Written Answers of 17 January 1990

TRANSPORT

  Merchant Shipping
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the future of British merchant shipping capacity.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  There are encouraging signs that the worst of the decline in world shipping in recent years is over. British operators are among the most entrepreneurial and cost-effective and should be well placed to take advantage of the improved opportunities.

  Hydrography
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will list the cost of hydrographic work carried out on behalf of his Department by(a) the Royal Navy and (b) the private sector;

  (2) if he will list the number of marine surveys ordered by his Department for the last five years.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  In 1989–90 the civil hydrographic survey programme is expected to cost about £6·3 million, of which about £2·1 million represents contracts let to the private sector, £2·8 million surveys undertaken by the Royal Navy survey flotilla, and £1·4 million work undertaken by the Royal Navy personnel in commercially chartered ships. The numbers of surveys undertaken in the last five years are 1985–21; 1986–18; 1987–21; 1988–20; 1989–15.

  NAVTEX
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list those countries whose NAVTEX is fully operational and those which are not, together with the implementation dates.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  NAVTEX services are fully operational in the following countries: Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, Cyprus, Greece, Hong Kong, Iceland, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Turkey, United Kingdom and Yugoslavia.

  NAVTEX services are operational in parts of, or under trial in, the following countries: Bulgaria, Canada, China, Egypt, France, United States of America and USSR.

  NAVTEX services are planned in the following countries, with an indication of the implementation date, where known: Bahrain, Bermuda, Cameroon, German Democratic Republic, India, Israel, Italy (1990–93), Korea (August 1993), Japan, Spain (1990), Thailand and Uruguay.

  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to ensure that EEC countries implement the NAVTEX broadcast requirements.
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  Mr. McLoughlin
  The United Kingdom, through its participation in the worldwide navigation warning system and membership of the International Maritime Organisation NAVTEX co-ordination panel, is actively encouraging the development of NAVTEX both within the EEC area of interest and on a worldwide basis.

  Pilotage Commission
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects the Pilotage Commission to be wound up.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  For reasons beyond its control the Pilotage Commission is not yet able to complete the winding up of the former pilotage authorities' affairs. It is therefore not yet possible to say when the commission itself will be wound up. The Department and the commission are considering what can be done to expedite the process.

  Horne Report
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what studies his Department has made of the effects of pot-holes and poor road standards upon cyclists; if he will reconsider his decision not to implement the Horne report; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  The Department has not undertaken specific studies of this sort. It did publish a local transport note last June entitled "Making Way for Cyclists", which gives detailed guidance to local authorities and others on a range of planning, design and legal aspects of providing for cyclists, and emphasises the importance of proper inspections and maintenance.

  King's Cross Railways Bill
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with British Rail about how it proposes to justify to him, for investment authorisation, expenditure on the works covered by the King's Cross Railways Bill; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  British Rail's investment at King's Cross will need to be justified according to the normal criteria agreed between the Department and the board.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information British Rail has presented to him, for investment authorisation purposes, in relation to its anticipated revenues in connection with expenditure on the works contained in the King's Cross Railways Bill, in relation to(a) projected revenues from additional services on existing lines to King's Cross and (b) revenues from planned services on new lines for which parliamentary approval will be required and has yet to be sought; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  British Rail has not yet sought authorisation from the Secretary of State for its proposed investment at King's Cross.

  Departmental Policies
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action he is taking to assess the environmental friendliness of his Department's policies.
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  Mr. Atkins
  The Department pays close attention to the environmental implications of its policies and many have a directly beneficial effect. For example, we are taking steps to control vehicle emissions; we build new roads to relieve congestion and bypass communities; and we are supporting massive investment in public transport. We shall be making an important contribution to the White Paper on the environment to be published later this year.

  A5 Bypass
  Mr. Madel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he is now able to say when he expects to announce the preferred route for the north-south A5 Dunstable bypass; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  Comments made during public consultation and the new national road traffic forecasts have made it necessary to reconsider our original proposals. Further consultation may be necessary, but we hope to announce a preferred route for the bypass by the autumn.

  Severn Estuary
  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the latest timetable for the construction of a second highway crossing of the Severn estuary.

  Mr. Atkins
  We are currently considering tenders and remain on course to provide the second crossing by the mid-1990s.

THE ARTS

  Arts Funding
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Minister for the Arts if he will estimate the contribution to arts in the metropolitan area of(a) the Arts Council and (b) the London local authorities; upon what items this money is principally spent; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Luce
  I am advised that in 1987–88, the last year for which complete records are available, the Arts Council's grants to arts bodies in the London area (excluding the national companies) was £26·7 million. This sum was spread across the entire spectrum of art forms: music, drama, dance, literature, and the visual arts. Figures for local authority spending on the arts are more difficult to isolate. The Policy Studies Institute, however, has estimated that spending by local authorities on the arts in London for 1988–89 totalled some £42 million, of which £28 million went to arts premises and promotions, and £14 million in grants to arts organisations.

  Televised Performances
  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what discussions he has held with national opera houses and theatres on increasing the number of televised performances.

  Mr. Luce
  It is for the companies themselves to decide on these matters. It is, however, the policy of the Arts Council to encourage the televising of performances in order to promote access to the arts. In addition, many new operatic productions are now broadcast on the radio. Between the two media, there were 15 broadcast productions in 1989; nine from the royal opera house, and six for English national opera.
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EDUCTION AND SCIENCE

  National Curriculum
  Mr. Gregory
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science pursuant to his answer of 8 January,Official Report, col, 487, what guidance he has issued to the National Curriculum Council about how much of a school's curriculum it should prescribe in its circulars to schools.

  Mrs. Angela Rumbold
  None. The Education Reform Act requires all maintained schools to provide a basic curriculum consisting of the national curriculum for all pupils of compulsory school age and religious education for all registered pupils at the school. Neither my right hon. Friend nor the National Curriculum Council has the power to prescribe what else is taught in schools, nor how the timetable is arranged.

  Mr. Gregory
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received on circular No. 6 of October 1989 from the National Curriculum Council on the subject of the whole curriculum.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  My right hon. Friend has received one representation concerning the place of religious education and worship in the whole curriculum.

  Mr. Gregory
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he has any plans to change the remit of the National Curriculum Council.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  My right hon. Friend has no plans to change the remit of the National Curriculum Council which is set out in section 14 (3), (5) and (6) of the Education Reform Act 1988.

  Teachers' Pay
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has any long-term plans to improve teacher remuneration.

  Mr. Rumbold
  The Government's policy is that teachers' pay should be such as to enable the maintained school system to recruit, retain and motivate sufficient teachers of the required quality, within what can be afforded.

  Teacher Shortages
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are his Department's current figures for teacher shortages in England and Wales; and if he will set out his answer in tabular form giving details for individual local education authorities.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply my right hon. Friend gave on 21 December 1989 to the hon. Member for Blackburn (Mr. Straw) at columns 353-55. Data for Wales are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

WALES

  Earnings
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what his estimate is of the average earnings in the valley communities.
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  Mr. Peter Walker
  Information is not available below county level.

  Language Teachers
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many qualified teachers there are in the high schools of the local education authorities in Wales of(a) Welsh, (b) German, (c) French, (d) Spanish, (e) Italian and (f) Latin; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  Provisional estimates of the numbers of secondary school language teachers holding a post A-level main subject qualification are shown in the table:

  Subject

  Number of Teachers

  Welsh

  1,100

  German

  300

  French

  1,000

  Spanish

  100

  Italian

  100

  Classical Languages

  200

  Teachers possessing a qualification in a particular subject will not necessarily be teaching that subject. The figures are obtained from the Welsh secondary staffing survey conducted in February and March of 1989.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will call a conference of local education authorities' parent-teacher associations and teacher unions to consider the need to increase the number of qualified foreign language teachers in Welsh high schools; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  No. The future pattern of demand for language teachers can be clearly determined in the light of the provisions of the national curriculum.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what measures he has taken to increase the number of qualified secondary teachers of(a) Welsh, (b) German, (c) French, (d) Spanish, (e) Italian and (f) Latin; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  The future demand for language teachers is being taken fully into account when setting the intakes to initial teacher training, in the revision of the criteria for initial teacher training courses and in planning the LEA in-service training grant scheme and education support grants.

  Business Rate
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the arrangements for the levying of the uniform business rate in Wales on properties open for only part of the year as a result of seasonal trade.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  Such property will be liable for non-domestic rating for the days on which it is used for non-domestic purposes and is entered on a local non-domestic rating list. Property used for non-domestic purposes can include property which is open all the year around, and also property where paying guests are not admitted out of season but where rooms are maintained in preparation for non-domestic use in the next holiday 242
  season. Where, however, the off-season use becomes domestic (for example, where the proprietor's family occupies the property for domestic purposes), the property is not rateable and should be deleted from the rating list for that period.

  Valuation of seasonally operated properties will take into account seasonal patterns of trade. The assessment of a hotel or guest house in an isolated tourist location can take into account the likelihood that winter trade may be minimal or non-existent. The pattern of trade is taken into account by the valuation officer in his valuation of a range of properties including hotels, guest houses, public houses and holiday cottages.

  Occupiers of seasonally operated properties which are liable to rates for any period will have their rate liabilities calculated in accordance with the Welsh non-domestic rating multiplier for the year. For the financial year 1990–91 that multiplier has been set at 0·368, or 36·8p in the pound.

  Mental Health Strategy
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what arrangements are under consideration for the all-Wales mental health strategy at the conclusion of the current 10-year programme.

  Mr. Grist
  We assume that my hon. Friend is referring to the all-Wales mental handicap strategy, as our all-Wales mental illness strategy was launched only last year and does not have a set 10-year programme. The Welsh chapter of the Government's White Paper "Caring for People" indicates that there will be a full review of service development and of the framework provided by the mental hanicap strategy in 1991–92. This review will help to inform consideration of future arrangements for mental handicap services.

  A465
  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the timetable for making the A465, the Heads of the Valleys road, a continuous dual carriage highway throughout its entire length.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  There are no plans for dualling the Heads of the Valleys section of the A465. The position is being reviewed as part of the south Wales traffic study, which will be completed towards the end of 1990.

  A470
  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the timetable for the completion of the Pentrebach bypass, and other bypass work, to take the A470 round Merthyr Tydfil.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  The A470 Pentrebach-Cefn Coed improvement is programmed to start in the period April 1991 to March 1994. Construction is expected to take two years.

  Agricultural Land
  Mr. Geraint Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the average price paid for the following agricultural land in Wales during 1989(a) lowland. (b) marginal and (c) hill land; what were the corresponding figures for each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement.
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  Mr. Peter Walker
  Information is available only on the basis of land grade. The average price paid for agricultural land of five or more hectares in vacant possession is shown in the table:

  Average land prices (£): Reported in 12 months ended September

  Grades 1 and 2

  Grade 3

  Grades 4 and 5

  1979

  2,593

  2,368

  1,607

  1980

  4,351

  3,240

  2,181

  1981

  4,504

  3,117

  2,027

  1982

  3,353

  3,119

  1,792

  1983

  3,002

  3,443

  2,079

  1984

  4,801

  3,816

  2,427

  1985

  5,512

  3,705

  2,070

  1986

  4,238

  3,642

  2,213

  1987

  3,292

  3,171

  2,196

  1988

  4,376

  2,906

  1,604

  1989

  5,065

  3,680

  3,627

  Note: Grades 1, 2 and 3 approximate to the lowland areas, grades 4 and 5 to the less-favoured areas of marginal and hill land. There is a lag between agreeing a sale and reporting it which means that prices reported in the 12 months ended 30 September generally related to sales agreed in the previous calendar year.

ENVIRONMENT

  Disabled People (Housing)
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the need for purpose-built bungalows for disabled people.

  Mr. Chope
  No such estimates are made. Generally the Government favour the design of housing, of whatever kind, which is accessible to the disabled and convenient for them to use. We aim to enable people with disabilities to lead, as far as possible, an independent and active life without having to move to specialised accommodation or institutional care. New grant arrangements coming into effect in April will facilitate adaptation and improvement works to help those who become disabled to remain in their existing homes.

  Chlorofluorocarbons
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any plans to prohibit the disposal of consumer durables containing chlorofluorocarbons to landfill.

  Mr. Trippier
  The Government have at present no plans to do so, although the Department of Trade and Industry has commissioned an intensive study of the problems associated with the use of CFCs which is being carried out by Coopers and Lybrand. Further action will be considered in the light of that report. In addition, various pilot schemes are being undertaken by individual local authorities, some in conjunction with industry.

  EC Housing Ministers
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement on the meeting of EEC Housing Ministers held in Lille in December.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The meeting was arranged by the French Government with a view to establishing direct links between Housing Ministers from the EC member 244
  states. Almost all member states were represented, most at ministerial level, and discussions were cordial and productive. At the conclusion of the meeting it was unanimously agreed that similar meetings should be arranged annually, by the country holding the EC presidency for the second half-year, and that national Administrations should make the necessary arrangements to prepare for them.

  Pollution
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list by(a) location and (b) water authority the sites that suffered from toxic pollution due to blue-green algae, caused by phosphates and nitrogen from sewage and farming entering public reservoirs; and if any successful prosecutions have been made.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  There were 53 sites in England where blooms of toxic blue-green algae were identified in 1989. The causes of the blooms have not yet been determined, but the National Rivers Authority is investigating the issue.

  Drought Orders
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list by(a) water company and (b) location those areas where drought orders still remain in force in England and Wales.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The table lists, by water company area, the drought orders currently in force in England (and that part of Wales served by Severn Trent Water), the locality or water supply source affected by each order and its expiry date. Orders affecting the supply area of Welsh Water are a matter for the Secretary of State for Wales.

  Water company area and locality or water supply source affected

  Date of expiry of Order

  WATER SERVICE COMPANIES

  Anglian

  Ely-Ouse River, Essex1

  28 February 1990

  North West

  Ullswater

  31 January 1990

  Bottoms and Teggsnose

  31 March 1990

  Lamaload

  31 March 1990

  Tytherington Boreholes

  31 March 1990

  Severn Trent

  Tittesworth

  6 March 1990

  Clywedog Reservoir1

  18 March 1990

  Buxton

  21 March 1990

  Derwent Valley Reservoirs, Ambergate

  6 April 1990

  Homesford, Little Eaton, Church Wilne Derby, Notts, Leicester

  26 April 1990

  Southern

  North and West Kent and West and East Sussex

  20 January 1990

  River Medway

  31 March 1990

  Kent Groundwater (No. 2)

  31 March 1990

  West and East Sussex

  21 May 1990

  Hardham (West Sussex)

  31 March 1990

  River Rother, Robertsbridge

  31 March 1990

  Plucks Gutter

  31 March 1990

  South West

  River Torridge

  29 January 1990

  Avon Reservoir

  21 January 1990

  River Tamar

  4 February 1990

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  Water company area and locality or water supply source affected

  Date of expiry of Order

  River Tavy

  26 January 1990

  Venford Reservoir

  4 February 1990

  Devon and Cornwall

  2 February 1990

  River Axe, Whitford Bridge

  10 February 1990

  River Yealm

  28 February 1990

  Fernworthy Reservoir

  28 February 1990

  Colaton Raleigh Stream

  23 February 1990

  Challacombe Reservoir

  22 February 1990

  River Dart at Littlehempstead

  28 February 1990

  Upper Tamar Lake and Lower Tamar Lake

  6 March 1990

  Bude-St ra t ton Canal

  7 March 1990

  Leswidden Pool

  19 April 1990

  Yorkshire

  Harrogate area

  6 April 1990

  Hebden Valley and Withens Clough

  18 April 1990

  Pennine Reservoirs

  13 April 1990

  Bradford Reservoirs

  12 April 1990

  Underbank Reservoir

  18 April 1990

  River Wharfe

  30 April 1990

  River Hull

  22 June 1990

  Lindley Wood Reservoir

  1 June 1990

  STATUTORY WATER COMPANIES

  East bourne

  Eastbourne

  22 February 1990

  River Wallers, Haven

  24 April 1990

  Folkestone

  Folkestone

  14 March 1990

  Mid Kent

  Mid-Kent

  25 January 1990

  West Kent

  River Medway, Hartlake

  4 February 1990

  1Orders made on application of the National Rivers Authority.

  War Memorials
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what financial assistance his Department has given to the joint project being carried out by the imperial war museum and the royal commission on the historical monuments of England towards the national inventory of war memorials.

  Mr. Trippier
  The proposed joint project by the imperial war museum and the royal commission on the historical monuments of England is being supported by grants from the Leverhulme Trust, the Western Front Association and the Imperial War Museum Trust. With this support, the museum and the royal commission expect to be able to meet the full cost without the need to seek any additional funding from the Department of the Environment or any other Government source. The royal commission's day-to-day operations are, of course, largely funded through the grant-in-aid from the Department, which in 1990–91 will be £6·07 million. The grant-in-aid in 1990–91 to the imperial war museum from the Office of Arts and Libraries will be £9·6 million.

  Home Improvements
  Mr. Hayward
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment in which 10 local authority areas in the United Kingdom the Government have provided the largest sums of money for home improvement since 1979.

  Mr. Chope
  The table shows those local authorities in England which, between the financial years 1981–82 and 246
  1988–89, received the largest total amount of Exchequer contribution towards the cost of loan charges incurred by them in giving home improvement grants. Information for years prior to 1981–82 is not readily available. I refer my hon. Friend to the Secretaries of State for Wales, for Scotland and for Northern Ireland for information relating to the rest of the United Kingdom.

  Local authority

  Total payment £ million

  Birmingham

  69,640

  Liverpool

  61,475

  Manchester

  58,713

  Bradford

  39,970

  Leicester

  35,480

  Wirral

  35,229

  Wandsworth

  34,526

  Nottingham

  31,543

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  30,957

  Sheffield

  29,952

  Public Footpaths and Bridleways
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to make regulations under sections 150 and 151 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 to provide for charges to be made for anything done by a local authority in connection with public footpaths and bridleways.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  We are presently considering whether, and if so how, the enabling power in the Act might be used in respect of charging for public path orders. No regulations will be made without full consultation with interested parties.

  Environmental Assessment Directive
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment to whom his Department has let the contract for monitoring the implementation of the environmental assessment directive.

  Mr. Moynihan
  My Department is currently considering tenders which have been received from invited organisations.

  Town and Country Planning
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he plans to introduce legislation to consolidate town and country planning legislation; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Moynihan
  It is hoped to introduce consolidating legislation prepared by the Law Commission into Parliament shortly.

