Written Answers of 12 March 1990

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Teachers (Unfair Dismissal)
  Mr. Kilfedder
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps have been taken to ensure that teachers will be properly protected from unfair dismissal by boards of governors having regard to the additional new powers being conferred on such boards.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The employment of teachers in schools in Northern Ireland will continue to be subject to the normal contracts of employment and the protection afforded by employment legislation. Where a board of governors has the power to require a teacher to cease work at a school the Education Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 lays down clear procedures which must be followed. These provide for the employing authority to give advice to the board of governors in each case and for

  Establishment

  Number of incidents recorded—convicted prisoners

  Number of incidents recorded—unconvicted prisoners

  Total

  Her Majesty's Prison Belfast

  9

  28

  37

  Her Majesty's Prison Magilligan

  3

  —

  3

  Her Majesty's Prison Maze

  3

  —

  3

  Her Majesty's Prison Maghaberry

  3

  2

  5

  Her Majesty's Young Offenders Centre Hydebank

  2

  1

  3

  Pre-School Education
  Mr. Rathbone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will review the availability and quality of pre-school education in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  [holding answer 9 March 1990]: Responsibility for services for pre-school children is shared between the Department of Health and Social Services and the Department of Education for Northern Ireland.

  As part of a broader review of health and social services boards' policy on child care, the social services inspectorate of the Department of Health and Social Services is currently undertaking an examination of the level of daycare provision available for young children. The results of this review will be available shortly. Day care facilities are required to be registered by the boards, and the quality of care provided in them is monitored by regular visits by social workers.

  The availability of nursery education for children under compulsory school age in nursery schools and nursery classes in primary schools is kept under review by the Department of Education, but in recent years limited
  2
  the teacher concerned to have an opportunity to make representations before a decision is taken, and a subsequent right of appeal.

  I shall be taking steps to ensure that forthcoming guidance to employing authorities in relation to local management of schools will stress the need for appropriate advice, support and training to be given to boards of governors in relation to their new powers in this area.

  The Department of Education (NI) will also, after consultation with interested parties, be making an order modifying present employment legislation relating to the employer-employee relationship in order to ensure that the powers of boards of governors are matched by corresponding obligations.

  Suicides
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many attempted suicides were recorded in Northern Ireland during 1989 at(a) prison establishments, (b) remand establishments and (c) young offenders centres; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Cope
  The precise information requested is not available as it is not possible always to distinguish between an attempted suicide and self-inflicted injury perpetrated for other reasons.

  The table records incidents of self-inflicted injury in Northern Ireland prison service establishments during 1989:

  resources for school building have made it necessary to give priority to provision for children of compulsory school age. The Department of Education monitors the quality of nursery education being provided through its inspectorate's programme of school inspections and visits.

ENERGY

  Natural Gas
  Mrs. Wise
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) at what pressure, in the pipeline used to distribute natural gas in the United Kingdom, the natural gas is contained in(a) the high pressure regional transmission line, (b) the national transmission line, (c) the medium pressure distribution line and (d) the low pressure distribution line;

  (2) how many kilometres of pipeline are used to distribute natural gas in the United Kingdom;

  (3) of the total number of kilometres of pipeline used to distribute natural gas in the United Kingdom, how many kilometres are (a) high pressure regional transmission line, (b) national transmission line, (c) medium pressure distribution line and (d) low pressure distribution line;
  3
  (4) what is the age of the pipeline used to distribute natural gas in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Wakeham
  These are matters for British Gas plc.

  Gas Meters
  Mrs. Wise
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will give precise figures for the results of the sample study of 100 meters mentioned in the 1989 Office of Gas Supply annual report concerning the relative accuracy of synthetic diaphragm meters and leather diaphragm meters.

  Mr. Wakeham
  The study referred to was commissioned by the Office of Gas Supply. It is therefore a matter for Ofgas.

  Privatisation
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list the activities his Department will carry out after the privatisation of the electricity industry and British Coal.

  Mr. Wakeham
  My Department will carry out such activities as are appropriate to the achievement of its objectives as stated in chapter 5 (energy) of "Government's Expenditure Plans 1990–91 to 1992–93" (Cm. 1005).

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what was the total sum paid out in fees to outside organisations in the furtherance of privatisation by his Department in 1979–80 and in each subsequent year; and what is his estimate for 1990–91.

  Mr. Wakeham
  Total expenditure on fees paid to outside organisations in relation to the privatisation of Amersham International, Britoil and Enterprise Oil could not be provided without incurring disproportionate cost. Fees paid to outside organisations in the case of the privatisation of British Gas and in the preparation for the privatisation of the electricity supply industry in England and Wales are:

  £ million

  British Gas

  ESI

  1985–86

  1·4

  —

  1986–87

  162·4

  —

  1987–88

  10·5

  0·8

  1988–89

  11·1

  5·5

  11989–90

  2·2

  16·0

  1 Estimated outturn.

  Estimated expenditure for 1990–91 will be published as part of the supply estimates later this month.

  Public Relations
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what are the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff, including vacant posts, in the press and public relations office of his Department; and what is the proposed complement for 1990–91.

  Mr. Wakeham
  The staffing of my Department's press office, including the speech-writing unit, is currently 13. There are no vacancies and no decisions have been made to change the complement for 1990–91.
  4
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what was the total expenditure by his Department on press and public relations in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his latest estimate for the current year and budget for 1990–91.

  Mr. Wakeham
  The estimated expenditure in 1989–90 is £615,000. This figure includes:

  (i) forecast expenditure by the Press Office.

  (ii) staff costs (salaries, accommodation and common services) for all permanent information service and support staff currently in post in the press office (including the speech-writing unit).

  The corresponding expenditure for previous years is as follows:

  £

  1988–89

  475,000

  1987–88

  460,000

  1986–87

  293,000

  Expenditure for the years prior to 1986–87 is not available on a comparable basis. Currently proposed expenditure for 1990–91 is £655,000.

  Statistical Divisions
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what are the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff, including vacant posts, by grade, in the statistical divisions in his Department; if he will differentiate between staff in statistical posts and staff in administration posts; and if he will give the staffing complements by grade, and differentiated between statistical and administrative posts, proposed for 1990–91.

  Mr. Wakeham
  The latest figures are given in the table. There is one vacancy at statistician level. Complements for 1990–91 are under review.

  Grade

  Staff numbers

  Statistician grades

  Chief statistician

  1

  Statistician

  5

  Assistant statistician

  2

  Sub-total

  8

  Economist grades

  Senior economic advisor

  3

  Senior principal economic advisor

  2

  Economic advisor

  9·5

  Senior economic assistant

  3

  Economic assistant

  1

  Sub-total

  18·5

  Administrative and senior open structure grades

  Grade 3

  1

  Grade 7

  1

  Senior executive officer

  5

  Higher executive officer

  7

  Executive officer

  11

  Administrative officer

  10

  Senior personal secretary

  1

  Personal secretary

  4

  Sub-total

  40

  TOTAL

  66·5

  Advertising Expenditure
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what were the figures for the spending by his Department on(a) television advertising, (b) radio advertising, (c)

  £'000

  Television Advertising

  Newspaper Advertising

  Radio Advertising

  Other Promotional Material

  1989–902

  0

  895

  0

  1,066

  1988–89

  0

  2,378

  4

  1,313

  1987–88

  0

  1,513

  0

  959

  1986–87

  16,300

  11,830

  1,219

  1,125

  1985–86

  2,212

  1,589

  0

  1—

  1984–85

  1,302

  1,572

  27

  1—

  1983–84

  682

  1,770

  50

  1—

  1982–83

  292

  955

  0

  1—

  1981–82

  2,550

  530

  0

  1—

  1980–81

  1,500

  1,590

  0

  1—

  1979–80

  20

  1,280

  0

  1—

  Notes:

  1 Expenditure on Other Promotional Material prior to 1986–87 is not available on a comparable basis.

  2 Latest forecast.

  Detailed decisions on expenditure by media in 1990–91 have not yet been taken.

  Management Consultants
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what were the total fees paid out by his Department to management consultants in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his latest estimate for the current year and budget for 1990–91.

  Mr. Wakeham
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my right hon. Friend the Member for Hertsmere (Mr. Parkinson) on 13 March 1989,Official Report, column 20.

  The actual expenditure in 1988–89 and the estimated expenditure in the following two years is as follows:

  Financial year

  £

  1988–89

  27,496

  1989–90

  6,000

  1990–91

  12,000

  Electricity Privatisation
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy, further to his answer of 5 February,Official Report, columns 455–58, whether Dewe Rogerson submitted the lowest tender for the contract it obtained in February.

  Mr. Wakeham
  In appointing advisers, the Department considers all the relevant factors including price, experience, capability and value for money. The relative merits of candidates, on any of these factors, is commercially sensitive and it is the Government's established practice not to reveal information on performance of candidates in tender competitions.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy, further to his answer of 5 February,Official Report, columns 455–58, how many companies were invited to tender for the contracts awarded to each of the advisers listed in his reply with the exception of the UKAEA,
  6
  newspaper advertising and (d) other promotional material in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his latest estimate for the current year and budget for 1990–91.

  Mr. Wakeham
  The information requested is as follows:

  Nuclear Services Group and Dewe Rogerson; what were the names of the unsuccessful tenderers; and whether the tender accepted was the lowest.

  Mr. Wakeham
  It is my Department's policy to award contracts whenever possible by competitive tender, thus securing competitive rates for work. This procedure has been followed for the majority of the contracts awarded to the companies listed in my earlier reply. Details of individual cases are commercially confidential.

  Kleinwort Benson
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy on how many occasions and for what purpose his Department has commissioned work from Kleinwort Benson since July 1988.

  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is the role of Messrs Kleinwort Benson in the planned privatisation of electricity; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Energy has commissioned work from Kleinwort Benson on a continuing basis since its appointment as our financial adviser to the flotation of the electricity industry.

  Waste Heat
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he has made an assessment of the waste heat generated by radio and television transmission stations; what investigations are taking place on how to enable the use of this waste heat; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Wakeham
  Equipment for such purposes is available from equipment suppliers, and I understand that following discussions with my Energy Efficiency Office some four years ago the BBC now makes use of such waste heat where it is practical to do so and has initiated a plan to improve energy efficiency in all its operations.

  Oil Dumping
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what quantity of oil is dumped each year into the North sea from drilling; what assessment he has made of the environmental impact of such dumping; and if he has any plans to prohibit this practice.

  Mr. Wakeham
  The annual report published by the Department of Energy on "Development of the Oil and Gas Resources of the United Kingdom" lists the quantity of oil discharged with drill cuttings into the sea since 1981. In 1988 the amount, from 265 wells, was 19,480 tonnes (73·5 te/well). For 1989 the figure is in the region of 12,260 tonnes from 257 wells (47·7 te/well).

  The reduction from 1988 to 1989 is due to the requirement that, as from 1 January 1989, the maximum oil on cuttings permitted to be discharged to the sea was 150 grammes oil/kilogramme cuttings.

  All operators who wish to use oil-based drilling muds on production and development wells must undertake a programme of defined seabed surveys. The decision to restrict the level of oil on cuttings to 150 grammes/kilogramme was based on the results of these environmental surveys.

  Admissions 1985–89

  Year

  Science museum (South Kensington)

  National railway museum (York)

  National museum of photography, film and television (Bradford)

  1985

  2,738,900

  1,113,700

  549,900

  1986

  2,994,500

  932,900

  677,300

  1987

  3,116,300

  649,800

  702,700

  1988

  2,261,000

  565,600

  824,800

  1989

  1,121,100

  542,700

  736,400

  Figures for the years before charges were introduced are estimated attendances. I understand that admission charges were introduced at the national railway museum, York in April 1987 and at the science museum in October 1988. There are no admission charges to the national museum of photography, film and television, Bradford.

  Statistical Divisions
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what are the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff, including vacant posts, by grade, in the statistical divisions in his Department; if he will differentiate between staff in statistical posts and staff in administration posts; and if he will give the staffing complements by grade, and differentiated between statistical and administrative posts, proposed for 1990–91.

  Mr. Luce
  The Office of Arts and Libraries has no statistical divisions or posts.

  Public Relations
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Minister for the Arts (1) what are the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff, including vacant posts, in the press and public relations office of his Department; and what is the proposed complement for 1990–91;
  8
  The North sea conference this week adopted the following provisions:

  (i) Each North Sea country will develop National plans by 1991 aimed at prohibiting the discharges of oil contaminated cuttings; these plans are to be presented to the Paris Commission in 1991.

  (ii) All discharges of oil contaminated cuttings from exploration and appraisal wells will be prohibited by 1994.

  (iii) The Paris Commission is to decide not later than 1992, based upon work to be carried out by the Commission, on a practical and achievable date for prohibiting the discharge of all oil contaminated cuttings.

THE ARTS

  Science Museum
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Minister for the Arts if he will give the attendance figures at(a) the South Kensington site, (b) the Bradford site and (c) the York site of the science museum for each of the last five years; and if he will indicate at what date charges were introduced at each site.

  Mr. Luce
  I am advised that the number of admissions at the science museum and the following outstations for the years 1985 to 1989 are as follows:

  (2) what was the total expenditure by his office on press and public relations in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his latest estimate for the current year and budget for 1990–91.

  Mr. Luce
  The Office of Arts and Libraries is serviced by the press office of the Cabinet Office. I therefore refer the hon. Member to the reply given today by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to his corresponding questions in respect of the Cabinet Office.

  Privatisation
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what was the total sum paid out in fees to outside organisations in the furtherance of privatisation by his Department in 1979–80 and in each subsequent year; and what is his estimate for 1990–91.

  Mr. Luce
  None.

  Advertising Expenditure
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what were the figures for the spending by his office on(a) television advertising, (b) radio advertising, (c) newspaper advertising and (d) other promotional material in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his latest estimate for the current year and budget for 1990–91.

  Mr. Luce
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given today by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to his corresponding question in respect of the Cabinet Office.

  Management Consultants
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what were the total fees paid out by his office to management consultants in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his latest estimate for the current year and budget for 1990–91.

  Mr. Luce
  The Office of Arts and Libraries was established in July 1983. No management consultants have been employed.

  Arts Council
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Minister for the Arts whether he will publish a list of all Arts Council clients that have a current deficit.

  Mr. Luce
  [holding answer 8 March 1990]: The Arts Council advises me that precise information cannot be provided until final end-year figures are available, as the financial position of arts organisations is constantly changing. In the latest survey, 43 of the Arts Council's 140 clients were projecting a deficit. Many of these were small, and most of the arts organisations concerned have put in hand action to remedy them.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Developing Countries (Debt)
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has made representations to encourage British commercial banks to write down debts owed by developing countries in line with their increased provisions set aside to cover those debts.

  Mr. Ryder
  My right hon. Friend has made no such representations. It is for commercial banks to decide whether to write down debts owed by developing countries, in line with their own commercial judgments.

  Invisible Trade
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the annual total United Kingdom trade surplus in invisibles in each year since 1985.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  Estimates are available as series AIMB on the Central Statistical Office databases which is accessible via the Library.

  Family Expenditure
  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of how much in combination the increases in electricity, gas, water charges, mortgage repayments and the poll tax will cost in 1990–91 as against 1989–90, for a family on average earnings with two children.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  I regret that I am unable to provide this calculation.

  Contingency Reserve
  Mr. John Hughes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the current level of the contingency reserve.
  10
  Mr. Norman Lamont
  The reserve for 1990–91 has been set at £3 billion, as announced in the 1989 Autumn Statement.

  Private Medical Insurance
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from the private medical insurance industry concerning the extension of the present tax reliefs on private medical insurance.

  Mr. Lilley
  My right hon. Friend the Chancellor has received a number of representations.

  Works of Art
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how works of art donated to the nation in lieu of Inland Revenue debts are accounted for in the budget for arts and libraries and the public expenditure planning system.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  When a work of art is accepted in lieu of tax, the Inland Revenue is reimbursed for the tax forgone. Both the Office of Arts and Libraries and the Department of the Environment have vote provision to make such payments: in 1989–90 this amounted to £1 million for each of them. This provision forms part of their respective public expenditure programmes.

  Also, as announced on 26 July 1985, this provision may be supplemented by access to the reserve for up to £10 million in any one year for large and important offers. When such offers are accepted, parliamentary approval for the extra provision is obtained by a supplementary estimate. This access to the reserve does not add to the planned total of public expenditure. No compensating reductions are sought from the Office of Arts and Libraries or the Department of the Environment when such access is granted.

  National Income
  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage, in the latest available year, of the national income of the United Kingdom was made up of wages and salaries.

  Mr. Major
  During 1988, the latest available year, wages and salaries made up 63·5 per cent. of national income.

  Privatisation
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total sum paid out in fees to outside organisations in the furtherance of privatisation by his Department in 1979–80 and in each subsequent year; and what is his estimate for 1990–91.

  Mr. Lilley
  The information the hon. Member requests is already available in the appropriation accounts for the departments of the Chancellor of the Exchequer for the relevant years. The relevant expenditure recorded in those accounts includes fees paid to outside organisations but those fees could not be identified separately except at disproportionate cost. Costs incurred by Her Majesty's Treasury in connection with the privatisation programme in 1989–90 and 1990–91 will be reported to Parliament in due course in the usual way.

  Manufacturing Investment
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish figures showing, for each region, total investment by companies in plant and machinery.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  [holding answer 7 March 1990]: The available data relate to capital expenditure in manufacturing industry. Figures for 1987, the latest available year, are given in the table:

  Net capital expenditure in manufacturing industry1 on plant and machinery in 1987 by standard region of the United Kingdom

  Region

  £ million

  North

  491

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  882

  East Midlands

  610

  East Anglia

  258

  South East

  1,964

  South West

  509

  West Midlands

  878

  North West

  956

  Wales

  523

  Scotland

  566

  Northern Ireland

  171

  1 Divisions 2 to 4, Standard Industrial Classification, revised 1980.

  Source: Annual Census of Production.

WALES

  Library Services
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many applications have been made by district councils in Wales, which are not library authorities, for an order under subsection (2) of clause 207 of the Local Government Act 1972, to operate library services.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  A total of 15 district councils in Wales, which were not then library authorities, made application under this provision in the period before its expiry on 1 April 1974.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether he intends to amend section 207 of the Local Government Act 1972, in respect of the provision of library services in Wales.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  My right hon. Friend has no present intention of doing so.

  Meibion Glyndŵr
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many letters he has received claiming to know the identity of Meibion Glyndŵr and claiming the £50,000 reward offered for such information; on what dates these letters were received; and what action he has taken.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  I have received two letters claiming to know the identity of Meibion Glyndŵr during the past year. Both have been forwarded to the Home Office.

  Welsh Language
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy to secure a transcript of all the comments made in the conference held in Aberystwyth on Saturday 23 February on the need for a new Welsh language Act; and if he will make a statement in response to such an Act.
  12
  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  My right hon. Friend has already received a report on the conference held in Aberystwyth on 23 February. Careful consideration is being given to the legislative proposals submitted by the Welsh Language Board.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many courses are currently offered in the Welsh language in(a) Gwynedd technical college, (b) Llandrillo tech and (c) the North East Wales institute of higher education; and if he will name the courses and the number of students currently on each one.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  Course details and the number of students currently taking courses in the Welsh language are not readily available. Information is held only in respect of bilingual further education courses by vocational subject areas at the three institutions:

  (a) Gwynedd Technical College—Secretarial, Business and Commerce, Nursery Nursing, Catering, Home Economics, Community Care, Communication.

  (b) Llandrillo Technical College—Secretarial. Business and Commerce

  (c) North East Wales Institute of Higher Education—Business and Commerce, Nursery Nursing, Technician.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many courses in the Welsh language will be offered in(a) Clwyd college and (b) Gwynedd college following the implementation of programmes on tertiary education in both counties.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  My right hon. Friend has not received any formal proposals affecting the organisation of secondary education in Clwyd and Gwynedd. If proposals are submitted and approved, the question of provision of Welsh language courses will be a matter for the respective authority.

  Bathing Water Pollution
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish in the Official Report the results of all the total coliforms samples at Kinmel bay during the 1989 bathing season, together with the dates on which the samples were taken.

  Mr. Grist
  The information is shown in the table:

  Date of Sample 1989

  Total Coliforms per 100 ml

  4 May

  50

  10 May

  100

  16 May

  830

  22 May

  3,200

  30 May

  1,760

  5 June

  1,800

  16 June

  90

  22 June

  14,200

  28 June

  4,610

  4 July

  1,010

  10 July

  5,600

  21 July

  19,700

  27 July

  930

  2 August

  4,700

  8 August

  1,070

  14 August

  350

  25 August

  3,670

  8 September

  3,120

  14 September

  2,160

  20 September

  11,300

  27 September

  1,600

  Roads
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he will be inviting tenders for the construction of the second and third sections of the M4 missing link near Port Talbot.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave on 22 January 1990,Official Report, column 608.

  Telephone Exchanges
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many telephone exchanges were based in each district, borough and city council in Wales prior to the privatisation of British Telecom.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  The information is not available in the form requested. There were, however, 609 exchanges and two trunk exchanges in Wales prior to the privatisation of British Telecom.

  Public Relations
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what are the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff, including vacant posts, in the press and public relations office of his Department; and what is the proposed complement for 1990–91.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  At 1 March 1990, the number of staff in post in the information officer grades in the Welsh Office was 12. At that date there were five vacancies. The proposed complement for 1990–91 remains 17.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the total expenditure by his Department on press and public relations in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his latest estimate for the current year and budget for 1990–91.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  Figures for expenditure by the Department's information division, including staff and press cutting service but excluding media advertising and promotion material, cannot readily be disaggregated for the years 1979–88.

  Figures for the succeeding years are:

  £

  1988–89

  469,000

  1989–90

  487,000

  The estimated budget for 1990–91 has yet to be settled.

  Statistical Divisions
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what are the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff, including vacant posts, by grade, in the statistical divisions in his Department; if he will differentiate between staff in 14
  statistical posts and staff in administrative posts; and if he will give the staffing complements by grade, and differentiated between statistical and administrative posts, proposed for 1990–91.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  Current staffing levels within my Department's economic and statistical services division are as follows:

  As at 1 January 1990

  Professional Posts

  Staff in Post

  Senior Economic Adviser (Grade 5)

  1·0

  Chief Statistician (Grade 5)

  1·0

  Senior Statistician (Grade 6)

  1·0

  Statistician (Grade 7)

  10·5

  Principal Research Officer (Grade 7)

  2·5

  Economic Adviser (Grade 7)

  1·0

  Statistical Computing Officer

  2·0

  Senior Assistant Statistician

  6·0

  Assistant Statistician

  2·0

  Total Professional Posts

  27·0

  Administrative Posts

  Grade 7

  1·0

  Higher Executive Officer

  3·0

  Executive Officer

  14·5

  Administrative Officer

  22·0

  Administrative Assistant

  5·0

  Personal Secretary

  2·0

  Total Administrative Staff

  47·5

  Grand Total

  74·5

  Since the introduction of delegated manpower budgeting, the formal complement is no longer the basis for staffing. The budget for 1990–91 is not yet determined.

  Privatisation
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the total sum paid out in fees to outside organisations in the furtherance of privatisation by his Department in 1979–80 and in each subsequent year; and what is his estimate for 1990–91.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  It is not the practice to comment on individual advisers' fees. However, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment will report the total cost of water privatisation to Parliament, in due course, in the normal way.

  Advertising Expenditure
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what were the figures for spending by his Department on(a) television advertising, (b) radio advertising, (c) newspaper advertising and (d) other promotional material in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his latest estimate for the current year and budget for 1990–91.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  Figures for expenditure on newspaper advertising for the years 1979–80 to 1984–85 could not be split without disproportionate cost. The information is as follows:
  15

  Radio advertising

  Television advertising

  Newspaper advertising

  Other promotional material

  £

  £

  £

  1979–80

  Nil

  61,000

  24,200

  1980–81

  Nil

  62,000

  22,171

  1981–82

  Nil

  100,000

  43,773

  1982–83

  Nil

  99,000

  28,486

  1983–84

  Nil

  108,000

  34,234

  1984–85

  Nil

  66,300

  100,331

  1985–86

  Nil

  Nil

  30,825

  91,602

  1986–87

  Nil

  27,000

  49,254

  330,711

  1987–88

  Nil

  18,363

  38,612

  589,478

  1988–89

  Nil

  42,400

  37,190

  975,050

  1989–90

  Nil

  60,408

  239,996

  953,096

  Note: The total budget and media split for such expenditure in 1990–91 is not yet determined.

  Management Consultants
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what were the total fees paid out by his Department to management consultants in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his latest estimate for the current year and budget for 1990–91.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  I shall write to the hon. Gentleman.

  Cancer
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what importance he places on the monitoring of the incidence of various forms of cancer in Wales, generally and by district, in relation to(a) identifying trends, (b) seeking to identify causes and (c) the search for prevention and cure.

  Mr. Grist
  Cancer registration data covering all forms of cancer in Wales are continually collected, kept under review and periodically published. The most recent report, published in 1988, is entitled "Cancer Registration in Wales 1974–1984". These activities form an important part of the Department's efforts to improve the public health of the Principality.

  Health Service Contracts
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether the paper "Contracts for Health Services: Operating Contracts" published by the Department of Health applies to Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Grist
  "Contracts for Health Services: Operating Contracts" was issued to Health Service management in Wales on 6 March 1990 under cover of a letter from the director, NHS Wales. Subject to discussion with district health authorities and other health interests in Wales, the arrangements proposed in the guidance will apply in the Principality.

  Malpas Bypass
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the latest expected date for the start of work on the Malpas bypass.

  Mr. Wyn Roberts
  Start of work is planned in the financial year 1990–91 as announced in the Welsh Office commentary on the public expenditure White Paper published on 9 March.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Immigration
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) staff and (b) staff hours are deployed in his private office on hon. Members' immigration arbitration decisions.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Staff in my private office and that of my right hon. and learned Friend undertake a range of duties, including the consideration of hon. Members' representations to Ministers on individual immigration cases. No staff are employed solely to deal with such representations and no record is kept of the number of staff hours spent on such work.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy to collect information on the number of representations his private office receives from hon. Members on arbitration on a decision of the chief immigration officer.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  No. This information is not readily available and its collection would serve little practical purpose. I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to his question on 2 March at column 349.

  Prisons (Emergency Procedures)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the policy of his Department in ensuring that all prison officers are fully trained to deal with an emergency within the prison in which they are working.

  Mr. Mellor
  The policy is that all prison officers should be made aware of what is expected of them in an emergency and be trained in the necessary skills. All new prison officers are required to attend a nine-week residential course and a range of in-service training is provided. During the past year the service has been engaged in a substantial programme to train staff in methods of dealing with major incidents of violent concerted indiscipline.

  Meibion Glyndŵr
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many letters he has received from people claiming to know the identity of Meibion Glyndŵr and inquiring about the £50,000 reward offered for such information; and what action has been taken consequent on such correspondence;
  17
  (2) whether the policy of offering a £50,000 reward by the North Wales police for information concerning Meibion Glyndŵr was approved by his Department prior to being instigated.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  There is no record of the Home Office having received any letters making such claims. If any were received, they would be passed directly to the police for investigation. The decision whether to offer a reward is an operational matter for the chief officer, which does not require the approval of the Home Office.

  BBC
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has made any official representations to the BBC regarding political bias in BBC local radio.

  Mr. Mellor
  No.

  Suspects' Rights
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he proposes to take account of the findings of the May inquiry before deciding on any changes to suspects' rights.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  My right hon. and learned Friend does not intend to hold up the review of the codes of practice made under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act

  Table A: Suicides at prison establishments 1980–1989 and attempted suicides 1989

  Establishment

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  19891

  19892

  Acklington

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  (—)

  Albany

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  (2)

  Ashford

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  —

  —

  (1)

  Ashwell

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  (1)

  Askham Grange

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  (—)

  Aylesbury

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  (1)

  Bedford

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  (—)

  Birmingham

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  2

  —

  1

  1

  —

  (24)

  Blundeston

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  (1)

  Bristol

  1

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  (3)

  Brixton

  5

  3

  1

  4

  5

  2

  2

  3

  1

  1

  (21)

  Brockhill

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  (1)

  Camp Hill

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  (2)

  Campsfield House

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  (—)

  Canterbury

  1

  —

  2

  —

  —

  —

  1

  3

  —

  2

  (7)

  Cardiff

  —

  1

  2

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  —

  —

  (5)

  Castington

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  (—)

  Channings Wood

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  (4)

  Chelmsford

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  (5)

  Coldingley

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  —

  (1)

  Cookham Wood

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  (3)

  Dartmoor

  —

  1

  —

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  (3)

  Deerholt

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  (2)

  Dorchester

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  (2)

  Drake Hall

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  (1)

  Durham

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  2

  —

  3

  1

  2

  (15)

  Eastwood Park

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  (—)

  Erlestoke

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  (—)

  Everthorpe

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  (1)

  Exeter

  —

  1

  —

  —

  2

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  (19)

  Featherstone

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  (1)

  Feltham

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  (9)

  Ford

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  (1)

  Frankland

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  (4)

  Full Sutton

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  (2)

  Garth

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  (3)

  Gartree

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  (1)

  Glen Parva

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  (6)

  Gloucester

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  (1)

  Grendon

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  (6)

  18
  1984, which is nearing completion, but when considering any proposals for changes to suspects' rights he will have regard to the possible merits of postponing decisions until after Sir John May's recommendations have been received.

  Suicides
  Sir Charles Irving
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many suicides and how many attempted suicides have taken place in penal establishments in each of the last 10 years; and how many of these were(a) remand prisoners, (b) female prisoners, (c) prisoners under 21 and (d) prisoners from ethnic minorities;

  (2) how many suicides and how many attempted suicides have taken place in each individual penal establishment in each of the last 10 years.

  Mr. Mellor
  Table A gives the numbers of inmates in each prison establishment in England and Wales who have died in each year since 1980 and have been found at an inquest to have committed suicide. Figures are also given for the number of incidents of self-injury in 1989 which were regarded as suicide attempts; only partial information is available for earlier years.

