Written Answers of 22 October 1990

EMPLOYMENT

  Youth Training Scheme
  Mr. John Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the accident and fatality figures for people on YTS(a) nationally and (b) in St. Helens, for the last 12 months.

  Mr. Jackson
  Information is not available in the precise form requested. YTS accident information is not held specifically for the St. Helens area. The tables provide quarterly YTS accident figures for the last 12 months nationally and for Merseyside, which includes St. Helens.

  Table A: National

  Accidents1

  Period

  Fatal

  Major2

  Minor

  1 October 1989–31 December 1989

  31

  170

  721

  1 January 1990–31 March 1990

  1

  133

  527

  1 April 1990–30 June 1990

  163

  604

  1 July 1990–30 September 1990

  —

  87

  440

  Table B: Mersey side

  Accidents1

  Period

  Fatal

  Major2

  Minor

  1 October 1989–31 December 1989

  7

  42

  1 January 1990–31 March 1990

  —

  3

  20

  1 April 1990–30 June 1990

  —

  4

  24

  1 July 1990–30 September 1990

  —

  3

  27

  1 Training Agency accident figures have been compiled on a similar basis to those prepared by the Health and Safety Executive on employed persons. However, the Training Agency's figures will include a number of accidents to trainees in educational establishments and road traffic accidents which may not have been reportable to the Health and Safety Executive had the individuals been employed.

  2 Major injuries are classified according to the severity criteria laid down in the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurences Regulations 1985.

  3 This was a road traffic accident on scheme time.

  Duty-free Sales
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what estimate he has made of how many jobs in the United Kingdom duty-free manufacturing and retailing industry, including jobs in airlines, ferry companies and airports, may be lost if duty-free sales are eliminated.

  Mr. Jackson
  My Department has not made estimates of the effect on United Kingdom unemployment of the abolition of duty-free sales.

  Tourism
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how much advertising the British Tourist Authority undertook in Japan in 1989.
  2
  Mr. Forth
  In the financial year 1989–90 the British Tourist Authority did not undertake any advertising in Japan. This decision was taken by the authority against a background of very high advertising costs in Japan. But the authority spent a total of £670,000 on specific marketing activity in Japan in the same period.

  Part-time and Temporary Work
  Mr. Blair
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many responses from organisations were received in response to his Department's consultative document on the European Commission's proposals on part-time and temporary work and working time; how many of those responding supported the proposals in full or in part; and how many were against; and if he will list those organisations broadly supportive of the Commission's proposals.

  Mr. Forth
  The consultation document covered four proposals for directives. A total of 207 organisations have responded to the document, many of which were organisations representing large numbers of employers. A significant number of responses were concerned with some rather than all of the proposals.

  A total of 141 organisations expressed a clear opinion on the directives on part-time work. Of these, 27 were clearly or mainly in favour of the proposals, and 114 were against.

  On the directive concerning the health and safety of temporary workers, 14 organisations thought there is a need for this directive, while 47 took the opposite view. Ten organisations thought that temporary workers are at a greater risk than permanent workers, while 48 had an opposite view.

  The proposed directive on working time was supported by 15 organisations, and was opposed by 100.

  It is for the individual organisations concerned to decide whether to publicise their views.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Global Warming
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if there are any plans to follow up the discovery by the RRS Charles Darwin that biological production of nitrous oxide in the oceans is contributing to global warming.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  Following the discovery that the nutrient-rich waters of the Indian ocean produced significantly larger amounts of nitrous oxide than had previously been thought, NERC scientists are preparing plans for future work on nitrous oxide production in cooler waters in order to assess whether estimates of the total ocean production should be changed.

  "Education for Citizenship"
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the original publication date for curriculum guides paper No. 8; when he now expects it to be published; and if he will give the reasons for the delay.
  3
  Mr. Eggar
  I understand that the National Curriculum Council intends to publish curriculum guidance 8: "Education for Citizenship" next month. The timing of its publications is a matter for the NCC.

  Teachers' Pay
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many responses have been received by the Government to "School Teachers Pay—the Report of the Interim Advisory Committee"; and, of these, how many are critical of the recommendations for supply teachers.

  Mr. Eggar
  My right hon. Friend received responses from eight statutory consultees to the Government's proposals stemming from the third report of the Interim Advisory Committee. In addition, comments were received from eight other organisations. Three of the latter were critical of the proposals concerning supply teachers.

  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what recent discussions he has had with teachers' unions' representatives regarding teachers' pay; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  My right hon. Friend last met representatives of the six teacher unions in June to discuss his proposals for new pay determination machinery.

  Foreign Languages
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list by local education authority in England and Wales the range of foreign languages available in(a) schools and (b) other establishments, and taught in the last academic year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Eggar
  The information is not available in the form requested. A copy of the 1988 secondary school staffing survey is available in the Library.

  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has for extending the choice of foreign languages available in schools and colleges after 1992; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  We have specified 19 languages as eligible to be the modern foreign language foundation subject in the national curriculum. These include all the working languages of the European Community and 11 other languages which also have cultural and commercial importance. Within this framework, we are encouraging schools to offer a wider variety of languages, and in 1991–92 we are making grants available to local education authorities in England to support schemes for the diversification of first foreign language provision in their areas.

  The responsibility for deciding academic policy such as the range of foreign language tuition in institutions of further and higher education rests primarily with the institutions themselves.

  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the recruitment of teachers of foreign languages and the current position on vacancies in schools; and what plans he has further to increase the number of foreign language teachers.
  4
  Mr. Fallon
  Following the extension of the teacher training bursary to modern foreign languages from September 1990, applications to modern foreign language courses beginning this autumn have increased by 16 per cent. over 1989. Recruitment figures for initial teacher training courses will be published shortly.

  The January 1990 survey data show foreign language teacher vacancies of 2·3 per cent.

  The Department is supporting a number of research projects both to ease the recruitment of foreign nationals and to enable a greater number of teachers here to become effective teachers of modern foreign languages. We are also the first country to implement the EC directive on the mutual recognition of qualifications, as it relates to teachers.

  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his policy on the teaching of European languages to children of school age; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  A modern foreign language is a foundation subject in the national curriculum for pupils aged 11 to 16. The languages specified as eligible to be taught as the national curriculum foundation subject include all the working languages of the European Community. Schools are required to offer pupils the opportunity to study at least one of these languages.

  History
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on his policy for the teaching of history for age groups five to seven, seven to nine, nine to 11, 11 to 13, 13 to 16 and 16 plus years.

  Mr. Eggar
  My right hon. Friend published his proposals for attainment targets and programmes of study for history on 26 July. The National Curriculum Council is currently carrying out the required statutory consultation on those proposals. Its report is due by 17 December.

  A-levels
  Mr. Dykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish an analysis of the breakdown of 1990 A-level results in secondary schools, with comparable figures of grades and percentages for both the maintained schools and the independent sector; and if he will make a statement on indications of changes in overall A-level standards, both for pass levels and for the higher mark grade categories.

  Mr. Eggar
  The table shows, for school leavers in England in 1988–89, the percentage of those attempting A-level or AS examinations who achieve UCCA points scores of 1 to 8 and 9 to 15.

  School Leavers in England, 1988–89

  Maintained

  Independent

  All Schools

  Attempting 1 or more A/AS-levels (000's)

  106·46

  33·00

  139·49

  Percentage of above who gain

  UCCA1 points score 1–8

  59·1

  43·4

  55·4

  UCCA1 points score 9–15

  31–2

  52–9

  36–3

  5
  1The UCCA points score is calculated using the 3 best A-level, or paired AS examination, results. Each grade is given a score, from 5 points for a Grade A to 1 point for a grade E, and the best 3 added together. The maximum points score is therefore 15.

CIVIL SERVICE

  Executive Officers
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Minister for the Civil Service, pursuant to his written answer of 15 October relating to salaries of executive officer recruits to the civil service, if he will answer those parts of the original question that would not involve a disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Mellor
  [holding answer 18 October 1990]: No part of the original question could be answered without disproportionate cost.

THE ARTS

  Regional Arts Associations
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Minister for the Arts if he will report on progress with the devolution of responsibilities to the regional arts associations.

  Mr. Mellor
  The Arts Council published a consultative list setting out the allocation of future funding responsibilities between itself and the regional arts boards at the end of September. This is based on the principles endorsed by my predecessor, my right hon. Friend the Member for Shoreham (Mr. Luce), which I have since further confirmed. The period of consultation expires at the end of November. Final decisions will be taken as soon as possible thereafter.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Trade Statistics
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the increase in(a) gross domestic product, (b) manufacturing output, (c) unemployment, (d) unit labour costs in manufacturing, (e) real wages, (f) inflation and (g) the balance of trade in manufactures between (1) 1979 and 1989 and (2) 1985 and 1989 in (i) Germany, (ii) France, (iii) Italy and (iv) the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  Information in respect of 1979 and 1985 can be obtained from the following publications:

  (a) Gross Domestic Product

  "National Accounts Main Aggregates Volume I 1960–1988" published by OECD

  Part 6 table 4 gives GDP at current prices and 1985 exchange rates and table 13 GDP at current prices and current exchange rates both expressed in billions of US dollars for all the countries in question.

  (b) manufacturing output

  Information for 1979 can be found in "Short Term Industrial Trends" and for 1985 in "Industrial Trends" published by Eurostat.

  (c) unemployment

  Separate tables are given for each country in "Main Economic Indicators Historical Statistics 1969–1988" published by OECD.

  (d) unit labour costs costs in manufacturing

  Separate tables are given for Germany and the United Kingdom in "Main Economic Indicators Historical Statistics
  6
  1969–1988" published by OECD. Data are not available for France and Italy.

  (e) real wages

  Information on compensation of employees which includes all payments in cash and in kind made by employers in remuneration for the work done by their employees is given in Table J in "National Accounts ESA Aggregates 1970–1988 Theme 2 Series C" published by Eurostat.

  (f) inflation

  Separate tables showing consumer price indices are given for each country in "Main Economic Indicators Historical Statistics 1969–1988" published by OECD.

  (g) balance of trade in manufactures

  This can be calculated from data in "External Trade Statistics Year Book 1988 edition Theme 6 Series A" published by Eurostat.

  Information in respect of 1989 can be obtained from the following publications:

  (a) gross domestic product

  Part III (Appendix) in "Main Economic Indicators" published monthly by OECD gives GDP at current prices arid 1985 exchange rates and GDP at current prices and current exchange rates both expressed in billions of US dollars for all the countries in question.

  (b) manufacturing output

  "Industrial Trends" published by Eurostat.

  (c)unemployment

  Information can be found in the various country tables published in "Main Economic Indicators" published monthly by OECD.

  (d) unit labour costs in manufacturing

  Information can be found in the various country tables published in "Main Economic Indicators" published monthly by OECD.

  (e) real wages

  Not yet available.

  (f) inflation

  Information on Consumer price indices appears in Part I (Indicators by subject) in "Main Economic Indicators" published monthly by OECD.

  (g) balance of trade in manufactures

  This can be calculated from data in "External Trade Monthly Statistics Theme 6 Series B" published by Eurostat.

  Copies of all these publications are available in the Library.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the time lag between changes in the International Monetary Fund index of the trade-weighted relative price of United Kingdom exports of manufacturers and changes in the United Kingdom balance of trade in manufactures in terms of value; what index figure is reflected in the latest trade figures; and by how much the index has since increased as a result of(a) the higher rate of inflation in the United Kingdom and (b) the increase in the nominal rate of exchange.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  Changes in the IMF index of the trade-weighted relative price of United Kingdom exports of manufactures can to some extent have a contemporaneous effect on the value of United Kingdom exports and, hence, the balance of trade. The full effect, of course, takes longer to work through and estimates are subject to considerable uncertainty. The balance of trade is also influenced by the growth of home and overseas demand, and by non-price competitiveness which has improved markedly in the 1980s as a result of the Government's supply side measures. The IMF will publish the level of the index of trade-weighted United Kingdom relative prices relating to recent months in due course.

  Financial Statistics
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what Budget surplus or deficit he anticipates for 1990–91; what he expects the inflation rate to be at the turn of the year; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maples
  It is clear that policy is now reducing inflationary pressures in the economy. The prospect is for a substantial reduction in inflation over the coming year. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer will publish revised forecasts of inflation and of the public finances in the autumn statement.

  Mortgage Repossessions
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the number of repossessions by building societies for each of the years since 1979 in(a) Nottingham, (b) the east midlands region and (c) nationally.

  Mr. Maples
  Statistics are not available in respect of Nottingham and the east midlands region. The figures published by the Council of Mortgage Lenders for the number of repossessions nationally by building societies and the Abbey National are as follows:

  Year

  Number

  1979

  2,530

  1980

  3,020

  1981

  4,240

  1982

  5,950

  1983

  7,320

  1984

  10,870

  1985

  16,770

  1986

  20,930

  1987

  22,930

  1988

  16,090

  1989

  13,740

  11990

  14,390

  1 first half.

  Duty-free Sales
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his policy on the elimination of duty-free sales under the EC treaty or the Single European Act; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ryder
  The European Commission has made it clear that as a consequence of the completion of the single market, duty-free shopping for intra-Community travellers should cease. However, the Commission has not yet come forward with firm proposals for this.

  The Government understand the Commission's view that it makes no sense to grant a tax concession for crossing a frontier when fiscal frontiers have been removed. Equally, the Government are aware of the economic significance of the duty-free trade and will examine all the arguments carefully before a decision is reached.

  Tax Fraud
  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in relation to tax fraud, he will list(a) the number of investigators in the Inland Revenue, (b) the number of investigations in 1989–90, (c) the number of prosecutions in 1989–90, (d) the cost of these operations in 1989–90, (e) his estimate of the net tax collected and (f) (e) divided by (d), expressed as £s collected for every £ of cost.
  8
  Mr. Francis Maude
  During 1989–90 a total of 3,200 Inland Revenue staff units completed 110,000 investigations into possible or actual tax fraud. These investigations cost £89 million and yielded £941 million: a yield of approximately £10.50 for every £1 spent. There were 235 prosecutions for offences related to tax fraud in the year.

  Iraq
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, during recent meetings of the European Council of Finance Ministers, he raised with his Italian counterpart the role of the Italian state-owned Banca Nazionale del Lavoro (BNL) in providing investment capital to Iraq.

  Mr. Maude
  No.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has had any discussions with the Governor of the Bank of England concerning the underwriting of contracts signed by United Kingdom companies with Iraq prior to 2 August, for the construction of facilities contracted by the Iraqi Ministry of Planning.

  Mr. Maples
  No.

  Charities (VAT)
  Mr. Robert Hughes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the annual savings in total to registered charities as a result of being zero-rated for value added tax purposes for each of the past five years; and what was the estimated total for the current financial year.

  Mr. Ryder
  Charities as such are not zero-rated, but they benefit from various VAT reliefs on certain supplies they make and on certain goods and services they buy in, which are zero-rated by virtue of their intended use. They also benefit from the more general zero-rating of some everyday items, such as food. No precise information is available, but it is estimated that these zero-ratings save charities this year some £300 million in tax: a total roughly the same in today's terms for each of the last five years.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what options are currently under consideration in respect to harmonisation of value added tax rules by 1992 or any other target date; what discussions he has undertaken with the EEC or other Governments on this topic; and if he will make a statement on his policy in respect to the protection of charitable bodies in the United Kingdom from any adverse effects.

  Mr. Ryder
  The EC Commission now envisages more flexibility in the setting of VAT rates than was apparent in its original proposals for the single market. The Government have welcomed the revised thinking but have made it clear that they still do not consider centrally determined tax approximation to be appropriate or necessary. They have also resisted the suggestion that zero rates after 1992 should be restricted in scope and subject to certain conditions. The United Kingdom position remains that our zero rates as a whole, and not just those of particular interest to charities, are not a pertinent issue for the completion of the single market.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the impact on the work of voluntary organisations in Wales of any harmonisation of
  9
  value added tax which might end the zero-rated concessions currently in force; how much money would be involved; and what action he intends to take to protect the whole of voluntary and charitable organisations in Wales.

  Mr. Ryder
  The Government have no reliable figures on the extent to which voluntary bodies in Wales benefit from VAT reliefs, but are opposing any tax approximation proposals for the single market which would further restrict our ability to use zero rates. EC decisions in tax matters require the unanimous agreement of all member states, and there is no question of any unwelcome proposals being forced upon us.

  North Sea Oil
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total tax on North sea oil production, including royalties, paid by oil companies in August and September 1990 and the equivalent in 1989.

  Mr. Maples
  Total receipts from tax on North sea oil production, including royalties, were £595 million in August and September 1990 and £523 million in August and September 1989.

  Debt Relief
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much official debt is owed by Tanzania and Uganda; how much debt relief each has received under the Toronto terms; and what calculation the Treasury has made of the likely level of debt relief under Trinidad terms.

  Mr. Maples
  [holding answer 19 October 1990]: At end 1988, the total official long-term debt owed by Tanzania and Uganda was $4 billion, and $1·6 billion respectively. Tanzania has received two reschedulings on Toronto terms, consolidating a total of $576 million. Uganda has received one rescheduling on Toronto terms which consolidated $89 million. The cash flow saving from these Toronto terms reschedulings compared with the effect of non-concessional rescheduling is therefore about $20 million each year for Tanzania and about $3 million each year for Uganda. If all official bilateral creditors, including the non-OECD creditors, were to implement Trinidad terms the stock of debt would be reduced by a total of about $1·6 billion for Tanzania, and $0·3 billion for Uganda.

  Exchange Rate
  Mr. Shore
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what conditions for the entry of sterling into the ERM, other than the DM2·95 central rate and the 6 per cent. margins, were sought by Her Majesty's Government and agreed to by the other European Community countries.

  Mr. Major
  [holding answer 19 October 1990]: The central rates and fluctuation margins, which we proposed in exercising our right to take sterling into the exchange rate mechanism, were determined by mutual agreement. No conditions for entry were sought or agreed to.

  Mr. Shore
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer now that the pound is in the ERM, what assistance, through the very short-term fund facility from the other central banks, is available to the Bank of England for the purpose of holding the rate within its agreed margins.
  10
  Mr. Major
  [holding answer 19 October 1990]: The Bank of England has available very short-term credit facilities with the other participating central banks. These are automatically available and unlimited in amount for financing intervention at the compulsory intervention rates. They may also be made available by arrangement for intervention within the agreed margins.

  Mr. Shore
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer who were the analysts who calculated the pound's purchasing power parity at DM3·30, DM3·19 and DM2·95, respectively; and what publication of the International Monetary Fund suggested that industry would be competitive at the DM2·95 rate.

  Mr. Major
  [holding answer 19 October 1990]: The analysts were Phillips and Drew, Goldman-Sachs and the London Business School. The International Monetary Fund publication was "International Financial Statistics".

  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list in the Official Report the inflation-adjusted real exchange rate for each quarter since the second quarter of 1979, using the definition that he was using when he referred to the average inflation-adjusted real rate of the past decade being DM2·95, Official Report, 15 October, column 931.

  Mr. Maples
  [holding answer 19 October 1990]: The figures are shown in the table.

  Real deutschemark sterling exchange rate

  Rate

  1979

  Q2

  2·36

  Q3

  2·57

  Q4

  2·48

  1980

  Q1

  2·69

  Q2

  2·86

  Q3

  3·02

  Q4

  3·34

  1981

  Q1

  3·59

  Q2

  3·55

  Q3

  3·37

  Q4

  3·21

  1982

  Q1

  3·33

  Q2

  3·27

  Q3

  3·33

  Q4

  3·25

  1983

  Q1

  2·90

  Q2

  3·04

  Q3

  3·15

  Q4

  3·14

  1984

  Q1

  3·10

  Q2

  3·07

  Q3

  3·08

  Q4

  3·05

  1985

  Q1

  3·01

  Q2

  3·25

  Q3

  3·30

  Q4

  3·15

  1986

  Q1

  2·85

  Q2

  2·86

  Q3

  2·61

  Q4

  2·43

  1987

  Q1

  2·41

  Q2

  2·56

  11

  Rate

  Q3

  2·60

  Q4

  2·64

  1988

  Q1

  2·69

  Q2

  2·85

  Q3

  2·91

  Q4

  2·96

  1989

  '

  Q1

  3·04

  Q2

  3·00

  Q3

  2·92

  Q4

  2·78

  1990

  Q1

  2·71

  Q2

  2·77

  Q3

  2·96

  Notes:

  (i) Real exchange rate calculated using gdp deflators.

  (ii) Deflators used for most recent observations are partly estimated.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what letters of support he has received for the practice of collection of the poll tax from tenants of the Duchy of Lancaster.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  I have had no letters for or against the collection of the community charge from duchy tenants.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Social Security Commissioner
  Ms. Short
  To ask the Attorney-General what is the average cost to the office of the social security commissioners of an appeal to the social security commissioners.

  The Attorney-General
  The average cost to the office of the social security commissioners of an appeal to the social security commissioner is estimated at £430. This figure excludes accommodation, but includes staff costs and the costs of the social security commissioner.

  Divorce (Legal Aid)
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will make a statement about the amount of legal aid paid in respect of divorce cases during each of the past three years.

  The Attorney-General
  The gross amount of legal aid paid in respect of divorce and related matters during each of the past three years is as follows:

  £'000

  1987–88

  90,050

  1988–89

  108,366

  1989–90

  110,564

  Those figures do not include Domestic Violence and Matrimonial Proceedings Act and Married Women's Property Act cases.

