Written Answers of 16 July 1990

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  National Curriculum
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish a table listing every document relating to the national curriculum published by his Department, whether on its own behalf or for others, the National Curriculum Council and the School Examinations and Assessment Council, since May 1987, with date and title of publication, its length in pages, and the numbers of copies printed, in every case.

  Mr. MacGregor
  It will take some time to prepare this, given that other organisations are involved. I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as I am in a position to do so, and will place a copy of my letter in the Library.

  Single-sex Schools
  Mr. Gorst
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will indicate how many local authorities provide single-sex schooling at secondary level.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  In January 1989, of the 97 local education authorities in England, 66 had maintained, single-sex secondary schools.

  Mr. Gorst
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information he has on the trend in the number of parents choosing to send their children to single-sex secondary schools in the public sector.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The information is not available centrally.

  Mr. Gorst
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has any plans to ensure that local authorities provide sufficient single-sex schooling at secondary level to meet all parental preferences.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  There are no plans of this nature, since it is not Government practice to impose particular organisational patterns for schools upon local authorities. My right hon. Friend always takes account of parental preference when considering proposals for change.

  Science
  Mrs. Peacock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what action is being taken to encourage girls and women to study science subjects.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The national curriculum introduced into schools last September will ensure that all pupils will study a balanced science course from early years right up to GCSE level. Girls will not be able to drop physics and chemistry at age 14.

  Introducing structured scientific study in primary schools will have a positive effect on the traditionally narrow view many girls and women have of school science.
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  The Government are helping to sponsor the Engineering Council's "Women in Science and Engineering" project aimed at persuading girls and women of both the possibility and attractions of careers in science and engineering.

  Ministerial Speeches
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how much it has cost to send secondary head teachers copies of his recent speeches.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The cost of printing and distributing to secondary schools copies of the Secretary of State's two most recent speeches was £10,430.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he intends to reply to the letter sent on 11 June by the Reverend John L. Clegg of 77 Errwood road, Levenshulme, Manchester, to the Minister of State, the hon. Member for Mitcham and Morden (Mrs. Rumbold).

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  A reply was sent to the Reverend Clegg on 10 July.

  University Lecturers (Pay)
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when his Department will ratify the pay settlement for university lecturers agreed between the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals and the Association of University Teachers.

  Mr. Jackson
  A decision will be taken on this proposed settlement as soon as possible.

  Schools (Local Management)
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State For Education and Science if he is now in a position to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Birkenhead dated 22 February about the local management of schools in Wirral.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  No. In my reply of 19 March to the hon. Member's letter of 22 February I promised to write again when the statutory approval of Wirral local education authority's scheme for the local management of schools had been completed; at present, we are in consultation with the authority over proposed modifications to its scheme submission.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Rover
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Attorney-General what consideration he has given to the implications for any future advice which he will give to Government Departments of the ruling of the European Commission in respect of the British Aerospace purchase of Rover.

  The Attorney-General
  The legal implications of a decision of the European Commission are always carefully considered.

  Immigration
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will provide a table of the number of appeals to the immigration appeal tribunal allowed and dismissed in 1989 and the first quarter of 1990.

  The Attorney-General
  The information requested is set out in the table:

  Allowed

  Remitted for re-hearing before an Immigration Adjudicator

  Dismissed

  Appeals heard 1989

  194

  198

  291

  Appeals heard January-March 1990

  62

  80

  102

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will provide a table showing the number of appeals to immigration adjudicators allowed and dismissed in 1989 and the first quarter of 1990, broken down according to the nationality of the appellant and the type of decision appealed against.

  The Attorney-General
  The information is not readily available in the form requested and could be provided only at disproportionate costs. The number of appeals to immigration adjudicators allowed and dismissed in 1989 and the first quarter of 1990 is given in the table.

  Allowed

  Dismissed

  Appeals heard by Immigration Adjudicators 1989

  3,060

  8,149

  Appeals heard by Immigration Adjudicators January-March 1990

  794

  2,380

  Social Security Appeals
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Attorney-General in what proportion of cases heard by social security commissioners in January to June, the claimant and the adjudication officer respectively were(a) represented by legally qualified persons, (b) represented by unqualified persons and (c) unrepresented.

  The Attorney-General
  I regret that the information requested is not available.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Attorney-General why it has been decided not to make legal aid available for representation at social security commissioners' hearings.

  The Attorney-General
  As my right hon. and noble Friend the Lord Chancellor explained in another place on Tuesday 10 July, additional resources to extend the scope of legal aid cannot be provided at present and it may be possible to provide legal aid for matters such as hearings before social security commissioners only if savings can be made from elsewhere in the legal aid scheme.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Secondary Education
  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is his policy as to whether a representative of the board of governors of a grammar school which has not allocated a place to a student transferring from primary school should be available for questioning at any tribunal established to hear an appeal against the board's decision.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The School Admissions (Appeal Tribunals) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1990 afford a representative of the board of governors of a school whose decision is under appeal to appear at an appeal hearing and to make oral representations. The regulations do not require the representative to be available for questioning.

  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many secondary and grammar schools in Northern Ireland have specified in their selection criteria for children transferring from primary schools a priority for children(a) with a brother or sister who attended that school, (b) with a parent who attended that school and (c) who were the first born to their parents.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The information is as follows:

  (a) 208

  (b) 38

  (c) 6

  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether legal representation will be available to parents attending tribunals to appeal against the placement of their child in a secondary or grammar school.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Legal representation will not be made available at appeals tribunals. It will be a matter for appeals tribunals, in conjunction with education and library boards, to decide if parents may be legally represented.

  Illegal Dumping
  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on how many occasions prosecutions were taken to court by public health authorities in Northern Ireland for instances of apparent illicit dumping; and on how many occasions convictions were secured, in each year since 1980.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  In Northern Ireland, each district council is responsible for enforcing the legislation on the disposal of waste in its area. Records of prosecutions are not held centrally.

  The information is being sought from the various councils. I will write to the hon. Gentleman as soon as possible.

  Homelessness
  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the number of(a) single people and (b) families who have presented themselves as homeless to the Northern Ireland Housing Executive in each district council area in each year since 1980.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The Northern Ireland Housing Executive was given responsibility for dealing with the accommodation needs of all homeless people under the
  379
  Housing (NI) Order 1988 which came into effect on 1 April 1989. The information requested is therefore available only from that date. I am advised by the chairman of the Housing Executive that the number of single people and families who have presented themselves as homeless during the year 1 April 1989 to 31 March 1990 in each district council area is as follows:

  District council

  (a) Single people

  (b) Families

  Antrim

  18

  29

  Ards

  168

  167

  Armagh

  36

  37

  Ballymena

  69

  67

  Ballymoney

  54

  33

  Banbridge

  57

  66

  Belfast

  975

  1,164

  Carrick

  60

  36

  Castlereagh

  112

  120

  Coleraine

  37

  45

  Cookstown

  52

  52

  Craigavon

  136

  114

  Derry City

  189

  309

  Down

  138

  138

  Dungannon

  42

  35

  Fermanagh

  71

  59

  Larne

  126

  58

  Limavady

  47

  52

  Lisburn

  292

  249

  Magherafelt

  21

  30

  Moyle

  34

  36

  Newry and Mourne

  158

  155

  Newtownabbey

  85

  105

  North Down

  107

  121

  Omagh

  111

  70

  Strabane

  29

  47

  Total

  3,225

  3,395

  Sunday Trading
  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on how many occasions prosecutions were taken to court by district councils in Northern Ireland for instances of apparent illegal Sunday trading; and on how many occasions convictions were secured, in each year since 1980.

  Mr. Needham
  This information is not available centrally.

  Unfit Dwellings
  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the number of unfit dwellings in Northern Ireland, by district council area, in each year since 1980.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The Housing Executive carried out a full house condition survey in 1984. The information for that year is as follows:

  Number of unfit dwellings

  District

  Number

  Antrim

  821

  Ards

  1,703

  Armagh

  1,515

  Ballymena

  1,682

  Ballymoney

  870

  Banbridge

  1,925

  Belfast

  12,885

  Carrickfergus

  2,166

  Castlereagh

  290

  Coleraine

  1,785

  380

  District

  Number

  Cookstown

  1,323

  Craigavon

  2,120

  Derry

  1,697

  Down

  1,838

  Dungannon

  1,932

  Fermanagh

  4,209

  Larne

  1,682

  Limavady

  961

  Lisburn

  1,921

  Magherafelt

  1,475

  Moyle

  862

  Newry and Mourne

  2,675

  Newtownabbey

  561

  North Down

  762

  Omagh

  2,168

  Strabane

  1,201

  Arthur Anderson and Company
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he is pursuing his action against Arthur Anderson and Company in the American courts; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Needham
  The Department of Economic Development is continuing to pursue its legal action against Arthur Anderson and Company, former auditors of De Lorean Motor Cars Ltd., in the United States Federal Court.

  Chief Electoral Officer (Report)
  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the report of the chief electoral officer for Northern Ireland for 1989–90 will be published.

  Mr. Brooke
  The chief electoral officer's report was laid before the House today and is published as House of Commons paper No. 526. Copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses of Parliament.

PRIME MINISTER

  Court Decisions (European Treaties)
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will take steps to ensure that her Ministers issue guidelines to the general public and enforcement authorities in cases where United Kingdom laws are suspended or substantially amended in practice by court decisions related to the European treaties; and if she will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  Where a court holds that national law conflicts with Community law its order will tell the parties before it what they are to do or not to do. If any question of interpretation of the decision were to arise it would be for the courts to determine, not the Government.

  "Sterling in Danger"
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will obtain a copy of Sir Alan Walters' book "Sterling in Danger" for her Office's library.

  The Prime Minister
  We are doing so.

  Political Donations
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Prime Minister what changes the Government have introduced since 1979 affecting the way companies may make political donations.
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  The Prime Minister
  Companies legislation has since 1967 contained a requirement that a company's directors should disclose in their report, which forms part of the accounts, any gifts of money for political purposes if the amount exceeds a specified sum. The specified sum was increased from £50 to £200 in 1980.

  Right Hon. Member for Cirencester and Tewkesbury
  Mr. Sedgemore
  To ask the Prime Minister if, in the light of his remarks on Germany and Germans on 12 July, she will dismiss the right hon. Member for Cirencester and Tewkesbury (Mr. Ridley) from his office as Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.

  The Prime Minister
  My right hon. Friend tendered his resignation on Saturday 14 July.

  Nuclear Treaties (China)
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Prime Minister if, during her meeting with the Chinese ambassador on 3 July, she discussed the prospects of China joining(a) the nuclear non-proliferation treaty and (b) the partial nuclear test ban treaty before their forthcoming review conferences, respectively, in August and September and January 1991.

  The Prime Minister
  The discussion was confidential.

  Rent-to-mortgage Schemes
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Prime Minister, further to her oral reply to the hon. Member for Basildon (Mr. Amess) on 12 July, if she will give details of the success of the Scottish and Welsh experiments with rent-to-mortgage schemes; and if she will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  The trial rent-to-mortgage and flexi-ownership schemes in Scotland and Wales are making encouraging progress. The Scottish Homes rent-to-mortgage scheme, from its introduction in October 1989 until the end of June this year, has attracted more than 1,000 inquiries from eligible tenants, with 169 applications in process. Since its introduction in December 1989, the Welsh flexi-ownership scheme has attracted over 100 inquiries from the 800 tenants eligible to participate in the scheme with some 50 applications in process. The schemes are being monitored and any modifications which seem desirable will be introduced whenever appropriate. The evidence so far is that both schemes are enabling tenants who would not otherwise become owner-occupiers to do so.

  Cabinet Ministers (Statements)
  Mr. Bell
  To ask the Prime Minister what directions are given to the Cabinet Office to review the statements of Cabinet Ministers prior to publication; and if she will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  None.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  ECGD
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has yet completed his review of the policy towards Export Credits Guarantee Department cover for exporters to India and Indonesia; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  I am not able to comment on ECGD's future policy towards cover for India and Indonesia as the review of the markets has not yet been completed.

  Portfolio Management System
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received on the implementation of the portfolio management system; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  I have nothing to add to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Gateshead, East (Ms. Quin) on 19 June, at column 490.

  CBI
  Mr. Riddick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he last met representatives of the Confederation of British Industry to discuss matters relating to the European Economic Community.

  Mr. Redwood
  In the last year my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has met senior representatives of the Confederation of British Industry on five occasions to discuss a range of issues including the European Community.

  Dunsdale Securities
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will review the operations of the Financial Intermediaries, Managers and Brokers Regulatory Association, in the light of the failure of Dunsdale Securities.

  Mr. Redwood
  The Securities and Investments Board is responsible for ensuring that the self-regulating organisations such as FIMBRA carry out their duties effectively.

  Limited Companies (Boards)
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what European Community proposals exist for two-tier boards for limited companies; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  The draft fifth directive on company law contains proposals for the harmonisation of laws relating to the structure of the boards of public companies. It would enable national legislation to prescribe the use of a one-tier or a two-tier board system, or to provide for both. The proposal for a European company statute contains provisions that would enable a European company to choose between the two structures.

  Auditors
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proposals he has to bring forward legislation to extend to company auditors duty of disclosure of confidential complaints and concerns to the regulatory authorities.

  Mr. Redwood
  I must ask the hon. Member to await the Government's response, which my right hon. Friend hopes to announce soon, to a recommendation on this topic made by the Select Committee on Trade and Industry in its report on company investigations.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he is reviewing his powers to take action against auditors criticised in Companies Act inspectors' reports; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  No review is being undertaken. Under part II of the Companies Act 1989—the key provisions of which we expect to bring into force in early 1991—a recognised supervisory body must appear to the Secretary of State to have both adequate rules and practices designed to ensure that company auditors are fit and proper persons; and adequate arrangements and resources for the effective monitoring and enforcement of compliance with its rules.

  Gaseous Fuels
  Mr. Speller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he proposes to make appointments of notified bodies under the terms of the European Community directive on the approximation of the laws of member states relating to appliances burning gaseous fuels.

  Mr. Forth
  I intend to make appointments of notified certification bodies under the gas appliance directive at the earliest possible date consistent with providing the appropriate legal safeguards for those seeking certification for their products. These are necessary given the mandatory nature of the certification requirements introduced by that directive.

  Subsidiaries' Transactions
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received on identifying the price base of transactions between company subsidiaries.

  Mr. Redwood
  None that I know of.

  Insurance Companies
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list all reports published following investigations under the Insurance Companies Acts; and how many unpublished investigations have been completed.

  Mr. Redwood
  It is not departmental policy to publish such reports.

  EC Investment Services Directive
  Mr. Irvine
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consultations he is holding in relation to the European Community investment services directive.
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  Mr. Redwood
  I am publishing today a consultative document on the investment services directive which seeks views on this important single market measure. I have arranged for copies of the document to be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  In the negotiations to date on the directive, the Department has sought the views of regulatory bodies, organisations representing the United Kingdom investment services industry and of consumer groups.

  Office Searches (EC Inspectors)
  Mr. Warren
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what powers exist under European Economic Community related legislation for officials of the European Commission to enter and search the premises of United Kingdom companies.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 4 July 1990]: Article 213 of the EEC treaty permits the Commission to collect any information and carry out any checks required for the performance of its tasks within the limits laid down by the Council. In practice this provision is never used.

  The following Community instruments covering matters within the Secretary of State's areas of responsibility grant the Commission powers to conduct investigations on the premises of United Kingdom companies for certain specified purposes:

  Council Regulation No. 17 (1962) implementing articles 85 and 86 of the Treaty.

  Council Regulation (EEC) No. 1017/68 applying rules of competition to transport by rail, road and inland waterway.

  Council Regulation (EEC) No. 4056/86 laying down detailed rules for the application of Articles 85 and 86 of the Treaty to maritime transport.

  Council Regulation (EEC) No. 3975/87 laying down the procedure for the application of the rules of competition of undertakings in the air transport sector.

  Council Regulation (EEC) 4253/88 concerning the co-ordination of the activities of the Structural Funds.

  Council Regulation (EEC) No. 4064/89 on the control of concentrations between undertakings. [Enters into effect on 21 September 1990].

  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement setting out the powers which European Community inspectors have to enter business premises and to seize or study papers; and if he will publish a note of guidance on these to issue to British-based companies.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 5 July 1990]: My reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Hastings and Rye (Mr. Warren) today sets out EC legislation within the Secretary of State's responsibility which gives the Commission power to inspect business premises. Companies should consult their legal advisers on Community powers in individual cases.

  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement setting out the difference in the powers of United Kingdom-based company inspectors and European Community inspectors in relation to the entering of business premises and the seizure of documents.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 5 July 1990]: In the competition area, where we can give a reasonable comparison, the main difference is that under both United Kingdom and EC law authorities can require the

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  production of documents and the giving of oral evidence, but only under EC law can authorities demand entry to premises.

  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry who supervises office searches in the United Kingdom by European Community inspectors; and if any limits are in general placed on the extent of the papers and documents which may be seized or studied.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 5 July 1990]: Detailed working rules on office searches by European Community inspectors will be set by the Commission within the framework of the Community regulations which permit such searches. It is the practice for an official of the Office of Fair Trading to accompany Commission officials conducting investigations in the United Kingdom whenever possible.

  Multi-fibre Arrangement
  Mr. Henderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the quotas covered by the multi-fibre arrangement and indicate the proportion of each quota used.

  Mr. Redwood
  [pursuant to his reply, 14 March 1990, c. 306]: The Department of Trade and Industry is now able to provide a list of quotas covered by the multi-fibre arrangement together with relevant data on utilisation for 1988. This has been placed in the Library of the House.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Prison Canteens
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what basis prices in prison canteens are calculated; and what progress has been made in reducing differences between prices in different prisons.

  Mr. Mellor
  To reduce differences in prices of goods sold in different prison canteens, governors will be reminded in a circular instruction to be issued on 26 July that selling prices should be at the manufacturer's recommended retail price. Where such a price is not set the selling price should be that which members of the public normally pay in retail transactions.

  Servicemen

  Others

  Total

  Received

  57

  (53)

  540

  (499)

  597

  (552)

  Granted

  56

  (52)

  11

  (9)

  67

  (61)

  Refused

  —

  (—)

  487

  (487)

  487

  (487)

  Withdrawn

  1

  (1)

  —

  (—)

  1

  (1)

  Still under consideration

  —

  (—)

  42

  (3)

  42

  (3)

  Note:—The numbers in the first column are former service men in Hong Kong who served under the Government of that territory in its defence during the second world war.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for entry clearance as(a) wives, (b) husbands, (c) fiancés and (d) fiancées in each British post in all countries apart from those of the Indian subcontinent were (a) granted and (b) refused in each quarter since January 1989; how many such applications in each category, at each post and in each quarter were refused (1) wholly and (2) partly because of the primary purpose rule; what was the refusal rate at each post; and what percentage of those refusals were (x) wholly and (y) partly on primary purpose grounds.

