Written Answers of 14 November 1989

TRANSPORT

  Motorways (Lighting)
  Mr. Batiste
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what studies he is making into the effect on road safety on motorways of sudden transition from lit to unlit sections during hours of darkness or in other poor lighting conditions.

  Mr. Atkins
  None. Research into driver reaction times in changing from lit to unlit conditions was carried out in the 1970s. I have no evidence to suppose that its conclusions are no longer appropriate. But I am considering the introduction of lighting on further stretches of the motorways network where this can be justified. Lighting can reduce night-time accidents by 30 per cent. This has to be balanced against cost and environmental intrusion.

  Mr. Batiste
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he proposes to stagger the transition on motorways from lit to unlit sections to enable drivers to adjust more easily to the changing conditions.

  Mr. Atkins
  No. Research has shown that the average driver adapts from lit to unlit conditions at night in approximately one second. I am considering the introduction of lighting on further sections of motorway where the economic and safety advantages outweigh the cost and environmental intrusion. The introduction of lighting to fill existing gaps on the network would reduce the number of transitions between lit and unlit sections.

  Transport Studies (Greater London)
  Ms. Abbott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many studies of transport within the Greater London area, by or sponsored by his Department, are in progress at the moment; and what is the cost of such studies(a) in internal departmental costs and (b) in terms of fees and payments to consultants, research organisations, and so on.

  Mr. Atkins
  The Department is currently sponsoring nine studies into transport within the Greater London area. They are:

  Study

  Cost £

  For four London assessment studies

  18,550,000

  Central London rail study (jointly with BR and LRT)

  800,000

  East London rail study (jointly with DOE and LRT)

  320,000

  A4/M4 corridor study

  250,000

  Primary route signing review

  470,000

  Development of traffic management and accident prevention measures

  1,700,000

  Company assisted travel

  155,000

  Heathrow and South West London orbital movement study (HASQUAD)

  700,000

  Tourist coaches in London

  168,000

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  1 Total cost to date.

  Some of the studies require the use of the London transportation survey model. The total costs of development, maintenance and use of this model between April 1986 and August 1989 was £2,300,000.

  All costs relate to fees. There is no figure available for the internal departmental costs associated with these studies.

  Roads
  Ms. Abbott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport in the methodology adopted by his Department and its consultants, in the assessment of the effects of new or improved roads, what account is taken of the new traffic generated by the changes.

  Mr. Atkins
  The amount of entirely new traffic generated by most road schemes is not significant. However, where new traffic may be generated on a significant scale, special techniques are used including traffic models suited to the circumstances of the proposed road. We have asked the standing advisory committee on trunk road assessment to consider the significance of traffic generation and redistribution, and to advise if any changes in methods are required.

  Open Space
  Ms. Abbott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport in the methodology adopted by his Department and its consultants in assessing what value is put on open space.

  Mr. Atkins
  I refer the hon. Lady to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Newham, North-West (Mr. Banks) on 1 November 1989 at column 192.

  East London Assessment Study
  Ms. Abbott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the Government's capital plans for investment in road and rail in the east London assessment study area over the next 10 years; how much is allocated to(a) rail and (b) roads; and how much this has changed following recent developments.

  Mr. Atkins
  The Department's current trunk road programme includes several schemes that are wholly or partly within the east London assessment area with a total works cost of about £150 million (1987 prices). These include the A 12 Hackney to M11 link road and several schemes to upgrade the A13. Other schemes in the Department's programme outside the study boundary will also improve access to and conditions within the area. In addition, the London docklands development corporation is carrying out a number of schemes to improve movement within its area.

  British Rail and London Regional Transport are responsible for determining long-term investment plans and priorities for rail services within the overall resources available to them. Their plans include major rail investments which will benefit that area of London. Schemes include the introduction of modern rolling stock on many lines; greater capacity on the north London line; resignalling of lines into Liverpool Street station and the major redevelopment of the station itself. Further plans include new stock and resignalling on the London-Tilbury-Southend lines.
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  Improvements in Underground services include the £720 million modernisation of the Central Line and the reconstruction of Angel station. The City and Beckton extensions of the Docklands light railway are now under way at a cost of over £400 million.

  Ms. Abbott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department will instruct the east London assessment study consultants to reinstate road pricing in the options considered.

  Mr. Atkins
  It would not be appropriate to do so at this time.

  Ms. Abbott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the consultants carrying out the east London assessment study will be instructed to revise their study in the light of decisions regarding the jubilee line extension and the British Railway crossrail link; and what will be the impact of these rail schemes on the study.

  Mr. Atkins
  Announcements about decisions on future rail lines in London will be made shortly. The assessment study consultants will take account of those decisions in any further work.

  Ms. Abbott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what account the east London assessment study will take of(a) the outcome of the M11 link inquiry, (b) the development of the road infrastructure serving docklands and (c) the Channel terminus and King's Cross developments;

  (2) what consultation will take place regarding the east London assessment study phase IIB report, to be published in December; when consultations will begin and end; who will be consulted; and what is the revised timetable for phase III;

  (3) what is the estimated cost of the east London assessment study IIB study; when the results will be made public; and how detailed information will be made available to the public;

  (4) what was the cost of the east London assessment study phase IIA study; how many copies of the east London assessment study phase IIA report were printed; what was the cost of printing these copies; how many of these were distributed to (a) members of the public, (b) hon. Members, (c) Government Departments, (d) statutory public bodies, (e) other public bodies, (f) press, (g) commercial organisations and (h) others; how much per copy these categories were charged; and what was the total gross income from each category;

  (5) which options in the east London assessment study impinge on Lea valley and Victoria park.

  Mr. Atkins
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my right hon. Friend the Member for Brentford and lsleworth (Sir B. Hayhoe) on 23 October at column 374.

  Details of the consultant's work on the east London assessment study which takes account of developments at docklands and King's Cross will be available when the reports are published in December. The outcome of the M11 link inquiry will not be known by this date. For the purpose of the study it has been assumed that the scheme will be carried out.

  Arrangements for inviting public comment will be announced when the reports are published. There are no plans for a stage III for the study.

  The total cost of the study is estimated at about £2·5 million. The stage 2A report was a consultant's
  110
  publication and the information requested on its publication cost, sales and distribution is not readily available.

  British Rail (Drivers)
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what national statistical information he has on the number of drivers employed by British Rail and on how many of them are women.

  Mr. Portillo
  The hon. Lady should approach the British Railways Board, as this information is not held by the Department.

  Bus Drivers
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what statistical information he has on the number of drivers employed by London Buses and on how many of them are women.

  Mr. Portillo
  None. This is a matter for London Buses Ltd.

  London Underground (Drivers)
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what statistical information he has on the number of drivers employed by London Underground Ltd. and on the number who are women.

  Mr. Portillo
  None. This is a matter for London Underground Ltd.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many(a) oral and (b) written questions were asked of his Department in 1988–89.

  Mr. Atkins
  The Department has answered 579 oral and 2,507 written questions in the present parliamentary Session.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many written parliamentary questions he refused to answer in the parliamentary Session 1988–89.

  Mr. Atkins
  None.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many written parliamentary questions to him in Session 1988–89 received answers that the information(a) was not available, (b) was not separately recorded, (c) was not centrally recorded, (d) was not recorded in Government statistics or (e) could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Atkins
  This information is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the cost to his Department of answering parliamentary(a) oral and (b) written questions in the parliamentary Session 1988–89.

  Mr. Atkins
  This information is not held centrally.

  Statistics
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department has discontinued(a) collection or (b) the publication of any statistics since 1979.
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  Mr. Atkins
  Although the Department does not collect many statistics from businesses, there have been some reductions in information gathered in respect of the ports and bus industries since 1979. There have also been changes in the sources and methods used for compiling and publishing statistics. Relieving the burden on suppliers of data has been a major consideration in determining these changes.

  The principal reductions in data collection were:
  Bus and coach industry: Rationalisation of 35 separate financial and operational data flows into simpler returns. Quarterly return dropped in 1989.
  Ports: Reduction in statistics required from ports when DTp took over functions of the National Ports Council in 1980. Some reduction in published data.
  Road freight: discontinuation of goods vehicle list because data from DVLC were found to be a satisfactory alternative. A small survey of market conditions in the international road haulage industry for the European Community is now conducted by a private sector organisation.

  Publication of statistics has expanded. The latest issue of "Transport Statistics Great Britain" is a larger volume than the 1979 edition, but, as a result of the introduction of desktop publishing methods, the cover price has remained virtually unchanged.

  Churchill Flyovers, Liverpool
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will make a statement on the delay in repairing the Churchill flyovers in Liverpool;

  (2) on what date the Churchill flyovers in Liverpool were opened; when they were closed for repair; when is the expected date for reopening; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) what was the cost of building the Churchill flyovers in Liverpool; and what is the estimated cost of repair.

  Mr. Atkins
  The Liverpool city council is the highway authority for the Churchill way flyovers and these are questions for the council. However, I understand that the southern flyover is open to traffic although the northern one remains closed.

  School Buses
  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take steps to make school buses more recognisable by other vehicles.

  Mr. Atkins
  I attach great importance to improving child safety, including on school buses. Having considered carefully representations from my hon. Friend and others, I have decided that there is a case for requiring buses carrying school children to be marked with a distinctive sign. I shall shortly circulate proposals for consultation in the usual way. This need not stop local authorities making their own plans for improving safety on school buses in advance of new regulations. I understand that Devon county council is planning to introduce new signs on its buses on an experimental basis from next January.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what regulations exist relating to seating capacity on designated school buses; and if he has any plans to introduce regulations requiring school buses to be fitted with seat belts.
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  Mr. Atkins
  [holding answer 13 November 1989]: The Public Service Vehicles (Carrying Capacity) Regulations 1984 (SI 1984/1406) allow three seated children under the age of 14 to be counted as two passengers.

  We already require seat belts on the front seats on new coaches and minibuses. As I told my hon. Friend the Member for Mid-Staffordshire (Mr. Heddle) on 27 July our aim is to get this provision extended to all the seats in coaches and minibuses. Meanwhile, we are encouraging local education authorities to specify that wherever possible vehicles used to transport children are fitted with belts and to see that they are worn.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what regulations exist relating to the safety of children who are fare-paying passengers on designated school buses; what regulations exist relating to the supervision of such children; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  [holding answer 13 November 1989]: All vehicles used to carry fare-paying passengers including school buses must comply with the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 (SI 1986/1078) as amended, and the Public Service Vehicles (Conditions of Fitness, Equipment and Use) Regulations 1981 (SI 1981/257) as amended.

  Although there are no regulations relating to the supervision of children on journeys to or from school, we strongly urge local education authorities, schools and parents to ensure that adequate arrangements exist.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received about the safety of children riding on designated school buses.

  Mr. Atkins
  [holding answer 13 November 1989]: A number of parents, school governors, teachers and children have written both direct and through hon. Members, concerning the provision of seat belts and the use of distinguishing signs on vehicles used for carrying children.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Sarawak
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make it his policy to ban imports from Sarawak in the light of the Malaysian Government's actions against the tribal people of Sarawak.

  Mr. Redwood
  No. It is the policy of my Department that civil trade with other countries should continue to be determined by commercial considerations.

  Chlorofluorocarbons
  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if any assistance or encouragement is being given by his Department to the recycling of freezers so as to dispose of chlorofluorocarbons and provide for their replacement by safer chemicals.

  Mr. Forth
  Systems are already well established for the recovery and recycling of CFCs used in industrial and commercial refrigerators. Recovery of the small amount of CFCs found in the coolants in domestic refrigerators is
  113
  relatively straightforward, and several companies and local authorities have introduced or are planning schemes for CFC recovery from this source. Extraction of CFCs in foam-based insulants is technically much more difficult. My right hon. Friend has commissioned a wide-ranging study into the recovery, recycling and destruction of CFCs and the Government will take its findings into account when considering whether any action is called for on this issue. The results of the study are expected early next year.

  Much work is being done to produce substitutes for the range of CFCs currently in use. ICI has recently announced a £30 million plant for manufacturing an alternative to CFC12, used in most fridges. This substitute, known as HFA134A, is the first in a family of planned CFC replacements under development in the United Kingdom.

  Voluntary Restraint Agreements
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he will publish a table showing the number of voluntary restraint agreements in operation between Japan and the United Kingdom; when each was introduced; for what purpose they were introduced; and what additional sums fall to be paid in each category by consumers in consequence of any assurances required on pricing and other issues; if he will take steps to cancel the restrictions on the imports of cars from Japan: and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  The Government are aware of only one current voluntary restraint arrangement—that on imports of vehicles from Japan, which came into operation in 1975 following discussions between the United Kingdom and Japanese vehicle industries. The arrangement involves no assurance on prices. There have been several academic and other studies attempting to estimate how far the VRA raises overall car prices in the United Kingdom, with results ranging from 2 to 10 per cent.

  As part of the preparations for completion of the single market in 1992, the European Commission is expected shortly to make proposals for an EC-wide policy on Japanese vehicle imports. When proposals are available, the Government will give them careful consideration.

  Ashdown House
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he hopes to complete the refurbishment of Ashdown house to restore it to full operational use.

  Mr. Forth
  Refurbishment of the foyer of Ashdown house will be finished by the end of the year. I apologise for any inconvenience the work has caused. The rest of the building is fully operational.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the cost to his Department of answering parliamentary(a) oral and (b) written questions in the parliamentary Session 1988–89.

  Mr. Ridley
  This information is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many written parliamentary questions to 114
  him in Session 1988–89 received answers that the information (a) was not available, (b) was not separately recorded, (c) was not centrally recorded, (d) was not recorded in Government statistics or (e) could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Ridley
  The information is as follows:

  1988–89

  Number

  Not available

  56

  Not separately recorded

  6

  Not centrally recorded

  8

  Not recorded in Government statistics

  6

  Could be provided only at disproportionate cost

  16

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many written parliamentary questions he refused to answer in the parliamentary Session 1988–89.

  Mr. Ridley
  None.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many(a) oral and (b) written questions were asked of his Department in 1988–89.

  Mr. Ridley
  During the 1988–89 Session my Department was asked 676 oral and 1,756 written questions.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Thailand
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy that the allocation of any aid in the future to Thailand will be unconnected with arms contracts between the United Kingdom and the Thai Government.

  Mrs. Chalker
  There is no question of any connection between the allocation of British bilateral aid to Thailand and any arms contracts concluded between the British and Thai Governments.

  Biwaters
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contracts have been awarded to Biwaters which have been the subject of Overseas Development Administration financial assistance between 1981 and 1989.

  Mrs. Chalker
  We do not keep a central record of all the companies with which aid financed contracts are placed. We are aware however, that the following contracts were placed with Biwater, financed from the aid and trade provision:

  Aid allocation

  Project

  £ million

  1986

  Malaysia rural water supply project

  59·460

  1988

  Sri Lanka hill country water project

  2·129

  61·589

  Financial Assistance
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his practice on the provision of financial assistance for projects which have not been the subject of tendering procedures; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Chalker
  Where, exceptionally, contracts have been let without competitive tendering, the ODA has sought to ensure value for money in other ways, including, where appropriate, a detailed review of the contract price.

  Iraq (ODA Assistance)
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what Overseas Development Administration support has been provided to the republic of Iraq in each year over the last seven years.

  Mrs. Chalker
  None.

  Nigeria (ODA Assistance)
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what Overseas Development Administration support was provided to the Government of Nigeria for water control and extraction projects in each year since 1979; and if he will make a statement on the operation of these projects.

  Mrs. Chalker
  None. But we have just agreed to fund a consultancy in support of a proposed World Bank rehabilitation project in Nigeria.

  Euphrates (ODA Assistance)
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement as to progress on the Overseas Development Administration-supported water extraction and control project on the Euphrates.

  Mrs. Chalker
  The Overseas Development Administration is not providing support for such a project.

  Malaysia (ODA Assistance)
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement as to progress on the Overseas Development Adminstration-supported project in Malaysia.

  Mrs. Chalker
  The Overseas Development Administration supports a number of projects and programmes in Malaysia. They are:

  Technical co-operation training programme

  Rural primary English project

  Teachers training college language proficiency project

  Secondary school curriculum project

  Geological survey of Malaysia project

  Adviser in population projections and demographic statistics

  North West water software

  North East Thailand Development Project
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what support his Department has given in relation to the contract for the north-east Thailand development project;
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  (2) whether his Department has made any assessment of the military implications in the contract awarding the north-east Thailand development contract to Messrs. Biwaters;

  (3) whether representatives of his Department discussed the contract for the north-east Thailand development project with Biwaters.

  Mrs. Chalker
  The Government have indicated to the Government of Thailand its readiness in principle to provide aid and trade provision support for the Green-E-Sarn development programme. This has involved discussions with Biwaters who are actively pursuing contracts associated with this programme. The Green-ESarn project, while originally put forward by the Thai military authorities, is a civil project for rural development in north-east Thailand, and is the responsibility of the National Economic and Social Development Board of Thailand: there are thus no military implications for the Department to assess.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Crown Prosecution Service
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Attorney-General how many lawyers have resigned from the Crown prosecution service during the last six months.

  The Attorney-General
  A total of 38 lawyers resigned from the Crown prosecution service during the six months to 31 October 1989.

  Wardship Cases
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Attorney-General how many wardship cases were commenced in the High Court in(a) the current year to date, (b) 1988, (c) 1987, (d) 1986, (e) 1985, (f) 1984 and (g)

  The Attorney-General
  The numbers of wardship cases commenced in the High Court in each year from 1983 to 1988 and in the first seven months of 1989 are as follows:

  Originating summonses issued

  Year

  Number

  1983

  2,140

  1984

  2,408

  1985

  2,815

  1986

  3,399

  1987

  3,605

  1988

  3,704

  19891

  2,418

  1 January to July

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Attorney-General what was the cost of the advertising campaign to recruit staff to the Crown prosecution service in(a) 1986, (b) 1987, (c) 1988 and (d) the current year to present date.

  The Attorney-General
  The information, which is only readily available for the financial years beginning 1 April and ending 31 March, is as follows:

  £

  1986–87

  80,750

  1987–88

  114,500

  1988–89

  240,000

  1 April 1988 to 31 October 1989

  184,330

  Family Court
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Attorney-General when the working party into the possibility of a family court last met; and how many Departments were represented on it.

  The Attorney-General
  The interdepartmental committee on family and domestic jurisdictions, part of whose terms of reference was to examine the feasibility of the establishment of a unified court for the exclusive exercise of jurisdiction in family and domestic matters, last met in August of 1988. The four Departments represented on that Committee were the Lord Chancellor's Department, the Department of Health and Social Security, the Home Office and the Treasury.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Attorney-General how many(a) oral and (b) written questions were asked of his Department in 1988–89.

  The Attorney-General
  Other than questions withdrawn or transferred, I was asked 86 oral questions and 391 written questions during the 1988–89 parliamentary Session.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Attorney-General how many written parliamentary questions he refused to answer in the parliamentary Session 1988–89.

  The Attorney-General
  None.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Attorney-General how many written parliamentary questions to him in Session 1988–89 received answers that the information(a) was not available, (b) was not separately recorded, (c) was not centrally recorded, (d) was not recorded in Government statistics and (e) could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  The Attorney-General
  The information requested by the hon. Member is as follows:

  (a) 10

  (b) 1

  (c) 0

  (d) 1

  (e) 17

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Attorney-General what was the cost to his Department of answering parliamentary(a) oral and (b) written questions in the parliamentary Session 1988–89.

  The Attorney-General
  The information requested by the hon. Member is not ascertainable.

  Statistics
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Attorney-General whether his Department has discontinued(a) the collection or (b) the publication of any statistics since 1979.

  The Attorney-General
  No.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Law of Protective Surveillance, Czechoslovakia
  Mr. John Browne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make representations to the Czechoslovak Government under 118
  the terms of the Helsinki Final Act of the Vienna concluding document, concerning continued use of the law of protective surveillance, number 44 of 25 April 1973; and if he will urge the Czechoslovak Government to repeal the law immediately.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The documents quoted by my hon. Friend do not contain provisions that would allow us to make representations in the way he proposes. However, we have taken advantage many times of the opportunities provided by the CSCE follow-up and intersessional meetings to remind states such as Czechoslovakia of their CSCE commitments on human rights. We have made clear our concern at all infringements—most recently in August over the detention and hunger strike of the dissident Stanislav Devaty.

  North Korea (Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty)
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to instruct Her Majesty's ambassador to the board of governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to request Director-General Blix to visit North Korea in order to ascertain the reasons from the International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards directorate why North Korea is five years late in accepting the mandatory safeguards provisions following its accession to the non-proliferation treaty.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  No. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) continues to be in direct contact with the authorities in North Korea about a safeguards agreement. As the hon. Gentleman will be aware, we do not recognise North Korea as a state.

  Parties to the non-proliferation treaty (NPT) are obliged, in accordance with its article III, to commence negotiation of safeguards agreements not later than the date of deposit of their instruments of ratification or accession. Such agreements must enter into force not later than 18 months after the date of initiation of negotiations.

  Diplomatic Relations
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the countries with which the United Kingdom has no diplomatic relations.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  I refer the hon. Member 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.

  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the existing diplomatic relations between the United Kingdom and the People's Republic of China.

  Mr. Maude
  We and our EC partners maintain diplomatic relations with China. But the measures adopted by the Madrid European Council to register our concern at the June events in Peking remain in force.

  Recognition of Countries
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which countries the United Kingdom does not recognise.
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  Mr. Sainsbury
  There are a number of territories not recognised by the United Kingdom as independent sovereign states:

  North Korea

  Taiwan

  Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

  Micronesia

  Palestine

  Saharan Arab Democratic Republic

  Transkei, Ciskei, Venda and Bophuthatswana (the South African "homelands").

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many(a) oral and (b) written questions were asked of his Department in 1988–89.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The information is as follows:

  Number

  Diplomatic wing

  (a)

  747

  (b)

  1,533

  ODA wing:

  (a)

  240

  (b)

  380

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many written parliamentary questions he refused to answer in the parliamentary Session 1988–89.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  None, except for those that have been transferred.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many written parliamentary questions to him in Session 1988–89 received answers that the information(a) was not available, (b) was not separately recorded, (c) was not centrally recorded, (d) was not recorded in Government statistics and (e) could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

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

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the cost to his Department of answering parliamentary(a) oral and (b) written questions in the parliamentary Session 1988–89.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The information requested by the hon. Member is not available as it is not recorded centrally.

  Statistics
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether his Department has discontinued(a) the collection or (b) the publication of any statistics since 1979.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The information requested by the hon. Member is not available as it is not recorded centrally.

PRIME MINISTER

  United Nations
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Prime Minister when she next expects to pay an official visit to the United Nations.

  The Prime Minister
  I attended the UN General Assembly on 8 November, where I gave a speech on environmental policy. I have no further current plans to visit the United Nations.

  Homelessness
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Prime Minister what plans she has to visit hostels for the homeless in London.

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

  Global Warming
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Prime Minister what recent representations she has received on the subject of global warming.

  The Prime Minister
  Global warming and climate change were central to debate at the United Nations General Assembly which I attended last week. The Government have given a lead in tackling the problem of climate change, in particular through our aid programme for conserving tropical forests. The United Kingdom is the first developed country to have signed such a conservation agreement with countries with tropical forests. I was pleased to be able to announce at the United Nations that £100 million would be made available under our tropical forest actions programme.

  I was also pleased to receive the report of the conclusions of the Noordwijk conference on air pollution and climate change at which the United Kingdom played a leading role. The declaration endorsed the work of the intergovernmental panel on climate change and our call for an international framework convention on climate change.

  Food Destruction
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will raise at the next meeting of the European Council the level of Community expenditure devoted to the destruction of food.

  The Prime Minister
  I have argued at several European Councils that action be taken to tackle the waste and expense of the common agricultural policy (CAP). I am pleased to say that the need for reform has now been recognised. Considerable progress has been made towards a more rational and sustainable CAP. I shall certainly take every opportunity to impress upon our Community partners the need to ensure that this process of reform is maintained.

  Mr. Bernard Ingham
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister how much longer she expects Mr. Bernard Ingham to remain as press secretary in No. 10 Downing street.

  The Prime Minister
  Mr. Ingham will remain as chief press secretary in No. 10 until it is time for him to leave.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Gerald Howarth
  To ask the Prime Minister what representations she has received regarding the introduction of the community charge.

  The Prime Minister
  The Government continue to receive many representations on the community charge which is increasingly being recognised as a fairer alternative to domestic rates. It also relates to ability to pay where it matters most. A total of 9·5 million community charge payers are expected to be eligible for rebates. Most local authorities have welcomed the arrangements for transitional relief announced last month.

  Water Act
  Mr. Kirkhope
  To ask the Prime Minister whether she will make a statement on the implementation of the Water Act.

  The Prime Minister
  I welcome the rapid implementation of the Water Act, which is strengthening the protection of our water environment and will deliver a thriving, efficient, private sector water industry within strong and essential public regulation.

  Wolverhampton
  Mrs. Maureen Hicks
  To ask the Prime Minister whether she will visit Wolverhampton.

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

  Stroud
  Mr. Knapman
  To ask the Prime Minister whether she will visit Stroud.

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

  Overseas Aid Assistance
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Prime Minister whether representatives of Her Majesty's Government have discussed with foreign Governments arms or civil engineering contracts which have been connected with overseas aid assistance.

  The Prime Minister
  Overseas aid is frequently used to finance civil engineering contracts that are of benefit to developing countries. It is not used in connection with sales of military equipment.

  Bank of England
  Sir David Price
  To ask the Prime Minister what is her policy towards the scheme for the independence of the Bank of England.

  The Prime Minister
  I have nothing to add to my reply to the right hon. Member for Islwyn (Mr. Kinnock) on 2 November 1989,Official Report, column 464.

  Public Transport
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Prime Minister on which date she last used public transport to attend an official function in Britain; and what was the type of transport used.

  The Prime Minister
  I travelled by train to an official function on 31 August 1989.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Prime Minister how many(a) oral and (b) written questions were asked of her Department in 1988–89.

  The Prime Minister
  This information is not held centrally. However, an approximate record of this information is held in the House of Commons Library.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Prime Minister how many written parliamentary questions she refused to answer in the parliamentary Session 1988–89.

  The Prime Minister
  Of those questions not transferred, none.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Prime Minister how many written parliamentary questions addressed to her received answers that the information(a) was not available, (b) was not separately recorded, (c) was not centrally recorded, (d) was not recorded in Government statistics or (e) could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  The Prime Minister
  This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Prime Minister what was the cost of answering parliamentary(a) oral and (b) written questions by her office in the parliamentary Session 1988–89.

  The Prime Minister
  As many questions have to be referred to other Departments we do not calculate these items specifically here.

  Statistics
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Prime Minister whether her office has discontinued(a) the collection or (b) the publication of any statistics since 1979.

  The Prime Minister
  Until July 1989 the Central Statistical Office reported to me. During that period it was not responsible for collecting statistics. Changes in the basis of compilation, presentation and publication of statistical series were made from time to time in response to the requirements of Government and international organisations for statistical information. Other changes reflected changes in administrative systems on which some series are based, the development of new statistical data. When such changes were made they were fully documented in the relevant statistical publications.

  Engagements
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 14 November.

  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 14 November.

  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 14 November.

  The Prime Minister
  This morning I had meetings with Ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties
  123
  in the House, I shall be having further meetings this afternoon. This evening I hope to have an Audience of Her Majesty the Queen.

WALES

  Rating Reform
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish a table showing for each local authority area in Wales the proportion of poll tax registration forms which have been duly returned to his registration officer.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  This information is not held centrally. I understand, however, that the Welsh charging authorities have achieved high levels of registration. I expect to receive details of registered population from each charging authority shortly.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will take steps to ensure that holiday homes which seek to be treated for poll tax purposes under the standard business rating system will be required to obtain a change of use approval from the local planning authority before any such rating designation is operational.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  No. The question whether any given hereditament, such as a holiday home, is to be regarded as non-domestic and so rateable is a matter for the valuation officer, whose decision will be made having regard to regulations which are to be made under powers conferred by the Local Government Finance Act 1988. The regulations will be laid before the House shortly.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether any instructions or guidelines have been issued by the Welsh Office to district councils in Wales concerning the collection of community charges on a weekly or monthly basis from people facing difficulties in making the full payment; and what conditions have been placed on local authorities in facilitating any such staged payment scheme.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  All Welsh local authorities have been sent a copy of community charge practice note No. 12, "Collection of the Community Charge". Paragraphs 4.7–4.9 of that practice note remind authorities that some ratepayers will be accustomed to paying rates and rent together on a weekly or fortnightly schedule; and recommend authorities to consider how far they wish to afford chargepayers the opportunity to pay on a weekly or fortnightly basis, having regard to the benefits to chargepayers and the additional administrative costs involved. A copy of the practice note is in the Library of the House.

  Heart Disease
  Mr. Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what further resources he will make available to the National Health Service in Wales to enable more hospitals to treat heart patients and to fit pacemakers.

  Mr. Grist
  Substantial additional funds have recently been made available to improve access to cardiac treatment for patients in Clwyd, to secure additional cardiological and cardiac surgery procedures for adults and children in other parts of Wales and to build a new 124
  paediatric cardiac unit in Cardiff. In addition, consideration is being given to securing a further expansion of adult cardiac services, including the development of a second cardiac centre in Wales.

  Schools Management
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if, pursuant to his answer of 7 November to the hon. Member for Alyn and Deeside, he will make a statement on the year-on-year cost of the operation and administration of local management of schools in Wales.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  It is for LEAs to assess the cost associated with the preparation and introduction of schemes for financial delegation to schools. These assessments form the basis for their bids to the Department of specific grant support.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 7 November to the hon. Member for Alyn and Deeside, if he will state(a) the exact figure for specific grant support for expenditure on local management of schools for the period 1989–90 to 1991–92, (b) the planned cash figure for specific grant support for expenditure on local management of schools for (i) 1989–90, (ii) 1990–91 and (iii) 1991–92 and (c) in separate columns for 1989–90, 1990–91, 1991–92 and for the total specific grant support for expenditure on local management of schools for (1) the introduction of local management, (2) the training of governors and (3) local education authority inspection.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  The information is shown in the table:

  £ million

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  Total

  Introduction of local management

  1·0

  1·652

  1·652

  4·304

  Training of Governors

  0·4

  0·4

  0·4

  1·2

  LEA inspection

  0·16

  0·4

  0·56

  1·12

  Total

  1·56

  2·452

  2·612

  6·624

  Computers (Schools)
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment his Department has made of the need for additional computers for educational needs in(a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  The Department launched a five-year strategy to develop information technology across the curriculum in 1988–89. Funding within the education support grant programme provides increased equipment levels and an advisory teacher service in schools. The Department is currently considering ways to focus the programme to support the implementation of technology as a subject in the national curriculum.

