Written Answers of 18 October 1989

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Further and Higher Education
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the planned recurrent grant to be allocated to(a) the universities, (b) the polytechnics and (c) other colleges of further and higher education in each year from 1988–89 to 1991–92, expressing the figures in cash terms and real terms, indexed so that 1988–89 = 100 and assuming constant annual inflation of (i) 5 per cent., (ii) 6 per cent. and (iii) 7 per cent., respectively.

  Mr. Jackson
  Recurrent grant to universities in Great Britain and for higher education funded by the Polytechnic and Colleges Funding Council in England is as follows for the financial years 1988–89 and 1989–90:

  UFC £ million

  PCFC £ million

  1988–89 (outturn)

  1,586

  n/a

  1989–90 (estimate)

  1,713

  1,035

  The plans for 1990–91 and 1991–92, which were set out in Chapter 12 of "The Government's Expenditure Plans 1989–90 to 1991–92" (Cm. 612), are under review in the current public expenditure survey. The Government's assumptions about inflation in future years were set out in Chapter 21 "Supplementary Analysis and Index" (Cm. 621).

  It is not possible to estimate the amount of grant aid paid in support of Colleges of further and higher education maintained by local education authorities. Some of their higher education provision will now be funded by the Polytechnics and Colleges Funding Council. Other further and higher education is supported from local resources and through the block grant received from central Government. That block grant is not hypothecated to individual services and its application is a matter for decision by individual local authorities. The same consideration applies to the expenditure in 1988–89 of those polytechnics and colleges formerly funded by LEAs and now funded by the PCFC.

DEFENCE

  Eurogroup Working Groups
  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Eurogroup working groups are currently in existence within NATO; and which subjects they are considering.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  There are five sub-groups within Eurogroup dealing with co-operation in the fields of operational concepts, logistics, communications, military medicine, and training. The USA and Canada also participate in the training sub-group.

  Military Forces (Infrastructure)
  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much has been spent in each of the past 10 years on infrastructure for military forces from NATO common funds; and what proportion was spent in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The details are as follows:

  Calendar year

  Expenditure from NATO common funds £ millions at 1988 prices

  Proportion spent in common United Kingdom Per cent.

  1979

  347

  9·8

  1980

  374

  12·57

  1981

  391

  21·99

  1982

  538

  15·47

  1983

  626

  23·95

  1984

  515

  15·82

  1985

  533

  17·17

  1986

  718

  10·10

  1987

  809

  13·98

  1988

  746

  14·77

  Gibraltar
  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the revenue cost in a full year of the garrison in Gibraltar.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The estimated cost of maintaining a garrison in Gibraltar in 1989–90 is £82 million.

  NATO (Expenditure)
  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when were the most recent discussions between European members of NATO and the United States executive branch of Government over expressed United States concern about the proportionate burden of NATO expenditure borne by the United States of America; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  NATO's Defence Planning Committee published a report last December on "Enhancing Alliance Collective Security—Shared Roles, Risks and Responsibilities in the Alliance". There was further consideration of burden-sharing at the June meeting of the Defence Planning Committee. Discussions within the Alliance are continuing.

  Cyprus Bases
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots are employed at each of the sovereign bases in Cyprus.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Some 837 Greek Cypriots are currently employed at the eastern sovereign base area (Dhekelia), and some 1993 at the western sovereign base area (Akrotiri); 322 Turkish Cypriots are employed at Dhekelia.

  Prime Minister (Transport)
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what charges were directed to the office of the Minister for the Civil Service in respect of providing transport for the Prime Minister in the financial year 1988–89.
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  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The Ministry of Defence charges the Office of the Minister for the Civil Service for the use of defence facilities at rates which are calculated in accordance with the rules laid down by the Treasury. These rates are designed to ensure that no residual costs are carried on defence votes. During 1988–89, bills to the value of £519,000 were raised on OMCS.

  Emergency Parking
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the final cost charged to the Department of Transport in respect of service assistance in providing emergency parking facilities during the recent transport strike.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The bill has not yet been presented to the Department of Transport. I will write to the hon. Member when the final costs have been assessed.

  Party Conferences (Security)
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total cost and the services provided by his Department for security at the 1989(a) Labour party conference and (b) Conservative party conference.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  In response to requests from the chief constables of the Lancashire and Sussex constabularies, small numbers of military personnel were employed to assist the police in searching the respective conference areas for explosive devices and in potential bomb disposal tasks. No other service assistance was provided at either party conference. In line with normal arrangements, no charges were raised against the respective constabularies. The related costs fell to MOD votes.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Avian Influenza
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what precautions has he taken to control the spread of avian flu among hens in the Republic of Ireland into Northern Ireland; if he is in consultation with the authorities in the Republic of Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  [holding answer 17 October 1989]: The Republic of Ireland authorities have taken precautions necessary to deal with the risk of spread from the two outbreaks of avian influenza in poultry in Co. Monaghan.

  Poultry and their products may not be moved from the restricted area in the Republic of Ireland without a licence. They are not eligible for export to Northern Ireland.

  Northern Ireland has imposed movement restrictions in the Northern Ireland territory which falls within 10 km of the outbreaks in the Republic of Ireland. The necessary amendments have been made to Northern Ireland specific import licences for live poultry and hatching eggs to prevent the introduction of disease.

  The Department of Agriculture, Dublin, has kept us fully informed of the nature and virulence of the outbreaks and the eradication measures taken.

  Northern Ireland veterinary and animal health officials have remained in close contact.

  The situation is being kept under continuous review.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Alcohol Abuse
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he last met the Director of the Scottish Consumer Council; and if he discussed the problem of alcohol abuse by youngsters under the age of 18.

  Mr. Forth
  I last met the director of the Scottish Consumer Council when I attended a meeting of the council on 19 May. This topic was not among those that were discussed.

  Arms Sales (South Africa)
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what information he has or is seeking regarding the involvement of Ferranti subsidiary ISC, or its shell companies, Darlow, Tool Techniques and Varitech in the selling of arms to South Africa; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  It is not our practice to comment on specific arms sales; however, Her Majesty's Government do abide by UN resolution 418 which prohibits the sale of arms to South Africa. Export licence applications under the Export of Goods (Control) Order for such exports would be refused.

THE ARTS

  Arts Council (Report)
  Mr. Jessel
  To ask the Minister for the Arts whether he has yet received the report he commissioned from Mr. Richard Wilding about the role of the Arts Council and Regional Arts Association.

  Mr. Luce
  I have now received the report which I commissioned from Mr. Richard Wilding in December last year about the structure of support for the arts in England.

  Mr. Wilding's report is the first major review of the structure and organisation of arts support for many years.

  I commissioned the report at a time of major growth and development in the arts and a change in the nature of arts funding by central Government, the private sector and local authorities. I felt it was important that the structure for distributing these funds was still achieving its primary objectives: to create an environment in which the arts in England could flower; and to sustain the confidence of the arts world and the public in the system of distribution of taxpayers' money to the arts.

  The report was to examine areas of possible concern: accountability for the public money spent by regional arts associations; lack of coherence between national funding bodies and the RAAs; cumbersome structures for handling business; and the cost of administering the whole system.

  Mr. Wilding has now prepared his report, following extensive consultations with the Arts Council, the regional arts associations and other bodies and individuals with an interest in the subsidised arts sector.

  I am keen to ensure that everyone who has an interest in the administration of the arts has the opportunity to comment on the proposals which have resulted from this

  121
  process. That is why I have arranged for publication of the report, copies of which are available on request from my office. I have also arranged for copies to be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Mr. Wilding has produced a detailed and carefully researched analysis of the current framework for policy making, administration and funding of arts in England. He had identified a number of areas where he thinks there are weaknesses and has proposed specific changes for improvement.

  In so doing he has produced a very challenging document which unquestionably provides an invaluable foundation for debate in the arts world. I want that debate to be thorough but I also want to avoid prolonged uncertainty. In view of this, and the extensiveness of Mr. Wilding's own consultations, I propose a limited consultation period and would welcome comments on his recommendations, in writing, before 31 December. I shall want to take these comments fully into account before reaching decisions about Mr. Wilding's recommendations.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Eurotunnel
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if any further proposals to assist in financing the Eurotunnel have been made to the European investment bank since 15 May 1987; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ryder
  Discussions between the EIB and its clients are commercially confidential and private.

  Financial mecu

  Perspective £ million

  Draft mecu

  Budget £ million

  Commitment appropriation

  1. FEOGA guarantee

  30,700

  19,567

  26,522

  16,904

  2. Structural Funds

  11,555

  7,365

  11,527

  7,347

  3. R & D and Integrated Mediterranean programs

  2,071

  1,320

  1,957

  1,248

  4. Other policies

  2,729

  1,739

  2,500

  1,593

  5. Reimbursements and administration

  4,930

  3,142

  4,688

  2,988

  6. Monetary reserve

  1,000

  637

  1,000

  637

  Total

  52,985

  33,770

  48,194

  30,717

  Total Payment appropriations1

  50,791

  32,372

  46,139

  29,407

  1 There is only a global ceiling for payments.

  Provision for agricultural guarantee expenditure is about 4,000 mecu (£2,549 million) below the financial guideline calculated in accordance with the Budget Discipline Decision of June 1988. The draft budget also includes provision of 1,470 mecu (£940 million) for the cost of depreciating existing agricultural stocks; and of 1,000 mecu (£637 million) for a monetary reserve which can be drawn up only to cover part of any additional agricultural expenditure arising from change in the $/ecu exchange rate.

  Non-obligatory expenditure (DNO) in the draft budget totals 16·3 becu (£10·4 billion) in commitments and 14·2 becu (£9·1 billion) in payments. In accordance with the conclusions of the 1988 February European Council, the Budget Council distinguished between so-called "privileged" and "non-privileged" expenditure. In the first category, the draft budget provides for the substantial
  122
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his reply of 6 November 1987,Official Report, column 899, if the syndicate of banks formed to co-ordinate the financing of Eurotunnel have now agreed to give a guarantee to the European investment bank in respect of the £1,000,000,000 loan given by the Euro bank to the Eurotunnel; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ryder
  Yes, sir.

  Budget Council
  Mr. Couchman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the outcome of the recent meeting of the European Community's budget council.

  Mr. Ryder
  The Budget Council met in Brussels on 28 July. The Paymaster General represented the United Kingdom.

  The Council established a first reading draft budget for 1990 totalling 48·19 becu (£30·7 billion) in commitment appropriations and 46·14 becu (£29·4 billion) in payment appropriations, respectively 708·3 mecu (£451·4 million) and 653·3 mecu (£416·4 million) below the figures proposed by the Commission in the preliminary draft budget (PDB).

  The 1990 budget is the second to be subject to the arrangements for budgetary discipline arising from the 1988 European Council and the inter-institutional agreement between the Council, the Commission and the European Parliament which incorporates expenditure ceilings for 1988–92. The following table shows that the first reading draft budget is some way within those ceilings:

  increase in appropriations for the structural funds agreed at the February 1988 Council and for research and development appropriations at a level consistent with the framework programme adopted in September 1987. As regards non-privileged DNO, the Budget Council reduced the proposed provision in the PDB by an amount sufficient to ensure that, for this category of expenditure, the growth of both payments and commitments was contained within half the maximum rate of 6·1 per cent. communicated by the Commission.

  On 9 October, the ECOFIN Council established an amending letter to the PDB providing for economic restructuring aid to Poland and Hungary totalling 200 mecu. This expenditure is in excess of the relevant ceiling in the financial perspective (line 4 in the table) and, as a

  123
  temporary device pending the necessary revision of the perspective, the Council agreed to a corresponding negative reserve.

  The European Parliament will consider the draft budget at its plenary session in the week beginning 24 October. The Parliament's amendments and modifications will be considered by the Budget Council on 14 November.

  VAT Rebates (Farmers)
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received concerning applications for value added tax rebates for expenditure not eligible for grants made available to farmers practising low-impact conservation husbandry; and if he will consider varying such eligibility.

  Mr. Ryder
  [holding answer 17 October 1989]: None.

  Advertising Agencies
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library the standing arrangements made by her Majesty's Government for the employment of, or making contracts with, advertising agencies; and what advice, instructions and directions have been given to(a) regional water authorities and (b) the Central Electricity Generating Board in respect of similar activities.

  Mr. Lilley
  [holding answer 17 October 1989]: At all times the Government aim to obtain best value for money when selecting advisers and contractors. Contracts with advertising agencies for Government advertising campaigns are handled and placed by the Central Office of Information, which is advised by the Advisory Committee on Advertising. The advertising arrangements of the water authorities and the CEGB are matters for the industries themselves.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Football Hooliganism (Neo-Nazi Groups)
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many incidents of football hooliganism investigated for each year since 1979 involved direct or indirect organised and planned activities by racist or neo-Nazi groups;

  (2) how many police forces in England, Scotland and Wales are at present investigating the racial and neo-Nazi connotations of football hooliganism; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  This information is not recorded centrally.

  Metropolitan Police (Suspensions)
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many metropolitan police officers have been suspended from duty pending investigation of alleged misconduct to date in 1989.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that 64 officers from that force have been suspended from duty so far this year.

  Metropolitan Police Helicopters
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis as to for what purpose the Metropolitan police helicopter was deployed in Forest Gate at around 7.30 pm on 2 August; and on how many occasions in the last 12 months helicopters have been used by the police in Newham;

  (2) if he will provide a breakdown by (a) London borough and (b) number of occasions on which the Metropolitan police have summoned the assistance of a helicopter in the last 12 months.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that at approximately 7.30 pm on 2 August the helicopter was deployed on two occasions. The first was to locate suspects in the grounds of the Gateway store and the second was to assist police who were in pursuit of a suspect car.

  Between 1 October 1988 and 30 September 1989, the helicopter was used on 4,277 occasions. Information about its use by police in individual London boroughs could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Animal Experiments
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in what form information is kept in his Department regarding experiments on animals carried out by contractors working on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The Home Office collects information about all licensees and their work, but not about funding bodies which may be supporting this work.

  Metropolitan Police (Traffic Strategy)
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has regarding the overall force traffic strategy prepared by the Metropolitan police.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I understand that the Metropolitan police have for some time now, been working towards the formulation of a new strategic approach to traffic. I understand that this work is nearing completion.