  Elderly Prisoners
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what special rules or arrangements are made for prisoners over pensionable age.

  Mr. Mellor
  None formally, but prison staff naturally have regard to the age and physical condition of prisoners in their care.

  Prison Clothing Supplies
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the scale holding of prisoners' pyjamas in each London prison.

  Mr. Mellor
  Pyjamas are an optional item, and the quantity held in any one establishment will vary depending on the number of prisoners wishing to wear them. Information on the total holding at each male London prison, including articles in use, could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Stocks currently held in store are as follows:

  pairs

  HM Prison Brixton

  1,000

  HM Prison Pentonville

  210

  HM Prison Wandsworth

  800

  HM Prison Wormwood Scrubs

  250

  Immigration
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for British citizenship under section 4(5) of the British Nationality Act 1981 have been(a) made, (b) granted and (c) refused in each quarter since January 1989; and how many of those granted have been on the grounds of service in the armed forces.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The information is not readily available in the form requested. The total number of applications to date in each category, with equivalent figures up to July 1989 in brackets, is as follows:

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The only information requested which is available centrally is that on applications granted and refused in Hong Kong, and is given in the table.
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  Applications in Hong Kong for entry clearance to the United Kingdom

  Number of persons

  Applications

  Granted1

  Refused initially

  Wives

  1989

  1st quarter

  40

  —

  2nd quarter

  60

  —

  3rd quarter

  40

  —

  4th quarter

  50

  3—

  1990

  1st quarter

  60

  3—

  Husbands, fiancés2

  1989

  1st quarter

  20

  —

  2nd quarter

  20

  3—

  3rd quarter

  30

  3—

  4th quarter

  20

  3—

  1990

  1st quarter

  20

  3—

  Fiancées

  1989

  1st quarter

  10

  —

  2nd quarter

  10

  —

  3rd quarter

  10

  —

  4th quarter

  3—

  —

  1990

  1st quarter

  10

  —

  1Granted initially or on appeal.

  2Data for husbands and fiancés separately are not available.

  35 or fewer.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what was the total number of passengers detained overnight under Immigration Act powers during 1989, by nationality; and how many of these were under 18 years old;

  (2) how many people, by nationality, were detained (a) overnight and (b) for a period of more than one month in (i) Harmondsworth detention centre, (ii) the Queen's building, Heathrow, (iii) the Beehive, Gatwick, and (iv) Her Majesty's prison, Haslar, during 1989.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Most of the readily available information relates to the number of passengers whose detention spanned at least one night pending further examination of their application for admission to, or their removal from, the United Kingdom and is given in the tables. The remaining information is not available in the form requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Table 1—Passengers1 detained overnight, by nationality and geographical region, 1989

  Nationality/Geographical Region

  Number2

  European Community

  Belgium

  2

  Denmark

  —

  France

  8

  German Federal Republic

  6

  Greece

  1

  Italy

  4

  Luxembourg

  —

  Netherlands

  8

  Portugal

  38

  Spain

  31

  European Community

  98

  388

  Nationality/Geographical Region

  Number2

  Western Europe

  Austria

  19

  Cyprus

  80

  Finland

  14

  Malta

  14

  Norway

  26

  Sweden

  28

  Switzerland

  18

  Turkey

  1,515

  Yugoslavia

  304

  Western Europe

  2,018

  Eastern Europe

  Bulgaria

  3

  Czechoslovakia

  3

  German Federal Republic

  3

  Hungary

  2

  Poland

  95

  Romania

  2

  USSR

  9

  Eastern Europe

  117

  Americas

  Argentina

  7

  Barbados

  12

  Brazil

  160

  Canada

  24

  Chile

  30

  Colombia

  176

  Cuba

  —

  Guyana

  16

  Jamaica

  282

  Mexico

  64

  Peru

  23

  Trinidad and Tobago

  24

  United States of America

  185

  Uruguay

  4

  Venezuela

  6

  Americas

  1,013

  Africa

  Algeria

  1,276

  Egypt

  36

  Ethiopia

  149

  Ghana

  462

  Kenya

  69

  Libya

  21

  Mauritius

  50

  Morocco

  594

  Nigeria

  745

  Sierra Leone

  102

  Somalia

  848

  South Africa

  60

  Sudan

  24

  Tanzania

  57

  Tunisia

  103

  Uganda

  670

  Zambia

  32

  Zimbabwe

  35

  Africa

  5,333

  Indian sub-continent

  Bangladesh

  316

  India

  236

  Pakistan

  330

  Indian sub-continent

  882

  Middle East

  Iran

  156

  Iraq

  111

  Israel

  57

  Jordan

  15

  389

  Nationality/Geographical Region

  Number2

  Kuwait

  4

  Lebanon

  61

  Saudi Arabia

  6

  Syria

  1

  Middle East

  411

  Remainder of Asia

  China

  28

  Indonesia

  8

  Japan

  39

  Malaysia

  109

  Philippines

  22

  Singapore

  17

  Sri Lanka

  409

  Thailand

  14

  Hong Kong (BDTCs and BN(O)s

  34

  Remainder of Asia

  680

  Australasia

  Australia

  18

  New Zealand

  14

  Australasia

  32

  British Overseas Citizens

  14

  Other countries not elsewhere specified

  549

  Stateless

  265

  All Nationalities

  11,412

  2 Some illegal entrants and deportees are included.

  2 The figures include a small amount of double counting when a person is detained at more than one location.

  Table 2—Passengers1 detained overnight in certain locations, 1989

  Location

  Number

  Harmondsworth

  23,419

  Queen's Building

  2,574

  Gatwick South (virtually all at the Beehive)

  2,822

  Haslar

  547

  1 All figures, except for the Queen's Building and Haslar, exclude illegal entrants and deportees.

  2 Some passengers who were detained elsewhere prior to being detained at Harmondsworth are excluded.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the(a) passengers in total and (b) persons treated as illegal entrants who were granted temporary admission in 1989 subsequently absconded; and how many subsequently (i) contacted the immigration authorities themselves or (ii) were traced.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The available information relates to the number of persons who absconded; either from detention or by failing to respond to the terms of temporary admission/release, and is as follows:

  Absconders in 1989

  Category of person

  Number

  Passengers

  1475

  Illegal entrants

  2184

  1 Includes some illegal entrants.

  2 Includes those illegal entrants in "passenger absconders".

  The distinction between those absconding from detention and those failing to respond to the terms of temporary admission/release as well as information
  390
  regarding those who either contacted the immigration authorities or were traced is not recorded centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff were employed in the nationality division to process nationality applications in each month since April 1989.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The numbers of staff in caseworking groups in the nationality division, including the Liverpool nationality office, involved in processing applications for citizenship were as follows:

  Numbers

  1989

  April

  268.5

  May

  266.5

  June

  283.5

  July

  281.5

  August

  284.0

  September

  277.0

  October

  284.0

  November

  280.5

  December

  280.5

  1990

  January

  273.0

  February

  262.0

  March

  261.5

  April

  240.0

  May

  221.0

  June

  212.0

  Part-time staff are counted as 0.5.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what income the nationality division received in nationality fees, in each month from April 1989 to the nearest available date.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Fees received for applications for citizenship, net of refunds to unsuccessful applicants, were as follows:

  Receipts £

  1989

  April

  223,717

  May

  230,949

  June

  246,146

  July

  158,471

  August

  207,716

  September

  283,920

  October

  200,794

  November

  245,589

  December

  135,075

  1990

  January

  181,841

  February

  207,181

  March

  245,521

  April

  148,912

  May

  151,211

  June

  142,463

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many notices have been issued to each airline under the Immigration (Carriers' Liability) Act 1987 in each quarter since January 1989; how much money has accrued as a result; and how many such notices have been contested by each airline.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  It is not the practice to disclose information on the record of individual airlines under the
  391
  Act. The total number of notices issued to carriers—airlines and sea operators—in each quarter since January 1989 was as follows:

  Quarter Ending

  Number of Notices

  31 March 1989

  1,345

  30 June 1989

  1,616

  30 September 1989

  2,208

  31 December 1989

  2,694

  31 March 1990

  1,912

  TOTAL

  9,775

  A total of £2.476 million was received during this period and representations were made by carriers in 2,698 cases.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications from over-age reapplicants from the Indian subcontinent, by country, seeking to join a sponsor settled in the United Kingdom have been(a) made, (b) deferred, (c) refused and (d) granted since 1988; and how many such reapplicants in each category had undergone successful DNA tests.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The only available information is that a total of 142 applications to join parents in the United Kingdom made by reapplicants who have established their relationship by means of DNA evidence, but who do not qualify for admission under the immigration rules, have now been decided under the terms of the concession

  Wives and children applying for entry clearance for settlement in the United Kingdom1

  Number of persons

  Applications

  Post

  Newly received2

  Granted3

  Refused initially4

  Referred or deferred5

  Withdrawn or lapsed4

  Awaiting first interview at end of quarter

  Dhaka

  1989

  1st quarter

  1,410

  2,220

  470

  780

  470

  2,600

  2nd quarter

  1,390

  2,070

  450

  620

  420

  2,200

  3rd quarter

  1,460

  1,810

  290

  570

  390

  1,700

  4th quarter

  1,490

  1,510

  510

  490

  350

  1,500

  1990

  1st quarter

  1,320

  1,570

  520

  470

  280

  1,600

  Islamabad

  1989

  1st quarter

  1,200

  1,110

  90

  840

  170

  2,100

  2nd quarter

  1,020

  1,260

  60

  800

  120

  1,900

  3rd quarter

  1,010

  1,020

  60

  710

  100

  1,800

  4th quarter

  920

  790

  50

  530

  90

  1,800

  1990

  1st quarter

  1,190

  990

  250

  640

  100

  1,700

  Karachi

  1989

  1st quarter

  90

  60

  6

  20

  6

  100

  2nd quarter

  60

  80

  6

  30

  30

  50

  3rd quarter

  60

  80

  10

  40

  —

  10

  4th quarter

  40

  40

  10

  10

  6

  30

  1990

  1st quarter

  100

  60

  10

  10

  6

  70

  1 Including persons applying for a certificate of entitlement to the right of abode in the United Kingdom.

  2 Data include some double counting in respect of applications recorded initially for entry clearance and then subsequently for a certificate of entitlement.

  3 Granted initially or on appeal.

  4 Since about the end of 1989, settlement applications have been refused in those circumstances where previously they would have been lapsed.

  5 Referred to the Home Office for decision or deferred for further inquiries.

  6 Five or fewer.

  392
  announced by my right hon. Friend the then Home Secretary on 14 June 1989 at columns 461–62. Entry clearance has been authorised in 38 of these cases.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many wives and dependent children applying for entry clearance in the Indian subcontinent in each quarter since January 1989 were refused(a) on first application and (b) on second or subsequent application.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Quarterly information up to the end of 1989 on the total numbers of wives and children in the Indian subcontinent refused entry clearance to the United Kingdom is published in table 24 of Cm 1124, "Control of Immigration: Statistics, United Kingdom, 1989", a copy of which is in the Library. In the first quarter of 1990, 240 wives and 360 children were initially refused entry clearance. Separate information on first-time applicants and reapplicants is not available centrally.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for settlement by wives and children in (i) Dhaka, (ii) Islamabad and (iii) Karachi were(a) received, (b) granted, (c) refused, (d) deferred at first interview, (e) lapsed and (f) outstanding and awaiting first interview for each quarter since the beginning of 1989.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The information requested is given in the table.
  393
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for registration under section 7(6)(a) of the British Nationality Act 1981 made after 31 December 1987 have been(a) received, (b) granted and (c) refused; and what criteria he uses to decide on the special circumstances of a case.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Information about the number of applications for registration under section 7 of the British Nationality Act 1981 made after 31 December 1987 which were received and granted is not available. Between January 1988 and June 1990, 454 applications made under section 7 of the Act are recorded as having been refused as late applications. During the passage of the 1981 Act it was made clear that the discretion to accept a late registration application would be used sparingly in cases of hardship where an applicant could show good reasons why he or she could not apply in time.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for(a) adult registration, (b) registration of minors and (c) naturalisation were (i) received and (ii) granted by the nationality division, for each month from January 1989 to the nearest available date.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The numbers of applications for citizenship received in caseworking groups are set out in table 1. The figures in the table do not include applications received but not yet recorded on the nationality division's computer, of which there were approximately 3,000 at the end of June 1990. The numbers of applications granted are set out in table 2.

  Table 1

  Applications received

  Adult registrations

  Minor registrations

  Naturalisations

  1989

  January

  7,838

  1,086

  3,177

  February

  10,252

  1,530

  4,033

  March

  9,562

  1,569

  5,094

  April

  8,916

  1,400

  4,432

  May

  7,381

  1,656

  3,427

  June

  3,313

  3,658

  7,963

  July

  1,563

  2,928

  9,777

  August

  872

  2,158

  7,160

  September

  380

  524

  1,452

  October

  345

  539

  1,625

  November

  349

  584

  1,622

  December

  325

  276

  849

  Refusals, on grounds of maintenance and accommodation, of after-entry applications by husbands and wives

  Number of persons

  Refusals to grant probationary year on grounds of:—

  Refusals of settlement1

  Accommodation

  Maintenance

  Maintenance and accommodation

  1989

  Quarter 1

  Husbands

  1

  —

  1

  5

  Wives

  2

  —

  —

  —

  Quarter 2

  Husbands

  —

  2

  2

  8

  Wives

  —

  —

  —

  3

  Quarter 3

  Husbands

  3

  —

  —

  7

  Wives

  1

  1

  —

  6

  Quarter 4

  394

  Applications received

  Adult registrations

  Minor registrations

  Naturalisations

  1990

  January

  255

  575

  1,515

  February

  315

  657

  1,586

  March

  251

  592

  1,485

  April

  184

  356

  629

  May

  232

  535

  1,589

  June

  434

  842

  1,457

  Table 2

  Applications granted

  Adult registrations

  Minor registrations

  Naturalisations

  1989

  January

  8,263

  743

  1,226

  February

  7,707

  708

  1,361

  March

  8,453

  795

  1,639

  April

  7,508

  736

  1,683

  May

  6,013

  790

  1,591

  June

  6,690

  1,237

  1,925

  July

  6,349

  1,173

  1,623

  August

  8,399

  1,393

  1,612

  September

  6,979

  1,310

  1,551

  October

  8,023

  1,349

  2,193

  November

  7,088

  1,419

  2,003

  December

  4,105

  905

  1,296

  1990

  January

  6,994

  1,190

  2,037

  February

  4,160

  907

  1,688

  March

  3,127

  996

  2,021

  April

  2,403

  944

  1,861

  May

  1,038

  394

  953

  June

  1,284

  915

  1,765

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) husbands, (b) wives and (c) dependent children have been refused (i) extension of stay and (ii) settlement in the United Kingdom on the grounds that he is not satisfied that they can be maintained and accommodated without recourse to public funds, in each quarter since January 1989 to the nearest available date.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The available information relating to after-entry cases is given in the following table. Information on dependent children is not readily available.
  395

  Refusals to grant probationary year on grounds of:—

  Refusals of settlement1

  Accommodation

  Maintenance

  Maintenance and accommodation

  Husbands

  4

  —

  2

  5

  Wives

  1

  —

  —

  3

  1990

  Quarter 1

  Husbands

  1

  —

  —

  3

  Wives

  —

  —

  1

  4

  1 After probationary year on general considerations, including recourse to public funds.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) British nationals and (b) holders of certificates of identity from Hong Kong have been admitted to the United Kingdom in each quarter since January 1989 as (i) persons on independent

  Admissions to the United Kingdom of British Dependent Territories Citizens and British Nationals (Overseas) from Hong Kong

  Number of persons

  1989

  Admission category

  1st quarter

  2nd quarter

  3rd quarter

  4th quarter

  Total 1989

  1 1990 1st quarter

  Visitors

  6,260

  7,740

  13,700

  6,040

  33,800

  5,980

  Business visitors

  1,400

  1,320

  1,450

  1,250

  5,420

  1,430

  Students

  360

  290

  5,490

  1,090

  7,230

  430

  Husbands and fiancés

  10

  10

  20

  10

  50

  10

  Wives and fiancées

  30

  40

  40

  30

  150

  40

  1 Provisional figures.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was (i) the budgeted cost and (ii) the actual cost of processing nationality applications in the nationality division during 1989–90.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The budgeted cost of processing applications for citizenship during 1989–90 was £7,922,000. Final outturn costs are not yet available but are expected to be in the region of £7.1 million.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will produce a table to show, for 1989 and the first quarter of 1990, the number of settlement applications at the post in Dhaka which were(a) received, (b) granted, (c) refused, (d) deferred at first interview, (e) lapsed, (f) outstanding and (g) outstanding and awaiting first interview.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The information requested is given in the table.

  Applications in Bangladesh for entry clearance for settlement in the United Kingdom1

  Number of persons

  Applications

  1989

  1990 1st quarter

  Newly received2

  6,910

  1,730

  Granted3

  7,960

  1,640

  Refused initially4

  2,450

  750

  Estimated numbers of applicants in the Indian sub-continent on 31 March 1990 awaiting their first interview for entry to the United Kingdom

  Number of persons

  Post

  Category1

  Queue 1

  Queue 2

  Queue 3

  Queue 4

  Queue 5

  Dhaka

  370

  900

  130

  830

  —

  New Delhi2

  3—

  250

  170

  60

  160

  Bombay

  —

  630

  380

  120

  140

  Calcutta

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  396
  means, (ii) self-employed persons, (iii) business people, (iv) visitors, (v) students, (vi) husbands and fiancés, (vii) wives and fiancées and (viii) other dependent relatives.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The available information for BDTCs and BN(O)s from Hong Kong is given in the table. Figures on admissions of holders of certificates of identity from Hong Kong are not available.

  Applications

  1989

  1990 1st quarter

  Referred or deferred5

  2,920

  580

  Withdrawn or lapsed4

  1,840

  350

  Outstanding at end of period

  5,800

  4,500

  Of which, awaiting first interview

  2,100

  2,200

  1 Including applications for a certificate of entitlement to the right of abode in the United Kingdom.

  2 Data include some double counting in respect of applications recorded initially for entry clearance and then subsequently for a certificate of entitlement.

  3 Granted initially or on appeal.

  4 Since about the end of 1989, settlement applications have been refused in those circumstances where previously they would have been lapsed.

  5 Referred to the Home Office for decision or deferred for further inquiries.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) men, (b) women and (c) children were waiting in each queue at each post in the Indian subcontinent on 31 March.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Information on the estimated total numbers in each queue is given in the table; separate information on men, women and children is not available centrally.
  397

  Post

  Category1

  Queue 1

  Queue 2

  Queue 3

  Queue 4

  Queue 5

  Madras

  —

  50

  10

  —

  10

  Islamabad

  100

  2,200

  440

  320

  890

  Karachi

  3—

  100

  20

  10

  3—

  Total Indian sub-continent

  480

  4,100

  1,100

  1,300

  1,200

  1 Queue 1: Persons with a claim to the right of abode, dependent relatives over 70 years old, and special compassionate cases (first-time applicants for settlement).

