Written Answers of 23 April 1990

THE ARTS

  Nottingham Playhouse
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what information he has on the trading position of the Nottingham Playhouse.

  Mr. Luce
  I understand that an agreement has been reached between the Arts Council and the local authorities to clear the overall deficit of the Nottingham Playhouse by the end of 1992–93.

ENVIRONMENT

  Rented Accommodation
  Mr. Roy Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement on the supply of rented accommodation and market rents.

  Mr. Chope
  Housing associations are now the main providers of new subsidised rented housing. Planned public expenditure through the Housing Corporation will double to over £1·7 billion by 1992–93; together with the increased scope for associations to use private finance, total output of rented housing by associations and local authorities in England is expected to rise to nearly 40,000 by that year. Council and housing association housing benefits from subsidies which keep rents generally far below market levels, and housing benefit meets up to 100 per cent. of rent for the poorest tenants.

  River Pollution
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many prosecutions for river pollution have been carried out by the National Rivers Authority.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  I understand that since I September last year, when the National Rivers Authority fully assumed its responsibilities under the Water Act 1989, some 870 prosecutions for river pollution offences have been brought by the NRA or are pending.

  London Docklands Development Corporation
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the total advertising and publicity budget for the London Docklands development corporation for each year since its creation; and what is the estimate for the next three years.

  Mr. Moynihan
  The information requested is as follows:

  Publicity and promotion expenditure

  £000's

  1981–82

  961

  1982–83

  2,464

  1983–84

  1,857

  2

  £000's

  1984–85

  2,253

  1985–86

  1,716

  1986–87

  1,728

  1987–88

  1,846

  1988–89

  1,826

  1989–90

  11,960

  1990–91

  23,500

  1991–92

  23,200

  1992–93

  23,100

  1 Provisional.

  2 Estimated.

  Waste Disposal
  Sir Charles Morrison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the research and development projects currently being undertaken into waste disposal by his Department and related agencies, also giving the cost of each project.

  Mr. Trippier
  The research projects currently under-taken by the Department of the Environment into waste management are listed, together with the total cost of each project.

  There are three areas of research:

  A. Materials Processing. The aim here is to research the provision of safe and effective alternatives to landfilling and also the feasibility of various separation and recovery processes.

  Title

  Total

  Cost £k

  Byker reclamation plant; front-end trommel and associated equipment

  344·6

  Waste analysis research

  152·0

  Analysis and estimation of municipal waste arisings

  61·5

  Incineration characteristics from burning WDF pellets in a coal fired boiler

  138·6

  Waste collection characteristics from selected zones of Nottingham

  16·0

  Composting of WD fines from Castle Bromwich

  118·1

  Investigation of incinerator furnace conditions

  95·0

  Small incinerator investigation

  73·5

  Improving the effectiveness of civic amenity sites and of complementary waste management services

  187·6

  Municipal waste composting

  185·0

  Thermal treatment of waste

  89·0

  Waste Treatment and recovery

  230·0

  Environmental impact of municipal solid waste incinerators

  68·0

  A study of airborne micro-organisms

  29·2

  B. Problem Waste Management. Research in this area is conducted on the immobilisation of difficult wastes or their chemical, thermal or biological detoxification.

  Title

  Total

  Cost (£k)

  Biotechnical systems for the degradation of heavy metals and persistent organic materials

  928·4

  Determination of analytical procedures to define dioxins and furans in soils and to assay soil samples

  412·0

  Stabilisation of organic wastes in clay/cement mixes using quaternary amonium compounds

  257·1

  Anaerobic degradation of polychlorinated biphenyls

  66·0

  Toxic and problem waste management

  719·6

  Polychlorinated biphenyl disposal using cement

  98·1

  Asbestos site database study

  25·5

  A review of clinical waste management systems

  32·0

  Waste management

  323·1

  3
  C. Landfill Practices. This is by far the largest area of research. The aims here are to develop a thorough understanding of the processes occuring within landfills to ensure safe and effective landfilling of wastes, to allow for the optimisation of landfilling as a waste management technique and to provide reassurance as to the acceptability of landfills as a disposal option.

  Landfill research covers five topics:

  (i) the microbiology of landfills and studies of landfill gas and leachate composition and generation.

  Title

  Total

  Cost

  (£k)

  Mathematical modelling of landfill behaviour

  207·7

  A review of the technical aspects of co-disposal

  27·4

  Landfill characterisation relative to methane incidence

  429·5

  Biotechnical methods of stabilising landfills

  282·5

  Assessment of landfill gas potential by the interpretation of leachate and gas analysis

  75·1

  Landfill management

  396·9

  Methane oxidation in soils

  74·1

  A study of landfill gas in the Llanharry area

  20·0

  A review of research into landfill microbiology

  19·4

  Inhibition of methane production

  108·2

  Comparison of landfill gas potential tests

  55·7

  (ii) Studies of the mechanisms of attenuation of leachate and gas

  Title

  Total

  cost

  (£k)

  Attenuation of organic leachate in a sand blanket beneath the Washington landfill.

  63·2

  Instrumentation of a permeable liner in the base of Stangate-East landfill.

  279·7

  The effectiveness of an impermeable clay liner formed in situ.

  49·6

  A study of the migration of organic contaminants from Pakefield waste disposal site.

  25·0

  Control of landfill gas migration by passive venting.

  49·0

  Automated measurements of aquifer dispersivity.

  252·0

  Assessment of the problems associated with the landfilling of wastes and the effectiveness of remedial measures.

  219·9

  Leachate attentuation studies.

  23·0

  The development of a numerical method for modelling gas flows from landfill sites and experimental studies of gas flow through selected porous materials.

  379·5

  (iii) leachate management studies

  Title

  Total

  Cost

  (£k)

  Leachate treatment by irrigation to grass and woodland

  122·6

  Landfill research

  1,025·4

  Reed-bed treatment of landfill leachate

  90·0

  Leachate treatment to surface water quality standards using reed bed polishing

  98·0

  Sulphate based anaerobic digestion of leachate

  69·5

  Leachate management systems

  66·6

  Management of the environmental effects of landfill disposal of waste

  242·9

  A review of leachate composition, attenuation and treatment

  84·9

  An investigation of the chemical, physical and hydrological properties of refuse

  142·2

  4

  (iv) the development of monitoring procedures

  Title

  Total

  Cost

  (£k)

  The use of carbon/hydrogen isotope ratios to identify methane sources

  96·1

  Appraisal of hazards related to landfill gas production and the development of a simple procedure to evaluate associated risks

  92·0

  Long path gas monitor development

  45·6

  Landfill sampling and monitoring

  43·5

  Gas migration modelling

  34·1

  (v) landfill reinstatement studies

  Title

  Total

  Cost

  (£k)

  Assessment of the integrity of clay capping to landfills

  35·3

  The effectiveness of the cap at Milton landfill

  143·0

  A study of fungal activity in promoting tree growth on landfills

  43·2

  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a list of those waste disposal sites in England known to his Department where mass disposal of tyres has taken place.

  Mr. Trippier
  Records of sites used for the disposal of waste tyres are not held centrally. However, HMIP knows of some 400 closed or active sites which have been licensed to take scrap rubber, including tyres.

  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a list of all former waste disposal sites in England that are known to contain PCBs in drums.

  Mr. Trippier
  No such information is available. However in waste management paper No. 6 (1976) on the reclamation, treatment and disposal of PCBs, the Department recommends that where recovery is not possible, PCBs should generally be disposed of by high temperature incineration.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to the answer of the hon. Member for Southampton, Itchen (Mr. Chope), to the hon. Member for Gloucester of 4 April, if local authorities are obliged to reveal on request whether they are levying a standard community charge at less than twice the personal community charge.

  Mr. Chope
  Where a charging authority has specified a class of property for the purposes of setting a different multiplier from that generally applied, it is required to publish a notice giving details of the exercise of the power in at least one local newspaper within 21 days of making the specification. Authorities are required to give information on their standard community charges in their standard charge demand notices. It follows therefore that they should be able to give details of their classes and multipliers to those who ask for them.

  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the local authorities which would have been placed under capping arrangements under the community charge regulations had he not imposed the qualification on spending levels.
  5
  Mr. Chope
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave him on 20 April 1990,Official Report, column 1031.

  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he proposes to inform directly all those local authorities which have not been subject to capping that he approves the particular community charge which applies in those areas.

  Mr. Chope
  No.

  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a further statement about the community charge liability of seafarers and offshore workers who spend significant parts of the year away from their homes and who have no second homes.

  Mr. Chope
  As I explained to my hon. Friend on 21 March Official Report, column 660, and 3 April, Official Report, column 564, it is initially the responsibility of the community charge registration officer to decide whether a person is solely or mainly resident in his area. In this respect offshore workers are no different from any other potential charge payer. It is open to charge payers to appeal to their local valuation and community charge tribunal against their entry on the community charges register.

  Mr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the number of people employed full time in each region of England, Scotland and Wales in the collection of the community charge.

  Mr. Chope
  This information is not available.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much money is tied up in banks because of the Government's refusal to allow local authorities to spend capital receipts(a) in the United Kingdom and (b) in Nottingham city council.

  Mr. Chope
  [holding answer 18 April 1990]: Local authority debt in England at March 1989 was some £46 billion, of which Nottingham city council's debt was £424 million. One of the objectives of the new capital finance system provided in the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 is that local authorities should use some of their capital receipts to reduce their indebtedness. Accordingly capital receipts are divided into a reserved part to be set aside as provision for credit liabilities and a usable balance.

  The reserved part may be used at any time to repay debt, to meet liabilities under credit arrangements, or, where a credit approval has been used as authority not to charge expenditure to a revenue account, to meet that expenditure as a substitute for external borrowing.

  The usable part may be applied at any time and at the discretion of the authority concerned to meet expenditure incurred for capital purposes or as voluntary provision for credit liabilities.

  There are no capital receipts which, under the legislation now in force, local authorities in England cannot use.

  My right hon. Friend has no ministerial responsibility for local authority capital finance in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.

  Water Distribution
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will estimate the percentage of water in England and Wales that is lost by avoidable leakage in distribution.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave on 24 January to the hon. Member for Truro (Mr. Taylor) (Official Report, c. 762).

  Bathing Water
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will now issue formal detailed implementation advice for the EC bathing waters directive (76/160/EEC) to the National Rivers Authority.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The National Rivers Authority is the competent authority in England and Wales for the purposes of implementing the EC bathing waters directive (76/160/EEC). The Directive contains details of the standards to be attained at identified bathing waters and the arrangements for monitoring water quality. I have no plans to issue further implementation advice to the National Rivers Authority.

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what is the reason for excluding monitoring for salmonella and enteroviruses from the result of the bathing water survey which is announced to Parliament;

  (2) if he will give figures for the number of designated beaches which comply with the EC bathing water directive if the parameters for salmonella and enteroviruses are taken into account.

  Mr. Trippier
  The report that I placed in the Library, as stated in the Official Report, 25 January 1990, column 485, contains the available results for salmonella and enteroviruses.

  European Council
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to the reply given to the hon. Member for Gedling (Mr. Mitchele,Official Report, 27 March, columns 117–18, if he will publish in the Official Report the representations from the United Kingdom which were considered at the Environment Council on 22 March during the debate on whether to establish a European environmental agency.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The main terms of the regulation to establish a European Environment Agency were agreed at the Environment Council on 28 November 1989. The Environment Council on 22 March 1990 considered a number of amendments to the regulation put forward by the European Parliament. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment stressed the importance of recognising that the European Parliament had tried hard to produce amendments which would be acceptable to the Council and that the European Parliament's proposal for a review of the agency's tasks after two years made good sense. This view was accepted by the Council.

  Wells
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what consideration he is giving to the introduction of grants to enable people residing near suitable sites to sink wells to extract potable water.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  My right hon. Friend has no plans at present to introduce specific grants for this purpose. Grants are available under the Rural Water Supplies and Sewerage Acts towards the cost of first-time connections to mains water supplies in rural areas. In addition, part VIII of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, which is expected to come into force on 1 July 1990, provides for a new system of renovation grants. In certain circumstances, a renovation grant may be available to improve the quality of the water supply to a property which does not have an adequate piped supply of wholesome water and is thereby unfit for human habitation. It will be for the local authority concerned to specify what improvements are necessary and to consider any application for a grant towards their cost.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the quality of drinking water from private wells.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The quality standards in the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations made under the Water Act 1989 apply to private drinking water supplies. Local authorities are required to keep themselves informed about the quality of private supplies in their area and have powers under the Water Act to require improvements to be made to unwholesome supplies. An advisory group is currently considering the content of further regulations to be made later this year about the sampling programmes that local authorities will be required to carry out for private supplies.

  Residential Developments (Soil Contamination)
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a list of former waste disposal sites in England on which residential development has taken place without monitoring for possible contaminants transferred to garden vegetables grown on such sites.

  Mr. Trippier
  No such information is held centrally. Decisions on the monitoring and assessment of former waste disposal sites for further use, including development purposes, are the responsibility of local authorities have relevant duties under town and country planning and public health legislation.

  Housing Corporation
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he last met the chairman of the Housing Corporation; and what was discussed.

  Mr. Chope
  My right hon. Friend met the chairman of the Housing Corporation on 8 February and my hon. Friend the Minister for Housing and Planning had a further meeting with him on 21 February. A variety of topics of mutual interest were discussed.

  Smoke Emissions
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  to ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proportion of the black smoke emitted by road transport reported in his Department's statistical digest No. 12, page 14, is estimated to come from diesel vehicles; what are the relative contributions of diesel smoke and smoke from domestic sources to overall smoke emissions in smoke control areas; and what information he has about the relative soiling effects of diesel smoke in comparison with coal smoke.

  Mr. Trippier
  It is estimated that 184,000 tonnes of black smoke was emitted by road transport in 1988 and that 92 per cent. of emissions from transport came from diesel vehicles.

  Information is not available for the relative soiling effects of diesel smoke in comparison with coal smoke, or for the relative contributions of diesel smoke and smoke from domestic sources to overall smoke emissions in smoke control areas. Emissions of black smoke from domestic sources for the United Kingdom as a whole have fallen by approximately 71 per cent. since 1970, while emissions from diesel vehicles have risen by 86 per cent. over the same period.

  Sites of Special Scientific Interest
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many sites of special scientific interest have been(a) denotified and (b) damaged for each year since 1981; and what percentage for each year is related to (i) road building, (ii) forestry, (iii) farming activities, (iv) landfill operations and (v) other reasons.

  Mr. Trippier
  The information is not available in the form requested. Since I April 1984, information on the numbers of SSSIs damaged is set out in the Nature Conservancy Council's annual reports, copies of which are in the Library.

  Ozone-depleting Substances
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to eliminate the use of ozone-depleting substances in(a) refrigerants, (b) solvents and (c) foams; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Trippier
  The ozone layer can be protectd only by international action. The Montreal protocol is due for revision in June. We are pressing for rapid cuts in the supply of CFCs, halons and carbon tetrachloride, with their elimination by the year 2000. Methyl chloroform must also be cut substantially. If the revised protocol is not strong enough, we will press for further restrictions within the European Community.

  Wild Birds (Poisoning)
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has made an assessment of the impact on populations of wild birds of exposure to pesticide cocktails; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Trippier
  The Advisory Committee on Pesticides set up by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food assesses the environmental implication of all pesticides before their use is approved. Approval
  9
  requires the consent of six Departments, including that of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State. As part of its work, the advisory committee will be considering the findings of a recent study by Reading university and the Institute of Terrestrial Ecology into the effect on partridges of concurrent exposure to fungicides and pesticides.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to eliminate illegal poisoning of birds of prey; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Trippier
  Strict controls are already in place to deter the illegal use of pesticides against birds of prey. Severe penalties are available for such offences under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985, and incidents of abuse are pursued vigorously through the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food wildlife incident investigations scheme. In addition, the Nature Conservancy Council is currently reviewing the matter of illegal poisoning.

  Sewage
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Cardiff, West (Mr. Morgan) of 2 April,Official Report, column 478, who will determine whether sewage discharges subjected to primary treatment have an adverse environmental effect.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  It is for the National Rivers Authority to consent applications for discharges to controlled waters taking into account the provisions of any relevant EEC directives, and any directions from my right hon. Friends.

  Global Warming
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has made an assessment of the implications for coastal areas of an increase in global warming; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Trippier
  The United Kingdom is contributing to the work of the coastal zone management sub-group of the inter-governmental panel on climate change which is assessing the impact of global warming on coastal areas worldwide. Coastal defence in the United Kingdom is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

  Owls
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what is the estimated population in England of(a) barn owls and (b) tawny owls; and what steps he is taking to protect owl populations;

  (2) what is the estimated annual death toll of (a) barn owls and (b) tawny owls; and what percentage of deaths in each case are ascribed to (i) traffic, (ii) pesticide or other chemical poisoning, (iii) loss of habitat, (iv) starvation and (v) other causes.

  Mr. Trippier
  The current British populations of barn owls and tawny owls are estimated at 4,400 and 50,000–100,000 breeding pairs, respectively. Overall annual mortality rates cannot be estimated, but of those birds reported as found dead 30 per cent. of both species had died from collisions with traffic.
  10
  All wild owls in Britain are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981; the barn owl is included in schedule 1 to the Act as a particularly endangered species protected by special penalties.

  Sellafield
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what checks have been undertaken to establish atmospheric levels of krypton 85 in the vicinity of Sellafield; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Trippier
  Krypton 85 is an inert gas and cannot concentrate in the environment. Checks undertaken in the late 1970s demonstrated that levels of krypton 85 in the environment around Sellafield were consistent with those calculated from measured Sellafield discharges using standard aerial dispersion modelling techniques. No further checks have been carried out.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what have been the discharge levels of radioactivity to the air in TBq from Sellafield for each year from 1975 to 1989, inclusive.

  Mr. Trippier
  Data on the radioactive atmospheric discharges from BNFL's Sellafield works are included in my Department's annual "Digest of Environmental Protection and Water Statistics", a copy of which is in the Library of the House. Information for the period 1975–88 is as follows:

  Sellafield Aerial Discharges 1975 to 1988

  Year

  Discharges (TBq/Yr)

  Argon-41

  Tritium

  Kryplon-85

  1975

  1,110

  444

  44,400

  1976

  799

  444

  44,400

  1977

  962

  296

  29,600

  1978

  1,070

  222

  25,900

  1979

  1,150

  280

  34,800

  1980

  1,110

  252

  31,100

  1981

  1,300

  459

  51,800

  1982

  1,320

  360

  44,000

  1983

  1,340

  268

  41,800

  1984

  1,352

  349

  37,100

  1985

  2,800

  268

  23,800

  1986

  2,590

  171

  53,300

  1987

  2,400

  783

  34,000

  1988

  2,420

  186

  39,700

  Other radionuclides, of which carbon-14 is the main component, do not exceed 10 TBq per year.

  Information for 1989 is not yet available.

  Elephant Conservation
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment who represented Her Majesty's Government at the conference on African elephants in Paris on 5 and 6 April; and how much was offered by Her Majesty's Government for elephant conservation.

  Mr. Trippier
  The Government were represented at the conference by officials from the Department of the Environment and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, accompanied by the officer of the Nature Conservancy Council. The British delegation explained to the conference that the Government are already making very substantial efforts to support wildlife conservation in Africa. We are providing some £3 million in aid for a wide variety of projects, a number of which will have major
  11
  benefits for the African elephant, and are always ready to consider new requests from African Governments seeking help with the sustainable management and conservation of their wildlife resources.

  Ivory
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has regarding ivory imported into the United Kingdom by Mr. Shivaz Virji of Ealing and currently held at ports of entry.

  Mr. Trippier
  The information held by the Department relates to an application for a CITES re-export licence. Information contained in licence applications is regarded by the Department as confidential and cannot be released.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has regarding ivory currently held at United Kingdom ports of entry which is not accompanied by CITES documentation.

  Mr. Trippier
  Such information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Drinking Water (Radon)
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what analysis has been carried out to establish levels of dissolved radon in drinking water; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Radon in water results from the structure of the ground from which the supply emanates. It is believed to be confined to a few areas. Where radon is likely to be present in a water source, a specific analysis is carried out and the water company may treat the water to remove it, seeking advice on levels from the National Radiological Protection Board. No standard is set for radon in the EC drinking water directive or the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations which incorporate the provisions of the directive. We are currently reviewing the matter of radiological standards.

  Carbon Tetrachloride
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the presence of carbon tetrachloride in water sources.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Carbon tetrachloride is a list I substance under directive 76/464/EEC on discharges of dangerous substances, and its concentrations in surface waters near to the point of discharge may not exceed 12 ug/l (annual average). Direct discharges to ground water are banned. There are no specific requirements for carbon tetrachloride in water sources because directive 75/440/EEC on the quality of surface waters abstracted for drinking water does not lay down standards for this substance. However, regulations under the Water Act 1989 require that concentrations in public or private drinking water supplies may not exceed 3 ug/l (annual average).

  Carbon tetrachloride is not a common problem in water sources; in the known few occurrences where it has been found in excessive quantities appropriate action has been taken.

  Environmental Meetings
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list all future environmental(a) conferences, (b) seminars and (c) meetings which Ministers in his Department have been invited to attend (i) in the United Kingdom, (ii) in the European Community, and (iii) elsewhere; and if he will list the dates of these events.

  Mr. Trippier
  Over the next two months Ministers are to attend the following conferences, seminars and meetings in:

  (a) the United Kingdom

  Date

  23 April

  DOE/HSE Conference on the Regulation of Bio-technology

  Financial Times Conference on Industry and the Environment

  Waste Producers Conference

  5 May

  West Sussex County Conference on Recycling

  14 May

  Conference at Lancashire College of Agriculture

  15 May

  Brunel University Symposium on Landfill

  17 May

  National Parks Conference, Newcastle

  6 June

  CBI Conference on Green Audits

  20 June

  Institution of Civil Engineers Annual Conference

  (b) Overseas

  Date

  21 to 23 April

  Informal EC Council (West of Ireland)

  8 to 16 May

  Ministerial follow-up to Brundtland Report (Bergen)

  7 June

  EC Environment Council (Luxembourg)

  16 June

  EC Ministerial meeting with East Europe (Dublin)

  20 to 29 June

  2nd meeting of Montreal Protocol Parties (London)

  Foxes
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the estimated population of foxes in England; and what comparable figures he has for earlier years.

  Mr. Trippier
  I am not aware of any population estimates for foxes in England.

  Caravans (London)
  Mr. Cartwright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will set out the numbers of caravans which can be accommodated on permanent sites provided under the Caravan Sites Act in each of the London boroughs.

  Mr. Chope
  [holding answer 5 April 1990]: London boroughs have made provision for the following numbers of authorised caravan pitches on which the following number of caravans were parked as at January 1990:
  13

  Pitches

  Caravans

  Barking and Dagenham

  16

  16

  Bexley

  16

  7

  Brent

  15

  31

  Bromley

  22

  35

  Croydon

  15

  15

  Ealing

  24

  53

  Enfield

  15

  26

  Greenwich

  54

  64

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  20

  50

  Haringey

  24

  51

  Harrow

  15

  13

  Havering

  16

  4

  Hillingdon

  30

  30

  Hounslow

  17

  17

  Kingston upon Thames

  15

  15

  Lambeth

  15

  23

  Lewisham

  16

  26

  Merton

  15

  15

  Newham

  15

  15

  Red bridge

  17

  16

  Richmond upon Thames

  15

  15

  Southwark

  15

  15

  Sutton

  15

  15

  Tower Hamlets

  15

  19

  Waltham Forest

  16

  13

  Wandsworth

  12

  11

  Homelessness
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will set out the terms on which the recently announced Government initiative on homelessness in the south-east is to operate; whether any additional grant is to be payable to councils with approved schemes; whether any subsidy is payable by Government on the revenue or capital costs of approved projects; and whether councils' housing revenue accounts will need to cover(a) initial and (b) consequential expenditure on the projects from rent income.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  [holding answer 18 April 1990]: We will allocate to local authorities in London and the south-east supplementary credit approvals in respect of capital expenditure they incur on approved schemes in 1990–91. Initial and consequential costs of those schemes which involve property held within the housing revenue account (HRA) or certain types of payments to tenants of such property will fall to be charged to the HRA of the authority concerned. Such approved schemes will include repair of empty council property, hostels held under part II of the Housing Act 1985 and cash incentives to tenants. To the extent that costs are chargeable to the HRA, the normal rules for all HRA schemes will apply in determining the extent to which they attract subsidy and the extent to which costs are met from rent income. The Housing Corporation will pay revenue grant to local authority-funded housing association schemes as appropriate under the normal funding arrangements. No additional grant, however, will be directly payable to any local authority for such schemes.

