Written Answers of 14 February 1990

ENVIRONMENT

  Dog Registration
  Mr. Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many local authorities and organisations representing local authorities, responding to the paper "Action on Dogs", were in favour of registration as a means of tackling the stray dogs problem;

  (2) how many responses were received from local authorities, and organisations representing local authorities, to the Government's consultation paper "Action on Dogs".

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Out of 462 local authorities and organisations known to represent them, 247 responded to our consultation paper and 207 of those who responded supported a dog registration scheme of some kind.

  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps have been taken to assess the dog registration scheme in Northern Ireland with a view to applying that scheme in the rest of the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  My officials have made contact with officials in the Department of Agriculture, Northern Ireland, with a view to discussing with them their experience of the operation of the various dog control provisions in force in Northern Ireland, and in particular the enforcement of the requirement for dogs to wear identification tags. We believe that the enforcement of this existing requirement would be more effective than an elaborate registration scheme in solving the problems caused by irresponsible dog owners. Officials from my Department will be visiting Northern Ireland shortly for this purpose.

  Toxic Waste Tips
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the danger posed by toxic waste tips to drinking water supplies and on current filling and safety regulations in respect of toxic tips; and what plans he has to amend these regulations in the future.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  There are a range of statutory controls which provide effective protection of drinking water supplies. First, there is a requirement for waste disposal authorities—in considering applications for disposal licences made under the Control of Pollution Act 1974—to have regard to possible risks of water pollution, and to consult with the National Rivers Authority. Under provisions in the current Environmental Protection Bill, we propose to strengthen and extend the licensing controls. Secondly, under the Water Act 1989, water undertakings are under a statutory duty to supply wholesome water, and it is an offence to supply water 220
  which is unfit for human consumption. Thirdly, we have recently announced the formation of a new drinking water inspectorate whose job it will be to check that supplies meet the standards defined in the new water quality regulations. Fourthly, the NRA also have extensive programmes for monitoring the quality of ground and surface waters. Consequently, we now have a strong set of safeguards for drinking water supplies and I have no plans to amend the basic system of controls in this area.

  Council Properties, Bolton
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many council-owned properties in the Bolton metropolitan borough area were renovated in 1989 and during each of the last 10 years; and what was the amount of Government grants given in respect of this work during the same period.

  Mr. Chope
  The number of renovations completed on local authority-owned dwellings in England appears in "Local Housing Statistics" [volumes 55 (table 9), 58 (table 7) and table 4 of volumes 65, 69, 73, 77, 81, 85, 89, 90 and 91 (first half 1989)].

  Copies are available in the Library.

  The cost of renovation works undertaken by a council is included in the calculation of its entitlement to main housing subsidy. Bolton received £3,070,669 in subsidy in 1981–82 and £126,447 in 1982–83. It has since been out of subsidy.

  Bed-and-breakfast Accommodation
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the latest figures for the number of people living in bed-and-breakfast accommodation.

  Mr. Chope
  Latest estimates of households temporarily resident in bed-and-breakfast accommodation appear in table 4(a) of "Local authorities' action under the homelessness provisions of the 1985 Housing Act: England. Results for the third quarter 1989. Supplementary Tables", which is in the Library.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimates he has made of the percentage of persons listed on community charge registers who will fail to pay the charge in 1990–91 for English shire counties; and what guidance he has issued to local authorities as to the estimates they should make for default when deciding on the amount of charge to meet their planned expenditure.

  Mr. Chope
  The Department has made no estimates of the proportion of charge payers who may fail to pay community charges and sees no need to offer advice on this to charging authorities. We have issued practice notes on steps that charging authorities may take to minimise arrears, and more flexible instalment regimes and improved powers of enforcement should improve authorities' ability to obtain arrears compared with that under the domestic rating system.

  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what were the totals of spending in 1990–91 by(a) Somerset county council and (b) Taunton

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  Deane borough council assumed for the purposes of his calculations of illustrative combined capital value rates and local income tax published on 6 November 1989.

  Mr. Chope
  The assumed spending was the same as that used for the provisional assumed charges also published on 6 November.

  The assumed spending figures for 1990–91 were:

  £ million

  Somerset county council

  222·367

  Taunton Deane borough council

  4·306

  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, further to his answer to the hon. Member for Coventry, South-East on 6 February,Official Report, columns 582–83, if he will list all departmental circulars, excluding practice notes, issued by his Department in connection with the community charge, giving in each case, the date of issue and an outline of the contents; and if he will indicate whether copies of such have been placed in the Library.

  Mr. Chope
  [holding answer 13 February 1990]: No numbered departmental circulars have been issued about the community charge. A number of letters have been sent to all charging authorities. These are as follows:

  Date of issue

  Contents

  1988

  25 July

  Community charge costs: Price Waterhouse study

  5 August

  Local Government Finance Act

  15 December

  Community charge regulations: Valuation and Community Charge Tribunals

  16 December

  Community charge preparation costs

  1989

  31 January

  Community charge students regulations

  31 January

  Implementation of the community charge

  28 February

  Community charge implementation and minority language translations

  17 March

  Implementation of rates reform

  3 May

  Implementation of the community charge and NNDR: questionnaire

  5 May

  Leaflet: "The community charge (the so-called Poll Tax): how it will work for you"

  5 May

  Payment of specific grant for community charge

  10 May

  United Kingdom service personnel

  10 August

  Community charge registration and data protection

  18 September

  Amendments to practice notes

  11 October

  Safety net and transitional relief

  13 October

  Payment of specific grant for community charge preparation

  20 October

  Community charge transitional relief

  20 October

  Community charge bill

  26 October

  Amendments to practice notes

  3 November

  Exemption for those severely mentally impaired

  9 November

  Community charge transitional relief

  16 November

  Local Government and Housing Act 1989: amendments to Local Government Finance Act

  22 November

  Transitional relief scheme—details

  15 December

  Community charge bill—details

  28 December

  Community charge: amendments to practice notes

  1990

  10 January

  Community charge transitional relief regulations

  9 February

  Designation of Ministry of Defence Establishments

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  Details of those letters amending practice notes are placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will provide comparable figures to his November estimate of the amount of poll tax payable in 1990–91 per adult as against rates for each region and each metropolitan area and county council.

  Mr. Chope
  The information requested has been placed in the Library. The figures are consistent with the assumed charges published on 11 January.

  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what criteria he proposes to use to charge-cap those authorities whose proposed community charge is unacceptably high; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chope
  I have nothing to add to the answer which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Bristol North-West (Mr. Stern) on 17 January,Official Report, columns 252–3.

  Rural Housing
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received over the shortage of council houses in rural areas; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chope
  My right hon. Friend receives representations from time to time from hon. Members' interest groups and members of the public. I also refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Sheffield, Hillsborough (Mr. Flannery) on 13 December 1989,Official Report, column 711.

  Hazardous Wastes
  Mr. Patrick Thompson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his policy on control of the transfrontier shipment of hazardous wastes.

  Mr. Trippier
  Government policy is to encourage international action to reduce transfrontier shipment of hazardous waste for disposal to the environmentally justified minimum and to monitor and control effectively, those movements that are necessary. These objectives are being pursued in discussions with the European Community, OECD and UNEP and through the provisions of national legislation.

  Waste Dumps
  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list in Northumberland the location of mine shafts currently in use as dumps for waste or special waste.

  Mr. Trippier
  My Department has no record of any mine shafts currently in use in Northumberland for the disposal of controlled waste.

  Water Supplies
  Mrs. Golding
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has as to the number of poison dumps which threaten water supplies; and what
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  assessment he has made of the danger posed by such dumps to water supplies within the Newcastle-under-Lyme constituency.

  Mr. Trippier
  These are matters for waste disposal authorities. They are required to operate disposal licensing controls under the Control of Pollution Act 1974, acting in consultation with what is now the National Rivers Authority, in order to prevent risks of water pollution. Under provisions in the Environmental Protection Bill, waste regulation authorities will also be required to inspect and monitor closed landfill sites.

  The recently publicised 1974 survey was a desk assessment to assist the relevant authorities in carrying out their statutory responsibilities. Since then, the Department has had an active research programme into the behaviour and characteristics of landfill sites, the results of which have been reflected in a series of waste management papers issued by the Department.

  Council Contracts
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he is taking to prevent councils from avoiding competition by submitting contracts to tender in a way guaranteed to favour their own work force.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The Department investigates all complaints of anti-competitive practices by local authorities on their merits. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has powers of sanction under sections 19A and 19B of the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980 and sections 13 and 14 of the Local Government Act 1988 and will use them where necessary. To date, notices under section 19A of the 1980 Act have been served on the metropolitan borough of Wirral and the London borough of Brent. A direction was subsequently given to the metropolitan borough of Wirral under section 19B of that Act. Notices under section 13 of the Local Government Act 1988 have been served on five local authorities—the London borough of Hillingdon, Bristol city council, Wolverhampton metropolitan borough council, Knowsley metropolitan borough council and Charnwood borough council. My right hon. Friend is currently considering responses received from these authorities.

  Homelessness
  Mr. John P. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the latest figures of acceptances of homeless households by local authorities in England and Wales.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  Latest estimates of households accepted a s homeless in England appear in table 1(a) of "Local authorities' action under the homelessness provisions of the 1985 Housing Act: England. Results for the third quarter 1989. Supplementary Tables", which is in the Library.

  For information about Wales, I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

  Pollution
  Mr. Watts
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has to help Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution and local authorities recover the costs of regulating pollution.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Welwyn Hatfield (Mr. Evans), on Tuesday 30 January 1990,Official Report, columns 173–74.

  Right to Buy
  Mr. Knapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has any plans to extend the right to buy to all tenants of non-resident landlords.

  Mr. Chope
  No.

  Lambeth
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what loss of income will accrue to Lambeth council when uniform business rates are not paid within the year to which demands relate.

  Mr. Chope
  Under the Non-Domestic Rating Contributions (England) Regulations 1989 (S I 2435), charging authorities in inner London, in calculating their provisional contributions to the national non-domestic rating pool, may deduct an allowance for possible losses of 0·45 per cent. of their estimated rate yield for the year. The regulations provide for all losses to be offset against contributions to the pool at outturn stage, subject to audit. Provision may be made at outturn stage for amounts which may have to be written off, again subject to audit. These arrangements were agreed by the local authority associations.

  Revenue Support Grant, Northamptonshire
  Mr. William Powell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the 1990–91 revenue support grant entitlement per head of population, before safety net adjustments, for each borough and district council in Northamptonshire, in descending order of magnitude.

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

  1990–91 Revenue support grant per adult before safety net adjustments

  Area

  RSG before safety net

  (£ adult)

  Northampton

  239

  Corby

  233

  Wellingborough

  223

  Kettering

  222

  Daventry

  213

  East Northamptonshire

  212

  South Northamptonshire

  204

  Genetically Modified Organisms
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has considered the issue of liability in respect of damage caused to the environment as a result of the release of a genetically engineered organism.
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  Mr. Trippier
  Part VI of the Environmental Protection Bill refers to the setting up of a statutory control system for genetically modified (engineered) organisms, making provision for criminal offences in the case of breach, including the general duties for preventing damage to the environment. Express provisions relating to civil liability are not included. However, Lord Lewis, chairman of the Royal Commission on environmental pollution, referred to the question of strict civil liability in his letter to the Secretary of State of 6 February. I am considering the position further.

  Derbyshire County Council
  Mrs. Currie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will set out a table showing for each year since 1981 the expenditure of Derbyshire county council in(a) cash terms, (b) constant price terms and (c) cash terms per head of population.

  Mr. Chope
  The information is as follows:

  Net current expenditure—Derbyshire county council

  Cash terms

  Real terms—1981–82 prices

  Cash terms per head

  £ million

  £ million1

  £2

  1981–82

  268·0

  268·0

  294

  1982–83

  296·8

  276·8

  326

  1983–84

  313·3

  279·2

  344

  1984–85

  365·9

  310·6

  401

  1985–86

  357·4

  287·9

  392

  1986–87

  397·4

  309·7

  433

  1987–88

  442·2

  327·3

  481

  1988–89

  486·2

  335·5

  526

  1989–90

  503·3

  324·6

  544

  1Using the GDP deflator to convert from cash values to constant prices.

  2Population figures used to derive per capita values are latest available Office of Population Censuses and Surveys mid-year estimates of total population.

  Mrs. Currie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will set out a table showing for each year since 1981 the staffing levels of Derbyshire county council(a) full time, (b) part time and (c) in total.

  Mr. Chope
  The information is as follows:

  Derbyshire county council: All services at June

  Full-time

  Part-time

  Total

  1981

  20,517

  17,891

  38,408

  1982

  20,217

  18,455

  38,672

  1983

  20,765

  18,342

  39,107

  1984

  20,817

  18,764

  39,581

  1985

  20,764

  19,252

  40,016

  1986

  20,903

  21,234

  42,137

  1987

  21,412

  23,501

  44,913

  1988

  22,569

  25,081

  47,650

  1989

  22,712

  23,593

  46,305

  Planning Appeals
  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many local authority planning decisions were overruled by his Department in 1989.

  Mr. Moynihan
  The figure is 7,681. This amounts to less than 2 per cent. of all planning decisions.

  Property Services Agency
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) for what type of Property Services Agency the Thesis computer system has been designed;

  (2) what is the projected cost of equipping the Property Services Agency with the Thesis computer system.

  Mr. Chope
  The Thesis system is designed to provide IT support to PSA's maintenance management and associated operations throughout the United Kingdom. The equipment is estimated to cost £12·8 million over the next two years. The system is reviewed periodically against PSA's changing requirements. A review is now in progress in the light of PSA's transition to a commercial organisation and subsequent privatisation.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the discussions between representatives of the United States air force and the Property Services Agency about the implications for the United States air force of Property Services Agency privatisation.

  Mr. Chope
  Talks are continuing, and I have nothing to add to the answer I gave to the hon. Member on 21 December 1989,Official Report, column 436.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has made of the time it is expected to take for the Property Services Agency to move from vote accounting to full commercial accounting in a trading fund.

  Mr. Chope
  It is planned to introduce full commercial accounts with effect from 1 April 1991. So long as the PSA remains a Government Department, it will retain vote accounts in parallel. There are no plans to establish PSA as a trading fund.

  Crown Suppliers
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many grades 6 and above were working in the Crown Suppliers on 1 February 1988, 1989 and 1990.

  Mr. Chope
  At 1 February 1988, there were eight grade 6 staff; four grade 5 staff and one grade 3. At 1 February 1989, there were eight grade 6 staff; three grade 5 staff and one grade 3. At 1 February 1990, there were six grade 6 staff; five grade 5 and one grade 3.

  Waste Sites (West Sussex)
  Mr. Michael Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the environment what action his Department is taking to deal with the West Sussex toxic and domestic waste sites posing some risk to water in his Department's list of landfill sites in England and Wales.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  [holding answer 9 February 1990]: The 1973–74 survey, featured in a recent newspaper article, was a desk assessment of possible risks to assist statutory authorities in controlling and monitoring waste disposal sites under public health legislation and, subsequently, the licensing requirements of the Control of Pollution Act 1974. The information was made available to the appropriate authorities at the time.
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  Since then, West Sussex county council and the Southern water authority will have monitored waste disposal sites and ground and surface waters in their areas in accordance with their responsibilities under the Water Act 1973 and the Control of Pollution Act 1974, which include powers to take action over pollution where this occurs.

  Detailed, up-to-date information is not held centrally on the location of waste disposal sites and safeguards taken. Under the Water Act 1989, the National Rivers Authority now has responsibility for monitoring ground and surface waters and is currently reviewing the scope of these programmes. We are providing it with the list of sites identified in the 1973–74 survey for possible reference purposes.

  SSAs, Yorkshire
  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will set out the reasons for the variations in the standard spending assessment between the Harrogate borough council on a per capita basis, York city council and Scarborough borough council.

  Mr. Chope
  [holding answer 12 February 1990]: The standard spending assessments for these three authorities have been calculated in accordance with the formulae set out in the Revenue Support Grant Distribution Report (England). The table gives details for the three authorities of the amount of SSA in £/adult which is attributable to each of the indicators used to calculate their SSAs. The indicators are defined in annex A to the distribution report.

  SSA £/per head of relevant population

  Indicator

  Harrogate

  York

  Scarborough

  Resident population

  81

  75

  77

  Daytime net inflow

  -1

  3

  0

  Visitors nights

  1

  1

  5

  Ward weighted density

  10

  26

  12

  Social index

  -21

  -1

  -14

  Sparsity

  14

  0

  11

  Transfer to North Yorks CC

  -8

  -8

  -8

  County level services

  1

  1

  1

  Flood defence

  1

  1

  0

  Coast protection

  0

  0

  2

  Interest receipts

  -2

  -3

  -2

  TOTAL OTHER SERVICES

  75

  95

  84

  TOTAL CAPITAL FINANCING

  6

  6

  8

  TOTAL SSA

  81

  102

  91

  Recycled Paper
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will consider financial measures that would encourage local authorities to use recycled stationery.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  [holding answer 13 February 1990]: Financial measures are not necessary; stationery made from recycled fibre can already fulfil most requirements adequately at a competitive price. It is important for local authorities to consider whether they are over-specifying and demanding a quality of paper that
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  is too good for the purpose. An expert working group set up under the aegis of the recycling forum chaired by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of Slate for Industry and Consumer Affairs is specifically considering such issues.

  Metals (Recycling)
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to encourage the recycling of metals.

  Mr. Forth
  I have been asked to reply.

  My Department's environmental programme includes a number of initiatives aimed at increasing awareness of the economic and environmental benefits of recycling, and at achieving increases in the levels of United Kingdom domestic and industrial waste now being recycled. The recycling advisory group which I formed last year is currently considering the best means of securing such increases for a range of products and materials, including metal containers, and Warren Spring laboratory has been co-operating with industry on research into techniques to reclaim more metals from the waste stream. My Department has also helped to organise the recycling of metalliferous materials international conference to be held in Birmingham in April.

  The Environmental Protection Bill also contains proposals which are intended to increase recycling levels, and it is the Government's intention to publish a White Paper on the environment later this year; this may also have implications for recycling.

  Packaging
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he has had with the packaging industry about the need for minimum packaging policies to reduce waste; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Forth
  I have been asked to reply.

  My Department's environmental programme has given priority to waste minimisation issues and the "Cutting Your Losses" brochure published last year emphasised the importance of reducing waste in all industrial sectors, including the packaging industry. We are now organising a design for the environment conference at the national exhibition centre on 28 March; this will consider environmental design problems and in particular will examine how products can be redesigned to minimise waste during the manufacturing and packaging process. The conference will act as a springboard for other design-related initiatives to promote awareness in this area. My Department is also of course in frequent touch with the packaging industry on the full range of environmental issues.

  Forestry
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many hectares of forest have been planted in each year since 1980.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I have been asked to reply.

  The information is given in the table. This covers the total new planting undertaken or grant-aided by the

  229
  Forestry Commission in the years stated, rounded to the nearest 1,000 hectares. It does not include the restocking of woodland after felling.

  Year ended 31 March

  Total new planting

  (hectares)

  1980

  24,000

  1981

  20,000

  1982

  23,000

  1983

  21,000

  1984

  25,000

  1985

  21,000

  1986

  23,000

  1987

  24,000

  1988

  29,000

  1989

  29,000

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Special Educational Needs
  Mr. John Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science by what means his Department is monitoring Government policy on the integration of children with special educational needs; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The principal means used by the Department are the statistical returns from local education authorities and schools, HMI reports, surveys and research projects. Evaluation studies of the Education Reform Act will also take account of the position of pupils with special educational needs, where appropriate.

  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if, in the light of the findings of Her Majesty's inspector's report on education, he has proposals designed to improve the quality of education available to students with learning disabilities; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The Government announced on 18 December their programme for the local education authority training grants scheme for 1990–91, under which £9·7 million will be devoted to six national priority areas in the field of special needs and issued for consultation on 9 January a draft circular on staffing for pupils with special educational needs, which sets out a number of considerations which local education authorities should take into account in reviewing local provision for these pupils in their areas. These measures will contribute to the achievement of the Government's education reforms which are intended to secure the best possible return from the resources which are invested in the education service and to raise the standards of achievement of all pupils, including those with special educational needs.

  Project grants and year

  Neurosciences

  Systems

  Cell

  Total

  Total applications

  1979–80

  272

  425

  280

  977

  1988–89

  322

  380

  290

  992

  Alpha applications

  1979–80

  147

  225

  179

  551

  GCSE
  Mr. Peter Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many representations he has received from schools complaining about the dates of the GCSE examinations in 1989 and 1990.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  We have received about 25 representations on this issue.

  Mr. Peter Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the first and last dates of GCSE examinations in 1989 and in 1990 together with similar information for GCE O-levels in 1987.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  In 1989, the first GCSE examination was on 15 May, the last on 23 June. In 1990, the first examination will be on 14 May, the last on 22 June.

  In 1987 the GCE O-level examinations of most of the boards ran from the beginning to the end of June.

  Since GCSE replaced GCE O-level and CSE, any comparison must also take into account the dates of the CSE examinations: in 1987, these generally ran from the end of April or the beginning of May to mid-June.

  Mr. Peter Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what arrangements exist for his Department to make representations to the GCSE examination boards about the dates of examinations.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Officials are in regular contact with the examining groups about this issue.

  Mr. Peter Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the policy of his Department about the proportion of the summer term which should be regarded as available for GCSE examinations and the relation of this to the spring bank holiday.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The GCSE examining groups are independent bodies, wholly responsible for the administration of their own examinations. Ministers have no powers to intervene directly in their day-to-day affairs. Nevertheless, I am concerned that the examination season should not encroach unnecessarily on the summer term. I am assured that the groups are aware of the anxiety which has been expressed on this issue, and that although it is now too late to change the timetable for 1990, the groups are looking very carefully at the position for 1991 and beyond.

  Neurosciences Projects
  Mr. Rhodes James
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list for the years 1979–80 and 1989–90(a) total applications, (b) alpha applications, (c) awards and (d) alpha applications unfunded in Medical Research Council grants to cell systems and neurosciences projects.

  Mr. Jackson
  The following table lists the figures for academic years 1979–80 and 1988–89. Figures for the academic year 1989–90 are not yet available.
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  Project grants and year

  Neurosciences

  Systems

  Cell

  Total

  1988–89

  231

  233

  207

  671

  Awards made

  1979–80

  142

  228

  166

  536

  1988–89

  121

  130

  119

  370

  Alpha applications not funded

  1979–80

  6

  5

  4

  15

  1988–89

  110

  103

  88

  301

  The Medical Research Council has reduced in recent years the proportion of funds available for short-term awards to universities in order to concentrate on long-term programmes both in universities and Medical Research Council establishments and to meet new problems such as AIDS.

  Secondary School Buildings
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proposals he has for renovating secondary school buildings, in the light of Her Majesty's inspector's second annual report; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  Local education authorities are responsible for deciding which building projects to undertake at individual county and voluntary controlled secondary schools, in the light of local needs and circumstances. For 1990–91, £485 million is available in annual capital guidelines for capital expenditure on schools and colleges in England, compared with £352 million under the old system of allocations for 1989–90. Local authorities are free to spend above the level of their annual capital guideline, by using capital receipts as permitted within the flexibilities of the Local Government Acts. In addition, £118 million of grant is available for voluntary aided, special agreement and grant-maintained schools.

