Written Answers of 13 November 1989

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Iraq (Arms)
  Ms. Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what investigations his Department has undertaken into the Matrix Churchill company and the possibility that the company is supplying parts to Iraq which could be used in ballistic missile development.

  Mr. Redwood
  All export licence applications are examined carefully. I have no reason to believe that the company has contravened United Kingdom export controls.

  Ms. Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what efforts he is making to prevent Iraq from acquiring in Britain defence technology which could be used to develop the Condor 2 ballistic missile.

  Mr. Redwood
  The Export of Goods (Control) Order includes items controlled in accordance with the United Kingdom's obligations under the missile technology control regime. Applications for licences to export controlled goods are carefully considered by the Departments concerned with a view to preventing exports to undesirable end users.

  Foreign Exchange Transactions
  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will ask the director of the Office of Fair Trading to investigate the disparity between the margins quoted by the banks for commercial foreign exchange transactions and tourist foreign exchange transactions.

  Mr. Forth
  I am not aware of any concern on this matter, but if the right hon. Member has any evidence of anti-competitive behaviour by banks he should bring it to the attention of the Director General of Fair Trading.

  Civil Service Dispersal
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he has any plans to relocate his Department's offices to the north-west of England; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The Department has a programme of review of activities for possible relocation away from London and the south-east and the north-west is always considered along with other possible locations. We have no plans for relocation of units to the north-west of England at present. Announcements will be made as decisions are taken.

  Paper and Board Industry
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the measures he is taking to assist the British paper and board industry.
  2
  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  There are no assistance schemes specific to the paper and board industry as such, but companies in this, as in other sectors of the economy, may be eligible for assistance under various pan-sectoral schemes.

  EC Telecommunications Directive
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry why agreement was not reached on the European Community telecommunications directive known as the open market provision on 7 November; whether Her Majesty's Government have assessed the proposals to be restrictive; and if he will make a statement on the procedures now to be adopted by the Commission under article 90 of the treaty of Rome.

  Mr. Forth
  Proposals for a Commission directive under article 90 of the treaty and Council directive on a framework for open network provision (ONP) of telecommunications services were the principal items for discussion at the Telecommunications Council on 7 November.

  The issue raised by the article 90 directive is whether the internal market in telecommunications is to be a liberal one or not. The aim of the directive under article 90 is to introduce competition into the Community market for all kinds of telecommunications services with the exception of network infrastructure and voice telephony. A majority of member states wish to limit the scope of the liberalisation envisaged in this directive. The Government strongly support the directive's policy, but have certain reservations about its legal base. The conclusions reached by the European Court of Justice in the case currently before it in respect of an article 90 directive issued in May 1988 on telecommunications terminal equipment will be relevant in this context.

  Member states did not reach a common position on ONP because a significant minority including the United Kingdom, while acknowledging that the proposal as revised after consideration by the European Parliament is a substantial improvement on the original proposal, believe that further amendment is necessary to secure the right balance between harmonisation and liberalisation.

  Company Directors (Disqualification)
  Mr. Trotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many directors have been disqualified from holding office in each year since the present law was introduced as a result of their conduct in connection with the management of an insolvent company; and how many cases are pending.

  Mr. Redwood
  Since 28 April 1986 the Secretary of State has obtained the following orders under what is now section 6 of the Company Directors Disqualifcation Act 1986, based on reports from practitioners and official receivers in insolvency proceedings.

  Orders obtained (Directors)

  Awaiting hearing at 31 October 1989 (Directors)

  28 April 1986 to 30 April 1987

  30

  —

  1 May 1987 to 30 April 1988

  148

  —

  1 May 1988 to 30 April 1989

  286

  —

  1 May 1989 to 31 October 1989

  124

  385

  TOTAL

  588

  —

  Framework Programme
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress is being made in the framework programme; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 8 November 1989]: I have been asked to reply.

  I represented the United Kingdom meetings of the EC Council of Research Ministers on 18 September and 17 October which examined the Commission's proposal for a new framework programme for Community research and development for 1990–94. I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave on 2 November 1989 at Hansard column 274. The Council of Ministers is next due to consider the proposal on 15 December and further information will be given to the House following that Council.

  Import Licensing (Relocation)
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will relocate the import licensing branch of his Department to Billingham in Cleveland.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [pursuant to his reply, 23 October 1989, c. 294]: A recent study of location options for the import licensing branch concluded that it could operate effectively and at less cost away from London. I have therefore decided that ILB will be relocated to Billingham in Cleveland by the end of 1990 when the lease on the building it currently occupies in central London expires.

  The move will absorb some of the staff no longer needed to run the regional development grants scheme at the Department's office in Cleveland and some local recruitment will also be necessary in order to fill the 53 posts which will be transferred.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Crown Prosecution Service
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Attorney-General if he has had any representations concerning allegations that police officers were not co-operating with the Crown prosecution service; and if he will make a statement.

  The Attorney-General
  Representations have occasionally been made during my visits to Crown prosecution service areas that some individual police officers had not displayed a co-operative attitude towards the service, particularly when it had just been established. The Association of Chief Police Officers has always given public and private support to the service. As an independent prosecuting service established by statute, the Crown prosecution service of course should receive the proper co-operation of the police service. I am satisfied that in general it does receive it, and that any lack of co-operation on the part of individual police officers would be exceptional.

  Legal Aid
  Mr. Ian Taylor
  To ask the Attorney-General whether he will make a statement about elegibility for legal aid.

  The Attorney-General
  The Government have been considering eligibility for legal aid in relation to particular proceedings in the course of reviewing the arrangements 4
  for civil and family justice. They now propose to carry out a general review of all the financial conditions for the grant of legal aid.

  It is essential to view need in relation to particular types of proceedings in order to identify those who are prevented by lack of means from bringing or defending proceedings, where it is otherwise reasonable that they should. It is not sufficient for this purpose simply to estimate the percentage of the population who might be eligible for legal aid.

  The Government have already considered the arrangements for legal aid in care proceedings and action has been taken in the context of the Children Bill to provide for the waiving of the merits test or the means test in suitable cases. Consideration is now being given to legal aid in relation to civil proceedings as improved procedures are introduced following the civil justice review. We have established the need for certain immediate changes which are being announced today.

  They are as follows:

  (a) assessment of children's means separately from those of their parents;

  (b) an additional capital allowance for pensioners on low incomes who rely heavily on their savings;

  (c) an increase, in respect of personal injury cases, of the upper (eligibility) limits for disposable income and capital from £6,035 to £7,000 and from £6,000 to £8,000 respectively.

  Their net annual cost is estimated to be in the region of £5 million. Other legal aid limits will also be increased in April in the usual way.

  The Government intend to bring these measures into effect in Great Britain in April 1990. Similar improvements to the legal aid financial conditions will also be made in Northern Ireland, although the legislative arrangements there will mean that they will take longer to bring into effect.

  Further changes will depend on the outcome of the review of the financial conditions for legal aid which the Lord Chancellor is setting up. The review will look at all aspects of the financial conditions, including the upper (eligibility) limit, the lower (free) limit, the amount of contribution payable and the statutory charge, as well as the machinery for assessing means and enforcing the payment of contributions.

  The review will begin in January 1990 and is likely to complete its work in two or three years. It will explore the possibility of examining individual applicants' means in relation to the likely cost of different kinds of proceedings for the purpose of determining eligibility. It will consider the availability of legal expenses insurance and the position of those who proceed without legal aid.

  In due course it will extend to criminal legal aid and to family proceedings, where eligibility is higher because individuals' means are generally separately assessed. It will keep in step wih the programme of work on family law, jurisdiction and procedure announced by the Lord Chancellor on 6 December 1988 during the passage of the Children Bill. The review will extend to legal advice and assistance—the green form scheme—in criminal and matrimonial matters. It will also consider the system of uprating the financial conditions generally.

  The review will be conducted by a working group of officials from the Lord Chancellor's Department and the Legal Aid Board, with advice from the Department of Social Security and elsewhere as appropriate. The Scottish Office and the Scottish Legal Aid Board will participate

  5
  fully in the group on questions of equal application to Scotland. Consultation will be undertaken at appropriate stages.

  The review will be undertaken in addition to the regular limited studies which the Government conduct each year for the purpose of uprating the legal aid limits.

  House of Fraser
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Attorney-General (1) if any disciplinary action has been commenced against any fraud squad officer having access to copy No. 26 of the Department of Trade and Industry House of Fraser report; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if criminal inquiries are being pursued in respect of the leak of copy No. 26 of the Department of Trade and Industry House of Fraser report; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I have been asked to reply.

  Officers of the complaints investigation bureau of the Metropolitan police are carrying out an investigation into the leak of the Department of Trade and Industry report, under the supervision of the Police Complaints Authority. The investigation will examine whether criminal or disciplinary proceedings should be brought against any police officer, and is expected to take some time to complete.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Carbon Tax
  Mr. Michael Morris
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which countries impose a carbon tax.

  Mr. Lilley
  I am not aware of any countries that impose a tax on emissions of carbon dioxide, or on fuels that produce carbon dioxide, with the intention of reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

  Capital Investment
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the percentage rate of growth of capital investment in the United Kingdom over the decade 1979 to 1989, and what is the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development average for the same period.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  Gross domestic fixed capital formation in the United Kingdom is estimated to have grown by 34 per cent. at constant 1985 prices over the period 1979 to 1988, the last year for which full figures are available. For the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development as a whole, the latest estimates show a growth of 29 per cent. over the same period at constant 1985 prices and exchange rates.

  Car Disposal Tax
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if there are any plans to introduce a car disposal tax along Scandinavian lines.

  Mr. Lilley
  My right hon. Friend has no plans to do so.

  Bank of England
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will review the operation of the Bank of England Act 1946; and if he will make a statement.
  6
  Mr. Ryder
  The Government have no plans to review the Bank of England Act 1946.

  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the benefits to the Bank of England of emulating the more independent stances, in relation to their central Governments, of the Bundesbank and the United States Federal Reserve Board.

  Mr. Ryder
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister gave to the Leader of the Opposition on 2 November at column 464.

  Exchange Rate
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has prepared any estimate of the rate of the exchange against the D-mark at which it would be possible to join the ERM of the EMS to combine an acceptable rate of economic growth with balance of payments equilibrium.

  Mr. Lilley
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to my right hon. Friend the Chancellor's statement in the House on 2 November at column 490 which set out the factors that will determine when the United Kingdom will join the exchange rate mechanism.

  Lending (Property)
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consultations he has undertaken with the Governor of the Bank of England regarding excessive lending to the property sector.

  Mr. Ryder
  My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer holds regular meetings with the Governor of the Bank of England at which a variety of subjects are discussed.

  Income Tax Allowance
  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the additional revenue accruing to the Exchequer in the next fiscal year of not indexing to the rate of inflation the income tax allowance, assuming an inflation rate of 8 per cent. and no change in the income tax rate.

  Mr. Major
  Estimates of the revenue cost of indexation for 1990–91 will be published in the Autumn Statement later this month.

  Public Expenditure
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total per capita public expenditure in England in the past three years, excluding spending on social security.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  Although information on public expenditure within the four countries of the United Kingdom is not available from the Treasury's public expenditure database or from the national accounts, a special exercise is carried out each year to collect this data. The results of the 1988 exercise were published in the House of Commons Official Report on 25 October 1988, at columns 120–29.

  In this annual exercise expenditure is divided into "identifiable" expenditure—that deemed to have been

  7
  incurred on behalf of the resident of each individual country—and "unidentifiable" expenditure—expenditure incurred on behalf of the United Kingdom as a whole, for example, defence spending. On the basis of the figures published on 25 October 1988 per capita identifiable public expenditure, excluding expenditure spending on social security, in England was as follows:

  £

  1985–86

  1,102

  1986–87

  1,166

  1987–88

  1,247

  These figures relate to identifiable expenditure within the public expenditure planning total as defined for the 1988 and earlier public expenditure surveys. As announced in Cm. 441, the definition of the planning total has been changed for the 1989 public expenditure survey. As a consequence, the basis of this annual exercise will be changed to cover general Government expenditure. The results of this year's exercise will be published shortly.

  Inflation
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the average rate of inflation in each year since 1978–79.

  Mr. Ryder
  [holding answer 9 November 1989]: The table gives the inflation figures, as measured by the retail prices index, for each year requested.

  Retail Price Index

  Annual per cent. change

  1978–79

  8·4

  1979–80

  15·8

  1980–81

  16·3

  1981–82

  11·5

  1982–83

  7·1

  1983–84

  4·7

  1984–85

  5·0

  1985–86

  5·9

  1986–87

  3·2

  1987–88

  3·9

  1988–89

  6·0

  Manufacturing Investment
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what is the percentage rate of growth of capital investment in manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom over the decade 1979 to 1989; and what is the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development average over the same period;

  (2) what is the percentage rate of growth of capital investment in fixed assets in manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom over the decade 1979 to 1989; and what is the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development average over the same period.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  [holding answer 9 November 1989]: 1988 is the most recent full year for which investment data are available. In that year gross domestic fixed capital formation by United Kingdom manufacturing industry, including leased assets, equalled its 1979 level, at 1985 prices, following average growth of 8¼ per cent. a year from 1983.
  8
  Figures for all OECD countries are not available on a comparable basis over this period. Such information as is available is published in "OECD National Accounts, volume 11, 1975–1987".

  VAT
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the estimated cost to industry and commerce by increasing value added tax to 18 per cent.; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ryder
  [holding answer 9 November 1989]: The operation of the VAT system means that businesses making only taxable supplies would he able to deduct the VAT on their costs except in respect of purchases of motor cars and business entertainment. Businesses making exempt supplies would generally bear increased VAT on their purchases. Overall, the additional VAT that would be borne by businesses is estimated to be around £¾billion.

  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the estimated effect on the retail price index of increasing value added tax from 15 to 18 per cent.; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ryder
  [holding answer 9 November 1989]: It is estimated that the effect on the retail prices index of increasing value added tax from 15 to 18 per cent. would be an increase in the index of around 1½ per cent.

  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the estimated effect, in money terms, on the annual family expenditure budget of(a) a single pensioner whose only income was the state pension, (b) a married pensioner couple whose only income was the state pension,(c) a single parent family earning £6,000 per annum, (d) a married couple with two children earning £10,000 per annum, (e) a married couple with two children earning £12,500 per annum and (f) a married couple earning £18,000 per annum with two children and (g) a married couple on unemployment benefit with two children; if value added tax were increased to 18 per cent.

  Mr. Ryder
  [holding answer 9 November 1989]: Assuming that their level and pattern of expenditure were unchanged, a married couple with two children with earned income of £12,500 a year would pay about £120 a year more in VAT, if the rate of VAT were raised to 18 per cent. The comparable figure for a similar family with earned income of £18,000 a year would be around £190 a year.

  No estimates are available for the other family types specified in the question, since data on their expenditure patterns are less reliable.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Cambodia
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many representations he has received from(a) hon. and and right hon. Members and (b) others during the past three months concerning the policy of Her Majesty's Government relating to Cambodia; and if he will make a statement.
  9
  Mr. Maude
  We have received more than 600 representations from hon. and right hon. Members, and more than 4,000 from other sources in the last three months.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many letters and telephone inquiries his Department has received from the public on Cambodia since 31 October.

  Mr. Maude
  The Department has received over 3,500 letters and approximately 40 telephone inquiries on Cambodia since 31 October.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Her Majesty's Government will propose or sponsor the establishment of an international mission to verify that Vietnamese forces have fully withdrawn from Cambodia.

  Mr. Maude
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to my hon. Friend the Member for Taunton (Mr. Nicholson) on 30 October.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will now make it his policy to support any challenge to the seating at the United Nations of the Coalition Government of Democratic Kampuchea when the situation in Cambodia is debated at the United Nations General Assembly on 15 and 16 November;

  (2) what information he has as to whether Vietnamese forces have now left Cambodia.

  Mr. Maude
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to my hon. Friend the Member for Broxtowe (Mr. Lester) on 8 November.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what military training and support Her Majesty's Government have given to the forces of the Coalition Government of Democratic Kampuchea; what information he has as to co-ordinated attacks on Cambodia by the forces of the Coalition Government of Democratic Kampuchea; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maude
  I have nothing to add to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to my hon. Friend the Member for Broxtowe (Mr. Lester) on 8 November.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if it is his policy to support pp4 of the ASEAN draft resolution on Cambodia, on foreign armed intervention and occupation in Kampuchea; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maude
  Yes. We have agreed to co-sponsor this resolution.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Government intend to co-sponsor the resolution on Cambodia put forward by ASEAN countries for debate at the United Nations General Assembly on 15 November.
  10
  Mr. Maude
  Yes, along with, at the last count, 75 others.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on how many occasions the United Kingdom has voted to seat the Coalition Government of Democratic Kampuchea at the United Nations; and how many such votes have taken place.

  Mr. Maude
  In 1979 the United Kingdom voted in favour of a General Assembly resolution adopting the report of the credentials committee recommending, inter alia, acceptance of the credentials of Democratic Kampuchea. From 1980–82 the United Kingdom voted against challenges to the credentials of Democratic Kampuchea in the General Assembly. There has been no vote since 1982.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has as to the number of Cambodian civilians who died in each year from 1976 to the present.

  Mr. Maude
  There are no reliable sources of information on which to base such estimates.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has on the former relations between the ambassador extraordinary and plenipoteniary to the United Nations of the Coalition Government of Democratic Kampuchea and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs under Pol Pot.

  Mr. Maude
  The ambassador to the United Nations of the Coalition Government of Democratic Kampuchea is Thiounn Prasith. Between 1975 and 1979 he was employed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Democratic Kampuchea.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what sources of information Her Majesty's Government use to assess the political, social and economic situation in Cambodia.

  Mr. Maude
  We draw on all sources available to us. These include the reporting of Her Majesty's embassies in Bangkok and elsewhere, the views of non-governmental organisations working inside Cambodia, consultation with our friends and partners and reports in the media.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when there was last a visit by representatives of Her Majesty's Government to Cambodia.

  Mr. Maude
  No representative of ours has visited Cambodia since the Vietnamese invasion in 1979.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which is the dominant faction in the Coalition Government of Democratic Kampuchea.

  Mr. Maude
  The Coalition Government of Democratic Kampuchea (CGDK) comprises three factions: Prince Norodom Sihanouk's group (FUNCINPEC), the Kampuchea People's National Liberation Front (KPNLF), and the Khmer Rouge. It is our policy to support the non-Communist resistance (FUNCINPEC and KPNLF) and we are determined that they should not fall under the domination of the Khmer Rouge.
  11
  Mr. Adley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what positive evidence he has that Pol Pot is still actively involved in the direction of the Khmer Rouge.

  Mr. Maude
  It is difficult to assess shifts of influence within the Khmer Rouge. We understand that Pol Pot resigned from his one remaining official position, that of Head of the Academy of National Defence, with effect from 3 June 1989. But he is still believed to wield influence behind the scenes.

  Refuseniks
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what representations have been made to the Russian authorities about the case of Marat Goldberg of Leningrad;

  (2) what representations have been made to the Russian authorities about the case of Mila Novik of Moscow and her two children.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  We have not previously raised these particular cases with the Soviet authorities but we will be happy to do so if my hon. Friend will provide the details.

  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made to the Russian authorities about the case of Sasha and Irene Sterkin of Moscow and their two sons.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  We take every opportunity to press the Soviet authorities on individual refusenik cases such as that of Sasha and Irene Sterkin. My right hon. Friend the then Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs raised this case when he met Mr. Shevardnadze in New York on 29 September. We shall maintain our pressure until Sasha and Irene Sterkin are given permission to emigrate from the Soviet Union.

  Mr John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made to the Russian authorities about the case of Mark Barenshtein and his wife and two daughters of Moscow.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  We take every opportunity to press the Soviet authorities on individual refusenik cases such as that of Mark Barenshtein and his family. The last occasion that we raised this case was on 29 September when my right hon. Friend the then Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs met Mr. Shevardnadze in New York. We shall maintain our pressure until this case is resolved satisfactorily.

  Civil Service Dispersal
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has any plans to relocate his Department's offices to the north-west of England; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maude
  There are no plans to relocate the offices of either the diplomatic wing or the aid wing of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to the north-west of England. I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Roxborough and Berwickshire (Mr. Kirkwood) on 6 November regarding the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's relocation programme.

  Mr. Karnail Singh Khaira
  Mr. Ground
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Indian Government concerning the arrest on 18 October in Jullundur, India, of Mr. Karnail Singh Khaira and his subsequent detention; and what response he has received from the Indian Government.

  Mr Maude
  The British high commission in New Delhi is pressing the Indian authorities for early consular access to Mr. Khaira, and awaits their response. Mr. Khaira's lawyer entered a writ of habeas corpus on 9 November 1989.

  Sri Lanka
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has concerning the training of another group of Indian peacekeeping forces to be based in north Sri Lanka.

  Mr. Maude
  None.

  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has on the number of the Indian peacekeeping forces based in Sri Lanka at the present time; and when they are due to be withdrawn.

  Mr. Maude
  In an agreement announced on 18 September, the Indian and Sri Lankan Governments noted that all efforts would be made to complete withdrawal of the Indian peacekeeping force by 31 December 1989. The process is under way. Our best estimate of the size of the Indian force, based on official announcements, is between 35,000 and 38,000.

  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations Her Majesty's Government have made to the Indian Government regarding the basing of Indian peacekeeping forces in Sri Lanka; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maude
  None. We supported the Indo-Sri Lankan accord of 1987, and we welcome the agreement between the two countries announced on 18 September, which provided a framework for implementation of measures to achieve a peaceful settlement in the north and east and the phased withdrawal of the Indian peacekeeping force.

  Gibraltar
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 8 November, if he will identify where the observations in relation to Gibraltar's lack of elected representation in the European Parliament made by the then Home Secretary may be found.

  Mr. Maude
  The observations are contained in the Supplement to the Votes and Proceedings No. 175 of 20 June 1984 at column 1455.

  Children's Rights
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government have yet signed and ratified the
  13
  United Nations convention on the rights of the child; and whether he will specify any reservations that have been entered by Her Majesty's Government on various articles of the convention.

  Mr. Maude
  The United Nations draft convention on the rights of the child is likely to be adoped by the United Nations later this month and we intend to ratify as soon as possible thereafter. We may need to enter reservations on various articles but the scope of these has yet to be determined. One area where we may need to enter a reservation would be in relation to our immigration and nationality laws.

  British Embassies
  Mr. Ian Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what advice and assistance was offered by his Department to British firms tendering for the construction of the new British embassy in Tokyo.

  Mr. Maude
  No new British embassy is proposed for Tokyo. The tender list for the construction of eight houses and a small apartment block in the British embassy compound has not yet been drawn up. My noble Friend the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office has suggested to the Export Group for the Constructional Industries that British firms that are keen to establish a constructional foothold in Japan should forward tender pre-qualification details to the FCO for consideration. At least half the tender list will be reserved for United Kingdom contractors and the tender documents will state that particular attention would be paid to the tenders submitted by British or British/Japanese joint venture companies.

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his Department's policy towards assisting British firms tendering for contracts to build British embassies in protected foreign markets.

  Mr. Maude
  Our policy is to achieve the best value for money for the overseas diplomatic estate's capital construction programme. Tender lists are therefore open both to British and to local firms that express interest in a given project and can meet pre-qualification requirements.

  German Reunification
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government on the issue of German reunification; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maude
  It has been the belief of successive British Governments that real and permanent stability in Europe will not be achieved so long as the German nation is divided against its will. As a first step, the people of East Germany should have the right to hold free elections and to self-determination.

  Afghanistan
  Sir John Farr
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British citizens are known to be resident in Afghanistan at the latest available date; and what arrangements have been made for their interests to be looked after.
  14
  Mr. Maude
  In February of this year, we were aware of five British nationals in Afghanistan.

  As my hon. Friend, the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs said in his reply to the hon. Member's question on 13 March 1989, we informed British nationals before the temporary withdrawal of embassy staff in February 1989 that consular assistance would no longer be available in Afghanistan. British nationals who travel to or remain in the country do so in the knowledge that this is so.

  Sir John Farr
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the total number of British diplomatic staff at present posted in Afghanistan; and when he expects the British Ambassador there to be appointed and take up post.

  Mr. Maude
  There are no British diplomats in Afghanistan. Her Majesty's ambassador was withdrawn in 1980 following the Soviet invasion. There are no current plans to appoint a new ambassador.

