Written Answers of 17 October 1990

PRIME MINISTER

  Natural History Museum
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Prime Minister whom she intends to appoint to replace Sir Gerald Ronson on the board of trustees at the natural history museum.

  The Prime Minister
  There are at present no vacancies on the board of the natural history museum to which I appoint but any new appointments will be announced in due course.

  Exchange Rate Mechanism
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Prime Minister what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government on seeking a revaluation of the sterling exchange rate mechanism band.

  The Prime Minister
  Together with our European partners we are fully committed to maintain the system of central rates and intervention limits agreed with them over the weekend of 6 and 7 October.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Prime Minister if she has anything to add to her statement of 12 July 1989,Official Report, column 518, about the conditions for United Kingdom adherence to the European monetary system.

  The Prime Minister
  I have nothing to add to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 15 October at columns 928–29.

  Single European Currency
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to the reply of the Lord President of the Council to the right hon. Member for Birmingham, Sparkbrook (Mr. Hattersley),Official Report, 26 June, columns 179–80, whether she will make a further statement on progress towards a single European currency.

  The Prime Minister
  The Government remain opposed to the imposition of a single European currency as prescribed in stage 3 of the Delors report. The Chancellor of the Exchequer set out the Government's alternative proposals for developments beyond stage 1 on 20 June. These include a new institution, the European monetary fund, and a common European currency, the hard ecu.

  Economy
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will make a statement on the changes in economic circumstances which have taken place since 16 September.

  The Prime Minister
  Since 16 September there has been further evidence that sustained tight monetary policy backed by firm budgetary control has now checked demand growth and is reducing inflationary pressures in 808
  the economy. The Chancellor was able to announce, with effect from 8 October, a one-point reduction in interest rates and, at the same time, United Kingdom entry to the exchange rate mechanism of the European monetary system.

  Departmental Costs
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Prime Minister how much was spent by her office on official hospitality in 1989–90.

  The Prime Minister
  The cost of official hospitality met by my office during 1989–90 was £27,427.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will provide the final figures for 1989–90 for(a) the cost of maintaining and running No. 10 Downing street and additional costs at Chequers, (b) the grant-in-aid to the Chequers Trust and (c) the costs on a consistent basis and expressed at constant 1984–85 prices.

  The Prime Minister
  The figures requested are as follows:

  (a) Cost of maintaining and running 10 Downing street and additional costs at Chequers (1) (2) (3) 1989–90—£7,669,276

  (b) Grant in aid to the Chequers Trust 1989–90—£238,000

  (c) Costs at (a) and (b) in 1984–85 price terms (4) 1989–90 (a) £5,856,878 (b) £181,756

  Notes:

  (1) The figures include costs at both 10 Downing street and Chequers; the information is not available by location.

  (2) Salaries and wages, notional pension liability, administration costs, the costs of office services and the grant in aid to the Chequers Trust are included. The Prime Minister's salary is excluded.

  (3) These totals are calculated on a consistent basis with the total for 1986–87 in sub-paragraph (a) of the reply to the hon. Member on 23 October 1987 at column 846. If office services costs are excluded (to produce a figure consistent with those at sub-paragraph (c) of that reply) the total is:

  1989–90 £7,155,708 £5,464,676 (5)

  (4) Constant costs have been calculated using the Treasury's GDP deflator for 1989–90 rebased to 1984–85.

  (5) At 1984–85 prices.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will provide the final figure for 1989–90 for the total cost to public funds of all her offices, duties, accommodation and expenses.

  The Prime Minister
  The total cost of all my offices in 1989–90 was £7,704,396 (1).

  Note:

  (1) Salaries and wages, notional pension liability, administration costs, and the grant in aid to the Chequers Trust are included. My salary as a Cabinet Minister is also included. My pay and allowances as a Member of this House are excluded.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Prime Minister what was the total cost of travel incurred by her office in 1989–90.

  The Prime Minister
  The total cost of my travel and that of my staff in 1989–90 was £948,656.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Know-how Fund
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much money(a) has been and (b) is to be allocated to each country under the know-how fund.
  809
  Mrs. Chalker
  A total of £50 million has been allocated to Poland, and £25 million to Hungary both for expenditure over a period of years. The know-how fund was extended to the German Democratic Republic and Czechoslovakia in March and April respectively. No specific country financial limits were announced. The know-how fund for the GDR ceased on 3 October.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the projects funded by the know-how fund in each of the countries of eastern and central Europe since its inception.

  Mrs. Chalker
  I refer to the replies I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Battersea (Mr. Bowis) on 14 March at column 236, to my hon. Friend the Member for Ellesmere Port and Neston (Dr. Woodcock) on 13 June at column 213 and to my hon. Friends the Members for Daventry (Mr. Boswell) and for Hazel Grove (Sir T. Arnold) on 2 July at column 417. The additional activities approved since then under the know-how fund are as follows:

  CZECHOSLOVAKIA

  Title: Anglo-Czechoslovak Law Seminar

  Description: Four Czechoslovak lawyers attended a seminar in London organised by the Anglo-Czechoslovak Law Association.

  Status: Completed.

  Cost: £2,000.

  Title: Data Envelopment Analysis Programme

  Description: The London School of Economics ran a short computer programming course based at the Ecole Polytechnique de Brno. A computer has been installed at the Polytechnique to enable them to undertake further courses.

  Status: Completed.

  Cost: £10,000.

  Title: Prince of Wales Scholarships

  Description: Two Czechoslovak students will be sponsored to attend courses at Atlantic College, Wales.

  Status: The two students took-up their courses in October 1990.

  Cost: £9,300.

  Title: Workshops on Tax Structure and Public Finance

  Description: The Institute of Fiscal Studies in cooperation with the Czechoslovak Institute of Economics and Sociology is to arrange, over a two year period, a programme of workshops to examine tax requirements and procedures resulting from the changes in Czechoslovakia. In addition there will be inward and outward visits by researchers and the provision of computer equipment.

  Status: Started September 1990.

  Cost: £25,000.

  Title: Training for personnel of Czechoslovak TV

  Description: VISNEWS have arranged a short training programme for key personnel from Czechoslovak TV News to enable them to see how news coverage is approached in Britain and to look at United Kingdom equipment and production techniques.

  Status: Completed.

  Cost: £5,000.

  Title: Media Training for Czechoslovak Radio

  Description: A group of journalists from Czechoslovak Radio undertook a two day training session with an individual consultant looking at ways of improving presentation and content.

  Status: Completed.

  Cost: £200.

  Title: Legal Education

  Description: The Jan Hus Foundation is to advise Czechoslovak Universities on the reform of their system of legal education.

  810

  Status: Underway.

  Cost: £5,000.

  Title: Assistance for Privatisation

  Description: A team of privatisation advisers from Ernst and Young, Schroders and Denton Hall will undertake a six month assignment to advise the Czechoslovak Privatisation Agency.

  Status: Started September 1990.

  Cost: £450,000.

  Title: Broadcasting Training

  Description: The BBC World Service is to provide a six week course for Czechoslovak broadcasters on the methods and techniques of broadcasting and journalism in a plural society.

  Status: To start February 1991.

  Cost: £250,000.

  Title: Banking Training

  Description: A visit to assess the training needs of the Czechoslovak banking sector.

  Status: Completed.

  Cost: £12,000.

  Title: Banking Training

  Description: A programme of six two week seminars for senior managers of various banks in Czechoslovakia.

  Status: To be implemented.

  Cost: £170,000.

  Title: Assistance to the Ceskoslovenska Obchodnoi Banka

  Description: Two consultants will work alongside bank staff as part of a team finalising the evaluation of an integrated software package.

  Status: Started October 1990.

  Cost: £14,500.

  Title: Assistance to the Komercni Banka

  Description: The placement of ten Czechoslovak bankers, selected by the Komercni Banka, with British clearing banks, mainly in their documentary credits departments in order to obtain practical, working experience of international commercial banking business.

  Status: Started October 1990.

  Cost: £35,000.

  Title: Assistance to the Investicni Banka

  Description: Barclays Bank to provide a three day training course to two employees of the Investicni Banka in the issue of Certificates of Deposit.

  Status: Completed.

  Cost: £900.

  Title: Development of employment Services in Slovakia.

  Description: A short visit by two Employment Service officials to Slovakia to ascertain needs in the employment sector.

  Status: To be implemented.

  Cost: £3,000

  Title: Book Sector Study.

  Description: A study to consider all factors relevant to educational book development which will form the basis for a more detailed book development programme to be linked to an IBRD contribution to this sector.

  Status: To be implemented.

  Cost: £44,500.

  Title: Training for Employment Services Managers.

  Description: The Employment Service are to provide a number of courses for the Czechoslovak equivalent of Jobcentre managers.

  Status: To be implemented.

  Cost: £53,000.

  Title: Training and Retraining of Adults.

  Description: Up to ten Czechoslovak officials will visit the United Kingdom for two weeks to look at adult training facilities and policy.

  811

  Status: To be implemented.

  Cost: £39,300.

  Title: Development of Employment Services.

  Description: A visit by United Kingdom Employment Service officials to Czechoslovakia to look at existing arrangements for dealing with unemployment and a return visit by officials from the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs to discuss with institutions in the United Kingdom the handling of unemployment issues.

  Status: Completed.

  Cost: £19,600.

  Title: Insurance Sector

  Description: To help establish a new insurance company.

  Status: Underway.

  Cost: £140,700.

  Title: Management Training in the Telecommunications Sector

  Description: The training, by British Telecom, of 10 senior executives in the Czechoslovak Federal Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications.

  Status: Underway.

  Cost: £58,800.

  Title: Accountancy Training

  Description: The placement of eight Czechoslovak accountants selected by the Ministry of Finance with British accountancy firms.

  Status: Underway.

  Cost: £13,000.

  Title: English Language Teaching In-Service Seminar

  Description: A two-week seminar in Bratislava to prepare teachers for the introduction of new English teaching materials and methodology.

  Status: Completed.

  Cost: £10,500.

  Title: Russian Teachers' Conversion Course

  Description: The British Council are to organise a three-month intensive teacher training/conversion course for Czech and Slovak teachers of Russian to prepare them for English teaching duties in state primary and secondary schools.

  Status: Underway.

  Cost: £195,000.

  Title: Advice to the Federal Minister of Economy and the Chairman of the State Bank

  Description: The payment of airfares for up to 15 visits per year to Prague by Mr. Stanley Rudcenko, Vice President and Chief Economist at the Bankers Trust and one of an informal group of advisers to the Chairman of the State Bank and Federal Ministry of Economy.

  Status: Underway.

  Cost: £6,000.

  Title: Secondment to the Federal Ministry of Economy

  Description: The secondment of Dr. Drabek of the World Bank to act as a principal economic adviser to both the Ministry of Economy and the Czech Ministry of Strategic Planning.

  Status: To be implemented.

  Cost: £50,000.

  Title: Secondment to the Prime Minister's Office

  Description: The Department of Employment have seconded an official to the Czechoslovak Prime Minister's office to advise on the employment and other implications of the economic reform programme.

  Status Underway.

  Cost: £50,000.

  Title: Management Training in the Construction Sector

  Description: A pilot management training course for the construction sector.

  Status: Completed.

  Cost: £57,950.

  812
  HUNGARY

  Title: Share Ownership

  Description: Job Ownership advised the Resz-Vetel Foundation on the legislation for employee share ownership schemes.

  Status: Completed.

  Cost: £3,200.

  Title: European Accounting Association Conference

  Description: Ten Hungarian accountants attended the conference held in Budapest.

  Status: Completed.

  Cost: £2,000.

  Title: Employment and Trade Union Issues

  Description: Members of ACAS visited to advise on employment and Trade Union issues.

  Status: Completed.

  Cost: £2,500

  Title: International Institute of Administrative Sciences Seminar

  Description: The Royal Institute of Public Administration provided a speaker to a seminar organised by the Hungarian Institute of Administrative Sciences.

  Status: Completed.

  Cost: £900

  Title: Support for UNIDO initiatives

  Description: A contribution to the various industrial based projects in Hungary funded by UNIDO.

  Status: Underway.

  Cost: £500,000

  Title: Biotechnology

  Description: Consultants have been looking at potential productivity improvements in the fine chemicals sector.

