Written Answers of 30 November 1990

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Police Manpower
  Mr. Raffan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the latest figures for police manpower and expenditure in each police force in Wales.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I understand from the local authorities concerned that police strength and the expected current expenditure in 1990–91, excluding loan charges, are as set out in the table:

  Force

  Police strength1

  Estimated expenditure 1990–91 (£ thousands)

  Dyfed-Powys

  935

  31,296

  Gwent

  1,000

  33,003

  North Wales

  1,335

  46,196

  South Wales

  3,124

  108,968

  1 As at 31 August 1990.

  Registered Homes
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions and how many convictions there have been under the Registered Homes Act for each year since 1986; and if he will list the sentence for each conviction.

  Mr. John Patten
  The information requested is given in the table:

  Number of prosecutions and convictions under the Registered Homes Act 1984 England and Wales

  Year

  Total proceeded

  Total convicted

  Sentence

  against

  Absolute discharge

  Conditional discharge

  Fine

  1986

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1987

  6

  4

  1

  —

  3

  1988

  9

  7

  —

  1

  6

  1989

  9

  5

  —

  2

  3

  Young Offenders
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what was the average period of time spent at Cardiff prison by young people aged(a) 15 years and (b) 16 years who were remanded in custody in each of the last three years;

  (2) what was the average period of time spent at Swansea prison by young people aged (a) 15 years and (b) 16 years who were remanded in custody in each of the last three years.
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  Mrs. Rumbold
  The information requested is not recorded centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Coroners Court
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the number of coroners courts under his responsibility, with the list of vacancies at each court for members of staff.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Coroners courts are not one of the local authority-based services for which the Home Office provides specific grant contribution. Local authorities are responsible for appointing coroners, paying their salaries and meeting any expenses they incur in carrying out their duties, including staff costs. The information requested is not available centrally.

  Ministerial Visit (Leicester)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the cost of the visit by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary to Leicester on 23 November.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  There was no cost to the Exchequer.

  Immigration and Nationality Department
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the income received by the immigration and nationality department for(a) naturalisation and (b) registration for the last 10 years, including 1990.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Naturalisation fees and registration fees are recorded together. The readily available information, showing receipts net of refunds to unsuccessful applicants, relates to financial years and is as follows:

  Financial year

  Receipts (£)

  1980–81

  1,184,000

  1981–82

  1,981,000

  1982–83

  10,854,000

  1983–84

  4,795,000

  1984–85

  2,845,000

  1985–86

  3,269,000

  1986–87

  4,241,000

  1987–88

  14,437,000

  1988–89

  5,987,000

  1989–90

  2,573,000

  11990

  1,127,000

  1 April to October.

  Crown Prosecution Service
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he has taken, pursuant to the evidence given by the Director of Public Prosecutions to the Home Affairs Select Committee, concerning the number of police officers obstructing the work of the Crown prosecution service.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  The Government's response to the report of the Home Affairs Committee's inquiry into the Crown prosecution service, published on 17 July (Cmnd. No. 1145), suggested that the recently established working
  491
  group on pre-trial issues would in due course make proposals for reducing the areas of friction between the police and the Crown prosecution service. The working party has just completed its report and I shall give priority to examining its recommendations, in conjunction with my noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor and my right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General.

  Hillsborough Disaster (Report)
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what consideration was given to including in the Criminal Justice Bill the legislation implementing recommendations contained in Lord Justice Taylor's final report into the Hillsborough disaster, announced by him on 12 November,Official Report, column 355;

  (2) on what date the decision was taken to implement the recommendations contained in Lord Justice Taylor's final report into the Hillsborough disaster, announced by him on 12 November, Official Report, column 355.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The Criminal Justice Bill is concerned with the treatment of offenders and the administration of justice rather than the creation of new offences. We decided in October to legislate along the lines which Lord Justice Taylor recommended. We are now considering how the offences should be formulated and will introduce legislative proposals as soon as parliamentary time allows.

  Sports Grounds (Safety)
  Mr. Fishburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he proposes to publish a revised edition of the "Guide to Safety at Sports Grounds."

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and I have today published a revised edition of a "Guide to Safety at Sports Grounds" which reflects the recommendations of the Hillsborough inquiry.

  I have arranged for copies of the guide, and the Home Office covering circular to local authorities, to be placed in the Library.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  School Governors
  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what recent representations he has received about the responsibilities of governors under the local management of schools.

  Mr. Fallon
  My right hon. and learned Friend continues to receive representations from governing bodies, head teachers, parents and others about the responsibilities of governing bodies under the local management of schools. My right hon. and learned Friend and I are determined to ensure that more resources get down to the school level. It will then be for governors to decide how best to use them. I believe that governors will enjoy the freedom to make their own decisions.

  Nursery Education
  Ms. Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will give the figures for 1990 for the percentage of under-fives in nursery schools, nursery classes and infant classes by local education authority in England, in rank order.
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  Mr. Eggar
  The information for 1990 is not yet available.

TRANSPORT

  Public Service Vehicles
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information his Department holds on the number of public service vehicles that fail annual roadworthiness tests.

  Mr. Freeman
  The failure rates of PSVs at annual test have been placed in the Library.

  The extract is from the vehicle inspectorate executive agency's annual report 1989–90 and shows that:

  (a) The average initial failure rate over the last five years is 38·9 per cent.

  (b) The average final failure rate over the last five years is 20·7 per cent.

  Rayleigh Weir Underpass
  Sir Bernard Braine
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the reasons for delay on the construction of the Rayleigh Weir underpass on the Al27; when the work will now be completed; what steps are being taken to minimise the inconvenience caused to local residents; and what steps are being taken to inform in advance those most affected of any changes in arrangements for access to their homes.

  Mr. Chope
  Work on the new grade separated junction at Rayleigh Weir began on 4 December 1989 with an original proposed completion date of 1 December 1991. British Telecom underestimated the time it required to divert its cables which has led to a significant delay. The new completion date is 9 February 1992.

  A liaison officer has been appointed to help co-ordinate the statutory undertakers' works and to deal with complaints. To keep residents informed, the contractor sends out advance notice of works and the liaison officer issues letters about statutory undertakers' works.

  The situation for residents has been improved by the construction of a new service road, the closure of the entrance to the industrial estate, the laying of a new footpath for access to houses and the provision of a car parking area by the main contractor.

  Vehicle Clamping
  Mr. Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the steps he is taking to enforce section 105 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I have been asked to reply.

  The responsibility for the enforcement of road traffic law is a matter for individual chief officers of police.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Angola
  Mr. Snape
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further measures are planned by Her Majesty's Government to assist the United Nations special relief programme for Angola to help meet the basic survival needs of those most at risk from famine.
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  Mr. Mills
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to increase aid to Angola; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Chalker
  I refer the hon. Members to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Erdington (Mr. Corbett) on 27 November at column 356.

  French Guiana
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether Directorate General VIII of the EC is planning to provide aid funds for building roads in French Guiana; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Chalker
  As it is a French overseas department and not an ACP country French Guiana is not eligible for aid funds from Directorate General VIII.

  Commonwealth Development Corporation
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what environmental guidelines exist for the Commonwealth Development Corporation in deciding which projects to support.

  Mrs. Chalker
  The CDC operates in accordance with environmental policies and procedures which, among other things, require it to:

  a. encourage the efficient and sustainable use of environmental resources;

  b. seek investment opportunities where sound economic development is coupled with the protection and improvement of environmental resources; and

  c. seek ways of safeguarding the welfare of local communities affected by the development projects.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Court of Appeal
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Attorney-General what is the average length of time elapsing between reference of a case to the Court of Appeal and the hearing of that case; and if he will make a statement.

  The Attorney-General
  Since sections 35 and 36 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 were brought into force on 1 February 1989, I have sought leave to refer 32 cases to the Court of Appeal where I believed the original sentence to be unduly lenient, although I subsequently withdrew eight applications on receipt of further information. To date, 18 of the remaining 24 cases have been determined with an average waiting time of 12·2 weeks. In the same period, I have sought the opinion of the court on a point of law under section 36 of the Criminal Justice Act 1972 in one case which has yet to be determined. The reference was made on 12 September 1990.

  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Attorney-General for what reason the appeal of Mr. Danny McNamee was postponed from 12 November to 18 December.

  The Attorney-General
  The listing of cases in the Court of Appeal criminal division is a matter entirely for the court. I understand, however, that Mr. McNamee's application for leave to appeal against conviction which was listed to be heard by the court on 12 November has been relisted for 17 December as the court was not satisfied 494
  that the parties would be fully prepared, following an extension of Mr. McNamee's legal aid to include solicitors, a change in junior counsel, and difficulties in gathering evidence to support the application. Subsequently, those representing Mr. McNamee requested that a further transcript from a related trial be ordered from the court reporting contractor concerned.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will ask the Director of Public Prosecutions to take over the case of Dr. Malde Modhwadia of Leicester recently referred to the Court of Appeal by the Secretary of State for the Home Department.

  The Attorney-General
  The Director of Public Prosecutions will be represented at the hearing in the Court of Appeal of Dr. Modhwadia's case. Counsel will be instructed to advise the Director concerning the prospects of the appeal succeeding.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Benefits System
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when each of the research projects mentioned in his answer to the hon. Member for Fylde (Mr. Jack), on 14 November,Official Report, column 180, is due to be completed.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The table sets out the expected completion date for each project:

  Project

  Expected completion date

  1. Effect of the "Actively Seeking Work" provisions

  End 1990

  2. Survey of incomes in and out of work

  End 19921

  3. The effect of severe hardship payments for 16 and 17-year-olds

  Early 1991

  4. Survey of retirement and retirement plans

  Late 1991

  5. Methods of payment of benefit

  Spring 1991

  6. The Operation of the Social Fund

  Late 1991

  1 This project is partially completed. Results are published in: Survey of Incomes In and Out of Work: Erens, B and Hedges, B (SCPR, 1990) and Garman, A and Redmond, G: The changing characteristics of unemployed men, Employment Gazette, September 1990.

  Income Support
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what has been the percentage fall over the period since the end of April 1987 in the real value of the income of a person then receiving supplementary benefit and now receiving income support with a transitional addition of £1 per week, assuming no disregarded income and no changes in the transitional addition except those due to the annual benefit upratings.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The level of income support in payment depends upon the individual's circumstances, changes in which may affect benefit entitlement though not the transitional addition. Any hypothetical calculation of
  495
  the kind requested could not reflect the varying positions of the very small number of people who still have transitional protection. Such people remain better off than those in similar circumstances who have claimed income support since April 1988.

  Cancer and Leukaemia
  Mr. Churchill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many military personnel and civilians, respectively, have been acknowledged by his Department to have developed various forms of cancer or leukaemia as a consequence of their employment in(a) Britain's nuclear test programme, (b) Her Majesty's submarines, (c) the atomic energy research programme, (d) nuclear power generation and (e) any other field.

  Mr. Scott
  The benefit of reasonable doubt has to be given to ex-service men who participated in Britain's nuclear test programme and who have contracted leukaemia (other than chronic lymphatic leukaemia) or multiple myeloma. Sixteen war pensions have been awarded as a result. There has also been one award of war pension for myeloid leukaemia to an ex-service man who served on one of Her Majesty's submarines. The information relating to civilian employees is not available.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Grain Exports
  Ms. Quin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the availability of Export Credits Guarantee Department support for grain exports to the Soviet Union.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Several applications for cover on sales of grain to the USSR are being considered at present by ECGD. Decisions will be reached as soon as possible.

  TAURUS
  Ms. Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what assessment he has made of the effect of delays by his Department in changing the Companies Act on companies that wish to register for TAURUS and that have a December year end; and what estimate has been made of the costs involved for such companies;

  (2) what are the reasons for the delay in publishing the necessary changes for the implementation of TAURUS;

  (3) when his Department first established that there would need to be a change in section 207 of the Companies Act to permit companies to register for TAURUS.

  Mr. Redwood
  [holding answer 23 November 1990]: No changes to section 207 of the Companies Act 1989 are proposed or necessary. The DTI was aware of plans for TAURUS when it drafted section 207: it had to take a general power because TAURUS was not then fully defined. The DTI has been out to consultation on the current TAURUS scheme and is now considering the replies. Regulations using the section 207 power will be put, as planned, to the House for affirmation next year. The regulations will include provisions allowing companies to pass simply drafted resolutions in order to join TAURUS, making it easier, for those who are ready, to do so early in the two-year build-up planned by the international stock exchange. We are working closely with
  496
  the stock exchange to ensure the regulations are in place in time for the new system. Recent press reports that DTI is causing delay have been inaccurate.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Oil Imports
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the effect on the balance of payments of the import of foreign oil into Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The balance of payments relates to trade between the United Kingdom as a whole and the rest of the world. No information is available on the effect on the balance of payments of the import of foreign oil into Northern Ireland.

  Nuclear Casualties
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list all the hospitals in Northern Ireland 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.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  In Northern Ireland the Royal Victoria hospital, Grosvenor road, Belfast is the only listed hospital designated for the reception of nuclear-contaminated casualties. The royal group of hospitals unit of management has expressed an interest in trust status of which the Royal Victoria hospital is a part.

  Coal Imports
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the present level of coal imports into Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  In 1989 2,081,000 tonnes were imported.

  Beta-agonists
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he has any information relating to adverse effects on human health resulting from the illegal use of beta-agonists.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  I am not aware of any adverse effects on human health in this country resulting from the illegal use of beta-agonists. However, I understand that the national epidemiology centre, Madrid has investigated a possible link between outbreaks of food poisoning in Spain and the illicit use of clenbuterol in cattle feed.

  Speech Therapy
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what provision exists or is planned to provide and equip a school for special speech therapy for children living in Northern Ireland who are unable to speak.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The following special school and units attached to ordinary schools specifically cater for the needs of children with speech and language problems:

  Thornfield Special School—Newtownabbey

  Enniskillen Model Primary School—Unit

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  Gibson Primary School, Omagh—Unit

  Killard House Special School, Newtownards—Unit

  St. Joseph's Primary School, Bessbrook—Unit

  However, any child with such difficulties, placed in any special school or unit because other problems are predominant, will also receive speech therapy.

  Provision for pupils with special educational needs is a matter for education and library boards in the first instance. I am not aware of any proposals for further provision.

  Bovine Tuberculosis
  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many cases of bovine tuberculosis have been notified in the last 12 months in each agricultural office in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Brooke
  The number of cattle found to be infected with bovine TB during the period 1 November 1989 to 31 October 1990 are as set out in the table for each divisional veterinary office area.

  Divisonal veterinary offices

  Number of reactor animals

  Armagh

  408

  Ballymena

  269

  Coleraine

  94

  Dungannon

  139

  Enniskillen

  191

  Larne

  466

  Londonderry

  59

  Newry

  1,282

  Newtownards

  221

  Omagh

  120

  Total

  3,249

  Glor na Gael
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will reinstate the grant to the Irish language group, Glor na Gael; and if he will make a statement on his reasons for terminating the grant.