  Asbestos (Tower Blocks)
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many tower blocks in use as domestic accommodation have steelwork coated with any form of asbestos; and where they are located.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  [holding answer 20 April 1990]: The Department is aware of only three public sector
  14
  high-rise blocks using this form of construction. Two are located on the Elgin estate, Westminster; and one at Watney Street market, Tower Hamlets.

  Static Electricity
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the level of static electricity within the House.

  Mr. Chope
  The level of antistatic electricity at any time depends on the level of atmospheric humidity. This is true both within the House and outside.

  Sewage Dumping
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will specify for each sewage sludge dump off the coasts of England and Wales the timing between now and 1998 for each dump being terminated for use.

  Mr. Curry
  I have been asked to reply.

  This information is not yet available. Following the announcement on 5 March that the dumping of sewage sludge at sea would not be permitted after the end of 1998 holders of licences are beginning now to draw up their plans for termination of dumping.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Shipping
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures he intends to introduce to enable United Kingdom shipping companies to maintain their merchant fleets and crews, replace their aging tonnage and improve their rates of return.

  Mr. Lilley
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Don Valley (Mr. Redmond) on 5 April 1990,Official Report, c. 717–18.

  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Don Valley (Mr. Redmond) of 5 April,Official Report, column 718, what is his estimate of (a) the current rate of return on investment in a large container ship and (b) the rate of return if he reinstated 100 per cent. ship allowance, against investment in new and second hand ships.

  Mr. Lilley
  The answer to these two questions depends critically on assumptions about a number of factors, including the earnings of the vessel over its life and the eventual proceeds from its sale (perhaps in 10 or 20 years' time). The rate of return on any investment in machinery or plant—whether it is a ship or any other asset—will increase if an Exchequer subsidy is given. However, my right hon. Friend has no plans to change the present capital allowances regime for ships, which already offers more generous deductions than commercial depreciation.

  Works of Art
  Mr. Faulds
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Don Valley (Mr. Redmond) of 12 March,Official Report, column 10, the announcement of 26 July 1985 that the figure of £10 million was an estimate and was not either a target or a limit remains Government policy.
  15
  Mr. Norman Lamont
  I confirm that the announcement made on 26 July 1985 (Official Report, House of Lords column, 1539–40) by the then Minister for the Arts still represents Government policy.

PRIME MINISTER

  European Monetary Union
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Prime Minister when the European Council next plans to discuss the issue of monetary union; and if she will make a statement on the progress made to date on this issue by the Council.

  The Prime Minister
  Agenda for the European Council are not formally set but the issue of economic and monetary union is next likely to arise at the meeting on 25–26 June. The European Council last discussed EMU at its meeting in Strasbourg on 8–9 December the results of which I reported to the House on 12 December at column 857.

  Child Care and Family Services
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Prime Minister which Government Departments have responsibilities for child care and family responsibilities; what they are; what mechanisms there are for co-ordination in these matters; and if she will make a statement on the Government's policy on child care.

  The Prime Minister
  While the Department of Health has a lead responsibility on child care almost all Government Departments have policies which affect child care and family life. Each Minister is responsible for policies within his own sphere. Co-ordination is achieved through the normal and well-established process of inter-departmental liaison, and additional collaborative arrangements exist in the form of the inter-departmental committees, such as the ministerial group on women's issues, the inter-departmental group on day care and the inter-departmental group on child abuse. Government policy on child care is reflected in the Children Act 1989.

  Law Officers' Letters
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister what are the guidelines relevant to the approval of the release of Law Officers' letters.

  The Prime Minister
  Legal opinions or advice given by the Law Officers, either individually or collectively, must not be disclosed outside Government without their express approval.

  Iraq (Arms Component Exports)
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister on what date she received the first indication that there was a problem regarding the export of forgings from Walter Somers and Company to Iraq.

  The Prime Minister
  Earlier this month.

  Civil Servants
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to her answer to the hon. Member for Linlithgow on 18 April (1) if she will make a statement on the circumstances in which Mr. Powell met in any official capacity the proprietor of The Daily Telegraph;
  16
  (2) if she will list the attempts to which she refers of the hon. Member for Linlithgow to vilify individual civil servants.

  The Prime Minister
  I have nothing further to add to the reply that I gave the hon. Member on 18 April at column 932.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  National Curriculum
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what is his estimate of the cost of preparation for the inclusion in the national curriculum of those subjects which he has recently removed from this arrangement as far as primary schools are concerned;

  (2) what is his estimate of the total number of man hours which have been devoted by officials of his Department, by local authority officers and by teachers, to the preparation for inclusion in the national curriculum of those subjects which have now been removed from this arrangement.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  No core or foundation subject has been removed from the national curriculum. My right hon. Friend did, however, announce in a published letter to the chairman of the School Examinations and Assessment Council on 9 April that the arrangements for statutorily assessing seven-year-olds in technology, history and geography should be kept simple and that, accordingly, he and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales had reached the provisional conclusion that it would be right not to impose a statutory requirement to administer standard assessment tasks (SATs) to seven-year-olds in these subjects. Prior to that announcement, no work involving schools or LEAs had been undertaken on the development of SATs in these subjects for seven-year-olds. The preparatory work undertaken by schools and LEAs to date has mainly been directed towards the first statutory assessments of seven-year-olds in the core subjects of English, mathematics and science in 1991. My right hon. Friend confirmed in his letter to SEAC that these assessments would be based on a combination of teacher assessment and statutory SATs.

  Youth Organisations
  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) if he will list, for the previous and current year, the youth organisations for which his Department provides funding, indicating the amount in each case allocated for project funding and the amount allocated for core funding;

  (2) how he intends to ensure that there is a national forum for the interchange of views of young people;

  (3) what discussions he has had with the British Youth Council on its 1990–91 funding applications;

  (4) what plans he has to ensure that youth bodies receive core as well as project funding in the light of the report on the efficiency scrutiny of Government funding of the voluntary sector;

  (5) what he intends should be the basis for representations from participating youth bodies on his proposed national youth agency;

  (6) what discussions he has had or will have with youth organisations on the report on the efficiency scrutiny of Government funding of the voluntary sector;
  17
  (7) what discussions he had with the British Youth Council concerning his proposals for a national youth agency prior to his announcement on 5 April;

  (8) how many representative youth organisations are currently funded by his Department;

  (9) what provision he will make in his proposed national youth agency for participating youth bodies to retain their respective identities.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The Department provides funding to a number of youth service bodies for the completion of specific programmes of work which are recognised as contributing to the effective and efficient implementation of ministerial objectives to improve the quality of youth service work on a national basis through, for example, the development of curriculum and training materials.

  In the 1989–90 financial year this funding takes into account the level of expenditure by the bodies on staffing and administration which the Department considers appropriate for them efficiently to complete the agreed programmes of work.

  £

  British Youth Council (BYC)

  30,000

  Council for Education and Training in Youth and Community Work (CETYCW)

  278,094

  National Association of Young People's Counselling and Advisory Services (NAYPCAS)

  53,000

  National Council for Voluntary Youth Services (NCVYS)

  127,893

  National Youth Bureau (NYB)

  557,210

  For the 1990–91 financial year, offers of programme funding of £46,265 have been made to NAYPCAS, and of £571,140 to NYB.

  The level of programme funding which might be offered this year to CETYCW and NCVYS is under discussion with the bodies. BYC applied for funding for 1990–91 as a national voluntary youth organisation (NVYO), but discussion is necessary before the level of any programme funding under this scheme can be determined.

  To determine the organisation of such funding in future, we commissioned an independent report, which took account of the views of the bodies concerned. In the light of this and of the Home Office efficiency scrutiny of Government funding of the voluntary sector, which also draws on the views of voluntary bodies, we have determined to focus future programme funding for support of youth service work at national level on a single national youth agency, rather than on the existing four youth service bodies or an amalgam of them. The agency will be managed by an executive committee, whose composition will be discussed with the main interests involved in and with experience of the functions the agency is to undertake. It is from these interests that the committee members will be drawn, rather than nominated as representatives of particular bodies or organisations.

  BYC, NAYPCAS and NCVYS, which also have representative functions, which we would expect their members to finance may, if they decide to continue, compete for funding from the Department, under the NVYO scheme, for agreed programmes of support work which the national youth agency is not being funded to pursue.
  18
  The NVYO funding scheme is to be reviewed this year, in consultation with the organisations concerned, in the light of the efficiency scrutiny review, to ensure that the available public moneys are disbursed and applied as efficiently and effectively as possible through programmes of work in pursuit of ministerial objectives.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  St. Leonard's Home, Warrenpoint
  Mr. McCrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action he has taken to prevent the closure of St. Leonard's home, located in Warrenpoint in South Down.

  Mr. Needham
  As I indicated in my reply to the hon. Gentleman on 19 March,Official Report, columns 448–49, the Southern health and social services board is continuing to explore the possibilities of providing more suitable accommodation for the residents of St. Leonard's. No decision has been taken on the future of the home.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Medical Negligence
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Attorney-General how many applications for legal aid have been received from parents of brain-damaged children who wish to pursue a claim for medical negligence; and what percentage of the applications have been successful.

  The Attorney-General
  The Legal Aid Board receives in the order of 400,000 applications each year. The board's case information system identifies only the broad category of "medical negligence" and does not identify particular types of damage within that category. Further, the system identifies applicants only as male or female, defendants or plaintiffs and not whether or not they are children or parents or next friends on behalf of children.

  It would, therefore, not be practicable to extract the information requested.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Attorney-General if he is considering any further changes to the current tort-based system, particularly with reference to parents who wish to sue for compensation for their brain-damaged children.

  The Attorney-General
  My noble and learned Friend is considering the feasibility of a no-fault compensation scheme, restricted to less serious road accidents and financed by private insurance. No other changes to the tort-based system are being considered.

CHURCH COMMISSIONERS

  Redundant Churches
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the right hon. Member for Selby, as representing the Church Commissioners, if he will make a statement about the number of schemes settling the future of redundant churches which were confirmed during each of the past five years.

  Mr. Alison
  In the last five calendar years, the future of 253 redundant churches was settled by Pastoral Measure schemes, 50 in 1985, 62 in 1986, 50 in 1987, 47 in 1988 and 44 in 1989.

  Archbishop of Canterbury
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the right hon. Member for Selby, as representing the Church Commissioners, what funding the Church Commissioners provide in respect of the salary and administration of the office of the Archbishop of Canterbury.

  Mr. Alison
  The Commissioners pay the stipend of the archbishop and meet the costs of his supporting staff and their equipment.

  Clergy (Stipends)
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the right hon. Member for Selby, as representing the Church Commissioners, how much the Church Commissioners contributed to the stipends of archbishops, bishops and clergy in each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Alison
  Out of their investment income the Commissioners contributed to clergy stipends £38·7 million in 1987, £42·5 million in 1988 and an estimated £50 million in 1989. These figures represent about 35 per cent. of the Commissioners' investment income in each year and met some 40 per cent. of the clergy stipends bill.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Prison Riots
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his estimate of the number of prisoners including remand prisoners who participated in riots inside prisons from late March; and if he will provide his estimate of the costs of damage at each prison where riots or disturbances occurred.

  Mr. Mellor
  A total of more than 1,000 inmates (including those on remand) were present—although not necessarily participating—in the particular parts of prisons where disturbances began during the period 1–9 April. Until police investigations are concluded it will not be possible to distinguish the number of active participants from others.

  The most serious damage occurred at Manchester, Bristol and Dartmoor prisons. It will not be possible to estimate costs at Manchester until the incident there is concluded. In addition to repairing the damage at Bristol and Dartmoor our intention is to upgrade the accommodation there, to provide integral sanitation and

  Table 1

  Procedure

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  Appeals received

  52

  53

  60

  56

  Appeals withdrawn before decision reached

  6

  7

  9

  8

  Appeals determined

  46

  46

  51

  48

  Referred to a tribunal

  34

  33

  46

  43

  Not referred to a tribunal

  12

  13

  5

  5

  20
  other planned improvements. The overall cost of this work, including the repairs, is estimated at £3 million at Bristol and £3·5 million at Dartmoor.

  Costs of repairing the minor damage to other establishments have yet to be finally assessed.

  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a further statement on the violence in Manchester's Strangeways prison.

  Mr. Mellor
  Since my right hon. and learned Friend last reported to the House on 5 April about the position at Manchester prison, 15 men have surrendered to the authorities, but seven inmates, whom we believe we have identified by name, remain in the prison. Negotiations are continuing with the aim of resolving the disturbance without further injury to staff or inmates.

  Parole
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether a serving prisoner's application for and consideration of parole can be affected by the fact that his appeal against either conviction or sentence is still awaiting determination by the Court of Appeal or other appellate tribunals.

  Mr. Mellor
  Neither a prisoner's eligibility for parole nor consideration of the case is affected by an outstanding appeal against conviction or sentence.

  Police Disciplinary Proceedings
  Mr. Sedgemore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list separately for each of the last four years for which figures are available(a) the number of appeals from police disciplinary hearings he received, (b) the number of such appeals he referred to an appeal tribunal under the 1975 criteria, (c) the number he referred to an appeal tribunal other than under the 1975 criteria, (d) the number dealt with other than by reference to an appeal tribunal, (e) the total and percentage where the original finding was (i) upheld and (ii) reversed, and (f) the total and percentage where the original punishment was (i) upheld and (ii) reversed; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Appeals to the Secretary of State against police disciplinary decisions are made under section 37 of the Police Act 1964, as amended by section 103 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984.

  Available figures for the years 1986 to 1989 are as follows:
  21

  Table 2

  Outcome

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  Original finding:

  (a) Upheld

  21

  95

  13

  52

  12

  75

  5

  83

  (b) Reversed

  1

  5

  12

  48

  4

  25

  1

  17

  Original punishment:

  (a) Upheld

  32

  74

  26

  56

  33

  65

  16

  64

  (b) Varied

  11

  26

  20

  44

  18

  35

  9

  36

  Appeals not yet concluded

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  24

  —

  The figures in table 2 do not add up to the total appeals determined in table 1. Appeals can be made against finding or punishment or both and may cover more than one disciplinary charge. Where appeals cover more than one charge some charges may be upheld and others not. A decision is not shown in table 2 as upheld unless it was upheld in respect of all charges.

  The final decision on all appeals is made personally by the Secretary of State.

  Mr. Sedgemore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list, for each of the last four years for which figures are available, the number of complaints made against the police in England and Wales falling within each disciplinary offence contained in the Police (Discipline) Regulations 1985; how many of those were substantiated and how many were unsubstantiated; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The numbers of complaints against the police, the numbers substantiated and the numbers unsubstantiated are published annually in the reports of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary and the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, copies of which are available in the Library. Complaints are not categorised under the same headings as offences against the Police (Discipline) Regulations 1985.

  Electronic Tagging
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for City of Durham (Mr. Steinberg) of 2 April,Official Report, column 434, when he expects to make available his evaluation of the outcome of the trials of electronic tagging.

  Mr. John Patten
  I expect the evaluation to be completed in the summer. Its results will then be published in due course.

  Ambulance Dispute
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has regarding the number of Metropolitan police person hours and the cost arising from the recent ambulance dispute.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that the Metropolitan police

  Issue of police firearms for incidents involving criminal or other persons known or believed to be armed

  1982

  11983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  Avon and Somerset

  30

  28

  17

  25

  13

  9

  19

  27

  Bedfordshire

  55

  22

  10

  19

  22

  12

  24

  16

  Cambridgeshire

  9

  10

  8

  11

  9

  13

  19

  31

  Cheshire

  18

  11

  13

  6

  6

  13

  31

  16

  22
  used about 658,000 man hours in providing assistance to the ambulance service during the dispute. The force has charged the South West Thames regional health authority £9·68 million for its assistance.

  Commission for Racial Equality
  Sir Dudley Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what compensation he is prepared to grant Mr. David Owen of the firm Elizabeth the Chef of Leamington Spa for his out-of-pocket costs involved in preparing to defend a case brought by the Commission for Racial Equality where the complainant withdrew her allegation two days before the hearing.

  Mr. John Patten
  The question of costs in industrial tribunal cases is a matter for the tribunal. The complaint here was not brought by the Commission for Racial Equality, but by an individual, the commission exercising its role of providing for advice or assistance, in this case through a firm of solicitors. The Secretary of State has no responsibility in law in these matters.

  Hong Kong
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of the work force in Hong Kong, as categorised and sub-categorised in the British Nationality (Hong Kong) Bill, selection for citizenship: explanatory note, will be eligible for British passports.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Approximately 22·5 per cent of people employed in Hong Kong work in the eligible occupations mentioned in the explanatory note; others may be able to apply in due course in the residual category of the general allocation section. It is not possible to say at this stage what proportion of those mentioned above will meet the eligibility criteria set out in paragraph 4(1) of schedule 1 to the Bill.

  Police (Firearms)
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many issues of arms there have been to each police force, and in total, in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The readily available information is set out in the table.
  23

  1982

  11983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  Cleveland

  7

  6

  8

  6

  10

  6

  5

  1

  City of London

  255

  11

  4

  43

  26

  16

  17

  17

  Cumbria

  16

  2

  5

  11

  15

  15

  9

  7

  Derbyshire

  14

  3

  8

  5

  6

  5

  10

  10

  Devon and Cornwall

  12

  24

  28

  21

  25

  21

  22

  32

  Dorset

  9

  14

  27

  12

  16

  12

  14

  26

  Durham

  5

  6

  10

  9

  8

  29

  10

  17

  Essex

  55

  71

  44

  56

  31

  28

  44

  57

  Gloucestershire

  24

  7

  7

  17

  4

  2

  2

  7

  Greater Manchester

  75

  84

  52

  65

  50

  79

  50

  74

  Hampshire

  45

  19

  23

  23

  11

  15

  28

  27

  Hertfordshire

  33

  15

  27

  29

  46

  61

  14

  15

  Humberside

  30

  27

  56

  23

  18

  25

  10

  26

  Kent

  150

  42

  37

  40

  43

  27

  31

  41

  Lancashire

  34

  30

  35

  28

  21

  9

  19

  2

  Leicestershire

  12

  4

  8

  11

  9

  14

  9

  12

  Lincolnshire

  11

  6

  2

  2

  3

  3

  6

  10

  Merseyside

  118

  106

  61

  49

  39

  32

  39

  52

  Metropolitan

  6,035

  2,230

  1,838

  1,642

  1,702

  1,332

  1,320

  1,363

  Norfolk

  23

  12

  13

  12

  12

  13

  13

  14

  Northamptonshire

  35

  3

  6

  10

  5

  3

  5

  8

  Northumbria

  23

  26

  15

  16

  29

  30

  47

  110

  North Yorkshire

  18

  19

  14

  9

  15

  21

  12

  21

  Nottinghamshire

  46

  10

  10

  9

  13

  10

  5

  6

  South Yorkshire

  76

  18

  13

  26

  21

  23

  31

  64

  Staffordshire

  23

  5

  5

  11

  17

  11

  28

  20

  Suffolk

  15

  11

  17

  17

  25

  32

  32

  27

  Surrey

  58

  20

  32

  25

  9

  19

  30

  61

  Sussex

  80

  53

  51

  46

  51

  18

  46

  68

  Thames Valley

  28

  30

  17

  30

  15

  42

  31

  24

  Warwickshire

  11

  9

  8

  6

  1

  3

  4

  0

  West Mercia

  33

  15

  12

  4

  4

  6

  5

  9

  West Midlands

  59

  24

  17

  25

  27

  41

  26

  66

  West Yorkshire

  302

  113

  78

  58

  53

  84

  99

  132

  Wiltshire

  12

  11

  12

  9

  5

  8

  9

  26

  Dyfed Powys

  4

  4

  3

  5

  1

  10

  7

  14

  Gwent

  2

  1

  2

  2

  1

  2

  4

  8

  North Wales

  26

  11

  10

  8

  9

  19

  27

  10

  South Wales

  26

  7

  4

  7

  7

  12

  14

  9

  Total

  7,952

  3,180

  2,667

  2,488

  2,453

  2,185

  2,227

  2,583

  1 From 1983 the figures record the number of operations in which firearms were issued; the figure for 1982 records the number of occasions on which firearms were issued.

  Broadcasting
  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he last met the governors of the British Broadcasting Corporation to discuss the corporation's education and training role; and what is his policy on the dissemination of video recordings promoting the services of companies associated with quasi-religious cults.

  Mr. Mellor
  My right hon. and learned Friend meets the chairman and governors of the BBC from time to time to discuss a wide range of broadcasting issues.

  Under the Video Recordings Act 1984 the British Board of Film Classification has a duty to classify videos in terms of their availability to particular audiences, but those concerned with sport, religion or music are exempted.

  The Government understand the concern which some people have about the activities of certain cults and we have considerable sympathy with those whose rights have been adversely affected by such groups, but so long as they operate within the law we do not believe that it would be right to decide that some religious movements are acceptable and some not.

  Penal Establishments
  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many juveniles are currently held in penal establishments(a) on remand and (b) under sentence; in which establishments they are held; and how many of them are from ethnic minorities.

  Mr. Mellor
  I refer the hon. Member to the table "Persons aged under 17 held in Prison Service establishments in England and Wales on 31 December 1989: by establishment, type of prisoner and ethnic origin", a copy of which has been placed in the Library.

  Chatlines
  Mr. Churchill
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the cost so far of telephone calls made on 0898 numbers(a) by members of the Metropolitan police and (b) by employees of his Department.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  [holding answer 30 March 1990]: I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that the information requested is not available. Possible abuse came to the attention of the Metropolitan police with the introduction of itemised billing and immediate steps were taken to extend call barring of 0898 numbers throughout the force.
  25
  All the major telephone exchanges which serve the Home Office are programmed to bar the use of 0898 numbers. There is a small number of private lines, connected direct to local telephone exchange and cell phones which cannot be barred. Itemised billing has been introduced too recently for any worthwhile figures to be obtained on 0898 costs for these services.

  Consultancies
  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total amount spent by the Metropolitan police in 1989 on management and computer consultancy contracts, excluding hardware and software purchases; if he will list each management or computer consultancy contract awarded by the Metropolitan police in 1989, giving in each case the name of the consultancy firm and the subject of the assignment; and what is the total amount that the Metropolitan police has budgeted to spend in the current year.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  [holding answer 28 March 1990]: I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that Metropolitan police expenditure on management and computer consultancy contracts in 1989–90 is estimated to be £1,663,000.

  The following is the list of contracts awarded in 1989:

  Marshall Software Services Ltd.

  Software consultancy to Command and Control Group

  Logica Consultancy Ltd.

  Voice network replacement project

  Gresham Computer Services

  Conversion of mainframe computer from DME language to VME language

  Stonehenge Consultancy Services

  Feasibility study for property management computer system (PREMISYS)

  Digitus Ltd.

  Support to Territorial Operations management information system (TOPSY)

  JMS Telecommunications Ltd.

  Support on development of communications network

  Ron Baker Design Associates

  Consultancy for the design of divisional annual reports

  ICL

  Technical support on hardware and software including installation of new system and super-dualling of two ICL 2988 machines

  Plessey Telenet

  Crime report information system

  MFT

  Consultancy on finance systems

  PTC Communications Ltd.