  Status: Underway.

  Cost: £86,000

  Title: Broadcasting Training

  Description: The BBC will arrange for a number of broadcasters from Hungary to be trained in the United Kingdom.

  Status: Underway.

  Cost: £220,000

  Title: Prince of Wales Scholarships

  Description: Two Hungarian students will be sponsored to attend courses at Atlantic College, Wales.

  Status: Underway.

  Cost: £9,300.

  Title: Franchise Booklets

  Description: The translation and printing of two booklets on franchise procedures for distribution to interested parties through the Hungarian Franchise and Distribution Centre.

  Status: Underway.

  Cost: £4,000.

  Title: Training for Small Businesses

  Description: The development of training materials and the delivery of courses for small business advisers

  Status: Underway.

  Cost: £99,000.

  Title: Book Sector Study

  Description: A study to consider all factors relevant to educational book development. This will form the basis of a medium term book development policy and strategy to guide donor priorities in the book sector.

  Status: To be implemented.

  Cost: £44,500.

  Title: Developing Teacher Competency in Enterprise Education

  Description: A five day workshop to introduce teachers to the British enterprise curriculum, the materials developed for pupils and teachers and the associated required teaching styles.

  Status: To be implemented.

  Cost: £5,800.

  813
  Title: Developing Small Business Counsellor and Trainer Competencies

  Description: A stage by stage approach to developing the competencies of counsellors and trainers of small and medium sized enterprises in Hungary.

  Status: To be implemented.

  Cost: £5,800.

  Title: Assistance for Employee Share Ownership Schemes

  Description: As a follow up to their visit in March, Job Ownership Ltd are to examine in more detail the feasibility of introducing employee share ownership into up to five Hungarian Businesses which are currently state owned.

  Status: Underway.

  Cost: £80,000.

  Title: Management Training in the Telecommunications Sector

  Description: The training of 12 senior executives in the Hungarian Telecommunications Company in management skills essential for operating in a free market environment.

  Status: To be implemented.

  Cost: £72,000.

  Title: Seminar on the Agri-Food Sector

  Description: The seminar is designed to stimulate business links between British and Hungarian partners in the agri-food processing sector.

  Status: To be implemented.

  Cost: £7,600.

  Title: Kecskemet Business Support Centre

  Description: A feasibility study to look at the potential to establish a support centre in Kecskemet to stimulate the development of the small business sector.

  Status: Underway.

  Cost: £10,500.

  Title: Seminar on Commercial Law

  Description: A three-day seminar on commercial law held in Budapest by the British-Hungarian Legal Association in conjunction with the Association of Hungarian lawyers.

  Status: Completed.

  Cost: £32,000.

  Title: Advice to the Hungarian Parliament

  Description: A visit by the Clerk of the Overseas Office of the House of Commons to give the officials of the Hungarian Parliament an overview of British methods of parliamentary organisation.

  Status: Completed.

  Cost: £3,000.

  GERMAN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC

  Title: Scholarships

  Description: A programme of 28 scholarships.

  Status: Underway.

  Cost: £261,000.

  Title: Summer School

  Description: 50 places for GDR English specialists at a British Council managed summer school.

  Status: Completed.

  Cost: £69,000.

  Title: ELT

  Description: Programme of four institutional links.

  Status: Underway.

  Cost: £75,000.

  Title: Media training

  Description: Attachment of two producers from East German radio to the world service.

  Status: Completed.

  Cost: £35,000.

  POLAND

  Title: Management Training sector mission

  Description: Project identification.

  Status: Completed May 1990.

  Cost: £39,000.

  Title: UNIDO projects

  814

  Description: Trust Fund agreement to use UNIDO as management agent for industrial sector.

  Status: Commenced April 1990.

  Title: Book Presentation Programme

  Description: Provision of essential books to libraries/educational institutes—administered by the British Council.

  Status: To be implemented.

  Cost: £100,000 a year.

  Title: Solidarity Economic Foundation

  Description: Equipment for Gdansk centre.

  Status: Completed March 1990.

  Cost: £20,000.

  Title: English Management Advisory Service

  Description: Pilot programme to increase us33seage and quality of English by Polish Businessmen, involving establishment of a resource centre in Warsaw and a team of peripatetic trainers/advisers to work with regionally based Polish institutes and trainers.

  Status: Started September 1990.

  Cost: £530,000.

  Title: Management Training

  Description: Contribution towards one year training programme in all aspects of International freight forwarding for two Polish trainees.

  Status: Started July 1990.

  Cost: £20,000.

  Title: Polish Access to English

  Description: Assistance to Ministry of Education to achieve a sustainable English Language teacher training programme through provision of:—planning support for development of strategy; EL teacher training; curriculum development; materials/equipment for new colleges.

  Status: Started August 1990.

  Cost: £454,000.

  Title: Assets and Liabilities Restructuring

  Description: One year secondment of member of Barclays Bank to assist Minister of Finance in analysis and restructuring of State banks.

  Status: Started August 1990.

  Cost: £45,000.

  Title: Ministry of Industry—Industrial Restructuring Fund

  Description: Six month attachment of United Kingdom expert to upgrade the structure and management of the Industrial Restructuring Fund.

  Status: Started July 1990.

  Cost: £85,000.

  Title: Stock Exchange Training

  Description: Six month attachment for five Polish trainees with a firm of traders on the London Stock Exchange.

  Status: To be implemented.

  Cost: £105,000.

  Title: Ealing Language Courses

  Description: Two six week English Language training courses for Polish Vice-Ministers.

  Status: Started July 1990.

  Cost: £45,000.

  Title: Accountancy Training Project

  Description: Intensive five year programme of accountancy training in Poland.

  Status: To be implemented.

  Cost: £4,093,000.

  Title: Police Training

  Description: Project identification visit.

  Status: Completed June 1990.

  Cost: £4,000.

  815
  Title: Polish Publishing House

  Description: Four week secondment of United Kingdom expert to State Scientific Publishers (PWN) to advise on restructuring.

  Status: To be implemented.

  Cost: £15,000.

  Title: Coal Industry Training

  Description: Additional training in colliery management techniques—two follow-up courses in United Kingdom; six courses in Poland.

  Status: Underway.

  Cost: £186,000.

  Title: Insurance Consultancy

  Description: Restructuring of Polish State Insurance Company.

  Status: To be implemented.

  Cost: £300,000.

  Title: Assistance to Krakow Veterinary Hygiene Institute

  Description: Visit to United Kingdom institutions by 12 Veterinary Officers.

  Status: Due to start October 1990.

  Cost: £40,000.

  Title: Overlay cellular telephone network

  Description: Provision of consultancy advice on tender evaluation procedures.

  Status: Started September 1990.

  Cost: £42,000.

  Title: Training of Polish Diplomats

  Description: Training for 6 weeks of 10 students at the Diplomacy Acadamy of London (Polytechnic of Central London).

  Status: Started October 1990.

  Cost: £50,000.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Community Charge
  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the poll tax benefit case load, as at 31 May, for(a) Coventry, (b) Warwickshire and (c) each standard region.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as all the information becomes available.

  Invalid Care Allowance
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to raise the level of invalid care allowance to the level of other income maintenance benefits.

  Mr. Scott
  The Government are committed to increasing invalid care allowance in line with movements in the retail prices index.

  Refugee Monitoring
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) when the refugee monitoring and review programme was started at Woodgrange Park house, Forest Gate, London; and how many refugee cases were then in the office;

  (2) what method of identifying refugee status was used when fraud section staff inspected files at Woodgrange Park house, Forest Gate, London;
  816
  (3) how many fraudulent claims have been discovered through the refugee monitoring and review programme at Woodgrange Park house, Forest Gate, London.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  No system of monitoring and controlling claims from refugees has been used at Woodgrange Park house. Consequently, there has been no such identification of fraudulent claims. Normally statistics are not held on the number of claims from refugees, but in order to assess the resources needed to deal with an influx of claims, a special count was made on 19 July 1990. Identification of these claims was made in the normal way from claim forms, and as a result a total of 1,200 claims from refugees was identified on that date.

  Pensioners
  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the number of men over retirement age; and what number are in receipt of means-tested benefits.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  In mid-1988 there were approximately 3·5 million men over age 65 in Great Britain. Of these an estimated 1·1 million were in receipt of an income-related benefit.

  Hostels
  Mr. Carrington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what arrangements he has made to transfer the money made available by the October 1989 changes in hostel dwellers' benefit entitlements to alternative funding sources.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  In line with the announcement made by my right hon. Friend the former Secretary of State on 16 March 1989 at columns 546–54, funds will be transferred from the Department of Social Security as follows:

  Department

  Allocation

  Department of the Environment (for the Department of Health)

  For local authority social services departments in England

  Home Office

  For probation, bail and after care hostels

  Scottish Office

  For local authority social work departments in Scotland

  Welsh Office

  For all relevant hostels in Wales

  In addition, a small proportion of the available total will be retained by the Department of Social Security for the Resettlement Agency.

  The other Departments concerned will be initiating discussions about consequent arrangements for hostel funding from April 1991 with local authorities and other interested parties. Details of temporary payments currently being made to hostels by the Department of Social Security are being provided to these Departments to inform their discussions.

  Mr. John Pattinson
  Mr. Franks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he expects the Medical Appeal Tribunal in Liverpool to arrange another hearing for Mr. John Pattinson, case no. L195/5/90, who first made a claim for industrial injury in 1983.

  Mr. Scott
  I have written to my hon. Friend.

  Benefit Payments (Reviews)
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish the returns from each local office requested in circular RD TECH 100/90, showing the number of payments made and the total amount paid to claimants as a result of reviews following the commisioners' decisions CIS/144/89 and CIS/180/89.

  Mr. Scott
  Returns received up to and including 11 October 1990 are shown in the table.

  Local Office

  Number of payments

  Amount

  Aberdeen South

  1

  363·99

  Aberystwyth

  0

  —

  Airdrie

  9

  15,857·42

  Arbroath

  0

  —

  Ashington

  37

  12,838·00

  Ashton-under-Lyne

  18

  31,342·81

  Balham

  12

  9,689·82

  Barnet

  1

  366·80

  Barnsley (East)

  76

  26,027·84

  Barnstaple

  0

  —

  Barrow-in-Furness

  29

  10,480·60

  Basildon

  82

  27,929·20

  Basingstoke

  0

  —

  Bathgate

  0

  —

  Birmingham (Erdington

  30

  12,801·83

  Birmingham (Northfield)

  38

  12,884·17

  Birmingham (Perry Bar)

  28

  10,743·45

  Birmingham (Sparkhill)

  19

  11,959·38

  Birmingham (Washwood Heath)

  44

  18,677·90

  Blackpool (South)

  12

  4,538·71

  Blackwood

  38

  12,223·40

  Blyth

  35

  11,361·45

  Bolton

  15

  6,266·70

  Boston

  3

  1,074·20

  Bournemouth

  2

  838·40

  Braintree

  19

  31,508·33

  Bridgend

  4

  1,332·36

  Bridgwater

  0

  —

  Bristol (Central)

  2

  681·20

  Bristol (East)

  0

  —

  Bristol (West)

  0

  —

  Burnley

  29

  4,343·70

  Buxton

  1

  213·34

  Campbeltown

  2

  618·20

  Cannock

  2

  516·80

  Chester

  10

  3,376·41

  Chester le Street

  4

  4,319·40

  Chesterfield

  84

  78,827·79

  Clydebank

  10

  16,652·83

  Colwyn Bay

  1

  340·60

  Coventry (East)

  41

  13,797·76

  Cowdenbeath

  0

  —

  Crawley

  0

  —

  Crewe

  2

  3,623·61

  Croydon

  0

  —

  Deeside

  24

  n/k

  Derby (Becket Street)

  31

  40,979·59

  Derby (Heritage Gate)

  20

  6,864·40

  Derby (London Road)

  38

  n/k

  Dewsbury

  39

  13,979·04

  Diss

  2

  3,913·25

  Dolgellau

  0

  —

  Doncaster (East)

  1

  393·00

  Doncaster (West)

  12

  4,611·20

  Dudley (North)