  1985–86 £

  1986–87 £

  1987–88 £

  1988–89 £

  1989–90 £

  Prison Education

  22,294

  34,618

  29,400

  31,582

  37,044

  Action for Community Employment Programme

  64,002

  140,830

  187,274

  290,855

  315,175

  Belfast Action Team Initiative

  —

  —

  1,000

  2,219

  89,204

  Arts Council for Northern Ireland

  2,000

  4,000

  5,000

  5,000

  19,000

  Central Community Relations Unit

  —

  —

  —

  —

  88,065

  Origin of Placenames Project

  —

  —

  47,230

  100,000

  121,000

  Total

  88,296

  179,448

  269,904

  429,656

  669,488

  It is not possible to disaggregate the cost of provision for the teaching of Irish in schools and colleges of further education in Northern Ireland. Irish-medium education is provided in Bunscoil Phobal Feirste in Belfast and Steelstown primary school in Londonderry. In 1989–90 the running costs for such Irish-medium education were approximately £367,000. Figures for earlier years are not readily available. Capital grants have also been made in the past to the Bunscoil amounting to £443,000. A further allocation of £20,000 has been made available to Bunscoil Phobal Feirste to assist in the development and production of curriculum materials in the Irish language.
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  Mr. Cope
  This matter is now before the courts on an application for judicial review which must be allowed to take its course.

  Structural Funds
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proposals he has received from the European Commission that the Equal Opportunities Commission and the Fair Employment Commission should be represented on the committee monitoring the bids for structural funds in Northern Ireland; and what reply he has sent.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  [holding answer 28 November 1990]: Recognising that it is for the member state to decide, the European Commission had suggested that the Fair Employment Commission (FEC) and the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) could be represented on committees which monitor the administration of the structural funds in Northern Ireland. We explained that, since monitoring committees are concerned with operational considerations, rather than wider policies such as fair employment, it would not be appropriate for these bodies to be represented. The Commission has accepted this explanation and we have now arranged that it should receive the annual reports of the FEC and EOC.

  Irish Language
  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give details of the total Government expenditure on the promotion and development of the Irish language in each year since 1985.

  Mr. Cope
  [holding answer 29 November 1990]: Total Government spending on the Irish language in each of those years was as follows:

  Historic Buildings
  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give details of the total Government expenditure on the upkeep, care and protection of historic buildings and monuments in Northern Ireland in each year since 1985.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  [holding answer 29 November 1990]: The information requested is as follows:

  £ thousands

  1985–86

  2,376

  1986–87

  2,865

  1987–88

  2,714

  499

  £ thousands

  1988–89

  2,727

  1989–90

  2,772

ENVIRONMENT

  Opencast Mines
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will postpone all consideration of opencast coal mining applications until the research recommendations of Roy Waller Associates have been published.

  Mr. Atkins
  No. Planning applications must be treated on their individual merits and with regard to all material considerations. Mineral planning guidance note 3 on opencast coal mining already recommends that local planning authorities have regard to the environmental, nature conservation, agricultural, landscape, traffic and other effects of a proposal that are relevant to the planning decision. Local authorities are well placed to consider applications and it would be inappropriate to postpone their consideration because of continuing research.

  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will extend the terms of reference given to Roy Waller Associates to cover the deterimental effects of opencast coal mining on the entire area affected by those operations, including the route used by wagons entering or leaving the site.

  Mr. Atkins
  No. As I explained in my answer of Friday 16 November, this is a broad-based project which is looking at all the environmental impacts of surface mineral extraction, including the effects of traffic. If information is sparse on any particular issue, the final report of this project will recommend that further detailed research is undertaken.

  Football Grounds
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which grounds used by clubs in the English football league are, according to the information available to him, owned by local authorities.

  Mr. Atkins
  There is no comprehensive information available. I understand, however, that Halifax Town, Hartlepool United, Leeds United, Preston North End and Wolverhampton Wanderers are owned by local authorities.

  Local Authority Boundaries
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many letters of complaint his Department has received concerning the abolition of the county of Middlesex.

  Mr. Key
  Since the beginning of 1987 a total of 77 letters about this matter, 49 of them stereotyped, have been received by the Department.

  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to receive the report of the local authority boundary commission on Humberside.
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  Mr. Key
  I understand that the commission has just issued its draft proposal on Humberside. It proposes that the districts of Cleethorpes, Glanford, Great Grimsby, and Scunthorpe, should be returned to Lincolnshire. The commission also points out that it would be within the power of the council of the county of Humberside to change the name to East Yorkshire.

  The commission has invited public comment on its draft proposal by 31 January 1991. It will reassess the draft proposal in the light of all the representations received, before deciding whether to then make a report to my right hon. Friend, or to seek further views before so doing.

  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in any examination of local government structure, he will make it his policy to consider the importance of historical names and boundaries in relation to the vigour and stability of local democracy.

  Mr. Key
  My right hon. Friend is fully aware of the importance of historical names and boundaries. He would certainly bear them in mind were he to undertake an examination of local government structure.

  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many letters his Department has received complaining at the setting up and continued existence of the counties of Avon and Humberside.

  Mr. Key
  Following the Local Government Boundary Commission for England's report of 30 November 1988 on its review of the county of Avon, the Department received 784 letters of complaint about the continuing existence of the county.

  As was recorded in the Department's letter of 17 March 1989, informing the Local Government Boundary Commission for England of the then Secretary of State's direction to it to carry out a further review of the county of Humberside, nearly 7,000 representations arguing against the continuance of the county had been received in the Department. Since that date such letters are redirected to the commission in connection with its current review.

  Victoria Tower
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was(a) the cost and (b) the weight of scaffolding recently erected on the Palace of Westminster's Victoria Tower; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  A total of £1·5 million and 707 tonnes, respectively.

  Southend Council (External Support)
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total of external support for the Southend-on-Sea district council in 1990–91; what is the proposed level of such support in 1991–92; and what is the percentage increase.

  Mr. Key
  Total external support, consisting of revenue support grant, net of contribution to the safety net, and receipts from the non-domestic rate pool, for Southend-on-Sea is £51·5 million in 1990–91. The provisional figure for 1991–92 is £67·4 million, which represents an increase of 31 per cent.

  Rents to Mortgages
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what level of interest tenants in Basildon have shown in the proposal for a rents-to-mortgages scheme; and whether he has any plans to extend it to other new towns.

  Mr. Key
  I have been delighted by the initial response to the pilot scheme in Basildon. Over 900 inquiries from tenants have been received by the New Towns Commission since the announcement of details of the scheme on 23 October. It is now proposed to extend the pilot scheme to Milton Keynes.

  Milton Keynes development corporation is in the process of winding up, and is making arrangements to transfer its stock to other landlords. Discussions will therefore begin immediately with Milton Keynes development corporation and the three principal housing associations involved in preparations for the forthcoming ballot on the transfer of the corporation's stock. These are Aldwyck housing association, Jephson Homes housing association and Milton Keynes housing association.

  Local Government Finance
  Sir Geoffrey Finsberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the non-domestic rate poundage increases in Camden between 1979–80 and 1989–90; and if he will show these figures indexed to the retail prices index with 1979–80 = 100.

  Mr. Portillo
  The information is given in the table:

  Camden: Non-domestic rates

  Non-domestic rate poundage1 pence

  Increase on previous year per cent.

  Index relative to the RPI 1979–80 = 1002

  1979–80

  105·98

  —

  100·0

  1980–81

  138·50

  30·7

  112·4

  1981–82

  179·60

  29·7

  130·7

  1982–83

  192·40

  7·1

  130·7

  1983–84

  206·90

  7·5

  134·3

  1984–85

  221·20

  6·9

  136·7

  1985–86

  227·53

  2·9

  132·7

  1986–87

  227·92

  0·2

  128·9

  1987–88

  231·74

  1·7

  126·0

  1988–89

  230·18

  -0·7

  118·1

  1989–90

  229·20

  -0·4

  109·1

  1 Camden were rate capped in each year from 1985–86 to 1989–90.

  2 Non-domestic rate poundage divided by the Retail Prices Index and indexed to 1979–80= 100.

  Sports Review
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give a full list of those bodies or individuals invited to contribute towards the review of sport; on what date he expects the review to be published; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  My letter of 10 September to the chairman of the Sports Council invited comments from the council, the Sports Council for Wales, the chairmen of the regional councils for sport and recreation, the governing bodies of sport, the British Olympic Association and the Central Council of Physical Recreation. Comments have also been invited by my Department and the Welsh Office from 502
  other bodies where an interest has been indicated as listed. We aim to publish a statement of the Government's policies and priorities for sport next summer.

  Association of County Councils

  Association of Metropolitan Authorities

  Association of District Councils

  London Boroughs Association

  Association of London Authorities

  Assembly of Welsh Counties

  Council of Welsh Districts

  Scottish Sports Association

  British Paralympic Association

  British Sports Association for the Disabled

  United Kingdom Sports Association for People with Mental Handicap

  Federation of Sports Association for the Disabled (Wales)

  The National Coaching Foundation

  Institute of Baths and Recreation Management

  Institute of Leisure and Amenity Management

  Institute of Sport and Recreation Planning and Management

  Chief Leisure Officers Association

  National Forum for Coronary Heart Disease Prevention

  British Association of Advisers and Lecturers in Physical Education

  National Council for Voluntary Youth Services

  National Youth Bureau

  Youth Clubs United Kingdom

  The Physical Education Association

  National Council for Schools' Sports

  Council for Education and Training in Youth Community Work

  British Youth Council

  British Council for Physical Education

  Equal Opportunities Commission

  The National Curriculum Council

  Commission for Racial Equality

  Business in Sport

  CIRCA Leisure PLC

  Countryside Commission

  Brecon Beacons National Park

  Broads Authority

  Dartmoor National Park

  Lake District Special Planning Board

  North York Moors National Park

  Northumberland National Park and Countryside Department

  Peak Park Joint Planning Board

  Pembrokeshire Coast National Park

  Snowdonia National Park

  Yorkshire Dales National Park

  The Commonwealth Games Council for England

  Water Authorities
  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the names and occupations of all members of water authorities' customer services committees region by region for the last three years.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Before privatisation the former regional water authorities set up consumer consultative committees on an area basis within their territories and were responsible for all appointments, details of which are not available. Under the Water Act 1989 the Director General of Water Services has established 10 customer service committees (CSCs) to represent the interests of customers and potential customers of the 39 appointed companies. The CSC areas correspond broadly with those of the former water authorities. The director general announced on 27 February this year the appointment of chairmen of the CSCs after consultation with the Secretaries of State for Trade and Industry and for Wales as appropriate, and with my Department; and he subsequently appointed a number of members to each
  503
  committee. Their names were given in the director general's annual report, which was laid before the House on 19 June and a copy of which is in the Library.

  For further personal details I refer the hon. Member to the director general.

  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which Government guidelines or recommendations preclude industrial consumers from membership of any of the customer services committees connected with the water authorities.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  None.

  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the criteria applied for membership of customer services committees of regional water authorities.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Under the terms of the Water Act the Director General of Water Services appoints the chairmen of customer service committees after consultation with the Secretary of State, and not fewer than 10 or more than 20 other members to each committee at his discretion. The only criteria laid down are that the director shall have regard to the desirability of persons appointed having experience and capability in some matter relevant to the functions of a water or sewerage undertaker in the committee's area and the inclusion of one or more persons with experience of the needs of the disabled or who may themselves be disabled persons.

  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give the number of meetings held by each water authority customer services committee for each of the last three years.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Particulars are not available for the consumer consultative committees which were set up by the former regional water authorities. The operation of the customer service committees established under the provisions of the Water Act 1989 is a matter for the Director General of Water Services.

  Homelessness
  Mr. Janman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the consultation draft of the revised code of guidance to the homelessness legislation will be issued.

  Mr. Key
  Copies of a revised draft of the code of guidance have today been sent to the local authority associations in England and other groups interested in homelessness, for consultation. Copies have been placed in the Library. A parallel consultation is being undertaken by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales. Responses have been invited by 31 January 1991.

PRIME MINISTER

  Security Service Commissioner
  Mr. Allason
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make it his policy to publish in full the annual report of the Security Service Commissioner under the terms of the Security Service Act 1989.

  The Prime Minister
  Subsections 4(6) and 4(7) of the Security Service Act 1989 require me to lay the Security 504
  Service Commissioner's annual report before Parliament subject to the proviso that any matter which it appears to me, after consultation with the Commissioner, would be prejudicial to the continued discharge of the functions of the service may be excluded.

  Cabinet Collective Responsibility
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Prime Minister what steps he is taking to strengthen collective Cabinet responsibility.

  The Prime Minister
  None is needed.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list each category of parliamentary questions which it is his policy not to answer.

  The Prime Minister
  Of those not transferred, none.

  Management Consultants
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the studies commissioned inside the Cabinet Office and Prime Minister's offices by management consultants and others during the last week naming the consultancy, cost and subject in each instance.

  The Prime Minister
  No studies were commissioned inside the Cabinet Office and my office by management consultants and others during the last week.

  Government Policy
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Prime Minister what changes he has made to the discussion and implementation of Government policy since assuming office.

  The Prime Minister
  Government decisions have been and will continue to be reached and implemented on the basis of collective responsibility.

  GCHQ
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make it his policy to allow trade unions to organise at GCHQ; and if he will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  The ban on national trade unions at GCHQ remains in force. All GCHQ staff are free to join the GCHQ Staff Federation, which is listed as a trade union under the terms of the Trade Union and Labour Relations Act 1974.

  Rented Accommodation
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Prime Minister if the Government intend to take any measures financially to encourage local authorities to build rented accommodation; and if he will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  Implementation of the Government's housing policies is a matter for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for the Environment, for Scotland, for Wales and for Northern Ireland. The Government's view is that greater diversity of supply of rented housing is desirable, and that generally housing associations should be the main providers of new subsidised housing for rent. Substantial increases are
  505
  planned in public expenditure provision for capital investment by housing associations financed through the Housing Corporation in England; announcements about the distribution of public expenditure provision in Scotland and Wales will be made by the Secretaries of State concerned in the near future. In Northern Ireland district councils have no housing responsibilities; the Northern Ireland Housing Executive is the sole public housing authority.

  Concessionary TV Licences
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Prime Minister if the Government will reconsider their policy of opposition to the concessionary television licence being applied to a larger group of pensioners.

  The Prime Minister
  I have at present no plans to do so.

  Single European Language
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Prime Minister what is Her Majesty's Government's policy towards the promotion by the European Community of an officially approved single language throughout Europe.

  The Prime Minister
  The Government are not aware of any such proposal in the Community. The official languages of the Community (Danish, Dutch, English, French, German, Greek, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish) have equal status under the treaty.

  Policy Advisers
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the official policy advisers employed in his office.

  The Prime Minister
  Those currently employed in my policy unit are Miss C. Sinclair and Mr. J. Mills, both serving civil servants.

  Strategic Nuclear Deterrent
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make it the policy of Her Majesty's Government to publish an indicative list of circumstances in which Her Majesty's Government would authorise the use of the strategic nuclear deterrent.

  The Prime Minister
  No.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will publish a copy of the letter sent by the right hon. Member for Finchley (Mrs. Thatcher) to the Roman Catholic archbishop of Baghdad in September.

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

  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make it his practice to place in the Library copies of any official correspondence sent to him by any religious leaders.

  The Prime Minister
  No.

  Question Time
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will bring forward proposals to extend the period of Prime Minister's Question Time to that of the other major Departments of state.
  506
  The Prime Minister
  The present arrangements were agreed by the House on 18 July 1971. I have no plans to change the period of Prime Minister's Question Time, and any such proposals would best be examined in the first instance by the Procedure Committee.

  10 Downing Street
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make arrangements for hon. Members to visit No. 10 Downing street.

  The Prime Minister
  No.