  Diplomatic Representation
  Sir John Farr
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those countries where Britain has no diplomatic representation, giving in each case the reason why no such representation is considered necessary.

  Mr. Maude
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the then Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 5 May to the hon. Member for Newport, West (Mr. Flynn). Since then agreement has been reached with Argentina to re-establish consular relations.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Durham Prison
  Ms. Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will be acting on the recommendations made by Her Majesty's inspector of prisons with regard to Durham prison.

  Mr. Mellor
  A statement by my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr. Hurd) setting out the action which was being taken, was published on 19 October 1989 as his response to the report of Her Majesty's chief inspector of prisons on Durham prison and a copy was placed in the Library.

  Suicides
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many suicides there have been in(a) all United Kingdom prisons and (b) Swansea prison in each of the last 10 years; how many were prisoners on remand; and how many were prisoners under the age of 21 years.

  Mr. Mellor
  The table gives the figures for inmates held in prison establishments in England and Wales in each year since 1980.
  15

  Year

  Total suicides1

  Suicides by remand inmates1

  Suicides by inmates under the age of 211

  1980

  21

  12

  2

  1981

  16

  7

  1

  1982

  17

  8

  4

  1983

  21

  9

  2

  1984

  23

  12

  2

  1985

  23

  14

  1

  1986

  17

  12

  3

  1987

  42

  27

  7

  1988

  30

  19

  7

  1989

  221

  29

  22

  1 The table gives the number of deaths for which suicide verdicts were returned at the inquest.

  2 Inquests have yet to be held on 14 other inmates who have died in 1989 and whose deaths are thought to have been suicides. Of these 11 were on remand and six were under the age of 21.

  Suicide verdicts have been returned on two inmates who died at Swansea prison during the same period, one in 1984 and one in 1988. Both were remand inmates. The inmate who died in 1984 was under the age of 21. An inquest has yet to be held on an 18 year-old remand inmate who died at Swansea prison on 4 November 1989.

  Deaths of inmates in custody in Scotland and Northern Ireland are matters for my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

  Criminal Injuries Compensation Board
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases originating in Scotland are pending before the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board; and how many such cases have been dealt with by the board in every year since its inception.

  Mr. John Patten
  The board had 95,395 cases outstanding on 31 October 1989. No breakdown of this total is kept between English, Scottish and Welsh cases, but over recent years the proportion of Scottish applications has been around 16 per cent. of the total.

  The number of Scottish cases resolved since the board was set up is given in the table:

  Period

  Number of cases resolved

  1 August 1964 to 31 March 1966

  190

  Year ended

  31 March

  1967

  536

  1968

  869

  1969

  1,522

  1970

  1,493

  1971

  1,153

  1972

  1,828

  1973

  1,862

  1974

  2,129

  1975

  2,304

  1976

  2,482

  1977

  2,705

  1978

  2,898

  1979

  2,999

  1980

  3,355

  1981

  3,864

  1982

  3,441

  1983

  4,303

  1984

  4,753

  1985

  4,024

  16

  Period

  Number of cases resolved

  1986

  3,783

  1987

  4,407

  1988

  4,391

  1989

  5,482

  Total

  66,773

  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the names and qualifications of the present members of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board, and the total length of time they have served as members of the board.

  Mr. John Patten
  Under the terms of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme members must be legally qualified. Present members, who are listed in the table, with their dates of appointment, are either Queen's Counsel with experience in civil litigation or past presidents of the Law Society.

  Name

  Date of appointment to the Board

  Mr. James Law QC1

  29 September 1970

  Mr. Charles Whitby QC

  20 October 1975

  Mr. Barry Chedlow QC

  13 January 1976

  Mr. David Calcutt QC

  5 September 1977

  Miss Beryl Cooper QC

  12 September 1978

  Miss Shirley Ritchie QC

  23 June 1980

  Sir John Palmer JP

  6 March 1981

  Mr. Stuart Shields QC

  13 March 1981

  Sir Denis Marshall

  15 September 1982

  Mr. Hugh Carlisle QC

  22 December 1982

  Mr. Colin Fawcett QC

  12 April 1983

  Mr. Michael Park CBE1

  8 July 1983

  Mr. Martin Thomas OBE QC

  9 April 1985

  Mr. John Crowley QC

  3 July 1985

  Sir Arthur Hoole

  30 July 1985

  Mr. Michael Bruce QC1

  1 January 1986

  Mr. Donald Robertson QC1

  1 April 1986

  Mr. Michael Lewer QC

  30 September 1986

  Mr. Peter Weitzman QC

  8 November 1986

  Mr. Conrad Seagroatt QC

  15 November 1986

  Mr. John Archer QC

  2 January 1987

  Mr. Owen Thomas QC

  18 March 1987

  Mr. Leighton Williams QC

  26 March 1987

  Mr. Graeme Hamilton QC

  15 April 1987

  Mr. William Gage QC

  22 December 1987

  Mr. Barry Green QC

  24 December 1987

  Mrs. Janet Smith QC

  29 December 1987

  Mr. Thomas Dawson QC1

  31 January 1988

  Sir Derek Bradbeer OBE

  18 April 1988

  Mr. Crawford Lindsay QC

  19 April 1988

  Lord Carlisle of Bucklow PC QC2

  1 December 1988

  Mrs. Barbara Mills QC

  30 October 1988

  Mr. Robert Smith QC

  7 November 1988

  Lord Macaulay of Bragar QC1

  12 January 1989

  Miss Diana Cotton QC

  26 January 1989

  Mr. Donald Mackay QC1

  6 February 1989

  Mr. Evan Stone QC

  13 July 1989

  Mr. Daniel Brennan QC

  21 September 1989

  Mr. Timothy Preston QC

  25 September 1989

  Mr. John Cherry QC

  21 October 1989

  1 Scottish Member.

  2 Chairman from 1 March 1989.

  Drugs
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many registered drug addicts are currently on remand or under sentence in prison establishments in England and Wales.
  17
  Mr. Mellor
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a question from the hon. Member for Tooting (Mr. Tom Cox) on 10 November at columns 803–04.

  Prison Population
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the ethnic composition of the remand and sentenced prison population for the latest date

  Population1 of specified Prision Service establishments in England and Wales on 30 June 1989: by establishment, type of prisoner and ethnic origin

  Number

  Ethnic origin

  Establishment and type of prisoner

  White

  West Indian, Guyanese, African

  Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi

  Chinese, Arab, Mixed origin

  Other, not recorded (including refusals)

  Total number of persons in establishments

  Brixton

  Untried

  440

  226

  22

  19

  30

  737

  Convicted unsentenced

  105

  36

  3

  3

  1

  148

  Sentenced

  123

  33

  6

  3

  5

  170

  Non-criminal

  —

  2

  —

  —

  —

  2

  All prisoners

  668

  297

  31

  25

  36

  1,057

  Wormwood Scrubs2

  Untried

  388

  228

  17

  15

  7

  655

  Convicted unsentenced

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Sentenced

  320

  46

  9

  7

  9

  391

  Non-criminal

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  All prisoners

  708

  274

  26

  22

  16

  1,046

  Wandsworth

  Untried

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Convicted unsentenced

  29

  26

  3

  1

  3

  62

  Sentenced

  1,029

  338

  54

  33

  34

  1,488

  Non-criminal

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  All prisoners

  1,058

  364

  57

  34

  37

  1,550

  Pentonville

  Untried

  101

  51

  2

  7

  7

  168

  Convicted unsentenced

  28

  10

  2

  1

  1

  42

  Sentenced

  480

  151

  21

  17

  4

  673

  Non-criminal

  11

  5

  —

  10

  1

  27

  All prisoners

  620

  217

  25

  35

  13

  910

  Holloway

  Untried

  116

  62

  2

  8

  34

  222

  Convicted unsentenced

  32

  8

  1

  2

  11

  54

  Sentenced

  109

  61

  1

  5

  19

  195

  Non-criminal

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1

  All prisoners

  257

  132

  4

  15

  64

  472

  Manchester3

  Untried

  423

  36

  15

  27

  18

  519

  Convicted unsentenced

  168

  5

  1

  6

  8

  188

  Sentenced

  803

  32

  16

  19

  9

  879

  Non-criminal

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  All prisoners

  1,394

  73

  32

  52

  35

  1,586

  Birmingham

  Untried

  260

  74

  22

  7

  12

  375

  Convicted unsentenced

  54

  8

  7

  2

  3

  74

  Sentenced

  376

  71

  26

  15

  8

  496

  Non-criminal

  1

  —

  3

  1

  —

  5

  All prisoners

  691

  153

  58

  25

  23

  950

  Leeds

  Untried

  490

  33

  29

  13

  11

  576

  Convicted unsentenced

  73

  5

  2

  2

  2

  84

  Sentenced

  565

  22

  18

  11

  6

  622

  Non-criminal

  5

  3

  —

  1

  —

  9

  All prisoners

  1,133

  63

  49

  27

  19

  1,291

  1 Provisional. The figures are those recorded centrally and are approximate.

  2 Local and closed training prison.

  3 Remand centre and local prison.

  18
  available at (a) Brixton, (b) Wormwood Scrubs, (c) Wandsworth, (d) Pentonville, (e) Holloway, (f) Manchester (g) Birmingham and (h) Leeds; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 3 November 1989]: The latest available information is given in the table.

  Prisoners (Ethnic Minorities)
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of male and female remand and sentenced prisoners in England and Wales are known to be derived from an ethnic minority for the latest date available; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 3 November 1989]: The readily available information is given in the table. The

  Population1 of prison service establishments in England and Wales on 30 June 1989: by type of prisoner, sex and ethnic origin

  Number

  Ethnic origin

  Type of prisoner and sex

  White

  West Indian, Guyanese, African

  Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi

  Chinese, Arab, Mixed origin

  Other, not recorded (including refusals)

  Total of persons in establishments

  Males

  Untried

  6,053

  1,077

  209

  175

  429

  7,943

  Convicted unsentenced

  1,516

  177

  32

  34

  86

  1,845

  Sentenced

  30,748

  3,637

  1,055

  676

  618

  36,734

  Non-criminal

  79

  41

  27

  38

  69

  254

  All prisoners

  38,396

  4,932

  1,323

  923

  1,202

  46,776

  Females

  Untried

  245

  67

  3

  13

  50

  378

  Convicted unsentenced

  71

  9

  1

  3

  14

  98

  Sentenced

  892

  267

  22

  34

  64

  1,279

  Non-criminal

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1

  All prisoners

  1,208

  344

  26

  50

  128

  1,756

  1 Provisional. The figures are those recorded centrally and are approximate.

  Prisoners (Postage Stamps)
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what powers prison governors have to forbid the loan of a postage stamp by one prisoner to another.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 10 November 1989]: Powers exist under Standing Order 4 and prison rule 47. One of their purposes is to prevent items, such as postage stamps, from being used as a form of currency within prisons.

PRIME MINISTER

  East Timor
  Dr. Thomas (Meirionydd Nant Conwy)
  To ask the Prime Minister whether she will list the United Kingdom's voting record on the question of the Indonesian occupation of East Timor during the general assemblies of the United Nations held since 1979).

  The Prime Minister
  The United Kingdom abstained on all United Nation General Assembly resolutions on East Timor between 1979 and 1982—resolutions 34/49 (1979); 35/27 (1980); 36/50 (1981) and 37/30 (1982). There have been no United Nations resolutions since.

  Cambodia
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Prime Minister how many letters and telephone inquiries her office has received from the public on Cambodia since 31 October.

  The Prime Minister
  I have received approximately 1,500 letters on Cambodian-related matters.
  20
  information is published annually in "Prison statistics, England and Wales", table 1.11 of the 1988 issue, Cm. 825, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Mr John Broome
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Prime Minister what contact she has had with Mr. John Broome CBE since she launched The Battersea in June 1988; and if she will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  My normal practice is and will continue to be neither to confirm nor deny whether meetings with private individuals have taken place, even in those cases where no such meeting has occurred.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Tapajos Forest, Brazil
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will reconsider his decision to approve a study of the Tapajos area of tropical forest in Brazil in the light of the fact that it has already been the subject of study.

  Mrs. Chalker
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Dalyell) on 9 November at column 719.

  Aid
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the current cost of British overseas aid; and how much of the total is allocated to the dependent territories and how much to each of the dependent territories.

  Mrs. Chalker
  In the current financial year the aid programme stands at £1,500 million. Last financial year we spent £44,095,000 on aid for the dependent territories broken down as follows:
  21

  £000s

  Anguilla

  1,778

  British Virgin Islands

  2,033

  Montserrat

  2,158

  Turks and Caicos Islands

  5,046

  Falkland Islands

  3,622

  Gibralter1

  8,733

  St. Helena2

  20,725

  TOTAL

  44,095

  1 Includes assistance towards a pensions settlement.

  2 Includes payments for a new ship—the island's only physical link with the rest of the world.

  This financial year we expect to spend a broadly similar total.

  Montserrat
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what special financial assistance has been given to Montserrat in consequece of the recent widespread hurricane damage in the dependency; if he will provide a breakdown of the extra expenditure incurred, indicating the purposes for which it was allocated in each case; and how much of the total expenditure has been or will be the responsibility of Ministers in the dependency.

  Sir Peter Emery
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance has been given to the island of Montserrat to overcome the damage caused by hurricane Hugo on 17 September.

  Mrs. Chalker
  Immediately following hurricane Hugo Britain made an initial £1 million available for emergency assistance, such as tents, blankets, roofing, medicaments and so on, and also the services of the British armed forces for immediate repairs and the airfreighting of supplies. Most of this assistance was directed to Montserrat. Subsequently, a further £3·2 million for reconstruction aid has been committed. This is being used to finance teams of engineers, linesmen and electricians—some 50 people—from British electricity boards who are repairing the power distribution system and for the supply of equipment and materials for the restoring of essential infrastructure. The funds will he used primarily in Montserrat, which suffered by far the worse damage, but also in Antigua.

  Officials from the British development division in Barbados and from the United Kingdom have recently completed a review of Montserrat's longer-term reconstruction needs and strategy. We will be discussing these with the Government of Montserrat, and with the multilateral agencies and other donors.

  The reconstruction work is the responsibility of the Montserrat Government and the public service companies concerned. The British Government will be contributing, and the ODA will monitor the use of aid funds in the usual way.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Recycled Paper
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what quantity of paper, excluding newspapers, in metric tonnes, has been used in the House of Commons within the last 12 months on(a) Members' stationery,
  22
  (b) the Vote Bundle, (c) the Official Report and (d) production of Bills and other legislative documents; if, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Leicester East (Mr. Vaz), Official Report, 4 April, column 68, he is now in a position to indicate what percentage of the paper is recycled, specifying percentages for each of the four sections; what percentage of each section identified is subsequently recycled; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Geoffrey Howe
  The information requested is(a) 26 tonnes; (b) 168 tonnes; (c) 158 tonnes and (d) 43 tonnes. Recycled paper is not used for these categories because much of the material is of archival significance, and recycled paper of suitable archival quality is not currently obtainable. Buff envelopes, ruled writing paper, file covers, note books, index books, lavatory paper and waste paper sacks all contain at least 50 per cent. recycled material. All non-confidential waste paper from the House of Commons is collected by a contractor for recycling.

  Questions
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what was the total number of(a) oral and written parliamentary questions put down (i) in the last Session, (ii) five and (iii) 10 years previously; and if he will provide similar figures excluding oral questions to the Prime Minister.

  Sir Geoffrey Howe
  The information1 available for Sessions 1977–78, 1982–83 and 1987–88 is as follows:

  Questions tabled

  (a) Oral

  Written

  1977–78

  9,036

  28,739

  1982–832

  6,125

  17,095

  1987–882

  24,940

  47,726

  1 Statistics for oral questions excluding those tabled for reply by the Prime Minister are not readily available in the form requested.

  2 1982–83 was a "short" Session and 1987–88 was "long" Session.

  Kenyan Tea and Coffee
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Lord President of the Council if Kenyan tea or coffee is served in restaurants and cafeterias in the House; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Geoffrey Howe
  Tea and coffee purchased by the Refreshment Department are blended products originating from more than one country.

CHURCH COMMISSIONERS

  Ordination of Women
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the right hon. Member for Selby, as representing the Church Commissioners, what finance and facilities the Church Commissioners are making available(a) to supporters of the ordination of women and (b) opponents of the same; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Alison
  None. This is a matter for the General Synod.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Duchy Business
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how much time he spends each week on duchy business.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  I spend approximately a quarter of my time carrying out my duties as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

  Wyre
  Mr. Mans
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he has any plans to pay an official visit to the Wyre constituency in the county palatine.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  I have no plans to visit the Wyre constituency at present.

  Council

  Controlled schools

  Voluntary and maintained schools

  Universities

  Colleges of education

  area/hectares

  area/hectares

  acres

  acres

  Antrim

  36·73

  9·86

  —

  —

  Armagh

  18·07

  22·57

  —

  —

  Ballymena

  29·36

  25·13

  —

  —

  Ballymoney

  10·40

  8·04

  —

  —

  Banbridge

  17·85

  5·74

  —

  —

  Belfast

  85·10

  75·54

  74

  12·0

  Carrickfergus

  30·81

  2·51

  —

  —

  Castlereagh

  28·89

  6·70

  —

  —

  Coleraine

  28·44

  14·47

  60

  —

  Cookstown

  12·77

  13·00

  —

  —

  Craigavon

  54·19

  24·94

  —

  —

  Down

  19·25

  34·42

  —

  —

  Dungannon

  23·10

  38·38

  —

  —

  Fermanagh

  15·81

  24·76

  —

  —

  Larne

  10·70

  7·22

  —

  —

  Limavady

  23·42

  7·97

  —

  —

  Lisburn

  39·86

  20·96

  —

  —

  Londonderry

  34·55

  41·19

  7

  —

  Magherafelt

  10·32

  20·74

  —

  —

  Moyle

  7·65

  5·62

  —

  —

  Newry and Mourne

  19·90

  43·35

  —

  —

  Newtownabbey

  32·28

  18·58

  40

  —

  Newtownards

  32·12

  3·61

  —

  —

  North Down

  16·91

  15·76

  —

  —

  Omagh

  18·06

  21·40

  —

  —

  Strabane

  20·07

  18·15

  —

  —

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what are the statutory minimum standards for outdoor playing space in Northern Ireland;

  (2) what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the current level of provision of outdoor playing space in Northern Ireland.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  There are no general statutory minimum standards for outdoor playing space in Northern Ireland except for schools whose standards are laid down in the School Premises (Standards) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1973 (SR and O No. 491 (1973)). I have made no overall assessment of the levels of provision for outdoor playing space in Northern Ireland, but I am satisfied with the minimum standards laid down for schools in these regulations.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Playing Spaces
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish a table in the Official Report to show (a) the total amount of outdoor playing space in Northern Ireland, (b) the amount of playing space by district council area, (c) the amount of playing space per head of the population in each council area, (d) the amount of such playing space in each council which is owned by (i) councils, (ii) schools, (iii) recognised sporting clubs and bodies and (iv) others, or as much of such information as is available to him.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Play space at schools and higher education establishments is shown in the table. The other information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at a disproportionate cost.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the number of young unemployed in the Province at the latest available date.

  Mr. Needham
  At 14 September 1989, the latest date for which figures are available, 31,593 unemployed claimants in Northern Ireland were under 25 years old, and 4,739 of these were aged 18 or under.

  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the unemployment figure among construction workers in the Province at the latest date.

  Mr. Needham
  At 14 September 1989, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 17,549 unemployed construction workers in Northern Ireland.

ENVIRONMENT

  Science and Policy Issues
  Dr. Hampson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what advice he has received from the Nature Conservancy Council regarding existing science and policy issues at a national level; and whether he will place a copy of that advice in the Library.

  Mr. Trippier
  My right hon. Friend has received a variety of representations and advice about the Government's proposals to reorganise the conservation agencies, which were announced in July. Among these was a paper from the Nature Conservancy Council entitled "Proposed Reorganisation of NCC: Policy and Science Issues". With the agreement of the chairman of the council, copies of this paper will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses shortly.

  Containers
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he intends to take to encourage the use of biodegradable plastic containers.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The Government are considering with industry and local authorities how to promote the most environmentally responsible means of dealing with plastics waste, including biodegradability, recycling and reuse. The long-term effects of biodegradable plastics on the environment is to be the subject of research which the Government will be monitoring closely.

  Civil Service Dispersal
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has any plans to relocate his Department's offices to the north-west of England; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Patten
  Over 1,500 posts in my Department (including the Property Services Agency) are already located in the north-west. Eleven posts in the Department's rent charges unit will shortly be transferred to Manchester. Information about the Department's review of the scope for further relocation was given in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Beverley (Mr. Cran) on 26 July at column 785.

  Forests
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how he intends to ensure that Her Majesty's Government's contribution to the target figure of replanting the world's forests with 12 million hectares of trees each year from the turn of the century, agreed at Noordwijk, will be achieved.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The Noordwijk declaration makes no apportionment of the suggested 12 million hectares target as between individual countries. However, the United Kingdom already has a creditable record on forestry. As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced in her speech to the United Nations, we intend to increase spending largely on the tropical forest action plan by £100 million over the next three years. This is in addition to the 125 forestry schemes worldwide already 26
  being supported directly or jointly with a number of non-governmental organisations. In the United Kingdom the farm woodland scheme has a target of 36,000 hectares of domestic tree planting over a three-year period and the Department of Transport is planting 1 million trees a year in conjunction with its roads programme.

  Endangered Species
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on British participation at the CITES conference at Lausanne in relation to the American proposals on reviews of research proposals in relation to ivory, fur and reptile skins.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  None. I understand, however, that the Japanese Government have indicated that they fully support the decision of the CITES conference to transfer the African elephant from appendix II to appendix I of the convention, and have no intention of entering a reservation.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what contacts he has had with Japan over the honouring of the CITES Lausanne agreement.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The proposals were not discussed in any of the formal conference sessions. We will study the results of any such work with interest in consultation with our scientific advisers.

  Planning Appeals
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list for each planning authority the proportion of planning appeals upheld, categorised according to the reasons for appeal, in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Moynihan
  This information can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Government Car Service
  Mr. Dicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those people who are neither hon. Members of Parliament, former Prime Ministers, nor civil servants who are entitled to use the Government car service, and the reason for their entitlement.

  Mr. Chope
  In addition to Members of Parliament and civil servants, entitlement to use the Government car service is extended, by reason of their official duties, to the chairmen or chief executives of certain national boards, judges, officials of the Houses of Parliament, No. 10 Downing street, and occasionally to visiting foreign Government officials and trade delegations.

  Education and Youth Service (Funding)
  Ms. Hilary Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the 1990–91 standard assessment for(a) education, (b) under-fives education, (c) primary education, (d) secondary education, (e) post-16 education, and (f) other education, for each local education authority in England.

  Mr. Chope
  I have today placed in the Library a table showing provisional 1990–91 standard spending assessments for under-fives education, primary education,
  27
  secondary education, post-16 education, other education and all education services for each local education authority in England.

  Ms. Hilary Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what elements of the standard spending assessment for each local education authority is attributable to the youth service expenditure; and if he will list that element for each local education authority in England.

  Mr. Chope
  Allowance for the expenditure on youth related services is made within the other education sub-block of the education standard spending assessment. This sub-block also covers adult education. The proposed control total for this block in 1990–91 is £756 million.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will specify the guidance he has issued on the Government's policy, for the period after the abolition of domestic rates, towards rating of domestic property, when that property is used for a non-domestic purpose which does not materially detract from the domestic use.

  Mr. Chope
  The Inland Revenue valuation office will determine whether minor non-domestic use of domestic property should be assessed for rating purposes in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government Finance Act 1988. Guidance, in the form of a practice note, will be issued to all local authorities as soon as possible on the boundary between domestic and non-domestic property and will include details of the approach to be adopted by valuation officers in such cases.

  Urban Aid
  Mr. Ken Hargreaves
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the total budget for urban programmes for the year 1989–90; and what amounts of urban programme aid have been allocated to each of the 57 qualifying authorities for the year to date.

