Written Answers of 30 March 1990

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Drink-Driving
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Attorney-General what steps he takes to ensure that the Crown prosecution service determines the correct charges to be brought in cases of drink-driving.

  The Attorney-General
  Prosecution decisions are taken after careful consideration of the police report and evidence submitted to the Crown prosecution service by the relevant police force. The criteria for such decisions are set out in the code for Crown prosecutors promulgated by the Director of Public Prosecutions in accordance with section 10 of the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985. Subject to the requirement that certain categories of case must be submitted to the Crown prosecution service headquarters for consideration, it is the responsibility of the chief Crown prosecutor to establish arrangements within his area to ensure that decisions in particular cases are taken at a level of seniority commensurate with the gravity and difficulty of the particular case.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Organic Farming
  Miss Hoey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many inquiries about organic agriculture his Department has received in the last 12 months.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  Over the past year the Department of Agriculture dealt with inquiries and requests for advice on organic agriculture from approximately 40 farmers and growers. We do much to promote more natural food and farming.

  Rural Regeneration
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what work has been undertaken by the inter-departmental committee on rural regeneration which was established by the Department of Agriculture in December 1989; and when the committee's findings will be publicised.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  The inter-departmental committee on rural development has been in operation since January 1990. It continues to work to its general remit of

  England and Wales 1987–88

  Local education authority

  All mandatory award holders1

  Mandatory award-holders in receipt of a full maintenance grant1

  Percentage in receipt of a full maintenance grant

  Barking

  307

  168

  55

  Barnet

  3,819

  1,185

  31

  Bexley

  1,253

  362

  29

  322
  preparing advice for Ministers on how best to carry forward action to tackle the social and economic problems in the most deprived rural areas.

  Discussions have taken place with district councils, the rural action project and the promoters of rural development projects. Following a recommendation from the committee it was agreed to fund the rural action project for a further year to 31 March 1991.

  The work of the committee is to provide advice to Ministers on the effective delivery of policies and programmes. Decisions following from the committee's recommendations will be announced.

  Extradition
  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many applications relating to terrorist offences have been made for extradition from the Irish Republic to Britain(a) between 1972 and 14 November 1985 and (b) since 15 November 1985; how many have been refused; how many have been granted; and for how long any outstanding cases have been under consideration.

  Mr. John Patten
  [holding answer 23 March 1990]: I have been asked to reply.

  In the period covered by the question, so far as England and Wales are concerned, the centrally available information on extradition requests made to the Republic of Ireland, in cases believed to have been related to terrorist offences, is as follows:
  1986 One application made and refused;
  1988 Two applications made: one refused and one outstanding as the person cannot be traced;
  1989 One application made and granted, but now subject to appeal.

  I understand from my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland that although information about requests made to the Republic of Ireland was not centrally recorded prior to 1987, two such applications are know to have been made in the period from 1972 to the present:
  1973 One application made and refused;
  1984 One application made and outstanding because of the failure of the person to appear at an appeal hearing. He remains at large.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Student Grants
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many students in each local education authority area received the full mandatory grant for undergraduates in the last year for which figures are available; and what percentage they formed of all recipients of mandatory awards.

  Mr. Jackson
  The data requested are listed in the table.
  323

  Local education authority

  All mandatory award holders1

  Mandatory award-holders in receipt of a full maintenance grant1

  Percentage in receipt of a full maintenance grant

  Brent

  2,626

  1,447

  55

  Bromley

  2,951

  686

  23

  Croydon

  2,943

  1,072

  36

  Ealing

  2,466

  967

  39

  Enfield

  2,118

  691

  33

  Haringey

  1,791

  1,113

  62

  Harrow

  2,433

  791

  33

  Havering

  1,131

  346

  31

  Hillingdow

  1,507

  449

  30

  Hounslow

  1,580

  568

  36

  Kingston-upon-Thames

  1,355

  419

  31

  Merton

  1,568

  496

  32

  Newham

  1,081

  754

  70

  Redbridge

  1,803

  707

  39

  Richmond-upon-Thames

  1,963

  473

  24

  Sutton

  1,358

  384

  28

  Waltham Forest

  1,085

  648

  60

  ILEA

  16,875

  9,047

  54

  Birmingham

  6,959

  4,698

  68

  Covertry

  2,443

  1,227

  50

  Dudley

  1,894

  775

  41

  Sandwell

  1,258

  693

  55

  Solihull

  2,114

  468

  22

  Walsall

  1,742

  780

  45

  Wolverhampton

  1,859

  927

  50

  Knowsley

  774

  442

  57

  Liverpool

  3,454

  2,137

  62

  St. Helens

  1,397

  532

  38

  Sefton

  3,363

  1,315

  39

  Wirral

  3,510

  1,385

  39

  Bolton

  2,224

  975

  44

  Bury

  1,737

  708

  41

  Manchester

  2,776

  1,942

  70

  Oldham

  1,401

  623

  44

  Rochdale

  1,352

  568

  42

  Salford

  1,150

  554

  48

  Stockport

  3,248

  952

  29

  Tameside

  1,152

  510

  44

  Trafford

  2,633

  876

  33

  Wigan

  2,097

  872

  42

  Barnsley

  1,221

  586

  48

  Doncaster

  1,823

  841

  46

  Rotherham

  1,616

  730

  45

  Sheffield

  3,559

  1,578

  44

  Bradford

  2,894

  1,724

  60

  Calderdale

  1,310

  522

  40

  Kirklees

  2,809

  1,160

  41

  Leeds

  4,561

  1,880

  38

  Wakefield

  1,801

  690

  39

  Gateshead

  1,109

  511

  46

  Newcastle-upon-Tyne

  2,010

  847

  42

  North Tyneside

  1,437

  557

  39

  South Tyneside

  964

  482

  50

  Sunderland

  1,677

  849

  51

  Isles of Scilly

  27

  13

  48

  Avon

  7,643

  2,898

  38

  Bedfordshire

  3,831

  1,200

  31

  Berkshire

  6,913

  1,853

  27

  Buckinghamshire

  6,630

  1,532

  23

  Cambridegeshire

  5,074

  1,620

  32

  Cheshire

  9,772

  3,117

  32

  Cleveland

  4,209

  1,592

  38

  Cornwall

  3,396

  1,723

  51

  Cumbria

  3,470

  1,449

  42

  Derbyshire

  6,201

  2,048

  33

  Devon

  7,412

  3,153

  43

  Dorset

  4,456

  1,757

  39

  Durham

  3,741

  1,402

  37

  East Sussex

  5,106

  2,168

  42

  Essex

  9,874

  3,292

  33

  Gloucestershire

  4,617

  1,623

  35

  324 325

  Local education authority

  All mandatory award holders1

  Mandatory award-holders in receipt of a full maintenance grant1

  Percentage in receipt of a full maintenance grant

  Hampshire

  12,061

  4,097

  34

  Hereford and Worcester

  5,088

  1,906

  38

  Hertfordshire

  9,763

  2,520

  26

  Humberside

  5,623

  2,201

  39

  Isle of Wight

  807

  371

  46

  Kent

  11,309

  3,762

  33

  Lancashire

  12,430

  5,472

  44

  Leicestershire

  7,099

  2,782

  39

  Lincolnshire

  4,246

  1,633

  38

  Norfolk

  4,089

  1,516

  37

  North Yorkshire

  7,288

  2,276

  31

  Northamptonshire

  3,364

  1,315

  39

  Northumberland

  2,390

  707

  30

  Nottinghamshire

  6,247

  2,318

  37

  Oxfordshire

  5,291

  1,332

  25

  Shropshire

  3,297

  1,340

  41

  Somerset

  3,417

  1,276

  37

  Staffordshire

  7,443

  2,951

  40

  Suffolk

  3,849

  1,344

  35

  Surrey

  11,794

  2,450

  21

  Warwickshire

  6,736

  1,675

  30

  West Sussex

  5,561

  1,675

  30

  Wiltshire

  4,019

  1,391

  35

  Clwyd

  3,406

  1,433

  42

  Dyfed

  3,246

  1,603

  49

  Gwent

  3,551

  1,449

  41

  Gwynedd

  2,757

  1,370

  50

  Mid-Glamorgan

  3,434

  1,331

  39

  Powys

  988

  430

  44

  South Glamorgan

  3,957

  1,659

  42

  West Glamorgan

  3,219

  1,239

  38

  ENGLAND AND WALES

  393,882

  150,978

  38

  1 Excluding award-holders on postgraduate courses.

  School Building
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on his proposals to ensure that all schools comply with the school building regulations due to come into force in April.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The current standards for school premises are set out in the Education (School Premises) Regulations 1981. No changes to these regulations are due to come into effect in April. Responsibility for meeting the requirements of the school premises regulations rests with the local education authorities and governing bodies.

  Non-teaching Time
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has to provide non-teaching time for teachers in(a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools to enable them to implement (i) the teaching, testing and assessment provisions of the national curriculum and (ii) the proposals of the Elton report on discipline in schools.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The use of teachers' directed time, and in particular its division between teaching and non-teaching duties, is a matter for head teachers to decide.

  Teachers' Pay
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what policy considerations determined his decision to accept the recommendations of 326
  the IAC on teachers' pay and conditions report in respect of the awards to main scale teachers on scale points 1, 6, 7, 8 and 9.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The IAC has produced an outstanding report, which sets out the thinking underlying its recommendations. My right hon. Friend has welcomed the report and proposes to accept its recommendations in full.

  Workers Educational Association
  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what allocations will be made to local education authorities to support the activities of the Workers Educational Association under the education support grant programme for 1990–91; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jackson
  My Department is today writing to local education authorities in England to inform them of the level of expenditure which I have approved for the WEA activity in the education support grants (ESG) programme for 1990–91. The information is shown in the table.

  A total of 102 authorities have submitted bids for this ESG, out of a total of 107 that were invited to do so. This is a most encouraging result, which demonstrates the support of the local education authorities for the Workers Educational Association. It confirms the willingness of statutory and voluntary providers to work in partnership to assist the better overall planning of adult education locally.

  327

  Local education authorities

  Expenditure (£)

  Barking

  690

  Barnet

  9,445

  Bexley

  6,920

  Brent

  1,125

  Bromley

  6,920

  Croydon

  1,210

  Ealing

  1,820

  Enfield

  1,905

  Haringey

  695

  Harrow

  7,555

  Havering

  810

  Hillingdon

  3,645

  Hounslow

  1,125

  Kingston upon Thames

  1,905

  Merton

  1,210

  Newham

  1,125

  Redbridge

  2,020

  Richmond upon Thames

  3,035

  Sutton

  1,125

  Waltham Forest

  605

  Camden

  17,810

  Greenwich

  430

  Hackney

  1,735

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  430

  Islington

  430

  Lambeth

  650

  Lewisham

  430

  Southwark

  1,515

  Tower Hamlets

  865

  Birmingham

  9,415

  Coventry

  15,695

  Dudley

  3,135

  Sandwell

  3,135

  Walsall

  6,280

  Wolverhampton

  5,480

  Knowsley

  3,255

  Liverpool

  29,340

  St. Helens

  3,255

  Sefton

  4,070

  Wirral

  7,330

  Bolton

  9,375

  Bury

  1,485

  Manchester

  12,550

  Oldham

  3,720

  Rochdale

  3,500

  Salford

  3,060

  Stockport

  7,470

  Tameside

  3,000

  Trafford

  9,625

  Wigan

  2,922

  Barnsley

  4,450

  Doncaster

  3,505

  Rotherham

  9,680

  Sheffield

  18,455

  Bradford

  6,505

  Calderdale

  2,395

  Kirklees

  3,990

  Leeds

  16,500

  Wakefield

  4,070

  Gateshead

  3,290

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  9,870

  North Tyneside

  3,375

  South Tyneside

  2,665

  Sunderland

  10,615

  Avon

  24,345

  Bedfordshire

  5,305

  Berkshire

  20,025

  Buckinghamshire

  21,455

  Cambridgeshire

  11,375

  Cheshire

  23,405

  Cleveland

  11,630

  Cornwall

  17,355

  Cumbria

  23,925

  Derbyshire

  27,753

  Devon

  40,500

  Dorset

  12,340

  Durham

  16,445

  328

  Local education authorities

  Expenditure (£)

  East Sussex

  10,835

  Essex

  26,980

  Gloucestershire

  11,830

  Hampshire

  31,000

  Hereford and Worcester

  12,555

  Hertfordshire

  16,760

  Humberside

  18,125

  Isle of Wight

  1,075

  Kent

  24,500

  Lancashire

  21,320

  Leicestershire

  19,840

  Lincolnshire

  18,845

  Norfolk

  10,615

  North Yorkshire

  27,580

  Northamptonshire

  6,065

  Northumberland

  6,545

  Nottinghamshire

  40,215

  Oxfordshire

  30,040

  Somerset

  7,610

  Staffordshire

  13,340

  Suffolk

  12,890

  Surrey

  6,340

  Warwickshire

  5,180

  West Sussex

  18,665

  Wiltshire

  19,720

DEFENCE

  Radar Base, Brawdy
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he has any plans to make any financial contribution to the proposed building of a radar base at Brawdy for the United States navy.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  A decision in principle has been taken to embark, in collaboration with the United States, on a two-year joint trial of a United States navy over the horizon radar (OTHR) in the United Kingdom. This equipment is a high-frequency radar which uses the ionosphere to refract beyond the normal radar horizon. It can therefore supplement the coverage obtained by conventional microwave radars and enhance the effectiveness of airborne early warning and air defence resources.

  The trial is planned to start in 1993, and the information obtained from it will be fully shared between ourselves and the United States. The United States Government will supply the radar; the United Kingdom Government will provide and prepare the operational sites; and the running costs of the trial will be shared. Once the results of the trial have been fully assessed, further consideration will be given whether to retain the OTHR as a permanent operational facility.

