Written Answers of 29 October 1990

TRANSPORT

  Vibroplant, Peterborough
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the report on the explosives incident at Vibroplant, Peterborough, will be published; and if he will make a statement on the current position.

  Mr. Chope
  The report by the Health and Safety Executive of its investigation into the explosion on 22 March 1989 is published today. A copy of the report has been placed in the Library.

  The HSE investigation into the incident concluded that the source of the fire and cause of the resulting explosion was a box of Cerium fusehead combs in transit to a local fireworks manufacturer. The combs were in unauthorised and unsafe packaging. On 11 April 1990, the company operating the vehicle was fined £250,000 at Peterborough Crown court.

  In line with the undertaking given at the time by my hon. Friend the Member for Eltham (Mr. Bottomley) the Health and Safety Commission's advisory committee on dangerous substances sub-committee considering the major hazard aspects of the transport of dangerous substances will study the report both for its general relevance to transport questions and its specific relevance to the safe transport of explosives.

  Executive Officers
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many jobs offered by his Department to executive officer recruits offer above the adult minimum starting salaries; what is the spine point that is offered in each case; and whether they are offered in(a) London and the south-east or (b) elsewhere.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The normal minimum starting salary for adult recruits (ie those who are 20 years or above) is minimum of the pay scale plus two spine points. The following figures show the starting salaries awarded to all adult direct entry EO recruits to the Department of Transport from April 1989, the date it split from the Department of the Environment, to the present.

  DTp Civil Service Commission EO recruits:

  April 1989 to September 1990

  Starting pay

  London and South-East

  1 Elsewhere

  Total

  Minimum plus 2 spine points

  110

  67

  177

  Minimum plus 3 spine points

  1

  —

  1

  Minimum plus 4 spine points

  —

  —

  —

  Minimum plus 5 spine points

  —

  —

  —

  Maximum

  1

  —

  1

  Total

  112

  67

  179

  1 Including staff in the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, the Vehicle Inspectorate Executive Agency, the Driving Standards Agency and the Vehicle Certification Agency.

  Red Routes
  Mr. Summerson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has finalised proposals for the implementation of the red route pilot scheme in London; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chope
  Following the announcement to the House on 27 March at columns 222–24 by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State of the intention to conduct a pilot scheme for a priority route network in London we have conducted an extensive consultation exercise on it through publications, public meetings, and site visits and discussions. This culminated in exhibitions of our initial proposals from 14 August to 28 September. A brochure and a leaflet were widely circulated and copies are in the Library. As a result of comments received we have accepted certain changes to the proposals largely aimed at increasing provision for loading and unloading to satisfy essential business needs. Plans of the final proposals are being made available to the boroughs concerned and a leaflet will be published for general interest.

  We need now to make a start on the pilot scheme itself as soon as possible. We intend to bring the new signing and lining, including bus lanes, into force on the trunk road part of the route—the A1 from Highgate to the Angel—on 7 January. Preliminary works will take place during December. Further measures such as improved facilities for pedestrians and cyclists will follow as soon as possible. Implementation of measures on local roads will depend on the boroughs concerned. I hope that they will be able to introduce them quickly. Enforcement will be the key to the success of the pilot scheme, and the Metropolitan police have agreed the timetable for this start on 7 January.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the projected date for the introduction of red routes into London.

  Mr. Chope
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I have given today to my hon. Friend the Member for Walthamstow (Mr. Summerson) on the implementation of the pilot scheme. Full implementation of the network depends on legislation which will be introduced at the earliest opportunity.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to introduce red routes in London; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chope
  I refer the hon. Member to section 2 of the consultation document on the "Traffic in London" legislative proposals published on 23 July.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many representations he has received concerning the proposed red route from Highgate to the City; if any of these have been in its favour; and what replies he has sent.

  Mr. Chope
  As a result of the public exhibitions of proposals 343 responses were received. Other comments were made, some in favour and some against, at public meetings and numerous on-site discussions. In response to these representations, some of the detailed proposals have been changed.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment has been made by his
  341
  Department of the introduction of priority routes in Paris; and if he will make such information available to those currently involved in the consultation exercise about red routes.

  Mr. Chope
  Officials visited Paris earlier this month to obtain information. Axes rouges (red routes) were introduced last month on 27 km of roads in central Paris. Although it is too early to make a full assessment, a network of 100 km is planned. The initial effect has been to increase average speeds significantly with little increase in traffic.

  London Traffic Commissioner
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the powers of London traffic commissioner; to whom this person will report; and what will be the involvement with London borough councils.

  Mr. Chope
  I refer the hon. Member to section 2 of the consultation document on the "Traffic in London" legislative proposals published on 23 July.

  British Rail
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidance is issued to British Rail regarding co-operation with other agencies in planning emergency liaison procedures.

  Mr. Freeman
  Such guidance as is necessary, depending on the circumstances. If the hon. Member has a specific case in mind perhaps he would write to me.

  Mr. Summerson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will meet the chairman of British Rail to discuss British Rail's compliance with its quality of service objectives in regard to(a) Network SouthEast services and (b) the Barking to Gospel Oak service.

  Mr. Freeman
  My officials will meet the Network SouthEast quality control director on 30 October. I will write to my hon. Friend.

  Bulk Carriers
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list by year since 1980 to date(a) the number of bulk carrier ships that have sunk and (b) the number of crew lost; and if he will show in his answer the number of British ships and crew involved.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Figures of vessels which sank, and of the number of crew lost, are not recorded. The numbers of ore/bulk/oil carriers recorded as total losses are as follows:

  Year

  Number

  1980

  21

  1981

  16

  1982

  17

  1983

  26

  1984

  17

  1985

  22

  1986

  20

  1987

  18

  1988

  8

  1989

  12

  Only one ship was United Kingdom registered—the Derbyshire which sank in September 1980 with the loss of 44 lives.

  Port of London Authority
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what qualifications, other than a seagoing master's certificate, are required for masters of seagoing vessels loading ballast from land or from other vessels within the limits of the Port of London Authority and proceeding to discharge into places also within those limits; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  In addition to a seagoing master's certificate, required for masters of seagoing vessels loading ballast from land or from other vessels within the limits of the Port of London Authority, the masters or first mates of ships over 50 m in length would require a pilotage exemption certificate if they wished to navigate their ships through the compulsory pilotage area.

  Shipping Accidents
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many shipping accidents there have been in the Pentland firth in each of the last 10 years that have involved collisions, groundings and sinkings; and if he will specify the types of vessels involved.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  This can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

ENVIRONMENT

  London Docklands Development Corporation
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those who have resigned from the employ of the London Docklands development corporation during the last three months.

  Mr. Portillo
  Staffing matters are for the LDDC board.

  Warwickshire
  Sir Dudley Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to decide on the structure plan proposals for Warwickshire.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State expects to publish his proposed modifications to the Warwickshire structure plan early next year and, having considered any objections or representations, to issue his decision on the plan by the middle of next year.

  Opencast Mines
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list by location for England and Wales the opencast coal sites currently being worked.

  Mr. Atkins
  This information is not held centrally by my Department. Information about the location of British Coal Corporation opencast sites currently being worked and sites worked by operators under licences issued by the corporation can be obtained from the corporation's Opencast Executive.

  Homelessness
  Mrs. Golding
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the consultations will be completed on the revised code of guidance on housing and homeless persons under part III of the Housing Act 1985; and when the code will be issued.
  343
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the revised draft code of guidance to homelessness legislation will be published in England and Wales.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  My officials have had a number of helpful meetings with the local authority associations about the revision of the code of guidance. We will be consulting the associations and others on a revised draft code shortly. We aim to complete the consultation process and publish a revised code early in the new year.

  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement listing those initiatives which he is currently undertaking or supporting which are intended to reduce the problem of homelessness in Cheshire; and if he will indicate in each case the resources allocated to these initiatives.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  [holding answer 26 October 1990]: My right hon. Friend is currently supporting the Chester lodgings and support project which seeks to increase the supply of suitable accommodation for homeless and vulnerable people in Chester. A grant of up to a maximum of £14,530 has been earmarked to be paid this financial year.

  In addition, homelessness is a factor which is taken into account in determining local authorities' annual housing investment allocations.

  Nuclear Waste
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the three locations considered by Nirex for repositories of radioactive waste accessed from an offshore structure.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  My right hon. Friend has no information about any locations considered by Nirex for a radioactive waste repository accessed from an offshore structure. The Government have accepted Nirex's proposal that the repository should be in the form of a mine under the land, and site investigations are currently under way at Sellafield and Dounreay.

  Disabled People (Access)
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the monitoring his Department carries out into how local authorities are making all their property accessible to the disabled.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Local authorities when designing certain new buildings, including offices and public buildings, have a duty under the Building Regulations 1985 to make reasonable provision for access for disabled people. Elsewhere my Department does not monitor how local authorities make their property accessible to the disabled.

  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what advice his Department gives to local planning authorities on making private and public buildings accessible to the disabled; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Advice on the scope of planning powers is given in my Department's development control 344
  policy note No. 16, "Access for the disabled". The approved document which accompanies the Building Regulations 1985 gives practical guidance on ways to meet the requirements of part M of the regulations, which requires reasonable provision to be made to enable disabled people to gain access to relevant premises of certain new buildings.

  Endangered Species
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those species of flora and of fauna which are now protected as endangered species under the terms of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, formerly the Conservation of Wild Creatures and Wild Plants Act 1975.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  This information is contained in schedules 1, 5 and 8 to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, as amended. A copy of the 1981 Act and subsequent amending orders are available in the Library of the House.

  Housing Starts
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will state the number of public sector housing starts in 1978 and so far in 1990;

  (2) if he will state the number of housing association starts in 1978 and so far in 1990.

  Mr. Key
  The latest estimates for starts by housing associations and local authorities, new towns and Government Departments, for 1980 to August 1990, appear in tables 1 and 2 of the housebuilding press release (No. 548) issued by the Department on 5 October. Corresponding figures for 1978 and 1979 appear in table 6.1 of "Housing and Construction Statistics 1978–1988: Great Britain". Copies of both are in the Library.

  Algal Blooms
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list, for each British region, all the sites at which evidence of eutrophication or the presence of algal blooms has been discovered this summer by the National Rivers Authority.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  [holding answer 24 October 1990]: I have asked the National Rivers Authority to send the hon. Member a list of the sites in England and Wales where blue-green algae have been identified this year.

  Housing, Congleton
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many homes for rent have been owned by Congleton borough council in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  [holding answer 26 October 1990]: The numbers of council-owned dwellings reported by Congleton borough council in its annual housing investment programme returns (HIP1) are as follows:

  Stock at 1 April each year

  Number

  1981

  5,887

  1982

  5,653

  1983

  5,457

  345

  Number

  1984

  5,272

  1985

  5,245

  1986

  5,046

  1987

  4,990

  1988

  4,831

  1989

  4,619

  1990

  4,474

  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has concerning(a) the average length of time currently taken by a local authority to re-let vacant homes and (b) the average length of time taken by the Congleton borough council to re-let vacant homes.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  [holding answer 26 October 1990]: The 1988 survey, "Empty Local Authority Dwellings in England at 1 October and Re-lets between 1 April and 30 September 1988", showed that—at that time—the overall average re-let period for all authorities was eight weeks. The corresponding figure reported by Congleton borough council was six weeks, including vacant dwellings in modernisation programmes. A copy of the national report is in the Library.

  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what funds have been made available by his Department in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available to Congleton borough council to assist with the provision of housing for rent.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  [holding answer 26 October 1990]: The Department makes housing investment programme (HIP) allocations to local authorities each year, which convey borrowing approval (under the new capital finance system, in the form of credit approvals). Thus housing capital expenditure is funded from borrowing, capital receipts and from revenue contributions. The Department does pay a general housing subsidy, but the costs of borrowing are only one element of this.

  Within these totals it is for each local authority to decide how its resources should be spent.

  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has concerning the amount spent in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available by Congleton borough council on the provision of housing; what percentage of total expenditure by the authority is represented by this figure in each of those years; and what is the national average in the latest single year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Michael Spicer
  [holding answer 26 October 1990]: Capital expenditure by Congleton borough council on housing and all services (including housing) is as follows:

  £ thousands per cent.

