Written Answers of 27 October 1989

HEALTH

  GP Referrals
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research projects are being carried out in the Trent regional health authority into the pattern of general

  National Health Service staff in post in England

  Qualified staff—by regional health authority

  Occupational therapists and speech therapists at 30 September of each year

  1 Whole-time equivalent

  Region

  1979

  1984

  1988

  Occupational therapists

  Speech therapists

  Occupational therapists

  Speech therapists

  Occupational therapists

  Speech therapists

  Northern

  100

  80

  130

  120

  230

  160

  Yorkshire

  160

  110

  240

  130

  340

  170

  Trent

  200

  120

  370

  200

  550

  250

  East Anglia

  130

  70

  200

  100

  250

  110

  North West Thames

  230

  140

  290

  180

  340

  270

  North East Thames

  200

  100

  300

  200

  370

  250

  South East Thames

  200

  140

  260

  180

  320

  250

  South West Thames

  200

  120

  250

  150

  320

  190

  Wessex

  170

  70

  240

  100

  320

  130

  Oxford

  190

  90

  240

  110

  300

  140

  South Western

  200

  100

  300

  150

  410

  200

  West Midlands

  220

  150

  290

  210

  420

  260

  Mersey

  130

  60

  180

  90

  250

  110

  North Western

  160

  130

  270

  210

  400

  230

  London post-graduate special health authorities

  50

  30

  50

  20

  50

  20

  England

  2,530

  1,510

  3,610

  2,150

  4,870

  2,730

  Source: Department of Health (SMI3) Annual Census of NHS Non-Medical Manpower.

  1All figures are indpendently rounded to the nearest ten (10) whole-time equivalent.

  DRG plc
  Mr. William Powell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health in the light of the work of DRG plc in the distribution of medical packaging products to the National Health Service, what consideration his Department has given to the effect of the bid for DRG plc by Pembridge Investments of Bermuda and any resulting sale of DRG Hospital Supplies on competition within the supply of such products to the National Health Service; whether his Department has made a submission to the Office of Fair Trading; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  Officials have received representations concerning the bid both from DRG and Pembridge Investments Ltd. At the request of the Office of Fair Trading written comments have been passed to them which will be taken into account with other advice received. I am not aware that the bid will necessarily result in the sale of DRG Hospital Supplies and it would be my intention to ensure as far as possible that effective competition and security of supply was maintained for the NHS in this area of medical packaging.
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  practitioner referrals; where they are taking place; if he will give details of the research; and how much of this is in connection with hospitals considering opting out.

  Mr. Mellor
  We do not hold this information centrally. The hon. Member may wish to contact the chairman of Trent regional health authority for the information he requires.

  Occupational and Speech Therapists
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list for each regional health authority the numbers of occupational and speech therapists in 1979, 1984 and 1988.

  Mr. Freeman
  The information is shown in the table.

  Practice Budgets
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what will be the effect on patient care of the proposals to allow large general practitioners practices to hold their own budgets.

  Mr. Mellor
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend, the Member for Rochford (Dr. Clark) on 27 June at column 417.

  Private Ambulance Companies
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what requirements in respect of experience, competence, or probity he lays down or recommends to the regional or district health authorities in respect of proprietors or managers of private ambulance companies whose vehicles are hired to them at public expense;

  (2) what requirements in respect of qualifications, experience or health he lays down or recommends to regional or district health authorities in respect of personnel employed by private ambulance companies whose services they use at public expense;

  (3) what requirements, standards or specifications he lays down or recommends to regional or district health

  627
  authorities in respect of the minimum standards of private ambulances hired or contracted to them and paid out of public funds.

  Mr. Freeman
  Health authorities are responsible for the day-to-day management of National Health Service ambulance services. It is for these authorities to arrange the most appropriate, efficient and cost effective means of transport for each of the patients the ambulance service is asked to convey. This may involve the use of private services. Requirements in respect of qualifications and experience are not set centrally: health authorities are responsible for negotiating contracts locally and for setting standards of service, patient care, and safety.

  Cash Limits
  Mr. Knox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether any changes will be made in the cash limits of his Department for 1989–90.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimates, the following changes will be made.

  The cash limit for class XIV vote 1 (Hospital and community health and other services, England) will be increased by £47,879,000 (from £11,861,947,000 to £11,909,826,000). This increase provides an additional £32,000,000 for expenditure in connection with the implementation of the NHS review; £17,340,000 for the carry forward of underspends under the end year flexibility arrangements as announced by my right hon. Friend and Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 20 July 1989; and £539,000 in respect of a transfer from class XIV, vote 3 (subhead G2) for a management communications programme to inform NHS staff about the NHS review proposals. These increases are partly offset by a reduction of £2,000,000 in respect of a transfer to class XIV, vote 3 (subhead G3) for AIDS publicity.

  The cash limit for class XIV, vote 3 (Department of Health, administration, miscellaneous health services and personal social services, England) will be increased by £8,891,000 (from £688,170,000 to £677,061,000). This increase provides an additional £7,400,000 for expenditure on Departmental administration in connection with the NHS review; £2,000,000 for a transfer from class XIV, vote 1 for AIDS publicity; and £30,000 for a transfer from class XV, vote 7 to adjust the apportionment of resources following the split of the former Department of Health and Social Security. These increases are partly offset by £539,000 in respect of a transfer to class XIV, vote 1 for a management communications programme to inform NHS staff about the NHS review proposals. As a result of the changes on this vote, the Department's running costs limit is increased by £7,341,000 from £238,815,000 to £246,156,000.

  The net effect of these changes will be charged to the Reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

  OPCS
  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he has made any changes to both the cash and gross running costs limits for the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys for 1989–90.

  Mr. Freeman
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimate, the cash limit for class 628
  XX, vote 15 will be increased by £1,515,000 from £30,253,000 to £31,768,.000. This increase reflects the carry forward of £192,000 underspend on running costs in 1988–89 under the end-year flexibility scheme and increased provision of £485,000 for work to correct NHS statistics held on the family practitioner committee systems; the carry forward of £323,000 underspend on capital in 1988–89 under the end-year flexibility scheme; an additional £1,000,000 to allow for greater computer capacity for system development work on the 1991 census (this represents a timing change within the overall 1991 census expenditure); increased capital provision of £200,000 for processing the 1991 census of Scotland. The costs to correct the NHS statistics and for processing the 1991 census of Scotland will be met from within the respective existing resources of the Department of Health and the General Register Office (Scotland). Both of these costs will be balanced by an equivalent increase in appropriations-in-aid. The balance of the increase will be charged to the Reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

  The OPCS gross running cost limit for class XX, vote 15 will be increased by £677,000 from £35,377,000 to £36,054,000 as a result of these changes.

  Insulin
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many deaths and adverse reactions have been reported since the introduction of human insulin; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  Since December 1982 the Committee on Safety of Medicines has received just over 100 reports of adverse reactions which may be associated with human insulin. In four of these cases the patient died. A report of a suspected adverse reaction does not necessarily mean there is a causal relationship with the drug so it does not follow, that human insulin was responsible for the reported deaths.

  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which companies manufacture human insulin; what warnings they gave to those taking the insulin; whether these were approved by the Committee on Safety of Medicines; and whether the warnings have been changed.

  Mr. Mellor
  Product licences for human insulin are held by:

  The Wellcome Foundation

  Lilly Industries

  Fisons Ltd.

  Nordisk UK Ltd.

  Novo Laboratories Ltd.

  Novo Industries

  Patient information leaflets for human insulin give a range of warnings covering such subjects as pregnancy, illness, taking other medicines, taking physical exercise and drinking alcohol. All patient information leaflets are approved by the licensing authority. All manufacturers of human insulin agreed to include an additional warning that a few patients who experienced hypoglycaemic reactions after transfer to human insulin have reported that the early warning symptoms were less pronounced or different from those experienced with their previous insulin.

  Whooping Cough Vaccine
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health in what circumstances his Department recommends that whooping cough vaccine should not be given; and what are the recommendations of the manufacturers.

  Mr. Freeman
  The recommendations of the joint committee on vaccination and immunisation, which the Department has accepted and which are published in the memorandum "Immunisation Against Infectious Disease", advise that if a child is suffering from any acute illness, vaccination against whooping cough should be postponed until the child has fully recovered; and that vaccination should not be given to children who have a history of severe local or general reaction to a preceding dose. "Local" and "general" are defined in the memorandum.

  The JCVI also advises in the memorandum that there are certain groups of children for whom the advisability of whooping cough vaccination requires special consideration because of their own or their families histories. In such children the risk from vaccine may be higher, but the effects of the disease could be more severe. If the doctor is in doubt, he should seek advice from a consultant paediatrician or specialist in community medicine. These groups are:

  (1) children with a documented history of cerebral damage in the neonatal period;

  (2) children with a personal history of convulsions;

  (3) children whose parents or siblings have a history of idiopathic epilepsy—in such children there may be a risk of developing a similar condition irrespective of vaccination.

  The manufacturer of whooping couch vaccine is bound by the terms of the product licences granted to the company for its manufacture, sale and supply as a prescription-only medicine.

  Cancer Screening and Immunisation
  Mr. Haselhurst
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the typical level of coverage achieved within district health authority areas for cancer screening and immunisation; and what information he has on preventive health performance in other European Community countries.

  Mr. Mellor
  For cervical cancer screening, the information is not available in the form requested. Following the introduction of a new statistical return from April 1988, it is hoped to be able to give details of levels of coverage for 1988–89 towards the end of this year. Similarly, following the introduction of a new statistical return for breast cancer screening from April 1989, it is hoped to be able to give details of levels of coverage achieved in 1989–90 towards the end of 1990.

  The United Kingdom is the first country in the European Community to implement nationwide cervical cancer screening based on computerised call and recall. The United Kingdom and the Netherlands are currently implementing similar programmes for breast cancer screening.

  On immunisation, the coverage for England in 1987–88 (the latest year available) averaged 87 per cent. for diphtheria, tetanus and polio, 76 per cent. for measles and 73 per cent. for whooping cough. In that year nearly 100
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  of the English health authorities exceeded 90 per cent. for diphtheria, tetanus and polio, and eight also exceeded that figure for measles.

  Although European Community countries make immunisation uptake data available to the World Health Organisation, only the United Kingdom and the Netherlands use similar calculations to derive uptake. It is not therefore possible to make accurate comparisons.

  Grading
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what administrative costs have so far been incurred at district health authority level in dealing with appeals made in accordance with section 32 of the General Whitley Council handbook against the imposition of particular grades under the new clinical grading structure;

  (2) what are the projected costs of dealing with appeals made in accordance with section 32 of the General Whitley Council handbook against the imposition of particular grades under the new clinical grading structure made at district, regional and national levels;

  (3) what extra funds have been set aside to meet the administrative costs of appeals made in accordance with section 32 of the General Whitley Council handbook against the imposition of particular grades under the new clinical grading structure at district, regional and national levels.

  Mr. Mellor
  Detailed information about health authorities' particular administrative expenditure is not held centrally and to obtain it would incur disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether, in view of the number of clinical grading appeals from nurses, he will instruct Health Service managers to return to the negotiating table to resolve the dispute over the interpretation of the clinical grading criteria of continuing responsibility and supervision.

  Mr. Mellor
  I understand that these issues were discussed at length in the nursing and midwifery staffs negotiating council last year without agreement being reached between the staff and management sides. We share the yew of the management side that further discussions would not now be a helpful way forward, since the prospect of reaching agreement has not improved.

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what additional funding has been made available by the Government to date in respect of successful nurse grading appeals.