  Mr. Moynihan
  The total provision for the urban programme in 1989–90 is £260 million. A total of £246 million was allocated to local authorities—and district health authorities within those areas. The remainder was topsliced for the Merseyside special allocation, residual traditional urban programme commitments, low attaining pupils programme and research. The local authority allocations are as follows:

  1989–90 Total allocation

  £ million

  Northern

  Newcastle/Gateshead

  17·061

  Hartlepool

  1·750

  Langbaurgh

  1·750

  Middlesbrough

  5·349

  North Tyneside

  3·400

  South Tyneside

  4·700

  Stockton

  1·368

  Sunderland

  5·019

  North West

  Manchester/Salford

  21·773

  Blackburn

  4·000

  Bolton

  3·625

  28

  £million

  Burnley

  1·891

  Oldham

  3·583

  Preston

  2·120

  Rochdale

  3·545

  Wigan

  2·366

  East Midlands

  Derby

  1·480

  Leicester

  4·750

  Nottingham

  5·120

  Yorkshire/Humberside

  Barnsley

  1·598

  Bradford

  4·500

  Doncaster

  1·793

  Hull

  4·636

  Kirklees

  0·914

  Leeds

  4·315

  Rotherham

  1·794

  Sheffield

  5·059

  Merseyside

  Liverpool

  19·353

  Halton

  1·325

  Knowsley

  3·768

  St. Helens

  1·662

  Sefton

  1·429

  Wirral

  3·253

  West Midlands

  Birmingham

  23·000

  Coventry

  4·575

  Dudley

  1·340

  Sandwell

  4·407

  Walsall

  1·595

  Wolverhampton

  4·867

  The Wrekin

  0·680

  South West

  Bristol

  1·373

  Plymouth

  1·003

  London

  Hackney

  7·734

  Islington

  8·567

  Lambeth

  9·965

  Brent

  3·336

  Greenwich

  1·067

  Hammersmith/Fulham

  3·330

  Haringey

  2·650

  Kensington/Chelsea

  1·775

  Lewisham

  1·700

  Newham

  2·589

  Southwark

  2·494

  Tower Hamlets

  4·373

  Wandsworth

  3·256

  TOTAL

  245·725

  Homelessness
  Mr. Ken Hargreaves
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which organisations are to be granted funding under section 73 of the Housing Act 1985 during the next financial year; and what is the amount they will receive.

  Mr. Chope
  No decisions have yet been taken on which voluntary organisations are to be funded under section 73 of the Housing Act 1985 during the next financial year. An announcement will be made shortly.

  Floor Tiles (House of Commons)
  Mrs. Golding
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the damaged floor tiles in the House will be replaced.

  Mr. Chope
  Temporary repairs to the damaged tiles were carried out earlier this year. Discussions are continuing with English Heritage to develop a programme for either the permanent repair or replacement of the damaged tiles in the Central Lobby, Lower Waiting Hall and St. Stephen's Hall. The parliamentary works office hopes to be able to put agreed proposals to the House in the new year.

  Battersea Power Station
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has received any proposals to demolish Battersea power station; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Moynihan
  No. Listed building consent was given by Wandsworth borough council in June 1986 for a scheme that envisaged minor amounts of demolition. Consent for other works has been given by the council subsequently.

  Council House Sales
  Mr. Gerald Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the effect of the introduction in March of the tenants' sanction procedures for right-to-buy applicants; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chope
  The tenants' sanction procedures were introduced by section 124 of the Housing Act 1988 and came into effect on 10 March 1989. The provisions provide for tenants who are exercising the right to buy their homes, but are being held up by delays on the part of the landlord, to require the rent they pay while the delay continues to be treated as an advance payment towards the purchase price, and to shorten by a corresponding period the time within which they are liable to repay discount if they resell their home. These measures therefore provide financial redress for tenants who suffer from delay, and penalise the local authorities who cause this delay.

  I am glad to be able to announce that there are signs of improved right-to-buy performance in London since the introduction of the tenants' sanction. But the Department continues to receive a large number of complaints about right-to-buy delays and it is clear that the most significant delays still occur in London where the Department currently monitor 12 boroughs of which four—Brent, Hackney, Lambeth and Southwark—have more than 1,000 cases delayed beyond the statutory time limits.

  I have decided that it is now appropriate to review the performance of all London housing authorities in the light of the introduction of the delay procedures.

  So as to determine the effect of the tenants' sanction provisions and the extent of right-to-buy delays in London, the Department has written to all London boroughs asking them to provide details of their right-to-buy caseload and the number of tenant's sanction notices which have been served on them. A copy of the letter to chief executives has been placed in the Library.

  I will consider what further monitoring or other measures are necessary when I have the results of this exercise.

  Water Authorities (Interest Payments)
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what income was received by the national loans fund in respect of interest payments by water authorities in the last financial year.

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 10 November 1980]: This information will be presented to the House shortly when, in accordance with paragraph 35 of schedule 3 to the Water Act 1973, the national loans fund White Paper accounts for 1988–89 are published.

  Waste Paper
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what further steps he proposes to take to encourage and assist local authorities to provide or expand schemes for the recycling of waste paper.

  Mr. Trippier
  [holding answer 10 November 1989]: In conjunction with the Department of Trade and Industry, my Department will shortly carry out a survey of local authorities to identify best practice in the recycling of waste paper and other waste streams. In addition, we will be closely monitoring the results of the recycling city project in Sheffield which, among other things, involves the kerbside collection of waste paper. I shall be opening the next phase of this project on 21 November.

  Paper and Board
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what measures he is taking to assist environmental initiatives by the British paper and board industry.

  Mr. Trippier
  [holding answer 10 November 1989]: My Department and the Department of Trade and Industry are in regular contact with individual paper and board manufacturers and relevant trade associations with a view to encouraging the use of recycled paper and board. The Government, with leading paper and board manufacturers, held a series of seminars earlier this year throughout the United Kingdom on recycling waste paper for use as newsprint, to which there has been a very positive response.

  Eutrophication
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to commission a study of the eutrophication of ponds, lakes and waterways in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 9 November 1989]: I do not consider that such a study is required at present because eutrophication is not generally a problem in United Kingdom waters. The National Rivers Authority is responsible in England and Wales for the control of water pollution and the maintenance and improvement of the quality of controlled waters.

  Water Meter
  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give a breakdown of the estimated price per gallon of water to be charged after household water meter installation.
  31
  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 8 November 1989]: No. The charge per gallon will depend on the structure of the measured tariff fixed by each water undertaker under the conditions of its instrument of appointment.

  Recycling
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the local authorities which have implemented one or more recycling initiatives within the past 12 months involving(a) paper, (b) aluminium or (c) glass.

  Mr. Trippier
  We do not at present hold such information centrally. However, I recently launched the National Directory of Recycling Information which lists recycling initiatives, available from Waste Watch, 26 Bedford Square, London WC1B 3HU.

  Tropical Forests
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what contribution British research is making to the European Community's effort to select the most practical and internationally acceptable options to conserve the tropical hardwood forests.

  Mr. Trippier
  The United Kingdom has an extensive bilateral programme of assistance on tropical forests which, as the Prime Minister announced on 8 November, has recently been enhanced by a further £100 million. Our principal contribution to EC efforts has been to second a forestry expert to the Commission's development directorate. We of course take a full part in discussions on forestry within the Community, and at the meeting of European Environment Ministers in June 1989 my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State supported the redeployment of resources within the Commission towards forestry.

  Urban Aid
  Mr. Ken Hargreaves
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the total budget for city grant for the year 1989–90; and if he will publish a table showing what schemes have been approved in the year to date, giving the authority receiving the grant, for what scheme and what proportion of the total cost of the scheme was represented by the grant.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I will write to the hon. Member.

DEFENCE

  War Widows
  Mr. Speller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will seek powers to give the same remuneration to war widows from world war one and world war two as is paid to Falklands campaign widows.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  War widows receive those pensions to which they are eligible under the provisions of appropriate schemes. All war widows receive a war widow's pension under the war pensions scheme administered by the Department of Social Security. Pensions may also be payable under the terms of the occupational scheme for the armed forces. The widows of 32
  men who died during, or as a result of, the Falklands campaign are eligible for an attributable forces family pension under that scheme as the result of improvements which were introduced from 31 March 1973 and applied only to those personnel who gave service on or after that date. There are no plans to extend eligibility to those whose service ended before that date.

  Mr. Higgins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what benefits payable to war widows under the contributory pension scheme are covered by contributions; and to what extent they are financed by other forms of revenue.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The armed forces pension scheme is non-contributory. The cost of forces family pensions, paid to those war widows who are eligible, is met from the funds allocated to the appropriate defence vote. However, subsequent to the appointment of the Review Body on Armed Forces Pay in September 1971, it has been the practice of that body to make an adjustment, within the process of determining recommended rates of pay for the armed forces, which takes into account differences in superannuation benefits between those of the armed forces scheme and those of comparators' schemes.

  Low Flying
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many Harrier GR7 aircraft are being brought into service in the next five years; how many aircrews will be trained to fly at low level at night; and how many night-hours each aircrew will be required to fly each year to maintain the required RAF levels of proficiency;

  (2) how many hours at low flying at night have been undertaken in each of the past five years; and what level of increase is anticipated after the Harrier GR7 aircraft is brought into service;

  (3) how many hours of low flying at night were planned to occur in West Germany prior to the West German decision to ban low flying training at night;

  (4) if he will list in the Official Report the areas of the United Kingdom that will be used to train air crews engaged in low level night-time flying exercises in Harrier GR7 aircraft;

  (5) whether the specifications of the Harrier GR7 aircraft requires low level night time training exercises to be undertaken in the area of the Spadeadam Royal Air Force base.

  Mr. Neubert
  My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Armed Forces will write to the hon. Member.

  Air-Misses
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the outcome of the investigation by the joint air-miss working group into the incident involving a military aircraft and a civil passenger flight over Tranent on the evening of 2 August.

  Mr. Neubert
  The Official Report of the investigation into this incident is not yet available.

  Chemical Weapons Training
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will order an investigation into the circumstances in which polyethylene glycol was released
  33
  from a Royal Air Force aircraft over the town of Amesbury on an occasion in October; and if he will make it his policy to publish the results;

  (2) what is the damage to private property caused by the release of polyethylene glycol by a Royal Air Force aircraft over the town of Amesbury;

  (3) what was the purpose of spraying troops with polyethylene glycol on the occasion in October when a quantity of this chemical was released over the town of Amesbury;

  (4) what were the chemical constituents of the liquid released by a Royal Air Force aircraft over the town of Amesbury on an occasion in October.

  Mr. Neubert
  I refer the hon. and learned Member to the reply that I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Salisbury (Mr. Key) on 10 November 1989 at columns 798–99.

  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the chemical formulae of the substances that are used during chemical weapons training.

  Mr. Neubert
  The MOD does not undertake chemical weapons training. The only materials released from the air as stimulants for chemical and biological defence training are water and polythylene glycol 300.

  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what health and safety measures are taken to ensure the health of those service personnel involved in chemical weapons training;

  (2) what steps are taken to monitor the health of those service personnel involved in chemical weapons training.

  Mr. Neubert
  All equipment and simulants used for training purposes go through a thorough scrutiny and approval procedure before being cleared for service use, and there is, therefore, no specific reason to monitor service men's health following chemical and biological defence training. However, the health of service personnel is routinely monitored.

  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the chemical formula of the substance that was discharged by an aircraft operating from the aircraft and armaments establishment at Boscombe Down on 25 October.

  Mr. Neubert
  The chemical training agent discharged from an aircraft operated by A and AEE Boscombe Down on 25 October was polyethylene glycol 300. Its chemical formula is CH2(OH).(CH2O CH2)m.CH2OH, where m may be a 5 or 6.

  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether there have been any(a) injuries or fatalities recorded on and (b) injuries, illnesses or fatalities that have resulted from chemical weapons training.

  Mr. Neubert
  There are no recorded illnesses, injuries or fatalities resulting directly from the use of simulants in chemical and biological defence training.

WALES

  Toxic Material (Imports)
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many letters he received during the past three months concerning the importation into Wales of polychlorinated biphenyl contaminated material; and what inquiries he has undertaken concerning this matter.

  Mr. Grist
  We have received 23 letters.

  Details of imports of PCB wastes are notified to my right hon. Friend under the Transfrontier Shipment of Hazardous Waste Regulations 1988.

  Hospital Provision (Porthmadog)
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what further discussion he now proposes having with Gwynedd health authority concerning the future of hospital provision in the Porthmadog area; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Grist
  My right hon. Friend's decision on Gwynedd health authority's proposals for the future of hospital provision in the Porthmadog area was conveyed to the authority in letters of 3 and 22 March 1989 which were copied to the hon. Gentleman. Subject to the outcome of the High Court's consideration of that decision, implementation of their proposals is a matter for Gwynedd health authority.

  Standard Spending Assessments
  Ms. Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the 1990–91 standard spending assessments for(a) education, (b) under-fives education, (c) primary education, (d) secondary education, (e) post-16 education, and (1) other education, for each local education authority in Wales.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  The Welsh revenue support grant formulae do not form a basis for calculating a notional allocation of standard spending assessment for any particular service. The 1990–91 totals of standard spending assessment are not yet available.

  School Class Sizes
  Ms. Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what are the latest figures for average class sizes in(a) primary, (b) secondary and (c) nursery schools for each local education authority in Wales.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  Details of average class sizes are given in the following table. The information given for primary schools relates to the average size of registered classes. In the case of secondary schools the information given is based on the size of classes actually taught. Information is not collected centrally on class sizes in nursery schools.

  Primary Schools (Average size of registered classes)

  Secondary Schools (Average size of one teacher classes as taught)

  Clwyd

  25·8

  20·1

  Dyfed

  21·8

  18·6

  Gwent

  26·4

  18·6

  35

  Primary Schools (Average size of registered classes)

  Secondary Schools (Average size of one teacher classes as taught)

  Gwynedd

  21·6

  17·7

  Mid Glamorgan

  26·2

  19·6

  Powys

  20·3

  16·3

  South Glamorgan

  26·7

  20·4

  West Glamorgan

  24·8

  19·3

  Nursery Schools
  Ms. Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what are the latest figures for the percentage of under-fives in nursery schools, by local education authority in Wales in rank order.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  The information as at January 1989 is shown in the following table:

  Percentage of under fives in Nursery Schools1 2

  Per cent.

  Gwent

  9·6

  Mid Glamorgan

  8·4

  South Glamorgan

  7·3

  Clwyd

  3·2

  Dyfed

  2·5

  West Glamorgan

  2·5

  1 Aged as at August 1988, excluding rising fives, expressed as a percentage of the number of three and four-year-old population.

  2 There are no nursery schools in Gwynedd or Powys.

  Ms. Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what are the latest figures for the percentage of under-fives in nursery classes, by local education authorities in Wales, in rank order.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  The information as at January 1989 is shown in the following table:

  Percentage of under fives in nursery classes1

  Per cent.

  West Glamorgan

  52·3

  Clwyd

  40·9

  Mid Glamorgan

  33·5

  Gwent

  25·7

  Powys

  25·3

  Dyfed

  25·0

  South Glamorgan

  22·8

  Gwynedd

  15·2

  1 Aged as at August 1988, excluding rising fives, expressed as a percentage of the three and four-year-old population.

  Infant Classes
  Ms. Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what are the latest figures for the percentage of under-fives in infant classes, by local education authority in Wales, in rank order.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  The information as at January 1989 is shown in the following table:

  Percentage of under-fives in infant classes1

  Dyfed

  38·3

  Mid Glamorgan

  33·5

  Clwyd

  32·8

  West Glamorgan

  32·7

  36

  Percentage of under-fives in infant classes1

  Gwent

  32·2

  Gwynedd

  30·4

  Powys

  26·1

  South Glamorgan

  24·6

  1 Aged as at August 1988, excluding rising fives, expressed as a percentage of the number of three and four-year-old population.

  National Curriculum
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment his Department has made of the training required by primary school teachers for the implementation of the technology component of the national curriculum.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  We have given high priority to the implementation of the national curriculum under the LEA training grant scheme and have allocated £350,000 specifically for the training of teachers in new technologies for 1990–91.

  The Department and the Curriculum Council for Wales will be considering further what is required to implement technology in the national curriculum in the light of the recently completed consultations on the Secretary of State's proposals.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what urgent action he will take to increase the availability of specialist teachers in high schools to meet the requirements of the new curriculum; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  We are taking the requirements of the national curriculum into account when setting intakes to initial teacher training; in the revision of the criteria for initial teacher training courses; and in deciding on the role and make-up of the LEA in-service training grant scheme and education support grants. The recruitment of teachers for shortage subjects is being helped by the provision of bursaries for students pursuing courses in those subjects. The pilot scheme of incentive supplements for Welsh-speaking graduates is aimed at increasing the pool of teachers capable of teaching through the medium of Welsh.

  School Computers
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what grants are available to provide computers for(a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools; and for each type of grant for the last available financial year, if he will state, in separate tables for primary and secondary schools (i) the cash allocation in total and by education authority, (ii) the number of schools that have received a cash allocation by education authority and (iii) the number of computers provided, by education authority.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  Current provision of funding to equip primary and secondary schools to use information technology across the curriculum is in the form of education support grant allocated by bid to local education authorities. Provision for an advisory teacher service is also included in the funding. Grant to support eligible expenditure of £1,475,800 was made available in 1988–89 and grant to support eligible expenditure of £1,583,800 is available in the current financial year.
  37
  The tables show the figures for expenditure for each LEA, and figures supplied by LEAs of numbers of computers purchased in 1988–89.

  Figures detailing LEA allocations of ESG to individual schools are not collected centrally.

  1988–89: Expenditure eligible for ESG support by LEA for IT in Schools

  LEA

  ESG allocation, £s

  Including £s for hardware purchase

  Clwyd

  161,200

  51,200

  Dyfed

  228,700

  126,700

  Gwent

  233,100

  108,100

  Gwynedd

  122,400

  47,400

  Mid Glamorgan

  316,900

  153,900

  Powys

  59,500

  21,500

  South Glamorgan

  199,400

  92,400

  West Glamorgan

  154,600

  44,600

  1988–89: Numbers of computers purchased through ESG

  Secondary

  Primary

  Special schools

  Clwyd

  11

  21

  11

  Dyfed

  122

  45

  5

  Gwent

  118

  0

  0

  Gwynedd

  32

  25

  3

  Mid Glamorgan

  211

  0

  3

  Powys

  20

  0

  0

  South Glamorgan

  92

  0

  0

  West Glamorgan

  1

  1—

  1—

  1 Figures not yet supplied.

  Cardiff Bay Development
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will make it his policy that compensation levels for firms in the Cardiff bay area which are required to move in order that development may proceed are set at levels which make their relocation viable and ensure that existing jobs are not lost to the area;

  (2) if he will make it his policy that grants systems operated by his Department will be used to the best advantage in order to enable existing firms in the Cardiff bay area to (a) stay in business and (b) to create new job opportunities for the future;

  (3) whether he will make it his policy that existing firms and jobs in the Cardiff bay area shall either (a) be retained within the area or (b) be assisted to relocate in or near the area.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  Compensation to firms required to move within or outside the area of Cardiff Bay development corporation will be determined in accordance with the provisions of the Land Compensation Act 1961, the Compulsory Purchase Act 1965 and the Land Compensation Act 1973. This legislation provides for payment to be made in respect of disturbance costs as well as for land and property acquired. If a company considers that an offer made is inadequate it may seek to have the level of compensation determined by the Lands Tribunal, an independent body established by Parliament.

  Within this statutory framework it is the policy of Cardiff Bay development corporation to do whatever it can to protect the interests and the existing employment of firms within its area. The corporation has my fullest support in that. I am also anxious to ensure that, wherever appropriate, firms affected by the redevelopment of Cardiff bay should seize every opportunity to expand. To that end my Department is working closely with the
  38
  corporation to ensure that every advantage is taken of regional selective assistance and other available measures of support to safeguard and create jobs.

  As part of its policy the corporation is taking a range of specific initiatives:

  —the engagement of Cardiff and Vale Enterprise to assist companies with business planning and the preparation of grant applications;

  —making land available to ensure that firms remain within or close to the designated area;

  —operating a scheme of business assistance to provide financial support to existing firms.

  I understand that active discussions are currently taking place with the firms which may be affected by relocation.

  Channel Tunnel
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will call a conference of local authorities, employers and trades unionists to consider how his Department might act in order to obtain better links for north and south Wales to the proposed Channel tunnel; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  British Rail has already consulted widely in preparation for its report on Channel tunnel rail services.

  Proposals for road links which will benefit road users travelling between Wales and the Channel tunnel are included in "Roads for Prosperity" published by the Department of Transport and in "Roads in Wales 1989".

  I have had talks with the chairman of British Rail after having had the views of many people interested in this matter.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what efforts he has made to improve the direct access of north and south Wales railway routes to the proposed Channel tunnel; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  The chairman of British Rail is aware of the importance that my right hon. Friend and I attach to the provision of the best possible rail links between Wales and the Channel tunnel. Officials have taken part in British Rail's consultations on its plan of services for the tunnel. That report is now awaited.

  Connah's Quay (Bypass)
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will ensure that Clwyd county council's application for transport supplementary grant will be sufficient to ensure the early starting of the Connah's Quay and Shotton bypass; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  Clwyd county council's bid for transport support grant in 1990–91 is being considered along with bids from other local highway authorities in Wales.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will meet members of(a) Connah's Quay town council, (b) Shotton town council, (c) Queensferry county council and (d) Sealand town council to discuss the urgent need for the Dee crossing and the Shotton and Connah's Quay bypass.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  No. This matter was fully discussed when my right hon. Friend met the hon. Gentleman and representatives of Alyn and Deeside district council on 18 October.

  Schools (Funding)
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will meet governors of schools of Clwyd local education authority to discuss with them the funding of schools under new legislation with particular reference to staffing; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  We have no plans to do so but we are always willing to consider invitations to visit schools in Clwyd and elsewhere.

  Gipsy Caravan Sites
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will meet members of the Queensferry and Deeside chamber of trade to hear their views concerning gipsy caravan sites; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ian Grist
  No.

  Mancot Hospital
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will meet the Friends of Mancot hospital to discuss with them the plans for Mancot hospital consequent upon the opening of Deeside community hospital.

  Mr. Grist
  Plans for the future of Mancot hospital are a matter for Clwyd health authority at this time. It would not be appropriate, therefore, for my right hon. Friend to meet the Friends of 'he hospital to discuss its future.

  Ambulance Stations, Clwyd
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will visit ambulance stations of Clwyd health authority; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Grist
  We have no present plans to do so. No visit is required for us to appreciate the role of the ambulance service in the provision of patient care. We would urge the trade unions involved in the present dispute to call off industrial action immediately and return to the negotiating table.

  Health Funding (Clwyd)
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will visit the headquarters of Clwyd health authority to hear members' views on funding; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  I have no immediate plans to visit Clwyd health authority. I have been fully briefed on the financial position of health authorities in Wales as a result of my Department's annual round of review meetings with authorities in September and a meeting which I had with the chairman of the Welsh health authorities chairmen's committee last week. I am pleased to note that, although authorities are facing higher inflationary pressures than they budgeted for at the start of the financial year, they are taking responsible managerial action to ensure that their expenditure remains under control. I shall he taking account of their present position in determining hospital and community health services provision for 1990–91 about which I expect to make an announcement next month.

  High Schools
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will visit the staff rooms of(a) Connah's Quay, (b) Queensferry, (c) Buckley, (d) Hope, (e) Darland and (f) Argoed high schools to seek members of staff's views of the new Education Act; and if he will make a statment.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  We are always willing to consider invitations to visit schools within Clwyd or elsewhere in Wales. There has been and continues to be wide consultation on the implementation of the Education Reform Act and further views will be sympathetically considered.

  Countryside Access
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what access to the countryside in Wales will be included in the proposed green Bill; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  The Government's proposals for reorganisation of the countryside bodies will not affect existing statutory rights of access to the countryside.

  Litter
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to combat the increase in litter in the Principality; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Grist
  The government's proposals for combating litter were set out in the consultation paper "Action on Litter" a copy of which was placed in the Library of the House at the time of publication in July.

  The responses to the paper are being considered at present and, subject to the results, the Government intend to introduce necessary legislation to enact these proposals at the earliest opportunity.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects to make a statement on the details of the community charge as they affect Welsh districts and boroughs.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave to him on Monday 6 November (Vol. 159, c. 663–64).