  Queue 2: Spouses, and children under 18 years old (first-time applicants for settlement).

  Queue 3: Fiance(e)s, and other applicants (first-time applicants for settlement).

  Queue 4: Re-applicants for settlement.

  Queue 5: Other applicants (not for settlement).

  2 Data exclude Afghans seeking political asylum in the United Kingdom.

  3 Five or fewer.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were waiting for special quota vouchers in (i) India and (ii) east Africa in(a) May 1989, (b) December 1989 and (c) May 1990; when those issued with vouchers on those dates had applied; how many vouchers were issued in (1) India and (2) east Africa in (i)

  Table 1: Persons applying for a special voucher for entry to the United Kingdom

  Number of persons

  Country

  Applications newly received1

  Vouchers issued

  Applications awaiting a decision at end of month

  1989

  1990 1st quarter

  1989

  1990 1st quarter

  May 1989

  December 1989

  March 1990

  India

  320

  100

  600

  160

  1,600

  1,300

  1,000

  Kenya

  350

  70

  290

  70

  590

  570

  560

  Tanzania

  40

  10

  30

  2—

  70

  70

  80

  Malawi

  10

  2—

  20

  2—

  20

  20

  10

  Zambia

  50

  10

  50

  10

  50

  40

  30

  Elsewhere

  20

  2—

  10

  2—

  10

  10

  2—

  Total

  810

  200

  990

  260

  2,300

  2,000

  1,700

  1 Including applications subsequently withdrawn or lapsed.

  2 5 or fewer.

  Table 2: Waiting times for persons applying for a special voucher

  Months

  Waiting time to main interview for: Persons interviewed at end of month

  May 1989

  December 1989

  March 1990

  Persons applying at end of month1 March 1990

  India2

  72.0

  48.0

  36.0

  318.0

  Kenya

  2.0

  1.5

  4—

  4—

  Tanzania

  1.5

  1.5

  1.5

  1.5

  Malawi

  —

  —

  0.5

  0.5

  Zambia

  1.0

  1.0

  1.0

  1.0

  1 Data relate to expected waiting time.

  2 Data relate to non-priority applicants. Priority applicants (ie. widows with a child in the United Kingdom, heads of household aged 65 or over, and special compassionate cases) are interviewed within three months.

  3 Provisional estimate.

  4— within a week.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Mudd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the hon. Member for Falmouth and Camborne may expect a response to his communication of 26 April on behalf of Maria Giles of 74 Rosemellin, Camborne, Cornwall, on an issue involving experiments on animals.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I replied to my hon. Friend on 21 May.

  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to reply to the letter from the
  398
  1989 and (ii) the first quarter of 1990; when those applying now can expect to receive vouchers; and how many applicants there were for vouchers in (x) India and (y) east Africa in (a) 1989 and (b) the first half of 1990.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The information which is currently available is given in the tables.

  hon. Member for Stalybridge and Hyde sent to his Department on 25 June regarding the establishment of the Football Licensing Authority.

  Mr. John Patten
  My right hon. and noble Friend replied to the hon. Member for Stalybridge and Hyde on 12 July.

  AIDS Videos
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his policy on the showing of his Department's two videos on AIDS to(a) prison officers and (b) prisoners; and if he will make a statement on progress towards his objectives.
  399
  Mr. Mellor
  The staff training film "AIDS Inside" is shown to all new entrant prison officers as part of their initial training. Since the film was introduced in August 1987 governors have been set annual training targets designed to enable all other operational staff to receive a showing of the film. We have recently asked governors to report the progress made towards meeting that objective.

  "AIDS Inside and Out", a film for prisoners, was introduced in March 1989. Governors were set a target of showing the film at least once to every willing prisoner expected to be in custody for four weeks or longer. They were asked to include a progress report in their annual report for 1990–91. The target will be reviewed in the light of their reports.

  Football Licensing Authority
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 15 June,Official Report, column 360, what stage has now been reached in making appointments to the Football Licensing Authority; and when he expects the authority to be in place.

  Mr. John Patten
  Following the appointment of Mr. Norman Jacobs as chairman of the Football Licensing Authority, announced on 12 July, the other members and staff of the authority will now be appointed as soon as possible. It will nevertheless be some months before the authority is fully operational.

  Trafalgar Square (Incident)
  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the cost of providing the answer to the hon. Member for Coventry, South-East,Official Report, 13 June, columns 191–94.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The reply given to the hon. Member on 13 June contained information which was readily available from police records. No estimate of the cost of the reply was therefore made.

  Football Supporters Association
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he next plans to meet officials of the Football Supporters Association.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  My right hon. and learned Friend has no such plans at present.

  Forensic Science
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he intends to recruit extra staff to replace the 24 police liaison officers in the forensic science laboratories, who are being shed as a result of the current forensic science service reorganisation; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Police liaison officer attachments to the FSS will be phased out by April 1991 as part of the Government's programme of civilianisation of non-operational posts. Replacement is planned over this year and next.

  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the estimated effect on(a) the
  400
  existing backlog of case work and (b) in-house work in the forensic science service, of scientists being taken off existing work to participate in project work and implementation teams, for the current reorganisation of the service; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I am pleased to say that the staff of the forensic science service have been fully involved in all the work and changes necessary to introduce direct charging and become an executive agency in April 1991. This has been to the benefit of in-house work. The number of cases waiting to be examined has grown recently for a number of reasons including this one. We expect this position to be remedied with the changes now in place.

  Police (Complaints)
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what criteria are used by the Police Complaints Authority to determine which complaint cases will be supervised.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  These are set out in section 89(2) of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984.

WALES

  NHS Trusts
  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he last met with the chairman of the Mid Glamorgan health authority to discuss the formation of hospital trusts.

  Mr. Grist
  My right hon. Friend has not discussed the formation of hospital trusts with the chairman of Mid Glamorgan health authority.

  Inward Investment
  Mr. David Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many inward investment projects have been received in Wales over the last five years for which figures are available; and what has been the total worth of such investment.

  Mr. David Hunt
  During the five years to 31 March, Wales secured a total of 488 inward investment projects—a rate of almost two every week. The companies involved estimated the capital investment at some £2.5 billion. Since March a further 32 projects have been secured with an estimated capital investment of £263 million.

  Housing
  Mr. Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he proposes to meet district council leaders in Wales to discuss housing provision.

  Mr. Grist
  The Department regularly meets all housing authorities in Wales to discuss a wide range of issues.

  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his latest estimate of owner-occupation in Wales.

  Mr. Grist
  It is estimated that at December 1989, a total of 71 per cent. of the housing stock in Wales was owner-occupied.

  Welsh Language
  Mr. Geraint Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the progress of consultations on the introduction of a new Welsh Language Act.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  My right hon. Friend awaits the formal outcome of the consultation exercise, which the Welsh Language Board has been conducting on its legislative proposals. The board is now considering the results of this. It will present its conclusion to my right hon. Friend in due course.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received concerning the need for a new Welsh Language Act; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The Welsh Office has received a number of representations from individuals and organisations about Welsh language legislation. This issue is currently being considered by the Welsh Language Board. My right hon. Friend will consider very carefully any specific proposals it puts to him.

  Eye Tests
  Mr. Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what contact he has had with members of the West Glamorgan family practitioner committee about the effect of charges on eye tests.

  Mr. Grist
  Our officials discussed this matter at the annual review of West Glamorgan family practitioner committee in December 1989. More recently, the Department has received some papers on this subject via the family practitioner committee.

  Environmental Policy
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what are the priorities of his Department in environmental policy; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Grist
  Our priorities are to prevent undue risks to human life and health, to protect the natural environment and to improve public amenity, particularly in those areas with the worst environments.

  Mid-Glamorgan Training and Enterprise Council
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he proposes to meet the board of the Mid-Glamorgan training and enterprise council to discuss the new budget for 1990–91.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The budget of the Mid-Glamorgan TEC for the current year has just been agreed. I am pleased to say that contracts for both the Mid-Glamorgan and West Wales TECs will be signed tomorrow. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I will be meeting all the TEC chairmen in Wales very shortly.

  Rail Services
  Mr. Roy Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received about train services in the Principality and the need for further investment.
  402
  Sir Wyn Roberts
  I receive many representations about rail services and rail investment in Wales.

  Brymbo Steelworks
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what further plans he has to maintain steelworking jobs at the Brymbo steelworks.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The Welsh Development Agency, with full support from me, is continuing to explore all possible options for the future of the works.

  Roads
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the progress of road developments in Wales.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Significant progress has been made since 1979, with 152 miles of motorway and trunk roads completed. Nine schemes, totalling 21 miles, are currently under construction, and a further five schemes, totalling 19 miles, are planned to start in the current financial year.

  Welsh Assembly
  Mr. Gow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent representations he has received in favour of setting up an assembly in Cardiff.

  Mr. David Hunt
  None.

  Beef
  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the current state of the beef industry in Wales.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The December 1989 sample census figures showed that the Welsh beef breeding herd had increased by 6 per cent. compared with December 1988. Specialist beef producers have also benefited from last year's 42 per cent. increase in the rate of suckler cow premium which was worth some £8 million to producers in Wales in the 1989–90 scheme year; and hill livestock compensatory allowance payments on cattle in 1989 amounted to more than £8 million.

  Following the devaluation of the green pound agreed at the 1990 price fixing, support prices have increased by 8.5 per cent. with the rate of beef special premium increasing from £29.19 to £31.80 a head from 14 May 1990.

  Although the market is currently depressed, with numbers and prices down, the safety net measures for intervention together with the lifting of bans on our exports should help to sustain the market.

  Less-favoured Areas
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the future of the less-favoured area status farms in Wales.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Farmers in our less-favoured areas benefit directly from a number of special measures including the hill livestock compensatory allowances. I remain confident that less-favoured areas farmers will meet the challenges that face them in the future.

  A470, Cardiff
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consideration he has given to(a) eliminating unnecessary junctions on the A470 in Cardiff, North or (b) other measures to improve the flow of traffic on this trunk road.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  These are matters for South Glamorgan county council to consider as the responsible highway authority for the A470 to the south of the Coryton interchange. Measures to improve traffic flows on the A470 trunk road north of Coryton are being considered as part of the south Wales traffic study scheduled to be completed later this year.

  Water Quality
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what are the causes of the increase in those sewage works serving a population band of 1,000 to 5,000 and failing to meet the Welsh water authority quality standards in 1988–89; and what action his Department has taken to reverse this trend.

  Mr. Grist
  The prospectus for the water share offers attributed the difficulties experienced in recent years mainly to undercapacity, inadequate maintenance, outmoded equipment or breakdowns. A new regulatory body, the National Rivers Authority, has now been established and an investment programme, totalling £395 million in the next five years alone, to improve the quality of Dwr Cymru's sewerage services, including its sewage treatment works, has been approved.

  Development Board for Rural Wales
  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if his Department has considered an application for an exhibition relating to the Development Board for Rural Wales to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  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 10 to 14 December 1990.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list all members of non-departmental public bodies in Wales who are members of(a) two such bodies and (b) more than two such bodies.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The information requested is as follows:

  Executive non-departmental public bodies in Wales

  (a) Members of two bodies

  Mr. J. Allen CBE

  Housing for Wales (Chairman)

  Land Authority for Wales (Deputy Chairman)

  Mr. A. G. Davies

  Court of National Museum of Wales

  Council of National Museum of Wales

  Mr. J. H. Davies

  Court of National Library of Wales

  Council of National Library of Wales

  404
  Mr. H. Hudson-Davies

  Cardiff Bay Development Corporation

  Welsh Development Agency

  Mr. I. G. M. Hughes

  Court of National Library of Wales

  Council of National Library of Wales

  Mr. G. D. Inkin OBE

  Cardiff Bay Development Corporation (Chairman)

  Land Authority for Wales (Chairman)

  Mr. J. Morgan

  Court of National Library of Wales

  Development Board for Rural Wales

  Miss M. Owen

  Court of National Library of Wales

  Council of National Library of Wales

  Mr. P. G. Price

  Court of National Library of Wales

  Council of National Library of Wales

  The right hon. Lord Rees

  Court of National Museum of Wales

  Council of National Museum of Wales

  Mr. J. E. H. Rees

  Court of National Museum of Wales

  Council of National Museum of Wales

  Mr. R. P. V. Rees

  Land Authority for Wales

  Welsh Development Agency

  Mr. W. Elfed Roberts

  Wales Tourist Board

  Welsh Development Agency

  Mr. J. Watkin

  Court of National Library of Wales

  Council of National Library of Wales

  Cllr. R. F. Watkiss

  Cardiff Bay Development Corporation

  Land Authority for Wales

  Sir Donald Walters

  Development Board for Rural Wales

  Welsh Development Agency (Deputy Chairman)

  (b) Members of more than two bodies

  Mr. E. G. Davies

  Development Board for Rural Wales (Chairman)

  Welsh Development Agency

  Wales Tourist Board

  Health Authority Meetings
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will make it his policy that public access to the meetings of health authorities in Wales and their committees and sub-committees should be required to be on the same basis as that required of local authorities in Wales.

  Mr. Grist
  No. District health authorities conduct their meetings in as open a manner as is reasonable. They will continue to be subject to the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960.

  Community Health Councils
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he intends to announce the results of his consultation on the future of community health councils in Wales.
  405
  Mr. Grist
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Cardiff, North (Mr. Jones) on 13 July 1990 by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

  NHS Funds
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether any additional funds are to be made available to the NHS in Wales over and above those set out in the public expenditure White Paper.

  Mr. Grist
  Additional funds were announced in the supplementary estimates presented to the House in June in respect of pay awards recommended in the reports of the review bodies. Future needs will be considered as part of the public expenditure survey in the normal way.

  School Closures
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many schools in Wales of fewer than 50 pupils closed in(a) 1975, (b) 1980, (c) 1985 and (d) 1989; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The Department does not maintain records of school closures by size of school.

  Renewal Areas Scheme
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the actions taken by his Department to promote the renewal areas scheme in respect of older housing in Wales.

  Mr. Grist
  In addition to supplying very detailed guidance circulars, our officials have met representatives from all Welsh authorities to promote renewal area schemes.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much money his Department is making available(a) in the present financial year and (b) in the 1991–92 financial year towards the renewal areas scheme for older housing in Wales.

  Mr. Grist
  Credit approvals of £1 million are being held by the Department to meet local authorities' proposals for renewal areas. This is in addition to £26 million provided for area-based renovation projects such as enveloping and group repair schemes. No decision has yet been made about resources for 1991–92.

  Enveloping Schemes
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much money was provided by his Department in each of the last 10 years on enveloping schemes(a) in Cardiff and (b) in Wales; and how much is being made available in the current year and in the 1991–92 financial year.

  Mr. Grist
  Since 1984–85 capital allocations totalling £75.7 million have been made available to local authorities in Wales for enveloping projects. Cardiff has been allocated over £9 million. Subsidy payments by the Department for the last two available years have been:

  Cardiff £

  All-Wales £

  1987–88

  467,124

  2,733,822

  1988–89

  583,420

  4,131,189

  406
  The amounts paid in earlier years are not readily available; the amount for 1989–90 is not yet available. For the current financial year credit approvals of £26 million are available for area-based renovation projects. No decisions have yet been made about resources for 1991–92.

  Tourism
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he has any proposals to enable the Wales tourist board to market overseas the attractions of tourism in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The overseas marketing of Wales as a tourist destination is one of the responsibilities of the British Tourist Authority. However, the Wales tourist board, with the agreement of the BTA, can undertake overseas promotion of Wales on behalf of the authority.

  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the total revenue from overseas tourism in Wales in 1989 and in the previous three years; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The Wales tourist board estimates that revenue from overseas tourism in Wales in 1989 on the basis of the returns for the first three quarters of the year will be around £100 million. Figures for the three previous years are as follows:

  £ million

  1986

  102

  1987

  119

  1988

  98

  Source: International Passenger Survey.

  The implementation of the recommendations of last year's tourist review of the British Tourist Authority, undertaken by the Secretary of State for Employment, is intended to improve the marketing of Britain as a whole, and should thus be of direct benefit to Wales. The Secretary of State and I shall be monitoring the effectiveness of these changes as they relate to the promotion of Wales.

HEALTH

  Environmental Health and Food Safety Division
  Mr. Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the environmental health and food safety division of his Department was established.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The division was set up on 1 January 1990 following a reorganisation involving a number of existing divisions.

  Maternity Services
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list by national health service region the hospitals in England which had consultant obstetric and/or general practitioner maternity beds in 1980, 1985 or the most recent year for which information is available and the numbers of beds of each type in each hospital and each region in each year.

  Mr. Dorrell
  This information cannot be provided without incurring disproportionate cost.

  Residential Care
  Ms. Richardson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many women are in residential care.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The estimated total number of women in local authority and registered private and voluntary residential care homes at 31 March 1988 was 190,000.

  Housing
  Ms. Richardson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his Department's strategy for ensuring housing is available for those people covered by community care legislation.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The housing aspects of the care in the community proposals are the subject of discussions between the Department of Health and the Department of the Environment, in consultation with the local authority associations.

  Housing (Women)
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many women patients who are in need of housing are discharged annually from psychiatric hospitals; and how many are allocated housing by(a) local authorities and (b) housing associations in England and Wales.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The information requested is not held centrally by the Department.

  Abortions
  Ms. Richardson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what were the numbers of abortions carried out on resident women from zero to 12 weeks, 12 to 24 weeks and over 24 weeks for each of the years 1986, 1987, 1988 and 1989 by regional health authority in England.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The information is shown in the tables.

