals to write off part or all of the capital debt of any of the English water authorities.

  Mr. Howard
  The Water Bill contains powers which will enable National Loans Fund and Public Works Loans
  95
  Board debt, inherited by the new companies from the water authorities, to be replaced by a combination of equity and debentures. These powers will be used to put in place capital structures appropriate for the new companies.

  Water Industry, Derbyshire
  Mr. Oppenheim
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much capital investment was made in Derbyshire's water industry in 1979; and in the latest year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Howard
  Information in the form requested by my hon. Friend is not available.

  Assured Tenancies
  Dr. Goodson-Wickes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment in what circumstances it is intended that the new assured tenancy replaces retrospectively a statutory tenancy under the Landlord and Tenancy Act 1954 (PL1) or the Rent Act 1968.

  Mr. Trippier
  Under part 1 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 most long leaseholders of residential property at a low rent can convert to a statutory tenancy under the Rent Act 1977 when the lease comes to an end. Clause 137 of and schedule 9 to the Local Government and Housing Bill would replace this right with a right to convert to an assured tenancy under the Housing Act 1988. These new provisions would apply to such leases entered into after clause 137 comes into force, and also to such leases which come to an end on or after 15 January 1999. The provisions would have no retrospective effect on statutory tenancies which arise before they come into force.

  House Prices
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish for each county, metropolitan district and London borough area estimates of average prices for (i) all houses, (ii) flats, (iii) terraced houses, (iv) semi-detached and (v) detached houses.

  Mr. Trippier
  I have today arranged for a table giving figures for building society mortgages for 1988 to be laid in the Library.

  AIDS
  Mr. John Garrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has on the longevity of the HIV AIDS virus in untreated sewage sea outfalls.

  Mr. Howard
  I am advised that there is no evidence to suggest that the HIV AIDS virus survives in the sea.

  (A) Completed prosecutions

  Defendant

  Company security(ies) involved

  Date of offence or alleged offence

  Outcome

  Penalty

  1.John Bryce

  Winterbottom Trust Ltd.

  5 January 1981

  Guilty

  None

  2.John Titheridge Joyce Titheridge

  Joseph Stocks and Sons (Holdings) Ltd.

  11 December 1980 Day between 15 April 1980 and 11 December 1980

  Guilty Guilty

  Fine £4,000 each + £250 to Legal Aid Fund + £250 costs—or 3 months imprisonment in default of payment

  3.John Allan Crump Dickinson

  Harris and Sheldon Group Ltd.

  Day unknown between 4 June 1981 and 18 June 1981

  Guilty

  6 months imprisonment suspended for 2 years + £100 costs

  96

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Insider Dealing
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list in chronological order all the cases of suspected insider dealing which have been, or are being, investigated by his Department, the date the investigation started, the sum involved in each case, the date of the suspected offence, the action taken on conclusion of the case, and the penalty imposed, if any.

  Mr. Maude
  In the interests of efficiency and justice, the fact that an insider dealing investigation is being considered or has been started, the details of the possible offence or possible offender, and the progress of the investigation and its outcome, are not normally announced or confirmed. However an announcement of an investigation may be made if it is considered to be in the public interest to do so, and the fact of a prosecution becomes known when the matter first comes before the court. It has been possible to appoint inspectors to carry out investigations into possible insider dealing offences since November 1986 (though not all investigations of insider dealing have involved inquiries by inspectors). Since then, 28 such appointments have been made. The following investigations have been announced:

  Possible insider dealing offences related to:

  Date of appointment of inspectors

  (a) Certain actions by Mr. Geoffrey Collier

  15 November 1986

  (b) Dealings in securities of British and Commonwealth Shipping Company plc

  12 December 1986

  (c) Information about mergers possibly deriving from the Department of Trade and Industry, the Office of Fair Trading or the Monopolies and Mergers Commission

  12 December 1986

  (d) Dealings in securities of Unigroup plc

  19 October 1987

  (e) Dealings in securities of Grand Central Investment Holdings plc

  16 November 1987

  (f) Dealings in securities of Peachey Property Corporation plc

  5 February 1988

  (g) Dealings in securities of Consolidated Gold Fields plc

  21 October 1988

  Prosecutions have been instituted in relation to cases (a), (b) and (c), and it has been decided to take no further action on case (f).

  Information about completed prosecutions for insider dealing offences, and about cases where criminal proceedings in respect of such offences have begun but are not completed, is as follows:

  97

  Defendant

  Company security (ies) involved

  Date of offence or alleged offence

  Outcome

  Penalty

  4.David John Brooks

  Suter Electrical Ltd.

  4 December 1980

  Not guilty

  n/a

  15 December 1980

  23 December 1980

  24 December 1980

  30 December 1980

  5 January 1981

  6 January 1981

  Ronald Hancock

  Suter Electrical Ltd.

  8 January 1981

  No case to

  n/a

  15 January 1981

  answer

  5.Colin Kettle

  Blockley plc

  9 August 1982

  Not guilty

  n/a

  Neil Thorneywork

  Blockley plc

  9 August 1982

  Not guilty

  n/a

  6.Maurice John Naerger

  Martin the Newsagent plc

  6 March 1984

  Guilty

  Fine £800, £100 costs

  9 March 1984

  7.Brian Fisher

  Thomson T-Line plc

  5 December 1985

  Not guilty

  n/a

  8.William Antony Reardon-Smith

  Reardon-Smith Line plc

  28 May 1985

  Guilty

  £3,000 fine; £2,000 costs

  9.Geoffrey William Collier

  AE plc

  3 November 1986

  Guilty

  12 months suspended for 2 years; £25,000 fine; £7,000 costs

  Cadbury Schweppes plc

  14 October 1986

  10.Ronald Richard Jenkins

  The British and Commonwealth Shipping Co. plc

  14 October 1986

  Guilty

  £10,000 fine; £2,000 costs

  Steel Brothers Holdings plc

  14 November 1986

  11.John Morris Cross

  Wordplex plc

  30 April 1987

  Guilty

  £7,000 fine; sentence of 9 months imprisonment in default of payment. A notice of appeal has been lodged

  (B) Current prosecutions

  Defendant

  Company securily(ies) involved

  Date(s) of alleged offence'(s)

  12.Jonathon Howard Greenwood, Sara Joy Coren

  Richard Clay plc

  August 1985 and October 1985

  SGB plc

  December 1985

  Allied Lyons plc

  December 1985

  Wedgwood plc

  June 1986

  McCorquodale plc

  February 1986

  13.Keith Thomas Robinson, Penelope Jane Scott Robinson

  Mercantile House Holdings plc

  5 January 1987

  14.David Ivor Holyoak, Arthur Francis Nicholas, Wills Hill, Ian Michael Morl

  Press Tools plc

  5 August 1987

  15.Frederick John Briggs

  Wheway plc

  10 November 1987

  16.Piers Richard Fitzwilliams

  Centreway Industries plc

  3 July 1987; 9 July 1987;

  29 July 1987; 30 July 1987

  Cases 9, 10 and 12 resulted from the investigations by the inspectors at (a), (b) and (c). Case 13 also resulted from inquiries by inspectors who were appointed on 11 June 1987. In addition information obtained by inspectors has, in appropriate cases, been disclosed to regulatory authorities, as permitted by section 180 of the Financial Services Act.