  "Holocaust News"
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Attorney-General what consideration has been given by the Crown prosecution service to initiating proceedings in respect of the publication "Holocaust News" distributed by the British National Party.

  The Solicitor-General
  The Crown prosecution service decided in 1987 not to institute proceedings in respect of the publication "Holocaust News, No. 1".

  The Crown prosecution service has requested the police to investigate the circumstances of the publication and distribution of the publication "Holocaust News, No. 2", and a decision whether or not to initiate proceedings against any person will be taken when the results of the investigation have been received.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Stationery
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Lord President of the Council if he will take steps to improve and extend the range of everyday stationery items available to hon. Members.

  Sir Geoffrey Howe
  The present range of stationery is designed to meet the needs of Members bearing in mind the limited storage space available. If my hon. Friend has a specific request he should contact the Serjeant at Arms.

ENERGY

  Nuclear Industry
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he, or officials from his Department, have been invited to participate in the international conference on quality management in the nuclear industry, to be held at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers in London on 17–18 October.

  Mr. Baldry
  No.

  Wave Power
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he or officials of his Department were invited to appear on the Thames Television programme "This Week" on wave power, broadcast on 27 September; and if he will obtain a copy of the transcript or a videocassette for his departmental library.

  Mr. Wakeham
  I am often invited to participate in a whole range of programmes. While I did not appear on the Thames Television programme "This Week" on wave power, my officials gave the programme makers extensive background briefing. It is not my Department's usual policy to obtain a copy of the transcript or a video cassette for its library.

  Research Projects
  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what financial support the Goverment are giving(a) to coal gasification research projects and (b) to research into pressurised fluidised bed combustion technologies in 1990–91.
  13
  Mr. Wakeham
  My Department is providing £870,000 on coal gasification, of which nearly £600,000 falls in 1990–91, which represents about 15 per cent. of the total expenditure on the project.

  My Department has offered to provide 50 per cent. of the cost of the experimental work at Grimethorpe on the topping cycle concept, up to £8 million. British Coal is currently pursuing negotiations with possible industrial partners and the level of Government support cannot be settled until those negotiations are completed.

  Petrol
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what was the national consumption of petrol in August and September 1990; and what were the equivalent figures in 1989.

  Mr. Wakeham
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on Friday 19 October,Official Report, columns 964–65.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what representations he has made since July 1990 to the oil companies about petrol prices.

  Mr. Wakeham
  I have encouraged United Kingdom oil companies to exercise restraint and not to increase prices any more than necessary. The companies have delayed price increases, and the Director General of Fair Trading found in his report of 28 September that restraint was being shown. The companies have made a number of decreases in pump prices over the last two weeks following decreases in the international market.

  Non-fossil Fuel Obligation
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy for what reasons power generated from Scotland does not qualify for inclusion under the non-fossil fuel obligation; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Wakeham
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland (Mr. Wallace) on 8 February 1990, at column 724.

  Electricity Privatisation
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list the underwriters for the sale of the electricity distribution companies and the estimated total fees payable.

  Mr. Wakeham
  It has not yet been decided who the underwriters on the sale of the regional electricity companies will be, nor has the level of their fees been fixed. These items will be settled only once the price and terms of the offer for sale are agreed and following a competitive auction on underwriting rates.

  International Atomic Energy Agency
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what action will be taken by the United Kingdom Government to ensure that any nuclear materials or nuclear installations transferred from military to peaceful usage are verified under the existing voluntary offer safeguards agreements of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
  14
  Mr. Wakeham
  All civil nuclear material held in the United Kingdom, including any material transferred into safeguards, is subject to Euratom safeguards under the Euratom treaty of 1957 and to the terms of the United Kingdom-Euratom-International Atomic Energy Agency voluntary offer safeguards agreement of 6 September 1976—IAEA INFCIRC 263.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will publish any proposals made by Her Majesty's Government to the International Atomic Energy Agency conference at the end of September relating to the annual International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards implementation report.

  Mr. Baldry
  No proposals were tabled by the United Kingdom delegation concerning the annual International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards implementation report during the International Atomic Energy Agency general conference in September.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy whether the United Kingdom Government or any other Government raised the issue of International Atomic Energy Agency application of safeguards during the International Atomic Energy Agency annual conference in Vienna during September, and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  During the recent International Atomic Energy Agency general conference many delegations, including that of the United Kingdom, expressed their continuing strong support for the International Atomic Energy Agency's safeguards system.

  Electricity Demand
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is his Department's estimate of the likely system maximum demand for electricity in 2000.

  Mr. Wakeham
  The level of system maximum demand is highly uncertain and will depend on, among other things, the rate of economic growth, relative fuel prices and the relationship between generation and system maximum demand. Two possible scenarios of future electricity generation in 2005 and 2020 were published in "Energy Paper No. 58", a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what was the net amount of electricity imported from France in 1989; what proportion this represented of electricity consumed; and what are his Department's estimates of the equivalent figures for 1995 and 2000, respectively.

  Mr. Wakeham
  In 1989 net imports of electricity from France amounted to 12·6 terawatt hours, representing 4 per cent. of total electricity available from public supply and industrial producers.

  Future import levels are uncertain and will depend largely on decisions taken by the market.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what proportion of electricity is generated from coal, gas, nuclear and renewables, respectively, now; and what is his Department's estimate of the likely proportions in 1995 and 2000, respectively.

  Mr. Wakeham
  The proportions of fuel used to generate electricity in 1989 are as follows:
  15

  Fuel used in electricity generation

  Per cent. share

  Coal

  69

  Nuclear

  21

  Oil2

  8

  Renewables3

  2

  The amount of gas used to generate electricity accounts for less than 0·1 per cent. of the total. Future proportions of fuel used are uncertain and will depend largely on decisions taken by the market. Two possible scenarios for 2005 were published in "Energy Paper No. 58"—table 4.10—a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

  1. Information published in Energy Trends, Table 16. Coverage is for the generating companies formerly comprising the public electricity supply system: National Power, PowerGen, Nuclear Electric, National Grid Company, Scottish Power, Scottish Hydro, Scottish Nuclear, Northern Ireland Electricity Service, Midlands Electricity and South Western Electricity.

  2. Including oil used in gas turbines and diesel plant or for lighting up coal fired boilers, and Orimulsion.

  3. Mainly natural flow hydro.

  PowerGen
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy whether he is now prepared to disclose when he first had discussions with Lord Hanson about the possibility of a trade sale of PowerGen.

  Mr. Wakeham
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 26 July, at column 523.

  Radiological Protection
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the outcome of the development of the EXPURT computer model on exposure from urban radionuclide transfer developed by the National Radiological Protection Board.

  Mr. Baldry
  The EXPURT model—exposure from urban radionuclide transfer—has been developed by National Radiological Protection Board over a number of years with support from the Health and Safety Executive's nuclear installations inspectorate and the European Community. It is intended primarily for use in assessing radiation doses received by the population resulting from accidental releases of radioactivity.

  A report by the National Radiological Protection Board describing the current state of development of the model has recently been published and I am arranging for a copy to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Piper Alpha
  Mr. Robert Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he has received the report into Piper Alpha chaired by the Lord Cullen; and when he expects this to be published.

  Mr. Wakeham
  [pursuant to his reply, 19 October 1990, c. 967]: I have today received Lord Cullen's report. I am arranging for this substantial document to be printed and presented to the House, and I shall make a statement as soon as possible.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Automobile-related Crime
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he is taking in relation to automobile-related crime.

  Mr. John Patten
  My right hon. and learned Friend met the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders in June, and asked it to consult members, and report back, on the following issues:

  (i) how progress could best be made in Europe towards a new mandatory common standard on car security;

  (ii) what plans manufacturers have for voluntarily building better security—particularly improved locks and locking mechanisms—into their new cars; and

  (iii) what manufacturers arc doing to encourage car buyers to give a higher priority to car security when buying a new car.

  We are awaiting the society's report.

  Officials are discussing with the Consumers Association, the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association and the insurance industry how they might assist with initiatives aimed at tackling car crime. We are also producing a car theft index to show which makes and models of cars are most likely to be the subject of crime.

  Car crime has continued to receive a high priority in our crime prevention publicity campaign, including TV and press advertisements and our crime prevention handbook "Practical Ways to Crack Crime"—over 3 million copies of which have been distributed—and the briefer "Family Guide"—over 2 million copies of which have been distributed.

  Romania
  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many applications he has received for the adoption of mentally handicapped children from Romania since the fall of the Ceausescu regime, showing the results of these applications;

  (2) what is the policy of his Department towards the adoption of mentally handicapped children from Romania.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Every application for entry clearance on behalf of a child adopted in Romania, or who is coming here for adoption, is considered on its merits as a matter of discretion outside the immigration rules. The main consideration is whether the proposed adoption is in the child's best interests. Only one such application has been made on behalf of a child who is known to be mentally handicapped. This application was made on 7 June 1990 and approved on 16 July. I wrote to the hon. Member about this case on 19 July.

  Electoral Registration, Finchley
  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what investigations have been undertaken by his Department into the decline in electoral registration in the Finchley parliamentary constituency following the figures published in 1988, 1989 and 1990; and what were the findings of these investigations.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  None. I understand, however, that in 1990 the electoral registration officer for the London borough of Barnet, which includes Finchley parliamentary
  17
  constituency, removed from the register for the borough the names of over 8,000 people about whom no information has been received for three or more years, and who, therefore, no longer appeared to be eligible for inclusion.

  Energy Planning
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he or officials of his Department have been invited to participate in the conference on emergency planning organised by International Business Communications in London on 29 October.

  Mr. John Patten
  In July officials were asked to provide a speaker on the implications of 1992 for the emergency planning community. After discussion, it was agreed that the Health and Safety Executive would provide a speaker. Home Office officials will not be attending this conference arranged by International Business Communications, but will receive copies of the conference papers.

  Dispersal Prisons
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the latest available figures for staff-inmate ratios in dispersal prisons during the time that inmates are unlocked.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Inmates in dispersal prisons are unlocked from about eight in the morning until eight at night and the ratio of staff to inmates varies throughout this period. On a midweek afternoon when the largest number of regime activities, including work, education and visits are in operation, the number of prison officers to inmates would normally be as follows:

  Officers on duty1

  Number of inmates at 18 October

  Ratio

  Albany

  113

  377

  1:3·3

  Frankland

  185

  398

  1:2·2

  Full Sutton

  175

  436

  1:2·5

  Gartree

  122

  311

  1:2·6

  Long Lartin

  150

  430

  1:2·9

  Parkhurst

  177

  234

  1:1·3

  Wakefield

  205

  704

  1:3·4

  1 includes principal and senior officers and specialists.

  The variations in staffing levels reflect a number of factors including differences in physical design and in the provision of certain particularly staff intensive facilities such as a psychiatric wing or a special secure unit.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the current cost per inmate per week in each dispersal prison.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The cost per inmate per week in each dispersal prison in 1989–90, the latest figures available, are:

  Establishment

  £

  Albany

  532

  Frankland

  600

  Full Sutton

  600

  Gartree

  600

  Long Lartin

  550

  Parkhurst

  882

  Wakefield

  390

  Prison Officers
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prison officers who graduated earlier this month from the Newbold prison officer training school expressed a wish to be placed in posts at prisons within the Yorkshire area; and how many were actually placed in posts within Yorkshire.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Twenty-one of the 180 officers who completed their training at Newbold Revel on 12 October named an establishment in North, South or West Yorkshire as their first choice. None was posted there, such vacancies as there were being filled by existing officers with longstanding requests for a transfer.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to reply to the letter of 6 August from the Prison Officers Association branch at Her Majesty's prison, Wakefield, regarding staffing levels.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The letter concerned a dispute about the staffing of Her Majesty's prison, Wakefield which was resolved at a national disputes meetings on 2 October. In the light of the outcome of that meeting, one of my officials replied to the letter on 18 October.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the prison officer staffing levels agreed under "fresh start" for Her Majesty's prison, Wakefield and the actual number in post for 1 April 1988, 1 April 1989 and 1 April 1990; and what information he has on the reasons for the differences in these figures.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Wakefield prison went on to "fresh start" in April 1988. A staffing level of 429 officers, including principal and senior officers and specialists, was set by the regional director. The actual number of officers in post on the dates in question was:

  1 April

  Number of officers

  1988

  406

  1989

  426

  1990

  440

  In setting the original staffing level and in determining subsequently the resources to be allocated to Wakefield, the regional director took account of the needs of the establishment relative to the others in his region and of the contribution which it was able too make to the efficiency improvements which were an integral part of the "fresh start" package.

  Lorrain Osman
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how long has Lorrain Osman now been in prison on remand.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Mr. Osman was held on remand only from 7 December 1985 until 1 June 1987. On that date he was committed to custody by the chief metropolitan stipendiary magistrate to await the Secretary of State's order for his surrender. The Secretary of State has been prevented from completing his consideration of the extradition request from Hong Kong because of the series of appeals initiated by Mr. Osman, the last of which is outstanding.

  Remand Prisoners
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the longest time any prisoner has been imprisoned on remand(a) in the last 30 years, (b) in the last 20 years and (c) in the last 10 years.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Information about the longest periods held in remand during the last 30 years is not available centrally. On 30 June 1990 one unconvicted prisoner had been held in Pentonville prison for more than four and a half years having been committed to custody pending completion of extradition proceedings. An indication of the length of time spent in prison service establishments by person received on remand is published annually in "Prison Statistics England and Wales"—tables 2.3 and 2.4 of the latest issue, for 1989, Cm. 1221, copies of which are in the Library.

  Ritual Murder (Leaflet)
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what investigations the police are conducting into the identity of those responsible for publication or distribution of the leaflet "Another Blood Libel or Ritual Murder".

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that inquiries have established that the names given for the publisher and the printer of the leaflet are false. The investigation is continuing.

  RELATE
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what financial contributions his Department is making to RELATE; if it plans to increase its contribution; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John Patten
  In the present financial year RELATE will receive a grant of £1,306,840, which includes a special grant of £300,000. I am not yet in a position to say what its grant for the following year will be.

  Birmingham Pub Bombings
  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects the inquiry by the Devon and Cornwall police into the Birmingham pub bombings to be complete; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John Patten
  In the light of new information discovered by the Devon and Cornwall constabulary, my right hon. and learned Friend referred the cases of the Birmingham Six to the Court of Appeal on 29 August. Any further police inquiries into these cases in connection with the hearing before the Court of Appeal are a matter for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

  AIDS (Police Information)
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether any information or data are recorded, referenced or retained by the police on their manual files or upon computer, including the national police computer, the Metropolitan police computer and any other constabulary computer, which describes, or can identify, an individual as being antibody positive to a test for human immunodeficiency virus or as having an AIDS 20
  diagnosis or any related human immunodeficiency virus illness or which describes that individual as being contagious as a consequence of such diagnosis; whether guidelines have been issued to the police in relation to the recording of such information; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  My right hon. and noble Friend the Minister of State, the Earl Ferrers, wrote to the hon. Member on 16 October on these matters. As he explained in the letter, it is for chief officers to decide what information to keep on local force computers and manual records. He also confirmed that police forces are able to record on the police national computer information on the health or likely behaviour of a person where such information would be of help to them in dealing with that person. The reply to a question by the hon. Member for Denton and Reddish (Mr. Bennett) on 15 October at column 725, sets out the warning signals which may be used on the police national computer. These include a warning that the subject of the record may be a hazard to others as a carrier of diseases. It is for the police to decide whether to use this or any other warning signal.

PRIME MINISTER

  Green Issues
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Prime Minister what benefits Her Majesty's Government gained from the attendance by an official of her efficiency unit at the Royal Institute for Public Administration conference on greening the way we govern at Royal Holloway college on 21–22 September.

  The Prime Minister
  I understand that a member of the efficiency unit accepted a personal invitation to chair a session on "Environment, accountability and value for money". No costs were incurred by Government.

  Romanian Children
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Prime Minister what initiative she put forward to support Romanian children suffering from AIDS and other diseases during her visit to the United Nations conference on children in New York in September.

  The Prime Minister
  At the world summit for children. I signed the world declaration on the survival, protection and development of children and supported the plan of action. Both documents recognised the urgent need to accord a high priority to health care and to AIDS programmes for children in all countries, including Romania.

  Statutory Instruments
  Mr. Robin Maxwell-Hyslop
  To ask the Prime Minister whether she will include in the Official Report a table showing, for each of the last 10 Sessions, the ratio of statutory instruments introduced by the negative resolution procedure to those by the affirmative resolution procedure.

  The Prime Minister
  Figures for the numbers of statutory instruments laid before the House each Session are not readily available. However, all instruments laid, with the exception of Orders in Council and draft Orders
  21
  in Council made or proposed to be made under paragraph 1 of schedule 1 to the Northern Ireland Act 1974, are considered by the Joint or Select Committee on Statutory Instruments. The following figures, derived from the sessional returns relating the delegated legislation, are based on instruments considered by these Committees during each of the last 10 full Sessions. Excluded from the figures are statutory rules of Northern Ireland, special procedure orders and all instruments which are not subject to parliamentary procedure.

  Instruments considered by the Joint or Select Committee on Statutory Instruments

  Session

  Instruments subject to annulment

  Instruments subject to affirmative procedure

  Ratio A:B

  A

  B

  1979–80

  1,010

  235

  4·30:1

  1980–81

  755

  130

  5·81:1

  1981–82

  686

  121

  5·72:1

  1982–83

  455

  99

  4·60:1

  1983–84

  863

  180

  4·79:1

  1984–85

  637

  158

  4·03:1

  1985–86

  815

  158

  5·16:1

  1986–87

  462

  117

  3·95:1

  1987–88

  1,179

  246

  4·79:1

  1988–89

  854

  160

  5·34:1

  Leaks
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) how many persons elected to the office of Member of Parliament, office holders and non-office holders, other than the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Prime Minister knew, prior to 4 pm on Friday 5 October, of the Chancellor of the Exchequer's intention to announce in October either a cut in base rates or entry into the exchange rate mechanism;

  (2) whether she will institute a full leak inquiry into how information relating to the cut in base rates and exchange rate mechanism entry was known to individuals in the City of London more than one and a half hours prior to the statement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer at 4 pm on Friday 5 October;

  (3) how many civil servants knew prior to 4 pm on Friday 5 October of the Chancellor of the Exchequer's intention to announce in October either a cut in base rate or entry into the exchange rate mechanism.

  The Prime Minister
  Only those with an operational need to know were informed prior to 4 pm on Friday 5 October of the Chancellor of the Exchequer's intention to announce a cut in base rates and the Government's decision to enter the exchange rate mechanism on Monday 8 October.

  I have no evidence to suggest that information relating to the cut in base rates and entry in to the exchange rate mechanism was known to anyone in the City of London outside the Bank of England prior to the Chancellor of the Exchequer's statement. If the hon. Gentleman believes that he has such evidence he should make it available to the appropriate authorities.

  Foreign Troops (Training)
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Prime Minister which Government Department is responsible for granting approval to companies seeking to provide military 22
  training for foreign military forces when such training involves the release of United Kingdom classified information.

  The Prime Minister
  Were any such requests for approval to be made, they would be considered by the Department or Departments which had originated the United Kingdom classified information concerned.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
  Mr. Tredinnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to open; what discussions he has had concerning the bank recently; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Chalker
  The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development will be able to start operations when so authorised by the inaugural meeting of its board of governors. This will be held when the bank's articles of agreement have been ratified by members with two thirds of the total voting power, to include at least two borrowing members. The ratification process is likely to be concluded by next spring.

  I opened the second conference of prospective members of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development at Lancaster house today which will review progress in developing a sound operational framework for the new bank. I am confident that the bank will soon be able to play its part in fostering private enterprise and economic development in central and eastern European countries committed to democratic principles and market economics.

  Cambodia
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list for 1988, 1989 and 1990 to the most recent practicable date the development aid given to Cambodia by the United Kingdom Government; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Chalker
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Broxtowe (Mr. Lester) on 15 October, at column 633. Britain has no Government-to-Government aid programme in Cambodia, but details of humanitarian aid provided to Cambodians since 1988–89 is as follows:

  A. Projects co-funded with British non-governmental organisations

  Project

  Disbursed

  Committed

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  (£)

  (£)

  (£)

  Support for Primary and Secondary Schools

  —

  13,884

  —

  Community Schools

  15,000

  —

  —

  World Council of Churches

  21,490

  —

  —

  Preventative Health Care Services, Kampot

  —

  —

  192,250

  Initial Assessment

  —

  5,841

  —

  Primary Health Care

  —

  8,631

  —

  Primary Health Care

  —

  —

  61,433

  Rural Water Supply

  46,656

  —

  —

  Takeo Canal Irrigation System

  79,534

  —

  —

  Rural Water Supply

  —

  —

  7,570

  Animal Vaccines Project

  —

  —

  43,604

  23

  Project

  Disbursed

  Committed

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  (£)

  (£)

  (£)

  Ministry of Agriculture

  —

  —

  54

  Agricultural Development

  —

  33,270

  —

  Engineering Assistance Programme

  —

  —

  35,985

  162,680

  61,626

  340,896

  B. Multilateral agencies working inside Cambodia

  Agency and Programme

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  (£)

  (£)

  (£)

  United Nations Children's Fund

  Health, water, nutrition, sanitation and education

  250,000

  250,000

  500,000

  Food and Agriculture Organisation

  Animal vaccines

  100,000

  —

  —

  World Health Organisation

  Anti-malaria

  —

  —

  200,000

  World Food Programme

  To support UNICEF's well and pond digging programme

  —

  —

  300,000

  350,000

  250,000

  1,000,000

  C. Assistance to Cambodians on Thai/Cambodia border

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  (£)

  (£)

  (£)

  UNBRO

  350,000

  500,000

  1—

  Humanitarian Aid to non-communist Cambodian refugees

  100,000

  100,000

  —

  NGOs

  100,000

  60,000

  44,000

  ICRC

  50,000

  —

  —

  600,000

  660,000

  44,000

  1 1990 contribution to UNBRO made in first quarter of year.