  Community Charge
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Prime Minister what changes the Government are proposing to table over the poll tax.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Prime Minister when he expects to start the review of the community charge.

  The Prime Minister
  Some of the changes announced by my right hon. Friend the then Secretary of State for the Environment on 31 October have still to come through. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment will shortly start a careful review of the community charge.

  Taxes
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make it his policy to introduce no new taxes before the next election.

  The Prime Minister
  I cannot anticipate my right hon. Friend's Budget statement, but since 1979 five major taxes have been abolished, and in my 1990 Budget statement I announced that two more—composite rate tax and stamp duty on securities—will be abolished.

  Clockwork Orange
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will institute a full review of project Clockwork Orange.

  The Prime Minister
  No.

  Mr. Charles Powell
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Prime Minister if he intends to retain Mr. Charles Powell in the same position that he has hitherto occupied in the Prime Minister's office; and if he will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  Mr. Powell is a civil servant and decisions about his future will be taken in due course in the normal way.

  Child Abuse
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on current progress of the inter departmental group on child sexual abuse.

  The Prime Minister
  Since May 1989 the interdepartmental group on child abuse has met five times. It has made good progress in addressing a wide range of issues in relation to child care, including research and the co-ordination of Government guidance.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Tax and Social Security Fraud
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much money Her Majesty's Government estimate has been lost in the latest year for which comparable figures are available as a result of fraudulent tax claims and fraudulent social security claims; and how many persons have been successfully prosecuted in England and Wales.

  Mr. Maude
  Reliable estimates are not available of the cost of fraudulent tax or social security claims.

  The number of persons successfully prosecuted by the Inland Revenue in respect of false accounts or returns and false claims to personal allowances, deductions for expenses and repayments, in England and Wales in the year 1989–90, is 11.

  The number of persons successfully prosecuted by the Department of Social Security for social security fraud in England and Wales in the year 1989–90 is 7,212.

THE ARTS

  Blind People (Library Facilities)
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what types of public library facilities are available to the blind; and what types of resources are available in Braille, large print and tape.

  Mr. Renton
  A wide range of public library facilities and resources is available to the blind including fiction books, newspapers and magazines in Braille and Moon; fiction and popular non-fiction books in large print; talking books and newspapers; local history and music cassettes, and guides to services and community information. Cassette players are available for loan or use in many libraries, and Kurzweil reading machines in some. Many library authorities also act as agents for the services provided by national and local organisations. Under the public library development incentive scheme, we are supporting the development of a national daily talking newspaper service by Gateshead Libraries and Arts.

HEALTH

  Stillbirth
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he will review the definition of stillbirth in the light of current professional thinking.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The matter is being given careful consideration.

  Product Licences
  Mr. Churchill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assurance was given to the court on behalf of his Department during the hearing in June of an application for a judicial review filed by the Natural Medicines Group and the British Herbal Medicines Association, in respect of a review of the new system of fees for product licences; when the review will be completed; and if he will undertake not to increase such fees further until such a review has been completed.
  508
  Mr. Dorrell
  The court was assured that a full review of the fee structure was in progress, publication of the review proposals was expected shortly and any representations as to the fee structure would be fully considered in the course of the formal consultation following publication.

  We now expect that the review will be completed by 1 April 1991.

  As was explained in the consultation letter MLX 180 issued to all licence holders by the Medicines Control Agency on 13 September 1990, a copy of which is available in the Library, a further fee increase is considered necessary and is expected to come into operation during December 1990.

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the timetable for the establishment of the first group of hospitals with self-governing trust status.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will announce the names of the first NHS trusts shortly. They will become fully operational on 1 April 1991.

  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the Government intend to continue with self-governing hospital trusts.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Yes.

  Rampton Hospital
  Mr. Ashton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what reasons underlie his proposals to change the conditions of service for nurses in the Prison Officers Association at Rampton hospital, Nottinghamshire; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if he will make a statement about the reasons for the breakdown of talks with the Prison Officers Association at Rampton hospital, Nottinghamshire; and what he intends to do to restore negotiations.

  Mr. Dorrell
  There are no current proposals to change the conditions of service for nurses at Rampton hospital though the Special Hospitals Service Authority is proposing to phase out the assisted travel scheme introduced on an ex-gratia basis in the early 1970s. The authority is currently in negotiation with the Prison Officers Association and other staff associations about this.

  Mr. Ashton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many of the senior management at Rampton special hospital, Nottinghamshire, will continue to receive company cars or car allowance following the new travel allowance proposals.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Like other health authorities, the Special Hospitals Service Authority operates a lease car scheme for those staff who undertake sufficient mileage on official duties. It is not restricted to senior managers and is in line with general practice throughout the national health service.

  Mr. Ashton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what arrangements he has made for patients at Rampton special hospital, Nottinghamshire, to continue receiving visits from relatives during the Prison Officers Association dispute.
  509
  Mr. Dorrell
  Industrial action initiated by the Prison Officers association has, amongst other effects, restricted visiting to patients. Management are doing their best to enable visits to take place whenever practicable.

EMPLOYMENT

  Industrial Tribunals
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will make a statement on his proposals for the provision of adequate resources for industrial tribunals in 1991.

  Mr. Forth
  The budget for 1991–92 has not yet been fixed.

  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when he will extend the jurisdiction of industrial tribunals to deal with wrongful dismissal and other breach of contract claims by dismissed employees.

  Mr. Forth
  On current plans, the necessary statutory instrument will be laid early next year.

  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the maximum and what was the average time between the making of a claim to an industrial tribunal and its hearing in the years 1986, 1987, 1988 and 1989 and in the first six months of 1990; and what he expects the average of these to be in the second six months of 1990 and in the first six months of 1991.

  Mr. Forth
  I regret that the information is not available in the precise form requested. The table shows the percentage of applications coming to first hearing at an industrial tribunal within 12, 16, 20 and 26 weeks, respectively, of receipt of the applications.

  Percentage

  12 months ended

  12 weeks

  16 weeks

  20 weeks

  26 weeks

  England and Wales

  31 December 1985

  52

  72

  82

  90

  31 March 1987

  57

  74

  85

  92

  31 March 1988

  56

  74

  83

  90

  31 March 1989

  51

  70

  81

  92

  31 March 1990

  52

  73

  82

  92

  30 September 19901

  50

  70

  83

  91

  Scotland

  31 December 1985

  22

  70

  88

  93

  31 March 1987

  11

  47

  75

  88

  31 March 1988

  44

  72

  83

  91

  31 March 1989

  52

  78

  87

  92

  31 March 1990

  43

  72

  85

  91

  30 September 19901

  53

  74

  87

  93

  1For six months.

  It is not our practice to give estimates of future performance of the industrial tribunals.

  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how much money was allocated to industrial tribunals during the years 1986, 1987, 1988 and 1989 and in the first six months of 1990; and how much he expects the average to be in the first six months of 1990 and in the first six months of 1991.

  Mr. Forth
  The budget for industrial tribunals for 1991–92 has not yet been fixed. The allocations for the years 1986 to 1990 were as follows:510

  Year ended

  (£)

  31 March 1986

  10,736,000

  31 March 1987

  11,288,000

  31 March 1988

  10,834,000

  31 March 1989

  10,151,000

  31 March 1990

  10,769,000

  31 March 1991

  12,223,000

  The allocations to the tribunals exclude accommodation costs.

  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether he has made an estimate of the likely increase in the work of industrial tribunals when their jurisdiction is increased so as to include wrongful dismissal and other breach of contract claims by dismissed employees.

  Mr. Forth
  I do not expect the extension of jurisdiction to result in a significant increase in the work of industrial tribunals.

  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many cases were dealt with by industrial tribunals in the years 1986, 1987, 1988 and 1989 and in the first six months of 1990; and how many he estimates will heard by industrial tribunals in the last six months of 1990.

  Mr. Forth
  The number of cases in which tribunals promulgated decisions, for the years 1986 to 1989 and for the first six months of 1990, is as follows:

  12 months ended

  Number

  31 March 1987

  39,404

  31 March 1988

  34,233

  31 March 1989

  29,317

  31 March 1990

  31,913

  30 September 19901

  17,304

  1 For six months.

  It is not our practice to give estimates of the number of cases to be heard by the industrial tribunals.

  Redundancy Payments
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give details of all new European Community proposals on redundancy payments, with an indication of any timetable for implementation.

  Mr. Forth
  The Commission's social action programme contains three draft directives on part-time and temporary work, one of which would have the effect of reducing the period for which certain part-time employees have to work for their employers to qualify for the right to a redundancy payment. If adopted the draft directive would need to be implemented by 31 December 1992.

WALES

  Surgery
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he intends to establish a regional specialist centre for cataract eye surgery at Morriston hospital, Swansea.

  Mr. Grist
  My right hon. Friend has no such plans at present.
  511
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will specify the target date by which the University hospital of Wales will be performing 800 open heart operations per year.

  Mr. Grist
  South Glamorgan health authority is expected to complete as soon as practicable the developments which will enable 800 open heart operations to be performed yearly at the University hospital of Wales. Work is presently in hand to enhance cardiac catheter laboratories and intensive care facilities and progress is being regularly monitored.

  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he intends to announce the location of the second cardiac surgery unit in Wales.

  Mr. Grist
  Consideration is currently being given to the most appropriate arrangements for a further cardiac facility and we hope to be able to reach a decision in the near future.

  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what information his Department holds on the number of patients from Wales who receive open heart surgery outside the Principality.

  Mr. Grist
  Comprehensive information on the number of patients from Wales who receive open heart surgery outside the Principality is not held centrally. However, central funds have been made available to South Glamorgan health authority, which manages the regional cardiac services in Wales, and to Clwyd health authority to enable them to secure additional open heart surgery for

  Number of persons exempt from paying the personal community charge1

  Category of exemption2>

  Local authority

  C1

  C2

  C3

  C4

  C5

  C6

  C7

  C8

  C9

  C10

  C11

  C12

  Total

  Alyn and Deeside

  5

  0

  169

  102

  32

  25

  26

  463

  0

  0

  0

  0

  822

  Colwyn

  6

  0

  217

  97

  9

  10

  0

  1,224

  2

  0

  0

  0

  1,565

  Delyn

  5

  0

  213

  150

  40

  50

  16

  591

  0

  0

  3

  1

  1,069

  Glyndwr

  4

  0

  110

  170

  67

  24

  149

  820

  12

  0

  0

  0

  1,356

  Rhuddlan

  0

  0

  191

  26

  0

  12

  4

  823

  1

  0

  0

  0

  1,057

  Wrexham Maelor

  41

  0

  320

  454

  262

  29

  38

  1,108

  2

  0

  30

  150

  2,434

  Carmarthen

  2

  0

  168

  190

  76

  6

  254

  533

  0

  0

  11

  0

  1,240

  Ceredigion

  1

  0

  163

  122

  72

  14

  52

  523

  2

  0

  0

  1

  950

  Dinefwr

  1

  0

  146

  75

  254

  0

  2

  415

  48

  0

  0

  0

  941

  Llanelli

  50

  0

  246

  73

  13

  6

  82

  548

  0

  0

  13

  0

  1,031

  Preseli Pembrokeshire

  6

  354

  199

  11

  301

  21

  19

  425

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1,336

  South Pembrokeshire

  8

  76

  125

  12

  323

  26

  11

  466

  0

  0

  0

  24

  1,071

  Blaenau Gwent

  7

  0

  228

  117

  123

  0

  20

  471

  0

  0

  0

  3

  969

  Islwyn

  6

  0

  197

  79

  21

  4

  33

  269

  1

  0

  0

  0

  610

  Monmouth

  2

  16

  163

  324

  90

  11

  383

  733

  1

  0

  0

  0

  1,723

  Newport

  48

  0

  549

  571

  127

  38

  287

  1,256

  0

  0

  57

  48

  2,981

  Torfaen

  6

  0

  302

  111

  16

  51

  32

  893

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1,411

  Aberconwy

  23

  0

  175

  80

  87

  41

  244

  961

  6

  0

  0

  0

  1,617

  Arfon

  4

  0

  193

  40

  35

  4

  6

  78

  0

  0

  0

  1

  361

  Dwyfor

  1

  0

  71

  36

  15

  7

  9

  378

  1

  0

  0

  0

  518

  Meirionydd

  2

  0

  151

  93

  38

  21

  57

  286

  1

  0

  0

  0

  649

  Ynys Môn

  10

  2

  187

  200

  27

  8

  8

  609

  1

  0

  0

  0

  1,052

  Cynon Valley

  5

  0

  209

  206

  80

  0

  1

  266

  0

  0

  0

  0

  767

  Merthyr Tydfil

  15

  0

  195

  90

  15

  5

  43

  364

  0

  0

  0

  0

  727

  Ogwr

  27

  0

  615

  607

  141

  27

  619

  956

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2,992

  Rhondda

  12

  3

  350

  89

  28

  0

  176

  321

  3

  0

  0

  0

  982

  Rhymney Valley

  6

  0

  351

  26

  13

  5

  68

  361

  0

  0

  0

  18

  848

  Taff Ely

  6

  0

  226

  120

  40

  2

  63

  308

  1

  0

  0

  0

  766

  Brecknock

  2

  2

  95

  115

  5

  15

  252

  478

  0

  0

  0

  0

  964

  Montgomeryshire

  4

  0

  171

  39

  12

  10

  128

  342

  0

  0

  0

  0

  706

  Radnorshire

  2

  0

  36

  30

  18

  9

  25

  234

  5

  0

  0

  0

  359

  Cardiff

  448

  62

  749

  151

  351

  79

  48

  2,196

  18

  0

  192

  0

  4,294

  Vale of Glamorgan

  22

  0

  297

  254

  180

  4

  383

  1,096

  5

  0

  0

  0

  2,241

  Port Talbot

  13

  0

  221

  43

  54

  8

  41

  294

  0

  0

  0

  0

  674

  Lliw Valley

  6

  0

  196

  130

  42

  21

  63

  434

  0

  0

  0

  0

  892

  512
  patients. I understand that between 1 April and 31 October this year 92 patients have been referred to centres outside Wales under these arrangements.

  National Rivers Authority
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish in the Official Report (a) the date that an appeal was submitted to him against the conditions of discharge imposed by the National Rivers Authority Welsh region on the marine fish farm in Milford Haven and (b) when he intends to announce the result of that appeal.

  Mr. Grist
  An appeal was submitted on 19 September 1989. I have instructed our officials to complete urgently the work necessary to enable us to determine the appeal.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish in the Official Report, for each local authority area in Wales, (a) the number of individuals who are liable to pay the personal community charge, (b) the number of people who are paying the personal community charge and (c) the number of people who are exempt from paying the personal community charge, separately distinguishing the numbers by exemption category.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The number of persons who are subject to pay the personal community charge and the number exempt are shown in the tables. Information relating to the number of persons who are paying the personal community charge is not available centrally.
  513

  Category of exemption2

  Local authority

  C1

  C2

  C3

  C4

  C5

  C6

  C7

  C8

  C9

  C10

  C11

  C12

  Total

  Neath

  3

  0

  108

  210

  38

  7

  10

  463

  0

  0

  0

  0

  839

  Swansea

  47

  0

  454

  252

  530

  77

  180

  1,856

  0

  0

  0

  0

  3,396

  TOTAL WALES

  856

  515

  8,756

  5,495

  3,575

  677

  3,832

  23,842

  110

  0

  306

  246

  48,210

  1 As at 15 November 1990.

  2 Description of categories:

  C1

  persons in detention.

