Written Answers of 5 March 1990

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Women Teachers
  Ms. Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) how many applications from women teachers who elect to cover pre 6 April 1988 service for family benefits purposes are outstanding;

  (2) how many applications have been made by women teachers since the Government announced that women teachers could elect to cover, for family benefits purposes, their services prior to 6 April 1988;

  (3) what is the average length of time taken to process applications made by women teachers who elect to cover pre 6 April 1988 service for family benefits purposes.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  About 13,000 women teachers have elected for their service before 6 April 1988 to count for family benefit purposes. Only 500 elections remain to be processed and these are mainly cases where either the teacher or employer has incorrectly completed the election

  Number of boys and girls in single sex and religious schools—January 1989 Maintained primary, middle and secondary

  Boys schools

  Girls schools

  Mixed schools

  Boys

  Girls

  Boys

  Girls

  Boys

  Girls

  Church of England

  5,456

  9

  16

  7,340

  406,484

  392,757

  Roman Catholic

  25,250

  207

  14

  31,822

  304,142

  302,121

  Methodist schools

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2,453

  2,273

  Jewish schools

  0

  0

  0

  0

  4,198

  4,110

  Other denominational schools

  30,114

  137

  6

  12,020

  47,363

  45,371

  Non-denominational schools

  98,854

  126

  78

  136,818

  2,562,061

  2,428,600

  TOTAL ENGLAND

  159,674

  479

  114

  188,000

  3,326,701

  3,175,232

  Equal Opportunities
  Ms. Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many and what percentage of women sit on boards awarding research grants.

  Mr. Jackson
  My right hon. Friend sponsors the five research councils—the agricultural and food research council; the economic and special research council; the medical research council; the natural environment research council and the science and engineering research council, all of which award grants for scientific research. At present, total membership of the councils is 102 and the number of women is 7, or 6·9 per cent.

  Ms. Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many(a) women lecturers and (b) men lecturers there are in (i) polytechnics and (ii) universities; and whether he will provide a break down of these by grade.

  Mr. Jackson
  Information for academic staff in universities is shown in the table.
  394
  form or has provided insufficient information. Information on the average length of time taken to process the cases is not available.

  University of Wales
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what, over the last five years for which figures are available, have been the proportions of University Grants Committee/Universities Funding Council grants to universities in the United Kingdom allocated to the university of Wales.

  Mr. Jackson
  Recurrent grants to the university of Wales as announced in the University Grants Committee's allocation letters were as follows.

  Academic Year

  Wales £ million

  All Great Britain £ million

  Wales as per cent. of total

  1985–86

  70·55

  1,184·7

  6·0

  1986–87

  71·84

  1,220·9

  5·9

  1987–88

  74·56

  1,282·4

  5·8

  1988–89

  75·39

  1,332·0

  5·7

  1989–90

  78·13

  1,392·4

  5·6

  Single Sex and Religious Schools
  Ms. Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many(a) boys and (b) girls there are in single sex and religious schools.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The number of boys and girls in maintained single sex and religious schools in England is as follows:

  Great Britain: Full-lime university academic staff 1988–89

  Men

  Women

  Total

  Professors

  4,252

  137

  4,389

  Readers/Senior lecturers

  8,357

  765

  9,122

  Lecturers

  21,792

  5,768

  27,560

  Other grades

  3,089

  2,122

  5,211

  Total

  37,490

  8,792

  46,282

  Source: USR staff record.

  Information on the gender of polytechnic lecturers is not available centrally.

  Ms. Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many of his Department's management training courses include sessions on equal opportunities for women; and what proportion of managers at grade six level and above working outside headquarters has received training on equal opportunities for women.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Sessions on equal opportunities are included in all the Department's management training
  395
  courses. There are two managers at grade six or above outside headquarters: both have received some equal opportunities training.

  Ms. Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many research grants were given to(a) women and (b) men in each of the last 10 years.

  Mr. Jackson
  This information is not available. Most Department of Education and Science research grants are placed with research institutes rather than individuals. The research councils are responsible for the allocation of research grants within their areas.

  Ms. Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what child-care provision his Department provides for pre-school children of the employees; what child-care provision for school holidays and after school care is provided for employees' children aged five years and over; what plans he has to improve provision in the next five years; and how these will be funded.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The Department has not yet provided child-care facilities for either the pre-school or school aged children of its employees; it has however contributed to the Westminster holiday play scheme. Currently consideration is being given to the provision of creche facilities and a holiday play scheme at the Darlington office. In London the Department is participating in an interdepartmental study of the scope for providing creches centrally and in commuting areas. Provided that the schemes can be justified as good value for money the Department could contribute to both the capital and running costs.

  Ms. Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what grade is his Department's equal opportunities officer.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Senior executive officer.

  Ms. Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has to increase the number of women in senior academic positions.

  Mr. Jackson
  The recruitment and promotion of staff is a matter for individual institutions.

  Ms. Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proportion of civil servants in his Department are women at each of the grades(a) seven, (b) six, (c) five, (d) four, (e) three, (f) two and (g) one.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The percentage of women in each grade requested is as follows:

  Grade

  Per cent.

  7

  25

  6

  23

  5

  21

  4

  25

  1–3

  0

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he has plans to ensure that 396
  local education authorities' development programmes for further education provision will provide child-care facilities which allow (a) parents and (b) mothers to attend colleges, further education institutes, polytechnics and universities.

  Mr. Jackson
  No. Under the arrangements for local management of colleges provision of child-care facilities will normally be a matter for the governing bodies of institutions to determine.

  Disabled People (Training Courses)
  Ms. Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many training courses are funded by his Department for the disabled.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The Department does not directly fund courses of training or education: this is for the local education authorities. The training needs of the Department's disabled staff are provided for as they arise.

  Sexual Harassment
  Ms. Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his Department's policy on sexual harassment at work; whether guidance on reporting complaints has been issued to all staff; how many complaints have been reported in the past five years; and what disciplinary action has been taken.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  This Department's policy is that sexual harassment is a form of misconduct which is unacceptable and where substantiated, will be dealt with as a disciplinary matter. Guidance about sexual harassment, reporting complaints and disciplinary procedures was issued to each member of staff last year. Over the last five years three cases have been reported each of which was investigated. In one case a formal warning was issued.

  Pin-ups
  Ms. Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will issue instructions for the removal of all offensive pin-ups in all his departmental premises.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The Department's policy is to encourage staff to respect the feelings of others. It has issued guidance to all staff about sexual harassment which could include offensive pin-ups. It is not considered necessary to issue specific instructions about offensive pin-ups.

  Exam Results
  Ms. Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will provide a breakdown of GCSE and A-level results by gender and subject.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The figures in the table relate to school leavers of all ages in England in 1987–88, including their achievements at O-level and CSE gained in earlier years.
  397

  School leavers: examination attainments by selected subject

  England

  Leavers with graded results in the GCSE (1): as percentage all leavers

  Leavers with A-level passes: as percentage all 17 year olds

  Grades A-C2

  Grades D-G3

  All grades4

  Grades A-E

  Boys

  Any subject

  53·3

  35·0

  88·4

  17·4

  English

  35·1

  46·3

  81·4

  2·9

  Mathematics

  35·8

  40·9

  76·7

  7·6

  Physics

  21·8

  24·4

  46·2

  5·6

  Chemistry

  16·5

  13·9

  30·4

  4·4

  Biological sciences

  12·8

  12·8

  25·7

  2·5

  Craft, design, technology and other science

  19·1

  33·5

  52·6

  1·3

  French

  12·0

  14·8

  26·8

  1·0

  History

  14·0

  16·9

  30·9

  2·9

  Geography

  18·6

  25·3

  43·8

  3·5

  Creative arts

  10·6

  18·0

  28·6

  1·6

  Commercial and domestic studies

  5·1

  12·1

  17·2

  0·6

  Girls

  Any subject

  61·4

  30·1

  91·5

  16·9

  English

  48·3

  39·4

  87·7

  6·7

  Mathematics

  30·5

  46·4

  76·8

  3·9

  Physics

  9·8

  9·7

  19·5

  1·7

  Chemistry

  12·0

  12·7

  24·7

  2·8

  Biological sciences

  19·7

  28·3

  48·0

  3·6

  Craft, design, technology and other science

  5·9

  16·5

  22·4

  0·3

  French

  20·4

  21·9

  42·3

  2·7

  History

  16·0

  17·5

  33·4

  3·3

  Geography

  15·3

  18·0

  33·3

  2·4

  Creative arts

  17·9

  18·2

  36·1

  2·7

  Commercial and domestic studies

  22·2

  31·6

  53·9

  1·3

  1 Including attainments at O-level and CSE.

  2 GCSE and O-level grades A-C; CSE grade 1.

  3 GCSE grades D-G, O-level grades D-E; CSE grades 2–5.

  4 Percentages have been calculated independently and may not equal the sum of the constituent parts owing to rounding.

  Child Minders
  Ms. Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many training courses for child minders are funded by his Department.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  None.

  Nursery Education
  Ms. Richardson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the total public expenditure on nursery schools and classes in each year from 1975–76; and what was the total public expenditure on these services as a percentage of the gross domestic product for England and Wales for each of these years.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Figures for expenditure on nursery schools and classes alone are not available. Figures for current expenditure on all pupils aged under 5 in England are given in the table.

  Current Spending Under-5s

  Money GDP

  Spending as per cent, of GDP

  Year

  £ million

  £ billion

  1975–76

  108

  111

  0·10

  1976–77

  127

  130

  0·10

  1977–78

  128

  151

  0·08

  1978–79

  146

  173

  0·08

  1979–80

  177

  208

  0·09

  1980–81

  222

  237

  0·09

  1981–82

  241

  260

  0·09

  1982–83

  274

  285

  0·10

  398

  Current Spending Under-Ss

  Money GDP

  Spending as per cent, of GDP

  Year

  £ million

  £ billion

  1983–84

  296

  309

  0·10

  1984–85

  331

  331

  0·10

  1985–86

  350

  362

  0·10

  1986–87

  397

  388

  0·10

  1987–88

  447

  430

  0·10

  1988–89

  510

  476

  0·11

  1989–90

  561

  517

  0·1l

  Notes to table:

  1. Under-5s include those in nursery schools, nursery classes in primary schools, and other classes in primary schools.

  2. The current spending figures are taken from successive DES Chapters of the Public Expenditure White Paper. The figure for 1975–76 is an estimate derived by applying to the White Paper figure given at 1980 survey prices a conversion factor calculated from local authority returns of price changes. The figures for 1988–89 and 1989–90 are provisional.

  3. The money Gross Domestic Product figures are taken from Table 21·2·1 of Chapter 21 of the 1990 Public Expenditure White Paper (Cm 1021). The GDP covers the whole of the United Kingdom; a GDP for England and Wales is not available.

  Teacher Training
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish(a) the target intake figures for each polytechnic or college education department of faculty for 1987, 1988, 1989 and 1990, and (b) the actual intake in each case for 1987, 1988 and 1989.
  399
  Mr. Alan Howarth
  Initial teacher training target and intake figures for public sector institutions are as follows:

  Target

  Intake

  Institution

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1987

  1988

  1989

  Polytechnics

  Birmingham

  237

  237

  247

  298

  268

  287

  313

  Brighton

  337

  352

  377

  370

  341

  339

  408

  Bristol

  302

  337

  378

  423

  365

  359

  406

  Hatfield

  185

  162

  212

  243

  96

  178

  218

  Huddersfield1

  30

  30

  35

  40

  20

  J

  J

  Kingston

  190

  188

  207

  218

  181

  176

  203

  Leeds

  334

  356

  342

  346

  320

  343

  333

  Leicester

  50

  50

  50

  52

  51

  46

  54

  Liverpool

  269

  284

  279

  251

  274

  233

  264

  Manchester

  526

  526

  536

  598

  519

  577

  577

  Middlesex

  248

  248

  228

  304

  231

  188

  225

  Newcastle

  216

  243

  220

  273

  217

  228

  225

  Oxford

  156

  166

  186

  217

  167

  206

  186

  North London

  120

  175

  157

  186

  101

  198

  179

  Sheffield

  404

  431

  443

  506

  407

  450

  423

  South Bank

  188

  168

  158

  159

  132

  133

  105

  Sunderland

  218

  250

  248

  268

  193

  212

  272

  Thames

  402

  442

  482

  504

  435

  373

  420

  Trent

  321

  341

  346

  367

  269

  258

  371

  Wolverhampton

  361

  366

  391

  432

  344

  358

  438

  Colleges and institutes

  Bath

  247

  262

  237

  258

  242

  260

  278

  Bradford

  222

  223

  242

  236

  207

  243

  254

  Bradford and Ilkley

  172

  158

  172

  188

  127

  172

  168

  Bretton Hall

  205

  215

  225

  250

  222

  276

  158

  Bulmershe2

  217

  236

  —

  —

  215

  195

  —

  Charlotte Mason

  175

  185

  185

  201

  183

  201

  199

  Crewe and Alsager

  337

  347

  367

  394

  344

  354

  354

  Derbyshire

  167

  173

  187

  203

  166

  147

  211

  Edge hill

  281

  291

  301

  319

  287

  303

  334

  Essex

  142

  147

  147

  189

  143

  151

  162

  Nene

  161

  166

  179

  195

  164

  188

  215

  North Riding

  135

  180

  200

  216

  161

  149

  243

  Rolle3

  170

  205

  220

  236

  206

  207

  235

  West London

  212

  217

  227

  231

  213

  210

  214

  Worcester

  252

  280

  281

  287

  221

  245

  268

  Bishop Grosseteste

  150

  175

  200

  220

  135

  210

  232

  Chester

  142

  153

  163

  182

  171

  173

  237

  Christ Church

  256

  297

  300

  338

  292

  321

  328

  Homerton

  266

  300

  292

  325

  285

  283

  319

  King Alfred's

  226

  242

  252

  286

  237

  277

  308

  La Sainte Union

  201

  219

  229

  233

  182

  234

  287

  Liverpool

  334

  351

  356

  393

  349

  394

  407

  Newham and Westhill

  240

  236

  228

  247

  260

  238

  272

  Ripon and York

  262

  257

  272

  295

  231

  261

  273

  Roehampton

  526

  501

  533

  544

  434

  460

  582

  St. Mark and St. John

  167

  209

  235

  256

  173

  251

  237

  St. Martin's

  297

  316

  307

  344

  327

  312

  315

  St. Mary's

  208

  227

  229

  259

  220

  200

  250

  St. Paul and St. Mary's

  217

  227

  242

  259

  228

  237

  261

  Trinity and All Saints

  254

  260

  284

  306

  229

  267

  263

  West Sussex

  242

  267

  276

  292

  256

  258

  281

  Westminster

  195

  210

  230

  264

  194

  231

  261

  Welsh institutions

  Bangor (Normal)

  135

  135

  135

  144

  119

  135

  177

  Gwent

  135

  135

  135

  175

  154

  128

  154

  North East Wales

  95

  95

  95

  94

  115

  104

  111

  South Glamorgan

  250

  250

  250

  262

  272

  268

  272

  West Glamorgan

  95

  95

  95

  105

  82

  107

  136

  Trinity

  155

  155

  155

  171

  134

  174

  175

  1 Data on intakes to courses with January start dates are not collected centrally (indicated within tables by notation 'J').

  2 Bulmershe College target and intake figures are included with Reading University figures from 1989.

  3 Rolle College is now the Polytechnic of the South West.

  Replan
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he expects to announce his decision about the future of Replan.
  400
  Mr. Jackson
  My right hon. Friend will announce his decision on the future of the Replan programme when he has considered the issues fully.
  401
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will publish the evaluation undertaken by his Department of the Replan project; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jackson
  The Replan programme was introduced in 1984 with the aim of creating better opportunities for unemployed adults. It was initially funded to run up to 1987, but was subsequently extended on four occasions and will continue in its present form up to October 1991. The Government are currently undertaking a policy review of the programme, and have commissioned the preparation of an evaluation study as part of that review. The final report of the study is expected shortly. My right hon. Friend will consider whether the findings of the evaluation study should be more widely available when the policy review is completed.

  School Playing Fields
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science, further to his reply on 26 February,Official Report, column 3, whether he will carry out a survey of the current availability of land for use as school playing fields; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  My right hon. Friend has no present plans to do so. The provision of school playing fields is a matter for LEAs and others responsible for the schools.

  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will seek a report from the London borough of Enfield about the position of school playing fields for the proposed Southgate school consolidation; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The Department has received a submission from Enfield LEA seeking formal approval to a building project associated with the proposed consolidation of Southgate school. The submission includes a certificate confirming that the proposals will comply with the statutory standards. These include playing field requirements. The proposal will be considered by the Department in accordance with normal procedures.

  Bronchitis and Emphysema
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will ask the medical research council to undertake research concerning the relationship between the development of chronic bronchitis or emphysema and exposure to substances associated with the processing, smelting, working or production of steel.

  Mr. Jackson
  No; it is for the council to determine its own priorities for funding from its grant in aid.

  Human Infertility
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will list the research the Government are currently funding into the causes of human infertility; and what is the cost to the Government of this research.

  Mr. Jackson
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Halifax (Mrs. Mahon) on 402
  30 October 1989, Official Report, columns 11–13. The cost of research into the causes of human infertility has not been separated out from the overall cost of research into human infertility.

PRIME MINISTER

  Security Services
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will give the terms of reference of the Sir Anthony Duff inquiry of 1987 into the security services.

  The Prime Minister
  I have nothing to add to my statement in the House of 6 May 1987.

  Sea Dumping
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will make it her policy to transfer responsibility for regulating sea dumping from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to the Department of the Environment.

  The Prime Minister
  No.

  Deforestation
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to her reply to the hon. Member for Linlithgow of 28 February, what she is doing to implement Dr. Holdgate's suggestion that the priority for western Governments is to steer deforestation practices in the direction of sustainable cropping systems.

  The Prime Minister
  Helping developing countries with sustainable forest management is the key objective of the British aid programme's increasing support for tropical forestry activities.

  National Health Service Reform
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to her oral reply to the hon. Member for Wakefield (Mr. Hinchliffe) on Tuesday 27 February, what sums have been expended by Her Majesty's Government in preparation or advocacy of self-governing status of hospitals within the National Health Service.

  The Prime Minister
  Over £80 million has been made available this year for preparation for the implementation of the National Health Service review proposals as a whole. Resources have not been specifically allocated from within this sum for the preparation of National Health Service trusts.

  Mr. Colin Wallace
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Prime Minister if, pursuant to her reply to the hon. Member for Linlithgow,Official Report, 26 February, column 8, she will set out the policy considerations involved in her decision not to place in the Library the letter to Mr. Colin Wallace to which the hon. Member made reference.

  The Prime Minister
  It is not my practice to do so.

  Press Briefings
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will give details of the contents of the press briefings by her press secretary in relation to the Leader of the Opposition in the week beginning 12 February.

  The Prime Minister
  It is not the practice to give details of press briefings.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Private Notice Questions
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Lord President of the Council how many private notice questions were answered(a) from Back Bench Members and (b) from Opposition Front Bench Members in the sessions of 1977–78, 1978–79 and 1988–89.

  Sir Geoffrey Howe
  For sessions 1977–78 and 1978–79 it is not possible accurately to identify whether private notice questions were asked by Back Bench Members or Opposition Front-Bench Members. However, of the 20 questions asked in Session 1977–78 my best assessment is that six were asked by Opposition Front-Bench spokesmen and for Session 1978–79 the numbers were 29 and 13 respectively. In Session 1988–89, a total of 35 private notice questions were asked; of these, 21 were asked by Opposition Front-Bench spokesmen.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Baltic Gold
  Mr. Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the Baltic gold; and what is its current value.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  When the Baltic states were incorporated into the Soviet Union in 1940, the property of a number of British nationals was seized without compensation. The Soviet authorities also did not accept responsibility for the external debts of the Baltic states, including three external loans which had been placed in London. To safeguard British interests, the British Government responded by freezing the gold reserves of the three Baltic central banks which were deposited in London, and which were claimed by the Soviet authorities.

  Negotiations between the British and Soviet Governments culminated in an agreement which was signed on 5 January 1968. This provided that the British and Soviet Governments would not pursue their respective claims. It thus enabled the British Government to use most of the money realised from the sale in 1967 of the Baltic gold reserves (in addition to certain other assets of the Baltic States and ceded territories) to meet in part the claims of British creditors who had lost assets in the former Baltic states and in certain other territories incorporated into the Soviet Union. The judicial determination of these claims was carried out by the Foreign Compensation Commission in accordance with the Foreign Compensation (Union of Soviet Socialists Republics) Order 1969; claimants eventually receiving 42·6 per cent. of the assessed value of their claims.

  The Baltic gold (weighing 460,220 fine ounces) realised £5·8 million when sold in 1967. Its value would be approximately £112·17 million at current prices.

  East European Foreign Ministers
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last met his Polish, Hungarian and Czechoslovakian counterparts; and what matters were discussed.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs met his Polish and Czechoslovak counterparts at the open skies conference in Ottawa on 12 to 14 February. They discussed various issues of bilateral relations, internal developments in Poland and Czechoslovakia, and German reunification. My right hon. Friend met the Hungarian Foreign Minister, Dr. Horn, on 28 February. They discussed a number of bilateral issues including the know-how fund for Hungary, and other questions relating to the future of Europe.

  Vietnamese Boat People
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Vietnamese boat people in Hong Kong detention camps have injured themselves in protest at the British Government's screening policy; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maude
  Since 16 June, 12 people have injured themselves in Hong Kong detention centres.

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

  Mr. Maude
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to him on this question on 14 February at column 235.

  Eastern Europe
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to improve trade and consular facilities in eastern Europe and the Soviet Union; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Increased resources are being directed to United Kingdom official representation, including trade and consular facilities, in eastern Europe and the Soviet Union to enable our diplomatic missions there to meet new demands arising from the dramatic changes in these countries. Staffing has already been strengthened at several posts to deal with increased visa demand and with work connected with the know-how funds. Further reinforcement to meet these and other tasks will be made in the next few months.

  Tunisia
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what monitoring of the monument at Tabrouna, Tunisia, has been undertaken by Her Majesty's embassy in Tunis, in order to ensure its protection and preservation.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The embassy is continuing to monitor the condition of the monument at Takrouna. A member of the embassy visited the site on 21 February.

  Vietnam
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the recent visit to Vietnam by the Minister of State, the hon. Member for Warwickshire, North (Mr. Maude).

  Mr. Maude
  I visited the Socialist Republic of Vietnam from 18 to 21 February for talks with the Vietnamese Government. There were wide-ranging and useful discussions. I signed an agreement to speed up the voluntary return of boat people from Hong Kong, in which connection the Vietnamese Government will, with British financial assistance, construct a new transit centre so that by 1 May 1990 around 1,000 returnees a month can return. I explained that the continued failure of the Vietnamese Government to accept their international obligations notably towards their own citizens could not avoid being an obstacle to the development of bilateral relationships. The Vietnamese assured me of their concern to settle the boat people issue. Her Majesty's ambassador in Hanoi is continuing the discussions.

  Rain Forests
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his discussions with Senor Diego Cordouey, Foreign Minister of Ecuador, on rain forest problems during his recent visit to London.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  We have discussed this matter with the Government of Ecuador on a number of occasions. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and I discussed a wide range of other issues with Dr. Cordovez during his recent visit to London.

  Coto Donana National Park
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Government of Spain about the conservation of the Coto Donana national park.

  Mr. Maude
  We recognise the international importance of the Coto Donana national park, and the concern shown by conservation bodies within Spain and more widely about its future. The European Commission is aware of possible breaches of the wild birds directive, and has begun infraction proceedings against Spain.

  Nuclear Non-proliferation
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what initiatives Her Majesty's Government intend to put forward at the third preparatory committee meeting in Geneva on 24 April to 4 May, for the fourth review conference of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty; and whether any financial support has been made available to non-governmental organisations to attend this final preparatory meeting.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The third preparatory committee will be devoted largely to administrative aspects of the review conference. As convenor of the western group of non-proliferation treaty parties in Geneva, the United Kingdom has been active in the preparations. No financial support has been made available to non-governmental organisations to attend the meeting.

  Ivory
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will provide a breakdown of the current ivory stocks in Hong Kong according to weight and origin; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  [holding answer 15 February 1990]: The Hong Kong Government's records do not provide a breakdown of the current ivory stocks according to weight and country of origin. However, CITES certificates show that stocks originated from the following countries:

  Botswana, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

  The total weight of these stocks is 254 tonnes of raw ivory and 104 tonnes of worked ivory.

WALES

  Housing Grants
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether he has any plans to revise the administrative structure of the housing grant system due to be introduced in Wales in April; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Grist
  The day-to-day administration of the new home renovation grant system will be the responsibility of local housing authorities. My hon. Friend., the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Environment, announced on 22 February that implementation of the major provisions of part VIII of the 1989 Act in England and Wales will be deferred to 1 July 1990. This will allow local authorities to prepare for a smooth transition to the new system and maintain the momentum on renovation activity.

  Toxic Waste
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what volumes of toxic wastes and contaminated landfill rubble has been deposited in the Cwmrhydyceirw quarry in Morriston (West Glamorgan); and whether this site is licensed for receipt of polychlorinated biphenyl contaminated waste materials.

  Mr. Grist
  Information on deposits at licensed disposal sites is not held centrally; it is for the licensing authority to specify the types and quantities of waste which may be deposited. I understand that the Cwmrhydyceirw quarry site is not specifically licensed by Swansea city council to accept PCB contaminated waste.

  Water Pollution
  Mr. Allan Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what water supply tests for bacterial and other infections have been carried out in Mid Glamorgan health district buildings in the past two years.

  Mr. Grist
  Mid Glamorgan health authority has a policy for the regular testing of water. Sampling is undertaken every three months at every hospital with testing undertaken at the University hospital of Wales.

  M4, Earlswood-Lôn Las
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he has made plans relating to the first stage of construction for the M4 missing link between Earlswood and Lôn Las to ensure that additional traffic lanes can be constructed with ease if traffic flows exceed predicted forecasts.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  The design of this section of the M4 would permit an additional lane to be added in each direction with minimal disruption should future traffic levels justify it.

  Equal Opportunities
  Mr. Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what measures he has implemented to ensure that recruitment and promotion policy in his Department does not directly or indirectly discriminate against applicants who were mature students or women returning to work following a career break due to child care.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Barking (Ms. Richardson) in July 1988.

  In addition, my Department has recently introduced a holiday play scheme for the children of members of staff. The provision of nursery facilities is being considered.

  Mr. Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many of his Department's management training courses include sessions on equal opportunities for women; and what proportion of managers at grade six level and above working outside headquarters has received training on equal opportunities for women.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  The Welsh Office runs three mandatory management courses which include sessions on equal opportunities for women. In addition, and as part of its equal opportunities policy, my Department provides four women-only management courses.

  Only two officers at grade six and above are employed outside Cardiff; as yet, neither has attended a training course with equal opportunities content.

  Mr. Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what action he has taken, and what action he intends taking, to implement the recommendations within his area of responsibility of the European Commission's child care network report "Caring for Children—Services and Policies for Childcare and Equal Opportunities in the United Kingdom".

  Mr. Grist
  The report was prepared for the European Commission which has not yet developed any proposals. The Government believe that policy on child care is a matter of member states. The United Kingdom's policy is that it is for families themselves to determine how their children are to be brought up and how parents who wish to do so, can best combine paid work and family responsibilities. The Government, through the Department of Health, the Welsh Office and the ministerial group on women's issues, on which the Department is represented, has encouraged the development of a range of high quality child care options for both employers and parents.

  Mr. Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what child care provision his Department provides for 408
  pre-school age children of employees; what child care provision for school holidays or after-school care is provided for employees' children aged five years or over; what plans there are for increasing provision in the next five years; and how these are to be funded.

  Mr. Grist
  The Department ran a holiday play scheme for school-age children of staff in Cardiff last summer and plans to do so again for the Easter and summer school holidays this year. The scheme is substantially self-financing, but it receives some financial support from the Welsh Office and the other Government Departments that make use of it.

  The Welsh Office is looking into the possibility of providing nursery facilities for its Cardiff staff in conjunction with other Government Departments.

  The Department does not arrange after-school care for the children of staff and has no immediate plans to do so.

  Mr. Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what grade is his Department's equal opportunities officer.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  My Department's equal opportunities officer is a senior executive officer.

  Mr. Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proportion of civil servants in his Department are women at each of the grades(a) seven, (b) six, (c) five, (d) four, (e) three, (f) two and (g) one.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  The information is as follows:

  Grade

  Percentage of Women

  1

  —

  2

  —

  3

  —

  4

  33

  5

  15

  6

  24

  7

  12

  1. As at 1 January 1990

  2. The grade categories shown include equivalent professional grades.

  Sexual Harassment
  Mr. Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his Department's policy on sexual harassment at work; whether guidance on reporting complaints has been issued to all staff; how many complaints have been reported in the past five years; and what disciplinary action has been taken.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  My Department's policy on sexual harassment is that it will not be tolerated and may lead to disciplinary proceedings. Written guidance on the complaints procedure to follow in cases of sexual harassment has been made available to all staff. Two complaints have been reported in the last five years, both of which were settled to the satisfaction of the individuals concerned without the need for disciplinary action.

  Pin-ups
  Mr. Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will issue instructions for the removal of all offensive pin-ups in all his departmental premises.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  A new equal opportunities policy statement is planned to issue to all staff this year to
  409
  encourage further good equal opportunity practice within the Department. It will remind staff that they should not display posters or pictures which might cause offence to others.

  Cancer
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will provide figures for the incidence of(a) leukaemia, (b) lung cancer, (c) colon cancer and (d) stomach cancer in each district in Wales for each of the last 10 years;

  (2) if he will publish up-to-date figures on the incidence of leukaemia in each district of Wales, together with the figures for each of the previous 10 years.

  Mr. Grist
  Data for recent years are not yet available, and earlier years' figures are not readily available in the form requested. I therefore refer the hon. Gentleman to the figures given in the Welsh Office publication "Cancer Registration in Wales 1974–1984".

  Llanelli General Hospital
  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many new junior doctors are intended to be recruited for the new Llanelli general hospital.

  Mr. Grist
  The staffing levels of the new Llanelli general hospital are primarily a matter for the health authority to decide within the resources available to it, subject to the normal arrangements for the appointment of junior staff within the framework of the "Achieving A Balance" agreement between the Health Departments, the professional and the NHS for the reform of the hospital medical staffing structure.

  Junior Doctors
  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage of all junior hospital doctors in the National Health Service in the whole of Wales work within the South Glamorgan health authority area.

  Mr. Grist
  As at 30 September 1988, a total of 30 per cent. of junior hospital doctors (whole-time equivalents) in post in the NHS in Wales were employed by South Glamorgan health authority. Junior hospital doctors includes the grades of house officer, senior house officer, registrar, senior registrar, associate specialist and senior hospital medical officer.

  Bryntirion Hospital, Llanelli
  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether the soil sample collection procedures used in the recent tests of PCB levels carried out by the pollution inspectorate in an area adjacent to Bryntirion hospital, Llanelli, were identical to the procedures used by the university of East Anglia while carrying out the original tests in the same area, as reported in the HMSO publication ISBN 0 11 7522686.

  Mr. Grist
  Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution took the samples on both occasions and the procedures were identical.

  Old People's Homes
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many local authority old people's homes there were in Wales in(a) 1979 and (b) 1989; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Grist
  The number of local authority old people's homes in Wales at 31 March 1979 was 200 and at 31 March 1989 it was 192.

  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many privately owned old people's homes there were in Wales in(a) 1979 and (b) 1989; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Grist
  The number of privately owned old people's homes in Wales at 31 March 1979 is not separately identifiable from available sources. However, the number of private and voluntary homes combined was 80. As at 31 March 1989 there were 461 private homes and 23 voluntary homes for elderly people.

  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has to enable elderly people in Wales to meet the fees of privately owned homes; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Grist
  At present public support for elderly people in independent sector residential care and nursing homes is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services. The proposals for the new arrangements for 1 April 1991 are set out in chapter 3 (paragraphs 3.7.6. and 3.8.2) and chapter 9 of the "Caring for People" White Paper (Cm 849).

  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will make it his policy to encourage local authorities to open more publicly funded elderly people's homes in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Grist
  The "Caring for People" White Paper (Cm 849) makes it clear that local authorities will need to review the level of provision in their own homes in the light of the new community care proposals.

  Tyre Dump Fire (Powys)
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the environmental impact of the recent three-month long fire at a tyre dump in Powys.

  Mr. Grist
  The company is seeking to bring the fire under control and the position is being monitored by Radnor district council which is under a duty to supervise the waste disposal sites it licenses under the Control of Pollution Act 1974.

  When Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution last visited the site there was no emission of smoke and only a slight localised odour problem. Subject to a satisfactory surface seal being maintained, the situation will be contained.

  I am advised that monitoring at the public water supply intake 85 km downstream by the National Rivers Authority has shown that phenol concentrations are within drinking water standards. Although there is some pollution of streams in the immediate vicinity of the fire, action on site has prevented the spread of pollution downstream.

  Litter
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the maximum fine for improperly disposing of litter in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Grist
  Littering as an offence under the Litter Act 1983 attracts a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale, currently £400. There are proposals in the Environmental Protection Bill to increase this to level 4 on the standard scale, currently £1,000.

  Planning Aid Wales
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether he has proposals to renew funding for Planning Aid Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Grist
  Planning Aid Wales has submitted an application for funding under the Department's 1990–91 special grants—Environmental—programme. This is currently being considered together with other applications for funding from the limited resources available through this programme. Planning Aid Wales has already benefited from this programme, receiving over £53,000 since 1985.

  Toolsheds
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether rates are charged in Wales for toolsheds used only to store tools for growing vegetables on allotments; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Grist
  The decision whether any particular property is non-domestic, and therefore rateable after April 1990, is a matter for the valuation officer. In reaching decisions on rateability with respect to toolsheds, the valuation officer will have regard to section 66(1)(d) of the Local Government Finance Act 1988, which provides that property is domestic—and so not rateable—if it is private storage premises used wholly or mainly for the storage of articles of domestic use.

  Imported Waste
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received with regard to the importation of contaminated rubble from West Germany via Max Recovery's transfer station in Swansea to direct landfill in Cwmrhydceirw quarry.

