Written Answers of 4 May 1989

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Schools (Expenditure)
  Ms. Richardson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish a table showing the latest figure for expenditure per pupil on(a) books and (b) equipment and comparable figures for each year

  Expenditure per pupil1—England

  Primary

  Secondary

  Special

  Cash

  Real2 terms

  Index

  Cash

  Real2 terms

  Index

  Cash

  Real2 terms

  Index

  £

  £

  £

  £

  £

  £

  Books and equipment

  1978–79

  12·85

  26·25

  100

  24·40

  49·86

  100

  37·16

  75·93

  100

  1979–80

  14·33

  25·11

  96

  26·61

  46·60

  93

  41·78

  73·19

  96

  1980–81

  16·05

  23·71

  94

  29·26

  43·23

  93

  46·73

  69·04

  94

  1981–82

  18·16

  24·45

  103

  32·18

  43·32

  100

  51·09

  68·78

  100

  1982–83

  20·90

  26·28

  107

  36·53

  45·93

  106

  61·00

  76·69

  112

  1983–84

  22·79

  27·39

  104

  39·21

  47·12

  103

  68·24

  81·99

  107

  1984–85

  23·54

  26·96

  98

  42·53

  48·70

  103

  70·45

  80·67

  98

  1985–86

  24·91

  27·04

  100

  44·83

  48·67

  100

  88·84

  96·44

  120

  1986–87

  28·04

  29·45

  109

  57·15

  60·02

  123

  87·58

  91·98

  95

  1987–88

  30·67

  30·67

  104

  62·27

  62·27

  104

  98·73

  98·73

  107

  Books

  1978–79

  4·25

  8·68

  100

  7·16

  14·64

  100

  5·93

  12·12

  100

  1979–80

  4·69

  8·21

  95

  7·82

  13·69

  94

  6·73

  11·79

  97

  1980–81

  5·32

  7·86

  96

  8·08

  11·94

  87

  6·90

  10·20

  87

  1981–82

  5·91

  7·96

  101

  8·60

  11·58

  97

  7·09

  9·55

  94

  1982–83

  7·00

  8·80

  111

  9·89

  12·43

  107

  8·65

  10·87

  114

  1983–84

  7·14

  8·58

  98

  10·09

  12·12

  98

  8·68

  10·43

  96

  1984–85

  7·29

  8·34

  97

  10·15

  11·62

  96

  9·12

  10·44

  100

  1985–86

  7·49

  8·13

  97

  10·66

  11·58

  100

  11·46

  12·44

  119

  1986–87

  8·25

  8·66

  107

  13·13

  13·79

  119

  10·65

  11·18

  90

  1987–88

  8·99

  8·99

  104

  14·92

  14·92

  108

  12·21

  12·21

  109

  Equipment

  1978–79

  8·60

  17·57

  100

  17·24

  35·22

  100

  31·23

  63·81

  100

  1979–80

  9·65

  16·90

  96

  18·79

  32·91

  93

  35·05

  61·40

  96

  1980–81

  10·73

  15·85

  94

  21·17

  31·29

  95

  39·83

  58·85

  96

  1981–82

  12·25

  16·49

  104

  23·58

  31·74

  101

  44·00

  59·23

  101

  1982–83

  13·91

  17·48

  106

  26·65

  33·50

  106

  52·35

  65·82

  111

  1983–84

  15·65

  18·81

  108

  29·12

  34·99

  104

  59·56

  71·56

  109

  1984–85

  16·26

  18·61

  99

  32·38

  37·07

  106

  61·33

  70·22

  98

  1985–86

  17·42

  18·91

  102

  34·17

  37·09

  100

  77·38

  84·00

  120

  1986–87

  19·79

  20·78

  110

  44·02

  46·23

  125

  76·94

  80·80

  96

  1987–88

  21·68

  21·68

  104

  47·35

  47·35

  102

  86·52

  86·52

  107

  1 The figures are based on local education authority returns to Department of the Environment and pupil number returns to Department of Education and Science.

  2 The cash figures for earlier years have been repriced to 1987–88 prices using the gross domestic product (market prices) deflator.

  National Curriculum
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will publish a table showing(a) the printing and publishing costs and (b) the numbers of all the documents circulated to schools, local education authorities and the general public concerning the national curriculum.
  174
  since 1978–79 in (i) primary schools, (ii) secondary schools and (iii) special schools in cash and real terms using an index of 100 for 1978–79.

  Mr. Butcher
  While local authorities' expenditure returns to the Department of the Environment show separate figures for books and equipment, these need to be treated with caution because of differing local authority practices in allocating expenditure between the two items. The table therefore shows spending figures for books and equipment as well as for books and equipment separately.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The table lists DES documents concerning the national curriculum which have been published following the Education Reform Act 1988, with figures for printing costs and copies printed. The National Curriculum Council also publishes information and advice on the national curriculum.
  175

  DES Documents on the National Curriculum

  Date of publication

  Printing costs £

  Number printed

  School Curriculum and Assessment

  Draft Circular

  October 1988

  2,400

  1,600

  Final Circular 5/89

  February 1989

  18,000

  103,000

  Local Arrangements for the Consideration of Complaints

  Draft Circular

  September 1988

  600

  1,500

  Final Circular 1/89

  January 1989

  19,800

  82,500

  School Curriculum and Related Information

  Discussion paper on information requirements

  September 1988

  1,000

  1,300

  Draft Circular and regulations

  January 1989

  1,700

  1,600

  Section 19 of ERA 1988: temporary exceptions for individual pupils

  Draft Circular and Regulations

  April 1989

  28,000

  35,000

  Mathematics

  Proposals (on attainment targets and programmes of study)

  August 1988

  114,700

  100,000

  Draft Orders

  December 1988

  3,900

  2,000

  Statutory Orders and Associated Documents and Circular 6/89

  March 1989

  697,000

  318,000

  Science

  Proposals (on attainment targets and programmes of study)

  August 1988

  143,900

  120,000

  Draft Orders

  December 1988

  5,400

  2,300

  Statutory Orders and Associated Documents and Circular 6/89

  March 1989

  663,400

  318,000

  English (Primary)

  Proposals (on attainment targets and programmes of study)

  November 1988

  103,700

  170,000

  Draft Orders

  March 1989

  1,500

  1,500

  Design and Technology

  Interim Report of Working Group

  November 1988

  37,500

  15,000

  Modern Foreign Languages

  Draft Order and Circular

  March 1989

  1,200

  2,500

  Other Documents

  From Policy to Practice

  February 1989

  215,000

  600,000

  Ms. Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) whether he will make it his policy to distribute copies to school teachers of the order for English, key stage 1 in the national curriculum, when he lays the order before the House; if he will ensure that such a distribution is completed before the end of the current school term; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if he will make it his policy to ensure that all primary school teachers with responsibility for teaching English to children in key stage 1 of the national curriculum from September will have adequate access to the relevant programmes of study and attainment targets before the end of the current school term; if he will consider the practical difficulties facing primary school teachers in the case that such access before the end of the current school term is not achieved; what is the earliest date for the end of the current school term of which his Department is aware; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) what progress has been made towards making the statutory order for English, key stage 1 in the national curriculum since his reply to the hon. Member for Rugby and Kenilworth (Mr. Pawsey) of 17 March, Official Report, columns 357–58; whether he still expects to make the final order in May; what account he has taken in his plans of the approaching end of the current school term; and if he will make a statement;

  (4) what steps his Department is taking to ensure that all primary school teachers with responsibility for teaching English to children in key stage 1 of the national curriculum from September will have adequate access to the relevant programmes of study and attainment targets
  176
  before the end of the summer term; by what date he expects such teachers will have been provided with (a) adequate access to the relevant programmes of study and attainment targets and (b) such other relevant information as may be planned by his Department or the National Curriculum Council; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Following completion of consultations on the draft, my right hon. Friend aims to lay the final order for English in key stage 1 of the national curriculum before Parliament at the end of May. Immediately afterwards, he intends to send initial copies, with the accompanying statutory document and circular of guidance, direct to all maintained primary and secondary schools, nursery schools, special schools, local education authorities, teacher training institutions and other bodies. Bulk supplies will then be dispatched to local education authorities by mid-June for delivery to all primary and special school teachers. Further priced copies of the document will be available from Her Majesty's Stationery Office. This should enable schools and teachers concerned with English in key stage 1 to have details of the attainment targets and programmes of study well before the end of their summer terms. The National Curriculum Council plans to issue non-statutory guidance to schools during the summer.

  Higher Education
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what estimate he has made of the
  177
  numbers of additional students who may participate in higher education as a consequence of the proposals to increase tuition fees announced in his consultative paper.

  Mr. Jackson
  The impact of higher fees will be one of the factors to be taken into account in revising student number projections from time to time. It will be for individual institutions to decide how to respond to the incentives to compete for and recruit students which our proposals offer.

  Encephalopathies
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the research being sponsored by his Department into transmissible encephalopathies.

  Mr. Jackson
  This Department is funding research on transmissible encephalopathies in animals, namely, on scrapie in sheep and bovine spongiform encephalopathy in cattle, at the AFRC Institute for Animal Health.

  Superannuation (Employers' Contributions)
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science to what extent and amount he expects local education authorities to offset the additional cost of the recommended pay increase for school teachers by means of the reduction in employers' contributions for superannuation; to what extent and amount this reduction in employers' contributions for superannuation relates to the employment of school teachers, as against other categories of employees; to what extent and amount this reduction in employers' contributions has been taken into account elsewhere in assumptions for block grant calculations; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Butcher
  The effect of the 1·4 per cent. reduction in the cost of employers' contributions to the teachers' superannuation scheme flowing from the report of the Government Actuary will be to reduce the salary bill of local authorities in England by about £100 million, of which the savings in respect of further education lecturers and other teachers not employed to work in schools will be about £15 million. The rate support grant settlement which preceded the Actuary's report assumed savings of about I per cent.

  Capital Projects (Kent)
  Ms. Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received about support for voluntary aided capital projects in Kent.

  Mr. Butcher
  Since the announcement of the capital allocations for education on 21 December 1988 my right hon. Friend has received two representations about voluntary-aided capital projects in Kent. These specifically concerned the Judd school in Tonbridge.

  Roman Catholic Schools
  Ms. Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the capital loan approvals given for Roman Catholic aided schools in each of the last four years.

  Mr. Butcher
  Capital loans under section 105 of the Education Act 1944 have been made in respect of the following Roman Catholic voluntary aided schools:

  Financial Year

  £

  1985–86

  25 May 1985

  St. Mary Magdalene, Buckinghamshire

  45,226

  10 June 1985

  St. Peter's and St. Paul's, Redbridge

  30,245

  2 October 1985

  Corpus Christi High, Waltham Forest

  25,000

  25 October 1985

  St. Paul's High, Manchester

  25,000

  23 January 1986

  Corpus Christi High, Waltham Forest

  104,806

  1986–87

  11 July 1986

  St. Paul's High, Manchester

  85,094

  11 July 1986

  De Lisle, Leicestershire

  89,758

  13 March 1987

  St. Mary's, Leicestershire

  42,775

  1987–88

  Nil

  1988–89

  22 September 1988

  St. Paul's, Buckinghamshire

  25,000

  14 December 1988

  St. Paul's, Buckinghamshire

  211,688

  14 February 1989

  St. Joseph's, Derbyshire

  25,000

  20 February 1989

  St. Joseph's, Derbyshire

  83,383

  Teachers
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list for each local education authority the total number of teachers employed, the number who hold instructor status, the number who are graduates with no formal teaching qualification, graduates with a post graduate certificate in education, graduates with a bachelor of education degree and non-graduates with a teacher training qualification; what percentage each category represents of all the teachers in each authority; and what were these figures and percentages for the same categories in 1974;

  Mr. Butcher
  [holding answer 10 April 1989]: Information is not available in the full detail requested and is not all compiled on the same basis. Data on instructors and student teachers include both full and part-time staff, while those on the graduate status and teacher training of qualified teachers include only those in full-time service, and also relate to different time points.

  Table 1 shows the total full-time equivalent of full and part-time teachers and instructors employed by each local education authority in England and Wales in maintained nursery, primary and secondary schools in January 1988, and the number and percentage of these that were instructors or student teachers.

  Table 2 shows the breakdown of full-time qualified teachers in these schools by graduate status and teacher training, for each authority and at March 1986 (the latest date for which these figures are available).

  Tables 3 and 4 contain figures on the same basis for 1974. National totals only are available.
  179

  Table 1: Instructors and student teachers in maintained nursery, primary and secondary schools—January 1988

  Instructors and student teachers

  All teachers and instructors

  Instructors and student teachers as a percentage of all teachers and instructors

  (full-time equivalents)

  Barking

  46·5

  1,388·1

  3·3

  Barnet

  19·3

  2,545·3

  0·8

  Bexley

  12·9

  1,783·1

  0·7

  Brent

  28·3

  2,522·9

  1·1

  Bromley

  5·4

  1,979·2

  0·3

  Croydon

  23·6

  2,540·6

  0·9

  Ealing

  16·1

  2,345·6

  0·7

  Enfield

  21·8

  2,255·3

  1·0

  Haringey

  2·0

  1,827·3

  0·1

  Harrow

  192

  1,470·9

  1·3

  Havering

  43·3

  2,157·4

  2·0

  Hillingdon

  8·0

  1,808·1

  0·4

  Hounslow

  19·2

  1,862·7

  1·0

  Kingston

  2·5

  1,062·6

  0·2

  Merton

  3·0

  1,268·1

  0·2

  Newham

  41·7

  2,280·6

  1·8

  Redbridge

  21·3

  1,664·4

  1·3

  Richmond

  7·1

  958·4

  0·7

  Sutton

  6·1

  1,250·3

  0·5

  Waltham Forest

  44·3

  2,184·0

  2·0

  ILEA

  370·4

  20,020·0

  1·9

  Birmingham

  6·0

  9,574·6

  0·1

  Coventry

  50·7

  2,895·0

  1·8

  Dudley

  12·6

  2,713·2

  0·5

  Sandwell

  9·3

  2,841·6

  0·3

  Solihull

  13·9

  1,858·7

  0·7

  Walsall

  3·3

  2,830·9

  0·1

  Wolverhampton

  3·5

  2,597·5

  0·1

  Knowsley

  2·9

  1,669·6

  0·2

  Liverpool

  10·4

  4,701·4

  0·2

  St· Helens

  5·3

  1,818·5

  0·3

  Sefton

  7·7

  2,418·8

  0·3

  Wirral

  0·6

  2,949·6

  0·0

  Bolton

  16·4

  2,566·8

  0·6

  Bury

  5·1

  1,508·5

  0·3

  Manchester

  31·8

  4,444·5

  0·7

  Oldham

  6·0

  2,218·0

  0·3

  Rochdale

  5·0

  2,206·8

  0·2

  Salford

  0·6

  2,107·7

  0·0

  Stockport

  6·9

  2,528·5

  0·3

  Tameside

  0·0

  1,878·1

  0·0

  Trafford

  4·7

  1,706·1

  0·3

  Wigan

  13·2

  3,283·6

  0·4

  Barnsley

  1·3

  2,012·2

  0·1

  Doncaster

  17·1

  2,798·8

  0·6

  Rotherham

  18·5

  2,488·1

  0·7

  Sheffield

  15·5

  4,523·6

  0·3

  Bradford

  24·3

  4,945·6

  0·5

  Calderdale

  10·0

  1,837·0

  0·5

  Kirklees

  36·8

  3,725·2

  1·0

  Leeds

  30·1

  6,547·4

  0·5

  Wakefield

  9·8

  2,865·1

  0·3

  Gateshead

  14·1

  1,842·0

  0·8

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  2·8

  2,513·4

  0·1

  North Tyneside

  12·0

  2,082·0

  0·6

  South Tyneside

  8·0

  1,437·0

  0·6

  Sunderland

  9·5

  2,832·3

  0·3

  Avon

  6·2

  7,120·5

  0·1

  Bedfordshire

  36·5

  4,772·3

  0·8

  Berkshire

  26–6

  5,890·4

  0·5

  Buckinghamshire

  17·0

  4,948·7

  0·3

  Cambridgeshire

  15·3

  5,109·8

  0·3

  Cheshire

  69·8

  8,361·9

  0·8

  Cleveland

  19·6

  5,480·1

  0·4

  Cornwall

  20·1

  3,771·3

  0·5

  Cumbria

  8·4

  4,406·7

  0·2

  Derbyshire

  15·9

  8,352·6

  0·2

  Devon

  17·5

  7,109·2

  0·2

  Dorset

  8·0

  4,480·0

  0·2

  Durham

  41·5

  5,019·0

  0·8

  East Sussex

  14·2

  4,444·6

  0·3

  Essex

  159·0

  11,968·9

  1·3

  Gloucestershire

  5·8

  4,192·5

  0·1

  180 181

  Instructors and student teachers

  All teachers and instructors

  Instructors and student teachers as a percentage of all teachers and instructors

  (full-time equivalents)

  Hampshire

  86·5

  11,674·4

  0·7

  Hereford and Worcester

  11·7

  5,272·7

  0·2

  Hertfordshire

  65·6

  8,828·4

  0·7

  Humberside

  23·0

  7,895·0

  0·3

  Isle of Wight

  0·9

  973·0

  0·1

  Kent

  42·4

  11,784·1

  0·4

  Lancashire

  18·1

  11,828·0

  0·2

  Leicestershire

  26·0

  7,658·3

  0·3

  Lincolnshire

  18·6

  4,555·5

  0·4

  Norfolk

  56·1

  5,526·6

  1·0

  North Yorkshire

  27·0

  5,547·5

  0·5

  Northamptonshire

  48·0

  5,235·9

  0·9

  Northumberland

  4·3

  2,684·3

  0·2

  Nottinghamshire

  12·7

  8,702·1

  0·1

  Oxfordshire

  15·1

  4,102·8

  0·4

  Shropshire

  16·6

  3,594·8

  0·5

  Somerset

  5·1

  3,378·7

  0·2

  Staffordshire

  41·8

  8,745·8

  0·5

  Suffolk

  23·9

  4,928·7

  0·5

  Surrey

  14·9

  6,946·2

  0·2

  Warwickshire

  16·8

  4,084·8

  0·4

  West Sussex

  16·4

  4,817·1

  0·3

  Wiltshire

  9·8

  4,370·8

  0·2

  England

  2,270·4

  401,506·6

  0·6

  Clwyd

  12·6

  3,547·6

  0·4

  Dyfed

  10·4

  3,248·2

  0·3

  Gwent

  4·2

  4,038·2

  0·1

  Gwynedd

  1·0

  2,295·0

  0·0

  Mid-Glamorgan

  6·8

  5,449·0

  0·1

  Powys

  13·0

  1,203·2

  1·1

  South Glamorgan

  8·2

  3,454·6

  0·2

  West Glamorgan

  5·0

  3,440·2

  0·1

  Wales

  61·2

  26,676·0

  0·2

  England and Wales

  2,331·6

  428,182·6

  0·5

  Table 2

  Full-time qualified teachers in maintained nursery, primary and secondary schools by graduate status and teacher training—March 1986

