Written Answers of 10 July 1990

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Fur Farms
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food who is empowered to slaughter mink and foxes on fur farms.

  Mr. Maclean
  There are no restrictions on who may slaughter fur-bearing animals on farms. The operation must, however, be done with due care and humanity as required by the Protection of Animals Act 1911 and without unnecessary pain or unnecessary distress as required by the Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1968.

  Animal Feed
  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will introduce legislation to ensure that animal feed materials are not contaminated with agents harmful to humans; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  The safety standards of animal feed materials are laid down by EC legislation and enacted within the United Kingdom by the Agriculture Act 1970 and Feeding Stuff Regulations 1988, as amended. It is an offence for a manufacturer to sell an animal feed which is unsafe for the animal or final consumer.

  Cattle (Antibiotics)
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he proposes to authorise the use of the antibiotics Avoparcin and Virginiamycin in cattle in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  Both antibiotics are authorised for use in cattle by EC Directive 70/524 concerning additives in feedingstuffs. Avoparcin is already licensed for this use in the United Kingdom, but, as yet, I have received no application in respect of virginiamycin for use in cattle.

  Egg Producers
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make it his policy to provide to those local authorities who request them his list of egg producers and his list of egg producers who have registered with him since 2 April.

  Mr. Maclean
  Information is provided to local authorities on producers who register with the Department under the Poultry Laying Flocks (Testing and Registration etc) Order 1989. The Department does not hold a comprehensive list of egg producers.

  Salmonella
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many reports he received during June from laboratories conducting microbiological testing for salmonella of samples from hens where no growth was found.

  Mr. Maclean
  Full details of tests carried out in June are not available, but, from the reports received, the proportion of samples in which no microbial growth was reported was in the region of 5 per cent. The tests in question are designed to establish whether salmonella is present and will not necessarily show growth of other bacteria even when these are present.

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has any evidence of the abuse of the competitive exclusion product for salmonella developed by the Bristol Food Research Institute; and if he has any proposals to regulate its use.

  Mr. Maclean
  We have no such evidence. If such a product were to be sold or supplied for a medicinal purpose, a licence would be required to be issued under the Medicines Act 1968. No such licence is currently in force for the product to which the hon. Member refers.

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many poultry flocks with over 100 laying hens are registered in each of the counties of England and Wales; and how many of these have notified him of the results of testing for salmonella between(a) 1 January and 21 March and (b) 1 April and 30 June.

  Mr. Maclean
  Up to 27 June a total of 2,435 laying flocks have been registered in England and Wales. The details in the table refer to animal health offices, where registrations are dealt with, rather than counties.

  Registered persons are required to notify my Department with the results of tests for salmonella at 12-weekly intervals, commencing with the date after 2 April on which they first receive reports of any such tests. This information is being received and collated at the present time.

  Registered laying flocks in England and Wales

  Local Animal Health Office

  Laying flocks registered

  England

  Beverley

  49

  Bury St. Edmunds

  62

  Carlisle

  50

  Chelmsford

  118

  Crewe

  99

  Dorchester

  43

  Exeter

  97

  Gloucester

  53

  Guildford

  92

  Huntingdon

  50

  Leamington Spa

  65

  Leeds

  146

  Leicester

  32

  Lincoln

  107

  Maidstone

  140

  Newcastle

  86

  Northallerton

  114

  Norwich

  125

  Nottingham

  128

  Oxford

  133

  Preston

  139

  Shrewsbury

  58

  109

  Local Animal Health Office

  Laying flocks registered

  Stafford

  83

  Taunton

  48

  Trowbridge

  37

  Truro

  57

  Winchester

  69

  Worcester

  59

  Wales

  Caernarvon

  10

  Cardiff

  8

  Carmarthen

  38

  Llandrindod Wells

  17

  Ruthin

  23

  Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
  Mr. Speller
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what names are used in European Community countries other than the United Kingdom to describe bovine spongiform encephalopathy; and whether this disease is present or endemic under these names in any European Community country.

  Mr. Maclean
  Bovine spongiform encephalopathy has been a notifiable disease in the European Community under that name since 1 April 1990 and to date has been confirmed only in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.

  Animal Welfare
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will make it his policy to ban the tethering of sows in stalls; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if he has made an assessment of the animal welfare implications of the use of narrow stalls to contain sows; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) if he has made an assessment of the space required to allow a sow to perform her natural functions, including grooming, turning and stretching; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  The Farm Animal Welfare Council has undertaken an assessment of pig production systems. It concluded that stall and tether systems for dry sows fail to meet important welfare criteria including freedom to exercise and to display most normal behaviour patterns. It recommended that new stall or tether systems should be banned and that existing systems of this type should be phased out as soon as the Government are content that welfare related problems have been eliminated from the emerging alternative systems and that they are commercially viable.

  The Government have accepted these conclusions and are seeking to have them implemented through European Community legislation as soon as possible.

  Bovine Somatotropin
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the licensing requirements which bovine somatotropin met before milk containing bovine somatotropin was allowed to be offered for sale to the general public.

  Mr. Maclean
  All milk contains natural BST. Milk from cows treated with manufactured BST may be offered 110
  for sale to the public if the treatment was carried out in accordance with an animal test certificate—ATC. Before ATCs were issued the Veterinary Products Committee examined all available data relating to the BST products concerned and concluded that they were of good quality and that their use in field trials would pose no threat to the health of consumers, to persons handling the product or to the environment.

  Field Sports
  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether it is Her Majesty's Government's policy to promote field sports such as fox hunting, deer hunting and hare hunting and coursing as a method of vermin control or for any other reason.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I have been asked to reply.

  Hunting is one of several methods by which the populations of certain wild animals can be controlled. The Government's position is that the choice of method is a matter for the landowner and that participation in field sports is a matter for individual decision and conscience.

THE ARTS

  British Theatre Association
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what steps he intends to take to secure accommodation and future support for the British Theatre Association and its library; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Luce
  I am in touch with the British Theatre Association and other interested parties and understand that a number of options are now being considered which should help to secure the future of the library. I have asked to be kept informed of developments.

PRIME MINISTER

  Political Union
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Prime Minister what decision was made at the Dublin meeting of the European Council on United Kingdom participation in a conference on political union.

  Sir Geoffrey Howe
  I have been asked to reply.

  I refer my hon. Friend to the statement my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister made to this House on 28 June. The United Kingdom will participate fully in the preparation for and in discussion at the intergovernmental conference.

  European Parliament
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Prime Minister what recent discussions she has had with the leaders of other European Community states concerning the structure, functions and powers of the European Parliament; and if she will make a statement.

  Sir Geoffrey Howe
  I have been asked to reply.

  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the statement my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister made to this House on 28 June about the European Council meeting in Dublin, at which the roles of the European Parliament and national parliaments were discussed in general terms.

  South Africa
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will make a statement on the outcome of her discussions with Mr. Nelson Mandela with regard to the United Kingdom's contribution to the emergence of a just and equitable society in South Africa.

  Sir Geoffrey Howe
  I have been asked to reply.

  My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister had a very good exchange of views with Mr. Mandela on 4 July. Mr. Mandela expressed his appreciation of our efforts to secure his release and accepted our sincerity and determination to get rid of apartheid. My right hon. Friend's discussions with Mr. Mandela concentrated on examining the political and economic way ahead in South Africa.

  Divorce
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Prime Minister whether the Government have any plans to make divorce easier or more difficult to obtain(a) in England and (b) in Scotland.

  Sir Geoffrey Howe
  I have been asked to reply.

  It would be premature to say what reform might be brought forward in England and Wales ahead of the English Law Commission's report later this year on divorce. In considering any proposals the Government will be concerned to support marriage and the family and to ensure that those contemplating divorce recognise in advance the consequences of divorce, especially for their children, and wherever possible either draw back from it or at least make arrangements to provide a firm basis for the future upbringing and support of their children.

  The Scottish Law Commission issued a report on reform of the ground for divorce in 1989 and recommended that the Divorce (Scotland) Act 1976 should be amended.

  These proposals are embodied in clause 53 of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Bill which is presently before the House of Commons.

  Engagements
  Mr. Rathbone
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 10 July.

  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 10 July.

  Sir Geoffrey Howe
  I have been asked to reply.

  My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister is attending the economic summit in Houston.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Interest Rates
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what information he has on the reduced availability of German and Japanese capital on the international market and its effect on long-term interest rates in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ryder
  Data for the current and capital accounts o. Japan and Germany are published by the IMF in "International Financial Statistics". The availability of 112
  capital from Japan and Germany is one of a number of domestic and international influences on United Kingdom long-term interest rates.

  Royal Mint
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the cost to the royal mint of the recent investigation into staff salaries carried out by Hay MSL.

  Mr. Ryder
  The cost of this study is commercially confidential.

  EC Contributions
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the various published estimates or projections by Her Majesty's Government of the United Kingdom's net contribution to the European Community in 1989; and if he will indicate the date on which each such estimate or projection was made.

  Mr. Ryder
  [holding answer 5 July 1990]: The "Statement on the 1990 Community Budget" —Cm. 1059 —which was published on 26 April 1990, included the outturn of £2,315 million for the United Kingdom's net contribution to the European Community in 1989. The previous forecast for the 1989 net contribution, £1,966 million, was contained in the "Statement on the 1989 Community Budget"—Cm. 680—published on 27 April 1989. In addition, the Central Statistical Office balance of payments press notices of 13 March and 13 June 1990 gave, on a slightly different basis from the annual statements, an estimated outturn of £2,301 million for the United Kingdom's 1989 net balance with the European Community. These forecasts are on a calendar year basis.

  The annual public expenditure White Paper includes calendar year forecasts and outturns of United Kingdom contributions and receipts arising out of successive budgets, irrespective of when receipts and payments occur.

  VAT
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he proposes to reconsider the list of items considered for exemption from value added tax.

  Mr. Ryder
  [holding answer 9 July 1990]: No.

  Government Shareholdings
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will update the answer of 11 December,Official Report, column 463, on (a) the golden shares and (b) other shares currently owned by Her Majesty's Government.

  Mr. Lilley
  [holding answer 9 July 1990]: The Government hold special shares in the following companies: Britoil, Cable and Wireless; Jaguar; Sealink; British Telecom; British Aerospace; VSEL Consortium; British Gas; Rolls-Royce; BAA; British Steel; Anglian Water; Northumbrian Water; North West Water; Severn Trent; South West Water; Thames Water; Welsh Water; Wessex Water; and Yorkshire Water.

  Details of the Government's other shareholdings are given in the "Consolidated Fund and National Loans Fund Accounts 1988–89: Supplementary Statements" (HC45). The 1989–90 supplementary statements will be laid before the House before the end of the year. In the case

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  of the 10 water plcs, the Water (Target Investment Limit) Order 1990, laid before the House on 21 May, gave the maximum limits, by percentage, of the Government's residual shareholding. The current market value of the shareholdings can be established from the International Stock Exchange's official list.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Legal Aid
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Attorney-General how many booklets have been printed advising the public on the European agreement on the transmission of applications for legal aid; and where they have been distributed.

  The Attorney-General
  No booklets advising the public on the European agreement on the transmission of applications for legal aid have been produced.

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Attorney-General whether his Department has sponsored any advertising of the European agreement on the transmission of applications for legal aid.

  The Attorney-General
  The Legal Aid Board, which is responsible for publicising the legal aid scheme, has not sponsored any advertising of the European agreement on the transmission of applications for legal aid.

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Attorney-General what consideration the Legal Aid Board has given to publicising the European agreement on the transmission of applications for legal aid.

  The Attorney-General
  In paragraph 2.17 of its annual report, which was laid before Parliament on 25 June 1990, the Legal Aid Board reported that it was reviewing its publicity requirements. The board expects to complete its review during the current financial year and publicity for the European agreement on transmission of applications for legal aid is one of the topics to be considered.

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Attorney-General how many United Kingdom citizens have received legal aid in foreign countries under the European agreement on the transmission of applications for legal aid.

  The Attorney-General
  Applications made by United Kingdom citizens under the European agreement on transmission of legal aid applications during the year 1 January to 31 December 1989 as follows:

  Great Britain (outside London)

  English metropolitan areas

  Other areas1

  All outside London

  Percentage increase in fares between 1985–86 and 1989

  (i) in cash terms

  2+56

  +20

  +29

  (ii) adjusted for general inflation3

  +29

  no change

  +7

  Journeys using adult single ticket4

  Average fare per journey in 1989 (pence)

  41p

  55p

  50p

  Average fare per mile in 1989 (pence)

  14p

  15p

  15p

  Average journey length

  2.9 miles

  3.6 miles

  3.3 miles

  1 English shire counties, Scotland and Wales.

  2 A sharp rise from a low level following the introduction of precept control in 1986–87. In 1989, fare levels in English metropolitan areas remained below those elsewhere.

  3 Using the retail prices index, which increased by 20 per cent., between 1985–86 and 1989.

  4 1985–86 national travel survey data adjusted using the appropriate stage fares index.

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  Transmitted

  1Granted

  England and Wales

  30

  10

  Northern Ireland

  3

  n/a

  Scotland

  1

  0

  United Kingdom

  34

  10

  1 Information received so far. Information relating to Northern Ireland is not available.

  Information relating to earlier years is not readily available.

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Attorney-General whether his Department has supplied legal firms offering the legal aid scheme with details of the European agreement on the transmission of applications for legal aid.

  The Attorney-General
  The Legal Aid Board publishes the "Legal Aid Handbook" each year. This guide to practitioners includes at note 52 of the notes for guidance detailed instructions on the preparation of applications including information on payment arrangements.

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will give the budget for publicising the European agreement on the transmission of applications for legal aid.

  The Attorney-General
  The Legal Aid Board is currently reviewing its publicity requirements and although at present no part of its publicity budget is spent on publicising the European agreement on the transmission of applications for legal aid consideration will be given to this as part of the review.

TRANSPORT

  Bus Fares
  Mr. John Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the most recent information his Department has on the level of bus fares since deregulation.

  Mr. Freeman
  The latest information on local bus fares is in the table.

  Speed Limiters
  Mr. Moate
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of coaches in the United Kingdom are now fitted with speed limiters; if he will make a statement about the benefits which have been secured for road users; and what is his policy with regard to speed limiters being fitted to heavy goods vehicles.

  Mr. Atkins
  One hundred per cent. of those first used in Great Britain after April 1984. By next April, all coaches first used since April 1974 will also have to be fitted with limiters, and I am glad that the Bus and Coach Council is urging its members to act ahead of this deadline. It benefits all road users' safety if maximum speed limits are observed. We are currently looking into the merits of the European Commission proposal that speed limiters should also be required on heavy goods vehicles.

  Air Services
  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects his recent agreement with the United States Government in respect of air services to take effect.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Documentation is being completed as quickly as possible and the agreement should come into full effect immediately thereafter. It will however probably take further time for airlines to plan and introduce new services.

  Oil Field Workers (Insurance)
  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what statutory provisions cover the insuring of oil field workers carried to rigs by helicopters.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  None. However any helicopter operator serving United Kingdom oil and gas fields on the North sea requires an air transport licence from the Civil Aviation Authority. In deciding whether to grant such a licence the authority takes into account the financial arrangements of the operator, including the insurance arrangements which have been made.

  Airlines
  Mr. Conway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take steps to ensure that the operating opportunities for American airlines within the United Kingdom and Europe are reciprocated for British airlines in the United States of America.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  We and the United States Government are jointly to study liberalisation of United Kingdom-United States air services arrangements: issues of the sort my hon. Friend raises are bound to be discussed.

  Driving Test
  Mr. Graham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what revisions are planned to the Department of Transport driving test in preparation for 1992.

  Mr. Atkins
  The European Commission published its proposals for a second directive on driver licensing in 1989. My Department consulted subsequently with 116
  interested parties on the implications of these proposals for driver testing and training. I shall announce the outcome of that consultation shortly.

  Driving Instructors
  Mr. Graham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to restrict the register of approved driving instructors.

  Mr. Atkins
  Over the past two years the qualifying examinations for the register have been made more thorough. There are no plans to make any further alterations or to restrict entry in order to limit numbers in the profession.

  Mr. Graham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish a list of categories of people excluded from becoming Department of Transport approved driving instructors.

  Mr. Atkins
  The grounds on which the registrar of approved driving instructors may refuse to enter a person's name in the register are given in section 125 of the Road Traffic Act 1988.

  Mr. Graham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are(a) the number of people admitted to the register of approved driving instructors and (b) the total number registered in each year since 1980.

  Mr. Atkins
  The numbers at the end of each calendar year were as follows:

  New ADIs

  Numbers on the register

  1980

  2,490

  23,562

  1981

  2,476

  25,098

  1982

  2,262

  26,101

  1983

  2,281

  26,942

  1984

  2,574

  28,090

  1985

  2,290

  28,675

  1986

  3,147

  30,069

  1987

  2,862

  31,336

  1988

  11,925

  232,381

  1989

  12,421

  332,931

  1990

  41,081

  433,080

  1 Figures for new ADIs exclude those joining the register between August 1988 and February 1989 when computerisation of the Register was taking place.

  2 To end July.

  3 A computer count revealed that there has been an overcount during the past of about 1,000.

  4 To end of May.

  Internal Service Operations
  Mr. Conway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the countries with which reciprocal internal United Kingdom and Europe service operations have been agreed.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  No air services agreements containing cabotage rights exist between the United Kingdom and European partners.

  Urban Roads
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the environmental measures taken to protect residents when trunk roads have been constructed or updated in urban areas since 1979.
  117
  Mr. Atkins
  Measures to mitigate the impact of a new or improved road, and to enhance road safety, form an integral part of our planning and design. Each scheme is considered separately, and there is a wide range of possible measures appropriate in different circumstances. We aim to improve on our existing good practice in minimising the impact of new roads.

  Local residents are consulted on route proposals at an early stage. Increased use of discretionary powers to provide noise insulation to dwellings was announced earlier this year.

  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many sections of trunk roads passing through urban areas have been constructed or updated in the west midlands since 1979; and if he will give the daily flow of(a) cars, (b) vans and light lorries and (c) heavy long distance lorries for the sections of these trunk roads which have (i) the heaviest and (ii) the lightest flow of traffic.

  Mr. Atkins
  There has been no major new on-line construction or other significant updating of trunk roads in urban areas of the west midlands since 1979. Small-scale new works and improvements to ease congestion or improve road safety are too numerous to list in detail.

  A50, Stoke-on-Trent
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the current estimate of the daily flow of(a) cars, (b) vans and light lorries and (c) heavy long distance lorries on the A50 at the Meir crossroads, Stoke-on-Trent; and what was the date of the traffic survey on which the estimate was based.

  Mr. Atkins
  Based on a survey carried out on 22 March 1990, the 12-hour two-way flow on the A50 east of Meir is:

  Number

  Cars

  14,648

  Van and light commercial vehicles

  2,760

  Medium and heavy commercial vehicles

  3,038

  TOTAL

  20,446

  The estimated annual average daily 24-hour flow is 27,193.

  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the forecast figures for the daily flow of(a) cars, (b) vans and light lorries and (c) heavy long distance lorries on the A50 at the Meir crossroads, Stoke-on-Trent, in the year 2000.

  Mr. Atkins
  The forecast annual average daily 24-hours two-way flow on the A50 east of Meir is:

  2000 Low

  2000 High

  Cars and vans

  31,800

  34,300

  Other goods vehicles (> 30 cwt)

  5,900

  6,400

  TOTAL

  37,700

  40,700

  The forecast proportion of long distance other goods vehicles trips at Meir is approximately 36 per cent.

  Winchester Bypass
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many(a) deaths, (b) serious injuries and (c) minor injuries have been recorded for each of the last 10 years in respect of accidents on the Winchester bypass; and what is the recorded accident rate per 1,000 vehicle miles travelled.

  Mr. Atkins
  The only information readily available is as follows:

  (a) The number of recorded accidents on the A33 Winchester bypass from its junction with A272 (M3) to A31 Compton in each of the last six years were:

  Fatal injuries

  Serious injuries

  Slight injuries

  1984

  2

  8

  35

  1985

  3

  8

  23

  1986

  0

  12

  30

  1987

  1

  5

  34

  1988

  1

  3

  22

  1989

  0

  3

  29

  (b) the estimated accident rate over the last three years is 0.0002 per 1,000 vehicles miles travelled.

  InterCity Routes
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has as to the impact of Government investment on the fastest scheduled journey time on InterCity routes in(a) 1974, (b) 1979 and (c) in the current year.

  Mr. Freeman
  [holding answer 5 July 1990]: InterCity journey times improved significantly between 1974 and 1979 as a result of investment in high speed diesel trains approved in 1973. Electrification approved in 1984 is bringing further reductions in journey times on the east coast main line.