  Number of abortions performed under the Abortion Act 1967 by gestation weeks and Regional Health Authority (RHA) of usual residence in England, 1986

  Gestation weeks

  Area of residence

  0 to 12

  13 to 24

  25 and over

  England

  122,964

  17,879

  24

  Regional Health Authority

  Northern

  5,581

  681

  1

  Yorkshire

  7,448

  1,068

  1

  Trent

  9,314

  1,475

  2

  East Anglian

  4,082

  577

  3

  North West Thames

  13,953

  1,815

  1

  North East Thames

  15,144

  1,954

  4

  South East Thames

  12,031

  1,769

  2

  South West Thames

  9,166

  1,016

  —

  Wessex

  5,754

  1,188

  —

  Oxford

  5,961

  875

  1

  South Western

  5,876

  933

  2

  West Midlands

  13,384

  2,397

  4

  Mersey

  6,029

  796

  —

  North Western

  9,241

  1,335

  3

  408

  Number of abortions performed under the Abortion Act 1967 by gestation weeks and Regional Health Authority (RHA) of usual residence in England, 1987

  Gestation weeks

  Area of residence

  0 to 12

  13 to 24

  25 and over

  England

  130,021

  19,331

  23

  Regional Health Authority

  Northern

  5,699

  740

  1

  Yorkshire

  7,928

  1,199

  1

  Trent

  9,780

  1,476

  3

  East Anglian

  4,140

  630

  1

  North West Thames

  14,546

  1,962

  —

  North East Thames

  16,686

  2,213

  4

  South East Thames

  12,837

  1,980

  3

  South West Thames

  9,295

  1,164

  1

  Wessex

  5,897

  1,255

  1

  Oxford

  6,396

  888

  1

  South Western

  6,285

  1,028

  2

  West Midlands

  14,229

  2,517

  1

  Mersey

  6,222

  840

  2

  North Western

  10,081

  1,439

  2

  Number of abortions performed under the Abortion Act 1967 by gestation weeks and Regional Health Aurthority (RHA) of usual residence in England, 1988

  Gestation weeks

  Area of residence

  0 to 12

  13 to 24

  25 and over

  England

  139,734

  21,151

  22

  Regional Health Authority

  Northern

  6,240

  832

  2

  Yorkshire

  8,320

  1,247

  —

  Trent

  10,476

  1,580

  3

  East Anglian

  4,239

  647

  2

  North West Thames

  15,358

  2,031

  —

  North East Thames

  18,609

  2,583

  3

  South East Thames

  14,183

  2,191

  3

  South West Thames

  10,171

  1,328

  1

  Wessex

  6,599

  1,211

  1

  Oxford

  6,798

  934

  1

  South Western

  6,500

  1,194

  2

  West Midlands

  15,045

  2,833

  4

  Mersey

  6,458

  919

  North Western

  10,738

  1,621

  —

  Number of abortions performed under the Abortion Act 1967 by gestation weeks and Regional Health Authority (RHA) of usual residence in England, 19891

  Gestation weeks

  Area of residence

  0 to 12

  13 to 24

  25 and over

  England

  143,517

  19,560

  18

  Regional Health Authority

  Northern

  6,253

  720

  1

  Yorkshire

  8,702

  1,238

  3

  Trent

  10,888

  1,600

  1

  East Anglian

  4,357

  573

  —

  North West Thames

  16,000

  1,818

  1

  North East Thames

  19,395

  2,500

  1

  South East Thames

  14,409

  2,045

  2

  South West Thames

  10,288

  1,171

  3

  Wessex

  6,834

  1,033

  1

  Oxford

  7,098

  951

  —

  South Western

  6,434

  929

  1

  West Midlands

  15,687

  2,705

  —

  Mersey

  6,471

  810

  3

  North Western

  10,701

  1,467

  1

  1 Provisional.

  Social Work
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his Department's policy with regard to generic social work within local authority social service departments.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  It is for local authorities to decide which approaches to social work best meet the needs of the people they serve. While a generic approach to social work was generally adopted following the Seebohm report of 1968, we recognise that social workers who develop specialist skills equally have an important role to play.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what analysis is made by his Department of the ability of individual local authorities to undertake their statutory social work functions.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Department's social services inspectorate keeps the Department informed about the provision of personal social services by individual local authorities.

  Residential and Nursing Homes
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will consider introducing legislation to specify a maximum permitted number of beds in residential or nursing homes.

  Mr. Dorrell
  No. We see no need to specify in legislation the maximum number of beds in such homes. It is for local social services authorities and health authorities to specify the maximum number of people for which individual homes may cater, in the light of such factors as the premises, staffing levels and the quality of care which can be provided for residents.

  Trees Park Village, Darlington
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if his Department received any representations regarding the eligibility of Trees Park Village in Darlington for registration under the Registered Homes Act.

  Mr. Dorrell
  We have received no such representations.

  Registration of homes under the Registered Homes Act 1984 is a matter for the local registration authority.

  Community Care
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give a detailed breakdown of the specific elements included in his Department's estimate of community care costs proposed for inclusion in the revenue support grant for 1991–92.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Government's provisional assessment of what local authorities need to spend on personal social services in 1991–92 will be announced in the autumn. There is no intention to identify specific elements within that overall assessment, as it is for local authorities to determine their own spending priorities.

  Bedford (Population)
  Sir Trevor Skeet
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the population of Bedford(a) north of the Great Ouse and (b) south of that river, including Kempston.
  410
  Mr. Dorrell
  Annual population estimates are prepared by OPCS for the areas administered by local authorities and by health authorities, but not for smaller areas. The estimated resident population of the North Bedfordshire county district (including Bedford) at mid-1988 was 136,800 (compared with 133,400 at mid-1981). The numbers of usual residents of the continuously built-up urban areas of Bedford/Kempston and Bedford enumerated in the 1981 census were 91,086 and 75,632 respectively.

  Project 2000
  Mr. Sims
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is Her Majesty's Government's current policy in respect of the implementation of Project 2000; in how many schools of nursing it will be introduced during 1990–91; how many schools will remain thereafter without the Project 2000 system; and what are the constraints on bringing all nurse training within Project 2000 within a specified time scale.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Cardiff, South and Penarth (Mr. Michael) on 5 June at column 595.

  General Practices
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance he has given to health authorities about the extent to which established cross-boundary flows of patients should be reflected in the contractual arrangements which will apply to non-budget holding general practices.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  "Contracts for Health Services: Operating Principles" and "Contracts for Health Services: Operating Contracts", copies of which are available in the Library, give guidance to health authorities on all major contract issues. District health authorities will be expected to let contracts which secure the referral patterns their local general practitioners prefer whether they be inside or outside their district's boundary, unless there are compelling reasons for not doing so.

  Wheelchairs (Tourists)
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he will set up a scheme to provide short-term wheelchair loans to aid elderly tourists while visiting tourist areas; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The provision of wheelchairs on short-term loan is a matter for local authority social service departments. I am advised that there are a number of such schemes in existence. The hon. Member may like to consult the local authority concerned.

  Family Health Services Authorities
  Mr. Anthony Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will announce the names of the chairmen of the new family health services authorities.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  I have placed in the Library a list of the appointments made with effect from 17 September 1990, the date on which the new authorities come into being.

  Good quality primary health care is fundamental to the success of our health service. We attach great importance to the enhanced work and wider responsibilities of the

  411
  newly constituted family health services authorities. The chairman's role is a challenging one in implementing the national health service changes for the general benefit of patients.

  Health Service Commissioner (Report)
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to receive the annual report of the health service commissioner for 1989–90.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  The health service commissioner has, as in previous years, made a report on the performance of his functions in England, Scotland and Wales.

  My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales and I presented the report to the House on Wednesday 11 July. It was published on Thursday 12 July (House of Commons paper No. HC 538) and copies are available from the Vote Office.

  Revenue expenditure on blood transfusion service (£ million cash)

  By region

  1979–80

  1980–81

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  Northern

  1.945

  2.349

  2.533

  2.729

  2.850

  2.977

  3.361

  3.730

  3.719

  4.011

  Yorkshire

  1.896

  2.423

  2.661

  3.377

  3.497

  3.646

  4.207

  5.070

  5.571

  5.627

  Trent

  2.256

  2.847

  3.199

  3.476

  3.878

  4.256

  4.758

  5.518

  5.910

  6.454

  East Anglia

  1.366

  1.645

  1.743

  1.903

  2.012

  2.179

  2.388

  2.553

  2.846

  2.991

  North West Thames

  2.119

  2.654

  2.970

  3.163

  3.377

  3.726

  4.683

  5.357

  5.671

  6.483

  North East Thames

  2.062

  2.761

  2.816

  2.982

  3.115

  3.224

  3.638

  3.836

  4.255

  5.043

  South East Thames and South West Thames

  3.581

  4.435

  4.983

  5.339

  5.423

  6.102

  6.991

  7.283

  7.831

  9.150

  Wessex

  1.496

  1.704

  1.800

  1.911

  2.082

  2.204

  2.679

  2.698

  3.089

  3.077

  Oxford

  1.655

  2.080

  2.294

  2.511

  2.562

  2.759

  2.886

  3.238

  3.253

  3.332

  South Western

  2.106

  2.436

  2.825

  3.057

  3.307

  3.461

  4.134

  4.373

  4.610

  4.934

  West Midlands

  2.345

  2.900

  3.207

  3.436

  3.690

  4.098

  4.885

  5.579

  6.449

  6.664

  Mersey

  1.572

  1.974

  2.280

  2.464

  2.683

  2.957

  3.368

  3.780

  3.782

  3.900

  North Western

  3.126

  3.841

  4.388

  4.644

  4.876

  5.315

  6.309

  6.835

  6.801

  6.754

  TOTAL

  27.524

  34.050

  37.698

  40.989

  43.352

  46.903

  54.286

  59.849

  63.788

  68.420

  GPs (Prescribing)
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidelines his Department has issued in the past 10 years in respect of(a) over-prescribing and (b) under-prescribing by general practitioners; and if he will place in the Library a copy of all such guidelines currently in force.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  [holding answer 5 July 1990]: The Department spends around £2.2 million each year in providing free of charge to all national health service doctors a variety of professional publications which contain information about drugs and advice on prescribing. These include "British National Formulary", "Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin" and "Prescribers' Journal". In addition, from April 1990, family practitioner committees have taken over from the Department's regional medical service responsibility for giving advice to practices on prescribing.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Rights of the Child
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he will take to extend the effectiveness of the United Nations convention on the rights of the child.

  Blood Transfusion Service
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what was the operating cost of the blood transfusion service for each year since 1979 by regional transfusion service;

  (2) if operating costs of the blood transfusion service currently include an element for (a) capital costs and (b) research.

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 26 June 1990]: The revenue costs of operating the national blood transfusion service since 1979 are shown in the table.

  In addition to identifiable revenue expenditure the national blood transfusion service will incur expenditure on both capital items and research, but this is not separately identified in the accounts of health authorities.

  Figures are derived from the annual accounts of regional and district health authorities.

  The figures in individual columns may not always add up to the totals shown because of rounding.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The United Kingdom signed the convention on the rights of the child on 19 April and intends to ratify it as soon as possible.

  Soviet Union
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement concerning Her Majesty's Government's policy towards economic assistance to the Soviet Union.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  We believe that it is in the interest of all concerned that the process of economic reform in the Soviet Union should continue and be successful. We are strongly committed to helping this process by providing the Russians with the skills and expertise needed to take advantage of their country's enormous potential.

  We welcome the decisions of the Dublin European Council and the G7 in Houston to commission an analysis of the Soviet Union's economic problems and of ways in which the west might help. This should provide the essential basis on which to take decisions about possible future assistance.

  UNESCO
  Mr. Wells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what ways and means are being employed by Her Majesty's Government to keep the
  413
  situtation at the United Nations Educational, Science and Cultural Organisation under review over the next 12 months; what are the terms of reference for the United Kingdom's observer at the United Nations Educational, Science and Cultural Organisation; and if he will make it his policy to report to the House, on a regular basis, the results of this monitoring and the progress made by the United Nations Educational, Science and Cultural Organisation, leading to the further consideration in 1991 of a return by the United Kingdom to membership of the United Nations Educational, Science and Cultural Organisation.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The British observer delegation to UNESCO at the British embassy in Paris closely monitors developments at UNESCO. The observer delegation also serves as a channel of communication for those activities of UNESCO in which we still participate. We keep our policy to UNESCO constantly under review in the light of any progress towards reform but do not believe that a specific timetable would be appropriate.

  Professional Qualifications
  Mr. Warren
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made and what issues remain unresolved concerning the acceptance between the United Kingdom and other nations of the European Community of each other's professional qualifications in each other's countries; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maude
  The higher education diplomas directive was adopted in December 1988 for implementation by 4 January 1991. In August 1989 the Commission proposed a further directive for a second general system for the recognition of professional education and training which is intended to complement the first. This proposal remains under discussion.

  Immigration
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the types of applications which entry clearance officers abroad are instructed must be referred to the Home Department; and if he will publish these instructions.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Entry clearance officers—ECOs—are required to refer the following categories of application to the Home Office:

  (i) applications for asylum;

  (ii) applicants who do not qualify for entry under the Immigration Rules, but whose applications reveal special circumstances;

  (iii) applicants wishing to establish themselves in business in the United Kingdom;

  (iv) applications from children coming for adoption;

  (v) applications from certain nationals and individuals.

  It is not our policy to publish instructions to ECOs.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the maximum, minimum and average periods between the receipt of a first application for settlement at the post in Dhaka and the decision on whether or not to grant entry clearance.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  In Dhaka, as elsewhere, decisions on whether to grant entry clearance may in some cases be made immediately after interview; in others the applicant 414
  may be asked to submit documentary evidence, following which the ECO may have to make further inquiries, either locally or in the United Kingdom. As each case is sui generis, it is not possible to give the average time taken to reach a decision.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what arrangements are in force for dealing with entry clearance applications from Iranian citizens(a) in Iran and (b) outside Iran; and what delays can be expected by people applying for (i) settlement, (ii) visits and (iii) studies.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Iranian nationals must apply for entry clearance at one of our visa-issuing posts outside Iran. There are no separate queuing arrangements for settlement, visits or studies in these posts.

  Delays experienced by applicants in any of these categories vary from a few days for some posts in Europe to several months for certain posts in the Gulf and near east which attract large numbers of entry clearance applications from Iranian citizens.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many applications for naturalisation as British dependent territories citizens on the basis of a connection with Hong Kong have been(a) received, (b) granted and (c) refused, for each year since 1988 and to the nearest available date.

  Mr. Maude
  According to Hong Kong Government statistics, the number of applications for naturalisation as British dependent territories citizens, Hong Kong were:

  1988

  1989

  11990

  No. of applications received

  1,016

  3,098

  3,491

  No. of applications approved

  1,074

  1,098

  579

  No. of applications rejected

  60

  73

  41

  1 Up to end of June.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British dependent territories citizens from Hong Kong have(a) applied for and (b) been granted the status of British national (overseas).

  Mr. Maude
  From 1 July 1987 to 30 June 1990, a total of 137,142 applications from Hong Kong British dependent territory citizens for the British national (overseas) passport were received, of which 131,628 were granted. The remaining applications are still being processed.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the present waiting times to first interview for all categories of applicant in each country and at each post in the Indian subcontinent.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Bradford, West (Mr. Madden) on 26 June,Official Report, column 137.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how long a person applying for entry clearance on 31 March, or the latest convenient date, at each post in the Indian subcontinent could expect to wait, in each queue, for(a) first interview, (b) referral of the case to the Home Department and the requested information being received by the post, (c) decision after

  415
  first interview and (d) the explanatory statement prepared by the post in the case of appeal against any refusal to be dispatched to the immigration appellate authorities in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  (a) I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Bradford, West (Mr. Madden) on 26 June; (b) and (c) this information is not available. Processing times vary according to the circumstances of individual cases. (d) Average dispatch times of explanatory statements from receipt of an appeal are, at 6 July:

  Settlement

  Non-settlement

  New Delhi

  16 weeks

  12 weeks

  Madras

  12 weeks

  4 weeks

  Bombay

  12 weeks

  8 weeks

  Islamabad

  6 weeks

  4 weeks

  Calcutta

  same day

  same day

  Karachi

  12 weeks

  5 weeks

  Dhaka

  12 weeks

  6 weeks

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how long a person applying for entry clearance for settlement at the British post in(a) Manila, (b) Accra, (c) Lagos, (d) Kingston, (e) Nicosia, (f) Cairo, (g) Bangkok, (h) Ankara and (i) Istanbul on 31 March, or the latest convenient date, could expect to wait for (i) interview, (ii) referral of the case to the Home Department and the requested information being received by the post, (iii) decisions and (iv) an explanatory statement prepared by the post in the event of an appeal against a refusal to be dispatched to the immigration appellate authorities in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The information required at (ii) and (iii) is not available as processing times vary according to the circumstances of individual cases.

  As to (i) and (iv) the position at 6 July was as follows:

  (i) interview

  (iv) referral

  Manila

  12 weeks

  3 to 5 months

  Accra

  3 days

  within 2 months

  Lagos

  4 days

  15 weeks

  Kingston

  16 weeks

  within 2 months

  Nicosia

  day of application

  1 week

  Cairo

  day of application

  within 2 months

  Bangkok

  12 weeks

  within 2 weeks

  Ankara

  2 to 3 days

  within 3 months

  Istanbul

  2 to 3 days

  within 3 months

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many explanatory statements related to entry clearance appeals were awaiting typing at each post in the Indian subcontinent and in Manila, Lagos and Accra, on the latest available date; how many staff are employed, both full-time and part-time, to type statements; and when he expects any backlogs to be cleared.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The information requested is given in the following table—as at 6 July.

  (a)

  (b)

  New Delhi

  126

  (5)

  Madras

  4

  (1)

  Bombay

  28

  1 and (8)

  Islamabad

  34

  13

  416

  (a)

  (b)

  Karachi

  3

  (2)

  Dhaka

  74

  5

  Calcutta

  12

  (1)

  Manila

  76

  (2)

  Lagos

  28

  (3)

  Accra

  2

  1

  (a) number of explanatory statements awaiting typing.

  (b) staff whose duties include typing explanatory statements (staff employed on other typing work shown in brackets).

  It is expected that the backlog at New Delhi will be cleared by the employment of casual typists.

  Cyprus
  Mr. Speed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the current policy of Her Majesty's Government towards Cyprus's aspiration to join the European Community.

  Mr. Maude
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answers I gave to the hon. and learned Member for Montgomery (Mr. Carlile) and the hon. Member for Tottenham (Mr. Grant) on 12 July,Official Report, column 307.

  Antarctica
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has received from the National Federation of Women's Institutes in respect of Antarctica; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  We have received representations from four local groups of the women's institute drawing attention to a resolution passed at the annual general meeting of their national federation on 7 June.

  Somalia
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information his Department has on recent civil disturbances in Somalia and reports of deaths caused by actions by Government forces; and what representations have been made to the Government of Somalia.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  We understand that at least 50 people were killed and many more wounded when security forces guarding President Barré opened fire on an unruly crowd at Mogadishu football stadium on 6 July. Our charge d'affaires has been instructed to raise our strong concern with the Somali Government.

  Nuclear Non-proliferation
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, pursuant to the reply given to the hon. Member for Stockton, North (Mr. Cook),Official Report, 2 July, column 402, any matters regarding nuclear non-proliferation controls were discussed at the Turnberry meeting of the NATO Ministers.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  NATO Foreign Ministers did not discuss the issue of nuclear non-proliferation controls at the North Atlantic Council meeting at Turnberry.

  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on
  417
  the outcome of his most recent meeting with non-governmental organisations where the nuclear non-proliferation treaty was discussed; and if he will give details of any further plans he has for meetings with non-governmental organisations on nuclear non-proliferation before the start of the nuclear non-proliferation forum review conference on 20 August.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  I last met non-governmental organisations on 3 April, when a wide range of topics, including the non-proliferation treaty, was discussed. The next such biannual meeting will be held in the autumn after the NPT fourth review conference.