  Consultancy on traffic tickets systems

  Geoff Ford

  Consultancy on Mechnical and Electrical Branch cost information systems

  Gibb

  Consultancy on payroll system

HEALTH

  Milk Tokens
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many firms supplying liquid milk against welfare tokens have indicated that they no longer intend to participate in the scheme after the changes proposed by his Department; and what proposals he is making to ensure that beneficiaries do not suffer.

  Mr. Freeman
  A total of 115 out of a total of 17,000 suppliers have indicated an intention to cease participation 26
  in the scheme. However, very few beneficiaries have reported that their normal supplier has refused to accept tokens. Local social security offices are able to offer advice about alternative suppliers. Where, exceptionally, the local office is satisfied that a token cannot be exchanged for milk a beneficiary can receive a payment in lieu.

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what provisions will be made for people with disabilities in self-governing trust hospitals.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Under the Bill proposals, district health authorities will be responsible for planning and securing through contracts a comprehensive range of services, which will include services for people with disabilities, to meet the health care needs of their population. In doing this they will contract with a range of service providers, including NHS trusts.

  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what application the Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act 1986 will have to people with disabilities in self-governing trust hospitals.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  National Health Service trusts will remain an integral part of the NHS and will accordingly remain subject to a range of legislation which applies to NHS facilities.

  Nurses
  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many regrading appeals for nurses remain outstanding in each regional health authority.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Information concerning appeals to employing authorities in England is not collected centrally.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list in the Official Report the different kinds of conversion courses currently available to nurses within the National Health Service in England and Wales.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The English National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting has approved courses to enable enrolled nurses to convert to being registered general nurses, registered mental nurses, registered nurses in mental handicap, first level nurses trained in the nursing of sick children, and registered general nurses and district nurse (joint qualification). Individual courses approved by the board can vary in a number of respects. Increased use is being made of distance and open learning approaches. Recognition of prior learning can mean that the traditional 52-week conversion course can be reduced in length to as little as 26 weeks.

  The hon. Member may wish to approach my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales about the position in Wales.

  Therapy
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many qualified (1) speech therapists, (2) physiotherapists and (3) occupational therapists are employed centrally by his Department; and in each category what are the numbers employed in the National Health Service.
  27
  Mr. Freeman
  The Department currently employs one speech therapy officer, two physiotherapy officers and two occupational therapy officers, all full-time. The speech therapy officer and one physiotherapy officer are on secondment from the National Health Service. One occupational therapy officer is on secondment from a local authority. The table shows the whole-time equivalents of qualified therapists employed in the National Health Service at 30 September 1988, the latest date for which figures are available:

  Number

  Physiotherapists

  9,590

  Occupational therapists

  4,870

  Speech therapists

  2,730

  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will increase the number of qualified speech therapists employed centrally by his Department to oversee policy designed to overcome the gap between the 20·5 speech therapists (whole-time equivalents) per 100,000 population required if current methods of intervention were maintained and assistants were used, and the 5·7 national average figure per 100,000 now available.

  Mr. Freeman
  No. The Department's speech therapy officer is already actively working with other officials to consider the problem of matching the supply and demand for speech therapy. I refer the right hon. Member to the reply that I gave him on 26 March at column 46.

  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the duties of the therapy officers employed by his Department.

  Mr. Freeman
  The duties of the therapy officers are to provide advice and support to Ministers and to other officials on matters concerned with all aspects of policy for the development of therapy services, including education and employment, in the National Health Service, local government and the voluntary and private sectors, to assist in taking forward policies relating to these services, and to liaise with professional bodies and other relevant organisations and services.

  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received regarding the review of the functions of therapy officers; and if he will state the objectives of the review.

  Mr. Freeman
  The objectives of the review are set out in the terms of reference which are as follows:

  (a) to review the value and costs of the service provided to the Department by the therapy officers;

  (b) to consider other models for the provision of advice on therapy matters to the Department;

  (c) to advise on whether the present arrangements constitute the most effective use of resources for the provision of this advice;

  (d) if not, to advise on whether an alternative model or models would be more effective, and if so which, and

  (e) without prejudice to the consideration of other models, to review the budgetary and management arrangements for therapy officers employed by the Department, and to make recommendations.

  Apart from the letter which the right hon. Member sent my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State on 29 March we have received no representations about the review.

  Access to Ministers
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if (1) the therapy officers, (2) the chief medical officer and (3) the chief nursing officer in his Department have direct access to him.

  Mr. Freeman
  Therapy officers give advice on a wide range of professional issues to policy branches which take it into account as appropriate in offering advice to Ministers. The chief medical officer and the chief nursing officer have direct access to my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State.

  Health Reform Group
  Mr. Michael Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Bury, South (Mr. Sumberg) of 20 February,Official Report, column 695, what is the Health Reform Group; and who are its members.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Health Reform Group is an independent group of medical practitioners who support the Government's proposals to improve the Health Service. We have no details of its membership.

  Awards
  Ms. Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the annual cost of running his Department's office of the central committee on distinction awards.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The total cost for the year ended 31 March 1989 (the latest available) was £131,188. This figure was made up as follows: Department of Health staff costs £81,684, committee members' expenses £32,954 and salaries of the chairman and vice-chairman of the advisory committee on distinction awards £16,550.

  Ms. Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what criteria are used when making hospital consultants merit awards.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  There are no formal criteria for awards. The chairman of the advisory committee on distinction awards issued general guidelines to members of the regional and higher awards committees this year and a copy has been placed in the Library. The committees look for qualities such as clinical excellence, special achievement in direct services to patients, training, teaching and research and outstanding management effort.

  Ms. Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he will publish the number of holders of hospital consultants' merit awards in each district health authority.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Department does not maintain statistics on distinction awards in each district health authority.

  Drug Budgets
  Mr. Michael Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to issue the further working paper on the implementation of indicative drug budgets to which he referred in his answer to the hon. Member for Northampton, South of 30 January,Official Report, column 130.
  29
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  We intend to publish in May a further working paper on the operation of the indicative prescribing scheme.

  Mr. Michael Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how soon after the month end the monthly statement on prescribing costs will be issued to general practitioner practices, family practitioner committees and regional health authorities.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Monthly statements of expenditure on drugs, medicines and listed appliances prescribed by general practitioners will normally be issued at all levels within four weeks of the end of the month in which the costs were incurred.

  Medical Negligence
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much he estimates it will cost his Department in the current financial year for payments that arise from claims of compensation for medical negligence.

  Mr. Freeman
  For 1990–91 the cost of payments in compensation for medical negligence by hospital doctors is estimated at £50 million for the United Kingdom. Not all of this will be met by health authorities. On 1 January 1990 the financial responsibility for this compensation was transferred from the medical defence organisations to the National Health Service. Because hospital doctors in the National Health Service are no longer required to subscribe to a medical defence organisation, English health authorities have about £27 million (£34 million United Kingdom) available in 1990–91 from the contributions made by them as employers to doctors' subscriptions.

  In addition, under the arrangements for the transfer of financial responsibility the medical defence organisations have set up funds from their reserves which health authorities can draw on to help meet the cost of the more substantial cases which should enable the cost to be kept within the original provision for subscriptions.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many brain-damaged children have been awarded compensation for medical negligence in the past five years; what has been the average size of award in each year: and what have been the highest and lowest awards.

  Mr. Freeman
  This information is not available centrally.

  General Practitioners
  Mr. Michael Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the most recent available figures for average general practitioner list sizes; and what steps are being taken to have more up-to-date figures available.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Information provided by family practitioner committees (FPCs) in census returns enable the Department to calculate average list sizes.

  The average general practitioner list size for England at 1 October 1988 (the latest available) was 1,999.

  From 1 April 1990 all family practitioner committees will have computer systems for general practitioner payments. The intention is that the Department's information requirements will be taken directly from these rather than from manual returns as currently.
  30
  It is expected that this will lead to more timely submission of data for the 1 October 1990 census and beyond.

  Dead Register
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about the future of the dead register currently maintained by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys.

  Mr. Freeman
  The dead register consists of more than 80 million index cards stored by local authority area. These cards relate to people who changed address, left the country, died or changed name during the period of national registration between 1939 and 1952. The space needed for computerisation of the National Health Service central register has necessitated moving the dead register away from the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys site and it is now costing nearly £50,000 per annum in storage.

  The main usage is for medical research studies and currently there are very few users. The Office of Population Censuses and Surveys considers that it is unnecessary to maintain the dead register for its own core needs and has approached the Medical Research Council about the need to maintain it for medical research purposes. In the event that this is considered necessary the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys would need payment. A decision is required by the summer when the renewal of the storage contract is due.

  Ambulance Dispute
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the final cost to each regional health authority of cover using police and armed forces and other bodies during the ambulance workers' dispute; and what was the total cost to public funds of the dispute.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give details of his latest estimate of the total costs arising out of the recent ambulance dispute; and how much has been(a) paid and (b) requested from authorities responsible for providing (i) military, (ii) police and (iii) non-NHS ambulance services during the period of the dispute.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The cost to the end of February 1990 (the last month for which bills have been received from the Ministry of Defence) was £4·.8 million. The final cost of military assistance is not yet known.

  Information is not held centrally about the cost to regional health authorities of using police and other non-military bodies during the recent dispute.

  Defensive Medicine
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has undertaken on defensive medicine in the United Kingdom.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  None. The introduction of medical audit will ensure that doctors examine the nature and appropriateness of the care that they provide.

  General Practitioners, Cumbria
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will review the decision of the Cumbria family practitioner committee to allow the general practitioner
  31
  practice of Dickinson, Wheeler and Reed specifically to exclude the area Raffles, and Raffles in Carlisle, from their practice.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  No. I understand that the practice concerned is in Dalston and some distance from Carlisle in a rural area. This practice has never encouraged people from the urban area to register with it. There are in fact some 40 doctors serving the population of Carlisle, including the two estates.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Uganda
  Mr. Ernie Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much aid, and in what form, was given by Her Majesty's Government to Uganda for each of the last five years.

  Mrs. Chalker
  Gross British bilateral aid to Uganda over the period 1984–88, the latest five-year period for which figures are available, was as follows:

  £ millions

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  Programme aid

  1·126

  0·206

  0·005

  0·016

  17·126

  Other financial aid

  0·474

  2·123

  1·524

  2·980

  2·941

  Technical assistance

  2·701

  2·867

  2·784

  3·510

  6·392

  Pensions

  0·939

  0·896

  0·852

  1·996

  0·354

  Emergency aid

  0·173

  0·244

  1·056

  0·070

  0·436

  Debt relief

  1·667

  1·660

  1·166

  0·983

  0·631

  Commonwealth Development

  Corporation

  1·175

  1·189

  2·624

  0·710

  Total

  7·080

  9·171

  8·576

  12·179

  28·590

  In addition, Britain's share of multilateral aid to Uganda over the period 1984–87 was:

  £ millions

  1984

  8·58

  1985

  7·70

  1986

  5·31

  1987

  9·11

  Figures for later years are not yet available.

  Grassland Research
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects he will be able to make a statement on the outcome of the Minister for Overseas Development's contacts with Professor Hall about grassland research.

  Mrs. Chalker
  My officials will be holding discussions with Professor Hall and other interested parties such as the Natural Resources Institute during the next six weeks. I will therefore be writing to the hon. Member at the end of May, by when we should know the position.

  Caribbean
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the current level of assistance given to islands in the Caribbean.

  Mrs. Chalker
  [pursuant to her reply, 2 April 1990, c. 418]: I regret that the reply that I gave my hon. Friend
  32
  omitted the separate but substantial sums provided to Jamaica through the Commonwealth Development Corporation. In 1988 these amounted to £14·647 million.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Lancashire Estates (Income)
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what are the principal determining factors which affect the income of the estates for which he is responsible in Lancashire.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  The factors which affect the income of the estates are, in general, those affecting the agricultural economy. Most of the farms are dairy units and I am pleased to say that the farmers concerned have adapted well to the regime of milk quotas.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Hind
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what representations he has received from tenants of the Duchy regarding the community charge.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  I have had no representations from Duchy tenants either for or against the community charge.

  Visits
  Mr. Sumberg
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when he next intends to pay an offical visit to the Duchy.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  I have no plans to do so in the very near future.

  Mr. John Evans
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when he next expects to visit St. Helens.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  I have no plans to visit St. Helens at present.

  Official Duties
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how much time he has spent on Duchy business since the last time he answered oral questions.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  I spend up to a quarter of my time carrying out my duties as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and as a member of the Government.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Guillotines
  Mr. Richard Shepherd
  To ask the Lord President of the Council when guillotines were first introduced on Lords amendments; and if he will list all such guillotines and supplemental guillotines since 1979.

  Sir Geoffrey Howe
  The first occasion on which an allocation of time order governing consideration of Lords amendments was made was on 27 April 1953, when a supplemental order guillotining debate on Lords amendments to the Transport Bill was agreed to.

  The following allocation of time orders relating to consideration of Lords amendments have been made since the beginning of the 1979–80 Session:
  33

  Session

  Bill

  Date

  Type of order

  1979–80

  Education (No. 2)

  2 April 1980

  Supplemental

  Social Security

  22 May 1980

  Supplemental

  Housing

  6 August 1980

  Supplemental

  1980–81

  Transport

  28 July 1981

  Supplemental

  British Nationality

  26 October 1981

  Supplemental

  1981–82

  Oil and Gas (Enterprise)

  24 June 1982

  Supplemental

  Employment

  25 October 1982

  Supplemental

  1984–85

  Local Government

  8 July 1985

  Supplemental

  Transport

  29 October 1985

  Supplemental

  1985–86

  Gas

  21 July 1986

  Supplemental

  Social Security

  23 July 1986

  Supplemental

  1986–87

  Local Government Finance

  11 March 1987

  Supplemental

  Abolition of Domestic Rates etc. (Scotland)

  13 May 1987

  Supplemental

  1987–88

  Social Security

  14 March 1988

  Free-standing

  Education Reform

  18 July 1988

  Supplemental

  Local Government Finance

  20 July 1988

  Supplemental

  Firearms (Amendment)

  2 November 1988 11 November 1988

  Supplemental Free-standing (one order covering 2 bills)

  School Boards (Scotland) Housing

  1988–89

  Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions)

  14 March 1989

  Supplemental

  Official Secrets

  2 May 1989

  Supplemental

  Water

  3 July 1989

  Supplemental

  Local Government and Housing

  8 November 1989

  Free-standing (one order covering 2 bills)

  Employment

  Self-Governing Schools etc. (Scotland)

  14 November 1989

  Supplemental

  1989–90 (up to and including 18 April 1990)

  Education (Student Loans)

  4 April 1990

  Free-standing

  Sound System
  Dame Elaine Kellett-Bowman
  To ask the Lord President of the Council whether he will make a statement on the sound system in the House.

  Sir Geoffrey Howe
  During recent months, I have received a number of representations from hon. and right hon. Members about the quality of the sound in the Chamber and the matter has also been raised several times on the Floor of the House.

  The sound system in the Chamber has been under review for the last 10 years, originally under the aegis of the former Sound Broadcasting Committee. The Select Committee on Televising of Proceedings of the House inherited the responsibilities of the Sound Broadcasting Committee and has continued to keep the issue under active consideration. When the Select Committee came into being in 1988 it was decided that, although there might be doubts about the efficiency of the sound system, there should be no attempt to make significant changes either for or during the television experiment. The sound system in the Chamber at present is, therefore, almost exactly the same and works under exactly the same system of operation as it has done for more than five years.

  There were complaints earlier this year that micro-phones at the Dispatch Box were not providing a good signal of the Front-Bench speakers. A series of experiments were undertaken with different microphones at the Dispatch Box and new placings of the microphones above the Government and Opposition Front-Bench speakers. The present microphones and their placings,
  34
  designed to overcome the loss of audibility when Front-Bench speakers turn to address Members behind them, provide the best combination so far.

  There have also been complaints about the quality of reception in the small loudspeakers in the back of the Benches. The level of amplification has not, as had been suggested, been lowered to suit the demands of broadcasting. In fact the level of sound has been raised as far as possible without causing feedback but it is clear that some Members still have difficulty in hearing when there is a lot of noise in the Chamber. During the Easter recess, therefore, an inspection was carried out with the support of the BBC research department to evaluate the extent to which the existing amplification equipment is performing to its original specifications and to identify possible alternative systems for later tests.

  This work is part of a study being undertaken by a working party under the chairmanship of the supervisor of broadcasting. The working party is examining the technical options for the modernisation or replacement of the sound system. In addition, Mr. Richard Wright, head of sound operations for news and current affairs at the BBC, has been appointed as a specialist adviser to the Select Committee and will also assist the working party in its deliberations. The working party will report to the Chairman of the Select Committee by early June. As a separate issue, the working party will also address the question of sound quality in Committee Rooms.

  However, the general conclusion likely to be reached is that the sound system, which was installed several decades ago, is unlikely to have an effective life beyond the next five

  35
  years. Given the inevitably long lead-time associated with drawing up the specifications and costings for a new system, and with approval by the House and installation, it is vital that work should begin now.

  The first practical steps towards identifying the tecnnical options have already been taken, with the recent installation on the Opposition side of the Chamber of a single new type of smaller "capacitator" microphone. This has produced good results in terms of audibility, although a problem of reduced physical stability needs further work.

  It is, however, important to stress that the constraints of the layout and architecture of the Chamber will always limit the scope for improvement in audibility. The simultaneous requirement for the House to be able to hear the Member with the Floor speaking at a normal volume, whilst avoiding undue distraction from the inevitable background noise in a lively debating Chamber, is likely to stretch even the most up-to-date technology to its limits. When the House is very noisy only a system of individual microphones and individual hearing aids would be able to cope; and this, it has always been understood, would be unacceptable to the House.

  The overriding concern of the Select Committee will be to ensure that the House is equipped with as efficient a system of sound reinforcement as possible, subject only to the practical constraints I have outlined.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Widows' Benefit
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many widows in Scotland are in receipt of widows' benefit.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  As at 31 March 1989, the latest date for which figures are available, the number of widows in Scotland in receipt of widow's benefit was 39,000.

  Local Government Finance (Rebates)
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people were receiving(a) domestic rates and (b) poll tax rebates in Scotland in each year from 1986–87; and if he will express the figures as a percentage of total domestic ratepayers or poll tax payers.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The information requested is in the table.

  Numbers receiving rate rebates (000s)

  Proportion of housing stock per cent.

  1986–87

  785

  38

  1987–88

  785

  38

  1988–89

  640

  31

  Number of individual chargepayers receiving rebates (000s)

  Proportion of registered chargepayers per cent.

  1989–90

  1,150

  30

  Source: Estimated number of recipients derived from local authority rate rebate and community charge benefit caseload returns. Housing stock figures and community charge register information from Scottish Office.
  36
  Mr. Maxton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will provide a table for the following household types:(a) single pensioner, (b) other single adult, (c) two adults, (d) three or more adults and (e) all households listing the following detail: (i) the number receiving rate bills, (ii) the total value of their gross rate bills, (iii) the numbers entitled to rebates and (iv) the total value of rebates in 1987–88 and 1988–89 in Scotland.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  [pursuant to her reply, 19 March 1990, c. 402]: I regret that a correction is necessary. The estimated number of ratepayers in Scotland receiving rate rebates in 1988–89 is 640,000 and not 688,000 as shown in the published table.

  Disability
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what response he has received to "The Way Ahead: Benefits for Disabled People" from the Disability Alliance; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  The Disability Alliance has sent me a written response and was represented at a meeting that I held on 5 April with the Disability Benefits Consortium to discuss "The Way Ahead." We shall give careful consideration to all the alliance's comments in carrying forward the detailed work on our proposals.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he has given any consideration to the introduction of a basic minimum income for all disabled people, irrespective of how their disability arose: and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  There is a number of factors which have led us to conclude that a single disability income scheme is not the right course of action. First, we have aimed to provide a more simple and coherent system of financial help for disabled people. A single scheme which strived to cover a whole range of specific needs would be significantly more complicated than existing benefits, both for claimants to understand and for doctors and staff to adjudicate and administer. Secondly, by introducing the sort of points-related benefit suggested by some commentators, an unacceptably high number of people would stand to lose benefit entitlement. One of our major objectives is to provide a system which can get help quickly and effectively to those most in need.

  Residential Homes
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many elderly persons in private residential or nursing homes who are in receipt of income support have fees which are below the income support limits by:(a) less than £5 a week, (b) £5 to £10 per week, (c) £10 to £20 per week, (d) £20 to £30 per week, (e) £30 to £40 per week, (f) £40 to £50 per week, (g) £50 to £60 per week, (h) £60 to £70 per week, (i) £70 to £80 per week, and (j) over £80 per week; what percentage each of these totals is of (i) all elderly residents in these houses and (ii) all residents in receipt of income support; and if he will provide information so far as possible broken down between residential and nursing homes.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The information is not available. Data is collected on a sample basis, the size of which precludes the provision of reliable estimates in the form requested.

  Vibration White Finger
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the number of claims submitted on vibration white finger to the two local Birkenhead offices; and if he will detail the number of staff hours so far involved in processing these claims.

  Mr. Scott
  A total of 1,141 new claims and 835 review applications have been received to date by the two social security offices serving the Birkenhead area. Details of staff hours expended on these particular claims are not available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

WALES

  Surplus School Places
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish for each county in Wales, the number of surplus places in(a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools; and if he will give details of the criteria he uses to ascertain surplus place numbers.

  Mr. Roberts
  The table shows the total number of surplus places in primary and secondary schools in each county based on the latest available figures received from each local education authority. The criteria recommended for determining the capacities of schools are set out in Welsh Office circular 20/88, "Educational Quality in Wales: The Response to Falling School Rolls" for primary schools, whilst for secondary schools they are in Welsh Office circular 47/88, "Admission of Pupils to County and Voluntary Schools". Copies of both circulars are in the Library of the House.

  Surplus Places in Maintained Schools in Wales

  County

  Primary

  Secondary

  TOTAL

  Clwyd

  9,964

  2,493

  12,907

  Dyfed

  9,671

  1,949

  11,620

  Gwent

  11,159

  9,836

  20,696

  Gwynedd

  4,928

  3,834

  8,762

  Mid Glamorgan

  9,683

  4,274

  13,957

  Powys

  3,194

  2,525

  5,719

  South Glamorgan

  6,996

  6,935

  13,929

  West Glamorgan

  2,021

  11,218

  13,239

  Wales

  57,616

  43,212

  100,828

  Orthodontic Surgeons
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish in the Official Report a list of those health authorities in Wales which employ the services of an orthodontic consultant surgeon.

  Mr. Grist
  All district health authorities in Wales employ the services of an orthodontic consultant surgeon.

  Interest Rates
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many representations he has received, since occupying his present post, on the effect on new investment of high interest rates.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  Although precise figures are not available, I have received very few representations about the effect of interest rates on new investment.

  Health Service
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many general practitioners and general practitioner practices in each county in Wales have indicated an interest in becoming holders of a practice budget.

  Mr. Grist
  The information requested is shown in the table:

  Family practitioner committee

  Number of general practitioners

  Number of GP practices

  Clwyd

  34

  6

  Dyfed

  27

  6

  Gwent

  12

  3

  Gwynedd

  4

  1

  Mid Glamorgan

  53

  9

  Powys

  14

  3

  South Glamorgan

  26

  5

  West Glamorgan

  47

  9

  FPC areas are co-terminous with counties.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has made of the contribution that will be made by charitable giving and fund-raising towards the deficit projected by the South Glamorgan health authority during 1990–91.

  Mr. Grist
  My right hon. Friend has made no such estimates. He would not expect the authority to rely upon donations to meet any part of the deficit which it is currently projecting, since it would clearly be unwise to become dependent upon a source of funding which may not be recurrent. Donations can be of considerable assistance in funding developments which might not otherwise be given priority by the authority within its modified revenue and capital allocations. However, they should not be used in substitution for firm budgetary control.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his policy on the extent of the contribution made by charitable donations and fund-raising events to the funding of the Health Service in Wales.