  Housing

  All services

  Housing as a percentage of all services

  1981–82

  1,542

  2,245

  69

  1982–83

  2,256

  3,132

  72

  1983–84

  2,760

  3,378

  82

  1984–85

  2,134

  2,615

  82

  1985–86

  2,067

  2,613

  79

  1986–87

  2,779

  3,342

  83

  1987–88

  2,964

  4,014

  74

  1988–89

  2,942

  3,197

  92

  1989–90

  3,931

  4,703

  84

  346
  Nationally, housing capital expenditure is provisionally estimated to be 53 per cent. of capital expenditure on all local authority services in 1989–90; the equivalent figure for non-metropolitan district councils in England is 68 per cent.

  Planning Permission
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in the light of the judgment of 21 October, in the High Court on the granting of planning permission by Ealing borough council in 1987 for a mosque and town houses on the Northolt industrial site, he will bring forward proposals to amend the law relating to the restrictions of planning permission by local authorities; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  [holding answer 26 October 1990]: I will consider the implications of this case for the planning system when I have studied the judgment.

  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what powers local authorities have to rescind planning permissions granted for the building of religious buildings and town houses on industrial estates; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  [holding answer 26 October 1990]: Under section 97 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, if it appears to the local planning authority that it is expedient to revoke or modify any permission to develop land granted on a planning application made under part III of the Act, the authority may by order revoke or modify the permission to such extent as it considers expedient.

  Property Services Agency
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which company is supplying the main door drive units at RAF Mawgan; and whether extensive prototype tests have been carried out to the satisfaction of the Property Services Agency.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Pursuant to the answer given by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Southampton, Itchen (Mr. Chope) on 3 July at column 505, subsequent investigation has shown that the units have been assembled from a variety of components from various sources by CIMOLAI, the steelwork sub-contractor, to designs developed from the earlier prototype tests. NEUERO'S involvement was restricted to giving limited advice on request to CIMOLAI.

  Church Grants
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what information he has on the(a) number of church grants approved to date in 1990–91, (b) their value and (c) the sums remaining to be distributed in the current year;

  (2) what was the total sum available for church grants in 1990–91;

  (3) how many applications he has received for funds under the church grant scheme.

  Mr. Trippier
  Responsibility for the allocation of historic building repair grant resources to ecclesiastical
  347
  buildings, and for holding data on the number of applications for such grants are matters for English Heritage. I have asked its chairman, Lord Montagu, to write to the hon. Member.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Prisons
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will institute an inquiry into the leaking of information and photographs from Ford open prison.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Ford prison is an open establishment which occupies a 114 acre site and has no secure boundary. It may therefore be surveyed from many points within its grounds as well as from neighbouring properties, and despite all reasonable precautions taken by the governor and the police, certain prisoners were clearly photographed recently in this way. Furthermore, as prisoners have unlimited access to the telephone it is not possible to prevent them from communicating information.

  Mr. David Martin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether any recommendations for improved surveillance by the use of video cameras at Her Majesty's prison Kingston (Portsmouth), have been rejected on the grounds of cost during the past year.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  No. Closed circuit TV cameras have recently been installed at the establishment and a bid for an additional camera is currently under consideration.

  Television Licences
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what further consideration is being given to providing at reduced cost television licences for pensioners where they are the sole occupiers residing in all types of housing accommodation.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  None. We have no plans to extend the present concessions.

  Private Security Industry
  Mr. George
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place a copy of the Home Office's recent report on the private security industry in the Library.

  Mr. John Patten
  We are considering a range of options for improving the regulation of the private security industry. When consideration of this issue has been completed, we will decide what circulation to give to the working group's report.

  Crime Statistics
  Mr. Maxton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will provide a regional breakdown of the increase in(a) violent crimes and (b) all crimes between 1979 and 1989 in percentage terms and also the percentage clear-up rates.

  Mr. John Patten
  The readily available regional information is published in table 8.1 of "Regional Trends 25", which shows the figures for 1981 and 1988. A copy of this publication is available in the Library.

  Special Constables
  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he plans a national campaign to encourage the recruitment of special constables.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Yes. A national publicity campaign will be launched early in 1991. Its purpose, over three years, is to enhance public awareness of the role and value of the special constabulary and to increase the number of special constables recruited locally.

  Civil Defence Officials
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if any officials specialising in civil defence protection will be attending the fifth international conference of nuclear-free zone local authorities, to be held in Glasgow on 8 to 12 November.

  Mr. John Patten
  I understand that there are no plans for any officials from our emergency planning division to attend.

  Dog Fighting
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many individuals have been convicted of involvement in dog fighting during the last five years; how many of these have been given custodial sentences and of the number convicted how many have been sentenced in respect of repeated offences.

  Mr. John Patten
  Information collected centrally does not distinguish offences relating to dog fights from other offences under the Protection of Animals Act 1911.

  "Holocaust News No. 2"
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis as to what investigations are being conducted in respect of the publication and distribution of the publication entitled "Holocaust News No. 2".

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I understand that inquiries are in progress.

  Jamie Lloyd Stewart
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has received the Police Complaints Authority report on the circumstances surrounding the death of Jamie Lloyd Stewart in Holloway police station in July 1989; whether he proposes to take any further action; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The Police Complaints Authority is independent from both the police and the Government. It is not required to report the outcome of investigations which it supervises to the Home Secretary. However, it is understood that the investigating officer's report on the circumstances surrounding Mr. Stewart's death has been considered by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Police Complaints Authority. They have concluded that there are no grounds for taking criminal or disciplinary action against any police officers.

  Prisoners (Deaths)
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list all deaths that have occurred in 1990 of persons detained in prison department establishments, stating in each case the age and sex of the inmate, and cause of death, the inquest verdict, whether the inmate was sentenced or on remand, the establishment where the inmate was detained, and whether the death occurred there or in an outside hospital, and where the

  Deaths of inmates in Her Majesty s Prison Service custody in 1990 (to 24 October 1990)

  Date

  Establishment

  Age

  Sex

  Status

  Cause of death

  Inquest verdict

  Location at time of death1

  6 January

  Durham

  20

  M

  S

  Hanging

  Not yet held

  OL

  6 January

  Bristol

  22

  M

  S

  Hanging

  Suicide

  OL

  10 January

  Lincoln

  46

  M

  R

  Suffocation

  Open

  PH

  14 January

  Winchester

  69

  M

  R

  Angina

  Natural

  PH

  22 January

  Liverpool

  47

  M

  S

  Hanging

  Open

  PH

  25 January

  Manchester

  37

  M

  R

  Hanging

  Not yet held

  OL

  10 February

  Reading

  35

  M

  S

  Brain Haemorrhage

  Natural

  OH

  14 February

  Winchester

  19

  M

  R

  Hanging

  Open

  OL

  21 February

  Camp Hill

  24

  M

  S

  Hanging

  Suicide

  OL

  22 February

  Bedford

  29

  M

  R

  Hanging

  Suicide

  OL

  28 February

  Hindley

  18

  M

  R

  Hanging

  Suicide

  OH

  2 March

  Brixton

  29

  M

  R

  Hanging

  Open

  PH

  2 March

  Manchester

  37

  M

  R

  Hanging

  Not yet held

  OL

  3 March

  Pentonville

  34

  M

  R

  Asphyxiation

  Misadventure

  5—

  14 March

  Wakefield

  56

  M

  S

  Heart Attack

  Natural

  5—

  16 March

  Durham

  27

  M

  S

  Hanging

  Suicide

  OL

  23 March

  Bristol

  31

  M

  R

  Hanging

  Suicide

  SEG

  29 March

  Coldingley

  24

  M

  S

  Unknown

  Not yet held

  2—

  3 April

  Swansea

  25

  M

  R

  Hanging

  Suicide

  SEG(OP)

  7 April

  Dartmoor

  27

  M

  S

  Fire

  Suicide

  OL

  8 April

  Highpoint

  59

  M

  S

  Asphyxia

  Suicide

  OL

  8 April

  Stocken

  35

  M

  S

  Heart Attack

  Not yet held

  5—

  11 April

  Wandsworth

  31

  M

  S

  Undetermined

  Open

  OL

  15 April

  Wakefield

  49

  M

  S

  Heart Failure

  Natural

  5—

  19 April

  Channings Wood

  61

  M

  S

  Carcinomatosis

  Natural

  OH

  23 April

  Wayland

  50

  M

  S

  Heart Failure

  Natural

  5—

  26 April

  Wandsworth

  27

  M

  R

  Meningitis

  Natural

  PH

  9 May

  Wellingborough

  54

  M

  S

  Heart Failure

  Not yet held

  5—

  11 May

  Wakefield

  58

  M

  S

  Carcinoma Bronchus

  Natural

  OH

  18 May

  Exeter

  31

  M

  R

  Coronary Sclerosis

  Natural

  5—

  19 May

  Wormwood Scrubs

  25

  M

  R

  Hanging

  Not yet held

  PH

  19 May

  Ashwell

  61

  M

  S

  Cancer

  Not yet held

  PH

  20 May

  Acklington

  26

  M

  S

  Hanging

  Suicide

  OL

  28 May

  Cardiff

  70

  M

  S

  Cancer

  Not yet held

  OH

  4 June

  Durham

  35

  F

  S

  Hanging

  Suicide

  OL

  20 June

  Liverpool

  54

  M

  S

  Cancer

  Natural

  OH

  22 June

  The Verne

  40

  M

  S

  Heart Attack

  Natural

  5—

  25 June

  Hindley

  18

  M

  R

  Hanging

  Not yet held

  SEG(GOAD)

  25 June

  Hindley

  18

  M

  R

  Hanging

  Not yet held

  SEG(GOAD)

  26 June

  Bedford

  27

  M

  R

  Hanging

  Suicide

  PH

  7 July

  Wakefield

  52

  M

  S

  Cerebral oedema

  Open

  OH

  13 July

  Swansea

  15

  M

  R

  Hanging

  Not yet held

  OH

  18 July

  Long Lartin

  27

  M

  S

  Stab Wound

  Not yet held

  PH

  20 July

  Wandsworth

  29

  M

  S

  Pneumonia

  Not yet held

  OH

  21 July

  Parkhurst

  55

  M

  S

  Lung cancer

  Natural

  OH

  25 July

  Lewes

  32

  M

  R

  Hanging

  Suicide

  SEG(OP)

  29 July

  Standford Hill

  25

  M

  S

  Heart Attack

  Not yet held

  5—

  30 July

  Parkhurst

  43

  M

  S

  Drug overdose

  Accidental death

  5—

  1 August

  Parkhurst

  42

  M

  S

  Heart Attack

  Natural

  PH

  5 August

  Winchester

  41

  M

  S

  Hanging

  Not yet held

  OL

  12 August

  Wakefield

  31

  M

  S

  Unknown

  Natural

  OH

  12 August

  Leeds

  17

  M

  R

  Hanging

  Not yet held

  OL

  15 August

  Bristol

  23

  M

  S

  Hanging

  Open

  SEG(OP)

  1 September

  Wandsworth

  22

  M

  S

  Hanging

  Not yet held

  OL

  5 September

  Birmingham

  35

  M

  S

  Hanging

  Not yet held

  OL

  7 September

  Brixton

  38

  M

  R

  Hanging

  Not yet held

  OH

  14 September

  North Sea Camp

  37

  M

  S

  Heart Attack

  Natural

  3—

  15 September

  Oxford

  23

  M

  S

  Hanging

  Not yet held

  OL

  16 September

  Brixton

  39

  M

  R

  Hanging

  Not yet held

  PH

  21 September

  Lewes

  30

  M

  S

  Hanging

  Not yet held

  SEG(OP)

  24 September

  Channings Wood

  50

  M

  S

  Cerebral oedema

  Not yet held

  4—

  28 September

  Liverpool

  29

  M

  R

  Hanging

  Not yet held

  OL

  28 September

  Wormwood Scrubs

  36

  M

  S

  Diabetes

  Not yet held

  5—

  350
  death occurred within the prison, if he will specify if the inmate was segregated either in the hospital wing or in the punishment block.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  The information is given in the table. Deaths occurred within the establishment unless otherwise indicated. Information about the location of the inmate at the time of death is not readily available in every case and I shall write to the hon. Member. None of the inmates located in the prison hospital at the time of death was segregated under rule 43 of the prison rules.
  351

  Date

  Establishment

  Age

  Sex

  Status

  Cause of death

  Inquest verdict

  Location at time of death1

  29 September

  Hull

  20

  M

  R

  Hanging

  Not yet held

  PH

  4 October

  Grendon

  39

  M

  S

  Hanging

  Not yet held

  PH

  12 October

  Brixton

  29

  M

  R

  Cerebral oedema

  Not yet held

  OH

  13 October

  Liverpool

  27

  M

  R

  Hanging

  Not yet held

  OH

  13 October

  Wakefield

  36

  M

  S

  Hanging

  Not yet held

  OL

  19 October

  The Verne

  38

  M

  S

  Hanging

  Not yet held

  SEG

  1 Key to location:

  OL—Ordinary location within the establishment.