  Information Technology
  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when he expects to reply to the Trade and Industry Select Committee's report on information technology.

  Mr. Forth
  The Government's response to the Trade and Industry Select Committee's report on information technology was published on 9 March.
  98

  UK-EC Development
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what are the major joint industrial projects now being developed between the United Kingdom and other member states of the European Economic Community.

  Mr. Atkins
  We keep no central record of such projects. However, the indications are that there is increasing collaboration between United Kingdom companies and those in other member states as evinced by such projects as the Channel tunnel and the Airbus and the by the United Kingdom participating in the EC R and D framework programme.
  99

  Hearing Aid Council
  Mrs. Rosie Barnes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what review he has made of the effectiveness of the Hearing Aid Council.

  Mr. Forth
  I am content that the Hearing Aid Council fully discharges its responsibilities set out in the Hearing Aid Council Act 1968.

  The Bill promoted by the hon. Member for Ynys Môn (Mr. Jones) would make changes to the Act. The Government will seek to ensure that the best possible Bill for all concerned emerges.

  I am also considering with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health the suggestions made by the RNID in its "Fair Hearing Campaign" document.

  Oil Exports
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what has been for each year since 1981, the total contribution of oil exports, in 1989 terms, to the balance of trade.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The information requested is as follows. Figures are expressed in 1988 prices as 1989 prices are not yet available.

  £ billion constant 1988 prices

  Visible trade balance

  Exports of oil

  1981

  1·6

  2·9

  1982

  0·4

  3·2

  1983

  -3·1

  5·5

  1984

  -5·6

  6·1

  1985

  -4·1

  6·4

  1986

  -6·8

  6·5

  1987

  -8·7

  6·5

  1988

  -20·6

  5·6

  New Businesses
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is his estimate for each of the past 10 years of the number of new businesses established in(a) Suffolk, (b) Norfolk and (c) Waveney.

  Mr. Forth
  The table gives the numbers of new businesses registering for VAT. Reliable estimates are not available prior to 1980 or for 1988.

  (a)

  (b)

  (c)

  Suffolk

  Norfolk

  Waveney

  1980

  1,659

  2,183

  260

  1981

  1,777

  2,052

  282

  1982

  1,818

  2,147

  255

  1983

  1,898

  2,351

  301

  1984

  1,931

  2,338

  324

  1985

  1,935

  2,306

  305

  1986

  2,100

  2,621

  338

  1987

  2,325

  2,840

  345

  Over the period of total numbers of businesses registered for VAT increased by 21 per cent. for Suffolk, 15 per cent. for Norfolk and 19 per cent. for Waveney.

  Advertising
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is the latest figure for the estimated
  100
  spending in 1988–89 by the Department of Trade and Industry on (a) television advertising, (b) radio advertising, (c) newspaper advertising and (d) other promotional material; and what is the 1989–90 budget for each of these categories of spending.

  Mr. Forth
  Expenditure under the Department's paid publicity budget is expected to total some £29 million in 1988–89. Of this, some £13·5 million will have been spent on television advertising, about £4·3 million press advertising, £75,000 on radio advertising, and the balance on other publicity activities. Expenditure in 1989–90 is expected to be some £25 million; detailed allocations by media have not yet been made.

  Press and Public Relations
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what are the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff including vacant posts, in the press and public relations office of the Department of Trade and Industry; and what is the proposed complement for 1989–90.

  Mr. Forth
  The manpower allocations for 1989–90 will be set by my right hon. and noble Friend the Secretary of State later this month in the light of the Department's annual activity and resource management review. The number of staff currently employed in the Department's press office is 37 (including 16 on clerical and other support duties). The current manpower allocation is 41.

  Statistical Staff
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will give the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff including vacant posts, by grade, in the statistical divisions in the Department of Trade and Industry; if he will differentiate between staff in statistical posts and staff in administrative posts; and if he will give the staffing complements by grade, and differentiated between statistical and administrative posts, proposed for 1989–90.

  Mr. Forth
  The manpower allocations for 1989–90 will be set by my right hon. and noble Friend the Secretary of State later this month in the light of the Department's annual activity and resource management review. The current allocation, and the number of staff in post on 1 February 1989 (part time staff are counted as half), is as follows:

  Statistics division 1

  Grade

  SIP 1 February 1989

  Allocation of posts 1988–89

  Grade 3

  1·0

  1·0

  Grade 5

  3·0

  13·0

  Grade 7

  12·0

  112·0

  SEO

  1·0

  1·0

  HEO

  8·0

  8·0

  Senior Assistant Statistician

  2·0

  7·0

  Assistant Statistician

  1·0

  EO

  16·0

  14·0

  AO

  17·5

  17·5

  AA

  3·0

  3·0

  PS

  4·0

  4·0

  Subtotal—Statistical Grades

  3·0

  7·0

  Subtotal Other Grades

  65·5

  63·5

  Total

  68·5

  70·5

  101
  1Following the introduction of unified grading, chief statistician and statistician grades were absorbed into Grades 5 and 7 respectively. All of the Grade 5 and 7 posts are filled by professional statistical staff.

  In addition on 1 February 1989 there were four casual staff in post of which one was Senior Assistant Statistician.

  Statistics Division 2

  Grade

  SIP 1 February 1989

  Allocation of posts 1988–89

  Grade 3

  1·0

  1·0

  Grade 5

  3·0

  13·0

  Grade 7

  9·5

  18·5

  SEO

  1·0

  Nil

  HEO

  10·5

  11·0

  Senior assistant statistician

  1·0

  6·0

  Assistant statistician

  3·0

  EO

  18·5

  18·0

  AO

  40·5

  41·0

  AA

  4·0

  5·0

  SPS

  1·0

  Nil

  PS

  3·0

  4·0

  Paper Keeper

  1·0

  1·0

  Unallocated

  —

  1·0

  Subtotal—Statistician grades

  4·0

  6·0

  Subtotal—Other grades

  93·0

  93·5

  Total

  97·0

  99·5

  In addition on 1 February 1989 there were two casual staff in post of which one was an Assistant Statistician.

  1Following the introduction of unified grading, chief statistician and statistician grades were absorbed into Grades 5 and 7 respectively. All of the Grade 5 and 7 posts are filled by professional statistical staff.