  A1
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the projected traffic flow figures for vehicles by category travelling north on the Al from Newcastle following its upgrading to motorway status south of Newcastle.

  Mr. Atkins
  [holding answer 9 July 1990]: A precise assessment has not been carried out for projected traffic flow figures for vehicles by category travelling north from Newcastle upon Tyne following the upgrading of the Al. However, a study for routes south of Edinburgh commissioned by the Scottish Office indicated that completion of a motorway link to Newcastle would not lead to any substantial transfer of traffic with the majority of long-distance travelling from England to Scotland continuing to use the west coast motorway system.

  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the projected traffic flow figures for vehicles by category travelling north on the Al from Newcastle for each of the next 10 years.

  Mr. Atkins
  [holding answer 9 July 1990]: Traffic predictions allow for both low and high growth. Based upon 1989 values the annual average daily traffic prediction on the Al north of Newcastle are as follows:
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  Location

  Year

  Low

  High

  Between Newcastle and Morpeth

  1991

  21,350

  21,970

  1992

  21,780

  22,700

  1993

  22,210

  23,430

  1994

  22,630

  24,170

  1995

  23,060

  24,900

  1996

  23,490

  25,630

  1997

  23,910

  26,370

  1998

  24,340

  27,100

  1999

  24,770

  27,830

  2000

  25,190

  28,570

  The proportions of heavy goods vehicles are expected to range from 8 to 12 per cent.

  Location

  Year

  Low

  High

  Between Alnwick and Berwick

  1991

  6,770

  6,970

  1992

  6,900

  7,200

  1993

  7,040

  7,430

  1994

  7,180

  7,670

  1995

  7,310

  7,900

  1996

  7,450

  8,130

  1997

  7,580

  8,370

  1998

  7,720

  8,600

  1999

  7,850

  8,830

  2000

  7,990

  9,070

  The proportions of heavy goods vehicles are expected to range from 25 to 39 per cent.

  Planning
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will now refund the costs and other expenses funded by the Laven Glaze Group, South Brent, Dartmoor, as a result of the abortive planning appeal made by Shell UK Oil Limited, regarding land adjacent to Carew filling station which ended on 6 September 1989; and if he will make a statement as to the reason for the delay in carrying out his obligations.

  Mr. Atkins
  [holding answer 9 July 1990]: My Department has no legal obligation to refund the costs of the South Brent and Lower Glaze Group in relation to this planning appeal by Shell UK Ltd. My Department has, however, decided to pay 50 per cent. of the appeal costs and is paying the objectors' costs in full, on behalf of itself and Shell. It will also pay half of Shell's costs, when these are quantified fully, less the element already paid to the objectors. The parties will have been informed by letter of this decision and the payments will follow.

  Catalytic Converters
  Mr. O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he intends to make it compulsory for catalytic converters to be fitted to all new cars; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  [holding answer 9 July 1990]: Vehicle regulations of this sort need agreement within the European Economic Community. Now that this has been reached, the regulations laid before the House last month will mean that from 1993 onwards effectively all new petrol engined cars will need to be fitted with catalysts. Details are given in my answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Dartford (Mr. Dunn) on 8 June at columns 722–23.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Courthouse, Basildon
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the opening of the new courthouse in Basildon is on schedule.

  Mr. John Patten
  Yes. I am very pleased to confirm that the official opening is due to take place on 30 November 1990, as arranged.

  Private Security Industry
  Mr. George
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what plans he has to introduce a system of statutory regulation for the private security industry;

  (2) if he will publish the membership of the Home Office working group on self-regulation of the private security industry and the date when the group's report will be published.

  Mr. John Patten
  We are considering, in the light of the report of the working group on the self-regulation of the private security industry, a range of options for improving the regulation of the industry. The working group included representatives from the Home Office, the Department of Trade and Industry, the Association of Chief Police Officers, the British Security Industry Association, the International Professional Security Association and the National Supervisory Council for Intruder Alarms.

  When consideration of this issue has been completed, we will decide what circulation to give the working group's report.

  Guard Dogs
  Mr. Graham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what restrictions exist in respect of the length of time a guard dog can work before it is rested.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The use of guard dogs is regulated by the Guard Dogs Act 1975. Section 1 of the Act defines the circumstances in which a guard dog must be secured or under the control of a handler. Neither this section, nor the remaining sections of the Act which have not been brought into force, include explicit restrictions on the length of time for which a guard dog can work before it is rested.

  Forensic Pathology
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now make a statement on the Government's response to the recent working party on forensic pathology.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  We are still considering our response to the working party's report and we will make an announcement as soon as possible.

  Child Care
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the strategy of the ministerial groups on women's issues to encourage the growth of child care facilities.

  Mr. John Patten
  The ministerial group on women's issues believes that high quality in the provision of child
  121
  care should be encouraged. To this end, the group has agreed a range of measures designed to maintain and improve the standards of child care for those parents who choose to combine their family responsibilities with employment opportunities.

  Summaries of the initiatives on child care agreed by the group are contained in the press releases issued after the group's meetings in April 1989 and February 1990, copies of which have been placed in the Library.

  Lottery Tickets
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with the directors of the state lottery companies in Germany regarding the sending of lottery tickets to the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply of my right hon. Friend the Minister of State on 8 May at column 30 to his earlier question.

  As I have further explained in correspondence with my hon. Friend, the directors have also suggested that action by them to penalise agents who continued to try to promote the lotteries here might be disputed by the agents on the ground that European Community law overrides both our 1976 Act and the lotteries' own operating rules; although there appears to be no specific or related judicial decision on this, it is our view that the prohibitions on foreign lotteries in the 1976 Act are compatible with EC law; Her Majesty's Customs and Excise have impounded huge quantities of promotional material for the lotteries

  Management consultants

  Contract details

  Start

  Finish

  Coopers Lybrand Deloitte

  Study and estimate of costs associated with the start-up and running of a magistrates courts agency.

  1 May 1990

  31 August 1990

  PA Consultancy Group

  Training for area managers in connection with reorganisation of the prison service.

  February 1990 (This contract is likely to be extended to October 1990.)

  July 1990

  PA

  Study and assistance in moving the forensic science service towards agency status by April 1991.

  July 1989

  March 1991

  Price Waterhouse

  Provision of financial advice on the privatisation of the IBA terrestrial transmission system.

  26 February 1990

  31 December 1990

  Sudbury Consultants

  Leadership training

  December 1989

  September 1990

  Talisman

  Public relations for the safer cities project, Rochdale

  1 November 1989

  31 October 1990

  VISTA Communications

  Survey of key communications systems in the prison service

  8 June 1990

  Autumn 1990

  Watts, Reginald Associates

  Marketing of fire service college

  November 1989

  July 1990

  Immigration
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how long from arrival at Lunar house or the nationality department at Liverpool it takes for a letter to reach a case worker.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  At Lunar house the current average time taken for non-directly addressed letters to reach caseworkers is eight working days from initial receipt and 10 working days for citizenship applications which are routed via accounts branch for the extraction of fees.
  122
  sent here by post; and I understand that some court proceedings are imminent in this country relating to the seizure of some of this material.

  Community Charge Defaulters, Coventry
  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases the Coventry courts have so far processed against poll tax defaulters.

  Mr. John Patten
  No information on the processing of community charge enforcement cases in the magistrates courts is yet available. The Home Office is conducting a survey of the workload consequences for magistrates courts; the first return covers the period 1 April to 30 September 1990, and results will be available at the end of 1990 or beginning of 1991.

  Management Consultants
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list for each of the contracts awarded by his Department to management consultants on which work is currently in progress(a) when they started, (b) when they are expected to be completed and (c) their cost.

  Mr. Waddington
  Information about contract costs still extant is a matter of commercial confidentiality which it would not be proper to disclose. The details of contracts with management consultants on which work is currently in progress are as follows:

  Directly addressed items reach caseworkers the same day. At the Liverpool nationality office letters are opened and passed to caseworkers within 24 hours.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of applicants for naturalisation, registration or immigration die before a decision is made on their case.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  This information is not available.
  123
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how long it takes for 100 letters to be opened at Lunar house and the nationality department at Liverpool.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  On average it takes each of the 20 staff in the Lunar house post room engaged on this work five minutes to open, date, stamp, check contents, identify any omissions, remove any valuables, prepare acknowledgement and route one item to its next destination. No information is available for correspondence opening averages in the Liverpool nationality office.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases of naturalisation, registration or immigration can be dealt with concurrently within the same office.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  It is not possible to provide any such estimate.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number of letters received at Lunar house, Croydon, and the nationality department at Liverpool on the first day of each month for(a) 1988, (b) 1989 and (c)

  Mr. Peler Lloyd
  Following is the information:

  Letters received and opened in IND post room, Lunar house

  1988

  1989

  1990

  January

  11,716

  1,394

  1,496

  February

  11,846

  1,577

  1,846

  March

  11,964

  1,647

  1,532

  April

  1,357

  1,783

  1,489

  May

  1,198

  1,688

  1,549

  June

  1,586

  1,395

  1,577

  July

  1,326

  1,310

  1,528

  August

  1,662

  1,661

  —

  September

  1,372

  1,711

  —

  October

  1,957

  1,999

  —

  November

  2,099

  2,057

  —

  December

  1,398

  1,464

  —

  1 These figures do not include an estimated 14,044 applications received in the first quarter of 1988 which, because of the then backlog were not counted on a daily basis.

  Notes:

  The table does not include letters addressed to individuals, rooms or groups which currently average 1,400 per day. These are not opened in the post room but redirected on receipt to the addressee.

  The information requested is not available in respect of the Liverpool nationality office.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give the percentage of all cases where the applicant for naturalisation, immigration or registration is between the ages of one and five years, and every interval of five years through 80 years.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The only readily available information relates to applicants for citizenship whose dates of birth are recorded on the nationality division computer. The number of applicants for citizenship in each age band, expressed as a percentage of the number of outstanding citizenship applications is as follows:

  Age band years

  percentage

  1 to 5

  2.3

  6 to 10

  3.9

  11 to 15

  4.9

  16 to 20

  6.2

  124

  Age band years

  percentage

  21 to 25

  8.0

  26 to 30

  14.2

  31 to 35

  17.1

  36 to 40

  14.2

  41 to 45

  10.0

  46 to 50

  6.1

  51 to 55

  4.5

  56 to 60

  3.3

  61 to 65

  2.4

  66 to 70

  1.5

  71 to 75

  0.6

  76 to 80

  0.3

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many outstanding immigration applications there are at Lunar house; what time savings in dealing with applications from(a) students, (b) family members in the United Kingdom applying for variation of stay, (c) settlement entry clearance applications referred from overseas posts and (d) asylum-seekers have been achieved by the 1988 changes in procedures and practice; and what are the average times applicants in each category might expect to wait before a decision.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  At the end of March 1990, there were about 28,000 cases in the immigration caseworking groups, including eastern European cases, and referred entry clearance applications, the majority of which were under consideration or the subject of further inquiries and about 16,300 cases in the refugee unit.

  A number of changes in procedure and practice have been introduced over the last two years in order to reduce the level of outstanding applications and reduce the time taken to process them. Information on administrative time savings as a result of these changes is not available in the form requested.

  The estimated average length of time between the receipt of an application and the decision, for cases decided in caseworking groups and the public inquiry offices, in the first quarter of 1990 was two and a half months for students and nine and a half months for refugee status. Information on average waiting times for family members in the United Kingdom for variation of leave and for settlement entry clearance applications referred from overseas posts is not available.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many representations he has received from hon. Members during each quarter of 1989 and the first quarter of 1990 to delay the removal of passengers refused entry at British ports of entry; and, for each period, how many representations resulted in (i) the delay of the passenger's removal for up to a week, (ii) the delay of the passenger's removal for more than a week and (iii) reversal of the immigration officer's decision.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to a question from the hon. Member for Nottingham, North (Mr. Allen) on 12 March at column 16.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for(a) single entry and (b) multiple entry visit visas were (i) received, (ii) granted, (iii) refused initially and (iv) granted at appeal at each post in the Indian sub-continent, Ghana, Nigeria, Turkey and Jamaica in each quarter of 1989 and the first

  125
  quarter of 1990; and what was the delay between application and interview for those whose applications were felt to need a second or long interview at each of the above posts in (1) June 1989, (2) January 1990 and (3) June 1990 or the nearest available date.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Information on applications in Jamaica for a visit entry clearance, and separate information on applications in the other countries for single entry and multiple entry visit visas, are not available centrally. The other information requested is given in the tables.

  Table 1—persons applying for a visit visa to the United Kingdom

  Number of persons

  Applications

  Of which:

  New received1

  Granted

  Granted on appeal

  Refused initially

  DHAKA

  1989

  1st quarter

  2,130

  1,590

  4—

  420

  2nd quarter

  3,230

  2,490

  4—

  610

  3rd quarter

  3,460

  2,720

  4—

  650

  4th quarter

  2,500

  1,660

  4—

  700

  Year

  11,330

  8,450

  4—

  2,390

  1990

  1st quarter

  2,260

  1,500

  4—

  620

  NEW DELHI

  1989

  1st quarter

  8,160

  6,700

  30

  1,040

  2nd quarter

  17,010

  14,770

  50

  1,620

  3rd quarter

  12,780

  9,450

  50

  1,580

  4th quarter

  7,660

  6,130

  30

  1,100

  Year

  45,620

  36,960

  150

  5,350

  1990

  1st quarter

  8,980

  6,990

  40

  1,420

  BOMBAY

  1989

  1st quarter

  7,290

  6,850

  10

  460

  2nd quarter

  18,050

  17,070

  10

  830

  3rd quarter

  10,030

  8,970

  20

  660

  4th quarter

  5,660

  4,970

  20

  520

  Year

  41,030

  37,860

  50

  2,470

  1990

  1st quarter

  7,990

  7,420

  20

  800

  CALCUTTA

  1989

  1st quarter

  1,110

  1,090

  5—

  20

  2nd quarter

  3,360

  3,290

  5—

  40

  3rd quarter

  2,470

  2,420

  4—

  50

  4th quarter

  850

  820

  4—

  30

  Year

  7,780

  7,620

  5—

  140

  1990

  1st quarter

  1,160

  1,110

  5—

  30

  MADRAS

  1989

  1st quarter

  1,830

  1,780

  4—

  30

  2nd quarter

  4,100

  4,080

  4—

  30

  3rd quarter

  2,860

  2,830

  5—

  40

  4th quarter

  1,320

  1,270

  4—

  40

  Year

  10,120

  9,960

  5—

  140

  126

  Applications

  Of which:

  New received1

  Granted

  Granted on appeal

  Refused initially

  1990

  1st quarter

  1,930

  1,900

  5—

  40

  ISLAMABAD

  1989

  1st quarter

  6,130

  4,700

  10

  1,240

  2nd quarter

  11,630

  10,360

  40

  1,770

  3rd quarter

  11,700

  9,180

  60

  2,190

  4th quarter

  6,970

  4,730

  60

  1,660

  Year

  36,420

  28,970

  170

  6,860

  1990

  1st quarter

  7,770

  5,100

  70

  1,440

  KARACHI

  1989

  1st quarter

  4,200

  3,570

  5—

  480

  2nd quarter

  9,680

  8,710

  5—

  700

  3rd quarter

  7,840

  6,870

  4—

  790

  4th quarter

  4,810

  3,970

  10

  660

  Year

  26,530

  23,120

  10

  2,630

  1990

  1st quarter

  4,510

  3,690

  10

  680

  ACCRA

  1989

  1st quarter

  2,390

  1,930

  5—

  270

  2nd quarter

  3,760

  3,150

  5—

  460

  3rd quarter

  4,390

  3,960

  10

  340

  4th quarter

  2,850

  2,230

  5—

  290

  Year

  13,380

  11,270

  10

  1,370

  1990

  1st quarter

  2,790

  2,190

  10

  600

  LAGOS

  1989

  1st quarter

  9,190

  6,240

  4—

  1,410

  2nd quarter

  15,980

  10,930

  4—

  2,180

  3rd quarter

  18,290

  12,090

  5—

  2,070

  4th quarter

  10,760

  7,200

  4—

  1,640

  Year

  54,220

  36,460

  5—

  7,290

  1990

  1st quarter

  10,380

  7,190

  5—

  1,910

  KADUNA

  1989

  1st quarter

  1,070

  880

  4—

  140

  2nd quarter

  2,060

  1,760

  5—

  210

  3rd quarter

  2,070

  1,650

  4—

  250

  4th quarter

  1,640

  1,350

  4—

  220

  Year

  6,840

  5,360

  5—

  830

  1990

  1st quarter

  1,650

  1,360

  4—

  310

  ANKARA

  1989

  3rd quarter2

  3,080

  2,820

  4—

  230

  4th quarter

  2,450

  2,150

  4—

  250

  Year

  6—

  6—

  6—

  6—

  127

  Applications

  Of which:

  Newly received1

  Granted

  Granted on appeal

  Refused initially

  1990

  1st quarter

  6—

  6—

  6—

  6—

  ISTANBUL

  1989

  3rd quarter2

  7,710

  7,470

  4—

  70

  4th quarter

  36,000

  35,800

  4—

  70

  Year

  6—

  6—

  6—

  6—

  1990

  1st quarter

  35,200

  35,000

  4—

  60

  1 Including applications subsequently withdrawn.

  2 Including period 23 to 30 June 1989; corresponding data are not available prior to 23 June 1989, when the visa requirement was introduced.

  3 Estimated.

  4 Nil.

  5 Five or fewer.

  6 Not available centrally.

  Table 2: Waiting time for persons applying for a visit visa who required a lengthy interview

  Number of days

  Post

  Waiting time for person interviewed at end of period

  June 1989

  January 1990

  May 1990

  Dhaka

  6—

  6—

  6—

  New Delhi

  6—

  6—

  6—

  Bombay

  6—

  6—

  6—

  Calcutta

  6—

  6—

  6—

  Madras

  6— or 1

  1

  6—

  Islamabad

  7

  10

  10

  Karachi

  6—

  6—

  6—

  Accra

  7—

  351

  42

  Lagos

  1

  11

  7—

  Kaduna

  6—

  61—

  63—

  Ankara

  94

  10

  15

  Istanbul

  94

  16

  2

  1 At end December 1989

  2 At end June 1990

  3 At end March 1990

  4 At end July 1989

  5 At end February 1990

  6— same day.