  PH—Located in the prison hospital.

  SEG(OP)—Located in the segregation unit for the inmate's own protection (rule 43)

  SEG(GOAD)—Located in the segregation unit for reasons of good order and discipline (rule 43)

  OH—Outside hospital.

  2 Inmate died while on home leave.

  3 Inmate died after absconding.

  4 Inmate died while trying to escape.

  5 Information about location is not available.

  Betting and Gaming
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the Lloyds bank report on the future of the Tote; and whether he will publish that report.

  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his Department's response to the recommendations of the Lloyds bank report on the Tote; and if he will publish the report.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The report by Lloyds merchant bank will not be published because it was made in confidence and contains commercially and managerially sensitive information. I announced on 3 October that the Government have accepted the case for some restructuring of the Tote Board to include executive members, as recommended by Lloyds merchant bank in its report. This recommendation was independent of the issue of privatisation, on which an announcement of the Government's conclusions will be made in due course.

  Sports Grounds
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made by the working party set up to revise the guide to safety at sports grounds in accordance with the recommendations of Lord Justice Taylor's final report into the Hillsborough disaster; and when the revised guide will be published.

  Mr. John Patten
  Revision of the guide to safety at sports grounds in order to reflect the relevant recommendations by the Hillsborough inquiry has progressed well. A draft of the guide was sent out for wide consultation last August. The draft has been revised in the light of comments received and has been sent to members of the working group which meets again this week. We hope to publish the revised guide very soon.

  Magistrates
  Ms. Richardson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many magistrates are(a) men and (b) women.

  The Attorney-General
  I have been asked to reply.

  As at 1 January 1990, there were 16,090 men and 12,577 women sitting as lay magistrates in England and Wales.

PRIME MINISTER

  International Visits
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will list each international visit which she has undertaken since 26 July indicating in each case, the purpose, the matters discussed, and the estimated cost of each visit.

  The Prime Minister
  I have paid official visits to the following countries since 26 July 1990:

  2–7 August—United States of America

  To address the Aspen Institute and for meetings with President Bush;

  28–30 August—Finland

  For bilateral discussions and to attend the European Democratic Union in Helsinki;

  16–18 September—Czechoslovakia

  18–20 September—Hungary

  To support political and economic reform in those countries and for bilateral discussions;

  20–21 September—Switzerland

  For bilateral discussions;

  29 September to 1 October—United States of America

  To attend the World Summit for Children in New York.

  Estimated costs of the visits are not yet available.

  Meetings
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will publish a list of meetings which she has hosted since 26 July with(a) foreign heads of state, (b) other foreign politicians and (c) heads of international intergovernmental agencies.

  The Prime Minister
  Since 26 July I have had interesting and valuable talks with a number of heads of state, foreign politicians and heads of intergovernmental agencies. Contacts at all levels are maintained on a day-to-day basis.

  Gulf Crisis
  Dr. Thomas
  To ask the Prime Minister if she will make a statement on the discussions which she has had with(a) the Secretary-General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and (b) the Secretary General of the Western European Union concerning the deployment of United Kingdom forces in the Gulf.

  The Prime Minister
  I saw Dr. Woerner briefly in Washington on 6 August and was able to tell him at that
  353
  time of our decision to send Royal Navy ships to the Gulf. I have had no subsequent discussion with him, nor any with Dr. van Eekelen concerning the deployment of United Kingdom forces in the Gulf. United Kingdom Ministers and officials of course continue to be in close touch with both NATO and the WEU about a range of matters, including the Gulf crisis.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Prime Minister what response she made to the United Kingdom National Peace Council and the Fellowship of Reconciliation and Pax Christi following their submission on the Gulf situation, presented on 16 August.

  The Prime Minister
  We have no trace of having received the submission referred to.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Rent Arrears
  Ms. Primarolo
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will list the number of possession orders for rent arrears granted in each English region, for the years(a) 1986, (b) 1987, (c) 1988 and (d)

  The Attorney-General
  The number of possession orders for rent arrears granted in county courts in England for the years 1986 to 1989 are as follows. The number of such orders made in the six circuits within England are also given:

  Possession orders for rent arrears granted in England 1986–1989

  Circuit

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  Midland and Oxford

  5,268

  9,549

  13,293

  25,607

  North Eastern

  3,632

  5,364

  8,495

  16,994

  Northern

  3,978

  6,135

  9,080

  12,403

  South Eastern

  15,127

  14,630

  20,881

  34,631

  Wales and Chester

  595

  836

  1,182

  1,836

  Western

  3,250

  4,344

  5,488

  7,289

  England total

  31,850

  40,858

  58,419

  98,760

  The figures for Wales and Chester circuit exclude possession orders for rent arrears granted in Wales. It should be noted that the figures are for possession orders not evictions since not all orders granted are executed.

  Judges
  Ms. Richardson
  To ask the Attorney-General how many High Court judges are(a) men and (b) women.

  The Attorney-General
  There are 81 men and two women High Court judges.

  Ms. Richardson
  To ask the Attorney-General how many county court judges are(a) men and (b) women.

  The Attorney-General
  Of the circuit judges, who sit in both the county court and Crown court, 404 are men, and 18 are women. Of the county court registrars, 211 are men, and eight are women.

  Ms. Richardson
  To ask the Attorney-General how many recorders and circuit judges are(a) men and (b) women.

  The Attorney-General
  The information requested is as follows:354

  Men

  Women

  Circuit judges

  404

  18

  Recorders

  724

  18

  Assistant recorders

  359

  21

  Anti-Jewish Literature
  Mr. Latham
  To ask the Attorney-General whether he will list all cases of prosecutions brought by the Crown prosecution service since 1986 of anti-Jewish literature which has previously been brought to his attention by hon. Members or by organisations representing the Jewish community; and what was the outcome of those prosecutions.

  The Attorney-General
  Fifteen prosecutions for incitement to racial hatred have been brought under section 5A of the Public Order Act 1936, or under part III of the Public Order Act 1986, in 1986 and subsequent years. Of these, 11 prosecutions included allegations that anti-Jewish material had been published or distributed. Two such cases were drawn to my attention by hon. Members but none by organisations representing the Jewish community. Proceedings have been begun, but not concluded, in a further case which was brought to my attention by an hon. Member; this case, too, involves an allegation that anti-Jewish material has been distributed. The details requested of prosecutions that have been concluded are as follows:

  Name of Defendant

  Result

  J. Kinnon (X 2)

  Convicted

  J. Kinnon

  Bound over

  R. Trehane1

  Convicted

  D. Cullingford1

  Convicted

  R. Bearsford-Walker1

  Convicted

  L. Bearsford-Walker1

  Convicted

  K. Rowe1

  Convicted

  S. Knight1

  Convicted

  A. Shotton1

  Acquitted

  A. Waite1

  Acquitted

  D. Owens1

  Convicted

  J. Tyndall1

  Convicted

  J. Morse1

  Convicted

  M. Atkinson

  Convicted

  1 Denotes a prosecution involving an allegation that anti-Jewish material was published or distributed.

  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Attorney-General what consideration has been given by the Director of Public Prosecutions to initiating proceedings in respect of the publication entitled "Jewish Tributes to Our Child Martyrs", distributed by the Gentile Self-Defence League.

  The Attorney-General
  The Director of Public Prosecutions can consider instituting criminal proceedings only once the police have placed before him evidence against an identifiable individual. The Metropolitan police, at the request of the Director of Public Prosecutions, are conducting inquiries into the publication of this leaflet but to date have been unable to idenify or trace the persons responsible.

  Serious Fraud Office
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Attorney-General (1) what discussions he has had with the Serious Fraud Office regarding the activities of Michael Ashcroft, chairman of ADT Ltd;
  355
  (2) whether permission has been sought by the Serious Fraud Office (a) to interview Michael Ashcroft, chairman of ADT Ltd. in Florida and (b) to seek his return for interview in the United Kingdom;

  (3) what is his most up-to-date estimate of the likely completion date of the Serious Fraud Office inquiries into the activities of Michael Ashcroft, chairman of ADT Ltd.

  The Attorney-General
  For practical reasons of policy the Serious Fraud Office neither confirms nor corrects assertions or suggestions that it is conducting inquiries into the affairs of any individual or company. No inference as to the truth or falsity of the hon. Member's suggestion arises from adherence to that policy in this instance.

  I have frequent discussions with the director of the SFO but for practical reasons of policy their contents are not divulged.

WALES

  Roads
  Mr. Knox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what has been the total funding by central Government on roads in Wales since 1979; and how many miles of motorway and trunk roads have been built since that year.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Since 1979 total net spending by central Government on motorway and trunk roads in Wales has exceeded £1·2 billion. In addition over £260 million transport grant has been provided to Welsh local authorities for improvement of their roads.

  Twenty-two miles of motorway and 134 miles of trunk road have been completed. Seven schemes totalling 16 miles are currently under construction.

  Sheep Farmers
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to meet representatives of the Farmers Union of Wales to discuss the problems facing many sheep farmers in Wales.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I met representatives of the Farmers Union of Wales on 22 October to discuss the state of the industry as part of the autumn review of HLCA rates.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has made to the Commission of the European Community on behalf of Welsh sheep farmers; and whether he has any plans to have direct talks with the Agriculture Commissioner on this subject in the near future.

  Mr. David Hunt: I have no immediate plans to meet Mr. MacSharry. In line with long-established practice, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food takes the lead in European Community discussions and negotiations. I know that my right hon. Friend has the interests of Welsh sheep producers clearly in mind in that context, and I am myself in regular contact with him.

  Towyn Sea Wall
  Sir Anthony Meyer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he has yet received a copy of the Watson Hawksley report on the effectiveness of the repairs to the Towyn sea wall; and if he will make a statement.
  356
  Mr. David Hunt
  I have received a copy of extracts from the report which include conclusions and recommendations for the reconstruction of the sea defences at Towyn.

  North Wales Economy
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what initiatives, since 1980, his Department has taken to develop fully the potential of the north Wales economy.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Our Department has carried out a very wide range of activities to develop the potential of the north Wales economy. Details of the current initiatives and policies were set out fully in the document. "A55—The Road of Opportunity", in December 1989. The potential for developing the north Wales economy has been greatly increased by the huge improvements to road links in north Wales over the last 10 years, especially the £620 million investment in dualling the A55.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many men were in employment, and how many women were in full-time employment in June 1979 and the latest date for which figures are available in(a) Wales and (b) Mid Glamorgan.

  Mr. David Hunt
  In June 1979 there were 618,000 male and 250,000 female employees in full-time employment in Wales. By June 1990, the latest date available, these figures were 527,000 and 273,000 respectively. County data are not available for the period requested but in June 1991) in Wales the civilian work force in employment stood at a record 1,236,000.

  Housing
  Mr. Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he last met district council leaders in Wales to discuss housing matters, especially new house building.

  Mr. Grist
  My right hon. Friend met representatives of the Council of Welsh Districts in September, where a range of issues were discussed including housing. The previous month I met representatives of districts at the Welsh Housing Consultative Committee where matters under discussion included housebuilding.

  School Buildings
  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if schools in Wales which elect to opt out and assume grant-maintained status will receive extra funding provision to cover the costs of repairing dilapidated buildings.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Schools in Wales which are approved for grant-maintained status will qualify for the full range of grants available under the Grant Maintained Schools (Finance) Regulations 1990. These include capital grants which can be used for the repair of premises.

  Railway Halts, Gwent
  Mr. Roy Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with British Rail concerning proposed new railway halts in Gwent.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  None. This is a matter for British Rail and Gwent county council.

  Inward Investment
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on inward investment in Wales during the last three years.

  Mr. David Hunt
  During the three years to 31 March 1990, Wales secured a total of 319 inward investment projects—a rate of about two a week. The companies involved estimated the capital investment at some £2 billion. Since March a further 61 projects have been secured with an estimated capital investment of £306 million.

  Agriculture
  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the current state of Welsh agriculture.

  Mr. David Hunt
  My hon. Friend the Minister of State and I have, over recent months, discussed the current state of the agriculture industry in Wales with the farming unions and other interested bodies and individuals and I am fully seized of the current problems, particularly in the livestock sector. The Government have taken a number of positive steps to help meet present concerns. Intervention support for beef is currently costing over £6 million per week in the United Kingdom. The rate of suckler cow premium has been raised in the LFA to the maximum level permitted under EC rules and the two advance payments of sheep annual premium recently announced will bring an estimated cash flow benefit of £25 million to producers in Wales.