  Party Conferences (Security)
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were the total costs to public funds arising out of security measures provided by the various police forces at the 1989(a) Labour party conference, (b) Conservative party conference, (c) SLD conference, (d) SDP conference and (e) Green party conference.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I understand from the chief officers of the forces concerned that the additional cost of policing the 1989 party conferences were estimated as follows:

  Conference

  Force

  Additional cost £

  Labour

  Sussex

  4,000

  Conservative

  Lancashire

  1,080,000

  Social and Liberal Democrats

  Sussex

  600

  Social Democratic Party

  North Yorkshire

  None

  Green Party

  West Midlands

  None

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  The level of resources provided for the policing of party conferences is an operational matter for the chief officer of police in the light of all circumstances, including an assessment of the threat of terrorist attack.

  Television Violence
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether ethnic groups have contacted him about levels of violence on television.

  Mr. Renton
  We receive a number of letters about violence portrayed on television, but have not received any specifically from ethnic groups.

  Independent Television (Scotland)
  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he last met representatives of independent television companies in Scotland; and what subjects were discussed.

  Mr. Renton
  I visited the Scottish independent television companies on 27 and 28 February, when a wide range of broadcasting issues was discussed. I have also met their representatives on other occasions during discussions on the future of broadcasting.

  Arrests (Football Grounds)
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has as to how many of those arrested at football grounds during the 1987–88 season were subsequently(a) tried and (b) convicted.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Information about the outcome of the 6,106 arrests made at Football League matches during the 1987–88 season is not recorded centrally.

  Serious Crimes Squad (West Midlands)
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the West Midlands as to how many officers were serving with the serious crimes squad at the time it was disbanded.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I understand from the chief constable that there were 29 officers serving with the squad at the time that it was disbanded in August 1989.

  Dispersal Prisons (Costs)
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state the current cost per inmate per week in each dispersal prison.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The average cost per inmate per week in each dispersal prison in 1988–89 (the most recent year for which information is available) was:

  £

  Albany

  586

  Frankland

  533

  Full Sutton

  742

  126

  £

  Gartree

  555

  Long Lartin

  505

  Parkhurst

  829

  Wakefield

  365

  Police Manpower
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the increase in police manpower since 1979.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  At the end of July this year, police manpower stood at a record level of 169,022, made up of 125,808 police officers and 43,214 civilian staff. These figures represent a gain of 14,315 police officers and 8,584 civilians under this government since May 1979.

  My right hon. Friend will be able to approve a further 1,100 police posts for 1990–91 so that police numbers will continue to grow.

  Random Breath Testing
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many replies he has received to his request for opinions from the public on the introduction of random breath testing; and how many responses were in favour of this proposal.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for East Lothian (Mr. Home Robertson) on 8 May 1989 at column 284.

ENERGY

  Plutonium
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he last discussed the issue of plutonium-contaminated waste with the chairman of the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has not met the chairman of the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee. RWMAC advises my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for the Environment, Scotland and Wales, with whom policy responsibility for radioactive waste management matters lies.

  Alternative Energy
  Mr. Wray To
  ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is for each year since 1979 the amount of public funds spent on research on energy produced by (a) off-shore wind turbines, (b) wave and tidal power, (c) solar technology and (d) other kinds of alternatives to coal, oil and nuclear energy.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  The table sets out expenditure on renewable sources of energy supported by public funds since 1979. Information on expenditure on offshore wind R and D is included in the totals for wind R and D. Total expenditure on offshore wind since 1979 is £1·07 million (Department of Energy and CEGB).
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  Public sector R, D and D expenditure on renewable energy (£ million)

  1979–80

  1980–81

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  Wind

  1·1

  1·4

  2·1

  4·6

  4·5

  6·6

  7·5

  6·0

  7·3

  8·5

  Wave

  3·0

  3·3

  4·4

  3·1

  1·2

  0·4

  0·6

  0·2

  0·2

  0·1

  Geothermal Aquifers

  1·5

  1·9

  4·1

  2·3

  2·1

  1·3

  0·3

  0·1

  0·0

  0·1

  Geothermal hot dry rocks

  0·0

  0·6

  5·6

  3·0

  2·9

  4·6

  3·5

  3·5

  3·7

  3·6

  Solar

  1·5

  1·2

  1·5

  1·7

  1·6

  0·8

  1·0

  1·0

  1·2

  1·5

  Biomass1

  0·3

  1·1

  1·0

  1·8

  0·9

  1·2

  0·9

  1·3

  2·3

  2·1

  Tide

  0·6

  1·4

  0·4

  0·0

  0·0

  0·3

  0·1

  0·1

  1·4

  1·2

  Hydro/general studies

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0·8

  0·8

  Technology transfer and promotion

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0·7

  1·0

  ETSU management

  1·4

  2·2

  2·3

  2·0

  1·9

  2·1

  2·0

  2·3

  2·3

  2·5

  Total

  9·4

  13·1

  21·4

  18·5

  15·1

  17·3

  15·9

  14·5

  19·9

  21·4

  1 Includes expenditure on "waste as a fuel" projects under the Energy Efficiency Office Demonstration Scheme.

  Notes:

  1. The table incorporates expenditure on renewable energy by Government Departments. Science Engineering Research Council, Natural Environment Research Council and the CEGB.

  2. Up to 1986–87 total for R and D also includes expenditure on low head hydro and general studies to 1986–87. These are separately identified for 1987–88 and include work carried out by the Chief Scientist Group, ETSU.

  3. The totals for solar energy incorporate work on passive solar design of buildings, active solar water heating and photovoltaics.

  4. The totals for wave incorporate work on ocean thermal energy conversion.

  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what plans he has to implement the Central Electricity Generating Board scientific report on energy produced by wind turbines based off-shore.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  I am not aware of the report to which the hon. Member refers. My Department is continuing to investigate the technical and economic feasibility of offshore wind energy.

  Energy Saving
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what research his Department is carrying out or sponsoring in order to improve energy saving techniques.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  Research under the "energy efficiency best practice" programme is directed to four interrelated elements: compilation of "energy consumption guides" giving data on energy use so consumers can compare their performance with others in their sector; provision of "good practice guides" promoting proven techniques which are already enabling the better energy users to be more efficient; production of "new practice" case studies on first commercial applications of new energy efficiency techniques, to promote wider implementation; support for "future practice" pre-competitive research and development work on a joint venture basis.

PRIME MINISTER

  Official Visits
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will state for the period since 29 July(a) the countries she visited officially, (b) how many civil servants accompanied her, (c) the total cost involved, (d) the method of travel and (e) the number of journalists who used official transportation.

  Sir Geoffrey Howe
  I have been asked to reply.

  Since 29 July, the Prime Minister has visited Japan and Moscow. She was accompanied by 12 civil servants, plus a further two for the Moscow leg. Transport was provided
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  by an RAF VCIO and 18 representatives of the media travelled with her. Information on costs for the visit is not yet available.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Prime Minister what action has been taken by her Department to recover outstanding moneys from media organisations arising from their representatives accompanying her on overseas visits.

  Sir Geoffrey Howe
  I have been asked to reply.

  My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister is satisfied that the arrangements used by her office for expediting the payment of overdue invoices are effective.

  Policy Unit
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Prime Minister what was the total cost in 1988–89 of the Prime Minister's policy unit.

  Sir Geoffrey Howe
  I have been asked to reply.

  The cost in 1988–89 of the Prime Minister's policy unit was £351,832.

  No. 10 Downing Street
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Prime Minister what was the total cost of(a) decoration and (b) furnishings in No. 10 Downing street during 1988–89; and what are the estimated totals for 1989–90.

  Sir Geoffrey Howe
  I have been asked to reply.

  The total cost in 1988–89 for decorations and furnishings for 10 Downing street was £391,125. The estimated cost of similar works over 1989–90 is £606,313.

  The current works relate to the rooms used for state and public occasions; and reflect the costs necessary to refurbish part of one of the country's historic buildings, which had not been refurbished for nearly 20 years.

TRANSPORT

  Eurotunnel
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a further statement on the arrangements for financing Eurotunnel insofar as they fall within his responsibility.

  Mr. Portillo
  Responsibility for Channel tunnel financing arrangements is entirely a matter for Eurotunnel.

  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on measures to ensure security in the Eurotunnel, and arrangements to identify explosives in any vehicle.

  Mr. Portillo
  The Government take very seriously the need to protect the tunnel and those who will use it. A security check regime will be required. It would not be appropriate for me to make a statement on the details of the security arrangements.

  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he anticipates that Eurotunnel will be open to traffic.

  Mr. Portillo
  I understand that Eurotunnel's projected opening date is 15 June 1993.

  Trading vessels registered in the United Kingdom, Crown Dependencies and the Dependent Territories: 1979–89

  Registry

  Thousand tons

  United Kingdom

  Crown Dependencies

  Dependent Territories (excluding Hong Kong)

  Hong Kong

  Total Trading Fleet

  Year

  No..

  Grt

  Dwt

  No..

  Grt

  Dwt

  No..

  Grt

  Dwt

  No..

  Grt

  Dwt

  No..

  Grt

  Dwt

  1979

  1,756

  26,905

  44,296

  0

  0

  0

  236

  1,902

  3,210

  87

  1,443

  2,231

  2,079

  30,250

  49,737

  1980

  1,698

  26,070

  43,013

  0

  0

  0

  266

  1,917

  3,237

  98

  1,691

  2,643

  2,062

  29,678

  48,893

  1981

  1,552

  24,417

  40,473

  0

  0

  0

  250

  757

  1,154

  132

  2,553

  4,060

  1,934

  27,728

  45,688

  1982

  1,374

  21,388

  35,085

  48

  59

  69

  256

  741

  1,159

  158

  3,469

  5,670

  1,836

  25,658

  41,984

  1983

  1,217

  18,103

  29,000

  43

  45

  47

  308

  1,345

  2,145

  183

  4,348

  7,237

  1,751

  23,841

  38,429

  1984

  1,096

  14,773

  23,157

  55

  87

  120

  312

  1,366

  2,247

  224

  5,748

  9,573

  1,687

  21,975

  35,097

  1985

  1,019

  13,236

  20,805

  55

  103

  138

  337

  1,905

  3,022

  265

  6,813

  11,314

  1,676

  22,057

  35,230

  1986

  902

  10,285

  15,593

  59

  287

  442

  413

  4,135

  6,834

  285

  8,120

  13,642

  1,659

  22,827

  36,511

  1987

  734

  5,578

  7,371

  112

  1,913

  3,468

  377

  5,358

  9,406

  281

  7,974

  13,446

  1,504

  20,822

  33,692

  1988

  685

  5,091

  6,452

  116

  2,120

  3,806

  351

  7,142

  13,242

  260

  7,266

  12,327

  1,412

  21,619

  35,826

  1989

  573

  4,328

  5,351

  115

  2,084

  3,749

  280

  7,053

  13,227

  286

  6,189

  10,470

  1,254

  19,655

  32,797

  Notes:

  1. Vessels registered in the Crown Dependencies during 1979, 1980 and 1981 are included in the United Kingdom statistics for those years.

  2. 'Grt' stands for 'Gross Registered Tonnage'.

  3. 'Dwt' stands for 'Deadweight tonnage'.

  4. The Crown Dependencies include the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands.

  5. The main Dependent Territories' registers are Gibraltar, Bermuda and the Cayman Islands.

  6. The figures exclude non-trading type vessels such as tugs, off-shore supply ships and fishing vessels.

  Marchioness
  Mr. Bowls
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give details of the Government's contribution to the disaster fund set up by the mayor of Southwark for the victims of the Marchioness disaster and their families.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Following the Marchioness disaster, the Government made a contribution of £125,000 to the river boat disaster fund. Neither the fund nor the Government's contribution to it will affect any possible claims for compensation.

  Parliamentary approval for this payment will be sought in a supplementary supply estimate for the administration and transport services vote. Pending that approval, the £125,000 donation has been met from a repayable advance

  Air Controls
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action he is taking to improve the present controls system which the Association of European Airlines report found to be fragmented, costly and inefficient.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Over the last year, the United Kingdom has successfully promoted a series of practical initiatives to improve co-operation and coordination between air traffic control authorities in Europe. The European Civil Aviation Conference recently established a task force to examine the scope for further integration of air traffic control systems. The task force's recommendation will be considered by European Transport Ministers early next year.

  Merchant Fleet
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is for each year since 1979(a) the tonnage capacity of the British merchant fleet and (b) the number of the British merchant ships.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The number and tonnage of trading vessels registered in the United Kingdom, Crown dependencies and dependent territories at 1 July in each year since 1979 is as follow:

  from the Contingencies Fund. As savings have occurred in class VIII, 2, there will be no increase in the public expenditure planning total.

  Dock Workers (Redundancies)
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many former registered dock workers have been made redundant since the abolition of the dock labour scheme; how much the Government have contributed towards the redundancy payments; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  As at 13 October, 3,938 former registered dock workers had been made redundant out of 9,221 on the register when the Scheme was abolished on 3 July. In accordance with the provision of the Dock Work
  131
  (Compensation Payments Scheme) Regulations 1989, the Department has contributed £78,760,050 towards the redundancy compensation payments. It is estimated that further payments will bring the total in 1989–90 to about £90 million.

  Provision of £10 million was made in the summer supplementary estimate on class VIII, vote 3, and I shall be seeking parliamentary approval of a winter supplementary estimate on that Vote of a further £80 million for the compensation scheme.

  The number of redundancies is far higher than had been expected, but clearly demonstrates that the overmanning in ports under the dock labour scheme was greater than had been realised. A major improvement in the efficiency of working methods in the ports is now taking place.

  Sir Keith Bright
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether discussions on the terms on which Sir Keith Bright departed from London Regional Transport have now been concluded.

  Mr. Parkinson
  Yes. After due consideration of a claim made by Sir Keith Bright, I have determined that London Regional Transport shall pay to him the sum of £34,000 in settlement of the matter.

  Tunnel Services
  Mr. Arbuthnot
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the users of the tunnel lids over the M25 at Bell Common, Epping and Holmesdale, Enfield and the A1(M) at Hatfield pay for the maintenance of the tunnel services in the form of a rent or lump sum up front.

  Mr. Atkins
  The Department of Transport bears the whole cost of maintaining and servicing all three tunnels. There are no commercial uses of the M25 tunnel lids.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Organic Farming
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he has for each year since 1979 on the amount of organic food produced in(a) Canada, (b) Denmark, (c) France, (d) the Federal Republic of Germany, (e) Holland, (f) Sweden and (g) the United States of America.

  Mr. Maclean
  This information is not available.

