Written Answers of 27 November 1990

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Anti-Jewish Literature
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Attorney-General how many proceedings have been initiated by the Crown prosecution service in respect of the publishers and distributors of anti-Jewish literature from 1987 until the present; and what was the outcome in each case.

  The Attorney-General
  I refer the hon. and learned Gentleman to the answer I gave on 13 November, at column 88.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Asylum
  Mr. Cartwright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applicants for political asylum in the United Kingdom are currently awaiting a decision; and how many of these have been waiting for over 12 months.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  It is provisionally estimated that about 27,800 asylum applications were awaiting a decision in the United Kingdom at 30 September 1990, of which about 8,400 had been outstanding for 12 months or more. However these figures are maxima which overstate the position, because of under-recording of decisions made earlier.

  Total number of defendants found guilty for specific offences involving children Wales 1985 to 1989

  Total found guilty

  Offence

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  Violence against the person

  Murder of infant under 1 year of age

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Infanticide

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Child destruction

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Cruelty to, or neglect of, children

  12

  9

  24

  25

  17

  Abandoning child aged under 2 years

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Child abduction

  1

  1

  2

  3

  2

  Sexual offences

  Buggery with a boy under the age of 16 or with a woman or an animal

  3

  9

  11

  13

  6

  Attempt to commit buggery with a boy under the age of 16 or with a woman or an animal

  —

  2

  1

  2

  —

  Indecent assault on a male aged under 16 years

  25

  20

  19

  13

  22

  Indecent assault on a female aged under 16 years

  81

  69

  80

  87

  87

  Unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl aged under 13

  9

  6

  7

  8

  4

  Unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl aged under 16

  29

  19

  22

  21

  15

  Incest with girl under 13

  5

  4

  4

  5

  7

  Inciting girl aged under 16 to have incestuous sexual intercourse

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  Householder permitting unlawful sexual intercourse with girl aged under 16 years

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Person responsible for girl aged under 16 causing or encouraging her prostitution, etc.

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Abduction of unmarried girl aged under 16

  —

  —

  1

  —

  2

  Gross indecency with children

  14

  9

  14

  14

  14

  330
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Dublin convention determining the state responsibility for examining applications for asylum lodged in one of the member states of the European Community will be ratified in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The convention determining the state responsible for examining applications for asylum was signed in Dublin in June by 11 members of the European Community. The ratification process must await a decision by the 12th member, Denmark, on whether to sign the convention.

  Postal Voting
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he proposes to introduce the changes regarding postal voting controls in the Representation of the People Act 1990.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  We propose as soon as possible to make a commencement order to bring the Representation of the People Act 1990 into force. In order for the Act to take effect, it will also be necessary to make some minor amendments to the Representation of the People Regulations 1986 and the European Parliamentary Elections Regulations 1986 and to make an Order in Council in respect of local elections in Northern Ireland.

  Child Abuse
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish in the Official Report the number of successful prosecutions for child abuse in Wales for each of the last five years.

  Mr. John Patten
  The available information is given in the table. It is possible from the information held centrally to identify only offences where the victim is by definition aged under 16: children may also have been the victims of other offences, such as murder, that are not defined by reference to the victim's age.
  331

  Total found guilty

  Offence

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  Summary offences

  Violence against the person

  Cruelty to, or neglect of, children

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Animal Experiments
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now implement article 24 of European Community directive 86/609/EC to render illegal the use of former track greyhounds in laboratory experiments.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  At the moment, the only type of dog bred on any scale for scientific procedures is the beagle. In the absence of other types of purpose-bred dogs for use in research, it will remain necessary to grant some exemptions, all of which have to be fully justified scientifically, to the requirement in section 10(3) of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 that only those dogs specially bred at and obtained from designated sources may be used in scientific procedures.

  Care is, however, taken to ensure that greyhounds obtained from non-designated sources are neither pets nor ex-racing greyhounds which have been supplied to charitable bodies for rehoming as pets.

  Commonwealth Citizens (Voting Rights)
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list those Commonwealth countries the citizens of which, resident in the United Kingdom, are eligible to vote in United Kingdom elections.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Citizens of all Commonwealth countries, who are resident in the United Kingdom and who are not otherwise disqualified, are eligible to register as electors and vote at elections here.

  Anti-Jewish Literature
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police investigations in respect of anti-Jewish literature are currently under way; and in what month and year each publication was referred to the police.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Information about current investigations is not kept centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Firearms Certificates
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list, for the current year, the number of(a) applications for the renewal of and (b) applications for a new shotgun certificate made to the North Wales police, and indicate in each case the number of applications which were not dealt with and certificates issued after (i) 28 days and (ii) three months.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  In the North Wales police force area in 1989 there were 6,697 applications for the renewal of shotgun certificates and 1,068 applications for the granting of new shotgun certificates. Figures for 1990 are not yet available. No information is available centrally on the time taken to deal with these applications.
  332
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable for north Wales, as to the reasons for the delay in processing the application for the renewal of a shotgun certificate made by Bryn Havord in April; and when the certificate will be issued.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  No. The administration of the licensing system under the Firearms Acts 19158 to 1988 is entirely a matter for local chief officers of police.

  Magistrates Courts
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance he issues to magistrates court clerks on the regard they should have to the consequences on employers and the public when arranging the hearing of cases relating to non-payment of the community charge by a large number of persons employed in the same undertaking; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John Patten
  We have had no evidence so far that any such guidance is required. There would in any case be practical difficulties. Courts issue summonses on the basis of applications from the local authority: information about employment is not included in such applications.

  Animal Procedures Committee
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will indicate, without identification of individuals, how many of the 21 members of the Animal Procedures Committee(a) currently hold licences to conduct animal experiments, (b) have previously held such licences, (c) are currently employed by organisations which conduct such experiments and (d) have previously been so employed.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  For the reasons set out in my reply to a question from the hon. Member on 12 November at columns 37–38, I am not prepared to add to the very full information given in my answer on 19 November at columns 11–12.

TRANSPORT

  Carbon Monoxide
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list those individuals and organisations which his Department has consulted in respect of the proposed introduction of an emission standard for carbon monoxide; and if he will indicate which(a) supported the proposed standard, (b) regarded it as too strict, (c) regarded it as too lax, (d) have yet to reply and (e) requested that their comments be treated as confidential.

  Mr. Chope
  We have consulted 120 individuals and organisations on our proposals to introduce a check of exhaust emissions into the MOT test. Twenty-nine submitted a response. There appears to be strong support for the principle of such a check. I shall make a further announcement on our proposals in the near future.

  Hazardous Substances
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he remains satisfied with the safety arrangements in place for the road transport of hydrobromic acid.

  Mr. Chope
  I am satisfied that the regulations for the road transport of dangerous substances, including hydrobromic acid, are adequate.

  Northern Line
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the current status of the project to upgrade the Northern line on London underground; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  I understand that London Underground is working up a scheme for the modernisation of the Northern line. I await its proposals.

  A30 (Launceston)
  Mr. Neale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made in his review to improve motorists' safety at the Kennards House junction on the A30 trunk road at Launceston.

  Mr. Chope
  I have agreed that lighting should be installed at this junction. Some changes to road markings are also to be made to help drivers negotiate the junction.

ENVIRONMENT

  Planning Procedures
  Sir Gerard Vaughan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the dates and circumstances of each occasion when he or a predecessor has exercised his powers in part XV, section 276, of the Town and Country Planning Act 1971; and in each case how much compensation was paid.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  In the period 1955 to 1973 there were 18 cases in which my right hon. Friend's predecessors used their default powers to revoke local authority planning permissions. There have been no cases subsequently. The available details are as follows:

  Year and details

  1955

  Orpington Urban District Council: residential development at Lynwood Estate, Orpington.

  Chislehurst and Sidcup Urban District Council: residential development between Chislehurst and Sidcup.

  1956

  Elstree Rural District Council: residential development at Furse Hill Estate, Barnet Lane.

  1958

  Bletchley Urban District Council: residential development at Watling Street, Bletchley.

  Bradford Councty Borough: residential development at Carr Boltom Road, Bradford.

  1960

  Bullingdon Rural District Council: residential development at Oxford Road, Preston Crownmarsh.

  Kerrier Rural District Council: commercial development at Porth Nowas Quay.

  North Kesteven Rural District Council: light industrial development at Ripley Drive, North Hykeham.

  334
  1961

  One case—details not known.

  1965

  One case—details not known.

  1966

  Two cases—details not known.

  1969

  Two cases—details not known.

  1970

  Two cases—details not known.

  1972

  Bristol City Council—hotel near Avon Gorge.

  1973

  London Borough of Richmond—residential development at Rutland Lodge, Petersham.

  Further information is not available in the form requested.

  Section 276 of the 1971 Act has now been consolidated in sections 100 and 104 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

  Catalytic Converters
  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if the Government have any plans to provide fiscal incentives to car owners to fit catalytic converters.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Taxation is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

  Toxic Chemicals (Dumping)
  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the progress of the investigations into the illegal dumping of 40 barrels of toxic chemicals in Dunday; and what measures are being taken to prevent such occurrences in the future.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The investigation of this incident is a matter for Avon county council as waste disposal authority for the area in which it occurred. HM inspectorate of pollution is continuing to monitor developments and is prepared to offer advice on arrangements for analysis or safe disposal should such advice be required.

  The Environmental Protection Act 1990, which received Royal Assent on 1 November, includes a duty of care to be imposed on all holders of waste to ensure that it is not disposed of or managed illegally. The Act also extends the penalties for the illegal disposal of waste. The maximum fine on summary conviction will be £20,000, and prison terms will be introduced for all offences. On conviction on indictment fines are unlimited and, where special waste is involved, a maximum prison sentence of five years is possible.

  River Pollution
  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will consider introducing measures to give the National Rivers Authority power to prevent pollution from abandoned mineworkings; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The National Rivers Authority has powers under section 115 of the Water Act 1989 to
  335
  carry out works and operations for the purpose of preventing pollution of controlled waters, to take remedial action where pollution has already occurred and to recover the costs of taking such action. These general powers are applicable to abandoned mineworkings. In such cases, the authority may seek to recover costs from any person who caused pollution.

  Homelessness
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the number of homeless people who will be sleeping rough this Christmas.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  [holding answer 26 November 1990]: We do not make forecasts of the number of people who may be sleeping rough at any point in the future. We have recently announced an increase of £80 million in our package of measures to help such people.

  Housing Corporation
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the Housing Corporation's approved development programme allocation on current projections by regions in terms of(a) original projected expenditure per region, (b) current projected expenditure per region, (c) original planned number of units for rent and (d) current projected number of units for rent.

  Mr. Key
  [holding answer 26 November 1990]This is a matter for the Housing Corporation. I have therefore asked the corporation to respond to the hon. Member direct.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Higher Education
  Mr. Knapman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consideration is being given by his Department to making donations to higher education from industry tax deductible.

  Mr. Maude
  The tax system already provides incentives to encourage business donations to higher education. Corporation tax relief is available for trade-related company donations for technical education and for cash payments by way of covenants and the gift aid scheme to educational establishments that are charities.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Hong Kong
  Mr. Warren
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the reasons for the delay in the development of the new airport at Hong Kong, and when it is now expected to be completed.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  There has been no delay. The Hong Kong Government plan to have the first runway in operation by early 1997.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the number of 336
  Vietnamese children under the age of 14 years who were being held in detention centres in Hong Kong on 20 November.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  On 20 November there were 13,468 children under the age of 14 being held in detention centres in Hong Kong.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the number of Vietnamese(a) men and (b) women who were being held in detention centres in Hong Kong on 20 November.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  On 20 November there were 16,991 men and 13,976 women being held in detention centres in Hong Kong.

  Non-proliferation Treaty
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the implications for the 1995 extension conference of the non-proliferation treaty of the lack of a final document from the fourth review conference.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The lack of a final document did not prevent the review conference from endorsing the continuing importance of the non-proliferation treaty for world security. We hope that the conference in 1995 will take a similarly positive line.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the fourth review conference of the non-proliferation treaty.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The NPT review conference was conducted in a positive atmosphere; there was wide support for the treaty's objectives and agreement was reached on most issues. It is to be regretted that consensus on a final document was blocked by one delegation, but the conference nevertheless achieved a full review of the operation of the treaty and demonstrated its continuing importance as a cornerstone of world security.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will indicate if any commitments were made to any of the 37 nongovernmental organisations invited to the off-the-record briefing referred to in his answer of 31 October 1990,Official Report, column 564, to the hon. Member for Edinburgh, East (Mr. Strang) to clarify in writing matters not resolved during the meeting of 23 October.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  As the hon. Gentleman has recognised, the meeting was off the record.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will set out the reasons why the United Kingdom Government considered it inappropriate for preparatory meetings for the 1995 nuclear non-proliferation treaty to begin in 1991 and the alternative proposals tabled by the three nuclear non-proliferation depository powers including the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The preparatory committee deals with administrative arrangements for the review conference, and we see no need for it to meet as early as 1991. For
  337
  the alternative proposal by the depository powers, I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the then Minister of State to the hon. Member for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy (Dr. Thomas) on 18 October, at column 901.

  Ukraine
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been received from the Government of the Soviet Republic of the Ukraine concerning the return of a barrel of gold deposited with the Bank of England in the early 18th century; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  None.

  Test Ban Treaty
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is Her Majesty's Government's policy in respect of participation in negotiations leading to a comprehensive test ban treaty.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  A comprehensive test ban remains a long term goal to which progress will be made only by a step-by-step approach. This must take account of technical advances in verification as well as progress elsewhere in arms control and the attitudes of other states.

  Somalia
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will state the reasons for the present closure of the British embassy in Mogadishu, Somalia, until 11 December; if he will state for what period from 11 December the embassy will be reopened, and with what services; and if he will describe the arrangements he proposes to make, for persons currently in Somalia who have been granted visas to enter the United Kingdom but are unable to collect them because of the present closure of the embassy, to enable such persons to travel to the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The British embassy in Mogadishu is not closed. All normal services except visas are available. As in many small missions, the consul is the only trained entry clearance officer. During his leave from 21 November to 10 December the issuance of visas is temporarily suspended. The ambassador will assist urgent visitors.

  Romania
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will review the Government's policy on aid to Romania.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We frequently review our policy on aid to Romania and shall continue to do so in accordance with developments in that country.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what new initiatives he intends to take to facilitate cultural exchanges between the United Kingdom and Romania.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We have agreed with the Romanian Government to have negotiations in Bucharest in February to determine the shape and content of a new cultural exchange programme.

  The Gulf (Hostages)
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library a list of names of those being held hostage in Iraq and Kuwait; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I am arranging for a list of all those detained in Iraq and Kuwait to be placed in the Library.

  Geneva Conventions
  Sir Peter Emery
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the status of, and the Government's policy in respect of ratification of(a) the protocol additional to the Geneva conventions of 12 August 1949 and relating to the protection of victims of international armed conflicts, protocol 1, and (b) the protocol additional to the Geneva conventions of 12 August 1949 and relating to the protection of victims of non-international armed conflicts, protocol 2.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Currently, 97 states are party to additional protocol 1 of the 1949 Geneva conventions. Eighty-seven states are party to additional protocol 2. We signed both additional protocols in 1977, but have yet to ratify them. We hope to come to a decision soon.

ENERGY

  Bilsthorpe Power Station
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) what allowance he will make for the non-fossil fuel levy in assessing the financial go-ahead for the Bilsthorpe power station;

  (2) what assessment he has made of the economic potential of the Bilsthorpe coal-fired advanced technology power station.

  Mr. Baldry
  It is for the partners involved in the Bilsthorpe project to assess its economic potential, taking into account the requirement of the Electricity Act 1989 as regards the fossil fuel levy.