  Mr. Geraint Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he is satisfied with the present state of the agriculture industry in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I am well aware of the problems currently being experienced by the agriculture industry in Wales, particularly in the livestock sector. My hon. Friend the Minister of State and I have, in recent months, had discussions with the farming unions and other interested bodies and individuals.

  The Government have taken a number of positive steps to help. Intervention support for beef is currently costing over £6 million per week in the United Kingdom. The rate of suckler cow premium has been raised in the LFA to the maximum level permitted under EC rules and the two advance payments of sheep annual premium recently announced will bring an estimated cash flow benefit of £25 million to producers in Wales.

  Community Care
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will set out the programme he intends to follow in providing additional finances to local authorities in Wales(a) in the present financial year, (b) in the 1991–92 financial year and (c) in subsequent financial years in order to ensure adequate availability of appropriate housing to match the requirements of his programme for the implementation of care in the community.

  Mr. Grist
  Allocations and guidance for the current year have already been made available. Decisions on 358
  expenditure priorities for 1991–92 and subsequent years will be finalised during the next few weeks and will be announced as soon as possible.

  Roads, North Wales
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give a report on progress on modernising the road network in north Wales.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  Excellent progress has been made to date on upgrading the A55 between Chester and Bangor to dual carriageway standard; 51 miles are complete, 7·6 miles are under construction, and only one scheme, the Aber improvement, remains in the forward programme. With the completion of the Chirk bypass early next year, the upgrading of the 16 miles of the A483 in Clwyd will be completed.

  Health Service Property Maintenance
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales by what date the current maintenance backlog on national health service properties will be cleared on current and planned capital spending for the national health service in Wales.

  Mr. Grist
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply that I gave on 31 October 1989 at columns 108–9.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the total cost of backlog maintenance for national health service properties in Wales, and by health authority, for the latest available year; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Grist
  District health authorities in Wales are required to review the cost of backlog maintenance annually and for 1989–90, they estimated that it would cost £163·4 million to bring the whole of the NHS estate in Wales to a standard where it is exhibiting only minor deterioration. This sum may be broken down by district health authority as follows:

  DHA

  £ Million

  Clwyd

  21·5

  East Dyfed

  15·0

  Gwent

  14·1

  Gwynedd

  10·2

  Mid Glamorgan

  36·9

  Pembrokeshire

  0·6

  Powys

  3·3

  South Glamorgan

  51·0

  West Glamorgan

  10·8

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Least-developed Countries
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contribution was made by Her Majesty's Government to the second United Nations conference on the least-developed countries held in Paris on 3 to 14 September; what communications were developed with non-governmental organisations in attendance; whether a copy of the booklet, "The LDCs in the 1990s: Development or Oblivion", on the nongovernmental organisations' views on the new programme
  359
  of action was provided to the United Kingdom delegation; and if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's relations with the least-developed countries.

  Mrs. Chalker
  The Government welcome the outcome of the second United Nations conference on the least developed held in Paris from 3·14 September and will support those least-developed countries which implement the policies outlined in the programme of action.

  The British delegation to the conference was led by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs. The delegation played an active and positive role in the negotiations for the programme of action for the 1990s adopted by the conference. Two new British initiatives relating to aid tying and local costs rules, which will be of direct benefit to the least-developed countries, were announced at the conference. The delegation kept in close contact with British nongovernmental organisations, both before and during the conference. The booklet "The LDCs in the 1990s: Development or Oblivion" was also taken into account in formulating the United Kingdom position on the various issues.

  European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what indication he has received from the European Commission as to the county chosen as the site for the European bank for reconstruction and development.

  Mrs. Chalker
  Prospective member countries of the European bank for reconstruction and development decided last May that London should be the site of the bank's headquarters.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress he has made in choosing a potential site for the European bank for reconstruction and development.

  Mrs. Chalker
  The bank has temporary headquarters in the City of London. Negotiations on a permanent location in London are in progress.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many jobs he forecasts will be attached to the new European bank for reconstruction and development.

  Mrs. Chalker
  The president-designate of the bank, M. Jacques Attali, has stated that by the end of its first year of operations the bank expects to employ roughly 200 to 250 people.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to discuss sites for the European bank for reconstruction and development with the Kirklees metropolitan borough council.

  Mrs. Chalker
  None—the bank's headquarters will be in London.

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Civil Service (Wales)
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will review recruitment, training and promotion procedures within the civil service in Wales to ensure that all those wishing to pursue a career within the civil service can do so within Wales, without prejudicing their career prospects.

  Mr. Ryder
  My right hon. Friend keeps all aspects of the staffing of the civil service under review.

  Historic Houses
  Mr. Lee
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many maintenance funds there are for historic properties; and how many of these are for £100,000 or less.

  Mr. Maude
  A total number of 70 heritage maintenance funds have been established. It is not possible to provide a figure for the value of property held by heritage maintenance funds.

  Listed Buildings
  Mr. Mills
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the level of value added tax received from listed building repairs each year over the last five years.

  Mr. Ryder
  The information requested is not available.

  Mortgage Interest Relief
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the cost of adjusting the maximum ceiling for mortgage interest tax relief to(a) £35,000, (b) £40,000, (c) £45,000 and (d) £50,000 on the assumption that (i) relief continues to be available at the higher marginal tax rate where applicable and (ii) that relief is restricted to the standard 25 per cent. rate of income tax.

  Mr. Maude
  Provisional estimates of the costs of increasing the ceiling are given in the table. The estimates exclude behavioural effects which would be substantial for the higher ceilings.

  Direct revenue costs at 1990–91 income levels of raising the ceiling for mortgage interest relief

  Ceiling

  Relief at marginal tax rate

  Relief at basic rate of 25 per cent.

  £

  £ million

  £ million

  35,000

  440

  -90

  40,000

  790

  230

  45,000

  1,050

  470

  50,000

  1,250

  650

  Manufacturing Investment
  Mr. Maxton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the level of manufacturing investment made in each year since 1979 by(a) foreign direct investors and (b) indigenous manufacturers in (i) the United Kingdom, (ii) Scotland and (iii) Wales; and what percentage annual changes these figures represent.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  The following table provides the available information. Current price figures have been
  361
  supplied because there are no regional price deflators. Data for 1980 can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Net capital expenditure in manufacturing industry1 at current prices

  Year

  £ million

  1979

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  (a) Foreign-owned enterprises2

  United Kingdom

  1,490·5

  1,402·3

  1,363·4

  1,397·4

  1,547·6

  1,844·0

  1,714·6

  1,989·1

  2,528·4

  (1—)

  (-3)

  (2)

  (11)

  (19)

  (-7)

  (16)

  (27)

  Scotland

  112·6

  231·4

  213·6

  143·3

  161·5

  272·1

  226·1

  183·9

  342·4

  (1—)

  (-8)

  (-33)

  (13)

  (68)

  (-17)

  (-19)

  (86)

  Wales

  186·1

  120·9

  126·6

  97·6

  139·4

  192·2

  139·2

  213·5

  286·8

  (1—)

  (5)

  (-23)

  (43)

  (38)

  (-38)

  (53)

  (34)

  (b) United Kingdom-owned enterprises

  United Kingdom

  5,455·9

  4,090·8

  4,150·2

  4,663·5

  6,041·7

  6,898·2

  6,990·6

  7,764·9

  9,641

  (1—)

  (1)

  (12)

  (30)

  (14)

  (1)

  (11)

  (24)

  Scotland

  484·0

  385·9

  328·4

  347·3

  461·4

  594·2

  551·2

  551·6

  683·6

  (1—)

  (-15)

  (6)

  (33)

  (29)

  (-7)

  (0)

  (24)

  Wales

  309·0

  250·0

  211·3

  255·6

  331·6

  370·8

  384·4

  419·4

  560·8

  (1—)

  (-15)

  (21)

  (30)

  (12)

  (4)

  (9)

  (34)

  Notes:

  1. Orders III-XIX of SIC(68) for 1979, divisions 2–4 of SIC(80) for later years.

  2. Foreign-owned enterprises are defined as those controlled or owned by companies incorporated overseas.

  3. From 1988, in line with accounting practice, assets leased on a finance leasing basis are included as assets by the lessee rather than by the lessor. This is estimated to have increased total United Kingdom net capital expenditure in 1988 by up to 8 per cent.

  1 not available

  The figures in brackets in the above table represent percentage changes from the previous year.

  Source: Annual Census of Production

  Incomes
  Mr. Maxton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the average wage gap in male average weekly earnings between Scotland and the south-east in(a) 1979 and (b) 1989 in current prices.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  Data by region for average gross weekly pay in April of each year for adult males in full-time employment are available in table 12 part A of the annual new earnings survey reports. Information on the RPI to convert the figures to 1990 prices is published in table 6.4 of the Employment Gazette and in table 26 of the annual supplement to Economic Trends.

  Manufacturing Statistics
  Mr. Maxton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish indices for(a) industrial production and (b) manufacturing output for (i) Scotland, (ii) Wales, (iii) the United Kingdom and (iv) the south-east from 1979 to the most recent available date.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  (i) For Scotland, annual indices for industrial production and for manufacturing output from 1979 to 1989 were last published in the "Scottish Economic Bulletin" No. 41, June 1990. More recent quarterly figures are published in the Scottish index of production and construction quarterly press notice.

  (ii) For Wales, annual indices for industrial production and for manufacturing output from 1979 to 1987 are given in the table. More recent annual and quarterly figures are published in the Welsh index of production and construction quarterly press notice.

  1985 = 100

  Industrial production

  Manufacturing output

  1979

  112·1

  104·7

  1980

  99·5

  92·2

  1981

  97·7

  93·7

  362

  Industrial production

  Manufacturing output

  1982

  98·4

  92·6

  1983

  99·6

  95·8

  1984

  94·4

  100·4

  1985

  100·0

  100·0

  1986

  102·3

  104·4

  1987

  111·0

  115·7

  (iii) For the United Kingdom, indices can be found on the CSO database, which is accessible through the House of Commons Library.

  (iv) Regional indices of production for England are not compiled.

  Benefit in Kind
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has any plans to increase the threshold for benefit in kind above the current limit of £8,500 a year; how this limit has changed in real value over the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Major
  [holding answer 25 October 1990]: There are no plans to increase the threshold at which special rules apply to the taxation of benefits in kind. In principle all employees should pay income tax on the whole of their earnings whether received in cash or in kind. If this threshold had been indexed over the last 10 years in line with inflation according to the statutory formula for increasing personal allowances and thresholds, the threshold in 1990–91 would be £16,636.

  Petroleum Products
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total value added tax paid on petroleum products, monthly, from August 1989 to September 1990.
  363
  Mr. Ryder
  [holding answer 26 October 1990]: Monthly estimates of value added tax paid on petroleum products are not available. However, estimates of value added tax on these products accruing on private consumption can be calculated quarterly and are:

  £ million

  1989

  Quarter 3

  300

  Quarter 4

  290

  1990

  Quarter 1

  290

  Quarter 2

  310

  Young People (Complaints)
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will specify what formal procedures for making complaints and representations, specifying where appropriate under which sections of which Acts, are available to children and young people under 18 years of age who wish to make complaints about matters which are the responsibility of his Department.

  Mr. Cope
  [holding answer 25 October 1990]: As the information requested is lengthy, I will write to the right hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

ENERGY

  Coal-fired Power Stations
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he last released financial aid for research into cleaner coal-fired power stations; and when he will be releasing further aid for research into this subject.

  Mr. Baldry
  On 16 July my Department announced details of a £2·5 million research package for the development of clean coal technologies. The package covered three projects—the design of high temperature high pressure filters for advanced clean coal technologies (for example, pressurised fluidised bed combustion combined cycle and integrated gasification combined cycle systems); research into reducing nitrogen oxide emissions; and modifying combustion processes to reduce harmful emissions contributing to acid rain. My Department's contribution to these projects will be £1·2 million. A copy of the press notice for this announcement is in the Libraries of the House.

  A number of further possible clean coal technology projects are being worked up in collaboration with United Kingdom industry, the European Commission and the International Energy Agency.

  Electricity Privatisation
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is his estimate of the total cost of electricity privatisation and the cost of all promotional and of all advisory activity concerned with this privatisation(a) in the United Kingdom and (b) overseas.