  Table B gives the number of suicides by unconvicted inmates, female inmates and inmates under the age of 21. No such breakdown can be given of figures for attempted suicides. Information on the ethnic origin of inmates who have committed suicide is not readily available.
  19

  Establishment

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  19891

  19892

  Guys Marsh

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  (1)

  Haslar

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  (1)

  Hatfield

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  (1)

  Haverigg

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  (2)

  Hewell Grange

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  (1)

  Highpoint

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  (5)

  Hindley

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  (23)

  Holloway

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  (12)

  Hull

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  (28)

  Kingston

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  (—)

  Kirkham

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  (—)

  Kirklevington

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  (—)

  Lancaster

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  (3)

  Latchmere House

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  (7)

  Leeds

  2

  —

  1

  1

  1

  2

  —

  2

  4

  2

  (64)

  Leicester

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  (2)

  Lewes

  —

  —

  2

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  (7)

  Leyhill

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  (—)

  Lincoln

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  2

  1

  —

  (2)

  Lindholme

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  (6)

  Littlehey

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  (11)

  Liverpool

  1

  —

  —

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  (19)

  Long Lartin

  —

  2

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  (4)

  Low Newton

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  (16)

  Maidstone

  1

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  —

  1

  —

  (—)

  Manchester

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  1

  2

  3

  —

  3

  (26)

  Mount

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  (3)

  New Hall

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  (2)

  North Sea Camp

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  (1)

  Northallerton

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  (3)

  Norwich

  —

  —

  —

  1

  2

  —

  1

  1

  —

  —

  (12)

  Nottingham

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  (3)

  Onley

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  (2)

  Oxford

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  (1)

  Parkhurst

  —

  —

  2

  —

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  (—)

  Pentonville

  1

  —

  —

  1

  1

  2

  —

  2

  1

  —

  (4)

  Portland

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  (3)

  Preston

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  2

  —

  1

  —

  (12)

  Pucklechurch

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  (6)

  Ranby

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  (2)

  Reading

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  (2)

  Risley

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  3

  4

  —

  (9)

  Rochester

  1

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  (—)

  Rudgate

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  (—)

  Shepton Mallet

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  (4)

  Shrewsbury

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  (15)

  Spring Hill

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  (1)

  Stafford

  —

  —

  —

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  (6)

  Stoke Heath

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  —

  —

  (2)

  Styal

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  (—)

  Sudbury

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  (1)

  Swaleside

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  (4)

  Swansea

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  (6)

  Swinfen Hall

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  (2)

  Usk

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  (—)

  The Verne

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  (1)

  Thorn Cross

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  (—)

  Thorp Arch

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  (—)

  Wakefield

  1

  2

  1

  —

  1

  —

  1

  1

  1

  —

  (2)

  Wandsworth

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1

  2

  —

  3

  1

  1

  (2)

  Wayland

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  (3)

  Wellingborough

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  (—)

  Werrington

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  (—)

  Wetherby

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  (2)

  Winchester

  —

  2

  —

  2

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  2

  (10)

  Wormwood Scrubs

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  1

  2

  2

  1

  (4)

  Wymott

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  (3)

  TOTAL

  21

  16

  17

  21

  23

  23

  17

  40

  30

  28

  —

  1 Figures in brackets are for attempted suicides.

  2 Inquests have yet to be held on seven inmates who died in 1989 and whose deaths are thought to have been suicides. These deaths occurred at Her Majesty's Prisons Brixton, Cardiff, Long Lartin, Manchester, Rochester and Swansea and at Her Majesty's Remand Centre Risley.

  20 21

  Table B: Suicides at prison establishments by unconvicted inmates, female inmates and inmates under the age of 21

  Suicides by remand inmates

  Suicides by female inmates

  Suicides by inmates under the age of 21

  1980

  12

  —

  2

  1981

  7

  —

  1

  1982

  8

  —

  4

  1983

  9

  —

  2

  1984

  12

  —

  2

  1985

  14

  —

  1

  1986

  12

  —

  3

  1987

  27

  1

  7

  1988

  19

  1

  7

  1 1989

  9

  —

  3

  1 Inquests have yet to be held on 7 other inmates who died in 1989 and whose deaths are thought to have been suicides. Of these, 4 were on remand, one was a female and 4 were under the age of 21.

  Remand Prisoners
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what changes he is proposing to reduce the number of hours that young remand prisoners are kept locked in cells.

  Mr. Mellor
  Governors are encouraged to provide the best regimes possible within the resources available to them. A seminar was held in June 1989 for most prisons and remand centres holding young unconvicted prisoners for the purpose of exchanging knowledge and experience in providing for the needs of such prisoners. This led to action plans being prepared for improving procedures and enhancing regimes, including provision for education classes, physical education and other facilities involving more time out of cell. These plans are now being implemented and the results of the seminar have been communicated to other establishments so that the shared experience may help generally in efforts to improve procedures and regimes.

  Ms. Quin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will supply figures for the number of people currently held on remand in British prisons and the numbers of these who have to share cells with(a) one other person and (b) two or more people.

  Mr. Mellor
  On 31 January 1990 there were 9,760 males and 443 females held on remand in England and Wales, compared with 10,486 males and 477 females on 31 January 1989.

  The most recent readily available information on multiple occupancy of cells designed for one in local prisons and remand centres is given in the table, along with comparable figures for the previous year:

  12 February 1989

  11 February 1990

  Two in a Cell

  Males

  11,068

  10,476

  Females

  118

  80

  Three in a Cell

  Males

  5,007

  3,333

  Females

  0

  0

  These figures cover sentenced and convicted unsentenced prisoners as well as unconvicted prisoners; the information is not collected in a way that enables the number of unconvicted prisoners to be separately identified.
  22
  Responsibility for prisons in Scotland rests with my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.

  Ms. Quin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will supply figures for the number of people who are currently on remand in British prisons and who have applied for bail, who are having to share cells with(a) one other person and (b) two or more people.

  Mr. Mellor
  Figures for the number of people held on remand who have applied for bail are not collected centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Statistical Divisions
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff, including vacant posts, by grade, in the statistical divisions in the Metropolitan police; if he will differentiate between staff in statistical posts and staff in administrative posts; and if he will give the staffing complements by grade, and differentiated between statistical and administrative posts, proposed for 1990–91.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that, at the end of February 1990, the complement and strength figures by grade for he statistics branch of the Metropolitan police office were:

  Complement

  Strength

  Grade 7

  1

  1·0

  SEO

  1

  —

  HEO

  3

  3·0

  EO

  8

  8·0

  AO

  60

  52·5

  Support Grade Band 1

  1

  1·0

  Support Grade Band 2

  6

  6·0

  80

  71·5

  Only the grade 7 post is filled by a statistician, the remaining posts being filled by executive, administrative and support grades staff, who undertake a mixture of statistical and administrative duties. An additional grade 7 post filled by a statistician is located in the management support department. The complement of the branch will be reduced by three posts in 1990–91.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff, including vacant posts, by grade, in the statistical divisions in his Department; if he will differentiate between staff in statistical posts and staff in administrative posts; and if he will give the staffing complements by grade, and differentiated between statistical and administrative posts, proposed for 1990–91.

  Mr. Waddington
  The information requested is given in the table:

  Staff of Home Office Statistical Department

  In post

  Positions

  Positions

  1 March 1990

  1 March 1990

  1 April 1990

  Statistical Posts

  Grade 5

  3·0

  3·0

  3·0

  Grade 7

  18·0

  19·0

  19·0

  23

  In post

  Positions

  Positions

  1 March 1990

  1 March 1990

  1 April 1990

  Assistant/Senior Assistant Statistician

  6·5

  7·0

  7·0

  27·5

  29·0

  29·0

  Other Posts

  Grade 7

  2·0

  2·0

  2·0

  SEO

  1·0

  1·0

  1·0

  HEO

  14·0

  15·0

  15·0

  EO

  28·0

  28·0

  28·0

  AO

  59·0

  59·5

  62·0

  AA

  39·5

  38·0

  38·5

  Other Grades

  10·5

  10·5

  10·5

  154·0

  154·0

  157·0

  Total

  181·5

  183·0

  186·0

  Public Relations
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff, including vacant posts, in the press and public relations office of his Department; and what is the proposed complement for 1990–91.

  Mr. Waddington
  Under the Director of Information there are 20 press officers with seven support staff. In addition within the public relations branch there are 16 publicity officers with six support staff. The same balance and complement is proposed for 1990–91.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff, including vacant posts, in the press and public relations office of the Metropolitan police; and what is the proposed complement for 1990–91.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that, at the end of February 1990, 88 staff of all grades were employed within the directorate of public affairs of the Metropolitan police office against a complement of 89 posts. A final decision has yet to be taken about the complement of the directorate for 1990–91.

  Advertising Expenditure
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were the figures for the spending by his Department on(a) television advertising, (b) radio advertising, (c) newspaper advertising and (d) other promotional material in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his latest estimate for the current year and budget for 1990–91.

  Mr. Waddington
  Figures for expenditure on newspaper and television advertising for the years from 1979–80 to 1983–84 were given in answer to a question from the hon. Member for Newham, North-West (Mr. Banks) on 25 May 1985 at column 587 and those for 1984–85 were given in answer to another question from the hon. Member for Newham, North-West on 19 December 1985 at column 275.

  Figures for radio advertising and other promotional literature for the years from 1979–80 to 1984–85 were given
  24
  in answer to questions from the hon. Member on 19 November 1986 at columns 202–04 and the hon. Member was also given in those replies figures for expenditure on newspaper, television and radio advertising and other promotional literature for 1985–86. Expenditure figures for the years from 1986–87 to 1990–91 are as follows:

  Year

  Total advertising expenditure (all media)

  Production and distribution of other promotional material

  £ million

  £ million

  1986–87

  5·0

  1·4

  1987–88

  4·7

  2·1

  1988–89

  5·4

  2·8

  1989–90 (estimate)

  5·6

  3·5

  1990–91 (provisional)

  8·3

  4·5

  It would not be possible to provide more detailed information for these years except at disproportionate cost.

  Management Consultants
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were the total fees paid out by the Metropolitan police to management consultants in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his latest estimate for the current year and budget for 1990–91.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I understand from the Commissioner that payments by the Metropolitan police to management and computer consultants in each financial year from 1984–85, estimated expenditure for 1989–90 and budget estimates for 1990–91 are as follows:

  £

  1984–85

  346,000

  1985–86

  433,000

  1986–87

  558,000

  1987–88

  702,000

  1988–89

  742,000

  11989–90

  981,000

  21990–91

  755,000

  1 Estimated.

  2 Budget estimate.

  Separate information on management consultants alone is not readily available and cannot be provided except at disproportionate cost. Information for the years prior to 1984–85 is not available.

  Breathalysers
  Sir Ian Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will arrange for a test for the BTE breathalyser device to be carried out by the organisation which validates the accuracy and reliability of similar machines used by the police and for the results to be published and distributed to all police authorities.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  We have no knowledge of the BTE breathalyser device. If my hon. Friend is able to provide further details of the device, such as the name of the manufacturer, we will make inquiries.

  Asthmatic Prisoners
  Mr. Andy Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many recorded asthmatics were received into prison in the last year for which there are figures; and how many asthma attacks were reported in that year.

  Mr. Mellor
  This information is not recorded centrally. Perhaps my hon. Friend would write to me if he has an individual case in mind.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Foreign Students
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the number of foreign students who have entered British universities for each year since 1985.

  Mr. Jackson
  The numbers of full-time undergraduate and postgraduate overseas domiciled new entrants at British universities were as follows:

  Academic year beginning

  Number

  1985

  23,219

  1986

  24,809

  1987

  24,909

  1988

  26,856

  Source: Universities' Statistical Record.

  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will estimate the income to British universities from foreign students for the past five years.

  Mr. Jackson
  British universities' fee income from mainly non-EC overseas full-time students in 1988–89 is as follows:

  Academic Year

  £ million

  1983–84

  92·40

  1984–85

  104·45

  1985–86

  124·56

  1986–87

  142·16

  1987–88

  156·51

  11988–89

  171·20

  1Provisional

  Surplus School Places
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what is his estimate of the cost of keeping surplus places in(a) primary and (b) secondary schools;

  (2) what is his estimate of the number of surplus places in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools; and if he will give his answer in tabular form by local education authority.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The premises-related costs at current prices of retaining a surplus primary and secondary place are estimated to be £140 and £230 a year respectively. There are additional but unquantified teaching costs, and opportunity costs arising from inefficient retention of buildings and land.
  26
  It is estimated that in January 1989 there were approximately 800,000 surplus primary school places and 860,000 surplus secondary school places in England. Information about the number of surplus places in individual local education authorities is not held centrally.

  Local Management of Schools
  Mr. Jopling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will explain the arrangements which will allow the transitional funding arrangements for local management of schools to be extended beyond the normal four-year period.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  We are looking sympathetically at LEA proposals to extend the transition period for individual schools which would otherwise face annual reductions of 1 per cent. or more in their total budgets because of high inherited staff costs.

  Mr. Jopling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what percentage of the general schools budget has been proposed by each education authority for which he has responsibility for distribution to individual schools for use under local management of schools; and what levels he has agreed to in the schemes which he has approved.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  I refer my right hon. Friend to the reply that I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Epping Forest (Mr. Norris) on 5 February 1990,Official Report, column 451. The total amount held back from distribution to schools by local education authorities is not subject to approval. However, there is an upper limit of 10 per cent. of the general schools budget on the amount that may be held back for spending on the majority of items over which local education authorities have discretion whether to retain central control.

  Special Educational Needs
  Ms. Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will update the table published in reply to the hon. Member for Blackburn (Mr. Straw) of 16 November 1989,Official Report, columns 389–92, listing the number of children with statements of special educational needs and as a percentage of all pupils in maintained schools in England by local education authority; and if he will list the numbers and percentages of children with statements of special educational needs for the years 1984 and 1985.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The information requested for 1985 and 1989 is given in the following tables.

  Directly comparable figures for 1984 are not available. The Education Act 1981, which replaced the system of special educational treatment for pupils under the Education Act 1944 with the concept of special educational provision, did not come into effect until April 1983. The first collection of statistics on the number of pupils with statements of special educational needs was in January 1984 and consequently the numbers in this early transitional period are small compared to subsequent years.

  In January 1984 in England there were 14,563 pupils with statements of special educational needs and 124,312 pupils requiring special educational treatment attending maintained schools. These represent 0·2 and 1·7 per cent

  27
  of all pupils in maintained schools respectively. Many of the latter would subsequently have been made the subject of a statement.

  Number of children with statements in maintained schools January 1985

  Pupils with Statements

  As a percentage of all pupils in maintained schools

  Barking

  328

  1·4

  Barnet

  475

  1·2

  Bexley

  551

  1·6

  Brent

  0

  0·0

  Bromley

  617

  1·6

  Croydon

  710

  1·6

  Ealing

  443

  1·1

  Enfield

  651

  1·6

  Haringey

  399

  1·4

  Harrow

  425

  1·5

  Havering

  569

  1·5

  Hillingdon

  589

  1·7

  Hounslow

  11

  0·0

  Kingston upon Thames

  250

  1·4

  Merton

  128

  0·6

  Newham

  678

  1·8

  Redbridge

  548

  1·7

  Richmond upon Thames

  263

  1·6

  Sutton

  107

  0·5

  Waltham Forest

  689

  2·0

  Inner London

  6,731

  2·3

  Birmingham

  3,368

  1·9

  Coventry

  1,084

  2·1

  Dudley

  833

  1·7

  Sandwell

  1,087

  2·0

  Solihull

  78

  0·2

  Walsall

  755

  1·5

  Wolverhampton

  694

  1·5

  Knowsley

  254

  0·8

  Liverpool

  1,589

  1·9

  St. Helens

  527

  1·5

  Sefton

  491

  1·0

  Wirral

  1,048

  1·9

  Bolton

  587

  1·3

  Bury

  432

  1·5

  Manchester

  340

  0·5

  Oldham

  647

  1·6

  Rochdale

  567

  1·5

  Salford

  791

  2·0

  Stockport

  631

  1·4

  Tameside

  584

  1·5

  Trafford

  261

  0·8

  Wigan

  100

  0·2

  Barnsley

  412

  1·0

  Doncaster

  677

  1·3

  Rotherham

  782

  1·7

  Sheffield

  1,355

  1·6

  Bradford

  1,330

  1·5

  Calderdale

  300

  0·9

  Kirklees

  863

  1·3

  Leeds

  958

  0·8

  Wakefield

  907

  1·7

  Gateshead

  559

  1·7

  Newcastle-upon-Tyne

  812

  2·0

  North Tyneside

  535

  1·6

  South Tyneside

  420

  1·6

  Sunderland

  920

  1·7

  Isles of Scilly

  0

  0·0

  Avon

  553

  0·4

  Bedfordshire

  1,385

  1·6

  Berkshire

  1,823

  1·7

  Buckinghamshire

  2,600

  2·6

  Cambridgeshire

  1,179

  1·2

  Cheshire

  3,046

  1·9

  Cleveland

  2,203

  2·1

  Cornwall

  873

  1·3

  Cumbria

  1,222

  1·6

  Derbyshire

  2,424

  1·6

  Devon

  2,266

  1·7

  Dorset

  1,332

  1·7

  28

  Pupils with Statements

  As a percentage of all pupils in maintained schools

  Durham

  1,375

  1·4

  East Sussex

  1,476

  1·8

  Essex

  3,882

  1·6

  Gloucestershire

  483

  0·6

  Hampshire

  4,152

  1·8

  Hereford and Worcester

  9

  0·0

  Hertfordshire

  3,120

  2·0

  Humberside

  2,289

  1·6

  Isle of Wight

  275

  1·6

  Kent

  4,020

  1·7

  Lancashire

  3,497

  1·6

  Leicestershire

  1,690

  1·2

  Lincolnshire

  1,706

  1·9

  Norfolk

  1,372

  1·3

  North Yorkshire

  1,283

  1·2

  Northamptonshire

  1,711

  1·8

  Northumberland

  753

  1·5

  Nottinghamshire

  2,342

  1·4

  Oxfordshire

  932

  1·2

  Shropshire

  733

  1·1

  Somerset

  1,160

  1·8

  Staffordshire

  2,471

  1·4

  Suffolk

  1,325

  1·4

  Surrey

  2,693

  2·0

  Warwickshire

  1,412

  1·8

  West Sussex

  1,234

  1·3

  Wiltshire

  1,538

  1·8

  England

  112,579

  1·5

  Number of pupils in maintained schools with statements and all pupils in maintained special schools January 1989

  Statemented pupils and special school pupils

  Statemented and special school pupils as a percentage of all pupils

  Barking

  272

  1·2

  Barnet

  525

  1·3

  Bexley

  564

  1·8

  Brent

  458

  1·4

  Bromley

  844

  2·4

  Croydon

  862

  2·1

  Ealing

  634

  1·7

  Enfield

  480

  1·3

  Haringey

  376

  1·5

  Harrow

  420

  1·6

  Havering

  486

  1·4

  Hillingdon

  453

  1·4

  Hounslow

  780

  2·5

  Kingston upon Thames

  334

  2·0

  Merton

  341

  1·6

  Newham

  672

  1·9

  Redbridge

  459

  1·5

  Richmond upon Thames

  284

  1·7

  Sutton

  405

  1·8

  Waltham Forest

  864

  2·8

  Inner London

  8,568

  3·1

  Birmingham

  3,670

  2·2

  Coventry

  1,078

  2·3

  Dudley

  794

  1·7

  Sandwell

  994

  2·0

  Solihull

  480

  1·5

  Walsall

  752

  1·6

  Wolverhampton

  761

  1·9

  Knowsley

  738

  2·7

  Liverpool

  1,842

  2·3

  St. Helens

  573

  1·9

  Sefton

  699

  1·5

  Wirral

  1,236

  2·4

  Bolton

  588

  1·3

  Bury

  605

  2·3

  Manchester

  1,931

  2·8

  Oldham

  813

  2·1

  29

  Statemented pupils and special school pupils

  Statemented and special school pupils as a percentage of all pupils

  Rochdale

  724

  2·1

  Salford

  811

  2·3

  Stockport

  828

  2·0

  Tameside

  662

  1·8

  Trafford

  672

  2·3

  Wigan

  895

  1·7

  Barnsley

  381

  1·1

  Doncaster

  854

  1·7

  Rotherham

  783

  1·8

  Sheffield

  1,430

  2·0

  Bradford

  1,278

  1·5

  Calderdale

  392

  1·2

  Kirklees

  1,183

  1·9

  Leeds

  2,525

  2·4

  Wakefield

  805

  1·6

  Gateshead

  524

  1·7

  Newcastle-upon-Tyne

  938

  2·4

  North Tyneside

  595

  1·9

  South Tyneside

  461

  1·9

  Sunderland

  835

  1·7

  Isles of Stilly

  0

  0·0

  Avon

  4,108

  3·2

  Bedfordshire

  1,518

  1·8

  Berkshire

  1,963

  1·9

  Buckinghamshire

  2,499

  2·7

  Cambridgeshire

  1,826

  1·9

  Cheshire

  3,509

  2·3

  Cleveland

  2,334

  2·3

  Cornwall

  1,552

  2·3

  Cumbria

  1,410

  1·9

  Derbyshire

  3,407

  2·4

  Devon

  3,378

  2·6

  Dorset

  1,729

  2·1

  Durham

  1,479

  1·6

  East Sussex

  1,472

  1·8

  Essex

  4,214

  1·9

  Gloucestershire

  1,394

  1·9

  Hampshire

  5,041

  2·4

  Hereford and Worcester

  1,455

  1·5

  Hertfordshire

  3,299

  2·2

  Humberside

  2,062

  1·5

  Isle of Wight

  375

  2·2

  Kent

  4,417

  2·0

  Lancashire

  4,458

  2·1

  Leicestershire

  1,998

  1·4

  Lincolnshire

  1,907

  2·3

  Norfolk

  2,035

  2·0

  North Yorkshire

  1,851

  1·9

  Northamptonshire

  1,679

  1·8

  Northumberland

  836

  1·7

  Nottinghamshire

  2,449

  1·6

  Oxfordshire

  940

  1·3

  Shropshire

  1,516

  2·5

  Somerset

  1,617

  2·6

  Staffordshire

  2,572

  1·6

  Suffolk

  2,088

  2·3

  Surrey

  2,980

  2·5

  Warwickshire

  1,674

  2·3

  West Sussex

  1,468

  1·6

  Wiltshire

  2,201

  2·8

  England

  142,922

  2·1

  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many appeals he has received in respect of the special education provision being made for children with special learning difficulties such as dyslexia; and what was the longest and shortest period of time taken in making a decision on these appeals.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  This information can be provided only at disproportionate cost.
  30
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he received the appeal in respect of the special educational provision being made for Lorne Felgate of Shoeburyness, Essex; and when he expects to make a decision.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  My right hon. Friend received the appeal on 22 May 1989. There has been an extended exchange of correspondence between the parents and the LEA involved and he expects to make a decision as soon as inquiries with those parties have been concluded.

  Single-sex Schools, London
  Mr. Norris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if, in respect of each of those local education authority maintained single-sex schools in London which have been closed since 1985 he will list (i) the gender of pupils, (ii) the physical capacity and (iii) the number of pupils on roll at the most recent convenient date before closure.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  Information on the physical capacity of schools is not collected centrally. The maintained single-sex schools in inner London which have closed since 1985 and the number of pupils on roll before closure are as follows:

  Maintained schools in inner London which have closed since 1985

  Pupils on roll in January preceding closure date

  Boys

  Girls

  Boys' schools

  Lambeth, Henry Thornton1

  279

  0

  Wandsworth School1

  666

  0

  Wandsworth, Spencer Park1

  645

  0

  Wandsworth, Sir Walter St. Johns1

  430

  0

  Wandsworth, Clapham College

  44

  0

  Hammersmith, London Oratory RC2

  1,074

  94

  Wandsworth, John Griffiths RC Secondary

  304

  4

  Edward Rudolf Memorial Special School

  13

  0

  Heathermount School

  13

  0

  Shephall Manor School

  13

  0

  Nathaniel Heckford School

  22

  2

  Winceby House School

  20

  0

  Girls' schools

  Wandsworth, Ensham School1

  0

  679

  Wandsworth Garratt Green1

  0

  898

  Greenwich, Greenwich Park

  0

  93

  Wandsworth, Mayfield School1

  0

  780

  St. Veronica's RC Secondary

  0

  35

  Battersea, Notre Dame High School

  0

  398

  Wandsworth, Convent of the Holy Family

  0

  90

  Northcote Lodge

  0

  13

  1 Closed for the purposes of amalgamation.

  2 Became a grant-maintained school on 1 September 1989.

  LEAs (Invoice Settlement)
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has issued any notices to local education authorities about the settlement of invoices from suppliers.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  My right hon. Friend has not issued any notices to local education authorities about the settlement of invoices from suppliers.

  Public Relations
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff, including vacant posts, in the press and public relations office of his Department; and what is the proposed complement for 1990–91.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The current number of staff in post and the total number of posts (including vacancies) is as follows:

  Staff in post

  Total posts (including vacancies)

  Grade 5 (Chief Information Officer)

  1

  1

  Grade 5 (Assistant Secretary)

  —

  1

  Principal Information Officer

  2

  2

  Senior Information Officer

  6

  6

  Information Officer

  10

  12

  Assistant Information Officer

  1

  1

  Higher Graphics Officer

  1

  1

  Graphics Officer

  5

  5

  Senior Executive Officer

  1

  1

  Executive Officer

  2

  2

  Administrative Officer

  5

  5

  Administrative Assistant

  3

  3

  Personal Secretary

  1

  2

  Total

  38

  42

  No decision has yet been reached on what, if any, changes there should be to the staffing structure in 1990–91.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the total expenditure by his Department on press and public relations in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his latest estimate for the current year and budget for 1990–91.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The expenditure figures for press and public relations by this Department for the financial years 1984–85 to 1989–90 are provided in the table. Figures for 1979 to 1983–84 are not available on a comparable basis. The 1989–90 figure is provisional. The 1990–91 estimate is not finalised.

  Year

  £000

  1984–85

  788·8

  1985–86

  1,026·3

  1986–87

  1,937·8

  1987–88

  2,313·6

  1988–89

  2,336·2

  1989–90

  2,719·8

  Statistical Divisions
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff, including vacant posts, by grade, in the statistical divisions in his Department; if he will differentiate between staff in statistical posts and staff in administration posts; and if he will give the staffing complements by grade, and differentiated between statistical and administrative posts, proposed for 1990–91.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The current number of staff in post and the total number of posts, including vacancies, is as follows:32

  Staff in post

  Total posts (including vacancies)

  Statistical Posts

  Grade 3 (Director of Statistics)

  1

  1

  Grade 5 (Chief Statistician)

  2

  2

  Grade 7 (Statistician)

  8

  9

  Grade 7 (Principal Research Officer)

  1

  1

  Senior Assistant Statistician

  4

  4

  Assistant Statistician

  2

  3

  Administrative Posts

  Senior Executive Officer

  1

  1

  Higher Executive Officer

  11

  11

  Executive Officer

  14

  14

  Administrative Officer

  6

  9

  Administrative Assistant

  2

  2

  Personal Secretary

  3

  3

  Typist

  0·6

  0·6

  Total

  55·6

  60·6

  No decision has been reached on what, if any, changes there should be in the staffing structure in 1990–91.

  The difference between last year's figures and the figures shown in the table is due to the fact that during the year 61 posts from statistics branch in Darlington (mainly concerned with data processing functions) were transferred to information systems branch.

  Privatisation
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the total sum paid out in fees to outside organisations in the furtherance of privatisation by his Department in 1979–80 and in each subsequent year: and what is his estimate for 1990–91.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  In the privatisation of the National Seed Development Organisation and some of the assets of the Plant Breeding Institute, the fees and other sale expenses totalled about £600,000, as stated in the published appropriation account for class XII vote 13 for 1987–88. This is the only privatisation conducted by this Department in the period referred to.

  Advertising Expenditure
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what were the figures for the spending by his Department on(a) television advertising, (b) radio advertising, (c) newspaper advertising and (d) other promotional material in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his latest estimate for the current year and budget for 1990–91.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The expenditure figures for advertising and other promotional materials by this Department for the financial years 1979–80 to 1988–89 are in the table. The 1989–90 figure is provisional. The 1990–91 estimate is not finalised.

  Year

  Publicity

  TV

  Radio

  Newspapers

  £K

  £K

  £K

  £K

  1979–80

  12·2

  —

  —

  91·6

  1980–81

  58·3

  —

  —

  8·9

  1981–82

  49·9

  —

  —

  86·9

  1982–83

  33·7

  —

  —

  6·0

  1983–84

  74·9

  —

  —

  9·6

  1984–85

  150·6

  —

  —

  18·5

  1985–86

  184·1

  —

  —

  14·8

  33

  Year

  Publicity

  TV

  Radio

  Newspapers

  £K

  £K

  £K

  £K

  1986–87

  533·0

  —

  —

  532·0

  1987–88

  1,459·0

  —

  —

  280·0

  1988–89

  1,156·6

  —

  40·0

  475·0

  1989–90

  2,346·0

  —

  11·8

  238·9

  Management Consultants
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what were the total fees paid out by his Department to management consultants in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his latest estimate for the current year and budget for 1990–91.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave him on 13 March 1989,Official Report, columns 13–14. The additional information now sought is as follows:

  £

  1988–89

  165,214

  1989–90

  1357,085

  1990–91

  2290,000

  1 Estimate.

  2 Budget.

  Examination Marking
  Mr. Latham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what instructions have been given by his Department to General Certificate of Education examination boards to cease to pay teachers, with retrospective effect to the 1989 examination, for marking A-level course work and project work; whether it is intended that such marking in future should be undertaken by teachers on an unpaid basis in directed time under their contract of employment; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  None. Such arrangements are for the GCE examination boards to organise.

  Teachers
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the progress of his proposals for licensed teachers and articled teachers.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  My right hon. Friend has announced his acceptance of 16 bids for support under the local education authority training grants scheme (LEATGS) for articled teacher schemes. The schemes will be run by partnerships involving both local education authorities and initial teacher training institutions. A total of some 600 places will be available for articled teachers this September.

  The bids received for funding of licensed teacher training under the new LEATGS national priority area reflect extensive interest in the scheme among LEAs. In advance of specific funding becoming available, 21 licensed teachers have already been appointed and a further 25 applications are under consideration.

  The Government are providing grant aid to support £5·3 million of expenditure by LEAs on the articled and licensed teacher schemes in financial year 1990–91. An announcement on the allocation to individual LEAs will be made shortly.

  Religious Education
  Mr. Anthony Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what measures he is taking to ensure that a larger proportion of religious education teachers are qualified to teach this subject.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The Government support the in-service training of teachers in religious education under the local education authority training grants scheme. The total of expenditure supported in 1989–90 is £1·1 million. In 1990–91, training in religious education will be subsumed within the national priority area for the basic curriculum and collective worship.

  Teachers (Incentive Allowances)
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his estimate of the level of incentive allowance which would require to be paid in addition to basic starting salary to enable a teacher to enter the housing market, by region, on the basis of the figures given in the answer to the hon. Member for Nottingham, North (Mr. Allen) on 19 February,Official Report, column 518.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The ability of an individual on any given salary to enter the housing market will vary according to the size of mortgage he requires for the property of his choice, the lending rules of the source of his mortgage and the proportion of his income he is prepared to devote to this purpose.

  Institute of Food Research
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will reconsider his decision to close the Bristol laboratory of the Institute of Food Research.

  Mr. Jackson
  The decision to restructure the Institute of Food Research was taken by the Agricultural and Food Research Council, an independent body established by royal charter.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when the purpose-built abattoir at the Bristol laboratory of the Institute of Food Research was built; how much it cost; and if such an abattoir will be rebuilt following the closure of the laboratory.

  Mr. Jackson
  The carcase and abattoir facilities at the Bristol laboratory of the Agricultural and Food Research Council's Institute of Food Research were constructed between 1966 and 1968 and fully equipped. The cost was in the region of £200,000. The future of the abattoir is under consideration.

  Agricultural and Food Research Council
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when the decision was taken that the Agricultural and Food Research Council would henceforth concentrate on generic, rather than commodity, research; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jackson
  The funds received by the Agricultural and Food Research Council (AFRC) from the science budget are used to support basic and strategic research underpinning the needs of the United Kingdom farming
  35
  and food industries. Commissions for commodity research, placed with the council, are being reduced following the Government's policy decision to withdraw from near-market research. The council is adjusting its programme accordingly, but commodity research remains an important element of the AFRC programme.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Fiji
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the United Kingdom Government have been asked for any advice over the drafting of a new constitution for Fiji; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maude
  The Fiji authorities did at one time ask us to provide a constitutional expert to help with the drafting of a new constitution, which we agreed to do. This request was subsequently withdrawn.

