Written Answers of 27 November 1989

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  National Curriculum
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will visit Ball Green county primary school, Stoke-on-Trent, to discuss resources in schools and funding for delivery of the national curriculum.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  No. It is for Staffordshire education authority to determine, and discuss as appropriate with the schools it maintains, the resources allocated to each of them. We are giving specific grant support for the implementation of the national curriculum. This financial year these grants will support £2,344,700 expenditure in Staffordshire. That is in addition to the general rate support grant funding which local authorities receive in support of spending. It is for Staffordshire itself to decide how much in total to allocate to implementation of the national curriculum.

  Teachers' Pay
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will visit Hill Top county primary school, Stoke-on-Trent, to discuss teachers' pay.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  My right hon. Friend has no plans at present to do so.

  Mr. Alexander
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what incentives he will arrange to enable teaching staff to attend training courses for the national curriculum and other essential out-of-school learning activities required under the Education Reform Act 1988.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The LEA training grants scheme will, in 1990–91, support local education authority expenditure of over £72 million with grant at a rate of 65 per cent. on training related to the implementation of the provisions of the Education Reform Act 1988. Of this £61 million specifically relates to training on the national curriculum. My right. hon. friend also expects local education authorites to make full use of the non-contact days for training. Expenditure eligible for grant includes the cost of supply cover and of other items associated with planning and running training activities. Much training takes place on school premises and out of normal school hours.

  Education Act 1988
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how he intends to tackle the problem of the shortage of teachers and resources, particularly in certain areas and subjects, in order to implement the Education Act 1988.
  50
  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The Department has a vigorous action programme, costing £50 million so far, to improve teacher supply. The programme includes bursaries for trainee teachers in maths, physics, design and technology and chemistry; national advertising and publicity, spearheaded by the Teaching as a Career unit; taster courses to enable those seeking a career change to obtain some experience of teaching; new initial and in-service training courses; and support for local initiatives to attract mature new entrants and former serving teachers.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment announced on 6 November the proposed local authority grant settlement for 1990–91. That allows for £14,988 million to be spent on education next year, an increase of 9·6 per cent. over the comparable total for 1989–90. Given effective management, I am confident that this will be sufficient to allow good progress to be made in implementing the education reforms.

  Student Loans
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how much his Department has paid, or plans to pay, to Price Waterhouse in consultancy, accountancy and research fees.

  Mr. Jackson
  The Department has paid £451,223 to Price Waterhouse for preparatory work on the top-up loans scheme. Future expenditure will depend upon the extent to which the Student Loans Company Ltd. makes use of Price Waterhouse's services.

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how students who do not hold a bank account with any of the participants in the Student Loans Company will apply for the proposed top-up loan facility.

  Mr. Jackson
  Students will be required to apply for a loan through a branch of one of the financial institutions participating in the Student Loans Company.

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list those banks and building societies and other financial institutions with which his Department has had discussions concerning participation in the formation of Student Loans Company Ltd.

  Mr. Jackson
  Discussions have been held with a range of financial institutions, representing principally the bank and building society sectors.

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will now publish the detailed cost-time estimates referred to in the initial Price Waterhouse feasibility study on the student loans scheme.

  Mr. Jackson
  The Price Waterhouse stage II report, placed in the House of Commons Library on 16 November, contained a revised implementation timetable. Administration costs are still subject to contractual negotiations.

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish all contracts between his Department and the Student Loans Company or its participants.

  Mr. Jackson
  The memorandum of understanding was published on 16 November. Other agreements must remain confidential at this stage for commercial reasons.
  51
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will update and publish annex E of the White Paper "Top-up Loans for Students", Cm. 520, taking into account(a) administration costs and (b) transaction fees of £12 per student loan application per year, on the assumptions of (x) 80 per cent., (y) 90 per cent. and (z) 100 per cent. take-up of the student loan

  Table i(x)

  United Kingdom—3 per cent. inflation—80 per cent. take-up

  (million, 1990 prices)

  Year

  Change in Grant

  Change in Benefits

  Gross Loan Outlay

  Loan Repayments

  PSBR Effect

  1990

  0

  -65

  167

  0

  103

  1991

  -22

  -65

  193

  2

  105

  1992

  -42

  -64

  216

  9

  103

  1993

  -61

  -63

  236

  21

  93

  1994

  -78

  -61

  255

  39

  78

  1995

  -95

  -59

  275

  62

  59

  1996

  -112

  -59

  297

  83

  42

  1997

  -131

  -62

  324

  102

  30

  1998

  -152

  -63

  356

  119

  22

  1999

  -172

  -65

  385

  131

  17

  2000

  -190

  -65

  410

  142

  13

  2001

  -206

  -65

  429

  155

  2

  2002

  -222

  -65

  450

  176

  -14

  2003

  -236

  -65

  469

  192

  -25

  2004

  -251

  -65

  488

  203

  -31

  2005

  -266

  -65

  506

  211

  -37

  2006

  -280

  -65

  523

  217

  -39

  2007

  -293

  -65

  541

  220

  -39

  2008

  -293

  -65

  541

  231

  -49

  2009

  -293

  -65

  541

  251

  -69

  2010

  -293

  -65

  541

  275

  -94

  2011

  -293

  -65

  541

  296

  -113

  2012

  -293

  -65

  541

  313

  -130

  2013

  -293

  -65

  541

  329

  -147

  2014

  -293

  -65

  541

  345

  -162

  2015

  -293

  -65

  541

  357

  -174

  2016

  -293

  -65

  541

  367

  -184

  2017

  -293

  -65

  541

  375

  -193

  2018

  -293

  -65

  541

  383

  -200

  2019

  -293

  -65

  541

  388

  -206

  2020

  -293

  -65

  541

  393

  -210

  2021

  -293

  -65

  541

  399

  -216

  2022

  -293

  -65

  541

  404

  -222

  2023

  -293

  -65

  541

  407

  -225

  2024

  -293

  -65

  541

  410

  -227

  2025

  -293

  -65

  541

  411

  -228

  2026

  -293

  -65

  541

  411

  -228

  2027

  -293

  -65

  541

  412

  -230

  Table i(y)

  United Kingdom—3 per cent. inflation—90 per cent. take-up

  (million, 1990 prices)

  Year

  Change in Grant

  Change in Benefits

  Gross Loan Outlay

  Loan Repayments

  PSBR Effect

  1990

  0

  -65

  188

  0

  123

  1991

  -22

  -64

  217

  2

  129

  1992

  -42

  -63

  242

  10

  128

  1993

  -60

  -62

  265

  23

  120

  1994

  -78

  -61

  288

  43

  106

  1995

  -95

  -60

  310

  68

  87

  1996

  -112

  -60

  334

  93

  68

  1997

  -131

  -61

  365

  115

  58

  1998

  -152

  -63

  400

  133

  52

  1999

  -173

  -64

  434

  147

  50

  2000

  -190

  -65

  461

  159

  46

  2001

  -206

  -65

  484

  176

  37

  2002

  -222

  -65

  506

  198

  21

  2003

  -237

  -65

  528

  216

  10

  2004

  -252

  -65

  549

  228

  4

  2005

  -266

  -65

  569

  238

  1

  2006

  -280

  -65

  589

  245

  0

  52
  scheme and on the assumption of annual inflation at (i)3 per cent., (ii)4 per cent., (iii)5 per cent., (iv)6 per cent., (v)7 per cent. and (vi)8 per cent. up to the year 2027.

  Mr. Jackson
  The following 18 tables set out, on the same basis as annex E of Cm. 520, the financial effects of the scheme on the assumptions specified. They make no allowance for administrative costs (of which the transaction fee forms a part) as these are subject to contractual negotiations.
  53

  Year

  Change in Grant

  Change in Benefits

  Gross Loan Outlay

  Loan Repayments

  PSBR Effect

  2007

  -293

  -65

  608

  248

  2

  2008

  -293

  -65

  608

  260

  -10

  2009

  -293

  -65

  608

  283

  -33

  2010

  -293

  -65

  608

  310

  -60

  2011

  -293

  -65

  608

  333

  -83

  2012

  -293

  -65

  608

  351

  -101

  2013

  -293

  -65

  608

  371

  -121

  2014

  -293

  -65

  608

  387

  -137

  2015

  -293

  -65

  608

  401

  -151

  2016

  -293

  -65

  608

  412

  -163

  2017

  -293

  -65

  608

  423

  -173

  2018

  -293

  -65

  608

  430

  -180

  2019

  -293

  -65

  608

  436

  -186

  2020

  -293

  -65

  608

  442

  -192

  2021

  -293

  -65

  608

  448

  -198

  2022

  -293

  -65

  608

  455

  -205

  2023

  -293

  -65

  608

  458

  -209

  2024

  -293

  -65

  608

  460

  -210

  2025

  -293

  -65

  608

  462

  -212

  2026

  -293

  -65

  608

  463

  -213

  2027

  -293

  -65

  608

  464

  -214

  Table i(z)

  United Kingdom—3 per cent. inflation—100 per cent. take-up

  (million, 1990 prices)

  Year

  Change in Grant

  Change in Benefits

  Gross Loan Outlay

  Loan Repayments

  PSBR Effect

  1990

  0

  -65

  209

  0

  144

  1991

  -22

  -64

  242

  3

  153

  1992

  -42

  -63

  269

  11

  153

  1993

  -60

  -62

  295

  26

  147

  1994

  -78

  -61

  320

  48

  133

  1995

  -95

  -60

  344

  76

  113

  1996

  -112

  -60

  371

  104

  95

  1997

  -131

  -61

  406

  128

  85

  1998

  -152

  -63

  444

  148

  82

  1999

  -173

  -64

  482

  164

  81

  2000

  -190

  -65

  512

  177

  80

  2001

  -206

  -65

  538

  195

  71

  2002

  -222

  -65

  562

  220

  55

  2003

  -237

  -65

  586

  240

  44

  2004

  -252

  -65

  610

  253

  40

  2005

  -266

  -65

  632

  264

  37

  2006

  -280

  -65

  654

  272

  38

  2007

  -293

  -65

  676

  276

  42

  2008

  -293

  -65

  676

  289

  29

  2009

  -293

  -65

  676

  314

  3

  2010

  -293

  -65

  676

  344

  -27

  2011

  -293

  -65

  676

  370

  -52

  2012

  -293

  -65

  676

  390

  -73

  2013

  -293

  -65

  676

  412

  -94

  2014

  -293

  -65

  676

  430

  -113

  2015

  -293

  -65

  676

  446

  -128

  2016

  -293

  -65

  676

  458

  -141

  2017

  -293

  -65

  676

  469

  -152

  2018

  -293

  -65

  676

  478

  -161

  2019

  -293

  -65

  676

  484

  -167

  2020

  -293

  -65

  676

  491

  -173

  2021

  -293

  -65

  676

  498

  -181

  2022

  -293

  -65

  676

  505

  -188

  2023

  -293

  -65

  676

  509

  -192

  2024

  -293

  -65

  676

  511

  -194

  2025

  -293

  -65

  676

  513

  -195

  2026

  -293

  -65

  676

  514

  -197

  2027

  -293

  -65

  676

  515

  -198

  Table ii(x)

  United Kingdom—4 per cent. inflation—80 per cent. take-up

  (million, 1990 prices)

  Year

  Change in Grant

  Change in Benefits

  Gross Loan Outlay

  Loan Repayments

  PSBR Effect

  1990

  0

  -65

  167

  0

  102

  1991

  -28

  -64

  201

  2

  107

  1992

  -53

  -63

  230

  9

  105

  54 55

  Year

  Change in Grant

  Change in Benefits

  Gross Loan Outlay

  Loan Repayments

  PSBR Effect

  1993

  -77

  -62

  257

  21

  97

  1994

  -99

  -61

  282

  40

  83

  1995

  -119

  -60

  307

  63

  64

  1996

  -140

  -60

  333

  88

  45

  1997

  -164

  -61

  366

  109

  32

  1998

  -189

  -63

  403

  127

  24

  1999

  -214

  -64

  438

  142

  18

  2000

  -235

  -65

  467

  155

  11

  2001

  -254

  -65

  491

  173

  -1

  2002

  -272

  -65

  514

  196

  -19

  2003

  -290

  -65

  536

  215

  -33

  2004

  -290

  -65

  536

  228

  -46

  2005

  -290

  -65

  536

  238

  -56

  2006

  -290

  -65

  536

  245

  -64

  2007

  -290

  -65

  536

  248

  -66

  2008

  -290

  -65

  536

  258

  -77

  2009

  -290

  -65

  536

  279

  -98

  2010

  -290

  -65

  536

  303

  -121

  2011

  -290

  -65

  536

  322

  -141

  2012

  -290

  -65

  536

  336

  -155

  2013

  -290

  -65

  536

  351

  -170

  2014

  -290

  -65

  536

  363

  -181

  2015

  -290

  -65

  536

  372

  -190

  2016

  -290

  -65

  536

  378

  -197

  2017

  -290

  -65

  536

  384

  -203

  2018

  -290

  -65

  536

  389

  -207

  2019

  -290

  -65

  536

  392

  -210

  2020

  -290

  -65

  536

  395

  -214

  2021

  -290

  -65

  536

  400

  -219

  2022

  -290

  -65

  536

  405

  -224

  2023

  -290

  -65

  536

  408

  -227

  2024

  -290

  -65

  536

  409

  -228

  2025

  -290

  -65

  536

  410

  -228

  2026

  -290

  -65

  536

  410

  -228

  2027

  -290

  -65

  536

  410

  -229

  Table ii(y)

  United Kingdom—4 per cent. inflation—90 per cent. take-up

  (million, 1990 prices)

  Year

  Change in Grant

  Change in Benefits

  Gross Loan Outlay

  Loan Repayments

  PSBR Effect

  1990

  0

  -65

  188

  0

  123

  1991

  -28

  -64

  226

  2

  132

  1992

  -53

  -63

  259

  10

  133

  1993

  -77

  -62

  289

  24

  126

  1994

  -99

  -61

  317

  45

  113

  1995

  -119

  -60

  345

  71

  94

  1996

  -140

  -60

  375

  99

  76

  1997

  -164

  -61

  412

  123

  64

  1998

  -189

  -63

  453

  143

  58

  1999

  -214

  -64

  493

  160

  55

  2000

  -235

  -65

  525

  175

  50

  2001

  -254

  -65

  552

  194

  39

  2002

  -272

  -65

  578

  221

  20

  2003

  -290

  -65

  603

  241

  7

  2004

  -290

  -65

  603

  256

  -7

  2005

  -290

  -65

  603

  268

  -19

  2006

  -290

  -65

  603

  276

  -27

  2007

  -290

  -65

  603

  279

  -30

  2008

  -290

  -65

  603

  291

  -42

  2009

  -290

  -65

  603

  314

  -65

  2010

  -290

  -65

  603

  341

  -92

  2011

  -290

  -65

  603

  362

  -114

  2012

  -290

  -65

  603

  378

  -130

  2013

  -290

  -65

  603

  395

  -147

  2014

  -290

  -65

  603

  408

  -160

  2015

  -290

  -65

  603

  418

  -170

  2016

  -290

  -65

  603

  426

  -177

  2017

  -290

  -65

  603

  432

  -184

  2018

  -290

  -65

  603

  437

  -189

  2019

  -290

  -65

  603

  441

  -192

  2020

  -290

  -65

  603

  445

  -196

  2021

  -290

  -65

  603

  451

  -202

  2022

  -290

  -65

  603

  456

  -208

  2023

  -290

  -65

  603

  459

  -211

  56 57

  Year

  Change in Grant

  Change in Benefits

  Gross Loan Outlay

  Loan Repayments

  PSBR Effect

  2024

  -290

  -65

  603

  460

  -212

  2025

  -290

  -65

  603

  461

  -212

  2026

  -290

  -65

  603

  461

  -213

  2027

  -290

  -65

  603

  461

  -213

  Table ii(z)

  United Kingdom—4 per cent. inflation—100 per cent. take-up

  (million, 1990 prices)

  Year

  Change in Grant

  Change in Benefits

  Gross Loan Outlay

  Loan Repayments

  PSBR Effect

  1990

  0

  -65

  209

  0

  144

  1991

  -28

  -64

  251

  3

  156

  1992

  -53

  -63

  287

  11

  160

  1993

  -77

  -62

  321

  26

  156

  1994

  -99

  -61

  353

  49

  144

  1995

  -119

  -60

  383

  79

  125

  1996

  -140

  -60

  416

  109

  106

  1997

  -164

  -61

  458

  136

  96

  1998

  -189

  -63

  504

  159

  92

  1999

  -214

  -64

  548

  178

  92

  2000

  -235

  -65

  583

  194

  89

  2001

  -254

  -65

  613

  216

  79

  2002

  -272

  -65

  642

  245

  60

  2003

  -290

  -65

  670

  268

  47

  2004

  -290

  -65

  670

  284

  31

  2005

  -290

  -65

  670

  297

  18

  2006

  -290

  -65

  670

  306

  9

  2007

  -290

  -65

  670

  310

  6

  2008

  -290

  -65

  670

  323

  -7

  2009

  -290

  -65

  670

  349

  -33

  2010

  -290

  -65

  670

  379

  -63

  2011

  -290

  -65

  670

  403

  -87

  2012

  -290

  -65

  670

  420

  -105

  2013

  -290

  -65

  670

  439

  -123

  2014

  -290

  -65

  670

  453

  -138

  2015

  -290

  -65

  670

  465

  -149

  2016

  -290

  -65

  670

  473

  -158

  2017

  -290

  -65

  670

  480

  -165

  2018

  -290

  -65

  670

  486

  -170

  2019

  -290

  -65

  670

  490

  -174

  2020

  -290

  -65

  670

  494

  -179

  2021

  -290

  -65

  670

  501

  -185

  2022

  -290

  -65

  670

  507

  -191

  2023

  -290

  -65

  670

  510

  -195

  2024

  -290

  -65

  670

  511

  -196

  2025

  -290

  -65

  670

  512

  -196

  2026

  -290

  -65

  670

  512

  -197

  2027

  -290

  -65

  670

  512

  -197

  Table iii(x)

  United Kingdom—5 per cent. inflation—80 per cent. take-up

  (million, 1990 prices)

  Year

  Change in Grant

  Change in Benefits

  Gross Loan outlay

  Loan Repayments

  PSBR Effect

  1990

  0

  -65

  167

  0

  102

  1991

  -34

  -64

  209

  2

  109

  1992

  -65

  -63

  246

  9

  108

  1993

  -94

  -62

  279

  22

  101

  1994

  -120

  -61

  310

  41

  88

  1995

  -145

  -60

  340

  66

  68

  1996

  -170

  -60

  371

  92

  48

  1997

  -198

  -61

  409

  116

  34

  1998

  -227

  -63

  451

  137

  24

  1999

  -256

  -64

  492

  154

  17

  2000

  -280

  -65

  524

  169

  9

  2001

  -301

  -65

  551

  190

  -5

  2002

  -301

  -65

  551

  216

  -32

  2003

  -301

  -65

  551

  238

  -53

  2004

  -301

  -65

  551

  252

  -67

  2005

  -301

  -65

  551

  263

  -78

  2006

  -301

  -65

  551

  270

  -85

  2007

  -301

  -65

  551

  271

  -86

  2008

  -301

  -65

  551

  280

  -95

  2009

  -301

  -65

  551

  300

  -115

  58 59

  Year

  Change in Grant

  Change in Benefits

  Gross Loan outlay

  Loan Repayments

  PSBR Effect

  2010

  -301

  -65

  551

  324

  -139

  2011

  -301

  -65

  551

  342

  -138

  2012

  -301

  -65

  551

  355

  -170

  2013

  -301

  -65

  551

  369

  -184

  2014

  -301

  -65

  551

  379

  -194

  2015

  -301

  -65

  551

  387

  -202

  2016

  -301

  -65

  551

  393

  -208

  2017

  -301

  -65

  551

  398

  -213

  2018

  -301

  -65

  551

  402

  -217

  2019

  -301

  -65

  551

  404

  -220

  2020

  -301

  -65

  551

  408

  -223

  2021

  -301

  -65

  551

  413

  -228

  2022

  -301

  -65

  551

  418

  -233

  2023

  -301

  -65

  551

  421

  -236

  2024

  -301

  -65

  551

  421

  -236

  2025

  -301

  -65

  551

  421

  -237

  2026

  -301

  -65

  551

  421

  -237

  2027

  -301

  -65

  551

  421

  -237

  Table iii(y)

  United Kingdom—5 per cent. inflation—90 per cent. take-up

  (million, 1990 prices)

  Year

  Change in Grant

  Change in Benefits

  Gross Loan Outlay

  Loan Repayments

  PSBR Effect

  1990

  0

  -65

  188

  0

  123

  1991

  -34

  -64

  236

  2

  134

  1992

  -65

  -63

  276

  10

  138

  1993

  -94

  -62

  314

  24

  133

  1994

  -120

  -61

  349

  46

  121

  1995

  -145

  -60

  382

  75

  102

  1996

  -170

  -60

  417

  104

  83

  1997

  -198

  -61

  460

  131

  71

  1998

  -227

  -63

  508

  154

  64

  1999

  -256

  -64

  553

  174

  59

  2000

  -280

  -65

  589

  191

  54

  2001

  -301

  -65

  620

  213

  40

  2002

  -301

  -65

  620

  244

  10

  2003

  -301

  -65

  620

  267

  -14

  2004

  -301

  -65

  620

  284

  -30

  2005

  -301

  -65

  620

  296

  -42

  2006

  -301

  -65

  620

  303

  -50

  2007

  -301

  -65

  620

  304

  -51

  2008

  -301

  -65

  620

  315

  -61

  2009

  -301

  -65

  620

  338

  -84

  2010

  -301

  -65

  620

  364

  -111

  2011

  -301

  -65

  620

  385

  -132

  2012

  -301

  -65

  620

  399

  -146

  2013

  -301

  -65

  620

  415

  -161

  2014

  -301

  -65

  620

  426

  -173

  2015

  -301

  -65

  620

  435

  -182

  2016

  -301

  -65

  620

  442

  -188

  2017

  -301

  -65

  620

  448

  -194

  2018

  -301

  -65

  620

  452

  -199

  2019

  -301

  -65

  620

  455

  -201

  2020

  -301

  -65

  620

  459

  -205

  2021

  -301

  -65

  620

  465

  -211

  2022

  -301

  -65

  620

  470

  -217

  2023

  -301

  -65

  620

  473

  -220

  2024

  -301

  -65

  620

  474

  -220

  2025

  -301

  -65

  620

  474

  -220

  2026

  -301

  -65

  620

  474

  -220

  2027

  -301

  -65

  620

  474

  -220

  Table iii(z)

  United Kingdom—5 per cent. inflation—100 per cent. take-up

  (million, 1990 prices)

  Year

  Change in Grant

  Change in Benefits

  Gross Loan Outlay

  Loan Repayments

  PSBR Effect

  1990

  0

  -65

  209

  0

  144

  1991

  -34

  -64

  262

  3

  160

  1992

  -65

  -63

  307

  11

  167

  1993

  -94

  -62

  348

  27

  165

  1994

  -120

  -61

  387

  27

  155

  1995

  -145

  -60

  424

  83

  136

  60 61

  Year

  Change in Grant

  Change in Benefits

  Gross Loan Outlay

  Loan Repayments

  PSBR Effect

  1996

  -170

  -60

  463

  116

  118

  1997

  -198

  -61

  512

  145

  108

  1998

  -227

  -63

  564

  171

  103

  1999

  -256

  -64

  614

  193

  101

  2000

  -280

  -65

  655

  212

  98

  2001

  -301

  -65

  688

  237

  85

  2002

  -301

  -65

  688

  271

  52

  2003

  -301

  -65

  688

  297

  25

  2004

  -301

  -65

  688

  315

  7

  2005

  -301

  -65

  688

  329

  -6

  2006

  -301

  -65

  688

  337

  -15

  2007

  -301

  -65

  688

  338

  -16

  2008

  -301

  -65

  688

  350

  -27

  2009

  -301

  -65

  688

  375

  -53

  2010

  -301

  -65

  688

  405

  -82

  2011

  -301

  -65

  688

  428

  -106

  2012

  -301

  -65

  688

  444

  -121

  2013

  -301

  -65

  688

  461

  -138

  2014

  -301

  -65

  688

  474

  -151

  2015

  -301

  -65

  688

  484

  -161

  2016

  -301

  -65

  688

  491

  -168

  2017

  -301

  -65

  688

  498

  -175

  2018

  -301

  -65

  688

  502

  -180

  2019

  -301

  -65

  688

  505

  -183

  2020

  -301

  -65

  688

  510

  -188

  2021

  -301

  -65

  688

  516

  -194

  2022

  -301

  -65

  688

  522

  -200

  2023

  -301

  -65

  688

  526

  -203

  2024

  -301

  -65

  688

  526

  -204

  2025

  -301

  -65

  688

  527

  -204

  2026

  -301

  -65

  688

  527

  -204

  2027

  -301

  -65

  688

  527

  -204

  Table iv(x)