  Bathing Water Survey
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will place in the Library a copy of the "Bathing Water Survey" (1989 results).

  Mr. Trippier
  The results are at present being collated. I expect to place a report in the Library shortly.

  Drinking Water
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has on the use of ozone as a purifier of drinking water within the EEC.
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  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  I understand that ozone is used to some extent in most member states while it is used extensively in France.

  Houseboats
  Mr. Shersby
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what consideration he has given to the desirability of introducing legislation to afford protection to those who reside on houseboats on canals and rivers; what recent representations he has received on this matter; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chope
  The Department occasionally receives letters from hon. Members and the public about security of moorings for houseboat residents. We have no plans to introduce legislation providing statutory security of tenure for them.

  Migrant Households
  Mr. Holt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which data source is used to determine the number of households headed by migrants from the new Commonwealth and Pakistan in determining levels of rate support grants for local authorities.

  Mr. Chope
  The data source for the number of households headed by migrants from the New Commonwealth and Pakistan is the 1981 Census.

  Homelessness
  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any proposals to deal with the causes of homelessness.

  Mr. Chope
  The review of the homelessness legislation, published in November 1989, sets out the Government's proposals for tackling homelessness. Copies are in the Library.

  Competitive Tendering, Kirklees
  Mr. Riddick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made by Kirklees metropolitan council in implementing the provisions of the Local Government Act 1988 in relation to compulsory competitive tendering of(a) refuse collection, (b) cleaning of buildings, (c) other forms of cleaning, (d) catering in schools and welfare roles, other forms of catering, (f) grounds maintenance, and (g) repair and maintenance of vehicles; what are the projected annual savings as a result of competitive tendering for each of the services; and when the successful tenderers will commence operating each of the services.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The dates by which local authorities are required to expose their services to competition under the terms of part I of the Local Government Act 1988 are prescribed in the Local Government Act 1988 (Defined Activities) (Competition) (England) Regulations 1988 (SI 1988 No. 1371). The dates by which Kirklees metropolitan borough council is required to expose services to competition in this way, and the progress in implementing those requirements is as follows:

  (a) refuse collection—the date prescribed was 1 January 1990. I understand that the contract was awarded to
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  the authority's Direct Service Organisation (DSO) and commenced on that date. The authority estimate that net savings of approximately £½ million or 10 per cent. have been achieved;

  (b) cleaning of buildings—the date prescribed is 1 January 1991 and I understand that the authority is taking steps to ensure that competition is introduced in accordance with that timetable;

  (c) other cleaning—the date prescribed is 1 August 1990. I understand that the authority is currently considering applications from persons wishing to be included on its select tendering list and intends to commence the contract in accordance with the timetable;

  (d) catering for purposes of schools and welfare—the date prescribed is 1 January 1992. I understand that the authority is taking steps to ensure that competition is introduced in accordance with that timetable;

  (e) other catering—the date prescribed is 1 August 1991. I understand that the authority is taking steps to ensure that competition is introduced in accordance with that timetable;

  (f) grounds maintenance—the regulations require that authorities should expose a first tranche of 20 per cent. of this work to competition by 1 January 1990, and subsequent tranches of 20 per cent. at six monthly intervals thereafter. I understand that the contract comprising the first 20 per cent. tranche was awarded to the authority's DSO and commenced on 1 January and that a further contract comprising an additional 20 per cent. tranche of work was also won by the DSO and will commence on 1 April. The authority estimate that no net savings will be achieved from those contracts;

  (g) repair and maintenance of vehicles—the date prescribed in Regulations for competition was 1 August 1989. I understand that the contract was awarded to a private contractor and commenced on that date. The authority estimate that net savings of approximately £50k or 2 per cent. will be achieved.

  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the research projects commissioned by his Department in the past 10 years on rural matters, giving details of cost, publication and follow-up action on recommendations.

  Mr. Trippier
  Annual expenditure under the Department's countryside research programme and lists of publications resulting from it are given in the Department's periodic reports on research and development, published by HMSO, copies of which are in the Library. The individual research projects are listed in the annual surveys of research prepared for the countryside recreation research advisory group by the school for advanced urban studies at the university of Bristol, copies of which are obtainable from the school. It is usually left to the contractor to make the final report on a research project available to others on request. Such reports do not normally include recommendations for action.

  Water Companies
  Mr. Lee
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many employees of each of the recently privatised water companies became shareholders; and what percentages of the total work forces this represented.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  A total of 37,488 employees, representing 85·57 per cent. of the eligible work force of the 10 companies, have successfully applied for shares in the companies under free and matching offers.

  The figures for each company are as follows:
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  Employees

  Per cent. of workforce

  Anglian

  3,723

  82·97

  North West

  6,379

  87·09

  Northumbrian

  1,298

  89·46

  Severn Trent

  6,486

  88·53

  Southern

  2,453

  80·56

  South West

  1,496

  82·15

  Thames

  6,778

  83·17

  Welsh

  3,280

  85·73

  Wessex

  1,495

  85·38

  Yorkshire

  4,100

  88·59

  In addition, some of the small number of employees not eligible for the free and matching offers will have successfully applied for shares, but exact figures could not be provided without disproportionate cost.

  Recycled Material
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to introduce a standard symbol to denote material which has been recycled; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  My right hon. Friend announced on 9 January that, following consultation, the Government are to set up an advisory group to develop an eco-labelling scheme to reflect the key characteristics of a product's environmental impact from design to disposal or "cradle to grave". Thus the extent to which a product includes recycled material and can itself be recycled will be taken fully into account.

  Business Rates
  Mr. Richard Shepherd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proportion of profits and trading surpluses the unabated post-revaluation uniform business rate represents for each standard region.

  Mr. Chope
  The information from which to make such estimates is not available.

  Association of County Councils
  Sir Charles Morrison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if his Department has considered an application for an exhibition relating to the centenary of the Association of County Councils to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I understand that, under procedures agreed by the Services Committee, arrangements have been made with the authorities of the House for the exhibition to be held in the Upper Waiting Hall from Monday 5 February to Friday 9 February.

  Hazardous Waste
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he proposes to respond to the report of the Environmental Protection Agency of the United States of America in regard to the hazardous waste material which remains in Wath upon Dearne; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Trippier
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on 15 January,Official Report, column 111.
  250
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the transfrontier shipment of toxic waste within the European Community.

  Mr. Trippier
  Transfrontier shipment of hazardous waste into, out of or within the Community is subject to control under existing EC directives. Discussion is taking place in Brussels to revise these directives and to implement the Basel convention on transfrontier shipment. It is the Government's view that international waste movements should be reduced to the environmentally justified minimum and those that are necessary should be subject to effective monitoring and control.

  Nature Conservancy Council
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Wyre (Mr. Mans) of 23 November 1989,Official Report, column 16, he will give the likely cost of creating a joint co-ordinating committee for the restyled nature conservancy bodies and the estimated annual cost of serving it; and what is the overall annual impact on public expenditure of the proposed reorganisation.

  Mr. Trippier
  Preparatory work to establish the new conservation agencies, including the joint committee, is likely to cost £1·5 million in 1990–91. Some additional costs are likely to be incurred thereafter in operating the new agencies and servicing the committee. It is too early to give an estimate of these costs, as several issues, such as the staff complement of each agency and the programme of the joint committee, are still under detailed consideration by the Government and the Nature Conservancy Council.

  Waste Disposal
  Mr. Trotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his policy on the siting of large toxic waste disposal plants in the middle of major conurbations.

  Mr. Trippier
  The siting of waste disposal facilities is determined by local planning authorities in dealing with relevant planning applications. Any planning appeal to my right hon. Friend would be considered in relation to the circumstances of the case.

  Mr. Franks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to announce a decision concerning the appeal by Thomas Brown of Whinfield farm, Pennington, against revocation of his waste disposal licence by Cumbria county council, submitted in summer 1988.

  Mr. Trippier
  Written representations have been completed on this appeal, lodged on 16 September 1988, and an official from the Department will make a site visit on 20 February. The Secretary of State hopes to be able to determine the appeal once he has received the site visit report.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has yet established the criteria he will use for community charge capping.

  Mr. Chope
  If authorities insist on budgeting excessively my right hon. Friend will not hesitate to cap
  251
  them, but it would not be right to speculate on the detailed operation of any charge-capping scheme which might be needed.

  Mr. Shersby
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if the measures announced by the Minister for Local Government and Inner Cities in October 1989 to limit the increase in the amount of the community charge to not more than £3 per week will apply to charge payers in the London borough of Hillingdon; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chope
  The community charge transitional relief scheme will apply in all charging authority areas. In properties containing one or two community charge payers, relief will be paid where there is a difference of £156 a year (£3 a week) or more between the assumed rates bill and the community charges which would be set if local authority spending were in line with the Government's assumptions for this purpose. For properties with more than two charge payers relief will be based on a comparison between the assumed rates bill and two assumed community charges and distributed equally among the chargepayers. Elderly and disabled people who were not former ratepayers or the partners of former ratepayers will be entitled to relief to reduce their assumed community charge to £156. As was made clear in the announcement, however, relief will not cover any excess of the actual community charge over the assumed community charge.

  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if his Department is considering measures to ensure that his recommendation that seafarers out of the country for more than six months are eligible for exemption from community charge will be complied with; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chope
  [holding answer 15 January 1990]: Guidance on the treatment of Royal Navy personnel was contained in the community charge practice note No. 9 "UK Service Personnel". This advised that married seagoers might be regarded as having their residence with their family except for continuous absences in excess of six months, that single seagoers who are householders might be treated in the same way, and that single seagoers with no permanent home address need not be registered for the personal community charge except during periods of shore leave in excess of 61 days. My Department issued further guidance which suggested that merchant seamen might be treated in broadly the same way as their service counterparts. It is for community charges registration officers to determine liability taking into account all the circumstances of any individual case. Anyone dissatisfied with a determination may appeal to a valuation and community charge tribunal.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his latest estimate of the poll tax for Nottingham.

  Mr. Chope
  [holding answer 15 January 1990]: If each authority seeks to raise from its residents an amount consistent with its behaviour in 1989–90 and with total standard spending of £32·8 billion for 1990–91, its community charge will be that shown in table 2 of the revised exemplifications which my right hon. Friend laid in the Library on 11 January. In the case of Nottingham that would be £254.
  252
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish an up-to-date list of all the regulations in respect of the community charge setting out the area each regulation covers, the primary legislation giving rise to each regulation, the date each came into force, details of amendments to the regulations and the number of pages of each regulation.

  Mr. Chope
  [holding answer15 January 1990]: The information is as follows:

  Date of coming into force

  Regulations made under the Local Government Finance Act 1988

  1. The Personal Community Charge (Exemptions) Order 1989–2 pages

  7 April 1989

  —These cover persons in detention, the severely mentally impaired and patients in homes

  2. Valuation and Community Charge Tribunals Regulations 1989–15 pages

  Regulations 4 to 8 and 11

  7 April 1989

  All others

  1 May 1989

  —These establish new appeal procedures

  3. Community Charges (Administration and Enforcement) Regulations 1989–51 pages

  All except Regulations 4 and 5

  7 April 1989

  Regulations 4 and 5

  22 May 1989

  —These define the detailed powers of authorities for registration, billing and collection of the charge

  4 Valuation and Community Charge Tribunals (Transfer of Jurisdiction) Regulations 1989–10 pages

  1 May 1989

  —These transfer powers of Local Valuation Panels to the new Tribunals

  5. Community Charges (Administration and Enforcement) (Amendment) 1989–1 page

  19 May 1989

  —This inserts a line of print missing from item 3 above

  6. The Community Charge (Information Concerning Social Security) Regulations 1989–2 pages

  22 May 1989

  —These enable Social Security offices to supply CCROs with details on persons receiving income support

  7. The Community Charges (Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations 1989–2 pages

  21 July 1989

  —This amends the wording of item 3 above on service of summonses and redefines co—owners

  8. The Community Charge Benefits (Transitional) Order 1989–4 pages

  30 August 1989

  —These allow for the transition from Housing Benefit to a scheme of community charge benefits

  9 The Community Charges (Cross-Border Information) Regulations 1989–1 page

  1 Sepember 1989

  —These allow for specific information to be supplied between CCROs in England and Wales and Scotland

  10. The Personal Community Charge (Students) Regulations 1989–5 pages

  1 October 1989

  —These define full-time students and the functions of certification offices

  11 The Collection Fund (England) Regulations 1989–7 pages

  13 December 1989

  253

  Date of coming into force

  —These provide for the payments to and transfers from collection funds of charging authorities

  12. The Community Charges (Miscellaneous Provisions) (No. 2) Regulations 1989–7 pages

  28 December 1989

  —These provide for local authorities to offer discounts and amend regulations on billing and the standard charge

  13 The Personal Community Charge (Relief) (England) Regulations 1990–10 pages

  21 January 1990

  —These provide for a transitional relief scheme

  Regulation made under the Social Security Act 1986

  14 The Community Charge Benefits (General) Regulations 1989–61 pages

  Regulations 1, 59-63, 92, 93

  11 August 1989

  All other regulations

  1 April 1990

  —These provide the operation of the community charge benefit system

  Regulations made under the National Health Service Act 1977

  15. The National Health Service (General Medical and Pharmaceutical Services) Amendment Regulations 1989–3 pages

  25 August 1989

  —These provide a procedure to identify and exempt severely mental impaired people

  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what were the sums raised by the London borough of Newham from its industrial and commercial ratepayers for the financial year 1989–90(a) in total and (b) per expected payer of the community charge; and what is the sum he expects to pay the borough in respect of the uniform business rate for the financial year 1990–91 (i) in total and (ii) per community charge payer.

  Mr. Chope
  I estimate that in 1989–90 industrial and commercial ratepayers will pay about £32·2 million in non-domestic rates to the London borough of Newham. This is £201·64 per community charge payer. Under our proposals for 1990–91 the share of the non-domestic rate pool paid to Newham will be £46·7 million. This is £292·51 per chargepayer. The two figures are not directly comparable. The relevant population calculation for Newham is 159,694.

  Dangerous Substances
  Mr. Mans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he has taken to ensure compliance with European Community quality objectives for list I dangerous substances in water; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The Surface Waters (Dangerous Substances) (Classification) Regulations 1989 (SI 1989 No. 2286) came into force on 1 January 1990. These contain the quality standards for surface waters for each of the list I dangerous substances for which Communitywide standards have been set. My right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for the Environment and for Wales have now issued a notice to the National Rivers Authority under section 105 of the Water Act 1989 establishing these standards as statutory water quality objectives. They have also issued directions to the authority under section 146 of the Act requiring it, with 254
  effect from 8 January, to implement the quality standards in the regulations, to undertake the necessary monitoring and to supply the Secretaries of State with the appropriate information. Copies of the notice and direction to the National Rivers Authority have been placed in the Library.

  Land Reclamation
  Mr. Franks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to announce a decision concerning the Crooklands Brow, Dalton-in-Furness, derelict land reclamation scheme.

  Mr. Moynihan
  The application for derelict land grant in respect of this scheme is currently receiving consideration. It is hoped to issue a decision within four weeks.

  Council Grants
  Mr. Shersby
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what grant gain has resulted for the London boroughs of(a) Brent and (b) Ealing as a consequence of the reduction in the standard spending assessment of those boroughs; and on what basis the assessment was reduced.

  Mr. Chope
  The standard spending assessments (SSAs) for Brent and Ealing published on 11 January are lower overall than those published on 6 November 1989 primarily because of reductions in the highway maintenance SSA (in the case of Brent) and in the highway maintenance and capital financing SSAs (in the case of Ealing).

  The increase in the estimated revenue support grant entitlements for Brent and Ealing for 1990–91 (before safety net adjustments) flowing from the reports laid on 11 January as compared with our 6 November proposals is £1·004 million and £5·763 million respectively. This is primarily attributable to changes in our figures for estimated population and for the Metropolitan police budget.

  City of London Heliport
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he intends to make an assessment of the noise impact upon the Palace of Westminster arising from helicopter movements using the proposed City of London heliport; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Moynihan
  [holding answer 21 December 1989]: No.

  Refuse-Derived Fuel and Humus
  Mr. Janman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his policy in respect of grant aiding future research into refuse-derived fuel and refuse-derived humus; and what priority will be given to industry-led and funded research.

  Mr. Trippier
  [holding answer 15 January 1990]A substantial programme funded by my Department of research into combustion of refuse derived fuel is drawing to a close. Industry has developed techniques for solid waste composting. The reclamation and recycling group set up by my Department and the Department of Trade and Industry is currently looking at barriers to the increased use of recycled compostibles.

  Water Privatisation
  Mr. John Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the outcome of the water privatisation share issue.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  [holding answer 15 January 1990]Over 2·7 million applications for shares in the 10 water plcs were received. The public offers were nearly 5·7 times oversubscribed. After clawback of shares from institutional and overseas offers, almost 47 per cent. of the shares available were allocated to the public. Nearly 1·35 million registered customers applied for incentives and preference in their local company. We allocated to registered customers 57·5 per cent. of the shares available to the public.

  The response from the public represents the second-highest level of applications for any privatisation. This is a privatisation that will bring benefits for the environment, for customers and for the 10 water plcs.

  National Rivers Authority
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about the record of the National Rivers Authority since it was established.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  [holding answer 15 January 1990]: The NRA fully assumed its responsibilities on 1 September 1989. Since then regional rivers advisory committees, regional fisheries advisory committees and regional flood defence committees have been established in the 10 NRA regions together with regional advisory boards chaired by the regional board members. Priorities for future action are currently being set by the authority and will be set out in its corporate plan. The authority has already embarked on a number of reviews of policy areas. In addition, the authority has successfully prosecuted a number of offenders under its pollution control powers against offenders.

  Pollution Inspectorate
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the number of times per year since 1979 that Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution officials have inspected each of the following waste disposal sites(a) Rechem Incinerator, Pontypool, (b) Leigh Interest, Stubbers Green, Walsall, (c) Leigh Interests, Lumshill quarry, Matlock and (d) Leigh Interests, Killamarsh, Sheffield.