  Romania
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has had on the human rights situation in Romania in the post-revolutionary period.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  There has been a great improvement in the human rights situation in Romania since the revolution. The provisional Government have expressed their willingness to honour fully their obligations under the CSCE. However, there is still cause for concern in a number of areas, such as the rights of minorities.

  South Africa
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the South African Government in respect of the further release of political prisoners.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  We have long urged the South African Government to release all political prisoners. President de Klerk is now committed to releasing prisoners convicted solely for political offences, and has said he is prepared to discuss with opposition groups demands for further releases. We hope those talks will begin as soon as possible.

  Israel
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Israeli Government about their wounding of Palestinians in the occupied territories of the Gaza strip on 26 February; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  We frequently remind the Israelis of our view that, pending their withdrawal, they should administer the occupied territories in accordance with international law and their human rights obligations.

  Management Consultants
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what were the total fees paid out by his Department to management consultants in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his latest estimate for the current year and budget for 1990–91.
  36
  Mr. Maude
  The combined expenditure of the diplomatic and aid wings of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on management consultants in financial years 1986–87 to 1988–89 and estimated expenditure for 1989–90 is as follows:

  Amount

  1986–87

  68,329

  1987–88

  257,272

  1988–89

  62,512

  1989–90

  182,444

  There is no specific budgetary provision for 1990–91. Present estimated expenditure in the diplomatic wing amounts to £12,400.

  Public Relations
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff, including vacant posts in the press and public relations office of his Department; and what is the proposed complement for 1990–91.

  Mr. Maude
  The full complement of staff in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office diplomatic wing's news department and the aid wing's press office is 18. There is, at present, one vacancy. There are no plans to alter the staffing complement.

  Statistical Divisions
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff, including vacant posts, by grade, in the statistical divisions in his Department; if he will differentiate between staff in statistical posts and staff in administration posts; and if he will give the staffing complements by grade, and differentiated between statistical and administrative posts, proposed for 1990–91.

  Mr. Maude
  The information is as follows:

  The Foreign Office Diplomatic Wing—Nil.

  For the Overseas Development Administration, the information is:

  Complement

  In Post

  Proposed for 1990–91

  1989–90

  Statistical Posts

  Chief Statisticians (G5)

  1

  1

  1

  Statisticians (G7)

  4

  4

  4

  Assistant/Senior Assistant

  3

  3

  3

  Administrative Posts

  Higher Executive Officer

  1

  1

  1

  Executive Officer

  2

  3

  2

  Administrative Officer

  5

  4

  5

  Personal Secretary

  1

  1

  1

  Total

  17

  17

  17

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the total expenditure by his Department on press and public relations in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his latest estimate for the current year and budget for 1990–91.
  37
  Mr. Maude
  Total expenditure by the FCO on press and public relations from 1983–84 to 1988–89, the estimate for the current year and budget provision for 1990–91 are as follows:

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  Payment to Central Office of Information for overseas information material and related activities

  17·4

  18·8

  18·3

  18·7

  19·2

  19·2

  21·5

  24·5

  Other information services

  0·9

  0·8

  0·9

  0·7

  0·9

  0·9

  1·0

  1·2

  Running costs of Diplomatic Wing Information/News Department

  1·8

  1·4

  1·9

  1·9

  2·0

  1·8

  1·9

  2·0

  Running costs of ODA Wing Information Department

  0·3

  0·3

  0·3

  0·2

  0·2

  0·3

  0·4

  0·5

  Costs of information staff at overseas posts

  12·4

  12·8

  13·6

  14·6

  17·6

  17·5

  19·2

  20·0

  Total

  32·8

  34·1

  35·0

  36·1

  39·9

  39·7

  44·0

  48·2

  Figures for the period before 1983–84 are not available on a comparable basis.

  Privatisation
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the total sum paid out in fees to outside organisations in the furtherance of privatisation by his Department in 1979–80 and in each subsequent year; and what is his estimate for 1990–91.

  Mr. Maude
  No such fees have been paid for the period in question.

  Advertising Expenditure
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what were the figures for the spending by his Department on(a) television advertising, (b) radio advertising, (c) newspaper advertising and (d) other promotional material in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his latest estimate for the current year and budget for 1990–91.

  Mr. Maude
  FCO figures for expenditure on advertising and other promotional material from 1979–80 to 1988–89, estimates for 1989–90, and budget provision for 1990–91 are:

  FCO

  FCO

  (Dip Wing)

  (ODA Wing)

  1979–80

  100,226

  214,739

  1980–81

  116,532

  145,697

  1981–82

  162,988

  207,964

  1982–83

  229,711

  135,506

  1983–84

  205,247

  252,691

  1984–85

  149,932

  234,050

  1985–86

  160,535

  271,084

  1986–87

  335,754

  228,347

  1987–88

  195,000

  351,000

  1988–89

  289,184

  714,000

  11989–90

  329,115

  820,000

  11990–91

  735,000

  1,047,000

  1 Estimate.

  2 Provision.

  Increases in 1990–91 reflect additional expenditure by the diplomatic wing on publicity to promote the entitlement of certain British residents overseas to vote in British and EC elections. Additional expenditure by the ODA reflects a commitment by it to enhance public awareness of overseas development issues. It is not possible to break down these figures to identify the medium used.

  States (Acquisitions)
  Mr. Marlow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is Her Majesty's Government's policy on the acquisition by states of territory through war.

  Mr. Maude
  We support the principle stated in United Nations General Assembly resolution 2625 (XXV) (the friendly relations declaration) that no territorial acquisition resulting from the threat or use of force is legal.

  Rockhopper Penguins
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the latest information available concerning the deaths of rockhopper penguins in the Falkland Islands.

  Mr. Maude
  I shall write to the hon. Member when I have obtained further information on the subject.

PRIME MINISTER

  European Community
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will raise at the next meeting of the European Council the question of the remaining restrictions placed on freedom of trade within the European Economic Community; and if she will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  The next meeting of the European Council is the informal meeting in Dublin on 27 and 28 April, which will discuss eastern Europe and the unification of Germany.

  I will continue to emphasise the importance that we all attach to completing the single market by the end of 1992. It is important that the Community should not be distracted from this goal. I shall also continue to emphasise the importance of implementation of single market directives now that almost 60 per cent. of the programme is complete and we are on course for meeting the 1992 deadline.

  Telex Monitors
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Prime Minister when her office was first supplied with information by Telex Monitors; what the cost has been so far; and for what purposes the information is collected.
  39
  The Prime Minister
  My office has used the services of Telex Monitors on an occasional basis for a number of years. Details of the cost of the service during that period are not readily available; the cost in 1989–90 to date is £760. The service provides an accurate transcript of radio and television broadcasts for information purposes.

  West German Chancellor (Discussions)
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Prime Minister when she next plans to meet the Chancellor of West Germany; and what she proposes to discuss with him.

  The Prime Minister
  I shall meet Chancellor Kohl for talks in London on 30 March to discuss matters of mutual interest, including the external aspects of German unification.

  NHS Review
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to her reply to the hon. Member for Newham, South of 5 March,Official Report, column 404, concerning funding for preparation for the implementation of the National Health Service review proposals, under what vote of the House of Commons ministerial authorisation of such expenditure has been made; and what are the planned principal heads of expenditure.

  The Prime Minister
  The expenditure referred to in my reply of 5 March to the hon. Member falls mainly on expenditure class XIV, vote 1 with a small amount of class XIV vote 3. Main areas in which this funding will be spent include costs of the first medical audit systems, the resource management initiative, strengthening of the finance and personnel functions in health authorities and the development of asset registers.

  Cyprus
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Prime Minister if she has received the report from the Secretary-General of the United Nations on the breakdown of talks on Cyprus; and if she will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  The United Nations Secretary-General gave the Security Council a full report on these talks in informal consultations on 8 March.

  We strongly support his efforts to promote a settlement to the Cyprus dispute, within the framework of one state, two communities. In consultation with fellow council members, we are giving urgent and sympathetic consideration to his request for a reaffirmation of his Cyprus mandate.

  Public Relations
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Prime Minister what are the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff, including vacant posts, in the press and public relations office of the Cabinet Office; and what is the proposed complement for 1990–91.

  The Prime Minister
  Seven staff are presently employed on press and public relations activities in the Cabinet Office; there are no vacancies and no increase in complement for 1990–91 is proposed.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Prime Minister what are the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed,40
  and the full complement of staff, including vacant posts, in the press and public relations office of her office; and what is the proposed complement for 1990–91.

  The Prime Minister
  Including support staff, eight people are presently employed in 10 Downing street on press and public relations activities. There are no vacancies at present. The proposed complement for 1990–91 is eight.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Prime Minister what was the total expenditure by her office on press and public relations in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is her latest estimate for the current year and budget for 1990–91.

  The Prime Minister
  Expenditure by my office on press and public relations was not recorded separately before 1987–88. The total expenditure for each year since then and the budget for 1990–91 are as follows:

  £

  1987–88

  377,987

  1988–89

  419,326

  1989–90

  1361,520

  1990–91

  2480,695

  1 Estimate.

  2 Budget.

  The figure for 1990–91 includes notional superannuation costs, which are not included in the figures for earlier years.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Prime Minister what was the total expenditure by the Cabinet Office on press and public relations in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is her latest estimate for the current year and budget for 1990–91.

  The Prime Minister
  Expenditure on press and public relations by the Cabinet Office was:

  £

  1984–85

  247,495

  1985–86

  232,980

  1986–87

  224,813

  1987–88

  215,925

  1988–89

  201,837

  The latest estimate for 1989–90 is £205,650 and the budget for 1990–91 is £199,560. Similar information is not available for the years prior to 1984–85.

  Statistical Divisions
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Prime Minister what are the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff, including vacant posts, by grade, in the statistical divisions in her office; if she will differentiate between staff in statistical posts and staff in administrative posts; and if she will give the staffing complements by grade, and differentiated between statistical and administrative posts, proposed for 1990–91.

  The Prime Minister
  There is no statistical division within my office; there are no statisticians in post or on the staff complement; and there are no plans for the creation of such posts.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Prime Minister what are the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed,
  41
  and the full complement of staff, including vacant posts, by grade, in the statistical divisions in the Cabinet Office; if she will differentiate between staff in statistical posts and staff in administrative posts; and if she will give the staffing complements by grade, and differentiated between statistical and administrative posts, proposed for 1990–91.

  The Prime Minister
  Since 31 July 1989, when the Central Statistical Office became a separate department, the Cabinet Office has had no statistical divisions.

  Advertising Expenditure
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Prime Minister what were the figures for the spending by her office on(a) television advertising, (b) radio advertising, (c) newspaper advertising and (d) other promotional material in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is her latest estimate for the current year and budget for 1990–91.

  The Prime Minister
  My office has incurred no expenditure on advertising or promotional material, and there are no plans for any such expenditure in the remainder of this financial year or in 1990–91.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Prime Minister what were the figures for the spending by the Cabinet Office on(a) television advertising, (b) radio advertising, (c) newspaper advertising and (d) other promotional material in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is her latest estimate for the current year and budget for 1990–91.

  The Prime Minister
  The Cabinet Office has not incurred and does not expect to incur any expenditure on promotional advertising on television, radio or in newspapers in the years 1979 to 1991. Information on other promotional material is not available for the years 1979 to 1987. Expenditure on such material in 1987–88 was £19,306; in 1988–89, £9,500 and the estimate for 1989–90 is £15,000; the budget for 1990–91 is £4,000.

  Management Consultants
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Prime Minister what were the total fees paid out by the Cabinet Office to management consultants in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is her latest estimate for the current year and budget for 1990–91.

  The Prime Minister
  The expenditure by the Cabinet Office (including from its creation on 1 October 1987, the Office of the Minister for the Civil Service) on management and computer consultancies in the financial years from 1983–84 is as follows:

  £

  1983–84

  152,000

  1984–85

  423,818

  1985–86

  329,334

  1986–87

  505,092

  1987–88

  417,778

  The figures for each year since then, which exclude the cost of computer consultancies, are as follows:

  £

  1988–89

  70,608

  1989–90

  151,500

  1990–91

  279,000

  42
  1Estimate.

  2Budget.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Prime Minister what were the total fees paid out by her office to management consultants in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is her latest estimate for the current year and budget for 1990–91.

  The Prime Minister
  There has been no expenditure by my office on fees to management consultants since 1979–80 and none is planned for the remainder of this financial year, nor for 1990–91.

  Privatisation
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Prime Minister what was the total sum paid out in fees to outside organisations in the furtherance of privatisation by the Cabinet Office in 1979–80 and in each subsequent year; and what is her estimate for 1990–91.

  The Prime Minister
  There has been no expenditure on fees to outside organisations in the furtherance of privatisation by the Cabinet Office and no expenditure is planned for 1990–91.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Prime Minister what was the total sum paid out in fees to outside organisations in the furtherance of privatisation by her office in 1979–80 and in each subsequent year; and what is her estimate for 1990–91.

  The Prime Minister
  There has been no expenditure by my office on fees to outside organisations in the furtherance of privatisation and none is planned for the remainder of 1989–90 or for 1990–91.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Company Accounts
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will introduce legislation to amend the Companies Acts to direct all large companies to disclose exit values of their assets.

  Mr. Redwood
  I assume that the hon. Member is referring to disclosure of net realisable values. I am not persuaded that the burdens that such a general requirement would impose on companies would be justified.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will introduce legislation to amend the Companies Acts to place upon company auditors the same duties for reporting fraud which are conferred upon auditors auditing businesses covered by the Financial Services Act.

  Mr. Redwood
  No. The Financial Services Act does not impose a duty upon auditors to report suspected fraud It removes any obstacles there may be to an auditor reporting relevant matters to the regulatory authorities. This provision goes substantially beyond fraud and reflects the special features of the regulatory regime. In the case of companies in general, whether or not an auditor should report suspected fraud to management, the members of the company, or to third parties depends on the circumstances, as is explained in the newly published auditing guideline on the auditor's responsibility in relation to fraud, other irregularities and errors.
  43
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will introduce legislation to require auditors of all large companies to examine the chairman's report.

  Mr. Redwood
  No. Auditing guidelines already recommend auditors to review financial information in the chairman's report where it is published as part of, or in conjunction with, the annual report.

  Accountancy Bodies
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will introduce measures to increase the accountability to the public of accountancy bodies set up by royal charter.

  Mr. Redwood
  No.

  Sound Diffusion plc
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will be in a position to publish his inspectors' report into Sound Diffusion plc.

  Mr. Redwood
  I cannot say. The inspectors' report has not yet been submitted.

  Protection of Investors
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 6 March,Official Report, column 586, what action he is taking to safeguard the interests of investors who placed moneys with companies owned or managed by Mr. Adrian Ward.

  Mr. Redwood
  This is a matter for the Securities and Investments Board.

  Animal Experiments
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many experiments were carried out on animals in respect of cosmetics testing in(a) 1989, (b) 1988, (c) 1987, (d) 1986, (e) 1985, (f) 1980 and (g) 1975; if he has any figures readily available giving a breakdown in respect of species of animals involved; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The latest information is available in the Home Office report on the statistics of scientific procedures on living animals in Great Britain, 1988. Scientific procedures on animals to ensure the safety of cosmetics comprise only 0·5 per cent. of the total number of scientific procedures on animals.

  National Engineering Laboratory
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many staff were employed within each of the designated categories at the National Engineering Laboratory in each of the last 10 years; and how many are budgeted to be employed at the end of the current financial year.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The number of staff employed at the National Engineering Laboratory for each of the last 10 years broken down by category is as follows:44

  As at 1 April

  Non Industrial Staff

  Industrial Staff

  Total Staff

  1980

  523·0

  267·0

  790·0

  1981

  495·0

  246·0

  741·0

  1982

  468·5

  237·5

  706·0

  1983

  456·5

  226·5

  683·0

  1984

  458·5

  193·0

  651·5

  1985

  461·0

  185·0

  646·0

  1986

  448·0

  186·0

  634·0

  1987

  463·0

  168·0

  631·0

  1988

  472·0

  156·0

  628·0

  1989

  431·0

  145·0

  576·0

  The budget for the current financial year (1989–90) makes provision for a total of 550 staff as at 31 March 1990.

  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if a decision has been taken on the appointment for the new director of the National Engineering Laboratory; and if he will make a statement on the appointment.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The post of director of the National Engineering Laboratory will be replaced by that of a chief executive in preparation for the laboratory becoming a next steps agency. No decision has yet been taken on the appointment of a chief executive. The Secretary of State has no statement about the appointment at this time.

  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the Minister responsible for the National Engineering Laboratory last visited the establishment; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  As Minister for Industry I visited the National Engineering Laboratory on 15 February 1990. Neither the Secretary of State nor I have a statement to make about the National Engineering Laboratory at this time.

  Single European Market
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps have been and will be taken to ensure that inner cities benefit from the single European market of 1992; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Inner-city firms, like all other companies in the United Kingdom, benefit from the "European Open for Business" campaign, and from help available through the enterprise initiative. In addition, city action teams (CATs) and inner-city task forces are sponsoring projects linked to preparations for the single European market. These include "Skills Upgrade for 1992", a Doncaster task force project which informs small inner-city firms about EC regulations, funding and contacts, and a Tyne and Wear CAT project, single market training for small and medium-sized businesses in Tyne and Wear, Durham and Northumberland.

  Inner-City Programmes
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which are the inner-city programmes his Department is carrying out; what non-Government organisations are taking part in such programmes; where each of these programmes is operating; and on what date each one was started.
  45
  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The only programme carried out by my Department that is specifically targeted on inner cities is the inner-city task force initiative. A wide range of private and voluntary sector organisations, and local authorities, work with the task forces. A list of the dates on which the existing task forces were announced is as follows:

  Date

  Leeds (Chapeltown/Harehills)

  February 1986

  Manchester (Moss Side and Hulme)

  February 1986

  Bristol

  February 1986

  Middlesbrough

  February 1986

  North Kensington

  February 1986

  North Peckham

  February 1986

  Coventry (Folkshill and Hillfields)

  April 1987

  Doncaster1

  April 1987

  Hartlepool

  April 1987

  Nottingham

  April 1987

  Rochdale1

  April 1987

  Spitalfields

  April 1987

  East Birmingham

  June 1988

  Deptford

  March 1989

  Liverpool (Granby/Toxteth)

  March 1989

  Bradford

  March 1989

  Derby2

  February 1990

  Wirral2

  February 1990

  1 Task Forces to be closed in the autumn.

  1 Task Forces announced, but yet to be opened.

  Distribution of number of enterprises and persons employed in manufacturing industry, 1983

  Number of persons employed

  1 to 19

  20 to 99

  100 to 499

  500 and over

  Undisclosed (20 and over)

  Total

  United Kingdom

  Enterprises:

  Number (000s)

  76·2

  17·5

  5·9

  1·6

  ·7

  101·9

  Percentage

  74·8

  17·2

  5·8

  1·5

  0·7

  100

  Persons employed:

  Number (000s)

  553

  766

  1,279

  2,210

  297

  5,105

  Percentage

  10·8

  15·0

  25·1

  43·3

  5·8

  100

  West Germany

  Enterprises:

  Number (000s)

  189·2

  22·6

  9·8

  —

  221·5

  Percentage

  85·4

  10·2

  4·4

  —

  100

  Persons employed:

  Number (000s)

  925

  1,014

  5,641

  —

  7,581

  Percentage

  12–2

  13–4

  74–4

  —

  100

  The "OECD Employment Outlook", published in September 1985, provides a source of comparative data for the United Kingdom and Japan. Enterprises are defined in terms of company groups, so that the concentration of

  Distribution of persons employed by size of enterprise in manufacturing industry

  Number of persons employed

  1 to 29

  30 to 99

  100 to 499

  500 and over

  Percentage total

  United Kingdom

  20·3

  13·4

  66·3

  100

  Japan 19831

  27·8

  19·3

  19·6

  33·3

  100

  1 Wage earners and salaried employees only.

  In the early '70s only 17·5 per cent. of Japanese employees in manufacturing worked for companies employing more than 1,000 people. However this proportion is based on individual places of business and not company groups and is therefore not directly comparable with figures shown in the table relating to the OECD study.

  Company Sizes
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what are the comparable figures for the number of small, medium and large companies in the United Kingdom, Japan and West Germany.

  Mr. Redwood
  [holding answer 19 February 1990]: Although some information is published by the individual countries' statistical services there are few sources in which international data are compiled in a comparable form. The most reliable surveys available have been carried out by the Statistical Office of the European Communities (SOEC) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Both studies include businesses which are not incorporated as well as companies and define size in terms of number of people employed. The available comparative data relate to manufacturing industry only. Inclusion of the service sector would be likely to raise the proportions employed in smaller companies still further in each country.

  An SOEC report entitled "Structure and activity of industry: data by size of enterprises 1983" contains the following comparison between the United Kingdom and West Germany:

  industry cannot be directly compared with the SOEC report. The OECD study presents size distributions by employment numbers but not by numbers of enterprises, and the absolute numbers are not stated.

  Cot Mattresses (Chemical Hazard)
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps his Department has taken to alert cot manufacturers to the possible dangers to young babies from chemicals used in fire retardant mattresses and any link with cot death syndrome.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  I have been asked to reply.
  47
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Birkenhead (Mr. Field) on 9 March at column 901.

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects the results of the scientific assessment of the relationship between chemicals used in fire retardant mattresses and cot death syndrome to be available.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  I have been asked to reply. The group of independent experts has been asked by the chief medical officer to report as soon as possible.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Public Relations and Statistics
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what are the figures for(a) staff employed and (b) expenditure on (i) press and publicity and (ii) statistical work in his Department.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  There are no Duchy of Lancaster staff employed in, nor has there been expenditure on, press and publicity or statistical work.

  Hospitality
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how much has been spent by his office on official hospitality in the financial years 1987–88, 1988–89 and 1989–90 to date.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  There has been nil expenditure on official hospitality by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster's office during the period in question.

LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  Office Statistics
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Lord President of the Council (1) what are the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff, including vacant posts in the press and public relations office of the Privy Council Office; and what is the proposed complement for 1990–91;

  (2) what are the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff, including vacant posts, by grade, in the statistical divisions in the Privy Council Office; if he will differentiate between staff in statistical posts and staff in administrative posts; and if he will give the staffing complements by grade, and differentiated between statistical and administrative posts, proposed for 1990–91;

  (3) what was the total expenditure by the Privy Council Office on press and public relations in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his latest estimate for the current year and budget for 1990–91;

  (4) what were the figures for the spending by the Privy Council Office on (a) television advertising, (b) radio advertising, (c) newspaper advertising and (d) other promotional material in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his latest estimate for the current year and budget for 1990–91;
  48
  (5) what were the total fees paid out by the Privy Council Office to management consultants in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his latest estimate for the current year and budget for 1990–91.

  Sir Geoffrey Howe
  The Privy Council Office has no staff, current expenditure or projected budgets specifically allocated to press and public relations or statistical work, and no expenditure is currently being incurred, or is proposed, in respect of advertising or the services of management consultants. Annual expenditure in the region of £3,000 is incurred in respect of the publication of Gazette notices.

DEFENCE

  Footpath 43, Menwith with Darley
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he closed footpath 43 in the parish of Menwith with Darley; under what powers he acted; with which local authorities and bodies representing users of the footpath he consulted prior to acting; and what opportunity members of the public had to make representations.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Footpath 43 in the parish of Menwith with Darley was stopped up and reprovided in accordance with sections 16 and 17 of the Defence Act 1842 on 1 October 1985, after consultation with North Yorkshire county council. There is no provision in the Act for representations from members of the public.

  HMS Endurance
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how old is HMS Endurance; what plans there are for its replacement; and what is the latest year planned for ordering a replacement.

  Mr. Neubert
  The hull of HMS Endurance is now 33 years old. She was converted to an ice patrol ship in 1967–68 and accepted into the Royal Navy in 1968. Her 1986 refit extended her life until at least the mid-1990s. A decision on her replacement is therefore not urgent.

  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether HMS Endurance's services have been offered to the Natural Environment Research Council's programme for researching global warming.

  Mr. Neubert
  HMS Endurance contributes logistic support on an ad hoc basis to the programmes of the British Antarctic Survey, some of which are related to the Natural Environment Research Council's work on global climate change.

  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether there are any plans to include HMS Endurance's facilities in the meteorological study on global warming.

  Mr. Neubert
  HMS Endurance, like all Royal Navy vessels, carries equipment and personnel capable of performing meteorological observations. Results of these observations are sent to the Meteorological Office and the use of them contributes to the marine climatological database.

  Service Personnel (HIV Infection)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service men and women were identified as being HIV positive for each of the forces in 1989; what action was followed after diagnosis; whether any representations have subsequently been received concerning the military authorities' actions in these cases; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  It is not the practice to discuss individual medical cases. However, one member of the services was identified as HIV positive in 1989. There were no representations concerning this case.

  Property Services Agency
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy on putting out to tender the maintenance and minor works services currently carried out by the Property Services Agency for the armed services in Northern Ireland following the privatisation of the Property Services Agency in 1992.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  From 1 April 1990, the MOD will be "untied" from the PSA. Untying gives the MOD a number of new responsibilities, including choosing who should supply its works services. From that date, the MOD will be mounting a number of competitions for design and project management for major new works. We will also be testing the market, in a variety of locations, for the provision of property management services covering minor new works and certain maintenance tasks.

  The first phases of market testing of property management cover sites in Great Britain; it is not currently planned to extend this early market testing to Northern Ireland.

  The Government are reviewing whether any aspects of the current arrangements for works services in Northern Ireland are unsuitable for execution by the private sector and, if necessary, alternative arrangements will be made.

  Statistical Divisions
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff, including vacant posts, by grade, in the statistical divisions in his Department; if he will differentiate between staff in statistical posts and staff in administration posts; and if he will give the staffing complements by grade, and differentiated between statistical and administrative posts, proposed for 1990–91.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The staff complements by grade in Ministry of Defence statistical divisions as at 1 March 1990 are as follows:

  Grade

  Complement

  Current vacancies

  Grade 3

  —

  0

  Grade 41

  1·0

  0

  Grade 5—Chief Stat1

  2·0

  0

  Grade 61

  1·0

  0

  Grade 7—Admin

  —

  0

  Grade 7—Stat1

  25·0

  3·0

  PSO

  0

  0

  SSO

  0

  0

  SEO

  2·0

  0

  50

  Grade

  Complement

  Current vacancies

  HEO—Admin

  14·0

  0

  HEO—ADP

  6·0

  0

  HSO

  1·0

  0

  RO2

  0

  0

  SO

  0

  0

  EO—Admin

  30·0

  1·0

  EO—ADP

  17·0

  1·0

  AS/SAS1

  8·0

  3·0

  AO

  40·5

  5·0

  AA

  9·0

  0·5

  SPS

  0

  0

  PS

  3·0

  0

  Reprographic Operator

  0

  0

  SDP

  0

  0

  DP

  0

  0

  159·5

  13·5

  1 Statistical posts.

  It is not anticipated that there will be any significant changes in staffing complements for 1990–91.

  The differences between these figures and those provided for last year are largely accounted for by the transfer in January 1990 of a number of staff and their work to an area outside the defence statistical organisation. The staff and the work transferred were all administrative.

  Public Relations
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff, including vacant posts, in the press and public relations office of his Department; and what is the proposed complement for 1990–91.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  There is a total of 221 posts on the strength of the defence public relations staffs. These include staff in single service command headquarters and in central staffs in the MOD. Latest available figures show there to be 212 staff in post and nine vacancies. The proposed complement for 1990–91 is 220.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total expenditure by his Department on press and public relations in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his latest estimate for the current year and budget for 1990–91.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The last year for which figures are available is 1982–83. Figures for the period 1982–83 to 1988–89 are as follows:

  £ million

  1982–83

  5·1

  1983–84

  6·3

  1984–85

  6·8

  1985–86

  6·7

  1986–87

  7·3

  1987–88

  7·0

  1988–89

  7·1

  Our estimated expenditure figure for 1989–90 is £7·8 million and for 1990–91 £8·4 million.

  Figures for 1979–80, 1980–81 and 1981–82 are not readily available and could not be obtained without disproportionate expense. The figures provided include staff costs and expenditure on films, exhibitions, publications and equipment.

  Privatisation
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total sum paid out in fees to outside organisations in the furtherance of privatisation by his Department in 1979–80 and in each subsequent year; and what is his estimate for 1990–91.

  Mr. Neubert
  The fees paid out by my Department to outside organisations in respect of privatisation relate solely to the sale of Royal Ordnance plc in April 1987. These fees amounted to £1·9 million and were for work carried out between 1 January 1985 and completion of the sale.

  Advertising Expenditure
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were the figures for the spending by his Department on(a) television advertising, (b) radio advertising, (c) newspaper advertising and (d) other promotional material in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his latest estimate for the current year and budget for 1990–91.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The information is not held centrally. I shall write to the hon. Member.

  Management Consultants
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were the total fees paid out by his Department to management consultants in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his latest estimate for the current year and budget for 1990–91.

  Mr. Neubert
  Fees paid to management consultants engaged centrally by the Ministry of Defence for the years 1984 to 1989 are as follows:

  Financial year

  £ million

  1984–85

  0·604

  1985–86

  1·787

  1986–87

  6·203

  1987–88

  5·140

  1988–89

  3·109

  1989–90

  14·555

  1990–91

  25·625

  1 Estimated expenditure.

  2 Budget provision.

  Figures for earlier years cannot be produced without disproportionate effort.

  Personnel (West Germany)
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many United Kingdom(a) military and (b) civilian personnel are employed, or stationed, in West Germany.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  A total of 64,294 service personnel and 1,817 MOD civilians are stationed in the Federal Republic of Germany (not including Berlin). The figure for service personnel covers all United Kingdom regular forces, male and female. Army personnel from BAOR on emergency tours in Northern Ireland are included in the figures, but personnel on short tours elsewhere are not.

  Homosexuality
  Mr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in each of the years 1987, 1988 and 1989, how many service men and women were administratively discharged from the Army, the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force as a result of their homosexuality or homosexual behaviour.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  [holding answer 6 March 1990]: The information requested is as follows:

  Royal Navy

  Army

  Royal Air Force

  1987

  5

  57

  16

  1988

  2

  46

  15

  1989

  4

  32

  19

HEALTH

  Hospitals (Red Alerts)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many different types of red alert hospitals operate; and what each one represents.

  Mr. Freeman
  Red alert is a term used by some health authorities usually to indicate a situation where a hospital is able to accept only emergency admissions, for example, because of a flu epidemic. Whether to operate a red alert system and in what circumstances are matters for local determination.

  Immunisation
  Mr. Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he has completed his study of the Peckham report on immunisation; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  Yes. Many of the recommendations made in the Peckham report were appropriate for immunisation services at local level, and they have the support of the Department of Health. Other recommendations relate to the national level, and the Health Education Authority and the Department are launching a national publicity campaign this autumn, which will be supported by new materials on immunisation to be sent to GPs and nurses involved in immunisation.

  Mr. Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the recommendations of the working party set up by the joint committee on vaccination and immunisation in connection with advising on the immunisation schedule; and whether he proposes that the schedule should apply nationally and uniformly.

