Written Answers of 21 March 1989

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  European Regional Development Fund (Stockport)
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) if he will give an assurance of the availability of funding from central Government for projects eligible for funding under objective 2 of the European regional development fund, in Stockport;

  (2) what projects he has identified as eligible for funding from the European regional development fund, in Stockport; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  Stockport's eligibility for European regional development fund assistance, as part of Greater Manchester county, is subject to the Commission's confirmation of its provisional objective 2 list. My Department and the Department of the Environment will consider with the local authorities and other interests concerned what projects should be proposed to the Commission for support from the ERDF, and the manner in which it will be sought. Decisions on use of the fund rest with the Commission. Central Government funding will depend upon the nature of the projects eventually agreed.

  Tanzania
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) what the total level of imports into the European Community from Tanzania has been for each of the last 10 years at constant 1987 prices; and what the level of exports from the European Community to Tanzania has been for each of the last 10 years at constant 1987 prices;

  (2) what the total level of imports into the United Kingdom from Tanzania has been for each of the last 10 years at constant 1987 prices; and what the level of exports from the United Kingdom to Tanzania has been for each of the last 10 years at constant 1987 prices.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  Data are not available at constant prices. The information at current prices is in the following table:

  European Community and United Kingdom trade with Tanzania

  ECU millions

  EC (12)

  United Kingdom

  imports

  exports

  imports

  exports

  1978

  218

  428

  76

  169

  1979

  225

  391

  73

  188

  1980

  221

  428

  68

  185

  1981

  206

  364

  45

  149

  1982

  226

  385

  38

  127

  1983

  267

  327

  75

  109

  1984

  322

  406

  73

  106

  1985

  264

  444

  74

  149

  1986

  290

  329

  67

  93

  1987

  187

  356

  45

  128

  1988

  n/a

  n/a

  37

  131

  494
  Note:

  Figures are on the special trade basis which for most purposes may be defined as trade excluding imports for re-export.

  Source: EUROSTAT.

  Brewing Industry (Report)
  Mr. Crowther
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when he now expects the Monopolies and Mergers Commission report on the brewing industry to be published.

  Mr. Maude
  The Government have today published and laid in both Houses copies of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission report on the supply of beer. The MMC's examination, conducted over two and a half years, has been thorough and comprehensive. We welcome it. The MMC has found that there is a complex monopoly situation in the supply of beer. This relates to the brewers' relationship with the on-licensed, "tied" premises they own —both managed and tenanted—and the offering of low-interest loans to the "free" trade. The MMC concludes that this complex monopoly restricts com-petition at all levels, against the public interest.

  Currently the brewers restrict competition in two main ways. First, they restrict the supply of drinks by competing brewers and wholesalers to the on-licensed premises they own. The six big brewers produce three quarters of all beer brewed in the United Kingdom and own 74 per cent. of all tied houses. Second, the brewers have effectively captured about half of the "free houses" by offering preferential and low-interest loans, which then tie those outlets to selling the brewers' products. The present system severely limits the opportunities for an independent wholesaling sector to prosper. The result is that both wholesale and retail prices are higher than they need to be.

  The MMC believes that lack of competition has resulted in a number of detriments. The main ones are:
  —the price of a pint of beer in a public house has risen too fast in the last few years;
  —the high price of lager is not justified by the cost of producing it;
  —the variation in wholesale prices between regions of the country is excessive;
  —consumer choice is restricted because one brewer does not usually allow another brewer's beer to be sold in the outlets which he owns: this restriction often happens in loan-tied outlets as well;
  —consumer choice is further restricted because of brewers' efforts to ensure that their own brands of cider and soft drinks are sold in their outlets;
  tenants are unable to play a full part in meeting consumer preferences, both because of the tie and because the tenant's bargaining position is so much weaker than his landlord's; and
  —independent manufacturers and wholesalers of beer and other drinks are allowed only limited access to the on-licensed market.

  The MMC believes that structural changes are needed to secure a more competitive regime. Its recommendations include:
  —a ceiling of 2,000 on the number of on-licensed premises which any brewer may own;
  no new tied loans;
  no restrictions on future use, or product ties, when on-licensed premises are sold;
  —tied tenants to be brought within the protection of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954;
  tied tenants to be free to sell at least one "guest" draught beer;
  —tied tenants to be free to buy non-alcohol or low

  495
  alcohol beers, wines, spirits, ciders, soft drinks and mineral waters from the most competitive suppliers;
  —brewers to publish and adhere to wholesale price lists.

  These recommendations point very much in the right direction. They will preserve the good features of the present system. They should create more opportunities for small brewers. They should allow much stronger development of an independent wholesaling sector. They should provide more choice for publicans in the way they finance and run their businesses. And, not least, they should provide a much wider choice for consumers in the range of licensed premises available, and in the range of drinks on sale. This extra competition should benefit prices.

  My right hon. and noble Friend has considered the report in full and is minded to implement these recommendations. His first step will be to hold discussions with the EC and he has written to Sir Leon Brittan today.

  We welcome the European Commission review, announced last week, into the competitive situation in the EC wide market for beer. The MMC's findings and conclusions will clearly serve as a major input into the review.

  Ivory
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list for each of the last three years imports, by value and volume and by country of origin, of ivory and ivory products.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The available information is given in the following tables. Data on unworked ivory are not available before 1988.

  Table 1

  United Kingdom imports of worked ivory 1986–87

  1986

  1987

  KG

  £

  KG

  £

  Hong Kong

  374

  156,128

  436

  188,287

  India

  690

  58,626

  91

  18,658

  China

  551

  12,495

  —

  —

  Kenya

  —

  —

  84

  11,168

  United Kingdom

  1

  6,890

  4

  6,462

  Central African Republic

  41

  6,255

  —

  —

  Burundi

  —

  —

  14

  3,210

  United States of America

  51

  3,188

  1

  1,022

  Zimbabwe

  63

  2,864

  12

  2,647

  Sudan

  —

  —

  5

  2,677

  Switzerland

  —

  —

  10

  2,430

  Thailand

  1

  2,136

  —

  —

  Tanzania

  —

  —

  143

  2,117

  South Africa

  —

  —

  12

  1,773

  Singapore

  3

  1,255

  —

  —

  Japan

  5

  631

  —

  —

  Ivory Coast

  5

  616

  —

  —

  Cameroon

  12

  483

  30

  483

  Table 2

  United Kingdom imports of worked ivory 1988

  KG

  £

  Hong Kong

  237

  111,492

  China

  214

  28,448

  India

  1,531

  25,263

  Federal Republic of Germany

  2,453

  10,194

  South Africa

  26

  6,390

  Malaysia

  1,286

  6,211

  Italy

  1,358

  4,917

  496

  KG

  £

  Philippines

  916

  4,369

  Japan

  9

  4,157

  Kenya

  15

  3,610

  United Kingdom

  1

  2,500

  New Zealand

  1

  833

  Table 3

  United Kingdom imports of unworked ivory 1988

  KG

  £

  South Africa

  7,766

  243,507

  Zimbabwe

  853

  105,061

  Zaire

  1,026

  42,318

  Malawi

  234

  32,690

  Kenya

  293

  19,349

  Central African Republic

  84

  8,401

  Belgium-Luxembourg

  83

  8,078

  Tanzania

  1,800

  5,147

  Mozambique

  13

  3,409

  Ethiopia

  9

  1,983

  Tropical Forestry Management
  Mr. Crowther
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when he expects to be able to make a statement on the scheme proposed by the Timber Trade Federation for an import surcharge to finance tropical forestry management through the International Tropical Timber Organisation.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The proposal for an import levy which has been put forward by the timber trades in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom has a number of implications, including European Community and GATT. We are considering these within the context of our overall approach to the problem of the depletion of the rain forests.

  National Engineering Laboratory
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the number and category of employees in post at the national engineering laboratory, East Kilbride at May 1988 and February 1989.

  Mr. Forth
  [holding answer 20 March 1989]: The number and category of employees in post at the national engineering laboratory, East Kilbride at 31 May 1988 and 28 February 1989 are:

  31 May 1988

  28 February 1989

  Science and technical

  355½

  332

  Industrial

  154

  145

  Other (administrative)

  109

  102

  Total

  618½

  579

  Civil Servants (EC)
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is the number of civil servants in his Department whose main task is work related wholly or mainly to the European Economic Community; and what is the gross annual cost of travel and accommodation to and from Brussels, Luxembourg and Strasbourg in connection with this work.

  Mr. Forth
  [holding answer 15 March 1989]: Work connected with the EC involves a great many staff in the

  497
  Department since the development of the single European market influences a large and increasing proportion of the DTI's work. It is not possible except at disproportionate cost to provide disaggregated figures in the form requested.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Sex Education
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the scope of the very restricted circumstances referred to in the guidelines in his Department's document circular No. 11/87 entitled "Sex Education at School", page 197, paragraph 20(i).

  Mr. Butcher
  Section 6 of the Sexual Offences Act 1956 provides that it is not a criminal offence for a man or boy to have sexual intercourse with a girl under the age of 16 in the following circumstances:where he believes that she is over 16 and that he is legally married to her, although the marriage is in fact null under section 2 of the Marriage Act 1949 by reason of her age; in the case of a man or boy under the age of 24 who has not previously been charged with such an offence, if he believes on reasonable grounds that the girl is 16 or older.

  Teachers
  Mr. Thornton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what information is available to his Department, for each year since 1986, regarding the number and proportion of all recruits to teaching in maintained schools who were re-entrant qualified teachers; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what number and proportion of all recruits to teaching in maintained schools in each year 1985 to 1988 were re-entrant qualified teachers; whether there is any significant difference in these proportions between the primary and secondary sectors; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Butcher
  Estimates of entrants and re-entrants to teaching are derived from the database of teacher records, maintained by the Department to administer the teachers' superannuation scheme. The latest information available relates to the year ending March 1986. The figures for England for that and the previous year are:

  Year ending March

  1985

  1986

  Re-entrants to maintained nursery and primary schools

  number

  6,890

  7,670

  as a percentage of all entrants to these schools

  65 per cent.

  63 per cent.

  Re-entrants to maintained secondary schools

  number

  6,210

  6,480

  as a percentage of all entrants to these schools

  45 per cent.

  47 per cent.

  Re-entrants to all maintained nursery, primary and secondary schools

  number

  13,100

  14,150

  as a percentage of all entrants to these schools

  53 per cent.

  55 per cent.

  498
  The higher proportion of re-entrants to nursery and primary schools reflects in part the greater number of women teachers in these compared to secondary schools.

  Mr. Thornton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information is available to his Department regarding the subject qualifications of qualified teachers returning to employment in maintained schools in recent years; whether any trends are discernible in the numbers of returners in shortage subjects; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Butcher
  Estimates of re-entrants to teaching are derived from the database of teacher records, maintained by the Department to administer the teachers' superan-nuation scheme. This database contains information on the degree subjects of graduate teachers, but not on the subjects of other qualifications including initial or in-service teacher training. The latest information relates to the year ending March 1986. The figures for re-entrants to maintained secondary schools in England in that year are:

  Number

  All re-entrants to maintained secondary schools

  6,480

  Graduate re-entrants

  3,420

  Of which, number whose degree subject is:

  Mathematics

  240

  Physics

  110

  Other sciences

  530

  Geography

  210

  Economics and other social sciences

  270

  English

  510

  History

  280

  Modern languages

  420

  Other subjects

  850

  Non-graduate re-entrants

  3,070

  With regard to the shortage subjects, the number of re-entrant mathematics and physics graduates in the previous year (ending March 1985) were 200 and 110 respectively. No inferences about the number of re-entrants with CDT qualifications are possible from these data, because very few of these qualifications will be in the form of degrees.

  Inner London (Administration)
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will give the total estimated administrative costs of education for each of the inner London boroughs for the year 1991 as estimated by the borough's development plans; and how many administrative posts within education in each inner London borough will attract a salary of over £30,000.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The development plans of most of the inner London councils do not separately identify the administrative costs of running their education services from April 1990; this is a matter that will be raised by the Department in the context of discussions with each council. Nor do the development plans contain information on salary levels.

  City Technology College, Lambeth
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has any plans to establish a city technology college in Lambeth.

  Mr. Butcher
  We have received no proposals as yet from sponsors wishing to establish a city technology college in Lambeth. However, I understand that the Philip and Pauline Harris trust has approached the London borough of Croydon about the establishment of a city technology college in the premises of the Sylvan high school; that Croydon is considering publishing proposals under section 12 of the Education Act 1980 to close the school to enable it to do so; and that, subject to my right hon. Friend approving those proposals, the city technology college's catchment area would include parts of Lambeth.

  Inner London (Teacher Shortage)
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what communications he has received from the governors of Loughborough junior school, London SW9; and what reply he has sent on the subject of teacher shortages in inner London.

  Mr. Butcher
  The Department has received a letter from the chair of governors of Loughborough JMI school about the shortage of teachers at the school. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the Department's reply.

  Teachers (Pensions)
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will take steps to make the pensions payable to the widowers of women teachers the equal of those payable to the widows of men teachers with the same service; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Butcher
  Widowers' benefits were introduced into the teachers' superannuation scheme with effect from 6 April 1988 and service from that date counts automatically for that purpose. Subsequent actuarial valuations of the scheme will take the cost of such benefits into account in determining the normal contribution rate. Women teachers can elect to cover service before 6 April 1988 on terms better than those offered to men teachers in similar circumstances in 1972.

  Eastern Amazonia
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what research he is funding in British universities on the consequences for the physics of the world climate of forest-burning, dam building and cattle-ranch clearing in eastern Amazonia; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jackson
  Research funded by the NERC on global climate change is already extensive and the additional resources announced will enable increased activity to be undertaken. Universities may also undertake relevant research within the substantial general funds put at their disposal by the Universities Funding Council.

  Student Loans
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will provide calculations on 500
  the cost and savings of the top-up loans scheme, as illustrated in annex E of the White Paper in respect of (a) net change in grant, (b) net change in benefits, (c) gross loan outlay, (d) loan repayments and (e) public sector borrowing requirement effect for each of the years from 1990 to 2027, as in annex E of Cm 520, on the basis of (a) 90 per cent. take-up and (b) 100 per cent. take-up of the student loans scheme.

  Mr. Jackson
  The costs and savings arising from top-up loans, calculated on the assumptions used in Cm 520, are shown below for the different take-up levels specified. Also shown, for comparison, is the effect of the 80 per cent. take-up level assumed in Cm 520.

  (£ million, 1990 prices)

  Net change in grant

  Net change in benefits

  Gross loan outlay

  Loan repayments

  PSBR effect

  80 per cent, take up

  1990

  0

  -65

  167

  0

  103

  1991

  -22

  -65

  193

  -2

  105

  1992

  -42

  -64

  216

  -9

  103

  1993

  -61

  -63

  236

  -21

  93

  1994

  -78

  -61

  255

  -39

  78

  1995

  -95

  -59

  275

  -62

  59

  1996

  -112

  -59

  297

  -83

  42

  1997

  -131

  -62

  324

  -102

  30

  1998

  -152

  -63

  356

  -119

  22

  1999

  -172

  -65

  385

  -131

  17

  2000

  -190

  -65

  410

  -142

  13

  2001

  -206

  -65

  429

  -155

  2

  2002

  -222

  -65

  450

  -176

  -14

  2003

  -236

  -65

  469

  -192

  -25

  2004

  -251

  -65

  488

  -203

  -31

  2005

  -266

  -65

  506

  -211

  -37

  2006

  -280

  -65

  523

  -217

  -39

  2007

  -293

  -65

  541

  -220

  -39

  2008

  -293

  -65

  541

  -231

  -39

  2009

  -293

  -65

  541

  -251

  -69

  2010

  -293

  -65

  541

  -275

  -94

  2011

  -293

  -65

  541

  -296

  -113

  2012

  -293

  -65

  541

  -313

  -130

  2013

  -293

  -65

  541

  -329

  -147

  2014

  -293

  -65

  541

  -345

  -162

  2015

  -293

  -65

  541

  -357

  -174

  2016

  -293

  -65

  541

  -367

  -184

  2017

  -293

  -65

  541

  -375

  -193

  2018

  -293

  -65

  541

  -383

  -200

  2019

  -293

  -65

  541

  -388

  -206

  2020

  -293

  -65

  541

  -393

  -210

  2021

  -293

  -65

  541

  -399

  -216

  2022

  -293

  -65

  541

  -404

  -222

  2023

  -293

  -65

  541

  -407

  -225

  2024

  -293

  -65

  541

  -410

  -227

  2025

  -293

  -65

  541

  -411

  -228

  2026

  -293

  -65

  541

  -411

  -228

  2027

  -293

  -65

  541

  -412

  -230

  90 per cent, take up

  1990

  0

  -65

  188

  0

  123

  1991

  -22

  -65

  217

  -2

  129

  1992

  -42

  -64

  242

  -10

  128

  1993

  -61

  -63

  265

  -23

  120

  1994

  -78

  -61

  288

  -43

  106

  1995

  -95

  -59

  310

  -68

  87

  1996

  -112

  -59

  334

  -93

  69

  1997

  -131

  -62

  365

  -115

  58

  1998

  -152

  -63

  400

  -133

  52

  1999

  -172

  -65

  434

  -147

  50

  2000

  -190

  -65

  461

  -159

  46

  2001

  -206

  -65

  484

  -176

  37

  2002

  -222

  -65

  506

  -199

  21

  2003

  -236

  -65

  528

  -216

  10

  2004

  -251

  -65

  549

  -228

  4

  2005

  -266

  -65

  569

  -238

  1

  2006

  -280

  -65

  589

  -245

  -1

  2007

  -293

  -65

  608

  -248

  2

  2008

  -293

  -65

  608

  -260

  -10

  501

  Net change in grant

  Net change in benefits

  Gross loan outlay

  Loan repayments

  PSBR effect

  2009

  -293

  -65

  608

  -283

  -33

  2010

  -293

  -65

  608

  -310

  -60

  2011

  -293

  -65

  608

  -333

  -83

  2012

  -293

  -65

  608

  -351

  -101

  2013

  -293

  -65

  608

  -371

  -121

  2014

  -293

  -65

  608

  -387

  -137

  2015

  -293

  -65

  608

  -401

  -151

  2016

  -293

  -65

  608

  -413

  -163

  2017

  -293

  -65

  608

  -423

  -173

  2018

  -293

  -65

  608

  -430

  -180

  2019

  -293

  -65

  608

  -436

  -186

  2020

  -293

  -65

  608

  -442

  -192

  2021

  -293

  -65

  608

  -448

  -198

  2022

  -293

  -65

  608

  -455

  -205

  2023

  -293

  -65

  608

  -459

  -209

  2024

  -293

  -65

  608

  -460

  -210

  2025

  -293

  -65

  608

  -462

  -212

  2026

  -293

  -65

  608

  -463

  -213

  2027

  -293

  -65

  608

  -464

  -214

  100 per cent, take up

  1990

  0

  -65

  209

  0

  144

  1991

  -22

  -65

  242

  -3

  153

  1992

  -42

  -64

  269

  -11

  154

  1993

  -61

  -63

  295

  -26

  147

  1994

  -78

  -61

  320

  -48

  133

  1995

  -95

  -59

  344

  -76

  113

  1996

  -112

  -59

  371

  -104

  95

  1997

  -131

  -62

  406

  -128

  85

  1998

  -152

  -63

  445

  -148

  82

  1999

  -172

  -65

  482

  -164

  81

  2000

  -190

  -65

  512

  -177

  80

  2001

  -206

  -65

  538

  -195

  71

  2002

  -222

  -65

  562

  -221

  55

  2003

  -236

  -65

  586

  -240

  44

  2004

  -251

  -65

  610

  -253

  40

  2005

  -266

  -65

  632

  -264

  37

  2006

  -280

  -65

  654

  -272

  38

  2007

  -293

  -65

  676

  -276

  42

  2008

  -293

  -65

  676

  -289

  29

  2009

  -293

  -65

  676

  -314

  3

  2010

  -293

  -65

  676

  -344

  -27

  2011

  -293

  -65

  676

  -370

  -52

  2012

  -293

  -65

  676

  -390

  -73

  2013

  -293

  -65

  676

  -412

  -94

  2014

  -293

  -65

  676

  -430

  -113

  2015

  -293

  -65

  676

  -446

  -128

  2016

  -293

  -65

  676

  -458

  -141

  2017

  -293

  -65

  676

  -470

  -152

  2018

  -293

  -65

  676

  -478

  -161

  2019

  -293

  -65

  676

  -484

  -167

  2020

  -293

  -65

  676

  -491

  -173

  2021

  -293

  -65

  676

  -498

  -181

  2022

  -293

  -65

  676

  -505

  -188

  2023

  -293

  -65

  676

  -509

  -192

  2024

  -293

  -65

  676

  -511

  -194

  2025

  -293

  -65

  676

  -513

  -195

  2026

  -293

  -65

  676

  -514

  -197

  2027

  -293

  -65

  676

  -515

  -198

  Travellers' Children
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the numbers of travellers' children per local education authority as returned by them on form 510F (1989–190) appendix 2.

  Mr. Butcher
  The information received from the local education authorities is incomplete. I am writing to the hon. Member.

  "Standards in Education 1987–88"
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether copies of Her Majesty's inspector's502
  report, "Standards in Education 1987–88," will be made freely available at the stand taken by him at the Ideal Home exhibition.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  Yes.

  Under-fives
  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science, further to his announcement on 18 January,Official Report, column 401, when he intends to give details of the membership and terms of reference of the committee inquiring into the content of the educational experience of under-fives.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The following have agreed to become members of the committee which is to be established under my chairmanship.Ms. Lesley Abbott, Principal Lecturer in Primary Education, Manchester Polytechnic.
  Professor Neville Bennett, Professor of Primary Education, University of Exeter.
  Mr. Peter Gedling, Chief Education Officer, Dorset.
  Mrs. Rose Johnson, Headteacher, Brentfield Primary School, Brent.
  Dr. Christine Pascal, Principal Lecturer in Primary Education, Worcester College of Higher Education.
  Mrs. Gillian Pugh, Head of Under Fives Unit, National Children's Bureau.
  Mrs. Ann Sharp, Adviser (Early Years), Sheffield Local Education Authority.
  Mrs. Jennie Shaw, Chairman, Pre-school Playgroups Association.

  The Committee's terms of reference are:
  To consider the quality of the educational experience which should be offered to 3- and 4-year-olds, with particular reference to content, continuity and progression in learning, having regard to the requirements of the national curriculum and taking -account of the Government's expenditure plans.
  To take into account in this consideration:

  (a) the diversity of needs and of types of provision;

  (b) demographic and social factors;

  (c) the nature of training for teachers and other professional staff involved in the education of children under five.

  Student Grants
  Mr. Anthony Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish details of student grants for the 1989–90 academic year.

  Mr. Jackson
  I announced on 16 December,Official Report, column 755, that the main rates of student grant would be increased by 5 per cent. for students studying outside London and by 9·3 per cent. for London students. I am publishing the supplementary allowances today; details have been placed in the Library. Most will rise by 5 per cent. in line with the main rates of grant, but allowances for students with dependent children will be increased on average by 10 per cent. There will be some minor modifications to the Education (Mandatory Awards) Regulations. These include the reclassification of some countries for the purpose of determining the level of grant for study abroad, and some relaxation of the rules relating to parental contributions for married students and students who have been in care.