  Mr. Trippier
  [holding answer 15 January 1990]Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution and its predecessors have inspected the Rechem incinerator at Pontypool at least 12 times in 1981 and in 1982 and between 15 and 18 times in each subsequent year. No inspections have been made of Lumshill quarry, Matlock by the inspectorate. The sites at Killamarsh and Walsall were inspected as follows:

  Killamarsh

  Walsall

  1981

  23

  —

  1982

  20

  —

  1983

  8

  1

  1984

  14

  —

  1985

  30

  —

  1986

  9

  1

  1987

  13

  —

  256

  Killamarsh

  Walsall

  1988

  39

  —

  1989

  26

  1

  Leigh Interests plc
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received regarding the plan by Leigh Interests plc to build a toxic waste incinerator at Kirk Sandall.

  Mr. Trippier
  [holding answer 15 January 1990]: Various representations have been received from hon. Members and the public about this proposal which is to be the subject of a public local inquiry in April.

  Thermally Stable Plastics
  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what are the products of combustion from thermally stable plastics used in the medical industry during combustion in hospital-type incinerators;

  (2) what studies have been carried out by his Department of the problems experienced by the combustion of plastic clinical waste in hospital incinerators within the United Kingdom;

  (3) whether there is a requirement placed upon the suppliers of thermally stable plastics to provide a thermal analysis of their products to enable the combustion characteristics of such plastics to be understood.

  Mr. Trippier
  [holding answer 16 January 1990]The products will include carbon dioxide and water and may include hydrochloric acid, hydrofluoric acid, sulphur dioxide, metal oxides and halides and a range of organic materials. Some of these chemicals may be removed from the exhaust gases by scrubbing equipment. Because the quantities of plastics used in the medical industry are increasing and the compositions are changing, my Department has placed a research contract with the Warren Spring Laboratory to study combustion of them. The chemical compositions of these plastics are well known and no purpose would be served by requiring suppliers to provide thermal analyses.

  Tin Cans
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will consider prohibiting mixing of metals in tin cans where consumer safety does not require it, in order to allow recycling.

  Mr. Forth
  I have been asked to reply.

  No. The mixed composition of some cans does not inhibit their recycling. Indeed, the aluminium contained in the ends of certain steel cans is beneficial to current reprocessing operations.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Lord President of the Council if he will list in rank order, by number of questions, the 20 right hon. and hon. Members who asked the most parliamentary questions during the 1988–89 Session.

  Sir Geoffrey Howe
  The information is as follows:
  257

  Number

  1. Mr. Ron Davies

  775

  2 Dr. Dafydd Elis Thomas

  717

  3. Mr. Graham Allen

  707

  4 Mr Martin Redmond

  699

  5. Mr Harry Cohen

  661

  6. Mr. Tony Banks

  613

  7. Mr. Paul Flynn

  519

  8. Dr. David Clark

  483

  9. Mr. Jack Ashley

  456

  10 Mr Austin Mitchell

  445

  11. Mr. Archy Kirkwood

  443

  12 Mr. Frank Dobson

  439

  13. Mr. Nicholas Bennett

  426

  14 Mr. David Flinchliffe

  398

  15. Mr. Jim Sillars

  368

  16. Mr. Henry McLeish

  347

  17 Mr. Jimmy Wray

  342

  18 Mr. Jeremy Corbyn

  337

  19. Mr. Barry Jones

  327

  20. Mr. Tam Dalyell

  326

  Note: The figures include oral, written and private notice questions but exclude supplementary questions and unreached oral questions asking the Prime Minister to list her engagements.

  Select Committees
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the the Lord President of the Council what extra seating facilities for the general public are being made available, following the admission of television cameras to Select Committee meetings; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Geoffrey Howe
  The arrangements for televising Select Committees are at an experimental stage and I understand that the two temporary camera stands can take up space for some eight seats previously available to the general public. Every effort is made to make maximum use of space for those persons wishing to attend sittings of Select Committees and I understand that, in some cases, Chairmen have agreed to make available for the public parts of the Committee Room previously available to hon. Members.

  The Select Committee on Televising of Proceedings of the House will consider the availability of seating in Committee Rooms during its review of the experimental period.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Shops Act 1950
  Mrs. Wise
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will make it his policy to give a favourable response to any application by a local authority for his fiat to a relator action in pursuance of its statutory duty to enforce the Shops Act 1950.

  The Attorney-General
  The statutory duty of local authorities to enforce the Shops Act 1950 is not subject to the consent of the Attorney-General. Local authorities act independently in the exercise of the duty.

  Mrs. Wise
  To ask the Attorney-General what(a) assistance or (b) guidance he is proposing to give local authorities on the taking of measures to secure compliance with the Shops Act 1950 in the light of the recent decision of the European Court of Justice on 23 November.

  The Attorney-General
  Section 71 of the Shops Act 1950 places a clear duty on local authorities to enforce the 258
  provisions of the Act. That duty has not been altered by the judgment of the European Court of Justice in case 145/88.

  Mrs. Wise
  To ask the Attorney-General what representations he has received from the chairman of the Keep Sunday Special Campaign on the enforcement of the Shops Act 1950 in the light of the European Court decision on 23 November; if he will publish his response in the Official Report; and if he will make a statement.

  The Attorney-General
  The chairman of the Keep Sunday Special Campaign asked to see me with a group of trade representatives from the retail trade. I found the meeting helpful. It was useful to hear at first hand the problems of the enforcement of the Shops Act 1950 as they are perceived by some members of the trade.

  It is now for the domestic courts to apply the judgment of the European Court of Justice in case 145/88. Parliament has conferred the responsibility for enforcing the legislation on local authorities and I am not persuaded that it is appropriate for me to take an initiative on either a local or a national basis at present.

  Ko Hsuan School
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will investigate the charitable status of Ko Hsuan school in north Devon; and if he will make a statement.

  The Attorney-General
  I have caused investigations to be made and can inform my hon. Friend that the Ko Hsuan school in north Devon is not a registered charity.

  Accident Compensation
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will list by category the United Kingdom's accident compensation payment laws; when they were last brought up to date in line with inflation; and if he intends a further update in line with the current rate of inflation.

  The Attorney-General
  With the exception of the statutory provisions relating to damages for bereavement under the Administration of Justice Act 1982, which apply in England and Wales and Northern Ireland, it is not clear to what provisions the hon. Member may be referring, and there is, therefore, no further specific information which I am able to give. As to the position in relation to bereavement damages, I refer him to the reply which I gave to a question from the hon. Member for Liverpool, Mossley Hill (Mr. Alton) on 12 January 1990 at column 774.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Four Winds Park (Flooding)
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he has received any complaints about flooding at the rear gardens of dwellings at Four Winds park, Castlereagh; what proposals he has to remove the cause of this flooding; what works were carried out at the location of this flooding during the month of December 1989; what assessment he has made of the dangers to young children living at Four Winds park due to this flooding; and if he will make a statement.
  259
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  A complaint was received by the Department of Agriculture on 16 December 1989. Flooding was caused by an obstruction in a culverted section of the watercourse to the rear of the dwellings and the Department deployed pumps to alleviate the flooding and removed debris from the entrance to the culvert.

  Responsibility for the efficiency of the watercourse lies with riparian occupiers. The culvert, which in any case is inadequate to discharge storm flows, was installed without the consent of the Department and in 1986 residents were asked to have it upgraded in size: householders will again be advised of their responsibilities.

  Telecommunications
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what groups comprise the task force established in April 1989 by the Department of Economic Development to promote awareness of, and stimulate demand for, the new telecommunications services as a result of the launch of the STAR programme;

  (2) what steps have been taken by the task force established in April 1989 by the Department of Economic Development to promote awareness of and stimulate demand for the new telecommunications services as a result of the launch of the STAR programme.

  Mr. Needham
  The STAR task force comprises representatives of the Department of Economic Development, the Industrial Development Board, the Local Enterprise Development Unit, the Technology Board for Northern Ireland, Queen's university of Belfast and the university of Ulster. To date £328,360 of grant aid from the European regional development fund has been committed to 10 projects in Northern Ireland aimed at promoting awareness and use of the new telecommunications infrastructure. These cover promotional seminars, feasibility studies and demonstration projects. Additional projects are being developed.

  Cystic Fibrosis
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans the Northern Ireland Department of Health and Social Services has to establish an institute for those suffering from cystic fibrosis similar to the one in Peto in Hungary.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  I understand that conductive education as practised in the Peto institute in Budapest is not appropriate for the treatment of cystic fibrosis.

  However, the Government have agreed to contribute to the funding of a new international institute to be established in Hungary. Detailed discussions with the Hungarian Government on this project are continuing and it would not be appropriate to take decisions on proposals for similar provision in Northern Ireland until those discussions are concluded.

  Parliamentary Boundary Commission for Northern Ireland
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will announce the membership of the Parliamentary Boundary Commission for Northern Ireland.
  260
  Mr. Cope
  Mr. Speaker is the chairman of the Boundary Commission. The other members are as follows:

  Members

  Appointed by

  Deputy Chairman

  The Hon. Mr. Justice Higgins

  The Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland

  Members

  Mr. P. G. Duffy

  The Secretary of State

  Mr. D. J. Clement

  The Secretary of State

  Wounded Soldiers (Compensation)
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the sums payable in compensation to officers, non-commissioned officers and soldiers wounded on service in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Cope
  They depend in each case on the seriousness of the injuries received.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what sums are payable in compensation to the families of officers, non-commissioned officers and soldiers killed on service in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Cope
  They depend in each case on the amount of pecuniary loss suffered and expenses actually and necessarily incurred by the families as a result of the victim's death.

  Action for Community Employment
  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the total number of ACE placements in each district council area in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 16 January 1990]: Following is the information:

  Action for Community Employment (ACE) Placements in each District Council area in Northern Ireland as at 5 January 1990 The numbers of filled places in each District Council area are—

  District Council

  Number

  Belfast

  3,452

  North Down

  185

  Lisburn

  479

  Ards

  210

  Down

  211

  Castlereagh

  153

  Carrickfergus

  207

  Larne

  121

  Ballymena

  209

  Antrim

  202

  Moyle

  132

  Coleraine

  224

  Magherafelt

  247

  Ballymoney

  171

  Newtownabbey

  353

  Cookstown

  171

  Dungannon

  391

  Armagh

  281

  Banbridge

  127

  Craigavon

  371

  Newry and Mourne

  648

  Derry

  1,050

  Limavady

  185

  Strabane

  307

  Fermanagh

  316

  261

  District Council

  Number

  Omagh

  255

  Total

  10,658

  Youth Training
  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the total number of youth training placements in each district council area in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 16 January 1990]: The information is not available in the form requested. However, the table shows that 10,184 full-time training places, broken down by job market area, were occupied at 29 December 1989. In addition, 2,415 young people were receiving employment with training under YTP work scheme across the province at the same time.

  Youth training programme full-time training

  Job market

  Occupied places at 29 December 1989

  Bangor

  404

  Lisburn

  462

  Newtownards

  157

  Belfast

  3,328

  Antrim

  165

  Carrickfergus

  148

  Larne

  137

  Magherafelt

  172

  Ballymena

  544

  Ballymoney

  135

  Coleraine

  277

  £ thousand

  Financial year

  Roads service headquarters

  Ballymena

  Belfast

  Coleraine

  Craigavon

  Downpatrick

  Omagh

  1985–86

  Major works

  612

  906

  3,154

  757

  1,434

  985

  1,568

  Minor works

  —

  1,108

  1,045

  1,237

  1,351

  1,367

  1,164

  1986–87

  Major works

  418

  1,014

  3,268

  1,505

  1,804

  1,092

  879

  Minor works

  —

  1,090

  1,706

  1,689

  1,358

  1,537

  1,061

  1987–88

  Major works

  690

  1,071

  3,169

  1,821

  1,784

  890

  793

  Minor works

  —

  1,341

  1,480

  1,271

  1,174

  1,401

  1,382

  1988–89

  Major works

  1,755

  3,063

  1,999

  986

  1,844

  1,827

  694

  Minor works

  —

  1,078

  1,399

  1,147

  1,057

  1,307

  1,306

  1989–901

  Major works

  119

  1,830

  7,839

  1,425

  1,569

  2,215

  3,107

  Minor works

  —

  1,305

  1,593

  1,416

  1,399

  1,358

  1,524

  1 To 11 January 1990.

  Note:

  The roads service headquarters expenditure was mainly in respect of specific major works handled centrally rather than divisionally.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Birmingham Pub Bombings
  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he last discussed the Birmingham pub bombings case with the assistant chief constable of West Yorkshire; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John Patten
  My right hon. and learned Friend has not discussed this case with the assistant chief constable of West Yorkshire, Mr. Shaw. However, Home Office officials have maintained close contact with the Police Complaints Authority, which is supervising Mr. Shaw's
  262

  Job market

  Occupied places at 29 December 1989

  Limavady

  145

  Londonderry

  1,153

  Strabane

  191

  Armagh

  85

  Cookstown

  81

  Dungannon

  197

  Enniskillen

  227

  Omagh

  395

  Portadown

  345

  Ballynahinch

  86

  Banbridge

  102

  Downpatrick

  192

  Kilkeel

  1

  Lurgan

  243

  Newcastle

  84

  Newry

  728

  Total

  10,184

  Roads
  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the total amount allocated for(a) major works and (b) minor works by the Department of the Environment's roads service to each of the district offices in each division of the Northern Ireland roads service in each year since 1985.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  [holding answer 16 January 1990]: Allocations for major works and minor works are primarily made on a divisional basis as follows:

  investigations into the West Midlands serious crime squad. We will consider carefully whether anything emerges from this investigation which might cast doubt on the safety of the convictions of the Birmingham Six.

  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects the investigations into the Birmingham Six to be concluded; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John Patten
  My right hon. and learned Friend is considering very carefully the further material which has been presented to him by a solicitor on behalf of the Birmingham Six, and will decide as soon as possible whether it justifies any intervention on his part.

  Bingo Clubs
  Mr. Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has any plans to exclude bingo clubs from section 42 of the Gaming Act to allow them to advertise; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Licensed bingo clubs already advertise freely as social clubs, and specific games of bingo, and certain prizes in them, are already advertised on the front of club premises. The principal effect of section 42 of the Gaming Act 1968 on bingo clubs is to prohibit the wider advertising of the specific locations of the clubs as places where gaming takes place. We have informed the Bingo Association of Great Britain (BAGB) that we cannot accept its campaign for the complete removal of the controls on the advertising of bingo clubs, but that it is open to them to resume discussions with the Gaming Board for Great Britain on the scope, if any, for some relaxation of the controls.

  Boundary Commissions
  Mr. Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement of progress on the work of the boundary commissions on parliamentary constituencies; and when he expects the new boundaries to take effect.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The boundary commissions have a duty to keep the distribution of seats under continuous review. They are also required to present reports on the whole country 10 to 15 years after their previous report. The English commission's next such report is due between 1993 and 1998. I understand that the commission is likely to begin work in 1991. At present the commission is reviewing the Buckingham and Milton Keynes constituencies; revised draft proposals were published in November 1989, and in due course it will report. New parliamentary constituency boundaries come into effect at the general election following Parliament's approval of the commission's recommendations and the making of an Order in Council.

  Nuclear Bunkers
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list, by local authority, how many nuclear bunkers have been built or provided by local authorities to date; and how many additional bunkers are being planned.

  Mr. John Patten
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a question from the hon. Member for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy (Dr. Thomas) on 18 December 1989 at columns 18-19.

  Sunday Trading
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many retail outlets in England and Wales have been prosecuted for trading on Sundays 264
  during each of the last four years; and if he will make a statement on the steps he is taking to secure widespread agreement to a reform of the existing law.

  Mr. Mellor
  Figures are not yet available for 1989. Those for the previous four years 1985–88 show that the number of prosecutions for Sunday trading offences in England and Wales were 647, 724, 646 and 536 respectively. The Government accepted the findings of the Auld committee that there was no satisfactory solution short of total deregulation. Since the defeat of the Shops Bill, the Government have made clear that they are prepared to consider reform short of total deregulation if a solution can be found which is widely accepted, enforceable, practicable and likely to command a parliamentary majority. No such solution has yet emerged.

  Bail Lodging Places
  Mr. Alexander
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will undertake a review of the number of bail lodging places since the coming into force of the Social Security Act 1988.

  Mr. John Patten
  I see no need for such a review at the moment in the light of other measures we are already taking to increase the accommodation available for bailees. The target for the bail hostel development programme has been considerably increased to 1,000 new places by April 1993. Planned expansion in bail information schemes should allow the number of courts being served to increase from the current 45 to 100 courts by April 1992. We are also examining ways of increasing accommodation in the community for bailees and how bail information schemes and accommodation networks can best be developed.

  Prostitution
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many men were convicted of kerb crawling in each of the last five years at(a) the South Western magistrates court and (b) courts in England and Wales;

  (2) how many men were sent to prison for (a) kerb crawling and (b) living on immoral earnings in each of the last five years by the South Western magistrates court;

  (3) how many men were sent to prison for (a) living on immoral earnings and (b) kerb crawling by courts in England and Wales in each of the last five years;

  (4) how many times the maximum fine has been imposed on men convicted (a) at the South Western magistrates court and (b) courts in England and Wales of kerb crawling in each of the last five years;

  (5) how many women were convicted of soliciting (a) at the South Western magistrates court and (b) in England and Wales during each of the last five years.

  Mr. John Patten
  The information requested is given in the tables:
  265

  Persons found guilty and sentenced for kerb crawling and prostitution

  Table 1

  Males convicted of kerb crawling

  England and Wales

  South Western magistrates court

  Convictions

  Immediate custody

  Number fined maximum1

  Convictions

  Immediate custody

  Number fined maximum1

  21986

  163

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1987

  275

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1988

  517

  —

  —

  36

  —

  —

  1The maximum fine is £400.

  2The offence was introduced by the Sexual Offences Act 1985.

  Table 2

  Males found guilty of living on immoral earnings

  England and Wales

  South Western Magistrates court

  Year

  Found guilty

  Immediate custody

  Found guilty

  Immediate custody

  1984

  29

  11

  —

  —

  1985

  25

  8

  1

  —

  1986

  24

  7

  1

  —

  1987

  16

  7

  —

  —

  1988

  29

  11

  —

  —

  Table 3

  Females convicted of soliciting

  Year

  England and Wales Convicted

  South Western Magistrates court Convicted

  1984

  8,595

  402

  1985

  9,159

  579

  1986

  9,091

  288

  1987

  8,171

  399

  1988

  8,829

  226

  Planting of Evidence
  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases of alleged planting of evidence were made last year against the police in England and Wales; and how many of these resulted in prosecutions.

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

  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will bring forward amendments to the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 in order to guard against the planting of evidence on suspects by police.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  No. Such conduct, if proved, already constitutes an offence under the police discipline code, and I see no justification for amending the Act along the lines suggested.