  Numbers

  Percentages Trained1

  Trained1

  Untrained1

  Trained1

  Untrained1

  Graduates

  Non-graduates

  Graduates

  Non-graduates

  Graduates

  Non-graduates

  Graduates

  Non-graduates

  Total

  Barking

  638

  587

  68

  27

  1,320

  48·3

  44·5

  5·2

  2·0

  Barnet

  1,123

  858

  192

  88

  2,261

  49·7

  37·9

  8·5

  3·9

  Bexley

  738

  795

  82

  47

  1,662

  44·4

  47·8

  4·9

  2·8

  Brent

  1,083

  1,058

  241

  99

  2,481

  43·7

  42·6

  9·7

  4·0

  Bromley

  911

  883

  117

  47

  1,958

  46·5

  45·1

  6·0

  2·4

  Croydon

  931

  1,164

  130

  58

  2,283

  40·8

  51·0

  5·7

  2·5

  Ealing

  967

  909

  173

  59

  2,108

  45·9

  43·1

  8·2

  2·8

  Enfield

  994

  814

  122

  44

  1,974

  50·4

  41·2

  6·2

  2·2

  Haringey

  809

  747

  149

  51

  1,756

  46·1

  42·5

  8·5

  2·9

  Harrow

  676

  616

  102

  35

  1,429

  47·3

  43·1

  7·1

  2·4

  Havering

  924

  905

  131

  43

  2,003

  46·1

  45·2

  6·5

  2·1

  Hillingdon

  790

  725

  74

  26

  1,615

  48·9

  44·9

  4·6

  1·6

  Hounslow

  865

  732

  74

  44

  1,715

  50·4

  42·7

  4·3

  2·6

  Kingston

  474

  400

  47

  13

  934

  50·7

  42·8

  5·0

  1·4

  Merton

  570

  490

  63

  29

  1,152

  49·5

  42·5

  5·5

  2·5

  Newham

  991

  778

  121

  49

  1,939

  51·1

  40·1

  6·2

  2·5

  Redbridge

  747

  670

  102

  43

  1,562

  47·8

  42·9

  6·5

  2·8

  Richmond

  450

  349

  27

  15

  841

  53·5

  41·5

  3·2

  1·8

  Sutton

  520

  457

  68

  23

  1,068

  48·7

  42·8

  6·4

  2·2

  Waltham Forest

  850

  854

  121

  30

  1,855

  45·8

  46·0

  6·5

  1·6

  ILEA

  8,544

  7,809

  1,569

  658

  18,580

  46·0

  42·0

  8·4

  3·5

  Birmingham

  3,615

  4,932

  488

  150

  9,185

  39·4

  53·7

  5·3

  1·6

  Coventry

  1,156

  1,378

  138

  52

  2,724

  42·4

  50·6

  5·1

  1·9

  Dudley

  999

  1,432

  103

  36

  2,570

  38·9

  55·7

  4·0

  1·4

  Sandwell

  1,097

  1,625

  114

  52

  2,888

  38·0

  56·3

  3·9

  1·8

  Solihull

  756

  923

  83

  20

  1,782

  42·4

  51·8

  4·7

  1·1

  182 183

  Numbers

  Percentages Trained1

  Trained1

  Untrained1

  Trained1

  Untrained1

  Graduates

  Non-graduates

  Graduates

  Non-graduates

  Graduates

  Non-graduates

  Graduates

  Non-graduates

  Total

  Walsall

  1,194

  1,364

  135

  36

  2,729

  43·8

  50·0

  4·9

  1·3

  Wolverhampton

  1,036

  1,393

  123

  40

  2,592

  40·0

  53·7

  4·7

  1·5

  Knowsley

  665

  960

  63

  27

  1,715

  38·8

  56·0

  3·7

  1·6

  Liverpool

  1,546

  2,723

  199

  93

  4,561

  33·9

  59·7

  4·4

  2·0

  St· Helens

  740

  962

  63

  25

  1,790

  41·3

  53·7

  3·5

  1·4

  Sefton

  918

  1,288

  112

  43

  2,361

  38·9

  54·6

  4·7

  1·8

  Wirral

  1,085

  1,423

  117

  43

  2,668

  40·7

  53·3

  4·4

  1·6

  Bolton

  917

  1,322

  106

  35

  2,380

  38·5

  55·5

  4·5

  1·5

  Bury

  622

  744

  77

  24

  1,467

  42·4

  50·7

  5·2

  1·6

  Manchester

  1,839

  2,090

  220

  114

  4,263

  43·1

  49·0

  5·2

  2·7

  Oldham

  848

  1,098

  69

  28

  2,043

  41·5

  53·7

  3·4

  1·4

  Rochdale

  881

  1,117

  67

  38

  2,103

  41·9

  53·1

  3·2

  1·8

  Salford

  966

  1,106

  89

  43

  2,204

  43·8

  50·2

  4·0

  2·0

  Stockport

  979

  1,232

  101

  31

  2,343

  41·8

  52·6

  4·3

  1·3

  Tameside

  736

  1,021

  60

  24

  1,841

  40·0

  55·5

  3·3

  1·3

  Trafford

  548

  882

  75

  27

  1,532

  35·8

  57·6

  4·9

  1·8

  Wigan

  1,212

  1,744

  136

  43

  3,135

  38·7

  55·6

  4·3

  1·4

  Barnsley

  699

  1,275

  61

  19

  2,054

  34·0

  62·1

  3·0

  0·9

  Doncaster

  913

  1,620

  65

  30

  2,628

  34·7

  61·6

  2·5

  1·1

  Rotherham

  970

  1,345

  70

  27

  2,412

  40·2

  55·8

  2·9

  1·1

  Sheffield

  1,904

  2,326

  142

  53

  4,425

  43·0

  52·6

  3·2

  1·2

  Bradford

  1,883

  2,435

  174

  31

  4,523

  41·6

  53·8

  3·8

  0·7

  Calderdale

  669

  1,016

  71

  31

  1,787

  37·4

  56·9

  4·0

  1·7

  Kirklees

  1,277

  1,946

  128

  45

  3,396

  37·6

  57·3

  3·8

  1·3

  Leeds

  2,630

  3,159

  207

  49

  6,045

  43·5

  52·3

  3·4

  0·8

  Wakefield

  910

  1,760

  84

  28

  2,782

  32·7

  63·3

  3·0

  1·0

  Gateshead

  562

  1,138

  44

  18

  1,762

  31·9

  64·6

  2·5

  1·0

  Newcastle

  970

  1,352

  72

  16

  2,410

  40·2

  56·1

  3·0

  0·7

  North Tyneside

  873

  998

  44

  11

  1,926

  45·3

  51·8

  2·3

  0·6

  South Tyneside

  523

  949

  25

  16

  1,513

  34·6

  62·7

  1·7

  1·1

  Sunderland

  1,000

  1,713

  62

  25

  2,800

  35·7

  61·2

  2·2

  0·9

  Avon

  3,064

  3,282

  215

  60

  6,621

  46·3

  49·6

  3·2

  0·9

  Bedfordshire

  1,524

  2,416

  226

  83

  4,249

  35·9

  56·9

  5·3

  2·0

  Berkshire

  2,579

  2,512

  275

  65

  5,431

  47·5

  46·3

  5·1

  1·2

  Buckinghamshire

  2,071

  2,380

  241

  74

  4,766

  43·5

  49·9

  5·1

  1·6

  Cambridgeshire

  2,124

  2,431

  204

  78

  4,837

  43·9

  50·3

  4·2

  1·6

  Cheshire

  3,223

  4,158

  311

  62

  7,754

  41·6

  53·6

  4·0

  0·8

  Cleveland

  1,616

  3,308

  244

  77

  5,245

  30·8

  63·1

  4·7

  1·5

  Cornwall

  1,313

  1,919

  127

  41

  3,400

  38·6

  56·4

  3·7

  1·2

  Cumbria

  1,538

  2,286

  159

  51

  4,034

  38·1

  56·7

  3·9

  1·3

  Derbyshire

  3,357

  3,779

  270

  97

  7,503

  44·7

  50·4

  3·6

  1·3

  Devon

  2,722

  3,441

  235

  69

  6,467

  42·1

  53·2

  3·6

  1·1

  Dorset

  1,744

  2,156

  151

  54

  4,105

  42·5

  52·5

  3·7

  1·3

  Durham

  1,521

  3,341

  130

  40

  5,032

  30·2

  66·4

  2·6

  0·8

  East Sussex

  2,004

  1,813

  168

  48

  4,033

  49·7

  45·0

  4·2

  1·2

  Essex

  4,466

  5,968

  637

  212

  11,283

  39·6

  52·9

  5·6

  1·9

  Gloucestershire

  1,611

  1,952

  154

  47

  3,764

  42·8

  51·9

  4·1

  1·2

  Hampshire

  4,310

  5,726

  418

  152

  10,606

  40·6

  54·0

  3·9

  1·4

  Hereford and Worcestershire

  2,169

  2,727

  174

  56

  5,126

  42·3

  53·2

  3·4

  1·1

  Hertfordshire

  3,316

  3,756

  443

  114

  7,629

  43·5

  49·2

  5·8

  1·5

  Humberside

  3,063

  4,211

  306

  96

  7,676

  39·9

  54·9

  4·0

  1·3

  Isle of Wight

  354

  430

  36

  15

  835

  42·4

  51·5

  4·3

  1·8

  Kent

  4,242

  5,973

  621

  272

  11,108

  38·2

  53·8

  5·6

  2·4

  Lancashire

  4,284

  6,008

  352

  133

  10,777

  39·8

  55·7

  3·3

  1·2

  Leicestershire

  3,480

  3,691

  269

  107

  7,547

  46·1

  48·9

  3·6

  1·4

  Lincolnshire

  1,504

  2,409

  180

  59

  4,152

  36·2

  58·0

  4·3

  1·4

  Norfolk

  2,072

  3,018

  196

  64

  5,350

  38·7

  56·4

  3·7

  1·2

  North Yorkshire

  2,137

  2,801

  212

  47

  5,197

  41·1

  53·9

  4·1

  0·9

  Northampton

  2,302

  2,583

  200

  62

  5,147

  44·7

  50·2

  3·9

  1·2

  Northumberland

  938

  1,577

  76

  23

  2,614

  35·9

  60·3

  2·9

  0·9

  Nottinghamshire

  3,906

  4,319

  266

  102

  8,593

  45·5

  50·3

  3·1

  1·2

  Oxfordshire

  1,778

  1,908

  171

  48

  3,905

  45·5

  48·9

  4·4

  1·2

  Shropshire

  1,298

  1,931

  120

  37

  3,386

  38·3

  57·0

  3·5

  1·1

  Somerset

  1,394

  1,639

  99

  26

  3,158

  44·1

  51·9

  3·1

  0·8

  Staffordshire

  3,281

  4,864

  290

  161

  8,596

  38·2

  56·6

  3·4

  1·9

  Suffolk

  2,062

  2,489

  164

  78

  4,793

  43·0

  51·9

  3·4

  1·6

  Surrey

  2,501

  3,313

  334

  122

  6,270

  39·9

  52·8

  5·3

  1·9

  Warwickshire

  1,491

  1,973

  157

  41

  3,662

  40·7

  53·9

  4·3

  1·1

  West Sussex

  2,146

  2,084

  191

  62

  4,483

  47·9

  46·5

  4·3

  1·4

  Wiltshire

  1,743

  2,081

  127

  29

  3,980

  43·8

  52·3

  3·2

  0·7

  England

  156,981

  197,044

  16,909

  6,015

  376,949

  41·6

  52·3

  4·5

  1·6

  184 185

  Numbers

  Percentages Trained1

  Trained1

  Untrained1

  Trained1

  Untrained1

  Graduates

  Non-graduates

  Graduates

  Non-graduates

  Graduates

  Non-graduates

  Graduates

  Non-graduates

  Total

  Clwyd

  1,511

  1,812

  112

  23

  3,458

  43·7

  52·4

  3·2

  0·7

  Dyfed

  1,209

  1,775

  121

  18

  3,123

  38·7

  56·8

  3·9

  0·6

  Gwent

  1,639

  2,214

  136

  50

  4,039

  40·6

  54·8

  3·4

  1·2

  Gwynedd

  941

  1,214

  74

  14

  2,243

  42·0

  54·1

  3·3

  0·6

  Mid Glamorgan

  1,964

  3,061

  225

  33

  5,283

  37·2

  57·9

  4·3

  0·6

  Powys

  455

  619

  48

  9

  1,131

  40·2

  54·7

  4·2

  0·8

  South Glamorgan

  1,466

  1,616

  149

  19

  3,250

  45·1

  49·7

  4·6

  0·6

  West Glamorgan

  1,348

  1,921

  103

  15

  3,387

  39·8

  56·7

  3·0

  0·4

  Wales

  10,533

  14,232

  968

  181

  25,914

  40·6

  54·9

  3·7

  0·7

  England and Wales

  167,514

  211,276

  17,877

  6,196

  402,863

  41·6

  52·4

  4·4

  1·5

  1 Trained teachers are those who have completed a course of initial teacher training in the United Kingdom. Untrained teachers may therefore include some trained outside the United Kingdom.

  Table 3: Instructors and student teachers in maintained nursery, primary and secondary schools—January 1974

  Instructors and student teachers1

  All teachers and instructors1

  Instructors and student teachers as a percentage of all teachers and instructors

  England

  3,572·8

  406,522·8

  0·9

  Wales

  101·0

  26,984·8

  0·4

  England and Wales

  3,673·8

  433,507·6

  0·8

  1 Full-time equivalents·

  Table 4: Full-time qualified teachers in maintained nursery, primary and secondary schools by graduate status and teacher training—March 1974

  Numbers

  Percentages Trained1

  Trained1

  Untrained1

  Trained1

  Untrained1

  Graduates

  Non-graduates

  Graduates

  Non-graduates

  Total

  Graduates

  Non-graduates

  Graduates

  Non-graduates

  England

  69,796

  275,722

  21,268

  13,022

  379,808

  18·4

  72·6

  5·6

  3·4

  Wales

  5,691

  18,566

  1,135

  517

  25,909

  22·0

  71·7

  4·4

  2·0

  England and Wales

  75,487

  294,288

  22,403

  13,539

  405,717

  18·6

  72·5

  5·5

  3·2

  1 Trained teachers are those who have completed a course of initial teacher training in the United Kingdom. Untrained teachers may therefore include some trained outside the United Kingdom.

TRANSPORT

  Nuclear Materials
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the Council of Transport Ministers has received any report from the German Transport Minister, since January 1988, on irregularities discovered in the transfrontier transport of nuclear materials between the Federal Republic and Belgium.

  Mr. Bottomley
  We are not aware of such a report.

  London Underground Ltd.
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Library documents or publications produced by London Underground Ltd. or its predecessors which set out the terms of employment and related matters now in dispute together with its proposals, or decisions in respect of future changes to them and a description of relevant negotiations; and if he will make a statement.
  186
  Mr. Portillo
  This is a management matter for London Underground Limited.

  Air Travel Organisers
  Mr. Prescott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many prosecutions were initiated by the Civil Aviation Authority in 1988 against unlicensed persons offering accommodation on charter flights from the United Kingdom in breach of the air travel organisers licensing system; how many were successful; and what was the average penalty or fine imposed for(a) first offence and (b) repeated offence.

  Mr. Channon
  This is a matter for the Civil Aviation Authority. I shall ask the chairman to write to the hon. Member.

  Mr. Prescott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has discussed the policing of the air travel organisers licensing system with the Civil Aviation Authority; and if he has any plans to ensure the tougher enforcement of the air travel organisers licensing regulations 1972.
  187
  Mr. Channon
  The operation of these regulations is a matter for the Civil Aviation Authority, which has, I understand, been increasing the resources devoted to enforcing them over the last two years.

  Automatic Ticket
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will introduce legislation to prevent the computing type functions that currently check tickets and control the gates of automatic ticket machines from being developed to monitor the movements of individuals through the use of personal details recorded on the magnetic strip found on the reverse side of season tickets; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  The matter of compliance with or enforcement of the Data Protection Act is a matter for the Data Protection Registrar.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has in relation to the instructions given to London Underground staff when congestion occurs at exit points controlled by automatic ticket

  Irradiated fuel exported

  Natural exported

  UF6 imported

  Enriched exported

  UF6 imported

  Fresh fuel exported

  1978

  —

  91

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1979

  —

  180

  —

  —

  —

  3

  1980

  —

  236

  —

  —

  34

  1

  1981

  2

  285

  —

  —

  31

  2

  1982

  3

  575

  —

  —

  19

  2

  1983

  5

  859

  —

  10

  35

  —

  1984

  1

  968

  528

  30

  19

  —

  1985

  2

  260

  960

  44

  17

  2

  1986

  3

  116

  —

  74

  19

  2

  1987

  2

  1,066

  —

  152

  —

  2

  1988

  0·6

  740

  156

  —

  17

  —

  All movements to and from the ports were by road except irradiated fuel which travelled by rail.

  Transatlantic Flights
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussion he has had with the United States Transportation Secretary at his meeting last week about new transatlantic flights out of Manchester airport; what was the outcome; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  My right hon. Friend stressed that Her Majesty's Government are anxious to make progress on negotiations over traffic rights between United States cities and Manchester; we are prepared to do any size of mutually beneficial deal. The Transportation Secretary promised that his Department and the State Department would now prepare themselves for another round of negotiations.

  Traffic Surveys (London)
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will detail the objectives of his Department's central London traffic surveys;

  (2) what will be the estimated cost of his Department's central London traffic surveys.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  Statistical surveys of traffic are undertaken on a regular basis in London in order to 188
  machines during peak periods, and as to whether staff are instructed to open the gates of the machines to relieve congestion.

  Mr. Portillo
  Station staff have strict instructions to open the gates if there is any threat to safety from congestion building up behind them.