  Computers
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what estimate he makes of the number of computers per 100 pupils in(a) maintained secondary schools and (b) city technology colleges.

  Mr. MacGregor
  Four per 100 in maintained secondary schools and 25 per 100 in the city technology colleges established to date, none of which yet has its full complement of pupils.

TRANSPORT

  Trains (Punctuality)
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will obtain a copy of the year-round survey produced by the Railway Development Society's "Yorkshire Rail Review", which covers express and local trains and records their punctuality; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  I have a copy of this report and I have noted its contents.

  London Docklands Railway
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the docklands light railway to meet the requirements of the docklands after its extension in 1992; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  I have asked the docklands light railway to prepare for my consideration a strategic review of the options for future development following the completion of the City and Beckton extensions, having regard to forecasts of demand and the planned extension of the Jubilee line to docklands.

  Cyclists
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what considerations his Department has given to the impact on cyclists of the plans to dual trunk roads; and what steps will be taken to minimise the effects.

  Mr. Atkins
  In planning new trunk roads and improving existing ones, close attention is paid to the suitability of the route for cyclists and to the design of junctions and other locations where cyclists are known to be at particular risk. Published material is available for the guidance of highway planners and engineers.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what further research and publications his Department intends to undertake in 1990 to encourage cycling.

  Mr. Atkins
  We are pressing ahead with implementation of the remaining aspects of the cycle routes programme of research and application studies.

  Research continues into innovatory traffic engineering techniques to help cyclists. Currently, the main projects are concerned with finding further methods of improving safety on roundabouts; refining the use of advance stop lines for cyclists; and identifying a more efficient form of shared use crossing for cyclists and pedestrians.

  Our aim in undertaking research and publishing technical guidance on cycling issues is to assist highway authorities and others in efforts to create safer conditions for cyclists.

  So far, four local transport notes and 27 traffic advisory leaflets have been produced using the results from our cycling research. Further material on cycling will be published as the results of studies become available.

  Woolwich Ferry
  Mr. Cartwright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the maximum number of passengers permitted on the Woolwich ferry under existing safety regulations; and what steps are currently taken to ensure that this figure is not exceeded.
  233
  Mr. McLoughlin
  Each of the three Woolwich ferries is allowed to carry a maximum of 300 passengers. The owner and master have the responsibility for ensuring that this number is not exceeded. Random checks are carried out by the Department's marine surveyors.

  Severn Crossing
  Mr. Roy Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has now decided upon the method of financing the proposed second Severn crossing; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  No; the decision on whether to use private or public finance will depend on our final evaluation of the tenderers' corresponding proposals.

  Mersey Tunnels
  Mr. Thornton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he is in a position to respond to Merseytravel's case for Government financial assistance for the Mersey tunnels.

  Mr. Atkins
  My right hon. Friend has today written to Councillor Ingham of Merseytravel to say that we have considered very carefully the case presented for Government financial assistance for the Mersey tunnels. In that letter, he explained that the merits of the case did not justify Government assistance. Indeed, our examination of the case suggests that the tunnels could become financially self-supporting in a few years' time.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  European Convention
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Attorney-General what guidance is issued to English courts in respect of references to the European convention in continuing domestic legislation.

  The Attorney-General
  It is not appropriate for the Government to issue guidance to the courts on how legislation should be interpreted, and they do not do so.

  Land Covenants, Ashworth
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Attorney-General what representations he has received about relator proceedings on land covenants at Ashworth.

  The Attorney-General
  The solicitors to the relators in the proceedings against Barratt Manchester Limited and Bolton metropolitan borough council have supplied me with a copy of the judgment of Mr. Justice Scott which is now being considered.

  Tax Law
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Attorney-General (1) what discussions he has had with the Law Society concerning the introduction of a fair disclosure pact with the Inland Revenue in tax avoidance cases;

  (2) what discussions he has had with representatives of the legal profession concerning the duties of solicitors and members of the Bar in cases of (a) tax avoidance, (b) tax evasion and (c) cases where the Inland Revenue seeks to discover documents to assess the difference between avoidance and evasion.
  234
  The Attorney-General
  None. The Inland Revenue has statutory powers to require persons, including members of the legal profession to provide information in specified circumstances, where it is relevant to a taxpayer's affairs, except where the position is covered by privilege. In addition, the legal profession has codes of conduct which prevent members assisting clients in any unlawful activity, whether concerned with tax or otherwise.

  Crown Prosecution Service
  Mr. Favell
  To ask the Attorney-General, pursuant to his response to the hon. Member for Norwood (Mr Fraser),Official Report, 12 February, column 67, if he will make a further statement on the role of the Crown prosecution service in relation to the case of Coren and Greenwood.

  The Attorney-General
  Primary responsibility for the enforcement of insider dealing legislation rests with the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. The case of Coren and Greenwood involved a civil servant within the Office of Fair Trading, and because of the relation between that office and the DTI, the Crown prosecution service undertook the conduct of the proceedings. My assertion that this case was brought by the DTI was therefore incorrect, and I regret the mistake.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  British Passports
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many individuals currently resident(a) in South Africa and (b) in the rest of the world (i) hold a British passport and (ii) have the right to return to live in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has no means of assessing accurately how many British nationals overseas hold British passports. British nationals resident in South Africa are estimated to number between 500,000 and 1 million. Most of them have the right to live in the United Kingdom. British nationals in the rest of the world, including dependent territories, are estimated to number 8 million to 8·5 million. Of these, it is estimated that 5 million have the right to live in the United Kingdom. However, many of these are likely to be dual nationals currently holding only the passport of their country of residence.

  Chile
  Mr. Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what changes there have been in Her Majesty's Government's policy towards Chile since the democratic elections in that country.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  With our European partners, we have welcomed the transition towards democracy in Chile, and look forward to a deepening of our bilateral relations.

  British Embassy, Bangkok
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many(a) men and (b) women are awaiting interview at the British embassy in Bangkok for consideration for entry into the United Kingdom either as husbands or wives of British citizens.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  As at 13 February 1990 there were two men and 97 women awaiting settlement interviews at the embassy in Bangkok.

  Hong Kong
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many suicide attempts have occurred in Hong Kong detention camps for Vietnamese boat people since the inception of the camps: and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maude
  Eight people have inflicted injuries upon themselves in Hong Kong's detention centres since the closed camp policy started on 16 June 1988. One of those people was found to be suffering from a psychiatric illness and two gave their reasons for injuring themselves as family problems. Five people gave their reasons as a desire to protest against the policy of screening and repatriation. None sustained life-threatening injuries.

  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information is given generally to Vietnamese boat women in Hong Kong detention camps as to the health attributes of the contraceptive drug Depo Provera and its consequences; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maude
  The Family Planning Association offers the usual range of contraceptive techniques to Vietnamese women. In offering Depo Provera it explains that it is a drug administered by injection and that it is effective for 12 weeks. It also explains all the possible side-effects. Depo Provera has been approved for use by the World Health Organisation. It is made available to Vietnamese women in detention centres on the same basis as it is offered to the general population in Hong Kong.

  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign arid Commonwealth Affairs whether the staff in Hong Kong detention camps have administered the contraceptive drug Depo Provera to Vietnamese boat women held there; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maude
  Various methods of contraception are offered to Vietnamese boat people on an entirely voluntary basis by staff of the Family Planning Association. Some Vietnamese women have chosen to use Depo Provera.

  Kurds
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has concerning the reported poisoning of Kurdish refugees in Turkey; and whether he intends to raise the matter with representatives of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and of the Turkish Government.

  Mr. Maude
  Staff from HM embassy have been in touch with the office of the UNHCR in Ankara which confirms that approximately 100 Iraqui Kurds at 236
  Diyarbakir entered hospital on 1 February after eating contaminated bread. We understand that all have been discharged. Samples of the bread are being analysed by the Turkish authorities.

LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  David Lloyd George
  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Lord President of the Council whether he will arrange for the Refreshment Department to offer a special menu to commemorate the centenary of the election of David Lloyd George, MP, ex-Prime Minister, to Parliament on 10 April 1890.

  Sir Geoffrey Howe
  The hon. Member's request will be considered by the Catering Sub-Committee.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Private Security Firms
  Mr. George
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the names of all the private security firms currently employed by his Department, the number of employees for each firm on the contract, the total value of each contract and the total value of all contracts for each financial year since 1984–85.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  The Duchy of Lancaster has not employed any security firms during the period in question.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Metropolitan Police
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis on how many Metropolitan police officers and how many person hours were spent on observation duties of public lavatories in the N division between 1 September 1989 and 31 December 1989;

  if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis on how many men were arrested by Metropolitan police officers engaged on observation duties of public lavatories in the N division between 1 September 1989 and 31 December 1989;

  if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis on how many men were arrested by Metropolitan police officers engaged on observation duties of the public lavatories located at Highbury crescent, London N5, between 1 September 1989 and 31 December 1989.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that the only police observation duties of public lavatories in the N division area during the period were at Highbury crescent, London N5. The operation involved the deployment of four officers over a total period of 239 hours, and 35 arrests were made.

  Personal Data
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many members of staff in his Department have been disciplined for breaching internal regulations on the disclosure of personal data held by his Department within the last five years.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  There is no central record of any disciplinary proceedings on such a basis in the last five years.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) on what statutory basis transfers of personal data take place from his Department to the police; and how many such transfers take place each year;

  (2) what kinds of personal data held by his Department are transferred to the police; and whether records are kept of such transfers.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  There are frequent transfers of personal data between the Home Office and the police as part of the day-to-day business of the Department. I regret that more detailed information about the basis and frequency of such transfers could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  NATO Courses
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list(a) Government Departments and (b) private or public bodies in the United Kingdom which send participants to the bi-annual courses on civil-military co-operation held by NATO at Oberammergau.

  Mr. John Patten
  Such courses cover civil emergency planning as well as civil-military co-operation, and are attended by civil and military personnel who are directly involved in NATO planning. Members of staff from a number of Government Departments and the armed services have participated in the courses. We are not aware that any representatives from private or other public bodies in the United Kingdom have so far attended.

  Boundary Commission for Wales
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the attendance record at meetings(a) since their appointment and (b) during 1989 of the current members of the parliamentary boundary commission for Wales appointed solely or jointly by him or his predecessors.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The parliamentary boundary commission for Wales is an entirely independent body and the disclosure of internal management information of this kind is more appropriate for the commission itself.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the nominees for the current appointments made solely or jointly by the parliamentary boundary commission for Wales declared a political affiliation in their curricula vitae; and of those declaring a political affiliation, how many showed allegiance to(a) Conservatives, (b) Labour, (c) the Liberal Democrats, (d) the Social Democratic party, (e) the Green party and (f) Plaid Cymru.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The parliamentary boundary commission for Wales makes no appointments. From time 238
  to time my right hon. and learned Friend appoints assistant commissioners to conduct local inquiries for the commission. Before their appointment, candidates are asked for an assurance that they have not been involved in political activity. There are no such assistant commissioners at present.

  Dart Guns
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many dart gun firearms certificates have been granted; how many persons now have such weapons in England and Wales, broken down by police force areas; and how many are held by(a) deer farmers and (b) others.

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

  Colin Wallace
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will reassess the answer of the Minister of State to the Adjournment debate on Colin Wallace's manslaughter conviction,Official Report, col 948–52, 27 June 1989, in the light of the most recent ministerial replies in relation to Colin Wallace.

  Mr. John Patten
  I have nothing to add to the answer given to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Arundel (Mr. Marshall) on 30 January 1990 at column 119.

  Animal Experimentation
  Mr. Lester
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he is going to publish guidance on the operation of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Guidance on the operation of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 has today been laid before Parliament, in accordance with section 21(1) of the Act. The Animal Procedures Committee has been fully consulted about this guidance, in accordance with section 21(3) of the Act. The guidance will be published tomorrow as HC182 and a copy will be sent to every holder of a certificate of designation issued under sections 6 and 7 of the Act.

  The publication of this guidance is the last major step in the bringing into force of the 1986 Act. The changeover to the new legislation has been carried out swiftly and according to the timetable that we set ourselves. This is a major achievement, reflecting the positive response which the scientific community is giving to the 1986 Act. This guidance sets out fully how the strict controls of the Act are now operating.

THE ARTS

  Royal Shakespeare Company
  Mr. Jesse!
  To ask the Minister for the Arts if he will make a statement on the latest position concerning the work of the Royal Shakespeare Company and its funding, taking into account the recent announcement of an increase in funding.
  239
  Mr. Luce
  It is for the Arts Council to determine the level of its grant to individual companies in the light of their artistic importance and a range of other factors.

  In the case of the Royal Shakespeare Company, its national and international importance is not in doubt. The Arts Council has awarded the RSC an 11 per cent. increase in its grant for next year, taking it to over £6 million. This is a very substantial increase, well above the rate of inflation, and should help the company balance its books.

  In 1984, the Government wrote off the RSC's deficit and increased its baseline grant in order to put the company on a firm footing from which to plan its future programmes. This was in response to two of the three recommendations of the Priestley report. The recommendation to index-link the RSC's grant was not accepted.

  I understand that the company is to cancel the winter season planned at the Barbican for 1991. This is a management decision by the RSC, and it is entirely for it to make. It will continue production as normal in its other venues, and will reopen at the Barbican in spring 1991. It will continue to tour widely. I am sure that it will maintain its excellent attendance levels.

  The company has generated substantial income from the box office and the private sector, including generous sponsorship from Royal Insurance of £1·1 million over three years. I have every hope and confidence that the RSC will continue to build on its success.

  Works of Art
  Mr. Knapman
  To ask the Minister for the Arts if there have been any items accepted in lieu of tax or allocated since he last made an announcement on the subject to the House.

  Mr. Luce
  Since my announcement on 22 January at column 536, I am pleased to announce that four offers of items have been accepted in lieu of tax; a collection of 20 modern paintings, a collection of Anglo-Saxon and medieval coins, a painting by Constable and an 18th century harpsichord. In accordance with the condition on which it was offered the coin collection will be allocated to the Fitzwilliam museum, Cambridge. It satisfied £418,429·20 tax and followed the precedent set by the acceptance of Picasso's "Weeping Woman" in that the Fitzwilliam agreed to pay the owner the difference (£108,128·80) between that tax liability to be satisfied and the special price of £526,558. The collection of modern paintings satisfied £82,742 tax and will be allocated to the Abbot Hall art gallery, Cumbria. No decision on allocation has yet been taken regarding Constable's "Farm Cart with Horse in Harness" or the harpsichord which satisfied £50,025 and £25,432·79 tax respectively. These items will be advertised to institutions in the usual way.

  Finally, I have decided that Cezanne's "Allée à Chantilly", accepted in lieu of tax in 1988–89, should be allocated to the National gallery.

CIVIL SERVICE

  Private Security Firms
  Mr. George
  To ask the Minister for the Civil Service if he will list the names of all the private security firms currently employed by his Department, the number of 240
  employees for each firm on the contract, the total value of each contract and the total value of all contracts for each financial year since 1984–85.

  Mr. Luce
  My Department currently has two contracts with Securiguard Services Limited, to the annual value of £85,420 and £14,175. The contracts provide for five employees, four of them operating in shifts. The total value of all contracts with private security firms in each financial year since 1984–85 is:

  Year

  £

  1984–85

  45,000

  1985–86

  48,000

  1986–87

  70,600

  1987–88

  77,200

  1988–89

  69,700

  1989–90

  84,600

  Occupational Health Department
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Minister for the Civil Service when he expects to computerise information held by the Civil Service occupational health department at Murray house.

  Mr. Luce
  [holding answer 8 February 1990]: There are no plans to computerise the information held by the Civil Service occupational health service at Murray house. During 1990–91 a study is to be undertaken into the computerising of various financial and operational procedures, leading to the introduction of a new computer system serving the headquarters and all regional offices in 1991–92.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Waste Recycling
  Mr. Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will make a statement on the current level of incentive for industry to recycle its waste.

  Mr. Forth
  A very strong incentive—that of market economics—aleady exists, and I am pleased that many United Kingdom companies are saving money by recycling a very high proportion of their recyclable process scrap. I congratulate those companies but more could be done, and my Department is actively encouraging others to recognise the economic and environmental benefits of waste minimisation and recycling.

  Mr. Colin Shepherd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to encourage investment in capital equipment for the purpose of recycling of waste materials in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Forth
  Investment in capital equipment for this purpose will flow naturally when effective waste separation and processing systems are in place, when consumer demand for products manufactured from recycled materials is secure, and when commercial operations are in prospect. My Department is working closely with the Department of the Environment, industry, consumer groups and the voluntary sector to develop a coherent national approach to recycling, and this is also expected to lead to an increase in investment in capital equipment.

  Post Office
  Mr. Ted Garrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he last met the chairman of the Post Office; and what was discussed.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he last met the chairman of the Post Office; and what was discussed.

  Mr. Galloway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he last met the chairman of the Post Office; and what was discussed.

  Mr. Forth
  I last met the chairman of the Post Office, Sir Bryan Nicholson, on 11 January. We discussed various matters of mutual interest.

  Insider Dealing
  Mr. Bill Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he last reviewed the regulations to deal with insider dealing; and whether he has any plans to bring forward amendments.

  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he last reviewed the regulations to deal with insider dealing; and whether he has any plans to bring forward amendments.

  Mr. Redwood
  As I told the House on 8 December, the Government that day published a consultative document on proposals for changes to the law on insider dealing. A copy is in the Library. I will consider carefully any constructive proposals that may emerge from the consultation.

  Product Safety
  Mr. Graham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is considering to ensure greater product safety.

  Mr. Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is considering to ensure greater product safety.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is considering to ensure greater product safety.

  Mr. Forth
  Product safety will continue to be a high priority for my Department. Provision is being made for the collection and analysis of accident statistics, the promotion of effective safety campaigns to raise public awareness, and for comprehensive statutory protection against unsafe goods. The Consumer Protection Act 1987, for example, makes it a criminal offence to supply any consumer product that is not safe. This is supported by specific safety regulations where necessary, and by my approval of specific safety standards, and the promotion of reasonable standards of safety in the marketing of consumer products.

  Telephones (Number Displays)
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will make it his policy to encourage the telecommunications industry and Oftel to promote the introduction of telephones which display the caller's number.
  242
  Mr. Forth
  The provision of calling line identification facilities is primarily a matter for the network operators. I know that the Director General of Telecommunications, Sir Bryan Carsberg, is keeping the position under close review.

  Japan
  Mr. Buchan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the current trade deficit with Japan; and how much of the deficit is accounted for by manufactured goods.

  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the current trade deficit with Japan; and how much of the deficit is accounted for by manufactured goods.

  Mr. Redwood
  In 1989 the deficit in total visible trade with Japan was £4·8 billion. In the same period the deficit for manufactured goods was £5·0 billion. Last year United Kingdom exports to Japan increased by £525 million to £2·3 billion, an increase of 30 per cent. over 1988.

  Technological Standards
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what response he will be making to the report produced for the European Commission by the university of Louvain in respect of its assessment of the United Kingdom's technological standards; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what response he will be making to the report produced for the European Commission by the university of Louvain in respect of its assessment of the United Kingdom's technological standards; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The report does not actually highlight the United Kingdom's technological backwardsness. The Government are well aware of the challenge of 1992 and we have policies in place to help firms in all regions to rise to it.

  Trade Deficits
  Mr. Eadie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the European Economic Community countries with which the United Kingdom has a manufacturing trade deficit.

  Mr. Eastham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the European Economic Community countries with which the United Kingdom has a manufacturing trade deficit.

  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the European Economic Community countries with which the United Kingdom has a manufacturing trade deficit.

  Mr. Redwood
  In 1989 the United Kingdom had a manufacturing trade deficit with the following countries:

  France

  Belgium/Luxembourg

  Netherlands

  Federal Republic of Germany

  Italy

  Denmark

  Portugal.

  Public Ownership
  Mr. Roger King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the Government's policy as to the circumstances under which they would consider taking an industry or company into public ownership.

  Mr. Dunn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is Her Majesty's Government's policy on taking industries or companies into public ownership.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The Government's policy is to return industrial and commercial activities to the private sector wherever practicable. I can think of no industry or company now in the private sector which would benefit from nationalisation.

  Manufactured Imports
  Mr. Clelland
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what has been the growth in imports of manufactured goods from the European Community since 1979.

  Mr. Frank Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and. Industry what has been the growth in imports of manufactured goods from the European Community since 1979.

  Mr. Redwood
  Imports of manufactured goods from the European Community have risen from £16 billion in 1979 to £52·5 billion in 1989, an increase of £36·s5 billion.

  Credit Unions
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action his Department has taken to encourage the growth of the credit union movement in inner-city areas; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  My Department has not taken any action to support credit unions in the inner cities.

  Information Technology
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has any new plans to encourage research and development in information technology.

  Mr. McWilliam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has any new plans to encourage research and development in information technology.

  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has any new plans to encourage research and development in information technology.

  Mr. Forth
  DTI policy and arrangements to encourage research and development in information technology were set out in the White Papers "Information Technology" (Cm. 646) and "DTI—the department for Enterprise" (Cm. 278). The Government have no plans to change these arrangements.

  Trade Barriers
  Mr. Oppenheim
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he is taking to ensure that the European Economic Community does not erect protectionist trade barriers.
  244
  Mr. Redwood
  I am against protectionism. I will certainly ensure that any European Community proposals for protectionist trade policy action are rigorously opposed by the United Kingdom.

  Monopolies and Mergers Commission
  Mr. Allen McKay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to change the role of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.

  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to change the role of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.

  Mr. Ridley
  I have no such plans.

  Eastern Europe
  Mr. Ernie Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the United Kingdom's balance of trade in manufactures in 1989 with(a) the USSR, (b) East Germany, (c) Poland, (d) Czechoslovakia and (e) Romania.

  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the United Kingdom's balance of trade in manufactures in 1989 with(a) the USSR, (b) East Germany, (c) Poland, (d) Czechoslovakia and (e) Romania.

  Mr. Redwood
  I refer the hon. Members to the answer I gave earlier to the question of the hon. Member for Birmingham, Ladywood (Ms. Short).

  Mr. Butterfill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps his Department is taking to encourage increased trade between the United Kingdom and eastern Europe.

  Mr. Irvine
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what his Department is doing to promote trade and investment by British companies in eastern Europe.

  Mr. Redwood
  My Department is encouraging business men to look hard at the new commercial opportunities in eastern Europe. DTI Ministers are playing their part both by receiving incoming delegations and by leading business missions themselves. At the end of last year the Minister for Trade and I led business teams to the USSR and Hungary respectively. In the course of the next two months the Secretary of State and I will be taking business men to the USSR, Poland, Czechoslovakia and Romania whilst the Minister for Trade will be visiting British stands at the Leipzig fair in the GDR.

  My Department is also encouraging British business to take full advantage of the several United Kingdom, EC and multilateral assistance schemes becoming available to help explore the new opportunities for direct investment, joint ventures and other forms of industrial co-operation.

  Financial Institutions (Self-regulation)
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of self-regulation of the financial institutions.

  Mr. Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of self-regulation of the financial institutions.
  245
  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of self-regulation of the financial institutions.

  Mr. Redwood
  The Securities and Investments Board is responsible for ensuring that the appropriate standard of protection for investors is provided by the self-regulating bodies recognised under the Financial Services Act.