  National Curriculum
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what action he is taking to ensure that adequately trained teachers are available to teach technology under the national curriculum; and what proposals he has for the retraining of teachers who are not specialist technology
  125
  teachers and that courses for student teachers are amended to take account of the technology component of the national curriculum.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  The in-service teacher training scheme provides for the training of existing teachers. Although it is the responsibility of local education authorities to ensure that teachers are adequately trained to teach their speciality subjects, we have increased significantly the resources available next year through the local education authority training grant scheme to enable LEAs to carry out the training required.

  The new arrangements just announced for the accreditation of initial teacher training make express provision for the training of design and technology for intending primary teachers alongside all other subjects in the primary curriculum.

  A bursary of £1,300 is paid, in addition to the usual mandatory award entitlement, to attract students to secondary post graduate certificate of education courses in craft, design and technology. A further incentive supplement of £1,200 is available to those students if they follow an extended Welsh-medium course.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will make a statement on the implementation of the teaching of technology under the national curriculum.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales has undertaken a consultation on proposals for technology in the national curriculum. Responses to the consultation are being analysed and considered at the present time. The introduction of technology into schools as a national curriculum subject will be preceded by a further consultation on draft orders and the making of final orders.

  Clwyd Local Education Authority
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a special allocation of funds to Clwyd local education authority to enable it to facilitate adequate full-time staffing in(a) high schools, (b) primary schools and (c) infants schools, consequent upon local management of schools and the requirements of new legislation.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  In 1989–90 Clwyd LEA received specific grant support for expenditure of £141,000 for the introduction of local management and £46,700 for staff development and support for the introduction of the national curriculum core subjects. Its bids for 1990–91 are currently being considered along with those of the other Welsh LEAs.

  In addition, an allocation of some £500,000 will be available in 1990–91 from the LEA training grants scheme to assist the LEA with the provision of in-service teacher training to ensure that teachers in Clwyd are adequately prepared for the delivery of the national curriculum.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a special allocation of funds to Clwyd local education authority to enable it to facilitate adequate ancillary staffing in(a) high, (b) primary and (c) infant schools; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  The responsibility for the number of ancillary staff employed in Clwyd schools lies entirely with 126
  the education authority which must decide such matters in line with its assessment of priorities within the education service.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a special allocation of funds to Clwyd local education authority to enable the authority to improve its capitation allowances by a minimum of 10 per cent. in(a) infants, (b) primary and (c) high schools; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  The responsibility for the level of capitation allowances in Clwyd schools lies entirely with the education authority which must decide such matters in line with its assessment of priorities within the question service.

  School Meals
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the future of the school meals service in Wales consequent upon the local management of schools.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  The Government's policy on the future of the school meals service is set out in paragraphs 62 to 64 of Welsh Office circular 36/88, a copy of which is in the Library. We will be prepared to consider excepting the service from delegation to schools where there is a clearly identified need for the local education authority to retain control. However, we would expect the service to be delegated, subject to the overriding provisions of the competition requirements of the Local Government Act 1988, where a school can demonstrate that it is able to provide a service, including appropriate health and nutritional standards, at least as economically as the local education authority.

  Food Poisoning
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many incidents of food poisoning were recorded in Wales between April and October of the current year; and what were the half-yearly figures recorded in Wales during the last three years.

  Mr. Grist
  There were 2,120 notifications to the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys of food poisoning in Wales between 1 April and 27 October 1989. Half-yearly statistics for the past three years are shown in the table:

  Notifications1 of food poisoning

  January to June

  July to December

  1986

  488

  925

  1987

  687

  988

  1988

  784

  21,169

  1989

  21,022

  1 Includes food poisoning formally notified and food poisoning ascertained by other means.

  2 Data from the fourth quarter 1988 onwards are derived from OPCS Monitor, Weekly Return (WR Series) and are provisional. Preceding data are derived from OPCS Monitor, Infectious Diseases (MB2 Series).

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much time it takes on average for incidents of food poisoning in Wales to be communicated to the population at large.

  Mr. Grist
  Local authorities have the prime responsibility for controlling food poisoning outbreaks, but in
  127
  certain circumstances the Welsh Office may be involved. Most incidents are small in scale and/or confined to a readily identifiable group of people. As such warnings to the public at large are not necessarily appropriate. Where however the extent and geographical distribution of a particular incident warrants a general warning, the aim is to issue suitable, specific guidance as soon as it is practicable to do so.

  During the recent serious incident of food poisoning involving salmonella typhimurium in north Wales, several press notices containing specific advice to the public were released by the Department. On each occasion, the notice was released on the same date as the information it contained was received from the local authorities involved.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many(a) oral and (b) written questions were asked of his Department in 1988–89.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  The number of oral and written questions asked were 224 and 1,606 respectively.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many written parliamentary questions he refused to answer in the parliamentary session 1988–89.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  None, except for a few transferred to other Departments for answer.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many written parliamentary questions to him in Session 1988–89 received answers that the information(a) was not available, (b) was not separately recorded, (c) was not centrally recorded, (d) was not recorded in Government statistics or (e) could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the cost to his Department of answering parliamentary(a) oral and (b) written questions in the parliamentary Session 1988–89.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Statistics
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether his Department has discontinued(a) the collection or (b) the publication of any statistics since 1979.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  My Department collects and publishes a wide range of statistical material covering many aspects of life in the Principality. The latest list of regular statistical publications is shown as follows. Those marked with an asterisk were also published in 1979. This list illustrates the increased availability of Welsh Office statistics. In addition to the regular publications there is a range of ad hoc statistical bulletins.

  The very quantity of statistics now published by the Department means that information on all changes to individual statistics could be supplied only at disproportionate cost. These changes result from the continuous
  128
  process of attempting to improve the coverage and relevance of Welsh Office statistics. There are regular reviews which lead to changes in the basis of compilation, presentation and publication. These arise in response to the Government's requirements for statistical information, changes in the administrative systems on which some series are based, and the development of new technological developments affecting the compilation and dissemination of statistical data.

  Regular Publications in 1989

  Activities of Social Services Departments

  Children in Care

  Commercial and Industrial Floorspace Statistics

  *Digest of Welsh Statistics

  Environmental Digest for Wales

  Farm Income in Wales

  *Health and Personal Social Services

  Household Projections for the Counties of Wales

  Key Statistical Indicators for NHS Management

  Mental Health Statistics

  Population Projections for the Counties of Wales

  Road Accidents

  Residential Accommodation for the Elderly, Younger Physically Handicapped and Blind

  *1{Statistics of Education: Further and Higher Education/Statistics of Education: Schools

  Staff of Social Services Departments

  * Welsh Agricultural Statistics

  * Welsh Economic Trends

  Welsh Hospital Waiting List Bulletin

  Welsh Housing Statistics

  * Welsh Local Government Financial Statistics

  *Welsh Social Trends

  Welsh Transport Statistics

  * Published in 1979.

  1 In 1979, these two volumes were published in one entitled "Statistics of Education in Wales".

  Ad hoc Publications

  Crime Prevention Topics

  Digest of Welsh Historical Statistics

  Incidence of Congenital Malformations

  Statistics of Road Lengths

  Survey of House Renovation Grants

  Wales Cancer Reports

  Welsh Education Statistics Bulletins

  Welsh House Condition Surveys

  Welsh Inter Censal Survey

ENVIRONMENT

  Leicester Schools (Ancillary Workers)
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many ancillary workers are employed in Leicester schools; and how many were so employed in October 1979.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  This information is not held centrally.

  Nature Conservancy Council
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the level of grant paid by his Department over the last financial year to the Nature Conservancy Council; and how much of this money was spent on(a) Wales and (b) England.

  Mr. Trippier
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Heveningham Hall
  Mr. Faulds
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will provide the figure of the total sum spent on Heveningham hall on repairs, on central heating and on the introduction of other services, following its purchase in 1970 to the time of its sale in 1981, detailing the separate expenditures; and whether he has received any representations since 1981 seeking public funds for further work on the hall.

  Mr. Trippier
  I regret that this information is no longer available. We have received no such representations from the present owner.

  Boot and Boswell Dwellings
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about the position of Boot and Boswell defective dwellings in Liverpool.

  Mr. Chope
  Liverpool have reported the following ownerships for Boot and Boswell dwellings:

  Local authority

  Private owners

  Boot

  1,073

  401

  Boswell

  926

  568

  The city council has received 786 applications for assistance under the housing defects legislation and has discussed its statutory obligations in detail with my officials.

  Air Pollution
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much money has been spent from 1987 to the current year by Her Majesty's Government on monitoring air pollution by(a) nitrogen oxides and their reaction with hydrocarbons, (b) sulphur dioxide and (c) lead pollution; and what information he has on the comparable expenditure of other European Community states.

  Mr. Trippier
  United Kingdom Government expenditure on monitoring nitrogen oxides (NOx) and the products of their reaction with gaseous hydrocarbons, sulphur dioxide and lead between 1987–88 and 1989–90 was as follows:

  £k.

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  (a) Nitrogen oxides and their reaction with hydrocarbons

  NO2 directive network

  131·0

  115·0

  117·5

  Rural ozone-NOx network

  538·2

  435·0

  435·0

  Total

  669·2

  550·0

  552·5

  (b) Sulphur dioxide

  SO2-smoke directive network

  159·0

  164·0

  183·0

  SO2 rural network

  45·9

  48·8

  50·0

  Acid deposition network

  634·0

  496·0

  421·0

  Total

  838·9

  708·8

  654·0

  (c) Lead

  Total: all lead networks

  44·2

  43·6

  44·2

  130

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  (d) Preparation of emission inventories for NOx, volatile organic hydrocarbons, sulphur dioxide, lead and other pollutants

  87·8

  98·0

  106·0

  Grand totals

  1,640·1

  1,400·4

  1,356·7

  There is no internationally agreed database on European Community expenditure for pollution monitoring.

  Expenditure on a monitoring network is normally greater in the initial years while it is being established than later when it is operating routinely.

  Carbon Dioxide
  Mr. David Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish the terms of the agreement reached by the industrial countries' meeting in Noordwijk, concerning emissions of carbon dioxide; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Trippier
  I have today placed a copy of the Noordwijk declaration on atmospheric pollution and climate change in the Library. I am pleased that the United Kingdom was able to play a part in securing agreement on carbon dioxide emissions contained in the declaration, but this is only one of a number of important conclusions. I also very much welcome the unanimous commitment to the early negotiation of a framework convention on climate change.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he can give of the total reduction of British emissions of carbon dioxide which will be achieved as a result of the conference and agreement reached at Noordwijk.

  Mr. Trippier
  The agreement reached at Noordwijk was for a stabilisation of CO2 emissions as a first step by industrialised nations. The detailed basis for such a stabilisation, together with options for a longer-term target regime are to be considered at the second world climate conference in the light of the IPCC interim report.

  Partridges
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Caerphilly of 1 November,Official Report, column 237, why he has decided to extend the open general licence to release chukar and hybrid partridges into the wild.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The decision to extend the open general licence to release chukar and hybrid partridges until the end of 1992 was based upon advice from the Government's species advisers, the Nature Conservancy Council, following the report from the Game Conservancy. No releases of chukars or their hybrids will be allowed beyond this date.

  Planning Appeals
  Mr. Adley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he intends to bring his planning guidance note No. 3 into the arena of appeals decision-making; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Howard
  Yes. A revised version of planning policy guidance note No. 3 (PPG3) on housing was issued as a
  131
  consultation document on 4 October, and comments may be made until 5 January 1990. My right hon. Friend intends to issue a new PPG3 early in the new year, as soon as he has had the chance to consider the responses to the consultation paper. It will then formally become Government policy, to be taken into account, along with other material considerations, in planning appeal decisions.

  Sports and Recreational Clubs
  Mr. Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will place in the Library a copy of the draft guidelines he has issued to local authorities regarding non-domestic rates relief for sports and recreational clubs from April 1990.

  Mr. Chope
  The draft guidelines, which were issued as a consultation document, are being revised in the light of responses received. We intend to issue them shortly in the form of a practice note for charging authorities which will also be available to interested organisations. A copy of the practice note will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Conservation of Wild Birds
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the terms of reference for the Nature Conservancy Council's current overview of areas meeting the criteria for designation under the European Community directive on the conservation of wild birds.

  Mr. Trippier
  The NCC was asked to produce an overview setting out the requirements for the British series of special protection areas to ensure:the proper protection, survival and requisition of species listed on Annex 1 of the EC Birds Directive throughout their natural range in Great Britain; the safeguard of important breeding, moulting, wintering and nesting sites of migratory birds not listed on Annex 1; particular attention being paid to wetlands and especially those of international importance.

  Formal terms of reference were not provided.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the Nature Conservancy Council's overview of special protection areas has delayed the designation of sites under the European Community directive on the conservation of wild birds; and whether additional resources have been made available to the Nature Conservancy Council in order to conduct the study.

  Mr. Trippier
  The Government have continued consultations in respect of sites notified by the NCC as potential special protection areas in parallel with the NCC's production of the study. No additional resources were provided as the NCC took the view that the necessary expertise was available.

  Leicester (Ministerial Visits)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he or any of his Ministers next intends to visit Leicester.

  Mr. Chope
  I intend to visit Leicester on 22 November to tour an estate action scheme and discuss housing matters with Leicester city council.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many(a) oral and (b) written questions were asked of his Department in 1988–89.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  So far this Session approximately 5,800 questions have been tabled to my Department. Of these 1,050 were tabled for oral answer and 133 actually received an oral reply. The remainder have received a written answer.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many written parliamentary questions he refused to answer in the parliamentary Session 1988–89.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  It is the policy of my Department to answer all parliamentary questions except those involving disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many written parliamentary questions received answers that the information(a) was not available, (b) was not separately recorded, (c) was not centrally recorded, (d) was not recorded in Government statistics or (e) could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the cost to his Department of answering parliamentary(a) oral and (b) written questions in the parliamentary Session 1988–89.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  This information is not held centrally.

  Statistics
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether his Department has discontinued(a) the collection or (b) the publication of any statistics since 1979.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  The statistics collected by all Government Departments are subject to regular and searching reviews, as a result of which some surveys are eliminated and many are substantially modified.

  The following are the major published statistical series that have been dropped or introduced by my Department since 1979.

  Series Dropped Since 1979

  Commercial and industrial floorspace statistics.

  Private enterprise housing enquiry.

  Local authority salary and wage statistics.

  Local authority expenditure budget estimates (at November prices).

  Local authority design work statistics.

  Subcontracted construction output statistics.

  EC state of trade enquiry (for construction).

  Local authority funded housing association tender acceptance statistics.

  Series Introduced Since 1979

  Enterprise zone annual monitoring statistics.

  Land use change statistics.

  Renovation grants applications and approvals statistics.

  Expansion of council house sales statistics to cover 'right to buy' purchases.

  Planning appeals statistics.

  133

  Information from local authorities on selective tendering.

  Carbon dioxide and ozone statistics.

  Land registers computerised service.

  Statistics under the tradeable information initiative.

  Statistics on county councils planning decisions.

  Rent Arrears
  Sir Hugh Rossi
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many local authorities have failed to comply with their statutory requirements to make up and balance their accounts within six months of the end of each financial year by more than(a) six months, (b) 12 months, (c) 18 months, (d) two years, (e) three years and (f) four years in arrears.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Such information is not held by the Department or centrally by the Audit Commission. However, the Audit Commission's 1987–88 report showed that 80 local authorities had not published their 1986–87 accounts by 31 December 1987, and of those, 45 had still not published by mid-March 1988. The Audit Commission's 1988–89 report showed that 32 local authorities had not published their 1987–88 accounts by 31 December 1988 and, of those, 12 had still not published by June 1989.

  Title

  Date of issue

  Response required by

  Non-Domestic Rating

  Local Rating Lists and Cross-Boundary Property Regulations

  31 January 1989

  28 March 1989

  Non-Domestic Rating: Transition

  16 February 1989

  14 April 1989

  Valuation of Composite Hereditaments

  20 February 1989

  14 April 1989

  Local Non-Domestic Rate (Collection and Enforcement) Regulations 1989

  21 February 1989

  24 April 1989

  Payments into the Non-Domestic Rate Pool

  20 March 1989

  12 May 1989

  Valuation for Rating (Mines and Quarries) Regulations 1989

  23 March 1989

  19 May 1989

  Rating Lists: Alterations and Appeals

  28 March 1989

  26 May 1989

  Non-Domestic Rating: Decapitalisation Rate

  3 April 1989

  19 May 1989

  Discretionary Rate Relief

  4 April 1989

  26 May 1989

  Rating Valuation of Public Utilities

  14 July 1989

  12 September 1989

  Duty of Charging Authorities to Consult

  28 July 1989

  22 September 1989

  Unoccupied Property Rates

  25 September 1989

  31 October 1989

  Central Rating Lists and the Prescription of Rateable Values

  4 October 1989

  6 November 1989

  Rate Demand Notice and Accompanying Information

  4 October 1989

  6 November 1989

  Charging Authority's Duty to Supply Information to the VO

  4 October 1989

  6 November 1989

  Leisure Caravan Parks

  20 October 1989

  18 November 1989

  Valuation and Community Charge Tribunal Regulations: Consultation Paper on Amendments to Cover Non-Domestic Rating Appeals

  27 October 1989

  24 November 1989

  Precepts and Levies

  Draft Collection Fund Regulations

  30 August 1989

  20 October 1989

  General Provisions for Levying Bodies

  18 October 1989

  10 November 1989

  Grant

  Revenue Support Grant 1990–91

  6 November 1989

  4 December 1989

  Capital Finance

  Revised Block Borrowing Approval

  14 February 1989

  16 March 1989

  Specific Grants on Loan Charges

  14 April 1989

  19 May 1989

  Further paper on specific grants on Loan charges

  25 August 1989

  29 September 1989

  ERDF Grants

  25 September 1989

  No date given

  Costs of credit arrangements

  10 October 1989

  3 November 1989

  Regulations to be made under Part IV of the Local Government and Housing Bill

  18 October 1989

  17 November 1989

  Approval Investments

  19 October 1989

  24 November 1989

  Further Proposals for Regulations

  24 October 1989

  17 November 1989

  134
  Sir Hugh Rossi
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps are open to him in respect of local authorities which have failed to comply with their statutory requirements to make up and balance their accounts within six months of the end of each financial year; and what such steps he has taken.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Any person failing without reasonable excuse to comply with the statutory requirements is liable to prosecution. The auditor is best placed to judge whether such legal action would be warranted or be likely to succeed.

  Consultation Papers
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list in the Official Report the consultation papers on local government finance he has issued to local authorities or local authority associations during 1989, giving for each the date on which it was issued and the date by which comments were requested.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The information requested is as follows:

  Advertising Campaign (Community Charge)
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish full details of his planned advertising campaign to publicise the poll tax relief and rebate schemes, including the proposed start date for the campaign; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The Government have no plans to introduce a poll tax. We are, however, planning an information campaign to ensure that those eligible are aware of entitlement to community charge benefits and transitional relief, the details of which have not yet been settled.

  Rate Support Grant
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which authority, and which data for local authorities, have occasioned the need for a rate support grant supplementary report for 1989–90, notified in a letter to local authorities on 7 November; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The need for a supplementary report has arisen because of incorrect data being used for road lengths in the London borough of Croydon.

  Metal Discharges
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any proposals under consideration for the imposition of more stringent controls on industry to prevent discharges of metals into the sewerage system; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 9 November 1989]: We have announced our intention to bring forward proposals to introduce strict new integrated pollution controls over industrial sectors with the greatest pollution potential. These controls will cover the release of wastes to all media, including sewers.

  Meanwhile, the Water Act 1989 and the Trade Effluents (Prescribed Processes and Substances) Regulations 1989, which came into force on 1 September, introduced new controls over discharges to sewer of a number of priority substances, including several groups of metal compounds. Proposals for new or altered discharges to sewer containing these substances must be referred to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, who also has powers to review existing consents. In exercising his powers of determination in such cases my right hon. Friend will be guided by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution as to the best available technology not entailing excessive cost for reducing inputs of these substances to a minimum.

  In addition, Department of the Environment circular 7/89, issued earlier this year, set environmental quality standards in rivers and marine waters for a range of metals. Where these standards are not met, the National Rivers Authority is required to undertake programmes for pollution reduction, which may in some cases entail tighter controls on discharges from sewers and sewage treatment works, and hence on trade effluent inputs to the sewerage system.

  Horton Bank Top Reservoir
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will direct Yorkshire Water to publish a report on the safety of Horton Bank Top reservoir 136
  recently prepared following an inspection by an inspecting engineer drawn from a panel appointed by his Department; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 10 November 1989]: The Secretary of State has no power to direct the publication of reports to reservoir owners by panel engineers. Enforcement of the requirements of the Reservoir Act 1975 is the responsibility of county and metropolitan district councils, to which engineers have to send copies of their reports.

  Greenhouse Effect
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what implications the Forestry Commission's research into the storage of carbon in trees and timber has for future environmental policy in Great Britain.

  Mr. Trippier
  [holding answer 13 November 1989]: Better figures for carbon fixation will help in evaluating the role forestry might play in removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and the value of further encouraging forestry in the United Kingdom.

  Water Conservation
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will list the percentage of water lost in the process of distribution from the reservoir onwards by each of the water companies in England and Wales;

  (2) if he will publish a table showing the percentage of water lost in the course of distribution and the comparable figure for each of the past five years for each of the water companies in England and Wales.

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 13 November 1989]: This information is not held centrally. Water companies can however make broad estimates of unaccounted for water and the latest figures available for the water service companies within the water groups about to be privatised are contained in the "Pathfinder Prospectus", a copy of which is available in the Library.

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

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 13 November 1989]: Under section 37 of the Water Act 1989, water undertakers have a duty to develop and maintain an efficient and economical system of water supply within their area. This duty is enforceable by the Secretary of State under section 20 of the Act. The Secretary of State also has powers under sections 131 and 132 of the Act to make orders, on application by the National Rivers Authority or by water undertakers, authorising the taking of steps to meet deficiencies in the supply of water arising from exceptional shortage of rain.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what target he has set for each of the water companies in England and Wales to achieve in order to reduce the percentage loss of water during the course of distribution; and by what date he requires them to reach that target.
  137
  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 13 November 1989]: My right hon. Friend sets no such targets. However, all the water service companies within the water groups which are about to be privatised have programmes to reduce water losses and some have set specific targets, which are set out in the "Pathfinder Prospectus", a copy of which is available in the Library.

  Rate Rebates
  Mr. Ralph Howell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will state the number of persons receiving rate rebate in(a) 1979 and (b) 1989 and the number of total persons who will either be (i) exempt from or (ii) paying less than the full community charge for their district.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  I have been asked to reply. The information requested concerning rate rebates is shown in the table as follows:

  Estimated numbers receiving rate rebates—Great Britain

  Million

  1979–80

  3·065

  1989–90

  5·5

  Notes:

  1. Before 1982–83 assistance with rates was through the supplementary benefit scheme run by the Department and the rate rebate scheme run by the Department of the Environment. Assistance with housing costs was harmonised into a single scheme when housing benefit was introduced for some supplementary benefit claimants from November 1982. Full implementation for all claimants followed from April 1983. The information for 1979–80 represents the numbers receiving rate rebates through the rate rebate scheme only; the number receiving assistance through supplementary benefit is not available.

  2. The figure for 1989–90 includes community charge rebates in Scotland, which, in the case of couples, are counted as one rebate.

  Latest estimates are that 620,000 people in Great Britain will be exempt from the community charge and that between a quarter and a third of those liable for the full charge will receive community charge benefit.

ENERGY

  Electricity Prices
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what consultations he has had with the chairman of the Electricity Council regarding the impact of the privatisation of the electricity supply industry on the level of electricity prices to the domestic consumer.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  My right hon. Friend and I have regular meetings with the chairman of the Electricity Council to discuss a range of subjects relating to the electricity industry.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what consultations he has had with the director-general of the Office of Electricity Regulation regarding the effect on consumer electricity prices of the privatisation of the electricity supply industry.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  My right hon. Friend and I have had a number of meetings with the Director-General of Electricity Supply to discuss a range of subjects relating to the privatisation of the electricity industry.
  138
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy who will decide the price charged for electricity by the new nuclear company.

  Mr. Wakeham
  Electricity sale contracts will be for negotiation between the new company and the area boards. The contracts will be subject to Government approval.

  Hinkley Point C
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what consultations he has had with the chairman of the Central Electricity Generating Board about the public inquiry into the proposed Hinkley Point C pressurised water reactor nuclear power station.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  My right hon. Friend has asked the CEGB to consider urgently what action it wishes to take with respect to its application for his consent to build a PWR station at Hinkley Point C in the light of his statement to the House on Thursday 9 November 1989 at columns 1175–76.

  Nuclear Power Stations
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is his most up-to-date estimate of the public Exchequer contribution to the cost of decommissioning and reprocessing of the nuclear power stations of(a) England and Wales and (b) Scotland under schedule 12 to the Electricity Act.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The way in which schedule 12 will be used will be reviewed in the light of the setting up of separate nuclear companies. However, the company holding the nuclear stations presently owned by the CEGB is expected to have a cash surplus from its first years of operation, and I understand from my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland that the position is expected to be similar there.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) on what date the Government recognised that nuclear power is more costly than power from fossil-fuelled generating stations; and what are the current respective estimated costs;

  (2) what was the source of the information that led his Department to recognise that nuclear power was more expensive than power from conventional stations.

  Mr. Wakeham
  [holding answer 13 November 1989]: Advice given to me is confidential. However, the CEGB provided evidence to the Hinkley Point inquiry on 6 December 1988 about the comparative costs of a PWR and coal-fired capacity, a copy of which has been placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is his estimate of(a) the percentage of electricity generation currently met by nuclear power and (b) the likely percentage in each year to the year 2000.

  Mr. Wakeham
  [holding answer 13 November 1989]: According to the CEGB, the percentage of electricity generated by nuclear power in England and Wales in 1988–89 was 17·4. Future levels will depend upon a number of factors which cannot be forecast with precision.
  139
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what were the unprecedented guarantees on the costs of nuclear power stations which were being sought by National Power.

  Mr. Wakeham
  [holding answer 13 November 1989]: The details of my negotiations with National Power are confidential. It argued that it should receive extensive protection against financial risks arising from a variety of potential circumstances relating to the construction and operation of stations and to the statutory regime governing them.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy which Magnox nuclear power stations he estimates can have an extended life.

  Mr. Wakeham
  [holding answer 13 November 1989]: This will he a matter for the nuclear company. The continuing operation of nuclear power stations has to be licensed by the nuclear installations inspectorate.

  CEGB
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) what is his latest estimate of the capital value of the assets scheduled to go to National Power, PowerGen and Gridco, respectively;

  (2) what is his latest estimate of the capital value of the nuclear power stations to be retained in the public sector.

  Mr. Wakeham
  It is too early to assess the value of the assets assigned to each of the CEGB's successor companies: it will depend on a number of factors including the term of the power supply and other contracts which have yet to be included.

  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy, if he will make a statement on the effect on employment at Central Electricity Generating Board, Barnwood, Gloucester, following his announcement on nuclear power on 9 November.

  Mr. Wakeham
  [holding answer 13 November 1989]: This will be a matter for the CEGB and the management boards of National Power and the nuclear company.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy how many(a) oral and (b) written questions were asked of his Department in 1988–89.

  Mr. Wakeham
  During the 1988–89 Session up to and including 13 November 1989, the number of questions asked of my Department was(a) 469 orals and (b) 1,204 written.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy how many written parliamentary questions he refused to answer in the parliamentary Session 1988–89.

  Mr. Wakeham
  None. It is my policy to give an answer to all questions within my responsibility other than those where the answers can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy how many written parliamentary questions to him in Session 1988–89 received answers that the information(a)
  140
  was not available, (b) was not separately recorded, (c) was not centrally recorded, (d) was not recorded in Government statistics or (e) could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Wakeham
  This information is a matter of public record but can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what was the cost to his Department of answering parliamentary(a) oral and (b) written questions in the parliamentary Session 1988–89.

  Mr. Wakeham
  This information is not held centrally and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Statistics
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy whether his Department has discontinued(a) the collection or (b) the publication of any statistics since 1979.

  Mr. Wakeham
  The Department of Energy publishes energy statistics in "Energy Trends" each month, the "Digest of United Kingdom Energy Statistics" each year and the annual report on the "Development of the Oil and Gas Resources of the United Kingdom"—the Brown Book. These publications are regularly reviewed and their contents rationalised in response to the Government's requirements for statistical information and the changing nature of the energy industry. There have been a number of changes made to the statistics collected and published in these booklets since 1979. However, reductions in the collection and publication of statistical series have been relatively few. These have included a reduction in the statistics for coal industry operations and finance; a reduction in the statistics of town gas manufacture; the discontinuation of statistics on two star petrol prices; and the rationalisation of coal stocks data and some electricity data to avoid duplication. In many cases the information remains available from alternative sources.

  Mr. John Collier
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy how much Mr. John Collier will be paid as chairman of the new nuclear company.

  Mr. Wakeham
  It has been agreed that Mr. Collier's salary will be £125,000 a year.

  AGRs
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what information on the costs of advance gas-cooled reactors become available after the July announcement of the decision not to privatise the Magnox stations.