  Radioactive Material
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list by year for the last 10 years how many tonnes of radioactive material was imported via each of the Humber ports; how many tonnes were exported through these ports; what method of transport was used to transport the material to and from the ports; and if he will make a statement on the future plans for transporting radioactive waste through the Humber ports.

  Mr. Portillo
  The Department does not collect this information on a routine basis, but I am advised that the following shipments (in tonnes) were made through Immingham/Hull:

  monitor trends in average flows and speeds. Full details are given in the Department's "Statistical Bulletin (88) 39" which is available in the Library. The costs of these surveys are not recorded separately for the central London area, but for London as a whole the total cost for the two-year period to March 1989 was £370,000.

  In addition, statistical surveys are carried out for the development of proposals for road improvements. The Department carried out surveys for this purpose last month on the A13 trunk road in the London boroughs of Tower Hamlets and Newham. The estimated cost of these surveys is £200,000.

  Vehicles
  Mr. Henderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many vehicles, and of what value, were purchased by(a) his Department, (b) British Rail and (c) other public sector agencies for which he is responsible in 1988; and how many of these vehicles were British made within the definition of British as set out by the Department of Trade and Industry in its arrangement on content with the European Community.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  [holding answer 17 April 1989]: The Department of Transport purchased 24 new vehicles in 1988—mostly for research or other specialist use—at a cost of £737,472. Eleven of these vehicles were United Kingdom-produced, on the definition employed by the DTI for statistical purposes, under which a vehicle is

  189
  classified as United Kingdom-produced if the United Kingdom content exceeds 50 per cent. of the ex-works value. These figures do not include second-hand cars used for impact studies, which are purchased at minimum cost.

  Details of vehicles purchased by British Rail or other sponsored bodies are not available within the Department.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Rain Forests
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will seek to have rain forest issues and policy on the financing of nuclear power stations included on the agenda of the next meeting of the World Bank.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  The development committee of the IMF/IBRD has already agreed to discuss environmental issues at its next meeting in September. Meanwhile, the World Bank is intensifying its work on these issues, including its role in the tropical forestry action plan.

  The role of nuclear power is considered within the energy development plans of a few IBRD borrowing countries but its cost, high technology and demand on scarce human resources make it generally inappropriate at present for the vast majority of developing countries.

  Third-world Debt
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs at what conferences dealing with Third-world debt reduction his Department has been represented in 1988 and 1989.

  Mrs. Chalker
  The FCO has been represented at international conferences which discussed debt reduction at UNCTAD in September 1988, the IMF and IBRD annual meetings in Berlin in September 1988 and the spring meetings of the IMF and IBRD in April this year. It has also been represented at a variety of meetings organised by research, academic and private sector groups.

  Southern Africa
  Mr. John Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations his Department has received from international bodies in relation to a possible role for Britain in finding solutions to the problems of southern Africa.

  Mrs. Chalker
  None.

  South Africa
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, during the recent visit of the Foreign Minister of the Republic of South Africa, he discussed the prospects of South Africa joining the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Yes. My right hon. and learned Friend stressed the importance of South Africa joining the N PT as soon as possible.

  Ethiopia
  Mr. Faulds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commowealth Affairs whether Her Majesty's190
  Government have yet received the considered response from the Ethiopian Government on human rights concerns which they await.

  Mrs. Chalker
  No. We shall continue to press the Ethiopian Government on all human rights issues.

  Bophuthatswana
  Mr. Speller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will recognise the state of Bophuthatswana as a self-governing country with a right of recognition similar to that of Swaziland.

  Mrs. Chalker
  No. Bophuthatswana is a homeland within the Republic of South Africa. Swaziland is an independent country.

  EC Directives
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many European Community directives have been implemented in each year since 1979.

  Mrs. Chalker
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Lord President of the Council to my hon. Friend the Member for Leeds, North-West (Dr. Hampson) on 15 February, at col.203.

  Departmental Policy
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the successes of implementation of policy by Her Majesty's Government in foreign policy since May 1979.

  Mrs. Chalker
  I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 2 May, at col.34 to the question from the hon. Member for Newport, West (Mr. Flynn).

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the failures in his Department's policy implementation since May 1979.

  Mrs. Chalker
  I refer the hon. Member to the written answer of 28 April at col.710 of my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the question from the hon. Member for Newport, West (Mr. Flynn).

  China
  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received from Her Majesty's Ambassador to the People's Republic of China on recent student and workers unrest; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  We have received regular reports from Her Majesty's Ambassador in Peking on the recent unrest in China. We are continuing to follow developments closely.

  Palestine Liberation Organisation (World Health Organisation Status)
  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received concerning the application by the Palestine Liberation Organisation for its observer status at the World Health Organisation to be turned into full membership; and if he will make a statement.
  191
  Mr. Eggar
  We are in close touch with a wide range of fellow members of the World Health Organisation, including European Community and western partners in Geneva.

  The 12 member states of the European Community have made their position clear in a formal note to the director general of the World Health Organisation. No member of the European Community has recognised the Palestine Liberation Organisation/Palestine as a state. Accordingly, we do not accept that the Palestine Liberation Organisation satisfies the criteria for membership of the World Health Organisation.

  We have also strongly advised the Palestine Liberation Organisation not to pursue its application.

  Death Penalty
  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from Amnesty International concerning the death penalty overseas; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  We have on a number of occasions received representations from Amnesty International concerning particular cases involving the death penalty in various countries. We have recently received copies of Amnesty's new report on the death penalty worldwide. We are studying its contents carefully.

  Turkey
  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received concerning Turkey's entry to the European Economic Community; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  We have received a number of representations concerning Turkey's application to join the European Community. The application is currently being studied by the Commission. Once its opinion is available, the Council of Ministers will consider the application further. We shall take all relevant factors into consideration when assessing the application in the Council.

  International Monetary Fund
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement explaining the criteria upon which he bases his decision whether or not to support an individual country's application to join the International Monetary Fund.

  Mr. Eggar
  Membership of the International Monetary Fund is open to every state that is prepared to fulfil the obligations of membership contained in the International Monetary Fund's articles of agreement (a copy of which is in the Library). That is the criterion on which we base our decision.

  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) whether he has been notified of any formal application submitted by the Angolan MPLA regime to join the International Monetary Fund; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what recent representations have been made to him by the MPLA regime of Angola concerning any application which it may be making to the International Monetary Fund;
  192
  (3) whether it is his policy to establish pre-conditions before supporting the acceptance by the International Monetary Fund of any application for membership made by the MPLA-PT regime of Angola; and if he will make a statement;

  (4) whether he has any information about the likely date upon which any final decision may be reached by the International Monetary Fund upon any application for membership which it is currently considering from the Angolan MPLA regime;

  (5) whether it is his policy to have discussions with the United States of America concerning any application for membership which may be made to the International Monetary Fund by the Angolan MPLA regime; and whether he has any information concerning United States' policy towards any such application.

  Mr. Eggar
  Angola formally applied to join the International Monetary Fund in October 1987. We have told the Angolan Government that we support their application in principle and consider that it should be dealt with on it technical merits. We understand that the IMF executive board is likely to make a decision on the application in the next few months. United States' policy is a matter for the United States Government but they are well aware of our view that Angola's attempts to improve its relations with the West should be encouraged. We will be restating this at the meeting of the membership sub-committee currently considering Angola's application for membership.

WALES

  Bathing Water
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, if he will publish in the Official Report the estimated cost for each of (a) Tenby north, (b) Abersoch, (c) Llandudno west shore of (i) a long sea outfall, (ii) full sewerage treatment works with a short sea outfall and (iii) full sewerage treatment works with a long sea outfall to enable them to comply with European Economic Community bathing water directive 76/160/EEC; and when the appropriate solution will be put in place, giving the estimated date of commencement and completion.

  Mr. Grist
  The authority is currently reviewing its programme of remedial works, which aims to achieve compliance of all listed waters. The full cost of the programme has yet to be evaluated.

  General Practitioners
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how many general practitioners worked for the National Health Service in(a) Wales and (b) Pembrokeshire in each year since 1959;

  (2) what was the average number of people registered with each National Health Service general practitioner in each year since 1959 in (a) Pembrokeshire and (b) Wales.

  Mr. Grist
  [holding answer 3 May 1989]: The available information is given in the following table:

  193

  Number of unrestricted principals at 1 October

  Average list size

  Pembrokeshire

  Pembrokeshire

  Executive Committee

  Wales

  Executive Committee

  Wales

  19591

  n/a

  1,264

  n/a

  2,045

  19601

  n/a

  1,271

  n/a

  2,047

  1961

  51

  1,270

  n/a

  2,067

  1962

  n/a

  1,281

  n/a

  2,061

  1963

  45

  1,270

  n/a

  2,093

  1964

  48

  1,254

  n/a

  2,136

  1965

  45

  1,230

  n/a

  2,192

  1966

  45

  1,220

  n/a

  2,219

  1967

  44

  1,220

  n/a

  2,229

  1968

  45

  1,225

  n/a

  2,231

  1969

  48

  1,232

  2,068

  2,232

  1970

  48

  1,258

  2,069

  2,192

  1971

  48

  1,259

  2,048

  2,203

  1972

  52

  1,269

  1,908

  2,198

  1973

  52

  1,269

  1,940

  2,207

  1 As at 1 July.

  Dyfed Family1Practitioner Committee

  Wales

  Dyfed Family1 Practitioner Committee

  Wales

  1974

  160

  1,291

  2,051

  2,189

  1975

  162

  1,290

  2,028

  2,193

  1976

  161

  1,286

  2,063

  2,199

  1977

  161

  1,304

  2,062

  2,175

  1978

  163

  1,323

  2,019

  2,302

  1979

  166

  1,339

  2,019

  2,277

  1980

  169

  1,372

  2,000

  2,086

  1981

  172

  1,397

  1,958

  2,057

  1982

  180

  1,431

  1,885

  2,013

  1983

  182

  1,465

  1,864

  1,975

  1984

  188

  1,492

  1,811

  1,946

  1985

  194

  1,523

  1,770

  1,914

  1986

  197

  1,549

  1,750

  1,881

  1987

  205

  1,587

  1,699

  1,849

  1 Family practitioner committees took over from executive councils in 1974. Figures are no longer available centrally for Pembrokeshire, but are subsumed in the Dyfed family practitioner committee total.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Research Institutes
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list by standard region the research institutes operated for or on behalf of his Department and the total employment thereat; if he will give for each region the total number of such institutes and the employment therein; and if he will express the regional totals as a percentage of the national totals.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  The information requested is as follows. In addition, my Department also commissions research with the Agricultural and Food Research Council and universities, which are the responsibilities of the Department of Education and Science, food research associations and others.

  Number of staff

  Regional totals1

  Northern

  Experimental Husbandry Farm:

  151/2

  —

  Redesdale

  Veterinary Investigation Centre:

  Newcastle

  14

  Penrith

  14

  194

  Number of staff

  Regional totals1

  Directorate of Fisheries research:

  3

  —

  Fisheries Radiobiological

  Laboratory, Whitehaven

  Total staff

  46½

  2

  Number of Units

  4

  7

  North West

  Veterinary Investigation Centre:

  15

  —

  Barton Hall

  Total staff

  15

  1

  Number of Units

  1

  2

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  Experimental Husbandry Farm: High Mowthorpe

  26½

  —

  Experimental Horticulture Station:

  57½

  —

  Stockbridge House

  Veterinary Investigation Centre: Thirsk

  13½

  —

  Total staff

  97½

  4

  Number of Units

  3

  5

  East Midlands

  Expeerimental Husbandry Farm:

  43½

  —

  Gleadthorpe

  Exprimental Horticulture Station:

  29

  —

  Kirton

  Veterinary Investigation Centre:

  Lincoln

  18

  —

  Sutton Bonington

  15

  —

  Total staff

  105½

  5

  Number of Units

  4

  7

  West Midlands

  Experimental Husbandry Farm:

  Drayton

  21½

  —

  Rosemaund

  25

  —

  Experimental Horticulture Station:

  47

  —

  Luddington

  Experimental Unit: Feed Evaluation Unit, Drayton

  8

  —

  Veterinary Investigation Centre:

  Shrewsbury

  16

  —

  Worcester

  20

  —

  Total Staff

  137½

  6

  Number of Units

  6

  10

  East Anglia

  Experimental Husbandry Farm:

  Arthur Rickwood

  21

  —

  Boxworth

  16½

  —

  Terrington

  27½

  —

  Experimental Unit: Field Drainage

  17

  —

  Experimental Unit, Cambridge

  Veterinary Investigation Centre:

  Cambridge

  15

  —

  Norwich

  15

  —

  ADAS Central Science Laboratories:

  5

  —

  Norwich

  Food Science Laboratories: Norwich

  43½

  —

  Directorate of Fisheries Research, Lowestoft

  331½

  —

  Total staff

  492

  21

  Number of units

  9

  15

  South East

  Experimental Husbandry Farm:

  30

  —

  Bridgets

  Experimental Horticulture Station:

  National Fruit Trials

  28

  —

  Efford

  54

  —

  Mushroom unit: Littlehampton

  2

  —

  195

  Number of staff

  Regional totals1

  Experimental Unit: Farm Buildings

  4

  —

  Development Centre, Reading

  ADAS Central Science Laboratories:

  Harpenden

  105½

  —

  Slough

  131½

  —

  Tolworth

  40

  —

  Worplesdon

  29

  —

  Veterinary Investigation Centre:

  Winchester

  10

  —

  Reading

  15

  —

  Wye

  10

  —

  Central Veterinary Laboratory:

  498

  —

  Weybridge

  Central Veterinary Laboratory:

  32½

  —

  Farringdon/Shinfield Cattle

  Breeding Centre

  Food Science Laboratories: London

  14½

  —

  Directorate of Fisheries Research:

  43½

  —

  Fisheries Laboratory, Burnham

  Total staff

  1,047½

  46

  Number of units

  16

  28

  South West

  Experimental Husbandry Farm:

  19½

  —

  Liscombe

  Experimental Horticulture Station:

  38½

  —

  Rosewarne

  Sub-station: Isles of Scilly

  1

  —

  ADAS Central Science Laboratories:

  5

  —

  Woodchester Park

  Veterinary Investigation Centre:

  Langford

  18

  —

  Starcross

  14

  —

  Truro

  12

  —

  Directorate of Fisheries Research: Fish

  25

  —

  Disease Laboratory, Weymouth

  Total staff

  133

  6

  Number of units

  8

  14

  Wales

  Experimental Husbandry Farm:

  38

  —

  Pwllpeiran and Trawsgoed

  Veterinary Investigation Centre:

  Aberystwyth

  11

  —

  Bangor

  10

  —

  Carmarthen

  14

  —

  Directorate of Fisheries Research:

  19

  —

  Fisheries Experimental Station, Conwy

  Total staff

  92

  4

  Number of units

  5

  9

  Scotland

  Central Veterinary Laboratory:

  18

  —

  Lasswade

  Torry Research Station, Aberdeen

  112

  —

  Total staff

  130

  5

  Number of units

  2

  3

  1 As a percentage of national total.

  Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list all the research being sponsored by his Department into bovine spongiform encephalopathy and other transmissable encephalopathies.

  Mr. Donald Thompson
  My Department currently funds research on BSE at its central veterinary laboratory at Weybridge which covers epidemiological studies,196
  clinico-pathology, transmission experiments using a number of animal species, chemical pathology, genetics and semen collection.

  The cost of this work in 1988–89 was £764,000.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Inflation
  Mr. Ted Leadbitter
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his target rate of inflation for 12 months' time; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lilley
  The FSBR forecast that the inflation rate as measured by the RPI would be down to 4½ per cent. by the second quarter of 1990.

  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the countries of the Group of Seven whose inflation rates, including an estimate of housing costs, are below that of Great Britain.

  Mr. Young
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the countries of the Group of Seven whose inflation rates, including an estimate of housing costs, are below that of Great Britain.

  Mr. Lilley
  Only Canada treats owner-occupier housing costs in its measure of consumer price inflation in a similar way to the UK. The overall inflation rate in Canada is currently below that in the UK.

  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects the level of inflation to come down; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lilley
  The 1989 FSBR forecasts that inflation will be 5½ per cent. in the fourth quarter of 1989.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what is his target rate of inflation for April 1990; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lilley
  The Government do not set specific short-term targets for the rate of inflation. Tight monetary policy will ensure that inflation moderates from its current level. My right Hon. Friend forecast in his Budget statement that the RPI inflation rate would be 5½ per cent. in the fourth quarter of 1989, and 4½ per cent. in the second quarter of 1990.

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the countries of the EEC whose inflation rates, including an estimate of housing costs, are below that of Great Britain.

  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the countries of the EEC whose inflation rates, including an estimate of housing costs, are below that of Great Britain.

  Mr. Norman Hogg
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the countries of the EEC whose inflation rates, including an estimate of housing costs, are below that of Great Britain.

  Mr. Lilley
  Only Ireland treats owner-occupier housing costs in its measure of consumer price inflation in a similar way to the United Kingdom. The overall inflation rate in Ireland is currently below that in the United Kingdom.
  197
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the current rate of inflation.

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the current rate of inflation.

  Mr. Lilley
  The all-items RPI inflation rate was 7·9 per cent. in March; the underlying rate (excluding mortgage interest payments) was 5·7 per cent.

  Group of Seven
  Mr. Iain Mills
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he next intends to meet his counterparts in the Group of Seven; and what will be discussed.

  Mr. Lawson
  At the economic summit in Paris in July.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he last met the Finance Ministers of the Group of Seven countries; and what subjects were discussed.

  Mr. Carrington
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he last met his counterparts in the Group of Seven; and what was discussed.

  Mr. Lilley
  I refer my hon. Friends to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Beaconsfield (Mr. Smith) on 6 April, at column 259.

  Mr. Budgen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he next intends to meet his counterparts in the Group of Seven; and what will be discussed.

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he next intends to meet his counterparts in the Group of Seven; and what will be discussed.

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he next intends to meet with his counterparts in the Group of Seven; and what matters are due to be discussed.

  Mr. Lilley
  I refer my hon. Friends to the reply my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Meriden (Mr. Mills).

  Equal Opportunities Commission
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he last met representatives from the Equal Opportunities Commission concerning the 1989 Budget; and what matters were discussed.

  Mr. Brooke
  My right hon. Friend has not met representatives of the Equal Opportunities Commission recently.

  National Debt
  Mr. Patnick
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the net repayment of debt by the Government in 1988–89.

  Mr. Brandon Bravo
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of the level of public sector debt repayment in the last year for which figures are available; and what this represented as a percentage of gross domestic product.