  7— not available centrally

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many outstanding applications there were at Lunar house and the nationality department at Liverpool in each month of 1990.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to his earlier question on 25 June at column 36. The nationality figures in that reply include applications outstanding at Liverpool.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many nationals of(a) Jamaica, (b) Turkey, (c) Morocco, (d) the United States of America, (e) Australia, (f) Malaysia, (g) Hong Kong, (h) Guyana, (i) Trinidad, (j) Colombia, (k) Algeria, (j) Barbados and (m) Tunisia were (i) granted and (ii) refused permission to enter the United Kingdom at ports of entry, in each quarter since January 1989 to the nearest available date.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The information is given in the table:
  128

  Total passenger admissions and those refused leave to enter and removed by selected nationalities

  Numbers

  First Quarter

  Admissions

  Refused and removed

  1989

  Jamaica

  6,230

  236

  Turkey

  17,000

  618

  Morocco

  3,520

  253

  United States of America

  442,000

  261

  Australia

  72,400

  35

  Malaysia

  12,400

  93

  Hong Kong (BDTCs and BN(O)s)

  14,500

  33

  Guyana

  1,080

  11

  Trinidad and Tobago

  3,260

  18

  Colombia

  3,320

  116

  Algeria

  4,120

  391

  Barbados

  1,490

  6

  Tunisia

  1,870

  50

  Total passenger admissions and those refused leave to enter and removed by selected nationalities

  Numbers

  Second Quarter

  Admissions

  Refused and removed

  1989

  Jamaica

  8,310

  195

  Turkey

  16,900

  1,082

  Morocco

  4,160

  305

  United States of America

  787,000

  280

  Australia

  129,000

  40

  Malaysia

  16,800

  261

  Hong Kong (BDTCs and BN(O)s)

  14,600

  45

  Guyana

  1,460

  9

  Trinidad and Tobago

  4,200

  16

  Colombia

  5,490

  196

  Algeria

  4,560

  543

  Barbados

  2,260

  7

  Tunisia

  1,980

  42

  Total passenger admissions and those refused leave to enter and removed by selected nationalities

  Number

  Third Quarter

  Admissions

  Refused and removed

  1989

  Jamaica

  11,700

  202

  Turkey

  20,800

  286

  Morocco

  9,610

  1,051

  United States of America

  877,000

  337

  Australia

  154,000

  38

  Malaysia

  25,800

  141

  Hong Kong (BDTCs and BN(O)s)

  28,200

  49

  Guyana

  2,360

  10

  Trinidad and Tobago

  6,410

  24

  Colombia

  6,460

  194

  Algeria

  8,380

  1,198

  Barbados

  4,120

  12

  Tunisia

  2,550

  58

  129

  Total passenger admissions and those refused leave to enter and removed by selected nationalities

  Numbers

  Fourth quarter

  Admissions

  Refused and removed

  1989

  Jamaica

  5,920

  170

  Turkey

  15,600

  122

  Morocco

  5,100

  466

  United States of America

  569,000

  270

  Australia

  95,600

  33

  Malaysia

  17,200

  123

  Hong Kong (BDTCs and BN(O)s)

  12,600

  51

  Guyana

  1,330

  14

  Trinidad and Tobago

  3,670

  18

  Colombia

  3,710

  133

  Algeria

  4,570

  961

  Barbados

  1,640

  6

  Tunisia

  2,170

  60

  Total passenger admissions and those refused leave to enter and removed by selected nationalities

  Numbers

  Total

  Admissions

  Refused and removed

  1989

  Jamaica

  32,200

  803

  Turkey

  70,300

  2,108

  Morocco

  22,400

  2,075

  United States of America

  2,670,000

  1,148

  Australia

  451,000

  146

  Malaysia

  72,200

  618

  Hong Kong (BDTCs and BN(O)s)

  69,900

  178

  Guyana

  6,230

  44

  Trinidad and Tobago

  17,500

  76

  Colombia

  19,000

  639

  Algeria

  21,600

  3,093

  Barbados

  9,510

  31

  Tunisia

  8,570

  210

  First Quarter

  Admissions

  Refused and removed

  1990

  Jamaica

  5,530

  160

  Turkey

  16,800

  82

  Morocco

  4,550

  353

  United States of America

  506,000

  313

  Australia

  80,000

  45

  Malaysia

  13,600

  107

  Hong Kong (BDTCs and BN(O)s)

  15,000

  40

  Guyana

  1,080

  15

  Trinidad and Tobago

  3,320

  32

  Colombia

  3,300

  130

  Algeria

  4,880

  748

  Barbados

  1,300

  6

  Tunisia

  2,030

  81

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were received into prison department establishments under Immigration Act powers during(a) 1988 and (b) 1989, by individual prison establishment; what was the average daily population of persons so detained in each of those years; what was the average length of time spent in detention by persons so detained in each of those years; and whether he will give a breakdown by nationality of persons so detained for each of those years.
  130
  Mr. Mellor
  Information about detainees received into prison service establishments in England and Wales under the Immigration Act 1971 in 1988 is given by establishment and nationality in the tables. Similar information for 1989 is not yet available. The average period of detention completed by such persons in 1989 is provisionally estimated as nearly five weeks. The average population was 157 in 1989, including persons originally received for a criminal offence. The average population and the average length of detention of detainees in prison service establishments in 1988 were published in tables 1.1 and 6.6 of "Prison Statistics England and Wales" —Cm 825—a copy of which is in the Library.

  Receptions of persons detained under the Immigration Act 1971 into prison service establishments in England and Wales in 1988: by establishment

  Establishment

  1Number

  Remand centers

  Ashford

  1

  Brockhill

  2

  Hull

  2

  Latchmere House

  917

  Low Newton

  1

  Manchester

  1

  Pucklechurch

  3

  Risley

  25

  Winchester

  1

  Local prisons

  Bedford

  8

  Birmingham

  33

  Bristol

  15

  Brixton

  16

  Canterbury

  28

  Cardiff

  4

  Dorchester

  4

  Durham

  21

  Exeter

  1

  Gloucester

  4

  Holloway

  19

  Hull

  18

  Leeds

  16

  Leicester

  56

  Lewes

  3

  Lincoln

  2

  New Hall

  1

  Norwich

  3

  Oxford

  4

  Pentonville

  31

  Reading

  4

  Shrewsbury

  4

  Swansea

  2

  Winchester

  9

  All prison service establishments

  1,259

  1 The figures are those recorded centrally and are approximate: detailed checking of individual cases would involve disproportionate cost.

  Receptions of persons detained under the Immigration Act 1971 into Prison Service establishments in England and Wales in 1988: by nationality

  Nationality

  Number1

  Nigeria

  268

  Ghana

  142

  India

  116

  Turkey

  111

  Pakistan

  61

  Bangladesh

  50

  Sri Lanka

  45

  Algeria

  35

  Morocco

  35

  Iran

  27

  131

  Nationality

  Number1

  Jamaica

  27

  Iraq

  17

  Somalia

  176

  Lebanon

  15

  Cyprus

  14

  Malaysia

  13

  Uganda

  12

  Hong Kong

  11

  Colombia

  10

  Portugal

  10

  France

  9

  Sierra Leone

  9

  Brazil

  8

  Egypt

  8

  Yugoslavia

  8

  United States of America

  7

  Libya

  6

  China

  5

  Poland

  5

  Seychelles

  5

  Other nationalities2

  114

  Not recorded

  40

  All nationalities

  1,259

  1 The figures are those recorded centrally and are approximate: detailed checking of individual cases would involve disproportionate cost

  2 Where fewer than five were recorded

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons were detained under Immigration Act powers for a period of more than two months on completion of a custodial sentence during(a) 1988, (b) 1989 and (c) the first quarter of 1990.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The figures, excluding deportation cases who served a custodial sentence of seven days or less for whom the information is not readily available, are as follows:

  Persons

  1988

  11

  1989

  16

  11990

  2

  1 First quarter.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons were recommended for deportation with no custodial sentence during 1989 and the first quarter of 1990; and in how many such cases the courts directed release(a) subject to conditions and (b) without conditions.

  Total numbers of persons newly detained at each location during the month shown

  Month

  Harmondsworth detention center

  Queen's building

  Beehive

  Haslar

  January 1989

  252

  219

  255

  —

  February 1989

  214

  210

  229

  —

  March 1989

  215

  235

  137

  —

  April 1989

  191

  225

  280

  —

  May 1989

  234

  244

  308

  —

  June 1989

  180

  185

  223

  —

  July 1989

  174

  202

  195

  117

  August 1989

  261

  220

  258

  72

  September 1989

  351

  229

  241

  78

  October 1989

  434

  196

  264

  78

  November 1989

  485

  205

  196

  81

  December 1989

  428

  204

  236

  95

  January 1990

  420

  175

  224

  68

  February 1990

  272

  178

  131

  86

  March 1990

  492

  225

  211

  77

  132
  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  During 1989, a total of 86 persons were recommended for deportation by the courts with no custodial sentence and a total of 13 persons during the first quarter of 1990. The other information requested is no longer collected centrally and is not readily available.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons detained under Immigration Act powers applied to his Department to be allowed to depart voluntarily under the supervised departure provisions of the immigration rules in each quarter since January 1989.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The readily available information on the numbers of persons removed under the supervised departure procedures for 1989 is published in table 14 of the statistical bulletin issue 8/90 "Control of Immigration: Statistics—Fourth Quarter and Year 1989" and more recently in table 18 of the Home Office Command Paper "Control of Immigration Statistics United Kingdom 1989"—Cm. 1124—copies of both of which are in the Library. The available information for 1990 is given in the table. Most of these persons would have been detained prior to departure. A number would have been subject to restrictions as an alternative to detention but such cases could be separately identified only at disproportionate cost.

  Number of persons removed under the supervised departure procedures by category of case in the first quarter of 1990

  Period

  Breach of conditions of leave to enter or remain (Section 3(5)a)

  Following court recommendation (Section 3(6))

  Total number of persons

  19901

  309

  3

  312

  1 First quarter.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were (i) the total numbers detained and (ii) the average occupancy in(a) Harmondsworth detention centre, (b) the Harmondsworth annex, (c) Queen's building, (d) the Beehive, Gatwick, and (e) Her Majesty's prison, Haslar, for each month from January 1989 to the nearest available date.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The available information is as follows:
  133

  Month

  Harmondsworth detention centre

  Queen's building

  Beehive

  Haslar

  April 1990

  359

  150

  135

  56

  May 1990

  358

  155

  97

  78

  Notes:

  (i) Some persons may have been detained at more than one location within the same month.

  (ii) Harmondsworth detention centre figures relate to both buildings DA and annex JA.

  (iii) HMP Haslar was used for immigration detention purposes from 28 June 1989.

  Average occupancy figures

  Harmondsworth

  building DA

  JA Annex

  Queen's building

  Gatwick Beehive

  Haslar

  January 1989

  63

  29

  15

  15

  —

  February 1989

  63

  30

  15

  14

  —

  March 1989

  60

  30

  15

  14

  —

  April 1989

  64

  29

  15

  14

  —

  May 1989

  64

  30

  14

  15

  —

  June 1989

  65

  30

  15

  16

  —

  July 1989

  65

  30

  15

  14

  75

  August 1989

  63

  30

  14

  13

  87

  September 1989

  64

  29

  15

  14

  90

  October 1989

  55

  29

  14

  13

  71

  November 1989

  51

  28

  14

  12

  72

  December 1989

  54

  28

  13

  14

  81

  January 1990

  50

  26

  13

  13

  63

  February 1990

  55

  26

  13

  9

  76

  March 1990

  48

  25

  14

  12

  79

  April 1990

  55

  25

  12

  9

  82

  May 1990

  57

  25

  10

  11

  87

  Note: HMP Haslar was used for immigration detention purposes from 28 June 1989.

  Late Night Trading
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to legitimise the existing pattern of late night trading.

  Mr. Mellor
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to his question on 23 May at columns 178–79.

  Injuries (Police Custody)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people by ethnic origin have(a) died and (b) been injured while detained in police custody over the past 12 months and the past 24 months, or the nearest equivalent periods for which figures are available; and what were the causes of these deaths and injuries, broken down by the ethnic origin of the victims.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The available information about persons who have died in police custody, including the cause of death, is published in the annual reports of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary and the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis. No record is kept of the person's ethnic origin. Information about injuries is not recorded centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Political Asylum
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether he will provide a breakdown by nationality of the numbers of passengers seeking political asylum who were detained under Immigration Act powers in 1989 in(a) prison department establishments and (b) immigration detention accommodation;

  (2) how many passengers seeking political asylum in (a) 1988, (b) 1989 and (c) 1990 up to the nearest available date were granted temporary admission.
  134
  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The information requested is not available centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for entry clearance in order to seek asylum in the United Kingdom were(a) received and (b) granted, by country, during 1989 and the first quarter of 1990.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Information on applications for asylum in the United Kingdom made abroad is given in the table:

  Applications for asylum in the United Kingdom received by British posts abroad and referred to the Home Office for decision1, and grants of refugee status, by nationality (provisional estimates2)

  Number of persons

  Applications received

  Grants of asylum3

  Nationality

  1989

  First quarter 1990

  1989

  First quarter 1990

  Afghanistan

  —

  *

  —

  —

  Angola

  5

  —

  —

  —

  China

  *

  *

  *

  *

  Czechoslovakia

  —

  —

  5

  —

  Ethiopia

  15

  *

  5

  5

  Ghana

  5

  —

  *

  *

  India

  15

  *

  —

  —

  Iran

  10

  5

  10

  —

  Iraq

  15

  —

  10

  —

  Lebanon

  5

  —

  —

  —

  Libya

  *

  —

  —

  —

  Malawi

  —

  *

  —

  —

  Malaysia

  —

  *

  —

  —

  Romania

  *

  —

  —

  —

  Somalia

  75

  5

  50

  10

  South Africa

  *

  —

  *

  —

  Sri Lanka

  115

  15

  *

  —

  Sudan

  *

  —

  *

  —

  Turkey

  225

  —

  30

  5

  Uganda

  110

  *

  —

  *

  135

  Applications received

  Grants of asylum3

  Nationality

  1989

  First quarter 1990

  1989

  First quarter 1990

  Zaire

  15

  *

  5

  —

  Zimbabwe

  *

  —

  —

  —

  Nationality uncertain

  *

  *

  5

  *

  Total

  615

  35

  135

  25

  1 In addition a further 65 applications in 1989, and 20 in the first quarter of 1990, largely by nationals of Afghanistan were made to the British High Commission in New Delhi, and are being processed locally. No grants of asylum were made during this time.

  2 Figures rounded to the nearest 5, with "*" = 1 or 2.

  3 Grants in the time periods shown do not necessarily relate to applications made in those periods.

  Police (Damages Claims)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many claims for damages against the police have been lodged in the past 12 months or the last complete period of 12 months for which figures are available; and if he will give in the most convenient form(a) the ethnic origin of the claimants, (b) the average level of damages claimed and (c) the reasons for the claims.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Poland
  Mr. Evennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what steps he is taking to encourage joint ventures by British companies in Poland;

  (2) what steps he is taking to encourage the establishment of commercial and business know-how funds in Poland.

  Mrs. Chalker
  With the agreement of the Polish authorities our highest priorities for the know-how fund are areas directly related to the fostering of a market driven economy—banking and financial services, energy, industrial regeneration, management, accountancy and the teaching of English. A substantial programme of work is now being implemented. In addition, we are introducing schemes under the know-how fund to support pre-investment feasibility studies and the training of potential east European joint venture partners. A number of proposals under these schemes relating to Poland have been received and are being considered.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Manhole Covers
  Mr. Ted Garrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what is the total volume of manhole covers imported from India in 1989; and what is that amount as a percentage of the United Kingdom foundries' production for the same period;

  (2) what was the tonnage of manhole covers imported from India in December 1989; and what information he has on the percentage that were defective.
  136
  Mr. Redwood
  Manhole covers are not separately identified within the United Kingdom customs tariff but fall within a general category "cast articles of non-malleable cast-iron for sewage, water, etc, systems" which also covers a number of other items such as cast iron pipes. A breakdown of the detailed products within the category would involve disproportionate costs.

  Imports from India for the category as a whole were 6,149 metric tonnes in 1989.

  United Kingdom production data for manhole covers are also not separately available from official statistics, but the industry has estimated that current production amounts to about 80,000 tonnes per annum. No information is available on the proportion of manhole covers that were defective.

  Brewing
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will request a report from the Director General of Fair Trading on the implementation of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission's report on brewing.

  Mr. Redwood
  When announcing decisions on the MMC report, we made it clear that the Director General of Fair Trading—DGFT—will be assessing the effectiveness of the measures once the Supply of Beer Orders have had time to take full effect. Under the Supply of Beer (Tied Estate) Order, brewers have until 1 November 1992 to complete the process of releasing premises from ties, although certain measures took effect on 1 May 1990. The DGFT is ready to receive any complaints or evidence of anti-competitive practices. If he thinks at any stage that further steps are necessary I will consider what action is appropriate following advice from him. In the meantime the Department and the Office of Fair Trading are maintaining cose contact on developments.

  Structural Adjustments Initiative
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what impact the agreement between Japan and the United States of America at the structural adjustments initiative talks will have upon the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Redwood
  Both Japan and the United States have made it clear that any trade benefits which result from the structural impediments initiative will be available multilaterally. The United Kingdom attaches particular importance to the continued movement from exports led to domestic demand-led growth in Japan and to the development of an environment within Japan which enables foreign companies more easily to acquire and develop businesses there.

  Securities and Investments Board
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proposals exist to harmonise the Securities and Investments Board and its Group of Seven equivalents; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  None. For legal and historical reasons, national regulatory regimes are very diverse. However, globalisation of financial markets is leading to a growing international awareness of the importance of increased co-operation between national regulators and enforcement agencies and of the need for mechanisms to ensure
  137
  that regulatory disparities do not hinder growth of cross-border trade. The Government, through the participation in the work of the International Organisation of Securities Commission and through direct contacts with other countries' governments and regulators, are seeking opportunities for moves towards arrangements for the mutual recognition of comparable regulatory regimes. The European Community is following a similar approach in the proposed investment services directive which will create the single European market in investment services.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what information he has on the Group of Seven organisations and the powers which are comparable to the five United Kingdom self-regulatory organisations responsible to the Securities and Investments Boards.

  Mr. Redwood
  I have extensive information on the regimes and powers of the securities regulatory authorities of the Group of Seven countries both through regular, frequent bilateral contact between my Department and these authorities and through the valuable work of international organisations such as IOSCO—the International Organisation for Securities Commissions.

  Calder Valley Trade and Industry Exhibition
  Mr. Donald Thompson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if his Department has considered an application for an exhibition relating to Calder Valley trade and industry to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  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 16 July until 20 July.

  Textile Mill Closures
  Mr. James Lamond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many mill closures have been reported in the textile and clothing industry in the past 12 months.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Industry sources indicate that there were 45 mill closures in the 12 months to May 1990.

  Regional Policies
  Mr. Andy Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to introduce new regional policies.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  There are no plans to introduce new regional policies. The Government remain committed to an effective regional policy and will continue to make the necessary resources available.

  Office of Fair Trading
  Mr. Graham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the investigations currently being conducted by the Office of Fair Trading.

  Mr. Redwood
  It is not practicable to do so. The Director General of Fair Trading's Office conducts a138
  considerable number of inquiries under the competition, consumer, companies and financial services legislation for which he is responsible. It is in the nature of such inquiries that much of this work must be carried out on a confidential basis.

  Arms Conversion
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make it his policy to set up an arms conversion agency.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I have nothing to add to the replies I have given to the hon. Member's earlier questions on this subject.

  Financial Services
  Ms. Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry with whom the duty lies to vet financial products which are on offer as to whether they constitute investments under the terms of the Financial Services Act or the Banking Act.

  Mr. Redwood
  It is the responsibility of the person proposing to offer a financial product to assess whether that product falls within the scope of either the Financial Services Act or the Banking Act, or both, and to obtain any necessary authorisations before offering it. In the case of the Financial Services Act, the primary responsibility for investigating and, if appropriate, taking action against those offering a financial product without the requisite authorisation lies with the Securities and Investments Board. In respect of the Banking Act, the responsibility lies with the Bank of England.

  Companies Act 1989
  Mr. Irvine
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what further plans he has to implement the provisions of the Companies Act 1989.

  Mr. Redwood
  I signed an order yesterday which commences certain provisions of the Act. Section 130—company seals—section 138—directors' loans—and section 211(2) and (3)—building societies—will commence on 31 July 1990. Section 129—membership of holding company—section 144—definition of subsidiary—and section 207—order-making power for transfer of securities —will come into force on 1 November 1990. The order provides for certain transitional and saving provisions for sections 138, 144 and 211(2) and (3). I have placed a copy of the order in the Library.

  Import and Export Licences
  Mr. O?Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many licences he has granted under the Import, Export and Customs Powers (Defence) Act 1939 in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Redwood
  [ holding answer 2 July 1990]: Under the powers conferred upon him by the Import, Export and Customs Powers (Defence) Act, the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has granted import and export licences as follows:

  Number

  Import licences

  1985

  144,951

  1986

  186,869

  139

  Number

  1987

  191,532

  1988

  214,522

  1989

  200,746

  19901

  79,693

  Export licences

  1987

  97,809

  1988

  89,800

  1989

  72,527

  19902

  20,969

  1 To end of June.

  2 To end of May.

  Complete figures for import arid export licences issued prior to these dates are not readily available, and could be produced only at disproportionate cost.

  From time to time my Department also issues open general licences for importers and exporters, which preclude the need to obtain individual licences for certain goods.

  Import Restrictions
  Mr. Haselhurst
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether there are any restrictions on the import of turpentine and oil of camphor.

  Mr. Redwood
  [holding answer 2 July 1990]: There are no quantitative restrictions on imports to the United Kingdom of turpentine or oil of camphor. Under the common customs tariff of the Communities, import duties ranging from 3.2 to 7.1 per cent. would be payable on these products although in the case of certain types of turpentine duties have been partially or totally suspended.

  ECGD Insurance Service Group
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the full analysis of the costs of operating the insurance service group of the Export Credits Guarantee Department for the financial year 1988–89.

  Mr. Redwood
  [holding answer 5 July 1990]: ECGD's published annual trading accounts include an analysis of the costs of operating ECGD as a whole but do not separately identify the costs of operating the insurance services group. Appropriate information will be made available to potential investors when final decisions have been taken about the proposed method of sale of the insurance services group.

  MV Derbyshire
  Mr. Loyden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what indemnification was provided against litigation arising out of the loss of MV Derbyshire; when the indemnity was agreed; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [ holding answer 6 July 1990]: Under the terms of an indemnity given at the time of the privatisation of Swan Hunter Shipbuilders in January 1986, British Shipbuilders assumed responsibility for all claims made against Swan Hunter in relation to all vessels delivered prior to the sale of the yard. I do not intend to make a statement at this time.

  Uruguay Round
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the meetings of the Uruguay round at which the United Kingdom has been represented and the names of the United Kingdom representatives on each occasion.