  Mr. Wakeham
  National Power informed us of indicative prices and outline contract terms it was seeking for the sale of electricity from the AGRs during confidential discussions. As I made clear in my statement of 9 November at columns 1175–76, these were unacceptable.

  Electricity Distribution
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is his estimate of the present amount of power being fed into the national grid from sources other than the
  141
  Central Electricity Generating Board, in total and as a percentage; and what is his estimate for future years of the amount and percentage that will be fed in from other than on Central Electricity Generating Board generating capacity.

  Mr. Wakeham
  [holding answer 13 November 1989]The CEGB informs me that during 1988–89 a total of 16·4 TWh was provided from outside sources, 6·6 per cent. of the total electricity supplied. The Government's proposals for privatisation will lead to greater competition in electricity generation in future years.

  Renewables (Special Tranche)
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is the current state of progress on the 600MW special tranche of renewables announced by the right hon. Member for City of Chester (Mr. Morrison) during the summer.

  Mr. Wakeham
  [holding answer 13 November 1989]As I made clear in my statement on 9 November, we will maintain the arrangements for the 600 MW tranche for renewables. These were spelt out in another place by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary on 15 June.

  Electricity Privatisation
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy whether he has received any representations from the chairman designate of PowerGen about the division of assets between that company and National Power.

  Mr. Wakeham
  [holding answer 13 November 1989]: I meet the chairman-designate frequently to discuss a wide range of matters relating to electricity privatisation. These discussions are confidential.

  Employees in employment1 in the Leeds metropolitan district2

  September 1981

  September 1984

  September 1987

  Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) 1980

  Divisions of SIC

  Number (thousand)

  Per cent.3

  Number (thousand)

  Per cent.3

  Number (thousand)

  Per cent.3

  Manufacturing industries

  2·4

  85·5

  28·3

  71·8

  24·4

  72·6

  24·6

  Male full-time

  60·3

  20·0

  50·9

  17·3

  51·9

  17·6

  part-time

  0·9

  0·3

  0·7

  0·2

  0·8

  0·3

  Female full-time

  18·8

  6·2

  15·8

  5·4

  16·0

  5·4

  part-time

  5·5

  1·8

  4·3

  1·5

  3·9

  1·3

  Service industries

  6·9

  187·4

  62·1

  196·1

  66·5

  197·6

  67·0

  Male full-time

  81·9

  27·1

  83·5

  28·3

  81·8

  27·8

  part-time

  7·7

  2·6

  9·4

  3·2

  9·8

  3·3

  Female full-time

  50·7

  16·8

  53·4

  18·1

  57·5

  19·5

  part-time

  47·0

  15·6

  49·8

  16·9

  48·5

  16·5

  All industries and services

  0·9

  301·7

  100·0

  294·7

  100·0

  294·7

  100·0

  Male full-time

  166·7

  55·2

  157·1

  53·3

  154·1

  52·3

  part-time

  8·9

  3·0

  10·6

  3·6

  10·8

  3·7

  Female full-time

  72·3

  24·0

  71·7

  24·3

  76·3

  25·9

  part-time

  53·9

  17·9

  55·3

  18·8

  53·4

  18·1

  1 Excludes the self-employed and members of Her Majesty's Forces; employees in temporary employment are included but are not separately identified in the census; part-time workers are defined as those working not more than 30 hours a week.

  2 The district is defined in terms of ward boundaries as at 1981.

  3 Percentage of all industries and services total.

  142

  Scottish Nuclear Power Stations
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what proposals he has for the management of the Scottish nuclear power stations after vesting day in the electricity supply industry.

  Mr. Lang
  I have been asked to reply.

  I refer the hon. Member to the statement made to the House on 9 November by my right hon. and learned Friend.

EMPLOYMENT

  Employment Training
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what types of training are being undertaken by people on employment training in(a) engineering, (b) construction and (c) information technology industries; and how many places are available for each type.

  Mr. Nicholls
  Employment training provides many types of training to meet the demands of local labour markets. Information about the numbers of places available in each training occupational category is held in every area office, but because of the local focus of the programme is not currently aggregated centrally.

  Employment (Leeds)
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many persons in the Leeds metropolitan district there were in(a) full-time employment, (b) part-time employment and (c) temporary employment for each year from 1979 (i) by gender and (ii) as a percentage of all employees in (x) manufacturing industry and (y) the service sector industry.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The available employee estimates for the area are from censuses of employment taken in September 1981, September 1984 and September 1987 and are given in the table.

  Pay (Leeds)
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what are the maximum and minimum hourly basic rates of pay recorded in the Leeds office of the Manpower Services Commission from advertised posts in(a) the manufacturing sector and (b) the service sector.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The information provided relates to vacancies available on Wednesday 8 November 1989 and is as follows:

  Hourly pay rates

  Manufacturing

  Services

  £

  years

  £

  years

  Minimum

  1·25

  16–20

  1·20

  16

  Maximum

  6·25

  —

  5·20

  —

  The table is based upon information from jobecentres in the Leeds local authority area. It excludes vacancies quoting only weekly, monthly or annual pay rates, which could not be adjusted to give reliable hourly equivalents.

  Disablement Assistance
  Mr, Litherland
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if the contents of the draft document on the Government's internal review of employment assistance to disabled adults have been finalised; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  The review is at an advanced stage. The contents of the consultative document which will follow the review have not yet been finalised. However, the document will be published as soon as possible.

  The review is taking a comprehensive look at the framework for services for people with disabilities in the labour market in the 1990s.

  Sheltered Employment
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the major issues discussed by the Employment Department sheltered employment consultative group over the last three years and all major achievements of the group during that time.

  Mr. Eggar
  This is a consultative body which exists to provide a forum for the exchange of views between the Department and organisations with an interest in the sheltered employment programme. The major issues discussed by the consultative group since 1986 have included:A review of the provision of equal opportunity policies within the programme leading to the development and dissemination of a model policy.
  Annual sheltered employment statements to the National Advisory Council for the Employment of Disabled People (NACEDP) 1985–86, 1986–87, 1987–88.

  Sheltered employment research.

  Numbers supported in the sheltered employment programme.

  Results of the sheltered placement scheme earnings survey.

  Net Exchequer costs of sheltered employment.

  NACEDP working party report on the review of the Tomlinson principles.

  Sheltered employment finance.

  Health and safety in the sheltered employment programme.

  Retention of approved workers with significantly
  144
  reduced output.

  Issues relating to the procurement of work, and the priority suppliers scheme.

  Evaluation of the sheltered placement scheme.

  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the membership of the Employment Department sheltered employment consultative group and, where applicable, the organisation represented by each member.

  Mr. Eggar
  The current membership of the sheltered employment consultative group is listed as follows:

  Organisation Represented:

  Member

  Department of Employment

  Mr. D. J. Sullivan (Chairman)

  Liaison Groups of Sheltered Workshop Managers

  Mr. M. J. Barratt Mr. P. E. Linton

  Local Authority Associations

  Associations of County Councils

  Councillor Mr. W. Minto

  Association of Metropolitan Authorities

  Mr. J. Gallagher Councillor Mrs. J. Watts

  Convention of Scottish Local Authorities

  Mr. A. J. H. MacNish Mr. D. Morrison

  Remploy Ltd.

  Mr. M. Daymond Mr. T. A. True

  Trade Unions

  National League of the Blind and Disabled

  Mr. M. A. Barrett

  General and Municipal Workers Union

  Mrs. P. Turner

  Small Firms Service
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether the Government's small firms service is able to offer expert advice on the particular problems of starting and running a small business which are faced by(a) women and (b) people with disabilities.

  Mr. Eggar
  Yes. The small firms service offers information, advice and guidance on business to all groups of people.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many(a) oral and (b) written questions were asked of his Department in 1988–89.

  Mr. Eggar
  There were 1,342 oral and 1,600 written parliamentary questions asked of this Department in 1988–89.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many written parliamentary questions to him in Session 1988–89 received answers that the information(a) was not available, (b) was not separately recorded, (c) was not centrally recorded, (d) was not recorded in Government statistics or (e) could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Eggar
  To provide the information in the form requested would involve manual scrutiny of some 3,000 replies to parliamentary questions; I regret, therefore, that it could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  It is, however, this Department's practice to supply substantive answers to questions wherever possible.
  145
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the cost to his Department of answering parliamentary(a) oral and (b) written questions in the parliamentary Session 1988–89.

  Mr. Eggar
  This information is not recorded centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many written parliamentary questions he refused to answer in the parliamentary Session 1988–89.

  Mr. Eggar
  My right hon. Friend has not refused to answer any parliamentary questions in the parliamentary Session 1988–89.

  Brewing and Tobacco Industries
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what was the number of people employed in the brewing industry in England and Wales(a) at the latest date and (b) five years ago;

  (2) what was the number of people employed in the tobacco industry in England and Wales (a) at the latest date and (b) five years ago.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The only information available for these industries is the employees in employment estimates from the census of employment in 1984 and 1987, as follows:

  Employees in employment in England and Wales

  Brewing industry1 (thousand)

  Tobacco industry2 (thousand)

  September 1984

  47·7

  20·3

  September 1987

  38·4

  13·7

  1 Group 427 of the 1980 Standard Industrial Classification.

  2 Group 429 of the 1980 Standard Industrial Classification.

  Average Industrial Wage
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the average industrial wage paid in the three most recent years for which figures are available, in Britain and in each EEC country.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The information on a consistent basis as compiled by the Statistical Office of the European Communities is as follows:

  Average Gross Hourly Earnings of Manual Workers in Manufacturing Industries (1) in national currencies.

  April 1986

  April 1987

  April 1988

  Belgium (BFr)

  298

  304

  308

  Denmark (DKr)

  73·67

  80·78

  86·38

  Germany (DM)

  16·51

  17·40

  18·25

  Greece (Dr)

  347

  383

  451

  France (FFr)

  38·55

  40·17

  41·68

  Ireland (£IR)

  4·35

  4·59

  4·83

  Italy (2) (Lr)

  n.a.

  n.a.

  n.a.

  Luxembourg (LFr)

  335

  345

  n.a.

  Netherlands (Fl)

  17·00

  17·35

  n.a.

  Portugal (Esc)

  200

  239

  272

  Spain (Pts)

  n.a.

  n.a.

  n.a.

  United Kingdom (£)

  3·86

  4·09

  4·38

  Notes:

  (1) NAC Classification of Manufacturing Industries

  (2)Latest available data for Italy are for October 1985, 7,802 Lira/hour

  n.a. not available

  Free Telephone Calls
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will estimate the cost of allowing everybody registered as seeking work in rural areas to be eligible for free telephone calls to their local jobcentre irrespective of the Telecom charges incurred.

  Mr. Eggar
  The information to enable an estimate to be made is not available.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will estimate the number of people seeking work who are denied access to a local free telephone facility from their home village to the nearest jobcentre because the Telecom telephone line routing is so indirect as to make the call liable to long distance rates.

  Mr. Eggar
  This information is not available.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what steps he proposes to take to achieve a free telephone facility to the local jobcentre for everyone wishing to contact their local jobcentre.

  Mr. Eggar
  There are no plans to introduce a national free phone facility into jobcentres, although this has been introduced in some parts of the country where access to the jobcentre may be difficult and costly.

  Employment Training
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on British Oxygen's refusal to continue to participate in employment training.

  Mr. Nicholls
  [holding answer 10 November 1989]British Oxygen Company (BOC) is still participating in employment training by providing high-level training under the higher technical national training (HTNT) arrangements. The effect of BOC's decision not to renew its contract as a training manager under ET is the loss of only 30 places, none of which was filled at the time of the withdrawal, and which will be made good by increasing places with other providers in the area.

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give the most recent details of(a) the number of filled places on the 23 large company employment training schemes listed in the Official Report, 6 July, column 275, (b) any changes to the maximum number of places allocated for each of these schemes and (c) which of those schemes have since withdrawn from employment training.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The following table updates to 29 September 1989 the details of the 23 large company employment training schemes listed in the Official Report, 6 July, column 275.

  The "No. of places allocated" column shows, in brackets, the changes to the figures from 26 May 1989, as listed in the Official Report.

  None of the schemes listed has withdrawn from employment training.
  147

  Company

  Number of places allocated at 29 September 1989

  Places filled at 29 September 1989

  J. Jarvis and Sons

  1,310

  (-1,186)

  1,160

  J. Laing Construction

  2,181

  (+3)

  1,554

  Henry Boot Construction

  495

  (-74)

  222

  Invicta Training (Grand Metropolitan Training)

  1,105

  (+390)

  147

  Martin James

  650

  (+10)

  552

  Geo. Wimpey

  437

  (-110)

  404

  Mowlem

  305

  (-100)

  128

  Comet PLC

  354

  (-20)

  51

  Pilkington

  230

  (-40)

  181

  Ferranti

  152

  (-63)

  92

  Mill Garages Ltd.

  170

  —

  173

  Tower Radio Ltd.

  130

  (-120)

  93

  Portals Engineering Ltd.

  250

  —

  241

  Marley Extrusions Ltd.

  200

  —

  Nil

  Ryder Ltd.

  165

  (+15)

  194

  Team Greyfriars Ltd.

  380

  (+180)

  155

  John Lawrence Group

  100

  (-50)

  37

  ICI

  100

  —

  83

  Sumlock Business Service

  60

  (-30)

  36

  R and D Associates

  125

  —

  139

  Simon Engineering

  110

  —

  63

  Coastline Ltd.

  70

  —

  114

  Strategic Marketing (International Ltd.)

  100

  —

  88

  Unemployment Benefit
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many unemployment benefit claims offices in Wales have reduced the amount of time granted for first time claims interviews.

  Mr. Eggar
  An average time of 40 minutes is allowed for each new claim interview.

  Labour Statistics
  Sir David Price
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what are the latest unemployment figures for the borough of Eastleigh, Hampshire, and for the same period in each of the last six years; and, in each case, what percentage of the total available work force the unemployed represented.

  Mr. Nicholls
  [holding answer 13 November 1989]: The following information is available from the Library. The table shows the number of unemployed claimants in Eastleigh local authority district in September 1989 and in each September for the preceding six years. These figures are slightly affected by the change in the compilation of the count in March 1986 to reduce over-recording and changes in benefit regulations in September 1988 affecting young people aged under 18.

  Percentage rates of unemployment are not calculated for local authority districts.

  Local Authority District of Eastleigh

  September

  Unemployed Claimants

  1983

  2,690

  1984

  2,892

  1985

  3,028

  1986

  3,247

  1987

  2,602

  1988

  1,657

  1989

  1,110

  148

  Employment and Training Schemes
  Mr. Ralph Howell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the cost of all Government training schemes and special employment measures in 1979–80 and 1988–89; and what was the average number of participants in each year.

  Mr. Nicholls
  [holding answer 13 November 1989]: Records are kept on the basis for the standard financial year for accounting for Government expenditure, which runs from 1 April to 31 March.

  The Department of Employment Training Agency (ex-MSC, ex-Training Commission) spent the following on training schemes including special employment measures for the number of participants shown:

  £ million

  Participants

  1979–80

  524·3

  316,000

  1988–89

  2,764·3

  1,229,000

  Expenditure figures shown are at cash prices. Figures for 1979–80 are taken from the appropriation accounts, and for 1988–89 are provisional and unaudited.

  Number of "participants" is the number of people who entered training during the year. This includes a number of people who may have started for a second or subsequent time.

  The figures include the following programmes:

  Training for the Needs of Industry

  Training for the Needs of Individuals

  Improving Training Effectiveness and Efficiency

  Training Opportunities Scheme

  Skillcentre Training

  Community Programme

  Occupational Training

  Adult Training

  Industrial Training Organisations

  Technical and Vocational Education Initiative

  Non Advanced Further Education

  Youth Training Scheme

  Employment Training

  Scientific and Technical Equipment in Schools (STEPS)

  Special employment measures included in 1979–80

  Community Enterprise Programme

  149

  Youth Opportunities Programme

  Community Industry

  Job Creation Programme

  and all related administration costs net of receipts.

  YTS
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many YTS places were available for employed status trainees in July 1987, 1988 and 1989; and how many of those places were filled by September of each year.

  Mr. Nicholls
  [holding answer 13 November 1989]YTS places are not allocated according to employment status. The total numbers of young people in training on YTS at the end of September 1987, 1988 and 1989 are given below together with the percentage with employed status.

  Date

  Total in training

  Employed status

  Percentage of total

  End September 1989

  411,600

  107,000

  26

  End September 1988

  435,600

  75,000

  17

  End September 1987

  428,000

  47,000

  11

  Unemployment
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the level of unemployment among construction industry workers in England and Wales at the latest date; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  There is no analysis of the monthly unemployment count by occupation or industry. However, the labour force survey provides estimates of the previous industry category of unemployed people. The table shows the estimates of unemployed persons whose previous job was in the construction industry (as defined by ILO definitions), as estimated by the latest survey of 1988.

  Unemployed persons (ILO definitions) whose previous job was in the construction industry

  1988 Labour Force Survey

  Number of unemployed

  England

  128,000

  Wales

  12,000

  Merseyside Metropolitan County

  10,000

  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many were unemployed in the Liverpool travel-to-work area at the latest date; and what was the figure five years ago.

  Mr. Nicholls
  [holding answer 13 November 1989]The information is available in the Library. In September 1989 the number of unemployed claimants in the Liverpool 150
  travel-to-work area was 66,636, compared with 106,825 in September 1984, a fall of 40,189 or 37·6 per cent. over the past five years. The comparison is slightly affected by the change in compilation of the count in March 1986 to reduce over-recording and by the change in September 1988 due to the changes in benefit regulations affecting young people under 18 years of age.

  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the latest figure for unemployment in(a) Merseyside and (b) Liverpool.

  Mr. Nicholls
  [holding answer 13 November 1989]The information is available in the Library. In September 1989, the latest available date, the number of unemployed claimants was 87,293 in the county of Merseyside and 66,636 in the Liverpool travel-to-work area.

  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the number of unemployed in Liverpool under 21 years at the latest date; and what were the figures five years ago.

  Mr. Nicholls
  [holding answer 13 November 1989]The information requested is not available. In July 1989, the latest available date, the number of unemployed claimants aged 18 to 24 in the Liverpool travel-to-work area was 22,086, compared with 37,617 in July 1984, a fall of 15,531 or 41·3 per cent. The comparison is slightly affected by the change in compilation of the count in March 1986 to reduce over-recording and by the change in September 1988 due to the changes in benefit regulations affecting young people under 18 years of age.

  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the unemployed figure among workers in the Liverpool construction industry at the latest available date.

  Mr. Nicholls
  [holding answer 13 November 1989]: There is no analysis of the monthly unemployment count by occupation or industry. However, the labour force survey provides estimates of the previous industry category of unemployed people. The table shows the estimates of unemployed persons whose previous job was in the construction industry (as defined by ILO definitions), as estimated by the latest survey of 1988.

  Unemployed persons (ILO definitions) whose previous job was in the construction industry

  (1988 labour force survey)

  Number of unemployed

  England

  128,000

  Wales

  12,000

  Merseyside Metropolitan County

  10,000

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Bills
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Lord President of the Council if he will publish in the Official Report a list of (a) Government Bills and (b) private Members' Bills where the Committee stage was taken on the Floor of the House in each Session since 1970.

  Sir Geoffrey Howe
  The list, excluding Consolidated Fund Bills and Finance Bills, is as follows:(Bills are listed in order of committal; Government Bills are asterisked)

  1970–71

  *National Insurance (Old Persons and Widows Pensions and Attendance Allowance)

  *International Monetary Fund

  *Education Handicapped Children

  *Fiji Independence

  *Harbours (Amendment)

  *Income and Corporation Taxes

  *Family Incomes Supplements

  *Town and County Planning Regulations (London) (Indemnity)

  *Expiring Laws (Continuance)

  *Air Corporations

  *Industrial Relations

  *Atomic Energy Authority

  *Guardianship of Minors

  Administration of Estates

  *Mr. Speaker King's Retirement

  *Vehicles Excise

  *Hydrocarbon Oil (Customs and Excise)

  *Coinage

  *Attachment of Earnings

  *National Savings Bank

  *Rent (Scotland)

  Dangerous Litter

  Betting, Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment)

  *Medicines

  *Housing

  *Hijacking

  *Diplomatic and Other Privileges

  *Statute Law (Repeals)

  1971–72

  *National Insurance Regulations (Validation)

  *Sierra Leone Republic

  *Island of Rockall

  *Airports Authority

  *Civil List

  *Ministerial and other Salaries

  *Electricity

  *Local Employment

  *Summer Time

  *Transport (Grants)

  *European Communities

  *Maintenance Orders (Reciprocal Enforcement)

  *Northern Ireland

  Trade Descriptions

  Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries

  Carriage by Railway

  Sunday Cinema

  *Deposit of Poisonous Waste

  *Road Traffic

  *Northern Ireland (Temporary Provisions)

  *Betting and Gaming Duties

  National Insurance (Amendment)

  Sunday Theatre (No. 2)

  Civil Evidence

  Defective Premises

  Harbours, Piers and Ferries (Scotland)

  **Parliamentary and other Pensions

  *Sri Lanka Republic

  *Town and Country Planning (Scotland)

  *Contracts of Employment

  *Land Charges

  *National Debt

  152

  *Poisons

  1972–73

  *Counter Inflation (Temporary Provisions)

  *Northern Ireland (Financial Provisons)

  *Pensioners and Family Income Supplement Payments

  *Northern Ireland (Border Poll)

  *Costs in Criminal Cases

  Protection of Wrecks

  *Northern Ireland Assembly

  *Northern Ireland (Constitution)

  1973–74

  *Channel Tunnel (Initial Finance)

  *Fuel and Electricity (Control)

  *International Sugar Organisation

  *Northern Ireland Constitution (Amendment)

  *Representation of the People

  *Pensions (Increase)

  *Charlwood and Horley

  1974

  *National Insurance

  *Lord High Commissioner (Church of Scotland)

  *Contingencies Fund

  *Ministers of the Crown

  *Northern Ireland

  *Road Traffic

  1974–75

  *Pensioners' Payments

  *National Theatre

  *Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions)

  *Offshore Petroleum Development (Scotland)

  *Referendum

  Hearing Aid Council (Extension)

  *Malta Republic

  *British Leyland

  1975–76

  *Northern Ireland (Loans)

  *Civil List

  *Drought

  *Endangered Species (Import and Export)

  *Industry (Amendment)

  *Moneylenders (Crown Agents)

  *OECD Support Fund

  Protection of Birds (Amendment)

  Solicitors (Scotland)

  *Seychelles

  *Trinidad and Tobago Republic

  *Valuation and Rating (Exempted Classes) (Scotland)

  *Water Charges

  1976–77

  *Aircraft and Shipbuilding Industries

  *National Insurance Surcharge

  *Fishery Limits

  *Scotland and Wales

  Roe Deer (Close Seasons)

  *Job Release

  *Representation of the People

  *Agricultural Holdings (Notices to Quit)

  *British Airways Board

  *Statute Law (Repeals)

  *New Towns

  *Restrictive Trade Practices

  *Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) (Amendment)

  *Rent

  *Protection from Eviction

  *National Health Service

  1977–78

  *Pensioners' Payments

  *Scotland

  *Wales

  *Finance (Income Tax Reliefs)

  *European Assembly Elections

  *Commonwealth Development Corporation

  *Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions)

  *Education (Northern Ireland)

  153

  Protection of Children

  *Refuse Disposal (Amenity)

  Internationally Protected Persons

  Local Government Act 1974 (Amendment)

  Education (Northern Ireland)

  Theatres Trust (Scotland

  *Solomon Islands

  *Tuvalu

  *Oaths

  *Export Guarantees and Overseas Investment

  *House of Commons (Administration)

  *Parliamentary Pensions

  *Representation of the People

  *Adoption (Scotland)

  *National Health Service (Scotland)

  *Interpretation

  Import of Live Fish (Scotland)

  *Employment Protection (Consolidation)

  *Statute Law (Repeals)

  1978–79

  *House of Commons (Redistribution of Seats)

  Films

  *Price Commission (Amendment)

  *Vaccine Damage Payments

  Licensed Premises (Exclusion of Certain Persons)

  *Confirmation to Small Estates (Scotland)

  *Customs and Excise Management

  *Customs and Excise Duties (General Reliefs)

  *Alcoholic Liquor Duties

  *Hydrocarbon Oil Duties

  *Matches and Mechanical Lighter Duties

  *Tobacco Products Duty

  *Excise Duties (Surcharges or Rebates)

  Licensing (Amendment)

  *Independent Broadcasting Authority

  Criminal Evidence

  *Capital Gains Tax

  *Agricultural Statistics

  *Wages Councils

  *Electricity (Scotland)

  *Administration of Justice (Emergency Provisions) (Scotland)

  *Legal Aid

  *Representation of the People

  *Arbitration

  *Pneumoconiosis etc. (Workers' Compensation)

  *Leasehold Reform

  *Carriage by Air and Road

  *Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas

  *Exchange Equalisation Account

  *International Monetary Fund

  *Prosecution of Offences

  1979–80

  *Kiribati

  *Pensioners' Payments and Social Security

  *European Assembly (Pay and Pensions)

  *European Communities (Greek Accession)

  *Shipbuilding

  *Southern Rhodesia

  Representation of the People

  *Papua New Guinea, Western Samoa and Nauru (Miscellaneous Provisions)

  *Isle of Man

  *Justices of the Peace

  *Sale of Goods

  *Zimbabwe

  *Residential Homes

  *Child Care

  *Foster Children

  Import of Live Fish (England and Wales)

  *Reserve Forces

  Gaming (Amendment)

  *Highlands and Islands Air Services (Scotland)

  *Slaughter of Animals (Scotland)

  *New Hebrides

  *Consular Fees

  *Police Negotiating Board

  *National Health Service (Invalid Direction)

  154

  Betting, Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment)

  *Port of London (Financial Assistance)

  Licensing (Amendment) (No. 2)

  Coroners

  *Iran (Temporary Powers)

  *Gas

  *Sea Fish Industry

  *Magistrates' Courts

  *Education (Scotland)

  *Water (Scotland)

  *Solicitors (Scotland)

  *Criminal Appeal (Northern Ireland)

  *Highways

  *Imprisonment (Temporary Provisions)

  *Overseas Development and Co-operation

  *Limitation

  *Statute Law Revision (Northern Ireland)

  *Tenants' Rights Etc. (Scotland)

  1980–81

  *European Assembly Elections

  *Social Security (Contributions)

  *Anguilla

  *Gas Levy

  *Redundancy Fund

  *Iron and Steel (Borrowing Powers)

  *House of Commons Members' Fund and Parliamentary Pensions

  Disabled Persons (No. 2)

  Food and Drugs (Amendment)

  *English Industrial Estates Corporation

  *Film Levy Finance

  *National Film Finance Corporation

  *Public Passenger Vehicles

  *Judicial Pensions

  *Licensing (Alcohol, Education and Research)

  *Armed Forces

  *Statute Law (Repeals)

  *Transport Act 1962 (Amendment)

  *Local Government and Planning (Amendment)

  Matrimonial Homes and Property

  *Animal Health

  *Criminal Justice (Amendment)

  Licensing (Amendment)

  *Representation of the People

  *Belize

  *Friendly Societies

  *Betting and Gaming Duties

  *Acquisition of Land

  *Compulsory Purchase (Vesting Declarations)

  *New Towns

  *Trustee Savings Banks

  *Broadcasting

  1981–82

  *Social Security (Contributions)

  *New Towns

  *Canada

  *Travel Concessions (London)

  *Agricultural Training Board

  *Industrial Training

  Copyright Act 1956 (Amendment)

  *Northern Ireland

  *Civil Aviation

  *Iron and Steel

  *Aviation Security

  *Insurance Companies

  *Industrial Development

  1982–83

  *Commonwealth Development Corporation

  *Electricity (Financial Provisions) (Scotland)

  *National Insurance Surcharge

  *Lands Valuation Amendment (Scotland)

  *Pig Industry Levy

  *Representation of the People

  Licensing (Occasional Permissions)

  Level Crossings

  British Nationality (Falkland Islands)

  155

  *British Fishing Boats

  *Matrimonial Incomes

  *Mental Health

  *Pilotage

  *Social Security and Housing Benefits

  Coroners' Juries

  Pet Animals Act 1951 (Amendment)

  *Importation of Milk

  *Litter

  Road Traffic (Driving Licences)

  *County Courts (Penalties for Contempt)

  1983–84

  *Local Authorities (Expenditure Powers)

  *International Monetary Arrangements

  *Companies (Beneficial Interests)

  *Medical

  *Car Tax

  *Value Added Tax

  *Oil Taxation

  *Restrictive Trade Practices (Stock Exchange)

  *Town and Country Planning

  *Tourism (Overseas Promotion) (Scotland)

  *Pensions Commutation

  Road Traffic (Driving Instruction)

  Education (Amendment) (Scotland)

  *Local Government (Interim Provisions)

  *County Courts

  *Mental Health (Scotland)

  *Food

  *Public Health (Control of Disease)

  *Registered Homes

  *Dentists

  *Parliamentary Pensions etc

  *Roads (Scotland)

  *Capital Transfer Tax

  *Rent (Scotland)

  *Foster Children (Scotland)

  *Building

  1984–85

  *Elections (Northern Ireland)

  *Friendly Societies

  *Local Government

  *Representation of the People

  *Hong Kong

  *Brunei and Maldives

  *Town and Country Planning (Compensation)

  *London Regional Transport (Amendment)

  Hospital Complaints Procedure

  *Companies Consolidation (Consequential Provisions)

  *Companies

  *Company Securities (Insider Dealing)

  *Business Names

  *Interception of Communications

  *Cinemas

  Hill Farming

  Agricultural Training Board

  *Reserve Forces (Safeguard of Employment)

  Betting, Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment)

  Rent (Amendment)

  *Rating (Revaluation Rebates) (Scotland)

  *European Communities (Finance)

  *Further Education

  *Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol etc)

  Wildlife and Countryside (Service of Notices)

  *Housing

  *Housing Associations

  *Housing (Consequential Provisions)

  *Landlord and Tenant

  *Weights and Measures

  1985–86

  *Northern Ireland (Loans)

  *European Communities (Spanish and Portuguese Accession)

  *Education (Amendment)

  Marriage (Wales)

  *Australia

  Industrial Training

  156

  Protection of Military Remains

  Drainage Rates (Disabled Persons)

  Prevention of Oil Pollution

  Highways (Amendment)

  *Agricultural Holdings

  *Armed Forces

  Gaming (Amendment)

  Road Traffic Regulation (Parking)

  *Statute Law (Repeals)

  *European Communities (Amendment)

  *British Shipbuilders (Borrowing Powers)

  Marriage (Prohibited Degrees of Relationship)

  *British Council and Commonwealth Institute Superannuation

  *Insolvency

  *Company Directors Disqualification

  *Public Trustee and Administration of Funds

  *Family Law

  *Parliamentary Constituencies

  1986–87

  *Advance Petroleum Revenue Tax

  *Teachers' Pay and Conditions

  *Local Government Finance

  *Social Fund (Maternity and Funeral Expenses)

  Licensing (Restaurant Meals)

  Deer

  Gaming (Amendment)

  *Immigration (Carriers' Liability)

  *Pilotage

  *Norfolk and Suffolk Broads

  Prescriptions (Scotland)

  *Chevening Estate

  Local Government Act 1986 (Amendment)

  Billiards (Abolition of Restrictions)

  *Territorial Sea

  *Diplomatic and Consular Premises

  *Housing (Scotland)

  *Parliamentary and other Pensions

  *Consumer Protection

  *Irish Sailors and Soldiers Land Trust

  1987–88

  *British Shipbuilders (Borrowing Powers)

  *Dartford-Thurrock Crossing

  *Income and Corporation Taxes

  Consumer Arbitration Agreements

  Malicious Communications

  Land Registration

  Companies (Audit Committees)

  *Rate Support Grants

  *Road Traffic (Consequential Provisions)

  *Road Traffic Offenders

  *Road Traffic

  1988–89

  *Petroleum Royalties (Relief) and Continental Shelf

  *Security Service

  *Official Secrets

  Control of Smoke Pollution

  Common Land (Rectification of Registers)

  International Parliamentary Organisations (Registration)

  Weights and Measures (Amendment)

  *Representation of the People

  Dangerous Dogs

  Licensing (Amendment)

  *Extradition

  *Continental Shelf

  *Prisons (Scotland)

  *Statute Law Repeals

  *Opticians

  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Lord President of the Council if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the number of occasions in each of the parliamentary Sessions from 1970 to 1989 when (a) the House of Lords carried amendments to (i) private Members' Bills and (ii) Government Bills against the advice of the Government, (b) such amendments were accepted by the Government

  157
  in the House of Commons and (c) the amendments were reversed in the House of Commons and (1) the reversal was accepted by the House of Lords or (2) the House of Lords insisted on their amendments.