  Mr. Andy Stewart
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of the level of public 198
  sector debt repayment in the last year for which figures are available; and what this represented as a percentage of gross domestic product.

  Mr. Lilley
  The public sector debt repayment in 1988–89 is provisionally estimated at £14·3 billion, equivalent to 3 per cent. of GDP.

  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated saving in interest payments as a result of the public sector debt repayment over the last two years.

  Mr. David Martin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated saving in interest payments as a result of the public sector debt repayment over the last two years.

  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated saving in interest payments as a result of the public sector debt repayment over the last two years.

  Mr. Lilley
  The total public sector debt repayment in 1987–88 and 1988–89 was £.17·8 billion. As my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer said in his Budget statement, this is expected to reduce net debt interest costs by over £1·5 billion a year.

  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much of the national debt has been paid off since June 1987.

  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much of the national debt has been paid off since June 1987.

  Mr. Roger King
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much of the national debt has been paid off since June 1987.

  Mr. Lilley
  The public sector debt repayment totalled £19·7 billion between June 1987 and March 1989.

  Take-home Pay
  Dr. Blackburn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the increase in the real take-home pay of a man on average male earnings between 1978–79 and 1989–90.

  Mr. Lilley
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given earlier today by my right hon. Friend the Paymaster General to my hon. Friend the Member for Slough (Mr. Watts).

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. John Greenway
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the fall in registered unemployment since June 1987.

  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the fall in registered unemployment since June 1987.

  Mr. Major
  Unemployment in the United Kingdom has fallen by 939,000 since June 1987.

  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the growth in total employment since June 1987.
  199
  Mr. Major
  Total employment in the United Kingdom has increased by 1,152,000 since June 1987.

  Productivity
  Mr. Hind
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the annual average increase in productivity for the whole economy since 1980.

  Mr. Lilley
  Whole economy productivity has increased, on average, by 2·5 per cent. a year since 1980, faster than any other major industrialised country apart from Japan.

  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the annual average increase in productivity for the whole economy since 1980.

  Mr. Major
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply my hon. Friend the Economic Secretary gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Lancashire, West (Mr. Hind).

  Mr. Allen Stewart
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the annual average increase in productivity for the whole economy since 1980.

  Mr. Patrick Thompson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the annual average increase in productivity for the whole economy since 1980.

  Mr. David Davis
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the annual average increase in productivity for the whole economy since 1980.

  Mr. Major
  I refer my hon. Friends to the reply my hon. Friend the Economic Secretary gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Lancashire, West (Mr. Hind).

  Mr. Anthony Coombs
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the latest figures for the growth of manufacturing productivity in the economy.

  Mr. Major
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply my right hon. Friend the Paymaster General gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Bexhill and Battle (Mr. Wardle).

  Child Poverty Action Group
  Mr. Graham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he last met representatives from the Child Poverty Action Group: and what matters were discussed.

  Mr. Brooke
  My right hon. Friend has not met representatives from the Child Poverty Action Group, although he has seen their Budget representation.

  Mr. Turner
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he last met representatives from the Child Poverty Action Group; and what matters were discussed.

  Mr. Major
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply my right hon. Friend the Paymaster General gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Renfrew, West and Inverclyde (Mr. Graham).

  Company Profitability
  Mr. Moss
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the rise in the profitability of non-North sea industrial and commercial companies in the latest year for which figures are available.
  200
  Mr. Quentin Davies
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the rise in the profitability of non-North sea industrial and commercial companies in the latest year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Major
  The net real rate of return for non-North sea industrial and commercial companies was estimated in the Financial Statement and Budget Report to have risen in 1988 to almost 11 per cent., its highest level for over 20 years.

  Shareholders
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of the total number of shareholders in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Peter Brooke
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Wyre (Mr. Mans).

  Mrs. Maureen Hicks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of the total number of shareholders in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply my right hon. Friend the Paymaster General gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Wyre (Mr. Mans).

  Government Expenditure
  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the fall in general Government expenditure, excluding privatisation proceeds, as a percentage of gross domestic product since 1982–83.

  Mr. Gerald Bowden
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the fall in general Government expenditure, excluding privatisation proceeds, as a percentage of gross domestic product since 1982–83.

  Mr. Major
  The 1989 Financial Statement and Budget Report gave a figure of 39½ per cent. for the ratio of general Government expenditure (excluding privatisation proceeds) to gross domestic product in 1988–89. The corresponding figure for 1982–83 was 46¾ per cent.

  Balance of Trade
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate for the balance of trade in manufacturing for the current year.

  Mr. Major
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Middlesbrough (Mr. Bell) on 19 April, at column 168.

  Mr. Lewis
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate for the balance of trade deficit in the current year.

  Mr. Galloway
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate for the balance of trade deficit in the current year.

  Mr. McWilliam
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate for the balance of trade deficit in 1989.

  Mr. Major
  I refer the hon. Members to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Derbyshire, North-East (Mr. Barnes) on 19 April, at column 168.
  201
  Mr. Knox
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what effect current interest rates are having on the balance of trade.

  Mr. Major
  The current level of interest rates is designed to slow the growth of domestic demand. The effects of this tighter monetary policy are already apparent in, for example, recent figures for MO, retail sales and the housing market. In time, the current account deficit will also start to narrow.

  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a further statement on the United Kingdom's current trade deficit.

  Mr. Major
  The present trade deficit has primarily reflected the strength of domestic demand, particularly investment. The Government responded appropriately by tightening monetary policy and the effects of this are already apparent—for example, in recent figures for MO, retail sales and the housing market. As the growth of domestic demand slows, so the monthly current account and trade deficits are expected to fall.

  Exchange Rate Policy
  Mr. Doran
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on current exchange rate policy.

  Mr. McAvoy
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on current exchange rate policy.

  Mr. Buckley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on current exchange rate policy.

  Mr. Peter Lilley
  My right hon. Friend set out the Government's policy in his Budget speech, at column 296.

  Interest Rates
  Mr. Eadie
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received regarding the level of interest rates.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received regarding interest rates.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received regarding interest rates.

  Mr. Lilley
  My right hon. Friend has received a number of representations on this subject.

  Balance of Payments
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received on his balance of payments forecast included in the current year's Budget statement.

  Dr. Moonie
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received on his balance of payments forecast included in the 1989 Budget statement.

  Mr. Major
  None.

  Employee Share Ownership
  Mr. Knapman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received on the introduction of tax relief for employee share ownership.

  Dr. Twinn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received on the introduction of tax relief for employee share ownership.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  Tax reliefs encouraging the spread of employee share ownership have been in operation for up to 10 years and have enjoyed great success. A wide variety of representations and suggestions on the subject have been made over this period and have contributed to the many improvements introduced in nine out of the last 10 Budgets, and notably in that presented seven weeks ago.

  Company Car Taxation
  Mr. Riddick
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many representations he has received concerning the proposed increase in company car taxation; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  My right hon. Friend has received about 50 representations concerning the proposed increase in the car benefit scale charges announced in the Budget.

  International Monetary Fund and World Bank
  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he last attended a meeting of the International Monetary Fund; and what was discussed.

  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he last attended a meeting of the International Monetary Fund; and what was discussed.

  Mr. Lilley
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer my right hon. Friend the Chancellor gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Bury, North (Mr. Burt).

  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

  Mr. Lilley
  A wide range of matters was discussed, as set out in the interim and development committee communiqués, copies of which have been placed in the Library.

  Mr. Tredinnick
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he last attended a meeting of the World Bank; and what was discussed.

  Sir Michael McNair-Wilson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he last attended a meeting of the World Bank; and what was discussed.

  Mr. Lilley
  My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer met the president of the World Bank in London on 26 April and discussed a wide range of issues.

  EC (Economic and Monetary Union)
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about his response to the Delors committee report on economic and monetary union in the European Community.
  203
  Mr. Lilley
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply my right hon. Friend the Chancellor gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Dulwich (Mr. Bowden) on 21 April, at column 327, and to the exchange between my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House and my hon. Friend the Member for Warrington, South (Mr. Butler) on 18 April, at column 181.

  Pensioners
  Mr. Stevens
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received on the abolition of the earnings rule for pensioners announced in his Budget.

  Mr. Greg Knight
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received on the abolition of the earnings rule for retirement pensioners which he announced in his Budget.

  Mr. Hanley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received on the abolition of the earnings rule for pensioners which he announced in his Budget.

  Mr. Major
  The abolition of the pensioners earnings rule was widely welcomed by interested individuals and organisations. In particular, the director general of Help the Aged wrote to my right hon. Friend after the Budget statement to record his appreciation of this and other Budget measures to help pensioners.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he next expects to meet representatives from retirement pensioners' groups; and what matters he expects to discuss.

  Mr. Ernie Ross
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he next expects to meet representatives from pensioners' groups; and what matters he expects to discuss.

  Mr. Robert Hughes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he next expects to meet representatives from pensioners' groups.

  Mr. Major
  My right hon. Friend has no current plans to meet representatives from pensioners groups.

  Visible Imports and Exports
  Mr. Allan Roberts
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate for visible imports and exports in the current year.

  Mr Barron
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate for visible imports and exports in the current year.

  Mr. Sean Hughes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate for visible imports and exports in the current year.

  Mr. Major
  The Financial Statement and Budget Report for 1989–90 shows a forecast for the volume growth in both visible exports and visible imports in 1989 of 5½ per cent. Forecasts of the value of visible exports and imports in 1989 are not published.

  European Finance Ministers
  Mr. Aitken
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he last attended a meeting of European Finance Ministers; and if he will make a statement.
  204
  Mr. Brooke
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply my right hon. Friend the Chancellor gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Dulwich (Mr. Bowden) on 21 April 1989, at column 327.

  Small Business
  Mr. Haynes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the impact of interest rate rises since 1988 on small businesses.

  Mr. Jim Marshall
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the impact of interest rate rises since 1988 on small businesses.

  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the impact of interest rate rises since last year on small businesses.

  Mr. Peter Lilley
  I refer the hon. Members to the answer I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Wallsend (Mr. Garrett).

  Child Care
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received on the taxation of the use of child care facilities.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  My right hon. Friend has received a number of representations on the taxation of the benefit to employees of subsidised workplace nursery facilities.

  Business Investment
  Mr. Gerald Howarth
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the latest figures for the growth of business investment in the economy.

  Mr. Major
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply my right hon. Friend the Chancellor gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Scarborough (Sir M. Shaw).

  Contingency Reserve
  Mr. James Lamond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what allocations from the contingency reserve he is currently considering.

  Mr. Major
  Additions to programmes from the 1989–90 reserve have been, and will continue to be, announced after they are agreed.

  Money Supply
  Mr. John Townend
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the latest figure for the increase of MO.

  Mr. Lilley
  In the year to March 1989 MO grew by 6·2 per cent. in seasonally adjusted terms. Of this rise, 6 per cent. occurred in the six months to September. Since then the increase has been only 0·2 per cent. Though the postal dispute in the autumn may have affected the figures to some extent, there has clearly been a marked slowdown.

  VAT
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated annual yield on value added tax levied on hospital radio broadcasting equipment.
  205
  Mr. Lilley
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Derby, North (Mr. Knight) on 20 February, at column 479.

  Private Medical Treatment (Tax Relief)
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received concerning his proposal to offer private medical tax relief.

  Mr. Clelland
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received concerning his proposal to offer private medical tax relief.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  I refer the hon. Members to the reply my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary gave to the hon. Member for Barnsley, West and Penistone (Mr. McKay) earlier today.

  Institute for International Economics
  Mr. Eastham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when Treasury officials last met representatives from the Institute for International Economics; and what matters were discussed.

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when Treasury officials last met representatives from the Institute for International Economics; and what matters were discussed.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when Treasury officials last met with representatives from the Institute for International Economics; and what matters were discussed.

  Mr. Major
  Treasury officials met three members of the institute on 13 April to discuss a number of international economic issues.

  Job Creation
  Sir Fergus Montgomery
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the growth in total employment since June 1987.

  Mr. Major
  Total employment in the United Kingdom has increased by 1,152,000 since June 1987.

  Drink and Tobacco Duty
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the reduction in taxation revenue in the event of the proposals for harmonised duties on drink and tobacco, as proposed by the Commission, being implemented; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lilley
  Given the very large changes in taxation that the Commission's proposals would require, any estimates are subject to wide margins of error. In addition, the Government have made it clear on numerous occasions that they do not consider tax approximation to be necessary for the completion of the internal market, and implementation of the Commission's proposals would require unanimous agreement of the member states. With those qualifications, the latest estimate of the revenue loss in a full year from adoption of the Commission's proposals on drink and tobacco is some £3·9 billion.

  National Insurance
  Mr. Summerson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received on the changes in employees' national insurance contributions announced in his Budget.

  Mr. Bright
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what representations he has received on the changes in employees' national insurance contributions announced in his Budget.

  Mr. Lawson
  The reforms of national insurance contributions that I announced in my Budget have been widely welcomed.

  Personal Disposable Income
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the annual average rate of growth of real personal disposable income since 1983.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply my right hon. Friend the Paymaster General gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Bournemouth, East (Mr. Atkinson).

  Business Expenses
  Mr. French
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he last considered raising the figure at which employers have to declare to the Inland Revenue the salaries, benefits and business expenses of employees and directors.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to the return of expenses and benefits which employers are required to make for directors and employees earning at a rate of £8,500 a year or more. All aspects of the tax system are kept under review. But the Government have at no time sought to increase the £8,500 threshold at which employees pay tax on benefits in kind since in principle all employees should pay income tax on the whole of their earnings whether received in cash or in kind.

  Budget Forecast (Error)
  Dr. Bray
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what he attributes the error in his forecast of the current balance for 1988, made in his 1988 "Financial Statement and Budget Report".

  Mr. Major
  As noted in this year's Financial Statement and Budget Report, the difference between the published estimate of the current balance for 1988 and the forecast for 1988 made in last year's FSBR mainly reflected the unexpected strength of domestic demand, particularly investment, combined with very high levels of capacity utilisation in some industries.

  Drug Smuggling
  Mr. David Evans
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what resources are now devoted by Her Majesty's customs to the prevention and detection of drug smuggling; what were the totals of class A and class B drugs seized in 1988; and what were the comparable figures for previous years.
  207
  Mr. Lilley
  From April 1986 to April 1988 the number of Customs officers mainly engaged in the prevention of drug smuggling rose from 2,958 to 3,565, an increase of 20·5 per cent. 412·3kg of class A drugs were seized by Customs in 1985–86, 269·5kg in 1986–87 and 706·8kg in 1987–88, an increase of 71 per cent. over the period. The corresponding figures for class B drugs were 21,744kg in 1985–86, 20,231kg in 1986–87 and 23,448kg in 1987–88; an increase of 8 per cent. over the two years.

  Third World Debt
  Ms. Abbott
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the latest Group of Seven initiative on Third world debt.

  Mr. Lilley
  The Finance Ministers of the Group of Seven discussed Third world debt in Washington on 2 April. A copy of the press statement is available in the Library of the House, together with a copy of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer's remarks to the IMF interim committee on 3 April.

  Foreign Investment
  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the net flows of foreign investment into the United Kingdom in the form of(a) long-term direct investment and (b) short-term banking flows.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the net flows of foreign investment into the United Kingdom in the form of(a) long-term direct investment and (b) short-term banking flows.

  Mr. Major
  The most recent information on flows of direct investment and banking inflows into the United Kingdom has been published by the CSO in the March edition of Economic Trends. However, it is not possible to distinguish between long-term and short-term flows.

  All-seater Football Grounds
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will introduce a levy on the football pools to pay for major football grounds to install all-seating arrangements.

  Mr. Lilley
  Pools promoters make substantial payments, akin to a voluntary levy, to the Football Trust. The Government have no intention of introducing a statutory levy.

  Football Pools
  Sir John Farr
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total amount(a) staked on football pools in each of the past three years and (b) paid to the Government in tax in each of the past three years.

  Mr. Lilley
  Following is the information:

  Pool Betting (£ million)

  Stakes

  Duty

  1986–87

  598·2

  254·2

  1987–88

  647·5

  275·2

  1988–89

  656·1

  278·9

  Reply Paid Envelopes
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which Departments issue reply paid envelopes to those 208
  required to supply information by law to the Executive; and what changes in policy there have been since 1979 in the issuing of reply-paid envelopes.

  Mr. Brooke
  [holding answer 2 May 1989]: There is no central policy. It is for individual Departments to decide whether it is appropriate for the cost of replies to official correspondence to fall on the sender or the general taxpayer. Information on current departmental practice is not held centrally.

  Investment and Consumption
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what has been the rate of growth of(a) total investment and (b) total consumption over the past seven years.

  Mr. Major
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply that I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Canterbury (Mr. Brazier).

  Additionality
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government in relation to the system of additionality, by which public bodies in the United Kingdom receiving EEC money have United Kingdom taxpayers' money commensurately deducted.

  Mr. Brooke
  [holding answer 3 May 1989]: Receipts from the European Community budget are taken into account each year when the United Kingdom's public expenditure plans are decided. This enables United Kingdom public spending programmes to be set and maintained at higher levels than would otherwise have been possible.

SCOTLAND

  Council House Sales
  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give details of the current monthly level of council house sales in Scotland.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Information returned to the Scottish Development Department shows that between October and December 1988 Scottish local authorities sold an average of 2,200 dwellings a month. Figures of sales in the first quarter of 1989 are not yet available.

  Speech Therapists
  Mr Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many speech therapists are available for Scottish schools; and of these how many are employed(a) in Strathclyde and (b) in Glasgow.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Information is not held centrally in the form requested.

  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the schools in Glasgow to which speech therapy services are provided, showing the number of pupils requiring this service in each school, the number of hours of service provided to each school and the average hours given to each pupil in need.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  This information is not held centrally.
  209
  Mr. Siliars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which authorities in Scotland have statutory responsibilities for supply of speech therapists to Scottish schools; what recent discussions he has had with them; and if he will make a statement on Government policy on this matter.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Statutory responsibility rests with education authorities to secure the provision of speech therapy for children whose record of needs specifies that requirement. The service is almost exclusively provided by speech therapists employed by health boards. In February last year I met the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities to discuss therapy services, including speech therapy services, for school children, and in March I met the chairmen of health boards who undertook to review the provision of services in their areas. I have repeatedly encouraged joint assessment and planning of services and in November 1988 published a planning council report about planning effective speech therapy services.

  Charities
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to publish his conclusions on the responses to the consultative memorandum on the supervision of charities in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Soon.