  Mr. Freeman
  The joint committee on vaccination and immunisation, having considered the recent progress in immunisation uptake and factors which could hinder further improvements, has recommended that an accelerated schedule of primary immunisations (at age two, three and four months) should be implemented consistently in all district health authorities. Full details of this new schedule have already been sent to district immunisation co-ordinators and will be sent shortly to all doctors and nurses involved in immunisation, together with the most recent advice from the JCVI.

  Child Record Cards
  Mr. Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will provide detailed information on the pilot study into parent-held child record cards.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  A number of health authorities have been experimenting successfully with parent-held child health records. A working party of the British Paediatric Association has been reviewing these local arrangements and has designed an exemplar national record. The Department is to discuss with the BPA the promotion of the record and the arrangements for making it available to individual health authorities. We support the project since it is a good way of involving parents in the health care of their children.

  Nurses (Accommodation)
  Mr. Shersby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice he is giving to regional and district health authorities concerning the rates element of the board and lodging charges for residential accommodation for nurses; and if he will ensure that such charges are reduced to reflect the abolition of domestic rates when the collective community charge is implemented on 1 April.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The level of lodging charges is a matter for the nursing and midwifery staffs negotiating council. I understand that the management side hopes to raise the issue at the meeting of the council on 13 March.

  Nursing Staff
  Mr. Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his reply of 7 February,Official Report, column 707, regarding computer modelling of the supply of nursing staff, whether he will publish the results of any work carried out as a result of the computer model being made available to the National Health Service in 1989.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Health authorities use the computer model as a management tool in the continuing process of nurse manpower planning, specifically with reference to the implementation of Project 2000, and this should be reflected in their nurse manpower policies. It is for health authorities to determine whether to publish their conclusions in this area.

  Statistical Divisions
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff, including

  Number in post (1 March 1990)

  Number planned to be in post (1 March 1990)

  Number planned to be in post (1 October 1990)

  Statistical posts

  Grade 5 (Chief statistician)

  3·0

  3·0

  3·0

  Grade 6 (Statistician)

  1·0

  1·0

  1·0

  Grade 7 (Statistician)

  12·5

  12·5

  12·5

  Senior assistant statistician

  4·0

  5·0

  5·0

  Assistant statistician

  5·0

  4·0

  3·0

  Medical officer grades

  2·5

  2·5

  2·5

  Survey officer posts

  Grade 5 (Chief social survey officer 'A')

  1·0

  1·0

  1·0

  Grade 6 (Chief social survey officer 'B')

  4·0

  4·0

  4·0

  Grade 7 (Principal social survey officer)

  12·0

  12·0

  13·0

  54
  vacant posts, by grade, in the statistical divisions in his Department; if he will differentiate between staff in statistical posts and staff in administration posts; and if he will give the staffing complements by grade, and differentiated between statistical and administrative posts, proposed for 1990–91.

  Mr. Freeman
  The information requested, showing the number of staff at 1 March 1990, is shown in the table. A small increase in staff is expected in 1990–91 but exact details have not yet been determined. These figures are not comparable with earlier figures due to changes in the statistics division caused by the formation of separate Departments of Health and Social Security in April 1989.

  DH Permanent Staff in Statistics Division (1 March 1990)

  Statistical

  Administrative

  Vacancies

  Grade 3

  1·0

  —

  —

  Grade 5

  5·0

  —

  —

  Grade 7

  25·5

  —

  1

  Senior Assistant Statistician

  6·5

  —

  —

  Assistant Statistician

  2·0

  —

  —

  Senior Executive Officer

  —

  8

  —

  Higher Executive Officer

  —

  23

  1

  Executive Officer

  —

  41

  4

  Administrative Officer

  —

  58

  4

  Administrative Assistant

  —

  13

  —

  Personal Secretary

  —

  5

  1

  Total

  40·0

  148

  11

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff, including vacant posts, by grade, in the statistical divisions in the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys; if he will differentiate between staff in statistical posts and staff in administrative posts; and if he will give the staffing complements by grade, and differentiated between statistical and administrative posts, proposed for 1990–91.

  Mr. Freeman
  The information is shown in the table. It covers all the staff employed in the statistical divisions of the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys including the medical statistics and social survey divisions. It excludes staff employed in the finance, personnel and administration division and in the information technology division. Staff complements as such are no longer used since expenditure is controlled by financial rather than manpower limits. The planned staff figures for 1 October 1990 are therefore subject to change. The number of staff employed will increase over the next 12 months in the build-up to the 1991 census.
  55

  Number in post (1 March 1990)

  Number planned to be in post (1 March 1990)

  Number planned to be in post (1 October 1990)

  Senior social survey officer

  10·0

  11·0

  12·0

  Social survey officer

  4·5

  5·5

  9·0

  Assistant social survey officer

  10·0

  8·0

  10·0

  Administrative posts

  Grade 6

  3·0

  3·0

  4·0

  Grade 7

  12·0

  12·0

  12·0

  Senior executive officer

  23·5

  20·0

  20·0

  Higher executive officer

  59·5

  64·0

  78·0

  Executive officer

  111·0

  115·0

  138·0

  Administration officer and others

  446·5

  463·5

  554·0

  Public Relations
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff, including vacant posts, in the press and public relations office of the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys; and what is the proposed complement for 1990–91.

  Mr. Freeman
  The number of staff presently employed in the press and publicity section of the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys in 1989–90 and planned for 1990–91 is eight and nine respectively. There are no vacancies. The figures include five staff who are employed on a temporary basis to work on publicity activities for the 1991 census and an additional temporary post for 1990–91.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what are the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed and the full complement of staff, including vacant posts in the press and public relations office of his Department; and what is the proposed complement for 1990–91;

  (2) what was the total expenditure by his Department on press and public relations in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his latest estimate for the current year and budget for 1990–91.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  My Department has no section that can be separately identified as public relations. Functions which are commonly associated with press and public relations are carried out by the Department's information division.

  The position on 1 March 1990 was:

  Staff presently employed 52

  Full complement of staff including vacant posts 57

  Twenty-six of the staff presently employed are information officers. Disussions on the proposed complement for 1990–91 are not yet complete. Estimated expenditure for manpower and running costs in 1989–90 is £898,000. The budget for 1990–91 has not yet been agreed. Figures for 1979–80 to 1988–89 are not available in the form requested.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total expenditure by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys on press and public relations in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his latest estimate for the current year and budget for 1990–91.

  Mr. Freeman
  The information requested is given in the table. The figures, in cash terms, include staff costs and expenditure on, or planned for, the census of population.
  56

  Expenditure (£000s) at cash prices

  Year

  Press and Public Relations

  1979–80

  125

  1980–81

  220

  1981–82

  250

  1982–83

  130

  1983–84

  145

  1984–85

  160

  1985–86

  165

  1986–87

  120

  1987–88

  145

  1988–89

  190

  1989–90

  300

  11990–91

  600

  1 Estimate.

  Advertising Expenditure
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what were the figures for the spending by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys on(a) television advertising, (b) radio advertising, (c) newspaper advertising and (d) other promotional material in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his latest estimate for the current year and budget for 1990–91.

  Mr. Freeman
  The information requested is given in the table. The figures in cash terms include expenditure on, or planned for, the census of population.

  Expenditure (£000s) at cash prices

  Year

  (a) TV advertising (b) Radio advertising (c) Newspaper advertising

  (d) Other promotional material

  1979–80

  Nil

  90

  1980–81

  1180

  140

  1981–82

  1270

  170

  1982–83

  Nil

  90

  1983–84

  Nil

  100

  1984–85

  Nil

  125

  1985–86

  Nil

  125

  1986–87

  Nil

  80

  1987–88

  Nil

  100

  1988–89

  Nil

  105

  1989–90

  Nil

  180

  1990–91 estimate

  1530

  320

  1 Census of Population only.

  Management Consultants
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what were the total fees paid out by his Department to management consultants in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his latest estimate for the current year and budget for 1990–91.

  Mr. Freeman
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Peckham (Ms. Harman) on 16 November 1989 at columns 431–32 in respect of payments up to and including 1988–89. The estimated expenditure for 1989–90 is £4,870,500. No decision has yet been reached on the 1990–91 budget.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what were the total fees paid out by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys to management consultants in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his latest estimate for the current year and budget for 1990–91.

  Mr. Freeman
  Figures are available only from 1984–85 onwards. They are:

  £

  1984–85

  13,000

  1985–86

  71,000

  1986–87

  89,000

  1987–88

  359,000

  1988–89

  884,000

  11989–90

  830,000

  21990–91

  830,000

  1Estimate.

  2 Budget.

  The figures from 1987–88 onwards largely reflect the cost of employing consultants from a variety of firms to undertake strategic management and information technology studies and to assist with subsequent implementation, in areas where the necessary skills and expertise are not available within the office.

  Health Service Contracts
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will deposit copies of the "Working for Patients" implementation document on "Contracts for Health Services: Operating Contracts" in the Vote Office and similarly deposit all subsequent papers on publication.

  Mr. Freeman
  Yes. Copies have now been placed in the Vote Office.

  Self-governing Hospitals
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what funds have been provided to the Mersey regional health authority and the health authorities within its region for carrying out studies to enable hospitals to apply for self-governing status;

  (2) what has been the expenditure so far by his Department on projects designed to inform the implementation of the Government's proposals for the setting up of National Health Service hospital trusts; and what is his estimate of the likely expenditure on such projects during the next financial year.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Some work has been commissioned centrally to support the proposals for 58
  National Health Service trusts. The total cost of these projects was £181,600 in 1989–90. No resources have been allocated specifically to Mersey or other regions for spending on projects designed to inform the process of setting up NHS trusts. We have made no allocation for these purposes in respect of 1990–91.

  Central Ordnance Depot, Donnington
  Mr. Terry Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what inquiries are being made into whether there is any link between the number of deaths from cancer in Shropshire and the fire at the central ordnance depot at Donnington in 1983.

  Mr. Freeman
  The Department is making no inquiries and in the light of the information on the materials released by the fire, none are considered necessary. Monitoring the health of a local population is a matter for the director of public health.

  Radioactive Implants
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will introduce legislation to require that persons fitted with medicinal radioactive implants are registered and carry a card.

  Mr. Freeman
  There are no plans to introduce statutory registration for persons fitted with medicinal radioactive implants. However, those persons fitted with nuclear-powered cardiac pacemakers are required to carry a bracelet and identity card.

  Hepatitis B
  Mrs. Rosie Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will give the latest figures for the number of people vaccinated against hepatitis B;

  (2) if he will give the take-up figures of hepatitis B vaccine among each of the high-risk groups identified by the joint committee on vaccination and immunisation;

  (3) if he will list those areas in which general practitioners may claim item-of-service payments for administering the hepatitis B vaccine;

  (4) what guidance his Department has issued to general practitioners regarding vaccination against hepatitis B for the general public and high-risk groups;

  (5) what information he has regarding the link between hepatitis B and liver cancer;

  (6) what is his Department's estimate of the number of hepatitis B carriers in the population;

  (7) what statistics his Department collects on the incidence and treatment of hepatitis B among the general population and high-risk groups;

  (8) what steps his Department has taken to publicise the availability of hepatitis B vaccines to the general public and high-risk groups.

  Mr. Freeman
  [holding answer 9 March 1990]: The Department holds no figures for the number of people vaccinated against hepatitis B either in total or amongst the high-risk groups as identified by the joint committee on vaccination and immunisation (JCVI). However, over 800,000 doses of the vaccine were distributed in 1989. No item-of-service fees are payable for administering hepatitis B vaccine.
  59
  Guidance and recommendations to general practitioners regarding hepatitis B vaccine is contained in the JCVI's memorandum "Immunisation against Infectious Disease", a new edition of which will be issued to all doctors shortly.

  It is known that some sufferers of hepatitis B may go on to develop hepatocellular carcinoma. It is estimated that one in 500 of the general adult population may be carriers of hepatitis B surface antigenaemia.

  Acute viral hepatitis is a notifiable disease and the public health laboratory service continues to monitor its incidence. Reports of cases to the PHLS had declined to just over 600 in 1989.

  Useful information on hepatitis B is included in the Health Education Authority's (HEA) booklet "Guide to a

  Ranking of Local Authority Areas (Highest Twenty) for Myeloid Leukaemia United Kingdom, 1988

  Area

  Observed deaths

  Population

  Crude rate

  Expected deaths

  Ratio of observed to expected

  1 Epsom and Ewell CD

  9

  67,500

  13·33

  2·930

  3·07

  2 South Staffordshire CD

  10

  108,100

  9·25

  3·524

  2·84

  3 Warwick CD

  12

  116,400

  10·3

  4·576

  2·62

  4 East Kilbride CD

  7

  81,686

  8·56

  2·677

  2·61

  5 Neath CD

  7

  65,200

  10·73

  2·838

  2·47

  6 North East Derbyshire CD

  9

  96,700

  9·3

  3·780

  2·38

  7 Kincardine and Deeside CD

  4

  48,910

  8·17

  1·727

  2·32

  8 Dinefwr CD

  4

  38,900

  10·28

  1·731

  2·31

  9 Stratford Upon Avon CD

  10

  106,800

  9·36

  4£385

  2·28

  10 Tonbridge CD

  7

  75,700

  9·24

  3·088

  2·27

  11 Crawley CD

  7

  84,400

  8·29

  3·126

  2·24

  12 Leominster CD

  4

  39,300

  10·18

  1·816

  2·20

  13 Mid Suffolk CD

  7

  77,600

  9·02

  3·210

  2·18

  14 Vale of White Horse CD1

  9

  112,300

  8·01

  4·181

  2·15

  15 Preseli Pembrokeshire CD

  6

  71,000

  8·45

  2·852

  2·10

  16 Brighton CD

  14

  149,200

  9·38

  6·908

  2·03

  17 Harlow CD

  5

  72,000

  6·94

  2·457

  2·03

  18 Llanelli CD

  7

  74,100

  9·57

  3·461

  2·02

  19 Cherwell CD

  8

  122,400

  6·53

  4·080

  1·96

  20 Delyn CD

  5

  65,100

  7·68

  2·548

  1·96

  Crude Rate per 100,000 population.

  CD—county district.

  1 Harwell and Culham nuclear installations are situated within Vale of White Horse CD.

  Areas with fewer than four observed deaths have been excluded.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Eastern Europe
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much is being provided in 1990–91 in the form of overseas aid to assist the countries of eastern Europe.

  Mrs. Chalker
  In 1990–91 we expect to seek parliamentary approval in main estimates for £13·5 million to cover expenditure on Poland and Hungary under the know-how fund, and on an agricultural project in Poland. This expenditure is additional to the official United Kingdom aid programme. Supplementary estimate provision for 1990–91 and later years may be sought when the public expenditure implications of other commitments, such as the establishment of know-how funds for other countries in eastern Europe, are clearer.

  Africa
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs by how much aid to African states has increased since 1987.
  60
  Healthy Sex Life", and I understand that the HEA is currently reviewing this and other publications on sexually transmitted diseases.

  Myeloid Leukaemia
  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will update the list of the 20 areas with the highest incidence of myeloid leukaemia contained in his answer to the hon. Member for Southend, East (Mr. Taylor) of 15 April 1986,Official Report, columns 371–72.

  Mr. Freeman
  [pursuant to his reply, 19 February 1990, c. 543]: The data requested are shown in the table, and have been updated to 1988:

  Mrs. Chalker
  Britain's bilateral aid to Africa rose from £305 million in 1987 to £422 million in 1988. In the same period our multilateral aid programme (for example, our contributions to the World bank, the European development fund and the various UN agencies) rose from £523 million to £659 million, with over half these funds being destined ultimately for Africa. Figures for 1989 are not yet available.

  Rehabilitation Courses
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much support the Government provided for community-based rehabilitation courses and programmes in the last year for which he has figures; and how the support was deployed.

  Mrs. Chalker
  A list of projects funded by ODA in 1989–90, which focus on the needs of disabled people, was provided in the answer that my hon. Friend the Member for Warwickshire, North (Mr. Maude) gave my hon. Friend the Member for Exeter (Mr. Hannam) on 6 December 1989 at columns 231–32. Many of these activities are community based or have a community-based component. In addition, nine overseas students studying on the diploma for teachers and planners of

  61
  community-based rehabilitation in developing countries at the Institute of Child Health in London have been financed this year from the overseas aid programme.

  Overseas Aid
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proportion of gross domestic product the United Kingdom currently spends on overseas aid.

  Mrs. Chalker
  The latest available figure for United Kingdom net official development assistance expressed as a percentage of gross national product is 0·32 per cent. in 1988.

  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has any plans to increase the share of gross national product spent on official development assistance to developing countries.

  Mrs. Chalker
  As announced in Cm. 1002, the Government plan to increase the aid programme from £1,502 million in 1989–90 to £1,750 million in 1992–93. On the basis of the forecast for United Kingdom domestic inflation contained in the Autumn Statement published on 22 November 1989 this represents an increase of 4 per cent. in real terms. The Government accept in principle the United Nations 0·7 per cent. target for official development assistance as a proportion of gross national product but recognise that progress towards this target must depend on economic circumstances and other calls on resources.

  Kenya
  Mr. Dykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonweath Affairs whether the Minister for Overseas Development has recently visited Kenya.

  Mrs. Chalker
  I visited Kenya from 6 to 8 March.

  Brazil
  Mr. Moss
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonweath Affairs how many forestry projects have been agreed with he Government of Brazil.

  Mrs. Chalker
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Fylde (Mr. Jack) on 1 March at column 283.

  Tropical Forests
  Ms. Abbott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonweath Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government will be proposing reforms to the tropical forestry action plan during the joint meeting between the European Community and the African, Caribbean and Pacific countries on 19 to 24 March.

  Mrs. Chalker
  I called for the reform of the tropical forestry action plan when I addressed the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation general conference in November. Following that conference the FAO commissioned an independent review of TFAP. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs met the review team on 6 March.

  The meeting between the European Community (EC) and African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries on 19
  62
  to 24 March is a forum for representatives of the European and ACP Parliaments. Representatives of EC and ACP Governments meet on 28 and 29 March to discuss issues related to the Lome conventions. We have no plans to pursue reforms to the tropical forestry action plan at this meeting.

  Vietnam
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonweath Affairs what discussions he has had with the United States Government regarding aid to Vietnam.

  Mrs. Chalker
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary gave to the hon. Member for Bolton, South-East (Mr. Young) on 7 March.

  Nicaragua
  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a further statement on aid to Nicaragua.

  Mrs. Chalker
  We are considering the possibility of a small bilateral technical co-operation programme to Nicaragua. In doing so we are taking account of the discussions that my hon. Friend the Member for Watford (Mr Garel-Jones) had with the President-elect during his visit to Managua last week.

  However, central America is not a priority area for United Kingdom bilateral aid. The main channel for United Kingdom assistance to Nicaragua will continue to be through our contribution to EC aid. We shall seek to ensure that EC aid to Nicaragua is maintained, and possibly increased, once Senora Chamorro's democratically elected Government take office.

  Tanzania
  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what aid the United Kingdom currently gives to Tanzania.

  Mrs. Chalker
  In 1988 (the latest year for which firm figures are available) the cost of our bilateral aid amounted to £33·4 million. During my visit to Tanzania earlier this month I increased our latest pledge of balance of payments support to £17·5 million, for spending by the end of financial year 1990–91. All our bilateral aid to Tanzania is on grant terms.

  In addition to our bilateral aid we contribute through multilateral agencies, including the EC. Tanzania has been allocated 169 million ecu (about £125 million) under Lome III for the period 1985–90, of which our share is around £20 million.

  Mr. Raison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Minister for Overseas Development holds regular discussions with the Government of Tanzania.

  Mrs. Chalker
  I have just returned from a full and useful visit to Tanzania, during which I renewed the regular discussions which I and my predecessors have maintained with the Tanzanian Government.

  Ethiopia
  Mr. Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has any further information on food aid distribution to famine areas of Ethiopia.

  Mrs. Chalker
  The recent capture of the port of Massawa by the Eritrean People's Liberation Front is a serious setback to the relief effort and alternative means of delivering relief supplies to the hungry via the port of Assab are under urgent consideration by donors. The recent statement by the Government of Ethiopia that they will permit local Church organisations to open a relief corridor from the port of Assab into Tigray is a welcome step forward. It is vital that all parties to the conflict allow this relief operation to proceed without hindrance.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what response his Department has made to the recent proposal for free passage of relief aid by the Tigray People's Liberation Front; and if he will raise this matter at his next meeting with the United Nations.

  Mrs. Chalker
  This proposal was made in response to a plan, agreed between the Ethiopian Government and a local Church group but rejected by the Tigrayan People's Liberation Front, for distribution of relief supplies within Tigray. The plan has since been abandoned as a result of the capture of the port of Massawa by the Eritrean People's Liberation Front and other means of getting food to the hungry are under urgent consideration by donors.

  I returned from Ethiopia yesterday. Following discussions there I am hopeful that arrangements made with the agreement of both the Tigrayan People's Liberation Front and the Government of Ethiopia will allow relief food supplies to cross into Wello and Tigray by what is known as the southern route and that the first convoy will leave this week. I have discussed arrangements in detail with the UN Secretary-General's special representative and other UN officials who are closely involved in Addis Ababa, as well as with the leaders of the joint relief partnership and President Mengistu and members of the Government of Ethiopia.

  South Africa
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he plans to increase overseas aid to South Africa in the light of political developments.

  Mrs. Chalker
  I welcome the recent political developments in South Africa. We are currently reviewing our aid programme for black South Africans and I expect to make an announcement shortly.

  Technical Training and Education
  Mr. Speller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals for technical training and educational aid he has for Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone and the Gambia.

  Mrs. Chalker
  We will maintain our substantial programmes of training in Britain for each of the four countries. We are also funding projects in each country for technical training and education.

  Uganda
  Mr. William Powell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what current development assistance Britain provides to Uganda; and whether he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Chalker
  In 1988, the latest year for which firm figures are available, we provided £28·6 million in bilateral aid to Uganda, in addition to our share of assistance from multilateral agencies. During my visit to Uganda last week, I announced that the £10 million balance of payments assistance pledged in 1989 in support of Uganda's economic recovery programme would be increased to £15 million. This brings our total commitments since 1986 to over £155 million, including £53 million in balance of payments support.

  Ivory
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the consequences for Her Majesty's Government-funded elephant conservation schemes in Africa arising out of the decisions to allow the Hong Kong ivory stocks to be traded.

  Mrs. Chalker
  I do not expect the decision to have an effect on any of the conservation schemes funded by Her Majesty's Government.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Local Offices
  Ms. Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people were refused(a) community care grants, (b) budgeting loans and (c) crisis loans, listed separately, on the grounds that there were insufficient funds/priority too low, by his offices in Redcar, Eston, Middlesbrough, Stockton and Hartlepool, during the period April 1988 to March 1989, and during the period April 1989 to December 1989.

  Mr. Scott
  The information given in the table represents the number of processed applications which were refused on grounds of insufficient priority. The number of people refused or awarded payments from the social fund is not collected. Individuals can make more than one application during each accounting period.

  Social fund: refusals of applications on grounds of insufficient priority

  Budgeting Loans

  Crisis Loans

  Community Care grants

  April 1988—March 1989

  Redcar

  402

  2

  162

  Eston

  925

  4

  8

  Middlesbrough

  1,596

  4

  124

  Stockton

  885

  0

  17

  Hartlepool

  583

  0

  25

  April 1989—December 1989

  Redcar

  384

  1

  134

  Eston

  677

  0

  22

  Middlesbrough

  1,320

  1

  538

  Stockton

  1,218

  0

  306

  Hartlepool

  6·17

  1

  41

  Ms. Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was(a) the spending profile and (b) the

  65
  actual spend in respect of (i) community care grants and (ii) loans, listed separately, for each of his offices in Redcar, Eston, Middlesbrough, Stockton and Hartlepool, for the period April to December 1989, inclusive.

  Mr. Scott
  The information given in the table represents the spending profile set at the start of this financial year for each office specified. The profile is adjusted at the end of each month to take account of actual expenditure and can be adjusted at any time to take account of local circumstances. Information for actual spending is in the Library.

  Percentage community care grants

  Percentage loans

  Redcar

  April

  7·60

  7·60

  May

  7·80

  7·80

  June

  7·80

  7·80

  July

  8·30

  8·30

  August

  6·70

  6·70

  September

  7·00

  7·00

  October

  8·90

  8·90

  November

  12·50

  12·50

  December

  9·00

  9·00

  January

  6·60

  6·60

  February

  8·60

  8·60

  March

  9·20

  9·20

  Eston

  April

  8·30

  8·30

  May

  8·30

  8·30

  June

  8·30

  8·30

  July

  8·30

  8·30

  August

  8·30

  8·30

  September

  8·30

  8·30

  October

  8·30

  8·30

  November

  8·30

  8·30

  December

  7·75

  7·75

  January

  7·75

  7·75

  February

  8·80

  8·80

  March

  9·30

  9·30

  Middlesbrough

  April

  8·50

  8·50

  May

  8·50

  8·50

  June

  9·00

  9·00

  July

  8·50

  8·50

  August

  7·50

  7·50

  September

  8·00

  8·00

  October

  8·50

  8·50

  November

  9·00

  9·00

  December

  7·00

  7·00

  January

  7·50

  7·50

  February

  9·00

  9·00

  March

  9·00

  9·00

  Stockton

  April

  8·32

  8·32

  May

  8·32

  8·32

  June

  8·32

  8·32

  July

  8·32

  8·32

  August

  8·32

  8·32

  September

  8·21

  8·21

  October

  8·95

  8·95

  November

  8·96

  8·96

  December

  7·45

  7·45

  January

  7·82

  7·82

  February

  8·69

  8·69

  March

  8·32

  8·32

  Hartlepool

  April

  8·67

  8·58

  May

  8·33

  8·33

  June

  8·33

  8·33

  July

  8·33

  8·33

  August

  8·33

  8·33

  66

  Percentage community care grants

  Percentage loans

  September

  8·02

  8·02

  October

  8·88

  8·88

  November

  8·89

  8·89

  December

  7·75

  7·75

  January

  7·38

  7·38

  February

  8·62

  8·62

  March

  8·47

  8·56

  Community Charge
  Mr. Riddick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his Department's estimate of the cost in a full year in relation to the capital thresholds above which no community charge rebate is allowed of(a) doubling the threshold to £16,000 for a married couple, (b) abolishing the capital thresholds altogether and (c) abolishing the capital thresholds for pensioners only, so that, in the latter two cases, income is the only criterion for qualification for community charge rebate.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Information is not available to enable a precise answer to be given to my hon. Friend's question. It seems probable that doubling the upper capital limit for community charge benefit to £16,000 for a married couple would cost about £10 million. For answers to parts(b) and (c) I refer my hon. Friend to my replies to my hon. Friend the Member for Northampton, North (Mr. Marlow) on 22 February at column 896 and 2 March at column 367.

  Disability
  Mr. Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether his Department has commissioned any research about the care needs and care costs of disabled people aged over 65 years.

  Mr. Scott
  The Government commissioned the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys (OPCS) to carry out major surveys of disability in Great Britain between 1985 and 1988. Two of these covered disabled adults in private households and communal establishments, and they provide information about the extra costs of home services for people aged over 65 and the extra costs incurred by those with personal care disabilities. The six OPCS reports of the surveys' findings are in the Library. A follow-up study to the surveys in the family expenditure survey has been carried out to compare the actual spending of disabled and non-disabled people, and the results of that study will be published in the next few months. A number of studies of the care needs of people in residential care and nursing homes have been carried out by the social policy research unit at York university. The findings are published in "Public Support for Private Residential Care", a copy of which is in the Library.

  1. Volumes 1–6 of the "OPCS Surveys of Disability in Great Britain". London HMSO 1989—in particular volumes 2 and 4.

  2. Bradshaw J. R. and Gibbs I. "Public Support for Private Residential Care". Avebury Gower 1988.

  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will provide a table showing a regional breakdown of the numbers of people claiming disability benefits as a percentage of all claimants and as a percentage of the general population.
  67
  Mr. Scott
  Attendance allowance, invalid care allowance and mobility allowance are administered centrally, and a regional breakdown of claimants is not available. The regional breakdown for severe disablement allowance, as at April 1988, is in the table:

  Region

  Number of claimants

  Percentage of all claimants

  Percentage of general population

  North

  18,200

  7

  0·59

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  25,200

  10

  0·51

  East Midlands

  17,100

  6

  0·43

  East Anglia

  7,500

  3

  0·37

  South East

  63,600

  24

  0·37

  South West

  21,900

  8

  0·47

  West Midlands

  20,600

  8

  0·40

  North West

  37,000

  14

  0·58

  Scotland

  32,400

  12

  0·64

  Wales

  19,800

  8

  0·69

  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Battersea (Mr. Bowis),Official Report, 26 February, column 59, if he will provide a breakdown at 1990 prices of (a) the weekly benefit entitlement when not working of a single disabled person and (b) the net weekly income of a single disabled person with earnings of (i) £5, (ii) £10, (iii) £15, (iv) £20, (v) £30, (vi) £40 and (vii) £50 after housing costs, on the assumption of the introduction of the disability employment credit, planned for introduction in April 1992.

  Mr. Scott
  The detailed arrangements for the disability employment credit are under consideration. No decision has yet been taken on the thresholds for entitlement to the benefit.

  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the numbers of(a) single people receiving the severe disability premium as at 11 April 1988, 10 April 1989 and 9 October 1989 and (b) members of a couple receiving the severe disability premium as at 11 April 1988, 10 April 1989, and 9 October 1989.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The information is not available in the form requested. However, the latest annual statistical inquiry shows that, at May 1988, 28,184 income support claims included the lower rate of the severe disability premium, paid to single people and to couples of whom one member qualifies for the premium, and 6,585 income support claims included the higher rate of this premium, paid where both members of a couple qualify.

  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether the proposed disability employment credit will be available to those disabled people who are able to work but have savings in excess of £6,000.

  Mr. Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if the proposed disability employment credit will provide employment opportunities for those disabled people who are capable of working but are not able to work more than 24 hours per week.

  Mr. Scott
  The detailed arrangements for the disability employment credit are under consideration. No decisions have yet been taken on an hours limit or capital rule for the benefit.

  Residential Care
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what is the number, and annual cost in benefits, of elderly persons in private nursing homes registered with district health authorities, by metropolitan district and district in the north-west of England;

  (2) what is the number, and annual cost in benefits, of elderly persons in private residential homes, registered with appropriate local councils by metropolitan district and district in the north-west of England.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Information in the form requested is not available.

  Mr. Andrew Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his best estimate of the number of people in private or voluntary residential or nursing home care who will be funded through preserved income support (i) when the new system of funding to be implemented under proposals in the National Health Service and Community Care Bill first comes into effect and (ii) in each of the subsequent 10 years.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Information about expected numbers of income support claimants as well as expenditure is published in the public expenditure White Paper (Cm 1014). It has never been the practice to make separate forecasts about any individual group within the planning totals.

  Occupational Deafness
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he has any plans to increase the scope of occupations qualifying for disablement benefit for the industrial disease of occupational deafness, to include damage to the nerve endings in the inner ear caused by high pitched screeches due to worn machinery in the tin-plate industry.