  Mr. Grist
  My right hon. Friend has received representations from an hon. Member on behalf of constituents expressing concern about the proposed importation. Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution has received a letter from Swansea city council seeking advice.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether he intends to publish amended versions of Department of the Environment pamphlets on community charge reductions and the uniform business rate in Wales.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  No. Welsh Office leaflets on community charge benefit were distributed to all households in Wales late in 1989. There is no need to produce a separate publicity leaflet on community charge 412
  transitional relief, because the Welsh scheme does not require applications to be made in order that relief can be awarded. On business rates, I have made available since March 1989 a pamphlet, "The New Business Rating System in Wales". This has been regularly updated. The latest revision, dated January 1990, is in the Library. Copies have been made available through Welsh business organisations, district valuation offices and from the Welsh Office in response to enquiries.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many(a) part-time and (b) full-time staff have been brought in to each district, borough and city council in Wales to deal specifically with the community charge or poll tax.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  The information requested is not held centrally.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much extra expenditure has been incurred by each district, borough and city council in Wales on(a) the adaptation of current information systems and (b) purchasing of new technology, as a direct result of implementing the poll tax.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  The current and capital expenditure incurred by each district council in Wales on the implementation costs of the community charge in 1989–90 are shown in the table:

  Community charge preparation costs 1989–90

  Local authority

  Current budget £000

  Capital forecast £000

  Alyn and Deeside

  328

  173

  Colwyn

  124

  149

  Delyn

  203

  0

  Glyndwr

  168

  0

  Rhuddlan

  207

  274

  Wrexham Maelor

  377

  724

  Carmarthen

  184

  0

  Ceredigion

  307

  112

  Dinefwr

  182

  188

  Llanelli

  176

  0

  Preseli Pembrokeshire

  317

  193

  South Pembrokeshire

  138

  76

  Blaenau Gwent

  305

  100

  Islwyn

  213

  169

  Monmouth

  167

  166

  Newport

  355

  425

  Torfaen

  290

  198

  Aberconwy

  193

  215

  Arfon

  310

  0

  Dwyfor

  194

  142

  Meirionnydd

  282

  670

  Ynys Môn

  176

  274

  Cynon Valley

  103

  928

  Merthyr Tydfil

  256

  844

  Ogwr

  642

  0

  Rhondda

  196

  30

  Rhymney Valley

  381

  580

  Taff Ely

  433

  414

  Brecknock

  173

  0

  Montgomeryshire

  237

  63

  Radnorshire

  95

  40

  Cardiff

  1,090

  953

  Vale of Glamorgan

  392

  150

  Port Talbot

  189

  50

  Lliw Valley

  239

  0

  Neath

  218

  142

  Swansea

  934

  630

  Total Wales

  10,774

  9,072

  Family Practitioner Committees
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage of the new general managers of family practitioner committees in Wales have had previous careers in the armed forces.

  Mr. Grist
  Fifty per cent.

  Competitive Tendering
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what were(a) the target totals and (b) actual expenditure for each district, borough and city council in Wales for expenditure on the implementation and administration of competitive tendering exercises during 1989.

  Mr. Grist
  This information is not held centrally. Quantification of these items in budgets and accounts is a matter for individual local authorities.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Auditing
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has taken any steps to prevent individuals from the auditing firms criticised by his inspectors for audits of investment companies from participating in development of auditing policy in relation to investment business.

  Mr. Redwood
  If, by referring to audit policy, the hon. Member has in mind the work of the Auditing Practices Committee then I have taken no steps to influence which individuals are appointed to that committee by the Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies.

  Company Audits
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will seek to legislate to require auditors of companies actively to evaluate and seek evidence relating to the post balance sheet events occurring between the date of the audit report and the following annual general meeting.

  Mr. Redwood
  No.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he will seek to legislate to require company auditors to alert the users of financial statements of the likelihood of financial insolvency;

  (2) whether he will seek to legislate to require auditors to report on the financial soundness of companies.

  Mr. Redwood
  No. The auditors' duty is to report to members of the company. There is a presumption under the accounting principles set out in the Companies Act 1985 that the company is carrying on a business as going concern. Auditing standards already prescribe that where there are doubts about the company's ability to continue as a going concern auditors should qualify their report appropriately.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will seek to amend schedule 12 to the Companies Act 1989 so as to discourage organisations seeking recognition as qualifying bodies from using objective tests to further theoretical knowledge.
  414
  Mr. Redwood
  No.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will seek to amend the Companies Act 1989 so as to require the supervisory bodies to provide tangible proof to any member of the public showing that they have taken active steps to monitor compliance with the rules on auditor independence.

  Mr. Redwood
  No.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will seek to legislate to require auditors of all large companies to report on the effectiveness with which a company utilises its assets.

  Mr. Redwood
  No. It is the auditors' function to report on the company's annual accounts. It is for others to judge from those statements the performance of the company.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State For Trade and Industry whether he will seek to legislate to require company auditors to report all departures from the Companies Acts.

  Mr. Redwood
  No. It is already a requirement of the Companies Act 1985 that the auditors' report shall state whether in the auditor's opinion the annual accounts have been properly prepared in accordance with the Act. There is professional guidance on how the auditor should report departures from statutory requirements.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will provide a list of the organisations which have written to him either supporting or opposing the implementation of section 15 of the Companies Act 1989.

  Mr. Redwood
  A number of detailed comments were received in response to my Department's recent consultative document on a draft of the regulations to implement section 15 of the Companies Act 1989. None, however, raised the question whether or not the provision should be implemented.

  GEC
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has any plans to meet the chairman of GEC-Alsthom-General Electric European Gas Turbine Company to discuss investment in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Not at present. The company will, I have no doubt, keep us advised of its plans for any new investment in the United Kingdom as its predecessor did.

  Global Warming
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has any plans to put forward proposals at the next Council of Industry Ministers to initiate industrial developments and changes in industrial design and practice to reduce discharges of gases presently causing global warming.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The agenda for Council of Ministers meetings is determined by the presidency, which is currently held by the Republic of Ireland. Environmental issues such as those cited by the hon.
  415
  Gentleman have important implications for business and may well be considered by the Industry Council in due course. However, there are no present plans for such discussion. In the meantime, the Department of Trade and Industry environmental programme already contains a range of measures designed to help and encourage firms to respond positively to the challenges and opportunities presented by environmental issues such as global warming.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if, at the last meeting of the European Ministers Research Council, held in Brussels on 26 February, he put forward any proposals for(a) European Community collaboration on research to combat the greenhouse effect and global warming climate change and (b) intergovernmental and inter-institutional collaboration on environmental improvement research.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I attended the Research Council on 26 February. This included an exchange with a delegation of Members of the European Parliament on the overall 1990–94 EC R and D framework programme.

  The 1990–94 framework programme includes a programme of environmental research (414 mecu or £298 million) which is 59 per cent. larger than the previous EC programme and includes research on the subjects raised by the hon. Member.

  An agricultural research programme and a cooperation agreement with EFTA countries on the medical and health research programme were also adopted.

  Investment (North-west)
  Mr. Orme
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to improve investment in the north-west.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  All Department of Trade and Industry policies are aimed at encouraging investment in the north-west and throughout the United Kingdom.

  RECHAR
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) how much money is available to the United Kingdom through the RECHAR scheme for the schemes he recently submitted for each of the years 1990 to 1994;

  (2) what criteria qualified wards in Nottingham, North constituency for submission for RECHAR assistance; and which bodies were consulted before the decision was made;

  (3) whether Nottinghamshire county council and Nottingham city council were consulted before he submitted the RECHAR list to the European Commission.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  My Department drew the attention of county, city and district authorities to the notice published by the European Commission about the RECHAR initiative and invited representations. Representations were received from Nottinghamshire county council, among others. Among other bodies consulted was the Coalfield Communities Campaign.

  Wards were considered for inclusion in the list of Government's proposals for RECHAR where they were part of a coal-mining area that had suffered sufficient coal-mining job losses to meet the criteria of the Commission's notice.
  416
  It is not yet known how much money will be available to the United Kingdom from RECHAR. I hope that the Commission's decision will be reached before the end of this year.

  Investors (Protection)
  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to introduce an order under section 203(3) of the Companies Act 1989, standard of protection for investors, specifying when the transitional period is to end.

  Mr. Redwood
  As soon as it becomes clear that the transitional provisions are no longer necessary.

  Takeovers
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of European Economic Community takeovers of companies occurred in each member state over the most recent 12-month period for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  [holding answer 26 February 1990]: Figures are not compiled within the Government of all takeovers of companies in each country throughout the European Economic Community. Information is cornpiledd for United Kingdom takeover activity and published quarterly by the Central Statistical Office in Business Bulletin "Cross Border Acquisitions and Mergers". The latest publication includes information to the third quarter of 1989 and is available in the Library.

  The report on barriers to takeovers in the European Community prepared for the Department of Trade and Industry and published recently indicates that in 1988 73 per cent. of acquisitions in the European Community took place in the United Kingdom.

  North-East Shipbuilders Ltd.
  Mr. Clay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if, pursuant to the reply to the hon. Member for Gateshead, East (Ms. Quin) of 20 February,Official Report, column 780, he will list any changes in the proposals for the acquisition of NESL facilities by the Anglo-Greek consortium which were not made as a result of guidance from either his Department or the Tyne and Wear development corporation.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 27 February 1990]: Following the rejection of the shipbuilding bids for the NESL yards in July 1989 for reasons explained by my right hon. Friend the Member for Braintree (Mr. Newton), the Anglo-Greek consortium made an informal proposal which simply foresaw a return to new shipbuilding at North Sands in the longer term, depending on market conditions. A formal proposal on 30 October 1989 was more specific, and explicitly made reference to the development of a modern shipbuilding facility.

  The business plan dated 21 December 1989 made it apparent that the scale of investment was based on future shipbuilding requirements. An additional, parallel idea to use the Southwick site for steel work was raised in January 1990. None of these changes was made at the suggestion of my Department, which has always made it clear that any proposals would need to be assessed against any

  417
  alternative plans for the sites in question, and would need formal clearance by the Commission of the European Communities.

  Shipbuilding
  Mr. Clay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on which dates his Department became aware that the following definitions of a permanent and irreversible closure in the European Commission sixth directive on shipbuilding of(a) a withdrawal of intervention fund by the relevant member state for a period of five years, (b) the cessation of vessel construction for a period of five years and (c) plans predicted on a resumption of vessel construction after a period of five years were not shared by the European Commission.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 27 February 1990]: Sir Leon Brittan's letter of 12 July 1989 to my right hon. Friend the Member for Braintree (Mr. Newton) made clear that the Commission required yards which have been closed as counterpart for aid to remain closed to the building of ships for five years, irrespective of the provision or otherwise of intervention fund grant subsidy. Sir Leon's letter to me of 15 February 1990 made it plain that he would not approve now a notification where the proposal was predicated on a return to shipbuilding after the expiry of the five-year period.

  Mr. Clay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Sunderland, South (Mr. Mullin) of 20 February,Official Report, column 783, if he will list how many jobs he expects will have been created in the Southwick area of the proposed Sunderland enterprise zone by (a) 31 December 1990, (b) 30 June 1991, (c) 31 December 1991, (d) 30 June 1992, (e) 31 December 1992, (f) 30 June 1993 and (g) 31 December 1993.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 27 February 1990]: It is not practicable to give a detailed breakdown of the timing of the jobs expected to be created within the Sunderland enterprise zone. This will depend on, among other things, the timetable on progress on the clearance, reclamation, and development of the sites concerned and on the plans and decisions of individual firms setting up within the zone.

  Mr. Clay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what advice was given by officials of his Department to directors of NESL who wished to know, in May 1988, whether his Department might be sympathetic to a management buy-out of NESL.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 27 February 1990]: As a general principle, the Government would certainly not have been averse to any proposals for a management buy-out of North-East Shipbuilders Ltd. A number of other British Shipbuilders' facilities have indeed been sold on this basis. I am, however, not aware that any formal proposals were actually made by the management of NESL for such a buy-out in respect of that company.

  Mr. Clay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions his Department held with Mr. John Parker following the receipt of information that Mr. Parker was interested in assisting North South Bridge Consortium's proposals to acquire NESL in November 1988.
  418
  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 27 February 1990]: None.

  Mr. Clay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what information he has as to whether the letter of advice sent by the previous chairman to the right hon. Member for Braintree (Mr. Newton) on 3 July 1989 was read and agreed by the other executive board members of British Shipbuilders.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 27 February 1990]: That is a matter for British Shipbuilders.

  Mr. Clay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) whether all relevant and significant matters discussed between officials of his Department and officials of the European Commission concerning the future of NESL between the statement to the House by the right hon. Member for Braintree (Mr. Newton) on 7 December and the right hon. Member for Braintree's meeting with Sir Leon Brittan on 27 June 1989 were drawn to the attention of Ministers of his Department;

  (2) whether all relevant and significant matters discussed between officials of his Department and officials of the European Commission prior to the December 1988 agreement to close North East Shipbuilders Ltd were drawn to the attention of ministers of his Department prior to the finalisation of that agreement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 27 February 1990]: Yes.

  Mr. Clay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will seek an assurance from Sir Leon Brittan that the interpretation which Sir Leon places on a declaration to the minutes of the Industry Council referred to in Sir Leon Brittan's letter to the hon. Member far Grantham (Mr. Hogg) of 15 February 1990 will be applied to any other member state of the European Community who contemplate the reopening of shipbuilding facilities.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 27 February 1990]: The EC's sixth directive on aid to shipbuilding is designed to ensure fair and equitable treatment throughout the Community in all aspects of shipbuilding support. I am sure, therefore, that the Commission will seek uniformity of treatment in respect of closed shipbuilding facilities within EC member states. We will certainly encourage it to do so.

  Space
  Sir Geoffrey Pattie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the expenditure, actual and planned, on civil space related activities paid for from public funds in each of the years 1987–88, 1988–89 and 1989–90; and for each of the years to give a breakdown as between expenditure on European Space Agency programmes and expenditure on domestic United Kingdom programmes.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 2 March 1990]: The figures are as follows:

  £ million

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  European Space Agency programmes

  80·8

  90·2

  87·2

  National programmes

  42·8

  48·1

  51·1

  Total

  123·6

  138·3

  138·3

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Equal Opportunities
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Attorney-General how many of his Department's management training courses include sessions on equal opportunities for women; and what proportion of managers at grade six level and above working outside headquarters has received training on equal opportunities for women.

  The Attorney-General
  Neither the legal secretariat to the Law Officers nor the Treasury Solicitor's Department undertakes its own management training. In the Treasury Solicitor's Department, staff at grade six level and above who are working outside headquarters receive management training at the Civil Service College. In the Crown prosecution service training on equal opportunities for women is integrated into management training and is not dealt with as a separate issue. In the period from September 1988 to January 1989 a series of industrial relations courses, which included a specific session on equal opportunities, was run for grade six officers and above. In the Serious Fraud Office, departmental training courses do not include sessions on equal opportunities for women, but members of staff may attend courses at the Civil Service College, where such sessions are a feature of the course work.

  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Attorney-General what action he has taken, and what action he intends taking, to implement the recommendations within his area of responsibility of the European Commission's childcare network report "Caring for Children—Services and Policies for Childcare and Equal Opportunities in the United Kingdom".

  The Attorney-General
  The report was prepared for the European Commission which has not yet developed any proposals. The Government believe that policy on child care is a matter for member states. The United Kingdom's policy is that it is for families themselves to determine how their children are to be brought up and how parents, who wish to do so, can best combine paid work and family responsibilities. The Government, through the Department of Health and the ministerial group on women's issues, has encouraged the development of a range of high quality child care options for both parents and employers.

  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Attorney-General what childcare provision his Department provides for preschool age children of employees: what childcare provision for school holidays or after-school care is provided for employees' children aged five years or over; what plans there are for increasing provision in the next five years; and how these are to be funded.

  The Attorney-General
  There is no provision of child care for pre-school age children of employees in any of the Departments for which I am responsible. No child care provision is provided in the legal secretariat to the Law Officers, Crown prosecution service or the Serious Fraud Office for employees' children aged five years or over, but for the Treasury Solicitor's Department there is a holiday play scheme for 32 children which is run during half-term holidays and between terms by the Cabinet Office in 420
  conjunction with the Westminster Play Association, but there is no provision for after-school care. The holiday play scheme will continue while there is space available.

  There are no plans to increase provision in the next five years in the legal secretariat to the Law Officers or the Serious Fraud Office. In the Treasury Solicitor's Department it is proposed to introduce a pre-school age nursery subject to there being space available. No decision has been made on how the nursery is to be funded. The Crown prosecution service has agreed to participate in and make a financial contribution towards a study of the feasibility of establishing a number of interdepartmental nurseries in and around central London. As part of this study, the Crown prosecution service has distributed questionnaires to all staff in the London area to find the numbers of employees who would wish to use child care facilities in the future. The service will consider shared funding of child care facilities in those areas where its provision is feasible.

  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Attorney-General what grade is his Department's equal opportunities officer.

  The Attorney-General
  The equal opportunities officer in the legal secretariat to the Law Officers is a grade four, in the Treasury Solicitor's Department a grade six, in the Crown prosecution service a grade seven and in the Serious Fraud Office a higher executive officer.

  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Attorney-General what measures he has implemented to ensure that recruitment and promotion policy in his Department does not directly or indirectly discriminate against applicants who were mature students or women returning to work following a career-break due to child care.

  The Attorney-General
  In the legal secretariat to the Law Officers and the Treasury Solicitor's Department the recruitment of all staff above the grade of executive officer is undertaken by the Civil Service Commission. Officers appointed to recruitment boards for administrative officer and below and promotion boards are reminded of the policy of equal opportunities in the department. In the Crown prosecution service a departmental career break scheme is being developed to ensure that those members of staff who have a break in their career for domestic reasons have the opportunity to maintain their career momentum via a departmental "keeping in touch" scheme.

  The Crown prosecution service has also targeted recruitment publications aimed at mature students and women returning to work following a career break. It has provided working arrangements to suit staff with domestic commitments and has introduced flexible working terms, part-time working, and enhanced arrangements for sabattical leave. All established staff compete equally for promotion opportunities in the service.

  The Serious Fraud Office has recently launched an advertising campaign to attract part-time staff with family commitments. A person would not be subject to discrimination in either recruitment to the Serious Fraud Office or promotion therein on account of their age, providing they are below the normal Civil Service retiring age.

  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Attorney-General what proportion of civil servants in his Department are women at each of the grades(a) seven, (b) six, (c) five, (d) four, (e) three, (f) two and (g) one.
  421
  The Attorney-General
  proportions in each of the Departments for which I am responsible are as follows:

  Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers

  Treasury Solicitor's Department

  Crown Prosecution Service

  Serious Fraud Ofice

  A. Grade 7

  0/0

  11/49

  164/603

  0/4

  B. Grade 6

  0/3

  14/58

  16/152

  3/14

  C. Grade 5

  2/4

  4/39

  2/54

  2/10

  D. Grade 4

  0/2

  0/0

  0/9

  0/0

  E. Grade 3

  1/1

  0/10

  0/4

  0/2

  F. Grade 2

  0/0

  0/0

  0/1

  0/1

  G. Grade 1

  0/0

  0/1

  0/1

  0/0

  Divorce Notifications (Newspapers)
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Attorney-General if he intends to take any action to prevent divorce notifications in newspapers containing the reasons for a divorce; and if he will make a statement.

  The Attorney-General
  There is no present intention to change the law relating to the content of divorce notifications in newspapers, but the matter has been referred to the Law Commission who are considering it along with the law of divorce on which they are expected to report later this year. Under the present divorce law, to provide protection against divorces being granted where the facts required do not exist, Parliament provided in section 9 of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 that any person may show cause why a decree nisi of divorce should not be made absolute. The decree nisi is therefore declared in open court and any member of the public may examine the certificate of the decree and the filed evidence for this purpose. The Judicial Proceedings (Regulation of Reports) Act 1926 aligns with this policy by allowing the press to report, amongst other things, the names and addresses of the parties to a divorce, together with the statutory facts on which the petition relies. Any further restriction would conflict with the present policy of section 9.

  Sexual Harassment
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Attorney-General what is his Department's policy on sexual harassment at work; whether guidance on reporting complaints has been issued to all staff; how many complaints have been reported in the past five years; and what disciplinary action has been taken.

  The Attorney-General
  The policy in each of the Departments for which I am responsible is that sexual harassment at work would not be tolerated and, if appropriate, would be dealt with as a disciplinary matter.

  No specific guidance on reporting complaints has been issued to staff in the legal secretariat to the Law Officers, the Treasury Solicitor's Department or in the Serious Fraud Office. In the Crown prosecution service, the issue of sexual harassment at work is addressed directly in the CPS equal opportunities policy statement which is held by every local office for consultation by any member of staff.

  No complaints have been reported in the legal secretariat to the Law Officers or the Serious Fraud Office. In the Treasury Solicitor's Department one complaint has been made in the last five years but has subsequently been
  422
  withdrawn. In the Crown prosecution service one complaint has been reported and disciplinary action is under consideration.

  Crown Court Hearings
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Attorney-General what is the average period between a committal and full hearing for(a) all crimes and (b) rape.

  The Attorney-General
  The average period between a committal and start of hearing for all defendants whose cases were completed in the Crown Court in 1989 was 12·5 weeks. This compares with 14·3 weeks in 1984 and 17·6 weeks in 1979. Information is not available for individual offences.

  Pin-ups
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Attorney-General whether he will issue instructions for the removal of all offensive pin-ups in all his departmental premises.

  The Attorney-General
  Any complaint about material of this sort in any of the Departments for which I am responsible would be considered and appropriate instructions would be given.

  Leasehold Reform
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Attorney-General if the Government have any plans to introduce leasehold reform—commonhold—legislation.

  The Attorney-General
  The Lord Chancellor announced in June 1988 that the Government had arranged for draft legislation to be prepared at the Law Commission to give effect to the proposals contained in the report of the working group on commonhold (Cm 179) under the chairmanship of Mr. T. M. Aldridge. That work is still in progress. No final decision has yet been taken about the implementation of the report, nor can I give any indication of when legislation on commonhold may be introduced.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Strip Searches
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many women have been strip searched in each of the last 10 years in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Cope
  The strip-searching procedures for female prisoners were introduced at Armagh prison in November
  423
  1982. Yearly figures for the number of women strip searched are only available from 1985 onwards. The details for 1985 to 1989 are as follows:

  No.

  1985

  144

  1986

  162

  1987

  149

  1988

  145

  1989

  145

  Police Accommodation
  Mr. Shersby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what response he is giving to the Northern Ireland police federation's representations concerning(a) the introduction of a provided accommodation allowance and (b) updating of the force rent allowance; and when he expects to lay regulations giving effect to any changes which may take effect from 1 April.

  Mr. Cope
  The Police Federation for Northern Ireland has not made representations to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland concerning the introduction of a provided accommodation allowance for the RUC. Provided accommodation will continue to be free of rent and rates. The rent allowance for the RUC, which would have been due for updating at 1 April 1990, will not now be updated due to its replacement by the new housing allowance. The RUC (Amendment No. 2) Regulations 1990 which will give effect to the change from rent allowance to housing allowance, will be laid before Parliament not later than 9 March 1990.

  Railways
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what has been the loss of revenue to Northern Ireland railways as a result of terrorist activity in each of the last five calendar or financial years for which figures are available.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  [holding answer 27 February 1990]: Northern Ireland Railways Co. Ltd. has informed me that because of the infrequency of incidents before 1989–90 no figures are available. The loss of revenue for 1989–90 is £581,000 to date. In addition to the security implications, there is a significant environmental impact, especially as the relative advantage of the rail service is reduced and more people switch to the road.

  Youth Training
  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he has any plans to extend youth training programme allowances to all those participating in 16 to 19 education.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  [holding answer 18 February 1990]: No.

HEALTH

  Hospital Laundering
  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list those health authorities which awarded laundry contracts inhouse and externally during 1987 and 1988.
  424
  Mr. Freeman
  The information requested, based on reports received from regional health authorities, is shown in the tables.

  LAUNDRY CONTRACTS AWARDED DURING 1987

  Health Authority and Hospital/Unit

  Northern Region

  Northumberland, Prudhoe, In-house

  South Tees, District, In-house

  South West Durham, Sedgefield, In-house

  Sunderland, DGH, In-house

  West Cumbria, District, In-house

  Yorkshire Region

  Bradford, District, External

  Harrogate, District, In-house

  East Anglia Region

  Cambridge, District, In-house

  Peterborough, District, In-house

  South East Thames Region

  Dartford, District, In-house

  Hastings, St. Helens, In-house

  Medway, District, In-house

  South West Thames Region

  Merton and Sutton, District, External

  Richmond, Queen Mary's/Putney, External

  Worthing, Southlands, In-house

  Wessex Region

  Salisbury, District, In-house

  Southampton, SGH, In-house

  West Dorset, Herrison, In-house

  Oxford Region

  West Berkshire, Fairmile, In-house

  South Western Region

  Cornwall, West Cornwall, In-house

  Frenchay, Glenside, In-house

  West Midlands Region

  Coventry, Whitley, In-house

  Dudley, District, In-house

  Hereford, St. Mary's, In-house

  Mid-Staffordshire, District, In-house

  North Birmingham, Highcroft, In-house

  Rugby, District, In-house

  Sandwell, District, In-house

  South East Staffordshire, St. Matthews, In-house

  Wolverhampton, District, In-house

  North Western region

  Blackburn, Queens Park, In-house

  Bolton, District, In-house

  Burnley, District, In-house

  Lancaster, District, In-house

  North Manchester, District, In-house

  Oldham, District, In-house

  Preston, Whittingham, In-house

  Rochdale, District, In-house

  Tameside, District, In-house

  Wigan, District, External

  Special Health Authorities

  Eastman Dental Hospital, In-house

  Laundry contracts awarded during 1988 Health Authority and hospital/unit

  Northern region

  South Cumbria, District, External

  Yorkshire region

  Airedale, District, In-house

  Calderdale, District, External

  Northallerton, District, In-house

  Pontefract, Southmoor, In-house

  Scarborough, St. Mary's, In-house

  Wakefield, District, External

  425

  Trent region

  Nottingham, District, In-house

  North West Thames region

  North Bedfordshire, District, In-house

  North East Thames region

  Hampstead, Friern, In-house

  South East Thames region

  Camberwell, In-house

  Lewisham, District, In-house

  Maidstone, External

  South East Kent, District, In-house

  West Lambeth, District, In-house

  South West Thames region

  East Surrey, District, In-house

  Mid-Surrey, District, In-house

  West Midlands region

  Shropshire, District, In-house

  North Staffordshire, RI/St. Edwards, In-house

  North Western region

  Bury, District, External

  South Manchester, District, In-house

  Table 1: Hospital medical and dental consultants1 3: analysis by region at 30 September each year

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  England2

  12,361

  12,609

  12,882

  13,089

  13,376

  13,688

  13,969

  14,296

  14,514

  14,950

  Northern

  835

  844

  867

  886

  908

  922

  954

  973

  1,000

  1,003

  Yorkshire

  846

  852

  898

  909

  926

  911

  952

  979

  1,003

  1,037

  Trent

  981

  1,017

  1,047

  1,078

  1,096

  1,128

  1,154

  1,212

  1,269

  1,318

  East Anglian

  469

  484

  498

  508

  515

  538

  554

  563

  575

  608

  North West Thames

  1,288

  1,284

  1,287

  1,119

  1,154

  1,159

  1,156

  1,151

  1,158

  1,187

  North East Thames

  1,293

  1,305

  1,320

  1,511

  1,546

  1,535

  1,584

  1,547

  1,478

  1,486

  South East Thames

  1,145

  1,147

  1,154

  1,170

  1,193

  1,242

  1,220

  1,247

  1,258

  1,271

  South West Thames

  881

  898

  929

  897

  904

  920

  920

  933

  939

  942

  Wessex

  685

  701

  689

  699

  728

  741

  760

  768

  831

  846

  Oxford

  545

  568

  585

  610

  620

  653

  686

  706

  722

  741

  South Western

  745

  769

  781

  802

  808

  826

  846

  874

  888

  904

  West Midlands

  1,184

  1,201

  1,226

  1,250

  1,276

  1,321

  1,364

  1,421

  1,451

  1,480

  Mersey

  644

  652

  649

  656

  666

  683

  701

  721

  722

  737

  North Western

  1,078

  1,095

  1,130

  1,173

  1,207

  1,226

  1,294

  1,284

  1,284

  1,284

  SHAs

  631

  631

  634

  607

  624

  655

  654

  653

  596

  617

  1 Figures include permanent paid and honorary staff.

  2 Staff holding two or more appointments whether with the same or different regions are counted only once. Differences in the sum of numbers of staff for all regions are due to the duplication of staff holding appointments in more than one region. Such staff are included separately in each region.

  3 Prior to 1987 figures include staff in the grade of senior hospital medical-dental officer with allowance.

  Table 2: In-patient cases treated, NHS hospitals by region1, 1979–1988/892

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987–88

  1988–89

  England

  5,400·1

  5,670·0

  5,759·9

  5,719·6

  6,018·6

  6,177·5

  6,353·8

  6,413·8

  6,619·4

  6,586·0

  Northern

  368·6

  393·8

  395·7

  376·1

  409·1

  420·1

  433·1

  441·1

  462·8

  461·0

  Yorkshire

  433·8

  456·9

  465·5

  454·0

  490·6

  499·9

  517·5

  525·3

  549·8

  551·5

  Trent

  464·9

  497·3

  511·9

  505·2

  543·2

  557·9

  578·4

  592·4

  612·9

  626·1

  East Anglian

  201·9

  216·9

  219·6

  213·3

  229·6

  238·3

  250·3

  253·5

  264·1

  269·6

  North West Thames

  403·3

  412·7

  418·1

  394·4

  408·5

  415·6

  418·8

  419·0

  421·6

  416·2

  North East Thames

  455·9

  473·5

  474·8

  512·7

  526·4

  534·8

  541·1

  530·4

  527·6

  521·3

  South East Thames

  438·9

  453·1

  462·2

  461·4

  477·3

  487·8

  501·6

  495·2

  504·7

  487·8

  South West Thames

  312·3

  320·1

  324·7

  315·2

  329·3

  338·6

  344·4

  347·1

  351·9

  344·3

  Wessex

  302·8

  318·5

  322·0

  320·9

  332·4

  345·5

  357·3

  366·4

  389·5

  391·4

  Oxford

  251·9

  265·0

  269·7

  266·3

  276·5

  284·6

  297·5

  299·3

  300·4

  296·4

  South Western

  338·9

  358·0

  365·8

  370·3

  385·3

  399·0

  408·0

  417·4

  443·2

  451·6

  West Midlands

  547·8

  575·1

  582·9

  591·1

  619·7

  644·2

  666·2

  673·4

  708·2

  689·5

  Mersey

  282·6

  297·5

  299·3

  293·9

  312·6

  322·1

  331·0

  336·9

  345·7

  347·9

  North Western

  509·0

  541·8

  555·0

  553·7

  585·7

  597·8

  617·6

  624·7

  644·5

  640·5

  SHAs

  87·7

  89·8

  92·6

  91·0

  92·3

  91·4

  90·9

  91·7

  92·5

  90·9

  1 Due to NHS restructuring in 1982, figures for the four Thames regions and SHAs are not strictly comparable over the whole period.

  2 The data for in-patient cases were collected at the end of each calendar year up to 1986; from 1987–88 the data are collected at the end of each financial year.

  426

  Special Health Authorities

  Hospital for Sick Children, In-house

  National Hospitals for Nervous Diseases, In-house

  Consultant-Patient Ratios
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish a table showing the number of consultants,(b) National Health Service patients and(c) patients per consultant in each year since 1979 (i) nationally and (ii) for each National Health Service region.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The information for(a) and (b) is given in the tables.

  The information requested in (c) cannot be given in the form requested, because: (i) manpower figures represent a "snapshot" of staff in post on a particular day. Patient figures are aggregates over a calendar-financial year; (ii) the patient figures do not take account of the contribution given by other medical staff who may be engaged in providing treatment to in-patients, out-patients or accident and emergency patients.

  National Health Service Wales
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what, over the last five years for which figures are available, have been the proportions of United Kingdom National Health Service expenditure spent on the National Health Service in Wales.

  Mr. Freeman
  The information requested is as follows:

  Percentage of United Kingdom gross National Health Service expenditure spent on health services in Wales

  per cent.

  1985–86

  5·2

  1986–87

  5·2

  1987–88

  5·2

  1988–89

  5·2

  11989–90

  5·3

  1 Estimate.

  Cash savings from competitive tendering: East Anglian region

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  Cash Savings £000s

  Cash Savings Per Head of Population £

  Cash Savings £000s

  Cash Savings Per Head of Population £

  Cash Savings £000s

  Cash Savings Per Head of Population £

  Cambridge

  0·00

  0·00

  0·0

  0·00

  105·0

  0·38

  East Suffolk

  332·10

  1·04

  27·6

  0·88

  0·0

  0·00

  Great Yarmouth and Waveney

  77·90

  0·40

  46·4

  0·24

  29·0

  0·14

  Huntingdon

  7·20

  0·06

  0·0

  0·00

  0·0

  0·00

  Norwich

  648·60

  1·39

  369·1

  0·80

  51·0

  0·11

  Peterborough

  21·60

  0·11

  29·8

  0·14

  96·0

  0·46

  West Norfolk and Wisbech

  328·50

  1·78

  0·0

  0·00

  0·0

  0·00

  West Suffolk

  224·20

  1·00

  242·0

  1·08

  0·0

  0·00

  England

  134·60

  0·65

  104·7

  0·47

  35·3

  0·14

  Note:

  All savings are expressed at 1989 pay and prices levels.

  Equal Opportunities
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) private, (b) employer, (c) local authority and (d) other means-funded child care places there are in each travel-to-work area for each of the past 10 years.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  This information is not available centrally in the form requested. The information collected centrally about day care places in England is published in "Children's Day Care Facilities at 31 March" and is available in the Library.

  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he has taken, and what action he intends taking, to implement the recommendations within his area of responsibility of the European Commission's childcare network report: "Caring for Children—Services and Policies for Childcare and Equal Opportunities in the United Kingdom."

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  This is one of several recent reports that have informed our current thinking. We are considering the child care aspects as part of our integrated policy for the implementation of the Children Act in 1991.
  428
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will set out a table showing from 1979 to the latest available year (i) each district health authority in East Anglia regional health authority and (ii) average of all English district health authorities(a) what services have been put out to competitive tender, (b) what savings have been made thereby in real terms and (c) what estimated real cost terms per head of population column (b) represents.

  Mr. Freeman
  Comprehensive information on all services put out to tender is not held centrally in the form requested. Since 1983, health authorities have been required to tender domestic, catering and laundry services and apart from some catering services at East and West Suffolk, all of these services in the region have now been subjected to this process.

  Information on savings arising from the tendering of these services in the financial years 1986–87 is set out in the table in the form requested. Information on the remaining years requested is not held centrally.

  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what child care provision his Department provides for pre-school age children of employees; what child care provision for school holidays or after-school care is provided for employees' children aged five years or over; what plans there are for increasing provision in the next five years; and how these are to be funded.

  Mr. Freeman
  The Department runs holidy play schemes for employees' children aged between five and 11 years and plans to continue doing so. No nursery facilities or after-school care are at present provided for parents employed in the Department. However, we are undertaking a feasibility study into the provision of nursery facilities and we are contributing to a study into interdepartmental provision being co-ordinated by the Office of the Minister for the Civil Service. The holiday play schemes are financed by parental and departmental contributions, and it is likely that any other child care provision would be financed in a similar way.