  United Kingdom—6 per cent. inflation—80 per cent. take-up

  (million, 1990 prices)

  Year

  Change in Grant

  Change in Benefits

  Gross Loan Outlay

  Loan Repayments

  PSBR Effect

  1990

  0

  -65

  167

  0

  102

  1991

  -41

  -64

  218

  2

  110

  1992

  -77

  -63

  261

  9

  111

  1993

  -111

  -62

  300

  22

  105

  1994

  -141

  -61

  336

  42

  92

  1995

  -170

  -60

  371

  69

  72

  1996

  -198

  -60

  406

  97

  51

  1997

  -229

  -61

  449

  123

  36

  1998

  -262

  -63

  496

  146

  25

  1999

  -294

  -64

  540

  166

  16

  2000

  -296

  -65

  544

  183

  0

  2001

  -296

  -65

  544

  205

  -22

  2002

  -296

  -65

  544

  235

  -51

  2003

  -296

  -65

  544

  257

  -73

  2004

  -296

  -65

  544

  271

  -87

  2005

  -296

  -65

  544

  280

  -97

  2006

  -296

  -65

  544

  284

  -101

  2007

  -296

  -65

  544

  282

  -99

  2008

  -296

  -65

  544

  288

  -105

  2009

  -296

  -65

  544

  307

  -124

  2010

  -296

  -65

  544

  329

  -146

  2011

  -296

  -65

  544

  345

  -162

  2012

  -296

  -65

  544

  356

  -173

  2013

  -296

  -65

  544

  369

  -185

  2014

  -296

  -65

  544

  378

  -195

  2015

  -296

  -65

  544

  385

  -202

  2016

  -296

  -65

  544

  390

  -207

  2017

  -296

  -65

  544

  395

  -212

  2018

  -296

  -65

  544

  399

  -215

  2019

  -296

  -65

  544

  400

  -217

  2020

  -296

  -65

  544

  404

  -221

  2021

  -296

  -65

  544

  409

  -225

  2022

  -296

  -65

  544

  414

  -230

  2023

  -296

  -65

  544

  416

  -233

  2024

  -296

  -65

  544

  416

  -233

  2025

  -296

  -65

  544

  416

  -233

  62 63

  Year

  Change in Grant

  Change in Benefits

  Gross Loan Outlay

  Loan Repayments

  PSBR Effect

  2026

  -296

  -65

  544

  416

  -233

  2027

  -296

  -65

  544

  416

  -233

  Table iv(y)

  United Kingdom—6 per cent. inflation—90 per cent. take-up

  (million, 1990 prices)

  Year

  Change in Grant

  Change in Benefits

  Gross Loan Outlay

  Loan Repayments

  PSBR Effect

  1990

  0

  -65

  188

  0

  123

  1991

  -41

  -64

  245

  2

  137

  1992

  -77

  -63

  293

  10

  143

  1993

  -111

  -62

  338

  25

  140

  1994

  -141

  -61

  378

  48

  129

  1995

  -170

  -60

  417

  78

  109

  1996

  -198

  -60

  457

  109

  90

  1997

  -229

  -61

  505

  138

  77

  1998

  -262

  -63

  558

  164

  68

  1999

  -294

  -64

  607

  186

  63

  2000

  -296

  -65

  612

  206

  45

  2001

  -296

  -65

  612

  231

  20

  2002

  -296

  -65

  612

  264

  -13

  2003

  -296

  -65

  612

  289

  -37

  2004

  -296

  -65

  612

  304

  -53

  2005

  -296

  -65

  612

  315

  -64

  2006

  -296

  -65

  612

  320

  -69

  2007

  -296

  -65

  612

  317

  -66

  2008

  -296

  -65

  612

  324

  -73

  2009

  -296

  -65

  612

  345

  -94

  2010

  -296

  -65

  612

  370

  -119

  2011

  -296

  -65

  612

  389

  -137

  2012

  -296

  -65

  612

  401

  -149

  2013

  -296

  -65

  612

  415

  -163

  2014

  -296

  -65

  612

  425

  -174

  2015

  -296

  -65

  612

  433

  -182

  2016

  -296

  -65

  612

  439

  -188

  2017

  -296

  -65

  612

  444

  -193

  2018

  -296

  -65

  612

  448

  -197

  2019

  -296

  -65

  612

  451

  -199

  2020

  -296

  65

  612

  454

  -203

  2021

  -296

  -65

  612

  460

  -209

  2022

  -296

  -65

  612

  465

  -214

  2023

  -296

  -65

  612

  468

  -217

  2024

  -296

  -65

  612

  468

  -217

  2025

  -296

  -65

  612

  468

  -217

  2026

  -296

  -65

  612

  468

  -217

  2027

  -296

  -65

  612

  468

  -217

  Table iv(z)

  United Kingdom—6 per cent. inflation—100 per cent. take-up

  (million. 1990 prices)

  Year

  Change in Grant

  Change in Benefits

  Gross Loan Outlay

  Loan Repayments

  PSBR Effect

  1990

  0

  -65

  209

  0

  144

  1991

  -41

  -64

  272

  3

  164

  1992

  -77

  -63

  326

  11

  174

  1993

  -111

  -62

  375

  28

  175

  1994

  -141

  -61

  420

  53

  165

  1995

  -170

  -60

  463

  86

  147

  1996

  -198

  -60

  507

  121

  128

  1997

  -229

  -61

  561

  154

  117

  1998

  -262

  -63

  619

  182

  112

  1999

  -294

  -64

  675

  207

  110

  2000

  -296

  -65

  680

  229

  91

  2001

  -296

  -65

  680

  257

  63

  2002

  -296

  -65

  680

  293

  26

  2003

  -296

  -65

  680

  321

  -1

  2004

  -296

  -65

  680

  338

  -19

  2005

  -296

  -65

  680

  350

  -31

  2006

  -296

  -65

  680

  355

  -36

  2007

  -296

  -65

  680

  352

  -33

  2008

  -296

  -65

  680

  360

  -41

  2009

  -296

  -65

  680

  383

  -64

  2010

  -296

  -65

  680

  411

  -92

  2011

  -296

  -65

  680

  432

  -113

  64 65

  Year

  Change in Grant

  Change in Benefits

  Gross Loan Outlay

  Loan Repayments

  PSBR Effect

  2012

  -296

  -65

  680

  445

  -126

  2013

  -296

  -65

  680

  461

  -141

  2014

  -296

  -65

  680

  472

  -153

  2015

  -296

  -65

  680

  481

  -162

  2016

  -296

  -65

  680

  488

  -169

  2017

  -296

  -65

  680

  494

  -175

  2018

  -296

  -65

  680

  498

  -179

  2019

  -296

  -65

  680

  501

  -181

  2020

  -296

  -65

  680

  505

  -186

  2021

  -296

  -65

  680

  511

  -192

  2022

  -296

  -65

  680

  517

  -198

  2023

  -296

  -65

  680

  520

  -201

  2024

  -296

  -65

  680

  520

  -201

  2025

  -296

  -65

  680

  520

  -201

  2026

  -296

  -65

  680

  520

  -201

  2027

  -296

  -65

  680

  520

  -201

  Table v(x)

  United Kingdom—7 per cent. inflation—80 per cent. take-up

  (million, 1990 prices)

  Year

  Change in Grant

  Change in Benefits

  Gross Loan Outlay

  Loan Repayments

  PSBR Effect

  1990

  0

  -65

  167

  0

  102

  1991

  -47

  -64

  226

  2

  112

  1992

  -89

  -63

  276

  9

  114

  1993

  -127

  -62

  321

  23

  109

  1994

  -161

  -61

  362

  44

  96

  1995

  -193

  -60

  400

  72

  75

  1996

  -223

  -60

  439

  102

  54

  1997

  -258

  -61

  486

  130

  37

  1998

  -294

  -63

  536

  155

  25

  1999

  -301

  -64

  549

  176

  7

  2000

  -303

  -65

  553

  195

  -10

  2001

  -303

  -65

  553

  219

  -34

  2002

  -303

  -65

  553

  250

  -65

  2003

  -303

  -65

  553

  273

  -87

  2004

  -303

  -65

  553

  286

  -101

  2005

  -303

  -65

  553

  294

  -109

  2006

  -303

  -65

  553

  297

  -112

  2007

  -303

  -65

  553

  293

  -107

  2008

  -303

  -65

  553

  297

  -112

  2009

  -303

  -65

  553

  315

  -130

  2010

  -303

  -65

  553

  337

  -152

  2011

  -303

  -65

  553

  353

  -168

  2012

  -303

  -65

  553

  364

  -179

  2013

  -303

  -65

  553

  376

  -191

  2014

  -303

  -65

  553

  385

  -200

  2015

  -303

  -65

  553

  392

  -207

  2016

  -303

  -65

  553

  398

  -212

  2017

  -303

  -65

  553

  402

  -217

  2018

  -303

  -65

  553

  406

  -220

  2019

  -303

  -65

  553

  407

  -222

  2020

  -303

  -65

  553

  411

  -226

  2021

  -303

  -65

  553

  416

  -321

  2022

  -303

  -65

  553

  421

  -235

  2023

  -303

  -65

  553

  423

  -238

  2024

  -303

  -65

  553

  423

  -238

  2025

  -303

  -65

  553

  423

  -238

  2026

  -303

  -65

  553

  423

  -238

  2027

  -303

  -65

  553

  423

  -238

  Table v(y)

  United Kingdom—7 per cent. inflation—90 per cent. take-up

  (million, 1990 prices)

  Year

  Change in Grant

  Change in Benefits

  Gross Loan Outlay

  Loan Repayments

  PSBR Effect

  1990

  0

  -65

  188

  0

  123

  1991

  -47

  -64

  254

  2

  140

  1992

  -89

  -63

  310

  10

  148

  1993

  -127

  -62

  361

  26

  146

  1994

  -161

  -61

  407

  49

  136

  1995

  -193

  -60

  450

  81

  116

  1996

  -223

  -60

  494

  114

  96

  1997

  -258

  -61

  547

  146

  82

  66 67

  Year

  Change in Grant

  Change in Benefits

  Gross Loan Outlay

  Loan Repayments

  PSBR Effect

  1998

  -294

  -63

  603

  174

  72

  1999

  -301

  -64

  618

  198

  54

  2000

  -303

  -65

  622

  220

  35

  2001

  -303

  -65

  622

  247

  8

  2002

  -303

  -65

  622

  281

  -27

  2003

  -303

  -65

  622

  307

  -52

  2004

  -303

  -65

  622

  322

  -68

  2005

  -303

  -65

  622

  331

  -77

  2006

  -303

  -65

  622

  334

  -80

  2007

  -303

  -65

  622

  329

  -75

  2008

  -303

  -65

  622

  335

  -80

  2009

  -303

  -65

  622

  355

  -101

  2010

  -303

  -65

  622

  379

  -125

  2011

  -303

  -65

  622

  398

  -143

  2012

  -303

  -65

  622

  409

  -155

  2013

  -303

  -65

  622

  423

  -169

  2014

  -303

  -65

  622

  433

  -179

  2015

  -303

  -65

  622

  442

  -187

  2016

  -303

  -65

  622

  447

  -193

  2017

  -303

  -65

  622

  453

  -198

  2018

  -303

  -65

  622

  456

  -202

  2019

  -303

  -65

  622

  458

  -204

  2020

  -303

  -65

  622

  462

  -208

  2021

  -303

  -65

  622

  468

  -213

  2022

  -303

  -65

  622

  473

  -219

  2023

  -303

  -65

  622

  476

  -222

  2024

  -303

  -65

  622

  476

  -222

  2025

  -303

  -65

  622

  476

  -222

  2026

  -303

  -65

  622

  476

  -222

  2027

  -303

  -65

  622

  476

  -222

  Table v(z)

  United Kingdom—7 per cent. inflation—100 per cent. take–up

  (million, 1990 prices)

  Year

  Change in Grant

  Change in Benefits

  Gross Loan Outlay

  Loan Repayments

  PSBR Effect

  1990

  0

  -65

  209

  0

  144

  1991

  -47

  -64

  282

  3

  168

  1992

  -89

  -63

  345

  11

  181

  1993

  -127

  -62

  401

  28

  184

  1994

  -161

  -61

  452

  55

  175

  1995

  -193

  -60

  500

  90

  157

  1996

  -223

  -60

  549

  127

  138

  1997

  -258

  -61

  607

  162

  126

  1998

  -294

  -63

  670

  193

  120

  1999

  -301

  -64

  686

  221

  100

  2000

  -303

  -65

  691

  244

  79

  2001

  -303

  -65

  691

  274

  49

  2002

  -303

  -65

  691

  313

  11

  2003

  -303

  -65

  691

  341

  -17

  2004

  -303

  -65

  691

  358

  -34

  2005

  -303

  -65

  691

  368

  -45

  2006

  -303

  -65

  691

  371

  -48

  2007

  -303

  -65

  691

  366

  -42

  2008

  -303

  -65

  691

  372

  -48

  2009

  -303

  -65

  691

  394

  -71

  2010

  -303

  -65

  691

  422

  -98

  2011

  -303

  -65

  691

  442

  -118

  2012

  -303

  -65

  691

  455

  -131

  2013

  -303

  -65

  691

  470

  -147

  2014

  -303

  -65

  691

  482

  -158

  2015

  -303

  -65

  691

  491

  -167

  2016

  -303

  -65

  691

  497

  -173

  2017

  -303

  -65

  691

  503

  -179

  2018

  -303

  -65

  691

  507

  -184

  2019

  -303

  -65

  691

  509

  -186

  2020

  -303

  -65

  691

  513

  -190

  2021

  -303

  -65

  691

  520

  -196

  2022

  -303

  -65

  691

  526

  -202

  2023

  -303

  -65

  691

  529

  -205

  2024

  -303

  -65

  691

  529

  -206

  2025

  -303

  -65

  691

  529

  -206

  2026

  -303

  -65

  691

  529

  -206

  2027

  -303

  -65

  691

  529

  -206

  68 69

  Table vi(x)

  United Kingdom—8 per cent. inflation—80 per cent. take-up

  (million, 1990 prices)

  Year

  Change in Grant

  Change in Benefits

  Gross Loan Outlay

  Loan Repayments

  PSBR Effect

  1990

  0

  -65

  167

  0

  102

  1991

  -53

  -64

  234

  2

  114

  1992

  -100

  -63

  290

  9

  117

  1993

  -142

  -62

  340

  23

  113

  1994

  -180

  -61

  386

  45

  100

  1995

  -214

  -60

  428

  75

  79

  1996

  -248

  -60

  470

  106

  56

  1997

  -285

  -61

  520

  136

  38

  1998

  -293

  -63

  535

  163

  16

  1999

  -300

  -64

  548

  186

  -3

  2000

  -302

  -65

  552

  206

  -21

  2001

  -302

  -65

  552

  231

  -46

  2002

  -302

  -65

  552

  262

  -77

  2003

  -302

  -65

  552

  284

  -99

  2004

  -302

  -65

  552

  296

  -111

  2005

  -302

  -65

  552

  303

  -118

  2006

  -302

  -65

  552

  303

  -118

  2007

  -302

  -65

  552

  297

  -112

  2008

  -302

  -65

  552

  300

  -115

  2009

  -302

  -65

  552

  317

  -133

  2010

  -302

  -65

  552

  339

  -154

  2011

  -302

  -65

  552

  354

  -169

  2012

  -302

  -65

  552

  364

  -179

  2013

  -302

  -65

  552

  376

  -191

  2014

  -302

  -65

  552

  385

  -200

  2015

  -302

  -65

  552

  392

  -207

  2016

  -302

  -65

  552

  397

  -212

  2017

  -302

  -65

  552

  402

  -217

  2018

  -302

  -65

  552

  405

  -220

  2019

  -302

  -65

  552

  406

  -222

  2020

  -302

  -65

  552

  410

  -225

  2021

  -302

  -65

  552

  415

  -230

  2022

  -302

  -65

  552

  420

  -235

  2023

  -302

  -65

  552

  422

  -237

  2024

  -302

  -65

  552

  422

  -237

  2025

  -302

  -65

  552

  422

  -237

  2026

  -302

  -65

  552

  422

  -237

  2027

  -302

  -65

  552

  422

  -237

  Table vi(y)

  United Kingdom—8 per cent. inflation—90 per cent. take-up

  (million, 1990 prices)

  Year

  Change in Grant

  Change in Benefits

  Gross Loan Outlay

  Loan Repayments

  PSBR Effect

  1990

  0

  -65

  188

  0

  123

  1991

  -53

  -64

  263

  2

  143

  1992

  -100

  -63

  326

  10

  153

  1993

  -142

  -62

  383

  26

  153

  1994

  -180

  -61

  434

  51

  142

  1995

  -214

  -60

  481

  84

  123

  1996

  -248

  -60

  528

  119

  101

  1997

  -285

  -61

  585

  153

  86

  1998

  -293

  -63

  602

  183

  63

  1999

  -300

  -64

  616

  210

  42

  2000

  -302

  -65

  621

  232

  22

  2001

  -302

  -65

  621

  259

  -6

  2002

  -302

  -65

  621

  294

  -41

  2003

  -302

  -65

  621

  319

  -66

  2004

  -302

  -65

  621

  333

  -79

  2005

  -302

  -65

  621

  340

  -87

  2006

  -302

  -65

  621

  341

  -87

  2007

  -302

  -65

  621

  334

  -80

  2008

  -302

  -65

  621

  338

  -84

  2009

  -302

  -65

  621

  357

  -103

  2010

  -302

  -65

  621

  381

  -127

  2011

  -302

  -65

  621

  398

  -145

  2012

  -302

  -65

  621

  410

  -156

  2013

  -302

  -65

  621

  423

  -169

  2014

  -302

  -65

  621

  433

  -180

  2015

  -302

  -65

  621

  441

  -187

  2016

  -302

  -65

  621

  447

  -193

  2017

  -302

  -65

  621

  452

  -198

  70 71

  Year

  Change in Grant

  Change in Benefits

  Gross Loan Outlay

  Loan Repayments

  PSBR Effect

  2018

  -302

  -65

  621

  455

  -202

  2019

  -302

  -65

  621

  457

  -203

  2020

  -302

  -65

  621

  461

  -207

  2021

  -302

  -65

  621

  467

  -213

  2022

  -302

  -65

  621

  472

  -218

  2023

  -302

  -65

  621

  475

  -221

  2024

  -302

  -65

  621

  475

  -221

  2025

  -302

  -65

  621

  475

  -221

  2026

  -302

  -65

  621

  475

  -221

  2027

  -302

  -65

  621

  475

  -221

  Table vi(z)

  United Kingdom—8 per cent inflation—100 per cent. take-up

  (million, 1990 prices)

  Year

  Change in Grants

  Change in Benefits

  Gross Loan Outlay

  Loan Repayments

  PSBR Effect

  1990

  0

  -65

  209

  0

  144

  1991

  -53

  -64

  292

  3

  172

  1992

  -100

  -63

  363

  11

  188

  1993

  -142

  -62

  425

  29

  192

  1994

  -180

  -61

  482

  56

  185

  1995

  -214

  -60

  534

  93

  167

  1996

  -248

  -60

  587

  133

  147

  1997

  -285

  -61

  650

  170

  134

  1998

  -293

  -63

  669

  204

  109

  1999

  -300

  -64

  684

  233

  87

  2000

  -302

  -65

  690

  258

  65

  2001

  -302

  -65

  690

  288

  35

  2002

  -302

  -65

  690

  327

  -4

  2003

  -302

  -65

  690

  355

  -32

  2004

  -302

  -65

  690

  370

  -47

  2005

  -302

  -65

  690

  378

  -55

  2006

  -302

  -65

  690

  379

  -56

  2007

  -302

  -65

  690

  371

  -48

  2008

  -302

  -65

  690

  375

  -52

  2009

  -302

  -65

  690

  397

  -74

  2010

  -302

  -65

  690

  423

  -100

  2011

  -302

  -65

  690

  443

  -120

  2012

  -302

  -65

  690

  455

  -132

  2013

  -302

  -65

  690

  470

  -147

  2014

  -302

  -65

  690

  482

  -159

  2015

  -302

  -65

  690

  490

  -167

  2016

  -302

  -65

  690

  496

  -174

  2017

  -302

  -65

  690

  502

  -179

  2018

  -302

  -65

  690

  506

  -183

  2019

  -302

  -65

  690

  508

  -185

  2020

  -302

  -65

  690

  512

  -189

  2021

  -302

  -65

  690

  518

  -196

  2022

  -302

  -65

  690

  525

  -202

  2023

  -302

  -65

  690

  528

  -205

  2024

  -302

  -65

  690

  528

  -205

  2025

  -302

  -65

  690

  528

  -205

  2026

  -302

  -65

  690

  528

  -205

  2027

  -302

  -65

  690

  528

  -205

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if premises have yet been secured by the Student Loans Company; and if the company's chief executive has yet been appointed.

  Mr. Jackson
  No.

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he plans to publish his revised start-up costs for the Student Loans Company; and if the running costs have been revised.

  Mr. Jackson
  These costs are the subject of contractual negotiations and must remain confidential at this stage for commercial reasons.

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether any of the participating 72
  financial institutions in the Student Loans Company has proposed the payment of an indemnity in the event of a change of policy or a change of Government.

  Mr. Jackson
  The terms on which financial institutions are to participate are subject to confidential contractual negotiations.

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether the Student Loans Company will be wholly funded by his Department; whether he proposes that participating financial institutions can cease to participate at any time; and what financial penalties are proposed for such withdrawal.

  Mr. Jackson
  I expect the Student Loans Company to be funded by the Education departments for both the loan
  73
  principal and running costs. The terms on which financial institutions will participate in the company are subject to contractual negotiation.

  Malawi
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what aid his Department supplied to the Government of Malawi either directly or through other agencies since 1979.

  Mr. Jackson
  The Department of Education set up the overseas research students awards scheme (ORSAS) in December 1979 in recognition of the institutional and scholarly contribution made by overseas research students of outstanding merit. The first awards were made for the academic year 1980–81.

  The only criteria for the awards are outstanding merit and research potential; other factors, such as means, nationality, proposed field and institution of study, will not be taken into account.

  The scheme is administered by the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals of the Universities of the United Kingdom. The CVCP has appointed a special committee, composed of senior members of academic staff of academic institutions, to be responsible for the selection of awardholders and the detailed management of the scheme.

  1980 1 award was offered to Malawi but was not taken up.

  1981 2 awards were offered to Malawi but were not taken up.

  1982 2 applications were made by Malawi, both were rejected.

  1983 3 awards made to Malawi at a total cost of £6,818.

  1984 4 awards made to Malawi at a total cost of £7,420.

  1985 2 awards made to Malawi at a total cost of £5,556.

  1986 2 awards made to Malawi at a total cost of £4,908.

  1987 3 awards made to Malawi at a total cost of £8,257.

  1988 2 awards made to Malawi at a total cost of £5,676.

  Summary

  1980–88 3 awards were not taken up by Malawi

  2 applications for awards were rejected

  16 awards were made to Malawi at a total cost of £38,635.