  Mr. Mellor
  In 1988–89 the Government made available to health authorities in England additional funding of £731 million to meet the cost of the nurses pay and regrading exercise. This figure, which was based on health authorities' own estimates, includes the further £98 million announced in October 1988 to meet in full the final cost of the clinical regrading exercise. The total sum has been rolled forward to 1989–90 and this together with the substantial real terms increase in resources announced in the 1988 Autumn Statement provides authorities with sufficient resources to plan flexibly to meet the cost of successful appeals.

  Ambulance Services (Privatisation)
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Newham, South of 20 October,Official Report, column 270, what authority, option, or instruction has been given by him relating to the privatisation, or sub-contracting, of any non-emergency ambulance service in England and Wales.

  Mr. Freeman
  There are no plans to privatise the ambulance service.

  Health authorities are responsible for the operational management of the ambulance service. In 1984 the Department published a scrutiny report on the non-emergency sector of the ambulance service when we said that it was open to district health authorities to buy-in part of the ambulance service from the private sector if that is more cost effective and provided the quality of service was maintained. Many NHS ambulance authorities already use private contractors, the hospital car service and voluntary aid societies to transport appropriate NHS patients. This has been the case for many years and helps to ensure that skilled ambulance crews and specialist vehicles are used for those who need the special care and attention which they can provide.

  Tobacco Advertising
  Mr. Amos
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place in the Library a full copy of the research commissioned by the committee for monitoring agreements on tobacco advertising and sponsorship into compliance with the agreements on advertising and sponsorship between the Government and the tobacco industry.

  Mr. Freeman
  [holding answer 28 July 1989]: My right hon. and learned Friend the Minister for Health wrote to the hon. Member on 27 September to explain that the independent Committee for Monitoring Agreements on Advertising and Sponsorship (COMATAS) had been consulted about this matter, and that the tobacco industry had objected to the release of this material on various grounds.

  This matter has been pursued with the industry's representatives with the aim of securing the release of this material but they remain of the view that the research reports should not be made public. They argue that the business of COMATAS is private and confidential to the committee and that the research in question was not intended to be free-standing. They insist also that the reports contain commercially sensitive information.

  This matter was discussed at a COMATAS meeting on Thursday 5 October. The independent chairman, Sir Peter Lazarus, concluded that since COMATAS is a joint committee consisting of equal representation from the industry and from Government, if one party insisted that the research reports should not be released, this view should prevail. The committee accepted this position.

  The results of the research projects commissioned by COMATAS are reported in the first and second annual reports of the committee, published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office (ISBNs 0 11 321138 4 and 0 11 321225 9), both of which are in the Library.

  GPs (Contracts)
  Mr. Maxwell-Hyslop
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether, in the 1990 contract(a) "The Public Service" includes schools which have opted out from local education authority control, local education authority schools and further education colleges, (b) in paragraph 13(a) the £400,000 fund is annually refreshed by that amount and for post-graduate teaching only, (c) the definition of sparsely populated areas in paragraph 13(b) is altered; and (d) to qualify under paragraph 26 a general practitioner must be qualified to perform all operations on the list of surgical procedures.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 19 October 1989]: The National Health Service (General Medical and Pharmaceutical Services) Amendment (No. 2) Regulations 1989, laid on 16 October, set out the criteria by which FPCs should determine applications from GPs to work over four instead of five days a week. It will therefore be for the FPC to decide whether the provision of health care services to local education authority schools and further education colleges, whether opted out or not, may justify a GP providing general medical services over four rather than five days. The fund of up to £400,000 a year is recurrent, and will mainly be directed at undergraduate teaching. As regards "sparsely populated areas", no change is being made to the inducement practice scheme. To qualify for inclusion on the minor surgery list, a doctor must demonstrate competence to undertake all the procedures listed in schedule 1B of the amending regulations.

  Mr. Maxwell-Hyslop
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether, in the 1990 contract(a) the paragraph 51 general practitioner age limits apply to locums and assistant doctors, (b) time spent by general practitioners on representational work on official bodies can be subtracted from the 26 hours, referred to in paragraph A2, (c) the substantial extra resources referred to in paragraph 58 means resources new to the National Health Service, or resources reallocated within it and (d) proof of posting an offer, paragraph A7 will constitute offering the required services to a post-75 patient; and who bears the cost of paragraph A13 reports.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 19 October 1989]: Locums and assistant doctors who are not included in an FPC medical list are not affected by the introduction of a compulsory retirement age. Under the revised terms of service, a doctor will be required to be available to his patients for at least 26 hours over five days a week at times convenient to patients. Provision is made for an FPC to agree that a GP may fulfil this requirement over four instead of five days, provided the GP satisfies the criteria set out in the National Health Service (General Medical and Pharmaceutical Services) Amendment (No. 2) Regulations 1989.

  Because a number of fees and allowances will be abolished, it will be necessary to redistribute a considerable proportion of the funds currently expended on general medical services to meet the costs of new payments. The reference to "substantial extra resources" in paragraph 2.6 of the White Paper "Promoting Better Health" and quoted in paragraph 58 of "The 1990 Contracts" referred to extra investments additional to current expenditure. Where a GP makes an offer in writing

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  to a patient aged 75 or over under paragraph 13D of the revised terms of service, proof of posting the written offer will be accepted as discharging the responsibility to make such an offer. Should the patient accept the offer, the GP will be required to carry out the check-up as laid down in those terms of service.

  The production of annual reports by practices will not be a significant expense and, as with other expenses related to the provision of general medical services, will be reimbursed to the profession indirectly through fees and allowances.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Marriage Allowance
  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what arrangements he has made for the allocation of the marriage allowance following the introduction of separate taxation; and what measures he will take to ensure that the marriage allowance is shared equally between husband and wife.

  Mr. Lilley
  The married couple's allowance which will be introduced under independent taxation in April 1990 will be given in the first instance to the husband. If he has insufficient income to use part or all of the allowance himself he will be able to transfer the surplus to his wife. Allowing married couples generally to share the married couple's allowance between them would add considerably to the complexity of independent taxation and would delay its introduction. Fewer than one in 300 couples would gain any financial advantage from this additional complexity.

  DRG plc
  Mr. William Powell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received about the use by Pembridge Investments of Bermuda of that off-shore tax haven to launch a takeover bid for the Bristol-based company DRG plc and the fact that the tax status of Pembridge Investments would allow it to break up the constituent parts of DRG and sell them free of tax at the corporate level; whether he will be considering legislation to bring the United Kingdom into line with the tax regime as it operates in this respect elsewhere in Europe; and whether he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lilley
  I cannot comment on the tax aspects of individual takeover bids, but I have noted my hon. Friend's suggestion.

  Central Statistical Office
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is proposing any change to the Central Statistical Office's cash limits for 1989–90.

  Mr. Lilley
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimate, the cash limit for class XIX, vote 18 will be increased by £1,615,000, from £13,727,000 to £15,342,000 and the running cost limit by £1,163,000, from £10,804,000 to £11,967,000. Part of the increase reflects further transfers of provision from other Departments following the establishment of the Central Statistical Office as a separate Department: corresponding reductions will be included in supplementary estimates for the Cabinet Office: other services (class XX, vote 2), the 634
  Department of Trade and Industry (class V, vote 3) and the Department of Employment (class VII, vote 2). The remainder reflects provision to meet some of the additional administrative and other expenditure which arises for the Central Statistical Office as a separate Department, and to meet expenditure on a share register survey in connection with the Department's work to improve the quality of the national accounts' statistics. These elements (totalling £695,000) will be charged to the Reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Police (Supermarket Sites)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the proposed deals with supermarket chains to build on sites owned by the Metropolitan police in return for providing a free police station; and what other police forces in England and Wales are considering these proposals.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  We are prepared to consider proposals for new police stations submitted by police authorities in collaboration with the private sector, provided these offer better value for money than schemes which are totally publicly funded.

  I understand from the Commissioner of Police of Metropolis that the Metropolitan police are not at present considering any such scheme. I understand, however, that South Yorkshire police authority is doing so; we are not aware that any other police authority in England and Wales is in a similar position.

  Prison Sentences
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what sentence, with full remission:, results in(a) post-sentence or (b) a total period of imprisonment of four years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  A sentence of six years imprisonment (with maximum remission but without parole) will result in a total period of four years being served in custody. The total period spent in custody, whether before or after sentence, earns remission. Thus, the length of sentence requiring four years to be served after sentence depends on the amount of pre-sentence detention.

  Leicester (Visits)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will list the numbers and names of organisations invited to meet Mr. Colin Harnett and Mr. Satish Malik when they visited Leicester in October;

  (2) if he will place in the Library a copy of the notes taken by his officials during the visit of Mr. Colin Harnett and Mr. Satish Malik to Leicester in October;

  (3) what was the cost to the taxpayer of the visit to Leicester in October of Mr. Colin Harnett and Mr. Satish Malik; what was the purpose of the visit; what was the number of organisations attending the meetings; and on what date hon. Members for Leicester were informed of the visit;

  (4) whether Mr. Colin Harnett and Mr. Satish Malik during their visit to Leicester in October 1989, sought the

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  views of the public concerning (a) the Salman Rushdie affair (b) the effectiveness of hon. Members for Leicester in representing their constituents and (c) the police;

  (5) which officials from his Department visited Leicester during October; and on what date.

  Mr. John Patten
  As part of their normal duties (which include visits to all parts of the country), officials from the equal opportunities and general department make occasional visits to regional areas of the Commission for Racial Equality in order to improve their awareness of local community relations. On 17 and 18 October 1989, Mr. Colin Harnett, Mr. Satish Malik and Miss Pamela Johnson made such a visit to the commission's Leicester office. They were joined for the first day only by Mr. Stephen Rimmer of the police department.

  At the request of the Home Office, the arrangements for the visit were made locally by the commission for Racial Equality and comprised meetings with the commission's staff, the officers and members of the Leicester Council for Racial Justice, officers of Nottingham and Wellingborough community relations councils, and separately with individual members of the Muslim communities. In additon the police arranged a meeting with the deputy chief constable of the Leicestershire constabulary and some of his officers, also attended by officers of the commission and Leicester Council for Racial Equality.

  Discussions at these meetings covered a broad range of community relations issues at both national and local level. These included the impact of the issue surrounding the publication of the book "The Satanic Verses" and the relations between the police and the ethnic minority communities. I am informed that views about the effectiveness of hon. Members for Leicester were not sought at any time.

  It would be neither necessary nor appropriate to inform hon. Members in advance of visits by officials in pursuance of their duties and this was not done in this instance. There will be no official report of the visit, which cost £360·80 in officials' expenses. Information on visits made by other officials from this Department to Leicester during October is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Citizenship
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the current backlog of naturalisation cases.

  Mr. Renton
  The number of applications for naturalisation outstanding at 16 October 1989 was 69,139.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the current number of outstanding applications for registration for citizenship.

  Mr. Renton
  The number of applications for registration of all types outstanding at the end of September 1989 was 70,858.

  Drugs
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action his Department is taking over crack; how many seizures have been reported to date; what social background persons successfully prosecuted 636
  for using or handling this drug have come from; and if he is planning a prevention advertising campaign in the near future.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  We already have a comprehensive programme of action in place to tackle both the supply of and the demand for drugs. Many of the measures being taken or planned, will have an impact on the misuse of cocaine in the form known as crack. These include:

  provision of drug-related assistance to Latin American countries, including a substantial package of training and equipment for Colombia;

  specialist customs teams to combat cocaine smuggling; the stepping up of police action against the supply of crack and

  the provision of a fact sheet on crack for drug education co-ordinators in every local education authority.

  Some 75 seizures of crack were reported in the first nine months of 1989. Information is not available about the social background of persons prosecuted for offences involving crack.