  Mr. Baldry
  It is too early to make any meaningful estimate of the likely gross costs of privatising the electricity supply industry but the costs will be small in comparison to the proceeds.
  364
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what steps have been taken to assess how ex gratia payments in settlement of breach of copyright claims may be avoided in future, in the light of the payment made to Universal Studios relating to the electricity privatisation advertising campaign.

  Mr. Baldry
  The responsibility for copyright issues lies with the advertising agency. Her Majesty's Government agreed to pay £6,000 as a licence fee in respect of the use of the characters in the flotation advertising campaign, as is normal in such circumstances.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) what advice he obtained from copyright lawyers concerning the payment to Universal Studios for unauthorised use of the copyright design of Herman Munster in the electricity privatisation commercials;

  (2) how many outside bodies or companies he consulted before the decision was made to settle out of court the breach of copyright claim by Universal Studios regarding Frank N. Stein and Herman Munster.

  Mr. Baldry
  Any responsibility for this matter lay with the advertising agency. Her Majesty's Government consulted with their advisers to clarify their position on this matter.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when the first approach was made by Universal Studios regarding the alleged breach of contract arising from the similarity between the character Frank N. Stein in the electricity privatisation advertising campaign and the character Herman Munster of "The Munsters"; and on what date he made his decision to settle the claim out of court.

  Mr. Baldry
  This is a matter between the advertising agency WCRS, and MCA Merchandising Corporation of America, acting on behalf of Universal City Studios Inc.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what was the cost of(a) the settlement of the alleged breach of copyright claim by Universal Studios over the Frank N. Stein figure used in the electricity privatisation commercials and (b) the legal and other advice used in responding to Universal Studios' claim.

  Mr. Baldry
  (a) is a matter between the advertising agency and MCA Merchandising Corporation of America, on behalf of Universal City Studios Inc. With regard to (b), responsibility on this matter lies with the advertising agency. Her Majesty's Government consulted with their marketing and legal advisers to clarify their position on this matter. The cost of this advice is commercially confidential, but was a minimal amount.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy whether he will make a deduction from the fees agreed to be paid to the WCRS advertising agency equivalent to the cost of the out-of-court settlement with Universal Studios for alleged breach of copyright.

  Mr. Baldry
  Her Majesty's Government have made no payment in respect of any alleged breach of copyright by WCRS.

  National Power (Coal Supplies)
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) what advice he has received from the European Commission regarding the claim by the Small Mines
  365
  Association of south Wales relating to the differential in prices paid by National Power for coal supplies to Aberthaw and Uskmouth power stations;

  (2) what representations he has received regarding the claim by the Small Mines Association of south Wales for redress over discriminatory pricing for coal deliveries to National Power stations; what action he now proposes; and at what estimated cost;

  (3) when he expects to complete his discussions with the South Wales Small Mines Association and National Power regarding the dispute over discriminatory pricing in coal deliveries to Uskmouth and Aberthaw power stations;

  (4) what actions he proposes to take in response to the claim for redress for discriminatory coal pricing made by the South Wales Small Mines Association;

  (5) if he will place in the Library a copy of the letter from John Temple Laing of the European Commission to the office of the United Kingdom permanent representative to the European Communities dated 28 August, responding to the claim for redress for unfair coal pricing submitted by the South Wales Small Mines Association.

  Mr. Baldry
  The South Wales Small Mines Association has made a complaint to the European Commission about the terms on which its members have been able to sell their output. My Department has been actively encouraging the parties to the dispute to achieve a negotiated settlement. The association is currently considering the proposals most recently offered. The European Commission has supported our efforts to achieve a negotiated settlement. It has been the policy of successive Governments to treat correspondence with the Commission as confidential.

  Reprocessing Plant, Sellafield
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what recent representations he has received about the thermal oxide reprocessing plant at Sellafield.

  Mr. Baldry
  I receive correspondence covering a wide range of energy topics including matters relating to British Nuclear Fuels' operations at Sellafield.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Leicester Offices (Refurbishment)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will indicate the cost of the refurbishments at his Department's offices in Leicester and the way the expenditure is to be incurred.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The only major refurbishment in Leicester is planned at Yeoman street office. We have a general programme for refurbishing offices over a period of years, which has now been implemented in many local offices and which has substantially improved the facilities and service for the public and enhanced the working areas for staff. The Yeoman street office was due for improvements under this programme and the opportunity is being taken to pilot there a new corporate image for our offices. Work is due to start in November, at an estimated cost of £625,000 in total.

  Incomes
  Mr. Maxton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will give a breakdown by standard United Kingdom region of the percentage of households in each of the following weekly income groups:(a) under £60, (b) under £80 and (c) under £100 on the most recently available figures.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  I refer the hon. Member to table 27 on page 76 of the family expenditure survey 1987–88, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Benefit Payments, Leeds
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish tables, using the assumptions in his answer to the hon. Member for Bradford, West (Mr. Madden), on 22 June 1988,Official Report, columns 571–76, but using expenditure and benefit figures appropriate for families in Leeds, together with a column showing the extent of the differences resulting from the April 1988 social security changes.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  These tables are no longer published, for the reasons given in my reply to the hon. Member for Greenock and Port Glasgow (Dr. Godman) on 23 February at columns 937–38.

  Residential Care
  Sir Geoffrey Finsberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what changes he proposes to make in the regulations governing entitlement to housing benefit for people in residential care and nursing homes.

  Mr. Scott
  The income support scheme contains special provisions related to the fees and other expenses paid by people in residential care and nursing homes. The income support limits established under these provisions, unlike other income support rates, take account of accommodation costs as well as other day-to-day living expenses. They are also set to take account of care costs. These arrangements will continue until the introduction of a new framework for funding community care, now planned for 1993.

  Current regulations nevertheless also allow access to housing benefit in such cases. This was intended to assist those in residential care and nursing homes who are unable to claim the special rates of income support—principally disabled people who are in full-time work, or people living in a home run by a close relative. In recent months, however, a number of claims have come forward which go well beyond this limited purpose, and effectively establish housing benefit as an alternative to income support.

  As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State said in his uprating statement on 24 October at columns 348–66, this is neither sensible nor appropriate, and in the light of the substantial increases in the income support limits which we then announced, we therefore proposed to consult on amendments to re-establish the policy intention more clearly.

  We will shortly be sending to the Social Security Advisory Committee and the local authority associations, and I am today placing in the Library, draft regulations to this end. They provide that those living in registered residential care and nursing homes should not generally have access to housing benefit, while preserving that

  367
  access for those who are excluded from the special rates of income support because they are in full-time work or living in a home run by a close relative. Underlying entitlement to housing benefit will, however, be preserved for all those at present living in a registered residential care or nursing home who have successfully claimed housing benefit, and for those who have, on or before today, submitted a claim which is subsequently determined in their favour. In these cases, housing benefit will continue in payment and will be increased as and when appropriate under the current rules, thus fully protecting their position.

  Subject to the consultation with the Social Security Advisory Committee and the local authority associations, we intend to bring forward regulations later this year to give effect to these changes from January 1991.

  War Pensions
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when Mr. Edward Nutall, reference M2/912642, applied for a war pension; and what are the reasons for the delay in dealing with his claim.

  Proportion of 17 and 18-year-olds in education training1 19862

  Percentage of age group

  17

  18

  FT

  PT

  All

  FT

  PT

  All3

  United Kingdom4

  (1986)

  34

  27

  61

  19

  24

  42

  (1988)

  35

  40

  75

  20

  22

  42

  England4

  (1988)

  36

  40

  76

  37

  38

  76

  Australia

  50

  17

  67

  25

  23

  47

  Belgium

  77

  5

  82

  64

  5

  69

  Canada5

  77

  —

  77

  53

  —

  53

  Denmark

  68

  6

  75

  57

  10

  67

  France

  68

  10

  78

  52

  4

  56

  Germany, West2 6

  43

  49

  92

  33

  47

  80

  Italy2

  47

  23

  70

  41

  15

  56

  Japan7 8

  89

  3

  91

  50

  2

  51

  Netherlands6

  77

  10

  88

  61

  11

  72

  Spain9

  52

  —

  52

  44

  —

  44

  Sweden10

  85

  1

  86

  52

  4

  55

  United States of America7

  87

  1

  88

  55

  3

  59

  Notes:

  1 Includes apprenticeships, YTS and similar schemes.

  2 1987 for Germany; 1982 for Italy.

  3 Includes higher education for some 18-year-olds.

  4 Includes estimates for public sector evening study and for private sector further and higher education, including training courses with employers.

  5 Excludes certain part-time students, 10 per cent. at 16–18.

  66 Includes compulsory part-time education for 16 and 17-year-olds in Germany and Netherlands.

  7 Includes private sector higher education.

  8 1988. Estimated for special training and miscellaneous schools, providing vocational training.

  9 Includes estimates for 18-year-olds in universities.

  10 1985. Includes estimates for part-time.

  Sources: DES Statistical Bulletins.

  1/90 International Statistical Comparisons of the Education and Training of 16 to 18 Year Olds.

  9/90 Education and Economic Activity of Young People Aged 16 to 18 Years in England from 1975 to 1989.

  Teacher Training
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) if he will make it his policy to give every teacher and head teacher with at least 25 years' direct experience the opportunity of a short period teaching student teachers in establishments of teacher training; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if he will make it his policy to consider the introduction of an automatic period teaching student teachers in an establishment of teacher training, for every teacher having completed at least five years' full-time classroom experience; and if he will make a statement.
  368
  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Mr. Nutall applied for a war pension on 11 August 1989. A consultant's report is required before a decision can be made and everything possible is being done to secure an early appointment. If a war pension is awarded it will, of course, commence from the date of claim.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Higher Education
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many persons aged 17 and 19 years, respectively, per thousand are in full-time education in England, Scotland and Britain's major economic competitors.

  Mr. Eggar
  The readily available information is shown in the table. Data are unavailable for 19-year-olds on this basis. The figures for Scotland are the responsibility of my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.

  Mr. Fallon
  The Government's criteria for the approval of initial teacher training courses already require institutions to ensure that experienced serving teachers are involved in the planning and evaluation of courses, the selection of students, supervision and assessment of students' practical work and contributions as appropriate to lectures, seminars and other course activities.

  It is the responsibility of schools, local authorities, and teacher training institutions to negotiate arrangements which will be of maximum benefit both to students and serving teachers.
  369
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the uptake of vacancies of teacher training establishments for the current term; and what were the comparable figures for each of the last 10 years.

  Mr. Fallon
  The total annual intake to initial teacher training in England and Wales since 1983 is as follows:

  Intake

  1983

  16,218

  1984

  16,707

  1985

  16,725

  1986

  16,889

  1987

  19,180

  1988

  20,183

  1989

  21,757

  Comparable data for the years before 1983 are not available.

  Data on recruitment to teacher training institutions in the current academic year are in the process of being collected and will be available later on in the term.

  Teachers' Pay
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make it his policy to allow all schools' boards of governors to negotiate individual salaries with individual teachers up to a maximum of 50 per cent. above the present rates; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  The governors of schools with delegated budgets already exercise control over the award of incentive allowances, and other pay discretions. The interim advisory committee's recommendations for 1990–91, which are being implemented in full by January 1991, will mean greater flexibility to target resources, tackle local recruitment and retention problems, improve career prospects and reward responsibility and good performance. The remit which my right hon. Friend gave to the committee on 14 September asks the committee to consider what further modifications should be made to the system of selective payments in 1991–92.

  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what would be the cost to the Exchequer of increasing teachers' salaries by 50 per cent. over the next two years.

  Mr. Eggar
  The cost of such an increase would depend on several factors, including the number of teachers employed and the proportion on each point of the pay scale. But estimated spending by LEAs in England on teachers in 1990–91 is some £8 billion. So as a broad order of magnitude, a 50 per cent. increase might cost some £4 billion. The Exchequer contribution to this through revenue support grant cannot be separately identified.

  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what evaluation his Department has made of the proposals made by the National Association of Schoolmasters/Union of Women Teachers for a pay review body for teachers; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  NASUWT's proposals for a pay review body for teachers were not widely supported during my 370
  right hon. Friend's consultations earlier this year on new pay machinery for teachers. Most of those consulted favoured the restoration of negotiating rights for teachers. That is what we have now proposed.

  Education Spending
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish a table showing spending on primary and secondary education in total and per child in 1980–81 and in the last year for which figures are available, inflation adjusted.