  To be effective, the system needs separate transmitter and receiver sites. After extensive studies and assessment of possible locations, we have concluded that the most suitable site for the transmitter is St. David's airfield, Pembrokeshire, and that that for the receiver is Blakehill radio station, near Cricklade, Wiltshire. Both sites are MOD owned. We will shortly be submitting formal notices of proposed development to the appropriate planning authorities in accordance with normal planning procedures. These will be supported by full environmental impact assessments. No construction work will be carried out at either site before the necessary approvals have been obtained.
  329
  When installing the transmitter, we will ensure that there is no danger of any radio frequency or other environmental hazard to any member of the public outside the MOD boundary of the site. The receiver site will present no environmental hazard.

  War Widows
  Mr. William Powell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the financing of the special payments to be made to pre-1973 war widows.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence announced on 11 December 1989 at columns 677-78, the special payments to pre-1973 war widows will be paid from the beginning of the financial year 1990–91 by the Department of Social Security on behalf of the Ministry of Defence. The necessary provision is being sought in the 1990–91 main estimate for class I vote 3. Pending parliamentary approval of that estimate, urgent expenditure estimated at £55 million will be met by repayable advances from the Contingencies Fund.

  Greenham Common
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent representations he has received concerning the future of RAF Greenham Common.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave at column 615 of Hansard, dated 6 March.

  Chemical and Biological Weapons
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what evidence his Department has that the Soviet Union is reducing its capacity to produce chemical and biological weapons.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The Soviet Union declared in 1987 that it had ceased production of chemical weapons. We are, however, not aware of any change in Soviet capacity to produce them since then. The Soviet Union is a signatory of the 1972 biological warfare convention and has stated it is in compliance with its obligations. Any production of biological weapons would be in breach of the convention.

  US Defence Secretary
  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he next plans to meet the United States of America Defence Secretary; and what he expects to discuss.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland (Mr Wallace) on 6 February 1990 at column 597.

  Mallet Blow Exercises
  Mr. Jack Thompson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list for the years 1975 to 1989(a) the number of Mallet Blow exercises, (b) the number of missions in each exercise, (c) the types of aircraft involved in each and (d) the accidents involving low flying in each exercise.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Exercise Mallet Blow was not introduced until 1980. Records of exercises since that date 330
  have not been retained in their entirety. I am able, however, to supply the following details of Mallet Blow exercises since 1984:

  Exercise

  Missions flown

  Offensive aircraft types1

  Mallet Blow 84/1

  66

  A-10, Harrier, Jaguar, Tornado, F-111

  Mallet Blow 84/2

  42

  A-10, Jaguar, Harrier, Tornado, F-111

  Mallet Blow 84/3

  139

  A-10, F-111, Draken, Tornado, Jaguar, Harrier

  Mallet Blow 84/4

  83

  Draken, Tornado, A-10, F-111, Harrier, Jaguar

  Mallet Blow 85/1

  77

  Harrier, Tornado, Jaguar, F16, A-10, F-111, Dracken, Buccaneer

  Mallet Blow 85/2

  88

  Jaguar, Tornado, Harrier, F-16, Draken, RF-4, F-111

  Mallet Blow 85/3

  73

  Tornado, Jaguar, Draken, F-111, Harrier, A-10

  Mallet Blow 86/1

  42

  Harrier, Tornado, Jaguar, Draken, F-111

  Mallet Blow 86/2

  123

  Tornado, Harrier, Jaguar, F-16, F-111, Buccaneer

  Mallet Blow 86/3

  63

  Jaguar, Harrier, Tornado, Draken, F-5, F-16, F-111, Mirage, F-18

  Mallet Blow 86/4

  85

  Tornado, Jaguar, Harrier

  Mallet Blow 87/1

  60

  Tornado, Harrier, Jaguar, Drakm, F-111

  Mallet Blow 87/2

  133

  Tornado, Jaguar, Harrier, F-16, F-111

  Mallet Blow 87/3

  12

  Harrier, F-111, Tornado, Jaguar

  Mallet Blow 88/1

  86

  Tornado, Harrier, Jaguar, Draken, F-111

  Mallet Blow 88/2

  100

  Tornado, Harrier, Jaguar, F-111

  Mallet Blow 89/1

  74

  Tornado, Jaguar, Harrier, Draken, A-10

  Mallet Blow 89/2

  193

  Tornado, Jaguar, Harrier, F-111, F-16, F-18

  1 A number of other support aircraft (tankers, air defence fighters and airborne early-warning aircraft) participate in Mallet Blow exercises but these do not take part in low-level flying in the Otterburn area.

  There have been two major accidents to low-flying aircraft involved in Mallet Blow exercises: a German air force Tornado aircraft crashed during Mallet Blow 86/4, and two RAF Harrier aircraft collided in mid-air during Mallet Blow 87/3.

  Mr. Jack Thompson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the bases where aircraft involved in the Mallet Blow exercise from 26 to 31 March will fly from.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Aircraft participating in Exercise Mallet Blow 90/1 from 26 to 30 March 1990 will fly from the following bases:

  RAF Brize Norton

  RAF Coltishall

  RAF Coningsby

  RAF Cottesmore

  RAF Honington

  RAF Leeming

  RAF Leuchars

  RAF Linton-on-Ouse

  RAF Marham

  RAF Waddington

  RAF Wattisham

  RAF Wittering

  A & AEE Boscombe Down

  RAF Alconbury

  RAF Bentwaters

  RAF Lakenheath

  RAF Upper Heyford

  RAF Bruggen

  RAF Laarbruch

  331

  RAF Gutersloh

  GAF Büchel

  GAF Bremgarten

  GAF Leck

  GAF Norvenich

  NAEWF Geilenkirchen

  Mr. Jack Thompson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the estimated cost of the Mallet Blow exercise from 26 to 31 March.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The full costs of individual exercises are not kept centrally and their calculation would involve disproportionate cost and effort.

  Service Accommodation
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much money has been spent in each year since 1979 on improving grade 4 service accommodation.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Figures for works expenditure are not kept in the format requested and could not be provided without incurring disproportionate expense.

  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much money has been spent in each year since 1979 on the improvement of service accommodation.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The Department places a high priority on the improvement of service accommodation and consequently expenditure on improving this type of accommodation has increased substantially over the past two or three years. Figures for works expenditure are not, however, kept in the format requested and could not be obtained without incurring disproportionate expense.

  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans exist for bringing grade 4 service accommodation up to standard with civilian housing.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Service accommodation is graded according to amenity, locational and environmental factors as well as physical condition and facilities, so that the grading of properties has only an indirect bearing on whether they require modernisation. It is not clear on what basis the standard of a property such as a barracks could be compared with that for civilian housing. However, all three services have extensive rolling modernisation programmes for married quarters and single living accommodation, regardless of grading. They plan to complete the modernisation of the former within 10 to 15 years. Single living accommodation will take longer.

  Chieftain Tank
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment has been made of the industrial implications of a reduction in the planned order for the replacement of the Chieftain tank.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  No decision has yet been made on tank numbers.

  Fire Standard
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what criteria govern the application of the Government fire standards code to the major refurbishment of Ministry of Defence storage facilities;
  332
  (2) what is the status of the Government fire standards code;

  (3) what regulations govern the liaison between the various military fire services and local civilian fire services in (a) the United Kingdom and (b) abroad;

  (4) what was the annual amount of expenditure on improving fire safety standards in Ministry of Defence storage depots for each year since 1979;

  (5) whether the Government fire standards code applies to Ministry of Defence storage facilities in other countries.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave him on Wednesday 28 March 1990.

  Community Charge
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the total amount of expenditure spent to date on reimbursing service personnel in Scotland in compensation for community charges that are above the average.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The estimated total expenditure for 1989–90 is £146,426.

  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the average service community charge in Scotland, as calculated for the purposes of reimbursement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  It is £291 for 1989–90.

  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the estimated average service community charge in England and Wales, as calculated for the purposes of reimbursement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  For the purposes of accommodation charge refunds after 1 April 1990, the average service community charge for England, Scotland and Wales will be used. The actual figure will be available shortly. My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for the Armed Forces will write to the hon. Member.

  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the percentage of service personnel in Scotland who are liable for community charges(a) below and (b) above the average, as calculated for the purposes of reimbursement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Some 35 per cent. of personnel in service accommodation in Scotland in 1989–90 are paying community charge below the service average, and 65 per cent. are paying above the average. I have no information on the community charge liability of service personnel living in their own homes, who are not eligible for accommodation charge refunds.

  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the percentage of service personnel in Scotland who will be responsible for community charges above the average, as calculated for the purposes of reimbursement, but are not eligible for reimbursement of accommodation charges.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Some 50 per cent. of those in service accommodation, in 1989–90, fall into this category.

  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the percentage of service personnel in Scotland who will be responsible for community charges above the
  333
  average, as calculated for the purposes of reimbursement, and will be eligible for reimbursement of accommodation charges.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Some 15 per cent. of those in service accommodation, in 1989–90, fall into this category.

  Nuclear Weapons
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy in respect of the timing for starting negotiations for the reduction of nuclear systems, relative to implementation of any reductions under CFE; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Our policy remains as set out in the comprehensive concept adoped by NATO Heads of State and Government at their summit in May 1989.

  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy in respect of the timing of a decision on the modernisation of short-range nuclear weapons, relative to the West German election; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  A decision on a replacement system for our WE177 free-fall bomb is not expected before the latter part of this year. With regard to the following on to Lance system, the agreed position remains that NATO will not take a decision before 1992.

  Service Spouses and Children
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps the Ministry of Defence has taken to improve employment opportunities for the spouses and older children of service personnel stationed in(a) the United Kingdom, (b) Germany and (c) Cyprus.

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

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Banks (Foreign Debts)
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to have a precise figure for loss of mainstream corporation tax receipts from banks due to provisions on doubtful foreign debts incurred in Third world lending for the year 1985–86.

  Mr. Lilley
  The precise amount will be determined only when all banks with sovereign debt have agreed their tax assessments for the appropriate accounting period with their tax inspector. It is not possible to forecast with certainty when this will be. In any event, it would involve disproportionate expense to collect centrally information about all the adjustments which will be made by every bank, so the information collected centrally will remain an estimate with some degree of imprecision.

  Professional Bodies (Membership)
  Mr. Cartwright
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has any plans to allow unemployed professional people to claim tax relief on their membership of professional bodies as if they were employed.
  334
  Mr. Lilley
  [holding answer 23 March 1990]: The general position is that, under section 201 of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988, an employee may have tax relief for annual subscriptions to a professional body if the subscription is paid out of the employee's pay, it is paid to a body approved by the Inland Revenue under section 201(3) of the 1988 Act and the activities of the body are relevant to the duties of the employment. A professional subscription paid during a period of unemployment would not normally satisfy the conditions for relief, but where a subscription is paid during a period of unemployment and the individual was employed during the same tax year (in a job to which membership of the professional body was relevant) tax relief would usually be given against the income from that employment. We have no plans for changing the rules of this tax relief.

  Civil Service Medical Centre
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Minister for the Civil Service how many persons made use of the civil service medical centre for vaccinations and inoculations in 1989; and what records are kept of such treatment of individuals.

  Mr. Luce
  [holding answer 27 March 1990]: In 1939, about 4,000 persons received 10,929 vaccinations and/or inoculations at the central London clinic of the civil service occupational health service. The occupational health service maintains records of these items for administrative purposes. Each individual is supplied with a personal record of the procedure undertaken.

TRANSPORT

  Complaints
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish in the Official Report for each of the last 10 years (a) the number of complaints made against his Department to the Parliamentary Commission for Administration, (b) the number of complaints upheld and (c) the action he took on (b).

  Mr. Atkins
  The number of complaints(a) made and (b) upheld for the past 10 years is as follows:

  (a) complaints made

  (b) complaints upheld

  1989

  1—

  1—

  1988

  26

  4

  1987

  24

  1

  1986

  23

  1

  1985

  17

  nil

  1984

  34

  4

  1983

  28

  2

  1982

  23

  4

  1981

  33

  5

  1980

  33

  2

  1 Figures not yet available.

  When the PCA upholds a complaint it is departmental practice to provide an appropriate remedy.

  Company Cars
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received from Friends of the Earth concerning the use of, and costs allowed to taxpayers through the use of, company cars.
  335
  Mr. Atkins
  A number of branches of Friends of the Earth raised the issue of company cars in their responses to "Traffic in London" and the London assessment studies.

  Light Rail Development
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what considerations the Department has given to the development of light rail in London.

  Mr. Portillo
  The docklands light railway opened in 1987 and is being extended to Bank and through the royal docks to Beckton. London Regional Transport is developing a case for a southern extension to Greenwich and Lewisham. In 1986 London Regional Transport and British Rail jointly published a report "Light Rail for London", which identified other possibilities. As a result, London Regional Transport and British Rail, together with the London borough of Croydon, are undertaking a detailed feasibility study of a light rail system in the Croydon area. The Government will consider carefully the financial and economic case for such schemes and their priorities, when they are brought forward.

  A427, Theddingworth
  Sir John Farr
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will now designate the A427 at Theddingworth, Leicester, as a trunk road.

  Mr. Atkins
  No. A new trunk road route, the M1-A1 link (A14), now under construction parallel to the A427, will offer a more appropriate route for longer-distance east-west traffic.

  Wheel Clamping, Newham
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Newham, North-East of 20 March,Official Report, column 506, if he will authorise wheel clamping in Green street and Katherine road, in Newham.

  Mr. Atkins
  Following a request by the local highway authority, wheel clamping is authorised by the Secretary of State for Transport, if he is satisfied that it is justified.

  Stockport Bypass
  Mr. Tom Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his latest estimate of the cost of the A6 (M) Stockport north-south bypass.

  Mr. Atkins
  A total of £89 million for works and land.