  Sir Geoffrey Howe
  I shall write to the hon. Member.

  Members' Allowances
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Lord President of the Council if he will list in pounds sterling the amount of(a) office costs allowance and (b) second home allowance unclaimed by hon. Members in the years 1988–89.

  Sir Geoffrey Howe
  Estimate provision included in the House of Commons Members' salaries etc vote for(a) office costs allowance (OCA) and (b) additional costs allowance (ACA) in 1988–89 was £14,683,000 and £5,174,000 respectively.

  The total claimed and paid to Members in the year in respect of OCA was £14,568,579·36, and for ACA £5,384,650·53.

  It is not the practice to provide detailed listings of individual Members' claims.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Earthquakes
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list by location and date, the number of earthquakes that have been recorded during the last 10 years; on what seismographic scale; what damage was recorded; and what research is being carried out by his Department into earthquakes.

  Mr. Needham
  Northern Ireland has not recorded any earthquakes above magnitude 2·5 on the Richter scale in the last 10 years. Research into earthquakes in the United Kingdom is carried out by the British Geological Survey.

  Childhood Leukaemia
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list by year to date, and by health authority, the number of incidences of childhood leukaemia that have been reported following the Chernobyl accident; and what was the reported number in 1980 and 1986.

  Mr. Needham
  The information is not available in the precise form requested. Such data as are available are given in the table.

  Notification of leukaemia (0 to 14 years)

  1980

  1986

  1987

  Health and Social Services Boards

  Eastern

  5

  4

  4

  Northern

  4

  5

  2

  Southern

  1

  0

  7

  Western

  7

  2

  5

  NORTHERN IRELAND TOTAL

  17

  11

  18

  Mulder Milk Quota
  Mr. McCusker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he hopes to redistribute to farmers in Northern Ireland the excess of the Mulder milk quota.
  158
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  Additional milk quota of 15 million litres has been allocated to eligible Northern Ireland applicants under the terms of EC regulations 764/89 and 1033/89. There are no proposals for further allocations.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many(a) oral and (b) written questions were asked of his Department in 1988–89.

  Mr. Cope
  A total of 310 oral and 1,207 written questions to date.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many written parliamentary questions he refused to answer in the parliamentary Session 1988–89.

  Mr. Cope
  Fifteen, up to and including 13 November 1989.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many written parliamentary questions to him in Session 1988–89 received answers that the information(a)was not available, (b) was not separately recorded, (c) was not centrally recorded, (d) was not recorded in Government statistics and (e) could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Cope
  The information is as follows:

  Number

  Not available

  176

  Not separately recorded

  4

  Not centrally recorded

  8

  Not recorded in Government Statistics

  0

  Could only be provided at disproportionate cost

  148

  Total

  106

  These figures are for the 1988–89 Session up to 13 November 1989.

  1 30 questions were not available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost, and these are counted in both figures.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the cost to his Department of answering parliamentary(a) oral and (b) written questions in the parliamentary Session 1988–89.

  Mr. Cope
  This information is not available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Statistics
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether his Department has discontinued(a) the collection or (b) the publication of any statistics since 1979.

  Mr. Cope
  A number of published statistical series have been discontinued since 1979. I will write to the hon. Member with details.

  AIDS
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people have died from AIDS in the Province in the last three years.

  Mr. Needham
  Over the past three years seven people in the Province are known to have died from causes associated with AIDS.
  159
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the number of people suffering from AIDS in the Province at the latest available date.

  Mr. Needham
  At 10 November 1989 a total of 14 people in the Province had been diagnosed as having AIDS.

  Tobacco Industry
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the number of employed persons in the tobacco industry in the Province(a) at the latest date and (b) five years ago.

  Mr. Needham
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Brewing Industry
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the number of people employed in the brewing industry in the Province(a) at the latest date and (b) five years ago.

  £s

  Area

  1971 to 1975–76

  1976–77

  1977–78

  1978–79

  1979–80

  1980–81

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  Total

  Antrim

  0

  9,580

  37,816

  105,477

  229,801

  56,425

  140,251

  57,635

  676,888

  801,512

  694,974

  1,200,805

  1,765,219

  2,057,950

  7,834,333

  Ards

  188,624

  89,785

  139,122

  104,992

  34,042

  154,051

  193,685

  669,361

  685,809

  383,993

  528,136

  906,417

  26,952

  486,418

  4,591,387

  Armagh

  165,908

  15,100

  72,598

  56,625

  54,105

  133,450

  58,864

  259,460

  388,217

  808,923

  891,808

  669,784

  1,419,643

  1,107,095

  6,101,580

  Ballymena

  161,834

  0

  159,855

  203,897

  111,245

  136,480

  99,145

  261,611

  488,179

  341,116

  606,839

  371,020

  470,322

  459,941

  3,871,484

  Ballymoney

  163,116

  0

  198,625

  57,022

  76,718

  197,981

  42,988

  253,047

  167,500

  199,125

  133,799

  169,506

  63,430

  82,264

  1,805,121

  Banbridge

  80,153

  0

  37,149

  126,698

  2,142

  87,120

  104,786

  281,146

  112,753

  184,133

  158,587

  152,826

  32,427

  198,883

  1,558,803

  Belfast

  444,600

  84,913

  81,136

  108,875

  411,005

  886,854

  956,761

  1,639,636

  2,841,035

  3,252,705

  3,735,499

  4,208,874

  5,616,889

  7,533,131

  32,781,913

  Carrickfergus

  246

  0

  18,700

  3,765

  56,640

  118,023

  106,507

  121,828

  496,208

  1,017,359

  647,375

  775,714

  864,202

  661,003

  4,887,570

  Castlereagh

  22,124

  8,400

  12,330

  104,750

  35,440

  7,114

  26,836

  57,875

  14,720

  21,288

  48,647

  237,888

  198,474

  22,292

  818,178

  Coleraine

  359,221

  203,221

  80,938

  67,966

  196,633

  42,348

  197,204

  149,260

  431,846

  772,899

  642,142

  366,859

  568,905

  262,504

  4,341,946

  Cookstown

  239,378

  111,985

  62,622

  166,924

  27,855

  127,901

  109,036

  594,213

  363,640

  243,892

  273,398

  432,877

  321,957

  864,895

  3,940,573

  Craigavon

  654,060

  82,807

  285,302

  419,958

  369,653

  611,366

  522,305

  710,203

  1,126,983

  1,505,009

  1,060,716

  1,790,986

  811,825

  1,181,633

  11,132,806

  Down

  260,951

  0

  112,338

  34,292

  643,708

  63,357

  334,604

  513,377

  712,364

  480,085

  1,236,379

  1,856,561

  2,994,709

  3,146,016

  12,388,705

  Dungannon

  951,152

  83,685

  556,340

  518,039

  477,487

  474,734

  342,954

  665,765

  754,598

  1,331,782

  2,139,553

  1,583,124

  1,063,023

  3,470,147

  14,412,383

  Fermanagh

  549,058

  92,411

  444,471

  154,055

  91,472

  142,564

  427,925

  449,192

  410,266

  780,131

  735,016

  696,707

  451,447

  883,918

  6,308,632

  Larne

  37,558

  0

  0

  41,300

  71,093

  1,935

  269,532

  160,322

  82,530

  557,229

  460,196

  179,518

  273,778

  388,358

  2,523,349

  Limavady

  82,719

  47,886

  85,831

  77,375

  268,923

  92,300

  62,907

  132,180

  137,411

  117,679

  156,664

  113,092

  84,198

  439,051

  1,898,216

  Lisburn

  179,240

  950

  131,282

  38,233

  65,683

  284,096

  399,943

  746,534

  892,865

  762,364

  653,929

  900,071

  348,185

  758,819

  6,162,194

  Londonderry

  543,911

  329,413

  136,510

  282,004

  98,283

  200,773

  97,438

  716,019

  962,674

  1,429,405

  2,281,324

  1,957,033

  2,909,413

  3,102,322

  15,046,522

  Magherafelt

  337,729

  37,935

  123,102

  280,029

  142,375

  14,268

  339,785

  237,116

  735,194

  1,025,341

  1,708,291

  601,612

  776,024

  709,057

  7,067,858

  Moyle

  19,048

  0

  3,480

  1,000

  54,627

  3,947

  26,895

  238,367

  7,850

  95,125

  46,500

  57,945

  40,000

  59,295

  654,079

  Newry and Mourne

  822,219

  275,098

  340,295

  857,879

  522,413

  531,091

  452,856

  470,406

  859,420

  1,113,683

  1,204,587

  989,030

  521,054

  2,108,969

  1,106,900

  Newtownabbey

  246,615

  33,378

  128,038

  316,133

  56,447

  230,643

  424,550

  676,779

  463,343

  449,301

  805,102

  1,251,537

  530,201

  865,495

  6,477,562

  North Down

  99,072

  15,188

  159,925

  234,801

  353,250

  127,676

  74,051

  624,829

  680,130

  875,626

  1,102,075

  528,942

  55,056

  625,674

  5,556,295

  Omagh

  423,429

  50,781

  214,085

  56,162

  166,920

  74,875

  54,948

  104,507

  271,828

  173,601

  635,061

  700,189

  408,723

  771,032

  4,106,141

  Strabane

  99,997

  3,325

  661,679

  27,750

  35,930

  103,748

  59,134

  464,772

  481,411

  302,415

  706,380

  247,425

  1,364,294

  563,094

  5,121,354

  Industrial Development Board.
  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the total amount of financial aid offered by the Industrial Development Board to companies in each district council area in Northern Ireland, in each of the years since 1982.

  £000s

  District Council Area

  1982–83 1 September 1982 —31 March 1983

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  Total

  Antrim

  207

  2,488

  1,977

  1,120

  5,339

  3,354

  6,773

  21,258

  Armagh

  NIL

  170

  1,066

  763

  2,174

  1,137

  599

  5,909

  Ballymena

  508

  7,632

  5,293

  2,049

  4,201

  8,324

  1,310

  29,317

  Ballymoney

  NIL

  NIL

  2,565

  718

  4,970

  1,330

  450

  10,033

  Banbridge

  270

  1,898

  493

  498

  1,325

  154

  775

  5,413

  Belfast

  2,273

  9,419

  18,228

  3,539

  19,838

  5,907

  13,288

  72,492

  Carrickfergus

  140

  402

  1,511

  225

  136

  641

  2,189

  5,244

  Castlereagh

  67

  1,054

  4,728

  2,196

  1,893

  1,315

  2,859

  14,112

  Coleraine

  851

  4,433

  5,547

  4,102

  1,065

  3,717

  1,182

  20,897

  Cookstown

  2,370

  136

  742

  265

  186

  NIL

  332

  4,031

  Craigavon

  5,133

  11,104

  18,341

  10,696

  9,728

  10,736

  4,511

  70,249

  Down

  49

  352

  1,328

  3,168

  1,163

  811

  3,830

  10,701

  North Down

  NIL

  671

  1,240

  872

  1,860

  1,380

  554

  6,577

  160
  Mr.Needam
  I will write to the hon.Member.

  Local Enterprise Development Unit
  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the total amount of financial aid offered by LEDU to companies in each district council area in Northern Ireland in each of the five years since the unit was formed.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 6 November 1989]: The amount of financial aid offered by LEDU since 1971 to companies, including individuals setting up in business for the first time, in each district council area is set out in the table. Cumulative figures only are available for the years 1971 to 1976.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 6 November 1989] The table details the selective financial assistance offered to and accepted by companies in each district council area.
  161

  District Council Area

  1982–83 1 September 1982 —31 March 1983

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  Total

  Dungannon

  551

  737

  6,060

  1,945

  2,566

  4,453

  1,291

  17,603

  Fermanagh

  540

  2,538

  4,905

  1,023

  418

  4,691

  4,033

  18,148

  Larne

  NIL

  486

  16,122

  157

  9,774

  1,721

  3,763

  32,023

  Limavady

  1,890

  136

  644

  1,149

  1,294

  2,408

  NIL

  7,521

  Lisburn

  1,145

  2,046

  3,187

  2,728

  2,417

  1,205

  33,321

  46,049

  Derry

  954

  8,600

  11,989

  23,855

  4,358

  6,366

  7,877

  63,999

  Magherafelt

  NIL

  3,495

  1,706

  843

  655

  965

  1,075

  8,739

  Moyle

  NIL

  NIL

  NIL

  NIL

  678

  NIL

  NIL

  678

  Newtownabbey

  30,734

  3,315

  5,436

  3,978

  28,273

  10,176

  14,412

  96,324

  Newry and Mourne

  476

  5,526

  4,526

  1,793

  459

  7,278

  1,248

  21,306

  Ards

  325

  3,714

  6,335

  3,584

  1,045

  8,717

  1,105

  24,825

  Omagh

  NIL

  2,491

  1,848

  128

  878

  2,270

  NIL

  7,615

  Strabane

  NIL

  1,455

  7,135

  385

  2,587

  7,908

  NIL

  19,470

  Information in respect of research and development and marketing development grants is not readily available by district council area and could be compiled only at disproportionate cost. However, annual figures of grants offered are:

  Research and development £'000s

  Marketing development £'000s

  1982–831

  1,900

  —

  1983–84

  7,000

  —

  1984–85

  6,100

  —

  1985–86

  6,400

  1,087

  1986–87

  8,300

  1,921

  1987–88

  7,800

  2,075

  1988–89

  7,800

  3,180

  1 1 September 1982 to 31 March 1983.

  Terrorism Suspects (Interviews)
  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to ensure tighter safeguards for persons in custody on suspicion of terrorist offences; and if he will introduce video and sound recording of all interviews of such persons and immediate access to legal advice.

  Mr. Cope
  [holding answer 6 November 1989]: Existing arrangements and the scope for further safeguards, including the question of video and sound recording of interviews with terrorist suspects in custody, are kept under regular review. The rights of persons suspected of terrorist offences introduced under the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1987 will be considered by Lord Colville in his review of the Emergency Provisions Acts. A guide to the exercise of the emergency powers by the security forces in Northern Ireland, including the detention and questioning of suspects in custody under the terrorism provisions, will be published shortly.

  Scheduled Offences
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give separately for(a) the Royal Ulster Constabulary and its Reserve, (b) the Ulster Defence Regiment and (c) the Regular Army, the number of members convicted of scheduled offences in Northern Ireland, on and off duty, in each year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Cope
  [holding answer 8 November 1989]: I will write to the hon. Member.

  Arms Thefts
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish a table showing how many legally held firearms were stolen during 1988 from(a) the Royal Ulster Constabulary and Royal Ulster Constabulary Reserve, (b) the Ulster Defence Regiment, (c) the British Army, and (d) civilians; and if he will give a breakdown of weapons stolen as (i) bullet firing, (ii) shotguns, (iii) air weapons, and (iv) miscellaneous, including blank firing weapons, muzzle loading weapons and antique weapons.

  Mr. Cope
  [holding answer 8 November 1989]: The information is as follows:

  Legally held firearms stolen during 1988

  RUC/RUCR

  UDR

  Regular Army

  Civilians

  Bullet firing

  9

  1

  4

  16

  Shotguns

  0

  0

  0

  54

  Air weapons/Miscellaneous1

  0

  0

  0

  13

  1Miscellaneous includes: Blank Firing Weapons, Muzzle Loading Weapons, Antique Weapons, Tranquiliser Guns and Starting Pistols.

  Rural Action Project
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when an announcement will be made anent the provision of core funding for the continuation of the Rural Action Project (Northern Ireland) as a rural development agency; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 9 November 1989]: It has now been agreed that Government will provide funding to allow the Rural Action Project to continue until the end of the current financial year. This will enable the Government to draw on the expertise and knowledge developed over the period of the project in tackling rural problems.

  TDG
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations he received prior to his decision to refuse an application for £2 million in development grant by Messrs. TDG.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 10 November 1989]: None.

  Firearms Certificates
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many hand gun target shooters in Northern Ireland have been(a) granted a new firearms certificate and (b) granted a variation on a replacement weapon, in Northern Ireland in each of the last three years.

  Mr. Cope
  [holding answer 13 November 1989]: The Chief Constable of the RUC has informed me that the information requested is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many pistols held on firearms certificates in Northern Ireland are of a type and specification which are used for target shooting in(a) smallbore and (b) fullbore; and what were the numbers five and 10 years ago.

  Mr. Cope
  [holding answer 13 November 1989]: The Chief Constable of the RUC has informed me that the number of pistols and revolvers held on firearm certificates is:

  Type

  At 31 October 1989

  At 31 December 1984

  Smallbore pistols/revolvers

  468

  478

  Fullbore pistols/revolvers

  509

  471

  No information is available to show the position at 31 December 1979.

  Pistol Target Shooting
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is his estimate of the number of people in Northern Ireland who practise the sport of pistol target shooting; what were the number five years ago and 10 years ago; and, of these, what is his estimate as to how many are involved in (i) smallbore and (ii) fullbore shooting.

  Mr. Cope
  [holding answer 13 November 1989]: The Chief Constable of the RUC has informed me that the current number of people claiming membership of authorised clubs for pistol target shooting is 1,433. It is not possible to differentiate between those people engaged in smallbore and those people engaged in fullbore pistol target shooting. However, there are 11 smallbore pistol shooting clubs and eight fullbore pistol shooting clubs. The information requested for earlier years is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

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

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 13 November 1989]: The industrial development agencies (IDB and LEDU) are actively pursuing new job opportunities both from existing Northern Ireland companies and new inward investment. In the last financial year the agencies were particularly successful and achieved a record 10,657 jobs promoted with inward investment of 1,856 jobs. In addition, at August 1989, some 31,300 people were benefiting from special employment and training measures.
  164
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps Her Majesty's Government are taking to reduce unemployment among construction workers in the Province; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 13 November 1989]: Government expenditure is contributing substantially to the relatively high level of output by the Northern Ireland construction industry in which unemployment has fallen over the past three years.

  Coronary Disease
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement about the implications of the new general practitioner contract for preventive care against coronary disease.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 13 November 1989]: The Government attach great inportance to the promotion of good health and prevention of ill health such as coronary heart disease. Patients will be offered more advice on how to avoid illness and simple checks on, for example, blood pressure will be available routinely as a result of the new contract for general medical practitioners which places greater emphasis on these aspects of health care. Family doctors will also be encouraged through the new remuneration system to provide clinics on the prevention of heart disease, smoking cessation, alcohol control and stress management.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Incomes
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will update the answer on incomes given to the hon. Member for Birkenhead of 11 July,Official Report, column 442 to include data for 1986, and if available, data for 1987.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  No. The next edition of "Households Below Average Income: A Statistical Analysis", will cover the years 1981, 1985 and 1987. Publication is planned for around the turn of the year. Similar analysis for 1986 could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Elderly People
  Mr. Andrew Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps he intends to take to increase financial support over and above the income support limits announced in his recent upratings statement to allow elderly people in private residential and nursing homes to meet the full costs of their care.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The income support limits are set at levels which cover the fees in a majority of homes. It has never been the intention that social security payments should be available to cover whatever fees homes choose to charge, and we have no plans to change that.

  Sick Pay
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish his latest estimates of(a) the number of employees covered by occupational sick pay

  165
  schemes, expressed also as a percentage of the total workforce, (b) the number of male employees covered by occupational sick pay schemes, expressed also as a percentage of the male workforce, and (c) the number of female employees covered by occupational sick pay schemes, expressed also as a percentage of the female workforce.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Out of a total work force of 22 million it is estimated that 20 million (91 per cent.) are covered by an occupational sick pay scheme. These comprise about 11 million men (90 per cent. of the male work force) and 9 million women (92 per cent. of the female work force). This information is based on the report on occupational sick pay schemes by IFF Research Ltd for the Department of Social Security, published in November 1988.

  Income Support (Seaham and Peterlee)
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what number of people living within the Seaham and Peterlee Department of Social Security areas are in receipt of income support.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  In August 1989 the income support live load totals in the Department's local offices at Peterlee and Seaham were 6,588 and 3,007 respectively.Source: 100 per cent. count of cases in action, which included a number of cases where benefit payments had ceased but other action was continuing. Data are provisional and subject to amendment.

  Disability Allowances
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when Her Majesty's Government propose to undertake a full review of disability allowances.

  Mr. Scott
  I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to the hon. Member for Nottingham, North (Mr. Allen) on 13 November at columns 51–52.

  Blind and Partially Sighted Students
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services when he last met representatives from the Royal National Institute for the Blind to discuss the financial position of blind and partially sighted students and students loans; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  Student loans are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science.

  We have made clear our intention to preserve the benefit entitlement of certain students in vulnerable groups, including disabled students. The regulations to give effect to this will be subject to consultation.

  Widow's Pension
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the average length of time now taken to process a claim for a widow's pension; what is the target set by the Department for processing such claims; and what steps are being taken to speed up the process.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  I regret that information is not yet available on the average length of time taken to process a claim for widow's pension.

  The Department has recently reinforced its standing instructions to re-emphasise the need for urgency in dealing with all claims for widow's benefit.

  Mobility Allowance
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if, pursuant to his statement of 25 October,Official Report, column 844, he will explain the criteria he used in stating that 3,000 deaf-blind people should now qualify for mobility allowance.

  Mr. Scott
  It is a broad estimate, derived from available information including representations made to us on behalf of this group, of the number of deaf-blind people within the age limits for mobility allowance who do not currently qualify for it.

  Department of Social Security Offices
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps he intends to take to ensure that his Department's offices in England and Wales provide privacy for their clients both at the initial reception area and in interview rooms.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  All local offices have private interview rooms and are expected to publicise their existence. Offices are encouraged to install privacy screens at reception points and a rolling programme of installations is in hand.

  Income Support Claimants
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many claimants of income support listed at each local office in Birmingham have had their name and address sent by the local office to the community charge registration officer, at the latest convenient date.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  This information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Disability Benefits
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps he is taking to ensure that groups of disabled people who do not qualify for existing benefits will be taken into account in his review of disability benefits.

  Mr. Scott
  We recently announced a range of measures which will extend social security provision to people who do not qualify for existing benefits. We will announce further proposals within the next few months, seeking to do more to help many disabled people who at present do not receive mobility allowance or attendance allowance.

  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will be taking evidence from independent experts in developing his proposals for disability benefits.

  Mr. Scott
  I refer the right hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Nottingham, North (Mr. Allen) on 13 November at columns 51–52.

  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what plans he has to consult disability organisations on his plans to reform the system of disability benefits;

  (2) whether he will be consulting disabled people and those organisations representing their interests when

  167
  drawing up his proposals for changing the balance and structure of social security provision for people with disabilities.

  Mr. Scott
  I refer the right 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. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he expects to bring forward proposals following the OPCS report on disability, to improve the structure of disability benefits.

  Mr. Scott
  We will announce our proposals within the next few months.

  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he last met representatives of the disability benefits consortium.

  Mr. Scott
  On 4 May 1989.

  Personal Pension Schemes
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what factors account for the difference between the estimates of the revenue forgone by the national insurance fund in respect of minimum contributions to personal pension schemes in 1989–90 given in replies to the hon. Member for Derby, South on 17 July,Official Report, column 42, and 30 October, column 51.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  My reply to the hon. Member of 30 October at column 51 provided the latest estimate of revenue forgone in respect of personal pensions—that is, the rebate together with the incentive. The reply given to the hon. Member on 17 July at column 42 related only to the cost of the rebate for personal pensions. Information about the cost of the incentive (covering both personal pension and occupational schemes) had been provided to her on 4 July at column 140. The direct comparison between the replies of 17 July and 30 October is that revenue foregone in respect of personal pensions in 1989–90 is now estimated to be £1,860 million instead of £2,050 million. The Government Actuary revised his figures in the light of new estimates about the numbers and earnings levels of those taking out a personal pension.

  National Insurance
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the most recent estimate of the cost to the national insurance fund of the 2 per cent. inducement under section 7 of the Social Security Act 1986 in 1989–90 and 1990–91; and how much of the cost relates to payments in respect of 1987–88, 1988–89 and 1989–90, respectively.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to her on 30 October at column 51. The figure of £720 million relates to £350 million for 1987–88 and £370 million in 1988–89. The Government Actuary will be producing his latest estimates in his forthcoming report on the contributions rerating order.

  Benefits
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the latest date on which recipients of the following benefits will receive transitional addition(a)
  168
  invalid care allowance, (b) income support with the disability premium, (c) invalidity benefit, (d) income support with severe disability premium and (e) severe disablement allowance.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Income support normal transitional protection reduces as the claimants total benefit income under the new scheme catches up with that under the former supplementary benefit scheme either at the annual uprating or through changes in circumstances. This protection is also lost on breaks in entitlement. The length of time for which individuals will need protection cannot be predicted, but after the annual uprating in April 1990 it is estimated that nearly 95 per cent. of all claimants will not require protection. Special transitional protection does not normally reduce at all; it is uprated annually.

  Statistics
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether his Department has discontinued(a) the collection or (b) the publication of any statistics since 1979.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Since 1979 the Department has discontinued the collection and publication of statistics only in respect of those benefits which have either been abolished, for example:

  Death Grant

  Injury Benefit

  or replaced by new benefit arrangements such as:

  Supplementary Benefit (Income Support)

  Family Income Supplement (Family Credit)

  Non Contributory Invalidity Pension (Severe Disablement Allowance)

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many(a) oral and (b) written questions were asked of his Department in 1988–89;

  (2) how many written parliamentary questions he refused to answer in the parliamentary Session 1988–89;

  (3) how many written parliamentary questions to him in Session 1988–89 received answers that the information (a) was not available, (b) was not separately recorded, (c) was not centrally recorded, (d) was not recorded in Government statistics or (e) could be provided at disproportionate cost;

  (4) what was the cost to his Department of answering parliamentary (a) oral and (b) written questions in the parliamentary Session 1988–89.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Information on the cost of replying to questions tabled to this Department or on questions receiving answers that information was not available or held centrally, is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  In the 1988–89 Session up to 8 November 442 oral and 2,273 written questions have been tabled for reply by this Department. None has been refused an answer, but some have been transferred to other Departments for reply. Less than 2 per cent., 45 in total, have received answers that the information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Industrial Diseases
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what steps he is taking to ensure that those entitled to claim disablement benefit under regulation 13 of the Social Security (Industrial Injuries and Diseases) Miscellaneous Provisions Regulations 1986 do so before it is too late;

  (2) when he decided to repeal regulation 13 of the Social Security (Industrial Injuries and Diseases) Miscellaneous Provisions Regulations 1986; on what date that decision was made public; and on what date it will be implemented;

  (3) whether he will amend the industrial injuries regulations to preserve the right of persons suffering from vibration white finger and other industrial diseases to claim disablement benefit where the onset of the disease occurred before 1 October 1986 and the person concerned was unable to make an earlier claim because of a justifiable lack of appropriate knowledge.

  Mr. Scott
  A decision in principle to repeal this regulation was made in December 1988. The amending regulation was laid before Parliament on 11 October 1989 and was to come into force on 1 November 1989. A second amending regulation, deleting this amendment, was laid and came into force on 1 October 1989. I took this action to allow time for further consideration of the matter. My final decision will take into account the representations I have received. Meanwhile, it is open to those who wish to do so to claim under regulation 13 of the 1986 regulations.

  Disablement Services
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he intends publishing the results of his Department's review of services for people with disabilities.

  Mr. Scott
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security announced on 25 October a range of significant measures to give extra help for disabled people. We shall announce within the next few months further proposals to improve the balance and structure of disability benefits.