  The ministerial group on the misuse of drugs is considering plans for the next phase of the national drug misuse prevention campaign, which will be aimed at the misuse of all drugs. In addition my right hon. Friend the Member for Whitney (Mr. Hurd) recently announced plans for nine local drug prevention teams which will operate within the community and will help to prevent the spread of the misuse of drugs, including crack.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he intends to publish research commissioned by his Department, on the amount of crime committed to finance drug addiction.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  It is usual practice for the authors of research commissioned by the Home Office to publish their findings. A summary of recent research on the links between drug misuse and crime was published in the Home Office Research Bulletin No. 26 (pp 30–33) on 8 May 1989. A copy was placed in the Library.

  London Fire Brigade
  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will seek a report from Her Majesty's inspectorate of fire brigades on the closure of the London fire control office at Stratford.

  Mr. John Patten
  Her Majesty's chief inspector of fire services is aware of the decision of the chief fire officer to close the Stratford control room and is monitoring the situation.

  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has received any representations about the morale of officers of the control offices of the London fire brigade.

  Mr. John Patten
  Her Majesty's chief inspector of fire services has received a copy of an unsigned note purporting to have been written by London fire brigade control room staff.

  Sex Offences
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis as to why the Metropolitan police have withdrawn from joint arrangements with Southwark and Islington councils to provide rape suites in these boroughs.
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  Mr. Peter Loyd
  I understand from the Commissioner that a new examination suite for rape victims has just been opened in Copenhagen street, Islington. Premises offered by Southwark borough council were not considered to be in a suitable location and there are plans instead to use accommodation adjacent to Carter street police station when rebuilding takes place.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he intends to increase the number of specialist units providing treatment for sex offenders in prison.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  We have no present plans to do so. The research referred to in reply to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Macclesfield (Mr. Winterton) on 4 May 1989 at columns 231–32 will, when the results are available, facilitate an assessment of the current provision of help for sex offenders in prison.

  Police Recruitment
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will provide figures for the numbers of applicants who sat the police initial recruitment examinations in the Metropolitan police district in 1986, 1987 and 1988 broken down separately for white and black applicants.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that the relevant information is as follows:

  Year

  While Candidates

  Black and Asian Candidates

  Total

  1986

  1,884

  179

  2,063

  1987

  1,859

  228

  2,087

  1988

  2,306

  127

  2,433

  Suicides
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he intends to take with regard to the youth remand wing at Leeds prison, following the publication of the report on teenage suicides at the prison by the Howard League for Penal Reform.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  We are studying the report. It has yet to be decided whether any of its recommendations should be pursued.

  Forensic Science Laboratory
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he is taking to improve the pay and conditions of forensic scientists to tackle the shortage of staff at the Metropolitan police forensic science laboratory.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I understand that the Metropolitan police are looking at the case for pay improvements for staff in their forensic science laboratory. We will consider any case as soon as it is submitted.

  Whatton Young Offender Institution
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will provide information on staffing cover at Whatton young offender institution between 1 October 1988 and 1989.
  638
  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Total staff in post at Whatton at 1 October 1988 numbered 112, of whom 63 were officers (including senior and principal officers). At I October 1989 there were 116, of whom 65 were officers. Between these dates, total staffing levels varied between 111 and 118 and officer levels between 62 and 68.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what action he is taking to tackle bullying and intimidation amongst inmates at Whatton young offender institution;

  (2) what preparation and training has been given to staff at Whatton young offender institution to help them to cope with the increasing number of juveniles serving longer sentences and with previous convictions who have been allocated to Whatton since October 1988.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Following the introduction of the unified custodial sentence for young offenders last October, Whatton young offender institution now holds young adults aged 17 to 20 serving sentences of up to four months and juvenile offenders serving sentences of up to 12 months and there have been some control problems asociated with this population.

  Regional staff have been working closely with the governor and his staff to develop the regime at Whatton. All staff have already been given training in communications, dealing with difficult inmates and resolving conflict. Further guidance on dealing with particular problems associated with the management and control of sentenced juvenile offenders is planned.

  Violence and bullying in prison service establishments is regarded very seriously and every effort is made to combat it. Converting dormitory into cubicle accommodation can assist and three dormitories at Whatton have recently been converted.

  Crime Screening
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his Department is undertaking research into crime screening.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The current Home Office research programme includes a study of detective work. The future direction of the study depends on the outcome of preliminary work, but it may well include an investigation into crime screening. Although the introduction and evaluation of crime screening in police forces is an operational matter for chief officers, its use is also examined by Her Majesty's inspectors of constabulary in their annual inspections.

  Westerglen Transmission Station
  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how much public money has been spent on adapting the BBC Westerglen transmission station, Falkirk, for possible use in the event of a nuclear war; and where the money came from;

  (2) what communications he has had with the BBC about the possible use of the Westerglen transmission station, Falkirk, in the event of a nuclear war;

  (3) what efforts were made by his Department to assess local opinion regarding the adaptation of the Westerglen transmission station, Falkirk, for possible use in the event of a nuclear war;
  639
  (4) whether he will make a statement giving the details of, and the justification for, the adaptation of the Westerglen transmission station, Falkirk, for possible use in the event of a nuclear war.

  Mr. Renton
  Planning permission has been obtained from Falkirk district council to build limited emergency facilities at the Westerglen transmitter site and work is expected to begin shortly. Such facilities attract Government grant, but it is not the practice to disclose details in individual cases.

  I understand that the building work currently being undertaken at the site is to refurbish and upgrade the existing transmitting facilities as part of the BBC's ongoing maintenance programme.

  Lance Corporal Clive Shorters
  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in the light of the judgment in the case of Lance Corporal Clive Shorters, convicted at Stafford crown court on 14 September 1989 on two counts of arson, he will ask the Falklands Islands Government to reopen the inquiry into the fire at the King Edward Memorial Hospital at Port Stanley in 1984.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Falkland Islands police force, the Royal Military Police and Staffordshire CID have just completed a further investigation of the incidents leading to the death of eight people in the fire at King Edward the Seventh Memorial Hospital, Port Stanley, in April 1984. Many witnesses, including Mr. Shorters, have been re-interviewed.

  Once they have considered the results of this investigation, the authorities in Port Stanley will consider whether any further steps should be taken in the Falkland Islands in relation to the fire.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Correspondence
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what percentage of letters from hon. Members to his Department received a reply(a) in under four weeks, (b) within four to six weeks, (c) within six to eight weeks and (d) over eight weeks, in each of the last three years.

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

  Soviet Union
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what representations have been made to the Russian authorities about the case of Moisey Issakovich Volfenson and Maya Issakovna Luthzkaya, their daughter Elena Moiseevna Volfenson and mother Manya Genehovna Lutzkaya of Kiev;

  (2) what representations have been made to the Russian authorities about the case of Roman and Larissa Litovsky and their children Kosya and Sasha of Kiev.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  We have not previously raised these particular cases with the Soviet authorities, but we shall be 640
  happy to do so if the hon. Member for Hendon, South (Mr. Marshall) will provide the necessary details about each case.

  British Embassy, Brussels
  Mr. Stanbrook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he is satisfied that the developer-built premises leased outside the traditional diplomatic district of Brussels as the new British embassy are of the style, quality, location and construction appropriate for a leading member of the European Community.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Her Majesty's proposed new embassy building in Brussels is in an acceptable location being in the same prime diplomatic area as the present embassy. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is in negotiation with the agents for the building and expect to have available shortly full details about the quality of materials and the standard of construction. These aspects will be investigated fully before a legally binding agreement is signed.

  Kurds
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made to the governments of Iran, Iraq, Syria and Turkey concerning the treatment of Kurdish people; how often prisons and refugee camps for Kurdish people have been visited by representatives of Her Majesty's Government since January; and what meetings have been held with Kurdish organisations.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The question of human rights and particularly the Kurds has recently been raised with the Turkish Government, who claimed that efforts to solve remaining problems would continue. Members of Her Majesty's embassy in Ankara have visited all three refugee camps since January. Her Majesty's embassy maintains contacts with representatives of a wide political spectrum in Turkey.

  We regularly make clear to the Iraqi Government our concerns about Iraq's human rights record. We have no diplomatic relations with Iran or Syria and have made no direct representations to them, but we continue to make our views on human rights known to those Governments by our statements at international meetings.

  Angola
  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what recent occasions he has met Dr. Jonas Savimbi of the Angolan UNITA movement; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs met Dr. Savimbi on 13 October during his recent private visit to Britain. He was accompanied by myself and by FCO officials. We stressed to Dr. Savimbi the urgent need to restore the ceasefire in Angola and to resume negotiations with the Angolan Government without preconditions.

  Vietnamese Refugees (Hong Kong)
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the position of refugees in Hong Kong and the compulsory repatriation of people to Vietnam.

  Mr. Maude
  There are about 13,000 Vietnamese refugees in Hong Kong whom resettlement countries have pledged to resettle within three years. Those who have been determined not to be refugees have no prospect of resettlement and, as agreed by the Geneva conference in June, should return to their country of origin. Repatriation is an internationally accepted method for dealing with illegal immigrants. There is no reason why it should not apply to Vietnamese.

  Commonwealth States
  Mr. Dunn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many member states of the Commonwealth are multi-party democracies.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The Commonwealth consists of 49 independent sovereign states, of which 33 are multi-party democracies and six whose parliaments consist of elected independent members.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Pyrford School
  Mr. Onslow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he expects to make a decision that will enable a head teacher to be appointed at Pyrford county first school.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  A decision has been made and the interested parties have been informed.

  Cash Limits
  Mr. Couchman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will give details of any revised cash limits for his Department's votes.

  Mr. MacGregor
  Subject to parliamentary approval to the necessary Supplementary Estimates, cash limits for the following votes will be revised as follows:

  Class and vote

  Current cash limit

  Change

  Revised cash limit

  £

  £

  £

  XXIII. 1

  494,136,000

  +2,777,000

  496,913,000

  XII.2

  3,123,761,000

  +1,026,000

  3,124,787,000

  XII.4

  73,477,000

  +3,420,000

  76,897,000

  The whole of the increases on Class XII, Votes 1 and 2 and £177,000 of the increase on Class XII, Vote 4 are attributable to permitted carry-forward of capital underspends. My Department's overall entitlement to carry-forward under the end-year flexibility scheme was announced by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 20 July 1989 (Official Report, columns 257–62). The carry-forward on Class XII, Vote 1 is £635,000 less than the entitlement of £3,412,000 and the carry-forward on Class XII, Vote 2 is £635,000 greater than the entitlement of £391,000. There is therefore no
  642
  change in the overall amount of end-year flexibility carry-over from that announced by the Chief Secretary on 20 July, but its distribution is different. This is because services formerly borne on Class XII, Vote 1 in 1988–89 are now borne on Class XII, Vote 2 in 1989–90.

  The balance of the increase on Class XII, Vote 4 of £3,243,000 is for initial expenditure on the provision of a new headquarters building in Westminster for my Department.

  These increases will be charged to the Reserve and will not, therefore, add to the planned total of public expenditure.

  EC Education Council
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask he Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the outcome of the meeting of Education Ministers in Luxembourg on 6 October.

  Mr. MacGregor
  Together with the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Wantage (Mr. Jackson), I attended a Council meeting of the European Community Education Ministers on 6 October. We discussed the Commission communication on guidelines for the medium term in the sphere of education and training and agreed conclusions on co-operation and Community policy in this area in the run up to 1993. These conclusions identify objectives shared by member states as a basis for future co-operation activities. A point of particular concern to us was that the conclusions recognise that future co-operation must have special regard to the principles that the fundamental powers in matters of general education policy lie with member states, that Community action should be subsidiary to action by member states and only undertaken where it can usefully complement it, and that linguistic and cultural diversity should be respected.