  Consultancies
  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the total amount spent by his Department in 1989 on management and computer consultancy contracts, excluding hardware and software purchases; if he will list each management or computer consultancy contract awarded by his Department in 1989, giving in each case the name of the consultancy firm and the subject of the assignment; and what is the total amount that his Department has budgeted to spend in the current year.

  Mr. Atkins
  [holding answer 28 March 1990]: We estimate that our expenditure in the financial year 1989–90
  336
  will be £4·0 million. A list of contracts awarded is in the table. The provisional budget for the financial year 1990–91 is £3·5 million.

  Comprehensive records of all contracts with consultancy firms are not held centrally. It would be disproportionately expensive to collect all the information required. The list identifies those management and computing consultancies which began in 1989–90 and are
  valued at £10,000 or more:

  Firm and Subject of Assignment

  W. S. Atkins—NIS Lighting Systems

  W. S. Atkins—CHART, DEFLEC and CHAPS Programmes

  BIS Applied Systems—Projects management feasibility study

  S. G. Bisson—GWR enhancements

  CACI—NIS Stage 2 Training

  Civic Trust—Traffic regeneration

  Coopers & Lybrand—Executive Agency (DVL)

  Coopers & Lybrand—Management development (DVL)

  DDI—Site collection system maintenance

  Easams—NIS Database administration

  Geografix—NIS Video Survey

  Howard Humphreys—NatStr Database administration

  IBM—IT Strategy (DVL)

  Ian Catlin—Autoguide demonstration

  Information Partnership—Review of TRRL Library Services

  KPMG—NIS Configuration Management

  LOGICA—NIS Video/Computer Interface

  Mindworks—Business Analysis Support

  Peat Marwick—NaRIS Post-implementation Review

  Peat Marwick—Design and implementation of IFCOS Accounting System

  Peat Marwick—IFCOS Integration (DTT/DSA)

  Price Waterhouse—Management Training

  Rendell Palmer Tritton—Bridge Maintenance System-Feasibility Study

  Rendell Palmer Tritton—Streetworks Register

  Software AG—IT Development (DVL)

  Thompson Systems—SUNACCOUNT/IFCOS Interface

  Transportation Planning Association—Pavement Parking

  Wootton Jeffreys—Maintenance and Enhancement of COBA 9 and QUADRO 2

  Wootton Jeffreys—URECA Maintenance and Enhancement

  Wyndham Leigh—Sale of Vehicle Registrations Marks.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Disabled People
  Mr. Gerald Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a further statement on his proposals to extend help with the extra costs of disability to less severely disabled people of working age and below.

  Mr. Scott
  I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Rugby and Kenilworth (Mr. Pawsey) on 5 March at column 525-26.

  Child Benefit
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many young people without a job or YTS place have had child benefit terminated in advance of the cut-off date.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The precise information requested is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, a study of summer school leavers in 1988 indicated that in some 1,200 cases, child benefit was terminated during the extension period (12 September 1988 to 1 January 1989) other than by reason of the child finding work or a YTS place. In 90 per cent. of those cases, the termination was because the child had reached the age of 18, the remainder being for a variety of reasons such as the child going abroad or into care.

  National Insurance
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the yield from a 1 per cent. contribution by employed and self-employed persons, respectively, on all earnings above the upper earnings limits for class 1 and class 4 contributions in 1990–91.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  It is estimated that a 1 per cent. contribution on earnings in excess of the upper earnings limit would yield £275 million in class 1 and £70 million in class 4 national insurance contributions.

  Social Fund
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to the reply to the hon. Member for Monklands, West,Official Report, 26 March, column 31, on the social fund, how many personnel in his Department are involved in reviews; and where they are located.

  Mr. Scott
  In 447 local offices, there are social fund officers whose statutory functions include first-tier reviews. In addition, there are 44 social fund inspectors whose sole function is to undertake second-tier reviews. Social fund inspectors are independent of the Department. They are appointed by and accountable to the social fund commissioner, and their office is located in Birmingham.

  Students
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many students in each of the last three years received housing and other benefits valued in current prices in excess of(a) £310 and (b) £420 in (i) England, (ii) Wales, (iii) Scotland and (iv) Northern Ireland.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Leeds, West (Mr. Battle) on 16 February at column 893.

  Consultancies
  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the total amount spent by his Department in 1989 on management and computer consultancy contracts; excluding hardware and software purchases; if he will list each management or computer consultancy contract awarded by his Department in 1989, giving in each case the name of the consultancy firm and the subject of the assignment; and what is the total amount that his Department has budgeted to spend in the current year.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  [holding answer 28 March 1990]: The estimated expenditure on management and computer consultancy contracts in the financial year 1989–90, excluding hardward and software purchases, is £42·1 million. Details of the individual contracts are given in the table.

  For thes financial year 1990–91, the Department has budgeted to spend £29·3 million.

  MANAGEMENT CONSULTANCY ASSIGNMENTS

  Consultancy Firm and Subject of the Assignment

  Andersen Consulting—Contributions Unit (Agency) Project

  Andersen Consulting—Agency Planning for the Information Technology Services Directorate (ITSD)

  338

  Andersen Consulting—Director of Social Security's Central Unit

  Applied Learning—Establishment of an Open Learning Centre for ITSD

  Arthur Allwright Associates—Departmental Purchasing and Supply Directorate (DPSD) Purchasing Consultancy

  Arthur Young—Integrated Complementing System

  Arthur Young—Efficiency Scrutiny of Fraud: Consultancy Support

  BDO Binder Hamlyn—Central Accounting System Study

  CAS Marketing Services—DPSD Purchasing Consultancy —Engagement of the new Director

  Cavendish Tricorne—Local Pay Addition Hazard

  Cavenish Tricorne—Local Pay Addition: Overbearing Model

  Cavendish Tricorne—Local Pay Addition Model

  CCTA—Departmental Information Systems Strategy: Scoping Study

  Coopers and Lybrand Deloitte—Property Consultancy for HQ Relocation

  Coopers and Lybrand Deloitte—Benefit Agency Implementation Team: Development of Project Timetable, Critical Path and Monitoring

  Coopers and Lybrand Deloitte—Social Security Agency Study: Future Work

  Coopers and Lybrand Deloitte—Senior Management Structure: Organisational Analysis and Design

  Coopers and Lybrand Deloitte—Purchasing Information System

  Easymove—Provision of Advice on Information Guides for Staff

  Enator—Integrated Complementing System

  Ernst and Young—Lone Parenthood Consultancy

  Ernst and Young—Efficiency Scrutiny of management of the Departmental Debt: consultancy support

  Ernst and Young—Integrated Complementing System: Management Support

  Handley Walker—Post Office Counters: Fee negotiation

  King's Fund College—Director of Social Security's Central Unit

  Kinsley Lord—Social Security Policy Group Consultancy

  Korn Ferry International—Benefits Agency Chief Executive: Consultancy to Assist Selection

  Lloyd Northover—Corporate Image and House Style for DSS Property

  Logica UK Ltd.—Integrated Monitoring System

  MORI Human Resource Research—Headquarters Relocation Staff Preference Exercise

  Modulus—Consultancy Support for the Staff Suggestions Working Party

  Mr. D. Chislett—Review of Computer Security

  339

  Mr. M. Pickett—Accommodation Policy

  Nationwide Anglia Relocation—General Relocation Services for Staff

  P-E Inbucon—Survey of Local Authorities (Preparations for Community Charge Benefit)

  P. A. Consulting Group—Review of the Management Formula in the Regional Organisation

  P. A. Consulting Group—Enhancement of the MMD: BMD Data Base at the Nottingham Staff Resource Unit

  P. A. Consulting Group—Pay Flexibilities for the Benefit Agency

  P. A. Consulting Group—Review of Central Office Management

  Peat Marwick McLintock—Efficiency Scrutiny of Management of the Departmental Debt—consultancy support

  Peat Marwick McLintock—Centralised Receipts Collection System

  Price Waterhouse—Integrated Complementing System

  Price Waterhouse—Forecasting Social Security Expenditure

  Price Waterhouse—Financial Planning and Control

  Price Waterhouse—Performance Measurements for ITSA and the Contributions Unit

  Price Waterhouse—Administrative Resource Management System

  Price Waterhouse—Future Career Development for Staff within ITSD/ITSA

  Professor Geoffrey Woodroofe DPSD—Purchasing Consultancy (Post Office Counters Fee—Expert Legal Advice)

  Sema Group—Integrated Complementing System

  Simmons Relocation Services—Advice on Relocation Package

  The McNeil Robertson Partnership—Departmental Personnel Management Survey: Attitudes and perceptions of the service provided

  Touche Ross—Integrated Complementing System

  Touche Ross—Finance Information Strategy

  Touche Ross—Administrative Resource Management System (ARMS Phase I)

  Touche Ross—Administrative Resource Management System (ARMS Phase II)

  Touche Ross—Benefit Agency Implementation Work, Management information Systems and Finance

  Touche Ross—Patterns of business Study

  Computer consultance assignments

  Ace Data Systems—Efficiency Unit

  Andersen Consulting — Operational Strategy Implementation

  Andersen Consulting—Image Pilot Project

  Andersen Consulting—Finance Information Strategy

  340

  Andersen Consulting—Training and Support Services

  Andersen Consulting—Smartcard

  Andersen Consulting—Executive Information System

  BIS Applied Systems—Service Management Centre

  C Data Services—Efficiency Unit

  Cardline Ltd.—Capacity Management

  CCTA—ARMS Feasibility Study

  CCTA—National Health Service Superannuation

  Code Recruitment Ltd.—Local Office Project

  Computer Search Group—National Unemployment Benefit System

  Computer Search and Selection—Service Management Centre

  Computer People—Service Management Centre

  Computer Management Group—Local Office Project

  Consultancy Lecturing Services—National Unemployment Benefit System

  D. P. Support—National Unemployment Benefit System

  D1 Limited—National Unemployment Benefit System

  Dr. Morris—Human Factors Job Design

  Dr. Morris—Job Satisfaction Evaluation

  Eosys—Family Credit Automatic Credit Distribution

  Ewing Systems Limited—Local Office Project

  FI Group—Local Office Project

  Forvus—Preferred Statistics Package

  Forvus—Family Expenditure Survey Processing System

  Gandlake—Laser Printer Replacement Study

  Grafton—Information Centre Prototype

  Holly Hill Ltd—Current Year Monitoring System

  Hoskyns—Statistical Information Centre

  Hunterskill—Local Office Project

  Infologistix—Capacity Management

  Jill Jones—Efficiency Unit

  Lancaster University—Computer Based Graphics Study

  Level-7 Ltd—X400 Support

  Logica—Knowledge Based System

  Logica—Quality Assessment

  Logitek—Personnel Management Group

  Lorien—Pension Strategy Project

  Lorien—National Unemployment Benefit System

  Lorien—Service Management Centre

  341

  Macleod Associates—Information Centre Prototype

  Myriad—War Pensions Management Information System

  Nesco—Service Management Centre

  Nesco—Capacity Management

  Oasis—National Health Service Superannuation Scheme

  Oracle—Current Year Monitoring System

  PA Consulting Services—Assist Project

  PA Consulting Services—Service Management Centre

  PA Consulting Services—Future Processing of NHS Stats

  Placegold Ltd—National Unemployment Benefits System

  Price Waterhouse—Financial Information Strategy

  Rediffusion—Computer Based Graphics

  Riverthorn—Local Office Micro-computer Project

  Rullion—Service Management Centre

  Scicon—Management Information System

  SDS—Service Management Centre

  SDS—Data Administration

  Sema Group—Future Processing of the Social Fund

  Softlab—Diadem Review

  Support Training Services—Central Training Unit Feasibility Study

  Task Force—Service Management Centre

  Task Force—National Unemployment Benefits System

  Task Force—Capacity Management

  Telecomputing PLC — National Health Service Superannuation Scheme

  Telfast Computer Services—Data Administration

  Telfast Computer Services—Service Management Centre

  Telfast Computer Services—Benefits Branch

  Ultracomp—Capacity Management

  VNG Nationwide—Service Management Centre

  World Systems PLC—National Unemployment Benefits System

  WS Atkins—Quality Assurance

  WS Atkins—Quality Situation Review

  WS Atkins—Private Circuit Configuration

PRIME MINISTER

  Juno Project
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Prime Minister if she has any plans to involve Her Majesty's Government in the future of the Juno project; and if she will make a statement.
  342
  The Prime Minister
  The enterprise shown by the Juno initiative is welcome and we regret that it is encountering financial difficulties. However, Juno is a one-off private sector initiative angled at commercial sponsorship and media interest. Diversion of public resources from the Government's longer-term scientific and commercial space objectives would not be justified. Accordingly, the Government do not intend to intervene.

  Quangos
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Prime Minister if, pursuant to her reply to the hon. Member for Falkirk, East (Mr. Ewing),Official Report, 20 March, column 513, she will deposit in the Library a list of the quangos operating now and in June 1979, giving alongside their areas of responsibility.

  The Prime Minister
  The Library of the House has copies of the Cabinet Office publication "Public Bodies 1989", which lists all non-departmental public bodies, and Cmnd. 7797, "Report on Non Departmental Public Bodies", published in January 1980.

  British Nuclear Forum
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will place in the Library a copy of her correspondence with British Nuclear Forum in the last year.

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

  Acid Rain
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will place in the Library a copy of her address to the Royal Society conference on acid rain on 22 March.

  The Prime Minister
  A copy is available in the House Library.

ENVIRONMENT

  Property Services Agency
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what research he has undertaken into the benefits of the privatisation of the Property Services Agency; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chope
  It is clear that competition will make the PSA more efficient, and privatisation will give it freedom to compete more effectively. Both processes will benefit the PSA's customers.

  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what organisational changes he will effect the Property Services Agency from 1 April.