  Mr. Grist
  My right hon. Friend and I welcome the voluntary and charitable contributions which members of the public and organisations wish to make to health authorities. Sometimes such gifts are associated with the funding of a specific service or facilities and on other occasions they are not. In each case it is a private matter between the health authority and the giver. Such arrangements are not covered by any central guidelines and have not been the subject of departmental initiative.

  In determining health authority spending allocations voluntary funding and charitable donations are not considered and no central record of such gifts is maintained.

  Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many cattle have been confirmed as having bovine spongiform encephalopathy in each county of Wales for each year since the disease was discovered.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  The number of confirmed cases of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in each county in Wales during 1987, 1988, 1989 and 1990 (to 13 April) was:
  39

  Number of cases

  County

  1987

  1988

  1989

  11990

  Clwyd

  0

  13

  58

  31

  Dyfed

  8

  64

  212

  111

  Mid Glamorgan

  0

  5

  15

  3

  South Glamorgan

  0

  8

  29

  3

  West Glamorgan

  0

  1

  3

  0

  Gwent

  0

  20

  60

  32

  Gwynedd

  0

  7

  26

  8

  Powys

  0

  13

  56

  31

  1 (to 13 April).

  There were no cases reported in 1986.

  Pounds per head in 1990–911

  Local Authority

  Net expenditure2

  Standard spending assessment

  Income from community charge3

  Revenue support grant

  Non-domestic rates share

  Other income4

  Alyn and Deeside

  127

  123

  30

  64

  32

  102

  Colwyn

  129

  120

  36

  61

  32

  182

  Delyn

  132

  113

  38

  54

  32

  329

  Glyndwr

  130

  111

  50

  52

  32

  305

  Rhuddlan

  153

  130

  50

  71

  32

  302

  Wrexham Maelor

  133

  124

  37

  65

  32

  266

  Carmarthen

  111

  126

  10

  67

  32

  n/a

  Ceredigion

  139

  134

  16

  75

  32

  n/a

  Dinefwr

  108

  118

  17

  59

  32

  n/a

  Llanelli

  138

  143

  30

  82

  32

  n/a

  Preseli Pembrokeshire

  133

  131

  16

  72

  32

  246

  South Pembrokeshire

  123

  143

  7

  84

  32

  381

  Blaenau Gwent

  204

  168

  51

  109

  32

  579

  Islwyn

  169

  158

  38

  99

  32

  189

  Monmouth

  124

  110

  36

  51

  32

  298

  Newport

  173

  162

  61

  100

  32

  467

  Torfaen

  154

  141

  40

  82

  32

  163

  Aberconwy

  149

  127

  49

  68

  32

  219

  Arfon

  163

  147

  43

  88

  32

  250

  Dwyfor

  180

  155

  59

  96

  32

  250

  Meirionnydd

  173

  134

  57

  75

  32

  229

  Ynys Môn

  194

  140

  75

  81

  32

  437

  Cynon Valley

  186

  170

  42

  108

  32

  168

  Merthyr Tydfil

  194

  187

  36

  126

  32

  547

  Ogwr

  158

  142

  43

  83

  32

  200

  Rhondda

  224

  199

  41

  138

  32

  504

  Rhymney Valley

  160

  138

  47

  78

  32

  n/a

  Taff Ely

  138

  141

  24

  82

  32

  n/a

  Brecknock

  131

  126

  35

  67

  32

  228

  Montgomeryshire

  128

  113

  18

  54

  32

  198

  Radnorshire

  111

  113

  25

  54

  32

  270

  Cardiff

  191

  143

  75

  84

  32

  272

  Vale of Glamorgan

  119

  123

  23

  64

  32

  n/a

  Port Talbot

  163

  159

  31

  100

  32

  170

  Lliw Valley

  118

  126

  19

  67

  32

  n/a

  Neath

  196

  138

  21

  79

  32

  369

  Swansea

  205

  174

  48

  115

  32

  301

  Clwyd

  764

  703

  213

  387

  171

  205

  Dyfed

  779

  756

  168

  440

  171

  167

  Gwent

  755

  731

  169

  416

  171

  227

  Gwynedd

  769

  752

  161

  436

  171

  282

  Mid Glamorgan

  807

  786

  166

  471

  171

  229

  Powys

  842

  838

  146

  522

  171

  n/a

  South Glamorgan

  789

  772

  167

  456

  171

  184

  West Glamorgan

  802

  750

  205

  434

  171

  191

  Average Wales

  944

  897

  218

  521

  203

  n/a

  1 For consistency, the population denominator used throughout the table is the relevant population. This is defined in the Distribution of Non-Domestic Rates (Relevant Population) Report for Wales. Note that this definition excludes those aged under 18 years.

  2 Provisional budgeted net revenue expenditure as reported by local authorities.

  3 In the case of districts, the transfer from the collection fund; in the case of counties, the aggregate of precepts on the relevant charging authorities' collection funds.

  4 The provisional estimated income from specific and supplementary grants and from sales, fees, charges and other income. Note that these amounts are not included in net expenditure.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish in the Official Report in relation to each local authority in Wales and the average for all local authorities in Wales for the financial year 1990–91 (a) the level of net expenditure per head of population, (b) the level of net expenditure per head of population as set out in the Government's assessment of expenditure need, (c) the level of income per head of population from personal, standard and collective community charges, (d) the income from revenue support grant per head of population, (e) the income from non-domestic rates per head of population and (f) the income from other sources per head of population.

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

  Flooding
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what action he intends to take to avert flooding in the reenlands of south Gwent;

  (2) if he will calculate the likelihood of a major flood in the Peterstone-Wentlooge and St. Brides areas of Gwent in the event of a tidal surge;

  (3) what reports he has received of the overtopping of the sea defences in south Gwent, and the flooding in Newport and Caerleon during the recent storms; and if he will make a statement;

  (4) if he will make an assessment of the expected rise in sea levels in the Severn estuary as a result of global warming and its effect on sea and river defences;

  (5) whether he has received any representations from the National Rivers Authority and other bodies on action that may be required to improve the sea walls in the Peterstone-Wentlooge and St. Brides areas of Gwent to reduce the risk of flooding.

  Mr. Grist
  There will always be some risk of a major flood in the Peterstone-Wentlooge and St. Brides areas of Gwent during extreme events.

  Under section 136 of the Water Act 1989 the National Rivers Authority has a duty to exercise a general supervision over all matters relating to flood defence. The Department is aware that overtopping of sea defences occurred in south Gwent and that there was flooding in Newport and Caerleon during the recent storms. No representations have been received on action that may be required to improve sea walls in the area specified.

  Current estimates suggest that mean sea levels are likely to be between 25 and 40 cm higher by the year 2050. It is not possible to establish with any degree of certainty the degree of sea level rise on a local basis. The increased funding that is being provided by the Department for sea defence schemes is intended to build up the programme to enable defences to withstand the currently expected risk.

  Environmentally Sensitive Areas
  Mr. Geraint Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent representations he has received from the National Farmers Union of Wales in respect of the operation and level of payments of the ESA scheme; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  None.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Cambodia
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he is yet in a position to publish the report resulting from the recent United Kingdom mission investigating the political situation in Cambodia; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office to the hon. Member for Cynon Valley (Mrs. Clwyd) on 31 January.

  Iraq
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the current position relating to arms sales to Iraq; what agreements or treaties prohibit such exports; and what routine measures are taken to enforce compliance by British manufacturers.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Exports of defence-related material to both Iran and Iraq are governed by the guidelines announced by the then Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in the House on 29 October 1985. These are applied on a case-by-case basis in the light of prevailing circumstances, including the ceasefire and developments in the peace negotiations. Under the nuclear non-proliferation treaty we control the export of sensitive nuclear-related material and technology. As a member of the missile technology control regime, we control exports of missile-related material and technology. Our export controls are implemented under the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1989. All export licence applications are given the most careful scrutiny.

  Libya
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his latest assessment of the capability of the Rabta chemical plant in Libya to produce chemical warfare agents.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  We have no doubt that the Rabta plant is intended to produce chemical weapons on a large scale. It remains unclear what has been the effect of the reported fire on 14 March.

TRANSPORT

  Channel Tunnel
  Mr. Geraint Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the progress of the channel tunnel.

  Mr. Portillo
  The channel tunnel is a private sector project. I understand that more than 40 per cent. of tunnelling has been completed and is now progressing at record levels.

  Mr. Gow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what rate of return he expects will be secured by British Rail on its investment to be undertaken as a result of the prospective opening of the channel tunnel.

  Mr. Portillo
  The real rate of return on British Rail's investment for channel tunnel services is expected to be at least 8 per cent.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received regarding the channel tunnel link and the site of the second London terminal.

  Mr. Portillo
  The Department has received a large number of such representations.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations his Department has received regarding channel tunnel links with Cornwall.
  43
  Mr. Portillo
  I have received a number of representations about channel tunnel links with Cornwall.

  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what evacuation procedures Eurotunnel has designed to ensure that people who have impaired hearing or impaired eyesight can be quickly evacuated in the event of fire;

  (2) what tests there have been to examine the effects of a high-speed derailment in the channel tunnel;

  (3) what consideration he has given to the conclusions of the intergovernmental commission and the Channel Tunnel Safety Authority on segregation of passengers from light vehicles, passenger cars and coaches from LPG;

  (4) if he has any plans to increase the time fire doors on the shuttle rakes are required to resist fire to match the time Eurotunnel is given to rescue passengers from a train stranded in the channel tunnel; and if he will make a statement;

  (5) if he has set any criteria for the numbers of drivers required to be present at all times on the two locomotives with which each train using the channel tunnel is to be equipped;

  (6) how many evacuees from a carriage carrying passengers not segregated from their vehicles a neighbouring carriage with 50 cm between each vehicle in it could accommodate; and what projections he has made of how long it would take to transfer the passengers from one carriage to another in such circumstances;

  (7) what criteria he has laid down for the time taken to evacuate a large coach full of people in smoke; whether he has any plans to vary the criteria where large numbers of elderly or handicapped people are carried; and if he will make a statement;

  (8) what reports his Department has studied into the effects of a high-speed derailment in the channel tunnel and the safety of passengers travelling in train carriages and the safety of passengers travelling in their cars with full fuel tanks;

  (9) if he will make a statement on the conclusions of the Channel Tunnel Safety Authority's report "Non-segregation of Drivers and Passengers from their Vehicles";

  (10) if the service tunnel of the channel tunnel will be able to be used to evacuate passengers safely at the same time as it is being used to deploy rescue teams and emergency services to the scene of an incident.

  Mr. Portillo
  I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave to the hon. Member for Leicester, East (Mr Vaz) on 8 January,Official Report, column 464, and to my hon. Friend the Member for Hastings and Rye (Mr Warren) on 22 January, Official Report, column 491.

  Approval of Eurotunnel's proposed designs and operating procedures is a matter for the Channel Tunnel Intergovernmental Commission which is advised on safety matters by the independent Channel Tunnel Safety Authority.

  The safety authority has now published its report reviewing the principal factors on which it based its advice to the intergovernmental commission on the non-segregation of drivers and passengers from their vehicles. A copy has been placed in the Library of the House. The report refers to the authority's view that drivers and passengers should not be allowed to travel in vehicles containing or carrying LPG. With regard to the effects of a high-speed derailment in the tunnel, the report records
  44
  the authority's stipulation that Eurotunnel should carry out a special study of the behaviour of rolling stock under accident conditions. I understand that the authority is discussing with Eurotunnel the exact nature of the further tests required.

  Eurotunnel's operating rules will have to cover matters such as the number of train drivers required to be present on the locomotives and the evacuation procedures for passengers, including the elderly and those with disabilities. Under the concession agreement, Eurotunnel is required to submit these rules for intergovernmental commission approval. When it does so, it will be for the safety authority to advise on whether the proposals are acceptable. Section 19 of the Channel Tunnel Act 1987 requires Eurotunnel to obtain from the intergovernmental commission a certificate stating that the commission is satisfied with Eurotunnel's code of practice on the conveyance of disabled persons.

  Mr. Trotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he now expects to receive from British Rail its investment proposals for the trains to be used for the through passenger services to be introduced from the continent to the north of Britain.

  Mr. Portillo
  I understand that negotiations on the price of the trains are continuing and that BR now intends to submit its proposals in the summer.

  Roll on/Roll off Ferries
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he proposes to take powers to require improvements in the design of roll on/roll off ferries.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport already has such powers by virtue of the Merchant Shipping Act 1979. On 2 April we announced the results of a Department of Transport-sponsored research programme into ways of improving the safety of ro-ro passenger ferries. This work will have significant implications for developments in ferry design throughout the world, and we have already taken steps to ensure its full consideration at the International Maritime Organisation next month.

  Disabled People
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he plans any further measures to promote improved access to means of transport by disabled people.

  Mr. Atkins
  Our plans are set out comprehensively in the document, "Transport and Disability: a Statement of Aims and Priorities".

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to improve transport facilities for people with disabilities.

  Mr. Atkins
  Our plans are set out in "Transport and Disability: a Statement of Aims and Priorities".

  We are seeking to make public transport easier to use including development of wheelchair access. We are working with vehicle designers and manufacturers to influence car design and control modifications, so as to increase opportunities for personal mobility for even the most severely disabled people.
  45
  We are also developing guidelines on design for pedestrian areas to help elderly and disabled people.

  Electrification
  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals he has received for further electrification of the British Rail network.

  Mr. Portillo
  In the last two years alone, we have approved a further four electrification schemes for British Rail. We would welcome any further proposals from British Rail which meet its investment criteria.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his estimate of the cost of electrifying the east coast rail line north of Edinburgh.

  Mr. Portillo
  It is for British Rail to estimate the cost of any electrification schemes which it wishes to propose.

  Traffic Congestion (London)
  Mr. Bernie Grant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he now intends to spend the £3·7 billion allocated to the road building plans for London on measures which will help to reduce congestion in the capital.

  Mr. Parkinson
  No financial provision was made for schemes recommended by consultants, so their rejection does not make funds available to spend on other measures. Investment of more than £6 billion is already planned to improve the transport systems that serve London.

  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a further statement about his plans to reduce the current levels of traffic congestion in central London.

  Mr. Atkins
  We are planning to start a red route pilot scheme from Highgate to Commercial road in the summer. Discussions with the local authorities are under way and there will be consultation with residents and traders. We shall also be consulting on the legislation to implement the proposals in "Traffic in London", which will be brought forward at the earliest opportunity.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has for the introduction of traffic-calming measures in London.

  Mr. Atkins
  Traffic-calming measures in London are most appropriate to local roads, which are the responsibility of the local authorities. My Department will consider grant where there are safety benefits. We will be discussing with the authorities concerned any proposals they may have for appropriate measures associated with red routes and the modest trunk road improvements we are proposing following consultation on the London assessment studies.

  London Regional Transport
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement about investment in London Regional Transport since 1986.

  Mr. Portillo
  Investment by London Regional Transport has increased by 50 per cent. in real terms since 1985–86 to £425 million in 1989–90. Over the next three years it will double again.
  46
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will set performance targets for the standard of service offered by London Regional Transport.

  Mr. Portillo
  I have already done so. I refer the hon. Member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Fulham (Mr. Carrington) on 20 December at column 280.

  Horne Report
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received seeking early implementation of the Home report.

  Mr. Atkins
  We have received many representations from hon. Members and others seeking implementation of the Horne report's recommendations for control of public utilities' street works.

  MV Marine
  Mr. McAvoy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the marine accident investigation branch has yet received a copy of the Bahamian authorities' report into the loss of the MV Marine; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The marine accident investigation branch has not yet received a copy of the Bahamian authorities' report into the loss of the MV Marine. The sad loss of this vessel, and her six British crew, was debated in this House on 27 March in an Adjournment debate initiated by my hon. Friend the Member for Tynemouth (Mr. Trotter).

  Newcastle Western Bypass
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects the next stage of the Newcastle western bypass to open.

  Mr. Atkins
  On current planning the next stage of the bypass is due for completion in October 1990.

  Midland Railway Line
  Mr. Flannery
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions he has had with the British Railways Board about investment in the midland St. Pancras-Sheffield railway line.

  Mr. Portillo
  Whilst we have not had any recent discussions with British Rail on this, I know that British Rail will be providing faster trains in the new May timetable and we would be happy to see any further investment proposals which British Rail considers worth while.

  British Rail (Meetings)
  Mr. Hind
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he next plans to meet the chairman of British Rail; and what will be discussed.

  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will next meet the chairman of British Rail; and what matters he proposes to discuss.

  Mr. Parkinson
  I next plan to meet the chairman of British Rail on Wednesday 25 April when we shall discuss a variety of railway issues.
  47
  Mr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he last met the chairman of British Rail; and what subjects were discussed.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he last met the chairman of British Rail and what subjects were discussed.

  Mr. Portillo
  My right hon. Friend last met the chairman of British Rail on 19 April when they discussed a variety of railway issues.

  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he next plans to meet the chairman of British Rail; and what matters will be discussed.

  Mr. Henderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he next plans to meet the chairman of British Rail; and what matters will be discussed.

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he next plans to meet the chairman of British Rail; and what matters will be discussed.

  Mr. Orme
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he next plans to meet the chairman of British Rail; and what matters will be discussed.

  Mr. Portillo
  I refer the hon. Members to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Pembroke (Mr. Bennett) earlier today.

  British Rail Engineering
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what arrangements he has made to clawback any of the profit made by the British Rail Engineering Company following its privatisation.
  48
  Mr. Portillo
  The claw-back provision agreed between British Rail and the purchasers applies to profits made in the medium term from the sale or development of BREL land.

  Langbaurgh (Roads)
  Mr. Holt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received from Cleveland county council on roads in Langbaurgh, in particular the Guisborough bypass.

  Mr. Atkins
  Officials of the Department and Cleveland county council regularly meet to discuss the road network improvement programme in the county. The Guisborough bypass is one of the county council schemes which is raised for discussion from time to time.

  Transport Investment Policy
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the amount of Government money to be invested in each form of transport over the next three years in order to achieve the stated aim of a balanced transport policy.

  Mr. Parkinson
  During the next three years, investment in transport by my Department and the nationalised industries for which I am responsible will come to £11·5 billion and plans would support some £2·5 billion by English local authorities. About £7 billion will be invested in rail, bus, air and ports and some £7 billion on roads if local authorities' present allocation between modes continues.

  Manchester Airport
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will pay an official visit to Manchester airport.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  My right hon. Friend visited Manchester airport in February. He and I have also met airport company directors on a number of occasions.

  London Underground
  Mr. Dykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will meet the chairman of London Underground Ltd. to discuss improvements promised for the Metropolitan line.

  Mr. Portillo
  My right hon. Friend and I have regular meetings with the chairman of London Underground Limited to discuss various matters, including service improvements. Improvements being considered by LUL for the Metropolitan line include the modernisation of rolling stock, resignalling and a new train reversing facility at Moorgate, to provide greater flexibility and speed of response to unforeseen service difficulties. From 14 May, services from Amersham and Uxbridge will run to the City all day, rather than just at peak times as at present. The quality of service objectives set by my right hon. Friend on 20 December 1989 are designed to ensure that passengers on all lines get the best service that London Underground can provide.

  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he next plans to meet the chairman of London Underground; and whether he will be discussing matters of safety.

  Mr. Portillo
  I meet the chairman regularly. Safety is the top priority and can be discussed at any time either at or outside our regular meetings.

  London (Buses)
  Mr. Carrington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans his Department has to increase the use of buses in London.

  Mr. Portillo
  The Government believe that the use of buses in London will increase only if bus operators are able to offer improved standards of service. Our goal is to create an environment in which operators have the ability and the incentive to raise standards of service. Our policy of promoting competition in the London bus market, the quality of service objectives which we have set for LRT bus services and the proposals in "Traffic in London" are all intended to further this goal.

  Third Party Insurance
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what administrative and legislative measures he proposes to take to reduce the number of vehicles being driven without third party insurance cover.

  Mr. Atkins
  Enforcement of motor insurance law is for the police, who have wide powers to inspect drivers' insurance certificates. We have no plans to change current legislation or administrative procedures.

  Regional Airports
  Mr. Amos
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the level of Government financial support for regional airports for the current financial year and for the previous year.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  My Department authorised borrowing totalling £29 million in 1989–90 for the development of facilities at local authority airports. For 1990–91 borrowing approvals totalling £59 million will be available. The Department does not pay grant for airport development.

  Mr. Irvine
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has made any estimates of the future growth of passenger traffic in regional airports.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The Department's most recent air traffic forecasts for the United Kingdom, published in December 1988, predict that passenger movements at regional airports will be in the following ranges:

  Million passengers per annum

  Number

  1988

  30·9

  1995

  42·1—51·0

  2000

  52·4—68·2

  2005

  62·6—87·4

  The figures indicate that regional airports' share of United Kingdom passenger traffic is expected to increase from 33 per cent. to over 37 per cent. by 2005.

  Network SouthEast
  Mr. Ian Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent representations he has received regarding the quality of service provided by Network SouthEast.

  Mr. Portillo
  My right hon. Friend receives many representations about Network SouthEast, the majority of which are about quality of service. He met the Central Transport Consultative Committee on 26 March.

  Breath Tests
  Ms. Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will make a statement on his policy on the introduction of properly monitored random breath tests for drivers.

  Mr. Atkins
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary announced on 21 March (Official Report, c. 635) the Government's view that existing police powers to stop and breath test drivers strike the right balance between effective enforcement of the law and the freedom of the individual.

  We shall continue to encourage the police to make the fullest possible use of the wide breath-testing powers available to them.

  Rail Industry
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he next proposes to meet representatives of the trade unions in the rail industry.

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

  British Rail (Privatisation)
  Mr. David Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent representations he has received supporting the privatisation of British Rail.

  Mr. Portillo
  We have received a number of such representations.

  M1 (lighting)
  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received regarding the lighting of the northerly sections of the M1 motorway.

  Mr. Atkins
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Beverley (Mr. Cran) earlier today.

  light Railway Projects
  Mr. Burt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many light railway projects are planned throughout the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Portillo
  The Docklands light railway is being extended to Bank and Beckton, and the Tyne and Wear Metro to Newcastle airport.

  The Government are providing grant for the £110 million Manchester Metrolink which is to be designed, built, operated and maintained by the private sector. This Department is in touch with the promoters of light rail projects in south Yorkshire, Avon, west midlands, Cleveland, Croydon and Nottingham. We are also aware of about 30 other schemes, most at an early stage of consideration.

  Ship Inspections
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he takes to inspect ships not registered in the United Kingdom concerning their compliance with international or recognised insurance requirements; and how many vessels were inspected for this specific purpose, or in the course of other inspections, respectively in 1989.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The Secretary of State has no general powers to inspect ships not registered in the United Kingdom regarding the insurance cover they carry. Special provisions apply to oil tankers. The 1969 civil liability convention for oil pollution damage, enacted in the United Kingdom under the Merchant Shipping (Oil Pollution) Act 1971, requires the Secretary of State to ensure the presence of an appropriate insurance certificate on board vessels which transport oil in bulk. The surveyor general's organisation examines these certificates under its port state control inspection procedure. Customs authorities are similarly charged with inspecting the certificates. There is no available information on how many insurance certificates of non-United Kingdom-registered bulk oil carriers were inspected in 1989, under this procedure.

  Road Accidents
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many drivers of 25 years and under were involved in traffic accidents where death or serious injury occurred for each of the last five years; what percentage were female; and if he will express the figures as a percentage of the total number of drivers involved in such accidents.
  52
  Mr. Atkins
  The information requested is given in the tables for the most recent five years for which figures are available. It refers to drivers of all motor vehicles, but excludes riders of two-wheeled motor vehicles.