  Dornoch Firth (Rail Crossing)
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he next anticipates discussing with the chairman of British Rail the construction of a rail crossing of the Dornoch firth.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  My right hon. and learned Friend has no plans to do so.

  Forestry Policy
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the progress of negotiations on forestry policy in the European Community.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  A common forestry policy as such is not being negotiated in the European Community. However, negotiations on a proposed forestry action programme are approaching their final stages, and the main United Kingdom objectives are likely to be met.

  Forestry Commission
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, when appointing Raymond Johnston to the position of chairman of the Forestry Commission, consideration was given to the possibility of preparing the Forestry Commission for sale.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  No.

  Rent-as-you-buy Scheme
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has any plans to announce a rent-as-you-buy scheme for council tenants in Scotland.
  210
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  No.

  Electoral Register
  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the percentage change in the numbers on local government electoral registers between 1987 and 1989 in(a) Edinburgh city and (b) Glasgow city; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I refer the hon. Member to table 3 in the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys "Monitor EL87/1" and to table 1 in the "Monitor EL89/ I", from which the percentage changes may be derived. Copies of these publications are in the Library.

  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the percentage change in the numbers on parliamentary electoral registers between 1987 and 1989 in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The change was 4·1 per cent. in Aberdeen, 2·2 per cent. in Dundee, 2·4 per cent. in Edinburgh and 4·4 per cent. in Glasgow.

  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Derbyshire North-East of 27 April, if he will list the estimated percentages of 16 and 17-year-olds missing from electoral registers as potential first-time voters in each constituency in Scotland in 1987, 1988 and 1989.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Information in the form requested is not available because population estimates are not calculated on a constituency basis. The estimated percentages for Scotland as a whole in 1987, 1988 and 1989 were 26, 27 and 26, respectively.

  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Derbyshire, North-East of 27 April, whether he has any plans to increase the percentage of 16 and 17-year-olds whose names are included as potential voters on electoral registers in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee;

  (2) what plans he has to improve electoral registration in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

  Lord James Douglas Hamilton
  The preparation of electoral registers is the statutory duty of the electoral registration officers for the areas concerned. My right hon. and learned Friend is confident that their aim is to produce as comprehensive and accurate a register as possible, and proposes to support them as before with appropriate publicity campaigns.

  Scottish Educational Trust for UN and International Affairs
  Mr. Andrew Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what is the Government's policy towards the Scottish Educational Trust for United Nations and International Affairs; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what contribution the Scottish Education Department has made to the 1989–90 publications list produced by the Scottish Educational Trust for United Nations and International Affairs; and if he will make a statement.
  211
  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The Scottish Education Department has made no contribution to the 1989–90 publication list produced by the Scottish Educational Trust for United Nations and International Affairs. The trust's aims and activities do not come within current priorities for educational research-related funding.

PRIME MINISTER

  Child Sexual Abuse
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will establish an interdepartmental committee to examine the sexual abuse of children.

  The Prime Minister
  There is already in existence the inter-departmental group on child abuse, comprising senior officials in Departments with responsibilities for children. It was established to develop an inter-departmental approach to child abuse, including child sexual abuse.

  Rain Forests
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Prime Minister what further action Her Majesty's Government are taking to halt the destruction of the world's tropical rain forests.

  The Prime Minister
  As part of the forestry initiative the Overseas Development Administration has identified more than 20 countries where we are well placed to help. Discussions are already under way with, for example, the Government of Brazil and India; we have just agreed £40 million of new aid for India largely for the local costs of forestry projects. In addition the Overseas Development Administration is increasing its funding for forestry research and is encouraging British charities to put forward more forestry projects for joint funding. We shall be encouraging multilateral and other bilateral donors to increase their support for the sector.

  Monetary Union
  Mr. John Browne
  To ask the Prime Minister what representations she has received regarding proposals for monetary union in the EEC.

  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Prime Minister what representations she has received regarding proposals for monetary union in the European Economic Community.

  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Prime Minister what representations she has received regarding proposals for monetary union in the European Economic Community.

  The Prime Minister
  I have received a number of representations on this subject.

  Namibia
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will make a further statement on the process of independence in Namibia.

  The Prime Minister
  We remain fully committed to the implementation of the United Nations plan for Namibian independence. We are urging all those concerned to comply fully with the terms of the United Nations plan.

  EEC Commission President
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Prime Minister when she next plans to meet the President of the European Economic Community Commission.

  The Prime Minister
  I expect to meet the President of the EC Commission at the meeting of the European Council on 26 and 27 June.

  Low-Income Households
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will make a statement on the number of low-income households in Mountain Ash.

  The Prime Minister
  This information is not available.

  Engagements
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 4 May.

  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 4 May.

  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 4 May.

  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 4 May.

  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 4 May.

  The Prime Minister
  This morning I presided at a meeting of the Cabinet and had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House I shall be having further meetings later today.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Female Legal Staff
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Attorney-General how many female(a) barristers, (b) magistrates, (c) solicitors, (d) judges, (e) recorders and (f) court clerks are (i) employed and (ii) qualified in the United Kingdom according to the latest available figures.

  The Attorney-General
  Such figures as are available for England and Wales are as follows:

  (a) Barristers
  As at 1 October 1988 there were 940 women practising barristers. In addition, 309 women employed barristers are recorded as paying the Bar subscription, giving a total of 1,249 known active women barristers.

  (b) Magistrates
  As at 1 January 1989 there were 12,214 women lay magistrates. In addition, there are eight women full-time metropolitan stipendiary magistrates; four women acting metropolitan stipendiary magistrates; and three women acting provincial stipendiary magistrates.

  (c) Solicitors
  In 1987–88 (the latest period for which figures are available), 10,062 women solicitors held practising certificates. In 1988, there were 13,046 women solicitors on the roll.

  (d) Judges
  There is one woman lord justice of appeal, one woman High Court judge, and there are 17 women Circuit judges.

  (e) Recorders
  There are 29 women recorders.

  (f) Court Clerks
  As at 31 December 1988 there were 12 women clerks to the justices. There are, in addition, 112 women chief clerks of Crown and County courts.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Balance of Trade
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what was the balance of manufactured trade in(a) 1978 and (b)

  Mr. Allen Adams
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will give the balance of manufactured trade in(a) 1978 and (b)

  Mr. Strang
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what was the balance of manufactured trade in(a) 1978 and (b)

  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what was the balance of manufactured trade in(a) 1978 and (b)

  Mr. Alan Clark
  Trade in manufactures on a balance of payments basis was in surplus by £5·1 billion in 1978 and in deficit by £14·4 billion in 1988.

  Imports
  Mr. Boyes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will estimate the proportion of total manufacturing imports represented by production and investment goods in(a) 1984 and (b)

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will estimate the proportion of total manufacturing imports represented by production and investment goods in(a) 1984 and (b)

  Mr. Bell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will estimate the proportion of total manufacturing imports represented by production and investment goods in(a) 1984 and (b)

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The proportion of United Kingdom imports of manufactures on an Overseas Trade Statistics basis represented by production and investment goods was as follows:

  Per cent.

  1984

  76

  1988

  75

  Notes:

  (1) The figures exclude the more erratic items—ships, North sea oil installations, aircraft, precious stones and silver.

  (2) Production and investment goods are taken to be semi-manufactures (SITC 5 and 6) plus intermediate finished manufactures and investment goods (part of SITC 7 and 8, based on the United Nations broad economic categories).

  Poland (Investment)
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if the renewed legalisation of Solidarnosc in Poland will affect United Kingdom export credit guarantees for industrial investment in Poland.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  [holding answer 27 April 1989]: The Government welcome many of the political and structural changes taking place in Poland. However, there will need to be a clear improvement in the economic situation too before any resumption of medium term export credit guarantees can be justified.
  214
  It is hoped that Poland can reach agreement with the IMF on an adjustment programme that can lead to such economic improvements. The Government intend to play a constructive role in seeking to establish an agreement between Poland and the IMF.

  ECGD short-term credit guarantees, and investment insurance against war and expropriation risks, continue to be available.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Internal Market
  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the total value to the latest available full year of public sector contracts in Northern Ireland of a character which will make them open to Communitywide bidding as part of the creation of the internal market.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  The cost of assessing the value of public sector contracts in Northern Ireland to be opened to Community-wide bidding would not be justified. The EC is currently investigating the effects of applying procurement rules to contracts above various value thresholds in sectors excluded from existing Community directives.

  Rates
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on measures to reduce the rate of increase in regional rates.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 20 April, at columns 447–48 to the hon. Member for Londonderry, East (Mr. Ross). Two exceptional factors, the change in Exchequer support and the one-off credit balance in 1988–89 together accounted for 6·6 per cent. out of the 12·6 per cent. increase in the 1989–90 regional rate. The remaining 6 per cent. reflected substantial increases in public expenditure programmes in Northern Ireland in areas such as education and roads maintenance. The level of the Government support for rate relevant expenditure in Northern Ireland is at a very high level, 82 per cent. compared with 43 per cent. in England. The Government endeavour to strike a reasonable balance between the need for expenditure on central Government rate-borne services in Northern Ireland and the burden placed on ratepayers. However, the only practical way to reduce the impact upon ratepayers would be to reduce relevant public expenditure programmes in Northern Ireland.

  Mater Infirmorum Hospital, Belfast
  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) whether the Mater Infirmorum hospital, Belfast, will become the main centre for gynaecology in central Belfast if the proposals of the complementarity study of the Eastern health and social services board are implemented;

  (2) what assessment has been made of whether the Mater hospital can provide a full range of care;

  (3) what steps are being taken to ensure that the Mater hospital can provide a service with regard to artificial techniques of contraception, sterilisation, tubal ligation, and related areas;
  215
  (4) what steps are being taken to ensure equal provision for women seeking care on a non-denominational basis under the proposals of the complementarity study of the Eastern health board;

  (5) what representations he has received suggesting that the proposals of the Eastern health board's complementarity study have not taken account of the special characteristics of the Mater hospital; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Needham
  The proposals for changes in the provision of acute services by the three Belfast teaching hospitals stem from the recent complementarity study report. The Eastern health and social services board has yet to decide how it wishes to proceed with the study recommendations. When it does I will wish to discuss the conclusions very fully with the board chairman.

  Health Education
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the budget for health education in Northern Ireland for each year from 1978–79 to 1987–88, expressed as actual expenditure and as a percentage of total National Health Service spending in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Needham
  The information is not available in the form requested as many of the services provided by health and social services boards include an element of health education which is not funded separately.

  Details of the Department of Health and Social Services budget spent directly on centrally financed health education are given in the table. This consists of the Northern Ireland pro rata contribution to the former Health Education Council and an additional £200,000 in 1987–88 to fund the launch of the "Northern Ireland Change of Heart" coronary prevention programme.

  £

  1978–79

  51,000

  1979–80

  106,000

  1980–81

  152,000

  1981–82

  200,000

  Highest and Lowest Number of Social Fund Applications: 11 April 1988—31 March 1989

  Social Security Office

  Lowest

  Highest

  Month

  Total

  Month

  Total

  Andersonstown

  May

  112

  February

  1,959

  Antrim

  July

  346

  November

  653

  Armagh

  May

  95

  March

  334

  Ballymena

  May

  293

  February

  526

  Ballymoney

  May

  81

  March

  246

  Ballynahinch

  May

  26

  March

  78

  Banbridge

  May

  55

  March

  249

  Bangor

  May

  124

  March

  263

  Carrickfergus

  May

  117

  February

  267

  Coleraine

  May

  196

  November

  463

  Cookstown

  May

  95

  March

  317

  Corporation Street

  July

  305

  March

  1,851

  Downpatrick

  May

  105

  November

  266

  Dungannon

  May

  88

  November

  436

  Enniskillen

  May

  93

  March

  445

  Falls

  December

  437

  February

  1,210

  Holywood Road

  May

  257

  March

  842

  Kilkeel

  May

  22

  March

  70

  Knockbreda

  May

  153

  March

  472

  Larne

  June

  151

  November

  295

  Limavady

  May

  131

  November

  264

  Lisburn

  December

  348

  March

  485

  Londonderry

  May

  298

  March

  2,284

  216

  £

  1982–83

  249,000

  1983–84

  257,000

  1984–85

  265,000

  1985–86

  270,000

  1986–87

  278,000

  1987–88

  491,000

  Pre-School Education
  Ms. Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the percentage of children of pre-school age currently enrolled in state-run pre-school education in Northern Ireland.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The information is as follows:

  All grant-aided schools1 per cent.

  Pre school age pupils in nursery education2

  13·3

  Three and four-year-olds in Education3

  45·3

  1 Both figures are expressed as a percentage of the three and four-year-old population at January 1988.

  2 Includes nursery schools and nursery classes in primary schools.

  3 Covers all three and four-year-olds in education, including those in nursery schools and nursery classes but excluding those in special schools.

  Social Fund
  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what information is available, for each social security office, on the highest and lowest month for social fund applications and allocations, indicating the relevant respective figures.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 24 April 1989]: Information about the number of applications processed and the amounts awarded in each month is available in the Library.

  Information about the highest and lowest month for social fund applications for the period 11 April 1988 to 31 March 1989 (the latest date for which information is available) is as follows:
  217

  Social Security Office

  Lowest

  Highest

  Month

  Total

  Month

  Total

  Lurgan

  May

  148

  March

  785

  Magherafelt

  May

  82

  March

  375

  Newcastle

  May

  37

  March

  124

  Newry

  May

  229

  November

  555

  Newtonabbey

  May

  277

  March

  513

  Newtownards

  May

  75

  January

  246

  Omagh

  May

  124

  March

  333

  Portadown

  May

  111

  February

  325

  Shaftesbury Square

  May

  267

  March

  856

  Shankill

  May

  362

  March

  781

  Strabane

  May

  106

  March

  550

  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what information is available on the proportion of the social fund budget allocated in each social security office by the end of each quarter in the year April 1988–89, indicating the total monetary value involved.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 24 April 1989]: Information about the amounts of awards made each month and the outstanding balance of the loans and grants budget for each social security office is available in the Library.

  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what figures are available for the year April 1988–89 on the total numbers of social fund applications and payments and the total value of payments in each social security office for maternity payments, funeral expenses, community care grants, budgeting loans and crisis loans.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 24 April 1989]: Information about the number of community care grants, budgeting and crisis loan applications processed and the amounts awarded for each month since April 1988 is available in the Library.

  The information requested about the number and value of maternity payments and funeral expenses is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Income Support
  Ms. Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) if he will provide figures showing the estimated take-up rate for claims for income support payments under the severe hardship provision for 16 and 17-year-olds actively pursuing a place on the youth training programme;

  (2) if he will provide figures showing the estimated take-up rate for claims for income support payments under the severe hardship provision.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answers 28 April 1989]: The information requested is not available.

  Arms (Terrorists)
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what information his Department has of countries supplying(a) arms, and (b) finance for arms to be used by terrorist groups connected with the so-called Loyalist Group in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ian Stewart
  [holding answer 2 May 1989]: I am not in a position to comment on the possibility that any country may have supplied arms or finance to such groups.

ENERGY

  Departmental Policy
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the policy areas where his Department has failed to reach its targets since May 1979; and if he will identify why these failures occurred and set out how these failures will be rectified:

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list the failures in policy implementation in his Department since May 1979.

  Mr. Parkinson
  My Department has been successful in implementing its main policy objectives since May 1979.

  Nuclear Material
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy, pursuant to the reply to the hon. Member for Newport, West (Mr. Flynn)Official Report, 22 December 1988, column 439, if he will list those bilateral agreements, by date of completion, permitting International Atomic Energy Agency inspection of nuclear material in the United Kingdom; how often these inspections have been conducted; and whether any anomalies have ever been reported.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The earlier agreements with the IAEA referred to in the answer given to the hon. Member for Newport, West (Mr. Flynn) are as follows:Japan/United Kingdom: 15 October 1968—INFCIRC 125
  United Kingdom: 14 December 1972—INFCIRC 175

  Inspections under these agreements are carried out at regular intervals. After analysis of the inspection data the. IAEA has always concluded that the nuclear material present was in accordance with the declarations made by the United Kingdom.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Actively Seeking Work Test
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether the change in benefit requirements for the unemployed from being available for work to being actively seeking work will be used by local unemployment offices before its official implementation in October 1989.

  Mr. Lee
  I have been asked to reply. No.

  Income Support
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what reviews he is carrying out on women who
  219
  may make a fresh or new claim for income support and housing benefit in respect of hostel accommodation after October; if he will ensure that they will not be placed on a lower benefit than currently when they claim board and lodging allowance; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Halifax (Mrs. Mahon) on 27 April, at column 652.

  Social Fund
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has under review for social fund officers to be redeployed on takeup campaigns; what resources he proposes to allocate to this purpose; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The Department has no plans at present to redeploy social fund officers specifically for the purpose of dealing with take-up campaigns. There are already sufficient staff employed in local offices to deal with variable levels of demand for social fund awards. In the event of a significant unexpected local increase in the

  Refusals of Social Fund loans and grants where selected reasons given, 1988–89

  Loans

  Grants

  number of refusals where selected reason given

  as a percentage of all refusals

  number of refusals where selected reason given

  as a percentage of all refusals

  Applicant

  not in receipt of IS

  35,589

  9·5

  13,689

  9·4

  not in receipt of IS for 26 weeks

  99,817

  26·6

  n/a

  —

  Amount > £30 (not travelling expenses)

  11,930

  3·2

  3,298

  2·3

  Inability to repay

  14,513

  3·9

  n/a

  —

  Insufficient SF funds, priority too low

  83,888

  22·3

  11,864

  8·1

  No serious damage or risk to health or safety

  22,455

  6·0

  n/a

  —

  n/a = not applicable.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the areas in which social fund allocations increased, decreased or remained the same from April 1989.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  A list giving the information requested has been placed in the Library.

  Sir Ian Gilmour
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will monitor the effects of social fund loans on the living standards of income support claimants during the period when they are repaying them.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  We have recently commissioned the social policy research unit at York university to carry out a programme of detailed research on the social fund. This will include case studies of people who have taken out a social fund loan and will take account of the effect of repayment arrangements.

  Sir Ian Gilmour
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what is done to ensure that deductions made from the income support allowances of claimants repaying social fund loans leave them with enough income to meet their essential needs;

  (2) how quickly people who receive social fund loans are expected to repay them, assuming loans of (a) £50, (b) £100, (c) £150 and (d) £200.
  220
  numbers of social fund applications, the local office manager would manage resources according to competing priorites.