  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what is the amount of(a) private and (b) public funds spent on research about organic farming for each year since 1979.

  Mr. Maclean
  Information on the amount of public funds spent on research about organic farming for this year was given in the reply to the hon. Member for Halifax (Mrs. Mahon) on 18 May at col.300. Information for earlier years can be produced only at disproportionate cost. Information on the amount of private funds spent on organic farming is not available.

  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has any plans to support and promote organic farming.
  132
  Mr. Maclean
  The Government are already encouraging British farmers in various ways to respond to consumer demand for organic produce. My Department was instrumental in setting up the United Kingdom register of organic food standards to produce national organic standards and an independent certification and inspection scheme. UKROFS is now well advanced in its work. The fallow option of the set-aside scheme enables farmers to prepare their land for organic production without forgoing income entirely. Similar support is being considered under the forthcoming extensification scheme. The farm and conservation grant scheme, co-operative sector assistance and ADAS advice are all available to organic producers. My department's R & D activities are also relevant to organic farming as is the recently announced comprehensive economic survey of organic farming which we are funding.

  Conservation Husbandry
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list those grants now available to farmers practising low-input conservation husbandry.

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 17 October 1989]: The full range of Government grants is available to those farmers pursuing less intensive husbandry systems with an emphasis on good conservation practice. Some are likely to match their more specific needs. For example, farmers who wish to convert to organic farming can take advantage of the fallow provisions of the set-aside scheme which enable them to prepare their land to meet organic standards without foregoing income entirely. Under the agricultural and horticultural co-operation schemes grant aid may be available towards formation and marketing costs of co-operatives formed to market organic produce or other foods produced under low input systems. Capital grants may also be available to established co-operatives towards the cost of buildings and equipment. In addition, incentives to protect and improve the environment exist under schemes such as the farm and conservation grant scheme, the environmentally sensitive areas scheme and the farm woodland scheme. Further assistance to less intensive farming under the options of the extensification scheme is under consideration.

  Synthetic Chemicals
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to the reply to the hon. Member for Holland with Boston (Sir R. Body) of 27 July,Official Report, column 961, if he will make a statement on his detailed consultation with the United Kingdom Register of Organic Foodstuffs Board on synthetic chemicals.

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 17 October 1989]: The reply of 27 July at column 961 referred to detailed consultations with the board of the United Kingdom register of organic food standards and other bodies representing the producers, processors, manufacturers and consumers of organic foods when the European Commission's proposals on organic agriculture are submitted to the Council of Agriculture Ministers. These proposals have not yet been submitted by the Commission.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Select Committee Reports
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Lord President of the Council if he will list those Select Committee reports which have been debated on the floor of the House in each Session since 1966.

  Sir Geoffrey Howe
  The information requested is as follows:

  Select Committee reports debated in the House since 1966

  1. Reports debated on substantive Motions1

  Date

  Session 1965–66

  House of Commons (Services) Committee:

  First Report (1965–66)

  3 February 1966

  Session 1966–67

  Procedure Committee:

  Fourth Report (1964–65), Report (1965–66) and First Report (1966–67)

  14 December 1966

  Estimates Committee:

  First Report and Fifth Special Report (1966–67)

  9 February 1967

  Procedure Committee:

  First, Second, Third and Fourth Reports (1966–67)

  19 April 1967

  Estimates Committee:

  Fourth Report and Ninth Special Report (1966–67)

  4 May 1967

  Session 1967–68

  Public Accounts Committee:

  Fifth Report and First and Second Report (1966–67)

  13 November 1967

  Procedure Committee:

  First, Second, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Reports (1966–67)

  14 November 1967

  Estimates Committee:

  Ninth Report (1966–67) and Second Special Report (1967–68)

  6 February 1967

  Public Accounts Committee:

  Third Special Report (1967–68)

  25 April 1967

  Agriculture Committee:

  Report (1966–67)

  14 May 1967

  Science and Technology Committee: Report (1966–67)

  23 May 1967

  Session 1968–69

  Estimates Committee:

  Eleventh Report (1966–67) and Fifth Special Report (1967–68)

  14 November 1968

  Public Accounts Committee:

  First, Second and Third Reports (1967–68)

  5 December 1968

  Estimates Committee:

  Sixth Report (1967–68)

  12 June 1969

  Committee on Parliamentary Privilege:

  Report (1967–68)2

  4 July 1969

  Session 1969–70

  Public Accounts Committee:

  First, Second and Third Reports (1968–69)

  20 November 1969

  Estimates Committee:

  Eighth Report (1967–68)

  5 February 1970

  Session 1970–71

  Public Accounts Committee:

  First, Second and Third Reports (1969–70)

  10 November 1970

  House of Commons (Services) Committee:

  First Report (1970–71)

  23 November 1970

  Estimates Committee:

  Fifth Report (1968–69)

  7 December 1970

  134

  Date

  Scottish Affairs Committee:

  Report (1969)

  3 February 1971

  Committee on Standing Orders (Revision):

  Report (1970–71)

  8 March 1971

  Procedure Committee:

  Second Report (1969–70)3

  7 April 1971

  House of Commons (Services) Committee:

  Fifth Report (1970–71)

  7 April 1971

  Science and Technology Committee:

  Second Report (1969–70)

  27 May 1971

  Committee on Parliamentary Privilege:

  Report (1967–68)

  16 July 1971

  House of Commons (Services) Committee:

  Sixth Report (1970–71)4

  30 July 1971

  Session 1971–72

  Expenditure Committee:

  First Report (1970–71), Special Report (1971–72) and First Report (1971–72)

  9 February 1972

  House of Commons (Services) Committee:

  Fourth Report

  9 and 13 June 1972

  Procedure Committee:

  Fourth Report (1971–72)

  28 June 1972

  Expenditure Committee:

  Second Report and Fifth Special Report (1971–72)

  7 August 1972

  Session 1972–73

  Public Accounts Committee:

  First, Second and Third Reports (1971–72)

  7 December 1972

  Committee on Parliamentary Questions:

  Report (1972–73)

  18 December 1972

  Procedure Committee:

  Second and Third Reports (1972–73)

  18 December 1972

  Joint Committee on Delegated Legislation:

  Report (1972–73)

  18 December 1972

  Science and Technology Committee:

  First, Second, Third and Fourth Reports (1972–73)

  22 January 1973

  European Secondary Legislation Committee:

  First Report (1972–73)

  18 April 1973

  Nationalised Industries Committee:

  Second Report (1971–72)

  3 May 1973

  Expenditure Committee:

  First and Second Reports (1972–73)

  9 July 1973

  Session 1973–74

  Procedure Committee:

  Fifth Report (1972–73)

  20 November 1973

  Public Accounts Committee:

  First to Eighth Reports (1972–73)

  3 December 1973

  House of Commons (Services) Committee:

  Sixth Report (1972–73)

  10 December 1973

  Expenditure Committee:

  Fourth, Sixth and Seventh Reports (1972–73), Second Special Report (1970–71), Sixth Special Report (1971–72) and Second and Fourth Special Reports (1972–73)

  15 January 1974

  Session 1974

  House of Commons (Services) Committee:

  First, Second and Third Reports (1974)

  27 June 1974

  Session 1974–75

  Public Accounts Committee:

  First to Fourth Reports (1974)

  13 January 1975

  Expenditure Committee:

  First Report (1974)

  1 May 1975

  Expenditure Committee:

  Third Report (1973–74), Third Report (1974) and Seventh Report (1974)

  10 July 1975

  Procedure Committee:

  First Report (1974–75)

  3 November 1975

  Session 1975–76

  Committee of Privileges:

  First Report (1975–76)

  16 December 1975

  135

  Date

  public Accounts Committee:

  First to Fifth Reports (1974–75)

  22 January 1975

  House of Commons (Services) Committee:

  8 March and 16

  First Report (1975–76)

  March 1976

  Expenditure Committee:

  Eleventh Report (1974–75)

  13 April 1976

  Joint Committee on Sound Broadcasting:

  First Report (1975–76)

  3 August 1976

  Session 1976–77

  Public Accounts Committee:

  First to Sixth Reports (1975–76)

  9 December 1976

  House of Commons (Services) Committee:

  Sixth Report (1975–76) and First Report (1976–77)

  18 January 1977

  Expenditure Committee:

  Fifth Report (1974–75) and Eighth Report (1975–76)

  14 March 1977

  House of Commons (Services) Committee:

  First Report (1976–77) (resumed debate)

  15 March 1977

  House of Commons (Services) Committee:

  Fourth Report (1976–77)

  5 May 1977

  Overseas Development Committee:

  Second Report (1975–76), First Special Report (1976–77), Second Report (1976–77) and Second Special Report (1976–77)

  13 June 1977

  Committee on the Conduct of Members:

  Report (1976–77)

  26 July 1977

  Joint Committee on Sound Broadcasting:

  Second Report (1976–77)

  26 July 1977

  Session 1977–78

  Public Accounts Committee:

  First to Tenth Reports (1976–77)

  9 January 1978

  House of Commons (Services) Committee:

  Fourth and Fifth Reports (1976–77)

  26 January 1978

  Committee of Privileges:

  Third Report (1976–77)

  6 February 1978

  House of Commons (Services) Committee:

  Seventh Report (1976–77)

  21 February 1978

  Nationalised Industries Committee:

  First, Second and Fifth Reports (1977–78)

  9 March 1978

  Expenditure Committee:

  First Report (1976–77)

  12 June 1978

  Committee on Violence in Marriage:

  Report (1974–75)

  16 June 1978

  Committee on Violence in the Family:

  First Report (1975–76), First and Second Report (1976–77)

  16 June 1978

  House of Commons (Services) Committee:

  Fourth Report (1977–78)

  29 June 1978

  House of Commons (Services) Committee:

  Fifth Report (1977–78)

  28 July 1978

  Session 1978–79

  Committee on the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration:

  First and Fourth Reports (1977–78)

  1 December 1978

  Public Accounts Committee:

  First to Tenth Reports and First and Second Special Reports (1977–78)

  4 December 1978

  Expenditure Committee:

  Eleventh Report (1976–77) and Twelfth Report (1977–78)

  15 January 1979

  Session 1979–80

  Procedure Committee:

  First Report (1977–78)

  31 October 1979

  Home Affairs Committee:

  Second Report (1979–80)

  5 June 1980

  Public Accounts Committee:

  First to Seventh and Tenth Reports (1979–80)

  1 May 1980

  Procedure Committee Report (1977–78) and (1976–77)

  30 October 1980

  Session 1980–81

  136

  Date

  Social Services Committee:

  Second Report (1979–80)

  5 December 1980

  Public Accounts Committee:

  Fifth to Thirty-fifth Reports (1979–80)

  29 January 1981

  Procedure Committee Report (1977–78)

  31 January 1981

  Session 1981–82

  Education, Science and Arts Committee (1980–81)

  22 February 1982

  Public Accounts Committee:

  First to Seventeenth Reports (1980–81)

  19 April 1982

  Committee on Members' Salaries (1981–82)

  10 June 1982

  Session 1982–83

  Committee on Standing Orders (Revision) Report (1982–83)

  30 March 1983

  Session 1983–84

  House of Commons (Services) Committee:

  Report (1982–83)

  22 November 1983

  Public Accounts Committee:

  First Special and First to Eleventh Reports (1982–83)

  20 March 1984

  Public Accounts Committee:

  First to Ninth Reports (1983–84)

  20 March 1984

  House of Commons (Services) Committee:

  First Report (1983–84)

  2 May 1984

  Procedure Committee:

  First Report (1983–84)

  31 October 1984

  House of Commons (Services) Committee:

  Second Report (1983–84)

  31 October 1984

  Session 1984–85

  Public Accounts Committee:

  Twenty-Fifth Report (1983–84)

  1 May 1985

  Public Accounts Committee:

  Tenth to Twenty-Fourth Reports and Twenty-Sixth to Thirty-Fifth Reports (1983–84), and First to Twenty-Fifth Reports (1984–85)

  24 October 1985

  Session 1985–86

  Committee on Members' Interests:

  Second Report (1984–85)

  17 December 1985

  House of Commons (Services) Committee:

  Second Report (1984–85)

  29 January 1986

  Procedure Committee:

  Second, Third and Fourth Reports (1984–85) and First Report (1985–86)

  27 February 1986

  European Legislation Committee:

  First Special Report (1985–86)

  5 March 1986

  Environment Committee:

  Second Report (1985–86)

  13 May 1986

  Privileges Committee:

  Report (1985–86)

  20 May 1986

  Public Accounts Committee:

  Twenty-Sixth to Thirty-Eighth Reports (1984–85) and First to Fourteenth and Sixteenth to Eighth Reports (1985–86)

  3 July 1986

  Trade and Industry Committee:

  Second Report and Fifth Special Report (1985–86)

  7 July 1986

  Session 1986–87

  Nil

  Session 1987–88

  Public Accounts Committee:

  Fifteenth and Nineteenth to Fifty-Second Reports (1985–86), and First to Nineteenth Reports (1986–87)

  3 December 1987

  Public Accounts Committee:

  First to Thirty-Sixth Reports, Forty-First Report and First Special Report (1987–88)

  3 November 1988

  Session 1988–89 (to 17 October 1989)

  137

  Date

  House of Commons (Services) Committee:

  Second Report (1987–88)

  30 January 1989

  Committee on Televising of Proceedings of the House:

  First Report (1988–89)

  12 June 1989

  1 Includes Reports debated on Supply Days, but not Reports debated on motions for the Adjournment (for which see table II).

  2 See also 16 July 1971.

  3 Named in a Motion but not debated.

  4 Named in a Motion but not debated.

  II. Reports referred to on the Order Paper as being relevant to debate in the House, including, inter alia, debates on motions for the Adjournment of the House and on Estimates Days.