WALES

  Woodland Grant Scheme
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the names, locations and areas of woodland grant scheme applications in excess of 100 hectares submitted since the start of the scheme in Wales, showing for which of these an environmental assessment has been requested by the Forestry Commission; and if he will give reasons why environmental assessment has not been requested for any remaining applications.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  There have been two applications under the woodland grant scheme for more than 100 hectares of new planting in Wales. They are listed as follows. An environmental assessment was not requested for these applications as they did not meet the criteria specified in the Forestry Commission booklet "Environmental Assessment of Afforestation Projects", a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

  Name

  County

  Total Area (ha)

  Planting Area (ha)

  Maesllymystyn

  Powys

  119

  116

  Gesail Ddu

  Powys

  148

  134

  Community Health Councils
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if, in the light of representation he has received from the Arfon-Dwyfor community health council, he will revise his statement of 3 March on the closure of ysbyty Madog, that there was no opposition to closure from the community health council; and if he will now withdraw and reconsider his ratification for that closure proposal.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  Welsh Office officials have written to the Secretary of Arfon-Dwyfor community health council to explain that the reference in the letter of 3 March was to direct objections to myself following the announcement of the one-month appeal period after Gwynedd health authority's meeting on 25 April 1988. I was aware of the representations which the Arfon-Dwyfor community health council made to the health authority and copied to me on 7 March 1988. I took account of them before reaching my decision. I therefore do not consider that I should withdraw my approval of the proposal to close Madog memorial hospital in the light of the representa-tions of the Arfon-Dwyfor community health council.

  General Practitioners
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish a table showing for each health authority area in Wales how many general practitioners are men and how many are women.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  The information, which is only available by family practitioner committee areas, is given in the following table:

  Unrestricted principals as at 1 October 1987

  Male

  Female

  Clwyd

  194

  20

  Dyfed

  175

  30

  Gwent

  195

  45

  504

  Male

  Female

  Gwynedd

  123

  20

  Mid Glamorgan

  252

  39

  Powys

  66

  9

  South Glamorgan

  165

  60

  West Glamorgan

  165

  29

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what would be the totals of unemployed in the area covered by the valleys programme for the years 1988–89, 1989–90, 1990–91, 1991–92, if calculated on the assumption of the continuation of the reduction in the totals from 1984 to the date of the publication of the programme.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  The total numbers of unemployed claimants in the valleys programme area fell by 21 per cent. from 45,199 in May 1984 to 35,675 in May 1988.

  It is not the Government's policy to forecast unemployment levels. However, the hon. Gentleman will be pleased to note that between May 1988 and February 1989 numbers of unemployed claimants in the valleys fell by 5,863 to 29,812—a fall in the first nine months of the valleys programme—considerably more than double the average annual fall in the preceding four years.

  Welsh Water Authority
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what would have been the reduction in the average bill of the Welsh domestic water consumer in each of the past five years had the sum of £460 million, and its equivalent in real terms, been written off the debt of the Welsh water authority.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  The question is hypothetical.

  Woodlands
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list all Forestry Commission woodlands in the geographical county of Glamorgan, stating for each woodland its acreage and grid reference.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  [holding answer 9 March 1989]: This information is not held centrally and could not be provided in the form requested except at disproportionate cost.

  Sea Pollution
  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the number of sewage outfalls to the sea in the Welsh water authority; and, of these, how many include primary treatment works.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  [holding answer 14 March 1989]: The current information on sewage outfalls to the sea in the Welsh water authority area is as follows:

  Level of treatment

  Number of outfalls

  None

  90

  Tidal storage

  23

  Preliminary—Screened and/or macerated

  53

  Primary

  29

  Secondary

  61

  Total

  256

  505
  The Welsh water authority continues to pursue a policy of improving the treatment and disposal of sewage so as to meet the quality objectives of the receiving water. Since 1979 some 10 untreated discharges have been abandoned and a further five replaced by outfalls with preliminary treatment. One new outfall with secondary treatment has been constructed. These figures do not include work which has upgraded existing treated outfalls to a satisfactory standard. Since 1981–82 the authority advises that capital expenditure of over £21·5 million (at 1988 prices) has been undertaken in respect of work to sea outfalls and sewage treatment works discharging to tidal waters.

ENVIRONMENT

  Toxic Waste
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to the reply to the hon. Member for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy of 9 February,Official Report, column 769, if he will make a further statement on the outcome of follow-up discussions with the Medical Research Council over radioactive waste from radon source materials at Barton-Le-Clay, Bedfordshire.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Medical Research Council has provided Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution with extensive information about its wartime operations at Barton-Le-Clay.

  In 1939, the council transferred its production of medical radon sources from London to Barton in the Clay, Bedfordshire. It ceased production in 1948, transferred the source material to the Ministry of Supply at Amersham and checked for any remaining radioactive waste. The premises were then handed back to the original owner.

  HMIP has carried out a thorough inspection of the area and is satisfied that it is safe.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment pursuant to the reply to the hon. Member for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy of 9 February,Official Report, column 769, on United Kingdom generated toxic waste exports, if he will initiate an investigation into plans by Hamilton Resources Ltd. and the Sesco Company of London to dispose of 5 million tons of hazardous wastes in Benin, West Africa.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  No. The transfrontier shipment of hazardous waste regulations of 1988 require, inter alia, that before any consignment of hazardous waste is transported from this country to Benin, the holder of the waste sends a copy of the completed consignment note to the Secretary of State. The Department has received no such consignment note to date.

  Afforestation
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the sites of special scientific interest damaged or destroyed since 1983 by afforestation(a) grant-aided by the Forestry Commission and (b) without grant aid.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  I am advised by the Nature Conservancy Council that the information requested is only readily available since 1985:

  (a) Craigs of Succoth (1985–86). One hectare damaged in error by an adjoining landowner ploughing in preparation
  506
  for afforestation. No trees were planted on the SSSI. The afforestation proposal was granted aid by the Foresty Commission.

  (b) Abernethy forest (1986–87) 270 hectares planted with the benefit of grant aid from the Forestry Commission.

  (c) Glen Feshie (Cairngorms SSSI) (1986–87). Two hectares affected by planting without the benefit of grant aid.

  No sites have been lost.

  Development Corporations
  Mr. Thornton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the end-of-contract date of each urban development corporation and the London Docklands Development Corporation; and if he will make a statement of his policy on the future management of these areas after the termination dates.

  Mr. Trippier
  It was envisaged that the duration of the first two urban development corporations (London Docklands and Merseyside) would be about 15 years; the duration of the second generation of UDCs (black country, Teeside, Trafford park, and Tyne and Wear) is expected to be about a decade and the third generation (Bristol, Central Manchester, Leeds and Sheffield) about five to seven years. No dates have been fixed for the dissolution of any corporation.

  Clay Pigeon Shooting
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, referring to the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State's letter to the hon. Member for Taunton of 15 December 1988, what consultations have taken place on the Town and Country Planning General Development Order 1988; and whether he now proposes to amend this order to allow a maximum of 28 days permitted use rights for clay pigeon shooting.

  Mr. Chope
  The General Development Order 1988 allows land to be used for clay pigeon shooting without planning permission for tip to 14 days a year. The Department's consultation paper of 16 December invited views on whether the order should be amended to alter the limit to 28 days. We are now considering the responses to the consultation, and expect to reach a decision within the next few weeks.

  National Pet Week
  Dame Janet Fookes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any plans to offer supporl to national pet week.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  No. The question of pet welfare is one primarily for my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary. This Department's responsibilities extend only to the conservation of endangered species, dog licensing and registration matters.

  Supermarket Trolleys
  Sir Michael McNair-Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he has had with senior managers of supermarket chains about introducing a pay scheme to encourage shoppers to return their trolleys to their local store after unloading.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  None. Abandonment of trolleys may cause a financial loss to the companies and
  507
  expense in collection and disposal to local authorities. It is for the parties involved to consider the best approach to the problem.

  Churston Golf Club
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he plans to publish the result of the planning appeal with regard to Churston golf club, Torbay; what was the date of the hearing of the appeal; when the Churston golf club was visited by the planning inspector; and when the report was completed.

  Mr. Chope
  The appeal is being dealt with by an exchange of written representations and no public local inquiry was held. An inspector visited the site on 22 August 1988 and his report was submitted to my right hon. Friend on 12 September 1988. A decision will be made as soon as possible.

  National Parks
  Mr. Crowther
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any plans to introduce new laws giving extra protection to the landscape of the national parks.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  We see no need for any further legislation on this subject at present.

  Nitrate Pollution (Nottingham)
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information his Department has concerning the level of nitrate pollution in the sandstone aquifers north of Nottingham.

  Mr. Moynihan
  I understand that six out of 41 public supply groundwater abstractions in the Trent catchment north of Nottingham currently exceed 50 mg/litre nitrate.

  Capper Pass Factory
  Mr. Cran
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to publish Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution's report on investigations into the disposal of wastes from the Capper Pass factory on north Humberside.

  The report concludes that there is no evidence from environmental monitoring data, predicted atmospheric dispersion patterns, radiological assessments and epideniological studies to link the reported childhood leukaemia excesses in villages to the west of Hull with discharges to atmosphere of polonium 210 or arsenic from Capper Pass. It also concludes that concentrations of antimony, lead, copper, tin and zinc in the locality are low and unlikely to cause any adverse health effects. Further attention should be given to limiting cadmium discharges, although the concentration of cadmium in the atmosphere close to Capper Pass has steadily reduced since 1978.

  Nirex
  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has yet received proposals from United 508
  Kingdom Nirex concerning the choice of sites for the disposal of radioactive waste; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ridley
  Nirex's report and recommendations on the disposal of low and intermediate-level radioactive waste in a deep repository were submitted to Government on 28 February. Nirex recommends that a repository should be constructed in the form of a mine under the land, and that the next steps should be to carry out detailed geological studies, including the sinking of boreholes, in the vicinity of Sellafield and Dounreay. In arriving at these recommendations Nirex has concluded that it would be best to explore first those sites where there is some measure of local support for civil nuclear activities. The further evaluation of the geology of these two areas will enable Nirex to decide on their suitability for construction of a repository, or whether it will be necessary to evaluate other sites.

  The Government, having consulted the radioactive waste management advisory committee accept the report and note that Nirex, having examined the arguments for storage rather than disposal of radioactive waste, has endorsed the Government's policy of disposal. The Government agree that further exploratory work is necessary before any particular site can be decided upon, and that it is for Nirex to obtain the necessary planning permissions through the normal procedures. Only when these investigations have been undertaken will Nirex be in a position to submit proposals for a substantive development and to seek the necessary approvals.

  I have today decided to accept the recommendations made to me by the inspector, that the appeal by British Nuclear Fuels plc against Cumbria county council's refusal of planning permission to drill an exploratory geological borehole at Sellafield should be allowed.

  Copies of the decision letter on the borehole drilling at Sellafield have today been placed in the Libraries of both Houses. Copies of the Nirex report will be placed in the Libraries shortly. Further copies of the report will be available from Nirex.

  Ecclesiastical Exemption
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has any proposals for an order under section 58AA of the Town and Country Planning Act 1971, which provides for the restriction of the ecclesiastical exemption.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Department has today issued a consultation paper to interested parties setting out our proposals. A copy has been placed in the Library.

  Water Pollution
  Mr. John Garrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will list in the Official Report the number and location of breaches in 1988 in the EEC guide and mandatory levels for (a) phenols, (b) mineral oils, (c) enteroviruses, (d) salmonella, (e) faecal streptococci, (f) phosphates and (g) nitrates in bathing waters which were the responsibility of the Anglian water authority;

  (2) if he will list in the Official Report the number and location of breaches in 1988 in the EEC guide and mandatory levels for (a) cyanides, (b) lead and (c) chrome in bathing waters which were the responsibility of the Anglian water authority.
  509
  Mr. Moynihan
  [holding answer 16 March 1989]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on Monday 20 March 1989.

  Miss Pamella Bordes
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To as the Secretary of State for the Environment if an official ministerial car has been used to transport(a) Miss Pamella Bordes or (b) any other person to or from 6 Stockton court, Greycoat street, London SW1 or 69AWinchester street in (i) 1988 or (ii) 1989.

  Mr. Chope
  To the best of my knowledge no official ministerial car has ever been used to transport Miss Pamella Bordes or any other person to or from either address.

  Total extra cost1

  Campaign costs

  Garrison running costs

  Garrison capital costs

  Airfield con-struction costs2

  1983–84

  637

  246

  199

  192

  54

  1984–85

  644

  241

  184

  219

  108

  1985–86

  571

  175

  175

  221

  102

  1986–87

  405

  169

  126

  110

  18

  1987–88

  229

  111

  76

  42

  18

  1988–89

  102

  43

  56

  3

  —

  1989–90

  73

  17

  54

  2

  —

  All figures £ million in-year cash.

  1 Includes all extra costs relating to the Falklands garrison; it excludes those personnel, equipment and other costs which would be incurred in the absence of the Falklands commitment.

  2 The airfield construction costs form part of the garrison capital costs.

  Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if, in his discussions with his counterpart, and other Ministers of the Federal German Government, in Frankfurt on 21–22 February, he specifically addressed the implications for article VI compliance of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty of any modernisation programme of short-range nuclear missiles for NATO member states party to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  No.

  Armed Services (Movements)
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what criteria he selects(a) airlines and (b) airports for the movement of members of the armed services.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The air transport force (ATF) of the RAF meets a large proportion of the armed forces' air movements needs and is used in preference to commercial airlines for economic reasons. ATF capacity is insufficient to provide for all these requirements, however, and commercial airlines are contracted to provide regular services over a number of routes. Normal competitive tender arrangements are used to select them.

  For the movement of personnel using the ATF, the RAF employs its own airfields. Where personnel move by commercial airline, the airports used are those which are most cost-effective given the start and destination points of those travelling, and the operating practices of the contractor.

DEFENCE

  Falkland Islands
  Mr. George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the outturn level of expenditure, or latest estimate where necessary, of the Falkland Islands in each year for 1983–84 to 1989–90; and if he will break the total down into(a) the cost of the airfield, (b) garrison running costs, (c) other garrison costs and (d) campaign costs.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The estimated total extra cost of the Falklands commitment from 1983–84 to 1989–90, and the campaign costs, garrison running costs, garrison capital costs, and the element of the garrison capital costs which is for the airfield construction, are set out in the table:

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  USSR
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made to the Russian Government about their continued failure to grant an exit visa to Malka Prilutzkaya.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The case of Malka Prilutzkaya has not previously come to our attention. If the hon. Member can supply full details about this case, we can add it to those cases about which we consistently press the Soviet authorities.

  Indebted Countries
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the net financial transfer of resources to the 17 most indebted countries for the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  According to World Bank statistics, in 1987 (the latest date for which figures are available), there was a net financial transfer from the 17 highly indebted countries of $21·8 billion.

  This is a misleading figure. The bank has measured the difference between repayments of loans (principal and interest) and new lending. They take no account of other flows such as grant aid. Before interest payments, there was a positive net resource transfer of $6·2 billion to the highly indebted countries in 1987.

  Afghanistan
  Sir John Farr
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those countries which currently have(a) full diplomatic representation, (b) lower diplomatic representation at consular level, etc., and (c) no representation at all in Afghanistan.

  Mr. Eggar
  Since Her Majesty's embassy in Kabul is temporarily closed and since we have no substantive dealings with the Kabul regime, we cannot provide the detailed information requested. We do know that Turkey is the only NATO member still currently represented in Kabul.

  Sir John Farr
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he anticipates that Britain will have diplomatic representation again in Afghanistan; and at what level.

  Mr. Eggar
  British diplomats will return to Kabul as soon as circumstances permit them to do a useful job. It is too early to predict when this will be.

THE ARTS

  New Audiences
  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what plans he has to encourage the arts to attract new audiences.

  Mr. Luce
  I have been greatly encouraged by the response of arts organisations to my marketing initiatives over the last two years and I believe that there is now an increased appreciation of the importance of good marketing. In 1989–90 I intend to build on previous experience by offering (i) extended consultancies to arts organisations trying a new marketing approach and (ii) to 512
  support the work of arts marketing consortia in offering new services to their members. Both schemes aim to bring in new audiences to introduce more people to the arts, and to encourage particular audience groups, such as young people, multi-cultural groups and the retired. I shall contribute 75 per cent, of the cost in both cases.

  I am grateful for the continued support of the Arts Council whose own marketing activities these schemes are intended to complement. It has agreed to run both schemes on my behalf.

  I hope that arts organisations will find these new initiatives a valuable means of extending access to the arts, particularly to new and wider audiences.

  Victoria and Albert Musuem
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Minister for the Arts whether he will publish a table showing the monthly attendance figures of the Victoria and Albert museum for the last three years.

  Mr. Luce
  [holding answer 8 March 1989]: I understand that the monthly attendance figures of the Victoria and Albert museum, including outstations, for the last three years are as follows:

  1986

  1987

  1988

  January

  126,345

  99,814

  115,020

  February

  100,874

  121,956

  115,478

  March

  147,252

  124,611

  116,611

  April

  134,022

  109,494

  108,242

  May

  110,133

  99,904

  117,967

  June

  94,628

  112,228

  97,224

  July

  122,854

  126,792

  136,842

  August

  146,625

  134,220

  154,032

  September

  110,874

  107,199

  95,979

  October

  127,551

  129,830

  126,139

  November

  115,537

  132,673

  129,772

  December

  102,941

  99,947

  117,331

PRIME MINISTER

  Wolston
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Prime Minister if she has any plans to make an official visit to Wolston, near Coventry.

  The Prime Minister
  I have at present no plans to do so.

  Rain Forests
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will seek an invitation from the President of Brazil to visit central Amazonia and Brasilia in order to discuss United Kingdom technical support and debt-for-nature agree-ments with the Brazilian authorities, leading to an alleviation in the destruction of the rain forests.

  The Prime Minister
  I have no plans to do so. Through meetings at ministerial and official level, the Government of Brazil are well are of our concern about the rain forests. We are supporting joint reseach into forestry regeneration and allied subjects at the Maraca rain forest project and have been asked by Brazil to develop further proposals to help in this sector. Our co-operation is highly valued.

  President Bush
  Mr. Wood
  To ask the Prime Minister when she next expects to meet President Bush.

  Mr. Carrington
  To ask the Prime Minister when she next expects to meet President Bush.

  The Prime Minister
  I expect to see President Bush when he comes to Europe for the NATO summit at the end of May.

  President Gorbachev
  Mr. Colin Shepherd
  To ask the Prime Minister when she next expects to meet President Gorbachev.

  Mr. Michael Brown
  To ask the Prime Minister when she next expects to meet President Gorbachev.

  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Prime Minister when she next expects to meet President Gorbachev.

  The Prime Minister
  On 5 April, when he arrives in Britain for a two-day visit.

  Nuclear Weapons
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Prime Minister what current action Her Majesty's Government are taking to eliminate all nuclear weapons.

  The Prime Minister
  The United Kingdom fulfils her obligations as a party to the treaty on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. Article VI of the treaty requires the parties to it to pursue negotiations on effective measures connected with nuclear disarmament. Since the United States and the Soviet Union possess between them the overwhelming preponderance of nuclear weapons it is universally recognised that the primary responsibility for negotiations falls to them. The United States and Soviet Union are currently engaged in such negotiations which aim at 50 per cent. reductions in their strategic nuclear weapons.

  NHS Hospitals
  Mr. Charles Wardle
  To ask the Prime Minister when she most recently visited a National Health Service hospital.

  The Prime Minister
  I visited Mayday hospital in Croydon on 5 March 1989 following the rail tragedy at Purley.

  Engagements
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 21 March.

  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 21 March.

  Mr. Tredinnick
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 21 March.

  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 21 March.

  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 21 March.

  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 21 March.

  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 21 March.

  The Prime Minister
  This morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House I shall be having further meetings later today. This evening I hope to have an audience of Her Majesty the Queen.

  Interception of Communications Act 1985
  Mr. Wheeler
  To ask the Prime Minister when the commissioner appointed under the Interception of Communications Act 1985 will present his annual report; and if she will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  A copy of the 1988 annual report by Lord Justice Lloyd has been laid before the House today in accordance with section 8(7) of the Interception of Communications Act 1985. The confidential appendix to the report has been excluded from that copy in accordance with section 8(8) of the Interception of Communications Act 1985. I am grateful to the commissioner for his work on the report and the reassurance it contains, that care is taken by all concerned to observe not only the letter but also the spirit of the Act. The commissioner's report suggests a small number of improvements to the procedures observed in dealing with these cases. Careful consideration is being given to ways of implementing these suggestions.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Liscombe Experimental Husbandry Farm
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received regarding the possible closure of Liscombe experimental husbandry farm, near Dulverton, Somerset,
  515
  and its current contribution to research into pollution control measures, conservation techniques and other environmental issues; when he expects to reach a decision; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ryder
  I have received a number of letters and a large number of copies of a circular letter together with a petition.

  Today my noble Friend, the Baroness Trumpington, wrote to industry organisations and to the chairmen of the advisory committees for Ministry experimental husbandry farms to provide more information for the industry to assist it in determining what near market research it will fund. That letter also announced the Ministry's proposal to close the Liscombe experimental husbandry farm, but final decisions will not be taken until Ministers have considered the industry's response. Local interests have already approached the Department with a proposal and discussions are continuing.

  Poultry Industry
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he has as to whether any measures similar to those he has recently introduced to secure the wholesomeness of the British poultry industry apply in any other EEC countries.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  Several member states of the European Community have introduced a range of controls to combat salmonella, though none is as comprehensive as the measures which I set out on 18 January. The United Kingdom is pressing for further action to tackle the problem throughout the Community.

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he has about recent changes in employment totals in the poultry industry.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  I have no figures relating to total employment in the poultry industry.

  Dog Hunting (New Forest)
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many representations he has received, by letter, postcard and petition, concerning the prohibition of hunting with dogs in the New Forest.

  Mr. Ryder
  Since the start of the most recent postcard campaign in January 1988, I have received 16 letters, 3,281 pre-printed postcards and three petitions carrying a total of 383 signatures on this subject.

  Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received concerning the risks posed to certain groups of workers by possible contact with bovine spongiform encephalopathy-affected products.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  The Ministry has received inquiries from a number of employees' organisations about the possible risks to workers who may come into contact with cattle suspected of being infected with BSE and material from them. Although the evidence is that the risks to human health are remote, the Health and Safety Executive is considering whether additional safety guidelines are necessary for such occupational groups.
  516
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what evidence he has concerning the level of infectiousness of bovine spongiform encephalopathy-infected cattle prior to the onset of chronic manifestations of bovine spongiform encephalopathy.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  There is no evidence that bovine spongiform encephalopathy can be transmitted from cattle to cattle.

  Strychnine
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list those organisations which are allowed to purchase strychnine compounds in sufficient quantity to meet their foreseeable needs.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  Rabbit clearance societies and large estates are allowed to purchase strychnine compounds in quantities sufficient to meet their foreseeable needs, with a maximum limit of 50 grammes, on the same basis as professional pest control contractors. Returns are required of the land on which strychnine has been used.

  Extensification Pilot Schemes
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what extensification pilot schemes are presently being conducted or envisaged in the United Kingdom; what is the nature of each of the schemes involved; and how many are being sponsored by his Department.

  Mr. Ryder
  Now that the Community has adopted the relevant legislation, I will be considering in consultation with the interests concerned what pilot schemes might be appropriate.

  Salmonella
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he accepts the recommendations for additional research on salmonella in his Department's joint report with the Department of Health and the British Egg Information Council; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. MacGregor
  The Government devote substantial resources to research on food safety. We have now re-examined carefully the coverage of the existing programmes and the research needs newly identified in the joint report.

  Accordingly new research amounting to £1 million annually is being commissioned to cover the recommendations in the report relating to the possible contamination of eggs and the pathogenicity of the salmonella organisms as well as the growth and survival of the pathogen in processed eggs and egg products. The programmes will draw on the expertise available at my Department's central veterinary laboratory, at the institute of animal health of the agriculture and food research council and at the food research associations.