  Pensioners' Benefits
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners were expected to become entitled to income support and housing benefit, respectively, as a result of the changes in benefit rates on 9 October; and what information is available regarding the number who claimed.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Our estimates were that 60,000 pensioners would newly qualify for income support as a result of the changes introduced in October, and that 40,000 pensioners would newly qualifiy for housing benefit.

  During the first three months of the publicity campaign, from July to September, some 140,000 income support awards were made for pensioners. This compares with a total of 49,300 awards in the previous three months. Similar information on housing benefit is not yet available.

  Pensions (EC)
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish a comparative table of standard basic pensions paid in the EEC countries to those who 170
  worked for national average wage, converted into European currency units by employing the puchasing power standard.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The details of how each EC member state calculates its principal state pension benefits are contained in the Department's annual publication, "Tables of Social Benefit Systems in the European Communities", the 1989 issue of which is available in the Library.

  Most member states do not have a standard basic pension. Pensions are usually related to individual earnings; no EC average annual earnings figures are available from which it would be possible to provide the information requested.

  Civil Service Dispersal
  Mr. Riddick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps he is taking to implement the joint Department of Health/Department of Social Security review of the potential for relocating headquarters' work away from London.

  Mr. Newton
  I have accepted the findings of the review that a substantial amount of my Department's work in London should be relocated. Having carefully considered the review team's report, a copy of which is being placed in the Library, I have concluded that 650 posts, mostly relating to the work of the new benefits agency, which is planned to come into existence in April 1991, should be located in Leeds. The office of the chief adjudication officer, with its 150 posts currently located in Southampton, will also move to Leeds. I expect these moves to take place from late 1991 into 1992.

  I welcome the parallel announcement by my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Health that some 1,000 posts from his Department's headquarters will also be moving to Leeds.

  Lone Parents
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if, pursuant to his statement of 25 October,Official Report, column 843, he will provide a breakdown of the 95,000 lone parents who will benefit from (a) the increase in the lone parents premium for housing benefit/community charge benefit and (b) the increase in the earnings disregard for lone parents claiming housing/community charge benefit.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The number of gainers of housing benefit and community charge benefit from the increase in the lone parent premium announced for April 1990 is around 80,000. The majority of these also gain from the increase in the earnings disregard which will take effect in October 1990. In addition, we estimate that a further 15,000 lone parents will float on to benefit as a result of the increase in the earnings disregard.

  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish for the last 10 years the number of(a) unmarried and (b) separated mothers on social security, the numbers of children for which they are responsible and the numbers of mothers with maintenance payments in operation against the fathers of the children.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  [holding answer Wednesday 8 November 1989]: The information requested is set out in the table.

  171

  Unmarried, separated and divorced mothers receiving Supplementary Benefit/Income Support; numbers of children and numbers with maintenance payments.

  Unmarried mothers

  Separated mothers

  Divorced mothers

  1979

  Claimants

  89,000

  101,000

  100,000

  Children

  116,000

  194,000

  194,000

  Claimants with maintenance payments

  29,000

  59,000

  71,000

  1980

  Claimants

  99,000

  99,000

  106,000

  Children

  130,000

  187,000

  199,000

  Claimants with maintenance payments

  33,000

  52,000

  71,000

  1981

  Claimants

  144,000

  120,000

  120,000

  Children

  147,000

  226,000

  220,000

  Claimants with maintenance payments

  33,000

  62,000

  80,000

  1982

  Claimants

  134,000

  134,000

  127,000

  Children

  177,000

  249,000

  234,000

  Claimants with maintenance payments

  34,000

  61,000

  79,000

  1983

  Claimants

  144,000

  145,000

  140,000

  Children

  186,000

  271,000

  248,000

  Claimants with maintenance payments

  32,000

  61,000

  76,000

  1984

  Claimants

  168,000

  157,000

  141,000

  Children

  228,000

  291,000

  247,000

  Claimants with maintenance payments

  35,000

  56,000

  69,000

  1986

  Claimants

  211,000

  176,000

  163,000

  Children

  282,000

  330,000

  287,000

  Claimants with maintenance payments

  37,000

  56,000

  74,000

  1987

  Claimants

  247,000

  176,000

  178,000

  Children

  334,000

  338,000

  311,000

  Claimants with maintenance payments

  38,000

  52,000

  73,000

  1988

  Claimants

  286,000

  191,000

  185,000

  Children

  400,000

  384,000

  335,000

  Claimants with maintenance payments

  35,000

  49,000

  73,000

  Notes:

  1. Figures are for mothers with children on Supplementary Benefit or Income Support. The table only includes mothers with children under age 16. It does not include the small number of families whose only dependent children were age 16 or over. This is because (until the passage of the Social Security Act 1989) liability of absent parents to maintain their children for Social Security purposes ended at age 16.

  2. Divorced mothers are included for completeness.

  3. The figures for claimants with maintenance payments include any case where there is a Court Order or voluntary payment whether for
  172
  mother or child.

  4. Source: Annual Statistical Enquiries for the relevant years. There was no Enquiry in 1985.

THE ARTS

  Drama in Wales
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Minister for the Arts if he will publish in the Official Report for (a) 1987–88 and (b) 1988–89 the percentage of Welsh Arts Council grants to drama in Wales which was allocated to (i) South Glamorgan and (ii) West Glamorgan.

  Mr. Luce
  The information requested is as follows:

  South Glamorgan Per cent.

  West Glamorgan Per cent.

  1987–88

  33·5

  2·0

  1988–89

  33·4

  2·4

  Historically, the majority of Welsh drama companies has been based in South Glamorgan; the Welsh Arts Council's allocations reflect that. However, six of the 11 organisations based in South Glamorgan tour extensively outside the county. The percentages relate to grants to companies and take no account of smaller specific grants such as new writing commissions and touring assistance.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Minister for the Arts how many(a) oral and (b) written questions were asked of his Office in 1988–89.

  Mr. Luce
  To date, the figures for this Session are as follows:

  Numbers

  Oral

  255

  Priority written

  109

  Ordinary written

  94

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Minister for the Arts how many written parliamentary questions he refused to answer in the parliamentary Session 1988–89.

  Mr. Luce
  None.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Minister for the Arts how many written parliamentary questions to him in Session 1988–89 received answers that the information(a) was not available, (b) was not separately recorded, (c) was not centrally recorded, (d) was not recorded in Government statistics or (e) could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Luce
  This information is a matter of public record in the columns of the Official Report.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what was the cost to his office of answering parliamentary(a) oral and (b) written questions in the parliamentary Session 1988–89.

  Mr. Luce
  Based on the estimated average cost of answering oral and written questions, which currently stands at £90 per oral and £54 per written, the cost to date has been(a) £22,590 and (b) £10,530.

  Statistics
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Minister for the Arts whether his office has discontinued(a) the collection or (b) the publication of any statistics since 1979.

  Mr. Luce
  The Office of Arts and Libraries regularly collects statistics; some of these are available to the public.

SCOTLAND

  Inside Intelligence (Costs)
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Linlithgow of 18 October,Official Report, column 131–2, when he now expects to announce the full costs of the proceedings relating to "Inside Intelligence."

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Neither the Secretary of State for Scotland nor the Lord Advocate knows when the accounts of expenses of other parties to the legal action The Lord Advocate v The Scotsman Publications and Others relating to the book "Inside Intelligence" will be taxed by the appropriate authorities.

  Nuclear Power Stations
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what consultations he has had with the chairman of the South of Scotland Electricity Board regarding the management and ownership of the nuclear power stations in Scotland after vesting day under the terms of the Electricity Act.

  Mr. Lang
  I refer the hon. Member to the statement made to the House of 9 November at col. 1184 by my right hon. and learned Friend.

  Salmon Licensing
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland from which bodies and individuals he has received representations on the draft proposals for a salmon dealers' licensing scheme; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lang
  Representations have been sent or copied to this Department by the following:

  Association of Chief Police Officers (Scotland)

  Association of Scottish District Salmon Fishery Boards

  Atlantic Salmon Conservation Trust Ltd.

  Atlantic Salmon Trust

  British Field Sports Society

  British Retailers Association

  Convention of Scottish Local Authorities

  Fishmongers' Company of City of London

  Garnock Valley Angling Protection Association

  Highlands and Islands Development Board

  Highland Regional Council

  Institute of Fisheries Management (Scottish Branch)

  National Farmers' Union of Scotland

  Nith District Salmon Fishery Board

  Nith Fishings Improvement Association

  Ross and Cromarty District Council

  Salmon and Trout Association

  Salmon and Trout Association (Scottish Council)

  Salmon Net Fishing Association of Scotland

  Scottish Anglers National Association

  Scottish Fishermen's Federation

  Scottish Landowners' Federation

  Scottish Salmon Farmers' Marketing Board Ltd.

  Scottish Salmon Growers Association Ltd.

  174

  Scottish Sports Council

  Shetland Fish Processors' Association

  Shetland Salmon Farmers' Association

  Shetland Smokehouse Ltd.

  Sutherland District Council

  Western Isles Islands Council

  Some other bodies have indicated an intention to submit comments which have not been received to date.

  All the representations we receive, and any relevant comments on the scheme proposed for England and Wales (which is designed to be compatible with the scheme proposed for Scotland) are being given full consideration. Final decisions on the schemes will be announced in due course.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many(a) oral and (b) written questions were asked of his Department in 1988–89.

  Mr. Rifkind
  (a) 608 and (b) 2,646.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many written parliamentary questions he refused to answer in the parliamentary Session 1988–89.

  (2) how many written Parliamentary questions to him in Session 1988–89 received answers that the information (a) was not available, (b) was not separately recorded, (c) was not centrally recorded, (d) was not recorded in Government statistics or (e) could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Rifkind
  A total of 322, of which 297 were in the categories listed by the hon. Member; 92 where the information(a) was not available, 29 (b) not separately recorded, 144 (c) not centrally recorded, 13 (d) not recorded in Government statistics, and 19 (e) could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the cost to his Department of answering parliamentary(a) oral and (b) written questions in the parliamentary Session 1988–89.

  Mr. Rifkind
  Such costs cannot be separated from the total administrative costs of my Department.

  Statistics
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his Department has discontinued(a) the collection or (b) the publication of any statistics since 1979.

  Mr. Rifkind
  I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

  Local Government Finance
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his Department intends to use the actual poll tax figures charged by local authorities in the current year in Scotland in calculating transitional poll tax relief; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  No. The intention behind the proposed transitional relief scheme is to compensate personal community charge payers who have experienced significantly large increases in payments as
  175
  against their previous rate bill as a result of the change from domestic rates to the community charge. For this purpose charges estimated to exclude the effects of local authorities' decisions to expand services this year provide a more realistic basis for establishing entitlement to relief.

  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what financial provision he has allocated to cover the administrative cost of implementing the transitional poll tax relief scheme in Scotland including the recalculation of rebates.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  My right hon. and learned Friend has made it clear that local authorities will be reimbursed for the reasonable costs they incur in administering the community charge transitional relief scheme. The costs will clearly depend upon the details of the scheme and we are at present discussing those with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities.

  Mr. Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what guidance has been given to local authorities as to the issue of a seven-day notice prior to the issue of a 14-day notice to all those liable for the community charge who have not indicated in writing that they wish to pay by lump sum.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  None. The requirements relating to the issue of seven and 14-day letters are set out in schedule 2 to the Abolition of Domestic Rates Etc (Scotland) Act 1987.

  Mr. Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps local authorities must take to remind community charge payers of their liability before invoking legal action for arrears or non-payment in the case of those paying by(a) monthly instalments and (b) other than monthly instalments.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Paragraph 7(2) of schedule 2 to the Abolition of Domestic Rates Etc (Scotland) Act 1987, as amended lists the requirements which a levying authority has to meet before the sheriff will on application grant a summary warrant authorising recovery of arrears of community charge. These include a requirement for the authority to have given written notice requiring paying of the amount due within a period of 14 days after the date of the giving of the notice. The levying authority can apply for a summary warrant in respect of any amount of community charge arrears. If, however, it wishes to recover the full annual amount from a person who is paying, or should be paying, by monthly instalments, they must first have followed the procedures set out in paragraph 4(9) of schedule 2 to the 1987 Act. This provides that the full amount becomes payable by such a person if they are three monthly payments in arrears, if they have been given written notice that failure to pay their arrears within seven days of the sending of the notice will lead to the full annual amount becoming payable, and if they have failed to pay their arrears within those seven days.

  AIDS
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people have died from AIDS in Scotland in the last three years.
  176
  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The numbers of deaths in Scotland from AIDS reported to the communicable diseases (Scotland) unit in each of the last three years are as follows:

  Year

  Number

  1987

  12

  1988

  14

  11989

  27

  1To end October.

  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the number of people suffering from AIDS in Scotland at the latest available date.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  According to the latest available returns made to the communicable diseases (Scotland) unit there were 62 AIDS cases in Scotland at 31 October 1989.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what was the number of people employed in the brewing industry(a) at the latest date and (b) five years ago;

  (2) what was the number of persons employed in the Scotch whisky industry (a) at the latest date and (b) five years ago.

  Mr. Lang
  The latest available information on employment in these industries in Scotland comes from the 1987 census of employment. The table shows for each industry the total number of employees in employment in September 1984 and September 1987.

  Employees in employment in Scotland

  Industry

  September 1984

  September 1987

  Spirit Distilling and Compounding

  16,900

  15,300

  Brewing and Malting

  4,200

  4,800

  Source:

  1984 Census of Employment.

  1987 Census of Employment.

  Tobacco Industry
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total number of employed persons in the tobacco industry in Scotland(a) at the latest date and (b) five years ago.

  Mr. Lang
  It is not possible to give information about the employment of the tobacco industry in Scotland without disclosing confidential information relating to individual firms.

  Rent Officers
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will place in the Library copies of guidance given to rent officers regarding their functions.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The Government do not issue guidance to rent officers, who are statutorily independent and are therefore guided primarily by statute. In carrying out their functions relating to housing benefit subsidy, they are guided by the provisions of the Rent Officers (Additional Functions) (Scotland) Order 1989 (SI
  177
  1989 No. 578(S65), as amended by SI 1989 No. 1446(S116)). Detailed working arrangements are an internal matter for the rent registration service.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish the number of appeals against determinations by local authorities so far in the current year.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  In the period from 1 April to 31 October 1989, local authorities in Scotland requested redetermination in 74 cases for which rent officers had made a determination in connection with their functions relating to housing benefit subsidy.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the total numbers of determinations made by rent officers since 10 April.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  In the period from 1 April to 31 October 1989, rent officers in Scotland made 21,642 determinations in respect of rents referred to them by local authorities in connection with their functions relating to housing benefit subsidy.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total number of rent officers in Scotland.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  At 31 October 1989, there were 36 rent officers (including senior rent officers) employed in Scotland, and one vacant post.

  Students' Allowances
  Mr. Allan Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what arrangements he is making for the payment of increased tuition fees for courses of higher education on behalf of students who receive awards under the students' allowances scheme.

  Mr. Lang
  The Government announced on 6 July 1989 that the maximum tuition fee for most courses for which awards are made under the students' allowances scheme will be £1,675 from the 1990–91 academic year. In order to ensure that public funds are not paid in advance of need, I have decided that tuition fees will be paid in termly instalments. The arrangements will replace the present systems, which vary among universities, grant-aided colleges and other establishments of higher education. Scottish universities and grant-aided colleges will be consulted about detailed arrangements for termly fee payments. The Universities Funding Council and the Scottish Education Department will adjust the profile of their recurrent grant instalments to institutions to take account of the change.

  A similar change will be made in the payment of increased fees to local authority further education colleges at a later date.

  I have also considered what fee levels would be appropriate for reimbursement through the students' allowances scheme for courses where a student spends at least a year away from an institution—for example, students on "thick" sandwich courses. In these cases, the costs to the institution are usually less during the year away than for the main part of the course. I have decided that the maximum fee reimbursed in such cases should be half the standard tuition fee.

  Hospices
  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will make a statement defining Government policy on the funding of hospices.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 10 November, 1989]: We regard the hospice movement as making an important contribution to health care. This valuable contribution is already acknowledged by the use made by some health boards of hospice services on a contractual basis and by the assistance given by other boards by way of financial support or provisions of supplies.

  We wish to develop and foster the co-operation that already exists and to encourage the creation of new and stronger links between the public sector and independent hospices. We wish particularly to ensure that the development of hospices, and the improvement and extension of their services is not hampered by lack of funds. For this purpose with effect from 1 April 1990 we shall be increasing significantly the financial support available to the hospice movement to ensure that all hospices obtain support from public funds of up to 50 per cent. of their running costs.

  We shall also be looking at other ways in which the hospice movement might be supported in the future in the light of the implementation of the policies which we have set out in our White Paper "Working for Patients".

  Raspberries
  Mr. Bill Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what impact he assesses the proposed European Community trade measures with Poland and other eastern European states will have in the raspberry-growing area of Tayside.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 13 November 1989]: No final decisions have yet been taken on the proposed measures. I can assure my hon. Friend that the position of the raspberry growing area of Tayside is being taken into account in our consideration of this matter.

  Rhu Narrows
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he intends to reply to the letter sent in July from the hon. Member for Cunninghame, North's constituent, Dr. Malcolm Kerr, regarding Rhu Narrows.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 13 November 1989]: The proposal by the Property Services Agency, on behalf of the Ministry of Defence, to widen Rhu Narrows adjacent to the Clyde submarine base at Faslane was advertised in the local press in July and persons who wished to express a view on the proposal were invited to write to my Department. The letter to which the hon. Member refers was one of a number of standard format letters received objecting to the proposal. It is not normal practice to reply individually to those who have made representations in this manner. Copies of the letter of 12 October announcing my right right hon. and learned Friend's decision to allow this development to proceed were sent to the major parties involved in the proposal and an announcement was made in the press.

  Dr. Kerr raised this matter with my Department on 2 November and a reply was issued on 8 November advising him of my right hon. and learned Friend's decision.

  Torness
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will make a statement about the anticipated availability of generating capacity at Torness power station during the coming winter;

  (2) if he will make a statement about the delay in completing the store for dismantling irradiated fuel at Torness power station.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 13 November 1989]: These are operational matters for the South of Scotland Electricity Board. I have asked the chairman to write to the hon. Member.

  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about the delay in obtaining approval from the nuclear installations inspectorate for the refuelling equipment at Torness power station.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 13 November 1989]: Progress with the commissioning of refuelling equipment at Torness is regulated by a series of formal consents required under the conditions of the nuclear site licence issued by the nuclear installations inspectorate on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive.

  I am advised by the NII that consents for the early stages of commissioning have been granted, the inspectorate having satisfied itself on the safety case made by the South of Scotland Electricity Board. The SSEB is expected to apply shortly for consent to progress to the next stages which cover the loading of more fuel into the reactors.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Civil Service Dispersal
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 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. Ryder
  The Treasury is currently reviewing the location of its activities under the policy which my right hon. Friend the then Paymaster General announced on 31 March 1988 at c.610–11. No decisions have yet been taken.

  Economic Growth
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what evidence he has that the liberalisation of trade and payments has led to an increase in the rate of economic growth in the United Kingdom; and if he will provide illustrative figures for the growth in gross domestic product less North sea oil and gas together with changes in the balance of payments.

  Mr. Ryder
  There is a vast economic literature on the benefits of free trade. I refer the hon. Gentleman to a recent survey article by J. David Richardson, published in the spring 1989 issue of OECD Economic Studies, and its extensive bibliography.

  Manufacturing Output (France and Italy)
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what information he has on the effect that membership of the ERM has had on manufacturing 180
  output in France and Italy; and if he will publish figures showing for each the average annual rate of growth in output in 1959 to 1969, 1969 to 1979 and 1979 to 1988.

  Mr. Ryder
  ERM membership is only one of many possible influences on manufacturing output in France and Italy. Following is the further information requested on manufacturing output.

  Manufacturing output growth Average annual percentage change

  1960–69

  1969–79

  1979–88

  France

  5·8

  3·6

  0·4

  Italy

  7·3

  3·6

  1·5

  Federal Reserve Bank
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what powers the Federal Reserve Banks in the United States have which it is not proposed to accord to any comparable institution in the member states under the Delors proposals.

  Mr. Ryder
  I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend's statement in the House on 2 November at columns 490–91 which made clear the Government's fundamental objection to the Delors approach beyond stage 1.

  Income Distribution
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish in the Official Report any evidence he has on income distribution per head in (a) the United States of America and (b) the European Commuity.

  Mr. Ryder
  Data on income distribution in the United States are published by the United States Department of Commerce in "Survey of Current Business" and "Statistical Abstract of the United States." Data on GDP per head in EC member states are published by the OECD in "Annual National Accounts Vol. 1"; and more recent estimates can be derived from the OECD's "Main Economic Indicators". Data on GDP per head in individual regions of member states are published by the CSO in Regional Trends.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish in the Official Report any evidence he has on the percentage change in income per head between states in the United States of America over approximately the past 30 years and as the national average.

  Mr. Ryder
  Data on personal income per head in the United States, both the national average and figures for individual states, are published by the United States Department of Commerce in "Survey of Current Business" and "Statistical Abstract of the United States".

  EC Budget
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish his latest estimate of the amount of the net United Kingdom contribution to the EEC budget and the actual figures for 1988.

  Mr. Ryder
  The Government's latest estimate of the United Kingdom's net contribution to the European
  181
  Community budget was published in the "Statement on the 1989 Community Budget" (Cm. 680, April 1989). The estimated outturn figure for 1988 was £1,362 million. A revised estimate of the United Kingdom's net payments to European Community institutions for the financial years 1989–90 to 1992–93 will be published in the forthcoming Autumn Statement.

  Government Data Network
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what Government Departments, agencies or other bodies not currently using the Government data network he assesses as possible participators in the network.

  Mr. Ryder
  The Government data network is available to all central Government Departments and agencies and, subject to approval of the GDN management board, their use of the network is actively encouraged.

  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his policy on inviting tenders to the expansion of the network from companies not currently contributing to the Government data network.

  Mr. Ryder
  The Government data network is provided under contract by Racal Data Networks Ltd. as a service and it is the responsibility of the contractor to tailor the network to meet user demands. The contract requires open systems connection to international standards to ensure that users have the widest possible choice of suppliers for systems which use GDN for connections. Those standards also give the contractor the widest choice of equipment and every inducement to use the most cost-effective technology as it becomes available. It is the intention that development of the network to carry value added data services will assure a competitive network in those services.

  Income Tax
  Sir Hal Miller
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what he estimates the loss of revenue in the fiscal year 1989–90 would be if the standard rate of income tax had been reduced to 20 per cent., all other tax rates and thresholds remaining unchanged; and, to make up that loss of revenue, at what income scale the threshold of the 40 per cent. higher rate tax would have to be set.

  Mr. Lilley
  The direct revenue cost in a full year, at 1989–90 income levels, of a 5p reduction in the basic rate of tax would be to reduce income tax receipts by £7·5 billion. This reduction would be approximately revenue-neutral if at the same time the basic rate limit was reduced from £20,700 taxable income to £9,000.

  Estimates exclude the effects on capital gains tax and possible behavioural effects. They are based on a projection of the 1986–87 survey of personal incomes and are provisional.

  Bingo Duty
  Mr. Clelland
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many visits were made to non-profit making clubs in connection with bingo duty by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise officers in each month of the current parliamentary Session.

  Mr. Ryder
  [holding answer 13 November 1989]: This question could be answered only at the cost of disproportionate time and effort.

  European Central Banks
  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what will be the number of individual members of the board of the European system of central banks as proposed in the Delors report.

  Mr. Major
  [holding answer 13 November 1989]: The Delors report does not specify the number of individual members of the board of its proposed European system of central banks.

  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is envisaged that the decisions of the board of the European system of central banks as proposed in the Delors report will be made by means of weighted voting.

  Mr. Major
  [holding answer 13 November 1989]: The Delors report says that:
  "modalities of voting procedures would have to be provided for in the Treaty".

  Exchange Rate Mechanism
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what restrictions remain on the movement of capital and currencies within each European Economic Community nation which participates in the exchange rate mechanism of the European monetary system; and what assurances have been given about their removal.

  Mr. Lilley
  [holding answer 13 November 1989]: A number of Community countries still retain some form of exchange control. The capital liberalisation directive requires most member states to remove all remaining restrictions on movements of capital within the Community by 1 July 1990. Ireland, Spain, Greece and Portugal are required to comply with the directive by the end of 1992, although the last two (which do not participate in the exchange rate mechanism) may be permitted a further extension to the end of 1995.

  Child Tax Allowance
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be(a) the administrative cost and (b) the total cost of a child tax allowance, assuming all taxpayers with children received an allowance equivalent to £7·25 per week.

  Mr. Lilley
  [holding answer 13 November 1989]: A child tax allowance of £1,510 per child, which would be worth about £7·25 a week to a basic rate taxpayer, would cost about £3¾ billion in a full year at 1989–90 levels of income. Administrative costs would depend on the details of the scheme.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Oil Seed Rape
  Mr. Andrew Welsh
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research his Department is undertaking or commissioning into developing less allergy-inducing strains of oil seed rape.

  Mr. Curry
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for East Lothian (Mr. Home Robertson) on 9 November (Official Report, column 782).
  183
  Mr. Andrew Welsh
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 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. Curry
  I refer the hon. Member to the written answer given by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Health on 8 November (Official Report, column 684–85).

  Mr. Andrew Welsh
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 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 betwen oil seed rape and allergies, a copy of which has been sent to him; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Curry
  I refer the hon. Member to the written answer given by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Health on 8 November (Official Report, col. 684–85).

  Civil Service Dispersal
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has yet completed his study of the potential for relocating his Ministry's offices outside London and the south-east; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Curry
  The detailed study my officials are carrying out on the potential for further relocation of headquarters' work is nearing completion, but it is too early to make a statement on the outcome.

  Nitrates
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the techniques and practices encompassed within the term food agricultural practice in his Department's guidance on nitrate sensitive areas.

  Mr. Curry
  The good nitrate practice advisory measures for the nitrate scheme areas are still being finalised, but they will concentrate on the need to avoid excessive or untimely applications of nitrogen fertiliser, including animal manure, and to minimise both the ploughing up of grassland and bare land during the autumn leaching period.

  Milk
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has any proposals to introduce legislation in respect of the milk marketing board.

  Mr. Curry
  I have no such plans at present.

  Brown Hares
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether there are any regulations governing the farming of brown hares; and if there are any such breeding farms in the United Kingdom.
  184
  Mr. Curry
  As far as I know brown hares are not farmed in this country.

  Straw
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what encouragement and assistance his Department is giving to industry into researching and developing ways in which straw can be successfully incorporated into the manufacture of new products or utilised in other ways.

  Mr. Maclean
  My Department funds research, totalling £706,000 in 1989–90, into alternative uses for straw, including work on incorporation techniques, straw handling and packaging equipment and use of straw as a fuel. In addition, grants are available for the supply and installation of straw burning fires and furnaces.

  Tourism
  Mr. Speller
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 7 November,Official Report, column 546, when he assumed responsibility for restaurants and the catering aspects of tourism.

  Mr. Curry
  My right hon. Friend assumed responsibility within Government for the interests of the food industry which includes the non-residential catering sector on 24 July 1989, on his appointment as Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment remains responsible for hotels and tourism, including the British Tourist Authority and the English Tourist Board.

  Statistics
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether his Department has discontinued(a) the collection or (b) the publication of any statistics since 1979.

  Mr. Curry
  My Department collects and publishes statistics on a wide range of topics. It regularly carries out reviews to ensure that statistics are relevant to current needs. As part of this process, some statistics which were collected and published in 1979 have been discontinued; some new ones have been collected and published and there have been improvements in others.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) how many(a) oral and (b) written questions were asked of his Department in 1988–89;

  (2) how many written parliamentary questions he refused to answer in the parliamentary Session 1988–89;

  (3) how many written parliamentary questions to him in Session 1988–89 received answers that the information (a) was not available, (b) was not separately recorded, (c) was not centrally recorded, (d) was not recorded in Government statistics or (e) could be provided only at disproportionate cost;

  (4) what was the cost to his Ministry of answering parliamentary (a) oral and (b) written questions in the parliamentary Session 1988–89.

  Mr. Curry
  As of 13 November, 592 oral and 2,457 written questions had been asked of the Minister of
  185
  Agriculture, Fisheries and Food during the 1988–89 parliamentary Session. The other information requested is not readily available.

  Irradiated Seafood
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has received any representations concerning the import of prawns and shell fish which have been irradiated; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  Allegations on this subject have been made on a number of occasions, but hard information is limited to one known case in 1985 that was dealt with by the Dover health authority.

  Lead-contaminated Food
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when his veterinary service first received reports that cows were dying as a result of eating lead-contaminated feedstuffs; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  Bovine carcases, aged six and nine months, were submitted to two veterinary investigation centres (Starcross, Devon and Sutton Bonington, Leicestershire) on Monday 30 October for post-mortem examination. As a result of these post-mortem examinations and subsequent laboratory tests, lead poisoning was diagnosed as the cause of death.

  Follow-up inquiries included the examination of environmental and feed samples and the presence of lead in the feed eaten by these two animals was confirmed by Sutton Bonington on 31 October and by Starcross on 1 November.

  At the same time our legal department was notified by the Dutch authorities of a danger to animal health due to a specified consignment of contaminated feed being exported to two companies in the United Kingdom.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cattle have died since the end of September from the farms where lead-contaminated feed was used; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  [holding answer 13 November 1989]: As of Monday 13 November 1989, lead poisoning has been diagnosed by the Veterinary Investigation Service on carcases and other material submitted from 12 premises where feed contaminated with lead has been fed. It is understood that 32 cattle have died on these premises.

DEFENCE

  Civil Service Dispersal
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 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. Neubert
  The Ministry of Defence is currently examining a number of relocation possibilities, primarily from London and the south-east. The advantages of transferring defence work to the north-west, as to other regions, will continue to be borne in mind when evaluating potential candidates for relocation.