  EC Financial Markets
  Mr. Ian Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress is being made in discussions within the European Economic Community on the opening up of financial markets throughout the Community.

  Mr. Redwood
  We are fully committed to the liberalisation of the EC's financial services sector. It is a fundamental element of the single market programme not only because of the beneficial effects of liberalisation which will be passed on to other sectors.

  The capital liberalisation directive adopted on 24 June 1988 will enable the free movement of capital across the Community. Remaining exchange controls will be abolished. Many member states have already removed most if not all their controls.

  More recent progress includes the adoption of the second banking co-ordination directive on 15 December 1989, which sets out the conditions on which credit institutions (broadly banks and building societies) may establish a branch in, or provide a wide range of cross-border services into, another member state on the basis of home state authorisation. The related solvency ratios directive adopted on 18 December and own funds directive adopted on 17 April set out minimum standards of capital adequacy for credit institutions.

  The life services directive awaits the opinion of the European Parliament. The directive lays down rules for the writing of life assurance by an insurer established in a member state other than that of the policyholder.

  Other measures at an earlier stage of discussion will, when implemented, open further the single market in financial services. The investment services directive will provide a similar single passport for investment firms to that available to banks under the second banking co-ordination directive. The supporting capital adequacy directive has not yet been presented to the Council, but the Commission hopes to propose a draft text in March. Its aim is to set out capital requirements for firms doing investment business.

  The Commission has recently announced plans for a single licence approach to life and non-life insurance, similar to the single passport concept in the banking and investment service fields.

  Manufacturing Industry
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he next expects to meet the president of the Confederation of British Industry to discuss manufacturing industry.

  Mr. Knox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he next expects to meet the president of the Confederation of British Industry to discuss manufacturing industry.
  246
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he next expects to meet the president of the Confederation of British Industry to discuss manufacturing industry.

  Mr. Cunliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he next expects to meet the president of the Confederation of British Industry to discuss manufacturing industry.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  My Department maintains regular and frequent contacts with the Confederation of British Industry at all levels on a wide range of matters relating to manufacturing industry.

  Mr. Ron Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he last met the Confederation of British Industry to discuss the prospects for manufacturing industry; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I have met representatives of the Confederation of British Industry on several occasions recently, and discussed with them matters relevant to the prospects of manufacturing industry.

  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received on the competitiveness of British manufacturing industry.

  Ms. Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received on the competitiveness of British manufacturing industry.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Most contacts that my Department has with industry and commerce involve matters having a bearing on United Kingdom competitiveness.

  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he next expects to meet the director general of the National Economic Development Council to discuss manufacturing industry.

  Mr. John Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he next expects to meet the director general of the National Economic Development Council to discuss manufacturing industry.

  Mr. Robert Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he next expects to meet the director general of the National Economic Development Council to discuss manufacturing industry.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I expect to meet the director general of the National Economic Development Office on 4 April, at the next meeting of the National Economic Development Council. The council will discuss several items relevant to manufacturing industry.

  Consumer Guarantees Bill
  Mr. Norman Hogg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent representations he has had from consumer organisations in respect of the Consumer Guarantees Bill.

  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent representations he has had from consumer organisations in respect of the Consumer Guarantees Bill.

  Mr. Jack Thompson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent representations he has had from consumer organisations in respect of the Consumer Guarantees Bill.
  247
  Mr. Forth
  There have been representations from various organisations both for and against aspects of the proposal. Unless agreed otherwise with the parties concerned, these representations have been made in confidence and it would be inappropriate to name the organisations or to indicate the interests they represent.

  Mr. Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the representations he has received for or against the Consumer Guarantees Bill.

  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the representations he has received for or against the Consumer Guarantees Bill.

  Mr. Forth
  There have been numerous representations both for and against various aspects of the proposal. Unless agreed otherwise with the parties concerned, these representations have been made in confidence and it would be inappropriate to list them.

  Technology (Co-operation)
  Mr. Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has any plans to submit new proposals for co-operation in technology within the conference on security and co-operation in Europe process at the forthcoming conference on economic co-operation in Europe to be held in Bonn on 19 March to 11 April.

  Mr. Redwood
  It is intended that proposals by the 12 member states of the European Community will be co-ordinated at Community level, but we will be considering whether or not to propose any separate national initiatives to complement the Community's efforts.

  1992
  Mr. Allen Adams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will next meet the European Commission to discuss the implications of 1992 for British industry.

  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will next meet the European Commission to discuss the implications of 1992 for British industry.

  Mr. Redwood
  I continue to keep in close contact with the EC Commission across a broad range of issues.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much money has been spent by his Department on awareness-raising about the implications of the single European market among British businesses; and if he will launch a survey of how many British companies are aware of the implications of 1992.

  Mr. Redwood
  Expenditure to date on the DTI's "Europe Open for Business" campaign to encourage businesses to prepare for the single market is £13·6 million. A weekly survey of business attitudes to the single market amongst firms employing 10 or more people is already undertaken on behalf of DTI. A hundred different firms are surveyed each week. The results show that business awareness of the single market is in excess of 95 per cent. Some 50 per cent. of firms are currently taking action to prepare themselves for the single market.
  248
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the most recent assessment that his Department has made of the effects upon British industry of the completion of the European single market in 1992.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The single market will provide enormous opportunities and challenges to firms in all parts of the United Kingdom. The overall impact will depend on how individual firms respond. About 50 per cent. of firms throughout the United Kingdom are now taking action to prepare for the single market and a further 10 per cent. are considering action.

  Consumers' Association
  Mr. Orme
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he last met the Consumers' Association; and what was discussed.

  Ms. Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he last met the Consumers' Association; and what was discussed.

  Mr. Patchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he last met the Consumers' Association; and what was discussed.

  Mr. Forth
  I visited the Consumers' Association on 6 February 1989 and a number of current issues relevant to consumers were discussed.

  EC Ministers
  Mr. Bell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he next plans to meet his European Economic Community counterparts; and what subjects will be discussed.

  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he next plans to meet his European Economic Community counterparts; and what subjects will be discussed.

  Mr. Bidwell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he next plans to meet his European Economic Community counterparts; and what subjects will be discussed.

  Mr. Redwood
  I continue to keep in close contact with my EC counterparts on a whole range of matters.

  Industrial Development
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has met the Governor of the Bank of England to discuss the financing of industrial development.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has met the Governor of the Bank of England to discuss the financing of industrial development.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Yes. I find it most helpful to discuss industrial financing and other matters of mutual interest with the governor from time to time.

  Privatisation
  Mr. Lee
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many companies have been returned to the private sector by his Department since 1979.
  249
  Mr. Redwood
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Great Grimsby (Mr. Mitchell) on 9 January at columns 517–18. My Department has primary responsibility for returning seven companies to the private sector.

  Product Warranties
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is considering taking to ensure that products carry effective warranties.

  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is considering taking to ensure that products carry effective warranties.

  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is considering taking to ensure that products carry effective warranties.

  Mr. Forth
  The issue is being considered in the context of the private Member's Bill on consumer guarantees being put forward by the hon. Member for Clwyd, South-West (Mr. Jones). The Government are considering their position on the Bill and will make a statement in due course. The Government's concerns about the implications of the Bill are already on record.

  Textiles
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which issues he will raise in relation to the international trade in textiles when he next meets his European Economic Community counterparts.

  Mr. Redwood
  The main issues for discussion with European Community colleagues will be the further development of the Community's position in the GATT Uruguay round negotiations on the return of trade in textiles and clothing to strengthened GATT rules. Discussion will be likely to focus on the method of phasing out the M FA after the current arrangements expire next year and the parallel strengthening of GATT rules and disciplines. These issues were fully debated in the House on 12 January 1990.

  Mr. McAvoy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the current balance of trade in the textile industry.

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the current balance of trade in the textile industry.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Latest available figures show that imports of textiles (SITC division 65) exceeded exports by £1,576 million in the 12 months to November 1989.

  Hosiery and Knitwear
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received from the hosiery and knitwear industry in Leicestershire concerning the United Kingdom's trading position in this sector.

  Mr. Redwood
  The difficulties facing the knitwear industry in Leicestershire were the subject of an Adjournment debate in the House on 12 December 1989.250
  They have also been the subject of correspondence and meetings between industry representations and my right hon. and noble Friend the Minister for Trade.

  Securities and Investments Board
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he next plans to meet the chairman of the Securities and Investments Board; and what will be discussed.

  Mr. Maxton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he next plans to meet the chairman of the Securities and Investments Board; and what will be discussed.

  Mr. Michael J. Martin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he next plans to meet the chairman of the Securities and Investments Board; and what will be discussed.

  Mr. Redwood
  My right hon. Friend and I meet the chairman of the Securities and Investments Board to discuss a range of topics concerning the regulation of financial services as frequently as is necessary. No date has been fixed for the next such meeting.

  West Germany
  Mr. Boyes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the current balance of trade in manufactured goods with West Germany.

  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the current balance of trade in manufactured goods with West Germany.

  Mr. Redwood
  In 1989 imports of manufactures from the Federal Republic of Germany exceeded United Kingdom exports to that country by £9·6 billion.

  Structural Funds
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps his Department is taking to encourage British firms to compete for structural funds-related business.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The Government attach considerable importance to British firms competing effectively for structural funds-related business. To that end, my Department has organised two major conferences. These have been supplemented by a number of regional events. The Department also offers an information service to United Kingdom business men interested in pursuing opportunities.

  The more recent conference on 23 November 1989 was timed to coincide with the publication of the approved spending plans for the less developed regions of the Community. I addressed the conference and referred to the need for industry, Government and our diplomatic staff overseas to work together in order to identify the opportunities available. It is the efforts and enterprise of those in the private sector which will then determine how much of this new business is won by Britain.

  Package Holidays
  Mr. O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he intends to introduce any further measures to offer greater consumer protection to people who contract for package holidays and travel arrangements; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Forth
  The Government have no imminent plans to introduce further measures in this area. However the common position reached by EC Ministers at the 21–22 December Council on the draft package travel directive portends that consideration will need to be given in due course to its implementation in the United Kingdom. The Asociation of British Travel Agents has already announced that its new codes of practice will take effect during this year.

  Consumer Protection
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has any plans to increase consumer protection.

  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has any plans to increase consumer protection.

  Mr. Stott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has any plans to increase consumer protection.

  Mr. Forth
  We intend to improve the protection given to consumers in a number of ways including the introduction of an order under the Prices Act 1974, as amended, on price indications and unit pricing, and changes to other legislation affecting consumers' interests.

  Bankruptcies
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what are the latest figures for bankruptcies.

  Mr. Redwood
  During 1989, a total of 8,115 bankruptcy orders were made against individuals.

  Exporters
  Mr. Lofthouse
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he has any new plans to assist British exporters.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he has any new plans to assist British exporters.

  Mr. Redwood
  My Department and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office provide through the export initiative a wide range of practical help, advice and support.

  It is only a year since my Department announced a significant package of improvements to our export promotion effort to ensure that it meets United Kingdom exporters' needs more effectively. Response to the package has been encouraging and we continue to monitor the performance and relevance of our services to United Kingdom exporters' demands closely.

  Industrial Activity (North-West)
  Mr. Sumberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has any plans to meet representatives of the Manchester chamber of commerce and industry to discuss the chamber's recent survey of industrial activity in the north-west.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I was pleased to see the results of the recent survey published by the Manchester chamber of commerce and industry, however I have no plans to meet any of its representatives.

  Car Manufacturers
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he next expects to meet the major car manufacturers; and what will be discussed.

  Mr. Bernie Grant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he next expects to meet the major car manufacturers; and what will be discussed.

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he next expects to meet the major car manufacturers; and what will be discussed.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The Government have regular contacts with the major car manufacturers on a range of issues of interest to the industry. No meetings are currently planned.

  CBI Regional Bodies
  Mr. Allan Roberts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he last met a Confederation of British Industry regional body; and what was discussed.

  Dr. Reid
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he last met a Confederation of Business Industry regional body; and what was discussed.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  My Department maintains regular contact with the CBI at all levels on a wide range of matters relating to industry.

  C. J. How
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will initiate an investigation under the Companies Acts into the activities of the finance company C. J. How.

  Mr. Redwood
  No. On 7 November 1989, a bankruptcy order was made in the Cheltenham county court against Mr. Christopher John How, financial consultant, of the Coach House, Winchcombe road, Sedgeberrow, near Evesham. His affairs are under investigation by the Official Receiver pursuant to section 289 of the Insolvency Act 1986.

  Departmental Structure
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has for the future structure of his Department.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has any plans for the reorganisation of his Department.
  253
  Mr. Ridley
  I am reviewing various aspects of the work of my Department but have no changes to announce at present.

  Stock Exchange
  Mr. Doran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he next plans to meet the chairman of the stock exchange; and what will be discussed.

  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he next plans to meet the chairman of the stock exchange; and what will be discussed.

  Mr. Ridley
  I refer the hon. Members to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Edinburgh, Central (Mr. Darling) earlier today.

  Dixons Group (Takeover Bid)
  Mr. Franks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to reach a decision on the Monopolies and Mergers Commission report on the proposed acquisition of Kingfisher plc of Dixons Group plc.

  Mr. Redwood
  The Monopolies and Mergers Commission is due to submit its report on the proposed acquisition to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State by 27 April this year. The report will be published as soon as is practicable after that. It would be inappropriate to speculate about its possible findings.

  Exports
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action is being taken by his Department to further increase exports.

  Mr. Redwood
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Basingstoke (Mr. Hunter) on 12 February at column 45.

  Electrical Goods
  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has recently received about competition in the electrical goods sector.

  Mr. Redwood
  I have received various representations from hon. Members and others about competition issues, including representations specifically about the proposed acquisition of Dixons Group plc by Kingfisher plc which is currently under investigation by the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.

  Securities Industry (Supervision)
  Mr. Dykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he is considering transferring any departmental securities industry supervision functions to the SIB.

  Mr. Redwood
  I have no plans for any major change in the distribution of powers between my Department and the SIB.

  No-dividend Policy
  Mr. Hind
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate his Department has made of the effects of a no-dividend policy upon British industry; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  None. Dividend policy is a matter for the directors of individual companies.

  Sunderland
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he last visited Sunderland; and what was discussed.

  Mr. Ridley
  My hon. Friend the Minister for Industry visited Sunderland on 5 October 1989, when he met Tyne and Wear development corporation, Sunderland borough council, the Wearside Opportunity and the Sunderland shipyards campaign committee. My right hon. Friend the then Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster visited Sunderland on three occasions in 1989. On these occasions discussion centred upon NESL and the package of remedial measures, following its closure. My hon. Friend the Minister for Industry was in Newcastle on 25 January and met representatives of Sunderland borough council to discuss these issues.

  Regional Aid
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the cost-effectiveness of regional selective assistance.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  An evaluation of regional selective assistance (RSA) by DTI and the Scottish and Welsh Offices was completed last year. Its main conclusions were that offers of RSA made in the evaluation period (1980–84) had assisted the creation or safeguarding of over 1·1 million net job years (or 56,000 permanent jobs) in assisted areas in Great Britain at a cost of some £580 per job year (or £11,600 per job), after taking account of jobs which were not additional and of displacement effects. The report on the evaluation is due to be published by HMSO in the near future.

  North East Shipbuilders Limited
  Mr. Clay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what are his current plans regarding the facilities of North East Shipbuilders Ltd.; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  British Shipbuilders remains in discussion with the two parties interested in purchasing the assets of North East Shipbuilders Ltd. We are seeking to progress outstanding issues as quickly as possible. I hope these will be resolved soon.

  Japanese-owned Industry
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what information he has on the percentage of manufacturing industry output and employment in Britain which is Japanese owned.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The results of the latest (1987) annual census of production indicate that Japanese-owned
  255
  companies had 0·22 per cent. of employment in manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom. The figures for gross output and net output respectively were 0·45 per cent. and 0·21 per cent.

  Petrol
  Mr. Gulls
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will publish the Monopolies and Mergers Commission report on petrol; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ridley
  I am today publishing the report by the Monopolies and Mergers Commission on the supply of petrol by wholesale in the United Kingdom.

  The Monopolies and Mergers Commission has concluded that petrol wholesaling is a competitive industry at present. It has found that neither the structure, the practices nor the profits in the industry operate against the public interest. The Monopolies and Mergers Commission has accordingly made no recommendations for change.

  The supply of petrol is a key part of the nation's economy and a matter of considerable interest to individual consumers. Petrol alone accounts for 3 per cent. of consumer expenditure. Any defects in competition could have serious consequences for the public interest. It is right that issues that have caused public concern should have been subjected to close and careful scrutiny and I am grateful for the Monopolies and Mergers Commission's expert work in carrying out this investigation.

  The main findings of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission are that:
  the price of petrol is primarily governed by movements in the underlying price of crude oil and the international market price for petrol, and particularly by their prices on the Rotterdam market;
  United Kingdom pump prices are not out of line with those in European countries or movements in consumer prices;
  price rises are not implemented more quickly than price falls;
  there is no evidence of collusion between the companies; petrol exchanges between wholesalers reduce costs to consumers and are pro-competitive;
  petrol company profits on wholesaling have been no more than moderate in recent years and on their downstream operations as a whole they have been low;
  there are no significant barriers to entry to the wholesale market;
  the hypermarkets and independent chains provide strong and growing competition in the retail market, and
  most consumers can choose from a range of prices and standards of service.

  The Monopolies and Mergers Commission found that a complex monopoly exists in favour of 69 oil companies that supply over 95 per cent. of the market. However, it concludes that the facts found do not operate against the public interest, that no steps are being taken by the monopolists to exploit the situation, and that the market is a competitive one. Since there are no adverse findings in the Monopolies and Mergers Commission's report, the question of remedies does not arise.

  I have received the Director General of Fair Trading's advice on the report. He endorses the overall conclusions the Monopolies and Mergers Commission has reached on the public interest. The director general agrees with the Monopolies and Mergers Commission that future changes could increase the scope for anti-competitive behaviour in the industry. Accordingly he believes that his office should, in three years' time subject to any developments in the meantime, carry out a review of company ownership in the
  256
  industry and an assessment of developments in competition. In the meantime, he will keep under review any major changes which affect conditions of competition in the industry, though without seeking all the further more detailed information suggested by the Monopolies and Mergers Commission. I agree that the director general should proceed in this way and I shall keep the House informed of any developments.

  I accept the analysis in the Monopolies and Mergers Commission's report and am grateful to the commission for having produced a substantial document reflecting the outcome of a wide-ranging and intensive investigation.

  Toyota Factory, Derbyshire
  Mr. Gerald Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the European Commission is conducting, or proposes to conduct, an investigation into the proposed Toyota factory in Derbyshire.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 12 February 1990]When the Toyota project was announced in April 1989, the Government informed the European Commission that the company had decided to locate in the United Kingdom without seeking any financial assistance from the Government; that discussions were in progress between the company and the local authorities in Derbyshire about a possible modest package of local measures; and that, once the elements of the package had been defined, the Government would consider whether any of them required notification to the Commission under the terms of the Community's rules on state aids to the vehicle sector. My Department has recently told the Commission that in our view the package envisaged included nothing which could be regarded as an aid to Toyota. We have made clear our readiness to meet Commission officials to explain the content of the package and the reasons for our conclusion.

  Amateur Radio
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) how many complaints concerning abuse on the amateur bands have been received by his Department from the Radio Society of Great Britain;

  (2) how many complaints of abuse on GB 35L, GB 3BM and GB 3NA have been received by his Department;

  (3) what response he has made to the Radio Society of Great Britain with regard to its criticism of amateur radio repeaters in the categories GB 35L, GB 3BM and GB 3NA which are licensed by his Department.

  Mr. Forth
  [holding answer 13 February 1990]The Radio Society of Great Britain has raised the issue of abuse on amateur radio repeater stations with the Department, and my officials are holding discussions with them about the matter.

  Paper Recycling
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will add improved pulping and de-inking technology used to recycle waste paper to those projects currently supported by his Department.

  Mr. Forth
  [holding answer 13 February 1990]Government involvement in research into de-inking and pulping has taken place for some years, particularly through support for projects at the paper and board
  257
  division of PIRA, the research association for the paper promotion board who have been appointed by himself or printing and packaging industries. Current projects are his predecessor either solely or in conjunction with other specifically looking at de-inking (due to be completed in Ministers; and what is their attendance record at meetings autumn 1990), the difficulties of pulping and refining raw materials of the future (completion due spring 1992), and a new project approved to commence in April 1990 to investigate recycling of waste paper into higher grades of paper.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will initiate a campaign to encourage the use of recycled paper in manufacturing processes.

  Mr. Forth
  [holding answer 13 February 1990]In 1989 United Kingdom paper and board manufacturers consumed approximately 2·5 million tonnes of waste paper. This represents 53 per cent. of the fibre requirement of the industry.

  The Department is keen to promote the use of recycled fibre in production processes whenever it is technically and economically viable to do so. With this aim in mind, a joint DTI-industry working group has drawn up specifications for educational and computer papers containing 75 per cent. recycled fibre which will shortly be published. An advisory group set up by the Department is currently examining ways of increasing the utilisation of waste paper in all paper products.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will initiate a publicity campaign to encourage the use by the public of products made from recycled paper.

  Mr. Forth
  [holding answer 13 February 1990]The Department is keen to encourage the use of products which are manufactured using recycled fibre. Currently an advisory group set up by the DTI is examining ways of increasing the utilisation of waste paper in all paper products.

  Tissue Products
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will examine the regulations governing the content of waste newsprint in tissue products.

  Mr. Forth
  [holding answer 13 February 1990]There are no regulations governing the content of waste newsprint in tissue products. Members of the Association of Makers of Soft Tissues do, however, abide by an industry code of practice which recognises that recycled paper in various forms is a satisfactory substitute for virgin woodpulp after proper selection and treatment.

  An advisory group set up by the Department is currently examining ways of increasing the utilisation of waste paper in all products.