  British Gas
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what consultations he has had with British Gas regarding the cost of further computer runs to detect multiple share applications for British Gas.

  Mr. Wakeham
  None.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what representations he has had from the Metropolitan police for further computer runs to detect multiple share applications for British Gas.

  Mr. Wakeham
  The Department is in discussion with the Crown prosecution service and the police about the investigation and possible prosecution of multiple applications, both for British Gas and the forthcoming regional electricity company share offers.

  Energy Conservation
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what additional resources are to be provided to stimulate energy conservation and saving; and if he will list the particular steps which are to be taken or confirmed in 1991.

  Mr. Baldry
  The Energy Efficiency Office budget will be substantially increased, to £42 million for 1991–92. The EEO will continue to promote a range of programmes designed to encourage the adoption of cost-effective energy efficiency measures.

  From January 1991, the new home energy efficiency scheme, replacing the community insulation programme, will offer grants towards the cost of basic energy efficiency measures in low-income households.

  During 1991, the EEO will be taking forward the initiatives announced in the White Paper on the environment "This Common Inheritance", Cm. 1200, which include: developing proposals for a new scheme of project management assistance for implementation of energy efficiency projects; considering with the lighting industry how to overcome barriers to the uptake of high-efficiency lighting; pursuing appliance labelling and minimum standards with our own appliance industry and in the EC.

  The ministerial committee on energy efficiency, chaired by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Energy, will maintain the momentum for energy efficiency improvements; monitor the Government's energy efficiency programmes and the White Paper initiatives, and assess the need for further action.

  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what steps the Government have taken to encourage regional electricity companies to promote energy conservation after privatisation.

  Mr. Baldry
  Condition 22 of the supply licences issued to the regional electricity companies imposes an obligation on them to provide information and advice on energy efficiency and to provide individual codes of practice to the Director of the Office of Electricity Regulation—OFFER —setting out their proposals for doing this. Negotiations are continuing between the regional electricity companies and OFFER on the content of the codes.

  Domestic Electricity Appliances
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what response has been offered to the European Community proposals to set out energy survey standards for domestic electricity appliances; and to what extent this response fulfils the aspirations and plans which Her Majesty's Government put forward at the recent world climate conference in Geneva.

  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) if the Government have any plans to implement legislation requiring energy labelling on electrical goods to enable consumers to be aware of the relative amounts of energy different brands of appliances consume;

  (2) if the Government have any plans to introduce legislation requiring minimum energy efficiency standards for all new domestic appliances as part of the programme to combat global warming.

  Mr. Baldry
  As set out in chapter 5 and annex C of the White Paper on the environment "This Common 340
  Inheritance"—Cm 1200—energy efficiency is an important part of the Government's strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

  On appliances, we are pressing for agreements on energy efficiency labelling and standards within the European Community. Our own plans for a voluntary labelling scheme which will lead to improved efficiency were outlined at a consultative workshop held by the European Commission earlier this month. We believe that effective voluntary measures can make legislation unnecessary and bring about far swifter improvements in energy efficiency.

  Coal Prices
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what legal advice was received in relation to the letter from Mr. Heathcote, head of coal division, to Sara Llewellyn Jones, solicitor to the South Wales Small Mines Association, dated 22 November, concerning the offer of improved coal prices from National Power; and if he will place a copy of that letter in the Library.

  Mr. Baldry
  The letter was drafted in consultation with representatives, including legal advisers, of National Power and British Coal. Its contents are confidential to the parties concerned.

  Oil and Gas Licences
  Mr. David Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is his policy on farm-in proposals for oil and gas exploration and production licences; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Wakeham
  Transfers of interest in petroleum licences, which are commonly known as farm-ins, are commercial transactions and, as such, the arrangements are initially a matter for the companies concerned.

  Under the terms of petroleum licences, such transactions also need prior consent. Like my predecessors, I believe that farm-ins have the potential to benefit United Kingdom oil and gas exploitation. They enable companies operating on the United Kingdom continental shelf to make what they regard as timely and desirable adjustments to their holdings of licence interests and they are of particular importance to those independents which wish to increase the scale and pace of their participation in exploration and development activity.

  In examining farm-in proposals, I shall continue to seek to ensure that the purpose for which licences have been granted—that is the thorough and efficient exploration and exploitation of the nation's oil and gas reserves—is fully safeguarded by the transactions. It is the policy and practice of my Department to consider each application on its merits. In advising me, the Department will in particular consider:

  (a) the technical competence and financial capability of the company acquiring an interest and its intentions as regards the further exploration and exploitation of the licensed area. These factors are not only relevant when the licence is awarded: they continue to be relevant at all stages during the licence activity;

  (b) if the application is received during the initial term of the licence, whether satisfactory progress has been made by the original licensees on the work programme attached to the licence; and

  (c) the numbers of licensees on the licence, and the effect of any increase on efficient management of activity. I would wish to consider particularly closely any

  341
  proposal to increase the number of participants in any licence or field to more than 10. I would generally expect that in the earlier licence stages there would be advantage in licence groups being somewhat smaller than this.

WALES

  Wild Foxes
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what annual expenditure is incurred by his Department in controlling the numbers of the wild fox population in Wales.

  Primary Schools1

  LEA

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  Clwyd

  44

  25

  54

  112

  94

  106

  Dyfed

  59

  86

  53

  52

  60

  47

  Gwent

  81

  104

  73

  101

  130

  122

  Gwynedd

  52

  51

  54

  38

  55

  56

  Mid Glamorgan

  133

  46

  13

  72

  86

  60

  Powys

  16

  15

  23

  48

  58

  25

  South Glamorgan

  42

  58

  31

  82

  90

  100

  West Glamorgan

  128

  54

  34

  34

  25

  47

  1 Figures as at the January enumeration day each year.

  Secondary Schools1

  LEA

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  Clwyd

  51

  69

  53

  61

  71

  59

  Dyfed

  40

  44

  25

  38

  43

  38

  Gwent

  66

  73

  69

  120

  72

  83

  Gwynedd

  55

  58

  57

  36

  74

  73

  Mid Glamorgan

  93

  44

  43

  64

  91

  84

  Powys

  14

  25

  21

  20

  16

  47

  South Glamorgan

  52

  48

  70

  97

  103

  109

  West Glamorgan

  70

  43

  32

  20

  23

  25

  1 Figures as at the January enumeration day each year.

  School Books
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the expenditure per pupil on school books in each of the local education authorities in Wales in(a) the

  Primary1

  £/per pupil

  LEA

  1979–80

  1980–81

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–892

  Clwyd

  23·3

  25·1

  27·5

  26·8

  29·1

  26·9

  24·3

  25·4

  22·6

  20·0

  Dyfed

  29·5

  27·6

  33·5

  28·3

  26·8

  22·0

  21·5

  23·5

  27·4

  25·7

  Gwent

  18·0

  22·0

  23·2

  27·6

  25·4

  23·9

  24·9

  25·6

  27·5

  29·1

  Gwynedd

  21·9

  22·2

  19·5

  21·5

  21·8

  20·3

  20·8

  26·6

  26·9

  26·2

  Mid-Glamorgan

  24·9

  23·0

  18·4

  23·1

  26·8

  20·9

  25·1

  25·5

  26·0

  27·4

  Powys

  25·7

  20·0

  30·3

  32·0

  31·3

  29·0

  29·0

  31·7

  34·4

  28·9

  South Glamorgan

  26·7

  23·9

  25·8

  24·8

  26·1

  22·3

  24·1

  25·6

  26·9

  26·8

  West Glamorgan

  35·1

  34·2

  29·4

  33·6

  32·1

  26·2

  30·4

  36·2

  32·8

  31·9

  Secondary1

  £/per pupil

  LEA

  1979–80

  1980–81

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–892

  Clwyd

  40·1

  42·7

  49·9

  48·2

  64·3

  57·7

  50·2

  60·8

  50·8

  47·5

  Dyfed

  42·9

  37·8

  44·5

  48·5

  46·3

  39·4

  47·2

  55·7

  79·1

  64·7

  Gwent

  41·1

  43·4

  46·4

  48·5

  51·4

  59·3

  58·3

  69·0

  68·9

  80·5

  Gwynedd

  42·5

  44·1

  43·9

  44·3

  48·0

  60·8

  52·9

  79·3

  74·2

  64·9

  Mid Glamorgan

  47·9

  44·6

  37·1

  44·6

  46·8

  47·9

  51·8

  73·4

  66·3

  82·2

  Powys

  50·3

  39·1

  55·2

  53·0

  48·7

  80·1

  46·8

  68·8

  67·0

  65·8

  342
  Mr. David Hunt
  None. Control of foxes is a matter for individual landowners.

  Supply Teachers
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many teaching positions are currently filled by supply teachers in(a) the primary sector and (b) the secondary sector in Wales according to each local education authority area; and how many positions have been filled by supply teachers in each of the last five years.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The numbers of teachers employed in maintained primary and secondary schools to provide temporary cover for absent teachers on an occasional or short-notice basis are shown in the tables:

  primary sector and (b) the secondary sector in the last year for which figures are available and in each year since 1979 at constant prices.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Figures for expenditure per pupil on equipment and materials, including books, are given at constant prices in the table:
  343

  LEA

  1979–80

  1980–81

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–892

  South Glamorgan

  47·7

  44·2

  44·2

  46·6

  46·3

  42·0

  50·0

  70·5

  60·5

  63·9

  West Glamorgan

  55·1

  41·3

  40·8

  56·6

  58·8

  53·2

  49·8

  76·1

  70·2

  68·6

  1At 1989–90 prices.

  2 Provisional.

  Day Nurseries
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many day nursery places were taken up by pre-school children in Wales during(a) 1989 and (b) 1990; if he will publish a breakdown of these figures for (i)

  Day nursery places as at 31 March

  Local authority places

  Places as a percentage of 3 and 4 year olds

  Registered nursery places

  Places as a percentage of 3 and 4 year olds

  Clwyd

  1989

  43

  0·4

  645

  6·4

  1990

  43

  0·4

  868

  8·3

  Dyfed

  1989

  —

  —

  56

  0·7

  1990

  —

  —

  44

  0·5

  Gwent

  1989

  131

  1·1

  —

  —

  1990

  131

  1·1

  243

  2·0

  Gwynedd

  1989

  —

  —

  189

  3·4

  1990

  —

  —

  208

  3·6

  Mid Glamorgan

  1989

  —

  —

  117

  0·8

  1990

  —

  —

  228

  1·5

  Powys

  1989

  —

  —

  81

  3·0

  1990

  —

  —

  85

  3·0

  South Glamorgan

  1989

  61

  0·6

  548

  5·0

  1990

  38

  0·3

  728

  6·4

  West Glamorgan

  1989

  29

  0·3

  276

  3·0

  1990

  29

  0·3

  289

  3·1

  Wales

  1989

  264

  0·4

  1,912

  2·6

  1990

  241

  0·3

  2,693

  3·6

  The three and four year old pre-school population has been used to calculate percentages. —Signifies nil.

  A487
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales on what date was the draft compulsory purchase order first drawn up to enable the construction of a pavement between Caernarfon and Bontnewydd on the A487 trunk road; on what date an objection was received by the Welsh Office; and what steps have been taken subsequently by his Department to try to resolve this matter.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  I have nothing to add to the letter I sent the hon. Gentleman on 19 November in reply to his letter of 2 November.
  344
  county council areas and (ii) district council areas; and what percentage of pre-school children in Wales currently take advantage of day nursery places.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The information available for local authority nurseries and private registered nurseries is shown in the table for county council areas. Data for district council areas are not held centrally.

  Roads
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the performance of the roads division of the Welsh Office.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Since 1979, a total of 156 miles of new motorway and trunk roads have been completed, and total expenditure of over £1·2 billion incurred on such roads. This reflects the importance which the Government place on improving and maintaining the road network in Wales.

  Planning Procedures
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will ensure that, in determining planning applications which come on appeal to the Welsh Office, sufficient
  345
  consideration is given to the wishes of the local community as expressed by the district council; if he will make it his policy that planning appeals should be upheld only if there is a very strong case either on a point of law or on a failure to implement agreed planning strategy at a local level; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Grist
  All representations received in respect of a planning appeal are taken into account by my right hon.
  346
  Friend and his inspectors. The weight given to the views of a district council will depend on the circumstances of the case.

  My right hon. Friend's policy is that each appeal is considered on its merits against the relevant planning policies. He considers that the policy suggestions in the question would be contrary to the aims of the planning legislation.

  National Rivers Authority
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he has any plans to increase the staffing levels of the National Rivers Authority Welsh region.

  Mr. Grist
  This is a matter for the National Rivers Authority.

  Exchange Rate Mechanism
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many representations he has received from business interests in Wales on Britain's entry into the exchange rate mechanism and how many indicated(a) that the exchange rate was too high against the deutschmark and (b) that the exchange rate was too low against the deutschmark.

  Mr. David Hunt
  None.

  HIV
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish in the Official Report, for the latest available date, the number of children (a) who are infected with the HIV virus, (b) who are suffering from AIDS and (c) who have died from AIDS.

  Mr. Grist
  For reasons of confidentiality and in line with the AIDS (Control) Act, numbers betwen one and nine inclusive are given as "less than 10". In each of the three categories cited the number is less than 10.

  University Hospital of Wales
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many staff are currently in post at the University hospital of Wales paediatric cardiac surgery unit.

  Mr. Grist
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  Health Authorities (Savings)
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the net projected savings made by health authorities in Wales in the current financial year.

  Mr. Grist
  The most recent estimates provided by health authorities suggest that the level of savings which they will collectively achieve from their cash-releasing cost improvement programmes this year will be £8·5 million. This is equivalent to 0·9 per cent. of their recurrent revenue allocations notified at the start of 1990–91 and is slightly below the minimum target of 1·1 per cent. of recurrent revenue resources which has been set for cash-releasing cost improvement savings this year. While authorities may count non-recurrent cost improvements such as capital receipts against this target, those doing so will have the recurrent shortfall added to the minimum target for cost improvement savings to be set for 1991–92.

  Health Authorities (Buildings)
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to enable health authorities to improve their defective buildings; and if he will make a statement.
  348
  Mr. Grist
  Responsibility for the management and maintenance of the NHS estate in Wales is delegated to district health authorities. They are expected to maintain their buildings to an acceptable standard and to spend a minimum of 7·5 per cent. of their revenue and capital allocations on the maintenance of assets, including buildings.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many health authority buildings still in use were built(a) 50 years and (b) 100 years ago; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Grist
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  School Buildings
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to bring defective school buildings up to standard; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Local education authorities are responsible for the condition of school buildings in their areas. Since 1985–86, central Government have increased by 60 per cent. the capital resources notionally made available to local education authorities for the provision of educational buildings and for their capital maintenance.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many schools in Wales in each local education authority were built before 1903; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Details of the ages of school buildings are not held centrally.

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many hospital trust applications he has received in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Grist
  None, although my right hon. Friend is currently considering the "expression of interest" submitted by Pembrokeshire district health authority for NHS trust status.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales in what ways he is actively pursuing the interest of Pembrokeshire health authority in becoming a national health service trust.

  Mr. Grist
  My right hon. Friend is currently considering the "expression of interest", together with further information which has been recently received from the authority.

  General Practitioners
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many general practitioner budget status applications he has received in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Grist
  Applications for recognition as a fund-holding practice from I April 1991 were required to be made by 1 November. Eight applications were received from practices in Wales although one of these has since withdrawn. The seven practices have been authorised to undertake the preparatory work. Formal offers of practice funds will be made early next year.

