Written Answers of 18 October 1990

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Personal Data
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Attorney-General whether his Department will take positive steps to discuss with the Data Protection Registrar all his Department's legislation that impacts on the use, collection, processing or holding of personal data; and whether he will make a statement.

  The Attorney-General
  I am reminding my officials of the need to consult the registrar about proposed legislation which might affect or be affected by the Data Protection Act 1984.

  Shops Act
  Sir Bernard Braine
  To ask the Attorney-General in the light of the High Court judgment of 18 July relating to the Shops Act 1950, what guidance he will be giving to local authorities and courts to enable them to enforce the law in a consistent manner.

  The Attorney-General
  I do not propose to give any guidance to local authorities, and it would be improper for me to offer guidance to the courts.

  The judgment of Mr. Justice Hoffmann in Stoke-on-Trent City Council and Norwich City Council v. B&Q plc is clearly expressed, and neither local authorities nor courts should have any difficulty in understanding its effect and acting upon it. Mr. Justice Hoffman decided that the effect of the judgment of the European Court of Justice in Torfaen Borough Council v. B&Q plc is that the Sunday trading provisions of the Shops Act 1950 do not contravene the EEC treaty, and that accordingly for shops in England and Wales to be open for the serving of customers on Sunday otherwise than in accordance with the provisions of the Act continues to be an offence under the Act. It follows that local authorities continue to be subject to the duty of enforcement conferred on them by section 1 of the Act.

  Electoral Law
  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Attorney-General what consideration has been given by the Director of Public Prosecutions to the contents of the document published by the Conservative party entitled "Offer from the Conservative Party", relating to registration of proxies by overseas voters, with respect of its compliance with electoral law.

  The Attorney-General
  I have invited the right hon. Member to forward a copy of the document to which he refers to the Director of Public Prosecutions indicating any criminal offence he believes may have been committed. The Director will then consider whether any action on his part is appropriate.

  Mr. Colin Wallace
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Attorney-General what consideration he has given to prosecuting Ministry of Defence officials over their handling of the case of Mr. Colin Wallace.

  The Attorney-General
  The Director of Public Prosecutions has received a letter from solicitors acting on behalf of Mr. Colin Wallace requesting that he initiate a criminal investigation and he is considering the matters raised.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Flooding
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what damage was caused to (1) dwellings and (2) farmland and crops as a result of the breach in the river Roe floodbanks on Saturday, 6 October and what is his estimate of the sums required to(a) repair the banks and (b) restore the loss of (i) farmers crops and land damage and (ii) dwellings and household furniture and goods.

  Mr. Brooke
  As a result of a breach in the left floodbank approximately 160 hectares of land were flooded. There have been no reports of damage to dwellings received.

  The cost of repairing the floodbank is estimated to be of the order of £11,000.

  As the Government do not meet the cost of losses due to accidental flooding of farmland, crops or dwellings, no estimate of these costs has been made.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Namibia
  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further economic help Her Majesty's Government proposes to give to Namibia in both the context of the European Community and the United Kingdom.

  Mrs. Chalker
  On 21 March I announced in this House that Britain would be providing £10 million of aid for Namibia, for commitment over three years. Technical assistance is already being provided for education, public sector reform and police training and the scope for assistance in certain other sectors is being explored with the Namibian Government. Military training is also being provided under separate arrangements. The European Community is meanwhile considering the terms of Namibia's accession to the Lomé Convention and Britain is working to ensure a speedy and favourable outcome to this consideration. Pending accession, the Community is providing an interim package of aid totalling 19 million ecu (£13·24 million) in 1990, of which our share is about one fifth.

THE ARTS

  Cultural Property
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Minister for the Arts if Her Majesty's Government will ratify the 1970 UNESCO convention on illicit trade in cultural property; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 15 October 1990]: Her Majesty's Government have no plans to ratify the 1970 UNESCO convention. While supporting the principles and objectives laid down in the convention, we consider that the convention's definition of cultural property is unduly wide. In addition, the requirements of the convention on imported and exported goods would impose a heavy administrative burden on both the Government and the art trade with, for example, the requirement for all dealers to keep registers of the material bought and sold. Implementation of the provision on restitution and prohibition of imports would require new legislation and allocation of substantial additional administrative resources, and the identification and verification of claims made against items imported into the United Kingdom would not be straightforward.

  United Kingdom museums and the art trade already subscribe to codes of practice on the handling of items of dubious provenance, which help to uphold the objectives of the convention.

TRANSPORT

  Road Safety
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has concerning the number of serious or fatal accidents where a hand-held car telephone was an element; what assessment he has made of the road safety aspects of such instruments; and what consideration he has given to alternatives not requiring use of either hand for conversation.

  Mr. Chope
  There is no information available on such accidents. The use of hand-held telephones while driving constitutes a potential road safety hazard and rule 54 of the highway code states that drivers should not use a hand-held telephone while their vehicle is moving. Drivers who need a car telephone should use hand-free equipment.

  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will state the proportion of serious or fatal road accidents occasioned by right turns; and what action he is taking to reduce their occurrence.

  Mr. Chope
  A total of 17 per cent. of all fatal or serious road accidents involve a vehicle turning right. The highway code advises motorists on the correct procedure for making a right turn and this advice is reinforced in my Department's publicity programme. Many of the small-scale engineering works to improve road safety address this problem. The expanded national road building programme will create new higher-quality roads which are generally safer and on which right-turning accidents are less common.

  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many outstanding approvals there are for the provision of light-controlled right turns that eliminate 862
  conflicting movement; what delay has occured in their installation; and what plans he has to eliminate significant delay.

  Mr. Chope
  The provision of signal-controlled right turns that eliminate conflicting traffic movements is within the scope of the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 1981. Equipment for this purpose is already type approved by the Department and does not require specific approval. Technical advice has been published showing correct layout of signals, signing and roadmarkings. In the case of trunk roads the Department's policy is to provide signal-controlled right turns where appropriate.

  Transport Policy
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with his counterparts in the European Council over developments in environmental aspects of transport policy following the publication of the White Paper on the environment (Cm. 1200) in September.

  Mr. Parkinson
  None. But following consultation between our Departments, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment will press for the introduction of tight emission controls for cars of all sizes at the European Council of Environment Ministers on 29 October. At a later stage he will press for the adoption by the Council of the tighest practicable emission standards for heavy diesel vehicles, and I understand that the European Commission expects to submit shortly to the Council of Transport Ministers proposals on transport and the environment generally.

  Network SouthEast
  Mr. Moate
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what investment plans he has approved for British Rail Network SouthEast with particular reference to new rolling stock for the north-east Kent routes; and when he expects delivery of such stock.

  Mr. Freeman
  British Rail has not yet put to us investment proposals relating to new rolling stock to be deployed in north-east Kent. Last year we approved proposals for 400 vehicles for inner suburban services in south-east London and north-west Kent. We have approved in principle further vehicles and infrastructure works for this area. The whole scheme will cost £700 million in total. The new trains will begin operation from 1992 onwards.

  Midland Line Electrification
  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what further representations he has received, and what meetings he has had, with east midlands local authorities, regarding the midland line electrification; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  I have received a number of representations about electrification of the midland main line and I recently met representatives from Leicestershire county council, Northamptonshire county council and Kettering borough council, to discuss this issue. British Rail has not so far identified a robust commercial case for electrification; but I hope that the local authorities will continue to discuss their plans with BR.

  Kegworth Crash
  Mr. Ashby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the official report into the cause of the accident to a Boeing 737 near Kegworth on 8 February 1989 will be published.

  Mr. Parkinson
  The report of the Department's air accidents investigation branch (AAIB) into the accident, which occurred on 8 January 1989, is being published today. Copies have been placed in the Library.

  The report contains 31 safety recommendations addressed, directly or indirectly, to the Civil Aviation Authority which has the statutory responsibility for the safety regulation of civil aviation in the United Kingdom. The AAIB's recommendations are passed to the CAA as soon as they are determined and I understand that the CAA has already completed action or put research into train as a result.

  The report is very detailed and comprehensive and the AAIB is to be congratulated on a most thorough investigation into circumstances surrounding this accident.

  Networker Trains (Kent Coast)
  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has taken any decisions that will result in the delayed introduction of the new networker trains to serve the Kent coast routes; and whether he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  [holding answer 17 October 1990]: Decisions on the provision of external finance for British Rail for the three years to 31 March 1994 will be announced at the time of the autumn statement. It is for British Rail to decide its investment priorities in the light of the external and internal funds available to it; and it will be updating its plans in due course.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Mobility Allowance
  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many reviews of mobility allowance claims were conducted during the last year for which statistics are available.

  Mr. Scott
  During 1989, the medical questions were reconsidered, on review, in 720 claims for mobility allowance.

  Attendance Allowance
  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many reviews of attendance allowance claims were conducted during the last year for which statistics were available.

  Mr. Scott
  In 1989, the total number of decisions reviewed was 66,574.

  Pensions
  Sir David Price
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of people currently retiring will receive the basic rate by way of retirement pension.
  864
  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  In the six-month period ending March 1989, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 317,000 claims for retirement pension; 244,940 awards were made of which 79·45 per cent. received the full rate basic retirement pension.

  Elderly People (Residential Care)
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he received the report of Messrs. Price Waterhouse on the costs of residential care in charitable and proprietorial homes for elderly persons; and if he will place a copy in the Library of the House of Commons.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The report was received on 20 September. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will be making a statement shortly.

  Independent Living Fund
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he expects to review the 75-plus age disqualification for access to assistance from the independent living fund.

  Mr. Scott
  The decision to restrict eligibility to those aged between 16 and 74 and who also receive attendance allowance at the higher rate was taken by the trustees in the light of the resources made available for this financial year. We understand that they are keeping this decision under review.

  Mesothelioma
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what information the Government collect about the number of people suffering from mesothelioma; and what action the Government have taken to support and compensate all victims.

  Mr. Scott
  The Health and Safety Executive collects figures from death certificates mentioning mesothelioma and the Department keeps records of the number of industrial injuries claims made for this disease. Industrial injuries benefit and war disablement pensions can be awarded to claimants with mesothelioma and additional benefits can be paid depending on other needs. In addition, the Pneumoconiosis (Workers Compensation) Act 1979 provides some measure of compensation to those people or their dependants who cannot sue their employer because he has gone out of business.

  Community Charge
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people are receiving the reduced personal allowance due to downrating after over six weeks hospitalisation and are still liable for community charge.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Information is not available in the form requested. All hospital patients who are receiving Income Support, and who are not exempted from paying the community charge, are entitled to maximum community charge benefit.

  Invalid Care Allowance
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the estimated total number of carers looking after disabled, sick or elderly people in the
  865
  United Kingdom; how many carers claimed (a) invalid care allowance and (b) income support in 1989; and if he will launch a review of carers' incomes.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the estimated total number of carers looking after disabled, sick or elderly people in Wales; and how many of these receive(a) invalid care allowance or (b) income support.

  Mr. Scott
  [holding answer 17 October 1990]: The information is not available in the form requested.

  Any estimate of the number of carers of disabled people has to make certain assumptions on the amount of care provided. The 1985 general household survey suggested that there were 1·4 million adults in Great Britain caring for disabled people for at least 20 hours a week.

  The numbers of carers in Great Britain in receipt of invalid care allowance (which is intended for people who forgo work opportunities to care for an attendance allowance recipient for at least 35 hours a week) was 119,000 on 30 June 1989. On 31 May 1989, 23,000 people were receiving income support who were also receiving invalid care allowance, or whose partners were.

  A report based on research commissioned by the Department into the effectiveness of invalid care allowance as an income maintenance benefit is expected to be published in the next few months.

PRIME MINISTER

  Engagements
  Mr. Rathbone
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 18 October.

  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 18 October.

  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 18 October.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Thursday 18 October.

  The Prime Minister
  This morning I presided at a meeting of the Cabinet and had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in this House, I shall be having further meetings later today.

  Separate Assessment
  Sir David Price
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will now introduce legislation to ensure that husbands and wives are assessed separately for social security and community charge.

  The Prime Minister
  No. All the income-related benefits including community charge benefit, follow the principle that couples share their income and capital resources, and their claims for benefit are assessed jointly. The Government believe that it is right for couples to share the responsibility of running their homes and paying their bills. There is no good reason why community charge benefit should differ from other income-related benefits in this respect.

  Macclesfield
  Mr. Winterton
  To ask the Prime Minister whether she has any plans to visit Macclesfield.

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

  United Nations
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Prime Minister when she next expects to pay an official visit to the United Nations.

  The Prime Minister
  I visited the United Nations earlier this month. I have at present no plans for a further visit.

  Child Benefit
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will estimate what proportion of(a) the value of personal tax allowances of people under retirement age, (b) the value of mortgage interest tax relief of people under retirement age and (c) child benefit goes to individuals or families with incomes of more than £20,000 a year.

  The Prime Minister
  The latest estimates in respect of 1990–91 are as follows:

  Percentage benefiting single people or married couples with incomes over £20,000

  Percentage

  (a) Personal tax allowances1

  35

  (b) Mortgage interest tax relief1

  50

  (c) Child benefit

  35

  1 The percentages benefiting individual taxpayers with incomes over £20,000 are 20 per cent. and 30 per cent. for (a) and (b) respectively.

  Family Income
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will give updated estimates of the cost of achieving a £2 post-tax increase in the income of a two-child family by(a) increasing child benefit, (b) increasing the married man's allowance and (c) increasing the average level of male earnings.

  The Prime Minister
  Increasing the average level of earnings depends on the performance of the economy, as indeed does any general improvement in living standards. The estimated direct costs of increasing child benefit or the married couples' allowance to give an additional £2 per week to most two-child families are as follows, but it should be noted that the increase in income a family derives from them depends also on its individual circumstances.(a) an increase in child benefit of £1 a week would have a gross cost of around £630 million a year.
  (b) Increasing the married couple's allowance (together with the additional personal allowance) by £416 would have a gross cost of around £1,150 million a year.

  Child Allowance
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) if it remains her policy that the level of the child cash allowance may still be dealt with in the Budget:

  (2) if, while retaining the Department of Social Security to administer the child allowance scheme, she will limit the responsibility for determining the level of the child cash allowance to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and herself.
  867
  The Prime Minister
  The Social Security Act 1986 requires the Secretary of State for Social Security to review the level of child benefit each year having regard to the national economic situation and any other matters which he considers relevant. This duty is most appropriately discharged as part of the annual review of social security matters.

  Electoral Registration
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Prime Minister what is the current level of electoral registration; and what steps Her Majesty's Government proposes to increase the level of electoral registration before the closing date for entries.

  The Prime Minister
  The numbers of parliamentary elec tors on the 1990 electoral register for each part of the United Kingdom, together with the corresponding figures for 1989, are given in the table. The Home Office has continued to assist electoral registration officers in their statutory duty of preparing the electoral register in a number of ways. It has again this year conducted a nationwide advertising campaign designed to encourage people to complete and return the electoral registration form; and has produced publicity and an explanatory leaflet aimed at encouraging young people to register.

  Research into the working methods of electoral registration officers is undertaken annually, and the results are used to inform Home Office guidance on best practice. It also amends and improves the electoral registration form, form A, where necessary, and is producing revised and updated practice notes for electoral registration officers. The most recent of these covers the effective use, at each stage of the compilation of the electoral register, of the electoral registration officer's statutory right of access to the community charge register.

  Parliamentary electors

  1989

  1990

  England

  36,365,916

  36,388,575

  Wales

  2,194,625

  2,207,542

  Scotland

  3,932,911

  3,936,704

  Northern Ireland

  1,120,508

  1,130,602

  China
  Mr. Sedgemore
  To ask the Prime Minister if she has any plans to discuss with her European Economic Community counterparts the normalisation of relations with China; and if she will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  Policy towards China has been regularly discussed within the Community and the measures adopted last year have been kept under review. We have been advocating for some time a steady resumption of normal relations. The subject is likely to be discussed again at the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council on 22–23 October.