  Police Complaints Authority
  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the findings of the Hertfordshire police, acting on behalf of the Police Complaints Authority, in the series of cases relating to PC Judd, and other officers, in Notting Hill in 1984–85.
  266
  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  No. I understand that the report of the investigation carried out under the supervision of the authority is under consideration by the authority. Home Office Ministers have no role in the process.

  Message Switch Systems
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list, by region, the sites of all new message switch systems that have been installed in local authority emergency centres.

  Mr. John Patten
  As at 31 December 1989, emergency centres in the following local authorities have received the equipment:

  Region 2

  Cleveland
  County Main and Standby and the following districts: Middlesbrough, Stockton-on-Tees.

  Durham
  County Main and Standby and the following districts: Chester-le-Street, Derwentside, Durham, Easington, Teesdale.

  Humberside
  County Main and Standby and the following districts: Beverley, Cleethorpes, East Yorkshire, Glanford, Great Grimsby.

  North Yorkshire
  County Main and Standby and the following districts: Craven, Hambleton, Harrogate, Richmondshire, Scarborough, Selby.

  Northumberland
  County Main and the following districts: Alnwick, Tynedale.

  Tyne and Wear
  The following districts: North Tyneside, Sunderland.

  West Yorkshire
  County Main and Standby and the following districts: Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees

  Region 3

  Derbyshire
  County Main and Standby and the following districts: Chesterfield, High Peak, Derbyshire Dales

  Leicestershire
  County Main and Standby and the following districts: Blaby, Harborough, Hinckley and Bosworth, Leicester, Melton, Rutland

  Lincolnshire
  County Main and Standby and the following districts: Lincoln, North Kesteven, South Kesteven

  Northamptonshire

  267
  County Main and Standby and the following districts: Daventry, Northampton, Wellingborough

  Nottinghamshire
  County Main and Standby and the following districts: Bassetlaw, Broxtowe, Gedling, Mansfield, Newark, Nottingham

  Region 4

  Bedfordshire
  County Main and Standby and the following districts: Luton, Mid Bedfordshire, North Bedfordshire, South Bedfordshire

  Cambridgeshire
  County Main and Standby and the following districts: Cambridge, East Cambridgeshire, Fenland, Huntingdonshire, South Cambridgeshire

  Essex
  County Main and Standby and the following districts: Basildon, Braintree, Brentwood, Castle Point, Chelmsford, Colchester, Epping Forest, Harlow, Maldon, Rochford, Southend-on-Sea, Tendring, Thurrock, Uttlesford

  Hertfordshire
  County Main and the following districts: East Hertfordshire, St. Albans

  Norfolk
  County Main and Standby and the following districts: Breckland, Great Yarmouth

  Suffolk
  County Main and Standby and the following districts: Babergh, Ipswich, Mid Suffolk, St. Edmundsbury

  Region 5

  London
  South West Group and the following boroughs: Barking and Dagenham, Bexley, City of London, Havering, Kingston upon Thames, Richmond upon Thames

  Region 6

  Berkshire
  County Main and Standby and the following districts: Bracknell, Newbury, Reading, Slough, Windsor and Maidenhead, Wokingham

  Buckinghamshire
  County Main and Standby and the following districts: Chiltern, Milton Keynes, South Bucks, Wycombe

  East Sussex
  County Main and the following districts: Brighton, Hove, Lewes, Rother, Wealden

  Hampshire
  County Main and Standby and the following districts: Basingstoke and Deane, East Hampshire, Eastleigh, Fareham, Hart, Havant, New Forest, Portsmouth, Rushmoor, Southampton, Test Valley, Winchester

  Isle of Wight
  County Main and Standby

  Kent
  County Main and the following districts: Dover, Gillingham, Gravesham, Medway, Sevenoaks, Shepway, Swale, Thanet, Tonbridge and Malling, Tunbridge Wells

  Oxfordshire
  County Main and the following districts: Cherwell, Oxford, South Oxfordshire, Vale of White Horse, West Oxfordshire

  Surrey
  County Main and Standby and the following districts: Mole Valley, Reigate and Banstead, Surrey Heath, Tandridge, Waverley, Woking
  268
  West Sussex
  County Main and Standby and the following districts: Adur, Arun, Chichester, Horsham, Mid Sussex, Worthing

  Region 7

  Cornwall
  County Main and Standby and the following districts: Caradon, North Cornwall, Penwith

  Devon
  County Main and Standby and the following districts: East Devon, Exeter, Mid Devon, Plymouth, Teignbridge, Torbay

  Dorest
  County Main and Standby and the following districts: Bournemouth, Christchurch, East Dorset, Poole, Purbeck, West Dorset, Weymouth and Portland

  Gloucestershire
  County Main and Standby and the following districts: Cheltenham, Cotswold, Forest of Dean, Gloucester, Tewkesbury

  Somerset
  County Main and Standby and the following districts: Mendip, Sedgemoor, South Somerset, Taunton Deane

  Wiltshire
  County Main and Standby and the following districts: Kennet, North Wiltshire, Salisbury, West Wiltshire

  Region 8

  Clwyd
  County Main and Standby and the following district: Colwyn

  Dyfed
  County Main and Standby and the following districts: Carmarthen, Llanelli

  Gwent
  County Standby

  Gwynedd
  County Main and Standby and the following districts: Aberconwy, Ynys MÔn

  Powys
  County Main and Standby and the following district: Brecknock

  South Glamorgan
  County Main and the following district: Cardiff

  West Glamorgan
  County Main and Standby

  Region 9

  Hereford and Worcester
  County Main and Standby and the following districts: Leominster, Redditch, Worcester, Wyre Forest

  Shropshire
  County Main and Standby and the following districts: Shrewsbury and Atcham, South Shropshire

  Staffordshire
  County Main and Standby and the following districts: East Staffordshire, Lichfield, South Staffordshire, Staffordshire Moorlands

  Warwickshire
  County Main and Standby and the following districts: Rugby, Stratford-on-Avon

  West Midlands
  County Main and the following districts: Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Wolverhampton
  269
  Region 10

  Cheshire
  County Main and Standby and the following district: Vale Royal

  Cumbria
  County Main and Standby and the following districts: Allerdale, Barrow in Furness, Carlisle, Copeland, Eden

  Lancashire
  County Main and Standby and the following districts: Blackburn, Blackpool, Chorley, Fylde, Hyndburn, Lancaster, Preston, Ribble Valley, Rossendale, South Ribble, West Lancashire

  Greater Manchester
  County Main and Standby and the following districts: Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Stockport, Trafford

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the manufacturers which have installed message switch equipment for local authority emergency centres; and what assessment has been made of their relative merits.

  Mr. John Patten
  The equipment is being supplied and installed by Chernikeeff Telecommunications Ltd. Installations are subject to technical acceptance by Home Office engineering staff.

  South Yorkshire Police
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the total number of additional posts applied for by South Yorkshire police authority since 1980; how many he has approved in this period; what was the basis on which he declined to accept the totals requested; and what assessment he has made of the effects of manpower levels on(a) morale and (b) crime prevention in South Yorkshire.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Applications have been made and approvals given in the years set out in the table.

  Year

  Posts applied for

  Posts approved

  1980–81

  278

  120

  1983–84

  154

  —

  1985–86

  9

  —

  1986–87

  213

  50

  1987–88

  52

  20

  1988–89

  50

  20

  1989–90

  50

  27

  1990–91

  50

  220

  1Letter from the Chief Constable rather than from the police authority.

  2Approved subject to the police authority confirming willingness to meet its share of the cost.

  Applications have been considered within the limits of the police growth which is affordable year on year, and with advice from Her Majesty's inspectorate of constabulary on the evidence of need and the ability to release police posts by recruiting civilian staff. We are not aware of any morale or crime prevention considerations which would justify different treatment of the police authority's manpower applications.

  Refugees
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he is taking to assist refugees arriving at Heathrow and Gatwick airports who are without(a) food and (b) money.
  270
  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  In October we agreed in principle to Home Office grant being made available to strengthen the voluntary sector assistance given to asylum seekers arriving at Heathrow and Gatwick who have no other means of support. An emergency fund to provide destitute asylum seekers with food and initial accommodation is now operated by the refugee arrivals project and the Refugee Council and the need for additional staff and strengthened reception arrangements is under consideration.

  Gallows
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if gallows are still kept at any prison in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Mellor
  One set of gallows is kept at Her Majesty's prison, Wandsworth.

  John McCarthy
  Mr. Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from or on behalf of the Friends of John McCarthy, with respect to their ineligibility for charitable status; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John Patten
  We have received no representations. I understand that in June 1988 the Charity Commission had correspondence about the question of charitable status with solicitors acting on behalf of the Friends of John McCarthy.

  Betting Offices
  Mr. Holt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when and how he intends to conduct the deregulation review of the opening hours of licensed betting offices; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The opening hours of licensed betting offices would be likely to be among the matters considered by an inquiry into the financing of horse and greyhound racing, since the racing and betting industries are interlinked. My right hon. and learned Friend is at present considering whether or not to establish such an inquiry. If in due course it seems right to conduct separately the review of betting office opening hours, the review will itself be conducted within the Government's policy on gambling, with no prior assumption about whether or not the hours should be varied, and in consultation with outside interests, including, for example, organisations representative of off-course and on-course bookmakers, betting office employees, horse racing and greyhound racing, the betting office licensing authorities, the police, the local authorities and those concerned with the study of gambling.

  Animal Procedures Committee
  Mr. Colin Shepherd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he intends to make further appointments to the animal procedures committee; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Waddington
  Following his appointment as the Vice-Chancellor of Cambridge, the chairman of the committee, Professor David Williams, has resigned from 31 December 1989. I am pleased to be able to announce that Lord Nathan has agreed to succeed him.
  271
  I am pleased to be able to announce further that Professor Barry Bridges, of Queen's university, Belfast; Dr. Fiona Broughton-Pipkin, of the Queen's medical centre, Nottingham; Dr. Susan Iversen, of Merck Sharp and Dohme Research Laboratories; and Professor Michael Spyer, of the Royal Free Hospital medical school, London, have also accepted appointments as members of the committee.

  I should like to place on record my appreciation of the excellent way in which Professor Williams has chaired the committee since its formation following the passage of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. I am grateful to Lord Nathan and the other new members for agreeing to serve on this committee.

PRIME MINISTER

  National Trust Silver
  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Prime Minister how much National Trust silver she has at Downing street; and when she intends to return the 20 pieces to Belton house, near Grantham, for the benefit of the nation.

  The Prime Minister
  There are 22 pieces of National Trust silver on loan to 10 Downing street from Belton house. This will be returned as and when requested by the National Trust.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Hazardous Waste
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what dates representations were made, and to whom, in respect of the drums of toxic waste currently in the constituency of Wentworth which are to be returned to the United States of America.

  Mr. Maude
  Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution has been in close touch on this subject with the United States Environment Protection Agency since July 1989, most recently on 3 January 1990. Similarly, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department of the Environment have been in contact with the United States embassy in London and a representative of the embassy was invited to call on the FCO for talks on 22 December.

  Hong Kong
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many people emigrated from Hong Kong in each of the years from 1980 to date; and how many of these were heads of households.

  Mr. Maude
  [holding answer 16 January 1990]: According to Hong Kong Government statistics, the estimated figures for emigration were as follows:

  Number

  1980

  22,400

  1981

  18,300

  1982

  20,300

  1983

  19,800

  1984

  22,400

  1985

  22,300

  1986

  19,000

  1987

  30,000

  272

  Number

  1988

  45,800

  1989

  42,000

  It is not possible to state how many emigrants were heads of household.

EMPLOYMENT

  New Businesses
  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many new businesses were started over the past year.

  Mr. Eggar
  In 1988, the latest year for which figures have been published, the net increase in the number of VAT-registered businesses was 64,000, an average of just over 1,200 per week. This was the net result of 230,000 new registrations and 166,000 deregistrations.

ENERGY

  Non-fossil Fuel Obligation
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he has received details from area boards of how many non-nuclear projects have sought to be included within the non-fossil fuel obligation; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  My Department has been informed of nearly 300 such applications. This is a very encouraging response.

  Renewable Energy
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what percentage of the national budget in each of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries is spent on Government-funded research into renewable energy sources.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  The table sets out the percentage of the national budget in each of the OECD countries spent on Government-funded research, development and demonstration into renewable energy sources in 1988, the latest year for which information is available. The information was derived from published OECD reports (Energy Policy and Programmes of IEA Countries: 1988: OECD Outlook, December 1989; and OECD Main Economic Indicators, December 1989).

  Renewables expenditure as a percentage of total Government expenditure

  Percentage

  Canada

  0·01

  United States

  0·01

  Japan

  0·01

  Austria

  0·01

  Belgium

  0·01

  Germany

  0·02

  Greece

  0·02

  Italy

  0·01

  Netherlands

  0·02

  Norway

  0·01

  Portugal

  0·01

  Spain

  0·01

  273

  Percentage

  Sweden

  0-02

  Switzerland

  0-03

  United Kingdom

  0-01

  Note: Data on renewables expenditure are not available for Australia. New Zealand, Denmark, France, Ireland, Finland, and Turkey.

  North Sea
  Mr. Caborn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is the extent of operations in the North sea, British section, by South African-owned or controlled companies.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  Two South African-owned companies hold small interests in a total of four United Kingdom offshore petroleum production licences.

  Plutonium
  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is his policy towards the control of the transportation of plutonium(a) by air, and (b) by sea from Sellafield to its major customers in Japan and West Germany.

  Mr. Baldry
  The transport of plutonium is covered by stringent international regulations. Transport options for returning the plutonium arising from the reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel at THORP are still under consideration. Before anydecision is taken, all necessary safety and security aspects will be carefully considered.

HEALTH

  Medical Instruments (Imports)
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the percentage of the home market of medical instruments supplied by imports.

  Mr. Orme
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the percentage of the home market of medical instruments supplied by imports.

  Mr. Freeman
  About 50 per cent. The United Kingdom remains a net exporter of medical equipment.

  NHS Reform
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the area health authorities where members have taken a vote to consider the proposals for opting-out by hospitals in their area; and what were the results obtained.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Department has not sought or recorded the results or deliberations by health authorities to date on self-governance and other NHS review issues. Formal applications for NHS trust status will not be invited until Parliament has given approval to the necessary legislation. At that time health authorities will have an opportunity to comment on individual applications for trust status as part of the formal consultation process.
  274

  Chickens
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the number of frozen whole chickens examined by the central public health laboratory and the percentage of them affected by salmonella in each year since 1980.

  Mr. Freeman
  The results of two surveys carried out by the food hygiene laboratory and division of enteric pathogens of the public health laboratory service on the frequency of salmonella in uncooked frozen chickens purchased by environmental health officers from supermarkets, butchers and other shops in north and west London are given in the table. There is no reason to believe that the samples were unrepresentative of the national picture.

  Year

  Number examined

  Number positive

  Percentage positive

  1979–80

  100

  79

  79

  1987

  101

  65

  64

  Illegal Abortions
  Ms. Richardson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his estimate of the number of illegal abortions based on statistics for maternal deaths, admissions to hospital following septic abortion, prosecutions for procuring illegal abortion and cases known to the police for the periods from 1960 to 1967, 1968 to 1975, 1976 to 1983 and 1984 to the most recent date.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Not all the information is available in the form requested. No meaningful estimate of illegal abortions can be derived from the available statistics on maternal deaths or treatment in hospital for septic abortion.

  The available information on maternal deaths for the period requested is as follows:

  Number of deaths from criminal abortion in England and Wales

  Number

  1961–63

  77

  1964–66

  98

  1967–69

  74

  1970–72

  37

  1973–75

  10

  1976–78

  4

  1979–81

  1

  1982–84

  nil

  Source: Report on Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Deaths in England and Wales.

  Preliminary investigation shows no evidence of deaths for the period 1985–87.

  Information on prosecutions for procuring illegal abortions and cases known to the police are matters for my right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary. The available information is given in the table.

  Offences recorded by the police for procuring illegal abortion

  Prosecutions for procuring illegal abortion

  1960

  221

  44

  1961

  245

  59

  1962

  406

  90

  275

  Offences recorded by the police for procuring illegal abortion

  Prosecutions for procuring illegal abortion

  1963

  239

  62

  1964

  271

  80

  1965

  184

  77

  1966

  208

  65

  1967

  314

  61

  1968

  247

  75

  1969

  257

  57

  1970

  212

  52

  1971

  80

  34

  1972

  62

  26

  1973

  36

  11

  1974

  21

  8

  1975

  14

  1

  1976

  9

  3

  1977

  11

  4

  1978

  7

  3

  1979

  3

  1

  1980

  2

  3

  1981

  3

  —

  1982

  3

  —

  1983

  5

  1

  1984

  1

  3

  1985

  4

  2

  1986

  3

  1

  1987

  3

  2

  1988

  3

  6

  Self-governing Hospitals
  Mr. Flannery
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will describe the process by which a hospital decides to show an interest in becoming self-governing.

  Mrs. Bottomley
  The Government's proposals for enabling hospitals and other NHS units and services to achieve NHS trust status are set out in the NHS and Community Care Bill. The process was also described in our White Paper "Working for Patients" CM 555, and NHS review working paper 1—"Self-Governing Hospitals" published earlier last year. More details were also given in "Self-governing Hospitals: An initial guide" published last July, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Smoking-related Diseases
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his latest estimate of the annual cost to the National Health Service of treating smoking-related diseases; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  It is not possible to estimate these costs accurately, but they may be of the order of £500 million each year. This figure relies on the proportion of mortality from different diseases attributed to smoking. These "attributability factors" are applied to the NHS expenditure on treating these diseases to derive a cost for smoking to the NHS.

  Welfare Milk
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he will reconsider the changes in the welfare milk scheme due to take effect on 28 January.

  Mr. Freeman
  No. The decision to implement the revised price structure was taken after an extensive period 276
  of negotiation, consultation and consideration. It takes account of the fact that the Department is a major buyer of liquid milk and reflects our policy of securing value for money in Government purchasing. The entitlement of beneficiaries to free welfare milk is not affected by this change.

  Hospital Beds
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many of the various categories of hospital beds there are at present; and how many there were for the equivalent categories 10 years ago.

  Mr. Freeman
  The information requested is given in the table.