  Brian Tristram
  Sir Trevor Skeet
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for how long Brian Tristram has been in the Peruvian gaol San Pedro de Lurigancho without trial; whether it is possible to extradite him for trial in the United Kingdom; what is his current state of health; when British embassy staff last saw him in the gaol; and what steps Her Majesty's Government have taken to ensure that proceedings in Peru against Brian Tristram are either expedited or discontinued.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Mr. Tristram was arrested at Jorge Chavel airport, Lima on 6 December 1988, allegedly with a suitcase containing 772 grams of cocaine. On 27 December 1988 he was formally charged with illicit trafficking in drugs and remanded in custody to Lurigancho prison. His case has been submitted to the fifth Callao provincial court for trial. I am not aware that Mr. Tristram has committed any offence in the United Kingdom for which his extradition might be sought.

  He was last seen by British consular officials on 22 June 1990. He was comparatively cheerful during that visit. He has no specific complaints about his health, other than that his epilepsy pills had earlier been stolen. They have since been replaced. The British embassy in Lima has made representations to the Peruvian authorities in an effort to have the case brought to trial.

  Sir Trevor Skeet
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the breakout recently from the maximum security prison, the Canto Grande, in Peru has had any effect upon the conditions in which Brian Tristram is held at San Pedro de Lurigancho gaol.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  We have consulted the British embassy at Lima, which has seen no evidence that conditions in Lurigancho prison have been affected by events at Canto Grande.

  EC Relations
  Mr. Bell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs(1) what representations he has received from the Government of the Republic of France in the last two days concerning relations between the republic and the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what representations he has received from the Federal Republic of Germany in the last two days concerning relations between the republic and the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.
  418
  Mr. Maude
  There has been comment, much of it public, from a number of sources on Britain's relations with her EC partners. But we have received no representations on the subject.

  Mr. Bell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from the Government of the Republic of Ireland in the last two days concerning relations between the republic and the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hurd
  There has been comment, much of it public, from a number of sources on Britain's relations with her EC partners. But I have received no representations on the subject.

  Angola
  Mr. Day
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action is being taken to ensure that the Angolan peace corridors are put in place as soon as possible in order that international aid may reach the areas devastated by drought.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The "corridors of peace" are a UNITA proposal which has not yet been accepted by the Angolan Government. But the International Committee of the Red Cross is discussing with the Angolan Government arrangements for supplying emergency famine relief to all drought-affected areas of Angola.

  NATO (Japanese Delegation)
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, pursuant to the reply to the hon. Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Dalyell) by the Minister of State for the Armed Forces,Official Report, 21 June, column 650, the meeting in Belgium between NATO officials and the Japanese political delegation discussed nuclear non-proliferation matters.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Nuclear non-proliferation matters were not discussed at the meeting in Belgium between NATO officials and the Japanese political delegation on 17 to 19 June.

  Chemical and Biological Weapons
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what agreements exist between Britain and the United States of America for the exchange of information about chemical and biological weapons.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  There are no formal bilateral agreements between the two Governments for the exchange of such information.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Running Cost Control
  Mr. Rost
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list those Government agencies and bodies which are exempted from gross running cost control; what conditions are imposed on such agencies as a result of the exemption; and what are the procedures whereby such exemption is granted.
  419
  Mr. Norman Lamont
  The gross running costs control system was introduced in April 1986. As explained in paragraph 3.10 of Cm 1021, exemption from such control may be agreed for bodies whose costs are fully met by their receipts, provided suitably robust monitoring and management control systems apply. Such cases are considered in the annual public expenditure survey, and those approved have been identified in the relevant public expenditure White Paper and summary and guide to supply estimates. There are currently 19 bodies for which exemption has been approved. They are:

  1. Building Research Establishment (DOE)

  2. Central Office of Information

  3. Civil Service College (OMCS)

  4. Companies House (DTI)

  5. Department of the Registers of Scotland

  6. Driving Standards Agency (DTp)

  7. Her Majesty's Land Registry

  8. Historic Royal Palaces Agency (DOE)

  9. Laboratory of the Government Chemist (DTI)

  10. Medicines Control Agency (DH)

  11. Natural Resources Institute (ODA)

  12. Nuclear Installations Inspectorate (HSE)

  13. PSA Services

  14. QEII Conference Centre (DOE)

  15. Radiocommunications Executive Agency (DTI)

  16. Social Survey Division (OPCS)

  17. Vehicle Certification Agency (DTp)

  18. Vehicle Inspectorate (DTp)

  19. Warren Springs Laboratory (DTI).

  Manufacturing
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of gross domestic product, was accounted for by the manufacturing sector(a) currently, (b) at the highest level since 1979 and (c) at the highest level since 1960.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  In 1988, the latest year for which data are available, the manufacturing sector accounted for 24 per cent. of gross domestic product, much the same level as in the preceding five years. The corresponding percentage shares in 1960 and 1979–36 and 28 per cent. respectively—were, in both cases, higher than in all subsequent years.

  Exports
  Mr. French
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the value of total United Kingdom exports for the most recent year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  The information is available in table A3 of the "Monthly Review of External Trade Statistics" which is available in the Library of the House, or on the Central Statistical Office database, which may be accessed through the Library.

  Interest Rates
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, further to his reply of 10 July,Official Report, column 112, what are the other main domestic and international influences on United Kingdom long-term interest rates.

  Mr. Ryder
  Long-term interest rates are integrally bound up with monetary conditions generally. The factors bearing on monetary conditions are discussed in chapter 2 of the "Financial Statement and Budget Report".

  Government Accountancy Service
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the heads of the Government accountancy service for the last 10 years.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  Mr.—later Sir—Kenneth Sharp from 1975 to October 1983, Sir Anthony Wilson from October 1984 to December 1988, Mr. A. J. Hardcastle from January 1989 to date.

  Fishing Vessels
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, further to his answer of 6 July,Official Report, column 729, when he hopes to make a statement about whether and how changes will be made to the present arrangements for payment of value added tax on duty-free fuel by British fishing vessels.

  Mr. Ryder
  While the Government are considering whether and how changes to the present arrangements should be made, temporary measures have been introduced which broadly continue the VAT zero-rating of duty-free fuel supplied to British fishing vessels. A full review of the treatment of fuels supplied as stores to shipping and aircraft is to be undertaken. The trade will be consulted. My right hon. and noble Friend the Paymaster General hopes to make a statement on the subject by the end of the year.

CHURCH COMMISSIONERS

  Church of England (Assembly) Powers Act
  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the right hon. Member for Selby, representing the Church Commissioners, what recent representations he has received about the operation of the procedures of the Church of England (Assembly) Powers Act 1919, as amended by the Synodical Government Measure 1969.

  Mr. Alison
  None.

  St. Marks, North Audley Street
  Mr. Cormack
  To ask the right hon. Member for Selby, representing the Church Commissioners, what plans the Church Commissioners have for the future of St. Marks, North Audley street.

  Mr. Alison
  A proposal to use this redundant church for open-plan offices is at present under consideration.

TRANSPORT

  Manchester Ship Canal
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the progress of the Manchester Ship Canal Harbour Revision Order 1990.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  I made this order on 26 February 1990. Because opponents of the order gave notice that they maintained their opposition, the order became subject to special parliamentary procedure and it was laid before Parliament on 18 April. Petitions against it have been referred to the Chairman of Committees and the Chairman of Ways and Means.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Mudd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the Minister for Aviation and Shipping will be writing to Mr. A. P. Lambert of Armor House, Carlidnack road, Mawnan Smith, Falmouth, Cornwall, in reply to that gentleman's letter to him of 3 April regarding retired staff travel facilities with Sealink UK Ltd.

  Mr. Freeman
  My hon. Friend will be aware of the complicated background to this correspondence. We will be sending Mr. Lambert a reply to his latest letter very shortly.

  Channel Tunnel
  Mr. Speed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what new money, excluding money already committed, would have been required for the Eurorail proposal to have proceeded for the fast rail link from the channel tunnel to London.

  Mr. Freeman
  British Rail plans investment of over £1 billion to enable passenger services to commence in 1993. Under Eurorail's proposals this investment expenditure would not have been reimbursed at the time the assets transferred to the joint venture: instead a combination of leasing and a low interest deferred loan of £1 billion was proposed. The joint venture further required a capital grant of £500 million toward the use of the new line by commuter services and British Rail investment of up to £400 million, mainly in commuter terminals.

  Disabled Travellers
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has any plans to encourage major transport groups to pay more attention to the specific needs of disabled travellers.

  Mr. Freeman
  The Department of Transport is in regular contact, both directly and through the disabled persons transport advisory committee, with transport authorities and operators throughout the country to promote a better understanding of the transport needs of people with disabilities and to provide practical advice and information on how best to meet them.

  Railway Development
  Sir Trevor Skeet
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has received any proposals for further development of the railway system north of Bedford.

  Mr. Freeman
  I have received a copy of the summary report of a study commissioned by the midland main line consortium of local authorities, advocating electrification north of Bedford, which I have read with interest. It is for British Rail to consider any worthwhile proposals that meet its normal investment criteria.

SCOTLAND

  Junior Hospital Doctors
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many junior hospital doctors are currently working more than 72 hours per week;
  422
  (2) what is the average number of hours worked by junior hospital doctors;

  (3) when he expects to reduce to 72 hours per week the average number of hours worked by junior hospital doctors.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Information on the number of hours actually worked by junior hospital doctors is not collected centrally. As at 30 September 1989 there were 2,567 junior hospital doctors in Scotland contracted for more than 72 hours per week. The average number of contracted hours for all junior doctors was 80.2. The objective is to reduce junior doctors' hours to 72 per week as soon as practicable.

  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to reduce the hours worked by junior hospital doctors.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  In 1989 we introduced measures aimed at eliminating junior doctors' rotas more onerous than one night and one weekend in three in Scotland. Health boards have forecast that this initiative will result in the number of juniors on such rotas being reduced to around 32 per cent. by September this year. Health boards have recently been requested to improve on their September 1990 targets.

  Charities
  Sir Nicholas Fairbairn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many complaints of criminality have been made against an officer or committee member of a registered charity in Scotland since 1979; what was the nature of the complaints; what action was taken; and what convictions, if any, were obtained.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  This information is not centrally held and cannot be made available since hitherto such complaints have been dealt with no differently from other complaints of criminality and cannot be differentiated from them.

  Sir Nicholas Fairbairn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many complaints have been made since 1979 of non-registered charities in Scotland holding themselves out to be charities; and what action was taken.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  At present charities operating in Scotland are not required to become recognised as charities for the purposes of section 505 of Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988. Where persons falsely and dishonestly hold themselves out to be acting as or on behalf of charities the ordinary criminal law applies and I would refer to my previous answer.

  Sir Nicholas Fairbairn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many complaints of misconduct or mismanagement have been made against an officer or committee member of a registered charity in Scotland since 1979; what was the nature of the complaints; and what were the names of the charities.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  There is at present no machinery for the receiving and investigation of complaints where the complaint or evidence available fall short of an inference of criminality. Such misconduct or mismanagement has from time to time been brought to the attention of the Secretary of State and other agencies but
  423
  these have not been recorded. In the absence of any investigative machinery actively seeking out misconduct or mismanagement, it is impossible to say how many complaints have been made since 1979.

  Maternity Services
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the hospitals in Scotland which had consultant obstetric and/or general practitioner maternity

  Average available staffed beds

  year ending March 1980

  year ending March 1990 (provisional)

  Hospital

  Specialist Obstetrics

  GP Obstetrics

  Specialist Obstetrics

  GP Obstetrics

  Argyll and Clyde Health Board

  Carlton

  —

  8

  —

  8

  Dunoon and District General

  —

  11

  —

  10

  Islay

  —

  2

  —

  3

  Mid Argyll

  —

  3

  —

  3

  The Maternity Hospital, Oban

  —

  10

  —

  9

  Victoria Hospital, Rothesay

  —

  3

  —

  3

  Vale of Leven District General

  54

  —

  37

  —

  Rankin Memorial

  42

  9

  38

  —

  Paisley Maternity

  99

  —

  80

  —

  Total

  195

  46

  155

  37

  Ayrshire and Arran Health Board

  Isle of Arran War Memorial

  —

  4

  —

  4

  Lady Margaret

  —

  2

  —

  —

  Thornyflat Maternity

  —

  18

  —

  18

  Davidson Cottage

  —

  4

  —

  2

  Ayrshire Central

  129

  —

  132

  —

  Kilmarnock Maternity

  —

  19

  —

  —

  Buckredden Maternity

  —

  29

  —

  —

  Lady Margaret

  —

  2

  —

  —

  Total

  129

  76

  132

  24

  Borders Health Board

  Coldstream Cottage

  —

  4

  —

  —

  Knoll

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Borders General

  —

  —

  39

  —

  Galashiels

  —

  10

  —

  —

  Kelso Cottage

  —

  5

  —

  —

  Sister Margaret's Cottage

  —

  2

  —

  —

  Haig Maternity

  —

  12

  —

  —

  Total

  —

  33

  39

  —

  Dumfries and Galloway Health Board

  Cresswell Maternity

  70

  —

  46

  —

  Dalrymple

  —

  8

  —

  8

  Total

  70

  8

  46

  8

  Fife Health Board

  Craigtoun Maternity

  12

  —

  —

  —

  Forth Park Maternity

  66

  17

  87

  1

  Maternity Hospital, Dunfermline

  50

  —

  44

  —

  Total

  128

  17

  131

  1

  Forth Valley Health Board

  Falkirk and District Royal Infirmary

  67

  —

  56

  —

  Stirling Royal Infirmary

  80

  —

  54

  —

  Total

  146

  —

  110

  —

  Grampian Health Board

  Aberdeen Maternity

  94

  —

  92

  —

  Fonthill Maternity Home

  17

  —

  16

  —

  Summerfield Maternity Home

  30

  —

  30

  —

  Peterhead Cottage

  —

  11

  —

  10

  Fraserburgh Hospital

  —

  12

  —

  8

  Huntly Jubilee

  —

  10

  —

  7

  424
  beds in 1980, 1985 or the most recent year for which information is available and the numbers of beds of each type in each hospital in each year.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The number of average available staffed beds for specialist obstetrics and GP obstetrics by hospital in Scotland for the years ending 31 March 1980 and 31 March 1990—the latest available figures—are as follows:
  425

  Average available staffed beds

  year ending March 1980

  year ending March 1990 (provisional)

  Hospital

  Specialist Obstetrics

  GP Obstetrics

  Specialist Obstetrics

  GP Obstetrics

  Chalmers Hospital, Banff

  —

  13

  —

  10

  Seafield Hospital, Buckie

  —

  11

  —

  7

  Turner Hospital, Keith

  —

  7

  —

  5

  Inverurie

  —

  10

  —

  —

  Leanchoil Hospital, Forres

  —

  12

  —

  9

  Maryhill Hospital, Elgin

  —

  17

  —

  13

  Kincardine O'Neill War Memorial

  —

  5

  —

  8

  Insch War Memorial

  —

  4

  —

  4

  Turriff Cottage

  —

  10

  —

  —

  Arduthie

  —

  7

  —

  —

  Stephen Hospital, Dufftown

  —

  2

  —

  —

  Total

  141

  129

  138

  81

  Greater Glasgow Health Board

  Glasgow Royal Maternity

  148

  —

  99

  —

  Stobhill

  75

  —

  52

  —

  Rutherglen Maternity

  100

  —

  82

  —

  Southern General

  99

  13

  83

  —

  The Queen Mother's

  110

  —

  103

  —

  Total

  532

  13

  419

  —

  Highland health board

  Belford Hospital, Fort William

  —

  8

  —

  8

  Mackinnon Memorial Hospital, Broadford

  —

  1

  —

  1

  Portree

  —

  2

  —

  1

  Dunbar Hospital, Thurso

  14

  5

  —

  —

  Caithness Central

  —

  —

  15

  —

  Raigmore Hospital, Inverness

  67

  —

  72

  —

  Town and County Hospital, Nairn

  7

  —

  7

  —

  Ross Memorial Hospital, Dingwall

  14

  —

  12

  —

  Ian Charles Hospital, Grantown

  —

  3

  —

  —

  TOTAL

  102

  20

  106

  10

  Lanarkshire health board

  Alexander

  —

  24

  —

  —

  Bellshill Maternity

  118

  —

  116

  —

  William Smellie Maternity

  50

  —

  50

  —

  Lady Home

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Lockhart

  —

  3

  —

  —

  Motherwell Maternity

  36

  —

  —

  —

  Hairmyres Hospital

  —

  24

  —

  —

  TOTAL

  204

  51

  166

  —

  Lothian health board

  Eastern General

  50

  —

  50

  —

  Western General

  46

  —

  47

  —

  Simpson Memorial Maternity Pavilion

  177

  —

  126

  —

  Bangour General

  56

  —

  27

  —

  St. John's Hospital at Howden

  —

  —

  21

  —

  Elsie Inglis

  68

  —

  —

  —

  TOTAL

  397

  —

  271

  —

  Orkney health board

  Balfour

  —

  11

  —

  8

  TOTAL

  —

  11

  —

  8

  Shetland health board

  Gilbert

  —

  11

  —

  11

  TOTAL

  —

  11

  —

  11

  Tayside health board

  Ninewells Hospital, Dundee

  115

  14

  99

  4

  Perth Royal Infirmary

  52

  —

  41

  —

  Arbroath Infirmary

  —

  19

  —

  18

  Fyfe Jamieson Maternity Home, Forfar

  —

  12

  —

  12

  Montrose Royal Infirmary

  —

  —

  —

  9

  Blairgowrie and Rattray Cottage

  —

  8

  —

  7

  426 427

  Average available staffed beds

  year ending March 1980

  year ending March 1990 (provisional)

  Hospital

  Specialist Obstetrics

  GP Obstetrics

  Specialist Obstetrics

  GP Obstetrics

  Aberfeldy Cottage

  —

  5

  —

  —

  Charleton Maternity Home, Montrose

  —

  19

  —

  —

  TOTAL

  167

  77

  140

  50

  Western Isles Health Board

  Lewis Hospital, Stornoway

  13

  —

  13

  —

  Daliburgh

  —

  4

  —

  3

  TOTAL

  13

  4

  13

  3

  SCOTLAND TOTAL

  2,224

  496

  1,865

  233

  Heart Transplants
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland where and when the Scottish heart transplant centre is to be developed; and for how many patients each year it is to have funding.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The Scottish heart transplant centre will be established during 1991–92 with a capacity, when fully operational, to undertake 50 transplants per year. The decision on the location of the centre may be expected in the autumn.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland in which hospitals Scottish residents received heart transplants in each year since 1985; how many Scottish residents were treated in each hospital; and what transfers of revenue allocation were subsequently made to other national health service regions within the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Information about the number of Scottish residents receiving heart transplants and hospitals where such treatment was provided is not held centrally. No transfers of revenue allocation were made from Scotland in respect of such treatment which is funded as as supra-regional service.