  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what reason a proposal for the repair of a water filtration plant in Cambodia was turned down.

  Mrs. Chalker
  Oxfam applied in 1988 for co-funding of a water distribution project in Phnom Penh under our joint funding scheme. When we told non-governmental organisations, including Oxfam, that we were prepared to support projects in Cambodia, we indicated that we would prefer to consider smaller-scale development projects with a humanitarian element and not infrastructural projects concerned with restoring or maintaining major public utilities which are more usually the concern of government rather than non-governmental organisations.

  This project fell into that second category and was therefore rejected. Since 1988–89 we have committed £565,000 to co-fund 12 projects in Cambodia carried out by non-governmental organisations, including five from Oxfam, and are currently considering five new proposals, including three from Oxfam.

  Developing Countries (Conference)
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contribution his Department made to the 11th review conference of CAB 24
  International on technological assistance and ecological protection in developing countries, held in London at the end of July.

  Mrs. Chalker
  I gave the opening address at CAB International's 11th review conference. My Department represented the dependent territories at the conference and one of my senior officials was a member of the United Kingdom delegation. Following the conference we are considering with CAB International possible forms of assistance during its transition to a more commercial footing. My Department was also represented at CAB International's workshop on the ecological foundations of sustainable agriculture which was held a few days before the review conference.

  Brazil
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he or officials in his Department have had with Ministers or officials of the Brazilian Government in regard to technical and planning assistance available from the United Kingdom to support RIMA environment impact studies, in particular on the development of ecologically balanced projects in the Amazonian rain forests.

  Mrs. Chalker
  There have been discussions between officials about assistance for training in environmental impact assessment. A proposal for British support for a joint review of Brazil's environmental impact assessment needs is at a preliminary planning stage and requires detailed discussions with the Brazilian Government. All project proposals for British support in Brazil are of course assessed for their likely environmental impact. Under our bilateral programmes we can support Brazilians to undertake in the United Kingdom training in environmental assessment techniques.

  South America
  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Government have plans to discuss further the rescheduling of the external debts of those countries in South America which are currently allocating significant resources to the task of preserving remaining areas of natural rain forest.

  Mrs. Chalker
  The Government recognise that many of those countries in South America with large areas of rain forest face serious debt problems.

  The Paris club is always ready to discuss, where necessary, the rescheduling of official debt for countries pursuing IMF-agreed economic reform programmes.

  Much of the South American countries' debt belongs to commercial banks: arrangements for dealing with this debt are a matter for negotiation between the debtor countries and the banks within the framework of the strengthened debt strategy.

  Pergau Hydro-electric Project
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much aid has been offered under the aid and trade provision to support contracts between the Malaysian Government and Balfour Beatty, General Electric Company, and Trafalgar House for the Pergau hydro-electric project.
  25
  Mrs. Chalker
  An offer of a grant of up to £68·25 million from the aid and trade provision, based on an estimated contract value of £316 million, was made on 17 April 1989. An extension of this offer expired on 17 October 1990. A further extension remains a possibility, but no decisions have been taken.

WALES

  Lorries (Magor and Undy)
  Mr. Roy Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what action he proposes concerning the petition from the No Lorries Through Magor and Undy Action Group presented at the Welsh Office, Cardiff on Friday 12 October.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  The petition is being taken into account in the consideration of construction traffic routes in Gwent.

  Young People (Secure Accommodation)
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will list for each local social services authority in Wales for each of the years 1975, 1980, 1985, 1987, 1988 and 1989 the number of placements made in facilities providing secure accommodation and indicate what proportion of those children in the care of the home authority such a number represents;

  (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 and proportion of young persons so accommodated on behalf of a local social services authority other than that providing the secure accommodation.

  Mr. Grist
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave on Thursday 18 October.

  Nurses Grading
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how many clinical regrading appeals by nurses in Wales were still awaiting a decision on 1 October or on the nearest date for which this information is available; and how many appeals were dealt with in each month in 1990;

  (2) how many clinical regrading appeals by nurses were still awaiting a decision in each health authority area in Wales on 1 October or on the nearest date for which this information is available; and how many appeals were dealt with in each health authority area in Wales in each month in 1990.

  Mr. Grist
  The latest information available is as shown in the table:

  Number of appeals outstanding (October 1990)

  District health authority

  Number

  Clwyd

  209

  East Dyfed

  112

  Gwent

  588

  Gwynedd

  —

  Mid Glamorgan

  699

  Pembrokeshire

  79

  Powys

  57

  South Glamorgan

  396

  West Glamorgan

  42

  Total—Wales

  2,182

  26
  Details of numbers of appeals dealt with each month are not held centrally.

  Intensive Care Beds
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the number of designated intensive care beds in(a) each district health authority in Wales and (b) in each district general hospital in Wales in each of the years 1980 to 1990.

  Mr. Grist
  Details of the beds allocated to intensive therapy units for the years 1980 to 1988–89 are published in the relevant issues of "Hospital Bed Use Statistics", copies of which are in the Library. Beds allocated to ITUs as at 31 March 1990 are given in the table:

  Authority/hospital

  Beds allocated

  Clwyd

  Ysbyty Glan Clwyd

  6

  Ysbyty Maelor

  6

  Total

  12

  East Dyfed

  Bronglais

  4

  West Wales General

  3

  Total

  7

  Gwent

  Nevill Hall

  6

  Royal Gwent

  7

  Total

  13

  Gwynedd

  Ysbyty Gwynedd

  7

  Mid Glamorgan

  Princess of Wales

  8

  East Glamorgan General

  6

  Prince Charles

  4

  Total

  18

  South Glamorgan

  University Hospital of Wales

  16

  Cardiff Royal Infirmary

  6

  Llandough

  4

  Total

  26

  West Glamorgan

  Morriston

  7

  Neath General

  9

  Total

  16

  Pembrokeshire

  Withybush

  2

  Infertility
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish the most recent figures available showing the number of clinics in Wales offering(a) IVA, GIFT arid other procedures and (b) GIFT and other procedures but excluding IVA; and if he will also publish the total numbers of (i) single, (ii) twin, (iii) triplet, (iv) quadruplet, (v) quintuplet and (vi) sextuplet pregnancies following GIFT procedures in each category of clinic.
  27
  Mr. Grist
  The information requested is not available centrally. However, some information on these matters is published in the annual report of the Interim Licensing Authority, a copy of which is available in the Library. The Interim Licensing Authority was established by the Medical Research Council and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in 1985.

  It is expected that in future some of the data requested will be available from the IVF register, which has been set up by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys with funding from the Department.

  European Regional Development Fund
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the annual sums of money committed since the inception of the European regional development fund to each recipient local authority and the annual amount paid to each from the fund.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The information requested is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Childbirth Statistics
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish figures for 1988 and 1989 showing the estimated percentage of women delivering in Wales(a) whose labours were induced, (b) whose labours were of spontaneous onset and (c) who had elective caesarean section.

  Mr. Grist
  The available information is given in the table. Information for 1989 is not yet available.

  Estimated percentages of hospital deliveries by type of onset of labour: Wales 1988

  Type of onset of labour

  Percentage

  Induced

  4

  Spontaneous

  84

  Elective caesarean

  5

  Other caesarean

  7

  Note The information is based on OPCS 4th revision codes for the classification of surgical operations and procedures which were introduced in 1988.

  Sewage
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consideration he has given to setting special requirements in respect of the treatment of sewage from hospitals in Wales in general and particularly in regard to Ysbyty Gwynedd; what factors were taken into account; and what conclusions were reached.

  Mr. Grist
  Under the Water Act 1989, the setting of discharge consents is a matter for the National Rivers Authority.

  Rents to Mortgages
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many sales have been completed under the rents to mortgages scheme.

  Mr. Grist
  Out of some 60 applications, 10 sales have been completed under the flexi-ownership scheme. The Development Board for Rural Wales estimates that by the end of the first year of the scheme about 5 per cent. of the eligible stock will have been sold to flexi-owners.

  Grant-maintained Schools
  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many applications have been received by his Department from schools wishing to opt out of local authority control in order to attain grant-maintained status.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Two.

  Cot Deaths
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many deaths by sudden infant death syndrome were recorded in Wales in each of the years 1980 to 1989; and if he will make a statement as to measures which he proposes to take to reduce the incidence of sudden infant death syndrome in Wales.

  Mr. Grist
  Recommendations to secure improvements in the quality of care for new-born babies and their mothers, including the establishment of a regional perinatal intensive care service and a regional paediatric pathology service at University hospital of Wales—UHW—Cardiff, were made in the perinatal mortality initiative report in 1986. Subsequently, the Secretary of State decided that an expert advisory group would be set up to consider the operational structure of the proposed regional centre and its relationship to other perinatal services in Wales. That group, chaired by Sir Eric Stroud, professor of child health at Kings College school of medicine and dentistry, produced a report "Perinatal Intensive Care Services in Wales", which was widely distributed to interested authorities and professional bodies in Wales in February this year.

  The report makes a number of recommendations for the improvement of services and identifies in detail the manpower and other requirements for the development of the regional centre at UHW which will be associated with a number of regional sub-centres strategically located throughout the Principality.

  Action has been put in hand to secure, by central funding, the appointment of a consultant paediatric pathologist for the regional centre at UHW. Pending this appointment part-time consultant sessions are being funded centrally. Funds are also to be made available to South Glamorgan health authority in the coming financial year to secure the services of a consultant neonatologist and a registrar in paediatrics in line with the recommendations of the report. It is also intended to establish, over the coming five-year period, a programme of developments which will lead to the provision of an integrated service of excellence. As the first stage, health authorities have been asked to prepare proposals to achieve a rationalisation of services in relation to the numbers of special care costs and neo-natal intensive care costs which the report considers necessary to meet the needs in those areas.

  Available data on deaths of children resident in Wales in the years 1980 to 1989 are given as follows:

  29

  Deaths of children in Wales where the term 'Sudden Infant Death' (ICD 798.0) was:

  Year

  Mentioned on the death certificate (Column A)

  Recorded as the underlying cause (Column B)1

  1980

  75

  53

  1981

  56

  59

  1982

  66

  49

  1983

  65

  51

  1984

  51

  45

  1985

  76

  68

  1986

  74

  268

  1987

  98

  290

  1988

  83

  271

  1989

  67

  264

  1 Column B included in Column A.

  2 The introduction in 1986 of a separate death certificate for the neonatal period, that is within the period 28 days after birth, means that it is not appropriate for the practitioner to assign a single underlying cause to such deaths. These data therefore exclude deaths occurring within the first 28 days after birth.

  Hospice Movement
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he intends to announce the level of funding for the hospice movement in Wales.

  Mr. Grist
  An announcement will be made as soon as possible.

HEALTH

  Haemophiliacs
  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if, in light of the remarks made by Mr. Justice Ognall, he will reconsider his position on compensating haemophiliac HIV sufferers who contracted the disease by way of contaminated blood products.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  I refer the right hon. Member to the reply my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State gave the right hon. Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe (Mr. Morris) on 15 October at columns 664–66.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the annual cost to the National Health Service in the Nottingham district health authority for staff who have been employed through agencies as nurses, operating department assistants, ancilliary and other staff.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Nottingham health authority has provided the following breakdown of costs to the health authority for non-NHS (agency) staff:

  1989–90

  Non NHS Staff (Agency etc)

  £

  Nursing

  71,455

  Ancillary Staff

  50,953

  All other Staff

  410,761

  TOTAL: NON NHS STAFF (AGENCY ETC)

  533,169

  The cost for operating department assistants is incorporated in the figure for "all other staff".

  Alternative Therapies
  Mr. Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he has any plans to recompense qualified medical practitioners using alternative therapies under the National Health Service; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Dorrell
  There are no such plans. Registered medical practitioners may, within the services they provide to NHS patients, offer to use any of the complementary therapies if they consider it to be in the interests of their patients.

  Physiotherapy
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the number of places available annually for training students in physiotherapy in each of the last 10 years; and what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the number of existing places.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Information on the number of pre-registration training places for physiotherapists was not collected before 1986. The available figures are for Great Britain and are as follows:

  Year

  Number

  1986

  987

  1987

  970

  1988

  994

  1989

  1,048

  The responsibility for ensuring an adequate supply of training places is a matter for regional health authorities in consultation with units providing a service. Guidance has been issued which clearly places a responsibility on regional health authorities to assess demand for training and to ensure that training places are available to meet such a demand.

  Air Ambulances
  Mr. Moate
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which hospital regions of the United Kingdom have the use of air ambulances; what is the basis of funding this service; and if he will institute a study into the possible provision of such a service on a nationwide basis.

  Mr. Dorrell
  This information is not collected centrally. A study is being carried out into the services in two areas and the results will be considered in due course. The services provided in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are the responsibility of my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Wales and for Northern Ireland.

  Residential Homes
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he will introduce guidelines indicating the attitude local authority social services departments should take over the size, unit bed limits and staffing of registered care homes.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  There are no plans to do so at present. "Home Life"—a code of practice for residential care—already gives general guidance on such matters.
  31
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received protesting at the interpretation of the provisions in the Registered Homes Act 1984 regarding unit size and bed limits by certain local authority social services departments.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  A small number of letters about this has been received in the Department.

  Baby Milk
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if midwives are regarded as one of the groups of relevant health professionals which should be consulted by district health authorities about the purchase of baby milk formulas.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Midwives, because of their key role in the provision of maternity care, should be among the health care professionals from whom advice is sought.

  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the problems which could arise from purchasing baby milk from only one manufacturer; and what guidance he has given to health authorities.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  All supplies personnel are aware of the problems that may arise by purchasing any vital product from only one manufacturer.

  Junior Doctors
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he intends to introduce legislation to limit the working week of junior doctors to 72 hours; or to recommend such a maximum; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The group on junior doctors' hours, which I chair, is considering a variety of changes in working practices in order to reduce onerous hours of work.

  All parties on the ministerial group are aiming to reach broad agreement in principle on specific changes by the end of the year.

  The Government have accepted an average 72-hour week for junior hospital doctors as a sensible long-term objective.

  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 1975, 1980, 1985, 1987, 1988 and 1989, and the number and proportion of young persons so accommodated on behalf of a local social services authority other than that providing the secure accommodation.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 18 October at column 891.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list for each local social services authority for each of the years 1975, 1980, 1985, 1987, 1988 and 1989 the number of placements made in facilities providing secure accommodation; and what proportion of those children in the care of the home authority such a number represents.
  32
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The number of placements made in facilities providing secure accommodation for the years 1985 to 1988 is published in "Children accommodated in secure units during the year ended 31 March", copies of which are available in the Library. Figures for 1989 will be available shortly. This information was not collected centrally prior to 1985. Figures on proportions could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Adoption
  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he intends to issue a report on adoption procedures; which categories of people have and will be consulted in the process of drawing up the report; and whether procedures for adoption of children from Romania are under consideration.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Three discussion papers were issued in September in connection with the interdepartmental review of adoption law. The papers have been circulated widely for comment among groups and individuals with an interest in adoption; and are freely available to all interested parties. Further papers in the series will follow, including a discussion paper on inter-country adoption.

  New guidance was issued in September to social services departments on inter-country adoption, including adoption of Romanian children.

  Copies of the adoption law review papers and of the guidance on inter-country adoption have been placed in the Library.

  Incontinence Pads
  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will list district health authorities in England and Wales, showing which of these charge private residential nursing homes for the use of incontinence pads for national health service patients who are their residents;

  (2) how many representations he has received in the current year concerning district health authorities charging private residential nursing homes for incontinence pads for national health service patients who are their residents and if he will make a statement.

  (3) if he will list the standard charges by district health authorities to private residential nursing homes for the use of incontinence pads for national health service patients who are their residents.

  Mr. Dorrell
  We have received a number of representations about the supply of incontinence pads to private nursing and residential homes. The free provision of incontinence pads under the National Health Service Act 1977 does not extend to people living in private nursing homes; the same legislation provides that district health authorities may provide incontinence materials and other nursing aids to people in their own homes and at their discretion to residents of local authority and private residential homes. The extent to which this discretion is exercised varies from place to place and information about these decisions is not held centrally.

  Infertility Treatments
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the most recent figures available showing the number of clinics in(a) England and (b) England and

  33
  Wales offering (i) IVF, GIFT and other procedures and (ii) GIFT and other procedures but excluding IVF; and if he will also publish the total numbers of (a) single, (b) twin, (c) triplet, (d) quadruplet, (e) quintuplet and (f) sextuplet pregnancies following GIFT procedures in each category of clinic.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The information requested is not available centrally. Some information on these matters is published in the annual report of the Interim Licensing Authority, a copy of which is available in the Library.

  In future we expect that some of the data requested will be available from the IVF register, which has been set up by OPCS with funding from the Department.

  Childbirth
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the most recent figures available showing the estimated percentage of women delivering in(a) England and (b) England and Wales (i) whose labours were induced, (ii) whose labours were of spontaneous onset and (iii) who had elective Caesarean section.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The most recently available information, for 1988–89, from a sample of 173,000 births in England, is shown in the table. Information for Wales is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

  Method of onset of labour

  Percentage

  Induced labour

  17

  Spontaneous onset, including accelerated labour

  73

  Elective Caesarean section

  5

  Not known

  5

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the most recent figures available showing the estimated percentage of women delivering in (a) England and (b) England and Wales whose deliveries were (i) spontaneous including abnormal presentation of head and breech spontaneous, (ii) instrumental including forceps, vacuum and breech extractions, (iii) Caesarean section and (iv) other and unspecified means.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The most recently available information, for 1988–89, from a sample of 173,000 births in England, is shown in the table. Information for Wales is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

  Method of delivery

  Percent

  (i) Spontaneous including abnormal presentation of head and breech spontaneous

  78

  (ii) Instrumental including forceps, vacuum and breech extractions

  11

  (iii) Ceasarean sections

  10

  (iv) Other and unspecified means

  1

  Wakefield Health Authority
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the names, home addresses, ages and occupations of the newly appointed chairman, executive and non-executive members of Wakefield health authority

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Brian Hayward was appointed the chairman of Wakefield health authority 34
  from 14 November 1988 until 31 March 1992. The hon. Member may care to write to Mr. Hayward at the district health authority for his personal details.

  The Yorkshire regional health authority is responsible for appointing the non-executive members of Wakefield health authority. The chief officer and the chief finance officer are "ex-officio" executive members of the authority. Other executives are appointed by the chairman, the non-executives and the chief officer.

  The hon. Member may therefore wish to contact Sir Bryan Askew, chairman of Yorkshire regional health authority, for the information he requires.

  Acute Care
  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidelines are issued by his Department to area health authorities as to the relative priority to he granted to patients(a) over the age of 70 years and (b) under the age of 70 years who have been diagnosed as having suffered serious coronary attacks, in respect of acute care treatments.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  None. The treatment of an individual patient is a matter for the clinician responsible for his or her care.

  General Practitioners
  Mr. Michael Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he has any plans to allow general practitioners a statutory right to buy their premises where they are owned by the public sector.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Health authorities are at liberty to sell unneeded health centres to general practitioners, provided suitable arrangements are made for the continuing provision of any community services based there.

  Mr. Michael Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if, further to his answer of 16 October.Official Report, column 1045, he will publish the evidence showing that the amount of time general practitioners spend with patients is increasing.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State's comments were based on a survey published in "PULSE" on 4 August, which showed 54 per cent. of GPs had spent more time in patient contact since the inception of the new contract. A copy of this publication is available in the Library.

  Eye Tests
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information he has on the impact of charging to for eyesight checks on attendances for examination in the London borough of Newham.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Information about NHS sight tests is not collected for individual London boroughs. Figures are available, however, for regional health authorities. For North East Thames regional health authority, which includes the London borough of Newham, the number of NHS sight tests paid for in 1988–89 and 1989–90 by family health service authorities in that region was as follows:

  NHS Sight Tests

  35

  1988–89: 1,054,960

  1989–90 (after entitlement was restricted to certain groups): 468,230.

  After 1 April 1989, many patients in Newham, as elsewhere, will have had a private eye examination. Regular statistics are not kept on private sight tests.

  NHS Capital Programme
  Mr. Michael Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for health what report the national health service management board has made to him on the impact on the capital programme of the national health service arising from the fall in property values.

  Mr. Dorrell
  None.

  Bed Closures
  Mr. Michael Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health with what frequency he requires the national health service management board to report on the number of bed closures by region or district; and what are the latest figures.

  Mr. Dorrell
  We do not require reports from the management executive on numbers of bed closures since this information is not an accurate guide to the level of services to patients.

  Heracleum Mantegazzianum
  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many recorded incidents there have been in the last five years of the hospitalisation of patients who have come into contact with the furocoumarins released by heracleum mantegazzianum

  Mr. Dorrell
  This information is not available.

  Hostels
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he will give social services departments overall responsibility for financing the cost of care in hostels to the extent that it is not covered by other existing funding; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Local authorities have powers under existing legislation to support hostels and the people in them. It is for each local authority to decide the type and level of support to make available.

  Vitamin A Supplements
  Mr. Michael Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will identify the research or peer review journal which led to his Department's decision to recommend restricted consumption of liver and vitamin A supplements; and whether he has any plans to make the findings of this research more widely available.