  Mr. Sedgemore
  To ask the Prime Minister if she has any plans to allow her Ministers to resume normal visits to China; and if she will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  I hope that we can agree shortly with our Community partners on a steady resumption of normal Ministerial visits to and from China. Our partners have of course also always accepted our special need to maintain contact with China over Hong Kong.
  868
  Mr. Sedgemore
  To ask the Prime Minister if she has any plans to seek to persuade the International Monetary Fund and World Bank to resume normal lending to China; and if she will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  China has not sought recently to borrow from the IMF. We fully supported the decision taken at the Houston economic summit in July to consider World Bank loans to China that would contribute to the reform of the Chinese economy, especially loans that would address environmental concerns.

WALES

  Industrial Development
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will convene a conference at Mold, Clwyd, to consider future industrial development in north-east Wales with Clwyd local authorities, the Confederation of British Industry, the Trades Union Congress and others.

  Mr. David Hunt
  No. Ministers held extensive consultations with local authorities and the representative bodies prior to the publication last December of the document "A55: The Road of Opportunity", which sets out a range of policies and proposals to ensure the future success of North Wales.

  Land Sales
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many representations he has received opposing the sale of the Llwyn Mawr site owned by West Glamorgan county council.

  Mr. Grist
  Since he issued the direction to the county council on 22 August, my right hon. Friend has received 27 letters and one petition.

  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many representations he received, and how many were from developers, asking him to require West Glamorgan county council to sell the Llwyn Mawr site; and on what dates these representations were received.

  Mr. Grist
  My right hon. Friend received one representation from a private developer on 20 April 1988 requesting that a direction be served on West Glamorgan county council to sell the land.

  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales in how many cases since June 1979 his Department has instructed an education authority to sell land being held for future school development.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  One.

  Health Service
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the percentage of those waiting for non-urgent operations who wait longer than for one year, in each of the health authorities in Wales.

  Mr. Grist
  The percentage of people who were waiting for non-urgent operations in hospitals in each of the Welsh district health authorities as at 31 March 1990, and had waited for a year or more, is given in the following table:
  869

  Per cent.

  Clwyd

  13·6

  East Dyfed

  10·0

  Pembrokeshire

  53·9

  Gwent

  26·0

  Gwynedd

  15·3

  Mid Glamorgan

  32·5

  Powys

  0·0

  South Glamorgan

  25·5

  West Glamorgan

  19·4

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what information he has as to which hospitals have been able to reduce the number of patients waiting for non-urgent operations; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Grist
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to table 6 of the Welsh hospital waiting list bulletin 1990, No. 2, a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

  In addition, the following hospitals also reduced the numbers waiting for non-urgent treatment:

  Maesteg general

  Talygarn

  Breconshire war memorial

  Machynlleth and district

  Children's ear nose and throat, South Glamorgan

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what has been the rise in the number of people waiting for non-urgent operations, as a percentage and as a number; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Grist
  At 31 March 1990, the non-urgent waiting list was 42,685, a rise of 11 per cent. or 4,214 on the previous year. During 1989, in-patient and day case throughout increased by 7,549 to 534,478, a rise of 1·4 per cent.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his policy concerning the need to cut down the waiting time for non-urgent surgery.

  Mr. Grist
  Health authorities are well aware of the importance which the Government places on the need to address the time people have to wait to receive treatment or diagnosis, whether urgent or non-urgent.

  Record resources have been made to the NHS in Wales in response to increased demand and to reflect higher activity levels. In addition, central funding continues to be available to support the initiative launched in 1986 to tackle the more problematic lists and three treatment centres have been set up to ensure speedier treatment for those who suffer from specific key disabling conditions.

  For the future, all health authorities will be expected to pay particular attention to waiting lists in the contracts which they negotiate with their providers.

  River Dee Crossing
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will meet Alyn-Deeside council, Clwyd county council, Queensferry community council, Shotton town council, Connah's Quay town council and Hawarden town council to discuss matters relating to the need for a new crossing of the River Dee.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The Dee crossing scheme was conditionally accepted for transport grant support in 1990–91. An application from Clwyd county council for 870
  continued conditional acceptance in 1991–92 is under consideration. Progress on the scheme is a matter for the county council.

  British Urban Development
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with British Urban Development concerning its proposed development project in Swansea.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I discussed progress on the Tawe Vale project with the deputy chairman of the BUD on 26 July and offered to meet him when specific detailed proposals were available.

  Young People (Secure Accommodation)
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will list for each facility in Wales providing secure accommodation for young persons for each of the years 1975, 1980, 1985, 1987, 1988 and 1989, the number of admissions and discharges according to the sex and age of young persons accommodated and according to the legal basis on which they were accommodated;

  (2) if he will list for each facility in Wales providing secure accommodation for young persons for each of the years 1975, 1980, 1985, 1987, 1988 and 1989, the number of places available; whether such places were available for boys and-or girls; and what was the age range for which such places were available.

  Mr. Grist
  I will write to the hon. Gentleman, and place a copy of my reply in the Library of the House.

  Educational Psychologists
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales why paragraphs 46, 47 and 48 of the Department of Education and Science circular "Grants for Education Support and Training" are omitted from the Welsh Office equivalent circular; what are the respective numbers of educational psychologists in relation to pupil numbers in Wales, England, Scotland and Ireland; what are the equivalent figures for each Welsh county; how many posts are unfilled; and whether any bilingual posts are unfilled.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Paragraph 47 of the Department of Education and Science circular is dealt with under activity 12(91) of the equivalent Welsh Office circular. The initial training of educational psychologists has not been classed as a national priority area within the Welsh Office programme for education support and training in 1991–92, because of the many and competing demands on available resources. Local authorities are free to train educational psychologists from their own resources for that year. The Welsh Office will be keeping the situation under review and will consider future support in the light of local demand and priorities.

  Details of the numbers of educational psychologists in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland are set out in the following table. No comparable statistics are available for Wales but, as part of the review mentioned above, the Welsh Office will be seeking specific information from local authorities.
  871

  England

  Scotland

  Northern Ireland

  January 1989

  September 1989

  October 1990

  Number of educational psychologists employed by local authorities

  11,400

  1318

  260

  Pupil numbers

  6,731,047

  744,061

  339,185

  1 Full time equivalent.

  2 Full time.

  IBM Contract
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects to make use of the credit note issued by IBM UK to his Department in respect of its under-performance in completing the contract for the financial systems computer software installation.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Use has already been made of the credit note, and it is expected that it will be fully expended before the end of the current financial year.

  Clwyd Health Authority
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the new members of the Clwyd health authority giving any appropriate qualifications.

  Mr. Grist
  With effect from 17 September 1990, the memberships of Clwyd district health authority is as follows:

  Non-Executive Members

  Mrs. A. L. Roberts, (Chairman of DHA)

  Mr. T. J. McAllister, C Eng, MICE, MIWEM, MBIM

  Mr. T. G. Jones

  Mr. J. R. Slater, FCA

  Mrs. A. Waters, LLB

  Dr. T. M. Hayes, MB, Chb, FRCP

  Executive Members

  Dr. D. T. Jones, FFCM, FRCGP, FRSH

  Mr. B. F. Jones, FCCA

  Dr. A. L. J. Williams, JP, NBBF, SSCM, DPH, AKC,

  Name of scheme

  Total area of application (hectares)

  Area proposed for new planting (hectares)

  Area proposed for restocking (hectares)

  Current state of application

  Highland Regional Council Zone 1

  Lochinver Estate (1)

  2·3

  —

  2·3

  Under consideration

  Lochinver Estate (2)

  7·5

  —

  7·5

  Approved

  Meallan A Bhuic

  1·2

  1·2

  —

  Withdrawn

  Meallan A Bhuic

  7·3

  5·5

  —

  Withdrawn

  Loch Choire

  1,021·5

  947·6

  —

  Under consideration

  Scrabster Loch

  4·0

  —

  4·0

  Approved

  Halladale Birchwoods

  2·9

  2·9

  —

  Part approved (1·8 ha)

  Tongue Estate

  0·8

  —

  0·8

  Approved

  Forest Farms Estate (4)

  215·9

  135·5

  —

  EA* requested

  Forest Farms Estate (5)

  191·8

  191·8

  —

  EA requested

  Forest Farms Estate (7)

  422·4

  305·3

  —

  EA requested

  Forest Farms Estate (8)

  342·7

  314·2

  —

  EA requested

  Forest Farms Estate (9)

  458·9

  420·9

  —

  EA requested

  Eriboll

  34·6

  32·3

  —

  Under consideration

  Ledmore Lodge

  0·4

  0·4

  —

  Under consideration

  Highland Regional Council Zone 2

  Baledigle

  260·5

  32·7

  —

  Part approved (27·0 ha)

  East Halladale

  810·0

  810·0

  —

  EA requested

  West Halladale

  730·0

  730·0

  —

  EA requested

  Coille Nan Clach

  184·5

  59·5

  —

  Approved

  Crubag

  83·5

  83·5

  —

  Part approved (66·1 ha)

  The Cutting

  184·7

  184·7

  —

  Part approved (95·8 ha)

  872

  DRCOG, MSCH

  Mr. S. W. Jones, RGN, RMN

  Mr. W. J. Ravenscroft, BA, ACIS, MIPM

  Menai Straits (Sewage Discharges)
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will order an investigation into the discharge of untreated sewage from the pathology laboratory at Ysbyty Gwynedd via Pen Rhos Garnedd into the Menai Straits; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Grist
  No. I am advised by Dwr Cymru Cyfyngedig that the discharge from Ysbyty Gwynedd receives treatment at Treborth sewage works.

SCOTLAND

  Forestry
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will list the woodland grant scheme applications made since 1 June 1989 in respect of land in the study area covered by the Highland regional council's examination of forestry in Caithness and Sutherland, indicating into which of the four zones identified by the Highland regional council's report these applications fell and the result of the application in each case;

  (2) if he will list the woodland grant scheme applications made since 1 June 1989 in respect of land in the study area covered by the Highland regional council's examination of forestry in Caithness and Sutherland in cases where the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds had not been consulted, indicating the total land area of proposed forestry in each case.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The information is set out in the following tables, which cover the period 1 June 1989-1 October 1990.

  The Nature Conservancy Council and the Highland regional council—but not the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds—have been, or will be, consulted directly by the Forestry Commission over each of these applications.
  873

  Name of scheme

  Total area of application (hectares)

  Area proposed for new planting (hectares)

  Area proposed for restocking (hectares)

  Current state of application

  Loch Choire

  425·0

  448·8

  —

  Under consideration

  The Brig

  72·2

  71·1

  —

  Approved

  Crubag

  5·1

  5·1

  —

  Approved

  Highland Regional Council Zone 3

  Hastigrow

  67·7

  44·6

  —

  Under consideration

  Phillips Mains

  262·7

  42·4

  —

  Approved

  Achlibster (1)

  177·5

  164·0

  —

  Under consideration

  Achlibster (2)

  54·6

  54·6

  —

  Approved

  Glebeland at Farr

  74·7

  38·6

  —

  Approved

  Ben Armine

  46·0

  46·0

  —

  Approved

  Navidale

  65·0

  —

  25·6

  Part approved (23·3 ha)

  Dunrobin

  1,080·2

  —

  87·8

  Approved

  Tacher

  247·0

  243·0

  —

  Under consideration

  Astle

  121·9

  121·9

  —

  Part approved (113·8 ha)

  Hilton Embo

  9·9

  9·9

  —

  Part approved (8·9 ha)

  Stroupster West

  121·4

  79·5

  —

  Approved

  Bilbster Mains

  115·8

  95·7

  —

  Under consideration

  Dunnet Bay Wood

  0·4

  0·4

  —

  Refused

  Morvich Oakwood

  16·2

  4·7

  —

  Approved

  West Greenland

  9·9

  9·9

  —

  Approved

  Roadside Woodlands

  12·5

  12·5

  —

  Approved

  Skitten Farm Woodlands

  1·2

  1·2

  —

  Approved

  Phillips Mains

  17·0

  16·0

  —

  Part approved (7·6 ha)

  Rhianacoil Croft

  14·6

  14·6

  —

  Under consideration

  Munsary

  1,271·7

  1,116·0

  —

  EA requested

  Flex Farm

  0·4

  0·4

  —

  Approved

  Pulrossie Farm

  2·8

  2·8

  —

  Approved

  Swiney House

  2·5

  2·0

  —

  Under consideration

  Murza

  3·8

  3·4

  —

  Under consideration

  Iryglass

  48·2

  41·1

  —

  Under consideration

  Brabster Farm 4

  6·7

  6·7

  —

  Under consideration

  Croiche Wood

  33·5

  7·0

  —

  Under consideration

  Inchnadamph, Inveroykel

  2·7

  0·9

  —

  Under consideration

  Highland Regional Council Zone 4

  Loubcroy

  461·6

  387·9

  —

  Approved

  Loubcroy (2)

  390·5

  295·0

  —

  Approved

  Braelangwell

  519·2

  486·8

  —

  Part approved (335·9 ha)

  Langwell

  0·9

  0·9

  —

  Approved

  Glencalvie

  34·2

  34·2

  —

  Approved

  Yellow Moss

  17·1

  11·0

  —

  Approved

  Borrobol

  1·7

  0·9

  —

  Part approved (0·5 ha)

  Langwell

  0·8

  —

  0·8

  Approved

  Forest Farms Estate (1)

  289·2

  233·9

  —

  EA requested

  Forest Farms Estate (2)

  484·1

  351·2

  —

  EA requested

  Forest Farms Estate (3)

  235·7

  235·7

  —

  EA requested

  Forest Farms Estate (6)

  396·1

  339·8

  —

  EA requested

  Akron

  306·0

  269·8

  —

  Part approved (178·8 ha)

  Achvarasdal House

  10·5

  —

  1·1

  Under consideration

  Dunrobin Glen

  440·5

  365·2

  —

  Under consideration

  Langwell by Lairg

  35·3

  —

  35·3

  Under consideration

  Sallachy Block (4)

  234·2

  131·0

  —

  Under consideration

  West Kinnauld

  5·8

  5·8

  —

  Under consideration

  Gledfield Estate

  12·5

  —

  12·5

  Under consideration

  Invercassley Farm

  2·0

  1·8

  —

  Under consideration

  Borrobol

  10·1

  —

  0·25

  Under consideration

  Alltan

  83·8

  5·3

  —

  Under consideration

  Rattar

  1·5

  1·4

  —

  Under consideration

  Gordonbush Estate

  81·3

  81·3

  —

  Under consideration

  Old Calder

  40·5

  40·5

  —

  Under consideration

  *EA = Environmental assessment.

  Children's Hearings
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the amount of money spent by his Department, separate from that employed by the regional councils and islands councils, on publicising the system of children's hearings in each of the past 10 years.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The Scottish Office has arranged and funded over the past nine years national press 874
  advertising to assist in the annual recruitment of new members to children's hearings system. Expenditure has been as follows:

  Year

  £

  1982

  25,000

  1983

  20,000

  1985

  22,000

  1986

  16,000

  1987

  26,000

  1988

  30,000

  875

  Year

  £

  1989

  45,000

  1990

  50,000

  There was no national publicity in 1984.

  Education Vouchers
  Mr. Allan Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what consideration he has given to the introduction of vouchers into Scottish education;

  (2) whether he has any plans to introduce education vouchers into Scotland.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  My right hon. and learned Friend has no immediate plans to introduce a voucher scheme in Scotland. A pilot scheme to provide students in further education with training credits is being tested in Grampian region.

  Education Policy
  Mr. Allan Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the initiatives in education policy he has under consideration.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  My right hon. and learned Friend gives high priority to the implementation of initiatives in education policy already in hand, such as curriculum assessment review, development of the effectiveness of school boards, staff development and appraisal; the development of Scottish vocational qualifications; wider access to post school education; and improvement in the management of further and higher education. New initiatives in education policy will be announced when it is appropriate to do so.

  Junior Doctors (Working Hours)
  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received concerning the actions of Greater Glasgow health board in seeking to require junior doctors at Southern general hospital, Glasgow, to work 115 hours per week; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 15 October 1990]: None. The employment of junior doctors at the Southern general hospital is a matter for Greater Glasgow health board. In two cases which have recently received extensive publicity, I understand that the junior doctors concerned had contracted to work from 1 August 1990 a one in three rota, with prospective cover. This meant that their normal period of duty of 88 hours a week rose to 115 hours, including time spent on call, when covering while their colleagues are on holiday and study leave, and they were paid accordingly from the start of their contract. Greater Glasgow health board is currently examining ways of reducing the hours of work of all its junior staff, including those at the Southern general hospital, who are on rotas more onerous than one in three.