  Teaching Establishments
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will study the impact of removing head teachers from the establishment figures for teaching staffs in all schools.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  Questions relating to the staffing of individual schools, and policies relating to such matters, are the responsibility of local education authorities and schools, and my right hon. Friend has no present plans to make such a study.

  Human Genomes
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will outline what progress has been made on developing a framework in which scientists from Europe and Japan can participate on the project to map the human genome; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jackson
  I understand from the Medical Research Council, which funds the United Kingdom human genome mapping project, that all research on mapping the human genome is a collaborative venture on an international scale. The Council of the European Community is at present in the final stages of considering a proposal for a74
  programme of human genome analysis which includes among its objectives the organisation of networks and co-ordination, on a European and international scale, of researchers from all disciplines working in this field. These plans involve close association with Japanese and American groups. Furthermore the Human Genome Mapping Organisation (HUGO), an independent international body whose aim is to obtain a complete map of the human genome, includes leading scientists from Europe and Japan.

ENERGY

  North Sea Gas
  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he intends to set a limit on the amount of North sea gas which will be allocated for burning in existing or future electricity generating stations.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  We do not intend to limit the amount of gas from the UKCS for gas-fired electricity generation. The Government do not believe that we should discourage gas burn. It is one of our major objectives to encourage competition in generation and we welcome the growing interest in gas-fired capacity from the private sector.

  Sizewell B
  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the capability of British Nuclear Fuels Limited to manufacture and supply uranium fuel for the Sizewell B pressurised water reactor at prices competitive with those of French and German manufacturers, in the light of the recent announcement postponing the construction of three other pressurised water reactors.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  British Nuclear Fuels plc has recently submitted a tender to supply fuel for Sizewell B. The details of this are a commercial matter for BNFL arid the new nuclear company.

  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the future role of Sizewell B power station.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The Government attach the highest importance to the successful completion and operation of Sizewell B. This will maintain the PWR option in the United Kingdom, provide environmentally clean energy, and contribute to diversity.

  THORP
  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the future of British Nuclear Fuels Limited's thermal oxide-reprocessing plant in the light of his recent decision to postpone construction of three pressurised water reactors.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Gordon (Mr. Bruce) on 13 November 1989 at column 103.

  Severn Barrage
  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the progress towards the placing of firm contracts for the Severn electricity generating barrage.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  Any substantial further developments of the Severn barrage, as with other renewable energy schemes, will depend on commercial decisions made by the private sector.

  Recent studies by the Severn tidal power group, partly funded by the Department, omitted consideration of organisation and financing problems. Work on these topics together with further work on environmental issues will be carried out over the next two years.

  British Nuclear Fuels plc
  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) if the Government intend to continue to allocate funds for investment in British Nuclear Fuels Limited's enhanced actinide removal plant at the Sellafield installation;

  (2) if the Government intend to continue to allocate funds for investment in British Nuclear Fuels Limited's Line Four Hex plant at the Springfield installation;

  (3) if the Government intend to continue to allocate funds for investment in British Nuclear Fuels Limited's new oxide fuel complex at the Springfield installation.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  This is a commercial matter for British Nuclear Fuels plc. The Government do not allocate funds to the company. Its business is financed by borrowing on the commercial market.

  Non-fossil Fuels
  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what part of the 20 per cent. of total British electricity generation to be provided from non-fossil fuel generating systems after electricity privatisation is to be generated by(a) hydro stations, (b) combined-cycle gas-fired stations, (c) wave power systems and (d) wind power systems.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The non-fossil fuel obligation will provide a considerable encouragement to the development of the renewable sources of energy. Contracts to meet the obligation are a matter for the area electricity boards and their successors. It is too early to say how much each renewable source will contribute. Combined cycle gas turbines burn fossil fuel and are therefore not eligible for the obligation.

  Apprenticeships
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy how many apprentices were started by electricity boards in England and Wales in 1979 and each succeeding year.

  Mr. Wakeham
  This is a matter for the industry. I am asking the chairman of the Electricity Council to write to the hon. Member.

  Switchgear
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what proportion of 11KV switchgear owned by area electricity boards is affected by operational bans for safety reasons.
  76
  Mr. Wakeham
  This information is not available to my Department. However, I will ask the chairman of the Electricity Council to write to the hon. Member in due course.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what steps his Department is taking to secure improved safety in 11KV switchgear operated by area electricity boards.

  Mr. Wakeham
  The Electricity Supply Regulations 1988 require the area electricity boards to notify my Department of all disruptive failures of 11KV switchgear, as well as any incident which could have given rise to injury, death, fire or explosion. The engineering inspectorate within my Department monitors all such reportable incidents and may investigate as necessary on my behalf to ensure that the operation and maintenance of such equipment by area electricity boards is as safe as reasonably practicable.

  Coal Prices
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy whether he intends to secure cuts in the price British Coal charges the new generating companies to offset the levy to be charged to cover the extra cost of electricity from nuclear stations.

  Mr. Wakeham
  No.

  Nuclear Power
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list those facilities which the new public utility for the nuclear power industry may take into ownership; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The CEGB will be coming forward with a draft transfer scheme containing proposals for the division of its assets. There are no plans for non-CEGB facilities to be transferred to the nuclear company.

  Atomic Energy Commission
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is to be the future of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Commission; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority will continue to carry out research and development into nuclear power and other technologies as required by its customers.

  Winfrith
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what proposals exist to secure the development of the safe integral reactor at Winfrith; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  No application has been made for a SIR on the UKAEA's site at Winfrith. The SIR consortium's bid for funds from the United States Department of Energy as part of its small power advanced light water reactor programme was unsuccessful and I understand that the partners are actively seeking other sources of funding.

  Nuclear Plants (Decommissioning)
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy whether he will now make public the plans proposed, during the chairmanship of the Atomic Energy Authority of Sir John Hill, for the decommissioning of nuclear power stations by removing most parts, other than the reactor concrete shields, and smothering the site with landscaped turf and earth; and what were the cost estimates at(a) plan prices and (b) current prices.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  I regret that my Department is unaware of the particular plans referred to by the hon. Member, and that, on the basis of the information he has provided on the question, further research could be carried out only at disproportionate cost.

  Joint European Torus, Abingdon
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what response he is giving to the application by scientists working at the Joint European Torus at Abingdon for a £200 million four-year expansion of their programme, to investigate ways of reducing the intrusion of impurities into their machine's plasma; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  I understand that the JET Council has agreed to seek a further extension of the life of the joint undertaking from 1992 to 1996. The Commission of the European Communities is expected to forward the proposal to the Council of Ministers next year for decision in parallel with a new Community programme for research and development on fusion for the period 1990–1994. The United Kingdom will play a full part in these discussions.

TRANSPORT

  Rail Accidents
  Mr. Snape
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many significant collisions occurred on British Rail each year from 1982 to 1988 inclusive(a) between passenger trains, (b) between passenger and other trains, (c) between non-passenger trains and (d) buffer stops.

  Mr. Portillo
  This information is not readily available for British Rail alone. The figures for all railways are as follows:

  Between passenger trains

  Between passenger trains and other trains

  Between non-passenger

  With Buffer Stops

  1982

  6

  9

  11

  28

  1983

  16

  8

  36

  1984

  5

  12

  10

  34

  1985

  6

  11

  7

  35

  1986

  6

  13

  12

  36

  1987

  6

  14

  11

  33

  11988

  8

  10

  16

  52

  1 Provisional

  Mr. Snape
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many significant derailments occurred on British Rail each year from 1982 to 1988 inclusive involving(a) passenger trains and (b) non-passenger trains.

  Mr. Portillo
  This information is not readily available for British Rail alone. The figures for all railways are as follows:78

  Passenger trains

  Non-passenger trains

  1982

  23

  106

  1983

  25

  107

  1984

  33

  106

  1985

  30

  105

  1986

  34

  99

  1987

  20

  116

  11988

  28

  112

  1 Provisional figures.

  London Underground
  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish in the Official Report a list of all those London underground stations that have been closed, either in part or completely, since 1 July, indicating for each occasion the period it was closed inside normal working hours, together with the reason.

  Mr. Portillo
  This is essentially a matter for London Underground Ltd. (LUL), though I understand there have been 551 occasions since 1 July when London Underground stations have been either wholly or partly closed, during the Underground's normal operational hours. The required information about these closures may be obtained from LUL.

  Private Bus Companies
  Mr. Dunn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many new private bus firms have begun operations since deregulation was introduced.

  Mr. Portillo
  It is estimated that by 1 May 1988 there had been a net increase of 465 operators running local bus services since deregulation.

  London Bus Routes
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many bus routes in London have been subject to competitive tendering; and what has been the saving to London Regional Transport from this process.

  Mr. Portillo
  I understand from London Regional Transport that to date 176 routes have been put out to competitive tender. It estimates that this has achieved savings of broadly 15 per cent. of previous operating costs.

  Air Traffic
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent consideration he has given to according gateway status to Birmingham International airport.

  Mr. McLoughlin: I am examining this question at present.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will meet the chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority to discuss monitoring the number of scheduled flights between London Heathrow-Gatwick and Edinburgh-Glasgow that are either late or are cancelled with a view to publishing this information.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The authority already publishes monthly airline and route punctuality statistics covering
  79
  flights at six United Kingdom airports, including scheduled services between Heathrow-Gatwick and Edinburgh-Glasgow.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement about future plans to increase scheduled passenger services from East Midlands international airport in the run-up to 1992.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Many routes from East Midlands international airport to European Community destinations are already open under existing Community arrangements. I am urging my European Community colleagues to take further steps towards the Single Market by giving airlines yet greater freedom to exercise their commercial judgment in offering the range of scheduled services which customers want at the keenest prices.

  At present five European Community destinations are served from east midlands though more routes are available for airlines to serve if they chose to do so.

  Motorways
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give the precise location where the M4 motorway crosses the geographical boundary between England and Wales.

  Mr. Atkins
  At the mid-point of the bridge over the River Wye.

  Channel Tunnel
  Mr. Janman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his policy towards the Ove Arup and Talis Channel tunnel rail link alternatives; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  My right hon. Friend made a full statement on Friday 3 November. The Government have welcomed the joint venture established between British Rail, which has the contractual rights to operate through the Channel tunnel, and its chosen partner, Eurorail. The BR/Eurorail joint venture is pursuing the route through Kent and up to King's Cross. Others are, of course, free to formulate and promote alternatives.

  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the joint venture agreement for Channel tunnel rail services between British Rail and Eurorail referred to in his answer to the hon. Member for Thanet, South (Mr. Aitken) of 3 November,Official Report, columns 346–67 is currently in the form of an exchange of letters, agreed heads of terms or an agreed joint venture agreement.

  Mr. Portillo
  BR and Eurorail have exchanged letters outlining the scope of a joint venture between them. They are now negotiating a detailed shareholders agreement for the joint venture which will require my approval.

  Coastguard Service
  Mr. Speller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the emergency calls made to Her Majesty's coastguards relating to the North Devon coast, or coastal waters, during daylight hours on 16 August; and what actions resulted in each case.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Emergency calls, by radio or the 999 telephone system were received as follows: (Times shown are as logged at each individual station.)
  80
  Swansea MRCC
  08.45—999 call reporting a coaster dumping cargo in Lynmouth bay. Subsequently confirmed as a dredger working in the area dumping surplus water.
  15.20—999 call from Mr. Kift, reporting one person cut off at Rapparee cove.
  15.22—VHF radio call from Milford Haven, reporting the same incident, but identifying two persons involved. The Ilfracombe auxiliary coastguard in charge, advised and instructed to proceed.
  15.35—999 call from Mr. Richards, reporting one child recovered, one child still in the water. Rescue helicopter from RAF Chivenor scrambled, and Ilfracombe lifeboat launched.
  15.51—999 call reporting windsurfer in difficulties on Bideford Bar. Appledore lifeboat launched, auxiliary coastguard tasked to attend on scene. The windsurfer reached shore unaided.
  16.51—Police report of small cabin cruiser adrift in River Taw. Appledore lifeboat launched and towed boat, unmanned, to moorings.

  Milford Haven
  15.25—999 call (mis-routed) reporting two boys swept on to rocks at Rapparee cove. Information passed by VHF radio to Swansea coastguard for action, and subsequently confirmed by Telex message.

  Noise Standards (Railways)
  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will state the terms of reference of his Department's study of noise standards for new railways.

  Mr. Portillo
  The objective will be to establish the standard at a level which equitably relates to the standard set by regulation for new highways. I hope to make an announcement shortly about the establishment of a departmental committee to carry out this task.

  Motorways
  Mr. David Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what studies have been undertaken by his Department as to the feasibility of converting Britain's motorways into toll roads.

  Mr. Atkins
  None.

ENVIRONMENT

  Rose and Globe Theatres
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a further statement on the future of the Rose and Globe theatre sites in Southwark.

  Mr. Trippier
  The remains of the Rose theatre are now fully protected to safeguard them while construction work takes place on the site. Discussions are taking place between various interested parties, including English Heritage, to determine the best methods for the future conservation and display of the remains.

  English Heritage has submitted advice to the Department on the future of the Globe theatre remains. This is being considered.

  Homelessness
  Miss Hoey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions have taken place between Government officials and the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux in respect of advice services dealing with housing and homelessness.
  81
  Mr. Chope
  Since our announcement on 15 November of the conclusions of the homelessness review, my officials have had one meeting with officers of the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux and my hon. and learned Friend the Minister for Housing and Planning has had one meeting with the association's council. The discussions have concerned our proposal to base a national advice service for homeless people on citizens advice bureaux network.

  Miss Hoey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he intends to withdraw section 73 funding from any of the organisations which currently receive it.

  Mr. Chope
  Following our review of the homelessness legislation, we have decided to increase by almost threefold the funding of voluntary bodies concerned with homelessness under section 73 of the Housing Act 1985. In the next financial year, £2 million will be available to support a national advice service and to enable voluntary bodies to mount a range of projects of direct and practical help to the homeless. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment has not yet taken any decisions about the organisations which will receive this much increased grant aid under section 73 next year.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the areas with the highest contribution to the safety net if no maximum contribution were set and give the figures for each area.

  Mr. Chope
  The table shows the areas which would contribute more than £75 per adult to the area safety net in 1990–91 if there were no maximum contribution. The figures use the same data as the exemplifications in the consultation paper my right hon. Friend issued on 6 November.

  Areas making highest contributions to safety net if no maximum contribution using provisional 1990–91 figures

  Contribution (£ per adult)

  City of London

  228

  Westminster

  226

  South Bucks

  126

  Chiltern

  124

  Kensington and Chelsea

  120

  Oxford

  94

  Camden

  91

  Wycombe

  86

  Elmbridge

  84

  Epping Forest

  80

  Cambridge

  75

  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what are his latest estimates of the distributional impact of the community charge on household finance;

  (2) what information he has showing the relationship of domestic rates and the community charge to net household income on the equivalent net income basis following his statement of 6 November, Official Report, columns 685–7;

  (3) if he will construct a table in the same form as figure 4 of Cm. 9714, "Paying for Local Government", showing the first year with safety net and fully in place, the relationship between gross and net community charge to
  82
  net household income for (a) single pensioner households, (b) other single person households, (c) two adult households, and (d) three adult households;

  (4) if he will estimate the number of (a) single-pensioner households and (b) single pensioners who will (i) gain and (ii) lose upon introduction of the community charge;

  (5) if he will construct a table similar to table J7 in Cm. 9714 based upon the figures in his statement of 6 November, Official Report, columns 685–7, in respect of the community charge;

  (6) if he will produce an updated version of table J7 in Cm. 9714, "Paying for Local Government", showing households gaining and losing with full replacement of domestic rates by the community charge by (a) region, (b) local authority and (c) parliamentary constituency;

  (7) if he will set out in the Official Report his estimates for the main household types of the gains and losses upon the full introduction of the community charge, showing totals, figures net and gross and the effect of rebates.

  Mr. Chope
  The latest estimates of the distributional impact of the community charge on household finance, using illustrative community charges for 1988–89 were placed in the Library on 15 December 1988. An extension of the analysis to cover pensioner couples was placed in the Library on 28 February 1989.

  An analysis using the 1990–91 charges published by my right hon. Friend on 6 November is under preparation and will be published as soon as possible. Analyses by local authority or Parliamentary constituency will not be possible however due to limitations of the sample survey data. There are some limitations on the analyses which can be made by region.

  Indigenous Shrubs and Trees
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he offers any advice to local authorities or other public bodies concerning the use of indigenous shrubs and trees in landscaping or reclamation schemes.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  My Department has not issued advice specifically on the use of indigenous shrubs and trees. The NCC has published a booklet "Natural Trees and Shrubs for Wildlife in the UK" which is available to local authorities and which MAFF has distributed to farmers in conjunction with the farm woodland scheme.

  Energy Efficiency
  Dr. Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to ensure that all new Government buildings will be designed and built utilising the latest available technologies to ensure the maximum energy efficiency.

  Mr. Chope
  The Property Services Agency will continue to promote the use of the latest energy efficiency technology in the buildings it designs but it is the responsibility of each department sponsoring the construction of new accommodation, to decide on the standards which are to be applied.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Energy will continue to make available to departments information on relevant technological and other developments.

  Docklands Light Railway
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what permission he has given to the London Docklands development corporation to raise capital for construction of the Beckton extension of the Docklands light railway; and what is the liability so incurred.

  Mr. Moynihan
  The Beckton extension of the docklands light railway will be funded by the LDDC from the proceeds of land sales in the royal docks and Leamouth. Any in-year shortfalls between construction costs and land receipts will temporarily be met by grant in aid.

  Pewsey Partnership Development
  Sir Charles Morrison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will exempt from the debt requirements of the Housing and Local Government Act the partnership deal between Lovells and Kennet district council for the partnership development at Pewsey.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I shall write to my hon. Friend.

  Regional Fisheries Advisory Committees
  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list for each regional fisheries advisory committee those members who are board members or senior employees of water holding companies, stating, where relevant, their position within the water holding company.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  The only member of a regional fisheries advisory committee who is either a board member or senior employee of a water holding company is Dr. D. G. Jamieson, water resources manager of Thames Water Utilities Ltd, who is a member of the regional fisheries advisory committee for the Thames region.

  Rivers Advisory Committees
  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list for each regional rivers advisory committee those members who are board members or senior employees of water holding companies, stating, where relevant, their position within the water holding company.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  The information is as follows:

  Anglian: Mr. D. Latham—Director of Water Services, Anglian Water Services Ltd.

  Northumbria: Mr. A. Foster—Director of Operations, Northumbrian Water Ltd.

  North West: Mr. E. Harper—Chief Scientist, North West Water Ltd.

  Severn Trent: Mr. W. Scott—Assistant Director, Severn Trent Water Ltd.

  Southern: Mr. B. Hewett—Managing Director, Southern Water Services Ltd.

  South West: Mr. W. J. Dickens—Director of Water Services, South West Water Ltd.

  Thames: Mr. P. T. McIntosh—Water and Environmental Science Director, Thames Water Utilities Ltd.

  Welsh: Dr. M. P. Brooker—Quality and Planning Director, Dwr Cymru Cyfyngedig.

  Wessex: Mr. C. F. Skellett—Managing Director, Wessex Water Services Ltd.

  Yorkshire: Dr. A. J. Shuttleworth—Director of Water Quality, Yorkshire Water Services Ltd.

  Water Companies
  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list, for each water company, the names and status of the trustees nominated for the purpose of the water holding company trust schemes for employee share ownership.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  The trustee of the trust scheme established by each of the water holding companies is a wholly owned subsidiary of the relevant water holding company. The names of the trustees are as follows:

  Anglian Water Share Scheme Trustees Limited

  Northumbrian Water Share Scheme Trustees Limited

  North West Water Share Scheme Trustees Limited

  Severn Trent Water Share Scheme Trustees Limited

  Southern Water Share Scheme Trustees Limited

  SWW Share Schemes Trustees Limited

  Thames Water Share Scheme Trustees Limited

  WW Share Scheme Trustees Limited

  Wessex Water Trustee Company Limited

  Yorkshire Water Share Scheme Trustees Limited.

  Sir John Farr
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what was the number of households circulated by Anglian Water plc in respect of their recent publicity campaign;

  (2) what was the number of households circulated by Severn Trent Water plc in respect of their recent publicity campaign;

  (3) what was the cost of the recent publicity campaign by Anglian Water plc;

  (4) what was the cost of the recent publicity campaign by Severn Trent Water plc;

  (5) what was the source of funding for the recent publicity campaign by Anglian Water plc;

  (6) what was the source of funding for the recent publicity campaign by Severn Trent Water plc.

  Mr. Howard
  In September, the chairmen of Anglian Water plc and Severn Trent plc wrote to some 2,247,000 and 3,360,000 customers respectively about the forthcoming water share offers. The cost of these mailings and those by the other eight water plcs will be borne jointly by the water plcs through their subscriptions to the Water Services Association and by the Government. The costs to the Government of marketing the water share offers will be reported to Parliament in due course.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what is the upper limit and lower limit, respectively, on the proportion of shares in each of the 10 water companies which are being made available to foreign investors;

  (2) what is the upper limit and the lower limit, respectively, on the proportion of shares in each of the water companies which will be sold only to British people.

  Mr. Howard
  Full details are set out in the prospectus for the water share offers, a copy of which has been placed in the Library.

  Out of the total number of shares on offer, 18·5 per cent. are initially being made available to overseas investors. If there is heavy demand for shares by members of the public in the United Kingdom offers for sale, a clawback provision allows for 25 per cent. of the shares available under the overseas offers to be made available to the public.

  Under the United Kingdom offer for sale 23·55 per cent. of the ordinary share capital is being made available

  85
  to the general public (including eligible customers, employees and pensioners of the companies). A further 3 per cent. is reserved for share bonus entitlements and applications from eligible employees under the free and matching offers. If both the overseas and the institutional clawbacks are triggered then 46·75 per cent. of the ordinary share capital is available to the general public.

  There are no nationality restrictions on the United Kingdom public offer, except that United States and Canadian persons as defined in the prospectus are not permitted to apply. Eligible customers, employees and pensioners of the companies will be given preference over the general public in the allocation of shares as described in the prospectus.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what protections are built into the flotation process for each of the 10 water companies currently subject to flotations to guard against foreign takeover; and what guarantees exist to ensure these protections have long-term effects.

  Mr. Howard
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will hold a special share in each of the nine English water and sewage companies which will empower him to prevent anyone owning more than 15 per cent. of the shares in any of the companies in the period until 31 December 1994. There are also provisions in the Water Act 1989 relating to mergers in the water industry. Details of the special share arrangements and the merger provisions of the Water Act 1989 are set out in the prospectus for the water offers, a copy of which has been placed in the Library.

  Adjudications
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what administrative support will be made available to an adjudicator appointed to fulfil the functions described in part I of the Local Government and Housing Act.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The adjudicator is being given the administrative support reasonably necessary to enable him to fulfil his duties.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what remuneration will be made to an adjudicator appointed under part I of the Local Government and Housing Act.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The adjudicator is being paid on a fee basis at a rate equivalent to the salary of grade 3 in the Civil Service.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what timetable an adjudicator appointed to fulfil the functions described in part I of the Local Government and Housing Act is required to work to when producing guidance for local authorities on part I of the Act and when setting up the appeals procedure referred to in section 3.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Section 3(1)(a) of the Local Government Act 1989 provides that the issue of general advice is at the discretion of the adjudicator; the timetable for this is therefore a matter for him. Section 3(7) of the Act requires him to give priority, according to the time available before the election, to applications from those 86
  who certify that they are candidates in a forthcoming election. Subject to that, the timetable for dealing with applications is a matter for the adjudicator.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment where the office of the adjudicator appointed to fulfil the functions described in part I of the Local Government and Housing Act will be situated; and how those wishing to appeal will contact him.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The Department has written to all local authorities involved giving details of the adjudicator's address. This is room 246, Lambeth bridge house, London SE1 7SB. The telephone number for inquiries is 01–238 4316. I understand that the adjudicator will shortly be writing to local authorities and trade unions involved about the procedures he wishes to follow.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment who an adjudicator appointed to fulfil the functions described in part I of the Local Government and Housing Act, will consult when drawing up the guidance on political restrictions to be issued to local authorities.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Section 3(1)(a) of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 provides that the adjudicator is to consult such representatives of local government and such organisations appearing to him to represent employees in local government as he considers appropriate. The choice of persons and organisations to be consulted is therefore for the adjudicator.