  Average daily number of available beds by sector NHS Hospitals, England, 1979 and 1988–89

  1979

  1988–89

  All specialties

  361,670

  282,937

  Acute

  148,725

  123,484

  Geriatric

  55,139

  51,042

  Mental illness

  89,045

  62,999

  Mental handicap

  50,122

  30,045

  Maternity (General Practice and Obstetric)

  18,640

  15,367

  Sources: 1979 SH3 return, 1988–89 KHO3 return.

  Ambulance Dispute
  Mr. Dykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will hold further talks with National Health Service management on ways of ending the ambulance men's dispute.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Ministers meet National Health Service management regularly in order to discuss the ambulance dispute.

  Hospital Grounds (Development)
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospital grounds have been sold for development during 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988 and 1989; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  The information held by the Department does not differentiate between sales of hospital grounds and sales of hospital buildings nor between property sold for development or non-development.

  Total sales of NHS properties in England are as follows:

  Acres realising

  £ million

  1985–86

  1,085

  84·9

  1986–87

  861

  149·0

  1987–88

  886

  204·0

  1988–89

  1,028

  273·3

  All proceeds are retained by health authorities for reinvestment in the service.

  Consultants
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what opportunities there will be in 1990 for district health authorities to bid for additional consultants and their associated teams.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  We have no current plans for a further central initiative inviting district health authorities to bid for new consultant posts in 1990.

  Ambulance Stations (Visits)
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what date he last visited an ambulance station.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  I opened Hexham ambulance station on 21 October 1988.

  Generic Medicines
  Mr. Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what requirements exist for imports of generic medications to include an instruction leaflet in the English language.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Medicines (Leaflets) Regulations require that if a leaflet is supplied with any medicine it is to be in English. It is not mandatory under United Kingdom law to supply a leaflet, but European Community (EC) directive 89/341 introduces such a requirement effective in 1992, unless the necessary information is on the label. The content of leaflets to be supplied under directive 89/341 is to be laid down by a further directive which is expected to be discussed this year.

  Training and Staffing
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what additional resources are being made available to local authorities to assist with training and staffing for the additional duties contained in the Children Act 1989 and the National Health Service and Community Care Bill.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  We will take into account local authorities' additional responsibilities arising from these legislative changes in determining their grant entitlement for future years. We will also be making available grants for training in respect of the Children Act totalling £4 million over two years. This is in addition to the other training grants we make for staff working with the elderly, with children, and managerial personnel which will total nearly £17 million in 1990–91, all of which will have a role to play in preparing staff for new responsibilities. We have also announced our intention to introduce a further grant for local authorities from 1991–92 to assist them to develop services for the mentally ill.

  NHS Maintenance
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the value of backlog maintenance for National Health Service properties in the Yorkshire regional health authority(a) in total and (b) by district health authority, for the latest available year; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Peckham (Ms. Harman) on 10 January at columns 666-69.

  Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research is currently taking place into myalgic encephalomyelitis.

  Mr. Jackson
  I have been asked to reply.
  278
  The Medical Research Council, which receives its grant-in aid from this Department through the science budget, is not currently funding any research specifically into myalgic encephalomyelitis. It is, however, funding a study at the Institute of Psychiatry which is to investigate chronic fatigue in general practitioner attenders. The council also supports work in immune responses to the muscle, nerve cells and related structures which may have some relevance to the understanding and treatment of this condition. The Medical Research Council is always willing to consider soundly based scientific proposals in competition with other applications.

SCOTLAND

  NHS (Savings Schemes)
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give details of savings to the health boards from every saving scheme.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Information in the detail requested is not available centrally.

  Works of Art
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will list(a) German expressionist, (b) 20th century Scottish, (c) Piccassos, (d) Dutch 17th century, (e) Italian renaissance, and (f) French impressionist works of art in Scotland, owned by the state; how much was paid by the state for each painting; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if he will list the works of art produced in (a) 1945 to 1964, (b) 1965 to 1977, (c) 1978 to 1987 and (d) 1988 to 1989 owned by the state; if he will indicate which of those were produced either partly or wholly by public funding; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lang
  I have no direct responsibility for any works of art in any of the categories listed. Information on items in these categories which may be held by non-departmental public bodies in Scotland, such as the National Galleries of Scotland, is not held centrally, but may be obtainable direct from them. Works of art held in the Government art collection are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Arts.

  Job Creation
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will place in the Library the latest notes of guidance issued on(a) the calculation of leverage ratios as per page 48 of "Public Expenditure to 1991–92: A Commentary on the Scotland Programme", (b) the calculation of cost per job created or safeguarded, gross, (c) the calculation of cost per job created or safeguarded, net, (d) the estimation of job displacement, (e) the rules about additionality when projects are aided by European Community funds and (f) the public expenditure treatment of such receipts.

  Mr. Lang
  There are no formal guidance notes on these matters. A full examination of value for money was carried out as part of the 1987 review of the Highlands and Islands Development Board, a copy of which can be found in the Library. This covered indicators(a) to (d). The report includes information on these indicators and the methods of calculation adopted. On item (e), the relevant
  279
  European Community legislation governing the new structural funds regime, including additionality, is article 9 of regulation No. 4253/88. On item (f), the principle governing the public expenditure treatment of European Community receipts is that the expected level of such receipts is taken into account by Departments when public expenditure plans are prepared. General guidance on European Community finance questions is given in chapter 4 of "Government Accounting", which is in the Library.

  Public Expenditure
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish in the Official Report an analysis of any definition or classification changes which affect comparisons between (a) the table for programme 15.2 and 15.3 on page 40 of "Public Expenditure to 1991–92: Commentary on the Scotland Programme" and (b) the table appended to the Secretary of State's statement to the House on 6 December, Official Report, columns 330-3

  Mr. Lang
  There are no such changes.

  Forestry Commission
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland under what circumstances permission is given by the Forestry Commission to allow the collection of money from the general public in respect of activities other than those provided by or promoted by the Forestry Commission.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Where, with the Forestry Commission's permission, organisations or individuals offer a service to visitors on commission land, charges for these services may be allowed under a variety of arrangements including leases and permits. Charitable bodies may also be given permission to make collections on commission property.

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the policy of the Forestry Commission on the use of mountain bikes on Forestry Commission land; and whether any conditions are imposed restricting such use to(a) roads, bridleways and footpaths and (b) other land.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The Forestry Commission places no restriction on the riding of mountain bikes on public rights of way, unless these are limited solely to pedestrian use. The commission also makes other routes available to cyclists, for use on a permissive basis.

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the Forestry Commission has any policy to impose prohibitions on the use of cameras or video cameras on Forestry Commission land.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Restrictions are not imposed on the use of cameras or video cameras on Forestry Commission land for private purposes unless they are used in such a manner as to cause annoyance to any other person. However, if the cameras are to be used for commercial purposes the commission will normally make a charge.

  Natural Heritage Agency
  Mr. Graham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which staffing posts of the proposed Natural Heritage Agency he intends to accommodate in the Nature Conservancy Council's existing headquarters at Life terrace, Edinburgh.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  It is too early to decide on the headquarters location of the proposed agency or the distribution of its staff within Scotland.

  Radioactive Waste Disposal
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how his Department intends to use the findings of the European Commission's PAGIS assessment of the suitability of Scottish geology for high-level radioactive waste disposal;

  (2)if he will make a statement on the findings of the European Commission's PAGIS study into the suitability of Scottish geology for high-level radioactive waste disposal;

  (3)what account he will take of the European Commission's PAGIS study findings in determining Government policy on the disposal of high-level radioactive waste in Scotland.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to her on 16 January at column 144 by my hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment and Countryside.

  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what contribution his Department made to the European Commission's PAGIS study into the suitability of Scottish geology for high-level radioactive waste disposal.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The Scottish Development Department was not represented on the PAGIS steering committee; the United Kingdom's representatives were drawn from the Department of the Environment and the National Radiological Protection Board.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage of individuals have(a) registered for community charge in Scotland and (b) paid the charge.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  It is estimated that over 99 per cent. of people liable for registration have been registered for the community charge. Information about the number of people who have paid the community charge is not held centrally, but we estimate that in most regions 85 per cent. to 95 per cent. of those liable have made some community charge payment with a figure of 98 per cent. in one region.

  Civic Government (Scotland) Act
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his Department has undertaken any review into the operation of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The operation of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 has been
  281
  monitored since the Act came into force and a formal review of the Act is currently under way. We intend to publish a consultation paper later this year setting out our proposals for changes to the Act.

  Sunday Trading
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has as to the number of shops trading on Sundays since the removal of restrictions on Sunday trading; and if he will make a statement on the effect on the Scottish economy.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  It would not be possible to make such an estimate since, with a minor exception relating to hairdressers and barbers, statutory restrictions on Sunday trading such as those set out in the Shops Act 1950 did not and do not apply in Scotland.

  Mentally Ill People
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what plans he has to provide additional support for mentally ill patients recently discharged from institutions and now living at home;

  (2)what plans he has to provide extra community psychiatric nurses and social workers to provide for those with serious mental illness who are to live in the community;

  (3)what plans he has to supply carers to patients with serious mental illness;

  (4)what steps he proposes to take to ensure that mentally ill patients who were discharged from institutions have suitable accommodation with carers or relatives.

  Mr Lang
  [holding answer 15 January 1990]: Local authorities have statutory responsibilities both for the care and support of persons in the community who suffer from mental illness and for the aftercare of persons discharged from hospital. Health boards have similar responsibilities in relation to Health Service provision for such persons and there are well-established arrangements for cooperation between health and social work services in the community.

  In such cases local authorities must decide whether help is required with accommodation needs, including supported accommodation, and what other measures of assistance may be appropriate. Where continuing care or support is deemed to be necessary for persons living on their own, the need for home care services alongside the availability of any informal carer will commonly be considered. Decisions on the nature and extent of assistance to be provided in particular cases are for authorities themselves having regard to the resources available to them.

  The recently published White Paper "Caring for People" (Cmd. 849) makes clear the intention of building on existing guidance on the discharge of patients from mental illness hospitals by requiring health boards and local authorities to prepare joint care plans for such persons on the basis of a full assessment of individual needs before discharge takes place.

  Staffing at professional and other levels will be an important element in the community care plans which local authorities and health boards will be required to produce by 1 April 1991. As the White Paper makes clear, there will he central monitoring of progress in the implementation of these plans.
  282

  "Inside Intelligence"
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is now in a position to give the total cost of all stages of the Lord Advocate v. The Scotsman and others in relation to "Inside Intelligence" by Anthony Cavendish.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 15 January 1990]: My right hon. Friend is not vet in a position to give the total cost of all stages of the legal action the Lord Advocate v. The Scotsman Publication and others relating to the book "Inside Intelligence"

  Scottish Development Agency
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what is the cost for 1989–90 and 1990–91 of the central functions of the Scottish Development Agency listed on pages 89-90 of the Scottish Development Agency's annual report for 1988;

  (2) what is the cost for 1989–90 and 1990–91 of the regional functions of the Scottish Development Agency listed on pages 90-92 of the Scottish Development Agency's annual report for 1988.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 15 January 1990]: There art, no agency functions for which expenditure decisions are taken exclusively in the regional offices and information has not therefore been collected on the basis of a central-regional demarcation. Details of the agency's planned expenditure by activity in 1990–91 will appear in the commentary on the Scottish programme which will be published in February.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Disposable Incomes
  Sir Ian Gilmour
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish figures detailing the disposable incomes of(a) single-earner married couples with two children aged under 11 years, and (b) lone mothers with two children aged under 11 years, assuming rent of £21·80 and rates of £9·00 in each case (i) when not in paid work and receiving income support, and (ii) when in full-time paid work earning (1) £80, (2) £100, (3) £120, (4) £140 and (5) £160 per week.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The information requested is set out in the table. The position of lone parents on housing benefit and community charge benefit will improve from October 1990 with a change in the earnings disregard from £15 to £25.

  Disposable incomes (net income alter housing costs) for family types at various earnings levels and on income support as at October 1989 Family type:

  Single earner married couples with two children under 11 years

  Net earnings

  Disposable incomes

  (£ per week)

  (£ per week)

  On income support

  87·56

  80

  97·35

  100

  97·82

  120

  101·23

  140

  105·19

  160

  110·33

  283

  Family type:

  Lone mothers with two children under 11 years

  Net earnings

  Disposable incomes

  (£ per week)

  (£ per week)

  On income support

  71·56

  80

  98·20

  100

  102·47

  120

  106·43

  140

  110·39

  160

  115·53

  Notes

  1. The assumptions (including average rent and rates) and methods are those used in the Tax Benefit Model Tables, copies of which are available in the Library.

  2. For earnings level £160 separate calculations have been done, but using the same assumptions and methods as in the Tax Benefit Model Tables.

  Family Credit
  Sir Ian Gilmour
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish figures showing the family credit ceilings for one and two-parent families of different sizes, with children of different ages in April 1988 and 1989, at constant and current prices and as percentages of average male and average female manual earnings, as appropriate.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The information requested is set out in the tables.

  1. Family Credit ceilings (current prices)

  April 1988

  April 1989

  Single person with one child aged 3

  105·23

  112·51

  Single person with two children aged 4 and 6

  113·88

  122·93

  Married couple with one child aged 3

  105·23

  112·51

  Married couple with one child aged 14

  112·87

  120·51

  Married couple with two children aged 4 and 6

  113·88

  122·93

  Married couple with two children aged 13 and 16

  133·87

  143·86

  Married couple with three children aged 3, 8 and 11

  130·16

  141·37

  Married couple with four children aged 3, 8, 11 and 16

  151·16

  164·73

  Source: Tax/Benefit model tables 1988 and 1989

  2. Family Credit ceilings (constant 1988 prices)

  April 1988

  April 1989

  Single person with one child aged 3

  105·23

  104·18

  Single person with two children aged 4 and 6

  113·88

  113·82

  Married couple with one child aged 3

  105·23

  104·18

  Married couple with one child aged 14

  112·87

  111·58

  Married couple with two children aged 4 and 6

  113·88

  113·82

  Married couple with two children aged 13 and 16

  133·87

  133·20

  Married couple with three children aged 3, 8 and 11

  130·16

  130·90

  Married couple with four children aged 3, 8, 11 and 16

  151·16

  152·53

  (Percentage change from April 1988 to April 1989 in RPI was 8 per cent.)
  284

  3a. Family Credit ceilings as percentages of average male manual earnings

  April 1988

  April 1989

  Single person with one child aged 3

  69·2

  68·3

  Single person with 2 children aged 4 and 6

  74·9

  74·9

  Married couple with 1 child aged 3

  69·2

  68·3

  Married couple with 1 child aged 14

  74·2

  73·1

  Married couple with 2 children aged 4 and 6

  74·9

  74·6

  Married couple with 2 children aged 13 and 16

  88·0

  87·3

  Married couple with 3 children aged 3, 8 and 11

  85·6

  85·8

  Married couple with 4 children aged 3, 8, 11 and 16

  99·4

  100·0

  3b. Family Credit ceilings as percentages of average female manual earnings

  April 1988

  April 1989

  Single person with one child aged 3

  103·9

  102·2

  Single person with 2 children aged 4 and 6

  112·5

  111·7

  Married couple with 1 child aged 3

  103·9

  102·2

  Married couple with 1 child aged 14

  111·5

  109·5

  Married couple with 2 children aged 4 and 6

  112·5

  111·7

  Married couple with 2 children aged 13 and 16

  132·2

  130·7

  Married couple with 3 children aged 3, 8 and 11

  128·5

  128·4

  Married couple with 4 children aged 3, 8, 11 and 16

  149·3

  149·7

  April 1988

  April 1989

  Average gross weekly earnings for those in manual occupations and not affected by absence:

  Males

  200·60

  217·80

  Females

  123·60

  134·90

  Tax threshold:

  78·75

  84·13

  Tax deducted at rate of 25 per cent.

  Males

  30·46

  33·42

  Females

  11·21

  12·69

  National insurance deducted at 9 per cent.

  Males

  18·05

  19·64

  Females

  11·12

  12·14

  Average net weekly earnings for those in manual occupations whose pay was not affected by absence:

  Males

  152·09

  164·78

  Females

  101·27

  120·07

  Source DE Employment gazette.

  Income Support
  Sir Ian Gilmour
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the number of working families with children and a mortgage, whose net incomes, adding in child benefit, family credit and rate rebates as appropriate, but deducting income tax, National Insurance contribution, local authority rates and mortgage payments are(a) less than they would receive after 16 weeks on income support, (b) less than 20 per cent. above what they would receive after 16 weeks on income support, and (c) less than 40 per cent. above what they would receive after 16 weeks on income support.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  This information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
  285

  Low-income Families
  Sir Ian Gilmour
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether low-income families who apply for community charge benefit will be assumed to be getting all the family credit to which they are entitled; and whether the families will be informed about any such assumptions.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The community charge benefit regulations will allow a source of income that would be available to a claimant if he or she were to apply for it to be taken into account as a notional source of income. If a community charge benefit claimant appears to meet all the conditions for family credit but has not yet claimed that benefit, the local authority will advise them to claim it. In assessing the claim for community charge benefit, family credit will not be taken into account for 25 working days, which will allow the family credit claim to be determined. After this period family credit will be assumed to be in payment. In cases where family credit has already been claimed it will not be taken into account until actually received.

  The notice of determination issued by the local authority will inform the claimant of any assumptions made about family credit and remind them of their duty to report all changes of circumstances, which include the receipt of family credit.

  Benefit Claims
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will introduce the necessary amendments to enable those persons in full-time employment, who are laid off temporarily, to claim benefit in the manner available prior to changes in regulations recently introduced; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  We are monitoring the effects of recent changes to unemployment benefit rules on all those who claim. We have no plans to introduce special arrangements for this particular group.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Trade Deficit
  Mr. Patchett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he intends to take to improve Britain's manufacturing trade deficit.

  Mr. Stott
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he intends to take to improve Britain's manufacturing trade deficit.

  Mr. Turner
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he intends to take to improve Britain's manufacturing trade deficit.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  The manufacturing trade deficit will narrow as the Government's tight monetary and fiscal policies continue to slow domestic demand.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the trade deficit.

  Mr. Ted Garrett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on Britain's current trade deficit.
  286
  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on Britain's current trade deficit.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  The latest information on the United Kingdom deficit in visible trade was published on 29 December 1989 in table 1 of the monthly press notice on the current account of the balance of payments, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Nationalised Industries (Subsidy)
  Mr. Hanley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much total subsidy was paid to the 10 largest nationalised industries in 1979; and how much was paid in the last full financial year to as many of them as remain nationalised.