WALES

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will name the current members of(a) each community health council in Wales, (b) each district health authority in Wales, (c) the all-Wales advisory panel on the development of services for people with mental handicaps, (d) each family practitioner committee in Wales, (e) the health policy board and (f) the health
  258
  promotion board who have been appointed by himself or his predecessor either soley or in conjunction with other Ministers; and what is their attendance record at meetings (i) since their appointement and (ii)during 1989.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  The current members appointed by myself are as follows:

  (a) the Community Health Counculs

  Vale of Glamorgan

  Mr. W. Mason

  Mrs. M. A. Campbell

  Mrs. S. L. Greensmith

  Mr. J. W. Phillips

  Neath/ Port Talbot

  Mr. J. Warman

  Mrs. B. E. Wheadon

  Mrs. J. D. Chatterton

  Mrs. B. I. Tyler

  Swansea/Lliw Valley

  Mr. J. D. Lloyd

  Rev. A. E. Pierce

  Mrs. M. J. Thomas

  Mrs. B. C. Rees

  Ogwr

  Mrs. Y. M. Griffiths

  Mrs. M. C. Evans

  Captain M. Wilcox

  Aberconwy

  Mrs. M. Priddle Higson

  Mrs. J. A. D. Doll

  Mr. J. Cockburn

  Arfon/Dwyfor

  Mr. H. Williams

  Mrs. W. F. T.Watkin

  Mr. E. T. Jones

  Mr. E. Wright

  North Gwent

  Dr. J. K. Hardy

  Mrs. F. I. Earl

  Mr. R. W. Batten

  Mrs. V. Withers

  Cardiff

  Ms. J. A. Gasson

  Mrs. A. Davies

  Mr. E. G. Owen

  Mrs. A. Butlin

  Montgomery

  Mr. D. H. Evans

  Mrs. K. M. Roberts Jones

  Brecknock/Radnor

  Mrs. G. D. Jones

  Mr. B. R. P. Couzens

  Mrs. D. M. J. James

  Mr. W. G. Phillips

  Merthyr/Cynon

  Mrs. B. Brown

  Mrs. D. M. Griffiths

  Mr. C. T. Jones

  Mr. P. E. Linton

  South Gwent

  Mr. A. R. Bradley

  Mr. A. T. Sawyer

  Mrs. J. C. Phillips

  Mrs. A. Meredith

  Pembrokeshire

  Mrs. C. I. Howells

  Mrs. M. L. Rashley

  259

  Mr. W. R. Stocker

  Miss M. J. Thomas

  Ceredigion

  Mrs. M. E. Jenkins

  Miss M. M. Henllys Jones

  Mr. R. Gardner

  Mr. H. Lewis

  East Glamorgan

  Miss A. M. Yates

  Mr. E. J. Thomas

  Mrs. J. E. Evans

  Mrs. D. H. Thomas

  Rhymney Valley

  Mrs. M. Roberts

  Mr. C. Fenton

  Mrs. N. Rowlands

  Mr. K. Perryman

  Merionydd

  Mr. E. M. Davies

  Mrs. A. J. Noble

  Ynys Môn

  Mrs. P. A. Ade

  Mr. R. A. Johnson

  Mr. M. J. Bonnie

  Carmarthen/Dinefiwr

  Mrs. S. M. A. Roberts

  Mrs. Z. Jenkins

  Mr. D. G. Williams

  Mrs. P. M. Carpenter

  Clwyd North

  Mrs. M. O. Davies

  Mr. L. Jones

  Mrs. B. A. Thompson

  Mrs. J. B. Thomas

  Clwyd South

  Lt. Col. J. P. Margarson

  Mr. E. Williams

  Mr. J. Wainwright

  Mrs. S. C. Cope

  Llanelli/Dinefwr

  Mr. G Jones

  Mr. W. T. Davies

  Mr. D. T. James

  Mrs. M. W. Hopkin Thomas

  to (b)District Health Authorities:

  Clwyd

  Chairman—Mr. E.M.V. Griffith

  Dr. T.M. Hayes

  Mr. A. Williams

  Dr. W.E. Lewis

  Mrs. M. Williams

  Mr. J. O. Morris

  Mr. S. G. Badland

  Mrs. D.R. Mars Jones

  Mrs. A. Roberts

  Mr. R. F Drennan

  Mrs. C. Owen

  Gwent

  Chairman—Mr. J. N. Headlam

  Prof. A. Richens

  MR. W. B. Peeling

  Dr. B. Davies

  Mrs. B. Miles

  Mr. W. D G. Morgan

  Mr. R. Newton

  Mr. R. D Owen

  260

  Mrs. P. A. White

  Mrs. F. N. Peel

  Mr. G. Rosser

  Pembrokeshire

  Chairman—Captain H. W. Phillips

  Dr. E. Verner Jones

  Dr. D. J. Jones

  Dr. B. W. Barton

  Mrs. A. V. Males

  Mr. I. Page

  Mr. D. R. S. Clarke

  B. S. Hearne

  Mr. J. E. Lloyd

  Mr. B. M. Skyes

  Mrs. M. Thomas

  Rev. T. A. Thomas

  East Dyfed

  Chairman—Mr. J. S. Thomas

  Mr. J. Williams

  Dr. A. G. Davies

  Dr. H. Herbert

  Mrs. D. M. Tyler

  Mr. T. G. Evans

  Mrs. V. J. Bourne

  Mr. D. P. Williams

  Mrs. H. M. Jones

  Dr. J. Clough Davies

  Mrs. L. George

  Mr. D. J. Thomas

  Gwynedd

  Chairman—Mrs. N. L. Edwards

  Dr. J. H. Jones

  Mr. R. H. P. Oliver

  Dr. J. B. T. Griffiths

  Mrs. M. P. William

  Mr. T. Thomas

  Mr. G. W. Jones

  Lt. Col. Prescott Walker

  Lady Jane Stanley

  Mr. G. Hulse

  Mr. J. L. Williams

  Powys

  Chairman—Hon. Mrs. L. Price

  Mr. R. G. S. Mills

  Dr. K. G. Mohon Bhakta

  Dr. M. Riley

  Mr. D. W. Williams

  Mr. S. Morris

  Mr. W. P. Pryce

  Mrs. G. Raikes

  Archdeacon J. W. J. Rees

  Lady B. Davies

  Major M. Dyer

  Mid Glamorgan

  Chairman—Mr. B. Davies

  Prof. O. P. Gray

  Mr. D. E. B. Powell

  Dr. P. D. R. Williams

  Mr. D. Thomas

  Mr. V. Williams

  Mr. G. L. Down

  Mr. E. Jowett

  Mr. R. Mitchell

  Mrs. A. M. Morris

  Mr. A. C. Williams

  Mrs. D. Lees

  Mr. D. W. C. Morgan

  South Glamorgan

  Chairman—Mr. A. S. Jones

  261

  Prof. Sir H. L. Duthie

  Prof. N. R. E. Robertson

  Prof. G. H. Elder

  Mr. D. L. Crosby

  Dr. S. G. Gang

  Mrs. C. M. Owen

  Mr. S. M. Jones

  Mrs. M. Box

  Mr. D. Gwynne Evans

  Mr. N. J. Butcher

  Dr. R. M. Pill

  Mrs. J. G. Rees

  Cllr. J. Sainsbury

  West Glamorgan

  Chairman—Prof. W. M. Williams

  Prof. A. L. Bloom

  Dr. P. A. Steane

  Dr. P. Mellor

  Miss V. Burns

  Mr. J. F. Ryan

  Mrs. M. O. Chilcott

  Mr. C. C. Lea

  Mr. G. Lawler

  Mrs. B. K. Bose

  Mr. E. Fuge

  Clwyd FPC

  Chairman—Councillor Tom W. Jones

  Dr. Ewan D. Deas

  Dr. Gruffydd O. Jones

  Dr. William E. Lewis

  Dr. Malcolm D. Manson

  Dr. John N. Taylor

  Dr. David L. Williams

  Dr. Peter Wykes

  Mr. Thomas Birchall

  Mr. Gareth W. Lloyd

  Mr. Konrad J. Saunders

  Mr. Richard B. Harrison

  Mr. Alexander S. Young

  Mr. Geoffrey C. Seys-Llewellyn

  Mr. William J. Ridgway

  Mr. Ronald F. P. Drennan

  Mrs. A. L. Roberts

  Mrs. Irene J.Train

  Mrs. Cathleen T. Owen

  Cllr Peter Morris

  Cllr Neil A. Formstone

  Cllr David Messham

  Mrs. Eurwen H. Edwards

  Mrs. Lynne Hughes

  Dr. Zuzana Hughes

  Mr. Robert W. Manners

  Mr. Christopher B. Swale

  Mrs. Angharad Waters

  Mr. David J. Wells

  Gwent FPC

  Chairman—Dr. Gerald L. Goodwin

  Dr. Anthony L.Calland

  Dr. Frederick R. Cranfield

  Dr. Gregory I. Graham

  Dr. H. S. Sahni

  Dr. Derwyn F. Jones

  Dr. David L. Phillips

  Dr. Christopher J. Wintle

  Dr. Ramnik B. Shah

  Mr. Stuart Geddes

  Mr. William D. G. Morgan

  Mr. Hugh C. Tagg

  Dr. Dilwyn Jones

  Mr. David T. Owen

  Mr. Wilfred H. Phillips

  Mr. John H. Bowen

  Cllr Peter J. Law

  262

  Mrs. Beth Miles

  Mrs. Doreen Moore

  Mrs. Patricia A White

  Cllr Maldwyn J. Harris

  Cllr Richard E. Murray

  Cllr Alan L. Brown

  Cllr Mrs. V. Smith

  Mr. Anthony J. Bell

  Mrs. Judith O. Cox

  Mrs. Susan E. Gregory

  Mr. Bernard W. J. Jarvis

  Mrs. Kathleen D. Jordan

  Mr. Douglas E. Waters

  Miss Zena Williams

  Gwynedd FPC

  Chairman—Dr. John E. A. Kenrick

  Dr. John B. T. Griffiths

  Dr. Huw I. Humphreys

  Dr. Elwyn T. Jones

  Dr. Owen P. Jones

  Dr. Geoffrey D. King

  Dr. Ian E. Roberts

  Dr. John G. Roberts

  Dr. Jitendra J. Tolia

  Mr. Robert J. Jones

  Mr. Timothy H. Poole

  Mr. John R. E. Stagg

  Mr. Michael L. Ashley

  Mr. Richard N. Thomas

  Mr. William E. Roberts

  Mr. Arthur W. Jones

  Mr. George Guyse Barker

  Mr. G. Morris Jones

  Mr. Gwilyn Wyn Jones

  Mrs. Meiriona P. Wiliam

  Cllr. Morgan L. Vaughan

  Cllr. Mrs. Betty Williams

  Cllr. Mrs. Blodwen Jones

  Cllr. Thomas E. Walker

  Mr. Barry J. Owens

  Mr. William R. Roberts

  Mrs. Margaret A. Saracco

  Mrs. Lorna Scharer

  Mr. Simon G. L. Simcox

  Mr. John Williams

  Mr. Meirion T.Wynne

  Dyfed FPC

  Chairman—Mrs. Edith M. Herbert

  Dr. Beryl M. A. Callaghan

  Dr. Walford F. T. Davies

  Dr. Gareth James

  Dr. James M. Lewis

  Dr. Roger G. Paul

  Dr. Beryl A. Roberts

  Dr. Derek B. Scourfield

  Dr. Hilary K. R. Loxdale

  Cllr. Trevor T. Griffiths

  Mr. Thomas Lloyd

  Mr. Ken Owen

  Mr. T. C. Williams

  Cllr. Edwyn P.Parry

  Mr. Adrian F. Murphy

  Mr. Stuart H. Watts

  Mrs. Elizabeth B. Hardcastle

  Mr. Anthony C. Richardson

  Rev. Thomas A. Thomas

  Mrs. Vanessa J. Bourne

  Cllr. Kenneth V. Owens

  Cllr. Geoffrey Sizer

  Cllr. William H. Hitchings

  CIIr. Mrs. June Williams

  Mr. David Bentham

  Mrs. Anne Bowen

  Mr. David Gwynne

  Mr. John K. Harris

  Mr. William D. L. Lloyd

  263

  Mrs. Mona R. Morris

  Mr. B. L. Davies

  Mid Glamorgan FPC

  Chairman—Mr. J. Devonald Williams

  Dr. Subrahmanyam Ganesh

  Dr. Robert Jones

  Dr. John B. R.Lewis

  Dr. Christopher J. L. Morgan

  Dr. David Parry

  Dr. Bipkin K. Shah

  Dr. John C. Tiarks

  Mr. Leslie Cooper

  Mr. Ian Price

  Mr. William A. Tucker

  Mr. Roy Jones

  Mr. Colin H. Thomas

  Mr. J. Neville G. Davies

  Mr. Peter Jenkins

  Miss Anne D. M. Harris

  Mr. Eric Jowett

  Mrs. Anne M. Morris

  Mr. Alan C. Williams

  Cllr. Leslie J. Rees

  Cllr. M. J. Ing

  Cllr. Arthur J. Davies

  Cllr. David E. Morgan

  Mr. Michael W. Davies

  Mrs. Brigit C. Dimond

  Mr. Brian Griffiths

  Mrs. Roseilia M. Lewis

  Mrs. Daphne M. Morris

  Mr. Jeffrey H. Silcock

  Mr. Edward H. Tiltman

  The hon. Member would need to write to the chairman of each of these bodies for details of attendance.

  Powys FPC

  Chairman—Archdeacon. J. W. J. Rees

  Dr. Anthony V. Evans

  Dr. Peter O. Faulkner

  Dr. John Harries

  Dr. Keith Hughes

  Dr. John Wynn-Jones

  Dr. Simeon Ovis

  Dr. Derek Wilson

  Dr. Barbara K.Wynne-Evans

  Mr. Timothy E. Powell

  Mrs. Jean R. Wynne-Griffith

  Mr. Stuart L. Danby

  Mr. Paul G. J. Davies

  Mr. William G. Cawley

  Mr. Anthony V. Jones

  Mrs. Patricia A. Antill

  Mrs. Margaret J. Dodd

  Mr. Selwyn Morris

  Mrs. Kathlen Scott

  Cllr. Eifion H. Lewis

  Cllr. Mrs. Marilyn Roberts

  Cllr. Mrs. M. C. Lennox-Smith

  ClIr. Mrs. Ivy B. Lewis

  Mrs. Catherine A. Bartholomew

  Mr. R. E. Jones

  Miss Barbara Hughes

  Mrs. Margaret R. O'Hare

  Mrs. Jean Ryder

  Mr. Colin J. Spackman

  Mrs. Anne M. T. Usborne

  South Glamorgan FPC

  Chairman—Dr. Richard G. Lloyd

  Dr. O. M. Parkash Aggarwal

  Dr. Raphael Cantor

  Dr. S. Keith Holgate

  Dr. Geoffrey F Morgan

  Dr. Anthony S. Parsons

  Dr. Margaret V. Williams

  Dr. C. W. Allanby

  264

  Mr. A. R. Fuge

  Mr. Leslie Greenbaum

  Mr. P. J. Naish

  Mr. Peter J. Cummins

  Mr. Ian Phillips

  Mr. Richard N. Roberts

  Mr. Anthony W. Blasebalk

  Dr. Roisin M. Pill

  Mrs. Mary K. Provis

  Mr. Gerald Rapport

  Mrs. Moira Griffiths

  Cllr. Russell V. Goodway

  Cllr. Peter H. Jarvis

  Cllr. Mrs. Susan L. Essex

  Cllr. Emlyn T. Williams

  Mr. Richard C. Daniel

  Cllr. Ian B. Hermer

  Mrs. Linda James

  Mr. James H. Leighton

  Mrs. Mary Mossford

  Mrs. Gerald N. Robinson

  Mr. David G. Thomas

  West Glamorgan FPC

  Chairman—Dr. Paul Mellor

  Dr. Prydderch D. Davies

  Dr. Stuart P. Jenkins

  Dr. Ian M. Millington

  Dr. E. M. Williams

  Dr. Richard G. Pincott

  Dr. Edward M. Roberts

  Dr. Neil Upton

  Dr. Marion Lesley Howells

  Mr. Peter L. Evans

  Mr. Peter Lloyd

  Mr. Michael L. Mills Davies

  Mr. Peter K. Howard

  Mr. Gerald Thomas

  Mr. Keith MacDonald

  Mr. Andrew J. H. Bevan

  Mr. John N. Clement

  Mrs. Margaret M. Evans

  Mr. Gerard Lawler

  Mrs. Margaret F. Williams

  Cty. Cllr. Norman R. Thomas

  Cty. Cllr. Miss Sarah M. Thomas

  Cllr. R. Francis-Davies

  Cllr. Harry I. Thomas

  Mrs. Margaret E. Coleman

  Mrs. Jane V. Davies

  Mr. Ioan H. Durban

  Mr. Thomas W. Harries

  Mrs. Gwyneira Harris

  Mr. Graham L. Jones

  Mr. William G. Rees

  to (c):

  The all Wales Advisory Panel on the Development of Service for people with a mental handicap.

  Attendance record percentage

  since appointment

  in 1989

  Mr. D. E. A. Jones

  100

  100

  Professor M. Chazan

  100

  100

  Dr. D. Dickens

  100

  100

  Mr. D. Sines

  84

  100

  Dr. D. Towell

  84

  100

  Mr. R. G. Davies

  84

  84

  Mr. M. Weinberg

  100

  100

  Mr. G. Wistow

  100

  100

  to (e):

  The Health Policy Board

  Mr J. W. Lloyd

  100

  100

  Mr. R. W. Jarman

  100

  100

  Mr. J. W. Owen

  100

  100

  Dr. D. Ferguson Lewis

  100

  100

  Miss M. P. Bull

  100

  100

  Mr. D. G. Evans

  88

  100

  265

  Attendance record percentage

  since appointment

  in 1989

  Rear Admiral J. P. Edwards

  92

  100

  Mr. R. Tydesley

  100

  100

  Mr. A. G. Thornton

  100

  100

  to (f) correctly titled The Health Promotion Authority for Wales

  Dr. S. A. Smail—Chairman

  Mr. J. Thomas

  Mrs. M. Bond

  Mr. A. Crabbe

  Mr D. Francis

  Professor R. Hodgson

  Mrs. C. James

  Councillor T. Jones

  Dr. M. Keen

  Dr. B. Littlepage

  Miss E. Muir

  Mrs. S. Sandham

  Ms. V. Sugar

  Mrs. I. Train

  The hon. Member would need to write to the chairman of the authority for details of attendance.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the attendance record at meetings(a) since their appointment and (b) during 1989 of the current members of (a) the Administration of Radioactive Substances Advisory Committee, (b) the Advisory Committee on Borderline Substances, (c) the Agricultural Advisory Panel for Wales, (d) the Agricultural Valuation Panel for Wales, (e) the agricultural wages committee, (f) the Ancient Monuments Board for Wales, (g) the Audit Commission and (h) the British Wool Marketing Board, appointed solely or jointly by him or his predecessor.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  The information is as follows:

  Administration of Radioactive Substances Advisory Committee.

  Advisory Committee on Borderline Substances.

  Department of Health officials provide the secretariats of both of these bodies.

  The hon. Member may wish to pursue this with my right hon. and learned Friend.

  Agricultural Advisory Panel for Wales.

  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to him on 13 February. Agricultural Valuation Panel for Wales:

  Agricultural Valuation Panel for Wales:

  Agricultural Valuation Panel for Wales

  Attendance record percentage

  Since appointment

  In 1989

  Mr. M. S. Argles

  71

  100

  Mr. N. E. Elliott

  86

  100

  Mr. F. Grounds

  100

  100

  Mr. J. H. Harris

  —

  —

  Mr. H. B. Knight

  100

  100

  Mr. J. R. Mathias

  100

  100

  Mr. J. A. Pallister

  67

  100

  Mr. T. W. Sale

  100

  100

  Mr. T. G. Sherman

  100

  100

  Mr. R. Thomas

  86

  100

  Mr. G. W. Wadsworth

  100

  100

  Mr. G T. Williams

  100

  100

  Agricultural Wages Committees:

  Clwyd

  Mr. J. E. Ambrose

  100

  100

  Mr. T. Jones

  100

  100

  Mr. I. G. Richards

  100

  —

  Dyfed

  266

  Attendance record percentage

  Since appointment

  In 1989

  Mr. T. E. Davies

  96

  100

  Mr. C. F. Hosking

  100

  100

  Mrs. E. D. Williams

  100

  —

  Glamorgan

  Mrs. S. E. L. Reeve

  100

  100

  Mr. P. Hart

  90

  50

  Mr. D. R. I. Williams

  95

  50

  Gwent

  Mr. J. L. Evans

  50

  0

  Mr. J. M. H. Stephens

  100

  100

  Mr. P. A. Thomas

  100

  100

  Gwynedd

  Mr. E. Lloyd Evans

  57

  100

  Mr. R. R. Harris

  100

  —

  Mr. T. H. Morgan

  100

  100

  Powys

  Mr. W. G. Davies

  87

  100

  Canon E. J. John

  100

  100

  Mrs. G. L. Thomas

  80

  0

  Audit Commission:

  The Audit Commission is an independent body entirely responsible for regulating its own affairs. The hon. Member may wish to write to the chairman.

  British Wool Marketing Board:

  This information is not collected centrally. The hon. Member may wish to write to the secretary of the board.

  Ancient Monuments Board

  Attendance record percentage

  Since appointment

  In 1989

  Professor Glanmor Williams

  100

  100

  Mr. G. C. Boon

  100

  100

  Professor R. R. Davies

  83

  100

  Mr. R. B. Heaton

  50

  50

  Mr. R. J. Keen

  100

  100

  Miss F. Lynch

  100

  100

  Mr. D. Moore

  100

  100

  Mr. P. Smith

  83

  100

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the attendance record at meetings(a) since their appointment and (b) during 1989 of the current members of (a) the Farm Animal Welfare Council, (b) the Forestry Commission Reference Committee for Wales, (c) the Historic Buildings Council for Wales, (d) Housing for Wales, (e) the Land Authority for Wales, (f) the Library and Information Services Council (Wales), (g) the Local Government Boundary Commission and (h) the national parks committee appointed solely or jointly by him or his predecessor.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  The information is as follows:

  Farm Animal Welfare Council

  The secretariat for this body is provided by Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food officials. The hon. Member may wish to inquire of my right hon. Friend.

  Forestry Commission Reference Committee for Wales

  The Forestry Commission reference committee panels comprise persons who can be called upon to form committees to advise the Secretary of State on felling licences etc. appeals referred to him under the terms of the Forestry Act 1967. No such appeals have been made so no committees have met.

  Historic Buildings Council for Wales
  267

  Attendance record

  Since appointment

  Since 1989

  per cent.

  per cent.

  Marquis of Anglesey

  100

  100

  Dr. Prys Morgan

  100

  100

  Professor J. Eynon

  100

  100

  The Earl Lloyd George of Dwyfor

  100

  100

  Mr. Lindsay Evans

  70

  60

  Mr. R. Haslam

  100

  100

  Mr. T. Lloyd

  100

  100

  Housing for Wales

  Land Authority for Wales

  This information is not collected centrally for these bodies. The hon. Member may wish to write to the respective chairmen.

  Library and Information Services Council

  Per cent.

  Attendance record

  Since appointment

  Since 1989

  Mr. G. W. F. Ewins

  67

  95

  Miss M. Cooper

  67

  77

  Mr. Tim Heald

  0

  75

  Miss Tudfil Adams

  100

  71

  Dr. Brynley Roberts

  100

  90

  Mr. Hywel Roberts

  100

  100

  Dr. Ian Lovesy

  67

  80

  Mr. Ieuan Edwards

  67

  80

  Mr. Gwyn Williams

  100

  75

  Local Government Boundary Commission

  This information is not collected centrally. The hon. Member may wish to write to the secretary of the local Government Boundary Commission.

  National Parks Committee

  The information is not collected centrally. The hon. Member may wish to write to the chairmen of the relevant national parks committees in Wales (Snowdonia, Brecon Beacons, Pembrokeshire Coast).

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the attendance record at meetings(a) since their appointment and (b) during 1989 of the current members of (a) the National Radiological Protection Board, (b) the North-Western and North Wales sea fisheries committee, (c) the Place Names Advisory Committee, (d) the rent assessment panel, (e) the Saundersfoot Harbour Commission, (f) the Sports Council for Wales and (g) the South Wales sea fisheries committee appointed solely or jointly by him or his predecessor.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  The information is as follows:

  National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB).:

  The secretariat of this body is provided by NRPB officials. The hon. Member may wish to write to the chairman.