  23

  11,126·58

  Dumbarton

  2

  428·08

  Dumfries

  0

  —

  Dunfermline

  0

  —

  Durham

  22

  7,846·55

  Eastbourne

  2

  759·80

  Edinburgh (East)

  1

  183·40

  Edinburgh (South)

  0

  —

  Edinburgh (West)

  0

  —

  Elgin

  3

  1,837·00

  818

  Local Office

  Number of payments

  Amount

  Epsom

  0

  —

  Exeter

  1

  635·10

  Folkestone

  2

  733·60

  Fort William

  0

  —

  Galashiels

  37

  63,546·01

  Glasgow (Anniesland)

  24

  8,714·23

  Glasgow (City)

  2

  883·40

  Glasgow (Laurieston)

  0

  —

  Glasgow (Partick)

  7

  4,818·72

  Glasgow (Provan)

  44

  20,717·45

  Glasgow (Rutherglen)

  15

  8,883·35

  Goole

  0

  —

  Gravesend

  0

  —

  Great Yarmouth

  1

  336·14

  Guildford

  0

  —

  Harlow

  7

  1,384·20

  Harrow

  0

  —

  Havant

  1

  340·60

  Hereford

  0

  —

  Houghton le Spring

  1

  290·29

  Hove

  1

  314·40

  Huddersfield

  30

  10,537·53

  Hull (East)

  29

  34,000·00

  Hyde

  12

  3,658·40

  Ilkeston

  0

  —

  Johnstone

  5

  1,514·03

  Keighley

  2

  786·00

  Kidderminster

  4

  1,362·40

  Kings Lynn

  0

  —

  Kingston upon Thames

  0

  —

  Lancaster

  13

  3,623·10

  Launceston

  0

  —

  Leamington

  4

  1,336·26

  Leeds (East)

  0

  —

  Leeds (North West)

  1

  1,942·00

  Leeds (North)

  0

  —

  Leeds (South)

  0

  —

  Leicester (Lower Hill Street)

  19

  6,101·39

  Leicester (Norton Street)

  0

  —

  Leigh

  0

  —

  Lichfield

  5

  1,321·23

  Lincoln (Newland)

  0

  —

  Lincoln (Orchard Street)

  31

  11,609·41

  Liverpool (City)

  1

  150·00

  Liverpool (Edgehill)

  1

  238·44

  Liverpool (Huyton)

  0

  —

  Liverpool (West Derby)

  0

  —

  Llanelli

  37

  12,444·18

  London (Battersea)

  5

  1,425·83

  London (Hendon)

  1

  162·50

  London (Highgate)

  3

  2,557·30

  London (Peckham)

  0

  —

  London (Poplar)

  0

  —

  London (Shoreditch)

  0

  —

  London (Streatham)

  2

  2,774·75

  London (Wandsworth)

  6

  11,829·95

  London (Wimbledon)

  2

  2,338·16

  Loughborough

  2

  406·94

  Lowestoft

  9

  6,612·85

  Macclesfield

  1

  1,993·00

  Manchester (Cheetham)

  3

  2,101·32

  Manchester (Failsworth)

  6

  7,451·95

  Manchester (Longsight)

  17

  22,630·78

  Manchester (Rusholme)

  12

  20,925·25

  Mansfield

  145

  62,284·89

  Merthyr Tydfil

  32

  9,953·92

  Middlesborough

  88

  34,637·70

  Milton Keynes

  0

  —

  Mitcham

  0

  —

  Motherwell

  2

  786·00

  Neath

  5

  1,703·00

  Newbury

  0

  —

  Newcastle Upon Tyne (St. James)

  54

  20,539·80

  Newtown

  1

  340·60

  North Shields

  11

  16,717·49

  Northallerton

  8

  2,474·34

  Northwich

  0

  —

  819

  Local Office

  Number of payments

  Amount

  Norwich (Chantry)

  2

  732·31

  Nottingham (Shakespear Street)

  5

  1,788·28

  Nottingham (Station Street)

  13

  4,824·54

  Nuneaton

  38

  18,272·63

  Oban

  6

  1,819·59

  Oxford

  2

  733·60

  Pembroke Dock

  0

  —

  Penrith

  2

  890·80

  Perth

  8

  1,980·60

  Peterlee

  11

  3,930·00

  Pontypridd

  1

  314·40

  Port Glasgow

  18

  29,255·14

  Porth

  4

  1,446·22

  Preston (North)

  0

  —

  Preston (South)

  9

  n/k

  Reading

  8

  14,335·83

  Redcar

  19

  11,846·44

  Rhyl

  55

  15,268·40

  Romford

  1

  340·60

  Rotherham (North)

  0

  —

  Salford (North)

  0

  —

  Scarborough

  25

  8,063·94

  Scunthorpe

  8

  10,327·95

  Sheffield (North West)

  3

  1,021·80

  Skipton

  0

  —

  Smethwick

  19

  6,336·53

  South Shields

  22

  11,735·51

  Southampton

  1

  829·70

  Southend on Sea

  30

  10,349·00

  St. Austell

  0

  —

  Stanley

  10

  12,800·79

  Stockport (North)

  0

  —

  Stockton

  71

  25,625·06

  Stoke on Trent (South)

  0

  —

  Stroud

  0

  —

  Sunderland (North)

  26

  8,436·22

  Sunderland (South)

  31

  9,822·05

  Sutton In Ashfield

  46

  28,374·60

  Swansea

  0

  —

  Telford

  1

  393·00

  Truro

  1

  235·80

  Twickenham

  1

  1,968·20

  Wallsend

  13

  1,297·42

  Walsall (East)

  42

  13,021·40

  Walsall (West)

  48

  14,701·14

  Warrington

  9

  3,432·20

  Watford

  0

  —

  Wath On Dearne

  18

  6,209·40

  West Bromwich

  2

  1,466·14

  Weymouth

  3

  969·40

  Wick

  0

  —

  Wilmslow

  1

  3·75

  Wolverhampton North

  2

  753·65

  Worksop

  88

  32,948·70

  Wrexham

  60

  20,739·94

  Yeovil

  2

  686·05

  York

  1

  314·40

  Unidentified

  2

  786·00

  Unidentified

  1

  340·06

  Total

  2,501

  1,267,979·65

  Social Fund
  Ms. Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many applications for review were received during the period April 1989 to March 1990 inclusive in respect of(a) social fund community care grants, (b) social fund budgeting loans and (c) social fund crisis loans, by each of his Department's local offices at Eston, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Stockton, and how many of each of these applications for review resulted in revised decisions.
  820
  Mr. Scott

  [pursuant to his reply, 23 July 1990, columns 88–89]: Some of the information given in the table was found to have been misinterpreted. The corrected information is as follows:

  April 1989 to March 1990

  Applications received

  Decisions revised

  Eston

  Community care grants

  98

  23

  Budgeting loans

  251

  57

  Crisis loans

  9

  4

  Hartlepool

  Community care grants

  163

  38

  Budgeting loans

  270

  57

  Crisis loans

  9

  3

  Middlesbrough

  Community care grants

  569

  158

  Budgeting loans

  771

  295

  Crisis loans

  44

  13

  Stockton

  Community care grants

  520

  164

  Budgeting loans

  561

  173

  Crisis loans

  17

  6

  Redcar

  Community care grants

  127

  49

  Budgeting loans

  162

  48

  Crisis loans

  4

  2

  Some of the revised decisions will refer to review applications made in a previous period and decisions may not have been made on some of the review applications made in the period shown.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Bingo Clubs
  Mr. Moate
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received in support of relaxing present restrictions on advertising licensed bingo clubs; what consideration he is giving to this question; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Since the reply by my right hon. and learned Friend to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Rugby and Kenilworth (Mr. Pawsey) on 19 March at column 455, we have received a further 25 letters from hon. Members about the controls on the advertising of licensed bingo clubs.

  I understand that in April the Bingo Association of Great Britain resumed discussions with the Gaming Board for Great Britain on the scope, if any, for some partial relaxation of the controls on bingo club advertising, and that the board hopes soon to be in a position to report, for our consideration, its advice in light of these discussions.

  Public Interest Immunity Certificates
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list in the Official Report the number of occasions in the past 10 years when public interest immunity certificates have been issued concerning matters before coroners and other courts preventing members of police forces and others within the remit of his Department from attending such courts, and to prevent such courts from hearing details of operations; indicating which operations were involved and how many individuals were covered by such certificates.
  821
  Mr. Waddington
  There is no systematic record kept centrally of all cases in which public interest immunity is claimed in respect of police forces and others within the responsibility of the Home Office and it would not be possible to provide the information sought except at disproportionate cost.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Public Interest Immunity Certificates
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list in the Official Report the number of occasions in the past 10 years when public interest immunity certificates have been issued concerning matters before coroners and other courts preventing officials of his Department and others within the remit of his Department from attending such courts, and to prevent such courts from hearing details of operations, indicating which operations were involved and how many individuals were covered by such certificates.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  It would not be possible to provide the information sought except at disproportionate cost.

  Sri Lanka
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made to the Government of Sri Lanka about human rights violations in that country, including harassment and murder of lawyers.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We have made our concern about human rights known to the Sri Lankan Government on many occasions, both bilaterally in London and in Colombo, and together with our European partners.

  Conventional Forces
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his reply of 26 July,Official Report, column 538, when he expects the high-level task force to complete its examination of further limitations on the offensive capabilities of conventional armed forces beyond those currently under negotiation at the CFE talks; and if he will place a copy of their report in the Library upon completion.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The London summit declaration set out the alliance's position that once a CFE treaty has been signed follow-on talks on the basis of the same membership and mandate should begin with the aim of building on the current agreement including measures to limit manpower in Europe. There is now agreement on this in Vienna and the HLTF is currently preparing the alliance's negotiating position. The London declaration also undertook to seek new conventional negotiations within the CSCE framework in the 1990s on further far-reaching measures to limit the offensive capability of conventional armed forces in Europe so as to prevent any nation from maintaining disproportionate military power in Europe. The HLTF will be formulating a detailed position for these talks.

  A copy of the London summit declaration has been placed in the Library. The contents of HLTF papers are, however, classified.

EMPLOYMENT

  Association of Community Enterprises—Highlands and Islands
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what steps his Department has taken to try to expedite payment by the European social fund of an interim grant payment due to the Association of Community Enterprises—Highlands and Islands in June, following representations to his Department about the delay in receiving payment.

  Mr. Forth
  The association's claim for its interim payment from the European social fund was received in my Department on 22 June, and forwarded to the European Commission on 26 June.

  I understand from the Commission services that an interim payment of £42,089 was finally approved on 24 September, and that authority to pay should be received later this month.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Under-fives
  Ms. Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he intends to publish the report on under-fives prepared by the group chaired by the hon. Member for Mitcham and Morden (Mrs. Rumbold); and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  My right hon. Friend has just received, and is now considering, the report of the committee of inquiry chaired by my hon. Friend the Member for Mitcham and Morden. He will make a further statement in the near future.

  Iraqi Students
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his policy in relation to the provision of loans to Iraqi students at universities in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  Students, of whatever nationality, are entitled to loans from the Student Loans Company provided that they meet the eligibility requirements set out in the Education (Student Loans) Regulations 1990. These include the condition that a student should satisfy the ordinary residence requirements set out in the schedule to the regulations or in the Students' Allowances (Scotland) Regulations 1987, or be a refugee—or a spouse or child of a refugee—who has been ordinarily resident in the British Islands since being recognised as a refugee.

HEALTH

  Young People (Secure Accommodation)
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list, for each of the years 1975, 1980, 1985, 1987, 1988 and 1989 the names of those community homes and other facilities providing secure accommodation for young persons according to each local social services authority area.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Information in the form requested is not available for the full period. The table
  823
  gives details of approved secure units in England, and their managing local authority, as at 31 December 1989. Comparable details covering the period 1984–1988 are given in the annual publication "Children Accommodated in Secure Units During the Year Ending 31 March", copies of which are available in the Library.