  Mr. Redwood
  The United Kingdom participates in the GATT Uruguay round as a member of the European Community, and is represented at meetings by the European Commission. United Kingdom officials also attend all formal meetings as observers.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the United Kingdom's policy in respect of eliminating farming subsidies via the Uruguay round; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Curry
  I have been asked to reply.

  All parties to the GATT round negotiation have agreed the long-term objective. It is to provide
  "substantial progressive reductions in agricultural support and protection sustained over an agreed period of time, resulting in correcting and preventing restrictions and distortions in world agricultural markets".
  The United Kingdom attaches great importance to the success of the round as a whole, of which agriculture is a key element; and we are working hard with our EC partners and others to achieve this.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Mr. and Mrs. Konin
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Russians about their failure to grant an exit visa to Mr. and Mrs. Leo Konin of Moscow.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  We can certainly raise the case of Mr. and Mrs. Leo Konin with the Soviet authorities, but in order to make our representations most effective we shall need further details.

  Democratic People's Republic of Korea
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government are taking to(a) encourage educational, economic, social and cultural links with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, (b) enable the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to open a mission in the United Kingdom and (c) end the international isolation of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  We do not recognise North Korea as a state and consequently have no official dealings with any authorities in North Korea. But we impose no restrictions on educational, trade and other informal links. We welcome the resumption of contacts between South and North Korea on 3 July.

  El Salvador
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he envisages any role for Her Majesty's Government in the election process in El Salvador later this year.
  141
  Mr. Sainsbury
  The nature of the arrangements for the elections due in El Salvador in March 1991 is under discussion in talks between the Government of El Salvador and representatives of the FMLN. It should become clearer, in the light of the outcome of these talks, what role the international community might play.

  Malawi
  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reply he has sent to the letter to him from the Rev. John Harvey about Mr. Orton Chirwa and Mrs. Vera Chirwa, held incommunicado in a Malawi prison.

  Received

  Withdrawn

  Granted

  Refused

  (i) India 1989

  3

  1

  0

  2

  January to June 1990

  1

  0

  0

  1

  (ii) Bangladesh

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  (iii) Australia 1989

  9,504

  147

  9,349

  8

  January to June 1990

  7,293

  124

  7,166

  3

  (iv) Canada 1989

  1,904

  17

  1,886

  1

  January to June 1990

  1,202

  12

  1,182

  2

  1 Accurate figures are not available: the numbers are believed to be minimal.

  Legal Aid
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what details are made available by consulate staff to United Kingdom citizens seeking legal aid in foreign countries;

  (2) approximately how many United Kingdom citizens visiting United Kingdom consulates in foreign countries have been advised on the availability of legal aid.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Consular officers can advise British nationals who inquire whether legal aid is available and how to apply. No record is kept of the number of such inquiries received.

  Contras (Demobilisation)
  Mr. Jacques Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has received on the demobilisation of the Contras; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Demobilisation of the Contras was completed on 29 June, by which time 19,369 men had been demobilised in Nicaragua. A further 2,607 have been demobilised in Honduras. Some 17,000 weapons have been collected and destroyed. The prospects for peace and stability in Nicaragua have been greatly enhanced by this successful operation, and I congratulate all concerned with it, in particular the United Nations force responsible—ONUCA.

  Voting Statistics
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, further to his reply of 29 June,Official Report, column 384, if he will list in one table and in descending order the percentage of the population entitled to vote who voted for the main governing party in each NATO and Warsaw pact country.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  [holding answer 4 July 1990]:
  142
  Mr. Waldegrave
  I will be sending the hon. Member a copy of my reply.

  Immigration
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many applications for entry clearance as woking holidaymakers have been(a) received, (b) granted and (c) refused in (i) India, (ii) Bangladesh, (iii) Australia and (iv) Canada, during 1989 and 1990 to the latest convenient date.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The information requested is as follows:

  Per cent.

  NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANISATION (NATO)

  Federal Republic of Germany (1987)

  CDU/CSU

  37.00

  Portugal (1987)

  Social Democrats

  35.94

  Greece (1990)

  New Democracy party

  35.90

  Turkey (1987)

  Motherland Party (ANAP)

  33.30

  Canada (1988)

  Progressive Conservative Party

  32.25

  United Kingdom (1987)

  Conservative Party

  31.50

  Italy (1987)

  Christian Democrats

  29.00

  Netherlands (1989)

  Christian Democratic Alliance

  28.26

  (Labour Party

  25.50

  Spain (1989)

  Socialist Party

  27.45

  United States (1988)

  President Bush as Republican presidential candidate

  26.80

  Belgium (1987)

  Socialist Party

  26.60

  Christian Democrats)

  23.90

  France (1988)

  Socialist Party

  24.15

  Norway (1989)

  Conservative Party

  18.30

  Iceland (1987)

  Progressive Party

  16.80

  143

  Per cent.

  Denmark (1988)

  Conservative People's Party

  16.50

  Luxembourg1

  WARSAW PACT

  Romania

  National Salvation Front

  54.00

  Czechoslovakia

  Czech governing party—Civic Forum

  49.00

  Slovak governing party—Public Against Violence

  32.00

  Bulgaria

  Bulgarian Socialist Party

  41.00

  Poland

  Solidarity (Senate elections)

  39.00

  German Democratic Republic

  Christian Democratic Union

  38.00

  Hungary

  Democratic Forum (first round)

  15.00

  1 No comparable figure for Luxembourg is available, since each voter may cast several votes.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Guillotine Motions
  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Lord President of the Council if he will list the occasions on which the Government have introduced an allocation of time order in the sessions (a) 1988–89 and (b) 1989–90.

  Sir Geoffrey Howe
  The Government have introduced the following allocation of time orders since the beginning of the 1988–89 Session:

  1988–89

  23 January 1989

  Prevention of Terrorism Bill

  6 February 1989

  Water Bill

  13 February 1989

  Official Secrets Bill

  3 May 1989

  Self-Governing Schools etc (Scotland) Bill

  8 May 1989

  Dock Work Bill

  17 July 1989

  Football Spectators Bill [Lords]

  26 October 1989

  Companies Bill [Lords] and Children Bill [Lords]

  8 November 1989

  Local Government and Housing Bill and Employment Bill

  1989–90

  14 March 1990

  National Health Service and Community Care Bill

  28 March 1990

  Social Security Bill

  2 April 1990

  Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords]

  4 April 1990

  Education (Student Loans) Bill

EMPLOYMENT

  Written Answers
  Ms. Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will make it his policy that, henceforth, written answers from his Department will be published as before.
  144
  Mr. Eggar
  Recent changes to the way that written parliamentary questions are answered by Ministers in this Department have been in the context of the establishment of the Employment Service as an executive agency and of training and enterprise councils. The arrangements for responding to inquiries from hon. Members were described in the booklets that were sent in April to right hon. and hon. Members entitled "The Employment Service: The Handling of MP's Inquiries and Parliamentary Questions" and "Guidelines on the handling of representations by members of parliament about the activities of Training and Enterprise Councils". I refer the hon. Lady to the answer on 21 May,Official Report, columns 145–52.

  Local Offices
  Mr. Blair
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) how many people registered unemployed fortnightly and quarterly, at the part-time benefit signing office in Ferryhill, County Durham, during its last month of operation;

  (2) what arrangements will be made to cover the transport costs of claimants affected by the closure of the part-time benefit signing office in Ferryhill, County Durham;

  (3) what are the latest figures for the number of people who register unemployed, by individual office and by region, on a fortnightly and quarterly basis, at the part-time unemployment benefit offices now in operation;

  (4) how many people registered unemployed fortnightly and quarterly at the part-time unemployment offices closed between April 1985 and April 1990, for each office and by region;

  (5) what was the estimated annual savings incurred by the closure of part-time unemployment benefit offices between April 1985 and April 1990, for each office and by region.

  Mr. Eggar
  The employment service became an executive agency on 2 April 1990. Mr. Mike Fogden, the Employment Service Agency's chief executive, will be replying in writing to the hon. Gentleman.

  Women
  Dame Jill Knight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what proportion of women work In the United Kingdom; and what are the comparable figures in European countries.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The latest comparable figures are given in the table. At that time 57 per cent. of women of working age—14-64—in the United Kingdom were in employment; only Denmark had a higher percentage.

  Per cent.

  United Kingdom

  57

  Belgium

  38

  Denmark

  70

  Germany

  49

  Greece

  36

  Spain

  27

  France

  49

  Ireland

  32

  Italy

  35

  Luxembourg

  40

  Holland

  43

  Portugal

  50

  Source: Eurostat labour force survey, spring 1988.
  145
  Dame Jill Knight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what percentage of self-employed people are women; and what was the percentage in 1979.

  Mr. Nicholls
  In December 1989, the latest date for which estimates are available, self-employed women represented 24 per cent. of the total self-employed in the United Kingdom, compared with 19 per cent. in June 1979.

  Working Hours
  Mr. Graham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what restrictions exist on the length of time an employee may work before he or she is legally entitled to rest.

  Mr. Nicholls
  In general, these are matters for agreement between employers and their employees or their representatives, but all employers have a general duty under section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all their employees. This means they cannot normally require people to work excessive hours or unsuitable shift patterns likely to lead to ill health or accidents caused by fatigue. Work schedules should also allow for adequate rest periods. There are also particular restrictions on the periods that may be worked without a rest by heavy vehicle drivers, aircrews and workers covered by the Shops Act 1950.

  Disabled People
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment which bodies are being consulted on his consultative document "Employment and Training for People with Disabilities".

  Mr. Eggar
  I look forward to receiving comments from all interested parties on the consultative document. Copies have been sent to a wide range of organisations and individuals; including the all-party disablement group, the Select Committee on Employment, the National Advisory Council on Employment of Disabled People, committees for the employment of disabled people, organisations of and for people with disabilities, providers of employment and training opportunities for people with disabilities, the CBI, the TUC, local authorities and professional bodies with an interest in the employment and training of people with disabilities. Copies of the document are available to anyone who wishes to comment.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many parliamentary questions, since 1 April he has answered and, of that number, how many he(a) arranged a reply from the Employment Service agency's chief executive direct to the hon. Member concerned, (b) offered to write direct to the hon. Member himself, (c) referred the hon. Member to a document in the Library and (d) declined to answer because of disproportionate cost; and what were the comparable figures for the same period in 1988–89.

  Mr. Eggar
  The information requested in the period between 1 April and 6 July is set out in the table.
  146

  1989

  1990

  Questions answered

  1,041

  958

  (a) reply from the Employment Service chief executive

  1n/a

  57

  (b) wrote direct to the hon. Member

  9

  2

  (c) referred hon. Member to a document in the Library

  10

  7

  (d) declined to answer because of disproportionate cost

  20

  28

  1 The Employment Service did not become an executive agency until 2 April 1990.

  Technical and Vocational Education Initiative
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when individual local education authorities were provided with their allocated budget for TVEI extension for 1991–92; and if he will publish them.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 25 June 1990]: Education authorities have not yet been given their budgets for TVEI extension for 1991–92.

WALES

  Environmentally Sensitive Areas
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the total amount paid to farmers under the environmentally sensitive area scheme in each of the designated areas in the year to 31 March; how much was reimbursed by the European Economic Community; and when he expects to be able to assess any savings made under the common agricultural policy.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Participants in the ESA schemes in the Cambrian mountains and the Lleyn peninsula received £478,000 and £228,000 respectively in 1989–90. The payments attract 25 per cent. reimbursement from EC Funds—FEOGA. The economic studies which will provide information on any change in support costs under the CAP are not yet complete.

  Non-departmental Public Bodies
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what are the emoluments of(a) chairmen and women, (b) vice-chairmen and women, (c) board members and (d) chief executives of non-departmental public bodies in Wales.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The emoluments of(a) chairmen and women, (b) vice-chairmen and women and (c) board members are shown in "Public Bodies 1989", a copy of which is in the Library of the House. The emoluments of chief executives (or equivalents) of the executive non-departmental public bodies in Wales are as follows:

  £

  Agricultural Wages Committees

  n/a

  Cardiff Bay Development Corporation

  46,745

  Curriculum Council for Wales

  1—

  Development Board for Rural Wales

  43,350

  Housing for Wales

  43,350

  Land Authority for Wales

  43,350

  National Library of Wales

  2—

  National Museum of Wales

  2—

  Royal Commission on Ancient and Historical Monuments in Wales

  1—

  147

  £

  Sports Council for Wales

  1—

  Wales Tourist Board

  43,350

  Welsh Development Agency

  57,990

  Welsh National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting

  3—

  1 Equivalent to grade 5 on Civil Service Scale (a) of 30,001 to 33,991.

  2 Equivalent to grade 4 on Civil Service scale (b) of 36,818 to 28,254.

  3 A and C scale D range 31,057 to 35,351.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list all those chairmen and women of non-departmental public bodies in Wales who are at the same time vice-chairmen or women of other such bodies in Wales.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Mr. J. D. Allen CBE is chairman of Housing for Wales and deputy chairman of the Land Authority for Wales.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) when he next expects to convene a meeting with the chairmen and women of the non-departmental public bodies in Wales;

  (2) when he next expects to convene a meeting of the non-departmental public bodies in Wales.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I meet the chairmen of the executive non-departmental public bodies for which I am responsible individually as and when necessary and not collectively.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy to exclude chairmen and women and vice-chairmen and women of one non-departmental public body in Wales from being chosen as chairmen or women or vice-chairmen or women of any other such bodies.

  Mr. David Hunt
  No.

  Housing
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many are on waiting lists for accommodation in each district authority area in Wales; and what were the corresponding figures for each year since 1979.

  Mr. Grist
  The information is not collected centrally.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list(a) the average percentage rise in house prices, by district authority area in Wales, annually in the last 10 years and (b) the current average house price in each district authority.

  Mr. Grist
  Average house prices are available only for Wales as a whole and relate to building society borrowers only. The average selling price of dwellings in Wales in the first quarter of 1990 was £44,324. The annual percentage rises in average price are given in the table1.

  Percentage increase in average house price over previous year

  Percentage

  1980

  13.5

  1981

  4.1

  1982

  -2.4

  1983

  14.6

  148

  Percentage

  1984

  5.0

  1985

  5.7

  1986

  9.4

  1987

  8.6

  1988

  15.3

  1989

  25.5

  1 Source: Department of Environment-Building Societies Association, sample survey of mortgages.

  Health Authority Funding
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what measures he will take to improve the financial basis of Gwynedd area health authority.

  Mr. Grist
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply which I gave the hon. Member for Caernarfon (Mr. Wigley) on 4 July 1990, at columns 578–79.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will visit(a) Clwyd, (b) Gwent, (c) Mid-Glamorgan, (d) West Glamorgan, (e) Powys, (f) Gwynedd, (g) South Glamorgan, (h) Dyfed and (i) South Pembrokeshire area health authorities to discuss problems associated with underfunding.

  Mr. Grist
  My right hon. Friend hopes to visit each of the district health authorities in Wales over the coming months and will expect to hear, at first hand, how the authorities are managing the record levels of resource provision in real terms which have been made available to them under this Government.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will institute a reassessment of the funding of health authorities in Wales.

  Mr. Grist
  Health authorities in Wales have received a revenue cash increase averaging 7.8 per cent. over last year —1989–90. This increase together with the resources which authorities are expected to unlock by cash improvement programmes and income generation schemes totalling a further 1.3 per cent. should be sufficient to meet anticipated inflation and provide for further service developments. Provision for the next year will be considered in the course of this year's public expenditure survey. However the NHS and Community Care Act 1990 requires changes in the way health services are to be provided and funded in future. This has necessitated a review of the resource allocation methodology to enable health authorities to be funded as procurers of services rather than, as at present, as providers of services. At the same time the method of allocating capital is being reviewed to take account of the new arrangements. Consultation on the proposals for change will take place over the next six months. The new arrangements will be phased in from next year for revenue and from 1992–93 for capital.

  Health Authorities
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many health authorities he has visited in Wales.

  Mr. Grist
  My right hon. Friend has not visited any health authorities in Wales to date, but hopes to visit all of them over the coming months. He is today meeting health authority and FPC chairmen.

  Local Education Authorities
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which local education authorities he has met in Wales since his appointment as Secretary of State.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  To date I have met a number of chairmen in the course of my visits to schools and my regular meetings with the Wales Advisory Board for Local Authority Higher Education.

  Teacher Unions
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which teacher unions he has met since becoming Secretary of State.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  We have not met with the teacher unions since May. However a meeting has been arranged with representatives of the NAS-UWT (Wales) on 7 September.

  Reading
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he has taken since 1979, and what initiatives he intends to take, to improve reading ability in the schools of Wales.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Since 1979 the Department has supported a number of surveys and research into reading ability. Since 1983 all reports by Her Majesty's Inspectorate have been published which include, for individual schools, an assessment of reading. One of the aims of the national curriculum is to improve reading standards. The programmes of study for both English and Welsh will lead to attainment targets in reading.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales from which bodies he receives advice on the teaching of reading in the schools in Wales.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Our main source of advice is Her Majesty's Inspectorate but we also receive reports on reading from research projects specifically funded by the Welsh Office.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how prevalent in schools in Wales is the look-say technique of the teaching of reading; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The look and say technique is used in many schools but most infants' teachers are eclectic in their teaching of reading and use the approach which best meets the individual child's needs. It is unusual to find schools exclusively committed to one method of teaching children to read.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he has any plans to assess the level of reading ability in schools in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Assessment is an integral part of the national curriculum and the progamme of study for both Welsh and English will lead to an assessment of a pupil's reading ability. Additionally, HM inspectorate will continue to monitor and assess pupils' attainments in reading throughout primary schooling as part of their normal inspection programme.
  150
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent assessment he has made of the standard of reading ability in(a) infant schools and (b) primary schools in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  In recent years, about 40 Her Majesty's inspectorate reports on individual schools have been published annually and there have also been a number of schools sampled in surveys.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales by what means he has measured reading ability in the schools of Wales.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to my replies to him early today.

  Parent Teacher Associations
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he proposes to meet the Parent Teachers Association Wales.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I have no present plans to do so.

  HM Inspectorate of Schools
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he last met Her Majesty's inspectorate in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  HM inspectorate is part of the Welsh Office and my right hon. Friend meets and is advised by officials as and when required.

  Earnings
  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish average gross weekly earnings for(a) full-time adult men, (b) full-time adult women and (c) all adults in Powys for (i) 1987, (ii) 1988 and (iii) 1989.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The average gross weekly earnings of full-time males in Powys in 1988 was £191.20. No separate data is available for males and females in the other years requested due to the small sample sizes for Powys used in the new earnings survey. The average gross weekly earnings of all adults in full-time employment in Powys in 1988 and 1989 were £182.20 and £206.20 respectively: figures for 1987 are not available.

  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish average taxable weekly earnings for full-time adult(a) women and (b) men in Powys for (1) 1987, (2) 1988 and (3) 1989.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Estimates of taxable income at county level are not presently available.

  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish average(a) gross weekly earnings for full-time adult men working in manual occupations and (b) disposable weekly earnings for adult men, in Powys for (1) 1987, (2) 1988 and (3) 1989.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Reliable estimates or average gross weekly earnings for full-time adult men working in manual occupations in Powys are not available from the new earnings survey.
  151
  In 1988 the average disposable weekly earnings for adult men in full-time employment in Powys was £160.50, calculated on the basis set out in table 48 of "Welsh Economic Trends", No. 11, 1987. There are no reliable figures available using this definition for 1987 or 1989. Estimates for all full-time men are not available.

  Water Quality
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what are the reasons for the decrease between 1980 and 1988 in the frequency of sampling carried out to determine the quality of potable water in Wales as shown in table 2.04 of the environmental digest for Wales No. 4 1988–89.

  Mr. Grist
  This was a matter for the respective water authorities. The Water Supply (Water Quality)

  United Kingdom statistics

  All figures in 1,000's tonnes

  Year

  Paper and board1

  Waste paper and board

  Apparent United Kingdom consumption paper and board

  Apparent United Kingdom waste collected2

  Apparent percentage of

  Proportion of waste used

  United Kingdom production

  Imports

  Exports

  United Kingdom mill use

  Imports

  Exports

  consumption collected as waste paper

  in United Kingdom production3 Percentage

  1983

  3,298

  4,285

  424

  1,827

  27

  193

  7,159

  1,993

  27.8

  55.4

  1984

  3,591

  4,528

  533

  2,003

  85

  256

  7,586

  2,174

  28.7

  55.8

  1985

  3,681

  4,604

  574

  2,067

  92

  196

  7,711

  2,171

  28.2

  56.2

  1986

  3,941

  4,757

  630

  2,147

  40

  248

  8,068

  2,355

  29.2

  54.5

  1987

  4,183

  5,283

  732

  2,310

  55

  348

  8,734

  2,603

  29.8

  55.2

  1988

  4,295

  5,788

  797

  2,414

  60

  423

  9,285

  2,777

  29.9

  56.2

  1989

  4,476

  6,010

  905

  2,578

  80

  479

  9,581

  2,977

  31.1

  57.6

  1 Excluding building board.

  2 Ignores changes in stocks.

  3 Ignores the yield factor (wastage during reprocessing).

  Bathing Water
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what were the causes of the reduction in sampling of non-EC identified beaches in South Glamorgan as set out in table 2.11 of the environmental digest for Wales No. 4 1988–89.