  Date

  Session 1979–80

  Defence Committee:

  Second Report (1979–80)

  28 and 29 April 1980

  Treasury and Civil Service Committee:

  Second Report (1979–80)

  7 May 1980

  Session 1980–81

  Treasury and Civil Service Committee:

  Fifth Report (1980–81)

  9 April 1981

  Defence Committee:

  Second Report (1980–81)

  19 and 20 May 1981

  Foreign Affairs Committee:

  Fifth Report (1980–81)

  24 July 1981

  Session 1981–82

  Foreign Affairs Committee:

  First and Second Report (1980–81)

  17 February 1982

  Foreign Affairs Committee:

  First Report (1981–82)

  17 February 1982

  Treasury and Civil Service Committee:

  Fourth Report (1981–82)

  6 April 1982

  Treasury and Civil Service Committee:

  Fifth Report (1981–82)

  21 April 1982

  Social Services Committee:

  Fourth Report (1980–81)

  18 June 1982

  Session 1982–83

  Agriculture Committee:

  First Report (1980–81)

  17 November 1982

  Treasury and Civil Service Committee:

  Third Report (1982–83)

  9 March 1983

  Treasury and Civil Service Committee:

  Second Report (1982–83)

  14 March 1983

  Treasury and Civil Service Committee:

  Fifth Report (1982–83)

  14 April 1983

  Treasury and Civil Service Committee:

  Fourth Report (1982–83)

  18 April 1983

  Session 1983–84

  Treasury and Civil Service Committee:

  Third Report (1981–82)

  28 October 1983

  Social Services Committee:

  Third Report (1981–82)

  25 November 1983

  Employment Committee:

  First Report (1983–84)

  27 February 1984

  Treasury and Civil Service Committee:

  First Report (1983–84)

  6 March 1984

  Treasury and Civil Service Committee:

  Third Report (1983–84)

  6 March 1984

  Public Accounts Committee:

  Twelfth Report (1983–84)

  8 March 1984

  Energy committee:

  Second Report (1983–84)

  8 March 1984

  Public Accounts Committee:

  Ninth Report (1983–84)

  12 March 1984

  Treasury and Civil Service Committee:

  Fourth Report (1983–84)

  10 April 1984

  Social Services Committee:

  First Report (1983–84)

  4 May 1984

  Education, Science and Arts Committee:

  Eighth Report (1981–82)

  14 June 1984

  138

  Date

  Defence Committee:

  First Report (1983–84)

  18 and 19 June 1984

  Education, Science and Arts Committee:

  First and Second Reports (1983–84)

  4 July 1984

  Environment Committee:

  Second Report (1983–84)

  4 July 1984

  Treasury and Civil Service Committee:

  Seventh Report (1983–84)

  10 July 1984

  Environment Committee:

  Third Report (1983–84)

  17 July 1984

  Foreign Affairs Committee:

  Second and Fourth Report (1983–84)

  17 July 1984

  Public Accounts Committee:

  Twenty-sixth Report (1983–84)

  17 July 1984

  Defence Committee:

  Third Report (1983–84)

  22 October 1984

  Session 1984–85

  Treasury and Civil Service Committee:

  First Report (1984–85)

  6 December 1984

  Procedure Committee:

  Report on Procedure Finance (1982–83)

  6 December 1984

  Energy Committee:

  Fourth Report (1983–84)

  18 December 1984

  Environment Committee:

  Fourth Report (1983–84)

  11 January 1985

  Treasury and Civil Service Committee:

  Third Report (1984–85)

  22 January 1985

  Treasury and Civil Service Committee:

  Sixth Report (1984–85)

  4 March 1985

  Energy Committee:

  Fifth Report (1983–84)

  14 March 1985

  Foreign Affairs Committee:

  Fifth Report (1983–84)

  14 March 1985

  Treasury and Civil Service Committee

  Eighth Report (1984–85)

  29 April 1985

  Employment Committee:

  Fifth Report (1984–85)

  6 June 1985

  Defence Committee:

  First and Third Reports (1984–85)

  12 and 13 June 1985

  Environment Committee:

  Third and Fourth Reports (1984–85)

  11 July 1985

  Social Services Committee:

  First and Second Report (1984–85)

  11 July 1985

  Trade and Industry Committee:

  Third Report (1984–85)

  18 July 1985

  Session 1985–86

  Foreign Affairs Committee:

  Fifth Report (1984–85)

  22 November 1985

  Treasury and Civil Service Committee:

  Second Report (1985–86)

  12 December 1985

  Foreign Affairs Committee:

  Second Report (1984–85) and First

  Report (1985–86)

  17 December 1985

  Social Services Committee:

  First Report (1985–86)

  28 January 1986

  European Legislation Committee:

  Seventh Report (1985–86)

  3 February 1986

  Treasury and Civil Service Committee:

  Third Report (1985–86)

  20 February 1986

  European Legislation Committee:

  First Special Report (1985–86)

  5 March 1986

  Treasury and Civil Service Committee:

  Fourth Report (1985–86)

  29 April 1986

  Environment Committee:

  Third and Fourth Reports (1985–86)

  24 June 1986

  Employment Committee:

  First, Second and Third Reports (1985–86)

  24 June 1986

  Defence Committee:

  30 June 1986

  Second Report (1985–86)

  and 1 July 1986

  Trade and Industry Committee:

  First Report (1985–86)

  9 July 1986

  Social Services Committee:

  Fourth Report (1985–86)

  9 July 1986

  139

  Date

  Treasury and Civil Service Committee:

  Fifth Report and Second Special Report (1985–86)

  10 July 1986

  Defence Committee:

  Third and Fourth Reports (1985–86)

  29 October 1986

  Session 1986–87

  Treasury and Civil Service Committee:

  Second Report (1986–87)

  17 December 1986

  Treasury and Civil Service Committee:

  Third Report (1986–87)

  18 February 1987

  Energy Committee:

  First Report (1986–87)

  11 March 1987

  Treasury and Civil Service Committee:

  Sixth Report (1986–87)

  22 April 1987

  Session 1987–88

  Defence Committee:

  First, Third, Fourth and Fifth Reports (1986–87)

  27 and 28 October 1987

  House of Commons (Services) Committee:

  Second Report (1984–85)

  10 November 1987

  Energy Committee:

  First Report (1986–87)

  20 November 1987

  Foreign Affairs Committee:

  Third Report (1986–87)

  4 December 1987

  Treasury and Civil Service Committee:

  First Report (1987–88)

  14 January 1988

  Treasury and Civil Service Committee:

  Second Report (1987–88)

  24 February 1988

  Environment Committee:

  Second Report and Second Special Report (1986–87)

  26 February 1988

  Agriculture Committee:

  First Report (1987–88)

  8 March 1988

  Energy Committee:

  Second Report (1987–88)

  8 March 1988

  Energy Committee:

  First Report (1987–88)

  9 March 1988

  Treasury and Civil Service Committee:

  Fourth Report (1987–88)

  26 April 1988

  Treasury and Civil Service Committee:

  Third Report (1987–88)

  11 May 1988

  Environment Committee:

  14 June 1988 and

  First Report (1987–88)

  12 July 1988

  Social Services Committee:

  First and Third Reports (1987–88)1

  5 July 1988

  Defence Committee:

  Fourth Report (1987–88)

  7 July 1988

  Treasury and Civil Service Committee:

  Fifth Report (1987–88)

  11 July 1988

  Procedure Committee:

  Third Report (1985–86)

  13 July 1988

  Social Services Committee:

  Third Report (1987–88)

  21 July 1988

  Employment Committee:

  First Report (1987–88)

  21 July 1988

  Defence Committee:

  19 and 20 October 1998

  Third, Fifth and Sixth Reports (1987–88)

  Environment Committee:

  28 October and 4

  First Report (1985–86)

  November 1988

  Environment Committee:

  Third Report and Third Special Report (1986–87)

  4 November 1988

  Session 1988–89 (to 17 October 1989)

  Procedure Committee:

  Second Report (1984–85), Second Report (1985–86), First to Fourth Reports (1986–87) and First Report (1987–88)

  30 November 1988

  House of Commons (Services) Committee:

  First Report (1987–88) and Second Report (1986–87)

  2 December 1988

  140

  Date

  Energy Committee:

  Third Report and Third Special Report (1987–88)

  13 December 1988

  Treasury and Civil Service Committee:

  12 January and 9

  First Report (1988–89)

  February 1989

  Social Services Committee:

  Third Report (1986–87)

  13 January 1989

  Education Committee:

  First Report (1988–89)

  18 January 1989

  Home Affairs Committee:

  Third Report and Third Special Report (1987–88)

  8 February 1989

  Environment Committee:

  First Report (1988–89)

  24 February 1989

  Defence Committee:

  Sixth Report (1987–88)

  28 February 1989

  Agriculture Committee:

  First Report (1988–89)

  7 March 1989

  Foreign Affairs Committee:

  Fourth Report (1987–88)

  7 March 1989

  Energy Committee:

  Third Report (1988–89)

  13 April 1989

  Treasury and Civil Service Committee:

  Fourth Report (1988–89)

  25 April 1989

  Social Services Committee:

  Fifth Report (1987–88)

  11 May 1989

  European Legislation Committee:

  First Special Report (1988–89)

  18 May 1989

  Defence Committee:

  First Report (1988–89)

  8 June 1989

  Environment Committee:

  First Report (1986–87) and First Special

  Report (1987–88)

  15 June 1989

  Home Affairs Committee:

  First Report, Third Report and Fourth

  Report (1988–89

  6 July 1989

  Trade and Industry Committee:

  First Report 1988–89)

  6 July 1989

  Energy Committee:

  Fourth Report (1988–89)

  10 July 1989

  Transport Committee:

  First Report and Third Special Report (1988–89)

  10 July 1989

  Foreign Affairs Committee:

  Second Report (1988–89)

  13 July 1989

  European Legislation Committee:

  Thirty-First Report (1988–89)

  25 July 1989

  1 See also 21 July 1988.

  Notes:
  Statistics relating to reports of Select Committees referred to on the Order Paper for Sessions 1965–66 to 1978–79 inclusive are not readily available; the following list therefore only covers Session 1979–80 onwards. Prior to 1979 the practice of "tagging" debates when Select Committee reports were relevant was less frequently used. Practice also changed following the repeal of the Standing Order relating to Business of Supply on 19 July 1982 and its replacement by a new Standing Order relating to Consideration of Estimates, with effect from the following Session. Full information relating to the current Session will appear in the Sessional Return.In addition there have often been debates (notably in respect of procedure, or the working of the House, but also on other matters) where reports of Select Committees have been relevant to, or mentioned in, the debate but have not been referred to on the Order Paper.

  Security Passes
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Lord President of the Council how many Commons pass applications have been received during the summer recess in respect of overseas students working for Members; how many are still awaiting security clearance; what is the average time taken to process such applications.
  141
  Sir Geoffrey Howe
  I understand that 42 pass applications were received during the summer recess in respect of Members' temporary research assistants from overseas, 33 of which are still awaiting clearance. In response to the comments made by the Services Committee in paragraph 11 of its second report, 1987–88, and the House's approval of that report on 30 January this year, new procedures have been introduced for the clearance of all overseas nationals applying for Palace of Westminster photo-identity passes. All the sponsoring organisations were warned in writing by the authorities of the House on 20 June that ample time should in future be allowed for the clearance of such applications. They were also told that it was not possible to be precise on how long the procedures would take but that, at least initially, two months should be allowed for the applications to be processed.

  I regret that right hon. and hon. Members may be inconvenienced because the clearances have not yet been received, but the sponsoring organisations failed in the main to heed the warnings they were given. The Pass Office did not receive some of the completed application forms until September. I can assure the House that everything possible is being done to expedite clearance procedures; but timely submission of applications will remain essential if similar inconvenience is to be avoided in future.

  Norman Shaw Buildings
  Sir Eldon Griffiths
  To ask the Lord President of the Council if, in view of the new security requirement that visitors to the Norman Shaw parliamentary office buildings shall use the Derby gate entrance rather than that from the Embankment, he will arrange with Westminster council, the Metropolitan police and the contractors working on the building adjoining Whitehall, to have this area cleaned and tidied and made more presentable for the reception of visitors.

  Sir Geoffrey Howe
  [holding answer 17 October 1989]: The area outside Derby gate is not a matter directly for me. However, I have asked the relevant House authorities to take up the question of its cleanliness and tidyness with Westminister city council and the contractors working on the phase 1 site of the new parliamentary buildings.

EMPLOYMENT

  Employment Training
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the present health and safety standards in the employment training programme.

  Mr. Nicholls
  Health and safety statistics on employment training do not yet enable a close analysis to be undertaken. They will be kept under close review, and adjustments on employment training health and safety arrangements will be made as necessary in the light of emerging experience.

HEALTH

  Rats and Cockroaches
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what urgent measures he is taking to combat dangers to public health posed by rats and cockroaches.

  Mr. Freeman
  Local authorities rather than health authorities are responsible under the Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949 for ensuring, as far as is practicable, that their areas are kept free of rats and mice.

  In respect of food premises, the Food Hygiene (General) Regulations 1970 which are enforced by local authorities, require the prevention, so far as is reasonable practicable, of any risk of infestation by rats, mice or insects.

  Private Health Care
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action his Department is taking to protect the public from expensive and unreliable private health check-ups.

  Mr. Freeman
  The General Medical Council is responsible for the maintenance of ethical standards in the medical profession.

  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the present regulations regarding(a) the establishment and implications of private clinics and (b) controls to ensure that the staff of those clinics are properly qualified for the functions they are called upon to perform.

  Mr. Freeman
  In England and Wales part II of the Registered Homes Act 1984 and its associated regulations require that relevant premises are registered and inspected at least twice a year, that the person in charge is appropriately qualified and that adequate professional. technical, ancillary and other staff are provided. In Scotland the corresponding legislation is the Nursing Homes Registration (Scotland) Act 1938 and the associated regulations. Neither Act contains powers to control health screening clinics.

  Ambulance Staff
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is for each year since 1974 the number of National Health Service ambulance staff.

  Mr. Mellor
  The information is given in the table. Most of the increase shown for ambulance men and women represent qualified staff.

  National Health Service staff in post in England—at 30 September

  each year

  Whole-time equivalent1

  Year

  Ambulance officers and Control assistants

  Ambulancemen/Women

  Total

  19742

  2,722

  13,310

  16,032

  1975

  3,008

  14,489

  17,497

  1976

  3,046

  14,138

  17,184

  1977

  3,130

  14,272

  17,402

  1978

  3,221

  14,301

  17,522

  1979

  3,156

  13,979

  17,129

  1980

  3,214

  14,554

  17,768

  1981

  3,293

  14,928

  18,221

  1982

  3,265

  15,059

  18,324

  143

  Year

  Ambulance officers and Control assistants

  Ambulancemen/Women

  Total

  1983

  3,249

  15,148

  18,397

  1984

  3,174

  14,930

  18,103

  1985

  3,139

  15,049

  18,188

  1986

  3,124

  15,841

  18,966

  1987

  3,037

  15,973

  19,010

  1988

  2,980

  15,781

  18,761

  Source: Department of Health (SHI3) annual census of NHS non-medical manpower.