  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what grade is his Department's equal opportunities officer.

  Mr. Freeman
  The equal opportunities officer for the Department of Health is a grade five.
  429
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures he has implemented to ensure that recruitment and promotion policy in his Department does not directly or indirectly discriminate against applicants who were mature students or women returning to work following a career break due to child care.

  Mr. Freeman
  This Department is an equal opportunities employer and its equal opportunities policy forbids discrimination on the grounds of sex or ethnic origin. Members of recruitment and promotion boards have this policy brought to their attention on each occasion that they undertake these duties. Wherever possible recruitment and promotion boards have female members.

  The Department has, as an aid to recruitment and retention, introduced a number of flexible working patterns. These include part-time working, job sharing, flexible working hours and career breaks together with a scheme for keeping in touch with existing employees away from the Department. More flexibilities are under active consideration.

  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of civil servants in his Department are women at each of grades seven, six, five, four, three, two and one.

  Mr. Freeman
  In the Department of Health as at February 1990, 11·1 per cent. of civil servants at grade two, 16·7 per cent. at grade three, 31·5 per cent. at grade four, 29·9 per cent. at grade five, 24·1 per cent. at grade six, and 25·1 per cent. at grade seven are women. There are no female officers at grade one level.

  Under-fives Provision
  Ms. Richardson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total public expenditure on local authority day nurseries, local authority playgroups and grants to the voluntary sector for provision for under-fives for each year from 1975–76; and what was the total public expenditure on these services as a percentage of gross domestic product for each of these years.

  Mr. Freeman
  Total local authority social service departments' net current expenditure on day nurseries and playgroups plus Departmental grants to the voluntary sector for provision for the under fives for the years 1975–76 to 1987–88 are set out in cash terms. This includes expenditure on day nurseries and playgroups supported by, but not directly run by, the authorities. Final expenditure data for local authorities in 1988–89 is not yet available:

  Net current expenditure

  £ thousand

  Year

  Local authority day nurseries

  Local authority playgroups

  Grants to voluntary sector

  Total

  1975–76

  24,352

  1,909

  147

  26,408

  1976–77

  30,136

  2,389

  230

  32,755

  1977–78

  33,495

  2,663

  268

  36,426

  1978–79

  37,654

  2,965

  359

  40,978

  1979–80

  44,153

  3,888

  374

  48,415

  1980–81

  58,099

  4,543

  478

  63,120

  1981–82

  66,227

  5,378

  564

  72,169

  1982–83

  73,084

  5,789

  671

  79,544

  1983–84

  79,449

  5,947

  1,397

  86,793

  430

  Year

  Local authority day nurseries

  Local authority playgroups

  Grants to voluntary sector

  Total

  1984–85

  84,743

  6,299

  2,763

  93,805

  1985–86

  86,094

  6,841

  2,739

  95,674

  1986–87

  97,751

  8,974

  2,802

  109,527

  1987–88

  104,934

  10,913

  1,814

  117,661

  The voluntary sector expenditure quoted relates to grants made by the Department to voluntary organisations for provision for children under five. It does not include any grants made by health authorities or local authorities for which no information is available centrally. Expenditure in the period 1984–85 to 1986–87 includes grants totalling over £5·5 million paid under the Department's first under-fives initiative.

  The total figures quoted represent the following percentages of the gross domestic product for each of the years in question:

  Year

  Percentage of GDP

  1975–76

  0·024

  1976–77

  0·025

  1977–78

  0·024

  1978–79

  0·024

  1979–80

  0·023

  1980–81

  0·027

  1981–82

  0·028

  1982–83

  0·028

  1983–84

  0·028

  1984–85

  0·028

  1985–86

  0·026

  1986–87

  0·028

  1987–88

  0·027

  General Practitioners
  Mr. Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health why the figure of 30 was chosen as the cut-off point on the Jarman index for general practitioners to receive deprivation payments.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  A cut-off point of 30 on the Jarman index was chosen to target the deprivation payments on those practices that serve areas of highest deprivation. A figure of 30 means that some 9 per cent. of the population in England will attract a payment for then-general practitioner in some 5 per cent. of the wards.

  Private Dentists
  Mr. Orme
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what is the average charge made by private dentists in England and Wales for the initial 15-minute consultation;

  (2) what percentage of dentists practising in England and Wales in each year since 1980 have not treated any patients under the National Health Service;

  (3) what percentage of dentists who previously provided dental care under the National Health Service have opted instead to provide private treatment only, in the last 10 years, listed by year;

  (4) what percentage of those treated have received dental care from the private sector in the last 10 years, listed by year.

  Mr. Freeman
  The Department does not keep records of the extent or cost of private treatment or of the number of dentists practising privately.

  Energy Efficiency
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about the progress of work towards the audit of energy efficiency within the National Health Service.

  Mr. Freeman
  The audit of energy efficiency is being conducted jointly by the audit branch of the Department of Health and the Audit Commission. It is intended that the Audit Commission will assume full responsibility for the audit of the NHS in October 1990 as announced in the National Health Service White Paper. The energy audit is being conducted at the majority of health authorities in England and it is expected that the final report will be published towards the end of 1990. The audit has been extended to Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and France based on the approach pioneered in England. The audit methodology is based upon research carried out by Audit Commission, the Department's audit branch, and guidance on energy efficiency promulgated in Encode.

  Westminster and Chelsea Hospital Scheme
  Mr. Page
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will give increased funding to the North-West Thames regional health authority to reflect the increased cost of the Westminster and Chelsea hospital scheme;

  (2) what are the reasons for the increased capital costs of the Westminster and Chelsea hospital scheme; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  The total construction cost of the Chelsea and Westminster hospital is projected to be £177 million when completed. North West Thames regional health authority reviewed its capital programme in January as a result of these and other increasing costs, which are due to the high and increasing cost of building in London, and the fall in residential property values. A number of schemes have been deferred for 18 months to two years. North West Thames regional health authority, however, expect that proceeds from land sales will more than cover the cost of the Chelsea and Westminister hospital.

  National Health Service Reforms
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the cost of each of the consultancy contracts entered into by his Department in connection with the National Health Service reforms.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  The information requested is as follows:

  Purpose of contract

  Anticipated total cost £

  Launch to the Staff of the National Health Service of the White Paper

  1,168,000

  Launch to the Staff of the National Health Service of the Self Governing Hospitals Initiative

  838,000

  Development of the National Health Service Communications Programme to improve communications between National Health Service Management and Staff

  994,000

  Report on contracting arrangements for patient services

  6,325

  432

  Purpose of contract

  Anticipated total cost £

  Working on costing for patient services contracts

  70,000

  Work on costing for patient services contracts within Wirral Health Authority

  Analysis of the informal cost sharing arrangements between Medical Schools and Teaching Hospitals in Southampton Health Authority

  64,350

  Production of a booklet on the outpatient environment

  17,000

  Development of training material for Capital Charges

  128,000

  Production of General Practitioner's Funding Programme

  109,126

  Leaflet for General Practitioner's on prescribing budgets

  Artwork/layout of a second Working Paper on prescribing budgets

  Work on Indicative Prescribing Budgets

  Investigation of District Information Systems

  60,800

  Co-ordination of my Department's Information projects

  71,600

  New arrangements for approval and monitoring of strategic Information Technology projects

  12,000

  Investigation of the Information Technology requirements for providers of patient services

  14,300

  Investigation of the Information Technology implications of proposed changes to Minimum Data sets

  14,300

  Investigation of the requirements for patient identification on existing computer systems

  14,300

  Investigation of the impact of the White Paper recommendations on existing computer based outpatient systems

  14,300

  Development of an Information Technology strategy for the National Health Service

  525,000

  Development of National Health Service Trusts. Financial Management simulation exercise

  72,600

  National Health Service Trusts leadership and management skills study

  19,000

  Recommendations on support for potential National Health Service Trusts

  15,000

  Development of Learning Sets for potential community care National Health Service Trusts

  75,000

  Preparation of proposals for guidance and training for top Management in the National Health Service, to support introduction of local pay flexibility

  57,000

  To investigation of the costing methods in the National Health Service and determination of the most appropriate for application in support of contract price setting

  40,000

  433
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which of his Department's contracts with outside consultants on the National Health Service hospital service reforms deals with the quality of services provided under National Health Service contracts.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  No contracts with outside consultants have concerned quality of services to be provided under National Health Service hospital service contracts but health authorities have developed quality specification for the specimen contracts published in "Contracts for Health Services: Operating Contracts".

  Ambulance Staff
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the total cost of the ambulance staff pay award in each of its two years for(a) the United Kingdom as a whole and (b) England only.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Estimated increases over 1988–89 costs of the revised pay offer, excluding local flexibility payments from 1 October 1990, are in the table:

  Increase in employers' pay costs for ambulance staff

  United Kingdom £ million

  England £ million

  1989–90

  23·1

  18·8

  1990–91

  37·2

  30·3

  Pregnant Women (Tests)
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health in which district health authorities the AFP test is routinely offered to pregnant women; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  This information is not collected centrally. However, a departmental survey conducted last year showed that the test was offered in about 60 per cent. of districts and was increasingly becoming available.

  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health in which district health authorities the ante-natal maternal serum screening test for Down's syndrome is routinely offered to pregnant women; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The use of maternal serum screening for Down's syndrome is a procedure under research at the medical college of St. Bartholomew's Hospital. I understand that the procedure offers early identification of about half the women with a Down's syndrome foetus who can then be offered amniocentesis for definitive diagnosis test. The test is not yet provided as part of routine antenatal care outside the City and Hackney health district, but some districts are referring women known to be at risk to St. Bartholomew's and a few other centres are starting trials of the procedure.

  Physiotherapy, Liverpool
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the future of the district physiotherapy service in Liverpool.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The planning and development of the physiotherapy service in Liverpool is a matter 434
  for the Liverpool district health authority. The hon. Member may wish to contact the chairman of the authority, Mr. J. B. Fitzpatrick.

  Hospital Trusts
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he will require the document "Application for National Health Service Trust Status" to be given by Mersey regional health authority to its employees for the purposes of consultation.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  When, subject to the passage of the necessary legislation, applications for National Health Service trust status are submitted, we will look to regional health authorities to make whatever arrangements they consider necessary to ensure that those with an interest, including staff, are consulted about the proposals.

  EC Intervention Butter
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether National Health Service hospitals are permitted to sell European Community intervention butter on their premises at a profit.

  Mr. Freeman
  No. The butter that health authorities receive via the intervention board is for the use of patients and staff only, and we have no knowledge of any such butter being sold at a profit.

  In-patients
  Mr. Favell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the average length of in-patient stay on(a) 30 September 1979 and (b) 30 September 1988.

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

  Average length of stay in days of patients treated in National Health Service hospitals in England (by sector of treatment)

  1979

  1988

  Acute medical

  11·2

  8·2

  Acute surgical

  8·1

  7·2

  Geriatrics

  77·5

  41·4

  Maternity

  6·0

  4·0

  Sources:

  1979—Hospital in-patient inquiry.

  1988—Hospital episode system.

  This information is drawn from Department of Health statistical bulletin 2/1/90 published in January 1990. Copies of the bulletin have been placed in the Library.

  Cardiac Patients, Yorkshire
  Mr. O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has had concerning the number of beds for cardiac patients in the Leeds Western health authority area; if he will review the provision of beds for cardiac patients within the Yorkshire regional health authority area; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  We have received a number of letters about cardiac services in Yorkshire RHA. The local provision of services is the responsibility of the health authority concerned; the hon. Member may wish to contact Sir Bryan Askew, chairman of Yorkshire regional
  435
  health authority for further information. The hon. Member will know that Yorkshire regional health authority is currently reviewing its provision of cardiothoracic services.

  Carers
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what illnesses and accidents have been identified as particularly associated with carers; and what plans he has to help reduce this incidence.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  We have no specific information about carer-related illness and accidents. The provision of practical support for carers is the second of the key objectives identified in the White Paper "Caring for People". The White Paper emphasises that assessments should take account of the carer's wishes, and of his or her ability to continue to provide care. Social services authorities should seek to provide practical support and respite care where necessary.

  Sexual Harassment
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his Department's policy on sexual harassment at work; whether guidance on reporting complaints has been issued to all staff; how many complaints have been reported in the past five years; and what disciplinary action has been taken.

  Mr. Freeman
  The Civil Service policy on sexual harassment is set out in the programme of action to achieve equal opportunities for women in the Civil Service which was published by Cabinet Office in 1984. Sexual harassment at work is not tolerated and is dealt with as a disciplinary matter through the normal complaints procedures.

  The Department of Health has brought this policy, together with guidance on complaints procedures, to the attention of all staff in a departmental circular. Records are not kept of any complaints which are dealt with by immediate line management but serious complaints are referred to the Department's personnel division for

  National Health Service region

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  Northern

  2

  —

  4

  —

  1

  3

  5

  —

  2

  1

  1

  Yorkshire

  3

  —

  1

  3

  3

  1

  4

  3

  4

  2

  10

  Trent

  3

  2

  4

  4

  6

  2

  4

  6

  3

  —

  2

  East Anglia

  3

  —

  —

  2

  2

  1

  3

  —

  2

  3

  1

  North West Thames

  —

  —

  2

  3

  5

  3

  —

  2

  3

  1

  1

  North East Thames

  2

  —

  —

  —

  4

  —

  2

  1

  1

  2

  2

  South East Thames

  3

  —

  —

  2

  2

  —

  4

  2

  1

  3

  1

  South West Thames

  —

  —

  2

  1

  —

  1

  —

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Wessex

  4

  —

  5

  2

  3

  5

  7

  5

  5

  2

  7

  Oxford

  3

  1

  3

  —

  5

  1

  4

  1

  4

  2

  5

  South Western

  4

  2

  2

  —

  19

  10

  18

  14

  12

  9

  11

  West Midlands

  —

  1

  1

  4

  5

  4

  7

  3

  6

  9

  4

  Mersey

  5

  —

  —

  1

  1

  3

  2

  1

  5

  1

  2

  North Western

  2

  3

  —

  4

  8

  5

  —

  2

  7

  7

  2

  Wales

  1

  2

  1

  4

  2

  5

  4

  —

  3

  3

  TOTAL

  35

  11

  25

  27

  68

  41

  65

  45

  56

  46

  53

  436
  appropriate action. Since Department of Health records began in April 1989, following the separation of the Department of Health and Social Security, there have been no such referrals.

  Well Women Clinics
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the number of well women clinics in each regional health authority in England and Wales.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  This information is not held centrally.

  Child Care
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to monitor child care provision offered by local authorities.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Local authorities regularly provide the Department with statistics about the provision for pre-school children in their locality including the services they provide themselves. This is published annually in "Children's Day Care Facilities at 31 March" and is available in the Library.

  Weil's Disease
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the number of cases of Weil's disease in each health authority area in each of the last 10 years.

  Mr. Freeman
  [holding answer 15 February 1990]: Laboratory reports of leptospirosis to the communicable disease surveillance centre provided by health authorities for England and Wales are given in the following table. The figures include Weil's disease. There are a number of different serogroups of leptospira causing a range of clinical infections. Leptospira icterohaemorrhagiae is the serogroup which may give rise in this country to the clinical presentation of Weil's disease. For the period 1979–89, leptospira icterohaemorrhagiae accounted for roughly one third of the laboratory reports of leptospirosis.

ENVIRONMENT

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will express Ealing's rates as a community charge for(a) 1985–86, (b) 1986–87, (c) 1987–88 and (d) 1989–90; what a community charge of (i) £450 and (ii) £494 in Ealing would be expressed as a rate poundage; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chope
  It would not be meaningful to convert rate poundages into community charges in the way requested. It is our intention when community charges are finally set to say what the increase would have been in domestic rates had that taken the place of the community charge.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to include in his orders for community charge capping a requirement for affected councils to notify all charge payers of the new rate of charge; if he will estimate the cost of this measure; and what is his policy as to whether that cost will be born by the council as part of its level of spending that central government will have approved.

  Mr. Chope
  If any authority were to be capped, it would be necessary for the charging authority or authorities for the area concerned to inform chargepayers of the new level of community charges which would result. As my right hon. Friend has made clear, it would not be right for him to speculate on the operation of any capping scheme which might need to be introduced for 1990–91.

  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will set out in the Official Report the calculations showing how the London borough of Newham contributes £3·06 million to the safety net arrangements for each of the elements described in the annex to the Revenue Support Grant Transition Report HC50 of January.

  Mr. Chope
  The adjustment to Newham's revenue support grant entitlement for 1990–91 of —£3,057,835 set out in the revenue support grant transitional report (England) was calculated as 53·624562 per cent. of the difference between the figure arrived at under paragraph 3 of the annex to that report (the amount to be raised from the domestic sector in 1990–91: £49,014,662) and the figure arrived at under paragraph 2 of that annex (the amount raised from the domestic sector in 1989–90: £54,716,964). 53·624562 is the percentage referred to in paragraph 4 of the annex.

  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the average community charge to be levied in each of the district council areas of Shropshire and Powys.

  Mr. Chope
  No returns providing information on average charges have been received by the Department or by the Welsh Office for the districts concerned.

  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if, pursuant to his answer of 27 February,Official Report, columns 173–74, to the hon. Member for Conventry, South-East, and his reply to the hon. Member for Wakefield (Mr. Hinchliffe) of 21 February, Official Report, column 741, he will give any information he has about the level of personal community charges.
  438
  Mr. Chope
  No. At the moment I have information for only a small miniority of authorities.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many exemptions have been given to disabled people eligible to pay the community charge; and if he will list the categories of people who have(a) been exempted from the community charge and (b) sought such exemptions but have been rejected.

  Mr. Chope
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received about the position of disabled people and their requirement to meet payments in connection with the community charge; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chope
  We continue to receive representation on all aspects of the community charge. Generous help is available to disabled people with low incomes who are subject to a personal community charge. The community charge benefit scheme includes a disability premium which means that disabled people may qualify for rebates at higher levels of income than other claimants. Disabled people who have not previously paid rates may be eligible for extra help under the community charge transitional relief scheme.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, further to his reply of 14 February,Official Report, column 222, concerning the amount of poll tax payable in 1990–91 per adult, whether the proposed reduction of 28 per cent. in the local payers' contribution to local expenditure in Bedfordshire assumes an increase in the per adult contribution made by central Government; and whether he will publish the per adult figures for the central Government contribution in each case together with figures showing that contribution as a percentage of the local payers' contribution.

  Mr. Christopher Chope
  [holding answer 1 March 1990]: The Government have not proposed a specific increase in local contribution to expenditure in Bedfordshire. I refer the hon. Member to the answer to him on 27 February, Official Report column 179. Equivalent figures for Bedfordshire are as follows:

  External support for Bedfordshire

  External support per adult

  External support as percentage of rate/ chargepayer contribution

  Underlying 1990–91 assumed community charge with safety net

  478

  162·1

  Underlying 1989–90 average rate bill per adult

  412

  126·9

  Underlying assumed long run community charge

  528

  216·0

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, further to his reply 14 February,Official Report, column 222, concerning the amount of poll tax payable in 1990–91 per adult, whether the proposed reduction of 34 per cent. in the local payer's contribution

  439
  to local expenditure in Berkshire assumes an increase in the per adult contribution made by central Government; and whether he will publish the per adult figures for the central Government contribution in each case together with figures showing that contribution as a percentage of the local payer's contribution.

  Mr. Chope
  [holding answer 1 March 1990]: The Government have not proposed a specific increase in local contribution to expenditure in Berkshire. I refer the hon. Member to my answer to him on 27 February, Official Report, column 179. Equivalent figures for Berkshire are as follows:

  External support for Berkshire

  External support per adult £

  External support as percentage of rate/ chargepayer contribution

  Underlying 1990–91 assumed community charge with safety net

  448

  172·5

  Underlying 1989–90 average rate bill per adult

  363

  121·2

  Underlying assumed long run community charge

  502

  244·2

  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment up to what expenditure figure per head of population Tonbridge and Mailing borough council will be able to spend in 1990–91 to enable its comunity charge payers to pay no more than £3 a week over their 1989–90 rates under the transitional relief scheme for individuals he announced in October 1989.

  Mr. David Hunt
  [holding answer 2 March 1990]: There will be no increase greater than the maximum allowed by the transitional relief scheme provided the community charge set by Tonbridge and Mailing is no more than £227·69. It is not possible to estimate the level of spending by Tonbridge and Mailing borough council which would give rise to a change at this level since the charge depends largely on spending by Kent county council and the use both authorities make of reserves.

  Local Authorities (Reserves and Balances)
  Mr. Austin Michell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the reductions in local authority reserves and balances for 1989–90 and those assumed for 1990–91.

  £ million

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  New build

  71

  53

  64

  89

  88

  85

  Maintenance

  73

  101

  99

  108

  n.a.

  n.a.

  Mr. Thornton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the net income levels planned for Property Services Agency services for each of the next three years from 1 April.

  Mr. Chope
  The net income of PSA Services in the years 1990–91 to 1992–93 will depend on the volume of business won in competition. For planning purposes it is currently
  440
  Mr. Chope
  Local authorities have planned to use £625 million of rate fund revenue account balances and £162 million of housing revenue account balances in 1989–90. Information on planned use of balances in 1989–90 on other accounts is not available.

  In 1990–91 it has been assumed for the purpose of calculating the community charge for standard spending that authorities do not make any use of rate fund revenue account balances. No assumptions have been made about the use of housing revenue account balances in 1990–91.

  Environmental Protection
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he plans to hold any consultation with the countryside interpretation unit, based at the Open university in Milton Keynes, following his announcement to the Countryside Commission on 13 December, of new planning arrangements for environmental protection of the countryside.

  Mr. Moynihan
  On 13 December my right hon. Friend announced publication of draft planning guidance on "The Countryside and the Rural Economy", on which comments were invited by 19 February. The 310 or so responses so far received do not include one from the countryside interpretation unit, but it will be possible to consider any comments the unit wishes to make if these are submitted soon.

  Property Services Agency
  Mr. Thornton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the expected values of building contracts for(a) new build and (b) repair and maintenance, managed by Property Holdings after 1 April, for each of the next three years on the common user estate; and what were the equivalent figures for each of the previous three years under the old Property Services Agency.

  Mr. Chope
  The table lists the expenditure on, or for future years provision for, design and construction costs on new builds for the six years requested. For maintenance, the figures sought are not available for 1991–92 and 1992–93, as there is to be a further reallocation of responsibilities between Property Holdings and Departments which will take effect from 1 April 1991.

  assumed that the operating surplus, after any eligible charges for depreciation and interest on capital, and before extraordinary items, will be as follows:

  441

  £ million

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  Nil

  7

  28

  These figures are, however, subject to review in the light of the proposed privatisation of PSA Services.

  Dr. Martin Holdgate
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek to obtain a transcript of the lecture by Dr. Martin Holdgate on the environment given at the Royal Society on 26 February for his Department's Library.

  Mr. Trippier
  A transcript of Dr. Holdgate's David Davies Memorial Institute of International Studies lecture has been obtained and lodged in the Department of the Environment library and a copy has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Hanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Richmond and Barnes dated 8 December (reference HU/PSO/40389/89).

  Mr. Chope
  I have written to my hon. Friend today.

  Mr. Hanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Richmond and Barnes dated 8 September (reference HU/PSO/30545/89).

  Mr. Chope
  I replied to my hon. Friend on 27 February.

  Housing Associations
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many new subsidised houses for rent housing associations have built in each year since 1970; and how many they plan to build in the next five years.

  Mr. Chope
  Numbers of housebuilding completions for rent and of renovations for rent by housing associations in England are as follows:

  Completions1

  Renovations2

  1970

  8,200

  2,700

  1971

  10,200

  5,000

  1972

  6,900

  4,200

  1973

  8,300

  3,200

  1974

  9,300

  4,000

  1975

  13,700

  4,600

  1976

  14,400

  13,400

  1977

  24,200

  18,800

  1978

  20,600

  13,100

  1979

  16,300

  17,200

  1980

  19,300

  14,700

  1981

  16,800

  11,200

  1982

  11,100

  17,400

  1983

  14,200

  14,500

  1984

  13,700

  18,500

  1985

  11,200

  11,400

  1986

  10,000

  12,700

  1987

  9,600

  11,100

  1988

  9,100

  11,500

  19893

  8,700

  49,500

  P = provisional

  1 Before 1980 completions data includes built for sale
  442
  (co-ownership).

  2 Before 1978 refers to work approved, thereafter to work completed. Before 1985 includes hostel bedspaces (some 2,000 1984). From 1981 includes improvement for sale (11,800 sales up to 30 September 1989).

  3 Provisional.

  4 January to September.

  The Department does not make forecasts of housebuilding completions; the Housing Corporation publishes details of its approved development programme for registered housing associations—a copy is in the Library—and these reflect the substantial increase in resources for housing associations in the current public expenditure plans.

  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his policy on the transfer of local government housing departments to housing associations.

  Mr. Chope
  Our criteria are set out in the guidelines, "Large Scale Voluntary Transfers of Local Authority Housing to Private Bodies", a copy of which is in the Library.

  PCBs and Ugilec
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will conduct a study on the comparative environmental risks of polychlorinated biphenyls and ugilec.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The Commission of the European Communities has recently made a proposal to the Council of Ministers for a directive to prohibit the marketing and use of ugilec 141 and ugilec 121 in the Community. I understand that neither of these substances has been used to a significant extent in this country. However, the Government will be pressing for a full assessment, at the Community level, of the risks posed by these substances compared with the risks of PCBs which they are intended to replace.

  British Sport Exhibition
  Mr. Denis Howell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, if his Department has considered an application for an exhibition relating to British sport to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall.

  Mr. Moynihan
  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 5 March to 9 March.

  Competitive Tendering
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the implementing of competitive tendering of refuse contracts by local authorities in East Anglia.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Local authorities in England that do not qualify for exemption on de minimis grounds are required to put certain of their services, including refuse collection, out to tender in accordance with a timetable prescribed in the Local Government 1988 (Defined Activities) (Competition) (England) Regulations 1988, a copy of which is in the Library of the House.
  443
  Different authorities are required to have completed the tendering process for different services by varying dates between 1 August 1989 and 1 January 1992. This timetable was designed not only to phase the tendering process for authorities but also to assist contracts by ensuring that not all services were being put out to tender at the same time.

  No comprehensive information is available as yet about the implementation of the legislation in relation to particular authorities or services, and it would only be possible to compile such information at disproportionate cost.

  An in-depth research project is currently being carried out on behalf of the Department to assess the impact of the legislation on a representative sample of authorities drawn from the country as a whole. This will examine costs incurred and savings made. We expect the first phase to be completed early in the summer. Local authorities have also been asked to complete a questionnaire providing information on the number of contracts awarded to DSOs and private contractors and the responses to that questionnaire are now being processed.

  Mr. Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will set out a table showing from 1979 to the latest available year (i) each district council in Suffolk, (ii) each district council in Norfolk and (iii) average of all English district councils:(a) what services have been put out to competitive tender, (b) what savings have been made thereby in real terms and (c) what estimated real terms cost per head of population over 18 years column (b) represents;

  (2) if he will set out a table showing from 1979 to the latest available year (i) Suffolk county council, (ii) Norfolk county council and (iii) average of all shire counties: (a) what services have been put out to competitive tender, (b) what savings have been made thereby in real terms and (c) what estimated real terms cost per head of population over 18 years column (b) represents.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave him today on the subject of competitive tendering. Information about services put out to tender on a voluntary basis before the Local Government Act 1988 came into force is not available centrally.

  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has any plans to bring forward further measures to oblige local authorities to put out more services to competitive tender.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  There are no immediate plans to extend the number of services which authorities are required to put out to tender under the terms of the Local Government Act 1988.

  Mr. Hanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which services have been put out to competitive tender by London boroughs, indicating in each case whether they have gone to in-house staff or out to private contractors.

  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will set out a table showing from 1983 to the last available year, for Chelmsford borough council and Essex county council(a) what services have been put out to competitive tender, (b) what savings have been made in cash and real terms and (c) what estimated savings per head of population aged 18 years and over have been made in (b).
  444
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  I refer my hon. Friends to the replies that I gave today to my hon. Friend the Member for Waveney (Mr. Porter).

  Equal Opportunities
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many of his Department's management training courses include sessions on equal opportunities for women; and what proportion of managers, at grade six level and above, working outside headquarters has received training on equal opportunities for women.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  All the management training courses used by the Department have an equal opportunities content, and in the case of the Department's own courses this is currently being reviewed and strengthened. Courses specifically aimed at women in middle management are also available. Figures on the proportion of senior managers outside headquarters who have received training on equal opportunities for women are not available.

  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will provide a breakdown of the number of local authority employees by sex.

  Mr. Chope
  In mid–1989 local authorities in the United Kingdom employed 1,165,000 male staff and 1,768,000 female staff. These and further details are published by the Central Statistical Office in an article "Employment in the public and private sectors" in the December 1989 issue of Economic Trends.

  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he has taken, and what action he intends taking, to implement the recommendations within his area of responsibility for the European Commission's child care network report "Caring for Children—Services and Policies for Childcare and Equal Opportunities in the United Kingdom".

  Mr. Patten
  This report was prepared for the European Commission which has not yet developed any proposals. The Government believe that policy on child care is a matter for member states. The United Kingdom's policy is that it is for families themselves to determine how their children are to be brought up, and how parents who wish to do so can best combine paid work and family responsibilities. The Government, through the Department of Health and the ministerial group on women's issues, has encouraged the development of a range of high-quality child care options for both parents and employers.

  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what child care provision his Department provides for pre-school age children of the employees; what child care provision for school holidays or after-school care is provided for employees' children aged five years or over; what plans there are for increasing provision in the next five years; and how these are to be funded.

  Mr. Patten
  My Department supports an interdepartmental holiday play scheme in central London and, with the trades union side, has provided a play scheme to support residential training courses. The Property Services Agency, in co-operation with the Home Office, is arranging a play scheme in Croydon in the spring.
  445
  In central London we have undertaken a feasibility study for a nursery; studies are also in hand for a play scheme-nursery at the Building Research Establishment and we are looking at the possibility of co-operating with other employers in providing child care at our regional offices and outside London in the south-east. These studies include an analysis of the funding options.

  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what grade is his Department's equal opportunities officer.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  Grade5—assistant secretary.

  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what measures he has implemented to ensure that recruitment and promotion policy in his Department does not directly or indirectly discriminate against applicants who were mature students or women returning to work following a career break due to child care.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  My Department has a policy of fair and open competition in recruitment. The criterion for age is that new entrants must be able to give effective service before retirement; for example the upper age limits for clerical recruitment is 60. Promotion is wholly on merit. We offer staff career breaks of up to five years, based on special leave. We encourage staff to return by running a keeping in touch scheme and we will shortly be running training for staff returning to work. We offer part-time working, job sharing and flexible working hours.

  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proportion of civil servants in his Department are women at each of grades seven, six, five, four, three, two and one.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  The number of women employed at grades 7–1 in DOE (Central) at 1 March 1990 was as follows:

  Grade

  Women

  Per cent.

  7

  98

  16

  6

  4

  4

  5

  18

  14

  4

  1

  14

  3

  4

  12

  At present no women are employed in grades two and one.

  Rehousing
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the local authorities that accept domestic violence as a criterion for rehousing.

  Mr. Chope
  This information is not available centrally. It is for each local authority to decide its own policy on allocating its own housing, and it is not required to inform my Department.

  Sexual Harassment
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what is his Department's policy on sexual harassment at work; whether guidance on reporting complaints has been issued to all staff; how many complaints have been reported in the past five years; and what disciplinary action has been taken;
  446
  (2) whether he will issue instructions for the removal of all offensive pin-ups in all his departmental premises.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  Sexual harassment at work is not tolerated and is dealt with as a disciplinary matter. Guidance on this policy has been issued to all staff making clear that, among other things, the display of such items a s sexually explicit calendars is unacceptable. No central record of complaints was kept until mid-1986. Since then there have been five complaints wyhich have been fully investigated. It is not the Department's practice to publish the disciplinary action taken in individual cases.

  Tyres
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce regulations to control the dumping and recycling of tyres and the processes connected therewith; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The introduction of regulations would not be appropriate. The treatment and disposal of waste tyres is already subject to licensing controls by waste disposal authorities under the Control of Pollution Act 1974. These controls are being strengthened in the Environmental Protection Bill and proposals for a duty of care will also require producers and handlers to avoid risks of pollution or harm to human health in their treatment, keeping and disposal of all wastes, including tyres.

  Leeds Development Corporation
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will set out the moneys allocated for public relations and advertising by Leeds development corporation in 1989–90 and 1990–91.

  Mr. Moynihan
  Leeds development corporation's budget for promotion and publicity, which includes the corporation's activities in marketing its area is £320,000 in 1989–90 and £480,000 in 1990–91.

  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what sum Leeds development corporation has spent on advertising and display signs.

  Mr. Moynihan
  The amount spent by Leeds Development Corporation since designation in June 1988 on promotion and publicity is £488,000 of which £26,500 has been spent on display signs.

  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will set out the compulsory purchase powers of Leeds development corporation outside the designated Leeds development corporation area; and what guidelines are issued by his Department in relation to the use of such powers.

  Mr. Moynihan
  An urban development corporation is empowered by section 142 of the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980 to acquire compulsorily land outside its area which is adjacent to its designated area and required for purposes connected with the regeneration of its area; or required for the provision of services, whether or not the land is adjacent to its area. The Department has drawn UDC's attention to these statutory provisions and their interpretation.

  Council House Sales
  Ms. Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will provide the latest available figures for the number of houses or flats sold to tenants under section 164 of the Local Government and Housing Act for every local authority.

  Mr. Chope
  Section 164 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 brings within the right to buy housing, other than sheltered housing, which is particularly suitable for elderly people and was first let on or after 1 January 1990. The change in the law applies only where the tenant claimed the right to buy on or after 1 March, so sales are unlikely to be completed for some time. An existing non-sheltered property, first let before 1 January, may still be excluded from the right to buy, but only if the Secretary of State determines on the application of the landlord that it is particularly suitable for elderly people and was let for occupation by a person of pensionable age. No application for a determination has yet been received.

  Waste Imports
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what regulations are currently in force to control and prevent the importation of waste for direct landfill; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Trippier
  The import of hazardous waste for any kind of disposal is controlled through the Transfrontier Shipment of Hazardous Waste Regulations 1988. Under these regulations, shipments of hazardous waste must be pre-notified to the disposal authority who have certain powers of objection. But, the import of waste for direct landfill cannot be prevented where the waste presents no danger to animal or plant health.

  However, the Government have made clear their view that the transfrontier shipment of waste for direct landfill is generally not justified. We are seeking powers in the Environmental Protection Bill which would allow the prohibition of imported wastes where this is necessary either to prevent risk of pollution or harm to human health, or in order to conserve facilities or resources for dealing with waste.