  Mr. Grist
  This was a matter for the Welsh water authority and is now a matter for the National Rivers Authority.

  Inflation
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his latest estimate of inflation in those costs falling on(a) district councils and (b) county councils in Wales.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave him on 9 July 1990, at column 59.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his latest estimate of inflation in the current financial year in respect of costs falling on the national health service in Wales.

  Mr. Grist
  I have made no such estimate. I refer the hon. Gentleman to my right hon. Friend's answer of 9 July 1990. Health authorities are advised each year by the Welsh Office of the general inflation forecast made by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his autumn statement. It is for individual health authorities to assess the impact of pay and price changes on their own programmes, and to budget accordingly.
  152
  Regulations prescribe the sampling regime now to be followed by water companies to monitor the quality of water supplied for domestic purposes.

  Paper Recycling
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what quantity of paper was reclaimed in Wales in total for each of the years from 1983 to 1988.

  Mr. Grist
  Information on waste paper reclamation is not collected centrally. The British Waste Paper Association produces the following statistics, on a United Kingdom basis only. Waste paper collection is not measured directly, but as a function of United Kingdom mill use, imports and exports.

  No figures for cost inflation falling on health authorities in Wales are produced by the Welsh Office.

  National Health Service Reform
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether there are any documents, publications or advice notes in relation to(a) reforms of the national health service and (b) community care which arise from work commissioned or assisted by his Department which are not contained in the list referred to in his answer of 29 June, Official Report, column 298.

  Mr. Grist
  No. The updated list will be comprehensive.

  Welsh Health Planning Forum
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects to announce his response to the Welsh health planning forum's proposals for a strategic intent and direction for the national health service in Wales.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Following widespread commendation of the planning forum's proposed strategic intent and direction for the National Health Service in Wales, I was pleased to inform district health authority and family practitioner committee chairmen today of my endorsement of the planning forum's ideas.

  I am anxious to maintain the momentum generated by the forum and have asked the chairmen to develop by 31 December 1991 local strategies for health covering the

  153
  period to the year 2002, and to submit these to me for endorsement, after full consultation with local interests, including users.

  Copies of my statement to the chairmen have been placed in the Library.

  District Health Authorities
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list any new responsibilities which will be exercised by district health authorities in Wales in addition to those previously exercised(a) prior to the passing of the national health service and Community Care Act and (b) prior to the full implementation of the Government's plan for reform of the national health service.

  Mr. Grist
  Under our programme of reforms, DHAs will be responsible for securing quality health services for their resident populations, rather than, as before, providing a service within a given geographical area.

  In addition, when the relevant provisions of the Act come into force, authorities will be responsible for determining the extent to which accommodation and services are made available for private patients.

ENERGY

  Waste Reprocessing
  Mr. Patchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy how often British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. has exercised its option to return wastes under their contracts for reprocessing spent fuels from overseas utilities in Canada, the Federal Republic of Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland; and if he will itemise such returns since 1976 to date.

  Mr. Baldry
  Since 1976, the overseas reprocessing contracts of British Nuclear Fuels plc have contained options for the return of wastes arising. The Government intend that such options should be exercised and that wastes should be returned. Before such wastes can be returned they have to be put into a form in which they can be safely transported and stored. I understand that the vitrification plant for treating high-level waste will be operational later this year and that the encapsulation plant for intermediate-level waste should be operational by 1992, when the thermal oxide reprocessing plant begins commercial reprocessing.

  JET Project, Culham
  Mr. Gould
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement concerning the recent release of CFC-113 into the atmosphere at the JET project at Culham.

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) what steps he is taking to ensure further accidents do not take place at Culham;

  (2) if he will order a comprehensive check on safety procedures at Culham, following the emission of 2 tonnes of Freon-113 at the JET project;

  (3) why a public announcement on the emission of Freon-113 at Culham was not made immediately.

  Mr. Baldry
  I understand that the JET joint undertaking of Euratom recently switched from water to 154
  Freon 113 for cooling the magnetic field coils in their fusion experiment because it is non-toxic, non-flammable and does not produce short-circuits on electrical equipment. In commissioning the new system on 4 June a pipe came loose and 1m3 of the liquid was released in the torus hall, some of which was recovered. The incident was reported to HM principal inspector of factories at Oxford as required by the regulations for the reporting of occupational occurrences. JET aim to work to the highest standards and are taking precautions to avoid any recurrence.

  Nuclear Power
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) whether he will place in the Library a copy of the letter on the risks attached to privatising nuclear power generation sent by Kleinwort Benson to his Department in August 1988;

  (2) what advice his Department received in August 1988 from Kleinwort Benson concerning the sale of nuclear power stations and financial guarantees.

  Mr. Baldry
  I have nothing to add to the very full evidence, both written and oral, given by my Department and Klienwort Benson to the Select Committee on Energy.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will place in the Library copies of the 11 papers listed in the Energy Committee report, "The Cost of Nuclear Power," volume II, page 27, sent by his Department to the Committee.

  Mr. Baldry
  No. The papers are confidential.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he has made an assessment of the possible economies in respect of the storage of advanced gas-cooled reactor fuel in dry conditions, as referred to in the Energy Committee report, "The Cost of Nuclear Power", Volume II, page 77; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  Disposal of spent fuel is a matter for the owners who will take into account safety, economic and technical considerations. The possible economies referred to by the hon. Member were mentioned in evidence submitted by the South of Scotland electricity board.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what was the average price per unit of electricity from the advanced gas-cooled reactor stations in England and Wales in April 1990.

  Mr. Baldry
  The price of electricity for the nuclear power stations is determined by Nuclear Electric's contracts with the public electricity suppliers. The terms of these contracts are a commercial matter for Nuclear Electric plc.

  Energy Efficiency
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what initiatives he intends to introduce to increase the use of low energy electric light bulbs(a) in his Department (b) in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  In the case of the Department of Energy headquarters, 1 Palace street, I have ensured that the developer installed low-energy light bulbs wherever it
  155
  was economic to do so. In the wider context of the United Kingdom, I have received a consultant's report on the efficiency of domestic electrical appliances, including lights; the report is now being prepared for publication.

  I am now considering the report with a view to deciding how best the increased use of low energy light bulbs can be encouraged. I have also had discussions with the manufacturers of the bulbs.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he expects to publish the report on the energy efficiency of electrical appliances commissioned by his Department in 1989.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  I expect to publish the report before the autumn.

  Non-fossil Fuel Levy
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy on what calculations and information he bases his statement that the non-fossil fuel levy will decrease between now and 1998.

  Mr. Baldry
  The rate of the levy depends predominantly on the difference between the market price for electricity and the cost of electricity under the terms of the nuclear contracts which contain incentives for Nuclear Electric to improve efficiency. This difference is expected to get smaller over the period of the contracts. The rate of the fossil fuel levy is therefore expected to decline significantly during the eight-year period of the nuclear contracts.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Department of Education Staff
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proposals there are to relocate staff from the offices of the Department of Education for Northern Ireland at Rathgael to Londonderry; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Cope
  It is intended that the teachers' administration and superannuation branches of the Department of Education, involving some 95 posts, will move from Rathgael to Londonderry. The extent to which staff will transfer with the posts has not yet been determined.

  Terrorism
  Mr. George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many Royal Ulster Constabulary officers were killed or injured, for each year since 1969, as a result of a terrorist incident.

  Mr. Cope
  The information requested is as follows:

  Year

  Royal Ulster Constabulary deaths

  Royal Ulster Constabulary injuries

  1969

  1

  711

  1970

  2

  191

  1971

  11

  315

  1972

  17

  485

  1973

  13

  291

  1974

  15

  235

  1975

  11

  263

  1976

  23

  303

  1977

  14

  183

  156

  Year

  Royal Ulster Constabulary deaths

  Royal Ulster Constabulary injuries

  1978

  10

  302

  1979

  14

  165

  1980

  9

  194

  1981

  21

  332

  1982

  12

  99

  1983

  18

  142

  1984

  9

  267

  1985

  23

  415

  1986

  12

  622

  1987

  16

  246

  1988

  6

  218

  1989

  9

  163

  1990

  14

  296

  1 To date.

  2 As at 30 April.

  Inner City Trust, Londonderry
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether any public investigations are under way into the allegations made about the inner city trust, Londonderry in a recent "Spotlight" programme.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 3 July 1990]: There are no investigations under way in regard to any allegations made in the programme.

  Fair Employment
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will request the Fair Employment Commission to carry out an investigation into the Londonderry inner city trust.

  Mr. Needham
  The Fair Employment Commission is a statutory body which is entirely independent of Government. As such, the commission determines its own investigation policy without any participation by the Government.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish in the Official Report a table to show for each year since it was set up the sums paid to the North West Centre for Learning and Development; which body or bodies provided such monies and the amounts; for what purposes they were provided and used; and if the Fair Employment Agency or its successor has carried out or is considering carrying out any investigation into this body.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 3 July 1990]: The Department of Economic Development under the Action for Community Employment (ACE) programme paid the following sums of money to the North West Centre for Learning and Development for the purpose of providing temporary employment for long-term unemployed adults. The work carried out by the centre, under the ACE programme, includes environmental work, community development activity and research associated with a genealogical centre.

  Financial year

  ACE financial assistance (£)

  1983–84

  49,888

  1984–85

  65,596

  1985–86

  202,161

  157

  Financial year

  ACE financial assistance (£)

  1986–87

  1,036,182

  1987–88

  984,974

  1988–89

  812,698

  1989–90

  690,429

  The North West Centre for Learning and Development has not been investigated by the Fair Employment Agency or its successor body the Fair Employment Commission. As an independent body the Fair Employment Commission determines its own investigation policy and the Department plays no part in this.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish a table in the Official Report to show how many trainees have been taken on by the Inner City Trust, Londonderry since its inception; and how many of these were (a) Protestants, (b) Roman Catholics and (c) others in each year and in total, or as much of such information as is currently available to him.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 3 July 1990]: The Inner City Trust does not have any trainees. However, since August 1988 it has sponsored an ACE project providing temporary employment places as follows:—

  Year

  Average number of places

  1988

  131

  1989

  131

  1990

  135

  The religious affiliations of the employees are not known.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish a table in the Official Report to show, from its inception, the sums paid from public funds and by whom to the Inner City Trust, Londonderry, the purposes for which those sums were given and used, or as much of such information as is currently available to him.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 3 July 1990]: The information is as follows:

  Source of assistance/ Financial year

  DOE (NI) £

  DED £

  LEDU £

  ERDF £

  ESF £

  1983–84

  3,500

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1986–87

  50,00

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1987–88

  53,050

  —

  —

  327,689

  85,786

  1988–89

  12,500

  233,437

  —

  327,689

  40,147

  1989–90

  82,500

  596,453

  44,100

  —

  —

  Totals

  201,550

  829,890

  44,100

  655,378

  125,933

  Department of the Environment (DOE(NI))

  Funds paid towards regeneration work under the Urban Development Grant and the Social Need Order.

  Department of Economic Development (DED)

  These funds have been paid under the Action for
  158
  Community Employment (ACE) programme for the purpose of providing temporary employment for long-term unemployed adults. The work carried out by the Trust under the ACE programme commenced in 1988 and is related to the redevelopment of a large area of the city including the building of a craft village, heritage library and offices for local community groups.

  Local Enterprise Development Unit (LEDU)

  Funds paid towards the construction of a craft village as part of LEDU's contribution to the Making Londonderry Work Initiative.

  European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)

  Funds paid in respect of the creation of a craft village within Londonderry City walls.

  European Social Funds (ESF)

  Funds paid in respect of vocational training provided.

  Foyle Co-op
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what sums have been paid from public funds to the Foyle Co-op; and for what purposes.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 3 July 1990]: A review of available records reveals that no moneys have been paid to the Foyle Co-op from public funds.

HEALTH

  Data Systems
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will list, for each regional health authority, the number of(a) coding clerks, (b) data entry clerks, (c) other medical records staff, (d) information staff, (e) computer programmers and systems analysts, (f) statisticians, (g) operations research staff and (h) health economists employed by the hospital and community health services;

  (2) if he will list, for each family practitioner committee in England and Wales, the total number of (a) coding clerks, (b) data entry clerks, (c) other medical records staff, (d) information staff, (e) computer programmers, (e) statisticians and systems analysts, (g) operations research staff and (h) health economists employed in the family practitioner services.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The precise information requested is not available centrally. The numbers of NHS administrative and clerical staff shown as working in computing, medical records, statistics and information, and operational research in each regional health authority at September 1988 are given in the table. These figures will include the staff detailed in the question with the exception of health economists; those for computing staff include additional categories. 1988 is the latest date for which information to this level of detail is available.

  Similar information for each family practitioner committee is not collected centrally. Comparisons between regions need to be interpreted with caution. Health authorities will have regard to a number of different factors in setting staffing levels, including the size of the area, population, throughput of patients and current and future levels of service provision.
  159

  NHS administrative and clerical staff in post by regional health authorities at 30 September 1988 Whole-time equivalents1

  Region

  Computing

  Medical Records

  Statistics and information

  Operational Research

  Northern

  108

  853

  38

  3

  Yorkshire

  110

  1,109

  66

  3

  Trent

  99

  1,552

  62

  13

  East Anglian

  66

  575

  32

  5

  North West Thames

  80

  981

  52

  2

  North East Thames

  138

  1,243

  61

  17

  South East Thames

  136

  1,075

  73

  4

  South West Thames

  90

  914

  43

  —

  Wessex

  71

  1,098

  74

  2

  Oxford

  96

  674

  68

  2

  South Western

  154

  842

  74

  3

  West Midlands

  230

  1,628

  147

  12

  Mersey

  79

  949

  47

  7

  North western

  163

  1,635

  67

  1

  England Total

  2,119

  15,451

  955

  75

  Source:

  Department of Health (SM13) annual census of NHS non-medical manpower.

  1 All figures are independently rounded to the nearest one whole-time equivalent.

  Note:

  Includes staff at the Dental Estimate Board, Prescription Pricing Authority, London Post-Graduate Special Health Authorities, Family Practitioner Committees and other Statutory Authorities (eg Public Health Laboratory service and the Health Education Authority).

  Hospital Beds
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the average number of beds in use in national health service hospitals in January and February; and what was the average number of medical nursing and auxiliary staff employed to care for the patients using them.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Data is not available yet for January and February. The latest centrally-available figures are as follows:

  Beds

  Average daily available beds in NHS hospitals in England during April 1988–March 1989

  282,937

  Source: KH03

  NHS hospital staff at 30 September 1988

  Whole time equivalent1

  Medical and dental (includes locums)2

  40,600

  Nursing and midwifery staff3

  344,800

  Auxiliary staff4

  79,800

  1 All figures are rounded to the nearest hundred whole-time equivalent.

  2 The figure is for all hospital medical and dental staff.

  3 Includes agency staff. Excludes nurses and midwives working in out-patients or accident and emergency departments.

  4 Defined as professional and technical staff.

  Note: For medical and dental, and professional and technical staff it is not possible to separate the services they provide to in-patients from those for others, eg, out-patients.

  Source: DH annual census of NHS medical and non-medical manpower.

  Smoking (Children)
  Mr. Bright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the MORI social research unit's report to the health education authority on smoking by children between the ages of nine and 15 years.

  Mr. Dorrell
  We welcome the report which was undertaken as part of the Health Education Authority and 160
  Department of Health's joint teenage smoking programme. It should prove valuable both in managing the programme and in planning its future direction. The report confirms the evidence that smoking among schoolchildren has fallen since 1984. However, the figures remain disturbingly high, and the aim of the teenage smoking programme, to which the Government have committed over £2 million a year, is to achieve further significant reductions.

  Cervical Cancer
  Dame Jill Knight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action the Government are taking to reduce deaths from cervical cancer.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The cervical screening programme forms an important part of our strategy to promote women's health. The improvements that have been introduced over recent years—we were the first country in the EC to introduce nationwide computerised call and recall systems—should further increase the effectiveness of the programme. Five-yearly cervical screening can reduce deaths among women screened by approximately 80 per cent. By March 1993, we expect all women aged 20 to 64 years to have been brought into the scope of the programme and to have received their first invitation for a cervical smear.

  Speech Therapists
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects new salary and regrading arrangements to be made for speech therapists.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Any changes arising from the forthcoming review of pay rates and the 1988 grade restructuring agreement will be effective from 1 October 1990.

  Maternity Services
  Dame Jill Knight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much increased spending on maternity services has taken place in the last 11 years.
  161
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Between 1977–78 and 1988–89 total expenditure on National Health Service maternity services—community and hospital—increased from £235 million to £736 million—an increase in real terms of 27.1 per cent.

  Mrs. Maureen Hicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the changes made to maternity services in the last 10 years.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  There has been a concerted programme of action aimed at reducing maternal, perinatal and infant mortality, and developing a partnership between health service professionals and mothers and their families in the delivery of a more personal standard of maternity care. There has also been a major expansion in neonatal intensive care.

  As a result mortality rates have been reduced to the lowest levels so far achieved, it is general practice for a partner to remain with the mother during delivery and schemes are being introduced for early discharge from hospital into the care of a community midwife. Since 1980–81, real-term expenditure on the maternity services has increased by 16 per cent., the number of midwives by 17 per cent., and the number of nursing and midwifery staff employed in special and neonatal intensive care by 136 per cent.

  Chiropody
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to provide statutory protection to the new title of its profession adopted by the Society of Chiropodists; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The Department has not been notified by the Society of Chiropodists that it has adopted a new title for its profession.

  Speech Therapists
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage increase there has been in the total establishment of speech therapists since 1979; how many posts are currently filled and how many vacancies exist; and how many speech therapists have left the profession in the past 11 years.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Information about the establishment and the number of speech therapists leaving the profession for the periods requested is not collected centrally. At 30 September 1979, there were 1,510 speech therapists in post; by 30 September 1989, this number had risen to 2,830, an increase of over 87 per cent. At 31 March 1989 there were 178 funded posts vacant for over three months.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the local authorities which use their discretionary powers to supplement health authority provision of speech therapy.

  Mr. Dorrell
  This information is not available centrally.

  General Practitioners
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what arrangements have been made to pay general practitioners under the new contract; and if he will make a statement.
  162
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  All general practitioners were paid promptly at the end of the first quarter of 1990–91. Doctors in contract with 75 of the 90 family practitioner committees were paid in full at the end of June either by computer, manual methods or by a combination of the two. The remaining 15 family practitioner committees made an advance payment based on the previous quarter's earnings. All family practitioner committees used either the new quarterly payments software issued earlier this year or made local arrangements based on assessment of entitlement. Family practitioner committees have discretion to make advance payments, so there is no reason why any general practitioner should be in financial difficulties due to the new arrangements. Family practitioner committees are dealing promptly with any queries from general practitioners who believe they have been underpaid.

  Statements from the British Medical Association on this subject are seriously misleading. It is nonsense for the British Medical Association to claim that the Government forced through the changes without proper consultation with the profession. Detailed discussions with the British Medical Association's general medical services committee —GMSC—took place over a period of 18 months involving over 100 hours of discussion including meetings with Ministers. Every single detailed change to the general practitioners' terms of service and their statement of fees and allowances was sent to the general medical services committee for its comments and the general medical services committee was given every opportunity to respond.

  Midwives
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what salary is presently paid, and will be offered in the next pay round to(a) a senior nurse sixth grade and (b) clinical midwives on grade 1; and what are the reasons for the difference;

  (2) what factors account for the delay in making an offer of a new pay and grading structure for midwifery managers;

  (3) when he will make an offer of a new pay and grading structure for midwifery managers; and when he expects to reach agreement with the staff side.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Government take decisions on pay levels for midwives in the light of recommendations from the Review Body for Nursing Staff, Midwives and Health Visitors and the Professions Allied to Medicine. Pay structures are a matter for negotiation in the nursing and midwifery staffs negotiating council.

  The basic pay for a nurse or midwife on grade I from 1 April 1990 is £16,990 to £19,240—from 1 January 1991 £17,305 to £19,600. The existing senior nurse/midwife structure has been under review by the negotiating council, which reached agreement last month on a new structure, to come into effect from 1 January 1991. The review body is expected shortly to make recommendations on the pay of staff in the senior nurse 6 grade with effect from 1 April 1990, and on the pay levels to be attached to the new structure from 1 January 1991.