  Hospitals
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many hospital beds have been lost in Wales since 1979.

  Mr. Grist
  Between the calendar year 1979 and the financial year 1989–90 the number of average daily available beds fell by 3,600. Over the same period the number of in-patients treated rose by 125,800— + 36 per cent.—and the number of day cases rose by 54,800—+ 176 per cent.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many hospital wards are proposed for closure in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Grist
  The information held centrally relates only to proposed closures which are at present the subject of formal consultation. On this basis, and including those cases where consultation has ended but a final decision has yet to be made, 52 hospital wards are subject to closure proposals. Of these, 25 are linked to the planned development of a new district general hospital for the people of Taff-Ely and the Rhondda.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many hospitals have closed since 1980.

  Mr. Grist
  Since 1 January 1980 the number of hospitals that have closed, and are still closed, is 21. However, during the same period eight hospitals, including five district general hospitals, have opened.

  Health Authorities
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of Stale for Wales how many meetings he has had with the health authorities of Wales to discuss their financial difficulties; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Grist
  My right hon. Friend and I discussed the financial difficulties of Gwynedd health authority and its plans for resolving them with the chairman and general manager of the authority on 1 August. In addition, our officials have undertaken a series of annual review meetings with all authorities in recent months at which their financial positions have been reviewed. Health authorities have a statutory duty to contain expenditure within their notified cash resources, and we are content that they will do so.

  Toxic Waste
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if, for each recommendation made by the Welsh Affairs Committee in its first report of Session 1989–90 on toxic waste disposal in Wales, he will state(a) the action taken by his Department so far and (b) the action proposed by his Department; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Grist
  The Government's response to the recommendations was set out in Cm. 1147—my right hon. Friend's reply of 18 July refers to it. Provisions as indicated have been embodied in the Environmental Protection Act.

  Community Charge Appeals
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will place in the Library the statutory community charge appeal documents authorised or prepared in the Welsh language and indicate the legislative base for the production of such documents.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I have not prescribed community charge appeal documents in either English or Welsh. Welsh language forms for use in connection with the community charge are prescribed in the Community Charges and Non-Domestic Rating (Demand Notices) (Wales) Regulations 1990, and in the Personal Community Charge (Students) Regulations 1989, copies of which are in the Library. In each case the powers relied upon include those provided by section 2(2) of the Welsh Language Act 1967.

  M4
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what are the traffic counts for(a) cars and (b) lorries on the M4 from (i) Newhouse roundabout to the Coldra and (ii) from the Coldra to Tredegar park roundabout in each of the past 10 years.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Figures are provided for the sections from Newhouse to Magor and Caerleon to Malpas. Only total vehicle counts are available for the 10-year period as shown in the following table. Manual classified counts are carried out less frequently and the split between cars and all classes of goods vehicles is shown where available.

  (i) Newhouse roundabout to the Coldra Newhouse roundabout to Magor

  Year

  Total vehicles

  Cars

  Lorries

  1981

  24,800

  —

  —

  1982

  25,400

  —

  —

  1983

  25,800

  —

  —

  1984

  28,150

  —

  —

  1985

  30,000

  21,700

  7,700

  1986

  31,900

  —

  —

  1987

  35,500

  —

  —

  1988

  40,600

  —

  —

  1989

  44,000

  —

  —

  1990

  144,600

  —

  —

  1 Estimated.

  (it) The Coldra to Tredegar park roundabout Caerleon road junction to Malpas (Brynglas tunnels)

  Year

  Total vehicles

  Cars

  Lorries

  1981

  —

  —

  —

  1982

  50,200

  —

  —

  1983

  54,700

  41,300

  13,150

  1984

  59,100

  —

  —

  1985

  58,500

  —

  —

  1986

  —

  —

  —

  1987

  63,500

  —

  —

  1988

  68,700

  —

  —

  1989

  74,900

  56,500

  18,000

  1990

  177,300

  —

  —

  1 Estimated.

  Severn Estuary
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the dates of all unexpected tidal surges of more than a foot that have occurred in the Severn estuary during the past 10 years.
  351
  Mr. Grist
  This information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Grant earning ceilings—adjusted using PWNR1 to mid 1989–90 prices (mid 1990–91 estimated)

  NRA Region/District

  1985–86 £ million

  1986–87 £ million

  1987–88 £ million

  1988–89 £ million

  1989–90 £ million

  1990–91 £ million

  Anglian:

  Essex

  2·03

  2·87

  5·04

  5·42

  3·20

  2·33

  Great Ouse

  1·82

  1·75

  1·68

  2·65

  2·40

  3·89

  Lincs

  4·20

  4·54

  4·39

  4·68

  6·10

  7·29

  Norfolk-Suffolk

  1·61

  2·13

  3·49

  3·49

  3·65

  3·99

  Welland and Nene

  2·38

  2·10

  1·68

  1·50

  1·32

  1·36

  Northumbrian

  0·20

  0·10

  0·23

  0·26

  0·25

  0·29

  North West

  3·05

  1·58

  1·49

  1·65

  1·40

  2·14

  Severn Trent

  4·13

  3·61

  3·49

  5·61

  2·85

  3·70

  Southern:

  Hampshire

  0·43

  0·00

  0·19

  0·06

  0·38

  1·17

  Isle of Wight

  0·00

  0·00

  0·00

  0·00

  0·00

  0·24

  Kent

  3·39

  2·58

  2·78

  3·81

  2·50

  3·11

  Sussex

  1·50

  2·95

  27·00

  24·50

  1·12

  2·04

  South West

  2·72

  2·38

  2·25

  2·30

  2·94

  3·40

  Thames

  3·68

  6·50

  5·17

  7·42

  6·50

  7·29

  Wessex:

  Avon-Dorset

  0·75

  0·68

  0·99

  1·20

  1·50

  1·26

  Bristol-Avon

  0·82

  0·38

  0·31

  0·15

  0·30

  0·29

  Somerset

  2·98

  2·91

  2·93

  2·31

  1·80

  1·94

  Yorkshire

  4·85

  4·24

  5·04

  5·55

  5·08

  5·19

  Total

  40·54

  41·32

  48·15

  52·57

  43·28

  50·95

  1 Public works output price index for non-roads compiled by the Department of the Environment.

  2 Includes special allocation for Seaford sea defence scheme.

  Poultry
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish a table showing for each county of England and Wales the number of salmonella enteritidis PT4 outbreaks among poultry, the number of birds slaughtered and the compensation paid, in 1990 to date.

  Mr. Maclean
  Information in the form requested is not readily available. However a total of 49 flocks infected with salmonella enteritidis comprising 507,733 birds have so far been compulsorily slaughtered in 1990 at a cost in compensation of £551,509.

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) under what circumstances antibiotic treatment of salmonella in poultry is now allowed; and if he will make a statement on the use of competitive exclusion products;

  (2) whether he intends to amend his salmonella control regulations in respect of poultry; if he will introduce an antibiotic treatment alternative for laying flocks; and if he will make a statement.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Drainage Authorities
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the grant earning ceiling for each local or regional drainage district of the National Rivers Authority in each of the last five years at constant 1989–90 prices.

  Mr. Curry
  The information is as follows:

  Mr. Maclean
  Flocks of pullets—layer replacements—which are infected with salmonella enteritidis or salmonella typhimurium are permitted in certain circumstances to be treated with antibiotics and a competitive exclusion product as an alternative to slaughter. These arrangements are being conducted on a trial basis at present to determine the effectiveness of the treatment. The possibility of further adaptation of the salmonella control policy is being kept under review.

  Pigs
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he received a copy of the Humane Slaughter Association report on the culling of pig breeding stock; what response he will be making to its recommendations; and if he proposes any consequent legislative change.

  Mr. Maclean
  A copy of this report has just been received and we will be considering it carefully.
  353

  Unfit Meat
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many inquiries his Department is currently undertaking following the sale of unfit meat to butchers and supermarkets.

  Mr. Maclean
  Although MAFF veterinary officers can and do work closely with local authorities in this area, enforcement of legislation on unfit meat is the local authorities' responsibility and questions on numbers of inquiries must therefore be addressed to them. I am, nevertheless, aware that there is concern over allegations of illegal trade in unfit meat and we have instituted a full review of the existing controls to see if any improvements can be made, with particular attention to collection of casualty stock from farms.

  Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he has concerning the market value of beef cattle coming from farms where bovine spongiform encephalopathy has been confirmed.

  Mr. Curry
  None.

  Mr. Hague
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his Department's latest forecast for the future spread of bovine spongiform encephalopathy; and if he will make a statement on the level of reporting of BSE cases.

  Mr. Maclean
  At present, about 350 suspect cases of BSE are being reported each week. The future course of the disease cannot be predicted precisely, but an

  Month ending:

  County

  17 July 1990

  17 August 1990

  17 September 1990

  17 October 1990

  17 November 1990

  Avon

  26

  23

  19

  24

  18

  Bedfordshire

  0

  3

  6

  5

  3

  Berkshire

  7

  3

  5

  7

  2

  Borders

  0

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Buckinghamshire

  17

  15

  6

  10

  8

  Cambridgeshire

  6

  3

  3

  5

  2

  Central

  2

  1

  1

  2

  1

  Cheshire

  26

  37

  30

  23

  23

  Cleveland

  3

  3

  2

  1

  1

  Clwyd

  12

  20

  17

  11

  10

  Cornwall

  53

  72

  83

  71

  79

  Cumbria

  27

  24

  20

  16

  13

  Derbyshire

  16

  32

  14

  23

  16

  Devon

  182

  82

  96

  130

  101

  Dorset

  101

  86

  105

  93

  90

  Dumfries

  5

  5

  6

  9

  3

  Durham

  8

  3

  5

  4

  3

  Dyfed

  67

  40

  40

  49

  41

  Essex

  5

  7

  7

  3

  3

  Fife

  2

  4

  2

  2

  3

  Mid-Glamorgan

  3

  3

  3

  5

  3

  South Glamorgan

  1

  5

  4

  1

  4

  West Glamorgan

  1

  0

  0

  2

  0

  Gloucestershire

  39

  38

  17

  9

  18

  Grampian

  8

  5

  6

  6

  7

  Gwent

  4

  6

  4

  6

  17

  Gwynedd

  3

  3

  3

  3

  2

  Hampshire

  36

  43

  33

  41

  42

  Herefordshire and Worcestershire

  20

  22

  25

  16

  22

  Hertfordshire

  9

  3

  7

  81

  8

  Highland

  1

  2

  1

  3

  3

  Humberside

  7

  10

  4

  6

  5

  Isle of Wight

  11

  7

  16

  12

  8

  Kent

  19

  18

  35

  22

  11

  354
  assessment of the latest epidemiological evidence suggests that the number of cases will continue to rise until some time in 1992, after which, provided there is no direct cattle-to-cattle transmission, it will start to fall. The expected increase does not represent continued spread of the disease, but is a result of the exposure of cattle to the agent through the consumption of ruminant-based protein rations prior to the imposition of the feed ban in July 1988 and the long incubation period before clinical disease manifests itself.

  Since BSE was made a notifiable disease in June 1988 the number of suspected cases arising each week has increased fairly steadily. Within this overall upward trend, a fairly consistent pattern of reporting has become apparent with numbers increasing in spring and autumn. Close surveillance at markets and abattoirs has not revealed any deliberate attempts to evade the legal requirement to report suspect cases of BSE.

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the number of confirmed cases of BSE by county in the months to(a) 17 July, (b) 17 August, (c) 17 September, (d) 17 October and (e) 17 November.

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 21 November 1990]: The number of cases confirmed on a monthly basis simply reflects the number of positive findings of BSE recorded as a result of laboratory investigation in the period concerned. As processing in the laboratory can take several weeks, these figures do not therefore accurately reflect developments in the number of new cases arising or reported.

  The information for Great Britain is as follows:

  355

  Month ending:

  County

  17 July 1990

  17 August 1990

  17 September 1990

  17 October 1990

  17 November 1990

  Lancashire

  17

  48

  30

  27

  23

  Leicestershire

  20

  42

  15

  43

  15

  Lincolnshire

  4

  8

  11

  4

  13

  London

  0

  0

  2

  0

  1

  Manchester

  0

  2

  0

  0

  2

  Merseyside

  0

  2

  1

  2

  2

  Norfolk

  13

  24

  20

  26

  7

  Northamptonshire

  4

  8

  14

  13

  13

  Northumberland

  0

  3

  5

  4

  1

  Nottinghamshire

  9

  15

  3

  11

  4

  Oxfordshire

  7

  16

  17

  14

  20

  Powys

  15

  8

  11

  3

  8

  Shropshire

  28

  15

  30

  16

  28

  Somerset

  83

  105

  105

  56

  133

  Staffordshire

  39

  15

  21

  30

  113

  Strathclyde

  8

  8

  6

  7

  11

  Suffolk

  14

  23

  13

  18

  14

  Surrey

  8

  8

  10

  14

  7

  East Sussex

  14

  10

  13

  14

  21

  West Sussex

  27

  25

  26

  40

  24

  Tayside

  4

  2

  4

  4

  6

  Tyne and Wear

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  West Midlands

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  Warwickshire

  14

  12

  9

  10

  11

  Wiltshire

  64

  86

  57

  66

  78

  North Yorkshire

  52

  39

  51

  41

  37

  South Yorkshire

  6

  6

  5

  5

  1

  West Yorkshire

  12

  9

  3

  3

  4

  Total

  1,189

  1,169

  1,110

  1,095

  1,070

  Fungicides
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the fungicide malachite green has a product licence issued by his Department.

  Mr. Maclean
  Eight malachite green products have been licensed under the Medicines Act 1968 solely for treatment of aquarium fish.

  Cocoa
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he has about the pesticides, herbicides and fungicides used on cocoa imported to the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Maclean
  The results of monitoring for pesticide residues in cocoa undertaken by the food industry are made available to the Government's working party on

  1000 tonnes/£ million

  30 September 1988

  30 September 1989 (provisional)

  30 September 1990 (provisional)

  Tonnage

  Value

  Tonnage

  Value

  Tonnage

  Value

  Beef

  32

  49

  9

  12

  42

  32

  Dairy products

  50

  76

  8

  11

  27

  15

  Lamb1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Cereals

  1,737

  124

  705

  44

  562

  17

  1 There has been no public intervention storage of lamb.

  The costs of intervention storage in the 12-month f million periods ending 30 September 1988, 1989 and 1990 are as follows:
  356
  pesticide residues. Residues of organochlorine pesticides have been detected but at very low levels which present no risk to consumers and are declining. The International Cocoa Association is compiling a list of active ingredients used in producing countries to facilitate monitoring.

  Intervention Produce
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give the total amount by weight and value of United Kingdom(a) beef, (b) dairy products, (c) lamb and (d) other produce in intervention in 1988, 1989 and the latest available date together with the total cost of storing this food.

  Mr. Curry
  [holding answer 16 November 1990]: The table shows actual stock levels and value as at 30 September for the periods requested.

  £ million

  1988

  40

  1989

  121

  1990

  116

  1 Provisional.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  European Parliamentary Conference
  Mr. Page
  To ask the Lord President of the Council if any changes have been made to the delegation attending the European parliamentary conference in Rome on 27 to 30 November.

  Mr. MacGregor
  The delegation will now include Mr. Patrick Nicholls. Dr. Norman Godman, Sir Jim Spicer and Lord Aldington will not attend.

  Slot Machines
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what plans he has to ensure all slot machines in the Palace of Westminster are adapted to take the new 5p piece before the demonetisation of its predecessor on 31 December.