  Self-employment
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the latest figures of self-employed people in Roxburgh and Berwickshire.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 15 October 1990]: The latest information on this is from the 1981 Census of population,
  876
  which shows that there were 1,314 self-employed residents in Berwickshire and 1,732 self-employed residents in Roxburgh in Spring 1981. Information on self-employment from the 1991 census of population is expected to become available in 1992.

  Tree Planting
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many trees have been planted in Scotland under planting schemes aided by Her Majesty's Government; and what expenditure is involved;

  (2) how many trees have been planted in England and Wales under planting schemes financed by Her Majesty's Government; and what expenditure has been involved.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  (holding answer 17 October 1990): The areas grant-aided by the Forestry Commission in the ten years to 31 March 1990 are given in the table.

  hectares1

  New planting

  Restocking

  Scotland

  145,600

  14,400

  England

  14,700

  23,400

  Wales

  8,300

  2,500

  1 The figures have been rounded to the nearest 100 hectares.

  The Forestry Commission paid out £68·3 million in grants over this period; the breakdown of this figure by country is not available.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Grand Metropolitan /Alders Deal
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to publish the results of his consideration of the Monopolies and Mergers Commissions investigation into the Grand Met/Alders deal.

  Mr. Redwood
  [holding answer 17 October 1990]: The Monopolies and Mergers Commission report on the merger situations between Elders IXL Ltd. and Grand Metropolitan plc was published on Tuesday 16 October.

ENERGY

  Hinkley Point C Inquiry
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he intends to publish the data on plutonium production set out in recommendation 3 of the Barnes report on the Hinkley C inquiry, detailed at page 960 in volume 3, to which he agreed in his decision letter; and if he will make it his policy to publish the said data in the Official Report.

  Mr. Baldry
  The information requested is being published today and copies of the press release will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what consideration he gave to seeking a parliamentary debate on the recommendations of the Barnes report on the Hinkley Point C public inquiry, before his statement granting consent which was issued in his reply to the hon. Member for Holborn and St. Pancras (Mr. Dobson),Official Report, 6 September, column 604.
  877
  Mr. Baldry
  In fairness to all concerned with this decision. My right hon. Friend wanted to make a prompt announcement of his decision on the recommendations of the Barnes report on the Hinkley Point C public inquiry.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Holborn and St. Pancras (Mr. Dobson),Official Report, 6 September, column 604 (i) how many copies of the full inspector's report of the Hinkley inquiry have been printed. (ii) to whom they have been distributed, (iii) what is the sale price of the full report; (iv) what has been the cost to date of printing the report and (v) how many copies of the summary report and decision letter have been (a) published and (b) distributed and to whom.

  Mr. Baldry
  The information requested is as follows:

  (i) 1,800;

  (ii) Parliament, the relevant planning authorities, Government Departments, Nuclear Electric and all those objectors who appeared at the inquiry and requested a copy of the report;

  (iii) £80;

  (iv) £134,000. The final amount will be recovered from the applicant, Nuclear Electric plc; and

  (v)(a) 5,000 of the summary report and 1,100 of the decision letter; and

  (b) the same as in (ii) plus the media.

  Isle of Wight (Hydro-electric Barrage)
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy whether any public expenditure is involved in the proposed hydro-electric barrage between Hurst Castle and the Isle of Wight.

  Mr. Wakeham
  My Department has not been approached about this proposal and the project is not included in the renewable energy research and development programme.

ENVIRONMENT

  Brewers (Sports Sponsorship)
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will meet the Fosters brewing company to discuss adherence to the British brewers' voluntary self-denial about sponsoring motor racing and racing cars.

  Mr. Atkins
  I have no plans to meet the Fosters brewing company.

  Property Services Agency
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the construction contracts entered into by the Property Services Agency since September 1988 in respect of which no competitive tenders have been sought.

  Mr. Key
  No. In the period referred to, the Property Services Agency placed in excess of 5,000 contracts for building and construction work in this category.

  Travellers
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what guidance is given to local authorities on the criteria for deciding land suitable for use as residential gipsy traveller sites; and whether these or other criteria relate to land designated for housing purposes.
  878
  Mr. Key
  Circular 28/77 and the site design guide, which is currently being revised, give guidance to local authorities on the criteria which they should follow in selecting land as suitable for gipsy sites. The criteria do not refer to whether the land in question is designated for housing purposes.

  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what recent estimate has been made of the shortfall in the provision of residential sites for gipsy and traveller people; and in which ways local authorities are encouraged to meet their obligations to provide sites.

  Mr. Key
  A spot count of gipsy caravans is undertaken on behalf of my Department by metropolitan-district councils in England every six months. At the time of the count in July 1990 a total of 11,967 caravans were recorded, of which 4,610 (38·5 per cent.) were on unauthorised sites.

  The Caravan Sites Act 1968 placed a duty on county councils, metropolitan districts and London boroughs to provide sites for gipsies residing in or resorting to their area. The Government provide 100 per cent. grant aid towards the reasonable capital costs of construction of sites.

  Management Consultants
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 15 October, if he will name the consultants who have been employed to advise on the development of financial and management systems.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  The names requested are as follows:

  KPMG Peat Marwick McLintock

  Mr. K. Worthy

  Spicers Consulting Group (now called Spicer Oppenheim)

  SPT Management Consultants

  Touche Ross

  Some of these have worked on more than one project.

  Public Rented Housing
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any proposals to turn public rented housing accommodation into a compulsory mortgage scheme.

  Mr. Key
  No.

  Rent Arrears
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a table setting out the top 20 local authorities whose rent arrears are the greatest.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  I will write to my hon. Friend shortly.

  Noise Review Working Party
  Mr. Jessel
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish the report of the noise review working party; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The report of the working party is being published today and copies are being made available in the Library.

  The working party was chaired by Mr. W. J. S. Batho and included representatives of local government, industry and voluntary bodies. I am most grateful for their efforts and pleased with the outcome.
  879
  The report is most timely in view of current public concern about noise pollution and I welcome the wide range of recommendations it contains. This is the most thorough review of noise control to take place since the Control of Pollution Act (COPA) was passed in 1974. Although we have no reason to believe that the framework of that Act is seriously defective, we are aware that the number of complaints about noise has more than doubled in the last decade.

  On the basis of current knowledge the Government are satisfied that adequate controls exist to ensure that people in their homes, workplaces and when travelling are not exposed to levels of noise which threaten their health. We are concerned to lessen the exposure of people to levels of noise which constitute a nuisance, but have to weigh reductions against feasibility and cost. The risk of exposure to high noise levels is increasing: we travel more, own more sound reproduction equipment, use more machinery. We also have better equipment to measure and control noise. So both the challenge and opportunity are there for us to improve our procedures.

  The Government have already acted on many of the report's recommendations. Local authorities' basic duties have been clarifed in the Environmental Protection Bill. The index for measuring aircraft noise has been changed. The working party's thinking is reflected in the noise chapter of the Environmental White Paper. The report contains a wide range of recommendations, many acceptable in principle, and they will all be seriously considered. The following paragraphs set out the Government's initial response to each chapter.

  Planning and Noise. The Government are committed to revising DOE circular 10/73 (Welsh Office 16/73). Scottish Development Department circular 23/73 will be also be revised. It is accepted in principle that all potentially noisy development activities should be taken into account, including road, rail and air transport, sport, entertainment and countryside recreation. It is already recognised that inevitably noisy short-term activities such as construction may need to be controlled under nuisance legislation as well as by conditions imposed on planning permission: the controls on mineral working sites are the subject of a minerals planning guidance note, and controls on oil and gas extraction and landfills will be reviewed. The principle of three action levels is accepted and guidance will be developed. Local authorities are already empowered to require applicants for potentially noisy development to supply relevant information which can include noise implications.

  Neighbourhood Noise. The Government are well aware of concern about neighbourhood noise from correspondence and debates as well as the increase in formal complaints to local authorities. The basic framework of control by abatement orders seems sound, but some improvements are needed. The need to clarify the duty on authorities to inspect their areas and investigate complaints was picked up at an early stage in the review and consulted on: an appropriate amendment has already been made to the Environmental Protection Bill. Many authorities already investigate complaints and operate an out of office hours service where appropriate.

  The Government are sponsoring a pilot "quiet neighbourhood" scheme. The first part of the pilot will involve establishing the scheme through local organisations and is likely to be in place by the end of the year. The second part will involve monitoring the scheme once it is
  880
  operating. Our aim is that if the pilot scheme is a success we will issue guidance to those interested in setting up schemes on how best to go about it. Discussions by the research contractor on where the pilot scheme is to be set up are at an advanced stage—it is likely to be a London borough—and a further announcement will be made shortly.

  The creation of new offences for allowing buildings and open spaces to be used for noisy activities will be considered in the context of entertainment noise. We aim to devise simpler and more practical procedures for noise abatement zones. Consideration will be given to improving control over noisy activities on the highway, such as car repairs, which may cause a nuisance but are not adequately covered by existing legislation. DoE will publish further material designed to encourage responsible attitudes to noise and its prevention, and is aware of others produced by voluntary bodies and local associations.

  Transport Noise. The Government are examining the feasibility of measuring vehicle noise in the annual MOT test and when inspecting vehicles at the roadside. We shall consider whether compensation in respect of road traffic noise should be paid on a sliding scale and whether it would be practicable to extend compensation to those affected by permanent traffic management schemes. We are concerned also to ensure parity of treatment for those who live near roads and those who live near railway lines. We have appointed a committee to recommend a national noise insulation standard for new railway lines, and we are considering an alternative to the private Bill procedure. We shall explore the idea of noise standards in the construction and use of trains.

  The Government agree that noise created by the take-off and landing of aircraft from airfields and flight according to the rules of navigation should continue to be controlled under aviation law rather than COPA. We will continue to encourage airfield managements and in appropriate cases to require them to consult local authorities and local people about the management or administration of their aerodromes, which includes operational measures to reduce exposure to noise. Further thought will be given as to whether a clearer framework is needed for controlling noise from light or recreational aircraft, low flying, ground running and helicopters landing outside airfields.

  Alarms. The Government propose to introduce mandatory controls for burglar alarms and will examine how car alarms can be improved.

  Entertainment Noise We will issue guidance on the application of current legislation to the control of large parties. The Government will consult organisers and local authority associations with a view to establishing a code of conduct.

  Noise within Buildings. The Government are aiming—for England and Wales—to extend the building regulations sound insulation requirements for new buildings, as far as practicable to cover flat conversions as they already do in Scotland. The need to ensure that insulation work can be properly inspected will be considered.

  Codes of Practice. The Government recognise the value of codes of practice and will work with interested parties to complete and issue the codes currently under discussion and to consider the case for further codes. The value of guidance leaflets is accepted, especially in the area of neighbourhood noise.
  881
  Research DOE will continue to sponsor a comprehensive programme of research on noise, which will include all the topics highlighted in the report—human response to noise, noise watch schemes, action thresholds, low-frequency noise and building insulation testing. The Department of Transport already has a major programme of research on transport noise, but will consider whether further research is necessary to formulate a common measure for the assessment of noise from all the main forms of transport. The Health and Safety Executive will sponsor research on noise in the workplace.

  A further statement will be made next summer on the progress made in our deliberations.

  Housing Statistics
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many Government-owned empty properties there are in(a) Glasgow, (b) Strathclyde Region and (c) Scotland.

  Mr. Key
  [holding answer 16 October 1990]: There are no Government-owned empty properties in Glasgow. There are seven vacant in Strathclyde and a total of 15 throughout Scotland of which all but two are up for disposal.

  County Hall
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if any building or alteration works connected with the proposals made by the development group took place in county hall before 8 October.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  [holding answer 16 October 1990]: I have no knowledge of any such works.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about the future of county hall.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  [holding answer 16 October 1990]: Following publication on 24 July of the inspector's report of an inquiry into planning appeals to the proposed redevelopment of county hall my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has invited the applicants to submit amendments to the planning application by 7 November. If there is occasion to do so he will reopen the inquiry before determining the application. It remains the responsibility of the London residuary body to dispose of the property in the interests of London charge payers.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Exchange Rate Mechanism
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has anything to add to his statement of 26 March,Official Report, column 116, about the conditions required to be met for entry to the exchange rate mechanism.

  Mr. Maude
  I have nothing to add to the statement my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer made on 15 October at column 928–29.

  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement outlining the effect the decision to join the exchange rate mechanism of the 882
  exchange rate mechanism will have on the United Kingdom's trade balance with the European Economic Community.

  Mr. Maude
  [holding answer 17 October 1990]: Future movements in the United Kingdom's trade balance with the EC will be influenced by a number of different factors. ERM entry will reinforce counter-inflationary policy and provide a better framework for British industry to control costs.

  Tax Fraud
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the present practice of the board of Inland Revenue with regard to instituting criminal proceedings in case of suspected tax fraud.

  Mr. Major
  The practice of the board of Inland Revenue in cases of fraud in relation to tax is as follows:

  1. The board may accept a money settlement instead of instituting criminal proceedings in respect of fraud alleged to have been committed by a taxpayer.

  2. It can give no undertaking that it will accept a money settlement and refrain from instituting criminal proceedings, even if the taxpayer has made a full confession and has given full facilities for investigation of the facts. It reserves to itself full discretion in all cases as to the course it pursues.

  3. Nevertheless, in considering whether to accept a money settlement or to institute criminal proceedings, its decision is influenced by the fact that the taxpayer has made a full confession and has given full facilities for investigastion into his affairs and for examination of such books, papers, documents or information as the board may consider necessary.

  The purpose of this statement is to clarify the former statement—given by the then Chancellor Sir John Anderson—and to bring its language up to date. It is not intended to make any substantive changes.

  Value Added Tax
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the impact on voluntary organisations in England and Wales of any harmonisation of value added tax which would end the zero-rating concessions at present in force.

  Mr. Ryder
  The Government recognise that the total VAT burden falling on the United Kingdom voluntary sector would have increased by about £500 million a year if the EC Commission's original proposals for tax approximation in the single market had been adopted. The Government therefore welcome the Commission's recent acceptance of zero-rating in certain circumstances after 1992 but is opposed to any proposals which interfere with our existing VAT reliefs.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the charities or types of charity that might be adversely affected by the removal of current zero-rating concessions as a result of harmonisation within the EEC.

  Mr. Ryder
  This information is not readily available. In any case, EC decisions in tax matters require the unanimous agreement of all member states and there is no question of the Government being forced to accept any proposals on VAT approximation which might adversely affect charities.

  Council of Ministers
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the meeting in Luxembourg on 8 October of the European Council of Financial Ministers.

  Mr. Maude
  I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which my right hon. Friend the Chancellor gave to the hon. Member for Newham, South (Mr. Spearing) on 15 October at column 718.

  Hospital Radio
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received for zero-rating value-added tax on hospital radio broadcasting equipment.

  Mr. Ryder
  My right hon. Friend has received a small number of representations since the reply my predecessor gave to my hon. Friend on 6 July 1989 at columns 453–54.

  Channel Tunnel
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he was consulted by the European investment bank in his capacity as Chancellor and as a director of the bank over the decision to lend £1,000,000,000 and £300,000,000 to the channel tunnel project; and what advice he offered to the bank on behalf of the United Kingdom Government on each loan decision.

  Mr. Maude
  [holding answer 17 October 1990]: The statute of the European investment bank (EIB) requires the EIB to seek an opinion on each loan proposal from the member states in whose territory the project will be carried out. The opinion represents the view of the Government concerned in their capacity as a shareholder in the EIB.

  The United Kingdom Government were duly asked for an opinion on the loans of £1 billion and £300 million to the channel tunnel project. These requests were made on 18 December 1986 and 3 May 1990 respectively. The EIB was informed by the Treasury that the Government had
  "no objection to the project's being assessed according to the EIB's normal criteria".

  European Monetary System
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if Her Majesty's Government has the power to withdraw sterling from the exchange rate mechanism of the European monetary system.