  Heart Valves
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what procedures are in place to co-ordinate warnings to(a) cardiac specialists, (b) district general hospitals, (c) general practitioners and (d) patients fitted with suspect valves in cases where a fault is identified in a specific make of valve.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Hospitals and manufacturers of such devices are required to report incidents involving defective or potentially defective devices to the Department's national defect reporting centre for investigation by appropriate technical experts. Where a risk to patients or staff is identified, appropriate advice is issued and other action taken if required. The basis of circulation of such advice is considered in each particular case, on its merits.

  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what controls there are over the range of heart valves which may be purchased by the National Health Service.

  Mr. Dorrell
  This is a matter for the health authority concerned. The Department advises authorities to purchase from manufacturers registered under its manufacturer registration scheme or equivalent scheme of manufacturing quality assurance.

  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many companies supply artificial heart valves to the National Health Service; and in which countries these companies are based.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Currently nine companies supply heart valves to the United Kingdom National Health Service. Their manufacturing sites are based in the USA, Switzerland, Puerto Rico, Canada, Italy and the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will request the Medicines Commission urgently to establish a licensing system for artificial heart valves and other specialised devices used for medical purposes;

  (2) if the Medicines Commission has considered the need to license and monitor the use of artificial heart valves.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Use of heart valves in the United Kingdom is monitored since 1986 by the national heart valve registry at Hammersmith hospital. The Medicines Commission has expressed concern about certain products, including critical medical devices such as heart valves, but accepts that adequate provision for the necessary controls should be pursued through the current European Commission initiatives for the harmonisation of regulation of these devices.

  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if any heart valves which have been refused licences in the United States of America have been used by the national health service.

  Mr. Dorrell
  We are aware of two United States manufactured heart valves used in the National Health Service where marketing approval in the United States of America was withheld, pending receipt of further clinical data.

  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health in the last year for which figures are available how many yellow cards were received reporting failures of artificial heart valves.
  164
  Mr. Dorrell
  Medical devices such as heart valves are not included in the "yellow card" reporting system. However, the Department's national defect reporting centre for medical device incidents has received four reports of mechanical failure of heart valves in the last 12 months.

  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many British heart patients died because of a faulty artificial heart valve in the last five years for which figures are available.

  Mr. Dorrell
  We are aware of 15 deaths in the United Kingdom in the last five years due to mechanical failure of implanted valves. All were implanted prior to the setting up of the United Kingdom heart valve registry in January 1986.

  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the European Economic community has put forward any proposals to control the use of artificial heart valves.

  Mr. Dorrell
  An EC working document is in preparation which is intended to lead to a directive to harmonise the regulation of all non-powered medical devices, including heart valves.

  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health approximately how many artificial heart valves are fitted annually; and what is the estimated percentage that are successful.

  Mr. Dorrell
  About 5,000 artificial heart valves are implanted annually in the United Kingdom, 94 per cent. of these patients survive surgery and leave hospital.

  Exhaust Fumes
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what studies are being carried out by his Department to assess the effects on human health of inhalation of exhaust fumes; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Dorrell
  No studies are being carried out by the Department.

  The concentrations of pollutants in the United Kingdom associated with traffic sources are, in most circumstances, below those assessed by the World Health Organisation and other advisory groups to have detectable effects on health. The effects of airborne emissions of pollutants at levels currently experienced cannot be isolated from many other factors unrelated to air contaminants which may contribute to health problems.

  GP Contracts
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether there are any outstanding payments under the new general practice service contracts not completed as due from 1 April; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  All Family practitioner Committees made payments to the GPs on the due date. Most FPCs made payments calculated in detail; the remainder made estimated payments only, to be adjusted shortly when the detailed calculations have been completed.

  Health Authority Accounts
  Mr. Hayes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to publish the 1989–90 financial accounts special cost forms of individual health authorities; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 5 June 1990]: The annual accounts of health authorities are regarded as documents within the public domain which are normally laid before authorities' members meeting in public session. The Department consolidates submitted annual accounts into an England summary which is presented to the National Audit Office by 30 November each year. It is the responsibility of the National Audit Office to publish the summarised accounts, following their audit, in an annual series of House of Commons papers.

  Financial returns of health authorities which provide information on the costs of health authorities' services, are submitted to the Department which, after processing

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  a. Drugs and Therapeutic Bulletin and Adverse Drug reaction Bulletin

  581,300

  728,500

  452,000

  660,600

  723,500

  b. Prescribes Journal

  —

  —

  122,900

  129,900

  127,100

  c. Health Trends

  —

  —

  105,400

  116,200

  106,500

  d. British National Formulary

  736,400

  835,300

  924,400

  987,500

  1,054,900

  e. PACT Data

  —

  —

  —

  833,700

  901,000

  Footnotes

  1. The Drugs and Therapeutics Bulletin and Adverse Drug Reaction Bulletin are funded jointly. Records are not held of disaggregated costs. Figures given are for printing and distribution costs invoiced in each of the years.

  2. Details of costs for Prescriber's Journal and Health Trends are not available for 1985–86 and 1986–87 as they cannot be disaggregated from other Departmental printing and publishing costs. The costs provided for 1988–89 and 1989–90 are estimated as final costs are not yet available. Editions of both publications due for issue in February 1990 have been postponed to June/July 1990. Postage costs were paid in advance in 1989–90 but printing costs will be incurred in 1990–91.

  3. The PACT system came into operation in August 1988—hence there are no costs attributable to PACT data in 1985–86, 1986–87 and 1987–88. The figures given are for the full cost of production and distribution including staff costs and systems support, maintenance and operation.

  Mr. Michael Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much public money is likely to be spent in each of the next five years on(a) employing independent medical advisers within the NHS, (b) the cost of running the medicines resource centre and the distribution of its monthly bulletin, (c) the provision of PACT data, (d) the distribution of the Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin, (e) the Prescribers Journal (f) Health Trends, (g) the British National Formulary (h) the Adverse Drug Reaction Bulletin and (i) the NHS management executive guide to self-audit and research, abridged and unabridged versions.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  [holding answer 26 June 1990]: The information requested is not yet available for the next five years. The estimated costs in England for 1990–91 are supplied in the table. We expect costs of the same order for the following four years.

  1990–91 £

  (a) Independent Medical Advisers (including support staff and training)

  5,000,000

  (b) Medicines Resource Centre (including distribution of monthly bulletins)

  250,000

  (c) PACT Data1

  993,000

  (d) Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin2

  770,000

  and

  Adverse Drug Reaction Bulletin2

  (e) Prescribes' Journal

  140,000

  166
  them, compiles salient data into national tables in an annual series of booklets. The publication covering the returns for 1989–90 is planned for early in the new year.

  Publications
  Mr. Michael Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much public money has been spent in each of the last five years on distributing(a) the Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin, (b) the Prescribers Journal, (c) Health Trends, (d) the British National Formulary, (e) the Adverse Drug Reaction Bulletin and (f) prescribing analyses and costs data, to doctors in the NHS.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  [holding answer 26 June 1990]: The cost of printing and distributing the publications to professionals and other bodies throughout the National Health Service (in England) in each of the years requested was:

  1990–91 £

  (f) Health Trends

  115,000

  (g) British National Formulary

  1,194,000

  (h) The Analysis of Prescribing in General Practice A Guide to Audit and Research (abridged and unabridged)3

  42,000

  1 The figure given for the cost of PACT Data is for the full cost of production and distribution including staff costs and systems support, maintenance and operation.

  2 The Drugs and Therapeutics Bulletin and Adverse Drug Reaction Bulletin are invoiced jointly—it is not possible to disaggregate the costs. Funding of the Adverse Drug Reaction Bulletin ceases after the June 1990 issue.

  3 The cost of the Analysis of Prescribing in General Practice was incurred over two financial years. This was a one-off exercise to issue the guide to all practices in England. We do not anticipate there being any additional costs after 1990–91.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Funeral Grant
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much he estimates it would cost his Department to provide a statutory payment of £600 to all pensioners and dependants of pensioners as a funeral grant.
  167
  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  [holding answer 5 June 1990]: The cost of supplying a statutory payment of £600 as a funeral grant to all people over state pension age is around £300 million per year.

  Benefit Values
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what has been the value of supplementary benefits/income support received each year since 1979 by a unemployed husband aged 30 years, wife aged 29 years, and children aged five and 11 years, excluding benefit in respect of housing costs, assuming they were in good health and did not require any special diet, did not need extra baths and did not wear out their clothing unusually quickly, did not require extra laundry facilities, and had accommodation of average size and condition for such a family, assuming they were not in receipt of any other social security benefits other than unemployment benefit; and if he will give the figures both at current prices and at constant 1990 prices.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  [holding answer 28 June 1990]: The information requested is shown in the tables, with two separate measures of the real value of the benefit. In table A the benefit rates at each uprating date are revalued to April 1990. In table B the real value of benefit has been averaged over the whole period during which the relevant benefit rates applied.

  Table A

  Uprating Date

  Actual Rates

  Actual Rates in 1990 Prices1

  12 November 1979

  43.65

  82.86

  24 November 1980

  52.80

  86.92

  23 November 1981

  57.55

  84.61

  22 November 1982

  63.60

  88.00

  21 November 1983

  66.35

  87.84

  26 November 1984

  69.50

  88.61

  25 November 1985

  73.05

  88.80

  28 July 1986

  73.90

  88.55

  6 April 1987

  75.35

  87.57

  11 April 1988

  84.45

  94.58

  10 April 1989

  90.40

  96.13

  9 April 1990

  95.55

  95.55

  Table A

  Scale Rate

  Actual rates single householder aged 201

  Actual rates in April 1990 prices

  Percentage change

  Actual rates single non-householder aged 201

  Actual rates in April 1990 prices

  Percentage change

  Actual rates couple aged over 251

  Actual rates in April 1990 prices

  Percentage change

  12 November 1979

  Basic

  18.30

  34.74

  —

  14.65

  27.81

  —

  29.70

  56.38

  —

  Long Term

  23.70

  44.99

  —

  18.95

  35.97

  —

  37.65

  71.47

  —

  24 November 1980

  Basic

  21.30

  35.06

  0.9

  17.05

  28.07

  0.9

  34.60

  56.96

  1.0

  Long Term

  27.15

  44.69

  -0.7

  21.70

  35.72

  -0.7

  43.45

  71.53

  0.1

  22 November 1981

  Basic

  23.25

  34.18

  -2.5

  18.60

  27.35

  -2.6

  37.75

  55.50

  -2.6

  Long Term

  29.60

  43.52

  -2.6

  23.65

  34.77

  -2.7

  47.35

  69.62

  -2.7

  22 November 1982

  Basic

  25.70

  35.56

  4.0

  20.55

  28.43

  4.0

  41.70

  57.70

  4.0

  Long Term

  32.70

  45.25

  4.0

  26.15

  36.18

  4.1

  52.30

  72.37

  4.0

  21 November 1983

  Basic

  26.80

  35.48

  0.2

  21.45

  28.40

  -0.1

  43.50

  57.59

  -0.2

  Long Term

  34.10

  45.14

  -0.2

  27.25

  36.08

  -0.3

  54.55

  72.22

  -0.2

  168
  1 Constant April 1990 prices at dates shown.

  2 The figures reflect the fact that the RPI is the appropriate index until 1983 and thereafter the RPI less housing costs is appropriate (from November 1983 onwards).

  Table B

  Period

  Actual rates £

  Actual rates in 1990 prices1 £

  November 1978 to October 1979

  37.10

  77.12

  November 1979 to October 1980

  43.65

  76.61

  November 1980 to October 1981

  52.80

  82.40

  November 1981 to October 1982

  57.55

  81.85

  November 1982 to October 1983

  63.60

  86.43

  November 1983 to October 1984

  66.35

  86.27

  November 1984 to October 1985

  69.50

  86.31

  November 1985 to June 1986

  73.05

  88.13

  July 1986 to March 1987

  73.90

  87.45

  April 1987 to March 1988

  75.35

  86.54

  April 1988 to March 1989

  84.45

  92.70

  April 1989 to March 1990

  90.40

  94.08

  1 Average of constant April 1990 prices in the periods shown.

  Note:

  The figures reflect that the retail prices index is the appropriate index until 1983 and thereafter retail prices index less housing costs is appropriate (from November 1983 onwards).

  Income Support
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will set out the level of the supplementary benefit/income support for each year since 1979 scale rates and for(a) a single person aged 20 years and (b) a non-pensioner couple aged over 25 years both at current prices and at 1990 constant prices; and what was the percentage change each year.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  [holding answer 28 June 1990]: As the question does not specify the exact circumstances, household status, or length of time spent on benefit for either client group, the tables provide information to cover each possible circumstance.

  The information requested is shown in the tables with two separate measures of the real value of the benefit. In table A the benefit rates at each uprating date are revalued to April 1990. In table B the real value of benefit has been averaged over the whole period during which the relevant benefit rates applied. In each case the percentage change since the previous year is shown.
  169

  Scale Rate

  Actual rates single householder aged 201

  Actual rates in April 1990 prices

  Percentage change

  Actual rates single non-householder aged 201

  Actual rates in April 1990 prices

  Percentage change

  Actual rates couple aged over 251

  Actual rates in April 1990 prices

  Percentage change

  26 November 1984

  Basic

  28.05

  35.76

  0.8

  22.45

  28.62

  0.8

  45.55

  58.07

  0.8

  Long Term

  35.70

  45.51

  0.8

  28.55

  36.40

  0.9

  57.10

  72.80

  0.8

  25 November 1985

  Basic

  29.50

  35.86

  0.3

  23.60

  28.69

  0.2

  47.85

  58.17

  0.2

  Long Term

  37.50

  45.58

  0.2

  30.00

  36.47

  0.2

  60.00

  72.94

  0.2

  28 July 1986

  Basic

  29.80

  35.71

  -0.4

  23.85

  28.58

  -0.4

  48.40

  57.99

  -0.3

  Long Term

  37.90

  45.41

  -0.4

  30.35

  36.37

  -0.3

  60.65

  72.67

  -0.4

  6 April 1987

  Basic

  30.40

  35.33

  -1.1

  24.35

  28.30

  -1.0

  49.35

  57.35

  -1.1

  Long Term

  38.65

  44.92

  -1.1

  30.95

  35.97

  -1.1

  61.85

  71.88

  -1.1

  11 April 1988

  —

  26.05

  29.18

  —3

  26.05

  29.18

  —3

  51.45

  57.62

  —3

  10 April 1989

  —

  27.40

  29.14

  -0.1

  27.40

  29.14

  -0.1

  54.80

  58.28

  1.2

  9 April 1990

  —

  28.80

  28.80

  -1.2

  28.80

  28.80

  -1.2

  57.60

  57.60

  -1.2

  Notes:

  1 Actual scale rate appropriate to each group, excluding any housing costs and with no additional requirements.

  2 Constant April 1990 prices at the dates shown.

  3 As the introduction of Income Support ended the distinctions between householders/non-householders and the basic and long term rates of benefit it is not possible to provide relevant year on year comparisons between 1987 and 1988.

  4 The figures reflect the fact that the RPI is the appropriate index until 1983 and thereafter the RPI less housing costs is appropriate (from November 1983 onwards).

  Table B

  Scale Rate

  Actual rates single householder aged 201

  Actual rates in April 1990 prices2

  Percentage change

  Actual rates Single non-householder aged 201

  Actual rates in April 1990 prices2

  Percentage change

  Actual rates Couple aged over 251

  Actual rates in April 1990 prices2

  Percentage change

  November 1978–October 1979

  Basic

  15.55

  32.32

  —

  12.45

  25.88

  —

  25.25

  52.48

  —

  Long term

  19.90

  41.36

  —

  15.95

  33.15

  —

  31.55

  65.58

  —

  November 1979–October 1980

  Basic

  18.30

  32.12

  -0.6

  14.65

  25.71

  -0.7

  29.70

  52.13

  -0.7

  Long Term

  23.70

  41.60

  0.6

  18.95

  33.26

  0.3

  37.65

  66.08

  0.8

  November 1980–October 1981

  Basic

  21.30

  33.24

  3.5

  17.05

  26.61

  3.5

  34.60

  54.00

  3.6

  Long Term

  27.15

  42.37

  1.9

  21.70

  33.86

  1.8

  43.45

  67.81

  2.6

  November 1981–October 1982

  Basic

  23.25

  33.07

  -0.5

  18.60

  26.46

  -0.6

  37.75

  53.69

  -0.6

  Long Term

  29.60

  42.10

  -0.6

  23.65

  33.64

  -0.7

  47.35

  67.35

  -0.7

  November 1982–October 1983

  Basic

  25.70

  34.93

  5.6

  20.55

  27.93

  5.6

  41.70

  56.67

  5.6

  Long Term

  32.70

  44.44

  5.6

  26.15

  35.54

  5.7

  52.30

  71.08

  5.5

  November 1983–October 1984

  Basic

  26.80

  34.85

  -0.2

  21.45

  27.89

  -0.1

  43.50

  56.56

  -0.2

  Long Term

  34.10

  44.34

  -0.2

  27.25

  35.43

  -0.3

  54.55

  70.93

  -0.2

  November 1984–October 1985

  Basic

  28.05

  34.83

  -0.1

  22.45

  27.88

  -0.1

  45.55

  56.57

  0.1

  Long Term

  35.70

  44.33

  -0.1

  28.55

  35.45

  0.1

  57.10

  70.91

  -0.1

  November 1985–June 1986

  Basic

  29.50

  35.59

  2.2

  23.60

  28.47

  2.1

  47.85

  57.73

  2.1

  Long Term

  37.50

  45.24

  2.1

  30.00

  36.19

  2.1

  60.00

  72.38

  2.1

  July 1986–March 1987

  Basic

  29.80

  35.26

  -0.9

  23.85

  28.22

  -0.9

  48.40

  57.27

  -0.8

  Long Term

  37.90

  44.85

  -0.9

  30.35

  35.91

  -0.8

  60.65

  71.77

  -0.8

  170 171

  Scale Rate

  Actual rates single householder aged 201

  Actual rates in April 1990 prices2

  Percentage change

  Actual rates Single non-householder aged 201

  Actual rates in April 1990 prices2

  Percentage change

  Actual rates Couple aged over 251

  Actual rates in April 1990 prices2

  Percentage change

  April 1987–March 1988

  Basic

  30.40

  34.91

  -1.0

  24.35

  27.97

  -0.9

  49.35

  56.68

  -1.0

  Long Term

  38.65

  44.39

  -1.0

  30.95

  35.55

  -1.0

  61.85

  71.03

  -1.0

  April 1988–March 1989

  —

  26.05

  28.59

  3—

  26.05

  28.59

  3—

  51.45

  56.48

  3—

  April 1989–March 1990

  —

  27.40

  28.52

  -0.2

  27.40

  28.52

  -0.2

  54.80

  57.03

  -1.0

  Notes:

  1. Actual scale rate appropriate to each group, excluding any housing costs and with no additional requirements.

  2. Average of constant April 1990 prices in the periods shown.

  3. As the introduction of Income Support ended the distinctions between householders/non householders and basic or long term rates of benefit it is not possible to provide relevant year on year comparisons between 1987 and 1988.

  4. The figures reflect the fact that the RPI is the appropriate index until 1983 and thereafter the RPI less housing costs is appropriate (from November 1983 onwards).

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security pursuant to his answer of 5 June,Official Report, column 559, if he will set out the real terms value of supplementary benefit income support for (a) a young person aged 20 years who is unemployed and: (i) a householder and (ii) a non-householder and (b) a married couple aged over 25 years where the husband is unemployed, the wife not working, and with children aged five and 10 years, each year since 1979, on an index basis taking 1979 as 100.

  Table A.

  Single householder aged 20 unemployed

  Single non-householder aged 20 unemployed

  Married couple unemployed with two children 5 and 10

  (1)

  (2)

  (1)

  (2)

  (1)

  (2)

  £

  £

  £

  12 November 1979

  18.30

  100.0

  16.35

  100.0

  42.20

  100.0

  24 November 1980

  21.30

  100.9

  19.20

  101.8

  49.20

  101.1

  23 November 1981

  23.25

  98.4

  21.15

  100.2

  53.55

  98.3

  22 November 1982

  25.70

  102.4

  23.65

  105.4

  59.20

  102.3

  21 November 1983

  26.80

  102.1

  24.55

  104.7

  61.80

  102.1

  26 November 1984

  28.05

  102.9

  25.75

  105.8

  64.75

  103.0

  25 November 1985

  29.50

  103.2

  27.50

  107.7

  68.05

  103.3

  28 July 1986

  29.80

  102.8

  23.85

  92.1

  68.80

  102.9

  6 April 1987

  30.40

  101.7

  24.35

  91.2

  70.15

  101.8

  11 April 1988

  26.05

  84.0

  26.05

  94.0

  79.10

  110.6

  10 April 1989

  27.40

  83.9

  27.40

  93.9

  84.80

  112.6

  9 April 1990

  28.80

  82.9

  28.80

  92.8

  89.65

  111.9

  Notes:

  1 Column (1) shows actual benefit rates excluding housing costs, which were paid through supplementary benefit until 1982–83 then met via housing benefit, and any additional requirements for example extra heating, laundry, special diets.