  London Zoo
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in assessing his response to London zoo's request for more of Regent's park, he has considered the levels of salmonella at the zoo; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Trippier
  Salmonella is endemic in a wide range of bird species and has been identified in some birds in London zoo. The zoo has taken proper health and hygiene precautions and there is absolutely no risk to any member of the public. The position would not be changed by the zoo's development proposals.

  Water Protection
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those orders he has made under section 111 of the Water Act relating to water protection measures.

  Mr. Howard
  My right hon. Friend has made no orders under section 111 of the Water Act.

  Forestry Unit Areas
  Sir John Farr
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give encouragement in the form of Government advice to local authorities to permit the renovation of derelict properties or the building of at least one new dwelling in forestry unit areas.

  Mr. Moynihan
  My right hon. Friend will shortly be issuing for consultation a draft of new planning guidance for the countryside. This will include advice on the re-use and restoration of rural buildings and on the provision of housing needed by farm and forestry workers.

  "Common Sense"
  Sir John Farr
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he intends to act upon the recommendations contained in the broadsheet "Common Sense" published by the Royal Society for Nature Conservation, a copy of which has recently been sent to him.

  Mr. Trippier
  The Government announced in 1987 that they accept the case for legislation based broadly on the Common Land Forum's report and intends to introduce legislation at a suitable opportunity when parliamentary time permits. The proposals in the broadsheet "Common Sense" are broadly in line with the forum's recommendations, and are being studied in conjunction with those recommendations, the earlier responses to the Government's consultation paper issued in 1987, and the subsequent representations received. My right hon. Friend expects to make a further statement within the next few months on the Government's intentions on common land legislation.

  HIP (Waltham Forest)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the housing investment programme allocation paid or payable to the London borough of Waltham Forest in 1979–80 and in each year since 1986–87 in (i) cash and (ii) real terms expressed in 1979–80 prices.

  Mr. Chope
  [holding answer 24 November 1989]: Allocations since 1981–82 are not directly comparable with earlier years because since that date authorities have been able to augment their allocations with a proportion of their capital receipts. Nevertheless, the information requested is as follows:

  Urban regeneration (£ million)—expenditure at constant prices 1988–89

  Enterprise Zones

  Urban Development Corporations

  Urban Programme

  City Grant UDG/URG

  Derelict Land Grant

  Rates Relief

  Capital

  1979–80

  —

  348

  —

  40

  —

  —

  1980–81

  —

  321

  —

  48

  —

  —

  1981–82

  55

  312

  —

  44

  5

  20

  1982–83

  84

  399

  —

  82

  12

  20

  1983–84

  121

  391

  10

  87

  13

  20

  1984–85

  108

  376

  20

  84

  19

  30

  1985–86

  100

  344

  28

  84

  26

  70

  1986–87

  101

  325

  27

  90

  37

  90

  1987–88

  143

  319

  29

  84

  n.a.

  n.a.

  1988–89

  234

  284

  34

  77

  n.a.

  n.a.

  1989–90

  411

  243

  33

  63

  n.a.

  n.a.

  Notes:

  1. Urban Programme includes contributions from DES, DH and DTp.

  2. Urban Development Grant and Urban Regeneration Grant were replaced by City Grant in May 1988.

  3. Enterprise Zone rates relief figures show revenue foregone.

  4. Enterprise Zone capital figures show an assessment of tax foregone to the nearest £10 million, including Scotland and Wales. Separate data for England is not available.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the numbers of adult residents in each district council area of the west midlands likely to be entitled to the maximum rebate during the first
  88

  £ million

  HIP allocations

  1979–80 Prices

  1979–80

  17·046

  l7·046

  1986–87

  7·716

  4·626

  1987–88

  7·205

  4·113

  1988–89

  7·391

  3·934

  1989–90

  6·214

  3·135

  Waltham Forest's estimated capital expenditure on housing in 1989–90 is £29·5 million.

  Rifle Range (Palace of Westminster)
  Sir John Farr
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the Palace of Westminster rifle range will be available for use.

  Mr. Chope
  [holding answer 27 November 1989]: Safety requirements enlarged the scope of the work carried out by the Parliamentary Works Office to extend the use of the range to include pistol shooting, and it was not completed until 13 November 1989. I understand that a recent safety inspection proved satisfactory and that the range has now been approved for use.

  Urban Development
  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will outline, in constant prices, the total annual Government spending on urban development policy in the period 1979 to 1989 inclusive, on an annual basis and broken down into its constituent sub-headings, so as to include amounts allocated to the urban development corporations, urban programmes, urban development grants, derelict land grants, enterprise zone allowances and similar.

  Mr. Moynihan
  [holding answer 24 November 1989]: Expenditure by the Department of the Environment on Urban Regeneration programmes, over the period 1979–80 to 1989–90, is set out in the table.

  year of operation of the community charge in England and Wales; and if he will express these figures as a proportion of the estimated population of each local authority liable to community charge.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  I have been asked to reply.
  89
  The information requested is not available.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Malawi
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will list the value of British aid to Malawi for each year since 1979;

  (2) what aid his Department supplied to the Government of Malawi either directly or through other agencies since 1979.

  Mrs. Chalker
  Following is the information requested:

  United Kingdom Aid to Malawi 1979–1988

  Year

  Gross Bilateral Public Expenditure £ thousand1

  Estimated United Kingdom share of multilateral aid £ thousand

  1979

  15,937

  n/a

  1980

  11,531

  3,400

  1981

  14,263

  3,000

  1982

  13,615

  3,700

  1983

  11,544

  4,000

  1984

  12,211

  8,300

  1985

  21,081

  3,800

  1986

  13,370

  5,500

  1987

  19,587

  5,800

  1988

  30,761

  n/a

  1 Excludes Commonwealth Development Corporation and includes some aid granted via Non-Governmental Organisations.

  Source:British Aid Statistics.

PRIME MINISTER

  Haemophiliacs (AIDS)
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Prime Minister when she will be replying to the letter sent to her by the right hon. Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe on 25 October about the urgent need for an out-of-court settlement of the compensation claims of people with haemophilia who, in the course of National Health Service treatment, were infected with the AIDS virus.

  The Prime Minister
  As court proceedings have now begun it would not be right for me to comment on the question of an out-of-court settlement.

  However, my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Health announced on 23 November that we have offered an additional £19 million to the Macfarlane trust, again on an entirely ex-gratia basis. For the details I refer the right hon. Member to that reply.

  British Rail
  Mr. Adley
  To ask the Prime Minister when she last travelled officially on a British Rail service train; and what conclusions she drew from the experience.

  The Prime Minister
  I regret that for reasons of practicality and security it is difficult for me to travel by rail on official business. I do so when a suitable opportunity arises. I last travelled by train to an official function on 31 August 1989.

  Stedeford Report
  Mr. Adley
  To ask the Prime Minister if she has yet been able to find, at 10 Downing street, a copy of the Stedeford report on transport policy and the railways.

  The Prime Minister
  No. I understand that the Department of Transport has traced papers which indicate that there was no formal report and that this was made clear when Sir Ivan Stedeford's advisory group was set up. (Official Report, 13 April 1960 at column 1345.)

  Finchley Ambulance Station
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will make an official visit to Finchley ambulance station.

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 24 November 1989]: I have at present no plans to do so.

  Kincora Boys Home
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister why, in her answer,Official Report, 15 November, relating to representations received by the Cabinet Secretariat relating to events at the Kincora boys home, she underlined the word "such".

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 24 November 1989]: I have nothing further to add to the reply I gave the hon. Member on 15 November at column 269.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Accountancy Firms
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many accountancy firms criticised by the Department of Trade and Industry or sued by the Government since 1979 for negligence have advised on privatisations or authenticated privatisation prospectuses; how many have supplied inspectors for Department of Trade and Industry investigations; and how many have been permitted to make audit policy through their representations on the Auditing Practices Committee or its working parties.

  Mr. Redwood
  Eight inspectors have been appointed from four firms of accountants that were previously criticised in inspectors' reports published since 1979, and one of those firms has since been appointed by the Government for privatisation work. I am not aware that any inspector has been appointed from a firm after it was sued by the Government or that such a firm has been appointed by the Government for privatisation work.

  The voting members of the Auditing Practices Committee (APC) are nominated on a personal basis by their professional body and appointed by the Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies, which has stipulated that they shall not regard themselves as delegates of sectional interests but shall be guided by the need to act in the general interests of the community and of the accountancy profession as a whole. Members of its working parties are appointed by the APC itself.

  Investigations
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the number of Department of Trade and Industry investigations approved under the
  91
  Companies Acts since June 1979 and the number of reports published in the same period, clearly distinguishing between those relating to investigations approved in the pre-June 1979 and the post-June 1979 periods.

  Mr. Redwood
  Inspections into 56 companies, some of which are linked, have begun since June 1979. During that same period, 32 reports have been published dealing with 46 different companies. Of the 32 published reports, 13 dealing with 16 different companies relate to inspections begun after 1 June 1979.

  EC Preferences (Poland and Hungary)
  Mr. Irvine
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement about the proposal to extend the European Community's generalised system of preferences scheme to Poland and Hungary.

  Mr. Redwood
  The proposal to extend the EC's generalised scheme of references benefits to Hungary and Poland is part of a wider package of measures that has been under consideration in the Community as a contribution to a programme of western assistance to these two countries.

  The proposal was considered at the EC's Foreign Affairs Council on 6 November and approved in principle. This was on the understanding that textiles and some agricultural products were excluded from the package of benefits and would be considered further with a view to their inclusion of being approved at the FAC on 27 November.

  I regret that because of the late stage at which firm proposals were received, a decision had to be taken before the scrutiny process was complete. A refusal on our part to endorse the proposals on 6 November would not have been understood by our EC partners or by Hungary and Poland.

  Poland
  Mr. Irvine
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the adoption of the European Community trade, commercial and economic co-operation agreement with Poland.

  Mr. Redwood
  In order to encourage the reform process in Poland the Foreign Affairs Council on 3 October adopted a trade and economic co-operation agreement between the European Community and Poland.

  In the light of the current international focus of attention on Poland and the wish expressed at the Paris summit to find ways of encouraging the reform process in Poland it was clear that the agreement needed to be implemented as soon as possible. The Government therefore agreed to the adoption of the proposal even though our own parliamentary scrutiny procedures has not been completed. A delay on our part would have hindered the ratification process and would have been misunderstood by Poland and our EC partners.

  I regret that the normal parliamentary procedures were not followed on this occasion.

  Landlords and Tenants
  Mr. Crowther
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the Government intend to introduce legislation extending the provisions of the Landlord and Tenant Act to the licensed trade.
  92
  Mr. Redwood
  I hope to introduce a Bill to bring the tenants of licensed premises within the protection of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 early in the Session.

  Reports
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the number of reports made available to professional bodies, regulatory bodies and other non-governmental bodies since June 1979.

  Mr. Forth
  The approximate number of non-HMSO publications published by the Department since June 1979 is 4,149.

  Delta Te Immune Support Therapy
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what information he has on inquiries into whether the sale of Delta Te immune support therapy is in breach of the Trades Description Act; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Forth
  None, but I understand that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health is looking into this matter in connection with the provisions of the Medicines Act 1968.

  FIMBRA
  Mr. Roger King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he is satisfied with the workings of FIMBRA; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  It is the responsibility of the Securities and Investments Board to ensure that self-regulating organisations, including FIMBRA, continue to comply with the requirements for recognition under the Financial Services Act 1986.

  Girobank
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the future of Girobank.

  Mr. Forth
  The then Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster announced on 20 April that the Post Office Board had accepted a conditional offer from the Alliance and Leicester Building Society for Girobank. The Post Office and the Alliance and Leicester are engaged in detailed negotiations with a view to completing the sale as soon as practicable.

  The regulatory authorities will need to be satisfied and my consent will be required before the sale can take place.

  Telephone Chat-lines
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he will meet the Director General of Telecommunications to discuss the priority to be given to the protection of the public and the consumer when controls are set for telephone chat-lines;

  (2) whether he will introduce legislation to require that access to chat-lines and other premium charge telephone calls shall be subject to a fail-safe mechanism, such as connection via an operator, in order to ensure that accidental connection to high-cost calls is ruled out.

  Mr. Forth
  [holding answer 24 November 1989]: On 17 November, the Director General of

  93
  Telecommunications, Sir Bryan Carsberg, announced new controls on multiline and one-to-one services provided over British Telecom's network. From 8 December, when the controls come into effect, such services can be provided only in accordance with a code of practice acceptable to the Director General or if granted a specific exemption. No such codes have yet been recognised for these purposes.

  In the light of this announcement, I have no intention of meeting the Director General or of considering the introduction of legislation on this subject.

  Broadcasting
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will(a) review the availability and allocation of the broadcasting spectrum for television and radio in the United Kingdom and (b) detail the European Community and other constraints upon such review.

  Mr. Forth
  [holding answer 24 November 1989]: The Government have a series of rolling reviews of the radio spectrum in progress, which will facilitate decisions on allocation of spectrum to broadcasters (and other users) in the corning years. The most recent review was of the civil spectrum between 470 and 3400 MHz, which was carried out in 1988–89 in consultation with all interested parties. Consideration will be given to a similar review of higher frequencies.

  An essential part of the spectrum allocation process, if interference with other users is to be avoided, is international co-ordination. The United Kingdom is therefore an active participant in the International Telecommunication Union and the Conference of European Postal and Telecommunications Administrations, which are the key international spectrum co-ordination bodies.

  Iraq
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the annual import and export statistics for trade between Britain and Iraq and break the figure down between visibles and invisibles for each year since 1979.

  Mr. Redwood
  [holding answer 24 November 1989]: Information on the value of invisible trade between the United Kingdom and Iraq is not available. Figures for visible trade are as follows:

  £ million

  Imports

  Exports

  1979

  451

  201

  1980

  556

  322

  1981

  103

  624

  1982

  171

  874

  1983

  96

  400

  1984

  77

  343

  1985

  293

  445

  1986

  250

  444

  1987

  324

  272

  1988

  176

  412

  19891

  63

  343

  1 To 30 September 1989.

  Source: Overseas Trade Statistics of the United Kingdom.

  Footwear Imports
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he has responded to the European Economic Community consultative document on the imports of footwear from Korea and Taiwan; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  [holding answer 24 November 1989]: No. We shall consider how to respond after the options put forward by the Commission have been discussed with the British Footwear Manufacturers' Federation early next week.

  Life Insurance
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has made any assessment of the implications for the United Kingdom life insurance industry if the current bid for the Pearl Group by Australian Mutual Provident is allowed to proceed.

  Mr. Redwood
  [holding answer 24 November 1989]: On 13 November my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced his decision not to refer the proposed acquisition of Pearl Group plc by AMP (UK) PLC to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission for investigation. Under the merger control provision of the Fair Trading Act 1973 each merger is considered on its own merits. My right hon. Friend's decision in this case was taken after full consideration of all relevant issues and was in accordance with the advice of the Director General of Fair Trading.

  Building Societies
  Mr. Roger King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will consider making illegal the conditional selling of some building societies who offer special deals only if the endowment or pension plan is written with them.

  Mr. Ryder
  I have been asked to reply. Since January 1988 building societies have followed a code of practice which precludes them from making it a condition of an offer of a first mortgage advance that the borrower uses other services, required by the borrower in connection with the making of the advance, provided by the society. The Government agreed with societies in July 1986 that section 35 of the Building Societies Act 1986, which makes such linking of services an offence, would not be implemented if such a code was adopted. Neither section 35 nor the code seek to prevent cross-subsidy because there can be legitimate commercial reasons for it, and it may be to the advantage of the borrower.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Chernobyl
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the number of(a) farms, (b) sheep and (c) acres in Northern Ireland currently under restriction owing to the radioactive contamination following the Chernobyl accident.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The information at November 1989 is as follows:
  95

  Number

  Number of farms

  123

  Number of sheep

  19,570

  Area of land

  121,612

  1 acres.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what expenditure he has incurred in compensation for farmers in Northern Ireland as a result of the Chernobyl accident for each year since 1986.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The amount of compensation paid to farmers in Northern Ireland resulting from the Chernobyl accident was as follows:

  £

  1987–88

  12,658

  1988–89

  29,084

  11989–90

  18,313

  1 (to date).

  Coats Viyella
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assistance the Northern Ireland Office is providing to Coats Viyella for its operations in Northern Ireland; and what assistance has been given specifically for the transfer of work from the Van Heusen production facilities in St. Austell to Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 24 November 1989]: Coats Viyella has 10 manufacturing plants within the textiles and clothing sector in Northern Ireland employing 3,600 people. In the 1988–89 financial year financial assistance totalling £5,556,670 was paid to the CV group.

  No assistance has been either offered or given for the transfer of work from the Van Heusen production facilities in St. Austell to Northern Ireland.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Companies Act Investigations
  Mr. Butcher
  To ask the Attorney-General whether he will conduct a review of the possibilities of prejudice to a criminal trial of individuals named in a Companies Act investigation when those individuals are, in advance of their trial, publicly disciplined by a self-regulatory organisation established under the Financial Services Act.

  The Attorney-General
  No. I do not believe such a review to be necessary.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Iran-Iraq Conflict
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on progress in negotiating the peace settlement to the Iran-Iraq conflict.

  Mr. Hurd
  We maintain our full support for the early implementation of Security Council resolution 598 in its entirety. We applaud the efforts of the Secretary-General and of his special representative, Mr. Jan Eliasson, to 96
  achieve progress in the negotiations. We are glad that the recent visit to the area by Mr. Eliasson has confirmed that the ceasefire is holding and that further talks may take place in New York in December. Movement is urgently needed. It is now over two years since the resolution was passed and 15 months since the ceasefire took effect. We urge the parties to work imaginatively and energetically to bring permanent peace to the region through early and successful negotiations under the Secretary-General's auspices. We will continue to do everything possible to help achieve this aim.

  West Bank and Gaza
  Mr. Latham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent protests have been conveyed by his Department to representatives of the Palestine Liberation Organisation regarding the Palestinian Arabs killed by other Palestinians since the disturbances began in the West Bank and Gaza two years ago; and what reply has been received.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  We have taken this up with several representatives of the PLO, including Mr. Arafat himself.

  British Diplomats (Israel)
  Mr. Latham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on the guidelines followed by(a) diplomatic staff of the consulate general in Jerusalem and (b) diplomatic staff of the Embassy in Tel Aviv regarding visits to areas under Israeli military administration since June 1967; what specific guidelines exist regarding visits to communities under curfew or declared to be closed by the Israeli military administration; and what guidelines exist regarding East Jerusalem, as annexed by Israel in 1967.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Diplomatic and consular staff in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem are free to move throughout the occupied territories, including that part of Jerusalem which Israel illegally annexed de facto in 1967, while having regard to any restrictions imposed by the Israeli authorities in accordance with Israel's responsibilities as a military occupier of these territories under international law, in particular the fourth Geneva convention of 1949.

  Beit Sahour
  Mr. Latham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on the recent visit of Her Majesty's consul-general in Jerusalem to Beit Sahour; and what discussions have been held with the Government of Israel regarding the circumstances surrounding the visit.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Her Majesty's consul-general visited Beit Sahour on 12 October in the light of reports that the Israeli authorities were conducting punitive tax-collecting raids on the inhabitants. We have assured the Israelis that there was no impropriety in his doing so. We await a reply to our representations to the Israeli authorities about their action in Beit Sahour.

  Short-range Nuclear Forces
  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is Her Majesty's Government's policy towards negotiations on short-range nuclear forces after the conclusion of a global ban on chemical weapons.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Although a global ban on chemical weapons is an arms control goal of the Alliance, NATO's policy on negotiations on short-range nuclear missiles, as expressed in the comprehensive concept, is not linked to the conclusion of such a ban.

  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is Her Majesty's Government's policy towards negotiations on short-range nuclear forces after a conventional forces in Europe agreement has been concluded and reductions are under way.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Our policy is as set out in the comprehensive concept adopted by NATO Heads of State and Government at their summit in May, namely that, once the implementation of an agreement on conventional arms is under way,"the United States, in consultation with the Allies concerned, is prepared to enter into negotiations to achieve a partial reduction of American and Soviet land-based nuclear missiles of shorter range to equal and verifiable levels."
  The comprehensive concept also makes it clear that negotiated reductions should not take place until a CFE agreement has been implemented.

  Combat Aircraft
  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation's current proposed ceiling on combat aircraft in the region from the Atlantic to the Urals; and what is the present level of North Atlantic Treaty Organisation combat aircraft in this region.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  At the NATO summit in May, the Allies decided to expand their proposal at the negotiations in Vienna on conventional forces in Europe, so as to include reductions by each side to equal ceilings in all land-based combat aircraft at the level 15 per cent. below current Alliance holdings. This has subsequently been amplified into a specific proposal for an equal ceiling of 5,700 such aircraft.

  Malawi
  Mr. Chris Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British Government employees are currently based in Malawi; and what are their duties.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Thirty-one British Government employees are currently based in Malawi. Sixteen are employed at the British high commission in Lilongwe in normal diplomatic service duties. Fifteen are employed at the office of the British development division in southern Africa, also in Lilongwe, which manages our aid programmes in Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

  There are also 13 technical co-operation officers, employed by the British Government, who are on loan to the Government of Malawi.
  98
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the fund-raising activities of British diplomats in Malawi during the last two years.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  British diplomats themselves are not involved in any fund-raising activities in Malawi. The Association of Diplomatic Women in Lilongwe, which represents all wives and women staff in the diplomatic community there, organises fund-raising events and gives the proceeds to private charities in Malawi. Members of British diplomatic families have taken part in these events, in particular an annual fair.

  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made since 1979 to the Government of Malawi regarding human rights in that country.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The Government of Malawi are fully aware of our views on human rights, which have been made known on a number of occasions in various fora, including the United Nations. My right hon. Friend the then Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs raised the issue in Malawi during her visit there in 1987. We are aware of recent developments and are monitoring them closely.

  Sri Lanka
  Mr. Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations Her Majesty's Government have made concerning the violations of human rights by the Government and Indian forces in Sri Lanka.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  We have made our concern about human rights abuses clearly known to the Sri Lankan Government. Most recently, our high commissioner in Colombo raised the subject on 27 October. We welcome President Premadasa's invitation to the International Committee of the Red Cross to monitor the situation and report their findings.

HEALTH

  Civil Service Dispersal
  Mr. Aitken
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many of the civil servants offered over £12,000 per family to move to Leeds have accepted this offer; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  My right hon. and learned Friend made an announcement on relocation on 14 November and at this early stage we have no indication of how many staff are likely to wish to move to Leeds.

  Cruse
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if, in light of the increase in disasters, he will increase his Department's financial help to Cruse for bereavement care.

  Mr. Freeman
  The increased level of grant aid to Cruse, from 1 April 1990, will be determined in the light of the increase in the organisation's headquarters administrative costs arising from increased demand for its services.
  99
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what date he received an application from Cruse for a one-off grant of £150,000 in 1990 and for a total of £710,000 for the years 1990 to 1993; and when he expects to announce a decision upon it.

  Mr. Freeman
  The application was received in the Department on 10 November and is under consideration. Ministers expect to announce decisions on new and renewal grants to voluntary bodies in good time before the commencement date of 1 April 1990.

  Neuroblastoma
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) why there is no national screening programme for babies with neuroblastoma; and what is his estimate of the average cost to the National Health Service of treating cases of neuroblastoma;

  (2) what study his Department has made of the routine screening of babies for neuroblastoma in other countries.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  It has yet to be demonstrated that a screening service reduces mortality from neuroblastoma. The Department keeps research and development in this field at home and abroad under regular review. Comprehensive information on the costs of treatment for this condition is not available, but it has been estimated that in one region these are about £45,000 per case.