  Transport Supplementary Grant
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he proposes to announce the award of transport supplementary grant to Welsh counties; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  We expect to announce the transport grant settlement for 1990–91 shortly.

  Waste Disposal
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many waste disposal sites are situated in(a) Newport, (b) Cardiff and (c) Swansea; and how many of these are licensed to take special wastes.

  Mr. Grist
  From the information provided by the waste disposal authorities, the following are the sites licensed:
  41

  Authority

  Number of licensed sites

  Newport

  28

  Cardiff

  20

  Swansea

  24

  Information on the types of waste permitted is held by the authorities, which are under a statutory duty to maintain public registers.

  Public Expenditure
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the total per capita spending in Wales for the past three years, excluding spending on social security.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  The latest available figures are in the answer my right hon. Friend the then Chief Secretary gave in his reply of 25 October 1988 (Vol. 139, c.120–29).

  Water Loss
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will give a quantified breakdown of the ways in which water is lost by Welsh Water between the reservoir and the consumer;

  (2) what information he has on the reasons why Welsh Water is losing 40 per cent. of the water collected in its reservoirs before reaching the consumer; and what steps he intends to take to bring that percentage loss in line with that of other water companies in England and Wales;

  (3) what percentage of water is lost in the course of distribution by (a) Welsh Water and (b) any other company supplying water in any part in Wales;

  (4) what target has been set for Welsh Water to achieve in order to reduce the percentage loss of water during the course of distribution; and by what date they are to reach that target.

  Mr. Grist
  These are matters which are the responsibility of Welsh Water plc. Some information is contained in the pathfinder prospectus, copies of which are in the Library.

  Water Conservation
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the statutory provisions which relate to his powers in relation to the conservation of water by water companies operating in Wales and the methods of conservation to which they refer.

  Mr. Grist
  I shall write to the hon. Gentleman and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

HEALTH

  Breast Screening
  Ms. Richardson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which National Health Service hospitals are involved in income generation schemes by offering private breast screening services; and(a) what are the names of the private firms with which they are collaborating, (b) what are the charges to the individual women who use the service and (c) who is responsible for monitoring the medical standards and practices of these schemes.
  42
  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  The information is not available in the form requested. My Department is aware of 11 health authorities offering breast screening services for which a charge is made. Two of these are in collaboration with private firms, Medical Diagnostics Ltd. and Priory Medical. In about half the schemes no charge is made to individual women as the costs are met by employers or charities and some are charged only at cost.

  Guidance issued to health authorities in March 1989 specifically asked them to seek advice from my Department where issues of national policy were involved, such as breast and cervical screening. I have now advised health authorities that they should not seek to generate income from such screening.

  Health authorities that developed schemes in advance of that guidance may be bound for the time being by contractual arrangements to provide some screening services additional to those available to National Health Service patients.

  The health authorities concerned are:

  Royal Marsden Hospital Special Health Authority

  Hull

  Leeds Western

  South Bedfordshire

  Barking, Havering and Brentwood

  City and Hackney

  West Essex

  Canterbury and Thanet

  Maidstone

  Halton

  Wigan

  Private Nursing Homes
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list by location the private nursing homes in the Trent regional health authority; and what arrangements were made for health care organisations to have an input at the planning stage before they were opened.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Tables placed in the Library list the names of private nursing homes registered under section 23 of the Registered Homes Act 1984 in Trent regional health authority, by district health authority.

  Guidance advises registering authorities to identify and seek contact with prospective nursing home owners at the earliest possible stage, to establish a co-operative relationship and assist the applicant to meet the conditions of registration.

  Oil Seed Rape
  Mr. Andrew Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what conclusions his Department has reached on the results of the oil seed rape research project funded by Angus district council and Ninewells hospital on the relationship between oil seed rape and allergies, a copy of which has been sent to him; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what research or investigation his Department has made into the health problems connected with the oil seed rape crop; what finance has been allocated to such projects; and what plans he has to develop further the recent research financed by Angus district council and Ninewells hospital.

  Mr. Freeman
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 8 November 1989 to the hon. Member for East Lothian (Mr. Home Robertson) at columns 684–85.

  Abortion
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what instructions his Department issues to doctors undertaking abortions on foreign women about their aftercare following the abortion;

  (2) what medical formalities are required prior to an abortion for foreign women attending private clinics for termination of pregnancy.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  As for resident women, abortion is available for a foreign patient if two doctors certify in good faith that the risk to the life or injury to the physical or mental health of the pregnant women or the existing children of her family would be greater if the pregnancy continued than if it were terminated. Decisions relating to the clinical care and follow-up of all abortion patients are matters for the individual doctors concerned.

  Approved places are required to make special provision for counselling and aftercare of foreign patients including the provision of interpreters, own-language information leaflets, and discharge letters to the referring doctor in their own language.

  Bed Provision
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the appropriate level of provision per bed of(a) blood gas machines, (b) resuscitation equipment, (c) ventilators and (d) central monitoring systems for heart patients, for general hospitals with acute services in urban areas; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  These are matters for decision by the appropriate senior managers of the relevant clinical care facilities, having regard to operating procedures, staffing levels, case mix and other appropriate factors.

  Disabled People
  Mr. Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to increase opportunities for advocacy and representation for severely disabled people.

  Mr. Freeman
  I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to the right hon. Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe (Mr. Morris), and the hon. Member for Monklands, West (Mr. Clarke) on 7 November at column 556.

  Self-governing Hospitals
  Mr. Shersby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish in the Official Report a list of the National Health Service hospitals which he has approved for self-governance.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply my right hon. and learned Friend gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Maidstone (Miss Widdecombe) on 3 November at columns 389–90. We will not be able to approve any NHS trusts until Parliament has given approval to the necessary legislation. A total of 187 expressions of interest in NHS trust status have been received by the Department.

  Cosmetic Mammary Glands
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what grounds it was decided not to make mammillas an integral part of a cosmetic mammary gland provided by the National Health Service; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Some brands available under the NHS are integral. It is for the consultant responsible to decide, in consultation with the patient, which type of prosthesis to prescribe.

  Community Care
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what financial help has been given to each of the London borough councils towards the cost of community care in their boroughs of patients discharged from psychiatric hospitals.

  Mr. Freeman
  Resources for community care in general are made available from the main programme expenditure of health authorities and local authorities. Central Government support to local authorities is provided through block grant. This is an unhypothecated grant which is allocated as a whole and specific elements within it are not identifiable separately. Individual authorities are responsible for deciding how the total funds available to them are used in the light of local circumstances and legislative requirements. In addition, health authorities are allocated each year specific sums known as joint finance which are in part used to promote a shift from hospital to community care.

  The Government recognise the need to ensure that discharges of seriously mentally ill people from hospital take place only when adequate services are available for them outside hospital. We propose to introduce a new funding structure for those seeking help from public funds for the cost of care as well as a new specific grant to encourage the development of social care for people with mental illness.

  Rehabilitation Medicine
  Sir David Price
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many full-time consultants are currently employed within the National Health Service in rehabilitation medicine.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  This information is not available, as rehabilitation medicine is not currently classified as a separate speciality. It will be separately classified from 1990.

  Paramedics
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give figures for the last five years for the number of trained paramedics among ambulance personnel shown as a global figure and as a percentage of total ambulance personnel in each ambulance service.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  These figures are not held centrally.

  1991 Census
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will ensure that the 1991 census clearly identifies the number of homeless and those sleeping rough through choice.

  Mr. Freeman
  It is planned to identify separately numbers of people camping and people sleeping rough on census night, and to distinguish between the two groups. Like everyone else, people in each of these groups will be asked if the place where they are enumerated is their usual address.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make provision in the 1991 census for an organised body rather than the police and voluntary organisations to count the numbers of homeless sleeping rough.

  Mr. Freeman
  It is planned that the enumeration of people sleeping rough will be carried out as part of the general census enumeration by people appointed for the purpose by the registrars general.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to use a simplified form for the 1991 census for those who are homeless.

  Mr. Freeman
  In addition to questions about household circumstances, asked only about private households, it is planned that everyone in Great Britain will be asked to answer the same set of questions about himself or herself. There will, however, be special provisions for particular cases. One of these provisions will enable a return for a person sleeping rough who is not capable of completing his or her own return to be made by someone who is capable. Another provision will enable any person sleeping rough to authorise someone else to complete the return on his or her behalf.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he has any plans in the 1991 census to identify the number of those living at addresses care of people other than their own family.

  Mr. Freeman
  It is planned that numbers of people staying in communal establishments will be identified separately, as will numbers of people staying with private households who are not related to the person first mentioned on the census form for that household.

  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the draft 1991 Census Order will be laid before Parliament; whether an ethnic group question will be included in the proposed context of the census; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and I have today laid before Parliament the draft Order in Council for a census to be taken in Great Britain on Sunday 21 April 1991. This order specifies the persons by whom and with respect to whom returns are to be made and the topics on which questions are to be asked.

  The Government's proposals for the 1991 census of Great Britain were published in a White Paper (Cm. 430) in July 1988. All the topics that were then proposed are included in the draft order.
  46
  The White Paper stated that the Government proposed to include a question on ethnic group in the 1989 census test and to study the results before deciding whether such a question should be included in the final plans for the 1991 census. The responses to the ethnic group question in this voluntary test have now been assessed.

  A follow-up survey, carried out as part of the test, showed that the question commanded a high degree of acceptance from all the main ethnic groups. Less than one half of 1 per cent. of households refused to take part in the voluntary test because of the ethnic group question. While 7 per cent. did voice objections when prompted, most of these had nevertheless answered the question. The proportion of black people who voiced objections when prompted (1 in 5) was higher than that of white and of Asian people (1 in 20) but only 1 per cent. of black respondents refused to take part in the test because of the ethnic group question. Few spontaneous comments adverse to the question were received from the public. The accuracy of answers to the question was acceptable.

  These results indicate that the public at large, in all ethnic groups, is ready to accept and respond to this question in the census. The Government have therefore included the ethnic group question in the draft order for the 1991 census.

  We hope that this decision will be welcomed by the many people and organisations who have expressed a need for the kind of statistical information the answers to this question and others will provide. Statistical information on ethnic group, together with that on, for example, housing, employment and age structure, will help central and local government and health authorities allocate resources and plan programmes, taking account of the needs of each group. It will also help employers and those providing services identify and tackle areas of racial disadvantage.

  Copies of a summary of the ethnic group question results from the census test have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses. Copies of a census newsletter, containing a list of the proposed questions and their uses, and illustrations of how the questions will look on the census form, will be placed in the Libraries shortly.

  Double Prescription Charges
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the drugs on which a double prescription charge is levied.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The general rule is that each drug or appliance which is supplied attracts a single prescription charge. If more than one drug is supplied, whether packaged together or separately, more than one charge is payable.

  Nurses (Grants)
  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Western Isles,Official Report, 7 November, column 827, whether nurses on undergraduate courses will have their grants frozen and replaced with loans.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Students on nursing degree courses, like other students in full-time higher education, will have access to the additional resource provided by the top-up loan.

  Mail Order Optical Services
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what measures are being taken to ensure that the rules for supply by mail order of spectacles, and contact lenses by or under the supervision of a doctor or an optician, are fully understood and complied with; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what representations he has received concerning greater enforcement of the rules governing the sale of mail order of contact lenses; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Section 21 of the Opticians Act 1958 clearly states that the sale of any optical appliance, including contact lenses, must be either effected by or supervised by a registered medical practitioner or registered optician. Anyone failing to comply with these requirements would be in breach of the terms of the Act and committing a criminal offence. It is the responsibility of the General Optical Council to ensure the standard and integrity of the ophthalmic professions and it would be for them to take action in such circumstances.

  In addition, the General Optical Council also issues its own rules concerning the conduct and standard of the profession. This includes clear instructions on the sale of optical appliances. All medical practitioners and opticians must accept and agree to comply with these rules on registration. Failure to do so is a disciplinary offence and a matter for the General Optical Council.

  Birmingham Children's Hospital
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children's heart operations have been performed in the Birmingham children's hospital since 1 April; and at what cost.

  Mr. Freeman
  From April to October this year, 206 open heart operations were performed at the Birmingham children's hospital. The cost of these operations cannot be disaggregated from the hospital's total spending.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information he has on(a) the number of children's heart operations scheduled to take place in the Birmingham children's hospital in the financial year 1989 to 1990 and (b) the financial resources allocated for those operations.

  Mr. Freeman
  The target for the number of open heart operations in Birmingham children's hospital in 1989–90 is 320. Financial resources required for those operations cannot be disaggregated from the total financial resources required by the hospital.

  Central Manchester Health Authority
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place copies of his recent correspondence with Central Manchester health authority and with its chairman concerning self-governing status in the Library; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  No.

  Trafford Health Authority
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with Trafford health authority about proposals to reduce service levels in 1990–91; and if he will make a statement.
  48
  Mr. Freeman
  The Trafford health authority is responsible for planning hospital and community services in the districts within the resources made available to it by North West regional health authority. These resources have not yet been announced for 1990–91 but, as is usual, they have been asked to develop plans based on resource assumptions. They are required to maintain the level of services in 1990–91 and to ensure a balance of income and expenditure. It is for the Trafford health authority to formulate its plans and to submit them to the North Western regional health authority for agreement as part of the regional plan.

  Asthma Clinics
  Mr. Maxwell-Hyslop
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether asthma clinics will be included in the envisaged list of health promotion clinics that will attract payment if provided by general practitioners, pursuant to the scheme in "Working for Patients."

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Under arrangements to be introduced from 1 April 1990, family practitioner committees (FPCs) will have authority to approve health promotion clinics for remuneration purposes. Within the provisions of the statement of fees and allowances, FPCs will have discretion to decide which clinics, including asthma clinics, qualify.

  "Registration: A Modern Service"
  Mr. Anthony Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received in response to his Green Paper, "Registration: A Modern Service" (Cm. 531); and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  The consultation period on the Green Paper closed last March and it attracted more than 600 responses. There was a widespread welcome for its proposals for more structured management arrangements for the registration service, greater public choice in the area of civil marriage, and an opening up of historic registration records. Some new suggestions were received for changing and modernising the registration service, and these have received consideration. The Government are now formulating their views, which will be published in a White Paper early next year.

  Karl McGoldrick
  Mr. Sims
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the handling of the Karl McGoldrick case and child protection services in Cumbria.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Northern regional health authority is today publishing a report of an inquiry into the handling of the case of Karl McGoldrick chaired by Professor Anderson. I am grateful to him and his fellow inquiry members for the work they have put into the inquiry. The report identifies a number of serious shortcomings in the way in which the case was handled in 1986 and makes recommendations for the way in which these shortcomings can be avoided in future.

  We are also publishing today the report of an inspection earlier this year by the social services inspectorate of child protection services in Cumbria. This report establishes that significant improvements have been

  49
  made in the services since the death of Karl McGoldrick, and identifies a number of further improvements which need to be made. The inspectorate will be following up these points as part of its normal programme of inspections.

  Copies of both reports have been placed in the Library.

  Accident and Emergency Facilities
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment has been made of accident and emergency facilities in the Islington, Hackney, Haringey and Bloomsbury authorities in respect of major accident procedures; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  [holding answer 3 November 1989]: After any major incident all the hospitals involved automatically review their procedures and update them according to any lessons learnt.

  All the major incident casualty receiving hospitals in Islington, City and Hackney, Haringey and Bloomsbury district health authorities have recently revised or are currently revising their major incident procedures and all expect to have issued a revised programme guide by early in the new year.

  Chemicals and Pesticides
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he has issued any guidance to the Departments of Health and Social Security about their use of wood-preserving chemicals and pesticides.

  Mr. Freeman
  [holding answer 8 November 1989:] Advice has been issued to all DH and DSS offices on the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) which came into force on 1 October 1989. Contractors using either pesticides or wood-preserving chemicals on DH/SS premises will be required to comply with both the COSHH Regulations and the Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Pensioners
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners reside in the parliamentary constituency of Stockton, South; and what is the total amount dispensed in pensions for the current year.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  I regret that information about the numbers of, or the amount paid to, retirement pensioners residing in a particular locality is not recorded. As at 31 March 1989, the latest date for which figures are available, the amount of retirement pension paid in Great Britain was £18·9 billion.

  Elderly People (Residential Care)
  Mr. Andrew Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what evidence he has received from(a) Age Concern England, (b) the National Care Homes Association, (c) the Elderly Accommodation Counsel and (d) the Association of Charity Officers, on the cost of private and voluntary residential care for elderly people; and if he will publish that evidence;

  (2) what evidence he has received from (a) the Abbeyfield Society, (b) the BEN Motor and Allied Trades
  50
  Benevolent Fund, (c) the National Federation of Housing Associations, (d) the Independent Hospitals Association, (e) the Royal United Beneficent Association, (f) Methodist Homes for the Aged and (g) Counsel and Care for the Ederly, of the cost of private and voluntary residential care for elderly people; and if he will publish that evidence;

  (3) what evidence he has received from (a) the National Council for Voluntary Organisations, (b) the Occupational Benevolent Funds Alliance, (c) Brendoncare, (d) East Wansdyke Advice Network, (e) Oxfordshire Welfare Rights and (f) London Homes for the Elderly, of the cost of private and voluntary residential care for elderly people; and if he will publish that evidence.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  We receive a considerable number of views and representations from a variety of interested organisations and individuals who are entitled to have their communications treated as confidential. For this reason, it is not our practice to publish material sent to us, though the organisations and individuals concerned are free to do so if they wish.

  Independent Living Fund
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many claims have been allowed on the independent living fund in the last available period; what was the total number of applications made; and if he will show the claims allowed in bands of £25.

  Mr. Scott
  The first annual report of the trustees of the independent living fund was published on 6 November and contains information based on a sample of the caseload for the first year of the fund's operation. A copy has been placed in the Library.

  From 1 April 1989 to 31 October 1989 a further 7,132 applications were received by the fund, with 1,677 of these resulting in payment by 31 October 1989. A breakdown of the fund's payments at 8 November 1989 into bands of £25 is as follows:

  Weekly payments £

  Number of clients

  0– 24·99

  532

  25– 49·99

  618

  50– 74·99

  354

  75– 99·99

  205

  100–124·99

  96

  125–149·99

  76

  150–174·99

  57

  175–199·99

  36

  200–224·99

  27

  225–249·99

  11

  250–274·99

  14

  275–299·99

  7

  300–324·99

  5

  325–349·99

  4

  350–374·99

  1

  375–399·99

  2

  400–424·99

  2

  425–499·99

  4

  Total caseload

  2,051

  Disability
  Mr. Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what guidance he has issued to his Department's local offices regarding eligibility of disabled 16 and 17-years-olds for income support.

  Mr. Scott
  Guidance is contained in the adjudication officer's guide. A copy is available in the Library.

  Mr. Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps he is taking to improve training to local social security offices on benefits available to disabled young people.

  Mr. Scott
  All local offices have staff trained to answer inquiries and give advice about social security benefits for the disabled, including disabled young people. Training material is regularly reviewed, revised and updated to take account of changes and improvements to disability benefits. If my hon. Friend has a particular case in mind perhaps he would write to me.

  Elderly People
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make it his policy to include all former carers in his Department's regulations defining circumstances when the value of a property can be ignored in assessment for income support when an elderly person has entered residential care where such former carers will be rendered homeless by the sale of the property.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Carers may benefit from the existing disregards for property in the circumstances described in the reply to the hon. Member on 4 July 1989 at columns 139–40. We have no plans, at present, to change that policy.

  Disability Benefits
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how he intends to consult disability organisations on their views on how to improve the social security system for disabled people.

  Mr. Scott
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Don Valley (Mr. Redmond) and the right hon. Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe (Mr. Morris) on 23 October at columns 341–42.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if, in his review of disability benefits, he will make provision to help people who are blind with their additional mobility costs.

  Mr. Scott
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security announced on 25 October our intention to extend mobility allowance to people who are deaf and blind. The change will give £26·25 a week more to some 3,000 people. Further proposals concerning disability benefits will be announced in the next few months.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether his review of disability benefits will draw on independent advice; and when he will announce a timetable for the review.

  Mr. Scott
  The OPCS surveys of disability in Great Britain constitute the most independent and extensive 52
  investigation into and of the circumstances of disabled people, and they have attracted a large number of comments from individuals and organisations representing disabled people. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security announced on 25 October our intention within the next few months to bring forward proposals drawing on the survey results and the comments received. These will be aimed at improving the balance and structure of social security benefits for disabled people.

  Community Charge Rebates
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list by each charging authority in England the income level at which(a) a single person aged under 25 years, (b) a single person aged over 25 years, (c) a single pensioner, (d) a pensioner couple, and (e) a couple with two children, all with no savings, would lose entitlement to community charge rebate assuming the Department of the Environment's illustrative community charge figures for 1990–91 published on 7 November.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The information requested has been placed in the Library.

  Crisis Loans
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list by his Department's regions the number of young people aged 16 and 17 years who have claimed a social security crisis loan since April 1988, to enable them to gain accommodation, and the number of claims granted.

  Mr. Scott
  Details of crisis loan awards by region and by local offices are available in the Library. Statistical data concerning the ages of applicants are not collected.

  Voluntary Unemployment
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he has received a report on the research on penalties for voluntary unemployment commissioned by his Department: and when he expects to publish it.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Fylde (Mr. Jack) on 8 November at columns 672–73.

  National Insurance Fund
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he has received the Government Actuary's quinquennial report on the National Insurance Fund; and when he expects to publish it.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has not yet received the report of the Government Actuary and now expects that it will be available early in the new year.

  War Disability Pensions
  Mr. Higgins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security which social security benefits(a) are and (b) are not restricted because payment of a war disability pension is taken into account when assessing relevant income.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  War disablement pensions are taken into account as income only in the income-related
  53
  benefits—income support, family credit and housing benefit—after £5 has been disregarded. This statutory disregard will be doubled to £10 from next April, a change which will also apply to community charge benefit.

  Local authorities are responsible for administering housing benefit and community charge benefit. They have discretion to disregard more of war disablement pensions in calculating entitlement, but the cost of exercising this discretion has to be borne by the local authority itself.

  Attendance Allowance
  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when, and in what way, he intends to give effect to his recent announcement to end the restriction on availability of attendance allowance for severely disabled children under two years old; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  The lower age limit for entitlement to attendance allowance will he abolished with effect from next April. The necessary regulations will be laid before Parliament in due course.

  Injuries to employees in power industries in Great Britain reported to enforcing authorities.

  Industry

  5 Fatal Injuries (1978–1985 and 1986–87— 1987–88)

  5 6 Major Injuries (1981–1985 and 1986–1987— 1987–88)

  7 Over 3 Day Injuries (1986–87 —1987–88)

  Nuclear Power Generating 1

  5

  41

  103

  Coal Mining 2

  359

  5,360

  19,453

  Off-shore Installations for Oil and Gas Extraction 3

  81

  592

  1,144

  Gas Production and Distribution 4

  4

  395

  4,916

  1 Reported to HSE's Nuclear Installations Inspectorate.

  2 Reported to HSE's Inspectorate of Mines and Quarries. Includes injuries in the open-cast coal mining sector except for over three day injuries occuring in 1986–87 for which data is not available.

  3 Reported to the Petroleum Engineering Division of the Department of Energy.

  4 Reported to HSE's Factory Inspectorate.

  5 Excludes injuries occurring during the period 1 January to 31 March 1986.

  6 The Major injury category was introduced by the Notification of Accidents and Dangerous Occurencies Regulations, 1980 (NADOR) on 1 January 1981. The data includes injuries reported under these Regulations and under the widened definition employed under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations, 1985 (RIDDOR), introduced 1 April 1986.

  7 Injuries causing absence from work for more than three days reported under RIDDOR. Data for earlier years are not available or not compiled on a comparable basis.

  Benefits
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Leeds, West on 28 July,Official Report, column 1045, what information is collected about disqualification from unemployment benefit.

  Mr. Eggar
  All decisions on claims for unemployment benefit are made by the independent adjudicating authorities. These are firstly an adjudication officer, on appeal a social security appeal tribunal, and on further appeal, on a point of law only, a social security commissioner.

  Analyses of adjudication officers' decisions are published quarterly by the Department of Social Security, under the title "Unemployment Benefit Statistics, Quarterly Analysis of Decisions of Adjudication Officers".