  Accidents involving drivers aged under 25

  Severity of Accident

  Fatal

  Serious

  Total

  1984

  Drivers 0–24

  1,735

  19,520

  21,255

  Percentage of all drivers

  25

  26

  26

  Percentage of Drivers 0–24:

  Female

  13

  18

  18

  Male

  87

  81

  82

  1985

  Drivers 0–24

  1,703

  19,173

  20,876

  Percentage of all Drivers

  26

  26

  26

  Percentage of Drivers 0–24:

  Female

  12

  19

  18

  Male

  87

  81

  81

  1986

  Drivers 0–24

  1,790

  19,290

  21,080

  Percentage of all Drivers

  26

  26

  26

  Percentage of Drivers 0–24:

  Female

  14

  19

  19

  Male

  86

  80

  81

  1987

  Drivers 0–24

  1,701

  18,596

  20,297

  Percentage of all Drivers

  25

  26

  26

  Percentage of Drivers 0–24:

  Female

  15

  21

  20

  Male

  85

  79

  79

  1988

  Drivers 0–24

  1,778

  19,286

  21,064

  Percentage of all Drivers

  26

  27

  27

  Percentage of Drivers 0–24:

  Female

  13

  21

  20

  Male

  86

  78

  79

  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many persons under the age of 25 years were killed or seriously injured in traffic accidents for each of the last five years; and if he will express this as a percentage of the total for each category.

  Mr. Atkins
  The information requested is given in the table, for the most recent five years for which figures are available.

  Persons under 25 killed or seriously injured

  Severity of injury

  Fatal

  Serious

  Total

  1984

  Persons 0–24

  2,256

  40,158

  42,414

  Percentage of all persons

  40

  55

  54

  1985

  Persons 0–24

  2,037

  37,738

  39,775

  Percentage of all persons

  39

  53

  52

  1986

  Persons 0–24

  2,028

  35,590

  37,618

  Percentage of all persons

  38

  52

  51

  1987

  Persons 0–24

  1,931

  32,346

  34,277

  Percentage of all persons

  38

  50

  49

  1988

  Persons 0–24

  1,862

  30,965

  32,827

  Percentage of all persons

  37

  49

  48

  53
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many drivers over the age of(a) 60 and (b) 70 years were involved in accidents where death or serious injury occurred for each of the last five years; and if he will express this as a percentage of the total for each category.

  Mr. Atkins
  The information requested is given in the tables, for the most recent five years for which figures are available. It refers to drivers of all motor vehicles, but excludes riders of two-wheeled motor vehicles.

  Accidents involving drivers over 60

  Severity of accident

  Fatal

  Serious

  Total

  1984

  Drivers 60 +

  672

  6,240

  6,912

  Percentage of all drivers

  10

  8

  9

  Drivers 70 +

  263

  2,110

  2,373

  Percentage of all drivers

  4

  3

  3

  1985

  Drivers 60 +

  625

  6,159

  6,784

  Percentage of all drivers

  10

  8

  8

  Drivers 70 +

  249

  2,246

  2,495

  Percentage of all drivers

  4

  3

  3

  1986

  Drivers 60 +

  660

  6,011

  6,671

  Percentage of all drivers

  10

  8

  8

  Drivers 70 +

  280

  2,128

  2,408

  Percentage of all drivers

  4

  3

  3

  1987

  Drivers 60 +

  642

  5,515

  6,157

  Percentage of all drivers

  10

  8

  8

  Drivers 70 +

  272

  1,994

  2,266

  Percentage of all drivers

  4

  3

  3

  1988

  Drivers 60 +

  625

  5,847

  6,472

  Percentage of all drivers

  9

  8

  8

  Drivers 70 +

  279

  2,150

  2,429

  Percentage of all drivers

  4

  3

  3

  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many persons over the age of(a) 60 and (b) 70 years were killed or seriously injured in traffic accidents for each of the last five years; and if he will express this as a percentage of the total number of deaths and seriously injured.

  Mr. Atkins
  The information requested is given in the table, for the most recent five years for which figures are available.

  Persons over 60 killed or seriously injured

  Severity of injury

  Fatal

  Serious

  Total

  1984

  Persons 60 +

  1,466

  8,559

  10,025

  Percentage of all persons

  26

  12

  13

  Persons 70 +

  987

  4,685

  5,672

  Percentage of all persons

  18

  6

  7

  1985

  Persons 60 +

  1,411

  8,439

  9,850

  Percentage of all persons

  27

  12

  13

  Persons 70 +

  923

  4,568

  5,491

  Percentage of all persons

  18

  6

  7

  1986

  Persons 60 +

  1,491

  8,526

  10,017

  Percentage of all persons

  28

  12

  14

  Persons 70 +

  1,007

  4,706

  5,713

  Percentage of all persons

  19

  7

  8

  54

  Severity of injury

  Fatal

  Serious

  Total

  1987

  Persons 60 +

  1,395

  7,686

  9,081

  Percentage of all persons

  27

  12

  13

  Persons 70 +

  949

  4,281

  5,230

  Percentage of all persons

  19

  7

  8

  1988

  Persons 60 +

  1,389

  8,128

  9,517

  Percentage of all persons

  27

  13

  14

  Persons 70 +

  948

  4,538

  5,486

  Percentage of all persons

  19

  7

  8

  Marine Pollution
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to eliminate discharges from shipping harmful to the marine environment; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The United Kingdom has acceded to the international convention for the prevention of pollution from ships 1973 and its protocol of 1978, and to two of the optional annexes. Annex I deals with pollution by oil, annex II by chemicals in bulk, annex III by harmful substances carried in packaged form and annex V by garbage. There is a legal obligation for ships registered in the United Kingdom to observe the requirements set out in annexes I, II and V. Annex III comes into force in 1991. Other ships in United Kingdom ports and waters also have to meet these requirements under the terms of the convention. The regulations are enforced by inspections in port and by the regular patrolling of shipping lanes by surveillance aircraft which have been increased by more than 60 per cent. with effect from the beginning of April 1990. These efforts have been strengthened by agreements reached last month at the third North sea conference in The Hague.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the application of annex V of the MARPOL convention 73/78.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Annex V of the MARPOL convention 73/78 came into force internationally on 31 December 1988. The Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Pollution by Garbage) Regulations 1988 (statutory instrument 1988/2292) which came into force on the same day apply the provisions of this annex to United Kingdom ships, and to other ships when they are within the United Kingdom or its territorial waters. The Merchant Shipping (Reception Facilities for Garbage) Regulations 1988 (statutory instrument 1988/2293) require harbour authorities and terminal operators to provide reception facilities for garbage adequate to meet the needs of ships using the harbour or terminal. The Department has organised a poster campaign under the title "Over the Side is Over" to publicise the introduction of annex V and has issued a merchant shipping notice (M1389) to further advise seafarers of its provisions. Marine surveyors who visit ships as part of their duties are instructed to examine and report on the on board arrangements for handling garbage.

  Radioactive Material
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many movements of radioactive material there were in the United Kingdom in each of the years from 1980–1989; and for each year what percentage of movements were by road, what percentage by rail, and what percentage by air, respectively.

  Mr. Atkins
  My Department does not collect this information.

  The International Atomic Energy Agency is setting up a database and it may be possible to provide information on the mode of transport in future years.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy to prohibit the overnight parking in urban areas of vehicles and trains carrying flasks containing radioactive material; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  The Radioactive Substances (Carriage by Road) (Great Britain) Regulations do not permit the overnight parking of road vehicles carrying loaded irradiated fuel flasks in any area to which the general public has access. Flasks carried by rail which need to be kept overnight for operational reasons are held in the security of BR Board's private premises. It would not be practicable to make the distinction in these arrangements between urban and non-urban areas.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy for local authorities with responsibility for emergency planning to be notified in advance of the movement of high-level radioactive material through their areas.

  Mr. Atkins
  Contingency plans exist to provide a rapid radiological response to any incident involving radioactive materials in transit. Guidance has been provided by the Home Office to local authority emergency services. Prior notification would not contribute further to transport safety.

  Railways (Intensified Use)
  Mr. Roy Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if there are any plans to provide compensation for domestic householders affected by intensified use of existing rail lines.

  Mr. Portillo
  The Government have no plans to impose such an obligation.

  Mr. Roy Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what regulations exist concerning the effects of noise in domestic households arising from intensified use of existing rail lines.

  Mr. Portillo
  None.

  Investment Criteria
  Mr. Adley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he last reviewed the investment criteria as between road and rail employed by his Department; and what weight he gives to environmental factors therein.

  Mr. Portillo
  We keep the investment criteria between road and rail under continuous review. Environmental 56
  factors, where relevant, are fully taken into account when reaching decisions, although in general it is difficult to place monetary values on environmental effects.

  Severn Bridge
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will arrange for tolls on the present Severn bridge to be collected only on the route into Wales.

  Mr. Atkins
  I have no plans to do so.

  Vehicle Excise Duty
  Mr. Patrick Thompson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the report of the efficiency scrutiny of vehicle excise duty enforcement will be available.

  Mr. Parkinson
  I have today placed copies of this report in the Libraries of both Houses. The scrutiny has produced a substantial and lucid study of a major part of the activities of the Department's new driver and vehicle licensing agency. Its 28 principal recommendations propose improvements in the management and detailed policy objectives of vehicle excise duty enforcement. Some can be adopted without delay, some will need the agreement of the police, courts and other Departments, and some would require legislation. As is usual for efficiency scrutiny reports, an action plan on the recommendations is now to be drawn up.

  M1 (Repairs)
  Mr. Madel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the current repairs to the M 1 between junctions 8 and 9 are complete what proportion of that section will have been widened to four lanes; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  The major maintenance works in progress consist of essential resurfacing and drainage renewal. No widening is being carried out at this stage.

  Hertfordshire county council has recently been commissioned to carry out design work in widening of the M1 between junctions 6A and 10. Possible options will be considered carefully. The public will then be consulted and a preferred option announced in due course.

SCOTLAND

  Leukaemia
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will give a breakdown by age group of the figures supplied in his answer to the hon. Member for Argyll and Bute of 1 March,Official Report, column 600, on recorded cases of leukaemia and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma;

  (2) whether the figures in this answer of 1 March, Official Report, column 600, on recorded cases of leukaemia and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma included (a) United States naval personnel and their families and (b) postcode sectors PA23, PA27 and PA28.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The breakdown requested is set out in the tables.

  United States naval personnel and their families would have been included in these figures if they were treated for cancer in Scottish hospitals.
  57
  The tables show the total number of registrations in Dunoon and the surrounding area covered by postcode sectors PA23.7 and PA23.8 during the years 1975 to 1987. For the earlier years, 1968–74, which predate the postcode system, the Dunoon and Kilmun parish was used.

  Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Registrations

  Year

  Age

  0–14

  15–24

  25–34

  35–44

  45–54

  55–64

  65–74

  75–84

  85 +

  Total

  1968

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1969

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1970

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  1

  0

  3

  1971

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  1

  3

  1972

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  0

  0

  2

  1973

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  1

  0

  3

  1974

  1

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  0

  3

  1975

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  0

  2

  1976

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1977

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1978

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1979

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1980

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  2

  0

  3

  1981

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  1

  1982

  1

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  0

  3

  1983

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1984

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  0

  2

  0

  0

  4

  1985

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1986

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  1

  1987

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  1

  1

  0

  3

  Total

  2

  0

  0

  2

  3

  4

  16

  10

  0

  37

  Leukaemia registrations

  Age

  Year

  0 to 14

  15 to 24

  25 to 34

  35 to 44

  45 to 54

  55 to 64

  65 to 74

  75 to 84

  85 +

  Total

  1968

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  2

  0

  3

  1969

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1970

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1971

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1972

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  2

  0

  3

  1973

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1974

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1975

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1976

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  0

  1

  0

  3

  1977

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  0

  0

  3

  1978

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1979

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1980

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  2

  1981

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  1

  1982

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  0

  2

  1983

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1984

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1985

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  2

  1986

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1987

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  TOTAL

  2

  1

  0

  0

  2

  3

  6

  10

  0

  24

  Rates Collection
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the cost of collecting rates in Scotland per pound collected in each year from 1986–87 until the most recent year for which figures are available; and if he will give separate estimates for both domestic and non-domestic rates collection costs for the same period.
  58
  Leukaemia registrations.

  As in table.

  Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma registrations.

  As in table.

  Mr. Rifkind
  The costs of collecting the rates in Scotland for the years 1986–87 to 1989–90 together with the collection costs per pound collected for the same period are as follows:
  59

  Collection Costs £ million

  Cost of collection per £ collected pence

  1986–87

  10·9

  0·57

  1987–88

  12·1

  0·57

  1988–89

  15·5

  0·68

  1989–90

  1·6

  0·13

  The information for the years 1986–87 to 1988–89 inclusive is based on the costs relating to the collection of all rates in Scotland. Separate figures are not held centrally for domestic and non-domestic rates for these years. The figures for 1989–90 relate to non-domestic rates only.

  Contaminated Land
  Mr. Andrew Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Angus, East,Official Report, 30 March, column 360, he will list in the Official Report, the findings of the 1988 pilot survey of vacant land in Scotland, and the follow-up study when it is completed.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The main findings of the pilot Scottish vacant land survey were as follows:

  There were 7,392 ha of derelict land and 5,060 ha of vacant land recorded in Scotland, a total of 12,452 ha.

  There were 5,261 vacant or derelict sites.

  Three per cent. of land was known to be contaminated, 7 per cent. suspected and 32 per cent. not suspected.

  The situation was unknown for 58 per cent.

  A commentary outlining the results of the survey has been placed in the Library. More information from the survey is available from the local authorities. The findings of the follow-up study will be published in due course.

  Regional Expenditure
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give details of the expenditure of each Scottish region and island council, by function, in each year from 1978–79 in(a) cash terms and (b) constant prices; and if he will indicate the percentage increase in each year in real terms.

  Mr. Rifkind
  The information requested by the hon. Gentleman has today been placed in the Library of the House.

  Scottish Homes
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give for each constituency(a) the amount spent by Scottish Homes in the financial year 1989–90, and (b) the amount projected to be spent in 1990–91.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  In approving Scottish Homes programme for any year, my right hon. and learned Friend also agrees the amounts which Scottish Homes proposes should be spent on particular functions. The allocation of funds to specific areas is then a matter for Scottish Homes.

  Birds of Prey
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many prosecutions have been taken out against persons alleged to have poisoned or trapped birds of prey in each of the last three years; and how many convictions were secured.

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

  Pesticides
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the impact on the marine environment resulting from the use of organophosphorous pesticides in salmon farming; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lang
  I refer to my reply to the hon. Member for Greenock and Port Glasgow (Dr. Godman) on 25 January.

  A report on work by DAFS scientists on toxicity of Aquagard to other species is currently being prepared for publication.

  Nurses
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list in the Official Report the different kinds of conversion courses and bridging courses currently available to nurses within the National Health Service in Scotland.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  In Scotland conversion courses are available in general, mental illness, mental handicap and sick children's nursing. They are open to first level registered nurses wishing to qualify in a different field of nursing and to second level nurses seeking eligibility to register as first level. Access by second level nurses is through a flexible programme of bridging studies tailored to individual needs.

  Crofters (Building Grants)
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many applicants, for each of the last 10 years, have been refused assistance under the crofters etc. building grants and loans scheme on the grounds of their income being considered too low to meet the loan repayments.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 20 April 1990]: During the past 10 years only four applications have been refused solely on the grounds that an applicant had insufficient income, and could not provide a satisfactory guarantee or guarantor, for repayment of a loan.

  Ambulance Dispute
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the final cost to each health board of the provision of cover by the police and other bodies during the ambulance service dispute; and what was the total cost to public funds of the dispute.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 20 April 1990]: Final costs of the assistance provided by police and other bodies during the dispute are not yet available. Those costs incurred by health boards will be reimbursed by the Common Services Agency.

  Road Casualties
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has made any analysis of the likely effects on the total of road casualties if the clock were to be advanced by one hour throughout the next five years.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 20 April 1990]: I refer the hon. Member to paragraphs 28 to 36 of the Green Paper "Summer Time: A Consultation Document" (Cm. 722), copies of which are in the Library of the House.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Iraq (Arms Component Exports)
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will initiate an investigation into the role played by Euromac Ltd. of Thames Ditton in the sale of nuclear weapons components to Iraq.

  Mr. Ridley
  Any evidence of alleged breaches of the United Kingdom's export controls is carefully investigated. The particular incident to which the hon. Member refers is currently the subject of legal proceedings.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on what date he received the first indications that there was a problem in relation to the export from Walter Somers and Company concerning forgings and related equipment destined for Iraq.

  Mr. Ridley
  Earlier this month.

  Hong Kong
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the level of British exports to Hong Kong; and what is the level of invisible income from Hong Kong.

  Mr. Redwood
  Information on the value of United Kingdom visible exports to Hong Kong is published in the "Overseas Trade Statistics of the United Kingdom",Business Monitor MM20, tables lb and V. Information on invisible income is not available.

  Accounting Practices
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will introduce legislation to require auditors to adopt an active approach to satisfy themselves regarding the going concern assumption specified in paragraph 10 of schedule 4 of the Companies Act 1985.

  Mr. Redwood
  No. Auditing guidelines already advise auditors of the need, when planning, performing and evaluating the results of their audit procedures, to be satisfied that the going concern basis of the accounts is appropriate.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will appoint an independent committee of inquiry to examine the possibility of requiring all large companies to have an annual social audit.

  Mr. Redwood
  No. I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave to his question on 3 April at column 507.
  62
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will amend the Partnerships Acts to require all firms authorised to act as auditors to file annual reports and accounts.

  Mr. Redwood
  No. I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave to his question on 21 February at column 781.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will introduce legislation to require company auditors to state in their audit report the matters for which they claim not to be responsible.

  Mr. Redwood
  No. I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave to his question on 5 April at column 803.

  Shareholder Rights
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether, following the recent House of Lords ruling on Caparo Industries plc ν. Dickman and Otters (1) he will introduce legislation to restore the shareholder rights existing prior to that case;

  (2) he will introduce legislation to clarify auditor responsibility to shareholders.

  Mr. Redwood
  We have no plans to do so.

  Cotton Goods
  Mr. Henderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is his assessment of the implications for sales of cotton goods in north-east Lancashire if the multi-fibre arrangement is not renewed.

  Mr. Redwood
  [holding answer 18 April 1990]: The implications of the non-renewal of the multi-fibre arrangement for sales of cotton goods produced in north-east Lancashire will depend on a number of factors. These include the exact arrangements for phasing out MFA restrictions over a transitional period, which remain to be negotiated, and the extent to which Lancashire production is competitive in meeting the needs of customers. The Government are continuing to press the case within the EC for satisfactory transitional arrangements.

DEFENCE

  Ship Charters
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he intends to use only British merchant ships for Ministry of Defence charters.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Harborough (Sir J. Fan-) on 18 April,Official Report, column 939.

  Joint Ocean Surveillance Information Centre
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) from which subheads of which votes the annual operating costs of the joint ocean surveillance information centre are taken;

  (2) if he will make a statement on the joint ocean surveillance information centre;
  63
  (3) in which year the joint ocean surveillance information centre was established;

  (4) what geographical areas are covered by the joint ocean surveillance information centre;

  (5) what is the annual operating cost of the joint ocean surveillance information centre;

  (6) what sources of information are used to input data into the joint ocean surveillance information centre;

  (7) where the joint ocean surveillance information centre is located;

  (8) whether information gathered by the joint ocean surveillance information centre would be used as a real-time data input into (a) UKADGE or (b) NADGE;

  (9) whether the United States of America makes any financial contribution to the annual operating cost of the joint ocean surveillance information centre.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The annual operating costs of the joint ocean surveillance intelligence centre, which was established in 1990 and is located at HMS Warrior, are some £2·7 million from votes 1A 1 and 2F. It would not be in the public interest to disclose the other information for which the hon. Gentleman has asked.

  Over-the-horizon Radar
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) from which subheads of which votes the United Kingdom's financial contribution to the cost of construction in support of the proposed relocatable over-the-horizon radar to be built at RAF Brawdy and associated sites will be taken;

  (2) from which subheads of which votes the United Kingdom financial contribution to the cost of design work for the construction in support of the proposed relocatable over-the-horizon radar to be built at RAF Brawdy and associated sites will be taken.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The United Kingdom's financial contribution to construction, including design work, in support of a two-year trial of a United States over-the-horizon radar in the United Kingdom will be taken from the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force subheads of defence vote 2.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence from which subheads of which votes the United Kingdom's financial contribution to the cost of the proposed relocatable over-the-horizon radar equipment to be installed at RAF Brawdy and associated sites will be taken.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The United Kingdom Government will be making no financial contribution to the costs of the United States over-the-horizon radar equipment to be located for a two-year trial in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence from which subheads of which votes the United Kingdom's financial contribution to the annual operating costs of the proposed relocatable over-the-horizon radar will be taken.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The United Kingdom's financial contribution to the running costs of the two-year trial of an over-the-horizon radar will be taken from the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force subheads of defence votes 1 and 2.
  64
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will list each of the joint United Kingdom-United States over-the-horizon research, development, testing and evaluation experiments in which his Department has participated or contributed funds;

  (2) if he will make a statement on the over-the-horizon radar experiment known as "Cobra Mist";

  (3) what is the bearing by true north of the centreline of the sector that will be covered by the proposed relocatable over-the-horizon radar;

  (4) what were the dates of(a) commencement and (b) cessation of the over-the-horizon experiment known as "Cold Witness";

  (5) what were the dates of (a) commencement and (b) cessation of the over-the-horizon experiment known as "Cobra Mist";

  (6) where was the site of the experimental radar system that was used during the over-the-horizon experiment known as "Cold Witness";

  (7) where was the site of the experimental radar system that was used during the over-the-horizon experiment known as "Cobra Mist";

  (8) whether the radar used during the over-the-horizon experiment known as "Cold Witness" had its receiver and transmitter antenna at the same location;

  (9) whether the radar used during the over-the-horizon experiment known as "Cobra Mist" had its receiver and transmitter antenna at the same location.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  This information is classified.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make a statement on the over-the-horizon radar experiment known as "Cold Witness";

  (2) what is the connection between the over-the-horizon radar experiments "Cobra Mist" and "Cold Witness" and the proposed relocatable over-the-horizon radar to be built at RAF Brawdy and associated sites.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  "Cold Witness" was at one time the name given to a joint United Kingdom-United States programme of studies aimed at testing the feasibility of siting an over-the-horizon radar in the United Kingdom. I refer the hon. Member to the written answer given to the former right hon. Member for Western Isles on 21 December 1984 at column 378.