  C2

  members of visiting forces, international head-quarters and defence organisations and their adult dependants.

  C3

  people who are severely mentally impaired.

  C4

  people aged 18 who attract child benefit because they are still at school (or who would do so if they were not in care).

  C5

  people aged 18 or 19 and on qualifying full-time courses of further (but not higher) education, who arc not included in C4 above.

  C6

  members of religious communities.

  C7

  patients whose sole or main residence is in a National Health Service hospital.

  C8

  people whose sole or main residence is in a residential care home, a nursing home, a mental nursing home, a private hospital or a hostel providing a substantial level of care, and who are also being treated or cared for in such an institution.

  C9

  residential care workers who are employed at a very low salary.

  C10

  residents in certain Crown buildings, which have been designated by the Secretary of State.

  C11

  residents of hostels, night shelters, or other buildings, where conditions prescribed in reg. 58(2) of SI 1989/438 are satisfied.

  C12

  persons without fixed abodes.

  Numbers of persons who are subject to the personal community charge1

  Local authority

  Alyn and Deeside

  55,359

  Colwyn

  42,714

  Delyn

  50,852

  Glyndwr

  31,647

  Rhuddlan

  44,221

  Wrexham Maelor

  88,462

  Carmarthen

  42,537

  Ceredigion

  53,303

  Dinefwr

  29,590

  Llanelli

  57,913

  Preseli Pembrokeshire

  51,888

  South Pembrokeshire

  31,135

  Blaenau Gwent

  58,152

  Islwyn

  50,567

  Monmouth

  58,658

  Newport

  101,455

  Torfaen

  68,283

  Aberconwy

  40,867

  Arfon

  43,134

  Dwyfor

  20,833

  Meirionnydd

  25,344

  Ynys Mon

  51,710

  Cynon Valley

  49,536

  Methyr Tydfil

  44,832

  Ogwr

  101,996

  Rhondda

  59,902

  Rhymney Valley

  77,047

  Taff Ely

  73,445

  Brecknock

  31,261

  Deaths and discharges with principal diagnosis of senile and presenile organic psychotic conditions, 19881

  0–65

  66–75

  76–80

  81–85

  86 +

  Not known

  All ages

  Senile dementia:

  Clwyd

  16

  76

  72

  74

  103

  1

  342

  East Dyfed

  6

  82

  85

  85

  82

  1

  341

  514

  Local authority

  Montgomeryshire

  40,765

  Radnorshire

  18,036

  Cardiff

  218,285

  Vale of Glamorgan

  84,283

  Port Talbot

  38,830

  Lliw Valley

  47,274

  Neath

  50,117

  Swansea

  140,255

  Total Wales

  2,174,488

  1 As at 15 November 1990. Includes persons registered for the personal community charge at the student rate.

  Mr. Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will make a statement in respect of his policy towards the abolition or amendment of the poll tax.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy to introduce legislation to abolish the poll tax in Wales.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Important amendments to the community charge have already been announced and will take effect from April 1991. The Government will consider further ways in which the system can be improved.

  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list for each local authority the available information as to the numbers of people who(a) have or (b) have not begun paying the poll tax; the percentages of liable adults that represents; the number of people seriously in arrears; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer that I gave to the hon. Member for Alyn and Deeside (Mr. Jones) on 28 November.

  Senile Dementia
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish in the Official Report, for each health authority for the latest available date, the number of people in Wales suffering from senile dementia, separately distinguishing the age groups (a) up to 65 years, (b) 65 to 75 years, (c) 75 to 80 years, (d) 80 to 85 years and (e) over 85 years.

  Mr. Grist
  The number of in-patient and day case deaths and discharges from NHS hospitals in Wales, by district health authority of treatment, with a principal diagnosis of senile and presenile organic psychotic conditions is shown in the following table for 1988.
  515

  0·65

  66·75

  76·80

  81·85

  86 +

  Not known

  All ages

  Gwent

  11

  82

  120

  108

  103

  6

  430

  Gwynedd

  7

  47

  32

  58

  51

  0

  195

  Mid Glamorgan

  22

  103

  165

  133

  84

  2

  509

  Powys

  3

  31

  24

  38

  43

  2

  141

  South Glamorgan

  5

  92

  104

  128

  94

  1

  424

  West Glamorgan

  19

  121

  137

  168

  110

  1

  556

  Pembrokeshire

  0

  3

  14

  4

  5

  0

  26

  Presenile dementia:

  Clwyd

  9

  4

  2

  1

  0

  0

  16

  East Dyfed

  2

  1

  1

  0

  0

  0

  4

  Gwent

  14

  27

  12

  8

  10

  0

  71

  Gwynedd

  3

  0

  2

  0

  0

  0

  5

  Mid Glamorgan

  12

  4

  1

  0

  3

  0

  20

  Powys

  0

  4

  1

  1

  0

  0

  6

  South Glamorgan

  14

  11

  1

  4

  2

  0

  32

  West Glamorgan

  7

  16

  0

  0

  0

  0

  23

  Pembrokeshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  0

  2

  Other and unspecified:

  Clwyd

  4

  17

  17

  9

  8

  0

  55

  East Dyfed

  6

  10

  10

  4

  0

  0

  30

  Gwent

  6

  42

  63

  38

  25

  0

  174

  Gwynedd

  3

  14

  11

  15

  10

  0

  53

  Mid Glamorgan

  11

  41

  38

  37

  26

  1

  154

  Powys

  1

  5

  7

  5

  0

  0

  18

  South Glamorgan

  2

  8

  16

  7

  2

  0

  35

  West Glamorgan

  8

  24

  28

  30

  27

  0

  117

  Pembrokeshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1 The information may understate the true position in that not all hospitals provide complete clinical details relating to patient discharges and deaths.

  Roads
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what factors led his Department to reject approaches by Gwynedd county council highways department for the construction of a roundabout on the junction at Bomtnewydd of the A487 and the Caeathro link road; and if he will reconsider this decision.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The junction is on a straight section of trunk road within a speed-restricted area and it has an additional central lane for right-turning traffic. There have been no reports of accidents in the past three years and the layout is considered to be appropriate and adequate for current and future traffic flows.

  Meals on Wheels
  Mr. Raffan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the latest figure for the number of meals on wheels provided in Wales; and how many were provided in 1979.

  Mr. Grist
  The information available for meals provided by local authorities and voluntary organisations is shown in the table:

  Meals

  1979

  1990

  At home

  1,840,265

  2,135,133

  Elsewhere1

  531,946

  754,565

  Total

  2,372,211

  2,889,698

  1Meals served at day centres and clubs (including day centres at residential homes) where the main purpose of the visit to the centre is to receive a meal.

  Local Income Tax
  Mr. Raffan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will estimate the rate at which a local income tax in Wales would have to be set for the current financial year in order to raise the same amount as the community charge.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Data for any such estimate are not available.

  Buses
  Mr. Raffan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the current number of passenger miles travelled in Wales on buses; what was the comparable figure in the last year before deregulation; and if he will express the latter figure as a percentage of the former.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Information relating to passenger miles travelled in Wales is not held centrally, but information on vehicle kilometres and passenger journeys for the years requested is given in the table.

  Local bus services in Wales1

  million

  Passenger journeys

  Vehicle kilometres

  1985–86

  163

  95

  1989–90

  153

  120

  1985–86—as a percentage of 1989–90

  106·5

  79·2

  Source: Bus and Coach Statistics Great Britain.

  1 A local service is one available to the general public, where passengers pay separate fares and may travel less than 15 miles as the crow flies. Privately organised services and those run under a permit by educational or other bodies are excluded.

  Pembrokeshire Health Authority
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales in what form he has received an expression of interest from Pembrokeshire health authority in the whole authority becoming a national health service trust.

  Mr. Grist
  A draft submission and covering letter.

  Welsh Water
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will make it his policy to take all steps available to him to persuade Welsh Water plc not to make any change in the water rate system until after the next general election;

  (2) if he will make it his policy to take all steps available to him to dissuade Welsh Water plc from introducing a flat-rate charge to replace the water rates.

  Mr. Grist
  Chapter IV of part II of the Water Act 1989 allows water and sewerage undertakers to determine their methods of charging.

  Hospitals (Unauthorised Advertising)
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 22 November,Official Report, column 193, regarding unauthorised advertising in hospitals if he has any knowledge of touting for business on any health authority property other than that at Wrexham by agents for residential and nursing homes.

  Mr. Grist
  My right hon. Friend has no knowledge of such incidents beyond that which recently occurred at Maelor hospital, Wrexham.

ENERGY

  PowerGen
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what restrictions apply in the case of Mr. Malpas, the ex-chairman of PowerGen, with regard to the acceptance by him of directorships in other electricity-related companies.

  Mr. Baldry
  There are no restrictions. Appointments to the boards of the electricity companies will be a matter for the companies once they have been floated.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what restrictions he applied on the number of staff and advisers to the Hanson Group plc who were to be given access to commercially confidential information in respect of PowerGen; and what measures have been taken to limit any subsequent use of such confidential information.

  Mr. Baldry
  Under a confidentiality agreement between Hanson plc and my right hon. Friend, access to commercially confidential information relating to PowerGen plc was restricted to named persons within Hanson plc and its advisers. The Government had the right to require that information provided by them or by PowerGen be returned or destroyed. This has now been done. Furthermore, the named persons are not permitted, at any time before 1 April 1993, directly or indirectly, to have any interest in any shares in the capital of PowerGen.

  Electricity Privatisation
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy, pursuant to his answer on 20 November regarding the payment of a licence fee to MCA Merchandising for the use of the Herman Munster copyright in the Frank N. Stein advertising campaign, what proportion of payments by WCRS to MCA for breach of copyright will be passed on to the Department by way of mark-up, commission, contingency fees or other contractual arrangements with identical practical effect.

  Mr. Baldry
  The Government paid £6,000 as a contribution to the licence fee. No payments in excess of this figure will be paid to WCRS, in this respect, by any other means.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy, pursuant to his answer of 21 November, what was the cost of indemnity insurance against any breach of copyright claims related to the Frank N. Stein advertising campaign for the flotation of the electricity distribution companies; which insurance company provided the cover; what was the excess agreed in the cover; and what part of the costs were charged to his Department by WCRS.

  Mr. Baldry
  Indemnity insurance is a matter for the advertising agency WCRS. Her Majesty's Government have not made and will not make any payments in respect of costs associated with indemnity insurance.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy, pursuant to his reply of 20 November,Official Report, column 84, if he will place in the Library the supporting visual evidence adduced by MCA Merchandising in support of its claim for licence fees in respect of the electricity privatisation advertising campaign.

  Mr. Baldry
  The material sent to WCRS by MCA has been retained by WCRS.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy, pursuant to his answer of 21 November,Official Report, column 147, what percentage of the licence fee paid to MCA Merchandising in respect of the electricity distribution company flotation campaign his Department's contribution represented.

  Mr. Baldry
  Her Majesty's Government paid £6,000 as a contribution to the licence fee. The terms of the arrangements between WCRS and MCA Merchandising are a matter for the parties concerned.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy, pursuant to his answer of 21 November, what assurances he sought from Slaughter and May as to its expertise in the law of copyright.

  Mr. Baldry
  Her Majesty's Government consulted a specialist in Slaughter and May in the field of intellectual property rights.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy whether any time limit applies to the personal indemnity clause applying to all future legal claims against him by new shareholders in the electricity distribution companies by virtue of the outbreak of war in the Gulf.

  Mr. Baldry
  No such personal indemnity clause exists.

  Energy Efficiency Office
  Ms. Gordon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy, pursuant to his answer of 21 November, if he will give the full establishment figure of the Energy Efficiency Office; how many staff are directly employed in giving direct advice to the public on energy efficiency; and how many of these are principally concerned with the domestic sector.

  Mr. Baldry
  The EEO's staff complement is 76; all of these and of the similar number of non-EEO staff supporting EEO programmes principally in the energy technology and building research energy conservation support units, are engaged in work relating to the production and dissemination of advice on energy efficiency. Advice is made available to householders through the provision of literature and in response to inquiries, but there are no staff for whom giving advice direct to householders is the principal part of their duties.

  Research and Development
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the recent decisions taken and matters reviewed at the energy research and development sub-committee of the European Communities scientific and technical research committee; which United Kingdom civil servants participate in the committee; and what matters concerning United Kingdom energy decisions are expected to be taken at future energy sub-committee meetings of CREST.

  Mr. Moynihan
  The energy sub-committee, on which my Department represents the United Kingdom, of the European Communities scientific and technical research committee (CREST) gives advice to CREST on the technical scope of the non-nuclear energy sub-programmes of the framework programmes. It has recently been reviewing the possible scope of the non-nuclear energy sub-programme under the third framework programme.

  The work undertaken under the non-nuclear energy sub-programme of the third framework programme is anticipated to give rise to information which will better inform the United Kingdom's and other member states' understanding of the energy scene.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on United Kingdom participation on the non-nuclear energy management and co-ordination advisory committee of the European Communities; which British officials have participated in the committee since its inception; and what advice on wave power programmes has been given by United Kingdom representatives to the committee.

  Mr. Moynihan
  The committee of an advisory nature on the non-nuclear energies sub-programmes of the framework programmes advises on the implementation of these sub-programmes, not on their technical scope; the non-nuclear energy sub-programmes under the first and second (the current) framework programmes did not include wave power within their scope.

  An energy sub-committee, on which my Department represents the United Kingdom, of the scientific and technical research committee (CREST) is currently advising upon the technical scope of the proposed non-nuclear energies sub-programme of the third
  520
  framework programme. The United Kingdom has informed the Commission of its current review of wave energy and has supported the view that wave projects should be eligible for consideration under the sub-programme.

  Thermie Programme
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on benefits to the United Kingdom of the EEC Thermie programme on the promotion of technological innovations and demonstration projects in the energy field.

  Mr. Moynihan
  The Thermie programme is a new programme and projects have not yet commenced. United Kingdom companies which prove to be successful applicants will receive financial support under the scheme; my Department has been publicising the details.

  The programme will have a substantial element devoted to the dissemination of the results of demonstrations of new energy technology. The wider use of such improved technology will be of benefit to the United Kingdom.

  Energy Supply
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list the United Kingdom projects involved in the European Communities programme on joint opportunities for unconventional or long-term energy supply.

  Mr. Moynihan
  The information requested cannot be provided in the time available as this involves analysis of several hundred projects. I will write to the hon. Member.

  Nuclear Waste
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what volumes of high-level nuclear waste have been produced from reprocessing of imported irradiated nuclear fuel for reprocessing at(a) Sellafield and (b) Dounreay in every year since 1979; and when this waste will be returned to the countries of origin.

  Mr. Baldry
  Imported irradiated nuclear fuel reprocessed at Sellafield since 1979 will give rise to approximately 15 cu m of vitrified high-level waste, of which approximately 8 cu m will arise from contracts with return of waste options. Since 1976, BNFL's contracts for the reprocessing of overseas spent fuel have contained options for the return of wastes arising. The Government intend that these options should be exercised and that wastes should be returned. High-level wastes will be returned as soon as practicable after vitrification. No irradiated nuclear fuel has been imported to Dounreay for reprocessing since 1979.

SCOTLAND

  Special Care Baby Units
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the number of special care baby units available in hospitals throughout Scotland, the total number of places, the number of babies treated at special care baby units in the last two years for which figures are available and the number of babies turned away when units were full for the same period.
  521
  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Information on special care baby units in Scotland is shown in the table.