  Near Market Research
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to hold further
  517
  discussions with the industry on the funding of near market agricultural and food research and development; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. MacGregor
  My noble Friend the Baroness Trumington is writing today to the agricultural and food industry, consumer organisations and other interested bodies about the next stage of the consultations on the transfer to the industry of funding for near market research. I have deposited a copy of that letter and its annexes in the Library of the House. The annexes to the letter give details of the agriculture, horticulture and food research which is being supported by the Agriculture Departments in Great Britain, together with an indication of the likely content of future public good programmes. I wish to emphasise that we shall continue to give priority to work in support of statute and policy, such as research on food safety, which is essential to protect public interest. The letter also refers to a proposal to close the experimental horticulture stations at Brogdale, Luddington and Rosewarne and the experimental husbandry farm at Liscombe in 1989–90.

  My Department's regional laboratories will also be rationalised in order further to improve cost-effectiveness. This will involve closing during the 1989–90 financial year the subordinate laboratories at Newcastle, Evesham and Accrington as well as some very small laboratories in Wales. In 1990–91 the laboratories at Bristol and Wye will be closed and the laboratories at Leeds and Trawsgoed reduced in size. The Welsh Office is seeking alternative uses for the present Trawsgoed analytical chemistry laboratory. We shall be making new investment in storage, transport, analytical and information processing facilities so that the remaining laboratories can continue to meet needs across the whole of England and Wales.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

  Tanzania
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will commission an independent evaluation of the impact on aid policy of the international monetary fund agreement with the Tanzanian Government on the provision of health and education services in Tanzania.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  It is for the Government of Tanzania to consider whether to evaluate the impact of their economic recovery programme on the social sectors. We are, however, participating with the World Bank in a social dimensions of adjustment project in Tanzania. This should help facilitate a systematic evaluation of the social impact of the economic recovery programme.

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what development projects in Tanzania are currently being supported by the Overseas Development Administration; and what is their cost and likely completion dates.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  Britain is currently financing over 30 development projects in Tanzania. The following table lists current projects in excess of £200,000, with details of their estimated costs and planned completion dates.518

  Cost (£ million)

  To be completed

  Agriculture and Natural Resources

  Armyworm Control Programme

  1·476

  1990

  West Kilimanjaro Dairy Project

  1·400

  1990

  Clove Disease Research Project

  0·395

  1989

  Fisheries Development Project

  0·275

  1989

  Sunflower Research Project

  0·235

  1989

  Transport

  Tanzania Railways Corporation

  8·392

  1991

  Songea/Makambako Road Post Construction Maintenance

  1·857

  1989

  Health and Population

  Southern Regions Health Project

  13·366

  1990

  WHO/Tanzania Medium Term AIDS Action Plan

  1·500

  1992

  1988 Census Project

  0·383

  1990

  Education

  English Language Teaching Support Project

  1·956

  1992

  University Support Project

  0·731

  1989

  Finance Sector

  Diagnostic Study

  0·600

  1989

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what criteria are used to measure the effectiveness of programme aid and project aid towards development in Tanzania; and how this evaluation will affect the future aid programme.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  For programme aid we monitor in general the extent to which the objectives of the Tanzanian economic recovery programme are being met and, as part of that, the foreign exchange allocation and procurement systems. Capital projects proposed for financing from British aid funds are subject to comprehensive appraisal to determine their financial and economic rates of return. Their implementation is systematically monitored. These assessments are taken fully into account in determining the future volume of programme and project aid that we allocate for Tanzania.

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been the total level of programme aid to Tanzania for each year since it was introduced; what was the total level of aid to Tanzania for each of those years; and what percentage of that total constitutes programme aid.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  Programme aid to Tanzania resumed in the financial year 1986–87. Programme aid and total British aid to Tanzania in 1986–87 and 1987–88 were as follows:

  £million 1986–87

  £ million 1987–88

  Programme aid

  14·974

  17·322

  Total aid

  25·207

  28·948

  Programme aid as a percentage of total aid

  59

  60

  Overseas Aid
  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what GDF deflator figure was used in the calculation of a 5 per cent, real terms
  519
  increase in the overseas aid programme in 1989–90 referred to by the Minister for Overseas Development in the debate on 17 March.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  I refer my right hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on 17 March at column 697.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Dana Concert (Children's Travel)
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether there was any cost to public funds for the provision of transport for schoolchildren associated with the recording by Dana at the Giant's Causeway on Friday 10 March.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The Department of Education will meet the cost of transport from within its community relations budget. It should be noted that the rights to the recording of the song "Harmony" and to the associated video belong to Co-operation North and all proceeds from the production will go to that organisation.

  Voluntary Grammar Schools
  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what information is available to indicate the category A expenditure admitted for each of the voluntary grammar schools in Northern Ireland for the current school year and the last school year.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The information is as follows:

  School

  1987–88 £

  1988–89 £

  Armagh Royal

  686,584

  692,151

  Armagh, Christian Brothers'

  424,949

  —

  Armagh, St. Patrick's College

  456,013

  —

  Armagh, St. Patrick's Grammar

  —

  777,255

  Ballymena Academy

  1,241,449

  1,308,677

  Ballymena, St. Louis

  892,133

  952,704

  Ballymoney Dalriada

  895,006

  961,830

  Ballynahinch, Assumption Convent

  729,156

  773,164

  Bangor Grammar

  991,360

  1,038,845

  Belfast, Bloomfield Collegiate

  549,450

  597,481

  Belfast, Campbell College

  721,527

  756,171

  Belfast, Christian Brothers'

  1,160,966

  1,260,140

  Belfast, Dominican College

  856,881

  902,481

  Belfast High School

  870,526

  881,920

  Belfast, Hunterhouse College

  825,554

  877,994

  Belfast, Methodist College

  1,855,702

  2,121,464

  Belfast, Our Lady & St. Patrick's

  961,120

  1,035,116

  Belfast, Royal Belfast Academical Institution

  1,071,474

  1,134,662

  Belfast Royal Academy

  1,495,581

  1,579,420

  Belfast, St. Dominic's

  1,084,846

  1,110,886

  Belfast, St. Malachy's College

  1,070,076

  1,080,880

  Belfast, Strathearn

  647,635

  749,850

  Belfast, Victoria College

  986,720

  986,458

  Coleraine Academical Institution

  1,080,931

  1,107,936

  Coleraine Convent

  753,748

  814,969

  Donaghmore, St. Joseph's

  311,390

  358,773

  Downpatrick, St. Patrick's

  561,357

  617,350

  Dungannon Royal

  759,865

  763,598

  School name

  January enrolment

  Approved staffing

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  Belfast Board Area

  Kelvin Secondary

  216

  155

  0

  20

  18

  10

  Ashfield Girls' Secondary

  528

  523

  501

  35

  37

  37

  Ashfield Boys' Secondary

  409

  406

  390

  28

  28

  29

  Model Girls' Secondary

  947

  916

  913

  65

  65

  63

  520

  School

  1987–88 £

  1988–89 £

  Dungannon, St. Patrick's Boys'

  627,493

  694,465

  Dungannon, St. Patrick's Girls'

  568,711

  644,312

  Dunmurry Rathmore Grammar

  1,053,961

  1,106,680

  Enniskillen Convent

  681,716

  772,600

  Enniskillen, Portora Royal

  410,202

  437,514

  Enniskillen, St. Michael's

  662,680

  718,782

  Garron Tower, St. Macnissis

  514,263

  575,427

  Holywood, Sullivan Upper

  1,062,414

  1,134,848

  Kilkeel St. Louis

  427,802

  431,931

  Larne Grammar School

  787,649

  798,785

  Lisburn, Friends School

  1,020,543

  1,085,529

  Lisburn, Wallace High

  1,130,022

  1,256,618

  Londonderry, Foyle College

  844,820

  918,568

  Londonderry, St. Columb's

  1,486,499

  1,624,391

  Londonderry, Thornhill College

  1,290,160

  1,363,294

  Lurgan, St. Michael's

  582,121

  620,811

  Magherafelt, Rainey Endowed

  677,933

  710,791

  Magherafelt, St. Mary's

  930,913

  1,045,734

  Newry Christian Brothers'

  698,145

  735,426

  Newry, Our Lady's Grammar

  678,061

  759,182

  Newry, Sacred Heart

  760,052

  771,879

  Newry, St. Colman's

  707,620

  783,934

  Omagh, Christian Brothers'

  737,324

  806,615

  Omagh, Loreto Convent

  762,596

  795,111

  Portstewart, Dominican College

  457,143

  468,363

  Strabane Convent

  462,924

  488,574

  Notes:

  1. The figures include preparatory departments.

  2. Armagh Christian Brothers' and Armagh St. Patrick's College amalgamated on 1 September 1988 to become Armagh St. Patrick's Grammar.

  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement indicating the basis for the figures given in the Official Report, columns 39–40 to indicate pupil numbers and category B grants for each of the voluntary grammar schools in Northern Ireland.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Category B grants are based on the levels of approved expenditure in previous years adjusted to take account of both pay and price increases and the skewing of resources in favour of the relatively low spending schools. Category B grants are calculated in relation to the number of non-fee-paying pupils only, details of which are provided by individual schools.

  Teaching Costs
  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement indicating the amounts allocated to each secondary school in Northern Ireland to fund teaching costs in the current and last two school years, the numbers of pupils in each school in each year and the numbers of approved teaching posts.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Information on teaching costs is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

  The numbers of pupils and approved full-time teaching posts in each secondary school in the current and last two school years are set out in the following table.

  521

  School name

  January enrolment

  Approved staffing

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  Model Boys' Secondary

  1,089

  1,049

  1,017

  71

  72

  70

  Orangefield Boys' Secondary

  802

  673

  596

  56

  54

  48

  Larkfield Secondary

  272

  280

  395

  20

  21

  29

  Orangefield Girls' Secondary

  625

  577

  539

  45

  44

  41

  Deramore Secondary

  643

  588

  522

  52

  47

  45

  Cairnmartin High

  502

  408

  353

  41

  36

  31

  Forthbridge Secondary

  552

  481

  405

  42

  41

  37

  Castle High

  553

  475

  401

  49

  43

  38

  St Patrick's Secondary

  575

  493

  466

  43

  42

  37

  St Gabriel's Secondary

  332

  333

  313

  26

  24

  24

  St Thomas's Secondary

  476

  404

  0

  34

  32

  10

  St Louise's Comprehensive

  2,339

  2,399

  2,470

  160

  161

  162

  St Monica's Secondary

  394

  369

  324

  34

  33

  32

  Little Flower Girls's Secondary

  499

  486

  508

  33

  33

  33

  Our Lady of Mercy Secondary

  659

  633

  614

  43

  44

  43

  St Rose's Secondary

  289

  277

  285

  24

  24

  23

  Christian Brothers' High, Glen Road

  686

  711

  736

  45

  45

  48

  St Peter's Secondary

  166

  121

  0

  16

  15

  10

  St Augustine's High

  357

  307

  270

  27

  26

  24

  St Genevieve's Secondary

  751

  768

  770

  51

  51

  52

  Cross and Passion High

  260

  213

  154

  26

  23

  21

  St Gemma's Secondary

  282

  278

  263

  24

  23

  23

  St Paul's Secondary

  262

  242

  0

  24

  22

  10

  Christian Brothers' High

  197

  142

  0

  17

  15

  10

  La Salle Boys' Secondary

  1,138

  1,132

  1,147

  67

  69

  70

  Corpus Christi College

  0

  0

  920

  0

  0

  270

  Hazelwood Integrated College

  0

  0

  215

  0

  0

  216

  Grosvenor High

  1,046

  1,044

  1,070

  67

  66

  66

  Annadale Grammar

  405

  377

  350

  30

  28

  27

  Carolan Grammar

  351

  325

  330

  24

  24

  23

  Ashleigh House Grammar

  320

  0

  0

  23

  0

  30

  Bloomfield Collegiate

  523

  538

  590

  32

  32

  32

  Campbell College

  729

  712

  725

  43

  42

  41

  Christian Brothers' Grammar

  1,114

  1,099

  1,122

  72

  71

  69

  Methodist College

  2,220

  2,153

  2,142

  124

  124

  121

  Princess Gardens School

  456

  0

  0

  31

  0

  30

  Richmond Lodge

  336

  0

  0

  23

  0

  40

  Royal Belfast Academical Institution

  1,144

  1,146

  1,164

  66

  65

  65

  Belfast Royal Academy

  1,596

  1,555

  1,585

  90

  90

  89

  St Dominic's High

  972

  913

  910

  67

  63

  60

  St Malachy's College

  1,000

  948

  918

  65

  62

  60

  Victoria College

  607

  0

  0

  35

  0

  10

  Dominican College

  786

  751

  790

  51

  50

  47

  Strathearn Grammar

  703

  769

  807

  36

  38

  42

  Rathmore Grammar

  984

  1,020

  1,063

  62

  62

  62

  Victoria College

  0

  866

  847

  0

  54

  454

  Hunterhouse College

  0

  799

  801

  0

  50

  350

  Western Board Area

  Clondermott Secondary, Londonderry

  565

  567

  567

  37

  38

  38

  Templemore Secondary, Londonderry

  402

  397

  407

  26

  26

  27

  Enniskillen High

  641

  616

  602

  44

  44

  43

  Castlederg High

  468

  456

  408

  31

  31

  32

  Faughan Valley Secondary, Londonderry

  525

  519

  495

  35

  35

  35

  Lisnaskea High

  274

  280

  256

  18

  18

  20

  Omagh High

  697

  659

  636

  43

  45

  43

  Dungiven Secondary

  118

  121

  112

  8

  8

  9

  Limavady High

  777

  753

  779

  55

  53

  53

  Strabane High

  567

  522

  496

  40

  40

  39

  Duke of Westminster High, Kesh

  408

  377

  364

  29

  29

  28

  St Colman's Secondary, Strabane

  935

  907

  916

  56

  58

  59

  St Mary's Secondary, Limavady

  951

  918

  860

  62

  61

  59

  St Patrick's Secondary, Omagh

  617

  608

  602

  39

  39

  39

  St Mary's Secondary, Creggan

  768

  778

  788

  48

  48

  50

  St Mary's Secondary, Belleek

  198

  192

  133

  13

  13

  13

  Our Lady of Mercy High, Strabane

  582

  556

  553

  39

  39

  38

  St Fanchea's Secondary, Enniskillen

  428

  397

  417

  28

  29

  28

  St Joseph's Secondary, Enniskillen

  369

  377

  355

  23

  23

  23

  St Mary's Secondary, Irvinestown

  289

  263

  252

  20

  21

  20

  St Eugene's Secondary, Castlederg

  305

  270

  292

  20

  20

  19

  St Patrick's and St Brigid's High, Claudy

  505

  485

  482

  35

  33

  32

  St Brigid's High, Omagh

  607

  600

  587

  38

  38

  38

  St Joseph's Secondary, Creggan

  750

  767

  781

  48

  49

  50

  522

  523

  School name

  January enrolment

  Approved staffing

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  Dean Brian Maguirc High, Carrickmore

  279

  331

  345

  17

  19

  21

  St Joseph's High, Plumbridge

  286

  272

  286

  20

  19

  20

  St Patrick's High, Dungiven

  447

  452

  456

  28

  29

  29

  St John's High, Dromore

  333

  338

  340

  23

  22

  22

  St Aidan's High, Derrylin

  278

  283

  285

  17

  18

  18

  St Eugene's High, Roslea

  231

  224

  218

  16

  16

  16

  St Peter's High, Londonderry

  462

  416

  384

  35

  33

  31

  St Cecilia's Secondary, Londonderry

  702

  747

  774

  41

  45

  48

  St Comgall's Secondary, Lisnaskea

  423

  414

  424

  26

  26

  26

  St Brigid's Secondary, Londonderry

  1,052

  1,011

  1,033

  69

  69

  67

  St Brecan's Secondary, Londonderry

  527

  471

  454

  42

  40

  37

  Enniskillen Collegiate Grammar

  403

  379

  373

  26

  26

  25

  Limavady Grammar

  771

  759

  763

  50

  51

  50

  Omagh Academy

  734

  703

  704

  44

  43

  43

  Strabane Grammar

  344

  325

  331

  22

  22

  22

  Enniskillen Convent Grammar

  674

  688

  742

  41

  41

  44

  Portora Royal, Enniskillen

  363

  340

  342

  26

  24

  23

  St Michael's Grammar, Enniskillen

  657

  662

  682

  38

  39

  40

  Thornhill College, Londonderry

  1,273

  1,252

  1,306

  80

  78

  77

  St Columb's College, Londonderry

  1,562

  1,546

  1,533

  91

  93

  93

  Christian Brothers' Grammar, Omagh

  734

  740

  760

  45

  45

  46

  Loreto Convent Grammar, Omagh

  747

  753

  816

  45

  45

  45

  Strabane Convent Grammar

  448

  451

  452

  26

  28

  28

  Foyle and Londonderry College

  829

  824

  785

  50

  51

  51

  North-Eastern Board Area

  Garvagh High

  251

  241

  222

  21

  19

  18

  Magherfelt High

  589

  535

  467

  42

  40

  37

  Larne High

  901

  860

  825

  61

  59

  59

  Coleraine Girls' High

  808

  753

  757

  53

  53

  52

  Coleraine Boys' High

  696

  680

  632

  44

  44

  44

  Maghera High

  298

  287

  256

  22

  21

  21

  Carrickfergus High

  791

  815

  838

  49

  51

  53

  Ballymena Boys' High

  249

  227

  227

  21

  18

  16

  Ballymena Girls' High

  240

  191

  88

  18

  16

  13

  Antrim High

  508

  446

  386

  37

  34

  32

  Hopefield Secondary, Newtownabbey

  626

  571

  544

  41

  41

  38

  Ballycastle High

  351

  334

  289

  26

  24

  23

  Ballymoney High

  688

  678

  621

  46

  45

  46

  Ballyclare Secondary

  831

  848

  852

  53

  54

  56

  Crumlin High

  183

  194

  196

  15

  15

  16

  Cullybackey High

  644

  612

  609

  42

  40

  38

  Randalstown High

  185

  175

  161

  14

  14

  14

  Rathcoole High, Newtownabbey

  304

  259

  238

  24

  22

  21

  Monkstown Secondary, Newtownabbey

  739

  706

  671

  52

  51

  48

  Glengormley High

  1,358

  1,345

  1,296

  86

  87

  87

  Parkhall High, Antrim

  351

  361

  365

  23

  24

  25

  Dunclug High, Ballymena

  452

  411

  411

  30

  28

  27

  Dunluce Secondary, Bushmills

  420

  425

  456

  27

  27

  28

  Downshire Secondary, Carrickfergus

  712

  662

  592

  51

  48

  45

  Ballee High, Ballymena

  877

  822

  831

  60

  59

  56

  Ardnaveigh High, Antrim

  518

  493

  495

  37

  37

  36

  St Aloysius's Secondary, Cushendall

  200

  188

  188

  15

  15

  15

  St Comgall's High, Larne

  425

  376

  347

  32

  30

  29

  St Olcan's High, Randalstown

  290

  270

  284

  21

  21

  21

  Our Lady of Lourdes High, Ballymoney

  336

  322

  316

  26

  24

  23

  St Patrick's High, Ballymena

  745

  753

  712

  47

  46

  46

  St Joseph's High, Coleraine

  481

  450

  432

  34

  33

  32

  St Colm's Secondary, Draperstown

  323

  315

  307

  22

  22

  22

  St Mary's College, Portglenone

  315

  297

  271

  22

  22

  21

  St Paul's Secondary, Kilrea

  294

  261

  237

  19

  19

  19

  St Nicholas's Secondary, Carrickfergus

  120

  105

  83

  11

  11

  10

  St Pius X Secondary, Magherafelt

  853

  840

  821

  54

  54

  54

  Christian Brothers' Secondary, Glengormley

  570

  584

  592

  35

  35

  36

  St Malachy's High, Antrim

  646

  624

  611

  42

  42

  41

  Cross and Passion High, Ballycastle

  670

  663

  656

  42

  42

  42

  St Patrick's College, Maghera

  1,151

  1,148

  1,196

  73

  72

  73

  Stella Maris High, Newtownabbey

  269

  234

  202

  21

  20

  18

  Ballyclare High

  1,122

  1,149

  1,215

  68

  68

  69

  Cambridge House Girls' Grammar, Ballymena

  560

  530

  561

  35

  35

  35

  Coleraine High

  681

  668

  707

  45

  43

  44

  Carrickfergus Grammar

  578

  543

  530

  36

  36

  35

  Antrim Grammar

  616

  647

  648

  36

  38

  39

  Cambridge House Boys' Grammar, Ballymena

  434

  414

  407

  29

  27

  27

  524

  525

  School name

  January enrolment

  Approved staffing

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  St Louis Grammar, Ballymena

  913

  898

  912

  55

  55

  54

  Ballymena Academy

  1,328

  1,316

  1,328

  75

  75

  76

  Dalriada Grammar, Ballymoney

  887

  895

  917

  51

  51

  52

  Coleraine Academical Institution

  1,024

  964

  960

  66

  64

  62

  Loreto College, Coleraine

  711

  698

  702

  43

  43

  44

  Larne Grammar

  710

  692

  671

  46

  44

  43

  Rainey Endowed, Magherafelt

  601

  584

  598

  38

  38

  37

  Dominican College, Portstewart

  399

  372

  365

  25

  25

  24

  Belfast High, Newtownabbey

  796

  760

  737

  51

  50

  49

  St Mary's Grammar, Magherafelt

  935

  935

  941

  56

  56

  57

  St Macnissi's College, Carnlough

  511

  530

  547

  30

  31

  33

  South-Eastern Board Area

  Movilla High, Newtownards

  734

  707

  663

  49

  48

  48

  Holywood High

  234

  203

  221

  19

  17

  16

  Ballynahinch High

  407

  434

  392

  26

  27

  27

  Lisnasharragh High, Belfast

  572

  544

  536

  38

  38

  37

  Donaghadee High

  365

  330

  320

  24

  24

  23

  Castlwellan High

  235

  203

  182

  17

  17

  16

  Comber High

  659

  630

  593

  43

  43

  42

  Glastry High, Ballyhalbert

  487

  486

  470

  34

  33

  33

  Lisnagarvey Boys' High, Lisburn

  643

  599

  541

  46

  43

  40

  Killyleagh High

  166

  145

  119

  12

  12

  11

  Quoile High, Downpatrick

  124

  131

  106

  12

  11

  11

  Saintfield High

  202

  209

  218

  14

  14

  14

  Forthill Girls' High, Lisburn

  846

  803

  803

  54

  54

  55

  Knockbreda High, Belfast

  670

  654

  671

  40

  40

  42

  Scrabo High, Newtownards

  516

  502

  487

  34

  35

  34

  Newtownbreda High, Belfast

  792

  741

  740

  49

  51

  50

  Dunmurry High

  633

  589

  458

  48

  45

  43

  Dundonald Boys' High

  470

  419

  363

  36

  33

  30

  Dundpnald Girls' High

  406

  361

  322

  33

  29

  26

  Laurelhill High, Lisburn

  735

  687

  668

  53

  50

  48

  Gransha Boys' High, Bangor

  1,043

  965

  888

  65

  65

  61

  Bangor Girls' High

  1,122

  1,111

  1,077

  73

  72

  72

  St Mary's Girls' High, Downpatrick

  659

  612

  555

  43

  42

  39

  St Columba's High, Portaferry

  406

  404

  405

  29

  28

  28

  St Colmcille's High, Crossgar

  426

  412

  419

  28

  28

  28

  St Aidan's High, Glenavy

  174

  171

  160

  14

  13

  13

  St Columbanus's High, Bangor

  378

  380

  370

  26

  26

  26

  St Colman's High, Ballynahinch

  451

  410

  410

  28

  28

  28

  St Patrick's High, Lisburn

  436

  383

  365

  34

  31

  27

  St Malachy's High, Castlewellan

  819

  845

  849

  53

  55

  57

  St Colm's High, Dunmurry

  400

  321

  261

  33

  29

  25

  De La Salle Secondary, Downpatrick

  532

  513

  490

  37

  37

  36

  Lagan College, Belfast

  455

  500

  545

  28

  31

  33

  Regent House Grammar, Newtownards

  1,528

  1,542

  1,613

  90

  88

  88

  Down High, Downpatrick

  605

  593

  595

  38

  37

  37

  Glenlola Collegiate, Bangor

  1,029

  976

  977

  60

  60

  59

  Bangor Grammar

  1,063

  1,065

  1,069

  61

  61

  60

  Sullivan Upper, Holywood

  1,171

  1,191

  1,196

  63

  66

  66

  Friends School, Lisburn

  1,069

  1,060

  1,061

  61

  62

  62.