  Business Statistics Office

  Grade

  SIP I February 1989

  Allocation of posts 1988–89

  Grade 3

  1·0

  1·0

  Grade 5

  5·0

  15·0

  Grade 6

  1·0

  1·0

  Grade 7

  20·0

  120·0

  SEO

  18·0

  20·0

  HEO

  85·0

  80·0

  Senior Assistant Statistician

  3·0

  10·0

  Assistant Statistician

  3·0

  SEO/SIO

  1·0

  1·0

  EO

  173·5

  184·0

  AO

  224·5

  242·5

  AA

  60·0

  63·5

  PS

  6·0

  6·0

  Librarian

  1·0

  1·0

  Assistant Librarian

  1·0

  1·0

  Typing Manager

  2·0

  2·0

  Typist

  10·5

  15·0

  Senior Messenger

  2·0

  2·0

  Porter/Messenger

  8·0

  9·0

  Paper Keeper

  2·0

  3·0

  Repro Graphics Officer I

  1·0

  1·0

  Repro Graphics Officer II

  2·0

  2·0

  Superintendent Telephonist

  1·0

  1·0

  Telephonist

  2·0

  2·0

  Subtotal—Statistician grades

  6·0

  10·0

  Subtotal—Other grades

  627·5

  663·0

  Total

  633·5

  673·0

  In addition on 1 February 1989 there were 11 casual staff in post of which three were Assistant Statisticians.

  1Following the introduction of unified grading, chief statistician

  102
  and statistician grades were absorbed into Grades 5 and 7 respectively. However, 4 of the Grade 5 posts and 12 of the Grade 7 posts are filled by professional statistical staff.

  Privatisation
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what was the total sum paid out in fees to outside organisations in the furtherance of privatisation by the Department of Trade and Industry in 1979–80 and each year to date; and whit is the estimate for 1989–90.

  Mr. Forth
  The following table, based on information already published, shows gross expenditure incurred by the Department of Trade and Industry in connection with the sale of shares in British Aerospace, British Steel, British Telecom, Rolls Royce, and Rover Group plc since 1979–80, together with an estimate for expenditure in 1989–90. The figures exclude subscriptions for new shares and injections of funds for capital restructuring but include commission and some relatively minor items (including stamp duty) which were not paid as fees to outside organisations. The Department also incurred expenses in 1986–87 under a single contract in connection with the sale of certain British Shipbuilders' yards. but these are excluded on the ground of commercial confidentiality:

  Company

  Year

  Amount £ thousands

  British Aerospace

  1980–81

  4,635

  British Aerospace

  1981–82

  887

  British Aerospace

  1984–85

  69

  British Aerospace

  1985–86

  16,740

  British Aerospace

  1986–87

  717

  Total

  23,048

  British Telecom

  1983–84

  515

  British Telecom

  1984–85

  138,477

  British Telecom

  1985–86

  26,461

  British Telecom

  1986–87

  10,425

  Total

  175,878

  Rolls Royce

  1985–86

  100

  Rolls Royce

  1986–87

  981

  Rolls Royce

  1987–88

  40,704

  Rolls Royce

  1988–89

  11,182

  Total

  42,967

  Rover

  1988–89

  11,800

  British Steel

  1988–89

  64,949

  British Steel

  1989–90

  5,000

  Total

  69,949

  1Provisional.

  Management Consultants
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what were the total fees paid out by the Department of Trade and Industry to management consultants in 1979–80 and each year to date; and what is the estimate for the current year.

  Mr. Forth
  The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, the fees paid by the Department of Trade and Industry for general consultancies from 1984–85 to the current financial year
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  are given in the table. In addition to management consultancies the figures also include procurement of other specialised services by the Department to improve its efficiency. The apparent decrease from 1986–87 indicates a shift of consultancy expenditure from general to programme-related consultancies for which separate consolidated records are not kept.

  £'000

  1984–85

  6,104

  1985–86

  6,417

  1986–87

  4,650

  1987–88

  3,050

  1988–89

  12,500

  1Forecast outturn.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what were the total fees paid out by the Duchy of Lancaster to management consultants in 1979–80 and each year to date; and what is the estimate for the current year.

  Mr. Newton
  Fees paid out by the Duchy of Lancaster to management consultants in 1979–80 and subsequent years were as follows:

  £

  1979–80

  34,097

  1985–86

  10,524

  1986–87

  28,629

  1987–88

  4,185

  The forecast payment for 1988–89 is £4,000

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is the latest figure for(a) the estimated expenditure by the Department of Trade and Industry on press and public relations during 1988–89 and (b) the budget for 1989–90.

  Mr. Forth
  Estimated expenditure on press and public relations in 1988–89 is £1,426,000. The detailed budget for 1989–90 has not yet been agreed but is expected to be broadly the same in real terms.

  Care Homes (UK) plc and Anglo Dutch Ltd.
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) what action he proposes to take in respect of the failure of Care Homes (UK) plc and against the original directors of the company;

  (2) what information he has given the professional bodies of which the shareholder trustee accountants, auditors, lawyers and certain directors of Care Homes (UK) plc and Anglo Dutch Limited are members about the circumstances concerning the collapse of those two companies; and whether he has requested those professional bodies to take any action;

  (3) if he will examine a copy of the prospectus of Care Homes (UK) plc, dated 6 March 1986;

  (4) if his Department is aware of any misleading or untrue statement made in the prospectus issued by Care Homes (UK) plc;

  (5) whether he proposes to take any action with regard to the prospectus issued by Care Homes (UK) plc, on 6 March 1986.
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  Mr. Maude
  I am aware of the proposal to place Care Homes (UK) plc in liquidation. It is not my right hon. Friend's practice to comment on the affairs of individual companies.

  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on what basis his Department decided to grant a licence to Anglo Dutch Ltd in 1983; and whether his Department received the information required to renew the licence in subsequent years.

  Mr. Maude
  A principal's licence issued under section 3 of the Prevention of Fraud (Investments) Act 1958 was granted to Anglo Dutch Limited (then known as Hay Hill Securities Limited) in 1983 following the submission by the company of the information required at that time from applicants for such licences and the carrying out of the checks then made to establish whether the applicant was a fit and proper person to hold a licence. Further applications were submitted in 1984 and 1985. In both cases these were submitted late, but the relevant forms and supporting documents were properly completed and licences were issued on both occasions. The company's licence lapsed in September 1986.

  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what action his Department is to take in respect of the failure of the licensed dealer in securities, Anglo Dutch Ltd.

  Mr. Maude
  Anglo Dutch Limited was wound up by the High Court of Justice on 8 December 1986. Accordingly, the Official Receiver has a statutory duty to investigate its affairs and his inquiries are nearing completion.

  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what was the country in which the shareholders of Anglo Dutch Ltd resided; and who were the ultimate beneficial shareholders in the company during the period of the licence to deal in securities.

  Mr. Maude
  Anglo Dutch Limited is a subsidiary of Anglo Dutch Holdings Limited which is also in liquidation in this country. The shareholders of the holding company appear to be resident in the Channel Islands, although information as to the identities of the ultimate beneficial shareholders is not available.

  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many of the directors of Care Homes (UK) plc, at the time the prospectus was issued, are still engaged in business activities in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Maude
  This information is not available.

  Companies (Investigations)
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps he intends to take to improve the speed, efficiency and effectiveness of investigations into companies where there are allegations of wrongdoing.

  Mr. Maude
  The present Companies Bill contains proposals to amend and strengthen the investigation powers contained in the Companies Act and related legislation. The subjet is kept under constant review within my Department.