  Palace of Westminster Rifle Range
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his reply of 28 February, whether any work other than safety work has been carried out on the Palace of Westminster rifle range; and what is the annual cost of providing this facility for hon. Members and others.

  Mr. Chope
  Safety work, and the consequent making good, was carried out to allow the range to continue to be used for rifle shooting and to extend its use to pistol shooting. Apart from heating and lighting, which is not separately monitored, the only other costs borne on the parliamentary works subhead (class XX, vote 18) is for occasional minor maintenance.

  Waste Management
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to the reply made in Standing Committee H considering the Environmental Protection 448
  Bill, by the Minister for the Environment and Countryside, 22 February, Official Report, column 688, which organisations and institutions will be consulted on the regulations governing the criteria to be adopted for accrediting potential persons fit and proper to manage wastes.

  Mr. Trippier
  As is customary, a wide range of organisations representing local authorities, industry—including the waste management industry—and environmental interests will be consulted on both the draft regulations and on the guidance to local authorities. Together these will set the framework for the authorities to determine whether persons are fit and proper to hold waste management licences.

  Homelessness
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the effects of part VI of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 on levels of homelessness.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  Part VI of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 will encourage greater efficiency in the management and utilisation of council housing, and should therefore make a positive contribution to reducing levels of homelessness.

  Council House Rents
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations were received on the possible effect of part VI of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 on council house rents during its passage through the House.

  Mr. Chope
  Various representations were received, principally that council rents should be set at levels which the tenants can afford and should not be subject to unreasonable sudden increases. Both these objectives will be met if councils follow the guidelines set for them within the new system. The level of council rents remains a matter for individual councils.

  Storm Damage
  Mr. Speller
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give details of financial assistance offered to local authorities along the north Devon coast in respect of capital costs incurred in relation to recent storm damage.

  Mr. Chope
  We wrote to local authorities on 6 February indicating that the Department would be prepared to consider issuing in appropriate circumstances additional capital allocations or borrowing approvals in respect of expenditure in 1989–90 and supplementary credit approvals in respect of expenditure in 1990–91 incurred as a result of the storms of 16 and 17 December or 25 January of floods in the Severn valley following 29 January. Applications should be submitted by 30 June 1990. None have yet been received from authorities in Devon.

  Water Privatisation
  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what customer service committees covering which geographical areas in England had been brought into being under the Water Act 1989 by 31 January.
  449
  Mr. Trippier
  It is for the Director General of Water Services to establish customer service committees under the Water Act 1989. He announced on 27 February the appointment of a chairman for each of the 10 committees which between them will cover the whole of England and Wales.

  Water Charges
  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he made appropriate adjustments as described in the final sentence of the then Minister responsible for water's reply to the hon. Member for Bedfordshire, South-West (Mr. Madel) on 14 March 1989,Official Report, column 213, before he announced his proposals for the K factor of the West Kent water company on 7 February.

  Mr. Trippier
  Yes.

  Garden Festival Site, Liverpool
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been spent to date on the reclamation of land at the international garden festival site, Liverpool; what is the annual maintenance cost; and what consideration he has given to the designation of the site as a royal park.

  Mr. Moynihan
  The garden festival site was reclaimed as part of a wider land reclamation scheme in the Liverpool south docks area, the total cost of which was £10·6 million. The current annual maintenance cost of the festival park is £200,000. Royal parks are of special origin and significance and there is no intention to add to their number.

  Local Authorities (Economic Development)
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has yet prepared the regulations under section 33 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The Department has now sent copies of draft regulations to the local authority associations and others for comment. I have arranged for a copy of the draft to be placed in the library of the House.

  The regulations cover those restrictions which will apply to the use of the new power for local authorities to promote economic development. They follow the proposals contained in the Government's consultation paper of August 1989, with some changes.

  The requirement for non-local education authorities to agree individual education and training proposals with their education authority, is replaced by a requirement for agreement to a broad programme of activities. There will be a period during which such programmes can be agreed.

  The requirement to get agreement of the authority in whose area another local authority may be planning an activity is replaced by a requirement to consult.

  Instead of prohibition on "soft loans", their true cost is to be identified in a special memorandum account.

  The cities of Exeter, Hereford, Worcester and York and the London borough of Ealing are to be added to the list of authorities allowed to give financial assistance above the value of £10,000 to businesses conducted with a view to a profit.
  450
  Annual average levels of unemployment have been used instead of a single month's figures as one of the qualifications for designating authorities as able to give such assistance.

  Procedures for the notification of local authority aid to the European Commission will be contained in further regulations, which will not come into effect before 1 July 1990.

  The draft regulations provide for the restrictions to apply from 1 April 1990 to the new power. They will extend from 1 July 1990 to activities for the promotion of economic development carried on under any other enactment.

  Waste Water Treatment
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to receive the study into the environment and financial implications of the draft directive on municipal waste water treatment; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  I have now received the report commissioned from Consultants in Environmental Sciences Limited which assesses the environmental effects and the costs of treating all sewage before discharge to estuaries and coastal waters. On the environmental side the report does not identify any firm evidence that present policies have a detrimental effect on the marine environment but it nonetheless identifies environmental benefits that should accrue if sewage discharges were treated. On costs the report shows a wide range depending on the degree of treatment provided. The central option of secondary treatment for discharges to estuarial waters, and primary treatment for discharges to coastal waters has associated capital costs estimated at around £1·5 billion, and an associated increase in running costs of around £45 million per annum.

  A key recommendation in the report is that a decision on future policy should be taken as soon as possible in order to maximise the return on the £1·4 billion investments already planned over the next 10 years to improve the quality of bathing waters.

  The Government have considered the results of this study, and the views of other interested parties as summarised in the CES report. We have concluded that on the evidence provided a case can be made out for treating all substantial discharges of sewage. We have accordingly decided that in general municipal sewage should receive secondary treatment, but that primary treatment would be more appropriate for discharges to coastal waters, where it can be shown that this does not adversely affect the environment. The estimated cost of introducing this level of treatment is around 1·5 billion.

  We intend that this new investment programme should be fully integrated with the programme to improve bathing waters and that it should be completed as soon as practicable. Discussions will be held with the National Rivers Authority, the Office of Water Services, and the sewerage undertakers to work out the detailed arrangements for implementing this policy.

  Copies of the CES report are being placed in the Library.

  Duchy of Lancaster
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the cost of providing a secure car service for the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster in the past 12 months.

  Mr. Chope
  [holding answer 22 February 1990]The cost of providing a secure car service for the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster in the past 12 months was £34,404.

  Waste Recycling
  Ms. Quin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any plans to provide additional resources to assist local authorities to carry out waste paper collection and recycling.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  [holding answer 22 February 1990]: No, it would be wrong to subsidise the collection and recycling of waste in this way. The collection and recycling of waste paper is a part of a comprehensive approach to recycling which local authorities are being encouraged to adopt under the provisions of the Environmental Protection Bill, currently before Parliament.

  Ms. Quin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if his Department now collects information on the number of local authorities which separate their domestic waste into different categories for recycling purposes.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  [holding answer 22 February 1990]: I announced on 20 February during Standing Committee H consideration of clause 40 of the Environmental Protection Bill that my Department is sending out to local authorities a comprehensive questionnaire on recycling which will seek, among other things, information about the number of authorities which separate their domestic waste into different categories for recycling purposes.

  Empty Properties
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the annual management and maintenance costs of empty residential properties belonging to his Department by region of the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Chope
  [holding answer 27 February 1990]The costs of annual management and maintenance of empty residential properties are not separately identified and could be made available only at disproportionate cost.

  Shire Counties (Grants)
  Mr. Oppenheim
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the total Government grant per head of population for each shire county for 1990–91.

  Mr. Chope
  [holding answer 1 March 1990]: Revenue support grant will not be paid directly to shire counties in 1990–91. The table shows the average revenue support grant after transitional adjustments plus special grant for low rateable value areas, per adult, to be paid to district councils in the area of each shire county.

  Each area will receive £292·51 per adult in business rate income. The Government will also pay specific grants to authorities in the area of each shire county, but I have no estimates of the amounts.
  452

  Shire counties

  (£/adult)

  Avon

  163

  Bedfordshire

  185

  Berkshire

  156

  Buckinghamshire

  143

  Cambridgeshire

  156

  Cheshire

  164

  Cleveland

  381

  Cornwall

  191

  Cumbria

  236

  Derbyshire

  186

  Devon

  167

  Dorset

  75

  Durham

  261

  East Sussex

  97

  Essex

  124

  Gloucestershire

  135

  Hampshire

  130

  Hereford and Worcester

  117

  Hertfordshire

  126

  Humberside

  302

  Isle of Wight

  151

  Kent

  177

  Lancashire

  273

  Leicestershire

  235

  Lincolnshire

  176

  Norfolk

  129

  Northamptonshire

  213

  Northumberland

  240

  North Yorkshire

  166

  Nottinghamshire

  212

  Oxfordshire

  86

  Shropshire

  204

  Somerset

  149

  Staffordshire

  151

  Suffolk

  137

  Surrey

  60

  Warwickshire

  108

  West Sussex

  72

  Wiltshire

  151

  Housing Allocations (Marriage Breakdowns)
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proportion of local authority-owned flats and houses during each of the last five years have been allocated to those whose marriages have broken down.

  Mr. Chope
  [holding answer 2 March 1990]: My Department has no information year by year on the proportion of new lettings by local authorities that are to people whose marriages have broken down. Survey evidence suggests that in the mid-1980s the number of new lettings by local authorities to successor households formed through divorce was about 40,000 a year in England, compared with about 240,000 new lettings a year in total.

  Housing Scheme (Liverpool)
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the bond made between the Merseyside development corporation and the developers of the housing schemes at Riverside drive, Liverpool, and the reasons for the non-completion of building work.
  453
  Mr. Moynihan
  [holding answer 2 March 1990]: No bond was made between the Merseyside development corporation and the housing developers. All the houses have been completed but I understand that certain additional works to the estate have not been finished because the developers are now in voluntary liquidation.

  House of Commons (Repairs)
  Mr. Terry Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the cash-limited amount for minor repairs at the House of Commons in 1989–90.

  Mr. Chope
  [holding answer 2 March 1990]: Minor maintenance work is charged to class XX, vote 18, subhead G (Maintenance and other operating costs) for which the provision in 1989–90, following the supplementary estimate, is £6,003,000.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Deportation Orders
  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been served with the notice of the intention to make deportation orders against them in the past 12 months; and how many of these were of Irish origin.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  During 1989, 3,196 notices of intention to deport were issued, of which four were to citizens of the Republic of Ireland.

  Passports
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department following the review of the telephone systems within the passport department, what percentage of responses to callers are made within two minutes of connection.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  We are currently undertaking a survey of telephone traffic into all passport offices, in consultation with British Telecom. An analysis of the results of the survey will be made later this year.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for(a) new passports, and (b) amendments to passports were received each month in 1989.

  London

  Liverpool

  Peterborough

  Newport

  Glasgow

  Belfast

  Total

  1989

  January

  49·5

  40

  63

  35

  5

  1

  193·5

  February

  54

  72

  84

  65

  22

  2

  299

  March

  48

  82

  79

  70

  38

  6

  323

  April

  50·5

  95

  91

  70

  50

  4

  360·5

  May

  66

  103

  90

  86

  52

  7

  404

  June

  60·5

  91

  82

  73

  54

  14

  374·5

  July

  59

  75

  75

  75

  50

  16

  350

  August

  59·9

  53

  61

  52

  42

  8

  275·5

  September

  23·5

  50

  46

  33

  8

  4

  164·5

  October

  13

  3

  17

  3

  7

  1

  44

  November

  —

  2

  16

  2

  7

  1

  28

  December

  —

  1

  4

  2

  7

  1

  15

  Salary cost of casual staff in 1989: £1,605,933.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff not employed as permanent members of staff have worked for a continuous period of(a) three months, (b) six months and (c) nine months or more in 1989, showing the information for each passport office.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The table shows the number of casual staff employed continuously at each regional passport office during 1989 for(a) three months or more, (b) six months or more and (c) nine months or more.

  (a)

  (b)

  (c)

  London

  20

  28

  16

  Liverpool

  42

  45

  2

  Peterborough

  32

  31

  33

  Newport

  43

  28

  10

  Glasgow

  13

  35

  4

  Belfast

  20

  2

  Nil

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many telephone lines are available
  456
  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The information, which relates to passports issued rather than to applications received, is shown in the table.

  Monthly totals of (a) new passports issued and (b) endorsements and amendments to existing passports each month in 1989.

  (a)

  (b)

  January

  164,820

  25,213

  February

  243,344

  33,286

  March

  247,260

  36,248

  April

  234,833

  35,559

  May

  235,177

  40,011

  June

  198,793

  37,299

  July

  243,356

  44,473

  August

  233,547

  44,245

  September

  170,547

  28,821

  October

  150,805

  28,684

  November

  163,591

  26,140

  December

  106,189

  14,724

  Total for year

  2,392,262

  394,703

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were employed on a casual basis, that is, not on the permanent staff, at each passport office in each month of 1989; and what was the cost of such staff.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The table shows the number of casual staff in post at each regional office on the last day of each month in 1989, and the annual cost of such staff.

  for calls from the public at each passport office in 1990; how many were available in 1989; how many staff are currently allocated to answer such calls; and how many were available to do so during June to October 1989.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The table shows the number of telephone lines available for incoming calls from the public at each passport office in(a) January 1989 and (b) January 1990.

  (a)

  (b)

  London

  28

  28

  Liverpool

  24

  62

  Peterborough

  24

  37

  Newport

  40

  40

  Glasgow

  12

  30

  Belfast

  3

  8

  Automatic answering facilities which connect callers initially to recorded information of general interest to passport applicants have been extended to all passport offices. Staff are allocated to telephone inquiry duties

  457
  according to the overall operational needs of each office, taking into account other demands, in particular that of passport issuing. No precise information is available as to the number of staff available to answer incoming calls during a particular period.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many visitors' passports were issued in 1988 and 1989; and how many extensions to passports were issued in 1988 and 1989.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  A total of 2,134,209 British visitor's passports were issued in 1988. Final figures for 1989 issues are not yet available.

  During 1989, a total of 39,218 passports submitted for replacement were extended for two years free of charge, under special arrangements introduced to reduce delays.

  Information for 1988 is available only in respect of the London passport office, where 18,511 such extensions were issued.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has any proposals to increase the number of regional passport offices, and the size of the present regional offices.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The Belfast passport office is being further expanded to take on additional work from other

  Date of Receipt

  London

  Liverpool

  Peterborough

  Newport

  Glasgow

  Belfast

  1989

  January

  7 December 1988

  15 December 1988

  16 December 1988

  21 December 1988

  1

  30 December 1988

  February

  19 January

  18 January

  23 January

  18 January

  19 January

  3 February

  March

  8 February

  26 January

  8 February

  2 February

  1

  3 March

  April

  13 March

  8 February

  27 February

  20 February

  20 February

  31 March

  May

  11 April

  10 February

  22 March

  10 March

  2 March

  5 May

  June

  21 April

  13 February

  6 April

  29 March

  23 March

  31 May

  July

  10 May

  18 February

  13 April

  25 April

  6 April

  30 June

  August

  21 June

  1 March

  21 April

  5 June

  11 May

  3 August

  September

  10 August

  2 May

  20 July

  3 August

  26 June

  1 September

  October

  8 September

  6 September

  15 September

  25 September

  18 August

  29 September

  November

  16 October

  17 October

  18 October

  31 October

  20 October

  3 November

  December

  23 November

  28 November

  22 November

  29 November

  17 November

  1 December

  1 Information not available.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what costs were incurred in refunding applicants who obtained visitors' passports due to the delay in obtaining a 10-year passport; and what percentage of these refunds had been paid to applicants who had acknowledgement that they would receiving same.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Refunds totalling £160,716 were authorised during 1989. An acknowledgement would normally be sent before payment.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what estimate he has made for the likely staff costs for the passport department in the financial years(a) 1990–91 and (b) 1991–92; and what proportion of each of these budgets will be allocated for (i) permanent staff, (ii) casual staff and (iii) overtime;

  (2) what was the total budget for salaries and overtime in passport offices in 1989–90; what is the estimated expenditure; and what is the estimated expenditure for 1990–91.
  458
  offices. The optimum size, number and location of passport offices in the United Kingdom are kept under regular review.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will consider a further national public compaign run over several months to encourage people to apply for new passports in the months from January to June and November and December to level out demand.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The peak period of demand for passports runs from February to August, and it would not be appropriate to encourage further applications during this period. The Passport Department's publicity, which included the distribution last autumn of 1 million leaflets through the travel trade, is directed towards encouraging applicants to apply during the months of November and December, when demand is at its lightest. We shall be considering a further publicity drive later in the year.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will indicate the date of receipt of applications for new passports being dealt with on the first day in each month in 1989 at each passport office.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The table shows the available information as to the date of receipt of applications for new passports being dealt with by each regional passport office at the first weekend of each month in 1989.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The salaries and overtime element of the Passport Department's budget for running costs in 1989–90 amounted to £10·12 million. This is likely to be considerably exceeded due to the heavy demand for passport services during the year, but it is not yet possible to say precisely what the outturn expenditure will be. Budget estimates for 1990–91 and 1991–92 have yet to be finally determined.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the estimated amount of overtime expected to be worked in each passport office in 1990; and what is the estimated cost.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The requirements for overtime working are determined by operational needs, which are in turn determined by the level and pattern of demand for passport services. Budget estimates for 1990–91 have yet to be finally determined.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the estimated time expected to
  459
  be taken between receipt by application and issue of (a) new passports, (b) renewals and (c) amendments to passports at each office in 1990.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The passport department will be aiming in 1990 to process straightforward, non-urgent passport applications of all types within a maximum of 30 working days during the period between January and June, and within 20 working days at other times. Urgent cases will receive priority and should not normally be subject to delay.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures have been taken so far to meet projected rises in demand for passports during 1990.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  An additional 220 permanent staff have been recruited to meet the expected increase in demand for passports this year. Twenty-two of these additional staff are being employed in Belfast and it is planned that a further increase in the Belfast staff should be made when additional accommodation becomes available in April or May. Improvements have been made in the telephone systems to enable a better service to be given to customers making inquiries by telephone. Greater

  London

  Liverpool

  Peterborough

  Newport

  Glasgow

  Belfast

  January

  19

  9

  11

  5

  1

  2

  February

  13

  21

  13

  17

  14

  3

  March

  20

  28

  21

  23·5

  1

  4

  April

  18

  40

  24

  28

  28

  4

  May

  20

  59

  33

  40

  47

  4

  June

  30

  77

  42

  46

  52

  7

  July

  37

  97

  56

  48

  59

  3

  August

  36

  110

  76

  45·5

  61

  3

  September

  16

  88

  35

  21·5

  48

  3

  October

  15

  19

  12

  7

  30

  3

  November

  15

  15

  14

  4·5

  11

  3

  December

  9

  7

  10

  3·5

  11

  3

  1 Information Not Available

  Note: Figures are those at the first weekend of each month in 1989

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number of staff(a) in post and (b) actually on duty on the first day of each month in 1989.

  London

  Liverpool

  Peterborough

  Newport

  Glasgow

  Belfast

  (a)

  (b)

  (a)

  (b)

  (a)

  (b)

  (a)

  (b)

  (a)

  (b)

  (a)

  (b)

  January

  278·5

  271·5

  198·5

  140·5

  184

  139

  201

  161

  135·5

  102·5

  12

  9

  February

  282

  268

  228·5

  196·5

  224·5

  194·5

  232

  212

  154·5

  137

  13

  9

  March

  275

  260

  263·5

  222

  246·5

  200·5

  235·5

  199·5

  177·5

  155

  17

  16

  April

  278

  260

  273

  206

  240·5

  217

  235·5

  187·5

  192·5

  163·5

  21

  17

  May

  284·5

  268·5

  284

  225·5

  258·5

  228·5

  251

  218

  208·5

  172

  19

  15

  June

  278·5

  270

  293

  158·5

  254·5

  210

  235

  199

  216·5

  185

  21·5

  21·5

  July

  276

  269

  290

  235

  247·5

  187

  237

  194

  216·5

  171·5

  29·5

  26·5

  August

  276·5

  261·5

  278

  215·5

  240

  195·5

  219

  170

  211·5

  161·5

  31 5

  22·5

  September

  239·5

  228·5

  271

  203·5

  222·5

  170·5

  210

  165

  212·5

  152

  30

  23

  October

  226

  221

  265·5

  197·5

  231·5

  199·5

  201

  178

  202·5

  169

  27

  26

  November

  208

  192

  251·5

  171·5

  217·5

  194·5

  205

  172

  210

  175

  40

  38

  December

  204

  192

  253·5

  171·5

  216·5

  181·5

  207

  181

  210

  140

  44·5

  39·5

  Column (a) numbers of staff in post.

  Column (b) number of staff on duty.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will indicate(a) the number of hours' overtime, (b) the average number of hours' overtime, and (c) the cost of such overtime to each passport office in each month in 1989.
  460
  use is being made of arrangements to transfer applications between offices, to balance workloads and to improve average processing times. The computer systems in the Glasgow and Liverpool offices have been enhanced to cater for the increases in staff numbers and pilot schemes have been established at both offices to test alternative working methods recommended following a review by consultants. Computerisation of the offices in Belfast, London, Newport and Peterborough has been deferred pending evaluation of the results of these pilot schemes.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average time taken to process applications for new passports at each office from time of receipt to date of issue as at the first day of each month in 1989; and what was the average time taken to process applications for(a) renewal and (b) amendments to passports at each office from time of receipt to date of issue on the first day of each month in 1989.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I regret that the information is not available in precisely the form requested. The processing times in working days for straightforward non-urgent applications of all types are shown in the table and relate to applications completed on the dates shown.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The table shows(a) the number of staff in post and (b) on duty at each regional passport office on the first working day of each month on 1989.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The table shows the monthly number of hours overtime worked at each regional passport office and the estimated cost of such overtime in 1989.
  461

  London

  Liverpool

  Peterborough

  Newport

  Glasgow

  Belfast

  January

  Hours

  3,877

  4,383

  4,251

  4,387

  1,935

  —

  £

  35,035

  39,607

  38,414

  39,643

  17,486

  —

  February

  Hours

  4,212

  9,354

  4,036

  5,180

  4,302

  —

  £

  38,062

  84,528

  36,472

  46,809

  38,875

  —

  March

  Hours

  5,779

  14,591

  7,455

  6,415

  4,369

  —

  £

  52,222

  131872

  67,368

  57,970

  39,481

  —

  April

  Hours

  4,654

  7,821

  5,617

  5,334

  6,296

  378

  £

  42,056

  70,657

  50,758

  48,201

  56,894

  3,416

  May

  Hours

  4,692

  8,209

  8,321

  3,778

  4,720

  971

  £

  42,400

  74,181

  75,193

  34,140

  42,653

  8,774

  June

  Hours

  2,806

  5,223

  4,019

  3,019

  4,841

  822

  £

  25,357

  47,198

  36,318

  27,281

  43,746

  7,428

  July

  Hours

  4,747

  6,330

  4,205

  4,292

  5,969

  1,373

  £

  42,897

  57,201

  37,999

  38,785

  53,939

  12,407

  August

  Hours

  4,886

  6,297

  4,173

  4,013

  3,140

  528

  £

  44,153

  56,903

  37,710

  36,264

  28,375

  4,771

  September

  Hours

  3,125

  2,555

  3,550

  3,212

  2,991

  856

  £

  28,239

  23,088

  32,080

  29,025

  27,028

  7,735

  October

  Hours

  —

  3,048

  256

  —

  2,825

  753

  £

  —

  27,543

  2,313

  —

  25,528

  6,805

  November

  Hours

  692

  433

  434

  —

  805

  443

  £

  6,253

  3,913

  3,922

  —

  7,274

  4,003

  December

  Hours

  504

  —

  82

  —

  75

  —

  £

  4,554

  —

  741

  —

  678

  —

  Rape
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many men received sentences for rape of five years and over in each of the last 15 years; how many received sentences of under five years; and how many received non-custodial sentences in the same period;

  (2) how many rapes were reported in each of the last 15 years; and how many resulted in (a) a charge, (b) a prosecution and (c) a conviction;

  (3) what was the average sentence for rape in each of the past 15 years.

  Mr. John Patten
  Data for 1989 will not be available until autumn 1990. Information for 1984 to 1988 is given in the table. To produce further information for each year from 1974 would involve disproportionate cost.

  Table 1—Males sentenced for rape offences 1984 to 1988

  England and Wales

  Immediate custody

  Year

  Total sentenced

  Non-custodial

  Under 5 years

  Over 5 years

  Life

  Average sentence length years

  1984

  257

  10

  170

  70

  7

  3·7

  1985

  339

  10

  192

  128

  9

  4·5

  1986

  329

  7

  123

  187

  12

  5·5

  1987

  349

  5

  73

  259

  12

  6·2

  1988

  413

  22

  176

  205

  10

  6·2

  Table 2—Notifiable offences 1 of rape and persons proceeded against and found guilty of rape 1984 to 1988

  England and Wales

  Year

  Notifiable offences1

  Proceeded against

  Found guilty

  1984

  1,433

  568

  258

  1985

  1,842

  728

  342

  1986

  2,288

  794

  330

  1987

  2,471

  902

  349

  1988

  2,855

  1,103

  420

  1 Includes attempts and 'other' rape offences.

  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he has taken on the Women's National Commission's 1985 recommendation 462
  that the question of consent should be reconsidered with the aim of reforming the law on rape to make it clear that the alleged rapist's assumptions about the complainant's consent should be reasonable.

  Mr. John Patten
  Section 1(2) of the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1976 provides that any jury considering a defence based on the accused's belief that the woman was consenting to intercourse should have regard to the presence of absence or reasonable grounds for such a belief. In addition, the courts have held that a man who was reckless as to whether the woman consented should also be held guilty.

  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what circulars he has issued on what dates, to police forces concerning the special needs of victims in relation to rape trauma syndrome.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Home Office circular 69/1986, issued on 1 October 1986, set out the special needs of rape victims, and emphasised the need for police to understand the different ways in which victims may react. This circular was issued in response to recommendations made by the National Women's Commission on rape trauma syndrome and other matters.

  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has issued any circulars on the under-reporting of rape and sexual assault to police forces in England and Wales.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  No. However, guidance to the police seeks to encourage increased reporting by stress the need to provide improved facilities for the reception and examination of victims of rape and sexual assault and to deal with them in a sympathetic and understanding manner.

  Equal Opportunities
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of his Department's management training courses include sessions on equal opportunities for women; and what proportion of
  463
  managers at grade six level and above working outside headquarters has received training on equal opportunities for women.

  Mr. Waddington
  All the Department's centrally run management courses include sessions on equal opportunities; detailed information on management training provided locally is not held centrally. The other information requested is not available.

  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he has taken to implement the recommendations within his area of responsibility of the European Commission's childcare network report: "Caring for Children—Services and Policies for Childcare and Equal Opportunities in the United Kingdom."

  Mr. John Patten
  The report was prepared for the European Commission which has not developed any proposals. The Government believe that policy on child care is a matter for member states. The United Kingdom's policy is that it is for families themselves to determine how their children are to be brought up and how parents who wish to do so can best combine paid work and family responsibilities. The issue is kept under review by the ministerial group on women's issues.

  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what child care provision for pre-school age children is provided for employees of his Department; what child care provision for school holidays or after-school care is provided for employees' children aged five years or over, what plans there are for increasing provision in the next five years; and how these are to be funded.

  Mr. Waddington
  The Home Office plans to provide nursery places for pre-school age children of its staff in Croydon and Bootle shortly and is considering the possibility of making similar provision in London; holiday play-scheme places have already been made available for the children of staff in Croydon, Bootle and Westminster. Management have contributed funds and staff to these initiatives, but there will also be a charge for places.

  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what grade is his Department's equal opportunities officer.

  Mr. Waddington
  My Department has two equal opportunities officers: one for staff in the prison service who is a grade 6, and one for all other staff who is a grade 5.

  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures he has implemented to ensure that recruitment and promotion policy in his Department does not directly or indirectly discriminate against applicants who were mature students or women returning to work following a career break due to child care.

  Mr. Waddington
  Recruitment advertising has been amended to carry a positive equal opportunities message and a recently issued booklet promoting managerial careers in the Department specifically addresses those returning to work after a break of any kind.

  Arrangements have recently been made to ensure that staff on special leave, including those who are taking a
  464
  career break, as well as those on maternity leave are eligible for consideration by promotion boards. Seniority requirements for eligibility for promotion have also been reduced and opportunities for part-time working, in management grades as well as at junior levels, are being significantly increased.

  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of civil servants in his Department are women at each of the grades(a) seven, (b) six, (c) five, (d) four, (e) three, (f) two and (g) one.

  Mr. Waddington
  The proportion of female civil servants in the Home Office in the grades for which information is requested is as follows:

  Grade

  Per cent.

  7

  16

  6

  6

  5

  18

  4

  25

  3

  9

  2

  0

  1

  0

  Domestic Violence
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police units are trained especially for domestic violence in each police force in England and Wales.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Information on such units is not collected centrally. We understand that there are 33 units in the Metropolitan police specifically dedicated to dealing with domestic violence, eight in the West Yorkshire police and one in the Northumbria police. Officers in these units have received basic training, which provides some guidance on dealing with domestic violence, and there are also opportunities for officers to attend specialist courses or seminars.

  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many reports were made to police in each force area of England and Wales of domestic violence in each of the past 15 years; and how many resulted in(a) a charge, (b) a prosecution and (c) a conviction.

  Mr. John Patten
  Information on notifiable offences of violence against the person is published annually in table 2.8 of "Criminal Statistics England and Wales". Regular information on domestic violence is not reported separately to this Department by police forces in England and Wales. However, detailed information on homicide is presented in chapter 4 of the above publication. Some incomplete information was published in "Criminal Statistics" in 1979 and 1980. In addition, results obtained from a special survey of violent crime recorded by the police and from the 1988 British crime survey were published in Home Office research bulletin No. 27. There is also some information in chapter 7 of "Domestic Violence" Home Office research study 107. Copies of all these publications are available in the Library. Information on prosecutions and convictions is not collected in sufficient detail to distinguish domestic violence.
  465
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what improvements have been made since 1985 in data collection on domestic violence.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Data on domestic violence are not collated centrally. We are considering recommending to chief officers that where they do not already collect data on the incidence of domestic violence in their area, they should do so.

  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action has been taken in the last 12 months, following the Women's National Commission's 1985 recommendation that a circular be issued by his Department to give guidance and encouragement to chief constables to review training and procedures on the handling of cases of domestic violence.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  A circular was issued in October 1986 in response to the Women's National Commission's recommendations. During the past 12 months we have reviewed police procedures in relation to domestic violence, and we expect to issue a revised circular within the next few months.

  Attacks on Women
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many reports of physical attacks on women there have been in each of the last 25 years in England and Wales; and how many resulted in(a) a charge, (b) a prosecution and (c) a conviction.

  Mr. John Patten
  Information on notifiable offences of violence against the person is published annually in table 2.8 of "Criminal Statistics England and Wales". Regular information on the sex of victims of such offences is not reported separately to this Department by police forces in England and Wales. However, detailed information on homicide is presented in chapter 4 of that publication. In addition, results obtained from a special survey of violent crime recorded by the police and from the 1988 British crime survey were published in Home Office research bulletin No. 27. Information on prosecutions and convictions is not collected in sufficient detail to identify the sex of victims.

  Women in Custody
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many women are in custody for conviction of(a) non-violent crime and (b) violent crime; and what was the comparable figure in each of the past five years.

  Mr. Mellor
  The readily available information relates to sentenced prisoners and is published annually in "Prison Statistics England and Wales", table 1.8 of the latest volume for 1988, Cm. 825, a copy of which is in the Library. Provisional information for 1989 is given in the table.

  Population1 in prison service establishments of females under sentence on 30 June 1989: by offence group

  Offence group

  Number2

  Violence against the person

  220

  Sexual offences3

  20

  Robbery

  80

  Other offences4

  860

  466

  Offence group

  Number2

  Not recorded

  80

  Fine defaulters

  20

  All offences

  1,280

  1 Provisional figures.

  2 Rounded estimates.

  3 Including rape.

  4 Burglary, theft, handling, fraud, forgery, drugs and other offences.

  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many women, by nationality, are in custody awaiting deportation; and what was the comparable information in each of the past five years.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  On 31 January 1990 nine women were detained under the Immigration Act 1971 pending removal under the deportation powers. On these, four were Nigerian, one Ghanaian, one Jamaican, one Moroccan, one Colombian and one French. Details for the corresponding date in the previous five years are:

  1989–6 (one Filipino, four Nigerians and one Indian)

  1988–5 (two Ghanaians, one Ugandan, one Nigerian, one citizen of Sierra Leone)

  1987–3 (one Jamaican, one Ghanaian, one nationality doubtful)

  1986–1 (Ghanaian)

  1985–0.

  These figures do not include women serving custodial sentences who are also the subject of deportation proceedings.

  Sexual Harassment
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his Department's policy on sexual harassment at work; whether guidance on reporting complaints has been issued to all staff; how many complaints have been reported in the past five years; and what disciplinary action has been taken.

  Mr. Waddington
  Sexual harassment is under all circumstances unacceptable to the Department. All staff have been advised of the appropriate avenues for complaints of such behaviour and where complaints are substantiated disciplinary procedures apply. Eleven complaints have been reported to personnel management divisions in the last five years. The action taken has included warnings and reprimands and, in one case, a ban on promotion for one year. There is no central record of complaints dealt with locally.

  Sentencing Guidelines
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what sentencing guidelines exist for women with dependent children; and when these were last revised.

  Mr. John Patten
  Sentencing is a matter for the courts. The Court of Appeal has made it clear that custody should be used only when a court considers it absolutely necessary. We are revising the handbook "The Sentence of the Court" and the new edition will refer specifically to women offenders with family responsibilities. The national standards for community service orders, which came into effect on 1 April 1989, asked probation areas to ensure that community service placements are available for women offenders, including those who are pregnant, and offenders with young children.

  Women Police Officers
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has issued any circular to police forces in England and Wales on the role of women police officers in relation to crime involving women and children.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  No circular has been issued relating specifically to that subject. However, circular 69/1986, issued in October 1986, sets out the response agreed between the Home Office and the Association of Chief Police Officers to the recommendation made by the Women's National Commission on the role of women police officers.

  Pin-ups
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will issue instructions for the removal of all photographs of females in various stages of undress from all his departmental premises.

  Mr. Waddington
  All managers have been advised, and are reminded from time to time, to ensure that no material which is likely to be found sexually offensive is displayed in the workplace; and to deal promptly with any complaints.

  Prisons
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which prisons have specialist mother and baby units.

  Mr. Mellor
  Three prison establishments—Her Majesty's prison Holloway, Her Majesty's prison Askham Grange, and Her Majesty's prison and young offender institution, Styal—have mother and baby units. It is planned to build a further unit at Her Majesty's prison and young offender institution, New Hall in 1991–92.