  2 Column (2) shows value of column (1) in real terms, on and index basis taking 12 November 1979=100.

  3 The figures reflect the fact that the RPI is the appropriate index until 1982–83 and thereafter the RPI less housing costs is appropriate (from November 1983 onwards).

  Table B

  Single householder aged 20 unemployed

  Single non-householder aged 20 unemployed

  Married couple unemployed with two children aged 5 and 10

  (1)

  (2)

  (1)

  (2)

  (1)

  (2)

  £

  £

  £

  November 1978 to October 1979

  15.55

  100.0

  13.90

  100.0

  35.85

  100.0

  November 1979 to October 1980

  18.30

  99.4

  16.35

  99.3

  42.20

  99.4

  November 1980 to October 1981

  21.30

  102.8

  19.20

  103.7

  49.20

  103.0

  November 1981 to October 1982

  23.25

  102.3

  21.15

  104.1

  53.55

  102.2

  November 1982 to October 1983

  25.70

  108.1

  23.65

  111.2

  59.20

  108.0

  November 1983 to October 1984

  26.80

  107.8

  24.55

  110.5

  61.80

  107.8

  November 1984 to October 1985

  28.05

  107.8

  25.75

  110.7

  64.75

  107.9

  November 1985 to June 1986

  29.50

  110.1

  27.50

  114.8

  68.05

  110.2

  July 1986 to March 1987

  29.80

  109.1

  23.85

  97.7

  68.80

  109.3

  April 1987 to March 1988

  30.40

  108.0

  24.35

  96.8

  70.15

  108.1

  172
  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The information requested is shown in the tables, with two separate measures of the real value of benefit. Table A gives the benefit rates at each uprating date in real terms indexed to November 1979=100. Table B gives the real value of benefit averaged over the whole period during which the relevant benefit rates applied, indexed to 100 for the average for the period November 1978 to October 1979.
  173

  Single householder aged 20 unemployed

  Single non-householder aged 20 unemployed

  Married couple unemployed with two children aged 5 and 10

  April 1988 to March 1989

  26.05

  88.5

  26.05

  99.0

  79.10

  116.5

  April 1989 to March 1990

  27.40

  88.2

  27.40

  98.7

  84.80

  118.4

  Notes:

  1 Column (1) shows actual benefit rates for the periods shown excluding housing costs, which were paid through supplementary benefit until 1982–83 then met via housing benefit, and any additional requirements for example extra heating, laundry, special diets.

  2 Column (2) shows the average real value of column (1) between the dates shown, on an index basis taking the period November 1978 to October 1979=100.

  3 The figures reflect the fact that the RPI is the appropriate index until 1983 and thereafter the RPI less housing costs is appropriate (from November 1983 onwards).

SCOTLAND

  Capercaillie
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what sum he intends to spend on research on the capercaillie.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Most of the responses to my consultation letter of 23 March on whether to introduce a statutory ban on shooting capercaillie have commented on the need for research. I shall announce my views on the consultation soon.

  Low Pay Unit
  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from the Scottish low pay unit on overtime, and the pay of Scotland's adult work force; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lang
  During the past year my right hon. and learned Friend has received no representations from the Scottish low pay unit. Since 1979 earnings at all levels have increased significantly in real terms with the lower paid sharing in the prosperity created by a vigorous free enterprise economy.

  Road Accidents
  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the number of children under 14 years of age who were killed or injured as pedestrians involved in road accidents during the last 12 months in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The latest information available centrally is for 1989 for children aged 14 years and under. The provisional figures are:—

  Fatal

  Per cent.

  Serious

  Per cent.

  Slight

  Per cent.

  Total

  26

  (-26)

  728

  (-2)

  1,570

  (+6)

  2,324

  These figures would appear to show an improvement over the previous years for fatal and serious injuries, but a small increase in the number of slight injuries involved in road accidents. However, I would stress that these figures are provisional, final figures will be published later in the year in "Road Accidents Scotland 1989".

  GPs' Budgets
  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list in the Official Report those practices in Grampian and Tayside regions who are taking part in the shadow fundholding project for general practitioners.
  174
  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The information requested is as follows:

  Forfar

  Dr. G. Peterkin and Partners

  Dr. A. F. Catto and Partners

  Dr. S. M. Birse and Partner

  Grampian

  Dr. G. H. McIntosh and Partners

  Dr. A. F. Maclean and Partners

  Dr. J. M. Taylor and Partners

  Dr. G. A. Taylor and Partners

  Dr. R. J. Stewart and Partners and Dr. D. J. Murray and Partners

  Historic Buildings
  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many of Scotland's historic buildings are being eroded as a result of acid rain; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 9 July 1990]: There is no accurate information available upon which to determine how many of Scotland's historic buildings are being eroded as a result of acid rain. The issues involved are complex and further detailed research is required to clarify and assess all the factors involved.

  Officials of the Scottish Development Department participated in the Department of the Environment's building effects review group on acid deposition which reported in 1989. A current national materials exposure programme arising from the group's recommendations includes five sites in Scotland. There will be continued co-operation in future research programmes with a view to answering many of the outstanding questions which were raised following the publication of the group's first report.

  Skye Bridge
  Mr. Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what will be the impact of the changes in design to the proposed bridge to Skye upon(a) the likely construction costs involved, (b) the proposed timetable for the submission of plans and (c) the level of toll charge to be levied; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

  [holding answer 9 July 1990]: In my announcement on 3 July I said that the welcome reduction of 6 m in the required navigational clearance for a bridge to Skye removed the need for either major embankments or a viaduct over Eilean Ban or Eilean Dubh, which previously caused concern regarding visual impact.

  The exact changes in construction costs have not been assessed; but it is expected that they will be reduced. The timetable is unlikely to be affected. The levels of toll charges will form part of each tenderer's bid and the exact

  175
  amounts are therefore unknown as yet; however, the toll charges will be no greater than current ferry fares in real terms and must allow for existing concessions to users.

  Mental Welfare Commission
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the qualifications and reasons for appointment of Mrs. Iris Isbister to the Mental Welfare Commission; and if he will review the appointment.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [ holding answer 9 July 1990]: I am well satisfied that Mr. Isbister is well qualified on grounds of her experience and her interest in the field to be a member of the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland. Prior to becoming chairman of Forth Valley health board she was an active member of a number of organisations involved with mental health, including the Stirling Association for Mental Health.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Schools (Local Management)
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the progress of local management in schools.

  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what action he is taking to ensure the smooth implementation of local management of schools.

  Mrs. Heal
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what action he is taking to ensure the smooth implementation of local management of schools.

  Mr. Caborn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what action he is taking to ensure the smooth implementation of local management of schools.

  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the current implementation of local management of schools.

  Mr. Tredinnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what recent responses he has had to local management of schools; whether he has any further proposals relating to local management of schools; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. MacGregor
  Eighty-seven local education authorities introduced local management schemes in April 1990. Most headteachers and governors welcome the prospect of greater autonomy in the running of their schools. I have recently announced an increase in the programme of education support grants to help implement this important reform. Supported expenditure will increase from £36 million to £61 million in 1991–92.

  Mr. Riddick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what percentage of Kirklees council's total schools' budget has been passed on to individual schools with the introduction of local management schemes; and what was the comparable figure for Government targets and guidelines.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The budget statement provided by Kirklees local education authority under section 42 of the 176
  Education Reform Act, indicates that 65 per cent. of the general schools budget—GSB—is being passed down to individual schools. The discretionary exceptions, subject to the Government's limit of 10 per cent. of the GSB, account for 9.2 per cent. of the GSB. The discretionary exceptions not subject to any Government limit account for 14 per cent. of the GSB.

  Mr. Amos
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the progress of local management in schools in Northumberland county council.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Northumberland local education authority's scheme for local management of schools was approved on 15 March 1990 for introduction on 1 April 1990. The LEA appears to be making a most satisfactory start to local management. The Government are supporting the introduction of LMS in Northumberland through £402,400 of specific grant in this financial year alone.

  Grant-maintained Schools
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many applications for grant-maintained status he has received; and how many he has approved.

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many schools have obtained grant-maintained status; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. MacGregor
  I refer my hon. Friend and the hon. Member to the reply that I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Pembroke (Mr. Bennett).

  Rural Schools
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement about the impact of the national curriculum on small schools in rural areas.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  Evidence from Her Majesty's inspectorate shows that most schools are making satisfactory or good progress with introducing the national curriculum. HMI has reported no overall difference in standards of implementation between small schools and others.

  Student Loans
  Mr. Andrew Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has received any recent representations regarding the implementation of the student loans scheme; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jackson
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to my earlier reply to the hon. Member for Moray (Mrs. Ewing).

  Mr. Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on progress towards the introduction of student loans.

  Mr. Douglas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the progress being made on setting up the Students Loans Company Ltd.
  177
  Mr. Jackson
  The Student Loans Company is making good progress, completing its computer systems and recruiting clerical staff needed for the autumn. It is also holding constructive discussions with the higher education institutions about the certification of students' eligibility. This bodes well for the introduction of the scheme this autumn.

  Teachers' Duties
  Mr. Madel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he is planning any changes in the timing of the implementation of the national curriculum as it relates to teachers' duties; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  No.

  Speech Therapists
  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received from special schools in Norfolk about the availability of speech therapists.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  My right hon. Friend has received no representations on the subject from special schools in Norfolk.

  Sixth-form Students
  Mrs. Maureen Hicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what assessment he has made of the needs for a broader curriculum for sixth-form students.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  My right hon. Friend has this under active consideration. Advanced supplementary examinations supply one means of adding breadth to advanced-level studies. Wider availability in schools of vocational courses would also deliver greater breadth. In addition, my right hon. Friend expects shortly to receive from the School Examinations and Assessment Council advice on the scope for embodying in the programmes of all advanced-level students a range of core skills needed for adult working life.

  Secondary Education, Sheffield
  Mr. Duffy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received concerning budgetary provision for secondary education in Sheffield; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The Department has received only three such representations since 1 April, when Sheffield's local management of schools scheme was introduced.

  Further Education
  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has any plans to increase the number of 16-year-olds entering full-time further education.

  Mr. Flannery
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has any plans to increase the number of 16-year-olds entering full-time further education.

  Mr. Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has any plans to increase the number of 16-year-olds entering full-time further education.
  178
  Mr. Jackson
  I refer the hon. Members to the reply that I gave to the hon. Members for Carlisle (Mr. Martlew) and for Redcar (Ms. Mowlam) on 12 June 1990,Official Report, column 169.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement regarding education and training for 16 to 19-year-olds.

  Mr. Boyes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement regarding education and training for 16 to 19-year-olds.

  Mr. John P. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement regarding education and training for 16 to 19-year-olds.

  Mr. Jackson
  The Government believe that many more young people should be participating in education and training, both full time and part time. Participation in full-time post-compulsory education has increased very substantially in recent years.

  The Government are doing much to encourage the development of education and training beyond 16. We are committed to maintaining the standards of A-levels and advanced supplementary examinations, and to improving their effectiveness in meeting both the needs of students and the requirements of higher education and employment. The National Council for Vocational Qualifications has been established to put in place a coherent framework of relevant vocational qualifications. Steps are being taken more generally to make the range of courses and qualifications available to this age group more attractive, notably by the development of core skills which all young people and adults will need in future in all walks of life.

  Training credits for 16 and 17-year-olds who have left full-time education are to be piloted from next year. They will make clear to young people their entitlement to training. They have the potential to increase significantly the number of young people in jobs who receive worthwhile education and training.

  Community Charge Capping
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he has made an assessment of the effects of charge capping upon the delivery of the education service.

  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he has made an assessment of the effects of charge capping upon the delivery of the education service.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment has considered all the representations made to him by the capped authorities, including those about service delivery, together with all other information he considers relevant, and he is satisfied that the final caps he is proposing will permit them to maintain their services at a reasonable level.

  Businesses
  Mr. Rathbone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps the Government are taking-to encourage business men to take greater interest in education and to value good education more highly.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The business community is becoming increasingly aware of the importance of
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  education in helping to meet the challenges of the 1990s, both nationally and internationally. The constructive involvement of the business community at all levels in education continues to be a major plank of this Government's policies. We have made statutory provision to encourage this in the governing of institutions, and have encouraged training to make this effective. We have also taken a range of other initiatives, both alone and in conjunction with other Departments and outside organisations to promote continuing links between education and industry, building on the substantial progress of the last decade.

  Pre-school Education
  Ms. Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he has any plans to increase the number of pre-school education places.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he has any plans to increase the number of pre-school education places.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  I refer the hon. Members to the reply that I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Burnley (Mr. Pike).

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received regarding pre-school education; and if he will make a statement.

  Ms. Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what recent representations he has received regarding pre-school education; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  I refer the hon. Members to the reply that I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Ashfield (Mr. Haynes).

  Teacher Vacancies
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the current level of teacher vacancies in London; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the current level of teacher vacancies throughout London; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  I refer the hon. Members to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Leyton (Mr. Cohen) on 12 June 1990,Official Report, column 168. My right hon. Friend hopes to publish later this month the data for teacher vacancies as at January 1990.

  University Education
  Dr. Michael Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the average cost of university education over the three years of graduates in(a) social sciences, (b) languages and (c) physical sciences.

  Mr. Jackson
  Expenditure is not disaggregated in the form requested. However, an indication of the costs of teaching in the relevant subjects met annually from block grant and tuition fees is given by the University Funding Council's current "guide prices", as follows:
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  £

  Economics, Sociology, etc.

  2,700

  Politics, Law, etc.

  2,200

  Applied Social Work

  3,400

  Languages

  2,900

  Physical Sciences

  4,600

  Adult Vocational Training
  Mr. Knapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what funding has been made available for 1990–91 to support adult vocational training initiatives.

  Mr. Jackson
  In 1990–91, a total of £16 million is available to support adult vocational training initiatives from funds made available by my right hon. Friend.

  Language Teaching
  Mr. Dykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on recent progress in promoting the teaching of Spanish, German and Russian in maintained schools.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The national curriculum includes a modern foreign language as a foundation subject to be studied by all pupils aged 11 to 16 in maintained secondary schools. German, Russian and Spanish are among the languages which may qualify as the foreign language foundation subject. Within this framework, we are encouraging schools to offer a greater diversity of languages such as German, Spanish and Russian and we have made provision within the specific grant programme for 1991–92 for local education authorities to bid for funds for the diversification of first foreign languages.

  Universities
  Mr. Trimble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he has recently had any meetings with the chairman of the University Funding Council to discuss funding and management of universities.

  Mr. Jackson
  My right hon. Friend meets the chairman of the Universities Funding Council from time to time in the course of normal business.

  Pupil-Teacher Ratios
  Mr. Favell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the pupil-teacher ratio in England and Wales; and what information he has on the figure for Japan.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The readily available information for the United Kingdom, upon which international comparisons are usually made, and Japan, is as follows:

  Pupil/teacher ratios by level, 1985–86

  Japan

  UK1

  Up to 1st level (nursery and primary)

  22.42

  22.03

  2nd level (secondary and further education)

  19.1

  14.234

  1 The overall ratio for public sector schools in England decreased from 18.9 in 1978–89 to 17.0 in 1987–88. The corresponding ratios for

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  Wales are 19.3 and 18.6. Government policy has been to allow teacher numbers to fall at a slower rate than pupil numbers.

  2 Partly estimated.

  3 Public sector.

  4 The UK figure for secondary schools only is 15.7.

  Schools, Bradford
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he next intends to visit Bradford to look at maintained schools.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  I hope to take up the hon. Member's invitation to visit Bradford during the next academic year.

  National Curriculum
  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on implementation of the national curriculum.

  Mr. Buckley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what progress has been made on the introduction of the national curriculum; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  There is welcome evidence from Her Majesty's inspectorate that many schools have made a satisfactory start in implementing the national curriculum. My right hon. Friend is taking steps to ensure that the introduction of the new requirements is manageable for teachers.

  City Technology Colleges
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the progress of the city technology college programme.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The city technology college programme continues to make excellent progress. Three colleges are up and running, a further eight are due to open in September 1990 and 1991, and my right hon. Friend is currently consulting on proposals for a further three.

  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what has been the total amount of government expenditure on the city technology college programme to date; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Up to the end of the 1989–90 financial year, a total of £46 million has been incurred on the CTC programme, covering project start-up costs, capital and recurrent funding.

  Teachers (Overseas Advertising)
  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has any plans to issue guidelines to local education authorities regarding overseas advertising for teaching staff; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has any plans to issue guidelines to local education authorities regarding overseas advertising for teaching staff; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norman Hogg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he intends to issue 182
  guidelines to local education authorities regarding overseas advertising for teaching staff; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  I refer the hon. Members to the reply that my hon. Friend the Minister of State gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Pollok (Mr. Dunnachie).

  Pupil Testing
  Mr. Carr
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what progress he has to report following the pilot projects standard assessment tests at seven years.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the implementation of his current proposals to introduce testing of children at seven years of age.

  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what progress he has to report following the pilot projects for standard assessment tests at seven years.

  Mr. O?Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are his plans for the introduction of testing of children at seven years of age.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  I refer the hon. Members to the replies that I gave to the hon. Member for Durham, North-West (Ms. Armstrong) on 20 June 1990,Official Report, column 558 and on 26 June 1990, Official Report, column 133.

  Fairfield High School
  Mr. Colin Shepherd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make an official visit to Fairfield high school in Herefordshire to examine the pyramid arrangements with local primary schools.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  My right hon. Friend has no present plans to visit Hereford and Worcester. I myself paid an official visist there in November last year, and was glad to have the opportunity to see some excellent practices in the schools I visited.

  Under-fives
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he expects to report to Parliament the findings of the committee examining education for the under-fives; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  I expect to submit the report of the committee to my right hon. Friend shortly.

  School-leaving Age
  Mr. Holt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will give further consideration to bringing forward legislation to bring the statutory school-leaving age into line with other European countries.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  No. The Government believe that young people should be allowed a real choice at age 16 of the various forms of education and training on offer, or of
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  commencing employment. There has never been so high a proportion of young people in the 16 to 19 age group engaged in education or training.

  Education, Gloucestershire
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he next expects to meet the director of education of Gloucestershire county council to discuss education in Gloucestershire.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  My right hon. Friend has no plans to meet him.

  Secondary Schools, Staffordshire
  Mr. Knox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how much was spent per pupil at secondary schools in Staffordshire in the most recent year for which figures are available; and what was the comparable figure in 1978–79, at constant prices.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  In actual cash Staffordshire spent £530 per secondary pupil in 1978–79 and £1,610 per secondary pupil in 1988–89. At 1988–89 prices those figures are £1,165 and £1,610 respectively.

  School Building and Improvements
  Mr. Ashton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the total sum requested by local authorities for new school building and improvements last year; and what was the total sum allocated.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The total of LEA plans for education capital expenditure in 1989–90 was £1.03 billion. The capital allocation was £352 million. The total of LEA plans for 1990–91 was over £1.3 billion. Under the new system of local government capital finance, my right hon. Friend has announced the availability of annual capital guidelines for education of £485 million.

  Grammar Schools
  Mr. Roger King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement about the future of grammar school education in England.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  It is for local education authorities to decide whether to bring forward proposals to change the pattern of organisation of their schools, including the establishment or discontinuance of grammar schools. My right hon. Friend considers all such proposals on their merits, having regard to the wishes of local parents.

  Teacher Recruitment, Essex
  Mr. Haselhurst
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement about teacher recruitment in Essex.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  Essex is receiving £60,000 education support grant this year to help with a programme of measures to improve teacher recruitment. These include the appointment of a recruitment team, local refresher courses for those returning to teaching, counselling facilities, work shadowing, keeping in touch schemes, local advertising campaigns and the provision of four creches for teachers' children.
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  In addition the local education authority and the county council's housing department are negotiating with a housing association to provide low-cost accommodation for teachers; the LEA plans to recruit 25 licensed teachers and is co-operating with Thames polytechnic and other LEAs on a scheme to recruit teachers from the Netherlands.