  Mr. Fallon
  The available data are as follows:

  1980–81

  1988–89

  £

  £

  Nursery and primary

  Total school-based spending:

  cash terms:

  2,300 million

  4,200 million

  1988–89 prices:

  3,650 million

  4,200 million

  School-based spending per pupil:

  cash terms:

  545

  1,100

  1988–89 prices:

  870

  1,100

  Secondary

  Total school-based spending:

  cash terms:

  2,950 million

  5,050 million

  1988–89 prices:

  4,700 million

  5,050 million

  School-based spending per pupil:

  cash terms:

  765

  1,690

  1988–89 prices:

  1,215

  1,690

  Total

  Total school-based spending:

  cash terms:

  5,250 million

  9,250 million

  1988–89 prices:

  8,300 million

  9,250 million

  School-based spending per pupil:

  cash terms:

  650

  1,360

  1988–89 prices:

  1,035

  1,360

  Notes to table:

  1. The figures relate to net recurrent spending in nursery, primary and secondary schools. They do not include central services provided by local education authorities such as administration, inspection and transport, or capital spending. Nor do they cover special schools.

  2. The figures are drawn from LEA returns of expenditure to the Department of the Environment and returns of pupil numbers to the Department of Education and Science.

  3. The 1980–81 cash figures are converted to 1988–89 prices using current gross domestic product (market prices) deflators.

  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the percentages of gross domestic product spent on primary and secondary education in each European Community member state in the last year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The data are available for public expenditure only and are shown in the table.

  Public expenditure on education

  Country

  Year of data1

  Current expenditure

  As a percentage of GNP

  Proportion of which is expenditure 2 on

  1st level3 percentage

  2nd level3 percentage

  Belgium4

  1987

  5·1

  52·50

  46·3

  Denmark

  1987

  7·6

  5643·8

  619·2

  France7

  1986

  5·3

  19·2

  40·8

  Germany, West

  1986

  4·0

  13·8

  49·0

  Greece

  1985

  2·8

  31·6

  41·3

  Ireland

  1986

  6·5

  28·6

  39·1

  371

  Country

  Year of data1

  Current expenditure

  As a percentage of GNP

  Proportion of which is expenditure 2 on

  1st level3 percentage

  2nd level3 percentage

  Italy4

  1983

  4·5

  21·3

  37·3

  Luxembourg4

  1987

  2·6

  38·9

  44·3

  Netherlands

  1985

  5·9

  522·6

  35·9

  Portugal4

  1987

  4·0

  48·5

  28·3

  Spain

  1986

  2·9

  658·9

  619·3

  United Kingdom

  1987

  4·6

  24·9

  45·1

  1 Financial year of country commencing in year shown.

  2 Some expenditure is unallocated by level. This varies from country to country.

  3 1st level broadly equates with primary schools: 2nd level includes secondary schools and further education. However, the age ranges of primary and secondary education vary between countries due to differing educational structures.

  4 Expenditure of Ministry of Education only.

  5 Includes pre-primary expenditure.

  6 Estimated.

  7 France metropolitan

  Source: UNESCO Statistical Yearbook, 1989.

  Teacher Supply
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he expects to respond to the Select Committee on Education Science, and Arts, report on the supply of teachers; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Fallon
  My right hon. Friend published on 17 July the Government's response (Cm. 1148) to the Select Committee's report. A copy is in the Library.

  Iraq (Academic Assistance)
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information he has in regard to United Kingdom university and academic assistance afforded to the Iraq Ministry of Industry and Military Industrialisation since 1979.

  Members

  Date of original appointment

  Dale term of office ends

  Agricultural and Food Research Council

  Mr. A. Grant (Chairman)

  September 1990

  August 1995

  Dr. B. G. Jamieson

  October 1990

  (Acting Secretary until 31 December 1990)

  Dr. P. J. Bunyan

  January 1990

  1—

  Professor E. C. D. Cocking FRS

  August 1990

  July 1994

  Professor J. M. M. Cunningham

  June 1987

  May 1993

  Sir Sam Edwards FRS

  August 1990

  July 1994

  Dr. D. A. Evans

  October 1989

  July 1992

  Mr. D. F. R. George

  October 1989

  July 1992

  Mr. D. F. Goodwin MBE

  November 1988

  July 1991

  Mr. L. P. Hamilton CB

  May 1984

  1—

  Mr. B. J. G. Hilton

  June 1989

  1—

  Professor W. D. H. Jarret FRS

  November 1988

  July 1991

  Dr. M. E. Knowles

  August 1989

  1—

  Professor J. R. Krebs FRS

  November 1988

  July 1991

  Professor C. J. Leaver FRS

  August 1990

  July 1994

  Professor T. A. Mansfield FRS

  October 1989

  July 1992

  Professor J. R. Norris

  November 1988

  July 1991

  Mr J. L. C. Provan

  August 1990

  July 1994

  Mr. G. T. Pryce

  June 1986

  July 1994

  Professor W. V. Shaw

  August 1990

  July 1994

  Dr. D. W. F. Shannon

  September 1986

  1—

  Professor R. Whittenbury

  June 1984

  July 1991

  372
  Mr. Alan Howarth
  Information is not collected centrally, about university and other links within the United Kingdom and internationally. This is a matter for each institution within its own academic policy.

  Glynn Research Institute
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has any plans to meet Dr. Peter Mitchell of the Glynn Research Institute in Cornwall to discuss the funding of new scientific projects at the institute.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  My right hon. Friend has no such plans.

  Research Councils
  Dr. Bray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) if he will list the members of the Agricultural and Food Research Council, the date of their original appointment and the date on which their current term of office will end;

  (2) if he will list the members of the Medical Research Council, the date of their original appointment and the date on which their current term of office will end;

  (3) if he will list the members of the Science and Engineering Research Council, the date of their original appointment and the date on which their current term of office will end;

  (4) if he will list the members of the Economic and Social Research Council, the date of their original appointment and the date on which their current term of office will end;

  (5) if he will list the members of the Natural Environment Research Council, the date of their original appointment and the date on which their current term of office will end.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The information for each council is as follows:
  373

  Members

  Date of original appointment

  Date term of office ends

  Economic and Social Research Council

  Professor H. Newby (Chairman)

  October 1988

  September 1992

  Dr. D. Anderson

  September 1989

  July 1993

  Professor M. Anderson

  August 1990

  July 1993

  Professor J. M. Ashworth

  September 1989

  July 1993

  Professor G. S. Bain

  October 1986

  July 1991

  Professor J. Beaumont

  September 1989

  July 1993

  Mr. M. Bichard

  September 1989

  July 1992

  Mrs. E. J. Filkin

  August 1990

  July 1994

  Mrs. J. Firth

  August 1988

  July 1991

  Mr. J. Fox

  August 1990

  July 1994

  Professor A. Hay

  August 1990

  July 1994

  Professor L. C. Hunter CBE

  September 1989

  July 1992

  Mr. H. Liesner

  December 1989

  July 1992

  Mr. J. Monks

  August 1988

  July 1991

  Professor S. J. Nickell

  August 1990

  July 1994

  Mr. G. T. Pepper

  December 1989

  July 1993

  Mrs. P. Perry

  August 1988

  July 1991

  Professor D. K. Stout

  March 1989

  July 1992

  Mrs. M. Tuck

  August 1990

  July 1994

  Professor P. Warr

  September 1989

  July 1992

  Medical Research Council

  Sir David Plastow (Chairman)

  October 1990

  September 1994

  Dr. D. A. Rees FRS

  October 1987

  July 1991

  Sir Donald Acheson

  October 1983

  1—

  Professor F. W. O'Grady CBE

  September 1986

  1—

  Dr. K. C. Calman

  January 1989

  1—

  Dr. J. T. Carter

  July 1983

  July 1991

  Professor I. V. Allen

  August 1989

  July 1991

  Professor D. T. Baird

  August 1989

  July 1993

  Professor C. L. Berry

  August 1990

  July 1994

  Professor M. Bobrow

  November 1988

  July 1992

  Dr. P. Doyle

  August 1990

  July 1994

  Sir Aaron Klug FRS

  August 1990

  July 1994

  Professor C. D. Marsden

  February 1988

  July 1991

  Professor T. J. McElwain

  August 1990

  July 1994

  Professor G. K. Radda FRS

  November 1988

  July 1992

  Professor Sir Robert Shields

  August 1987

  July 1992

  Dr. J. W. G. Smith

  November 1988

  July 1992

  Mrs. R. Short

  December 1987

  July 1991

  Natural Environment Research Council

  Professor J. L. Knill (Chairman)

  October 1988

  September 1993

  Professor R. M. Anderson FRS

  August 1988

  July 1991

  Lord Chorley

  August 1988

  July 1991

  Dr. R. F. Coleman

  June 1987

  1—

  Professor C. D. Curtis

  August 1990

  July 1993

  Dr. W. D. Evans

  December 1989

  1—

  Dr. D. Fisk

  September 1987

  1—

  Dr. I. D. Graham-Bryce

  August 1989

  July 1992

  Professor J. S. Gray

  August 1986

  July 1992

  Professor B. J. Hoskins FRS

  August 1988

  July 1991

  Dr. M. E. Knowles

  August 1989

  1—

  Mr. D. E. Lennard

  August 1988

  July 1991

  Professor P. S. Liss

  August 1990

  July 1993

  Professor A. R. MacLeary

  August 1988

  July 1991

  Professor J. Ramsay FRS

  August 1989

  July 1992

  Professor D. A. Ritchie

  August 1990

  July 1993

  Mr. D. G. M. Roberts CBE

  August 1987

  July 1993

  Dr. O. Rogne

  August 1990

  July 1993

  Professor A. Warner FRS

  September 1987

  July 1992

  Professor D. Wood

  August 1987

  July 1993

  Science and Engineering Research Council

  Sir Mark Richmond FRS (Chairman)

  October 1990

  September 1995

  Professor T. L. Blundell FRS

  August 1989

  July 1993

  Professor P. Burke FRS

  August 1988

  July 1992

  Dr. R. F. Coleman

  June 1987

  July 1994

  Dr. D. A. Davis

  August 1989

  July 1993

  Professor A. Donnachie

  August 1989

  July 1993

  Dr. G. H. Fairtlough

  August 1989

  July 1994

  Professor R. E. Hester

  July 1990

  July 1994

  Dr. G. R. Higginson

  August 1989

  July 1993

  Dr. N. W. Horne

  July 1990

  July 1994

  Professor C. J. Humphreys

  August 1989

  July 1992

  Dr. A. Ledwith

  February 1990

  July 1993

  Mr. D. P. Nash

  August 1988

  July 1992

  374 375

  Members

  Date of original appointment

  Date term of office ends

  Dr. J. S. Mason

  July 1990

  July 1994

  Professor E. R. Oxburgh

  September 1988

  August 1992

  Professor J. T. Stuart FRS

  August 1989

  July 1993

  Dr. J. O. Thomas

  July 1990

  July 1994

  Professor D. J. Wallace FRS

  July 1990

  July 1994

  Professor A. W. Wolfendale FRS

  August 1988

  July 1992

  1 Not more than four members of MRC, NERC and SERC are appointed by the Secretary of State for Education and Science on the nomination of such Ministers of the Government as the Secretary of State shall determine. Up to four members of the AFRC are appointed by the Minsiter of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and up to two members by the Secretary of State for Scotland. With the exception of SERC, their length of office is not specified.

  Dr. Bray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the members of the Advisory Board for the Research Councils, the date of their original appointment and the date on which their current term of office will end.

  Members

  Date of appointment

  Date term of office ends

  Professor Sir David Phillips (Chairman)

  January 19831

  March 1993

  Professor Sir Eric Ash

  January 19891

  March 1992

  Mr. J. S. Flemming

  March 19861

  March 1991

  Professor R. L. Gardner

  April 1990

  March 1992

  Professor M. Hart

  April 1990

  March 1993

  Sir Charles Reece

  January 19891

  March 1991

  Professor I. A. Shanks

  April 1990

  March 1993

  1 Date of appointment to the "old" ABRC prior to reconstitution.

  The following are ex-officio members:

  Heads of Research Councils

  Professor J. L. Knill Chairman, Natural Environment Research Council

  Sir Mark Richmond Chairman, Science and Engineering Research Council (from October 1990)

  Professor H. J. Newby Chairman, Economic and Social Research Council

  Dr. D. A. Rees Secretary, Medical Research Council

  Dr. B. Jamieson Acting Secretary, Agricultural and Food Research Council (from October 1990)

  Assessors

  Professor W. D. P. Stewart Chief Scientific Adviser, Cabinet Office (from October 1990)

  Mr. J. M. M. Vereker Deputy Secretary, Department of Education and Science

  Dr. Bray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the prescribed minimum and maximum number of members of (i) the Medical Research Council, (ii) the Science and Engineering Research Council, (iii) the Economic and Social Research Council, (iv) the Natural Environment Research Council, (v) the Agricultural and Food Research Council and (vi) the Advisory Board for the Research Councils.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The maximum and minimum numbers of members of the research councils are prescribed in their charters, as follows:

  Minimum number of members

  Maximum number of members

  AFRC

  20

  23

  ESRC

  14

  20

  MRC

  16

  20

  NERC

  14

  20

  SERC

  15

  19

  There is no prescribed minimum or maximum for the Advisory Board for the Research Councils, which is an advisory body. As currently constituted, the board has 14
  376
  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The Advisory Board for the Research Councils was reconstituted on 1 April 1990. Its current membership is as follows:

  members (an independent chairman, six independent members, the heads of the five research councils and two assessors).