  Secure units provided by local authorities: 31 December 1989

  Region

  Name of Unit

  Local Authority

  Northern

  New Aycliffe (Royston House)

  Durham

  Clavering House

  Newcastle

  Aycliffe Special Unit

  Durham

  Netherton Park

  Northumberland

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  Kepples View

  Rotherham

  East Moor

  Leeds

  East Moor

  Leeds

  North Western

  Red Sands

  Cheshire

  Derwent House

  Liverpool

  Red Bank (Vardy House)

  Lancashire

  Red Bank Special Unit

  Lancashire

  Blackbrook House (Labore House)

  St. Helens

  Briars Hey (Orchard House)

  Lancashire

  Dyson Hall

  Liverpool

  Barton Moss (Park House)

  Salford

  West Midland

  Danescourt

  Wolverhampton

  St. Johns

  Birmingham

  East Midlands

  Moorfield

  Derbyshire

  Kesteven

  Lincolnshire

  Amberdale

  Nottinghamshire

  Greenacres

  Derbyshire

  Thames/Anglia

  Salters

  Cambridgeshire

  Woodside Young People's Cnt

  Hertfordshire

  Thornbury House

  Oxfordshire

  Brookside

  Berkshire

  London

  Middlesex Lodge

  Hillingdon

  Little Heath Lodge

  Newham

  Orchard Lodge

  Southwark

  Frant Court

  Greenwich

  Stamford House

  Hammersmith

  Southern

  Landsdowne

  East Sussex

  Beechfield

  West Sussex

  Fairfield

  Hertfordshire

  Glen House

  Hertfordshire

  South Western

  Atkinson Unit

  Devon

  Kingswood

  Avon

  Ambulance Dispute
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the latest total cost figure for military assistance during the recent ambulance workers' dispute; and whether more bills are expected from the Ministry of Defence.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The final total cost of military assistance was £7·2 million. Bills for this amount have been received and paid.

  Channel Tunnel
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he was consulted by the European Investment Bank over its decision to provide further loan finance to the channel tunnel project; and if he will make a statement.
  824
  In addition, two centrally provided youth treatment centres are available. St. Charles YTC at Brentwood, Essex opened in 1971 and Glenthorne YTC in Birmingham opened in 1978.

  Mr. Freeman
  Under the EIB statute, the bank is obliged to consult the host Government before making a loan to any project. As is the case with all proposed loans to projects in the United Kingdom, the Government were consulted on a further loan for the channel tunnel project.

  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if it remains the policy of Her Majesty's Government not to engage in the provision of public funding for the channel tunnel project.

  Mr. Freeman
  Yes. Section 2 of the Channel Tunnel Act 1987 specifically prohibits the provision of Government funds or guarantees for the project.

  Glasgow-London Line
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has any plans to meet British Rail to discuss the shelving of the £750 million rail scheme for the Glasgow-London route; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  British Rail has not shelved its scheme for investment in the west coast main line from London to Glasgow, and currently plans for the first of the new trains to come into operation in the mid-1990s.

  Moray Adventurer
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has about an incident involving the fishing vessel Moray Adventurer at noon on 4 October; what investigations have been or will be carried out; whether the report will be made public; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Patrick McLoughlin
  [holding answer 15 October 1990]: A report was received by HM coastguards on 4 October that the fishing vessel Moray Adventurer had an object caught in her nets and was at one stage in danger of capsizing. The incident is being investigated by the marine accident investigation branch. No decision can be made about whether or not to publish a report on the incident until the investigation has been completed.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  EC Stocks
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the latest estimate of the stocks of skimmed milk powder and butter in the European Economic Community; and what was the position 12 months previously.

  Mr. Curry
  Physical stocks of skimmed milk powder and butter (including aided private storage) in the European Community at the end of September were as follows:

  (Tonnes)

  1989

  1990

  Butter

  252,689

  378,168

  Skimmed milk powder

  4,811

  333,406

  Suckler Cow Premium
  Mr. Mudd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will extend the suckler cow premium by putting young bulls into intervention.

  Mr. Curry
  My right hon. Friend the Minister has already announced that the suckler cow premium will be paid at the maximum rate allowed under Community legislation in the less-favoured areas, and will be maintained at last year's rate for other producers. This will provide an extra £8 million for beef farmers. Intervention coverage has also been extended, and expenditure so far this year has been over £130 million. It would be difficult to justify any further extension in intervention coverage in view of the substantial cost of existing measures.

  Food Advisory Committee
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what advice he has received to date from the Food Advisory Committee concerning health claims made for foods not requiring a medical product licence; what advice he has given to the European Commission on the issue; and when he intends to introduce new draft regulations.

  Mr. Maclean
  The Food Advisory Committee is currently considering the question of health claims as part of the review of food labelling which I announced on 15 November 1989. My right hon. Friend expects to receive its report at the end of the year and it is likely that the European Commission will be advised of the relevant findings of the review. Any proposals for further legislation controls will be the subject of wide consultation with interested parties before any new draft regulations are introduced.

  Beef
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he last met European Commission Agriculture Ministers to discuss trade in beef.

  Mr. Gummer
  I have regular contacts with Agriculture Ministers from other Community countries, in particular during meetings of the Agriculture Council. Matters related to the trade in beef are discussed as the need arises.

  Zoonoses Order
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will repeal the Zoonoses Order.

  Mr. Maclean
  I have no plans to do so.

  Dairy Products
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the latest estimate of expenditure by the European Commission on the dairy sector during the 1990–91 dairy marketing year.

  Mr. Curry
  Estimates of EC expenditure are not available on a market year basis. The preliminary draft budget for 1991 includes provision of 4,927 million ecu (£3,433 million) for the dairy sector. This does not take account of any costs arising from German unification, which are still under consideration.

  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what changes have occurred in the level of consumption within the European Community of dairy products since 1983.

  Mr. Curry
  Consumption of the major milk products in 1983 and 1989, including disposals of skimmed milk powder for animal feed, was as follows:

  '000 tonnes

  1 1983

  2 1989

  Butter

  1,520·0

  1,571·0

  Skimmed Milk Powder

  1,606·0

  1,057·0

  Cheese

  3,631·0

  4,134·0

  1EC10

  2EC12

  Agricultural Exports (France)
  Mr. Mudd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he places on the effect of recent French action on the quantity and value of British-produced lamb sold to France.

  Mr. Curry
  The level of British lamb exports is influenced by a number of different factors. We cannot identify the effects of individual factors.

  Less-favoured Areas
  Mr. Mudd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will consider interim relief for farmers in less-favoured areas by introducing the special premium scheme for ewes during the current financial year.

  Mr. Curry
  The payment to producers in the less-favoured areas (LFAs) of an additional 4 ecu per ewe in sheep annual premium, due to come into effect from the 1991 marketing year, could not be made this year without a proposal from the European Commission and agreement by member states. This is unlikely to happen. All sheep producers, however, will benefit from the decision to bring forward the second advance of annual premium; and we have decided to pay suckler cow premium at the maximum possible rate in the LFAs.

  Mr. Mudd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will monitor beef and lamb imports from eastern Europe with a view to reducing the volume if it proves detrimental to the interests of British producers.

  Mr. Curry
  I have made clear to the Commission our concern about the effects which such imports might have on the market and the need to monitor the situation closely.

  British-produced Meat
  Mr. Mudd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he places on the effect, according to quantity and variety, of the hot summer on sales of British-produced meat.

  Mr. Curry
  It is not possible to isolate the effects of the hot weather from other factors affecting meat consumption. The latest figure for consumption of meat and meat products from the national food survey (which covers only domestic consumption and does not distinguish between home-produced and imported meat) covers the period from April to June 1990. The table gives the estimated average consumption per person per week for that period, for the same period in 1989, and for the first quarter of 1990.

  Ounces per person per week

  Second quarter 1989

  First quarter 1989

  Second quarter 1990

  Meat and meat products

  36·45

  33·99

  35·77

  of which beef and veal

  5·62

  6·06

  5·13

  mutton and lamb

  2·65

  2·72

  2·75

  pork

  3·15

  3·21

  3·30

  bacon and ham

  4·88

  4·12

  4·29

  poultry and cooked chicken

  8·00

  7·25

  8·88

  Slaughterhouses
  Mr. Tredinnick
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he last met representatives of knackermen and slaughterhouses to discuss working conditions; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  I, and my officials, have regular meetings with representatives of knackermen and slaughterhouses to discuss a wide range of issues. However, working conditions in knackers yards and slaughterhouses are a matter for my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Employment.

  Nuclear Emergency
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been made in publishing his Department's arrangements for dealing with a nuclear emergency in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Maclean
  My right hon. Friend the Minister announced on 26 March this year at column 56 his intention to publish details of the Department's arrangements at each of the major United Kingdom nuclear sites. Plans have now been published for the nuclear installations at Sizewell, Bradwell, Hinkley Point, Oldbury, Winfrith, Capenhurst and Springfields. Copies are being sent to public libraries in the vicinity of each installation and have also been placed in the Library of the House. Plans for other installations will be issued as they become available.

  Wild Birds
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what checks are carried out by his Department to monitor the transportation conditions of wild birds being imported into the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Maclean
  The Ministry is responsible for legislation under the Animal Health Act 1981 to protect the welfare of animals and birds during transport and to prevent the introduction of diseases. This legislation is enforced by local authorities. Ministry veterinary staff maintain close liaison with the authorities concerned, particularly with the corporation of the city of London which operates the Animal Quarantine Station (AQS) at Heathrow airport through which all commercial consignments of wild birds are routed. On release from the AQS imported birds are held for 35 days at quarantine premises approved by the Ministry. During this period the health and welfare of the birds is monitored by veterinary inspectors including Ministry veterinary officers.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he has regarding the number of wild birds imported into the United Kingdom during 1988 and 1989 which were dead on arrival or died in quarantine.

  Mr. Maclean
  Details of mortalities in imported wild birds in 1988 compiled by the Ministry were published in
  829
  December 1989 and placed in the Library of the House. The figures show that of 184,577 birds imported, 4,732 (2·6 per cent.) were found to be dead on arrival and a further 20,619 (11·2 per cent.) died during quarantine. A similar analysis of imports in 1989 is currently being compiled.

  EC Food Surpluses
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what increases or decreases have taken place in the surpluses of food and wine in the EEC, both in public and private storage, over the most recent 12-month period for which figures are available; and if he anticipates that they will increase or decline over the next 12 months.

  Mr. Curry
  The information is as follows:

  Commodity

  1989

  1990

  Reference date

  EC Intervention Stocks ('000 tonnes)

  Butter

  30

  187

  September

  SMP

  5

  333

  September

  Beef

  123

  145

  June

  Olive oil

  133

  71

  June

  Total cereals

  8,586

  11,651

  September

  Durum

  1,117

  1,053

  September

  Wheat

  2,466

  5,346

  September

  Barley

  3,136

  3,412

  September

  Rye

  1,089

  1,521

  September

  Table wine (ML)

  1,531

  624

  January

  (March)

  EC Private Storage ('000 tonnes)

  Butter

  223

  191

  September

  Cheese

  159

  167

  September

  Beef

  38

  0

  September

  Pigmeat

  0

  2

  July

  Stock levels are affected by a variety of factors and changes for the next 12 months cannot be predicted.

  Set-aside Scheme
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the total amount of land now covered by the set-aside arrangements; and what expenditure is involved in financing this per annum.

  Mr. Curry
  The latest information available indicates that the total amount of land to be set aside in England in the year commencing 1 October 1990 will be some 105,000 hectares. A total of £7·4 million was paid in the financial year 1989–90 to participants in the first year of the set-aside scheme and a further £17·5 million has been allocated in the 1990–91 financial year in respect of participants in the second year of the scheme.

  Fishing Quotas
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many Spanish vessels will be permitted to engage in fishing of the United Kingdom quota in terms of the decision of the British and Euro courts on interim relief; how many United Kingdom boats are entitled to fish for the same quota; and if the Spanish vessels which have successfully claimed interim relief will be entitled to compensation from the United Kingdom Government.

  Mr. Curry
  Only United Kingdom-registered and licensed vessels may fish against the United Kingdom 830
  quota. The interim relief granted to applicants in the Factortame case is restricted to the requirement that owners and shareholders be resident and domiciled in this country and affects only 53 vessels. The requirement that vessels should be managed and their operations controlled from the United Kingdom remains.

  At present approximately 3,200 boats are licensed to fish in the United Kingdom. The House of Lords granted interim relief to the Factortame applicants on the grounds, among others, that damages would not be available.