  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish the number of refusals for social fund applications for both grants and loans, due to (i) applicant not being on income support, (ii) amount requested below £30 minimum, (iii) applicant not considered credit-worthy, (iv) applicant did not satisfy six-month qualification rule, (v) applicant not considered a high priority group, (vi) applicant not requesting a high priority item and (vii) insufficient funds in local office budget both actual and as a percentage of all refusals for the year April 1988 to March 1989.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Provisional figures for the period 11 April 1988 to 31 March 1989 are set out in the table. The figures relate to the number of occasions on which the particular reason for refusal was used. It is possible for an individual application to be refused for more than one reason.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The period and rate of repayments of a social fund loan do not depend solely on the amount of the loan. In agreeing repayment terms with the applicant before the loan is made, account is taken of the applicant's income, existing commitments and commitments which are likely to arise during the repayment period. Repayments are, however, expected to be completed within 78 weeks, although this can be extended to 104 weeks in certain circumstances. If an applicant finds difficulty in meeting the repayments, or if his circumstances change, he should discuss his problems with the staff of the local office.

  Sir Ian Gilmour
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many and what percentage of children born in England during 1988 were eligible for maternity payments through the social fund; and what was the average payment made;

  (2) how many and what percentage of children born in Scotland during 1988 were eligible for maternity payments through the social fund; and what was the average payment made.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The information is not available in the form requested. During 1988, 654,0001 and 66,0001 children were born in England and Scotland respectively, with 141,2311 and 18,3241 social fund maternity payments being made. These payments were set at a flat rate—£80

  221
  before 11 April 1988 and £85 thereafter—and were payable to income support and family credit beneficiaries, subject to a £500 capital disregard, for each child expected, born or adopted.

  1 Provisional figures.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will state, for the financial year 1988–89, the proportion of social fund expenditure which has become the subject of civil legal proceedings on the ground of fraud.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  [holding answer 20 April 1989]: I regret that the information requested is not available.

  During the year ended 31 March 1989, however, 229 social fund cases were submitted for consideration of civil proceedings in England and Wales, and 13 in Scotland.

  Unemployment Benefit
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if there are any trial areas for the change in unemployment benefit policy due to be implemented in October 1989; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  There are no trial areas.

  Income Support
  Sir Ian Gilmour
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the minimum, net amount of income support payable to a lone-parent with three children under 11 years, after deducations for rent, rates, rent-rate arrears, gas-electricity arrears and social fund loan.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The amount of income support payable in the circumstances described would depend on a number of factors, including the level of deduction for the social fund loan, which is at the discretion of an officer acting on behalf of the Secretary of State, and on the claimant's income. However, a hypothetical assessment, assuming income of child benefit and one-parent benefit with a social fund deduction of 5 per cent. and with no deduction for current rent, rates or fuel consumption, would be:

  £

  Personal allowance

  34·90

  Children's allowance

  35·25

  Lone Parent premium

  3·90

  Family premium

  6·50

  Applicable amount

  80·55

  1 Place of death

  Type of maternal death

  Total number

  Consultant Obstetric Unit

  Intensive Care Unit

  2Other hospital ward

  3Home

  4Elsewhere

  Direct death

  138

  38

  49

  24

  23

  4

  Associated with anaesthesia (all included in direct death)

  19

  4

  14

  1

  0

  0

  Indirect death

  71

  22

  16

  13

  14

  6

  1 Not always the place where the anaesthetic complication occurred. (No direct or indirect deaths occurred in GP units or GP maternity homes.)

  2 Includes neurosurgical units, medical and surgical wards, accident and emergency departments.

  3 None of the deaths at home were booked home deliveries.

  4 Includes two deaths in private nursing homes approved Under the Abortion Act.

  222

  £

  Deductions for arrears of housing costs

  1·75

  Deduction for arrears of fuel

  3·50

  Deduction for social fund loan

  14·02

  Total deductions

  9·27

  Income support payable

  44·33

  1 5 per cent of applicable amount.

HEALTH

  Mental Handicap
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what funds were allocated from his Department For directly commissioned research relevant to mental handicap for each of the past five years; and whether he intends for those funds to be increased over the next five to 10 years.

  Mr. Freeman
  The funds allocated for directly commissioned research relevant to mental handicap for the past five years were as follows:

  Year

  £

  1984–85

  679,700

  1985–86

  709,100

  1986–87

  520,700

  1987–88

  771,100

  1988–89

  659,800

  The Department will continue to develop its research strategy in the field of mental handicap over the next five to 10 years.

  Maternal Deaths
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the figures on the number of(a) direct and (b) indirect maternal deaths in England and Wales in 1982, 1983 and 1984 in National Health Service hospitals without consultant obstetric units, and the number of these associated with anaesthesia, are yet available.

  Mr. Freeman
  In England and Wales between 1982 and 1984 there were 18 maternal deaths from anaesthesia and one in which anaesthesia contributed to the death. Information on where death occurred is not available in the precise form requested. However, we do have the following details:

  Hospital Beds
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give for each district health authority in England in 1987(a) the total number of beds in non-psychiatric National Health Service hospitals, (b) the total number of beds in private hospitals, nursing homes and clinics registered under section 23 of the Registered Nursing

  National Health Service non-psychiatric beds for 1987–88, beds in private institutions as at 31 March 1988, by district health authority

  District Health Authority

  Average daily available NHS beds (non-psychiatric)

  Beds in private institutions

  Beds in private institutions, as a percentage of NHS non-psychiatric beds

  Northern

  Hartlepool

  558

  164

  29

  North Tees

  688

  86

  12

  South Tees

  1,454

  282

  19

  East Cumbria

  874

  167

  19

  South Cumbria

  740

  172

  23

  West Cumbria

  571

  31

  5

  Darlington

  622

  623

  100

  Durham

  733

  139

  19

  North West Durham

  544

  8

  1

  South West Durham

  587

  55

  9

  Northumberland

  1,092

  68

  6

  Gateshead

  768

  25

  3

  Newcastle

  2,566

  130

  5

  North Tyneside

  666

  39

  6

  South Tyneside

  609

  n.a.

  n.a.

  Sunderland

  1,606

  136

  8

  Yorkshire

  Hull

  1,344

  194

  14

  East Yorkshire

  782

  387

  49

  Grimsby

  739

  167

  23

  Scunthorpe

  692

  308

  45

  Northallerton

  372

  303

  81

  York

  1,097

  640

  58

  Scarborough

  572

  493

  86

  Harrogate

  769

  1,078

  140

  Bradford

  1,750

  464

  27

  Airedale

  723

  1,124

  155

  Calderdale

  874

  355

  41

  Huddersfield

  836

  172

  21

  Dewsbury

  708

  38

  5

  Leeds Western

  1,957

  383

  20

  Leeds Eastern

  1,788

  678

  38

  Wakefield

  811

  79

  10

  Pontefract

  673

  57

  8

  Trent

  North Derbyshire

  1,051

  354

  34

  Southern Derbyshire

  1,767

  812

  46

  Leicestershire

  3,008

  859

  29

  North Lincolnshire

  1,124

  1,157

  112

  South Lincolnshire

  1,048

  587

  56

  Bassetlaw

  378

  175

  46

  Central Nottinghamshire

  1,162

  622

  54

  Nottingham

  2,608

  1,503

  58

  Barnsley

  848

  84

  10

  Doncaster

  1,151

  211

  18

  Rotherham

  899

  120

  13

  Sheffield

  3,324

  539

  16

  East Anglian

  Cambridge

  1,187

  403

  34

  Peterborough

  969

  89

  9

  West Suffolk

  947

  363

  38

  East Suffolk

  1,420

  315

  22

  Norwich

  2,017

  684

  34

  Great Yarmouth and Waveney

  779

  95

  12

  West Norfolk and Wisbech

  692

  190

  27

  Huntingdon

  443

  104

  23

  224
  Homes Act 1984 and (c) the number of beds in private institutions expressed as a percentage of the number of non-psychiatric hospital beds.

  Mr. Freeman
  The information requested is given in the table. As the distribution of private nursing homes is not controlled by the needs of the resident community to the same extent as NHS provison of services, comparisons of bed stock may be misleading, particularly at district health authority level.
  225

  District Health Authority

  Average daily available NHS beds (non-psychiatric)

  Beds in private institutions

  Beds in private institutions, as a percentage of NHS non-psychiatric beds

  North West Thames

  North Bedfordshire

  783

  265

  34

  South Bedfordshire

  772

  22

  3

  North Hertfordshire

  715

  289

  40

  East Hertfordshire

  614

  184

  30

  North West Hertfordshire

  747

  206

  28

  South West Hertfordshire

  666

  276

  41

  Barnet

  1,327

  403

  30

  Harrow

  734

  141

  19

  Hillingdon

  1,167

  120

  10

  Hounslow and Spelthorne

  1,097

  170

  16

  Ealing

  570

  329

  58

  Brent

  704

  72

  10

  Paddington and North Kensington

  943

  49

  5

  Riverside

  1,573

  710

  45

  North East Thames

  Basildon and Thurrock

  1,032

  n.a

  n.a

  Mid Essex

  1,076

  286

  27

  North East Essex

  1,013

  324

  32

  West Essex

  931

  199

  21

  Southend

  980

  397

  41

  Barking, Havering and Brentwood

  1,820

  324

  18

  Hampstead

  789

  185

  23

  Bloomsbury

  1,655

  1,142

  69

  Islington

  759

  30

  4

  City and Hackney

  1,338

  108

  8

  Newham

  842

  9

  1

  Tower Hamlets

  1,086

  135

  12

  Enfield

  789

  267

  34

  Haringey

  925

  307

  33

  Red bridge

  727

  268

  37

  Waltham Forest

  1,065

  n.a

  n.a

  South East Thames

  Brighton

  1,314

  1,502

  114

  Eastbourne

  842

  1,200

  142

  Hastings

  712

  1,084

  152

  South East Kent

  1,004

  673

  67

  Canterbury and Thanet

  1,175

  984

  84

  Dartford and Gravesham

  823

  116

  14

  Maidstone

  628

  396

  63

  Medway

  921

  207

  22

  Tunbridge Wells

  1,027

  810

  79

  Bexley

  561

  112

  20

  Greenwich

  1,130

  40

  4

  Bromley

  867

  563

  65

  West Lambeth

  968

  36

  4

  Camberwell

  1,144

  n.a

  n.a

  Lewisham and North Southwark

  1,425

  394

  28

  South West Thames

  North West Surrey

  720

  410

  57

  West Surrey and North East Hants

  668

  529

  79

  South West Surrey

  777

  773

  100

  Mid Surrey

  599

  448

  75

  East Surrey

  623

  740

  119

  Chichester

  574

  847

  148

  Mid Downs

  775

  790

  102

  Worthing

  931

  1,353

  145

  Croydon

  1,032

  735

  71

  Kingston and Esher

  634

  290

  46

  Richmond, Twickenham and Roehampton

  646

  453

  70

  Wandsworth

  1,207

  507

  42

  Merton and Sutton

  1,099

  587

  53

  Wessex

  East Dorset

  1,897

  2,221

  117

  West Dorset

  750

  327

  44

  Portsmouth and South East Hampshire

  1,608

  849

  53

  Southampton and South West Hampshire

  1,714

  624

  36

  Winchester

  698

  392

  56

  Basingstoke and North Hampshire

  697

  253

  36

  Salisbury

  675

  306

  45

  Swindon

  809

  287

  35

  226 227

  District Health Authority

  Average daily available NHS beds (non-psychiatric)

  Beds in private institutions

  Beds in private institutions, as a percentage of NHS non-psychiatric beds

  Bath

  1,733

  759

  44

  Isle of Wight

  474

  174

  37

  Oxford

  East Berkshire

  1,032

  800

  78

  West Berkshire

  1,316

  344

  26

  Aylesbury Vale

  727

  278

  38

  Wycombe

  702

  372

  53

  Milton Keynes

  406

  187

  46

  Kettering

  786

  39

  5

  Northampton

  1,046

  969

  93

  Oxfordshire

  2,063

  792

  38

  South Western

  Bristol and Weston

  1,464

  1,630

  111

  Frenchay

  951

  261

  27

  Southhead

  772

  676

  88

  Cornwall and Isles of Stilly

  1,360

  1,103

  81

  Exeter

  1,527

  815

  53

  North Devon

  577

  419

  73

  Plymouth

  1,709

  1,131

  66

  Torbay

  999

  837

  84

  Cheltenham

  861

  456

  53

  Gloucester

  1,221

  582

  48

  Somerset

  1,719

  842

  49

  West Midlands

  Bromsgrove and Redditch

  546

  206

  38

  Herefordshire

  674

  225

  33

  Kidderminster and District

  387

  139

  36

  Worcester and District

  803

  955

  119

  Shropshire

  1,733

  285

  16

  Mid Staffordshire

  744

  696

  94

  North Staffordshire

  2,016

  258

  13

  South East Staffordshire

  959

  273

  28

  Rugby

  213

  163

  76

  North Warwickshire

  503

  120

  24

  South Warwickshire

  923

  712

  77

  Central Birmingham

  1,421

  420

  30

  East Birmingham

  862

  135

  16

  North Birmingham

  574

  290

  51

  South Birmingham

  1,340

  222

  17

  West Birmingham

  1,343

  98

  7

  Coventry

  1,349

  75

  6

  Dudley

  1,219

  102

  8

  Sandwell

  854

  107

  13

  Solihull

  462

  82

  18

  Walsall

  799

  65

  8

  Wolverhampton

  1,221

  243

  20

  Mersey

  Chester

  792

  337

  43

  Crewe

  820

  170

  21

  Halton

  274

  98

  36

  Macclesfield

  568

  622

  no

  Warrington

  729

  107

  15

  Liverpool

  2,605

  871

  33

  St. Helens and Knowsley

  998

  232

  23

  Southport and Formby

  576

  1,185

  206

  South Sefton

  1,466

  309

  21

  Wirral

  1,541

  1,565

  102

  North Western

  Lancaster

  664

  230

  35

  Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde

  1,284

  880

  69

  Preston

  1,198

  224

  19

  Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley

  1,132

  384

  34

  Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale

  967

  379

  39

  West Lancashire

  631

  90

  14

  Chorley and South Ribble

  244

  326

  134

  Bolton

  1,024

  228

  22

  Bury

  671

  422

  63

  North Manchester

  1,297

  104

  8

  Central Manchester

  1,153

  72

  6

  South Manchester

  1,869

  281

  15

  228 229

  District Health Authority

  Average daily available NHS beds (non-psychiatric)

  Beds in private institutions

  Beds in private institutions, as a percentage of NHS non-psychiatric beds

  Oldham

  786

  92

  12

  Rochdale

  645

  242

  38

  Salford

  1,306

  284

  22

  Stockport

  1,309

  1,028

  79

  Tameside and Glossop

  820

  112

  14

  Trafford

  582

  422

  73

  Wigan

  1,179

  72

  6

  Orthopaedic Treatment, North Staffordshire
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to reduce the time out-patients in north Staffordshire have to wait for a first available orthopaedic appointment.

  Mr. Mellor
  Waiting lists and waiting times for orthopaedic treatment in north Staffordshire are being investigated by an independent management team. If the team identifies the need for an injection of funds, the regional health authority will be able to apply for an allocation from the £6 million reserved from the waiting list fund for districts with particular waiting problems.

  Waiting Lists
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the average waiting list times in days for National Health Service operations(a) nationally, (b) by regional authorities and (c) for Halton district health authority.

  Mr. Mellor
  The available information in respect of in-patients treated in surgical departments in National Health Service hospitals during the financial year 1987–88 is given in the following table:

  Median interval, in weeks, between the time an in-patient1 was placed on the waiting list and admission to hospital

  Location of hospital

  Weeks

  England

  6·6

  Northern Regional Health Authority

  8·4

  Yorkshire Regional Health Authority

  6·3

  Trent Regional Health Authority

  5·1

  East Anglian Regional Health Authority

  6·4

  North West Thames Regional Health Authority

  4·4

  North East Thames Regional Health Authority

  5·9

  South East Thames Regional Health Authority

  7·7

  South West Thames Regional Health Authority

  9·7

  Wessex Regional Health Authority

  7·3

  Oxford Regional Health Authority

  7·4

  South Western Regional Health Authority

  7·0

  West Midlands Regional Health Authority

  6·0

  Mersey Regional Health Authority

  6·5

  North Western Regional Health Authority

  6·5

  Halton District Health Authority

  3·1

  1 Ordinary admissions and day cases, booked and waiting list cases.

  Halton District General Hospital
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the length of the out-patient list for Halton district general hospital; and what is the length for each specialty within it.

  Mr. Mellor
  We do not collect information on out-patient waiting times centrally.

  Cervical Cancer
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many deaths occur annually from cervical cancer; and what estimates he has made of the reduction in that number if there were a 100 per cent. response to a call and recall system.

  Mr. Freeman
  There have been for several years around 2,000 deaths annually in England and Wales from malignant neoplasm of the cervix uteri and there were 1,903 deaths in 1987. Cervical smears taken every five years between the ages of 20 and 64 could reduce by more than 80 per cent. the number of deaths which would otherwise occur from cancer of the cervix.

  Electoral Register
  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the percentage change in the numbers on local government electoral registers between 1988 and 1989 in(a) Kensington and Chelsea, (b) Manchester, (c) Liverpool, (d) Bristol and (e) Rochester upon Medway; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  The information requested is given in the table:

  Percentage change between 1988 and 1989 local government electorates

  County district/London borough

  Percentage

  Kensington and Chelsea

  -4·3

  Manchester

  -4·2

  Liverpool

  -9·6

  Bristol

  -2·6

  Rochester upon Medway

  -11·3

  Possible reasons for changes in electorates were indicated in OPCS "Monitor EL 89/1", a copy of which has been placed in the Library.

  Encephalopathies
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the research being sponsored by his Department into transmissible encephalopathies.

  Mr. Freeman
  The Department of Health is not sponsoring any research in transmissible encephalopathies.

  However, a committee has been set up by this Department and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food under the chairmanship of Dr. David Tyrrell to advise the Departments on research in progress or required on bovine spongiform encephalopathy and other transmissible encephalopathies.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Hillsborough Disaster
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he now expects Lord Justice Taylor to present his interim report on the Hillsborough disaster; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John Patten
  It is for Lord Justice Taylor to decide in the light of his inquiries whether there are matters which should be the subject of an interim report and if so the timing of it.

  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with the Football Supporters Association since the Hillsborough tragedy; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John Patten
  None. It is of course open to the association to put forward evidence to Lord Justice Taylor's inquiry, or views to the Department of the Environment or the Home Office on matters within our responsibilities.