  Wallace High, Lisburn

  1,311

  1,285

  1,283

  73

  73

  73

  Assumption Grammar, Ballynahinch

  696

  686

  696

  43

  43

  43

  St Patrick's High, Downpatrick

  550

  574

  601

  35

  33

  35

  Our Lady and St Patrick's Grammar, Knock

  899

  917

  914

  56

  56

  57

  Southern board area

  Kilkeel High

  681

  633

  657

  46

  43

  42

  Newtownhamilton Secondary

  108

  104

  104

  8

  8

  8

  Clounagh Junior High

  650

  625

  587

  45

  45

  14

  Banbridge High

  657

  678

  656

  41

  42

  45

  Killicomaine Junior High

  636

  618

  609

  42

  40

  41

  Dromore High

  695

  686

  661

  47

  48

  47

  Lurgan Boys' Junior High

  349

  3349

  336

  25

  24

  25

  Lurgan Girls' Junior High

  333

  336

  317

  23

  23

  23

  Markethill High

  420

  432

  418

  27

  27

  27

  Fivemiletown High

  493

  484

  439

  35

  35

  35

  Armagh Secondary

  665

  661

  624

  45

  43

  43

  Rathfriland High

  346

  319

  328

  22

  22

  22

  Tandragee Junior High

  282

  286

  277

  21

  20

  20

  Aughnacloy Secondary

  181

  164

  167

  14

  14

  14

  Newry High

  639

  574

  568

  47

  44

  41

  526

  527

  School name

  January enrolment

  Approved staffing

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  Brownlow High

  291

  263

  247

  24

  22

  20

  Cookstown High

  1,140

  1,121

  1,090

  76

  76

  76

  Dungannon Secondary

  724

  721

  654

  47

  46

  46

  St Joseph's High, Newry

  552

  539

  545

  36

  37

  38

  St Columban's High, Kilkeel

  511

  503

  491

  34

  34

  33

  St Mary's Junior High, Lurgan

  659

  623

  570

  41

  41

  39

  St Patrick's High, Banbridge

  523

  507

  544

  37

  36

  35

  St Paul's Junior High, Lurgan

  573

  572

  540

  40

  39

  39

  St Mary's Girls' High, Newry

  615

  579

  544

  44

  44

  42

  St Patrick's Girls' High, Dungannon

  301

  280

  284

  21

  20

  19

  St Mark's High, Warrenpoint

  796

  769

  761

  52

  52

  52

  Our Lady's High, Cookstown

  539

  531

  520

  35

  35

  35

  St Ciaran's High, Ballygawley

  687

  704

  724

  44

  45

  46

  St Paul's Secondary, Bessbrook

  1,272

  1,210

  1,240

  83

  83

  81

  St Brigid's Boys' High, Armagh

  307

  328

  336

  20

  20

  24

  St Joseph's High, Crossmaglen

  596

  522

  539

  39

  39

  38

  St Patrick's High, Cookstown

  520

  506

  495

  32

  33

  33

  St Patrick's High, Keady

  817

  844

  832

  54

  54

  54

  St Joseph's High, Coalisland

  641

  638

  656

  40

  41

  41

  Lismore Comprehensive, Craigavon

  997

  1,050

  957

  66

  65

  64

  St Patrick's Boys' High, Dungannon

  407

  394

  373

  26

  27

  27

  St Catherine's College, Armagh

  846

  834

  826

  57

  56

  56

  Drumcres High, Portadown

  692

  644

  630

  54

  51

  50

  Banbridge Academy

  824

  802

  838

  53

  52

  52

  Lurgan College

  334

  340

  353

  24

  24

  24

  Portadown College

  775

  781

  807

  50

  50

  52

  Christian Brothers' Grammar, Armagh

  372

  359

  0

  23

  23

  10

  St Patrick's College, Armagh

  382

  374

  0

  23

  22

  10

  St Patrick's Boys' Academy, Dungannon

  656

  675

  699

  37

  40

  40

  St Patrick's Girls' Academy, Dungannon

  596

  628

  685

  36

  36

  38

  St Louis Grammar, Kilkeel

  367

  326

  287

  25

  24

  22

  St Michael's Senior High, Lurgan

  432

  426

  406

  31

  31

  31

  Abbey Grammar, Newry

  702

  702

  711

  42

  42

  42

  Our Lady's Girls' Grammar, Newry

  735

  733

  766

  43

  44

  44

  St Colman's College, Newry

  753

  765

  771

  42

  44

  45

  St Joseph's Convent Grammar, Donaghmore

  287

  286

  278

  18

  18

  18

  Sacred Heart Girls' Grammar, Newry

  738

  739

  778

  44

  45

  45

  Royal School, Dungannon

  646

  617

  626

  44

  44

  40

  Royal School, Armagh

  622

  593

  554

  42

  41

  39

  St Patrick's Grammar, Armagh

  0

  0

  716

  0

  0

  245

  1 Closed 31 August 1988.

  2 Opened 1 September 1988.

  3 Ashleigh House and Princess Gardens amalgamated to form Hunterhouse College with effect from 1 September 1987.

  4 Richmond Lodge and Victoria College amalgamated to form Victoria College with effect from 1 September 1987.

  Student Income and Expenditure
  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if the survey of student income and expenditure as proposed in the recent White Paper "Top-up Loans for Students" will extend to Northern Ireland.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  No. The further survey is confined to Great Britain and follows an earlier similar exercise. However, future monitoring of the general effects of the new top up loans scheme will be on a United Kingdom basis.

  Further and Higher Education
  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will provide a table showing the young mature entry index and the older mature participation index for each year since 1979 for(a) universities only and (b) for all higher education institutions in Northern Ireland.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  No young mature entry index is available for Northern Ireland.

  Available information for the older mature participa-tion index is as follows:
  528

  Year

  Universities

  All higher education

  1987–88

  0·196

  0·211

  1986–87

  0·160

  0·174

  1985–86

  0·171

  0·181

  Information for earlier years could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Graduates
  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what figures are available to indicate or estimate the number of graduates domiciled in Northern Ireland who earn less than 85 per cent. of national average income at intervals of(a) five years and (b) 10 years after graduation;

  (2) what figures are available to indicate the number of graduates domiciled in Northern Ireland who earn more than 115 per cent. of national average income at intervals of (a) five years and (b) 10 years after graduation.

  Mr. Viggers
  The information requested is not available.
  529
  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what figures are available to indicate the numbers of graduates employed in the public sector in Northern Ireland, their distribution among grading levels and the salaries applying to these grades.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  The information requested with regard to graduates employed in the public sector in Northen Ireland is not readily available centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, the number of graduates employed in the NICS, their distribution among grading levels and the salaries applying to these grades are as follows.

  Grade

  Number of Graduates

  Salary scale

  Senior principal and above

  427

  £19,539-£62,750

  Principal

  450

  £15,631-£21,104

  Deputy principal

  798

  £12,754-£18,167

  Staff officer

  501

  £10,434-£13,458

  Executive officer I

  262

  £8,843-£l 1,596

  Executive officer II

  354

  £6,134-£9,935

  Administrative officer

  254

  £3,873-£7,555

  Administrative assistant

  78

  £3,519-£6,074

  TOTAL

  3,124

  Students
  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what information is available to indicate for each year since 1979–80 the total numbers of 16 to 19-year-olds in further and higher education in Northern Ireland by area board and indicating these numbers as a percentage of the 16 to 19-year-old age cohort.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  [holding answer 20 March 1989]: The information requested is not available for each area board. However, available information for Northern Ireland as a whole is as follows:

  Year

  16–19 year olds in full-time further and higher education

  As per cent of 16–19 year old population

  1986–87

  18,159

  16

  1985–86

  17,627

  15

  1984–85

  16,839

  14

  1983–84

  15,993

  14

  1982–83

  17,270

  15

  1981–82

  15,601

  13

  1980–81

  14,035

  12

  1979–80

  12,452

  11

  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he proposes to increase the level of grant aid for Northern Ireland students attending universities in(a) Scotland from April 1989, (b) England and Wales from April 1990 to take account of the community charge payable.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  [holding answer 20 March 1989]: No.

TRANSPORT

  British Rail (Working Conditions)
  Mr. Clelland
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what were the average working journey miles per British Rail train driver for each of the years 1980 to 1988; and what assessment he has made of the implications for safety;
  530
  (2) what information he has about the hours of work of British Rail employees for the years 1980 to 1988; and what assessment he has made of the implications for safety of these figures;

  (3) what were the average weekly working hours of British Rail train drivers in each of the British Rail regions for the years 1980 to 1988; and what assessment he has made of the implications for safety of these figures.

  Mr. Portillo
  The detailed management information sought by the hon. Member is not reported to the Department. There are no recommendations or conclusions in any accident reports prepared by the Department's railway inspectorate during the years 1980–88 which suggest that drivers' hours or average working journey miles have been a factor in accidents.

  Railway Inspectorate
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what conclusions he has reached on the recommendations of his Department's scrutiny of the railway inspectorate.

  Mr. Portillo
  Since this scrutiny was completed in 1987, we have consulted interested organisations on its many recommendations and I have had the advice of chief inspecting officer, who was appointed in 1988. I am now placing in the Library of the House a note setting out the action that is being taken. Most of the recommendations of the review are being followed up; only four are rejected. I am proposing to review whether any further changes are needed in the interests of efficiency and effectiveness, across all the functions performed by the inspectorate.

  Drunk-drivers
  Mr. Andy Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has any plans to introduce a super test for drunk-drivers; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  No. We are drawing up plans for a more demanding driving test to be taken by drivers convicted of and disqualified for serious bad driving offences. As explained in the Government's recent. White Paper "The Road User and the Law", Cm. 576 this test will not, in the first instance, be taken by most drink drive offenders who are more likely to benefit from the rehabilitation courses also envisaged in the White Paper.

  Driving Test
  Mr. Andy Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how the new test proposed in the recent. White Paper "The Road User and the Law" will differ from the L test; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The new test is likely to be longer than the L test, which will make it more demanding. The standard of assessment will be the same for the new test as for the L test—any actually or potentially dangerous mistakes will result in failure. The fee will be set, as is the L test fee, at the level necessary to recover the costs associated with the test. It is therefore likely to cost more.

  Mr. Andy Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if there are any plans to change the United Kingdom driving tests to comply with European proposals on licensing harmonisation; and if he will make a statement.
  531
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The proposed Second European Community Driving Licence Directive would, amongst other matters, set common minimum standards for driver testing in Europe. Our current tests are likely to meet those standards without need for major changes. If, after detailed consideration, any amendments are thought to be necessary, interested parties will be consulted as appropriate.

  Mr. Andy Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he plans to introduce a written theory test for driving test candidates to comply with European proposals; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  There is no requirement under the European proposals for a written theory test. A detailed comparison of the United Kingdom's existing oral theory test with the minimum requirements of the proposed Second Driving Licence Directive suggests that the content of the United Kingdom theory test may need to be revised. If a change to the format appears also in due course to be necessary, we shall first consult with interested organisa-tions as appropriate.

  Driving Instructors
  Mr. Andy Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if there are any plans for common standards for driving instructors in Europe by 1992.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  There are no plans at present for harmonisation of driving instructor standards within EC.

  Mr. Andy Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many driving instructors have failed to reach the proper standard in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  In 1988, 749 check tests on established instructors were substandard. Some of the instructors involved were subsequently able to raise their standard to an acceptable level. Some await further tests.

  Eighty-six instructors have been or are being removed from the register of approved driving instructors for failing to reach the required standard. Others have resigned before this step has been reached.

  Mr. Andy Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many driving instructors fall within each of the different grades allocated by his Department on the check test.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  This information will not be available until next year, when all instructors will have been tested to the current standard. All instructors who fail to reach grade 4, 5 or 6 after, at most, three attempts, are removed from the register.

  Goods Vehicles (Hazardous Loads)
  Mr. McLoughlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether steps have been taken to ensure that drivers of goods vehicles carrying dangerous substances are aware of the need for extra care in bad weather conditions.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  Yes. The various road transport industry training boards and associations are fully aware of the need for special care when transporting dangerous 532
  goods. The Department wrote earlier this year to the chairman of the joint board which co-ordinates training for drivers responsible for dangerous substances, asking for renewed emphasis to be placed on the importance of taking account of weather conditions when planning journeys, or in deciding whether to continue them. I am arranging for the letter and the reply to be place in the Library.

  Goods and Passenger Vehicle Operator Licensing
  Mr. Hanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will deregulate goods and passenger vehicle operator licensing; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  The Department has just completed a review of operator licensing to consider ways in which the burden it imposes on industry might be reduced. Proposals will be published for public consultation, probably in the summer.

  MV The Takapu
  Mr. Doran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on what occasions in the last five years the vessel The Takapu operated by Star Offshore, was inspected; and what was the result of such inspections.

  Mr. Portillo
  I assume that the question refers to the Takapu which is managed by Star Offshore Services Marine Ltd of Aberdeen. This vessel was first registered in the United Kingdom in February 1988 and was then surveyed for the issue of a safety equipment certificate, international oil pollution prevention certificate and a safety radio certificate. Annual surveys were undertaken in February this year. These surveys indicated that the vessel complied with the safety and oil pollution regulations applicable to her.

  Continental Shelf (Standby Vessels)
  Mr. Doran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what has been his Department's expenditure in each of the last five years, on the inspection and supervision of standby vessels on the United Kingdom continental shelf.

  Mr. Portillo
  This information is not available since the expenditure incurred on standby vessels is not separately recorded from the inspection and supervision of other types of vessels. However, every vessel used as a standby vessel must be inspected each year for compliance with the Department's assessment of the suitability of standby vessels attending offshore installations.

  Mr. Doran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will list, in respect of each standby vessel on the United Kingdom continental shelf, the occasions when each vessel has been inspected or visited by his inspectors in the last five years;

  (2) in respect of each offshore oil and gas installations in the North sea, if he will give (a) the name of the standby vessel, (b) the age of the standby vessel, (c) the previous service history of each standby vessel and (d) the name of the owner of each standby vessel.

  Mr. Portillo
  The information is not available in the form requested. The Department assesses the suitability of standby vessels and when a vessel meets the necessary standards a certificate is issued. It is the responsibility of
  533
  the operator to ensure that there is a standby vessel within five miles of a manned offshore installation and he is free to charter any vessel from the pool available. I am placing

  Year of build

  Ship

  Owner

  Date of last survey

  1962

  Anegada

  Colne Shippimg

  August 1988

  1961

  Aruba

  Colne Shipping

  February 1989

  1962

  Barbuda

  Colne Shipping

  May 1988

  1960

  Barnsley

  Colne Shipping

  July 1988

  1962

  Bermuda

  Colne Shipping

  August 1988

  1976

  Blue Flame 1

  Britannia Putford Enterprises

  March 1988

  1978

  Boston Sea Cobra

  Britannia Marine Ltd.

  May 1988

  1972

  Boston Sea Fury

  Britannia Marine Ltd.

  March 1988

  1978

  Boston Sea Gazelle

  Britannia Marine Ltd.

  April 1988

  1976

  Boston Sea Knight

  Britannia Marine Ltd.

  April 1988

  1978

  Boston Sea Stallion

  Britannia Marine Ltd.

  April 1988

  1978

  Boston Sea Vixen

  Britannia Marine Ltd.

  May 1988

  1961

  Breydon Eider

  Breydon Marine

  May 1988

  1961

  Breydon Widgeon

  Wherry Fish Selling Company

  July 1988

  1982

  Burnhaven

  Scotts of Greenock

  November 1988

  1959

  Benella

  Benella Ltd.

  October 1988

  1958

  Cam Cougar

  Cam Shipping

  May 1988

  1960

  Cam Civet

  Cam Shipping

  February 1989

  1983

  Cam Defender

  Cam Shipping

  February 1989

  1959

  Cam Cheetah

  Cam Shipping

  April 1988

  1960

  Cam Genet

  Cam Shipping

  August 1988

  1960

  Cam Lynx

  Cam Shipping

  June 1988

  1971

  Cam Guardian

  Cam Shipping

  June 1988

  1957

  Cam Jaguar

  Cam Shipping

  September 198

  1983

  Cam Protector

  Cam Shipping

  May 1988

  1958

  Cam Panther

  Cam Shipping

  June 1988

  1966

  Cam Puma

  Cam Shipping

  December 1988

  1983

  Cam Ranger

  Cam Shipping

  November 1988

  1972

  Cam Retriever

  Cam Shipping

  May 1988

  1968

  Cam Seeker

  Nancy Sea Inc.

  October 1988

  1971

  Cam Searcher

  Cam Shipping

  July 1988

  1982

  Cam Sentinel

  Cam Shipping

  June 1988

  1957

  Cam Tiger

  Cam Shipping

  September 198

  1960

  Cam Zebra

  Cam Shipping

  February 1989

  1963

  Colne Hunter

  Colne Shipping

  July 1988

  1966

  Colne Kestrel

  Colne Shipping

  August 1988

  1962

  Crystal Palace

  Colne Shipping

  February 1989

  1965

  Dawn Blazer

  Warbler Shipping

  September 198

  1967

  Dawn Flight

  Warbler Shipping

  September 198

  1958

  Dawn Gem

  Warbler Shipping

  May 1988

  1961

  Dawn Monarch

  Warbler Shipping

  May 1988

  1960

  Dawn Saviour

  Warbler Shipping

  November 1988

  1967

  Dawn Shore

  Warbler Shipping

  April 1988

  1967

  Dawn Sky

  Warbler Shipping

  July 1988

  1953

  Deventel

  Deventel Ltd.

  September 198

  1961

  Desirade

  Colne Shipping

  October 1988

  1961

  Dominca

  Colne Shipping

  April 1988

  1936

  Euan

  Garcia Ltd.

  May 1988

  1961

  Exuma

  Huxley Fishing

  September 198

  1961

  Grampian Concord

  George Craig & Son

  July 1988

  1962

  Grampian Dawn

  George Craig & Son

  November 1988

  1957

  Grampian Defender

  George Craig & Son

  May 1988

  1960

  Grampian Duke

  George Craig & Son

  December 1988

  1967 1950

  Grampian Harrier

  George Craig & Son

  June 1988

  Grampian Hawk

  George Craig & Son

  August 1988

  1962

  Grampian Forest

  George Craig & Son

  January 1989

  1957

  Grampian Freedom

  George Craig & Son

  August 1988

  1965

  Grampian Explorer

  George Craig & Son

  February 1989

  1975

  Grampian Eagle

  Harrison Clyde

  December 1988

  1969

  Grampian Kestrel

  George Craig & Son

  August 1988

  1968

  Grampian Monarch

  George Craig & Son

  March 1989

  1959

  Grampian Petrel

  George Craig & Son

  February 1989

  1981

  Grampian Pride

  George Craig & Son

  June 1988

  1983

  Grampian Protector

  George Craig & Son

  January 1989

  1960

  Grampian Princess

  George Craig & Son

  September 198

  1981

  Grampian Pioneer

  George Craig & Son

  April 1988

  1937

  Grampian Osprey

  George Craig & Son

  June 1988

  1961

  Grampian River

  George Craig & Son

  October 1988

  1949

  River Grampian Rose

  George Craig & Son

  November 1988

  1959

  Grampian Scott

  George Craig & Son

  November 1988

  1956

  Grampian Star

  Bon Voyage Enterprises

  October 1988

  1976

  Grampian Sword

  George Craig & Son

  December 1988

  1958

  Grampian Queen

  George Craig & Son

  October 1988

  1961

  Grampian Viking

  George Craig & Son

  June 1988

  534
  in the Library the names of all standby vessels currently certificated, the name of the owner, the year of build and the date of the last survey.
  535

  Year of build

  Ship

  Owner

  Date of last survey

  1959

  Grampian Quest

  George Craig & Son

  May 1988

  1976

  Highland Light

  Olog Marine

  March 1988

  1986

  Highland Sprite

  Olog Marine

  June 1988

  1985

  Highland Legend

  Olog Marine

  August 1988

  1961

  Hatherleigh

  Putford Enterprises

  July 1988

  1962

  Huddersfield Town

  Huxley Fishing

  October 1988

  1983

  Johnshaven

  John Cook Agencies

  October 1988

  1983

  Loch Carron

  Blackmoor Ltd.

  July 1988

  1984

  Lord Supplier

  K/S Supply Service (Norway)

  November 1988

  1983

  Maersk Cutter

  Maersk

  January 1989

  1981

  Maersk Dispatcher

  K/S Passat Norway

  August 1988

  1980

  Maersk Ranger

  Maersk

  March 1988

  1979

  Maersk Retriever

  Maersk

  March 1988

  1980

  Maersk Ruler

  Maersk

  April 1988

  1982

  Maersk Rider

  Maersk

  December 1988

  1982

  Maersk Rover

  Maersk

  December 1988

  1959

  Mary Craig

  George Craig & Sons

  May 1988

  1982

  Seaforth Monarch

  Seaforth Maritime

  April 1988

  1982

  Seaforth Sovereign

  Seaforth Maritime

  April 1988

  1964

  Seaboard Implacable

  Seaboard Offshore

  June 1988

  1968

  Seaboard Integrity

  Seaboard Offshore

  October 1988

  1968

  Seaboard Intrepid

  Seaboard Offshore

  December 1988

  1976

  Seaway Jura

  Seaway Technology

  March 1988

  1961

  Scampton

  Colne Shipping

  July 1988

  1973

  Shetland Service

  Offshore Marine

  August 1988

  1947

  Silver Pit

  Bobali Ltd.

  January 1989

  1983

  Smit Lloyd 122

  Smit Lloyd B.V.

  March 1988

  1962

  St. Anne

  Drifter Trawlers Ltd.

  July 1988

  1962

  St. Elizabeth

  Colne Shipping

  October 1988

  1961

  St. Luke

  Claridge Trawlers

  May 1988

  1962

  St. Louis

  Dagon Fishing

  September 1988

  1961

  St. Lucia

  Dagon Fishing

  August 1988

  1964

  St. Kitts

  Claridge Trawlers

  October 1988

  1961

  St. Martin

  Colne Shipping

  November 1988

  1961

  St. Paul

  Huxley Fishing

  September 1988

  1985

  Stirling Dee

  Scotts Greenock

  November 1988

  1986

  Stirling Esk

  Stirling Shipping

  March 1988

  1982

  Stirling Teal

  Harrison's Clyde Ltd.