  Agriculture Council
  Mr. David Davis
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the outcome of the Agriculture Council held in Luxembourg on 15 and 16 October.

  Mr. Gummer
  I represented the United Kingdom at this meeting together with my hon. Friend the Member for Skipton and Ripon (Mr. Curry), Parliamentary Secretary in my Department.

  The main subject discussed was the Commission's proposal for a Community offer for reductions in agricultural support and protection in the current GATT round. Some Ministers were not able to take a definite stance and eventually the chairman decided to suspend the meeting and resume discussion on 19 October to allow them the opportunity for consultations in capitals.

  I much regret that, with so much preparation, this Council was not able to endorse the Commission's package, which provides a useful basis for taking forward the talks in the GATT round.

  The Council agreed on a useful amendment to the pesticides prohibition directive and on a resolution on veterinary measures required for the achievement of the single market.

ENVIRONMENT

  ILEA (Abolition)
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if the London residuary body made a full inventory of items of historic importance prior to the abolition of ILEA.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The London residuary body made an inventory of items known as the heritage collection once the Greater London council had been abolished.

  Ivory
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his reply of 26 July,Official Report, column 702, if he will give details of the various pieces of ivory for which his Department has given formal consent for sale within the European Community.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  No. Information contained in individual applications for CITES licences is considered by the Department as confidential and cannot be released.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many licences he has issued for the sale of elephant ivory since the current ban came into force.
  831
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Nine licences have been issued for sale of ivory within the United Kingdom, in conformity with the European Commission guidance and CITES regulations.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his reply of 26 July,Official Report, column 702, if it remains the policy of Her Majesty's Government to allow the ivory ban to be lifted in some respects in the not-too-distant future.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The Government remain firmly committed to maintaining the ivory trade ban for as long as is necessary to ensure the survival and recovery of elephant populations. CITES provides for species to be removed from annex 1 when no longer endangered, but the Government have no plans to initiate proposals for such a reclarification.

  Sea Birds
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has on the number of sea birds washed up dead on the beaches of East Anglia in each of the past five years; and what were the main recorded reasons for death.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  This information is not available.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. John Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what further information he has made available to local authorities about standard spending assessments.

  Mr. Key
  Two publications, "Standard Spending Assessments: Background and Underlying Methodology", and the "Standard Spending Assessment Handbook 1990–91" were produced in August. These describe the way local authority services are reflected in standard spending assessments and how each SSA element is constructed. They are similar to the "Blue" and "Green Books" which we produced under the rate support grant system. Copies of the publications have today been placed in the Library of the House. Copies have also been sent to every local authority in England and to the local authority associations.

  Time commitment

  £ per annum (from 1 April 1990)

  Sir Godfrey Taylor (Chairman and Chief Executive)

  Full-time

  63,530

  Mr. Jack Esling

  2 days per week

  15,350

  Mr. Reg Hartles

  2 days per week

  15,350

  Mr. Wallace Mackenzie, OBE

  2 days per week

  15,350

  Mr. Michael Roberts

  2 days per week

  15,350

  Cllr. Sir Peter Bowness, CBE

  1 day per week

  7,650

  Mr. Jack Wolkind, CBE

  1 day per week

  7,650

  Sir Godfrey Taylor was reappointed from 12 August 1990 and Mr. Hartles from 23 October 1989. All other members were reappointed from 12 August 1988.

  The total expenses paid to the chairman and members in 1988–89, the latest year for which information is available, was £6,430. Travelling arrangements are a matter for the residuary body.

  County Hall
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will direct the London residuary body not to entertain any use of county hall, other than of a temporary nature, until after the next general election; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  [holding answer 16 October 1990]: No.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has regarding damage to the interior and removal of contents from county hall; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  [holding answer 16 October 1990]: I am not aware of any damage to county hall.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when was the last occasion that staff from his Department responsible for listed buildings made an inspection of county hall.

  Mr. Trippier
  [holding answer 16 October 1990]: This is a matter for English Heritage.

  London Residuary Body
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he last met the chairman of the London Residuary Body; and what matters were discussed.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  [holding answer, 16 October 1990]: I met Sir Godfrey Taylor on 19 April. A number of issues were discussed.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give details of current members of the London residuary body, together with their salaries and expenses, hours worked, vehicles allocated to them and dates of their appointment.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  [holding answer 16 October 1990]: The information is as follows:

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his reply of 21 June,Official Report Column 637, if he will list the fittings removed from county hall for safekeeping by the London residuary body.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Armory
  The fittings that were removed from the principal floor of county hall are stored in county hall.

WALES

  General Surgery
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what information he has on the reasons for the rise in the number of people waiting for general surgery in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Grist
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the "Welsh Hospital Waiting List Bulletin 1990; No. 2" which illustrates a variable performance in the light of developing demand and activity levels. During 1989 generally surgery in-patient and day care throughput increased by 2·9 per cent., out-patient throughput rose by 0·1 per cent., with new out-patient attendances up by 4 per cent. In addition, at 31 March 1990 the number of urgent in-patients waiting fell by 9 per cent. over the previous year, the number of

  Local Authority

  1976

  1980

  1985

  1987

  1988

  1989

  Clwyd

  In existence1

  Nil

  Nil

  Bersham Hall

  Bersham Hall

  Bersham Hall

  Bersham Hall

  Approved but not in use2

  Bersham Hall; Bryn Estyn

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  In use3

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Dyfed

  In existence

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Approved but not in use

  In use

  Gwent

  In existence

  Nil

  Mill House

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Approved but not in use

  Crick House

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  In use

  Ty Mawr

  Ty Mawr

  Ty Mawr

  Ty Mawr

  Ty Mawr

  Gwynedd

  In existence

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Approved but not in use

  In use

  Mid Glamorgan

  In existence

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Approved but not in use

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  In use

  Maes-yr-Eglwys; Silverbrook

  Silverbrook

  Silverbrook

  Silverbrook

  Silverbrook

  Powys

  In existence

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Approved but not in use

  In use

  South Glamorgan

  In existence

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Approved but not in use

  Nil

  Nil

  In use

  Sully

  Sully4

  West Glamorgan

  In existence

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Approved but not in use

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  In use

  Glamorgan Farm School; Llwyncelyn

  Hillside5; Llwyncelyn

  Llwyncelyn

  Llwyncelyn

  Llwyncelyn

  1 "In existence" refers to homes containing secure accommodation which is not approved and is not in use.

  2 "Approved but not in use" refers to secure accommodation approved by the Secretary of State for use but not brought into operation.

  3 "In use" relates to approved, operative secure accommodation.

  4 Until 1 October 1985.

  5 Formerly Glamorgan Farm School.

  834
  non-urgent in-patients rose by 7 per cent., and the number of out-patients rose by 3 per cent. Urgent cases waiting one month or more rose by 13 per cent. over the previous year; non-urgent cases waiting one year or more fell by 6 per cent. and out-patient cases waiting three months or more fell by 2·5 per cent.

  Young People (Secure Accommodation)
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list, for each of the years 1975, 1980, 1985, 1987, 1988 and 1989 the names of those community homes and other facilities providing secure accommodation for young persons according to each local social services authority area in Wales.

  Mr. Grist
  The information is contained in the table.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Fair Employment
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps the Local Government Staff Commission is taking to ensure that it conforms to the Fair Employment Acts 1976 and 1989; and what measures it is taking to advise local councils in relation to their responsibilities under the Acts.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The Local Government Staff Commission has registered with the Fair Employment Commission, adopted a policy statement on development and training and, in accordance with the statutory requirements, monitors its staff in relation to their perceived religious composition.

  The staff commission has taken the lead role in ensuring that councils, as employers, fulfil their responsibilites under the Acts. It has, inter alia, established a computerised personnel record system in all 26 councils to ensure that they are properly equipped to provide the statutory monitoring returns on their work force; prepared and issued to councils a comprehensive package of material on equality of opportunity practices and continues to revise and update this; met, and maintains contact with, the Fair Employment Conmmission to discuss matters relating to fair employment and acts as an interface between councils and the Fair Employment Commission; and established a working party representative of local government interests to review the employment and promotion procedures adopted by all councils to ensure that they fully accord with the principles of fair employment.

  Public Interest Immunity Certificates
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list in the Official Report the number of occasions in the past 10 years when public interest immunity certificates have been issued concerning matters before coroners and other courts preventing members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary and others within the remit of his Department from attending such courts, and to prevent such courts from hearing details of operations, indicating which operations were involved and how many individuals were covered by such certificates.

  Mr. Cope
  There is no central record of all cases in which public interest immunity is claimed and it would not be possible to provide the information sought except at disproportionate cost.

  Anglo-Irish Intergovernmental Council
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many meetings of the Anglo-Irish Interministerial Council have taken place since its establishment; and if he will list the Ministers present and the issues discussed.

  Mr. Brooke
  There have been 36 meetings of the Anglo-Irish Intergovernmental Conference since 1985. These meetings are normally attended by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and by the Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office. It is recently been agreed that departmental Ministers should attend when necessary; as 836
  a result of this, my hon. Friends the Members for Wiltshire, North (Mr. Needham) and for Eltham (Mr. Bottomley) attended the conference held on 17 July 1990.

  Details of the topics discussed can be found in the joint communiques published after each meeting, copies of which have been placed in the Library.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Trade Statistics
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for 1968, 1973, 1977, 1985 and 1989, on the basis of 1973 = 100, United Kingdom output of (a) textiles, clothing, leather and footwear, (b) motor vehicles, (c) mechanical engineering less groups 320 and 329 and (d) electronic and electrical engineering goods.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The available information covering broad industry groupings is shown in the table.

  Index of Industrial Production 1973 = 100·0

  1968

  1973

  1977

  1985

  1989

  Textiles, leather, footwear and clothing

  92·2

  100·0

  93·4

  79·1

  78·2

  (SIC 43 44 45)

  Motor vehicles and parts

  90·6

  100·0

  91·1

  64·0

  80·2

  (SIC 35)

  Mechanical engineering

  93·3

  100·0

  99·8

  79·6

  87·7

  (SIC 32)

  Electrical, electronic and instrument engineering, office machinery and data processing equipment

  75·4

  100·0

  101·6

  133·5

  169·2

  (SIC 34 37 33)

  Source: Central Statistical Office.

  SIC=Standard Industrial Classification (1980).

  Iraq
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the value of(a) military, (b) other manufactured and (c) financial services exports to and imports from Iraq in each year since 1980.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Trade with Iraq in manufactured goods since 1980 is given in the table. The other information requested is not available.

  United Kingdom trade with Iraq

  Manufactured goods1 Year

  Exports

  £ million Imports

  1980

  285

  5

  1981

  582

  16

  1982

  809

  14

  1983

  375

  12

  1984

  290

  25

  1985

  397

  38

  1986

  420

  27

  1987

  240

  30

  1988

  353

  37

  1989

  396

  33

  837
  Source: Overseas Trade Statistics of the United Kingdom.

  1 Manufactured goods are defined as Sections 5 to 8 of the Standard International Trade Classification Revision 3.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what levels of credit guarantees by the Export Credits Guarantee Department have been made available to British-based companies for trade with Iraq for each year since 1979.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  [holding answer 15 October 1990]: ECGD cover for exports to Iraq was available until earlier this year under both short-term and medium-term facilities. As a matter of general policy, ECGD's exposure on individual countries is not normally revealed publicly, but the amount of medium-term credit which was made available to Iraq sinces 1983 under a series of financial protocols is a matter of public knowledge, and was as follows:

  Year

  Amount £ million

  To Finance

  1983

  250

  capital goods and projects

  25

  pharmaceuticals

  1984

  250

  capital goods and projects

  50

  pharmaceuticals

  1986

  50

  pharmaceuticals

  1987

  100

  capital goods

  75

  pharmaceuticals

  1988

  265

  capital goods and projects

  75

  pharmaceuticals

  These protocols have not been fully taken up by the Iraqis, and the actual exposure is therefore less than the figures given above.

  Euro Week (Essex)
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when his Department was invited to provide financial assistance to the county of Essex for its Euro Week; what decision he has made; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  My Department had initial discussions in March with Essex county council about its proposed Euro Week. Various ways in which we might be able to assist were considered. No request has yet been made for financial assistance.