  Rapists
  Mr Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research is being carried out, or is planned, into the circumstances and treatment of mentally disordered rapists in prison and into ways of seeking to prevent them from reoffending.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  There is no research being carried out, or planned, which is solely concerned with mentally disordered rapists. However, a certain amount of research is being carried out (separately) on mentally disordered offenders and sexual offenders which may, inter alia, provide some information about mentally disordered rapists and possible ways of preventing them reoffending.

  With regard to research on mentally disordered offenders, I refer the hon. Member to the reply to a question by the hon. Member for Leyton (Mr. Cohen) on 20 March 1989 at columns 405–06

  As to research on sex offenders, the Institute of Psychiatry is carrying out a study of sex offenders in prisons. The purpose of this study (the results of which should be available later this year) is to try to identify factors in sex offenders' histories which appear to distinguish them from other types of offender and non-offender populations. It will be particularly concerned with rapists. The study may help in making decisions about which types of sexual offender are likely to benefit from treatment and which are not.

  Mr Malcolm Cowburn of the Nottingham probation service is carrying out an investigation and evaluation of the work being undertaken with sex offenders (including rapists) in prisons in England and Wales. The results of this study should also be available this year.

  Consideration is being given by the Department to carrying out a study of convicted rapists. The purpose of the study would be to describe the offenders and their offences in detail and to assess their treatment needs. A history of mental disorder would be noted as part of that description.

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many men are currently serving a sentence of imprisonment for rape; and what proportion of such prisoners are mentally disordered.
  232
  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  On 30 June 1988 about 1,070 males were serving sentences for rape offences, including attempted rape, in prison service establishments in England and Wales. Information on the number who are mentally disordered is not recorded centrally.

  Football Grounds, (Safety)
  Mr. David Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) arrests and (b) ejections from the ground were made by the police before, during and after the games between (i) West Ham United and Millwall and (ii) Chelsea and Leeds United, played on Saturday 22 April.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis has provided the following information. Of the 94 people arrested in connection with the match between Chelsea and Leeds United, 59 were arrested before., 12 during and 23 after the game. Twenty eight people were ejected from the ground. Of the 24 people arrested in connection with the match between West Ham United and Millwall 15 were arrested before, seven during and two after the game. Twenty four people were ejected from the ground. Police figures do not distinguish between ejections made before and during a game.

  Drug Traffickers
  Mrs. Golding
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the oral answer to the hon. Member for Altrincham and Sale of 13 April,Official Report, column 1053, what account is taken of the sums confiscated from convicted drug traffickers in setting the allocations for (a) rehabilitation of drug offenders, and (b) the prevention of drug trafficking.

  Mr. John Patten
  We allocate funds to work against drug misuse according to needs and priorities. No direct account is taken of the varying and unpredictable sums confiscated from convicted drug traffickers in different parts of the country.

  Police National Computer
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will place the invitation to tender documents for the new police national computer in the Library.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  No. Publication of these documents would be a breach of commercial confidentiality.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will describe the new facilities, applications or indexes that are envisaged for the new police national computer.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The new police national computer will initially provide the police with the same facilities as are provided on the current system. No decisions have yet been taken about the provision of additonal facilities on the new computer.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will list the indexes and the data items contained within each index of the new police national computer.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  All names applications on the new police national computer may contain information in the following data classes:
  233

  Name

  Aliases

  Driver Number

  Place of Birth

  Date of Birth

  Sex

  Colour (White, Non-White, or Unknown)

  Ethnic Appearance

  Height

  Information Markers

  Address

  Home Force

  Marks and Scars

  Warning Signals

  Cross References

  Police Gazette Reference

  Date and Time of Last Update

  Each of the specific names applications may contain information in the following additional data classes:

  Criminal Name index:

  Criminal Record Office Number

  Fingerprint Indicator

  Criminal Record Weed Years

  Place first to notice

  Date first to notice

  Regional Cross References

  Fingerprint index:

  Henry Code

  Pattern Codes

  Ridge Counts

  Offence types

  Places to notice

  Wanted/Missing index

  Wanted/Missing number

  Force/Station code

  Class (the reason for the report having been entered)

  Reference to case papers

  Location of case papers

  Report date

  Incident date

  Expiry date

  Offence/Class qualification

  Date of Warrant

  Fine amount

  Court Name

  Offence location

  Power of arrest

  Warrant backed for bail

  Text

  Date entered on PNC

  Disqualified Driver index

  Disqualified Driver Reference Number

  Disqualified Driver Information Number

  Force/Station code

  Court Name

  Court Date

  Police Expiry Date

  DVLC Expiry Date

  Test Required marker

  Report Confirmed marker

  Prosecutions index (formerly known as the convictions index): Report type (either Impending Prosecution or Conviction)

  If impending prosecution:

  Fingerprint Indicator

  Photographic Indicator

  Force/Station code

  Crime Reference

  Date charged

  Bail/Custody indicator

  Weed Date

  If conviction:

  Fingerprint Indicator

  Photograph Indicators

  234

  Force/Station code

  Crime reference

  Court

  Disposed Date

  Offence

  Taken Into Consideration (Offence)

  Disposal

  Taken Into Consideration (Composite)

  The vehicles application on the new police national computer may contain information in the following data classes:

  Vehicle Identification number

  Chassis number

  Current Vehicle Registration Mark

  Previous Vehicle Registration Mark

  Foreign Vehicle Marker

  Stolen Vehicle Marker

  Vehicle Make

  Vehicle Model

  Vehicle Type

  Vehicle Colour

  Engine Number

  Vehicle Registration Office code

  Year and month of registration

  Date of last keeper change

  Owner name

  Owner Address

  Owner postcode

  Markers

  Date of Last Description update

  Time of Last Description update

  Force station code of description owner

  Force station code of description creator

  Force station code of last description update

  Date of recovery

  Force station code of recovery

  Police information may be added to these vehicle records in the form of one or more of the following report types:

  Lost or stolen

  Found

  Information

  Seen/checked

  Restricted

  Removed

  Correction

  These reports may contain information in the following data classes:

  Vehicle report type

  Vehicle report number

  Vehicle report text

  Reference number

  Earliest date of incident

  Latest date of incident

  Date of report creation

  Time of report creation

  Force station code of report owner

  Force station code of report creator

  Force station code of last update

  Date of last update

  Time of last update

  Report confirmed marker

  The stolen property index (formerly known as the chassis/engine index) may contain information in the following data classes about plant, trailers, caravans, engines, marine engines and motorcycle sidecars:

  Item number

  Fleet number

  Report type

  Report text

  Loser details

  Earliest date of theft

  Latest date of theft

  Item type

  Item make

  Plant type

  Item model

  Item colour

  235

  Engine capacity

  Reference number

  Force station code of report owner

  Force station code of report creator

  Force station code of last update

  Date of last update

  Time of last update

  Report confirmed marker

  The broadcast application enables forces to send messages to printer terminals in specified destination forces. The messages are stored for 24 hours after creation.

  The message log application automatically records the full details of all on-line transactions. The information is retained on the log for six months.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will describe the improvements in communications between police forces computers and the new police national computer; whether all police force computers will be linked into the new network; whether police forces will be able to transmit databases to each other and search other police computer systems; and whether he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The new police national computer will be linked to all forces through the existing network, modified as necessary to ensure compatibility with the new equipment.

  We are discussing with the police service its requirements for a wider police network which would permit the exchange of information between forces, but no decisions have yet been taken about the scope of this network.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the data protection registrar has been asked to comment on the facilities that will be provided by the new police national computer and network.

  Persons proceeded against for offences under the Obscene Publications Act 1959

  England and Wales

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  Number proceeded against

  539

  757

  890

  540

  231

  154

  Total found guilty

  234

  370

  429

  225

  129

  93

  Absolute or conditional discharge

  9

  7

  13

  12

  3

  4

  Probation order

  —

  1

  —

  3

  1

  1

  Fine

  128

  248

  291

  130

  80

  63

  Community service order

  1

  3

  3

  4

  1

  3

  Fully suspended sentence

  38

  60

  77

  50

  20

  10

  Immediate custody

  58

  49

  42

  25

  15

  12

  Otherwise dealt with

  —

  2

  3

  1

  9

  —

  Number subject to forfeiture order

  1

  5

  6

  9

  14

  15

  Mr. Gerald Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many items of obscene material were seized by police under section 3 of the Obscene Publications Act 1959 in England and Wales in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Renton
  Information about seizures of items under the Obscene Publications Act 1959 is not held centrally. The only information which can be obtained without disproportionate cost relates to the Metropolitan police, and is set out in the following table:
  236
  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The data protection registrar has been consulted about the facilities which will be provided by the new police national computer.

  Criminal Injury and Damage Claims
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the current situation concerning the widow of a common law husband with reference to entitlement to claims for a criminal injury and damage.

  Mr. John Patten
  Under the Fatal Accidents Act 1976 courts in England and Wales may award damages for financial dependency and funeral expenses to a common law widow who had lived with the man continuously for at least the last two years before his death. Awards under the criminal injuries compensation scheme are confined in such cases to funeral expenses. There is no general entitlement to compensation for damage, although the courts have power to order an offender upon conviction to pay compensation for damage he has caused.

  Obscene Publications Act 1959
  Mr. Gerald Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many prosecutions there have been under section 2 of the Obscene Publications Act 1959; and of those found guilty, what sentence was imposed in England and Wales since 1979;

  (2) how many orders have been made at magistrates courts in England and Wales to forfeit obscene articles under section 3 of the Obscene Publications Act 1959 in each year since 1979.

  Mr. John Patten
  Information held centrally for 1982 to 1987 is given in the table. Information prior to 1982 would involve disproportionate cost.

  Items seized by the Metropolitan Police under the Obscene Publications Act 1959, 1979 to 1988.

  Number of items

  1979

  1,170,752

  1980

  849,879

  1981

  554,862

  1982

  1,081,404

  1983

  2,071,190

  1984

  288,259

  1985

  286,511

  1986

  560,047

  1987

  813,243

  1988

  655,119

  Electoral Register
  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to improve electoral registration in Kensington and Chelsea, Manchester, Liverpool, Bristol and Rochester upon Medway.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The registration of persons entitled to vote is the statutory duty of the electoral registration officers for the districts or London boroughs concerned. I am confident that their aim is to produce as comprehensive and accurate a register as possible, and we intend to support them as in previous years with an appropriate publicity campaign at the time of the autumn canvass.

  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he holds information for any other countries on the use made by taxation authorities of electoral registers; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if he holds information for any other countries on the use made by local authorities of electoral registers for their own financial purposes; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  No.

  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy to examine the impact of the community charge on electoral registration.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a question from the hon. Member for Nottingham, North (Mr. Allen) on 17 April at column 33.

  Community Charge
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish(a) the full details of the police arbitration tribunal award of March as it relates to the introduction of the community charge and police officers' allowances and (b) the likely costs of this section of the award in 1990–91.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The terms of the arbitration award were as follows:

  (a) No provision should be made by the police authorities to undertake payment of the community charge levied on police officers or their wives;

  (b) the present system of rent and rates allowances and compensatory grants should be remodelled as explained in our general considerations set out above; and

  (c) the process should take effect from April 1989 in Scotland and from April 1990 in England and Wales and also in Northern Ireland, as far as is practicable, bearing in mind that the community charge is not likely to be introduced there on that date.

  In its general considerations the tribunal concluded that the new police housing allowance, which is to replace the present rent allowance, should be determined for each force by
  "taking the current bill, which has been expressed as for rent and rates, and dividing it by the number of officers concerned".

  It will not be possible to calculate the costs of the award until the negotiations on a number of issues which the tribunal passed back to the police negotiating board for further consideration have been concluded.

  Parliamentary Boundary Commissions
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will announce the new membership of the Parliamentary Boundary Commissions for England and Wales.

  Mr. Hurd
  Mr. Speaker is chairman of both boundary commissions. The other members are as follows:

  Appointed by

  Boundary Commission for England

  The Hon. Mr. Justice Knox

  The Lord Chancellor

  Miss Sheila Cameron, QC

  The Home Secretary

  Mr. D. Macklin, MA

  The Secretary of State for the Environment

  Boundary Commission for Wales

  The Hon. Mr. Justice Anthony Evans

  The Lord Chancellor

  Mr. W. P. Davey, CBE, DL, IPFA

  The Home Secretary

  Mr. M. P. McLaggan, JP, DL, MA

  The Secretary of State for Wales

  The appointment of Mr. Justice Knox will expire on 31 December 1990; the other appointments expire on 31 December 1992.

EMPLOYMENT

  National Dock Labour Board
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the cost of financing the National Dock Labour Board sports activities in 1987–88; and how much of this was financed through the employers' levy.

  Mr. Nicholls
  A total of £59,292 in 1987, all financed through the board's management levy on employers.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the levy income for the National Dock Labour Board for 1987.

  Mr. Nicholls
  [holding answer 3 May 1989]: The board's own management levy was £4,433,636. Levy received on behalf of the national voluntary severance scheme, administered by the board, was £2,047,046.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the legal and professional fees incurred by the National Dock Labour Board in 1987.

  Mr. Nicholls
  [holding answer 3 May 1989]: Legal fees were £94,767 and professional fees were £13,030.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the cost to the National Dock Labour Board of financing the registered dock workers' national golf competition in 1987.

  Mr. Nicholls
  [holding answer 3 May 1989]: A total of £11,019.

  Mr. Janman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how much was spent by the National Dock Labour Board in 1987 in legal fees on definitions of dock work.
  239
  Mr. Nicholls
  [holding answer 3 May 1989]: A total of £43,050.

  Jobstart
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people have used the jobstart allowance in each year since it began and for each standard economic region.

  Region

  From 1 July 1986 to 26 March 1987

  From 27 March 1987 to 25 March 1988

  From 26 March 1988 to 27 January 1989

  Northern

  694

  1,003

  765

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  992

  1,557

  1,121

  East Midlands and Eastern

  921

  1,288

  819

  London

  286

  292

  219

  South East

  572

  708

  371

  South West

  430

  639

  308

  Wales

  627

  1,131

  768

  West Midlands

  1,190

  1,696

  1,104

  North West

  1,890

  2,884

  1,794

  Scotland

  954

  1,493

  1,139

  Great Britain

  8,556

  12,691

  8,408

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give details of the average length of stay of workers claiming the jobstart allowance.

  Mr. Lee
  The information requested is not readily available. However, it is estimated that in 1988 two-thirds of jobstart participants completed the 26 weeks of the programme. People who do not complete 26 weeks may cease to be eligible for the allowance for a number of reasons, including the wage rising above the limit allowed.

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give details of the sectors in which jobstart allowance workers were based in 1988.

  Mr. Lee
  The information requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give details of the average jobstart allowance workers for each year since the start of the initiative; and if this includes the allowance.

  Mr. Lee
  The information requested is not readily available. However, an evaluation survey of the jobstart programme is currently being undertaken. Preliminary information from the study indicates that the average starting wage of jobstart workers in April and May 1988 was £67. This figure excludes the allowance.

  Unemployment Benefit
  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many claims of unemployment benefit have been disallowed on the grounds of refusal or premature termination of training in each month since September 1988.

  Mr. Lee
  Information is not collected in the form requested. However, in the six month period ending 31 December 1988, the total number of claims for unemployment benefit disallowed by adjudication officers on the grounds of refusal or premature termination of training, was 1,110.
  240
  Mr. Lee
  The numbers of people accepted on to the jobstart programme in each employment service region is shown in the table:

  Work Permits
  Mr. Mans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has to review the work permit scheme; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lee
  Changes in the labour market since the current rules for granting work permits were set in 1980 make it timely to review the operation of the scheme. We are concerned to see that the scheme, taking into account the interests of the resident labour force, provides as efficient service as possible to employers who need to employ people from outside the European Community. My Department has today sent a consultation paper to interested bodies inviting their view on proposals for increasing the effectiveness of the scheme. I have placed a copy of the paper in the Library. This review will also contribute to the Government's strategy of removing burdens from business.

  Industrial Action
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what information he has as to the number of days lost in the United Kingdom and other Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries by industrial action in the latest year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Nicholls
  [holding answer 3 May 1989]: The available information on working days lost from industrial stoppages, expressed as a ratio per thousand employees is shown in the table. The information covers OECD countries for 1987, the latest year for which comparative data is available. Comparisons between countries should be made with considerable care because of the different coverage of each country's statistics. Countries use different criteria for the exclusion of small stoppages from the statistics; public sector strikes are excluded in some cases, and some countries exclude workers prevented from working because others at their workplace are on strike. Further details are given in the article "International

  241
  comparisons of industrial stoppages for 1986" published in the Employment Gazette, June 1988, page 335, a copy of which is in the Library.

  Industrial stoppages working days lost per thousand employees' in all industries and services 1987

  Days

  United Kingdom

  160

  Australia

  220

  Austria

  2—

  Canada

  370

  Denmark

  60

  Finland

  60

  France3

  30

  Germany (Federal Republic)

  2—

  Greece

  970

  Ireland

  320

  Italy

  320

  Japan

  10

  Netherlands

  10

  New Zealand'

  270

  Norway

  10

  Portugal

  40

  Spain

  630

  Sweden

  —

  Switzerland

  —

  United States3

  40

  1 Employees in employment: some figures have been estimated.

  2 Less than five days lost per thousand employees.

  3 Significant coverage differences, the most important of which are: France and New Zealand exclude public sector strikes; New Zealand figures are for strikes of more than 10 working days duration; United States figures exclude disputes where less than 1,000 workers involved.

  Sources:

  Working days lost: International Labour Office (ILO) Yearbook of Labour Statistics 1988. Employees in employment: ILO and OECD publications.

  Information is not available for Belgium, Ireland, Luxembourg and Turkey.

DEFENCE

  United Nations
  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what support his Department gives to the United Nations.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  My Department provides the following support to the United Nations:

  UNFICYP1
  One infantry battalion, one support regiment and a company of military police.

  UNTAG2
  One signals squadron and a small RAF reception assistance team.

  Republic of Korea
  One platoon from the Hong Kong garrison, which contributes towards the United Nations Honour Guard, and a small number of United Kingdom personnel in the headquarters of the Commonwealth Liaison Mission to the United Nations Command.

  British Forces Cyprus also provide logistic support for UNDOF3 and UNIFIL4 and there is currently an Army officer attached to the United Nations Field Operations Division in New York advising on logistics matters.