  Scientific Collaboration (Japan)
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will outline the results of talks between
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  his Department and the Japanese Ministry of International Trade and Industry on scientific collaboration; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  My Department and Japan's Ministry of International Trade and Industry regularly exchange information on science and technology matters. The most recent opportunity for such exchanges was the latest round of annual DTI/MITI talks held in Tokyo on 28 February and 1 March 1989. Both sides reviewed the growing number of opportunities for exchange of scientists and engineers between the United Kingdom and Japan and reaffirmed the value they attach to such exchanges. The opportunity was also taken to hold an exchange of views between experts in the fields of biotechnology, ocean technology, superconductivity and software engineering.

  JESSI
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he has any plans to support the joint European submicron silicon intitiative following the project's adoption by the Eureka programme of applied science; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Forth
  A definition phase for JESSI (the joint European submicron silicon initiative) has been carried out in the EUREKA initiative. United Kingdom companies have been associated with this work and are considering their further involvement. JESSI needs clarification by its proposers before any decision can be made on the provision of suport from public funds.

  Turkey (Association Agreement)
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what recent discussions have taken place between his Department and the European Economic Community Committee to discuss breaches of the association agreement with Turkey; what progress has been made in reducing Turkish breaches of the agreement; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  [holding answer 9 March 1989]: A group of experts drawn from the Commission and Turkey has met twice since last November to discuss problems impeding the achievement of free trade as laid down in the EC-Turkey Association agreement. The Department of Trade and Industry submitted a note of the United Kingdom's concerns about import taxation and state aids to the Commission in preparation for these meetings and we shall continue to give full support to the work of this group.

TRANSPORT

  North-West Region
  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on recent plans to invest in the rail network in and to the north west region in order to maximise the benefits to this region.

  Mr. Portillo
  BR is spending a total of nearly £50 million on new locomotives and driving van trailers on the west coast main line, and another £35 million on the Windsor link and the resignalling and remodelling of Piccadilly station in Manchester. The area is also benefiting from BR's substantial rolling stock investment.

  Fast Trains (Continental Travel)
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what studies his Department is(a) carrying out and (b) sponsoring on potential demand for fast trains for passengers and freight to the continent after 1992.

  Mr. Portillo
  Forecasts of potential demand have been produced for BR, SNCF and Eurotunnel. BR is taking account of them in preparing the plan required by the Channel Tunnel Act, setting out its proposals for Channel tunnel rail services.

  Channel Tunnel
  Mr. Henderson
  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 has announced a revised route proposal which takes account of the comments received.

  Mr. John Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his latest information on the proposed level of investment in the north-west region by British Rail intended to maximise the benefits to that region of the Channel tunnel.

  Mr. Portillo
  British Rail is still working on its proposals for Channel tunnel passenger and freight services and any associated investment. It is required by the Channel Tunnel Act 1987 to publish a plan by the end of this year.

  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he next plans to meet the north-west regional managers of British Rail to discuss the implications of the Channel tunnel for the north-west.

  Mr. Portillo
  I meet regional managers from time to time on regional visits. I look forward to the plans for freight and passenger services from the north-west to the Channel tunnel which British Rail is obliged to publish by the end of the year.

  Mr. Sims
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport to what extent his Department has been consulted to date by British Rail in reaching their decision as to the route of the proposed Channel tunnel high-speed rail link.

  Mr. Portillo
  British Rail has kept us in touch with the progress of its work on the rail link proposal.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussion he is having with those London borough councils whose areas would be affected by the high-speed train services connected to the Channel tunnel development; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  British Rail consulted all those boroughs which would have been affected by its original proposals. It will now enter detailed consultations with those affected by the revised proposal even though its impact would be much less.

  Mr. Sean Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will undertake a research programme into
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  the investment needed by British Rail and other transport operators if the port of Liverpool and the north-west region are to take full advantage of the Channel tunnel.

  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will undertake an urgent research programme into the needs of the north-west region with respect to the Channel tunnel.

  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to ensure that(a) the port of Liverpool and (b) the north-west region are able to take advantage of the Channel tunnel.

  Mr. Loyden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what further assessment he has made of the transportation advantages of the development of the port of Liverpool to coincide with 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.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received regarding the regional impact of the Channel tunnel.

  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received regarding the regional impact of the Channel tunnel.

  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received regarding the effects of the Channel tunnel on the north-west.

  Mr. Portillo
  There have been some representations from right hon. and hon. Members, local authorities and other organisations, mainly about improvements to road and rail links between the regions and the Channel tunnel.

  On rail, these points are best made to the British Rail working groups which have been set up in each region as part of its planning services.

  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has received any proposals to improve existing railway lines from Kent, around London, and through the north-west of England, to Glasgow, to create a high-speed rail link from the Channel tunnel to Scotland.

  Mr. Portillo
  British Rail's proposal for a new rail link between the Channel tunnel and London will make possible improved links from the tunnel to the north of England and Scotland. BR will be setting out its proposals for Channel tunnel rail services to the north of London in the plan which it will publish later this year, in compliance with section 40 of the Channel Tunnel Act 1987.
  108
  Mr. Stott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will seek a meeting with the chairman of British Rail to discuss investment plans for the north-west in the years prior to the opening of the Channel tunnel.

  Mr. Portillo
  My right hon. Friend and I will want first to see the plan that BR is due to publish later this year, in compliance with section 40 of the Channel Tunnel Act 1987.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on plans to protect the environment along the Channel tunnel high-speed rail link route.

  Mr. Portillo
  The revised proposal which British Rail has now announced includes a number of very significant changes designed to protect the environment.

  Mr. Eastham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions he has had with British Rail about the Channel tunnel and related investment in the north-west.

  Mr. Portillo
  The importance of direct freight links from the regions to the Channel tunnel is raised in our discussions from time to time. British Rail is still working on the plan which it will present to Ministers later this year, in compliance with section 40 of the Channel Tunnel Act 1987.

  Mr. Litherland
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what level of investment is currently planned to be spent by British Rail in the north-west region to coincide with the opening of the Channel tunnel.

  Mr. Terry Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to ensure that British Rail's investment plans will maximise the benefits to the north-west region of the Channel tunnel.

  Mr. Portillo
  British Rail is still working on the plan which it will be publishing later this year, in compliance with section 40 or the Channel Tunnel Act 1987.

  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussion he has had with his French counterpart regarding transport links to the Channel tunnel.

  Mr. Portillo
  My right hon. Friend and I regularly meet French transport ministers and discuss transport links to the Channel tunnel when necessary.

  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the implications for the environment of the proposed rail link for the Channel tunnel.

  Mr. Portillo
  The revised proposal which British Rail has now announced includes a number of very significant changes designed to protect the environment.

  P and O
  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many times he has met representatives of P and O since 1979; and what matters were discussed.

  Mr. Channon
  I meet representatives of P and O and other shipping companies from time to time.

  British Rail
  Ms. Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he next plans to meet the chair of British Rail; and what matters will be discussed.

  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he next plans to meet the chair of British Rail; and what matters will be discussed.

  Mr. Channon
  I shall be meeting the chairman of British Rail on Thursday, to discuss a variety of railway matters.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he next plans to meet the chairman of British Rail; and what matters will be discussed.

  Mr. Channon
  I shall be meeting the chairman of British Rail this Thursday, 16 March, to discuss a variety of railway matters.