  North-Western and North Wales Sea Fisheries Committee:

  This is a local authority committee. The hon. Member may wish to write to the clerk and chief fisheries officer of the committee.

  Place Names Advisory Committee:
  268
  The business of this body is conducted entirely by correspondence.

  Rent Assessment Panel:

  Rent assessment panels are convened as necessary from a general list of members who are prepared to serve on panels from time to time. It is not meaningful to give a breakdown of individual attendances.

  Saundersfoot Harbour Commission:

  This information is not collected centrally. The hon. Member may wish to write to the clerk to the harbour commissions.

  Sports Council for Wales:

  This information is not collected centrally. The hon. Member may wish to write to the chairman.

  South Wales Sea Fisheries Committee:

  This is a local authority committee. The hon. Member may wish to write to the clerk and chief fisheries officer of the committee.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the attendance record at meetings(a) since their appointment and (b) during 1989 of the current members of (a) the Cardiff Bay development corporation,(b) the committee for the Welsh scheme for the development of health and social research, (c) the Committee on Opportunities for Volunteering, (d) the Council for National Academic Awards, (e) the courts and councils of (i) the National Library and (ii) the National Museum of Wales, (f) the Curriculum Council for Wales and (g) the Development Board for Rural Wales, appointed solely or jointly by him or his predecessor.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  The information is not collected centrally for any of the bodies listed.

  (a) Cardiff Bay Development Corporation.

  (d) Council for National Academic Awards.

  (f) Curriculum Council for Wales

  (g)Development Board for Rural Wales

  The hon. Gentleman may wish to write to the chairman of each of these bodies.

  (c) Committee on Opportunities for Volunteering.

  The hon. Gentleman may wish to write to the secretary.

  (e) The courts and councils of (i) the National Library and (ii) the National Museum of Wales.

  The hon. Gentleman may wish to write to the respective presidents.

  (b) The committee for the Welsh scheme for the development of health and social research.

  This scheme is administered on my behalf by the university of Wales College of Medicine, to which the hon. Gentleman may wish to write.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many of the current appointments made solely or jointly by him to the Welsh health common services authority are held by women.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  None.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many of the current appointments made solely or jointly by him to the Sports Council for Wales are held by women.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  Four.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the total expenditure of Sports Council for
  269
  Wales during the last year where figures are available and what proportion of expenditure was allocated to (a) administration in general, (b) hosting of meetings and conferences, (c) allowances for attending meetings and (d) general allowances given to nominees on the committee.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  The published accounts of the Sports Council for Wales for the year ended 31 March 1989 show total expenditure of £5,746,706.

  (a) Expenditure on administration in general (including relevant staff costs and computerisation) was 14 per cent. of the total.

  (b) Users of the Sports Council for Wales' facilities are charged a commercial fee. The costs of any meetings or conferences arising from the Sports Council for Wales' work are subsumed in the administrative costs.

  (c) No payments are made for attending meetings. The total expenditure on reimbursement of members' travel and subsistence costs for 1988–89 was 0·4 per cent. of the total expenditure of the council.

  (d) Nominees from outside bodies who attend council meetings receive no payment from the Sports Council for Wales.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how many nominees for the current appointments made solely or jointly by him to the agricultural dwelling house advisory committee panel of chairmen, Wales, declared a political affiliation in their curricula vitae; and of those declaring a political affiliation, how many showed allegiance to(a) Conservatives, (b) Labour, (c) the Liberal Democrats,(d) the Social Democratic party, (e) the Green party and (f) Plaid Cymru;

  (2) how many nominees for the current appointments made solely or jointly by him to the training enterprise and education advisory group declared a political affiliation in their curricula vitae; and of those declaring a political affiliation, how many showed allegiance to (a) Conservatives, (b) Labour, (c) the Liberal Democrats,(d) the Social Democratic party, (e) the Green party and (f) Plaid Cymru;

  (3) how many nominees for the current appointments made solely or jointly by him to the urban investment appraisal panel declared a political affiliation in their curricula vitae; and of those declaring a political affiliation, how many showed allegiance to (a) Conservatives, (b) Labour, (c) the Liberal Democrats,(d) the Social Democratic party, (e) the Green party and (f) Plaid Cymru;

  (4) how many nominees for the current appointments made solely or jointly by him for the Welsh Development Agency declared a political affiliation in their curricula vitae; and of those declaring a political affiliation, how many showed allegiance to (a) Conservatives, (b) Labour, (c) the Liberal Democrats, (d) the Social Democratic party, (e) the Green party and (f) Plaid Cymru;

  (5) how many nominees for current appointments made by him either solely or jointly with another Minister to the Welsh committee for postgraduate pharmaceutical education declared a political affiliation in their curricula vitae; and of those declaring a political affiliation, how many showed allegiance to (a) Conservatives, (b) Labour, (c) the Liberal Democrats, (d) the Social Democratic party, (e) the Green party and (f) Plaid Cymru;
  270
  (6) how many of the nominees for the current appointments made solely or jointly by him to the Wales committee on drug misuse declared a political affiliation in their curricula vitae; and of those declaring a political affiliation how many showed allegiance to (a) Conservatives, (b) Labour, (c) the Liberal Democrats, (d) the Social Democratic party, (e) the Green party and (f) Plaid Cymru;

  (7) how many of the nominees for the current appointments made solely or jointly by him to the Welsh language board declared a political affiliation in their curricula vitae; and how many showed allegiance to (a) Conservatives, (b) Labour, (c) the Liberal Democrats, (d) the Social Democratic party, (e) the Green party and (f) Plaid Cymru;

  (8) how many of the nominees for the current appointments made solely or jointly by him to the standing working group of the Wales advisory body declared a political affiliation in their curricula vitae and of those declaring a political affiliation, how many showed allegiance to (a) Conservatives, (b) Labour, (c) the Liberal Democrats, (d) the Social Democratic party, (e) the Green party and (f) Plaid Cymru;

  (9) how many of the nominees for the current appointments made solely or jointly by him to the Welsh industrial development advisory board declared a political affiliation in their curricula vitae; and how many showed allegiance to (a) Conservatives, (b) Labour, (c) the Liberal Democrats, (d) the Social Democratic party, (e) the Green party and (f) Plaid Cymru;

  (10) how many of the nominees for the current appointments made solely or jointly by him to the Welsh national board for nursing, midwifery and health visiting declared a political affiliation in their curricula vitae; and how many showed allegiance to (a) Conservatives, (b) Labour, (c) the Liberal Democrats, (d) the Social Democratic party, (e) the Green party and (f) Plaid Cymru;

  (11) how many of the nominees for the current appointments made solely or jointly by him to the Welsh health common services authority declared a political affiliation in their curricula vitae; and of those declaring a political affiliation how many showed allegiance to (a) Conservatives, (b) Labour, (c) the Liberal Democrats, (d) the Social Democratic party, (e) the Green party and (f) Plaid Cymru;

  (12) how many of the nominees to the current appointments made by him either solely or jointly with another Minister to the Wales tourist board declared a political affiliation in their curricula vitae; and of those, how many showed allegiance to (a) Conservatives, (b) Labour, (c) the Liberal Democrats, (d) the Social Democratic party, (e) the Green party and (f) Plaid Cymru;

  (13) how many nominees for current appointments made solely or jointly by him to the teamcare valleys steering group declared a political affiliation in their curricula vitae; and of those declaring a political affiliation how many showed allegiance to (a) Conservatives, (b) Labour, (c) the Liberal Democrats, (d) the Social Democratic party, (e) the Green party and (f) Plaid Cymru;

  (14) how many of the nominees for the current appointments made solely or jointly by him to the agricultural training board declared a political affiliation in their curricula vitae; and of those declaring a political

  271
  affiliation, how many showed allegiance to (a) Conservatives, (b) Labour, (c) the Liberal Democrats, (d) the Social Democratic party, (e) the Green party and (f) Plaid Cymru.

  (15) how many nominees for the current appointments made solely or jointly by him to the council of University College, Lampeter, declared a political affiliation in their curricula vitae; and of those declaring a political affiliation how many showed allegiance to (a)Conservatives, (b)Labour, (c) the Liberal Democrats, (d) the Social Democratic party, (e)the Green party and (f)Plaid Cymru;

  (16) how many nominees for the current appointments made solely or jointly by him to the court of the University College, Swansea, declared a political affiliation in their curricula vitae; and of those declaring a political affiliation how many showed allegiance to (a)Conservatives, (b)Labour, (c) the Liberal Democrats, (d) the Social Democratic party, (e)the Green party and (f)Plaid Cymru;

  (17)how many nominees for the current appointments made solely or jointly by him to the court and council of the University of Wales, Bangor, declared a political affiliation in their curricula vitae; and of those declaring a political affiliation how many showed allegiance to (a)Conservatives, (b)Labour, (c)the Liberal Democrats, (d) the Social Democratic party, (e)the Green party and (f) Plaid Cymru;

  (18)how many nominees for the current appointments made solely or jointly by him to the court and council of the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, declared a political affiliation in their curricula vitae; and of those declaring a political affiliation how many showed allegiance to (a)Conservatives, (b)Labour, (c)the Liberal Democrats, (d)the Social Democratic party, (e)the Green party and (f)Plaid Cymru.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  I do not require candidates for public appointment to indicate their political affiliation, as this is not a qualification for appointment.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many of the current appointments made by him either solely or jointly with another Minister to the Welsh committee on drug misuse are held by women.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  Six.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many of the current appointments made solely or jointly by him to the standing working group of the Wales advisory body are held by women.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  Two.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many of the current appointments made solely or jointly by him to the agricultural dwelling house advisory committee panel of chairmen, Wales, are held by women.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  Three.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many of the current appointments made solely or jointly by him to the training enterprise and education advisory group are held by women.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  The training, enterprise and education advisory group has one female member.
  272
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many of the current appointments made solely or jointly by him to the Welsh language board are held by women.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  One.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many of the current appointments made solely or jointly by him to the parliamentary boundary commission for Wales are held by women.

  Mr. Peter Walker:
  None.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many of the current appointments made solely or jointly by him to the urban investment appraisal panel are held by women.

  Mr. Peter Walker:
  None.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many of the current appointments made solely or jointly by him to the Wales tourist board are held by women.

  Mr. Peter Walker:
  one.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many of the current appointments made solely or jointly by him to the Welsh industrial development advisory board are held by women.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  None.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many of the current appointments made solely or jointly by him to the Welsh Development Agency are held by women.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  None.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will name the current members of the agricultural dwelling house advisory committee panel of chairmen, Wales, who have been appointed by himself or his predecessor either solely or in conjunction with other Ministers; what is the attendance record at meetings(a) since their appointment and (b) during 1989 of the current members of the agricultural dwelling house advisory committee panel of chairmen, Wales, appointed solely or jointly by him or his predecessor.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  The information is as follows. Panel members with no meetings recorded by their names have not yet been called upon to chair meetings.

  Attendance

  Since appointment

  During 1989

  Clwyd

  (a)

  (b)

  Mr. J. E. Ambrose

  —

  —

  Mr. I. G. Richards

  —

  —

  Dyfed

  Mr. C. F. Hosking

  —

  —

  Mrs. E. D. Williams

  —

  —

  Glamorgans

  Mr. P. T. Hart

  1 out of 1

  —

  Mrs. S. E. L. Reeve

  —

  —

  Gwent

  273

  Attendance

  Since appointment

  During 1989

  Clwyd

  (a)

  (b)

  Mr. J. L. Evans

  —

  —

  Mr. J. M. H. Stephens

  2 out of 2

  —

  Gwynedd

  Mr. R. R. Harris

  —

  —

  Mr. E. Lloyd Evans

  —

  —

  Powys

  Canon E. C. John

  —

  —

  Mrs. G. L. Thomas

  1 out of 1

  1 out of 1

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will name the current members of the Wales tourist board who have been appointed by himself or his predecessor either solely or in conjunction with other Ministers; and what is their attendance record at meetings(a) since their appointment and (b) during 1989.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  The current members of the Wales tourist board are listed below. They have each been appointed solely by the present Secretary of State for Wales.

  Mr. I. Prys Edwards (Chairman)

  Mrs. Lorna Minors

  Mr. Christopher L. Pollard OBE

  Mr. E. Glyn Davies

  Mr. Elfed Roberts

  Mr. David H. Griffith

  Mr. John Dunscombe

  Information on their attendance record at meetings is not collected centrally. The hon. Gentleman may wish to write to the chairman.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will name the current members of the Welsh

  From appointment

  Includes columns (e) and (f)

  1989 only

  Member

  Start date

  Attended

  Total No. held

  Attended

  Total No. held

  (a)

  (b)

  (c)

  (d)

  (e)

  (f)

  J. W. Owen1

  April 1985

  51

  51

  10

  10

  D. W. C. Morgan

  March 1982

  75

  82

  9

  10

  K. C. White

  February 1982

  72

  83

  9

  10

  J. N. Headlam

  September 1984

  52

  58

  9

  10

  G. I. Harrhy

  July 1987

  20

  26

  8

  10

  1 Chairman.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the attendance record at meetings(a) since their appointment and (b) during 1989 of the current members of the Welsh industrial development advisory board appointed solely or jointly by him or his predecessor.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  Attendance levels at meetings for current members of the Welsh industrial development advisory board are as follows:

  Name

  Attendance since appointment

  During 1989

  percentage

  percentage

  P. J. Phillips OBE

  85

  92

  N. D. Penfold MBE

  85

  92

  M. Wallace

  47

  38

  D. Jenkins

  88

  92

  A. Folwell

  73

  62

  K. Hodge

  78

  77

  274
  committee for postgraduate pharmaceutical education who have been appointed by himself or his predecessor either solely or in conjunction with other Ministers; what is their attendance record at meetings (a)since their appointment and (b) during 1989.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  Information is shown in the following table:

  Members

  Attendance record percentage

  Since appointment

  1989

  Mr. M. A. Pollard

  100

  100

  Miss C. Wynne-Howells

  79

  67

  Prof. I. W. Kellaway

  79

  67

  Mr. T. D. Turner

  57

  67

  Dr. N. A. Armstrong

  67

  67

  Mr. H. A. O. Hughes

  100

  100

  Mr. K. C. Rew

  100

  100

  Miss M. G. E. Price

  100

  100

  Mr. P. Hollyman

  67

  67

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, of the current appointments made by him either solely or jointly with another Minister to the Welsh committee for postgraduate pharmaceutical education, how many posts are held by women.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  Two.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the attendance record at meetings(a) since their appointment and (b) during 1989 of the current members of the Welsh health common services authority appointed solely or jointly by him or his predecessor.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  See following table:

  Name

  Attendance since appointment

  During 1989

  pecentage

  pecentage

  H. G. Jones

  1100

  n/a

  T. G. Jones OBE

  10

  n/a

  1 Appointed 1 January 1990.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the attendance record at meetings(a) since their appointment and (b) during 1989 of the current members of the Welsh industrial development advisory board appointed solely or jointly by him or his predecessor.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  The information is as follows:
  275

  Members

  Attendance

  Since appointment

  1989

  Per cent.

  Per cent.

  Professor C. M. Chapman OBE (Chairman)

  88

  83

  Mrs. E. Walker (Deputy Chairman)

  88

  83

  Dr. S. K. Armitage

  88

  83

  Mrs. C. G. Ball

  95

  83

  Mrs. J. Y. Beese

  100

  100

  Mr. D. J. Black

  88

  83

  Mr. G. Boulton

  75

  67

  Mr. G. Castledine

  100

  100

  Mrs. A. C. D. Davies

  69

  50

  Mrs. J. Davies

  63

  50

  Miss A. Doyle

  85

  83

  Mrs. S. M. Drayton

  87

  67

  Mr. P. W. Ebenezer

  65

  50

  Mr. E. R. Edwards JP

  77

  67

  Mrs. J. E. M. Edwards

  75

  67

  Mrs. S. E. Gregory

  50

  33

  Dr. D. Harrett (from April 1989)

  75

  75

  Miss M. Hughes JP

  85

  88

  Mrs. S. C. Hunt

  100

  100

  Mr. D. C. Jones-Davies

  60

  67

  Mrs. D. A. Keddie

  100

  100

  Mrs. A. Kelly

  75

  67

  Mrs. A. V. Males

  97

  83

  Miss J. Martin

  100

  100

  Dr. J. S. Morris

  70

  67

  Mrs. S. B. Nuttall

  92

  100

  Mrs. T. J. Parry

  88

  83

  Miss R. M. Phillips

  88

  83

  Mr. P. J. Pye

  80

  67

  Ms. L. I. Silverton

  88

  100

  Ms. R. Thome

  88

  83

  Mr. N. S. Towns (from April 1989)

  50

  50

  Mrs. A. Whitehead

  100

  100

  Mrs. B. Wroe

  100

  100

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the attendance record at meetings(a) since their appointment and (b) during 1989 of the current members of the standing working group of the Wales advisory body appointed soley or jointly by him or his predecessor.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  The information is not held centrally; the hon. Gentleman may wish to write to the secretary of the Wales Advisory Body for Local Authority Higher Education.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the attendance record at meetings(a) since their appointment and (b) during 1989 of the current members of the urban investment appraisal panel appointed solely or jointly by him or his predecessors.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  The urban investment grant appraisal panel was constituted on 8 July 1987. The record of attendance is shown in the following table:

  Panel Member

  Possible Attendance Level

  Actual Attendance Level

  (a) Record of Attendance since appointment:

  Sir Melvyn Rosser

  9

  9

  Mr. David P. Schwarz

  9

  8

  Mr. Ray Lacey

  9

  9

  Mr. Stuart Lindsay

  9

  9

  Mr. Peter Laing

  9

  9

  Mr. Kevin Doolan

  2

  1

  Mr. Rhys James

  2

  1

  (b) Record of Attendance during 1989:

  276

  Panel Member

  Possible Attendance Level

  Actual Attendance Level

  Sir Melvyn Rosser

  3

  3

  Mr. David P. Scharz

  3

  3

  Mr. Ray Lacey

  3

  3

  Mr. Stuart Lindsay

  3

  3

  Mr. Peter Laing

  3

  3

  Mr. Kevin Doolan

  1

  —

  Mr. Rhys James

  1

  1

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the attendance record at meetings(a) since their appointment and (b) during 1989 of the current members of the training enterprise and education advisory group appointed solely or jointly by him or his predecessors.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  Between March 1989, when the group was established, and December 1989 there have been four meetings; the percentage of members attending was 90 per cent.; 77 per cent., 62 per cent. and 92 per cent. respectively.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the attendance record at meetings(a) since their appointment and (b) during 1989 of the current members of the Welsh language board appointed solely or jointly by him or his predecessor.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  This information is not held centrally.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the attendance record at meetings(a) since their appointment and (b) during 1989 of the current members of the Welsh Development Agency appointed solely or jointly by him or his predecessor.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  This is primarily a matter for the chairman of the Welsh Development Agency.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the attendance record at meetings(a) since their appointment and (b) during 1989 of the current members of the Wales committee on drug misuse appointed solely or jointly by him or his predecessor.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  The Welsh Committee on Drug Misuse was established in December 1986. Since then there have been 13 meetings, four of which were in 1989. The following table lists the current members and their attendance record:

  Percentage attended since appointment

  Percentage attended in 1989

  Dr. N. J. B. Evans (Chairman)

  100

  100

  *Mr. D. Allen

  0

  0

  Dr. D. Bevan

  92

  100

  Dr. W. B. Clee

  100

  100

  Mr. R. Evans

  100

  100

  Dr. G. W. Hughes

  100

  100

  Mrs. S. Jones

  100

  100

  Miss M. H. Jones

  46

  25

  Dr. M. R. Keen

  92

  100

  Ms. C. Lambert

  92

  75

  *Mr. K. J. McDonogh

  0

  0

  *Dr. S. Palmer

  0

  0

  Mr. R. Pates

  100

  100

  277

  Percentage attended since appointment

  Percentage attended in 1989

  Mrs. L. Quinn

  100

  100

  Dr. D. J. Temple

  100

  100

  Mr. D. T. Williams

  77

  75

  Mr. P. M. Williams

  85

  75

  Dr. B. O. Wilson

  85

  100

  Mr. J. Wreford

  100

  100

  Those marked * were appointed in December 1989 and were not able to attend the December meeting.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the total expenditure of the agricultural dwelling house advisory committee panel of chairmen, Wales, during the last year where figures are available; and what proportion of expenditure was allocated to(a) administration in general, (b) hosting of meetings and conferences, (c) allowances for attending meetings and (d) general allowances given to nominees on the committee.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  None. There are six panels of chairmen in Wales, whose members chair meetings of ADHACs on an ad hoc basis. One member of the panel chaired an ADHAC meeting in 1989 but he did not claim his fees or expenses. The minimal servicing costs for the meeting were absorbed by my Department.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the total expenditure of the standing working group of the Wales advisory body during the last year where figures are available; and what proportion of expenditure was allocated to(a) administration in general, (b) hosting of meetings and conferences, (c) allowances for attending meetings and (d) general allowances given to nominees on the committee.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  The information is not held centrally; the hon. Gentleman may wish to write to the secretary of the Wales Advisory Body for Local Authority Higher Education.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the total expenditure of the training enterprise and education advisory group during the last year where figures are available; and what proportion of expenditure was allocated to(a) administration in general, (b) hosting of meetings and conferences, (c) allowances for attending meetings and (d) general allowances given to nominees on the committee.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  Figures for expenditure on administration are not available. Between March 1989, when the group was established, and December 1989 accommodation and catering costs totalled approximately £1,055 and members' travel and subsistence costs approximately £1,238. The chairman of the group is paid £11,393 per annum; no other allowances are paid to members.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the total expenditure of the urban investment appraisal panel during the last year where figures are available; and what proportion of expenditure was allocated to(a) administration in general, (b) hosting of meetings and conferences, (c) allowances for attending meetings and (d) general allowances given to nominees on the committee.
  278
  Mr. Peter Walker
  During 1989 urban investment grant appraisal panel expenditure was £719 of which £200 was spent on hosting of meetings, the balance of £519 being the cost of members' attendance at meetings.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the total expenditure of the Wales tourist board during the last year where figures are available; and what proportion of expenditure was allocated to(a) administration in general, (b) hosting of meetings and conferences, (c) allowances for attending meetings and (d) general allowances given to nominees on the committee.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  Total expenditure by the Wales tourist board during 1988–89 was £11·709 million. Of this, £4·060 million or 34·7 per cent. is attributable to operating or administrative costs. Details of expenditure on meetings and conferences is not separately identifiable. Allowances for attending meetings are met from within the total travel and subsistence element of the board's operating costs, amounting to £0·337 million or 2·9 per cent. of the total expenditure in 1988–89.

  In the period April to October 1988, actual salaries for part-time commitment paid to the chairman and other members of the board were £23,913 and £4,725 respectively. These rose to £24,234 and £4,790 in the period November 1988 to March 1989. In addition, board members were entitled to claim within an authorised scale travelling and incidental expenses incurred on the business of the board.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the total expenditure of the Welsh committee for postgraduate pharmaceutical education during the last year where figures are available; and what proportion of expenditure was allocated to(a) administration in general, (b) hosting of meetings and conferences, (c) allowances for attending meetings and (d) general allowances given to nominees of the committee.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  The Welsh committee for postgraduate pharmaceutical education receives funding from my Department and from other sources. It is therefore not possible to provide a figure for total expenditure. However, my Department in the financial year 1988–89, provided funds for(a) the maintenance of the office of the director, his staff, and for some limited courses for hospital pharmacists in the sum of £71,938; and (b) a further £15,000 was expended on providing courses for community pharmacists.