  Mr. MacGregor
  The coin-operated payphones, the cigarette machines, and the machines dispensing books of postage stamps accept only coins of a larger denomination than 5p. The food and drink vending machines in the Norman Shaw South building already accept both types of 5p coin. All other vending machines will be converted to accept the new 5p piece before the end of the year.

HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

  Refreshment Department
  Mr. John Garrett
  To ask the hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, as representing the House of Commons Commission, if he will make available in the Library the Touche Ross report on the Refreshment Department.

  Mr. Beith
  The Greene Bellfield-Smith division of Touche Ross management consultants has recently completed its review of the management structure of the Refreshment Department, which was announced in paragraph 31 of the Commission's annual report for 1989–90—HC 572. A copy of the consultants' report will be placed in the Library of the House today. The Commission has not yet considered the report.

  Ibbs Report
  Mr. John Garrett
  To ask the hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, as representing the House of Commons Commission, when the Ibbs report on the management of House of Commons services will be published.

  Mr. Beith
  The report of the team led by Sir Robin Ibbs, on "House of Commons Services", will be published tomorrow morning as House of Commons paper 38.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Angola
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to provide substantial extra aid for the United Nations special relief programme for Angola to meet basic survival needs.
  358
  Mrs. Chalker
  The details of the special relief programme for Angola are under urgent study, together with requests from several British non-governmental organisations which are co-operating with the United Nations. In advance of a response to the Secretary-General's appeal, we have already agreed to contribute towards the cost of a team of United Nations co-ordinators to assist with implementation of the programme.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Expo 92, Seville
  Mr. John Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the estimated completion date for the British pavilion building at Expo 92 in Seville.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  [holding answer 26 November 1990]: The estimated completion date for the British pavilion building at Expo 92 in Seville is August 1991.

  Mr. John Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what British firms have offered or guaranteed sponsorship of the British pavilion at Expo 92 in Seville; how much money has been offered or guaranteed in each case; and whether any non-United Kingdom European Community companies have made similar offers or guarantees of sponsorship.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  [holding answer 26 November 1990]: The table lists the British firms that have offered or guaranteed sponsorship of the British pavilion at Expo 92 and the value of each company's contribution, where we have permission to disclose it. Sponsorship is often a combination of cash and the supply of goods or services and in a number of instances is subject to the normal conventions of commercial confidentiality. No non-United Kingdom European Community company has made a similar offer or guarantee of sponsorship.

  Company

  Value £

  Amalgamated Tanks International Ltd.

  —

  Great Yarmouth

  Norfolk

  BP Solar Ltd.

  —

  Leatherhcad

  Surrey

  British Steel

  2,000,000

  Rotherham

  South Yorkshire

  Otis Elevator plc

  —

  Kirkby

  Liverpool

  Rolls Royce Motor Cars Ltd.

  —

  Crewe

  Cheshire

  Rotary International Ltd.

  —

  County Antrim

  Northern Ireland

  Royal Doulton Ltd.

  300,000

  Stoke on Trent

  Staffordshire

  Simplex Piling Ltd./BM Group

  —

  Chippenham

  Wiltshire

  Thorn Security Ltd.

  300,000

  Feltham

  Middlesex

  Tubeworkers Ltd.

  —

  Claverdon

  Warwick

  359
  Mr. John Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on his Department's budget for Expo 92 at Seville, both for present and planned current and capital spending, by area.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  [holding answer 26 November 1990]: My Department's budget for Expo 92 covering both current and capital expenditure is £25 million.

  Mr. John Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the original estimated cost of the British pavilion planned for Expo 92; what is the current estimated cost, and what effect on costs any design changes have had.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  [holding answer 26 November 1990]: The original estimated cost for the British pavilion was 14 million. Development of the design has not led to any change in that estimate.

  1990–91 Academic year

  Further Education Colleges

  Number of approved full- time teaching posts

  Number of promoted posts

  Number of transferred posts

  Belfast College of Technology

  221

  57

  45

  Belfast College of Business Studies

  110

  24

  28

  Rupert Stanley College

  131

  18

  5

  North-West College

  135

  27

  15

  Fermanagh College

  65

  6

  —

  Limavady

  28

  3

  1

  Omagh

  63

  4

  —

  Antrim

  31

  3

  1

  Ballymena

  102

  9

  5

  Newtownabbey

  92

  10

  3

  Ballymoney

  24

  2

  —

  Coleraine

  50

  3

  —

  Magherafelt

  37

  2

  —

  Larne

  49

  2

  —

  Northern Ireland Hotel and Catering College

  23

  2

  —

  Lisburn

  79

  9

  6

  Down

  48

  5

  2

  Newcastle

  23

  3

  —

  Castlereagh

  75

  7

  5

  North Down and Ards

  111

  13

  8

  Lurgan

  52

  3

  —

  Portadown

  97

  11

  5

  Armagh

  67

  5

  —

  Banbridge

  27

  1

  —

  East Tyrone

  65

  4

  —

  Newry/Kilkeel

  81

  9

  5

  Total

  1,886

  242

  134

  Mr. Stott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the numbers of youth training programme-funded posts for each further education college for the academic years 1990–91 and 1989–90.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The information requested is as follows:

  Further Education College

  1989–90

  1990–91

  Belfast College of Technology

  49

  31

  Belfast College of Business Studies

  16

  11

  Rupert Stanley College

  87

  80

  North West College

  37

  34

  Fermanagh

  13

  12

  Limavady

  22

  16

  Omagh

  8

  7

  Antrim

  11

  9

  Ballymena

  16

  12

  Newtownabbey

  28

  19

  Ballymoney

  11

  8

  Coleraine

  16

  13

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Further Education Colleges
  Mr. Stott
  To ask the Secretary
  of State for Northern Ireland (1) what are the numbers of establishment promoted and transferred posts for each further education college for the academic year 1990–91;

  (2) what are the numbers of mainstream further education posts for each further education college for the academic year 1990–91.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The information requested is as follows:

  Further Education College

  1989–90

  1990–91

  Magherafelt

  8

  8

  Larne

  10

  6

  Northern Ireland Hotel and Catering College

  —

  —

  Lisburn

  25

  25

  Down

  23

  23

  Newcastle

  13

  13

  Castlereagh

  11

  11

  North Down and Ards

  29

  29

  Lurgan

  14

  9

  Portadown

  13

  8

  Armagh

  9

  4

  Banbridge

  10

  5

  East Tyrone

  11

  8

  Newry/Kilkeel

  21

  14

  Lecturers
  Mr. Stott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many lecturers entering the service after 31 March 1988 have received additional increments for postgraduate qualifications;

  (2) how many cases there are of lecturers entering the service after 31 March 1988, whereby the Department has exercised discretion with regard to salary placements under the 1988 further education teachers' salaries regulation.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The information is not available in the form requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Stott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many lecturers transferred from the youth training programme establishment to the mainstream further education establishment in each college at the end of September.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The number of lecturers who transferred from the YTP establishment to the mainstream further education establishment in each college in September 1990 was as follows:

  FE Colleges

  Transfers

  Belfast College of Technology

  2

  Belfast College of Business Studies

  —

  Rupert Stanley College

  —

  North West College

  —

  Fermanagh

  —

  Limavady

  —

  Omagh

  1

  Antrim

  2

  Ballymena

  4

  Newtownabbey

  8

  Ballymoney

  3

  Coleraine

  —

  Magherafelt

  —

  Larne

  3

  Northern Ireland Hotel and Catering College

  —

  Lisburn

  —

  Down

  —

  Newcastle

  —

  Castlereagh

  —

  North Down and Ards

  —

  Lurgan

  —

  Portadown

  —

  Armagh

  1

  Banbridge

  2

  East Tyrone

  —

  Newry/Kilkeel

  3

  Salary Placements
  Mr. Stott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement regarding details of any guidance issued by the Department to those involved in determining salary placements as to the circumstances under which discretion may be exercised.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The Department of Education for Northern Ireland determines the salaries of teachers in Northern Ireland's grant-aided schools. Under the teachers' salaries regulations, incremental credit is awarded to a newly appointed teacher in respect of previous experience which the Department considers to be of value to him in the performance of his duty.
  362
  In exercising this discretion, the Department awards the credit for previous experience which has relevance to service as a teacher and is of equivalent professional standard to teaching.

HEALTH

  Nuclear Casualties
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list all the hospitals in England and Wales that have been designated to accept nuclear-contaminated casualties; and if he will show in his answer those hospitals that have expressed an interest in national health service trust status.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The following hospitals have been designated for decontamination and treatment of contaminated casualties. Those which have applied to become national health service trusts from April 1991 are shown with an asterisk.

  ENGLAND
  East Anglia RHA

  Addenbrook's Hospital

  Norfolk and Norwich Hospital

  The Ipswich Hospital

  Mersey RHA

  *Royal Liverpool Hospital

  North East Thames RHA

  *Southend General Hospital

  Colchester General Hospital

  Northern RHA

  Cumberland Infirmary

  West Cumberland Hospital

  Furness General Hospital

  Royal Victoria Infirmary

  Middlesbrough General Hospital

  North Western RHA

  *Christie Hospital

  Hope Hospital

  *Manchester Royal Infirmary

  North West Thames RHA

  St. Mary's Hospital, Paddington

  *Mount Vernon Hospital

  Charing Cross Hospital

  Hammersmith Hospital

  Oxford RHA

  John Radcliffe Hospital

  Northampton General Hospital

  Royal Berkshire Hospital

  South East Thames RHA

  *Guys Hospital

  Kent and Canterbury Hospital

  *Royal Sussex County Hospital

  South Western RHA

  *Bristol Radiotherapy Centre

  *Cheltenham General Hospital

  City Hospital, Truro

  Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital

  Gloucester Royal Hospital

  Derriford General Hospital

  *Musgrove Park Hospital

  *Torbay Hospital, Torquay

  South West Thames RHA

  *Royal Surrey County Hospital

  St. Georges Hospital, SW17

  Royal Marsden, Fulham

  Royal Marsden, Sutton

  (The Hammersmith Hospital)

  University College Hospital

  Trent RHA

  Lincoln County Hospital

  Derbyshire Royal Infirmary

  Leicester Royal Infirmary

  Royal Hallamshire Hospital

  University Hospital Nottingham

  Wessex RHA

  Southampton General Hospital

  Queen Alexandra's Hospital, Portsmouth

  Poole General Hospital

  West Midlands RHA

  The Royal Hospital, Wolverhampton

  North Staffordshire Royal Infirmary

  Selly Oak Hospital

  Yorkshire RHA

  *Leeds General Infirmary

  *Bradford Royal Infirmary

  Hull Royal Infirmary

  WALES
  Cardiff Royal Infirmary

  Morriston Hospital

  Ysbyty Gwynedd

  Elderly People
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans his Department has to introduce a new code of practice for day and domiciliary care for elderly people.

  Mr. Dorrell
  There are no plans, at present, to publish such a code of practice. The need for central guidance will be considered as part of the development of the new community care arrangements.

  Junior Doctors
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what financial resources will be made available to support the recommendations of the departmental working party on the hours worked by junior doctors.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  I am currently chairing a ministerial group on junior doctors' hours. The group, representing all key parties, aims to reach broad agreement in principle on specific changes before the end of the year. Resource implications are being discussed in the context of that agreement.

  Disabled People
  Mr. Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will list the local authority associations which have responded to his letter inviting costings estimates on sections 1 to 3 of the Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act 1986; and if he will list those which gave detailed costings;

  (2) what procedures have local authority associations identified as incurring costs under sections 1 and 2 of the Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act 1986; and if he will list the estimated cost of each procedure;

  (3) what procedures have local authority associations identified as incurring costs under section 3 of the Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act 1986; and if he will list the estimated cost of each procedure.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) whether advocates appointed under sections 1 and 2 of the Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act 1986 will receive payment for their service;
  364
  (2) if he will make it his policy that a doctor's certificate which states that an individual is unable to appoint his own authorised representative under sections 1 and 2 of the Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act 1986 will be issued free of charge.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The Association of Metropolitan Authorities and the Association of County Councils have both responded in detail to our invitation to submit cost estimates for these sections. The associations have provisionally identified a number of areas as incurring extra costs, to an estimated annual total in England in excess of £20 million. This estimate includes some provision for payment from local authority funds to authorised representatives and to doctors providing medical opinions in some circumstances. It does not include any provision for increase in services in response to the extra demand which these sections would generate. Our discussions with the local authority associations are continuing.

  Mr. Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on his visit to Cleveland social services department to view the pilot implementation of sections 1 to 3 of the Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act 1986.

  Mr. Dorrell
  My hon. Friend the Minister for Health met representatives of Cleveland social services department on 3 October to discuss the pilot exercise. The meeting was a useful source of information on the potential practical implications which implementation of these sections would involve, and on the extent of the overlap which could arise between these provisions and those to be introduced as a result of the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990. We are giving further consideration to these aspects in the context of our on-going discussions with the local authority associations.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he is taking in the light of the recommendations in the sixth and 11th reports of the Social Services Select Committee to implement sections 1 to 3 of the Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act 1986 as soon as possible.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The Government will reply to the Select Committee's recommendations as soon as possible.

  Child Abuse
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the reported number of child abuse cases in each of the 32 London boroughs in each of the last three years.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The number of reported cases of child abuse is not collected centrally. Information is collected centrally about the number of children and young persons on child protection registers and the number of names added to the register. This is published in "Children and Young Persons on Child Protection Registers for the year ending 31 March" and is available in the Library. Data for the year ended 31 March 1990 are provisional. Data for the year ended 31 March 1988 represent the results of a pilot survey.

  Neurosciences (Transfer)
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the relationship between the increase in the cost of transferring
  365
  neurosciences from the Brook hospital to the King's and Maudsley hospitals complex, the calculation involving the original cost of £27 million announced on 11 April 1989 by the then Minister of State and the present cost estimated at £50 million or more.

  Mr. Dorrell
  When the scheme was first submitted to the Department for approval in 1987 the cost at national average building rates was estimated to be £27 million. This figure subsisted throughout the approval in principle stage for comparative purposes.

  In April 1989 the estimated costs were £42·5 million taking account of the rise in national building costs since 1987 and the additional costs of building in London.

  The most recent estimate is that the total cost, taking full account of inflation since 1989 and the additional costs of building in London, has risen to £50·5 million.

  Residential Care
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of pensioners in Durham county and the United Kingdom live in sheltered housing and residential care.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Information is not available in the form requested.

  In the local authority of Durham at 31 March 1989, 2·6 per cent. of the population aged 65 and over were in residential care accommodation, compared with 3·1 per cent. in England as a whole.

  Local authorities in England report annually the numbers of sheltered dwellings in their areas to the

  Number of homes, places and residents in residential homes primarily for elderly people and younger people who are physically handicapped, by sector

  Homes

  Places

  Residents

  Local authority

  Voluntary

  Private

  Local authority

  Voluntary

  Private

  Local authority

  Voluntary

  Private

  Durham

  1980

  43

  2

  5

  1,745

  33

  113

  1,728

  30

  102

  1985

  44

  4

  62

  1,842

  141

  217

  1,766

  114

  196

  1989

  44

  6

  108

  1,829

  161

  1,026

  1,585

  144

  905

  England

  1980

  2,638

  1,107

  2,278

  114,103

  34,957

  35,764

  107,852

  30,665

  30,495

  1985

  2,672

  1,108

  5,200

  116,080

  37,466

  80,041

  105,864

  31,423

  69,000

  1989

  2,602

  1,068

  8,303

  109,194

  34,166

  135,369

  98,269

  30,663

  114,106

  Influenza Vaccine
  Dame Jill Knight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to ensure that general medical practitioners are aware that extra influenza vaccine has been made available to fulfil all needs of at risk patients.