  Head Teachers
  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) how many state sector primary schools in England and Wales had a male head teacher and how many had a female head teacher in the school year 1988–89;

  (2) how many state sector secondary schools in England and Wales had a male head teacher and how many had a female head teacher in the school year 1988–89, divided between schools with students of 11 to 16 years and those 11 to 18 years.

  Mr. Fallon
  The information requested for maintained primary and secondary schools in England for January 1989 is as follows:

  Schools with a male head teacher

  Schools with a female head teacher

  Primary1

  10,162

  9,067

  Secondary

  11–162

  1,218

  213

  11–183

  1,679

  388

  1 Includes middle schools deemed primary.

  2 Includes secondary modern schools, but excludes middle schools deemed secondary.

  3 Includes grammar, technical schools and sixth form colleges.

  Similar information for Wales is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science in the school years 1988 to 1989 and 1989 to 1990, how many(a) male and (b) female head teachers of primary and secondary schools in England and

  377
  Wales left the profession for each of the following reasons: (i) normal retirement, (ii) early retirement and (iii) death in service.

  Mr. Fallon
  Information is not yet available for the dates specified.

  Deaf-blind People
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what action is being taken by his Department to follow up the policy statement on the education of deaf-blind children.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The Department has undertaken a consultation exercise of local education authorities following the policy statement on the education of deaf-blind children. We are also proposing a joint seminar with SENSE early in 1991 to disseminate the results of the consultation exercise.

  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what services are available to deaf-blind students in higher education.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  As autonomous bodies higher education institutions are responsible for determining what provision to make to meet the needs of students with disabilities. This is not monitored centrally. Students can obtain services individually in the light of their needs with the assistance of the disabled students allowances.

  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what response he has had from local education authorities to his policy statement on the education of deaf-blind children.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  To date, the Department has received 52 responses from local education authorities to the consultation exercise on the policy statement on the education of deaf-blind children.

  Special Schools
  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he expects to publish the report of the feasibility study into the extension of local management of schools to special schools.

  Mr. Fallon
  The report has been published today. It concludes that the extension of LMS to special schools is both feasible and desirable. The report found that LMS would bring benefits to special schools and their pupils. Copies of the report are being sent to local education authorities and to special schools in both England and Wales. My right hon. Friend will shortly be consulting LEAs and schools on the report's findings. In the light of their views, the Government will consider making the necessary enabling regulations to permit LEAs to extend LMS to their special schools.

  Copies of the report have been placed in the Library.

  Language Learning
  Sir Hal Miller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he is taking to ensure that young people have an effective grounding in modern foreign language.

  Mr. Hague
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what importance he places on language learning.
  378
  Mr. MacGregor
  [pursuant to the reply, 23 October 1990, c. 159–60.]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales and I are publishing tomorrow our proposals for attainment targets and programmes of study for modern foreign languages in the national curriculum. Our proposals are based on the recommendations of the working group for modern foreign languages, and will be published with the group's final report. Copies of the published document will be placed in the Library.

SCOTLAND

  Education Expenditure
  Mr. Maxton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total capital expenditure on schools in Scotland in each year since 1978 in real terms.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The information is given in the following table which has been compiled from local authority financial returns. The reduction in expenditure in real terms during the period reflects a substantial and progressive decline in pupil numbers which in turn reduced the requirement for new school building.

  Capital expenditure by local authorities on schools

  Year

  £ million at 1988–89 prices

  1978–79

  114·260

  1979–80

  89·576

  1980–81

  83·169

  1981–82

  87·486

  1982–83

  70·754

  1983–84

  58·204

  1984–85

  56·680

  1985–86

  59·838

  1986–87

  52·489

  1987–88

  51·697

  1988–89

  59·392

  1989–901

  60·519

  1 Provisional.

  The figures include expenditure on nursery, primary, secondary and special schools.

  Outturn figures have been converted to 1988–89 prices using the GDP deflator.

  British Rail
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, further to his reply to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Provan,Official Report, 19 October, column 945 (a) when he last discussed with Sir Bob Reid the improvement of the British Rail services between Glasgow and London and (b)what timetable was discussed for such improvements.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  British Rail's plans for the upgrading of the west coast main line between Glasgow and London are likely to be one of the subjects discussed when my right hon. and learned Friend next meets the chairman of British Rail. The timing of individual projects is however a matter for British Rail to determine in the light of other competing investment priorities and the resources at its disposal.

  Moray Adventurer
  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what investigations are being undertaken by his Department into events on 4 October involving the Buckie-registered vessel Moray Adventurer approximately 15 miles south-east of Peterhead.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The matter has not been reported formally to the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland. Officers of DAFS sea fisheries inspectorate are seeking to establish with the skipper of the fishing vessel concerned the facts surrounding the incident.

  Radioactive Waste
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if, pursuant to his reply on radioactive waste to the hon. Member for Newport, West,Official Report, 22 October, column 73, he will list any other sites in Scotland under investigation for a deep repository.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  UK Nirex Ltd. is not investigating any sites in Scotland apart from Dounreay.

  Mr. James Wilby
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland for what period Mr. James Wilby was employed by the Scottish Office; what was the period of his contract; and why it was terminated.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  There is no record of a Mr. James Wilby having been employed by the Scottish Office. If the hon. Member is referring to Mr. John Wilby, the former director of the Scottish ambulance service, his employment was with the Common Services Agency from 1 November 1985 until 31 July 1990 when he resigned to take up the appointment of managing director to the London ambulance service.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Accountancy Bodies
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) whether, as a condition of granting the supervisory status to accountancy bodies, he will require that the minutes of their policy-making committees be available to any member of the public;

  (2) whether, as a condition of the supervisory status, he will require the councils of the accountancy bodies to meet in the open;

  (3) whether, as a condition of granting the supervisory status to accountancy bodies, he will require that the minutes of the council meetings be available to all members of that body.

  Mr. Redwood
  The Secretary of State has no power to impose such conditions. His function is to determine whether applications for recognition meet the criteria laid down in the Companies Act 1989. In any case, the publicity to be given to meetings of this kind is a matter for the bodies themselves.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will seek to introduce legislation to require any accountancy firm auditing a public limited company to file information with a designated authority.
  380
  Mr. Redwood
  We have no such plans. However, I expect that the applications for recognition from supervisory bodies for auditors under the Companies Act 1989 will include requirements as to the filing of information with them by audit firms.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether, as a condition of granting the supervisory status to accountancy bodies, he will require that the minutes of their policy-making committees be available to all members.

  Mr. Redwood
  The Secretary of State has no power to impose such a condition. His function is to determine whether applications for recognition meet the criteria laid down in the companies Act 1989. In any case, the question of whether minutes of its policy-making committees should be made available to all its members is one for the body itself to decide.

  Student Complaints
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will seek to amend the Companies Acts to require the qualifying bodies to create an independent ombudsman to hear student complaints.

  Mr. Redwood
  No. But it is open to a body itself to set up an independent ombudsman to hear student complaints.

  Audit Policy
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will exercise his powers under part II of the Companies Act 1989 to create an independent statutory body to regulate auditing.

  Mr. Redwood
  As the Government made clear during the passage of the Companies Bill, we have no present intention to do so.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will create a body equivalent to OFGAS and OFTEL to regulate auditing.

  Mr. Redwood
  No. Under section 46 of the Companies Act 1989 the Secretary of State may establish a body corporate to exercise his functions under part II of that Act. However, we have no present intention of exercising this power.

  Supervisory Bodies
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether, before granting supervisory status to any organisation, he will ask it to explain its record on nominating women to major policy-making organisations.

  Mr. Redwood
  No. While the Government would favour the nomination of more women to major organisations, the record of a supervisory body in this respect is of no relevance to a decision by the Secretary of State on whether to recognise the body under the procedures in part II of the Companies Act 1989.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will take powers to provide that each supervisory body has lay observers on its council.
  381
  Mr. Redwood
  We have no such plans.

  Company Legislation
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will seek to introduce legislation to define the meaning of auditor independence.

  Mr. Redwood
  Section 27 of the Companies Act 1989 (which we expect to bring into force early next year) sets out connections between a person and a company which render the person ineligible for appointment as auditor to the company on the grounds of a lack of independence. The Secretary of State will consider whether to exercise the power in section 27(2) to specify by regulations further disqualifying connections once it is clear what professional rules and guidance there will be governing the independence of auditors. Under the 1989 Act the Secretary of State cannot recognise a supervisory body for auditors unless it appears to him to have adequate rules and practices in respect of professional integrity and independence.

  Company Acquisitions (Financial Assistance)
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many prosecutions have been undertaken involving the use of section 151 of the Companies Act 1985; how many of such charges were subsequently dropped; and how many were ultimately successful.

  Mr. Redwood
  To the Department's knowledge 19 charges have been brought under section 151 of the Companies Act 1985. In respect of six of these the judge ordered the jury not to bring verdicts and they were left on the file. The other charges have not yet come to trial.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he proposes to review section 151 of the Companies Act 1985.

  Mr. Redwood
  I have received representations concerning section 151 and am considering them.

  Insider Dealing
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he proposes to place before Parliament his proposals for implementing the EC directive on insider dealing.

  Mr. Redwood
  The Government said in their reply to the Select Committee on Trade and Industry's report on company investigations that they would bring forward legislation to implement the EC directive on insider dealing as soon as the parliamentary timetable permits.

  Polly Peck Ltd.
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received about recent developments at Polly Peck Ltd. and Del Monte.

  Mr. Redwood
  No representations about Polly Peck plc have been received since I wrote to the company on 25 September 1990.

  However, in view of recent developments my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has said that he will look at
  382
  all the information available to him arising from the move into administration of Polly Peck and the events leading up to it. In particular he has told the administrators that he will want to hear from them at the earliest opportunity whether they think there are any matters that need investigating which require the use of the Secretary of State's powers under the Companies Acts, bearing in mind the investigation being undertaken by the Serious Fraud Office.

  No separate representations have been received about Del Monte.

  Financial Reporting Council
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will take steps to ensure that the Financial Reporting Council conducts its proceedings in public.

  Mr. Redwood
  The procedural arrangements of the Financial Reporting Council are a matter for the council to decide. I am sure that the council is fully conscious of the need to maximise public understanding and awareness of its work.

  Civil Servants
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many former civil servants from his Department joined General Electric Company, Plessey, Northern Engineering Industries, BICC, or Trafalgar after leaving the civil service since May 1979.

  Mr. Redwood
  [holding answer 24 October 1990]: The Department of Trade and Industry has existed in its present form only since 1983. Separate Departments of Trade and Industry existed between 1979 and 1983. Totals for DTI, and these predecessor Departments since 1979 are as follows:

  Total

  To General Electric

  5

  To Plessey

  0

  To Northern Engineering Industries

  2

  To BICC

  0

  To Trafalgar House

  0

  Such figures would not, of course, include any staff who, once having left the Department and having passed the two-year notification period, then joined one of these companies.

  Young People (Complaints)
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will specify what formal procedures for making complaints and representations, specifying where appropriate under which sections of which Acts, are available locally and nationally to children and young people under 18 years of age who wish to make complaints about matters which are the responsibility of his Department.

  Mr. Redwood
  [holding answer 25 October 1990]: Any member of the public can make complaints or representations to the Department about matters falling within its responsibilities. There are no formal procedures for doing so.

EMPLOYMENT

  Tourism
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the estimate of spending by overseas visitors for each of the last five years.

  Mr. Forth
  The information is published in table 8.2 of the October 1990 issue of Employment Gazette.

  Small Firms Service
  Mr. Evennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many inquiries were dealt with by the small firms service in the last year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Forth
  In 1989–90 the small firms service in England dealt with 317,529 inquiries.