  Ambulance Service (Dispute)
  Miss Hoey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to monitor the length of time from call-out to arrival of substitute police and army vehicles used as ambulances in the London area.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The London ambulance service with the help of the police control room at New Scotland Yard and army and police emergency crews has established a system which allows response times to be monitored.

  Broiler Sheds (Diseases)
  Mr. Andrew Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action the Government intend to take following the publication of the Wigtoft report on the emission of diseases through the extraction fans in broiler sheds which are used on chicken farms.

  Mr. Freeman
  We are not aware of this report and would be grateful for details. If there are health implications in circumstances described in the report these will be fully considered.

  Alternative Therapies
  Mr. Andrew Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research has been undertaken into alternative therapies as a means of reducing the cost of the National Health Service.

  Mr. Freeman
  Medical practitioners may offer complementary therapies within the NHS if they feel competent to do so. The Department of Health has commissioned no research into the cost effectiveness of complementary therapies. However, the Medical Research Council, in conjunction with the British Chiropractic 100
  Association, are funding a study, at Northwick Park hospital into the treatment of back pain using chiropractic and orthodox techniques.

  Young People
  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his Department's assessment of the decline in the number of 16 to 19-year-old males in the United Kingdom between 1989 and 1993.

  Mr. Freeman
  The Government Actuary's mid 1988-based population projections indicate that the number of males aged 16–19 in the United Kingdom is projected to fall from 1·718 million in mid 1989 to 1·413 million in mid 1993, a decrease of 18 per cent.

  Listeria
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the results of the Public Health Laboratory survey into listeria contamination in milk.

  Mr. Freeman
  It is for the Public Health Laboratory service to publish the results of its own survey. I understand that collation and publication are in hand.

  Herts and Essex Hospital
  Mr. Haselhurst
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will announce his decision on proposed changes in hospital provision at Herts and Essex hospital.

  Mr. Freeman
  We hope to make an announcement shortly.

  Abortion
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will introduce legislation to enable a person born live but damaged during an abortion prior to 28 weeks' gestation to secure compensation.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  No. The hon. Member may wish to refer to section 1 of the Congenital Disabilities (Civil Liability) Act 1976.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what guidance on(a) methods of abortion, (b) possible complications after an abortion, (c) causes of death in abortions to the unborn baby and (d) characteristics and development of the unborn baby, he makes available to mothers considering abortion after 18 weeks' gestation;

  (2) what guidelines he has issued to abortionists concerning the matters that should be mentioned to mothers considering abortion after 18 weeks' gestation.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Department does not give direct advice to women seeking abortion. Circular HC(77)26 issued to health authorities and all places in the private sector which carry out abortions, deals with the general arrangements for the provision of counselling services to these women. The circular endorses the Lane committee's view that as part of the counselling process a women seeking abortion should be told of the nature of the operation; and of the likelihood of complete recovery from it or possible resultant morbidity. A copy of the circular is in the Library.

  Medicines (Product Licences)
  Mr. Grylls
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether all product licence applications for medicines distributed in the United Kingdom have included the submission of a full product specification.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  All product licence applications for medicinal products used in the United Kingdom are submitted in accordance with the Medicines Act 1968 and the relevant EC directives. These currently include the requirement that licence application must be supported either with or by reference to full data on the product particulars.

  Orthopaedics (Waiting Times)
  Sir John Farr
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average waiting time for an appointment in the Leicester area for a patient waiting to be seen by an orthopaedic specialist; and what was the waiting time one year ago and five years ago.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  We do not collect information on out-patient waiting times centrally. My hon. Friend may wish to write to the chairman of Leicester district health authority who could supply the information he seeks.

  Haemophiliacs (AIDS)
  Sir John Farr
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he will take steps to expedite the settlement of compensation claims for haemophiliacs who are HIV positive.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply my right hon. and learned Friend gave my hon. Friend the Member for Salisbury (Mr. Key) on 23 November at columns 11–12.

  Salmonella
  Mr. Allen McKay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give for each week from March 1989 to date the number of salmonella food poisoning cases which have been reported.

  Mr. Freeman
  The information requested is given in the table. Figures are collated monthly, and are not available on a weekly basis.

  Human isolates of salmonella confirmed by the Department of Enteric Pathogens, PHLS

  1989

  Number

  March

  1,213

  April

  1,106

  May

  1,364

  June

  2,854

  July

  3,303

  August

  4,586

  September

  4,684

  October

  3,556

  Griffiths Report
  Mr. Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received regarding April 1991 as the implementation date of the recommendations of the Griffiths report as not being a sufficient period in which local authorities can prepare for their new responsibilities.
  102
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  We have received no representations to date which have suggested that local authorities will not be able to prepare to discharge their new responsibilities adequately by April 1991.

  Nursing Homes
  Mr. Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he will make local authorities statutorily responsible for the funding, registration and inspection of residential and nursing homes.

  Mr. Freeman
  Our intention which we set out in the White Paper "Caring for People", is that from 1 April 1991 local authorities will become responsible for a single unified budget to cover the costs of social care in residential care and nursing homes. The new arrangements will not apply to people already resident in homes before April 1991. The Registered Homes Act 1984 places a duty on local authorities and district health authorities to register and inspect residential care homes and nursing homes respectively. We have no plans to alter these arrangements.

  Community Care
  Mr. Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he will make new funds available to finance the additional expenditure which will be incurred by local authorities in implementing the new community care packages, whilst still retaining responsibility for funding those already within residential care as at April 1991.

  Mr. Freeman
  As we have made clear in recent statements and in our White Paper "Caring for People: Community Care in the Next Decade and Beyond" (published on 16 November) we recognise that local authorities will require adequate resources to enable them to discharge their new responsibilities. This will involve a switch of resources from social security and the aggregate amount of transferred resources will allow for the projected growth in the numbers of people needing support, taking account of demographic factors. Final decisions will be taken in the public expenditure survey in 1990, following discussions with the local authority associations which are currently underway.

  Patient Referrals
  Mr. Marlow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients from the Irish Republic have been referred to United Kingdom hospitals over the last full period for which figures exist.

  Mr. Freeman
  In 1987, 83 patients were referred from the Irish Republic for treatment in NHS hospitals in the United Kingdom under the European Community regulations. Figures for referrals to private hospitals are not held centrally.

  Mr. Marlow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many United Kingdom patients have been referred to hospitals in the Irish Republic over the last full period for which figures exist.

  Mr. Freeman
  In 1987, one NHS patient was referred from the United Kingdom for treatment in the Irish Republic under the European Community regulations. Figures for referrals between private hospitals are not held centrally.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Malawi
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what aid his Department has supplied to the Government of Malawi since 1979.

  Mr. Waddington
  None.

  Rayner Review
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will publish the interim report of the Rayner review on the funding of the voluntary sector.

  Mr. John Patten
  The efficiency scrutiny of Government funding of the voluntary sector which was announced on 16 May has delivered its report. We are considering the report, and the question of publication, with colleagues in other Government Departments who have an interest in its findings.

  Fines
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has plans to review the relative severity of fines for different categories of offence.

  Mr John Patten
  The Crown court has unlimited powers to impose fines. The maximum penalties for offences tried in magistrates courts are determined in legislation and are related to the seriousness of each offence. Maximum penalties are reviewed as necessary. Sentencing in individual cases is a matter for the courts.

  IBA
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the current levels of remuneration and allowances paid to each member of the Independent Broadcasting Authority by name, including 104
  the chairman and deputy chairman; what were the levels before they were last increased; and whether he proposes to increase them.

  Mr. Mellor
  The following levels of remuneration apply:

  Current Level £

  Previous Level £

  Chairman

  39,200

  37,335

  Deputy Chairman

  10,085

  9,605

  National Members

  7,545

  7,185

  Other Members

  5,030

  4,790

  The current levels incorporate this year's Top Salaries Review Body's recommended increase of 5 per cent.

  Broadcasting Complaints Commission
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the current levels of remuneration and allowances paid to each member of the Broadcasting Complaints Commission, including the chairman and deputy chairman; what were the levels before they were last increased; and what proposals he has for increasing them.

  Mr. Waddington
  The following levels of remuneration apply in relation to the Broadcasting Complaints Commission (BCC):

  Chairman

  Member

  With effect from 1 October 1988

  £23,875 for 3 days per week

  £4,790 for 1 day per week

  With effect from 1 April 1989

  £25,070 for 3 days per week

  £7,545 for 1½ days per week

  There is no deputy chairman of the BCC. We have no plans at this stage to increase these salary levels. They are subject to review by the Top Salaries Review Body.

  UHF Channel
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has yet received an assessment of the technical feasibility of a sixth ultra high frequency channel; and whether he will make a statement.

  Mr. Waddington
  As my noble Friend Lord Young of Graffham announced in another place on 27 April at c. 1403 in response to a question from Lord Mowbray and Stourton:"Paragraph 5.7 of the Government's White Paper Broadcasting in the '90s: Competition, Choice and Quality stated:
  'In the longer term, a sixth network at UHF covering up to 50 per cent. of the population might be feasible. But this has not yet been studied in detail, and the cost and interference implications could be significant. Further study is also needed of the implications for existing users of the spectrum involved. The Government has put these studies in hand.'
  After careful consideration of the results of the technical feasibility studies carried out so far, the Government have decided not to pursue the studies further for the foreseeable future.
  The studies show that the best prospects of achieving a sixth terrestrial UHF television network (Channel 6) lie in making a more intensive use of the 44 channels currently used to provide the four existing UHF services. However, if off-air reception of the four existing UHF services is to remain intact, Channel 6 would be unable to achieve more than about 17 per cent. coverage of United Kingdom households and there would, for example, be no coverage at all of the London area. The technical studies have shown that it might be possible to extend Channel 6 coverage to as much as 40 per cent. of United Kingdom households; but the price would be that perhaps 20,000 viewers in up to 10 areas (mainly in London and the North West) would lose the ability to receive off-air one of the four existing UHF services. The Channel 6 franchisee could of course be required to restore the lost service by cable or some other means to those viewers, who would also generally be unable to recive off-air either Channel 5 or Channel 6.
  There would however be other adverse consequences. These would include the virtual abandonment of the programme to instal some 200 further relay transmitters to bring the four existing UHF services to many of the 350,000 people who are still unable to receive them. Additionally, because the BBC and the independent television programme companies currently make as much use as they can of the remaining 'spare capacity' within the 44 channels to accommodate some of their programme-making requirements, the loss of this capacity to Channel 6 would create a major problem in finding suitable alternative spectrum for the programme-making activities (including outside broadcasts) of the broadcasters, at a time when spectrum for these purposes is at a premium to meet the needs of the new wave of satellite and other broadcasters. A further disadvantage is that most viewers would need to instal a third UHF aerial to receive Channel 6.
  Substantial further study would now be needed to take this work further forward. The Government have taken the view on a careful analysis of the studies so far that the very considerable costs and penalties attached to TV6 on this basis are simply not justified by such a limited result, especially at a time when there is the promise of a considerable proliferation of new television networks-satellite, local cable/MVDS, and Channel 5. If we wished to preserve the options on Channel 6 until the picture on other new services has become clearer, the present moratorium on the building of additional relay transmitters, which has now been in force for some 18 months, would need to be extended for perhaps several more years. This would almost certainly spell the end of the programme to extend progressively the UHF network to cover those who are at present unserved, or inadequately served, by it. We do not regard this as an acceptable consequence, and we have agreed that the moratorium should now be lifted.

  DNA Testing
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the DNA testing scheme will become fully available to applicants wishing to join their families in the United Kingdom; what will be the cost of each test; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The results of privately commissioned DNA tests have been accepted as proof of relationship in immigration cases for some time. The Government's intention to introduce DNA testing into the entry clearance process was announced earlier this year. It was made clear that the DNA scheme will not be centrally funded, but also that we will seek to avoid imposing too great a burden on individual applicants. We will make a further announcement about the implementation of the Government scheme when the necessary arrangements have been completed.

  Pornography
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy to require shops wishing to sell pornography to obtain a licence from a local authority in a process open to representations from the general public.

  Mr. Waddington
  I refer the hon. Member to section 2 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982, which enables a local authority to adopt the provisions of schedule 3 to the Act for the control in its area of sex cinemas and sex shops.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his Department or any organisation responsible to him monitors the contents of pornographic material available in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Waddington
  The Department keeps closely in touch with the Metropolitan police's obscene publications branch, the Crown prosecution service, and Her Majesty's Customs and Excise, all of which have information on pornographic material. The British Board of Film Classification, whose officers have responsibilities under the Video Recordings Act 1984, and the Broadcasting Standards Council are other sources of information.

  Criminal Injuries Compensation Board
  Mr. Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how long the waiting list is of applications to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board; and what has been the length of the waiting list in each of the past five years;

  (2) how many applications are currently before the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board; and what has been the figure over each of the past five years.

  Mr. John Patten
  The number of applications awaiting resolution at 31 October 1989 was 95,294. The number of applications awaiting resolution at the end of each of the last five financial years is given in the table.

  Number

  1984–85

  41,800

  1985–86

  51,500

  1986–87

  64,000

  107

  Number

  1987–88

  78,000

  1988–89

  82,000

  Mr. Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases have been decided within 12 months by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board in each of the past five years; and whether, in dealing with such cases any distinction is made between cases which are straightforward and cases which are not.

  Mr. John Patten
  The board does not keep information on the number of cases resolved within 12 months of receipt. The board's annual reports record the percentage of cases submitted to a single member of the board within time bands of registration. The percentage of cases dealt with in this way within 12 months of registration is given in the table for each of the last five years.

  Each application is dealt with on its own merits. The time taken to resolve a claim will normally depend on the seriousness of the injury, the prognosis and the number and nature of inquiries necessary to assess compensation. Priority is given to claims from the bereaved, the elderly, the young and cases of severe injury.

  Percentage of cases submitted to a single member within 12 months of registration

  Year

  Per cent.

  1984–85

  74·5

  1985–86

  69·6

  1986–87

  49·8

  1987–88

  30·8

  1988–89

  26·9

  Mr. Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total financial resource allocated to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board in each of the past five years; what is the average expenditure on an inquiry; whether he has any plans to increase the funding; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John Patten
  The average cost of resolving a claim at single member stage on the papers is £152, and by oral hearing £537. Total expenditure on the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board in each of the last five years in given in the table.

  Year

  Expenditure (£ million)

  1984–85

  39·5

  1985–86

  45·8

  1986–87

  52·9

  1987–88

  58·9

  1988–89

  77·5

  The Government's expenditure plans for future years will be published in the next public expenditure White Paper.

  Litter
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) in what proportion of the cases brought under the Litter Act, during the most recent period for which statistics are available, the prosecution was successful;

  (2) what was the average fine imposed under the Litter Act during the most recent period for which statistics are available.
  108
  Mr. John Patten
  The latest figures are for 1988 which show that for England and Wales there were 1,762 prosecutions under the Litter Act 1983. Of those 1,607 (91 per cent.) were found guilty. The average fine imposed under this Act was £40.

  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether magistrates receive training on the details of the Act relating to littering and guidance as to the appropriate level of fines to be levied.

  The Attorney-General
  I have been asked to reply.

  Magistrates receive advice from their clerk on the details of the Act, the range of penalties available for particular offences, and any guidance relevant to the choice of penalty provided by the law or by decisions of the superior courts.

  Broadcasting
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his policy for allowing freedom to programme makers who adhere to standards of decency.

  Mr. Waddington
  Programme makers have freedom to choose their material within the statutory framework for broadcasting, part of which makes it clear that broadcasters have a responsibility to ensure that nothing is included in their programmes which offends against good taste and decency.

  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his policy for ensuring that there are proper controls over broadcasts.

  Mr. Waddington
  Controls are in place through the Broadcasting Act 1981 in the case of independent television and radio, through the Cable and Broadcasting Act 1984 in the case of cable and satellite broadcasting, and in the case of services provided by the BBC through its royal charter, licence and agreement. In addition, the Government propose in the Broadcasting Bill to put the Broadcasting Standards Council on a statutory footing.

  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his policy on access to broadcasting by Christian organisations.

  Mr. Waddington
  We are proposing that religious groups, including Christian groups, should be allowed to run independent radio stations provided that they observe the content requirements envisaged in paragraph 7.7 of the Green Paper "Radio: Choices and Opportunities" (February 1987, Cm. 92).

  Religious groups will continue to be disqualified from holding licences to run television services. But there is no reason why programmes dealing with religious matters should not continue to be broadcast and indeed proliferate on television, subject to their observing the content requirements set out in paragraph 6.10 of the White Paper "Broadcasting in the '90s: Competition, Choice and Quality" (November 1988, Cm. 517).

  The Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has reveived from organisations and individuals in Northern Ireland about the Government's proposed Broadcasting Bill.
  109
  Mr. Waddington
  My right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr. Hurd) placed in the Library on 21 April a list of the main organisations which submitted comments on the White Paper (as indicated in a reply to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Westminster, North (Mr. Wheeler) at column 342). A number of these submissions were from organisations in Northern Ireland. In addition, a number of comments have been received from viewers and listeners in Northern Ireland.

  Immigration
  Mr. Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he has taken to ease the travel restrictions on those resident in the United Kingdom with indefinite leave of stay here, who wish to travel within the EEC; and what representations he has made to fellow EEC members on this matter.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Assuming that the reference is to non-EC nationals, the position is that no steps have been taken or representations made with a view to easing travel restrictions because none of the relevant EC law is designed to benefit resident non-EC nationals per se. However, if it is intended to refer to particular cases of difficulty in which it is thought the Government have a locus, I would of course be glad to look into detailed circumstances further should the right hon. Member wish to write.

  Telephone Chat-lines
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to ban telephone chat-lines.

  Mr. Forth
  [holding answer 24 November 1989]: I have been asked to reply.

  On 17 November, the Director General of Telecommunications, Sir Bryan Carsberg, announced new controls on multiline and one-to-one services provided over British Telecom's network. From 8 December, when the controls come into effect, such services can be provided only in accordance with a code of practice acceptable to the Director General or if granted a specific exemption. No such codes have yet been recognised for these purposes.

  In the light of this announcement, I have no intention of meeting the Director General or of considering the introduction of legislation on this subject.

SCOTLAND

  Chernobyl
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the number of(a) farms, (b) sheep and (c) acres in Scotland currently under restriction owing to the radioactive contamination following the Chernobyl accident.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Sixty-nine farms, approximately 66,000 sheep and about 66,000 acres are currently subject to restrictions.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what expenditure he has incurred in compensation for farmers as a result of the Chernobyl accident for each year since 1986 in Scotland.
  110
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Payments in Scotland have been as follows:

  £

  1986

  1,132,901

  1987

  403,610

  1988

  143,718

  11989

  103,108

  1 To the end of October.

  Local Authorities
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has had on the draft scheme of members' allowances to be applied to local authority members in Scotland.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Representations have been received from the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and several individuals. The main points raised related to the overall quantum and cash limit on local authorities, the abolition of financial loss allowance for councillors, the possible banding of the levels of allowance for Scottish local authorities by population and provision of special responsibility allowances for minority groups.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what special provisions he is considering to take account of the special needs of councillors in rural areas in the scheme of members' allowances in local government.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  None. Councillors in rural areas who have to travel long distances in the course of their duties will be able to claim travel and subsistence allowances as before.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to announce the detailed conclusions on the scheme of members' allowances to be applied to local authority members in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The details of the new scheme will be the subject of further consultation with the local authority associations and decisions will be announced as soon as possible. The intention is that the new scheme will come into effect on 1 April 1990.

  Access to Personal Files Act
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to make regulations under the Access to Personal Files Act 1987 on access to(a) housing records and (b) school records and further education records.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  We are currently examining the points made in consultation and expect to make regulations as soon as possible with a view to their coming into force in spring 1990. Regulations covering school and further education records will be made under the Education (Scotland) Act 1980.

  Haddock Quota
  Mr. Trotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland to what extent the 1989 haddock quota has been exceeded; what is the extent to which quotas have been exceeded at
  111
  each port; when it first became clear that the local quotas had been exceeded and why action was not taken immediately to prevent excess fishing continuing by those who had exceeded their quotas; and what steps he intends taking to prevent this situation recurring.

  Mr. Lang
  Final information is not yet available on the exact level of the United Kingdom's landings of North sea haddock. The table shows the estimated level of overfishing by those groups excluded from the fishery

  Organisations

  Allocation (tonnes)

  Catch known at 11 November(tonnes)

  Catch as a percentage of allocation

  Date of withdrawal of licences

  Scottish Fishermen's Organisation

  18,252

  18,791

  103

  7 October

  North East of Scotland Fishermen's Organisation

  13,090

  13,790

  105

  7 October

  Shetland Fish Producers Organisation

  2,602

  2,680

  101

  4 November

  Fish Producers Organisation

  879

  954

  109

  13 September

  Caledonian MacBrayne
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he intends to announce the composition of the new board of Caledonian MacBrayne Limited; what representations he has received regarding the delay in making the announcement; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I refer to the answer which my right hon. and learned Friend gave to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Garscadden (Mr. Dewar) on 27 October 1989 (Hansard Vol. 158 Col. 456). No representations have been received suggesting that there has been unreasonable delay in making an announcement. It is important that the widest possible range of experience, expertise and local knowledge is reflected in the board's membership.

  Universities
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will indicate the extent of rate relief that each Scottish university can expect to receive in 1990–91; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  From 1 April 1990 universities in Scotland, like those in England and Wales, will benefit from the same 80 per cent. relief from rates which is to be extended to other charitable organisations. The relevant rating authority in each case will have discretion to increase this relief to up to 100 per cent. The benefit in cash terms to each university will not be known until the valuation roll containing the rateable values to apply from 1 April 1990 is published on 15 February.

  Forestry
  Sir John Farr
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will consider introducing a procedure of inquiry in principle, where appropriate, in relation to streamlining Forestry Commission activities;

  (2) if he will consider the introduction of a maintenance grant linked to five-year plans of operation for forestry management purposes;

  (3) if he will make arrangements so that grants in relation to the woodlands grant scheme are henceforth based on the total area of the approved unit of forest land applied for;
  112
  before the complete closure. In all cases the exclusions took effect before recorded landings had reached the level of the allocation made to each of the groups concerned. As part of the normal arrangements for distributing internally the United Kingdom's quotas those groups disadvantaged by this year's closure will be compensated next year with correspondingly increased quotas. It is estimated that 85 per cent. of the allocation untaken as a result of the total closure of the fishery is attributable to vessels based in Scotland.

  (4) if he will take immediate steps to introduce a grant towards forest road construction to enable better access to inaccessible areas;

  (5) if he will take steps to increase the better land supplement to £400 per hectare.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  All these aspects of the Government's support arrangements for forestry were covered in the Forestry Industry Committee of Great Britain's paper "Options for British Forestry", a copy of which was sent recently to the Secretary of State for Scotland. The Government will consider the recommendations contained in that paper and will respond to the committee in due course.

  Nairn Bypass
  Sir Russell Johnston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects a bypass to be constructed around the town of Nairn.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  At present there are no immediate proposals for a Nairn bypass. Nairn is predominantly an end destination and the volume of through traffic on the A96 is insufficient to justify provision of a bypass.

  There are, however, plans for a major scheme to build a new Nairn railway bridge which will include improvements to the layout of the junction of the A96 and A939, provide a new alignment under the railway and considerably ease traffic flow at the east end of the town.

DEFENCE

  War Widows
  Mr. Churchill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what would be the net annual cost to the Exchequer if the war widows' pension for pre-1973 war widows were to be placed on the same level as applies to post-1973 war widows.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The standard rate of war widows pension paid by the Department of Social Security is the same regardless of when the husband served or died. Differences arise in the total benefits received by war widows for a number of reasons, such as their eligibility for awards under the provisions of the occupational scheme for the armed forces, the date of the award under the
  113
  scheme, and eligibility for other pensions or income-related benefits. It has been estimated that the cost of awarding an attributable family pension under the armed forces occupational pension scheme, at current rates, to all service widows who are ineligible for such an award but who receive a war widows pension under the DSS scheme, would be around £200 million a year. That is an approximate cost. Production of a refined net cost would require a detailed assessment of the personal circumstances of every war widow who would be affected.