  Mr. Terry Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether his Department has obtained enough influenza vaccine to meet the demand from general practitioners; and what arrangements are being made to publicise the availability of this vaccine.

  Mr. Dorrell
  A number of steps have been taken to ensure an adequate supply of influenza vaccine. Over 3,600,000 doses of vaccine were made available this autumn. The Department has also arranged for the manufacture of a further 1 million doses which will be available from this week, providing a total supply of 45 per cent. more than last year.
  366
  Department of the Environment. The latest figures, for April 1990, are available in the Library. I understand that there are no estimates of the proportion of pensioners who live in sheltered dwellings.

  Residents aged 65 and over in residential accommodation in England at 31 March 1989

  Durham

  England

  Homes for Elderly and Younger Physically Handicapped People

  2,458

  232,336

  All Homes

  2,469

  235,703

  Population aged 65 and over

  93,201

  7,522,568

  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many private registered homes, voluntary registered homes, and local authority homes for the elderly there were in(a) Durham county and (b) the United Kingdom in 1980, 1985 and for the latest available year; how many places these provided and how many residents there were in each of these years.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The information available is given in the table. Data refer to homes catering primarily for people who are elderly or younger people who are physically handicapped. Data for these two groups were not collected separately for all of the years requested.

  Information relating to Scotland is a matter for my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and information for Northern Ireland and Wales is a matter for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Northern Ireland and for Wales.

  The Department wrote to all family health services Authority general managers on 22 November informing them of the arrangements made to provide the further 1 million doses, a copy of which is available in the Library.

  Mentally Handicapped People
  Mr. O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give details of the scheme to provide facilities for the relocation of mentally handicapped people in the community in the Normanton constituency, described in the Official Report, 16 October, column 1039.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The scheme in question is the Wakefield and Pontefract case management scheme. I suggest the hon. Member contacts Sir Bryan Askew, the chairman of the Yorkshire regional health authority, for further details.

  Smoked Salmon
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to protect the trade in postal orders for smoked salmon which may be affected by the new regulations in the food Bill.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The Food Hygiene (Amendment) Regulations 1990 will require certain foods to be kept chilled unless the processing of the food or the method of packaging can be shown to prevent the growth of pathogenic micro-organisms at ambient temperature. Smoked fish is one of the relevant foods. Research is taking place to see how the industry can best adapt to the new regulations.

  Sheep Dips
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research is currently being undertaken into the effect on human health of those exposed to organo-phosphorus sheep dips.

  Mr. Forth
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Health and Safety Executive's south-west region is conducting a regional project on the risk from organo-phosphorus sheep dip. The study aims to develop information about the uptake of organo-phosphorus and possibly other solvents and phenols by operators and bystanders in the sheep-dipping season and relate this information to symptoms reported in the farming community.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Income Support
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the current level of income support benefits received by(a) a single householder aged under 25 years, (b) a single householder with disabilities aged under 25 years, (c) a pensioner couple, (d) a pensioner couple with disabilities and (e) an unemployed man with dependent wife and two children aged five and 11 years; and in each case what would they have received if the pre-April 1988 system of supplementary benefits were still operating.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The question is not sufficiently specific concerning the circumstances of each beneficiary to enable an assessment to be made of what benefit they might have been entitled to under the old scheme. In addition, it would not be possible to calculate the likely entitlement of these individuals today, had the old scheme stayed in place, since it is not possible to say how the scheme would have evolved in response to changing circumstances.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of(a) the effect on the future number of income support claimants of the proposal to reduce the definition of full-time work from 24 hours to 16 hours and (b) the number of existing claimants who would lose entitlement if there were no transitional protection; and, in each case, if he will subdivide the figures into the childless, two-parent families and one-parent families.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Many families who are working part time will be better off as a result of the reduction in 368
  the remunerative work from 24 hours to 16 hours, because they will become entitled to family credit. Some people who are currently claiming income support will also be encouraged to take up employment, and therefore transfer from income support to family credit. We will introduce protection for those claimants who need it at the point of change.

  The information requested is in the table.

  Number of claimants transferring from income support to family credit at point of change

  Number of claimants who would cease to receive income support at point of change if no protection available

  Childless

  nil

  15,000

  Couples with children

  10,000

  15,000

  Lone parents

  25,000

  30,000

  Source: Modelled using data drawn from the 1985–86–87 Family Expenditure Surveys.

  Note: The figures do not allow for the effects of the introduction of Disability Working Allowance.

PRIME MINISTER

  European Energy Charter
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Prime Minister whether Her Majesty's Government will actively support the proposal of President Delors and the Netherlands for a European energy charter for the whole of Europe.

  The Prime Minister
  We have supported the development of this initiative to date and expect to be able to do so in the future.

  Cambodia
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Prime Minister how many letters, cards, messages and phone calls she has received concerning Cambodia since 8 October.

  The Prime Minister
  I have received over 1,000 representations concerning Cambodia.

  Press Secretary
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Prime Minister by what authority her press secretary issued any briefings to the media in regard to her leadership campaign for the Conservative and Unionist party.

  The Prime Minister
  My press secretary has represented my interests as Prime Minister.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Medical Research Council
  Mr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how much funding has been provided for the Medical Research Council in the current year.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  Grant in aid to the council this financial year will total £185·7 million.

  Grammar Schools
  Mr. Roger King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many grammar schools there presently are in England and Wales.

  Mr. Fallon
  In January 1989 there were 150 grammar schools in the maintained sector in England. The provisional estimate for January 1990 is the same. Welsh schools are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

  Education Administration Budgets
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he is taking to ensure that children's education is not adversely affected by the size of a local authority's budget for education administration.

  Mr. Fallon
  My right hon. and learned Friend and I have made it clear that we are determined that LEAs should reduce the proportion of resources which they hold back for spending on central bureaucracies and other central services. We shall be publishing a draft circular next month which will consult on proposals to that end.

  Bradford CTC
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the total amount of grant aid in 1989 and 1990 for the city technology college in Bradford.

  Mr. Eggar
  Total grant aid to the Bradford CTC was £2·9 million in the 1989–90 financial year for management and capital costs. So far this financial year, costs, including running costs, total £4 million.

  Education Policies
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received as to the impact of the Government's policies for education on the north and north-west of England.

  Mr. Eggar
  My right hon. and learned Friend receives such representations from time to time.

  Student Loans Company
  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what has been the total cost to date of establishing in Glasgow the headquarters of the Student Loans Company.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The Student Loans Company opened for business early in September. The total costs of establishing the student loans scheme to 31 August 1990 were £9·3 million, exclusive of VAT.

  Stratford School, Newham
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science on what grounds he approved the local management of schools application on behalf of Stratford school, Newham.

  Mr. Eggar
  I presume that the hon. Member means "grant-maintained status" and not "local management of 370
  schools". My right hon. Friend the then Secretary of State approved grant-maintained status for Stratford school because he judged that it was capable of providing cost-effectively for pupils aged 11 to 18, and that it was capable of maintaining and improving its performance under new management.

  Education Expenditure (London)
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the current annual expenditure per child at(a) Sylvan city technology college and (b) local authority secondary schools in London.

  Mr. Fallon
  Funding for Sylvan city technology college has not yet been finalised, but the provisional annual per capita grant (APG) for 1990–91 is some' £2,845 per pupil. The annual school-based expenditure at local authority secondary schools in London in 1988–89, the latest year for which this information is available, was some £2,095 per pupil.

  It should be noted that these figures are not comparable in coverage. The local authority figure excludes central local education authority spending on such items as home to school transport and central administration; Sylvan's APG has to cover such items, and also includes an element to cover diseconomies of scale in the early years of operation. Sylvan CTC is also eligible for earmarked annual grant for particular purposes, in addition to its APG but not on a per capita basis.

  Teacher Training
  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many representations he has received in the current year concerning the funding of in-service teacher training.

  Mr. Fallon
  The Department receives many letters and other representations about in-service teacher training generally. This year we have had around 40 letters which have raised funding issues. These are in addition to the bids which LEAs have submitted for support for training under next year's grants for education support and training programme.

  Nursery Education
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has to provide access to nursery education for children in every local education authority.

  Mr. Eggar
  The Government believe in a diversity of provision for the under-fives. Maintained nursery schools and classes are an important element within this diversity and the numbers of pupils attending them have increased by over 40 per cent. during the period of the present Government.

  Higher Education
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he next proposes to meet the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals to discuss the expansion of higher education in the period 1990 to 2000.
  371
  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  I have already met representatives of the CVCP to discuss the recent public expenditure settlement and its provision for the further expansion of higher education. I expect to meet them again soon.

  Teachers
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many students qualified to be teachers left the university of Wales and the teacher training colleges of Wales at the end of each academic year since 1984–85; how many qualified in each of the main subjects; and how many were qualified to teach their subject through the medium of Welsh.

  Mr. Fallon
  The number of students who left the university of Wales qualified to be teachers at the end of each academic year since 1984–85 is shown in the table. Information is not held centrally on the subjects in which they qualified and how many were qualified to teach through the medium of Welsh.

  The University of Wales Students qualifying as teachers

  Academic year

  Students qualifying

  1984–85

  573

  1985–86

  511

  1986–87

  493

  1987–88

  525

  1988–89

  501

  The number of students who left the teacher training colleges of Wales since academic year 1984–85 qualified as teachers, and the subjects in which they qualified, are shown in the tables. Information is not held centrally on how many were qualified to teach through the medium of Welsh.

  Teacher Training Colleges of Wales Students qualifying as Teachers

  Main subjects

  Students 1984–85

  Primary School

  287

  Middle School

  16

  Mathematics

  27

  Chemistry

  —

  Physics

  —

  Biological Sciences

  —

  Combined Sciences

  24

  Welsh

  —

  English

  2

  Other languages

  —

  History

  —

  Geography

  —

  Religious Education

  2

  Craft, design and technology

  32

  Commercial and Business Studies

  25

  Art/art and light Craft

  23

  Home economics/needlework

  3

  Music

  5

  Physical Education

  37

  Other

  7

  Total

  490

  Teacher Training Colleges of Wales Students qualifying as Teachers

  Main subjects

  Students 1985–86

  Art or Art and Craft

  33

  Biological Sciences

  8

  Commercial Studies

  8

  372

  Main subjects

  Students 1985–86

  Craft and Design Technology

  38

  Drama

  5

  Education

  132

  English

  38

  Environmental Science

  4

  Geography

  10

  History

  14

  Home Economics

  2

  Mathematics

  25

  Modern Languages

  1

  Music

  15

  Needlecraft

  2

  Physical Education

  10

  Religious Education Studies

  4

  Science

  12

  Welsh

  24

  Mathematics and Physics

  6

  Combination of Arts Subjects

  18

  Interdisciplinary Studies

  28

  Other Subjects

  55

  Humanities

  16

  Scientific Studies

  5

  Not known

  24

  Total

  537

  Teacher training colleges of Wales students qualifying as Teachers

  Main subjects

  Students 1986–87

  Art or Art and Craft

  32

  Biological Sciences

  6

  Commercial Studies

  12

  Craft and Design Technology

  45

  Drama

  11

  Education

  114

  English

  42

  Environmental Science

  3

  Geography

  22

  History

  16

  Mathematics

  24

  Music

  26

  Needlecraft

  4

  Physical Education

  19

  Primary School Curriculum

  56

  Religious Education Studies

  24

  Science

  16

  Welsh

  22

  Combination of Arts Subjects

  30

  Interdisciplinary Studies

  55

  Other Subjects

  70

  Humanities

  21

  Scientific Studies

  7

  Not Known

  1

  Total

  678

  Teacher Training Colleges of Wales Students qualifying as Teachers

  Main Subjects

  Students 1987–88

  Art or Art and Craft

  49

  Commercial Studies

  27

  Craft and Design Technology

  32

  Drama

  8

  Education

  110

  English

  34

  Environmental Science

  2

  General Science

  10

  Geography

  21

  History

  19

  Mathematics

  19

  Music

  26

  Needlecraft

  1

  Physical Education

  30

  373

  Main Subjects

  Students 1987–88

  Primary School Curriculum

  44

  Religious Education Studies

  21

  Science

  32

  Welsh

  16

  Combination of Arts Subjects

  43

  Interdisciplinary Studies

  47

  Other Subjects

  55

  Humanities

  14

  Scientific Studies

  7

  Total

  667

  Teacher Training Colleges of Wales Students qualifying as Teachers

  Main Subjects

  Students 1988–89

  Environmental Science and other Physical Science

  16

  Mathematics

  30

  Geography

  13

  Business and Management Studies

  30

  English

  35

  Celtic Languages

  19

  History

  28

  Theology and Religious Studies

  16

  Design Studies

  38

  Music

  29

  Drama

  21

  Art and Design (Other)

  50

  Physical Education

  29

  Academic Studies in Education

  129

  Education for Those with Special Needs

  19

  Other Topics in Education

  70

  Combined or General Science

  28

  Combined or General Arts

  13

  Other Combined or General Courses

  64

  Total

  677

  Educational Psychologists
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what figures he has on the total numbers of children referred by their school to see educational psychologists and of those currently waiting to do so.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  This information is not collected centrally.

  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps are being taken to reduce the waiting lists for the school psychological service for pupils in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The management of its psychology service is a matter for the individual local education authority. The Department provides specific funds to local education authorities in England, under the grants for education support and training, for the training of educational psychologists. In the current year £2·8 million was made available for this purpose.

  Education establishments in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are the responsibility of the respective Secretaries of State.

  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will take steps to ensure that the shortfall in the take-up of grants for the initial training of educational psychologists goes to training prospective educational psychologists.
  374
  Mr. Alan Howarth
  In the current year, the grant for educational psychologists under the local education authority training grants scheme was sufficient to meet all local education authorities' needs. The small amount of grant not taken up by LEAs this year has been transferred to meet urgent needs in other national priority areas in the special education field.

  Access Funds
  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are the rules governing the eligibility of a student to apply for money from access funds.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The following students in publicly funded institutions are eligible to apply to their institutions:

  undergraduates: all full-time and sandwich home students in higher education at undergraduate level;

  postgraduates: all full-time home students in higher reducation studying at levels above first degree; and

  students in further education: all full-time and sandwich home students in further education aged 19 and over.

  It is for each individual institution to draw up criteria for determining which applicants should receive support.

  Disabled Students
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many schools of higher education have wheelchair access; and how many are currently making the transition.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  As autonomous bodies, higher education institutions are responsible for determining what provision to make to meet the needs of students with disabilities. This is not monitored centrally.

  LEA Capital Funds
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what arrangements he makes for ensuring that sufficient capital funds are available to areas of known rapid population expansion for timely planning and construction of schools without prejudice to current and future interest of existing and future populations of the relevant local education authority.

  Mr. Fallon
  It is for local education authorities to ensure that they provide sufficient school places. In distributing annual capital guidelines to authorities, my right hon. and learned Friend gives priority, after allowing for existing commitments, to their plans for providing new school places in areas of population growth. Priority is then given to plans to remove surplus capacity, to new building projects at colleges of further education and, as resources allow, to programmes to replace or refurbish existing school premises.

  Parental Choice
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what action he is taking to increase parental choice of schools; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Fallon
  The Government have already taken measures in the Education Reform Act 1988 to remove the artificial restrictions placed by some local education authorities on the number of pupils admitted to particular
  375
  schools, thus increasing parents' chances of getting a place for their child at the school of their choice. The relevant provisions of the Act were brought into force for secondary schools in August this year. My right hon. and learned Friend is currently considering the timing of their introduction in the primary sector. The Government have also ensured that parents have more information about schools through prospectuses and annual reports. Parental choice is being further extended through the creation of grant-maintained schools and city technology colleges.