  Mr. Chope
  On 5 May 1988, my right hon. Friend the Member for Cirencester and Tewkesbury (Mr Ridley) announced that the PSA should become a commercial organisation. The PSA has made good progress towards that objective and, as from 1 April 1990, will be split into two oganisations—Property Holdings and PSA Services. Of the 13,700 non-industrial staff and 7,500 industrial staff in the PSA at present, some 700 non-industrial and 1,050 industrial staff will transfer with Property Holdings to DOE(C). The rest will remain with PSA Services.
  343
  Property Holdings will perform the Government's landlord functions for the common user estate as well as other long-term Government activities. Property Holdings will become an integral part of the Department of the Environment.

  PSA Services, with initial staffing of £13,000 non-industrial personnel, comprises four operating divisions and a central headquarters group. The operating divisions will deal with maintenance and property management, design and project management, provision of specialist advice and overseas work. PSA Services will operate on simplified commercial accounts from 1 April 1990 and full commercial accounts will be introduced from 1 April 1991.

  PSA Services will compete with the private sector for business from other Government Departments including Property Holdings, but will also be allowed some freedom to bid for work outside Government. PSA Services will be privatised as soon as the business is ready for it, probably in the second half of 1992, and the enabling Bill is presently under consideration in another place.

  Disabled People (Housing)
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether his Department will revise the code of guidance on homelessness procedures to ensure that disabled people who are in residential or hospital care and who wish to have a home of their own are accepted as homeless by their local housing authority.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  No. Health authorities and social services authorities may negotiate nomination arrangements with local housing authorities or housing associations but it cannot be right to give their ex-patients an automatic right to jump the queue for subsidised housing.

  Surface Water (Acidification)
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if his Department will make funds available to enable the work of the surface water acidification programme to continue.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for the Isle of Wight (Mr. Field) in the Official Report on 23 March at column 770.

  The Department, with other Government Departments, will continue to fund wide-ranging monitoring and research programmes on the nature and impacts of acid deposition. Total Government expenditure in this field in 1990–91 is planned to exceed £2 million.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations his Department had at the Royal Society conference on water acidification in London between 19 and 22 March.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  [holding answers 29 March 1990]: The surface water acidification programme (SWAP) final conference was attended by scientific experts from my Department. Additionally, many of the United Kingdom-based scientists participating in the SWAP research also have contracts from my Department to carry out parts of our continuing £1·5 million research programme into the processes, impacts and abatement of United Kingdom acid deposition.

  Waste
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the 20Environment what consideration has been given to the European Commission proposal for a Council directive on civil liability for damage caused by waste, COM[89]282 final-SYN 217, dated 15 September 1989.

  Mr. Trippier
  The Government's initial consideration of the proposed Council directive was incorporated in an explanatory memorandum put before Parliament on 27 October 1989.

  West Yorkshire Residuary Body
  Mrs. Peacock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what amount of money has been received by Kirklees metropolitan council from the West Yorkshire residuary body, in each year since the abolition of West Yorkshire metropolitan county council.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The information is as follows:

  £ million

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  Revenue balances

  0·92

  nil

  nil

  nil

  Capital receipts

  0·64

  1·05

  1·03

  1·83

  Sewage Sludge (Dumping)
  Mr. Graham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the estimated cost of ending the dumping of sewage sludge at sea for each water authority in England and Wales for each year to 1998.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  We have begun discussions with the sewerage undertakers concerned to work out the details of the necessary programmes of work required to end sludge dumping at sea by 1998. The time scales of these programmes and their associated costs will depend on the particular circumstances in each undertaker's area.

  Merseyside Residuary Body
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the Merseyside residuary body will complete its work and be dissolved; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The Merseyside residuary body will be formally dissolved today by an order made under section 67 of the Local Government Act 1985. During the four years since abolition, the residuary body has sold or transferred to successor authorities 5,735 former county council property interests. It has distributed some £37 million from property sales and revenue balances for the benefit of local ratepayers.

  The Merseyside residuary body is the fourth of the seven residuary bodies to wind up. It inherited a considerable number of property interests, rights and liabilities from the former Merseyside county council, not least those in respect of Croxteth hall and country park. It is a credit to all concerned that successful solutions were achieved with the full co-operation of the successor authorities.

  The order transferred the remainder of the residuary body's property, functions, rights and liabilities to the city of Liverpool and the metropolitan boroughs of Knowsley,

  345
  St. Helens, Sefton and Wirral on 31 January 1990. The residuary body's superannuation and compensation responsibilities were transferred to Wirral district council in October 1987. The residuary body's final report is being laid before Parliament today.

  The two remaining metropolitan residuary bodies are on target to complete their abolition-related work within the five-year time scale.

  London Residuary Body
  Sir John Wheeler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the London residuary body will complete its GLC-related business; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The bulk of the London residuary body's remaining GLC-related property, rights and liabilities were today transferred to the London boroughs and other functional successors by an order made under sections 67, 100 and 101 of the Local Government Act 1985. This marks the virtual completion of the residuary body's role in relation to the abolition of the GLC.

  The residuary body inherited a considerable number of property interests, rights and liabilities, and a wide and complex range of tasks from the former GLC. To date, £184 million in revenue balances and £478 million in capital receipts have been distributed to the boroughs, with more to come. This is an impressive achievement by any standard, and I congratulate the chairman and board members of the residuary body on the effective manner in which they have carried out their tasks. The financial benefits to ratepayers and charge payers of abolishing the GLC are now increasingly apparent.

  The London residuary body will continue to have responsibility for a limited number of ex-GLC tasks, including the disposal of County hall and the distribution to the London boroughs of the receipts generated. However, its main task from 1 April will be to act as the residuary body for ILEA functions, property, rights and liabilities which are not transferred to inner London boroughs on the abolition of that authority.

  Local Authority Housing
  Mr. Wolfson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what freedom he will give local authorities that dispose of all or most of their housing to new landlords to spend the resulting receipts; and whether he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The Government want to encourage innovative approaches to the ownership and management of subsidised rented housing and some local authorities are achieving this through large scale voluntary transfers of their housing to private bodies—usually housing associations. I am now in a position to announce decisions on the treatment of capital receipts in these cases.

  Local authorities who transfer all or most of their housing will be required to set aside 75 per cent. of the receipt or an amount equivalent to the debt on the housing being transferred, whichever is the greater. The remainder of the receipt will be a usable receipt as defined in the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. One way in which authorities will be able to use this part of the receipts is to secure the provision of additional low-cost housing
  346
  through housing associations and the private sector. I hope they will make full use of the opportunity thus provided.

  In view of the potential scale of these receipts, we believe that authorities should show restraint in the rate at which they are spent. We will discuss authorities' plans for spending their receipts with them before giving consent to transfers.

  I know that a number of authorities have been waiting to find out what use they could make of voluntary transfer receipts. I hope that removing the uncertainty today will help those who are considering whether to pursue a transfer. Since the trend towards voluntary transfers is still at a relatively early stage, we will keep these arrangements under review to establish whether they are working satisfactorily for the Government and the local authorities concerned.

  I have placed in the Library a note giving our guidelines on the use of such receipts. A copy of the note is being sent to the local authority associations and other interested bodies.

  Non-domestic Rates
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps the Government propose to take to ensure that holiday caravans remain within the non-domestic rating system in England and Wales.

  Mr. Chope
  During the consideration of the Local Government Finance Bill in 1988, the Government, in response to representations made by the caravan industry, introduced an amendment intended to provide that holiday caravans should remain within rating, while the owners of caravans not occupied as sole or main residences but used as second homes should be subject to the standard community charge. The distinction was drawn according to whether or not the caravan was on a protected site, within the meaning of the Caravan Sites Act 1968. No holiday caravans were understood to be on such sites.

  It has now become apparent, however, that many sites primarily occupied by holiday caravans are protected sites. A high proportion of holiday caravans may therefore attract the standard community charge. This was not the Government's intention and, even though we have prescribed a maximum standard community charge multiplier of one for caravans and drawn to local authorities' attention their discretion to set a lower multiplier still, it is likely that many holiday caravan owners in England and Wales would face a burden considerably greater than if their caravans had been rated.

  After discussion with the caravan industry, therefore, the Government have decided to introduce shortly legislation to amend the Local Government Finance Act 1988 to provide for all caravans other than those occupied as a sole or main residence to be treated as non-domestic and subject to rating rather than attracting the standard community charge, whether or not they are stationed on a protected site. The legislation will provide for this amendment to the 1988 Act to take effect from 1 April this year. It will further provide that any standard community charge which may have been paid on a caravan before the legislation comes into force will be repayable. Once the legislation is in force, valuation officers will alter local

  347
  non-domestic rating lists in respect of the affected sites to reflect the contribution that the caravans make to the assessment of the site as a whole.

  My Department and the Welsh Office are today writing to all charging authorities in England and Wales to inform them of the Government's intentions. The legislative position is different in Scotland, where holiday caravans are not liable for the standard community charge unless they are able to be used for all year round residence. However, the change we are proposing may lead to caravans in England being subject to non-domestic rating which, in comparable circumstances in Scotland, would be liable to the standard charge. My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland has concluded that legislative change is therefore required in Scotland and the necessary provisions will be included in the Bill which we will bring forward.

  Shops Act 1950
  Mr. Janman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to monitor how much money has been spent by local authorities in the monitoring of shops' compliance with the Shops Act 1950 and on prosecutions for breaches of the Act.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  [holding answer 19 March 1990]: My Department has no plans to collect such information.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Accountancy Bodies
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will make it his policy as a condition of recognition to require the accountancy bodies seeking supervisory recognition under the Companies Act 1989 to ensure that persons from the accountancy firms criticised by his Department and the joint disciplinary scheme are not nominated to any policy-making committees.

  Mr. Redwood
  No. To impose such a condition as a general rule would be unreasonable.

  Complaints
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish in the Official Report for each of the last 10 years (a) the number of complaints made against his Department to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration, (b) the number of complaints upheld and (c) the action he took on(b).

  Mr. Forth
  The number of complaints(a) made and (b) upheld for the last 10 years is as follows:

  Year

  (a) complaints made

  (b) complaints upheld

  1989

  1—

  1—

  1988

  26

  —

  1987

  21

  1

  1986

  10

  2

  1985

  13

  1

  1984

  13

  1

  1983

  15

  —

  1982

  14

  4

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  Year

  (a) complaints made

  (b) complaints upheld

  1981

  15

  —

  1980

  19

  1

  1 Figures not yet available.

  When the PCA upholds a complaint, it is departmental practice to provide an appropriate remedy, agreed with the PCA.

  Trading Standards Officers
  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has any plans to extend the powers of county trading standards officers.

  Mr. Forth
  I consider that county trading standards officers have adequate powers to enforce consumer protection legislation and I have no plans to extend those powers.

  Auditing
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary State for Trade and Industry on how many occasions the auditors of any company have been replaced as a consequence of issuing a qualified opinion; and if he will publish the latest available statistics.

  Mr. Redwood
  This information is not collected.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will withdraw his representatives from any auditing policy-making organisation which allows any individual from the auditing firms criticised by his Department to influence the formulation of policy.

  Mr. Redwood
  My Department will continue to seek to make a constructive contribution to the development of guidance for the accountancy profession. An arbitrary policy of withdrawal in the circumstances suggested by the hon. Member's question would therefore be self-defeating.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will introduce legislation giving him powers specifically to investigate the affairs of auditing firms which according to his inspectors have performed poor audits.

  Mr. Redwood
  [holding answer 29 March 1990]: No, but under the Companies Act 1989, which will provide a new supervisory system for company auditors, it must appear to the Secretary of State that recognised supervisory bodies have effective arrangements for the investigation of complaints against company auditors.

  Currency Swaps
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will issue accounting recommendations to companies for the accounting treatment of currency swaps.

  Mr. Redwood
  No. This issue is being considered by the accounting profession and my Department is watching developments closely.

  Plastics (Recycling)
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress is being made in recycling plastics in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Forth
  The United Kingdom plastics industry already recycles more than 95 per cent. of its in-house process scrap, and good progress is now being made in recycling used plastics such as agricultural and supermarket film, more than 150,000 tonnes being reprocessed last year. This figure is expected to increase in 1990 as newly installed plant comes fully on stream. A range of recent industry initiatives to recover and recycle post-consumer plastics waste, such as bottles, are also now beginning to have an impact. Methods of stimulating plastics recycling are being considered in the light of international practice by a working party set up by the recycling advisory group. Its recommendations will help inform the Government's consideration of policy options in the context of the forthcoming White Paper on the environment.

  Computer-Aided Design Exhibition
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what contribution his Department made to the computer-aided design exhibition and conference in Birmingham between 27 and 29 March.

  Mr. Forth
  The Department made no financial contribution to the computer-aided design exhibition and conference. The Department was however represented by DTI west midlands offering advice on the enterprise initiative and by industrial material markets division providing information on the materials matter programme.

  Atlas Steel Foundry
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with the Director General of Fair Trading and the Monopolies and Mergers Commission about the purchase of the Atlas steel foundry in Armadale by William Cook plc.

  Mr. Redwood
  [holding answer 29 March 1990]: This purchase is at present being considered by the Director General of Fair Trading under the merger control provisions of the Fair Trading Act 1973. He will advise the Secretary of State as soon as possible on the question of reference to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission in the normal way. It would not be appropriate for me to take a view on the merits of the purchase or otherwise comment on it in advance of the director general's advice.

  Hearing Aids
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many registered hearing aid dispensers there are in each district health authority area; and what criteria govern their approval.

  Mr. Forth
  [holding answer 29 March 1990]: There are 617 hearing aid dispensers registered by the Hearing Aid Council. These are not recorded by the district health authority in which they practise.

  Only registered persons may practise as hearing aid dispensers. In order to be registered, it is necessary to
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  satisfy the standard of competence published by the council and pay the appropriate fee under the terms of the Hearing Aid Council Act 1968, as amended.

  National Engineering Laboratory
  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. Ridley
  [pursuant to his reply, 12 March 1990, c. 44]: A new chief executive has been appointed. He is William Edgar. Mr. Edgar will take up the appointment on 1 June 1990.