  SS21 Missile
  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his Department's assessment as to the number of SS21 missile launchers that were deployed by the USSR when Mr. Gorbachev came to office.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  In 1985, the year in which Mr. Gorbachev took office, we currently estimate that the USSR deployed in the region of 90 SS21 missile launchers.

  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his Department's assessment of the range of the SS21 missile.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The range of the SS21 is estimated to be approximately 90 km.

  Trident
  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his Department's assessment as to the proportion of time during which at least one Trident submarine could not he guaranteed to be on station if only three Trident submarines were procured.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I am unable for reasons of security to give details of my Department's assessment. However, I can say that a three-submarine force could not guarantee the presence of at least one submarine on station at all times. Continuity of operations is essential to the maintenance of a credible strategic deterrent, and has been our policy throughout the life of the Polaris force. It follows, therefore, that the planned Trident force must comprise four submarines if an effective deterrent is to be maintained.

  Soviet Short-Range Weapons
  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the basis upon which his Department has calculated that 95 per cent. of Soviet short-range systems have been modernised.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  It is not the practice to give details of the sources and methods used to make such estimates.

  Destroyers and Frigates
  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether all the destroyers and frigates in table 1 are declared to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, pursuant to the information provided by his Department to the Defence Select Committee, 6th report, Session 1988–89, HC 419, page vii, table 1.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 6 November 1989, at column 482.

  Defence Equipment
  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether figures for the United Kingdom's defence equipment holdings have been made publicly available prior to publication in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation publication, "Conventional Forces in Europe: The Facts", dated November 1988.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  No.

  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will make it his Department's practice to publish the United Kingdom's equipment holdings, as set out in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation publication, "Conventional Forces in Europe: The Facts", in subsequent editions of the Statement on the Defence Estimates.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  There are no current plans to do so. The annual Statements on the Defence Estimates already contain extensive information on United Kingdom forces.

  BAOR
  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department has made any assessment as to the likely effects on the British Army of the Rhine of the use of nuclear artillery shells by United Kingdom forces against WTO forces.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I have nothing to add to the reply I gave the hon. Member on 6 November at column 482.

  Combat Aircraft
  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the figures for combat aircraft in the statement on the defence estimates 1989 include air defence fighters, reconnaissance aircraft, training aircraft and electronic counter-measure aircraft.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  As explained in footnotes, the figures for combat aircraft in figures 8 and 9 of chapter 6 of the Statement on the Defence Estimates 1989 include fighters, fighter-bombers, light and medium bombers, reconnaissance and electronic warfare aircraft, but exclude combat capable trainers. Figure 11 covers the same types of aircraft, except that the Warsaw pact calculation of the ratio of aircraft (shown in the right-hand column) also includes naval aircraft.

  Tornado
  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the Tornado aircraft is a longer-range intermediate nuclear force or shorter-range intermediate nuclear force capable aircraft; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I refer the hon. Member to figure 12 in volume I of the Statement on the Defence Estimates 1989 (Cm. 675—I).

  Malawi
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what aid his Department supplied to the Government of Malawi since 1979.
  115
  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The Minister of Defence does not provide aid as such. However, in recent years the British Government, through the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, have given limited assistance to the Malawian army in the form of military training and gifts of non-lethal defence equipment. It is not our practice to disclose the cost of such assistance to individual countries.

WALES

  Housing (Disabled and Elderly)
  Mr. Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he has plans to encourage Welsh local authorities to build houses in their areas especially for single disabled and elderly people.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  It is for local authorities to determine how best to use the resources available to them, taking account of local needs and seeking to maximise value for money. Generally, local authorities should seek to achieve this by, for example, entering into partnership arrangements with the voluntary and private sectors to meet all aspects of their housing need.

  National Museum (Admission Charges)
  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what information he has on the fall in attendance at the National Museum of Wales following the introduction of admission charges.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave him on 6 November 1989, Vol. 159, c.444–45.

  Chernobyl
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the number of(a) farms, (b) sheep and (c) acres in Wales currently under restriction owing to the radioactive contamination following the Chernobyl accident.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  Approximately 416 holdings, 300,000 sheep and 210,000 acres.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what expenditure he has incurred in compensation for farmers as a result of the Chernobyl accident for each year since 1986 in Wales.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  Payments have been as follows:

  £

  1986

  1,830,887

  1987

  1,416,812

  1988

  573,825

  11989

  349,960

  1 To the end October

  Sheep
  Mr. Geraint Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has to assist the sheep industry within the hill areas of Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  The sheep industry in the hill areas of Wales benefits directly from a number of measures,116
  including the hill livestock compensatory allowances, the sheep annual premium and the sheep variable premium. In addition, the farm and conservation grant scheme provides assistance to improve the efficiency and structure of the industry.

  Welsh Development Agency
  Mr. Geraint Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he last met the chairman of the Welsh Development Agency and what issues were discussed; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  I have frequent meetings with the chairman of the Welsh Development Agency to discuss matters relating to the whole range of the agency's activities.

  Water Privatisation
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy to require that the sale of shares in Welsh Water is dealt with through an address in Wales.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  No.

  Water Pollution
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he has made any orders under section 111 of the Water Act relating to water protection measures;

  (2) if he will introduce measures under section 111 of the Water Act empowering the National Rivers Authority to issue consents in respect of potentially hazardous material stored alongside or in proximity to water courses in the valleys of the south Wales coalfield.

  Mr. Ian Grist
  No. It is for the National Rivers Authority or a water undertaker to apply to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State if they consider it necessary to restrict particular activities likely to result in the pollution of water.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many male(a) employees and (b) self-employed and female (i) full and (ii) part-time were in employment in Wales on the latest date for which figures are available.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  In June 1989, the latest date for which information is available, the position is shown in the following table:

  '000s

  Males Employees in

  Females Employees in Employment1

  Employment1

  Self Employed2

  Full-time

  Part-time

  517

  111

  251

  197

  Source: Employment Department.

  1 Quarterly estimate series.

  2 Based on Annual Labour Force Survey and decennial Census of Population.

  National Rivers Authority
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will require the National Rivers Authority to review the effectiveness of its communications and emergency planning systems with the emergency services;
  117
  (2) if he will seek an urgent meeting with the chairman of the National Rivers Authority to discuss its response to the recent pollution incident in the Rhymney river;

  (3) if he will take steps to ensure that the National Rivers Authority implements a programme of re-stocking of the Rhymney river to replace fish stocks lost during the recent pollution incident;

  (4) what information he has about the extent of pollution of the Rhymney river following an incident on 17 November; what were the numbers and species of fish killed; and if he will make a statement;

  (5) what information he has about the loss of or damage to the fauna and flora of the Rhymney river, other than fish life, following the recent pollution incident.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  The pollution incident on 17 November affected approximately 20 km of the River Rhymney between New Tredegar and Machen. The National Rivers Authority estimates that some 20,000 fish were killed, the majority of which were brown and juvenile sea trout but some grayling and small numbers of juvenile salmon, roach, chub, rainbow trout, pike, adult salmon and sea trout were also affected. There is no discernable evidence of damage of the flora or other fauna of the river. The authority proposes to commence a restocking programme early in 1990.

  The NRA will be producing a full report on the incident which will be copied to me. The Welsh region of the Authority has a formal procedure for continually reviewing the effectiveness of its communications and emergency planning systems.

  Water Privatisation
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what is the upper limit and the lower limit, respectively, on the proportion of shares in Welsh Water which will be sold only to Welsh people in the current share flotation;

  (2) what is the upper limit and the lower limit, respectively, on the proportion of shares in Welsh Water which are being made available to foreign investors;

  (3) what is the upper limit and the lower limit, respectively, on the proportion of shares in Welsh Water which will be sold only to British people.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  Initially 18·5 per cent. of the total offer is being made available to overseas investors. If there is a heavy demand for shares by members of the public a clawback provision allows for 25 per cent. of the shares available under the overseas offer to be made available to the public.

  Under the United Kingdom offer for sale 23·55 per cent. of the ordinary share capital is being made available to the general public (including eligible customers, employees and pensioners of the company). A further 3

  Number of dwellings with certain characteristics

  Wales

  Gwent

  Newport

  Characteristic

  1981

  1986

  1981

  1986

  1986

  Unfit

  90,900

  79,900

  17,000

  8,800

  1,300

  Threshold repair cost1

  243,900

  123,600

  30,700

  14,700

  1,700

  Lacking inside we

  55,000

  19,600

  6,100

  2,100

  400

  Lacking fixed bath or shower

  44,300

  14,900

  4,800

  2,000

  400

  1Threshold figures for repair costs are £2,500 and £.3,000 in 1981 and 1986 respectively.

  Since 1986, a substantial additional renovation has been carried out with grant assistance: the total numbers
  118
  per cent. is reserved to meet share bonus entitlements and applications from eligible employees under the free and matching offers. If both the overseas and the institutional clawbacks are triggered, 46·875 per cent. of the ordinary share capital is available to the general public.

  Eligible customers of Welsh Water who apply for shares in the company will be able to indicate whether they wish to receive customer bonus shares or a customer discount if their application is successful. It is for individuals, including those who are Welsh, to decide for themselves whether or not to buy shares.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proportion of the £62 million cost of the present water flotation will fall to met by Welsh Water plc.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  The prospectus for the water share offers which has been placed in the Library discloses that Welsh Water estimates that the expenses attributable and incidental to the Welsh combined offer will amount to £5 million (exclusive of VAT).

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what protections are built into the flotation process for Welsh Water to guard against foreign takeover; and what guarantees exist to ensure these protections have long-term effect.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  I will hold a special share in Welsh Water which will empower me to prevent anyone from owning more than 15 per cent. of the shares in Welsh Water plc in the period up to 31 December 1994. Following the redemption of the special share the 15 per cent. limitation on shareholding will remain unless it is removed by a vote of 75 per cent. of shareholders in a special resolution.

  Housing
  Mr. Roy Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how many houses in(a) Wales, (b) Gwent and (c) Newport are classified as unfit to live in at the latest available date;

  (2) how many houses in (a) Wales, (b) Gwent and (c) Newport are seriously in need of repair at the latest available date;

  (3) how many houses in (a) Wales, (b) Gwent and (c) Newport lack (i) an inside toilet and (ii) a fixed bath at the latest available date.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  Estimates from the 1986 Welsh house condition survey are given in the table together with the available comparative data on the significant improvement achieved since 1981. The data relate only to dwellings used as first homes.

  of dwellings renovated in Wales, Gwent and Newport since October 1986 are 53,900, 8,800 and 1,500 respectively.
  119
  Mr. Roy Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how many housing completions there were in(a) Wales, (b) Gwent and (c) Newport in 1979; and what is the next recent figure;

  (2) how many housing starts there were in 1979 in (a) Wales, (b) Gwent and (c) Newport; and what is the most recent figure.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  The information requested is given in the following table:

  Housing Starts

  Housing Completions

  1979

  1988

  1979

  1988

  Newport

  432

  456

  594

  646

  Gwent

  1,485

  1,589

  1,575

  1,601

  WALES

  11,426

  13,037

  11,265

  11,037

CIVIL SERVICE

  Trade Unions
  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Minister for the Civil Service when he last met representatives of the Civil Service trade unions; and what matters were discussed.

  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Minister for the Civil Service when he next expects to meet representatives of the Civil Service trade unions to discuss staffing levels.

  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Minister for the Civil Service when he expects to meet Civil Service trade unions to discuss conditions of service; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Luce
  I refer the hon. Members to the reply that I gave earlier to the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, Central (Mr. Fisher).

  Management Training
  Mr. Gerald Bowden
  To ask the Minister for the Civil Service what steps he is taking to promote management training in the Civil Service.

  Mr. Luce
  Management development programmes are available to all levels of managers in the Civil Service. The top management programme, a six-week course with equal numbers of civil servants and non-civil servants, caters for all those newly promoted to grade 3 (under-secretary). The senior management development programme, a scheme involving a wide range of developmental opportunities, provides a framework for the systematic development of managers at grades 4 to 7 (broadly, assistant secretary to principal). A wide range of other opportunities is available to more junior managers. The Civil Service College provides high quality management training for senior and developmental grades.

  In their response to the first report of the Treasury and Civil Service Select Committee on Next Steps, the Government announced an incentive funding scheme designed to encourage Departments to increase their investment in training and development carried out as part of the senior mangement development programme. I am pleased to say that Departments and agencies have risen to the challenge, and this scheme has been responsible for considerable additional investment in these key management grades. I am delighted to announce that £1 million has been made available for continuing the challenge funding scheme in 1990–91.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Civil Service Dispersal
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many Civil Service jobs have been moved from London to other areas in each of the past three years; what steps have been taken to ensure that these operations have given satisfactory results to the public; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ryder
  Comprehensive data for the period in question is not held centrally. However, we can confirm that since April 1986 more than 4,000 Civil Service posts have been located or relocated away from London. The relocation guidelines (copy available in the Library of the House) require relocating departments to ensure that operational efficiency and overall cost effectiveness are taken into proper account in their decisions, which are announced by the relevant departmental Minister.

  Privatisation
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the latest figure for the total income from the selling into the private sector of state-owned industries and companies since 1979.

  Mr. Lilley
  The net proceeds from privatisation since May 1979 to date amount to some .£27½ billion.

  Company Borrowing
  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he next expects to meet the Governor of the Bank of England to discuss company borrowing; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ryder
  My right hon. Friend the Chancellor meets the Governor from time to time to discuss matters of current interest.

  Interest Rates
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects interest rates to fall.

  Mr. Ryder
  Interest rates will be kept as high as is needed for as long as is needed to bring down inflation.

  Mr. Bell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the impact of high interest rates on the number of unemployed; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ryder
  The current level of interest rates is designed to bring down inflation. High inflation is the greatest threat to jobs.

  Ms. Abbott
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on interest rates.

  Mr. Ryder
  Bank base rates are 15 per cent.

  Business Start-ups
  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many business start-ups there were during the latest quarter for which figures are available.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  In the calendar year 1988, the latest for which official figures have been published by the
  121
  Employment Department, the net increase in the number of businesses registered for VAT was 64,000, an average of over 1,200 a week, the highest recorded level. This compares with an average weekly increase of around 800 a week in 1987.

  Manufacturing, East Midlands
  Mr. Oppenheim
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how much manufacturing output in the east midlands has changed in real terms since 1979.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  I regret that this information is not available. Constant price estimates are not made because there are no regional price indices.

  Investment
  Mr. Page
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the latest available figures for inward investment in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  The latest information on the level of direct investment in the United Kingdom by overseas residents was published in British Business of 29 September 1989. Table 9.1 of the 1989 United Kingdom balance of payments (Pink Book) contains the latest information on the level of portfolio investment in the United Kingdom by overseas residents.

  Banking and Currency
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has any plans to discuss with the European Community the development of a free market in banking and currency.

  Mr. Ryder
  The Government are fully committed to the European single market after 1992. Financial services legislation will form a major part of the measures introduced to secure the single market and many of these have already been agreed or are under active consideration. In the banking field, the Council agreed a common position text for the second banking co-ordination directive and the associated solvency ratios directive in July. These directives, together with the own funds directive, which was formally adopted in April 1989, make up a package of measures which are intended to secure a single market in banking. Briefly, these measures will provide credit institutions (largely banks and building societies in the United Kingdom) which are authorised in one member state with a "passport" to offer banking services throughout the Community without the need of further authorisation. Further information can be obtained from the DTI booklet "The Single Market: Financial Services" published in September 1989, copies of which are available in the Library of the House.

  The Council adopted the capital liberalisation directive on 24 June 1988 which provides for the free movement of capital across the Community. Remaining exchange controls in most member states are due to be abolished from 1 July 1990; but Spain, Ireland, Greece and Portugal have until the end of 1992 to comply with all its terms (with the possibility of a further extension for three years in Greece and Portugal). The Government strongly support the removal of exchange controls in the community: this is essential for the development of a single market. The United Kingdom abolished all exchange controls in 1979.
  122
  The United Kingdom's response to the Delors report "An Evolutionary Approach to Economic and Monetary Union", also proposes lifting further restrictions on the use of Community currencies and removing barriers to the use of cheaper and more efficient means of payment.

  Government Expenditure
  Mr. Prescott
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set out general Government expenditure by his Department for the years 1974–75 to 1983–84, in cash and real terms, consistent with the figures for 1984–85 to 1992–93 that are set out in tables 3 and 4 of the 1989 Autumn Statement.

  Mr. Lamont
  Figures for central Government's own expenditure by my Departments in the years 1978–79 o 1983–84 consistent with those given in tables 3 and 4 of the 1989 Autumn Statement public expenditure press notice are as follows:

  £ billion

  Cash figures

  Real terms figures (1988–89 prices)

  1978–79

  1·5

  3·2

  1979–80

  1·7

  3·3

  1980–81

  2·0

  3·2

  1981–82

  2·5

  3·6

  1982–83

  2·7

  3·6

  1983–84

  2·5

  3·3

  Corresponding figures for earlier years are not readily available.

  Balance of Trade
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the annual balance of trade deficit or surplus for each of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries in each year of the 1980s.

  Mr. Ryder
  A trade balance series for each OECD country is published by the IMF in "International Financial Statistics Yearbook".

  Inflation
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the rate of inflation at the end of March in each year of the 1980s in each of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries.

  Mr. Ryder
  Monthly figures for the 12-month growth in consumer price inflation for each OECD country have been published by the OECD throughout the 1980s in the monthly publication "Main Economic Indicators".

THE ARTS

  Funding
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what will be the rate of increase of Government support for the arts over the next three years.

  Mr. Luce
  The central Government programme of expenditure on the arts will increase by 24 per cent. over the next three years at an average rate of 7·5 per cent. per year.
  123
  Mr. Jessel
  To ask the Minister for the Arts by what percentage the funding of his Department will increase in 1990–91 over 1989–90.

  Mr. Luce
  By 12·5 per cent.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what information he has as to what proportion of money for the arts announced in the Chancellor's Autumn Statement will be applied to(a) arts for the disabled, (b) arts for young people and (c) arts in the community.

  Mr. Luce
  The proportion of my Office's expenditure programme which are devoted to the causes described are not determined centrally. However, the institutions funded from the arts programme are aware of the needs of the disabled, etc and are free to give such support within their individual priorities. I was pleased to be able to announce a grant of £150,000 to the Carnegie trust ADAPT fund to improve the accessibility of arts venues to the disabled.

  Mr. Couchman
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what are the increases for the next three years in the funding of the Arts Council.

  Mr. John Greenway
  To ask the Minister for the Arts if he will make a further statement on the increased budget for arts funding announced in the Autumn Statement.

  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what representations he has received following the Chancellor of the Exchequer's Autumn Statement as to the allocation of funding to the arts.

  Mr. Luce
  I am pleased to say that I have received a number of letters of appreciation from chairmen and directors of institutions which have benefited from the revised allocations I was able to announce on 16 November.

  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what representations he has received following his statement of support for the Arts Council and other arts funding bodies for 1990–91 and subsequent years.

  Mr. Luce
  I have received many representations thanking the Government for the substantial increase in arts funding which I announced on 16 November.

  Mr. Watts
  To ask the Minister for the Arts whether he will make a statement on three-year funding.

  Mr. Luce
  My aim in introducing three-year funding has been to give arts bodies a firm basis for their future planning and to encourage greater self-reliance and diversification of funding. This has involved the introduction of new measures, notably incentive funding for the performing arts and for libraries, and major increases in funding for the buildings and maintenance programme of the museums and galleries. I am very pleased at the success of the three-year strategy and congratulate arts and organisations on their achievements in diversifying and increasing their sources of funding from the private sector, and on becoming more professional in their management in recent years.

  On 16 November I announced that following a review of the provisions made in last year's three-year settlement for 1990–91 and 1991–92, in the light of price movements
  124
  and other developments. I was increasing those provisions by £33 million in each year. I was also pleased to announce an extension of the three-year funding programme to 1992–93, with an increase of 24 per cent. over that period.

  Mr. Kirkhope
  To ask the Minister for the Arts, whether he will make a statement on the budget of the Office of Arts and Libraries for the next three years.

  Mr. Luce
  My Office's total central Government programme of expenditure on the arts, including provision for the heritage and for the British Library St. Pancras project, will rise from £439 million in the current year to £544 million in 1992–93, an increase of 24 per cent.

  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Minister for the Arts whether the priority requests from the directors of the national museums and galleries have been met in his allocation of funds over the coming three years.

  Mr. Luce
  In the funding announcement that I made on 16 November I have taken account of the priorities detailed in the corporate plans of the national museums and galleries submitted to us earlier this year, especially on running costs, buildings, and maintenance and the conservation of collections. Over the period 1990–91 to 1992–93 expenditure on national museums and galleries will rise by 25 per cent. overall, and there will be an extra 34 per cent. for building and maintenance in the same period.

  Wilding Report
  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Minister for the Arts whether he has met the chairman and director of East Midlands Arts to discuss the Wilding report.

  Mr. Luce
  I have not yet done so.

  Mr. Geraint Howells
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what timetable he is envisaging for his response to the Wilding report on regional arts.

  Mr. Luce
  I hope to announce my decision on Mr. Wilding's recommendations as soon as possible in the new year.

  Mr. Eastham
  To ask the Minister for the Arts whether he has met the chairman and director of North West Arts to discuss the Wilding report.

  Mr. Luce
  I have not done so, but I plan that such a meeting should take place in the near future.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister for the Arts whether he intends to meet the chairman and director of the Lincolnshire and Humberside Arts Association to discuss the implications of the Wilding report.

  Mr. Luce
  I have asked for written representations but will, of course, be prepared to see the chairman and director if they wish.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what representations he has received on the proposals in the Wilding report from arts organisations and local authorities in the east midlands.

  Mr. Luce
  I have received a number of representations from such bodies.

  Inflation
  Mr. Jacques Arnold
  To ask the Minister for the Arts whether he will make a statement on the effect of inflation on arts bodies over the past two years.

  Mr. Luce
  The settlement I announced recently for the next three years has taken into account levels of inflation in the last two years.

  Mr. Knapman
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what is the increase over the next two years in the grant to the Arts Council.

  Mr. James Couchman
  To ask the Minister for the Arts, what are the increases for the next three years in the funding of the Arts Council.

  Mr. Luce
  I refer my hon. Friends to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Warrington, South (Mr. Butler) earlier today.

  Museums and Galleries (Repairs)
  Mr. Gerald Bowden
  To ask the Minister for the Arts how he intends to meet the need for the repair and refurbishment of museums and galleries.

  Mr. Luce
  I announced on 16 November that the provision for the building and maintenance programme at the national museums and galleries which I sponsor will increase by 34 per cent. to some £64 million in 1992–93. This will bring the total provision for building and maintenance over the next three years to over £180 million.

  Southern Arts
  Mr. Martin
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what benefits there will he for Southern Arts as a result of the increased expenditure for the arts announced in the Autumn Statement.

  Mr. Luce
  It is for the Arts Council to determine the level of its grant to the 12 regional arts associations. In 1990–91 these will increase by 10 per cent. in total. I am confident that this will enable all the RAAs to build on their excellent achievements of recent years.

  Autumn Statement
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Minister for the Arts if he will make a statement on the implications for his Office of the Chancellor of the Exchequer's Autumn Statement.

  Mr. Luce
  I refer my hon. Friend to my announcement on 16 November about the new three-year arts programme, which followed directly on the Chancellor of the Exchequer's Autumn Statement and the public expenditure programmes it contained. My new programme allows for growth on 24 per cent. over the years to 1992–93.

  "Supporting the Arts"
  Mr. Atkinson
  To ask the Minister for the Arts if he will make a statement on the proposed national touring board referred to in "Supporting the Arts".

  Mr. Luce
  This is one of a large number of recommendations that Mr. Wilding makes in his report. I shall not be reaching decisions about any part of the report until after the end of the consultation period.