  Physical Education
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he intends to set up a survey of the state of school sport; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  The terms of reference of the national curriculum working group on physical education require the group to make recommendations on attainment targets and programmes of study for PE, including competitive sport. The Government are also currently undertaking a review of their policies and priorities for sport, which will include sport in schools. However, my right hon. and learned Friend has no plans to undertake a separate survey on the state of school sport.

  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he intends to set up a register on the current availability of school playing fields; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Fallon
  No. The provision of school playing fields is a mattter for local education authorities and others directly responsible for schools.

  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information his Department has about the current provision of swimming lessons in schools; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  Evidence on the provision of swimming instruction in schools is provided through the visits and reports of Her Majesty's inspectorate. The Government recognise the value of young people being taught to swim as part of a programme of physical education.

  Religious Education
  Sir Peter Emery
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how much time he estimates should be spent under the national curriculum on the teaching of religious education; and what proportion of that should be spent on the study of the Christian faith.

  Mr. Eggar
  Religious education must be included alongside the national curriculum in the basic curriculum of all maintained schools. In county schools, the content of RE must be in accordance with a locally agreed syllabus drawn up by a conference convened by the local education authority. My right hon. and learned Friend has no power to prescribe how much time should be spent on individual subjects, but he has made clear his view that in drawing up an agreed syllabus the conference should assume that a reasonable time will be available for the study of RE.

  Pensions Branch, Darlington
  Ms. Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has for the future of the Department of Education and Science pensions branch in Darlington; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  We are currently considering whether the pensions branch should be identified as a candidate for agency status, in the light of a feasibility study conducted earlier this year.

  Soil and Rock Formation
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he has asked the British Geological Survey to carry out a survey of soil and rock formation in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  Systematic geological surveys in Great Britain are one of the main tasks of the British Geological Survey, for which it is funded mainly through the science vote. The soil survey of England and Wales was transferred in July 1987 from the Agricultural and Food Research Council to the Cranfield institute of technology, to form part of the soil survey and land use research centre funded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

  Grant-maintained Schools
  Mr. Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many primary schools have expressed interest to his Department in opting out.

  Mr. Eggar
  We have received large numbers of inquiries about becoming grant-maintained from primary schools. Since the announcement on 10 October that all primary schools would be able to apply for GM status, more than 40,000 copies of our explanatory leaflet for parents have been requested by schools. The majority of these requests have come from primary schools.

  Teaching Unions
  Mr. Adley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he intends to meet the teaching unions to discuss educational policy; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  I and my hon. Friends expect to have meetings from time to time with the teaching unions on a range of educational policy matters.

DEFENCE

  Gulf Forces
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements have been made to provide service personnel with the ability to telephone the United Kingdom and Germany.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  We are giving urgent consideration, in consultation with British Telecom, Mercury and Cable and Wireless, to the establishment of a welfare telephone link between the Gulf and the United Kingdom and Germany. A trial system is currently being tested.
  377
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements have been made to provide the families of service personnel in the Gulf region with facilities to visit the area.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  There are no plans to introduce such arrangements.

  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the intended length of tours of duty for service -personnel in the Gulf region.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  It is intended that service personnel now being deployed to the Gulf will serve a tour of duty of about six months. The precise duration will depend on a number of factors and will be governed by operational considerations.

  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether there are any plans for Combined Services Entertainment to stage any productions in the Gulf region.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Yes.

  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the military equipment sent to the Gulf region will be included within the forthcoming treaty on conventional forces in Europe.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  United . Kingdom equipment deployed to the Gulf will continue to be treated for the purposes of the CFE treaty as if it remained within that treaty's area of application, and has been included within the equipment totals declared for the purposes of that treaty.

  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence . what steps have been taken to establish libraries for service personnel in the Gulf region.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Regular supplies of paperback books are sent to the Gulf. We are keeping under review the requirement to establish formal libraries.

  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether there are any plans for the Services Sound and Vision Corporation to set up(a) cinemas or (b) video libraries in the Gulf region.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The Services Sound and Vision Corporation plans to have two mobile cinemas operating in the area early next month. Several hundred video cassettes have already been sent to the Gulf, together with televisions and video recorders.

  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the Services Sound and Vision Corporation or the British Forces Broadcasting Service intend to broadcast any material in the Gulf region.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The Services Sound and Vision Corporation is already making regular short-wave broadcasts to the Gulf. As I announced yesterday, we have decided to expand the broadcasting facilities in the area by providing VHF facilities in Saudi Arabia to broadcast British Forces Broadcasting Service programmes. This will provide coverage in the area of eastern Saudi Arabia from December. In addition, trials are to be undertaken this month of broadcasting further BFBS programmes using short-wave transmissions from Cyprus.
  378
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether there are sufficient supplies of buttons for the desert uniforms for British soldiers stationed in the Gulf.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Yes. There was a temporary shortage of one size of button in the initial stages of the production of desert combat clothing, but this problem has now been overcome.

  Racial Discrimination
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what further steps he is taking, following the judgment in the case of Stephen Anderson, to prevent racial discrimination in the armed services.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The services are fully integrated non-discriminatory organisations and discrimination is not tolerated. Any complaint of racial discrimination will be thoroughly investigated and if substantiated disciplinary action will be taken against those found to have been involved. The Anderson judgment relates not to this policy but to the procedures followed by the Army Board in dealing with claims of racial discrimination brought under the Race Relations Act 1976. As soon as the final, approved, judgment has been received the Ministry of Defence will consider in detail what changes may be necessary to service procedures to conform with the judgment.

  The Gulf (Floating Hospital)
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the cost of the floating hospital in the Gulf developed from the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Argus.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The costs of equipping the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Argus for her role as a primary casualty receiving ship amounted to £2·5 million.

  Desert Camouflage
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when British troops in the desert will be kitted out in desert camouflage or khaki drill; and what use has been made of British Army studies of desert kit and camouflage.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Sufficient desert combat clothing has been delivered to the Gulf for an initial issue to the troops already deployed there, and further quantities are being purchased to meet future requirements. As a result of recent Ministry of Defence studies the Army's new desert clothing incorporates a number of improvements, including a change in the design of the trousers, and the use of new materials with a special disruptive camouflage pattern for desert use.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what studies he has done of the operational effectiveness of the SA80 assault rifle in desert camouflage conditions.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The SA80 individual weapon has proven on a number of hot weather trials conducted over the last two years that it performs well in severe desert conditions. Camouflage requirements depend on local terrain, and any additional provision is determined by commanders in the field.
  379
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the new desert uniforms being supplied to British troops stationed in the Gulf are of the same pattern as uniforms exported in the last 10 years.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The desert combat clothing being supplied to the British forces in the Gulf is of a new design based on improvements in tropical uniforms. These improvements include a change in the design of the trousers and the use of new materials, incorporating a special disruptive camouflage pattern for desert use.

  Air Defence System
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the improved United Kingdom air defence ground environment command and control system is due to come into operational service; what system is in operation in the meantime; and if he will make a statement as to how the ICCS will operate.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The integrated command and control system (ICCS) of the improved United Kingdom air defence ground environment (IUKADGE) is a computer system which will gather basic data relating to the air defence of the United Kingdom from a variety of sources (ground radars, early warning aircraft, fighters and ships, and NATO sources); process this information to maintain recognised air and sea pictures (RASP) and resource data catalogue (RDC) information files; provide assistance to operators to enable them to recognise hostile aircraft and to optimise the use of air defence assets to respond to such threats; and provide necessary supporting communications. Operating centres will be able to contribute to a common database and to assume other sites' tasks in the event of damage or loss. The quality, quantity and consistency of management information will be enhanced, so improving tactical decision making and resource management, as compared with the existing UKADGE system. In the latter, sites are linked only by a simple datalink and communications systems; command and control is exercised on a mixture of manual and semi-automatic systems; and the amount of shared data is limited.

  The ICCS programme has suffered from substantial delays. We now expect it to be in full operational service by the mid-1990s.

  Cruise Missile
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what problems have been encountered in the development of the new air-launched cruise missile; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the replacement system for our WE177 free-fall nuclear bomb. We are currently considering both French and United States options, but no decision has yet been taken. Accordingly the question of development does not yet arise.

  Hunting
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the hunts that have licences allowing them access to hunt on land held by his Department; and if he will list which land each licence covers.
  380
  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The hunts that have licences allowing them to hunt on Ministry of Defence land and the areas covered by the licences are as follows:

  Hunt and Area Used

  The Hampshire Hunt—Longmoor

  Mr. Goschen's Hounds—Longmoor, Hankley, Camberley and Ash

  The Chiddingfold, Leconfield and Cowdray Hounds-Longmoor

  The Windsor Forest Blood Hounds—Camberley

  The Royal Artillery Hunt—Salisbury Plain West

  The South and West Wilts Hunt—Salisbury Plain West

  The Avondale Hunt—Salisbury Plain West

  The Sennybridge Hunt—Sennybridge

  The Irfon and Tywi Hunt—Sennybridge

  The Brecon Hunt—Sennybridge

  The Glyn Celyn Beagles—Sennybridge

  The Essex and Suffolk Hunt—Colchester

  The Cambridgeshire Hunt—Brampton Wood

  The Bedale Hunt—Ripon Parks and Catterick

  The West of Yore Hunt—Ripon Parks and Catterick

  The Zetland Hunt—Feldom and Catterick

  The Wensleydale Foxhounds—Stainton and Bellerby

  The Catterick Beagles—Feldom and Catterick

  The Border Hunt—Otterburn

  The Tynedale Hunt—Ouston

  Computers
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the CM (CIPMIS) computer; what is its function; who has access to it; and where it is located.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The CIPMIS system contains computerised basic personnel records of all non-industrial civil servants in the Ministry of Defence. It is used to help personnel management to make decisions on the posting and promotion of individual members of staff. Information in respect of individuals is available to the relevant personnel managers; aggregated information is available more generally within the Department. The system is located at the computer bureau at Devizes and is controlled by officials based in Bath.

  RAF Macrihanish
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the purpose of the construction works in the contract let to Amey Construction at RAF Macrihanish.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The contract let to Amey Construction at RAF Macrihanish is to construct dispersed aircraft parking platforms and associated connecting taxitrack for use by SACLANT assigned maritime patrol aircraft.

  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the estimated cost of the construction work being undertaken at RAF Macrihanish by Amey Construction; and whether the total cost is being met out of his Ministry's budget.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The details of the contract for work being undertaken at RAF Macrihanish by Amey Construction are "Contracts in Confidence" and, as such, cannot be released. However, the cost is being met entirely from NATO infrastructure funds; the Ministry of Defence will pay the VAT element only.

  Iraq (Uranium)
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information he possesses on current uranium mining in Iraq and on future Iraqi potential to convert natural uranium yellowcake to weapons grade material.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Iraq is a signatory to the non-proliferation treaty and has concluded a full-scope safeguards agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) under which its nuclear facilities must be regularly inspected. Iraq extracts uranium as a by-product of the processing of phosphates to make fertilisers at Al Qaim close to the border with Syria. Since uranium ore (yellowcake) is not subject to safeguards inspections we are unable to state the total amount produced. No additional deposits of uranium ore have been identified within the country.

  If Iraq wishes to produce enriched uranium it would require a facility to convert the yellowcake into a form suitable for enrichment and also an enrichment plant. We have no evidence of the existence of such facilities and, should it build them, Iraq would be obliged to declare them for safeguards inspections under its agreement with the IAEA.

  Intermediate Nuclear Forces Treaty
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he has had any discussions with his United States counterpart concerning the deployment in the United Kingdom and other European NATO countries of new B61–4/10 nuclear warheads made from modified W85 warheads withdrawn from Pershing II missiles under the treaty of Washington on intermediate nuclear forces.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Details of discussions between Her Majesty's Government and the United States Government are confidential.

EMPLOYMENT

  Training and Enterprise Councils
  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many of the members of training and enterprise councils represent(a) employers, (b) trades unions and (c) others; if he will classify in broad terms the categories from which members under (c) are drawn; what information is held on the political affiliation of members of training and enterprise councils; and whether any members are nominated by political groupings.

  Mr. Jackson
  The information requested on board members is set out in the table and refers to the 41 operational training and enterprise councils. The role of TECs is to engage employers more fully in the training process. It is not their function to represent sectional interests in their local community. Board members are, therefore, appointed as individuals in their own right.

  The number of board members drawn from the various sectors is as follows:

  (a) Employers—378

  (b) Trades Unions—29

  (c) Other—137

  The "other" category can be broken down into:

  Local authority—50

  Education—59

  Voluntary organisation—20

  Employer association—8

  382
  Information is not kept on the political affiliation of TEC members. Board members are not drawn from political groupings.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how much money training and enterprise councils have spent in total on outside consultants.

  Mr. Jackson
  The information is not available.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment which consultancies have been employed by training and enterprise councils; and how much money each has received in fees for developing corporate or strategic plans.

  Mr. Jackson
  Training and enterprise councils are independent private companies. The consultants employed by them and the fees paid are a matter for individual TECs.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many(a) chief executives of training and enterprise councils and (b) other staff, excluding outside employees, have chosen (i) to resign civil service status and (ii) to retain such status.

  Mr. Jackson
  The information requested is set out in the table and refers to the 41 operational training and enterprise councils.

  Number

  (a) (i) Chief Executives who have resigned Civil Service status

  4

  (ii) Chief Executives who have retained Civil Service status

  23

  (b) (i) Other staff who have resigned Civil Service status

  —

  (ii) Other staff who have retained Civil Service status

  2,156

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what allocation of resources has been made to the training and enterprise councils towards the training of the lower ability range of potential trainees.

  Mr. Jackson
  Budgets for training and enterprise councils are negotiated with individual TECs, based on proposals set out in their corporate and business plans. These plans set out how the needs of trainees of all ability levels including those from the lower ability range are to be addressed.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many of the training and enterprise council chief executives designated or appointed have been recruited from(a) outside the civil service and (b) outside the Training Agency.

  Mr. Jackson
  Sixty-four of the 82 training and enterprise councils have appointed or designated a chief executive to date. Of these, 25 were recruited from outside both the civil service and the Department of Employment.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Oppenheim
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give figures for unemployment in the east midlands region in 1985 and 1990.

  Mr. Jackson
  The level of unemployment, seasonally adjusted, in the east midlands, was 102,900 or 5·3 per cent. in October 1990 compared with 185,400 or 9·8 per cent. in October 1985.
  383
  Mr. Oppenheim
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the level of unemployment in Amber Valley in 1985 and 1990.

  Mr. Jackson
  In October 1990 the numbers of unemployed claimants, not seasonally adjusted, in the Amber Valley parliamentary constituency were 1,958. This compares with 4,057 in October 1985 and represents a fall of 51·7 per cent.

  Technical and Vocational Education Initiative
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when he expects local education authorities to be told their financial allocations for 1991–92 for the technical and vocational education initiative; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jackson
  My officials are now confirming the TVEI finances available in 1991–92 with each local education authority. The Government are fully committed to the TVEI. A total of £900 million is available to extend the initiative to all 14 to 18-year-olds in maintained schools and colleges. One hundred and three education authorities are now in the extension phase of the TVEI. I am very pleased with the progress that has been made.

  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will set out, in 1989 prices, the level of funding for the technical and vocational education initiative for 1989–90, 1990–91, and 1991–92.

  Mr. Jackson
  Funding levels, in cash prices, for the years requested are as follows:

  £ million

  1989–90

  129·3 (actual expenditure)

  1990–91

  134·1 (estimates provision)

  1991–92

  141·6 (PES allocation)

  The figures are not available in 1989 prices.