  June 1988

  1980

  Stirling Tern

  Stirling Shipping

  October 1988

  1959

  Monkleigh

  Putford Enterprises

  May 1988

  1962

  Mustique

  Colne Shipping

  February 1989

  1969

  Nova

  Britannia Marine

  May 1988

  1960

  Notts Forest

  Colne Shipping

  November 1988

  1955

  Nautika

  Tamis Ltd.

  June 1988

  1961

  Oakleigh

  Putford Enterprises

  July 1988

  1961

  Pagona

  Colne Shipping

  October 1988

  1955

  Petrus

  Deventel Ltd.

  December 1988

  1956

  Penomis

  Tamis Ltd.

  August 1988

  1967

  Putford Guardian

  Putford Enterprises

  November 1988

  1962

  Putford Merlin

  Putford Enterprises

  April 1988

  1960

  Putford Osprey

  Putford Enterprises

  July 1988

  1960

  Putford Petrel

  Putford Enterprises

  May 1988

  1959

  Putford Scimitar

  Putford Enterprises

  May 1988

  1967

  Putford Skua

  Putford Enterprises

  April 1988

  1971

  Renfrew

  Gallic Shipping Ltd.

  February 1989

  1982

  Sandhaven

  Scotts of Greenock

  November 1988

  1982

  Seagair

  B.P. Petroleum Development

  August 1988

  1986

  Seaforth Baronet

  Seaforth Maritime

  June 1988

  1983

  Seaforth Centurion

  Seaforth Maritime

  June 1988

  1983

  Seaforth Crusader

  Seaforth Maritime

  March 1988

  1982

  Seaforth Emperor

  Seaforth Maritime

  January 1989

  1986

  Seaforth Earl

  Seaforth Maritime

  March 1989

  1983

  Stirling Sprite

  Stirling Shipping

  January 1989

  1983

  Star Vega

  Star Offshore Services

  May 1988

  1974

  Stone Haven

  Haven Shipping Co.

  June 1988

  1980

  Suffolk Champion

  Suffolk Marine

  May 1988

  1974

  Suffolk Conquest

  Suffolk Marine

  June 1988

  1972

  Suffolk Harvester

  Suffolk Marine

  April 1988

  1985

  Suffolk Mariner

  Suffolk Marine

  August 1988

  1982

  Suffolk Prince

  Suffolk Marine

  May 1988

  1973

  Suffolk Warrior

  Suffolk Marine

  January 1989

  1945

  Tamito

  Tamis Ltd.

  June 1988

  1957

  Tem

  Karlsen Shipping Nova Scotia

  February 1989

  1977

  Tempest

  Wijsmuller B.V.

  July 1988

  1984

  TNT Cougar

  T.N.T. Sealion

  April 1988

  1965

  Togo

  Colne Shipping

  May 1988

  1960

  Umberleigh

  H.I. Williams

  July 1988

  536

  537

  Year of build

  Ship

  Owner

  Dale of last survey

  1975

  Vulcan Service

  Wilkes Shipping

  February 1989

  1962

  Waddington

  Colne Shipping

  December 1988

  Mr. Doran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidelines have been issued by his Department, in respect of standards required by operators of standby vessels on the United Kingdom continental shelf.

  Mr. Portillo
  The Department last issued guidelines in 1982 in the form of instructions to surveyors on the assessment of the suitability of standby vessels attending offshore installations.

  Mr. Doran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the number of standby vessels located off offshore oil and gas installations in(a) the northern section and (b) the southern section of the United Kingdom continental shelf.

  Mr. Portillo
  There are 154 standby vessels currently certified by the Department. It is not possible, without incurring disproportionate costs, to split this total into the two divisions required.

  Mr. Doran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will introduce legislation to require supply boats, tugs or standby vessels operating in the United Kingdom continental shelf, to carry medically qualified personnel; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  In the current revision of the "Instructions to Surveyors on the Assessment of the Suitability of Standby Vessels Attending Offshore Installations" it is being proposed that in addition to all crew members having a basic first aid training some should now attend an advanced first aid course. However, if the Piper Alpha inquiry recommends further improvements these will be carefully considered.

  Severn bridge
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish details of all fatal and other serious accidents that have occurred in the approaches to the Severn bridge in tailbacks in each of the past 10 years.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  Information on accidents occurring in tailbacks is not specifically recorded as such.

  In the past five years for which information is readily available, there have been 34 vehicular accidents involving personal injury on the M4 within four miles of the Severn bridge in England, excluding the bridge itself.

  These are:

  Fatal

  Serious

  Slight

  Total

  1984

  0

  2

  2

  4

  1985

  0

  2

  7

  9

  1986

  0

  3

  4

  7

  1987

  0

  1

  5

  6

  1988

  0

  2

  6

  8

  Information in respect of accidents on the Welsh approach of the crossing may be obtained from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Terrorism (Broadcasts)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has any plans to extend the ban on broadcasting of statements of those supporting terrorism to cover any other, non-Christian organisation urging the breaking of United Kingdom laws; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Renton
  No. The broadcasting restrictions apply only to Northern Ireland terrorist organisations and their supporters, and they were introduced only because of the exceptional circumstances surrounding terrorism connected with Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he intends to amend the notices imposing restrictions on access to the media which were issued to the broadcasters last October to take account of the coming into force of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989.

  Mr. Hurd
  I have today made a technical amendment to the notices substituting a reference to the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989 for the existing reference to the Act of 1984. Copies of the amending notices have been placed in the Library.

  Prison Service (Privatisation)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what views the prison governors' representatives expressed, at their meeting with him on 6 March, in respect of his plan to privatise parts of the prison service; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  When my right hon. Friend and I met representatives of the Prison Governors Association on 6 March we had a useful exchange of views about, among other things, issues arising from the Green Paper "Private Sector Involvement in the Remand System" (Cm. 434, July 1988) and from my right hon. Friend's statement to the House on 1 March at columns 277–78. A copy of the responses to the Green Paper, including that from the Prison Governors Association, is in the Library.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department from which organisations he will be seeking advice about his plans for the privatisation of parts of the prison service; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  In his statement to the House on I March at columns 277–278 my right hon. Friend described the further work which will be needed to take forward consideration of the possibility of involving the private sector in the provision and operation of new remand centres, and in the provision of court escort and custody services. This will involve extensive consultation with interested parties in or concerned with the operation of the criminal justice system, as well as with potential contractors.

  Firearms Certificates
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of north Wales on the reasons for the delays and multiple visits of officers involved in applications for firearm and shotgun certificates and as to on what dates forces' standing orders or any instructions to officers on the administration of the Firearms Act and amendments have been issued;

  (2) if he will call for a report from Her Majesty's inspector of constabulary of the efficiency of the administration in the north Wales constabulary of the Firearms Act 1968 and amendments and as to whom the responsibility for the control of the administration procedures has been delegated.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The administration of the Firearms Acts in North Wales is the responsibility of the chief

  Cocaine (£ per gram)

  Heroin (£ per gram)

  Amphetamine (£ per gram)

  Cannabis Resin (£ per ounce)

  London

  Glasgow

  London

  Glasgow

  London

  Glasgow

  London

  Glasgow

  1984

  55

  75

  50

  90

  15

  15

  65

  75

  1985

  55

  75

  65

  90

  15

  15

  65

  95

  1986

  90

  70

  90

  90

  15

  15

  50

  85

  1987

  75

  85

  85

  90

  15

  15

  60

  110

  1988

  60

  85

  90

  70

  13

  15

  90

  110

  Broadcasting White Paper
  Mr. Buchan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now list in the Official Report the names of all (a) organisations and (b) individuals who made representations on the White Paper "Broadcasting in the '90s".

  Mr. Renton
  It would not be practicable to do so: we have now received over 2,900 responses, and a few late submissions are still coming in. We have it in mind in due course to place in the Library a list of the main organisations which have submitted comments.

  Mr. Mohammed Bhika
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to make a decision on the application made by Mr. Mohammed Bhika, Ref. GV100/5063 and B468083, to enter the United Kingdom; when the application was referred to him; and when Mr. Bhika applied to enter the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Renton
  Mr. Bhika applied on 4 January 1989, at the British deputy high commission in Bombay, to come here for employment as a minister of religion at the Surti Muslim Khalifa society, Bradford. On 6 January 1989 the entry clearance officer referred the application to the immigration and nationality department for a decision. Preliminary consideration has already been given to the case and further inquiries are under way. I expect a decision to be taken on the application shortly. Mr. Bhika and the Surti Muslim Khalifa society will be informed direct of the outcome.

  Mrs. Safina Bi
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he is going to take a decision on the application of Mrs. Safina Bi, Ref.
  540
  constable. I am not aware of matters that would justify calling for a report from him or from Her Majesty's inspector of constabulary.

  Drugs
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has on the street price level of drugs over the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The price of illicit drugs is difficult to assess and varies widely according to factors such as the locality, the purity of the drugs and the circumstances in which the transaction takes place. A broad indication of prices paid for some of the main drugs of misuse over the last five years, based on information collected by the national drugs intelligence unit, is given in the table. It shows typical street level prices in London and Glasgow.

  B437592/IMM/91905, to enter the United Kingdom; when the application was referred to him; and when Mrs. Safina Bi applied to enter the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Renton
  Mrs. Safina Bi applied at the British embassy in Islamabad on 20 September 1987 for entry clearance to join her husband here for settlement. She was interviewed in Islamabad on 7 February 1988 and the entry clearance officer referred the application to the immigration and nationality department on 21 March 1988 for a decision. Further inquiries were made and the decision to refuse Mrs. Bi's application was sent to the entry clearance officer on 20 March 1989, who will formally notify her of the Department's decision once the papers are received in Islamabad. A letter to Mr. Rashid's solicitors informing them of this decision was sent the same day. Mrs. Bi will be informed of her right of appeal against the Department's decision to the independent appellate authorities.

  Extradition
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to initiate the powers on extradition provided in the Criminal Justice Act 1985; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John Patten
  Later this year, when the provisions of part I of the 1988 Act have been consolidated with other extradition legislation in a Bill which we hope will be brought forward shortly.

  Magistrates Courts (Computers)
  Mr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has reached a decision on the recommendations in the Home Office research and planning unit report, "Evaluation of the Use of Computers in Magistrates Courts—The Way Forward."
  541
  Mr. Hurd
  The report was issued for consultation to the magistrates courts service, other agencies within the criminal justice system and the suppliers of computer equipment in September 1987. Very careful consideration has been given to the responses received.

  There was substantial support for recommendations in the report which proposed that the Home Office should develop a clear strategy and objectives for computerisation in courts and that it should be more positive in providing advice and guidance on computerisation. A recommendation that the Home Office should itself develop, on behalf of the magistrates courts, a prescribed computer software package gave rise to much criticism, which we think is well-founded. We have concluded that the more realistic and practicable approach would be to develop a standard specification for magistrates courts computer systems to which equipment would be expected to conform and, in parallel, to test the feasibility of greater data interchange between current and planned systems through networking arrangements available from the private sector.

  A small team is to be established within the Home Office to take forward this work and to provide advice to the courts on computer matters, including the preparation of investment strategies. The work will be carried out in close consultation with the courts, suppliers of equipment, and the other agencies in the criminal justice system.

  European Regional Development Fund
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will give an assurance of the availability of funding from central Government for projects eligible for funding under objective 2 of the European regional development fund, in Stockport;

  (2) what projects he has identified as eligible for funding from the European regional development fund, in Stockport; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  I have been asked to reply.

  Stockport's eligiblity for European regional development fund assistance, as part of Greater Manchester county, is subject to the Commission's confirmation of its provisional objective 2 list. My Department and the Department of the Environment will consider with the local authorities and other interests concerned what projects should be proposed to the Commission for support from the ERDF, and the manner in which it will be sought. Decisions on use of the fund rest with the Commission. Central Government funding will depend upon the nature of projects eventually agreed.

  Folk Dance and Song Society
  Mr. Walden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many letters he has had about alleged irregularities in the election for the national executive committee of the English Folk Dance and Song Society.

  Mr. Hurd
  I have received one letter from a constituent.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Interest Rates
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the interest rates in(a) Britain and (b) Germany.
  542
  Mr. Lilley
  Three-month interbank rates on 17 March were 13·1 per cent. in the United Kingdom and 6·6 per cent. in Germany.

  Inflation
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the current inflation rates in(a) Britain and (b) other members of the Group of Seven.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the current inflation rates in(a) Britain and (b) other members of the Group of Seven.

  Mr. Lilley
  The current 12-month inflation rates for the United Kingdom and the other members of the Group of Seven are given in the OECD weekly publication "Current Economic Indicators", a copy of which is available in the House of Commons Library.

  Third World Debt
  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the proposal on Third world debt formulated by the United States Treasury Secretary, Mr. Nicholas Brady; and whether he will be amending his own initiative in this area in the light of Secretary Baker's proposal.

  Mr. Lawson
  The proposals announced by Secretary Brady on 10 March relate to the middle-income debtor countries, the majority of whose debt is owed to commercial banks. The proposals include the use of IMF and World Bank finance to bring about voluntary debt reduction by the banks. They are being studied carefully in the run-up to the spring meetings of the IMF and World Bank next month, where they will be discussed. The initiative which I launched in April 1987 was aimed at the poorest, most heavily-indebted countries in sub-Saharan Africa whose debt is owed largely to official creditors. Implementation of this has already begun and sub-Saharan countries are therefore already benefiting from it.

  Inward Investment
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the amount of inward investment to the United Kingdom in 1988.

  Mr. Major
  Inward investment in the United Kingdom is estimated to have been £11·2 billion during 1988.

  Ryrie Rules
  Mr. Adley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will now revise the Ryrie rules; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Major
  I refer my hon. Friend to the Treasury Paper "Private Finance in Public Expenditure" that I placed in the Library of the House in February 1988 and which explains how policy has developed since 1981.

  International Monetary Fund
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to ensure that Britain retains her place as the second largest shareholder. after the United States of America, of the international monetary fund; and if he will make a statement.
  543
  Mr. Lilley
  The ninth quota review of the international monetary fund is currently in progress. Decisions are not expected until later this year.

  Mr. Mohamed Fayed
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he regards Mr. Mohamed Fayed as a fit and proper person within the meaning of section 11(1)(A) and (E) of the Banking Act.

  Mr. Lilley
  Statutory responsibility for the authorisa-tion and supervision of banks and for the assessment of whether their directors, controllers or managers are fit and proper persons within the terms of the Banking Act 1987 rests with the Bank of England. It would not be appropriate for me to comment on any particular case.

  Central Office of Information
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give for each year from 1978–79 the total expenditure of the Central Office of Information, including the estimated expenditure for 1988–89 and the budget from 1989–90.

  Mr. Lilley
  [holding answer 20 March 1989]: The information requested is as follows:

  Year

  Total Expenditure £,000s

  1978–79

  35,400

  1979–80

  40,700

  1980–81

  45,100

  1981–82

  46,100

  1982–83

  48,300

  1983–84

  60,300

  1984–85

  64,700

  1985–86

  66,900

  1986–87

  149,800

  1987–88

  150,500

  1988–89

  1151,600

  1989–90

  1144,000

  1 Estimate.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give for each year from 1978–79 the number of employees of the Central Office of Information, including a figure for 1988–89 and a projection for 1989–90.

  Mr. Lilley
  [holding answer 20 March 1989]: The information requested is as follows:

  1 January

  Permanent staff in post

  1979

  1,163

  1980

  1,177

  1981

  1,158

  1982

  1,071

  1983

  969

  1984

  961

  1985

  925

  1986

  878

  1987

  815

  1988

  804

  1989

  787

  1990

  1803

  1 Projection.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proposals he has for including in the criteria for entitlement to housing benefit an assessment of the number of rooms which claimants should have in their homes; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The Housing Benefit Regulations permit local authorities to restrict the amount of rent eligible for housing benefit, in certain circumstances, where they consider that the claimant's accommodation is larger than is reasonably required. No room standard is set down in either legislation or guidance.

  From April 1989, local authorities will apply to a rent officer for a determination of a reasonable market rent where the claimant lives in deregulated private sector accommodation. One aspect of these new arrangements will be that the rent officer will decide, against a room standard laid down in an order setting out rent officers' functions, whether the claimant is over-accommodated. If so, he will notify to the local authority a notional market rent for suitably-sized but otherwise similar accommoda-tion. It will continue to be for the local authority to decide on the level of benefit paid. After 13 weeks, subsidy due to the local authority will generally be limited to benefit paid up to the level of the notional rent.

  Bed-and-Breakfast Accommodation
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the total amount paid to meet the cost of living in bed-and-breakfast accommodation from his Department's offices in Lambeth in any recent available period of 12 months.

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

  Family Credit
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many families in(a) Greenock and Port Glasgow, (b) Strathclyde and (c) Scotland as a whole are in receipt of family credit;

  (2) how many families in (a) Greenock and Port Glasgow, (b) Strathclyde and (c) Scotland as a whole were in receipt of family income supplement in the last year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I regret that information about family credit on this basis is still not available. In June 1987, the latest date from which figures are available, 27,000 families in Scotland were in receipt of family income supplement. No information is available about claims from particular local areas.

  National Insurance
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will state the value of the Treasury supplement to the national insurance scheme expressed in current values and calculated on the percentages paid in 1965, 1970, 1975 and 1979.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Since 1975, the Treasury supplement to the national insurance fund, which is paid out of general
  545
  taxation, has been assessed by applying its current percentage rate to gross national insurance contributions that were paid in the tax year into the fund. In 1988–89, such gross contributions are estimated to be £33,240 million, and the current rate of the Treasury supplement is 5 per cent.

  The current 1988–89 value of the Treasury supplement is therefore estimated to be £1,662 million. The remaining information requested is as follows:

  Percentage rate of the Treasury supplement and value of the Treasury supplement in 1988–89 if relevant percentage rate were applied to gross contributions in 1988–89

  Year

  Percentage rate

  £ million

  1965–66

  19·1

  6,349

  1970–71

  17·8

  5,917

  1975–76

  18·0

  5,983

  1979–80

  18·0

  5,983

  Bed and Breakfast
  Mr. Heddle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish in the Official Report the expenditure incurred by each housing authority in England for providing bed-and-breakfast accommodation for the last year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Trippier
  I have been asked to reply.

  The information has been placed in the Library.

SCOTLAND

  Employment Training
  Mr. Hind
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the progress of employment training in Scotland.

  Mr. Lang
  Employment training is now progressing well in Scotland with over 20,000 people participating. Trainees are being recruited at a rate of some 1,500 a week. This is encouraging considering that the new programme has been operational for just over six months.

  Alcohol Consumption
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he has regarding the consumption of alcohol at the following weekly levels(a) men 0 to 21 units, (b) women 0 to 14 units, (c) men 21 to 50 units, (d) women 14 to 35 units, (e) men more than 50 units and (f) women more than 35 units; and what steps his Department is currently taking to highlight the dangers to health of drinking at higher levels.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Information in the precise form requested is not available. The most recent relevant survey, conducted by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys, which included information on alcohol consump-tion and drinking patterns is "Drinking and Attitudes to Licensing in Scotland". The report was published by HMSO in 1986 and a copy is available in the Library.

  The ministerial group on alcohol misuse established in 1987 has put in hand a range of measures to assist in tackling the problem of alcohol misuse generally. The Scottish health education group gives high priority to alcohol misuse within its broad-based health education strategy aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles.

  Drug-related Offences
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people were convicted of drug-related offences for each year since 1979.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information requested is given in the table. For this purpose, the relevant offences are taken to be the illegal importation, production, manufacture, cultivation or supply of drugs, possession with intent to supply, and simple possession.

  Scotland

  Persons with a drugs offence proved

  1979

  1,150

  1980

  1,155

  1981

  982

  1982

  1,373

  1983

  1,671

  1984

  2,271

  1985

  2,660

  1986

  2,657

  1987

  2,515

  Drugs Seizures
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the weight of police seizures of(a) cocaine, (b) heroin and (c) all drugs, for each year since 1979.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information requested is shown in the table. Figures for 1988 are not yet available.

  Quantities of drug seizures (grammes) by the police in Scotland: 1979–87

  Cocaine

  Heroin

  All drugs

  1979

  33·805

  155·898

  27,636·978

  1980

  27·564

  166·517

  21,720·729

  1981

  29·037

  98·633

  19,862·644

  1982

  203·737

  816·584

  85,465·785

  1983

  83·088

  1,540·031

  74,804·202

  1984

  460·763

  3,340·739

  62,163·204

  1985

  260·175

  3,668·488

  72,329·897

  1986

  50·303

  810·073

  52,080·084

  1987

  106·499

  1,015·371

  71,143·757

  Translation and Foreign Language Services
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what types of translation and foreign language services are being made available to firms preparing for the single European market in 1992.

  Mr. Rifkind
  Firms preparing for the single European market have access to translation and foreign language services mainly through private sector companies and the language departments of higher education institutions. The Government, through the Training Agency, the Scottish Development Agency and my Department, are assisting the institutions to form a language for export consortium to develop and market their services in ways best suited to meet the needs of business. The services provided will go wider than translation, interpretation and the acquisition of foreign language skills to embrace all aspects of trans-lingual commercial communication.

  Regional Selective Assistance
  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the total expenditure on regional selective assistance for each of the years 1983–84 to 1987–88, inclusive and the estimated expenditure for 1988–89, 1989–90, 1990–91 and 1991–92.

  Mr. Lang
  Total gross expenditure on regional selective assistance and related schemes in the years 1983–84 to 1987–88 inclusive are £28·2 million, £38·2 million, £55·0 million, £43·9 million and £45·5 million respectively. Estimated gross expenditure in 1988–89 is expected to be around £44 million. Planned provision for 1989–90 is published in the Supply Estimates. Planned net provision (including regional enterprise grants), consistent with the figures published in "Public Expenditure to 1991–92, A Commentary on the Scotland Programme", for each of the years 1990–91 and 1991–92 is approximately £80 million. Actual expenditure in these years will depend on the extent to which companies come forward with good projects. We shall continue to encourage Scottish businesses to take full advantage of the provision on offer.

  Social Workers
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has had any discussions with regional and islands authorities and directors of social work with a view to improving the training and supervision of social workers dealing with mentally disordered workers.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  All regional and Islands councils are involved in the provision of training programmes, approved by the Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work, for social workers who are approved as mental health officers under the Mental Health (Scotland) Act 1984. Officials of the social work services group of the Scottish Education Department regularly meet representatives of directors of social work to discuss matters relating to social work training.

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has any plans for the Scottish Office to make a direct contribution to the improvement of the training of social workers dealing with mentally disordered people; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The need to strengthen post-qualifying training for social workers was among the considerations which led my right hon. and learned Friend to increase by 13 per cent. provision for local authority current expenditure on social work in 1989–90. In addition the Scottish Office is providing a grant of up to £200,000 over three years to St. Andrews university to establish a shared training project for nursing and social work staff working with mentally handicapped people in the Grampian and Highland regions.

  Junior Hospital Doctors
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many junior hospital doctors are known to have contracted hours of duty in excess of 95 hours per week.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The information requested is not held centrally.

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the average number of contracted hours of duty of junior hospital doctors.
  548
  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The estimated number of contracted hours of duty of junior hospital doctors in Scotland was 86·1 as at 30 September 1988. The 1988 data for Greater Glasgow, Lanarkshire and Forth Valley health boards are not yet available; 1987 data for these boards have therefore been included in the calculation of this average.

  Young People (Housing)
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has any new proposals for enabling young people to enter the housing market either as tenants or owner-occupiers.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Young people and others who need access to housing will stand to benefit from a number of Government measures designed to improve the operation of the housing market. These include the reform of the private rented sector and the extension of the business expansion scheme to the provision of accommodation let on assured tenancies; powers for local authorities to make schemes to assist tenants to obtain other accommodation; and powers for Scotttish Homes to assist the development of both rented and owner-occupied housing.