  Highway Maintenance
  Mr. Shepherd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will next meet the Association of District Councils to discuss highway maintenance.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  My right hon. Friend met representatives of the Association of District Councils last week. Highway maintenance was among the issues they discussed.

  Light Rail Proposals
  Mr. Brandon-Bravo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what light rail proposals he has received in the last 18 months.

  Mr. Channon
  Promoters of light rail schemes for Manchester, Avon, South Yorkshire, west midlands, Leeds and an extension of the Tyne and Wear metro have had discussions with us. Light rail schemes are also being considered in the east London rail study, as well as for Croydon, Nottingham and Southampton.

  Bus Industry
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects the bus industry to be fully privatised.

  Mr. Portillo
  Once the Scottish Bus Group subsidiaries have been privatised, only London Buses Limited and the local authority-owned bus companies will remain in public ownership. Four of the latter have already been sold and I hope that others will follow shortly.

  Airline Punctuality
  Mr. Amos
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will meet the chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority to discuss the timing of the publication of a league table of airline punctuality; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  Such a meeting would not be helpful at present. The authority will be collecting information on airline punctuality from 1 April, but has yet to devise the form of publication of punctuality statistics, or to decide the timetable for publication. The Department is being kept informed as the proposal is developed.

  British Rail (Privatisation)
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a further statement on his plans with regard to the eventual privatisation of British Rail.

  Mr. Portillo
  Privatisation is being considered. It will be some time before we are ready to reach any conclusions.

  London Underground (Policing)
  Mr. Hary Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many police are stationed on Underground trains and stations at any one time; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  The numbers of police officers on Underground trains and stations varies according to the time of day, but at 6 o'clock in the evening, on an average day, there would be about 80 British Transport police officers and 45 officers of the Metropolitan and City police forces on duty on the Underground.

  British Rail (Investment)
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent investment he has recently approved for British Rail.

  Mr. Portillo
  Since 1 January my right hon. Friend has approved investment for 138 class 158 Sprinter express DMU vehicles for the provincial sector, 77 class 165 networker DMU vehicles and the electrification of the Cambridge-King's Lynn line, at a total cost of some £113 million.

  M40
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to make an announcement on the completion of the M40.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  I refer to my answer earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Banbury (Mr. Baldry).

  Motorways (Business Traffic)
  Mr. Cran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what has been the estimated increase in the flow of business traffic on Britain's motorways over the past five years.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  There are no direct estimates of the amount of business traffic on roads in Britain. The flow of traffic by vehicle type can be a guide to business use, and the data are summarised in the following table.

  Percentage increase from 1983 to 1988 in the annual average daily flow per kilometre of motorway in Great Britain by type of vehicle

  Type of vehicle

  Percentage

  Heavy goods vehicles

  44

  Light goods vehicles

  88

  Buses and coaches

  30

  For all cars and taxis growth has been 55 per cent. A proportion of this traffic will be for business purposes, but such traffic cannot be separately identified in the traffic census.

  During this period, the length of motorways open to traffic has risen by 9·5 per cent. This means that the total

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  number of kilometres travelled on motorways has risen more quickly than the flow per kilometre. The details of total traffic are:

  Percentage increase from 1983 to 1988 in kilometres travelled on motorways in Great Britain by type of vehicle

  Type of vehicle

  Percentage

  Heavy goods vehicle

  58

  Light goods vehicle

  106

  Buses and coaches

  42

  Notes:

  For cars and taxis as a whole the growth has been 70 per cent.

  1. Light goods vehicles covers goods vehicles up to 30 cwt unladen weight.

  2. Heavy goods vehicles are goods vehicles with an unladen weight greater than 30 cwt.

  3. Buses and coaches covers vehicles with nine or more seats.

  Drawbar Trailers
  Mr. Tredinnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has any plans to increase the weight restrictions for drawbar trailers from the present 32·520 tonnes gross to 38 tonnes; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  We have no plans to increase drawbar weights to 38 tonnes.

  In discussing these vehicle weights in Brussels we would expect to argue to have a drawbar limit in the United Kingdom at no higher than 35 tonnes, together with a derogation for the 10·5 tonne axle loading.

  Railway Stations
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many railway stations have been opened in the last 10 years.

  Mr. Portillo
  A total of 132 stations have been opened or re-opened since the beginning of 1979.

  Airport Services
  Mr. McCrindle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many representations he has received in 1989 from airlines and passengers, respectively, on the services provided at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted airports.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  My right hon. Friend has received one such representation about the portering service at Heathrow. He has also received many letters about aviation security, some of which contain representations about services provided at various United Kingdom airports. The number relating to Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted could not be established without disproportionate cost.

  London Underground (Automatic Ticket Barriers)
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent representations he has received about the new automatic barriers on the London Underground system.

  Mr. Portillo
  In addition to two early-day motions, about 30 representations have been received from Members of Parliament and members of the public since 1 January.

  Kent County Council
  Mr. Prescott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he last met representatives of Kent county council; and what matters were discussed.

  Mr. Channon
  I have had no recent requests to receive a delegation but we are frequently in touch with county council representatives about a wide range of transport matters.

  Burscough-Rufford Bypasss
  Mr. Hind
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on his intentions for the Burscough-Rufford bypass.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  Proposals for a bypas of Burscough and Rufford have not been abandoned, although the orders considered at the 1986 public inquiry will be withdrawn shortly. Further consideration is being given to the trunk road network in the Preston to Liverpool corridor.

  I have written to my hon. Friend.

  Taxi Trade
  Mr. Ken Hargreaves
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to discover the needs of the taxi trade and its passengers.

  Mr. Portillo
  I have recently asked the Department's transport and road research laboratory to conduct a survey of taxi journeys in London to provide information on the current demand for and pattern of taxi journeys. The main survey will be in May with a pilot run on 21 March. TRRL has in the past reported on taxis in provincial towns and I am arranging for this work to be updated. We also recently conducted a consultation exercise to seek the views of all interested parties on possible changes to taxi and private hire vehicle legislation.

  West Sussex (TSG)
  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the level of transport supplementary grant paid to West Sussex county council in 1989–90.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  Transport supplementary grant of £1·526 million will be paid to West Sussex county council in support of capital expenditure on roads of more than local importance in 1989–90.

  This sum includes support of over £1·3 million for major schemes, including the newly accepted A259 Rustington bypass, and over £200,000 for minor works.

  Grant is less than for 1988–89 because four major schemes are expected to have opened to traffic by the end of March and so expenditure on them in 1989–90 will be small.

  Central London Rail Study
  Dr. Twinn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he proposes to announce a decision on the central London rail study.

  Mr. Portillo
  We hope to announce decisions later this year once the views of the interested parties and the results of the further work currently in hand have been considered.
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  Airport Security
  Mr. Snape
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport in the light of the recent international conference on aviation security in Montreal, what action he intends to take to improve security at British airports.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State attended the ministerial meeting of the ICAO council on 15–16 February. We explained to my hon. Friend for Spelthorne (Mr. Wilshire) on 21 February at column 556 that the purpose of that meeting was to agree work which member states will take forward through CAO rather than individually.