  Toxic Chemicals (Storage)
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what studies have been conducted by his Department, or consultants to his Department, on improving the safety of storage of toxic or corrosive chemicals at large industrial sites; and what studies have been conducted on the design of bunds associated with chemical containment.

  Mr. Forth
  In addition to the high standards of legislative control which already exist for vessels storing hazardous chemicals, the Health and Safety Executive is encouraging an improvement in the mitigatory strategies adopted by occupiers to limit the consequences of vessel failure. The HSE is funding a research and development programme into the design and performance of bunds. A first study entitled "The Design of Bunds" was published in March and a further study is nearing completion.

  Youth Training
  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will produce a table to show the changes in the level of YOP/YTS allowance since April 1978, giving(a) the date of the change, (b) the level of the
  384
  allowance and (c) the value of the allowance at November 1990 prices; and what the allowance would now be if it had kept pace with average earnings since April 1978.

  Mr. Jackson
  The table shows the changes in the minimum allowances paid to trainees on the youth opportunities programme/youth training scheme since 1978, expressed in cash terms and at October 1990 prices, the latest month for which information is available.

  If the minimum YT allowance had increased with average earnings since April 1978, it would have been £62·35 in September 1990, the latest month for which average earnings information is available.

  Figures quoted are minimum levels. A considerable number of YT trainees receive higher allowances or wages.

  Date of change

  Cash value

  1At constant October 1990 prices

  £

  £

  Lower level

  April 1978

  19·50

  51·50

  November 1978

  20·55

  52·16

  November 1979

  23·50

  50·82

  January 1982

  25·00

  41·37

  September 1984

  26·25

  37·96

  September 1985

  27·30

  37·27

  April 1987

  28·50

  36·48

  July 1988

  29·50

  36·02

  Higher level

  April 1986

  35·00

  46·69

  1 Estimated using the movement in the Retail Prices Index.

  European social fund
  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when he will be in a position to pay money to voluntary organisations for the European social fund programme starting in January.

  Mr. Forth
  Time scales and procedures for the 1991 European social fund programmes will be set in consultation with the various committees established under the new ESF arrangements. These consultations have begun. Payments will be made to organisations once their applications have been approved, and the money has been received from the European Commission.

  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the impact of the delays in the administration of European social funding for voluntary sector applications.

  Mr. Forth
  I appreciate that many voluntary organisations may be experiencing financial difficulties as a result of delays in implementing the reformed European social fund this year. A major cause of this delay was that the operational programmes submitted to the Commission, in line with the new regulations, were not approved by the Commission until August 1990. All organisations involved however are advised that claiming support from the European social fund is an uncertain and lengthy process. My Department is doing all it can to expedite this process, and some voluntary organisations have already received payments for their 1990 projects.

  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when the United Kingdom's tranche of European social fund money was given to his Department; and if he will make a statement.
  385
  Mr. Forth
  My Department received most of the first advance money for the 1990 programmes supported by the European social fund in October 1990. This money is being paid out to organisations once they have submitted correct applications to my Department. A very real effort has been made to expedite the processing of applications this year. Department of Employment officials have been working overtime in the evenings and at weekends, and extra staff have been recruited to help out.

  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list(a) the total numbers of applications received and (b) the number of training places for European social fund support in 1990 for each of the standard regions, England and Wales.

  Mr. Forth
  The total number of applications for ESF support received in England is 1,954 and in Wales is 223.

  The total number of training places envisaged in those applications is 264,445 for England and 18,207 for Wales.

  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when application forms for European social fund support in 1991 will be available for voluntary sector organisations; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Forth
  Time scales and procedures for the 1991 European social fund programmes will be set in consultation with the various committees established under the new ESF arrangements. These consultations have begun.

  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether money from the European social fund will be paid to voluntary organisations in 1990 for projects submitted in the current year.

  Mr. Forth
  Some voluntary organisations have already received payments for their 1990 projects, and it is expected that payments to the rest which have submitted correct applications for projects running in 1990 will be made during December and January.

  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give the total number of(a) training places, (b) projects and (c) voluntary organisations currently under consideration in applications for assistance by grant aid from the European social fund for 1990.

  Mr. Forth
  Approximately 2,500 project applications, involving 318,755 training places, are currently under consideration for European social fund assistance for 1990. Of these 2,500 applications, some 500 were from voluntary organisations.

  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what representation he has received from voluntary sector orgnisations about the delay in the payment of European social fund money; and what consultations have taken place with interested organisations.

  Mr. Forth
  A number of representations have been made to my Department by voluntary sector organisations about the delays in 1990, which is the first year of the new European social fund.

  Consultation with interested organisations has taken place at every stage in the process of implementing the new
  386
  regulations. Since July there have been several meetings with representatives of the voluntary sector and other organisations concerned to discuss the 1990 procedures for obtaining support under the fund.

  Employment Training
  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) if he will now publish the full results of the 100 per cent. follow-up survey of employment training leavers; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) how frequently updated information from the 100 per cent. follow-up survey of employment training leavers is supplied to operational technical education colleges and Training Agency regional offices; and if he intends to make information available on a similar basis to hon. Members.

  Mr. Jackson
  The full results of the 100 per cent. follow-up survey of employment training leavers contains records for individual trainees. This information is confidential and it would therefore be inappropriate to publish it. Summary results from the survey are sent monthly to regional offices and TECs. Information is available for hon. Members on a similar basis and is placed in the Library.

  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what proportion of those who have completed courses under the employment training scheme have entered full-time employment; and what average cost of training this represents as a per capita share of the total costs of the scheme.

  Mr. Jackson
  [holding answer 26 November 1990]: Of those trainees who left employment training between July 1989 and June 1990 after completing their agreed training, 26 per cent. went into full-time employment. Of all trainees who left employment training, 40 per cent. achieved a positive outcome, which includes full and part-time employment, self-employment and further training or education. The training cost per ET trainee leaving for a positive outcome is estimated to be £3,500.

  Careers Service
  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when the internal review of the careers service will be completed; and if its findings will be made available to hon. Members.

  Mr. Jackson
  The internal review of careers guidance was announced last spring. The review team has now completed its consultations and will be presenting its recommendations shortly. An announcement about decisions emerging from the review will then be made.

  Disabled People
  Mr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether he is planning any additional help for disabled people; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Howard
  I have decided to give unemployeed people with disabilities priority access to our main employment and training programmes. From April next year they will become one of the key groups for entry on to employment training, the enterprise allowance scheme, job clubs and the job interview guarantee. Training and enterprise councils and the Employment Service will
  387
  ensure that people with disabilities who are unemployed will be given this priority recognition. This will help strengthen their opportunity to participate in the labour market.

  I have recently written to TEC chairmen about this new priority and special guidance has been issued about people who have special training needs, such as people with disabilities, so as to help TECs plan and implement their strategies for taking action. This is in addition to existing good practice guidance on the training of people with disabilities produced by my Department, most notably the "Building on Ability" guide. Promoting and encouraging dissemination of good practice to and between TECs and training providers will continue to be an important function of the Department. All this is particularly important as currently over 10 per cent. of people on employment training identify themselves as having a disability or long-term health problem.

  I also recently launched the new symbol that is currently being promoted by the Employment Service aimed at encouraging and helping employers on a voluntary basis to commit themselves publicly to good policies and practices. Employers have an important role in providing opportunities for people with disabilities. My Department seeks increasingly to promote good employment practices and provide effective advice on recruitment, integration, career development and retention, mainly through the Disablement Advisory Service.

  The increased priority being given to people with disabilities on our programmes and the new symbol are reflections of our commitment to ensure that people with disabilities are able to participate fully in training and employment. They already have access to the full range of non-specialist employment services, in many cases with easier eligibility or length of stay rules and special help. The extension of job clubs which I recently announced will further help people with disabilities. Research has shown that in general people who had participated in job clubs were 50 per cent. more likely to be in work than comparable people who had not, but that the difference was even greater for people with disabilities. The job interview guarantee is also being extended and that, too, can provide very significant help to people with disabilities.

  There is also a wide range of services and schemes specifically designed to help people with disabilities obtain and retain employment. This includes:
  —specialist assessment and rehabilitation services which provided 37,000 courses for over 25,000 people in 1989–90;
  —special schemes to help overcome some of the problems people with disabilities may encounter in getting or keeping employment, such as assistance with adapting premises and equipment, with fares to work or with trying out a job or starting a business. Over 7,500 successful applications for help under the special schemes were made in 1989–90;
  —funds for voluntary bodies, local authorities and Remploy to provide employment opportunities for severely disabled people who could not otherwise get work. Over 20,000 people with severe disabilities were employed through the sheltered employment programme at the end of 1989–90.

  Disablement resettlement officers help people with disabilities make use of these services and identify the right sort of help necessary to meet their employment and training needs. In 1989–90 a total of 20,500 people with disabilities were placed into employment by these officers.

  My Department has also issued in recent months two consultation documents which together look for the first
  388
  time in over 40 years at all the employment and training services we provide for people with disabilities. We make proposals and raise issues for discussion with a view to improving the effectiveness of the help we have to offer. "Employment and Training for People with Disabilities" was published in June and an evaluation of the special schemes was published in November. We will be coming to conclusions on what further action we can take to help meet the employment and training needs of people with disabilities, as well as the needs of the labour market, after we have considered all the comments we receive early next year.

  Dust Emissions
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will commission research on the health effects of fine dust particulates from industrial and extractive industries and as to any relationship between the presence of certain types of dust in the atmosphere and the incidence of asthma.

  Mr. Forth
  [holding answer 26 November 1990]: The Health and Safety Executive has conducted extensive research and commissioned a number of extramural studies into the effects of dusts which may cause respiratory sensitisation in a range of industries. There are two current extramural research studies funded by HSE at the Institute of Occupational Medicine in Edinburgh. One examines the relationship between exposure to dust and silica by workers in the Scottish hard rock quarry industry and a number of respiratory diseases; the other is looking at the effects of dust and airborne quartz in the British heavy clay industry.

  There have been a considerable number of studies researching the causes of respiratory diseases. In particular an HSE-sponsored study "The Surveillance of Work-Related and Occupational Respiratory Disease"—SWORD—is collating information on occupationally related respiratory problems; this study is intended to provide a greater understanding of the causes of a number of respiratory diseases including occupational asthma. In addition, the HSE has commissioned a research project on occupational asthma which is intended to assess the likelihood of sensitisation to some of the agents typically found in industrial environments.

SCOTLAND

  Waiting Lists
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the amount spent on the waiting list initiative for the years 1986–87, 1987–88, 1988–89, 1989–90 and 1990–91, respectively.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The year 1988–89 was the first year of the initiative when £3 million was spent with £7 million in 1989–90. I expect £7·1 million to be spent this year.

  Nuclear Casualties
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list all the hospitals in Scotland that have been designated to accept nuclear-contaminated casualties; and if he will show in his answer those hospitals that have expressed an interest in national health service trust status.
  389
  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The hospitals in Scotland that have been designated to accept nuclear-contaminated casualties are as follows:

  Aberdeen Royal Infirmary

  Glasgow Royal Infirmary

  Western Infirmary, Glasgow

  Raigmore Hospital, Inverness

  Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh

  Dundee Royal Infirmary

  Aberdeen royal infirmary as part of the Foresterhill unit has expressed an interest in NHS trust status.

  Lennox Castle Hospital

  1986

  1987

  1988

  No.

  WTE

  No.

  WTE

  No.

  WTE

  All qualified hospital staff

  310

  296·4

  307

  294·5

  309

  296·4

  Senior nurse 1·5 Clin Man.

  2

  2·0

  2

  2·0

  2

  2·0

  Senior nurse 6–8 Clin Man.

  15

  15·0

  14

  14·0

  10

  10·0

  Ward sister/charge nurse

  96

  95·7

  90

  89·7

  84

  83·7

  Staff nurse

  56

  49·6

  70

  64·5

  86

  81·4

  Enrolled nurse

  141

  134·1

  131

  124·3

  127

  119·3

  All staff in training

  44·5

  33·0

  39·9

  All unqualified hospital staff

  245

  223·8

  326

  307·1

  340

  322·4

  Nursing assistant

  245

  223·8

  326

  307·1

  340

  322·4

  1989

  19901

  No.

  WTE

  No.

  WTE

  All qualified hospital staff

  309

  296·8

  319

  305·9

  DNS

  1

  1·0

  1

  1·0

  Senior nurse 1·6

  3

  3·0

  3

  3·0

  Nurse scale I

  1

  1·0

  1

  1·0

  Nurse scale H

  9

  9·0

  8

  8·0

  Nurse scale G

  25

  25·0

  26

  26·0

  Nurse scale F

  49

  48·7

  45

  44·7

  Nurse scale E

  70

  65·1

  78

  72·3

  Nurse scale D

  145

  139·7

  154

  148·1

  Nursing staff in selected Glasgow hospitals; by grade; at 30 September

  Gartloch hospital

  1986

  1987

  1988

  Number

  Whole time equivalent

  Number

  Whole lime equivalent

  Number

  Whole time equivalent

  All qualified hospital staff

  254

  237·8

  274

  257·4

  259

  244·8

  Senior nurse 1–5 clinical manager

  1

  1·0

  1

  1·0

  1

  1·0

  Senior nurse 6–8 clinical manager

  8

  8·0

  8

  8·0

  7

  7·0

  Ward sister/charge nurse

  60

  59·3

  65

  64·3

  59

  58·3

  Staff nurse

  90

  83·5

  109

  101·8

  111

  105·5

  Senior State Enrolled Nurse

  11

  11·0

  11

  11·0

  11

  10·6

  Enrolled nurse

  84

  75·0

  80

  71·3

  70

  62·4

  All staff in training

  75·4

  87·4

  53·4

  All unqualified hospital staff

  138

  124·5

  161

  146·8

  172

  148·7

  Nursing assistant

  138

  124·5

  161

  146·8

  172

  148·7

  1989

  19901

  Number

  Whole time equivalent

  Number

  Whole time equivalent

  All qualified hospital staff

  223

  211·4

  226

  213·9

  DNS

  —

  —

  1

  1·0

  Senior nurse 1·6

  3

  3·0

  6

  6·0

  Nurse scale I

  2

  2·0

  1

  1·0

  Nurse scale H

  4

  4·0

  3

  3·0

  Nurse scale G

  24

  24·0

  26

  26·0

  Nurse scale F

  22

  21·7

  18

  17·7

  Nurse scale E

  88

  82·3

  84

  77·9

  Nurse scale D

  58

  54·7

  67

  62·4

  Nurse scale C

  22

  19·7

  20

  18·9

  All staff in training

  —

  52·4

  —

  51·6

  All unqualified hospital staff

  156

  134·4

  164

  140·6

  Auxilliary nurse

  156

  134·4

  164

  140·6

  1 Data as at 31 March.

  Nurses
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give for the years 1986 to 1990 inclusive(a) the number of nurses at each grade employed and (b) the number of patients treated at (i) Lennox Castle hospital, (ii) Gartloch, (iii) Leverndale, (iv) Woodilee arid (v) Gartnavel Royal.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The information requested is set out in the tables.

  1989

  19901

  No.

  WTE

  No.