  Local Authority Housing
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his policy regarding the provision of housing by local authorities.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Local authorities in Scotland have a major role to play both as enablers and providers of housing for the foreseeable future. In their role as housing providers authorities will meet an increasingly competitive environment following the introduction of tenants' choice whereby council tenants will have the right to opt for a new landlord. There are, however, no plans to compel authorities to give up their landlord function and there are no statutory powers whereby the Government or any other body can force them to do so. The only person who can compel a council to sell its property is the individual sitting tenant.

  The Government's recognition of the substantial role played by councils as housing providers is reflected in the fact that gross capital consent allocations to housing authorities have virtually doubled over the last four years.

  It is important, however, that councils should not focus on their landlord function to the detriment of their role as strategic and enabling housing authorities.

  Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering Industry
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the number of people employed in the shipbuilding and marine engineering industry in(a) Greenock and Port Glasgow, (b) Strathclyde and (c) Scotland as a whole in each year from 1975 to 1989.

  Mr. Lang
  The latest available figures for Scotland relate to 1986. After 1979 only figures for the shipbuilding and ship repair industry (activity heading 3610 of the 1980 standard industrial classification) are available. Annual figures for Strathclyde and Greenock and Port Glasgow are not readily available.
  549

  Shipbuilding and marine engineering 1968 SIC, MLH 370

  Shipbuilding and repairing 1980 SIC activity heading 3610

  1975

  40,400

  —

  1976

  40,800

  —

  1977

  37,300

  —

  1978

  37,600

  —

  1979

  35,600

  30,600

  1980

  —

  26,500

  1981

  —

  25,900

  1982

  —

  26,000

  1983

  —

  24,800

  1984

  —

  21,800

  1985

  —

  20,800

  1986

  —

  18,600

  Source: Annual Census of Production.

  Manufacturing Investment
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a table taking 1979 as 100, of investment in real terms in manufacturing(a) in Greenock and Port Glasgow, (b) Strathclyde and (c) Scotland as a whole.

  Mr. Lang
  The latest available figures for Scotland relate to 1986. Similar indices for Strathclyde and Greenock and Port Glasgow are not readily available.

  Gross domestic fixed capital formation in Scottish manufacturing

  Year

  Index (1979 = 100)

  1977

  108·8

  1978

  104·0

  1979

  100·0

  1980

  99·8

  1981

  82·8

  1982

  71·8

  1983

  59·0

  1984

  72·3

  1985

  98·6

  1986

  86·7

  Electoral Registration
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list in the Official Report the total number of people in the parliamentary constituencies of Greenock and Port Glasgow and Renfrew, West and Inverclyde listed in (a) the electoral registers for 1988–89, (b) the electoral registers for 1989–90 and (c) the electoral registers for five and 10 years ago, respectively.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information is as follows:

  Number of electors

  Constituency

  1989 electoral register

  1988 electoral register

  1984 electoral register

  1979 electoral register

  Greenock and Port Glasgow

  55,612

  57,339

  60,217

  62,360

  Renfrew West and Inverclyde

  57,234

  57,025

  54,893

  79,339

  The 1979 figures relate to the former constituencies of Greenock and Port Glasgow, and Renfrewshire, West whose areas correspond broadly with those of the present constituencies created in 1983.

  Dog Hunting (New Forest)
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many representations he and the Forestry Commission have received by letter, postcard and petition, concerning the prohibition of hunting with dogs in the New Forest.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Since 1 January 1988 the Forestry Commission has received six letters concerning the prohibition of hunting with hounds in the New Forest. My right hon. and Learned Friend has received no communications on this subject.

  Students (Allowances)
  Sir Hector Monro
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he will publish full details of students' allowances for session 1989–90.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I announced the main rates of student grant for the 1989–90 academic year in response to a question from my hon. Friend on 16 December 1988 at columns 780–82.

  I am publishing today the supplementary grant rates for the 1989–90 session and details have been placed in the Library. The increases in these rates are broadly in line with the 5 per cent. increase in the main rates, but allowances for students with dependent children will be increased, on average, by 10 per cent.

  In addition, there are some minor changes in the terms of the students' allowances scheme. These include:

  i. adjusting the classification of some countries for the purposes of determining the rates of grant for study abroad;

  ii. treating married students as independent of their parents after two years of marriage;

  iii. reducing the qualifying period to two years where parental contributions can be waived in the case of a student who has been in care or custodianship.

  Forestry (Report)
  Sir Hector Monro
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has determined his response to the report from the Highland regional council working party on forestry in Caithness and Sutherland; and if he will make a statement.

  The report was agreed unanimously and I pay tribute to all the working party members for adopting a reasonable and reasoned approach. I think there are three significant elements in the report. First, the proposed land use strategy, which provides a policy framework for considering all land use changes including conservation and forestry. Secondly, the agreement on the scientific interest of the peatlands, arid the need to conserve the areas of highest value. Thirdly, the need to establish a viable forest industry by planting a further 40,000 hectares to secure long term employment in the area.

  The proposed land use strategy is a sound basis for both safeguarding the prime peatlands and managing the change of sufficient land to create a viable forest. It is an entirely appropriate mechanism consistent with the

  551
  principles of our planning system. Proposals to change land use are initiated by its owners. Only when there is a public interest in the proposed change should there be any involvement with Government and statutory agencies. An indicative strategy sets out clear presumptions for or against particular uses, but leaves individual cases to be decided on their merits. By endorsing this strategy, I am providing a clear indication to private sector interests of the likely attitude of public authorities towards any proposed change in land use, and more particularly, commercial forestry, including those which come to me for ultimate decision.

  As regards the specific recommendations which fall within my responsibilities, I am responding positively as follows:

  (a) Forestry
  Recommendations 1, 2, 3, 9, 13, 14 and 16 all relate to forestry. The Forestry Commission will have due regard to these. The detailed changes in Forestry Commission procedures proposed in recommendation 16 will be examined carefully, with other agencies as appropriate.

  (b) Agriculture
  DAFS will have due regard to the strategy in carrying out its duties and, in particular, will examine carefully any proposals which will allow tree planting on areas presently in agricultural or crofting use (recommendation 5).

  (c) NCC
  I am happy to accept recommendation 15 that consultation with the NCC should in future take place only where tree planting is proposed on existing or potential SSSIs. I look to NCC to keep the other public agencies advised of their designation programme.

  It is proper to record that the proposed strategy does not totally remove the potential for conflict between conservation and forestry. There are residual problems and concerns. I am, however, greatly heartened by the attitude of the working party members and I believe that if they work within the framework and in the spirit of the agreed report, then we can resolve particular cases in a reasonable and sensitive manner. To emphasise this I am writing today advising them of my response and encouraging them to adopt the strategy and publish their views on specific recommendations relevant to their functions and duties.

  Finally, I again express my gratitude to the working party members for their efforts. I hope that they will continue to co-operate in the manner achieved during the lengthy deliberations of the working party.

  Trunk Road Projects
  Sir Hector Monro
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the major trunk road projects which have been started during 1988–89 and those which he expects to start in 1989–90.

  Mr. Rifkind
  The information is as follows:

  Schemes with estimated cost over £1 million started since 1 April 1988

  A7 North Middleton

  A75 Dumfries Bypass

  A77 Balsalloch-Balcreuchan

  A835 Garve Railway Bridge

  A7 Dornie Bridge1

  A9 Dunblane Bypass

  A9 Dornoch Firth Bridge

  A94 Parkford-Balnabreich1

  A94 Upper Northwater Bridge—Oatyhill

  A96 Inverurie Bypass1

  552
  1Contracts let: works start expected later this month or in April.

  Schemes with estimated cost over f1 million expected to start by 31 March 1990

  A68 Newton St. Boswells Bypass

  A7 Dalkeith Bypass

  A701 Ae Bridge

  A76 Carronbridge Bypass

  A76 Cumnock and Auchinleck Bypass

  A77 Bennane Hill

  M80 Steps Bypass

  A82 Luss Bypass

  A94 Stracathro Junction

  In addition the following schemes may become ready in terms of design and of completion of statutory procedures during the year 1989–90 and, if so, will be available for start in case of slippage on other major schemes:

  A75 Carrutherstown-Hetland

  A91 Auchtermuchty Bypass

  A92 Rosyth Bypass

  Tourism
  Dr. Owen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total of Government support for the tourist industry in 1988 prices for each year from 1960 to 1988 for Scotland; and what is the projected amount for the next five years.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 10 February 1989]: Support for tourism in Scotland is mainly provided by the Scottish tourist board (STB) and the Highlands and Islands development board (HIDB); some of the Scottish Development Agency's (SDA) programmes are also of benefit to the tourism industry. Information on the STB's expenditure since 1969 and the HIDB's since 1981 (figures for earlier years not being readily available) is set out in the table. The publication "Public Expenditure to year 1991–1992: A Commentary on the Scottish Programme", which gives information on tourism provision in future years, is due to be published shortly; copies will be placed in the Library.

  Financial Year

  Outturn at 1988–89 prices (£ million)

  1969–70

  0·5

  1970–71

  3·7

  1971–72

  9·6

  1972–73

  10·0

  1973–74

  13·2

  1974–75

  8·0

  1975–76

  6·8

  1976–77

  6·4

  1977–78

  6·8

  1978–79

  7·5

  1979–80

  7·9

  1980–81

  8·2

  1981–82

  16·0

  1982–83

  17·2

  1983–84

  21·4

  1984–85

  22·4

  1985–86

  20·3

  1986–87

  19·9

  1987–88

  18·3

  11988–89

  120·1

  1 Estimated.

  New Towns
  Mr. Allan Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the policy of the Scottish new town
  553
  development corporations towards companies established under the enterprise allowance scheme who might be in competition with existing firms.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 10 February 1989]: Scottish new town development corporations, where appropriate working in close liaison with their local enterprise trusts, seek to provide premises, advice and aid in securing financial assistance for which enterprises are eligible. That package of support is made available regardless of the existing competition between traders located within the designated area of the new town.

  Mr. Allan Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many companies have been prevented from operating in East Kilbride since January 1987 because of the policy of the development corporation to prevent the establishment of enterprises competing with existing firms in the new town area.

  Mr. Ian Lang
  [holding answer 10 February 1989]: The East Kilbride development corporation has no such policy. I am aware of my hon. Friend's interest in a recent case about which I have written to him separately.

  Exports
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total value of exports from (a) the manufacturing, (b) agricultural and (c) mining sectors for each year since 1975 and in 1988 moneys.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 20 February 1989]: The information is not available in the precise form requested. The Scottish Council (Development and Industry) has been conducting a survey of Scottish manufacturing exports for a number of years. Earlier surveys were conducted on a triennial basis and coverage was low. These points should be borne in mind when interpreting the survey results in the table, which gives the best available estimates on a 1980 price basis.

  Value of Scottish manufacturing exports: 1980 prices

  £ billion

  Year

  Value

  1975

  3·4

  1976

  3·7

  1977

  3·9

  1978

  4·1

  1979

  3·9

  1980

  3·7

  1981

  3·6

  1982

  3·3

  1983

  3·4

  1984

  3·7

  1985

  4·0

  1986

  3·5

  1987

  4·0

  There is no information available on Scottish agricultural exports.

  Information on the value of Scottish coal exports is not readily available but the table shows the volume of Scottish coal exports. There were no coal exports from Scotland between 1975–76 and 1980–81.

  Volume of Scottish coal exports

  Financial year

  Thousand tonnes

  1980–81

  32,000

  1981–82

  570,000

  1982–83

  340,000

  554

  Financial year

  Thousand tonnes

  1983–84

  273,000

  1984–85

  29,000

  1985–86

  217,000

  1986–87

  112,000

  1987–88

  101,000

  11988–89

  111,000

  1 Provisional.

  Resources Management (Hospitals)
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish his evaluation of the resource management initiative in the Inverclyde royal hospital and other hospitals involved in the exercise.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 23 February 1989]: No formal evaluation has been undertaken of the two resource management projects at Inverclyde royal hospital and Bangour general hospital. The experience there, and in English hospitals, will however be of benefit as the Scottish Health Service introduces more clinically-oriented resource management in the next few years.

  Schools (Assisted Places)
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the cost to his Department of the assisted places scheme in Scottish schools in each of the last five years; and if he will give the estimated cost for 1989–90.

  Mr. Rifkind
  [holding answer 1 March 1989]: The information is set out in the table. The assisted places scheme was introduced by the Government from 1981–82 to give parents in lower income families the opportunity to exercise choice in the education of their children.

  School year

  Total expenditure £'000s

  1984–85

  3,229

  1985–86

  4,217

  1986–

  4,861

  11987–88

  5,303

  11988–89

  5,900

  21989–90

  6,800

  1 Provisional figures.

  2 Estimated expenditure.

  Community Service and Probation Schemes
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to encourage the further use of community and probationary schemes; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 20 March 1989]: It is our intention to develop and expand community-based disposals for offenders and to that end the Government will, with effect from 1 April this year, refund to local authorities 100 per cent, of the eligible costs of providing community service schemes. We are providing additional resources which are expected to eliminate rationing of places and temporary closure of schemes and to provide 600 extra places in each of the next three years.

  A review of the use and possible development of probation in Scotland has already been announced and is proceeding.

  Training
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish figures from all available sources as to the number of 16 to 18-year-olds without a YTS place and known to the local careers offices to be without work in Strathclyde region's educational divisions of(a) Argyll and Bute, (b) Ayr, (c) Dumbarton, (d) Glasgow and (e) Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire and Scotland as a whole; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 20 March 1989]: The only information available on the number of young people seeking a job or a YTS place is that held by the local careers services. I understand that the numbers of young people registered at careers offices in the educational divisions of Strathclyde and in Scotland as a whole on 9 March were as follows:

  Number of young people registered

  Number

  Strathclyde

  Argyll and Bute

  81

  Ayr

  716

  Dumbarton

  358

  Glasgow

  1,964

  Lanarkshire

  744

  Renfrewshire

  522

  TOTAL

  4,385

  Scotland

  8,446

  It should be noted, however, that these figures are likely to include young people who have in fact found work or a YTS place since they registered and others who are seeking only work.

  By way of comparison, there were 10,022 unfilled YTS places in Scotland on 24 February.

  Regional Enterprise Grants
  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will give(a) the total number of applications received for innovation grants from 1 April 1988 to the most recent date for which figures are available, (b) the total number of applications approved, (c) the total amount of expenditure involved and (d) the total estimated expenditure planned for that period and the estimated expenditure for 1989–90, 1990–91 and 1991–92;

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 20 March 1989]: The information requested for the period 1 April 1988 to 28 February 1989 is as follows:
  556

  Regional enterprise grants

  Innovation grants

  Investment grants

  Number of applications received

  85

  317

  Number of applications approved

  32

  167

  Value of applications approved

  £726·1 thousand

  £1,004 thousand

  Total gross expenditure of regional enterprise grants for the period covered is £205,000 out of a provision for 1988–89 of £1·6 million. Planned provision for 1989–90 is published in the Supply Estimates. Planned net provision for regional selective assistance and related schemes (including regional enterprise grants), consistent with the figures published in "Public Expenditure to 1991–92, A Commentary on the Scotland Programme" for each of the years 1990–91 and 1991–92 is £80 million.

EMPLOYMENT

  Employment Training
  Mr. Loyden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the number entering employment training each month who had received(a) one training allowance, (b) three training allowances and (c) six training allowances, to be given on (i) a national and (ii) an area office basis for the latest available three months.

  Mr. Nicholls
  Each trainee on employment training can receive only one training allowance in any period.

  Mr. Loyden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the total funding figures for employment training for(a) September 1988, (b) December 1988 and (c) March 1989 on (i) a national and (ii) an area office basis.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The total funding figures for employment training are for internal management purposes only.

  Between September 1988 and March 1989 the cash limit for employment training nationally, excluding administra-tion costs, was £493·6 million. Figures for the same period for Training Agency area offices were given in my answer to the hon. Member for Oldham, West (Mr. Meacher) on 21 December at column 332.

  British Drug Houses
  Mr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what investigations were carried out by the Health and Safety Executive following the incident at the British Drug Houses' premises in June 1988; when the results of that investigation will be published; and whether he will place a copy of the results in the Library.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) carried out a full investigation following the incident at the British Drug Houses' premises in June 1988. I will send the hon. Gentleman a copy of the results of the investigation which were published and publicised by HSE at a press conference held on 17 October 1988.

  Mr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many times since 1979 the factory inspectorate has visited the British Drug Houses' premises in Poole, Dorset for the purpose of planned preventive inspections.
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  Mr. Nicholls
  Since 1979, the number of planned preventive inspections paid to British Drug Houses Ltd. premises in Poole, Dorset by Health and Safety Executive inspectors are as follows:

  Number of preventive inspections

  Address

  Number

  British Drug Houses Ltd., No. 1 Site, West Quay Road, Poole

  6

  British Drug Houses Ltd., Nos. 2 & 3 sites, West Quay Road, Poole

  9

  British Drug Houses Ltd., Broom Road, Poole

  4

  YTS
  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what reports have been published by the traininng standards advisory service, since its inception, into(a) quality of training on YTS and (b) health and safety standards on YTS; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Cope
  The information is in the Library. The training standards advisory service has issued 748 reports on the quality of training in individual YTS schemes to approved training organisations and Training Agency area and regional offices since the service began its formal programme of inspections in April 1987. The annual report of the training standards advisory service for 1987–88 summarised the main findings from inspections carried out by the service during its first year of operation. A copy has been placed in the Library.

  The training standards advisory service has not published any reports on health and safety standards in YTS schemes.

  Spongiform Encephalopathy
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what are the procedures for monitoring for spongiform encephalopathy workers in slaughterhouses, veterinarians and others who come into contact with untreated animal products in the course of their work.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The Health and Safety Executive is not operating separate procedures for monitoring spongiform encephalopathy and there have been no reported cases of this disease.

  Wages Councils
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will now give details of the responses to the 1988 consultation document on wages councils; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Cope
  Counting replies, there were 394 responses to the consultation document on wages councils. The positions of respondents were as follows:

  For abolition

  Against abolition

  Inconclusive

  Organisations

  Employer organisations with seats on Wages Councils

  23(a)

  20

  3

  Other employer organisations

  14(b)

  6

  2

  Worker organisation with seats on Wages Councils

  —

  9

  —

  Other worker organisations

  —

  26

  1

  Other organisations

  3

  130

  —

  558

  For abolition

  Against abolition

  Inconclusive

  Individuals (d)

  Individual employers on Wages Council industries

  36(c)

  12

  —

  Individual workers in Wages Council industries

  —

  7

  —

  Other individuals

  4

  98

  —

  The replies from employer organisations with seats on wages councils show a marked change of view since the 1985 consultations, when the majority wanted the system retained. In each of the six largest wages councils, which embrace 94 per cent. of workers covered by the system, a majority of the employer bodies represented want the councils abolished. Replies from both organisations and individuals raise a number of important points which my right hon. Friend intends to consider in detail before making a final decision on the councils' future later this year.

  (a) Includes two respondents who support abolition in the absence of other preferred changes.

  (b) Includes three respondents who support abolition in the absence of other preferred changes.

  (c) Includes seven respondents who support abolition in the absence of other preferred changes.

  (d) Replies with more than one signatory counted as single responses.

  Voluntary Unemployment (Disqualification)
  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will organise a survey, on a similar but wider basis than that conducted by his Department in November 1986, into voluntary unemployment disqualifications to give national, and regional or district, statistics following the increase of the maximum period of disqualifications to 26 weeks.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  [holding answer 16 March 1989]: I have been asked to reply.

  A survey is currently being carried out to monitor the effects of increasing to 26 weeks the maximum period of disqualification for unemployment benefit in cases of voluntary unemployment. It will cover the first three months of 1989 and will provide information on the numbers and lengths of disqualifications imposed both nationally and regionally. In addition an independent agency has been commissioned to explore the impact of the increased maximum period of disqualification on decisions about leaving or taking work as well as the effects on the circumstances of those who are disqualified. We expect the results, which will be published, to be available in the summer.

ENERGY

  Pluto Reactor
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is the reason for the UKAEA shutting down its Pluto reactor at the Atomic Energy Research Establishment at Harwell; and what is the present estimated cost of decommissioning the reactor.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The Pluto materials testing react or at Harwell will be closed at the end of March 1990 because the prospects of business beyond the end of the
  559
  forthcoming financial year are judged to be insufficient to maintain the operation of two materials testing reactors. The United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority has said that depending on customer requirements it expects that the other materials testing reactor—Dido—will continue in operation for several years more.

  The full programme of decommissioning Pluto is being evaluated by the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority. The planning and execution of the decommissioning programme will be carried out in consultation with the Health and Safety Executive.

  Calder Hall and Chapelcross
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will direct the chairman of British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. to publish in full the feasibility study currently being undertaken into the development of new nuclear generating plant at Calder hall and Chapelcross when it is completed; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The feasibility study is a commercial document and publication will be a matter for British Nuclear Fuels plc.

  Offshore Installations
  Mr. Doran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) if he will make a statement on the exercise of his statutory obligations in respect of drilling platforms which are(a) parked in United Kingdom waters but not operating or (b) under tow between operating sites;

  (2) at what stage in their operations his Department exercises its statutory responsibility in respect of offshore installations.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  My Department exercises its responsibilities in respect of offshore installations involved in the exploration and exploitation of mineral resources in United Kingdom-controlled waters at all stages from project design to installation abandonment.

  Mr. Doran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) if he will list the medical supplies which are required to be carried by offshore installations; and what steps his Department takes to ensure that operators comply with requirements;

  (2) if he will introduce legislation to define the duties of operators of offshore installations to employ medically qualified personnel; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  The Offshore Installations (Occupational Safety, Health and Welfare) Regulations 1976 require the provision of specified medical stores and medically trained persons on offshore installations. These regulations are kept under continuous review to ensure that they are properly up to-date. My inspectors enforce the requirements of these regulations during offshore inspections.

  Electricity Supply Industry
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is the required rate of return from new capital investment on the electricity supply industry.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave to the hon. Member for Sedgefield (Mr. Blair) on 17 March 1989 at column 389.

HEALTH

  Abortion
  Mr. Burt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement outlining the process for obtaining consent for a general anaesthetic in order for an abortion to be performed on a girl aged under 16 years, if that girl has asked that her parents are not informed.

  Mr. Freeman
  In the circumstances described, written consent may be obtained from the patient herself if, in the judgment of the doctor concerned, it is in her best medical interest and she has sufficient maturity and understanding to appreciate what is involved.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he has any plans to meet representatives of the Islamic Medical Association, the Caring Professions Concern, or the Catholic Doctors Guild to discuss the working of the conscience clause of the Abortion Act 1967.

  Mr. Freeman
  No requests for a meeting have been received.

  Mr. Evennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he last paid an official visit to(a) a National Health Service abortion centre and (b) a private abortion centre; and what was the purpose of that visit.

  Mr. Freeman
  My colleagues and I make frequent visits to NHS and private hospitals for various purposes. To date, three visits to NHS hospitals which carry out abortions took place this month.

  The most recent ministerial visit to a private hospital which is also approved under the Abortion Act 1967, took place in July 1988 and was by way of a general interest visit to see the hospital and the facilities offered.

  Mr. Ken Hargreaves
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the most common technique used in the performing of late abortions in private clinics; and what this technique involves.

  Mr. Freeman
  I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to my hon. Friends the Members for Erith and Crayford (Mr. Evennett) and for Batley and Spen (Mrs. Peacock) on 24 January at column 531.

  Mr. McAvoy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement outlining the specific action which has so far been taken to implement the recommendations of the 1973 Select Committee on abortion.