  Percentage pay settlement

  Year (1 August to 31 July)

  Ambulance staff1

  Nurses and mid-wives

  Doctors and dentists

  General managers2

  1979–80

  39·0

  37·9

  31·4

  —

  1980–81

  7·3

  6·0

  6·0

  1981–82

  6·0

  —

  6·2

  —

  1982–83

  4·5

  312·3

  9·7

  —

  1983–84

  4·5

  7·5

  6·9

  —

  1984–85

  47·8

  58·6

  6·3

  —

  1985–86

  6·0

  7·8

  7·6

  —

  1986–87

  5·0

  9·5

  7·7

  5·9

  1987–88

  65·4

  17·9

  7·9

  5·0

  1988–89

  —

  6·8

  8·2

  5·5

  1 Figures exclude ambulance officers and control assistants.

  2 Permanent arrangements for the newly created general manager posts were introduced during 1985–86.

  3 Two-year award paid wholly in 1982–83.

  4 Assumes all productivity allowances achieved; move to salaried pay structure 1 March.

  5 Staged award; final part paid with effect from 1 February 1986.

  6 In addition the standard working week was reduced by one hour.

  Under-fives Provision
  Mr. Andrew Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) at what intervals the inter-departmental consultative group on provision for under-fives meets;

  (2) if he will list the membership of the inter-departmental group on provision for under-fives.

  Mr. Mellor
  The inter-departmental consultative group meets once a year or more frequently if appropriate.

  The following Government Departments and outside organisations are represented on the group:

  Department of Health

  Department of Education and Science

  Department of Social Security

  Department of Employment

  Department of the Environment

  Ministry of Defence

  Home Office

  Cabinet Office

  Welsh Office

  Scottish Office

  Association of County Councils

  Association of Metropolitan Authorities

  National Council for Voluntary Child Care Organisations

  Voluntary Organisations Liaisons Council for Under Fives

  Under Fives Unit of the National Children's Bureau

  Commission for Racial Equality

  Representatives of other organisations may be invited if there are relevant agenda items.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  SF(J) Circulars
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the purpose of SF(J) circulars and whether he will place copies of them in the Library.
  144
  1 Figures independently rounded to nearest whole time equivalent.

  2 Due to the effects of the 1974 NHS reorganisation figures for 1974 are not consistent with those for later years.

  NHS (Pay)
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is for each year since 1979 the average pay increase for National Health Service(a) ambulance staff, (b) nurses, (c) doctors and (d) health board managers.

  Mr. Mellor
  Average pay settlements are given in the table.

  Mr. Scott
  The main purpose of SF(J) circulars is to provide local office staff with administrative instructions relating to matters of financial control and security. It is therefore not departmental practice to make them publicly available.

  Community Care Grants
  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many young persons in Glasgow have been given community care grants in the past six months; and how many applicants were refused.

  Mr. Scott
  This information is not collected.

  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish a table showing for each office of his Department in Glasgow the amount per month disbursed in(a) budget loans and (b) community care grants, in each month since these payments came into operation.

  Mr. Scott
  Details of this expenditure are available in the Library.

  Funerals
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the national average amount paid in social fund funeral grants.

  Mr. Scott
  The average social fund funeral payment for the period April to August 1989 was £525.

  Social Fund
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people in(a) Glasgow and (b) the Provan constituency were refused loans by officers of the social fund on the grounds that the applicants lacked sufficient income to repay such loans.

  Mr. Scott
  For the 13 offices in metropolitan Glasgow, during the five-month period ending 30 September 1989, 727 applications for budgeting loans and 100 applications for crisis loans were refused on the grounds of the applicant being unable to repay. This is equivalent to 2·2 per cent. and 0·7 per cent. respectively of the number of applications processed.

  In the Provan local office, there were 43 such refusals for budgeting loans and one for a crisis loan. This is equivalent to 1·1 per cent. and 0·1 per cent. respectively of the number of applications processed.

  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people in the constituency of Glasgow, Provan have applied for(a) grants and (b) loans from the social fund since its inception.

  Mr. Scott
  Information about the number of people who make applications to the social fund is not collected.

  Information about the numbers of applications processed is placed in the library.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many social fund applications remained unprocessed in Newham Department of Social Security offices at the end of financial year 1988–89; how many are currently awaiting determination; and what was the underspend at each office in 1988–89.

  Mr. Scott
  The information requested is shown in the table. For the financial year to date, each of the offices is on target to make full use of its budget allocations.

  Plaistow ILO:

  Loans allocation remaining at 31 March 1989–13·3 per cent.

  Grants allocation remaining at 31 March 1989–38·8 per cent.

  Applications unprocessed at 31 March 1989

  Applications unprocessed at 30 September 1989

  Budgeting loans

  69

  68

  Crisis loans

  5

  13

  Community Care Grants

  26

  5

  Woodgrange Park ILO:

  Loans allocation remaining at 31 March 1989–18·6 per cent.

  Grants allocation remaining at 31 March 1989–32·8 per cent.

  Applications unprocessed at 31 March 1989

  Applications unprocessed at 30 September 1989

  Budgeting loans

  65

  87

  Crisis loans

  0

  2

  Community Care Grants

  21

  15

  Canning Town ILO:

  Loans allocation remaining at 31 March 1989–8·6 per cent.

  Grants allocation remaining at 31 March 1989–38·6 per cent.

  Applications unprocessed at 31 March 1989

  Applications unprocessed at 30 September 1989

  Budgeting loans

  75

  60

  Crisis loans

  8

  3

  Community Care Grants

  0

  15

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH

  European Community
  Mr. Dykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects to meet his French opposite number to discuss European Community matters.

  Mr. Maude
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs expects to meet Mr. Dumas again at the Foreign Affairs Council on 6–7 November.

  Hong Kong
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what specific judicial procedures will be used after July 1997 to resolve any disputes between the United Kingdom and the People's Republic of China over the implementation or interpretation of the joint agreement on the future of Hong Kong; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maude
  The Sino-British joint declaration is an internationally binding agreement registered by both Governments with the United Nations. The primary means for discussing the implementation of the joint declaration, and for solving differences, is the Joint Liaison Group which will continue in being until the year 2000. The joint declaration stipulates that matters on which there is disagreement in the Joint Liaison Group shall be referred to the two Governments for solution through consultations. Should disputes nevertheless arise between the Governments, it would be open to the British Government of the day to make use of any channels, or judicial procedures, which might be available and appropriate in the circumstances.

  Human Rights
  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many regional treaties similar to the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms are now in existence; and which regions do they cover.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  There are two other major regional treaties. The American convention on human rights entered into force in 1978 and is interpreted and applied by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and (in the case of those States Parties which have recognised its jurisdiction) the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. States parties to the convention are from the Latin American and Caribbean regions. The African charter on human and peoples' rights came into force in 1986 and is interpreted and applied by the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights. It is open to members of the Organisation of African Unity.

  Civil and Political Rights
  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the present status of the optional protocol to the international covenant on civil and political rights.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The United Nations General Assembly adopted the optional protocol to the international
  147
  covenant on civil and political rights on 16 December 1966. It was opened for signature on 19 December 1966 and entered into force on 23 March 1976. As at 1 August 1989, 45 states had ratified or acceded to the optional protocol.

  International Court of Justice
  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs who are the present members and what is their nationality, of the International Court of Justice; what salaries they are paid; what is the total cost of servicing the court; and if he will estimate the United Kingdom share of contribution to that expenditure.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The present members of the International Court of Justice are:

  José Maria Ruda (Argentina)

  Kéba Mbaye (Senegal)

  Manfred Lachs (Poland)

  Taslim Olawale Elias (Nigeria)

  Shigeru Oda (Japan)

  Roberto Ago (Italy)

  Stephen M. Schwebel (USA)

  Sir Robert Jennings (United Kingdom)

  Mohammed Bedjaoui (Algeria)

  Ni Zhengyu (China)

  Jens Evensen (Norway)

  Nikolai K. Tarassov (USSR)

  Gilbert Guillaume (France)

  Mohammed Shahabuddeen (Guyana)

  Raghunandan Swarup Pathak (India)

  The annual salary of each judge is US $82,000. The budget of the ICJ for the biennium 1988–89 is US $13,250,800.

  The United Kingdom pays $643,989 of this.

  Guatemala
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when Her Majesty's ambassador last met members of the Commission for Human Rights of Guatemala, and what matters were discussed.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Her Majesty's ambassador has not received any request to meet members of the commission. Its leaders are not resident in Guatemala. Two of them met FCO officials in London in March 1989. They discussed the human rights situation in Guatemala.

  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last made representations concerning violations of human rights to the Government of Guatemala.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs expressed to Guatemalan Ministers concern about the human rights situation in Guatemala during his visit there in March 1989. The Guatemalan Government are aware, from more recent contacts, of our continuing concern.

  Endangered Species
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will give details of the sale by tender by the Hong Kong authorities of confiscated items permitted for commercial trade under the Convention on Trade in Endangered Species; what items were sold; to whom they were sold; and what amount was raised in each case.
  148
  Mr. Maude
  There has been no sale by tender of confiscated items permitted for commercial trade under CITES since February 1988. A sale by tender, planned for January 1989, was cancelled.

  Ivory
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the current estimate of elephant ivory held by the Hong Kong authorities as a result of seizures and detentions.

  Mr. Maude
  Two thousand one hundred and ninety-two kilogrammes of ivory are held by the Hong Kong authorities as a result of seizures and detentions.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the current estimate of elephant ivory held in Hong Kong; and what proposals are being considered for its disposal.

  Mr. Maude
  The current estimated stock of elephant ivory in Hong Kong is 670 tonnes, consisting of 500 tonnes of raw and 170 tonnes of worked ivory. It is privately owned in Hong Kong. Its disposal is currently under consideration at the CITES conference.

  Whale Meat
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the country of origin of the 0·4 kg of whale meat seized in Hong Kong restaurant raids during the first six months of 1989.

  Mr. Maude
  The 0·4 kg of whale meat seized was claimed to have been imported from Japan.

  Select Committee Report
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects to respond to the report of the Select Committee on Foreign Affairs on Foreign and Commonwealth Office/Overseas Development Administration Expenditure 1989–90.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The Government's response to the Select Committee report will be published today in the form of a Command Paper.

  Boat People
  Mr. Wolfson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contribution the Government have made towards the cost of providing emergency accommodation for the Vietnamese boat people in Hong Kong.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  We have contributed £ 4·5 million for this purpose. Parliamentary approval for this new service will be sought in a supplementary supply estimate for the vote for other external relations (class II, vote 2). Pending that approval, urgent expenditure of £ 4·5 million was met by a repayable advance from the Contingencies Fund in August.

  Poland
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what provision the Government is making to provide money following the Prime Minister's announcement of the creation of a "know how" fund for Poland.
  149
  Mr. Waldegrave
  The £ 25 million as announced by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister is to be given over a period of five years. We estimate that the immediate costs of providing the type of training and advice the know how fund was created for will be £ 1·3 million. Parliamentary approval for these services will be sought in a supplementary supply estimate for the vote for other external relations (class II, vote 2). Pending that approval, urgent expenditure of £ 1·3 million is to be met by a repayable advance from the Contingencies Fund.

  The know how fund is now getting into full swing, with more than 40 projects agreed or in the pipeline. These range from a seminar for Parliamentarians and training attachments for journalists to a conference on privatisation and a series of management training projects. At the same time the ground work is being laid for more wide-ranging assistance in the banking, financial services and industrial sectors. We believe that assistance of this kind will play a crucial role in the development of democracy and a market economy in Poland.

  Foreign Affairs Council
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish in the Official Report a statement on the outcome of the Foreign Affairs Council held on 3 October.

  Mr. Maude
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Minister for Overseas Development and my noble Friend the Minister for Trade represented the United Kingdom at the Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg on 3 October.

  The Council adopted the television broadcasting directive under the qualified majority voting procedure, the United Kingdom voting in favour. By providing a framework of common rules to remove barriers to trade and protect the consumer, the directive will encourage the development of cross-border broadcasting in the Community.

  On the basis of proposals by the Commission, the Council discussed possible measures of assistance to Poland and Hungary, and agreed that the Commission's proposals represented an excellent basis for further action. Many of them closely reflect earlier United Kingdom suggestions. The Council encouraged the Commission to pursue its efforts both on the Community level and with other western countries. We will continue to play a leading part.

  The Council also discussed the Community's trade relations with the United States, and Japan.

  In the belief that the Community should respond swiftly to recent developments in Beirut, the Foreign Affairs Council ageeed a 25 mecu package of assistance aimed at rehabilitating essential services in the Lebanon (health, education, water and power supplies).

  The Foreign Affairs Council took note of a draft negotiating mandate put forward by the Commission for a second stage agreement between the Community and the Gulf Co-operation Council and remitted it for detailed consideration.

  The Council reviewed progress in the renegotiation of the Lomé Convention and discussed preparations for the next ACP/EC ministerial negotiating meeting on 27–29 October.

ENVIRONMENT

  Housing Land
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he has any plans to amend the advice contained in planning policy guidance note PPG3 "Land for Housing" to enable local authorities to make an allowance in advance for sites of over 0·4 hectares in their housing land availability studies; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if he will issue advice to local authorities to encourage them to monitor the supply of housing built on land not previously identified as suitable for building, including on sites exceeding 0·4 hectares in size; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) if he will make it his policy to support those local authorities on appeal who have refused planning permission for housing on allocated land where the supply of housing on unidentified sites is likely to breach structure plan guidelines; and if he will make a statement;

  (4) if he will take steps to discourage the allocation of further housebuilding land in areas where the supply of housing on previously unidentified sites over 0·4 hectares is so large that building is likely to exceed the level agreed through the structure plan process; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Moynihan
  Revised draft guidance on land for housing, which is intended to replace the present planning policy guidance note 3, was issued for consultation on 4 October; I am sending my hon. Friend a copy. Comments are invited by 5 January 1990.

  The draft guidance continues to stress the need for adequate planned provision for new housing; but it proposes changes to the method by which planning authorities carry out their regular assessments of land availability which would enable them to make fuller allowance for the emergence of previously unidentified sites where that is justified by evidence of past land supply. The draft also recognises that the emergence of large unidentified sites may have a bearing on the timing of the release of other land, for instance where the development plan includes a phasing policy.