  Mr. Dorrell
  A number of pieces of research contributed to the Department's decision. The major contributing factor was the increasing knowledge of the potential teratogenicity of vitamin A and growing evidence that the consumption of high amounts of vitamin A by pregnant women may be associated with birth defects in their babies. This information is reviewed in the following publications: Rosa FW, Wilk AL and Kelsey 36
  FO (1986) Teratology 33, 355–364; Biesalski HK (1989) Toxicology 57, 117–161 and Teratology Society position paper: "Recommendations for Vitamin A use during pregnancy" (1987) Teratology 35 269–275. Results of recent measurements of vitamin A levels in samples of domestic and imported liver on sale in the United Kingdom are quoted in the Department's press release of 18 October 1990, ref 90/507. Copies of these documents have been placed in the Library.

  Electromagnetic Fields
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the research projects he has instigated into the potential health implications resulting from exposure to electromagnetic fields.

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 19 October 1990]: The National Radiological Protection Board is under a statutory duty to inform and advise Government and others on possible hazards to health from ionising and non-ionising radiation. The board has undertaken an extensive review of the possible health consequences of exposure to electromagnetic fields. The review, to be published shortly, will form the basis of a revision of the board's recommendations published in 1989 entitled, "Guidance on Exposure to Time-Varying Electromagnetic Fields" (NRPB-GS11), a copy of which is in the Library.

  Projects undertaken by board staff include measurement of occupational and domestic electromagnetic fields and theoretical calculation of energy absorption in people. A programme of work investigating the cancer-related responses of cell cultures to electromagnetic fields is to begin shortly.

  Industrial Deafness
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he will list the type of machines covered by provisions relating to industrial deafness; when that list was compiled; when it was last revised; and whether he will review the list.

  Mr. Scott
  I have been asked to reply. The machines specified in the jobs prescribed for occupational deafness are listed in schedule 1, part 1, of the Social Security (Industrial Injuries) (Prescribed Diseases) Regulations 1985 as amended by regulation 2 of the Social Security (Industrial Injuries) (Prescribed Diseases) Amendment (No. 2) Regulations 1987. The list can also be found in leaflet NI 207 "If you think your job has made you deaf—copies of which are available in the Library. The list was first prescribed in 1975 and last revised in 1988. The Industrial Injuries Advisory Council reviewed the list in Cm. 817 "Occupational Deafness"—October 1989—but decisions on its recommendations were deferred pending a further report from the council on improving the administrative arrangements for dealing with claims for this disease. This report will be published very shortly. The council has asked the Department to evaluate the feasibility of the report's recommendations within six months. It should then be easier to determine whether there are orderly ways in which to extend provision for this disease to further occupations.

ENVIRONMENT

  Planning Applications (London)
  Mr. Jessel
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from(a) Richmond upon Thames borough council and (b) Marks and Spencers plc requesting him not to call in the planning application for a Marks and Spencers shop on the embankment beside the River Thames at Twickenham; and what arguments were advanced in each instance.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  My right hon. Friend has received one letter from the London borough of Richmond upon Thames and one from the planning advisers acting for Marks and Spencers plc requesting him not to call in the application.

  Mr. Jessel
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in respect of a planning application for a Marks and Spencers store on the embankment of the River Thames at Twickenham, he will set out the number of letters he has received either direct or via the hon. Member for Twickenham, for and against(a) planning permission and (b) calling in the application for a public inquiry.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  My right hon. Friend has received 16 letters supporting and 53 objecting to the proposed development, and 120 calling for and three opposing a public inquiry. He has also received 25 representations supporting and 47 objecting to the proposed development on printed forms.

  Mr. Jessel
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list in the Official Report those planning applications within Greater London which he has called in within the last three years.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  Applications for development at the following locations have been called in since October 1987:

  St. John's Hospital, SE13

  Stamford Bridge Stadium

  Abbey National Sports Ground, Kenton

  London Bridge City Phase II

  Noak Hill/Appleby Drive, Romford

  St. Theresa's School, Hatch End

  Land adjacent to the M11, Woodford

  Haverfield Road, Cordova Road and Clinton Road, E3

  Branch Hill, Camden

  Victoria Park Wharf, Mile End Park

  Westfield College, Brent

  PLA Sports Ground, Redbridge

  Feltham Lower School

  Galsworthy House, Kingston Hill

  43–49 Grove Road, E3

  City of London Heliport

  London City Airport

  Spitalfields Market

  North Wards Site, Harefield Hospital

  This list does not include applications in the legal precincts and for foreign embassies which are subject to special arrangements.

  Environmental Meetings
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list all the future environmental conferences, seminars and meetings which Ministers or officials in his Department will be attending in the next three months and, where possible, the date of each.
  38
  Mr. Trippier
  [holding answer 19 October 1990]: Ministers and officials from this Department will as usual be attending a number of conferences, seminars and meetings during the next three months.

  Coastal Protection
  Mr. Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any plans to review section 28 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) to take account of the special responsibilities of maritime district councils in exercising their duties under the Coast Protection Act 1949; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  No. While I am aware of a number of cases where the interests of nature conservation have seemed at variance with the need for coastal protection under the Coast Protection Act 1949. I am pleased to be able to report that these are generally resolved by agreement between the parties involved.

  Crown Suppliers
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment why it was decided to close down the Crown Suppliers so soon after he had announced that they were to be privatised; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  The decision to close a part of the Crown Suppliers was taken in the light of the disappointing result of the sale competition, two and a half years after the announcement that it would be offered for sale. Discussions are continuing with bidders for other parts of the Crown Suppliers.

  Bournemouth Borough Council
  Mr. Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on his assessment of the appropriate level of service for Bournemouth borough council which has resulted in a 13·7 per cent. reduction in real terms of support grant between 1989–90 and 1990–91.

  Mr. Key
  The revenue support grant entitlement for Bournemouth borough council was calculated in accordance with the methodology set out in the revenue support grant distribution report approved by the House in January and applied equally to all authorities. Among other factors, the Bournemouth area now has to find a smaller share of the precept from Dorset county council than under the former system and this is reflected in the grant entitlement.

  Sunday Markets
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what restrictions exist governing the freedoms of Sunday markets to operate without permission; whether the Government have any plans to review the position; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  The Town and Country Planning General Development Order 1988—GDO—grants planning permission for the temporary use of land for markets for up to 14 days in any calendar year. Use for more than 14 days requires specific planning permission, and a local planning authority may withdraw the GDO permission by making a direction under article 4 of the order.
  39
  Section 37 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 enables a local authority to resolve to require both the operator and the site occupier to give not less than one month's notice of a forthcoming market. Non-compliance with this requirement is subject to a fine.

  Under section 58 of the Control of Pollution Act 1974, local authorities may serve a notice requiring the abatement or restriction of noise nuisance arising from a temporary market. Breach of the terms of such a notice attracts a fine of up to £2,000.

  I do not believe that any further legislation is needed to control the planning aspects of markets, although the GDO is kept under review.

  Paper

  Glass

  Aluminium

  Total tonnes

  Tonnes/head

  Total tonnes

  Tonnes/head

  Total tonnes

  Tonnes/head

  Belgium

  1691,000

  10·0671

  208,000

  0·02100

  2—

  2—

  Denmark

  311,000

  0·0610

  58,000

  0·01140

  2—

  2—

  France

  2,881,000

  0·0522

  760,000

  0·01300

  233,100

  0·0040

  Germany (Federal Republic)

  5,627,000

  0·0922

  1,538,000

  0·02470

  537,000

  0·0086

  Great Britain

  2,975,000

  0·0526

  310,000

  0·00560

  220,000

  0·0040

  Greece

  2—

  2—

  14,000

  0·00140

  2—

  2—

  Ireland

  2—

  2—

  11,000

  0·00310

  2—

  2—

  Italy

  1,733,000

  0·0304

  670,000

  0·01175

  390,000

  0·0068

  Netherlands

  1,488,000

  0·1026

  279,000

  0·01880

  129,000

  0·0087

  Portugal

  273,000

  0·0268

  34,000

  0·00330

  2—

  2—

  Spain

  1,591,000

  0·0412

  287,000

  0·00740

  77,600

  0·0020

  1Includes Luxembourg; no other figures are available for that country.

  2No figures are available.

  Disabled People (Housing)
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations his Department has received from John Grooms housing association concerning investment in housing for physically disabled people; what response he has made; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  We received a letter from John Grooms housing association signed by representatives of a number of organisations connected with the housing, support and care of disabled people, concerning the provision of housing for the physically disabled, to which my hon. Friend the Member for Teignbridge (Mr. Nicholls) replied on 5 September. I have placed copies of the correspondence in the Library.

  Food Safety Act
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much money is being earmarked for local authorities to pay for the increased work load resulting from enforcement of the Food Safety Act; how and when this will be paid to local authorities; what formula is being employed to determine the allocation between local authorities; and how the resources will be divided between county and district councils.

  Mr. Key
  The Government have estimated that local authorities in England will need to spend £24·7 million, in 1991–92, to carry out the additional duties resulting from the Food Safety Act. This additional cost has been taken into account in the total of aggregate external finance, proposed to be £26·05 billion, which will be distributed to local authorities on the basis of standard spending

  Recycling
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a table showing all EEC member states' records on recycling paper, glass and aluminium(a) in total tonnes, (b) tonnes per head of population and (c) net cost per tonne for the last year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  I understand, from data supplied by the Pulp and Paper Information Centre, the British Glass Manufacturers' Confederation and the Organisation of European Aluminium Smelters, that the figures for 1989 are as tabulated. No information is available on the net cost per tonne of recycling these materials.

  assessments. My right hon. Friend will be announcing our proposals for standard spending assessments in the near future.

  Camden
  Sir Geoffrey Finsberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he proposes to take in regard to the London borough of Camden under part I of the Local Government Act 1988.

  Mr. Key
  On 3 July 1990, my right hon. Friend served two notices under section 13 of the Local Government Act 1988 on the London borough of Camden, setting out his view that the authority had failed to comply with the requirements of the Act in carrying out refuse collection and street cleaning work. Under section 14 of the Act, he may issue directions to an authority on which he has served a notice under section 13. The London borough of Camden made a written response to the section 13 notices on 2 August 1990 and requested a meeting on the case, which the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Wells (Mr. Heathcoat-Amory), held with it on 24 September 1990. We are still considering whether to issue a section 14 direction in the light of the points made at that meeting and of further information submitted since the meeting.

  Minerals Act 1981
  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what stage has been reached over his Department's review of the operation of the Minerals Act 1981; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  The Government's intention to review the operation of the provisions of the Minerals Act 1981 was
  41
  announced in paragraph 6.57 of "This Common Inheritance". Some work relevant to this review is already under way. Any proposals for change arising out of the review will be the subject of full public consultation.

  Waste Management
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he, or officials of his Department, have been invited to participate in the conference on recycling, organised by the Institute of Wastes Management in London on 4 December.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Yes. I shall be speaking at the conference, as will two officials from the Department's local environmental quality division.

  Committee Corridor (Carpet)
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will state(a) the cost of replacing the carpet on the Committee corridor, (b) the origin of the carpet and (c) how the original was disposed of.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The cost was some £33,000. The carpet was manufactured in the United Kingdom and those parts of the original carpet that have any value will be sold by auction.

  Environmental Conferences
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he, or officials of his Department, have been invited to participate in the International Business Communications conference on environmental protection in practice organised by the United Kingdom Environmental Law Association at the London press centre on 10–11 December.

  Mr. Trippier
  No.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he, or officials from his Department, will attend the international science and technology forum on environmental policy and management, sponsored by the British Council, to be held in Alfriston on 7–14 November.

  Mr. Trippier
  No. This is a British Council seminar for overseas specialists, some of whom will be visiting my Department as part of the scheduled programme of visits.

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

  Mr. Trippier
  Officials have been invited to attend the conference, and will be doing so.

  Environment White Paper
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to obtain for his departmental library a transcript of the Radio 4 phone-in programme on the financial implications of the White Paper on the environment, broadcast on 2 October.

  Mr. Trippier
  My Department is aware of this broadcast and its contents. I have no plans to obtain a transcript for my departmental library.

  Radioactive Waste
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek an early meeting with the chairman of the radioactive waste management advisory committee to discuss the proposals revealed by British Nuclear Fuels plc to the "European Nuclear Conference '90" in Lyons, on 25 September, to extend the capacity of the Drigg site in Cumbria to accommodate compacted radioactive waste presently earmarked for the repository being developed by UK Nirex Ltd.

  Mr. Trippier
  No.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the implications for current Government policy on the disposal of low-level radioactive waste (LLW) arising from the plans by British Nuclear Fuels plc to introduce a compaction plant for low-level waste, to be operational from 1993.

  Mr. Trippier
  The Government remain committed to the safe and early disposal of low-level radioactive waste. The compaction plant introduced by British Nuclear Fuels plc will enable it to extend the lifetime of the disposal site at Drigg, but this does not obviate the need for a repository to accommodate both low and intermediate-level radioactive waste.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any plans to meet the chairman or board of UK Nirex Ltd to discuss the future development of the programme to handle low-level radioactive waste.

  Mr. Trippier
  My right hon. Friend has no such plans.

  Development Orders
  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) who is responsible for keeping copies of 1946 interim development orders; and if they can be obtained by the public;

  (2) if he will establish a national register of interim development orders;

  (3) how many interim development orders issued in 1946 are still current; and if he will list them.

  Mr. Atkins
  Interim development orders, first made under the Town and Country Planning Act 1932, continued to be issued until 1 July 1948, when the Town and Country Planning Act 1947 came into force.

  Interim development orders provided the earliest form of planning permission granted on application and aimed to establish a form of planning control until such time as the planning schemes, for which the local planning authorities were responsible, came into force.

  All permissions granted under interim development orders before 21 July 1943 have lapsed, but permissions applied for and granted on or after that date and before 1 July 1948 were preserved by section 77 of the 1947 Act and by subsequent legislation.

  No records of applications made under interim development orders were required and no information about the total number of permissions granted is currently available. Such records as there are of such permissions will be held by the successor planning authorities and we are discussing the information currently available with the local authority associations.
  43
  The Department is aware of the recent concern about interim development order permissions and is examining the issue in the review of the operation of the provisions of the Minerals Act 1981 announced in "This Common Inheritance".

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will announce the level of the uniform business rate for 1991–92.

  Mr. Portillo
  My right hon. Friend hopes to announce the proposed figure shortly.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish his best estimates of the actual total yield from the national non-domestic rate for the current financial year.

  Mr. Portillo
  I estimate that the yield from non-domestic rates in England in 1990–91 will be of the order of £10·8 billion. There are, however, several factors, such as the level of buoyancy, losses and reliefs, whose effect on the outturn cannot be predicted accurately at this stage.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish his best estimates of the additional costs faced by local authorities as a result of the decision to cut the rate of subsidy for housing and poll tax benefit from 97 to 95 per cent.; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  The proposal to change the proposed rate of subsidy from 97 to 95 per cent. will reduce the amount paid to local authorities in England by about £67·5 million in 1991–92. This was taken into account by my right hon. Friend in his proposals for aggregate external finance announced on 19 July. He proposed raising AEF by 12·8 per cent.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what consultations he has undertaken with local authorities on(a) the impact of the cut in the rate of subsidy for housing and poll tax benefit and (b) the way in which this could be taken into account in setting the level of rate support grant for 1991–92.

  Mr. Portillo
  We shall be consulting the local authority assocations formally about the proposals for revenue support grant for 1991–92 next month. The proposed level of aggregate external finance announced on 19 July took account of the proposed change in the rate of housing and community charge benefit subsidy.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what account is to be taken of the likely surplus in national non-domestic rate income in 1990–91 and 1991–92 in setting the totals for NNDR and RSG for 1991–92; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what consultations he has undertaken on the use of income from the national non-domestic rate which exceeds the planned distributable amount for 1990–91; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  As required by schedule 8 to the Local Government Finance Act 1988, in setting his forecast of the distributable amount of non-domestic rates for 44
  1991–92 my right hon. Friend will take account of the amount of rates likely to be collected for 1991–92 and any anticipated surplus in 1990–91 in the amount actually collected over the amount distributed. The level of revenue support grant will be the amount necessary to be added to the distributable amount and the specific and special grants to bring the total of aggregate external finance to £26·05 billion. In announcing that level of AEF, which my right hon. Friend proposed on 19 July, he took account of the likely surplus in 1990–91.

  Housing Revenue Account
  Mr. Cran
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will consult representatives of local government and relevant professional bodies on his determination under part VI of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 of housing revenue account subsidy for 1991–92; and what proposals he will be making.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  My Department is today consulting local authorities, the local authority associations and other interested bodies on proposals for determining each authority's entitlement to housing revenue account subsidy for 1991–92. The proposals include tighter rules on empty properties and give details of guideline rents, management and maintenance allowances, and some important technical changes to the rules for calculating subsidy entitlement. Comments are invited within six weeks. I am placing a copy of the consultation papers in the Library together with a list of the guidelines and allowances for each authority.

  I propose to tighten the subsidy rules where councils leave houses and flats unoccupied. At present the subsidy makes some allowance for the rent income that is lost on empty properties, but this allowance takes the form of a sliding scale which also gives some extra help to authorities with higher percentages of empty property. I want to stop this. I am therefore proposing to restrict the allowance to a flat 2 per cent. of dwellings. An authority would receive the same allowance whether its empty properties are more or less than 2 per cent, so that there would be a direct financial incentive not to keep dwellings empty.

  For rent guidelines I propose an average rent increase of just 2 per cent. above the allowance for inflation. This means an average increase per week of £1·84 ranging from £1·38 to £2·50 over the guideline rents which applied this year. The increases would continue the process introduced last year of encouraging authorities towards charging sensible levels of rents which better reflect the value of property in different parts of the country, while ensuring that rents remain within the reach of tenants.

  For management and maintenance allowances, I propose introducing a system of targeted allowances which better reflects the nature of each authority's stock. This would help a group of about 20 authorities with the worst problems by means of a small re-distribution of allowances from all other authorities. Overall the level of allowances would be increased in order to maintain them at this year's level in real terms.

  The rent guidelines and management and maintenance allowances are no more than the assumptions the Government will make in calculating each authority's subsidy entitlement. It is for each council to determine its own rent and how much to spend on management and maintenance of its stock.
  45
  Also included are two proposals affecting local authorities' subsidy entitlement in respect of properties held on leasehold terms. First, for leases acquired after midnight tonight, I propose that the present arrangements for subsidy towards the rents payable by authorities should he replaced from 1 April 1991 by arrangements under which subsidy is payable on discounted capital costs. The effect of the change would be to bring subsidy entitlement on new leases within the aggregate limit on subsidy for new capital expenditure. This is a sensible proposal which will replace the existing, inadequate controls on the subsidy of leases with one that would allow authorities flexibility to decide between new investment and new leases within a common control total.

  Secondly, also from 1 April 1991, for all leases with a term of less than three years, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security is proposing that any rent rebate payable will be subsidised only to the extent that the claimant's eligible rent does not exceed one and a half times the authority's average rent. This would counter an anomaly in the current arrangements under which authorities may benefit from subsidy in respect of such leases in excess of their actual costs.

  Asbestos Dust (Palace of Westminster)
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if' he will make a statement on the measures being taken to eliminate asbestos dust from(a) the Press Gallery and (b) elsewhere in the Palace of Westminster; and what assessment he has made of the potential health hazards to Members and employees of the House of Commons as a result of exposure to asbestos dust.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  [holding answer 19 October 1990]: During the summer recess the Parliamentary Works Office removed asbestos from the Press Gallery staircase and other areas of the Palace of Westminster. This was done either to facilitate other jobs or as part of the asbestos removal programme, not because the asbestos was in a dangerous condition. The work was carried out in accordance with the Health and Safety Executive's asbestos regulations. The results of mandatory air tests carried out afterwards showed readings well below the minimum statutory safety levels.

  Soil Acidification
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he proposes to take in response to the results of research undertaken by the critical loads advisory group into the acidification of soil; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  [holding answer 19 October 1990]: The results of research undertaken by the critical loads advisory group into the acidification of soil will form an important part of the United Kingdom input to the development of the critical loads approach in Europe. This will help lay the basis for cost-effective and closely targeted future pollution abatement measures.

  Sewage Contamination
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he takes to ensure contaminated agents washed off in slaughterhouses are not present in sewage effluents reaching rivers and beaches; and if he will make a statement.
  46
  Mr. Trippier
  [holding answer 19 October 1990]: The levels of contaminants in trade effluents entering sewers in England and Wales are subject to strict control by the relevant sewerage undertakers. Statutory powers are available to the undertakers which enable them to set such quality standards as are necessary to ensure that their treated sewage can meet the terms of the discharge consents granted by the National Rivers Authority. The quality conditions set by the undertakers for trade effluents also ensure the structural safety of their sewers and the protection of the health of those who work in them.

  Hospitality
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much was spent by his Department on official hospitality in 1989–90.

  Mr. Chris Patten
  [holding answer 19 October 1990]: Expenditure on hospitality in my Department, including the Property Services Agency, in 1989–90 was £83,500.

  Open University
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the outcome of his discussions on 2 October at the Open university—in Milton Keynes—on the development of environmental education programmes in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Trippier
  [holding answer 18 October 1990]: Following an interesting discussion about the Government's White Paper "This Common Inheritance" with the pro-vice-chancellor and other members of the faculty of the Open university on 2 October, my officials will be meeting staff of the Open university to take matters forward.