  Nuclear Missiles
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the effect on delivery of the first United Kingdom Trident missile of the result of the recent test launches in the United States of America.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  I refer to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Denton and Reddish on 26 October 1989 column 560.

  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to announce his decision on a nuclear stand-off missile; which weapons are being considered; and what criteria will influence his decision.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  We are continuing to study both United States and French options. The details of the requirements which the studies are taking into account are classified. It is not yet possible to forecast when a decision may be taken.

  Conventional Arms
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy towards the conventional armaments planning system; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The United Kingdom has strongly supported the trial of the conventional armaments planning system from its outset early last year. The trial has recently been completed and the NATO conference of national armaments directors (CNAD) debated the results of this first trial cycle of the system at their meeting last month. The NATO council, reinforced by Ministers, will be meeting later this week to review the system and consider the recommendations put to it by the CNAD. It would not be appropriate to prejudge the outcome of that meeting.

  Battlefield Deception
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what importance he attaches to systems of battlefield deception; and what systems are available for deployment by the armed forces.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The importance of battlefield deception will vary according to the tactical circumstances at the time. A wide variety of methods and equipments are available to aid in this task.

  NATO Command and Control Systems
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he has given consideration to the consequences for the Royal Air Force when the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation air command and control system is implemented; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The NATO air command and control system (ACCS) is intended to enhance NATO's air defences by establishing a co-ordinated and interoperable system for the command and control of all air operations in Allied Command Europe. The United Kingdom strongly supports this objective, to which the modernisa-tion of our air defence system under the improved United Kingdom air defence ground environment and related programmes will make a major contribution.
  187
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy towards the co-ordination of North Atlantic Treaty Organisation command control and communications systems; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The requirements for NATO infrastructure-funded command control and communications systems, as in the case of other infrastructure expenditure, are stated and co-ordinated by the major NATO commanders. The United Kingdom plays a full part in the scrutiny and control of NATO infrastructure expenditure through the established NATO mechanisms.

  Air Defence Ground Environment System
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects that the improved United Kingdom air defence ground environment system will be fully implemented; and what is the total cost of implementing it.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  We expect that the IUKADGE will be fully operational in the early 1990s. The estimated cost of the complete programme at current prices is £500 million.

  Procurement
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the details of all procurement projects on which money has been spent in the last five years, but which have not directly resulted in equipment being adopted by the armed services.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  ROF, Blackburn
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he has taken to ensure that the arrangements for the physical security of the royal ordnance factory in Blackburn are sufficient to protect the work carried out on Ministry of Defence contracts.

  Mr. Neubert
  As stated in paragraph 22 of Cm. 9422, the Ministry of Defence continues to monitor security arrangements at all Royal Ordnance plc's factories, including Blackburn. For reasons of security I am not prepared to give details of those arrangements.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the cost to his Department of answering parliamentary(a) oral and (b) written questions in the parliamentary Session 1988–89.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  No record is kept of the cost of answering parliamentary questions.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many(a) oral and (b) written questions were asked of his Department in 1988–89.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The information requested is not held centrally. However, an approximate record is available in the House of Commons Library.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many written parliamentary questions he refused to answer in the parliamentary Session 1988–89.
  188
  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  None.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many written parliamentary questions to him in Session 1988–89 received answers that the information(a) was not available, (b) was not separately recorded, (c) was not centrally recorded, (d) was not recorded in Government statistics or (e) could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Statistics
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department has discontinued(a) the collection or (b) the publication of any statistics since 1979.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given to the hon. Member for Oldham, West (Mr. Meacher) on 10 December 1986 at columns 206–7.

  In 1987, two tables were discontinued in volume II of the Statement on the Defence Estimates, concerning student numbers in selected service colleges and information about service children's education. In volume II of the 1988 Statement on the Defence Estimates, data about the activities of the Meteorological Office were discontinued.

  Very little information is collected by the Ministry of Defence purely for statistical publications; most of the data which are published are based on internal administrative records. There has been no significant reduction in the collection of statistics since 1979.

  Chemical Weapons
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if, following the decision of the United States Defence Intelligence Agency to reduce its estimate of the Soviet Union stockpile of chemical weapon agent from 300,000 tonnes to less than 75,000 tonnes, he will make it his policy to review Her Majesty's Government's own assessment of this data; and if he will publish any resulting revision in the estimate in the Official Report.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The Government's position regarding the size of Soviet stocks of chemical weapons remains as expressed in paragraphs 219–220 of the Statement on Defence Estimates 1989 (Cm. 675–I).

  Loan Service Personnel
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1), pursuant to his answer of 7 November,Official Report, column 542, what were the ranks of those service personnel who served on loan or secondment in Chile in 1986;

  (2), pursuant to his answer of 7 November, Official Report, column 542, what are the numbers and ranks of those service personnel currently on loan or secondment in the Sudan.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Specific details about personnel serving on loan or secondment are generally in confidence between Her Majesty's Government and the Government of the country concerned.
  189
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 7 November,Official Report, column 542, what are the ranks of those loan service personnel currently stationed in Belize.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The information requested is as follows:

  Army

  Two Lieutenant Colonels

  Two Majors

  Two Warrant Officers

  Navy

  One Commander

  One Warrant Officer

  One Chief Petty Officer

  Air Force

  One Squadron Leader

  One Flight Lieutenant

  One Chief Technician

  This information updates that published in the eighth report of the House of Commons defence Committee (HC 624, Session 1987–88).

  Honduras
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether any British service personnel have visited Honduras in an official capacity at any time in the last 10 years, excepting those personnel attached to the British embassy in Honduras.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Official visits by military personnel to Honduras are infrequent and have recently included port visits by the survey ships HMS Beagle and Fawn in late 1988 and early 1989, and a visit by military pipers in October 1988 for a charity festival.

  Pakistan
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether any British service personnel have visited Pakistan in an official capacity at any time in the last 10 years, excepting those personnel attached to the British embassy in Islamabad.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  There are a range of official military contacts between the United Kingdom and Pakistan. Over the last 10 years these have included short-term advisory visits, ship visits, and deployments for adventurous training. More recently, we have assisted the United Nations in providing training in mine clearance and mine awareness for Afghan refugees in Pakistan.

  Numbers of abortions, England and Wales, 19881

  Performed to usual residents by all mentions of prostaglandins and all mentions of dilation and evacuation including dilation and curettage

  Gestation weeks

  Method of termination

  Total

  Under 9

  9 to 12

  13 to 19

  19 +

  2N/S

  All mentions of prostaglandins

  8,886

  35

  387

  6,806

  1,657

  1

  All mentions of dilation and evacuation including dilation and curettage

  3,052

  442

  692

  1,346

  572

  —

  1 Provisional.

  2 Not stated.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the numbers of doctors who undertake(a) more than 1,000, (b) more than 500 and (c) more than 100 abortions each year.

HEALTH

  Cytomegalovirus
  Mr. Conway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects tests to be available within the Shropshire health authority area for the foetal disease cytomegalovirus.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  For any screening programme the benefits conferred by antenatal screening must clearly, outweigh any risks, such as diagnosing a foetus as infected or likely to be seriously handicapped when it is not. Studies of the pattern of cytomegalovirus infection in relation to pregnancy suggest that screening is not appropriate, since there is no drug treatment available at present and the risk that an infected mother will have a seriously handicapped baby is low.

  I understand that in Shropshire a test is undertaken on newborn babies who show symptoms which may indicate that they have a virus. If the test indicates an abnormality, specimens are immediately sent to Manchester for further tests. Where necessary, babies are given the treatment they need without delay in Shropshire.

  Unborn Children (Pain)
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice his Department gives about the earliest point in its development when an unborn child will experience pain.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  None. We are advised that reflex response to touch does not of itself indicate perception of pain, which depends on brain activity. Reflex responses have been demonstrated from around the seventh gestational week.

  Abortion
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many abortions are undertaken by prostaglandins and dilation and evacuation; and at how many weeks' gestation these were undertaken.

  Mr. Freeman
  The information requested is shown in the table.

  Mr. Freeman
  I regret that information requested can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his reply of 1 November,Official Report, column 189–90, to the hon. Member for Liverpool,

  191
  Mossley Hill, if he will now list each of the countries of origin contained in the subsections described as "Other European" and "Rest of the world".

  Mr. Freeman
  The information requested is listed. Abortion data by the woman's country of origin are only given where the number of terminations exceeds 24.

  Europe

  Denmark and Greenland

  East Germany

  Finland

  Greece

  Hungary

  Iceland

  Netherlands

  Norway and Sweden

  Poland

  Turkey

  Yugoslavia

  Rest of World

  Argentina

  Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay

  Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland

  Brazil

  Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos and Philippines

  Canada

  China, Korea, Mongolia and Taiwan

  Commonwealth Africa (nos)

  Commonwealth Islands and Territories in South Atlantic/Antarctic

  Commonwealth Islands in Indian Ocean

  Cyprus

  Egypt

  Ethiopia, Somalia, Afars and Issas

  Foreign Africa (nos)

  Foreign Caribbean

  Foreign Central Africa

  Foreign Countries/Asia and Islands/Pacific

  Foreign West Africa (Muslim)

  Gambia

  Ghana

  Guyana

  Hong Kong

  India

  Iran

  Iraq

  Israel

  Japan

  Kenya

  Mainland Central America

  Malagasy Republic, Foreign Islands in Indian Ocean

  Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei

  Morocco

  Mozambique

  Namibia

  New Zealand

  Nigeria

  Other Arab States

  Other Commonwealth Countries and Islands in Pacific

  Other Commonwealth Islands in Caribbean

  Pakistan

  Remainder Tropical South America

  Sierra Leone

  Sri Lanka

  Sudan

  Tanzania

  Tunisia

  Uganda

  Union of Soviet Socialist Republics

  Zambia

  Life-saving Equipment
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what audit systems he has devised to measure the level and effectiveness of provision of essential life-saving equipment; and if he will make a statement.
  192
  Mr. Freeman
  It is for individual health authorities to assess the level of requirement for, and to review the effectiveness of, life-saving equipment in hospitals.

  Haemophiliacs
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the efficacy of the heat treatment of both imported and home-produced blood products as a means of preventing people with haemophilia from contracting HIV through their use.

  Mr. Freeman
  The efficacy of heat treatment of all kinds of blood products is continually being assessed by the manufacturers who submit their results to the licensing authority and in addition, are reviewed by the Committee on Safety of Medicines.

  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the Government have considered applying the vaccine damage payments scheme to the position of people with haemophilia who have contracted HIV through the use of blood products prescribed by the National Health Service.

  Mr. Freeman
  The Government have already provided an ex-gratia payment of £10 million to set up the Macfarlane Trust to meet the special needs of haemophiliacs infected with HIV and their dependants. Claims for compensation are now being pursued through the courts and I am advised these matters are sub judice.

  Community Care
  Mr. Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will examine the implications of sections 1. 2, 3 and 7 of the Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act 1986 for community care policy.

  Mr. Freeman
  Our proposals for the future of community care will make clear our intention that all local authorities should fully involve individual disabled people and carers in decisions which affect them. Concerning the implementation of remaining sections of the Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act 1986, 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 and to my reply to him on 10 November at column 825.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will direct regional and district health authorities not to proceed with closure of National Health Service institutions where adequate plans have not been made and where the local authorities concerned are not able to offer accommodation and services to the people accommodated in that National Health Service care.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  As has been made clear in previous statements, we will not approve the closure of NHS institutions unless it can be demonstrated that adequate alternatives for care have been developed. Procedures were outlined in the circular "Discharge of Patients from hospital" (HC(89)5) sent to all health and local authorities earlier this year. A copy has been placed in the Library. In addition, from 1 April, all district health authorities will be required to have instituted a "care programme" approach for the continuing care of mentally
  193
  ill people being treated in the community to ensure that their needs are assessed before discharge and arrangements are made to meet their needs.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which local health authorities have not reached agreement with local authorities on plans for implementing "Care in the Community".

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Health authorities and local authorities are statutorily obliged to collaborate in the planning and development of community care services. Joint consultative committees are required to be set up in every DHA area, involving representatives of health and local authorities and the voluntary sector. Information is not held centrally on the specific form of agreements reached at local level on plans for community care, although health authorities are held to account for their performance as part of the annual review process.

  Mr. Anthony Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the Government's White Paper on community care will be published.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  I am pleased to be able to announce that our White Paper, "Caring for People: Community Care in the Next Decade and Beyond" will be published on Thursday 16 November. It will set out the Government's proposals for the future organisation and management of community care, building on the broad conclusions which I outlined in my statement to the House on 12 July, following consideration of Sir Roy Griffiths' report. It will take account of discussions we have subsequently held with leading organisations and professional bodies in the community care field, including the voluntary sector, as well as the many views and responses we have received.

  NHS Funds
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received on the allocation of funds for National Health Service services in(a) Durham area health authority, (b) Sunderland area health authority, (c) Hartlepool area health authority, and (d) the Northern regional health authority.

  Mr. Freeman
  We have received no recent representations on the allocation of funds to the Northern regional health authority or the three district health authorities named. Between 1978–79 and 1989–90 Northern region has received an estimated real terms growth of 33 per cent. compared with 30 per cent. for England as a whole. This includes an estimated real terms increase in 1989–90 of 1·9 per cent. compared to 1·6 per cent. for England as a whole. The allocation of funds to district health authorities is of course a matter solely for the regional health authority concerned.

  NHS Dentists
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he will list the number of National Health Service dentists in(a) Durham area health authority, (b) Sunderland area health authority, and (c) Hartlepool area health authority, for each year from 1979 to 1989.

  Mr. Freeman
  The information is given in the tables.
  194

  General dental service dentists at 30 September each year1

  Cleveland FPC

  Durham FPC

  Sunderland FPC

  1979

  93

  95

  47

  1980

  93

  99

  46

  1981

  95

  102

  48

  1982

  102

  110

  55

  1983

  108

  117

  61

  1984

  120

  118

  61

  1985

  125

  127

  66

  1986

  131

  126

  61

  1987

  145

  136

  68

  1988

  146

  132

  67

  1 Because Family Practitioner Committee (FPC) boundaries are not coterminous with health Authority Boundaries this information on General Dental Service Dentists is not in the precise form requested. The figures for Cleveland FPC include Hartlepool HA, North Tees HA and South Tees HA and the figures for Durham FPC include Durham HA, North West Durham HA, South West Durham HA and Darlington HA.

  Hospital and community health service dental staff at 30 September each year

  Hartlepool Total staff

  Durham Total staff

  Sunderland Total staff

  1982

  6

  32

  26

  1983

  5

  28

  25

  1984

  5

  29

  27

  1985

  4

  26

  29

  1986

  2

  27

  31

  1987

  3

  27

  32

  1988

  4

  21

  24

  Notes:

  1. Figures include permanent paid, honorary and locum staff. From 1987 figures also include Agency Locum staff.

  2. Because of the 1982 NHS reorganisation consistent data for these DHAs are not available for earlier years.

  Homoeopathy
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many homoeopathic beds are available in the north-west of England; and what plans he has to extend that provision.

  Mr. Freeman
  The use of complementary therapies, including homoepathy, is increasing in the NHS. There are, for example, homoeopathic clinic facilities in Manchester. However, the number of beds available in the north-west of England is not known centrally.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimates he has of the average cost of homoeopathic medicine per patient compared with the average cost of treating a patient in general practice.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  We do not collect centrally patient-linked data on medicines which are prescribed. Subject only to the requirement of the selected list scheme, GPs are free to prescribe under the NHS any medicine, including homoeopathic medicines, which they consider to be clinically necessary for the treatment of their patients.

  Occupational Therapists
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the percentage vacancies of occupational therapists in each local social services authority area.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  This information is not available centrally.

  Premature Births
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many babies were born in 1987 at(a) 24 weeks, (b) 25 weeks, (c) 26 weeks and (d) 27 weeks gestation; how many of these babies survived for one year; how many were born so handicapped as to require special care for the rest of their lives; and what is the estimated cost in medical care for these babies for the remainder of their lives.

  Mr. Freeman
  The information requested is not available: information on gestation is not collected at live-birth registration.

  Smoking-related Diseases
  Mr. Sims
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give an estimate of the amount of time lost through absenteeism of staff in the National Health Service due to smoking-related diseases; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  The monitoring of sickness absence is a matter for individual employing health authorities. We do not collect such detailed information centrally.

  Disabled Persons
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if his Department has drawn up any guidelines for the implementation of section 7 of the Disabled Persons Act 1986;

  (2) on what date he last met disability organisations to discuss section 7 of the Disabled Persons Act 1986;

  (3) on what date he last met local authority associations to discuss section 7 of the Disabled Persons Act 1986.

  Mr. Freeman
  We have not met any bodies specifically, to discuss, section 7 of the Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act 1986 but officials met representatives of the local authority associations in March 1989. The Government's position on implementation will be made clear in the White Paper on community care to be published shortly.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) oral and (b) written questions were asked of his Department in 1988–89.

  Mr. Freeman
  The information requested is as follows:

  21 November 1988 to 9 November 1989 inclusive

  Oral

  Written

  House of Commons

  1841

  4,615

  House of Lords

  44

  78

  1Of this figure 86 received an oral answer and 755 received a written answer.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many written parliamentary questions he refused to answer in the parliamentary Session 1988–89..

  Mr. Freeman
  Hon. and right hon. Members will normally be referred to the responsible health or local authority for details of:

  —locally determined policies and priorities;

  —the applications locally of national priorities;

  —statistics etc. which are only available locally;

  196

  —operational cases where responsibility rests locally and where the local mechanisms for inquiry have not yet been exhausted.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the cost to his Department of answering parliamentary(a) oral and (b) written questions in the parliamentary Session 1988–89.

  Mr. Freeman
  Preparing replies for parliamentary questions is an integral part of the duties of officials of the Department. It is not possible to identify the time spent and thus the cost incurred in carrying out this particular duty.

  Statistics
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether his Department has discontinued(a) the collection or (b) the publication of any statistics since 1979.

  Mr. Freeman
  Changes in statistical series are made when the Government's requirements for statistical information alter and in response to changes in the administrative systems on which some series are based. Certain changes have taken place on this basis since 1979. Such changes are documented in the Department's publications as required. For example, the effect of the implementation of the recommendations of the steering group on health services information (the Korner committee) was summarised in "Health Services Information—Changes to National Statistics" as well as in publications such as "Health and Personal Social Services Statistics for England 1989", copies of which are in the Library.

  The publication of certain booklets containing manpower statistics has been discontinued but these statistics are freely available in the Library and an ad hoc service provides information on demand in the most suitable form for the user. Other new booklets have been introduced in response to current demand.

  AIDS
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people have died from AIDS in each of the last three years in England and Wales.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Deaths of people with AIDS in England and Wales which have been reported to the communicable disease surveillance centre, by year of death are:

  Number

  1986

  252

  1987

  316

  1988

  310

  11989

  240

  1 (to end September)

  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the number of people suffering from AIDS in England and Wales at the latest date.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  At the end of October 1989, a total of 1,229 people were reported to be suffering from AIDS in England and Wales.

  Sterilisation
  Mr. Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance he gives to district health authorities to provide for the sterilisation of women on social grounds; and if he will make a statement on the Government's policy towards the provision of social sterilisations.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Health authorities are asked to make female sterilisation operations available as an NHS service both for medical reasons and on family planning grounds where, after full consultation, it is the method of choice. The priority which can be given to these operations generally is a matter for clinical judgment and local decision.

  Relocation of Work
  Mr. Cran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to implement his Department's review on the relocation of headquarters work.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  I have this morning announced that the whole of the work of the National Health Service management executive, involving some 1,000 posts, should be located in Leeds. I expect the first moves to begin in 1992. After that, the people in my Department responsible for the management of the NHS will be based in Leeds while those responsible for health policy and strategy will be based in London.

  I have today placed copies of the review team's report in the Library. I carefully considered the review team's report before reaching my decision which closely matches its recommendation that a substantial amount of my Department's headquarters work in London should be relocated.

  I welcome the parallel announcement by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security that some 800 posts in DSS are also moving to Leeds.

  Food Hygiene (Aircraft)
  Mr. Michael Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the food hygiene regulations apply to aircraft.

  Mr. Freeman
  The Food Hygiene (General) Regulations 1970 apply to ground-based airline catering establishments. However, these regulations are not enforceable on aircraft. Under the Food Act 1984, enforcement officers' powers of entry to aircraft are restricted to entry for the purpose of inspecting imported food.

  I am announcing today that the Government will be seeking powers to update food legislation to extend food safety controls to food supplied to passengers on aircraft flying from British airports. We will be seeking similar powers to cover ships and oil and gas rigs within British territory. Primary legislation would not impose any specific obligations, but would permit regulations to be made setting out detailed requirements in the future. Any regulations which are made will be subject to consultation with interested organisations.

  These powers will be sought as part of a wider Bill dealing with food safety, which will be introduced as soon as parliamentary time permits.

  Organ Transplants
  Sir Michael McNair-Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many of the patients waiting on the kidney transplant list for an organ have already had at least one transplanted organ; and how many are new additions.

  Mr. Freeman
  [holding answer 30 October 1989]: According to information provided by the United Kingdom transplant service, the number of United Kingdom patients waiting for a kidney transplant on 7 November 1989 was 3,506. Of this total 1,001 (or 29 per cent.) of patients had previously received a transplant.

  Sir Michael McNair-Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the number of kidney transplants carried out by the individual regional health authorities during the past 12 months and, where possible, whether the transplants derived from kidney donors in their areas or as a result of United Kingdom transplant service.

  Mr. Freeman
  [holding answer 30 October 1989]: Information is not readily available in the precise form requested. The number of kidney transplants reported by NHS hospitals to the United Kingdom transplant service for 1988 is shown in the table. The total number of transplants performed within each regional health authority area is divided into those using organs retrieved by the transplanting centre, and those using organs imported from another retrieving centre either within or outside the region concerned.

  Regional Health Authority

  Transplants1

  Transplants2

  Total

  Northern

  71

  22

  93

  Yorkshire

  43

  35

  78

  Trent

  50

  49

  99

  East Anglia

  77

  5

  82

  North West Thames

  23

  35

  58

  North East Thames

  78

  63

  141

  South East Thames

  85

  86

  171

  South West Thames

  33

  17

  50

  Wessex

  56

  8

  64

  Oxford

  60

  9

  69

  South Western

  74

  33

  107

  West Midlands

  67

  61

  128

  Mersey

  34

  20

  54

  North Western

  97

  33

  130

  Special Health Authorities

  8

  15

  23

  1 Using organs retrieved by local centre

  2 Using organs imported from another centre

  Lobotomy and Leucotomy Operations
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his Department's current advice on the value of pre-frontal lobotomy and leucotomy operations.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  [holding answer 9 November 1989]: The Department does not offer a view on the value or otherwise of particular surgical procedures. Decisions about treatment are for the professions involved. Psycho-surgical operations can only be undertaken when the special procedures of section 57 of the Mental Health Act 1983 have been followed.

  National Health Service Spending
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what resources he intends to commit to health education in 1990; and what was the proportion of the National Health Service budget spent on health education in(a) 1974, (b) 1979 and (c)

  Mr. Freeman
  [holding answer 2 November 1989]: The information available relates to provision for the Health Education Authority and the Department's information services. This includes some items, for example nurse recuitment, which are not primarily educational. It excludes the expenditure on health education by regional health authorities, which is not identified separately. For the year ending 31 March 1990, current provision for the Health Education Authority and the Department's information services is about £41 million. As a proportion of total National Health Service expenditure, provision for these two programmes was:

  Year ending

  Percent.

  31 March 1974

  0·09

  31 March 1979

  0·07

  31 March 1984

  0·09

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Political Refugees
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many political refugees there are at present in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Information is not available on the total numbers of those who have been granted refugee status in the United Kingdom and are still living here. Available information on grants of refugee status is set out in an annual Home Office statistical bulletin (most recently "Refugee Statistics, United Kingdom, 1988", issue 25/89) and in provisional quarterly figures supplied to UNHCR, copies of which are placed in the Library.

  Information on acceptances for settlement as refugees is published in the annual command paper (most recently "Control of Immigration: Statistics, United Kingdom, 1988' Cm 726, table 18), and in a quarterly statistical bulletin (most recently "Control of Immigration: Statistics —Second Quarter 1989", issue 31/89, table 3); copies of which are also in the Library.

  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the countries from which persons are seeking political refuge.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Available information on pending applications for refugee status, broken down by nationality, is set out in an annual Home Office statistically bulletin (most recently "Refugee Statistics United Kingdom, 1988" issue 25/89) and in provisional quarterly figures supplied to UNHCR, copies of which are placed in the Library.

  Wandsworth (Prison Officers' Accommodation)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the number of prison officers' accommodation at Wandsworth prison for which requests have been made by officers to purchase, as of 1 November.
  200
  Mr. Mellor
  A total of 132 requests have been received to purchase, under the Prison Department scheme for the discount sale of quarters, from officers at Wandsworth. Of these 95 relate to houses of which 60 sales have been completed, 23 are in the hands of solicitors, 10 offers have been made and two are with the district valuer. In addition, there are 37 applications to purchase flats or maisonettes, these being leasehold pose particular problems and it is also necessary to set up management companies to administer these properties after sale. The Treasury Solicitor, in liaison with two firms of private solicitors, is currently working on the documentation for this and the draft leases as necessary for the sale of individual flats. A further house at Wandsworth has been sold outside the discount sales scheme at full market value.

  ACPO (Europe Working Party)
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what co-ordination there has been between his Department and the Association of Chief Police Officers working party on Europe; and whether any Government funding is granted to the working group.

  Mr. Waddington
  My officials have regular discussions with members of the association on European and other international policing matters. The Home Office has made a grant to the association of £191,000 in 1989–90 to meet the costs of its secretariat, which supports the association's activities in general.

  Child Abuse
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the number of child abuse cases dealt with by magistrates and other courts in 1988–89; and in how many cases a guilty verdict was recorded.

  Mr. John Patten
  The available information is given in the table. It is only possible from the information held centrally to identify offences where the victim is known to be aged under 16. 1989 data are not yet available.

  Defendants prosecuted at magistrates' courts and found guilty1 at all courts for specific offences involving children under 16 England and Wales 1988

  Offence

  Total proceeded against

  Total found guilty

  Violence against the person

  Murder of infant under 1 year of age

  13

  1

  Infanticide

  1

  4

  Child Destruction

  2

  —

  Cruelty to, or neglect of, children

  229

  165

  Abandoning child aged under 2 years

  —

  1

  Child abduction

  56

  26

  Sexual offences

  Buggery with a boy under the age of 16 or with a woman or an animal

  320

  232

  Attempt to commit buggery with a boy under the age of 16 or with a woman or an animal

  28

  31

  Indecent assault on a male aged under 16 years

  559

  460

  Indecent assault on a female aged under 16 years

  2,159

  1,650

  Unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl aged under 13

  165

  135

  Unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl aged under 16

  345

  340

  201

  Offence

  Total proceeded against

  Total found guilty

  Incest with girl under 13

  105

  104

  Inciting girl aged under 16 to have incestuous sexual intercourse

  3

  2

  Householder permitting unlawful sexual intercourse with girl aged under 16 years

  10

  5

  Person responsible for girl aged under 16 causing or encouraging her prostitution, etc.

  —

  1

  Abduction of unmarried girl aged under 16

  20

  8

  Gross indecency with children

  226

  246

  Summary offences

  Violence against the person

  Cruelty to, or neglect of, children

  2

  2

  1 Includes persons proceeded against in earlier years or for other offences.

  Fire Brigades
  Mr. Bill Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, further to his reply to the hon. Member for Sheffield, Heeley,Official Report, 27 October 1988, column 321, whether he is satisfied with the progress being made on the preparation of fire brigade war plans; and if he will make a statement about the outcome of his review of this matter.

  Mr. John Patten
  Initial findings of the review indicated wide variations between brigades in the level of their war planning. Chief fire officers have been provided with information and guidance on their brigade plans, and encouraging progress has generally been made. Plans will continue to reviewed as part of the wider process of monitoring local authorities' civil defence preparedness.

  Mr. Bill Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has received any representations concerning the possible appointment of fire officers as members of the ad hoc working party on emergency communications; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John Patten
  Yes. However, we are satisfied that relevant fire service interests can be adequately covered through the existing local authority staff membership of the working party and, where necessary, through direct contact with fire staff engaged on civil defence activities.

  Right of Arrest
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is Her Majesty's Government policy towards accepting the right of arrest on United Kingdom soil by United States Government law enforcement agents of prospective offenders, without due application for extradition, as has recently been endorsed by the United States Department of Justice.

  Mr. Waddington
  It is the Government's established policy strenuously to resist all attempts by any foreign country to exercise extra-territorial jurisdiction within the United Kingdom.

  Bail
  Ms. Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of all those cases that come before magistrates courts where the police do not oppose bail are refused bail.

  Mr. John Patten
  Information is not available centrally on the number of cases where magistrates courts have remanded defendants in custody although the Crown Prosecution Service did not oppose the grant of bail. However, a sample drawn from two magistrates' courts in 1986 suggests that the proportion is very small, (about 2 per cent. of cases where no objection to bail was made).

  Drugs
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many inmates in gaols in England and Wales were disciplined for the possession and use of an unlawful drug during:(a) 1986, (b) 1987, (c) 1988 and (d) so far in 1989.

  Mr. Mellor
  Some 1,630 offences of possession of controlled drugs were punished in 1986, 1,540 in 1987 and 1,940 in 1988. Information for 1989 is not yet available.

  Crime Concern Initiative
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will indicate the expenditure to date on his Crime Concern initiative.

  Mr. John Patten
  Crime Concern, the independent crime prevention organisation, received a Home Office grant-in-aid of £500,000 in 1988–89; the grant for the current year is £1 million.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the progress and achievements of the Crime Concern initiative.

  Mr. John Patten
  Since it was established in May 1988 Crime Concern has made encouraging progress in its central task of stimulating and supporting local crime prevention activity. So far the organisation has raised money through private sector sponsorship for various projects;
  launched, in close association with the Confederation of British Industry, a national business and crime initiative; held several conferences, including one for members of youth crime prevention panels;
  relaunched the magazine Good Neighbour as a means of communicating with members of Neighbourhood Watch; we look to them to do everything possible to promote the Neighbourhood Watch movement as a priority; and
  set up in Luton the first of a series of area crime reduction programmes involving co-operation between the police, local government and other agencies, and the private sector; I am informed that negotiations are under way in 15 other places.