  The results of the joint programme of studies have now been fully considered, and a decision has been taken in principle to undertake a joint two-year trial of an over-the-horizon radar in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the dimensions of the receiving antenna for the proposed relocatable over-the-horizon radar to be installed at Blakehill in terms of(a) longest length and (b) area covered.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The length of the receiving antenna of the proposed over-the-horizon radar, to be sited at Blakehill radio station, Wiltshire, is 8,500 ft. The total area required for the installation is 145 acres.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the dimensions of the transmitting antenna for the proposed relocatable over-the-horizon radar to be installed at RAF Brawdy in terms of(a) longest length and (b) area covered.
  65
  Mr. Alan Clark
  The length of the transmitting antenna of the proposed over-the-horizon radar, to be sited at St. David's airfield, Pembrokeshire, is 2,480 ft. The total area required for the installation is 85 acres.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what exclusion zones are planned round the transmitting antenna of the proposed relocatable over-the-horizon radar to be built at RAF Brawdy for people at ground level.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The transmitter site for the two-year trial of an over-the-horizon radar in the United Kingdom will be at the MOD-owned St. David's airfield, Pembrokeshire. A safety exclusion zone, within which a radio-frequency hazard could exist, will be established around the transmitter. This safety exclusion zone will be well within the boundary of the site.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what exclusion zones are planned round the transmitting antenna of the proposed relocatable over-the-horizon radar to be built at RAF Brawdy for aircraft.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  Notification of a high intensity radio transmission area (HIRTA) will be made as part of the process of application for military clearance to use the site. Details will be made available to the national air traffic services and the civil aviation community.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is(a) the maximum range and (b) the minimum range of the proposed relocatable over-the-horizon radar.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The theoretical maximum and minimum ranges of an over-the-horizon radar are 1,600 nautical miles and 500 nautical miles respectively.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the United Kingdom financial contribution to the cost of the proposed relocatable over-the-horizon radar equipment.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  None. The equipment for the trial of an over-the-horizon radar in the United Kingdom will be provided by the United States Government.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the number of(a) United Kingdom military personnel, (b) United Kingdom civilian personnel, (c) United States military personnel and (d) United States civilian personnel who will be based at the transmitter site of the proposed relocatable over-the-horizon radar.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  No United Kingdom or United States military personnel will be based at the transmitter site of the proposed over-the-horizon radar. Up to 19 civilian maintenance and support staff will be based there; the proportion that will be United Kingdom personnel has yet to be determined.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is the number of(a) United Kingdom personnel, (b) United Kingdom civilian personnel, (c) United States military personnel and (d) United States civilian personnel who will be based at the receiver site of the proposed relocatable over-the-horizon radar;

  (2) what is the number of (a) United Kingdom personnel, (b) United Kingdom civilian personnel, (c)
  66
  United States military personnel and (d) United States civilian personnel who will be based at the operations control centre of the proposed relocatable over-the-horizon radar.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  Sixty United Kingdom military personnel will be based at the receiver site of the proposed over-the-horizon radar, including the control centre. A small number of United States military personnel, and a number of civilian staff of both nationalities, will also be stationed at Blakehill. Precise numbers have yet to be determined.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the proposed location for the operations control centre for the relocatable over-the-horizon radar.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The control centre for the two-year trial of an over-the-horizon radar in the United Kingdom will be collocated with the receiver at the Blakehill radio station, Wiltshire.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total acreage of land to be used by the proposed relocatable over-the-horizon radar station at RAF Brawdy and associated sites.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The total area required at St. David's airfield, Dyfed, the site of the transmitter for a two-year trial of an over-the-horizon radar in the United Kingdom is 85 acres, including buildings and a safety exclusion zone around the installation. The total area required at Blakehill radio station, Wiltshire, the site of the receiver, is 145 acres, including buildings.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is the United Kingdom's financial contribution to the cost of construction in support of the proposed relocatable over-the-horizon radar;

  (2) what is the United Kingdom's financial contribution to the cost of design work for the construction in support of the proposed relocatable over-the-horizon radar.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The United Kingdom Government will bear the full cost of preparing the sites, including all design and construction work, for the two-year trial of an over-the-horizon radar. The maximum cost of this work is expected to be £11·3 million. It is not practicable to separate the cost of design work from that of the construction itself.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what studies his Department has carried out into the potential problems of interference with the signal returns to a relocatable over-the-horizon radar caused by aircraft flying through the radar beams close to the transmitter site.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The characteristics of the over-the-horizon radar, and the way in which it is to be operated during its two-year trial, lead us to conclude that there will be no such problems.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what will be the United Kingdom's financial contribution to the annual operating costs of the proposed relocatable over-the-horizon radar.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The cost of the United Kingdom's contribution, including manpower, to the operating costs of the proposed two-year trial of an over-the-horizon radar will be about £3 million in each year.
  67
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he was first made aware of United States proposals to instal a relocatable over-the-horizon radar at RAF Brawdy and associated sites.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  Defence Ministers have been aware for a number of years of the joint UK-US programme of studies aimed at testing the feasibility of siting an over-the-horizon radar system in the United Kingdom. I refer the hon. Member to the written answers given by my predecessor, my right hon. Friend the then Member for Bosworth, to the hon. Member for Houghton and Washington (Mr. Boyes) and the then right hon. Member for Western Isles on 21 December 1984 at column 378.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether any formal agreement has been signed between Her Majesty's Government and the United States Government, or any armed service or agency under the control of the United States Government, regarding use of the proposed relocatable over-the-horizon radar.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  A memorandum of understanding between the United Kingdom and United States Governments was signed on 20 April 1990 covering the planned two-year trial of a United States navy over-the-horizon radar in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if the proposed relocatable over-the-horizon radar to be built at RAF Brawdy and associated sites will be linked to the joint ocean surveillance information centre;

  (2) whether information gathered from the proposed relocatable over-the-horizon radar to be built at RAF Brawdy and associated sites would be used as a real-time data input into (a) UKADGE or (b) NADGE.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  It would be premature to consider the possible operational assignment of an over-the-horizon radar in the United Kingdom before the results of its planned two-year trial have been fully assessed.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the necessity for the proposed over-the-horizon radar installation on the site of the former St. David's airfield, Pembrokeshire.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  Studies have indicated that an over-the-horizon radar (OTHR) situated in the United Kingdom could substantially enhance our air defence and early warning capabilities. No firm decision has been taken to put such a radar into operational service. We have, however, decided in principle to embark on a two-year joint trial, with the United States Government, of a United States navy OTHR to demonstrate whether the possible advantages of this radar can be achieved in practice.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimates he has as to the annual running costs of the proposed over-the-horizon radar installation on the site of the former St. David's airfield, Pembrokeshire.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  Once the proposed over-the-horizon radar transmitter is installed, the running costs of its two-year trial are expected to be limited to those of manpower, maintenance and the consumption of utilities and spares. It is not possible to be more precise at this stage.
  68
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence why the hon. Member for Pembroke was not given prior warning of the proposal to construct an over-the-horizon radar installation on the site of the former St. David's airfield in his constituency.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  I wrote to my hon. Friend on 29 March 1990, as soon as possible after a formal decision had been taken in principle to undertake a two-year trial of an over-the-horizon radar in the United Kingdom.

  I greatly regret that, in error, my hon. Friend was not informed in November 1988 that consideration was being given to undertaking the trial.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when Preseli-Pembrokeshire district council was first informed of the proposed over-the-horizon radar installation at the former St. David's airfield, Pembrokeshire.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  There is no formal requirement for the Ministry of Defence to inform the Preseli-Pembrokeshire district council of the proposed installation of an over-the-horizon radar at St. David's airfield. I understand, however, that the Pembrokeshire national park authorities plan fully to consult local communities and all other interested parties once the formal notice of proposed development has been submitted.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what impact the installation of the proposed over-the-horizon radar at St. David's airfield, Pembrokeshire, would have on the local tourist industry;

  (2) what measures are proposed to protect the environment of the Pembrokeshire national park in the event of the construction of the proposed over-the-horizon radar installation taking place on the site of the former St. David's airfield, Pembrokeshire;

  (3) what impact the proposed over-the-horizon radar installation at the former St. David's airfield, Pembrokeshire, would have on the local farming community;

  (4) what impact the proposed over-the-horizon radar installation on the site of the former St. David's airfield, Pembrokeshire, would have on the local economy of the area.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  This will be one of the aspects to be fully considered by the independent environmental impact assessment of the proposed installation, which will be undertaken shortly.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what financial contribution is to be made by the United States Government towards the construction of the proposed over-the-horizon radar installation on the site of the former St. David's airfield, Pembrokeshire.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The United States Government will be responsible for providing, installing and preparing for operation the over-the-horizon radar planned to be situated in the United Kingdom for a two-year trial.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether, if approved for construction, the proposed over-the-horizon radar installation on the site of the former St. David's airfield, Pembrokeshire, will be built by private enterprise companies after tender.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  Yes.
  69
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give the exact Ordnance Survey grid reference for the proposed over-the-horizon radar installation at the former St. David's airfield, Pembrokeshire.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The proposed over-the-horizon radar transmitter to be installed at St. David's airfield, Dyfed, will be situated in the area around grid reference SM 7907 east/2551 north. The exact location will depend on the outcome of the planned environmental impact assessment.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether any interference would be caused to radio, television or other telecommunications equipment by the operation of the proposed over-the-horizon radar installation on the site of the former St. David's airfield, Pembrokeshire; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The design of the planned over-the-horizon radar transmitter to be installed at St. David's airfield, Dyfed, is such that no interference to radio, television or other telecommunications facilities is expected.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has as to any hazards to health which might be found within the boundary of the proposed over-the-horizon radar installation on the site of the former St. David's airfield, Pembrokeshire.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The proposed over-the-horizon radar transmitter to be installed at St. David's airfield, Dyfed, will emit high-frequency electromagnetic radiation. In common with radiation from similar sources, such as radio broadcast transmitters, such radiation can, at very close ranges, be harmful. A safety exclusion zone will therefore be installed around the transmitter; its boundary will be well within the MOD perimeter boundary of the airfield.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many other sites were considered for the proposed over-the-horizon radar installation which is proposed for the former St. David's airfield, Pembrokeshire.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  A total of 166 sites were considered for the installation of either the transmitter or the receiver for the proposed trial of an over-the-horizon radar in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence who was informed of the proposed over-the-horizon radar installation for St. David's airfield, Pembrokeshire, in November 1988; and what response was received from those so informed.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The then Parly Under-Secretary of State for the Armed Forces, my hon. Friend the Member for Kettering (Mr. Freeman), wrote to inform my hon. Friend the Member for Wiltshire, North (Mr. Needham) and the hon. Member for Ceredigion and Pembroke, North (Mr. Howells) on 22 November 1988 that the Ministry of Defence was considering the installation of an over-the-horizon radar for a two-year trial; but that no decisions had been made. I greatly regret that, in error, my hon. Friend was not similarly informed at that date that we were considering undertaking the trial.
  70
  My hon. Friend the Member for Wiltshire, North was subsequently, at his request, briefed more fully by my hon. Friend the then Parly Under-Secretary of State for the Armed Forces, in April 1989.

  The Pembrokeshire national park authorities were separately notified in late 1988 that the Ministry was considering the use of St. David's airfield as the transmitter site for this trial.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many representations he has received to date on his proposal to construct an over-the-horizon radar installation on the site of the former St. David's airfield, Pembrokeshire; and if he will make a statement on the nature of the representations.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  In addition to a number of parliamentary questions on the subject, I have received to date four letters from members of the public expressing concern about the possible environmental effects of the installation of an over-the-horizon radar transmitter at St. David's airfield, Dyfed.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give details of the acreage and number of buildings and other ancillary equipment which would be used on the former St. David's airfield for the proposed over-the-horizon radar installation if approved.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The total land area required for the installation of an over-the-horizon radar transmitter at St. David's airfield, Dyfed, is about 85 acres, including a safety exclusion zone around the installation. Included in this area will be a single-storey temporary building and about 15 equipment containers.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration was given to the siting of the proposed over-the-horizon radar installation within the Royal Air Force station at Brawdy, Pembrokeshire.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  RAF Brawdy, as an operational airfield with limited available space, would not be capable of accommodating an over-the-horizon radar transmitter with its associated safety exclusion zone.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will make a visit to the St. David's area of Pembrokeshire to discuss his Ministry's proposals for an over-the-horizon radar installation on the site of the former St. David's airfield, Pembrokeshire.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  I have no immediate plans to do so; but officials from my Department, together with United States Government representatives, plan to make a full public presentation of our proposals to the local community and other interested parties once a formal notice of proposed development, supported by an independent environmental impact assessment, has been submitted to the Pembrokeshire national park authorities. We expect this to take place in late summer.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when Dyfed county council was first informed of the proposed over-the-horizon radar installation at the former St. David's airfield, Pembrokeshire.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  There is no formal requirement for the Ministry of Defence to inform Dyfed county council of the
  71
  proposed installation of an over-the-horizon radar at St. David's airfield. I understand, however, that the Pembrokeshire national park authorities plan fully to consult local communities and all other interested parties once the formal notice of proposed development has been submitted.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has as to the number of(a) United States armed forces personnel, (b) Royal Air Force personnel, (c) other military personnel and (d) civilians who would be employed at the proposed over-the-horizon radar installation on the site of the former St. David's airfield, Pembrokeshire after construction.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  No United Kingdom or United States military personnel will be based at the transmitter site of the proposed over-the-horizon radar. Up to 19 civilian maintenance and support staff will be based there after construction is complete.

  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment has been made of the effects on civil aircraft of the proposed trials of a new radar transmitter at RAF Brawdy.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  As is the case with all transmitting systems, there is a high intensity radio transmission area (HIRTA) associated with the proposed over-the-horizon radar transmitter at St. David's airfield, Dyfed, within which it would be unsafe for aircraft which are susceptible to induced electrical currents to operate. Notification of this HIRTA will be made as part of the process of application for military clearance to use the site. Full details will be made available to the national air traffic services and the civil aviation community.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give details of the number, height, width and construction of the aerials proposed for the over-the-horizon radar installation at the former St. David's airfield, Pembrokeshire.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The proposed over-the-horizon radar transmitter to be installed at St. David's airfield, Dyfed, will consist of 35 aerials. These will consist of metal lattice masts with the copper aerial elements vertically strung from a wire that runs down from the top of the aerial to a pole in front. Sixteen of the aerials will be about 135 ft high; the rest will be lower. The total land required for the installation is about 2,480 ft by 1,450 ft; this includes the safety exclusion zone surrounding the installation.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what financial contribution towards the annual running costs of the proposed over-the-horizon radar installation on the site of the former St. David's airfield, Pembrokeshire, is to be made by the United States Government.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The United States Government will be responsible for providing spares, specialist support and system maintenance for the trial of an over-the horizon radar in the United Kingdom; they will also provide the personnel necessary to support their own participation in the trial.
  72
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimates he has as to the likely construction costs of the proposed over-the-horizon radar installation at St. David's airfield, Pembrokeshire.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The construction costs of the proposed over-the-horizon radar transmitter at St. David's airfield, Dyfed, are estimated to be about £3·5 million.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give details of the consultation process which he intends to institute for consideration of his proposals for an over-the-horizon radar installation at the former St. David's airfield, Pembrokeshire.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  In accordance with the formal notification procedures established by the Government in 1984 for developments to be undertaken by Government Departments, the Ministry of Defence plans to submit a notice of proposed development (NOPD) to the appropriate planning authority, Pembrokeshire national park, in respect of the proposed installation of an over-the-horizon radar at St. David's airfield, Dyfed. This will be supported by a full and independent environmental impact assessment. Once the NOPD has been submitted, it is intended to give a full public presentation of proposals for the installation jointly with the United States authorities. We expect this to take place in late summer. I also understand that the Pembrokeshire national park authorities intend fully to consult the local community and all other interested parties once the formal NOPD has been submitted.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has as to the number of people who would be employed on the construction of the over-the-horizon radar installation on the site of the former St. David's airfield, Pembrokeshire.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  This will depend on the detailed proposals of the contractor who wins the competition to carry out this work.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the Pembrokeshire national park was first informed of the proposed over-the-horizon radar installation on the site of the former St. David's airfield, Pembrokeshire.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The authorities of the Pembrokeshire national park, which is the appropriate planning authority in this case, were notified in late 1988 that the Ministry of Defence was considering the possible use of St. David's airfield as the transmitter site for the two-year trial of an over-the-horizon radar in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the proposed date for the start of construction of the over-the-horizon radar installation; and what is the likely construction period.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  Construction is planned to start in mid to late 1991 and is expected to take about a year to complete.

  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether any of the proposed trials of a new radar transmitter at RAF Brawdy will test its ability to integrate with NATO communications systems.
  73
  Mr. Alan Clark
  The proposed two-year trial of an over-the-horizon radar in the United Kingdom will not specifically include its ability to integrate with NATO communications systems.

  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment has been made of the effects on the human body of the proposed trials of a new radar transmitter at RAF Brawdy.

  Mr, Alan Clark
  My Department has no plans to trial a new radar transmitter at RAF Brawdy.

  Communications
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make a statement on Royal Navy use of the SSIXS—the submarine satellite information exchange system—communications system;

  (2) whether SSIXS channels can be used by the Royal Navy without clearance from United States authorities.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  It is not our usual practice to disclose information of this nature.

  Norwegian Sea
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the implications for United Kingdom defence policy of Royal Navy involvement in the United States maritime strategy with regard to plans for the defence of the Norwegian sea.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  United States maritime strategy is designed to meet United States requirements. NATO as a whole is agreed on the need for forward maritime defence in the Norwegian sea to safeguard vital transatlantic and cross-channel reinforcement and resupply routes and to enhance the security of the northern flank. The Royal Navy makes a significant contribution to these tasks.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the Royal Navy's policy of forward defence in the Norwegian sea.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to paragraph 5 of the article entitled "The Forward Defence of Europe" which is to be found on pages 15 and 16 of volume 1 of the Statement on the Defence Estimates 1988.

  NATO Maritime Operations
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of Defence (1) if he will make a statement on the NATO concept of maritime operations;

  (2) what is his policy on the NATO concept of maritime operations;

  (3) whether the concept of maritime operations is now official NATO doctrine.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  NATO's concept of maritime operations is a concept developed by the NATO military authorities, in consultation with member nations, for the employment of allied maritime forces in support of NATO's defensive strategy. It is taken fully into account in United Kingdom planning for maritime operations.

  Kola Peninsula
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether there has been any noticeable change in the level of Soviet naval activity in and around the Kola peninsula in the last five years.
  74
  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  There has been no noticeable change in the level of Soviet naval activity in and around the Kola peninsula in the last five years.

  Environmental Guidelines
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what environmental guidelines his Department follows in deciding on the location of new installations.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  Where appropriate, the MOD undertakes full environmental impact assessments in accordance with the regulations laid down in the appropriate DOE, Welsh Office and Scottish Office circulars.

  Radar Transmissions
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what research has been carried out for his Department in the last 10 years into the effects of radar transmissions on the human body.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  None.

  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans exist to carry out research into the effects of radar transmissions on the human body.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  None.

  Compensation
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements his Department has to compensate local residents who may be affected by the construction of Ministry of Defence installations.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  Where applicable, the MOD observes the provisions of the Land Compensation Act 1973.

  RAF Brawdy
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the proposed construction of a new tower at RAF Brawdy, giving details of its height, width, cost and purpose.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The height of the new tower to be erected at RAF Brawdy will be 17·44m from ground level to the top of the cabin roof. The internal diameter will be 3·6m while the reinforced concrete walls will be 200mm thick, giving an overall diameter of 4m. The total estimated cost of the project is commercially confidential.

  The purpose of the tower is to support a secondary surveillance radar head which will improve the air traffic control facilities of the station.

  Iraq (Exports)
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on which date he and the Minister of State for Defence Procurement, the hon. Member for Plymouth, Sutton (Mr. Clark) were first alerted to the fact that there was a problem over the Sheffield Forgemasters' export to Iraq.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  Earlier this month.

  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the dates when the hon. Member for
  75
  Bromsgrove (Sir H. Miller) contacted his Department regarding export orders for Iraq; what was the subject of the hon. Member's representations on behalf of Walter Somers; and what was the response of his Department.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  These matters are being looked into at present.

  Voluntary Release
  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) whether the premature voluntary release survey form for other ranks contains a question on house purchase;

  (2) what have been the results from surveys over the last five years of members of the (a) Army and (b) Royal Air Force involved in premature voluntary release relating to the satisfaction level among officers with regard to house purchase opportunities; where this ranks in terms of dissatisfaction in relation to other items; and if he will place a copy of the blank forms for premature voluntary release surveys of (i) officers and (ii) other ranks in the Library;

  (3) what surveys involving house purchase satisfaction levels exist for the Army and the Royal Air Force other than those relating to premature voluntary release; if he will give the results for the last five years, indicating the ranking in relation to other items for dissatisfaction; whether a survey is carried out at JDSC among Army high-fliers; whether there is a Royal Air Force equivalent; whether there are any equivalents for other ranks in either service; and if he will place a copy of any blank forms relating to such surveys in the Library.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Armed Forces will write to my hon. Friend.

  Binary Hydrogen Fuel
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if his Department has done any recent research on the development of binary hydrogen fuel for firing long-range projectiles from artillery carriers.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  No. My Department is not undertaking and has not recently undertaken research in the development of binary hydrogen fuel for artillery purposes.

  Mr. Colin Wallace
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the Heyhoe report relating to his Department's maladministration on the Colin Wallace case has been completed.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The report by Mr. David Heyhoe on the Ministry of Defence's handling of papers relating to the case of Mr. Colin Wallace has been completed and is being studied. As my right hon. Friend has undertaken, its conclusions will be made available to the House.

  Explosion (Deal)
  Mr. Mates
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when a report on the explosion at the Royal Marines school of music at Deal on 22 September 1989 was commissioned; by what date it was due to have been completed; when he received the report; and when, and in what form, it will be made available.
  76
  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  A board of inquiry was directed by the Commandant-General Royal Marines on 29 September 1989 to investigate all aspects of security in force at the Royal Marines school of music (RMSM) Deal, with particular reference to the period preceding the terrorist bomb explosion on 22 September. The board was instructed to present its report to the Commandant-General by 24 October. My right hon. Friend received advice on the report on 8 December and is considering its recommendations. The report is classified and will not be published. I would, however, expect a summary of its principal findings to be made available to the House of Commons Select Committee on Defence when my right hon. Friend has completed his deliberations.

  Genetically Engineered Organisms
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many animals have been involved in tests undertaken by or on behalf of his Department for each of the last five years in which genetically engineered micro-organisms were involved; what was the nature and purpose of these tests; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what funds were deployed by his Department on work in connection with genetically engineered micro-organisms in (a) 1984, (b) 1985, (c) 1986, (d) 1987, (e) 1988 and (f) 1989; how many personnel were involved in such work; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) if he will make a statement on the purpose of work carried out by his Department in connection with genetically engineered micro-organisms.

  Mr. Neubert
  As we have repeatedly made clear, the United Kingdom has no chemical or biological weapons and no plans to acquire any. All research undertaken by or commissioned by the MOD in the chemical and biological field is defensive in nature and is to provide information which assists in the provision of effective protective measures against the threat that chemical and biological weapons might be used against the United Kingdom armed forces.

  It is not our policy to go into details of specific research areas. Such information could enable an informed observer to gain a useful insight into the scope and direction of MOD work, to the detriment of national security.

  Defence Export Services
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which countries were visited by representatives of the defence export services organisation in 1989.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  DESO representatives travelled extensively during 1989 and visited numerous countries. Because of the confidentiality of many of the matters involved it is not the practice to list individual countries visited.

  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the overseas offices of the defence export services organisation, giving in each case the date when the office was opened.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  DESO's interests are covered by MOD staff at embassies throughout the world, but specific defence sales offices have been set up in:
  77

  Washington

  (1972)

  New Delhi

  (April 1984)

  Riyadh

  (January 1984)

  Kuala Lumpur

  (June 1986)

  Seoul

  (August 1988)

  Ankara

  (August 1988)

  Kuwait

  (February 1988)

  Canberra

  (August 1989)

  Space Research Corporation
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department had any information regarding the Space Research Corporation prior to 11 April.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  My Department was aware of the existence of the company before that date.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Sea Erosion
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what studies he has asked the National Rivers Authority to undertake into protecting land and dwellings from sea erosion, particularly in Suffolk and Norfolk; and if he will make public such reports.

  Mr. Maclean
  My officials have encouraged the National Rivers Authority (NRA)—and previously the former regional water authorities to undertake studies of the coastline generally.

  In particular, we have provided grant aid towards a major study of the coastline between the Humber and the Thames which was originally commissioned by the former Anglian water authority and is now being carried out on behalf of the NRA.

  The initial phases of the study are complete and the resulting sea defence management atlas has been made available to interested parties. The remaining phase of the study is designed to lead to a better understanding of coastal processes and should be complete by summer 1991. The data are expected to be used to support the subsequent development of coastal management strategies and again will be made available to interested parties.

  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on his criteria for evaluating agricultural land, land of special scientific or heritage interests and dwellings in terms of sea defence schemes; and if he has plans to review the criteria.

  Mr. Maclean
  It is one of the conditions of grant that a proposed sea defence scheme must be economically worth while. The basic criterion is that its discounted benefits should at least equal its discounted cost.