  Mr. Scott
  No.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he will reply to the hon. Member for Rugby and Kenilworth's letter of 28 November 1989 about Mr. and Mrs. Griffin of Rugby.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  My noble Friend Lord Henley has replied to my hon. Friend.

  Income Support
  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, by region, how many 16 and 17-year-olds had made applications for income support on grounds of extreme hardship; how many had been granted at 10 November 1989, 8 December 1989, 5 January 1990 and 9 February 1990; and how many at the same dates had been granted income support on grounds of being within exempted categories, shown by category.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The cumulative totals of the number of 16 and 17-year-olds who had made an application for income support on the grounds of severe hardship and the number granted benefit on this basis at 10 November 1989, 8 December 1989, 5 January 1990 and 9 February 1990 are in table A.
  69
  Figures for the number of 16 and 17-year-olds granted income support on the grounds of being within exempted categories are collected on a monthly basis and are, therefore, not available for the particular dates requested.

  Table A

  Cumulative totals of applications for income support from 16 and 17-year-olds on the ground of severe hardship and of directions given to enable awards to be made

  Period ending

  London North

  London South

  Midlands

  North East

  North West

  Wales and South West

  Scotland

  Great Britain

  10 November 1989

  Applications received

  1,299

  1,251

  1,857

  3,870

  2,461

  1,337

  6,233

  18,308

  Directions given

  806

  797

  1,248

  2,580

  1,565

  846

  4,262

  12,104

  8 December 1989

  Applications received

  1,399

  1,339

  1,999

  4,118

  2,622

  1,426

  6,631

  19,534

  Directions given

  862

  853

  1,340

  2,745

  1,661

  898

  4,522

  12,881

  5 January 1990

  Applications received

  1,493

  1,411

  2,122

  4,359

  2,772

  1,519

  6,946

  20,622

  Directions given

  922

  895

  1,419

  2,903

  1,750

  960

  4,742

  13,591

  9 February 1990

  Applications received

  1,726

  1,616

  2,435

  5,000

  3,091

  1,746

  7,808

  23,422

  Directions given

  1,064

  1,037

  1,615

  3,346

  1,945

  1,116

  5,389

  15,512

  Notes:

  1. Based on 100 per cent. count of applications received.

  2. Information relates to the number of applications received rather than to the number of individual young people involved. Some individuals may have received more than one direction.

  Table B

  16 and 17 year olds awarded income support

  Regions

  London North

  London South

  Midlands

  North East

  North West

  Wales and South West

  Scotland

  Great Britain

  Month ending 31 October 1989

  Eligible at any time

  39

  43

  77

  88

  79

  72

  45

  433

  Eligible during CHB extension period

  35

  15

  50

  51

  38

  32

  64

  285

  Eligible outside CHB extension period

  11

  8

  30

  38

  30

  41

  24

  182

  Month ending 30 November 1989

  Eligible at any time

  31

  36

  63

  61

  53

  69

  37

  350

  Eligible during CHB extension period

  22

  18

  43

  38

  30

  38

  41

  230

  Eligible outside CHB extension period

  1

  13

  33

  39

  22

  34

  31

  173

  Month ending 31 December 1989

  Eligible at any time

  13

  23

  51

  58

  39

  45

  20

  249

  Eligible during CHB extension period

  12

  6

  37

  31

  32

  23

  43

  184

  Eligible outside CHB extension period

  3

  2

  29

  31

  20

  25

  23

  133

  Month ending 31 January 1990

  Eligible at any time

  33

  99

  72

  85

  48

  68

  45

  450

  Eligible during CHB extension period

  26

  31

  34

  27

  37

  15

  59

  229

  Eligible outside CHB extension period

  8

  9

  30

  38

  38

  45

  21

  1,898

  Community Care Grants
  Mrs. Wise
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security in how many social security offices community care grants for shoes are deemed to be of low priority in cases which in other respects meet the criterion for community care grant of having a particular disability which causes excessive wear and tear.

  Mr. Scott
  I regret that the information requested is not collected.

  Public Relations
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff,
  70
  Table B shows the number of awards, by category, for each of the months ended 31 October 1989, 30 November 1989, 31 December 1989 and 31 January 1990.

  including vacant posts in the press and public relations office of his Department; and what is the proposed complement for 1990–91.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Functions which are currentily associated with press and public relations are carried out by the Department's information division.

  The latest information is that 79 staff are in post. In addition, there are seven vacancies. Of the total 19 are information officer grades. Discussions on the proposed staffing for 1990–91 are not yet complete.

  The staffing figures for the current period are not comparable with previous years. Following reorganisation within the Department, information division acquired management responsibility for staff previously located in other divisions.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the total expenditure by his Department
  71
  on press and public relations in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his latest estimate for the current year and budget for 1990–91.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Functions commonly associated with press and public relations are carried out by the Department's information division.

  Information is not available in the form requested for the years 1979–80 and the following years to 1988–89.

  Expenditure for the DSS information division following separation from the Department of Health for 1989–90 is as follows:

  £ million

  Manpower

  1·157

  Running costs

  0·07

  Discussions on the proposed 1990–91 budgets for manpower and running costs for the information division are not complete.

  Staff in post

  Vacancies

  Grade

  Administrative

  Statistical

  Administrative

  Statistical

  3

  0·00

  0·33

  0·0

  0

  5

  0·00

  2·00

  0·0

  0

  6

  0·00

  0·00

  0·0

  0

  7

  0·00

  0·00

  0·0

  0

  Senior Assistant Statistician

  0·00

  2·00

  0·0

  0

  Assistant Statistician

  0·00

  4·00

  0·0

  0

  Senior Executive Officer

  0·00

  0·00

  0·0

  0

  Higher Executive Officer

  9·00

  0·00

  0·0

  0

  Executive Officer

  12·50

  0·00

  0·0

  0

  Administrative Officer

  34·50

  0·00

  2·5

  0

  Aministrative Assistant

  6·00

  0·00

  0·0

  0

  Senior Personal Secretary

  0·00

  0·00

  0·0

  0

  Personal Secretary

  2·33

  0·00

  0·0

  0

  Total

  64·33

  16·33

  2·5

  0

  Privatisation
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the total sum paid out in fees to outside organisations in the furtherance of privatisation by his Department in 1979–80 and in each subsequent year; and what is his estimate for 1990–91.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  No such fees have been identified and no such expenditure is planned for 1990–91.

  Advertising Expenditure
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what were the figures for the spending by his Department on(a) television advertising, (b) radio advertising, (c) newspaper advertising and (d) other promotional material in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his latest estimate for the current year and budget for 1990–91.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  For information from 1979–80 to 1988–89, I refer the hon. Member to replies given to him on 19 December 1986 at columns 793–94, on 14 January 1988 at column 402 and on 13 March 1989 at column 30.

  The total estimated outturn for publicity in 1989–90 is £16·3 million. Of this, £6·661 million has been committed for the purpose of advertising.

  Statistical Divisions
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff, including vacant posts, by grade, in the statistical divisions in his Department; if he will differentiate between staff in statistical posts and staff in administrative posts; and if he will give the staffing complements by grade, and differentiated between statistical and administrative posts, proposed for 1990–91.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Staff in post and vancacies in the Department's statistical branches at 1 March 1990 are shown in the table. These figures are not strictly comparable with those for previous years because of reorganisation of the Department's analytical services. Final decisions on budgets for 1990–91 have not yet been made.

  £ million

  Television

  3·974

  Press

  1·567

  Posters

  1·120

  Other material (promotion/information)

  9·639

  The estimate for the 1990–91 publicity budget is £14·89 million. Detailed decisions on media have not yet been made.

  Management Consultants
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what were the total fees paid out by his Department to management consultants in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his latest estimate for the current year and budget for 1990–91.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The estimated expenditure from 1984–85 onwards on fees and expenses for management consultants on social security matters is as follows:

  Year

  £ million

  1984–85

  0·959

  1985–86

  1·722

  1986–87

  0·976

  1987–88

  1·082

  1988–89

  1·203

  1989–90

  2·942

  1990–91

  2·854

  73
  The figures are approximate since expenditure up to and including the 1988–89 financial year is from a joint health and social security budget. In some cases expenditure has been apportioned where consultants have been engaged on both health and social security matters. The figures include some computer consultancy where this cannot be separately identified. The information for years prior to 1984–85 could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Fuel Payments
  Mr. O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on his policy on the treatment of cash in lieu of fuel payments as income in respect of housing benefits, following the recent tribunal decision in respect of an applicant in Bridgend.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  In the income-related benefits, the normal rule is for all forms of income to be taken into account. Regulations provide for certain types of income to be disregarded, in part or in full. Cash in lieu of concessionary fuel is not specified as disregardable income, and therefore is taken fully into account in the calculation of housing benefit and the other income-related benefits. Local authorities have no discretion in this matter. The decision made by a social security appeal tribunal in the Bridgend case is not binding on any other case, nor on the housing benefit scheme, since tribunals have no power to review local authorities' decisions.

  Arthur Andersen (Party)
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will give the number of his Department's staff invited to the Arthur Andersen Consulting roll-out party on 8 February 1990, their departments and grades; and how much of the cost will be met by his Department.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Andersen Consulting decided to hold this party in recognition of the successful achievements during the past seven years in developing, with the Department of Social Security (DSS), the operational strategy computer systems. It wanted to mark these achievements with a joint disco party for its staff and those DSS staff, especially those in middle and junior grades, who had for several years been working long hours and under great pressure in developing the systems. There was no cost to DSS.

  Social Fund
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 1 March,Official Report, column 319 regarding advice to social fund officers on reviews of claims following the High Court judgment, what is the necessary advice on the question of reviews to which he referred.

  Mr. Scott
  We will shortly be issuing advice to social fund officers on their responsibilities for reviewing applications in accordance with the legislation and the directions. I shall send the hon. Member a copy.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 6 March,Official Report, column 584, if he will inform the hon. Member for Oldham, West when he makes the information available in machine-readable form to the Library.
  74
  Mr. Scott
  Yes.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will indicate, out of total loan payments made available under the social fund, the sum written off as irrecoverable or for any other reason, in 1988–89, and hence the extra outlay provided at the start of the 1989–90 financial year in order to maintain loan payments at the previous level; and if he will give his estimate for the same purpose in the current financial year.

  Mr. Scott
  [holding answer 26 February 1990]: During 1988–89 loan repayments to the value of £53,000 were treated as impracticable to pursue. This did not affect the amount available for loans in 1989–90. The corresponding amount in 1989–90 for the period to the end of January 1990 was £735,000; this sum includes loans made in 1988–89.

  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what monetary amount has been deducted up to the end of January 1990 from income support in order to repay social fund loans(a) nationally, (b) regionally and (c) in each local Department of Social Security area.

  Mr. Scott
  [holding answer 7 March 1990]: Provisional information in relation to national and regional data in the period April 1989 to January 1990 is given in the table. The other information requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Table:

  Regions

  £ million

  North East

  15·10

  North West

  13·87

  Midlands

  12·59

  London North

  9·11

  London South

  8·03

  Wales and South West

  8·41

  Scotland

  16·10

  National

  183·22

  1 Figures do not sum due to rounding.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Pesticides
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will discuss with the farming and agrochemical industries measures to reduce the use of pesticides in agricultural production and storage.

  Mr. Maclean
  The Government's policy is that the use of pesticides should be the minimum compatible with efficient food production. Government funding of related research and development amounts to some £18 million per annum and the results are published. A proposed code of practice containing advice on the safe use of pesticides on farms and holdings has been laid before Parliament.

  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what measures he is taking to ensure that food consumers are safe from exposure to pesticides used in food production and storage.

  Mr. Maclean
  No pesticide may be used in this country until it has been approved by Ministers in six Government Departments including my Department and the Department of Health. No pesticide is approved for use unless Ministers are satisfied that it presents no risk to
  75
  consumers. The approvals process is backed up by statutory residue levels, which apply to both imported and home-grown produce, and by monitoring carried out by the working party on pesticide residues. The results of monitoring are published.

  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what representations he has made to the EC on the off-label clearance scheme;

  (2) what representations he has received about the outlawing of the off-label clearance scheme; and what effect this will have on small horticulture units in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Maclean
  Talks on EC proposals for pesticide approvals are continuing in the Council working group. The United Kingdom Government are very aware of the need to protect off-label approvals and are pressing for acceptable wording. The National Farmers Union is being kept informed.

  All submissions to Veterinary Investigation Centres in England and Wales 1985–89 (provisional)

  Veterinary investigation centre

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  11989

  Aberystwyth

  4,925

  3,308

  3,586

  4,041

  3,868

  Bangor

  4,287

  4,024

  4,472

  4,975

  5,515

  Bristol

  14,293

  15,741

  15,770

  17,324

  17,863

  Cambridge

  7,450

  7,693

  8,258

  8,637

  9,740

  Cardiff

  1,598

  339

  —

  —

  —

  Carmarthen

  7,296

  7,828

  7,886

  7,488

  9,181

  Chester

  3,714

  818

  —

  —

  —

  Gloucester

  7,738

  3,599

  —

  —

  —

  Leeds

  7,020

  2,625

  —

  —

  —

  Lincoln

  4,283

  6,182

  8,239

  7,559

  8,232

  Newcastle

  7,070

  7,349

  9,002

  8,000

  13,966

  Northampton

  3,194

  1,266

  —

  —

  —

  Norwich

  6,668

  5,935

  5,265

  6,366

  6,918

  Penrith

  9,148

  9,407

  9,234

  11,165

  10,535

  Preston

  4,320

  8,562

  10,048

  11,166

  10,172

  Reading

  5,732

  5,868

  5,847

  5,774

  7,624

  Shrewsbury

  8,244

  9,380

  9,663

  7,520

  11,207

  Starcross

  9,678

  8,889

  9,051

  10,418

  12,862

  Sutton Bonington

  7,018

  7,143

  7,641

  8,667

  10,381

  Thirsk

  6,620

  6,583

  6,427

  9,576

  10,173

  Truro

  4,267

  4,203

  5,032

  6,421

  7,615

  Winchester

  6,240

  6,598

  6,334

  7,225

  7,297

  Worcester

  7,761

  8,282

  8,944

  7,607

  7,681

  Wye

  4,128

  3,652

  3,208

  3,739

  4,368

  1 Figures for 1989 are provisional.

  North Sea Dumping
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the companies to which his Department has granted permits to dump industrial liquid and flyash waste in the North sea.

  Mr. Curry
  The companies that currently hold licences under the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985 to dump liquid industrial waste and flyash in the North sea are as follows:

  National Power

  ICI Chemicals and Polymers Ltd.

  Cleanaway Ltd. (licence to dispose of waste from Tate and Lyle Sugars)

  Sterling Organics Ltd.

  Allied Colloids Ltd.

  Effluent Services Ltd. (three licences to dispose of waste from Orsynetics, Woolcombers Ltd. and Fine Organics Ltd.) Chlor Chem Ltd.

  Veterinary Investigation Service
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proportion of the work of the veterinary investigation service is undertaken for agricultural producers on a fee-paying basis; and what proportion fulfils public health functions.

  Mr. Curry
  The proportion of the work of the veterinary investigation service undertaken for agricultural producers on a fee-paying basis is 36·4 per cent.; that undertaken for public health functions is 25·2 per cent. and the remainder, 38·6 per cent. relates to statutory animal health programmes.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the annual cost of the veterinary investigation service; and what was the number of cases referred to each centre since 1985.

  Mr. Curry
  The running cost of the veterinary investigation service in the financial year 1988–89 was £5,256,226. The number of submissions to each veterinary investigation centre since 1985 is given in the table:

  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, further to his answer to the hon. Member for Wyre (Mr. Mans) of 22 February,Official Report, columns 898–99, if he will specify the two wastes for which North sea dumping licences may have to be extended beyond the 1992 deadline for reasons of technical feasibility and the amounts involved.

  Mr. Curry
  We have announced that it is our intention that no liquid industrial wastes or flyash will be dumped at sea after the end of 1992. In two cases however it might not be technically feasible to meet this deadline. We will extend the licences for those last two wastes into 1993 only if absolutely necessary on technical grounds and for the shortest possible part of that year.

  The wastes concerned are:

  Sterling Organics—Aqueous residue from preparation of paracetamol; 42,000 tonnes per year.

  ICI—Acid ammonium sulphate residue effluent from acrylics production; 165,000 tonnes per year.

  77
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, further to his answer to the hon. Member for Wyre (Mr. Mans) of 22 February,Official Report, columns 898–99, if he will list the nine wastes covered by the 1987 North sea declaration that are still dumped; the quantities involved of each waste and, in each case, when it is anticipated that these disposals at sea will end.

  Mr. Curry
  All licences for the industrial wastes covered by the 1987 North sea declaration will be withdrawn as soon as alternative methods of disposal are available. The anticipated timetable for termination of sea disposal is as follows. Quantities of waste are expressed as an annual licensed tonnage. Where a licence is withdrawn within a year a correspondingly lower tonnage will be involved.

  Tonnage

  To be terminated by summer 1990:

  Orsynetics

  Salt solution manufacture of O tolyl biguanide exported for use in paint and soap manufacture

  3,000

  To be terminated within a year:

  Chlor Chem

  Acidic effluent from production of water treatment chemicals

  1,000

  Fine Organics

  Effluent from pharmaceutical production

  8,000

  Tate and Lyle Sugars

  Filtration sludge from sugar refining

  33,000

  Woolcombers

  Waste from washing wool

  900

  Allied Colloids

  Acid ammonium sulphate effluent from acrylics production

  15,000

  To be terminated by 1992:

  National Power

  Pulverised fuel ash

  550,000

  Sterling Organics

  Effluent from pharmaceutical manufacture

  33,000

  ICI Chemicals and Polymers Ltd.

  Acid ammonium sulphate effluent from acrylics production

  165,000

  For the last two wastes licences will be extended into 1993 only if absolutely necessary on technical grounds and for the shortest possible part of that year.

  Liquid Egg
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research his Department has commissioned into whether grade A hens' eggs derived from laying flocks naturally infected with salmonella enteritidis PT4, when broken out under hygienic conditions within 24 hours of being laid and frozen down immediately after being broken out, may cause the product so derived to be so heavily contaminated as to cause a liquid egg pasteurisation process to fail.

  Mr. Maclean
  It is very unusual for hens' eggs to be processed within 24 hours of being laid as most egg-processing plants take their raw materials from a wide 78
  area. The time taken to deliver eggs to a processing plant would enable any salmonella present to multiply and as I explained to my hon. Friend on 5 February only a moderate heat treatment can be applied to liquid egg during the pasteurisation process otherwise its functional properties are destroyed. For this reason, processing plants cannot accept raw product which is likely to be heavily contaminated with salmonella enteritidis PT4 and no specific research has therefore been commissioned in this area.

  Mayonnaise
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research his Department has commissioned into whether, in the course of preparation of home-made mayonnaise in a commercial kitchen, where other foods contaminated by salmonella enteritidis PT4 are present, it is possible to contaminate the mayonnaise during preparation or storage either directly or indirectly from those foods.

  Mr. Curry
  The contamination of one food by another is always a risk in any food preparation area, including a commercial kitchen. Appropriate safeguards should always be taken to prevent the entry of any contaminated foods into these areas particularly if cooked foods or foods which receive no cooking, such as mayonnaise, are being prepared.

  Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the experimental farms involved in his Department's research into bovine spongiform encephalopathy; what control methods for the cattle will be imposed; and if he will make a statement as to how the research will be carried out.

  Mr. Curry
  The following experimental husbandry farms are involved collaboratively with the central veterinary laboratory in research into BSE:

  1. Studies of maternal transmission and its incidence

  Boxworth

  Gleadthorpe

  Drayton

  2. Studies to determine whether embryos derived from BSE-infected cows are infective for recipient dams and the progeny

  High Mowthorpe

  Redesdale

  The animals used in both experiments, as well as those on all Ministry farms, will be subject to the same strict procedures that apply throughout Great Britain where BSE occurs or is suspected. In addition, the brains of all experimental animals that die or are culled at the end of these experiments will be examined histologically for evidence of lesions of BSE. The research is being carried out in accordance with recognised scientific procedures using the best scientific expertise available.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list by month for the last four years to date and by county, the number of cases of bovine spongiform encephalopathy that have been reported in the counties of Yorkshire and Humberside.

  Mr. Maclean
  BSE was made notifiable on 21 June 1988. Cases recorded before then are not therefore allocated by date of report but by other criteria, such as date of onset of clinical symptoms.
  79

  Date

  North Yorkshire

  South Yorkshire

  West Yorkshire

  Humberside

  Total

  March 1986

  1

  1

  0

  0

  2

  June 1987

  1

  0

  0

  0

  1

  July 1987

  3

  0

  0

  0

  3

  August 1987

  1

  0

  0

  0

  1

  September 1987

  2

  0

  0

  0

  2

  October 1987

  2

  0

  0

  0

  2

  November 1987

  2

  0

  0

  0

  2

  December 1987

  2

  0

  0

  0

  2

  January 1988

  2

  0

  0

  0

  2

  February 1988

  2

  0

  1

  0

  3

  March 1988

  3

  0

  0

  0

  3

  April 1988

  3

  0

  0

  0

  3

  June 1988

  1

  0

  0

  1

  2

  July 1988

  10

  1

  1

  0

  12

  August 1988

  12

  1

  0

  2

  15

  September 1988

  15

  1

  4

  2

  22

  October 1988

  12

  2

  4

  2

  20

  November 1988

  16

  0

  1

  0

  17

  December 1988

  11

  1

  1

  3

  16

  January 1989

  14

  0

  0

  3

  17

  February 1989

  21

  1

  3

  2

  27

  March 1989

  21

  0

  0

  4

  25

  April 1989

  20

  0

  2

  0

  22

  May 1989

  15

  1

  4

  7

  27

  June 1989

  23

  3

  1

  3

  30

  July 1989

  24

  0

  1

  2

  27

  August 1989

  26

  1

  3

  3

  33

  September 1989

  30

  0

  3

  1

  34

  October 1989

  28

  3

  0

  3

  34

  November 1989

  26

  2

  4

  3

  35

  December 1989

  32

  3

  2

  3

  40

  January 1990

  35

  5

  8

  6

  54

  February 1990

  57

  3

  8

  9

  77

  March 1990

  7

  0

  1

  6

  14

  Total

  480

  29

  52

  65

  626

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list, by location and date, the number of cases of bovine spongiform encephalopathy diagnosed at slaughterhouses by his Department's health inspectors.

  Mr. Maclean
  Suspect cases of BSE occurring at slaughterhouses have, from 1989 onwards, been recorded on a quarterly basis for each region. Information for 1988 is available as a total for each region from 21 June, when BSE became notifiable, to the end of the year. It has been the Ministry's long-established practice not to disclose South East details of premises from which notifiable diseases have been reported.

  1988

  Region

  Number reported

  Number confirmed

  Eastern

  8

  8

  Midlands and Western

  7

  6

  Northern

  2

  1

  South East

  3

  3

  South West

  10

  7

  Wales

  3

  2

  North Scotland

  0

  0

  South Scotland

  0

  0

  1989

  Region

  Quarter

  Number reported

  Number confirmed

  Eastern

  1

  18

  12

  2

  14

  11

  3

  5

  5

  4

  14

  13

  Midlands and Western

  1

  1

  0

  80

  Region

  Quarter

  Number reported

  Number confirmed

  2

  0

  0

  3

  3

  2

  4

  0

  0

  Northern

  1

  2

  0

  2

  3

  2

  3

  2

  2

  4

  2

  2

  South East

  1

  0

  0

  2

  0

  0

  3

  0

  0

  4

  0

  0

  South West

  1

  4

  3

  2

  8

  5

  3

  9

  6

  4

  6

  6

  Wales

  1

  1

  1

  2

  0

  0

  3

  1

  1

  4

  0

  0

  North Scotland

  1

  0

  0

  2

  0

  0

  3

  0

  0

  4

  0

  0

  South Scotland

  1

  0

  0

  2

  1

  1

  3

  1

  1

  4

  0

  0

  Food Prices
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) pursuant to the answer of 26 February to the hon. Member for Southend, East (Mr. Taylor),Official Report, column 69, if he will express the figure of 1 to 1·5 per cent. on food prices as an average amount in pounds added to each family's food bill;

  (2) pursuant to the reply given to the hon. Member for Southend, East, Official Report, 26 February, column 69, if he will estimate what the additional cost would be in weekly cash terms for the average family's food bill if the present monetary gap associated with the green pound were eliminated.

  Mr. Curry
  The average effect is estimated to be about 60p per week per household.

  Slaughtering (Infected Premises)
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will commission research to determine why premises on which birds have been compulsorily slaughtered have subsequently become reinfected; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  To date there have been very few reports of reinfection on premises where birds have been compulsorily slaughtered and my Department does not plan at present to carry out the kind of research suggested. The assistance of my Department's veterinary investigation centres is available to veterinary practitioners should they wish to advise their clients on salmonella control in poultry or investigate possible causes of reinfection.

  Spent Hens
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what current compensation is paid to an egg producer by his Ministry for a spent hen over 72 weeks of age; and what level of compensation was payable at the inception of the Zoonoses Order 1989.

  Mr. Maclean
  The present rate of compensation paid for a laying bird over 72 weeks of age is 34p. The rate at 1 March 1989, when the Zoonoses Order 1989 came into force, was 18p per bird.

  Hens (Slaughter)
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many hens of all descriptions have been compulsorily slaughtered under the provisions of the Zoonoses Order 1989 and the Animal Health Act 1981.

  Mr. Maclean
  Up to 2 March 1990, a total of 1,126,547 birds have been compulsorily slaughtered under the Animal Health Act 1981 as applied by the Zoonoses Order 1989.

  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the total value of payments to all contractors used to assist his Ministry in compulsorily slaughtering hens of all descriptions under the provisions of(a) the Zoonoses Order 1989 and (b) the Animal Health Act 1981.

  Mr. Maclean
  Up to 2 March 1990, £42,300 has been paid to contractors assisting in the compulsory slaughter of salmonella-infected flocks.
  82
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will reconsider the policy of compulsory slaughter of chickens in the light of levels of employment in meat processing plants.

  Mr. Maclean
  The Government's measures to tackle salmonella are being kept under review.

  Salmonella
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if any of the broiler flocks identified by his Department in the joint public health laboratory service/SVS salmonella update for January as being infected with salmonella have been compulsorily slaughtered.

  Mr. Maclean
  No broiler flocks have been compulsorily slaughtered.

  Eggs
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture. Fisheries and Food on what grounds he refuses to issue licences to farms which are subject to infected place notices under the Zoonoses Order 1989, to allow the sale of fresh. intact or frozen eggs to processors for pasteurisation.

  Mr. Maclean
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on 5 February,Official Report, column 499.

  Public Relations
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the total expenditure by his Department on press and public relations in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his latest estimate for the current year and budget for 1990–91.

  Mr. Curry
  The information required for the financial years 1979–80 to 1983–84 could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  The figures for subsequent years are as follows:

  £ million

  1984–85

  3·2

  1985–86

  3·5

  1986–87

  3·1

  1987–88

  0·6

  1988–89

  0·8

  1989–90

  1·1

  Figures for the years 1984–85 to 1986–87 refer to the total cost of press, public relations and paid publicity which could be separated to show expenditure on press and public relations only at disproportionate cost. Figures for 1987–88 to 1989–90 relate to press and public relations alone. The estimated budget for press and public relations for 1990–91 is £1·2 million.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed and the full complement of staff, including vacant posts, in the press and public relations office of his Department; and what is the proposed complement for 1990–91.

  Mr. Curry
  The number of staff and complement in the press branch of the information division and related posts in the region is 26 and 29. The complement of staff is expected to be the same in 1990–91.

  Statistical Divisions
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff, including vacant posts, by grade, in the statistical divisions in his Department; if he will differentiate between staff in statistical posts and staff in administration posts; and if he will give the staffing complements by grade, and differentiated between statistical and administrative posts, proposed for 1990–91.

  Mr. Curry
  The information requested is as follows:

  Staff in post 1 March 1990

  Complement 1 March 1990

  Grade 5

  2·0

  2·0

  Grade 7

  11·0

  11·0

  Senior Assistant Statistician /Assistant Statistician

  9·0

  10·0

  Administrative support staff

  130·5

  134·5

  It is expected that the staffing complements for 1990–91 will be a few posts higher than at present.

  Privatisation
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the total sum paid out in fees to outside organisations in the furtherance of privatisation by his Department in 1979–80 and in each subsequent year; and what is his estimate for 1990–91.

  Mr. Curry
  The Department has not paid any sums to outside organisations for this purpose in the period 1979–80 to date. We keep continually under review the contribution that the Department might make to the Government privatisation policy.

  Advertising Expenditure
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what were the figures for the spending by his Department on(a) television advertising, (b) radio advertising, (c) newspaper advertising and (d) other promotional material in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his latest estimate for the current year and budget for 1990–91.

  Mr. Curry
  Expenditure by my Department in the financial year 1982–83 and each subsequent year is as follows:

  TV

  Radio

  Press advertising

  Other promotional

  (a)

  (b)

  (c)

  (d)

  1982–83

  Nil

  Nil

  3,000

  n/a

  1983–84

  Nil

  Nil

  27,000

  n/a

  1984–85

  Nil

  Nil

  26,000

  575,000

  1985–86

  Nil

  Nil

  29,000

  656,000

  1986–87

  Nil

  Nil

  54,000

  825,000

  1987–88

  Nil

  Nil

  12,000

  693,000

  1988–89

  Nil

  Nil

  380,000

  1,004,000

  1989–90

  Nil

  Nil

  116,000

  2,372,000

  n/a—Not available.

  Figures for promotional advertising prior to 1982–83 are not available as the information for those years includes recruitment and other types of advertising.
  84
  Information is not readily available to distinguish between expenditure on advertising in newspapers and that in the press generally. Separate figures for expenditure on other promotional material prior to 1984–85 are available only at disproportionate costs. The overall publicity budget for 1990–91 is estimated to be £2·4 million.

  Irish Sea
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the amount of heavy metal contamination of fish in the Irish sea; and what assessment he has made of its ecological and direct health dangers.

  Mr. Curry
  Data on the heavy metal content of fish in the Irish sea collected by my Department's scientists as part of their regular monitoring of coastal waters are contained in "Aquatic Environment Monitoring Report" Nos. 16 and 17 which are available in the Library of the House. The conclusions in this report indicate that heavy metal contamination of fish in the Irish sea poses no ecological dangers.

  The steering group on food surveillance produces regular reports on levels of contaminants in food, including fish, which are considered by the Department of Health's committee on toxicity of chemicals in food, consumer products and the environment. The results of these reports do not indicate that there is any risk to consumers as a result of eating fish.

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the effect of sewage and industrial dumping on the level of phytoplankton, and implications for the ecosystem in the Irish sea.

  Mr. Curry
  There is no industrial waste dumping in the Irish sea. The Department's assessment is that disposals of sewage sludge in Liverpool bay do not affect levels of phytoplankton and in turn therefore there are no implications for the ecosystem of the Irish sea.

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on his assessment of the effect of industrial radioactive and chemical pollution and waste disposal on the quantity and safety of fish caught in the Irish sea.

  Mr. Curry
  Data on radioactive discharges to the Irish sea and in seafood from the Irish sea which are collected and analysed by my Department's scientists are published on an annual basis in the "Aquatic Environment Monitoring Report" series, copies of which are available in the Library of the House.