  Child Benefit
  Mr. Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many standard rate taxpayers receive child benefit, excluding those on family credit; how many higher rate taxpayers receive child benefit; and what is the cost of paying child benefit to such families in each case;

  (2) how much he would save by withdrawing child benefit from higher rate taxpayers.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  [holding answer 2 November 1989]: The number of families in receipt of child benefit, excluding those on family credit, who are standard rate taxpayers is estimated for 1989–90 as 4·5 million, with a child benefit cost of approximately £3 billion. The estimate of the number of families paying higher rate tax is 0·5 million, with a child benefit cost of around £300 million.

EMPLOYMENT

  Nuclear Generation (Safety)
  Sir Anthony Meyer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many workers in the nuclear generating industry have been killed or injured since the programme started; and what are the corresponding figures for the coal, oil and gas industries.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The available information is provided in the table.

  These show the numbers of adjudication officers' decisions in each category of question of doubt, together with the number of cases allowed, and the number disallowed or disqualified. These publications are available in the House of Commons Library.

  Mr. Terry Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many persons in the West Midlands region were disqualified from receiving unemployment benefit during the period 1 January to 31 March because they were considered to have left their employment voluntarily without just cause and successfully appealed against disqualification.

  Mr. Eggar
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 28 July 1989 at column 1050. The number of persons who successfully appeal against the decision to disqualify unemployment benefit because they were
  55
  considered to have left their employment voluntarily without just cause are not separately identified from other claimants who successfully appeal against the decision of an adjudication officer.

  Key Training
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many employees of his Department, and of what grades, have been seconded to Key Training of 10 Eaton place, Reading, in each of the last five years; and how many of these have since left the Department.

  Mr. Eggar
  There have been no such secondments in the last five years.

  Tourism
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the top 10 tourist attractions in Cambridgeshire in numbers visiting or attending; and if he will indicate the numbers in each instance for the years 1986, 1987 and 1988.

  Mr. Nicholls
  Figures for the English and East Anglia tourist boards show the following numbers visiting attractions in Cambridgeshire.

  Number of visits

  1986

  King's College Chapel

  1750,000

  Imperial War Museum, Duxford

  360,000

  Fitzwilliam Museum

  205,000

  Wimpole Home Farm

  77,474

  Nene Valley Railway

  168,489

  Wimpole Valley

  61,131

  Anglesey Abbey

  58,937

  University Botanic Garden

  155,000

  Peakirk Wildlife Trust

  51,315

  Kettle's Yard

  40,000

  1987

  King's College Chapel

  1750,000

  Imperial War Museum, Duxford

  396,000

  Fitzwilliam Museum

  260,000

  Linton Zoo

  180,000

  Wimpole Home Farm

  69,780

  Anglesey Abbey

  57,191

  University Botanic Garden

  155,000

  Wimple Hall

  54,336

  Peakirk Wildlife Trust

  54,336

  Willersmill Fish Farm and Wild Animal Sanctuary

  138,000

  1988

  Kings College Chapel

  1750,000

  Imperial War Museum, Duxford

  376,302

  Fitzwilliam Museum

  249,000

  Wimpole Home Farm

  91,529

  Linton Zoo

  180,000

  Nene Valley Railway

  168,000

  Wimpole Hall

  62,281

  Anglesey Abbey

  61,257

  Peakirk Wildlife Trust

  55,350

  University Botanic Garden

  55,000

  1 Estimates.

  Note: 1986 visitor numbers are not available for Linton Zoo and 1987 figures are not available for Nene Valley Railway.

  Unemployment
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employmemt what specific steps he is taking to reduce unemployment on Merseyside; and if he will make a statement.
  56
  Mr. Nicholls
  My Department, through its employment service and Training Agency, operates a wide range of employment, enterprise and training measures, which are all available in Merseyside, as elsewhere.

  In addition, as in other inner city areas, a number of initiatives have been adopted aimed at helping unemployed people in Liverpool to find employment, and at encouraging employers to recruit local unemployed people. Since April the Liverpool city action team has approved 26 employment and training projects.

  During the 12 months to September 1989 unemployment in the Merseyside county has fallen by 20,294—18·9 per cent. of the September 1988 figure.

  Disabled People
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) by what means the availability of the adaptations to premises and equipment scheme is made known to disabled people and their potential employers;

  (2) by what means the availability of the job introduction scheme is made known to disabled people and their potential employers.

  Mr. Eggar
  Information about the adaptations to premises and equipment and job introduction schemes is made available to disabled people and their potential or actual employers through employment service staff, particularly disablement resettlement officers and, in the case of employers, the disablement advisory service, leaflets describing the schemes, and other organisations who advise people with disabilities. The code of good practice on the employment of disabled people, of which 120,000 copies have been distributed, also describes the schemes.

  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many disabled people benefit from the adaptations to the premises and equipment scheme in each of the last 10 years.

  Mr. Eggar
  The number of disabled people who benefited from the adaptation to premises and equipment scheme in each of the last 10 years was:

  Number

  1979–80

  94

  1980–81

  83

  1981–82

  93

  1982–83

  117

  1983–84

  170

  1984–85

  145

  1985–86

  165

  1986–87

  253

  1987–88

  252

  1988–89

  247

  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many disabled people received assistance through the job introduction scheme in each of the past 10 years.

  Mr. Eggar
  The number of people with disabilities who received assistance through the job introduction scheme in each of the past 10 years was:

  Number

  1979–80

  1,504

  1980–81

  1,072

  1981–82

  1,434

  57

  Number

  1982–83

  1,295

  1983–84

  1,850

  1984–85

  2,033

  1985–86

  1,828

  1986–87

  1,460

  1987–88

  1,629

  1988–89

  2,090

  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many disablement resettlement officers were employed by his Department in each of the years 1979 to 1989.

  Mr. Eggar
  In April 1989, a total of 488 members of staff in the employment service were undertaking disablement resettlement officer duties, of whom 333 were doing so full time. I regret that comparable figures are not available for previous years.

  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people were registered as disabled under the provisions of the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act 1944 in each of the years 1978 to 1989.

  Mr. Eggar
  The numbers of people registered under the provisions of the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act 1944 in April of each of the years from 1978 to 1989 were:

  Numbers

  1978

  494,877

  1979

  482,006

  1980

  470,588

  1981

  460,178

  1982

  447,259

  1983

  433,177

  1984

  420,475

  1985

  404,170

  1986

  389,273

  1987

  383,439

  1988

  374,238

  1989

  366,768

  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) if he will make a statement on the underspending of amounts estimated for the job introduction scheme to assist people with disability to seek employment in 10 of the last years;

  (2) if he will make a statement on the underspending of amounts estimated for the adaptations to premises and equipment scheme to assist people with disabilities in seven of the last 10 years.

  Mr. Eggar
  In estimating each year expenditure on the special schemes for people with disabilities, the Department seeks to ensure that provision is adequate to meet likely demand. That can inevitably result in overprovision for particular schemes. The Department is able to use funds not needed for a particular scheme to meet the demand arising on the other schemes. Over the 10 years 1979–80 to 1988–89, expenditure on the job introduction scheme increased from £297,201 to £614,000, on the adaptations to premises and equipment scheme from £50,000 to £423,000 and on all the special schemes together from £796,961 to £5,668,949. This very substantial increase in expenditure demonstrates the success of the disablement advisory service and other departmental staff in making the help available more widely known to employers and people with disabilities.
  58
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the training period for disablement resettlement officers; and how this has changed during the last 10 years.

  Mr. Eggar
  The current training period for disablement resettlement officers is six months. This includes attending national training courses, local project work, use of self-learning packs and on-the-job coaching. Between 1975 and 1983 the training programme for DROs was seven weeks, mainly devoted to national training courses.

  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment which organisations of disabled people he has consulted and which ones he intends to consult before determining future Government policy towards the operation of the quota scheme for disabled people.

  Mr. Eggar
  The quota scheme is among the matters being considered in the internal review of services for people with disabilities which my Department has been undertaking. In conducting the review, account has been taken of views expressed previously by a wide range of organisations and individuals. We intend to seek comments from all major organisations of and for people with disabilities on the consultative document which will be published on completion of the review. Copies of this document will also be available to others who express an interest, and their comments will be welcomed.

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when he expects to announce the conclusions of the ministerial review of employment provision for disabled people.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 10 November 1989]: The review is at an advanced stage. The consultative document which will follow the review will be published as soon as possible.

  New Claimants (Cumnock)
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the current establishment, at each grade, of the unemployment benefit office at Cumnock; how many deal directly with interviewing of new claimants, what representations he has received concerning the lack of staff to deal with claimants; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  [pursuant to his reply, 2 November 1989, c. 307]: I regret that the information given in my reply of 2 November was incorrect due to one staff member being listed twice. The correct information is as follows:

  The number of staff in each grade is as follows:

  Number

  Higher Executive Officer

  1

  Executive Officer

  13

  Administrative Officer

  14

  Administrative Assistant

  25

  1 Of which 1 is an Administrative Officer on temporary promotion.

  2 Of which 1 is a Casual Employee.

  One executive officer deals directly with new claimants, with a second executive officer having an element of interviewing within his post. Area management met the trade union side on 2 October to discuss area issues including staffing requirements. It has subsequently been agreed that the third executive officer post would be filled on a permanent basis.

SCOTLAND

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about the collection of the community charge.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The responsibility for collecting community charges lies with local authorities. Indications are however that good progress is being made in collection with over 96 per cent. of people having paid in some areas.

  Mr. Norman Hogg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the number of persons, expressed as a percentage of those liable, who have paid or are paying the poll tax in Cumbernauld and Kilsyth district.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  This information is not held centrally.

  Nuclear Power Stations
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what consultations he has had with the chairmen of(a) British Nuclear Fuels plc and (b) the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority regarding the future management and ownership of the nuclear power stations in Scotland after vesting day under the terms of the Electricity Act.

  Mr. Lang
  There have been no such consultations.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what consultations he has carried out with the chairman-designate of Scottish Nuclear Ltd. about the future management and ownership of Scottish nuclear power stations after vesting day under the terms of the Electricity Act.

  (2) what consultations he has had with the chairman of the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board regarding the future management and ownership of nuclear power stations in Scotland after vesting day under the terms of the Electricity Act 1989.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 10 November 1989]: My right hon. and learned Friend and I met the chairmen of the South of Scotland electricity board and the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board and the chairman-designate of Scottish Nuclear Limited on 8 November to discuss these matters. There have also been regular and full discussions of these matters between my officials and the boards.

  1989 Landings of sand-eels from ICES Division Via by United Kingdom vessels

  Fishing effort

  Base district

  Vessels involved

  Landings tonnes

  Days absent

  Hours fished

  Fraserburgh

  5

  —

  —

  —

  Stornoway

  4

  —

  —

  —

  Shetland

  2

  —

  —

  —

  Aberdeen, Macduff, Mallaig, Orkney

  4

  —

  —

  —

  TOTAL

  15

  18,785

  308

  2,313

  Sea Lice
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of ctenolabrus rupestris, the gold sinny wrasse, as the alternative to pesticides as a means of removing sea lice from salmon in fish farms; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lang
  The possible use of gold sinny wrasse to control sea lice infestation in farmed salmon is being investigated in trials by the Institute of Fishery Technology Research in Norway and in Scotland by the Sea Fish Industry Authority's sea farming unit in conjunction with the salmon farming industry. Preliminary results in aquarium observations and small-scale field trials with wrasse taken from the wild suggest that numbers of sea lice on farmed salmon are reduced in enclosures shared by wrasse.

  The viability of this method for large-scale and long-term control of sea lice is uncertain as yet. Sea cage trials are still at a relatively early stage but the results of current work will be of considerable interest.

  Investigation of other possible alternative controls on sea lice is also in progress. In particular, the Scottish Salmon Growers Association have commissioned the Institute of Aquaculture at the university of Stirling to investigate alternative treatment methods and the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland is co-ordinating a large-scale project, part-funded by the European Communities research programme into possible development of a vaccine treatment. It is not possible to say if or when positive results or practical methods of treatment might emerge from these investigations.

  Female General Practitioners
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many female general practitioners there are in practice in Scotland; and how many there were in each of the last 10 years.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I refer the hon. and learned Gentleman to the reply given on 20 October 1989 to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Provan (Mr. Wray).

  Sand-eels
  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Western Isles, 4 April,Official Report, column 160, if he will state the size of the sand-eel catches in ICES Division VIa in 1989, the amount of fishing effort directed towards sand-eel fishing, the percentage of the catch by weight made up of O-group and I-group fish, and the home ports of vessels concerned.

  Mr. Lang
  The information available is set out in the table. Data on the breakdown of catches into age groups are not yet available.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many construction industry workers were unemployed in Scotland at the latest available date; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lang
  There is no analysis of the monthly unemployment count by occupation. However, the labour force survey provides information on the previous occupation of those who are unemployed. The latest information, from the 1988 labour force survey, shows that in spring 1988, on the basis of the ILO definition, there were an estimated 20,000 unemployed persons in the construction industry in Scotland.

  The Scottish construction industry has prospered well in 1989 with orders and output for the first half of the year at the highest levels since 1978 and 1980, respectively. Orders in the first half of 1989 were up 26·6 per cent. in real terms on those of the same period in 1988 and point to continued strong growth of output and improving employment prospects over the next 12 months.

  The latest Building Employer's Confederation state of trade inquiry shows that a net 73 per cent. of Scottish firms expect an increase in their workload over the coming year.

  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the level of unemployment of young people in Scotland at the latest available date.

  Mr. Lang
  In July 1989, the latest date for which the information is available, there were 72,740 young people aged between 18 and 24 unemployed in Scotland. In the past two years the number of unemployed in this age group in Scotland has fallen by more than 32,000, a drop of almost one third.

  Unemployment
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps Her Majesty's Government are taking to reduce unemployment in the construction industry in Scotland.

  Mr. Lang
  There are no employment measures specifically directed at the construction industry in Scotland. The Government aim to help all unemployed people take advantage of the opportunities that exist through job clubs, job start, restart and travel-to-interview schemes. As part of their usual services, jobcentres display vacancies for all industries. In addition, employment training enables unemployed people to gain and update the skills they need to compete in the labour market.

  Sheepmeat Quotas
  Mr. Bill Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what impact he assesses the proposed European Community proposals for sheepmeat quotas will have in the Highland areas of Scotland.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  There are no Community proposals for sheepmeat quotas. The new sheepmeat regime agreed by the Council of Ministers in July will however introduce a headage limit on the payment of ewe premium as from 1 January 1990. Producers in the less-favoured areas (LFAs) will be able to receive full premium on their first 1,000 eligible ewes and premium paid at 50 per cent. on any additional ewes; there 62
  is no upper limit on the number of ewes on which premium may be claimed. In 1988 some 696 of the 15,016 producers in Scotland's LFAs would have been affected by the headage limit. However, individual members of groups, associations or other forms of co-operation between producers may qualify for individual headage limits. The Government secured a commitment from the Council of Ministers that this provision would extend to partnerships in Scots law. Until the 1990 ewe premium application forms are returned it will not be possible to say how many Scottish producers have been affected by the headage limit.

  Ministerial Conduct
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whan he intends to reply to the letter of 14 October from the hon. Member for Cunninghame, North concerning the conduct of the hon. Member for Stirling (Mr. Forsyth).

  Mr. Rifkind
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to my letter to him dated 9 October. I have nothing further to add to that.

  Drift Net Fishing
  Mr. Douglas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he intends to review section 39 of the Salmon Act 1986 with regard to drift net fishing.

  Mr. Lang
  I refer to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on 19 October to the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire (Mr. Kirkwood).

  Threatening Telephone Calls
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will consider strengthening the Scottish criminal law against persons making anonymous and threatening or abusive telephone calls; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Any person identified as having made such calls may be prosecuted for an offence under the Telecommunications Act 1984, where the maximum penalty would be a £400 fine. In serious cases, such a person may be prosecuted for any one or more of a range of common law offences, for which, if taken on indictment before the High Court, the maximum penalties would be an unlimited fine and life imprisonment. I consider these sanctions to be adequate.

  Farming Subsidies
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are, for each year since 1979, the total subsidies, direct or indirect, given to farmers in Scotland.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Detail of direct subsidy payments is given in the table. The figures include the estimated Scottish share of market support expenditure incurred by the intervention board for agricultural produce. They exclude educational, advisory, research and development services provided by, among others, the Scottish agricultural colleges and Scottish agricultural research institutes and the Department. Information on indirect subsidies, for example, the benefit of exemption from rating, is either not available or could he obtained only at disproportionate cost.
  63

  Assistance to Scottish Farmers

  Year

  Amount £ million

  11989–90

  240·3

  1988–89

  243·9

  1987–88

  229·1

  1986–87

  188·4

  1985–86

  274·6

  1984–85

  220·0

  1983–84

  209·6

  1982–83

  164·2

  1981–82

  123·5

  1980–81

  129·3

  1979–80

  80·0

  1Estimated.

  Public Expenditure
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total per capita spending in Scotland for the past three years, excluding spending on social security.

  Mr. Rifkind
  The latest available figures are in the reply which my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury gave on 25 October 1988, at columns 120–29.

  SSEB
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met the chairman of the South of Scotland electricity board; what matters were discussed; and what was the outcome.

  Mr. Lang
  My right hon. and learned Friend and I met the chairman of the South of Scotland electricity board on 8 November to discuss the future ownership of nuclear power stations.

  GPs' Salaries
  Mr. Bill Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the salary band for general practitioners in Scotland, showing the highest paid and the lowest paid.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  GPs are not paid on a salary band, but are independent contractors, in contract with health boards to provide general medical services. Their target average remuneration is set by the Government each year on the recommendation of the doctors and dentists review body, and the figure for the current year is £31,105. Information about payments to individual doctors is not held centrally, but I shall write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

  Capercaillie
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he has regarding the current population of capercaillie; and if he has any plans to arrest their decline.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 18 October 1989]: I am informed that on the best available estimate, the current population of capercaillie is in excess of 2,000 birds. However, as the species is not censused over its entire range, the exact figure is not known. The Forestry Commission has recently funded a three-year research contract with the Institute of Terrestrial Ecology. This study is investigating how capercaillie use non-native
  64
  coniferous plantations and will aim to produce guidelines on ways in which the quality of plantations can be improved to provide a better habitat for the species.

  Nurses
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list by health district(a) the current nursing staff establishment, (b) the number in post at the latest available date and (c) the number who had left the National Health Service in the preceding year.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 3 November 1989]: The current nursing staff establishment of health boards is not held centrally. The total number of nursing staff in post, including qualified and unqualified staff and those in training, is shown in table 1. Information about the number of nursing staff leaving the NHS is available only for qualified staff and relates to the year ending 30 September 1988. This information is shown in table 2. The total includes some nurses who left to join health authorities in other parts of the United Kingdom.

  Table 1

  Total nursing staff, 31 March 1989 (provisional)

  Health Board

  Total

  Argyll and Clyde

  5,668

  Ayrshire and Arran

  4,034

  Borders

  1,378

  Dumfries and Galloway

  2,305

  Fife

  4,021

  Forth Valley

  4,112

  Grampian

  7,345

  Greater Glasgow

  17,917

  Highland

  2,794

  Lanarkshire

  6,318

  Lothian

  10,871

  Orkney

  233

  Shetland

  263

  Tayside

  6,911

  Western Isles

  382

  CSA

  277

  Scotland

  74,829

  Table 2

  Qualified nurses leaving National Health Service in Scotland, year ending 30 September 1988

  Health Board

  Leavers

  Argyll and Clyde

  254

  Ayrshire and Arran

  238

  Borders

  89

  Dumfries and Galloway

  124

  Fife

  221

  Forth Valley

  198

  Grampian

  445

  Greater Glasgow

  806

  Highland

  166

  Lanarkshire

  313

  Lothian

  777

  Orkney

  11

  Shetland

  24

  Tayside

  351

  Western Isles

  28

  CSA

  2

  Scotland

  4,047

  Housing Improvement Grants
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he has on the number of applications received by local authorities for housing improvement grants(a) before 1 April 1984 and (b) thereafter.
  65
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 10 November 1989]: Information on the number of improvement grant applications received by local authorities is not held centrally.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what resources have been made available to provide housing improvement grants for applications made(a) before 1 April 1990 and (b) after 1 April 1990, in 1988–89 and 1989–90; and what is the expected allocation in 1990–91.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 10 November 1989]: Capital expenditure allocations to enable councils to provide house improvement grants are not made in respect of applications made during particular periods. It is for councils to decide how to target the available resources and how to exercise their discretion in respect of applications for discretionary grants. The one exception is that we have in recent years made extra resources available to assist in the clearance of backlogs of applications lodged before 31 March 1984 when a different grant regime operated. I expect to announce allocations for 1990–91 in the usual way later in the year.

  Electricity Privatisation
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his current estimate of the Exchequer proceeds from the sale of the Scottish electricity companies, excluding their nuclear assets, net of flotation and advertising costs.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 10 November 1989]: The market value of the Scottish electricity companies will depend on a wide range of factors, including the profitability of the companies, their capital structures, their future prospects and the state of the market. It is, therefore, too early to estimate the likely proceeds for the sale of the companies.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his most up-to-date estimate of the level of tax losses to be carried forward in the balance sheets of the Scottish electricity companies under the terms of the Electricity Act 1989.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 10 November 1989]: The tax position of the Scottish electricity boards is a matter for the boards and the Inland Revenue and is currently the subject of negotiations. The level of tax losses available to the future Scottish electricity companies will be determined in accordance with schedule 11 to the Electricity Act.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his most up-to-date estimate on the level of capital write-offs to be made to the balance sheets of the Scottish electricity boards and their successor companies, under the terms of the Electricity Act 1989.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 10 November 1989]: Asset values in the accounts of the Scottish electricity boards are a matter for the boards and their respective auditors. The structure of the balance sheets of the successor companies to the Scottish electricity boards has not yet been decided.

  Nuclear Power
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals he has for capping the liability of Scottish Nuclear Ltd. to decommissioning and nuclear waste management costs after vesting day under the terms of the Electricity Act 1989.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 10 November 1989]: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the statement made to the House on 9 November by my right hon. and learned Friend.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Scotch Whisky
  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what subject he discussed at his last meeting with representatives of the Scotch whisky industry.

  Mr. Curry
  My hon. Friends the Minister of State and the Parliamentary Secretary met representatives of the Scotch Whisky Association at separate meetings on 22 November 1988. Among the issues discussed were the current state of the negotiations on the European Community's spirit drinks regulation and improving the competitive position for the industry in Japan.

  Sugar Beet
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the total acreage of sugar beet grown in the United Kingdom in the current year.

  Mr. Curry
  We expect a total of 194,000 ha of sugar beet to be harvested in the current campaign, out of a planted area of 195,674 ha.

  Egg Marketing
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture. Fisheries and Food (1) how many retail premises were visited by the regional egg marketing inspector during his visit to Northumberland on 1 and 2 November; and what was the cost to public funds of the travel involved in this visit;

  (2) whether his Department received a request from Northumberland county council trading standards department prior to 1 November for assistance relating to the enforcement of egg marketing rules in respect of the Good Life Shop, Wooler.

  Mr. Curry
  The regional egg marketing inspector visited Northumberland on 1 and 2 November as part of his normal duties. As such, his itinerary included visits to the Ministry divisional office at Newcastle, a meeting with the county council's trading standards department at Alnwick, and providing training at an authorised packing centre in addition to the advisory visit to the Good Life Shop, Wooler. That last mentioned visit was not made as the result of a specific request from the trading standards department, although the inspectorate routinely gives assistance to trading standards departments, and no other retail premises were visited on this occasion.

  Poultry and Egg Testing
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the order setting out revised rules for the testing of small poultry flocks was printed; on what date it
  67
  came into force; and how many printed copies have so far been made available to local authorities, the trade and the public.

  Mr. Maclean
  The Poultry Laying Flocks (Testing and Registration etc) Order 1989 and the Poultry Breeding Flocks and Hatcheries (Registration and Testing) Order 1989 came into effect on 26 October 1989. Printed copies will be available from Her Majesty's Stationery Office shortly. Copies of the orders as made available to the House and information leaflets have been sent to the local authority associations and 61 other interested organisations. Copies are also available on request from local Ministry offices.