  Mr. Lilley
  The 10 largest nationalised industries received subsidies of £684 million in 1978–79. Five of these have now been privatised. The remainder received £1,013 million in subsidy in 1988–89. These figures exclude capital grants and public dividend capital which, as they are not payments for current expenditure, do not fall within the national accounts or public expenditure survey definition of subsidy.

  Manufactured Goods
  Mr. Flannery
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of the balance of trade in manufactured goods; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. McAvoy
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of the balance of trade in manufactured goods; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  The information was published on 29 December 1989 in table 12 of the monthly press notice on the current account of the balance of payments, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Interest Rates
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from British businesses regarding the present levels of interest rates.

  Mr. Ryder
  My right hon. Friend and I have received a number of such representations.

  West Germany
  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the current trade deficit with West Germany.

  Dr. Reid
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the current trade deficit with West Germany.

  Ms. Short
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the current trade deficit with West Germany.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the current trade deficit with West Germany.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  Information from which crude trade balances' may be derived can be found in the
  287
  monthly review of external trade statistics, available from the Library of the House or on the Central Statistical Office databank which may be accessed through the Library.

  1Crude balances slightly overstate deficits (or understate surpluses) since the value of imports, but not that of exports, includes insurance and freight.

  Share Ownership
  Sir George Young
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the numbers of new shareholders since 1979; and whether he intends to promote measures further to encourage the growth of individual share ownership.

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

  Civil Servants (Living Costs)
  Mr. Rathbone
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to assess how living costs in Sussex and the south-east affect Civil Service recruitment in those areas.

  Mr. Ryder
  None. Long-term pay agreements already cover over 95 per cent. of the Civil Service, and provide for variations in pay by location. Pay rates are determined in the light of the need to recruit and retain staff within what can be afforded.

  Manufacturing Deficit
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures his Department is currently working on to decrease the manufacturing deficit.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  The manufacturing trade deficit will narrow as the Government's tight monetary and fiscal policies continue to slow domestic demand.

  Whisky
  Mr. Oppenheim
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the total tax and duty payable in the United Kingdom on a 1-litre, 40 per cent. proof bottle of(a) Japanese whisky or other spirit, and (b) Scotch whisky.

  Mr. Ryder
  The precise total amount of duty and tax depends on the value of the whisky. In both instances, each litre bottle bears United Kingdom excise duty of 630·8p plus value added tax at 15 per cent. of the price inclusive of all duties (equivalent to 3/23rds of the retail selling price). In the case of the Japanese products only, import duty of 12·8p per litre is charged under the common customs tariff of the European Community.

  Exchange Rates
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, further to his reply dated 4 December 1989,Official Report, column 22, concerning the effect on manufacturing industry of the increase in the value of £ sterling against the deutschmark, whether the figure of 38 per cent. refers to volume or value.
  288
  Mr. Norman Lamont
  The figure of 38 per cent. referred to the increase in the volume of manufacturing investment between the first quarter of 1987 and the third quarter of 1989.

  Taxation
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much money was spent by the Inland Revenue on legal fees in connection with cases in the High Court for the recovery of tax revenues in each of the last five years in respect of(a) successful cases, (b) unsuccessful cases and (c) in total; whether the unsuccessful cases have been reviewed in each year by the Inland Revenue with a view to promoting legislation to avoid further loss of revenue; and whether he has identified the extent of tax evasion and avoidance which is taking place through the creation of business transactions carried out solely or mainly for tax reasons by United Kingdom based trusts, companies and individuals and trusts, companies and individuals based in (a) Jersey, (b) the Isle of Man, (c) Guernsey, (d) the Netherlands Antilles, (e) the Cayman Islands and (f) Liechtenstein.

  Mr. Lilley
  The amounts spent on legal fees for High Court cases could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The outcome of each case is reviewed for its legal implications. Because of their nature it is not possible to estimate reliably the extent of tax evasion or avoidance.

  Departmental Relocation
  Mr. Hanley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress Departments have made under the Government's relocation policy.

  Mr. Ryder
  On 9 February 1989 the then Paymaster General informed the House that over 34,000 Civil Service posts had been reported in the 1988 public expenditure survey as under review for location or relocation away from the south-east in accordance with the policy which had been announced on 31 March 1988. This policy does not involve any central targets for the number of posts relocated nor propose specific locations. Departments have instituted systematic review programmes to cover the location of all their work, with a view to taking advantage of the value for money benefits and advantages for staff and management which relocation can bring, and the benefits for our regional and inner-city policies of relocating work away from the south-east. It was emphasised that many reviews were then still at the earliest stage and that not all the posts would move.

  Since early in 1988 decisions have been taken and announced to relocate well over 16,000 posts generally over the next two or three years. These include 3,700 by Inland Revenue, 2,550 by Ministry of Defence, 1,900 by Customs and Excise, 1,850 by Department of Social Security, over 1,100 each by Department of Trade and Industry, Home Office and the Department of Employment, and 1,000 by the Department of Health. About 9,000 posts have been found to be unsuitable for relocation in the short term, and Departments have extended their reviews to include some 6,000 additional posts, leaving nearly 14,750 in the review process. Nearly all the decisions announced so far involve moving work to areas which are the focus of the Government's regional or inner-city policies. Further announcements can be expected in due course.
  289
  These figures may be compared with the 12,000 posts moved or created outside London and the south-east between 1979 and 1987, and less than 5,000 moved between 1974 and 1979.

  Successful relocation requires careful planning; Departments have therefore exchanged experience and, where appropriate, co-ordinated action with other relocating Departments, found alternative posts for some staff not wishing to move, and made good use of increased flexibility in the personnel management field.

  Separate Taxation
  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he will take to ensure that charities do not suffer a loss of income from covenants from married couples where one of the spouses is not paying income tax as a result of the introduction of separate taxation as from 1 April 1990.

  Mr. Major
  [holding answer 21 December 1989]: A charity's claim to refunds of tax on payments received under covenants does not depend on whether the covenantor is, or is not, liable to pay tax on his or her own income.

  A covenantor making a covenant payment to a charity deducts basic rate tax and pays over to the charity only the net amount. The charity is entitled to claim back that tax from the Inland Revenue.

  If the covenantor is liable to tax on an equivalent amount of his income, he gets basic rate relief for the covenant payment by retaining the tax he has deducted from it. If he is not liable to tax on an equivalent amount of his income, he has to pay over to the Inland Revenue the tax he has deducted.

  The introduction of independent taxation for married couples with effect from 6 April 1990 will mean that a husband and wife will become separate taxpayers. If one of them will not be liable to tax, the effect on his or her covenants will be no different from what happens now when a covenantor is a non-taxpayer—the payements will continue to be made net of tax to the charity, but the tax withheld will have to be paid over to the Revenue.

  For the past year, Inland Revenue publicity material has drawn attention to the fact that couples who find themselves in this situation may want to review their covenant arrangements. That is a matter between covenantors and the charities that they support.

  Uniform Business Rate
  Mr. Richard Shepherd
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what estimates he has made, on the basis of latest figures of the number of companies where profits and trading surpluses are lower that the unabated uniform business rate for each standard region;

  (2) what estimates he has made, on the basis of latest figures, of the impact that the uniform business rate will have on companies' profits and trading surpluses for each standard region.

  Mr. Chope
  I have been asked to reply.

  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave him earlier today.
  290

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Salmonella
  Sir Geoffrey Johnson Smith
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many incidents of salmonella cultured from individual, intact eggs have occurred in the past year.

  Mr. Curry
  These figures are not held centrally.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of domestic refrigerators in preventing the growth of salmonella-causing bacteria; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  I shall make an assessment when research currently being funded by my Department has been completed. Comprehensive advice to consumers on using domestic refrigerators has already been issued in the Government's food safety booklet, a copy of which I am sending to the hon. Member.

  Cetaceans
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make it his policy to require drift nets to be equipped with miniature electronic devices to help protect cetacean populations.

  Mr. Curry
  We have no evidence that drift nets cause a threat to cetacean populations in our waters. Nevertheless the Fisheries Departments are planning a general monitoring scheme on the incidental capture of cetaceans in United Kingdom fisheries, so that we can keep the matter under closer review.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the occurrence of ghost nets in fishing waters around Britain and their implications for populations of cetaceans.

  Mr. Curry
  We do not keep records of the numbers of nets lost at sea. Our scientific advice is that floating nets lost soon sink and—like bottom-set nets which are lost —quickly become entangled on the sea bed. We have no evidence that such nets have any implications for the incidental capture of cetaceans or thus for their populations.

  Oil Spills
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list those vessels that carry or can be converted to carry oil spill dispersant which his Department operates.

  Mr. Curry
  Nine vessels of the Royal Navy fishery protection squadron, which carry out fishery protection duties for my Department, are equipped to spray oil dispersant. MAFF's two research vessels are not so equipped, but could transport drummed dispersant.

  Knacker Industry
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will list the proposals he has put to the EEC on the knacker industry;
  291
  (2)what is the Government's policy on the knacker industry;

  (3)what representations he has had from the United Kingdom's knackermen.

  Mr. Maclean
  Commission proposals for the disposal of animal waste including dead and casualty stock have recently been presented to Council. They could have serious implications for the means by which casualty animals are disposed of in the United Kingdom. I will be seeking a solution which adequately reflects both the needs of the industries concerned and the requirements of animal and public health. Organisations representing the industry have been consulted on the proposals and are being kept fully informed of developments.

  Country

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  France

  712

  739

  1,370

  1,787

  1,553

  Belgium/Luxembourg

  492

  474

  999

  623

  1,310

  Netherlands

  7,365

  6,944

  8,172

  7,873

  10,051

  Federal Republic of Germany

  282

  148

  123

  238

  1,047

  Italy

  1,721

  1,890

  769

  760

  773

  Ireland

  1,347

  1,649

  1,554

  1,225

  2,169

  Denmark

  38

  188

  38

  40

  102

  Greece

  —

  —

  —

  —

  105

  Switzerland

  —

  —

  —

  —

  42

  Portugal

  163

  140

  288

  547

  283

  Spain

  5,862

  7,701

  9,838

  11,393

  9,481

  Yugoslavia

  822

  1,088

  1,236

  945

  1,098

  Turkey

  158

  350

  869

  1,161

  1,289

  Poland

  2,703

  3,858

  5,087

  6,851

  5,907

  Czechoslovakia

  0

  40

  39

  105

  92

  Hungary

  188

  83

  175

  547

  682

  Romania

  0

  0

  87

  95

  157

  Bulgaria

  0

  78

  183

  73

  95

  Egypt

  0

  1

  0

  17

  15

  Kenya

  66

  107

  200

  201

  435

  Uganda

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Zambia

  49

  109

  102

  21

  7

  South Africa

  40

  84

  39

  48

  26

  United States of America

  216

  180

  324

  505

  715

  Canada

  —

  —

  —

  —

  5

  Mexico

  90

  21

  21

  65

  21

  Guatemala

  —

  —

  10

  —

  5

  Costa Rica

  —

  —

  1

  1

  27

  Colombia

  —

  —

  1

  1

  4

  Ecuador

  7

  36

  29

  0

  13

  Chile

  19

  43

  40

  52

  492

  Uruguay

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Israel

  492

  331

  147

  150

  168

  United Arab Emirates

  —

  —

  —

  —

  22

  Sri Lanka

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Australia

  4

  0

  28

  79

  34

  New Zealand

  102

  208

  72

  84

  194

  Source: Eurostat.

  Fishermen
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what schemes exist under which fishermen who have lost employment following agreements with other countries on fishing grounds may be compensated.

  Mr. Curry
  None.

  Food Irradiation
  Mr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he intends to investigate further the national consequences and toxicological effects of irradiation on food prior to its introduction; and if he will make a statement.
  292

  Soft Fruit
  Mr. Andrew Welsh
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the total tonnage of soft fruit imports by country to(a) the United Kingdom and (b) Scotland in each of the past five years.

  Mr. Curry
  The total tonnage of soft fruit imports (mainly strawberries, raspberries and blackcurrants, both fresh and semi-processed) by country, for the United Kingdom in each of the past five years for which complete figures are available is listed in the table. No separate figures are available for Scotland.

  Mr. Gummer
  No. International expert committees and our own advisory committee on irradiated and novel foods (ACINF) have advised that the irradiation of food up to an overall average dose of 10 kilograys presents no toxicological hazard and introduces no special nutritional problems. This view was reaffirmed by the ACINF in its further advice to Ministers given after considering technical representations made during consultation. However, the ACINF recommended that the consumption and nutrient content of irradiated food should be monitored. We have already made it clear that we intend to implement this recommendation.

  Meat Exports
  Mr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which countries refuse to accept(a) imported beef or (b) imported cattle, respectively, from the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 12 January 1990]: The information requested is as follows:

  (a)Japan (because of import regulations concerning foot and mouth disease) and Papua New Guinea (only fresh meat originating in Australia or New Zealand may be imported).

  (b)All EC Member States in relation to cattle born before 18 July 1988, Australia, Finland, Israel, New Zealand, Sweden and the United State of America (because of concerns about Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy).

  In addition, Germany has imposed restrictive certification requirements on trade in beef from the United Kingdom which I do not believe are justified by Community rules.

  Simplesse
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why the low-calorie fat product Simplesse was not subject to clearance by either the committee on toxicity or the advisory committee on novel foods and processes.

  Mr. Freeman
  I have been asked to reply.

  Simplesse is made from traditional food ingredients (egg and milk proteins) and as such is subject to the controls of the Food Acts. It was considered by the advisory committee on novel foods and processes at its meeting on 23 September 1989. The committee concluded that the product did not constitute a novel food since neither the raw materials nor the production process are novel. It was considered that the potential use of the product may have nutritional implications and these remain under consideration.

DEFENCE

  Low Flying
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many copies of the United States Air Force in Europe document entitled "USAF Tactical Fighter Low-level Flying Training in the Federal Republic of Germany Data Book" of December 1988 his Department has obtained; what was their distribution; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Neubert
  Sufficient copies of this document are available to my Department and have been widely distributed. The contents of the document are a matter for the United States authorities.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many low-flying sorties have been carried out

  Year

  Number of cases

  Section of Air Force Act

  Charge

  Sentence

  1985

  1

  51

  Unlawful low flying

  £300 fine and severe reprimand

  52

  Flying in a manner likely to cause unnecessary annoyance

  1989

  1

  51

  Unlawful low flying

  Forfeitence of 18 months seniority and severe reprimand

  52

  Flying in a manner likely to cause unnecessary annoyance

  294
  by (a) the Royal Air Force and (b) other North Atlantic Treaty Organisation air forces over the Don Valley constituency for the last year for which he has figures.

  Mr. Neubert
  Records are not kept of the number of military low-flying sorties carried out over individual constituencies.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list(a) for Royal Air Force aircrew and (b) other North Atlantic Treaty Organisation air forces' aircrew, the chances of survival factors, when flying (i) under 100 ft, (ii) between 100 ft and 200 ft and (iii) over 200 ft.

  Mr. Neubert
  While studies into the survivability of Royal Air Force aircraft in combat have been carried out by the Ministry of Defence, the results are classified. However, it is generally accepted throughout the NATO air forces that as height decreases, survivability against hostile defence forces increases; and that survivability at very low levels is a balance between the risk from hostile defence forces and the risks arising from proximity to the ground and obstacles and that the latter risks can be reduced by adequate and realistic training to the extent possible in peacetime.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list by type and mark the current jet aircraft used by the Royal Air Force in low-flying sorties.

  Mr. Neubert
  The strike-attack, offensive support and reconnaissance aircraft of the Royal Air Force listed in the Statement on the Defence Estimates 1989 Cmd 675-I (page 59) have a primary low-level role. Other Royal Air Force jet aircraft may also need to carry out a proportion of their training at low level in peacetime.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list by year since 1984(a) the percentage of low flying, (b) the percentage of sorties and (c) the average flying duration time, carried out by (i) Buccaneer, (ii) Jaguar, (iii) Tornado and (iv) Harrier aircraft, used by the Royal Air Force.

  Mr. Neubert
  The information requested cannot be provided without disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State For Defence if he will list by year since 1984 the number of confirmed cases of(a) unlawful low flying and (b) flying to cause annoyance by pilots of military jet aircraft; and what action was taken in each case.

  Mr. Neubert
  There have been two cases since 1984, both in the Royal Air Force, of unlawful low flying and flying to cause annoyance by pilots of military jet aircraft. Both cases were dealt with by court martial; the details are given in the following table:
  295
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the strategic requirements for Royal Air Force low-flying sorties during(a) daytime flying and (b) night-time flying; and what restrictions are imposed.

  Mr. Neubert
  I refer the hon. Member to the background information on low flying training provided in the Statement on the Defence Estimates 1988 Cmd. 675-I (page 30).

  Mr. Amos
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the number of low-flying missions over Northumberland for each of the last five years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Neubert
  Records are not kept of the number of military low-flying sorties carried out over individual counties.

  Hunting
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list by locations the actual sites where his Department's land is used for hunting with hounds.

  Mr. Neubert
  I refer the hon. Member to my hon. Friend's reply to him on 27 October 1989 (column 653). Records of actual sites where Ministry of Defence land has been used for hunting with hounds are not held centrally. This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  RAF Display Teams
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the programmes for the(a) Red Arrows display team and (b) other Royal Air Force display teams and aircraft during 1990.

  Mr. Neubert
  My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Armed Forces will write to the hon. Member as soon as the finally agreed list is available.

  Skyguard
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the service branch and units which are, and which will be, operating the Skyguard monitoring equipment.

  Mr. Neubert
  When the Skyguard fire control radar system is used in the low-flying monitoring role, it is operated by 2729 Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force Regiment in conjunction with the RAF police. There are no plans to change these arrangements.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library the results of the Skyguard monitoring of low-flying military jet aircraft; what follow-up action will be taken; and how often these reports will be published.

  Mr. Neubert
  No. It is not the intention to publish detailed reports on individual Skyguard deployments, on which may depend disciplinary action. Each deployment will, however, be followed up and appropriate disciplinary or other action taken where appropriate. Three deployments of the Skyguard radar system in the 296
  low-flying monitoring role took place in 1989, all in conjunction with the Royal Air Force police. These deployments were at:

  Knaresborough—27 to 29 June 1989

  Penrith—1 to 3 August 1989

  Alnwick—3 to 5 October 1989

  While further analysis of the results is continuing, no evidence was found during those deployments of any deliberate or flagrant breaches of the United Kingdom low-flying regulations and they confirmed that aircrew have a healthy respect for the regulations. Information on further deployments will be made available to the House from time to time.