  Mr. Maude
  [holding answer 17 October 1990]: Yes, but we have no intention of doing so.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Research Equipment
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what representations he has received from higher education institutions about deficiencies in research equipment provision;

  (2) what plans he has to assess the adequacy of research equipment in higher education institutions.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  My right hon. Friend is generally advised in these matters by the Advisory Board for the 884
  Research Councils and by the higher education funding councils. Other representations relevant to equipment matters are received from time to time.

  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what funds have been made available by the research councils for the purchase of research equipment in universities and polytechnics in each of the last two years.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  In the financial years 1988–89 and 1989–90, the research councils made available £41,003,000 and £74,644,000 for the purchase of equipment in universities and polytechnics.

  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information he has about the finance which has been made available to universities and polytechnics for the purchase of research equipment by(a) charitable institutions and (b) industry in each of the last two years.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  This information is not available centrally.

  Higher Education Corporations
  Mr. Tredinnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many higher education corporations have been established under the provision of the Education Reform Act 1988.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  Fifty-six higher education corporations have been established under the Education Reform Act 1988. Five have subsequently been dissolved and merged with other institutions, leaving a present total of 51.

  Under-fives
  Sir John Farr
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when the contents of the report recently submitted to him by the committee set up to deal with nursery education and the quality of child care for the under-fives will be published.

  Mr. Eggar
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply that I gave to the Member for Durham, North-West (Ms. Armstrong) on 17 October.

  Primary Schools
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science from what date all primary schools will become eligible to seek grant-maintained status.

  Mr. MacGregor
  Primary schools with less than 300 registered pupils have in the past not been eligible to apply for grant-maintained status. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales and I have now made an order which will enable all primary schools in England and Wales which are county or voluntary schools to apply for grant-maintained status. The order will come into force on 1 November 1990.

  Standard Assessment Tasks
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement about the standard assessment tasks to be used to assess seven-year-olds in English, mathematics and science in 1991.
  885
  Mr. MacGregor
  I refer my hon. Friend to the oral statement that I made to the House earlier today.

HEALTH

  Training
  Mr. Andrew Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures he is proposing to improve the training of those involved in the food industry.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The Food Safety Act 1990 contains an enabling power which allows regulations to be made requiring food handlers to receive training in food hygiene.

  The Government put forward their proposals on the subject in a consultation document which was issued to interested parties at the end of last year. It proposed that all food handlers should be required to receive an appropriate level of training in food hygiene. The Government intend that the method of training used to achieve this should be as flexible as possible, and should build on existing good practice in the industry.

  The consultation period ended on 30 June, and responses are currently being considered. Draft regulations will be published for a further round of consultation early next year.

  Travellers
  Ms. Richardson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what consideration he has given to the Maternity Alliance's report, "Traveller mothers and babies: who cares for their health"; and what steps he proposes to take to ensure that traveller families receive adequate health care.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The report highlighted the obstacles which need to be overcome in providing adequate maternity and child health services to traveller families and suggested that they are best addressed through co-operation between local authorities, health authorities and the travellers themselves. The Department provides financial support to a travellers information and liaison unit run by the Save the Children Fund and will shortly be reviewing the progress of this project with the organisers to see if there are good practices or advice which could be disseminated more widely.

  Legionnaire's Disease
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what steps have been taken to check whether any patients were infected by the Legionella outbreak at Queen's medical centre, Nottingham;

  (2) what action he has taken on the recent outbreak of legionnaire's disease at the Queen's medical centre; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Dorrell
  One patient in the medical block of Queen's medical centre has been diagnosed as suffering from Legionnaires' disease. The infection was discovered as a result of a continuing surveillance exercise in the centre. The following action was undertaken by local management:—all patients at risk in the centre were individually screened and have been found not to be infected;
  —the normal intensive surveillance of water supplies has been enhanced;
  886
  —the hospital's control of infection committee and the Health and Safety Executive have been informed.

  Since the Department's guidance on the control of Legionellae was published in 1988, the hospital have taken extensive measures to minimise the risk of Legionaires' disease: This includes.
  —substantial investment in cleaning and disinfecting water systems;
  —increased hot water circulation temperatures;
  —the removal of infrequently used water outlets;
  —the regular flushing of remaining water outlets;
  —the increased sampling of water supplies;
  —the investigation of any relevant clinical conditions.

  We are satisfied that everything is being done in accordance with guidance issued by the Department to minimise the risk to patient and public safety.

  Food (Temperature Controls)
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had on the need for improved temperature control standards for the British food industry; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The Department consulted widely with interested parties including manufacturers, retailers, caterers, distributors, consumer groups and enforcement agencies on proposals for the Food Hygiene (Amendment) Regulations which were laid before Parliament on 18 July 1990. The regulations require that the temperature of certain categories of food be contolled in order to reduce the risk of foodborne illness among the public. Officials in the Department and in MAFF have met with a number of interested parties both before the regulations were made and subsequently.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the hon. Member for Rugby and Kenilworth might expect a response to his letter of 8 June in connection with Mr. B. E. Brown.

  Mr. Dorrell
  My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Lords) replied to my hon. Friend on 28 August.

  Self-Governing Hospitals
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he intends to give approval to any application for self-governing status where the amount of medical support in the hospital concerned is minimal;

  (2) if he will state the level of support shown by the medical and nursing profession in a hospital which is the subject of an application for self-governing status before he will give his approval to the proposal.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  In assessing applications for NHS trust status, my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State will be looking at a number of matters, including evidence that senior clinicians and other professional staff are involved in the management of the unit. The issues involved are complex and cannot be reduced to simple propositions.

  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will set out the criteria by which he will decide applications for hospitals to become self-governing.
  887
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The key criteria which my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State will use in assessing National Health Service trust applications are as follows:

  (i) tangible benefits to patients and improvements in the quality of the services it offers;

  (ii) strong leadership and effective management;

  (iii) involvement of senior professional staff, including clinicians, in management; and

  (iv) financial viability.

  Young Persons (Secure Accommodation)
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list, for each facility providing secure accommodation for young persons for each of the years

  Secure accommodation approved for use 31 December 1985

  Social Services inspectorate Region

  Name of Unit

  O&A2CHE

  Local Authority

  Places1

  B

  G

  M

  Northern

  Aycliffe (Royston House)

  O&A

  Durham

  —

  —

  14

  Aycliffe Special Unit

  CHE

  Durham

  —

  —

  36

  Clavering House

  O&A

  —

  —

  —

  3

  York and Humberside

  East Moor

  O&A

  Leeds

  9

  —

  —

  East Moor

  CHE

  Leeds

  18

  —

  —

  Keppel's View

  O&A

  Rotherham

  —

  —

  4

  North Western

  Blackbrook House

  CHE

  Liverpool

  —

  5

  —

  Briars Hey

  CHE

  Lancashire

  —

  8

  —

  Derwent House

  O&A

  Liverpool

  —

  4

  —

  Dyson Hall

  O&A

  Liverpool

  8

  —

  —

  Fylde (Dales House)

  CHE

  Lancashire

  8

  —

  —

  Meadowcroft

  CHE

  Lancashire

  —

  6

  —

  Park House

  O&A

  Salford

  —

  —

  6

  Red Bank (Special Unit)

  CHE

  Lancashire

  26

  —

  —

  Red Bank (ICU Vardy House)

  O&A

  Lancashire

  8

  —

  —

  St. Joseph's1

  CHE

  Cheshire

  —

  —

  8

  West Midlands

  Danescourt

  O&A

  Wolverhampton

  —

  —

  4

  St. John's

  CHE

  Birmingham

  —

  —

  4

  Stoke House

  O&A

  Coventry

  —

  —

  6

  East Midlands

  Amberdale

  O&A

  Nottinghamshire

  —

  —

  8

  Greenacres

  O&A

  Derbyshire

  2

  —

  —

  Kesteven House

  O&A

  Lincolnshire

  —

  —

  4

  Moorfields

  CHE

  Derbyshire

  —

  —

  2

  South Western

  Atkinson Unit

  O&A

  Devon

  —

  —

  12

  Kingswood

  CHE

  Avon

  20

  —

  —

  Sedbury Park

  CHE

  Gloucestershire

  —

  —

  4

  Thames/Anglia

  Salters

  O&A

  Cambridgeshire

  —

  —

  6

  Oxendon House

  O&A

  Bedfordshire

  —

  —

  6

  Woodside

  O&A

  Hertfordshire

  —

  —

  2

  Heathercroft

  CHE

  Buckinghamshire

  —

  3

  —

  London

  Cumberlow Lodge

  O&A

  Lambeth

  —

  6

  —

  Frant Court

  CHE

  Greenwich

  —

  3

  —

  Little Heath Lodge

  O&A

  Newham

  6

  —

  —

  Melanie Klein House

  CHE

  Greenwich

  —

  6

  —

  Middlesex Lodge

  O&A

  Hillingdon

  —

  8

  —

  Orchard Lodge

  O&A

  Southwark

  8

  —

  —

  Pear Tree House

  O&A

  Waltham Forest

  —

  —

  2

  Redhill

  O&A

  Wandsworth

  8

  —

  —

  Stamford House

  O&A

  Hammersmith

  16

  —

  —

  Southern

  Beechfield

  O&A

  West Sussex

  —

  —

  6

  Landsdowne Children's Centre

  O&A

  East Sussex

  —

  —

  5

  The Oaks (Formerly Woodrough)

  O&A

  Surrey

  —

  —

  2

  Fairfield Lodge

  O&A

  Hampshire

  —

  3

  —

  Glen House

  O&A

  Hampshire

  8

  —

  —

  1 (B) Boys; (G) Girls; (M) Mixed sex.

  2 O and A—Observation and Assessment. CHE—Community home with education.

  888
  1975, 1980, 1985, 1987, 1988 and 1989, the number of places available; whether such places were available for boys and/or girls; and what was the age range for which such places were available.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Information in the form requested is not available for the full period. The tables provide information about the number of approved secure facilities provided by local authorities as at 31 December in each of the years 1985, 1987, 1988 and 1989. All the facilities listed would accommodate children in the age range 10 to 18 years.
  889

  Secure accommodation by Social Services Inspectorate region

  Location

  Local authorities

  O and A or CHE2

  Number of places1

  30 DECEMBER 1987

  Northern

  New Aycliffe (Royston House)

  Durham

  O and A

  14M

  Clavering House

  Newcastle

  O and A

  3M

  Aycliffe Special Unit

  Durham

  CHE

  36M

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  Keppels View

  Rotherham

  O and A

  4M

  East Moor

  Leeds

  O and A

  9B

  East Moor

  Leeds

  CHE

  18B

  North Western

  Red Sands

  Cheshire

  CHE

  6M

  Derwent House

  Liverpool

  O and A

  4G

  Red Bank (Vardy House)

  Lancashire

  O and A

  8B

  Red Bank Special Unit

  Lancashire

  CHE

  26B

  Fylde (Dales House)

  Lancashire

  CHE

  8B

  Liverpool

  Blackbrook House (Labore House)

  Catholic SSVA

  CHE

  5G

  Briars Hey (Orchard House)

  Lancashire

  CHE

  8G

  Meadowcroft Lindle Unit

  Lancashire

  CHE

  6G

  Flyde Assessment Centre

  Lancashire

  O and A

  4B

  Dyson Hall

  Liverpool

  O and A

  8B

  West Midlands

  Stoke House

  Coventry

  O and A

  6M

  St. Johns

  Birmingham

  O and A

  4M

  East Midlands

  Moorfield

  Derby

  O and A

  2M

  Kesteven

  Lincoln

  O and A

  4M

  Amberdale

  Notts

  O and A

  8M

  Greenacres

  Derby

  O and A

  2B

  Thames/Anglia

  Salters

  Cambs

  O and A

  6G

  Oxenden House

  Beds

  O and A

  6M

  Woodside Young People's Centre

  Herts

  O and A

  2M

  Heathercroft

  Bucks

  CHE

  3G

  Brookside

  Berks

  O and A

  4M

  London

  Cumberlow Lodge

  Lambeth

  O and A

  6G

  Stamford House

  Hammersmith

  O and A

  8B

  Middlesex Lodge

  Hillingdon

  O and A

  2G

  Little Heath Lodge

  Newham

  O and A

  6B

  Orchard Lodge

  Southwark

  O and A

  8B

  Redhill

  Wandsworth

  O and A

  8B

  Frant Court

  Sussex

  CHE

  3G

  Melanie Klein House

  Greenwich

  CHE

  6G

  Southern

  Lansdown

  East Sussex

  O and A

  5M

  Beechfield

  West Sussex

  O and A

  6M

  The Oaks

  Surrey

  O and A

  2M

  Fairfield

  Hants

  O and A

  3G

  Glen House

  Hants

  O and A

  8B

  South Western

  Atkinson Unit

  Devon

  O and A

  12M

  Kingswood

  Avon

  CHE

  20B

  31 DECEMBER 1988

  Northern

  New Aycliffe (Royston House)

  Durham

  O and A

  14M

  Clavering House

  Newcastle

  O and A

  3M

  Aycliffe Special Unit

  Durham

  CHE

  36M

  890

  Location

  Local authorities

  O and A or CHE2

  Number of places1

  Netherton Park

  Northumberland

  O and A

  5M

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  Keppels View

  Rotherham

  O and A

  4M

  East Moor

  Leeds

  O and A

  9B

  East Moor

  Leeds

  CHE

  18B

  North Western

  Red Sands

  Cheshire

  CHE

  6M

  Derwent House

  Liverpool

  O and A

  4G

  Red Bank (Vardy House)

  Lancashire

  O and A

  8B

  Red Bank (Special Unit)

  Lancashire

  CHE

  26B

  Blackbrook House (Labore House)

  Liverpool SSVA

  CHE

  5G

  Briars Hey (Orchard House)

  Lancashire

  CHE

  8G

  Dyson Hall

  Liverpool

  O and A

  8B

  West Midlands

  Danescourt

  Wolverhampton

  O and A

  4M

  St. Johns

  Birmingham

  O and A

  4M

  East Midlands

  Moorfield

  Derby

  O and A

  2M

  Kesteven

  Lincoln

  O and A

  4M

  Amberdale

  Notts

  O and A

  8M

  Greenacres

  Derby

  O and A

  5B

  Thames/Anglia

  Salters

  Cambridgeshire

  O and A

  4G

  Oxenden House

  Bedfordshire

  O and A

  6M

  Woodside Young People's Centre

  Hertfordshire

  O and A

  2M

  Thornbury House

  Oxfordshire

  O and A

  3B

  Brookside

  Berkshire

  O and A

  4M

  London

  Middlesex Lodge

  Hillingdon

  O and A

  9G

  Little Heath Lodge

  Newham

  O and A

  6B

  Orchard Lodge

  Southwark

  O and A

  8B

  Frant Court

  Greenwich

  CHE

  3G

  Melanie Klein House

  Greenwich

  CHE

  6G

  Southern

  Lansdown

  East Sussex

  O and A

  5M

  Beechfield

  West Sussex

  O and A

  6M

  The Oaks

  Surrey

  O and A

  2M

  Fairfield

  Hampshire

  O and A

  3G

  Glen House

  Hampshire

  O and A

  8B

  South Western

  Atkinson Unit

  Devon

  O and A

  12M

  Kingswood

  Avon

  CHE

  20B

  30 DECEMBER 1989

  Northern

  New Aycliffe (Royston House)

  Durham

  O and A

  14M

  Clavering House

  Newcastle

  O and A

  3M

  Aycliffe Special Unit

  Durham

  CHE

  36M

  Netherton Park

  Northumberland

  O and A

  5M

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  Kepples View

  Rotherham

  O and A

  4M

  East Moor

  Leeds

  O and A

  9B

  East Moor

  Leeds

  CHE

  18B

  North Western

  Red Sands

  Cheshire

  CHE

  6M

  Derwent House

  Liverpool

  O and A

  4G

  Red Bank (Vardy House)

  Lancashire

  O and A

  8B

  Red Bank (Special Unit)

  Lancashire

  CHE

  26B

  891

  Location

  Local authorities

  O and A or CHE2

  Number of places1

  Blackbrook House (Labore House)

  Liverpool SSVA

  CHE

  5G

  Briars Hey (Orchard House)

  Lancashire

  CHE

  8G

  Dyson Hall

  Liverpool

  O and A

  8B

  Barton Moss (Park House)

  Salford

  O and A

  4B

  West Midlands

  Danescourt

  Wolverhampton

  O and A

  4M

  St. Johns

  Birmingham

  O and A

  4M

  East Midlands

  Moorfield

  Derby

  O and A

  2M

  Kesteven

  Lincoln

  O and A

  4M

  Amberdale

  Notts

  O and A

  8M

  Greenacres

  Derby

  O and A

  5M

  Thames/Anglia

  Salters

  Cambs

  O and A

  4G

  Woodside Young People's Centre

  Hertfordshire

  O and A

  2M

  Thornbury House

  Oxfordshire

  O and A

  3B

  Brookside

  Berks

  O and A

  4M

  London

  Middlesex Lodge

  Hillingdon

  O and A

  9G

  Little Heath Lodge

  Newham

  O and A

  6B

  Orchard Lodge

  Southwark

  O and A

  8B

  Frant Court

  Sussex

  CHE

  3G

  Stamford House

  Hammersmith

  O and A

  16B

  Southern

  Lansdown

  East Sussex

  O and A

  5M

  Beechfield

  West Sussex

  O and A

  6M

  Fairfield

  Hants

  O and A

  3G

  Glen House

  Hants

  O and A

  8B

  South Western

  Atkinson Unit

  Devon

  O and A

  12M

  Kingswood

  Avon

  CHE

  20B

  1 (B) Boys; (G) Girls; (M) Mixed sex.