  Valuation of agricultural land depends on the extent of flood damage expected in the absence of a scheme. In general, land subject to slight flooding, leading to a lower value land use, would be valued by assessing the consequent drop in gross margin, more severe flooding causing irreversible loss, would usually be valued at the "risk-free" market price of the land.

  A number of approaches are used to value land of special scientific or heritage interest. This may involve finding the price a conservation body is willing to pay for the land, or encouraging visitors to place a monetary value on their enjoyment of the site. (It is also a condition of grant that schemes must be environmentally sympathetic).
  78
  As with agriculture, the approach to property valuation depends on the frequency and severity of flooding likely to occur in the absence of a scheme. Minor losses are treated as recurrent losses and evaluated using well established techniques; for more severe damage the "risk-free" open market value of the property is used.

  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the future of the coastline of Suffolk and Norfolk, in terms of sea defences and natural erosion, and his Department's plans until the end of the century.

  Mr. Maclean
  We fully recognise the need for improvements to coastal defences constructed in East Anglia following the floods in 1953 and now reaching the end of their useful life. Several major grant-aided schemes are already under way or in the course of preparation. Government grant allocated to the Anglian region has increased by 28 per cent. this year and represents over half of the total provision to the NRA.

  We review national long-term flood defence needs annually and the National Rivers Authority Anglian region's 10-year needs programme, which will take account of improvements in understanding of coastal processes, plays an important role in the considerations.

  The criteria are kept under continual review. We encourage and actively support research aimed at the improvement of evaluation techniques and Middlesex polytechnic is currently developing, with Ministry funding, a manual for the assessment of the benefits of coast protection and sea defence which will represent a considerable advance in this field.

  Birds of Prey
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he has on the number and species of birds of prey poisoned in England and Wales during 1988, 1989 and 1990 to date.

  Mr. Maclean
  Information on the poisoning of wild, farmed, and domestic creatures by pesticides is collected by the agriculture departments through wildlife incident investigation schemes. Reports on the results are published. The report for 1988 will be published soon. A report on 1989 is in draft and will be published after it has been accepted by the independent Advisory Committee on Pesticides.

  The information requested for England and Wales is as follows:

  Numbers

  Species

  1988

  1989

  1990

  Barn Owl

  3

  0

  0

  Buzzard

  6

  18

  2

  Goshawk

  0

  1

  0

  Hen Harrier

  0

  0

  1

  Kestrel

  0

  3

  0

  Little Owl

  2

  0

  0

  Peregrine Falcon

  1

  1

  0

  Red Kite

  0

  11

  0

  Sparrowhawk

  2

  1

  0

  Tawny Owl

  0

  1

  0

  Totals

  14

  36

  3

  (Incidents involved)

  13

  27

  2

  Consumer Panel
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give biographical details of each of the members of his consumer panel, including their involvement with particular organisations.

  Mr. Gummer
  The information requested has been published in a Food Safety Directorate press release issued today. A copy has been sent to the hon. Member.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the organisations which submitted names of individuals to him to serve on the consumer panel.

  Mr. Gummer
  The following organisations were invited to submit names of individuals to serve on the consumer panel: Consumers Association, Consumers in the European Community Group, the National Consumer Council, the General Consumer Council for Northern Ireland, the Scottish Consumers Council and the Welsh Consumers Council.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many individuals' names were submitted to him to serve on his consumer panel.

  Mr. Gummer
  Nine people were appointed to serve on the consumer panel—all nine names were submitted by the organisations which were requested to make nominations.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will publish the contact addresses for the individuals represented on his consumer panel.

  Mr. Gummer
  The panel secretariat is the contact point for requests for interviews and further information.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what criteria he used in selecting the individuals to serve on his consumer panel.

  Mr. Gummer
  The criteria for selecting individuals to serve on the panel were that they should be able to represent the views and concerns of ordinary consumers. They have been nominated by consumer organisations but they serve in an individual capacity and do not represent any particular organisation.

  Whaling
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps have been taken by Her Majesty's Government to implement resolution 929 (1989) of the parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in respect of the powers of the International Whaling Commission to be extended to dolphin and porpoise species of cetaceans.

  Mr. Curry
  We have for a long time insisted that the convention of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) as drafted already covers small cetaceans. A significant number of members of the IWC however take the opposite view and do not acknowledge that it has the legal competence to regulate catches of small cetaceans. Nevertheless we will continue our efforts alongside other like-minded countries within the IWC. In addition we work through other international fora for the protection of small cetaceans, most recently in relation to the indiscriminate use of large-scale drift nets.
  80
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if Her Majesty's Government will support an extension of the international whaling convention moratorium on all quotas in commercial whaling; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Curry
  The United Kingdom played a leading role in the International Whaling Commission in securing the current moratorium on commercial whaling. We shall continue our policy that the moratorium should be maintained until the scientific committee of the IWC can clearly advise that the state of stocks is satisfactory and that a management procedure which safeguarded the stocks has been devised.

  Drift Net Fishing
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he has about those EEC countries which have banned the use of drift net fishing.

  Mr. Curry
  Within the European Community, drift nets are used for fishing for a range of commercial species and are subject to control and regulation under individual member states' legislation. Most recently Italy introduced a ban last October on drift netting for swordfish by its fishermen in the Mediterranean.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has made any representations to the French Government about the slaughter of dolphins arising from drift net fishing; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Curry
  No. Recent reports are unclear but marine mammals can be accidentally caught in nets. Much concern recently has been focused on the tuna fisheries in the Pacific ocean and the European Community has supported the United Nations resolution which was passed in December to deal with the indiscriminate use of large-scale pelagic drift netting on the high seas.

  Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage of cattle herds in December 1989 in each of the respective countries of Great Britain, where bovine spongiform encephalopathy was confirmed, had(a) a single case, (b) two cases or (c) three or more.

  Mr. Gummer
  The information is as follows:

  One case

  Two cases

  Three or more cases

  England

  63·0

  18·9

  18·1

  Wales

  80·9

  11·8

  7·3

  Scotland

  88·1

  7·9

  4·0

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many offsprings of cows which had been confirmed as having bovine spongiform encephalopathy have been continuously monitored in each county of England and Wales.

  Mr. Gummer
  The identities of known offspring of confirmed BSE cases are recorded as part of the Ministry's epidemiological investigations into the disease. These
  81
  records are compared with the identities of suspect cases of BSE reported to the Ministry as part of this on-going study. The numbers of offspring recorded in each county are as follows:

  County

  Offspring

  Avon

  77

  Bedfordshire

  21

  Berkshire

  43

  Buckinghamshire

  61

  Cambridge

  13

  Cheshire

  73

  Cleveland

  2

  Clwyd

  15

  Cornwall

  485

  Cumbria

  95

  Derbyshire

  66

  Devon

  642

  Dorset

  499

  Durham

  9

  Dyfed

  153

  Essex

  28

  Glamorgan Mid

  3

  Glamorgan South

  16

  Glamorgan West

  1

  Gloucestershire

  169

  Gwent

  38

  Gwynedd

  6

  Huntingdonshire

  280

  Hereford and Worcester

  111

  Hertfordshire

  16

  Humberside

  20

  Isle of Wight

  45

  Kent

  93

  Lancashire

  110

  Leicestershire

  159

  Lincolnshire

  53

  London

  1

  Merseyside

  2

  Norfolk

  87

  Northamptonshire

  45

  Northumberland

  17

  Nottinghamshire

  32

  Oxon

  107

  Powys

  33

  Salop

  167

  Somerset

  351

  Staffordshire

  80

  Suffolk

  74

  Surrey

  75

  Sussex East

  91

  Sussex West

  194

  West Midlands

  4

  Warwickshire

  43

  Wiltshire

  276

  Yorkshire North

  197

  Yorkshire South

  11

  Yorkshire West

  14

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the annual incidence of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in the total population of adult cattle in Great Britain for the year ending 16 March.

  Mr. Gummer
  The annual incidence of confirmed cases for the year 17 March 1989—16 March 1990 is 0·2 per cent.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list by age the cattle confirmed as having bovine spongiform encephalopathy in 1989 in England and Wales.

  Mr. Gummer
  The information is as follows:
  82

  Age (Years)

  Number of Cases

  1

  1

  2

  28

  3

  586

  4

  2,138

  5

  1,874

  6

  667

  7

  125

  8

  37

  9

  8

  10

  2

  11

  3

  12

  1

  15

  1

  1 One year 10 months.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the incidence in percentage terms of bovine spongiform encephalopathy-affected dairy herds in each county of England and Wales at 31 December 1989.

  Mr. Gummer
  The information is as follows:

  County

  Percentage

  Cleveland

  5·49

  Durham

  4·36

  Tyne and Wear

  2·78

  Northumberland

  7·48

  Cumbria

  3·18

  North Yorkshire

  6·60

  South Yorkshire

  4·12

  West Yorkshire

  2·05

  Humberside

  6·40

  Lancashire

  4·80

  Merseyside

  10·26

  Manchester

  0·99

  Derbyshire

  4·10

  Leicestershire

  12·46

  Nottinghamshire

  6·93

  Cheshire

  4·93

  Shropshire

  7·88

  Staffordshire

  3·88

  Hereford and Worcester

  9·46

  Warwickshire

  9·34

  West Midlands

  4·55

  Lincolnshire

  12·96

  Norfolk

  14·93

  Suffolk

  13·79

  Bedfordshire

  13·64

  Cambridgeshire

  15·94

  Northamptonshire

  15·04

  Essex

  8·02

  Hertfordshire

  17·65

  London

  3·03

  Berkshire

  25·00

  Buckinghamshire

  8·70

  Oxford

  19·08

  Hampshire

  31·97

  Isle of Wight

  17·46

  Surrey

  20·94

  West Sussex

  33·33

  Kent

  23·31

  East Sussex

  15·43

  Gloucestershire

  18·13

  Avon

  10·44

  Wiltshire

  25·37

  Dorset

  26·31

  Somerset

  16·41

  Devon

  13·47

  Cornwall

  14·65

  Gwynedd

  2·66

  Clwyd

  3·57

  Powys

  3·10

  Dyfed

  3·76

  South Glamorgan

  9·85

  83

  County

  Percentage

  Mid Glamorgan

  4·88

  West Glamorgan

  0·88

  Gwent

  7·87

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cattle have been confirmed as having bovine spongiform encephalopathy, in each county of England, for each year since the disease was discovered.

  Mr. Gummer
  The information is as follows:

  Confirmed cases reported in 1986

  Number

  Kent

  4

  Cornwall

  1

  Devon

  1

  Somerset

  1

  Confirmed cases reported in 1987

  Number

  Bedfordshire

  2

  Cambridgeshire

  2

  Essex

  2

  Lincolnshire

  3

  Norfolk

  3

  Northamptonshire

  1

  Suffolk

  6

  Cheshire

  7

  Derbyshire

  3

  Hereford and Worcester

  10

  Lancashire

  2

  Leicestershire

  6

  Nottinghamshire

  3

  Shropshire

  13

  Staffordshire

  5

  West Midlands

  1

  Warwickshire

  4

  Cumbria

  8

  Durham

  2

  North Yorkshire

  7

  Berkshire

  5

  Buckinghamshire

  8

  Hampshire

  12

  Isle of Wight

  1

  Kent

  20

  Oxfordshire

  5

  Surrey

  7

  East Sussex

  4

  West Sussex

  7

  Avon

  9

  Cornwall

  61

  Devon

  85

  Dorset

  30

  Gloucestershire

  19

  Somerset

  32

  Wiltshire

  17

  Confirmed cases reported in 1988

  Number

  Bedfordshire

  4

  Cambridgeshire

  8

  Essex

  3

  Hertfordshire

  9

  Lincolnshire

  32

  Norfolk

  32

  Northamptonshire

  13

  Suffolk

  31

  Cheshire

  35

  Derbyshire

  25

  Hereford and Worcester

  55

  Lancashire

  50

  84

  Number

  Leicestershire

  51

  Manchester

  1

  Merseyside

  2

  Nottinghamshire

  9

  Shropshire

  55

  Staffordshire

  40

  West Midlands

  2

  Warwickshire

  16

  Cleveland

  2

  Cumbria

  44

  Durham

  3

  Humberside

  8

  North Humberland

  17

  North Yorkshire

  74

  South Yorkshire

  3

  West Yorkshire

  11

  Berkshire

  34

  Buckinghamshire

  11

  Hampshire

  116

  Isle of Wight

  13

  Kent

  62

  Oxfordshire

  46

  Surrey

  35

  East Sussex

  28

  West Sussex

  82

  Avon

  18

  Cornwall

  265

  Devon

  308

  Dorset

  169

  Gloucestershire

  111

  Somerset

  170

  Wiltshire

  144

  Confirmed cases reported in 1989

  Number

  Bedfordshire

  22

  Cambridgeshire

  22

  Essex

  34

  Hertfordshire

  35

  Lincolnshire

  62

  Norfolk

  87

  Northamptonshire

  66

  Suffolk

  75

  Cheshire

  130

  Derbyshire

  81

  Hertford and Worcester

  131

  Lancashire

  104

  Leicestershire

  169

  Manchester

  5

  Merseyside

  3

  Nottinghamshire

  42

  Salop

  181

  Staffordshire

  108

  West Midlands

  7

  Warwickshire

  74

  Cleveland

  9

  Cumbria

  109

  London

  4

  Durham

  22

  Humberside

  23

  North Humberland

  24

  North Yorkshire

  231

  South Yorkshire

  14

  West Yorkshire

  17

  Berkshire

  47

  Buckinghamshire

  51

  Hampshire

  331

  Isle of Wight

  48

  Kent

  174

  Oxfordshire

  118

  Surrey

  69

  East Sussex

  102

  West Sussex

  181

  Avon

  138

  Cornwall

  545

  Devonshire

  816

  85

  Number

  Dorset

  671

  Gloucestershire

  231

  Somerset

  533

  Wiltshire

  473

  Tyne and Wear

  1

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage of the farms by county in England and Wales, on which cattle were found to have bovine spongiform encephalopathy, also had sheep on them.

  Mr. Gummer
  The information is as follows:

  County

  Percentage

  Bedfordshire

  100·0

  Cambridgeshire

  58·3

  Essex

  51·7

  Hertfordshire

  54·5

  Lincolnshire

  72·0

  Norfolk

  53·6

  Northamptonshire

  76·8

  Suffolk

  47·1

  Cheshire

  63·2

  Derbyshire

  61·5

  Hertford and Worcester

  83·7

  Lancashire

  75·8

  Leicestershire

  73·2

  Manchester

  50·0

  Merseyside

  40·0

  Nottinghamshire

  62·2

  Shropshire

  80·1

  Staffordshire

  61·1

  West Midlands

  81·8

  Warwickshire

  79·4

  Dyfed

  76·6

  Mid Glamorgan

  80·0

  South Glamorgan

  70·6

  West Glamorgan

  100·0

  Gwent

  83·1

  Gwynedd

  83·3

  Powys

  79·0

  Cleveland

  77·8

  Cumbria

  88·1

  Durham

  76·9

  Humberside

  52·9

  Northumberland

  84·0

  Tyne and Wear

  0·0

  North Yorkshire

  72·5

  South Yorkshire

  40·9

  West Yorkshire

  54·5

  Berkshire

  72·5

  Buckinghamshire

  79·5

  Hampshire

  61·9

  Isle of Wight

  60·7

  Kent

  88·9

  London

  66·7

  Oxfordshire

  74·7

  Surrey

  71·4

  East Sussex

  88·2

  West Sussex

  69·7

  Avon

  55·6

  Cornwall

  66·7

  Devon

  88·5

  Dorset

  56·5

  Gloucestershire

  74·0

  Somerset

  63·4

  Wiltshire

  60·4

  Clwyd

  69·1

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish a table showing the number of confirmed cases of BSE for each county of England and Wales for the four-week period ended 16 April.
  86
  Mr. Maclean
  The information is as follows:

  County

  Numbers

  Avon

  21

  Bedfordshire

  3

  Berkshire

  2

  Buckinghamshire

  8

  Cambridgeshire

  1

  Cheshire

  24

  Cleveland

  1

  Clwyd

  7

  Cornwall

  68

  Cumbria

  25

  Derbyshire

  17

  Devon

  111

  Dorset

  88

  Durham

  3

  Dyfed

  28

  Essex

  4

  Mid Glamorgan

  3

  West Glamorgan

  1

  Gloucestershire

  26

  Gwent

  5

  Hampshire

  19

  Hereford and Worcester

  11

  Hertfordshire

  7

  Humberside

  7

  Isle of Wight

  8

  Kent

  16

  Lancashire

  24

  Leicestershire

  19

  Lincolnshire

  5

  Manchester

  I

  Norfolk

  24

  Northamptonshire

  5

  Northumberland

  3

  Nottinghamshire

  7

  Oxon

  15

  Powys

  4

  Salop

  19

  Somerset

  71

  Staffordshire

  15

  Suffolk

  10

  Surrey

  8

  East Sussex

  7

  West Sussex

  21

  West Midlands

  1

  Warwickshire

  6

  Wiltshire

  49

  North Yorkshire

  55

  South Yorkshire

  3

  West Yorkshire

  4

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cattle were notified as having bovine spongiform encephalopathy in each of the two months prior to 100 per cent. compensation being paid; and what are the figures for the months following that date.

  Mr. Gummer
  Increased compensation was paid from 14 February 1990. The information requested on a weekly basis for Great Britain is as follows:

  Week ending

  Number of suspects

  5 January 1990

  245

  12 January 1990

  292

  19 January 1990

  284

  26 January 1990

  294

  2 February 1990

  309

  9 February 1990

  329

  16 February 1990

  362

  23 February 1990

  367

  2 March 1990

  424

  9 March 1990

  393

  87

  Week ending

  Number of suspects

  16 March 1990

  392

  23 March 1990

  351

  30 March 1990

  329

  6 April 1990

  323

  13 April 1990

  278

  Honey Bees
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the number of bee officers employed by his Ministry for each year since 1988; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  The number of bees officers employed by the Ministry in both 1988 and 1989 was 35. In order to make the most effective use of resources inspection of bees is concentrated on those colonies where foul brood is suspected or which have a recent history of the disease.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he is taking to control varroasis in honey bees; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  At present the Importation of Bees Order 1980 prohibits imports of all bees of the genus Apis (honey bees), except under licence from countries of high bee health status which are free from varroasis. It remains our aim to keep this country free of varroasis. The European Community Commission has proposed that after 1992 national measures on animal health, including bee health should be replaced by European Community controls. Discussions are still at an early stage and we shall continue to press for the best possible safeguards.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has plans to include Apis Bombus in the Bee Control Order 1980; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  I have at present no plans to extend the powers under the Bees Act 1980 to exclude importation of bees of the genus Bombus (bumble bees). However, I am keeping this issue under careful review and would be prepared to consider action to control the importation of bumble bees should there be evidence that their importation poses a risk to the health of United Kingdom honey bees.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in which of his Ministry's offices his bee officers are located; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  In 1989 bees officers were located in Ministry offices as follows:

  Officers

  Soulh-East

  Guildford

  4

  Oxford

  1

  Maidstone

  2

  Eastern

  Chelmsford

  3

  Huntingdon

  2

  88

  Officers

  Lincoln

  1

  Norwich

  2

  Northern

  Beverley

  2

  Carlisle

  1

  Newcastle

  2

  Northallerton

  1

  Midlands and Western

  Crewe

  1

  Nottingham

  1

  Preston

  1

  Worcester

  2

  South Western

  Exeter

  2

  Gloucester

  2

  Taunton

  4

  Truro

  1

  Total

  35

  This wide distribution ensures that all parts of the country are covered in cases of actual or suspected outbreaks of foul brood.

  North Riding Lamb Ltd.
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will place in the Library the results of his report on the tests on lamb carcases carried out at North Riding Lamb Ltd. prior to Christmas 1989.

  Mr. Gummer
  My officials will shortly be writing to the managing director of North Riding Lamb Ltd. to inform him of the results of tests on previously certified lamb carcases.

  It is not our practice to place in the Library details of correspondence between the Department and the individuals or companies on matters such as this.

  Irradiated Food
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the maximum permitted becquerel levels in different foodstuffs on food produced in(a) the United Kingdom, (b) the European Community and (c) Third world countries (i) in 1988 and (ii) currently; whether he has plans to change these levels; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  In 1986, as a result of the Chernobyl accident, a limit of 1,000 becquerels of radiocaesium per kilogramme was introduced in the United Kingdom for home-produced sheepmeat. This remains the current limit.

  In the event of a future nuclear accident, the levels which would automatically apply to food produced throughout the European Community were established in Council regulation (Euratom) No. 3954/87. These maxima still apply today, supplemented by Council regulation (Euratom) 2218/87, and are given in the table.

  Guidance on similar levels to be applied to food traded internationally was promulgated by the Codex Alimentarius Commission in July 1989.

  No changes are envisaged in the above position.
  89

  Foodstuffs (becquerels per kilogramme)

  Baby foods

  Dairy produce

  Other foodstuffs except minor food-stuffs1

  Liquid foodstuffs

  Isotopes of strontium, notably Sr-90

  75

  125

  750

  125

  Isotopes of iodine, notably I-131

  150

  500

  2,000

  500

  Alpha-emitting isotopes of plutonium and transplutonium elements, notably Pu-239 Am-241

  1

  20

  80

  20

  All other nuclides of half-life greater than 10 days, notably Cs-134, Cs-137

  400

  1,000

  1,250

  1,000

  1 For minor foodstuffs as defined in Commission Regulation (Euratom) No. 944/89, the maximum permitted levels to be applied are 10 times those applicable to "other foodstuffs except minor foodstuffs".

  Sewage Sludge
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research he has conducted to establish the presence of viruses in sewage sludge dumped in the North sea; and if he will make a statement on the implications of the results of the research for the fishing industry.

  Mr. Curry
  Under the conditions of licensed dumping at sea the concentrations of viruses offshore at sewage sludge disposal sites will generally be much lower than in inshore areas near sewage outfalls. The Ministry is therefore concentrating its research on viruses on shellfish in inshore waters receiving sewage discharges. The Department of the Environment is funding research by the water research centre to assess the risk of contracting illnesses from sea bathing.

  There have been complaints from some fishermen of illness as a result of fishing at disposal sites. The Ministry has taken these complaints seriously and in spring 1989 asked the National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations to arrange for evidence to be provided to the employment medical advisory service. Over the last year four cases have been referred to EMAS, including one medical history which is being evaluated.

  The Ministry's studies of disposal sites have shown no clear relationship between the prevalence of disease in fish stocks and the presence of sewage sludge in these areas.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the extent and nature of his Department's monitoring of sewage sludge disposal grounds.

  Mr. Curry
  I refer the hon. Member to the first report of the marine pollution management group's co-ordinating group on monitoring of sewage sludge disposal sites. This was issued as aquatic environment monitoring report No. 20 by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food's directorate of fisheries research.

  A copy is in the Library of the House.

  Organic Farming
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, further to his answer to the hon. Member for South Shields on 18 December 1989,Official Report, column 31, whether the Soil Association or British Organic Growers would also be eligible to receive grant aid.

  Mr. Gummer
  My Department is already grant-aiding the United Kingdom register of organic food standards (UK ROFS) with £60,000 per annum. It also supports research directly related to organic farming amounting to 90
  £198,000 last year and other research of assistance to organic farmers amounting to £892,000 last year. Other aids to organic farmers were listed in the written answer given on 16 January to a question from the hon. Member for Truro (Mr. Taylor), Official Report, columns 215–16. Further grant aid to the Soil Association or British Organic Growers is not envisaged.

  Mr. Tom Arnold
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what European Community support is being made available to farmers intending to change from traditional to organic methods.