  Purchase Grants
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what consideration he is giving to increasing the purchase grants of the national museums and galleries and the National Heritage memorial fund; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Luce
  The increase in the grants for the national museums and galleries that I announced on 16 November were directed to the institutions' own priorities of running costs and building maintenance. Purchase grants were not increased but I shall be discussing with the institutions concerned whether there is now scope for adjusting the balance of their budgets to allow additional expenditure on purchases.

  The grant to the national heritage memorial fund is being maintained at £3 million a year for the time being, with equal shares being provided by my Department and by that of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment. The requirements of the fund for 1991–92 onwards will be the subject of separate consideration.

  Achievements
  Mr. Hayes
  To ask the Minister for the Arts if he will make a statement on the Government's achievements in the arts since 1979.

  Mr. Luce
  The Government's achievements in the arts since 1979 have been both numerous and varied. Among the most important, I would list:The maintenance of central Government support for arts activities, and the introduction of measures to encourage greater self-reliance among arts institutions.
  The establishment of a three-year programme of funding for the arts.
  The introduction of corporate planning for the national museums and galleries and other non-departmental bodies, linked to the three-year funding programme.
  The national museums and galleries being given greater control over their affairs by the move to grant-in-aid funding, and by their being untied from the Property Services Agency.
  The major expansion schemes at some national museums and galleries, including the Clore gallery at the Tate, the new Tate gallery in Liverpool, and the re-development of the new Imperial War museum.
  The Government's support for the development strategies designed to give the regions a larger share of arts spending and facilities.
  The significant upsurge in, and continued success of, business sponsorship of the arts.
  The new marketing initiatives to encourage arts bodies to market themselves more professionally and to increase access to the arts.
  The creation of the national heritage memorial fund.
  The development of incentive funding schemes for the performing arts and for public libraries, designed to encourage subsidised bodies to become more self-reliant in their development and growth.
  The setting up and implementation of the pubic lending right scheme.
  The very substantial progress with the British Library's St. Pancras project which will bring together most of the library's London-based collections and reading rooms on a single site, and provide much-improved facilities.

  Towngate Theatre, Basildon
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Minister for the Arts when he last visited the Towngate theatre in Basildon to discuss funding for the dramatic arts.

  Mr. Luce
  I last visited the Towngate theatre on 13 April 1988 just prior to its opening.

  Spending
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what is the current level of expenditure per capita on the arts.

  Mr. Luce
  The central Government programme of expenditure on the arts administered by my Office represents £9 per capita in England in the current financial year. This is of course a small fraction of the total spending on the arts throughout the country by local authorities, independent organisations and individuals themselves.

  Admissions
  Mr. Flannery
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what information he has on the current level of admissions to national galleries and museums.

  Mr. Luce
  I understand that in 1988 the total number of visitors to the 11 national museums and galleries for which I am responsible, including their outstations, was 20,571,119.

  Business Sponsorship
  Mr. Favell
  To ask the Minister for the Arts whether he has assessed the extent to which business sponsorship of the arts benefits innovative projects and small local arts bodies.

  Mr. Luce
  Under my incentive scheme business sponsors increasingly support innovative projects such as fringe theatre, local choirs and youth brass bands. Seventy per cent. of the awards go to groups based outside London. In addition, the business in the arts initiative, run by the Association for Business Sponsorship of the Arts, encourages local business communities to help with all manner of arts projects.

  Arts Council
  Mr. Rathbone
  To ask the Minister for the Arts when he last met the chairman of the Arts Council, and what was discussed.

  Mr. Luce
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave earlier to my hon. Friend the Member for Torridge and Devon West, (Miss Nicholson).

  Grant Aid, Devon
  Mr. Speller
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what is the value of grant aid for the arts provided for Devon in 1988; and which were the two organisations receiving the most funding.

  Mr. Luce
  South West Arts provided £386,000 for the arts in Devon in 1988–89 while the Arts Council directly funded organisations to the tune of £461.000. The Theatre Royal, Plymouth, and the Northcott theatre, Exeter, were the two organisations receiving the most funding.

  Royal Shakespeare Company
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Minister for the Arts whether he proposes to visit the Royal Shakespeare Company during its stay in Newcastle upon Tyne in February and March 1990.

  Mr. Luce
  I have no plans to do so, but I welcome the company's regular visits to Newcastle upon Tyne.

  Rural Museums and Galleries
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what steps he is taking to encourage the development of museums and galleries in rural areas.

  Mr. Luce
  In my announcement of 16 November I increased the allocation to the Museums and Galleries Commission which supports the network of area museum councils. The area museum councils in turn assist with the development of local museums and galleries, including those in rural areas. The area museums service for south-eastern England, for example, is funding countywide consultancy groups, including one in Cambridgeshire, to improve local museum standards.

EMPLOYMENT

  Football Clubs (Safety Inspections)
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many football clubs have been inspected by the Health and Safety Executive over the last 12 months for which figures are available.

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

  Payment of Bills
  Mr. Hanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received following the issue in May 1986 and July 1989 of the booklet "Payment on Time" to indicate the success or otherwise of a voluntary code of practice to tackle the problem of the late payment of bills.

  Mr. Eggar
  We have received representations from a number of individuals and organisations following the publication of "Payment on Time" in 1986 and of "Prompt Payment Please" in 1988. These have been largely favourable and support the principle of voluntary arrangements to improve payment practice. I was very pleased that the top 100 companies were able to endorse the publication.

  Young People (Protection)
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what proposals he has to protect young people while at work.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The health and safety of virtually all employees, regardless of age, is fully protected by the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and its relevant statutory provisions. This includes young people on training courses designated under the Health and Safety (Training for Employment) (Amendment) Regulations 1989.

  YTS (Accidents)
  Mr. Blair
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many fatal, major and minor reportable accidents occurred on YTS for each quarter since I October 1988, and what these figures were by region and as a percentage of total YTS trainees in each region.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The tables give the numbers of fatal, major and minor reportable accidents which occurred in

  Quarter 1 April 1989—30 June 1989

  Accidents1

  Region

  Numbers in training3

  Fatal

  Major2

  Minor

  All accident rate/100,0003

  Scotland

  47,021

  1

  20

  97

  1,003

  Northern

  29,339

  1

  12

  89

  1,390

  North West

  58,260

  —

  30

  115

  995

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  44,209

  —

  12

  102

  1,031

  West Midlands

  42,309

  —

  16

  55

  671

  East Midlands and Eastern

  44,755

  —

  8

  34

  375

  Wales

  23,509

  —

  6

  55

  1,037

  South West

  28,785

  —

  9

  16

  347

  South East

  38,536

  —

  10

  30

  415

  London

  20,543

  —

  3

  6

  175

  Quarter 1 July 1989—30 September 1989

  Accidents1

  Region

  Numbers in training3

  Fatal

  Major2

  Minor

  All accident rate/100,0003

  Scotland

  49,494

  —

  30

  89

  961

  Northern

  31,640

  —

  11

  99

  1,390

  North West

  62,904

  —

  22

  142

  1,042

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  48,035

  —

  21

  85

  882

  West Midlands

  45,629

  —

  13

  70

  727

  East Midlands and Eastern

  48,358

  —

  15

  55

  579

  Wales

  24,514

  —

  9

  47

  913

  South West

  30,966

  —

  4

  30

  439

  South East

  40,021

  —

  10

  29

  389

  London

  20,887

  —

  4

  8

  229

  Quarter: 1 October 1988 to 31 December 1988

  Numbers in training3

  Accidents: 1

  All accident rate/100,000

  Region

  Fatal

  Major2

  Minor

  Scotland

  48,679

  1

  22

  97

  986

  Northern

  32,587

  —

  14

  130

  1,767

  North West

  65,836

  1

  33

  116

  911

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  49,011

  1

  28

  101

  1,060

  West Midlands

  48,578

  —

  8

  73

  666

  East Midlands and Eastern

  50,346

  —

  24

  84

  858

  Wales

  25,297

  —

  8

  87

  1,502

  South West

  33,026

  —

  12

  44

  678

  South East

  44,151

  —

  14

  58

  652

  London

  22,571

  —

  1

  13

  248

  Quarter: 1 January 1989 to 30 March 1989

  Numbers in training3

  Accidents: 1

  All accident rate/100,000

  Region

  Fatal

  Major2

  Minor

  Scotland

  49,454

  —

  15

  95

  889

  Northern

  30,633

  —

  17

  94

  1,449

  North West

  60,920

  —

  34

  123

  1,030

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  45,461

  —

  28

  123

  1,328

  West Midlands

  43,937

  1

  19

  103

  1,119

  East Midlands and Eastern

  46,888

  —

  16

  51

  571

  Wales

  23,880

  —

  8

  51

  988

  South West

  30,587

  —

  5

  30

  457

  South East

  40,278

  —

  6

  35

  407

  London

  21,242

  —

  2

  11

  244

  1 Training Agency figures have been compiled on a similar basis to those prepared by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) on employed persons. However, the Training Agency's figures will include a number of accidents to trainees in educational establishments and road traffic accidents which may not have been reportable to HSE had the individuals been employed. HSE information is also collected on

  130
  YTS for each quarter since 1 October 1988 by region. Accident rates are expressed as an annual rate per 100,000 trainees.

  Quarterly regional accident statistics vary markedly between regions and over time and should be interpreted with caution. The figures are subject to statistically random fluctuations, but are also heavily influenced by differences and changes in the occupational mix of training, in the administrative process of collecting the statistics, and other factors.
  131

  a different geographical basis.

  2 Major injuries are classified according to the severity criteria laid down in the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1985 (RIDDOR). These regulations which came into force on 1 April 1986 reclassified fractured wrists and ankles as major injuries which were not considered to be major under the previous regulations, the Notification of Accidents and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1980 (NADOR).

  3 These figures are provisional.

  Disabled Workers
  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has to introduce further incentives in the near future to encourage firms to employ an increased percentage of disabled workers.

  Mr. Eggar
  Measures to encourage the employment of people with disabilities are among the matters being considered in the internal review of services for people with disabilities which my Department has been undertaking. A consultative document covering the conclusions reached in the review will be published as soon as possible.

  Retail Prices
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what proposals he has to develop indicators for retail prices, which take account of regional variations, including variations in housing costs; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lilley
  I have been asked to reply.

  The RPI already takes account of regional variations in housing costs and other prices since it is based on expenditure information and price quotations from every region, weighted together so as to give an appropriately balanced indicator for the United Kingdom as a whole. It has never been the practice to compile separate indicators for the different regions and I have no plans to do so.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Fishing Limit (Isle of Man)
  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions have taken place between his Department and the European Commission about the implications for European Community fisheries policy of a 12-mile fishing limit around the Isle of Man; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Curry
  None. Common fisheries policy provisions already apply to the area which would be covered by an extended 12-mile limit and will continue to do so given our obligations under community treaties.

  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions have taken place between his Department and representatives of the National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations about a proposed 12-mile fishing limit around the Isle of Man.

  Mr. Curry
  None. The NFFO is, however, aware that given the provision in the Territorial Sea Act 1987 for a 12-mile territorial sea for the Isle of Man, Fisheries and other Departments are considering how this should be put into effect. The NFFO has been assured that any arrangement made would clearly have to safeguard the interests of all fishermen, and our Community obligations.

  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions have taken place 132
  between his Ministry and the Isle of Man authorities about a proposed 12-mile fishing limit around the Isle of Man; and what is the position of the Government.

  Mr. Curry
  Fisheries Departments have discussed with the Home Office and the Isle of Man authorities how the provision for a 12-mile territorial sea round the Isle of Man contained in the Territorial Sea Act 1987 might be implemented in relation to fishing. We are clear that it is necessary to safeguard the rights of all fishermen and our Community obligations.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the meetings he has had with the Isle if Man authorities over their proposals to impose a 12-mile exclusion zone for fishing.

  Mr. Gummer
  There are no proposals for a 12-mile exclusion zone for fishing. What is being explored are arrangements for implementing the provision in the 1987 Territorial Sea Act for a 12-mile territorial sea for the Isle of Man. For fishing, these would have to safeguard the interests and traditional rights of all fishermen within 12 miles of the Isle of Man.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he has had with fishermen's repesentatives over the proposals by the Isle of Man to impose a 12-mile exclusion zone for fishing.

  Mr. Gummer
  None. There are no proposals for a 12-mile exclusion zone for fishing.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government on the proposals of the Isle of Man authorities to impose a 12-mile exclusion zone for United Kingdom fishermen; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  The Isle of Man have made no proposals for a 12-mile exclusion zone for fishing. Nor would the Government entertain any proposals which did not accommodate the traditional rights of all fishermen.

  Haddock Quota
  Mr. Trotter
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to what extent English fishermen have been denied part of the 1989 haddock quota as a result of overfishing in Scotland; what steps he proposes to take to prevent a recurrence; and what proposals he has to compensate the fishermen concerned by increasing their future quotas at the expense of those who overfished or otherwise.

  Mr. Curry
  Catches to 11 November (latest available) show that three Scottish groups and one English group exceeded their allocations by 1,257 tonnes and 75 tonnes respectively. As a result the following groups (which contain both English and Scottish members) were prevented from taking 1,172 tonnes of their allocations: Anglo-Scottish Fish Producers Organisation Ltd., the non-sectoral group, and the group comprising vessels of 10
  133
  metres and under. In addition two Scottish groups were unable to take their full allocations. Fisheries Departments have recently consulted the industry about arrangements for the 1990 fishery, and it was agreed that compensation should be available to groups disadvantaged by the overfishing of others. Fisheries Departments will continue to monitor uptake in 1990 and will withdraw licences from any group which they estimate has taken its allocation.

  Pesticides
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list all the pesticides/active ingredients for which he has withdrawn approval for each year since 1985; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  Approvals for pesticide products containing the following active ingredients were revoked:

  1985

  bitertanol

  1988

  binapacryl

  chlordane (one remaining use which expires December 1992)

  cyhexatin

  dinoseb

  dinoseb-acetate

  dinoseb-amine

  dinoterb

  DNOC

  1989

  aldrin

  captafol

  dieldrin

  Milk
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the contaminants for which milk is tested prior to sale; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  Production and processing conditions are strictly regulated with a view to ensuring that contamination does not occur. In addition, the Milk Marketing Board tests raw milk to assess its bacterial quality and to detect antibiotic residues and similar tests are carried out by processing dairies. The Ministry prescribes bacteriological standards for the finished product and monitors milk for contaminants under its food surveillance programme.

  Chernobyl
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the number of(a) farms, (b) sheep and (c) acres currently under restriction due to the radioactive contamination in England following the Chernobyl accident.

  Mr Gummer
  The information requested by the hon. Member is as follows:

  (a) 150 Cumbrian holdings.

  (b) With some 170,000 sheep (maximum post-lambing figure).

  (c) In a restricted area comprising some 116,000 acres.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what expenditure he has incurred in compensation for farmers as a result of the Chernobyl accident for each year since 1986 in England.
  134
  Mr. Gummer
  Payments in England have been as follows:

  £

  1986

  189,749

  1987

  212,402

  1988

  128,545

  11989

  53,842

  1 To end of October.

  Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the number of cattle found to have bovine spongiform encephalopathy in the age ranges (i) 0 to six months, (ii) seven to 12 months, (iii) 13 to 18 months, (iv) 19 months to two years, and (v) two years and over.

  Mr. Gummer
  The answer is as follows:

  (i) None.

  (ii) None.

  (iii) None.

  (iv) None.

  (v) All the 7,925 confirmed cases so far have been two years of age.

  State Veterinary Service
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the reviews of the state veterinary service he has undertaken over the last 10 years, giving the year in which each review was carried out; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  Apart from the routine programme of staff inspections throughout the Department, the State Veterinary Service (SVS) has been the subject of two reviews since 1979. An efficiency study of the veterinary investigation service was carried out in 1984, followed by a review of the divisional organisation of the SVS in 1985. As an arm of the agricultural development and advisory service, the service was also considered in the review of ADAS organisation and management in June 1986.

  Salmonella
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what temperature requirements he imposes on rendering plants for the heating of animal material; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  Animal protein processors are subject to the requirements of the Processed Animal Protein Order 1989. This does not contain specific temperature requirements but lays down controls which are designed to prevent the removal from processing plants of animal protein, for use as feedingstuffs, which is contaminated with salmonella.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what tests are carried out for salmonella in chickens imported into the United Kingdom for breeding purposes; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  Chickens imported into Great Britain for breeding purposes undergo a serological test for salmonellosis when they reach 16 to 18 weeks of age, which is towards the end of the required post-import isolation
  135
  period. Imported chickens are also subject to the detailed bacteriological testing regime laid down by the Poultry Breeding Flocks and Hatcheries (Registration and Testing) Order 1989.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which European Community measures he is proposing to adopt to tackle the problem of salmonella in poultry foods; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  The European Commission is drafting proposed measures on salmonella which are expected to include controls on feedingstuffs. If agreed by the Council these would apply throughout the Community.

  Listeria (Milk)
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will conduct an inquiry into the listeria contamination of milk.

  Mr. Gummer
  My officials have been in touch with the industry about the Public Health Laboratory Service findings, which are provisional, and individual firms have taken action to deal with the very low levels of contamination detected.

  Malawi
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what aid his Department supplies to the Government of Malawi either directly or through other agencies since 1979.

  Mr. Maclean
  Aid for Malawi is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Minister for Overseas Development. However, my Department plays an active role in the development of United Kingdom and EC measures, including in particular, those affecting trade in agricultural products, which are intended to provide benefits for developing countries, including Malawi.

  Lead-contaminated Feed
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which of his Ministry's laboratories in England and Wales are currently involved in the food monitoring programme arising from the import of lead-contaminated animal feed; and if he will estimate by percentage of the total the amount of work carried out in each case.

  Mr. Maclean
  Between 7 and 23 November inclusive, the following laboratories were engaged in the analysis of samples in connection with the food monitoring programme:

  Percentage allocation of work

  Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland, Aberdeen

  4

  Milk Marketing Board, Thames Ditton

  80

  Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food regional office, Leeds

  1

  Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food food science laboratory, Norwich

  11

  Plymouth polytechnic

  1

  United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority, Harwell

  3

  Farmers' Retirement
  Sir John Farr
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take steps to stimulate a farmers' retirement scheme for introduction in appropriate areas, to encourage farmers to sell their land or part of it for forestry purposes.

  Mr. Maclean
  I have no plans at present to introduce such a scheme.

  Food Labelling
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on progress with nutritional labelling.

  Mr. Maclean
  [pursuant to his reply, 24 November 1989]: My reply of 24 November contained a typing error. I apologise to the hon. Member. The reply should have read:
  We are taking an active part in negotiation of the European Commission's nutrition labelling proposals and hope that a common position will be reached soon. The proposals are similar to the Ministry's nutrition labelling guidelines and provide for a voluntary system of nutrition labelling with a mandatory format so that consumers can compare products more easily. Nutrition labelling would be compulsory only when a nutrition claim was made. There is provision for a three-year lead-in period to allow labels to be changed and, given the close resemblance of the guidelines to the Commission proposals, I hope that manufacturers and retailers will be encouraged to provide as much nutrition information as possible within their resources according to the guidelines until Community legislation is in place.
  I also refer the hon. Member to the debate on nutritional labelling in Standing Committee on 1 November 1989 (ISBN 0 10 999789 1)

SOCIAL SECURITY

  War Widows
  Mr. Terry Fields
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many women covered by Liverpool social security offices are receiving the pre-1973 rate for war widows' pensions.

  Mr. Newton
  Under the war pensions scheme administered by my Department, the basic pension paid to a war widow is the same regardless of when she was widowed. There are, however, extra payments to older widows, which will be further improved in real terms next April. It is estimated that about 2,000 war widows live in the Liverpool area.

  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what recent representations he has received about war widows' pensions.

  Mr. Cran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations he has received recently concerning the payment of pensions and other benefits to war widows.

  Mr. Scott
  We have received a number of representations, mainly about the position of war widows who do not receive a pension under the armed forces pension scheme administered by the Ministry of Defence.

  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Security what provision his Department makes for the support of war widows.
  137
  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The standard war widows pension is £56·65 a week. In addition age allowances of £6·10 at 65, £12·20 at 70 and £13·50 at 80 are paid. As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State recently announced, these amounts will be increased next April to £60·95, £7, £13·50 and £20 respectively. All war pensions and allowances are tax free. A widow receiving a war widows' pension may also receive any national insurance benefit earned by her own contributions. When claiming income-related benefits £5 of a war widows pension is disregarded. This statutory disregard will be doubled to £10 from next April.

  Social Fund
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the rate of refusal for(a) grants and (b) loans under the social fund for each month since April 1988.

  Mr. Scott
  The information is as follows:

  Refusals as a percentage of applications processed

  CCGs

  Budgeting loans

  Crisis loans

  April 1988

  54·5

  65·9

  17·1

  May 1988

  55·8

  41·1

  13·1

  June 1988

  55·7

  42·0

  11·8

  July 1988

  54·7

  42·1

  10·2

  August 1988

  54·6

  39·6

  10·3

  September 1988

  53·0

  40·0

  10·1

  October 1988

  52·1

  36·4

  10·0

  November 1988

  50·5

  35·1

  9·7

  December 1988

  48·0

  34·0

  10·2

  January 1989

  44·8

  44·0

  9·1

  February 1989

  44·5

  37·0

  9·2

  March 1989

  43·4

  37·0

  8·7

  April 1989

  52·6

  41·3

  9·2

  May 1989

  55·3

  42·2

  9·5

  June 1989

  56·6

  48·4

  9·2

  July 1989

  56·6

  42·0

  9·5

  August 1989

  55·7

  45·9

  9·3

  September 1989

  56·5

  46·7

  9·1

  October 1989 (provisional)

  56·7

  45·3

  9·1

  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many applications there were for grants and loans from the social fund in the last month for which figures are available; what was the monthly average for the last financial year; and whether he has any plans to increase the size of the fund.

  Mr. Scott
  With regard to the size of the budget, I refer the right hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Peckham (Ms. Harman) on 10 November 1989 at column 812. The average number of applications received in 1988–89 can be derived from information in the Secretary of State's annual report published in July 1989. Figures for the period April to October 1989 can be derived from the information placed monthly in the Library.

  Mr. Terry Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he will reconsider his allocation of resources to the social fund.

  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he will reconsider his allocation of resources to the social fund.

  Mr. Galloway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he will reconsider his allocation of resources to the social fund.
  138
  Mr. Scott
  We are continuing to monitor closely the situation in the current year. We shall announce the individual social fund allocations to local offices for 1990–91 in due course.

  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations he has received concerning the availability of social fund loans.

  Mr. Scott
  Between 1 April 1989 and 13 November 1989 we received 129 letters from hon. and right hon. Members and 120 letters from members of the public specifically concerning social fund loans.

  Mr. John Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the operation of the social fund.

  Mr. Scott
  We are continuing to monitor closely the operation of the social fund. Nearly 1½ million interest-free loans have been made since the scheme began averaging £211 for budgeting loans and £46 for crisis loans. Over a quarter of a million community care grants have been awarded averaging £266. The number of awards of community care grants awarded in the period April to October 1989 was 128 per cent. higher than in the same period last year, and the numbers of budgeting loans increased by 36 per cent. over the same period.

  The flexible way in which the scheme operates has enabled social fund officers to provide help which would not have been available under the rigid regulations of the old single payments scheme.

  Pensioners' Incomes
  Mr. Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the latest figures he has available on the growth of pensioners' incomes since 1979.

  Mr. Newton
  The latest available figures show that pensioners' average total net income increased by 23 per cent. in real terms between 1979 and 1986.

  Mr. Andy Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the latest figures for the growth in pensioners' incomes from savings since 1979.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The latest available figures show that pensioners' average income from savings grew by 64 per cent. in real terms between 1979 and 1986.

  Spending
  Mr. David Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security by what amount social security spending has increased in real terms since 1979.

  Mr. Newton
  On current plans social security spending will be £52·6 billion in 1989–90, an increase in real terms of 35 per cent. over the figure in 1978–79, which, at today's prices, was £39 billion.

  Independent Living Fund
  Mr. Day
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social! Security how many disabled people have been assisted by the independent living fund.

  Mr. Scott
  More than 2,500 disabled people are currently being helped by the independent living fund.