  2 O and A—Observation and assessment. CHE—Community home with education.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list for each facility providing secure accommodation for young persons for each of the years 1975, 1980, 1985, 1987, 1988 and 1989, the number of admissions and discharges according to the sex and age of young persons accommodated and according to the legal basis on which they were accommodated.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Statistical information about the use made of secure facilities provided by local authorities was not collected centrally prior to 1984.

  The information requested for the years 1984 to 1988 is given in the annual publication "Children Accommodated in Secure Units During the Year Ending 31 March", copies of which are available in the Library. The figures for 1989 will he published shortly.

  Vitamin A
  Mr. Knox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice his Department is giving to pregnant women about the consumption of vitamin A.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Our Department, together with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Foods, has been considering evidence which suggests that high levels of vitamin A may cause birth defects.
  892
  The Chief Medical Officer, Sir Donald Acheson, is cautioning women who are, or who may become, pregnant not to take vitamin A supplements except under medical supervision, and as a matter of prudence, not to eat liver or liver products because the high levels of vitamin A found in some samples of animal liver may be harmful.

  The Chief Medical Officer has sought expert advice on this question and he has issued the following advice:
  "While there is, at present, no positive evidence that any birth defects have arisen as a result of Vitamin A intakes within the United Kingdom, there have been a small number of case reports from abroad of birth defects in children of women who have taken supplements containing Vitamin A greatly in excess of the recommended daily amount. Worldwide, there has been only one case reported of birth defects in a baby born to a woman who had consumed large quantities of liver every day during her pregnancy.
  Vitamin A is essential for good health. Pregnant women and nursing mothers have always been advised to make sure they get enough of it in their diet.
  However, it has recently been suggested that an excess of Vitamin A may cause birth defects."
  "This is why the Committee on Toxicity, reinforced by other experts, has been considering all the available information about the toxic effects of Vitamin A in the diet, how much of it people consume as supplements or in their food and whether these intakes may be harmful to unborn babies.
  "They have now given me their advice and as a result I must caution women who are, or who may become, pregnant against taking any dietary supplements—including tablets and fish-liver oil drops—containing vitamin A, except on the advice of a doctor or ante-natal clinic. The vitamin supplements currently prescribed as part of ante-natal care for pregnant and nursing mothers contain a safe amount of vitamin A and should continue to be taken.
  "I am also advising women who are pregnant, or who could become pregnant that as a matter of prudence they should not eat liver or products made from it such as liver pâte and liver sausage.
  "Other women, men and children are not affected by this advice.
  "Vitamin A is an essential nutrient but it is not essential to eat liver to acquire it. A balanced diet provides sufficient for healthy living. Apart from liver the main sources of vitamin A in the diet are carrots, margarine, dairy products, eggs, all green vegetables, tomatoes and other fruit. Eating such a diet poses no risks from any harmful effects of vitamin A, and women should continue to eat these foods as part of a balanced diet. Women who stop eating liver would however need to maintain, and preferably increase, their iron intakes by consuming more lean red meat and meat products, fortified breakfast cereals, bread and vegetables.
  "The cause of high vitamin A levels in animal liver is being investigated as a matter of urgency with a view to seeing whether changes in current animal feeding practices and in the use of veterinary vitamin A supplements could reduce those levels.
  "These investigations will take some time and, as high levels of Vitamin A have been reported in liver from a number of countries which export it to the United Kingdom, any effective action would have to be in concert with other countries. It is not yet clear how far levels of vitamin A in liver could be reduced but the situation will be closely monitored and fresh advice issued if the position changes."

  The CMO's statement, together with further information, has been placed in the Library.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Extradition
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in the case of prisoners held on remand for the purposes of extradition, the requesting country pays the cost of imprisonment so incurred should they oppose bail; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John Patten
  It is established international practice in extradition cases for the requested country to bear the cost of the fugitive's detention.

  Personal Data
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make a statement on the progress made by the working party studying reform of the Data Protection Act; what recent relevant international developments there have been; and whether any new legislation is envisaged in the near future.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  We are currently considering the report of the interdepartmental committee appointed to review the Data Protection Act 1984. The Government have also received recently a draft of a directive on data protection, and associated measures, from the European Commission. Legislation is unlikely before the directive has been adopted.

  Visas
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the changes to visa requirements since 26 July.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  On 15 August we withdrew from nationals of Somalia the concession under which the visa requirement is waived for transit passengers who are booked on an onward flight within 24 hours. The same concession was subsequently withdrawn from Iraqi nationals with effect from 23 August. Under rules changes which took effect on 22 September Iraqi nationals are to be refused student visas and Iraqis already issued with such visas may be refused admission. Under an immigration rules change which took effect on 1 October visas are no longer required by nationals of Czechoslovakia and Hungary; this change is subject to the usual parliamentary procedure.

  Travellers
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will announce his conclusions on the outcome of the review of section 39 of the Public Order Act; and whether he has plans to ensure that eviction powers take account of the needs of pregnant and newly-delivered traveller women.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  We hope to announce the results of the evaluation of section 39 of the Public Order Act 1986 by the end of the year. There is already a defence in the section for an accused person to show that he had a reasonable excuse for failing to leave the land, which he had been directed by the police to leave, as soon as 894
  reasonably practicable. As part of the evaluation we are considering whether specific account should be taken of the health of trespassers before a direction to leave the land is given.

  Police Records
  Mr. Sedgemore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his Department has issued any guidance or instruction to police forces on the length of time for which internal written or computer records should be preserved; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The Department has in the past asked forces to keep various records for a variety of reasons but details are not available and a comprehensive record could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The weeding of police records, where there is not a statutory requirement to keep them for a specified period, is a matter for chief officers. The code of practice for police computer systems issued by the Association of Chief Police Officers contains guidelines for the review and removal of personal data. A copy of the code of practice is in the Library. The guidelines are currently under review.

  Mr. Sedgemore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will seek a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis listing and describing all the notebooks and other written records that are required by standing orders, instructions or guidance to be personally kept or compiled by individual Metropolitan police officers for operational purposes(a) in the uniformed branch, and (b) in the CID;

  (2) if he will seek a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis listing and describing all the written records that are required by standing orders, instructions or guidance to be kept for operational purposes at Metropolitan police stations.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The Metropolitan police require police officers to compile many different kinds of written records and it is not possible to list them all except at a disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Sedgemore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list those police forces in England and Wales which do not have central command and control computers.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Nearly all forces make some use of computers in the handling of incidents and the deployment of resources. I understand, however, that the following forces do not have an integrated centralised command and control computer system which provides both these facilities:

  Cumbria Constabulary

  Durham Constabulary

  Dyfed Powys Police

  Gloucester Constabulary

  Greater Manchester Police

  Gwent Constabulary

  Humberside Police

  Lancashire Constabulary

  Leicestershire Constabulary

  Norfolk Constabulary

  Northamptonshire Police

  North Yorkshire Police

  Nottinghamshire Constabulary

  Thames Valley Police

  895
  The following four forces have decentralised computer systems which provide both command and control:

  Avon and Somerset Constabulary

  Devon and Cornwall Constabulary

  Dorset Police

  Surrey Constabulary

  Mr. Sedgemore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Police National Computer contains a particular code for recording or indicating that an individual has made a false complaint or false complaints against the police.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a question from the hon. Member for Denton and Reddish (Mr. Bennett) on 15 October at column 725.

  Suicide
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what dates young offenders have committed suicide while(a) in prison and (b) in secure

  Deaths of Young People in HM Prison Service establishments since 1981 (until 16 October 1990)

  Establishment

  Age

  Date of death

  Date of inquest

  Verdict

  Aylesbury

  18

  20 September 1981

  —

  Misadventure

  Rochester

  16

  30 December 1981

  —

  Suicide

  Canterbury

  18

  20 January 1982

  —

  Suicide

  Ashford

  18

  7 July 1982

  —

  Lack of Care

  Stoke Heath

  19

  11 October 1982

  —

  Suicide

  Lewes

  18

  23 November 1982

  —

  Suicide

  Canterbury

  20

  21 October 1982

  —

  Suicide

  Thorp Arch

  19

  3 February 1983

  —

  Misadventure

  Manchester

  16

  15 March 1983

  —

  Suicide

  Leeds

  20

  13 July 1983

  —

  Suicide

  Winchester

  20

  7 April 1984

  —

  Misadventure

  Swansea

  17

  19 May 1984

  —

  Suicide

  Pentonville

  19

  20 June 1984

  —

  Suicide

  Swansea

  19

  9 October 1985

  —

  Suicide

  Swansea

  19

  24 March 1985

  —

  Misadventure

  Portland

  20

  26 September 1985

  —

  Open

  Risley

  18

  12 October 1985

  —

  Suicide

  Exeter

  19

  13 January 1986

  —

  Suicide

  Ashford

  19

  20 March 1986

  —

  Suicide

  Liverpool

  19

  9 June 1986

  —

  Open

  Lewes

  19

  25 August 1986

  —

  Accidental death

  Risley

  20

  17 September 1986

  —

  Suicide

  Canterbury

  20

  8 January 1987

  —

  Suicide

  Ashford

  20

  7 March 1987

  —

  Suicide

  Stoke Heath

  20

  5 April 1987

  —

  Suicide

  Rochester

  17

  14 July 1987

  —

  Suicide

  Risley

  18

  23 August 1987

  —

  Suicide

  Stoke Heath

  19

  28 August 1987

  —

  Suicide

  Camp Hill

  20

  19 December 1987

  —

  Suicide

  Rochester

  18

  24 March 1988

  21 July 1988

  Open

  Risley

  20

  11 May 1988

  24 November 1988

  Suicide

  Leeds

  17

  28 May 1988

  24 August 1988

  Suicide

  Leeds

  18

  29 June 1988

  19 October 1988

  Suicide

  Manchester

  20

  22 September 1988

  11 January 1989

  Open

  Shrewsbury

  19

  19 October 1988

  24 January 1989

  Suicide

  Leeds

  19

  19 October 1988

  9 November 1988

  Suicide

  Glen Parva

  17

  24 October 1988

  7 December 1988

  Suicide

  Leeds

  19

  30 November 1988

  25 January 1989

  Suicide

  Castington

  19

  11 January 1989

  1 September 1989

  Accidental death

  Wellingborough

  19

  12 January 1989

  11 May 1989

  Accidental death

  Leeds

  18

  16 February 1989

  26 April 1989

  Suicide

  Risley

  19

  25 March 1989

  1 February 1990

  Open

  Lewes

  19

  28 April 1989

  21 June 1989

  Suicide

  Manchester

  18

  15 May 1989

  8 November 1989

  Suicide

  Rochester

  18

  1 October 1989

  26 March 1990

  Suicide

  Hindley

  19

  31 October 1989

  26 March 1990

  Suicide

  Swansea

  18

  4 November 1989

  3 May 1990

  Suicide

  Manchester

  19

  23 December 1989

  8 May 1990

  Suicide

  Glen Parva

  19

  24 December 1989

  28 February 1990

  Suicide

  Winchester

  19

  14 February 1990

  24 July 1990

  Open

  Hindley

  18

  18 February 1990

  25 May 1990

  Suicide

  Hindley

  18

  25 June 1990

  —1

  —

  896
  accommodation in the last 10 years; on what date each inquest took place; what was the average time between suicide and inquest (i) for those who committed suicide while in custody and (ii) for those not in custody; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The dates on which persons under the age of 21 (both convicted and unconvicted) have died at their own hand while in prison custody in the last 10 years, and the details of the inquests into those deaths, are set out in the table. The dates on which inquests were held prior to 1988 are not readily available and I shall write to the right hon. Member. For the years for which the information is available the average time between death and inquest is 134 days. Information about deaths in local authority secure accommodation is a matter for my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Health. Information about the average time between death and inquest for people who commit suicide while not in prison custody is not available.
  897

  Establishment

  Age

  Date of death

  Date of inquest

  Verdict

  Hindley

  18

  25 June 1990

  —1

  —

  Swansea

  15

  13 July 1990

  —1

  —

  Leeds

  17

  12 August 1990

  31 October 1990

  —

  Hull

  20

  29 September 1990

  —1

  —

  1 Dates have not yet been fixed for the inquests in these cases.

  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to improve the support to bereaved parents of prisoners who commit suicide in prison.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Where an inmate dies in prison custody the governor is required, under prison and young offender institution rules, to inform at once the inmate's spouse or next of kin and also any person whom the prisoner may reasonably have asked should be informed. Governors are expected to exercise care and sensitivity in notifying relatives and responding to their questions and concerns.

  We are currently preparing new guidance on the making of visits to bereaved relatives. The purpose of such visits would be to convey sympathy, to follow up matters of concern to the family and to provide information, where appropriate, about specialist bereavement services which are available in the community. We are also exploring the possibility of providing special training for selected members of prison staff by way of preparation for such visits.

  Armley Prison
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners are currently housed in Armley prison(a) on remand, (b) under 18-years-old, (c) for debt and (d) in total.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The information requested is as follows:

  Prisoners held in Armley prison as at 17 October 1990

  Number

  (a) Held on remand

  200

  (b) Under 18-years-old

  46

  (c) Held for debt offences

  7

  Total inmate population on 17 October 1990

  895

  Ethnic Minorities (Grant)
  Mr, Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements he has made for the future administration of grant to ethnic minorities under section 11 of the Local Government Act 1966.

  Mr. Waddington
  I have today issued the new arrangements for section 11 grant following the consideration of the responses received to the consultation document published on 14 March this year. The grant will in future be administered under both the Local Government Act 1966 and by means of a grant to be newly established and known as ethnic minority grant (EMG). The new arrangements will come into effect from April 1992.

  Copies have been placed in the Library.

  It is important that the considerable contribution that our ethnic minorities make to the life and work of this country is fully recognised. The new arrangements will focus grant on supporting the Government's prime
  898
  objectives to break down barriers experienced by members of the ethnic minorities. They are designed, in advance of legislative change, to ensure that the areas of greatest need are identified—both in the local authority and voluntary sectors. The grant will in future not be open ended and the continuing need for it will have to be shown. Workable proposals with identifiable objectives set, monitored and evaluated will be a means to ensure those ethnic minorities can take a full and active part in the life of this country.

  There will be greater scope to pursue a larger number and wider range of more innovative projects; in particular by the increased involvement of the voluntary sector. This will be achieved by requiring local authorities to identify suitable voluntary sector projects for the placement of local authority staff and at the same time by specifically devoting a proportion of the grant directly to the voluntary sector through the new training and enterprise councils (TECs).

  The TECs are becoming firmly established and by the time the new grant arrangements come into effect they will largely cover the whole country. Voluntary sector organisations, in particular those from the non-Commonwealth areas that have previously been unable to apply for such funds, will be able to make application for the new ethnic minority grant through the TECs.

  The Government recognise that legislation will be required for fundamental reform of section 11, but believe that much can be done in advance to improve the administration of the grant.