  The draft makes it clear that where there is an up-to-date local plan which is consistent with national and regional policies and with the relevant provisions of the structure plan, it will carry considerable weight, and my right hon. Friend and his inspectors will be guided by it in dealing with planning appeals.

  Rural Development Commission
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to expand the Rural Development Commission to include the initiation of environmental protection schemes in the United Kingdom.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  We have no plans of this nature. The task of the Rural Development Commission is. to help maintain a thriving and attractive countryside in England by promoting enterprise and viable communities.

  London Docklands (Wind Tunnel Tests)
  Ms. Gordon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will place a copy of the wind tunnel tests on the model of the buildings at Canary wharf on the Isle of Dogs in the Library.

  Mr. Moynihan
  A copy of the relevant material has been placed in the Library.

  Seals (Deaths)
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will commission an assessment of the report by Professors Brouwfr, Koeman and Reijndfrs of the Agricultural University of Wagenngen, released in August, concerning the link between PCB pollution and seals' deaths in the North sea.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  As far as I am aware, no copies of this report have yet been received by United Kingdom Government Departments. We will look at any report on this topic with interest, although the indications so far are that pollution played no significant part in the spread of the seal virus along United Kingdom coast in 1988. The research funded by this Department at the sea mammal research unit of the Natural Environment Research Council on possible links between pollutants and seals' immune system is continuing and relevant work in all North sea states will continue to be reviewed by the International Commission for the Exploration of the Seas.

  Toxic Waste
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list all studies and research conducted or analysed by his Department regarding the treatment of toxic waste and its impact upon the health of people and the environment.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Department of the Environment has since the early seventies sponsored research and worldwide studies into the treatment of toxic waste and its impact on the environment. All such references numbering some thousands are stored on computer at the waste management information bureau in Harwell. Impact on the health of people is the responsibility of the Department of Health.

  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking in order to give statutory rights of consultation to communities affected by the installation and operation of plants dealing with treatment of toxic waste.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Current planning legislation in England and Wales requires that planning applications for plants handling controlled waste are advertised on site and in the local press. Adequate time must be allowed for representations. The disposal facility's licence must also be placed on a register open for public inspection.

  The proposed new system for integrated pollution control in England and Wales will apply to industrial processes which among other things generate large amounts of special (dangerous or difficult) waste. Applications for authorisation under the system would be advertised and there would be third party rights to make representations about them.
  152
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether his Department will publish the information it has available on(a) health (b) the safety and (c) the environmental effects of substances which are (i) involved or (ii) produced by the process of incineration of toxic waste.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Health, safety and environ-mental aspects of substances in or produced by the process of incineration of toxic waste are covered by standard textbooks and publications freely available. We monitor the adequacy of such publications and attempt to fill important gaps. For example, we have recently published a report "Dioxins in the Environment" (pollution paper No. 27).

  NCC Offices (Repair and Redecoration)
  Sir Nicholas Fairbairn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the cost of repairing and redecorating the Nature Conservancy Council offices in Hope street, Edinburgh; and how many rooms were repainted in the building, how many times and at what cost.

  Mr. Trippier
  The headquarters of the Nature Conservancy Council in Scotland were recently repaired and redecorated to meet the needs of the existing council's increased staff and responsibilities, and to comply with current fire regulations. The final account for the work has not yet been submitted, but is expected to be in the region of £ 580,000.

  This was the first major refurbishment of the NCC's Scottish HQ since the council occupied Hope terrace in 1949. As part of the programme, all 98 rooms were decorated. I understand that the staircase, landing and one office in the main building had to be repainted below the dado in order to meet the contract specification. This work was carried out within the overall contract price.

  Local Government Finance
  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing his estimate of the amount of transitional relief to be paid in each local authority area in 1990–91.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  I have made no estimate of the amount of transitional relief to be paid in each local authority area in 1990–91. I estimate that about £ 300 million will be paid to chargepayers in England in 1990–91.

  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he had before 11 October with the computer industry about the feasibility of his proposals for transitional relief.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  Our assessment of the feasibility of the proposals was based on the Department's knowledge of the computing arrangements for implementing the community charge, but it was necessary to wait until the scheme was announced before discussion of the specific proposals could begin. The present discussions with representatives of the computer industry will be fully taken into account in finalising the details of the scheme.

  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the number of persons in each local authority area who will benefit from the proposed transitional relief.
  153
  Mr. Chris Patten
  I have made no estimate of the number of people in each local authority area who will benefit from transitional relief. I estimate that of the order of 6 million adults in England will benefit from transitional relief.

  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to monitor the implementation of(a) poll tax and (b) transitional relief; and if he will make a statement on his assessment of local authorities' present progress in setting up poll tax with particular reference to problems of interfacing poll tax soft ware with rebates software.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  Throughout the past year, Ministers and officials have been pursuing a programme of visits to charging authorities. Authorities were asked to provide a report of their plans at the beginning of the year and a questionnaire about progress with preparations was sent to authorities in May. A report based on the response will be placed in the Library shortly. In general authorities appear to be making good progress with implementation, including with their computing arrangements.

  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether community charge bills for persons benefiting from transitional relief will be required to show(a) 1990–91 community charge for spending in line with government assumptions (national community charge), (b) 1990–91 community charge for spending in line with standard spending assessment and (c) 1990–91 community charge actually levied by the charging authority.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  We shall be consulting very shortly the local authority associations and local authorities on the form of the community charge bill.

  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether community charge registration officers will be permitted to demand information as to whether poll tax payers are pensioners or disabled for the purposes of administering transitional relief.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  No. The administration of transitional relief will be a function of the charging authority, not the registration officer.

  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make it his policy to discuss the feasibility of his proposals for transitional relief with the Audit Commission in order to gauge the effect of his proposals on the economy, efficiency and effectiveness of local authority financial administration.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  Yes.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the criteria to be used in defining a couple for the purpose of operating the community charge transitional relief scheme; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the criteria to be used in defining a person as disabled for the purpose of making an application under the community charge transitional relief scheme; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the community charge transitional 154
  relief entitlements of those people hitherto exempt from poll tax discharged after 1 April 1990 from residential homes and hospitals and hitherto in order to be cared For in the community.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the community charge transitional relief entitlements of those people who move house after 1 April 1990(a) within their existing local authority area and (b) to another local authority area.

  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what guidance has been given to general practitioners about the definition of severe mental impairment for the purposes of exemptions from poll tax.

  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether his proposals for transitional relief for two person households will apply exclusively to husbands and wives and to persons of different sex living together as husband and wife.

  Mr. David Hunt
  [holding answer 17 October 1989]: The Government have issued a consultation document on community charge transitional relief, a copy of which has been placed in the library. Consultations are now taking place with the local authority associations and full details of the scheme will be published as soon as possible.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement listing(a) all those degenerative conditions which can now be assessed for the purpose of granting community charge exemptions, (b) the procedures to be followed for assessment and (c) the advice to be issued on this matter to community charge registration officers and general practitioners.

  Mr. David Hunt
  [holding answer 17 October 1989]: It is intended to amend the provisions of paragraph 4 of Schedule 1 to the Local Government Finance Act 1988 to add attendance allowance and constant attendance allowance to the list of benefits in sub-paragraph (2). The definitions in sub-paragraph (3) will also be amended to remove the provisions limiting the exemption to those whose development of mind is arrested or incomplete, or who have suffered an injury to the brain. It will still be necessary for a registered medical practitioner to state that the individual is severely mentally impaired. Advice to registration officers and general practitioners will be issued as soon as possible.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the extent of his discussions with representatives of local government on the operation of the community charge transitional relief scheme before announcing the new scheme on 11 October.

  Mr. David Hunt
  [holding answer 17 October 1989]: The announcement on 11 October was made first to Parliament. Discussions were held with local authority representatives immediately afterwards. Further discussions on the operational aspects of the scheme will take place shortly.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a table showing for each charging authority the safety-netted community charge for 1990–91 assuming a service distribution based on 1989–90 budgets and total spending of £ 32·8 billion.
  155
  Mr. David Hunt
  [holding answer 17 October 1989]: This information is not at present available.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a table showing the likely effects of the new community charge transitional relief scheme on(a) the total amount of community charge benefit to be paid in 1990–91, (b) the numbers of people who will be eligible for benefit and (c) the savings which will result in 1990–91 from calculating benefit after relief has been given.

  Mr. David Hunt
  [holding answer 17 October 1989]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security who is responsible for community charge benefit, will write to the hon. Member in due course about the effect of the community charge transitional relief scheme on expen-diture on community charge benefit.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish his best estimate of the costs of administering the community charge transitional relief scheme in 1990–91, 1991–92 and 1992–93.

  Mr. David Hunt
  [holding answer 17 October 1989]: My officials are discussing the costs of setting up and administering transitional relief with the local authority associations. Estimates will be made in the light of these discussions and an urgent study by consultants of the likely costs. It is the Government's intention that a reasonable level of costs will be met in full.

  Water Pollution
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether his announced proposals for tax on products which damage the environment will include polluted drinking water and waters which adversely affect wild-life.

  Mr. Howard
  Careful consideration including consultation documents on particular cost recovery charging systems, is being given to the possible use of charges of various kinds to improve the efficiency of our environmental protection policies. Proposals for specifying charges have not so far been developed, but the philosophy underlying their use has been set out in the report produced by Professor Pearce of London university and my officials are currently reviewing the use of charges and other instruments in a number of other industrialised countries.

  London Docklands Development Corporation (House Sales)
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many homes were sold on London Docklands Development Corporation land in 1988; and if he will give details of the numbers in each price range;

  (2) what was the medium price pact for new homes on land owned by the London Docklands Development Corporation in 1988.

  Mr. Moynihan
  This information is not immediately available in the form requested. I shall write to the hon. Member shortly.

  Downing Street (Railings)
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if any proposals are being considered for the erection of railings at either end of Downing street; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chope
  Plans are in hand to erect demountable railings at the eastern end of Downing street to replace the existing unsightly barrier. Plans were approved by Westminster City Council on 28 September.

  CITES Meeting
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement regarding the Convention on International Trade on Endangered Species meeting in Lausanne.

  Mr. Trippier
  The time for a full statement will be after the Conference is concluded at the end of this week. In the meantime, however, we very much welcome the decisive votes in favour of transferring the African elephant to appendix I and so banning trade in ivory.

  Song Thrashes
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what efforts have been made by Her Majesty's Government to secure an end to the killing of song thrushes in France; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  EC directive 79/409 on the conservation of wild birds requires all member states to protect migratory and other birds, including song thrushes. It is for member states to introduce their own legislation implementing the directive, and to ensure that it is applied effectively.

  The Government fully support the directive and its enforcement. It is primarily the responsibility of the EC Commission to monitor that adequate measures have been taken by each member state to comply with the terms of the directive. A dispute over these matters may be settled by the European Court of Justice.

  Ivory
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has regarding the ivory imported from Zaire without licence by Mr. Shivaz Virji of Ealing, London.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The information held by the Department is part of an application for a CITES re-export licence. Information contained in licence applications is regarded by the Department as confidential and cannot be released.

  Crown Suppliers (Privatisation)
  Mr. Favell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made in the privatisation of the Crown Suppliers.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  Samuel Montagu and Co. Ltd., who are advising the Government on the sale, are today writing to all organisations and buy out teams which have expressed an interest and to other major firms in the contract furnishing, vehicle hire and document delivery
  157
  sectors. These organisations, and any others which subsequently express interest, will be given the opportunity to be considered for selection for the list of those invited to bid.

  Homelessness (Legislation)
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on his review of homeless persons legislation; and when he expects to bring forward amendments to the Homeless Persons Act 1977.

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 17 October 1989]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment is reviewing the homelessness legislation and hopes to announce conclusions shortly.

  Road Schemes (Newham)
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will tabulate the capital cost of each of the authorised road schemes completed or programmed within the area of the London Docklands development corporation in the London borough of Newham and for each state the date of actual or expected completion and his estimation of the annual cost of maintenance to a named highway authority.

  Mr. David Hunt
  [holding answer 17 October 1989]: I will write to the hon. Member.

SCOTLAND

  Crash Barriers
  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage of Scotland's motorways and rural carriageways are still without crash barriers; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Subsequent to my answering a similar question from the hon. Member on 5 July, I am pleased to announce that I have allocated a further £2·23 million to the provision of central reserve safety fencing on Scotland's trunk roads. The total expenditure is now expected to be some £3·5 million during this financial year. This will allow for the provision of approximately 29km of safety fencing on trunk road motorways and 24km on trunk road dual carriageways.

  By the end of this financial year, some 57 per cent. of trunk road motorways and 61 per cent. of trunk road dual carriageways will be without central reserve safety barriers.

  CBI
  Mr. Adams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he next intends to visit Scotland to discuss the economic situation in Scotland with the Confederation of British Industry.

  Mr. Lang
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to my reply earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Stockport (Mr. Favell).

  Mr. Ernie Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he plans to meet representatives of the Scottish Confederation of British Industry to discuss the Scottish economy.
  158
  Mr. Lang
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Stockport (Mr. Favell).

  Drinking Water
  Mr. Graham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many drinking water supplies in Scotland will not meet the Economic Community water directive by 1991.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Of all the public water supplies in Scotland present information indicates that 102 will not comply with all of the 66 parameters of the EC drinking water directive by the beginning of 1991.

  The majority of those which will not comply with the EC directive by 1991 are in Strathclyde and Highland regions and about half of them are small rural supplies.

  Devolution
  Mr. Leigh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from Scottish businessmen about devolution and independence.

  Mr. Allan Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent discussions he has had with representatives of the Scottish business community on constitutional matters.

  Mr. Roger King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from business leaders about devolution or independence.

  Mr. Bill Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from businessmen about devolution and self-rule.

  Mr. Andy Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from industrialists about devolution.

  Mr. Lang
  I have received no such representations recently, but there is evidence among top companies in Scotland of real concern at the detrimental consequences that would arise from constitutional change.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from the Confederation of British Industry in Scotland about devolution.

  Mr. Rifkind
  I have not received any representations from the CBI. I am, however, aware of the findings of a research study by the Scottish Business Insider magazine which showed that there is serious concern among top companies in Scotland at the detrimental effect on the Scottish economy which constitutional change in Scotland would bring.