  In addition, the concentrations of a range of non-radioactive contaminants in fish caught around our shores including the Irish sea, are routinely monitored by my Department's scientists. The results of this monitoring are assessed by the interdepartmental steering group on food surveillance.

  The data and assessments indicate that the levels of contamination monitored do not give any cause for concern from a human consumption standpoint and do not represent a significant risk to either marine life or its habitat.

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the amount per year of radioactive waste placed on the Irish sea basin.
  85
  Mr. Curry
  Radioactive waste is not disposed of by placing it on the Irish sea basin. Details of the radioactivity contained in low-level liquid radioactive waste discharged under authorisation from nuclear facilities bordering the Irish sea are published annually in the Ministry's "Aquatic Environment Monitoring Report" series, copies of which are available in the Library of the House.

  During 1988 the amount of radioactivity contained in discharges to the Irish sea was:

  TBq

  Tritium

  1,843

  Other beta activity

  192

  Alpha

  2·5

  Imported Mineral Waters
  Mr. Kirkhope
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish the nitrate and sodium levels of imported mineral waters; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  The Ministry does not keep records of the composition of individual brands of imported natural mineral waters.

  However I have recently written to the Commission urging that in the interests of consumer information the chemical analysis of mineral water should be displayed on the bottle.

  Poultry
  Mr. Roy Hughes
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why the registration fee levied on all poultry laying flock keepers who are required to register has not yet been determined.

  Mr. Maclean
  The Poultry Flocks, Hatcheries and Processed Animal Protein (Fees) Order 1990 was laid before the House on 9 March.

  Mr. Roy Hughes
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why the registration fee levied on all poultry flock keepers who are required to register will accrue to his Ministry.

  Mr. Maclean
  The registration of poultry laying flocks is being carried out by Agriculture Departments and so they will recover the associated costs.

  Mr. Roy Hughes
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why only larger flocks of poultry laying hens have to be registered.

  Mr. Maclean
  The resources for enforcing the salmonella legislation need to be concentrated particularly on flocks of 100 birds or more, which together supply over 98 per cent. of the eggs produced in this country. Flocks under this size are not required to be registered but the owners are subject to checks to ensure that they are meeting the salmonella testing requirements, which apply to all flocks from which eggs are sold for human consumption.

  Mr. Roy Hughes
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether the Government will allocate any additional resources to enable local authorities to enforce the Poultry Laying Flocks (Testing and Registration Etc.) Order 1989.
  86
  Mr. Maclean
  The resources needed for this work will be taken into account in future decisions on local authority funding.

  Mr. Roy Hughes
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how successful the Poultry Laying Flocks (Testing and Registration Etc.) Order 1989 has been in providing a system of maintaining hens producing eggs for human consumption and in setting hygienic standards for handling and storage of eggs on farms.

  Mr. Maclean
  It is too early to judge the success of these new controls some of which came into effect last October, while the remainder become effective from 2 April 1990.

  Mountain Spring Water (Cyprus)
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the type and extent of bacteria found in Cypriot mountain spring water.

  Mr. Maclean
  This information is not generally available. However, I understand that last year two brands of bottled water from Cyprus were removed from sale following action by port and environmental health officials on evidence of unsatisfactory microbiological purity.

  Benzene
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the validity of the statements by Mme Denise Pepin from the Institute of Hydrology in Clermont-Ferrand that benzene was only one group of trace elements filtered out from the mineral water and that of Dr. John Fawell, toxicologist at the water research centre in Buckinghamshire that it was not possible for the benzene to be naturally occurring; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  I assume the question refers to Perrier water. I have asked my officials to write to the EC Commission raising this and other questions concerned with its exploitation and labelling.

  Management Consultants
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what were the total fees paid out by his Department to management consultants in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his latest estimate for the current year and budget for 1990–91.

  Mr. Curry
  The total fees paid out by my Department to management consultants, excluding computer consultants, for 1984–85 to 1988–89, the estimated expenditure in 1989–90 and provision for 1990–91 are given in the table:

  £

  1984–85

  27,110

  1985–86

  174,724

  1986–87

  135,279

  1987–88

  44,015

  1988–89

  162,114

  11989–90

  143,175

  21990–91

  123,198

  1 Estimate.

  2 Provision.

  Information for earlier years is not available except at disproportionate cost.

  Lindane
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to the answer of 6 March,Official Report, columns 559–60, what levels of lindane have been detected; and what level is regarded as posing a threat to marine life.

  Mr. Curry
  Scientists from my Department conducted a survey of the concentrations of lindane in the waters of the English Channel in November last year. The concentrations of lindane found were 0·13 to 0·65 ng/l. This compares with 1 to 4 ng/l reported by scientists from the Federal Republic of Germany for the North sea in 1986, when the highest concentrations were found in the German Bight. The safe level for marine life set by United Kingdom authorities is 10 ng/l and that set by the European Community is 20 ng/l.

  Institute of Food Research
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many projects are presently being undertaken at the Bristol laboratory of the Institute of Food Research; how many are to be transferred to either Reading or Norwich; and how many of these are related to food safety.

  Mr. Maclean
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for South Shields (Dr. Clark) on 19 February 1990,Official Report, column 576.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the implications for food safety, in respect of microwaves, of the decision to close the Bristol laboratory of the Institute of Food Research.

  Mr. Maclean
  There are no implications for food safety, in respect of microwaves, of this closure, as there are facilities elsewhere with the capability to carry out research in this area. This will be evident from the answer which I gave on 13 December 1989,Official Report, column 694.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what facilities will exist, following the closure of the Bristol laboratory of the Institute of Food Research, capable of monitoring the safety of novel food processes on a scale appropriate to industrial conditions.

  Mr. Maclean
  It is for the industry to establish the safety of any novel food process. The research associations and institutes of higher education have appropriate facilities in addition to those of industry.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many representations he has received(a) in favour of and (b) against the projected closure of the Bristol laboratory of the Institute of Food Research; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  We have received many representations against the proposed closure of the Bristol laboratory. Most of them were essentially worried about the consequences for food safety R and D. I can assure the hon. Member that the closure will not affect the Government's continuing commitment to address and resolve food safety and hygiene issues of concern to taxpayers, consumers, producers and industry.
  88
  Indeed the Government are spending more money—£11·5 million in total—this year on R and D into food safety. Consolidation of the work of the Institute of Food Research at Norwich and Reading will allow greater emphasis to be placed on the basic and molecular sciences, especially in key areas such as food safety where major programmes will be further strengthened and expanded.

  Gold Sinny Wrasse
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research is currently being undertaken by his Department into the use of the gold sinny wrasse as a substitute for pesticide use in fish farming.

  Mr. Lang
  I have been asked to reply.

  Control of sea lice infestation is mainly a problem for marine salmon farms all but a few of which, in the United Kingdom, are located in Scotland.

  The possible use of gold sinny wrasse to control sea lice is being investigated in trials by the Institute of Fishery Technology Research in Norway and in Scotland by the Sea Fish Industry Authority's sea farming unit in conjunction with the salmon farming industry.

  A full evaluation of the Sea Fish Industry Authority's initial trials is not expected until the end of the year. Preliminary results including those from small-scale field trials with wrasse taken from the wild suggest that numbers of sea lice on farmed salmon are reduced in enclosures shared by wrasse. The viability of this method for large-scale and long-term control of sea lice is uncertain as yet and more work will be needed before commercial viability can be assessed.

  Although the work is not being undertaken directly at the hands of Fisheries Departments, the results will be of considerable interest in relation to the investigation of other possible alternative controls on sea lice. DAFS scientists are co-ordinating a large-scale project, part funded by the European Communities research programme into possible development of a vaccine treatment. Other work is being undertaken with industry support, for example, the institute of aquaculture, university of Stirling has been commissioned by the Scottish Salmon Growers' Association to investigate alternative treatment methods. It is not possible to say when positive results or practical methods of treatment might emerge from these investigations.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Director of Public Prosecutions
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will make a statement on the content of his most recent discussions with the Director of Public Prosecutions.

  The Attorney-General
  I frequently meet the Director of Public Prosecutions to discuss matters of departmental interest, but I do not publish the contents of our discussions.

  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Attorney-General when he last met the Director of Public Prosecutions; and what subjects were discussed.

  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Attorney-General when he last met the Director of Public Prosecutions; and what matters were discussed.
  89
  The Attorney-General
  I last met the Director of Public Prosecutions on Monday 26 February 1990 when we discussed matters of departmental interest.

  Crown Prosecution Service
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will make a further statement about the operation of the Crown prosecution service.

  The Attorney-General
  The Crown prosecution service continues vigorously to pursue the objectives detailed in the DPP's annual report to Parliament presented on 28 July 1989.

  House of Fraser
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Attorney-General what advice he has received from the serious fraud squad following its inquiries into the implications of the issues raised in the House of Fraser report; and if he will make a statement.

  The Attorney-General
  I refer to the written answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Nottingham, South (Mr. Brandon-Bravo) on 1 March.

  Statistical Divisions
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Attorney-General what are the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff, including vacant posts, by grade, in the statistical divisions in the Lord Chancellor's Department; if he will differentiate between staff in statistical posts and staff in administrative posts; and if he will give the staffing complements by grade, and differentiated between statistical and administrative posts, proposed for 1990–91.

  The Attorney-General
  The number of staff by grade presently employed in the statistics branch of the Lord Chancellor's Department, together with the full complement, are as follows. No changes in complement are proposed for 1990–91.

  Grade of staff

  In post March 1990

  Complement 1989–90

  Grade 7/Statistician

  1

  1

  Assistant/Senior Assistant Statistician

  1

  1

  Higher Executive Officer

  1

  1

  Executive Officer

  2

  2

  Administrative Officer

  4

  4

  Administrative Assistant

  3

  3

  Public Relations
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Attorney-General what are the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff, including vacant posts, in the press and public relations office of the Lord Chancellor's Department; and what is the proposed complement for 1990–91.

  The Attorney-General
  At present there are six permanent staff employed in the press office of the Lord Chancellor's Department and one on secondment for six months. There are no vacancies at present and no current plans to increase the complement.
  90
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Attorney-General what was the total expenditure by the Lord Chancellor's Department on press and public relations in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his latest estimate for the current year and budget for 1990–91.

  The Attorney-General
  The estimated 1989–90 expenditure by the Lord Chancellor's Department on press and public relations is £35,000 excluding staff costs. The budget for 1990–91 is £45,000.

  Total expenditure excluding staff costs is:

  £

  1984–85

  5,180

  1985–86

  13,253

  1986–87

  23,282

  1987–88

  34,500

  1988–89

  34,159

  The amounts spent for the previous years can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Advertising Expenditure
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Attorney-General what were the figures for the spending by the Lord Chancellor's Department on(a) television advertising, (b) radio advertising, (c) newspaper advertising and (d) other promotional material in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his latest estimate for the current year and budget for 1990–91.

  The Attorney-General
  The figures for the Lord Chancellor's Department, excluding staff costs, are as follows:

  1988–89 Actual

  1989–90 Forecast

  1990–91 Forecast

  £

  £

  £

  Television advertising

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Radio advertising

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Newspaper advertising

  15,000

  15,000

  16,000

  Other promotional material

  32,500

  35,000

  45,000

  The breakdown of the amounts spent on respective areas and the amounts spent for the previous years can be obtained only at disproportionate cost, but the total expenditure including staff costs was:

  £

  1984–85

  135,730

  1985–86

  176,613

  1986–87

  148,020

  1987–88

  137,001

  Management Consultants
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Attorney-General what were the total fees paid out by the Lord Chancellor's Department to management consultants in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his latest estimate for the current year and budget for 1990–91.

  The Attorney-General
  On the information available, the cost to the Lord Chancellor's Department of employing management consultants for each financial year from 1984–85 to date is as follows:
  91

  £

  1984–85

  Nil

  1985–86

  221,000

  1986–87

  473,837

  1987–88

  134,255

  1988–89

  205,882

  1989–90

  178,500

  1990–91

  1190,000

  1 forecast

  The figures exclude computer consultancy. Figures for 1979–80 to 1983–84 could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Crown Court, Barrow-in-Furness
  Mr. Franks
  To ask the Attorney-General what plans he has to improve facilities at the Crown court in Barrow-in-Furness.

  The Attorney-General
  The Crown court at Barrow-in-Furness sits only some 33 days per year and uses the magistrates court's premises. The magistrates court building is the responsibility of the magistrates courts committee and any improvement to the facilities is primarily a matter for it. There is a proposal to replace this building in the next few years, and therefore, there are no plans to make improvements to the facilities.

  Bailiffs
  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Attorney-General what information he has as to the number of firms in (i) England, (ii) each English region and (iii) each district council area of Wales of certificated bailiffs; and how many operatives they employ.

  The Attorney-General
  The Lord Chancellor's Department is not responsible for the employment of certificated bailiffs and the information sought is not kept. Each county court is, however, required to exhibit a list of bailiffs who have been granted a certificate to levy distress for rent by a judge of that court.

ENVIRONMENT

  Crown Suppliers
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what advice is made available by the TCS privatisation unit on compliance with European Economic Community directives on procurement.

  Mr. Chope
  Guidance on compliance with these directives is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer. The Crown Suppliers privatisation unit takes account of Treasury guidance when advising Departments about the implications of privatisation of the Crown Suppliers.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps have been taken to determine whether guarantees in relation to TCS work accord with EEC and GATT directives.

  Mr. Chope
  All Departments have been made aware by Her Majesty's Treasury of the requirements of the EC directives and GATT agreement on Government 92
  procurement. My Department will comply with those requirements in any agreement which it has or may enter into with the Crown Suppliers, involving undertakings about future business levels for a period.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the total value of contracts that the Crown Suppliers has won through tender competition for suppliers to the private sector.

  Mr. Chope
  Total sales by the Crown Suppliers to the private sector from April to December 1989 were to the value of £748,000, of which £118,000 was awarded through tenders.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he anticipates that the audit of the 1989 trading results of the Crown Suppliers will be complete; and who will undertake that audit.

  Mr. Chope
  The audit of the 1989 trading results of the Crown Suppliers will be undertaken by the National Audit Office. Completion of the audit is planned for May 1990.

  South Yorkshire Fire Authority
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he has had with the South Yorkshire fire and civil defence authority over its financial situation; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chope
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment carefully considered the representations made by the authority on his proposals for the 1990–91 local authority grant settlement before taking final decisions on the settlement. My right hon. and noble Friend the Minister of State, Home Office, subsequently met a delegation from the authority to discuss its financial situation.

  Housing (London)
  Miss Hoey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what was the number of housing association units for rent approved by the Housing Corporation within the London boroughs, under its block three (new) programme in each of the years 1985–86, 1987–88 and 1988–89, with figures to be apportioned between newly built and rehabilitated units and with hostel and shared housing bedspaces to be itemised separately;

  (2) what was the number of units for rent within the London boroughs completed by housing associations, where funding was through housing association grant dispensed by the Housing Corporation in each of the years 1985–86, 1986–87, 1987–88 and 1988–89, with figures to be apportioned between newly built and rehabilitated units and with hostel and shared housing bedspaces to be itemised separately.

  Mr. Chope
  This information is not held by the Department but by the Housing Corporation. I have therefore asked the Housing Corporation to respond to the hon. Member direct.

  Miss Hoey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what were the total numbers of housing association homes for rent completed by housing associations within the London boroughs, excluding units already owned by associations that received housing
  93
  association grant for major repairs, where the primary funding source was local authority housing association grant for each of the years 1985–86, 1986–87, 1987–88 and 1988–89, with figures to be apportioned between newly built and rehabilitated units and with hostel and shared housing bedspaces to be itemised separately;

  (2) what were the total numbers of housing association units for rent within the London boroughs that were approved by his Department for housing association grant, block three, where the funding authority was a local authority not the Housing Corporation, for each of the years 1985–86, 1986–87, 1987–88 and 1988–89, with figures to be apportioned between newly built and rehabilitated units with hostel and shared housing bedspaces to be itemised separately.

  Department of the Environment—Housing

  £ million, cash

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  outturn

  outturn

  outturn

  outturn

  outturn

  estimated outturn

  Gross capital expenditure

  Central Government

  Housing Corporation

  Support to private sector

  Provision for rent by Housing Associations

  516

  514

  567

  590

  673

  634

  Housing Association low cost home ownership

  181

  197

  148

  161

  118

  184

  Housing Association Grant via local authorities

  Support to private sector

  Provision for rent

  130

  108

  117

  106

  146

  143

  Home ownership

  5

  3

  3

  17

  23

  20

  Other central government

  Support to private sector

  Home ownership

  7

  4

  3

  3

  2

  2

  Local authorities

  Public sector provision

  Renovation

  1,280

  1,312

  1,512

  1,731

  1,901

  2,425

  Provision for rent

  792

  704

  612

  625

  675

  605

  Support to private sector

  Renovation and clearance

  891

  608

  543

  560

  528

  500

  Provision for rent by Housing Associations

  13

  9

  19

  29

  -35

  -2

  Home ownership (including local authority sponsored Housing Association low cost home ownership)

  78

  58

  78

  83

  94

  104

  Public corporations:

  New Towns

  Public sector provision

  Renovation

  23

  9

  8

  6

  7

  6

  Provision for rent

  18

  7

  8

  6

  1

  0

  Support to private sector

  Home ownership

  40

  39

  23

  39

  38

  32

  Total public sector provision

  2,113

  2,033

  2,140

  2,368

  2,584

  3,036

  Total support to private sector

  1,860

  1,540

  1,500

  1,588

  1,587

  1,618

  Total renovation

  2,194

  1,929

  2,063

  2,296

  2,436

  2,931

  Total provision for rent

  1,468

  1,342

  1,323

  1,356

  1,460

  1,380

  Total home ownership

  310

  301

  255

  303

  275

  343

  Total Housing Corporation

  697

  711

  715

  752

  791

  818

  Total HAG via local authorities

  134

  110

  120

  122

  169

  163

  Total other central government

  7

  4

  3

  3

  2

  2

  Total local authorities

  3,053

  2,691

  2,764

  3,028

  3,163

  3,632

  Total New Towns

  81

  56

  40

  50

  46

  38

  TOTAL GROSS CAPITAL EXPENDITURE

  3,973

  3,573

  3,641

  3,955

  4,171

  4,654

  Capital receipts:

  Housing Corporation

  -87

  -105

  -132

  -124

  -142

  -124

  Other central government

  -1

  -2

  -2

  -4

  -2

  -2

  Local authorities

  -1,628

  -1,617

  -1,899

  -2,248

  -3,219

  -3,300

  New Towns

  -88

  -64

  -98

  -143

  -226

  -216

  TOTAL CAPITAL RECEIPTS

  -1,804

  -1,787

  -2,131

  -2,519

  -3,589

  -3,642

  Net capital expenditure

  94
  Mr. Chope
  The detailed information requested is not available. Total numbers of housing association dwellings funded by English local authorities are published in table 2.26 of the quarterly HMSO publication "Housing and Construction Statistics Part 2", which is in the Library.

  Housing
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will provide in the Official Report figures consistent with tables 8.1 and 8.2 of Cm. 1008 for the years 1984–85 to 1989–90 but broken down on the same basis as table 9.1 of Cm. 609.

  Mr. Chope
  The figures are as follows:
  95

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  outturn

  outturn

  outturn

  outturn

  outturn

  estimated outturn

  Housing Corporation

  610

  606

  583

  628

  649

  694

  Housing Association Grant via local authorities

  134

  110

  120

  122

  169

  163

  Other central Government

  6

  3

  1

  -1

  1

  0

  Local authorities

  1,425

  1,074

  864

  780

  -56

  332

  New Towns

  -7

  -8

  -58

  -93

  -180

  -178

  TOTAL NET CAPITAL EXPENDITURE

  2,169

  1,786

  1,509

  1,436

  582

  1,012

  Current expenditure

  Central Government

  Subsidies to:

  Housing associations

  20

  25

  29

  36

  38

  55

  Local authorities

  342

  409

  534

  473

  472

  571

  Housing Corporation and central Government, current

  32

  35

  38

  44

  47

  53

  Local authorities

  Subsidies to revenue deficits on local authority housing for rent

  440

  451

  422

  477

  441

  468

  Other current

  144

  166

  187

  227

  192

  211

  Public corporations

  Subsidies to New Towns

  119

  90

  85

  83

  78

  71

  TOTAL CURRENT EXPENDITURE

  1,098

  1,176

  1,296

  1,340

  1,269

  1,429

  Housing Action Trusts—EFL

  TOTAL DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT—HOUSING

  3,267

  2,962

  2,806

  2,777

  1,852

  2,441

  The footnotes to table 9.1 of Cm 609 apply also to this table.

  Since the publication of Cm 1008 planned gross capital expenditure by the Housing Corporation in 1989–90 has been increased by £120 million. The effect is not shown in the tables.

  1990–91 Standard spending assessments

  £ million

  Education

  Personal Social services

  Highway maintenance

  All other services

  Capital financing

  Total

  Camden

  52·762

  33·809

  5·078

  47·006

  12·609

  151·265

  Greenwich

  82·257

  25·451

  7·356

  24·933

  13·023

  153·020

  Hackney

  91·828

  45·074

  5·287

  47·003

  16·297

  205·490

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  45·602

  32·215

  4·262

  37·717

  12·563

  132·360

  Islington

  64·211

  34·146

  4·222

  42·762

  12·831

  158·172

  Kensington and Chelsea

  29·783

  23·497

  4·112

  30·189

  11·000

  98·581

  Lambeth

  105·484

  57·262

  6·656

  53·122

  17·709

  240·232

  Lewisham

  86·010

  35·035

  6·662

  33·144

  13·434

  174·285

  Southwark

  85·168

  40·813

  6·653

  43·907

  16·653

  193·194

  Tower Hamlets

  91·292

  32·414

  4·612

  33·654

  17·613

  179·585

  Wandsworth

  84·149

  43·829

  6·714

  49·241

  18·782

  202·715

  Westminster

  44·456

  34·161

  8·241

  68·772

  16·578

  172·208

  Barking and Dagenham

  48·338

  14·943

  4·290

  15·574

  5·935

  89·080

  Barnet

  88·054

  23·237

  7·946

  28·904

  11·859

  160·000

  Bexley

  67·800

  13·412

  6·230

  16·860

  12·048

  116·350

  Brent

  108·138

  35·191

  7·149

  47·924

  16·380

  214·782

  Bromley

  79·378

  20·353

  9·558

  20·446

  11·879

  141·615

  Croydon

  102·781

  27·523

  10·111

  34·768

  14·957

  190·140

  Ealing

  100·586

  30·872

  8·367

  46·396

  16·323

  202·545

  Enfield

  88·524

  21·500

  7·407

  26·255

  15·982

  159·669

  Haringey

  79·308

  32·528

  4·957

  35·439

  14·640

  166·872

  Harrow

  65·387

  13·080

  5·612

  18·333

  13·338

  115·750

  Havering

  71·015

  13·710

  6·588

  14·861

  11·130

  117·305

  Hillingdon

  69·110

  16·047

  7·870

  17·600

  15·241

  125·868

  Hounslow

  68·774

  18·643

  5·571

  21·846

  10·112

  124·945

  Kingston-upon-Thames

  36·275

  10·989

  4·251

  12·707

  8·686

  72·908

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will tabulate the amounts of each of the components in the standard spending assessments of each London borough, together with the respective totals.

  Mr. Chope
  The amounts are listed in the table:
  97

  Education

  Personal Social services

  Highway maintenance

  All other services

  Capital financing

  Total

  Merton

  47·164

  15·345

  5·192

  17·366

  12·510

  97·577

  Newham

  98·510

  31·636

  6·008

  41·619

  17·571

  195·344

  Redbridge

  71·225

  17·082

  6·278

  23·379

  11·167

  129·131

  Richmond-upon-Thames

  35·997

  13·677

  4·724

  14·686

  6·956

  76·039

  Sutton

  47·633

  12·233

  5·525

  14·173

  8·681

  88·245

  Waltham Forest

  81·744

  27·274

  5·808

  30·898

  14·935

  160·660

  Mrs. Peacock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what provisions govern the eligibility of student nurses for community charge relief at the student rate; and what proportion of student nurses will pay at the student rate in 1990–91.

  Mr. Chope
  The eligibility criteria for the student relief are set out in the Personal Community Charge (Students) Regulations 1989 (S.I. 1989/443). They provide that students on undergraduate nursing courses and those undertaking Project 2000 training will be eligible for the student relief. No precise estimate can be made of the numbers involved. However I understand that, by 1 April 1990, Project 2000 schemes will be in operation at 13 of the 86 nursing schools in England. Over the next few years the scheme will be extended to cover all pre-registration nursing trainees receiving their training in schools of nursing.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, further to his written reply dated 14 February,Official Report, column 222, concerning the amount of poll tax payable in 1990–91 per adult for each region, and so on whether he will provide in each case an estimate of the number of adults, excluding ratepayers' spouses, who do not currently pay rates.

  Mr. Chope
  [holding answer 26 February 1990]: The available information is shown in the table. This is based on data taken from the family expenditure survey and shows the estimated number of adults in each region who are not the head of household or their spouse.

  Thousands

  Northern

  380

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  510

  North West

  760

  East Midlands

  430

  West Midlands

  630

  East Anglia

  230

  Greater London

  800

  Remainder of South East

  1,100

  South West

  530

  Total England

  5,400

  Numbers may not add due to rounding.

  Coucil Houses
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Enviornment how much local authorities spend on former council houses they no longer own; and when he anticipats local authorities being free of debt on these former assets.

  Mr. Chope
  Local authorities in England spent £110 million up to 31 March 1989 on reinstatement grants under part XVI of the Housing Act 1985. Information is 98
  not available on how much authorities pay in home improvement grants on former council houses. Authorities generally manage their debt on a collective basis and it is, therefore, impossible to attribute a specific amount of outstanding debt to specific former assets. Outstanding debt in authorities' housing revenue accounts, however, is taken into account in the assessment of housing subsidy.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the average price of council houses sold during the period 1985 to the end of 1989.

  Mr. Chope
  The average discounted selling price for local authority and new town sales in England between January 1985 and December 1989 was £16,200.

  Housing Corporation
  Ms. Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the Housing Corporation has given the south-west housing associations permission to bring money forward from 1990–91 into the current financial year to pay urgent bills.

  Mr. Chope
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced on 30 January 1990,Official Report, column 175, that the capital resources available to the Housing Corporation in 1989–90 would be increased by £120 million, with a corresponding reduction in 1990–91, to reflect a greater speeding up of housing schemes by housing associations than had been forecast. This will enable the Housing Corporation to meet equitably the inescapable commitments of housing associations across all regions for the rest of the financial year.

  Residential Property (Greater London)
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has made of the percentage change in the price of residential properties in Greater London following the limiting of Miras to one per dwelling.

  Mr. Chope
  The rules giving mortgage interest tax relief were changed from 1 August 1988; changes in mix-adjusted house prices in Greater London from the third quarter of 1988 are as follows:

  Percentage change on previous quarter

  1988

  July-September

  7

  October-December

  7

  1989

  January-March

  -4

  April-June

  5

  July-September

  -1

  October-December

  -3

  Radioactive Waste
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment why, in table 3–11 of the United Kingdom radioactive waste inventory (DOE/RW 188.061), substantial low-level waste arisings are included with the figures for committed sources.

  Mr. Trippier
  I presume that the hon. Member refers to the table on page 3–11 which gives this information. These low-level waste arisings are those from the operation and decommissioning of plant currently in existence, under construction or required in future for currently approved programmes.

  Property Services Agency
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many staff of the Property Services Agency were serving abroad on 1 February; in which countries they were stationed; and whether they will be given the opportunity to return to the United Kingdom before privatisation.
  100
  Mr. Chope
  At 1 February 1990 the numbers of civil servants in the Property Services Agency serving abroad were:

  Non-industrial

  Industrial

  Germany

  274

  5

  Cyprus

  53

  20

  Gibraltar

  49

  4

  Hong Kong

  12

  —

  Ascension

  6

  4

  Belize

  10

  12

  Bermuda

  1

  —

  Falkland Islands

  20

  —

  Canada

  2

  —

  United States of America

  1

  —

  428

  45

  Up to privatisation, staff serving abroad will be expected to serve out their tours in the normal way.
  101
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what number of Property Services Agency staff have been told that they cannot accept or apply for Civil Service posts outside the Property Services Agency.

  Mr. Chope
  None, but all staff are aware that their release will depend on whether they need to be replaced and if so when a suitable replacement can be found.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the number of consultants and contractors who failed the Property Services Agency's security clearance tests in 1987, 1988 and 1989.

  Mr. Chope
  It is not the practice to give detailed information about security vetting.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the staff of the Property Services Agency will lose their civil servant status following their transfer to the proposed Government-owned company.

  Mr. Chope
  Yes.

  Property Holdings
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what number of staff Property Holdings will have on 1 April, in the following groups:(a) P and T, (b) AEG and (c) support.

  Mr. Chope
  It is anticipated that at 1 April 1990 the non-industrial staff numbers in Property Holdings will be:

  Number

  P and T

  160

  AEG

  470

  Support

  40

  PSA and Crown Suppliers
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has made any statement to the staff of the Property Services Agency or TCS about their future since he became Secretary of State.

  Mr. Chope
  My right hon. Friend's speeches in the debates on the Second and Third Readings of the Property Services Agency and Crown Suppliers Bill included statements about the future prospects for the staff of TCS and the agency.

  Interdepartmental Dispatch Service
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will require new employees of the interdepartmental dispatch service to be security cleared following privatisation.

  Mr. Chope
  The existing requirements in relation to the security clearance of IDS staff engaged in the carriage of Government mail will continue after privatisation.

  Statistical Divisions
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff, including vacant posts, by grade, in the statistical divisions 102
  in his Department; if he will differentiate between staff in statistical posts and staff in administration posts; and if he will give the staffing complements by grade, and differentiated between statistical and administrative posts, proposed for 1990–91.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  The numbers and grades of staff and complement in the statistical divisions' of DOE(C), at 1 March 1990 are as follows:

  Staff in post as at 1 March 1990

  Complement

  Chief Statistician

  5

  5

  Statistician

  17

  17

  Senior Assistant Statistician

  6

  6

  Assistant Statistician

  3

  3

  G7

  1

  2

  SEO

  4

  3

  HEO

  13·5

  13

  EO

  29

  29

  AO

  32

  36

  AA

  6·5

  13

  Secretary/Typist

  4

  4

  Total

  121

  131

  1 The statistical divisions, in DOE(C) comprise Housing data statistics, Construction Industry Statistics, Finance Local Authority Statistics, Iand and General Statistics and Environmental Protection Statistics.

  There are also statisticians employed throughout the Department in posts of a largely administrative nature; these numbered 11 at 1 March 1990. Complements for 1990–91 have not yet been finalised.

  Public Relations
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff, including vacant posts, in the press and public relations office of his Department; and what is the proposed complement for 1990–91.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  On 1 March there were 44 staff employed in the information directorate of my Department (including PSA), against a complement of 47. The proposed complement for 1990–91 is 48.

  Privatisation
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total sum paid out in fees to outside organisations in the furtherance of privatisation by his Department in 1979–80 and in each subsequent year; and what is his estimate for 1990–91.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  Following is the information for water privatisation advisers:

  £ million

  1986–87

  1·1

  1987–88

  0·6

  1988–89

  5·1

  1989–901

  23·0

  1 Forecast outturn.

  Expenditure relating to the privatisation of the Crown Suppliers was £40,000 in 1988–89 and is estimated to be £280,000 for 1989–90.
  103
  No expenditure was incurred on privatisation advisers prior to 1986–87. Final decisions have not yet been made about costs to be incurred in 1990–91.