  Of the sum at (a) above, 80·77 per cent. was expended on administration in general, and 3·39 per cent. on members' allowances for attending meetings. There was no expenditure on the hosting of meetings, and since the committee has no nominees, there was no further expenditure under this heading.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the total expenditure of the Welsh committee on drug misuse during the last year where figures are available; and what proportion of expenditure was allocated to(a) administration in general, (b) hosting of meetings and conferences, (c) allowances for attending meetings and (d) general allowances given to nominees on the committee.
  279
  Mr. Peter Walker
  The Welsh committee on drug misuse is an advisory committee and as such does not have an operational budget. The only expenditure associated with it is as follows:

  (a) Secretariat and administrative support is provided by staff of my Department as part of their wider duties.

  (b) £4,601·18 (1988–89).

  (c) Travel and subsistence claims are where possible met by employing authorities or organisations. Where this is not possible they are met centrally. The amount for 1988–89 was £2,198·06.

  (d)Appointments are unpaid although a financial loss allowance is available to eligible members. The amount for 1988–89 was £206·25.

  Mr. leuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the total expenditure of the Welsh Development Agency during the last year where figures are available; and what proportion of expenditure was allocated to(a) administration in general, (b) hosting of meetings and conferences, (c) allowances for attending meetings and (d) general allowances given to nominees on the committee.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  The information requested is contained within the agency's latest annual report and accounts, a copy of which is in the Library of the House, with the exception of expenditure incurred in hosting meetings and conferences. This information is not separately recorded.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the total expenditure of the Welsh health common services authority during the last year where figures are available; and what proportion of expenditure was allocated to(a) administration in general, (b) hosting of meetings and conferences, (c) allowances for attending meetings and (d) general allowances given to nominees on the committee.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  During the last financial year, the Welsh health common services authority spent a total of £26,431,669. The further information requested by the hon. Gentleman is not available centrally.

  Mr. leuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the total expenditure of the Welsh industrial development advisory board during the last year where figures are available; and what proportion of expenditure was allocated to(a) administration in general, (b) hosting of meetings and conferences, (c) allowances for attending meetings and (d) general allowances given to nominees on the committee.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  In the 1988–89 financial year, expenditure in respect of the Welsh industrial development advisory board totalled £3,7831, of which £2,353 were travel and subsistence expenses for board members, and £1,430 was for hospitality at board meetings. No fees or general allowances are payable to board members.
  1Excluding Welsh office administration costs, which are published annually in "Public Bodies".

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the total expenditure of the Welsh language board during the last year where figures are available; and what proportion of expenditure was allocated to(a) administration in general, (b) hosting of meetings and conferences, (c) allowances for attending meetings and (d) general allowances given to nominees on the committee.
  280
  Mr. Peter Walker
  The total expenditure on administration of the Welsh language board during the financial year 1988–89 was £90,807, of which the amount spent on meetings and conferences was £654. Expenses paid for attending meetings of the board and its working groups totalled £6,833. Members of the board do not receive a fee for their work.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many of the current appointments made solely or jointly by him to the agricultural training board are held by women.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  One.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many of the current appointments made solely or jointly by him to the teamcare valleys steering group are held by women.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  One.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the attendance record at meetings(a) since their appointment and (b) during 1989 of the current members of the agricultural training board appointed solely or jointly by him or his predecessor.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  The attendance record is:

  (a) Since appointed

  (b) During 1989

  Mr. J. E. Smith (Chairman)

  5 out of 5

  4 out of 4

  Mr. M. J. Curtis (Deputy Chairman)

  5 out of 5

  4 out of 4

  Prof Kathleen Anderson

  4 out of 5

  3 out of 4

  Mr. G. J. Baird

  5 out of 5

  4 out of 4

  Mr. J. Burnett

  5 out of 5

  4 out of 4

  Mr. A. H. Fooks

  5 out of 5

  4 out of 4

  Mr. J. A. Kilgour

  41 out of 46

  5 out of 6

  Mr. N. J. Mallett

  5 out of 5

  4 out of 4

  Mr. I. Monkton

  5 out of 5

  4 out of 4

  Mr. M. D. Pollard

  27 out of 27

  6 out of 6

  Mr. D. H. Roberts

  26 out of 27

  6 out of 6

  Mr. leuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the attendance record at meetings(a) since the appointment and (b) during 1989 of current members of the court and council of the University of Wales, Bangor appointed solely or jointly by him or his predecessors.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  This information is not held centrally. The hon. Gentleman may wish to write to the registrar at the college.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the attendance record at meetings(a) since: their appointment and (b) during 1989 of the current members of the teamcare valleys steering group appointed solely or jointly by him or his predecessors.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  There were only two meetings during 1989 of the teamcare valleys steering group, which was established on 1 June 1989.

  Current membership and attendance record of the group is listed in the table:

  281

  Attendance since appointed in 1989 percent.

  Chairman—Dr. P. Elwood

  100

  Professor N. Stott

  100

  Professor T. Hayes

  50

  Professor B. Davies

  100

  Mr. J. P. Williams

  100

  Mr. J. Butcher

  100

  Mrs. E. M. Lovell

  100

  Dr. G. Graham

  50

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the total expenditure of the teamcare valleys steering group during the last year where figures are available; and what proportion of expenditure was allocated to(a) administration in general, (b) hosting of meetings and conferences, (c) allowances for attending meetings and (d) general allowances given to nominees on the committee.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  The teamcare valleys steering group is an advisory body, established on 1 June 1989, and does not have an operational budget. The only expenditure of the group is as follows:

  (a) Secretariat and administrative support is provided by staff of my Department as part of their wider duties;

  (b) Nil to date;

  (c) Travel and subsistence claims are, where possible, met by members' nominating authorities or organisations. No claims have been received to date;

  (d) Appointments are unpaid although a financial loss allowance is available to eligible members. No claims have been received to date.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many of the current appointments made by him to the council of University College, Lampeter, are held by women.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  None.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many of the current appointments made solely or jointly by him to the court and council of the University of Wales, Bangor, are held by women.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  None.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many of the current appointments made solely or jointly by him to the court and council of the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, are held by women.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  None.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many of the current appointments made solely or jointly by him to the court of University College, Swansea, are held by women.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  None.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what is the attendance record at meetings(a) since their appointment and (b) during 1989 of the current members of the council of University College, Lampeter, appointed solely or jointly by him or his predecessor;

  (2) what is the attendance record at meetings (a) since their appointment and (b) during 1989 of the current
  282
  members of the court and council of the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, appointed solely or jointly by him or his predecessor;

  (3) what is the attendance record at meetings (a) since their appointment and (b) during 1989 of the current members of the court of University College, Swansea, appointed solely or jointly by him or his predecessor.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  This information is not held centrally. The hon. Gentleman may wish to write to the registrars at the colleges.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Rain Forest
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals he has for the international convention on rain forest problems, as outlined in the Kew lecture on 6 February by the Prince of Wales.

  Mrs. Chalker
  The Government intend to pursue the proposal for an international convention on the world's forests, including tropical forests, in the context of negotiations on a climate convention and related protocols.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Doctors and Nurses
  Mr. Hayward
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will identify the number of doctors and nurses employed in Northern Ireland(a) now and (b) in June 1979.

  Mr. Needham
  The information, which is available for September of each year, is as follows:

  Year

  Doctors (including GPs)

  Nurses

  September 1979

  2,931

  18,711

  September 1989

  3,459

  20,780

  Industrial Development Board
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what was the destination by parliamentary constituency of jobs created by the Industrial Development Board for Northern Ireland from inward investment into Northern Ireland in 1986–87, 1987–88 and 1988–89;

  (2) what was the destination, by parliamentary constituency, of the jobs created by the Industrial Development Board for Northern Ireland in 1986–87, 1987–88 and 1988–89.

  Mr. Needham
  Information in the form requested is not readily available and could be compiled only at disproportionate cost. The table details jobs promoted in each parliamentary constituency during the years 1986–87, 1987–88 and 1988–89:
  283

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  Inward

  Home

  Inward

  Home

  Inward

  Home

  Parliamentary constituency

  Foreign

  GB

  NI

  Total

  Foreign

  GB

  NI

  Total

  Foreign

  GB

  NI

  Total

  Belfast, East

  8

  8

  Belfast, North

  40

  38

  78

  Belfast, South

  103

  103

  15

  20

  35

  243

  60

  303

  Belfast, West

  93

  5

  98

  44

  44

  East Antrim

  15

  22

  37

  44

  136

  50

  230

  87

  124

  389

  600

  East Londonderry

  44

  65

  109

  20

  245

  160

  425

  7

  190

  73

  270

  Fermanagh and South Tyrone

  10

  127

  137

  180

  6

  459

  645

  34

  192

  178

  404

  Foyle

  99

  111

  17

  227

  89

  304

  393

  354

  88

  36

  478

  Lagan Valley

  108

  147

  255

  93

  30

  123

  939

  66

  44

  1,049

  Mid Ulster

  28

  190

  4

  222

  50

  280

  330

  16

  16

  Newry and Armagh

  30

  107

  137

  123

  311

  434

  74

  103

  177

  North Antrim

  72

  23

  95

  165

  4

  63

  232

  16

  90

  106

  North Down

  168

  75

  243

  73

  136

  209

  14

  14

  South Antrim

  124

  1,268

  263

  1,655

  212

  374

  306

  892

  793

  440

  153

  1,386

  South Down

  82

  28

  110

  63

  108

  171

  171

  261

  432

  Strangford

  26

  221

  247

  144

  177

  321

  18

  78

  153

  249

  Upper Bann

  72

  200

  162

  434

  281

  40

  487

  808

  91

  12

  66

  169

  Total

  662

  2,193

  1,332

  4,187

  1,258

  1,243

  2,799

  5,300

  2,568

  1,449

  1,636

  5,653

  Factory Space
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the total amount of factory space available for letting from the Industrial Development Board for Northern Ireland and the Local Enterprise Development Unit at 30 September 1989 analysed by parliamentary constituency.

  Mr. Needham
  Information on the amount of factory space available from the Industrial Development Board is set out at table A.

  While the Local Enterprise Development Unit does not normally provide factory space for letting, it assists local enterprise agencies to provide workspace accommodation for small firms. In addition, its private developers scheme encourages the private sector to provide industrial property for letting to small businesses. Figures are not available by parliamentary constituency for LEDU-related property and are therefore provided by district council area in table B.

  Table A

  Industrial Development Board

  Parliamentary constituency

  Factories square metres

  Small units square metres

  Total

  North Belfast

  —

  1,020

  1,020

  East Antrim

  1,580

  200

  1,780

  East Londonderry

  3,070

  300

  3,370

  Fermanagh and South Tyrone

  1,508

  —

  1,508

  Foyle

  7,853

  —

  7,853

  Lagan Valley

  —

  —

  —

  Mid Ulster

  3,799

  944

  4,743

  Newry and Armagh

  1,500

  401

  1,901

  North Antrim

  4,990

  —

  4,990

  North Down

  3,842

  —

  3,842

  South Armagh

  700

  307

  1,007

  South Down

  1,580

  —

  1,580

  Strangford

  —

  483

  483

  Upper Bann

  3,000

  —

  3,000

  Total

  33,422

  3,655

  37,077

  Supplementary Note—Table A

  1. The figures shown are an aggregate of factory space and include small units held primarily for LEDU clients (under 700 sq metres).

  2. The analysis includes factories and small units which are ready
  284
  for immediate occupation, together with those which require some refurbishment, and those which are surplus to requirements, pending disposal on the open market.

  Table B

  Local enterprise development unit

  Factory available for letting at 30 September 1989

  District council area

  Lettable factory space (square meters)

  Armagh District Council

  202

  Ballymena District Council

  108

  Belfast City Council

  4,407

  Carrickfergus Borough Council

  740

  Coleraine Borough Council

  645

  Craigavon Borough Council

  63

  Derry City Council

  1,189

  Down District Council

  753

  Dungannon District Council

  1,035

  Fermanagh District Council

  334

  Larne Borough Council

  257

  Magherafelt District Council

  550

  Newry & Mourne District Council

  2,120

  North Down Borough Council

  198

  Omagh District Council

  1,484

  Strabane District Council

  100

  Total

  14,184

  Notes:

  1. LEDU's local enterprise programme assists local community based groups to play an active role in economic regeneration and local industrial development by providing assistance to these groups to establish local enterprise agencies. These agencies provide workspace accommodation for small businesses in addition to business advisory services and administrative support.

  2. The private developers scheme is aimed at encouraging private sector developers to provide new industrial premises for letting to small businesses. A shortfall grant, representing the difference between the local cost of providing the premises and their commercial value on completion, is available to developers from LEDU.

  3. In one particular case in County Fermanagh, LEDU has purchased an industrial estate which is let directly to small businesses. This unique situation arose in order to ensure that eleven LEDU client companies could continue operating at the Necarne estate which had been in danger of closure. LEDU is currently negotiating the sale of the property.

  "Working for Patients"
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement about the future of the Association of District Committees for the health and personal social services in Northern Ireland in the light of "Working for Patients".

  Mr. Needham
  The Association of District Committees will cease to exist if district committees are stood down following the prepared replacement by four area councils under the forthcoming Order in Council. The need for a central association of the proposed area councils will be for those bodies to determine.

  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on arrangements for ensuring a voice for the consumer in the Health Service in Northern Ireland after implementation of the proposals contained in "Working for Patients"; what will be the arrangements for ensuring that the role of monitoring and visiting will be carried out; and how many places on area councils and boards will be set aside for representatives of patients.

  Mr. Needham
  The Department of Health and Social Services has consulted on the advisory and consultative arrangements for health and social services boards and is considering the representations received. An announcement will be made soon. Subject to the necessary legislation being made, boards will no longer have places set aside for representatives. All members will have an interest in securing the best possible services for their board's resident population and non-executive members will be appointed solely on the basis of the contribution they can make.

  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the current categories of membership of each health and social services board, together with a table showing the categories of membership of each proposed board giving their method of appointment under the present system, and that proposed in "Working for Patients".

  Mr. Needham
  The chairman and vice-chairman of each board are appointed by the Department of Health and Social Services. Board members are appointed by the Department in proportions as follows:about 30 per cent. with a minimum of one member per council on the nomination of district councils;
  about 30 per cent. after consultation with professional bodies; the balance after consultation with the universities and other interested bodies including the trade unions, employers organisations and voluntary bodies.

  Subject to the necessary legislation being made it is proposed that boards will consist of a chairman and non-executive members appointed by the Department, prescribed officers of the board including the general manager, and a number of officers of the board appointed by the chairman, non-executive members and the general manager. The number of officer members will not exceed the number of non-executive members.

  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the current categories of membership of each district committee in Northern Ireland together with
  286
  a table showing the categories of membership of the proposed area councils along with the method of appointment under the present system and that under the proposals contained in "Working for Patients".

  Mr. Needham
  District committees in Northern Ireland comprise 16 to 24 members and are appointed by the relevant health and social services boards on the basis of nominations drawn from voluntary and community organisations (at least one third of the membership but not more than one half), district councils (at least one quarter with a minimum of one member per council) with the balance drawn from trade unions, employers organisations and Churches.

  The Department of Health and Social Services has consulted on the membership and method of appointment of the proposed area councils and is considering the representations it has received.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Agriculture Council
  Mr. Ian Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the outcome of the Brussels Agriculture Council held on 12 and 13 February.

  Mr. Gummer
  I represented the United Kingdom at this meeting together with my hon. Friend the Member for Skipton and Ripon (Mr. Curry), the Parliamentary Secretary in my Department.

  The Council considered in detail some of the Commission's proposals for the 1990 price fixing. I explained the United Kingdom position which I also outlined to the House recently. In particular I made it clear that the devaluation proposed for the green pound was insufficient.

  The Council will resume consideration of the price proposals at its next meeting on 5 and 6 March.

  Biotechnology and Seed Companies
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has made an assessment of the implications for British farmers and British agriculture of the purchase of biotechnology companies and seed companies by agrochemical companies; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Curry
  Because of the long-term nature of plant breeding and the heavy investment involved in biotechnological and seed research, larger companies already involved in the agricultural industry and which have the necessary financial resources and research facilities are particularly well placed. Provided there is adequate competition between them and between the United Kingdom companies and their international competitors in the United Kingdom market and that there is room for innovative small companies to identify market opportunities, I see no cause for concern.

  Animal Feedingstuffs
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will outline the controls which exist to regulate the use of therapeutic medicants in animal feedingstuffs.
  287
  Mr. Maclean
  Therapeutic medicines may be used in animal feedingstuffs only if they are licensed for incorporation under the Medicines Act 1968. Where appropriate, a veterinarian's written direction is required before incorporation of a medicine or sale of a medicated feedingstuff.

  Veterinary Medicines (Withdrawal Periods)
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what checks have been carried out to ensure animals treated against warble fly have not been sent for slaughter before the withdrawal period recommended by the manufacturers has expired; and if he will publish the results;

  (2) which checks have been carried out to ensure sheep dipped in an organophosphorous solution have not been sent for slaughter before the withdrawal period recommended by the manufacturers; and if he will publish the results.

  Mr. Maclean
  Withdrawal periods for licensed veterinary medicines, where stipulated, are designed to ensure that any residues in products from the treated animal are at safe levels. Residue levels are checked by my Department through its extensive programme of monitoring at slaughterhouses and on farms. For maximum effectiveness monitoring is carried out on a carefully randomised basis, not on target groups, but the results to date have not given any evidence of problems which could be attributed to warble fly treatment or sheep dipping.

  Antibiotics (Milk)
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what checks he has carried out to establish the presence or otherwise of antibiotics in milk destined for human consumption; what the results show; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Curry
  All antibiotic products must be licensed under the Medicines Act. One of the licence conditions is that the product label must include details of the withholding period to be observed before milk can be taken for human consumption. The working party on veterinary residues in animal products keeps the position under review and, in addition, the Milk Marketing Board operates a strict testing regime for antibiotics in milk and applies severe penalties if consignments fail.

  Food Labelling
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to extend food labelling requirements relating to contents to wine and beer.

  Mr. Maclean
  I expect the Commission of the European Communities to discharge its commitment in this area and to make proposals to the Council shortly for ingredient listing on the labels of all alcoholic drinks.

  Safety Tests
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research his Department conducts into the safety of commercially marketable products to check on industrially sponsored safety tests.
  288
  Mr. Maclean
  The Department commissions and draws upon a wide range of research to fulfil its responsibilities for the safety and standard of food products, pesticides and veterinary medicines.

  Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
  Mr. Jopling
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food over what period he expects to have results from his recently announced research programme on bovine spongiform encephalopathy; whether he intends to publish it; whether the research covers milk as well as meat; and whether animals other than cattle, pigs and chickens will be tested.

  Mr. Curry
  The results of the research programme on bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) initiated by the Department in 1987, will become available at intervals over the next 10 years. We shall follow our general policy of publishing the results of the research that we fund. Already since 1987, major papers have been published announcing the discovery, the transmission of the agent, the structure of the protein associated with infectivity and the results of epidemiological studies.

  The Department will be funding research into the infectivity of a wide range of organs, tissues and secretions, including milk, from BSE-affected cattle.

  Experiments are in progress or planned to determine the transmissibility of bovine spongiform encephalopathy to a range of host species including goats, hamsters, marmosets, mice, mink and sheep, in addition to cattle, chickens and pigs.

  Sheepmeat Premium
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on his Department's procedures to ensure that the European Community sheepmeat premium is paid only in respect of eligible sheep.

  Mr. Curry
  The Department carefully checks every claim for sheep annual premium to verify that the scheme rules have been complied with, and that payments are made only in respect of eligible animals.

  Turkeys (Feed Compounds)
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what on-the-spot checks by his officials have been made in the last 12 months at turkey-rearing units owned by companies that mix their own feed compounds, to ascertain what kind of antibiotics have been added.

  Mr. Maclean
  Under the terms of the Medicines Act 1968 and regulations made under it, all businesses that manufacture medicated feedingstuffs are required to register with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain and are subject to regular inspection by the society to ensure compliance with the requirements of medicines legislation.

  Meat Processing
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what controls there are on the use of processing aids to allow meats to absorb water.
  289
  Mr. Maclean
  Products containing water retention agents are subject to the provisions of the Food Act 1984, the Food Labelling Regulations 1984, the Meat Products and Spreadable Fish Products Regulations 1984 and the Miscellaneous Additives in Food Regulations 1980. There are also Community regulations controlling the water content of frozen chickens. Any ingredient used to increase the water content of meat would have to be declared in the list of ingredients. Where added water comprises more than 5 per cent. of the finished product it must also be declared in the list of ingredients. There are special labelling rules covering the declaration of added water in cured meats.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Payroll Tax
  Mr. Watts
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has made any estimate of the additional costs to industry of a payroll tax of 0·5 per cent. of total payroll.

  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate has been made by his Department of the impact on industry of payroll taxes.

  Mr. Conway
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has made any estimate of the additional costs to industry of a payroll tax of 0·5 per cent. of total payroll.

  Mr. Lilley
  I refer my hon. Friends to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Dorset, South (Mr. Bruce) on 13 February at columns 121–22.

  Manufactured Goods
  Mr. Lambie
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the United Kingdom's balance of trade in manufactured goods(a) in 1979 and (b) in 1989.

  Mr. Leadbitter
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the United Kingdom's balance of trade in manufactured goods(a) in 1979 and (b) in 1989.

  Mr. James Lamond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the United Kingdom's balance of trade in manufactured goods(a) in 1979 and (b) in 1989.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  The information may be found in(a) table A9 of the mid-year supplement of the "Monthly Review of External Trade Statistics" and (b) table 12 of the latest monthly press notice on the current account of the balance of payments, copies of which are available in the Library of the House.

  Interest Rates
  Mr. Kennedy
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will assess the impact of the current level of interest rates upon United Kingdom export performance; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  In the fourth quarter of 1989, the volume of exports (less oil and erratics) was 4 per cent. higher than in the previous quarter and 15 per cent. higher than a year earlier. This is clear evidence that production is being switched to export markets as domestic demand has slowed in response to the tightening of policy.

  Trade Deficit
  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received regarding the trade deficit.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  My right hon. Friend receives a few letters each month from members of the public concerning the trade deficit.

  Share Ownership
  Mr. Stevens
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make a statement on the numbers of new shareholders since 1979; and whether he intends to promote measures to further encourage the growth of individual share ownership.

  Mr. Lilley
  The joint Treasury and stock exchange survey carried out in January and February 1989 estimated that approximately 9 million people own shares directly—20 per cent. of the adult population; a threefold increase since 1979.

  Capital Investment
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the latest figures for capital investment by business.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  The latest estimates of business investment are given in the table. In the two years to 1988 business investment grew by over 30 per cent. to reach £51·4 billion at constant 1985 prices. In the first three quarters of 1989 it was 12 per cent. higher than in the same period a year earlier, seasonally adjusted and at constant 1985 prices.