  Information on the number of babies not admitted when units are full is not centrally available.

  Year

  1989

  1990

  Hospitals with special care baby units

  25

  25

  Total number of places Bed complement1

  549

  531

  Average available staffed beds

  543

  520

  Number of patients Inpatient discharges

  12,925

  12,257

  1Figures as at 31 March.

  Rates (Non-payment)
  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give, broken down into the smallest district or region available, the numbers of people(a) arrested and (b) imprisoned for non-payment of (i) domestic and (ii) industrial and commercial rates in each of the last five years of the operation of the general rates system.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Information is not available in the form requested. The number of applications for civil imprisonment for non-payment of rates and taxes disposed of by the Scottish courts in the years 1984 to 1988 are given in the table. The Debtors (Scotland) Act 1987, which came into operation on 30 November 1988, abolished civil imprisonment for failure to pay rates or any tax.

  Applications

  1984

  90

  1985

  7

  1986

  2

  1987

  1

  1988

  None

  Planning Appeals
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland on how many occasions since June 1979 planning appeals in relation to proposed developments in the constituency of the Minister responsible for the Scottish Development Department have required to be processed by other Scottish Office Ministers.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 19 November 1990]: None which has been considered to date.

  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish the arrangements for processing planning appeals which arise in relation to proposed developments in the constituencies of Ministers.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 19 November 1990]: No. No such formal arrangements exist. In determining any such planning appeals, however, care is taken to pay proper regard to the need to ensure that the decision is seen to be reached in a correct and impartial manner.

  Child Care, Fife
  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will list the meetings or discussions held with Sheriff Brian Kearney during the inquiry into child care policy in Fife region; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if he plans to meet Sheriff Kearney to discuss the progress of the inquiry into child care policy in Fife.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 12 November 1990]: From time to time officials of the social work services group meet Sheriff Kearney to hear about the stage reached in the inquiry and to take his view on its future timetable. These contacts will continue. The progress of the inquiry is a matter for Sheriff Kearney to decide taking account of the need to ensure a fair and thorough hearing for all the parties concerned.

  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make it his policy that his Department will pay the full costs of the inquiry into child care policy in Fife.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 18 November 1990]: Once he receives the report of the inquiry the Secretary of State will consider in accordance with section 210(7) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 whether the expenses of the inquiry should be paid to any extent by the local authority or any other party to the inquiry. The costs of running the inquiry, which are currently being met from Scottish Office votes, embrace salaries, travel and subsistence, shorthand services and legal fees. Fife regional council is responsible for meeting its own expenses in preparing for and being represented at the inquiry.

  The Gulf
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what instructions have been given to health boards in Scotland regarding the preparations for casualties arriving from any conflict in the Gulf; and what resources are being set aside to meet any such contingencies.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 29 November 1990]: Health boards have been instructed to consider possible arrangements for the reception and hospital treatment of any casualties who, in the event of conflict in the Gulf, might subsequently arrive in Scotland.

  While facilities which might be required have been identified, at this stage no resources have been set aside specifically to meet this contingency.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Grain
  Mr. Ralph Howell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was(a) the total tonnage and (b) the value of grain production in (i) the United States of America (ii) the EEC and (iii) the United Kingdom in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Curry
  The information requested is set out in the table:
  523

  United States of America

  European Community2 3

  United Kingdom2

  Quantity1 mill. tonnes

  Value1 $ billion

  Value4 BECU

  Quantity mill. tonnes

  Value BECU

  Quantity mill. tonnes

  Value BECU

  1979

  296·5

  31·5

  23·0

  114·1

  12·5

  17·4

  1·85

  1980

  263·1

  33·4

  24·0

  120·0

  14·5

  19·5

  2·44

  1981

  322·4

  34·6

  31·0

  122·8

  16·0

  19·6

  3·0

  1982

  326·0

  36·0

  36·7

  131·8

  18·9

  21·9

  3·63

  1983

  202·9

  25·5

  28·7

  124·0

  18·2

  21·3

  3·54

  1984

  308·2

  33·1

  42·0

  151·3

  22·8

  26·6

  4·24

  1985

  340·8

  33·1

  43·4

  138·6

  19·8

  22·5

  3·63

  1986

  309·0

  20·0

  20·3

  154·2

  22·0

  24·5

  3·27

  1987

  274·3

  22·3

  19·3

  154·6

  21·3

  21·7

  2·90

  1988

  199·0

  22·4

  18·9

  164·4

  22·7

  21·1

  2·95

  1989

  276·8

  n/a

  n/a

  162·1

  19·6

  22·7

  3·13

  Notes:

  1 Unites States production values for wheat and coarse grains excluding rice. No information is readily available about how production has been valued and the figures may not be comparable with those shown for the EC. Source: USDA.

  2 Quantity relates to harvested production: value relates to cereals output i.e. sales off farms adjusted for stock change: rice is excluded. Source: Eurostat.

  3 Relates throughout to EC9, 1979–80; EC10, 1981–85 and EC12 thereafter.

  4 Billion European Currency Units: converted for $ by MAFF.

  Mr. Ralph Howell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and food what was(a) the total tonnage and (b) the total value of grain exports from (i) the United stages of America, (ii) the EEC and (iii) the United kingdom in each year since 1979.

  United States of America

  European Community

  United Kingdom

  Quantity1 mill. tonnes

  Value1 $bn.

  Value4 BECU

  Quantity2 mill. tonnes

  Value2 BECU

  Quantity3 mill. tonnes

  Value3 £m.

  Value4 BECU

  1979

  108·0

  11·6

  8·4

  12·4

  1·6

  1·23

  126·7

  0·19

  1980

  111·4

  15·8

  11·4

  17·1

  2·7

  2·98

  313·4

  0·52

  1981

  107·7

  18·6

  16·6

  21·9

  4·0

  4·99

  532·6

  0·96

  1982

  93·6

  14·7

  15·0

  17·8

  3·4

  5·10

  609·8

  1·09

  1983

  95·0

  12·8

  14·4

  20·6

  3·7

  4·45

  561·3

  0·96

  1984

  94·9

  15·0

  19·0

  22·3

  4·6

  6·48

  792·1

  1·34

  1985

  60·9

  11·4

  14·9

  24·2

  4·6

  5·26

  614·0

  1·04

  1986

  73·1

  7·4

  7·5

  21·9

  3·0

  8·48

  946·7

  1·41

  1987

  95·6

  6·8

  5·9

  24·6

  2·2

  7·64

  595·6

  0·84

  1988

  99·8

  9·8

  8·3

  25·1

  2·8

  5·12

  428·9

  0·65

  1989

  102·5

  10·2

  9·3

  29·8

  4·4

  6·94

  665·5

  0·99

  Notes:

  1 Exports of wheat, coarse grain (excluding rice) and products for fiscal years. Source: USDA.

  2 European Community exports to non-EC destinations. Figures relate to EC9 for 1979–80, EC10 for 1981–85 and EC12 for 1986–89. Export data covers cereals (excluding rice) plus products of the milling industry including starch but excluding leguminous vegetables and potatoes. Quantities of grain products are not converted to grain equivalent. Source: Eurostat.

  3 United Kingdom exports of grain include malt, but exclude rice. Tonnage figures for grain products are not converted to grain equivalent. Exports cover shipments to rest of EC plus third country destinations. Source: HM Customs and Excise.

  4 BECU: billion European Currency Units: conversions from $ and £ have been made by MAFF.

  Beta-agonists
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has any information relating to the use of beta-agonists as growth promoters; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  Veterinary medicinal products cannot be placed on the market unless a product licence has been issued under the Medicines Act 1968. No such licences have been issued for the use of beta-agonists as growth promoters.

  In Great Britain, members of the state veterinary service carry out a regular programme of surveillance at slaughterhouses and on farms for veterinary residues in animal products, including tests for the beta-agonists clenbuterol and salbutamol. These employ extremely sensitive procedures to detect residues of beta-agonists. No evidence of abuse has been detected.

  We also have a monitoring programme on meat and offal for retail sale from all sources, as part of routine food
  524
  Mr. Curry
  The information requested is shown in the table.

  safety surveillance. Under this programme we shall be testing residues of beta-agonists in imported meat to ensure that we guard against the alleged problems in other countries.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Saudi Arabia Tunnel Disaster
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement setting out the latest information about missing British citizens in Saudi Arabia following the tunnel disaster of 2 July.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The Saudi Arabian authorities are still unable to trace the three missing British pilgrims. Consular department of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has obtained fingerprints of two of the pilgrims which are being sent out to Jedda for comparison with victims' fingerprints taken before burial. My hon. and
  525
  learned Friend the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office raised this matter on 27 November 1990 with the Saudi Arabian ambassador, who agreed to provide all the assistance that he could.

  Katyn Massacre
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Rugby and Kenilworth of 21 November,Official Report, column 252, what representations have been or will be made to the Soviet Union about its now admitted responsibility for the Katyn massacres.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  British embassy officials in Moscow have, on instructions, twice asked the Soviet authorities if legal proceedings will be instituted against General Soprunenko, a former Red Army officer who has been implicated in the Katyn massacre. They have received no substantive reply yet.

  Mr. Sherrard Cowper-Coles
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library a copy of the speech made by the first secretary of the British embassy in Washington, Mr. Sherrard Cowper-Coles, to the conference organised by the Investor Responsibility Research Centre in Boston.

  Mr. Hurd
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the right hon. Member for Lagan Valley (Mr. Molyneaux) on 29 November at column 456.

  Departmental Papers
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which of his Department's papers have been made available to the public since 1 October 1989.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Between 1 October 1989 and 30 September 1990, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office—excluding the Overseas Development Administration—made the following papers available to the public on request:

  Africa

  British Policy towards South Africa

  Libya: Twenty Years After Qadhafi's Revolution

  Namibia: Chronology April-September 1989

  Namibia: Chronology October 1989-Independence

  Nile Waters

  President de Klerk's First Six Months: South African Chronology

  Transport Routes in Southern Africa

  Americas

  Britain and Argentina: Restoring Relations

  Central American Peace Process: Chronology February 1988–February 1990

  Cuba: The Only One in Step?

  Drugs in the Caribbean

  Threats to the Amazon

  Asia/Near and Middle East

  Change in Mongolia

  Events in Burma: Chronology

  Islamic Resurgence

  Israeli Policy and Practices in the Occupied Territories

  Korea: Chronology of the North-South Dialogue

  Repatriation of Vietnamese Boat People from Hong Kong

  Sino-South Korean Relations

  Vietnam 1990

  526
  Soviet Union and Eastern Europe

  East Europe's Rejection of Communism

  Environmental Pollution in the USSR and Eastern Europe

  Environmental Pollution in the USSR

  Environmental Pollution in Eastern Europe

  Soviet Aid

  Soviet and East European Aid to Special Friends

  Soviet Foreign Trade

  Soviet Policy in the Middle East

  Who's Who in the USSR

  Disarmament

  Arms Control and Disarmament Quarterly Review No. 16

  Arms Control and Disarmament Quarterly Review No. 17

  Arms Control and Disarmament Quarterly Review No. 18

  Arms Control Agreements

  Arms Control and Defence: The Vital Issues

  British Non-Proliferation Policy

  Mutual and Balanced Force Reductions in Europe (MBFR): History of the Negotiations

  Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty

  UK Role in Arms Control

  Verification of Arms Control Agreements

  Economic

  Aid to the Developing World

  World Food Supplies

  International

  AIDS: The Situation Worldwide

  Annual Review of Consular Work 1989

  Disposing of and Reducing Radioactive Waste

  New Era for the Non-Aligned Movement

  World Peace Council: A New Role?

  World Population Issues

DEFENCE

  Low Flying
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the average time spent at low level in(a) sorties which contain low-flying elements and (b) all sorties.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The information requested is not readily available but it is estimated that the average time spent at low level during sorties using the United Kingdom low-flying system is some 40 minutes.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give a breakdown, for each type of Royal Air Force aircraft, of the number of(a) hours and (b) sorties flown at low level in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Don Valley (Mr. Redmond) on 26 July 1990 at column 527, and to my Department's evidence to the Defence Committee inquiry into low flying (HC 120, page 140), which give information on the number of low-level sorties carried out annually by Royal Air Force aircraft since 1979. I regret that central records do not provide information on the number of hours flown at low level by individual Royal Air Force aircraft types.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many low-flying sorties were carried out over the United Kingdom in the month of September.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The number of low-flying sorties flown in the United Kingdom during September were 11,361.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether any decision has been made on the locations for Harrier GR7 night-time low-flying training.
  527
  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  No.

  Nuclear Non-proliferation
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he last discussed non-proliferation issues with his NATO counterparts.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave to the hon. Member for Denton and Reddish (Mr. Bennett) on 30 October 1990 at column 503.

  1 October 1985 to 30 September 1986 Complaint

  1 October 1986 to 31 December 1987 Complaint

  1 January 1988 to 31 December 1988 Complaint

  1 January 1989 to 31 December 1989 Complaint

  Method of disposal

  cases

  matters

  cases

  matters

  cases

  matters

  cases

  matters

  Withdrawn

  15

  1

  14

  3

  11

  10

  20

  18

  Informally resolved

  Nil

  Nil

  13

  Nil

  7

  5

  14

  13

  Ill-founded

  Nil

  Nil

  3

  1

  4

  4

  1

  3

  Waived

  1

  1

  3

  Nil

  4

  4

  3

  2

  Unsubstantiated

  19

  1

  18

  3

  34

  22

  49

  14

  Substantiated

  17

  1

  9

  1

  13

  1

  2

  2

  Currently pending

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  1

  3

  7

  14

  1 Figures not available.

  However, these cases were not necessarily recorded and completed within the same reporting periods. The result of cases recorded during the corresponding periods could not be provided without disproportionate effort.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the secretary of state for Defence what is the current backlog of refresher training for constables and sergeants in the Ministry of Defence police; and what are the equivalent figures for each of the last five years.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  It is force policy that all constables and sergeants should attend a three-week refresher course at the police training school every five years, unless in their last three years of service. The backlog of officers awaiting such training has been:

  Constable

  Sergeant

  1986

  843

  181

  1987

  1,129

  240

  1988

  813

  96

  1989

  610

  127

  1990

  821

  126

  However, during 1985 and 1986 all officers serving in England and Wales underwent a minimum of three days' training, consequent on the introduction of the police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984.

  Since all recruitment training is also carried out at PTS where student accommodation is limited to 160 beds, during high levels of recruitment, such as the current year, the capacity available for refresher and other in-service training is cut.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current annual budget for each geographical division of the Ministry of Defence police; and what are equivalent figures for each year since reorganisation.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The geographical divisions of the MOD police do not have separate budgets.