  Special Needs Education, Hampshire
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received concerning the funding of special needs education in Hampshire; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  My right hon. Friend has received a number of representations from schools in Hampshire concerning the funding arrangements for pupils with special educational needs, in the authority's scheme for the local management of schools. He has approved these arrangements for the first year of the scheme's operation only. Officers in the authority are working with schools to determine funding arrangements which reflect more clearly and objectively the needs of Hampshire's schools and their pupils.

  Deaf and Blind Children
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he last reviewed the educational provisions for deaf and blind children.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The Department wrote to all local education authorities in England on 18 May 1990, asking for their views on the education of deaf-blind children and what provision they made at present for such education. This survey follows up the policy statement on the education of deaf-blind children which the Department published in March 1989.

  Foreign Languages
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he proposes to take steps to encourage the study of foreign languages.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The Government are concerned to increase the number of pupils continuing to study a modern foreign language until age 16 and beyond. That is why the national curriculum includes a modern foreign language as a foundation subject to be studied by all pupils aged 11 to 16 in maintained secondary schools. The national curriculum working group for modern foreign languages is due to submit its final report by the end Of this month, to enable attainment targets and programmes of study for modern foreign languages to be implemented in schools from autumn 1992.

  Teacher Supply
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he has received any representations from teachers in the northern and midland regions regarding the level of teacher supply.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  No regional breakdown of statistics of correspondence received is available. My right ho n. Friend has certainly received correspondence from the northern and midland regions—as from elsewhere.

  Global Environmental Programmes
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proportion of the science budget for 1990–91 is being committed specifically for research into global environmental programmes.

  Mr. Jackson
  In the 1990–91 financial year, it is estimated that some 5 per cent. of the science budget of £897 million will be spent on research into global environmental programmes.

  School Finance
  Mr. Norris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many local education authorities have published notices in accordance with section 42 of the Education Reform Act 1988; and if he will list for each local education authority what proportion of the general schools budget is devolved to schools or indicate when such information is expected to be available.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Of the 87 local education authorities required to prepare budget statements for 1990–91 under section 42 of the Education Reform Act, 53 have submitted statements to date. Officials are in contact with the remaining LEAs to ensure that the statements are made available as soon as possible. A table containing as much of the information requested as is available will be published before the end of the month.

  Universities (Expenditure)
  Mr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he last met the Association of University Teachers to discuss the level of spending on the universities.

  Mr. Jackson
  My right hon. Friend met the AUT in November 1989. He has received that association's recent substantial statement on this subject but has not met it to discuss its points further.

  Women (Higher Education)
  Dame Jill Knight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the proportion of women in higher education(a) today and (b) 10 years ago.

  Mr. Jackson
  In 1988–89, a total of 44 per cent. of all home full-time and part-time students in higher education in Great Britain were women. The comparable figure for the academic year 1979–80 was 37 per cent.

  Chemistry Students
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will take steps to encourage and enable the Universities Funding Council to increase the number of polymer chemists leaving higher education.
  186
  Mr. Jackson
  No. It is for institutions, in consultation with the Universities Funding Council, to determine levels of provision in the light of perceived demand.

  Management Information Systems
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science, when his Department will publish the report on management information systems for colleges of further education; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jackson
  The project team commissioned by the Department, together with the Training Agency and the Welsh Office, to conduct a quality assurance study of computerised management information systems in further education, presented its findings in March this year. It was decided that the greatest value would be obtained from the study if a report was produced which set the team's findings within a wider national context and drew attention to related developments. This report is currently being written and should be ready for publication in early autumn.

  Special Schools
  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he intends to amend the regulations made under section 12 of the Education Act 1981 relating to the approval of special schools; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The Department has today issued for consultation draft amending regulations and a related draft circular which will update requirements for the approval of special schools. Copies have been placed in the Library.

  Physical Education
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he intends to set up a working group to recommend attainment targets and programmes of study for physical education within the national curriculum for England and Wales.

  Mr. MacGregor
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales and I have decided to establish a working group for physical education. The group will advise on the attainment targets and programmes of study for physical education to be included within the national curriculum in England and Wales.

  The terms of reference and details of membership for the working group will be published tomorrow; copies will be placed in the Library.

DEFENCE

  Terrorism
  Mr. George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what initiatives have been and are being taken by the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation to combat terrorism.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  As part of their regular consultations on matters affecting their security, the NATO allies occasionally discuss terrorism, but practical co-operation against terrorism is developed in other international bodies.

  Mr. George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the number of British Service personnel killed or injured in Northern Ireland, for each year since 1969, as a result of a terrorist incident.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The number of armed forces personnel killed, wounded or injured as a result of the security situation in Northern Ireland for each year from 1969 to 1990 is as follows:

  Armed forces casualties

  Killed

  Wounded/injured

  1969

  0

  54

  1970

  0

  620

  1971

  48

  390

  1972

  129

  578

  1973

  66

  548

  1974

  35

  483

  1975

  20

  167

  1976

  29

  264

  1977

  29

  187

  1978

  21

  135

  1979

  48

  153

  1980

  17

  77

  1981

  23

  140

  1982

  28

  98

  1983

  15

  88

  1984

  19

  86

  1985

  6

  33

  1986

  12

  55

  1987

  11

  104

  1988

  33

  229

  1989

  13

  190

  1 1990

  7

  98

  Total

  609

  4,777

  1 As at 4 July.

  These figures include Regular Army, UDR (part-time and permanent cadre), RM, RN and RAF personnel. They do not include the TA or reserve forces, which have no security role in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the number of British service personnel, killed or injured in terrorist attacks, since August 1989; where these incidents took place; and what was the nature of each incident.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Between 1 August 1989 and 5 July 1990 29 service personnel were killed in terrorist bombing or shooting attacks; 13 in Great Britain, two in West Germany, and 14 in Northern Ireland.

  Over the same period 66 service personnel were wounded or injured in terrorist shooting and bombing attacks; 26 in Great Britain, two in West Germany, and 38 in Northern Ireland1.
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  Details of the terrorist bombing and shooting attacks that caused these deaths and injuries are as follows:

  Date, casualties, location and nature of incident

  1 September 1989

  Two soldiers were seriously injured when they were shot outside York barracks, Munster, West Germany.

  16 September 1989

  One regular soldier was shot and killed at RUC Coalisland, Northern Ireland.

  22 September 1989

  Eleven regular soldiers were killed and 22 injured when a bomb exploded at the Royal Marines school of music in Deal, Kent, England.

  7 October 1989

  One regular soldier was seriously injured when a hijacked van exploded in the Waterside, Londonderry, Northern Ireland.

  26 October 1989

  Three regular soldiers were injured, not seriously, when they came under close-range mortar fire at Crossmaglen, Northern Ireland.

  26 October 1989

  One RAF airman was shot and killed at Wildenrath, West Germany.

  17 November 1989

  One part-time UDR soldier was fatally wounded when he was ambushed and shot by gunmen as he left his place of duty in Armagh, Northern Ireland, to go home.

  18 November 1989

  Three regular soldiers were killed and one very seriously injured near Mayobridge, South Down, Northern Ireland, when their vehicle was blown up by a bomb buried by the side of the road.

  18 November 1989

  One regular soldier was very seriously injured when an under-car booby trap (UCBT) exploded under his vehicle at the Army married quarters in Colchester, Essex, England.

  27 November 1989

  Two regular soldiers were injured, not seriously, when a bomb in Merrion Park, West Belfast, was detonated as their military patrol passed by it.

  28 November 1989

  One regular soldier was injured, not seriously, as he took cover from, and was hit by, a hoax device thrown over the wall at RUC Springfield road, Belfast.

  1 December 1989

  One off-duty part-time UDR soldier was injured, not seriously, when he was shot by a gunman in the legs and buttocks near Londonderry.

  11 December 1989

  Three regular soldiers were injured, not seriously, when a public house in Londonderry was bombed and masonry fell onto their vehicle.

  13 December 1989

  Two regular soldiers were killed, one seriously injured, and one not seriously injured during a multiple weapon attack upon the permanent vehicle checkpoint (PVCP) at Derryard, Co. Fermanagh, Northern Ireland.

  3 January 1990

  One off-duty part-time UDR soldier was very seriously injured in Co. Londonderry, Northern Ireland, when a UCBT exploded under his vehicle.

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  3 January 1990

  Two regular soldiers were injured, not seriously, when a device placed in a water tank in the front garden of a house in west Belfast exploded as a military patrol passed by.

  9 January 1990

  One off-duty part-time UDR soldier was shot and killed by two armed men who entered the shoe shop he worked in at Castlederg, Co. Tyrone, Northern Ireland.

  10 January 1990

  Two regular soldiers were injured, not seriously, when an explosive device in an empty house in west Belfast detonated as a military patrol passed by.

  10 January 1990

  One regular soldier was injured, not seriously, when two explosive devices were thrown at the rear vehicle of a military patrol vehicle on Springfield road, west Belfast.

  20 January 1990

  One full-time UDR soldier was very seriously injured in Co. Tyrone, Northern Ireland, when a UCBT exploded under his car after it had been driven 200m.

  28 January 1990

  One regular soldier was injured, not seriously, when a bomb detonated on the city wall at Londonderry during a parade to commemorate Bloody Sunday.

  11 February 1990

  Three regular soldiers were injured, not seriously, when the helicopter they were in was forced to make an emergency landing in Co. Fermanagh, Northern Ireland because of gunfire damage.

  15 February 1990

  One off-duty part-time UDR soldier was injured, not seriously, when two men shot him whilst he was driving a tractor on his farm in East Tyrone, Northern Ireland.

  17 February 1990

  One regular soldier was injured, not seriously, when a device exploded as the military vehicle he was in passed a house in Dunmurry, Northern Ireland.

  8 March 1990

  One off-duty part-time UDR soldier was shot and killed whilst driving a lorry for his employer at Castlecaulfield, Co. Tyrone, Northern Ireland.

  16 March 1990

  One regular soldier was injured, not seriously, when a shot was fired at a military patrol in Crossmaglen, Northern Ireland.

  24 March 1990

  Two regular soldiers and one UDR soldier were injured, not seriously, when a van exploded outside the RUC station at Ballymena.

  9 April 1990

  Four UDR soldiers were killed when an explosive device in a culvert under a road near Downpatrick, Co. Down, Northern Ireland, detonated as their military vehicle passed over it.

  28 April 1990

  One regular soldier was injured, not seriously, when a military patrol he was in was engaged by automatic gunfire near Drumhill, South Armagh, Northern Ireland.

  28 April 1990

  One UDR soldier and one regular soldier were both injured, not seriously, when two mortar bombs were fired at the PVCP at Strabane, Northern Ireland, and one exploded.

  5 May 1990

  One regular soldier was killed when a military patrol was engaged by automatic gunfire near Cullyhana, South Armagh. Northern Ireland.

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  16 May 1990

  One regular soldier was killed and one seriously injured when a UCBT under an Army van exploded near the Army careers information office at Wembley, London.

  21 May 1990

  One regular soldier was injured, not seriously, when an explosive device was thrown at a mobile patrol in west Belfast and detonated.

  1 June 1990

  One regular soldier was killed and two injured when they were shot whilst waiting for a train at Lichfield, Staffordshire, England.

  2 June 1990

  One regular soldier was shot and killed outside his married quarters at Dortmund-Gartenstadt, West Germany.

  10 June 1990

  One off-duty part-time UDR soldier was seriously injured when a UCBT exploded under his vehicle at Lisnaskea, Co. Fermanagh, Northern Ireland.

  28 June 1990

  One regular soldier was seriously injured when a military patrol was engaged by automatic gunfire in the main street of Pomeroy, Co. Tyrone, Northern Ireland.

  2 July 1990

  One regular soldier was injured not seriously, when the RUC station at Grosvenor road, Belfast came under attack from grenades and gunfire.

  1 A further 117 service men were injured in Northern Ireland between 1 August 1989 and 5 July 1990 as a result of the security situation there.

  Options for Change
  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration he is giving in his current exercise, options for change, to the job implications in the defence industry for(a) Coventry and (b) nationally.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The implications of options for change for the balance of expenditure on defence equipment, and hence the defence industry, are being studied but it is too early to say what their impact will be.

  Radiation
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the purpose of the monitoring of radiation levels now being conducted by the Royal Navy in the St. Bride's area of Newport, West; and when he expects to publish the results.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Readings of natural background radiation are routinely taken in areas where nuclear submarines are cleared to berth. In this instance, the berth concerned was Cardiff. Readings are not intended for publication; however, the marine environmental surveys of nuclear submarine berths produced by the defence radiological protection service are published.

  Land Ownership and Use
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his oral answer to the hon. Member for Ashfield,Official Report, 6 March, column 719, what was the total acreage used by his Department in 1989; and what are the comparable figures for (a) ownership and (b) use by his Department in (i) 1960, (ii) 1970 and (iii) 1980.
  191
  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The relevant figures are shown in the table:

  Year

  Land and Foreshore in MOD Ownership (Freehold and Leashold) (acres)

  Land and Foreshore over which MOD has long term rights (acres)

  1989

  596,265

  249,699

  1980

  618,477

  76,785

  1972

  658,756

  56,331

  1970

  630,096

  53,406

  1960

  782,819

  79,000

  The figures for 1960 and 1970 exclude the Procurement Executive estimate. Title in property held by the former Minister of Aviation Supply was transferred to the Secretary of State for Defence on 1 May 1971; figures for 1972 have been included in the table to reflect these changes.

  The increase in land held under rights in 1989 is due to the renewal of two leases which granted long-term rights over areas where previous arrangements were on a short-term basis and did not qualify for inclusion in the statistics. Records of land used under rights for periods of less than three years are not held centrally.

  Low Flying
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which types of aircraft's noise levels produced by NATO allied air forces which are common users of the United Kingdom's low-flying system, will be included in the forthcoming noise survey to be conducted by his Department.

  Mr. Neubert
  [pursuant to his reply, 5 July 1990, c. 643]The noise measurement trial conducted at the Royal Aerospace West Freugh range last month covered the following common users of the United Kingdom low-flying system: F-111, Hawk, Harrier GR5, Jaguar and Tornado.

ENVIRONMENT

  Corvids
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has any proposals to alter the law relating to the use of live decoys in traps for the purpose of taking corvids; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Trippier
  We have no plans to make any changes to existing legislation on this matter.

  Radiation
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment on what date he became aware for the first time that inspectors from Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution were conducting a radiological survey of Rainham marshes.

  Mr. Trippier
  Following publicity over claims that higher than normal background levels of radiation were present at Rainham marshes officials from Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution first visited the area on 3 April.

  Water Meters
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will require the fitting of water meters to be carried out free of charge to householders, where the decision to fit has been taken by a water supplier; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Charging for water services is a matter for each water company and like any other business they must cover their costs. Where water companies require water meters to be installed in new properties as a condition of supply, the cost of installation is borne by the developer. Water companies that opt for widespread matering of existing domestic properties will meet the initial costs of installation. They will be able to recover these costs through charges to customers as a whole by applying to the Director General of Water Services for an interim adjustment of their limit on charges increases. The director general will ensure that charges are fair and reasonable and do not show undue preference to, or undue discrimination against, any class of customer. Compulsory metering will be one of the issues dealt with in a consultation paper on methods of charging for water services that the director general will be issuing later this year.

  National Rivers Authority
  Mr. Tredinnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what resources are available in the current year to the National Rivers Authority for managing and protecting the water environment.

  Mr. Trippier
  I am pleased to announce that, subject to any necessary parliamentary approval, an extra £11 million will be made available to the National Rivers Authority this financial year, if required. This is additional to the £93 million grant in aid already agreed. This decision will enable the authority to continue its planned capital restructuring programme and to carry out the full range of its pollution control and other functions, in line with the Government's commitment to maintaining the quality of the water environment.

  Recycling
  Mr. Janman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the total indentifiable expenditure on research into recycling by his Department in each year since 1979; and what proportion was expended in each year into the investigation of the capabilities of new technology.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  [holding answer 4 July 1990]: I will write to my hon. Friend.

  Waste
  Sir Hugh Rossi
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to make public the conclusions of the consultation on his Department's draft code of practice for waste holders under the Environmental Protection Bill.

  Mr. Trippier
  [holding answer 9 July 1990]: I hope to make an announcement about the outcome of our consultations on the draft code of practice for the duty of care before the summer recess.

  North Sea Pollution
  Mr. Ward
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received on whether the proposals for reducing pollution in the North sea include a sufficient reduction in heavy metal deposits; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  [holding answer 9 July 1990]: I receive regular representations on the marine environment but these have not focused in particular on reduction of pollution by heavy metals. The second North sea conference agreed on a precautionary basis a target of 50 per cent. reductions 1985–95 in inputs via rivers and estuaries for the most dangerous substances, and the recent third conference in the Hague raised this target to 70 per cent. for four substances including mercury, cadmium and lead. The United Kingdom has since 1985 already achieved reductions of 31 per cent. and 22 per cent. discharges to the North sea of mercury and cadmium and these initiatives will help to achieve measurable improvements in North sea water quality.

  Compulsory Purchase Orders
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many compulsory purchase orders have been confirmed by his Department, broken down by local authority, in each of the last three financial years;

  (2) how many applications for compulsory purchase orders he has received from local authorities in England and Wales, broken down by local authority, in each of the last three financial years;

  (3) how many compulsory purchase orders in each of the last three financial years were subject to public local inquiry from local authorities in England and Wales, broken down by local authority.

  Mr. Moynihan
  [holding answer 9 July 1990]: Comprehensive data in the form requested are not available except at a disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many applications for compulsory purchase orders he received in each of the last three financial years were in respect of(a) unfit housing which was occupied, (b) empty private sector properties and (c) poor management of privately rented property.
  194
  Mr. Chope
  [holding answer 9 July 1990]: The main compulsory purchase powers for unfit housing are contained in part IX of the Housing Act 1985 and the main powers for other housing in parts II and VIII. The numbers of orders received for confirmation in the last three financial years were:

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  Part IX

  151

  112

  93

  Parts II, VIII

  187

  187

  111

  Orders are considered on their merits and statistics on the occupancy and management of properties are not kept.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. O?Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he has any plans to seek to amend the Local Government Finance Act 1988 with respect to the standard community charge, in addition to the proposed changes for holiday caravans; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if he intends to change the law of joint and several liability under the Local Government Finance Act 1988; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chope
  [holding answer 9 July 1990]: My right hon. Friend hopes to make a statement shortly about the community charge.

  CFCs
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the impact upon the environment of the leak of chlorofluorocarbons from Harwell atomic research centre.

  Mr. Trippier
  [holding answer 9 July 1990]: I understand that about 1 cu m of CFC113 was released when a new cooling system was being commissioned at the JET laboratory at Culham, some of which was subsequently recovered. I regret any avoidable release of ozone-depleting chemicals, but the quantity involved is not significant compared with current levels of CFC consumption.

  RANK ORGANISATION BID FOR MECCA LEISURE
  RANK ORGANISATION BID FOR MECCA LEISURE
  COMPANIES ACT 1989
  COMPANIES ACT 1989
  CFCs: SUBSTITUTE CHEMICALS
  CFCs: SUBSTITUTE CHEMICALS
  EFFLUENT DISPOSAL IN NORTH SEA
  EFFLUENT DISPOSAL IN NORTH SEA
  ISRAELI AND PALESTINIAN EXHIBITIONS IN UK: GRANTS
  ISRAELI AND PALESTINIAN EXHIBITIONS IN UK: GRANTS
  CHINA: HUMAN RIGHTS
  CHINA: HUMAN RIGHTS
  TURKEY: ADMINISTRATIVE DECREE
  TURKEY: ADMINISTRATIVE DECREE
  TURKEY: KURDISH LANGUAGE PROHIBITION
  TURKEY: KURDISH LANGUAGE PROHIBITION
  DR. ISMAIL BESIKCI: HEARINGS
  DR. ISMAIL BESIKCI: HEARINGS
  CHURCH SCHOOL CLOSURES
  CHURCH SCHOOL CLOSURES
  PRISON POPULATION AND ACCOMMODATION
  PRISON POPULATION AND ACCOMMODATION
  PRISON OFFICERS
  PRISON OFFICERS
  PRISONERS SHARING CELLS
  PRISONERS SHARING CELLS
  PRISONERS HELD IN POLICE CELLS
  PRISONERS HELD IN POLICE CELLS
  PRISONS: CERTIFIED NORMAL ACCOMMODATION
  PRISONS: CERTIFIED NORMAL ACCOMMODATION
  CYCLISTS: PROTECTIVE HEADGEAR
  CYCLISTS: PROTECTIVE HEADGEAR
  BICYCLES
  BICYCLES
  HORSE RIDERS: DEATHS AND INJURIES
  HORSE RIDERS: DEATHS AND INJURIES
  CYCLE RIDERS: DEATHS AND INJURIES
  CYCLE RIDERS: DEATHS AND INJURIES