  Crime Statistics
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the total number of reported(a) violent crimes and (b) other crimes on (i) London Underground, (ii) British Rail and (iii) all public transport in 1979 and 1988.

  Mr. Portillo
  London Underground and British Rail figures for 1979 and 1987 are as follows; comparable figures for 1988 are not yet available. Information on crimes on other forms of public transport is not held centrally.

  1979

  1987

  London Underground

  (i) violence against the person

  646

  1,045

  (ii) other crimes

  15,645

  18,952

  British Rail1

  (i) violence against the person

  1,365

  1,908

  (ii) other crimes

  58,354

  64,375

  1 includes Sealink services.

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

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  There have been three inquiries completed by the Select Committee on Transport since June 1987:

  (i) The decline in the United Kingdom-registered Merchant Fleet;

  (ii) The Government's Expenditure Plans for Transport 1988–89 to 1990–91;

  (iii) Airline Competition: Computer Reservation Systems.

  The Government's responses to these reports have been published by the Committee as HC681, HC128, and HC61 respectively.

  Consultations
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what arrangements there are for consulting consumers on the work and decisions of his Department.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The Department consults extensively on all aspects of its work and decision-making. It issues many consultative documents ranging from specific surveys of customer attitudes to Green Papers. It fully complies with all statutory obligations to hold public inquiries and goes beyond these obligations in consulting the public at an early stage on road scheme proposals.
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  Few consumers fail to offer their experience, views, advice and comments.

  Computer Information (Confidentiality)
  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the potential security risks of the computerised driving licence systems; and what steps he intends to take to guard against these risks.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  There are bound to be potential security risks in any system. We would prefer not to publicise them or our counter-measures. We are satisfied that the regular scrutiny of the DVLC driving licence system both by the Department and by Government experts in computer security, coupled with firm management controls and staff training, represent a good level of security.

  If my hon. Friend has any particular potential security risk in mind, perhaps she would tell me or write to Mr. P. G. Collis, Head of driver licensing division, Room 27. D9, Department of Transport, Driver and Vehicle Licensing Centre, Longview road, Swansea SA6 7JL.

  Roads (Hampshire)
  Sir David Price
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list all road schemes in Hampshire which he is financing directly and those which he is helping the Hampshire county council to finance for each of the next five years.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The following trunk road schemes to be financed by the Department are in preparation.

  M3

  Bar End-Compton

  M3

  Compton-Bassett

  A339

  Basingstoke Northern bypass stage 3 dualling

  A3

  Liphook and Petersfield bypasses

  A36

  West Wellow bypass

  A339

  Headley bypass

  A31

  Picket Post junction improvement

  A31

  Stoney Cross junction improvement

  A36

  Maureys lane, West Wellow junction improvement

  A339

  Black Dam roundabout, Basingstoke improvement

  19 minor improvements

  8 schemes to install central reserve safety fencing

  Information cannot be provided on an annual basis as timing of construction depends generally on progress of design and statutory procedures.

  Transport supplementary grant is available for the following Hampshire county council schemes:

  A3

  Market way, Portsmouth

  A33

  Six Dials, Southampton

  A326

  West Totton bypass (Stage 2)

  A331

  Blackwater valley route

  A335

  Portswood/Swaythling bypass

  B3340

  Hook bypass underbridge

  Minor schemes to the value of £511,000.

  No decisions have yet been made about transport supplementary grant for county council schemes starting in 1990–91 and subsequent years.

  Merchant Shipping
  Sir David Price
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking in the Council of Ministers to ensure that there is a level playing field within the European Community in respect of merchant shipping, and that other member Governments abandon their fiscal preferences to their own ships.
  115
  Mr. Portillo
  We press at every opportunity for the liberalisation of shipping cabotage. Substantive discussions are scheduled for the June Transport Council. We are still waiting for the Commission to produce proposals on the harmonisation of state aids and ways of improving the competitiveness of Community fleets. In the meantime we have registered with the Commission our strong opposition to any preferential treatment for intra-Community shipping.

  Sir David Price
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the current size of the United Kingdom-owned trading fleet; how it is distributed between mainland United Kingdom registration, Crown dependencies, dependent territories and foreign registration; and what were the comparable figures in 1979.

  Mr. Portillo
  The following table gives the information requested for vessels of 500 gross registered tons and over at 31 December 1988.

  United Kingdom-owned trading vessels (500 grt and over) at 31 December 1988

  Registered in:

  Number

  (GRT)

  (DWT)

  million

  million

  United Kingdom

  350

  4·3

  5·4

  Crown dependencies

  87

  1·8

  3·2

  Dependent territories

  91

  3·3

  6·0

  Foreign countries

  93

  1·2

  1·9

  Total

  621

  10·6

  16·5

  The comparable figures for vessels registered in the United Kingdom or Crown dependencies at 31 December 1987 were 1,194 vessels (22·5 million grt and 35·7 million dwt). Information is not available for 1979 for Crown dependencies separately or for dependent territory and foreign registered United Kingdom-owned ships.

  Advertising
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the latest figure for the estimated spending in 1988–89 by his Department on(a) television advertising, (b) radio advertising, (c) newspaper advertising and (d) other promotional material; and what is the 1989–90 budget for each of these categories of spending.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The latest estimate for spending by the Department of Transport in 1988–89 on publicity and advertising is £5,708,000. The 1989–90 budget is £5,878,000. These figures are broken down as follows:

  1988–89

  1989–90

  £

  £

  Television advertising

  1,867,000

  1,930,000

  Radio advertising

  110,000

  113,000

  Newspaper advertising

  365,000

  332,000

  Other promotional material

  3,367,000

  3,503,000

  5,709,000

  5,878,000

  Press and Public Relations
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff 116
  including vacant posts, in the press and public relations office of his Department; and what is the proposed complement for 1989–90.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The Department has a current complement within its information division of 17 posts for press and public relations with no vacancies. The proposed complement for 1989290 is 16.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the latest figure for(a) the estimated expenditure by his Department on press and public relations during 1988–89 and (b) the budget for 1989–90.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The latest figure for information division press and public relations costs for 1988–89 is £451,000. The budget for 1989–90 is £446,000. These figures cover the overall costs of running the press office, calculated using the Her Majesty's Treasury simplified ready reckoner for staff and other costs.

  Statistical Staff
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff including vacant posts, by grade, in the statistical divisions in his Department; if he will differentiate between staff in statistical posts and staff in administrative posts; and if he will give the staffing complements by grade, and differentiated between statistical and administrative posts, proposed for 1989–90.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  I praise the directorate for the latest figures they produce on a regular basis.