  Ministry of Defence Police
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (i) complaint cases and (ii) complaint matters against the conduct of Ministry of Defence police personnel received during (1) the period 1 October 1985 to 30 September 1986, (2) the period 1 October 1986 to 31 December 1987, (3) 1988 and (4) 1989 were(a) withdrawn, (b) informally resolved, (c) ill-founded, (d) waived, (e) unsubstantiated and (f) substantiated; and how many are currently pending.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  Details of the complaint cases and complaint matters completed during the periods listed (which are the periods covered by successive reports by the chief constable) are as follows:

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current annual budget for sending Ministry of Defence police personnel on external courses; what are the equivalent figures for each of the last five years; and from which subheads of which votes these funds are taken.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The annual budgets for external training fees for the MOD police for the present and previous five years have been:

  FY

  £

  1985–86

  84,715

  1986–87

  99,712

  1987–88

  89,000

  1988–89

  91,000

  1989–90

  113,050

  1990–91

  123,650

  These sums fall on vote subhead 1L5, and cover all training outside MOD, mainly with Home Department police forces, for which charges are made.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps are being taken to ensure that members of the public can easily differentiate between (i) uniforms and (ii) vehicles of the Ministry of Defence police and Home Department forces, in particular the Metropolitan police.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  It is the Department's policy, strongly supported by Her Majesty's inspectorate of constabulary, that the Ministry of Defence police, as a force of civilian police officers operating under the 1987 Act, should be brought into line wherever possible with Home Department police forces. In furtherance of this policy, the uniforms and vehicles of the Ministry of Defence police are similar to but not identical with other constabularies, differing only in the different designs of cap badges, buttons, logos, and so on.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make a statement on the use of AAC
  529
  Netheravon for public order training by the Ministry of Defence police; whether there is any transfer of funds from the Ministry of Defence police to the Army Air Corps for use of this facility; and what other bases and facilities are used by the Ministry of Defence police for public order training;

  (2) how many personnel from the Ministry of Defence police have undergone public order training in each of the last five years;

  (3) if he will make a statement on the nature of public order training given to the Ministry of Defence police;

  (4) what has been the cost of providing public order training for the Ministry of Defence police for each of the last five years; and from which subheads of which votes this money was taken.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my hon. Friend the Member for Hove (Mr. Sainsbury) on 5 July 1988 at column 537.

  In common with all other police forces in the country MOD police officers undergo public order training in accordance with standards laid down by ACPO.

  At MOD PTS Medmenham

  At Home Department Police Schools

  Constable

  Constable to Inspector

  Sergeant to Chief Superintendent

  Recruit course

  Refresher course

  Public Order course

  Public Order course

  Total numbers trained

  1986

  726

  0

  26

  65

  817

  1987

  548

  142

  94

  31

  815

  1988

  150

  752

  514

  5

  1,421

  1989

  113

  0

  359

  14

  486

  1990

  453

  0

  46

  14

  513

  The variation in numbers undergoing such training at PTS will be noted. When the number of recruits passing through the school is small, its resources are more readily available for continuation and specialist training. However, the numbers which can be made available to attend such courses also depend on the levels of operational activity of the force, which since 1988 has been very heavily committed to meet the terrorist threat.

  The numbers of officers given public order training locally varies from year to year.

  The annual costs of all public order training undertaken at PTS (including that which is part of recruitment or refresher courses) based on student/days, and of external courses at Home Department schools is:

  PTS £

  HD police schools £

  1986

  136,000

  n/a

  1987

  137,000

  n/a

  1988

  219,000

  1,203

  1989

  156,000

  3,238

  1990

  130,000

  1,485

  The costs of internal courses and training fall to the manpower and PTS elements of CCMDP's budget, and those for external courses to vote subhead 1L5. No specific costs were associated with the training undertaken at Netheravon and no funds were transferred to MOD (Army) in that connection.
  530
  All MDP officers receive three days' public order training during their recruit course; two days were included until 1989 in the three-week long five-yearly refresher course for constables; and five-day courses on public order for ranks up to inspector are held from time to time. All these courses take place at the MOD police training school at Medmenham.

  Officers of ranks from sergeant to chief superintendent attend specialist courses connected with public order at Home Department police schools, notably that of the West Yorkshire constabulary; and chief officers attend public order seminars held at the police staff college, Bramshill.

  In addition, during an MDP officer's service, continuation training is given locally on an opportunity basis, or when required in anticipation of a particular event. Examples of the latter are the use of RAF Quedgeley in conjunction with the Gloucestershire constabulary in 1986 and 1987; and of AAC Netheravon in 1988 and 1989 by officers standing by for the summer solstice activities at Stonehenge.

  The numbers of MDP officers given public order training over the past five years are:

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many copies of the Ministry of Defence police annual report are printed each year.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  Three hundred and forty-five copies of the chief constable of the Ministry of Defence police's annual report for 1989 were printed. Similar numbers are printed each year.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library the latest edition of the Ministry of Defence police discipline regulations, together with any subsequent amendments.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  Yes, I will make the necessary arrangements.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is the total annual budget of the Ministry of Defence police; what are the equivalent figures for each of the last five years; and from which subheads of which votes these funds are taken;

  (2) what is the annual budget for (a) personnel costs, (b) vehicles and (c) equipment excluding vehicles, for Ministry of Defence police; what are the equivalent figures for each of the last five years; and from which subheads of which votes these funds are taken.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  A separate budget covering the manpower, clothing and some support costs of the MOD police was introduced on 1 April 1988. The vehicles used
  531
  by the force continue to be provided by the units or establishments at which MDP is stationed or by MOD(Army) if specialist vehicles are required. Prior to that date costs of the MOD police fell largely on the users of its services, and were not separately identified.

  Figures for the annual budget since 1 April 1988 are as follows:

  Financial year

  Manpower £ million

  Non-manpower £ million

  Total £ million at current financial year prices

  1988–89

  95·603

  0·652

  96·255

  1989–90

  103·181

  0·976

  104·157

  1990–91

  113·301

  0·757

  114·058

  These funds fall within vote subheads 1D2, 1E1, 1G1, 1G2 and 1L9.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the annual operating cost of running a separate radio system for the Ministry of Defence criminal investigation department; and from which budget these costs are taken.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The annual cost of maintaining the specialist radio equipments used by the CID, which are similar to those of Home Department police forces, is £1,300.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of the operational support unit of the Ministry of Defence police.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The future composition and deployment of the operational support unit is under review. Like other police forces, there is a continuing case for CCMDP to have readily available a body of well-trained officers who can be deployed to back up stations whose resources are insufficient to meet current or temporary situations.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what has been the number of complaint cases made against members of the Ministry of Defence police at RAF Greenham Common since the byelaws were declared invalid;

  (2) how many complaint matters have been received against members of the Ministry of Defence police at RAF Greenham Common since the byelaws were declared invalid; and if he will list them in the 13 categories used by the Police Complaints Authority.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  Between 12 July 1990, the date of the House of Lords judgment on the validity of byelaw 2(b), and 27 November 1990, 34 complaint cases against MOD police officers at RAF Greenham Common were recorded in accordance with section 85(1) of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984.

  These involved a total of 53 complaint matters. Details in the form requested are as follows:

  (i) Incivility

  5

  (ii) Assault

  16

  (iii) Irregularity in procedure

  —

  (iv) Traffic irregularity

  1

  (v) Neglect of duty

  —

  (vi) Corrupt practice

  —

  (vii) Mishandling of property

  —

  (viii) Irregularity in relation to evidence/perjury

  —

  (ix) Oppressive conduct or harassment

  7

  532

  (x) Irregular arrest

  5

  (xi) Irregular stop/search

  2

  (xii) Irregular search of premises

  7

  (xiii) Other

  10

  All these complaints were made by a small number of women associated with protest activity at RAF Greenham Common.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the annual cost of production of the Ministry of Defence police newspaper, "Talk Through"; and from which subheads of which votes these funds are taken.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  "Talk Through" is funded from MOD common services (reprographic services) within vote subhead 1L9, at a current annual cost of £15,000.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is (1) the total procurement cost, and (2) the annual operating cost of the Courgarnet radio system operated by the Ministry of Defence police; and from which subheads of which votes these costs are taken.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The total procurement cost of Courgarnet to date has been £2·651 million; the annual running cost of spares and maintenance is £331,000. These costs fall to vote 2F2.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if Ministry of Defence police are ever deployed to overseas bases.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  One superintendent is currently serving on loan with the sovereign base area police in Cyprus. Otherwise, MOD police officers are deployed overseas and on Her Majesty's ships at sea as and when required to carry out inquiries. There are no MOD police stations outside the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many(a) men and (b) women are employed by the Ministry of Defence police; and at what ranks they are employed.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The number of male and female MOD police officers by rank on 1 November 1990 was:

  Male

  Female

  Total

  Chief Constable

  1

  —

  1

  Deputy Chief Constable

  1

  —

  1

  Assistant Chief Constable

  5

  —

  5

  Chief Superintendent

  13

  —

  13

  Superintendent

  27

  —

  27

  Chief Inspector

  56

  2

  58

  Inspector

  161

  7

  168

  Sergeant

  666

  31

  697

  Constable

  3,489

  339

  3,828

  Total

  4,419

  379

  4,798

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total cost of reorganising the Ministry of Defence police into geographical divisions; and from which subheads of which votes this money was taken.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  Reorganising the MOD police into geographical divisions took place on 1 October 1988 as part of a larger major reorganisation of headquarters and higher management, the costs of which, and compensating savings, fell across a number of subheads and cannot be separately identified.
  533
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what access the Ministry of Defence police have to the police national computer.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The MOD police do not have direct access to the police national computer. Should MDP require a PNC check, this is normally obtained through the Home Department police force in whose area the MDP station concerned is situated.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many(a) male and (b) female personnel of the Ministry of Defence police are currently in (i) married quarters and (ii) single persons' accommodation provided by his Department.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The figures are as follows:

  Occupying married quarters

  Occupying single accommodation

  Male Officers

  771

  1107

  Female Officers

  15

  122

  1 Excludes those officers on initial training courses at the MOD police training school.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the policy of his Department regarding the acceptance by members of the Ministry of Defence police of awards given by (i) British and (ii) non-British organisations.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The policy on the granting and receiving of honours and awards to and by members of the Ministry of Defence police is the same as it is for all Crown servants. Rules relating to the acceptance and wearing by Crown servants of awards conferred by foreign states are laid down by the Foreign Office under the Foreign and Commonwealth Order, regulations A and B.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the Ministry of Defence police are consulted during the drafting of new military lands byelaws.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  Yes.

  Tern Hill Barracks (Bombing)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement regarding the bill sent to West Mercia police for assistance rendered subsequent to the bombing of Tern Hill barracks, Shropshire; what is the sum of this bill; and to which subheads of which votes these funds will be allocated when the bill is paid.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  A bill for approximately £79,500 has been presented to the West Mercia police for logistic support provided by the Ministry of Defence, in assisting the investigation of the explosion at Clive barracks, Tern Hill. This sum covered a number of items, including the provision of meals and temporary shelters, hire of cranes and skips, civil and military transport and contract labour. The bill has been raised in accordance with the normal arrangements for charging the police for logistic assistance from the services. The receipt would be charged to class I, vote 1 subhead LZ(9), which covers receipts for service assistance to civil authorities.

  Greenham Common
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many arrests of members of the public have been made at RAF Greenham Common since the byelaws were declared invalid;

  (2) how many people have been removed from the area enclosed by the perimeter fence at RAF Greenham Common in each month since the byelaws were declared invalid.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  I remind the hon. Member that despite the House of Lords judgment given on 12 July, concerning byelaw 2(b), there is no right of access to Greenham Common for members of the general public. Details of trespassers removed from the base between that date and 23 November are as follows:

  Number

  12 to 31 July

  170

  August

  159

  September

  127

  October

  197

  1 to 23 November

  58

  711

  However, many of the above cases involve a relatively small number of persistent trespassers.

  Any person suspected of committing a criminal offence remains liable to be arrested and charged accordingly, and that position is not affected by the validity of the byelaws. Since 12 July, 55 arrests have been made at Greenham Common, mainly for causing criminal damage.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the cost of policing RAF Greenham Common since the byelaws were declared invalid.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The cost of policing RAF Greenham Common since 12 July 1990 is of the order of £650,000.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what powers of arrest members of United States forces based at RAF Greenham Common have.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The hon. Member will recall from the answer given to him by my right hon. Friend the Member for Hertfordshire, North (Mr. Stewart) on 28 April 1988 at column 242 that the powers of arrest of United States military personnel in the United Kingdom are the same as those of an ordinary British citizen.

  Salisbury Plain
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether there have been any proposals to rewrite the Salisbury plain military lands byelaws in the last five years.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Yes.

  Air Defence Systems
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what real-time data links there are between the United Kingdom air defence ground environment system and the Iceland air defence system.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  There is one such link.
  535
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether data gathered by the AN/FPS-117 radars at Bolafjall and Gunnolfsvikurfjall in Iceland are passed on for use as input data for the United Kingdom air defence ground environment system.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Not at present.

  Military Construction
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will list the NATO-funded military construction projects that will be in construction for United States forces at bases in the United Kingdom in the fiscal year 1991;

  (2) if he will list the NATO-funded military construction projects that will be in construction for United States forces at bases in the United Kingdom in the fiscal year 1990.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  It is not the practice to publish information of this kind.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the United States military construction projects in the United Kingdom for which funding was requested in fiscal years(a) 1988, (b) 1989 and (c) 1990 that (i) were given funding approval by the United States Congress, (ii) were approved for construction by Her Majesty's Government, (iii) have started construction and (iv) have had construction halted.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I understand that Congress has granted funding approval for the following United States military construction projects in the following fiscal years.

  1988

  RAF Alconbury

  Chemical weapons protection

  Squadron operations facility

  Installation of a fire support system*

  RAF Bentwaters

  Consolidated support centre*

  Alteration to unaccompanied enlisted personnel housing*

  Digital European backbone (DEB)

  RAF Chicksands

  (DEB) telephone exchange*

  Croughton

  Improvements to water storage system*

  RAF Edzell

  Security Gatehouse*

  RAF Lakenheath

  Base operations facility*

  Combat arms range*

  Control tower*

  RAF Welford

  Base ground defence igloo*

  RAF Wethersfield

  DEB telephone exchange

  1989

  RAF Bentwaters

  Recreation centre*

  Security Police operations facility*

  Sound suppressor support*

  RAF Feltwell

  Passive defence equipment store*

  RAF Lakenheath

  536

  DEB communications building*

  Construct unaccompanied enlisted personnel housing*

  Semi-hardened communications facility*

  RAF Machrihanish

  Bachelor enlisted quarters*

  RAF Mildenhall

  Child development centre*

  Alter/add to water storage*

  Alter/add to operations facility*

  RAF Upper Heyford

  Alter/add to vehicle maintenance facility*

  RAF Welford

  Fire station*

  Munitions igloos*

  1990

  RAF Alconbury

  Munitions storage

  RAF Barford St. John

  Physical protection*

  RAF Bentwaters

  Add/alter fire station

  Add/alter munitions storage

  Add/alter flight simulator facility

  Bovingdon

  Site Security*

  Christmas Common

  Site Security*

  RAF Edzell

  Operations building annex

  RAF Fairford

  DEB telephone exchange

  RAF Machrihanish

  Operations facility

  RAF Mildenhall

  Upgrade sewage treatment plant*

  RAF Upper Heyford

  Alter munitions storage

  Department of Defence schools

  Bicester Elementary School

  Upwood Elementary School

  Those projects indicated thus (*) are known to have started construction. All projects under construction have been approved by Her Majesty's Government. Such approval is a matter for discussion between the Governments of the United States and the United Kingdom. In no cases where construction has started has it been halted.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the United States military construction projects in the United Kingdom for which funding approval was given in fiscal year 1991, giving for each project its location, the nature of facilities to be constructed, and stating for each project whether Her Majesty's Government have given approval for that project being carried out.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The only United States military construction project which is listed against the United Kingdom, in those projects approved by Congress for fiscal year 1991, is for water storage at Menwith Hill.
  537
  Given that any necessary planning consents are received, Her Majesty's Government are content that the project go ahead.