  Management Consultants
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what were the total fees paid out by his Department to management consultants in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his latest estimate for the current year and budget for 1990–91.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  Information relating to the financial years 1979–80 and 1984–85 inclusive is not readily available and cannot be obtained without disproportionate cost. Final decisions have not yet been made about costs to be incurred in 1990–91.

  Following is the information relating to the remaining financial years for my Department including PSA:

  £ million

  1985–86

  4·3

  1986–87

  5·0

  1987–88

  5·3

  1988–89

  8·4

  1989–901

  16·4

  1 Forecast outturn.

  Waste Imports
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give(a) figures for (i) the amount of waste controlled by the transfrontier shipment regulations and (ii) the amount of waste not controlled by the transfrontier shipment regulations imported into the United Kingdom between 31 October 1988 and 30 October 1989 and (b) details of the wastes not controlled by the transfrontier shipment regulations; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Trippier
  A total of 36,789 tonnes of waste was imported into England and Wales under the Transfrontier Shipment of Hazardous Waste Regulations 1988, between 31 October 1988 and 30 October 1989. Information is not held centrally on the quantities or types of imported waste that are not controlled by the transfrontier regulations.

  Palace of Westminster (Hairdressing)
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made on the provision in the Palace of Westminster of hairdressing facilities for hon. Ladies and female staff; and when he expects the facility to become available.

  Mr. Chope
  I am not aware of having received any request from the House authorities to consider converting accommodation for use as hairdressing facilities.

  Demolition
  Mr. Dykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if, pursuant to his statement of 2 March,Official Report, columns 531–34, he will set out the options he is considering with regard to meeting the objectives of residential planning demolition restraint.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  As I indicated to the House on 2 March, I intend shortly to issue a consultation paper about 104
  whether the demolition of dwellinghouses should be brought within planning control. It will set out the issue and invite views on the scale of the problem nationwide. I expect the paper to seek comments on the following options:

  (a) designation of more conservation areas;

  (b) designation of local or special development areas;

  (c) a system of prior notification of demolition of residential property;

  (d) a code of practice for housebuilders;

  (e) further policy advice from my Department;

  (f) require planning permission to be obtained before demolishing any dwellinghouse.

  Maintenance
  Mr. Terry Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the cash-limited amount for minor maintenance work charged to class XX, vote 18, subhead G (maintenance and other operating costs) for 1989–90 was exhausted.

  Mr. Chope
  Funds are still available, but, in order to stay within the provision voted by Parliament, it is necessary to consider priorities with particular care during the rest of the financial year.

  Water Filters
  Mr. Kirkhope
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what harmful bacteria have been identified as generally present in a carbon water filter.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Carbon filters absorb organic matter present in water and also promote the decomposition of chlorine. Therefore, a carbon filter can support the development of a wide range of bacteria by providing nutrients for growth and by protecting bacteria from the disinfectant action of chlorine.

  The following potentially harmful species of bacteria have been detected in carbon water filters:
  Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, Aeromonas Hydrophilla, Klebsiella.

  These species are all known to be opportunistic pathogens and as such as potentially harmful to the very young, the elderly and immuno-compromised patients.

  Kleinwort Benson
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment on how many occasions and for what purpose his Department has commissioned work from Kleinwort Benson since July 1988.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  I am not aware that my Department has placed any commission with Kleinwort Benson since July 1988.

  Fridge Bank
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will consider supporting a national fridge bank scheme as a way of reducing chlorofluorocarbons by removing old and unwanted fridges.

  Mr. Trippier
  We have commissioned a technical report by Coopers and Lybrand which deals with the problem of the existing stock of chlorofluorocarbons. We will consider whether any new initiatives are appropriate in the light of that report.

  Rating Reform
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list all those regulations governing the introduction of the community charge and the uniform business rate which have yet to be(a) laid before the House and (b) debated by the House.

  Mr. David Hunt
  [holding answer 9 March 1990]: The regulations still to be laid before the House are as follows:

  The Community Charge

  1. Amendments to the administration and enforcement regulations.

  2. Make up of the general fund.

  3. Arrangements for netting of RSG and redistributed NNDR payments to local authorities and NNDR contributions from local authorities.

  4. The form of the bills to be used when an authority is charge capped.

  5. Adjustments to rates recoverable or written off after 1 April 1990 relating to earlier years.

  6. Exemption of 18–19 year olds still at school.

  National Non-Domestic Rates

  7. Valuation of caravan sites, universities and polytechnics.

  8. Alteration of lists—appeals against rateable values and Valuation and Community Charge Tribunals procedures for NNDR.

  9. Savings from General Rate Act 1967 and related provisions.

  10. Repeals and Consequential amendments.

  11. Payment of interest on overpaid rates.

  12. Transitional arrangements: additional rules to deal with special cases.

  13. Rateable Values of Utilities: National Power plc and nuclear power stations. (Subject to an Affirmative Resolution).

  The last debate which covered affirmative regulations and regulations subject to negative resolutions that had been prayed against took place in the House on 20 December 1989. On 18 January 1990 the House approved the report giving effect to the 1990–91 grant settlement.

  Industrial Waste
  Mrs. Rosie Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what measures his Department has taken to provide incentives for companies to reduce pollutant output and to penalise those who fail to comply with current regulations governing the output of industrial waste.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  [holding answer 9 March 1990]: Companies whose processes pollute the environment are expected to meet the full costs of the measures which the regulatory authorities require them to take in order to control the level of their emissions or discharges. Failure to comply is punishable by law, and offenders may face unlimited fines in the higher courts under provisions contained in the new Environmental Protection Bill.

  Chemical Waste
  Mrs. Rosie Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps his Department has taken to oblige the dumpers of chemical waste to prove its safety before dumping is permitted.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  [holding answer 9 March 1990]: Under the Control of Pollution Act 1974, chemical waste must be disposed of to suitably licensed, Iand-based facilities. In granting the licence, the waste disposal authority must be satisfied that the proposed activities will
  106
  not endanger public health or pollute water. Disposals of wastes at sea are licensed by the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food only where there are suitable land-based facilities, and where the materials involved will not have an adverse effect upon the marine environment.

  North Sea Dumping
  Mr. Mans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to ensure that the ministerial declaration made at the second international North sea conference concerning the reduction of inputs of dangerous substances to rivers and estuaries is achieved; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  [pursuant to his reply, 7 March 1990, c.734.]: I represented the Government at the third North sea conference in The Hague on 7 and 8 March. This was a constructive conference, as a result of which the North sea will be a cleaner and more wholesome sea. The United Kingdom was able to make a positive contribution to the outcome. The main features of the final declaration were as follows.

  We confirmed our intention to end the dumping of industrial waste by the end of 1992, and to end dumping of sewage sludge by the end of 1998. We agreed on a strengthened approach to the reduction of nutrient inputs. In this, the decision that I announced before the conference to treat all sewage discharges made a significant contribution.

  Our agreement on a harmonised approach to the control of dangerous substances is a most important step forward. It addresses the most serious source of contamination of the North sea, namely rivers. The commitment to reduce still further the impact of certain substances, to both air and water, underlines the urgency of our approach to this central problem.

  We agreed to phase out and destroy all PCBs by 1999 at the latest. We made clear our fundamental objection to the long-term storage of PCBs, which is environmentally dangerous. Destruction is essential and I am particularly pleased that we pledged ourselves to provide sufficient destruction facilities for each country to destroy its own waste.

  Finally, I should like to single out the agreement on wildlife, a topic which previously has been neglected. The agreement provides for action to protect and conserve wildlife, especially dophins and porpoises, and habitats. It will serve as a platform on which to build more extensive and ambitious proposals in the years to come.

  The efforts of all signatories must now be directed towards the implementation of the final declaration. The United Kingdom will produce an implementation plan within three months.

  A copy of the final declaration is being deposited in the Library.

  Irish Sea
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if Her Majesty's Government have any plans to increase funding for monitoring radioactive sewage and chemical waste dumping into the Irish sea and research into the environmental implications.

  Mr. Curry
  I have been asked to reply.

  My Department undertakes a substantial programme of environmental monitoring and research covering the

  107
  Irish sea. We have no current plans to increase the resources committed to this work but the programme is kept under continuous review.

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a comparative study of levels of radiation in the Irish sea and in other seas.

  Mr. Curry
  I have been asked to reply.

  We have no plans to do so. Such a study has been carried out by the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority. The results were published in July last year as "The Radioactivity of the Sea", by M. I. Walker and K. S. B. Rose, AERE R 13365.

  Flood Prevention
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what changes have been made by the National Rivers Authority on finance available for flood prevention; and if he will list these areas by area.

  Mr. Curry
  [holding answer 5 March 1990]: I have been asked to reply.

  The flood defence expenditure of the National Rivers Authority is primarily funded by means of grants towards capital expenditure from my Department and the Welsh Office and by levies on local authorities. The table provides estimates for 1989–90 and 1990–91 by flood defence district:

  £'000

  Flood Defence Districts

  1989–90 Total

  1990–91 Total

  (Maintenance and capital)

  (Maintenance and capital)

  Northumbria

  2,028

  2,613

  North West

  15,212

  17,338

  Severn Trent

  16,588

  21,125

  South West

  5,972

  7,122

  Thames

  46,882

  50,255

  Yorkshire

  13,060

  14,081

  Anglian

  42,231

  46,742

  Southern

  17,207

  18,776

  Wessex

  9,370

  10,805

  Welsh

  9,164

  9,939

  Total

  177,714

  198,796

SCOTLAND

  Law Reform
  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland by what means he will determine whether prospective members of the Scottish Conveyancing and Confirmation Practitioners Board possess each of the required attributes prescribed in paragraph 4 of schedule 1 of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Bill; and whether prospective members will be required to sit an examination or other written test.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  There will be no examination or written test for prospective members of the Scottish Conveyancing and Confirmation Practitioners Board. The membership will be selected with regard to the areas of expertise or knowledge set out in paragraph 4 of schedule 1.

  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many staff will be employed in each of the 108
  first five years of operation by the Scottish Conveyancing and Confirmation Practitioners Board in terms of paragraph 8 of schedule 12 of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Bill; and what is the estimate of the total remuneration to be paid to them including employers' national insurance contributions, taxation, pensions and allowances.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Such matters will be for the board to determine.

  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will ensure that there is always a certain minimum number of qualified solicitors on the Scottish Conveyancing and Confirmation Practitioners Board.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I do not propose any such permanent quotas, although I fully expect solicitors to be represented in the initial appointments.

  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what bodies he proposes to consult prior to making appointments to the Scottish Conveyancing and Confirmation Practitioners Board.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  At the least I expect to consult bodies representing the interests referred to in schedule 1, paragraph 4 of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Bill.

  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his estimate of the amount of funds the Scottish Conveyancing and Confirmation Practitioners Board will be required to establish and maintain in terms of paragraph 16 of schedule 1 of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Bill.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  This will be a matter for the board.

  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what revenue the Scottish Conveyancing and Confirmation Practitioners Board will be entitled to receive and from what sources; what is the estimate of the annual revenue of the board at the end of each of the first five years of operation; and what is his estimate of the total expenditure of the board in each of the first five years of operation.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I refer the hon. Member to clause 14(2) and schedule 1, paragraph 11(2) (c) of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Bill as regards sources of revenue. It is not yet possible to forecast the revenue and expenditure of the board.

  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he anticipates that the Scottish Conveyancing and Confirmation Practitioners Board will be established.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Subject to proceedings on the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Bill, during 1991.

  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many responses he has received to the proposals for multi-disciplinary practices.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Edinburgh, South (Mr. Griffiths) on 26 February 1990.
  109
  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many times and on what dates he has met representatives of the Law Society of Scotland with regard to part II of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Bill; and if he has sought their detailed views with regard to clause 15(5) and clause 15(9) thereof;

  (2) when he last met with members of the Scottish Law Society to discuss legal reform; and on how many occasions since he has met with representatives of the Scottish Law Society.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Edinburgh, South on 26 February 1990. I am aware of views expressed by the Law Society on the subsections referred to, notably that the powers there should be duties.

  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will confer upon the Scottish Conveyancing and Confirmation Practitioners Board powers to suspend the business of any qualified conveyancer, prior to such person having been formally found guilty of professional misconduct.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Such a situation would not arise since the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Bill does not provide for a qualified conveyancer, as such, to offer conveyancing services.

  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will make it his policy to publish prior to the commencement of the Committee stage of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Bill a code of conduct to govern the manner in which conveyancing practitioners conduct the provision of conveyancing services, and the matters referred to in paragraphs (b) to (e) inclusive of clause 15(9) of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Bill;

  (2) when he first drafted a code of conduct to apply to persons other than solicitors permitted to carry out conveyancing services.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  An annex showing what a code of conduct on conveyancing might provide for was published in my right hon. and learned Friend's consultation paper, "The Legal Profession in Scotland", in March 1989. There is room for further refinement of what the code should contain before any attempt is made to draft regulations—a process on which I do not propose to embark before the Bill is enacted.

  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the public will be entitled to inspect the register of confirmation practitioners to be set up in terms of clause 17(1) of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Bill, any conditions attached against the applicant's name in the register in terms of clause 17(5)(a) of said Bill.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Yes.

  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if there are to be conferred upon the Scottish Conveyancing and Confirmation Practitioners Board disciplinary powers analogous to those possessed by the Scottish solicitors disciplinary tribunal.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  There are many parallels between the disciplinary powers proposed for the board and those of the Scottish solicitors disciplinary tribunal.
  110
  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if there are to be conferred upon the Scottish Conveyancing and Confirmation Practitioners Board powers to levy fines.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  This question is under consideration.

  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what consultations he has had with the Director General of Fair Trading on regulations referred to in clause 15(5) and clause 15(9) of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Bill; and whether these and other regulations under the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Bill will be available before the Bill passes through Committee stage in the House.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The making of regulations under the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) (Bill) and consultation on their terms is dependent on the passage of the Bill.

  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what disciplinary powers are to be conferred upon the Scottish Conveyancing and Confirmation Practitioners Board, other than suspension or revocation of registration.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I refer the hon. Member to clause 18(3) of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Bill.

  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what guidance he will give to the Scottish Conveyancing and Confirmation Practitioners Board with regard to(a) educational qualifications and (b) practical training necessary before any person applying for registration as a qualified conveyancer has his application granted.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Responsibility for rules on these matters will be with the board, subject to the approval of the Secretary of State. The board will be able to seek whatever guidance it requires.

  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the estimated salary to be paid to(a) the chairman and (b) the members of the proposed Scottish Conveyancing and Confirmation Practitioners Board in its first year of operation.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  These matters have not been decided.

  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the estimated total annual cost from public funds of the proposed Scottish Conveyancing and Confirmation Practitioners Board to be set up in accordance with clause 14 of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Bill, for each of the first five years of its operation.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  This will depend on how quickly the board becomes self-financing.

  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what response he received to the consultation paper, "The Legal Profession in Scotland", from the Society of Scottish Conservative Lawyers.
  111
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  My right hon. and learned Friend received one response from the Society of Scottish Conservative Lawyers, dealing with solicitors' rights of audience before the Court of Session and the House of Lords.

  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what research he has initiated into the impact upon the provision of legal aid services in Scotland of the proposals contained in the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Bill to allow non-solicitors to carry out conveyancing services.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  None. The Scottish Home and Health Department has however commissioned a study of the geographical distribution and accessibility of solicitors' offices in Scotland. This work should provide the basis for a follow-up study after the proposals contained in the Bill have been implemented.

  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what research was carried out to assess how the fees charged by solicitors for conveyancing services varied as from region to region; and what research was carried out prior to the publication of the paper, "The Legal Profession in Scotland", with regard to the downward effect on the level of fees of the abolition of scale fees and permission to advertise;

  (2) what market research the Government carried out prior to publication of the paper, "The Legal Profession in Scotland" and what market research has been carried out as to the level of fees charged by solicitors in Scotland for conveyancing services.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  A research project is currently under way to compare fees charged for conveyancing before and after the abolition of scale fees in 1985. A further project nearing completion has examined the impact of advertising by solicitors on their fee-charging practices. Both projects use data drawn from a number of market areas of different sizes throughout Scotland.

  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps will be taken to ensure that solicitors undertaking work under the legal aid schemes compete on level terms with non-solicitors solely undertaking conveyancing and confirmation services.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Hardly any legal aid expenditure is on conveyancing and confirmation but I intend that clients should have the same access to legal advice and assistance for such matters whether they use a solicitor or an appropriate practitioner. The basis of remuneration will also be the same.

  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether premises have been identified to be used by the proposed Scottish Conveyancing and Confirmation Practitioners Board.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  No.

  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the public will be entitled to inspect the register of conveyancing practitioners referred to in clause 15 of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Bill.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Yes.
  112
  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, under clause 19 of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Bill, qualified conveyancers and other non-solicitors will be empowered to carry out conveyancing services and be entitled to carry out commercial conveyancing.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  No

  Leukaemia
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what action he has taken following the publication of the Gardner report into leukaemia and pre-conceptual radiation at Sellafield;

  (2) what plans he has in the light of the Gardner report suggesting a direct link between parental exposure to radiation at nuclear installations and childhood leukaemia to establish further case control studies along the lines of Gardner in Scotland;

  (3) when the results of the case control study at Dounreay into possible leukaemia clusters will be published.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The results of the case control study at Dounreay are expected by the summer. The Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment is currently assessing the evidence relating to leukaemia incidence around all the other Scottish nuclear sites and Scotland as a whole.

  Statistical Divisions
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff, including vacant posts, by grade, in the statistical divisions in his Department; if he will differentiate between staff in statistical posts and staff in administrative posts; and if he will give the staffing complements by grade, and differentiated between statistical and administrative posts, proposed for 1990–91.

  Mr. Rifkind
  The figures for the Scottish Office are:

  Staff in post at 1 March 1990

  Vacant Posts

  Proposed staff 1990–91

  Professional Grades:

  Grade 5

  2

  —

  2

  Grade 7

  16

  —

  16

  Asst/Senior Asst Statistician

  10

  3

  13

  Administrative Grades:

  Higher Executive Officer

  10

  —

  10

  Executive Officer

  23

  —

  23

  Administrative Officer

  46

  —

  46

  Administrative Assistant

  16

  3

  18

  Personal Secretary

  2

  —

  2

  Total

  125

  6

  130

  Public Relations
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff, including vacant posts in the press and public relations office of his Department; and what is the proposed complement for 1990–91.
  113
  Mr. Rifkind
  At 1 March 1990 the number of staff employed in the information officer grades in the Scottish information office was 31½. At that date there were no vacancies.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total expenditure by his Department on press and public relations in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his estimate for the current year and budget for 1990–91.

  Mr. Rifkind
  The running costs of the Scottish information office for each year from 1985–86 are as follows:

  £ million

  1985–86

  0·9

  1986–87

  1·0

  1987–88

  1·1

  1988–89

  1·2

  11989–90

  1·4

  21990–91

  1·6

  1 Estimated outturn.

  2 Plans.

  These figures exclude expenditure on information campaigns.

  Directly comparable figures for years prior to the introduction of new Scottish Office budgetary arrangements in 1985–86 are not available.

  Privatisation
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total sum paid out in fees to outside organisations in the furtherance of privatisation by his Department in 1979–80 and in each subsequent year; and what is his estimate for 1990–91.

  Mr. Rifkind
  No expenditure was incurred between the years 1979–80 and 1986–87 inclusive. Expenditure since then has been:

  £

  1987–88

  615,648

  1988–89

  2,314,775

  11989–90

  5,205,000

  1 Estimated outturn.

  The provision for 1990–91 will be contained in the supply estimates to be published on 20 March.

  Advertising Expenditure
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what were the figures for the spending by his Department on(a) television advertising, (b) radio advertising, (c) newspaper advertising and (d) other promotional materials in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his latest estimate for the current year and budget for 1990–91.

  Mr. Rifkind
  The latest estimates of expenditure by the Scottish Office in the current financial year on television; radio; newspaper advertising; and printed and other material are £957,000, £73,000, £1,080,000 and £913,000 respectively. The corresponding figures for 1988–89 were £591,000, £36,000, £422,000 and £1,064,000 respectively.
  114
  Prior to 1988–89 an analysis of expenditure was not maintained in the form requested. Total expenditure on information publicity for 1979–80 and subsequent years to 1988–89 was:

  £

  1979–80

  263,000

  1980–81

  362,000

  1981–82

  393,000

  1982–83

  386,000

  1983–84

  360,000

  1984–85

  704,000

  1985–86

  677,000

  1986–87

  857,000

  1987–88

  1,094,000

  Proposed provision for expenditure by the Scottish Office on information campaigns in 1990–91 is £2·5 million. Detailed decisions on expenditure by media have not yet been taken. None of these figures includes the running costs of the Scottish information office.

  Management Consultants
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what were the total fees paid out by his Department to management consultants in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his latest estimate for the current year and budget for 1990–91.

  Mr. Rifkind
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer which I gave him on 13 March 1989 at column 35. Additional information is as follows:

  £

  11988–89

  1,162,108

  21989–90

  289,276

  21990–91

  408,000

  1Out-turn.

  2 Estimated figure.

  Caledonian MacBrayne
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the names of the chairman and directors of Caledonian MacBrayne; what are their periods of office and their annual remuneration; and what were the organisations, voluntary associations and political parties from which they were recruited, selected or appointed to their posts.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The names of those who have accepted the Secretary of State's invitation to form the new board of Caledonian MacBrayne Limited, along with relevant initial periods of appointment, are shown in the table:

  (Chairman)

  A. J. Struthers

  3 years

  (Chief Executive)

  C. S. Paterson

  —

  W. G. Cochrane

  3 years

  A. Gilchrist

  2 years

  K. H. MacKenzie

  3 years

  G. MacLeod

  2 years

  D. Martin

  3 years

  Mrs. E. Sillars

  3 years

  The chairman will be paid £15,000 per annum and all board members will be paid £4,500 per annum. In considering appointments to the board, the Secretary of State took care to strike a balance between commercial expertise and first-hand knowledge both of the islands which the company's vessels serve and of the needs of the

  115
  company's customers. No one has been invited to join the board on the basis of links with any organisation, voluntary association or political party. All appointments were made on merit.

  New Towns
  Mr. Norman Hogg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many complaints he has received against Cumbernauld and Kilsyth district council's administration of grants for the improvement or modernisation of private homes in Cumbernauld new town in each of the past three years.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  No complaints have been received during the past three years.

  Mr. Norman Hogg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many complaints he has received against Cumbernauld and Kilsyth district council's administration of capital consents for the refurbishment of council houses in Cumbernauld new town in each of the past three years.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  In the past two financial years and in the current financial year to date, I have received one letter of complaint.

  Mr. Norman Hogg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the salaries paid annually to the chairman, vice-chairman and board members of Cumbernauld development corporation.

  Mr. Lang
  The levels of remuneration of the chairman, deputy chairman and members of Cumbernauld development corporation in the 1989–90 financial year are as follows:

  £

  Chairman

  17,172

  Deputy chairman

  7,804

  Members

  3,525

  Mr. Norman Hogg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if the salaries paid to the chairmen, deputy chairmen, and board members of new town development corporations are intended solely as payment for attendance at board meetings; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what are the duties and responsibilities of persons appointed to serve on the boards of new town development corporations; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lang
  Salaries paid to the chairman, deputy chairman and board members of new town development corporations are not intended solely as payment for attendance at board meetings.

  The task of a new town development corporation is to undertake the planning and development of the new town; to provide the wide range of facilities required, including housing, industrial and commercial development; and to co-ordinate action with the local authorities responsible for various services. Board members are appointed on a part-time basis under the provisions of the New Towns (Scotland) Act 1968 and receive remuneration in accordance with the provisions of the Act. Their duties involve attendance at corporation meetings, which are normally held monthly, and such other tasks, for example
  116
  as chairman or member of internal committees or as representatives of the corporation in public as may from time to time be required. Most board members participate willingly in a range of such tasks.

  Waste Disposal
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the estimated cost to each local authority of providing alternative methods of sewage and waste disposal when the ban on dumping such waste at sea is enforced; if he will provide these funds to secure an immediate ban; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  In Scotland, there are no licences in force for dumping of industrial waste at sea and none will be issued. The only current licences issued in Scotland are for dumping of sewage sludge at sea by local authorities. The announcement by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on 5 March 1990 that dumping of sewage sludge at sea is to be phased out by the end of 1998 affects two sewerage authorities, Strathclyde and Lothian. These authorities will now be required to find alternative land-based disposal routes and their preliminary assessments indicate that the capital cost of incineration as an alternative to sea disposal might be about £52 million in Strathclyde and about £12 million in Lothian. As new disposal facilities will take time to design, obtain planning permission, and construct, an immediate ban on sea disposal would not be practicable.

  Junior Hospital Doctors
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what currently are the hours of work of junior hospital doctors in each regional health authority area in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Information on the hours actually worked by junior hospital doctors is not available centrally. The Scottish Home and Health Department asked health boards in January 1989 to review all junior doctors' rota commitments with a view to eliminating those which required doctors to be on duty more often than one night and one weekend in three. Reports on the outcome of this exercise are currently being evaluated.

  Geese
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many and what types of geese have been killed on Islay since April 1988.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The numbers of Greenland white-fronted and Barnacle geese reported as killed were six and 752 respectively. Figures for the 1989–90 season will not be available until after 31 May this year.

  Dementia
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many cases of dementia in any form there were in(a) Scotland, (b) Strathclyde and (c) Greater Glasgow for each year since 1979.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 9 March 1990]: The information requested is not available.
  117
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people suffering from dementia were living in public institutions, for each year since 1979 in(a) Greater Glasgow, (b) Strathclyde and (c) Scotland.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 9 March 1990]: The number of people resident in mental handicap or mental illness hospitals and units on 31 December in each year with a diagnosis of dementia is as follows:

  Greater Glasgow

  Strathclyde

  Scotland

  1979

  824

  1,493

  4,197

  1980

  869

  1,588

  4,407

  1981

  882

  1,651

  4,554

  1982

  934

  1,710

  4,821

  1983

  989

  1,843

  5,112

  1984

  1,010

  1,873

  5,102

  1985

  1,019

  1,907

  5,481

  1986

  1,092

  2,030

  5,886

  1987

  1,113

  2,058

  5,972

  11988

  1,135

  2,027

  6,001

  11989

  1,135

  2,032

  6,050

  1Provisional.

  The number of mentally confused persons resident in local authority homes on 31 March in each year is as follows:

  Greater Glasgow

  Strathclyde

  Scotland

  1979

  —

  —

  —

  1980

  —

  445

  1,383

  1981

  —

  547

  1,573

  1982

  —

  615

  1,446

  1983

  433

  768

  1,582

  1984

  417

  813

  1,650

  1985

  393

  815

  1,760

  1986

  420

  907

  1,864

  1987

  509

  1,067

  2,136

  1988

  537

  1,110

  2,428

  1 The term "confused" in this context refers almost entirely to the elderly suffering from dementia, but could include some people with other conditions.

  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what studies his Department has carried out or sponsored about the problem of dementia in Scotland since 1979.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 9 March 1990]: The chief scientist office of the Scottish Office has, since 1979, sponsored the following studies on dementia:
  An image analysing computer study of human cerebral cortex with special reference to parenthymatous senile dementia.
  An investigation into the effectiveness of a reality orientation programme in a psychogeriatric day hospital.
  A study of some problems associated with the evaluation of a psychogeriatric day hospital.
  Changes in the cell population of the cerebral cortex in old age and senile dementia investigated by automated image-analysis.
  A comparative community study of dementia in the elderly
  An evaluation of two approaches to the care of the elderly patient with dementia in a psychiatric hospital: a high stimulation environment compared to a traditional environment.
  A search for pre-clinical Alzheimer's Disease: a quantitive study of neurofibrillary tangle formation nerve cell loss and aluminium accumulation in an unselected necropsy population.
  118
  Workshop on Psychometric Assessment of Dementia.
  The electrophysiology of Dementia.
  Evaluation of Proton NMR Imaging as a diagnostic and localising instrument in pre-senile demential.
  The role of G proteins in dementia of the Alzheimer type.
  Diagnosis of dementia: A comparative study of electrophysiological and brain imaging.
  Brain Mapping in dementia and related brain diseases.

  Heart Disease
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many patients suffering from heart diseases were hospitalised in(a) Greater Glasgow, (b) Strathclyde and (c) Scotland for each year since 1975.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 9 March 1990]: The table shows the number of patients in Greater Glasgow, Strathclyde and Scotland hospitalised through heart disease between 1975 and 1988:

  Year of discharge

  Heart Disease

  All conditions Scotland

  Greater Glasgow

  Strathclyde

  Scotland

  1975

  11,194

  18,284

  38,447

  544,972

  1976

  11,230

  19,063

  39,405

  578,001

  1977

  11,159

  19,382

  40,178

  576,833

  1978

  11,218

  19,309

  40,525

  574,803

  1979

  10,720

  18,895

  39,446

  568,555

  1980

  11,220

  20,299

  42,313

  583,192

  1981

  12,074

  21,788

  46,127

  618,038

  1982

  12,078

  21,623

  47,917

  565,598

  1983

  12,405

  22,629

  50,053

  636,081

  1984

  14,133

  24,657

  52,647

  654,715

  1985

  15,491

  26,092

  56,126

  669,7.59

  1986

  16,630

  28,018

  57,841

  677,901

  1987

  17,183

  28,501

  60,338

  695,956

  1988

  18,088

  29,994

  63,417

  720,350

  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people died from heart diseases in(a) Greater Glasgow, (b) Strathclyde and (c) Scotland for each year since 1975.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 9 March 1990]: The information requested is as follows:

  Deaths from Heart Disease1 1975–1988

  Year

  Greater Glasgow

  Strathclyde

  Scotland

  1975

  4,572

  10,071

  21,277

  1976

  4,820

  10,773

  22,053

  1977

  4,565

  10,332

  21,700

  1978

  4,863

  10,951

  22,601

  1979

  4,808

  11,010

  22,870

  1980

  4,510

  10,501

  21,768

  1981

  4,539

  10,583

  22,101

  1982

  4,592

  10,806

  22,377

  1983

  4,459

  10,363

  21,853

  1984

  4,361

  10,066

  21,342

  1985

  4,298

  10,267

  22,021

  1986

  4,229

  10,021

  21,105

  1987

  4,240

  9,951

  21,193

  1988

  4,127

  9,499

  20,704

  1 Rubrics 390–429 in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD).

  Note: 1975–1978 figures (ICD 8th Revision) are not strictly comparable to 1979–1988 figures (ICD 9th Revision) because of changes in the classifications.

  Factory Shortages, Strathclyde
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he is taking to solve the problem of factory shortages in Strathclyde.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 9 March 1990]: The growth in economic activity in Scotland has inevitably led to increased demand for factory space. The Government recognise that the private sector cannot always meet this need. To this end they continue to make funds available to a range of bodies, including local authorities, new town development corporations and the Scottish Development Agency. Since April 1986, the agency alone has spent over £40 million under its factory building programme.