  The Department's directorate of statistics had 110 staff in post at 1 March 1989. The current complement is 116 and that proposed for 1989–90 is 119·5. The division between grades is as follows:

  At 1 March 1989

  Complement

  Staff-in-post

  Complement 1989–90

  Statistician Posts

  34

  32

  36·0

  Grade 3

  1

  1

  1·0

  Grade 5

  4

  4

  4·0

  Grade 7

  23

  23

  23·0

  (Senior) Assistant Statistician

  6

  4

  8·0

  Administrative Posts

  78

  73

  77·0

  Senior Executive Officer

  1

  1

  1·0

  Higher Executive Officer

  10

  10

  9·0

  Executive Officer

  30

  28

  32·0

  Administrative Officer

  26

  25

  25·0

  Administrative Assistant

  6

  4

  4·0

  Senior Personal Secretary

  1

  1

  1·0

  Personal Secretary

  4

  3

  4·0

  Typographer

  0

  1

  1·0

  Other Posts

  4

  5

  6·5

  Principal Scientific Officer

  Nil

  1

  Nil

  Higher Scientific Officer

  Nil

  Nil

  0·5

  Higher Professional and Technical Officer

  2

  2

  2·0

  117

  At 1 March 1989

  Complement

  Staff-in-post

  Complement 1989–90

  Scientific Officer Professional and Technical

  Nil

  Nil

  2·0

  Officer

  2

  2

  2·0

  £000s

  Privatisation

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  Estimate 1988–89

  Estimate 1989–90

  Sale of shares in National Freight Corporation

  151

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Sale of shares in Associated British Ports

  —

  1,809

  260

  1,494

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Sale of shares in British Airways plc

  —

  —

  50

  1,012

  674

  20,804

  11,364

  100

  580

  Sale of shares in BAA plc

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  564

  41,149

  3,200

  —

  Sale of National Bus Company operations

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  635

  324

  140

  40

  British Rail privatisation study (consultants fees)

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  300

  300

  No expenditure was incurred before 1981–82.

  Management Consultants
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what were the total fees paid out by his Department to management consultants in 1979–80 and each year to date; and what is the estimate for the current year.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The total fees paid by the Department to management consultants since 1 April 1984 were as follows:

  £

  1984–85

  250,000

  1985–86

  272,000

  1986–87

  218,000

  1987–88

  371,000

  The latest estimate for 1988–89 is £595,000.

  This excludes fees on computing consultancies. Information for earlier years could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Blackwall Tunnel
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the general level of traffic on(a) Saturdays and (b) Sundays in winter, in PCUs per hour flowing through the southbound bore of the Blackwall tunnel and along the A13 at the northern entrance to the Blackwall tunnel, together with the maximum flow capability of that road between that point and the northern portal of the Rotherhithe tunnel; and what adjustments were made to signal phasing at the junctions adjacent to the northern portals of both tunnels on Saturday and Sunday 4 and 5 March.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  In winter, normal hourly traffic flows southbound through the Blackwall tunnel vary between 200 vehicles and 2,100 vehicles on Saturday, and between 200 vehicles and 1,800 vehicles on Sunday. The lowest flows occur in the early hours of the morning, the highest usually in the early afternoon. Occasionally flows

  Privatisation
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the total sum paid out in fees to outside organisations in the furtherance of privatisation by his Department in 1979–80 and each year to date; and what is the estimate for 1989–90.

  Mr. Peter Bottomeley
  The sums involved are as follows:

  of about 2,500 vehicles are observed on Saturdays between 5 pm and 6 pm probably as a result of sporting events in the vicinity. The information is not available in terms of passenger car units.

  Detailed information on weekend and hourly traffic flows and maximum flow capability along the A13 near the northern entrance of the Blackwall tunnel is not available. Estimates of annual average daily two-way traffic flow, based upon traffic counts taken in 1986 and 1987, are available as follows:

  Section

  All motor vehicles

  A102M (Blackwall Tunnels) to A1206 (Cotton St.)

  52,500

  A1206 (Cotton St.) to A1205 (Burden Rd.)

  43,500

  A1205 (Burdett Rd.) to A101 (Rotherhithe Tunnel approaches)

  35,500

  Traffic flows on Saturday and Sunday are generally below the average for the whole week.

  The capacity of an all-purpose urban road depends on a number of factors including traffic pattern and composition, junctions, access, bus lanes, numbers of pedestrians, etc., and it is not possible to give a maximum figure.

  The traffic signals at the A13/Blackwall northern approach road were adjusted to account for the planned closure. The police were able to monitor the junction by closed circuit television and make further adjustments as necessary. No change was made in the phasing of the signals at the Rotherhithe tunnel junction. The closure of the tunnel while an accident was cleared was too short to allow adjustments to be made.

  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the area of maximum congestion on Saturday and Sunday 4 and 5 March, respectively, occasioned by the closure of the south bound bore of the Blackwall tunnel; and what was the general level of time penalty experienced by travellers on the main east-west and north-south routes, respectively.
  119
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The worst delays were on the A 13 from Gardiners corner east to Prince Regent lane. On Saturday morning these delays were equivalent to those experienced on a weekday rush-hour at their peak.

  The delays were aggravated by other factors, including an accident in Rotherhithe tunnel, the closure of Tower bridge, and a strike by Woolwich ferry operators.

  Ms. Gordon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what reason the southbound bore of the Blackwall tunnel was closed on 4 and 5 March; what consideration he has given(a) to confining such closures to 12-hour periods from 2100 hours to 0900 hours over each night or (b) to confining traffic to smaller vehicles using one lane through the tunnel or approach roads; and what would be the additional cost of these or similar measures to minimise congestion.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The Department announced in February that the southbound bore of the Blackwall tunnel would be closed for annual maintenance from 10 pm on 4 March to 5 am on 6 March, and during the same hours on the two succeeding weekends.

  Good progress has been made with the work. The tunnel was re-opened ahead of schedule at 6.15 pm on 5 March, and the final proposed closure may not be necessary.

  Alternative arrangements for these closures were considered and rejected either for reasons of safety or because they would increase the overall closure period required.

  Automatic Train Protection
  Mr. Robert Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish in the Official Report the commencement date of British Rail's pilot schemes to test and develop a system of automatic train protection; how much finance is committed to the project; how long it will last; where the pilot scheme will be carried out; and when it is anticipated evaluation will be completed.

  Mr. Portillo
  I understand that BR have been considering the possibility of introducing an automatic train protection (ATP) system for some time. On 16 November 1988 it agreed that proposals for ATP should be progressed without delay, and on 6 March its investment committee authorised an initial £1 million for development. My right hon. Friend's approval was not needed.

  Although some automatic train protection systems have been or are being installed on a few other railway systems, none of them is at present technically compatible with BR's signalling system. The development programme will investigate and test hardware to enable a specification to be drawn up which will be suitable for application in differing locations and situations on BR's network.

  As part of the development programme BR plans to undertake pilot schemes, which are likely to be on the Chiltern lines and the Great Western main line. BR has made financial provision for the pilot schemes, but the amounts are not yet finalised. BR hopes to commence installation of the first pilot scheme in October 1990. Assuming tests are satisfactorily completed, a programme for national introduction could start in 1992.

  Aberdeen MRC
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish a table showing the planned number of people on watch at Aberdeen MRC at the following dates(a) 5 April, (b) 5 June and (c) 5 August 1989 showing a detailed split into qualified officers, trainees and auxiliaries.

  Mr. Portillo
  The planned strength for 5 April is four experienced regular officers, one regular officer under training, and one auxiliary.