  United States Air Force
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has on the number of personnel of the United States air force office of special investigations who are currently stationed in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  There are 73 people assigned to the United States air force office of special investigations in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what powers personnel of the United States air force office of special investigations stationed in the United Kingdom have to (i) question, and (ii) arrest British subjects.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The powers of questioning and arrest of United States military personnel in the United Kingdom are the same as those of an ordinary British citizen.

  Electromagnetic Radiation
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what research his Department has carried out into the hazards of electromagnetic radiation on ordnance in the last five years;

  (2) what research his Department is currently carrying out into the hazards of electromagnetic radiation on ordnance.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  Within the research programme, ordnance components are tested against the hazards of electromagnetic radiation for safety reasons. It is not our policy, however, to give specific details of current research.

  Cruise Missiles
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the cost of policing(a) dispersal exercises in support of the ground-launched cruise missile deployment to the United Kingdom, (ii) RAF Greenham Common and (iii) RAF Molesworth for each year since 1981.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The policing of these exercises and locations has involved varying numbers of MOD police, several Home Department constabularies, and service personnel. Costing information regarding the various employments of these different groups on such duties is not kept in a way which enables an answer to be given.

  Chemical Weapons
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his Department's latest assessment of the capability of the Soviet Union to safely destroy its stockpile of chemical weapons.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  We assess that the Soviet Union does not at present possess a capability for the large-scale safe destruction of chemical weapons. A draft Soviet state programme for CW destruction has recently been completed, apparently containing a number of alternative options for handling the destruction problem. A decision on the programme is awaited from the Supreme Soviet.

  Lanyard Exercises
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list all exercises in the Lanyard series for the last five years, giving the exercise location, the numbers and types of aircraft involved, and the numbers of personnel involved.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  Details of battalion size airborne exercises over the last five years in the United Kingdom are as follows:

  Year/month

  Location

  Airborne troops involved

  Aircraft (all C130)

  1985

  January

  Salisbury Plain TA

  850

  8

  March

  Salisbury Plain TA

  850

  16

  April

  Stanford TA

  850

  8

  June

  Stanford TA

  825

  8

  July

  Salisbury Plain TA

  1,400

  16

  September

  Stanford TA

  850

  8

  October

  Salisbury Plain TA

  825

  8

  November

  Otterburn TA

  1,600

  15

  1986

  February

  Salisbury Plain TA

  850

  15

  April

  Salisbury Plain TA

  1,600

  15

  June

  Salisbury Plain TA

  825

  6

  July

  Salisbury Plain TA

  850

  16

  October

  Salisbury Plain TA

  1,600

  16

  November

  Scotland

  850

  16

  1987

  February

  Salisbury Plain TA

  850

  10

  April

  Stanford TA

  825

  4

  May

  Otterburn TA

  825

  17

  June

  Stanford TA

  850

  15

  July

  Salisbury Plain TA

  1,600

  15

  September

  Sennybridge TA

  1,600

  15

  November

  Scotland

  1,600

  15

  1988

  May

  Salisbury Plain TA

  825

  15

  May

  Otterburn TA

  825

  15

  July

  Salisbury Plain TA

  850

  15

  October

  Sennybridge TA

  850

  15

  October/November

  Stanford TA

  825

  15

  1989

  February

  Salisbury Plain TA

  825

  15

  June

  Stanford TA/Scotland

  850

  15

  July

  Salisbury Plain TA

  1,600

  15

  October

  Otterburn TA

  1,600

  15

  1990

  April

  Stanford TA/Scotland

  850

  15

  May

  Salisbury Plain TA

  850

  15

  July

  Stanford TA/Scotland

  850

  15

  Desert Uniforms
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list all those countries to which former British Army desert uniforms have been exported in the last 10 years.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  It is not possible to identify separately sales of surplus desert uniforms over the last 10 years. However, a wide variety of surplus British Army clothing (with identifying insignia removed) has been sold to a number of countries during that period.

  Checkered Flag Exercises
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many days before the start of an exercise in the Checkered Flag series his Department is informed of the intention to hold such an exercise by United States authorities; and if he will list the exercises in the Checkered Flag series that have been held at bases in the United Kingdom in the last five years.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  In June or July of each year, the United States air force seeks approval from the Ministry of Defence for Checkered Flag exercises planned to be held in the United Kingdom in the following United States fiscal year (which commences 1 October).

  The following exercises in the Checkered Flag series have been held at bases in the United Kingdom in the last five years:

  1985

  Coronet Buffalo

  1986

  Coronet Barracuda

  Coronet Chinook

  Volant Partner I

  Coronet Miami

  Coronet Patriot

  Salty Bee 86

  Coronet Papago

  Coronet Comanche

  Coronet MobileCoronet Crusader

  1987

  Coronet Delta

  Volant Partner 87-II

  Coronet Gemini

  1988

  Coronet King

  Volant Scorpio

  1989

  Coronet Hoop

  Coronet Pine I

  Coronet Pine II

  Coronet Diamond

  Volant Gopher

  Coronet PythonCoronet Venom

  1990

  Coronet Lariat

  Nuclear Accident Exercises
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the nuclear weapon accident exercises held by his Department in the last five years.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  For each of the last five years, the number of nuclear weapon accident exercises held by the Ministry of Defence has been as follows:

  Number

  1986

  3

  1987

  3

  1988

  5

  1989

  3

  11990

  3

  1 To date.

  These figures do not include exercises arranged by units or establishments on a local basis.
  540
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence under what conditions local government officials and Members of Parliament are allowed to observe nuclear weapon accident exercises.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Exercises are conducted by the Ministry of Defence to test the effectiveness of arrangements for response in the extremely unlikely event of a nuclear weapons accident. Invitations to observers are limited to those directly involved in emergency response planning.

  Chemicals
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been his Department's annual consumption of(a) 1.1.1 trichloroethane, (b) 1.1.2 trichlorotrifloroethane and (c) trichloroethylene for each of the last five years; what is the latest estimate for consumption of these compounds for the current year; to what purpose each of these compounds is put; what substitutes for these compounds have been tested by his Department; and what other similar chemicals are used by his Department.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  There is no central record of past consumption of(a) 1.1.1 trichloroethane, (b) 1.1.2 trichlorotrifloroethane or of past or current consumption of (c) trichloroethylene and this information cannot be provided without disproportionate time and effort. 1.1.1 trichloroethane, and 1.1.2 trichlorotrifloroethane are controlled substances under the Montreal protocol, and the usage of these substances is now being monitored. The current year's usage is estimated to be 120 and 570 tonnes respectively. Trichloroethylene is not included in the Montreal protocol. Each of the substances is a chlorinated solvent and is used for cleaning electronic components and assemblies, cleaning and drying precision parts and metal cleaning. The Department is currently investigating the use of aqueous and other solutions for these purposes. The only other similar chemical substance used by the Department is carbon tetrachloride which was added to the Montreal protocol as a controlled substance in June 1990.

  Naval Satellite Communications
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the nature and purpose of the naval satellite communications project; what is the annual cost of this project; and from which subheads of which votes funds for this project are taken.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The purpose of naval satellite communications is to provide the Royal Navy with a secure, reliable, long-distance communications facility. The current annual cost to the Royal Navy of procuring and maintaining satellite communication equipment is approximately £10 million. Equipment is procured and supported against votes 2E and 2F.

  Service Personnel (Illegal Acts)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether it can be any part of the duty of a member of Her Majesty's armed forces to participate in an act that is contrary to British criminal or civil law.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  A member of Her Majesty's armed forces who disobeys a lawful command may be
  541
  charged with an offence under the Services Discipline Acts. To be lawful, a command must not be contrary to British or international law and must be related to military duty.

  Nevada Test Site
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many representations his Department received on 14 November regarding the presence of British protesters at the Nevada test site;

  (2) how long before the scheduled testing of a British nuclear weapon on 14 November his Department first received reports that there were British protesters at the test site.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The Ministry of Defence received a number of telephone calls on 14 November about the presence of British protesters at the Nevada test site. The United States authorities reported the presence of four protesters (three of whom were later confirmed to be British) at the site at about 17.45 GMT. The test was carried out at 19.17 GMT.

  Multi-function Information Distribution System
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the multi-function information distribution system programme; what is the proposed financial cost to Her Majesty's Government for each year of proposed involvement in the programme; from which subheads of which votes funds for this project are to be taken; what is the proposed date for start of full-scale development of MIDS; and how many countries are involved in its development.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The United Kingdom is not participating in the multi-function information distribution system (MIDS) low-volume terminal (LVT) full-scale development programme. Five countries are involved in the MIDS LVT development; Germany, Italy, Spain, France and the United States. Full-scale development is due to start in January 1992.

  AWACS
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the first United Kingdom AWACS aircraft is expected to become operational.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The first United Kingdom AWACS aircraft will enter service in 1991.

  Submarines
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the increased unit costs of the PWR2 following the reduced procurement of submarines under "Options for Change".

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  It is not our practice to comment on matters relating to the design of nuclear-powered submarines.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the project definition study contracts for an SSN integrated communications system.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  Project definition studies for a follow-on class of SSN and its associated systems have 542
  been deferred pending a decision on the way ahead for the project following my right hon. Friend's 25 July statement on "Options for Change".

  Ships (Acoustic Signatures)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what research his Department has carried out in the last 10 years into reducing the acoustic signatures of surface ships operated by his Department.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  We have a continuing research effort in this area, but it is not our policy to provide details of specific research programmes.

  Service Personnel (Deaths)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will allow relatives of service personnel who die in accidents to have access to the findings of the board of inquiry into the death.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  It is already the practice to provide the next of kin of service personnel who die in accidents which are the subject of a board of inquiry with an account of the board's findings.

  RAF Aircraft
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give a breakdown, for each type of Royal Air Force aircraft, of the number of(a) hours and (b) sorties flown in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The number of hours and sorties flown by in-service RAF aircraft, including display aircraft, in each year since 1979 is shown in the table. The figures for flying hours exclude operational flying during Operation Corporate.