  Gumboro Disease (Poultry)
  Mr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will make a statement about the current incidence of gumboro disease in poultry in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Maclean
  Latest estimates suggest that the virulent strain of gumboro disease that first manifested itself in October 1988 is killing 15 per cent. or more of the birds in affected flocks. Total losses to the broiler sector from the disease since May this year are in excess of 5 million birds. It is believed that more than 500,000 replacement pullets have also been lost.

  Mr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he is taking to prevent the spread of the viral disease gumboro in poultry; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  My Department is liaising fully with the industry on this urgent problem. Two companies have now been authorised by the veterinary medicines directorate to conduct trials on new live vaccines. The granting of product licences for these vaccines will depend on receiving satisfactory data, including results from trials, in accordance with the Medicines Act. Every priority will be given to these applications.

  PCB Pollution
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what effects his Department has observed on the marine algae and molluscs resultant from PCB pollution.

  Mr. Curry
  No effects have been observed in algae or molluscs that could be attributed to the concentrations of PCBs present in sea water around the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he has on PCB poisoning in fish in British coastal waters.

  Mr. Curry
  There is no evidence that present levels of PCBs are causing harm to fish in British coastal waters.

  Nitrates
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take steps to control the sale and distribution of nitrate fertilisers as a means of curbing the nitrate pollution of public water supplies.

  Mr. Curry
  No. Restrictions on the availability of nitrogen fertilisers would be an ineffective and costly 68
  means of tackling the nitrate problem. My Department does, however, advise farmers on the avoidance of excessive or untimely fertiliser usage, and is currently carrying out local consultations in 21 candidate areas for a pilot nitrate scheme within which a range of voluntary agricultural restrictions, including fertiliser limitations, will be tested.

  Milk
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his latest estimate of the production and consumption of milk within the European Economic Community in the current year; and what were the comparable figures in each of the two previous years.

  Mr. Curry
  European Community estimates are as follows:

  Million tonnes

  1987

  1988

  1 1989

  Production

  111·8

  109·7

  108·8

  Consumption

  95·5

  95·9

  98·4

  1 Estimated.

  Consumption figures include all dairy products and are expressed in whole milk equivalent, calculated on a milk fat basis. 1989 figures are provisional and subject to revision.

  Salmonella
  Mr. Ralph Howell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the regulations and procedures for testing for salmonella in(a) eggs and (b) poultry flocks (i) in Britain and (ii) of eggs imported into Britain and the flocks from whence they came; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  The requirements for testing for salmonella in Great Britain are set out in the orders made under the Animal Health Act 1981 which came into effect on 26 October 1989. In relation to imports, I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for East Lothian (Mr. Home Robertson) on 1 November,Official Report, column 210.

  Pesticides
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if, further to his answer to the hon. Member for South Shields (Dr. Clark) of 21 July,Official Report. column 410, he will indicate when he expects the review of staffing levels within the Pesticide Data Evaluation Unit to be finalised;

  (2) whether the review of staffing levels within the Pesticide Data Evaluation Unit has implications for minimising the waiting time for approval of new and reapproval of old pesticides.

  Mr. Maclean
  The scientific complement of the unit has been increased progressively from 42 at October 1988 to 60 today. Special increases in pay have also been awarded to improve recruitment and retention of staff.

  Further consideration is being given to staffing levels to ensure that waiting times are minimised.

  Phosphates
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the results of fieldwork sponsored by his Department on the effect of organophosphates on partridges.

  Mr. Curry
  My Department has sponsored projects on the effects of organophosphates on birds but none of these has covered partridges.

  Animal Feed (Contamination)
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the abattoirs which have received cattle from farms suspected of having eaten lead contaminated feed since the end of September; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  No cattle have been permitted to move off farms subject to restrictions except under Ministry consent. No information is available concerning the movement of cattle from farms prior to the imposition of restrictions. The Department of Health has confirmed that on the evidence available no hazard to human health arises from this incident.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) on what date he was warned by the Dutch Government that lead contaminated feed had been imported into the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) when he first suspected that there was a problem with lead contaminated cattle feed; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  The Dutch Embassy warned the legal department of MAFF on the afternoon of Wednesday 1 November that a specified consignment of contaminated feed had been imported into the United Kingdom. My Department has therefore identified the farms concerned and restricted the movement of meat and milk from them.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to ensure that lead contaminated meat and offal from cattle suspected of having eaten lead contaminated feed are not entering the food chain; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  I have used my powers under part I of the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985 to prohibit the movement and slaughter of cattle from affected farms, or the marketing of meat or milk products which might be derived from them.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the creameries which have received milk from cows suspected of having eaten lead contaminated feed since the end of September; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  Because of the complexity of the milk movement system a considerable number of creameries, not confined to the south-west, may have received such milk. No unacceptable levels of lead have been found in bulk milk supplies.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the reasons for the death of cows that ate cattle feed contaminated with lead.
  70
  Mr. Gummer
  In the case of carcases examined by the veterinary investigation service from farms where feed contaminated with lead has been fed, the clinical history, signs, post-mortem and laboratory findings were consistent with a diagnosis of lead poisoning.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish the results of the testing for the lead content of(a) milk and (b) meat from the farms where cows were fed lead contaminated feed; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  The results of sample analyses are being published as soon as they become available. Up to 12 November 1989, 1,168 sample results have been published.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to dispose of the dried milk which came from the herds suspected of being fed with lead contaminated feed.

  Mr. Gummer
  All suspect milk has been isolated, processed and withheld from sale. I will decide on the disposal of these milk products in the light of the results of analysis.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the number of farms in each county which are suspected of having received lead contaminated cattle feed; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  A consolidated list of all farms which are currently under restriction appears in the schedule to the Food Protection (Emergency Prohibitions) (Contamination of Feeding Stuffs) (England) (No. 2) Order 1989, copies of which are in the Library of the House.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he is taking to ensure that farmers no longer give lead-contaminated feed to their cattle; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  My officials have taken steps to trace and inform all recipients of potentially contaminated feed and are supervising the withdrawal of supplies from the farms concerned.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what measures he has taken to ensure that animal feeding stuffs imported into the United Kingdom are not contaminated; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  The Feedingstuff Regulations 1988 require that animal feeds on sale or being held for sale should not be harmful to the animal or the final consumer. This applies to imported and home-produced feeding-stuffs. The regulations permit certain feed additives and limit the levels of specified contaminants in accordance with EC directives.

  Goats
  Mr. David Steel
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the Government propose to revise the set-aside scheme so as to accommodate fibre-producing animals such as cashmere and angora goats.
  72
  Mr. Curry
  The Government have decided not to take up the option under the Community set-aside scheme to introduce grazed fallow because of problems of control and possible adverse effects upon existing livestock producers, particularly in the hills. The Community rules do not permit restriction of the option to particular types of animals such as fibre-producing goats.

  Set-aside Scheme
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he plans to extend the set-aside scheme to farmers willing to apply organic methods.

  Mr. Maclean
  The scheme already caters for this. Set-aside land may be put to fallow, either for the full set-aside period or in rotation with cropping. There is, thus, the opportunity for farmers intending to adopt organic methods to take land out of intensive agricultural production and to clear it of residues before organic production commences.

  Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he has on the vertical transmission of bovine spongiform encephalopathy.

  Mr. Maclean
  There is no evidence to indicate that BSE can be transmitted vertically.

TRANSPORT

  Lake Lothing (Crossing)
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will put out to public consultation the proposed route for the second crossing of Lake Lothing by the A12 at Lowestoft before the end of 1989.

  Mr. Atkins
  We are considering a recent report from our consultations on the options for a second A12 trunk road crossing of Lake Lothing at Lowestoft. We hope to make an announcement about this scheme before the end of 1989.

  Jubilee Line
  Mr. Cartwright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the current estimated costs of extending the Jubilee line to(a) Woolwich and (b) Thamesmead.

  Mr. Portillo
  It has been estimated that it would cost about £285 million in today's prices to add a branch to Woolwich to the proposed extension of the Jubilee line to Canary Wharf and Stratford. Extending such a branch beyond Woolwich to Thamesmead would cost about a further £135 million in today's prices.

  Rail Tunnel, Woolwich
  Mr. Cartwright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the latest estimated cost of building a rail tunnel at Woolwich linking the north Kent and north Woolwich lines.

  Mr. Portillo
  A rail tunnel to link the north Kent and north Woolwich rail line is one of the options being considered by consultants working on the south circular assessment study. The results of the consultants' work will be published in December.

  Roll-on Roll-off Vessels
  Mr. Terry Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research is being undertaken into measures to prevent the loss of roll-on roll-off vessels at sea.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Following the Official Report of the formal investigation into the loss of the Herald of Free Enterprise, the Department of Transport initiated a wide-ranging programme of research into ways of increasing the safety of ro-ro passenger ferries. Phase I of this unusually complex and important programme is nearing completion. I hope that the steering committee which has been supervising progress will have assessed the results and reported to me by early in the new year.

  Mr. Terry Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the answer of 2 November,Official Report, column 271, how many (a) passenger and (b) freight roll-on roll-off vessels were lost at sea between 1 January 1981 and 31 December 1988.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The figures available for total losses of roll-on roll-off vessels worldwide do not distinguish between passenger and freight vessels, and an answer could therefore be provided only at disproportionate cost. For the United Kingdom, only one such vessel was totally lost at sea in the period and she was a passenger vessel.

  Mr. Terry Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research is being undertaken into the causes of the loss of 23 roll-on roll-off vessels at sea between 1 January 1981 and 31 December 1988.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The only United Kingdom vessel concerned was the Herald of Free Enterprise. Research which was carried out as part of the investigation into the loss of that ship is reported in appendix IV to the report of the formal investigation (report of court number 8074, published by HMSO) which is available in the Library.

  Investigations into the other losses were the responsibility of the various flag states. In general, the detail of research carried out as part of the investigations is not published, but a resume of the findings of investigations are provided to the International Maritime Organisation. These findings are valuable to the organisation and its member states in the revision and development of safety standards for roll-on roll-off ships.

  Smoke Hoods
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will ask the Civil Aviation Authority to review its conclusions of its paper 87017 "Smoke Hoods: Net Safety Benefit Analysis", published in November 1987.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The Civil Aviation Authority has the statutory responsibility for the regulation of safety in civil aviation. I know of no reason to ask the CAA to review its conclusions of its paper 87107. If the hon. Member has specific points which require clarification they should be taken up with the CAA. I have drawn the hon. Member's question to the attention of the chairman of the CAA.

  Welsh Rail Network
  Mr. Roy Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he plans to have with the chairman of British Rail concerning the expansion of the rail network in Wales.

  Mr. Portillo
  None, but I understand that British Rail is discussing with local authorities in south Wales the introduction of new passenger services.

  Severn Crossing
  Mr. Roy Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the current estimate of the cost of the second Severn crossing.

  Mr. Atkins
  Responses were received on 2 October from the four consortia invited to tender for the construction of the second Severn crossing. These are now being considered. At this stage details of costs must remain confidential.

  Mr. Roy Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the current expected date of completion of the second Severn crossing.

  Mr. Atkins
  No date has yet been decided, but if all goes well the crossing could be completed by the end of 1995.

  Channel Tunnel
  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Library a copy of the joint venture agreement for Channel tunnel rail services between British Rail and Eurorail, referred to in his answer to the hon. Member for Thanet, South (Mr. Aitken) of 3 November,Official Report, columns 346–47.

  Mr. Portillo
  No. I do not intend to do so.

  East London Assessment Study
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has for a new link route between Tottenham Hale and Hackney Wick; if he will consult the London borough of Waltham Forest about it; if he will make it his policy to hold a public inquiry before any decision on the route is taken; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the right hon. Member for Brentford and Isleworth (Sir B. Hayhoe) on 23 October at column 373. It is too soon to say what the outcome will be, or if there will be any effect on the London borough of Waltham Forest. Any schemes resulting from decisions taken on the assessment studies will be subject to the appropriate procedures, whether for roads or public transport.

  Bus Routes (London)
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take steps to ensure that London Regional Transport is discharging its duties to consult London borough councils over changes to bus routes.
  76
  Mr. Portillo
  Where London Regional Transport proposes to vary an existing bus service it is required by the Transport Act 1985 to consult the local authorities affected as well as the police, the London regional passengers committee and any other person it thinks fit. I have no evidence of LRT failing to comply with this requirement.

  Travel Concessions
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards maintaining the current pattern of travel concessions to pensioners in Greater London, other than any variants of time limits not exceeding half an hour.

  Mr. Portillo
  Travel concessions organised by London Regional Transport are a matter for the London boroughs and the City of London which fund the scheme. If they do not agree on a uniform voluntary scheme by 1 January in any year, the London Regional Transport Act 1984 provides for automatic implementation of a reserve scheme for the ensuing financial year which guarantees free travel for elderly, blind and disabled London residents on all LRT services.

  Civil Service Dispersal
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has any plans to relocate his Department's offices to the north-west of England; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  I have no plans at present to add to the number of offices the Department already occupies in the north-west of England.

  Air Misses
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many air misses have been reported by air traffic controllers in each of the last six months.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  By international definition an air miss is a pilot report. With effect from 1 April 1989 the Civil Aviation Authority introduced a similar scheme to permit air traffic control personnel to report aircraft proximity hazards (APHAZ reports). The reports are at present investigated by the CAA's safety regulation group. It is expected that an independent APHAZ assessment panel will be established and functioning before the end of the year.

  The number of reports received since the inception of the scheme are as follows:

  Number

  April

  11

  May

  9

  June

  18

  July

  10

  August

  9

  September

  6

  October

  13

  Total

  76

  To date, investigation and action has been completed on 33 of the reports.
  77
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the official figures for air misses involving civil and military aircraft for each of the last five years; and what proportion these figures represent of the total actual air misses.

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  Total

  (a) All risk bearing airmisses

  78

  66

  71

  78

  92

  385

  (b) Those involving both a commercial air transport and a military aircraft1

  6

  4

  3

  5

  5

  23

  (c) Proportion of (b) to (a) Percentage

  8

  6

  4

  6

  5

  6

  1 Commercial air transport' means aircraft carrying fare paying passengers.

  Institute of Aviation Medicine
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many incidents have been referred, under the CHIRP system, to the Institute of Aviation Medicine at Farnborough for each month since the inception of CHIRP.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The information is not available in the form requested. The scheme for flight crew started in December 1982 and since then 1,139 reports have been received. The scheme was extended to air traffic control personnel in August 1986 and since then 222 reports have been received.

  Transatlantic Flights
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the total number of licences issued to airlines to operate transatlantic flights which are currently not being used, each airline concerned, the number of licences held, and the airports involved.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  This is a matter for the Civil Aviation Authority. I will draw the hon. Member's question to the attention of the authority's chairman.

  Landing Charges
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has on the landing charges rates for each type of aircraft operating scheduled air services out of each of the BAA-owned airports and for Manchester airport.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The Department receives copies of the information on landing charges published annually by BAA plc, and by Manchester Airport plc. The hon. Member may wish to seek details from the airport companies.

  Channel Tunnel (Freight Links)
  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to receive British Rail's assessment of the costs and feasibility of providing a dedicated rail system for transporting freight directly from the Channel tunnel to the North of England; and whether any other studies of this matter have been or are being undertaken.

  Mr. Portillo
  British Rail will be setting out its proposals in the plan which it will shortly be publishing in compliance with section 40 of the Channel Tunnel Act 1987.
  78
  Mr. McLoughlin
  The figures produced by the joint airmiss working group are as follows:

  Tolls
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the roads, bridges or tunnels in England and Wales where tolls have to be paid.

  Mr. Atkins
  There are more than 50 tolled roads, bridges and tunnels in England. The major tolled estuarial crossings, owned by the Department or the relevant local authorities, are:

  Severn Bridge

  Dartford Tunnels

  Humber Bridge

  Mersey Tunnels

  Tyne Tunnel

  lichen Bridge

  Tamar Bridge

  The smaller undertakings are mostly privately owned.

  These include:

  Selby Bridge (North Yorkshire)

  Aldwark Bridge (North Yorkshire)

  Clifton Suspension Bridge (Bristol)

  Dunham Bridge (near Lincoln)

  Kingsland Bridge and toll road (Shrewsbury)

  Shard Bridge (Lancashire)

  Swinford Bridge (Oxfordshire)

  Whitchurch Bridge (near Reading)

  Whitney on Wye Bridge (Hereford and Worcester)

  Roads, bridges and tunnels in Wales are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

  Potholes
  Mr. Batiste
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will update the regulations concerning work undertaken by utility companies on roads and footpaths in accordance with the recommendations of the Horne report; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  Much useful progress has been made in following up the recommendations of the report, including drawing up and consulting on proposals for legislation. A Bill will be introduced as soon as a suitable opportunity can be found.

  A19 (Safety)
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the number of accidents, serious injuries and deaths on the section of A19 from Peterlee to Sunderland, over the last two years, giving the location of such accidents.

  Mr. Atkins
  The accident information requested, in order of occurrence, is as follows:
  79

  A19 (TR) Durham—From County Boundary Sunderland to Passfield Way Peterlee Injury accidents I January 1987—31 December 1988

  Reference Number

  Date Location of Accident

  Map Reference

  Accidents

  Casualties

  Total

  Fatal

  Serious

  Slight

  Fatal

  Serious

  Slight

  17

  9 February 1987 A19 Northbound carriage way at Passfield Way junction

  4112 3959

  —

  —

  x

  —

  —

  1

  1

  18

  15 February 1987 A19 Slip road at South junction to B1404 Seaton, Seaham

  4007 5012

  —

  —

  x

  —

  —

  1

  1

  33

  15 March 1987 A19 Southbound carriageway exit slip road from Hawthorn services

  4125 4549

  —

  —

  x

  —

  —

  4

  4

  34

  27 March 1987 A19 Southbound slip road from B1432

  4074 4716

  —

  —

  x

  —

  —

  2

  2

  19

  23 February 1987 A19 Southbound carriageway North of Murton footbridge

  4064 4775

  —

  —

  x

  —

  —

  1

  1

  32

  30 March 1987 A19 Southbound carriageway junction with Passfield Way Peterlee

  4112 3959

  —

  —

  x

  —

  —

  2

  2

  44

  5 April 1987 A19 Southbound carriageway junction with Passfield Way Peterlee

  4112 3959

  —

  —

  x

  —

  —

  2

  2

  45

  6 April 1987 A19 Southbound carriageway near Easington Village

  4073 4342

  —

  —

  x

  —

  —

  1

  1

  46

  6 April 1987 A19 Northbound carriageway approx.¼ mile South of Easington

  4120 4532

  —

  —

  x

  —

  —

  1

  1

  47

  6 April 1987 A19 Southbound carriageway adjacent to Hawthorn Services

  4125 4549

  —

  —

  x

  —

  —

  1

  1

  48

  6 April 1987 A19 Southbound carriageway adjacent to Hawthorn Services

  4125 4549

  —

  —

  x

  —

  —

  1

  1

  50

  6 April 1987 A19 Southbound carriageway adjacent to Hawthorn Services

  4125 4549

  —

  —

  x

  —

  —

  1

  1

  70

  12 May 1987 A19 Northbound carriageway ½ mile South of Hawthorn Services

  4106 4496

  —

  x

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  83

  1 June 1987 A19 Southbound carriageway adjacent to Hawthorn Services

  4125 4549

  —

  —

  x

  —

  —

  2

  2

  82

  20 June 1987 A19 Southbound carriageway at Passfield Way junction

  4112 3959

  —

  —

  x

  —

  —

  2

  2

  84

  24 June 1987 A19 1 mile North of Murton

  4060 4794

  —

  —

  x

  —

  —

  1

  1

  107

  7 August 1987 A19 Southbound carriageway approach to Lowhills roundabout

  4140 4120

  —

  —

  x

  —

  —

  1

  1

  109

  19 August 1987 A19/B1404 Northbound near to Northbound entry slip road

  4004 5015

  —

  —

  x

  —

  —

  3

  3

  108

  26 August 1987 A19 Northbound carriageway Near Mill Hill Peterlee

  4132 4258

  —

  —

  x

  —

  —

  1

  1

  127

  1 September 1987 A19 ½ mile South of Hawthorn Services Northbound carriageway

  4106 4496

  —

  —

  x

  —

  —

  2

  2

  128

  15 September 1987 A19 Northbound exit slip road Murton Flyover

  4080 4699

  —

  —

  x

  —

  —

  2

  2

  152

  12 November 1987 A19 Northbound carriageway ⅔ mile South of Hawthorn Services

  4115 4519

  —

  —

  x

  —

  —

  2

  2

  155

  26 November 1987 A19 Burnhope Way entrance to Lowhills roundabout Peterlee

  4140 4120

  —

  —

  x

  —

  —

  1

  1

  (TW 77

  ) 27 November 1987 A19 Southbound carriageway ½ mile North of junction to Seaham Vc

  3940 5070

  —

  —

  x

  —

  —

  1

  1

  2

  1 January 1988 A19 Lowhills roundabout Peterlee

  4140 4120

  —

  —

  x

  —

  —

  3

  3

  3

  4 January 1988 A19 Northbound carriageway Loaning Burn Easington

  4069 4356

  x

  —

  —

  1

  4

  1

  6

  4

  5 January 1988 A19 Southbound carriageway South of Easington

  4132 4278

  —

  —

  x

  —

  —

  1

  1

  8

  5 January 1988 A19 Northbound carriageway approximately 200 yds South of B1285

  4079 4705

  x

  —

  —

  2

  —

  —

  2

  9

  11 January 1988 A19 Northbound carriageway 300 yds South of Westlane Bridge

  4115 4155

  —

  —

  x

  —

  —

  1

  1

  5

  12 January 1988 A19 Northbound carriageway North of Easington entry slip road

  4068 4362

  —

  —

  x

  —

  —

  3

  3

  10

  18 January 1988 A19 Northbound slip road at junction B1404 Seaham

  4005 5010

  —

  —

  x

  —

  —

  1

  1

  24

  8 February 1988 A19 Southbound carriageway 1 mile South of Hawthorne Services

  4094 4452

  —

  x

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  27

  24 February 1988 A19 junction slip to A1018 Seaham

  4019 4953

  —

  —

  x

  —

  —

  1

  1

  62

  30 May 1988 A19 entrance to Hawthorne Services Northbound carriageway

  4125 4549

  —

  x

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  100

  17 June 1988 A19 Southbound carriageway ½ mile South of Hawthorn Services

  4105 4498

  —

  x

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  98

  17 August 1988 A19 Southbound carriageway junction with Passfield Way

  4114 3959

  —

  —

  x

  —

  —

  1

  1

  131

  2 November 1988 A19 Lowhills Roundabout Peterlee

  4140 4120

  —

  —

  x

  —

  —

  1

  1

  130

  18 November 1988 A19 Northbound carriageway 100 yds South of Hawthorne Services

  4121 4540

  —

  —

  x

  —

  —

  1

  1

  115

  10 December 1988 A19 ½ mile North of B1404 between Seaton and Burdon

  3950 5070

  —

  —

  x

  —

  —

  1

  1

  80

  81

  Reference Number

  Date

  Location of Accident

  Map Reference

  Accidents

  Casualties

  Total

  Fatal

  Serious

  Slight

  Fatal

  Serious

  Slight

  145

  18 December 1988

  A19 junction with Passfield Way Peterlee

  4112

  3960

  —

  —

  x

  —

  —

  2

  2

  146

  21 December 1988

  A19 Northbound carriageway junction with Passfield Way

  4114

  3959

  —

  —

  x

  —

  —

  2

  2

  2

  4

  35

  3

  8

  53

  64

  Total 41

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Medical Schools
  Sir David Price
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many medical schools in England and Wales have a department of rehabilitation medicine in their medical faculty; and how many medically qualified staff are employed in each.

  Mr. Jackson
  Four, of which one has seven medically qualified members of staff and the remainder three each.

  Further Education
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many local education authorities had submitted schemes of delegation for further education to his Department for approval by the required date of 30 September 1989.