  Construction Industry
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he or officials of his Department have been invited to participate in the conference on environmental implications for the construction industry organised by ECCE and Construction News, to be held in London on 15 November.

  Mr. Trippier
  [holding answer 18 October 1990]: My Department cannot trace any invitations. I understand that the conference has now been postponed.

  Homelessness
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has any plans to include Leeds in additional measures to tackle homelessness.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  [holding answer 18 October 1990]: The allocation of £250 million for the present financial year and next, for schemes to house homeless families, which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced in November last year was targeted on London and the south-east, where homelessness pressures, particularly the numbers in bed-and-breakfast accommodation, were greatest. Those pressures continue to be most severe in those regions.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Dunsdale Securities
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he intends to set up an official inquiry into the future of Dunsdale Securities.

  Mr. Redwood
  The Secretary of State does not plan an inquiry into Dunsdale Securities. This case is being handled by the regulatory authorities and the receiver in the normal way. They will take whatever action is necessary.

  Departmental Brochures
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many copies were initially printed of the brochures(a) "Design for the Environment" and (b) "Cutting your Losses—A Business Guide to Waste Minimalisation"; what has been the cost to date of publishing each brochure; to which organisations the brochures were sent; what steps have been taken to publicise the brochures; what proportion of recycled paper fibre has been used in the initial print run; and whether there are any plans to organise further print runs.

  Mr. Redwood
  The initial print run of "Cutting Your Losses" was 12,000 copies; 36,000 copies have been printed to date at a total cost of £51,448. Recycled paper was used throughout. The booklet was launched at a joint CBI/DTI conference on waste minimisation in November 1989. It was advertised in selected trade magazines and has been made available on demand and at relevant seminars and exhibitions including a series of regional seminars on waste legislation and waste minimisation organised jointly by the DTI and the CBI. More than 30,000 copies of "Cutting Your Losses" have been taken up, mainly by business organisations and higher education establishments. There is a continuing demand and it is likely that a further print run will be necessary.

  "Design for the Environment" was published for a conference of the same name, sponsored by the Design Council, the Environment Council, the DTI and the Institute of Metals, and held in March 1990. There has been one print run, of 4,000 copies, at a total cost of £8,376·50. Recycled paper has been used throughout. The booklet has been made available on demand and almost all 4,000 copies have been taken up. No decision has yet been taken on the possibility of a further print run.

  Iraq
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if, in the most recent meeting of the Ministerial European Trade Council, the activities of the companies Water Engineering Trading (WET) of Hamburg, Preussag of Hanover in Germany, Technology Development Group Limited (TDG) of London and Schmiedemeccanica SA of Lugano, Switzerland, in regard to trade arrangements with Iraq, were discussed.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The matters referred to by the hon. Member have not been discussed at any recent meetings between European Trade Ministers.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether his Department was invited to 48
  participate in the Panorama programme, "Saddam's Secret Arms Ring", broadcast on 3 September; and if he will obtain a copy of the transcript and videocassette for his departmental library.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  My Department was invited to participate in the "Panorama" programme broadcast on 3 September and supplied written answers to written questions. I do not propose to obtain a copy of the transcript and videocassette for the departmental library.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has any plans to raise at the next Council meeting of European Community Trade Ministers the export activities of the German companies H and H Metalform Gmbh and Export Union Gmbh in regard to sales of sensitive equipment and militarily useful material to Iraq since 1988.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  No.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list all restrictions introduced since 2 August on trade with Iraq agreed at international forums of which the United Kingdom is a party; and if he will set out the measures adopted to enforce the restrictions.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The restrictions introduced since 2 August on trade with Iraq agreed at international forums are as follows:

  6 August

  United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 661 was adopted imposing sanctions against Iraq and Kuwait.

  8 August

  Council Regulation (EEC) No. 2340/90 was made preventing trade by the Community as regards Iraq and Kuwait. Equivalent provision was made as regards products covered by the ECSC Treaty.

  25 August

  UNSCR 665 was adopted authorising the multinational forces navies to halt shippping in order to inspect and verify cargoes.

  25 September

  UNSCR 670 was adopted introducing measures to tighten the air embargo, and detain or deny entry to Iraqi registered ships breaching sanctions.

  The measures adopted by the United Kingdom are as follows:

  2 August

  The Control of Gold, Securities, Payments and Credits (Kuwait) Directions 1990 were made

  4 August

  The Control of Gold, Securities, Payments and Credits (Republic of Iraq) Directions 1990 were made.

  The United Kingdom amended the Open General Import Licence to impose restrictions on the import of crude oil and petroleum products originating in Iraq or Kuwait.

  8 August

  The Iraq Kuwait (United Nations Sanctions) Order 1990 was made. It prohibits activities in connection with the exportation of goods from Iraq or Kuwait and the supply
  of goods to Iraq or Kuwait or Iraqi or Kuwaiti controlled companies except under the authority of a licence.

  The Export of Goods (Control) (Iraq and Kuwait Sanctions) Order 1990 was made. It prohibits exportation from the United Kingdom of all goods to Iraq or Kuwait or to any other destination for the

  49
  purposes of any business carried on in Iraq or Kuwait, except under the authority of a licence.

  An amendment was made to the open general import licence of 4 December 1987 prohibiting the importation into the United Kingdom of goods originating in Iraq or Kuwait.

  29 August

  The Iraq and Kuwait (United Nations Sanctions) (Amendment) Order 1990 was made. It made minor amendments to the Iraq and Kuwait (United Nations Sanctions) Order and prohibits, except under a licence, payments under bonds in respect of a contract the performance of which is unlawful as a result of the sanctions.

  5 October

  The Iraq and Kuwait (United Nations Sanctions) (No. 2) Order 1990 was made. It imposes restrictions on aircraft overflying the United Kingdom where their destination is Iraq or Kuwait. The Order also imposes restrictions on ships registered in Iraq entering ports in the United Kingdom.

  Similar provision has been made in respect of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and the dependent territories.

  Within my Department's export control organisation a new licensing and enforcement unit was created at the time of the imposition of the embargo against Iraq and Kuwait. This unit has specific responsibility for the co-ordination of all export licensing matters arising from the embargo and of any information that is received about possible embargo-related events.

  Astra Holdings Limited
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when, and for what purpose, he set up the inquiry to investigate the affairs of Astra Holdings Ltd.

  Mr. Redwood
  Following an application by the company, inspectors were appointed on 16 August 1990 under section 431(2)(c) of the Companies Act 1985 to investigate and report on the affairs of the company. My right hon. Friend has asked them to look in particular at the events surrounding the rights issue by the company in July 1989.

  UN Conference, Geneva
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the outcome of the meeting of the governing trade and development board of the United Nations conference on trade and development held in Geneva in early October, in so far as it affects United Kingdom trade policy.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The first part of the 37th UNCTAD trade and development board took place from 1 to 12 October 1990. Agreement was reached on the agenda for the eighth United Nations conference on trade and development to be held in 1991, where discussion will cover international trade, commodities, technology and services, and resources for development, taking into account the need to promote economic growth and adopt good management and structural reform.

  Chemical Industry
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he or officials of his Department have been invited to participate in the conference on the human factor in safety in the chemical and process industries to be held in Manchester on 20–21 November.

  Mr. Redwood
  No. The safety of people at work is a matter for my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Employment.

  Single European Market
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he or officials of his Department have been invited to participate in the seminar on the environmental implications of a single European market to be held at the London Press Centre on 5 December.

  Mr. Redwood
  A director of the Department's environment unit has accepted an invitation to speak at this seminar.

  Multi-fibre Arrangement
  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the Government's current attitude towards the multi-fibre arrangement and detail the preparatory discussions that have been held with textile organisations regarding the arrangement.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The Government continue to support the EC's position that the MFA should be phased out, after its latest extension expires next year, as part of the integration of textiles and clothing into GATT on the basis of strengthened rules and disciplines. Ministers and officials frequently meet representatives of the textiles and clothing industry to discuss the negotiations.

  Leak Inquiry
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) whether he will call for information from the London International Financial Futures Exchange on dealings with the LIFFE short sterling contract market, the gilt futures market and the TSE 100 futures market in the 90 minutes immediately prior to the Chancellor of the Exchequer's statement of a cut in base rates and exchange rate mechanism entry at 4 pm on Friday 5 October;

  (2) whether he will call for information from the London International Financial Futures Exchange on dealings in the LIFFE market in the 90 minutes immediately prior to the Chancellor of the Exchequer's statement of a cut in base rates and exchange rate mechanism entry at 4 pm on Friday 5 October.

  Mr. Redwood
  The London International Financial Futures Exchange is conducting a review of trading on 5 October before the announcement of entry into the exchange rate mechanism. This review has not yet been completed. However, the exchange has told me that the trading records of the individual firms and of the market as a whole provide no evidence of any prior knowledge of the announcement.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will call for
  51
  information from the stock exchange surveillance department on dealings in the stock exchange in the 90 minutes immediately prior to the Chancellor's statement of a cut in base rates and exchange rate mechanism entry at 4 pm on Friday 5 October.

  Mr. Redwood
  The International Stock Exchange has conducted a review of equity trading on 5 October before the announcement of entry into the exchange rate mechanism. It has told me that the trading records of individual firms and of the market as a whole provide no evidence of any prior knowledge of the announcement.

  British Shipbuilders
  Mr. David Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has received the annual report and accounts of British Shipbuilders for 1989–90.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  In accordance with sections 17(9) and 18(6) of the Aircraft and Shipbuilding Industries Act 1977, I laid copies of British Shipbuilders' annual report and accounts for 1989–90 before each House on 27 July 1990.

  Hospitality
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much was spent by his Department on official hospitality in 1989–90.

  Mr. Redwood
  [holding answer 19 October 1990]: In the financial year 1989–90, the Department of Trade and Industry spent £298,000 on official hospitality.

  Much of this was spent in support of the United Kingdom's trade activities, hosting receptions and meals for visiting Ministers and introducing British business to the right people from overseas.

  Timeshare Industry
  Mr. Allen McKay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action is to be taken to implement the recommendations in the Director General of Fair Trading's report concerning problems with the timeshare industry.

  Mr. Redwood
  [holding answer 19 October 1990]: We are currently considering Sir Gordon Borrie's recommendations.

  Dangerous Goods
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many inquiries from companies registered to handle imported toxic hazardous and special waste his Department's dangerous goods advisory service (DAGAS) has received each month since its inception; and for what proportion of inquiries DAGAS has been unable to assist.

  Mr. Redwood
  [holding answer 18 October 1990]: The dangerous goods advisory service (DAGAS) advises on the classification and labelling of packaged dangerous goods for international transport; such advice is normally sought in the country of origin. DAGAS has received only two inquiries on hazardous and special waste since its inception; assistance was given on both occasions.

  Grand Met/Elders Merger
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he has received the Monopolies and Mergers Commission report on the Grand Metropolitan/ Elders IXL pubs-breweries swap;

  (2) when the Monopolies and Mergers Commission report on the Grand Metropolitan/Elders IXL pubs-breweries swap will be published.

  Mr. Redwood
  [holding answer 18 October 1990]: We have received the Monopolies and Mergers Commission report on the merger situations between Elders IXL Ltd. and Grand Metropolitan plc. The report was published on Tuesday 16 October.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Fish
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether any grilse or salmon captured in Northern Ireland waters during the last five years and the current year have been identified as salmon ranching escapees.

  Mr. Brooke
  During the past five years, three salmon identified as escapees from salmon farms have been captured in the fish traps operated by the Department of Agriculture on the River Bush. This would indicate that insignificant numbers of escapees from salmon farms are reaching Northern Ireland.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what investigations have been carried out into stocks of sea trout in Northern Ireland waters in each of the last 10 years; whether any changes in numbers have been noted during those years; and whether the factors causing variations in population or size of fish have been identified.

  Mr. Brooke
  No such investigations have been carried out during the last ten years. General observation of sea trout runs in Northern Ireland waters have shown no significant changes in population or size of fish.

  Devolution
  Sir Michael McNair-Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement about the progress of his talks with leaders of the political parties in the Province about a devolved administration; whether he intends to continue with these talks; what measure of agreement has been achieved; and whether differences with the Government of the Republic of Ireland about their wish to be consulted have now been ironed out.

  Mr. Brooke
  My discussions with the leaders of the main constitutional political parties in Northern Ireland and with the Irish Government have produced a significant measure of agreement on a basis for talks which would address the various relationships relevant to the situation in Northern Ireland. These discussions are continuing with a view to resolving the outstanding matters to the satisfaction of all concerned through further discussion.

  Butter
  Mr. Kilfedder
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what arrangements have been made for the distribution of EEC intervention butter to pensioners.

  Mr. Brooke
  Fifty organisations have been designated to distribute beef and butter this year to the most needy in Northern Ireland under the EEC surplus food scheme. As in previous years the most needy in the United Kingdom have been defined as including the homeless and destitute, people in receipt of income support or family credit and people living in welfare hostels. Pensioners who fall into one of these categories will qualify for free food.

  Stevens Inquirry
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many members of(a) the Royal Ulster Constabulary, (b) the Ulster Defence Regiment, (c) the Northern Ireland Prison Service and (d) the Regular Army were questioned in the course of the Stevens inquiry in relation to (i) the loss or transfer of confidential security force files, (ii) the death of Mr. L. Maginn, (iii) the death of Mr. P. Finucane and (iv) other matters.

  Mr. Cope
  [holding answer 17 October 1990]: The information in the form requested is not readily available, and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, I understand that during the investigations carried out by DCC Stevens's inquiry team more than 1,900 written statements were taken from witnesses and suspects, including those from members of the RUC, Northern Ireland Prison Service and the Regular Army (including the UDR).

  Pipe (Limavady)
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will specify who is responsible for the pipe at Ruchie Park, Drumsurn, Limavady.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  [holding answer 18 October 1990]: I am aware that there is uncertainty about which authority is ultimately responsible for this pipeline. This uncertainty is being resolved. Meanwhile the Northern Ireland Housing Executive has undertaken to remove any blockages from the pipe which might occur.

  I will write to the hon. Gentleman once the matter is resolved.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Diego Garcia
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultation there has been between his Department and its counterparts in the United States of America concerning the United States bases in Diego Garcia, following the publication of the national security strategy of the United States in March.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  We have continued our traditional process of close consultation with the United States authorities over the United States navy support facility on Diego Garcia.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement outlining any progress made towards returning Diego Garcia to Mauritius.
  54
  Mr. Waldegrave
  The position remains that the territory will be ceded to Mauritius when it is no longer required for defence purposes. In present circumstances the defence facilities in British Indian Ocean territory continue to make a vital security contribution and we envisage no change in the status of the territory in the foreseeable future.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultation there has been between his Department and the relevant departmental ministers in the United States concerning overflights on Diego Garcian territory.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  We consult fully the US authorities on overflights whenever the need arises.

  COCOM
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list all countries for which the policies and rules of the Co-ordinating Committee on Multilateral Exports have been changed since January 1989.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The German Democratic Republic was removed from the Co-ordinating Committee (COCOM) list of proscribed destinations following unification on 3 October 1990 with the Federal Rupublic of Germany. This is being given effect through a change to the Export of Goods Control Order 1989 (SI 2376).

  Poland
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what guarantees have been agreed to safeguard the current western boundaries of Poland where they join those of Germany.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Under the treaty on the final settlement with respect to Germany, Germany's borders, including the border with Poland, are definitive and it is stated that Germany has no territorial claims whatsoever and shall not assert any in the future. The Polish Foreign Minister, who took part in the two-plus-four negotiation on this subject, has expressed satisfaction at this outcome.

  Tibet
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has any plans to meet the Dalai Lama to discuss the impact of Chinese involvement in Tibet and restrictions on religious practices.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has no such plans.

  Immigration
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the current queues for applications for entry clearance in each category for the latest available month, and the numbers in each queue, for the posts at(a) Bombay, (b) Karachi, (c) New Delhi, (d) Nairobi, (e) Calcutta, (f) Islamabad and (g) Dar-es-Salaam.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  As at 30 September, the estimated waiting times (in months) are:
  55

  Settlement

  Q1

  Q2

  Q3

  Q4

  (a) Bombay

  1

  6

  9

  10

  (b) Karachi

  1

  4

  4

  8

  (c)New Delhi

  0

  3

  8

  10

  (d) Nairobi

  All settlement applicants normally wait 2–3 days

  (e) Calcutta

  No settlement queues

  (f) Islamabad

  3

  6

  10

  118

  (g) Dar-es-Salaam

  All settlement applicants normally wait 4–6 weeks.

  1 As at 31 August.

  The number of people waiting as at 30 September is as follows:

  Q1

  Q2

  Q3

  Q4

  Bombay

  0

  246

  490

  130

  Karachi

  8

  76

  22

  16

  New Delhi

  0

  302

  330

  117

  Islamabad

  105

  2,227

  302

  1265

  Calcutta

  Have no queues at present

  Nairobi

  Dar-es-Salaam

  1 As at 31 August.

  Settlement queues are organised as follows:

  Q1—

  Persons with a claim to the right of abode, dependant relatives over 70 years, special compassionate cases.

  Q2—

  All spouses, and all children under 18 years.

  Q3—

  Fiancé(e)s and others applying for the first time for settlement.

  Q4—

  Re-applicants.

  During periods of seasonal high demand applicants for visit visas in Islamabad requiring a full interview can expect to wait up to five days. Elsewhere they are dealt with on the day of application.

  Eastern Europe
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many staff have been transferred from DG VIII in the European Community to work on PHARE, or other forms of European Community assistance to eastern Europe; and how many of these have been replaced.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  A total of three members of DG VIII in the Commission applied for transfer to work on the Community's assistance programme for eastern Europe. All three positions vacated in DG VIII have been re-filled.

  Iraq
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has made any representations to the Government of the People's Republic of China concerning the proposed sale of 7 tonnes of lithium hydride by the North China Industries Corporation (NORINCO) to Iraq in October, in contravention of United Nations resolution 661 on trade with Iraq agreed in August.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  We have made representations about the reported activities of this company to the Chinese Government, who have assured us that they are applying the UN trade embargo fully and have not acted in contravention of UNSCR 661.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has raised with his 56
  counterpart in the Federal Republic of Germany the role of German companies in the covert provision of technologies to Iraq that have uses in chemical or nuclear weapon production.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  We are in constant touch with the Governments of Germany and other friendly countries exchanging information about the practical implementation of UN Security Council resolution 661. We are closely co-operating on this shared objective.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has made any representations to his counterpart in Chile concerning the role of the Cardoen Company in Chile in providing military equipment to Iraq.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  This matter has been raised with the Chilean Government and we have received assurances that they are complying with the terms of UNSCR 661.

  Romania
  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the current guidelines in Romania for the adoption of children by applicants from the United Kingdom, including the guidelines for the adoption of mentally handicapped children.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  I am arranging for a translation of the relevant Romanian Act of Parliament to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has received any request for funding from the Romanian Government to permit the operation of a second television channel in their country.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  No.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what advice he has given to the Romanian health authorities concerning the trials of a drug invented by Mr. David Hughes with children suffering from AIDS in Colentia hospital, Bucharest.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  We have passed on to the Romanian authorities information received from British medical experts about Mr. Hughes' background and the drug that he has been testing.

  Conference on Security and Co-operation
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of the meeting of Foreign Affairs Ministers of the 35-nation conference on security and co-operation in Europe, held in New York on 1–2 October.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The CSCE Foreign Ministers conference provided a useful forum to review the preparatory work being carried out for the CSCE summit, to be held in Paris on 19–21 November. Ministers' discussions reflected a convergence of views regarding the scope and objectives of the summit and the major new steps which are now possible for the CSCE process. They agreed that the role of the CSCE must be enhanced to
  57
  respond to new opportunities for co-operation. We look forward to measures for such enhancement being endorsed at the Paris summit, enabling us to turn the CSCE from a process into an organisation.

  Nuclear Non-proliferation
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action has been undertaken by Her Majesty's Government to encourage South Africa to become a signatory of the nonproliferation treaty.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  We have urged South Africa to accede to the NPT on numerous occasions, notably at meetings between South African and NPT depository powers representatives. The most recent such meeting was held in Vienna on 11–12 December 1989.

  I raised this matter with the South African Government during my visit to South Africa on 19 September.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government have called on any non-proliferation treaty signatory state to complete subsidiary safeguard arrangements with the International Atomic Energy Agency since the fourth non-proliferation treaty review conference.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  No.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will outline any changes in Her Majesty's Government's policy on the responsibilities of the non-proliferation treaty signatories between the disarmament committee of 23 February 1967 and the present day.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Our policy on the responsibility of NPT signatories remains that they should abide by their commitments under the treaty. As regards the clauses relating to disarmament, we welcome the progress made in this direction since 1967 through SALT and the INF and CFE treaties, and we look forward to an early conclusion of the START negotiations and the ratification of the threshold test ban treaty and the peaceful nuclear explosions treaty.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement outlining Her Majesty's Government's position on article VII of main committee II in the recent fourth non-proliferation treaty review conference relating to South African nuclear capability.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  A proposal to establish a nuclearweapon-free zone in Africa was discussed in main committee 2 of the fourth NPT review conference. In principle we are in favour of such a zone because of its nuclear non-proliferation benefits. We have called upon South Africa on many occasions to submit all its nuclear installations and facilities to IAEA safeguards and to accede to the non-proliferation treaty.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what correspondence he has received from the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and the European proliferation information centre concerning the fourth non-proliferation treaty review conference.
  58
  Mr. Waldegrave
  This Department has received several letters from members of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament about nuclear non-proliferation issues since the fourth non-proliferation treaty review conference. To the best of my knowledge, we have not received any recent correspondence from the European proliferation information centre.