  Police

  Civilian Staff (Traffic Wardens, Clerical and Technical Staff)

  Force

  Authorised Establishment

  Actual Strength

  Shortfall1

  Authorised Establishment

  Actual Strength

  Shortfall

  Central

  638

  630

  -8

  139

  126

  -13

  Dumfries and Galloway

  344

  348

  +4

  92

  82

  -10

  Fife

  754

  755

  +1

  182

  173

  -9

  Grampian

  1,116

  1,103

  -13

  335

  325

  -10

  Lothian and Borders

  2,441

  2,482

  +41

  812

  793

  -19

  Northern

  631

  631

  —

  199

  183

  -16

  Strathclyde

  6,954

  6,886

  -68

  1,423

  1,322

  -101

  Tayside

  1,001

  1,012

  +11

  258

  253

  -5

  Scotland

  13,879

  13,847

  -32

  3,440

  3,257

  -183

  1 Authorities are permitted to recruit in excess of authorised establishment to replace officers on Scottish Crime Squad secondment etc.

  Bypass Operation
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what statistics he holds in respect of the number of patients who had been identified as requiring a coronary artery bypass operation but who died prior to receiving surgery.

  Orthopaedic Beds
  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will intervene to prevent the 65 per cent. reduction in orthopaedic beds in the south-east district of Glasgow proposed by the Greater Glasgow health board's strategy review; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 12 July 1990]: I understand that the board proposes to reduce the number of orthopaedic beds in the south-east of Glasgow from 188 to 68, to reflect reductions in both the population of the area and the number of patients transferred from other boards, along with improved efficiency in the service. The board reached this decision following extensive consultation over a four-month period.

  Police Manpower
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the Scottish police authorities, indicating if their manpower is up to the levels agreed with the chief constables and the police authorities, and indicating the shortfall where applicable.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 12 July 1990]: As at 31 March 1990 the information requested was as follows:

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 13 July 1990]: In the year ending 31 March 1990 a total of 48 such deaths were recorded. Information on the actual cause of death is not recorded centrally.

  NHS Hospitals
  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to provide additional funding for the refurbishment of long-term wards in Scotland's national health service hospitals; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 13 July 1990]: Each health board determines its capital expenditure priorities within the block capital allocation made annually by my right hon. and learned Friend.

  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of how cuts in national health service provision will affect the quality of patient care in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 13 July 1990]: There have been no cuts in the provision for hospital and community health services.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Question Time
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what procedural proposals he expects to bring forward to extend the accountability of Ministers at Question Time.

  Sir Geoffrey Howe
  Ministers are already fully accountable to Parliament. Implementation of the

  1987–88 £

  1988–89 £

  1989–90 £

  Salaries etc. of Members of Parliament

  14,478,702.22

  15,785,477.81

  17,042,032.64

  Office costs expenses

  13,786,197.56

  14,568,579.36

  15,871,657.47

  Travel by Members between home, Westminster and constituency and within constituencies

  4,322,804.16

  5,023,845.31

  5,905,744.74

  Additional costs incurred in living away from home

  4,763,539.21

  5,384,650.53

  5,493,942.31

  The total expenditure from the House of Commons: Members' salaries etc. vote for each of those years was £42,444,582.70 for 1987–88, £46,905,668.40 for 1988–89 and £48,205,324.76 for 1989–90. The difference between the total of the specified amounts and the overall expenditure from the vote is accounted for by other expenses claimed by Members together with Exchequer contributions to the parliamentary contributory pension fund and Members' fund and payments for financial assistance to Opposition parties.

  Select Committee Reports
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Lord President of the Council how many reports have been produced by departmental Select Committees since 1979; and now many have been the subject of debate on a substantive motion on the Floor of the House.

  Sir Geoffrey Howe
  From 1979 to 29 June 1990, 591 reports and 231 special reports have been published by departmentally related Select Committees. Of these, seven have been debated in the House on substantive motions.
  430
  Procedure Committee's recommendations about oral questions will help to make Question Time more effective. As I told the hon. Member for Walsall, North (Mr. Winnick) on 25 June, I hope the recommendations can take effect from the start of the next Session.

  Political Parties (Offices)
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Lord President of the Council if he will take steps to ensure that every recognised political party represented in the House shall have office space available to them within easy access of the Chamber.

  Sir Geoffrey Howe
  I understand that this matter is being considered by the relevant sub-committees of the Services Committee.

  Members' Allowances
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Lord President of the Council for the last three years for which figures are available, what was the total cost of Members'(a) salaries, (b) office costs allowance, (c) travel to and from and within their constituencies, (d) second home allowances and (e) any other benefits-allowances claimed by hon. Members.

  Sir Geoffrey Howe
  Expenditure under the various headings specified in the years ending 31 March 1988, 1989 and 1990 was as follows:

  Child Care
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Lord President of the Council, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Oldham, West (Mr. Meacher) of 24 May,Official Report, column 297, on child care facilities, when he expects the feasibility study to be completed.

  Sir Geoffrey Howe
  It is expected that the study will be completed in time to be considered by the Services Committee at a meeting early in the autumn.

  Recycled Notepaper
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what recent inquiries he has made into the comparative cost of switching to the use of 100 per cent. recycled paper for the supplies of headed notepaper now made available to Members compared with continuing with that presently used.

  Sir Geoffrey Howe
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, North (Ms. Walley) on 24 May 1990, column 297. The Accommodation and Administration Sub-Committee considered the comparative costs when approval was given for recycled writing paper and envelopes to be introduced on an experimental basis along with the existing range of stationery.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Surplus Food
  Mr. Speller
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the arrangements for the distribution of surplus beef and butter in the current year; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Curry
  The arrangements for the 1990 scheme follow closely those in successful operation over the last two years, while enhanced publicity this year has enabled the coverage of the country by the scheme to be improved.

  Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give the total numbers of cattle recorded as having BSE for each of the last 12 weeks.

  Mr. Maclean
  The number of BSE cases confirmed each week is as follows:

  Week ending

  Number

  27 April 1990

  326

  4 May 1990

  316

  11 May 1990

  271

  18 May 1990

  238

  25 May 1990

  297

  1 June 1990

  141

  8 June 1990

  238

  15 June 1990

  365

  22 June 1990

  301

  29 June 1990

  248

  6 July 1990

  229

  13 July 1990

  292

  Lead in Cattle Order
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the reasons for imposing the Food Protection (Emergency Prohibitions) (Lead in Cattle) (England) Order 1990, (S.I. No. 1391) on a farm in Hertfordshire, indicating the source of the contaminant, the number of cattle involved, the levels of lead in test tissues and milk and the date when his Department first discovered there was a problem.

  Mr. Gummer
  Following the death of five calves on one farm at the end of May, investigations were carried out by

  Transfers from taxpayers

  Transfers from consumers

  Budget revenues

  Total transfers

  ECU per head of population

  European Community

  125

  150

  2

  273

  United States

  170

  80

  2

  248

  Raspberry Pulp
  Mr. Bill Walker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give details of the proposals within the European Community to prevent the dumping of raspberry pulp from eastern European countries.

  Mr. Curry
  Discussions are taking place between the European Commission and the Polish and Yugoslav authorities. The Commission has undertaken to introduce differential prices for different qualities of semi-processed soft fruit and to improve monitoring to ensure that agreed 432
  the royal veterinary college and the Ministry's veterinary investigation service which suggested lead poisoning. These animals were among a group of 88 animals grazing a particular field. Blood test results for these cattle, are in the range of 0.06 to 5.63 micromo1/1. No milk is produced on this farm and tests carried out by the milk marketing board on general supplies from this area show no traces of lead. No animals have been taken for slaughter from this group during the period of these investigations. None the less, while further investigations are being undertaken to establish the cause of the problem, I have made a precautionary order under part I of the Food and Environment Protection Act to ensure that no meat from these animals is allowed to enter the food chain until it is shown to be safe for it to do so.

  Tyrrell Committee
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will now place his further advice from the Tyrrell committee in the Library.

  Mr. Gummer
  I did so on 12 July.

  Agriculture (Assistance)
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish a table showing in respect of the most recent year for which figures are available the assistance given to the agriculture industry in(a) European Economic Community aids, (b) national Government aids, (c) price enhancement caused by import levies and intervention, (d) export rebates and (e) other aids; and if he will also provide an indication of total aids of a comparable nature by the United States of America.

  Mr. Curry
  Estimates prepared by OECD, recomputed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on a per capita basis, of the transfers from taxpayers and consumers associated with agricultural policies in the European Community and the United States of America in 1989 are shown in the table. The estimates are based on many assumptions. The authors note that the estimates are static ones, taking no account of the effect that a reduction in assistance would have on world prices and thus on the magnitude of the transfers.

  prices are respected. United Kingdom Ministers have been pressing hard for this issue to be resolved quickly and my right hon. Friend will strongly urge the Commission to make a satisfactory statement at the forthcoming Council of Agriculture Ministers.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  National Insurance
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the annual cost if there were no increase in national insurance contributions, if the age of retirement for men were reduced to 60 years; and by how much national insurance contributions would have to rise if there were no Exchequer payments to meet the increase in cost.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The latest estimates, based on 1985–86 benefit rates, of the gross and net costs to public funds of reducing state pension age for men to age 60 are £4,200 million and £3,000 million respectively. Because of the number of changes affecting benefits, contributions and the labour force in the intervening period, I regret that it is not possible without disproportionate cost to relate such figures to 1990–91 contribution rates. However, the gross 1985–86 cost was equivalent to 18 per cent. of the national insurance fund's outgoings in that year.

  Mr. J. W. Davies
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list and date the representations received from the hon. Member for Nottingham, North regarding Mr. J. W. Davies, of 30 Aspley Park drive, Aspley, Nottingham, and his claim for a war pension; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Letters were received from the hon. Member regarding Mr. Davies' claim for war pension on 26 February 1990 and 12 July 1990. The hon. Member also gave notice on 13 March 1990 of a parliamentary question (PQ 1361) on the subject of Mr. Davies' claim and four other questions (PQs 1357–60) requesting background information on war pension claims. A further parliamentary question on Mr. Davies' claim (PQ 2434) was listed on 10 July 1990.

  Housing Benefit
  Ms. Richardson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many women are in receipt of housing benefit.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The information requested is not available.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the extra cost of the housing benefit scheme in England only if the rate of withdrawal of housing benefit or rent taper was, respectively, reduced from 65 per cent. to(a) 55 per cent., (b) 50 per cent., (c) 45 per cent., (d) 40 per cent., (e) 33 per cent., and (f) 26 per cent. showing the division between rent rebates and rent allowances.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  [holding answer 25 June 1990]: It is not possible to provide reliable estimates for separate parts of the country. The table gives the estimated extra costs, in the current year and on a Great Britain basis, of altering the rate of withdrawal of housing benefit within the present structure of the scheme.
  434

  £ million

  Taper (per cent.)

  Rent Rebate

  Rent Allowance

  Total Cost

  55

  90

  70

  160

  50

  140

  110

  250

  45

  210

  160

  370

  40

  290

  230

  520

  33

  430

  340

  770

  26

  630

  500

  1,130

  (Source: Modelled using data drawn from the 1985–6–7 Family Expenditure Surveys).

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the extra cost of the housing benefit scheme in England only, if the earnings disregards were increased to £10 for a single household, £25 for a couple and £35 for a single parent.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  [holding answer 25 June 1990]: It is not possible to provide reliable estimates for separate parts of the country. However, for Great Britain, assuming that single people whose applicable amount includes the disability premium retain the £15 earnings disregard to which they are currently entitled, the estimated cost in the current year of increasing the earnings disregards in housing benefit would be about £110 million.

  (Source: Modelled using data drawn from the 1985–6–7 Family Expenditure Surveys).

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the extra cost of the housing benefit scheme in England only, if the applicable amount for a single person aged 18 to 24 years was the same as that for a single person aged over 25 years and the applicable amount for a single-parent family was the same as that for a two-parent family.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  [holding answer 25 June 1990]: It is not possible to provide reliable estimates for separate parts of the country. However, for Great Britain, assuming

  (a) the increase in the personal allowance would apply also to 16 and 17-year-olds on housing benefit (the applicable amount for this age group has been set at the same level as that for 18 to 24-year-olds since July 1989); and

  (b) the lone parent premium is subsumed into the increased personal allowance for lone parents, but the special earnings disregard is retained,

  the extra estimated cost in the current year for housing benefit would be about £40 million.

  Local Offices
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what consultations he has undertaken regarding the future of the regional office of his Department at Gabalfa, Cardiff;

  (2) what is his best estimate of the (a) gross and (b) net job loss arising from the proposed reorganisation of the regional tier of administration of his Department's local office network;

  (3) what proposals he has to relocate the administration and management of the regional tier of his Department, currently located at Gabalfa, Cardiff.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The restructuring of social security operations, to improve service to the public under the benefits agency, will include the replacement of the present seven regions and two central offices by larger territorial directorates. Many of the functions at present
  435
  carried out by regional offices are likely to be devolved to local managers, as part of their increased accountability. The detailed implications of these changes will need to be worked out in the light of a study which we have commissioned to identify the continuing need for centralised regional services, and after discussion with the chief executive. The trade union side has been kept informed about this study and about management proposals for three territorial directorates, and it will continue to be consulted about the personnel aspects of the move to the benefits agency. Meanwhile, our concern is to ensure that we continue to meet the needs of the public and of our own staff in Wales to the fullest possible extent, and we have no plans to close the offices at Gabalfa, Cardiff.

  Family Credit
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the cost to his Department of the current advertisements to inform the public of their entitlement to family credit; what increase in applications has resulted from this; and how many additional staff have been employed to deal with this.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The cost of the current advertising campaign on television and in the press is £2.4 million. The campaign has not yet been running long enough for the full impact to be reflected in the level of claims. Overtime is being worked at the family credit unit, but otherwise, to date, only one additional member of the staff has been employed, to deal with the requests for claim forms prompted by the adverts.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will give figures for each of the last 12 months of the number of people on family credit who have not received a replacement claim book before their current one expired.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Family credit awards are for a fixed period of 26 weeks, and a fresh renewal claim has to be made for entitlement to continue when each period ends.

  Information is not available as to the number of cases where the new award is not received before the expiry of the previous book.

  Social Security Appeals
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what arrangements are made for representation of adjudication officers at commissioners' hearings; and whether he will make similar arrangements for representation of claimants who would otherwise be unrepresented.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Adjudication officers are represented at all oral hearings before a commissioner. The office of the chief adjudication officer arranges for representation by an adjudication officer from that office, from the central office in Scotland where the case is to be heard there, or by lawyers where complex legal issues are involved.

  Responsibility for the administration of the social security commissioners lies with the Lord Chancellor's Department, to which the hon. Member may wish to refer the question of the provision of representation for claimants at commissioners' hearings.

  Income Support
  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the scheduled dates of publication for 1990 and 1991 of the information relating to income support referred to in his reply to the hon. Member for Liverpool, Broadgreen (Mr. Fields) of 9 July,Official Report, column 75.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The data to which the hon. Member refers are collected as part of the Department's management information system. They are not published routinely but are available on request at quarterly intervals.

EMPLOYMENT

  Messrs. Graham Brabyn Ltd.
  Mr. Mudd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when former employees of Messrs. Graham Brabyn Ltd. of Redruth, Cornwall, may expect to receive their payments under the Employment Protection (Consolidation) Act 1978 redundancy payments scheme; for what reason payments have not yet been made; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  My officials are dealing with claims for arrears of wages, holiday pay, notice pay and redundancy pay for around 70 employees. The need to undertake the usual check of the company's wage records, which has proved difficult in this case, and the pressure of current casework in redundancy payments offices has given rise to some delay. I hope, however, to be able to begin making payments to the employees shortly.

  Employment Training
  Mr. Blair
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish the departmental scrutiny of drop-out rates of employment training, referred to by Sir Geoffrey Holland in his Department's evidence to the Select Committee on Employment concerning employment training, HC 394-i, Q 5-9.

  Mr. Nicholls
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Newham, North-East (Mr. Leighton) on 9 July,Official Report, column 97.

  Employment Service
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will publish in the Official Report the guidelines used by his officials in deciding whether a question should be referred to the chief executive of the Employment Service.

  Mr. Eggar
  The criteria I use in deciding whether to refer a question to the chief executive of the Employment Service are set out in the Employment Service framework document published by my Department in March this year.

  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, further to his reply to the hon. Member for Coventry, South-East, 10 July,Official Report, column 146, if he will arrange for the 57 replies from the Employment Service Agency's chief executive made between 1 April and 6 July to be printed in the Official Report.
  437
  Mr. Eggar
  The chief executive of the Employment Service, when replying to questions referred to him, invites hon. Members to say whether they wish the reply to be placed in the Library of the House. The chief executive has informed me that, since 1 April, copies of 26 replies have been placed in the Library of the House.

  Beaches
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what estimate he has made of the cost of lost tourist trade to resorts that have failed to reach the European Economic Community blue flag safety levels on their beaches.

  Mr. Nicholls
  No such estimate has been made. Thanks to a major programme of remedial works, there has been a very marked improvement in bathing water quality in recent years, with 76 per cent. of identified waters now meeting European Community standards. Further planned capital investment of almost £3 billion should help to ensure that all bathing waters meet EC standards by the end of the century.

  Action for Jobs
  Mr. Terry Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what expenditure was incurred on the action for jobs campaign in 1987–88 in addition to printed material, television advertising, press advertising, radio advertising, outdoor advertising, regional campaigns, exhibition material and research.

  Mr. Eggar
  Expenditure of £194,000 was incurred on presentations in the action for jobs campaign in 1987–88, in addition to printed material, television advertising, press advertising, radio advertising, outdoor advertising, regional campaigns, exhibition material and research.

  Voluntary Organisations
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many final operational programme applications have been submitted to the European Commission from voluntary organisations in Wales.

  Mr. Eggar
  Operational programmes have not been submitted specifically by the voluntary sector in Wales. Operational programmes represent aggregated bids from all interested organisations to run groups of projects under particular European social fund priorities.

  Wages Councils
  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make it his policy to ensure the continued existence of wages councils; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the Secretary of State's reply of 6 March to my hon. Friend the Member for Erith and Crayford (Mr. Evennett),Official Report, column 543.

  Jobcentres
  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) if he will take action to prevent jobcentres from advertising vacancies at a rate of pay which is below the legal limit; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if he will take action to prevent jobcentres from advertising vacancies which do not specify the wages offered; and if he will make a statement.

  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.