  Mr. Heffer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the 40 sites considered in the north-west for prison sites are(a) adjacent to a hospital, (b) within two to three miles of an existing prison, (c) built-up areas, (d) opposed by the local authorities and (e) acceptable to the local authorities; and if he will list them.

  Mr. Mellor
  Most of the information is not readily available on an accurate basis as preliminary consideration indicated that the site was not suitable for our purpose and a detailed investigation was not made. Planning consents were refused by the local authority in respect of sites at Kirkham, Orrell Lane (Bootle) and Rochdale.

  Child Abuse
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many incidents in each of the past 10 years have been reported of physical or sexual abuse of a child by the child's blood father out of the total number of such incidents.

  Mr. John Patten
  The information requested is not collected centrally. Estimates of the numbers of children who were victims of certain violent or sexual offences in 1984 were published in table 2 of the Home Office 468
  statistical bulletin 29/86. Some results from an ad hoc survey of violent crime recorded by the police in 1985–87 and from the 1988 British crime survey were published in Home Office research bulletin No. 27. Information on criminal proceedings for offences involving violence against children in May 1988 was published in Home Office statistical bulletin 42/89. Copies of these publications are available in the Library.

  Prostitution
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will seek to abolish the term common prostitute; and whether he will make a statement.

  Mr. John Patten
  No. We believe that the present arrangements—that the police make a record when they caution a woman for soliciting, and that convictions under the Street Offences Act 1959 depend upon the woman having been cautioned on an earlier occasion—are satisfactory.

  Litter
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish in the Official Report the number and amount of each fine levied for offences involving litter in Wales since 1 January 1985; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John Patten
  The information requested is given in the table. Data for 1989 will not be available until autumn 1990.

  Number of persons fined in Wales under section 1(3) of the Litter Act 1983

  Amount of fine

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  Under £20 including

  42

  63

  56

  23

  £20 and under £50

  63

  89

  93

  93

  £50 and under £100

  18

  19

  19

  21

  Over £1001

  6

  1

  5

  3

  Total

  129

  172

  173

  140

  1 Maximum fine was £150 (in 1985 and 1987).

  Direct Broadcasting by Satellite
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will issue guidelines on the portrayal of women in respect of direct broadcasting by satellite.

  Mr. Waddington
  The regulation of television services, including satellite services, is a matter for the regulatory bodies established for this purpose by Parliament, not for the Government.

  The service to be provided by British Satellite Broadcasting will be regulated by the IBA under the Broadcasting Act 1981. Other satellite services currently available direct to home are regulated by the Cable Authority under the Cable and Broadcasting Act 1984, by virtue of the fact that they are also relayed by cable. Under clauses 38 to 40 of the Broadcasting Bill all satellite services originating in the United Kingdom will be licensed by the new Independent Television Commission.

  Police Custody (Deaths)
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the number of deaths in police custody in London for each year since 1980, the coroners' verdict on the cause of death and the result, if any, of police investigations.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The number of deaths which occurred in police custody, or otherwise with the police, in London, and the associated inquest verdicts, are contained in the annual reports of the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis. An investigation is carried out by the Metropolitan police into all such deaths. However, I am advised that the results of those investigations are not recorded centrally, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

ENERGY

  British Coal
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list the British Coal pits that have had their output target figures adjusted; and if he will show in each case(a) the original tonnage figure and (b) the revised figure.

  Mr. Baldry
  This is a matter for the British Coal Corporation.

  Compact Fluorescent Bulbs
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the potential for energy saving from the use of compact fluorescent bulbs.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  Compared to normal tungsten bulbs compact flourescent lamps use only 20 to 25 per cent. as much electricity.

  Gas Levy Act
  Mr. Charles Wardle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement about the working of the Gas Levy Act.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  The Gas Levy Act 1981 was amended in 1986 when British Gas plc succeeded the British Gas Corporation. It has recently come to light that these amendments, contained in the Gas Act 1986, did not achieve the precise results intended at the time the legislation was taken. The intention was to ensure that British Gas were treated for gas levy purposes as if they were the same person as the gas corporation. However, the detailed amendments in schedule 6 to the 1986 Act brought into account a number of categories of gas which were not previously subject to the levy because they had never been included in the gas corporation's contracts. The Government will take the opportunity of the 1990 Finance Bill to rectify the situation. In the meantime my Department will continue to collect the levy in line with the intentions of the 1986 amendments.

  Offshore Installations (Women Employed)
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy whether he will make a statement on the employment of women on offshore oil and gas installations.
  470
  Mr. Peter Morrison
  Skills shortages are being experienced in the offshore oil and gas sector, and, although women are employed on offshore oil and gas installations, I believe that there is scope for employing more. In consultation with the industry, I already have plans to build on their existing initiatives to promote this objective.

  The Sex Discrimination and Equal Pay (Offshore Employment) Order 1987 applies the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 to the United Kingdom continental shelf.

  Equal Opportunities
  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what action he has taken, and what action he intends taking, to implement the recommendations within his area of responsibility of the European Commission's childcare network report: "Caring for Children—Services and Policies for Childcare and Equal Opportunities in the United Kingdom".

  Mr. Wakeham
  My Department is aware of the recommendations made in the child care network report prepared for the Commission of the European Communities. It is participating in interdepartmental studies into the feasibility of providing child care facilities in London and the surrounding areas.

  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy how many of his Department's management training courses include sessions on equal opportunities for women; and what proportion of managers at grade six level and above working outside headquarters has received training on equal opportunities for women.

  Mr. Wakeham
  All the Department's staff management courses include training on equal opportunities for women. A total of 33 per cent. of staff at grade six level or above outside headquarters have received equal opportunities training.

  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what child care provision his Department provides for pre-school age children of employees; what child care provision for school holidays or after-school ca re is provided for employees' children aged five years or over; what plans there are for increasing provision in the next five years; and how these are to be funded.

  Mr. Wakeham
  My Department does not provide child care facilities, and has no current plans to do so.

  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what grade is his Department's equal opportunities officer.

  Mr. Wakeham
  Grade five.

  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what measures he has implemented to ensure that recruitment and promotion policy in his Department does not directly or indirectly discriminate against applicants who were mature students or women returning to work following a career break due to child care.

  Mr. Wakeham
  The Department's selection criteria for recruitment and promotion are designed not to discriminate against mature students or women returning to work. Advertisements do not contain upper age limits, and do mention returning to work and the Department's
  471
  flexible approach to working hours, part-time working and special leave for career break purposes. Promotion board procedures include monitoring decisions at each stage for compliance with equal opportunities policies.

  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what proportion of civil servants in his Department are women at each of the grades(a) seven, (b) six, (c) five,(d) four, (e) three, (f) two and (g) one.

  Mr. Wakeham
  There are no women in grades one to four; at grade five, 14 per cent. are women, at grade six, 4 per cent. and at grade seven, 11 per cent.

  Disconnections
  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he has any information on how many one-parent families have had their electricity or gas supplies cut off for not paying their bills.

  Mr. Wakeham
  I have no information on the numbers of one-parent families that have had their gas or electricity supplies disconnected. However, the numbers of gas and electricity disconnections are now at the lowest levels since records were first kept.

  Sexual Harassment
  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) what is his Department's policy on sexual harassment at work; whether guidance on reporting complaints has been issued to all staff; how many complaints have been reported in the past five years; and what disciplinary action has been taken;

  (2) whether he will issue instructions for the removal of all offensive pin-ups in all his departmental premises.

  Mr. Wakeham
  The Department's policy is that sexual harassment at work is unacceptable, and is a disciplinary matter. The definition of sexual harassment includes the display of sexually offensive material in the office. Reminders about the Department's policy are circulated from time to time, and explain the procedure for complaints. There has been one formal complaint in the last five years, which resulted in a formal warning as to future conduct.

  Domestic Appliances
  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy whether he will make a statement on his Department's policy on energy ratings on domestic appliances.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  With encouragement from my Energy Efficiency Office, all major appliance manufacturers provide, on a voluntary basis, energy consumption data for major energy using appliances in their sales literature.

  Women Mineworkers
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy how many women have applied to work underground in a mine under the provisions of the Employment Act 1989; and how many have been accepted.

  Mr. Baldry
  This is a matter for the British Coal Corporation.

  Montrose Platform
  Mr. Doran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) what electrical works were carried out in module 9 and its associated switch room prior to the resumption of production on the Montrose platform on 14 February; whether that work was complete prior to production commencing; whether transit blanks were fitted in the tracks of the electrical cables; and whether the cable tracks in module 9 had been closed;

  (2) what work permits were issued on 14 February in respect of electrical work in module 9 and switchroom of the Montrose platform; and what procedures were in force for co-ordinating all work permits;

  (3) whether the differential pressure switch was commissioned in the module 9 switchroom at the time of a reported gas leak on the Montrose production platform, on 14 February;

  (4) whether the differential pressure switch was overridden at any time on 14 February in the switchroom associated with module 9 on the Montrose production platform.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  Module 9 was surveyed by the certifying authority some three weeks before 14 February. Following this survey power supplies to the heater were changed, work was undertaken on the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, and instrument cables were installed. This work was completed prior to 14 February. Transit blocks were fitted in the tracks of the electrical cables and were closed at the time of the survey. The certifying authority's survey found that the differential pressure switch required to be replaced. This had not been done by 14 February. The pressurised system for module 9 had however been commissioned. The differential pressure switch was not overridden at any time on 14 February.

  No work permits were issued on Montrose on 14 February. All existing construction and hot work permits were withdrawn at 3.20 am on 14 February.

  Mr. Doran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what requirements his Department or the appropriate certifying authority has made in respect of differential pressures in the switching rooms associated with the Montrose production platform.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  The fourth edition of my Department's guidance notes on the design, construction and certification of offshore installations, to be published shortly, states that a minimum positive pressure differential of 50 pascals should be maintained in safe working areas adjacent to hazardous areas on offshore installations. The certifying authority for the Montrose platform has confirmed that the pressure differential in switching rooms adjacent to hazardous areas on the platform meets this requirement.

  Mr. Doran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what standards of fireproofing apply in the case of the accommodation module on the Montrose production platform; and how these differ from his most recently issued guidance notes and existing regulations.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  The Offshore Installations (Construction and Survey) Regulations 1974 require that every part of an installation shall be composed of materials which, so far as is consistent with its function, shall be
  473
  incombustible. The accommodation module on the Montrose Alpha installation includes materials which are not incombustible and the external boundaries of the module will not meet the hydrocarbon class of fire resistance recommended in the fourth edition of my Department's guidance notes on the design, construction and certification of offshore installations, to be published shortly. Arrangements are in hand for the accommodation module to be replaced by a new module which will meet these requirements. Pending completion of this work, my Department has required that additional safety measures are put in place.

  Mr. Doran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what steps he will take to ensure that working and operational practices on the Montrose platform are safe before he allows oil and gas production to be recommenced on the Montrose field and to start up on the Arbroath field.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  My safety directorate will take whatever steps are necessary to satisfy itself that the required safety standards are achieved. In particular my inspectors have required the operator to institute an immediate programme of instructing all platform personnel on work permit procedures. As soon as this has been completed, an audit will be carried out to confirm that the procedures are being adhered to.

  Energy Conservation
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy whether he has any plans to launch a nationwide campaign encouraging energy conservation; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  Yes. My Department is running a two-week campaign, starting on 12 March, targeted at decision takers in industry, commerce and the public sector. It will be comprised of a series of advertisements in national newspapers on the important role of energy efficiency and how it can save money as well as help to reduce the risk of climate change.

  Coal Imports
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will give details of all imports of coal by British Coal or any of its subsidiaries in the last three years.

  Mr. Baldry
  This is a matter for the British Coal Corporation.

  Contract Management Arrangements
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy how many contract energy management arrangements in the public sector known to the Energy Efficiency Office commenced(a) before and (b) after the 1987 relaxation of the Treasury ruling on such arrangements.

  Mr. Wakeham
  The report of the National Audit Office on energy efficiency published last summer (House of Commons paper No. 547) noted that three of the 10 contract energy management arrangements in the public sector known to the EEO commenced after the issue of new guidelines in 1987. The EEO is currently engaged in an exercise to review progress.

  Energy Efficiency
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what action has been taken in response to the energy technology support unit's assessment in January 1987 that research and development spending of £6·65 million over 10 years on new technology could ultimately produce energy savings of £350 million.

  Mr. Wakeham
  Expenditure on research and development forms only a small part of the total expenditure needed to produce energy savings from new technology. In April 1989 my Energy Efficiency Office replaced its research and development and demonstration programmes by the best practice programme of research, development, demonstration and dissemination. This aims to stimulate energy savings worth £500 million per year by the year 2000.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what arrangements have been established for the central reporting and monitoring of energy efficiency improvements for the public sector as a whole.

  Mr. Wakeham
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Exeter (Mr. Hannam) on 20 July 1989 at column 249.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is his latest estimate of the annual value of energy savings, in absolute and percentage terms, achieved over the last five years by(a) the National Health Service, (b) local authorities and (c) each Government Department.

  Mr. Wakeham
  This information is not available.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is the estimated 1989–90 spending by the Energy Efficiency Office on research and development projects under the best practice programme; and what is the estimated number of projects which will have been assisted by the year end.

  Mr. Wakeham
  The estimated total spend in 1989–90 by my Energy Efficiency Office on research, development, demonstration and dissemination, including the new best practice programme, is some £9·5 million. The R and D element of the best practice programme is only just commencing; eight projects have been recommended for support so far. The bulk of the expenditure has been on technology transfer.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what progress has been made by the Energy Efficiency Office in 1989–90 towards promoting energy efficiency in(a) Government estate, (b) the National Health Service and (c) the rest of the public sector.

  Mr. Wakeham
  Details of a campaign to promote energy efficiency within Government Departments were announced on 20 July 1989, and Ministers with special responsibility for departmental energy use have since met twice to take forward work towards the Government's aim of achieving savings rising to £45 million per annum (15 per cent. of the current total bill) over five years. My Energy Efficiency Office co-operates with the Audit Commission and Department of Health on work to promote energy efficiency in the NHS and local authority sectors.

  Energy Consumption
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what are the latest figures he has on the number of major energy-consuming sites and the percentage of total energy consumption by manufacturing industry for which these sites are responsible.

  Mr. Wakeham
  The information comes from the five-yearly purchase inquiries conducted with a sample of 10,000 United Kingdom manufacturing sites and establishments by the Business Statistics Office. Latest figures are from the 1984 survey. Data from the 1989 survey is not yet available. The 1984 sample was based on 7 per cent. of the total 136,000 estimated manufacturing establishments, but accounts for an estimated 81 per cent. of the total energy consumed in manufacturing industry. The survey indicated that there were 328 establishments with energy consumption in excess of 5 million therms per annum, representing 51 per cent. of the total energy purchased by manufacturing industry.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is the Energy Efficiency Office's current target number of major energy-consuming sites with monitoring and targeting systems.

  Mr. Wakeham
  The EEO's target is for monitoring and targeting systems to be implemented at 1,000 major energy-consumer sites by the end of the financial year 1990–91.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is the latest figure for the number of major energy-consuming sites implementing monitoring and targeting systems under the Energy Efficiency Office's monitoring and targeting scheme.

  Mr. Wakeham
  The latest estimate is that 800 major energy-consuming sites are implementing monitoring and targeting systems.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy whether he will instruct the Energy Efficiency Office to develop a fully comprehensive and detailed database on major energy users in the industry and commerce sector.

  Mr. Wakeham
  My Energy Efficiency Office is at the moment considering establishing a comprehensive database of major energy users in industry, commerce and local government. Our regional energy efficiency officers already have a considerable amount of such data, as has our energy technology support unit.

  Energy Managers
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what information he has on the total energy spend for each energy manager appointed in each Government Department.

  Mr. Wakeham
  The precise information is at present being collected as part of the Government's initiative to improve energy efficiency in the Government estate.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy which Government Departments have appointed full-time energy managers.

  Mr. Wakeham
  All major Departments have now appointed departmental energy managers.

  National Grid Interconnector
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is the estimated cost of uprating the national grid interconnector with Scotland.

  Mr. Wakeham
  This is a commercial matter for the companies concerned.

  Electricity Privatisation
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what was the name of the company which did not take up the invitation to tender for the job of his special public relations and marketing adviser on electricity privatisation.

  Mr. Wakeham
  Valin Pollen International was invited to tender for the position of special marketing and public relations adviser to my Department, but declined to participate.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what was the name of the company which did not take up the invitation to tender for the job of public relations and marketing adviser on electricity privatisation to his Department and the electricity supply industry.

  Mr. Wakenham
  Valin Pollen International was invited to tender for the position of joint marketing and public relations adviser to my Department and the elecricity supply industry, but declined to participate.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy whether the conventions set out in the Central Office of Information publication of 1981 on the role of Government information officers will apply to Lowe Bell and Dewe Rogerson in their respective roles as special public relations and marketing advisers to him and public relations and marketing advisers on electricity privatisation to his Department and the electricity supply industry.

  Mr. Wakeham
  Government Departments commissioning public relations and marketing advisers comply with the conventions set out in the Cabinet paper entitled "Central Government Conventions on Publicity and Advertising" which is in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Hinkley Point C Inquiry
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy whether he has yet received the report of the inspector of the Hinkley Point C inquiry; and when he intends to publish it.

  Mr. Wakeham
  I have yet to receive the inspector's report, the timing of which is a matter for him. I will wish to see and consider the report before deciding when to publish it.

  Sizewell
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement about the sea defence provision protecting Sizewell power stations in Suffolk.

  Mr. Baldry
  This is a matter for Nuclear Electric.

CIVIL SERVICE

  First Division Association
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Minister for the Civil Service when he last met the representatives of the First Division Association to discuss obligations to the Crown in Parliament; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Luce
  This was one of the subjects discussed when the head of the Home Civil Service met the Civil Service unions on 7 February.

  Equal Opportunities
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Minister for the Civil Service what representations he has received concerning the progress of the Civil Service's equal opportunities employment programme.

  Mr. Luce
  I have received some representations. The Civil Service has a range of policies to encourage equal opportunities in all areas.

  Ms. Richardson
  To ask the Minister for the Civil Service what grade his office recommends as being appropriate for departmental equal opportunities officers.

  Mr. Luce
  Guidance on the appointment of departmental equal opportunity officers is set out in the programme of action to achieve equality of opportunity for women in the Civil Service, which was published by my Department in 1984. This guidance recommends that in larger Departments, the equal opportunity officer should be appointed at grade 5 or grade 6 level. In smaller Departments, the guidance recommends that the officer should not usually be more than two grades below that of the principal establishment officer and should not, normally, be below grade 7 level.

  Trade Unions
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Minister for the Civil Service when he last met representatives of the Civil Service unions; and what subjects were discussed.

  Mr. Luce
  I met members of the National Union of Civil and Public Servants on 29 January to discuss physical security of Government establishments.

THE ARTS

  Business Sponsorship
  Mr. Donald Thompson
  To ask the Minister for the Arts how much business sponsorship is attracted outside London; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Luce
  Under the business sponsorship incentive scheme, 70 per cent. of awards have gone to arts groups based outside London.

  Mr. Knapman
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what business sponsorship has been attracted for innovative works in the last 12 months.

  Mr. Luce
  Under my business sponsorship incentive scheme awards have gone to a very wide range of art forms. Examples include Allied Lyons' sponsorship of the 478
  Grand Union Music Theatre for its series of educational and community workshops involving commissions from Third world black writers and CNC Systems' support of the Mikron Theatre Company's south Pennine tour of areas not within easy reach of theatre centres, including performances in clubs, pubs and museums.

  Mr. Cormack
  To ask the Minister for the Arts to what extent business sponsorship funds have been used to provide for the refurbishment of national museums and galleries.

  Mr. Luce
  National museums and galleries which I sponsor have benefited substantially from the generosity of business and private sponsors. In an increasing number of cases this has been linked to incentive funding from the Government. Recent examples of sponsored refurbishment include the gallery of Chinese art sponsored by Mr. Tsui at the Victoria and Albert museum, the "Food for Thought" gallery sponsored by the Sainsbury Family Trust and other generous donors at the science museum and the rehang at the Tate gallery to which BP plc made a very substantial donation.

  National Arts Companies
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what information he has on the accumulated deficits of the national companies.

  Mr. Luce
  I am advised that the four national companies are projecting a combined deficit of around £8 million by the end of March. Next year they are each to receive an increase of 11 per cent. in their grant from the Arts Council.

  Overseas Earnings
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what estimate he has made of the overseas earnings of the arts in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Luce
  Although figures for such earnings are not held centrally, the PSI has attempted to quantify the overseas earnings of the arts, broadly defined, at £4 billion in 1984.

  Arts (North-west)
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what information he has on participation in the arts in the north-west.

  Mr. Luce
  I understand that in 1988–89 audience figures in the north-west Arts region (population 4·8 million) at arts venues—including theatres, galleries, concert halls, and small touring and community venues—were in the region of 4 million.

  Touring
  Mr. Conway
  To ask the Minister for the Arts how he intends to encourage further touring both inside and outside the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Luce
  Many performing companies already tour extensively throughout Britain, quite apart from the touring provided for by the Arts Council's annual touring budget, which will be £8·2 million in 1990–91. In addition
  479
  to this, I have given the Arts Council an extra £5·5 million over the three-year period from 1988–89 to 1990–91 to provide approximately 60 weeks extra touring in each year. Overseas touring is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, through the British Council.

  Public Libraries
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what is the total of expenditure per capita on public libraries in England and Wales.

  Mr. Luce
  Expenditure per capita on public libraries in England, for which I am responsible, was £9·87 in 1988–89. Libraries in Wales are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

  West Midlands Arts
  Mrs. Golding
  To ask the Minister for the Arts when he intends to meet the chairman of West Midlands Arts to discuss the Wilding report.

  Mr. Luce
  I discussed Mr. Wilding's report with the chairman of West Midlands Arts on 19 December 1989.

  Wilding Report
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Minister for the Arts when he intends to respond to the Wilding report.

  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Minister for the Arts when it is his intention to respond to the Wilding report.

  Mr. Luce
  I hope to make an announcement shortly.

  Arts Council and Crafts Council
  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Minister for the Arts when he last discussed with the chairman of the Arts Council and the Crafts Council the question of the merger of those two organisations.

  Mr. Luce
  I regularly meet the chairmen of the Arts Council and Crafts Council to discuss current issues.

  East Midlands Arts
  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Minister for the Arts when he intends to meet the chairman of East Midlands Arts to discuss the level of financial support for photography in the east midlands.

  Mr. Luce
  I have no plans to do so. East Midlands Arts' direct support for photography this year was £53,000. In 1990–91 this will rise to £74,000.

  Arts Council
  Mr. Jessel
  To ask the Minister for the Arts when he last met the chairman of the Arts Council; and what was discussed.

  Mr. Luce
  I last met the chairman on 19 February 1990. A variety of matters of mutual interest were discussed.

  Northern Arts
  Mr. Boyes
  To ask the Minister for the Arts when he next intends to meet the chairman of Northern Arts to discuss the Wilding report.
  480
  Mr. Luce
  I have already discussed Mr. Wilding's report with the chairman of Northern Arts on 19 December 1989.

  Opera
  Mr. Ashby
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what representations he has received concerning the funding of opera in England.

  Mr. Luce
  I have received a number of such representations. It is however a matter for the Arts Council to determine how much of its grant is spent on opera. In 1990–91 I am advised that this will be over £22 million, including touring.

  Equal Opportunities
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Minister for the Arts how many of his Department's management training courses include sessions on equal opportunities for women; and what proportion of managers at grade six level and above working outside headquarters has received training on equal opportunities for women.

  Mr. Luce
  Specific training sessions about equality of opportunity for women, ethnic minorities and the disabled are included in all the internal residential management training courses undertaken by managers in my Department. Emphasis is also given to equality of opportunity when training managers to carry out staff appraisal, selection and promotion interviewing. The one female member of staff at grade 6 outside headquarters has not yet attended a course as specified.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what child care provision his Department provides for pre-school age children of employees; what child care provision for school holidays or after school care is provided for employees' children aged five years or over; what plans there are for increasing provision in the next five years; and how these are to be funded.

  Mr. Luce
  My Department does not yet provide nursery facilities for the use of its staff, but they have access to a local holiday play scheme financed by parental and departmental contributions.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what grade is his Department's equal opportunities officer.

  Mr. Luce
  My Department is served by the Cabinet Office equal opportunities officer who is a grade seven.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what measures he has implemented to ensure that recruitment and promotion policy in his Department does not directly or indirectly discriminate against applicants who were mature students or women returning to work following a career-break due to child care.

  Mr. Luce
  In my Department there are no age limits on recruitment although we expect recruits to give a reasonable period of service before retirement. Candidates without the usual academic qualifications may take a short answer test. Promotion is solely on the basis of merit. We have lowered our seniority requirements to bring them into line with the national standard and previous service counts for seniority purposes after a career break.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what proportion of civil servants in his Department are women at each of grades seven, six, five, four, three, two and one, respectively.
  481
  Mr. Luce
  In my Department the proportion of civil servants in each grade who are women, is as follows:

  Grade 1—Not applicable

  2—Nil

  3—Not applicable

  4—Not applicable

  5–25 per cent.

  6–100 per cent.

  7–27 per cent.

  Pin-ups
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Minister for the Arts whether he will issue instructions for the removal of all offensive pin-ups on all his departmental premises.

  Mr. Luce
  My Department has no plans to issue specific guidance on this subject. However, it has issued a policy statement about sexual harassment; offensive pin-ups would be dealt with in this context.

  Merseyside Arts
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Minister for the Arts when he last met the chairman of Merseyside Arts to discuss the Wilding report.

  Mr. Luce
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 12 February at column 52.

  Access for the Disabled
  Mr. Sumberg
  To ask the Minister for the Arts if he will make a statement on progress made in achieving easier access for the disabled in arts venues and libraries.

  Mr. Luce
  In December 1988 I gave £150,000 to the ADAPT fund, set up by the Carnegie Trust to improve the accessibility of arts venues, including libraries, for disabled people. I am pleased to say that the fund has to date made 23 awards provisionally worth £167,250.

SCOTLAND

  BR Sleeper Services
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has made to BR about the London-Stanraer overnight sleeper service.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  My right hon. and learned Friend was informed by British Rail of its plans to withdraw the Stranraer-London sleeper service from 14 May and to provide a connecting service between Stranraer and the Glasgow-London sleeper trains. While it is regrettable that British Rail has found it necessary to follow this course, the decision is a commercial matter for British Rail.

  Equal Opportunities
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many of his Department's management training courses include sessions on equal opportunities for women; and what proportion of managers at grade six level and above working outside headquarters has received training on equal opportunities for women.

  Mr. Rifkind
  Four management training courses and eight non-management courses run by my Department's482
  training unit include sessions on equal opportunities. Staff also attend management courses run by the Civil Service College which have equal opportunities input. Training opportunities are available to all my Department's staff irrespective of location. Detailed figures are not available for the limited number of staff at grade six level and above who do not work in headquarters offices.

  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what child care provision his Department provides for pre-school age children of employees; what child care provision for school holidays or after-school care is provided for employees' children aged five years or over; what plans there are for increasing provision in the next five years; and how these are to be funded.

  Mr. Rifkind
  My Department does not directly make child care provision. Staff of my Department do, however, make use during school holidays of the facilities provided for school age children of civil servants by the central Edinburgh holiday play scheme. The possibility of providing child care facilities in the Scottish Office in future is currently the subject of a cost-benefit study. The study will cover how any such facilities, if justified, might be funded.

  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what grade is his Department's equal opportunities officer.

  Mr. Rifkind
  Grade 5.

  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of civil servants in his Department are women at each of the grades(a) seven, (b) six, (c) five, (d) four, (e) three, (f) two and (g) one, respectively.

  Mr. Rifkind
  The percentage of women officers in grades one to seven in the Scottish Office and associated departments is shown in the table.

  Grade

  Number

  One

  0

  Two

  0

  Three

  4·3

  Four

  0

  Five

  7·1

  Six

  15·3

  Seven

  12·3

  Sexual Harassment
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his Department's policy on sexual harassment at work; whether guidance on reporting complaints has been issued to all staff; how many complaints have been reported in the past five years; and what disciplinary action has been taken.

  Mr. Rifkind
  My Department's policy statement makes it clear that sexual harassment constitutes unacceptable behaviour which will not be tolerated. The policy statement, and guidance on reporting complaints, was brought to the attention of all staff by an office notice and is separately covered in the staff handbook. A leaflet to be issued to all new entrants is in course of preparation. Four formal complaints about sexual harassment have been made during the last five years. Disciplinary action was taken in three cases.

  Well Women Clinics
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the number of well women clinics in each health board area in Scotland.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  This information is not collected centrally.

  Forestry Commission
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how he takes account of the Forestry Commission's duty under section 11 of the Countryside Act to have regard to the desirability of conserving the natural beauty and amenity of the countryside in considering the degree of expertise in nature conservation possessed by potential appointees to the Commission.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  When selecting staff for employment, the Forestry Commission takes into account all qualifications and experience which are relevant to the job concerned. A degree of expertise in nature conservation would be relevant in employing field officers, many of whom have qualifications and experience in this area. In addition, the commission employs specialist staff on environmental duties, and retains consultants on nature conservation, landscape architecture and archaeology.

  Rates Arrears
  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he has as to the percentage of ratepayers in arrears, for each quarter of each of the last five years, to the end of March 1989, for each regional council area.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  This information is not held centrally.

  Ravenscraig
  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Govan of 28 February,Official Report, column 271, whether he discussed with the chairman of British Steel on 26 October 1989 the decision to impose a production pause on Ravenscraig over the Christmas and new year holiday period.

  Mr. Lang
  The detailed matters discussed at my right hon. and learned Friend's meeting with the chairman of British Steel on 26 October 1989 are commercially confidential.

  Schools (Opting Out)
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his policy on funding from his Department's funds for organisations which seek to persuade schools to opt out of the local authority education system.

  Mr. Lang
  No public funds will be available to an organisation to persuade schools to seek self-governing status.

  Training Agency
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland why all men and women, whether married or unmarried, are required to be entered as married on Training Agency forms ET4, ET6, ET69 and ET67.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 1 March 1990]: Applicants for Employment Training are no longer required to provide the Training Agency with information about marital status. However, forms ET4, ET6, ET67 and ET69 are used to enter information on the Training Agency's computer which will accept the input only if all entries on the forms, including the redundant "marital status" entry, have been completed. To overcome this, a blanket entry of "married" on all these forms was agreed to be preferable to a costly interim software amendment to the computer system. The computer system is to be revised in April 1990 and charges will be introduced at that time to resolve this problem.

  Lothian Health Board
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what consideration is being given to the loss of bed spaces or the closure of wards or hospitals as a consequence of the deficit currently incurred by Lothian health board.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 28 February 1990]: My right hon. and learned Friend made clear that there will be no crisis closures. We are awaiting Lothian health board's proposals for considered adjustments to achieve more efficient arrangements for service delivery. Any adjustments will be within the framework of the board's strategic plans and made in the normal way so that the interests of patients remain paramount.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Equal Opportunities
  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many of his Department's management training courses include sessions on equal opportunities for women; and what proportion of managers at grade six level and above working outside headquarters has received training on equal opportunities for women.

  Mr. Ryder
  All management training courses run by my Department include sessions on equal opportunities and it is Treasury policy that staff with management responsibilities, including those outside headquarters, receive appropriate training.

  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what child care provision his Department provides for pre-school age children of employees; what child care provision for school holidays or after-school care is provided for employees' children aged five years or over; what plans there are for increasing provision in the next five years; and how these are to be funded.

  Mr. Ryder
  Children of staff in Her Majesty's Treasury between the ages of five and 12 have access to a holiday play scheme that is organised by the Westminster Play Association. The scheme is run in the Treasury building and is available to a number of Whitehall Departments.
  485
  Consideration is being given to other child care schemes for which funding arrangements would need to be contained within overall running cost provision.

  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what grade is his Department's equal opportunities officer.

  Mr. Ryder
  Grade seven.

  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures he has implemented to ensure that recruitment and promotion policy in his Department does not directly or indirectly discriminate against applicants who were mature students or women returning to work following a career-break due to child care.

  Mr. Ryder
  As an equal opportunities employer, mature students and women who return to work are treated in exactly the same way as anyone else within the Treasury's recruitment and promotion policy.

  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of civil servants in his Department are women at each of the grades(a) seven, (b) six, (c) five, (d) four, (e) three, (f) two and (g) one.

  Mr. Ryder
  For Her Majesty's Treasury the information is as follows:

  (a) 17·4 per cent.;

  (b) 5·9 per cent.;

  (c) 12·8 per cent.;

  (d) none;

  (e) 18·5 per cent.;

  (f) none;

  (g) none.

  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action he has taken, and what action he intends taking, to implement the recommendations within his area of responsibility of the European Commission's childcare network report "Caring for Children—Services and Policies for Childcare and Equal Opportunities in the United Kingdom".

  Mr. Ryder
  The report was prepared for the European Commission, which has not yet developed any proposals. The Government believe that policy on child care is a matter for member states. The United Kingdom's policy is that it is for families themselves to determine how their children are to be brought up and how parents, who wish to do so, can best combine paid work and family responsibilities. The Government, through the Department of Health and the ministerial group on women's issues, have encouraged the development of a range of high quality child care options for both parents and employers.

  Sexual Harassment
  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his Department's policy on sexual harassment at work; whether guidance on reporting complaints has been issued to all staff; how many complaints have been reported in the past five years; and what disciplinary action has been taken.

  Mr. Ryder
  The Civil Service policy on sexual harassment is set out in the programme for action to achieve equal opportunities for women in the Civil Service, which was published by the Cabinet Office (management 486
  and personnel office) in 1984. Sexual harassment at work is not tolerated and is dealt with, if appropriate, as a disciplinary matter through the usual Civil Service complaints procedure. Specific guidance on reporting alleged sexual harassment is included in "Women in the Treasury: a Guide to Personnel Management policies", which has been issued to all Treasury staff. Existing guidance in Her Majesty' Treasury on sexual harassment is being reviewed with a view to incorporating it in a new booklet on equal opportunity policies. There have been five complaints reported in the past five to six years: in the three proven cases, formal written warnings were issued.

  Taxation
  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of women he expects the proposed married person's tax allowance will be given to.

  Mr. Lilley
  It is estimated that in 1990–91 approximately 400,000 married women, just under 10 per cent. of all married women with income greater than the personal allowance, will receive part or all of the married couple's allowance. The estimate is based on a projection of the 1987–88 survey of personal incomes and is provisional.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make a statement on the financial position of farmers' wives in relation to taxation, social security benefits and pensions.

  Mr. Lilley
  I am not aware of any particular points affecting the financial position of farmers' wives. M any of them will be among the 2¾ million wives who will gain when the new system of independent taxation comes into effect on 5 April this year.