  Ministers agreed to encourage initiatives related to the development of national youth cards and on the co-ordination of national experiments in the public or private sector which might lead eventually to a European youth card.

  Ministers also discussed Community co-operation in technical and vocational education and proposals to combat failure at school. The Commission gave presentations on the European Schools and the extension to individual EFTA countries of participation in the COMETT programme of co-operation between higher education and industry in technology training.

TRANSPORT

  Railway Infrastructure
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what considerations he takes into account, when approving or applying for permission to initiate smaller scale schemes of capital improvements to railway infrastructure, not subject to the investment return criteria normally imposed.

  Mr. Portillo
  British Rail submits certain schemes over £10 million for infrastructure or rolling stock to my right hon. Friend for authorisation. Smaller schemes are approved by British Rail. Schemes are currently appraised using an 8 per cent. discount rate, and we expect to approve schemes which either:
  643

  (i) earn a commercial return;

  (ii) represent the most cost-effective way of continuing to provide grant-aided services to the agreed quality standards;

  (iii) will be worth while because the cost will be less than the revenues to be earned from passengers and the benefits to non-users, eg in relief of road congestion;

  (iv) offer land development advantages, where beneficiaries may be expected to make an appropriate contribution to costs.

  Channel Tunnel
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has on the likely running times in minutes of trains from Brussels, Lille, and Paris to the Cheriton portal of the Channel tunnel, using the fastest routes now authorised and the approximate running times likely from thence to Manchester, Leicester, and Doncaster using (i) existing routes and short new links and (ii) a high speed link from Cheriton to London; and what is his estimate of effect of routing in London via White City and/or Stratford, instead of King's Cross.

  Mr. Portillo
  British Rail predicts that in 1993 the journey times for through passenger services from the Channel tunnel portal at Cheriton will be one hour 50 minutes to both Paris and Brussels, and 50 minutes to Lille. Some 20 minutes will be saved on the journey time to Brussels with the completion of the new line in Belgium now expected in 1995. The journey time from Cheriton to Manchester will be four hours 25 minutes and three hours 55 minutes to Doncaster. No direct passenger service to Leicester will be technically feasible. With the completion of a new line between Cheriton and London King's Cross, BR expect that passenger services to Manchester would take three hours 55 minutes and Doncaster two hours 55 minutes. The difference in journey time if the through services were to be routed via a new line to Stratford would not be great. BR estimates that, depending on the destination, around six to 10 minutes would be added to journeys. BR considers that the main point about King's Cross is that it would be a far more convenient interchange for passengers from the North and Midlands wishing to connect with the high frequency international services starting in London.

ENERGY

  Severn Barrage
  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will estimate the amount of public money, other than on essential site-specific environmental work referred to in his answer of 23 October, to be expended on the proposed Severn barrage.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  Before a Severn tidal barrage could go ahead, a full environmental impact assessment would need to be carried out over several years. This could cost about £10 to £15 million.

  Over the next two years only essential work on the Severn barrage will be undertaken. This will include:

  some site-specific environmental work;

  a study of the organisation and financing issues for a barrage.

  The work to be undertaken immediately is under discussion with the Severn tidal power group in the light of its recent report.

  The Department will also be funding generic tidal research and development in support of site-specific work
  644
  on the Severn, Mersey and other estuaries. This work mainly addresses environmental issues. The total cost of generic environmental studies completed since 1986 and currently under way amounts to £1 million.

  International Atomic Energy Agency Budget
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what contribution has been made by the United Kingdom to the International Atomic Energy Agency annual operating budget for 1990; what proportion of the total budget this constitutes; and what was the basis on which the United Kingdom contribution was calculated.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The United Kingdom's subscription to the International Atomic Energy Agency's 1990 regular budget will be $7·7 million, equivalent to 4·99 per cent. This subscription will be paid in the financial year 1990–91. The assessment on member states is based on the United Nations formula for the scale of contributions, adjusted to take account of the safeguards and non-safeguards components of the budget.

  Magnox Power Stations
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what estimates his Department had in June from the Central Electricity Generating Board for the remaining operational life for each of the Magnox power stations.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave him on 23 October at column 296.

WALES

  Housing Revenue Accident Subsidy
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he will consult representatives of local government and relevant professional and other bodies on his determination under part VI of the Local Government and Housing Bill of housing revenue account subsidy for 1990–91; and what proposals he will be making.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  My Department is today sending local housing authorities in Wales, the Council of Welsh Districts and other interested bodies, consultation papers on the proposed new housing revenue account subsidy. The papers contain my detailed proposals for a method of calculating the new subsidy for which the Local Government and Housing Bill makes provision. They also include details of the guideline rents, and of the allowances for expenditure on management and maintenance which we propose to take into account in calculating each authority's entitlement to subsidy in 1990–91.

  Comments are invited within six weeks. I am putting a copy of the consultation papers in the Library together with a list of the guidelines proposed for each authority. For the rent guideline, taking into account prevailing rent levels in Wales, I propose to assume next year an average rent increase of two per cent. above the allowance for inflation.

  I also propose to use the provisions in part VI of the Bill to allow the aggregate notional rental income for Wales to be apportioned between housing authorities by reference to variations in the aggregate values of local authority dwellings. This leads to different guideline rents for different authorities. A set of rules to limit changes ensures

  645
  that no guideline rent would represent an increase of more than £4·50 a week over the average rent in any authority this year and permits, at the lower end of the scale, guideline increases which are restricted to the allowance for inflation over an authority's existing rent level.

  The proposals represent a balanced approach to the establishment of sensible levels of rents in different parts of the Principality.

  For the management and maintenance expenditure guideline. I propose to assume a 3 per cent. growth per dwelling above the allowance for inflation next year for each housing authority in Wales.

  The guidelines both for rent and for management and maintenance spending are no more than the assumptions my Department will make in calculating subsidy. Each council will have to decide for itself what level of rents it sets and how much it spends on managing and maintaining its stock.

  Community Health Councils
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he will decide the future of the community health councils in Wales; if he will give three months consultation period; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Grist
  We intend to issue very shortly a consultation document on the proposal that there should be one community health council for each DHA area. It is our intention to allow a three month period for comment and decisions on the future community health council structure in Wales will be taken as quickly as possible thereafter.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Cash Limits
  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether any changes will be made to his Department's cash limits and running costs limit for 1989–90.

  Mr. Ridley
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimates, the cash limit for class V, vote 3 (administration, regulation of domestic trade and industry, and consumer protection) will be increased by £4,951,000 from £243,230,000 to £248,181,000. The increase covers provision of £3,500,000 for the acquisition of a site in Teddington for the National Physical Laboratory (offset by a corresponding reduction in class V, vote 2), and reflects the take-up of entitlement to carry forward provision for an underspending in 1988–89 under the end-year flexibility arrangements as announced by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 20 July 1989. The full entitlements of £813,000 on capital expenditure and £1,251,000 on running costs are taken up. These increases are partially offset by a net transfer of £613,000 to the Central Statistical Office (CSO) (Class XIX Vote 18) in respect of staff recently transferred to the CSO. As a result of these changes, the running cost limit for the department has been increased by £338,000 from £304,760,000 to £305,098,000. The net effect of these changes will be charged to the Reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

  The cash limit for class V, vote 2 (support for industry) will be reduced by £7,800,000 from £578,637,000 to
  646
  £570,837,000. This reduction reflects the offset for the increase of £3,500,000 on class V, vote 3 in respect of the Teddington acquisition: it also covers a reduction of £4,000,000 to reflect the transfer of responsibility for city action teams to the Department of the Environment class V, vote 3, and a reduction of £300,000 to reflect the transfer of responsibility for the Government's contribution to a rent subsidy for the international sugar and wheat organisations to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food class IV, vote 4.

SCOTLAND

  Strathclyde Structure Plan
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the staffing consequences in planning authorities of the proposed quarterly roll-on of private sector housing demand contained in his draft decision letter on the Strathclyde structure plan 1988 update.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  A number of planning authorities have commented on this issue in responding to my right hon. and learned Friend's draft modifications, and he will take these comments into account in reaching his decision.

  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what effect his proposed modifications to the 1988 update of the Strathclyde structure plan 1986 update will be on the green belt, particularly in relation to the evidence submitted to the relevant district councils and the Strathclyde regional liaison committee on housing land targets.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Adjustments of green belt boundaries would only be needed if sufficient suitable sites could not be found elsewhere. It would be for the planning authorities, in consultation with the housebuilders, to find suitable sites. My right hon. and learned Friend will take all objections to his draft modifications into account in reaching his decision on the update.

  Crinan Old Harbour
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received regarding the proposed housing development at Crinan old harbour; and what action he intends to take.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  My right hon. and learned Friend has received 10 representations about this proposed development. Responsibility for planning matters generally rests with the planning authority, in this case Argyll and Bute district council. It is not the intention of my right hon. and learned Friend to intervene in this matter.

  Lennox Castle Hospital
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many full-time and part-time dentists are employed to provide for the needs of patients resident in Lennox Castle hospital; and how many full-day and half-sessions each of these categories of dentists undertook each year.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Three dentists are contracted by Greater Glasgow health board to undertake one half-day
  647
  session each per week at Lennox Castle hospital. Eighty-six sessions have so far been undertaken this year, plus 15 theatres sessions for oral surgery.

  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many patients are currently resident in Lennox Castle hospital.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The answer is 795.

  Official Transport
  Mr. Harry Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what costs have been incurred since July for transport for, and on how many occasions such transport was used by, hon. Members on non-ministerial duties; and for what reasons.

  Mr. Rifkind
  Transport is provided and used by Scottish Office Ministers solely to facilitate the efficient conduct of their ministerial duties.

  Scottish Office Background Papers
  Mr. Harry Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what provisions are made for Scottish Office civil servants to copy to hon. Members all background papers and policy proposals arising from such background papers; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Rifkind
  None.

  Lothian Health Board
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is satisfied that the management and purchasing of supplies by Lothian health board is being conducted in a proper manner.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 26 October 1989]: This is primarily a matter for the board, which is required under guidance issued by the Scottish Home and Health Department to draw up standing instructions to cover all financial matters and to keep them under review. The relevant procedures and controls are subject to egular internal and external audit checks. The Department's Accounting Office has established that the board is currently reviewing these procedures and systems.

  Cancer Treatment (Children)
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the figures for each Scottish regional health authority for postponement of cancer treatments of children for this year; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 26 October 1989]: Postponement of treatment is likely to be for purely medical considerations and the information is not collected centrally.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Regional Fisheries Advisory Committees
  Mr. Onslow
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish the names of all those so far appointed as members of regional fisheries advisory committees in England and Wales.
  648
  Mr. Gummer
  Appointments to the regional fisheries advisory committees are made by the National Rivers Authority. Appointments made so far are:

  Anglian Region

  Mr. P. Tombleson (Chairman)

  Mr. C. Groome (Chairman RRAC)1

  Mr. J. Martin (Chairman RFDC)2

  Other appointments to be finalised and announced shortly.