  WTE

  Nurse scale C

  6

  4·3

  3

  1·8

  All staff in training

  39·3

  43·9

  All unqualified hospital staff

  401

  377·2

  394

  371·7

  Auxiliary nurse scale A

  369

  345·3

  357

  334·9

  Auxiliary nurse scale B

  32

  31·9

  37

  36·8

  1Data as at 31 March

  391

  Leverndale Hospital

  1986

  1987

  1988

  Number

  Whole lime equivalent

  Number

  Whole time equivalent

  Number

  Whole time equivalent

  All qualified hospital staff

  304

  292·1

  321

  306·3

  315

  297·9

  Senior nurse 6–8 Clinical Manager

  15

  15·0

  14

  14·0

  12

  12·0

  Ward sister/charge nurse

  76

  76·0

  80

  80·0

  72

  72·0

  Staff nurse

  107

  101·2

  130

  122·4

  145

  136·3

  Senior SEN

  11

  11·0

  10

  10·0

  8

  8·0

  Enrolled nurse

  95

  88·9

  87

  79·9

  78

  69·6

  All staff in training

  88·6

  98·8

  82·8

  All unqualified hospital staff

  262

  220·6

  258

  221·1

  244

  208·0

  Nursing assistant

  262

  220·6

  258

  221·1

  244

  208·0

  1989

  19901

  Number

  Whole time equivalent

  Number

  Whole time equivalent

  All qualified hospital staff

  315

  296·1

  318

  297·4

  DNS

  2

  2·0

  2

  2·0

  Senior nurse 1–6

  6

  6·0

  6

  6·0

  Nurse scale I

  2

  2·0

  2

  2·0

  Nurse scale H

  10

  10·0

  6

  6·0

  Nurse scale G

  27

  27·0

  29

  29·0

  Nurse scale F

  37

  37·0

  31

  31·0

  Nurse scale E

  116

  106·6

  122

  110·8

  Nurse scale D

  100

  91·5

  113

  104·6

  Nurse scale C

  15

  14·0

  7

  6·0

  All staff in training

  78·7

  79·7

  All unqualified hospital staff

  243

  203·7

  223

  184·5

  Auxiliary nurse scale A

  232

  192·7

  211

  173·2

  Auxiliary nurse scale B

  11

  11·0

  12

  11·3

  1 Data as at 31 March.

  Woodilee Hospital

  1986

  1987

  1988

  Number

  Whole time equivalent

  Number

  Whole time equivalent

  Number

  Whole time equivalent

  All qualified hospital staff

  338

  317·8

  340

  321·1

  328

  312·7

  Senior nurse 1–5 Clinical Manager

  1

  1·0

  1

  1·0

  1

  1·0

  Senior nurse 6–8 Clinical Manager

  9

  9·0

  9

  9·0

  9

  9·0

  Senior nurse 6–8 Staff Support

  1

  1·0

  1

  1·0

  1

  1·0

  Ward sister/charge nurse

  82

  81·4

  83

  82·4

  77

  76·4

  Staff nurse

  88

  80·8

  94

  86·6

  97

  91·3

  Senior SEN

  8

  8·0

  8

  8·0

  7

  7·0

  Enrolled nurse

  149

  136·6

  144

  133·1

  136

  127·0

  All staff in training

  61·3

  61·1

  49·9

  All unqualified hospital staff

  167

  150·3

  182

  166·8

  173

  160·3

  Nursing assistant

  167

  150·3

  182

  166·8

  173

  160·3

  1989

  11990

  Number

  Whole time equivalent

  Number

  Whole time equivalent

  All qualified hospital staff

  321

  308·8

  314

  302·8

  DNS

  1

  1·0

  1

  1·0

  Senior nurse 1–6 Staff Support

  3

  3·0

  2

  2·0

  Senior nurse 1–6

  4

  4·0

  3

  3·0

  Nurse scale H

  7

  7·0

  6

  6·0

  Nurse scale G

  28

  28·0

  27

  27·0

  Nurse scale F

  43

  42·4

  40

  39·4

  Nurse scale E

  57

  55·7

  81

  78·8

  Nurse scale D

  119

  114·2

  123

  117·0

  Nurse scale C

  59

  53·5

  31

  28·6

  All staff in training

  49·4

  59·8

  All unqualified hospital staff

  174

  162·6

  192

  180·3

  392 393

  1989

  11990

  Number

  Whole time equivalent

  Number

  Whole time equivalent

  Auxiliary nurse Scale A

  172

  160·8

  186

  174·9

  Auxiliary nurse Scale B

  2

  1·8

  6

  5·4

  1 Data as at 31 March.

  Garinavel Royal Hospital

  1986

  1987

  1988

  Number

  Whole time equivalent

  Number

  Whole time equivalent

  Number

  Whole time equivalent

  All qualified hospital staff

  220

  207·7

  223

  211

  211

  199·6

  Senior nurse 1–5 clinical manager

  2

  2·0

  2

  2·0

  2

  2·0

  Senior nurse 6–8 clinical manager

  8

  8·0

  7

  7·0

  5

  5·0

  Ward sister/charge nurse

  59

  58·8

  58

  57·8

  56

  55·8

  Staff nurse

  96

  87·9

  105

  97·6

  102

  95·2

  Senior SEN

  4

  4·0

  3

  3·0

  3

  3·0

  Enrolled nurse

  51

  47·0

  48

  43·6

  43

  38·6

  All staff in training

  86·3

  75·0

  56·7

  All unqualified hospital staff

  170

  155·7

  177

  162·5

  176

  162·0

  Nursing auxiliary

  170

  155·7

  177

  162·5

  176

  162·0

  1989

  19901

  Number

  WTE

  Number

  WTE

  All qualified hospital staff

  263

  250·5

  283

  270·6

  DNS

  1

  1·0

  1

  1·0

  Senior Nurse 1–6

  3

  3·0

  4

  4·0

  Nurse scale I

  1

  1·0

  1

  1·0

  Nurse scale H

  7

  7·0

  6

  6·0

  Nurse scale G

  27

  27·0

  23

  23·0

  Nurse scale F

  24

  24·0

  23

  22·0

  Nurse scale E

  109

  101·8

  128

  122·1

  Nurse scale D

  88

  82·8

  90

  85·0

  Table 1

  Hospital activity statistics for selected Glasgow hospitals: years ending 31 March

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  Inpatient Discharges

  Lennox Castle Hospital

  157

  258

  147

  150

  152

  Gartloch Hospital

  790

  819

  808

  684

  400

  Leverndale Hospital

  1,183

  1,262

  1,215

  1,226

  1,192

  Woodilee Hospital

  1,378

  1,451

  1,276

  1,317

  1,251

  Gartnavel Royal Hospital

  1,210

  1,168

  1,238

  1,230

  1,198

  Day Cases

  Lennox Castle Hospital

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Gartloch Hospital

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Leverndale Hospital

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Woodilee Hospital

  2,161

  2,490

  1,256

  2,279

  3,304

  Gartnavel Royal Hospital

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Day Patient Attendances

  Lennox Castle Hospital

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Gartloch Hopital

  927

  1,032

  897

  553

  716

  Leverndale Hospital

  4,429

  4,148

  4,316

  3,845

  3,371

  Woodilee Hospital

  —

  —

  —

  286

  1,072

  Gartnavel Royal Hospital

  17,504

  30,168

  31,636

  29,520

  27,562

  Total Outpatient Attendances at Consultant Clinics

  Lennox Castle Hospital

  1,774

  1,540

  1,600

  1,842

  2,582

  Gartloch Hospital1

  1,880

  1,633

  1,742

  956

  —

  Leverndale Hospital

  4,900

  5,042

  4,810

  7,241

  8,330

  Woodilee Hospital

  5,401

  5,896

  6,272

  6,600

  7,574

  Gartnavel Royal Hospital

  7,621

  7,751

  8,361

  8,625

  7,568

  Total Inpatient Attendances at Ancillary Departments

  Lennox Castle Hospital

  18,221

  16,260

  14,984

  19,618

  29,807

  Gartloch Hospital

  5,481

  6,054

  4,733

  4,233

  9,824

  Leverndale Hospital

  13,867

  15,730

  14,183

  13,433

  10,374

  Woodilee Hospital

  23,730

  20,573

  15,147

  16,109

  16,735

  Gartnavel Royal Hospital

  18,613

  15,575

  13,328

  12,914

  22,273

  394

  1989

  19901

  Number

  WTE

  Number

  WTE

  Nurse scale C

  3

  2·9

  7

  6·5

  All staff in training

  63·6

  67·8

  All unqualified hospital staff

  179

  164·8

  183

  166·9

  Auxiliary nurse Scale A

  169

  154·9

  172

  156·0

  Auxiliary nurse Scale B

  10

  9·9

  11

  10·9

  1 Data as at 31 March.

  395

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  Total Outpatient Attendances at Ancillary Departments

  Lennox Castle Hospital

  4,975

  5,678

  6,307

  5,129

  4,540

  Gartloch Hospital

  2,996

  3,108

  3,187

  2,816

  1,624

  Leverndale Hospital

  —

  —

  —

  —

  36

  Woodilee Hospital

  3,159

  3,971

  3,834

  3,433

  4,294

  Gartnavel Royal Hospital

  1,788

  1,864

  1,497

  2,498

  10,019

  1 All patients attended Gartloch External Clinics. Closed 31/10/88.

  Source: ISD(S)1.

  Table 2

  Number of Residents at selected Glasgow hospitals; as at 31 December

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  Lennox Castle Hospital

  994

  935

  912

  874

  n/a

  Gartloch Hospital

  569

  554

  484

  439

  n/a

  Leverndale Hospital

  860

  897

  875

  865

  n/a

  Woodilee Hospital

  802

  749

  689

  665

  n/a

  Gartnavel Royal Hospital

  549

  560

  553

  527

  n/a

  n/a = 1990 data not yet available.

  Marriage Guidance
  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what financial assistance he has made available to Scottish Marriage Guidance in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Funding under section 9 of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 (for training purposes) and under section l0(1)—for headquarters expenses—was offered to Marriage Counselling Scotland, formerly the Scottish Marriage Guidance Council as follows:

  Section 9

  Section 10(1)

  Current

  Capital

  Total

  1986–87

  12,200

  44,112

  1,986

  58,298

  1987–88

  13,500

  45,437

  2,000

  60,937

  1988–89

  14,600

  49,408

  2,810

  66,818

  1989–90

  17,700

  75,000

  2,500

  95,200

  1990–91

  13,400

  77,387

  —

  90,787

  Coal Exports
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the current level of coal exports from Scotland to Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lang
  This Department does not collect such information. However, I understand that sales from Scotland to Northern Ireland by British Coal totalled some 1,019,000 tonnes in the year ended 31 March 1990, of which 921,000 tonnes went to the electricity supply industry. British Coal exports for the current year are estimated at around 800,000 tonnes.

  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the current levels of coal exports from Scotland to other European countries.

  Mr. Lang
  Latest figures from the Department of Transport show that in the first nine months of 1990 shipments of coal from Scottish ports to European countries were as follows:

  Country

  Tonnes

  France

  65,308

  Irish Republic

  25,195

  Denmark

  107,427

  396

  Country

  Tonnes

  Spain

  2,925

  Sweden

  16,706

  Finland

  57,746

  275,307

  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met with British Coal representatives to discuss the export of coal to Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lang
  Responsibility for the coal industry in Great Britain rests with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Energy, who meets the chairman of British Coal on a regular basis to discuss all aspects of the coal industry.

  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he has on the number of Ayrshire jobs dependent on coal exports to Ireland.

  Mr. Lang
  There is no information on the number of jobs in Ayrshire dependent on coal exports to Ireland. However British Coal advises that there are at present 817 jobs associated with opencast coal mining in Ayrshire, of which 545 employees are directly employed on site by British Coal or its contractors. The majority of output from Ayrshire mines is at present bought for use in power generation and industrial consumption in Northern Ireland, with a further small amount exported to Eire.

  Community Services
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many unfilled posts there are in the Greater Glasgow health board in the community services in physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy, respectively.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  At 22 November, Greater Glasgow health board had identified three vacancies in physiotherapy, one in occupational therapy and two in speech therapy.

  Wild Foxes
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what expenditure is incurred by his Department in controlling the numbers of the wild fox population in Scotland.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Mansfield (Mr. Meale) on 1 November at column 723.

  Kidney Stones
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many patients with renal calculi have, since 1987,(a) been transferred to England for lithotripsy and (b) required multiple treatments with the lithotripter at the national centre in Edinburgh.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  This information is not centrally available.

  Nuclear Waste
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what quantity of(a) low and (b) intermediate-level waste is in Scotland awaiting disposal or transfer to Sellafield at present;

  (2) what quantity of (a) low and (b) intermediate-level nuclear waste has been (i) exported from and (ii) imported into Scotland on an annual basis since 1985.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  With the exception of a small quantity of waste at BNF plc's Chapelcross works, I am not aware of any nuclear waste in Scotland awaiting transfer to Sellafield. All Scottish nuclear establishments other than Dounreay are authorised under the Radioactive Substances Act 1960 to dispose of low-level radioactive waste to BNF plc for burial and the company's facilities at Drigg, Cumbria. Details of these authorisations and the quantities of waste disposal of under their terms may be found in : "Radioactive waste disposal from nuclear sites in Scotland, 1984–1988"—SDD statistical bulletin No. 1(E) 1990—copies of which are in the Library.

  From time to time, waste is transferred between United Kingdom nuclear establishments. Such transfers are made under the terms of authorisation granted by the appropriate territorial Department but records are not kept centrally. There have been no overseas imports or exports of nuclear waste.

  Sheriff Ewen Stewart
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will instruct a review to be carried out, under section 12 of the Sheriff Courts (Scotland) Act 1971, of the performance by Sheriff Ewen Stewart of his shrieval duties.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  My right hon. and learned Friend has requested no such review.

  Sheriffs (Dismissal Procedures)
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will set out the procedures under which a sheriff may be dismissed; and if he has any proposals for their reform.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Procedures for the removal from office of a sheriff, in which are involved the 398
  Lord President of the Court of Session, the Lord Justice Clerk, the Secretary of State and the Houses of Parliament are contained in section 12 of the Sheriff Courts (Scotland) Act 1971. My right hon. and learned Friend has, at present, no proposals for the reform of these provisions.

  Health Service Conference, Peebles
  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the attendance of senior officials of the national health service and Scottish health boards at a conference organised by the Institute of Health Services Management and funded by private health care contractors at Peebles in November.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 26 November 1990]: This conference, which is held biennially, was organised by the Scottish division of the Institute of Health Services Management. These conferences are an important forum for discussing health-related matters and the IHSM invites many interested people, including health service and health board officials. Funding for the conference is a matter for the organisers.

  Government Researchers
  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list research projects and researchers awarded funding by the Scottish Education Department during 1990.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 26 November 1990]: Details of current educational research projects, including those awarded in 1990, are contained in the Scottish Education Department's publication "Educational Research 1989–90", copies of which are in the Library. In addition to projects listed therein, the Scottish Education Department has awarded funding in 1990 for the following research:

  Project

  Researcher

  Education of Pupils with Moderate Learning Difficulties and Contribution of Modern Foreign Languages

  Private individual

  Evaluation of the Policy of Pupils with Special Educational Needs in Dumfries and Galloway

  The Scottish Council for Research in Education

  Assessment processes, planning and resource allocation in placing people with learning difficulties in supported accommodation

  University of Dundee

  Correlation between child sexual abuse and domestic violence

  Women's Support Project, Glasgow

  Needs of families of children with epilepsy

  University of Glasgow

  Monitoring and evaluation of aspects of the post adoption scheme offered by family care

  University of Edinburgh and University of Glasgow

  Assessment of older people considered for institutional care

  University of Edinburgh

  Speech Therapy
  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what funding will be made available to Scottish education authorities to enable them to meet the requirements of his inspectors in respect of provision of speech therapy services; and if he will make a statement.
  400
  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 26 November 1990]: Expenditure by education authorities to provide for special educational needs, including, where appropriate, speech therapy services, is supported by the aggregate external finance settlement.