  The response to the consultation process from local authorities, the voluntary sector and individuals was considerable and the Government are grateful for the scale and scope of the comments made on their proposals. Where possible, comments and suggestions have been incorporated in the new arrangements. In response to specific requests from both local authorities and the voluntary sector it was announced on 5 September that the start date for the new arrangements would be deferred until 1 April 1992. This has allowed more time for the consideration of the comments and suggestions made. The grant has been subject to an overall cash limit (as recommended by the scrutiny report) since 1 April 1990; the other main changes in the funding arrangements set out in the draft circular are:
  the emphasis of the grant in future will be on practical projects working to identified needs, such as a lack of English language or low achievement in schools, and local authorities will in future bid for funding for projects to be judged against such specific criteria;
  all projects will therefore have to fall within the new criteria for grant as laid down in the statement of policy which accompanies the circular;
  all projects will have to be regularly monitored and reviewed against recognisable performance targets;
  in advance of formal legislative change arrangements are being made for some section 11 funding to be redirected to innovative projects that tackle ethnic minority need, to be sponsored by the new training and enterprise councils (TECs), with task forces and city action teams in suport;
  local authorities will need to work closely with voluntary organisations and identify a proportion of projects for the

  899
  voluntary sector;
  new administrative arrangements will come into effect on 1 April 1992. Bids for funding will be invited on an annual basis to a fixed timetable.

  The new arrangements will allow for wider and more innovative proposals, but existing projects will still be able to continue if they are brought within the new criteria. To increase effectiveness, all projects, whether local authority or voluntary sector based, will need to set clear objectives for achievement. They will on the one hand encourage, in advance of legislative change, the take-up of grant by the widest range of ethnic minority groups while on the other ensure that those seeking grant do not become wholly dependent on such funding. By this means I believe we shall enable more people to gain better access to all mainstream services and to thereby become full and effective members of our society.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE

  German Unification
  Sir Michael McNair-Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the agreement signed by the four occupying powers, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and France, with the two Germanies to enable unification to take place is a de facto peace treaty with Germany or whether a separate peace treaty will be signed to re-establish the legal status, responsibilities and liabilities of the new German state; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  The treaty on the final settlement with respect to Germany settles definitively matters arising out of the Second World War as between the parties to the treaty. There will be no separate peace treaty.

  Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if during his official visit to Argentina in early October, the Minister of State, the hon. Member for Watford (Mr. Garel-Jones), raised with ministers or officials of the Argentine Government the conditions under which Argentina would sign the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  My hon. Friend did raise nuclear non-proliferation with President Menem and Foreign Minister Cavallo during his visit to Argentina, and they discussed Argentine attitudes towards the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's attitude towards a nuclear test ban treaty following the fourth non-proliferation treaty review conference.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Our position remains that, for the foreseeable future, the United Kingdom's security will depend on deterrence based, in part, on possession of nuclear weapons. This will mean a continuing requirement to test to ensure our weapons remain up to date and effective.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish in the Official
  900
  Report (a) the remarks of the President of the fourth non-proliferation treaty review conference concerning article VI and (b) preambular paragraphs 8 to 12 of the treaty; and if he will make a statement outlining Her Majesty's Government's response to President de Rivero's remarks.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  A record of the remarks of the President of the fourth non-proliferation treaty review conference will be placed in the House of Commons Library when it becomes available. We share President de Rivero's assessment that agreement would have been possible on the final document proposed by the President but for the objections of one delegation.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will outline the reasons and the policy basis upon which Her Majesty's Government submitted annex A to section I of the non-proliferation treaty document MC I/I at the fourth non-proliferation treaty review conference; and if he will list the countries that supported annex A.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  This text, on the nuclear capabilities of certain countries not party to the treaty, was one of several working papers put forward by various countries at the non-proliferation treaty review conference for discussion. The text was supported by a number of countries.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish the texts of the proposals put by Her Majesty's Government to committees I, II and III at the fourth non-proliferation treaty review conference.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  No. Most of our proposals were put forward as the conference unfolded, often orally. It would be meaningless to publish texts in isolation.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will outline the reasons why the United Kingdom Delegation submitted the document on final language to main committee III at the fourth non-proliferation treaty review conference.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The United Kingdom delegation was one of a number of delegations to put forward suggestions on which the review conference secretariat drew in preparing a first draft of language for the final document for circulation in main committee III.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will outline any changes made in Her Majesty's Government's policy towards the enforcement of full scope safeguards on all nuclear exports during 1990 and publish the response of the United Kingdom delegation to documents NPT/CONF IV/DC/I/ ADO 3(B) presented to the fourth non-proliferation treaty review conference.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  There have been no changes during 1990 in our long-standing position on the desirability of requiring full-scope safeguards as a condition of nuclear supply.

  The conference achieved consensus language on this matter, which reads as follows:
  "The Conference further urges the nuclear supplier States to require as a necessary condition for the transfer of relevant

  901
  nuclear supplies to non-nuclear-weapon States under new supply arrangements, such a commitment and acceptance of such safeguards."

  We will be discussing the question with other states concerned.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish the response of the United Kingdom delegation at the fourth non-proliferation treaty review conference to the comments of the Nuclear Control Institute on the implementation of safeguards.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The United Kingdom delegation did not respond at the fourth non-proliferation treaty review conference to any comments of the Nuclear Control Institute on the implementation of safeguards.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish the main points of and Government reaction to, article VI and preambular paragraphs 8 to 12 set out at the fourth non-proliferation treaty review conference.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Article VI and preambular paragraphs 8–12 of the non-proliferation treaty primarily concern the responsibilities of states to work towards nuclear and general disarmament and to cease nuclear testing. Although these are long-term goals, considerable progress has been made since 1985 in arms control, in particular through the INF treaty and strategic arms reduction talks, and with the prospect of a treaty on conventional forces in Europe. But we do not believe that a cessation of nuclear testing is possible while we depend upon nuclear weapons for deterrence and in the absence of completely reliable means of verification.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will ensure that copies of all the documents submitted to the fourth non-proliferation treaty review conference and its three main committees by Her Majesty's Government are deposited in the Library.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Copies of the following documents submitted to the Conference are being placed in the Library of the House:

  (a) a paper on United Kingdom implementation of the treaty;

  (b) the speech which I gave to the conference on 22 August.

  (c) a paper jointly submitted with the other two NPT depositary powers about a combined review and extension conference in 1995.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will outline the response of Her Majesty's Government to(a) document NPT/CONF IV/M E II/WP 10 and (b) document NPT CONF IV/MC II/wpio/REV I contained in annex 4 and 5 of the main report and presented at the fourth non-proliferation treaty review conference.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Document NPT/CONF IV/MC II/WP10 was a working paper presented by the three depositary powers of the NPT and proposed language for the final document relevant to article X of the treaty concerning a conference in 1995 to extend the treaty document NPT/CONF Iv/MC 11/WP10/REV 1 was introduced by the depositary powers as a revision to their original working paper, in an effort to achieve consensus.902
  Consensus could not be reached. Accordingly, the second main committee of the conference decided to annex these papers to its report.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish Her Majesty's Government's response to the proposals on the extension of applications for nuclear safeguards to cover peace orientated nuclear facilities in non-proliferation treaty signatory states, outlined in the fourth non-proliferation treaty review conference.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The conference achieved consensus language on this point, which reads as follows:"The Conference reiterates the calls for the continued pursuit of the principle of universal application of IAEA safeguards to all peaceful nuclear activities in all States".
  The United Kingdom joined the consensus.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what efforts were made by the United Kingdom delegation to achieve the adoption of a joint declaration at the fourth non-proliferation treaty review conference; and if he will make a statement on the reasons why the conference failed to adopt such a declaration.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The United Kingdom made every effort to achieve a consensus final document. In the end, consensus was blocked by one delegation.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish Her Majesty's Government's response to the comment in paragraph I in article 3, of the report of main committee II at the fourth non-proliferation treaty review conference about the proliferation dangers posed by unsafeguarding nuclear activities in non-nuclear weapons states.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  We fully endorse the statement in the report of main committee II to the effect that unsafeguarded nuclear activities, which could lead to the spread of nuclear weapons capabilities in non-nuclear weapon states, pose serious proliferation dangers. This highlights the importance of the application of IAEA safeguards.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish a list of all documents submitted in the name of Her Majesty's Government to the fourth non-proliferation treaty review conference; how many copies of each document were produced; and what was the response of conference participants to the documents.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The following documents were submitted formally by us to the fourth non-proliferation treaty review conference:

  (a) a paper on the United Kingdom's implementation of the treaty;

  (b) the speech which I delivered to the conference on 22 August.

  We do not know precisely how many copies of each document were produced. Conference participants welcomed a number of the ideas and statements in the documents.

  In addition, our delegation put forward several suggestions for language for the final document.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish Her
  903
  Majesty's Government's response to the proposals outlined in the fourth non-proliferation treaty review conference to offer any nuclear materials installed for verification by submission to the International Atomic Energy Agency.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The proposals resulting from the fourth non-proliferation treaty review conference are currently being considered. Our policy will continue to be that all civil nuclear material held in the United Kingdom should be subject to Euratom safeguards under the treaty of 1957 establishing the European Atomic Energy Community and to the terms of the UK/Euratom/IAEA safeguards agreement of September 1976.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will outline the reasons for the United Kingdom delegation's reservation of judgment on paragraph 20 of the report of main committee II concerning safeguards, at the recent fourth non-proliferation treaty review conference.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  We reserved our position on this paragraph because we had an alternative formulation. Consensus language was eventually achieved.

  Cambodia
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will investigate the role of the Astra company of Ramsgate, and its Belgian subsidiary PRB, in exporting anti-tank rocket launchers to the armed forces of the Khmer Rouge operating in Cambodia.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We have no evidence to substantiate these allegations. A licence is required to export such equipment under the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1989, as amended, and any breach of the controls would be carefully investigated.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy at the next European Council of Foreign Affairs Ministers to ask his counterparts from France and Germany whether any military equipment and offensive armaments have been exported from manufacturers in their respective countries to the armed forces of the Khmer Rouge operating in Cambodia.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  These are matters for the Governments concerned.

  Iraq
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he has taken to secure the release of Mr. Ian Richter since his imprisonment in Abu Ghraid gaol, near Baghdad, on 7 February 1987.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  We are doing all we can to bring Mr. Richter home safely as soon as possible.

  We have raised his case with the Iraqis at every opportunity throughout the last four years. Her Majesty's ambassador in Baghdad also raises Mr. Richter's case at every possible opportunity, most recently on 20 August.

  Although our task has become more difficult during the present crisis in the Gulf, Mr. Richter's case remains very much in our mind in our dealings with the Iraqis.
  904
  We are in touch with Mrs. Richter regularly about her husband's case.

  Lebanon
  Mr. Adley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on British relations with Lebanon.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  We will continue to give strong support to President Hrawi and the legitimate government of Lebanon. This is a time for reconciliation not recrimination. Following General Aoun's surrender we look for early and substantial progress on the basis of the Taif agreement towards a fully sovereign, independent Lebanon, free of foreign troops and armed militias.

  Syria
  Mr. Adley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on British relations with Syria.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Syria is an important regional power with whom we would like to have normal relations, but this does depend on resolving the problems which led to the breach in relations in 1986. We welcome President Assad's decision to send troops to the Gulf in support of the international effort to defend Saudi Arabia and help restore the legitimate government of Kuwait.

  International Atomic Energy Agency Conference
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the issue of nuclear weapons funding safeguards was raised by(a) the United Kingdom delegation or (b) any other delegation at the International Atomic Energy Agency conference at Vienna during September.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  No.

  Mr. Moate
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Spanish Government about the position of British lorry drivers and their vehicles held up in Spain by the current Spanish road haulage dispute; and what help can be offered through consulate arrangements to assist those suffering hardship or financial difficulties.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We have made representations to the Spanish central and regional authorities about their responsibility for the safety of British lorry crews and vehicles held up near the Irun border post for several days.

  Assistance, including financial, is being given by the Consular staff to all who are in need of help. The local authorities are providing food and drink.

  Cambodia
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the responsibilities of Mr. Dennis Rupert Gallwey in relation to Cambodia and the forces of the Cambodian resistance during his recent posting to Bangkok.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Mr. Gallwey was engaged in general duties in support of the defence section at the British embassy in Bangkok.

  Tibet
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement outlining the Government's policy towards Tibet.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Successive British Governments have always regarded Tibet as autonomous while recognising the special position of the Chinese authorities there. This remains our view. Against this background, we continue to call for dialogue between the Chinese Government and the Tibetan people. We have also told the Chinese authorities on every possible occasion of our concern about the human rights situation in Tibet.

  Mr. Dennis Gallwey
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the current responsibilities of Mr. Dennis Rupert Gallwey.

  Mr. Lenox-Boyd
  Mr. Gallwey retired from Her Majesty's diplomatic service in April 1990.

  Cambodia
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contact there was between his Department and Messrs. Anthony de Normann and Christopher Edward Mackenzie Giedt(a) before and (b) after their recent visit to Cambodia.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  At his request, Mr. Mackenzie Geidt was briefed by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on the situation in Cambodia before he and Mr. de Normann visited Indochina in 1989 at the invitation of the Institute for International Relations in Hanoi and the present regime in Phnom Penh. There was no subsequent contact between this Department and the two men on their visit. Within the last few days, there have been exchanges with officials in this Department about allegations against the two men in the media.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  BSE
  Mr. John P. Smith
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he last met the National Farmers Union to discuss bovine spongiform encephalopathy.

  Mr. Gummer
  I am in regular discussion with the National Farmers Union on a wide range of issues, including BSE.

  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he intends to take any further measures to control BSE; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John Evans
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he intends to take further measures to control BSE; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lewis
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he intends to take further measures to control BSE; and if he will make a statement.
  906
  Mr. Gummer
  Legislation has, from 25 September, prohibited the use of certain bovine offals in all animal feedstuffs, including pet food.

  In addition, legislation came into force on 15 October which will require cattle owners to maintain breeding records of their herds and to keep both these and animal movement records for 10 years. As well as tightening general disease control measures, this will enable the offspring of BSE cases to be traced more easily, should if prove necessary to do so.

  National Consumer Council
  Mr. Patchett
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he last met the National Consumer Council to discuss food issues.

  Mr. O'Brien
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he last met the National Consumer Council to discuss agricultural issues.

  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he last met the National Consumer Council to discuss food issues.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he last met the National Consumer Council to discuss food issues.

  Mr. Ted Garrett
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he last met the National Consumer Council to discuss agricultural issues.

  Mr. Maclean
  Representatives of the National Consumer Council were present on 12 July 1990 at the periodic meeting between my right hon. Friend and the office holders of consumer organisations.

  Consumer Panel
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what items were discussed by the Consumer panel at its last meeting.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what items were discussed by the consumer panel at its last meeting.

  Mr. Maclean
  The consumer panel met on 17 October 1990 and discussed a wide range of issues including food safety research and development, food surveillance, risk assessment, the food hazard warning system and freedom of information. The papers and minutes of this meeting are publicly available and have been placed in the Library of the House.

  The next meeting of the panel will take place on 16 January 1991.

  Farming and Wildlife Trust
  Mr. Riddick
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what form of support his Ministry has been able to offer to the Farming and Wildlife Trust.

  Mr. Gummer
  My Department supports the work of the Farming and Wildlife Trust both by financial contribution and by provision of services locally to the trust's farm conservation advisers.

  Research
  Mr. John Greenway
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to co-ordinate his Department's research with that in other European Community countries.

  Mr. Curry
  The main vehicle for the co-ordination of research within the European Community has been the series of framework programmes for R & D, the most recent of which was agreed on 23 April 1990. The Department has taken, and is taking, an active part in development of the relevant individual programmes under these frameworks which include provision for research into agriculture, fisheries and food. In addition, we maintain a range of other contracts, formal and informal, between MAFF scientists and their EC counterparts.

  Mr. Mans
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much his Department is spending on food research in the current year.

  Mr. Gummer
  My Department plans to spend £20 million on food research in the current year.

  Beef
  Mr. Colin Shepherd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will next meet the president of the National Farmers Union to discuss the beef sector of the agricultural industry.

  Mr. Gummer
  I am in frequent contact with the President of the National Farmers Union about all aspects of the agriculture industry, including the beef sector.