  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures have been taken by Her Majesty's Government to promote a nuclear weapons-free zone in the middle east since the adoption of paragraph 13 in article VII of the nuclear nonproliferation treaty.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The United Kingdom has since 1980 joined consensus in the first committee of the United Nations General Assembly on successive resolutions sponsored by Egypt calling for a middle east nuclear-weapons-free zone, making clear that our support is conditional on such a zone being acceptable to all states in the region.

  Middle East
  Mr. Adley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on recent developments relating to British hostages held in Beirut.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  I refer my hon. Friend to my answer of 15 October at column 752 to the hon. Member for St. Helens, North (Mr. Evans).

  Military Training
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether any companies have contacted his Department to seek approval for the provision of military training for foreign military forces.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Companies intending to provide military training for foreign military forces would be required to request approval from the Government only if such training involved the release of United Kingdom classified information. We have no record of any request of this nature being made to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

  Visa Applications
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many visa applications for visits to the United Kingdom are outstanding in respect of(a) Poland, (b) Czechoslovakia, (c) Romania and (d) Hungary; how many have been refused in the last 12 months; what is the fee payable by applicants in each of the countries listed; and what happens to the fee if an application is refused.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  [holding answer 19 October]: Visas were abolished for Czechoslovakia and Hungary on 1 October 1990. Information in respect of applications lodged at our embassies in Warsaw and Bucharest is as follows:

  59

  Country

  Visa applications outstanding

  Refusals (October 1989-September 1990)

  Poland

  17

  2,484

  Romania

  1371

  23

  1Includes other foreign nationals.

  The visa fee is £20 world wide, payable in local currency. The fee is charged when an application is formally lodged, and is non-refundable in the event that the application is refused. Visa fees contribute to the administrative costs of processing visa applications, which are incurred whether or not a visa is issued.

TRANSPORT

  Dartford Bridge
  Mr. Evennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects construction of the southern approach to the Dartford bridge to be completed.

  Mr. Freeman
  Full completion is due by the end of 1991.

  Network SouthEast
  Mr. Ian Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent representations he has received on the quality of service currently being provided by Network SouthEast.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The Government have set tough quality of service objectives. Network SouthEast is making every effort to meet them and is investing £1·2 billion over this and the next two years.

  Channel Tunnel
  Mr. Sumberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment has been made of the likely implications for businesses in the north-west of England of the British Railways Board's proposals for direct freight and parcels rail services to Europe on completion of the channel tunnel.

  Mr. Freeman
  British Rail is still working up its plans for freight and parcels services. It hopes to clarify the position on freight services for the north-west around the end of the year. We recognise that tunnel freight service to the north-west is of great importance to business in the region.

  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when his Department intends to respond to the proposals contained in the draft European Community directive for investment to provide high-speed rail links between Scotland and the channel tunnel; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  The draft directive makes no such proposal, but a full electric service between Edinburgh and London is expected to start in 1991, and British Rail's plans for the channel tunnel include services between Scotland and the continent.

  Mr. Andrew Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when his Department intends to respond to 60
  the proposals contained in the draft European Community directive for investment to provide high-speed rail links between Scotland and the channel tunnel; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when his Department intends to respond to the proposals contained in the draft European Community directive for investment to provide high-speed rail links between Scotland and the channel tunnel; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Banff and Buchan (Mr. Salmond) earlier today.

  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has supplied to the European Commission on arrangements concerning the transport of nuclear fuel and waste through the channel tunnel; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  I refer the hon. Member to my written reply of 14 June, at column 304. There has been no change since then.

  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent representations he has had on regional transport connections to the channel tunnel.

  Mr. Freeman
  We have received a number of representations to the effect that road and particularly rail services to the tunnel should be improved. The Government are confident that road and rail links to the tunnel will meet both passenger and freight demand.

  London Underground (Crime)
  Mr. Page
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the latest figures for crimes committed on the Northern line of the London Underground.

  Mr. Parkinson
  I understand from the British Transport Police that in the first nine months of 1990, the number of reported crimes on the Northern line was 1,977. During that time the Northern line carried over 150 million passengers. The introduction of pilot schemes at six stations at the southern end of the line, financed from a £15 million Government grant, has brought about a major reduction in robberies—from 52 in 1988 to eight in 1989.

  Manchester Metro-link
  Mr. Hind
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress there has been on plans to build the Manchester metro-link.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Agreement to this important project was given by the Government last year with approximately £50 million of grant and additional revenue support will be given. The track bed has been laid in a number of streets in central Manchester, and we look forward to seeing services begin late next year.

  A1
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent estimate he has made of the increase in traffic he expects to occur on the A1 north of Morpeth when the A1 south of Newcastle becomes a motorway.
  61
  Mr. Chope
  Traffic models prepared as part of the routes south of Edinburgh study took into account potential high growth and the upgrading of the A I south of Newcastle. The predicted flows are substantially below the threshold criterion for dualling.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what additional arrangements are being planned regarding the safety of the section of the A 1 road which straddles the Scottish border after the A1 becomes a motorway; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chope
  My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Scotland, the Member for Edinburgh, West (Lord James Douglas-Hamilton), has commissioned Borders regional council to carry out a feasibility study for a short extension within Scotland of the proposed A1 Marshall Meadows dual carriageway scheme.

  Rail Electrification, Bradford
  Mr. Waller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received recently about the electrification of railways in the Bradford area.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The West Yorkshire passenger transport executive has proposed the electrification of the railways between Leeds and Bradford Forster square and on to Shipley, Ilkley, Keighley and Skipton. We are considering this project for credit approvals.

  Docklands Light Railway
  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will consider the privatisation of docklands light railway.

  Mr. Freeman
  The private sector already has a significant role in the expansion of the railway and that involvement will continue to be encouraged, but we have no plans at present to privatise the DLR.

  Mr. Jacques Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much is being invested in the docklands light railway over the next three years.

  Mr. Freeman
  The docklands light railway plans to invest more than £250 million, mainly on completing the extensions to Bank and Beckton.

  Greater London Stations
  Mr. Gerald Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what improvements are under way or are planned for stations in the Greater London area.

  Mr. Freeman
  Network SouthEast has a programme of improvements for all stations including those within the Greater London area. Since 1986 NSE has rebuilt or modernised 370 stations—nearly 40 per cent. of the total. A continuing programme of improvements is planned.

  East Coast Electrification
  Sir Marcus Fox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on progress in electrifying the east coast route.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The electrification of the east coast main line has made excellent progress. The line is 62
  electrified as far as Leeds, beyond York to Northallerton, and from Edinburgh to Berwick. Electric services have already been introduced from London to Leeds. British Rail plans to start electric services to Edinburgh in May 1991.

  Birmingham Relief Road
  Mr. Gerald Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport is he will make a statement on the proposed Birmingham northern relief road.

  Mr. Freeman
  Proposals were received from the three tenderers at midday today. The Government expect to select a successful tenderer as soon as possible after a proper evaluation of the proposals.

  Rail Transport, East Midlands
  Mr. Tredinnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had recently with British Rail and European Transport Ministers concerning rail transport in the east midlands; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  We are keen to see good rail transport throughout the country. It is for British Rail to develop any specific proposals for further improvements in the east midlands.

  London Transport
  Mr. Carrington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much was invested in London Transport last year.

  Mr. Freeman
  In 1989–90 London Transport invested £443 million—an increase of 35 per cent. in real terms compared with the previous year.

  Disabled People (Transport)
  Mr. Hill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures his Department is taking to improve transport for the disabled.

  Mr. Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what further measures he is taking to improve access to public transport for disabled passengers.

  Mr. Freeman
  Improving transport for people with disabilities is a continuing priority. Our plans are set out in "Transport and Disability—a Statement of Aims and Priorities.

  Radioactive Materials (Transport)
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has about the monthly average number of movements and volume of radioactive materials carried by ships in British coastal waters

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The Department does not collect data of the kind requested.

  The safety regulations for the transport of all radioactive materials in this country are based on stringent internationally agreed standards laid down by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). In brief, these require safety to be "built in" to the design of the

  63
  container used for transport so that the contents would not present a significant radiological hazard even in the event of a severe accident.

  Rail Freight Services
  Mr. Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the future financial prospects for freight services within the British Rail network.

  Mr. Freeman
  Much of rail freight is profitable and has good prospects, but BR's Railfreight distribution business, which includes the Speedlink wagon service, continues to make very heavy losses. BR is currently reviewing the future of Speedlink in consultation with its customers. We have set Railfreight an overall objective of earning a profit of £50 million in 1992–93 (at 1989–90 prices), and we are backing new investment in rail freight wherever it offers sound commercial prospects.

  Road Signs
  Mr. Speller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his policy on road signs along single carriageway A roads in rural areas.

  Mr. Chope
  Our policy is that traffic signs should be erected so as to convey clearly all relevant warnings, restrictions and prohibitions, together with other important information such as directions. Traffic signs are prescribed in the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions, and the Traffic Signs (Speed Limits) Regulations, which are approved by Parliament.

  Policy on driver information such as brown tourist signs is covered in administrative arrangements notified to highway authorities.

  Advice to highway authorities on the design and siting of signs is given in the traffic signs manual, published by HMSO.

  Transport Investment
  Mr. Knapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport by what amount transport investment in the United Kingdom has changed in real terms over the last three years; and what are the projected figures for investment over the next three years.

  Mr. Freeman
  In 1989–90 investment in transport through the Department of Transport's programme and the nationalised industries for which it is responsible was nearly 40 per cent. higher in real terms than three years earlier. In three years hence, on the basis of the plans shown in the public expenditure White Paper, it will be about 40 per cent. higher again.

  Horses
  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures his Department is taking to protect horses and horse riders who use the road.

  Mr. Chope
  Following the recent enactment of legislation requiring children under 14 to wear protective headgear, we are about to consult on regulations to bring the Act into force. We have also entered into discussions with the British Horse Society on measures to extend road traffic law to cover ridden horses and on possible amendments to the highway code to provide better advice to horse riders and motor vehicle drivers.

  Buses, London
  Mr. Dykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures are planned to improve the flow of buses in London.

  Mr. Freeman
  The Government plan to propose legislation to implement a majority of the recommendations of the roads and utilities report on public utilities street works. We shall also be implementing the proposals in our consultation paper on "Traffic in London". London Transport has formed a new bus priority team to identify practical solutions to the bottlenecks which cause the most serious delays to buses.

  Highway Code
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when a new edition of the "Highway Code" is planned.

  Mr. Chope
  We updated the "Highway Code" earlier this year to take account of the new requirements for children to wear rear seat belts. We will include some improvements to the artwork when we next reprint in early 1991. We will consider a complete revision of the "Highway Code" in the light of future legislative changes arising from the North report on road traffic law.

  MOT Enforcement Inspectors
  Mr. Hanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many enforcement inspections of MOTs were carried out last year.

  Mr. Chope
  The vehicle inspectorate carried out 27,441 standard control inspections at MOT testing stations and investigated 2,728 individual appeals against the outcome of MOT tests in the year up to 31 March 1990.

  London Traffic
  Mr. Dunn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures are planned to improve the flow of traffic in London.

  Mr. Chope
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Welwyn Hatfield (Mr. Evans) earlier today.

  Air Traffic Control
  Mr. Alexander
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much the Civil Aviation Authority will invest in new air traffic control equipment and facilities over the next three years.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The Civil Aviation Authority currently has plans to spend about £319 million on air traffic control equipment and facilities, in the three years 1990–91 to 1992–93. This includes expenditure on the new en route centre (a major new air traffic control centre for the southern part of the United Kingdom), and the central control function (a substantial reorganisation of southeastern airspace). Both these projects will lead to significant increases in airspace capacity.

  Cycle Routes
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what further progress has been made towards the provision of a network of cyclist routes in London and Greater London.

  Mr. Chope
  The London Cycling Forum, of which the Department is a member, has been consulting recently all London highway authorities on a proposed 1,000-mile network of cycle routes.

  The Department has organised a seminar to be held on 7 November on "The Next Steps" in the development of the cycle network.

  Car Exhaust Emissions
  Mr. Andrew MacKay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has any proposals to check exhaust emissions from cars.

  Mr. Chope
  We are now consulting interested parties on draft regulations to introduce an emissions check in the MOT test. Consultation ends on 9 November 1990.

  British Rail
  Mr. Riddick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the development of equality of service indicators for British Rail.

  Mr. Freeman
  Quality of service standards for the passenger sectors were first agreed in 1986. Some were revised earlier this year, as set out in my right hon. Friend's letter of 19 December to the chairman of British Rail, (Official Report, 19 December 1989, column 227). British Rail is required to report progress in its annual report and accounts. More detailed reports are provided regularly to the Transport Users Consultative Committee.

  Rail Electrification, Scotland
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has any plans to meet the chairman of ScotRail to discuss electrification in Scotland.

  Mr. Freeman
  We welcome proposals from British Rail for further electrification where that would offer good value for money.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on his discussions with ScotRail about the options for railway electrification of the(a) Edinburgh-Fauldhouse-Shotts-Glasgow, (b) Edinburgh-Carstairs-Glasgow and (c) EdinburghLinlithgow-Falkirk-Glasgow railway lines.

  Mr. Freeman
  The £12·5 million electrification of the line between Glasgow and Edinburgh via Carstairs is under way and due to be completed by the spring of 1991. ScotRail is to introduce the new class 158 express diesel units on the route from Glasgow Queen Street to Edinburgh via Falkirk and Linlithgow. A full service using these new trains will be in operation by the end of this year. I understand that ScotRail is still considering whether a case can be made for electrifying the route via Shotts.

  Highway Schemes
  Dr. Woodcock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many miles of highway schemes began construction last year.
  66
  Mr. Chope
  In 1989–90 construction work commenced on 125 miles of national motorways and trunk roads. In addition, 93 miles of local authority road schemes costing more than £1 million were started.

  London Underground
  Dr. Twinn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many London Underground stations are currently being modernised.

  Mr. Freeman
  Modernisation works are currently going on at 20 underground stations. By the turn of the century London Underground intends that every station will have been modernised.

  Roundabouts (Accidents)
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has on the number of road traffic accidents occurring at roundabouts for each of the last three years.

  Mr. Chope
  The Department collects only information on road accidents involving personal injury. The number of injury accidents occurring at roundabouts and mini-roundabouts was 11,831 in 1987, 13,037 in 1988, and 13,952 in 1989. The percentage of these accidents in which at least one person was killed or seriously injured has fallen from 15 per cent. to 13 per cent. over the period.

  Learner Drivers
  Mr. Nelson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures he is taking to tighten up the supervision of learner drivers.

  Mr. Chope
  Since 1 October, those accompanying L-drivers have had to be at least 21 years old and to have held a full licence for at least three years.

  "Safety on the Move"
  Mr. Marlow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many safety campaigns his Department is running under the new "Safety on the Move" campaign; and what areas they cover.

  Mr. Chope
  "Safety on the Move" is an umbrella campaign, bringing together the Department's existing safety initiatives and incorporating several new ones. To date, it embraces six campaigns, covering the following areas:

  Child road safety

  Coastal safety

  Drinking and driving

  Aviation security

  Motorway litter

  Bus safety

  Further campaigns are being developed in co-operation with transport operators and the private sector.

  Coach Parking, London
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consultations he has undertaken about the problem of coach parking in London.

  Mr. Freeman
  As part of the Government's role of encouraging positive co-operation among organisations
  67
  with direct responsibilities for coach parking in London, I chaired a discussion with the main organisations involved on 16 October. We agreed the need to take a fresh look at six main topics: the provision of off-street parking facilities; the provision of on-street parking arrangements; the standard structure of the typical sightseeing tour route; the arrangements for purchasing parking permits for the changing of the guard ceremony; codes of operating and parking practice for British and foreign tourist coaches; and coach terminal arrangements. Consideration of these issues will be taken forward by appropriate organisations with a view to the conclusions being studied at a further meeting in January.

  Regional Airports
  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures he is taking to support regional airports.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The Government encourage the maximum use of regional airports, both to meet local demand and to relieve pressure on the London airports.

  Over the past decade some £450 million of capital expenditure has been facilitated, through special borrowing approvals, for the development of local authority airports. Special borrowing approvals totalling £59 million are available for 1990–91, facilitating investment which the airports concerned estimate could total some £149 million this year.

  We also very much welcome the contribution to the development of local authority airports which the private sector already makes through direct investment and joint venture schemes; and we continue to look to the airports concerned and their local authority owners to take full account of the opportunities for private sector involvement as they formulate their plans for further expansion.

  The working group now being established to take forward the Civil Aviation Authority's recent advice on long-term United Kingdom airport capacity is to examine regional airports' role in meeting overall growth in demand into the next century.

  We are continuing to pursue liberalisation policies, both in the European Community and in bilateral negotiations, which increase further the scope for services from our regional airports.

  Mr. Patrick Thompson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport by how much traffic through the regional airports has grown in the last 10 years; and how much it is forecast to grow.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Passenger traffic through United Kingdom regional airports grew by 90 per cent. between 1979 and 1989 (from 17.8 to 33·8 million). The Department of Transport's most recent forecasts for this traffic, published in December 1988, set out figures based on different assumptions about the growth rate of the United Kingdom economy:

  (million passengers)

  1995

  2000

  2005

  Low forecast

  42·1

  52·4

  62·6

  High forecast

  51·0

  68·2

  87·4

  Note: The statistics and projections include Northern Ire' and and Isle of Man airports; they exclude Gatwick, Heathrow, London City, Luton and Stansted, and also the Channel Island airports.
  68
  By comparison with 1987, the 2005 figures represent an increase in regional airports' share of total United Kingdom traffic from 33·2 per cent to between 37·3 per cent. and 38·2 per cent.

  Midland Line Electrification
  Mr. Ashby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement about future plans for the electrification of the midland railway line.

  Mr. Freeman
  It is for British Rail to develop worthwhile future plans for the midland main line. I understand that BR is continuing discussions with the local authorities in the area.

  Bypasses
  Mr. Favell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many bypasses will be started this year.

  Mr. Chope
  Fifteen bypasses are planned to start in 1990–91. They will relieve cities, towns and villages throughout England of intrusive and polluting through traffic, bringing major environmental benefits to their inhabitants. The places being bypassed include Norwich, Brighton, Axminster, Whitchurch and Egremont in Cumbria.

  Aviation Liberalisation
  Mr. Hague
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when full liberalisation of European aviation will begin.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  EC Transport Ministers, meeting in June 1990, committed themselves to complete a single market in aviation by the beginning of 1993. In the interim, a second package of liberalisation measures, building on a first package in 1987, will apply.

  Coach Fares
  Mr. Marland
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has as to the relative cost of coach fares in 1989 and 1979.

  Mr. Freeman
  I regret that we do not have information on a national index basis for coach fares.

  Motorway Construction
  Mr. Knox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much has been spent on new motorway construction in each of the past four years, at constant prices.

  Mr. Chope
  Spending on motorways changes with the balance in the national roads programme between motorways and trunk roads. Expenditure on motorways, including structural maintenance, for the last four years at 1990–91 prices was as follows:

  £ million

  1986–87

  466

  1987–88

  398

  1988–89

  459

  1989–90

  576

  British Rail Investment
  Mr. Roger King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the current level of investment by British Rail; and when this figure was last equalled in real terms.

  Mr. Freeman
  British Rail's latest forecast for railway investment in 1990–91 is some £820 million, which is the highest level in real terms since 1962. This includes investment in track, signalling, locomotives, rolling stock, stations and railway facilities, but excludes investment in non-railway items, pre-payments for channel tunnel-related items and expenditure on continuously welded rail (CWR).

  Mr. Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the British Rail investment projects currently approved by him including in each case the source of funding; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  Current British Rail investment projects approved by my right hon. Friend include:

  East coast main line electrification, and associated rolling stock and locomotives

  31 additional mark IV coaches for the east coast main line

  100 class 60 freight locomotives

  700 deepsea container wagons

  324 class 319/321 electric multiple units for Network SouthEast services north of the Thames and Thameslink

  Cambridge to Kings Lynn electrification

  180 class 165 Networker vehicles (for Thames and Chiltern lines)

  400 class 465 Networker vehicles for Kent and inner suburban lines (with purchase of a further 276 vehicles approved in principle)

  48 class 456 electric multiple units for Network SouthEast south central

  Rail link to Stansted airport and associated rolling stock Waterloo resignalling.

  Chiselhurst to Folkestone resignalling

  British Rail's share of the Heathrow express project 447 class 158 vehicles for Provincial

  Manchester airport rail link

  Birmingham cross-city electrification and associated rolling stock

  30 new passenger trains for channel tunnel services

  20 class 92 freight locomotives for channel tunnel services Tonbridge to Redhill electrification

  Construction of Waterloo international terminal and maintenance depot

  British Rail has of course approved many other investment projects itself.

  We do not apportion expenditure on particular projects between different funding sources.

  Speed Limits
  Sir David Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has any proposals to increase the observance of the 70 mph limit by drivers of vehicles coming off motorways.

  Mr. Chope
  We are concerned to improve observance of speed limits on all types of roads. Motorways, including the sliproads, are among our safest roads. They carry 14 per cent. of all traffic but account for only 2·5 per cent. of those killed and seriously injured. Drivers leaving the motorway are advised in the "Highway Code" to adjust their driving to suit the new conditions and to check their speedometers since an incorrect perception of speed can Occur.