  Value Added Tax
  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will seek to zero-rate sanitary products for value added tax purposes; and whether he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ryder
  I cannot anticipate my right hon Friend's Budget statement.

  Pin-ups
  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will issue instructions for the removal of all offensive pin-ups in all his departmental premises.

  Mr. Ryder
  Sexual harassment at work, of which the display of sexually offensive material is a form, is not tolerated and is dealt with, if appropriate, as a disciplinary matter through the usual Civil Service complaints procedures. Existing guidance in Her Majesty's Treasury on sexual harassment is being reviewed with a view to incorporating it in a new booklet on equal opportunities.

  Premium Bonds
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether payments other than those paid to persons who have been randomly selected by the electronic random number indicator equipment situated at Lytham St. Annes have been made by ERNIE in any year since 1979.
  487
  Mr. Ryder
  No.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Sewage Sludge
  Mr. Trotter
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement about the dumping of sewage sludge at sea.

  Mr. Gummer
  The arrangements reached at the 1987 North sea ministerial conference included an undertaking in principle not to dump materials in the North sea unless there are no practical disposal alternatives on land. In the case of sewage sludge more than 70 per cent. of the United Kingdom's production of this material is now disposed of on land. The Government have continued to encourage sewerage undertakers to develop the use of practical land-based disposal methods for the remainder. In particular, we have identified significant advances in incineration techniques both as regard their efficiency and environmental impact.

  In view of this encouraging progress in the development of alternative methods, we have now decided to terminate the sea disposal of sewage sludge. This will mean a substantial programme of work to be undertaken in order to implement alternative disposal methods. A major capital investment will be required. Planning permission where necessary must also be obtained. We shall proceed as rapidly as possible. But some dumping will need to continue until new facilities are ready. We intend to have finished all dumping by the end of 1998.

  Chemical Wastes
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the incineration of chemical wastes at sea.

  Mr. Gummer
  At the 1987 North sea ministerial conference it was agreed that marine incineration should be phased out by 31 December 1994 as alternative means of dealing with the wastes concerned were becoming available. Land-based incineration facilities capable of dealing with the United Kingdom wastes which are currently burnt at sea are now being developed. I have therefore decided that no more United Kingdom waste will be licensed for marine incineration after the end of this year.

  Industrial Waste
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make it his policy to reduce to zero by the year 2000 inputs of toxic discharges into the North sea.

  Mr. Trippier
  I have been asked to reply.

  It is the Government's policy to prevent or (where prevention is not possible) minimise releases of toxic substances to the aquatic environment. Our current target reductions are of the order of 50 per cent. by 1995. They were agreed at the London North sea conference in 1987. The United Kingdom national action plan published on 5 March shows the good progress we have made to date. The progress made by each North sea state will be reviewed at the Hague North sea conference this week.

  Equal Opportunities
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proportion of Agricultural Development Advisory Service staff are women.

  Mr. Curry
  The proportion of women in the Ministry's Agricultural Development Advisory Service is currently 31 per cent.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he has taken to encourage women to use his Department's sponsored training courses.

  Mr. Curry
  All courses provided by my Department are fully publicised to women staff; we also run specific courses for women managers to help them develop their personal effectiveness. Additionally, to encourage women with young families, any extra child care expenses incurred as a result of attending a training course, may be reclaimed.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many of his Department's management training courses include sessions on equal opportunities for women; and what proportion of managers at grade six level and above working outside headquarters has received training on equal opportunities for women.

  Mr. Curry
  All initial and middle management training courses run by my Department include sessions on equal opportunities for women. Training for staff at grade six level and above is more individually structured and staff are encouraged to undertake training in a range of competencies, including equal opportunities for women, but separate statistics are not available.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what child care provision his Department provides for pre-school age children of employees; what childcare provision for school holidays or after-school care is provided for employees' children aged five years or over; what plans there are for increasing provision in the next five years; and how these are to be funded.

  Mr. Curry
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Don Valley (Mr. Redmond) on 31 January (Official Report, column 236). Once the results of the studies mentioned are available, consideration will be given to the matter of funding. School holiday play schemes for children aged over five years have been operating at Guildford since 1988 and at Leeds since last year, the latter scheme being run in partnership with the DSS and PSA. A further scheme will be introduced at the central veterinary laboratory, Weybridge, this summer. Discussions are currently in progress on the possibility of introducing a play scheme at Tolworth, in co-operation with other Government Departments in the area. Pump-priming funds have been available and continue to be available for such schemes.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what grade is his Department's equal opportunities officer.

  Mr. Curry
  Grade five.
  489
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proportion of civil servants in his Department are women at each of the grades(a) seven, (b) six, (c) five, (d) four, (e) three, (f) two and (g) one.

  Mr. Curry
  The percentage of women in the following grades and grade equivalents as at 28 February 1990 is as follows:

  Women as percentage of total staff in grade

  Grade

  Per cent.

  7

  12

  6

  9

  5

  8

  4

  —

  3

  8

  2

  —

  1

  —

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he has taken, and what action he intends taking, to implement the recommendations within his area of responsibility of the European Commission's childcare network report "Caring for Children—Services and Policies for Childcare and Equal Opportunities in the United Kingdom".

  Mr. Curry
  The report was prepared for the European Commission, which has not yet developed any proposals. The Government believe that policy on child care is a matter for member states. The United Kingdom's policy is that it is for families themselves to determine how their children are to be brought up and how parents, who wish to do so, can best combine paid work and family responsibilities. The Government, through the Department of Health and the ministerial group on women's issues, have encouraged the development of a range of high quality child care options for both parents and employers.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what measures he has implemented to ensure that recruitment and promotion policy in his Department does not directly or indirectly discriminate against applicants who were mature students or women returning to work following a career-break due to child care.

  Mr. Curry
  The Department is directly responsible for the recruitment of staff up to and including administrative officer and equivalent grades and the departmental grade of fishery officer. Selection panels are instructed on the need to guard against any form of discrimination. Selection criteria based, for example, on sex, are strictly forbidden as are criteria which might discriminate on age grounds against mature students or women returning to work after a career break. Age limits and qualification requirements for departmental grades which are recruited by the Civil Service Commission on our behalf are currently under review with the aim of ensuring that no unnecessary restrictions are placed on eligibility to apply to work in the Department.

  A domestic absence reinstatement scheme, designed to give staff who resign for domestic reasons preferential consideration for reinstatement and encouragement to rejoin my Department when they are ready to return to work, was introduced in October 1988. Formal arrangements governing part-time working and job
  490
  sharing were introduced in December 1989. These are intended to promote and expand the opportunities available in the Department for those who wish to work reduced hours.

  Those responsible for assessing staff for promotion are regularly reminded of the need to assess staff who work reduced hours on exactly the same basis as all other staff, without regard to their status as part-timers or job-sharers. Officers recommended for promotion, who take maternity leave before they are posted to a higher grade, may have the validity of their promotion recommendations extended, normally for up to one year, to cover their period of absence.

  Proposed new arrangements for promotion are currently under discussion with the Department's trade union side. These will remove seniority, which may indirectly discriminate against those who take career breaks, from promotion procedures. They will also ensure that staff approaching retiring age remain eligible for consideration for promotion until they reach the normal retiring age of the higher grade. I hope these new arrangements will be in place by 1 January 1991.

  The Department also monitors recruitment competitions, promotions and allocations to duties with the aim of ensuring that there is no discrimination against women.

  Sexual Harassment
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his Department's policy of sexual harassment at work; whether guidance on reporting complaints has been issued to all staff; how many complaints have been reported in the past five years; and what disciplinary action has been taken.

  Mr. Curry
  The Civil Service policy on sexual harassment is set out in the programme of action to achieve equal opportunities for women in the Civil Service, which was published by the Cabinet Office (management and personnel office) in 1984. Sexual harassment at work is not tolerated and is dealt with as a disciplinary matter through the usual Civil Service complaints procedures. In my Department a network of sexual harassment contact officers has been set up and guidance on reporting complaints has been issued to all staff.

  Three formal complaints have been reported centrally to personnel division in the past five years; all were investigated and disciplinary action was taken as appropriate.

  Pin-ups
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will issue instructions for the removal of all offensive pin-ups in all his departmental premises.

  Mr. Curry
  Guidance has already been issued in my Department which makes it clear that sexual harassment at work is not tolerated and in particular requires managers to ensure that potentially offensive material is not displayed in the workplace.

  Coastal Protection
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the new way in which grant aid for coastal protection will be calculated, and indicate the rate at which such grants will be paid.

  Mr. Curry
  It is our intention that the revised method of calculating grant rates for coast protection schemes will parallel the existing one as far as possible. The rates at which grant may be paid will be the same as those that obtain at present (that is, up to a maximum of 70 per cent.). Details of the new method of calculation will be circulated to the coast protection authorities as quickly as possible.

  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, in the light of rising sea levels, he will review the provisions and working of the Coast Protection Act 1949; and if he will make a statement.

  National programme of R and D on coastal defence and protection currently funded by MAFF

  Research objective

  (a) Location

  (b) Amount of MAFF funding in 1989–90 £'000

  (c) MAFF funding as percentage of total cost

  1. To ensure that the Storm Tide Warning Service Operational Model is properly maintained, performance monitored, shortcomings identified and rectified and developed in line with modern technology

  NERC's Institute of Oceanographic Services (IOS) at Merseyside or Wormley Laboratory

  95

  100

  2. To develop numerical surge forecasting models for the south and west coasts of Britain for future extension of the Storm Tide Warning Service

  IOS, Merseyside or Wormley

  88

  100

  3. To develop a single numerical modelling system embracing tides, surges and waves for predicting extreme sea states and for use as a forecasting tool

  IOS, Merseyside or Wormley

  120

  100

  4. To improve tidal predictions and develop methods for predicting sea state extremes

  IOS, Merseyside or Wormley

  154

  100

  5. To maintain and improve the quality, reliability and availability of sea level data obtained from the national tide gauge network

  IOS, Merseyside or Wormley

  67

  100

  6. To assemble, analyse and maintain a bank of well documented and verified observations from the principal tide gauges round Great Britain

  IOS, Merseyside or Wormley

  90

  100

  7. Studies of wave set-up and comparison with wave models

  IOS, Merseyside or Wormley

  37

  100

  8. Parameterization of air/sea interaction processes

  IOS, Merseyside or Wormley

  25

  100

  9. Effects on waves of climatic variations

  IOS, Merseyside or Wormley

  25

  100

  10. To carry out model tests on structures in order to assist in design and construction of effective and economical coastal defences

  Hydraulics Research Laboratory (HRL), Wallingford

  65

  100

  11. To develop models to provide engineering tools for predicting waves at or near the coastline

  Hydraulics Research Laboratory (HRL), Wallingford

  65

  100

  12. Sea wall design

  Construction Industry Research and Information Association (CIRIA), London

  7

  100

  492
  Mr. Curry
  The Coast Protection Act 1949 allows maritime district councils to carry out such work as is necessary. The requirement for work will vary from location to location and will depend on local as well as global factors. A rise in mean sea level will have no direct implication for the workings of the Act. Nevertheless, the latest developments on climate change are closely monitored and careful consideration is given to the likely consequences for both coast protection and sea defence.

  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research projects on coastal protection and sea defences are being funded by his Ministry; and at what percentage rate.

  Mr. Curry
  the Department is spending £1·4 million in 1989–90 on a national programme of research on coastal protection and sea defence and a list of the projects being funded is given in the table. The Department discusses its national research programme with the National Rivers Authority and other relevant bodies.
  493

  Research objective

  (a) Location

  (b) Amount of MAFF funding in 1989–90 £'000

  (c) MAFF funding as percentage of total cost

  13. Assessment and integrated management of coastal cliff systems

  University of Strathclyde, Glasgow

  12

  100

  14. Further macro review of the coast of England and Wales

  HRL, Wallingford

  4

  100

  15. Rehabilitation and maintenance of old waterfront walls

  CIRIA, London

  15

  30

  16. Modelling sediment transport in combined wave current flow

  University College of North Wales, Bangor

  29

  100

  17. Sediment transport by combined waves and currents (phase II)

  HRL, Wallingford

  83

  100

  18. Shingle Beach Dynamics 3D aspects

  HRL, Wallingford

  63

  100

  19. Mathematical model of groynes on shingle beaches

  HRL, Wallingford

  32

  100

  20. Performance of permable revetments

  HRL, Wallingford

  61

  100

  21. Design of quarried rock slope protection against wave attack

  CIRIA, London

  15

  20

  22. Process of sand transport by tidal currents and waves

  NERC's Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory, Birkenhead

  9

  100

  23. Climatic change—United Kingdom sea level trends

  NERC's Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory, Birkenhead

  40

  100

  24. A review and collation of beach data within the United Kingdom

  HRL, Wallingford

  7

  100

  25. Mathematical modelling of wave climate near offshore breakwaters

  HRL, Wallingford

  10

  100

  26. Development of environmental assessment manual: a pilot study

  University of East Anglia, Norwich

  14

  100

  29. Agricultural benefits of coast protection and sea defence

  Middlesex Polytechnic Flood Hazard Research Centre, Enfield

  50

  100

  30. Post project appraisal of urban flood protection

  Middlesex Polytechnic Flood Hazard Research Centre, Enfield

  25

  100

  Total

  1,400

  Veal Crates
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make it his policy to seek to persuade the Council of Ministers to ban the use of veal crates in the European Community.

  Mr. Maclean
  This is already the policy which we are pursuing in discussions on Commission proposals for minimum standards for the welfare of intensively kept calves.

  Global Warming
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has any plans to put forward proposals at the next European Council of Agriculture Ministers, on 5 and 6 March in Brussels, on initiatives that may be taken in the agriculture sector to mitigate the global warming greenhouse effect.

  Mr. Gummer
  The Agriculture Council on 5–6 March will concentrate on the Commission's farm price 494
  proposals. I shall ensure that the issue of global warming is taken into account in the United Kingdom's position in so far as it relates to matters on the Council agenda.

  Live Animal Stock (Exports)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what investigations are carried out by his Department to ensure that live animal stock exported from the United Kingdom receive the correct exercise and food while in transit in the United Kingdom and abroad.

  Mr. Maclean
  The Department administers arrangements for resting, feeding and watering and inspecting farm animals prior to export from Great Britain for fattening or immediate slaughter. We seek assurances about the onward journey from exporters and their importers although other member states are responsible for applying EC measures on their territories. Enforcement of statutory controls covering welfare during journeys in this country is a matter for local authorities.
  495
  In addition, we have launched an initiative in the EC on animal welfare in which we have underlined the need for proper standards during transport.

  Flood Damage
  Mr. Speller
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what help he will give to restore the damaged sea wall and to prevent further flood damage(a) along the north Devon coast and (b) to the towns of Ilfracombe and Lynmouth.

  Mr. Curry
  Apart from Ilfracombe and Lynmouth, we are aware of only minor damage to sea defence along the north Devon coast.

  At Lynmouth the county council, as highway authority, is taking responsibility for the damage to the works protecting the coastal road. At Ilfracombe temporary works to repair the damage to a section of the sea wall are already in place, and the National Rivers Authority south-west region is designing a scheme to provide a permanent defence. We understand that the North Devon district council is currently dealing with another flooding problem in the town. Grant is available (at rates up to 70 per cent.) on works which are economically, technically and environmentally acceptable.

  National Rivers Authority and local authority programmes of flood defence works may change as a result of recent storm events, so we have asked authorities for an early indication of these changes in order to assess the future work and funding implications. It is our intention to ensure that Government funding is sufficient to support a programme which takes full account of these needs.

  Aphids
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the proposals put to his Department by the Agriculture and Food Research Council Institute at Rorthamsted on aphid research and aphid surveys.

  Mr. Curry
  A number of proposals have been put to my Department on aphid research and surveys. The importance of aphids as crop pests is fully appreciated but all research proposals have to be judged not only on their individual merits but according to the priority of Ministry requirements. The chief scientist has now given approval in principle for the funding of one proposal on aphid surveys linked to studies of climate change.

  Cricket Bat Willows
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what guidance his Department issues on pollarding or copsing cricket bat willows.

  Mr. Curry
  Guidance on growing cricket bat willows is given in Forestry Commission bulletin 17, "The Cultivation of the Cricket Bat Willow". This bulletin is out of print, but I am arranging for a photocopy to be placed in the Library of the House. Photocopies can also be bought from the Forestry Commission's library at Alice Holt Lodge, Farnham, Surrey, GU 10 4LH.

  Inshore Fishing
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received on the question of the United Kingdom inshore fishing fleet.

  Mr. Curry
  The Minister and I are in regular contact with fisheries organisations about a wide range of issues affecting the inshore fleet.

  EC Agriculture Ministers
  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent meetings he has had with other European Economic Community Agriculture Ministers; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  The Minister and I meet other European Community Agriculture Ministers frequently, both at meetings of the Council of Ministers and elsewhere.

  EC Food Exports
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the amount of food exported by the European Economic Community to the Soviet Union and eastern Europe; and what was the cost of the export rebates involved over the past 12 months.

  Mr. Curry
  For the main agricultural commodities, the table shows the most recent data available on the volume of exports. The cost of the export refunds involved could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Volume of EC Exports, January—August 1989 (000 tonnes)

  To USSR

  To Eastern Europe1

  Wheat

  2,980

  1,085

  Barley

  1,997

  1,096

  Wheat flour

  2—

  5

  Rice

  2—

  2

  Malt

  61

  1

  Whole milk powder

  31

  1

  Skimmed milk powder

  2—

  2—

  Condensed milk

  0

  2—

  Butter (incl. butter oil)

  118

  14

  Beef and veal

  72

  105

  Pigmeat

  2—

  2—

  Poultrymeat

  2—

  2—

  Sugar total (white equivalent)

  91

  213

  (of which refined sugar)

  (91)

  (213)

  Olive Oil

  2

  2—

  Notes:1 German Democratic Republic, Poland, Czechoslavakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Albania.

  2 denotes trade under 500 tonnes.

  Poultry
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the percentage value of the poultry siezed for slaughter under the Zoonoses Order 1989, paid as compensation to the poultry's owner.

  Mr. Maclean
  When a poultry flock in which the presence of salmonella has been confirmed is compulsorily slaughtered, compensation is paid in accordance with the requirements of the Animal Health Act 1981. The amount paid is based on the scale of values depending on the age of the birds and represents 60 per cent. of the value of a healthy flock.

  Fisheries Research
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish a table in the Official Report to show (a) vessels based in Great Britain which are engaged in fisheries research, (b) the draught and tonnage of the vessels, (c) the type of fish covered by the research, (d) the number of full-time crew employed on each vessel, (e) the number of scientists employed in each vessel, (f) the number of other staff employed on the vessel, (g) the number of staff employed at the shore establishment and which directly support each vessel, (h) the port at which the vessel is based, (i) the sea area which is normally covered by each vessel and its extent in square miles, (j) the number of days spent at sea in each of the last three years and (k) the costs attributed to the work of each vessel in those three years or as much of such information as is available to him.

  Mr. Gummer
  [holding answer 27 February 1990]: Two vessels, R V Cirolana and RV Corystes, are operated by my Department for fisheries research. RV Corystes entered service in April 1988.

  The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland and the Natural Environment Research Council also operate fisheries reseach vessels.

  Information about the vessels operated by the Ministry is as follows:

  Draught and tonnage

  (i) Cirolana

  Draft

  15·11m

  Net registered tonnage

  440·81

  Gross registered tonnage

  1,731·48

  (ii) Corystes

  Draft

  14·30m

  Net registered tonnage

  384·00

  Gross registered tonnage

  1,280·00

  1 Mean.

  Type of fish covered by the research

  All fish and shellfish in principle, but particularly the 40 or so species of interest to the United Kingdom's commercial fishermen and subject to EC common fishery policy regulations on total allowable catches. A total of 50 per cent. of the vessels' time is engaged in marine environmental protection-related work.

  Full-time crew employed

  Number

  (i) Cirolana

  29

  (ii) Corystes

  19

  (iii) Relief

  6

  Scientific staff

  Those staff are shore-based. The number of scientists normally carried per cruise is:

  Number

  (i) Cirolana

  10

  (ii) Corystes

  6

  Other staff employed on the vessels

  Nil.

  Shore based support staff

  Five and half.

  Base port

  Lowestoft.

  Operational sea area

  (i) Cirolana

  Worldwide capability but operated mainly in the North
  498
  Atlantic from the Azores to the polar ice shelf and Europe/Scandinavia to Canada. Approximate area 4·4 million square miles.

  (ii) Corystes

  North-west European shelf sea contiguous with the British Isles, although capable of working anywhere in the Atlantic in reasonable weather conditions. Approximate area 1 million square miles.

  Number of days spent at sea

  1987

  1988

  1989

  (i) Cirolana

  256

  243

  254

  (ii) Corystes

  —

  183

  249

  (k) Operational cost of vessels (to nearest £ thousand)

  1987–88 (£)

  1988–89 (£)

  1989–901 (£)

  (i) Cirolana

  921,000

  986,000

  1,039,000

  (ii) Corystes

  —

  586,000

  705,000

  1 Forecast.

EMPLOYMENT

  Industrial Tribunals
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will now increase the jurisdiction of industrial tribunals, so as to enable them to deal with claims for breaches of contracts of employment following dismissal.

  Mr. Nicholls
  We consulted widely on this issue last year. This showed overwhelming support for implementation. I have therefore decided that the necessary statutory instrument should be made as soon as practicable. This will mean that an employee making a complaint of unfair dismissal to an industrial tribunal will also be able to ask the tribunal to recover, for example, arrears of pay lost because he was dismissed without notice. At present separate proceedings have to be initiated in the civil courts to recover such damages.

  I have also decided that both the conditions set out in section 131(3) of the Employment Protection (Consolidation) Act 1978 should be required to be satisfied before an industrial tribunal can consider a claim. I am sure that the fact that it will be possible to settle simultaneously those contractual disputes between an employer and employee arising from dismissal will be welcomed by both sides.

  Mr. Batiste
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will bring forward legislation to extend the jurisdiction of industrial tribunals to enable them to determine claims for breach of contract arising from dismissals from employment.

  Mr. Nicholls
  We consulted widely on this issue last year. This showed overwhelming support for implementation. I have, therefore, decided that the necessary statutory instrument should be made as soon as practicable. This means that an employee making a complaint of unfair dismissal to an industrial tribunal will also be able to ask the tribunal to recover, for example, arrears of pay lost because he was dismissed without notice. At present separate proceedings have to be initiated in civil courts to recover such damages.

  I have also decided that both the conditions set out in section 131(3) of the Employment Protection

  499
  (Consolidation) Act 1978 should be required to be satisfied before an industrial tribunal can consider a claim. I am sure that the fact that it will be possible to settle simultaneously those contractual disputes between an employer and employee arising from dismissal will be welcomed by both sides.

  Disabled People
  Mr. Colin Shepherd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what account he is taking in his plans for training and enterprise councils of arrangements for training at residential and other specialist colleges for people with disabilities which are currently centrally funded by the Training Agency; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Howard
  The TECs will need to take full account of the need for residential and other specialist training provision for people with disabilities. It is important that TECs should have the responsibility for planning, delivering and accounting for all training for people under Training Agency programmes, including people with disabilities, through the full range of help available. They should be developing ways of delivering those pro grammes so that even people with quite severe disabilities can be trained for local jobs in an integrated setting. The TECs should be taking decisions on the funding and delivery of training with a clear appreciation of, and responsibility for, the cost effectiveness of different means at their disposal.

  During 1990–91 and 1991–92 my Department will continue to fund centrally residential training for people with disabilities. Officials will work closely with the providers of training and TECs during that time to pilot possible ways in which TECs might become directly involved in decisions about the referral of suitable trainees and the funding of residential places. A decision on whether to devolve responsibility for referral and funding arrangements wholly to TECs would have to take full account of the need for continuity of provision in this important area, and of the particular circumstances of the providers and their client groups. No such decision will be taken until the pilot arrangements have been thoroughly evaluated.

  Skill Centres
  Mr. Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if, following the recent announcement on the privatisation of the Skills Training Agency, he will make a statement on the future of those employment rehabilitation centres that are located on the same sites as skill centres.

  Industry training organisation

  Staff

  Percentage of sector covered

  1 Management and training

  Total

  Employees in sector

  Firms

  Employees

  British Agriculture and Garden Machinery Association

  1·20

  1·50

  20,000

  77

  90

  Agricultural Co-operatives Training Council

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  United Kingdom Agricultural Supply Trade Association

  0·50

  1·25

  60,000

  65

  83

  Foreign Airlines Training Council

  0·20

  0·25

  9,000

  73

  78

  AFA Technology (Atomic Energy)

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  Aviation Training Association

  4·00

  6·00

  150,000

  16

  48

  Federation of Bakers

  0·15

  0·25

  50,000

  100

  100

  National Association of Master Bakers, Confectioners and Caterers

  0·50

  0·60

  2—

  83

  2—

  500
  Mr. Eggar
  Arrangements will be made to ensure the continuation of employment rehabilitation services in localities currently served by employment rehabilitation centres. In most cases they will remain on existing sites for up to three years but in some areas it may be necessary to find alternative premises. The future role of the employment rehabilitation service is being considered in the context of the review of the Department's services for people with disabilities.

  Mr. Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether he plans to continue monitoring the number of trainees with disabilities receiving training at skill centres, following the Skills Training Agency's privatisation.

  Mr. Eggar
  I do not anticipate that the privatisation of the Skills Training Agency will have any immediate effect on the existing monitoring arrangements.

  Industrial Training
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) how many employees there are in each industry or industrial sector which is represented by a non-statutory industrial training organisation;

  (2) if he will list the number of people employed by each of the non-statutory industrial training organisations for which he has figures available;

  (3) if he will publish a list of the existing non-statutory industrial training organisations;

  (4) what information he has on (a) the number of training professionals employed by each non-statutory industrial training organisation as a ratio of the total number of employees in the industry or industrial sector which it covers and (b) how many full-time and part-time training professionals are employed by the Meat Industries Training Organisation;

  (5) what information he has on how many non-statutory industrial training organisations represent (a) more than 50 per cent. of firms in their sector and (b) more than 50 per cent. of the employees in their sector; and which are the organisations concerned;

  (6) what information he has on how many non-statutory industrial training organisations represent (a) more than 75 per cent. of firms in their sector and (b) more than 75 per cent. of the employees in their sector; and which are the organisations concerned.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The table lists all the organisations regarded as independent industry training organisations, together with the latest information available which is from the Institute of Manpower Studies report, "The Full Fact Finding Study of the NSTO System", produced in December 1987 for the former Manpower Services Commission.
  501

  Industry training organisation

  Staff

  Percentage of sector covered

  1Management and training

  Total

  Employees in sector

  Firms

  Employees

  Scottish Association of Master Bakers

  1·10

  1·20

  2—

  80

  2—

  Biscuit, Cake, Chocolate and Confectionery Alliance

  2·00

  5·00

  100,000

  89

  90

  Bookhouse Training Centre

  2·00

  5·00

  20,000

  100

  100

  British Brush Manufacturers

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  Builders Merchants' Federation

  14·00

  18·50

  62,000

  79

  97

  Bus and Coach Training

  2·00

  3·00

  174,300

  45

  99

  Caravan, Camping and Related Self Catering ITO (formerly National Caravan Council Limited)

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  Carpet Industry Training Council

  1·20

  1·50

  18,000

  60

  78

  British Cement Association

  2—

  2—

  9,000

  100

  100

  Ceramics Industry Training Organisation

  7·00

  10·00

  35,000

  14

  93

  Chemical Industries Association

  3·50

  5·50

  200,000

  2—

  90

  China and Ball Clay Industries Training Board

  2—

  2—

  7,015

  100

  100

  British Coal

  3·60

  5·00

  140,000

  100

  100

  Computing Services Industry Training Council

  2·00

  5·00

  44,000

  11

  75

  Precast Concrete Industry Training Association

  3·00

  4·00

  16,000

  21

  75

  Autoclaved Aerated Concrete Products Association

  2—

  2—

  2,044

  100

  100

  Cosmetics, Toiletry and Perfumery Association

  0·30

  0·80

  30,000

  2—

  95

  Cotton and Allied Textile ITO

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  Dairy Trade Federation

  1·20

  2·20

  93,500

  59

  97

  Scottish Distributive Industries Training Council

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  National Association of Industrial Distributors

  1·00

  4·00

  20,000

  53

  60

  Drinks Industries Training Association

  2·50

  4·20

  90,000

  100

  100

  Electricity Industry Training Committee

  7·00

  7·00

  147,795

  100

  100

  Envelope Makers & Manufacturing Stationers Association

  0·30

  0·30

  5,000

  100

  100

  British Fibreboard Packaging Employers Association (formerly BFPA)

  2·00

  2·75

  2—

  2—

  2—

  Fibre Cement Manufacturers Association

  1·00

  1·00

  2,098

  100

  100

  Food Manufacturers Council for Industrial Training

  1·00

  2·00

  2—

  2—

  2—

  British Footwear Manufacturers Federation

  0·08

  0·10

  48,000

  36

  83

  Forestry Training Council

  1·00

  2·00

  2—

  2—

  2—

  National Institute of Fresh Produce

  5·00

  6·00

  65,000

  2—

  2—

  UK Association of Frozen Food Producers

  0·08

  0·10

  2—

  2—

  2—

  British Furniture Manufacturers Federation

  0·20

  0·40

  78,000

  2—

  71

  British Gas plc

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  Glass Training Ltd.

  5·50

  6·50

  39,000

  100

  100

  Hairdressing Training Board

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  Joint National Horse Education and Training Council

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  Insurance Industry Training Council

  1·00

  2·00

  243,000

  100

  91

  National Supervisory Council for Intruder Alarms

  1·00

  1·20

  2—

  2—

  2—

  Knitting & Lace Industries Training Resources Agency

  3·00

  3·50

  90,000

  22

  80

  British Leather Confederation

  1·00

  1·30

  8,000

  88

  91

  Leather Goods (Walsall CCI)

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  Convention of Scottish Local Authorities

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  Local Government Training Board

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  Man-Made Fibres Industry Training Advisory Board

  2·50

  4·10

  15,000

  82

  97

  Marine Training Association

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  British Marine Industries Federation

  2·00

  3·00

  14,500

  2

  86

  Meat Industry Training Organisation

  2—

  2—

  150,000

  2—

  80

  Scottish Federation of Meat Traders Association

  5·50

  5·50

  1,500

  2—

  60

  Merchant Navy Training Board

  2·00

  2·50

  30,000

  100

  100

  Incorporated National Association of British & Irish Millers

  4·00

  6·00

  6,000

  96

  100

  British Narrow Fabrics Association

  0·15

  0·20

  5,500

  80

  86

  Newspaper Publishers Association

  1·00

  2·00

  20,000

  100

  100

  Newspaper Society

  2·00

  4·00

  2—

  2—

  2—

  British Nuclear Fuels plc

  6·70

  7·70

  16,900

  2—

  2—

  Flexible Packaging Association

  0·60

  0·60

  7,500

  90

  87

  National Packaging Confederation

  2—

  2—

  25,000

  25

  30

  Paintmakers Association of GB

  2·00

  2·00

  20,000

  33

  85

  British Paper & Board Industry Education & Training Council

  4·00

  6·00

  34,000

  91

  94

  National Association of Paper Merchants

  0·07

  0·10

  20,000

  2—

  75

  Periodicals Training Council

  3·00

  4·50

  20,000

  49

  80

  Petroleum Training Federation

  7·50

  11·00

  60,000

  82

  92

  Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry

  1·00

  2·00

  84,000

  2—

  71

  British Ports Federation

  1·00

  2·00

  41,208

  100

  100

  Post Office

  5·00

  5·00

  191,434

  100

  100

  Society of Master Printers of Scotland

  1·70

  2·20

  2—

  71

  2—

  British Printing Industries

  7·00

  21·00

  140,000

  51

  70

  Quarry Products Training Council

  2·00

  2·60

  32,500

  56

  97

  British Railways Board

  11·00

  12·00

  139,000

  100

  100

  London Regional Transport (Rail Operations)

  2—

  2—

  21,000

  100

  100

  Refractories, Clay Pipes and Allied Industries Training Council

  2·00

  2·50

  11,000

  82

  86

  National Retail Training Council

  4·50

  5·50

  2,400,000

  86

  83

  British Rubber Industry Training Organisation

  7·00

  10·00

  2—

  2—

  2—

  Seafish Industry Authority

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  502 503

  Industry training organisation

  Staff

  Percentage of sector covered

  1Management and training

  Total

  Employees in sector

  Firms

  Employees

  British Security Industry Association

  1·50

  2·00

  2—

  2—

  2—

  National Association of Multiple Shoe Repairers

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  Society Master Shoe Repairers

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  Silica and Moulding Sands Association

  0·50

  0·70

  1,820

  78

  99

  Small Ships Training Group Association

  1·30

  1·30

  2—

  2—

  2—

  Soap and Detergent Industry Association

  1·00

  2·00

  13,500

  2—

  96

  British Soft Drinks Association

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  British Sports and Allied Industries Federation

  0·01

  0·01

  2—

  2—

  2—

  British Steel Corporation

  8·00

  16·00

  51,000

  100

  100

  Midland Independent Steel Training Association

  2·50

  3·50

  72,000

  2—

  11

  Northern Independent Steel Training Association

  5·00

  7·00

  6,500

  82

  93

  United Kingdom Sugar Industry Association

  3·00

  3·00

  10,500

  100

  100

  British Telecom

  2—

  2—

  223,084

  100

  100

  British Timber Merchants Association (England and Wales)

  0·07

  0·10

  12,300

  21

  28

  Timber Trade Training Association

  4·40

  5·20

  38,000

  2—

  71

  Tobacco Industry Training Organisation

  1·50

  2·00

  19,368

  100

  100

  Association of British Travel Agents

  51·50

  64·00

  100,000

  2—

  90

  United Kingdom Softwood Sawmillers Association (formerly Home Timber Merchants Association of Scotland)

  0·10

  0·15

  2,000

  82

  90

  Wallcovering Manufacturers Association of Great Britain

  2—

  2—

  4,101

  90

  2—

  National Association of Warehouse Keepers

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  Water Authorities Association

  1·00

  1·50

  50,000

  100

  100

  British Waterways Board

  2—

  2—

  3,000

  100

  100

  Wire and Wire Rope Employers Association

  1·00

  1·50

  6,750

  68

  89

  Scottish Woolen Industries

  1·00

  1·20

  5,000

  96

  80

  Confederation of British Wool Textiles

  3·00

  4·50

  40,000

  83

  86

  1 Includes directly employed operational staff-management, training etc. plus staff employed for YTS.

  2 ITO not included in research or information not available.

  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the number of people employed by each of the statutory industry training boards.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The information is as follows:

  Industry training board

  Number of employers

  Clothing and allied products

  126

  Construction

  1,311

  Engineering

  602

  Hotel and catering

  446

  Offshore petroleum

  65

  Plastics processing

  75

  Road transport

  470

  The source of the information is the 1988–89 annual reports of the industry training boards except for the offshore petroleum figure which relates to the annual report for the year ending 31 December 1988.