  Community Charge
  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what attempts he has made to quantify the effects of the industrial action taken by NALGO on the implementation and collection of the poll tax in Scotland; and what action he has taken as a consequence.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The responsibility for collecting the community charges lies with local authorities.
  159
  Mr. Douglas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the numbers of people who have failed to pay the poll tax and who have had served on them notices that the whole year's tax is due.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The responsibility for collecting community charges and for the recovery of arrears lies with local authorities. Information on the number of people against whom action is being taken to collect arrears is not held centrally. Indications are, however, that very good progress in collection is being made, with over 90 per cent. having paid in some areas.

  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his latest estimate of the number of people in Scotland who have not yet paid at least the first instalment of the poll tax.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Local authorities have reported good progress in the collection of the community charge with over 90 per cent. of payers having paid in some areas. This is very encouraging given that the community charge is a completely new tax with many more people paying it than paid domestic rates. I am confident that payment levels will continue to rise as local authorities issue their reminder letters.

  Mr. Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will change the calculation of the revenue support grant from his Department to local authorities to assume no multiplier on the standard community charge.

  Mr. Rifkind
  I will consult the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities shortly, in the usual way, on proposals for distributing revenue support grant for next year.

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what consultations he has undertaken as part of policy formulation for community care in Scotland.

  Mr. Lang
  Sir Roy Griffiths' report on community care was drawn to the attention of local authorities and health boards when it was published and a wide range of representations was received from them and from the voluntary sector. Since my right hon. and learned Friend's statement on 12 July 1989, I have had a meeting with the social work committee of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities. Further consultation with local authority, voluntary and private sector interests will take place as appropriate.

  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met representatives of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities to discuss the provision of community care in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lang
  I met representatives of the Convention's social work committee on 8 September 1989 to discuss the Government's proposals for the provision of community care. It was a constructive meeting at which it was agreed that further consultation would take place as appropriate.

  Nirex
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met the managing director of Nirex; what matters were discussed; and if he will make a statement.
  160
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  My right hon. and learned Friend and the Secretary of State for the Environment met the managing director and other officials of the executive on 15 March 1989 to discuss their report on sites for investigation for the deep disposal of low and intermediate-level radioactive wastes.

  Scottish Homes
  Mr. Andrew Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met the chairman of Scottish Homes; and what matters were discussed.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  My right hon. and learned Friend and I met Sir James Mellon, chairman of Scottish Homes, and board members on 4 September. Our discussions covered the range of functions and responsibilities of Scottish Homes.

  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many new houses Scottish Homes expects to complete in 1989 and 1990.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Scottish Homes assumed its full powers on 1 April 1989, when it also took over the responsibilities of its predecessor bodies. The figures for housing completions below relate to the first two full years of Scottish Homes' operations. The enabling programme is the housing association programme funded by Scottish Homes and the completion figures include housing totally rehabilitated by associations.

  1989–90

  1990–91

  Enabling programme

  3,500

  5,950

  Own stock programme

  550

  310

  Fishing Industry
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from the processing and catching sectors of the Scottish fishing industry about the state of the industry and its current financial difficulties.

  Mr. Lang
  My right hon. and learned Friend has received a number of recent representations from various interests about the current state of the industry. My noble Friend Lord Sanderson, as the Minister responsible, is in regular contact with all sections of the industry.

  Constitutional Convention
  Mr. Lambie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is willing to take steps to allow regional, district and island councils to contribute towards the funds of the Scottish Constitutional Convention; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I have already written to the hon. Member about this matter and have nothing to add.

  New Towns
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will reconsider the decision not to allow new town development corporations' tenants a choice of landlord on the dissolution of the new towns.
  161
  Mr. Lang
  No such decision has been taken. The Government's White Paper (Command 711) states at paragraph 5.10 that the position in each town will be carefully considered once an order for dissolution has been made, and formal consultations will be held with the development corporations, district councils and representative tenant groups to review the position and to determine to what extent transfers might take place, be it to housing associations, co-operatives, district councils, private or other landlords. Those tenants who have not transferred to other landlords will be transferred to Scottish Homes at wind-up, with a view to pursuing further diversification with the small residual number of houses.

  Mr. Norman Hogg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met the chairmen of the new town development corporations; and what subjects were discussed.

  Mr. Lang
  My right hon. and learned Friend last met the chairmen of the Scottish new town development corporations on 2 December 1988. A range of matters concerning the new towns was discussed.

  British Summer Time
  Mr. Doran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with Scottish local authorities on the question of British summer time; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  None. The Government presented three options, including continuation of the present arrangements, in the Green Paper "Summer Time: A Consultation Document" (Cm 722). We shall study the responses received, including that of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, before reaching conclusions.

  Scottish Trades Union Congress
  Mr. Eadie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has for meeting the Scottish Trades Union Congress; and what matters will be discussed.

  Mr. Lang
  My right hon. and learned Friend hopes to meet the General Council of the Scottish Trades Union Congress on 10 November to discuss matters affecting the Scottish economy.

  Overseas Visits
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which overseas countries he visited on official business during the parliamentary recess.

  Mr. Rifkind
  I paid official visits in Japan, New Zealand, Australia and Thailand.

  In Japan I visited 15 companies and held meetings with the Japanese Government and with business men in Tokyo and Osaka. I was encouraged by the positive approach which companies took towards Scotland as a location for European manufacturing, and was able to announce an investment by Seiko in Livingston and an expansion of JVC's activities in East Kilbride. The links between Japan and Scotland will be further strengthened by the Japanese Government's decision to establish a consulate-general in Edinburgh, and by the Japan External Trade Organisation's proposal to set up an office in Scotland.
  162
  My meetings with Government and business men in New Zealand and Australia built on the continuing strength of Scotland's relations with both countries and provided opportunities to encourage trade and pursue inward investment.

  During my brief stopover in Thailand I had a useful meeting with the Thai Minister of Finance about the problem of counterfeit Scotch whisky.

  Transport
  Mr. McKelvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he plans to visit Prestwick international airport to discuss transport matters.

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

  Pollution (Moray Firth)
  Sir Russel Johnston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received regarding pollution in the Moray firth: and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Thirteen representations have been received in the last five years about pollution from the present unsatisfactory sewage outfall at Inverness, and two about the outfall at Nairn.

  Fourteen representations were received in connection with Highland regional council's application to the Highland river purification board for consent to discharge screened sewage effluent from the proposed Inverness main drainage scheme long sea outfall. After the issue of consent, a further 10 representations, five of which were from previous correspondents, were received about the effects of the proposed discharge.

  Highland regional council's notice of intention to develop for a headworks building generated 51 representations about the effects of the scheme. My right hon. and learned Friend directed Highland regional council on 19 May to prepare an environmental statement. When this is received further consideration will be given to the application.

  The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland received one representation from local fishermen opposed to the construction of the outfall.

  Cornton Vale Women's Prison
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last visited Cornton Vale women's prison; and what proposals for changes he has arising from that visit.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  My right hon. and learned Friend last visited HM institution Cornton Vale. on 10 April 1980 when he was Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State.

  Economy (Lanarkshire)
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he next expects to meet the chairman of the Scottish Development Agency to discuss the Lanarkshire economy.

  Mr. Lang
  My right hon. and learned Friend has no immediate plans to meet the agency chairman.

  Development Agency
  Mr. Knox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the total expenditure by the Scottish Development Agency since May 1979.

  Mr. Lang
  During the period from May 1979 to 30 September 1989, the Scottish Development Agency spent a total of £ 1,261 million.

  Respite Care
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much money will be allocated to Scottish local authorities in 1990–91 in order to deal with the shortage of publicly provided respite care.

  Mr. Lang
  The allocation of expenditure to particular services is a matter of local authorities. The aggregate exchequer grant for 1990–91, announced by my right hon. and learned Friend on 26 July, provides for a 9·7 per cent. increase over that for 1989–90. This affords authorities the scope to increase expenditure on the provision of particular services, including, for instance, respite care, in the light of their view of priorities.

  Greater Glasgow Health Board
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met representatives of the Greater Glasgow health board; what subjects were discussed; and when he intends to meet them again.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  My right hon. and learned Friend met Greater Glasgow health board representatives in March 1989, when he opened a new 90-bed unit at Woodilee hospital and heard of plans for further improvement to mental illness services. He has no plans for further meetings with the board in the near future.

  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what outside management consultant groups have been employed by Greater Glasgow health board in each of the past five years; and at what cost.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The names of individual management consultancy groups employed by Greater Glasgow health board are not held centrally.

  Ferry Services
  Mr. Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will report on progress towards(a) upgrading of the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry service between Kyle of Lochalsh and Kyleakin and (b) the provision of a bridge to Skye; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Following the recent discussions I have had with Highland regional council, I believe that private funding could provide the way forward for the provision of a bridge in the near future. It is, however, for Highland regional council to decide whether to take the project forward. I have indicated to it that it would receive the support of my officials in the Scottish Development Department in the practical processes involved should it determine to go ahead. I look forward to learning of its decision in due course.

  I am aware of the pressures on the existing ferry service to Skye in the face of the increasing traffic demands. A
  164
  decision on the bridge is, however, essential before a full assessment of the economic case for replacement ferries can be undertaken.

  Highlands and Islands Development Board
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met the chairman of the Highlands and Islands development board; what matters were discussed; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lang
  My right hon. and learned Friend met the chairman of the Highlands and Islands development board at a meeting of the Scottish Economic Council held on 5 May in Edinburgh where general matters relating to the Highlands and Islands were discussed.

  Gynaecological Unit, Moray
  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made on option appraisals for the establishment of a specialist obstetric, maternity and gynaecological unit in Moray; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Grampian health board is presently carrying out the option appraisal exercise and expects to be in a position to report to the Scottish Home and Health Department in December.

  Inverclyde Enterprise Zone
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met the chief executive of the Scottish Development Agency; and whether the Inverclyde enterprise zone was discussed.

  Mr. Lang
  My right hon. and learned Friend last met the chief executive of the Scottish Development Agency to discuss the Inverclyde enterprise zone at the launch of the zone on 3 March 1989.

  Legal Aid (Tenants)
  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many applications have been received in 1988–89 for legal aid in order that a tenant may raise an action against a district council landlord.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information requested is not available.

  Flat-roofed Houses
  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many flat-roofed houses have been demolished in the public sector in each of the past 15 years; and how many of these were constructed after 1960;

  (2) how many flat-roofed houses in the public sector have been converted to pitched roofs in each of the past 15 years.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information requested is not held centrally.

  Housing Co-operatives
  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many housing co-operatives have been formed by district councils in the past 12 months; and what do these represent as a percentage of total district council stock.
  165
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Information on housing co-operatives formed by district councils in the last 12 months is not held centrally.

  Rent Officers
  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many rent officers are employed at each office of the Rent Registration service.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  At 30 September 1989, the number of rent officers (including senior rent officers) employed at each office of the rent registration service was:

  Number

  Aberdeen

  4

  Dundee

  13

  Edinburgh

  9

  Glasgow

  220

  1 Plus one vacancy to be filled.

  2 Of whom one is located in Motherwell.

  Television Festival
  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many representatives of his Department attended sessions of the Edinburgh international television festival.

  Mr. Rifkind
  My Department was not represented.

  Rent Assessment Committees
  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many times rent assessment committees have sat in the past 12 months.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  One hundred and forty seven rent assessment committees were appointed to deal with over 700 appeals under the Rent (Scotland) Act 1984 between 1 October 1988 and 30 September 1989.

  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish the names and show the occupations of members of the panel from which rent assessment committees are formed.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  A list of the members of the rent assessment panel for Scotland is held in the House

  Local Authority completions 1977–88

  District

  1977

  1978

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  Scotland

  9,119

  6,686

  4,755

  5,048

  3,770

  2,342

  2,311

  2,120

  1,989

  1,733

  1,710

  1,933

  Borders

  Berwickshire

  31

  45

  14

  11

  29

  —

  —

  27

  16

  22

  17

  —

  Ettrick and Lauderdale

  41

  100

  34

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Roxburgh

  230

  109

  4

  12

  —

  51

  45

  43

  8

  8

  4

  28

  Tweeddale

  10

  30

  —

  56

  —

  10

  —

  —

  —

  —

  6

  54

  Central

  Clackmannan

  13

  18

  155

  132

  —

  —

  —

  1

  23

  30

  —

  35

  Falkirk

  213

  21

  —

  23

  54

  66

  20

  78

  147

  56

  74

  —

  Stirling

  21

  91

  9

  42

  168

  8

  18

  37

  —

  6

  —

  —

  Dumfries and Galloway

  Annandale and Eskdale

  132

  226

  100

  224

  173

  86

  160

  158

  85

  38

  35

  17

  Nithsdale

  62

  44

  129

  78

  49

  18

  27

  6

  70

  80

  66

  74

  Stewartry

  37

  61

  74

  51

  49

  42

  44

  41

  23

  34

  40

  10

  Wigtown

  77

  48

  32

  77

  34

  120

  20

  86

  —

  40

  20

  26

  Fife

  Dunfermline

  433

  74

  110

  129

  —

  83

  89

  26

  58

  60

  178

  132

  Kirkcaldy

  220

  135

  123

  44

  54

  63

  15

  113

  101

  91

  131

  172

  North East Fife

  51

  121

  198

  127

  121

  41

  142

  70

  14

  48

  65

  17

  166
  of Commons Library. The membership comprises three groups: chairmen (who are lawyers), valuers (who are chartered surveyors), and lay members. Information on the occupations of the lay members is not held centrally.

  Each rent assessment committee normally consists of a lawyer, a valuer and a lay member.

  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the basis of remuneration of members of rent assessment committees.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Members receive a fee on each occasion they sit on a rent assessment committee or carry out other work in their capacity as members of the rent assessment panel for Scotland.

  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total expenditure on rent assessment committee work in the year 1988–89.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The figure is £97,000.

  Drugs (Eviction)
  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will amend the Housing Acts so that a person found guilty by due process of dealing in drugs can be evicted from a secure or assured tenancy within one month of conviction.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  We have no proposals to amend the current housing legislation, which already provides that landlords may seek to evict tenants causing a nuisance or annoyance in or within the vicinity of their homes.