  Mr. Murphy
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he last met European Community 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.

  Food Irradiation
  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what scientific evidence is available to him on the safety or otherwise of food irradiation; and what weight he accords to such evidence.

  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what scientific evidence he has on the safety or otherwise of food irradiation; and what weight he gives to such evidence.

  Mr. Maclean
  The safety of food irradiation has been confirmed in the report of the independent Advisory Committee on Irradiated and Novel Foods entitled "The Safety and Wholesomeness of Irradiated Foods".

  This includes reports from other independent scientific committees dealing specifically with toxicology, nutrition, microbiology and radiology.

  Many other national and international scientific committees, including the EC Scientific Committee for Food, have also concluded that food irradiation can safely be permitted.

  The Government has accepted the conclusion on the many scientific evaluations that have been made world wide.
  908
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the legislative measures he will have to introduce prior to the introduction of food irradiation into the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  On 6 August the Ministry and the Department of Health jointly published for public consultation the draft Food (Control of Irradiation) Regulations 1990. These regulations, which draw on new powers in the Food Safety Act 1990, would lift the current general prohibition on the sale of irradiated foods in Great Britain and introduce a plant-specific, product-specific licensing system for food irradiation facilities. The regulations are intended to come into force on 1 January 1991.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has any plans to introduce the legislative measures to permit food irradiation in the United Kingdom prior to a decision being taken on its use in the European Community; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  Government proposals for regulations that would lift the current general prohibition on the sale of irradiated foods and introduce a licensing system for food treatment facilities were published on 6 August. Irradiated foods have been accepted as safe by the World Health Organisation, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations and many national and international scientific committees including our own Advisory Committee on Irradiated and Novel Foods. There is no justification for continuing to deny consumers and industry the option of benefiting from this process, which can enhance food safety and extend choice. But no one will be forced to buy irradiated food if they do not want to.

  Houston Protocol
  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the steps he is now proposing to further the aims of the Houston protocol in relation to the reduction of agricultural support.

  Mr. Curry
  The Houston summit stressed the importance of a successful conclusion to the GATT round. The United Kingdom is playing a leading role with the Community to ensure that the EC contributes constructively to discussions on reducing agricultural support.

  Eggs
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many eggs were imported into the United Kingdom in the last 12 months for which figures are available; what was their value and what was the percentage change in the last 12 months.

  Mr. Curry
  Six hundred and eighty five million eggs were imported into the United Kingdom between September 1989 and August 1990 at a value of £29 million.

  This represents an increase of 148 per cent. in volume and 211 per cent. in value over figures for the equivalent period in 1988–89.

  Food From Britain
  Mr. Waller
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussion he has held with the chairman of Food From Britain on its objectives for 1990 and 1991.

  Mr. Gummer
  Since his appointment on 1 May 1990, I have met the chairman of Food From Britain on a number of occasions to discuss this and other issues.

  Scottish Fishing Industry
  Mr. Andrew Welsh
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he next intends to meet with representatives of the catching sector of the Scottish fishing industry; and what assistance he is making available to that sector.

  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he next intends to meet with representatives of the catching sector of the Scottish fishing industry; and what assistance he is making available to that sector.

  Mr. Curry
  I have no plans to do so but my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Scottish Minister for Fisheries are in regular contact with them. Aid is available for the modernisation of fishing boats and provision of port facilities for the fishing industry. In addition there are schemes for assisting the marketing and processing of fish and shellfish products which benefit the industry.

  Common Agricultural Policy
  Mr. Ian Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what matters he proposes to raise at the next meeting of the Agricultural Council in order to further develop the effectiveness of the CAP.

  Mr. Gummer
  The agenda for the next Agricultural Council on 12 and 13 November has yet to be decided; I will decide nearer the time whether to raise any matters that would not otherwise be discussed.

  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he last met his colleagues in the Council of Ministers to discuss reform of the common agricultural policy.

  Mr. Jack Thompson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he last met the European Community Agriculture Ministers to discuss the common agricultural policy.

  Mr. Gummer
  This week, on 15 and 16 October. Issues discussed included the EC's proposed GATT offer on agriculture, the agricultural aspects of German unification and the reform of the olive oil regime.

  Mr. Hague
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he next expects to meet his European Community counterparts to discuss further amendments to the common agricultural policy.

  Mr. Curry
  In November—12 and 13. The agenda is not yet fixed.

  Dairy Industry
  Mr. Knox
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he next intends to meet the president of the National Farmers Union to discuss the dairy sector.

  Mr. Gummer
  I meet the president of the National Farmers Union to discuss a wide range of issues including the dairy industry.

  North Sea Conference
  Mr. Jim Marshall
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about his implementation of the agreements from the last North sea conference.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about his implementation of the agreements from the last North sea conference.

  Mr. Curry
  The targets and timetables set by Her Majesty's Government for implementation of the agreements reached at the 3rd North sea conference in March of this year were published in the United Kingdom guidance note on the ministerial declaration on 6 July 1990. This publication is available in the Library of the House.

  Footpaths
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the effect of new legislation on the ploughing up of footpaths.

  Mr. Gummer
  The Rights of Way Act 1990 has removed previous uncertainties as to the legal rights and responsibilities of farmers when cultivating land crossed by public rights of way. All farmers have been sent a booklet explaining the new law and providing practical guidance. The act also provides for stronger powers of enforcement. Its provisions have been widely welcomed and the public should benefit from the use of paths which are free from obstruction and clearly marked.

  UK Fishing Industry
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give an assessment of the prospects for the United Kingdom's fishing industry.

  Mr. Kennedy
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will assess the prospects for the United Kingdom fishing industry; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Curry
  So far this year the value of landings has been 9 per cent. higher than in 1989 despite the volume being down by 2 per cent. The conservation of fish stocks to safeguard the future of the fishing fleet remains an urgent priority.

  Animal Welfare
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the role of veterinarians in promoting animal welfare.
  911
  Mr. Doran
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the role of veterinarians in promoting animal welfare.

  Mr. Maclean
  I refer the hon. Members to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Wakefield (Mr. Hinchliffe) earlier today.

  Mr. Eadie
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what role state veterinary service vets play in enforcing animal welfare standards.

  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what role state veterinary service vets play in enforcing animal welfare standards.

  Mr. Maclean
  Veterinary officers of the state veterinary service monitor welfare whenever they visit livestock farms. In addition, they carry out specific visits for welfare purposes. They promote the maintenance and improvement of welfare by advising farmers to follow the recommendations in the welfare codes. When necessary, they will not-hesitate to initiate prosecution proceedings. Indeed, a ministerial prosecution was concluded this month in which a farmer was convicted on more than 150 counts, sentenced to five months' imprisonment and fined £3,500 for cruelty to sheep. In addition, he has been banned for keeping sheep for five years.

  Livestock Exports
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on progress of negotiation with the European Community on welfare standards for live horses for export after 1992.

  Mr. Gummer
  There has been little progress and only one Community meeting has been held to discuss the Commission's proposals on the protection of animals during transport. When the discussions resume we shall be pressing to retain our controls on the export of horses and ponies.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what were the numbers of live sheep exported for slaughter in the first three months of 1990 and 1989.

  Mr. Maclean
  The figures are as follows:

  Live exports (numbers)

  1989

  1990

  January

  43,845

  88,835

  February

  31,543

  61,731

  March

  30,117

  127,992

  Total

  105,505

  178,558

  1 Provisional Data

  Relocation
  Mr. Leadbitter
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he plans to relocate any of the divisions of his Department.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he plans to relocate any of the divisions of his Department.
  912
  Mr. Boyes
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the possible decentralisation of staff in his Department.

  Mr. Gummer
  My Department is currently planning to relocate its central science laboratory and part of its headquarters work away from the south-east. I announced on 1 May that the intervention board was to move part of its operations from Reading to Newcastle on Tyne and the first steps to transfer the work permanently have already been taken.

  Fishing Agreements
  Mr. Harris
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to ensure that European Community agreements on fishing are not flouted by other member states.

  Mr. Curry
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer that I gave him on 22 June at columns 748–49 on measures to deal with quota-hopping. Since then the House of Lords Appellate Committee have ordered that interim relief should be granted to applicants in the Factortame case. The relief is restricted to the requirement on owners and shareholders to be resident and domiciled in this country and affects only 53 vessels. The requirement that vessels should be managed and their operations directed and controlled from the United Kingdom remains. The registrar of shipping will ensure that only eligible vessels are registered. To date 12 of the 53 vessels have qualified.

  As I said in my earlier reply, the question whether the fishing vessel registered requirements of the Merchant Shipping Act 1988 are compatible with Community law was still to be considered by the European Court of Justice. We will argue strongly before that Court that these provisions are right and necessary to protect the interests of our fishing communities.

  To resume fishing against United Kingdom quotas, all these vessels must also obtain a licence. Licensed vessels will be required to make regular visits to United Kingdom ports where it is expected that they will take on supplies land fish and change crews and thereby create some economic activity of benefit to the local community. Such visits will also enable officers of the sea fisheries inspectorate to board and inspect the boats to ensure that the conditions of their United Kingdom fishing licence are met and national and EC fisheries regulations are complied with. The inspectorate will continue to take firm action against any fisherman who flouts the law.

  Scientific Evidence
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what weight he accords to scientific evidence in reaching his Ministerial decisions.

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what weight he accords to scientific evidence in reaching his Ministerial decisions.

  Mr. Gummer
  The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is a science-based department. Our policies rest on are guided by scientific knowledge and advice. For example, policies on food safety, the environment, animal health and welfare, and fish stock management, all depend heavily on scientific input.

  Beer
  Mrs. Currie
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the balance of trade in beer and lager products.

  Mr. Maclean
  Net imports of beer and lager were valued at just under £75 million in 1989.

  Young People
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he last met representatives from the National Union of Farmers to discuss opportunities for young people entering the agricultural industry.

  Mr. Curry
  The NFU has not requested a meeting to discuss opportunities for young people to enter agriculture. We are in regular touch on a wide range of other issues.

  Countryside Preservation
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has recently discussed the maintenance of the countryside with the president of the National Farmers Union.

  Mr. Curry
  My right hon. Friend the Minister meets the president of the National Farmers Union on numerous occasions to discuss various issues. Their last meeting was on 6 September.

  Sea Defences
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has met the National Rivers Authority to discuss a national strategy for sea defences.

  Mr. Curry
  I meet the chairman of the National Rivers Authority on a regular basis to discuss implementation of the Government's flood defence policy and there are also frequent contacts between our officials on all flood defence matters.

  Farm Incomes
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he last met representatives of British farmers to discuss farm incomes.

  Mr. Gummer
  Ministers in this Department frequently meet representatives of the British farming community to discuss a wide range of issues, including farm incomes.

  Dolphins
  Mr. Anthony Coombs
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he has taken to safeguard dolphins.

  Mr. Curry
  Dolphins are already strictly protected under United Kingdom law including against deliberate capture. We are playing a leading role in work with countries bordering the North Sea and the Baltic for arrangements to further conserve small cetaceans, including dolphins. We also continue to press for wider international protection where this is needed and have 914
  supported the United Nations resolution to curtail large scale oceanic drift netting which has presented a threat to dolphins and other marine life particularly in the South Pacific.

  Food Labelling
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on progress towards the introduction of compulsory food labelling.

  Mr. Maclean
  The directive on Nutrition Labelling Rules was finally agreed by the council on 24 September and was published in the Official Journal of 6 October. It lays down the statutory format for the giving of nutrition information on food labels. It provides for a two stage approach with energy, protein, carbohydrates and fat in the first group plus sugar, sodium, saturates and fibre in the second. The giving of information remains voluntary, although when given it must be comprehensive and in the agreed format. The exception to this is where a nutrition claim is made when the provision of the information in the agreed format is compulsory.

  The first stage of the approach comes into final effect in three years; the second stage comes into effect two years later. There remain some detailed provisions still to be agreed but I anticipate these issues will be resolved within the three year run-in period. We are disappointed that we did not achieve earlier implementation dates and I know that consumer and health groups will be similarly disappointed. It was however not possible to rally majority support in Brussels for an earlier implementation date and we thought it best to enable this important directive to be agreed without further delay and possible dilution. We shall be making the necessary changes to United Kingdom food labelling legislation, but in the meantime we shall now actively encourage the United Kingdom food industry to provide comprehensive nutrition information to the level of both first and second stages as we do already in the United Kingdom Government guidelines on Nutrition Labelling of Food.

  The second directive giving powers to require selected nutrients to be the subject of compulsory labelling has not been agreed, but we have ensured that it remains on the table in Brussels. There is a general support amongst a majority of member states for the principles behind this proposal, but it is felt that decisions about compulsory labelling will best be considered after experience has been gained with the voluntary system. Because the science of nutrition is relatively new and ideas and knowledge are still developing, the United Kingdom Government are prepared to go along with the majority view whilst wishing to ensure that the issue of compulsory nutrition labelling does not disappear from view.

  Animal Health Directives
  Mr. Nicholas Bennett
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the progress towards animal health directives within the European Community.

  Mr. Maclean
  Progress continues to be made within the Community in harmonising animal health controls as part of the process of the realisation of the single market. Within the last 12 months a number of key measures have been agreed, as follows:
  915
  Directive 89/556 of 25 September 1989 on animal health conditions governing intra-Community trade in and imports from third countries of embryos of domestic animals of the bovine species.

  Directive 89/608 of 21 November 1989 on mutual assistance between the administrative authorities of member states and co-operation between the latter and the Commission to ensure the correct application of legislation on veterinary and zootechnical matters.

  Directive 89/662 of 11 December 1989 concerning veterinary checks in intra-Community trade with a view to the completion of the internal market.

  Directive 90/422 of 26 June 1990 amending directive 64/432 as regards enzootic bovine leukosis.

  Directive 90/423 of 26 June 1990 amending directives 85/511, 64/432 and 72/462 as regards from foot and mouth disease. Decision 90/424 of 26 June 1990 on expenditure in the veterinary field.

  Directive 90/425 of 26 June 1990 concerning veterinary and zootechnical checks applicable in intra-Community trade in certain live animals and products with a view to the completion of the internal market.

  Directive 90/426 of 26 June 1990 on animal health conditions governing the movement and import from third countries of equidae.

  Directive 90/429 of 26 June 1990 laying down the animal health requirements applicable to intra-Community trade in and imports from third countries of semen of domestic animals of the porcine species.

  All these measures represent important steps toward completion of the single market. I should like particularly to refer to directive 90/423 which provides for a uniform policy for the control of foot and mouth disease (FMD). From January 1992, and in line with current United Kingdom policy, the practice of vaccination against the disease is to be discontinued throughout the Community. Thereafter the main protection against the disease will be the slaughter and destruction of animals from affected herds with compensation being paid to the owner. Once implemented this new policy will contribute significantly to liberalising controls on the movement of FMD-susceptible animals.

  In addition to the measures listed above, two directives (89/662 and 90/425) have now been adopted concerning the veterinary and documentary checks that are currently conducted at points of entry to ensure that animals and animal products are healthy and comply with Community rules. Both directives provide for the eventual elimination of veterinary checks at frontiers and their substitution with a system of checks at points of origin and destination. However, as a transitional measure the directives provide us with considerable scope for maintaining frontier checks until at least the end of 1992 when both directives have to be reviewed. We are satisfied with both since they reflect our key contention that the dismantling of controls should not lead to an increased risk of the spread of disease.

  Much remains to be done, however, before the end of 1992, and we still await formal proposals from the Commission for post-1992 controls. In the meantime, although we fully support the overall objective of harmonising Community health standards at the highest attainable level, and look forward to the eventual removal of barriers to trade where possible, we have no intention in the negotiations to come of jeopardising our current high animal health status.

  Pesticides
  Mr. Allen McKay
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress he has made on the review of pesticides; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  Considerable progress has been made on the review of pesticides and I will be making a statement shortly.

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a Statement on the use of pesticides on agricultural land.

  Mr. Maclean
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave today to the Member for Wrexham (Dr. Marek).

  Research and Development
  Mr. Patrick Thompson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the research and development priorities for his Department.

  Mr. Gummer
  The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food funds research essentially for three reasons:(a) to guide the formulations, appraisal and evaluation of policy and to support statutory functions; (b) to protect the consumer and the environment; (c) to support strategic research which takes scientific opportunities to the point where it is appropriate for industry to fund further development prior to exploitation.