WALES

  Homelessness
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many homeless households there are in bed-and-breakfast accommodation and in other temporary accommodation in Wales in each of the boroughs and districts; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Grist
  The figures are as follows:

  Numbers of households in temporary accommodation on 31 December 1989

  At end of quarter

  Total

  Bed and breakfast

  Aberconwy

  0

  0

  Alyn and Deeside

  28

  1

  Arfon

  3

  0

  Blaenau Gwent

  12

  0

  Brecknock

  7

  0

  Cardiff

  179

  110

  Carmarthen

  16

  0

  Ceredigion

  3

  2

  Colwyn

  5

  0

  Cynon Valley

  8

  0

  Delyn

  18

  4

  Dinefwr

  4

  4

  Dwyfor

  2

  1

  Glyndwr

  1

  0

  Islwyn

  14

  1

  Llanelli

  25

  17

  Lliw Valley

  30

  0

  Meirionnydd

  7

  0

  Merthyr Tydfil

  2

  0

  Monmouth

  36

  2

  Montgomery

  8

  0

  Neath

  20

  7

  Newport

  141

  1

  Ogwy

  8

  0

  Port Talbot

  27

  2

  Preseli Pembrokeshire

  12

  4

  Radnor

  1

  0

  Rhondda

  0

  0

  Rhuddlan

  3

  0

  Rhymney Valley

  17

  13

  South Pembrokeshire

  10

  0

  Swansea

  24

  2

  Taff Ely

  5

  1

  Torfaen

  18

  0

  Vale of Glamorgan

  133

  0

  Wrexham Maelor

  5

  1

  Ynys Mon

  0

  0

  Wales

  832

  173

  351
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many people are homeless in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Grist
  In the period October to December 1989, 1,618 households were accepted as homeless by local authorities in Wales. I announced a package of measures to tackle homelessness in Wales on 11 December.

  Offshore Dumping
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list where, in offshore areas of Wales, the dumping takes place of(a) sewage sludge, (b) fly ash and (c) industrial wastes; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Grist
  Sewage sludge is dumped in Liverpool bay and in two sites in the Bristol channel (one of which is used in bad weather only). No fly ash or industrial wastes are currently dumped in offshore areas of Wales.

  My right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food announced on 5 March that the Government intended that all dumping at sea of sewage sludge would end by 1998.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will pay transitional relief for the poll tax for five years in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  No. The introduction of the community charge will promote the accountability of local government. An over-extended transitional period would preclude the early realisation of that accountability. The three-year transitional period for which I have provided strikes the right balance between protecting the interests of the charge payers affected by the structural changes to local government finance, and ensuring that full accountability will be obtained relatively quickly.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which Welsh councils have not supplied him with all the details required of their spending plans and community charge for 1990–91 by the appropriate deadline; and if he will describe any action he will now take.

  Mr. Grist
  The information required by the Department relating to district council transfers from, and county council precepts upon, collection funds has been received from all Welsh local authorities. The information requested by the Department relating to the community charges set by Welsh local authorities is not due until 2 April, although most councils have already provided this.

  Mentally Ill People
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list in the Official Report, for the latest available date, the numbers of mental illness beds in secure accommodation in each district health authority and those district health authorities where no secure accommodation is available; what action he has taken to promote the development of comprehensive secure provision, including that for those chronically mentally ill and behaviourally disturbed people not appropriate for regional secure units, in pursuance of the recommendation of the inter-departmental Home Office and Department of Health and Social Security working group; and if he will make a statement.
  352
  Mr. Grist
  I understand from returns submitted by health authorities that, as of 31 December 1988, the latest date for which information is available centrally, the number of mental illness beds in permanently locked accommodation in each district health authority in Wales was:

  Numbers

  Clwyd

  20

  East Dyfed

  10

  Gwent

  Nil

  Gwynedd

  Nil

  Mid Glamorgan

  Nil

  Pembrokeshire

  Nil

  Powys

  Nil

  South Glamorgan

  48

  West Glamorgan

  5

  On 21 February this year I announced proposals for the establishment of a departmental advisory group to determine a comprehensive policy for forensic psychiatric services in Wales in the context of the document "Mental Illness Services—A Strategy for Wales" published in May 1989, which sets out comprehensive proposals for the development of mental illness services. At the same time I announced that Clwyd and Mid Glamorgan health authorities have been asked to prepare proposals for interim secure facilities to be available until substantive medium secure units have been established.

  Mental Hospitals
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list in the Official Report the hospitals for the mentally ill and handicapped which will become empty over the next five years, the number of patients in each at the latest available date, the district health authority in which each is situated; and whether it is in or near an urban area.

  Mr. Grist
  Proposals for any substantial variation in the service provided in a district, such as the closure of a hospital, are a matter in the first instance for the health authority. No proposals have been approved by my right hon. Friend which would lead to the closure in the next five years of a mental illness or mental handicap hospital in Wales.

  Wrexham Art College
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if his Department has considered an application for an exhibition relating to Wrexham art college to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall.

  Mr. Roberts
  I understand that, under procedures agreed by the Services Committee, arrangements have been made with the authorities of the House for the exhibition to be held in the Upper Waiting Hall from 7 May to 11 May 1990.

  Manufacturing Investment
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will state in the Official Report the value of manufacturing investment, including leased assests, in Wales for each year since 1978, in cash and constant prices.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  The following table shows, at current (cash) prices, the value of net capital expenditure
  353
  in Wales from 1978 to 1987. Data for later years are not yet available. The data exclude the value of assets leased from the financial industries as this information is not available for Wales. Constant price data are available only for the United Kingdom as a whole.

  Net Capital Expenditure

  (£ million)

  SIC (1968) Orders III to XIX

  SIC (1980) Divisions 2 to 4

  1978

  331·2

  —

  1979

  495·1

  472·1

  1980

  —

  380·3

  1981

  —

  370·9

  1982

  —

  337·9

  1983

  —

  353·2

  1984

  —

  471·0

  1985

  —

  563·0

  1986

  —

  523·6

  1987

  —

  632·9

  Source: Annual Census of Production, Central Statistical Office.

  Home Improvement Grants
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will place in the Library a copy of the new means-testing scheme relating to home improvement grants to be introduced in April 1990.

  Mr. Grist
  My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for the Environment announced on 22 February that implementation of the major provisions of part VIII of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 relating to home improvement grants in England and Wales is being deferred to 1 July 1990. The relevant circulars will be published and placed in the Library before that date.

  Complaints
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish in the Official Report for each of the last 10 years (a) the number of complaints made against his Department to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration, (b) the number of complaints upheld and (c) the action he took on (b).

  Mr. Peter Walker
  The number of complaints(a) made and (b) upheld for the last 10 years is as follows:

  (a) complaints made

  (b) complaints upheld

  1989–90

  1

  1

  1988–89

  9

  —

  1987–88

  6

  —

  1986–87

  7

  —

  1985–86

  6

  —

  1984–85

  6

  —

  1983–84

  6

  —

  1982–83

  4

  —

  1981–82

  9

  —

  1980–81

  6

  2

  1Figures not yet available.

  When the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration upholds a complaint it is departmental practice to provide an appropriate remedy.

  Hospital Treatment
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish in the Official Report a list of those medical conditions which cannot be treated by hospitals within Wales but can be treated by hospitals within England.

  Mr. Grist
  Information on every medical condition which cannot be treated by hospitals within Wales but can be treated by hospitals within England is not held centrally. However, there are a number of health services which, to be clinically effective and economically viable, need to be provided to a population greater than that of Wales or any single English region. Those services, known as supra-regional services, which are provided to the population of Wales and England by hospitals in England, are as follows:

  Chorioncarcinoma Services

  Craniofacial Services

  Endoprosthetic Service for Primary Bone Tumours

  Heart Tranplantation

  Liver Transplantation

  Non-Transplant Liver Services

  Neo-natal and Infant Cardiac Surgery

  Psychiatric Services for Deaf People

  Retinoblastoma Services

  Stereotactic Radiosurgery

  Public Expenditure
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales on which date he will publish the 1990 Welsh Office public expenditure commentary.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Cardiff, North (Mr. Jones) on 9 March.

  Colwyn Bay Disaster Fund
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much his office has contributed to the disaster fund recently set up by the lord mayor of Colwyn Bay.

  Mr. Peter Walker
  My Department has conributed £135,000 to the fund established by the mayor of Colwyn. In addition, £12,000 has been donated to the appeal fund at Rhuddlan, and £3,000 to the fund at Delyn.

  Teachers (Courses)
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish for each local authority area the number of teachers in each of the last three years who have undertaken INSET and other courses of professional development(a) during school hours and (b) after school, at weekends and during school holidays.

  Mr. Roberts
  This information is not held centrally.

  Radioactivity
  Mr. Alex Carlite
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on his response to the conclusions in the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority report on "Artificial Radioactivity on the Coasts of Wales", about the influence of Sellafield on radioactivity levels found on beaches and in the sea.

  Mr. Grist
  The conclusions of the report, which are reassuring, have been noted, in particular the view that
  355
  environmental concentrations were generally low and that the total dose by all pathways reflected in the results was found to be a small fraction of the recognised limit.

  Flood Prevention
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether he has proposals to appoint or create a single body to take charge of sea defences and flood prevention in the light of the recent flood disaster in north Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Grist
  I have no plans to change the present arrangements.

  Education System
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to provide non-teaching time in(a) primary and (b) secondary schools to enable them to implement (i) the teaching, testing and assessment provisions of the national curriculum and (ii) the proposals of the Elton report on school discipline.

  Mr. Roberts
  The organisation of the school day and the duties to be undertaken by individual teachers in their 1,265 hours of directed time are matters for head teachers. The Interim Advisory Committee on School Teachers' Pay and Conditions has recently drawn attention to the scope that exists for LEAs and governing bodies to develop policies to increase teachers' non-contact time. Through the education support grant, the Government are supporting in-service training for teachers in the management of pupil behaviour. We are providing extensive support through ESG and the LEA training grants scheme for training in the introduction and assessment of the national curriculum.

EMPLOYMENT

  Silicon Chips Industry
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list all the dangerous substances or chemicals with which workers involved in the silicon chips industry come into contact.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) does not hold detailed information on all the substances and chemicals used in the silicon chip industry.

  However, in 1985–86 HSE carried out a survey among factories manufacturing semi-conductor devices, including silicon chips, and found that the following substances were widely used:
  arsine and other inorganic arsenic compounds, diborane, borontrifluoride, phosphorous oxychloride, organometallic compounds, hydrofluoric acid, glycol ethers, phosphine, phosphorus, silane, germane, gallium, and indium.

  Wages Councils
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many persons are employed in each of the sectors covered by the 26 wages councils.

  Mr. Nicholls
  I would refer the hon. Lady to the first part of table 3 of the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Coventry, South-East (Mr. Nellist) on 14 March, at columns 252-56.
  356
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment which wages councils he plans to abolish(a) in the current year and (b) at a later stage.

  Mr. Nicholls
  I would refer the hon. Lady 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, at column 543.

  Health and Safety
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has for improvements in health and safety legislation.

  Mr. Nicholls
  The Health and Safety Commission is responsible for bringing forward proposals for the progressive modernisation of health and safety legislation. Details of the commission's future legislative programme will be contained in its plan of work for 1990–91 and beyond, which the commission hopes to publish in May.

  Mrs. Kay Jackson
  Mr. Evennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how he intends to respond to the recent employment appeal tribunal decision on the case of Mrs. Kay Jackson; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholls
  In line with the assurance given to the House in debate on 8 November 1989, the decision of the employment appeal tribunal will now be honoured in the case of Mrs. Jackson as well as in all the other outstanding tribunal cases. No appeal against it will be made. Following the decision the Treasury solicitor is in touch with the applicants to review their respective positions.

  In making a child care allowance available to lone parents on ET, the Government sought to give special help and support to a group known to be particularly disadvantaged in the labour market and to face disproportionate difficulties in taking up training.

  The resources that the Government can commit to child care are necessarily limited. The Government believe that it is right that lone parents should have the first claim on those resources. An order made under the Employment Act 1989 and effective from 19 December 1989 allows the continuation of current special arrangements to lone parents.

  "Next Steps"
  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when the employment service will be established as a "next steps" agency; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Howard
  The employment service becomes a "next steps" agency on Monday 2 April 1990. The employment service has 35,000 staff dealing directly with the public, helping unemployed people into jobs and paying £4·6 million in benefits for unemployment, making the agency the biggest and the most significant to be set up so far under the "next steps" initiative.

  I will be publishing on Monday the agency framework document, which describes how the agency will operate in relation to the Department, and its annual performance agreement, which describes the specific performance targets the agency is aiming to achieve in 1990–91. Copies of these documents will be placed in the Library.
  357
  My hon. Friend the Minister of State is writing to all Members with more details about the agency arrangements and the responsibilities of the agency's chief executive.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Lithuania
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what direct representations he has made to the Soviet Union about the desirability of negotiations between the Soviet Union and Lithuania; and whether he intends calling for such negotiations to take place on neutral territory.

  Mr. Maude
  We have made a number of direct representations to the Soviet authorities urging that progress should be made through dialogue between the Soviet Union and the Lithuanians. We have not made any recommendation as to where such negotiations should take place.

  Romania
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made in alleviating the plight of Romanian orphans.
  358
  Mr. Maude
  Since the Romanian revolution we have given over £6 million of medical and food aid to Romania (though not specifically to the orphanages) directly or through the EC.

  Charitable organisations in the UK have sent food, clothes and medical aid to the orphanages. British doctors and nurses are helping, and arrangements are being made for two Romanians to receive training in the UK. We have made small cash grants to help with this, and also to other organisations in the same field.

  We are now considering what more we can do.

  Ivory
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the current stock of ivory available in Hong Kong for trading.