  Airfields
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will list, by location, the number of joint military/civil airfields there are in the United Kingdom;

  (2)if he will list, by location, the number of joint military/civil airfields in the United Kingdom that are proposed or under consideration during the next five years;

  (3)if he will make a statement, in the light of the 1992 European single market, on expanding the use of joint military and civil airfields in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Neubert
  The operation of joint military/civil airfields is not possible under United Kingdom aviation regulations. However, some use of civil airfields is made by military aircraft, and civil aircraft can use military airfields, in some cases on a regular basis, subject to such flights being compatible with operational considerations. A number of proposals for additional civil use of military airfields are under consideration at present, but it is unlikely that the single European market will have a significant effect upon this activity.

  Combat Body Armour
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement as to in what circumstances combat body armour will be issued to service personnel.

  Mr. Neubert
  Combat body armour will be issued to service men as an item of personal equipment as supplies become available.

  WE177 Free-fall Bombs
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the life expectancy of the United Kingdom's WE177 free-fall bombs, before they become unserviceable.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The WE177 is subject to regular inspection, maintenance and refurbishment. It will remain in service for as long as it meets requirements for safety and serviceability.

  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of warhead development costs it is estimated would be spent in(a) the United States of America, and (b) the United Kingdom, for (i) the Trident warhead and (ii) the warhead for a tactical air-to-surface missile to replace the WE177 free-fall bomb.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  It has been the policy of successive Governments not to reveal details of this nature. For a
  297
  broad indication on Trident, I refer the hon. Member to the fifth report of the Defence Committee (Session 1988–89, pages 38 and 39). On a replacement for the free-fall bomb, no decision has yet been taken.

  RAF Finningley
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether there are any plans to change the current restrictions on the weight of civil aircraft using RAF Finningley.

  Mr. Neubert
  There are no specific weight restrictions on civil aircraft wishing to use RAF Finningley, providing they come within the pavement load classification group of the runway and aircraft manoeuvring areas. The strength of these surfaces permits the operation of most types of modern aircraft.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether there are any plans to change the flight paths of(a) military and (b)civil aircraft (i) taking off or (ii) landing at RAF Finningley.

  Mr. Neubert
  No.

  Nuclear Warheads
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what action he is taking to assess the security of long-term supply of special nuclear materials for his nuclear warhead production programme.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  Arrangements for the supply of all special nuclear materials are kept under regular review to ensure that the requirements of defence nuclear programmes are fully met.

  Mid-air Collision (Hexham)
  Mr. Amos
  To ask t he Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will ensure that the findings of the board of inquiry into the mid-air collision near Hexham on 9 January will be made public; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if, in the light of the mid-air collision near Hexham, on 9 January, he will undertake a review of the training of air crews; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) if, in the light of the mid-air collision near Hexham, on 9 January, he will undertake a review of the effectiveness of RAF co-ordination and information of low-flying exercises over each area at any particular time; and if he will make a statement;

  (4) if, in the light of the mid-air collision near Hexham, on 9 January, he will ensure that every aircraft involved in a low-flying mission contains a device to monitor the height of the aircraft throughout the exercise, and that this is recorded for subsequent inspection; and if he will make a statement;

  (5) when he expects the board of inquiry to report its findings on the mid-air collision near Hexham on 9 January; and if he will make a statement.

  Aldermaston

  Burghfield

  Cardiff

  Foulness

  1 January 1988

  Administrative, executive and clerical

  100

  12

  5

  1

  Specialist

  54

  —

  2

  21

  Craft industrials

  29

  26

  —

  5

  Non-craft industrials

  —

  35

  —

  —

  1 January 1989

  298
  Mr. Neubert
  The board of inquiry into the mid-air collision near Hexham on 9 January 1990 will make its report as soon as it has completed its investigations. A summary of the board's findings will be published in the usual way. We shall take whatever action we consider necessary in the light of the board's report to minimise the risk of such an accident recurring.

  Birth Defects
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what information he has on the rate of birth defects among the children of(a) personnel who have served on board Royal Navy nuclear-powered submarines and (b) personnel who have worked for the Atomic Weapons Establishment;

  (2) what is the total number of children of service men who have served on board Royal Navy nuclear-powered submarines.

  Mr. Neubert
  The information is not available in the form requested.

  Atomic Weapons Research Establishments
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will state what the current shortfall of staff is at the atomic weapons research establishments at Burghfield, Cardiff and Foulness among(a) administrative, executive, and clerical staff, (b) specialist staff, (c) craft industrials and (d) non-craft industrials.

  Mr. Neubert
  The current staff shortfalls at the AWE sites at Burghfield, Cardiff and Foulness broken down by category are as follows:

  Burghfield

  Cardiff

  Foulness

  Administrative, Executive and Clerical Grades

  10

  10

  1

  Specialist Staff

  —

  2

  30

  Craft Industrials

  34

  —

  14

  Non Craft Industrials

  8

  —

  13

  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what financial criteria will be used to monitor the performance of the management contractors to be appointed at the atomic weapons research establishments.

  Mr. Neubert
  These details have yet to be decided.

  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the shortfalls of staff were at each of the four atomic weapons research establishments at the end of each year since 1980 for(a) administrative, executive and clerical staff, (b) specialist staff, (c) craft industrials and (d) non-craft industrials.

  Mr. Neubert
  The information is as follows:
  299

  Aldermaston

  Burghfield

  Cardiff

  Foulness

  Administrative, executive and clerical

  103

  14

  6

  1

  Specialist

  155

  5

  1

  21

  Craft industrials

  53

  33

  —

  11

  Non-craft industrials

  52

  18

  —

  6

  1 January 1990

  Administrative, executive and clerical

  36

  10

  10

  I

  Specialist

  135

  —

  2

  30

  Craft industrials

  72

  34

  —

  14

  Non-craft industrials

  60

  8

  —

  13

  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which firms have expressed an interest in bidding for the initial management contract at the atomic weapons research establishments.

  Mr. Neubert
  To date, expressions of interest in the initial management contract at atomic weapons establishments have been received from British Aerospace (Dynamics); British Nuclear Fuels; Brown & Root; Vickers; GEC; Hunting Engineering and Rolls-Royce.

  Trident
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the atomic weapons research establishment, Aldermaston, has the capacity to undertake production of warheads for the Trident programme and for the tactical air-to-surface missile replacement for the WE177 free-fall bomb simultaneously.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  No decisions have yet been taken on a replacement for the existing free-fall nuclear bomb. It would not be in the national interest to discuss in detail the production capacity of the atomic weapons establishment.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Confederation of British 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.

  Mr. Ridley
  I look forward to a continuation of constructive dialogue with the president of the CBI on matters relevant to the well-being of British industry.

  Information Technology
  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what training his Department offers to its staff in the applications of information technology.

  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what training his Department offers to its staff in the applications of information technology.

  Mr. Forth
  A great deal of training on and about IT is available for all departmental staff. This includes general awareness, specific application skills, specialist and technical training, all of which is reinforced and supplemented by "at the desk" tuition.

  Mr. Michael J. Martin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the United Kingdom's current balance of trade in information technology.
  300
  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  According to provisional figures published by the Central Statistical Office, the United Kingdom has a crude trade deficit (i) in electronics and information technology manufactured goods (ii) of £3·0 billion for the year to June 1989.

  Notes:

  (i) Exports (fob) less Imports (cif)

  (ii) Principal Products of Activity Headings 3301, 3302, 3441, 3442, 3443, 3444, 3453 and 3454 of the Standard Industrial Classification (Revised 1980).

  Mr. Eastham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how he proposes to support future academic research and development in information technology.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  DTI supports industrially relevant collaborative research in IT. Academic partners in projects are eligible for DTI support on the same basis as industrial partners under the terms and conditions of the research and technology initiative. However, funding for academic IT research is usually provided through the science and engineering research council and the United Kingdom funding contribution of EC programmes. DTI has no plans to change these arrangements.

  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will take steps to provide a more detailed analysis of the balance of trade in information technology.

  Mr. Allen Adams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will take steps to provide a more detailed analysis of the balance of trade in information technology.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The Government already provide a considerable amount of detailed information on trade in information technology. The Central Statistical Office (CSO) publishes details of United Kingdom exports and imports of electronics and information technology manufactured goods in the Business Monitor PQ series as well as in Business Monitors MQ10 "Overseas Trade analysed in terms of industries" and MQ12 "Import penetration and export sales ratios for manufacturing industry". More detailed information is published in Business Monitor MM20 "Overseas Trade Statistics of the United Kingdom". HM Customs and Excise has appointed a number of marketing agents who can provide further detailed analyses. Export statistics for computing services, including software, are published by the CSO in Business Monitor SDQ9 "Computing Services". Information on imports of computing services is not readily available because of the inherent nature of the trade.

  Manufactured Goods
  Mr. Worthington
  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 the first 11 months of 1989 imports of manufactures from the Federal Republic of Germany exceeded United Kingdom exports to that country by £9·0 billion.

  Mr. Randall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the increase in import penetration of manufactured goods from 1979 until the most recent date for which figures are available.

  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the increase in import penetration of manufactured goods from 1979 until the most recent date for which figures are available.

  Mr. Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the increase in import penetration of manufactured goods from 1979 until the most recent date for which figures are available.

  Mr. Redwood
  Import penetration in manufacturing industry rose from 27 per cent. in 1979 to 36 per cent. in the year ending March 1989.

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  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. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what has been the growth in imports of manufactured goods from the EEC since 1979.

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

  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what has been the growth in imports of manufactured goods from the EEC since 1979.

  Mr. Redwood
  Imports of manufactured goods from the European Community have risen from £16·0 billion in 1979 to £45·7 billion in 1988, an increase of £29·7 billion.

  Footwear
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will estimate the percentage of the home market of footwear supplied by imports.

  Mr. Leadbitter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will estimate the percentage of the home market of footwear supplied by imports.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will estimate the percentage of the home market of footwear supplied by imports.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  A total of 56 per cent. by value, in the first half of 1989.

  West Midlands
  Mrs. Maureen Hicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what interest is being shown by foreign businesses in becoming established in the west midlands.
  302
  Mr. Forth
  Foreign businesses are showing great interest in the we investment decisions were recorded involving projects by foreign companies in the region. These were forecast to create 3,656 new jobs. This made the west midlands the most popular area in the country in terms of the number of new projects. Interest remains high and while statistics are not yet available for 1989 it is expected that the 1988 figure will be exceeded.

  Industry and Services (North-West)
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State proposals he has for industry and service trade development in the north-west of England.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Through regional selective assistance and the consultancy and export initiatives, my Department will continue to support the development of industry and service trade in the north-west of England and throughout the United Kingdom.

  Export Credits Guarantee Department
  Mr. Faulds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to visit Cardiff to inspect the work of the Export Credits Guarantee Department.

  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to visit Cardiff and inspect the work of the Export Credits Guarantee Department.

  Mr. Ridley
  My right hon. and noble Friend the Minister for Trade has already visited Cardiff. I intend to do so shortly.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consideration he gave to EC requirements in reaching his decision to privatise the Export Credits Guarantee Department; if he will list them; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ridley
  In arriving at its decision on ECGD's future status and organisation, referred to in the written answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Eastwood (Mr. Stewart) on 18 December 1989, the Government were particularly concerned by the need(a) for ECGD to be able to respond effectively to the business opportunities created by the single European market; and (b) to ensure that ECGD would be able to maintain its intra-EC business in the event that the future development of Community law made the continued provision of Government support for short-term trade credit within Europe impossible.

  If ECGD's insurance services group is to maintain and continue the improvements in performance and service for customers made over the past three years, the Government believe that it must be free to compete with all other insurers in Europe and that this can best be done by converting it into a private sector company.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will make it his policy to ensure no loss or transfer of employment at the Insurance Service Group headquarters at Export Credits Guarantee Department ensues from the Export Credits Guarantee Department's privatisation announced on 18 December.

  Mr. Ridley
  I believe that the changes that I have announced offer the best prospects of securing jobs for the
  303
  future. I do not expect any significant change in the numbers employed in ECGD Cardiff as a result of the change of status. Thereafter the number of people in the organisation will depend mainly on its success in expanding its business.

  Mr. John Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received on the future of the Export Credits Guarantee Department.

  Mr. McWilliam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received on the future of the Export Credits Guarantee Department.

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received on the future of the Export Credits Guarantee Department

  Mr. Ridley
  In relation to the Kemp review of status options for ECGD, I have received representations from United Kingdom exporters, banks, trade associations, ECGD's staff and their representatives and other interested parties.

  Petrol Retailing
  Mr. Doran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has considered the Monopolies and Mergers Commission report into the petrol retailing industry; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ridley
  I am at present considering the Monopolies and Mergers Commission report on the supply of petrol. I shall report to the House when it is published.

  Trade Deficit (EC)
  Mr. Galloway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which EC countries have either a trade surplus or a smaller trade deficit as a proportion of gross domestic product than the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Lambie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which EC countries have either a trade surplus or a smaller trade deficit as a proportion of gross domestic product than the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which EEC countries have either a trade surplus or a smaller trade deficit as a proportion of gross domestic product than the United Kingdom

  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which EEC countries have either a trade surplus or a smaller trade deficit as a proportion of gross domestic product than the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Redwood
  All except Portugal, Greece and Spain were in one or other category in 1988, the latest year for which complete figures are available.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which five industrial sectors have the most adverse balance of trade in 1989 between the United Kingdom and the rest of the European Community on the latest available figures; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  Defining industrial sectors as divisions of the Standard International Trade Classification Revision 3, information for the first 11 months of 1989 is:
  304

  Division

  Deficit

  (£ million)

  78 Road Vehicles

  5,567

  05 Vegetables and Fruit

  1,204

  65 Textile Yarn, Fabrics, Made-up Articles and Related Products

  1,067

  72 Machinery Specialised for Particular Industries

  906

  57 Plastics in Primary Forms

  777

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

  Mr. Allan Roberts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the EC countries with which the United Kingdom has a manufacturing trade deficit.

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

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

  Mr. Redwood
  In the first 11 months of 1989 the United Kingdom had a manufacturing trade deficit with the following countries: France, Belgium/Luxembourg, Netherlands, Federal Republic of Germany, Italy, Denmark and Portugal.

  Trade Deficit (OECD)
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries have either a trade surplus or a smaller trade deficit as a proportion of gross domestic product than the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which OECD countries have either a trade surplus or a smaller trade deficit as a proportion of gross domestic product than the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Redwood
  All except Portugal, Greece and Spain were in one or other category in 1988, the latest year for which complete figures are available.

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

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

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  As already announced, a consultant's study is looking at a variety of aspects of English Estates' activities.

  EC Ministers
  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he next plans to meet his EEC counterparts; and what subjects will be discussed.
  305
  Ms. Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he next plans to meet his EC counterparts; and what subjects will be discussed.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he next plans to meet his EEC 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.

  Single Market
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has any new initiatives to assist British industry to prepare for 1992.

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has any new initiatives to assist British industry to prepare for 1992.

  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has any new initiatives to assist British industry to prepare for 1992.

  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has any new initiatives to assist British industry to prepare for 1992.

  Mr. Redwood
  My Department's "Europe Open for Business" campaign provides the most comprehensive information service available to business anywhere in the Community, including a 24-hour telephone hotline, and extensive written and audio-visual material. This is constantly updated and expanded to take account of developments in Brussels. We also encourage business to take advantage of the growing range of specialist help and advice available from private sector sources.

  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement regarding the deficit in the balance of payments and on the competitiveness of British industry for the single European market.

  Mr. Redwood
  The main reason for the balance of payments deficit has been the rapid growth in both investment and consumption in the United Kingdom. The strong growth in investment will in time produce additional capacity and enable industry to meet more of the demands placed on it. In the meantime it has been necessary to tighten monetary policy to encourage additional spending and to slow down the growth of spending. There are a number of indications that the tightening is having a significant impact.

  The improved competitiveness of the United Kingdom since the 1970s can be seen in the fact that since 1980 manufacturing productivity growth in the United Kingdom has been faster than in all other major industrialised countries and since 1983 we have maintained our share of the value of world trade in manufactures after decades of decline. Further progress in liberalising financial services in Europe should help our internationally famous financial services sector gain further access to the EEC market.

  Mr. Andrew MacKay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on merger and monopoly policy in the light of the single European market in 1992.
  306
  Mr. Redwood
  The Government believe that improvement to the rules by which the European Commission examines mergers and the reduction or elimination of barriers to takeover throughout the Community are both essential aspects of the single European market programme. At the December Internal Market Council, major breakthroughs were achieved in both areas. The Council adopted the merger control regulation, which sets out Community powers to regulate large mergers with a Community dimension. The regulation will come into force in September 1990. In addition, the Commission proposed—and the Council accepted its proposal—to bring forward an action plan to tackle barriers to takeover by March 1990, which should help level the playing field for takeovers in the Community. Both developments are beneficial to United Kingdom industry and commerce, and an important step towards the completion of the single market.

  British Steel (Golden Share)
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received about his use of the golden share in British Steel.

  Mr. Andrew Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received about his use of the golden share in British Steel.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  None.

  Car Import
  Mr. Bill Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will estimate the percentage of the home market of cars supplied by imports.

  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will estimate the percentage of the home market of cars supplied by imports.

  Mr. Robert Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will estimate the percentage of the home market of cars supplied by imports.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  A total of 57 per cent. by number in 1989.

  Trade Deficit (Japan)
  Mr. McFall
  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. Alan W. Williams
  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. David Marshall
  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 the first 11 months of 1989 the deficit in total visible trade was £4·6 billion. In the same period the deficit for manufactured goods was £4·7 billion.

  FIMBRA
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on FIMBRA.

  Mr. Norman Hogg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on FIMBRA.

  Mr. Redwood
  The Financial Intermediaries, Managers and Brokers Regulatory Association is one of five self-regulating organisations recognised by the Securities and Investments Board under the Financial Services Act 1986. It is responsible for authorising independent investment intermediaries to conduct investment business and monitoring their compliance with the rules and regulations made under the Financial Services Act. In common with other Financial Services Act regulators, FIMBRA is in the process of reviewing certain aspects of its own rulebook in the light of changes to the Financial Services Act contained in the Companies Act 1989. Questions regarding the recognition of FIMBRA are matters for the Securities and Investments Board.

  Consumer Protection
  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he has plans to strengthen legislation on consumer protection.