  Training Centre, Cardiff
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to the answer of 9 July from the Secretary of State for Wales, what terms and conditions he has discussed, with Astra Training Services for building a new industrial training centre at Western avenue, Cardiff.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 12 July 1990]: No discussions have been held with Astra Training Services Ltd. on this subject. My Department is selling the freehold of the site, most of which is held by Astra on a three-year lease.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to his answer of 9 July, if he has instructed King and Co. to convey any interest, leasehold or freehold, in any land at Western avenue to Astra Training Services for an industrial training centre.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 12 July 1990]: The leasehold interest in the site at Western avenue, Cardiff, was conveyed to Astra Training Services Ltd. on completion of the sale of the training business. Should Astra wish to acquire the freehold interest it would be in the same position as any other purchaser and would need to discuss any interest with the Department's agent, King and Company.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to his answer of 9 July, what instructions have been given to King and Co. to dispose of his Department's leasehold interest in the skill centre buildings and associated land at Western avenue, Cardiff.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 12 July 1990]: The leasehold interest in the site at Western avenue, Cardiff, was conveyed to Astra Training Services Ltd. on completion of the sale of the training business.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to the reply from the Secretary of State for Wales of 9 July, what future plans he has for development of the Department's land and buildings at Western avenue, Cardiff after 1993.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 12 July 1990]: The land and buildings at Western avenue, Cardiff, are in the process of being marketed by King and Company. It will be for the purchaser to decide any future plans for development.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what consultations he has undertaken with(a) Cardiff chamber of commerce and industry, (b) Confederation of British Industry, Wales region, (c) Engineering Employers Federation, south Wales region, (d) the Welsh Development Agency and (e) South Glamorgan training and enterprise council regarding the future use of land and buildings currently used for industrial training purposes at Western avenue, Cardiff.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 12 July 1990]: My Department has had no consultation with the organisations listed. Negotiations about the sale of the freehold of land and buildings owned by my Department are being conducted on my behalf by King and Company.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what negotiations he is pursuing with Astra 440
  Training Services regarding its requirement for an industrial training centre at Western avenue, Cardiff (a) before 1993 and (b) after 1993.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 12 July 1990]: No negotiations are being pursued with Astra Training Services Ltd. Astra has a three-year lease on most of the freehold site now being marketed by King and Company. It will be for Astra to decide its future requirements in the locality.

  Astra's plans for the future of the business it sought to purchase were discussed with my advisers before terms of sale were agreed.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to the reply from the Secretary of State for Wales of 9 July, whether he has discussed plans for long-term investment in an industrial training centre at Western avenue, Cardiff, with Astra Training Services.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 12 July 1990]: In the course of negotiations for the sale of the Skills Training Agency, my advisers discussed with all potential purchasers their plans for the future of the business they were seeking to buy and these plans were taken into account in reaching a decision on bids.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to his answer of 9 July, what consultations he had with the manager of the skill centre at Western avenue, Cardiff, before instructing King and Company regarding the sale of his Department's interest in the site.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 12 July 1990]: I understand that King and Company, which is marketing my Department's freehold interest in the site, has liaised with the leaseholder, Astra Training Services Ltd., about viewing arrangements and the siting of sale boards etc.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what are the terms and conditions he has agreed with Astra Training Services for the disposal of his interest in the land and buildings currently sub-let to the employee rehabilitation centre at Western avenue, Cardiff.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 13 July 1990]: Most of the area occupied by the employment rehabilitation centre (ERC) at Western avenue, Cardiff is outside that part of the site leased to Astra Training Services Ltd. The small part of the ERC that falls within Astra's leased area is covered by a three-year sub-lease between Astra and the Government. Should the ERC vacate within that period, Astra would be free to occupy that area itself or grant a new sub-lease to a third party. This would be until Astra itself vacates the site under the terms of its own three-year lease.

  Back-related Illnesses
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what information he has on how many working days have been lost in each of the last three years due to back-related illness.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  I have been asked to reply.

  The available information is given in the following table. This shows the number of days of certified incapacity for sickness and invalidity benefit, where the cause of incapacity was due to a back-related illness.
  441

  Total number of days millions1

  7 April 1986 to 4 April 1987

  39.8

  6 April 1987 to 2 April 1988

  46.5

  4 April 1988 to 1 April 1989

  52.6

  1 This total excludes the first three days in any spell of sickness (waiting days). It also excludes all days of incapacity covered by statutory sick pay (payable for up to 28 weeks) and all days lost by other persons not entitled to sickness or invalidity benefit. It includes days of incapacity for which invalidity benefit was claimed by men aged 65 to 69 and women aged 60 to 64.

DEFENCE

  Radiation
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total occupational whole body equivalent radiation exposure of(a) Chatham and (b) Devonport dockyard workers in milliSieverts, for each year since the onset of the nuclear programme.

  Mr. Neubert
  The cumulative radiation doses for all workers at Chatham and Devonport dockyards for each of the years 1979 to 1989 inclusive are shown in the table. These figures include the cumulative radiation doses of employees monitored for exposure to ionising radiations by the local issue of direct reading dosimeters while employed under a written system of work. Figures for earlier years are not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Table A Annual individual radiation dose equivalents Chatham Numbers of personnel in dose ranges

  10–l5mSv

  15–20mSv

  20–30mSv

  30–40mSv

  40–50mSv

  >50mSv

  >70mSv

  >100mSv

  1979

  821

  57

  74

  37

  18

  1

  0

  0

  1980

  1,703

  36

  77

  54

  44

  1

  0

  0

  1981

  1,285

  56

  84

  24

  7

  0

  0

  0

  1982

  1,175

  37

  30

  4

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1983

  446

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1984

  22

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1985

  19

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1986

  17

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1987

  12

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1988

  10

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1989

  9

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Table B Annual individual radiation dose equivalents Devonport Numbers of personnel in dose ranges

  10–l5mSv

  l5–20mSv

  20–30mSv

  30–40mSv

  40–50mSv

  >50mSv

  >70mSv

  >100mSv

  1979

  1,258

  6

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1980

  1,643

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1981

  2,159

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1982

  2,543

  4

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1983

  2,968

  26

  17

  5

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1984

  2,879

  77

  82

  31

  5

  0

  0

  0

  1985

  2,831

  48

  44

  13

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1986

  2,945

  47

  38

  5

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1987

  2,616

  34

  13

  6

  0

  0

  0

  0

  442

  Total occupational whole body equivalent radiation exposure

  Chatham (mSv)

  Devonport (mSv)

  1979

  8,214

  1,020

  1980

  9,653

  1,712

  1981

  7,330

  2,128

  1982

  4,109

  2,320

  1983

  390

  5,533

  1984

  62

  10,140

  1985

  9

  7,330

  1986

  6

  6,028

  1987

  1

  4,543

  1988

  2

  2,760

  1989

  9

  2,767

  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 11 July,Official Report, column 245, concerning exposure to radiation, when the Under-Secretary of State for the Armed Forces expects to write to the right hon. Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for the Armed Forces will be writing to the right hon. Member shortly.

  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give a breakdown for(a) Chatham and (b) Devonport dockyards of annual individual radiation exposure for workers in the bands of (i) 0 to 10, (ii) 10 to 20, (iii) 20 to 30, (iv) 30 to 40, (v) greater than 50, (vi) greater than 70 and (vii) greater than 100 milliSieverts for all years since the onset of nuclear work.

  Mr. Neubert
  A breakdown of annual individual radiation doses for(a) Chatham and (b) Devonport dockyard workers for each of the years 1979–89 is given in the tables. A more detailed or alternative breakdown of the figures and data for years earlier than 1979 can be produced only at disproportionate cost.
  443

  10–15mSv

  15–20mSv

  20–30mSv

  30–40mSv

  40–50mSv

  >50mSv

  >70mSv

  >100mSv

  1988

  2,676

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1989

  2,382

  9

  3

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1 The 0–15mSv dose band includes those employed on written systems of work.

  Helicopter Noise
  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) when he will publish the results of the review of the boundaries of the helicopter noise insulation grant scheme;

  (2) if he will publish the results of the noise survey carried out by the university of Ulster at sites affected by high levels of helicopter activity.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  There is little that I can add to the answer I gave to the right hon. Member for Strangford (Mr. Taylor) on 21 June, column 647. The results of the noise surveys undertaken by the university of Ulster in the vicinity of the helicopter landing sites at Bessbrook, Crossmaglen and Forkhill are currently being studied by my Department.

  My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for the Armed Forces expects to be in a position to write to the hon. Member, and other hon. Members who have expressed an interest, in the near future with details of the survey results. Local announcements will be made shortly afterwards.

  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many helicopter noise insulation grants have been issued since the insulation scheme was implemented;

  (2) how many buildings currently fall within the boundaries to which the helicopter noise insulation grant scheme applies.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Noise insulation grant schemes were introduced at Bessbrook, Crossmaglen and Forkhill on 1 June 1988. These enabled residents of homes within the qualifying noise contour to apply for grants for secondary acoustic glazing for all bedrooms and up to two living rooms.

  The following table lists the number of grant applications received thus far for each scheme.

  Eligible dwellings

  Grant applications

  Bessbrook

  45

  22

  Crossmaglen

  30

  24

  Forkhill

  20

  1

  TOTAL

  95

  47

  Procurement Executive Airfields
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the future of the procurement executive's airfields at Bedford, Farnborough and Boscombe Down.

  Mr. Neubert
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply that I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Bedfordshire, North (Sir T. Skeet) on 19 June,Official Report, column 547.

  Research and Development
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will publish a list of research contracts and agreements in universities and polytechnics funded by his Department which are not classified secret;

  (2) what contracts have been placed with universities and other institutions of higher education for research on zirconium and zirconium films since 1983;

  (3) if he will publish in the Official Report (a) a list of the five universities which were awarded the highest number of research and development contracts in the last financial year, (b) the number of contracts and agreements which each of these universities received and (c) the total worth of these contracts for each of the five universities;

  (4) if he will list the universities and polytechnics in Britain where his Department is currently funding research and development contracts and agreements.

  Mr. Neubert
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Bristol, South (Ms. Primarolo) on 8 February at column 774.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how his Department intends to reduce its spending on defence research and development;

  (2) if he has any plans to reduce the amount of money his Department spends on research and development in (a) universities and polytechnics and (b) industry.

  Mr. Neubert
  The Government have announced their intention gradually to reduce the real level of their spending on defence research and development, while recognising there must be sufficient activity for defence needs. This will involve looking very carefully at what is available off the shelf and at the opportunities for international collaboration before embarking on major new development programmes. Within the total, spending in industry and the universities will depend on the requirements of the programme.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many research and development contracts and agreements in universities and polytechnics are currently being funded by the Admiralty Research Establishment; how many universities and polytechnics currently hold contracts and agreements funded by the Admiralty Research Establishment; and what is the total worth of these contracts and agreements;

  (2) how many research and development contracts and agreements in universities and polytechnics are currently being funded by the Royal Aircraft Establishment; and what is the total worth of these contracts and agreements;

  (3) how many research and development contracts and agreements in universities and polytechnics are currently being funded by the Atomic Weapons Establishment; how many universities and polytechnics currently hold contracts and agreements funded by the Atomic Weapons Establishment; and what is the total value of these contracts and agreements;

  (4) how many research and development contracts and agreements in universities and polytechnics are currently

  445
  being funded by the Chemical Defence Establishment; how many universities and polytechnics currently hold contracts and agreements funded by the Chemical Defence Establishment; and what is the total value of these contracts and agreements;

  (5) how many research and development contracts and agreements in universities and polytechnics are currently being funded by the Royal Armaments Research and Development Establishment; how many universities and polytechnics currently hold contracts and agreements funded by the Royal Armaments Research and Development Establishment; and what is the total value of these contracts and agreements;

  (6) how many research and development contracts and agreements in universities and polytechnics are currently being funded by the Royal Signals and Radar Establishment; how many universities and polytechnics currently hold contracts and agreements funded by the Royal Signals and Radar Establishment; and what is the total value of these contracts and agreements;

  (7) how many research and development contracts and agreements in universities and polytechnics are currently being funded by the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment; how many universities and polytechnics currently hold contracts and agreements funded by the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment; and what is the total value of these contracts and agreements.

  Mr. Neubert
  The information requested on research agreements funded by A&AEE, ARE, AWE, CDE, RAE, RARDE and RSRE is as follows:

  Funding establishment

  Number of current agreements

  Total value £ million

  Number of universities and polytechnics

  A&AEE

  0

  0.0

  0

  ARE

  113

  8.8

  40

  AWE

  0

  0.0

  0

  CDE

  64

  7.9

  33

  RAE

  188

  16.6

  43

  RARDE

  153

  13.0

  47

  RSRE

  101

  9.7

  40

  TOTAL

  619

  56.0

  203

  The Ministry of Defence currently has some 143 research and development contracts with universities and polytechnics. The total value of these is some £5.1 million. It is not possible to provide the information on research and development contracts at each establishment without incurring disproportionate expense.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the Chemical Defence Establishment is funding research in universities and other institutions of higher education on various aspects of verification technology.

  Mr. Neubert
  As part of the United Kingdom's support for the negotiations in Geneva for a comprehensive, global and verifiable chemical weapons convention, the Chemical Defence Establishment, together with other departments concerned, is undertaking work on various aspects of verification technology, supported by extramural contracts with universities and polytechnics as appropriate.
  446
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the positive results from his Department's funding of research and development in universities and polytechnics since 1979.

  Mr. Neubert
  This work has played an important role in support of the defence research programme and has provided good value for money. It is not possible to list individual benefits without incurring disproportionate expense.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reasons his Department has increased its spending on research and development in universities and polytechnics since 1984.

  Mr. Neubert
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Bristol, South (Ms. Primarolo) on 8 February 1990 at column 775.

  Universities and Polytechnics
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what formal links exist between universities and polytechnics and his Department, other than the awarding of contracts and agreements.

  Mr. Neubert
  The MOD currently funds six defence lectureships at British universities and is contributing towards the cost of the establishment and running of a new centre for defence studies at Kings college, university of London. Links are also maintained through the sponsorship of MOD personnel undertaking research and higher degrees at universities and polytechnics; and participation in seminars. Grants for work of relevance to defence are made under collaborative grants arrangements with the research councils. The MOD and the Science and Engineering Research Council co-fund awards to certain students who are jointly supervised by their university and defence research establishments. All activities are in support of the defence programme.

  Royal Marines School of Music
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he has reached a decision on the future of the Royal Marines school of music at Deal.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  A review carried out during 1989 recommended, on financial and management grounds, that the Royal Marines school of music (RMSM) should be relocated from Deal to Whale island, Portsmouth. My right hon. Friend has considered this recommendation carefully but concluded that a decision should be postponed until such time as the longer-term requirement for the RM barracks at Deal has been clarified. The RMSM will therefore remain at Deal for the foreseeable future.

ENVIRONMENT

  Creosote
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what discussions he has had in meetings of the European Council of Ministers on the failure of the Federal Republic of Germany to adopt new regulations on the use of creosote for wood preservation;
  447
  (2) if he has any proposals to increase controls over the use of creosote as a wood preservative.

  Mr. Trippier
  There are at present no Community regulations on the use of creosote for wood preservation. The German Government have notified the Commission in accordance with directive 83/189/EEC of their intention to introduce controls on certain uses of creosote. The Department of the Environment and the Health and Safety Executive are preparing a response to the proposals in consultation with other Departments and industry. This subject has not been discussed by the Council of Ministers.

  Big Ben
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 5 July,Official Report, column 647, to the hon. Member for Rugby and Kenilworth, what will be the cost of forging the new hammer arm for Big Ben.

  Mr. Chope
  About £8,000.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what guidance was given by his Department to local authorities on the recruitment of suitably qualified computer systems operators for processing community charge payments;

  (2) what guidelines were issued by his Department on the operation of computer systems for processing community charge payments.

  Mr. Chope
  My Department has issued guidance to local authorities and the major computer companies on the operation of all aspects of the community charge. We continue to keep them up to date as necessary with any changes in the arrangements. It is the responsibility of local authorities, which vary greatly in size and requirements, to ensure that they have suitable computer systems and staff to operate them.

  Mr. Higgins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what powers local authorities have to charge a different rate of community charge to those with two sets of accommodation in the light of individual circumstances.

  Mr. Portillo
  [holding answer 11 July 1990]: Local authorities have a wide discretion in levying the standard community charge on the owners of domestic properties which are not used as a sole or main residence. They may at the beginning of each financial year set for the whole of that year the multiplier for the standard charge at zero, half, one, one and a half or two times the personal community charge for the area. If the authority wishes, different multipliers may be set for different classes of circumstances providing these do not exceed the maximum multipliers prescribed for 11 particular circumstances defined in regulations. Authorities may also determine, within defined criteria, their own further classes for the purpose of applying different multipliers. They may also in certain classes prescribe periods of grace within which no charge is payable. Multipliers cannot be varied during the course of a year.

  My right hon. Friend is currently reviewing the use that authorities have made of their discretion during 1990–91 and may in due course propose further classes which are to be subject to maximum multipliers in 1991–92 and future years.
  448
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate has been made of the extra administration costs for each authority which has been capped.

  Mr. Portillo
  [holding answer 12 July 1990]: As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State made clear in his statement on 3 April 1990 about community charge capping in England—Official Report, Volume 170, column 1033—we estimate that the costs per authority will be about £200,000 per charging authority. The Secretary of State took account of this amongst the other relevant factors in deciding on the appropriate levels of cap.

  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the average increase across England in standard spending assessments as against grant-related expenditure assessments for 1990–91 against 1989–90; what were the figures for Calderdale; and what were the causes of the deviation between Calderdale and the national average.

  Mr. Portillo
  [holding answer 12 July 1990]: Standard spending assessments (SSAs) for 1990–91 were around 10 per cent. higher than the total of grant-related expenditure assessments (GREs) for 1989–90, adjusted on to a comparable basis. The equivalent increase for Calderdale was 4.1 per cent. The SSA for Calderdale was calculated, as for all authorities, according to the formulae set out in the Revenue Support Grant Distribution Report (England) approved by the House on 18 January, using the appropriate data (as described in annex A to that report) for Calderdale, reflecting its social, physical and demographic characteristics.

  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the cost of administering the rates each year since 1979 in each of the authorities which have been capped.