  Mr. Maude
  The latest available figure for the current stock of elephant ivory held in Hong Kong with valid CITES documentation and therefore available for trade (to the nearest tonne) is 356 tonnes, comprising 102 tonnes of worked ivory and 254 tonnes of raw ivory.

SCOTLAND

  Silicon Chips Industry
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people in Scotland work full or part-time in the silicon chips industry; and how many of them are in regular contact with(a) chemicals or substances dangerous to their health and (b) hydrofluoric acid.

  Mr. Lang
  The information requested is not available.

  Sport
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many students in(a) secondary and (b) higher education in Scotland regularly take part in sporting activities.

  Mr. Lang
  Physical education, which may include sport, is a recommended part of the curriculum for all school pupils. Figures for participation by post-school students are not collected centrally.

  Hazardous Waste
  Mr. Andrew Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many full-time hazardous waste inspectors there are in Scotland.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Six professional staff are engaged for part of their time on waste inspectorate duties, amounting to the equivalent of three full-time officers.

  Water Quality
  Mr. Andrew Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many scientific staff are employed by the river purification boards in Scotland to issue and enforce consents and to monitor water quality.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The numbers and types of staff employed by river purification boards are matters for each board to determine in the light of its circumstances. Such information is published annually in the reports of the boards which are lodged in the Library.

  Waste Disposal
  Mr. Andrew Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will outline what measures have been taken to establish which waste disposal sites in Scotland pose a pollution problem from the escape of noxious leachate.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  It is a statutory requirement that river purification authorities (RPAs) be consulted on proposals for development of waste disposal sites. They will indicate whether there may be leachate requiring a discharge consent. Such consents would be given only subject to conditions aimed at ensuring that the discharge will not cause pollution of surface or groundwater. Any breach of discharge consent conditions, and any unconsented discharges, would be investigated by the RPAs as part of their statutory function.

  Mr. Andrew Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which waste disposal authorities in Scotland have still not submitted to him a waste disposal plan.
  360
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Final waste disposal plans have not yet been submitted by three district councils: Banff and Buchan, Kirkcaldy, and Skye and Lochalsh.

  Contaminated Land
  Mr. Andrew Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what measures have been taken to establish the extent and location of contaminated land in Scotland.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The Scottish Development Department carried out a pilot survey of vacant land in Scotland in 1988 in collaboration with the Scottish Development Agency and the regional and district councils. This initial survey revealed 48 sites, comprising 402 hectares, that were known to be contaminated and a further 189 sites, comprising 834 hectares, that were suspected of contamination. A follow-up survey will be carried out shortly.

  European Structural Fund
  Mr. Andrew Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which projects have to date attracted European Commission structural fund suppport, and how much.

  Mr. Lang
  To the end of 1989, Scotland has benefited from project awards1 of around £1,268 million from the European Community structural funds. Details of the individual funds are set out in the table:

  £ million

  European Regional Development Fund

  869

  European Social Fund

  277

  European Agricultural Guarantee and Guidance Fund

  122

  1 These figures relate only to projects: the Structural Funds have also provided, through the Agricultural Guidance Fund, assistance to pre-funded schemes such as livestock subsidies—some £290 million between 1979 and 1988.

  It is not practicable to list the projects individually because of the very large number which have been assisted.

  Sewage Sludge
  Mr. Graham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the estimate of the additional poll tax that will have to be levied in each of the Scottish regions to cover the cost of the reduction of dumping of sewage sludge for each year to 1998.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  This is entirely a matter for the authorities concerned.

  Mr. Graham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many tonnes of sewage sludge were dumped at sea by each of the Scottish regions in each year since 1979;

  (2) how many tonnes of sewage sludge will be dumped at sea by each of the Scottish regions in each year to 1998.

  Mr. Lang
  The information is set out in the table:

  (Wet tonnes) millions

  Lothian

  Strathclyde

  1979

  0·33

  0·70

  1980

  0·32

  1·71

  1981

  0·29

  1·51

  1982

  0·25

  1·47

  1983

  0·22

  1·57

  361

  (Wet tonnes) millions

  Lothian

  Strathclyde

  1984

  0·23

  1·71

  1985

  0·21

  1·69

  1986

  0·17

  1·70

  1987

  0·25

  1·70

  1988

  0·25

  1·70

  1989

  0·25

  1·70

  The Government have already announced that the dumping of sewage sludge at sea will cease by 1998. Until then, local authorities wishing to continue the practice will require, as at present, to seek annual renewal of their sea disposal licences. It is not possible to say precisely how much sewage sludge will be dumped at sea in the future. However, the quantities of contaminants in the sludge will require, as at present, to be contained within 1987 levels.

  Mr. Graham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the estimated cost of ending the dumping of sewage sludge at sea for each of the Scottish regions for each year to 1998.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The only authorities affected by the ending of the dumping of sewage sludge at sea are Strathclyde and Lothian regional councils. They will be called upon to submit programmes before the end of 1990 for changing to land-based disposal routes. Preliminary assessments indicate that the capital cost of incineration as an alternative to sea disposal might be about £52 million for Strathclyde and £12 million for Lothian but, until the authorities' programmes are available, it is not possible to say what expenditure will be incurred in each year.

  Mental Illness and Mental Handicap
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many(a) mentally ill and (b) mentally handicapped persons are at present in prisons in Scotland; and in which prisons.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The latest figures for 1989 show that medical attention was needed for 4,896 inmates suffering from neurosis or mental disorder. Only 82 inmates, however, were diagnosed as suffering from psychoses and 10 inmates were found to be mentally handicapped in these establishments.

  Psychoses Sufferers

  Her Majesty's Prison, Aberdeen

  9

  Her Majesty's Prison, Barlinnie

  41

  Her Majesty's Prison and Institution, Cornton Vale

  9

  Her Majesty's Prison, Edinburgh

  6

  Her Majesty's Prison, Friarton

  1

  Her Majesty's Prison and Institution, Glenochil

  4

  Her Majesty's Remand Institution, Longriggend

  5

  Her Majesty's Prison, Perth

  5

  Her Majesty's Prison, Peterhead

  1

  Her Majesty's Prison, Shotts

  1

  Mentally Handicapped

  Her Majesty's Prison, Aberdeen

  4

  Her Majesty's Prison, Barlinnie

  5

  Her Majesty's Young Offenders Institution, Dumfries

  1

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
  Sir John Farr
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the amount spent on compensation for farmers experiencing bovine spongiform encephalopathy so far(a) at the full animal value and (b) at the 50 per cent. animal value.

  Mr. Maclean
  The information is not available in the form requested. In total, £4,135,729 was paid in compensation from the introduction of the compulsory slaughter policy on 8 August 1988 to the end of February 1990.

  Sir John Farr
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the total number of cases of bovine spongiform encephalopathy notified in the United Kingdom since June 1988; and if he will give the annual figures.

  Mr. Maclean
  The information is as follows for Great Britain:

  Year

  Suspect cases notified

  19881

  2,517

  1989

  8,446

  19902

  3,987

  Total

  14,950

  1From 21 June, when BSE became notifiable.

  2Up to 23 March.

  Sir John Farr
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what other countries apart from the United Kingdom have suffered from bovine spongiform encephalopathy; and if he will list the number of animals and countries concerned.

  Mr. Maclean
  Nineteen cases of BSE have been confirmed in the Republic of Ireland and two cases in cattle exported from Britain to Oman.

  Sir John Farr
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress is being made in the discussions with West Germany relating to the resumption of normal export trade of British beef to that country.

  Mr. Maclean
  The Germans did ask for supplementary guarantees to accompany consignments of beef from the United Kingdom. However, following the European Community's scientific veterinary committee's endorsement of our view that British beef is not a danger to public health they are no longer seeking such guarantees for the great majority of our sales to them.

  Salmonella
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list in the Official Report the plants and animals which can harbour salmonella enteritidis.

  Mr. Maclean
  Any animal or plant has the potential to harbour salmonella enteritidis.

  Sewage Sludge
  Mr. Graham
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many tonnes of sewage sludge will be dumped at sea by each of the water authorities in England and Wales in each year to 1998.

  Mr. Curry
  It is impossible to estimate.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what weights of sewage sludge have been dumped in or off(a) the Bristol channel and (b) Liverpool bay each year since 1979; what licences he expects to issue before the end of 1998; and what weights of sewage sludge are covered under each licence.

  Mr. Curry
  The amounts of sewage sludge dumped in the Bristol channel and Liverpool bay each year since 1979 are as follows. About 95 per cent. of the weight is water.

  tonnes, wet weight

  Bristol Channel

  Liverpool Bay

  1979

  358,280

  1,653,521

  1980

  482,000

  1,759,883

  1981

  328,040

  1,692,680

  1982

  319,880

  1,642,410

  1983

  230,145

  1,299,200

  1984

  305,200

  1,282,800

  1985

  262,513

  1,498,973

  1986

  257,405

  1,541,456

  1987

  237,956

  1,626,036

  1988

  273,609

  1,628,937

  1989

  306,414

  1,645,609

  Licences are currently held as follows:

  Licensed tonnage (wet weight)

  Bristol Channel

  Wessex Water

  300,000

  Welsh Water

  55,000

  Liverpool Bay

  North West Water

  1,970,000

  I have announced that the Government intend to terminate sea disposal of sewage sludge as soon as possible, and at the latest by the end of 1998. Licence holders will be required to develop and implement plans for alternative disposal methods and a prediction of future disposals is not therefore practicable.

  Mr. Graham
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many tonnes of sewage sludge were dumped at sea by each of the water authorities in England and Wales in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Curry
  The information will take a little time to prepare, and will be supplied as soon as possible.

  Veterinary Executive Agencies
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what further progress has been made towards establishing the central veterinary laboratory and the veterinary medicines directorate as executive agencies; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  Further to the Minister's written reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Ludlow (Mr. Gill) on 26 February 1990 at column 69, I am pleased to confirm that
  364
  the central veterinary laboratory and the veterinary medicines directorate will become executive agencies with effect from 2 April 1990.

  The efficiency of both agencies will be judged primarily through cost recovery. Additional performance measures relating to their objectives will also be used to measure operating efficiency and quality of service and will be developed through the agencies' corporate plans.

  The financial targets for the central veterinary laboratory for 1990–91 will be:
  100 per cent. recovery of full costs;
  an overall efficiency gain of 1·5 per cent.;
  a reduction of 1·5 per cent. on the 1989–90 index of representative unit costs for diagnostic tests.

  The financial targets for the veterinary medicines directorate for 1990–91 will be:
  100 per cent. recovery of full costs;
  an overall efficiency gain of 1·5 per cent.;
  a reduction of 1·5 per cent. on unit costs for appropriate areas of licensing work and residue sampling.

  The performance indicators for both agencies are set out in their framework documents, copies of which are being placed in the Library of the House.

  Animal Feed (Irradiation)
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to what extent irradiation is used in respect of animal feed; what controls exist over kilogram dosage; what labelling requirements exist to inform end-users that irradiation of foodstuffs has taken place; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  No United Kingdom animal feeding-stuffs are irradiated.

HEALTH

  Agency Nurses
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his estimate of the number of agency nurses employed in the National Health Service.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The number of agency nursing and midwifery staff (whole-time equivalent) employed in the National Health Service in England at 30 September 1988, the latest date for which figures are available, was 6,240.

  Hypnosis
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he intends to extend his policy governing practitioners of hypnosis to practitioners of subliminal techniques; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  Hypnosis is subject to legislation only when used for entertainment purposes. We have no plans to seek to control the therapeutic use of hypnotism or similar techniques.

  District Health Authority Chairmen
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he can now announce details of the outstanding appointments of district health authority chairmen from 1 April.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  I have today announced the following appointments:
  365

  Chairman

  District

  Term of Office

  Mr. T. Benyon

  Milton Keynes

  2 years

  Cllr. D. G. Lloyd

  Shropshire

  2 years

  Mr. F. S. Cronin

  Sunderland

  2 years

  One appointment is still under consideration and I expect to make an announcement on this shortly.

  Dental Practitioners (Retirement)
  Mr. Anthony Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether it is intended to pay compensation to general dental practitioners who, having attained the age of retirement prescribed in the NHS (General Dental Services) Amendment (No. 2) Regulations 1989, SI 832, will have their names removed from dental lists on 1 April.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Yes. I have made a determination under section 8(3) of the Health and Medicines Act 1988 specifying the rates at which payments shall be made to eligible dentists whose names are compulsorily removed from the lists on 1 April 1990. Parliamentary approval of this new expenditure will be sought in the main estimate for family practitioner (part) and other services, England (class XIII, vote 2). Pending that approval, urgent expenditure estimated at £250,000 will be met by repayable advances from the Contingencies Fund.

  Medicines
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) who attended the meeting of the Committee on Review of Medicines that reviewed the alcohol content of gripe water; who gave evidence to the meeting; and what conclusions were reached;

  (2) if he will introduce legislation to permit publication on the deliberations and conclusions of the Committee on Safety of Medicines and the Committee on Review of Medicines;

  (3) what alcohol limits are permitted in gripe water currently on sale;

  (4) who are the members of the Committee on Review of Medicines.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  There are no present plans to amend section 118 of the Medicines Act, 1968 which generally prohibits the disclosure of information obtained in pursuance of the Act. The statutory appeal procedures are not complete in the cases to which the right hon. Member refers. It would be inappropriate to comment in any way prejudicial to them.