  Mr. Maclean
  Payments for leaving land fallow under the set aside scheme can assist with the cost of conversion to organic farming, whilst grants can be made under the farm and conservation grant scheme towards investment in organic production. Both schemes are part funded by the European agricultural guidance and guarantee fund. Similar funding arrangements would apply to the pilot whole farm organic extensification scheme, on which a consultation document will be issued shortly. For details of the full range of assistance to the organic sector I refer my hon. Friend to the written answer given to the hon. Member for Truro (Mr. Taylor) on 16 January 1990 at columns 215–16.

  Contaminated Food
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has any plans to transfer responsibility for dealing with food contamination arising from a nuclear incident to local authorities; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  We have no plans to change the present arrangements.

  Tuberculosis
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research has been carried out to establish whether tuberculosis infection can be spread from badgers to cattle; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  It has been demonstrated under laboratory conditions that badgers infected with bovine tuberculosis can transmit the disease to cattle. Additionally, since the removal of all badgers from a study area in Avon during 1981, there have been no instances of tuberculosis infection in cattle in the area.

  Environmental Research
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much, for each year from 1980 to 1989, inclusive, was spent on environmental research by his Department.
  91
  Mr. Gummer
  All research and development funded by MAFF takes environmental consideration fully into account. That work which is specifically concerned with the environment is listed in the second edition of the "Register of Government-funded Agriculture/Environment R and D in the United Kingdom", a copy of which I am placing in the Library of the House. Details for 1980–83 are not readily available and could be produced only at disproportionate cost. Details for 1989 are not yet available.

  Pesticides
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the use of the controlled droplets application method of applying pesticides.

  Mr. Maclean
  This method of applying pesticides uses equipment which generates spray droplets by means, most commonly, of a spinning disc rather than by conventional hydraulic pressure spray nozzles. Britain has a good record of innovation in the important area of finding effective ways of delivering pesticide to the target. Practical equipment for applying sprays by rotary atomisers was substantially developed in the mid-1970s and a number of systems for generating spray droplets of a controlled size are now available to users. The Government welcome all the efforts which are being made by equipment manufacturers to minimise the amount of pesticide which needs to be sprayed and to make it easier for users to meet their obligations to avoid pesticide drifting into areas where it might harm people, creatures, plants or the environment in general.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimates he has in respect of the quantities of formulated pesticides sprayed on farmland in(a) 1970, (b) 1975, (c) 1980, (d) 1985 and (e) 1989; and what percentage for each year it is estimated was applied by (i) tractor, and (ii) aerial spraying.

  Mr. Maclean
  Estimates based on pesticide usage surveys of farms and holdings in England and Wales are as follows:

  Year

  Quantity of active ingredient of all pesticides applied by all methods (tonnes)

  Applied from the air (percentage by area treated)

  1970

  22,062

  1—

  1975

  25,497

  1—

  1980

  35,533

  1·74

  1985

  34,124

  1·80

  1989

  29,361

  0·23

  1 Not available.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement(a) on the progress of his expert working party on cereal control failure as a result of misapplied chemicals, (b) what studies his Department is sponsoring in relation to those genes which trigger toxin production and (c) what studies his Department is conducting on resistance to insecticides, in view of the 1990 explosion in aphid populations.

  Mr. Gummer
  I am not aware of the expert working party to which the hon. Member refers in part(a) of his question.
  92
  On part (b), I assume that the hon. Member is referring to those genes which reduce Bacillus thuringiensis toxin. Although my Department is not providing funds directly to research on the insertion of genes into crop plants, it is financially supporting the work of the researchers (funded by the Department of Education and Science) to incorporate the more applied aspects of genetic improvement into their integrated research programmes.

  On part (c), my Department is supporting extensive programmes of research into the genetics and biochemistry of pesticide resistance in cereal aphids, flies and other pests of growing and stored crops.

  Environmentally Sensitive Areas
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to increase the levels of support offered to farmers under the environmentally sensitive areas scheme; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  We have no plans at present to increase the level of support offered to farmers in ESAs. Payment levels in ESAs are reviewed three years after the scheme is established. We carried out a payments review on ESAs designated in 1987 (Broads, Pennine dales, Somerset levels and moors, south downs and west Penwith) last year and concluded there was no strong evidence to suggest an increase or decrease in their levels. We shall be carrying out a payments review of ESAs designated in 1988 later this year. The rate of uptake in ESAs has been well up to expectations which suggests that payments are pitched broadly at the right levels.

  Mr. Geraint Howells
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what would be the cost, at present uptake, of increasing the payment for ESAs from £64 to £90 per hectare; what estimate he has made of the percentage increase in land governed by the ESA scheme of such an increase; and what the inclusion of such additional land under the ESA would cost.

  Mr. Maclean
  The level of ESA payments varies between £10 and £300 per hectare reflecting the agricultural and environmental circumstances of each area. In no ESA is there a current payment rate of £64 per hectare.

  Mr. Geraint Howells
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent representations he has received(a) from the National Farmers Union and (b) from other sources in respect of the operation and levels of payment of the ESA scheme; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  During the course of our review of ESA payments in those areas designated in 1987 (Broads, Pennine dales, Somerset levels and moors, south downs, west Penwith) the NFU reiterated its view that ESA payments should be index-linked. We received no representations from other sources. The level of ESA payments are reviewed three years after the area is designated. We concluded that the recent review showed no strong evidence to suggest payments should be increased or decreased from their current levels. The rate of uptake in ESAs has been well up to expectations which suggests that payments are pitched broadly at the right levels.
  93
  Mr. Geraint Howells
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he plans to review the level of payments made under the ESA scheme; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  The levels of payments in ESAs are reviewed three years after each scheme is introduced. We carried out a payments review on those ESAs designated in 1987 (Broads, Pennine dales, Somerset levels and moors, south downs, west Penwith) last year and concluded there was no strong evidence to suggest an increase or decrease in their levels. We shall be carrying out a payments review of those ESAs designated in 1988 later this year. The rate of uptake in ESAs has been well up to expectations which suggests that payments are pitched broadly at the right level.

  Microwaves
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what further research has been commissioned in the current year into the safety of microwaves in respect of food cooked therein; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  Following on from the extensive research commissioned by this Department last year on the performance of domestic microwave ovens on heating food, three further studies are being funded this year:

  a. Evaluation of the decline in power when domestic ovens are used continuously, (Institute of Food Research—Completion date June 1990).

  b. Assessment of the performance of commercial microwave ovens, (Campden Food and Drink Research Association—Completion date Autumn 1990).

  c. The influence of the physical, thermal and electrical properties on the quality of food heated by microwaves, (Campden Food and Drink Research Association—Completion date March 1991).

  Meat Restructuring
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Taunton (Mr. Nicholson) of 9 February,Official Report, column 824, whether he will review his decision to curtail research into factors controlling meat restructuring processes; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  This research project was considered thoroughly during the near-market review and, as explained in the reply on 9 February to the hon. Member for Taunton (Mr. Nicholson) at column 824 was clearly identified as being suitable for industrial support. No new information has led us to review this decision.

  Extensification
  Mr. Geraint Howells
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what further plans he has to encourage extensification schemes; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Newport, West (Mr. Flynn) on 2 April at column 448.

  Arctic Fox Farms
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give the locations of the three arctic fox farms in England and Scotland.

  Mr. Maclean
  No. We do not publish this information.

  Monetary Compensatory Amounts
  Mr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what is the gap in percentage terms between the green pound and the pound sterling for each of the common agricultural policy commodities at the latest convenient date;

  (2) what was the size of the monetary compensatory amounts on each of the commodities covered by the Agriculture Council at the most recent convenient date.

  Mr. Maclean
  The real monetary gaps (RMGs) which represent the percentage difference between green and market rates of exchange and the United Kingdom monetary compensatory amounts (MCAs), to be applied for the week beginning 23 April 1990, are shown in the table.

  RMG

  MCA

  Per cent.

  Per cent.

  Beef

  −16·450

  −15·0

  Milk

  −20·273

  −18·8

  Pigmeat

  −12·872

  −11·4

  Eggs and Poultry

  −20·273

  −16·2

  Cereals and Sugar

  −21·194

  −19·7

  Olive Oil

  −21·194

  −11·2

  Sheepmeat

  −21·549

  −

  Notes:

  1. Negative MCAs are normally calculated by deducting a franchise of 1·5 points from the RMG. A 10 point franchise is deducted from the RMG in the olive oil sector.

  2. The eggs and poultry MCA is calculated by deducting a 5 point franchise from the cereals RMG.

  3. No MCA is applied in the sheepmeat sector.

ENERGY

  Electricity Supply
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is the basis for the assumption that the area supply companies in the electricity industry will require a £5 billion programme of capital investment; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  The estimated capital expenditure of £5 billion is based on the public electricity supply companies' (the successors to the area boards) assessment of the investment requirements of their local networks over the next five years. It includes projected expenditure on providing new connections, reinforcing the network where necessary and replacement of old equipment. The actual level of expenditure will be a matter for the companies themselves, subject to their licence and statutory obligations.

  Energy Conservation
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what plans he has to advise prospective house purchasers on how to save energy; and if he will make a statement.
  95
  Mr. Peter Morrison
  The Energy Efficiency Office within my Department provides information and advice on energy efficiency in the home, and runs publicity campaigns for which those moving and improving their homes are a priority target. It is also lending its support to home energy labelling schemes, designed to inform house purchasers on energy running costs.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) what plans he has to promote energy efficiency and energy conservation by means of media advertisements; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what funds have been allocated for (a) the current and (b) the next financial year for advertising aimed at encouraging the public to save energy.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  The total marketing budget of the Energy Efficiency Office in support of its programmes, including publications, seminars and workshops throughout the country, is £2·6 million in the current financial year. Plans for the advertising component of this budget are not finalised. The marketing budget for the next financial year has yet to be determined.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will permit energy conservation measures as an option to meet the requirements of the non-fossil fuel obligation; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  No. Energy efficiency is being promoted by other means. The NFFO is designed to maintain diversity in generation and to share out the additional costs of achieving that diversity.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy why the energy efficiency demonstration scheme was closed in 1989.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  The energy efficiency demonstration scheme was terminated when it was replaced by the best practice scheme, which has a wider scope and coverage.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what incentives exist to encourage electricity generating companies to invest in energy-saving measures; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  Electricity generators have substantial commercial incentives to minimise their fuel costs by improving the thermal efficiency of their existing generating plant and by building more efficient plant in future. This will improve their competitive position compared with any other generators which fail to do so.

  Best Practice Scheme
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is the budget for the best practice scheme operated within his Department; what are its primary objectives; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  The budget for the best practice programme for 1990–91 is £11·9 million. The programme's primary objectives are to foster research, development, demonstration and dissemination of energy-efficient technologies and techniques and so to advance and spread good practice in energy efficiency in industrial processes, commercial and public sectors and buildings including housing.

  Sizewell B
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make it his policy to require Sizewell B nuclear plant to be fitted with a special filtered containment venting system; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  The question of whether filtered vented containment should be fitted at Sizewell B is a matter for Nuclear Electric, which must satisfy the Health and Safety Executive's nuclear installations inspectorate (NII) on the safety of the station. If the NII concludes that the balance of safety considerations favours the use of filtered vented containment, it has the power to require it to be fitted.

  Methane Leakage
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what recent information he has on leakage levels of methane from the gas distribution system; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  Information on methane emissions from a variety of sources, including the gas distribution system, is contained in table 2.12 on page 24 of the 1989 edition of the Department of the Environment's publication, "Digest of Environmental Protection and Water Statistics". A copy of this publication is in the Library of the House.

  The Department of the Environment is currently undertaking a study to improve the understanding of methane emissions and thereby the accuracy of the inventory.

  Office of Electricity Regulation
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will outline the powers and duties of the Office of Electricity Regulation in respect of investments by the electricity generating companies.

  Mr. Baldry
  The director has no specific powers or duties relating to investment in electricity generation, beyond his general duties under the Electricity Act 1989. In a competitive market, special regulatory powers should not be necessary.

  Renewable Energy
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he has made an assessment of the implications of the recent European Commission ruling in respect of subsidy for renewable energy schemes for the development and application potential of the schemes; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  I refer the hon. Member to my answer on 18 April to the hon. Member for Cardiff, West (Mr. Morgan) at column 853.

  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the nature, scale and implications of any changes or corrections that have been made recently to the assessment of the costs of renewable energy in reports and papers for which his Department is responsible.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  Each renewable energy technology is reappraised periodically in the light of the most
  97
  up-to-date information. For example, a study to update the prospects for wave energy in the United Kingdom is currently under way. The Department of Energy through its agent, the energy technology support unit, makes available to the public any new information through publication of project results and studies.

  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is his assessment of the cost of offshore wave energy, calculated on the basis of a return on investment equivalent to that achieved by the Central Electricity Generating Board over the past five years.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  As I announced to the House on 13 November 1989, an updating study to review cost, technical and commercial viability and prospects for wave energy in the United Kingdom is currently under way. Progress reports on that study will be made available as the work is undertaken and the final report will be published.

  Electricity Generating Industry
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the potential benefits and disbenefits resulting from the introduction of least-cost planning to the electricity generating industry.

  Mr. Baldry
  "Least-cost planning" can sometimes increase energy efficiency in highly regulated and vertically integrated energy monopolies. In competitive industries, such as that being established in electricity generation in England and Wales, it would not increase energy efficiency but would create unnecessary bureaucracy, thereby risking inappropriate market distortions and consequent inefficiency.

  Environmental Research
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy how much was spent in each year, from 1980 to 1989 inclusive, on environmental research by his Department.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  Environmental issues are taken into account across the range of my Department's R and D programmes, but in general the environmental elements of individual programmes or projects are not separately costed.

  National Society for Clean Air
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy whether he regularly obtains for his departmental library copies of reports produced by the National Society for Clean Air; and if he has any plans to meet representatives from that organisation.

  Mr. Wakeham
  My Department's library obtains the society's members' handbook and the annual pollution handbook. I have no plans to meet representatives of the society.

  Energy Audits
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the support being offered by his Department to home energy audits.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  The Energy Efficiency Office (EEO) within my Department promotes and publishes a98
  guide to householders who might wish to conduct an energy audit of their home themselves. Under the proposed home energy efficiency scheme, the EEO would offer support for the provision of expert advice on energy efficiency to householders on low incomes. For other householders who seek expert advice, the regional offices of the EEO can suggest appropriate consultants.

  Radioactive Material (Transport)
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what security measures are taken to ensure the safe transport by road and rail of radioactive material

  Mr. Baldry
  It would not be in the nation's interest to divulge security measures. The existing arrangements are kept under continuous review and I am satisfied that they are adequate to protect public safety. I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Member for Croydon, Central (Mr. Moore) to the then Member for Newham, North-West (Mr. Lewis) on 27 July 1982 at column 438.

EMPLOYMENT

  Pop Concerts (Safety)
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how much money was spent by the Health and Safety Executive in fulfilling its obligations under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 in respect of safety at pop concerts during the last year.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The information requested is not available as it is not possible to identify separately from other responsibilities the level of resources spent by the Health and Safety Executive on safety at pop concerts.

  Agricultural Inspectorate
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the target frequency of visits by inspectors of the agricultural division of the Health and Safety Executive to farm premises; what is the actual frequency of visits to farm premises; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The Health and Safety Executive's agricultural inspectorate's programme of preventive visits to work premises, including farm premises, is planned on the basis of an inspection rating system which is reviewed at each visit to the premises. In addition, an annual review is undertaken to take into account the period since the last preventive inspection.

  Information is not available on the actual frequency of visits to farm premises, but between 1 April 1988 and 31 March 1989 agricultural inspectors made a total of 32,041 inspection visits.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what steps the agricultural inspectorate of the Health and Safety Executive is taking to ensure compliance with the code of practice on the sale and supply, including storage, of pesticides approved for agricultural use; what assessment he has made of the extent to which the code is being observed; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  Inspectors in the Health and Safety Executive's agricultural inspectorate are responsible for
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  seeking compliance with the Food and Environment Protection Act (FEPA) 1985 and the code of practice for suppliers of pesticides at premises for which they have enforcement responsibility under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and other health and safety legislation. Inspectors consider compliance with FEPA at preventive inspection visits and at visits for other purposes such as to investigate accidents, complaints and dangerous occurrences.

  Information is not available on the extent to which the code of practice is being observed.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many full-time workers there were in(a) Scotland and (b) the United Kingdom in the most recent year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Nicholls
  In December 1989, there were 17,071,000 full-time employees in employment in Great Britain. Details of full-time employment are not available on a regional basis.

  Skill Centres
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment on what date those persons tendering for the skill centres were informed that £11 million was to be made available to the prospective purchaser; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  The Skills Training Agency was offered for sale by private tender, and bidders were invited to submit offers. The sale of training businesses announced on 13 February,Official Report, columns 141–42, will involve a payment from the Government to Astra of some £11 million. This is a price determined in the sale process after open and competitive bids and subsequent negotiations. It reflects the costs of turning round a business which is currently unprofitable and creating a training business with good prospects of viability.

  Earnings
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the average earnings figure for all full-time workers in(a) Scotland and (b) the United Kingdom in the most recent year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The latest available information on average earnings for full-time employees in Scotland and Great Britain is published in table X5, part A, of the 1989 new earnings survey report, a copy of which is in the Library.

  Private Security Firms
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether there is any mandatory minimum rate of pay for employees of private security firms operating in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Nicholls
  No. Pay in the security industry is a matter for businesses to determine in the light of all the relevant circumstances.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what steps he is taking to monitor and to 100
  influence the employment conditions and rates of pay being applied by private security firms in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Nicholls
  None. Pay and conditions are a matter for the industry to determine in the light of all relevant circumstances.

  Employment Training
  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the new flexibility available to training and enterprise councils, including the new eligibility rules, in the delivery of employment training.

  Mr. Eggar
  Training and enterprise councils (TECs) will have considerable freedom and flexibility in the delivery of employment training. The TECs' operating agreement outlines the arrangements for the delivery of employment training and details the eligibility rules. A copy of this document is available in the Library.

  Youth Training
  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the total expenditure in both cash and real terms on youth training excluding community industry in each of the years 1987–88 to 1989–90 and the planned expenditure in each of the years 1990–91, 1991–92 and 1992–93 for Great Britain and each of the standard regions.

  Mr. Nicholls
  Expenditure on YTS and planned expenditure on youth training for Great Britain are as follows:

  Column 1

  Column 2

  Real Prices

  Cash Prices

  £ million

  £ million

  1987–88

  1,137·7

  987·8

  1988–89

  1,063·4

  993·8

  1989–90

  983·0

  983·0

  1990–91

  836·0

  878·2

  1991–92

  728·4

  778·5

  1992–93

  679·5

  732·8

  The figures shown in column 1 are at constant (estimated) 1989–90 prices and were calculated by use of the GDP deflator index shown in the Chancellor's autumn statement.

  The figures exclude community industry (included under the heading "Youth Training" in the public expenditure White Paper), evaluation, research and development and marketing.

  This information is not available by standard regions.

  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list all of the changes to youth training for the year 1990–91 and the implications for(a) the number of planned entrants, (b) the level of expenditure, (c) the duration of trainee places and (d) the provision for trainees with special needs.

  Mr. Nicholls
  Youth training will replace YTS nationally from 29 May. Compared with YTS, the main changes are:except for young people with special difficulties, all young people on the programme are to be offered training

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  programmes capable of securing for them qualifications at or equivalent to the second level of qualifications in the framework established by the National Council for Vocational Qualifications;
  a greater emphasis on training at craft and technician levels;
  improved job finding;
  greater flexibility concerning eligibility, duration of training and funding of training providers.

  Youth training will, of course, be delivered by the training and enterprise councils as they come into operation. In 1990–91, 260,000 young people are expected to join youth training. Planned Exchequer funding is set at £907 million in 1990–91—this figure includes community industry expenditure.

  Duration of training will be more flexible than was the case with YTS and will depend upon the time needed by the young person to acquire the skills and the recognised vocational qualifications which are contained in the young person's training plan.

  Training and enterprise councils will be expected to ensure that the Government's guarantee of a suitable training place for every school leaver without a job continues to be met. The councils will also be expected to ensure suitable, quality training provision for young people who have disabilities or other significant training needs.

  Training and Enterprise Councils
  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish in the Official Report the details of the agreements made with the first 10 training and enterprise councils and, in particular, the arrangements for the delivery of employment training and youth training.

  Mr. Eggar
  The arrangements for the first 10 TECs, including those for employment and youth training, are given force by the TEC operating agreement, a copy of which is available in the Library. The details of delivery are to be found in the plans for each TEC. Summaries of plans are being prepared and will be placed in the Library on publication within three months following the plans coming into operation.

  Quasi-religious Cults
  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is his policy on the inclusion in publications of his Department and its associated agencies of advertising or promotional material for companies linked with quasi-religious cults; and if he will make a statement on the appearance in the Training Agency's open learning map of London of material promoting the activities of Programmes Training Ltd.

  Mr. Eggar
  The open learning map of London published by the Training Agency provides basic details of nearly 100 organisations producing open learning materials or providing open learning. Programmes Training Ltd. is one of these. The map includes a statement which makes it clear that inclusion of an organisation does not imply Training Agency endorsement of those organisations or a recommendation of their products.

  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is his policy on the provision by the Training Agency of grants to companies sending 102
  employees on courses provided by companies associated with quasi-religious cults; and what sums of money have been expended by the Training Agency on grants relating to courses run by Programmes Training Ltd.

  Mr. Eggar
  The provision of local training grants to companies sending employees on courses ended in March 1989 with the introduction of business growth training.

  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what information his Department collects on the activities of religious and quasi-religious cults in the field of employment training; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  None. Our policy is that proposals for employment training which could be used either directly or indirectly to promote religious views cannot be accepted for support.

  Tourism
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what assessment his Department has made of whether the recent outbreaks of violence in Britain will influence the number of tourists visiting the United Kingdom this summer; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The British Tourist Authority does not believe that these events will significantly influence the number of tourists visiting Great Britain.

  Health and Safety Executive
  Mr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received from the Health and Safety Commission concerning the need for further resources for the Health and Safety Executive.

  Mr. Nicholls
  My right hon. and learned Friend has received from the Health and Safety Commission a draft of its latest plan of work and will be discussing resources with the commission in the forthcoming public expenditure review. Its judgment on the resources required for its work will be considered in that context.

  Tributyltin Oxide
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what uses are still permitted for the biocide TBT; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The independent Advisory Committee on Pesticides is currently finalising its review of tributyltin oxide (TBTO) and a statement will be issued shortly relating to the approval of pesticides containing TBTO. Currently TBTO is approved as the active ingredient in a variety of pesticide products including wood preservatives and anti-fouling products. The ACP has recently commenced work on other tributyltin compounds used in surface biocides and wood preservatives.

  Pesticides
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment to what extent storage of pesticides is subject to the Control of Industrial Major Accident Hazards Regulations 1984; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  Pesticides within the scope of the Control of Industrial Major Accident Hazards (CIMAH) Regulations 1984 are those which:
  103

  (i) are listed in schedule 2 to the regulations and are kept in isolated storage above specified threshold quantities; or

  (ii) meet the indicative criteria set out in schedule 1, or are listed in schedule 3 and are kept in quantities above specified thresholds, where the storage is associated with a process operation subject to the regulations.

  An amendment to the CIMAH regulations is currently in preparation in order to implement the second amending directive (88/610/EEC) to the "Seveso" directive (82/501/ EEC). This will broaden the scope of CIMAH so that among other things it will have greater application to the storage of pesticides.

  COSH Regulations
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what number and percentage of employers have completed their workplace assessments as required by section 6 of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1988.
  104
  Mr. Nicholls
  [holding answer 20 April 1990]: There is no requirement under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations to notify to the Health and Safety Executive the completion of the assessments required under those regulations. The information requested is not therefore available.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give(a) the number of prosecutions, (b) the average fine and (c) the number of improvement and prohibition notices issued to date under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1988.

  Mr. Nicholls
  [holding answer 20 April 1990]: These regulations did not become operative until October 1989. Consequently the information requested, relating to the 1989–90 statistical year, is not yet available.