  1 United Nations Force in Cyprus.

  2 United Nations Transitional Assistance Group in Namibia.

  3 United Nations Disengagement Observer Force, Syria/Israel.

  4 United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon.

  Condor 2 Missile
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has on the role played by the APV company of London, in the sale of missile propellant compounds to the Italian firm SNIA BPD via APV subsidiary APV Chemical Machinery Inc., of Saginaw, Michigan, United States of America, for use by the Argentine Institute of Aeronautic and Space Research in the development of the Condor 2 intermediate tactical missile.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  I have been asked to reply.

  There was no export to Argentina of this type from the United Kingdom. Exports by APV's American subsidiary are a matter for the American authorities.

  Defence Costs and Commitments
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how the latest United States plans for burden sharing will affect United Kingdom defence costs and commitments.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  We are not aware of any United States Governmant burden sharing plans that are likely to affect the United Kingdom's defence costs and commitments.

  Trident
  Mr. Andrew F. Barnett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a further statement about command and control of Trident.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  No.

  Lance Missiles
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if, during the recent NATO nuclear planning Group meeting, the United Kingdom delegation raised the case for consideration of obligations under article VI of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty for NATO states party to the non-proliferation treaty, when evaluating the replacement of Lance nuclear-tipped short-range missiles in Europe.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  No.

  Radioactive Waste
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what scientific data were presented to the London dumping convention(a) in the years up to and including 1983 and (b) post 1983 on the potential environmental damage that might arise from the disposal at sea of (i) decommissioned nuclear submarine hulls, (ii) submarine reactor cores and (iii) low and intermediate-level radioactive wastes from the processing of military nuclear materials.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The United Kingdom has presented no such data.

  Nuclear Submarines
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if, following the sinking of the Soviet Mike class nuclear submarine on 7 April, he will review the present safety of(a) United Kingdom nuclear-powered submarines and (b) United States nuclear-powered submarines afforded docking rights in the United Kingdom.
  243
  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Measures to ensure the continuing safe design and operation of Royal Navy submarines are kept under constant review. In the light of what is currently known of the circumstances of the loss of the Mike class Soviet submarine on 7 April, the accident would appear to offer no specific lessons with regard to Royal Naval submarine safety. The safety of United States nuclear-powered warships is the responsibility of the United States Government. However, visits to this country by United States nuclear-powered submarines are covered by a written arrangement between the two countries.

  Diversion Airfields
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list all the master diversion airfields used by the Royal Air Force and North Atlantic Treaty Organisation based aircraft in the United Kingdom and abroad.

  Mr. Neubert
  The Royal Air Force presently operates eight military emergency diversion aerodromes in the United Kingdom and one master diversion aerodrome overseas.

  These are:

  MEDAs

  RAF Leeming

  RAF Leuchars

  RAF Lossiemouth

  RAF Manston

  RAF St. Mawgan

  RAF Valley

  RAF Waddington

  RAF Wattisham

  MDA

  RAF Wildenrath

  Ascension and Falkland Islands
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total tonnage of fresh vegetables supplied to the Ascension and Falklands Islands from(a) England and (b) the Isle of Wight to date.

  Mr. Neubert
  Last year 375 tonnes of fresh vegetables were shipped to Ascension and the Falkland Islands from the United Kingdom. Our records do not enable the origin of the vegetables to be identified in the detail requested.

  Charities (Retail Prices Index Error)
  Mr. Andrew Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what payments were made to armed services charities from moneys arising from the error in the retail price index.

  Mr. Neubert
  Payments were made from Ministry of Defence funds, consequent upon the error in calculation of the retail prices index discovered in 1987, to the following charitable organisations for further distribution:

  £

  King George's Fund for Sailors

  282,000

  Army Benevolent Fund

  498,000

  Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund

  418,000

  Territorial Army
  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence approximately how many United Kingdom employers now release staff for service in the Territorial Army.
  244
  Mr. Neubert
  It is not at present possible to provide an accurate assessment of the number of employers who release staff for TA service. In addition to the willingness of men and women to offer their services, the need to harness the wholehearted support of employers has long been acknowledged. For this reason we launched a major campaign in September of last year not only with a prime aim of stressing the importance of the TA, but also of making employers aware of the benefits which may accrue from employees' participation, ie improved qualities of leadership, discipline, self-reliance, communications and the acquisition of personal skills. One of the major initiatives in the early stages of this campaign was the circulation of a letter from the chairman of the National Employer Liaison Committee, Mr. Tony MacPherson, to over 600 leading companies seeking an active commitment to the Reserve Forces. The response to this letter has been overwhelmingly positive.

ENVIRONMENT

  Water Pollution
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will include in the Official Report his estimate of the proportionate contribution to the pollution of the water supply in toxic or other terms as defined by the European Economic Community regulations or otherwise made by (a) manufacturing industry, (b) agriculture, (c) sewage works and (d) domestic consumers of water.

  Mr. Howard
  Pollution incidents from manufacturing industry, agriculture and sewage treatments works rarely affect water supplies, because water undertakers take effective precautionary measures to prevent this. A few supplies are affected by nitrate pollution from agriculture and very low levels of pesticides have been detected in some supplies as a result of activity by a variety of bodies including local authorities, farmers and nationalised industries. Water in individual properties may have a high lead concentration because of lead communication and supply pipes. There have been occasional instances of pollution from chlorinated solvents derived from de-greasing activities or dry cleaning businesses. Further information about the quality of groundwater sources is contained in the report "Assessment of Groundwater in England and Wales" prepared for the Department by Sir William Halcrow and Partners Ltd. and published last December.

  Environmental Assessment
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those proposed developments for which, since 15 July 1988, the local planning authority has given an opinion that environmental assessment is required.

  Mr. Howard
  The following cases in which an English local planning authority has given an opinion under regulation 5(4) of the Town and Country Planning (Assessment of Environmental Effects) Regulations 1988 that environment assessment is required have been notified to the Department in accordance with paragraph 52 of DoE circular 15/88.
  245

  Local planning authority

  Proposed Development

  Date of opinion

  Leeds City Council

  Retail, etc, development Kirkstall Valley, Leeds

  11 August 1988

  Calderdale D. C.

  Sludge de-watering plant Bradley

  7 March 1989

  Newcastle City Council

  Gosforth Park housing development, Newcastle

  13 March 1989

  Peterborough City Council

  Residential and commercial development at Castor and Ailsworth, Peterborough

  31 March 1989

  Knowsley D. C.

  Incinerator for medical and hospital wastes, Hammond Road., Kirkby, Merseyside

  13 April 1989

  Proposed development

  Planning decision as notified to the Secretary of State under regulation 23

  Slough Borough Council

  Expansion of private power station, Slough, Berkshire.

  Planning permission granted 10 January 1989.

  South Oxfordshire District Council

  Brickworks, Southmead Industrial Estate, Didcot, Oxfordshire.

  Planning permission refused 11 January 1989.

  Peterborough City Council

  Private Electricity Generating Station, Peterborough.

  Outline planning permission granted 31 January 1989.

  North Tyneside District Council

  Synthetic resin plant, North Shields.

  Not yet notified.

  Cleveland County Council

  Toxic waste incinerator. Seal Sands, Cleveland.

  Not yet notified.

  Gateshead District Council

  Infill of former Wardley Quarry, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear.

  Not yet notified.

  Teesside District Council

  Clinical waste incinerator, Tyne Tees Wharf, Middlesbrough.

  Not yet notified.

  Durham County Council

  Hilton Lane opencast coal site, Hilton, Durham.

  Not yet notified.

  Wyre District Council

  Pumping station and sewage outfall, Fleetwood, Lancashire.

  Not yet notified.

  Wirral District Council

  Waste disposal site, Bromborough, the Wirral, Merseyside

  Not yet notified

  Leeds City Council

  Quarry extension, Castleford, West Yorkshire.

  Not yet notified.

  Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council

  Waste treatment centre, Kirk Sandall, Doncaster.

  Not yet notified.

  Harrogate District Council and North Yorkshire County Council

  Harrogate/Knaresborough Southern Bypass.

  Not yet notified.

  Black Country Development Corporation

  Black Country Spine Road, Wolverhampton.

  Not yet notified.

  Corby District Council

  Private Electricity Generating Station, Corby, Northamptonshire.

  Not yet notified.

  Melton Borough Council

  New village (Kettleby Magna), Great Dalby, Leicestershire.

  Not yet notified.

  Northampton District Council

  New village, Wooton Fields, Northampton

  Not yet notified.

  Derbyshire Dales District Council

  Holiday village, Flash Dam, Matlock, Derbyshire

  Not yet notified

  Mansfield District Council

  Robin Hood Theme Park, Mansfield Woodhouse.

  Not yet notified

  246
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those developments for which an environmental statement has been provided under the Town and Country Planning (Assessment of Environmental Effects) Regulations 1988 and give the planning authority's decision in respect of each planning application with any conditions attached to the permissions.

  Mr. Howard
  Copies of the environmental statements have been sent to the Department under regulation 14(2)(B) in respect of the following developments:
  247

  Proposed development

  Planning decision as notified to the Secretary of State under regulation 23

  Boston Borough Council

  Steel rolling mill, Batteries Farm, Boston Lincolnshire.

  Not yet notified

  Broxtowe Borough Council

  Retail Park, Giltbrook, Nottingham

  Not yet notified

  Derbyshire Dales District Council

  Hotel, conference centre, funicular railway, etc, Matlock Bath, Derbyshire.

  Application withdrawn prior to planning decision being made.

  Castle Point District Council

  New settlement at Canvey Island, Essex.

  Not yet notified.

  Rochester-upon-Medway City

  Trading Port, BP site, Isle of Grain, Kent.

  Not yet notified.

  Rochester-upon-Medway City

  Liquefied Natural Gas terminal, BP site, Isle of Grain, Kent

  Not yet notified

  Tonbridge and Mailing District Council

  Distribution depot/light industrial development, Ditton Park Quarry, Aylesford, Kent.

  Not yet notified

  Medina Borough Council

  Marina, hotel and residential units, Port Marina, East Cowes, Isle of Wight.

  Not yet notified.

  Berkshire County Council

  Sandhurst/Crowthorne Bypass.

  Not yet notified

  Surrey County Council

  Waste disposal site, Hersham and Trumps Farms, Longcross, Surrey.

  Not yet notified.

  South Oxfordshire District Council

  Wallingford by-pass.

  Not yet notified

  Devon County Council

  Extension of landfill site, Kengsteignton, South Devon

  Not yet notified.

  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those proposed developments since 15 July 1988 where(a) he has exercised his power to make a direction without an application under the Town and Country Planning (Assessment of Environmental Effects) Regulations 1988, (b) he has had to make a direction where a planning application has not been

  LPA

  Proposed Development

  Date of Direction

  Effect of Direction

  (a) Without application under the regulations:

  Lincoln City Council

  Business Park, Bishops Bridge, Lincoln

  13 April 1989

  EA required

  (b) in response to a request by a developer following a notification by a local planning authority that an environmental statement is required in respect of a planning application not accompanied by an environmental statement:

  1. City of Nottingham

  Retail park, hotel, etc. Babbington Colliery site, Nottingham

  2 September 1988

  EA not required

  2. London Boroughs of Newham and Waltham Forest

  Lee Cross Shopping Centre

  28 October 1988

  EA required

  17 November

  3. Wycombe D.C.

  Motorway Service Area, M 40, near High Wycombe

  1988

  EA not required

  4. South Buckingham D.C

  Shopping Complex, Tanhouse Pits, Iver, Bucks.

  6 December 1988

  EA not required

  Extension of sand and gravel workings, Stanwick Quarry, near

  5. Northants C.C.

  Raunds, Northants

  6 December 1988

  EA required

  6. Cambridgeshire C.C.

  Extension of sand and gravel workings, Barleycroft Farm, Cambs

  14 December 1988

  EA not required

  7. Thamesdown B.C.

  Industrial estate, Stratton St. Margaret, Swindon

  21 December 1988

  EA not required

  8. Essex C.C.

  Sand and gravel workings Mana Farm, Essex

  30 January 1989

  EA required

  9. North West Leicestershire D.C.

  Retail Park, Donington Park Motor Racing Circuit

  2 March 1989

  EA required

  10. North West Leicestershire D.C.

  Business/Office Park, Donington Park

  2 March 1989

  EA required

  11. London Borough of Lambeth

  Redevelopment of County Hall, London SE1

  14 March 1989

  EA not required

  12. Malvern Hills D.C.

  New village and industrial development, adjacent to Malvern Hills

  17 March 1989

  EA required

  13. North Devon D.C.

  Proposed Motor racing circuit at Bishop's Nympton, Devon

  27 April 1989

  EA required

  (c) in response to a request by a local planning authority in respect of its own development:

  1. Sedgfield D.C.

  Heighington Lane Industrial Site, Newton Aycliffe, County Durham

  13 October 1988

  EA not required

  248
  accompanied by an environmental assessment but the planning authority have notified the applicant that an environmental statement would be required; and if he will state the effect of those directions.

  Mr. Howard
  The following directions have been given by the Secretary of State:
  249

  LPA

  Proposed Development

  Date of Direction

  Effect of Direction

  2. North Warwickshire D.C.

  Infrastructure for industrial estate, Kingsbury Colliery site, near Tamworth

  17 October 1988

  EA not required

  3. Langbaurgh B.C.

  Ski lift and ski centre, Eston Hills Normanby

  9 December 1988

  EA not required

  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those developments where he has been required to make a pre-application direction as to whether the development should be subject to environmental assessment and give the decision in each case.

  Mr. Howard
  There have been no such cases.

  Housing Co-operatives
  Mr. Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment in view of the Housing Corporation's work with tenants' transfer and co-operatives, if he has taken any steps to ensure that the housing co-operative sector is represented on the board of the Housing Corporation.

  Mr. Trippier
  My right hon. Friend makes appointments to the board of the Housing Corporation so as to ensure that it has at its disposal the range of skills and experience necessary to fulfil its statutory functions.

  AIDS
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to publish his guidance to local authorities in relation to their policies and practices for the housing of those with HIV and AIDS.

  Mr. Trippier
  Decisions have not yet been taken on any Government guidance. Advice is already available to local authorities in the Report "Housing and HIV Infection" published by the local authority associations' officers working group on AIDS.

  Dioxin Levels (Devon)
  Mr. Speller
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to secure regular monitoring of dioxin levels from the incineration at Yelland in north Devon of sewage sludge and screenings; and if he will ensure that the results are made available to the local authorities concerned.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Dioxin emission monitoring is extremely complex and expensive and results cannot be available for some time after the sampling period. We therefore believe that the appropriate way to control dioxin formation is to ensure strict control of combustion conditions and good abatement of particulates. This is in line with the recently agreed EC directive on new municipal waste incineration plant. Local authorities are responsible for the environmental regulation of incinerators of less than one tonne per hour capacity, such as the one at Yelland.

  Rating Reform
  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how much he plans to spend distributing leaflets to households on forthcoming changes to the system of local government finance; and if he will make a statement;
  250
  (2) how much he plans to spend on press advertising in May 1989 on the new system of local government finance.

  Mr. Ridley
  I refer the hon. Member to the answers which I gave him on 17 April.

  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to publicise the national non-domestic rate and the revaluation of non-domestic properties.

  Mr. Ridley
  I hope to announce shortly how I propose to inform the public of the effects of the statute creating the new business rate.

  Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will extend the provisions of part II of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 to the City of London.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  We have no plans at present for designating areas of archaeological importance within the City of London. English Heritage has been reviewing the effectiveness of part II of the 1979 Act and has recently submitted advice, which we are considering.

  Roman Remains (London)
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment on what basis scheduled monument consent was granted to Hammerson Property Group for the Roman remains in Upper Thames street.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  A trial excavation of the site was undertaken by the Museum of London in 1988 and the results were evaluated by English Heritage. On the basis of that excavation an evaluation scheduled monument consent was granted to the developers on 22 December 1988 on condition that the Museum of London be allowed up to six months to carry out an archaeological excavation beneath part of Dominant House.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimates have been made of how much of the total Roman site under Dominant House and Fur Trade House will be destroyed if the proposed development in Upper Thames street by Hammerson Property Group proceeds.

  Mrs Virginia Bottomley
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 18 April 1989, column 77. It is estimated that the current area of excavation covers about 20–25 per cent. of the known area of the monument.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has about the extent of the damage to the Roman remains on the Hammerson site in Upper Thames street caused by the 1964–65 building construction; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Less than 10 per cent. of the area of the current excavation was removed or disturbed by the construction of Dominant House in 1964.
  251
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions have taken place between his Department and the City of London regarding safeguarding the Roman remains on the Hammerson Propery Group site in Upper Thames street; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  There has been no direct contact between the Department and the City of London on this matter. We have been represented throughout by our statutory advisors on archaeology, English Heritage.

  Scheduled Monument Consent
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment on how many occasions since 1979 he has withdrawn or suspended scheduled monument consent; and under what powers did he act in each case.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  None.

  Edible Doormouse
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has about the European distribution of the edible doormouse, or glis glis.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  I am advised by the Nature Conservancy Council that the edible doormouse, glis glis, has a wide-ranging distribution in central and southern Europe, including northern Spain, France, Germany,252
  Belgium, Luxembourg, Italy and Greece. The species was introduced into the United Kingdom in 1902 and is now found in the counties of Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire.

  Naburn Hospital Site
  Mr. John Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what matters he took into account in agreeing to allow Selby district council to determine the further application by Paul Sykes (Developments) Ltd. to redevelop the former Naburn hospital site into an out-of-town shopping centre, contrary to the Greater York shopping policy;

  (2) what matters he took into account in reaching his original decision to allow Selby district council to determine the application by Paul Sykes (Developments) Ltd. to redevelop the former Naburn hospital site into an out-of-town shopping centre, contrary to the Greater York shopping policy.

  Mr. Chope
  [holding answer 27 April 1989]: In considering whether to call in the application for his own determination, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, had regard to Government policy, expressed particularly in PPG6 on major retail development and also to the shopping study carried out for the Greater York authorities, as updated by its author Harvey Coles and by G. L. Hearn. After careful consideration he concluded that there was no evidence that the vitality and viability of the city as a whole would be seriously affected.

  SALMON DEALER LICENSING PROPOSALS
  SALMON DEALER LICENSING PROPOSALS
  FAMILY CREDIT FORMS: AVAILABILITY
  FAMILY CREDIT FORMS: AVAILABILITY
  KATYN MASSACRE
  KATYN MASSACRE
  PEACETIME EMERGENCIES: FUNDING
  PEACETIME EMERGENCIES: FUNDING