  The current membership of the Committee on Review of Medicines is as follows:
  Professor D. H. Lawson (Chairman) MD FRCP
  Consultant Physician, Royal Infirmary, Glasgow
  Visiting Professor University of Strathclyde
  Mr. A. G. Amias FRCS FRCOG
  Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, St. Georges Hospital, London
  Professor T. H. D. Arie MA BM BCh FRCP FRCPsych FFCM DPM (Eng)
  Professor of Health Care of the Elderly, Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham
  Professor C. J. Bulpitt MD MSc FRCP
  Reader of Epidemiology, Head of Division of Geriatric Medicine, Royal Postgraduate Medical School,
  366
  Hammersmith Hospital
  Professor J. E. Carless BPharm MSc PhD FRPharmS Emeritus Professor of Pharmeutics, University of London
  Mr. W. M. Darling CBE FRPharmS
  Pharmacist, Chairman, South Tyneside Health Authority
  Professor F. Fish OBE Pharm PhD FRPharmS
  Dean, School of Pharmacy, University of London
  Professor F. Harris MD MMed (Paed) FRCP (Ed) FRCP (Lond)
  Professor of Child Medicine and Dean, Faculty of Medicine, University of Leicester
  Professor J. G. R. Howie MD PhD FRCP (Ed) FRCGP
  Professor of General Practice, University of Edinburgh
  Dr. B. J. Kirby MB ChB FRCP
  Deputy Director, Postgraduate Medical School, University of Exeter, Consultant Physician, Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital
  Professor Rona Mackie MD FRCP FRCPath FRSE
  Professor of Dermatology, University of Glasgow
  Dr. Agnes McKnight MD MRCGP DObst RCOG
  Senior Lecturer, Department of General Practice, Queens University, Belfast
  Professor J. M. Midgley BSc MSc PhD CChem FRCS FRPharmS
  Chairman and Head, Department of General Practice, Queens University, Belfast
  Dr. A. T. Proudfoot MB ChB FRCP (Ed)
  Consultant Physician, Royal Infirmary Edinburgh and Director of Scottish Poisons Information Bureau
  Dr. L. E. Ramsey MB ChB FRCP
  Consultant Physician, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield

  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the estimated annual cost to his Department of monitoring the promotion of prescription medicines to ensure that companies do not infringe the Medicines Act.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Approximately £8,000.

  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health on how many occasions he has prosecuted pharmaceutical companies for infringing the Medicines Act through their promotion of prescription medicines.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Once. All notifications of possible infringements are investigated.

  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how often during the years 1983–88 he referred complaints regarding the promotion of prescribed medicines to the code of practice committee of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Eleven. In addition, staff of the Medicines Control Agency (MCA) take up direct with companies issues which it would not be appropriate to refer to the ABPI committee such as those which should be considered for formal enforcement or warning letters.

  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will introduce legislation to require the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (i) to have fewer than half the members on the code of practice committee from the industry, (ii) to give complainants the same right to hearing as defendants, (iii) to hold its hearings in public, (iv) to publish its reports and (v) to introduce a right of appeal.
  367
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  We have no present plans to do so.

  GP Budgets
  Mr. Michael Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what is the cash and percentage increase in absolute and real terms of the £360 million cash-limited budget of general practitioner premises and ancillary staff for 1990–91 and 1989–90, broken down by family practitioner committee;

  (2) what is the cash and percentage increase in absolute and real terms of the £360 million cash-limited budget for general practitioner premises and ancillary staff for 1990–91 and 1989–90.

  Mr. Freeman
  The estimated total spend in England in 1989–90 on the direct reimbursement of GPs' ancillary staff and premises improvement cost is £267 million. The preliminary allocation to FPCs of £359 million for similar expenditure in 1990–91 therefore represents a cash increase of 34 per cent. and a real term increase of 26 per cent. Details of actual expenditure in 1989–90, and the final expenditure by each FPC, will not be available until after the end of the current financial year. The allocations for 1990–91 will not be finalised until FPCs have reported their actual level of commitments for practice staff reimbursement and premises improvements as at 31 March 1990. A further allocation will be made in June and July to meet any difference between the preliminary allocation for 1990–91 to fund existing commitments, and the actual level of commitments.

  Eye Tests
  Mr. Michael Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he intends to undertake a survey of the effect of charging for eye tests; and when he expects to publish the results.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Manchester, Withington (Mr. Bradley) on 23 January at columns 654-55.

  Data Submissions
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many district health authorities were unable to submit to his Department all the data items in Korner minimum datasets for the year 1988–89; and how many of these district health authorities are unlikely to be able to provide complete data for 1989–90.

  Mr. Freeman
  Korner minimum datasets contain hundreds of individual data items, not all of which are centrally required. It is not possible to say which district health authorities failed to collect particular data items. However, the overall picture shows that 92 per cent. of finished in-patient episodes were submitted, of which 76 per cent. had actual diagnostic information. The remainder of centrally required information is provided by aggregate returns, and 98 per cent. of the expected returns for 1988–89 have been received.

  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if it has now been decided which sets of Korner data will be collected from National Health Service hospital trusts; and if similar data will be required from hospitals in the private sector.
  368
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  No decision on data to be collected from National Health Service hospital trusts or private hospitals has yet been taken. Consultation on information required as a consequence of the NHS review is in progress. Recommendations based on comments received will be made in a final report currently scheduled for 31 May 1990.

  Nurse Training
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many nurses have been trained exclusively in the private sector in each year since 1985 in(a) basic nurse training and (b) post-basic nurse training.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 8 March at column 828.

  Private Patients
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give for each district health authority, SHA and regional health authority and England as a whole the amount written off as bad debts for private in-patients.

  Mr. Freeman
  The information requested derived from the 1988–89 annual accounts of district health authorities in England and those of the special health authorities for the London postgraduate teaching hospitals has been placed in the Library. The 1988–89 annual accounts of the 14 regional health authorities record no amounts written off for this category of income.

  I should point out that we expect health authorities to take all reasonable action to collect their debts and that sums written off in a particular financial year sometimes include amounts due from earlier years.

  For 1988–89, the total sum written off in respect of private in-patient debts (£575,819) represented approximately 1 per cent. of the equivalent income (£62,422,151 net of sums written off) for that year, which represented a valuable resource for the health authorities concerned.

  Hospital Closures
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give for each year from 1979 to 1989 the number of hospitals(a) totally closed and (b) partially closed.

  Mr. Freeman
  The number of hospitals which were approved for permanent total or partial closure from 1979 to 1989 are shown in the table:

  Year of approval

  Total closure

  Partial closure

  1979

  29

  6

  1980

  38

  4

  1981

  37

  17

  1982

  18

  10

  1983

  58

  18

  1984

  59

  27

  1985

  24

  19

  1986

  48

  29

  1987

  33

  34

  1988

  64

  181

  1989

  22

  160

  1Provisional figures.

  Source: health authority returns.
  369
  Hospital closures are an integral part of local health authorities' planning and management. They are made for many reasons and are often balanced by new openings or other reprovision.

  Blood
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give the fee charged to non-National Health Service hospitals for handling each unit of blood for each year since 1982.

  Mr. Freeman
  Handling charges for whole blood supplied to non-National Health Service hospitals were introduced on 1 April 1984. The charges do not include any element for the blood itself, which is donated free of charge to the National Blood Transfusion Service for use where it is needed.

  Charges for each year from 1984–85 to 1989–90 are given in the table:

  1 April to 31 March

  Per unit of whole blood £

  1984–85

  19·75

  1985–86

  19·75

  1986–87

  21·00

  1987–88

  23·00

  1988–89

  26·25

  1989–90

  29·25

  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the total units of blood supplied in each year since 1982 to non-National Health Service hospitals.

  Mr. Freeman
  Blood issued to non-National Health Service hospitals is shown in the table:

  National Blood Transfusion Service: England and Wales1 Units of blood issued to non-National Health Service hospitals

  Year

  Units

  1982

  31,437

  1983

  40,786

  1984

  49,232

  1985

  54,327

  1986

  64,040

  1987

  80,002

  1988

  75,961

  1The figures relate to Wales and 12 regions in England as information is not available for Oxford region.

  Information Technology
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his reply of 28 November,Official Report, columns 228-31, whom he is consulting about his strategy for information needs and use of information technology which he announced when he launched his document on 17 January.

  Mr. Freeman
  The proposals for information needs and the use of information technology were summarised in working paper 11 "(Framework for Information Systems: Overview)" which was sent to all Members of Parliament for England. This document was supported by two consultative documents for IT and information, the latter including 13 stand-alone annexes. The working papers and annexes are available in the Library. Working paper 11 370
  and the full set of documents were sent to the general managers of all regions, districts, family health services authorities and special health authorities, to all relevant professional associations and trade unions, academic and research institutions, suppliers of IT and consultancy services as well as to other charitable and dent group-based organisations. In addition, sets were sent to NHS staff who had contributed to the working groups making the proposals. During the consultation process, requests have been made for further complete sets of documents or for individual annexes. There have been in all approximately 4,000 copies of the main text of both the information and IT consultative documents and 3,100 of each annex distributed for consultation.

  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his reply of 28 November,Official Report, columns 228-31, whether, once the National Health Service computer network is capable of linking family practitioner committees and individual practitioners, he plans to extend it to link them with district health authorities.

  Mr. Freeman
  The National Health Service communications network has been designed to cater for the wide area networking needs of all bodies in the NHS. Organisations such as regional and district health authorities will be encouraged to link to the network, so long as it is competitive on cost and service.

  Waiting Lists
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for health what plans he has to repeat the waiting list initiative; and if he will make a statement about the previous initiative.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  There are no such plans. I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Northfield (Mr. King) on 18 January 1990 at columns 403-04.

  Registrar-General
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whom he consulted about his plans to change the name of the groupings of occupations now described as the Registrar-General's social classes; how long the consultation period lasted; and whether any press release was issued to publicise the consultation.

  Mr. Freeman
  "Social classes" is the name given to groupings of occupations which are used in the statistical analysis of census, mortality and other data. The name has been criticised because the classification is actually based entirely on occupation. The OPCS therefore decided to consult on whether the name should be changed before the tables to be produced from the 1991 census were specified. "Occupational skill groups" was suggested as a possible alternative.

  Consultation took place in October 1989 with other Government Departments and externally through the OPCS census advisory committees, medical advisory committee and demographic liaison group. There was no press release. Responses were originally sought by the end of November, but the deadline was extended into December to suit, in particular, the BMA.

  The consultation revealed some support for change, but there was also opposition. In particular, it was pointed out

  371
  that, although the classification is indeed based on occupation, it is related to other factors, and is applied to all members of a family or household, including those without occupations.

  In the light of these points, it was decided to retain the name, "social class", but to extend it, to make its basis explicit, to "social class as defined by occupation". In using the expanded name, the OPCS will also make it clear whether individual people are being classified by their own occupations or by that of someone else in the family or household.

  The consultation also included a proposal to change the name of class II from "intermediate" to "managerial and technical"—again to clarify the basis of the classification. This change was welcomed, and it too is now being implemented in OPCS publications.

  Disability
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he has any plans to enable local authorities to pay family members or individuals for taking over the care of disabled people now living in residential homes;

  (2) if he has any plans to enable local authorities to pay family members or individuals for the care they give to disabled people living in their homes or those of members of their family.

  Mr. Freeman
  [holding answer 27 March 1990]: As my hon. Friend the Minister for Health explained to the Standing Committee on the National Health Service and Community Care Bill on 22 February at column 1230, we are looking into the possibility of empowering people assessed by local authorities as needing community care services and unable to pay for them out of their own resources to arrange the services of their choice by making it possible for local authorities to make payment to them. Our conclusions will be announced in due course.

  Consultancies
  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total amount spent by his Department in 1989 on management and computer consultancy contracts, excluding hardware and software purchases; if he will list each management or computer consultancy contract awarded by his Department in 1989, giving in each case the name of the consultancy firm and the subject of the assignment; and what is the total amount that his Department has budgeted to spend in the current year.

  Mr. Freeman
  [holding answer 28 March 1990]: The estimated expenditure in the financial year 1989–90 on management and computer consultancy contracts (excluding hardware and software purchases) is £10·3 million. The amount budgeted to spend in 1990–91 is £8·5 million.

  A list giving details of each health-related management or computer consultancy awarded in 1989–90 has been placed in the Library.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Complaints
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish in the Official Report for each of the last 10 years (a) the number of
  372
  complaints made against his Department to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration, (b) the number of complaints upheld and (c) the action he took on (b).

  Mr. Waddington
  The number of complaints(a) made and (b) upheld in the last 10 years is as follows:

  (a) Complaints made

  (b) Complaints upheld

  1989–90

  1—

  1—

  1988–89

  31

  6

  1987–88

  32

  4

  1986–87

  28

  3

  1985–86

  25

  3

  1984–85

  34

  6

  1983–84

  25

  1

  1982–83

  30

  4

  1981–82

  39

  2

  1980–81

  50

  6

  1Figures not yet available.

  When the PCA upholds a complaint it is departmental practice to provide an appropriate remedy.

  Prison Officers
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the current ratio of prison officers to prisoners.

  Mr. Mellor
  On 1 March there were 20,360 officers (including senior and principal officers) in post in establishments and the national inmate population was 46,984, giving an overall ratio of 2·3 inmates per officer. The ratio of inmates to officers varies considerably between the different types of establishment.

  Private Security Firms
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what safeguards there are on the suitability of private security firms.

  Mr. John Patten
  A number of trade associations in the industry have developed standards and codes of practice, which their members are required to follow, and which are subject to inspection.

  My right hon. and learned Friend is considering, in the light of the report of a Home Office working group on the self-regulation of the industry, the scope for improving existing regulatory arrangements.

  Vehicle Removal
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis as to how many unlawfully parked vehicles have been removed in Green street and Katherine road in the London borough of Newham by vehicle removal teams.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I understand from the Commissioner that two unlawfully parked vehicles have been removed from these roads since 1 January.

  Broadcasting Standards Authority (Chairman)
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the current powers of the chairman-designate of the Broadcasting Standards Authority; and what is his current pay in that capacity, and from what date.