  In the current year the three Strathclyde new towns are expected to spend around £26 million on new factory construction and over £4 million on rehabilitation of existing units. An additional £5 million has been made available to local authorities specifically to help meet the demand for small factory units and industrial workshops, just over half of which went to Strathclyde.

  Eye and Dental Health
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is for each year since 1975, and in 1990 moneys, the National Health Service expenditure for the treatment of eye-related and dental diseases in Scotland.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 9 March 1990]: The information is not available centrally.

  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to encourage people in Scotland to have regular(a) eye and (b) dental tests.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 9 March 1990]: The Government joined with the ophthalmic profession in a national eye awareness campaign to promote the benefits of eye care to the consumer. A series of newspaper and television advertisements ran from May to December 1989.

  Awareness of the need to visit a dentist is stimulated by on-going health board campaigns and initiatives promoted generally through the community dental service. Further encouragement to have regular dental checks will be provided by the new contract for general dental practitioners.

  Mental Health
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is, for each year since 1975, the amount of public funds provided for research on mental health in Scotland.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 9 March 19901: Funding awarded by the Scottish Home and Health Department and the Scottish Education Department for research into mental handicap and illness is as follows:

  £

  1975

  —

  1976

  25,980

  1977

  59,711

  1978

  66,703

  1979

  61,563

  1980

  277,216

  1981

  53,769

  120

  £

  1982

  28,700

  1983

  103,937

  1984

  98,608

  1985

  209,160

  1986

  393,514

  1987

  105,260

  1988

  175,103

  1989

  267,730

  Community Care
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is, for each year since 1975, the total amount of public funds provided for community care or similar projects in Scotland, in 1990 moneys.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 9 March 1990]: I regret that the information is not available in the form requested. Community care extends over a wide range of different services and expenditure on it is not separately classified as such.

  Pre-school Education
  Mr. Rathbone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will review the availability and quality of pre-school education in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 9 March 1990]: It is for local authorities to decide on the extent and nature of pre-school education they provide. However, the number of children attending local authority nursery schools in Scotland has risen from 31,770 in 1979 to 40,855 in 1988, an increase of 28 per cent., while over the same period allowance for nursery education as part of overall provision for local authority current expenditure for education has increased from £13·5 million to £35·5 million. So far as the quality of education is concerned, I await the conclusions of the committee of inquiry into the educational experience of the under-fives chaired by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Department of Education and Science, and will consider carefully their relevance to Scotland.

TRANSPORT

  South Circular
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement about the progress of his consideration of proposals for the south circular road.

  Mr. Parkinson
  The several thousand responses received on the south circular assessment study are currently being collated and analysed. Decisions on the way forward will be announced as soon as possible.

  Channel Tunnel
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement of the implications for transport policy should the Channel tunnel not be completed.

  Mr. Portillo
  I am confident that the Channel tunnel will be completed and see no point in speculating otherwise.
  121
  Mr. Gow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much public money will be spent on the rail link with the Channel Tunnel and the provision of new rolling stock; and when he expects to make a journey through the tunnel on a train.

  Mr. Portillo
  British Rail is planning to spend over £ 1 billion on trains, station and maintenance facilities and track and signalling improvements, so that a full international passenger and freight service can begin on the day that the Channel tunnel opens. The holder of my office could expect to make a journey in June 1993.

  Road Accidents, Worcestershire
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many fatal road accidents there were in the county of Worcestershire during 1989; and what was the comparable figure for(a) 1979 and (b)

  Mr. Atkins
  In 1988, the latest complete year for which figures are available, there were 72 fatal accidents in Hereford and Worcester. The comparable figures for 1979 and 1984 were 85 and 72 fatal accidents, respectively.

  Vehicle Excise Evasion
  Mr. David Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has as to the amount of revenue likely to be lost in 1989–90 as a result of vehicle excise evasion.

  Mr. Atkins
  A roadside survey carried out by the Department in June 1989 estimated the revenue loss through evasion of vehicle excise duty throughout Great Britain in 1989–90 was £103 million, or 3·5 per cent. of revenue due.

  Further details can be obtained from the transport statistics report "Vehicle Excise Duty Evasion in Great Britain in 1989·90" which is available in the House of Commons Library.

  Regional Airports
  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of air passengers currently use regional airports.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  This information is collected by the Civil Aviation Authority. I understand that in the year ending October 1989, 33·8 per cent. of terminal passengers at United Kingdom airports used regional airports.

  London Assessment Studies
  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received by 28 February on the London assessment studies.

  Mr. Atkins
  The many comments received by that date are currently being collated and analysed.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will announce the results of the consultation process for the London assessment studies.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will announce the results of the consultation process for the London assessment studies.
  122
  Mr. Atkins
  As soon as possible.

  London Underground
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement about the future investment in London Underground.

  Mr. Portillo
  London Underground Limited plans to invest £1·7 billion over the next three years—more than double the level of investment over the last three years. Its plans include major projects such as the extension of the Jubilee line and the 85 new trains for the Central line. The plans also include a host of more modest investment proposals, all designed to make London's underground system safer, more reliable and less congested.

  Mr. Carrington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans his Department has to increase funding to allow increased capacity in London Underground stations.

  Mr. Portillo
  The grant to London Regional Transport will rise from £287 million this year to £672 million in 1992–93. This will, among other things, enable London Underground to invest over £200 million over the next three years in increasing the capacity of the most congested stations, including Victoria, Waterloo, King's Cross, Tottenham Court Road, Holborn and Angel. Schemes have been drawn up for 20 stations and more are in preparation.

  Transport Planning, London
  Mr. Cyril D. Townsend
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what new proposals the Government are putting forward to achieve better transport planning and co-ordination between the 32 London boroughs and the City of London.

  Mr. Atkins
  The discussion document, "Traffic in London", published by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 14 December 1989, includes proposals for new traffic management guidance for London and a London traffic director, who could ensure the coherent development and operation of a priority "red route" network for London and the co-ordination of a London-wide parking strategy. The responses to public consultation on the proposals are being assessed.

  Railway Services (Midlands)
  Mr. Snape
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if, when he next meets the chairman of British Rail, he will discuss proposals for investment in railway passenger services in the midlands.

  Mr. Portillo
  Whenever my right hon. Friend and I meet the chairman of BR, we discuss a wide range of issues.

  British Rail
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he last met the chairman of British Rail; and what matters were discussed.

  Mr. Parkinson
  I last met the chairman of British Rail on 13 February when we discussed a number of matters of mutual interest.
  123
  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he next plans to meet the chairman of British Rail, and what matters he plans to discuss.

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he next plans to meet the chairman of British Rail; and what matters he plans to discuss.

  Mr. Portillo
  My right hon. Friend next plans to meet the chairman of British Rail on 15 March to discuss a variety of matters.

  Ms. Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he last met the chairman of British Rail; and what matters were discussed.

  Mr. Portillo
  My right hon. Friend last met the chairman of British Rail on 13 February when they discussed a variety of railway issues.

  Dr. Woodcock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the percentage change in train miles per member of staff of BR since 1983.

  Mr. Portillo
  Train miles per member of BR staff totalled 2,123 in 1988–89, an increase of 26 per cent. since 1983.

  Air Transport Liberalisation
  Mr. Ian Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress is being made towards the liberalisation of European air routes.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  In September 1989 the European Commission published its proposals for a second stage of air transport liberalisation. EC Transport Ministers discussed them formally for the first time in December 1989, reaching agreement in principle on a number of key areas. Discussions are taking place on the detail of the proposals, with a deadline for agreement of 30 June.

  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects the second stage of the air transport liberalisation policy to be adopted.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The Council of Ministers has decided that the second stage of liberalisation will be adopted by the end of June this year.

  Road Safety
  Dr. Reid
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much of the recently announced £5·7 billion additional expenditure on roads has been earmarked for road safety measures; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Terry Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much of the recently announced £5·7 billion additional expenditure on roads has been earmarked for road safety measures; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much of the recently announced £5·7 billion expenditure on roads has been earmarked for road safety measures; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  Safety is a central objective and integral part of the trunk road programme. It is not an optional 124
  extra whose costs can be separately identified. Details of the contribution of the programme to road safety are contained in section 6 of the report "Trunk Roads, England—Into the 1990s".

  Aviation Talks
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the current position on the aviation bilateral discussions between the United Kingdom and the United States of America; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Parkinson
  We met in Washington on 11 January. We discussed a variety of topics. Prominent were the prospects for liberalising the United Kingdom-United States aviation market, and arrangements for new United States airline services to regional airports. These discussions are now being carried forward. Indeed, I have spoken to Mr. Skinner in the past week.

  Dial-a-Ride, London
  Mr. Summerson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give the funding figures for London dial-a-ride for 1985–86 and for 1991.

  Mr. Portillo
  Under the GLC, funding for the London dial-a-ride service in 1985–86 was £4·2 million. In 1990–91 the Government will provide £8·27 million. This is a real increase of 50 per cent., and underlines the Government's commitment to the success of the London dial-a-ride service.

  Commuters
  Dr. Michael Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to encourage commuters to travel by rail rather than by road.

  Mr. Portillo
  Each mode of transport should perform the role to which it is best suited as efficiently as possible. Rail offers the best means of moving large numbers of commuters into central London each day. A total of £1·2 billion is to be invested in Network SouthEast over the next three years to improve existing services and to cater for growth in demand. Over the same period, £1·7 billion is to be invested in London Underground to modernise the system, increase capacity and improve quality. The job of the Government is to balance the needs of each mode of transport and enable improvements to be made where they are necessary. It is for the commuter to choose how he or she wishes to travel to work.

  Rail Europe
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he or his officials last met representatives of Rail Europe; and what matters were discussed.

  Mr. Portillo
  Officials of my Department met proponents of this project last September and are due to do so again later this week.

  Immersion Suits
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent representations he has received concerning the carriage of immersion suits as items of essential life-saving equipment on United Kingdom-registered fishing vessels; and if he will make a statement.
  125
  Mr. McLoughlin
  No recent representations about the carriage of immersion suits on fishing vessels have been received.

  British Rail Property (Trespass)
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will discuss with the chairman of British Rail incidents of trespass by hunts on British Rail property.

  Mr. Portillo
  No. These are matters for British Rail and the British Transport police.

  Roads Expenditure
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will match expenditure upon major trunk routes with that devoted to other roads in order to avoid the transfer of congestion from one to the other.

  Mr. Atkins
  Local highway authorities are responsible for expenditure on non-trunk roads. In 1990–91 the Government will be assisting with transport supplementary grant of £233 million, nearly 15 per cent. more than for the current year. But traffic growth is twice as fast on national roads as on local roads, and the most pressing problem is congestion on major trunk routes. Planned improvements to trunk roads will also help to relieve pressure on the local road network.

  Network SouthEast
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will next meet the chairman of British Rail to discuss Network SouthEast.

  Mr. Portillo
  My right hon. Friend is next due to meet Sir Robert on 15 March. A variety of topics will be discussed.

  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he last met the chairman of British Rail to discuss recent developments on British Rail's Network SouthEast services; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  My right hon. Friend has regular meetings with Sir Robert, at which a variety of matters are discussed.

  Traffic Congestion, London
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what analysis he, or any other body, has made concerning the factors determining or influencing major incidents of traffic congestion in central London.

  Mr. Atkins
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to him of 11 December last (Official Report, column 487). The joint Metropolitan police traffic control systems unit working party is expected to report in the summer. It has been asked to consider whether it will be worth while to collect information about the causes of major incidents of traffic congestion in central London.

  London Roads
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures his Department is taking to make roads in London more environmentally appropriate.
  126
  Mr. Atkins
  The recent report, "Trunk Roads, England·Into the 1990s", detailed measures which this Government are taking to enhance the environment of trunk roads, including the allocation of extra resources for landscaping works and planting in urban schemes. A good example on an existing trunk road in London is to be found in my hon. Friend's constituency, where six miles of the A40 Western avenue is being landscaped and improved at a cost of over £640,000.

  Another initiative to be launched shortly is the "Eastgate Project", the object of which is to raise funds from City institutions, docklands businesses and others for environmental improvements along the corridor of the A 13 trunk road in Tower Hamlets. This largely privately funded project is designed to complement the borough council's own scheme of terrace refurbishments as well as the programme of road improvements to the A 13 itself.

  Road Construction
  Mr. Irvine
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many road schemes are included in his expanded road construction programme for the next three years.

  Mr. Atkins
  The national roads programme, announced recently in "Trunk Roads, England—Into the 1990s," includes 45 schemes under construction and over 500 in preparation.

  Mr. Ashton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many miles of motorway have had their construction started since 1981; and how many miles have been started since.

  Mr. Atkins
  A total of 235 miles of new or widened motorway have been completed since April 1981. Seventy-one miles are currently under construction.

  A303
  Sir Peter Emery
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport by what year he intends to have the whole of the A303 road from London to Exeter dual carriageway.

  Mr. Atkins
  Most of the route will have been improved to dual carriageway standard by the end of the decade. Further improvement schemes may be identified by the study into the needs of the A30/A303 route which was announced in May 1989.

  M1
  Mr. Madel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how long he expects the repairs on the M1 between junctions 8 and 9 to take to complete; when this section of the M1 was last subject to such major repairs; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  These works commenced on 5 March and are expected to last eight weeks. This particular section of the M1 was last subject to major repairs in 1974. The works are being carried out under a lane rental contract in order to minimise the period of operation.

  Air Congestion
  Mr. Amos
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps his Department is taking to relieve air congestion.
  127
  Mr. McLoughlin
  The Civil Aviation Authority is responsible for the provision of air traffic control services in the United Kingdom. The Government have approved a substantial increase in the authority's investment programme for air traffic control systems; the authority plans to spend some £600 million over the next 10 years. In addition, the authority has increased the recruitment of air traffic controllers from 80 in 1988 to 200 last year; this figure is planned to rise to 240 a year from 1991 onwards.

  Internationally, the Government have launched several initiatives to promote harmonisation and progressive integration of European air traffic control systems in order to increase airspace capacity.

  Mersey Tunnel
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent representations he has received about the level of Mersey tunnel tolls; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  None.

  Road Casualties
  Mr. Day
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress he is making towards reducing road casualties by one third by the year 2000.

  Mr. Atkins
  A copy of the report "Road Casualty Reduction", which records progress for 1988–89, is in the Library. Improving road safety is one of our top priorities. We are working with local authorities, the police and all others involved to tackle the key problems identified in the road safety review and, above all, to encourage a sensible and responsible attitude among all road users.

  Toxic Cargoes (Loss at Sea)
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research his Department has undertaken on the corrosive effects of seawater on metal containers applicable to the containment life of the container of lindane lost in the English Channel in 1989.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The lindane was contained in plastic-lined fibreboard drums which were then stowed in a standard freight container. There is ample information on the errosive effects of seawater on metals. In the case of plastic-lined fibreboard drums and other packaging materials international research under the aegis of the IMO is currently being undertaken and interim results are expected by the end of the year.

  Catalytic Converters
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has conducted a cost-benefit analysis of the fitting of catalytic converters to new and existing cars.

  Mr. Atkins
  New cars could cost 5 per cent. to 10 per cent. more though this will depend on manufacturers' design solutions. For the vast majority of existing cars on the road, fitting a catalyst is not a practicable proposition. Their fuelling systems would not be sufficiently accurate and there would be problems in finding space for the catalyst under the bonnet or floor.

  Work to estimate the value of the environmental benefits from catalysts forms part of the Department of the Environment's 1990–91 research programme.

  Statistical Divisions
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed and the full complement of staff, including vacant posts, by grade, in the statistical divisions in his Department; if he will differentiate between staff in statistical posts and staff in administrative posts; and if he will give the staffing complements by grade, and differentiated between statistical and administrative posts, proposed for 1990–91.

  Mr. Atkins
  The table gives data for the permanent staff in the directorate of statistics in the Department of Transport on 12 March 1990 and current complement. Statistical posts filled by members of the statistician group are shown at the top of the table. Two of the grade 7 statisticians work part time. There are also two members of the group in statistical posts elsewhere in the Department. The directorate also employs casual staff including currently three with statistical qualifications working in statistician group posts.

  The current bid for staffing in 1990–91 does not propose any change to the complement given in the table.

  Staff in post (12 March 1990)

  Current complement

  Statistician group

  Director of statistics (Grade 3)

  1

  1

  Chief statistician (Grade 5)

  4

  4

  Statistician (Grade 6)

  1

  1

  Statistician (Grade 7)

  121

  23

  (Senior) Assistant statistician

  3

  8

  Sub-total

  30

  37

  Other staff

  Principal scientific officer (Grade 7)

  1

  —

  Higher P and TO (PTOII)

  2

  2

  P and TO (PTOIII)

  1

  2

  Senior executive officer

  1

  —

  Higher executive officer

  11

  11

  Executive officer

  30

  31

  Graphics officer

  1

  1

  Administrative officer

  24

  25

  Administrative assistant

  3

  4

  (Senior) Personal secretary

  3

  5

  Sub-total

  77

  81

  GRAND TOTAL

  107

  118

  1 Including one Economic Adviser blocking a statistician post.

  Urban Transport Systems (EC)
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has regarding revenue subsidies provided for urban transport systems in EEC capital cities.

  Mr. Portillo
  I have no information of this nature: because different transport operators use different accounting techniques, there is no consistent basis on which to assess what subsidy is being paid and whether it is revenue or other subsidy.

  Docklands Light Railway
  Mr. Amos
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will meet the chairman of London Regional Transport to discuss the reliability of the docklands light railway; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  [holding answer 9 March 1990] The performance of the docklands light railway is a regular topic of discussion between the chairman of LRT, the chairman of the DLR and me.

EMPLOYMENT

  Employment Training
  Mr. Blair
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment in respect of the last period for which figures are available how many people on employment training completed their anticipated course.

  Mr. Nicholls
  To end of September 1989, the latest date for which information is available, 33 per cent. of those who left employment training had completed their planned training. People leave employment training for a variety of reasons. These include entering jobs, self-employment and other training or further education.

  Social Charter
  Mr. Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether it is the Government's intention to provide an annual report on the implementation of the social charter.

  Mr. Eggar
  No. The United Kingdom Government were unable to support the proposal for a charter of fundamental social rights of workers at the European Council meeting in December 1989 in Strasbourg, and there is therefore no requirement for the Government to provide reports on the application of the charter in the United Kingdom.

  Wages Councils
  Mr. McAvoy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether he has any plans to abolish the wages councils.

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

  Action Credit
  Ms. Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the five national sites being chosen for the launch of action credit as an employment service option for the long-term unemployed.

  Mr. Nicholls
  Research into the viability of extending action credit to long-term unemployed people is being carried out in five employment service areas—Inner London West; West Kent and East Sussex; Renfrew, Dumbarton and Argyll; Lancashire North; and Coventry and Warwickshire.

  Benefit Claimants
  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment at each appropriate quarterly date over the most recent three years, what was the flow of new quarterly attender claimants; and at the same dates, what was the stock of new quarterly attender claimants.

  Mr. Nicholls
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave her on 25 October 1989,Official Report, column 500.

  The figures for the last two quarters are as follows:

  Figures

  October 1989

  159,927

  January 1990

  144,090

  Fast Food Industry
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the average wage paid to young persons employed in the fast food industry; and what is the average number of hours worked by young persons in that industry.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The information is not available.

  Government Training Programmes
  Mr. Ralph Howell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what information he has on the numbers of people on Government training programmes in(a) the United Kingdom, (b) other European Community countries, (c) the United States of America and (d) Japan and on the costs of these programmes.

  Mr. Nicholls
  Comparable statistics on the numbers of people on training schemes and the cost of such schemes are not available for the countries listed. The Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development has published estimates of public spending on labour market programmes in chapter 3 of the OECD "Employment Outlook," September 1988, and note A of the OECD "Employment Outlook", July 1989.

  Pesticides
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what arrangements exist to monitor those working in food-packaging premises for exposure to pesticides.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The Food and Environment Protection Act 1985, the Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986, the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1988 and the general requirements of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 apply to exposure to pesticides in the food-packaging industry. Inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive are responsible for enforcing this legislation at such premises.

  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make arrangements for the routine testing of farmers and farm workers for acetinecholine levels where they regularly use pesticides in the course of their work.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations apply to pesticides including those which contain anticholinesterase compounds.
  131
  Under the regulations employers of workers who are exposed to such compounds regularly during the course of their work are required to arrange routine health surveillance where appropriate.

  Labour Statistics
  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many unemployed claimants since 9 October 1989 for each region and for Great Britain as a whole have been(a) issued with warning letters for not

  Actively Seeking Referrals and Disallowances, Refusal of Employment Referrals and Disqualifications Period 9 October 1989–26 January 1990

  Actively Seeking Employment

  Refusal of Employment

  Regions

  Claimants issued warning letters

  Claims referred to Adjudication Officer

  Allowed

  Disallowed

  Claims Referred to Adjudication Officer

  Not disqualified

  Disqualified

  Northern

  663

  99

  12

  32

  25

  5

  12

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  661

  98

  16

  30

  79

  10

  7

  East Midlands and Eastern

  823

  117

  39

  25

  146

  45

  41

  London and South East

  4,050

  661

  120

  125

  818

  77

  123

  South West

  634

  143

  20

  37

  62

  15

  10

  Wales

  892

  146

  22

  27

  76

  11

  18

  West Midlands

  908

  157

  44

  59

  137

  25

  19

  North West

  1,297

  141

  34

  42

  71

  14

  11

  Scotland

  1,469

  180

  47

  45

  50

  15

  5

  National

  11,397

  1,742

  354

  422

  1,464

  217

  246

  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what percentage, in the latest available year, of the working population of the United Kingdom was self-employed.

  Mr. Nicholls
  In September 1989, the latest date for which information is available, self-employed people represented 11·4 per cent. of the work force.

  Advertising Expenditure
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what were the figures for the spending by his Department on(a) television advertising, (b) radio advertising, (c) newspaper advertising and (d) other promotional material in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his latest estimate for the current year and budget for 1990–91.

  Mr. Eggar
  Expenditure on advertising and promotional material by the Department of Employment from 1979–80 to 1985–86 was as follows:

  £

  1979–80

  70,000

  1980–81

  320,000

  1981–82

  400,000

  1982–83

  360,000

  1983–84

  500,000

  1984–85

  320,000

  1985–86

  1,220,000

  Figures for television, radio and newspaper advertising and other promotional material are not available separately.

  The figures for 1986–87, 1987–88, 1988–89 and 1989–90 (latest estimate) are as follows:
  132
  actively seeking work, (b) had their claims referred to an adjudication officer for not actively seeking work, (c) had their claims (i) allowed or (ii) disallowed and (d) have been referred to an adjudication officer for refusing suitable employment; and how many of those in (d) have had their benefit disqualified.

  Mr. Eggar
  The table shows the statistical information for the period 9 October 1989 to 26 January 1990 on questions of "actively seeking employment" and "refusal of employment":

  Television

  Press/Radio

  Other promotional

  £ million

  £ million

  £ million

  1986–87

  9·3

  3·0

  4·1

  1987–88

  3·3

  0·8

  2·8

  1988–89

  2·1

  2·3

  1·3

  1989–90

  0·9

  0·9

  1·0

  The information on the Department's publicity budget for 1990–91 will be found in table 6.31 on page 29 of chapter VI of the public expenditure White Paper published in January 1990. Detailed decisions on expenditure by media group have not yet been taken.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what were the figures for the spending by the Training Agency on(a) television advertising, (b) radio advertising, (c) newspaper advertising and (d) other promotional material in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his latest estimate for the current year and budget for 1990–91.

  Mr. Eggar
  The information requested is given in the table:

  Television

  Radio

  Press

  Other

  Total

  (£)

  (£)

  (£)

  (£)

  (£)

  Actual

  1979–80

  n/a

  n/a

  —

  —

  —

  1980–81

  424,102

  4,127

  2,496,440

  2,588,540

  5,513,209

  1981–82

  —

  62,896

  1,814,935

  2,784,279

  4,662,110

  1982–83

  —

  89,654

  2,984,230

  3,222,031

  6,295,915

  1983–84

  1,479,748

  17,434

  764,409

  2,670,666

  4,932,257

  1984–85

  944,975

  3,477

  717,057

  4,473,283

  6,138,792

  1985–86

  9,676,257

  311,537

  1,867,286

  5,111,180

  16,966,260

  1986–87

  15,624,000

  258,631

  6,927,370

  12,124,000

  34,934,001

  1987–88

  17,321,000

  26,841

  6,950,159

  11,647,000

  35,945,000

  1988–89

  12,569,000

  n/a

  5,502,000

  12,449,000

  30,520,000

  133

  Television

  Radio

  Press

  Other

  Total

  (£)

  (£)

  (£)

  (£)

  (£)

  Estimate

  1989–90

  8,610,000

  56,000

  6,164,000

  12,492,000

  27,322,000

  n/a—Not available.

  Detailed decisions on expenditure for 1990–91 as requested have not yet been taken.

  Public Relations
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what was the total expenditure by his Department on press and public relations in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his latest estimate for the current year and budget for 1990–91;

  (2) what was the total expenditure by the Training Agency on press and public relations in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his latest estimate for the current year and the budget for 1990–91.

  Mr. Eggar
  (a) The information requested is given in the table:

  Year Actual

  Expenditure (£'000)

  1979–80

  n/a

  1980–81

  n/a

  1981–82

  n/a

  1982–83

  n/a

  1983–84

  n/a

  1984–85

  n/a

  1985–86

  n/a

  1986–87

  1·080

  1987–88

  1·014

  1988–89

  3·185

  Estimated

  1989–90

  3·331

  Figures for 1986–87 and 1987–88 are for DE information division only. Figures for TA are not available.

  Figures for 1988–89 and 1989–90 represent total expenditure separately incurred by DE information division and TA information services branch; the two merged in November 1989.

  (b) Expenditure levels for 1990–91 are in the process of being set.

  Privatisation
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the total sum paid out in fees to outside organisations in the furtherance of privatisation by the Training Agency in 1979–80 and in each subsequent year; and what is his estimate for 1990–91.

  Mr. Eggar
  The only fees paid to outside organisations in the furtherance of privatisation by the Training Agency (and in respect of its training functions carried out by its predecessors the Training Commission and the Manpower Services Commission) have been those in respect of the privatisation of the Skills Training Agency (STA). These are:

  £'000

  1988–89

  132

  1989–90

  1287

  1 Estimated.

  134
  These figures are exclusive of expenses plus VAT. The supply estimate 1990–91 to be published on Budget clay will contain estimates for the privatisation of STA and the expenses involved in 1990–91.

  Management Consultants
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what were the total fees paid out by the Training Agency to management consultants in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his latest estimate for the current year and budget for 1990–91.

  Mr. Nicholls
  Expenditure by the Training Agency (and its predecessors, the Training Commission, and the Manpower Services Commission) on management consultancy for the years 1984–85 to 1988–89 was as follows:

  £ thousand

  1984–85

  128

  1985–86

  191

  1986–87

  403

  1987–88

  238

  1988–89

  215

  The estimated outturn for the current year, that is, 1989–90 is around £28,000. The budget for 1990–91 is £79,000. Information for the periods 1979–80 to 1983–84 could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Offshore Working
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what information he has on(a) the numbers of people on employment training working offshore on the United Kingdom continental shelf, (b) the percentage of such people offered full-time employment by offshore contractors and (c) the average length of time spent by such people offshore; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The information requested is not available.

  Skill Centres
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will take steps to ensure that Astra Training Services Limited will provide special facilities for the training of people with disabilities and learning difficulties throughout the 47 skill centres it has recently purchased.

  Mr. Eggar
  As a provider of Government-sponsored training programmes, Astra Training Services Limited will be required to promote equality of opportunity between all individuals in access to, treatment on and outcome from the training it offers.

  Disabled Workers
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether his Department has details of the hours worked by disabled people who, because of their disability, are unable to work full time but do work part time.

  Mr. Eggar
  I regret that information on the hours worked by registered people with disabilities is not
  135
  available. The study commissioned by my Department, of all people with disabilities in the labour market, will provide comprehensive information about their numbers and characteristics.

  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the reasons for the delay in publishing his internal reviews on employment services for people with disabilities.

  Mr. Eggar
  The preparation of the consultative document which will give the results of the review is almost complete. It will be published as soon as account can be taken in it of the results of the survey of people with disabilities in the labour market which my Department has commissioned. We currently anticipate that this will be during the course of June 1990.

  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if, pursuant to his answers of 30 November 1989,Official Report, columns 381–82, and 14 February, Official Report, column 152, he will make a statement on the publication of his Department's survey of the employment of economically active people with vocational handicaps.

  Mr. Eggar
  The fieldwork has been completed on the survey of people with disabilities in the labour market which my Department has commissioned. The results are expected to be available shortly.

  Sheltered Placements
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether the number of places under the sheltered placement scheme will continue to be increased, as stated in chapter 7 of "The Government's Expenditure Plans 1989–90 to 1991–92"; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many new places will be made available under the sheltered placement scheme during the 1990–91 financial year; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  The Government have confirmed in chapter 6 of "The Government's Expenditure Plans 1990–91 to 136
  1992–93" (Cm 1006), published in January 1990, their commitment to the sheltered placement scheme. In 1990–91 the Government are making available to the sheltered employment programme an additional £4·2 million to the money available in the current financial year.

  I have decided to direct the additional funds available for next year towards meeting the costs incurred by sponsors rather than to increase the number of places on the programme.

  It is intended to increase the annual grant ceiling per place for voluntary bodies by 6 per cent. to £3,480 and the grant to local authorities by 5 per cent. to £2,730. There will, therefore, be no new SPS places available during 1990–91, but previous patterns of turnover indicate that some 1,000 existing places nationally are likely to become vacant to allow new entrants to join the programme.

  The employment service is notifying sponsors of these arrangements.

  "Action for Jobs"
  Mr. Terry Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how much of the expenditure on "Action for Jobs" printed material in 1988–89 was spent through the Central Office of Information.

  Mr. Eggar
  All the expenditure on "Action for Jobs" printed material in 1988–89 was spent through the Central Office of Information.

  Child Care
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will make it his policy to make the provision of child care facilities one of the stringent criteria for an organisation to satisfy before securing approved training organisation status.

  Mr. Nicholls
  [holding answer 5 March 1990]: No. To make the provision of child care facilities a separate criterion from the existing criteria would not be appropriate. The criteria for approved status for training providers cover general themes, such as equal opportunities, rather than prescribing particular actions to implement them.

  CAMBODIA: PEACE PROPOSALS
  CAMBODIA: PEACE PROPOSALS
  ELECTRICITY PRIVATISATION, SCOTLAND
  ELECTRICITY PRIVATISATION, SCOTLAND
  DRIVERS: LEGISLATIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES
  DRIVERS: LEGISLATIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES
  DRIVER CONTROL: TECHNOLOGICAL AIDS
  DRIVER CONTROL: TECHNOLOGICAL AIDS
  DRIVER BEHAVIOUR: RESEARCH
  DRIVER BEHAVIOUR: RESEARCH
  MOTORCYCLISTS' HELMETS: EC STANDARD
  MOTORCYCLISTS' HELMETS: EC STANDARD
  NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM: ALTERATIONS
  NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM: ALTERATIONS
  ELECTRICITY GENERATING CAPACITY
  ELECTRICITY GENERATING CAPACITY
  THIRD NORTH SEA CONFERENCE
  THIRD NORTH SEA CONFERENCE