  Benefits (Young People)
  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what conclusions he is able to draw from his monitoring of the Social Security Act 1988 changes to the benefit entitlements of young people; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. McKelvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he will reconsider the entitlement of young people to benefit.

  Mr. Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he has any plans to review the benefit entitlements of 16 to 18-year-olds.

  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he will reconsider the entitlement of young people to benefit.

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he has any plans to review the benefit entitlement of 16 to 18-year-olds.

  Mr. McWilliam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he will reconsider the entitlement of young people to benefit.

  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will restore benefit to 16 and 17-year-olds.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he will reconsider the entitlement of young people to benefit.

  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he has any plans to review the benefit entitlement of 16 to 18-year-olds.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  I refer the hon. Members to my reply to the hon. Member for Torfaen (Mr. Murphy) earlier today.

  One-parent Families
  Mr. Jessel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of the total budget of his Department is used to provide for the needs of one-parent families; and what was the corresponding percentage for 10 and 20 years ago.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Data on a consistent basis are available only for the years from 1981–82. In that year spending on lone-parent families accounted for 4·8 per cent. of total benefit expenditure compared with 7·5 per cent. for 1988–89. For the purposes of this comparison the benefits paid to lone-parents have been counted as one-parent benefit, supplementary benefit income support, housing benefit, child benefit, maternity benefit and family income supplement family credit. The comparison excludes benefit paid to widows with children because insufficient information is available.

  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he intends publishing the results of his Department's internal review of benefits for single parents.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Social security benefits, including those for lone-parent families, are kept 140
  constantly under review to ensure that they respond to need while encouraging independence. So, for example, my right hon. Friend's recent uprating statement recognised the special needs of lone-parent families by increasing the lone-parent premium in housing benefit from next April from £8·60 to £9·70 a week and raising the amount lone parents can earn before housing benefit is affected from £15 to £25 a week from October 1990. These changes will give further help to working lone parents with high housing costs.

  Benefit Changes
  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what he intends doing to reduce any disincentive to work effect of the April 1988 benefit changes.

  Mr. Scott
  We have improved incentives by bringing about significant increases in the real value of take-home pay through reductions in income tax, increased tax allowances, the restructuring of national insurance contributions last month and improvements to in-work benefits. The replacement of family income supplement by family credit in April 1988 ended the absurd situation where an increase in pay could make people worse off. We recognise the importance of improving work incentives and shall continue to pursue policies in the future which make it worthwhile for people to take and keep employment.

  Mr. Hayward
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what he estimates to be the maximum weekly addition to benefit payable as a result of his proposals announced on 25 October.

  Mr. Scott
  From next April, the parents of a severely disabled child under two could receive up to £65·75 in additional financial help through attendance allowance and invalid care allowance.

  Family (Policy)
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what consideration he gives to policy on the family in his conduct of social security policy.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  We attach great importance to the role of the family, and have pursued policies which improve their living standards. Working families have seen significant increases in their take home pay and we have concentrated extra resources in social security on those families who most need them.

  Pensioner Premiums
  Mr. Gerald Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners he estimates will benefit from the increases in pensioner premiums which took effect in October.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  More than 2½ million pensioners will benefit from these changes. Couples will be up to £3·50 a week better off and single people will get up to £2·50 a week extra.

  Pensions
  Mr. Roy Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he is considering restoring the index link between pensions and earnings.
  141
  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he will reconsider his decision not to uprate pensions in line with earnings.

  Mr. Henderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he will reconsider his decision not to uprate pensions in line with earnings.

  Mr. Maxton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he will review his decision not to uprate pensions in line with earnings.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  I have no plans to restore the link between pensions and earnings. The Government do not accept that uprating state retirement pension in line with earnings is the key factor in improving pensioners' incomes. Between 1979 and 1986 pensioners' average total net incomes increased by 23 per cent. in real terms.

  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he will meet pensioners' representatives to discuss linking pensions to wages and prices; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he last met representatives of pensioners' organisations; and what matters where discussed.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  My right hon. Friend the Minister of State regularly meets representatives of pensioners' organisations. The last meeting he attended was shortly before the summer recess when he met a delegation from the joint committee of pensioner organisations. Amongst the topics of discussion were the reform changes, pensioners' incomes, the uprating of retirement pension, the poorer pensioners' package and National Health Service changes.

  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will set out recent measures to benefit pensioners; and what steps are being taken to inform those eligible of new entitlement.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  In addition to the annual uprating of benefits we have introduced two wholly beneficial changes for pensioners with effect from October 1989—the abolition of the retirement pension earnings rule and the extra help for less well off elderly and disabled pensioners. Pensioners benefiting from the latter change who received income support or housing benefit had their benefit automatically increased. Separate national publicity campaigns were mounted to announce both these changes. We also identified and contacted nearly 3½ million individuals who were likely to be affected.

  Mr. Adley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the average per capita cost of implementing an increase in pensions.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The information is not available in the form requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Family Credit Take-up
  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the take-up of family credit; and what was his original target.

  Mr. Oakes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the take-up of family credit; and what was his original target.
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  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the take-up of family credit; and what was his original target.

  Mr. Rees
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the take-up of family credit; and what was his original target.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The latest information about the level of take-up relates to 1988 when a special examination of family expenditure survey returns indicated that, amongst employees, take-up was 65 per cent. in expenditure terms and 50 per cent. by caseload. The original estimates for family credit were based on an assumption that take-up would be one fifth higher than for family income supplement, the benefit it replaced.

  Mr. Rathbone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the latest reported percentage take-up among those who should receive family credit or income support.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The latest take-up estimates, (published in March 1989), based on FES data for April to December 1988 show that take-up for family credit over that period was 65 per cent. in expenditure terms and 50 per cent. by caseload.

  The latest take-up estimates for income support. (supplementary benefit) are for 1985. On a caseload basis, take-up is 84 per cent. overall. Both the caseload and the expenditure take-up of supplementary benefit is higher than for previous years. Full technical notes on these take-up estimates are available in the Library. Overall, almost £9 out of every £10 of available income-related benefit expenditure is claimed and almost four out of every five eligible people claim what they are entitled to.

  Mr. Hague
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many families are being helped by family credit; and what was the figure for family income supplement.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The latest comprehensive information about family credit is for July 1989 when over 320,000 families received the benefit. Around 213,000 families received family income supplement at the time that scheme came to an end in April 1988.

  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement about the number of recipients of family credit.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to my hon. Friend the Member for Suffolk, South (Mr. Yeo), earlier today.

  Low-income Families
  Mrs. Roe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what additional support his Department will be providing next year to low-income families with children.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  We will be providing additional support in 1990–91 of around £70 million for less well-off families with children over and above the normal uprating of benefits.

  OPCS Survey (Disability)
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how may disability organisations have commented on the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys survey.

  Mr. Scott
  We have received comments on the findings of the surveys of disability carried out by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys from over 40 national and local disability organisations including the Disability Benefits Consortium which represents over 250 disability organisations.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what opportunity he has given disability organisations to comment on the implications of the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys survey on disability.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what opportunity he has given disability organisations to comment on the implications for policy which arise from the data published in the Office of Population Censuses and Survey survey on disability.

  Mr. Scott
  The reports by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys on disabled people were published between September 1988 and July 1989. Copies of the reports dealing with prevalence of disability and the financial circumstances of disabled people were sent to organisations of and for disabled people, together with the successive press notices emphasising our wish to receive comments on the reports and their implications. Many people and organisations have sent us their comments.

  Travel Facilities
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what account he takes of concessionary travel facilities in his calculation of levels of retirement pensions.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Retirement pension is increased each year by the annual rate of the retail prices index. The RPI includes the cost of bus, coach and rail travel but does not take account of concessions in fares.

  Young People
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he will make it his policy to so amend benefit regulations affecting young people as to encourage them to gain appropriate education and qualifications without providing discouragement to individuals wishing to take up either part-time or full-time courses.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  I have no plans to amend regulations in the manner proposed.

  It is the prime responsibility of unemployed people claiming benefit to make every effort to secure paid employment. Nonetheless the benefits system is already sufficiently flexible to allow those who remain available for and are actively seeking employment to spend their spare time usefully by pursuing a course of part-time study or training. They must, though, organise their studies so that they can make adequate arrangements to seek work and must be prepared to break off their studies if a job opportunity arises. It is not the purpose of the benefits
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  system to provide support for those who choose to study full-time. Such provision is for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education.

  Hypothermia
  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to prevent people receiving pensions and benefits from dying from cold this winter.

  Mr. Scott
  On 22 November I was pleased to announce, with my noble Friend, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health, the third year of the "Keep Warm, Keep Well" campaign, a unique co-operative venture between statutory and voluntary organisations, which provides up-to-date advice about beating the cold. The campaign's leaflet contains essential information on health, food, draughtproofing, advice from the fuel industry and about cash help and cold weather payments. A copy has been placed in the Library.

  I hope that this third annual campaign will also increase awareness of the dangers of cold weather among those at risk, their friends, relatives and neighbours and those agencies who care for them.

  Earnings Rule
  Mr. Sumberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has as to the number of economically active pensioners in the north-west as a result of the abolition of the earnings rule.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Information is not available in the form requested.

  Housing Benefit
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the number of people in receipt of housing benefit in London.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  At the end of February 1989 the estimated number of recipients in inner and outer London boroughs was 655,000.

  Nursing Home Fees
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the number of income support claimants in private residential or nursing homes whose personal allowances are spent on meeting the fees for their care.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The information necessary to make such an estimate is not available.

  Child Benefit
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he has any plans to review the uprating of child benefit.

  Mr. Doran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he has any plans to review the uprating of child benefit.

  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he has any plans to review the uprating of child benefit.
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  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  I refer the hon. Members to my right hon. Friend's reply to the hon. Member for Tottenham (Mr. Grant) earlier today.

  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the Government's recent decision not to uprate child benefit.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  I refer the hon. and learned Member to the statement which my right hon. Friend made to the House on 25 October at columns 841–69.

  Mr. Gregory
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many mothers serving prison sentences receive child benefit; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The information is not available and could he obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations he has received about the freezing of child benefit.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  We have received a number of representations from organisations and individuals expressing a variety of views.

  Transitional Protection
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he now proposes to give any additional benefit to those receiving transitional protection arising from the changes to income support from supplementary benefit.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The normal arrangement is that transitional protection is eroded when benefits are uprated or a claimant's circumstances change. An exception was made in October 1989 when the poorer pensioner package was introduced.

  Computerisation
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what effect the changes in the benefit system and computerisation have had on the speed of service provided by his Department.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The speed of service has improved since the introduction of the 1988 social security reforms and the first stages of computerisation. The reforms have made the scheme easier for the public to understand and, combined with computerisation, easier for the staff to operate. As a result, so far in 1989–90, there has been a 20 per cent. improvement in the average time taken to process income support claims compared with 1987–88 and a 24 per cent. reduction in the average time income support and social fund callers spend in our offices.

  Mr. Favell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what progress has been made in his Department's computerisation programme.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Staffordshire, Moorlands (Mr. Knox), earlier today.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he will publish the full results of the pilot 146
  exercise on computerisation; what problems the exercise revealed; what steps he is taking to solve the problems; and what plans he has for the exercise to go nationwide.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  A report of the pilot exercise on computerisation was produced in September 1989. it concluded that despite teething difficulties the systems were operating satisfactorily and problems identified in piloting had either been resolved or were being tackled as a matter of priority.

  The main difficulties encountered related to some of the more complex computer screens; the need to modify training courses and the need to redesign organisation and jobs.

  The recommendations of the pilot exercise are being implemented. Extension of computerisation to other offices began on 23 October in line with the agreed timetable.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was his original estimate of the savings to be gained from computerisation; and what is his revised estimate following evaluation of the pilot exercise.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The original estimate of savings from the computerisation programme was £150 million per year by 1995. Savings estimates are regularly updated; not only as a result of pilot office evaluation but, also as a result of model office testing, changing workload forecasts and any revised development or implementation plans. We do not keep a record of the changes that are specifically attributable to pilot office evaluation.

  Food Vouchers
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the number and value of food vouchers issued(a) by the Newcastle St. James' office of his Department and (b) in the United Kingdom in the period April to October 1989.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The number of food vouchers issued by the Newcastle St. James office between 1 April and 31 October 1989 is 203 at a total value of £4,707·42. Information for the United Kingdom is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Community Charge Rebates
  Mr. Riddick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people he estimates will qualify for community charge rebates; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Estimates of the number of people who will receive community charge benefit are being recalculated to take account of the effects of the transitional relief scheme. I shall write to my hon. Friend when the numbers are known. The Department does not produce projections of the number of people who might be entitled to social security benefits.

  Homelessness
  Mr. Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will bring forward proposals to amend the benefit regulations with a view to reducing homelessness amongst those under 25 years.
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  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Homelessness has many complex causes and it would be wrong to relate it directly to the benefit system which still enables those who are homeless to secure and retain accommodation.

  Mr. Tredinnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he has any proposals to increase financial support for young single homeless people.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  A wide range of benefits continues to be available to young single homeless people. These benefits are to be increased from April 1990 under the usual uprating arrangements. In addition, I announced today measures which will ensure that special arrangements are made in local social security offices for dealing with income support claims from 16 to 17-year-olds. In particular, all 16 to 17-year-olds will be automatically considered for special hardship payments if they are not otherwise entitled. Details have been placed in the Library.

  Disabled People
  Mr. Brandon-Bravo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many disabled people will benefit from the changes in the 1990 uprating of social security benefits.

  Mr. Scott
  We estimate that over 500,000 disabled people and their carers will benefit from the changes announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 25 October.

  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) whether he has any plans to invite evidence from interested parties and independent experts when drawing up his proposals on social security benefits for the disabled;

  (2) whether he has any plans to review the eligibility criteria of mobility allowance so that people with a visual handicap qualify.

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

  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what plans he has to increase the level of benefits paid to disabled persons to a level that will allow them to meet the full costs incurred to them by their disability outwith the spending of the non-disabled benefits allowance;

  (2) what plans he has to increase the level of benefits paid to disabled persons in employment so that their income can equate to that of the national average.

  Mr. Scott
  My right hon. Friend has already announced on 25 October at columns 841–54 a range of improvements in benefits for disabled people and their families. Some of these assist people who, because of their disability, incur additional expenditure or have only limited earning capacity. We intend to bring forward within the next few months more far-reaching proposals, to improve the balance and structure of social security provision for disabled people.

  Christmas Bonus
  Mr. Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he has any plans to increase the Christmas bonus to pensioners.
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  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will increase the size of the Christmas bonus payable to pensioners.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  We have no plans to do so.

  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would have been the present level of the pensioners' Christmas bonus if it had been raised since it was first introduced by(a) the rise in prices and (b) the rise in average earnings.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The level of Christmas bonus for 1989 had it been raised, since introduction, by the rise in prices or the rise in average earnings would have been £48 or £62 respectively.

  Source: DSS Extract of Statistics for Index of Retail Prices, Average Earnings, Social Security Benefits and Contributions.

  Note: Figures rounded to the nearest pound.

  Income Support (Manchester)
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the number of income support claimants in Greater Manchester.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Greater Manchester is served by the local offices of Ashton, Bolton, Bury, Central Manchester, Cheetham, Chorlton, Failsworth, Farnworth, Hyde, Leigh, Longsight, Middleton, Oldham, Openshaw, Rochdale, Rusholme, Sale, Salford North, Salford South, Stockport North, Stockport South, Wigan and Wythenshawe, though the boundaries are not conterminous.

  The number of people claiming income support is 270,216.

  Source: August 1989. 100 per cent. count of cases in action. The figure includes a small number of cases not actually in receipt of benefit.

  NACAB
  Mr. Orme
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he last met representatives from the National Association of Citizens' Advice Bureaux; and what was discussed.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, met representatives of the National Association of Citizens' Advice Bureaux on Wednesday 27 September. The discussion covered a wide range of issues.

  Nursing Homes
  Mr. Andrew Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make it his policy, in the light of evidence received, to review the income support levels payable to residents of private and voluntary nursing homes.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The level of income support payable to a resident of a private or voluntary nursing home depends on the actual fee charged by the home, subject to national limits depending on the type of home. It is already our policy to review these limits each year, taking account of a variety of evidence, including detailed and differing representations received from various sources. We announced our proposed increases for next year on 25 October.
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  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will ensure that social security benefits paid to people already in private residential and nursing homes in April 1991 will be uprated each year in line with rises in charges.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The income support limits will continue to be reviewed every year taking account, as now, of all the available evidence.

  Community Care
  Mr Bell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he proposes to increase the local office community care grant budgets; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Peckham (Ms. Harman) on 10 November 1989 at column 812. We shall announce individual local office allocations for 1990–91 in due course.

  Personal Pensions
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the latest figures on the number of people opting to take out personal pensions.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Just over 3·5 million people have so far applied for an appropriate personal pension.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing, for men and women aged 16, 20, 30 and 40 years in April 1988, the ages at which it would pay the person concerned to cease contributing to a personal pension or other money purchase scheme, assuming rates of return of 0·5 per cent. and 2·5 per cent. above the annual increase in average earnings.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  It is not possible to give such a table because of the wide range of other factors, in addition to the rate of return, which would affect the amount of the personal pension.

  State Pensions
  Mr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the purchasing power of the state pension in the United Kingdom and in each of the European Community countries.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  State pensions in most countries of the European Community are related to individual earnings before pension age and so no standard figure for a state pension is possible.

  Details of the pension systems of the member states of the European Community are contained in the Department's publication "Tables of Social Benefit Systems in the European Communities" the 1989 issue of which is available in the Library.

  Payments
  Mr. Marlow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the average level of social security payments per capita of the total population paid in May 1979 and in May 1989 adjusted for inflation.
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  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Dividing the total amount of Social security benefit expenditure paid in 1979–80 by estimated population produces an average annual figure of £680 at today's prices, while the corresponding figure for 1989–90 is £870.

  Reforms
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what indicators he has used to measure the quality of service offered by his Department as a result of the 1988 social security reforms.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The quality of service offered by the Department is measured in a variety of ways. Data are collected on the speed with which business is cleared, the accuracy of benefit payments and the length of time callers spend in our offices. In addition, in local offices an annual quality assessment package measures the quality of correspondence, and face-to-face and telephone contact with the public. There is a customer opinion survey element within the package.

  Cold Weather Payments
  Mr. Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will review the current operation of the system of cold weather payments; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  No. We have looked again at the cold weather payments scheme and we are satisfied that it concentrates the help available on those vulnerable groups most at risk from the cold.

  National Insurance (Evasion)
  Ms. Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many officers were involved in detecting evasion of payment of national insurance contributions by employers at the latest date for which figures are available; what the total estimated cost of such work amounts to; and what total actual savings resulted from such work.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  There are approximately 2,000 staff in the Department's local offices who work on a full-time or part-time basis as national insurance inspectors. A major, but unquantifiable proportion of their work is concerned with ensuring that employers meet their obligations for paying national insurance contributions. Within that staff allocation 200 man years are directed solely to this work and during the year ended 31 March 1989 generated income of £34·4 million at an estimated staff cost of £2·3 million. However the main responsibility for the collection of contributions from employers rests with the Inland Revenue which is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

  21-Hour Rule
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many of the actively seeking work clauses of the Social Security Act 1989 will affect people studying under the 21-hour rule provision.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  I expect the actively seeking employment condition to have similar effects on all unemployed claimants. In reinforcing the principle that it
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  is a claimant's personal responsibility to look for work it will make a significant contribution to returning unemployed people to jobs. Unemployed claimants studying under the 21-hour rule must, as before, be prepared to leave their studies immediately should a job opportunity arise. They must also make efforts to seek employment. In determining whether a claimant has taken reasonable steps to seek employment, regard is had to time spent on vocational training or study, but no claimant, no matter how usefully he occupies his time out of work, should ignore job opportunities.

  Attendance Allowance
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he has any plans to accelerate the attendance allowance assessment process.

  Mr. Scott
  We have already been successful in reducing the average time taken to decide attendance allowance claims from 12·5 weeks in 1983 to 7·5 weeks currently. Finding ways to further accelerate the process is not a simple or quick task; but it is one of the aspects of the attendance allowance scheme which we are considering in the light of the information from the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys disability surveys.

  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security on how many occasions since 1983 the general practitioner of an applicant for attendance allowance was present when their medical assessment for eligibility for the allowance was carried out; and if he will make a statement.

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

  Community Care
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what amount of money has been spent on community care grants in those offices covering Nottingham, North constituency; and what instructions have been issued by his Department to reduce the categories of people eligible for these grants.

  Mr. Scott
  The local offices of the Department covering the Nottingham, North constituency are Nottingham Castle gate, Nottingham David lane and Nottingham Shakespeare street.

  Information on the numbers of applications for social fund loans and grants processed and awarded, listed by local office, including information on budget allocations and expenditure for 1988–89 and 1989–90 to date, may be obtained from the details held in the Library.

  There have been no departmental instructions issued to reduce the categories of people eligible for community care grants. Local office managers are required to provide guidance to social fund officers on the level of priorities which should generally be met. Awards of community care grants from the social fund are decided by independent social fund officers based upon the individual circumstances of the applicant and the priority of their needs.

  National Insurance Regulations
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will review the regulations governing the payment of national insurance benefits.
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  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  These regulations are contained within the Social Security (Claims and Payments) Regulations 1987 and are as a matter of course kept under constant and ongoing review.

  Local Offices (Illness)
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what attempts have been made to identify stress-related illnesses suffered by staff in social security offices; and what is being done to alleviate the problem.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  We have recently changed the system of collecting information on sick absences to provide more detailed analysis of illnesses which could be stress-related. The first analysis will be available in about 12 months time and will give a clearer basis for identifying any problem in this area and for exploring what needs to be done. This Department is also taking part in a long-term study on health and stress being conducted by University college, London, in conjunction with the Civil Service occupational health service.

  Carers' Premium
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many carers on income support he estimates will benefit as a result of the new carers' premium announced in the Chancellor's Autumn Statement.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Battersea (Mr. Bowis), earlier today.

  Income Support
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to increase financial provisions for pensioners on income support.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  I refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, on 25 October, at columns 841–54.

  Turkish Kurds
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement about the arrangements which local offices of his Department have for notifying officials of the Home Department of the addresses at which Turkish Kurds entering the United Kingdom may reside.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Local office staff notify the Home Department of all cases where income support is paid to people from abroad. Full instructions are contained in the income support manual, a copy of which is available in the Library.

  Disability Benefits Consortium
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he next expects to meet representatives of the Disability Benefits Consortium; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security expects to meet representatives of the Disability Benefits Consortium shortly.

  "Delivery of Service in the 90s"
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the purpose of his Department's study "Delivery of Service in the 90s"; who is involved in the exercise; what consultation will be carried out with staffs and clients; and when the study will be completed and published.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  "Delivery of Service in the 90s" is the title of a proposed initiative to examine how we might maximise the improvements in service to the public, efficiency and job satisfaction for our staff which will be derived from our computerisation programme—the operational strategy. The initiative comprises a linked set of proposals for action in eight local offices. Staff are being encouraged to contribute ideas towards the proposals.

  Consultation with the staff in the offices involved and the trade unions is taking place. It is envisaged that this examination will be completed in the first half of next year. No decision on publication has been taken.

  Local Office Network
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what decisions he has made regarding changes to the current local office network.
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  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The local office network is currently being reviewed with the aim of providing a better service to the public. The review will take into account changes arising from the setting up of the benefit agency. Preliminary proposals are unlikely to be available before next spring.

  Social Security Costs
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what he estimates will be the increase in social security costs in the next year; and what is the breakdown of those costs between increases due to costs related to(a) unemployment and (b) other factors.

  Mr. Scott
  Expenditure on social security will be £55·6 billion in 1990–91, an increase of £3 billion on the estimated outturn for 1989–90, as shown in the Chancellor's Autumn Statement. However, the figure for 1990–91 excludes rent rebates in England and Wales, and the increase on a directly comparable basis is £5·6 billion. Of this increase, £0·2 billion is the result of a small change in the assumed level of unemployment, and £5·4 billion is due to other factors.