  Internal Market Councils
  Mr. Sumberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the Internal Market Councils held on 17 September and 9 October.

  Mr. Redwood
  I represented the United Kingdom at the Internal Market Councils on 17 September and 9 October.

  On 17 September the Council adopted the utilities directive, which sets rules to prevent restrictive purchasing policies by utilities, and a regulation on Community transit, which will facilitate trade across borders after 1992. Three amendments were adopted to technical directives on electrically operated lifts, electrical equipment for use in explosive atmospheres, and simple pressure vessels. The Council also took note of a progress report on the infrastructure networks needed for the completion of the single market, and held preliminary discussions on data protection, and on a framework directive to provide a single authorisation to do non-life insurance business in
  838
  the Community. On food labelling, the Council adopted a directive on optional food labelling, and held a discussion on the prospects for compulsory food labelling.

  On 9 October the Council agreed two amendments on dangerous substances, one on the classification, packaging and labelling of dichloromethane, the other on the marketing and use of pentachlorophenol. Vice-President Bangemann presented to the Council the Commission's green paper on European standards. The Council also discussed trade in works of art, the handling of company law directives, and the Commission's latest figures on the implementation of single market measures.

  Companies Inspection Handbook
  Mr. Riddick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when publication of the revised edition of the companies inspection handbook, as recommended by the Select Committee on Trade and Industry, will occur.

  Mr. Redwood
  In our White Paper responding to the report of the Select Committee we undertook to publish a revised edition in the early autumn. The new edition, now called the "Investigation Handbook", to reflect its extended coverage, was published this morning and replaces the earlier publication last revised in 1986. It takes account of recent legislative developments including the Companies Act 1989, the Financial Services Act 1986 and the Insolvency Act 1986 as well as incorporating points made by the Government in their response to the Select Committee.

  The handbook describes the powers of investigation of the Secretary of State and includes procedural guidance for inspectors under the Companies Acts and under section 177 of the Financial Services Act 1986—inquiries into possible insider dealing. I expect that the handbook, like its predecessor, will be extensively used by my Department, inspectors, regulatory authorities, witnesses at inquiries and their legal advisers, academic staff and the public generally.

  The Secretary of State's powers of investigation play an important part in the Department's objective of increasing confidence in the working of markets by achieving a fair level of protection for the individual consumer and investor.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Mortgages
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the average increase in repayments per week on the average mortgage in each region between 1 June 1988 and the present time.

  Mr. Maples
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a similar question by him on 20 June 1990 at column 558 as mortgage rates have not changed for most existing mortgage borrowers.

  Personal Equity Plans
  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he proposes any changes to the PEP regulations.

  Mr. Maude
  I have three changes to personal equity plans to propose.
  839
  First, I recognise that many people, particularly PEP managers, want to know how interest on cash deposited prior to investment will be dealt with when composite rate tax is abolished. I have decided that from 6 April 1991 such interest will not be liable to withholding tax under the new rules for the taxation of bank and building society interest. This interest will also be exempt from income tax at both basic and higher rates in the hands of investors, but only if it is eventually re-invested in the PEP. If it is withdrawn, it will be taxable in full. I hope that this news will be welcomed by plan managers who, I know, wish to start re-programming their systems in time for the change.

  Secondly, shares may be described as "paired" where a United Kingdom and a foreign company have both agreed that no share in either company may be acquired other than as part of a unit comprising one share in each of the two companies, and units are offered for sale to the public in both companies at a broadly equivalent price. At present the PEP regulations do not allow such "paired shares" to be held within a PEP. I propose to bring paired shares within the definition of qualifying investments by analogy with the PEP rules for unit and investment trusts. The same maximum annual subscription of £3,000 will apply. Until the regulations can be amended, the Inland Revenue will operate the new rule by extra-statutory concession.

  Shares subscribed for in a new issue may be transferred into a PEP up to 30 days from their allocation. Experience of this rule in practice has shown that it allows very little time for the necessary action to be taken. I therefore propose to increase the period to six weeks. Again, until the regulations can be amended, the Inland Revenue will apply the new rule by concession.

  European Community Finance
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of the net sum contributed by the United Kingdom to the European Economic Community in 1989; and what is the latest estimate for the comparable sum in(a) 1990 and (b)

  Mr. Maude
  The statement on the 1990 Community Budget (Cm 1095), published on 26 April 1990, included the outturn figure of £2,315 million for the United Kingdom's net contribution to the European Community in 1989, and an estimate of £2,175 million for 1990. An estimate for 1991 is not yet available.

  Exports (EC)
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table showing the exports to the European Economic Community and imports from the European Economic Community in each year since 1973; and what was the percentage of Britain's exports to and imports from the European Economic Community in each year.

  Mr. Maude
  Data from which the information requested can be derived is to be found on the Central Statistical Office database which may be accessed through the Library of the House.

  Energy Efficiency
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what tax incentives he will consider introducing to encourage energy efficiency.
  840
  Mr. Maude
  [holding answer 15 October 1990]: My right hon. Friend has no present plans to introduce such tax incentives. The White Paper on the Environment outlines a number of measures designed to encourage energy efficiency.

SCOTLAND

  Aberdeen Royal Infirmary
  Mr. Doran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total number of staff employed by Grampian health board at the Aberdeen royal infirmary.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Last year there were 2,340 whole-time equivalent staff at Aberdeen royal infirmary.

  Scottish Assembly
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent representations he has received about a Scottish assembly.

  Mr. Lang
  My Department has received nine letters in support of an assembly in the past six months.

  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received about the fiscal implications of a directly elected Scottish assembly.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  In the past six months, three letters referring to the fiscal implications have been received.

  Council of Ministers
  Mr. Andrew Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last led a United Kingdom delegation to the Council of Ministers; and on which other occasions he has attended the Council in the past 12 months.

  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last led a United Kingdom delegation to the Council of Ministers; and on which other occasions he has attended the Council in the past 12 months.

  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last led a United Kingdom delegation to the Council of Ministers; and on which other occasions he has attended the Council in the past 12 months.

  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last led a United Kingdom delegation to the Council of Ministers; and on which other occasions he has attended the Council in the past 12 months.

  Mr. Rifkind
  I attended the Fisheries Council on 18–19 December 1989 with my noble Friend the then Minister of State.

  Community Care
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he next expects to meet the care in the community Scottish work group to discuss the implementation of community care aspects of the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990.
  841
  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  My right hon. and learned Friend has received no request for such a meeting.

  Sir Russell Johnston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what additional funds he will make available to local authorities to house those discharged from long-stay care in hospital under the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990 does not of itself require or promote hospital discharges. Decisions on the rate of discharge are taken in accordance with clinical judgment having regard to the availability of accommodation and necessary support in the home area. Rates of discharge have increased substantially in recent years and voluntary bodies as well as the statutory agencies have played an important part in making this possible.

  Provisional allocations to local authorities for housing capital expenditure in 1991–92 will be made in December on the basis of their relative housing needs and with reference to their capital programmes and housing plans. Local authorities should include any capital requirements for housing arising from the need to house those discharged from hospital in their capital programmes, which are due to be submitted to the Scottish Development Department in November.

  Disabled People
  Mr. Ron Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many registered disabled people are currently employed by his Department in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lang
  The Scottish Office and its associated Departments currently employ 91 registered disabled staff. In common with other Government Departments they accept the same responsibilities for employment of the disabled as other employers.

  Hospice, Linlithgow
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his oral reply of 4 July,Official Report, column 979, what response he has had from Lothian health board in relation to its examination of the legal position on the feu disposition in respect of the hospice at Linlithgow.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Lothian health board has been instructed to examine carefully the legal position on the feu disposition in respect of Linlithgow hospital before taking any final decisions about the future of this hospital.

  Industrial Development, Bo'ness
  Mr. Harry Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has any plans to visit Bo'ness to discuss industrial development.

  Mr. Lang
  My right hon. and learned Friend has no current plans to visit Bo'ness to discuss industrial development.

  Housing Survey
  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects the report of the Scottish housing conditions survey to be published; and if he will arrange for all data collected during the survey to be made publicly available.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I refer to my answer today to the hon. Member for Cumbernauld and Kilsyth (Mr. Hogg).

  The remit for the survey agreed by the Scottish Development Department and Scottish Homes provides that, following publication of the report, survey data in a form to be agreed will be made available to bona fide research institutes and other bodies including local authorities.

  Substandard Houses
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to make additional resources available to tackle the problems of damp and substandard houses.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The final allocations to local authorities announced last March for housing capital expenditure in 1990–91 include increased net allocations of £15·5 million compared with 1989–90. It is for local authorities to determine their own priorities for use of these allocations in the light of local circumstances, including the need to tackle dampness and substandard houses if this is seen as a priority in their area.

  Speedlink
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the occasions on which he has met directors of Railfreight to discuss the future of Speedlink services in Scotland.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  British Rail is currently studying the options for Speedlink and is consulting its customers. My right hon. and learned Friend will be fully involved in the consideration of any proposals which BR puts to the Government in due course.

  Steel Industry
  Mr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to receive the full report from the Scottish Development Agency on the Scottish steel industry; and if he will ask the agency to prepare an interim report on the implications of the proposed closure of the hot strip mill at Ravenscraig by the British Steel Corporation.

  Mr. Lang
  The emerging findings of the SDA study should be available by Christmas and my right hon. and learned Friend expects to receive the full report by the end of March. British Steel should be in a position to consider any opportunities identified before the date announced for final closure of the hot strip mill.

  Economic Growth
  Mr. Oppenheim
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the level of economic growth in Scotland in the latest year for which figures are available.
  843
  Mr. Lang
  The Scottish Office estimates that the Scottish gross domestic product grew by 5 per cent. in 1988, the latest date for which estimates are available. This is the highest rate of growth experienced by Scotland for 15 years.

  Farming
  Sir Hector Monro
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he next expects to have discussions with the National Farmers Union of Scotland about farming in Scotland.

  Mr. Rifkind
  My noble Friend the Minister responsible for agriculture and fisheries and I regularly meet representatives of the Scottish National Farmers Union. Discussions have recently concentrated on the state of the livestock sector.

  NHS Hospitals, Lothian
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has any plans to visit national health service hospitals in Lothian.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I regularly visit hospitals throughout the country. I visited Roodlands and East Fortune hospital (and other Lothian hospitals) on 22 June.

  Caledonian MacBrayne
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met the chairman of Caledonian MacBrayne; and what subjects were discussed.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  My right hon. and learned Friend has not met the chairman of Caledonian MacBrayne since he took the company into his direct ownership on 2 April 1990. However, my noble Friend the then Minister of State and I met the chairman on 19 February shortly after his appointment. I also met the full board of the company on 25 June when we discussed a number of matters relating to Caledonian MacBrayne's current and future operations. As indicated in my reply of 8 June to the hon. Gentleman, regular and frequent discussions take place between officials of the Scottish Development Department and Caledonian MacBrayne.

  Education
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met representatives of teaching unions to discuss the future of Scottish education.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I have invited representatives of the teaching unions and of the two head teacher associations to meet me on Friday 26 October to discuss a range of educational issues.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Douglas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the numbers paying the poll tax in Scotland since 1 April.

  Mr. Lang
  The information requested is not held centrally. Most levying authorities, however, expect 90 per cent. or more of the total community charge due in 1989–90 to be paid.
  844
  Mr. Lambie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he is next going to meet the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities to discuss poll tax arrears.

  Mr. Lang
  I offered to meet the convention at an early date to discuss community charge collection issues following a recent request from its president, and as part of the normal consultation on local government finance matters, my right hon. and learned Friend and I will be meeting the convention on 26 November.

  Constitutional Change
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals he has for constitutional change in Scotland.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  None. The Government believe that the present arrangements provide for full and fair representation of Scotland's interests.

  Fishing Industry
  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he next plans to meet representatives of the west coast fishing industry.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  My noble Friend the Minister responsible for agriculture and fisheries hopes to meet representatives of many of the principal fishing industry organisations over the coming months. He met the Scottish Fishermen's Federation, which represents many west coast fishermen, on 3 October.