  It is not possible to forecast with certainty the composition on the other dates, due to the possibilities of unforseen absences affecting any plans which may be made now. However, the watch is expected to comprise four regular officers (of whom normally not more than one would be under training) and one or two auxiliaries per watch. It is planned not to have fewer than four persons on watch.

  Ness Railway Bridge
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether, following the collapse of the Ness railway bridge, there has been an inspection of other bridges on the Inverness-Wick/Thurso railway line.

  Mr. Portillo
  Yes. British Rail is satisfied as to the integrity of other bridges on the Inverness-Wick/Thurso railway line, but precautionary inspections by divers are being carried out where it is considered advisable.

  Swansea MRC
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what official record has been kept of technical difficulties with interference and breakthrough at Swansea MRC since the transfer of additional aerials following the closure of Hartland MRSC; and if he will publish this information.

  Mr. Portillo
  All instances of breakthrough were logged by the staff at Swansea, and reported to the coastguard maintenance authority for rectification. The interference was unrelated to the closure of Hartland Point MRSC and has been successfully eliminated.

  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what problems have been experienced with interference and breakthrough at Swansea MRC since the transfer of additional aerials following the closure of Hartland MRSC; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  Interaction between two VHF frequencies was experienced which was unrelated to the transfer of control of aerials following the closure of Hartland Point MRSC.

  The problem has been traced to a change of frequency used by the police, and the Home Office has dealt with it by modifying the coastguard radio sites affected.

  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will assess the impact on coastguard operations of technical difficulties being experienced at Swansea MRC following the closure of Hartland MRSC.

  Mr. Portillo
  There is no evidence of any operational impact due to technical difficulties at Swansea.

  Transportation Unit
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the role of the head of the transportation unit.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  Leadership: achieving the tasks, building the team and getting the best from individuals.

  Mathematical Models
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of development work on mathematical transport models for use in analytical work was tendered out to consultancies in each year since 1983; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The Department's records do not enable a year-by-year breakdown to be compiled. The development of models often takes place in step with their operational use, as needs for improvement arise.

  The best estimate which can be made is that for the period 1983 to date. 76 per cent. of development has been carried out by extra mural contract and 24 per cent. in-house mainly at the transport and road research laboratory.

  Ramsey MRSC
  Mr. Loy den
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give details of the financial, buildings, equipment and manpower arrangements made between the Department of Transport and House of Keys in respect of the closure of Ramsey MRSC.

  Mr. Portillo
  The Isle of Man Government have accepted full responsibility for the coastguard auxiliary companies on the island. Their continuing training and administration will be under the supervision of a Her Majesty's Coast Guard officer on secondment to the Isle of Man Government.

  The existing Her Majesty's Coast Guard rescue equipment has been valued and offered to the Isle of Man Government for purchase. They are currently considering the offer.

  The buildings vacated by Her Majesty's Coast Guard are subject to negotiation between the Isle of Man authorities and the Property Services Agency.

  Merchant Navy Certificates
  Mr. Michael Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has yet decided whether to accept Merchant Navy certificates of competency issued by other European Community member states as valid for service in junior officer posts on United Kingdom registered ships.

  Mr. Portillo
  Following the consultation exercise announced on 1 December 1988, the Government have decided to implement certain changes to the certification requirements for officers serving on United Kingdom registered merchant vessels.

  These changes will allow holders of certificates of competency issued by any member state of the European Community—in accordance with the International Maritime Organisation convention on standards of training, certification and watchkeeping—to serve in junior officer posts on board United Kingdom vessels. The
  122
  Department has written to the certification authorities in other member states for the information needed to give effect to these changes. They will be introduced as soon as this information is available.

  We have also decided to extend recognition to certificates of competency issued by the Norwegian authorities subject to satisfactory assurances on reciprocity.

  Merchant Ship Registration
  Sir David Price
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the provisions of the Merchant Shipping Act 1988 relating to merchant ship registration are to be brought into effect.

  Mr. Portillo
  The Merchant Shipping Act 1988 (Commencement Number 3) Order 1989, published today, brings part I of the 1988 Act fully into force in the United Kingdom on 1 April 1989. Part I modernises the system for registering British ships and strengthens the enforcement of safety requirements. Similar provisions are already in force or being introduced in the other British flag registries in Crown dependencies and dependent territories.

  Boeing 737 (Accident)
  Mr. Bill Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the official report into the cause of the accident to a Boeing 737 aircraft at Manchester airport on 22 August 1985 will be published.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The report by the Department's air accidents investigation branch (AAIB) was published today. Copies have been placed in the Library.

  The report took longer than normal to produce because of the extent of the investigation required into the circumstances surrounding this accident and as a result of the decision by AAIB to devote exceptional resources and time to conduct a large scale examination of the survivability aspects of the accident.

  The report contains 31 safety recommendations. It is the Civil Aviation Authority who has the statutory responsibility for the regulation of civil aviation in the United Kingdom and all of the recommendations were passed to the CAA for action as the investigation progressed.

  The report is very detailed and comprehensive and the AAIB is to be congratulated on a most thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding this accident.

  Passenger Ferries
  Sir David Price
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement about roll-on roll-off passenger ferries built before 1980.

  Mr. Portillo
  The report of the formal investigation into the loss of the Herald of Free Enterprise drew attention to the revised requirements for stability in damaged condition introduced in 1980 and applied to United Kingdom roll-on roll-off passenger vessels built after that date. Although the Herald of Free Enterprise was in fact built to the 1980 standards, and although the accident was not caused by any damage to the vessel, the report nevertheless recommended that the stability in a damaged condition of the vessels built before 1980 should be
  123
  reviewed, and that consideration should be given to the phasing out of those that did not meet, or could not be modified to meet, the 1980 standards.

  As the first step in considering this recommendation my Department invited the owners of all United Kingdom registered roll-on roll-off passenger vessels built before 1980 to submit to the Department calculations of the vessels' stability in a damaged condition to establish whether or not they complied with the 1980 standards, and if not to consider the scope for modifications to the vessels, or for changes to their methods of operation to ensure that they did comply.
  124
  This exercise is now complete. In all 72 vessels were examined. Of those it was found that 55 already complied with the 1980 standards. Of the remainder, the majority are being voluntarily adapted by their operating companies to comply with the 1980 standards by means of physical modifications and/or changes in operating procedures. My inquiries of the companies indicate that they are unlikely to retain the small number of remaining vessels, where modification is not a realistic proposition, for more than about another three years.

  It is important to recognise that all operating British ferries, in whatever category they fall, fully comply with the relevant national and international regulations.

  YOUNG PEOPLE: INCOME SUPPORT
  YOUNG PEOPLE: INCOME SUPPORT
  SALMON STOCKS
  SALMON STOCKS
  STATE VETERINARY SERVICE POSTS—DEER FARM, VISITS
  STATE VETERINARY SERVICE POSTS—DEER FARM, VISITS
  BASS: CONSERVATION MEASURES
  BASS: CONSERVATION MEASURES
  APPLE AND PEAR DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
  APPLE AND PEAR DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
  NHS: GENERAL TAXATION FUNDING
  NHS: GENERAL TAXATION FUNDING