  Duty-free Sales
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has considered the effect on United Kingdom airlines, ferries and airports of the elimination of duty-free sales.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Policy on any proposals which the European Commission might bring forward to eliminate duty-free sales would, of course, be a matter for my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer. We are considering very carefully the evidence that has been, and continues to be, put forward by the United Kingdom industry on the effects of abolition.

  Aircraft Safety
  Sir Ian Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether, following the decision of the United States civil aviation authorities that no seats should be allowed to block the safety exits from aircraft, and the immediate implementation of that directive by Pan-American and others, he will ask the Civil Aviation Authority to carry out an immediate and comprehensive review of the current practices of all airlines operating to and from the United Kingdom.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Neither the Department of Transport nor the Civil Aviation Authority has any knowledge of any recent decision of the United States Federal Aviation Administration amending its requirements related to aircraft seating.

  However, new rules were introduced by the United States Federal Aviation Administration on 5 October concerning the physical abilities of persons to be seated in exit rows and the display of instructions for opening emergency exits. Such rules are already in force for United Kingdom-registered aircraft.

  The practices of airlines operating to and from the United Kingdom may differ to some extent, but all subscribe to the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organisation.

  Ports Police
  Mr. Shersby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has any proposals for reviewing the operation of the ports police; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The Department wrote on 3 August 1990 to interested bodies in the ports industry and organisations representing the police seeking their views about the future of harbour authorities' powers to operate private police forces. They were invited to reply by 1 December. A copy of the consultation letter was sent to my hon. Friend; copies are being placed in the Library.

  Iraq
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will investigate the role of Jayship Limited of London in the export of equipment to Iraq, following the detention of the vessel the Gur Mariner, managed by Jayship Ltd., on 13 September by the Dutch customs authorities at Flushing.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  I am fully aware of the circumstances of the detention of the Gur Mariner. The vessel, which had
  71
  been en route to the middle east with cargo for Iraq at the time of the introduction of sanctions, returned to northern Europe on the initiative of Jayship Ltd. Its subsequent arrest was due to an action in Dutch civil law brought by Iraqi authorities. The arrest order has since been lifted. There was no question of the vessel or Jayship Ltd. attempting to break sanctions.

  Bus Passes
  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has any plans to propose an amendment to section 93 of the Transport Act 1985 to end sexual discrimination over the minimum age at which bus passes may be issued.

  Mr. Freeman
  We have no plans to change the present arrangements which link eligibility for travel concession for elderly people to state pensionable age.

  M20
  Mr. Speed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will set a target for the M20 Ashford to Hollingbourne motorway, now under construction, to be open to traffic by next Easter.

  Mr. Chope
  The M20 motorway under construction between Maidstone and Ashford comprises two contracts. The contract completion date for the first from Hollingbourne interchange to Lenham is April 1991, but it cannot be opened to traffic before completion of the second contract from Lenham to Ashford interchange. That contract is due for completion in July 1991. As these are contractual dates I can give no assurance that an earlier opening will be achieved.

  Roadworks
  Mr. O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action is taken by his Department in advising highway and street authorities on the specification for reinstatements following work carried out by public and private utilities; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chope
  At present specifications for reinstatements following utility street works are a matter for agreement between highway authorities and utilities. The Department recognises the unsatisfactory nature of much reinstatement work, and has been working with highway authorities and utilities on the production of a code of practice to establish a national specification and performance standards for reinstatements. These standards will be prescribed under the legislation it is proposed to introduce to reform the Public Utilities Street Works Act 1950.

  Dangerous Driving
  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will introduce legislation to provide for stiffer penalties for drivers who cause the deaths of other road users.

  Mr. Chope
  Our proposals for the reform of road traffic law are set out in the White Paper "The Road User and the Law" (Cm. 576). These include the creation of a new offence of"causing death by careless driving while unfit through drink or drugs"
  72
  and the reformulation of the reckless driving offences. Legislation to implement these proposals will be introduced at the earliest opportunity.

  Ports Consultation Document
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations were received by his Department on the British Ports Federation consultation document proposing a flat rate light dues charge for pleasure craft; and when he expects to announce a decision on the proposals.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  About 90 representations have been made by bodies and individuals, generally opposing registration of pleasure craft for light dues purposes. Over 40 hon. Members have written on behalf of sailing clubs and yachtsmen in their constituencies. My right hon. Friend is still considering the matter.

  Hydro-electric Barrier (Solent)
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) whether any environmental ecological or tidal impact studies have been carried out by his Department for the hydro-electric barrier proposed for the western Solent between Hurst Castle and Fort Victoria; and whether any consultation has taken place between his Department and the Royal Yachting Association, the Solent Protection Society and the Commercial Fishermen's Association;

  (2) Whether any public expenditure is planned for the proposed tidal barrage between Hurst Castle and Fort Victoria.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  No approach has been made to my Department about this proposed scheme, for which my right hon. Friend's consent would be needed. His concern is with safety of navigation and the right of innocent passage through the Solent. I am not aware of any plans for public expenditure on the scheme.

  Isle of Wight Ferries (Signs)
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to publish his decision on mainland signs to the Isle of Wight ferries.

  Mr. Chope
  Signing on roads within the boundary of the city of Southampton is a matter for the city council.

  We understand that Southampton city council intends to erect signs to Department of Transport standards reading "For Ferries Follow Waterfront". The Isle of Wight ferry will be clearly signed in the immediate vicinity of the ferry terminal.

  Hospitality
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much was spent by his Department on official hospitality in 1989–90.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  [holding answer 19 October 1990]: The Department spent £114,016 on official hospitality in 1989–90.

SCOTLAND

  Physiotherapy
  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many places were available annually for training students in physiotherapy in each of the last 10 years; and what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the number of existing places.

  Mr. Rifkind
  The number of places for training physiotherapy students in Scotland is available only over the last four years and is as follows:

  Number

  1987

  153

  1988

  155

  1989

  154

  1990

  160

  Physiotherapy courses are heavily oversubscribed and there is no longer a limit on the number of student places. There is no indication that the number of physiotherapists qualifying each year is insufficient to fill vacant posts in Scotland. Recruitment and retention of staff in all the professions allied to medicine including physiotherapy is being examined by a paramedical manpower steering group recently established by the National Health Service management executive.

  Radioactive Waste
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has received any recent information from UK Nirex Ltd. in regard to any changes in projected volumes of radioactive wastes that may be disposed of at Dounreay, should the site prove suitable after assessment and all planning consents have been obtained.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  No. Dounreay is, of course, only one of the sites currently under investigation as a possible location for the proposed national deep repository.

  European Regional Development Fund
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the annual sums of money committed since the inception of the European regional development fund to each recipient local authority and each regional council and the annual amounts paid to each from the fund.

  Mr. Lang
  The information requested is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Infertility
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish the most recent figures available showing the number of clinics in Scotland offering(a) IVA, GIFT and other procedures and (b) GIFT and other procedures but excluding IVA; and if he will also publish the total number of (i) single, (ii) twin, (iii) triplet, (iv) quadruplet, (v) quintuplet and (vi) sextuplet pregnancies following GIFT procedures in each category of clinic.
  74
  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I regret that this information is not held centrally. Some information on these matters is published in the annual report of the Interim Licensing Authority, a copy of which is available in the Library.

  Rents to Mortages Scheme
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many sales have been completed under the rents to mortgages scheme.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  By end September, 23 sales had been completed and a further 40 missives had been concluded with an entry date of 31 October or earlier.

  Giant Hogweed
  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland on how many occasions in the past five years Scottish district or regional councils have used the provisions of the Public Health (Scotland) Act 1897 to serve notice on landowners to remove a nuisance, or to recoup losses for the removal of a nuisance from privately owned land; and, of these, how many are related to the removal of Heracleum Mantegazzianum.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  No record of local authorities' use of these powers is held centrally.

  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many recorded incidents there have been in the last five years of the hospitalisation of patients who have come into contact with the furocoumarins released by Heracleum Mantegazzianum.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Information on the number of patients admitted to hospital suffering from the effects of Heracleum Mantegazzianum (giant hogweed) is not collected centrally.

  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list in the Official Report the origin and number of representations he has received in the last 12 months about problems created by Heracleum Mantegazzianum.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Six such representations have been received—three from Moray and one each from Edinburgh, Kyle and Carrick and Nithsdale.

  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many prosecutions there have been in each of the years since 1981 under section 14(2) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act against landowners who have planted or caused to grow in the wild a plant listed in schedule 9 of that Act; and whether any of these prosecutions related to Heracleum Mantegazzianum.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information requested is not separately identifiable within the Scottish Home and Health Department's classification of crimes and offences.

  Electricity
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he plans to take to ensure Scottish generators of electricity from renewable sources are able to compete on equal terms with those in England and Wales
  75
  in respect of qualification for inclusion under the non-fossil fuel obligation quota; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lang
  Arrangements for the non-fossil fuel obligation are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Energy. Scottish generators from renewable sources can sell their electricity in England and Wales on a levy exempt basis.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much he spent on fees to advisers on electricity privatisation in 1989–90; and what is the budget for the current year.

  Mr. Lang
  In 1989–90 the provisional outturn expenditure on advisers' fees and other expenses relating to the privatisation of the electricity supply industry in Scotland is £3,811,000. The final outturn figure will be contained in the appropriation accounts to be published on 26 October. The supply estimates for 1990–91 included provision of £5 million for such fees.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Christmas Bonus
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the present cost equivalent of the £10 Christmas bonus to pensioners paid in 1972.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  If the Christmas bonus had been increased in line with the movement in the retail prices index since December 1972 it would be worth over £50 at December 1990. To pay the Christmas bonus to all recipients at this rate would cost more than £600 million.

  Invalid Care Allowance
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many disabled women will benefit from the Court of Appeal's decision in the case of Evelyn Thomas of Caldicot, Gwent and others; and what action he has taken to trace those who are made eligible for invalid care allowance by the decision.

  Mr. Scott
  We are considering the implications of this decision.

  Hostel Dwellers
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will examine whether there are delays in income support payments to hostel dwellers; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Arrangements for paying benefit to hostel dwellers were kept under close scrutiny following the October 1989 changes which removed from them the special board and lodging rate of income support, and this continues as part of the Department's general monitoring activity. Where problems have arisen and where central action could help, that action has been taken: for example, the restoration of the facility for certain income support payments to be made directly to hostels.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he will take steps to allocate responsibility for paying for care costs in hostels; and if he will make a statement.
  76
  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Since October 1989 people in hostels, like people in other types of rented accommodation, have been able to claim income support specifically to help with day-to-day living expenses. From the same date help with accommodation costs has been available through housing benefit. These arrangements replaced the old income support special board and lodging rate for hostel dwellers, although financial support from social security for existing claimants and the hostel places they occupied has been maintained at the October 1989 level by means of payments to hostels from a central unit in the Department of Social Security.

  The money being paid out by the central unit broadly represents payments from social security under the old arrangements towards the cost of the care provided in hostels. It will be transferred to other funding sources from April 1991, as explained in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Fulham (Mr. Carrington) on 15 October. Within income support, vulnerable people such as those who are disabled can qualify for a premium in addition to their personal allowance which can of course go towards meeting hostel charges.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will carry out research to establish whether people in hostels need extra benefit; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  We have no current plans to undertake such research.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what guidance is given by his Department to local adjudication officers with regard to the payment of income support to temporary residents of unregistered care homes with fewer than four residents who are occupying the bed of a resident away from home on a period of leave.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Eligibility to income support is defined by regulations. Independent adjudication officers are provided with guidance on the interpretation of the regulations by the chief adjudication officer, but no specific guidance has been given on this point.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he plans to increase income support for hostel dwellers; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Since October 1989 accommodation costs for people in hostels have been met by housing benefit in the same way as they are for people in other types of rented accommodation. Income support provides help for other normal day-to-day living expenses. These and other income-related benefits are reviewed each year and a statement about next year's uprating will be made shortly.

  Benefit Subsidy
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what consultations he held prior to his decision to cut the rate of subsidy for housing and poll tax benefit from 97 per cent. to 95 per cent.; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  My right hon. Friend the Minister of State announced on 19 July at column 698 that we would that day be consulting the local authority associations on a proposal to change the basic rate of

  77
  direct benefit subsidy from 97 per cent. to 95 per cent. from April 1991. The associations were invited to comment on the proposals by the end of August, and a number of them submitted written representations.

  Following requests from the associations, my right hon. Friend the Minister of State met their representatives to discuss the proposal on 24 September and the final deadline for comments was extended until one week after that date.

  Family Credit
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many families in(a) Greenock and Port Glasgow, (b) Strathclyde and (c) Scotland as a whole are presently in receipt of family credit; and what percentages these are of those families estimated to be eligible for such support.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The latest available information is as follows:

  Number

  (a) Greenock and Port Glasgow

  1934

  (b) Strathclyde

  115,828

  (c) Scotland

  239,000

  Notes:

  1 Number of awards actually in payment on 21 September 1990, ie excludes awards on claims made before that date but not decided at that stage.

  2 Provisional caseload at end of July 1990, ie including backdated awards. Information on this more comprehensive basis is only available for Scotland as a whole.

  Information about the total number of families eligible for family credit can be obtained only for Great Britain as a whole, and only retrospectively, from Family Expenditure Survey data.

  Elderly People
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what were the total annual amounts paid in supplementary benefit, income support from April 1988, and board and lodging payments to elderly people of limited and no means living in private or voluntary residential care and nursing homes in each year from 1979–80 to 1989–90(a) at current prices and (b) at 1989–90 prices.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The information requested could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Attendance Allowance
  Mr. Allen McKay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if it is his intention to trawl the attendance allowance computer programme to inform recipients and carers of its existence.

  Mr. Scott
  I am unable to answer the question as its meaning is not clear. If the hon. Member would care to write to me, I will give a full reply.

  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many appeals to the social security commissioners were lodged in the last year for which statistics are available concerning attendance allowance; what proportion of all attendance allowance claims in that year they represented; and how many such appeals resulted in the case being remitted to the Attendance Allowance Board for reconsideration.
  78
  The Attorney-General
  I have been asked to reply. The information is not readily available and I shall reply as soon as possible.

  Income Support Deductions
  Mr. Nellist
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, further to the answer to the hon. Member for Coventry, South-East of 15 October on income support deductions to cover debts arising from the poll tax, what information he has as to the breakdown by office of the 9,000 deductions being made at 31 August; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The latest count showed that 40 offices had income support cases with a deduction to clear community charge arrears. The number deductions for each office is shown in the table.

  Annex

  Local office

  Number of deductions

  Scotland

  Airdrie

  24

  Ayr

  320

  Bathgate

  65

  Bellshill

  295

  Campbeltown

  5

  Clydebank

  100

  Coatbridge

  125

  Cowdenbeath

  91

  Cumbernauld

  447

  Dumbarton

  193

  Dumfries

  3

  Dundee East

  11

  Dunfermline

  71

  East Kilbride

  101

  Falkirk

  983

  Galashiels

  308

  Glasgow (Anniesland)

  343

  Glasgow (Bridgeton)

  315

  Glasgow (City)

  172

  Glasgow (Craigton)

  29

  Glasgow (Laurieston)

  416

  Glasgow (Maryhill)

  311

  Glasgow (Partick)

  251

  Glasgow (Provan)

  394

  Glasgow (Shettleston)

  504

  Glasgow (Springburn)

  992

  Greenock

  121

  Hamilton

  86

  Irvine

  75

  Johnstone

  18

  Kirkcaldy

  75

  Motherwell

  593

  Oban

  15

  Perth

  1

  Port Glasgow

  32

  Stirling

  1,196

  Subtotal

  9,081

  England

  Goole

  24

  Halifax

  1

  Newcastle (Staffs)

  5

  Rugby

  1

  Subtotal

  31

  Total

  9,112

  Industrial Diseases
  Mr. Eastham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the number of outstanding cases in the pneumoconiosis byssinosis and miscellaneous diseases
  79
  benefit branch at the Department of Social Security central office, Blackpool; and what is the average number of weeks taken to finally process these claims.

  Mr. Scott
  Some 85 claims are outstanding. It takes an average of 19 weeks to clear such claims.

  Mobility Allowance
  Ms. Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many appeals to the social security commissioners were lodged during the last year for which statistics are available concerning mobility allowance; what proportion of all claims for mobility allowance in that year they represented; and how many such appeals resulted either in the case being remitted for reconsideration by the Medical Appeal Tribunal or in the commissioner substituting his or her own decision for that of the Medical Appeal Tribunal.

  The Attorney-General
  I have been asked to reply. The information is not readily available and I shall reply as soon as possible.

  Income Support
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to amend the present regulations so that 19-year-olds in full-time relevant education will be able to claim income support.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  I am aware of the hon. Member's interest. We are continuing to keep the position under review.

  Benefits
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of(a) pensioners, (b) lone parents, (c) unemployed, (d) sick-disabled and (e) two parent families on benefit have no income from national benefits.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  [holding answer 25 June 1990]: I assume that the hon. Member is referring to those on income-related benefits. The information requested is as follows:

  Percentage

  Pensioners

  1

  Lone parents

  7

  Unemployed

  85

  Sick-disabled

  53

  Two parent families

  69

  Child Benefit
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will direct the expression child allowance to be used in place of child benefit in all official usage.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  We have no plans to do so.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a further statement on the reasons for having a child benefit scheme.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The reasons for having a child benefit scheme were clearly set out in the Prime Minister's80
  reply to my hon. Friend on 17 March 1981 at column 55 when she said that it has long been the view of all parties that our tax and benefit systems should recognise the needs of families with children, and should differentiate between such families and those without responsibilities for children. Child tax allowances achieved this but gave no help to families below the tax threshold. Family allowances did not recognise the first child. Child benefit, which replaced both allowances, was introduced in 1977 with the support of all parties.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Common Fisheries Policy
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will make a statement on his plans to monitor other EEC member states' enforcement of the regulations of the common fisheries policy;

  (2) what plans he has to secure agreement of all EEC member states to strengthen the numbers and role of the EC fisheries inspectorate and gradually to phase out individual national inspectorates; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Curry
  Monitoring the enforcement arrangements of other member states is the job of the EC fisheries inspectorate. Each member state has the responsibility to enforce the common fisheries policy in its own territory and fisheries limits. The United Kingdom co-operates with other member states through the exchange of information on the landings and activities of vessels.

  I see no need to press for any change in the present role of the EC fisheries inspectorate. Member states' inspection services should continue to perform their present functions and penalties should continue to be applied under national legislation.

  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the United Kingdom share of the total cost of the EEC common fisheries policy for the last year for which figures are available(a) as a percentage of the total and (b) the actual amount spent.

  Mr. Curry
  It is not possible to separate the United Kingdom's share of the costs of individual EC policies from the United Kingdom's contribution to the EC budget as a whole.

  Total EC payments to the United Kingdom under the EEC common fisheries policy in 1988 (the most recent year for which figures are available) was 10·7 mecu (£7·3 million). This was 4·1 per cent. of the amount paid to all member states.

  Source: European Court of Auditors report, 1988.

  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the future role he plans for the common fisheries policy; and whether he will make it his policy to consider alternative ideas for the management of fish stocks after 1993.

  Mr. Curry
  The common fisheries policy was agreed in 1983 to last for at least 20 years with a mid-term review. The Government are wholly committed to the present framework. It provides a firm and clear basis for the allocation of fishing opportunities, and allowable catch levels take full account of scientific advice. At the same time it provides flexibility for the introduction of further
  81
  essential conservation and other measures. We intend to continue to develop and improve fisheries arrangements within the existing framework.

  EC Intervention Stores
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give details of the location, foodstuff and quantity of European Economic Community intervention stores in Greater London; and what was the position 12 months previously.

  Mr. Curry
  There were no stores in Greater London holding United Kingdom intervention stocks 12 months ago and there is none holding United Kingdom intervention stocks currently.

  Free Food
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will arrange for eligibility to free European Economic Community butter and meat to include those whose income support is paid quarterly.

  Mr. Curry
  All citizens who are in receipt of income support, and produce means of identification, are eligible under these arrangements.

  Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the total number of BSE cases that have been confirmed on a county-by-county basis in England, Wales and Scotland since the disease became notifiable, until the end of September 1990; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  The information is as follows:

  County

  Number

  Avon

  332

  Bedfordshire

  49

  Berkshire

  107

  Borders

  19

  Buckinghamshire

  138

  Cambridge

  65

  Central

  20

  Cheshire

  411

  Cleveland

  25

  Clwyd

  177

  Cornwall

  1,287

  Cumbria

  302

  Derbyshire

  247

  Devon

  1,916

  Dorset

  1,522

  Dumfries

  99

  Durham

  69

  Dyfed

  662

  Essex

  83

  Fife

  39

  Glamorgan Mid

  41

  Glamorgan South

  50

  Glamorgan West

  7

  Gloucestershire

  563

  Grampian

  123

  Gwent

  127

  Gwynedd

  50

  Hampshire

  733

  Hereford & Worcestershire

  334

  Hertfordshire

  85

  Highland

  29

  Humberside

  79

  Isle of Wight

  125

  Kent

  401

  82

  County

  Number

  Lancashire

  356

  Leicestershire

  417

  Lincolnshire

  141

  London

  7

  Lothian

  14

  Manchester

  11

  Merseyside

  9

  Norfolk

  260

  Northamptonshire

  144

  Northumberland

  70

  Nottinghamshire

  106

  Orkney

  7

  Oxfordshire

  287

  Powys

  157

  Shropshire

  419

  Shetland

  1

  Somerset

  1,424

  Staffordshire

  340

  Strathclyde

  155

  Suffolk

  211

  Surrey

  182

  Sussex East

  231

  Sussex West

  456

  Tayside

  45

  Tyne & Wear

  1

  West Midlands

  12

  Warwickshire

  188

  Western Isles

  1

  Wiltshire

  1,080

  Yorkshire North

  637

  Yorkshire South

  54

  Yorkshire West

  78

  Total

  17,817

  Poison Gas, North Sea
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what monitoring is carried out to determine whether(a) fish stocks and (b) sea mammals in the North sea are contaminated by poison gas dumped after the first and second world wars, and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Curry
  [holding answer 17 October 1990]: The Ministry and the Scottish Office undertake a national programme of monitoring fish and shellfish round our coasts for contaminants which could present a hazard to public health. The sea mammals research unit of the Natural Environment Research Council, on contract to the Department of the Environment, and the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland are undertaking contaminant analysis of small cetaceans stranded around the United Kingdom coastline.