  Northumbrian Region

  Mr. P. Tennant (Chairman)

  Dr. T. Crisp

  Mr. J. Evans-Freke

  Mr. J. Fry

  Dr. S. Haile

  Mr. R. D. Hall

  Mr. D. Heselton

  Mr. K. Hewitson

  Mr. R. Kirkton-Darling

  Dr. M. Owen

  Mr. E. Pratt

  Mr. E. J. Thomas

  Mr. C. T. Warwick

  Mr. K. Young

  Mr. J. Browne-Swinburne (Chairman RRAC)

  Mr. E. A. Wrangham (Chairman RFDC)

  North West Region

  Mr. T. A. F. Barnes (Chairman)

  Mr. R. Bailey

  Mr. A. G. R. Brown

  Mr. F. Bunting

  Mr. J. M. Croft

  Mr. E. P. Ecroyd

  Mr. J. H. Fell

  Mr. C. Holland

  Mr. B. Irving

  Mr. K. Lambert

  Dr. E. D. Le Cren

  Mr. J. E. Lovell

  Dr. F. S. Martin

  Mr. R. E. Weston (Chairman RRAC)

  Mr. J. B. Robinson (Chairman RFDC)

  Severn Trent Region

  Mr. F. Jennings (Chairman)

  Mr. P. Buckland-Large

  Mr. W. Casey

  Mr. W. Chambers

  Mr. M. Childs

  Mr. T. W. Clowes

  Mr. E. Dodson

  Mr. W. Hardy

  Mr. H. Howarth

  Mr. J. Keedwell

  Mr. D. Orton

  Mr. T. Turner

  Mr. R. Williams

  Dr. P. Bottomley

  Dr. H. Tebbutt (Chairman RRAC)

  Mr. C. G. Hawthorne (Chairman RFDC)

  Southern Region

  Mr. A. Humbert (Chairman)

  Mr. J. W. Potter

  Mr. D. N. Brunwin

  Dr. J. L. Cotton

  Mr. I. P. E. Gay

  Mr. F. Reader

  Mr. J. Parkman

  Mr. A. R. G. Barnard

  Mr. B. E. Aldrich

  Mr. A. L. Costen

  Major J. L. Thomas

  Mr. B. Stott

  Mr. M. A. C. Drummond (Chairman RRAC)

  Mr. H. J. L. Harris (Chairman RFDC)

  South West Region

  Mrs. A. Voss-Bark (Chairman)

  649

  Mr. B. G. Wilson

  Lt. Col. G. P. Badham

  Lord Clinton

  Mr. T. E. F. Mutton

  Mr. S. J. Day

  Mr. M. Mountjoy

  Mr. A. M. Perry

  Mr. V. N. Feneck

  Miss M. Edwards

  Professor C. R. Kennedy

  Mr. M. L. Weaver

  Mr. H. G. Maund

  Mr. P. D. Edwards (Chairman RRAC)

  Mr. G. C. Manning (Chairman RFDC)

  Thames Region

  Mr. H. P. Parry (Chairman)

  Mr. A. E. Hodges

  Mr. D. Komrower

  Mr. G. G. Lee

  Mr. E. J. Macer

  Mr. D. Wales

  Mr. A. L. Williams

  Mr. B. Knights

  Mr. A. V. Meddle

  Mr. M. A. Gregory

  Mrs. J. George

  Dr. J. S. Albaster

  Dr. D. G. Jamieson

  Mrs. J. K. Wykes (Chairman RRAC)

  Mr. M. Davies (Chairman RFDC)

  Welsh Region

  Lord Moran (Chairman)

  Mr. M. J. Morgan

  Mr. J. Mayers

  Mr. J. Rhydderch

  Mr. W. Hardy

  Mr. R. I. Millichamp

  Mr. I. Edward Jone

  Mr. M. Matthews

  Colonel P. C. Ormrod

  Vice Admiral Sir Iwan Raikes

  Mr. M. F. Johnston

  Mr. W. J. Williams

  Mrs. J. Spence

  Dr. J. Fish

  Mr. G. Roberts

  Mr. A. Rees

  Dr. W. Roscoe Howells (member (RRAC)

  Member RFDC—to be appointed

  wessex Region

  Major J. M. Mills OBE TD JP DL (Chairman)

  Captain P. Green MC

  Major D. A. C. Rasch

  Mr. R. Corbett

  Brigadier S. N. Floyer-Acland CBE DL

  Mr. D. Gifford

  Dr. H. I. S. Thirlaway

  Mr. R. Harrison

  Mr. M. J. Stoodley

  Mr. G. A. Topp

  Mr. K. W. Lacey

  Mr. J. J. Mathrick

  Mr. K. Hall

  Mr. V. D. Tyrell

  Mr. J. S. Parker

  Mr. L. H. Ames

  Sir Stephen Hammick Bt

  Mr. P. W. Lacey (Chairman (RRAC)

  Mr. R. H. Baker (Chairman RFDC)

  Yorkshire Region

  Mr. J. A. Fawcett (Chairman)

  Mr. J. Austerfield

  Mr. A. R. Dalby

  Mr. A. Evans

  Mrs. S. Griffiths

  Mr. P. Hayton

  Mr. W. Jackson

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  Mr. H. G. Mackrill

  Mr. J. H. Mitchell

  Mr. A. Noble

  Mr. M. O'Donnell

  Mr. M. E. Stewart

  Dr. J. Adams

  Mr. J. W. Whitworth (Chairman RRAC)

  Chairman RFDC—to be appointed

  1 RRAC Regional Rivers Advisory Committee

  2RFDC= Regional Flood Defence Committee

  Drift Net Fishing
  Mr. Onslow
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he has had at European Community level concerning action to combat illegal drift net fishing in international waters.

  Mr. Gummer
  I am aware of the concern about the large-scale drift netting operations for tuna in the southern Pacific ocean. There has been no discussion on this matter at European Community level.

  Salmon
  Mr. Onslow
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he anticipates that the draft European Community regulations on game meat are likely to be extended to apply to the sale of wild salmon and salmon trout.

  Mr. Gummer
  No. I understand that it is not the Commission's intention to extend to fish its proposals for a regulation on rabbit and game meat.

  The Commission is developing a separate proposal for fish hygiene which would apply to wild salmon and salmon trout.

  Mr. Onslow
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will review the membership of his advisory committee on salmon stocks, following the inauguration of the National Rivers Authority.

  Mr. Gummer
  The initial appointments to the salmon advisory committee were for a three-year term and this expires in November 1989 (chairman) and February 1990 (members). We shall therefore be considering the future membership of the Committee in the coming weeks. Members are appointed on an ad hominem basis, having regard to their own particular knowledge and expertise; they do not represent any particular organisation even though the initial appointments to the committee were drawn from a wide variety of invited nominations from salmon interests.

  Eggs
  Mr. Ralph Howell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many eggs produced at the poultry establishment of Our Lady of Passion monastery in Daventry are known to have been contaminated with salmonella in each of the last three years.

  Mr. Curry
  This information is not available. The Government's measures introduced in March 1989 on compulsory testing for salmonella are directed towards identifying poultry flocks in which invasive salmonella is present, rather than examination of eggs. I understand that the flock in question was not tested in accordance with these legal requirements and the identification of
  651
  salmonella typhimurium in the flock, on which the decision to slaughter was based, was made following a report from the local authority of a food poisoning outbreak associated with eggs produced at the monastery.

  Straw and Stubble Burning
  Mr. Haselhurst
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether the 1989 straw survey has been completed; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  The 1989 straw survey date was 2 October 1989 and the survey is still in progress. The results of this survey are expected to be published early in December 1989. My right hon. Friend the Minister is currently reviewing the position on straw and stubble burning and will take the results of this year's survey into account.

DEFENCE

  Low Flying
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many sorties were authorised to fly at less than 250 ft in the Borders tactical training area on 1 July 1988, 4 to 8 July 1988, 11 to 15 July 1988 and any subsequent dates.

  Mr. Neubert
  The information on sorties requested is not available, but the number of movements authorised for flying below 250 ft in the Borders tactical training area in July 1988 was 94 and from 1 August 1988 to 31 July 1989 was 1,912. These figures are not directly comparable with earlier movements figures for the Borders tactical training area which pre-date the extension of the area last year.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if flying at less than 250 ft is included in the training syllabus for junior pilots on front-line Royal Air Force strike-attack squadrons.

  Mr. Neubert
  No. Operational low flying is mainly restricted to essential work-up training for specific exercises in North America and is not included in a general training syllabus.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the effective date and geographical extent of each alteration to the boundaries of the Borders tactical training area since 1979.

  Mr. Neubert
  I have nothing to add to the letters of my hon. Friend the then Under-Secretary of State for the Armed Forces of 9 June 1988, 30 June 1988, 5 August 1988 and 30 September 1988 to the hon. Member on this subject.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if interceptor aircraft are permitted to fly at less than 250 ft in the Borders tactical training area; and what is the minimum permitted height and maximum permitted speed for interceptor aircraft during interception manoeuvres within the Borders tactical training area.

  Mr. Neubert
  There is no requirement for interceptor aircraft to carry out operational low flying training in the United Kingdom. Interceptor aircraft taking part in interception/evasion exercises are authorised to fly no 652
  lower than 250 ft minimum separation distance and within the normal speed constraints of the United Kingdom low flying system.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date notification of the disestablishment of the Tees-side low-flying avoidance area was sent by his Department to(a) hon. Members and (b) local authorities in the area; and if he will list the parliamentary constituencies and local authorities concerned.

  Mr. Neubert
  As the hon. Member will be aware, when significant changes are made to the United Kingdom low flying system hon. Members whose constituencies are affected are given appropriate notification.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration has been given to permitting United States and other North Atlantic Treaty Organisation air forces to fly at less than 250 ft in the three United Kingdom tactical training areas.

  Mr. Neubert
  There are no records of foreign military aircraft requesting authority to carry out low flying training in the United Kingdom tactical training areas.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the replies to the hon. Member for Meirionydd Nant Conwy of 9 November 1987,Official Report, columns 36–37, 20 January 1988, Official Report, column 765, and 10 May 1989, Official Report, columns 474–5, on what assumed average number of movements per sortie the figures for low-flying sorties in the years 1985, 1986, 1987 and 1988, as recalculated by the pre-1985 method of estimating sorties from numbers of movements, were based; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Neubert
  [pursuant to the reply of 20 July 19891: The answer is 2·5.

  Bombs and Missiles
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make a further statement on the possible procurement of a tactical air-to-surface missile;

  (2) if he will make a further statement on the procurement options for the possible replacement of the WE177 free-fall nuclear bomb.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I have nothing to add to the reply that I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Wyre (Mr. Mans) on 24 October.

  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what expenditure has been incurred to date on the study of procurement options for the possible replacement of the WE177 free-fall nuclear bomb.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I have nothing to add to the reply that I gave the hon. Member on 17 July 1989 at column 71.

  Royal Signals Research Establishment
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the Royal Signals research establishment at Malvern was privatised; how much was received for it; who obtained the contract; and what guarantee is in place for the security of sensitive signals and information.

  Mr. Neubert
  The Royal Signals research establishment at Malvern has not been privatised.

  Departmental Land (Hunting)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the policy on his Department's land being used for hunting with hounds; what arrangements are made for service personnel, horses, and equipment to be used in this connection; what requirements and regulations are enforced to try to ensure that hunting does not occur on adjoining landowners' land; what recompense is made if this does occur; and what are the locations of his Department's land where hunting is permitted.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  It is our policy to permit access to Ministry of Defence land for recreational purposes wherever operational and safety considerations permit, where it is consistent with the interests of our tenants and licensees, and where it does not unreasonably affect local amenities and the environment. Legal activities involving hunting with hounds could be permitted over any MOD land on which those criteria are met.

  Although hunting is acknowledged as a useful form of training for both horses and riders, only members of mounted units may be permitted to hunt during duty hours, at their commanding officers' discretion. MOD personnel are entitled to hire various items of Government-owned equipment for their own personal use, subject to availability, and a charge is levied which is calculated to recover any cost to the Department arising from that use.

  The question of access to the property of adjacent landowners and of any recompense would be a matter for the hunt itself.

  Skyguard
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects the height-monitoring radar system Skyguard to begin operating over the transit area that operates over south Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire; and whether he will report on the results of the monitoring.