  Business investment, seasonally adjusted at constant 1985 prices

  £ billion

  1986

  39·5

  1987

  43·7

  1988

  51·4

  1988 Q1

  11·7

  Q2

  12·8

  Q3

  13·3

  Q4

  13·6

  1989 Q1

  13·9

  Q2

  14·2

  Q3

  14·4

  Personal Data
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many members of staff in Customs and Excise have been disciplined for breaching internal regulations on the disclosure of personal data within the last five years;

  (2) if he will set out the procedure within Customs and Excise for authorising transfers of personal data to other Government Departments; and at what level such decisions are authorised;

  (3) on what grounds decisions are taken to transfer personal data held by Customs and Excise to other Government Departments;

  (4) on what statutory basis transfers of personal data take place from Customs and Excise to the police; and how many such transfers take place each year;
  291
  (5) on what statutory basis transfers of personal data take place from Customs and Excise to other Government Departments; and how many such transfers take place each year;

  (6) what internal guidelines covering the transfer of personal data to other Government Departments are available to staff in Customs and Excise; and whether he will place a copy of any such guidelines in the Library;

  (7) what kind of personal data held by the Customs and Excise, whether on computer or manually, are transferred to other Government Departments;

  (8) what kinds of personal data held by Customs and Excise are transferred to the police; and whether records are kept of such transfers;

  (9) what plans exist in Customs and Excise for the transfer of personal data via the Government data network; and what new procedures have been adopted to prevent unauthorised transfers of such data;

  (10) what records are kept of transfers of personal data from Customs and Excise to other Government Departments; and whether the Data Protection Registrar has access to the relevant records;

  (11) whether records will be kept of all personal data transferred from Customs and Excise, to other Government Departments via the Government data network;

  (12) whether the rules governing the transfer of personal data from the Customs and Excise to other Government Departments are the same for data held manually as for data held on computer.

  Mr. Ryder
  Much of the information requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost. Customs and Excise maintain extensive records, many of which contain personal data. These records may be either manually recorded or computerised, and they cover a wide range of different subjects.

  Where the information is computerised disclosure is made in accordance with the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1984. This Act allows the Data Protection Registrar access to computerised personal records. Customs and Excise do not maintain a record of personal data disclosed.

  Currently Customs and Excise do not exchange data with any other Government Departments via the Government data network other than for updating and returning personal data relating to staff employment (salary. overtime and so on) on the Chessington pay system, because the Chessington computer centre acts as an agent for payroll processing. Customs and Excise have no plans to maintain records, or to issue specific instructions dealing with the transfer of personal data over the Government data network.

  Disclosure of personal information is made in accordance with statutory provisions or where it is in the public interest. The authority to disclose is given at no lower than grade 7. There are a number of legal provisions providing for disclosure:

  Data Protection Act 1984: S.34 (6)(b)

  Finance Act 1972: S.127

  VAT Act 1983: S.44

  Gaming Act 1968, Schedules 2, 3 and 4

  Betting and Gaming Duties Act 1982, Schedule 2 paragraph 8

  Finance Act 1969: S.59

  Customs and Excise Management Act 1979: S.9 (b)

  All these are held in the Library of the House.
  292
  Instructions to staff are contained in various standing instructions based on the provisions of the Official Secrets Act, the Data Protection Act, and the Finance Act 1972 in particular. Customs and Excise have no record of any member of their staff having been disciplined for breaching internal regulations on the disclosure of personal data within the last five years.

  VAT
  Mr. Stanbrook
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement as to how far charities and non-profit-making organisations other than local authorities are covered by article 13A1 of the sixth European Community directive on harmonisation of value added tax.

  Mr. Ryder
  Services and goods supplied by charities are exempt from VAT under article 13A1 of the EC sixth VAT directive if they are linked to welfare and social security work, or the protection of children and young people. VAT exemption under article 13A1 also applies to services closely linked to sport or physical education and certain cultural services supplied by non-profit-making organisations (but some member states, including the United Kingdom, under a permitted derogation, continue to tax such supplies); to children's or young people's education, school or university education, vocational training or retraining provided by bodies established for this purpose; to certain supplies of staff by religious or philosophical institutions; to activities of public radio and television bodies other than those of a commercial nature; and, provided that exemption is not likely to cause distortion of competition, to services and closely related goods supplied by a wide range of non-profit-making organisations to their members, and to services and goods supplied by such organisations and by various charitable bodies in connection with their fund-raising events. Furthermore, charities and other non-profit-making organisations engaged in certain activities, such as hospital and medical care, specified by article 13A1 as being in the public interest, may exempt their services if carried out in recognised establishments or by staff with a statutory qualification.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the cost if the value added tax levied on energy efficient appliances and insulation material was reduced to(a) 10 per cent., (b) 5 per cent. and (c) zero.

  Mr. Ryder
  Information is not available on which to base estimates.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the cost of reducing the value added tax levied on recycled material to(a) 10 per cent., (b) 5 per cent. and (c) zero.

  Mr. Ryder
  Information is not available on which to base estimates.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the cost of reducing the value added tax rate levied on non-recyclable, non-biodegradable packaging to(a) 10 per cent., (b) 5 per cent. and (c) zero.
  293
  Mr. Ryder
  There would be no measurable revenue loss because normal packaging is regarded as an integral part of the goods it contains and is therefore taxed at the same rate when the goods are supplied.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the cost to the Exchequer and the expected take-up of fitting cars with catalytic converters if the value added tax of fitting catalytic converters was reduced to(a) zero (b) 5 per cent. and (c) 10 per cent.

  Mr. Ryder
  Information on which to base an estimate is not readily available.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much revenue would be raised if the value added tax levied on energy efficient appliances and insulation material was increased to(a) 20 per cent., (b) 25 per cent. and (c) 30 per cent.

  Mr. Ryder
  Information is not available on which to base estimates.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much revenue would be raised if the value added tax rate levied on non-recyclable, non-biodegradable packaging was(a) kept to 15 per cent. and (b) raised to (i) 20 per cent., (ii) 25 per cent. and (iii) 30 per cent.

  Mr. Ryder
  No measurable extra revenue would accrue because normal packaging is regarded as an integral part of the goods it contains and is therefore taxed at the same rate when the goods are supplied.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much value added tax was paid per annum by a family consisting of a married man on three quarters of average male earnings, his wife and two children in 1978–79; and what is the most recent estimate.

  Mr. Ryder
  Figures for 1978–79 have been placed in the Library of the House and estimates for 1989–90 were given in reply to the hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne, East (Mr. Brown) on 8 January 1990, at column 559.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how much value added tax was paid per annum by a family consisting of a married man on(a) twice and (b) three times average male earnings, his wife and two children in 1978–79; and what is the most recent estimate;

  (2) how much value added tax was paid per annum by a family consisting of a married man on half of average male earnings, his wife and two children in 1978–79; and what is the most recent estimate.

  Mr. Ryder
  The levels of earnings specified fall outside the range for which reliable estimates of household VAT payments can be made.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much would be raised if the value added tax levied on recycled material was increased to(a) 20 per cent., (b) 25 per cent. and (c) 30 per cent.

  Mr. Ryder
  Information is not available on which to base estimates.

  Excise Duties
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what conclusions he has reached from available information on the regressive nature of excise duties on tobacco and alcohol.

  Mr. Ryder
  The amount of duty paid by a household depends on the expenditure it makes on tobacco and alcohol. As households are free to choose that expenditure in accordance with their own preferences, there is no necessary link between duty payments and income.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the impact of indexation of excise duties by product on(a) inflation and (b) revenues in 1990–91 and a full year.

  Mr. Ryder
  The impact of indexation of excise duties by product on the retail prices index and revenues in 1990–91 and a full year is shown in the table:

  Duty Item

  Retail prices index

  Revenue/Yield 1990–91

  Revenue/ Yield Full year

  Per cent.

  £ million

  £ million

  Tobacco

  0·16

  265

  290

  Petrol

  0·14

  480

  495

  Derv

  0·01

  110

  115

  Beer

  0·07

  160

  175

  Wine

  0·06

  55

  55

  Spirits

  0·04

  80

  85

  Vehicle excise duty

  0·06

  230

  230

  Cider

  negligible

  5

  5

  Rebated oils

  negligible

  15

  15

  Total

  0.54

  1,400

  1,465

  The indexation factor used is the 7·7 per cent. rise in the retail prices index between December 1988 and December 1989.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the proportion of excise duties, broken down by product, paid by those on different incomes.

  Mr. Ryder
  I refer the hon. Member to an article entitled "The effects of taxes and benefits on household income, 1986" in the December 1988 issue of Economic Trends.

  European Monetary System
  Mr. Allen McKay
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received about sterling's participation in the exchange rate mechanism of the European monetary system.

  Mr. Ryder
  I have received a number of representations.

  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a further statement on the prospects of the United Kingdom seeking to place sterling within the exchange rate mechanism of the European monetary system.

  Mr. Ryder
  The Government have made it clear that the United Kingdom will join the exchange rate mechanism of the EMS during stage 1 of the Delors plan. The conditions for entry were set out following the Madrid summit.

  Premium Bonds
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the effect on sales has been of raising the minimum purchase of premium bonds to £100.

  Mr. Ryder
  In the six months since the change premium bond purchases averaged some 58,300 a month to a value of about £19·7 million. During the corresponding period in 1988, premium bond purchases averaged around 166,400 per month to a value of some £26·4 million.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many complaints he has received to date about the increase in the minimum value of a purchase of premium bonds to £100.

  Mr. Ryder
  [holding answer 13 February 1990]: My right hon. Friend and I have received a number of representations about the increase in the minimum purchase of premium bonds from right hon. and hon. Members on behalf of constituents and from members of the public.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is(a) the number of people investing in premium bonds each month since the change to a minimum investment of £100, (b) the number of persons who purchased bonds in each of the six months before the change and (c) the value of the bonds purchased in each of those months.

  Mr. Ryder
  [holding answer 13 February 1990]: The minimum purchase for those aged 16 and over was increased to £100 on 1 July 1989. The number and value of premium bonds purchased in each month since the change are:

  1989

  Number

  Value

  (000s)

  (£ million)

  July

  57·4

  21·4

  August

  63·2

  24·7

  September

  60·2

  22·0

  October

  60·4

  20·1

  November

  58·8

  17·0

  December

  49·6

  13·1

  The number and value of premium bonds purchased in each of the six months prior to the change are:

  January

  197·3

  29·6

  February

  170·4

  25·2

  March

  171·9

  24·4

  April

  170·5

  24·6

  May

  163·2

  25·1

  June

  190·4

  22·5

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the average value of the holdings of premium bonds.

  Excise duty and VAT on 20 cigarettes in the most popular price category: as at 12 February 19901

  RSP2

  Factor3 cost

  Total duty

  VAT

  Total tax

  Total tax as percentage of RSP

  (pence)

  (pence)

  (pence)

  (pence)

  (pence)

  Belgium

  104

  30

  68

  6

  74

  71

  Denmark

  239

  34

  162

  43

  205

  86

  France

  104

  36

  52

  16

  68

  65

  Germany

  149

  41

  90

  18

  108

  72

  Greece

  41

  13

  17

  11

  28

  68

  Ireland

  188

  48

  102

  38

  140

  74

  Italy

  91

  25

  52

  14

  66

  73

  Luxembourg

  82

  23

  50

  9

  59

  72

  296
  Mr. Ryder
  [holding answer 13 February 1990]: The average value of each holding since premium bonds were introduced in 1956 is around £95.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the current rate of interest on premium bonds; and how much of the monthly and annual interest is paid out in prizes.

  Mr. Ryder
  [holding answer 13 February 1990]: The rate of interest used to calculate the total prize fund is currently 6·5 per cent. per annum of the value of bonds eligible for each prize draw.

  Import Duties
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the sum collected by the Customs and Excise in import duties at London Heathrow airport for the last year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Ryder
  Customs and anti-dumping duties and agricultural levies collected at London Heathrow and Gatwick airports for the financial year ended 31 March 1989 totalled £300 million. Separate figures for Heathrow are not available.

  Local Government Finance
  Sir Peter Emery
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the implications for economic policy of a 15 per cent. increase in local authority spending in 1990–91.

  Mr. Major
  The Government's firm control of public expenditure, and the reduction in general Government expenditure as a share of gross domestic product, have played a major part in the successful conduct of economic policy. The Government are determined that this should continue. There is no doubt that an increase of that order in local authority spending would be unhelpful, and would impose a heavy burden on community charge payers, for which the responsible local council would be accountable.

  Cigarettes
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table in the Official Report to show the tax paid on a pack of 20 cigarettes in each EEC country as a percentage of the total price and the average price of a pack of 20 cigarettes in each country; and what were the figures five years ago.

  Mr. Ryder
  The figures for current and 1985 taxation and price levels of a pack of 20 cigarettes in each EC country are as follows:
  297

  RSP2

  Factor3 cost

  Total duty

  VAT

  Total tax

  Total tax as percentage of RSP

  (pence)

  (pence)

  (pence)

  (pence)

  (pence)

  Netherlands

  108

  32

  59

  17

  76

  70

  Portugal

  60

  15

  36

  9

  45

  75

  Spain

  57

  25

  26

  6

  32

  56

  United Kingdom

  161

  43

  97

  21

  118

  73

  1 Rates of exchange as at 12 February 1990.

  2 Retail selling price.

  3 Cost exclusive of duty and VAT.

  Source: EC excise duty tables.

  Excise duty and VAT on 20 cigarettes in the most popular price category: as at 27 February 1985

  RSP

  Factor cost

  Total duty

  VAT

  Total lax

  Total tax as percentage of RSP

  (pence)

  (pence)

  (pence)

  (pence)

  (pence)

  Belgium

  69

  20

  45

  4

  49

  71

  Denmark

  175

  22

  121·5

  31·5

  153

  87

  France

  43

  11

  21

  11

  32

  74

  Germany

  102

  26

  63·5

  12·5

  76

  74·5

  Greece

  26

  10

  15

  1—

  16

  261·5

  Ireland

  140

  36

  78

  26

  104

  74

  Italy

  57

  16

  32

  9

  41

  72

  Luxembourg

  53

  18

  32

  3

  35

  66

  Netherlands

  88

  26

  48

  14

  62

  70

  United Kingdom

  127

  34

  76·5

  16·5

  93

  73

  1 Greece had not yet introduced VAT in 1985.

  2 Includes sales tax.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Personal Data
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many members of staff in his Department have been disciplined for breaching internal regulations on the disclosure of personal data held by his Department within the last five years;

  (2) if he will set out the procedure within his Department for authorising transfers of personal data to other Government Departments; and at what level such decisions are authorised;

  (3) on what grounds decisions are taken to transfer personal data held by his Department to other Government Departments;

  (4) on what statutory basis transfers of personal data take place from his Department to the police; and how many such transfers take place each year;

  (5) on what statutory basis transfers of personal data take place from his Department to other Government Departments; and how many such transfers take place each year;

  (6) what internal guidelines covering the transfer of personal data to other Government Departments are available to staff in his Department; and whether he will place a copy of any such guidelines in the Library;

  (7) what kinds of personal data held by his Department are transferred to the police; and whether records are kept of such transfers;

  (8) what kind of personal data held by his Department, whether on computer or manually, are transferred to other Government Departments;

  (9) what records are kept of transfers of personal data from his Department to other Government Departments; and whether the Data Protection Registrar has access to the relevant records;
  298
  (10) whether the rules governing the transfer of personal data from his Department to other Government Departments are the same for data held manually as for data held on computer.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  I regret that the information requested concerning the number of transfers of personal data to other Government Departments is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  It is Government policy that information obtained about a member of the public should be used only for the purpose for which it was acquired. Information held in social security records, both in manual and computerised form, is considered to have been given to the Department for social security purposes only and it is not normally available to other Government Departments. There is, however, statutory provision for the transfer of certain limited information from the Department to the Inland Revenue in connection with the PAYE, national insurance and statutory sick pay schemes.

  In other circumstances, where there is no statutory function, requests for information from social security records made by other Government Departments are considered only if the information would prevent the duplication of public funds, help the prosecution of a serious crime, meet the welfare needs of the individual concerned or would be in the public interest.

  Information may be disclosed in confidence, in individual cases, to the police in circumstances which involve serious crime.

  Where information is held on computer, disclosure to other Government Departments and the police is made only as permitted by purposes 41 to 70 of the Data Protection Act 1984. Under that Act, the Data Protection Registrar has no automatic right of access to individual personal records.
  299
  Instructions concerning the disclosure of information are issued to all staff dealing with social security business. These are in the process of revision and we will consider placing a copy in the Library in due course.

  During the past five years, 13 members of staff have been reprimanded at a local level for minor breaches of the rules governing disclosure of information and 10 have been reprimanded at headquarters level for more serious breaches of the rules.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans exist in his Department for the transfer of personal data via the Government data network; and what new procedures have been adopted within the Department to prevent unauthorised transfers of such data.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The Department plans to use the Government data network for the provision of computer services to the offices of the Department, the employment service and the Department of Health and Social Services in Northern Ireland as part of the operational strategy. Additionally the Department plans to use the Government data network for other departmental systems as required. Organisational and technical safeguards which apply to all the Department's networks, including the Government data network, ensure that access to personal data is in accordance with authorisations.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether records will be kept of all personal data transferred to other Government Departments via the Government data network.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The types and purposes of transfer of personal computer data to other Government Departments, whether via the GDN or otherwise, are recorded in accordance with the Data Protection Act.

  Outturn Expenditure
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will provide details of outturn expenditure for Department of Social Security offices in each local authority area on(a) single payments in 1987–88, (b) social fund 1988–89, (c) social fund 1989–90, up to the latest available date and (d) budget allocations for the social fund 1990–91.

  Mr. Scott
  Information on the basis of local authority areas is not available. Information by local office relating to single payments in 1987–88, and the social fund in 1988–89 and the period April 1989 to December 1989, is in the Library. Budget allocations for 1990–91 will be announced in due course.

  Community care

  Budgeting loans

  Crisis loans

  Income Support caseload1

  (000's)

  (000's)

  (000's)

  (000's )

  1988–89

  315

  933

  501

  May 4,350

  August 4,420

  November 4,260

  November 4,260

  February 4,350

  1989–90 (April-December)

  375

  840

  464

  May 4,160

  August 4,310

  November 4,352

  1 As derived from the Quarterly Statistical Enquiry and rounded to the nearest 10,000.

  Appeal Tribunals
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the maximum delays occurring in cases where hospital medical reports are required for consideration by social security appeal tribunals, resulting in adjournments for appellants; and what is being done to reduce such delays.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Figures showing the delays caused to social security appeal tribunal cases while awaiting hospital medical reports are not collected centrally. We are, however, aware of the delays that these reports can create. Provision of the reports is not part of hospital doctors' terms of service and the Department is entirely dependent on the good will of consultants.

  In 1988 my noble Friend Lord Skelmersdale wrote to the chairmen of all regional health authorities explaining the problem to them and asking them to encourage consultants to provide reports when requested and to do so with the least possible delay. We know from the replies that subsequently came to the Department that this request was widely disseminated to consultants. In addition, medical and lay staff in the Department's regional offices take every opportunity to remind consultants and their secretaries of the problems caused for claimants by these delays.

  Pensioners
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many, and what percentage of, women pensioners receive a full national insurance retirement pension on the basis of their own national insurance contributions.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  I regret that it is possible to provide figures in the form requested on a Great Britain basis only. Of the 2,173,730 women resident in Great Britain who receive a category A pension, based upon their own contributions, approximately 73 per cent. receive a full rate pension.

  Social Fund
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what information he has on the relationship between social fund claims and receipt of, and level of, other social security benefits.

  Mr. Scott
  Budgeting loans and community care grants are available to income support recipients, and crisis loans to anyone without resources in an emergency. The number of social fund applications in the periods 1988–89 and April 1989 to December 1989 and the national income support caseload are set out in the table:

  Invalidity Benefit
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security in respect of a man who becomes entitled to invalidity benefit at the age of 60 years in each of the tax years 1990–91, 2000–01, 2010–11, and 2020–21, after having paid full class 1 contributions in each prior tax year from 1978–79, what he estimates will be(a) the maximum and average amounts of such a man's invalidity benefit, including invalidity allowance and additional pension at 1989–90 prices, (i) if clause 4 of the Social Security Bill is enacted, (ii) if the present position remains unchanged, (b) the corresponding amounts of retirement pension such a man will receive at normal retirement date if he remains on invalidity benefit until that date and then retires and (c) the corresponding amounts of widow's pension the widow of such a man will receive if he dies on the day after he becomes entitled to invalidity benefit and she is eligible for a widow's pension.

  Mr. Scott
  [holding answer 13 February 1990]: The right hon. Member's question calls for calculations relating to circumstances which would occur infrequently. Furthermore, projections of the average amounts of invalidity benefit for the circumstances stated are not available. The figures set out in the final column therefore relate to the entitlement of a man on average male earnings in each year from 1978–79, with assumptions about earnings growth in the future. In 1987–88, the latest year for which information is available, the average amount of additional pension payable to a 60-year-old man newly entitled to invalidity benefit was £13·64 per week. This compares with a figure of £20·16 which results from the application of average male earnings over the period since 1978–79. Invalidity allowance is not payable for men aged 60 or over when incapacity begins.

  The information is as follows:

  (a) (i) Invalidity benefit under clause 4 proposals1–4

  Year becoming entitled to IVB

  Maximum amount (£)

  Amount based on average male earnings (£)

  1990–91

  90·97

  77·45

  2000–01

  98·95

  83·75

  2010–11

  86·80

  75·00

  2020–21

  82·25

  71·85

  Bolton

  North Western Region

  England

  Year

  Number of nurses

  Whole-time equivalents

  Number of nurses

  Whole-time equivalents

  1988

  33

  13

  333

  167

  6,878

  3,514

  1987

  10

  5

  210

  89

  5,752

  2,983

  1986

  9

  5

  175

  83

  4,956

  2,501

  1985

  8

  4

  152

  74

  4,392

  2,211

  1984

  8

  3

  121

  61

  3,891

  1,924

  1983

  7

  3

  93

  49

  3,284

  1,657

  302

  (a) (ii) Invalidity benefit under present arrangements1–4

  Year becoming entitled to IVB

  Maximum amount (£)

  Amount based on average male earnings (£)

  1990–91

  90·97

  77·45

  2000–01

  128·95

  109·95

  2010–11

  125·60

  110·90

  2020–21

  131·60

  118·25

  (b) Retirement pension1–4

  Year reaching age 65

  Maximum amount (£)

  Average amount (£)

  1995–96

  96·15

  81·30

  2005–06

  131·75

  111·95

  2015–16

  132·60

  116·75

  2025–26

  139·10

  124·75

  (c) Widows pension1,2,4,5

  Year of entitlement

  Maximum amount (£)

  Average amount (£)

  1990–91

  90·97

  77·45

  2000–01

  86·25

  76·80

  2010–11

  84·60

  77·25

  2020–21

  87·60

  80·95

  1 All figures at 1989–90 prices.

  2 All amounts include the standard rate of invalidity pension, retirement pension or widows pension as the case may be (£43·60); to the extent that there is entitlement to increase for dependants these amounts will increase by £26·20 for an adult and £8·95 for each child.

  3 Maximum amount assumes earnings at the upper earnings limit in each year from 1978–79.

  4 Average amount assumes average male earnings in each year from 1978–79. The figures assume real earnings growth of 1½ per cent, per year.