  Lotteries
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received on the mailing of lottery tickets to United Kingdom residents and if he has any plans(a) to prohibit participation by British citizens in such lotteries or (b) to permit the promoters of British lotteries to compete on equal terms.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The promotion or conduct of public foreign lotteries in Great Britain is unlawful under the
  203
  Lotteries and Amusements Act 1976. In breach of that Act, invitations to participate in a number of such lotteries have been mailed to addresses here. Between 1 January and 30 October 1989 inclusive, three hon. Members have asked us questions related to this postal activity, and we have received 11 letters from hon. Members and 10 from organisations or members of the public about it. These representations have variously complained about this unlawful activity, or suggested that its continuance might argue for the introduction of domestic, major lotteries. We are taking steps to deal with this postal activity.

  We do not propose that it should become an offence to participate in a foreign lottery. We keep the arguments for amending our law to allow domestic major lotteries under consideration.

  Interpreters
  Mr. Bernie Grant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many complaints have been lodged by Kurdish asylum seekers against interpreters; and how many interpreters have had in excess of three complaints lodged against them since May;

  (2) how many interpreters involved in Kurdish cases have been dismissed since 10 May;

  (3) how many investigations have been instituted against interpreters in Kurdish asylum cases since I May.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Information is not maintained on the basis of ethnic origin. Since May, 13 formal written complaints by Turkish asylum seekers or their representatives have been referred to immigration service headquarters. One interpreter has been the subject of more than three of these since May. Three investigations have been started, of which two have been concluded. No interpreters have been dismissed during this period, but two names have been removed from the list of casually-employed interpreters.

  Mr. Bernie Grant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will state the procedures for the training of interpreters;

  (2) whether he will state the recruitment procedures for interpreters in immigration and asylum cases.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The recruitment of interpreters for permanent pensionable employment with the Home Office is conducted by the Civil Service Commission, which runs an open competition when a vacancy arises. In addition, fee-paid interpreting services are used by the immigration service on an ad hoc basis as required. Applicants are interviewed and assessed for the suitability by senior officers. No formal training is given, but interpreters are instructed to give a direct translation of questions put and answers given.

  Mr. Bernie Grant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will publish the standing instructions for interpreters in immigration and asylum cases.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  There are no written instructions for interpreters. Interpreters are briefed by senior officers before their services are used by the immigration service. The conduct of interviews in which an interpreter is used is the responsibility of the interviewing officer.

  Political Asylum Unit
  Mr. Bernie Grant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many interviews between the political asylum unit at Harmondsworth and Kurdish asylum seekers have been cancelled since 1 May at the request of the political asylum unit; and how many of those interviewees were represented by solicitors or other advisers.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The available information is that of 1,500 interviews booked by the Harmondsworth interview unit, a total of 292 have so far been rescheduled, mostly at the request of the unit. A total of 184 interviewees were represented by solicitors or other advisers at the time the interview was rescheduled.

  Turkish Kurds
  Mr. Bernie Grant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Turkish Kurds have been held in detention in excess of(a) one month, (b) two months and (c) three months since I May; and of those held in detention in excess of each period, how many were subsequently granted exceptional leave to remain or political asylum.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Information is not maintained on the basis of ethnic origin. In the period 1 May–30 October inclusive, 32 Turkish nationals were detained for longer than one month but less than two months; 23 were detained for longer than two months but less than three months; and 63 were detained for longer than three months. In all of these cases detainees were subsequently released from detention. Information is not readily available on the outcome of these cases.

  Mr. Bernie Grant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Turkish Kurds were held in detention for 12 hours or more following a recommendation by group A that they be granted exceptional leave to remain or political asylum since 1 May.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Information is not maintained on the basis of ethnic origin. The other information is not readily available in the form requested. When the immigration service is notified of a decision by the refugee unit of the Home Office that an applicant should be given asylum or exceptional leave to remain, it arranges for the applicant's release from detention as soon as is practicable.

  Mr. Bernie Grant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many Turkish Kurds have been served with minded to refuse notices since 1 May; how many of these have subsequently been granted(a) exceptional leave to remain and (b) political asylum;

  (2) how many Turkish Kurds, refused leave to enter, were subsequently granted exceptional leave to remain or political asylum since 1 May 1989.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  A total of 294 of the Turkish nationals who sought asylum on entry since 1 May have been allowed to remain here on an exceptional basis and 78 have been recognised as refugees under the 1951 convention. Central records do not distinguish at what stage of the procedure leave to enter was granted and this could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Bernie Grant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department where an application for political
  205
  asylum has been submitted by a Kurdish applicant already in the United Kingdom (a) how many have been granted exceptional leave to remain without interview and (b) how many have been granted political asylum for the periods (i) January 1987 to 1988, (ii) July 1988 to 31 December 1988 and (iii) 1 January 1989 to 1 November 1989.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The readily available information is given in the following table:

  Grants of refugee status or of exceptional leave to Turkish nationals1 who applied for refugee status when already in the United Kingdom

  Number of persons

  Granted refugee status

  Granted exceptional leave

  1987

  2

  3

  January 1988 to June 19882

  3

  5

  July 1988 to December 19882

  3

  15

  January 1989 to September 19892

  90

  280

  1The ethnic origin of asylum applicants is not recorded but the majority of Turkish applicants have stated that they are Kurds.

  2Provisional estimates; figures rounded to the nearest 5.

  3 = less than 3.

  Information on the number of these decisions which were made without interview is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Full information on decisions since September 1989 is not yet available.

  Immigration Officers (Training)
  Mr. Bernie Grant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will outline the training given to immigration officers for interviewing asylum seekers.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  On appointment all immigration officers attend a basic training course which includes training and practice in interview techniques, followed by an intensive period of supervised interviewing of passengers, who may include asylum seekers. The course also includes lectures from officers of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and specialists from the refugee unit of the Home Office, and exercises in the handling of asylum applications. In addition instructions are issued from time to time on the handling of these cases.

  Guildford Pub Bombings
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Chief Constable of the West Midlands listing the West Midlands police officers who visited Guildford during the pub bombings investigations.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Full records are no longer available to show the movements of west midlands police officers during the pub bombings investigations. Such records as exist do not show that any west midlands officer visited Guildford at that time.

  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 30 October,Official Report, columns 39–40, if he will ask the Chief Constable of Surrey how many of the nine police officers referred to are still serving.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  As the hon. Member will know from the answer given to him on 30 October, at columns 39–40,
  206
  most of the police records relating to the time of the Birmingham pub bombings have been destroyed. The nine police officers cannot therefore all be identified. Of the officers that have been identified, I understand that three are still serving.

  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 30 October,Official Report, columns 39–40, whether normal liaison arrangements included the presence of Guildford police officers at interrogations conducted by West Midlands police with terrorist suspects.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  No.

  Woolwich Bombing
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what liaison took place between officers of the West Midlands police force and the Metropolitan police following the Woolwich bombing.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Details of any liaison which may have taken place between the two forces at that time are no longer available.

  Royal Ordnance Factory, Blackburn
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Chief Constable of Lancashire on the circumstances in which police officers were called to the Royal Ordnance factory, Blackburn, following the detention there by civilian guards of a photographer from the Lancashire Evening Telegraph, on Thursday 9 November.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I shall write to the hon. Member.

  Crack Seizures
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the police forces where there have been seizures of crack in the current year and the number of seizures in each area.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Figures supplied by the police to the national drugs intelligence unit, which may not be complete, show that police forces made crack seizures as follows between 1 January and 31 October 1989:

  Force

  Number of seizures

  Greater Manchester

  7

  Merseyside

  5

  Lancashire

  1

  North Wales

  1

  Nottinghamshire

  2

  South Yorkshire

  1

  West Yorkshire

  1

  West Midlands

  9

  Surrey

  2

  Avon and Somerset

  9

  Dorset

  1

  Metropolitan

  48

  Total

  87

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the value of the seizures of crack(a) in the current year (b) in 1988 and (c) in 1987.

  Mr. Mellor
  The approximate street value of seizures of crack reported to the national drugs intelligence unit in the periods requested was as follows:
  207

  £

  1987

  800

  1988

  11,500

  11989

  21,000

  1 January to September.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) oral and (b) written questions were asked of his Department in 1988–89.

  Mr. Waddington
  Readily available information within this Department relates to the number of questions answered by Home Office Ministers before the summer recess, and is as follows:

  558—Oral questions

  2,878—Written questions

  I understand that further information is available in the Library.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many written parliamentary questions he refused to answer in the parliamentary Session 1988–89.

  Mr. Waddington
  None, apart from those transferred to other Government Departments.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many written parliamentary questions to him in the parliamentary Session 1988–89 received answers that the information(a) was not available, (b) was not separately recorded, (c) was not centrally recorded, (d) was not recorded in Government statistics and (e) could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Waddington
  This information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the cost to his Department of answering parliamentary(a) oral and (b) written questions in the parliamentary Session 1988–89.

  Mr. Waddington
  This information is not held centrally.

  Statistics
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his Department has discontinued(a) the collection or (b) the publication of any statistics since 1979.

  Mr. John Patten
  I shall write to the hon. Member.

  Prison Chaplains
  Mr. Alison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has, in the context of the review of the organisation of the prison service, to ensure that the headquarters team of the prison chaplaincy can continue to exercise an appropriate supervisory role, on behalf of diocesan bishops, in regard to the ministry in prisons of full-time chaplains; how this church linkage will be reconciled or integrated with possible changes in the chaplains' operational accountability to governors; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  The report of the review of prison service organisation above establishment level accepts the case for 208
  retaining a chaplain general for the prison service, with a small team of staff providing professional support to chaplains and contributing to the development of policy on the role of chaplains in the service. There are no proposals for changing chaplains' operational accountability to governors.

  We have yet to reach decisions on the report's proposals. Any new organisational structure for the prison service would have to take account of the role of the relevant Church authorities in respect of the appointment and ministry of chaplains.

  Gun Clubs
  Sir Hector Monro
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make an announcement about the controls on gun clubs.

  Mr. Waddington
  Following the two recent tragic shooting incidents in the Greater Manchester police area I have considered carefully whether further steps need to be taken to tighten controls on gun clubs in the interest of public safety.

  Under section 15 of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988 a member of a rifle or pistol club approved by the Secretary of State may, without holding a firearm certificate, have in his possession a firearm and ammunition when engaged as a member of the club in, or in connection with, target practice. This exemption does not extend to club members who are involved in competition, for which a firearm certificate is required.

  Both of the recent shootings involved a person who had gained access to firearms and ammunition by signing on as a day member of a shooting club. Having reviewed the matter carefully, I am minded to decide that in future clubs operating day or temporary membership schemes shall no longer be approved by me. Any applicant for probationary membership of an approved club will be required to be sponsored by two full members of the club both of whom are firearm certificate holders.

  Probationary members when in possession of firearms or ammunition will be required to be constantly supervised by the range master or a full member of the club holding a firearm certificate. Probationary members, who must under the club's scheme remain probationers for at least six months, must also be given a course of instruction in the safe use of guns. No club should at any time have more probationary members than full members.

  These proposed arrangements reflect the high standards which already operate in many approved clubs. I have no wish to impose unreasonable burdens on genuine gun clubs. But the public have a right to expect that they should be operated with proper regard for public safety. The package of controls which I propose will help to ensure that only those genuinely interested in pursuing the sport will attain full membership. It will also help to exclude those interested in guns for the wrong reasons. It will also ensure that probationary members are properly selected, supervised and instructed.

  Approved gun clubs will continue to be encouraged to offer properly constituted probationary membership schemes for novice shooters. They will also be allowed to organise open days for those interested in taking up the sport, but those attending will not be allowed to possess, handle or use firearms. Full members of approved gun clubs will continue to be allowed to become visiting members of other approved clubs.
  209
  Section 15 of the 1988 Act which came into operation on 1 July 1989 gives the police new power to enter and inspect club premises. This power will be used to ensure that clubs are complying with the provisions of the section and any limitations in the Secretary of State's approval.

  Before reaching a final decision on these proposed new controls I am asking the Firearms Consultative Committee as a matter of urgency to let me have its views following its next meeting on 30 November.

  Electronic Monitoring
  Mr. Knowles
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what use has so far been made of electronic monitoring as a condition of bail; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John Patten
  The three pilot studies started according to schedule in the Nottingham, North Tyneside and Tower Bridge magistrates courts on, respectively, 14 August, 18 September and 23 October. As at 10 November we have received notification that 76 defendants in these areas had been recommended for consideration of the grant of bail subject to a condition of electronic monitoring; of these cases, 26 were granted bail by magistrates and Crown courts subject to this condition; of these, 14 are still on bail and being monitored. Electronic monitoring as a condition of bail is granted by the courts only in those cases where a defendant would otherwise have been remanded in custody. These cases therefore represent 26 defendants who, but for the availability of electronic monitoring, would have been remanded immediately in custody.

  Prevention of Terrorism
  Mr. Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Government have reached a conclusion on their response to the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Brogan and others concerning detention under the prevention of terrorism legislation.

  Mr. Waddington
  The European Court of Human Rights held in the case of Brogan and others that the detention of the four applicants under schedule 12 of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1984 (now schedule 14 of the Act of 1989) constituted a breach of article 5(3) of the European Convention on Human Rights because none of the applicants was brought "promptly" before a judicial authority. Under schedule 14 a person who is arrested on reasonable suspicion of involvement in acts of terrorism may be held by the police for a maximum of 48 hours during which period the necessity for continued detention must be reviewed regularly by a senior police officer not involved in the investigation. The Secretary of State may then extend that period of detention up to a maximum of a further five days before that person must either be released, or must be charged or excluded from a part or whole of the United Kingdom.

  Since the court delivered its judgment on 29 November 1988 the Government have been considering whether it would be possible to introduce a judicial element in the procedure for authorising extensions of detention in a way which would be compatible with the provisions of the convention and which would not weaken the effectiveness of their response to terrorism.
  210
  The Government believe that in the context of the continued threat to the United Kingdom, on a scale unknown elsewhere in Europe, posed by terrorism connected with the affairs of Northern Ireland the power to hold terrorist suspects for a period of up to seven years is essential. The continued necessity for this power—and the other powers in the Prevention of Terrorism Act—is reviewed annually by both Houses of Parliament.

  Decisions to authorise the detention of terrorist suspects for periods beyond 48 hours may be, and often are, taken on the basis of information, the nature and source of which could not be revealed to a suspect or his legal adviser without serious risk to individuals assisting the police or the prospect of further valuable intelligence being lost. Any new procedure which avoided those dangers by allowing a court to make a decision on information not presented to the detainee or his legal advisor would represent a radical departure from the principles which govern judicial proceedings in this country and could serious affect public trust and confidence in the independence of the judiciary. The Government would be most reluctant to introduce any new procedure which could have this effect.

  The Government further believe that the present arrangements represent reasonable safeguards for the detained person. They guarantee to the suspect an early review of the continued need for his detention, provide that any extension of that detention beyond two days must be authorisied by the Secretary of State, and that he must be released, charged or excluded within a maximum of seven days from his arrest.

  The Government have concluded that a satisfactory procedure for the review of detention of terrorist suspects involving the judiciary has not been identified. The derogation notified on 23 December 1988 under article 15 of the European Convention on Human Rights and article 4 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political rights must and will therefore remain in place for as long as circumstances require. The derogation is limited to the powers under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989 to detain for up to seven days those suspected of involvement in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism connected with the affairs of Northern Ireland.

  Litter
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has on(a) the frequency with which the £400 maximum fine has been imposed for littering under the Litter Act 1983 and (b) the average fine recorded for this offence.

  Mr. John Patten
  [holding answer 10 November 1989]: The information requested is in the table.

  Defendants found guilty and fined under the Litter Act 1963 England and Wales

  Year

  Total found guilty

  Total number fined

  Number fined £400

  Average fine (£)

  1986

  1,425

  1,390

  3

  35

  1987

  1,694

  1,628

  1

  35

  1988

  1,607

  1,555

  2

  40

  Police Officers (Fatalities)
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers in the last 10 years have been killed in the course of carrying out duties involved in investigating drug-related crime.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  [holding answer 3 November 1989]: Twenty-five police officers in England and Wales died in the course of their duties as a result of murder or manslaughter between 1978 and 1988 inclusive. Details of the circumstances surrounding these deaths are not held centrally. It is not therefore possible to determine in which of the cases the officer was investigating an offence, and, where he or she was doing so, whether or not there was any form of drugs connection.

  Electronic Tagging
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many defendants have been electronically tagged since the scheme became operational; how many of these defendants have breached the conditions of their bail; and how many have experienced difficulty in obtaining benefit because of the length of their curfew.

  Mr. John Patten
  [holding answer 27 October 1989]: The information is given in the table.

  Persons electronically monitored1 in Home Office trials

  Trial area

  Number of defendants monitored

  Number breaching conditions2

  Nottingham

  13

  5

  North Tyneside

  39

  3

  Tower Bridge

  4

  1

  Total

  26

  9

  1 As at 10.00 am on 10 November 1989.

  2 Defendants breaching bail conditions or committing further offence.

  3 One of these persons has been monitored twice. Following arrest for breach of conditions a further recommendation for monitoring was accepted and conditions reimposed.

  Note: Two of the persons monitored in Nottingham have been sentenced to periods of imprisonment, one for 12 months and the other for 18 months. One person in north Tyneside had his bail conditions altered to exclude electronic monitoring.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security is writing to the hon. Member about the question of eligibility for benefit.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Funding Councils
  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he expects the move of the two higher education funding councils to Bristol to be completed.

  Mr. Jackson
  The purpose-built accommodation in Bristol is expected to be completed at the end of June 1991. The funding councils aim is to complete relocation by September 1991.

  Student Loans
  Mr. Andrew Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has any meetings arranged with Scottish university principals to discuss the effect of student loans upon Scottish four-year degree courses.

  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has any meetings arranged with Scottish university principals to discuss the effect of student loans on Scottish four-year degree courses.

  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has any meeting arranged with Scottish university principals to discuss the effect of student loans upon Scottish four-year degree courses.

  Mr. Jackson
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Banff and Buchan (Mr. Salmond).

  Mr. Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what assessment he has made of the effects on disabled students of his plans to introduce top-up loans for students.

  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what assessment he has made of the effects on disabled students of his plans to introduce top-up loans for students.

  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how he plans to ensure that disabled students are not disadvantaged by the current proposals in the White Paper on top-up loans for students.

  Mr. Jackson
  The top-up loans scheme has been designed to apply to students in a variety of circumstances and those of disabled students have not been overlooked. They will remain eligible for the additional allowances available with the grant and will retain their entitlement to social security benefits. After their courses, they will be protected by the provisions for deferment of repayments and write-off of the debt if their income is low.

  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proposals he has to amend the financial assumptions upon which the top-up loans White Paper is based.

  Mr. Jackson
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Edinburgh, South (Mr. Griffiths) on 6 November at column 423.

  Mr. Andrew MacKay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what consultations he has had with the clearing banks concerning student loans.

  Dr. Moonie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what conclusions his discussions with the banks have reached with regard to the student loans scheme.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has recently received from the committee of London and Scottish clearing banks in relation to his proposals for student top-up loans; and if he will make a statement.

  Ms. Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what conclusions his discussions with the banks have reached with regard to the student loans scheme.
  213
  Mr. Jackson
  Constructive discussions are being held with a range of financial institutions. The House will be informed of the conclusions in due course.

  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information his Department holds regarding the debts of students in higher education in respect of financial loans.

  Mr. Jackson
  Information about student borrowing is contained in the 1986–87 survey of undergraduate income and expenditure conducted by Research Services Ltd. and the 1987–88 OPCS survey of mature students' incomings and outgoings. Copies of both are available in the Library.

  A more recent survey conducted by Research Services Ltd., the results of which are published today, shows that over the 1988–89 academic year young single students' average net borrowing in the form of overdrafts and commercial loans was £108. This is comparable to the 1986–87 figure of £110 (in 1989 prices).

  National Curriculum
  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has to ensure that there will be enough teachers to teach the national curriculum.

  Mr. MacGregor
  I expect there to be sufficient primary teachers for the delivery of the national curriculum, and sufficient secondary teachers overall, though there is a continuing need to address demand in some subjects. Since July 1986 the Government have spent over £50 million on a wide range of initiatives aimed both at producing more teachers and at improving the balance of subject capability of those already there. We shall continue and reinforce that action programme to ensure that we have the teachers we need.

  Dr. Michael Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what current financial provision has been made for the introduction of the national curriculum; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The cost of implementing the national curriculum will be met largely from the redirection of existing resources. However, support for some £130 million expenditure is available specifically to help the introduction of the national curriculum this financial year.

  City Technology Colleges
  Mr. Grocott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his latest estimate of the total cost of implementing his policy on city technology colleges.

  Mr. MacGregor
  Total planned Government expenditure from the announcement of city technology colleges to the end of the financial year 1991–92 is £122·3 million. In addition sponsors have pledged contributions totalling over £43 million.

  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has for the expansion of the city technology college programme; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that my right hon. Friend gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Bolsover (Mr. Skinner).
  214
  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what assessment he has made of the contribution of city technology colleges to education in the inner city.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  It is too early yet to evaluate the impact of CTCs in detail. But it is already clear that they are immensely popular with parents and pupils; and the £43 million which has already been pledged by sponsors represents a great vote of confidence. With three CTCs now open, and eight more with firm opening dates, we are looking very carefully at how the good practices they are pioneering can best be disseminated.

  Mr. Flannery
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science, how much(a) public money and (b) private money from industry has been spent on each of the city technology colleges.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for The Wrekin (Mr. Grocott) on 20 October at col.264.

  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the progress so far made in establishing city technology colleges; and what action he proposes to take to ensure that all the first 20 are operational with the least possible delay.

  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will make a statement on the future of the city technology colleges programme.

  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will make a statement on the present state of the city technology colleges programme.

  Mr. John Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has for the development of the city technology college programme; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The CTC programme continues to make excellent progress. Three CTCs are now open, only three years after the programme was announced. We have firm starting dates for a further eight colleges, in 1990 and 1991. In addition, other firms and individuals have indicated their commitment to major sponsorship. We shall continue to work with them towards the Government's target of 20 CTCs.

  Mr. Amos
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make it his policy to extend the principle of city technology colleges to non-urban areas; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  CTCs are focusing on urban areas because it is there that the aspirations and expectations of pupils and parents are, generally, furthest from fulfilment. But our intention is that CTCs should be exemplars for all schools, including those in rural areas, and we shall look carefully at how their good practices can be effectively disseminated.

  Mrs. Maureen Hicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information he has on the response by parents to prospective city technology colleges in their areas.
  215
  Mr. Macgregor
  The response has been very good. For example, Kingshurst had over 1,200 inquiries for the 180 places available this year and Nottingham had over 300 applications for 165 places available this year.

  School Sport
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has to expand the opportunities for sport in schools.

  Mr. Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what initiatives he intends to take to improve the provision of school sport; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what initiatives he intends to take to improve the provision of school sport; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Sport is an important element in physical education, which is a foundation subject in the national curriculum. It will therefore form part of the curriculum for every pupil aged five to 16 in a maintained school. I hope to advise shortly on what machinery will be set up to advise on the national curriculum requirements for physical education and sport.

  Schools (Local Management)
  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received from Norfolk headteachers about the implementation of local management of schools.

  Mr. MacGregor
  I have had various discussions with headteachers in Norfolk about aspects of local management of schools, and some correspondence.

  Mr. John Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received about the funding of teachers' salaries through the local management initiative.

  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received about the implementation of local management of schools.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what recent representations has he received regarding local management of schools.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  My right hon. Friend has received a number of representations from local education authorities, school governors, headteachers, teachers and parents. Very many of these have expressed heartening support for the key principles of local management of schools. There is, however, concern about the position of schools with high teaching staff costs when funding is determined mainly by pupil numbers. In response we have made clear that LEA's formulae may enhance the funding for small schools with above average salary costs, and that for larger schools in particular difficulties we would consider sympathetically proposals for an extended transition period to pure LMS formula funding.

  Ms. Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many submissions from local education authorities concerning local management of schools he has approved; and if he will make a statement.
  216
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many submissions from local education authorities concerning local management of schools he has approved; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Colin Shepherd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the progress being made in respect of the local management of schools.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Each local education authority has now submitted its scheme for the local management of schools, and my right hon. Friend has already announced his intention to approve 8 of these schemes for introduction in April 1990.

  School Transport
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what moves his Department is taking to introduce seat belts into school transport and the use of warning lights and signs on the outside of school buses.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  My hon. Friend the Minister for Roads and Traffic will be announcing later today plans to consult on draft regulations requiring the use of distinctive signs on school buses.

  I very much welcome this initiative. The Department of Education and Science will shortly be writing to all local education authorities encouraging them to do what they can in advance of the final regulations to speed up the introduction of warning signs. We shall also be collecting other examples of good practice in promoting safety on school transport, to help authorities collectively in their efforts to provide the safest possible service to all pupils.

  We are pressing European Community member states to agree common legislation on the fitting of seat belts on coaches and mini-buses. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport and I believe that belts can and should be provided and should he worn when available.

  School Building
  Mr. Loyden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when the capital allocation for new school building will be announced.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  My right hon. Friend expects to be able to announce the annual capital guidelines for capital expenditure on education in 1990–91 to local education authorities shortly before the Christmas recess.

  Capital Expenditure (Bradford)
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the provision of extra capital expenditure for Bradford to take account of expanding school roles.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  Bradford local education authority has received an allocation for prescribed expenditure for 1989–90 and it is for the authority to decide how to use the resources available to it in the light of local needs and priorities. Annual capital guidelines for education expenditure in 1990–91 are currently being considered and my right hon. Friend expects to be in a position to announce these in December. In setting allocations my
  217
  right hon. Friend takes into account and gives priority to local education authority needs in areas of population growth.

  Higher Education
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are his proposals for increasing the number of students in higher education over the next 20 years, including the funding arrangements for them; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jackson
  The Government's education policies have helped secure record participation. For the first time, there will be over 1 million students in higher education this autumn. We are confident that participation will increase yet further, and we stand by our commitment to ensure that higher education continues to receive an appropriate share of public expenditure.

  Departmental Expenditure
  Mr. Jim Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what account he has taken of Her Majesty's inspectorate's observations about the effective use of his Department's expenditure as recorded in paragraph 71 of Her Majesty's inspectorate's report "The Lower Attaining Pupils' Programme 1982–88"; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Glanford and Scunthorpe (Mr. Morley) on 7 November at cols.585–86.

  Child Abuse
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what advice his Department has issued to local education authorities on how to increase teachers' sensitivity to the possibility of child abuse and on how to make an appropriate response to any suspicions.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The Department issued in July last year a circular entitled "Working Together for the Protection of Children from Abuse: Procedures Within the Education Service", which is designed to help local education authorities and schools to increase the effectiveness of their efforts to prevent and deal with child abuse. The circular includes advice regarding possible signs of abuse, and on action which should be taken within the education service to enable cases of suspected or identified abuse to be properly considered and pursued.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) if he will organise a conference of education authorities which have followed training programmes concerning child abuse; how many have held training sessions in the last 12 months; and how many advice notices have been issued by his department to encourage such training courses;

  (2) what information he has on how many educational authorities have organised special courses which would help teachers recognise signs of child abuse.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The Department's circular "Working Together for the Protection of Children From Abuse", issued in July 1988, included the recommendation that local education authorities should develop arrangements for the appropriate in-service training of teachers and other staff on child abuse matters.
  218
  The Department has asked all local education authorities to report by the end of this month on the action they have taken to give effect to this and the other recommendations in the circular. These reports should provide information regarding the number of local education authorities which have arranged training provision for teachers and other staff.

  The Department has no current plans to organise a conference of local education authorities which have followed training programmes concerning child abuse.

  A-Levels
  Mr. Callaghan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what review he has undertaken of the position of A-levels; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what review he has undertaken of the position of A-levels; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  My right hon. Friend received advice in July from the School Examinations and Assessment Council on the future development of the advanced level examining system, recommending, and seeking approval for, a programme of work to develop general principles to govern A-level and AS examinations. These principles should provide controls on standards, syllabus development and progression from GCSE, together with a mechanism for rationalising and improving the quality of syllabuses. SEAC's advice also related to the promotion of AS examinations.

  My right hon. Friend accepted that advice, and a copy of the exchange of correspondence has been placed in the Library of the House. My right hon. Friend expects to write very shortly on some further aspects of SEAC's advice, on the relationship between A-level and AS syllabuses and wider issues of education and training for all young people aged to 19.

  The work now put in hand will enable the existing structure of A-level and AS examinations to evolve to meet changing needs, and, in particular, both to encourage movement towards a broader curriculum for advanced-level students and to secure future progression from the national curriculum into advanced-level study.

  Achievement Records
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has to develop the records of achievement initiative.

  Mr. Henderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has to develop the records of achievement initiative.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Draft regulations and an accompanying circular on information to parents on their child's achievements in the national curriculum subjects and otherwise in public examinations are to be issued shortly. These will set a minimum statutory context against which records of achievement may be further developed, subject to local priorities and resources.

  Special Educational Needs
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what measures he has taken to ensure children with special educational needs receive a broad and balanced curriculum appropriate to their ability under the national curriculum.

  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what measures he has taken to ensure children with special educational needs receive a broad and balanced curriculum, appropriate to their ability under the national curriculum.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  National curriculum attainment targets and programmes of study are being designed to allow access by the vast majority of pupils. In a small minority of cases some pupils with special educational needs may nevertheless need to have the requirements modified or lifted to meet their particular needs and abilities. However, even where exceptions have been made, maintained schools are still under a duty to ensure that the curricula they offer pupils are balanced and broadly based, in accordance with the requirements of section 1 of the Education Reform Act 1988.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the level of provision for children with special educational needs.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The responsibility for making appropriate provision for children with special educational needs lies with each individual local education authority. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment announced on 6 November the Government's proposals for the local authority grant settlement in 1990–91, including spending on education. Those proposals allow for increased spending per pupil in 1990–91 in maintained special schools relative to that assumed within the comparable total for 1989–90. Expenditure on pupils with special educational needs in ordinary schools cannot be separately identified.