  Mr. Jackson
  Of the 95 local education authorities required to submit schemes of planning and delegation for further education to my Department by 30 September 1989, all but one have now done so.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) in the submitted articles of government for further education colleges, how many local education authority schemes of delegation propose the inclusion of representation by special needs staff on the academic board;

  (2) in the submitted schemes of delegation for further education (a) where reference is made to procedures of planning, how many of them make reference to the procedures they intend to use for planning for the needs of young people with special education needs, (b) how many schemes of delegation establish special educational needs as a specific programme area for resourcing purposes in respect of course provision for groups of students with special educational needs, (c) where a specific programme area is established for SEN, what weighting is given to it, (d) how many LEAs have followed the recommendation under item 23 of circular 9/88 to establish a development fund for the development of provision for students with SEN and (e) how many LEAs have included among their expected items of expenditure a central fund for meeting the costs of individual students with SEN, as recommended under item 27 of circular 9/88;

  (3) what criteria his Department is employing in determining whether to approve the schemes of delegation submitted by local education authorities, with regard to the provision of services to students with special educational needs.

  Mr. Jackson
  The Department is currently considering schemes of planning and delegation for further education 82
  submitted for approval by LEAs other than inner London. In considering schemes for approval, my right hon. Friend will want to assure himself that all LEAs intend to take account, in planning their further and higher education provision, of the need to secure an appropriate range of education and training opportunities for those who have special educational needs. The information requested on the schemes submitted could be supplied only at disproportionate cost.

  St. John's Angell School, Brixton
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what communications he has received from St. John's Angell Church of England primary school in Brixton about staffing; and what reply he has sent.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  A letter on this subject from the acting head teacher of St. John's Angell Town primary school was received on 2 November. It will be replied to as soon as possible.

  School Leavers
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proportion of the total number of students eligible to leave school at age 16 years in the summers of 1988 and 1989(a) joined a 6th form course, (b) became employed full time, (c) joined YTS as an employee, (d) joined YTS as a trainee, (e) became employed part-time, and (f) entered further education.

  Mr. Jackson
  In January 1989, the latest date for which figures are available, provisional estimates of students aged 16 at 31 August 1988 in England, were as follows:

  Percentage of the age group in full-time education

  Number

  School1

  33

  Further/higher education2

  17

  All

  50

  YTS3

  23

  In employment4

  27

  1 Pupils attending maintained, independent and special schools are included.

  2 Full-time and sandwich including higher education but excluding private further education. Excludes those on YTS within college.

  3 Includes those in further educational establishments attending YTS courses.

  4 Including those who were neither employed nor seeking work (eg. because of domestic responsibilities).

  Education Spending (Northumberland)
  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what resources have been provided in Northumberland in connection with the implementation of the national curriculum.
  83
  Mrs. Rumbold
  Targeted support for expenditure by local education authorities on the introduction of the national curriculum is channelled through education support grants and LEA training grants. This financial year the Government are supporting £801,100 of expenditure in Northumberland through these grants to help the authority's schools to implement the national curriculum. That is an addition to the general rate support grant (RSG) funding which local authorities receive in support of spending. It is for Northumberland itself to determine how much in total to allocate to the implementation of the education reforms, including the national curriculum.

  Student Loans
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the number of letters received by his Department expressing(a) support and (b) opposition to the introduction of student loans; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jackson
  Since the publication of the White Paper on top-up loans for students we have received about 4,100 letters. Many supported the principle that students should contribute to their own living costs.

  College Accommodation
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what action he is taking to assist Bradford and Ilkley community college secure additional accommodation following the withdrawal of the college from the Alexandra hotel; and if he will make extra funds immediately available to the college to secure additional accommodation for lectures and students;

  (2) what regulations exist governing the minimum standards of teaching accommodation at colleges; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) what reports he has received from problems caused by a shortage of teaching accommodation at the Bradford campus of Bradford and Ilkley community college; if he will arrange for an official inspection immediately of the teaching facilities at the Bradford campus; if he will make a statement;

  (4) what representations he has received from students from the Bradford campus of Bradford and Ilkley community college about the lack of lecture rooms and seating; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jackson
  My right hon. Friend has not received any reports or representations this year about the teaching accommodation at the Bradford campus of the Bradford and Ilkley community college. However, the Department has received a bid from the Bradford education authority for a major building project, to start in 1990, to replace the Alexandra hotel building. The bid will be considered on its merits along with those from other education authorities, and allocations will be announced in December.

  There are no regulations regarding minimum standards of teaching accommodation for further and higher education (FHE) colleges. However, the Department publishes advice about the capacity of FHE institutions; such advice can be found in design notes 33, 37, 44 and 45. I am sending the hon. Member copies of all these publications.
  84
  Her Majesty's inspectorate make regular visits to FHE colleges which include assessments of the adequacy and sufficiency of teaching and other accommodation.

  Nursing Courses
  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if students undertaking nursing undergraduate courses in full-time higher education are to have their grants frozen and replaced with loans under the proposed student loans scheme.

  Mr. Jackson
  Students on nursing degree courses, like other students in full-time higher education, will have access to the additional resource provided by the top-up loan.

  Graduates
  Mr. Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what is the average income level received 12 months after graduation by(a) disabled graduates, (b) able-bodied graduates and (c) all graduates;

  (2) what is the average length of time taken to enter full-time employment following graduation for (a) disabled graduates, (b) able-bodied graduates and (c) all graduates.

  Mr. Jackson
  The information is not collected centrally.

  Class Sizes
  Ms. Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are the latest figures for the average class sizes in(a) primary schools, (b) secondary schools and (c) nursery schools for each local education authority in England.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  Information on average class sizes for nursery schools is not available centrally. The average class size for maintained primary and secondary schools in each local education authority in England in January 1989 is given in the table. Class sizes relate to those taught by one teacher during a selected period on the day of the census count in January. They do not necessarily represent the pattern of classes over the academic year as a whole.

  Average class sizes in maintained Primary and Secondary schools January 1989

  Average class size

  Primary

  Secondary

  Barking

  24·3

  18·7

  Barnet

  24·2

  18·6

  Bexley

  25·4

  20·3

  Brent

  25·1

  19·0

  Bromley

  25·9

  19·6

  Croydon

  25·5

  20·3

  Ealing

  23·9

  18·1

  Enfield

  26·3

  19·5

  Haringey

  24·3

  18·4

  Harrow

  26·8

  21·5

  Havering

  26·1

  19·4

  Hillingdon

  25·3

  19·7

  Hounslow

  24·8

  19·2

  Kingston upon Thames

  26·7

  18·1

  Merton

  26·2

  20·1

  Newham

  25·5

  20·5

  Redbridge

  28·6

  19·9

  Richmond upon Thames

  25·1

  20·6

  Sutton

  26·3

  20·0

  Waltham Forest

  26·4

  17·9

  85

  Average class size

  Primary

  Secondary

  Inner London

  23·5

  20·2

  Birmingham

  27·4

  21·4

  Coventry

  26·1

  20·7

  Dudley

  25·9

  19·1

  Sandwell

  26·1

  18·6

  Solihull

  26·3

  20·3

  Walsall

  24·2

  18·3

  Wolverhampton

  22·9

  19·0

  Knowsley

  25·3

  19·1

  Liverpool

  24·4

  19·0

  St. Helens

  26·2

  18·4

  Sefton

  26·3

  20·5

  Wirral

  24·5

  19·9

  Bolton

  26·6

  19·4

  Bury

  25·8

  19·8

  Manchester

  25·5

  18·8

  Oldham

  26·9

  19·6

  Rochdale

  26·8

  18·5

  Salford

  25·2

  18·4

  Stockport

  26·3

  19·4

  Tameside

  26·7

  20·3

  TrafFord

  26·4

  19·0

  Wigan

  26·3

  18·7

  Barnsley

  25·5

  19·9

  Doncaster

  24·9

  20·1

  Rotherham

  24·5

  19·0

  Sheffield

  24·6

  19·3

  Bradford

  25·0

  20·7

  Calderdale

  26·7

  19·6

  Kirklees

  25·7

  19·4

  Leeds

  25·5

  19·3

  Wakefield

  26·2

  19·5

  Gateshead

  23·7

  18·7

  Newcastle-upon-Tyne

  25·7

  19·1

  North Tyneside

  23·2

  18·5

  South Tyneside

  23·6

  17·9

  Sunderland

  24·8

  19·6

  Isles of Scilly

  14·0

  12·2

  Avon

  27·2

  20·6

  Bedfordshire

  25·8

  20·9

  Berkshire

  26·5

  19·3

  Buckinghamshire

  27·7

  20·4

  Cambridgeshire

  26·7

  20·4

  Cheshire

  27·7

  19·9

  Cleveland

  25·5

  18·9

  Cornwall

  26·1

  20·2

  Cumbria

  24·4

  19·0

  Derbyshire

  25·4

  19·5

  Devon

  26·0

  21·3

  Dorset

  26·8

  20·8

  Durham

  26·0

  20·1

  East Sussex

  25·9

  20·2

  Essex

  26·0

  20·8

  Gloucestershire

  25·7

  19·7

  Hampshire

  26·0

  20·4

  Hereford and Worcester

  25·7

  20·1

  Hertfordshire

  25·0

  19·0

  Humberside

  25·5

  20·0

  Lancashire

  27·2

  20·0

  Leicestershire

  25·5

  19·8

  Lincolnshire

  25·9

  20·2

  Norfolk

  24·9

  19·6

  North Yorkshire

  24·6

  19·7

  Northamptonshire

  26·2

  20·1

  Northumberland

  25·3

  20·3

  Nottinghamshire

  25·3

  19·1

  Oxfordshire

  26·0

  20·7

  86

  Average class size

  Primary

  Secondary

  Shropshire

  24·6

  19·3

  Somerset

  26·3

  21·0

  Staffordshire

  25·5

  20·4

  Suffolk

  24·8

  21·0

  Surrey

  24·5

  19·0

  Warwickshire

  25·5

  19·5

  West Sussex

  25·9

  20·6

  Wiltshire

  25·5

  20·2

  England

  25·7

  19·9

  Under-fives
  Ms. Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what are the latest figures for the percentage of under-fives in nursery schools, by local education authority in England in rank order;

  (2) what are the latest figures for the percentage of under-fives in nursery classes, by local education authority in England, in rank order:

  (3) what are the latest figures for the percentage of under-fives in infant classes, by local education authority in England, in rank order.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The percentage of children under five attending maintained nursery schools, nursery classes and infant classes in primary schools in each local education authority in England in January 1989 in rank order is given in the following tables.

  Percentage of children under five attending nursery schools in each local education authority in January 1989 in rank order

  Percentage of population

  South Tyneside

  18·7

  Durham

  17·0

  Rochdale

  14·9

  Salford

  14·4

  Newham

  13·2

  Wolverhampton

  12·4

  Sunderland

  11·8

  Walsall

  11·3

  Stockport

  10·9

  Berkshire

  9·6

  Newcastle-upon-Tyne

  9·6

  Lancashire

  9·2

  Bedfordshire

  8·6

  Birmingham

  7·9

  Kingston-upon-Thames

  7·7

  Staffordshire

  7·3

  Inner London

  7·0

  Cumbria

  6·9

  Barnet

  6·9

  Ealing

  6·8

  Hertfordshire

  6·6

  Warwickshire

  6·5

  Bolton

  6·5

  Avon

  6·4

  North Tyneside

  6·1

  Sheffield

  6·1

  Wakefield

  5·9

  Kirklees

  5·9

  Sutton

  5·9

  Tameside

  5·7

  Derbyshire

  5·6

  Coventry

  5·3

  Rotherham

  5·2

  Waltham Forest

  5·2

  Oxfordshire

  5·2

  Croydon

  4·9

  Sefton

  4·5

  Liverpool

  4·5

  87

  Percentage of population

  Humberside

  4·5

  Manchester

  4·2

  Northamptonshire

  4·1

  Dudley

  4·1

  Cambridgeshire

  4·1

  Brent

  3·7

  Bury

  3·7

  Bradford

  3·6

  Cheshire

  3·5

  Haringey

  3·3

  Wirral

  3·3

  Bexley

  3·2

  Barnsley

  3·2

  West Sussex

  3·0

  Buckinghamshire

  3·0

  Sandwell

  2·6

  Norfolk

  2·4

  Nottinghamshire

  2·4

  Lincolnshire

  2·3

  North Yorkshire

  2·2

  Wigan

  2·1

  East Sussex

  2·1

  Northumberland

  2·0

  Hillingdon

  2·0

  Richmond upon Thames

  1·9

  Surrey

  1·8

  Shropshire

  1·7

  St. Helens

  1·6

  Gateshead

  1·3

  Leeds

  1·3

  Devon

  1·1

  Cleveland

  1·0

  Cornwall1

  1·0

  Hampshire

  0·7

  Essex

  0·7

  Suffolk

  0·6

  Kent

  0·2

  Leicestershire

  0·2

  Calderdale2

  0·0

  Solihull2

  0·0

  Redbridge2

  0·0

  Hereford and Worcester2

  0·0

  Somerset2

  0·0

  Dorset2

  0·0

  Merton2

  0·0

  Doncaster2

  0·0

  Hounslow2

  0·0

  Oldham2

  0·0

  Havering2

  0·0

  Isle of Wight2

  0·0

  Harrow2

  0·0

  Barking2

  0·0

  Enfield2

  0·0

  Knowsley2

  0·0

  Trafford2

  0·0

  Gloucestershire2

  0·0

  Wiltshire2

  0·0

  Bromley2

  0·0

  ENGLAND

  4·2

  1 Includes Isles of Scilly.

  2 Have no Nursery Schools.

  Percentage of children under five attending nursery classes in each local education authority in January 1989 in rank order

  Percentage of population

  Hounslow

  66·4

  Cleveland

  54·3

  Manchester

  51·7

  Walsall

  48·9

  North Tyneside

  48·4

  Barnsley

  46·6

  Nottinghamshire

  46·3

  Wolverhampton

  46·1

  88

  Percentage of population

  Hillingdon

  45·9

  Liverpool

  45·5

  Newham

  43·6

  Sandwell

  43·4

  Wakefield

  42·6

  Knowsley

  41·7

  Doncaster

  40·6

  Merton

  40·1

  Salford

  38·8

  Leeds

  36·5

  Sheffield

  36·3

  Tameside

  35·8

  Rotherham

  35·4

  Oldham

  34·5

  Gateshead

  34·1

  Haringey

  33·7

  Bradford

  33·4

  Barking

  33·3

  Kirklees

  33·0

  Waltham Forest

  32·4

  South Tyneside

  32·3

  Solihull

  31·9

  St. Helens

  31·7

  Newcastle-upon-Tyne

  31·1

  Bolton

  30·7

  Inner London

  30·2

  Humberside

  29·8

  Ealing

  29·6

  Dudley

  29·6

  Brent

  28·7

  Calderdale

  28·5

  Derbyshire

  28·5

  Sefton

  26·7

  Northumberland

  26·0

  Birmingham

  24·5

  Sunderland

  24·2

  Barnet

  24·2

  Bury

  24·0

  Wigan

  23·9

  Hertfordshire

  23·7

  Bedfordshire

  22·8

  Durham

  22·7

  Leicestershire

  21·8

  Kingston upon Thames

  20·9

  Enfield

  20·6

  Trafford

  19·6

  Richmond upon Thames

  19·0

  Sutton

  18·6

  Coventry

  18·4

  Wirral

  18·1

  Cheshire

  17·9

  North Yorkshire

  17·2

  Harrow

  16·3

  Northamptonshire

  16·0

  Staffordshire

  15·3

  Suffolk

  15·0

  Rochdale

  15·0

  Cumbria

  14·9

  Berkshire

  14·6

  Cornwall1

  13·7

  Bexley

  12·1

  Redbridge

  11·7

  Warwickshire

  11·2

  Shropshire

  10·8

  Surrey

  9·7

  Devon

  9·6

  Avon

  9·4

  Oxfordshire

  9·3

  Cambridgeshire

  8·3

  Lancashire

  8·0

  Buckinghamshire

  7·4

  Hereford and Worcester

  6·4

  Isle of Wight

  5·9

  Dorset

  5·9

  Lincolnshire

  5·8

  Stockport

  5·5

  Essex

  5·5

  89

  Percentage of population

  East Sussex

  5·4

  Kent

  4·8

  Havering

  4·3

  Hampshire

  4·3

  Norfolk

  2·6

  Wiltshire

  2·2

  Croydon

  2·2

  Bromley

  2·0

  Somerset

  0·9

  West Sussex

  0·6

  Gloucestershire2

  —

  England

  20·5

  1 Includes Isles of Scilly.

  2 Has no designated nursery classes.

  Percentage of children under five in attending infant classes in each local education authority in January 1989 in rank order

  Percentage of population

  Isle of Wight

  36·6

  Gateshead

  34·2

  Northamptonshire

  34·1

  Liverpool

  33·9

  Calderdale

  33·7

  Havering

  33·2

  Cumbria

  33·2

  Somerset

  33·1

  Solihull

  33·1

  North Tyneside

  32·8

  Tameside

  32·6

  Sefton

  32·6

  Barking

  32·5

  Walsall

  32·4

  Doncaster

  32·4

  Wigan

  32·3

  Cheshire

  32·3

  South Tyneside

  32·1

  Bury

  32·1

  Oldham

  32·0

  Warwickshire

  32·0

  Lancashire

  31·8

  Salford

  31·8

  Birmingham

  31·7

  Gloucestershire

  31·6

  St. Helens

  31·6

  Stockport

  31·5

  Sandwell

  31·5

  Coventry

  31·4

  Avon

  31·2

  Cambridgeshire

  31·1

  Sunderland

  31·0

  Dorset

  31·0

  Cornwall2

  30·8

  Northumberland

  30·6

  Durham

  30·4

  Bolton

  30·3

  Newcastle- upon-Tyne

  30·1

  Wirral

  30·0

  East Sussex

  29·9

  Rochdale

  29·6

  Harrow

  29·5

  Enfield

  29·2

  Knowsley

  29·0

  Croydon

  27·7

  Kingston upon Thames

  26·9

  Brent

  26·7

  Ealing

  26·4

  North Yorkshire

  26·2

  Haringey

  26·2

  Norfolk

  25·7

  Barnet

  25·5

  Derbyshire

  23·2

  Lincolnshire

  22·7

  Staffordshire

  22·0

  90

  Percentage of population

  Leeds

  22·0

  Wakefield

  21·3

  Shropshire

  21·1

  Humberside

  20·6

  Merton

  20·4

  Bradford

  19·8

  Kirk lees

  19·7

  Richmond upon Thames

  19·6

  Cleveland

  19·1

  Sheffield

  18·9

  Barnsley

  17·6

  Hertfordshire

  17·2

  Wiltshire

  16·2

  Manchester

  15·8

  Wolverhampton

  15·8

  Devon

  15·7

  Essex

  15·6

  Leicestershire

  15·3

  Suffolk

  15·2

  Hampshire

  15·0

  Redbridge

  14·9

  Rotherham

  14·9

  Bromley

  14·3

  Dudley

  14·0

  Inner London

  12·8

  Surrey

  12·1

  Bexley

  11·5

  Waltham Forest

  11·5

  Hereford and Worcester

  9·7

  Trafford

  8·1

  Kent

  8·0

  Buckinghamshire

  7·9

  Nottinghamshire

  6·7

  West Sussex

  5·4

  Bedfordshire

  5·0

  Oxfordshire

  3·8

  Hillingdon

  3·6

  Berkshire

  1·2

  Hounslow

  1·0

  Sutton

  0·6

  Newham

  0·0

  England

  21·1

  1 Includes Isles of Scilly.

  Disabled Students
  Mr. Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has any evidence from other countries where a loans system has been introduced of its effects on disabled students entering further and higher education.

  Mr. Jackson
  We have no evidence to suggest that the introduction of loans schemes in other countries has reduced participation by disabled students. Top-up loans represent an additional resource which we intend to make available to disabled as to other students.

  Mr. Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether as part of his proposals on top-up loans for students he will consider establishing a fourth access fund to assist disabled students.

  Mr. Jackson
  Disabled students, in addition to their present support, will be eligible for the additional resources in the form of the loan that the Government intend to provide. Unlike other students, they will retain entitlement to social security benefits. They will be eligible for support from the access fund appropriate to their level of study. In the circumstances there is no need to provide an additional access fund exclusively for disabled students.
  91
  Mr. Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many local education authorities have policies governing payment of the disabled students allowance.

  Mr. Jackson
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply that I gave to the right hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, South (Mr. Ashley) on 6 November 1989 at column 423.

  Mr. Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether there are any national guidelines issued to local education authorities governing payment of the disabled students allowance.

  Mr. Jackson
  The Department issues notes of guidance to local education authorities on the interpretation and application of most aspects of the mandatory awards regulations, including those relating to disabled students. Copies are in the Library.

  Mr. Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations his Department has received in 1989 relating to the level of the disabled students grant.

  Mr. Jackson
  Some formal responses to the White Paper "Top-up Loans for Students" expressed concern about the effect of those proposals on the supplementary allowances which are available with the grant for disabled students. The RNID, responding on behalf of a number of organisations representing the disabled, argued for additional funding, over and above the allowance for disabled students.

  Mr. Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what research his Department has carried out or supported to ascertain the extra costs arising from disability faced by disabled students who attend higher education courses.

  Mr. Jackson
  The student grant rates are reviewed each year in the light of available information about students' circumstances. This comes from a variety of sources, including the series of surveys commissioned by the Department of the income and expenditure of a representative sample of students.

ENERGY

  Electricity Privatisation
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is his most recent estimate for the total cost of publicising the new electricity companies and privatising the electricity supply industry; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  No expenditure on publicising the new electricity companies has so far been incurred by Government. Expenditure by the industry is a matter for the industry itself. The total costs which will be incurred in the privatisation of the electricity supply industry will depend upon many factors that have not yet been decided.

  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is his most recent estimate of slippage in the timetable for the privatisation of the electricity supply industry; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Wakeham
  There has been no slippage in the overall timetable for the privatisation. We still intend to complete it within this Parliament.
  92
  Mr. Rost
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what progress has been made in the setting up of independent generation companies after the restructuring of the electricity supply industry.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Selly Oak (Mr. Beaumont-Dark) earlier today.

  Mr. Bright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when the privatisation of the electricity industry is now expected to take place.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The electricity industry will be privatised within this Parliament; the area boards will be offered for sale in autumn 1990 and the two generating companies will be offered for sale in the first half of 1991. Exact dates will be set nearer the time.

  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he intends to remove the advanced gas-cooled reactors from the electricity privatisation.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend's statement on 9 November at column 1175.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy whether the recently agreed package of measures between the Department and the electricity industry are intended to lead to increased competition after the privatisation of the electricity industry.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The contractual package announced at the end of September is designed to provide a stable transition to full competition in electricity generation and supply.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is the most recent estimated date for vesting day for each part of the electricity supply industry, and for the flotation of each, respectively.

  Mr. Wakeham
  The Government intend to implement the new structure of the industry at the end of March 1990; the area boards will be offered for sale in autumn 1990 and the two generating companies will be offered for sale in the first half of 1991. Exact dates will be set nearer the time.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is the total amount spent by his Department to date on outside advice on the privatisation of electricty; and which companies have received £1 million or more.

  Mr. Wakeham
  The total cost to my Department of all advisers working on electricity privatisation amounted to £0·8 million in 1987–88 and £5·5 million in 1988–89. In addition, there is provision of £26·5 million relevant expenses in 1989–90. Detailed information about contracts with advisers is commercially confidential.

  Fossil Fuels
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what was the total consumption in metric tonnes of oil, gas and coal, respectively, in 1973 and each succeeding year.

  Mr. Wakeham
  Total inland consumption has been as follows:
  93

  million tonnes

  Calendar year

  Oil

  Gas (coal equivalent)

  Coal

  1973

  108·2

  44·2

  133·3

  1974

  101·6

  52·9

  117·9

  1975

  89·9

  55·4

  122·2

  1976

  89·0

  58·8

  123·6

  1977

  90·0

  62·8

  124·0

  1978

  91·4

  65·1

  120·5

  1979

  91·3

  71·1

  129·4

  1980

  78·3

  71·1

  123·5

  1981

  72·7

  72·1

  118·4

  1982

  72·9

  71·7

  111·0

  1983

  70·4

  74·8

  111·5

  1984

  87·7

  76·5

  77·3

  1985

  76·2

  82·3

  105·4

  1986

  75·6

  83·6

  114·2

  1987

  73·7

  85·9

  115·9

  1988

  78·3

  81·5

  111·5

  Source: Digest of United Kingdom Energy Statistics, Tables 2 (natural gas), 3 (oil) and 14 (coal)

  British Coal
  Mr. Douglas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list the topics which he intends to raise when he next meets the chairman of British Coal.