  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has any plans to meet the leaders of the fishing industry in north-east Fife.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  My noble Friend the Minister responsible for agriculture and fisheries intends to have regular contact with the principal organisations representing the Scottish fishing industry. Earlier this month he had a very fruitful meeting with representatives of the Scottish Fishermen's Federation, an organisation to which the Fife Fishermen's Association is affiliated.

  Mr. Buchanan-Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his latest assessment of the earnings of the Scottish fishing fleet during 1990 and the past two years.

  Mr. Rifkind
  The value (at the first sale) of fish landed into Scotland in 1989 was £246 million, compared with £253 million in 1988. The latest available information for 1990, which covers landings up to the end of August, is a total so far of £176 million, an increase of 11 per cent. over the same period last year.

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many expressions of interest have now been made for self-governing hospitals and other national health service units; and how many formal applications have been submitted.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Four expressions of interest in NHS trust status have been received, but these have not yet progressed to the formal application stage.
  845
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received regarding the establishment of national health service self-governing trusts.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Representations have been received on a number of aspects relating to the establishment of NHS trusts. Four expressions of interest are currently being pursued.

  Nursery Education
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage of under-fives have places in local authority nurseries.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  There were 41,785 three and four-year-olds in Scottish education authority nursery schools at September 1989, 32·2 per cent. of the 1989 mid-year estimate of the total three and four-year-old population, the range which is the relevant age group for nursery education.

  Road and Rail Transport
  Mr. McKelvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress is being made in improving road and rail transport in Scotland.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The Government are committed to improving the Scottish road network and, since 1979, 288 miles of the network have been constructed or improved including 26 miles of motorway and 142 miles of dual carriageway. Earlier this year my right hon. and learned Friend announced a massive £130 million package of major trunk road schemes which are planned to start during 1990–91. These form part of a significant programme of improvements designed to relieve congestion, improve journey times and safety.

  Over the next three years the resources allocated for new construction and improvements to our road network are set to rise by nearly 50 per cent.

  Investment is not, however, restricted to the road network. Since 1979, the Government have sanctioned record levels of investment by British Rail and Scotland has been, and will be, a major beneficiary of this investment. Completion of the east coast main line electrification will enable electric running to begin in May 1991. Together with electrification between Edinburgh and Carstairs, this will allow substantial reductions in journey times between Scotland and London. As part of its long-term strategy, British Rail is investigating a range of further electrification options in Scotland. New rolling stock is being introduced on non-electrified lines.

  Health Services
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what improvements he has made to Scottish health services in the past 12 months.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Over the past 12 months the Government have announced a number of substantial new developments for the national health service in Scotland. First, Grampian health board has been asked to prepare detailed proposals for a new specialist maternity unit in Elgin and for a new cottage hospital in Peterhead. Both units are to be developed on the existing hospital sites.846
  Tayside health board's proposals for a new hospital in Crieff to replace outdated facilities at Crieff cottage hospital and Bridge of Earn hospital have been approved. Together these three capital projects represent an investment of some £20 million in the NHS estate.

  The helicopter ambulance services based in Inverness will be centrally funded to serve the more remote parts of Scotland and allow rapid transfer of patients requiring urgent hospital treatment. This will cost some £600,000 and will be the first centrally funded helicopter ambulance service in Britain.

  A new national service for the rehabilitation of brain-injured patients is to be established to complement and enhance the work already being carried out in the NHS and the private sector. It is estimated that there are around 500 patients in Scotland who would be likely to benefit from intensive specialised rehabilitation services, many of whom are young people whose quality of life could be vastly enhanced if these facilities were available.

  Scotland is also to get its first heart transplant unit so that Scots patients do not have to travel to England for transplant surgery. Many Scots have benefited from the service in England but the long journeys are distressing for very ill patients and their relatives. A new Scottish unit will be much more accessible and will build on the considerable improvements in cardiac surgery in Scotland, which now carries out 2,500 cardiac operations a year.

  Earlier in the year the Government announced that £200,000 per annum was to be made available over the next three years to support the development of cochlear implantation in Scotland. This new technique will greatly enhance the quality of life for some deaf people.

  On 11 July the Government announced that a total of £4 million is to be made available to provide the health service in Scotland with five advanced magnetic resonance imaging scanners. Use of these scanners will greatly improve early detection of brain tumours and other cancers and, in many cases, will mean that the need for investigative surgery can be avoided. The new equipment will be installed at major neurosurgical and oncology centres.

  The first three scanners will be installed at Aberdeen royal infirmary, the Western General hospital in Edinburgh and the Southern General in Glasgow during the financial year 1991–92. The remaining two will be installed at Ninewells hospital, Dundee and the Western infirmary in Glasgow during 1992–93.

  The Government have agreed to provide financial support to the independent hospices in Scotland up to at least 50 per cent. of their running costs. These hospices provide a worthwhile contribution to patient care for the terminally ill. In addition approval has been given to the building of a new blood transfusion centre at Inverness at a cost of £900,000 and to the construction of eight new control centres for the Scottish ambulance service at a cost of £4·7 million over the next four years. These investments will improve the efficiency of the ambulance service throughout Scotland and provide a much better blood transfusion service for Inverness and surrounding areas.

  The Government have also approved the introduction of a new contract for general dental practitioners which will encourage preventive dentistry and improve patient care. The contract provides patients with continuing care from their dentist and ensures that dentists have a system which recognises their continuing responsibility for patients.
  847
  The Government have established a Scottish medicines resource centre to provide pharmaceutical advice and information to GPs and others in the primary care service. The centre will issue independent evaluated drug information and provide assistance in the development of local formularies with a view to encouraging rational, safe and cost-effective prescribing of medicines.

  The remit of community pharmacists in Scotland has been extended to allow them to play a greater part in the NHS by allowing them to maintain medication records for certain patients; and to visit residential homes in Scotland to advise on the safekeeping and dispensing of medicines.

  In the light of a comprehensive review of health education in Scotland, a consultation document was issued on 9 October setting out the Government's strategy for the future, including our proposals for targeting specific problem areas such as coronary heart disease and cancer and for promoting healthy life styles. The new Health Education Board, which will operate from 1 April 1991, will give fresh impetus and direction to health education in Scotland. The Government have also made available in 1990 some £2·2 million in the health programme specifically for the support of drug misuse services and for preventive measures. As regards prevention, an accelerated schedule has been announced for childhood immunisation against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough and polio which should lead to higher uptake levels.

  Finally, in recognition of the burdens resulting from AIDS and HIV, the Government have continued to make general allocations to health boards, which in 1990 amounted to £7·84 million. In addition specific allocations totalling £7·05 million have been made to those boards which are setting up and running special AIDS units in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Dundee, where the majority of AIDS cases in Scotland will be located. This brings total provision to £14·89 million this year.

  Maintained Schools
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many(a) children and (b) teachers are now in maintained schools in Scotland; what was the comparable figure in 1986 and 1976; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The information requested, for education authority primary and secondary schools, is as follows:

  Number of pupils

  1976

  11986

  1989

  Primary schools

  611,788

  433,459

  437,072

  Secondary schools

  402,704

  344,369

  298,603

  1 Estimate.

  Number of Teachers 1

  1976

  1986

  1989

  Primary schools

  27,324·3

  21,218·1

  22,186·1

  Secondary schools

  27,432·2

  25,992·7

  24,143·3

  1 Full-time equivalent.

  In the period since 1976 pupil:teacher ratios have improved from 22·4 to 19·7 in primary schools, and from 14·7 to 12·4 in secondary schools.

  Lothian Health Board
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has of the deficit likely to be incurred by Lothian health board in 1990–91.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Lothian health board is making good progress in introducing more efficient ways of providing health care and reorganising its hospital service. The savings resulting from these measures are improving the financial position, but it is too early to predict the outcome for the financial year.

  Roof Tax
  Mr. Allan Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has recently received regarding proposals for a roof tax; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lang
  My right hon. and learned Friend has received a very few letters about the Labour party's proposed local tax on houses.

  Elderly People
  Mr. McAvoy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he next expects to meet Mr. Don Cruickshank, chief executive of the national health service in Scotland, to discuss care of the elderly.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I frequently meet the chief executive of the national health service in Scotland.

  Lead Piping
  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what additional funds he intends to make available to local authorities to facilitate the replacement of domestic lead piping to comply with the Government's commitment that such work will be completed in the current year.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The Government have given no such commitment.

  A1
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the implications for the A1 in Scotland of the upgrading of the A1 south of Newcastle to motorway status.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The most recent assessments following the routes south of Edinburgh study concluded that upgrading the A1 from London to Tyneside would result in only approximately 300 additional trips per day across the border on the A1 by the year 2008. This is because the majority of long-distance traffic crossing the border on the A1 is coming from or going to the north-east of England and would therefore be very little influenced by the upgrading of the A1 south of Teesside. I am satisfied that the £50 million package of improvements I announced in April together with the implementation of a route action plan which the A1 steering group has been charged with formulating will considerably improve this important and strategic route to the advantage of Scotland. The monitoring of traffic on the A1 by the steering group will give an early warning of traffic pressures developing which exceed forecasts.

  Students (Housing)
  Mr. Robert Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received concerning housing difficulties for students in higher education in Scottish establishments.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Apart from one case raised by the hon. Member himself, my right hon. and learned Friend has received no representations on behalf of students during the past year about the availability of student housing. He has, however, received various representations about the withdrawal of most students' entitlement to housing benefit as part of the revised student support arrangements.

  NHS Reform
  Mr. Graham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met representatives of the British Medical Association to discuss the Government's health service reforms in Scotland.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I last met representatives from the BMA in March this year.

  Flood Damage, Tay Valley
  Mr. Bill Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give details of the number of individuals and companies which have received grants to repair flood damage in the Tay valley; and what proposals there are to protect the village of Spittalfield and the farms downstream from Braecock.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  To date the Scottish Office has either paid or certified for payment grant amounting to £158,471 to 22 farmers and landowners in the Tay valley area for the restoration of flood damage. A further 15 claims with an estimated grant value of £346,505 are under consideration or awaited.

  Restoration of the elevated floodbanks at Braecock farm is now virtually completed and this should also afford protection to properties immediately downstream in the direction of Spittalfield.

  Public Spending
  Mr. Riddick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will provide the most recent information available relating to annual public spending per capita in Scotland.

  Mr. Lang
  The latest available figures on identifiable public expenditure per head are in the reply my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury gave on 19 December 1989.

  Set-aside
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total amount of land covered by the set aside schemes; and what expenditure is involved per annum.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The area of land currently set aside by farmers in Scotland is approximately 19,700 hectares.

  Annual expenditure on payments is cumulative, as new participants may apply each year and participate for five
  850
  years. Payments of £2·279 million were made in financial year 1989–90. Provision of £4·22 million has been made for 1990–91.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish in the Official Report a list of the unemployment figures, at the latest available date, for each Scottish county.

  Mr. Lang
  The level and rate of unemployment in each of the Scottish regions as of August 1990 is given in the table. Overall unemployment in Scotland has fallen by over 135,000 in the past three years.

  Unemployment in Scotland, August 19901

  County/Region

  Number unemployed

  Rate2

  Borders

  1,900

  3·8

  Central

  10,583

  8·8

  Dumfries and Galloway

  4,273

  6·0

  Fife

  12,179

  8·3

  Grampian

  9,200

  3·4

  Highlands

  6,590

  6·6

  Lothian

  25,563

  6·2

  Strathclyde

  114,356

  10·3

  Tayside

  14,136

  7·2

  Orkney Islands

  396

  4·1

  Shetland Islands

  365

  2·9

  Western Islands

  1,385

  10·0

  Scotland

  200,926

  8·0

  1 Unadjusted for seasonal variation.

  2 Rates expressed as a percentage of the workforce.

  Source: Department of Employment

  Tayside Health Councils
  Mr. Bill Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will consider the possibility of creating more than one local health council in the Tayside health board area.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I agree that local health councils have an important role to play, but to be effective it is desirable that what is expected of councils is clear, that they are truly representative of my areas that they serve, and that they speak with one voice. These criteria are, in my view and that of my colleagues, most likely met by well-resourced single councils capable of dealing on a one-to-one basis with their health boards. However, if Tayside health board, or indeed any other board, wishes to submit a scheme for more than one council any such scheme will be considered on its merits.