  5 Amounts of widows pension, assume the widow is aged 55 or over and no guaranteed minimum pension in payment.

HEALTH

  Practice Nurses
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many practice nurses are based at general practitioners' surgeries at the current time; and what were the corresponding numbers for the previous five years(a) in the Bolton health authority area, (b) in the North West regional health authority area and (c) in England and Wales.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Information on the numbers of practice nurses employed by general practitioners under the ancillary staff scheme is given in the table. Figures are for England only; information in relation to family practitioner services in Wales is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

  Personal Data
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will set out the procedure within his Department for authorising transfers of personal data to other Government Departments; and at what level such decisions are authorised;

  (2) on what grounds decisions are taken to transfer personal data held by his Department to other Government Departments;

  (3) on what statutory basis transfers of personal data take place from his Department to the police; and how many such transfers take place each year;

  (4) on what statutory basis transfers of personal data take place from his Department to other Government Departments; and how many such transfers take place each year;

  (5) what internal guidelines covering the transfer of personal data to other Government Departments are available to staff in his Department; and whether he will place a copy of any such guidelines in the Library;

  (6) what kind of personal data held by his Department, whether on computer or manually, are transferred to other Government Departments;

  (7) what kinds of personal data held by his Department are transferred to the police; and whether records are kept of such transfers;

  (8) what plans exist in his Department for the transfer of personal data via the Government data network; and what new procedures have been adopted within the Department to prevent unauthorised transfers of such data;

  (9) what records are kept of transfers of personal data from his Department to other Government Departments; and whether the Data Protection Registrar has access to the relevant records;

  (10) whether records will be kept of all personal data transferred to other Government Departments via the Government data network;

  (11) whether the rules governing the transfer of personal data from his Department to other Government Departments are the same for data held manually as for data held on computer.

  Mr. Freeman
  The majority of personal data held by the Department relates to departmental staff records. This information is held in manual and computer systems and access is restricted on a need-to-know basis. This information is transferred to other Government Departments on a regular and routine basis by executive and clerical staff, normally in conjunction with actual or prospective career transfers of the staff between Departments.

  Personal data about patients having legally induced abortion is supplied by doctors to the Department's Chief Medical Officer in accordance with the Abortion Regulations 1968, (SI 1968 No. 390 as amended by SI 1969 No. 636, SI 1976 No. 15 and SI 1980 No. 1724). The regulations restrict disclosure of that information except to the persons and in the circumstances specified in the regulations.

  Some personal data is held by the Department in respect of young people detained in youth treatment centres and in connection with the activities of the regional medical service, the dental reference service and the social services inspectorate. Where personal medical data have
  304
  been referred for a second opinion, this is not disclosed for any other purpose unless the individual's consent has been obtained.

  The Department also holds some data about the remuneration of general medical practitioners and others in the health services. The regional medical service holds personal data about GPs, but these are not disclosed to other Government Departments.

  Regional medical service doctors, in common with any other doctor, have a statutory duty to notify the Chief Medical Officer at the Home Office about individuals considered to be or suspected to be addicted to certain drugs.

  All personal data held on computer systems are subject to the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1984; this is so whether or not there is any connection to the Government data network.

  The only circumstances in which the Department might transfer personal data to the police would be where the Department itself had an interest in an offence, or in other cases where serious crime was involved; no records are kept of such transfers.

  Infertility Treatment
  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will bring forward proposals to improve the range and availability of infertility treatment.

  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will bring forward proposals to improve the range and availability of infertility treatments.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  I refer the hon. Members to the reply I gave to the hon. Members for Cardiff, West (Mr. Morgan), for Bristol, South (Ms. Primarolo). for Carmarthen (Mr. Williams) and for Newcastle upon Tyne, North (Mr. Henderson) on 23 January at columns 660–61.

  Consultants
  Mr. John Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of consultant surgeons within the National Health Service work on a part-time basis in the private sector; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  No information is collected on National Health Service consultants' work in the private sector. Consultants on National Health Service whole-time contracts are permitted private practice earnings up to 10 per cent. of gross whole-time salary. Sixty-nine per cent. of consultant surgeons have maximum part-time or part-time contracts which place no limits on private practice earnings. The Government's proposal to introduce full job plans for all consultants should improve their accountability to local management and make it easier for managers to monitor whether consultants are fulfilling their contractual commitments.

  Family Planning Clinics
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the implications of the changes in the National Health Service on family planning clinics.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Under the National Health Service review proposals, districts will be responsible for
  305
  ensuring that their resident populations have access to a comprehensive range of services and this will include family planning. The new funding arrangements will be particularly helpful to family planning clinics which provide services to residents of many districts. Clinics will be able to obtain resources from all authorities whose residents use their services.

  Kidney Machines
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many kidney dialysis machines are currently in use in the Durham area health authority; and how many patients are receiving dialysis in the area.

  Mr. Freeman
  We do not hold information centrally about the number of kidney dialysis machines in use by health authorities. The hon. Member may care to contact the chairman of the Durham health authority for the information.

  Hospital Inventories
  Mr. Ralph Howell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the 1967 report on hospital inventories remains the basis of good practice in the National Health Service.

  (£000s)

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  ACET

  —

  —

  —

  —

  50·0

  London Lighthouse

  Core revenue grant

  —

  —

  100·0

  170·0

  300·0

  Capital grant

  —

  —

  500·0

  750·0

  —

  Project grant

  —

  —

  —

  37·9

  —

  Mildmay Mission

  Core revenue grant

  —

  —

  79·0

  162·0

  130·0

  Capital grant

  —

  —

  321·0

  94·0

  —

  National AIDS Trust (includes pro rata contributions from other Health Departments)

  Core revenue grant

  —

  —

  47·6

  127·0

  228·5

  Project grant

  —

  —

  500·0

  —

  —

  Terrence Higgins Trust

  40·0

  100·0

  300·0

  400·0

  450·0

  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to make a decision on AIDS Care Education and Training's application for section 64 funding.

  Mr. Freeman
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Woolwich (Mr. Cartwright) on 5 February at column 486.

  Waiting Lists
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether any progress is being made as a result of the waiting list fund.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The £119 million made available through the waiting list fund over four years has enabled thousands of additional patients to be treated from the waiting lists. Particularly impressive reductions have been made in the Mersey region, which has reduced the number of patients waiting over a year by a quarter in the nine months to December 1989. The region plans to be the first to have no patient waiting longer than two years for treatment.
  306
  Mr. Freeman
  The National Association of Health Authorities published a security manual in 1984 which the Department commended to the NHS as a good practical guide on matters relating to security of equipment, stock and premises.

  AIDS
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the level of section 64 grant funding since 1984 for each Lighthouse, Terrence Higgins Trust, Mildmay, National AIDS Trust and ACET.

  Mr. Freeman
  Under the rules of the general grant scheme established under section 64 of the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968 the Department can offer four sorts of grant. Most grants are awarded to national voluntary organisations towards their headquarters administrative costs. The Department has made the following section 64 grants to the voluntary organisations identified:

  We are determined to tackle the problem of excessive waiting, and have sent a management team into the 22 districts with the longest waiting lists, backed by money from the waiting list fund. As a result waiting lists in those districts have reduced by 12 per cent. and the number of patients waiting over a year by 17 per cent., with further reductions planned. This work will continue in 1990–91, when the team will be investigating the 100 longest district specialty lists in the country. Nationally, provisional figures for September 1989 suggest that waiting lists have fallen since March, and in particular the numbers waiting over a year.

  Mental Health Act Commission
  Mr. Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the members of the Mental Health Act Commission with their qualifications and occupations.

  Mr. Freeman
  There are no specific qualifications required for appointment to the Mental Health Act Commission.

  The following list shows the current commissioners, sub-divided according to their category of membership:
  307
  Legal

  Mr. L. Blom-Cooper (Chairman)

  Mrs. Dimond

  Mrs. V. Bellau

  Mrs. C. Bennett

  Mr. J. Bowyer

  Mrs. C. Goonatillake

  Miss G. Richardson

  Ms L. Scott Moncrieff

  Ms L. Sinclair

  Mr. C. N. S. Watts

  Mr. J. D. Finch

  Mrs. J. Forman Hardy

  Mr. M. Napier

  Mr. A. Parkin

  Medical

  Professor E. Murphy (Vice Chairman)

  Dr. R. M. Evans

  Dr. R. Dolan

  Dr. S. Fernando

  Dr. K. Hamadah

  Dr. P. Hettiaratchy

  Mr. D. Hide

  Dr. N. Seberatnum

  Professor D. West

  Dr. D. Gaspar

  Dr. M. Harper

  Dr. M. Malcom

  Dr. Oyebode

  Dr. R. M. Philpott

  Dr. P. Harper

  Dr. K. A. Day

  Dr. D. Dunleavy

  Dr. H. Ghadiali

  Dr. N. L. Gittleson

  Dr. E. B. Gordon

  Dr. A. Hauck

  Social Work

  Mr. R. Lingham

  Mrs. V. Lipscombe

  Mrs. M. Meacher

  Mrs. I. Midforth

  Miss I. Nutting

  Mr. R. Stables

  Mr. J. Allan

  Mrs. J. Deeley

  Mrs. C. L. Jones

  Mr. A. Ball

  Mr. D. Parkin

  Mr. H. Vickers

  Nurse

  Mr. M. Brown

  Mr. E. A. R. Chitty

  Miss G. Linton

  Mr. S. Manikon

  Mrs. Soo Lee

  Mr. B. Thorne

  Mr. M. Graham

  Ms. A. Aiyebusi

  Mrs. C. Selim

  Mr. H. A. Teaney

  Mr. R. Wix

  Mr. P. Brotherhood

  Mrs. R. M. Fraser

  Mr. H. McClarron

  Number of deaths on arrival

  Number carried

  Health authority

  December

  December

  December

  December 1989

  1987

  1988

  1989

  Police

  Voluntary

  Leeds Eastern

  17

  14

  20

  n/a

  n/a

  Leeds Western

  7

  14

  16

  0

  0

  Bradford

  34

  30

  29

  29

  0

  Pontefract

  n/a

  16

  20

  0

  0

  Airedale

  8

  3

  9

  0

  0

  Calderdale

  16

  8

  12

  0

  0

  308
  Psychologist

  Miss C. Bollinger

  Dr. A. Broadhurst

  Ms. P. Spinks

  Mr. D. Torpy

  Mr. J. Graham-White

  Dr. J. Ashcroft

  Mr. D. A. Black

  Mr. A. Dabbs

  Mr. L. J. Wilson

  Lay/Specialist

  Dr. A. J. Blowers

  Mr. G. Bye

  Mrs. T. Jowell

  Mrs. B. Stroll

  Mr. M. Taylor

  Rev. A. J. Hawes

  Mrs. L. Mason

  Dr. M. Barnes

  Mrs. P. Entwistle

  Mrs. E. Owen

  Mrs. A. Samuels

  Mrs. M. R. Morris

  Mr. B. Smith

  Mr. A. Milligan

  Dispensing Doctors
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what is the current average discount percentage deducted from dispensing doctors' remuneration;

  (2) when the last inquiry was held into discounts received by dispensing doctors on their drug purchases; and what is the date of the next inquiry.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  In 1988–89, the latest period for which figures are available, the discount scale for dispensing doctors withheld an average of 5·7 per cent. of the price of drugs obtained by dispensing doctors. The last discount inquiry established the average discount available to dispensing doctors in 1983. No date has yet been set for a further inquiry.

  Deaths on Arrival
  Mr. Lofthouse
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many deaths on arrival were delivered by the police, armed services and voluntary organisations in December 1989 for each of the health authorities operating in West Yorkshire; and what was the cause of death;

  (2) how many deaths on arrival were delivered to the health authorities operating in West Yorkshire in December 1987 and December 1988.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The available information on number of deaths on arrival at hospitals covered by West Yorkshire metropolitan ambulance service during December 1987, 1988 and 1989 is given in the following table. There have been no military ambulances deployed in West Yorkshire.
  309

  Number carried

  Health authority

  December

  December

  December

  December 1989

  1987

  1988

  1989

  Police

  Voluntary

  Dewsbury

  10

  11

  19

  0

  0

  Huddersfield

  13

  4

  7

  0

  0

  Wakefield

  8

  8

  7

  0

  0

  TOTAL

  108

  139

  n/a—Not available.

  Details of the cause of death could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Figures for the number of deaths on arrival can fluctuate significantly, depending on the range of cases in a particular month and if there has been any temporary increase in illness locally, for example, as a result of a flu epidemic.

  Depo Provera
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the contraceptive drug Depo Provera is approved for use in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Depo Provera is licensed in the United Kingdom for use in short-term contraception where an oral contraceptive is contraindicated or considered inappropriate, for wives of men undergoing vasectomy and for women being immunised against rubella; it is also licensed for long-term use in women for whom other contraceptives are contraindicated or have caused unacceptable side-effects. In addition, the product is licensed for the treatment of endometriosis, and of certain malignant tumours.

  NHS (Financial Management)
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what decisions have been taken on the type of information needed for the central assessment of the financial management performance of buyers' activity under the proposals of the National Health Service and Community Care Bill.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  This is one of the issues addressed in our consultative paper "Framework for Information Systems: Information"; see annex 11, section 3. Copies are in the Library. No firm decisions will be taken until completion of the consultation exercise which ends on 30 March.

  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the estimated total saving that it is hoped will follow the introduction of the changes in the National Health Service and Community Care Bill; and what is the breakdown of these savings by category, including hospital closure, more rapid throughput of patients and reductions in drug expenditure.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The object of our reforms of the Health Service is to improve the choice and quality of services available to NHS patients rather than to produce savings. Some of the proposals will lead to the more 310
  considered and cost-effective use of resources and this will enable the Health Service to increase the level of patient care it provides.

  NHS Reform
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the total amount spent to date on the preparation of the changes proposed in the National Health Service and Community Care Bill on(a) additional staff costs, (b) staff diverted from other work, (c) materials and(d) contracts placed with non-National Health Service bodies.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Additional funds allocated to health authorities in this financial year are for the preparation of the NHS review proposals. None of these central allocations has been directed to specific clauses in the Bill.

  Homes for the Elderly
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, further to his answer of 31 January,Official Report, column 231, (1) if he will give his reasons for deciding that local authorities will have to contribute more to the support of people in homes under their own management than to that of people in private homes;

  (2) what are the reasons why Government contributions to support people living in homes for the elderly are not to be calculated on the same basis, irrespective of whether the home is publicly or privately run.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  [holding answers 9 February and 12 February 1990]: As the White Paper "Caring for People" makes clear, the Government recognise that local authorities will need adequate resources to enable them to discharge their new responsibilities from April 1991 including meeting the care costs of people in private and voluntary residential care and nursing homes. We shall therefore transfer to local authorities the resources which would otherwise have been used to finance care through social security payments to people in residential and nursing homes. The arrangements for paying social security benefits to people in local authority-managed homes will not change.

  We want to ensure that local authorities encourage a mixed economy of care and make full use of the independent sector when placing people in residential settings. This will provide residents with a wider choice of accommodation and enable more rational use to be made of public resources.

DEFENCE

  Private Security Firms
  Mr. George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many private security firms are currently hired by(a) his Department and (b) the services; how many firms have been hired for each of the last 10 years; and what is the value of the contracts at 1989 prices.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  [holding answer 7 February 1990]: Twenty-one private security contractors are currently employed by the Ministry of Defence, at both service and civilian establishments. The total number of security contractors employed by the Ministry of Defence in each year from 1983 to 1989 is shown in the table. Figures for the years 1980 to 1982 are not held centrally.

  Year

  Number of firms

  1983

  5

  1984

  9

  1985

  10

  1986

  9

  1987

  10

  1988

  17

  1989

  22

  The total values at 1989 prices of the private security contracts in each financial year from 1983–84 are as follows:

  Information for earlier years is not available.

  Financial year

  Total value ('000s at 1989 prices)

  £

  1983–84

  345

  1984–85

  461

  1985–86

  750

  1986–87

  1,329

  1987–88

  1,549

  1988–89

  2,033

  1989–90

  4,418

  Mr. George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what criteria are used in deciding between competing private security firms for Ministry of Defence contracts.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  [holding answer 7 February 1990]: All contractors who wish to obtain MOD contracts must be listed on the defence contractors list. Companies that apply to join this list are scrutinised by MOD, for financial viability and technical competence. The references of the listed executives are also checked. Many of these companies are members of the British Security Industry Association and the International Professional Security Association, although they do not necessarily have to be members to join the defence contractors list.

  When a decision is taken, by unit and command, after careful evaluation, that a guarding contract is to be placed, the contracts branch is asked to submit the details of the requirement to those companies listed on the defence contractors list. A company that wishes to be considered for tender or be awarded a contract must be on the defence contractors list.

  The decision to award a contract for security guarding is based on the company's ability to meet the technical requirements of the tasks together with value for money.
  312
  Technical compliancy is decided upon by a technical evaluation panel which includes security experts from the unit/command/department in question. This examines all technical aspects, that is, the firm's ability to perform the tasks effectively and efficiently. All the competing firms are then placed in an order of compliancy. A financial analysis of each tender is carried out by the contracts branch alone. The contracts branch then decides, using the technical panel's information on compliancy, with which contractor it will place the contract.

SCOTLAND

  Remand Prisoners
  Mr. Ernie Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he has on the number of persons who(a) were on remand and (b) had not been convicted amongst the Scottish prison population on any one day; and how many were (i) males and (ii) females.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The available information is set out in the table:

  Average daily remand population1 in Scottish penal establishments during January 1990

  Untried

  Convicted awaiting sentence

  Total on remand

  Males

  575

  144

  719

  Females

  31

  4

  35

  Total

  606

  148

  753

  1 Provisional.

  Prisoners
  Mr. Ernie Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the current prison population in Scotland in total; how many are(a) males and (b) females; and what were the corresponding figures for (i) 1985, (ii) 1986, (iii) 1987, (iv) 1988 and (v) 1989.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The available information is set out in the table:

  Average daily population in Scottish penal establishments for the month of January 1985–90

  Males

  Females

  2 Total

  1985

  4,718

  144

  4,863

  1986

  5,191

  171

  5,361

  1987

  5,220

  176

  5,396

  1988

  5,115

  152

  5,267

  11989

  4,826

  147

  4,973

  11990

  4,489

  124

  4,612

  1 Provisional.

  2 Some of the numbers do not total due to rounding.

  Fishing Industry
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland on how many occasions in the past five years he has provided compensation or payments to the Scottish fishing industry as a result of losses caused by inclement weather; what was the basis of such schemes; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lang
  None.

  Firearms
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many dart gun firearms certificates have been granted, how many persons now have such weapons in Scotland, broken down by police force areas; and how many are held by(a) deer farmers and (b) others.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Guns that are specially designed or adapted to discharge tranquillising darts are defined as prohibited weapons under the terms of section 5 of the Firearms Act 1968 and as such may not be purchased, acquired or possessed by anyone without the prior authority in writing of my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland, and the consequent issue of a firearm certificate by the chief constable of the area in which the applicant is based.

  The available information is set out in the table:

  Police force

  Total number of current S.5 authorities relating to dart guns

  Number of S.5 authorities relating to dart guns known to be issued to deer farmers

  Central Scotland police

  5

  2

  Dumfries and Galloway constabulary

  6

  Nil

  Fife constabulary

  4

  1

  Grampian police

  17

  2

  Lothian and Borders police

  11

  1

  Northern constabulary

  17

  2

  Strathclyde police

  8

  1

  Tayside police

  7

  2

  In addition one registered firearms dealer in the Fife constabulary area has been given authority under section 5 to deal specifically in tranquillising dart guns.

EMPLOYMENT

  Employment Rehabilitation Service
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when Egham residential employment rehabilitation centre was established; and for how long 24-hour medical cover has been available.

  Mr. Eggar
  Egham employment rehabilitation centre was officially opened in December 1943. Twenty four-hour medical cover has been available since that time.

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether he has any plans to transfer the employment rehabilitation service from the Training Agency to the employment service.

  Mr. Eggar
  The organisation of the employment rehabilitation service is among the subjects being considered as part of my Department's internal review of services to people with disabilities. A consultative document covering the conclusions of the review will be published soon.

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether he has any plans to withdraw 24-hour medical cover from Egham residential employment rehabilitation centre, and what assessment he has made of how this will affect the access to the centre for people with severe disabilities.
  314
  Mr. Eggar
  There are no plans to withdraw 24-hour medical cover from Egham employment rehabilitation centre.

  Exeter Asset Centre
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment which organisation is financing the posts of two occupational psychologists at Exeter asset centre; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  Grand Metropolitan Community Services employs two occupational psychologists based at Exeter asset centre, which is otherwise staffed by the Training Agency. This initiative for people with disabilities in the Exeter area is a welcome demonstration of the value of co-operation between the Government and the private sector.

  Tobacco Products
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many persons are employed in(a) Northern Ireland, (b) England, (c) Scotland and (d) Wales in the manufacture of tobacco products; what percentage of the total working population that represents in each of these areas; what is the tax revenue for their products in each country; and what percentage of the total of tobacco producers is produced in each of the four constituent areas of the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Nicholls
  Information about employment in the tobacco industry by country is available only from the census of employment. The most recent figures are for September 1987. Due to confidentiality restrictions only figures for Northern Ireland and Great Britain can be given. These are as follows:

  Employees in employment1 in the tobacco industry2 at September 1987

  Number (thousands)

  Percentage3

  Northern Ireland

  2·1

  0·4

  Great Britain

  15·0

  0·1

  1 Excludes the self-employed.

  2 Activity Heading 4290 of the Standard Industrial Classification 1980.

  3 Percentage of all employees in employment.

  Information relating to taxation on tobacco products and tobacco products sales is not available on a regional basis. The United Kingdom figure for tax on tobacco products, including imports, is estimated at £5,800 million for the financial year 1987–88. United Kingdom home-produced tobacco product sales amounted to £6,423 million in 1987.

  Homeworkers
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many homeworkers are employed in England and Wales and in what industries, giving the most recent figures by year for each of the past 10 years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  [holding answer 24 January 1990]: The detailed information requested is not available. However, in 1981 a survey estimated that, excluding childminders, 230,000 people were working at home in England and Wales. Consideration is being given to whether a more recent figure can be provided.

  Restart
  Mr. Loyden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many restart interviews are planned for the coming year, how many restart follow-up interviews are planned and how many claimant adviser interviews are planned.
  316
  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 13 February 1990]: Because the interview programme responds to the numbers and circumstances of individual unemployed people, it is not possible to predict how many interviews will be necessary.

  DELEGATED LEGISLATION: VOLUME
  DELEGATED LEGISLATION: VOLUME
  OPERA: ARTS COUNCIL SUPPORT
  OPERA: ARTS COUNCIL SUPPORT
  WORK PERMIT STATISTICS
  WORK PERMIT STATISTICS
  NUCLEAR WEAPONS TESTS: POLICY
  NUCLEAR WEAPONS TESTS: POLICY
  ANGLO-ISRAELI CULTURAL RELATIONS
  ANGLO-ISRAELI CULTURAL RELATIONS
  MORLEY COLLEGE: FUNDING
  MORLEY COLLEGE: FUNDING
  MR. LORRAIN OSMAN
  MR. LORRAIN OSMAN
  ECONOMIC LEAGUE
  ECONOMIC LEAGUE