  Mr. Mellor
  The Broadcasting Bill, if approved by Parliament, will establish the Broadcasting Standards Council as a statutory body and confirm its existing functions as statutory powers. It will have the power to draw up a code of practice on the portrayal of violence and sex and on matters of taste and decency, the general effect of which the broadcasters will be obliged to reflect in their own programme codes; it will have the power to undertake and commission research; to consider and examine complaints and require broadcasters to publish its findings on the complaints in whatever form it considers appropriate; and to monitor programmes which originate within the United Kingdom and those broadcast to the United Kingdom from abroad. These powers are invested in the Council as a whole, rather than the chairman as an individual. The salary of the council's chairman, Lord Rees-Mogg, is £31,500 per annum with effect from 1 April 1989.

  Mr. Les Huckfield
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable for Merseyside into the amount of time, the number of police personnel and the cost to the police authority of the inquiries that have been conducted into the affairs of Mr. Les Huckfield.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I understand from the Chief Constable of Merseyside that to date five police officers have been involved in the inquiries at different times, each on a part-time basis. It is not possible accurately to estimate the time spent and the cost of the inquiries.

  Young Offenders
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has any plans to prohibit the practice of housing young offenders in adult jails while prisons built to cater for the young are closed or reclassified; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  No. Our plans are progressively to rationalise the prison estate so that the places needed are provided in the most cost-effective and efficient mix of new establishments and improvements to existing establishments. In particular, we are seeking to reduce the levels of overcrowding in adult prisons and to allow more young adult remand prisoners, currently held in adult prisons, to be held in discrete establishments.

  Accommodation which is no longer needed for sentenced young offenders may be converted to adult or remand use where it would be practical and cost-effective. It would not however be sensible to retain uneconomic, poorly located or below standard young offender accommodation where this has no practical alternative use and is expected to be surplus to future requirements.

  Police Force (Civilian Staff)
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he has any plans concerning trade union rights for civilian staff within the police force; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if he has received any representations from the Association of Chief Police Officers concerning trade union rights for civilian staff within the police force.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The Association of Chief Police Officers has suggested that civilian staff working within police forces might be represented by a single union. Any such development would be a matter for the staff themselves and their local authority employers. My right hon. and learned Friend has no plans to require police civilians to belong to a single union or to restrict their trade union or bargaining rights.

  Drug Addiction
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people in Wales are addicted to heroin and cocaine in each health authority area; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  In 1989 doctors in Wales notified persons addicted to heroin and concaine as follows:

  Number of persons

  Persons notified in 1989 as addicted to:

  District health authority

  Heroin1

  Heroin and cocaine2

  Cocaine3

  Total

  Clwyd

  69

  1

  —

  70

  East Dyfed

  7

  —

  —

  7

  Gwent

  39

  7

  1

  47

  Gwynedd

  3

  —

  —

  3

  Mid-Glamorgan

  10

  2

  —

  12

  Pembrokeshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Powys

  3

  —

  —

  3

  South Glamorgan

  35

  1

  2

  38

  West Glamorgan

  6

  —

  1

  7

  All Wales

  172

  11

  4

  187

  1 Alone or with other drugs excluding cocaine.

  2 Alone or with other drugs.

  3 Alone or with other drugs excluding heroin.

  Advertising Expenditure
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were the figures for the spending by the Metropolitan police 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 Lloyd
  [holding answer 12 March 1990]. I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that expenditure by the Metropolitan police on all forms of recruitment and other advertising, and other promotional literature, in each financial year since 1979–30 is as follows (it is not possible to disaggregate total spending in the way requested for years prior to 1987–88):

  £

  1979–80

  759,000

  1980–81

  967,000

  1981–82

  1,062,000

  375

  £

  1982–83

  1,028,000

  1983–84

  1,675,000

  1984–85

  1,747,000

  Television advertising

  Radio advertising

  Newspaper advertising

  Other promotional literature

  £

  £

  £

  £

  1987–88

  —

  3,000

  1,722,000

  1,111,000

  1988–89

  —

  6,000

  1,881,000

  1,258,000

  11989–90

  472,000

  15,000

  1,587,000

  868,000

  1 Estimated outturn.

  Detailed decisions on expenditure for 1990–91 have not yet been taken, but the budget estimate is £3,124,000.

  Public Relations
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total expenditure by the Metropolitan police 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 Lloyd
  [holding answer 12 March 1990]: I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that expenditure on staff and accommodation costs of the directorate of public affairs, and on recruitment and other advertising and other promotional literature, in each financial year from 1985–86, is as follows:

  £

  1985–86

  3,622,861

  1986–87

  4,444,103

  1987–88

  4,555,000

  1988–89

  5,475,000

  11989–90

  5,508,000

  21990–91

  5,845,000

  1 Estimated outturn.

  2 Budget estimate.

  Figures for 1979–80 to 1984–85 are not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Birmingham Six
  Mr. Alexander
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he has taken in the light of recent representations submitted to him about the safety of the convictions of the Birmingham Six.

  Mr. Waddington
  [pursuant to his reply, 21 March 1990, c. 633]: I have always made it clear that I will consider very carefully any evidence which might cast doubt on the safety of the convictions. I have seen the television programme "Who Bombed Birmingham?" and have received from Granada Television a copy of documents in its possession, one of which concerns the Birmingham public house bombings in 1974.

  The programme did not put forward new evidence. The allegations about the ill-treatment of the convicted men while in police custody and about the forensic science evidence were fully considered by the Court of Appeal in 1987.

  The document which was referred to in the television programme and a copy of which has now been sent to me
  376

  £

  1985–86

  1,868,000

  1986–87

  2,269,000

  is a police report about terrorist activities in the west midlands which was written in 1975. I understand from the Chief Constable of the West Midlands police that the people named in the programme were included in the police investigations into the Birmingham public house bombings and other terrorist activities at the time. One person, Michael Murray, stood trial with the Birmingham Six, and was convicted of conspiracy to cause explosions and causing an explosion, and sentenced to 12 years and 10 years' imprisonment respectively, to run concurrently. However, no sufficient evidence was found to justify prosecuting the people named in the report for the public house bombings. It was not the prosecution case that the Birmingham Six were the only people involved in the bombings, and the report does not contain information which might cast doubt on the safety of their convictions.

  In 1986 the Home Office asked the hon. Member for Sunderland, South (Mr. Mullin), who was not then a Member of this House, to discuss with the West Midlands police the information that he claimed to have at the time of the publication of his book, "Error of Judgement". At an interview with the assistant chief constable he refused to identify the people he claimed had been responsible. The police examined his book and tested the allegations made on the basis of the limited information that he provided. The police reported their conclusions to the Home Office in October 1986. Their report satisfied the then Home Secretary, the right hon. Member for Witney (Mr. Hurd), that the claims which had been made had been fully considered but did not constitute new evidence. He did, of course, refer the case to the Court of Appeal in 1987 on the basis of new evidence relating to the scientific evidence and alleging police ill-treatment. It would have been open to the appellants to raise in court the allegations made by the hon. Member for Sunderland, South. They chose not to do so and he did not give evidence to the court.

  Further representations were made to me in December last year by the solicitor representing the Birmingham Six. On 23 January 1990 the West Midlands police provided me with a copy of the report which it is now clear is the same as the one which had come into the hands of Granada Television. (The people mentioned in this report were the subject of the report to the then Home Secretary in 1986). The information that it contained was carefully examined and I concluded that it did not constitute new evidence which might cast doubt on the safety of the convictions of the Birmingham Six. I have, however, passed to the chief constable of the West Midlands police a copy of the solicitor's representations. The Devon and Cornwall police will inquire into the existence of any

  377
  relevant information as part of the investigation they have been asked to undertake by the chief constable of the West Midlands police.

  Criminal Justice
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list all the organisations and individuals that have made submissions to him since the publication and on the subject of "Supervision and Punishment in the Community: A Framework for Action".

  Mr. John Patten
  None as yet. We have asked for comments by 30 June.

ENERGY

  Offshore Installations
  Mr. Doran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what regulations and guidance notes are in force governing the design, operation and construction of offshore installations and associated facilities; when these requirements were introduced; on what dates they have been revised, in respect of which platforms; and what dates and for what period exemptions to the regulations and requirements have been granted, and in what terms.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  A detailed answer to the hon. Gentleman's question can be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, I am arranging for copies of my Department's evidence to the Piper Alpha public inquiry on the offshore safety regime to be placed in the Library of the House. This details legislation and guidance relevant to offshore safety. The following regulations have been made since the production of this evidence:

  SI 1989 No. 840. The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (Application Outside Great Britain) Order 1989.

  SI 1989 No. 971. The Offshore Installations (Safety Representatives and Safety Committees) Regulations 1989.

  SI 1989 No. 978. The Offshore Installations (Included Apparatus or Works) Order 1989.

  SI 1989 No. 1029. The Offshore Installations (Emergency Pipeline Valve) Regulations 1989.

  Nuclear1energy

  Solar energy

  Wind energy

  Tidal energy

  Hydro2energy

  Other renewables

  1976–77

  110·0

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  1977–78

  100·1

  4—

  4—

  4—

  4—

  4—

  1978–79

  127·4

  0·2

  0·3

  0·0

  —

  3·1

  1979–80

  145·5

  1·5

  1·1

  0·6

  —

  6·2

  1980–81

  186·2

  1·2

  1·4

  1·4

  —

  9·1

  1981–82

  205·4

  1·5

  2·1

  0·4

  —

  17·4

  1982–83

  214·8

  1·7

  4·6

  0·0

  —

  12·2

  1983–84

  203·8

  1·6

  4·5

  0·0

  —

  9·0

  1984–85

  196·1

  0·8

  6·6

  0·3

  —

  9·6

  1985–86

  189·6

  1·0

  7·5

  0·1

  —

  7·3

  1986–87

  174·5

  1·0

  6·0

  0·1

  —

  7·4

  1987–88

  140·8

  1·2

  7·3

  1·4

  0·8

  9·2

  1988–89

  159·1

  1·5

  8·5

  1·2

  0·8

  9·4

  1989–90

  136·8

  1·9

  5·0

  1·0

  0·2

  9·4

  378
  SI 1989 No. 1671. The Offshore Installations and Pipeline Works (First Aid) Regulations 1989.

  SI 1989 No. 1672. The Offshore Installations (Operational Safety, Health and Welfare and Life Saving Appliances) (Revocations) Regulations 1989.

  Electricity Licences
  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he intends to issue a general authority under section 6(1) of the Electricity Act 1989 to enable the Director General of Electricity Supply to grant licences authorising the generation, transmission or supply of electricity.

  Mr. Wakeham
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and I have now issued he general authority to the director. Copies have today been placed in the Libraries of each House.

  Subsidence
  Mr. Andy Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the time limits for claims arising from coal mining subsidence damage.

  Mr. Baldry
  My Department has been discussing with British Coal the need for improved guidance for those householders affected by damage arising from coal mining subsidence. We intend to publish in the near future a new leaflet setting out claimants' rights. This will incorporate a unified approach to handling subsidence claims that has been voluntarily adopted by British Coal and which, in the Government's view, will give claimants the more advantageous elements of the two existing statutes governing such claims in anticipation of the enactment of new legislation. As regards time limits for making claims, British Coal has agreed to accept claims within six years of the damage occurring or within six years from which it would have been reasonable for a claimant to have known that damage had occurred.

  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what are the total public funds allocated for research and development on(a) nuclear energy, (b) solar energy, (c) wind energy, (d) tidal wave energy, (e) hydro-electric energy and (f) other alternative sources of energy, for each year since 1976.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  The figures requested are as follows (all figures in £ million):
  379
  1 Nuclear expenditure figures are D/Energy expenditure only: figures before 1986–87 include some non-R and D expenditure.

  2 Hydro expenditure not separately identified until 1987–88.

  3 All renewables 0·3.

  4 All renewables 1·3.

  Notes:

  1. Figures for 1989–90 are forecasts.

  2. The table incorporates expenditure on renewable energy by Government Departments, SERC, NERC, and CEGB.

  3. Renewables expenditure for 1976–77 and 1977–78 includes energy conservation expenditure.

  Electricity Prices
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) if he will consult pensioners' organisations, local authorities, the electricity consultative councils and the proposed new electricity consumer committees before allowing the price increases proposed for the below 1 MW tariff market in England and Wales for the year commencing 1 April to proceed;

  (2) if he will permit the Director General of Electricity Supply and the electricity consumer committee to review retrospectively the price increases applying to the tariff market in England and Wales from 1 April and announced during March; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) if he will permit the Director General of Electricity Supply to review the pricing arrangement for above 1 MW and less than 1 MW, pursuant to the Electricity Act 1989 and vesting day on 31 March;

  (4) if he will require the Director General of Electricity Supply on 1 April to review the proposed price increases for the below 1 MW captive tariff market, as though the price increases had been announced on 1 April or thereafter.

  Mr. Baldry
  Prices are a matter for the individual boards concerned, subject to their statutory and other obligations. All the boards have consulted their respective consultative councils about their proposals. I have no reason to believe that the boards have acted unlawfully in fixing their tariffs.

  Nuclear Power Stations
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will close the nuclear power stations at Heysham and Hartlepool; and if he will make a statement.
  380
  Mr. Baldry
  No. Both the design and the operation of these stations conform to the highest standards of safety. From their inception, the two stations have been subject to inspection and to the licence conditions required by the independent nuclear installations inspectorate (NII) of the Health and Safety Executive. Siting of the installations was one of the factors extensively considered before the NII granted a licence for the construction of the plants.

  The NII has full powers to order the shutdown of any nuclear installation which it judges to constitute a threat to safety.

  Energy Technology
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Provan of 26 March, he will list the team members of the major research and development programme aimed at developing commercially viable and environmentally acceptable energy technologies and their qualifications.

  Mr. Peter Morrison
  In addition to seven full-time technically qualified officials in my Department, currently 41 full-time and six part-time scientific and engineering staff at the energy technology support unit at Harwell are engaged on the research and development programme supported by Government into sources of renewable energy.

  However, this does not include those involved in the bulk of the research work in the United Kingdom, which is carried out by the industrial and academic sector. The number of qualified staff working in these sectors is not available.