  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what will happen to the premises and other assets currently held on behalf of their industries by statutory industry training boards when non-statutory bodies assume responsibility for training in the sectors concerned.

  Mr. Nicholls
  Provisions in the Employment Act 1989 enable a statutory industry training board to transfer all or any of its assets to a successor organisation on trust to be used for charitable purposes which are related to training for employment.

  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment which sectors of industry, previously covered by a statutory industrial training board, are no longer represented by non-statutory industrial training organisations.
  504
  Mr. Nicholls
  All significant sectors formerly in scope to industry training boards have either their own independent industry training organisation or access to such an organisation.

  Employment Training
  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment in what circumstances the DE Training Agency will take steps to recover payments of ET training allowances paid to people no longer entitled to them; in how many cases the DETA has taken such steps; how much has been recovered; whether there have been any prosecutions; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  It is the normal practice to seek recovery in all cases where it is clear that a person has received a training allowance to which they are not entitled. Prosecution would be considered only where there was evidence of fraudulent intent and no prosecutions have taken place in cases of the kind referred to in the question. Information on numbers of cases in which recovery has been sought and the amounts involved is not held centrally.

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many(a) women and (b) men on employment training are married parents; and how many of these have (i) claimed and (ii) been granted child care payments.

  Mr. Nicholls
  Financial help with child care is available only to lone parents on employment training. At the end of December 1989 about 3 per cent. of all those on the programme were receiving child care payments. It is not known how many claims for child care allowances were made or met or how many trainees making these claims were either men or women or whether or not they were married.
  505
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many(a) women and (b) men on employment training are single parents; and how many of these have (i) claimed and (ii) been granted child care payments.

  Mr. Nicholls
  At the end of December 1989 about 3 per cent. of all those on employment training were receiving child care payments. It is not known how many claims for child care allowances were made or met or how many trainees making these claims were either men or women. All trainees receiving child care payments are single parents.

  Mr. Wood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how he proposes to improve employment training in the light of the establishment of training and enterprise councils; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Howard
  Training and enterprise councils (TECs) will have the flexibility to make Employment Training even more responsive to the training needs of both individuals and employers within local labour markets. I am arranging for the TECs to enjoy:

  the freedom to decide arrangements for assessment and guidance leading to an agreed individual training programme for all entrants to ET;

  the freedom to decide how training should be designed; the freedom to determine how training providers are funded;

  the freedom to determine many of the terms and conditions for trainees;

  more freedom in the provision of ET to people unemployed for less than 6 months;

  the freedom to enable individuals to train for longer than the existing limit of 12 months (within an agreed budget).

  The funding for TECs will reflect success in helping people into jobs, self-employment, further education or other full-time training. At least 10 per cent. of ET funding will be for such positive outcomes achieved by their trainees.

  The arrangements for payment of training allowances will remain unchanged. These new flexibilities will enable TECs to he creative in designing attractive and effective training options, while building on the excellent experience of employment training to date.

  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what are the total numbers of special group entrants to employment training without being unemployed for six months for the categories(a) people with disabilities, (b) ex-offenders, (c) those seeking high technology shortage skills, (d) on enterprise training, (e) women returners, (f) ex-regulars, (g) inner-city residents in certain pilot areas and (h) lone parents between September 1988 and December 1989 for Great Britain.

  Mr. Nicholls
  [holding answer 12 February 1990]: Information on ex-offenders, high technology shortage skills entrants and inner city residents in pilot areas in the special eligibility category could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. Information for the other groups is given in the table.
  506

  Employment training special eligibility group entrants as a proportion of all entrants September 1988 to December 1989 (Estimated)

  Group

  Estimated proportion of all entrants Per cent.

  Enterprise trainees

  4·0

  People with disabilities

  3·0

  Ex-regulars

  10·5

  Women returners

  3·0

  Lone parents

  2·0

  1 Less than.

  Health and Safety Executive
  Dr. Reid
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has to improve the effectiveness of ihe Health and Safety Executive's work.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The main responsibility for ensuring effectiveness lies with the Health and Safety Commission. In approving the commission's annual plan of work ministers have regard to effectiveness both of programmes and management systems.

  Recent and current initiatives to improve effectiveness include:

  (a) since 1982, all new regulations have been subject to cost-benefit analysis;

  (b) a 1985 Report "Measuring the Effectiveness of HSE's Field Activities" brought together findings on various regulatory and enforcement activities. Since then a number of further studies have been conducted, and action to improve effectiveness taken.

  (c) improving effectiveness is a primary objective of HSE's reorganisation, on a more integrated basis, of its field divisions from this April.

  Training and Enterprise Councils
  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will ensure that copies of the operating and business plans for training and enterprise councils are placed in the Library as soon as they are published; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  Training and enterprise councils will be required to publish a summary of their corporate and business plans. I shall arrange for these summaries to be placed in the Library as they become available.

  Mr. Blair
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will state the public funding in cash terms and real terms available for each training and enterprise council operative as from 1 April for the terminal year 1990–91, together with the public funding currently available to the Training Agency for 1989–90 for the area covered by each training and enterprise council.

  Mr. Eggar
  The Government's plans for expenditure on training and enterprise are set out in chapter 6 of the public expenditure White Paper (CM 1006). Budgets for individual TECs will be determined after the TEC's corporate and business plan has been approved and a contract signed. The great majority of TECs (and local enterprise companies in Scotland) are not planning to start operations until later in the financial year.
  507
  It is not generally possible to compare directly TEC budgets with those of Training Agency Offices. Over 100 TECs are being established, which compares with 57 area offices.

  Equal Opportunities
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many of his Department's management training courses include sessions on equal opportunities for women; and what proportion of managers at grade six level and above working outside headquarters has received training on equal opportunities for women.

  Mr. Nicholls
  All general management courses provided by the Employment Department group include sessions on equal opportunities for women and people from ethnic minority groups and with disabilities. While no detailed figures are available I understand therefore that the great majority of senior regional and operational managers will have received training on equal opportunities issues.

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what child care provision his Department provides for pre-school age children of employees; what child care provision for school holidays or after-school care is provided for employees' children aged five years or over; what plans there are for increasing provision in the next five years; and how these are to be funded.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The Employment Department group operates two care-parent schemes for pre-school age children at Bootle and Sheffield. We run holiday play schemes for children aged five years and over at Runcorn, Sheffield, London (two) and Coventry; with other Government Departments we run play schemes at Bootle, Edinburgh and London and we have places in other Government Department schemes at Glasgow and Liverpool. We hope to open four day nurseries this year at Bootle, Runcorn, Sheffield and Swindon. All parts of the group are actively pursuing initiatives to increase child care provision. The group provides support for this where it can he justified in value for money terms. Staff who wish to take advantage of play schemes and nurseries are required to contribute towards the running costs.

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what grade is his Department's equal opportunities officer.

  Mr. Nicholls
  My Department's equal opportunities officer is a grade 6.

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what measures he has implemented to ensure that recruitment and promotiion policy in his Department does not directly or indirectly discriminate against applicants who were mature students or women returning to work following a career break due to child care.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The Employment Department group is committed to a policy of equal opportunity in recruitment and promotion. A statement to this effect is included in all recruitment advertising and in all circulars notifying staff of promotion panels and inviting applications.
  508
  There are clear guidelines on the advertising of recruitment opportunities to ensure that they can be seen by all eligible job seekers from all parts of the community and to ensure that the advertisements do not impose potentially discriminatory criteria such as unnecessary age restrictions. In order to meet the needs of women returners, recruitment opportunities are, whenever practicable, advertised as suitable for part time workers. Staff involved in recruitment are trained in selection procedures to avoid unfair discrimination.

  For promotion, all staff are considered on their merits as individuals regardless of sex, racial origin, disability and age. Where a minimum period of service is required this applies to all staff. For staff who have returned to work after a period of absence, service before and after the break may be aggregated.

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what proportion of civil servants in his Department are women at each of the grades(a) seven, (b) six, (c) five, (d) four, (e) three, (f) two and (g) one.

  Mr. Eggar
  In the Employment Department group at 1 January 1990 women comprised 12 per cent. of staff at both grade seven and grade six level, 14 per cent. at grade five and 11 per cent. at grade three. There were no women at grades one, two and four.

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what action he has taken, and what action he intends taking, to implement the recommendations within his area of responsibility of the European Commission's childcare network report: "Caring for Children—Services and Policies for Childcare and Equal Opportunities in the United Kingdom."

  Mr. Nicholls
  The report was prepared for the European Commission which has not yet developed any proposals. The Government believe that policy on child care is a matter for member states. The United Kingdom's policy is that it is for families themselves to determine how their children are to be brought up and how parents, where they wish to do so, can best combine paid work and family responsibilities. The Government, through the Department of Health and the ministerial group on women's issues, have encouraged the development of a range of high-quality child care options for both parents and employers.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many women and men of the employed labour force have a length of service in employment of(a) less than two years and (b) less than five years; and what number and proportion of those employed for less than five years are part-time workers working (i) less than eight hours, (ii) less than 12 hours, (iii) less than 16 hours and (iv) less than 20 hours a week, giving the most recently available figures.

  Mr. Nicholls
  Estimates from the 1988 labour force survey, as requested, are shown in the table.
  509

  Employees and self-employed, by length of time continuously employed by current employer or continuously self-employed by basic usual hours2 worked per week, by sex—Great Britain, Spring 1988

  Thousands and per cent.

  Employees

  Self-employed

  Men

  Women

  Men

  Women

  Length of employment/hours worked per week

  000's

  Per cent.

  000's

  Per cent.

  000's

  Per cent.

  000's

  Per cent.

  Less than 2 years

  3,261

  —

  3,641

  —

  574

  —

  259

  —

  At least 2 but less than 5 years

  2,167

  —

  2,182

  —

  472

  —

  177

  —

  Total less than 5 years of which

  5,428

  100

  5,823

  100

  1,046

  100

  436

  100

  Work less than 8 hours

  117

  2·2

  395

  6·8

  12

  1·2

  58

  13·4

  At least 8 but less than 12 hours

  99

  1·8

  461

  7·9

  1

  1

  33

  7·5

  At least 12 but less than 16 hours

  79

  1·5

  564

  9·7

  10

  0·9

  34

  7·9

  At least 16 but less than 20 hours

  44

  0·8

  365

  6·3

  1

  1

  19

  4·3

  1 Sample size too small for reliable estimate.

  2 Paid hours usually worked each week, excluding paid and unpaid overtime and meal-breaks.

  Source: 1988 Labour Force Survey.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish a table showing the rate of unemployment in each member state of the European Community at the latest available date.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 2 March 1990]: The information requested is available from the Library in the following publications: "Main Economic Indicators", published by OECD; and "Unemployment in the Community", published by Eurostat.

  Equal Pay
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he has any plans to seek to amend the equal pay for work of equal value legislation.

  Mr. Nicholls
  My right hon. and learned Friend has no plans at present to amend the equal pay legislation. The Equal Opportunities Commission, which has a statutory duty to review the legislation, is currently doing so and any proposals for change which may emerge from the commission's review will be carefully considered, as will proposals put forward by any other interested bodies including those already made by the Confederation of British Industry.

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will list for each of the past 25 years the average pay for a woman as a proportion of that for a man.

  Mr. Nicholls
  Women's hourly earnings as a proportion of men's are shown in the table. Comparable data are not available before 1970 or in the period 1971 to 1973.

  per cent.

  1970

  63·1

  1974

  67·4

  1975

  72·1

  1976

  75·1

  1977

  75·5

  1978

  73·9

  1979

  73·0

  1980

  73·5

  1981

  74·8

  1982

  73·9

  1983

  74·2

  1984

  73·5

  1985

  74·1

  1986

  74·3

  1987

  73·6

  1988

  75·1

  1989

  76·4

  510
  Note: Based on average gross hourly earnings, excluding overtime, of full-time employees aged 18 and over, whose pay was not affected by absence, as at April of each year.

  Source: New Earnings Survey.

  Domestic Servants
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what information he has as to how many domestic servants are(a) men and (b) women.

  Mr. Nicholls
  It is estimated from the 1988 labour force survey that in spring 1988 there were 20,000 men and 171,000 women in employment in domestic services in Great Britain.

  Sexual Harassment
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is his Department's policy on sexual harassment at work; whether guidance on reporting complaints has been issued to all staff; how many complaints have been reported in the past five years; and what disciplinary action has been taken.

  Mr. Nicholls
  My Department's policy is that sexual harassment at work is not tolerated and is treated as a disciplinary offence. Guidance on our policy and on the reporting and handling of complaints is included in our personnel handbook which is available to all staff.

  We have monitored this policy since 1 July 1985 and in the period from then to 31 December 1989 (the last date for which figures are available) 88 cases have been reported.

  Appropriate action has been taken in all cases. Disciplinary penalties imposed have ranged from warnings to being employed in a lower grade.

  Pin-ups
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will issue instructions for the removal of all offensive pin-ups in all his departmental premises.

  Mr. Nicholls
  My Department's policy is that sexual harassment at work is not tolerated and is treated as a disciplinary offence. The guidance issued to staff gives examples of what might constitute sexual harassment. These include"displays or circulation of sexually offensive material, for example pin-ups".

  My right hon. and learned Friend does not therefore consider that any further instructions are needed.

  Action for Jobs
  Mr. Terry Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how much of the expenditure on action for jobs television advertising in 1988–89 was spent through the Central Office of Information.

  Mr. Eggar
  All of the expenditure on action for jobs television advertising in 1988–89 was spent through the Central Office of Information.

  Radiation (Code of Practice)
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many copies have been published of the draft approved code of practice, "Part 4 Dose Limitation—Restriction of Exposure: Additional Guidance on Regulation 6 of the Ionising Radiation Regulations," produced by the Health and Safety Commission; to whom this document has been distributed; by what date any comments should be sent to the Health and Safety Commission; and what response his Department is planning to make to the consultative document.

  Mr. Nicholls
  A total of 7,000 copies were printed of the consultative document, published on 5 February 1990, containing the draft approved code of practice on restriction of exposure to ionising radiations. Copies were distributed to international organisations, professional bodies, government departments, employers' associations, representatives of workers, and local authorities. Copies were also placed in the Libraries of both Houses. Comments should be sent to the Health and Safety Commission by 30 April 1990.

  My right hon. and learned Friend will await the advice of the Health and Safety Commission in the light of comments received on the consultative document.

  Training
  Mr. Blair
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what steps he is taking to set up by no later than 31 December 1992 a comprehensive and effective framework of sector training organisations.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The Government welcome the continuing support by employers throughout most of industry and commerce for employer-led industry training organisations (ITOs). These bodies have the lead role in establishing occupational standards and monitoring key skill requirements in their sectors. There are currently some 117 industry training organisations, estimated to cover over 80 per cent. of the civilian working population. Employers in a number of other sectors are in the process of establishing their own arrangements. In recent years most ITOs have received financial support to help them develop their effectiveness, particularly in the areas of standard setting and future skill requirements.

  The Government have welcomed the establishment of the voluntary National Council of Industry Training Organisations (NCITO) which includes in its aims the bringing of all such organisations up to the standard set by the best. The Training Agency continues to provide initial financial assistance to NCITO to develop a code of practice for ITOs and to draw up a database about their activities and services.

  Homeworkers
  Mr Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the statutory provisions that apply to the employment of homeworkers; and whether he has any plans to amend existing legislation.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The following legislation applies to homeworkers who are employees, in the same way as it does to other employees. There are no plans to amend it.

  Equal Pay Act 1970

  Trade Union and Labour Relations Act 1974

  Sex Discrimination Act 1975

  Employment Protection Act 1975

  Race Relations Act 1976

  Employment Protection (Consolidation) Act 1978 Employment Acts 1980, 1982 and 1988

  Trade Union Act 1984

  Wages Act 19861

  All Health and Safety legislation1

  1Part II of the Wages Act 1986 and all Health and Safety legislation applies to homeworkers, irrespective of their employment status.

  Working Mothers
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what steps he is taking to encourage women to work after they have given birth; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  Except where health and safety provisions set minimum time limits it must be a matter of personal choice for the woman concerned when and whether she goes to work or stays at home to look after her children.

TRANSPORT

  Road Lighting
  Mr. Batiste
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) whether he has undertaken any studies in the United Kingdom on the implementation of transitional lighting and the effect of it on accident rates at night;

  (2) what research he is undertaking to assess the safety implications for a transitional lighting system to allow drivers to adjust from lit motorways to darkness.

  Mr. Atkins
  Studies in many countries, including the United Kingdom, have shown that the transition from bright sunlight conditions to those lighting conditions in a road tunnel is a problem because of the reduction in road surface luminance of about 50,000 candelas per square metre. On average, this transition lasts several seconds. Transitional lighting is therefore justified and provided.

  The equivalent transition from lit to unlit motorway at night represents a reduction in luminance of just 2 candelas per square metre and is completed in about one second. The potential in these circumstances for any effect on accident rates is negligible. No research is therefore being undertaken into this aspect.

  If my hon. Friend has specific evidence that he feels merits looking into, I will consider it.

  Mr. Batiste
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the standard intensity of lighting on lit motorways, rural and urban roads.

  Mr. Atkins
  The standard average luminance of lighting on lit trunk roads in England is as follows:
  513

  Candelas per square metre

  Motorways

  2·0

  Dual carriageways and high speed roads

  1·5

  Other trunk roads

  1·0

  These standards are in accordance with the recommendations of the appropriate national and international standards bodies.

  The standard of lighting installed on other roads is a matter for the highway authority concerned.

  Mr. Batiste
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what technology is available to light sections of roads and motorways at different levels to allow people to adjust to lighting changes.

  Mr. Atkins
  Lighting technology is available, or can be readily adapted, to provide a range of road lighting levels. This can be achieved by altering the type of lamp, the electrical control system, the column height and the column spacing, or by a combination of these means.

  Road Humps
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many local authorities are known to have installed speed restricting measures, such as road humps, in residential areas; and when his Department will have completed the revision of regulations aimed at the wider installation of road humps.

  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will lay before Parliament the revised road hump regulations.

  Mr. Atkins
  Road humps and other speed restricting measures are installed by local authorities at their own discretion. Consequently, no central records are kept. The appropriate use of road humps should make a significant contribution to the safety of local roads and we aim to bring the new regulations into force before Easter.

  London Transport
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many(a) men and (b) women, have retrained as bus drivers since London Regional Transport has adopted its one-person operated buses policy;

  (2) how many London Underground station staff have been employed by London Transport or London Regional Transport for each of the last 25 years;

  (3) if he will list the number of guards employed by London Transport or London Regional Transport for each of the last 25 years;

  (4) if he will list the numbers of (a) men and (b) women employed by London Transport/London Regional Transport as bus drivers for each of the last 25 years;

  (5) if he will list the numbers of conductors employed by London Transport or London Regional Transport on buses for each of the last 25 years; and how many of these were women.

  Mr. Portillo
  These are matters which fall within the day-to-day management responsibility of London Regional Tranport and its operating subsidiaries, London Underground Limited and London Buses Limited.

  Equal Opportunities
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what child care provision his Department provides for pre-school age children of employees; what child care provision for school holidays or after-school care is provided for employees' children aged five years or over; what plans there are for increasing provision in the next five years; and how these are to be funded.

  Mr. Atkins
  The department is currently conducting a comprehensive survey of child care needs in London. The possibilities for providing child care facilities outside London are also being investigated. Pre-school child care facilities are planned for the driver and vehicle licensing centre in Swansea. Holiday playschools are also made available to the Department's staff in both Swansea and London. The Department provides accommodation for all these schemes. Future plans will be considered in the light of current surveys.

  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action he has taken, and what action he intends taking, to implement the recommendations within his area of responsibility of the European Commission's childcare network report "Caring for Children—Services and Policies for Childcare and Equal Opportunities in the United Kingdom."

  Mr. Atkins
  The report was prepared for the European Commission which has not yet developed any proposals. The Government believe that policy on child care is a matter for member states. The Government, through the Department of Health and the ministerial group on women's issues has encouraged the development of a range of high-quality child care options for both parents and employers.

  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many of his Department's management training courses include sessions on equal opportunities for women; and what proportion of managers at grade six level and above working outside headquarters has received training on equal opportunities for women.

  Mr. Atkins
  Most general management courses include coverage of issues involving equal opportunities for women as part of general sessions on equal opportunities and one course, "Women in Management", includes a specific session on equal opportunities for women. There is no record of the number of grade 6, and above, officers who have recieved training on equal opportunities for women.

  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what grade is his Department's equal opportunities officer.

  Mr. Atkins
  Grade five.

  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures he has implemented to ensure that recruitment and promotion policy in his Department does not directly or indirectly discriminate against applicants who were mature students or women returning to work following a career-break due to child care.

  Mr. Atkins
  My Department has a policy of fair and open competition in recruitment and promotion. Women
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  are encouraged to return to work by arrangements for reinstatement and by the availability of part-time working and job sharing. There are few upper age limits for recruitment. The criterion is that new entrants must be able to give effective service before retirement.

  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of civil servants in his Department are women at each of the grades(a) seven, (b) six, (c) five, (d) four, (e) three, (f) two and (g) one.

  Mr. Atkins
  The proportions are as follows:

  Per cent.

  Grade 7

  6

  Grade 6

  2

  Grade 5

  9

  Grade 4

  None

  Grade 3

  5

  Grades 1 and 2

  None

  Sexual Harassment
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his Department's policy on sexual harassment at work; whether guidance on reporting complaints has been issued to all staff; how many complaints have been reported in the past five years; and what disciplinary action has been taken.

  Mr. Atkins
  The Civil Service policy on sexual harassment is set out in the programme of action to achieve equal opportunities for women in the Civil Service which was published by the Cabinet Office management and personnel office in 1984. The Department has made it clear to all staff that sexual harassment at work will not be tolerated and will be dealt with as a disciplinary measure through the Department's complaints procedures. Guidance on reporting complaints has been issued to all staff. Complaints have been recorded since mid-1986. Since then there have been seven formal complaints. It is not the Department's practice to publish disciplinary action taken in individual cases.

  Pin-ups
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will issue instructions for the removal of all offensive pin-ups in all of his Departmental premises.

  Mr. Atkins
  Instructions have been issued not to display such material if it offends.

  A4, West London
  Sir Barney Hayhoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the best estimates of current westbound peak pm flows on the A4 before and after the Hogarth roundabout at Chiswick; and what projections have been taken into account in the appraisal of option 12 of the west London assessment study.

  Mr. Atkins
  A count of westbound traffic on the A4 east and west of Hogarth roundabout was taken by consultants in May 1989. This revealed flows of approximately 5,000 and 4,500 respectively in the afternoon peak hour.

  Option 12 of the west London assessment study has been assessed using data from the London transportation
  516
  studies model which only provides information for the morning peak. Traffic is expected to increase as a result of economic growth, population changes, etc. The combined effect of these changes and option 12 is forecast to be a reduction of 10 per cent. and 20 per cent. respectively.

  M4/A4 Corridor
  Sir Barney Hayhoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the M4/A4 corridor study was initiated; what are the terms of reference; which consultants are involved; when the report is expected; and if it will be published.

  Mr. Atkins
  The study was initiated in June 1988. It is being carried out on the Department's behalf by Howarth Humphreys and Partners Ltd. They have been asked to develop a consistent strategy for management of the motorway and trunk road network with the objective of improving the reliability of journey times between central London and Heathrow. The consultants have made some initial proposals which are being considered by the Department. Local highway authorities and the BAA are being consulted. The final report is expected later this year and will be published.

  Buses (Access)
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the new buses which meet the specifications of floor level and related matters for people with disabilities and elderly people; and whether he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  A comprehensive list is not available.

  The majority of new buses now produced in the United Kingdom are fitted, at the request of operators or local authorities, with some or all of the features recommended by the Disabled Persons Transort Advisory Committee (DPTAC) in their "Recommended Specification for Vehicles Used To Operate Local Services".

  Work is now in hand to develop European standards for low floor buses which will be accessible to wheelchair users.

  Coal Imports
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give details of coal imported through the port of Sunderland for each year since 1979.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  HM Customs and Excise figures for imports of coal, coke and briquettes at Sunderland, which include imports at Seaham, are given in the table.

  Year

  Tonnes

  1979

  22,254

  1980

  12,605

  1981

  6,245

  1982

  43,773

  1983

  101,544

  1984

  23,111

  1985

  4,870

  1986

  245,904

  1987

  216,901

  1988

  436,659

  19891

  310,514

  1Provisional.

  Anti-lock Braking
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals he has for the introduction of regulations governing the fitting of anti-lock braking; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  Draft regulations published today introduce the anti-lock braking requirements set by European Community directive 88/194 for certain types of heavy goods vehicles, including trailers, and motorway and inter-urban coaches. The Community proposals are for mandatory anti-lock on new vehicles in the following categories:

  (a) towing vehicles over 16 tonnes and trailers over 10 tonnes gross weight; and

  (b) touring coaches and intercity buses over 12 tonnes gross weight.

  The draft regulations apply to new trailers manufactured on or after 1 October 1991 and new motor vehicles first used on or after 1 April 1992.

  Anti-lock increases braking stability and reduces jack-knifing in slippery road conditions.

  A590
  Mr. Jopling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport why the A590 trunk road between Levens Bridge and Lindale has recently been coned off for a length of about four miles, preventing any overtaking.

  Mr. Atkins
  For safety reasons. Although the first phase of resurfacing is limited to the dual carriageway sections, we need to prevent overtaking and excessive speeds on the intervening single carriageway. This reduces the risk of accidents at and approaching the working areas. The resurfacing will shortly transfer to the single carriageway. We shall then start central reserve safety fencing installation on the dual carriageways.

  Milford Haven
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has received the report of the inspector appointed to examine the application by Cmaine and other fishing vessel companies operating from Milford Haven for registration; and when he expects to reach a decision on their applications.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  I have not yet received the inspector's report. I shall reach a decision on the applications for registration as soon as possible after I have received the report.

  Rail Subsidies (West Germany)
  Mr. Adley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his oral answer to the hon. Member for Christchurch of 12 February,Official Report, column 9, if he will place in the Library any documentation he has relating to the West German Government's belief that their subsidies to their railway system are outrageous.

  Mr. Portillo
  [holding answer 28 February 1990]: I have nothing to add to my right hon. Friend's previous answer.

  Commuter Trains
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he last travelled officially on a rush hour commuter train; and what assessment he made of the level of service offered and the conditions provided for commuters.
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  Mr. Portillo
  [holding answer 28 February 1990]: The last such journey undertaken by my right hon. Friend was on the Central line on 18 January. The service was quick and on time, but the train was very crowded. London Underground's £720 million programme of investment will increase the peak capacity of this line by 16 per cent., to the considerable benefit of those who use it regularly.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  State Benefits
  Mr. Sedgemore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people depend entirely on state benefits for their income.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Information on the number of people depending entirely on state benefits is not available. In 1987, the latest year for which an estimate is available, social security contributed either in whole or in part to the incomes or family incomes of around 38 million people.

  Child Benefit
  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will review his decision not to uprate child benefit by the change in the retail prices index in April 1990.

  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will review his decision not to uprate child benefit by the retail prices index change in April.

  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will review his decision not to uprate child benefit by the change in the retail prices index in April.

  Mr. Newton
  No.

  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he has any plans to means-test child benefit.

  Ms. Richardson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he has any plans to means-test child benefit.

  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he has any plans to means-test child benefit.

  Mr. Newton
  No.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the cost in the current financial year of increasing child benefit to the same level in real terms as prevailed in 1979.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  About £540 million net.

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the future uprating of child benefit.

  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the future uprating of child benefit.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  As the law requires, the rate of child benefit will continue to be reviewed each year as part
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  of the annual review of social security benefit rates, and decisions will be made in the light of circumstances at the time.

  Mr. Clay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the take-up rate for child benefit.

  Mr. Eastham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the take-up rate for child benefit.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Around 98 per cent.

  Mr. Bernie Grant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the cost of uprating child benefit to bring it to the same level in real terms as it stood at in 1984.

  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the cost of uprating child benefit to bring it to the same level in real terms as it stood at in 1984.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Bristol, South (Ms. Primarolo) earlier today.

  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the present arrangements for paying child benefit.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Child benefit is normally paid to mothers every four weeks through their bank or building society account or four-weekly or weekly by order book.

  Benefit Deductions
  Mr. Terry Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of claimants have deductions from their benefit at source.

  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of claimants have deductions from their benefit at source.

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of claimants have deductions from their benefit at source.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Just under 10 per cent. of income support recipients have one or more deductions from their benefit. Information on deductions from other social security benefits is not held centrally.

  Pension Schemes
  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he has any plans to extend self-administration of pension schemes.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  I presume my hon. Friend is referring to our announcement of the exemption of certain small self-administered schemes from our proposals to restrict pension schemes from engaging in employer-related investments. I announced during the Committee stage of the Social Security Bill last week that, in view of recent evidence of an increase in the practice, the Government have decided to commission a report before deciding what precise restrictions shall be introduced in regulations.

  Community Charge Rebates
  Mr. Riddick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the rebate system for the community charge; and how many people he expects to take advantage of it.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The community charge benefit scheme to be introduced in April this year is significantly more generous than the old rate rebates system. We estimate that 9·75 million chargepayers will be helped in 1990–91, at a cost of £1·75 billion.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the cost of advertising and explaining the community charge rebate.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Community charge benefit is being advertised by the Department of Social Security, the Department of the Environment, the Welsh Office and Scottish Office and by local authorities. The Department of Social Security will shortly publish an information leaflet and the Department of the Environment has also published a series of leaflets on rebates and reductions. The total cost of these leaflets will be over £300,000. The Department of the Environment's advertising campaign covering newspapers, magazines, television and radio ran from January to February at a cost of £4 million. Local authorities are responsible for the day-to-day administration of community charge benefit, and may advertise community charge benefit in ways that they consider to be suitable. It is not possible to estimate their costs.

  Low-income Families
  Mr. Allen McKay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much will be spent on benefits for children in low-income families, excluding child benefit, in the next financial year.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Our planned expenditure on provision for families in 1990–91, excluding child benefit, is nearly £5·4 billion. With the addition of child benefit expenditure of £4·6 billion, this makes a total provision for the family of nearly £10 billion.

  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much will be spent on benefits for children in low-income families in the next financial year, excluding child benefit.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Planned expenditure on provision for families in 1990–91, excluding child benefit, is £5,359 million. This includes the extra help to low income families with children which since April 1988 has amounted to £350 million in real terms. The benefits included in this total are one-parent benefit, family credit, maternity benefit and statutory maternity pay, and income support, housing benefit and community charge benefit paid to lone parents and to people looking after elderly parents.

  Community Care Grants
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will revise directive 29 to allow claimants for community care grants to be eligible for funds to pay deposits for rented housing; and if he will make a statement.
  521
  Mr. Scott
  We have no current plans to do so, but we will continue to monitor the situation carefully.

  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many community care grants applications by month since January 1989 have been(a) met in full, (h) met in part, (c) dealt with by a combination of grant and loan, (d) met with a loan only and (e) refused.

  Mr. Scott
  I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to the hon. Member for Caernarfon (Mr. Wigley) on 19 January at column 487.

  Social Fund
  Mr. Cunliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he has any plans to review social fund appeals.

  Mr. Bill Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he has any plans to review social fund appeals.

  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he has any plans to review the operation of social fund appeals.

  Mr. Scott
  No. We are satisfied that the appeals system for the regulated part of the social fund, that is, funeral, maternity and cold weather payments, is working well.

  Mr. Roy Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many, and what percentage, of social fund loans have gone to pensioners.

  Mr. Scott
  People aged 60 and over received 21,000 budgeting loans and 3,600 crisis loans in the period April 1989 to January 1990. This represents 4·5 and 0·1 per cent. respectively of loans awarded. In addition, community care grants were awarded in 8,300 cases where a loan had been applied for.

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the social fund refusal rate for the latest available month.

  Mr. John P. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the social fund refusal rate for the latest available month.

  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the social fund refusal rate for the latest available month.

  Mr. Scott
  Details of the individual refusal rates for the three types of payment are in the Library. The overall refusal rate can be derived from the numbers of applications decided and awards made which are also available in the Library.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he has any plans to improve the access of people on invalidity benefit to social fund community care grants.

  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he has any plans to improve the access of people on invalidity benefit to social fund community care grants.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he has any plans to improve the access of people on invalidity benefit to social fund community care grants.
  522
  Mr. Scott
  No. Like single payments, where help could only be given to people entitled to supplementary benefit, social fund community care grants are intended for those in receipt of income support.

  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he has any plans to review local social fund budgets.

  Mr. Scott
  As a result of our close monitoring of the social fund, I recently announced that an extra £3 million had been made available this year for 106 offices coming under pressure from an increase in demand. We are currently considering social fund allocations to individual offices for 1990–91 and will make an announcement in due course.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he has any plans to increase the payment from the social fund in the event of severe weather.

  Mr. Scott
  No. We believe that £5 is a reasonable amount to pay towards the extra expenses for heating incurred in each week of very cold weather, given that ordinary heating costs are an element in regular weekly benefit.

  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he has any plans to ensure that the social fund loans budget become self-financing; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to the hon. Member for Wakefield (Mr. Hinchliffe) on 29 January at column 35.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Oldham, West of 26 February,(Official Report, column 589, on the High Court judgment on the social fund, if he will send a copy of the revised guidance to the honourable Member for Oldham, West at the same time as it is placed in the Library.

  Mr. Scott
  Yes.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will publish the monthly anticipated expenditure profile for the social fund for the year 1990–91;

  (2) when he expects to announce the local office allocations for the social fund for the year 1990–91;

  (3) when he will announce the formula on which local office allocations for the social fund for 1990–91 will be based.

  Mr. Scott
  An announcement will be made in due course.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he will be revising the cash limits for he social fund announced for 1990–91.

  Mr. Scott
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Newham, North-West (Mr. Banks) on 22 February 1990 at column 894.

  Departmental Service
  Mr. Allan Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps have been taken to improve his Department's service to the public.
  523
  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Since the Government reforms were introduced in 1988, the social security system has become simpler for claimants to understand and easier for staff to operate. As a result there have been very real all-round improvements in standards of service to the public. In particular the average 1989–90 times taken to clear income support claims and callers have both improved by 24 per cent. when compared with pre-reforms' performance.

  I am aware, however, that there is still room for further improvement, particularly in certain inner cities. We are tackling this by relocating some work, which requies no face-to-face contact, away from London to areas where we have fewer problems over staff recruitment and retention. In addition, between now and 1991, we expect our programme to computerise social security operations in all local offices to make a major impact on the speed and accuracy of the service they provide.

  Pensioners (Income)
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the most recent figure for pensioners whose incomes fall in the lowest quintile of national income distribution.