  Mr. Neubert
  It is not the intention to publish proposed deployment locations for the Skyguard radar system in the low flying monitoring role in advance, but my Department will be seeking to ensure a wide spread of locations around the United Kingdom. Appropriate follow-up action will be taken after each deployment.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of letters from honourable Members to his Department received a reply(a) in under four weeks, (b) within four to six weeks, (c) within six to eight weeks and (d) over eight weeks, in each of the last three years.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I regret that the information is not readily available in the form requested. The aim of all Ministers in the Ministry of Defence is to answer letters from hon. Members within two to four weeks. There are, however, inevitably occasions when this is not possible.

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the hon. Member for Greenock and Port Glasgow can expect to receive a response to his letter, dated 11 August, concerning Private W. McLuskey, 1st Battalion, Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders.
  654
  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  My noble Friend the parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Armed Forces has written to the hon. Member today.

  Pensions
  Mr. Thorne
  To ask the Scretary of State for Defence if he will give for the latest year for which records exist and for 1974 the number of ladies(a) under 65 years, (b) between 65 and 69 years, (c) between 70 and 79 years and (d) 80 years and over in receipt of attributable forces family pension.

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

  Mr. Thorne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what definition his Department uses of war widow for pension purposes.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  "War widow" is not, as such, a defined term used by the Ministry of Defence for pension purposes. However, for purposes of the attributable family pensions which were introduced into the armed forces pension scheme from 31 March 1973, it is a pre-requisite for the award of a widow's pension that her husband died from causes accepted by the Department of Social Security as being attributable to or aggravated by his service.

  Explosives and Ammunition
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he has any plans to review the levels of risk in the storage of conventional military explosives and ammunition.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  In accordance with our policy of keeping these matters under regular review, we have decided to put in hand a full study of risk assessment methodology as related to the storage of conventional explosives and ammunition in MOD depots. A contract has been given to the Safety and Reliability Directorate of UKAEA to conduct the review. This contract will be monitored, and further work undertaken, by an MOD team under the guidance of the Explosives Storage and Transport Committee. In addition, all the work in prospect will be scrutinised by an independent panel of experts chaired by Mr. Bryan Harvey, a former Deputy Director-General of the Health and Safety Executive and a former Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Major Hazards. The panel will include representatives from industry, the academic institutions and the Health and Safety Executive. It will report direct to my noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Armed Forces as necessary.

  The study is in furtherance of our policy of continuing to update our approach to the safety of explosives and ammunition storage and will draw on the experience of industry as appropriate.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Employment (Strangford)
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many new jobs have been assisted by the Industrial Development Board and the Local
  655
  Enterprise Development Unit in the constituency of Strangford in the most recent 12 months for which figures are available.

  Mr. Needham
  In the 12-month period to 30 September 1989 the IDB promoted 210 new jobs in the constituency of Strangford. LEDU figures are prepared on a district council basis and in the same period LEDU promoted 93 new jobs in the district council areas of Ards and Castlereagh.

  Rural Schools
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he will provide additional finance to enable education and library boards to make special provision for small isolated rural schools and small secondary-community schools, particularly in border areas, when the boards are determining future funding for these schools under local management of schools.

  Mr. Needham
  It is envisaged that local management in schools (LMS) schemes will be able to take account of the needs of small schools—including small isolated rural schools—where there is agreement that such schools must be retained. It is not possible to anticipate at this stage the implications of this for the block grant allocations to boards which are based on relative needs.

  Ulster Defence Regiment
  Mr. A. Cecil Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many serving members of the Ulster Defence Regiment have been requested to resign because they were deemed to be a security risk due to the area in which they live.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I have been asked to reply.

  I am aware of none. However, if the hon. Member has a particular case in mind I shall be happy to look into it.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Centre for World Development Education
  Mr. Jacques Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has any plans to increase Overseas Development Administration support for the Centre for World Development Education.

  Mrs. Chalker
  I am pleased to announce an increase from £125,000 to £165,000 in the ODA's annual grant to CWDE. This will be for the three years starting 1 April 1990.

  Cambodia
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on United Kingdom policy on development aid to Cambodia.

  Mrs. Chalker
  We do not provide Government-to-Government aid to Cambodia. We have, however, provided £350,000 of humanitarian aid through United Nations agencies for the people of Cambodia, and we are willing to support suitable projects proposed by British non-governmental organisations under our joint funding 656
  scheme. Seven such projects have so far been approved involving expenditure of £190,000 from the aid programme.

ENVIRONMENT

  Housing (Waltham Forest)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what recent representations he has received concerning poor housing conditions in Waltham Forest; what his response was; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Howard
  I have received a number of representations, including one from the hon. Member, about proposed schemes for the redevelopment of four large panel construction estates in Waltham Forest.

  I hope to meet the hon. Member and representatives of the council shortly to discuss these schemes.

  Football Spectators Bill
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many letters he has received from members of the public concerning the Football Spectators Bill since the publication of the interim report of Lord Justice Taylor.

  Mr. Moynihan
  Since the publication on 1 August of Lord Justice Taylor's interim report into the Hillsborough disaster, the Government have received 137 letters about the Football Spectators Bill direct from members of the public, and 26 letters from constituents through their Members of Parliament.

  Caravan Sites
  Mr. Bernie Grant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which local authorities have made no provisions under the Caravan Sites Act 1968.

  Mr. Chope
  The information has been placed in the library.

  Rivers (Licensed Abstraction)
  Mr. Onslow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will ask the National Rivers Authority to undertake an urgent review of the effect of licensed abstraction on rivers in England and Wales.

  Mr. Howard
  It will be for the NRA, as an independent body, to decide how best to order its priorities in carrying out its functions under the Water Act 1989. I have, however, drawn my right hon. Friend's question to the authority's attention.

  Regional Rivers Advisory Committees
  Mr. Onslow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish the names of all those so far appointed as members of regional rivers advisory committees in England and Wales.

  Mr. Howard
  Appointments to the Regional Rivers Advisory Committees are made by the National Rivers Authority. Appointments so far are as follows:

  Anglian Region

  Mr. C.Groome (Chairman)

  657

  Mr. P. Horton

  Mr. G. Searle

  Mr. T. Prater

  Mr. D. Sisman

  Mr. H. Darbon

  Mr. J. Loveys

  Dr. D. George

  Mr. J. Pilling

  Mr. D. Latham

  Mr. P. Moorhouse

  Dr. J. Carmichael

  Mr. C. Lumber

  Mrs. N. Field

  Mr. N. Boast

  Mr. D. Clarke

  Hon. R. Godber

  Mrs. S. Ashford

  Mr. J. Martin (Chairman RFDC)

  Mr. P. Tombleson (Chaiman RFAC)

  Northumbria Region

  Mr. J. Browne-Swinburne (Chairman)

  Mr. M. Bird

  Mrs. C. Bradley

  Dr. J. P. Carrick

  Coucillor J. Coulthard

  Mr. D. Dunlop

  Mr. J. A. Foster

  Mr. K. Hale

  Mrs. J. Johnson

  Professor M. D. Newson

  Councillor D. L. Nicholson

  Mr. E. Palmer

  Mr. R. A. Pepper:

  Lord Ralph Percy

  Mr. H. G. H. Sanderson

  Mr. H. Watson:

  Mr. E. A. Wrangham (Chairman RFDC)

  Mr. P. L. Tennant (Chairman RFAC)

  North West Region

  Mr. R. E. Weston (Chairman)

  Mr. J. N. Lucas JP

  Mr. R. H. Tyson JP

  Mr. I. Bonner

  Mr. R. Sharland

  Sir John Tavare

  Mr. A. A. Wright

  Dr. S. R. Jones

  Mr. R. L. Pocock

  Mr. A. C. Shepherd

  Mr. J. R. Crowther JP

  Mr. R. Pickup

  Mrs. A. M. Tait

  Mr. A. Richardson OBE DL

  Mr. D. Cochrane

  Mr. G. H. Hammersley

  Mr. E. Harper

  Mr. J. B. Robinson (Chairman RFDC)

  Mr. T. A. F. Barnes (Chairman RFAC)

  Severn Trent Region

  Dr. H. Tebbutt (Chairman)

  Mr. D. Grigg

  Lord Guernsey

  Mr. F. Walmsley by

  Mr. J. Thompson

  Mr. C. Nicholson

  Mrs. V. Gillespie MBE

  Mr. B. Scott

  Mr. M. White

  Mr. P. J. Mitchell

  Councillor Mrs. P. R. Merritt

  Councillor Sir Richard Knowles

  Councillor D. R. Jones

  Councillor P. E. Beeby

  Mr. D. Pryor

  Mr. S. Sim

  Mr. J. Betteridge

  Mr. C. G. Hawthorne (Chairman RFDC)

  658

  Mr. F. Jennings (Chairman RFAC)

  Southern Region

  Mr. M. Drummond (Chairman)

  Mr. I. Dempster

  Mr. B. Tarling

  Mr. C. G. Saunders-Davies

  Mr. D. Gibson

  Mrs. S. Whitley

  Mrs. M. K. Haselden

  Dr. M. Clarke

  Ms. P. Edwards

  Mr. M. Lockhart

  Mr. B. Hewett

  Mr. E. Pipe

  Ms. L. Leeson

  Mr. B. C. Williams

  Mr. H. T. Barnhoorn

  Mr. D. S. Martin

  Mr. I. Duffin

  Mr. H. Harris (Chairman RFDC)

  Mr. A. Humbert (Chairman RFAC)

  South West Region

  Mr. P. Edwards (Chairman)

  Mr. P. Tuckett

  Mr. J. Philip

  Mr. M. Turner

  Mr. R. Bull

  Ms. C. Steel

  Mr. R. Gomm

  Mr. P. Beale

  Ms. F. McAllister

  Mr. E. Newton

  Dr. M. Pemberton

  Lt. Col. W. J. Elliot

  Ms. J. Thompson

  Mr. A. Coulter

  Mr. P. Barson

  Mr. T. Hughes

  Mr. B. Dickens

  Mr. J. Chappell

  Mr. G. Manning (Chairman RFDC)

  Mrs. A. Voss-Bark (Chairman RFAC)

  Thames Region

  Mrs. J. K. Wykes (Chairman)

  Mr. J. A. G. Coates

  Mr. D. E. Coleman

  Mr. R. C. Corp-Reader

  Mr. A. G. Davis

  Mr. K. French

  Mr. F. Hodgson

  Mr. J. Ibbott

  Ms. K. Lacey

  Mr. G. Lee-Steere

  Mr. P. T. Mclntosh

  Mr. D. W. Moss

  Mr. D. Powell

  Dr. G. L. P. Randall

  Mr. P. Schofield

  Mr. A. Scott-Johnson

  Mr. A. Shefras

  Mr. D. E. T. Try

  Mr. D. Turner

  Mr. A. J. Wilcox

  Mr. W. A. Wiseman

  Mr. M. Davies (Chairman RFDC)

  Mr. H. P. Parry (Chairman RFAC)

  Welsh Region

  Professor M. Bruton (Chairman)

  Mr. B. Thomas

  Mr. H. Lewis

  Mr. W. Walker

  Councillor W. E. Conway

  Councillor E. K. Griffiths

  Councillor J. N. Hereford

  Councillor J. D. A. Thompson

  Councillor G. Jones

  659

  Councillor J. R. Evans

  Dr. A. O'Connor

  Dr. M. P. Brooker

  Mr. M. Fitton

  Mr. R. Lovegrove

  Dr. N. Caldwell

  Mr. H. Williams

  Mr. K. Mascetti

  Dr. W. R. Howells

  Mr. L. E. Taylor

  Dr. N. Bolton

  Mrs. C. Hayward

  Professor J. Simpson

  Mr. W. N. Waters (Member, RFDC)

  Mr. M. Morgan (Member, RFAC)

  Wessex Region

  Mr. P. W. Lacey (Chairman)

  Mr. R. C. Adlam

  Mr. E. J. H. Cameron

  Lieutenant Colonel J. V. Cornwell

  Mr. T. Rymell

  Mr. D. Gilford

  Mrs. N. McMahon

  Mr. C. F. Skellett

  Mr. J. R. Little

  Mr. K. Green

  Mr. M. J. Hudson

  Miss W. Pettigrew

  Mr. A. Swindall

  Mr. E. Potter

  Captain I. A. Campbell

  Mr. R. S. Trench

  Captain J. Lofts

  Mrs. P. Stocken

  Mrs. I. H. Peckham

  Mr. R. H. Baker (Chairman RFDC)

  Major J. M. Mills, OBE, TD, JP, DL, (Chairman RFAC)

  Yorkshire Region

  Mr. J. Whitworth (Chairman)

  Mr. J. C. Cooke

  Mr. R. Pigg

  Mr. J. Armitage

  Ms. S. Marsden

  Dr. S. A. Bucknall

  Dr. P. Knights

  Mr. P. Andrew

  Mr. M. Wright

  Councillor C. D. Swinglehurst

  Mr. I. White

  Councillor R. Mitchell

  Mr. C. Hawkesworth

  Mr. G. A. Wilford

  Dr. A. J. Shuttleworth

  Miss M. Rooker

  Mr. J. N. Thompson

  (Chairman RFDC—to be appointed)

  Mr. J. A. Fawcett (Chairman RFAC)

  Estuarial Barrages
  Mr. Onslow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals for estuarial barrages in England and Wales are currently known to his Department; and what is the present status of each of them.