  1980

  Aircraft type

  Hours

  Flights

  Andover

  6,066

  3,849

  Buccaneer

  6,224

  4,381

  Bulldog

  37,425

  45,047

  Canberra

  21,251

  10,860

  Chinook

  11

  8

  Chipmunk

  22,900

  47,375

  Devon

  3,761

  3,241

  Dominie

  10,455

  4,569

  Gazelle

  9,965

  11,121

  Harrier

  15,411

  19,063

  Hawk

  32,349

  34,339

  Hercules

  35,624

  13,747

  HS125

  2,048

  1,698

  Hunter

  15,084

  17,078

  Hurricane

  92

  136

  Husky

  252

  548

  Jaguar

  36,497

  31,401

  Jet Provost

  68,547

  72,703

  Jetstream

  4,115

  2,942

  Lancaster

  56

  69

  Lightning

  7,978

  9,413

  Meteor

  176

  252

  Nimrod

  17,248

  3,165

  Pembroke

  1,749

  1,174

  Phantom

  31,407

  22,381

  Puma

  11,663

  12,139

  Sea King

  6,473

  4,635

  Sea Prince

  2

  1

  Shackleton

  5,646

  1,032

  Spitfire

  128

  158

  Tornado

  135

  94

  Vampire

  61

  125

  543

  Aircraft type

  Hours

  Flights

  VC10

  14,953

  4,117

  Victor

  5,606

  1,628

  Vulcan

  19,431

  5,612

  Wessex

  25,523

  26,907

  Whirlwind

  7,578

  7,981

  1981

  Aircraft type

  Hours

  Flights

  Andover

  5,840

  3,426

  Buccaneer

  12,971

  8,841

  Bulldog

  38,327

  47,406

  Canberra

  18,583

  9,781

  Chinook

  2,580

  1,770

  Chipmunk

  20,709

  41,017

  Devon

  3,357

  2,804

  Dominie

  9,699

  4,580

  Gazelle

  10,944

  12,148

  Harrier

  15,426

  19,380

  Hawk

  38,500

  42,448

  Hercules

  32,279

  13,630

  HS125

  1,902

  1,690

  Hunter

  8,819

  10,060

  Hurricane

  132

  161

  Husky

  215

  464

  Jaguar

  32,257

  27,907

  Jet Provost

  65,440

  69,629

  Jetstream

  4,769

  3,500

  Lancaster

  64

  71

  Lightning

  8,042

  9,445

  Meteor

  180

  237

  Nimrod

  15,753

  3,073

  Pembroke

  1,496

  1,102

  Phantom

  30,521

  23,284

  Puma

  13,544

  13,204

  Sea King

  6,569

  4,772

  Shackleton

  3,607

  668

  Spitfire

  117

  137

  Tornado

  2,623

  2,095

  Vampire

  65

  127

  VC10

  10,792

  3,103

  Victor

  5,394

  1,688

  Vulcan

  14,802

  4,882

  Wessex

  24,018

  21,676

  Whirlwind

  4,109

  4,154

  1982

  Aircraft type

  Hours

  Flights

  Andover

  6,396

  3,887

  Buccaneer

  14,550

  10,298

  Bulldog

  36,436

  43,357

  Canberra

  12,426

  6,869

  Chinook

  5,875

  5,571

  Chipmunk

  23,734

  49,807

  Devon

  4,159

  3,319

  Dominie

  10,842

  5,117

  Gazelle

  11,054

  11,754

  Harrier

  14,945

  18,910

  Hawk

  41,603

  46,919

  Hercules

  32,849

  15,303

  HS125

  1,860

  1,773

  Hunter

  7,295

  8,348

  Hurricane

  79

  105

  Husky

  259

  537

  Jaguar

  35,675

  30,978

  Jet Provost

  62,241

  66,757

  Jetstream

  4,231

  3,357

  Lancaster

  70

  84

  Lightning

  8,277

  10,406

  Meteor

  133

  195

  Nimrod

  16,620

  3,748

  Pembroke

  1,428

  1,044

  Phantom

  31,266

  24,122

  Puma

  14,736

  15,894

  Sea King

  7,025

  4,862

  Shackleton

  2,438

  503

  544

  Aircraft type

  Hours

  Flights

  Spitfire

  103

  131

  Tornado

  8,377

  6,716

  Vampire

  77

  134

  VC10

  12,747

  4,477

  Victor

  5,172

  2,672

  Vulcan

  5,186

  2,218

  Wessex

  26,488

  23,149

  Whirlwind

  153

  176

  1983

  Aircraft type

  Hours

  Flights

  Andover

  6,633

  4,059

  BAE146

  474

  354

  Buccaneer

  13,494

  9,233

  Bulldog

  35,193

  43,336

  Canberra

  12,714

  6,795

  Chinook

  9,886

  4,619

  Chipmunk

  23,914

  50,921

  Devon

  4,212

  3,915

  Dominie

  9,752

  4,682

  Gazelle

  11,380

  11,929

  Harrier

  16,963

  20,293

  Hawk

  40,462

  46,378

  Hercules

  50,964

  16,026

  HS125

  2,900

  2,323

  Hunter

  3,994

  4,419

  Hurricane

  97

  111

  Husky

  320

  708

  Jaguar

  39,309

  33,394

  Jet Provost

  52,750

  57,761

  Jetstream

  4,430

  3,073

  Lancaster

  75

  82

  Lightning

  8,048

  9,460

  Meteor

  99

  172

  Nimrod

  19,398

  3,558

  Pembroke

  1,941

  1,382

  Phantom

  33,589

  24,090

  Puma

  14,638

  16,216

  Sea King

  6,890

  4,226

  Shackleton

  2,279

  477

  Spitfire

  136

  142

  Tornado

  16,481

  11,818

  Vampire

  90

  60

  VC10

  15,396

  4,035

  Victor

  5,971

  1,758

  Vulcan

  2,437

  864

  Wessex

  28,809

  26,813

  1984

  Aircraft type

  Hours

  Flights

  Andover

  6,835

  4,946

  BAE146

  696

  578

  Buccaneer

  10,193

  6,910

  Bulldog

  36,355

  44,532

  Canberra

  13,547

  7,098

  Chinook

  9,746

  4,945

  Chipmunk

  25,560

  54,013

  Devon

  1,469

  1,343

  Dominie

  9,192

  4,429

  Gazelle

  12,472

  12,678

  Harrier

  17,165

  19,944

  Hawk

  39,174

  44,439

  Hercules

  46,531

  16,064

  HS125

  5,308

  4,972

  Hunter

  1,915

  2,197

  Hurricane

  96

  105

  Husky

  377

  875

  Jaguar

  31,653

  27,424

  Jet Provost

  55,828

  60,984

  Jetstream

  4,688

  3,241

  Lancaster

  74

  87

  Lightning

  8,088

  10,033

  Meteor

  103

  179

  Nimrod

  19,248

  3,591

  Pembroke

  2,002

  1,414

  545

  Aircraft type

  Hours

  Flights

  Phantom

  34,193

  24,500

  Puma

  15,235

  15,163

  Sea King

  8,075

  4,739

  Shackleton

  2,360

  473

  Spitfire

  124

  111

  Tornado

  27,104

  18,739

  Tristar

  1,950

  497

  Vampire

  90

  154

  VC10

  16,317

  4,475

  Victor

  6,182

  1,824

  Vulcan

  641

  257

  Wessex

  29,313

  26,953

  1985

  Aircraft type

  Hours

  Flights

  Andover

  6,749

  4,902

  BAE146

  132

  114

  Buccaneer

  8,289

  5,751

  Bulldog

  34,112

  41,711

  Canberra

  11,530

  6,421

  Chinook

  10,599

  6,258

  Chipmunk

  26,821

  57,430

  Devon

  71

  60

  Dominie

  9,139

  4,199

  Gazelle

  12,275

  12,410

  Harrier

  16,480

  20,321

  Hawk

  40,793

  45,366

  Hercules

  45,536

  17,412

  HS125

  4,740

  4,818

  Hunter

  1,239

  1,384

  Hurricane

  108

  128

  Husky

  327

  774

  Jaguar

  21,364

  18,598

  Jet Provost

  52,824

  57,828

  Jetstream

  5,073

  3,467

  Lancaster

  79

  83

  Lightning

  7,585

  8,951

  Meteor

  98

  164

  Nimrod

  17,839

  3,362

  Pembroke

  1,852

  1,279

  Phantom

  32,809

  25,273

  Puma

  15,022

  16,121

  Sea King

  8,569

  5,121

  Shackleton

  2,159

  432

  Spitfire

  135

  138

  Tornado

  36,095

  25,331

  Tristar

  1,874

  426

  Vampire

  83

  148

  VC10

  14,657

  4,346

  Victor

  5,310

  1,744

  Vulcan

  86

  54

  Wessex

  29,002

  28,048

  1986

  Aircraft type

  Hours

  Flights

  Andover

  6,016

  3,780

  BAE146

  749

  501

  Buccaneer

  8,746

  5,963

  Bulldog

  38,981

  46,555

  Canberra

  11,867

  6,606

  Chinook

  12,479

  7,146

  Chipmunk

  26,810

  56,409

  Devon

  68

  76

  Dominie

  10,463

  4,841

  Gazelle

  12,195

  12,344

  Harrier

  18,909

  22,209

  Hawk

  42,776

  47,255

  Hercules

  45,933

  16,203

  HS125

  4,765

  4,779

  Hunter

  1,671

  1,900

  Hurricane

  93

  85

  Husky

  160

  380

  Jaguar

  20,045

  17,015

  Jet Provost

  57,273

  62,439

  546

  Aircraft type

  Hours

  Flights

  Jetstream

  4,978

  3,363

  Lancaster

  73

  64

  Lightning

  7,456

  8,993

  Meteor

  23

  40

  Nimrod

  20,341

  3,833

  Pembroke

  2,047

  1,381

  Phantom

  36,181

  25,580

  Puma

  15,613

  16,721

  Sea King

  9,434

  5,811

  Shackleton

  2,046

  486

  Spitfire

  138

  142

  Tornado

  47,548

  33,939

  Tristar

  5,291

  911

  Vampire

  25

  41

  VC10

  16,783

  5,066

  Victor

  4,195

  1,382

  Vulcan

  48

  32

  Wessex

  28,771

  28,298

  1987

  Aircraft type

  Hours

  Flights

  Andover

  6,234

  3,651

  BAE146

  1,150

  949

  Buccaneer

  8,717

  5,969

  Bulldog

  37,269

  46,131

  Canberra

  11,768

  6,650

  Chinook

  10,928

  6,308

  Chipmunk

  27,008

  56,758

  Devon

  84

  72

  Dominie

  11,223

  5,142

  Gazelle

  11,785

  12,066

  Harrier

  18,113

  21,757

  Hawk

  40,843

  44,390

  Hercules

  40,571

  15,604

  HS125

  4,737

  4,951

  Hunter

  1,390

  1,627

  Hurricane

  58

  68

  Husky

  293

  675

  Jaguar

  18,638

  15,452

  Jet Provost

  54,194

  58,731

  Jetstream

  5,031

  3,529

  Lancaster

  47

  48

  Lightning

  5,768

  6,775

  Meteor

  40

  60

  Nimrod

  19,339

  3,589

  Pembroke

  727

  495

  Phantom

  30,122

  21,406

  Puma

  14,718

  15,551

  Sea King

  8,118

  5,372

  Shackleton

  2,122

  503

  Spitfire

  134

  126

  Tornado

  49,481

  35,235

  Tristar

  5,702

  1,172

  VC10

  15,214

  4,845

  Victor

  3,002

  1,267

  Vulcan

  52

  43

  Wessex

  28,366

  28,170

  1988

  Aircraft type

  Hours

  Flights

  Andover

  6,736

  3,939

  BAE146

  1,055

  975

  Buccaneer

  9,096

  5,849

  Bulldog

  37,375

  45,394

  Canberra

  12,716

  7,111

  Chinook

  11,175

  6,172

  Chipmunk

  29,521

  60,186

  Devon

  135

  104

  Dominie

  10,945

  5,097

  Gazelle

  12,261

  12,096

  Harrier

  18,068

  21,299

  Hawk

  41,207

  45,136

  Hercules

  46,522

  17,042

  HS125

  5,876

  5,529

  Hunter

  1,221

  1,306

  547

  Aircraft type

  Hours

  Flights

  Hurricane

  93

  112

  Jaguar

  18,987

  15,723

  Jet Provost

  49,039

  53,422

  Jetstream

  4,905

  3,486

  Lancaster

  64

  68

  Lightning

  1,362

  1,393

  Meteor

  24

  33

  Nimrod

  18,162

  3,500

  Pembroke

  496

  315

  Phantom

  29,149

  20,518

  Puma

  15,577

  15,907

  Sea King

  8,699

  5,820

  Shackleton

  2,315

  607

  Spitfire

  124

  138

  Tornado

  62,498

  43,411

  Tristar

  6,481

  1,269

  Tucano

  156

  144

  VC10

  16,517

  5,097

  Victor

  3,498

  1,175

  Vulcan

  71

  51

  Wessex

  30,166

  29,318

  1989

  Aircraft type

  Hours

  Flights

  Andover

  6,304

  3,751

  BAE146

  1,117

  1,019

  Buccaneer

  8,509

  5,549

  Bulldog

  37,698

  45,173

  Canberra

  12,342

  6,930

  Chinook

  10,114

  5,766

  Chipmunk

  27,149

  57,377

  Devon

  63

  50

  Dominie

  9,842

  4,719

  Gazelle

  11,110

  11,131

  Harrier

  17,783

  20,171

  Hawk

  38,386

  43,122

  Hercules

  44,127

  17,534

  HSI25

  5,526

  5,192

  Hunter

  997

  1,129

  Hurricane

  82

  85

  Jaguar

  15,142

  12,158

  Jet Provost

  46,345

  49,889

  Jetstream

  4,734

  3,212

  Lancaster

  65

  66

  Nimrod

  18,170

  3,521

  Pembroke

  593

  371

  Phantom

  25,011

  17,639

  Puma

  14,193

  14,433

  Sea King

  9,015

  6,185

  Shackleton

  2,078

  652

  Spitfire

  116

  99

  Tornado

  68,592

  47,644

  Tristar

  7,554

  1,511

  Tucano

  1,107

  1,254

  VC10

  13,678

  4,036

  Victor

  3,213

  1,072

  Vulcan

  71

  69

  Wessex

  29,672

  29,194

  Oil Pollution
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessments have been made of the pollution of ground water by aviation fuel in and around airfields operated by his Department and bases operated by United States forces.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  Boreholes and drainage outfalls from military airfields, including those made available to the United States air force, are monitored by the Property Services Agency, and the National Rivers Authority as 548
  appropriate, to ensure compliance with European Community water quality criteria, the Control of Pollution Act 1974, and the Water Act 1989.

  US Forces
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is the total number of United States military personnel based in the United Kingdom;

  (2) how many United States military personnel are at each base or facility operated by United States forces in the United Kingdom;

  (3) what is the total number of United States military personnel based in each local authority area of the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  There are approximately 26,000 United States military personnel based in the United Kingdom. The large majority are stationed at the following bases or facilities operated by United States forces. The local authority for each establishment is also shown.

  Base/facility

  Local authority

  Number of personnel

  RAF Alconbury

  Huntingdon

  2,879

  RAF Upwood

  Huntingdon

  182

  RAF Molesworth

  Huntingdon

  18

  RAF Barkway

  North Hertfordshire

  8

  RAF Upper Heyford

  Cherwell

  4,146

  RAF Barford St. John

  Cherwell

  19

  RAF Bicester

  Cherwell

  34

  RAF Fairford

  Cotswold

  174

  RAF Kemble

  Cotswold and North Wiltshire

  19

  RAF Little Rissington

  Cotswold

  37

  London

  London borough of Westminster

  757

  Ruislip

  London borough of Hillingdon

  11

  RAF Greenham Common

  Newbury

  860

  RAF Welford

  Newbury

  133

  RAF Lakenheath

  Forest Heath

  4,208

  RAF Feltwell

  Kings Lynn and West Norfolk

  28

  RAF Sculthorpe

  North Norfolk

  13

  Nocton Hall

  North Kesteven

  12

  RAF Bentwaters/RAF Woodbridge

  Suffolk Coastal

  3,722

  Martlesham Heath

  Ipswich

  27

  RAF Mildenhall

  Forest Heath

  3,035

  Spadeadam

  Carlisle

  4

  Mormond Hill

  Grampion Region

  10

  RAF St. Mawgan

  Restormel

  231

  RAF Chicksands

  Mid Bedfordshire

  1,172

  RAF Edzell

  Grampion Region

  249

  RAF Burtonwood

  Warrington

  27

  RAF Hythe

  New Forest

  3

  RAF Caerwent

  Monmouth

  4

  High Wycombe Air station

  Wycombe

  138

  RAF Uxbridge

  London borough of Hillingdon

  214

  Eastcote

  London borough of Hillingdon

  70

  Holyloch

  Strathclyde Region

  1,942

  Thurso

  Highland Region

  562

  RAF Machrihanish

  Dumfries and Galloway Region

  71

  Glen Douglas

  Strathclyde Region

  21

  The number of United States personnel at the RAF Brawdy facility is classified.
  549
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether it can be any part of the duty of a member of the United States armed forces based in the United Kingdom to participate in an act that is contrary to British criminal or civil law.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  A member of the United States armed forces based in this country is subject to the requirements of British law in the same way as a member of Her Majesty's armed forces.

  Training Committee
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defiance if he will list the membership of the Standing Committee on Force Training.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The Standing Committee on Force Training (SCOFT) is an internal MOD police committee charged with the continuing review of all aspects of MOD police training. It is chaired by the deputy chief constable MDP, with the following members:

  Assistant chief constable (Scotland)

  Assistant chief constable (inspectorate/firearms)

  Assistant chief constable (personnel and training)

  Commandant, MOD police training school

  Divisional commander, G division, MDP

  Detective chief superintendent CID

  Chief superintendent (personnel and training) MDPHQ

  Superintendent (operations) MDPHQ

  Superintendent (information technology/inf) MDPHQ

  Senior police officer, MOD police, Farnborough

  A representative of the Defence Police Federation

  The Gulf
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the nature of the training assistance provided by the German Government in relation to the Gulf crisis.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Assistance provided by the German Government has included the greater use of training facilities and equipment training.

  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will make it his policy to provide information to the House on the outcome of his discussions with other Governments regarding contributions to the cost of the deployment of British forces to the Gulf.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The extent to which this information can be made available depends on a number of factors, including the wishes of the Governments concerned and operational considerations.

  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he made use of the Baltic Exchange to charter merchant shipping for the transportation of military forces to the Gulf.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Yes.

  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence with which countries he is discussing the provision of assistance for the deployment of British forces to the Gulf region.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  We are continuing to discuss possible support for our deployments with our host nations in the Gulf, our allies in the Western European Union and a number of other countries.
  550
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which Governments have provided training assistance for British forces deployed in the Gulf region.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  British forces deploying to the Gulf region have carried out extensive training alongside forces from other countries contributing to the multinational effort. Practical assistance has been provided in particular by Germany, from where the majority of units in 1st (British) armoured division have been drawn, and Saudi Arabia, where they are now based.

  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has regarding the costs incurred by foreign Governments of chartering merchant shipping for the transportation of military forces to the Gulf region.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  We have been given some information on a confidential basis about the costs incurred by the United States.

  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the response of British shipowners to the need for merchant shipping to transport British forces to the Gulf.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Two British lines have to date offered merchant shipping for this purpose.

  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he took to satisfy himself that the merchant shipping chartered for transporting British forces to the Gulf was hired at a rate commensurate with the specific requirements of such a task.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Merchant shipping is chartered for the Ministry of Defence by professional ship brokers who are contracted to obtain the best possible value for taxpayers' money.

  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what co-ordination has taken place with other Governments in chartering merchant shipping for the transportation of military forces to the Gulf.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  None has been necessary.

  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many telephones are currently available for the use of British service men in the Gulf area; and if he has any plans to improve the availability of such communications to enable those service men to keep in contact with their families.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Service personnel in the Gulf have access to the local civilian telephone network. Proposals to establish a welfare telephone link between the Gulf and the United Kingdom and Germany, including the provision of dedicated phones for service use, are under urgent consideration.

  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will take steps to improve communications with British service men in the Gulf area by providing a broadcasting service for them.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Clackmannan (Mr. O'Neill) on 27 November 1990 at column 376.

  Leukaemia
  Mr. Churchill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence to what cause his Department attributes the condition of myeloid leukaemia developed by Mr. John Baird, a 27-year-old Royal Navy engineer.
  552
  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  As no claim has been received from Mr. Baird by my Department, it is not possible to attribute a cause to his illness.