  Mr. Wakeham
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Barnsley, Central (Mr. Illsley) earlier today.

  Mr. Patchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he last met the chairman of British Coal; and what matters were discussed.

  Mr. Wakeham
  I meet the chairman of British Coal regularly to discuss all aspects of the coal industry.

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he last met the chairman of British Coal; and what matters were discussed.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  My right hon. Friend and I meet the chairman of British Coal regularly to discuss all aspects of the coal industry.

  Mr. Riddick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy how much has been invested in British Coal since 1979.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  Over £6·5 billion of capital expenditure has been invested in British Coal since 1979. Investment is continuing at over £2 million every working day.

  Mr. Gow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he now expects to announce proposals for the privatisation of British Coal.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The Government have announced their intention to privatise the coal industry in the next Parliament. The timing of privatisation will depend on, among other things, the industry's progress towards achieving a viable size and level of costs.

  UK Continental Shelf
  Dr. Michael Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what was the level of exploration and appraisal drilling in the United Kingdom continental shelf during 1989 and in earlier years.
  94
  Mr. Peter Morrison
  The level of exploration and appraisal drilling so far this year compares favourably with that achieved in the two best previous years on record, 1984 and 1988. The numbers of wells started up to the end of October in each of these three years was as follows:

  Exploration

  Appraisal

  Total

  1984

  91

  69

  160

  1988

  77

  74

  151

  1989

  76

  65

  141

  Mr. Burt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is the trend in the level of exploration and appraisal drilling in the United Kingdom continental shelf.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  Up to the end of October, 76 exploration wells and 65 appraisal wells had been started on the United Kingdom continental shelf since the beginning of the year.

  Gas Industry (Competition)
  Mr. Favell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy whether he has received any representations about competition in the gas industry.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  I have received a number of representations about competition in the gas industry.

  Mr. Bowls
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he has met the Director General of Gas Supply to discuss the progress being made towards the competitive sale of gas to industry.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  I met the Director General of Gas Supply last month and we discussed a range of issues of mutual interest, including competition in the supply of gas to industry.

  Nuclear Power Stations
  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what studies he has undertaken into the cost of decommissioning Britain's nuclear power stations; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Wakeham
  Earlier this year my Department asked the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority to review the CEGB's estimates of decommissioning costs. In drawing up its accounts for 1988–89 the Central Electricity Generating Board will take account of both this work and its own further studies.

  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what information he has as to how many nuclear power stations have been(a) ordered, and (b) completed within Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries within the last five years.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  In OECD countries during 1984–88, work was started on 19 new nuclear power reactors, and 92 reactors were connected to the grid.

  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is his estimate of the amount of greenhouse gases that would be produced if all the United Kingdom's nuclear reactors were decommissioned and the replacement demand met entirely by the burning of fossil fuels.
  95
  Mr. Hayes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will estimate the amount of greenhouse gases that would be produced if all the United Kingdom's nuclear reactors were decommissioned and demand met entirely by the burning of fossil fuels.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  Replacing nuclear power by electricity produced from fossil fuels would increase the output of carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas produced by the electricity sector, by about 53 million tonnes per annum or 25 per cent. over current levels.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what percentage of the population and how many in actual numbers, live within 15 miles of a nuclear power station in(a) England, (b) Scotland and (c) Wales.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  [holding answer 6 November 1989]: The percentage and number of the population who live within 25 km (approximately 15·5 miles) of a nuclear power station, based on the 1981 census of population figures, are as follows:

  Per cent.

  Number

  England

  7

  3,292,000

  Scotland

  7

  356,000

  Wales

  3

  85,000

  British Nuclear Fuels plc
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he last met the chairman of British Nuclear Fuels; and what matters were discussed.

  Mr. Wakeham
  I visited Sellafield on 11 October and took the opportunity to discuss a wide range of issues with the chairman.

  Energy Efficiency
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what progress is being made on promoting the efficient use of energy in the public sector.

  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what progress is being made on promoting the efficient use of energy in the public sector.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  On 19 October I chaired the first of a series of regular meetings of Ministers responsible for departmental energy use, when excellent progress was made.

  Mr. Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he has proposals to encourage the use of more energy-efficient domestic appliances.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  Manufacturers and consumer associations already publish energy consumption data for electrical appliances which facilitate the choice of the more energy efficient models. My energy efficiency office has commissioned a study on the energy efficiency of electrical appliances and we will consider the matter further when we have received the report of this study.

  Mr. Hague
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what improvements have been made in energy efficiency in the last 10 years.

  Ms. Quin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what studies he has undertaken into the rate of improvement in energy efficiency in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.
  96
  Mr. Peter Morrison
  The "Digest of United Kingdom Energy Statistics 1989" contains figures for primary energy consumption, gross domestic product, and the resultant energy ratio.

  Over the last 10 years, the energy ratio has improved from 1·24 tonnes of coal equivalent per £1,000 gross domestic product in 1979 to 1·01 tonnes per £1,000 in 1988, an average reduction in energy intensity in excess of 2 per cent. per year.

  Mr. Wood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what initiatives his Department is taking in the field of energy efficiency.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Provan (Mr. Wray) on 17 July 1989 at column 53.

  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what evidence is available on the extent to which the seven highest energy-using industries have become more energy efficient during the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  The latest information comes from the five-yearly purchase inquiries conducted with a sample of 10,000 United Kingdom manufacturing sites and establishments by the Business Statistics Office. A further survey is now under way.

  The table shows the difference in energy consumption as a percentage of gross output for the seven most energy-intensive industries in the United Kingdom for the years 1979 and 1984. The figures are published in "Industrial Energy Markets: No. 9 Energy Efficiency Series".

  Gross output

  Percentage of output spent on Energy Consumption

  1984 £ million

  1979

  1984

  Basic Chemicals

  7,224

  7·84

  6·75

  Iron and Steel

  7,208

  8·74

  7·47

  Non Ferrous Metals

  3,965

  4·90

  15·30

  Cement

  3,335

  9·66

  9·13

  Paper and Board

  1,942

  11·88

  9·59

  Bricks and Ceramics

  1,738

  10·35

  10·70

  Glass

  1,328

  10·29

  211·32

  1 There has been a change to electric melting for quality control, environmental and other reasons leading to lower energy consumption but higher cost.

  2 During this five-year period manpower costs more than halved due to intense rationalisation of plants, and other costs were also reduced —thus masking a real decrease in energy consumption.

  It can be seen that in several industries there have been considerable improvements in energy efficiency. A number of individual examples of considerable increases in energy efficiency in the tabulated industries are being documented under the Energy Efficiency Office "Best Practice" programme and will be available during the coming year.

  Energy Conservation
  Mr. O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy how many households who are on low incomes have been insulated to conserve heat under the energy efficiency scheme since March; how many are budgeted for in the current financial year; and if he will make a statement.
  97
  Mr. Peter Morrison
  Some 37,000 low-income households benefited from the insulation services of community insulation projects in the first quarter of this financial year. For the year as a whole I expect to see not less than 140,000 homes to benefit.

  Global Warming
  Mr. Knapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what representations he has received about the contribution of the burning of fossil fuels to global warming.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what representations he has received about the contribution of the burning of fossil fuels to the greenhouse effect and global warming.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  I have received a number of representations on this matter. The Select Committee on Energy has published a report on the energy policy implications of the greenhouse effect, to which the Government responded on 8 November.

  PWR Programme
  Dr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he last met the Government's adviser on electricity privatisation regarding the cost and viability of the PWR programme; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Wakeham
  I meet my advisers on electricity privatisation frequently and discuss a wide range of issues; I refer the hon. Member to the statement I made to the House on 9 November.

  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy 'what is his estimate of the cost of electricity which will be generated by the means of the pressurised water reactor as presently planned.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  This is a matter for the Central Electricity Generating Board. I shall ask the chairman of the CEGB to write to the hon. Member.

  Electricity Generation
  Mr. Allen McKay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he last met the chairman-designate of PowerGen; and what was discussed.

  Miss Hoey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he last met the chairman of the Central Electricity Generating Board; and what matters were discussed.

  Mr. Wakeham
  I regularly meet the chairmen-designate of PowerGen and National Power to discuss matters of common interest.

  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he last met the chairman of National Power; and what matters were discussed.

  Mr. John P. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he last met the chairman of the Central Electricity Generating Board; and what matters were discussed.

  Mr. Lofthouse
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he next expects to meet the chairman of National Power; and what matters will be discussed.
  98
  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he last met the chairman of the Central Electricity Generating Board; and what matters were discussed.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  My right hon. Friend and I regularly meet the chairman-designate of National Power to discuss matters of common interest.

  Mr. Loyden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is his most recent estimate of the potential generation of electricity from renewable sources; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  The most recent estimates of the potential contribution from renewable energy sources were published in Energy Paper 55 "Renewable Energy in the UK—The Way Forward", copies of which are in the Libraries of the House.

  The Government intend to set orders for up to 600 MW of renewable energy capacity during the 1990s, in addition to whatever is contracted in the initial obligation. The proposed levels of these special tranches will be kept under review to ensure that when the obligations are made they take into account the potential availability of renewable capacity.

  United Kingdom Offshore Operators Association.
  Mr. Ernie Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he last met the representatives of the United Kingdom Offshore Operators Association; and what was discussed.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State met representatives of the United Kingdom Offshore Operators Association on 8 November, and a number of North sea-related issues were raised.

  Severn Barrage
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what representations he has received about proposals for a tidal-power barrage across the Severn estuary.

  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what representations he has received about proposals for a tidal-power barrage across the Severn estuary.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State met Sir Frank Gibb, chairman of the Severn Tidal Power Group on 18 October to discuss the general report of the Severn barrage project.

  Over the next two years further work on the Severn barrage will be undertaken. This will include some site specific environmental work and a study of the organisation and financing issues for a barrage.

  The work to be undertaken immediately is under discussion with the Severn Tidal Power Group in the light of its report.

  Coal Industry (Employment)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is his most recent estimate of the effect of the electricity supply industry on future employment in the British coal industry; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Wakeham
  The coal industry will need to ensure that its future output and prices meet the needs of its main
  99
  customers including the privatised electricity generators. Employment in the industry will depend both on demand for coal and future productivity gains. It is for British Coal to determine what its manpower requirements are and how it will meet them.

  North Sea Development
  Mr. Hayward
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the present rate of North sea development.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  Exploration and appraisal drilling remain close to record levels and expenditure on new developments continues to recover following the collapse in oil prices in 1986. These results demonstrate the success of the policies we have pursued to ensure that investment in the United Kingdom continental shelf is encouraged and will be maintained in the future.

  Mr. Siliars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what are the latest estimates for expansion of exploration and development of oil and gas in the Scottish sector of the North sea.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  I am confident that under this Government's policies the United Kingdom sector of the North sea will remain a substantial producer of oil and gas well into the next century. Exploration and appraisal activity remains close to record levels and expenditure on new developments continues to recover following the collapse of oil prices in 1986.

  Electricity Imports
  Mr. Eadie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what estimate he has of the proportion of electricity imported from France via the Channel cable which is nuclear generated; at what cost; and what estimate he has of the coal equivalent in 1989 to the latest available date.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  Electricity imported from France via the cross-Channel link is at present dispatched from the French system as a whole and no differentiation is at present made of the source.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the import of electricity from natural sources in Iceland.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  I am advised that there are no plans at present to import electricity from Iceland. Any decision to proceed with a link will be a commercial matter for the industry.

  British Gas
  Mr. Robert Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he last met the chairman of British Gas; and what issues he discussed.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  My right hon. Friend met the chairman of British Gas in September when they discussed a range of issues of mutual interest.

  North Sea (Safety)
  Mr. Doran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what further proposals he has to improve safety in the North sea oil industry.
  100
  Mr. McKelvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what plans he has to enforce higher safety standards in the North sea oil industry.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  We are constantly seeking to improve offshore safety standards. Regulations requiring emergency shut-down valves on offshore installations were introduced in June 1989, as were regulations requiring the election of offshore safety representatives and safety committees. Regulations relating to revised arrangements for first aid offshore were made in September. Further regulations relating to sub-sea isolation systems are being prepared. Discussion documents have been issued detailing proposals for a review of the requirements for life-saving appliances, work permit procedures and fire and explosion protection on offshore installations, together with proposals requiring formal safety assessments to be applied as a continuous process at all stages of an installation's life cycle. In addition, a number of safety notices have been issued drawing the attention of the industry to specific areas of concern. The Government have made it clear that if the Piper Alpha public inquiry can recommend further improvements to the safety regime these will be implemented.

  Petroleum Science and Technology Institute
  Mr. Jacques Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the establishment of the Petroleum Science and Technology Institute.

  Mr. Conway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the establishment of the Petroleum Science and Technology Institute.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  The Petroleum Science and Technology Institute is now established with a chairman and board of management in office, a director appointed and the first research contracts concluded. The institute has been pledged some £7 million in funding from the oil industry and my Department over the next five years.

  Energy Efficiency Office
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what proposals he has for increasing the projected budget for the Energy Efficiency Office for the next financial year.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  The budget for the Energy Efficiency Office in 1990–91 is being reviewed in the public expenditure survey. A statement on the outcome of the survey will be made shortly.

  EC Energy Commissioner
  Mr. Cunliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he last met the Commissioner for Energy of the European Commission; and what matters were discussed.

  Mr. Wakeham
  I last met Senor Cardoso in September in Montreal at the world energy conference. We discussed a range of topics including the Community's efforts to achieve a single market in energy, the implications of widely different circumstances in the energy sectors of Community member states and the relationship between energy and environmental policies.

  Nuclear Energy
  Mr. Day
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is his estimate of how many jobs in the United Kingdom depend on the nuclear power industry.

  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is his estimate of how many jobs in the United Kingdom depend on nuclear power.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  I refer my hon. Friends to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Exeter (Mr. Hannam) on 26 June 1989 at columns 688–89.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what evaluation he has made of the long-term future of the new nuclear company.

  Mr. Wakeham
  The nuclear company has an assured and long future as the operator of the CEGB's present Magnox and AGR stations. As I said in my statement to the House on 9 November, it should be possible, subject to the views of the nuclear installations inspectorate, for the lifetimes of at least some of the Magnox stations to be extended. The AGRs have many years ahead of them. The company will also have responsibility for building and operating Sizewell B, which will still be generating power 40 years from now. The successful completion and operation of that station will also enable the company to maintain the option to build further PWRs in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what were the latest figures for the cost of nuclear power and nuclear decommissioning quoted by the Central Electricity Generating Board at the Sizewell B and Hinkley Point C inquiries respectively.

  Mr. Wakeham
  Figures given to the Hinkley Point C public inquiry on the cost of nuclear power—for differing economic cases—are set out in CEGB 4 Addendum 5. CEGB 7 Addendas 7 and 8 cover the costs of construction. Figures for decommissioning are also available in CEGB 4 and CEGB 11.

  Material tabled at the Sizewell B inquiry—which closed in March 1985—has been overtaken by that given to the Hinkley inquiry.

  I am arranging for copies of the above to be placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Energy Sources
  Mr. Page
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what incentives there will be to develop renewable sources of energy after the reconstruction of the electricity industry.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Dulwich (Mr. Bowden) earlier today.

  Coal Industry (Pollution)
  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what steps are being taken by the coal industry to help reduce environmental pollution and use energy more efficiently.

  Mr. Amos
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what steps are being taken to assist the coal industry to help reduce environmental pollution and use energy more efficiently.
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  Mr. Michael Spicer
  My Department is providing up to £8 million towards British Coal's £16 million topping cycle development programme at Grimethorpe. This technology offers a significant improvement in thermal efficiency compared with conventional power generation, coupled with low emissions of sulphur and nitrogen oxides.

  British Coal is also at present developing a comprehensive environmental policy covering all aspects of its work, including both the production and consumption of coal.

  Margam Pit
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what proposals he has to speed up the exploitation of the Margam coal reserves; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The timing and priority of major projects such as Margam is a matter for British Coal in the light of the overall capital allocation available to it and the commercial objectives agreed with the Government.

  Magnox Power Stations
  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he expects to announce the terms and conditions of employment of those people currently working at Magnox power stations.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  I refer my hon. Friend to the statement made by my right hon. Friend on 9 November at column 1175.

  Wave Power
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what further steps he is taking to promote wave power electricity generation; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  The Department of Energy is funding a study to assess the overall United Kingdom shoreline wave energy resource. This survey is being carried out by Queen's university, Belfast.

  This study is complementary to the present research and development work funded by the Department on the shoreline rock gully device on the island of Islay.

  The objectives of the current phase are the design, manufacture and the installation of an appropriate air driven power turbine and electrical generator and the assessment of the overall productivity, reliability and cost effectiveness of the complete system when connected to the local grid.

  In February 1987 the Department published Energy Paper 54 "Energy Technologies for the United Kingdom: 1986 appraisal of research, development and demonstration". This appraisal is due to be updated and a detailed study of wave energy is now in progress as part of the overall appraisal. This study has the following objectives:
  To review the technical and commercial viability and prospects for wave energy in the United Kingdom, in the following areas;

  shoreline wave energy;

  small-scale modular offshore wave energy;

  large-scale offshore wave energy;

  To review the economic classification of shoreline and offshore wave energy technologies and determine whether they are in the "Economically Attractive", "Promising but Uncertain" or "Long Shot" categories.

  A steering group with independent members for the wave

  103
  energy study has been appointed as is our normal practice. All interested parties are being consulted during the study and at the stage of the preparation of the report.

  Dounreay
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the future of UKAEA Dounreay.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to his question on 19 June at columns 11–12. Since then, my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland has granted consent for the outline planning application for a European demonstration reprocessing plant.

  Mersey Barrage
  Mr. Barry Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what representations he has received regarding the proposals for a Mersey barrage; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  The Department of Energy and the Mersey Barrage Company are jointly funding feasibility studies into a Mersey barrage. The studies are being advanced to determine whether the Mersey Barrage Company can make an economic case for construction of a Mersey barrage. I expect to meet the chairman of the Mersey Barrage Company shortly to receive a progress report.

  Harnessing the Mersey tides could produce approximately 0·5 per cent. of the country's current electricity needs, without fossil fuel emissions, though more studies need to be done on its environmental and regional impact.

  Sellafield Reprocessing Plant
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement about the future of THORP reprocessing plant at Sellafield.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  I am advised by BNFL that good progress is being made towards completion of THORP. The fuel receipt and storage facility is operational and commercial reprocessing is expected to begin in late 1992. The company already has contracts valued up to £5 billion which will pay for its investment in the plant.

  Offshore Oil Industry
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he last met the union representatives in the offshore oil industry; and what was discussed.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I met Mr. Campbell Christie, general secretary of the Scottish Trade Union Congress with other trade union representatives on 7 November for a general discussion.

  I chair regular meetings of the offshore industry liaison committee which is a tripartite body including representatives of Government, industry, and the unions. That committee provides a useful forum for discussion of matters relating to the United Kingdom continental shelf. The last meeting on 3 October provided an opportunity for a review of United Kingdom continental shelf developments, and skill shortages.

  Coal Imports
  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy how many tonnes of coal were imported into Great Britain at the latest available date; if he will list the names of the countries and the respective amounts of coal from each; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  Information is available for the period January to September 1989 as shown in the table.

  January to September 1989

  Country of origin

  Quantity1 (thousand tonnes)

  United States of America

  3,538

  Australia

  1,643

  Poland

  694

  Canada

  565

  Colombia

  480

  China

  405

  South Africa

  303

  Federal Republic of Germany

  213

  USSR

  157

  Netherlands

  133

  Panama

  106

  Venezuela

  86

  Belgium

  61

  France

  42

  Norway

  37

  Others

  80

  Total

  8,544

  1 Figures are rounded independently and the total may therefore differ from the sum of the constituent parts.

  Source: Her Majesty's Customs and Excise.

  Figures for earlier years are published on an annual basis in table 74 of the "Digest of United Kingdom Energy Statistics".

  Power Stations (Decommissioning)
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what are his most recent estimates for the costs of decommissioning Magnox, advanced gas-cooled reactor and pressurised water reactor power stations.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  These are matters for the operators of such plant. I am asking the chairmen of the CEGB, SSEB and BNFL to write to the hon. Member.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) what are the current estimates of the date of decommissioning of each nuclear power station;

  (2) what is his latest estimate of the total cost of decommissioning each nuclear power station.

  Mr. Wakeham
  The point at which each nuclear power station will be taken out of service is a matter for the operator to decide taking account of the circumstances at the time. Estimation of the cost of decommissioning each station is also a matter for the operator.

  CEGB
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Newport, West, 28 July,Official Report, column 981, when he wrote to the Central Electricity Generating Board requesting that they reply to the hon. Member.
  105
  Mr. Michael Spicer
  An official from my Department wrote to the CEGB chairman's office on 31 July 1989.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he expects to receive the annual report of the Central Electricity Generating Board for 1988–89.

  Mr. Wakeham
  Preparation and publication of the annual report and accounts are a matter for the board of the CEGB. I am assured that the accounts will be published as soon as is possible.

  Paper-making
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on what Government-sponsored research is either currently taking place or likely to be commissioned in the near future to evaluate the energy consumption rates of different methods of making paper.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  As part of their new energy efficiency best practice programme my Energy Efficiency Office will be producing energy consumption guides for various processes in a number of industries. It is presently examining the scope for doing so in the papermaking industry.

  Gas Flaring
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy how much gas has been flared off in each year since United Kingdom continental shelf oil productions commenced.

  Mr. Wakeham
  Details of the amounts of gas flared from producing oil fields in the United Kingdom continental shelf in each of the years 1978 to 1988 have been published each year since 1979 in my Department's annual report to Parliament (the Brown Book). Figures for years 1975, when UKCS production started, to 1977 are riot available.

  Scottish Coal
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is the current monthly output from the Scottish coalfields of(a) deep-mined and (b) opencast power station coal.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  This is a matter for British Coal. I have asked the chairman to write to the hon. Member.

  Electricity Boards
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what information his Department's records show about the party affiliations, if any, of non-executive members of electricity boards.

  Mr. Wakeham
  We do not collect this information in the Department.

  Electricity Distribution
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is his assessment of the length of the reasonable period ahead over which the distribution companies will need to be clear about their obligations.
  106
  Mr. Wakeham
  The nature and extent of the distribution companies' obligations will be fully disclosed in the prospectus.

  Flue Gas Desulphurisation
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is his current estimate of the cost of flue gas desulphurisation of each 2000 MW fossil-fuel-fired station.

  Mr. Wakeham
  The precise financial commitment to flue gas desulphurisation will be a commercial matter for the generating companies themselves.

  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is the financial commitment of PowerGen to flue gas desulphurisation; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  PowerGen will have to comply with the limits set out in the large combustion plant directive agreed in 1988. The precise financial commitment to flue gas desulphurisation will be a commercial matter for the company itself.

  Sizewell B
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is his current estimate of the cost of providing fuel for Sizewell B.

  Mr. Wakeham
  Questions about the costs of individual power stations are a matter for the CEGB.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is the intended capacity of the plant to fabricate fuel for Sizewell B.

  Mr. Wakeham
  Most of the production operations for Sizewell B fuel, for which BNFL is currently bidding, would be carried out in plants which also produce fuel for the AGR stations. The combined capacity of these plants is around 300 tonnes of uranium a year. The final assembly work would take place in an existing plant with a capacity of 200 tonnes of uranium a year.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what facilities provided or to be provided by the Atomic Energy Authority, British Nuclear Fuels Ltd., the nuclear installations inspectorate or NIREX, respectively, are intended solely to service the needs of Sizewell B pressurised water reactor.

  Mr. Wakeham
  The Health and Safety Executive's nuclear installations inspectorate has been involved in all stages of the licensing of Sizewell B, and will continue to deploy its resources in the best possible way to ensure that operators of nuclear installations comply with their statutory requirements for safety. I will ask the chairmen of the other organisations referred to in the hon. Member's question to write directly to him.

  LEGAL AID: ELIGIBILITY
  LEGAL AID: ELIGIBILITY
  PUBLIC HOUSE LANDLORDS: SECURITY OF TENURE
  PUBLIC HOUSE LANDLORDS: SECURITY OF TENURE
  NHS: GP'S DRUG BUDGETS
  NHS: GP'S DRUG BUDGETS
  VACCINE DAMAGE PAYMENTS ACT 1979
  VACCINE DAMAGE PAYMENTS ACT 1979