  Housing
  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a table showing the number of new housing completions by district councils in the period 1977 to 1988.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information requested is set out in the table.
  167

  District

  1977

  1978

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  Grampian

  Aberdeen

  921

  754

  430

  518

  372

  134

  47

  117

  178

  45

  93

  136

  Banff and Buchan

  697

  418

  175

  220

  227

  99

  128

  116

  154

  48

  67

  60

  Gordon

  108

  89

  35

  —

  4

  85

  199

  108

  89

  44

  171

  9

  Kincardine and Deeside

  81

  76

  56

  4

  53

  35

  60

  54

  22

  175

  41

  105

  Moray

  477

  64

  87

  567

  111

  156

  139

  85

  75

  100

  34

  169

  Highland

  Badenoch and Strathspey

  74

  —

  24

  49

  20

  54

  38

  16

  16

  —

  13

  —

  Caithness

  52

  127

  54

  68

  40

  —

  55

  20

  14

  23

  29

  24

  Inverness

  97

  198

  38

  124

  68

  25

  115

  90

  10

  136

  32

  59

  Lochaber

  —

  30

  57

  102

  18

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Nairn

  70

  55

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  20

  24

  22

  —

  Ross and Cromarty

  365

  200

  89

  64

  96

  48

  31

  65

  8

  38

  46

  26

  Skye and Lochalsh

  49

  18

  11

  46

  9

  13

  —

  10

  14

  46

  8

  25

  Sutherland

  61

  44

  13

  27

  13

  22

  27

  22

  15

  10

  33

  34

  Lothian

  East Lothian

  118

  79

  46

  18

  30

  45

  92

  25

  91

  65

  14

  66

  Edinburgh

  167

  84

  199

  —

  117

  49

  8

  —

  —

  —

  63

  87

  Midlothian

  47

  5

  —

  47

  —

  —

  —

  —

  7

  —

  14

  —

  West Lothian

  —

  51

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  —

  —

  —

  8

  76

  Strathclyde

  Argyll and Bute

  211

  64

  110

  126

  68

  60

  33

  76

  17

  —

  12

  71

  Bearsden and Milngavie

  —

  33

  36

  67

  27

  56

  12

  —

  16

  —

  35

  6

  Clydebank

  55

  21

  —

  63

  73

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Clydesdale

  63

  6

  53

  32

  49

  18

  20

  18

  —

  30

  —

  24

  Cumbernauld and Kilsyth

  27

  10

  35

  54

  3

  —

  16

  8

  —

  —

  6

  —

  Cumnock and Doon Valley

  78

  133

  26

  47

  43

  6

  —

  14

  —

  2

  6

  2

  Cunninghame

  162

  123

  102

  68

  90

  45

  85

  44

  54

  34

  —

  55

  Dumbarton

  26

  15

  6

  39

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  14

  18

  18

  East Kilbride

  —

  26

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Eastwood

  47

  17

  —

  25

  3

  14

  —

  —

  37

  40

  14

  31

  Glasgow

  1,733

  1,430

  615

  385

  558

  161

  63

  —

  140

  58

  —

  —

  Hamilton

  146

  127

  55

  166

  42

  78

  122

  46

  44

  39

  8

  53

  Inverclyde

  153

  184

  4

  8

  —

  26

  —

  —

  —

  —

  64

  —

  Kilmarnock and Loudoun

  80

  52

  101

  62

  27

  —

  —

  33

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Kyle and Carrick

  109

  58

  136

  119

  56

  17

  91

  35

  71

  28

  47

  37

  Monklands

  34

  85

  61

  37

  53

  —

  11

  67

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Motherwell

  389

  134

  167

  173

  104

  50

  —

  —

  —

  36

  —

  —

  Renfrew

  84

  46

  65

  122

  113

  179

  34

  135

  19

  10

  64

  27

  Strathkelvin

  25

  173

  254

  —

  40

  —

  6

  13

  6

  24

  7

  —

  Tayside

  Angus

  81

  78

  58

  40

  —

  12

  34

  34

  41

  84

  40

  78

  Dundee

  128

  84

  221

  82

  163

  55

  80

  5

  57

  —

  —

  5

  Perth and Kinross

  122

  117

  150

  273

  149

  71

  75

  105

  144

  21

  —

  —

  Islands Councils

  Orkney Islands

  176

  24

  34

  25

  26

  18

  43

  16

  6

  6

  12

  41

  Shetland Islands

  147

  97

  55

  121

  81

  31

  43

  25

  33

  20

  20

  30

  Western Isles

  88

  134

  115

  54

  93

  90

  22

  32

  46

  20

  33

  14

  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a table showing the total incurred per house in each year from 1979 to 1988 in loan charges debt redemption, interest and expenses for the four city district councils.

  Loan charges per council house (£)

  Authority

  1979–80

  1980–81

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  Aberdeen

  Debt redemption

  43·94

  50·29

  55·98

  63·08

  69·66

  81·45

  84·22

  90·62

  100·34

  114·67

  Interest charges

  392·19

  465·83

  470·54

  448·83

  416·07

  425·39

  449·30

  425·57

  432·40

  462·82

  Loan fund expenses

  1·78

  2·15

  3·38

  3·03

  2·56

  2·29

  2·63

  1·89

  3·41

  2·03

  Dundee

  Debt redemption

  38·98

  42·33

  46·92

  50·04

  58·68

  68·64

  79·24

  94·63

  123·99

  179·51

  Interest charges

  282·21

  322·15

  324·92

  325·80

  312·10

  317·21

  338·15

  322·74

  331·78

  368·08

  Loan fund expenses

  0·74

  0·91

  1·49

  1·42

  2·06

  1·82

  2·25

  2·13

  2·84

  2·21

  168
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Loan charges paid by district councils relate to capital borrowing for various purposes, some of which are not associated with capital expenditure on housing. Loan charges per house met from housing revenue accounts, calculated on the basis of the number of houses to which those accounts relate, are set out in the table.
  169

  Authority

  1979–80

  1980–81

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  Edinburgh

  Debt redemption

  21·45

  24·20

  26·98

  31·42

  30·11

  36·10

  10·68

  10·54

  14·31

  21·99

  Interest charges

  339·89

  376·78

  375·94

  394·66

  345·61

  356·47

  374·82

  393·82

  400·62

  432·38

  Loan fund expenses

  2·02

  1·78

  2·80

  2·28

  1·95

  2·11

  1·87

  1·63

  1·63

  1·88

  Glasgow

  Debt redemption

  42·34

  49·69

  58·22

  67·99

  73·84

  87·01

  95·52

  111·13

  114·45

  145·60

  Interest and other charges

  361·39

  447·51

  486·18

  491·57

  479·91

  498·54

  520·43

  512·94

  533·75

  596·60

  Notes:

  1. Figures for 1979–80 to 1986–87 are based on audited accounts.

  2. Figures for 1987–88 to 1988–89 are based on authorities' near actual outturn returns.

  3. The returns made by Glasgow district council do not distinguish between interest and loan fund expenses.

  4. Figures are based on the number of council houses at 30 September of each year.

  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if his Department plans to undertake research of the effects of mixed tenure on communities arising out of council house sales.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The report of research commissioned by the Scottish Development Department into the repair and maintenance of housing in areas of mixed ownership is expected to be published soon. Copies will be placed in the Library of the House. There are no immediate proposals for research into other aspects of mixed tenure.

  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his estimate of the number of families living in overcrowded conditions as defined by section 135 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The Scottish Development Department does not make such estimates.

  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what regulations he has made under section 60 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  No such regulations have yet been made.

  Post-school Day Care
  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the provision of post-school day care for children at the latest available date; and what(a) local authority and (b) central Government funding is given.

  Mr. Lang
  Provision for post-school day care is made at some local authority community centres by voluntary organisations but no information is held centrally about the extent of the arrangements or details of funding.

  Commissioner for Local Administration
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what consideration he has given to proposals to strengthen the powers of the Commissioner for Local Administration; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Provisions in part II of the Local Government and Housing Bill considerably strengthen the powers of the Commissioner. They are also designed to increase public awareness of the recommendations in his reports, particularly in those cases where authorities have failed to act on them.

  Foreign Teachers
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many foreign teachers have signed contracts in Scotland in the past three months.

  Mr. Lang
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  House Repossessions
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many house repossessions there were in(a) Scotland, (b) Strathclyde, and (c) Glasgow for each year since 1979.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The Council of Mortgage Lenders publishes statistics on the number of repossessions by building societies in the United Kingdom as a whole, but no information is available for Scotland only or any part of it; and no information is available to the Government on repossessions by other mortgage lenders in Scotland.

  Vacant Teaching Posts
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (I) how many teachers' posts were vacant by 1 October in(a) Greater Glasgow, (b) Strathclyde and (c) Scotland;

  (2) how many teachers were needed by 1 October in order to fill vacancies in (a) English, (b) history, (c) mathematics, (d) science and (e) physical education in (i) Glasgow, (ii) Strathclyde and (iii) Scotland.

  Mr. Lang
  The information requested is not yet available.

  Recreation Facilities
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what measures is his Department taking in order to help local authorities to increase the number of green areas and recreation facilities in(a) Scotland and (b) Glasgow.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  It is for individual local authorities to determine their expenditure on green areas and recreation facilities in the light of their overall priorities. In order to increase local authorities' capital spending powers, the Government have removed two important constraints on their expenditure. With effect from 1 April 1990, local authorities will be able, without penalty, to finance capital expenditure from current revenue and to treat contributions from the private sector as receipts. These changes will greatly enhance local authorities' flexibility to plan and implement their expenditure programmes, including those for the provision of green areas and recreation facilities.

  Prisons (Suicides)
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps will be taken to reduce suicides or suicide attempts in Scottish prisons; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Among measures already taken are an increase in the number of cells especially designed to hold inmates who are under observation and the provision of flame-retardant mattresses throughout Scottish penal establishments. In addition the prison service updates on the basis of past experience, best practice, and expert advice the procedures for minimising suicides and suicide attempts.

  Scotland

  Strathclyde

  Glasgow

  Number of pupils on register

  Number of pupils receiving free meals

  Number of pupils on register

  Number of pupils receiving free meals

  Number of pupils on register

  Number of pupils receiving free meals

  1974

  1,037,183

  130,427

  526,100

  73,419

  not available

  32,177

  1975

  1,036,757

  121,977

  521,979

  71,604

  164,773

  33,244

  1976

  1,041,826

  116,805

  524,252

  71,086

  175,991

  32,179

  1977

  1,035,804

  117,790

  520,188

  71,390

  169,601

  32,726

  1978

  1,017,103

  155,716

  503,097

  94,357

  157,181

  39,239

  1979

  1,003,825

  142,989

  485,962

  84,999

  146,456

  37,234

  1980

  971,329

  122,618

  470,120

  72,881

  137,931

  31,743

  1981

  953,683

  114,713

  460,676

  74,565

  137,081

  32,913

  1982

  926,838

  124,547

  444,241

  79,406

  130,808

  34,156

  1983

  899,133

  132,953

  427,751

  85,426

  124,377

  36,045

  1984

  868,606

  129,335

  410,352

  82,348

  117,479

  33,791

  1985

  848,417

  136,669

  399,568

  84,096

  112,266

  33,947

  1986

  828,507

  136,627

  389,006

  84,659

  108,985

  34,059

  1987

  813,812

  143,194

  381,480

  87,362

  104,821

  34,671

  1988

  796,404

  145,219

  371,871

  87,147

  101,917

  35,337

  1989

  785,687

  105,232

  366,126

  63,905

  99,226

  27,053

  Housing Policy
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has any plans to change his housing policies in the light of the results of the survey for East Kilbride district council that the majority of people living in new towns consider the district councils as the best landlords and want their tenancies transferred to their district councils.

  Mr. Lang
  No. The Government have consistently stated that they would not pre-empt any decision about future landlord choice for new town tenants without first seeking the views of tenants themselves. The position in each town will be carefully considered once an order for the dissolution of its development corporation has been made, and formal consultations will be held with the development corporations, district councils and representative tenant groups to review the position and to determine the type of transfers which will take place in the period between the making of the dissolution order and dissolution itself. The survey commissioned by East Kilbride district council was confined to the town of East Kilbride. It is not therefore representative of the views of tenants in all five Scottish new towns. The results of that survey did not confirm that "the majority of people living in the new towns" consider the district council as the "best landlord".
  172
  Although great care is taken by staff to identify, protect and treat those who are thought to be at particular risk, deaths from unpredictable and determined acts of self-destruction can never be completely eliminated.

  School Numbers
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many school children there were in(a) Scotland, (b) Strathclyde region and (c) Glasgow for each year since 1974; and how many of these received free school meals.

  Mr. Lang
  The information taken from annual school meals census returns is as follows:

  Public Service Salaries
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is for each year since 1974 the average rate of increase in the salaries of(a) National Health Service ambulance staff, (b) teachers, (c) National Health Service nurses and (d) the police force in Scotland.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The information is not readily available in the form requested. I shall therefore write to the hon. Member.

  Infant Mortality
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what is for each year since 1974 the number of babies born(a) in Scotland, (b) in the Strathclyde region and (c) in Greater Glasgow, with incurable diseases which had been the subject of pre-natal screening tests;

  (2) what is for each year since 1974 the number of babies born with incurable diseases in (a) Scotland, (b) Strathclyde region and (c) Greater Glasgow.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  This information is not held centrally.

  Conciliation Service
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the annual funding level for a conciliation service in Scotland; and whether his Department funds a director's post for this service.

  Mr. Lang
  The Scottish Office provides grant under the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 to the Scottish
  173
  Association of Family Conciliation Services, the co-ordinating body for conciliation in Scotland. Total grant
  174
  payable in the current year is £48,500 and allows for a full-time director. The Department does not provide grant for local family conciliation services.

  EC FOREIGN AFFAIRS COUNCIL, 3rd OCTOBER 1989
  EC FOREIGN AFFAIRS COUNCIL, 3rd OCTOBER 1989
  BRITISH EMBASSY, KABUL
  BRITISH EMBASSY, KABUL
  ARCTIC SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH
  ARCTIC SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH
  EC BUDGET COUNCIL, 28th JULY 1989
  EC BUDGET COUNCIL, 28th JULY 1989
  DRAINAGE OF STREETS
  DRAINAGE OF STREETS
  DRIVER EYESIGHT STANDARDS
  DRIVER EYESIGHT STANDARDS
  A.4 HAMMERSMITH/CHISWICK SECTION: LITTER
  A.4 HAMMERSMITH/CHISWICK SECTION: LITTER
  NOISE POLLUTION
  NOISE POLLUTION
  CROWN SUPPLIES: PRIVATISATION ARRANGEMENTS
  CROWN SUPPLIES: PRIVATISATION ARRANGEMENTS