  Education Statistics
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he has on the educational participation rate of 16 to 18-year-olds in Scotland and in(a) Denmark, (b) Belgium, (c) Canada, (d) Australia, (e) France, (f) West Germany, (g) Italy, (h) the Netherlands, (i) Spain, (j) Norway and (k) Sweden.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 16 October 1990]: The participation rate in full-time or part-time education or training in Scotland was 60 per cent. in 1986 and 68 per cent. in 1988. International comparisons, including references to definitional differences, are contained in the

  851
  Department of Education and Science statistical bulletin No. 1/90 "International Statistical Comparisons of the Education and Training of 16 to 18 year olds", copies of which are in the Library.

DEFENCE

  Public Interest Immunity Certificates
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list in the Official Report the number of occasions in the past 10 years when public interest immunity certificates have been issued concerning matters before coroners and other courts preventing members of the armed forces and others within the remit of his Department from attending such courts, and to prevent such courts from hearing details of operations, indicating which operations were involved and how many individuals were covered by such certificates.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  There is no systematic record kept centrally of all cases in which public interest immunity is claimed in respect of the armed forces and others within the remit of the Ministry of Defence and it would not be possible to provide the information sought except at disproportionate cost.

  Belize and Thailand
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy regarding the release of detailed information concerning service personnel stationed in(a) Belize and (b) Thailand.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  National security considerations may restrict the amount of detail that can be disclosed about service personnel stationed overseas. In addition, where such personnel are providing military training assistance for the host Government, details are normally confidential between Her Majesty's Government and the Government concerned. Further information on such assistance may be released in some circumstances with the agreement of the host Government. These principles apply when considering the release of information concerning United Kingdom service personnel in any overseas country, including Belize and Thailand.

  Service Personnel (Qualifications)
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many qualifications were acquired each year since records began by service personnel as a result of pre-release training.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The information requested is not held centrally and could not be provided without disproportionate cost.

  Civil Servants (Training)
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his reply of 25 July,Official Report, column 297, which skills in which his Department's civil servants have received training are applicable to outside employment.

  Mr. Carlisle
  Most of the skills acquired by MOD civil servants through either in-house or external training are 852
  transferable to outside employment. Wherever possible in both industrial and non-industrial training use is made of outside accreditation bodies such as the training boards or the institutions to give recognition to the skills acquired, in addition to academic awards such as BSc, MSc, MBA and HNC.

  British Forces (Germany)
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his statement of 25 July,Official Report, columns 471–72, (1) whether he envisages that those forces that remain in Germany by the mid-1990s will have a similar balance of different types of equipment;

  (2) whether he envisages those forces designated as reinforcements for British forces stationed in Germany increasing or decreasing in size.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Work is continuing to refine the detail of the broad proposals put forward by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 25 July. This includes consultation with NATO and our alliance partners. It is too early to say what will be the appropriate balance between forces stationed in the United Kingdom and Germany or what levels and types of equipment remaining forces in Germany will need.

  Foreign Military Forces (Training)
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his reply of 26 July,Official Report, column 538, whether any companies have contacted his Department to seek approval for the provision of military training for foreign military forces.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Companies intending to provide military training for foreign military forces would be required to request approval from the Government only if such training involved the release of United Kingdom classified information. We have no records of any requests of this nature being made to the Ministry of Defence.

  Household Division
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether any financial resources from non-Ministry of Defence sources have ever been provided to assist the Household Division in carrying out its ceremonial duties.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  No. Financial resources for ceremonial duties undertaken by the Household Division are provided solely by the Ministry of Defence.

  Procurement Programmes
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which equipment procurement programmes whose total value is expected to be greater than £250 million have been either delayed, cancelled, or reduced in size since 1 June.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  I told the House on 18 June at column 770 that I had decided not to authorise further work on the eighth batch of Tornado aircraft, and I have since decided to slow production of the Warrior armoured infantry fighting vehicle and its variants.

  Nuclear Capable Combat Aircraft
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his statement of 25 July,Official Report, columns 471–72, whether he envisages an increase in the number of nuclear capable combat aircraft as a result of the "Options for Change" study.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  No.

  Defence Establishments (Closures)
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what announcements have been made regarding the closure of Royal Air Force bases and other of his Department's establishments since 25 July.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Since 25 July the Ministry of Defence has announced proposals to close the RAF air defence radar station at Bishops Court.

  Tri-Service Resettlement Organisation
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the annual budget of the Tri-Service Resettlement Organisation and the number and grade of his Department's personnel attached to the organisation.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The Tri-Service Resettlement Organisation does not yet have a budget of its own, but the current level of expenditure was indicated in my reply to the hon. Gentleman on 25 July 1990 at column 301. The information requested about the number and grade of personnel attached to the organisation is as follows:

  Number

  Headquarters

  Wing Commander/Lieutenant Colonel

  2

  Major/Lieutenant Commander

  4

  Grade 6

  1

  Retired officer (Principal)

  1

  Retired officer 1

  1

  Retired officer 2

  1

  Retired officer 3

  1

  Higher executive officer

  1

  Information officer

  1

  Executive officer

  2

  Administrative officer

  6

  Administrative assistant

  6

  Resettlement Centres

  Lieutenant Colonel

  2

  Major

  2

  Warrant officer 2

  2

  Lance Corporal

  1

  Higher executive officer

  4

  Senior lecturer

  2

  Burnham lecturer 2

  5

  Burnham lecturer 1

  4

  Higher information officer

  2

  Information officer 1

  32

  Stores officer

  1

  Special typist

  1

  Senior storekeeper

  4

  Storekeeper

  1

  Skilled labourer

  1

  Craftsmen

  3

  Forklift driver

  1

  Typist

  1

  Administrative assistant

  1

  Caretaker

  1

  Labourer

  4

  Messenger

  1

  Executive officer

  3

  Hawk Aircraft
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his statement of 25 July,Official Report, columns 471–72, whether he envisages that there will be an increase in the number of armed Hawk aircraft.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  No.

  "Options for Change"
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consultations have taken place with civil service trade union representatives regarding the "Options for Change" study.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  Since the trade union representatives were informed of the "Options for Change" proposals on 25 July, the subject has been discussed at meetings of the joint industrial Whitley council and the non-industrial joint general purposes committee.

  Defence Planning Committee
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his reply of 12 June,Official Report, column 142, when he expects that the work in hand on the implications for British forces of the Defence Planning Committee meeting of 22–23 May will be complete.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The review of readiness and availability requirements for NATO forces to which I referred in my reply of 12 June is progressing satisfactorily and further interim measures have been agreed. Details are classified. We expect work to continue for some time yet.

  Cambridge Hospital, Aldershot
  Mr. Critchley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will take steps to ensure that the Cambridge hospital in Aldershot will resume its normal civilian and military functions once the Gulf crisis has been resolved.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Yes. This will of course be subject to the future hospital requirements of the armed forces which are currently under review.

  Toxic Waste
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what safeguards are being taken to prevent toxic waste originating from Nancekuke polluting the sea and beaches of Cornwall; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if he will give details of the location and type of toxic waste dumps created by past production of nerve gas at Nancekuke; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) what assistance is being given by his Department to appropriate authorities inquiring into the dangers of toxic wastes originating from past activities at Nancekuke;

  (4) what representations have been made to his Department by the National Rivers Authority in respect of toxic wastes buried in Cornwall; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The United Kingdom had abandoned its chemical and biological weapons by the late 1950s. The policy of the Government is that chemical and biological weapons will not be used or produced by this country and we have no plans to acquire any such
  855
  weapons. There is no evidence to suggest that there is any cause for concern at Nancekuke resulting from Ministry of Defence operations.

  The Nancekuke nerve agent pilot plant operated between 1953 and 1956. The plant was decommissioned in 1956 and dismantled in 1978–79 following a decision to close the site, which had been used for a variety of tasks not related to the United Kingdom's chemical defence programme since 1956.

  No chemical warfare or toxic material was ever disposed of by burial at Nancekuke. All such material was either treated chemically or incinerated, the resulting products not causing any environmental hazard. The disposal arrangements at the site were highly sophisticated and were subject to independent on-site inspection throughout the operations.

  The material buried at Nancekuke is mainly the decontaminated structure and components of the dismantled pilot plant. This material was buried using approved techniques and was classed as non-leachable and therefore safe for such disposal. It is buried at five main sites which are fenced off to prevent disturbance; these sites are well known locally.

  The National Rivers Authority (south west region) have been provided with comprehensive information on our management of the site to enable them to carry out their statutory responsibilities in taking ground water samples. Representatives of the National Rivers Authority visited the site on Monday 15 October and have indicated that, in accordance with their statutory responsibilities, they will place the results of their work on the public record.

  British Forces Overseas
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current estimated daily cost of the British military presence in(a) the Falklands and (b) the Gulf.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The current estimated full daily cost of the British military presence in the Falklands and the Gulf is £0·167 million and £2 million respectively.

  Low Flying
  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when Her Majesty's Government intend to reply to the House of Commons Defence Select Committee's report on low flying published earlier this year.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  Shortly.

  Trident
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what costs would be incurred at each stage if the United Kingdom withdrew from its contractual commitments with United States of America on Trident submarines and the nuclear weapons to be carried by Trident.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  Her Majesty's Government remain firmly committed to the United Kingdom Trident project, and have no plans to withdraw from their related contractual commitments, either in the United States of America or elsewhere.

ENERGY

  International Atomic Energy Agency
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what requests the International Atomic Energy Agency has submitted to his Department in the last 10 years.

  Mr. Baldry
  My Department has not retained records of all requests made by the IAEA over the last 10 years. We receive annual requests for contributions to the agency's regular budget, its technical assistance and co-operation programme and for assistance on safeguards research and development. We also receive invitations for United Kingdom experts to participate in the many technical meetings and other events organised by the agency. Other ad hoc requests for assistance are received from time to time.

  Research and Development
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy, pursuant to his reply of 4 April,Official Report, column 681, what is the (a) annual expenditure on the safeguards research and development programme for each year since records began, (b) average number of staff employed on the safeguards research and development programme in each year since records began, (c) grades of the staff employed on the safeguards research and development programme, (d) annual number of technical reports provided by his Department to the International Atomic Energy Agency and (e) titles and subject matter of the technical reports provided by his Department to the International Atomic Energy Agency.

  Mr. Baldry
  Since 1981, the United Kingdom has conducted, in consultation with the IAEA, a programme of R and D in support of the IAEA's safeguards work. The programme includes the provision of training courses for IAEA safeguards inspectors. The funding for the programme, which is managed by the UKAEA, is provided by my Department.

  The expenditure in each year since 1980, in money values of the year in question, is as follows:

  Year

  amount (£k)

  1980–81

  301

  1981–82

  535

  1982–83

  573

  1983–84

  661

  1984–85

  744

  1985–86

  825

  1986–87

  854

  1987–88

  828

  1988–89

  950

  1989–90

  1,064

  1990–91

  11,088

  1 Budget

  Provision of technical reports on safeguards to the IAEA is a matter for AEA Technology, which carries out the research and development work for it. AEA Technology produces a UK programme progress report which includes, among other things, a list of reports published during the year. A copy of the most recent progress report has been placed in the Library of the House.

  The additional information requested by the hon. Member under items (b) and (c) could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Non-proliferation Treaty
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what are the implications of the 1990 conference on the non-proliferation treaty for the work of his Department.

  Mr. Baldry
  To the Government's regret, the review conference could not adopt an agreed final document. My Department is still studying the ideas which emerged from the valuable work done in the conference's main committees relating to my responsibilities, notably for safeguards and nuclear supplies.

  Energy Efficiency
  Mr. Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what steps he has taken to ensure that Government Departments practise greater energy efficiency.

  Mr. Wakeham
  [pursuant to the reply, 25 June 1990, col. 105–6]: Copies of the first annual report on the campaign to promote energy efficiency on the Government estate have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  IRAQ: SOURCE OF MISSILE AND NUCLEAR CAPACITY
  IRAQ: SOURCE OF MISSILE AND NUCLEAR CAPACITY
  IRAN: RESUMPTION OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH UK
  IRAN: RESUMPTION OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH UK
  CAMBODIA: ASSISTANCE
  CAMBODIA: ASSISTANCE
  WALES TOURIST BOARD
  WALES TOURIST BOARD