  I see research in all three areas as essential in both the short and long term, although the emphasis may change. Current priorities include lower chemical inputs, improved pest control techniques and the relationship between public health and zoonoses.

  In setting research priorities full account is taken of the independent advice of the Priorities Board for Research and Development in Agriculture and Food. Food safety and nutritional quality are areas recently recommended by the priorities board as needing a higher priority. Among the subjects which are likely to become more important are climate change, lower input sustainable farming systems and cleaner technologies.

  Meetings
  Mr. Andy Stewart
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many times during 1990 he has met representatives of(a) consumers and (b) producer interests.

  Mr. Gummer
  Since 1 January 1990 I have met consumers' representatives on 10 occasions and producers' representatives on 12 occasions to discuss food safety issues, on 16 occasions to discuss production issues and on six occasions mainly to discuss problems connected with the export of live sheep to France.

  Salmon
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement about the report on east coast salmon fisheries prepared under the terms of the Salmon Act.

  Mr. Curry
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply that I gave on 15 October.
  917
  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which independent bodies provide advice to his Department on food matters.

  Mr. Maclean
  The Department receives advice on food matters from a number of independent bodies notably the Food Advisory Committee, the consumer panel, the advisory committee on novel foods and processes, the advisory committee on pesticides and the veterinary products committee. In addition this Department and the Department of Health receive advice from three further independent bodies. These are the committee on the microbiological safety of food, the committee on medical aspects of food policy and the committee on toxicity of chemicals in food, consumer products and the environment. Finally, the spongiform encephalopathy advisory committee has advised these two Departments on, among other matters, the implications of BSE for human health through the consumption of certain food products.

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has had any discussions with local authorities about the implementation of the Food Safety Bill.

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has had any discussions with local authorities about the implementation of the Food Safety Bill.

  Mr. Maclean
  Local authorities are being consulted on the draft orders and regulations that will bring the Food Safety Act into force. Local authority officers are serving on the Implementation Advisory Committee which advises the Government on the codes of practice to be made under the Act. Yesterday my right hon. Friend the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food addressed the first of a series of seven seminars aimed at helping enforcement officers to understand how the new Act will work.

  Sea Fish Industry Authority
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish in the Official Report the names of the chairman and members of the Sea Fish Industry Authority, the organisations, agencies and associations whence they were recruited, their tenure of office and their remuneration.

  Mr. Curry
  The chairman and members of the authority were appointed on 1 October 1990. Appointments are normally for a three-year period, but Ministers may, under certain circumstances, terminate an appointment at any time during that three-year period.

  The board comprises of 12 members appointed by Ministers. The chairman and deputy chairman and two other members are independent members who have no direct financial or commercial interest in the fishing industry. The other members are drawn from various sectors of the fishing and fish processing industry and the industry is consulted on their appointments. These members represent the industry as a whole rather than
  918
  their own particular sector. The chairman receives £25,490 and the board members £5,330 per annum for their services.

  Names of the authority's board members and their position are as follows. Further biographical details were given in the MAFF news release 321/90 of 25 September, a copy of which is in the Library of the House. An announcement on the appointment of a deputy chairman will be made shortly.

  Independent Members

  Mr. John MacKay (Chairman)

  Professor Mike Haines

  Mr. Frank Ledwidge OBE FCA

  Industry Representatives

  Mr. John Adams

  Mr. John V. Cradock

  Mr. William Hay CBE

  Mr. Duncan Macinnes JP

  Mr. Ian McFadden

  Miss Elizabeth Stevenson

  Mr. David Vickers

  Mr. Colin Warwick

DEFENCE

  Military Hospitals
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the numbers of(a) civilian outpatients and (b) civilian inpatients treated at the Princess of Wales RAF hospital, Ely under the national health service in each medical and surgical department during each of the last five years.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The information requested cannot be provided without disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list those military hospitals which provide an accident and emergency service to the national health service.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The following service hospitals currently provide a consultant-led specialist accident and emergency service to the national health service:

  Royal Naval Hospital Haslar;

  Royal Naval Hospital Plymouth;

  Cambridge Military Hospital, Aldershot.

  In addition, casualty departments run by a medical officer are provided for use by national health service patients in the following service hospitals:

  Duchess of Kent Military Hospital, Catterick;

  Princess Alexandra Royal Air Force Hospital, Wroughton;

  The Princess of Wales Royal Air Force Hospital, Ely.

  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list all the surgical and medical disciplines provided at each RAF hospital.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The table provides a guide to all the surgical and medical disciplines normally provided at the three RAF hospitals in the United Kingdom. These may be subject to alteration or reduction in the light of future service requirements.
  919

  Table of Hospital Details

  Specialities

  The Princess of Wales Royal Air Force Hospital Ely

  Princess Mary Royal Air Force Hospital Halton

  The Princess Alexandra Royal Air Force Hospital Wroughton

  Anaesthetics

  yes

  yes

  yes

  Casualty

  yes

  no

  yes

  Coronary Care

  yes

  yes

  yes

  Dermatology

  visiting consultant

  visiting consultant

  visiting consultant

  Ears Nose Throat

  yes

  yes

  yes

  Gastroenterology

  no

  no

  no

  General Medicine

  yes

  yes

  yes

  General Surgery

  yes

  yes

  yes

  Gynaecology

  yes

  yes

  yes

  Intensive Care

  yes

  yes

  yes

  Neurology

  visiting consultant

  visiting consultant

  yes

  Nuclear Medicine

  no

  yes

  no

  Obstetrics

  yes

  yes

  yes

  Oncology

  no

  yes

  no

  Ophthalmics

  yes

  yes

  yes

  Oral Surgery

  yes

  yes

  yes

  Orthopaedics

  yes

  yes

  yes

  Paediatrics

  yes

  no

  visiting consultant

  Pathology

  yes

  yes

  yes

  Plastic Surgery

  visiting consultant

  yes

  visiting consultant

  Psychiatry

  yes

  visiting consultant

  yes

  Radiology

  yes

  yes

  yes

  Renal Medicine

  no

  yes

  no

  Rheumatology

  visiting consultant

  yes

  visiting consultant

  Thoracic Medicine

  no

  no

  no

  Urology

  yes

  yes

  yes

  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list all the district health authorities which have had civilian patients treated under the national health service at the Princess of Wales RAF hospital, Ely during each of the last five years.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The principal district health authorities which have referred NHS patients to the Princess of Wales RAF hospital during the last five years are Cambridge, West Norfolk and Wisbech, West Suffolk and Huntingdon. Additionally, health authorities from all areas of the United Kingdom may on occasion refer patients for a specific treatment. A list of those authorities which have done so over the last five years could not be produced without disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to permit military hospitals to enter the national health service internal market.

  Table A—Inpatient Admissions—United Kingdom Service Hospitals

  85

  86

  87

  88

  89

  Hospital

  Service

  Dependants

  Service

  Dependants

  Service

  Dependants

  Service

  Dependants

  Service

  Dependants

  Woolwich

  4,974

  1,025

  4,240

  1,238

  4,679

  1,129

  3,752

  930

  3,947

  901

  Aldershot

  8,585

  39,655

  2,628

  2,333

  2,691

  2,293

  2,952

  2,242

  2,877

  1,781

  Catterick

  5,389

  2,378

  2,252

  1,119

  2,134

  845

  2,405

  775

  2,428

  729

  Wroughton

  5,502

  2,561

  5,103

  2,522

  4,758

  2,663

  4,779

  2,602

  4,459

  2,062

  Ely

  4,976

  2,156

  2,692

  1,408

  2,612

  1,310

  2,647

  1,185

  2,562

  1,022

  Halton

  4,025

  1,616

  2,661

  1,396

  2,541

  1,393

  2,517

  1,066

  2,763

  1,112

  Plymouth

  9,008

  1,538

  1,933

  246

  1,752

  171

  1,902

  229

  1,741

  212

  Haslar

  9,139

  3,006

  3,303

  1,109

  3,138

  954

  2,853

  891

  2,853

  742

  Table B—Total Outpatient Attendance—United Kingdom Service Hospitals

  85

  86

  87

  88

  89

  Hospital

  Service

  Dependants

  Service

  Dependants

  Service

  Dependants

  Service

  Dependants

  Service

  Dependants

  Woolwich

  18,674

  3,839

  16,035

  2,858

  14,483

  2,497

  14,124

  2,429

  10,970

  1,998

  Aldershot

  14,698

  10,445

  17,002

  9,921

  14,503

  7,989

  18,016

  7,170

  20,171

  8,210

  Catterick

  8,635

  3,946

  9,711

  4,763

  10,659

  4,723

  11,832

  4,776

  11,296

  4,381

  Wroughton

  17,106

  8,608

  11,896

  8,162

  11,481

  7,274

  11,932

  6,931

  13,691

  7,509

  Ely

  11,769

  6,533

  11,134

  6,465

  10,789

  5,479

  11,745

  5,637

  11,072

  4,133

  Halton

  10,277

  4,929

  10,159

  4,521

  10,020

  4,365

  8,161

  3,573

  8,098

  4,509

  920
  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  There are no current plans for service hospitals to compete in the NHS internal market.

  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the numbers of servicemen, women and dependants from each service treated at each military hospital as(a) inpatients and (b) outpatients for each of the last five years.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The tables show the total number of service personnel and dependants for(a) in-patients and (b) out-patients at each military hospital in the United Kingdom for each of the last five years for which figures are readily available. It is not currently possible to provide a breakdown of these figures according to service or sex without incurring disproportionate cost.
  921

  85

  86

  87

  88

  89

  Hospital

  Service

  Dependants

  Service

  Dependants

  Service

  Dependants

  Service

  Dependants

  Service

  Dependants

  Plymouth

  15,383

  2,667

  13,618

  2,021

  12,894

  1,714

  14,628

  1,748

  12,166

  1,445

  Haslar

  23,483

  7,688

  24,033

  7,462

  28,500

  7,047

  25,233

  7,278

  20,916

  6,240

  British Forces (Malaysia and Thailand)
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many British service men have served in(a) Malaysia and (b) Thailand for each year since 1980; and in what capacity.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Since 1980 British service men have served in both Malaysia and Thailand in a number of capacities including attaché posts, the provision of military training assistance, and on exercise. Further details could not be provided without disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Colin Wallace
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many representatives of his Department were in communication with the chairman of the Civil Service Appeals Board regarding Mr. Colin Wallace's appeal;

  (2) what was the content of the communication that took place between representatives of his Department and the chairman of the Civil Service Appeals Board regarding Mr. Colin Wallace's appeal;

  (3) what were the Civil Service grades of the representatives of his Department who were in communication with the chairman of the Civil Service Appeals Board regarding Mr. Colin Wallace's appeal;

  (4) what was the purpose of the communication that took place between the chairman of the Civil Service Appeals Board and representatives of his Department regarding Mr. Colin Wallace's appeal.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I have nothing to add to my letter of 13 September to my hon. Friend the Member for Arundel (Sir M. Marshall), a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he first became aware of the fact that representatives of his Department had been in private communication with the chairman of the Civil Service Appeals Board regarding Mr. Colin Wallace's appeal.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  My right hon. Friend and I were informed in September 1989 of the private communications which took place in 1975 and to which Mr. Calcutt has referred.

  Environment Council Conference
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he or officials of his Department have been invited to attend or participate in the conference on "Going Green, Benefits Versus Costs", organised by the Environment Council, to be held in London on 22–23 November.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The Secretary of State has not received an invitation and I am not aware of any invitations being received by officials of the Ministry of Defence.

  Territorial Army
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the amount of money spent in each of the past 10 years on publicising the Territorial Army in Scotland.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Other than a small number of local publicity and recruiting initiatives, funding for Territorial Army publicity is not allocated to any particular region. It is not, therefore, possible to provide figures in the form requested.

  Royal United Services Institute
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give details of Government funding for the Royal United Services Institute and describe the Royal United Services Institute's relationship with his Department.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) is an independent academic institute with charitable status. It is the professional association of the armed forces and one of many academic institutes with which the Ministry of Defence maintains contacts.

  For the current financial year we expect MOD funding for RUSI to be around £130,000. The sum of £10,000 is a grant in aid towards expenses of the institute in support of its academic activities. The remainder is a contribution towards the cost of rental and maintenance of its accommodation.

  Low Flying
  Sir John Farr
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many complaints have been received by the Royal Air Force of low flying military aircraft over towns which are listed to be avoided over the past two years;

  (2) how many complaints received by the Royal Air Force within the last two years relating to low-flying aircraft over towns listed to be avoided have resulted in action other than simple reprimands being taken against pilots.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  I regret that such complaints are not recorded separately and it would not be possible to provide the information requested without disproportionate cost and effort.

  Sir John Farr
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will introduce tough penalties on pilots who fly military aircraft low over towns listed to be avoided, by way of a substantial fine, equivalent to their annual salary.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  I am satisfied that an adequate range of penalties, including fines, is available to deal with cases where pilots are found to have breached low flying regulations.

  Sir John Farr
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list in the Official Report the names of those towns which are to be avoided by low-flying military aircraft.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  It remains our policy not to release this information.

  Warheads
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has made any representations to his counterparts in the United States concerning the safety of(a) W79 artillery warheads, (b) W88 warheads and (c) W89 warheads; and what communications he has received on this subject.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  As I said in my answer of 18 June to the hon. Member for Leyton (Mr. Cohen) at column 436, we are satisfied with United States assurances on the safety of its nuclear weapons. We have received a small number of communications from hon. Members and others on this subject.

  Cambodia
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what contact there was between his Department and Messrs. Anthony de Normann and Christopher Edward Mackenzie Geidt(a) before and (b) after their recent visit to Cambodia.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The visit of Messrs. de Normann and Mackenzie Geidt to Indochina was at the invitation of the Hanoi Institute for International Relations and the current Phnom Penh regime. The only contact with the Military of Defence in relation to the visit that has been traced was a routine inquiry by Mr. de Normann prior to departure to check on the regulations governing visits by ex-service personnel to communist countries. Within the last few days, there have been exchanges with officials in the Ministry of Defence about allegations made in the media against the two men.

  Forces Cuts
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what United Kingdom forces' cuts he proposes and over what time scale in the draft CFE agreement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The proposed CFE treaty provides, in general, for limits on the holdings of certain 924
  equipments by the two groups of states, rather than for specific national limits. The overall NATO totals permitted by the treaty will, therefore, have to be allocated to individual nations and, although work on this is well advanced, national ceilings have still to be decided finally. The precise reductions that the United Kingdom will have to make to comply with the treaty will also depend on continuing negotiations on definitions and counting rules. Implementation of reductions is envisaged over a three-year period.

  The Gulf
  Mr. David Martin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he is now in a position to make a statement on the pay and allowances for servicemen deployed to the Gulf.

  Mr. Tom King
  The basic pay of service personnel remains the same wherever they are stationed and includes an X-factor, currently 10·5 per cent. for men and 9·5 per cent. for women, which recognises the disadvantages of service life, including the liability to serve in difficult and dangerous conditions. Entitlement to allowances and liability to charges varies according to individual circumstances.

  The effect of this for those deploying to the Gulf is that the great majority of service personnel will in fact receive more in their pay packets. However, there are some for whom the changes would result in a possible loss. I have therefore decided that there should be an abatement to part of the charges paid by married personnel from Germany and from other overseas locations while they are serving in the Gulf. This will benefit most of those otherwise adversely affected. In addition, I have instructed that arrangements be made to recompense any individual who would still otherwise experience a net reduction in pay and allowances.

  These measures are intended to fulfil my assurance that no one would suffer financially as a result of service in the Gulf.

  KUWAIT: FOREIGN NATIONALS
  KUWAIT: FOREIGN NATIONALS
  BENEFIT AND YOUTH TRAINING PROVISIONS: RESEARCH
  BENEFIT AND YOUTH TRAINING PROVISIONS: RESEARCH
  STANDARD SPENDING ASSESSMENTS: PUBLICATIONS
  STANDARD SPENDING ASSESSMENTS: PUBLICATIONS
  NOISE REVIEW WORKING PARTY: REPORT
  NOISE REVIEW WORKING PARTY: REPORT