  Mr. Portillo
  [holding answer 12 July 1990]: The information as returned by authorities is given in the table:

  Cost of rate collection 1979–80

  £000

  Rochdale

  564

  Wigan

  675

  St. Helens

  444

  Barnsley

  422

  Doncaster

  532

  Rotherham

  245

  North Tyneside

  771

  Calderdale

  335

  Camden

  854

  Greenwich

  572

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  615

  Islington

  841

  Lambeth

  800

  Southwark

  787

  Brent

  738

  Haringey

  747

  Hillingdon

  548

  Bristol

  987

  Basildon

  184

  449

  1980–81

  £000

  Rochdale

  675

  Wigan

  825

  St. Helens

  566

  Barnsley

  443

  Doncaster

  659

  Rotherham

  485

  North Tyneside

  922

  Calderdale

  385

  Camden

  1,228

  Greenwich

  681

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  920

  Islington

  783

  Lambeth

  1,202

  Southwark

  1,001

  Brent

  930

  Haringey

  917

  Hillingdon

  685

  Bristol

  1,206

  Basildon

  217

  1981–82

  £000

  Rochdale

  584

  Wigan

  911

  St. Helens

  590

  Barnsley

  734

  Doncaster

  700

  Rotherham

  552

  North Tyneside

  1,219

  Calderdale

  534

  Camden

  1,817

  Greenwich

  721

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  950

  Islington

  1,286

  Lambeth

  1,014

  Southwark

  1,246

  Brent

  1,171

  Haringey

  813

  Hillingdon

  782

  Bristol

  1,129

  Basildon

  237

  1982–83

  £000

  Rochdale

  636

  Wigan

  1,092

  St. Helens

  599

  Barnsley

  887

  Doncaster

  688

  Rotherham

  601

  North Tyneside

  1,113

  Calderdale

  594

  Camden

  1,652

  Greenwich

  924

  Hammersmith & Fulham

  1,045

  Islington

  1,398

  Lambeth

  932

  Southwark

  1,184

  Brent

  1,226

  Haringey

  803

  Hillingdon

  810

  450

  £000

  Bristol

  1,353

  Basildon

  271

  1983–84

  £000

  Rochdale

  697

  Wigan

  1,082

  St. Helens

  660

  Barnsley

  923

  Doncaster

  625

  Rotherham

  556

  North Tyneside

  794

  Calderdale

  640

  Camden

  1,431

  Greenwich

  1,595

  Hammersmith & Fulham

  1,157

  Islington

  1,742

  Lambeth

  1,167

  Southwark

  1,324

  Brent

  2,036

  Haringey

  923

  Hillingdon

  970

  Bristol

  1,414

  Basildon

  319

  1984–85

  £000

  Rochdale

  682

  Wigan

  982

  St. Helens

  558

  Barnsley

  745

  Doncaster

  643

  Rotherham

  475

  North Tyneside

  555

  Calderdale

  818

  Camden

  1,480

  Greenwich

  1,639

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  961

  Islington

  1,894

  Lambeth

  1,103

  Southwark

  1,213

  Brent

  2,074

  Haringey

  827

  Hillingdon

  969

  Bristol

  1,213

  Basildon

  253

  1985–86

  £000

  Rochdale

  666

  Wigan

  1,058

  St. Helens

  720

  Barnsley

  1,043

  Doncaster

  682

  Rotherham

  627

  North Tyneside

  598

  Calderdale

  605

  Camden

  1,509

  Greenwich

  1,693

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  808

  Islington

  2,576

  Lambeth

  1,103

  Southwark

  1,059

  Brent

  2,643

  Haringey

  862

  451

  £000

  Hillingdon

  977

  Bristol

  1,336

  Basildon

  306

  1986–87

  £000

  Rochdale

  675

  Wigan

  1,071

  St. Helens

  727

  Barnsley

  1,161

  Doncaster

  772

  Rotherham

  691

  North Tyneside

  776

  Calderdale

  710

  Camden

  1,589

  Greenwich

  2,108

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  887

  Islington

  1,968

  Lambeth

  1,710

  Southwark

  998

  Brent

  1,682

  Haringey

  924

  Hillingdon

  937

  Bristol

  1,460

  Basildon

  367

  1987–88

  £000

  Rochdale

  774

  Wigan

  1,259

  St. Helens

  620

  Barnsley

  952

  Doncaster

  846

  Rotherham

  793

  North Tyneside

  1,208

  Calderdale

  637

  Camden

  1,554

  Greenwich

  1,516

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  1,503

  Islington

  2,194

  Lambeth

  1,756

  Southwark

  1,132

  Brent

  1,853

  Haringey

  1,019

  Hillingdon

  1,088

  Bristol

  1,470

  Basildon

  385

  1988–89

  £000

  Rochdale

  822

  Wigan

  1,473

  St. Helens

  500

  Barnsley

  943

  Doncaster

  856

  Rotherham

  943

  North Tyneside

  1,303

  Calderdale

  571

  Camden

  1,462

  Greenwich

  1,858

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  1,937

  Islington

  2,126

  Lambeth

  1,804

  Southwark

  1,189

  452

  £000

  Brent

  1,449

  Haringey

  827

  Hillingdon

  1,045

  Bristol

  1,636

  Basildon

  490

  1989–90

  £000

  Rochdale

  837

  Wigan

  1,375

  St. Helens

  793

  Barnsley

  981

  Doncaster

  1,046

  Rotherham

  704

  North Tyneside

  1,151

  Calderdale

  526

  Camden

  1,389

  Greenwich

  1,197

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  2,853

  Islington

  2,833

  Lambeth

  2,007

  Southwark

  1,562

  Brent

  2,253

  Haringey

  891

  Hillingdon

  1,191

  Bristol

  1,683

  Basildon

  561

  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what extra resources the Government will make available to each poll tax-capped authority.

  Mr. Portillo
  [holding answer 12 July 1990]: The Government will make available to authorities no extra resources as a consequence of designation for charge capping.

  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from the clearing banks about the workings of the direct debit system to process community charge payments.

  Mr. Chope
  My Department has been in close touch with the major clearing banks, the Association for Payment Clearing Services and local authorities about the use of direct debits for community charge payments. We have issued guidance to local authorities on the use of direct debit in our practice note on collection of the community charge. Since the commencement of the community charge system on 1 April 1990 we have not received any representations from the clearing banks.

  Air Safety
  Mr. Bill Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what guidance he issues to district councils on the weight to be given to air safety in considering planning applications from gliding clubs and similar organisations.

  Mr. Moynihan
  My Department has issued no guidance on this matter. Statutory responsibility for safety regulation of United Kingdom civil aviation rests with the Civil Aviation Authority.

  Radioactive Waste
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will now rescind permission for the discharge of radioactive waste into the River Thames.

  Mr. Trippier
  The levels of radioactive waste in the Thames are extremely low. Drinking water derived from the Thames contains levels of radioactivity well below those limits recommended by the World Health Organisation and the International Commission on Radiological Protection. As a consequence the risk to health is negligible and there is no reason to discontinue the present disposal arrangements to the River Thames.

  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many sites are currently under consideration by Nirex for a repository for intermediate-level and low-level radioactive waste; if he will name those sites; and if he will list the sites that are on any reserve list for consideration.

  Mr. Trippier
  Site investigations for a repository for low-level and intermediate-level radioactive waste are currently under way in the vicinity of Sellafield and Dounreay. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has no information about consideration by Nirex of any other sites.

  Parish Councils
  Mr. Buckley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to publish the results of the survey carried out by his Department on the workings of parish councils; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  My Department is in the process of commissioning research on parish councils; the target date for the completion of the research will depend on the terms of the contract eventually made.

  Rent-to-Mortgage Scheme
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what is the expected take-up of the scheme for converting rents into mortgages;

  (2) whether the scheme for converting council rents into mortgages will include (a) recipients of housing benefit, (b) recipients of income support, (c) retirement pensioners and (d) people receiving poll tax rebate.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  No such scheme has been announced for England.

  Homeless Women
  Ms. Richardson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many single women(a) under 25 years, (b) over 25 years and (c) over 60 years are homeless.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  Local authorities report the number of households for whom they accept responsibility to secure accommodation under the homelessness provisions of the Housing Acts. The information provided does not identify those who are single women and my Department has no estimates.

  Ms. Richardson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many women-only(a) hostels and (b) night shelters there are.
  454
  Mr. Michael Spicer
  This information is not held centrally.

  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are his latest estimates of the numbers of homeless women in the following categories:(a) pensioners, (b) young women, (c) single mothers and (d) women from ethnic minorities.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  Local authorities report the number of households for whom they accept responsibility to secure accommodation under the homelessness provisions of the Housing Acts. The information provided does not include the number of women accepted, nor those in the categories requested, and my Department has no such estimates.

  Disabled People (Housing)
  Ms. Richardson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has issued any guidelines to local authorities on the provision of housing for disabled people.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  Local housing authorities are required by section 3 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 to have regard to the special housing needs of disabled people when considering the housing needs of their district. The Department has recently issued a circular to local authorities on the assistance available to disabled people for house adaptations under part VIII of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.

  Homelessness
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has developed any proposals to seek to amend the Housing Act 1985 to extend the official definitions of homelessness and priority need.

  Ms. Richardson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek to amend part III of the Housing Act 1985 to extend the statutory responsibilities of local authorities to include single women; and if he will make a statement about single women and homelessness.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The Government recently reviewed the homelessness legislation and concluded that the Act provided an adequate safety net for the genuine homeless in priority need. We concluded that the Act was serving the purpose which Parliament had originally intended of it, and therefore proposed no changes to the statutory framework.

  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proportion of the £15 million recently allocated for the relief of homelessness will be spent on the provision of more hostel placements for young people in London.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  We are in the process of consulting public bodies, local authorities and housing associations about the provision of direct access and move-on accommodation through the programme which I announced on 22 June.

  Housing
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many local authorities allocate housing to women who are the victims of domestic violence; and how many allocations were made for this purpose in 1989.
  455
  Mr. Michael Spicer
  My Department has no information on this subject.

  Ms. Richardson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his Department's strategy for ensuring housing is provided for those people covered by community care legislation.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The housing aspects of the care in the community proposals are the subject of discussion between the Department of the Environment and the Department of Health in consultation with the local authority associations.

  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what proposals he is developing to enable women heads of households on low incomes to gain easier access to housing;

  (2) what proposals he is developing to enable women heads of households to become owner-occupiers more easily.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The Government's policies designed to promote the supply of affordable housing to rent and buy will benefit households headed by men and women alike.

  Radon Gas
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has on the causes, incidence and location of abnormally high concentrations of radon gas in domestic homes; and what action he intends to take further to assess and mitigate consequent problems for human health.

  Mr. David Trippier
  I refer my hon. Friend to the free booklet issued by my Department, the "Householders' Guide to Radon". A second edition is to be issued shortly. Further information is given in the statement on radon in houses, published by the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) in documents of the NRPB, volume 1, number 1, January 1990. Copies have been placed in the Library of the House. My Department is continuing to fund research on the distribution of homes with high concentrations of radon, on ways of reducing the radon levels, and on the effects of radon on human health.

  Alpha Lighting Ltd.
  Mr. Cartwright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when his Department received an application from the London borough of Greenwich for a grant to Alpha Lighting Ltd. under section 6 of the Inner Urban Areas Act; and when it will be approved.

  Mr. Moynihan
  The London borough of Greenwich applied originally in January this year for urban programme grant approval for assistance for Alpha Lighting Ltd. The borough's 1989–90 allocation was already fully committed so the application was part of the 1990–91 inner area programme submission. That programme is not yet approved as further information is awaited from the borough. Nevertheless a provisional approval for an urban programme grant for Alpha Lighting Ltd. has been given by the Department in advance of final approval of the borough's full programme.

  Ozone Pollution
  Mr. Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, further to the answer to the hon. Member for Hornchurch, 14 June,Official Report, column 294, if he will indicate to whom the 27 daily summaries have been released and publish a telephone number for the public to inquire about levels of ozone pollution.

  Mr. Trippier
  We cannot precisely say to whom the daily summaries have been released because we do not record such information but the majority were requested by the media. My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, the Member for Wells (Mr. Heathcoat-Amory), in his reply to a question from the hon. Member for Dewsbury (Mrs. Taylor) on 27 June, gave the telephone number of the Department of the Environment's public inquiries—071 276 3000—from which information about low-level ozone is available during episodes.

  Water Meters
  Mr. O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will suspend expenditure by his Department on the water meter trials in the Normanton constituency until the Office of Water Services has published its consultative document in September; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  No. The water metering trials have been set up to provide information on the costs and problems of implementing an effective metering system and to determine the impact of charging by volume on consumption. They will continue for a further two to three years and provide valuable information on costs and benefits for the water industry, Government and the Director General of Water Services which will contribute to the debate about future methods of charging.

  Beaches
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he intends to take to ensure that beaches awarded the European Economic Community blue flag safety levels maintain the standards and to monitor those standards.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  It will be for the National Rivers Authority using its powers under the Water Act 1989 to monitor bathing waters and to ensure that they continue to meet the directive's standards. Responsibility for beaches rests with the local authority or, in some cases, with the owner. They have a clear incentive to ensure that their beaches continue to meet the requirements for the award of a blue flag.

  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will estimate the overall cost of cleaning the nation's beaches to European Economic Community blue flag safety levels.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The cost of bringing the bathing waters up to the directive's standards and ensuring that all substantial discharges of sewage will be treated is estimated at £2.9 billion. The cost of bringing beaches up to the standards needed to qualify for a blue flag has not yet been estimated nationally.

  Football Supporters Association
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he next plans to meet officials of the Football Supporters Association.

  Mr. Moynihan
  My right hon. Friend has no plans to meet the Football Supporters Association. Officials from my Department have had recent meetings with it both in England before the world cup finals and in Italy during the tournament.

  Bedford (Population)
  Sir Trevor Skeet
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessments have been made of population projections for Bedford, including Kempston, in 1995, 2000 and 2010 and the number of new houses likely to be built(a) south of the River Ouse and (b) north of it.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  Population projections below national level are prepared by OCPS, in consultation with the Department of the Environment, for areas down to county level only. Assessments of expected population levels, and the equivalent requirements for house building at district level and below are a matter for county and district councils in reviewing and updating the development plans for their areas.

  The approved structure plan for Bedfordshire is currently being reviewed to 2001, taking into account the current regional planning guidance for the south-east. That review is expected to be submitted in the autumn of this year, and the population proposed, including that for the Bedford area, is expected to be assessed at an examination in public early in 1991.

  North Bedfordshire district council published a draft districtwide local plan for its area in July 1988 for public consultation. This was updated by an interim strategy published in February of this year. It is understood that the district council expects to place the local plan on deposit later this year, following the submission of the structure plan review by the county council. A local public inquiry into that plan by an independent inspector will provide an opportunity for the proposed levels of house building in Bedfordshire to be assessed.

  Housing Capital Grants
  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about the arrangements for paying new housing capital grants.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  New housing capital grants were introduced by part VIII of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. The approval of Parliament for expenditure on these new grants is being sought in the main supply estimates for class VIII, vote 1; Housing England. Pending that approval urgent expenditure, estimated at £71.546 million, is being met by repayable advances from the Contingencies Fund.

  Drinking Water
  Sir Michael McNair-Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are considered to be safe levels of iodine 125 in drinking water; and what assessment he has made of the levels of the radioactive isotope in Thames water from Berkshire down to its mouth.
  458
  Mr. Trippier
  Limits for the levels of iodine 125 in drinking water are recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection. Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution has a national programme for checking the levels of radioactivity in drinking water sources. This programme includes the sampling of the Thames including the stretch between Berkshire and the mouth of the Thames. The levels of iodine 125 in drinking water from the Thames are trivial and the risk to health is negligible.

  Planning Agreements
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the outcome of the consultation exercise about planning agreements, announced on 11 July 1989,Official Report, column 485; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The consultation paper provoked 229 responses. My right hon. Friends the Secretary of State and the Secretary of State for Wales have decided that the three proposed amendments to section 52 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1971 should proceed as soon as there is a legislative opportunity. These are:

  (a) to enable a developer to give a unilateral undertaking to carry out certain works, or to do whatever the undertaking specified;

  (b) to make provision for a planning agreement or unilateral undertaking to be discharged when its planning purpose has ended; and

  (c) to enable the Crown to enter into section 52 agreements.

  It is also intended to make certain technical changes to section 52, designed to improve and clarify the drafting.

  The new policy guidance on which we consulted will be issued in due course, taking account of some of the points made by respondents to the consultation paper.

  Development (Bradford)
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether Rothschild's representing shareholders in 3Ds Ltd. is currently involved in the negotiations for city grant for the West End development in Bradford; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Moynihan
  [holding answer 12 July 1990]: Rothschild's is not involved in any negotiations with the Department in connection with the proposed West End development in Bradford.

  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when it is expected that the application for city grant by 3Ds Ltd. will be concluded; what is the estimated cost of considering the application; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Moynihan
  [holding answer 12 July 1990]: 3Ds Ltd. has submitted details of its proposals for the West End development scheme, and discussions are continuing with the Department on what further information may be needed. I am not able to provide an estimate of the cost of considering the application.

  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the number of houses currently being considered in the application for city grant by 3Ds Ltd. for the West End development in Bradford; and if he will make a statement.
  459
  Mr. Moynihan
  [holding answer 12 July 1990]: I refer the hon. Member to my answer to him of Monday 18 June 1990 at column 482.

  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what sum of money is currently allocated in the integrated development operation application by Bradford for the West End scheme; whether any such money will be subjected to the additionality rule; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Moynihan
  [holding answer 12 July 1990]: Private sector developments such as the proposed West End
  460
  scheme are not eligible for funding under the Bradford integrated development operation. The IDO supports public sector schemes.

  The only project in the West End area of the city to have been allocated resources through the Bradford IDO is environmental improvement work in Quebec street. This project has attracted £12,625 in grant from the European regional development fund. The normal additionality arrangements apply. EC receipts are taken into account when domestic expenditure programmes are set so that these programmes are larger than they would otherwise have been.

  AMBULANCE DISPUTE: COST
  AMBULANCE DISPUTE: COST
  PATENT LIFE
  PATENT LIFE
  SERVICE FAMILIES: ACCOMMODATION HIRINGS
  SERVICE FAMILIES: ACCOMMODATION HIRINGS
  SERVICE FAMILIES' MARRIED QUARTERS: SCRUTINY
  SERVICE FAMILIES' MARRIED QUARTERS: SCRUTINY
  RAF MARRIED QUARTERS, BIGGIN HILL
  RAF MARRIED QUARTERS, BIGGIN HILL
  PRINCESS MARY'S RAF HOSPITAL
  PRINCESS MARY'S RAF HOSPITAL
  RAF TRADE TRAINING
  RAF TRADE TRAINING
  RAF OFFICER AND AIRCREW SELECTION
  RAF OFFICER AND AIRCREW SELECTION
  PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCT LICENCES
  PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCT LICENCES
  BST IN COWS' MILK: RESEARCH
  BST IN COWS' MILK: RESEARCH
  BST: PRODUCT STATUS
  BST: PRODUCT STATUS
  EMU: CONSULTATIONS
  EMU: CONSULTATIONS
  INTRA-EC TRADE FIGURES AND VAT RECORDS
  INTRA-EC TRADE FIGURES AND VAT RECORDS
  NORTHERN IRELAND: GRANTS TO STATUTORY BODIES
  NORTHERN IRELAND: GRANTS TO STATUTORY BODIES