  Mr. Howard
  The information requested is as follows:

  Barrage and Status

  Mersey—Feasibility studies in progress

  Severn—A number of studies have been completed

  Cardiff Bay—Studies completed—Bill before Parliament

  Swansea (River Tawe)—Construction started in 1989

  Usk (Newport)—Feasibility studies in progress

  Loughor—Feasibility studies completed

  Conway—Feasibility studies in progress

  Rhyl (River Foryd)—Feasibility studies completed. Scheme shelved.

  660

  Tyne Tees—Feasibility studies completed. Bill before Parliament. (Strictly this is a river barrage rather than an estuarial barrage).

  Planning Inquiries
  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will place in the Library a copy of his current guidance to planning inspectors on their conduct of local public inquiries into planning appeals;

  (2) if he will place in the Library a copy of his current instructions to the planning inspectorate as to which planning appeals may be determined by a planning inspectorate without being referred to Ministers.

  Mr. Howard
  Guidance on the conduct of planning inquiries is contained in chapter B3 of the planning inspectors' handbook. The criteria for recovery of planning appeals for decision by the Secretary of State are set out in paragraph 36 of the "Planning: Appeals, Call-in and Major Public Inquiries—the Government's response to the fifth report from the Evironment Committee, Session 1985–86" (Cm. 43). Both documents are in the Library.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will set out the categories of representations he has received about the payment of the community charge by teachers in residential schools.

  Mr. Chope
  I have received a number of representations from such teachers about the operation of the standard community charge. Amendments recently made to the Local Government and Housing Bill will enable local authorities to provide relief from the standard charge to teachers who are required to live at their school, as I announced on 9 October.

  Mr. John Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any plans to make extra funds available to people with severe disabilities, independent of income support criteria, for the purpose of poll tax rebates in regard to major house adaptations; and if he will make a statement with special reference to the Rating (Disabled Persons) Act 1978.

  Mr. Chope
  Rate relief under the Rating (Disabled Persons) Act 1978 was given to avoid disabled people having to pay more than people in similar property as a result of adaptations which increased the rateable value of their home. There is no question of disabled people having to pay more community charge than their neighbours, and no equivalent relief is therefore necessary. The community charge rebate system will provide extra protection for disabled people, who will be able to qualify for benefit at higher levels of income than people who are not disabled. The Government have announced that there will be special provision for disabled people in the transitional relief scheme.

  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has made of the administrative implications of his proposals for transitional relief associated with the community charge; and if he will request specific local authorities for their assessment of issues raised by their implementation including the availability of sufficient information.
  661
  Mr. Chope
  My officials are in discussion with the local authority associations about the administrative implications of the Government's proposals for transitional relief. In addition, we have sent details of the proposals to all authorities and invited them to make representations.

  Domestic Waste (Reprocessing)
  Mr. Waller
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about his target of reprocessing an increased proportion of domestic waste by the year 2000.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  [holding answer 20 October 1989]: Waste minimisation and recycling are important in reducing pollution and conserving natural resources. Although the United Kingdom has a good record in certain areas—recycling lead, for example—there is much progress to be made in recycling domestic waste. We shall therefore be working with industry, local authorities and voluntary groups to secure a substantial increase in the proportion of waste being put to productive use with the aim of recycling half our recyclable domestic waste by the end of the century.

  The improved controls over waste disposal, on which we hope to legislate shortly, will ensure that the costs of disposal are properly identified and compared with the costs of recycling. We are helping to support Wastewatch and projects such as Recycling City in Sheffield, which is using a range of separation, collection and recycling techniques. We shall also be working with industry to help encourage the market for recycled and recyclable products.

EMPLOYMENT

  Employment Training
  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what were the numbers of accidents on YTS, fatal, major and minor, for the latest available three-month period, and how many YTS placements were closed or not accepted in that period and in the three preceeding months.

  Mr. Nicholls
  Table A provides YTS accident figures for the period 1 July to 30 September 1989.

  Table A

  Accidents1

  Fatalities

  Nil

  Major injuries2

  139

  Minor injuries

  654

  Table B provides the closure and non-acceptance figures for the quarters 1 April 1989 to 30 June 1989 and 1 July 1989 to 30 September 1989. These figures are provisional.

  Table B

  1 April 1989 to 30 June 1989

  1 July 1989 to 30 September 1989

  Placements Closed

  2

  14

  Placements not accepted

  3

  2

  1 Training Agency figures have been compiled on a similar basis to those prepared by the Health and Safety Executive on employed persons. However, the Training Agency's figures will include a number of accidents to trainees in educational establishments and

  662
  road traffic accidents which may not have been reportable to the Health and Safety Executive had the individuals been employed.

  2 Major injuries are classified according to the severity criteria laid down in the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1985.

  Child Minding
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received concerning the difficulties married women have in enrolling for employment training schemes because they are not entitled to assistance with child minding; and whether he will consider amending the regulations to ensure that assistance is given on the basis of family income and not marital status.

  Mr. Nicholls
  A number of representations have been received. However, our overall experience of the way the programme is operating does not indicate that married women are being deterred from joining employment training. There are no plans to extend child care payments to groups other than lone parents.

  Cash Limits
  Mr. Knapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether any changes will be made to his Department's cash limits or running costs limits for 1989–90.

  Mr. Fowler
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimates, the following changes will be made.

  The cash limit on class VII, vote 1 (training programmes) will be reduced by £4,081,000 from £2,623,417,000 to £2,619,336,000. This is the net effect of a token £1,000 vote and a decrease of £4,082,000 partly to offset the increase sought on class VII, vote 2 for National Dock Labour Board administration.

  The cash limit on class VII, vote 2 will be increased by £7,078,000 from £633,931,000 to £641,009,000. The increase is offset partly by a £4,081,000 reduction in the cash limit on class VII, vote 1. The increase is the net result of increased provision of £3,018,000 (running costs) and £108,000 (capital costs) under the end-year flexibility arrangements for capital and running costs to carry forward unspent provision from 1988–89 to 1989–90 as announced by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 20 July 1989 (Official Report, cols. 258–62); of £10,000,000 increased provision for certain residual costs of the National Dock Labour Board (partly offset by £5,000,000 reductions elsewhere on vote 2); of the transfer of £919,000 to the Training Agency (class VII, vote 1) in connection with the earlier organisational changes within the Employment Department group which resulted in the Training Agency taking on responsibility for some enterprise and small firms functions; of the transfer of £33,000 to the Central Statistical Office (CSO) (class XIX, vote 18) for certain statistical functions previously transferred to them in the 1989–90 Revised Estimates; and of increased receipts of £96,000 from CSO (class XIX, vote 18) in respect of statistical and administrative support work done by the Department of Employment on a repayment basis.

  As a result of these changes there will be an increase of £2,985,000 in the class VII, vote 2 running costs limit which will be increased from £642,144,000 to £645,129,000.
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  The net effect of these changes will be met from the Reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

PRIME MINISTER

  Commonwealth Conference
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Prime Minister if she raised the issue of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty and the fourth non-proliferation treaty review conference during her attendance at the Commonwealth Conference in Malaysia in October.

  The Prime Minister
  No.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will make a statement on discussions she had with other heads of Government and state presidents on the issue of global warming and the threat of sea-level rises, at the Commonwealth summit in Kuala Lumpur.

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the statement that I made yesterday.

  Nautical Archaeology
  Mr. Onslow
  To ask the Prime Minister when she expects that the Departments concerned will be in a position to respond to the recommendations of the report of the Joint Nautical Archaeology Policy Committee; and if she will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  A number of Departments have an interest in the matters raised by the report. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment has asked his officials to prepare a co-ordinated analysis of how the JNAPC's recommendations bear on individual departments' responsibilities. Ministers will then consider collectively an appropriate response to the recommendations. Work will proceed as quickly as possible.

  Cash Limits
  Mr. Andrew Bowden
  To ask the Prime Minister if there are any proposals to change the 1989–90 cash limit and running costs limit for the Cabinet Office: Other Services.

  The Prime Minister
  Both the overall cash limit and the running costs limit for Cabinet Office: Other Services (class XX, vote 2) have been reduced by £178,000: from £16,639,000 to £16,461,000 and from £18,083,000 to £17,905,000 respectively. These decreases go to offset corresponding increases in the cash limit and running costs limit for the Central Statistical Office (class XIX vote 18) and reflects the transfer of part provision between the Cabinet Office and the Central Statistical Office as a result of the reorganisation of the statistical services which I announced on 5 April 1989.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Widows
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will take immediate steps to amend the Social Security (Overlapping Benefits) Regulations so as to end the present rule whereby a widow, who prior to her 664
  husband's death was in receipt of invalid care allowance, has that allowance immediately terminated when she becomes eligible for a widow's pension; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  No. Invalid care allowance and widows benefit are both personal income maintenance benefits, intended to help meet an individual's day-to-day living expenses. To pay invalid care allowance in full in addition to widow's benefit would mean that provision was being made twice from public funds to cover the same needs.

  War Widows
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security for the latest year for which records exist, how many of those in receipt of a war widows' pension from his Department were also in receipt of(a) housing benefit, (b) income support and (c) other state benefits.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  [holding answer 25 October 1989]: It is estimated that at the end of 1988 about 20 per cent. of war widows were in receipt of housing benefit and about 1 per cent. in receipt of income support. Information is not available on the other state benefits that war widows may receive.