  Mr. Freeman
  I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the reports of the Lane committee on the working of the Abortion Act in 1974 and of the Select Committee on the Abortion (Amendment) Bill in 1975 and 1976. Most of their recommendations have been implemented by administrative means,. The operation of the 1967 Act continues to be monitored closely.

  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he has any plans to introduce new regulations or legislation to curb the growing level of advertising by abortion charities in newspapers.

  Mr. Freeman
  All advertisements placed by registered pregnancy advice bureaux are subject to the approval of the Secretary of State and further controls are not considered necessary at this time.

  Public Health (Report)
  Mr. David Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made in implementing the recommendations contained in the Chief Medical Officer's report on public health in England.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  The Government announced last July, that we accepted the principle of a greater commitment to the public health advanced by the Chief Medical Officer's report on "Public Health in England" and that we would be taking a number of steps to carry forward its recommendations.

  These include:
  issuing general advice to health authorities on the main recommendations affecting their responsibilities including the preparation of annual reports and reviews of staffing
  the establishment of a central health monitoring unit additional funding for an expansion of the epidemiological
  function of the communicable disease surveillance center
  initial work on updating the current law on infectious disease control.

  HM Inspector of Anatomy
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the duties of Her Majesty's inspector of anatomy.

  Mr. Mellor
  Under the Anatomy Act 1984, Her Majesty's inspector of anatomy inspects and authorizes licences for premises where anatomical examination is to be carried out. He licences teachers of anatomy, undertakes regular visits and site inspections to ensure that the conditions are being carried out.

  "Working for Patients"
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what provision he is making under the proposals in the White Paper "Working for Patients" for circumstances where a general practitioner overspends on his or her drug budget.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  FPCs will discuss with practices concerned any significant divergence from planned spending. Where there is a reasonable explanation for the variation the FPC will be expected to accept and accommodate it within its overall budget. If no satisfactory explanation for apparent overspending can be found the FPC will discuss with the practice what remedial action is necessary. Under no circumstances will any practice ever be required to withhold necessary medicine from a patient.

  Mr. Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the implications of the proposals contained in the White Paper "Working for Patients" for the aims of his policy of care in the community; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  Our policy aims in the community care field remain unaltered—to promote the development of community services so that people can return to, or remain in the community and live independently wherever this is best for them. We are currently giving active consideration to the future organisation and management of community care following Sir Roy Griffiths' report and will ensure that our conclusions are consistent with our proposals in "Working for Patients".
  562
  Mr. Leigh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what further responses he has received to the recent White Paper on the future of the National Health Service, "Working for Patients."

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to my hon. Friends the Members for Harrow, East (Mr. Dykes) and for Hendon, South (Mr. Marshall) earlier today.

  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what provision is to be made for the proper recruitment and training of staff and the additional cost for establishing the information technology and accountancy needed to implement the proposals contained in the White Paper "Working for Patients".

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  It will be the responsibility of health authorities to decide what additional manpower they will need. There will be an even greater need for management training and development of staff. The Health Service Executive together with the NHSTA will be working closely with the service on these activities which still need to be improved further in the NHS quite apart from the implications of the White Paper.

  Mr. Andrew Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if it is intended that long-stay hospital care for elderly people will be included in the essential core services to be provided by National Health Service hospital trusts under proposals in the White Paper "Working for Patients".

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  "Core services" is not intended to be a description of essential services but of those services of any kind which must be provided locally. In other words, as was made clear in the White Paper, core services will include all those hospital and community-based services which need to be provided on a local basis on grounds of practicability. But where patients may wish to choose the location of their treatment, districts will—under the new arrangements—be able to buy services in a more flexible way. Some long-stay care for elderly people might fall into either category. It will be for each district to consider, in the light of local circumstances, what its core services should be. It will be the responsibility of every district health authority to ensure that its population has access to a comprehensive range of services.

  Mr. Grocott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many representations he has received from organisations representing Health Service workers or patients supporting the proposals in his White Paper "Working for Patients".

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  As yet, we have received only a few such representations.

  Mr. Gerald Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what provision he is making for doctors who choose to operate a practice budget, as proposed in the White Paper "Working for Patients" to treat patients where their budget is overspent.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  Budget-holding practices will be expected to stay within the agreed budget. But treatment must be available to patients and no circumstances will ever arise in which a practice is required to withhold necessary treatment or medicine from any patient.
  563
  Practices will be permitted to overspend in any one year by up to 5 per cent. of budget, on the basis that a corresponding reduction is made in the budget for the following year. Where overspend is due to genuine clinical needs or the changed circumstances of the practice, the practice would opt for a budgetary review. If a practice consistently overspends by more than 5 per cent. the sanction will be that it may lose the right to have a budget.

  Mr. Hind
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the implications for patient choice of the proposals in the White Paper, "Working for Patients".

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  A fundamental aim of the White Paper proposals is to make the Health Service more responsive to the needs of patients. We will stimulate better services to patients by encouraging suitable hospitals to apply for self-governing status, by delegating responsibility to local level and by allowing money for patients' treatment to cross administrative borders. General practitioners will be able to improve the service they offer their patients by applying for their own budgets. Patients will be able to choose their general practitioners on the basis of the services they offer. We intend to raise the performance of all hospitals and general practitioners to that of the best. The reformed Health Service will offer a better quality of service and better value for money.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations he has received regarding his White Paper "Working for Patients".

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Hendon, South (Mr. Marshall) earlier today.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations he has received from general practitioners on the documents "Promoting Better Health" and "Working for Patients".

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  I have recently received a considerable number of representations from individual GPs and their representative organisations on the documents "Promoting Better Health" and "Working for Patients". These have been in person, in writing and through the helpline set up to answer GPs' queries arising from the document "General Practice in the NHS—A New Contract" which set out in more detail our plans for the family doctor service.

  Mr. Franks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the implications of the proposals in his White Paper, "Working for Patients", for waiting lists.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  Our proposals in the White Paper "Working for Patients" are designed to ensure that all parts of the Health Service offer the best possible service to patients. The better value for money obtained under the new system will in itself ensure an increase in levels of patient care and reduce pressure on waiting lists. To reduce waiting times for non-urgent treatment, the Government are to introduce a scheme under which 100 extra consultants can be appointed over the next three years. We are also changing the funding system used by the Health Service to make sure that patients can receive treatment in hospitals where waiting lists are shortest if they wish.
  564
  Mr. Hayes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received from the British Medical Association on "Working for Patients"; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  I have yet to receive a formal response from the British Medical Association to the White Paper proposals.

  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he has given consideration to introducing the White Paper reforms initially on a pilot basis in areas of the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  We gave very thorough consideration to the proposals contained in the White Paper "Working for Patients" during the year in which we carried out a detailed review of the Health Service. I am quite satisfied that the NHS needs reform on the lines proposed to improve its management and to improve the service to patients. Postponing full implementation would lead to uncertainty and anxiety in the Health Service without producing the benefits for patients and staff that will flow from the early introduction of the planned reforms.

  Operations (Private Hospitals)
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many operations in the London area were contracted out to private hospitals and at what cost during 1988.

  Mr. Mellor
  The latest year for which information is available is 1986. In that year 1,005 patients received surgical treatment under contractual arrangements made between the Thames regions and the private sector. 1987 data will be available later this year.

  Total expenditure on all contractual arrangements made by the Thames regions in 1986–87 was £19·5 million, and in 1987–88 £22·1 million. Comparable information on expenditure is not recorded by specialty.

  Treatment Costs
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to reduce the variations in cost of treatment between different health districts.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  My Department publishes Health Service indicators annually. These include information on the average cost per acute inpatient case standardised for broad specialty mix. There may be good reasons (such as differences in case-mix not yet identifiable in the statistics) for variations in unit costs. But publication of these variations is intended to prompt action by district health authorities to eliminate unnecessary expenditure. The proposals in "Working for Patients" will provide greater incentives by encouraging both competition and greater regard to cost-effectiveness.

  Self-governing Hospitals
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how regional health authorities will be required to consult with the local community on proposals for hospitals seeking self-governing status.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  Regional health authorities will publicise fully-developed proposals in the relevant local or
  565
  regional media as well as consulting community health councils. They will provide details of the application on request to members of the local community and pass on any responses to me so that I can take them into account in making my decision on the application.

  Nurses (Pay)
  Mr. Janman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the change in nurses' pay in(a) 1975–76 and (b) the latest available year.

  Mr. Mellor
  Nurses received an average pay increase of 8 per cent. in 1975–76, compared with 17·9 per cent. last year. After allowing for inflation nurses pay fell by 4·3 per cent. in 1975–76 compared with an increase of 12·5 per cent. last year. Nurses will get a further average increase of 6·8 per cent. from 1 April.

  Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he has any plans to change the pharmaceutical price regulation scheme.

  Mr. Mellor
  I have no such plans at present.

  General Practitioners (Contracts)
  Mr. David Martin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the effect will be of the proposed general practitioners' contracts on(a) preventive medicine and (b) patient service.

  Mr. Andy Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what will be the effects of the proposed general practitioners' contracts on(a) patient service and (b) preventive medicine.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  The proposals in the report "General Practice in the National Health Service—A New Contract", which I have sent to all GPs, are intended to improve the quality of the family doctor service, and to place greater emphasis on health promotion and the prevention of ill-health. Specific changes which will improve services to patients include regular check-ups, particularly for children and people aged over 75, more health promotion clinics, more minor surgery in the GP's premises to save patients having to attend hospital and the extension of practice teams to include not only practice nurses, but also counsellors, chiropodists, physiotherapists and other health professionals.

  As to preventive care, GPs will be encouraged to optimise cover for childhood immunisation and screening for cervical cancer. This will be achieved through target payments to which GPs will be entitled on reaching certain targets.

  National Health Service (Contracting Out)
  Mr. Roger King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his estimate of the savings made in the last available year from the contracting out of services within the National Health Service.

  Mr. Freeman
  Up to 1987–88 information collected centrally on competitive tendering related only to domestic, catering and laundry services. In the financial year 1987–88, authorities reported new cost improvement 566
  savings for these services of £35·4 million. Since 1984–85, health authorities have achieved total savings worth over £100 million for the three services.

  For 1988–89, authorities planned cost improvement savings for competitive tendering of all services total £43·2 million. The outcome of these plans will be available later this year.

  National Health Service (Capital Projects)
  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he will make a statement on the value of new capital projects for the National Health Service in the West Hertfordshire constituency where approval has been given since May 1979.

  Mr. Freeman
  Since 1979 the Department has approved in principle three phases of development at Hemel Hempstead general hospital. The capital cost of each phase at approval in principle stage was for phase 1: £5·9 million; for phase 2: £3·9 million; and for phase 3: £12·4 million.

  Treatment and Prevention
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on his policy regarding the balance to be sought between treatment and prevention at all levels of the Health Service.

  Mr. Mellor
  We are as much concerned to prevent ill-health and promote good health as we are to ensure that treatment is available to all who fall ill. Not all illness is preventable. Where it is, however, we seek to ensure that the appropriate preventive services are provided (vaccina-tion and immunisation, for example) or that steps are taken to give people the best possible advice on how to look after their health. It is not possible, or indeed appropriate, to try to quantify the balance between preventive and curative activity. Nor is it always possible to differentiate between them. A doctor treating a patient, for example, might well take the opportunity to offer advice about changing to a healthier lifestyle and I would expect any patient recovering from a heart attack to be given advice about steps to try to prevent a recurrence. Nevertheless, it must always be better to try to prevent ill health in the first place than to have to cure, or care for it later. Prevention of ill health and promotion of good health are therefore major priorities for the Government and the Health Service.

  Hospital Waiting Lists
  Mr. Patrick Thompson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about recent changes in hospital waiting lists in the Norwich health authority area.

  Mr. Mellor
  At September 1988 the in-patient waiting list for the Norwich health authority area stood at 9,995, as against 9,041 at March 1988.

  Norwich is one of 22 districts with particular waiting problems which have been selected for special targeted help in 1989–90. Its waiting lists are to be investigated by a management team, and if the team identifies the need for an injection of funds the district will be able to apply for a special allocation from the £6 million reserved from the waiting list fund. Norwich has already received over

  567
  £500,000 from the fund in 1987–88 and 1988–89, and the East Anglian regional health authority plans to make further allocations to the district next year.

  Treatment (Waiting Times)
  Mr. Favell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will introduce as part of his National Health Service reform proposals targets for minimum waiting times for treatment.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  Regional health authorities have been asked, as part of the waiting list initiative, to agree with their districts targets for the reduction of waiting time. They are also developing with districts local statements of policy on out-patient and in-patient waiting times. These will eventually include specific targets, for example maximum wait, for specific medical conditions, including the most common waiting list conditions.

  The White Paper "Working for Patients" includes a number of proposals designed to reduce waiting time for treatment. We do not, however, propose to set targets from the centre. These are best developed locally, to reflect local needs, demands and resources.

  Cervical Cancer Screening
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether any improvements have been made to the time in which results of cervical cancer screening are issued.

  Mr. Mellor
  We have asked district health authorities to ensure that laboratories report the results of cervical smears to the smear-taker within one month. We are informed on a quarterly basis of districts not meeting this target. In December 1988, 43 districts reported backlogs exceeding one month's work, compared with 54 in September. Among these districts the average length of backlog in December was 6·93 weeks, as against seven weeks in September. We do not have information on processing times in districts which do meet the one-month target.

  Preventive Medicine
  Mr. Patnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement outlining his Department's latest initiatives in the field of preventive medicine.

  Mr. Mellor
  The Government recognise the essential role of preventive medicine in sustaining and improving people's health and have recently given priority to major initiatives such as the introduction and promotion of the MMR vaccine, the implementation of screening programmes for breast and cervical cancer and important health education campaigns on AIDS, drug abuse and coronary heart disease. We intend to develop these areas of work further and have just announced major new initiatives to combat alcohol misuse and teenage smoking, which we hope to halve by 1993, and on prevention of cancer in conjunction with the European Year of Information on Cancer.

  Old Age Psychiatry
  Sir David Price
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what response he plans to make to the proposal of 568
  the Royal College of Physicians and the Royal College of Psychiatrists that old age psychiatry should be officially recognised as a specialty within psychiatry, and that every health district should include a specialised service for the psychiatry of old age.

  Mr. Freeman
  I am pleased to be able to report that the Department has accepted the Royal College of Psychiatrist's formal request for recognition of the psychiatry of old age as a specialty. An important benefit will be that more specific information relating to the new specialty can be collected and arrangements for this are well in hand. The development of specialised services in each district is a key priority in our policy to provide a comprehensive range of services for the elderly mentally ill.

  Health Inequalities
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on his policy towards reducing health inequalities in different geographical areas.

  Mr. Freeman
  The principles advanced in the report "Public Health in England" of a greater commitment to improving public health, have been accepted. Last December, guidance was issued to health authorities about their responsibilities to improve the health of their populations, including prevention, surveillance and control of communicable disease. The Government seek to maintain the general improvements in the health of the nation and resources available next year will be equivalent to a cash increase of £2 billion which is 5 per cent. in real terms.

  GPs (Rural Areas)
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals he has to protect the income of general practitioners in rural areas.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  My proposals for changes to the family doctors' remuneration system are set out in the report "General Practice in the National Health Service —A New Contract". These proposals include a rural areas supplement to the basic practice allowance designed to recognise the particular nature of practice in sparsely populated rural areas and to ensure that GPs practising in these areas are not unduly disadvantaged by the nature of the area in which they work.

  Mr. Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will assess the likely implications for general practitioners in rural areas of his proposed changes to general practitioners' contracts; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  The Government's proposals for linking family doctors' pay more closely to the range and quality of their services to patients are set out in the report "General Practice in the National Health Service—A New Contract", which I have sent to all GPs. The implications for rural practice are fully considered in that report. My proposals include a rural areas supplement to the basic practice allowance which is designed to recognise the particular nature of practice in sparsely populated rural areas and to ensure that GPs practising in such areas are not unduly disadvantaged by the nature of the area in which they work.

  Primary Health Care
  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has held with the health authorities concerning primary health care.

  Mr. Mellor
  Following publication of "Primary Health Care—An Agenda for Discussion" in April 1986, Health Ministers chaired 12 public consultation meetings in different parts of the country. Health Authorities were represented at a number of meetings. Full account was taken of the views expressed during the consultation process in the White Paper "Promoting Better Health" which was published in November 1987. Ministers also discussed their proposals with the chairmen of all 90 family practitioner committees in England at a series of meetings in April and May 1988. In addition officials have held regular meetings with individual family practitioner committees and with representatives of the Society of Family Practitioner Committees and the Society of Administrators, Family Practitioner Services.

  NHS Expenditure
  Mr. Page
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the change in spending on the National Health Service in 1976–77; and what was the change in the latest available year.

  Mr. Freeman
  In 1976–77 gross spending on the NHS in England rose by £638 million; an increase of about 1 per cent. in real terms. In 1989–90 gross spending is planned to increase by £1,685 million compared with estimated outturn in 1988–89. In addition health authorities will retain savings of nearly £300 million from a reduction in the employers' superannuation contributions. New cost improvements are expected to provide around a further £150 million. Taken together the additional resources available to the NHS in 1989–90 will be equivalent to a real terms increase of more than 5 per cent. over 1988–89.

  Nurses
  Mr. McLoughlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many nurses there were(a) in 1979 and (b) in the latest year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Mellor
  The number of nursing and midwifery staff (including agency staff) employed in the NHS in England at 30 September 1979 and 1987 were 358,400 and 404,000 whole-time equivalents respectively.

  AIDS
  Mr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place in the Library copies of the reports published as a result of the AIDS (Control) Act.

  Mr. Mellor
  No. Each regional and district health authority in England is required by the Act to publish reports annually. For information on action being taken in particular regions or districts, hon. Members may like to consult the authorities concerned.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much Government funding has been allocated to research on AIDS in 1986 and each year since; how much he expects to allocate in the next two years; and if he will make a statement.
  570
  Mr. Mellor
  The Government have allocated the Following sums For AIDS research since 1986:

  £ million

  1986–87

  2·46

  1987–88

  10·36

  1988–89

  13·98

  So far £14·5 million has been made available for AIDS research for 1989–90, but not all Government Departments and agencies involved in the AIDS research effort have finalised their contributions. Comparable estimates for 1990–91 are not yet available.

  Food and Health
  Mr. Bright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the Government's response to recent public concern on food and health.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  The Government have introduced a range of measures designed to reduce the risk of food contamination and, with industry, is continuing to consider what further action is necessary.

  Both primary and secondary legislation have been under review. I recently announced my intention to consult shortly on changes in the food hygiene regulations, and the Government are presently considering the results of consultation on a wide-ranging review of the Food Act.

  We have recently announced the establishment of a committee on food safety, under the chairmanship of Sir Mark Richmond, to advise Ministers on matters relating to the microbiological safety of food.

  We have also taken steps, where appropriate, to reassure the public.

  "Putting Patients First"
  Mr. McCrindle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to ensure that the proposals contained in the White Paper "Putting Patients First" are understood by members of the public.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  My ministerial colleagues and I are taking every opportunity to publicise the review and to ensure that the public fully understands its proposals. We plan to undertake a series of visits and speaking engagements, throughout the country. In addition, a leaflet setting out our main proposals is readily available in post offices, doctors' surgeries, pharmacies and similar outlets.

  Residential Care Establishments
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many National Health Service establishments have been closed on grounds of unsuitability for residential care for the elderly or handicapped; and what information he has on their subsequent disposal.

  Mr. Mellor
  We do not hold this information centrally.

  NHS Estate
  Mr. Ralph Howell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the latest estimate of the value of(a) total National Health Service estate and (b) the land and property owned by the National Health Service that is surplus to requirements.
  571
  Mr. Freeman
  The latest estimates of the value of the NHS estate, as at June 1987, have been placed in the Library. The document is a summary of the valuation of all property including that which is surplus. The realisable value of a specific site is obtained when a sale is in prospect.

  Aborted Babies (Organ Sales)
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he has any plans to introduce legislation to ban the sale of organs from living or dead aborted babies.

  Mr. Freeman
  We are still considering legislation to prohibit the sale of organs for transplantation. The Polkinghorme committee is currently reviewing the existing code of practice about the use of foetuses and foetal tissue for research in the light of recent developments to the field of human tissue transplantation and other relevant research.

  Capital Programmes
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the increase or decrease in spending on capital programmes between(a) 1975 and 1979 and (b) the last four available years.

  Mr. Freeman
  The cash expenditure by health authorities in England on capital programmes rose from £331·71 million in 1975–76 to £367·35 million in 1978–79, an increase of 10·7 per cent. over the period. The corresponding figures for 1984–85 to 1987–88 show a rise of 25·9 per cent. from £795·40 million (1984–85) to £1,001·44 million (1987–88).

  Hospital Trusts
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received from Calderdale health authority concerning the setting up of a hospital trust.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  None, so far.

  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will take steps to ensure that the flexibility proposed in pay negotiations for hospital trusts will be limited to supplementary payments in excess of agreed national salary levels within the health service; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  No. Hospital trusts will be free to follow national pay agreements or to adopt partly or wholly different arrangements.

  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what procedures he will provide to ensure that the standards of medical and clinical care are maintained in hospitals following the new flexibilities and opportunities provided by the creation of hospital trusts and the creation of practice budgets for some general practitioners' practices; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  The Government have proposed in its White Paper "Working for Patients" that a framework of quality control known as medical audit should be established in all hospitals and GP practices in the NHS. Medical audit means that doctors keep careful 572
  records of how patients are diagnosed and treated and how successful the treatment is. The results can then be considered by other doctors to see if satisfactory clinical standards are being maintained and to advise on possible improvements.

  The Government's proposals for medical audit as set out in working paper No. 6 are therefore designed precisely to ensure that the standards of medical and clinical care are maintained. They apply to all hospitals, both self-governing and health authority managed, and to all general practices including those managing practice budgets.

  Rural Maternity Units
  Mr. Latham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he will make a statement on the Government's policy regarding rural maternity units.

  Mr. Mellor
  The Government's principal objective in maternity and neonatal care is to improve the services, and in consequence ensure the safety of mothers and their babies. The second report of the maternity services advisory committee (MSAC), which we have commended to health authorities, although recognising that a woman should have a choice of where her baby is to be born, encourages delivery in a maternity unit where emergency facilities are readily available. It is for health authorities to determine the level and pattern of services, taking into account their detailed knowledge of the needs of local communities.

  Hospices
  Mr. Ian Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much money was allocated by his Department in 1988 to hospice projects.

  Mr. Freeman
  Most NHS funding for local hospice projects is from health authorities. However, in the current financial year, the Government have provided:(i) an additional £5·5 million for health authorities towards the extra cost of the nurses' pay award as it affects their contractual and other longstanding arrangements with independent and mainly charitable hospitals and hospices; about a quarter of this sum was for hospices;
  (ii) a grant of £400,000 to "Help the Hospices" for disbursement to individual hospice projects;
  (iii) grants of £170,000 to the London Lighthouse and of £256,000 to the Mildmay Mission Hospital, which provide in-patient hospice units for the care of people with AIDS.

  Hospital Doctors and Consultants (Discipline)
  Dame Jill Knight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he envisages any early change in the procedure to deal with alleged disciplinary misdemeanours by hospital doctors or consultants; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  NHS review working paper 7 "NHS Consultants: Appointments, Contracts and Distinction Awards" states the Government's intention to start negotiations with the profession on the basis of proposals contained in the report of the joint working party which examined hospital and community doctors' and dentists' disciplinary procedures. The report, which was completed last year, contains a number of useful recommendations including a new procedure for dealing with cases of professional misconduct and incompetence
  573
  which warrant disciplinary action short of dismissal and improvements both to existing disciplinary procedures and the system of appeals to me agailist dismissal. The working paper makes it clear that our aim is to introduce new arrangements by the end of the year at the latest.