  This work, however, is not directed specifically towards identifying contaminants arising from the dumping of poison gas at sea. Scientific advice is that these materials pose no risk of contamination of fish and sea mammal population.

  EC Agriculture Spending
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the total amount which was spent by the European Economic Community on all its agricultural activities, including the storage and disposal of surpluses, in each of the years from 1973; what is the estimate for 1990 and 1991, respectively; and if he will also publish a table showing the percentage increases in each year.
  83
  Mr. Curry
  [holding answer 17 October 1990]: The information requested is set out in the table.

  Total Capital

  Increase Over Previous Year Percentage

  (mecu)

  (£ million)

  1973

  3,785·5

  1,901·54

  —

  1974

  3,225·1

  1,644·17

  -14·80

  1975

  4,701·3

  2,632·85

  45·77

  1976

  5,811·1

  3,612·05

  23·61

  1977

  7,139·7

  4,667·23

  22·86

  1978

  9,018·8

  5,986·31

  26·32

  1979

  10,884·2

  7,066·41

  20·68

  1980

  11,942·8

  7,231·84

  9·73

  1981

  11,578·4

  6,447·91

  -3·05

  1982

  13,106·3

  7,310·71

  13·20

  1983

  16,610·8

  9,743·58

  26·74

  1984

  19,097·4

  11,152·29

  14·97

  1985

  20,547·8

  12,083·15

  7·59

  1986

  23,028·4

  14,918·97

  12·07

  1987

  24,003·9

  17,266·49

  4·24

  1988

  29,100·4

  19,740·05

  21·23

  1989

  30,076·3

  19.692·31

  3·35

  1990

  30,216·6

  21,058·07

  0·47

  1991

  33,563·4

  23,390·47

  11·08

  Source: 1973–1988:Budget (outturn figures)

  1989–1990: Budget

  1991:Draft Budget

  Note: The budgets for the years 1989–1991 include an additional 1,000 mecu (£700 million) monetary reserve which has not been included in the above totals.

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

  Mr. Gummer
  [pursuant to his reply, 17 October 1990, c. 830]: I represented the United Kingdom at a meeting of the Agriculture Council on 19 October which was specially convened so that the Council could continue its discussion of the Commission's proposal for a Community offer for reducing agricultural support and protection in the current GATT round.

  I continued to make clear that I could endorse the Commission proposal as a basis for taking negotiations forward. There was support for this view from a few other Ministers, but a majority pressed various objections and were unwilling to agree.

  The Council again failed to reach agreement and discussion will now pass to the Foreign Affairs Council on 22 October.

  I much regret the further delay in the adoption of a Community position and the absence of agreement in the Agriculture Council on such an important issue for the Uruguay round. It is a pity that the United Kingdom's support for the Community position should not have been followed by the other nations which, with Britain, agreed the basis for this negotiation under the French presidency last December.

DEFENCE

  Battle of Britain
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if, in the light of post-war examination and research, he will redefine the official time for the end of the battle of Britain.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The term "Battle of Britain" refers to the threatened invasion in 1940. German plans never got beyond the first phase, an air assault intended to pave the way for the invasion by driving the RAF from the sky. By 17 September the heavy Luftwaffe losses forced Hitler to put off his invasion plans. Photo-reconnaissance on 20 September showed the German invasion fleet dispersing, and an Enigma decrypt on 25 October confirmed that invasion units had been disbanded. On 31 October the Defence Committee under Winston Churchill confirmed that the danger of invasion was over, and this day became the official end-date for the battle of Britain. All subsequent evidence has confirmed this decision and there would be no grounds for a redefinition.

  Nuclear Testing
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total cost to date of the United Kingdom nuclear testing activities.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  It would not be in the national interest to reveal the cost of the United Kingdom's nuclear testing programme.

  Public Accounts Committee (Information)
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list those categories of information withheld from the Public Accounts Committee by his Department on the grounds of (i) commercial confidentiality or (ii) military sensitivity.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The Ministry of Defence does not withhold information from the Public Accounts Committee on the grounds of commercial confidentiality or security classification, except where there is a requirement to protect the confidences of other Governments, or under the established arrangement by which the Department informs the National Audit Office, but not the Public Accounts Committee, of any projects which, but for their high security classification, would have been included in the Department's annual statement on major projects. Parliament was informed of this arrangement on 2 February 1987 (Official Report, column 517); and it is further described in a memorandum by the Comptroller and Auditor General which was published with the Committee's 47th report of Session 1987–88 (HC 371).

  Military Equipment (Iraq)
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the likely benefits to accrue to United Kingdom arms manufacturers and defence material producers as a result of the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait and subsequent military developments since 2 August.
  86
  Mr. Alan Clark
  It has been the policy of this and previous Administrations not to comment on matters of this kind.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will obtain a copy of the transcript or cassette of the feature investigation broadcast on Channel Four news on 28 August on Iraqi acquisition of high technology weapons and other military equipment from the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  No.

  Hazardous Substances
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the total cost incurred by his Department for the contracting of external consultants to implement assessments under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1988, since they came into force on 1 October 1989; and if he will list the consultants taken on in respect of this work to date by his Department.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  No central contracts have been placed for external consultants to implement assessments under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) 1988 Regulations. Details of contracts placed locally by units and establishments are not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost and effort.

  Military Equipment (UAE)
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on recent discussions held with the United Arab Emirates for the sale of British defence equipment.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  It has been the policy of this and previous Administrations not to comment on matters of this kind.

  Beryllium
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if, in the light of the serious toxic contamination caused by the dispersal of beryllium oxide after the accident at the Ulbinsky metallurgical factory in Ust Kamenogorsk, in the Soviet Republic of Kazakhstan in September, he will review the present safety of facilities operated by, or contracted to, his Department that use beryllium.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The recent reported incident in Kazakhstan is understood to have involved a production process in which beryllium metal is obtained from ores. Such processes are not carried out at any United Kingdom facilities operated by, or contracted to, the Ministry of Defence.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list all defence facilities where beryllium is stored, fabricated or fashioned for military purposes; and when the assessment under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1988 was conducted at each such establishment.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  Beryllium is used at the atomic weapons establishment sites at Aldermaston, Burghfield and Cardiff. Safety assessments, as required by the Control
  87
  of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations, have recently been completed for all beryllium facilities within those sites.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consultations he has had with his Soviet counterpart regarding health and safety procedures in beryllium machining plants for weapons applications since the fire and explosion at Ust Kamenogorsk.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  None. I understand that the recent reported incident in Kazakhstan involved a production process in which beryllium metal is obtained from ores. Such processes are not carried out at any United Kingdom facilities operated by, or contracted to, the Ministry of Defence.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consultations he has had with Hunting-BRAE as the nominated contractor for managing the atomic weapons research establishments regarding the appropriate health and safety procedures for the safe machining of beryllium since the fire and explosion at Ust Kamenogorsk, Kazakhstan, USSR.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  None. I understand that the recent reported incident in Kazakhstan involved a production process in which beryllium metal is obtained from ores. Such processes are not carried out at any United Kingdom facilities operated by, or contracted to, the Ministry of Defence. The atomic weapons establishment management contract requires that established health and safety procedures are fully adhered to at Cardiff and all other atomic weapons establishment sites.

  Lithium Hydride
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if his Department holds stocks of lithium hydride; and what military uses there are in the United Kingdom defence programme for this chemical.

  Mr. Carlisle
  Stocks of lithium hydride are held by the atomic weapons establishment and are used in the nuclear weapons programme.

  Chieftain Tank
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to announce a decision on the replacement for the Chieftain tank.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  I have nothing to add to the answer that I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Elmet (Mr. Batiste) on 15 May at col.727.

  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what factors he will take into account in making a decision on the replacement for the Chieftain tank.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Member for Ayr (Mr. Younger) on 20 December 1988 at cols 259–60 and the answer that I gave the hon. Member on 15 May at col 727 et seq.

  Military Equipment Exhibitions
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information he possesses in regard to the attendance of agents for the Iraqi Government's military equipment 88
  procurement network at the arms and military equipment exhibitions held earlier in 1990 at Aldershot, Portsmouth and Farnborough, respectively.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  It is not our practice to comment on the representation of specific countries at defence-related exhibitions.

  Mr. Colin Wallace
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his Department's response to the criticisms made of actions taken by his Department in the report on Mr. Colin Wallace produced by David Calcutt QC in September.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I refer the hon. Member to my letter of 13 September to the hon. Member for Arundel (Sir M. Marshall), a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

  Equipment Sales (Saudi Arabia)
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what requests he has received from the Comptroller and Auditor General for information in regard to his Department's payment practices on the 1986 agreement with Saudi Arabia for the sale of Tornado aircraft and other military equipment.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The Ministry of Defence co-operates fully in providing information to the NAO within the terms of the National Audit Act 1983. It is not our practice to comment on detailed matters concerning individual defence sales.

  Cambodia
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what mines technology has been made available to the Cambodian resistance.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  It is not the practice to comment on allegations of this nature.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations Astra Holdings has made to him about trade with Cambodia.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  None.

  Royal Scots Dragoon Guards
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the availability of desert-related spare equipment for tanks and armoured vehicles of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards in the middle east meets target requirements.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Sufficient spare parts and major assemblies are available to meet anticipated requirements.

  Strategic Nuclear Weapons
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy towards a reduction in strategic nuclear weapons; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  We fully support the bilateral START negotiations between the United States and the
  89
  Soviet Union. The Government's position on the inclusion of the British strategic deterrent in negotiations on strategic nuclear weapons is set out fully in paragraph 124 of the Statement on the Defence Estimates 1990 (Cm. 1022–1).

  Ministry Accounting Procedures
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he intends to appoint independent financial consultants to review accounting procedures in the Ministry of Defence.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  There is currently no intention to appoint independent financial consultants to review accounting procedures in the Ministry of Defence.

  Computers
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much has been spent by his Department in its purchase of computers and computer equipment in the last five years for which information is available.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  During the last five years the Ministry of Defence has spent £345·5 million on the purchase of administrative computers and associated equipment and services. The expenditure for each year is as follows:

  Financial year

  Expenditure £ million

  1985–86

  39·2

  1986–87

  62·2

  1987–88

  58·8

  1988–89

  76·5

  1989–90

  108·8

  Details of expenditure on computers for weapons systems are maintained only as an integral part of expenditure on such systems as a whole, and could be disaggregated only at disproportionate cost.

  Low Flying
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will institute an inquiry into the potential for RAF low-flying training to take place other than over mid-Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The United Kingdom low-flying system is kept continuously under review with the aim of spreading activity more widely so as to reduce disturbance in busier areas and improve overall safety.

  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will institute an inquiry into the potential for RAF low-flying training to take place outside the United Kingdom on flying ranges leased from or licensed by foreign Governments; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The majority of operational low-flying training, at heights below 250 ft, is already carried out outside the United Kingdom. Further opportunities for low-flying training abroad will continue to be given very careful consideration. In each case, however, a balance has to be struck between the advantages of the particular overseas location and the extra cost and dislocation resulting from overseas deployment and the need for aircraft to carry out adequate training in the theatre where they are based.

  Thai Army
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many United Kingdom military personnel have been attached to the Thai army since 1984.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I refer the hon. Lady to the answer that I gave to the hon. Member for Clackmannan (Mr. O'Neill) on 30 November 1989 at col.358. No loan service personnel have served with the Thai armed forces in the period in question. Further specific details of military assistance provided are confidential between Her Majesty's Government and the Government of Thailand.

  Princess of Wales RAF Hospital, Ely
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list all the capital improvements, additions and alterations to the Princess of Wales Royal Air Force hospital, Ely for each of the last five years giving details of the sums involved in each case.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State will write to my hon. Friend.

  Captain Anthony Leigh de Normann
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give the military career of Captain Anthony Leigh de Normann, including countries where he was stationed.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  It is not our practice to reveal personal details of this nature.

  British Troops (Gulf)
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current cost of the total operations in Saudi Arabia at the most recent date; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Sheffield, Brightside (Mr. Blunkett) on 15 October 1990 at column 688.

  Victoria Barracks, Windsor
  Sir Alan Glyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to ensure that the precautions provided for residents whose houses are in the vicinity of military installations, such as the Victoria barracks, Windsor, are satisfactory in view of the recent terrorist attacks.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The responsibility for countering the threat of terrorist attacks at large lies with the police and is a matter for my right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary. At a local level, the Ministry of Defence co-operates closely with police forces in order to maintain the security both of its establishments and of its personnel. We are putting in place a major package of enhanced security measures and are constantly looking at ways to improve security further. I appreciate that my hon. Friend is concerned for the security of his constituents. By reducing the likelihood of an attack, our security improvements benefit both those who work or live in a defence establishment, and those who live nearby. Awareness of the risk and personal vigilance is a key
  91
  element in security; members of the public who see unusual or suspicious activity should report it to their local police as soon as possible.

  "Options for Change"
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his reply of 17 October, when he hopes to complete the work on refining the detail of the broad proposals he put forward on 25 July; and whether he will make a statement on this work when it is completed.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  It is too early to say when the work will be completed. The House will be kept informed of our progress.

  Civil Servants (Qualifications)
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what records are kept of the recognised qualifications acquired by his civil servants.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The Department keeps records of all educational and professional qualifications obtained by individual civil servants.

  Service Personnel (Qualifications)
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what records are kept of the recognised qualifications acquired by service personnel through their pre-release training.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The main purposes of pre-release vocational training are to prepare service personnel for working life in a civilian environment and to convert existing skills or to provide new ones, in preparation for the employment opportunities available in the civilian labour market. The acquisition of qualifications of the nature referred to by the hon. Gentleman is subordinate to these purposes, not least because of the difficulty of doing so in the 28 days allowed for this training. Successful completion of courses at Ministry of Defence resettlement centres and of Ministry of Defence sponsored courses elsewhere is marked by the issue of certificates, records of which are held by the institutions concerned for a minimum of one year. The possibility of qualifications for those who undertake their pre-release training in the form of attachments to outside organisations does not generally arise, since the purpose is to gain experience of work with civilian companies.

  Military Training Assistance
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his reply of 17 October, what are the circumstances in which details of military training assistance provided by British service personnel may be released.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Details of military training provided to overseas Governments are normally confidential. Any exception would be considered on its own merits and would be subject to the agreement of the overseas Government concerned.
  92
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has contacted the Belize Government regarding the release of detailed information on the provision of military training assistance by British service personnel.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Details of military training assistance provided for the Belize Government, as set out in my answers to the hon. Gentleman of 7 November 1989 at columns 542–43 and 14 November 1989 at column 189, updated information published in the eighth report of the House of Commons Defence Committee (HC 624, Session 1987–88). Prior permission for the publication of that information was sought and received from the Belize Government.

  Community Charge
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is the percentage of service personnel of the rank of(a) major and above, (b) captain and below, (c) warrant officer and senior non-commissioned officer and (d) corporal and below, in service accommodation in Britain who will be responsible for community charges above the average, as calculated for the purposes of reimbursement, and will be eligible for reimbursement of accommodation charges;

  (2) what is the percentage of service personnel in (a) grade 1, (b) grade 2, (c) grade 3, and (d) grade 4 service accommodation in Britain who will be responsible for community charges above the average as calculated for the purposes of reimbursement, and will be eligible for reimbursement of accommodation charges;

  (3) what is the percentage of service personnel in (a) grade 1, (b) grade 2, (c) grade 3 and (d) grade 4 service accommodation in Britain who are liable for community charges below the average, as calculated for the purposes of reimbursement;

  (4) what is the percentage of service personnel of the rank of (a) major and above, (b) captain and below, (c) warrant officer and senior non-commissioned officer and (d) corporal and below, in service accommodation in Britain who are liable for community charges below the average, as calculated for the purposes of reimbursement;

  (5) what is the percentage of service personnel of the rank of (a) major and above, (b) captain and below, (c) warrant officer and senior non-commissioned officer and (d) corporal and below, in service accommodation in Britain who will be responsible for community charges above the average, as calculated for the purposes of reimbursement, but are not eligible for reimbursement of accommodation charges;

  (6) what is the percentage of service personnel in (a) grade 1, (b) grade 2, (c) grade 3 and (d) grade 4 service accommodation in Britain who will be responsible for community charges above the average, as calculated for the purposes of reimbursement, but are not eligible for reimbursement of accommodation charges.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The information requested could not be provided without disproportionate effort.

  Military Training Assistance
  Mr. John Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list in the Official Report those countries or groups within countries to which either British service men or other employees in his Department, or individuals privately contracted via his Department, have provided military assistance, training or advice, in the last two years.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  In the two-year period to 1 October 1990, the following states have been provided by Her Majesty's Government with military training assistance in-country, or military training courses in the United Kingdom:

  Algeria

  Australia

  Austria

  Bahamas

  Bahrain

  Bangladesh

  Barbados

  Belgium

  Belize

  Bermuda

  Botswana

  Brazil

  Brunei

  Cameroon

  Canada

  Chad

  Chile

  China

  Colombia

  Denmark

  Djibouti

  Dominica

  Ecuador

  Egypt

  Fiji

  Finland

  France

  Gambia

  Germany

  Ghana

  Greece

  Grenada

  Guyana

  Hong Kong

  India

  Indonesia

  Iraq

  Ireland

  Israel

  Italy

  Jamaica

  Japan

  Jordan

  Kenya

  Kuwait

  Lebanon

  Lesotho

  Malawi

  Malaysia

  Maldives

  Malta

  Mauritius

  Mozambique

  Namibia

  Nepal

  Netherlands

  New Zealand

  Nigeria

  Norway

  Oman

  Pakistan

  Peru

  Philippines

  Portugal

  94

  Qatar

  Saudi Arabia

  Senegal

  Sierra Leone

  Singapore

  Somalia

  South Korea

  Spain

  Sri Lanka

  St. Lucia

  St. Vincent

  Sudan

  Swaziland

  Sweden

  Switzerland

  Tanzania

  Thailand

  Tonga

  Trinidad and Tobago

  Tunisia

  Turkey

  Turks and Caicos

  Uganda

  United Arab Emirates

  United States of America

  Venezuela

  Yemen

  Yugoslavia

  Zaire

  Zambia

  Zimbabwe

  Details of training provided are normally confidential between Her Majesty's Government and the Government concerned.

  Procurement Programmes
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his reply of 17 October, what are the financial implications of his decision to(a) cancel the eighth batch of Tornado aircraft and (b) slow production of the Warrior armoured infantry fighting vehicle and its variants.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  I estimate that the cancellation of the eighth batch of Tornado aircraft will save around £400 million in total. The details of the financial implications of slowing down production of the Warrior armoured fighting vehicle and its variants are commercially confidential.

  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which equipment procurement programmes, whose total value is expected to be greater than £100 million, have been either delayed, cancelled, or reduced in size since 1 June.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  In addition to the two projects named in my answer of 17 October, I have decided since 1 June that the delivery programmes for two others with a total value of over £100 million should be extended. These are the Challenger replacement armoured repair and recovery vehicle and demountable rack off-loading and pick-up system.

  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the approximate production rate of the Warrior armoured infantry fighting vehicle and its variants prior to his decision to slow production; and what it will be as a result of his decision.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The effect of the decision to slow production of the Warrior armoured fighting vehicle and its variants on the rate of production is commercially confidential.

  ARCHBISHOPS' COMMISSION'S RECOMMENDATION ON OWNERSHIP OF ASSETS
  ARCHBISHOPS' COMMISSION'S RECOMMENDATION ON OWNERSHIP OF ASSETS
  LONDON EAST-WEST CROSSRAIL
  LONDON EAST-WEST CROSSRAIL
  NUCLEAR EMERGENCY CONTINGENCY PLANS
  NUCLEAR EMERGENCY CONTINGENCY PLANS
  BRITISH FORCES IN SAUDI ARABIA
  BRITISH FORCES IN SAUDI ARABIA
  HARRIER GR5 AIRCRAFT
  HARRIER GR5 AIRCRAFT
  BRIXMIS
  BRIXMIS
  PHARMACEUTICAL PATENTS
  PHARMACEUTICAL PATENTS
  COUNCIL HOUSE SALES: ACCUMULATED RECEIPTS
  COUNCIL HOUSE SALES: ACCUMULATED RECEIPTS
  TRADE WITH IRAQ: DTI ADVICE TO EXPORTERS
  TRADE WITH IRAQ: DTI ADVICE TO EXPORTERS
  FOREIGN TRADE STATISTICS 1987–89
  FOREIGN TRADE STATISTICS 1987–89
  YOUTH TRAINING ALLOWANCES
  YOUTH TRAINING ALLOWANCES