  Central Index
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will give a breakdown of those categories of persons entitled to make trace and inquiry accesses to his Department's central index; and if he will indicate for what purposes in each case.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  There are four facilities currently offered by the central index. These are an inquiry service, the tracing of national insurance numbers (NINOS), the allocation of national insurance numbers and the ability to check on the social security benefits a customer is receiving. All DSS and Employment Department staff who have personal identification devices, without which they cannot access the system, can use the inquiry service. The remaining facilities can be broken down into the following categories:

  1. Inquiries only

  DSS regional offices (of which only the North West region and Scotland have access to the strategy at present) Support sections at HQ, Lytham-St-Annes Social Security auditors

  2. Trace NINOS

  Employment Department local offices Employment Department fraud offices Northern Ireland (only certain offices at present)

  3. Trace NINOS/check benefit position

  Newcastle Central Office North Fylde Central Office Family Credit Branch Glasgow Social Security Centre

  4. Trace NINOS/check benefit position/ allocate NINOS

  Social Security local offices

  Unemployment Benefit
  Mr. Neil Thorne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many claims for unemployment benefit were submitted to his Department by wives of
  665
  service men stationed (a) in the United Kingdom, (b) in the British Army of the Rhine and (c) elsewhere, for the latest year for which records exist and for the three preceding years;

  (2) how many wives of service men were in receipt of unemployment benefit in (a) the United Kingdom, (b) British Army of the Rhine and (c) elsewhere, for the latest year for which records exist and for the three preceding years.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The information requested is not available.

  War Pensions
  Mr. Neil Thorne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will specify for the year 1988–89 the amount by which the war pensions vote was overspent or underspent.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  An overspend occurred on the war pensions vote for the year 1988–89 amounting to £2,344,000.

  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list for each year from 1959 to the present day the number of deceased service men whose death was attributable to their service and which resulted in the award of a war widow's pension.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The numbers are as follows. They include all war widows' pensions awarded under war pensions legislation.

  Numbers

  1959

  1,961

  1960

  1,964

  1961

  2,120

  1962

  2,017

  1963

  2,151

  1964

  1,942

  1965

  2,124

  1966

  2,210

  1967

  1,920

  1968

  2,070

  1969

  2,010

  1970

  2,090

  1971

  2,339

  1972

  1,997

  1973

  2,154

  1974

  1,990

  1975

  1,937

  1976

  1,615

  1977

  1,411

  1978

  2,237

  1979

  1,393

  1980

  1,918

  1981

  1,469

  1982

  1,637

  1983

  1,381

  1984

  1,330

  1985

  1,247

  1986

  1,440

  1987

  1,342

  1988

  1,448

  1989

  11,165

  1 Up to quarter ending 30 September 1989.

  Young People
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many persons aged 16 and 17 years have(a) applied for and (b) been granted crisis loans under the social fund for each of the last 12 months;
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  (2) how many persons aged 16 and 17 years in receipt of income support have applied for grants or loans from the social fund in each of the past 12 months.

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

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many persons aged 16 and 17 years have been considered for receipt of income support under the rules for severe hardship(a) prior to and (b) following the changes announced in July;

  (2) how many persons aged 16 and 17 years have been refused income support in each of the past 12 months.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The number of applications from 16 and 17-year-olds considered for receipt of income support under the rules for severe hardship in the periods specified are:

  Number

  Per cent.

  Until 7 July 1989

  Granted income support

  7,428

  65

  Refused income support

  4,040

  35

  Total

  11,468

  From 10 July 1989 to 13 October 1989

  Granted income support

  3,913

  69

  Refused income support

  1,763

  31

  Total

  5,676

  Notes:

  1. Based on 100 per cent. count of applications received.

  2. Information relates to the number of applications received rather than to the number of individual young people involved. Some individuals may have made more than one application.

  The total number of 16 and 17-year-olds who have been refused income support in each of the past 12 months is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many persons aged 16 and 17 years who are living in night shelters or are otherwise homeless have applied for grants, loans or income support in each of the past 12 months.

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

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if his Department intends to issue further guidance to local offices of the rules governing income support for persons aged 16 and 17 years and the changes made in July.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Following the announcement in March of the improvements to help 16 and 17-year-olds claiming income support, special training was provided for all staff dealing with young people. A number of voluntary organisations were involved in the preparation of the training package, which emphasises the need for sensitivity when dealing with young people who may have been physically or sexually abused. There are standing arrangements for new staff to receive the training.

  There is no evidence to suggest that this special training is inadequate but the Government are committed to monitoring the effects of the provisions for young people. If that indicates a need for further guidance, we shall make appropriate arrangements.

  Family Credit
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many families are in receipt of family credit and how many of those families have members on employment training.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The latest information is for the end of July when the family credit case load was just over 320,000. Precise information is not available about the number of families with members on employment training at the time of the claim for family credit, but indications are that there are likely to be no more than a few hundred.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if his Department has issued, or intends to issue, fresh instructions to offices on the operation of paragraph 11 of schedule 2 to the Family Credit (General) Regulations concerning the disregard of premiums paid to those on employment training;

  (2) in how many cases the training premium for employment training has not been disregarded for calculation of family credit entitlement, contrary to paragraph 11, schedule 2 Family Credit (General) Regulations in (a) Cornwall and (b) the rest of Great Britain;

  (3) what is the total loss suffered by each individual who has been deprived of part of their family credit entitlement because the premium due to their familes under employment training has not been disregarded.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Instructions about the correct treatment of training premiums were issued to all staff of the family credit unit on 3 May 1989, and the correct disregard should have been applied in all appropriate cases dealt with since that date.

  Action is already in hand, using computer records, which will indentify many of the cases dealt with incorrectly before that date. The remainder are cases which cannot be traced in this way and consideration is still being given to what action can be taken to identify them. Until these exercises have been completed, we shall not know the number of cases where the training premium was not disregarded or the amount of the loss suffered by individuals. However, all the indications are that the number of cases is likely to be small.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Immigration Adjudicators
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will list all immigration adjudicators showing when they were first appointed and what qualifications they have for the post; and what information is kept on their political affiliations.

  The Attorney-General
  The names, dates of first appointment and legal professional qualifications of all full-time and part-time immigration adjudicators are listed below. No information is kept on their political affiliations.
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  Immigration adjudicators

  Full-time

  First appointment

  Qualification

  M. Patey MBE

  1 March 1970 (as Chief Adjudicator 1 August 1984)

  —

  Lady Anson

  29 December 1986

  Barrister

  J. R. Bright

  18 August 1982 (as part-time 1 April 1970)

  Solicitor

  V. Callender

  1 August 1982

  —

  R. G. Care

  29 January 1988 (as part-time 11 August 1980)

  Solicitor

  Mrs. J. Chatwani

  14 December 1987 (as part-time 11 August 1980)

  Barrister

  W. J. Coley

  1 March 1970

  Solicitor

  I. M. S. Donnell

  1 March 1970

  —

  R. P. Gilbert

  6 September 1976 (as part-time 1 April 1970)

  Solicitor

  A. F. Hatt

  20 June 1988 (as part-time 11 August 1980)

  Solicitor

  E. J. T. Housden

  1 March 1970

  Barrister

  D. J. Parkes

  15 July 1987

  Barrister

  C. O. Richards

  1 August 1976

  —

  Part-time

  D. K. Allen

  9 March 1989

  Barrister

  G. Alis

  2 January 1979

  Solicitor

  J. I. E. Arnold

  11 August 1980

  Barrister

  A. B. Auckland

  1 April 1970

  Solicitor

  D. N. Bowen

  9 March 1989

  Solicitor

  J. S. Brodwell

  5 July 1976

  Solicitor

  G. S. Cobbett

  11 August 1980

  Barrister

  H. Concannon

  26 November 1985

  Solicitor

  Professor K. Counter

  1 October 1987

  Barrister

  Mrs. A. C. Davies

  1 September 1974

  Barrister

  J. R. Disley

  1 July 1983

  Solicitor

  Mrs. D. Drew

  12 June 1989

  Barrister

  Mrs. D. A. Friedman

  11 August 1986

  Barrister

  J. B. Forge

  27 September 1982

  Solicitor

  J. Freeman

  9 March 1989

  Barrister

  R. W. Gann

  11 August 1980

  Solicitor

  I. Guild CBE

  15 February 1988

  Solicitor

  P. Gulbenkian

  12 June 1989

  Solicitor

  J. R. T. Holt

  22 August 1983

  Barrister

  J. A. W. James

  19 August 1987

  Solicitor

  E. J. Jenkins

  26 November 1981

  Solicitor

  Mrs. C. M Kennedy

  11 August 1980

  Solicitor

  M. I. Khan

  1 August 1983

  Barrister

  D. S. Kirwan

  23 August 1983

  Solicitor

  Mrs. M. C. Kreitman

  15 February 1988

  Solicitor

  D. Markwick-Smith

  15 July 1987 (as full-time March 1970 to July 1987)

  —

  Mrs. J. Marco

  15 February 1988

  Solicitor

  M. F. Meredith-Hardy

  11 August 1980

  Barrister

  J. F. Myers

  1 September 1974

  Barrister

  T. Oddy

  26 November 1985

  Solicitor

  D. S. Pearl

  11 August 1980

  Barrister

  G. H. N. Peel

  1 September 1974

  Solicitor

  M. W. Rapinet

  12 June 1989

  Solicitor

  J. A. Rennie

  1 July 1976

  Barrister

  Mrs. H. C. Rose

  11 August 1980

  Barrister

  P. B. Rose

  16 February 1987

  Barrister

  C. P. Rushton

  1 September 1974

  Solicitor

  W. B. Scott

  1 September 1987

  Barrister

  N. Selwyn

  16 February 1987

  Barrister

  J. M. Simons

  1 July 1983

  Solicitor

  C. R. Sinclair-Morris

  1 September 1974

  Barrister

  R. R. G. B. Smedley

  11 August 1980

  Barrister

  J. G. Storry

  12 June 1989

  Barrister

  Mrs. P. A. Symons

  11 August 1980

  —

  J. M. Timmons

  16 February 1987

  Solicitor

  A. L. Whitaker

  11 August 1980

  Solicitor

  P. J. Wynne

  1 September 1974

  Solicitor

  669
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Attorney-General what steps he has taken to ensure the impartiality of immigration adjudicators and to ensure their freedom from pressure from any source to disallow more appeals brought before them; and if he will make a statement.

  The Attorney-General
  Immigration adjudicators are appointed by the Lord Chancellor. I have no reason to believe that the immigration adjudicators, who are independent judicial officers, are other than impartial or that they have been subject to any form of pressure to disallow more appeals.

  Justices of the Peace (Political Views)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Attorney-General what is the purpose of question 16 on political views on the form entitled "Particulars of Candidate for Appointment as a Justice of the Peace"; how this information is used; and if he will list for(a) Waltham Forest, (b) London and (c) nationally the number of justices of the peace, broken down by political views where they are known.

  The Attorney-General
  The purpose of question 16 is to ascertain the political views of a candidate so that the advisory committee can take this into account in its endeavour to bring before the Lord Chancellor a list of recommendations which meets his wish that the composition of each bench should broadly reflect the area it covers. Candidates do not have to answer this question if they do not wish to do so. At the last count the political allegiance of the members of the Waltham Forest bench was as follows:

  Number

  Conservatives

  36

  Labour

  26

  SLD/SDP (incorporating Liberal and SDP parties)

  11

  Independent or not known

  19

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  These figures are based on information provided at the time of appointment. Figures for London and England and Wales could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Reciprocal Enforcement Agreements
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Attorney-General what policy has been formulated with regard to the abduction of children to jurisdictions which do not have reciprocal enforcement agreements with the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  I have been asked to reply.

  I am fully aware of the distress that these cases cause to all parties involved.

  Where children have been abducted to countries which have ratified the Hague convention on the civil aspects of international child abduction and the European convention on recognition and enforcement of decisions concerning custody of children and on restoration of custody of children, it is open to those concerned to seek the advice of the Lord Chancellor's Department which is the appointed central authority under the terms of the conventions.

  In countries where the conventions are not applicable, actions can properly be taken only through the courts of the country concerned. We have no formal standing in what are essentially family matters.

  Where children have dual nationality and are in the country of their second nationality, international law prevents us from making formal representations on their behalf. Such children are viewed as being in their own country, and are subject to their own country's law.