  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the latest available figures on the proportion of pensioners whose incomes fall in the lowest fifth of national income distribution.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The latest available figures show that in 1979, a total of 38 per cent. of pensioners were in the bottom quintile of national income distribution, and in 1987 the proportion had improved to 24 per cent.

  Sir George Young
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what has been the increase in pensioners' average net incomes since 1979.

  Mr. Alison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what has been the increase in pensioners' average net incomes since 1979; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Wood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the most recent figures he has for the change in pensioners' incomes from savings since 1979.

  Mr. Shersby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the most recent figures he has for the increases in pensioners' average net incomes since 1979.

  Sir Geoffrey Finsberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security by how much pensioners' average net incomes have increased since 1979.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The latest available figures show that between 1979 and 1987 average pensioners' total net income increased by over 31 per cent. in real terms. The figures also show that, over the same period, income pensioners receive from their savings more than doubled in real terms.

  Disabled People
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a further statement on his proposals to extend help with the extra costs of disability to less severely disabled people of working age and below.
  524
  Mr. Scott
  "The Way Ahead: Benefits for Disabled People" (Cm. 917) which we laid before Parliament on 10 January includes a proposal to introduce a new disability allowance in April 1992 for people of working age and below. The new benefit will incorporate the existing payments made through attendance allowance and mobility allowance within a common structure for administration and adjudication and introduce new lower rate payments for people with moderate-to-severe disabilities who have care and mobility needs. The disability allowance will have two separate components: a care component paid at three different levels, and a mobility component paid at two levels. We estimate that about 850,000 people will receive the mobility component of the disability allowance, including 150,000 who do not qualify for help through mobility allowance. We estimate some 540,000 will receive the care component, including 140,000 who do not qualify for attendance allowance.

  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on his policy towards the HELIOS programme of the European Community for disabled people.

  Mr. Scott
  Information on the steps the Government are taking to ensure that the United Kingdom plays a full and active role in the HELIOS programme was given in my reply to the right hon. Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe (Mr. Morris) on 20 December 1989 at Column 302. I opened the conference, which was well attended, to publicise the HELIOS programme on 9 February.

  Mr. Andy Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what recent estimate he has made of how many people will gain from the disability package set out in "The Way Ahead".

  Mr. Burt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people he estimates will benefit from the proposals set out in "The Way Ahead".

  Mr. Scott
  We estimate that some 850,000 disabled people and carers will gain from the proposals set out in "The Way Ahead: Benefits for Disabled People".

  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a further statement on his plans for help to those who are less severely disabled and of working age and below.

  Mr. Scott
  The proposals set out in "The Way Ahead: Benefits for Disabled People" (Cm. 917) include a number of measures to help those who are less severely disabled and of working age and below. In particular, the new disability allowance for people of working age and below will extend help with the extra costs of being disabled; the new disability employment credit will make it easier for disabled people to take up jobs; and there will be an increase of up to £10 a week in severe disablement allowance for those disabled early in life. These proposals are in addition to the package of 10 measures announced last October. These include improving the help provided by income support and housing benefit for the least well off who are disabled by increasing the disability premium for adults by £1·70 for a single person and £2·60 for a couple; helping families with disabled children by raising the disabled child's premium from £6·50 to £15·40; and
  525
  helping carers by introducing a carer's premium for those receiving invalid care allowance. In addition, mobility allowance will be extended to people who are both deaf and blind; attendance allowance will be extended to children under two; and the six-month waiting period for attendance allowance will be abolished for terminally ill people. We are also improving incentives to rehabilitation for employment by increasing by £6·50 the therapeutic earnings limit in invalidity benefit (IVB) and severe disablement allowance (SDA), and enabling people receiving IVB and SDA to keep their benefit when they go on an employment rehabilitation course.

  Mr. Summerson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people will benefit from new measures to help disabled people who do not qualify for attendance allowance or mobility allowance.

  Mr. Scott
  I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Lewes (Mr. Rathbone) on 5 February at column 519.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Geraint Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he plans to increase housing benefit in real terms in the next financial year.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The uprating of housing benefit and community charge benefit personal allowances and premiums takes effect in April 1990. Certain premiums are being increased above the amount required to maintain their value in real terms: these are the family premium, the disabled child premium and the lone parent premium. In October the lone parent's earnings disregard is to increase from £15 to £25, and a carer's premium is being introduced.

  Mr. William Powell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish for each local authority area in Northamptonshire, the number of people presently receiving housing benefit and income support together with housing benefit; and what are the costs involved.

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

  Housing Benefit: Estimated recipients and benefit expenditure

  Local authority

  Housing benefit only Numbers

  Housing benefit and Income support Numbers

  Local authority estimated cost £ million

  Corby

  1,834

  2,500

  4·5

  Daventry

  1,804

  1,539

  2·8

  East Northampton

  1,981

  2,128

  2·9

  Kettering

  2,989

  2,904

  4·6

  Northampton

  6,668

  7,978

  15·4

  South Northants

  1,896

  1,392

  2·3

  Wellingborough

  2,295

  3,172

  4·7

  Note: Expenditure information is not available by recipient group.

  Source: Local authority caseload returns November 1988-August 1989 and 1989–90 expenditure estimates.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the number of households and persons in the London borough of Lambeth claiming housing benefit and rate relief in 1988 and in 1989.
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  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Information about the number of households or persons claiming housing benefit is not available. However, the estimated number of households receiving housing benefit is in the table.

  1988

  1989

  Assistance with rent only

  1,538

  1,492

  Assistance with rates only

  1,363

  1,852

  Assistance with both rent and rates

  26,836

  26,275

  All housing benefit

  29,737

  29,619

  Source: Local authority complete caseload return November 1988; partial return May 1989 supplemented by estimates.

  Glasgow Office
  Mr. Carrington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the working of the Glasgow social security centre; and what further plans he has to extend benefit-processing work away from south-east England.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The income support work of Ealing, Southall and Acton offices is being processed at the Glasgow social security centre. Notting Hill began transfer of work on 12 February. Monitoring and evaluation of performance at Glasgow indicates that claims are being processed faster and more accurately.

  There are currently no plans to extend further benefit processing work away from south-east England beyond the 21 London offices already identified for relocation.

  Disability Benefits
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations he has received from disablement organisations about disability benefits.

  Mr. Scott
  We have received comments on the OPC'S surveys of disability and our proposals in "The Way Ahead: Benefits for Disabled People" (Cm. 917) from 70 organisations of and for disabled people and from a large number of individual people with disabilities. The Social Security Advisory Committee have also written to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State welcoming our proposals as a significant improvement to the system of benefits for disabled people. We shall continue to take into account the views of interested organisations and individuals in the course of further work on our proposals for change, in particular in our detailed work on the new disability allowance and the disability employment credit.

  Community Care
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what views he sought from individuals and organisations involved in caring for mentally ill, disabled or elderly relatives at home as part of the review of benefits being undertaken by his Department.

  Mr. Scott
  The Government encouraged comments on the findings of the major surveys of disability carried out by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys between 1985 and 1988: and our proposals for improving social security help for disabled people and carers have been made in the light of the views and comments of interested organisations. I have sent a copy of "The Way Ahead: Benefits for Disabled People" (Cm. 917) to a number of
  527
  organisations, including the National Council for Carers, inviting their comments, and on 27 February my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State met representatives of "Caring Costs", a coalition of over 20 voluntary organisations representing carers. We shall continue to take into account the views of interested organisations and individuals in the course of our detailed work on the proposals.

  Income Support
  Mr. Andrew Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what recent discussions he has had on the level of income support payable to residents of private and voluntary residential and nursing homes.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  We have had meetings with a variety of interested organisations and individuals.

  Mr. Favell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he has received any recent representations that able-bodied unemployed young people under 18 years refusing to take training should be paid income support.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  We have received no such representations. There is no reason why able-bodied 16 or 17-year-olds should not find work or a YTS place if they do not wish to continue their studies. If these young people refuse to take advantage of the opportunities available to them there is no justification for them to have recourse to the social security system.

  However able-bodied young people who can go onto YTS but cannot live at home, for example because they have no home, would be at risk of physical or sexual abuse or are estranged from their families, can claim income support during the same period as the child benefit extension period, provided they are seeking a job or YTS place.

  War Pensions
  Mr. Gerald Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what recent contact social security Ministers have had with representatives of war pensions interest groups.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  My noble Friend Lord Henley, who has special responsibility for war pensions, regularly meets representatives of war pensioners and war widows to discuss matters of concern.

  In the last six months he has chaired the central advisory committee on war pensions and met representatives of war pensions committes in three regions. He also opened the war pensioners' annual national homecraft and art exhibition. He has received deputations from the Royal British Legion and the War Widows Association of Great Britain. He attended remembrance day ceremonies at the Cenotaph and the Not Forgotten Association's Christmas party for war disabled pensioners. In addition he has visited the headquarters of the Royal British Legion and its village at Maidstone and answered letters on a variety of topics.

  Family Incomes
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many children live in families on, or within 40 per cent. above, the appropriate benefit level for their circumstances.
  528
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many children live in families with income on, or within 40 per cent. above, the appropriate benefit level for their circumstances.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  I refer the hon. Members to my reply to the hon. Member for Burnley (Mr. Pike) earlier today.

  Mr. Buckley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people live in families with incomes which are on, or within 40 per cent. above, the appropriate benefit level for their circumstances.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people live in families with incomes which are on, or within 40 per cent. above, the appropriate benefit level for their circumstances.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  I refer the hon. Members to my reply to the hon. Member for Newham, North West (Mr. Banks) earlier today.

  Family Credit
  Mr. Hind
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of claimants entitled to family credit took up their entitlement in the last quarter of 1989; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  During the last quarter of 1989 almost 244,000 claims for family credit were received, and in the same period 150,000 awards were made. Information about the caseload during that period is not yet complete, and estimates of the total number of families eligible for family credit at that time will be possible only when information becomes available from the 1989 family expenditure survey.

  Sir Ian Gilmour
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Chesham and Amersham on 17 January,Official Report, columns 284–86, what is the Government's policy on the relativity between family credit ceilings and (a) inflation and (b) average earnings.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Social security benefits, generally, are increased by reference to the movement in prices rather than earnings. The family credit ceilings derive from the level of the family credit rates, and those rates are reviewed each year in the light of the movement in retail prices excluding housing costs. In fact most of the increases in the family credit rates at the 1989 uprating and again at the 1990 uprating next month represent significantly more than that, as shown in the table.

  1989 Uprating per cent.

  1990 Uprating per cent.

  Increase in RPI (excluding housing costs)

  4·7

  5·2

  Actual Increase in Family Credit rates

  Adult Credit

  4·7

  8·2

  Child Credits

  aged under 11

  21·7

  13·0

  age 11–15

  13·2

  9·7

  age 16–17

  11·2

  8·7

  age 18

  9·1

  7·7

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what recent representations he has received regarding the take-up of family credit.
  529
  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The take-up of family credit has been mentioned, in both Houses, during exchanges on the forthcoming increases in social security benefits, but otherwise few representations have been received recently.

  Invalid Care Allowance
  Ms. Gordon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people are in receipt of the invalid care allowance in the area covered by the Dod street Department of Social Security office in Tower Hamlets.

  Mr. Scott
  At 5 February 1990, the latest date for which figures are available, the number of people in receipt of invalid care allowance in the area covered by the Department's office in Dod street was 146.

  National Insurance
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many women and men earned below the national insurance threshold in each of the last 15 years; and how many earned over it.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The table gives the numbers who paid employees' class 1 national insurance contributions at some time during the years from April 1975, when earnings related contributions with a lower earnings limit were first introduced, until 1986–87 which is the latest year for which final figures are available. The fact that some class 1 contributions were paid means that the person concerned must have had earnings which reached the lower earnings limit on at least one occasion during the year.

  Year

  Weekly lower earnings limit

  Number who paid Class I national insurance contributions (thousands)

  £

  Women

  Men

  1975–76

  11·00

  9,176

  14,534

  1976–77

  13·00

  9,325

  14,808

  1977–78

  15·00

  9,412

  14,793

  1978–79

  17·50

  9,412

  14,729

  1979–80

  19·50

  9,646

  14,777

  1980–81

  23·00

  9,267

  14,259

  1981–82

  27·00

  8,935

  13,649

  1982–83

  29·50

  8,793

  13,288

  1983–84

  32·50

  8,744

  13,102

  1984–85

  34·00

  8,885

  12,968

  1985–86

  35·50

  9,156

  13,016

  1986–87

  38·00

  9,316

  12,987

  The figures are for contributions paid in the United Kingdom except for 1975–76 which refer to Great Britain only.

  ¼

  ½

  1

  1½

  2

  40 per cent. rate applies

  5

  £

  £

  £

  £

  £

  £

  £

  Primary (employee's) class 1 contributions not contracted-out rates

  April to September weekly rates

  3·37

  12·13

  24·25

  29·25

  29·25

  29·25

  29·25

  October to March weekly rates

  3·05

  9·12

  21·24

  26·24

  26·24

  26·24

  26·24

  Total for the year

  166·92

  552·50

  1,182·74

  1,442·74

  1,442·74

  1,442·74

  1,442·74

  Primary (employee's) class 1 contributions contracted-out rates

  April to September weekly rates

  2·88

  10·29

  19·72

  23·61

  23·61

  23·61

  23·61

  October to March weekly rates

  2·57

  7·28

  16·71

  20·60

  20·60

  20·60

  20·60

  Total for the year

  141·70

  456·82

  947·18

  1,149·46

  1,149·46

  1,149·46

  1,149·46

  Class 2 (self-employed) contributions

  Weekly rate

  4·25

  4·25

  4·25

  4·25

  4·25

  4·25

  4·25

  Total for the year

  221·00

  221·00

  221·00

  221·00

  221·00

  221·00

  221·00

  530
  I regret that detailed information on the numbers of employees earning less than the various lower earnings limits over the above period is not available. However, for the years 1984–85 onwards it is estimated that in any week about 2·75 million people earned below the lower earnings limit of which about a quarter were men. Up to 0·5 million of these people would be only temporarily below the lower earnings limit by virtue of a reduction in their normal earnings—for example due to sickness.

  Sir Ian Gilmour
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, further to his reply to the hon. Member for Chesham and Amersham on 12 December 1989,Official Report, column 584, what is the reason for the 0·48 fall in the real weekly value of national insurance child dependency addition plus child benefit for widowed mothers between 1979 and 1989.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Child benefit legislation specifically provides for the rate of child benefit to be taken into account when determining the levels of child dependency increase payable with national insurance benefits. The method of doing this is to calculate what the child dependency increase would be if the general uprating percentage were applied, and then to deduct any cash increase in child benefit. It applies to all child dependency increases not only those payable with widowed mothers allowance.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will set out in a table the national insurance contribution liability of(a) contracted-in employees through class 1, (b) contracted-out employees through class 1, (c) self-employed people through class 2 contributions, (d) self-employed people through class 4 contributions, showing separately the total effects at tax relief available on class 4, the amount due in the year, and the weekly equivalent for the latest available year for a single person earning, and assuming their income remains constant throughout the year, (i) quarter average male earnings, (ii) half average male earnings, (iii) average male earnings, (iv) one and a half average male earnings, (v) two times average male earnings, (vi) five times average male earnings.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The table shows class 1, 2 and 4 liability for 1989–90 under the headings requested With the exception of the position when earnings attract tax at the 40 per cent. rate, the contributions shown have been calculated by reference to the average earnings of all male employees as at April 1989 as given in "Social Security Statistics 1989". The same average has been used for both class 1 and class 2–4 calculations.
  531

  ¼

  ½

  1

  1½

  2

  40 per cent. rate applies

  5

  £

  £

  £

  £

  £

  £

  £

  Class 4 contributions

  Total liability on profits

  For the year

  Nil

  123·29

  564·73

  746·55

  746·55

  746·55

  746·55

  Weekly equivalent

  n/a

  2·37

  10·86

  14·36

  14·36

  14·36

  14·36

  Liability allowing for tax relief

  For the year

  n/a

  107·88

  494·14

  653·23

  597·24

  653·08

  597·24

  Weekly equivalent

  n/a

  2·07

  9·50

  12·56

  11·48

  12·55

  11·48

  Widowers
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the support his Department offers to widowers of working age with young families in the immediate bereavement period and later.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  There are a wide range of social security benefits available to widowers of working age with young families. In addition to child benefit and one-parent benefit many widowers continue in employment in the period after bereavement and depending on their level of income can receive family credit and housing benefit. Widowers who are not employed can, depending on their circumstances, receive income support, housing benefit and community charge benefit.

  Sick Pay
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what considerations underlie the decision not to pay statutory sick pay and sickness benefit for the first three days of any absence from work due to illness.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  No payment for the first three days of absence from work due to illness has been made since 1971. We consider that a person's own resources should normally be sufficient to cover the first three days of illness. But where this is not so, income support is available as appropriate. If a period of entitlement to sickness benefit or statutory sick pay occurs not more than eight weeks after a previous such period has ended and the earlier spell lasted for at least four days, then payment is made from the first day of incapacity of the second or subsequent spell.

  Vibration White Finger
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will extend the date at which changed arrangements were introduced in regard to the compensation of claimants suffering from the vibration white finger condition.

  Mr. Scott
  No.

  Mr. Charles Haggarty
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, if he will take steps to provide Mr. Charles Haggarty of Marloch avenue, Port Glasgow, with an ex-gratia payment pending the revision of guidance to adjudication officers following the judgment of the Court of Appeal in the case of McKiernon v. Secretary of State for Social Services.
  532
  Mr. Scott
  No. We are still considering the full implications of the judgment in the case of McKiernon. The chief adjudication officer has still to issue guidance on cases which have been disallowed under regulation 25 of the Social Security (Industrial Injuries) (Prescribed Diseases) Regulations since the date of that judgment.

  Travelling Expenses
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many applications for travelling expenses to enable claimants to visit relatives in hospital were granted and how many refused between May 1989 and November 1989.

  Mr. Scott
  I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to the hon. Member for Wakefield (Mr. Hinchliffe) on 29 January at column 34.

  Area Computer Centres
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security on what date and where, the invitations to tender to run the area computer centres at(a) Norcross, Lancashire and (b) Livingston were published.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  It is not the practice to publish invitations to tender for service contracts such as those for the area computer centres at(a) Norcross, Lancashire and (b) Livingston.

  Bed-and-Breakfast Accommodation
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what information he has as to the additional amounts families living in bed-and-breakfast accommodation are paying from their weekly benefit to pay for heating, hot water, breakfasts and other charges.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Families living in bed-and-breakfast accommodation are able to claim housing benefit to help towards accommodation charges and income support to help towards other expenses. Charges for accommodation and other services will vary in individual cases.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he will reply to a letter from Field Lane homeless families centre of 22 September 1989 on behalf of organisations working with homeless families in London concerning families in bed-and-breakfast accommodation and changes in benefit.

  Mr. Newton
  I have replied today.

  Blind People
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he last met representatives of the Royal National Institute for the Blind and other blind people's organisations; and whether he discussed the White Paper "The Way Ahead: Benefits for Disabled People".

  Mr. Scott
  On 13 December 1989 my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I met representatives of the Disability Benefits Consortium which includes the Royal National Institute for the Blind and which represents other blind people's organisations. We shall soon be meeting the Disability Benefits Consortium again to listen to its views on the Command Paper "The Way Ahead: Benefits for Disabled People". I will also separately be meeting representatives of the National Federation of the Blind and Disabled of the United Kingdom.

  Students (Benefits)
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the total number of claims paid, the average length and total cost of income support paid to students in each region and in Great Britain during the summer vacation of 1989.

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

  Region

  Number of claims

  Average length weeks

  Benefit cost £

  North East

  25,656

  6·15

  4,701,900

  London North

  12,503

  4·97

  2,125,366

  Wales and South West

  17,927

  6·09

  3,431,654

  Midlands

  21,593

  5·91

  3,729,968

  North West

  22,754

  6·69

  4,370,808

  Scotland

  26,560

  7·34

  4,824,092

  London South

  10,170

  5·71

  1,955,010

  Totals

  135,163

  6 weeks

  25,138,798

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the total number of claims paid, the average length, and total cost of housing benefit paid to students in each region and in Great Britain during the summer vacation of 1989.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Information is not available in the form requested. However, management information returns for May 1988 show that there were 78,000 housing benefit claims from students current at that time. The average amount of housing benefit in payment was £7·80.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the total number of claims paid, the average length, and total cost of unemployment benefit paid to students in each region and in Great Britain during the summer vacation of 1989.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  I regret that this information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Residential Care Homes
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what recent representations he has received on the level of charges in private residential homes.
  534
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement about the level of benefits paid to people in residential nursing homes.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  I refer my hon. Friend and the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Romsey and Waterside (Mr. Colvin) earlier today.

DEFENCE

  Army Housing (New Forest)
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will review his policy on selling Army housing in the New Forest district council area.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  No. Surplus Army quarters suitable for sale will be disposed of as expeditiously as possible by the most appropriate method.

  Aldermaston
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if contractorisation at AWE Aldermaston and Burghfield will apply to Trident warhead component production and assembly.

  Mr. Neubert
  As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State told the House on 5 December 1989, Vol. 163, column 165, the Government plan to introduce full contractorisation of the Atomic Weapons Establishment in its entirety, including warhead component production and assembly.

  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what changes in working practices are being considered at AWE Aldermaston, in the light of the Gardener report; and whether they will have an effect on the production schedule of the Trident missile warhead.

  Mr. Neubert
  Within AWE, radiation exposures continue to be authorised only on the basis that they are justified, comply with statutory limits and are as low as reasonably practicable. In 1988, the average whole body occupational exposure for radiation workers at AWE was 0·7 milliSieverts. The general public in the United Kingdom receives typically 2 mSv per year from natural and background sources. Trident warhead production remains on schedule to meet the in-service date of the mid-1990s.

  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the level of staff turnover, as a percentage, at AWE Aldermaston in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

  Mr. Neubert
  Intake and outflow of staff at the Atomic Weapons Establishment have been approximately equal at about 800 over the 12-month period to 1 February 1990. To express this as a percentage would reveal total AWE staff numbers, which would be undesirable on security grounds.

  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what will be the effect on the cost of the Trident production programme of contractorisation at AWE Aldermaston and Burghfield.
  535
  Mr. Neubert
  The cost of introducing full contractor operation of the Atomic Weapons Establishment will be determined by competition. In the longer term, this cost should be offset by increased efficiency and improved utilisation of resources. It is too early to say how any net changes in costs would be attributed to individual programmes.

  "Programme for Promoting Nuclear Non Proliferation"
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if his departmental library receives the newsbrief from the "Programme For Promoting Nuclear Non Proliferation".

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Yes.

  Chemical Weapons
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he chemical warfare defence establishment at Porton Down has offered any technological or scientific assistance to the United States Department of Defence to destroy the United States stockpile of chemical weapon agents and nerve gases.

  Mr. Neubert
  As we have made abundantly clear, the United Kingdom does not possess, produce or seek to acquire any chemical or biological weapons; we abandoned our possession and production of such weapons in the late 1950s. The work carried out at the chemical defence establishment, Porton Down, is totally oriented towards protective measures; there is absolutely no offensive intent.

  The United Kingdom, through the chemical defence establishment, has collaborated over many years with the United States and our other NATO allies on approaches to the safe destruction of chemical agents and weapons, and we fully expect this collaboration and sharing of techniques to continue, as an agreement on a global ban on chemical weapons is one of NATO's arms control priorities.

  Princess Mary's RAF Hospital
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of Princess Mary's Royal Air Force hospital, Buckinghamshire.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The Ministry of Defence is currently undertaking a study into the number and location of service hospitals required in the United Kingdom. The outcome of this review will be known later this year.

  RAF Pilots (Health)
  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will set out the frequency of tests for heart conditions for Royal Air Force pilots.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  All RAF aircrew are given an electrocardiogram test (ECG) on entry and thereafter, as a routine matter, an annual medical examination. Aircrew aged between 25 and 30 years old are given an ECG every five years; those aged over 30 every two years and those aged over 40 annually. Additionally, aircrew are given a chest X-ray on entry, which is repeated when they are 50 years of age. There are also annual blood tests.
  536
  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will set out the number of Royal Air Force aircraft crashes which were attributed to pilot illness during the last 20 years.

  Mr. Neubert
  Since 1 January 1970 there have been three RAF aircraft accidents in which the aircraft crashed and which could be attributed to pilot illness.

  Equal Opportunities
  Mr. Boyes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many of his Department's management training courses include sessions on equal opportunities for women; and what proportion of managers at grade six level and above working outside headquarters has received training on equal opportunities for women.

  Mr. Neubert
  Equal opportunities is featured on seven management training courses covering issues such as recruitment, personnel management, staff appraisal and selection interviewing. To establish what proportion of managers at grade six level and above working outside headquarters have received such training would involve a disproportionate amount of time and effort.

  Mr. Boyes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what action he has taken, and what action he intends taking, to implement the recommendations within his area of responsibility of the European Commission's childcare network report "Caring for Children—Services and Policies for Childcare and Equal Opportunities in the United Kingdom".

  Mr. Neubert
  The report was prepared for the European Commission which has not yet developed any proposals. The Government believe that policy on child care is a matter for member states. The United Kingdom's policy is that it is for families themselves to determine how their children are to be brought up and how parents, who wish to do so, can best combine paid work and family responsibilities. The Government, through the Department of Health and the ministerial group on women's issues, have encouraged the development of a range of high-quality child care options for both parents and employers.

  Mr. Boyes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what changes have been made in the roles played by women in each of the armed forces in the last 10 years.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  During the last decade the role of women in all three services has expanded considerably. Members of the WRNS, WRAC and WRAF can now be armed, for defensive purposes.

  I recently announced the introduction of sea service for members of the WRNS. We have also widened the opportunities for employment of members of the WRAC to include all posts except those which would deploy into forward areas in war, and women are now more closely integrated into the corps and regiments that employ them. In the RAF, women may now serve as aircrew in all capacities except those which have a direct combat role.

  Mr. Boyes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what child care provision his Department provides for pre-school age children of employees; what child-care provision for school holidays or after-school care is provided for employees' children aged five years or over; what plans there are for increasing provision in the next five years; and how these are to be funded.
  537
  Mr. Neubert
  We are planning to open nurseries for the children of MOD civil servants in central London and at the Royal Aerospace Establishment, Farnborough.

  Consideration is being given to running holiday play schemes in other parts of the country and the MOD has participated in the Westminster holiday play scheme.

  MOD units outside London are being encouraged to consider provision of suitable child-care for their area and we are currently surveying staff to determine demand for a ring of Civil Service nurseries around London for the children of civil servants who work on the periphery of or commute into London.

  Costs will be met by combination of departmental subsidy and charges to parents, the levels of which are yet to be determined.

  Mr. Boyes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what duties, in each of the armed forces, women are currently prohibited from carrying out.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Decisions taken over the last year will lead to a considerable expansion in the types of employment open to women in all three services. However, there will remain a number of areas of employment from which it is at present intended that women will continue to be excluded. The principal exceptions are that women in the Army and the RAF will not be employed in direct combat duties and that women in the Royal Navy will not be employed in the submarine service, in the Royal Marines or as aircrew. We are, however, considering whether it is possible to reduce further the areas of work from which women are excluded.

  Mr. Boyes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what grade is his Department's equal opportunities officer.

  Mr. Neubert
  Grade 5.

  Mr. Boyes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures he has implemented to ensure that recruitment and promotion policy in his Department does not directly or indirectly discriminate against applicants who were mature students or women returning to work following a career break due to child care.

  Mr. Neubert
  All applicants to join the Ministry of Defence and all members of staff are treated equally for employment and advancement on the basis of their ability, qualifications and suitability for work. Particular measures taken to promote equality of opportunity include flexible upper age limits for recruitment and promotion, the introduction of five-year career breaks for people with domestic responsibilities, child care provision, use of special leave during school holidays, a trial working from home scheme, reinstatement and flexible working patterns including part-time posts and job-sharing, and women-only management development training courses.

  Mr. Boyes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of civil servants in his Department are women at each of the grades(a) seven, (b) six, (c) five, (d) four, (e) three, (f) two and (g) one.

  Mr. Neubert
  The figures are as follows

  Grade

  Per cent.

  Seven

  4·1

  Six

  1·4

  Five

  3·5

  538

  Grade

  Per cent.

  Four

  0·0

  Three

  1·6

  Two

  0·0

  One

  0·0

  Greenham Common (Arrests)
  Mr. Boyes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many women have been arrested under the RAF Greenham Common byelaws since they were introduced; how many women were charged; and how many were convicted.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Since the byelaws came into operation on 1 April 1985 2,448 arrests have been made, and in 1,503 of these cases the person arrested has been charged. There have been 812 convictions.

  Sexual Harassment
  Mr. Boyes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his Department's policy on sexual harassment at work; whether guidance on reporting complaints has been issued to all staff; how many complaints have been reported in the past five years; and what disciplinary action has been taken.

  Mr. Neubert
  Sexual harassment is not tolerated in the Ministry of Defence. Instructions have been issued to line managers and staff setting out the Departments policy and guidelines for dealing with cases of sexual harassment. Complaints are recorded centrally only if they result in a disciplinary penalty. In the past five years there have been 12 such cases and the penalties have ranged from dismissal to reprimands.

  Pin-ups
  Mr. Boyes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will issue instructions for the removal of all offensive pin-ups in all his departmental premises.

  Mr. Neubert
  An instruction was issued in May 1988 requiring the removal from Civil Service premises of any material of a sexual nature which might cause offence.

  Radiation
  Mr. John Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the average radiation dose, whole body(a) received by nuclear submarine personnel, (b) reported by the Central Electricity Generating Board nationally and (c) reported by the Central Electricity Generating Board at the Sellafield nuclear power plant, for each of the last 20 years.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  For figures relating to nuclear submarine personnel for the years 1978 to 1988 I refer the hon. Member to my written answers to him of 2 May 1989,Official Report, column 62, and 20 March 1989, Official Report, column 478. The average individual radiation dose in 1989 was 1·69 milliSieverts.

  I will ask my hon. Friend the Member for Banbury (Mr. Baldry) to write to Nuclear Electric Ltd. and British Nuclear Fuels plc, the operators of Sellafield, to obtain the information requested in parts (b) and (c) of the question.
  539
  Mr. John Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the maximum radiation dose, rounded to the nearest milliSievert, received by any nuclear submariner in one year during the last decade.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The maximum recorded individual radiation dose to a Royal Navy submariner in any one year during the last 10 years as 50·96 milliSieverts, in 1980.

  Mr. John Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the maximum total radiation dose received by any nuclear submariner over any period, or number of periods, spent as a classified radiation worker working for the Royal Navy aboard British nuclear submarines; and whether or not such an individual or individuals are still working as classified radiation workers within Royal Navy nuclear-powered submarines.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Data are readily available only for personnel who have ceased radiation work since 1979.

  The maximum total radiation dose recorded for any member of the Royal Navy who ceased radiation work since 1979 is 201·98 milliSieverts. This cumulative radiation dose was accrued over the period September 1969 to October 1987, and is the only example shown on available records of a total cumulative dose in excess of 200 milliSieverts. A further 39 Royal Navy personnel are recorded as having cumulative doses in excess of 100 milliSieverts.

  Mr. John Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the radiation exposure limit for classified persons set by the Ionising Radiations Regulations for maximum annual dose, cumulative year-on-year dose and total dose over a lifetime.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The Ionising Radiations Regulations 1985 state the following. The dose limit for the whole body resulting from exposure to the whole or part of the body, being the sum of the following dose quantities resulting from exposure to ionising radiation, namely the effective dose equivalent from external radiation and the committed effective dose equivalent from that year's intake of radionuclides, shall in any calendar year be:

  (a) for employees aged 18 years or over,

  50mSV

  (b) for trainees aged under 18 years,

  15mSV

  (c) for any other person.

  5mSV

  There are no limits on cumulative or total lifetime dose other than those implicit in the annual dose limits.

  The regulations also include dose limits for individual organs and tissues, the lens of the eye, the abdomen of a woman of reproductive capacity and the abdomen of a pregnant woman. For details of these I refer the hon. Member to schedule 1, parts II, III, IV and V on pages 35 and 36 of IRR85, issued by Her Majesty's Stationery Office and available in the House of Commons Library.

  Forest Moor Base
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the function of the Forest Moor royal naval base.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  It is a naval communications establishment.

  Running Costs
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is the current average annual running cost of an operational(a) type 23 frigate, (b) type 22 frigate, (c) type 21 frigate, (d) Leander class frigate, (e) type 42 destroyer, (f) type 82 destroyer, (g) anti-submarine warfare carrier, (h) assault ship, (i) type 2400 submarine, (j) Oberon class submarine, (k) Fleet class submarine, (l) Ton class minesweeper, (m) Ton class minehunter and (n) Hunt class minehunter;

  (2) what is the current average annual running cost of a squadron of (a) Sea Harrier aircraft, (b) Sea King HAS 5 anti-submarine helicopters, (c) Lynx HAS 2/3 anti-submarine helicopters, (d) Sea King AEW 2 helicopters and (e) Sea King HC 4 commando assault helicopters.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  [holding answer 26 February 1990]: The current average annual running costs (at financial year 1988–89 prices) of the following Royal Navy vessels are:

  £ million

  (a) Type 23 frigate

  5·3

  (b) Type 22 frigate

  5·6

  (c) Type 21 frigate

  3·9

  (d) Leander class frigate

  4·2

  (e) Type 42 destroyer

  6·0

  (f) Type 82 destroyer

  6·5

  (g) Anti-submarine warfare carrier

  21·4

  (h) Assault ship

  9·0

  (i) Type 2400 submarine

  3·4

  (j) Oberon class submarine

  2·4

  (k) Fleet submarine

  4·4

  (l) Ton class minesweeper

  1·0

  (m) Ton class minehunter

  0·5

  (n) Hunt class minehunter

  0·9

  The current average annual running costs (at financial year 1988–89 prices) of a squadron of the following Royal Navy aircraft are:

  £ million

  (a) Sea Harrier

  0·8

  (b) Sea King HAS 5/6 anti-submarine helicopter

  1·6

  (c) Lynx (including all operational Lynx helicopters)

  0·5

  (d) Sea King AEW2

  0·6

  (e) Sea King HC4 commando assault helicopter

  0·9

  These costs include personnel, fuel, spares and so on, and administrative support services, but exclude new construction, capital equipment and refit-repair costs.

  "PROTEN" MEAT TENDERIZING TREATMENT
  "PROTEN" MEAT TENDERIZING TREATMENT
  SEWAGE SLUDGE DUMPING AT SEA
  SEWAGE SLUDGE DUMPING AT SEA
  CHEMICAL WASTE INCINERATION AT SEA
  CHEMICAL WASTE INCINERATION AT SEA
  STUDENT SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS: WITHDRAWAL
  STUDENT SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS: WITHDRAWAL
  MANCHESTER AIRPORT: SECOND OIL PIPELINE
  MANCHESTER AIRPORT: SECOND OIL PIPELINE