  Grant-maintained Schools
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he last met the Grant Maintained Schools Trust; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  My right hon. Friend last met the chairman and officials of the Grant Maintained Schools Trust on 17 October when he attended a dinner at a conference organised by the trust for teachers and governors in grant-maintained schools.

  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many applications he has received from schools seeking to opt out of direct local authority management and control; how many have been approved; and how many schoolchildren are affected.

  Mr. Kirkhope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many applications for grant-maintained status he has granted; and how many he expects to grant in the immediate future.

  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many schools have sought grant-maintained status.
  220
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many schools have opted for grant-maintained status.

  Mr. Shersby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many schools have now applied to opt out of local education authority control; and in how many cases he has given his consent.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  To date 50 schools have voted in favour of applying for grant-maintained status, of which 47 have so far published proposals. My right hon. Friend has taken decisions on 36 cases, of which 28 have been approved for grant-maintained status. Decisions on the remaining proposals will be taken on their merits in due course. Some 12,300 school-children are attending schools which became grant-maintained in September; the total number attending schools so far approved to become grant-maintained is 19,000.

  Mr. Holt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many schools in Cleveland have begun proceedings to opt out of the local education authority control.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  I am not aware of any school in the Cleveland area having begun proceedings to opt out of local education authority control.

  Mr. Barry Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what formula his Department will use for central funding of schools which choose to opt out; what representations he has received on this matter; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Franks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what formula his Department will use in deciding the funding of schools which choose to opt out; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The financial arrangements for grant-maintained schools were set out in the Education (Grant-Maintained Schools) (Finance) Regulations 1989 (S.I., 1989/1287). These arrangements were explained in the Department's circular No. 21/89, issued on 23 August 1989, copies of which have been placed in the Library. A number of representations were received from schools, local education authorities and others in response to the Department's earlier consultation paper on these matters, issued on 10 March, and these were taken into account in preparing the regulations and circular mentioned earlier.

  Health Education
  Mr. Wood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he intends to announce the education support grant allocations for local education authorities' preventive health education work.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  My right hon. Friend is considering the bids submitted for this and other education support grant activities in 1990–91, and intends to announce allocations around the turn of the year.

  Human Genome Organisation
  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what contribution he plans to make to the Human Genome Organisation in 1989–90 and in each of the following four financial years.
  221
  Mr. Jackson
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Carlisle (Mr. Martlew) on 6 November at col.422.

  Mr. Terry Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what assessment he has made of the clinical and scientific importance of the research objectives of the Human Genome Organisation.

  Mr. Jackson
  The target of obtaining a complete map —and eventually perhaps a complete nucleotide sequence —of the human genome is supported by the Medical Research Council; and my right hon. Friend allocated funds earlier in the year for the council's activities in this field, which will link with related international research. The Human Genome Organisation (HUGO) is an independent international body which includes a number of senior United Kingdom scientists. Neither the Department nor the Medical Research Council has made an assessment specifically of the research objectives of HUGO.

  Higher Education Colleges
  Mr. Cran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he expects to conclude consideration of the criteria for conferring polytechnic status upon colleges of higher education.

  Mr. Jackson
  My right hon. Friend has asked for views by the end of November on the criteria proposed by the PCFC for designating additional polytechnics. He will wish to consider these views carefully before announcing his final decisions.

  Education Inspectors and Advisers
  Mr. Faulds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he has taken to bring to the attention of local education authorities the report by the Audit Commission, "Assuring Quality and Education: The Role of Local Education Authority Inspectors and Advisers."

  Mr. Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he has taken to bring to the attention of local education authorities the report by the Audit Commission, "Assuring Quality and Education: The Role of Local Education Authority Inspectors and Advisers".

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The Audit Commission has already sent copies of the report to the local authority associations and every local education authority.

  Cross-curricular Issues
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he has responded to the interim report of the National Curriculum Council on cross-curricular issues; and if he will make a statement.

  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he has responded to the interim report of the National Curriculum Council on cross-curricular issues; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The National Curriculum Council published preliminary guidance on cross-curricular issues 222
  in a circular about the national curriculum and whole curriculum planning published on 31 October. Copies have been sent to all schools in England. The council plans to develop this guidance in other publications to issue in the coming months.

  Single Domain Antibodies
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science from which companies staff were seconded to join the team working on single domain antibodies at the Medical Research Council laboratory of molecular biology at Cambridge.

  Mr. Jackson
  I understand from the Medical Research Council that the team working on single domain antibodies at the Medical Research Council's laboratory of molecular biology at Cambridge did not include staff seconded from companies. However, two of the Medical Research Council scientists working on single domain antibodies hold appointments with the council which are funded by companies (Celltech, United Kingdom; and Behringwerka, Federal Republic of Germany).

  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what patents have been applied for on single domain antibodies described by Sally Ward and others at the Medical Research Council laboratory at Cambridge in Nature, volume 341, pages 544–46 on 12 October.

  Mr. Jackson
  I understand from the Medical Research Council that patent applications have been filed in respect of work on single domain antibodies carried out at the council's laboratory of molecular biology, Cambridge. Until the patent applications have been published the contents must remain confidential.

  Research Councils
  Mr. George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what powers he has to prevent research councils funding particular projects and programmes which they believe worthy of support within the financial resources available to them.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what powers he has to give directions to research councils.

  Mr. Jackson
  Section 2 of the Science and Technology Act 1965 empowers my right hon. Friend to give mandatory directions to any of the research councils as regards the use and expenditure of funds provided from the Exchequer.

  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science which research councils are primarily responsible for research into the respective roles of the atmosphere, the oceans and the land in the global environment.

  Mr. Jackson
  Research into the global environment cannot be divided into the respective roles of the atmosphere, the oceans and the land because the interactions between these systems are crucial. The primary responsibility for such research rests with the Natural Environment Research Council. The Science and
  223
  Engineering Research Council is involved in basic research and technology development in atmospheric and ocean science. The Agricultural and Food Research Council is concerned with land studies and the impact of global change. The Economic and Social Research Council and the Medical Research Council are also concerned with the impacts of global change.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he last met the Advisory Board for the Research Councils; and what was discussed.

  Mr. Jackson
  My right hon. Friend has had a number of meetings with the chairman of the ABRC, Sir David Phillips, most recently on 8 November. They have discussed a number of matters concerning the research councils, particularly their funding.
  224
  My right hon. Friend hopes to meet the full board within the next two months.

  Capitation Allowances
  Mr. Couchman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what capitation allowance per pupil is received by(a) grant-maintained schools and (b) schools in the maintained sector.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The items of expenditure covered by the term "capitation allowance" can vary from LEA to LEA. Accordingly, the Department does not collect data on the size of the allowances made by each LEA to the schools it maintains. Nor is there any element corresponding to a capitation allowance separately identified within the grant which the Department makes to grant-maintained schools.

  Undergraduates
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the number of first-year undergraduates entering institutions of higher education(a) this and (b) last autumn; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jackson
  Provisional figures indicate that there were 176,000 United Kingdom-domiciled initial entrants to full-time and sandwich first degree and sub-degree higher education courses in Great Britain in autumn 1988. Preliminary indications are that this autumn's figures will be up to 10,000 higher. This is part of a wider and continuing trend which shows the success of the Government's education policies.

  Schools (Repairs)
  Mr. Madel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he is taking to ensure that expenditure on repairs to school buildings will be adequate in the next three years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  My right hon. Friend will be announcing at the time of the Chancellor's Autumn Statement the capital funding that will be available for schools within the Government's expenditure plans for 1990–91 to 1992–93. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment announced on 6 November the Government's proposals for the local authority grant settlement for 1990–91, including current spending on education. Those proposals allow for significant increases in spending on school repairs and maintenance relative to that assumed in the comparable total for 1989–90.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make extra funds immediately available to Bradford education authority to repair and renovate schools within the district; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  Bradford local education authority has received an allocation for prescribed expenditure for 1989–90 and it is for the authority to decide how to use the resources available to it in the light of local needs and priorities. Annual capital guidelines for education expenditure in 1990–91 are currently being considered and my right hon. Friend expects to be in a position to announce these in December.

  Charities
  Mr. Page
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received from charities expressing concern over the UFC's proposals for charities to supply funding for university overheads.

  Mr. Jackson
  Neither the UFC nor the Government have any current proposals to change the basis on which charities provide support for university research or other activities. Nor are there any proposals to reduce the present level of public funding provided indirectly through UFC block grant to underpin university research projects sponsored by charities. My right hon. Friend has received two letters opposing such non-existent proposals.

  School Governors
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will issue guidance on the circumstances in which a local authority can remove its politically appointed school governors from school governing bodies, before their term of office has expired, in the light of the Haberdashers' Aske's case.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for the Isle of Wight (Mr. Field) on 9 November at column 735–36.

  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he has any plans to introduce legislation to allow school governors time off work with pay in order to perform their functions as governors; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  My right hon. Friend has no such plans. School governors are generally entitled to reasonable time off from their employment to fulfil their duties. Many employers already acknowledge the value of the work of governors by granting paid leave. We very much welcome this and are working to encourage other employers to follow their example. But we believe that this is a matter best resolved between employer and employee, rather than by legislation.

  Astrophysics
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what response he has made to the proposal for co-operation in an International Institute for Astrophysics by all the major countries, in the earliest stages of formulating programmes in astrophysical research, which would be beyond the resources of any one group of nations.

  Mr. Maxton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what support he is giving to the proposal in Nature on 22 June for an international institute for astrophysics, put forward by a group of astrophysicists from the United States of America, the Soviet Union, Japan and Europe.

  Mr. Jackson
  I have read with interest the proposal for an international institute of astrophysics, contained in the 22 June 1989 edition of Nature. As yet, however, this proposal is still being discussed among scientists and so does not yet call for a Government response.

  Supply Teachers
  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proposals he has to encourage an increase in the number of supply teachers.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Maryhill (Mrs. Fyfe) on 9 November at column 738.

  University Funding
  Mr. Latham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will make a statement on the current level of university funding.

  Mr. Jackson
  My right hon. Friend will make a statement shortly when the current public expenditure round has been completed.

  AIDS
  Mr. Sedgemore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science by what powers he prevented the economic and social research council supporting the survey of sexual behaviour proposed for the study of the epidemiology of AIDS.

  Mr. Jackson
  My right hon. Friend did not exercise any power to prevent the Economic and Social Research Council from supporting the survey and the council did not seek our advice on this. It decided not to proceed following the Government's decision not to provide financial support from the Department of Health's research programme.

  Science Budget
  Mr. McAvoy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what advice he has received from the Advisory Board for the Research Councils on the science budget for 1990–91.

  Mr. Jackson
  My right hon. Friend last received formal advice from the ABRC on the science budget for the years 1990–91 to 1992–93 on 12 May 1989. That advice was published and copies are available in the Library.

  Dr. Bray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he expects to reply to the advice of the Advisory Board for the Research Councils on the science budget for 1990–91; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jackson
  My right hon. Friend will be making a statement shortly.

  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science by how much the increase in the gross domestic product deflator in the latest available quarter over the corresponding quarter in the previous year, has exceeded the increase assumed by the Advisory Board for the Research Councils in its advice on the allocation of the science budget dated 13 December 1988 of an increase in the science budget in real terms in 1989–90 of 11 per cent.

  Mr. Jackson
  Forecasts of the GDP deflator are usually published on two occasions each year—in the "Financial Statement and Budget Report" and the Autumn Statement. The forecast GDP deflator for 1989–90 over 1988–89 at the time of the ABRC's advice was five per cent. as given in the 1988 Autumn Statement. The figure was subsequently revised to 5·5 per cent. in the 1989 "Financial Statement and Budget Report."

  Science and Engineering
  Mr. David Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proportion of higher education qualifications are awarded in science and engineering subjects; and what are the comparable figures for the major European Commission countries.

  Mr. Jackson
  The readily available information is as follows:228

  Higher education qualifications awarded in sciences and engineering

  Percentage of all qualifications

  Country

  Year obtained

  Sciences1

  Engineering2

  France

  1982

  16

  12

  Germany3

  1983

  7

  415

  Italy

  1984

  13

  7

  Netherlands

  1982

  5

  15

  United Kingdom5

  1984

  14

  16

  1987

  15

  14

  Source: Statistical Bulletin 4/87.

  1 Excluding medicine.

  2Including trade, craft and industry.

  312 per cent. of qualifications, mainly at sub degree higher education level, are not classified by subject, so that the figures for Germany arc probably understated.

  4 Sub degree higher education qualifications estimated from enrolments data.

  5Including estimates of qualifications awarded to students for professional qualifications in public sector colleges. Excluding private sector.

  Vice-Chancellors
  Ms. Quin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he last met the Committee of Vice-Chancellors; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jackson
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Kirkcaldy (Dr. Moonie) on 2 November at column 274.

  Teachers (Re-entrants)
  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proposals he has to encourage qualified teachers who are no longer teaching back into the profession.

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of Stale for Education and Science what proposals he has to encourage qualified teachers who are no longer teaching back into the profession.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  Our proposed education support grant programme for 1990–91 includes support for expenditure of over £2 million on local recruitment measures to attract back more former teachers and to recruit mature entrants. Activities supported by this programme will build on considerable success: over half of all entrants to teaching in recent years have been former serving teachers returning to the classroom.

  Civil Scientific Research
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what further plans he has to promote and finance further civil scientific research and development; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jackson
  My right hon. Friend will be making an announcement about the future levels of funding of the science budget shortly.

  Assisted Places
  Mr. Hind
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has any plans to meet the chairman of the Association of County Councils to discuss the availability of local education authority grants and facilities to children on the assisted places scheme attending independent schools and city technology colleges.
  229
  Mr. Alan Howarth
  No.

  Global Environment
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on arrangements for the co-ordination of research into the global environment.

  Mr. James Lamond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he is responsible for the co-ordination of research into the global environment.

  Mr. Jackson
  Research into the global environment embraces a wide range of work supported by the research councils and a number of other agencies. A correspondingly wide range of co-ordinating arrangements exist, at scientific level; between scientists, the research councils or other supporting agencies, and relevant Government Departments, and internationally. In the light of the pace of developments in this field, both in the United Kingdom and abroad, co-ordination arrangements are kept under regular review. As part of this process, consideration is currently being given to the creation of improved mechanisms for co-ordination.

  Bus Passes
  Mr. Sumberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what guidance is offered to local authorities by his Department concerning the issuance of bus passes to school children; and what are the regulations governing such issuance.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  Under section 55(1) of the Education Act 1944 it is for local education authorities to judge whether it is necessary to make arrangements to facilitate the attendance of pupils at schools. Transport provided under such arrangements must be free of charge. Section 55(2) provides a discretionary power for authorities to pay the whole or part of the travel expenses in other cases. There are no relevant regulations. No guidance has been issued on the specific question of bus passes, but a DES circular letter of 15 December 1981 set out the Secretary of State's views on school transport and travel expenses in the light of the 1980 Education Act's provisions on choice of school. A copy has been placed in the Library of the House.

  GCSE
  Mr. Anthony Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received on the results of the GCSE examinations in schools and colleges in the year ending 1988–89 assessment year.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  As in previous years, my right hon. Friend and I have received a number of letters from Members of Parliament, parents and teachers about the summer 1989 GCSE results, though significantly fewer than in 1988, the first year of the GCSE.

  Hackney
  Ms. Abbott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he next plans to visit Hackney.
  230
  Mrs. Rumbold
  My right hon. Friend has not so far received an invitation to visit Hackney, but we intend to visit as many of the inner London boroughs as possible before next April.

  Service Children
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what discussions he has had regarding the education of the children of service personnel.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  None.

  Education (Inner London)
  Mr. Carrington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will make a statement on the state of preparations of the London boroughs to take over the responsibilities of the Inner London education authority in 1988.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The inner London councils continue to make progress in setting up their education departments in readiness for the transfer of responsibilities on 1 April 1990. Certain local education authority functions were transferred to the councils on 1 August and 1 September 1989.

  Drug Abuse
  Mr. Evennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he is taking to ensure that schools teach young people about the dangers of drug abuse.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  Under the national curriculum children will be taught about the harmful effects of drugs and other substances. In addition, the important cross-curricular topics of health education and personal and social education will help equip young people with the skills and attitudes they need to resist pressures to misuse drugs, and to lead healthy lives.

  School Places
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has any plans to improve the formulas used or criteria adopted in his calculation of the likely need for school places in areas of rapidly growing population.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  It is for local education authorities to calculate the likely need for school places in areas of rapidly growing population.

  Nottingham CTC
  Mr. Brandon-Bravo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the exclusion from Nottinghamshire county council music and dance facilities of children attending the state-maintained Nottingham city technology college.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  My right hon. Friend remains most concerned about these cases; my hon. Friend will shortly receive a letter from the Department on the subject.

  Clerical Assistants (Schools)
  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the rate of pay of clerical assistants in(a) high schools, (b) middle schools and (c) first schools.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  School clerical assistants are usually paid on the local government administrative, professional, technical and clerical spine, the precise rate of pay being determined in the light of local circumstances and priorities.

  School Duties
  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what time is assessed as being required for(a) curriculumn responsibilities, (b) pastoral duties, (c) record keeping, (d) assessment and moderating and (e) classroom preparation at each age band of primary and secondary education; and what proportion of teaching and general costs have been allocated to each such band.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Teachers are required to be available for work for 195 days in any year of which 190 days shall be days on which they may be required to teach pupils, and to perform such duties at such times and such places as

  Collection

  SCHOOLS

  Pupils

  Form 7

  Information on the curriculum needs and aspects of disability of pupils with statements of special educational needs

  Collection discontinued w.e.f. 1989

  Data for pupils by age as at 31 December

  Collection ceased w.e.f. 1980

  Data for pupils by age and course of study (cross-analysis)

  Collection ceased w.e.f. 1985

  Teachers

  Form 618G

  September return

  Stopped w.e.f. September 1987

  DTR based tables:

  (a) Number of students entering ITT

  Not published w.e.f. 1988 but data available except for item (c)

  (b) Number of students attending courses for qualified teachers

  (c) Full-time teachers in direct grant Grammar schools

  (d) Teachers in independent schools

  (e) Teachers Superannuation

  Exams

  Surveys of Examining Boards

  Ceased after 1985 survey

  Educational buildings

  ;

  Form ABB 30

  Data on the annual progress report on educational buildings in each LEA

  Collection ceased w.e.f. 1989

  FHE

  Students

  Collection and publication ceased after 1980 (transfer of responsibility

  FESR data for Wales

  to the Secretary of State for Wales)

  FE Examinations entries and passes

  Not published in the FE Volume since 1979

  Statistics of ITT students in University Departments of Education

  Not included in 1986 and 1987 editions of FE Statisics Volume, due to problems arising from a switch in data source. Publication to be recommenced in 1988 Volume

  Residential students

  FSHR Survey

  Number of HE and FE full-time and sandwich course students in halls of residence at polytechnics and other FHE institutions

  Collection ceased after the November 1987 survey

  232
  may be specified by the head teacher for 1,265 hours in any year. The allocation of resources to individual schools is a matter for local education authorities.

  Portage Schemes
  Mr. Speller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he aims to achieve comprehensive geographical coverage for portage schemes; and how many such schemes operate in the county of Devon.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  Between 1986 and 1989, pump-priming funds to provide portage were offered to every LEA in England, though the education support grant (ESG); 89 out of 97 LEAs took it up. Although no new ESG funds for portage are available, LEAs are encouraged to develop further schemes themselves. There is one scheme in the county of Devon.

  Statistics
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether his Department has discontinued(a) collection or (b) the publication of any statistics since 1979.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The main changes to the collection of regular statistics and to their publication are as follows:
  233

  Collection

  Students Staff ratios

  Annual Monitoring Survey

  Collection of data by Burnham category

  Collection ceased w.e.f. 1988–89

  FE Revenue

  FE Revenue Accounts Survey

  Separate data for gas, electricity, solid fuel and fuel oil

  Collection ceased w.e.f. 1987–88

  Student awards

  Form 503G

  Data in respect of discretionary award holders under Section

  1(6) and Section (2) of the 1962 Education Act as amended:

  (a) by status and rate of grant

  Collection and publication ceased w.e.f. 1983–84

  (b) married, independent and staying outside the United Kingdom

  Collection ceased w.e.f. 1983–84

  (c) numbers in receipt of all additional allowances

  Collection ceased w.e.f. 1983–84

  Separate data on women students for (a) and (b) above and for mandatory award holders

  Collection and publication ceased w.e.f. 1983–84

  Data for:

  (a) mandatory awards for married and independent students studying permanently outside the United Kingdom

  Collection ceased w.e.f. 1984–85

  (b) numbers in receipt of dependents allowances by sex

  Collection ceased w.e.f. 1984–85

  (c) numbers in receipt of lesser-value awards by sex

  Collection ceased w.e.f. 1984–85

  (d) number of nil award-holders in receipt of free board and lodging

  Collection ceased w.e.f. 1984–85

  (e) number of full-value award holders in the polytechnics and colleges sector for whom no fees were paid by the LEA

  Collection ceased w.e.f. 1984–85

  Greenways School, Liverpool
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the future of Greenways school, Grassendale, Liverpool, and the special education in that city.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The Liverpool local education authority published a preliminary report on special educational provision in the city in June. That report recommends the closure of Greenways and White Thorn special schools, and the establishment of three new nursery/infant assessment units. However, no formal proposals under section 14 of the Education Act 1981 have as yet been received by the Secretary of State in respect of the closure of these schools.

  Education Spending (Northumberland)
  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how much money was spent per pupil in Northumberland on(a) special education, (b) primary schools, (c) secondary schools and (d) tertiary education in each year from 1978–79 to the last year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The available information is given in the table.

  Net institutional expenditure1 per pupil2—cash terms Northumberland

  Primary £

  Secondary £

  Special £

  1978–79

  415

  575

  n.a.

  1979–80

  425

  580

  n.a.

  1980–81

  530

  710

  n.a.

  1981–82

  600

  770

  n.a.

  1982–83

  655

  845

  2,890

  1983–84

  690

  925

  3,315

  1984–85

  720

  1,000

  3,800

  1985–86

  755

  1,075

  4,325

  234

  Primary £

  Secondary £

  Special £

  1986–87

  840

  1,230

  4,700

  1987–88

  945

  1,390

  5,570

  Separate figures are not available for tertiary education which forms part of maintained further education.

  1 Net Institutional Expenditure includes the cost of salaries and wages, premises and certain supplies and services. It does not include the cost of school meals, central administration and inspection, debt charges or revenue contributions to capital outlay.

  2The figures are bases on LEA expenditure returns to DoE and pupil number returns to DES.

  School Teachers
  Mr Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education And Science what has been the number of teachers from Europe who have been appointed to schools in England and Wales during the last six months due to teacher shortages.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The information is not available in the form requested but a total of 249 teachers from EC countries were accorded qualified teacher status in the period I May to 31 October.

  Mr. Amos
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list all measures which have been taken since 1987 to increase the supply of school teachers; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The principal measures taken since 1987 to increase the supply of teachers are as follows:

  1. Bursary schemes for trainee teachers in maths, physics, CDT and (from 1989) chemistry.

  2. Support for new initiatives in higher education institutions and the Open university for new types of initial teacher training and conversion courses.

  3. The setting up of the TASC (teacher as a career unit to promote career and improve recruitment practices among local education authorities and initial teacher training institutions.

  4. The support of publicity and advertising campaigns organised by

  235
  TASC.

  5. The introduction of new routes to teaching, including the licensed teacher and the articled teacher schemes.

  6. The provision of education support grant as pump-priming support for LEA's local initiatives to improve the recruitment of new teachers not currently in service.

  7. The provision of taster courses about teaching as a career for mature people seeking a new career in teaching.

  8. The provision of funding through LEA training grants scheme for retraining courses to increase the supply of teachers in shortage subjects.

  We shall continue and intensify our efforts to meet the demands of schools in the 1990s.

  Disabled Students Allowance
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many local education authorities pay the disabled students allowance retrospectively.

  Mr. Jackson
  The disabled students allowance is available as part of the grant under the mandatory awards regulations for a student who, as a result of his disability, is obliged to incur extra expenditure (other than travel expenses which are provided for separately) in attending his course. It is for the local education authority to assess the amount it considers appropriate up to the ceiling specified in the regulations, and to decide how and when to make grant payments. In practice assessments are often likely to take account of expenditure already incurred, but the Department does not collect detailed information on authorities' procedures.

  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether his Department has carried out any research into the adequacy of the disabled students allowance for meeting the additional costs incurred by disabled students.

  Mr. Jackson
  I refer the right hon. Member to the reply I gave on 13 November to my right hon. Friend for Exeter Mr. Hannam.

  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether his Department has carried out any research into the possible effects of a loans system on disabled students and prospective students with disabilities.

  Mr. Jackson
  The top-up loans scheme is designed to provide an additional source of support for all students.

  School Buildings, Derbyshire
  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he will announce his decision on the revised bid for capital spending on school buildings submitted by Derbyshire county council in connection with its post-primary reorganisation plans for the Chesterfield and north-east Derbyshire areas.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  My right hon. Friend hopes to announce his decisions on the distribution of annual capital guidelines to LEAs before Christmas. Derbyshire county council's capital expenditure plans for 1990–91 are currently under consideration and it is impossible to say what Derbyshire's annual capital guideline for education is likely to be. I should, however, point out that annual capital guidelines are unhypothecated and therefore it is for the individual authority to determine, in the light of local needs and circumstances, which projects it should undertake.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many(a) oral and (b) written questions were asked of his Department in 1988–89.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  To date, the Department has received 742 oral and 1,579 written questions.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many written parliamentary questions he refused to answer in the parliamentary Session 1988–89.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  It is the Department's policy to answer all written parliamentary questions tabled to my right hon. Friend, unless the information can be produced only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what was the cost to his Department of answering parliamentary(a) oral and (b) written questions in the parliamentary Session 1988–89;

  (2) how many written parliamentary questions to him in session 1988–89 received answers that the information (a) was not available, (b) was not separately recorded, (c) was not centrally recorded, (d) was not recorded in Government statistics or (e) could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The information requested can be provided only at disproportionate expense.

  Teachers' Pay
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what discussions he has had with the interim advisory committee on teachers' pay; and whether he will make a statement.

  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what discussions he has had with the interim advisory committee on teachers' pay; and whether he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  My right hon. Friend has had no discussions with the IAC. Officials from the Department gave oral evidence to the committee on 9 November.

  Mr. O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received on current procedure for the settlement of salaries and conditions for teachers; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  My right hon. Friend is currently engaged in a series of meetings with the teacher unions and the employers at which a range of possibilities for new permanent pay determination arrangements is being discussed.

  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether his Department has had any correspondence with Cheshire county council concerning the pay of home tutors and supply teachers.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  No. Local education authorities have certain discretions under the school teachers' pay and conditions document 1989 to pay teachers on short-notice contracts at rates they consider appropriate in order to recruit and retain sufficient teachers of the right quality.
  237
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make it his policy that the element within rate support grant for school teachers' pay within any new pay determination machinery be determined solely on the merits of the case for teachers' pay.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  My right hon. Friend is at present discussing with unions and employers what form the new pay determination machinery should take. The implications for annual local authority spending settlements will be considered during those discussions.

  Mr. Geraint Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the progress of his plans to introduce a new teachers' pay negotiating body.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  My right hon. Friend is currently engaged in a series of meetings with the teacher unions and the employers at which a range of possibilities for new permanent pay determination arrangements is being discussed.

  Mr. Stevens
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what in real terms, was headteachers' pay in 1979 and in the latest year for which figures are available.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The average pay of a headteacher in April 1989 was 18,883 in the primary sector and £26,185 in the secondary sector. The equivalent figures for 1979 (in real terms) were £14,841 and £19,875 respectively.

  Tuition Fees
  Mr. Hanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what detailed arrangements he now proposes for implementing increased tuition fees in higher education in 1990–91.

  Mr. MacGregor
  We have already announced that the maximum tuition fee for most first degree and designated comparable courses in publicly-funded institutions which will be reimbursed through mandatory student awards will be £1,675 from September 1990. In order to ensure that public funds are not provided in advance of need, I have decided that this tuition fee should be paid in termly instalments rather than in a single annual payment as at present. The funding councils will also adjust the profile of their recurrent grant instalments to institutions so that the combined flow of fee and grant income more closely matches institutions' spending patterns during the year. The changes have been discussed with representatives of the local authorities and the institutions, and we shall now consult further about the detailed arrangements for the termly fee payments.

  I have also considered what fee levels would be appropriate for reimbursement through mandatory awards for courses where a student spends at least a year away from an institution—for example students on thick sandwich courses or spending a year as foreign language assistants. In these cases, the costs to the institution are usually less during the year away than for the main part of the course. I have decided that the maximum fee reimbursed in such cases should be half the standard tuition fee.

  FOREIGN AFFAIRS COUNCIL, 6th NOVEMBER
  FOREIGN AFFAIRS COUNCIL, 6th NOVEMBER
  MRS. DAPHNE PARISH AND MR. FARZAD BAZOFT
  MRS. DAPHNE PARISH AND MR. FARZAD BAZOFT
  NATIONAL CURRICULUM: RELIGIOUS OBJECTIONS
  NATIONAL CURRICULUM: RELIGIOUS OBJECTIONS
  ADMIRALTY RESEARCH ESTABLISHMENT, HOLTON HEATH
  ADMIRALTY RESEARCH ESTABLISHMENT, HOLTON HEATH
  TANK REPLACEMENT
  TANK REPLACEMENT
  TANK MANUFACTURING CAPACITY
  TANK MANUFACTURING CAPACITY
  NATIONAL TRUST: EC GRANTS
  NATIONAL TRUST: EC GRANTS
  GUN CLUBS: CONTROLS
  GUN CLUBS: CONTROLS
  EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS: BROGAN CASE RULING
  EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS: BROGAN CASE RULING