  Medical Technicians and Physicists
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement about the recruitment and retention of medical technicians and medical physicists in the National Health Service.

  Mr. Mellor
  I refer my hon. Friend to my reply on 24 January to the hon. Member for Oxford, East (Mr. Smith) at column 866.

  Down's Syndrome
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the current incidence of Down's syndroile; and what it was(a) 10 years and (b) 20 years ago.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the incidence of Down's syndrome in newborn infants in(a) the latest year for which figures are available, (b) 10 years previously and (c) 20 years previously.

  Mr. Freeman
  The information is shown in the table.

  Figures are derived from a voluntary system of notification which collects information on cases reported at birth or up to seven days therafter. It is, therefore, likely to be an incomplete measure of the total number of babies affected.

  Number of babies born with Down's syndrome and rate per 10,000 total and live births in England and Wales for 1967, 1977 and 1987

  All births

  Live births

  Year

  Number

  Rate

  Number

  Rate

  1967

  613

  7·3

  594

  7·1

  1977

  425

  7·4

  413

  6·5

  1987

  450

  6·6

  443

  7·3

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will list those hospitals which provide specialist services for the therapeutic and remedial treatment of Down's syndrome;

  (2) what recent steps have been taken by his Department to ensure that therapeutic as well as remedial treatment is available for Down's syndrome.

  Mr. Freeman
  No information is available centrally about hospitals providing such specialist services and no action has been taken by the Department to make treatment available specifically for Down's syndrome. Health care and treatment for people with a mental handicap and associated physical conditions caused by Down's syndrome is provided by the mental handicap and generic services in hospitals and in the community, including primary care services. When specialist care or treatment is required for an acute or chronic condition referral is arranged in the usual way. The Department has been funding research on Down's syndrome, and other departmentally-funded research in the field of mental handicap is also relevant to people with Down's syndrome.

  Waiting Lists
  Mr. Stevens
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to reduce the variations in waiting lists between different health districts.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  The proposals in our White Pa per "Working for Patients" will help reduce the variations in waiting times between health authorities. 100 extra consultants will be appointed over the next three years, and these will be targeted at the districts and specialities where waiting times are the longest. We will also change the funding system used by the health service to enable patients to receive treatment in hospitals where the wait is shortest if they wish.

  We have made £86 million available over three years through our waiting list fund to enable hundreds of thousands of extra patients to be treated from the wailing lists. Next year some £6 million of the fund will be used to give special targeted help to districts with particular waiting problems.

  Northern Regional Health Authority
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he next expects to meet the chairman of the Northern regional health authority.

  Mr. Mellor
  On 17 May at the next of the regular meetings my right hon. and learned Friend holds with all regional chairmen.

  Medical Ethical Committees
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the work of medical ethical committees.

  Mr. Freeman
  Medical ethics are a matter for the professions concerned. Some medical bodies have established medical ethical committees to advise their members—these are outside the remit of the Department of Health.

  Within the National Health Service each health authority is required to have a research ethics committee to supervise the ethics of clinical research investigations. The work of these committees is explained in health circular HSC (IS) 153, which is available in the Library.

  Health Authorities (Membership)
  Mr. Matthew raylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many representations he has received opposing his proposals to remove local government representatives from health authority membership.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  A few. We have also received letters which positively support our proposals.

  Child Abuse
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on his Department's research effort on the sexual abuse of children.

  Mr. Mellor
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply of 27 January at columns 795–98. Within the Department's research programme child protection was made a priority theme in 1988–89. This reflects the need for research into

  575
  child abuse and child sexual abuse. The Department, in collaboration with other Government Departments, is putting together a full and effective programme of child protection research. Government-funded research on child abuse including child sexual abuse has been commissioned and is being planned by the Scottish Office, the Department of Health and Social Services (Northern Ireland), the Economic and Social Research Council and is under consideration by the Home Office.

  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he has received a copy of the Children's Society publication entitled "Working with Sexually Abused Children;" and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  Yes. I am sure that the resource pack from the Children's Society will prove to be a helpful tool for professionals working with children who have been or may have been sexually abused.

  Weil's Disease
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 10 February to the hon. Member for Stoke on Trent North,Official Report, column 851, why members of angling organisations are not issued with warning leaflets alerting them to be vigilant about Weil's disease.

  Mr. Freeman
  The leaflets referred to in my earlier reply are also available to anglers in areas where there is risk of Weil's disease.

  Alcohol and Drug Addicts
  Mr. Wheeler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will take steps to ensure the continuance of the services for alcohol and drug addicts provided by Accept.

  Mr. Freeman
  The funding of local services is a matter for the local statutory authorities concerned. However, I understand that funding to ensure the continuance of Accept's activities is being provided by the London regional health authorities who have such services within their regions.

  Secure Units
  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which regional health authorities provide secure units for people with mental illness or psychiatric disorder and with mental handicap; how many beds are now open in each unit; and how many further units or beds are firmly planned.

  Mr. Freeman
  I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to the hon. Member for Leyton (Mr. Cohen) on 16 March at columns 327–30. The only regional secure unit specifically for mentally handicapped people is the Sycamores unit at Borocourt hospital, Reading.

  Pharmaceutical Imports
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he has any plans to require the inspection of pharmaceutical wholesaling establishments supplying the National Health Service with parallel imports, in those countries which are not a party to the pharmaceutical inspection convention.
  576
  Mr. Mellor
  No. Arrangements for inspection of pharmaceutical wholesalers in other member states are a matter for the competent authorities in such states.

  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to seek concerted action by the United Kingdom's European Community partners in relation to recent problems associated with an unlicensed counterfeit medicine imported into the United Kingdom from Greece.

  Mr. Mellor
  The representatives of the drug regulatory agencies in the European Community last week affirmed their commitment to inform each other without delay of any incident involving counterfeit materials. The United Kingdom has requested a meeting of Community experts to discuss aspects of the EC parallel importing scheme and this will include counterfeiting

  Toxoplasmosis
  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he proposes to set up a national screening service for pregnant women for congenital toxoplasmosis.

  Mr. Mellor
  As with other maternal infections the question of toxoplasmosis in pregnancy, including the possibility of screening, is kept under regular review. We are currently seeking the views of experts in this field in order to consider what action may be necessary.

  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give national figures by district health authority area of cases of congenital toxoplasmosis; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  Congenital toxoplasmosis is not a legally notifiable condition; data on incidence are not therefore available. However, data on deaths occurring where congenital toxoplasmosis' has been assigned as the underlying cause of death2 are available. During the years 1983–87 there were six such deaths registered in England and Wales.

  1 International Classification of Diseases, (ninth revision) 271.2 (part).

  2 Ages 28 days and over from 1986 onwards.

  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give figures, by district health authority area, of recorded screenings for congenital toxoplasmosis; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  We do not collect this information centrally. A recent survey of toxoplasmosis in pregnancy in west Glamorgan found an overall incidence of maternal infection with toxoplasma of two in 1,000.

  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement concerning his Department's policy on health education in the prevention of toxoplasmosis with special regard to prevention of the infection of pregnant women.

  Mr. Mellor
  Hygiene measures can help to prevent infection with toxoplasmosis and are especially important for pregnant women. They include washing hands after working with raw meat and handling cat litter, and cooking all meat thoroughly. Pregnant women should also avoid contact with young kittens. The health education authority's leaflet "You and Your Pet" contains advice on toxoplasmosis and on general hygiene in relation to pets.
  577
  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on his Department's research into a vaccine for toxoplasmosis.

  Mr. Mellor
  The Department does not itself conduct research into vaccines or other medicines, but is always prepared to consider well-founded proposals. Research in the United States of America into a possible vaccine against toxoplasmosis indicates that its development is a long way off.

  Fluoridation
  Mr. Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health in which regional health authority areas there has been a reduction in the proportion of children suffering from dental caries over the past five years; and which of these areas officially has fluoridated drinking water.

  Mr. Freeman
  Surveys of dental caries levels in children were carried out in England in 1983 and in 1985–86. The results, given in the table1, showed that there was little change between 1983 and 1985–86. In none of the regions is drinking water wholly fluoridated.

  Recent studies have shown that fluoridation of water has continued to produce important benefits in those areas where schemes operate over and above the general decline in caries over the last 15 years.

  1 Downer MC "Time trends in dental decay in young children" Health Trends 1989; 21: 7–9.

  Table: Dental caries experience of 5-year-old children in England

  Survey region(s)

  1983 decayed and fill-ed primary teeth

  1985–86 decayed and fill-ed primary teeth

  Northern

  1·3

  1·6

  Yorkshire

  Mersey

  2·1

  2·1

  North Western

  West Midlands

  1·9

  1·6

  Trent

  1·5

  1·6

  East Anglia

  South Western

  1·2

  1·4

  Wessex

  Oxford

  North East Thames

  1·7

  1·1

  North West Thames

  South East Thames

  1·4

  1·1

  South West Thames

  England

  1·6

  1·5

  Operating Department Assistants
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many operating department assistants are trained each year; and how many operating department assistants leave the National Health Service each year.

  Mr. Mellor
  We do not hold this information centrally.

  Whitley Councils
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals he has for the replacement of the Whitley councils.

  Mr. Mellor
  None.

  General Practitioners (Contracts)
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish a table similar to those contained in the new contract for general practitioners document, for the income of a general practitioner with a list size of 1,000 using the average number of new referrals, night visits and the age of patients for a list size of 1,000.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  I refer the hon. Member to the first example in appendix F of "A. New Contract" which fits his specification. Copies of this document are available in the Vote Office and the Library.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he has made any assessment of the consequences which would result from a large number of general practitioners resigning from the National Health Service; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  Obviously, the consequences could be serious but I have no reason to believe that anything of the kind will happen.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish a table showing for each of the regions of England how many general practitioners are men and how many are women.

  Mr. Mellor
  The information requested is as follows:

  Unrestricted principals England as at 1 October 1987

  Total

  Male

  Female

  England

  24,922

  19,718

  5,204

  Northern

  1,584

  1,309

  275

  Yorkshire

  1,883

  1,534

  349

  Trent

  2,335

  1,892

  443

  East Anglia

  1,043

  876

  167

  North West Thames

  1,971

  1,395

  576

  North East Thames

  1,992

  1,522

  470

  South East Thames

  1,933

  1,518

  415

  South West Thames

  1,537

  1,146

  391

  Wessex

  1,534

  1,211

  323

  Oxford

  1,301

  1,020

  281

  South Western

  1,869

  1,541

  328

  West Midlands

  2,694

  2,183

  511

  Mersey

  1,259

  982

  277

  North Western

  1,987

  1,589

  398

  Voluntary Sector (Grants)
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when voluntary organisations will know the level of section 64 grants for the next financial year.

  Mr. Freeman
  We have received a large number of applications for new and renewal section 64 grants in 1989–90, the total of which far exceed the resources available. I am currently considering with my ministerial colleagues how resources are to be allocated and I expect to be able to notify organisations of their awards shortly.

  Medical Students
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if there are any projected increases in medical student numbers by universities and hospitals in the United Kingdom over the next 10 years.

  Mr. Mellor
  The report of the second advisory committee for medical manpower planning was published
  579
  in January 1989. In the light of its conclusions, based on projections for the supply and demand of doctors over the next 20 years, we do not consider immediate action is indicated to alter the current medical school intake in the United Kingdom. The report also recommended that the manpower situation should be kept under review and this we intend to do.

  Practice Nurses
  Sir David Price
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will make it his policy to provide the same opportunity for practice nurses to attend locally-based courses as are available for other branches of nursing;

  (2) what are the criteria for reimbursing practice nurses for training, and what is his policy on practice nurses receiving the same funding for training as other branches of nursing;

  (3) what guidance his Department has given to family practitioner committees regarding the apportioning of funding for courses and the restrictions on eligibility for family practice nurses to obtain training and grants for courses.

  Mr. Mellor
  Health authorities and family practitioner committees should collaborate locally in making arrangements for meeting the continuing education and training needs of nurses, midwives and health visitors. Under a central initiative in 1988–89, more than 500 places were provided in educational establishments, free of charge to practice nurses, based on the curriculum approved by the four United Kingdom national boards for nursing, midwifery and health visiting. We hope to repeat the arrangements in 1989–90. Depending on the outcome of discussions with the representatives of the medical profession on the changes set out in the White Paper "Promoting Better Health", we propose to permit family practitioner committees to take account of the cost of training practice nurses when allocating resources to GPs for staff and premises from 1 April 1990.

  Mentally Handicapped People
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Monklands, West of 9 February,Official Report, column 802, what plans he has to improve public awareness in respect of the integration of mentally handicapped people into local communities.

  Mr. Mellor
  We are discussing with the voluntary organisation CMH completion of the project that we have funded it to undertake to assess ways of improving public acceptance of people with a mental handicap moving into the community. We shall be considering other steps in the light of this project.

  Mentally Ill Patients
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what was the outcome of the recent meeting between his Department and the campaigning group, SANE, in relation to the possibility of setting up a study to monitor mentally ill patients discharged from hospital care.

  Mr. Freeman
  The proposals made by SANE are under active consideration and we expect to reach a decision shortly.

  London Ambulance Service
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the number of staff on duty attached to emergency vehicles for each shift for December 1988 and January 1989 of the London ambulance service.

  Mr. Freeman
  The figures are as follows:

  Early

  Late

  Night

  1 December 1988

  330

  290

  182

  2 December 1988

  324

  272

  170

  3 December 1988

  282

  260

  158

  4 December 1988

  250

  240

  158

  5 December 1988

  322

  284

  172

  6 December 1988

  338

  284

  178

  7 December 1988

  324

  278

  166

  8 December 1988

  318

  280

  164

  9 December 1988

  318

  282

  154

  10 December 1988

  290

  256

  150

  11 December 1988

  254

  224

  162

  12 December 1988

  328

  286

  164

  13 December 1988

  326

  280

  164

  14 December 1988

  320

  274

  172

  15 December 1988

  316

  286

  156

  16 December 1988

  326

  266

  156

  17 December 1988

  274

  246

  148

  18 December 1988

  244

  234

  158

  19 December 1988

  330

  272

  166

  20 December 1988

  328

  278

  174

  21 December 1988

  322

  282

  164

  22 December 1988

  318

  266

  174

  23 December 1988

  316

  262

  164

  24 December 1988

  280

  244

  152

  25 December 1988

  232

  186

  172

  26 December 1988

  306

  254

  168

  27 December 1988

  312

  272

  164

  28 December 1988

  316

  276

  156

  29 December 1988

  318

  276

  162

  30 December 1988

  314

  286

  156

  31 December 1988

  284

  248

  1140

  1 January 1989

  238

  256

  164

  2 January 1989

  324

  296

  168

  3 January 1989

  322

  296

  168

  4 January 1989

  322

  286

  170

  5 January 1989

  322

  294

  160

  6 January 1989

  324

  292

  166

  7 January 1989

  294

  286

  146

  8 January 1989

  262

  252

  160

  9 January 1989

  338

  284

  162

  10 January 1989

  336

  290

  166

  11 January 1989

  334

  292

  168

  12 January 1989

  332

  294

  170

  13 January 1989

  324

  282

  164

  14 January 1989

  288

  270

  154

  15 January 1989

  262

  242

  174

  16 January 1989

  328

  292

  174

  17 January 1989

  334

  294

  176

  18 January 1989

  334

  290

  172

  19 January 1989

  332

  296

  174

  20 January 1989

  334

  290

  172

  21 January 1989

  298

  278

  164

  22 January 1989

  256

  254

  164

  23 January 1989

  328

  304

  174

  24 January 1989

  334

  302

  170

  25 January 1989

  324

  296

  174

  26 January 1989

  330

  294

  172

  27 January 1989

  326

  288

  164

  28 January 1989

  302

  276

  156

  29 January 1989

  258

  256

  166

  30 January 1989

  320

  298

  170

  31 January 1989

  334

  296

  166

  1 Service augmented by 50 St. John Ambulance Staff manning their own vehicles in the vicinity of Trafalgar Square from 20.00 hrs until no longer required.

  Artificial Limbs
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will ask the disablement services authority to reconsider its directive which limits the supply of spare artificial limbs to certain categories of people; and if he will seek an assessment from the authority of how much money it hopes to save by this new ruling.

  Mr. Mellor
  These are matters for the Disablement Services Authority, to which the right hon. Member should address this question.

  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, before the disablement services authority was established(a) what was the policy regarding the provision of spare artificial limbs, (b) which people were entitled to them and (c) what proportion of those entitled had them provided.

  Mr. Mellor
  Spare artificial limbs were issued only where an artificial limb and appliance centre medical officer could see that there were clinical grounds for the issue.

  Benzodiazepine
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he has discussed the question of benzodiazepine addiction with his counterparts with other European Community member states.

  Mr. Freeman
  We have had no such discussions.

  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to see a reduction in the number estimated to be addicted to benzodiazepines.

  Mr. Freeman
  There are no precise figures to show the level of benzodiazepine dependence, although recent years have seen a reduction in the number of prescriptions dispensed for these drugs. A number of measures have been taken to tackle the problem of benzodiazepine dependence, including the issue of advice to doctors on the careful use of these drugs, the promotion of alternatives to their use, and the development of services to help those dependent on them.

  Dr. Owen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research is being undertaken into the best methods of coping with the side-effects and withdrawal symptoms caused by benzodiazepines.

  Mr. Freeman
  [holding answer 16 March 1989]: The main agency through which the Government support medical and related biological research is the Medical Research Council (MRC), which receives its grant-in-aid from the Department of Education and Science. I understand that the MRC is supporting a team at the Institute of Psychiatry, London, which is examining the effects of benzodiazepines on mental function, and exploring ways of helping patients to discontinue this medication.

  Drugs
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether any limits are placed on the inducements given to doctors by drug companies to persuade them to prescribe particular drugs for their patients.
  582
  Mr. Mellor
  The pharmaceutical price regulation scheme explicitly excludes gifts and hospitality other than that provided for medical symposia from the costs accepted in the price of NHS medicines.

  Dementia
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will publish his best estimates of the total number of people suffering from Alzheimer's disease;

  (2) if he will publish his best estimates of the total number of people suffering from dementia.

  Mr. Freeman
  The information available centrally relates only to admissions to National Health Service mental illness hospitals or units with a main diagnosis of dementia (International Classification of Diseases 290·0, 290·1, 290·2, 290·3, 290·4, 290·8, 290·9). Dementia in Alzheimer's disease is included under these diagnoses. In 1986, the most recent year for which information is available, there were 20,848 admissions with a diagnosis of dementia in its various forms. It is not known what proportion of these admissions are in fact dementia in Alzheimer's disease. The total figure above is not the number of patients suffering from dementia as a patient can be discharged and re-admitted more than once during a year. We do not hold information on the number of patients as opposed to admissions. Also not all sufferers are admitted to a NHS mental illness hospital or unit and so do not appear in official statistics.

  Ancillary Workers
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received on the National Health Service ancillary workers' pay claim.

  Mr. Mellor
  Since the last time this matter was raised during questions on 1 November 1988 we have received two letters from hon. Members and one from a member of the public.

  Psychiatric Patients
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients have been moved into the community from psychiatric institutions in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  The table shows the number of discharges to the community from NHS mental illness hospitals and units in England after a duration of stay of one year or more for the last five years for which information is currently available.

  Year

  Number of Discharges

  1982

  3,465

  1983

  3,563

  1984

  3,928

  1985

  3,441

  1986

  3,751

  Listeria
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if, pursuant to his answer 20 February,Official Report, column 528, he will provide reference to any information concerning listeria considered during his Department's expert group's appraisal.
  583
  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  [holding answer 27 February 1989]: As I said in my answer of 20 February 1989 at column 529 the group considered a wide range of information on the scientific basis of the cook-chill system from a variety of sources. To identify any particular material considered by the group would tend to give that aspect of the group's work undue prominence and would not properly reflect the broad information base available to the members of the group.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether a safe level of listeria monocytogenes in pre-cooked chilled food has been established.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  [holding answer 9 March 1989]: The 1988 World Health Organisation working group indicated that virtually nothing is known about the infectious dose of listeria monocythogenes, although it may be related to host susceptibility. This is why we have given advice to pregnant women and other vulnerable groups to avoid certain soft cheeses, and to reheat thoroughly cook-chilled meals and ready-to-eat poultry. We are also working with the food industry to consider optimal production methods which will reduce the levels of listeria in foods as far as is practicable.

  NHS (Agency Staff)
  Mr. Patchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will provide a breakdown of agency staff employed in the National Health Service; intemising(a) what jobs they do, (b) what the agencies are paid for their work and (c) what comparable payments are made to those same grades employed by the National Health Service.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 3 March 1989]: A breakdown of agency nursing and midwifery staff and medical and dental staff employed in the National Health Service is shown in the table.

  We do not collect figures for other agency staff or information on health authorities' expenditure specifically for agency staff centrally.
  584
  It is for authorities at local level to determine with agencies rates of pay. However, the Department has set the following guidelines for nursing and midwifery staff and medical and dental staff respectively:
  That authorities pay nurse agencies a maximum calculated on the mean of the appropriate NHS nursing staffs pay scale for the grade plus the agency commission and the employer's national insurance contribution.
  Payments to locum medical agencies are currently to be restricted to no more than was being charged at 31 March 1988. Future arrangements are under consideration.

  NHS staff in post in England Agency staff in nursing and midwifery and medical and dental at 30 September 1987 Whole time equivalents1

  Number

  Nursing

  5,900

  Midwifery

  300

  Nursing and midwifery

  6,100

  Medical and dental2

  600

  Nursing and midwifery2 Medical and dental2 (Total)

  6,700

  Source: Department of Health (SR7) annual censuses of medical and non-medical manpower.

  1 Figures independently rounded to nearest 100 whole-time equivalents.

  2 In previous years medical and dental agency locums were not separately identified.

  Directly employed locums are now included in medical and dental staff data.

  Electronic Tagging
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if it is his policy to allow electronic tagging of residents or patients in residential homes and nursing homes or hospitals.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 9 March 1989]: The management of a resident or patient is a matter for the local judgment of those professionally concerned with his or her care.

  MR. EARL BARTON: COMPLAINT AGAINST POLICE
  MR. EARL BARTON: COMPLAINT AGAINST POLICE
  BROADCASTING RESTRICTIONS: AMENDMENT NOTICES
  BROADCASTING RESTRICTIONS: AMENDMENT NOTICES
  SALMONELLA: FOOD SAFETY
  SALMONELLA: FOOD SAFETY
  AGRICULTURE: NEAR MARKET RESEARCH
  AGRICULTURE: NEAR MARKET RESEARCH
  WORKS OF ART: FAIR VALUATIONS
  WORKS OF ART: FAIR VALUATIONS
  BBC WORLD SERVICE: GRANTS-IN-AID
  BBC WORLD SERVICE: GRANTS-IN-AID
  ANTARCTIC MINERAL RESOURCES: LEGISLATION
  ANTARCTIC MINERAL RESOURCES: LEGISLATION
  BREWING INDUSTRY: MMC REPORT
  BREWING INDUSTRY: MMC REPORT
  PLANNING: ECCLESIASTICAL EXEMPTION RESTRICTION
  PLANNING: ECCLESIASTICAL EXEMPTION RESTRICTION
  CAPPER PASS FACTORY WASTES: REPORT
  CAPPER PASS FACTORY WASTES: REPORT
  NIREX: RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
  NIREX: RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
  OFGAS ANNUAL REPORT
  OFGAS ANNUAL REPORT