  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he has plans to strengthen legislation on 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.

  Rover Group
  39. Mr. Nellist: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a further statement about the sale of Rover to British Aerospace.
  Mr. Ridley
  I have nothing to add to my statement of 30 November 1989.

  Waste Management
  Mr. Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to encourage industry to reduce the volume of its waste.

  Mr. Forth
  The promotion of waste minimisation is one of the objectives of my Department's environmental programme launched in May last year. This and certain other aspects of the programme are being developed by the Department's business and the environment unit (BEU), which was formed in June. A business guide to waste minimisation, entitled "Cutting Your Losses", was published by the BEU in November. To date there have been over 4,000 inquiries for the guide. A conference on waste minimisation, organised jointly by my Department, the CBI and the Department of the Environment, was also held in November and a series of regional seminars is planned for 1990. The programme of action is being developed further and I am confident that, together with the Department's work to promote the economic recycling of industrial and domestic waste materials, it will make a significant contribution to the reduction of waste in the United Kingdom.

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

  Mr. Redwood
  My right hon. Friend and I meet the chairman of the Securities and Investments Board as frequently as is necessary. I expect to meet him shortly when a range of topics concerning the regulation of financial services will be discussed.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received concerning the Securities and Investments Board and its associated bodies; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  My right hon. Friend and I have received a considerable number of representations on a variety of subjects relating to the regulation of financial services.

  Building Societies
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he has any plans to limit mergers and tied insurance arrangements involving building societies.

  Mr. Redwood
  Mergers and proposed mergers involving building societies come within the scope of the normal competition legislation. Under the Fair Trading Act 1973, the Director General of Fair Trading has a duty to keep himself informed of merger activity and to advise the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on whether or not particular mergers should be referred to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission for investigation. I have powers under the Fair Trading Act to prevent a merger only if I have referred it to the commission and the commission has concluded that the merger would operate against the public interest.

  In addition, the Director General of Fair Trading has powers under the Fair Trading Act and the Competition Act 1980 to initiate investigations into complaints about abuses of monopolies and anti-competitive practices. If the hon. Member has any evidence to suggest that tied insurance arrangements involving building societies are an abuse of a monopoly or an anti-competitive practice he should bring it to the attention of the director general.

  Post Offices
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he next proposes to meet the chairman of the Post Office to discuss the Post Office network in rural areas.

  Mr. Forth
  I meet the chairman of the Post Office regularly to discuss a wide range of issues of mutual interest and concern.

  Industries (Rural Areas)
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn
  Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to assist industries in rural areas.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The Government's policies are designed to assist industry in all parts of the country. Specific measures of support to industry in rural areas are the responsibility of my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for the Environment and for Wales and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.

  Textiles
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the balance of trade in textiles in the last available quarter.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Imports of textiles (SITC division 65) exceeded exports by £372 million in the third quarter of 1989.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assistance he is proposing to give to support the British textile industry.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Firms in the United Kingdom textile and clothing industry are eligible for assistance 310
  under approved general aid schemes and, if located in assisted areas, regional aid schemes. A wide range of practical help is also available from my Department under the enterprise initiative. The European Commission has operated a ban on sectoral aid schemes for the industry since 1985.

  Mr. Riddick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the wool textiles industry in West Yorkshire.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The industry makes a significant contribution to the prosperity of the region. Since the early 1980s the United Kingdom wool textile industry as a whole has made a good recovery, recording significant gains in productivity and achieving an excellent exports performance. United Kingdom exports reached a record £613 million in 1988, with a new record likely in 1989; the industry also enjoys a favourable balance of trade.

  West Germany
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the level of United Kingdom trade with West Germany.

  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the level of United Kingdom trade with West Germany.

  Mr. Redwood
  Imports from West Germany into the United Kingdom between January to September 1989. when compared with the same period in 1988, rose from £12·9 billion to £14·8 billion, an increase of 14·7 per cent. Total United Kingdom exports to the Federal Republic increased in the same period from £7 billion to £7·9 billion, an increase of 12·9 per cent. United Kingdom non-oil exports rose from £6·3 billion to £7·2 billion, an increase of 14·3 per cent.

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

  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what Britain's manufacturing trade balance with West Germany was at the end of 1989 or at the latest date available.

  Mr. Redwood
  In the first 11 months of 1989 imports of manufactures from the Federal Republic of Germany exceeded United Kingdom exports to that country by £9·0 billion.

  Certification and Standards (EC)
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to ensure consumer representation on committees dealing with standards and certification in Europe.

  Mr. Bell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to ensure consumer representation on committees dealing with standards and certification in Europe.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to ensure consumer representation on committees dealing with standards and certification in Europe.
  311
  Mr. Forth
  Such committees are made up of representatives of the national standards bodies of Europe, not interest groupings. In the case of the United Kingdom, it is therefore for the British Standards Institution (BSI) to determine the composition of the delegation, which acts in accordance with a brief previously agreed by the relevant BSI committee.

  My Department provides a measure of financial support to help consumer representatives take part in BSI committee work and in European standards work, should they be selected to form part of the delegation.

  Recycling
  Mr. Bernie Grant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what further steps he is taking to promote the recycling of plastics, metals and paper.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what further steps he is taking to promote the recycling of plastics, metals and paper.

  Mr. James Lamond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what further steps he is taking to promote the recycling of plastics, metals and paper.

  Mr. Forth
  Ministers and officials continue to encourage the economic recycling of a wide range of materials, including plastics, metals and paper, through participation in conferences, seminars and exhibitions, and by the preparation and publication of information brochures and education packs. The recycling advisory group, set up late last year, is currently deliberating upon the best means of securing significant increases in the amounts of domestic and industrial waste being recycled in the United Kingdom, and the Environmental Protection Bill now before the House also contains measures to encourage recycling.

  Retailing
  Mr. Dykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will institute a departmental study into problems in the United Kingdom retailing sector.

  Mr. Forth
  No.

  Retail Goods (Safety)
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps his Department is taking to monitor the safety of retail goods.

  Mr. Allen McKay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps his Department is taking to monitor the safety of retail goods.

  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps his Department is taking to monitor the safety of retail goods.

  Mr. Forth
  My Department works closely with the trading standards departments of local authorities, which have the statutory duty to enforce consumer safety legislation, notably in the development of modern, computer-based information systems that enable the details of hazardous products to be made available urgently throughout the country. My Department also monitors the accident statistics obtained through the home accident surveillance system (HASS).

  Barlow Clowes
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received from, or on behalf of, Barlow Clowes investors since his statement on 19 December.

  Mr. Ridley
  I have received a number of representations from, or on behalf of, Barlow Clowes investors since my statement on 19 December. The majority of investors have expressed their complete satisfaction with the decision that I announced.

  Citizens Advice Bureaux
  Mr. Snape
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he last met representatives of the citizens advice bureaux to discuss their future funding requirements.

  Mr. Jim Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he last met representatives of the citizens advice bureaux to discuss their future funding requirements.

  Mr. Maxton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he last met representatives of the citizens advice bureaux to discuss their future funding requirements.

  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he last met representatives of the citizens advice bureaux to discuss their future funding requirements.

  Mr. Forth
  The funding of individual citizens advice bureaux is a matter for local decision, and my Department is not involved in those discussions. I have, however, met representatives of the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux and of Citizens Advice Scotland in recent months and among the topics discussed was their funding requirements.

  Regional Policies
  Mr. Robert Hicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he has taken to ensure that the south-west is benefiting from regional policies; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  My Department has opened satellite offices in Dorset and Wiltshire, in addition to the offices in Avon, Cornwall and Devon, to ensure a greater and more local delivery of DTI services to the business community. In addition, the Department, in conjunction with others, has sought to maximise aid from the European Community to eligible areas in the south-west and continued to provide regional grants to businesses operating in or setting up in the assisted areas. Within Devon and Cornwall we have, with financial support, helped establish a South West Export Federation and in Avon, Devon and Dorset are providing funding for export development advisers. Both those initiatives are designed to increase the volume of exporting by south-west companies. My Department is the largest contributor to the Devon and Cornwall development bureau, supports the activities of English Estates in the south-west and,
  313
  through my regional office, promotes and supports numerous other initiatives aimed at improving the economic performance of businesses in the south-west.

  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received on regional policy.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I receive regular representations on regional policy issues.

  Merchant Shipbuilding
  Ms. Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the future of British merchant shipbuilding capacity.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Greenock and Port Glasgow (Dr. Godman) on 9 January,Official Report, column 598.

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many orders for merchant vessels were placed with United Kingdom shipyards in 1989.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Complete information for 1989 is not yet available. According to departmental records, 27 new orders for merchant vessels were placed with United Kingdom shipyards in the first 10 months of 1989.

  Ireland
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what are the present trends in value of imports from, and exports to, the Republic of Ireland.

  Mr. Redwood
  Present trends indicate rising imports from Ireland and likewise rising exports to the Republic of Ireland from the United Kingdom.

  In 1988 the value of United Kingdom exports to the Republic of Ireland was £4,057 million. In the first 11 months of 1989, the figure was £4,316 million.

  The value of Irish exports to the United Kingdom in 1988 was £3,879 million. The figure for the first 11 months of 1989 was £3,941 million.

  Over the past four years exports to Ireland have risen at a slower rate than imports, therefore the balance has contracted. Figures available for 1989, however, suggest a reversal in this trend.

  Britain maintains a significant share of the Irish market—over 42 per cent. in 1988—double that of our main competitor and Ireland's second largest supplier, the United States of America. Ireland meanwhile has a 3·6 per cent. share of the United Kingdom market.

  Trade with the Republic of Ireland

  £

  Imports from Ireland to the United Kingdom

  Exports from the United Kingdom to Ireland

  Balance

  1985

  2,817

  3,631

  814

  1986

  3,054

  3,558

  504

  1987

  3,488

  3,832

  344

  1988

  3,879

  4,057

  178

  11988

  3,560

  3,697

  137

  11989

  3,941

  4,316

  375

  1January to November.

  Channel Tunnel
  Mr. Geraint Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to ensure that businesses in the regions of England and in Scotland and Wales benefit from the increased trade expected to result from the completion of the Channel tunnel.

  Mr. Redwood
  The DTI regularly receives representations from business about the importance of adequate road and rail links to the Channel tunnel if the United Kingdom is to derive full benefit from the tunnel and the single market. These are matters on which I and my colleagues make our views known to our right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport.

  Science and Technology Parks
  Mr. Lofthouse
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he is taking to assist the development of science and technology parks.

  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he is taking to assist the development of science and technology parks.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Science parks grew very rapidly in the 1980s. Regional development agencies and local authorities helped finance this growth, but increasingly private sector funding is being channelled into the continuing expansion and development of science parks, and I see no need for a central Government initiative.

  Mining Engineering Exports
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he last met representatives of Britain's mining engineering companies to discuss assistance with their export performance.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Since taking office I have not met representatives of Britain's mining equipment manufacturing companies.

  Supersonic Airliners
  Mr. Adley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement about research and development into the next generation of supersonic airliners.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I believe that it is widely accepted that a next generation supersonic transport (SST) would involve a major international collaborative effort because of the very substantial investment which would be needed. It is for industry to decide whether a new SST could be a sound commercial, environmental and technological project—and to initiate the necessary research in collaboration with international partners.

  My Department has limited funds available to promote collaborative civil aeronautical research projects, and consideration could be given to their use to help United Kingdom industry take advantage of opportunities in this area. Research into the environmental implications would be of particular importance.

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

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The future of HOTOL is a matter for the United Kingdom companies concerned. The Government remain ready to assist the companies to find suitable international collaborators.

  Stock Exchange
  Mr. Roy Hughes
  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. Lewis
  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. Redwood
  My right hon. Friend and I meet the chairman of the international stock exchange whenever appropriate to discuss financial services topics of mutual interest.

  Washing Machines
  Mr. Boyes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will estimate the percentage of the home market of washing machines supplied by imports.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will estimate the percentage of the home market of washing machines supplied by imports.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  A total of 37 per cent. by value, in the first half of 1989.

  Korea
  Mr. Archer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will introduce an embargo on imports from Korea.

  Mr. Redwood
  No.

  Trade Barriers
  Mr. Oppenheim
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he is taking to ensure that the EEC does not erect protectionist trade barriers.

  Mr. Redwood
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave him on 6 December 1989, at column 290.

  Bankruptcies
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what are the latest figures for bankruptcies among small businesses; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  Information on the size of businesses going into bankruptcy is not available.

  Industrial Investment
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent representations he has received regarding industrial investment.
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  Mr. Redwood
  I have received a number of recent representations on industrial performance and the Government's policies towards industry. Investment is one of the main subjects covered in most of these representations.

  City Task Forces
  Mr. Robert Hayward
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many inner-city task force projects were approved in 1989.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  A total of 611 projects designed to assist in the economic regeneration of the communities in inner-city task force areas were approved in 1989.

  Research Council
  Mr. Lord
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the outcome of the European Community Research Council held on 15 December 1989.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I represented Her Majesty's Government at the meeting of the Community's Council of Ministers (Research) in Brussels on 15 December.

  The council reached a unanimous agreement on a new framework programme for 1990–94. The total level of funding agreed was 5·7 becu (£4·2 billion), comprising 2·5 becu (£1·8 billion) for 1990–92 and 3·2 becu (£2·3 billion) for 1993–94. The programme will cover Community R and D activities in the following six main areas:

  1. Information and communications technologies

  2. Industrial and materials technologies

  3. Environment

  4. Life sciences and technologies

  5. Energy

  6. Human capital and mobility

  Specific proposals will now be put forward by the Commission under the 15 separate programme lines that were established by the Council.

  Her Majesty's Government regard this as a very satisfactory outcome of the negotiation on the new framework programme, both as regards the overall level of resources and the technical contents, for which there are clear priorities and objectives. We have also ensured that the decision will not prejudice the review of the current inter-institutional agreement on budgetary discipline.

  The Council agreed that it would be logical to conduct future R and D at the Community level on the basis of interlocking rolling programmes. These would have the advantage of allowing additional flexibility in the management of specific programmes in the light of full and effective evaluation carried out as part of a mid-term review.

  In addition, the Council adopted a research and technical development programme, under the current 1987–91 framework programme, in the field of management and storage of radioactive waste covering the period 1990–94. This programme has a budget of 79·6 mecu (£58 million): the objective being to develop systems for radioactive waste management which ensure the safety of the public and the protection of the environment.

  Also under the 1987–91 framework programme, the Council agreed a common position on the human genome analysis programme.
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  The Council agreed a statement on the possibility of research co-operation with eastern Europe and invited the Commission to come forward with specific proposals.

  Privatisation
  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  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.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Great Grimsby (Mr. Mitchell) on 9 January [columns.517-18]. My Department had primary responsibility for returning seven companies to the private sector.

  Exporters
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures he is taking to help British exporters; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  My Department and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office provide, through the export initiative, a wide range of help, advice and support to United Kingdom exporters at each stage of the exporting process. It is, however, for individual firms to decide whether they should export. Our role is to help them reach these decisions and to provide the services they require to help them enter export markets.

  It is encouraging to see that the volume of non-oil exports in the three months to November 1989 was 13 per cent. higher than a year earlier.

  Renovations
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has any conveniently available figures for the(a) value and (b) size of his Department's property being renovated by the Property Services Agency and as to how much priority one Department of Trade and Industry property is not being renovated owing to shortage of funds.

  Mr. Forth
  |(a) Department of Trade and Industry occupies approximately 406,000m2 of the Civil Service estate, but figures are not conveniently available for the value of these occupations.

  (b) Responsibility for maintenance of the civil estate, under the Property Repayment System (PRS) arrangements, is shared between PSA and Departments. On 24 May 1989, Sir Gordon Manzie, chief executive of PSA, informed the Environment Committee that, at current funding levels, it should be possible to clear the backlog of priority maintenance work on the civil estate as a whole by 1995–96. (HC 403 (1988-89) EV.p.24). There is, however, no readily available information relating the backlog to individual Department occupations.

  Eastern Europe
  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) how many United Kingdom firms have current commercial contracts with Yugoslavia; and what is his estimate of the value of those contracts in £ sterling;

  (2) how many United Kingdom firms have current commercial contracts with the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics; and what is his estimate of the value of those contracts in £ sterling;

  (3) how many United Kingdom firms have current commercial contracts with Hungary; and what is his estimate of the value of those contracts in £ sterling.

  (4) how many United Kingdom firms have current commercial contracts with Poland; and what is his estimate of the value of those contracts in £ sterling;

  (5) how many United Kingdom firms have current commercial contracts with Czechoslovakia; and what is his estimate of the value of those contracts in £ sterling;

  (6) how many United Kingdom firms have current commercial contracts with Romania; and what is his estimate of the value of those contracts in £ sterling;

  (7) how many United Kingdom firms have current commercial contracts with Bulgaria; and what is his estimate of the value of those contracts in £ sterling.

  Mr. Redwood
  The Government do not have comprehensive information about the number or value of commercial contracts with the east European countries listed by the hon. Member. Such information as my Department receives about individual contracts is commercially confidential and cannot, therefore, be revealed.

  Missile Technology Control
  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list all companies in the United Kingdom producing components or information which came under the terms of the missile technology control regime.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 15 January 1990]: This information is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. G. J. Mulcahy
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the positions currently held by Mr. G. J. Mulcahy who has served as a Government-appointed director on British Telecom plc from 19 October 1988.

  Mr. Forth
  [holding answer 16 January 1990]: Details of the current directorships of all of the directors of British Telecom plc are publicly available from the register of directors maintained by the company in accordance with section 288 of the Companies Act 1985. Details are also publicly available from the Register of Companies. Any other positions currently held by Mr. Mulcahy are a matter for him.

  Manufacturing
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the increase in manufacturing output less food, since 1973 and 1979, respectively, and the increase in the volume of manufactured imports.
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  Mr. Norman Lamont
  I have been asked to reply.

  The information requested on manufacturing output, less food cannot be provided without incurring disproportionate cost. Volume indices of manufactured imports can be found on the CSO databank, which is accessible through the House of Commons Library.

  ANIMAL PROCEDURES COMMITTEE
  ANIMAL PROCEDURES COMMITTEE
  SEIZURE ABROAD OF FUGITIVES FROM US JUSTICE
  SEIZURE ABROAD OF FUGITIVES FROM US JUSTICE
  RELOCATION OF CIVIL SERVICE POSTS
  RELOCATION OF CIVIL SERVICE POSTS