  Nuclear Installations Inspectorate
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list, by region, how many inspectors there are in the nuclear installations inspectorate; what is the required manning establishment; how many are in post; and if he will make a statement as to what their terms of reference are.

  Mr. Forth
  The principal aim of HSE's nuclear installations inspectorate (NII) is to ensure a safe operating regime for civil nuclear installations through programmes of inspection of licensed sites, assessing safety cases provided by licensees, and seeing that appropriate safety standards are developed and maintained by licensees.

  The NII is not regionally structured, 'but based in HSE's Bootle and London headquarters. On 1 October 1990, 160 inspectors were in post in the inspectorate, an increase of some 60 per cent. since 1987. Current plans are to recruit to a level of 172 inspectors.

  Legionella
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what consultations he had with the Health and Safety Executive regarding the occurrence of legionella in power station cooling towers.

  Mr. Forth
  None. The Health and Safety Commission (HSC) intends to take statutory action to strengthen existing legislation and guidance applying to the control of legionellosis. The HSC issued a consultative document in November 1989 setting out its proposals. In the light of comments received revised proposals for action have been drawn up and will be considered shortly by the HSC. Existing requirements under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 apply to all wet cooling towers, including those at power stations.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Sri Lanka
  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to what extent the question of human rights in Sri Lanka has been discussed in the context of aid negotiations with that country's Government.
  384
  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We have on a number of occasions raised the question of human rights in the context of aid negotiations with the Sri Lanka Government, notably at meetings of the World bank-led aid group.

  At the latest meeting of the aid group held in Paris on 25 October, the United Kingdom delegation, in common with other donors, made it clear that human rights performance was one of the factors to be taken into account in future decisions on aid.

  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his most recent discussions with European Community Foreign Ministers on the subject of human rights in Sri Lanka.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  EC member states have considered this question on several occasions in recent months. Our most recent consideration resulted in a demarche by EC heads of mission in Colombo on 19 October and a statement by the EC presidency at the aid consortium meeting in Paris on 25 October, in which the Community and its member states urged the Sri Lankan Government to observe their international obligations in the field of human rights.

  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his most recent discussions with the Government of Sri Lanka on the subject of human rights and alleged violations thereof by officials of that Government and the Indian peacekeeping force in Sri Lanka.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We have had no discussions with the Sri Lankan Government about violations of human rights by the Indian peacekeeping force, which withdrew from Sri Lanka in March.

  Our high commissioner in Colombo has raised our concerns about human rights abuses by Sri Lankan Government agencies with the President directly, and with his Ministers on many occasions.

  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs who will attend the Sri Lankan aid consortium meeting in Paris; and if United Kingdom representatives will express formal concern at breaches of human rights by Sri Lankan Government security forces.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We were represented at the aid consortium meeting in Paris on 25 October by officials from the ODA. We have regularly voiced our concerns about human rights abuses by the Sri Lankan Government and on this occasion the British delegation, in common with other donors, made it clear that human rights performance was one of the factors to be taken into account in future decisions on aid.

  Yosif Dimant
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made to the Soviet Government about their failure to grant an exit visa to Yosif Dimant, of Chernovtsy.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We will add Mr. Dimant's case to the list of those which we raise regularly with the Soviet authorities. We shall continue to press the Soviet authorities until all such cases are satisfactorily resolved.

  Diplomatic Relations
  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those members of the United Nations with which the United Kingdom does not have diplomatic relations.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Following are those members of the United Nations with which the United Kingdom does not have diplomatic relations:

  Albania

  Bhutan

  Cambodia

  Libya

  Syria

  Nepal
  Mr. Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has made any representation to the Government of the Kingdom of Nepal concerning the introduction of a secular state and freedom of religion with regard to its forthcoming new constitution.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Yes. Her Majesty's ambassador in Kathmandu has expressed our concerns on these points on several occasions including to the Prime Minister of Nepal on 20 September.

  COCOM Proscribed Destinations
  Mr. Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will discuss with his COCOM colleagues the extension of proscribed destinations and items to include Iraq and Libya.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The COCOM controls were designed to counter the strategic security threat from communist countries. Their purpose is to control the export of goods and technology that would otherwise enhance the threat that still exists. The list of proscribed destinations agreed amongst COCOM partners is based on that strategic threat. The controls reflect the indigenous capabilities of those countries.

  Exports are controlled to other destinations for other reasons. Iraq and Libya are prohibited destinations listed in the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1989, as amended, for the export of certain goods and technology.

  Mr. Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether acceptance as a full member of the Council of Europe qualifies a state for removal from the COCOM list of proscribed destinations; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The list of destinations proscribed by COCOM comprise those countries that pose a threat to western strategic security interests, or countries whose military and intelligence links with the former are inimical to those interests.

  COCOM members are considering a special procedure to facilitate the licensing of certain exports to Poland, Hungary and Czechoslovakia. This will be dependent on their adopting adequate export control systems together with a commitment to ensure that imported strategic goods and technologies are devoted exclusively to civilian purposes.

  Middle East
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list all resolutions passed by the United Nations Security Council since 2 August on middle east affairs; which of these were initiated by the United Kingdom; and how the United Kingdom ambassador voted on each resolution.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The Security Council has passed 11 resolutions on the middle east since 2 August. The United Kingdom voted for them all, and was closely involved with each initiative, either as a permanent member of the Security Council or as president of the Security Council for the month of October.

  Resolution No.

  Subject

  SCR 660 (adopted 2 August)

  Condemned invasion and called for immediate and unconditional Iraqi withdrawal.

  SCR 661 (6 August)

  Imposed sanctions.

  SCR 662 (9 August)

  Decided annexation of Kuwait by Iraq null and void.

  SCR 664 (18 August)

  Reaffirmed rights of third state nationals, including the right to leave.

  SCR 665 (25 August)

  Authorised measures to halt shipping in order to inspect and verify cargoes.

  SCR 666 (13 September)

  Established system to permit food imports to Iraq and Kuwait in humanitarian circumstances.

  SCR 667 (16 September)

  Condemned Iraqi attacks against diplomatic premises and personnel.

  SCR 669 (24 September)

  Called on Sanctions Committee to consider requests for economic assistance under Article 50 of UN Charter.

  SCR 670 (25 September)

  Measures to tighten air embargo and detain or deny entry to Iraqi-registered ships.

  SCR 672 (12 October)

  Condemning acts of violence by Israeli Security Forces at the Temple Mount on 8 October, calling on Israel to abide by the Fourth Geneva Convention, and requesting the Secretary-General to report to the Council on the mission he had decided to send to the region.

  SCR 673 (24 October)

  Calling on Israel to accept the Secretary-General's Mission.

  Mr. Marlow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards recognising the right of the Palestinian people to opt for a Palestinian state; and as to what extent this should depend on the agreement of the Israeli Government provided that in such negotiations Israel has been offered borders which Her Majesty's Government consider satisfy that country's reasonable demands for security.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We have always supported the Palestinians' legitimate right to self-determination. We also support Israel's right to exist within secure borders. A settlement of the Palestinian problem should be on this basis. Whether it will include a Palestinian state is a matter for resolution between the parties.

  Northern Ireland
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list all United Nations resolutions passed since 1970 on deaths of civilians in Northern Ireland; and how the United Kingdom voted on each resolution.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  No resolutions of this nature have been passed in the United Nations.

  Fuel Air Explosives
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, during the next meeting of the European Community Foreign Affairs Council, he will raise with his Spanish counterpart the sale of fuel air explosives from the Spanish company M. S. Systems of Madrid, via a third party in Chile, to Iraq.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We are in constant touch with European and other Governments to exchange information about the practical implementation of United Nations Security Council resolution 661.

  Nuclear Weapons
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, during his recent visit to Egypt and the middle east, he discussed the proliferation of nuclear weapons in the Gulf region.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  No.

  Turkey
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last raised the matter of human rights and political prisoners with Ministers or officials of the Turkish Government.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  Turkey's human rights performance is regularly discussed between members of Her Majesty's embassy in Ankara and officials in the Turkish Foreign Ministry. At ministerial level, the subject was most recently raised by the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs during a visit to Ankara on 20 June.

  Nuclear Test Ban Treaty
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many United Kingdom officials will represent Her Majesty's Government at the amendment conference to the 1963 partial nuclear test ban treaty, to be held in New York in January next year; and if his Department has had any consultation with interested non-governmental organisations over prospects for this conference.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  United Kingdom official representation at the partial test ban treaty amendment conference has not yet been decided. We anticipate that it will be drawn from officials serving at our missions to the United Nations conference on disarmament at Geneva and to the United Nations in New York. My right hon. Friend the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office discussed prospects for the conference at the most recent of meetings with non-governmental organisations on 23 October.
  388
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list each outstanding technical verification problem requiring resolution prior to the achievement of a comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty; and what resources in terms of committed scientific expertise and financial support have been expended by Her Majesty's Government since 1980 on the problems of verification.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  A full explanation of the technical problems with verification can be found in CD/610, a paper submitted by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to the United Nations conference on disarmament at Geneva in July 1985. A copy has been placed in the Library of the House. We maintain a specialist seismic research unit known as Blacknest, committed to studying verification. It employs approximately 30 staff.

  Mercenaries
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is Her Majesty's Government's policy towards the 1989 United Nations convention on mercenaries.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The convention against the recruitment, use, financing and training of mercenaries was agreed in December 1989 by the General Assembly. We are examining it carefully against the background of current United Kingdom legislation. We hope to come to a decision soon.

  Trident
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations in writing or orally he, Ministers or officials of his Department have received since 15 September concerning the status of the United Kingdom Trident programme in the context of nuclear disarmament commitments under article VI of the 1968 nuclear non-proliferation treaty.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We have not received any representations on the status of our Trident programme under article VI of the NPT.

  Nuclear Tests
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is Her Majesty's Government's policy towards(a) the threshold test ban treaty and (b) the peaceful nuclear explosions treaty; and how the United Kingdom capacity to continue nuclear testing in Nevada will be affected by these treaties.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We welcome the ratification of the threshold test ban treaty and the peaceful nuclear explosions treaty. Neither treaty will have any effect on the United Kingdom testing programme. This programme meets the testing limits agreed by the US and the Soviet Union.

  Guyana
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what actions are being taken by Her Majesty's Government to ensure that there are free and fair elections in Guyana.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  During several ministerial meetings with Ministers of the Government of Guyana during the
  389
  past year we have consistently emphasised that the forthcoming elections in Guyana should be seen to be free and fair. The last such occasion was in London on 16 October when I met the Guyanese Minister of Finance, Mr. Carl Greenidge.

  We have welcomed President Hoyte's invitation to the Commonwealth Secretary General to send a Commonwealth election observer mission to monitor the elections and have informed the Secretary General that we will make a significant contribution towards the costs of an observer mission.

  Syria
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contacts he has had with the Syrian Government in the past year; whether he has any plans to visit Syria; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has had no contacts with the Syrian Government and has no plans to visit Syria.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) whether any representatives of the Government of Syria have requested any meetings with Her Majesty's Government in the past year; what written communication there has been between the Syrian Government and Her Majesty's Government in that period; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what contacts officials acting on behalf of Her Majesty's Government have had with Syrian Government officials in the past year; whether there are any plans for British officials to visit Syria; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We have remained in contact with the Syrians since the break in relations in 1986. There have been no written communications during the past year, other than routine contact through the Syrian interests section in London and the British interests section in Damascus.

  Iraq
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Newport, West,Official Report, 22 October, column 55, he will set out when and through what channels the representations to the Chinese Government to which he refers, were made; and when and through what channels the response was received.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Representations were made by the British embassy in Peking to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 25 August, and were followed up bilaterally in New York. A formal Chinese response was delivered to the embassy in Peking by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 27 August.

  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Government will urgently consider providing the telephone and postal concessionary facilities for the hostages in Iraq and their families in the United Kingdom that are provided by some other western European states; and if he will make a statement.
  390
  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We are already helping. We have approached British Telecom. From 1 November it will reduce by half the cost of calls to Iraq and give every assistance to families with large bills to pay. We are setting up a PO box arrangement in London for relatives to use. We shall continue to look for ways to reduce the burden on families.

  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what arrangements he has made to assist the families of United Kingdom citizens detained in Iraq to communicate with those who are detained.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  [holding answer 22 October 1990]: We are doing everything possible to help families stay in touch. I refer the hon. and learned Gentleman to the answer I have given his other question today. We have also approached British Telecom and it has halved the cost of a five-minute call to Baghdad.

  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will permit the families of United Kingdom citizens detained in Iraq to communicate with those who are detained by means of the diplomatic bag.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  [holding answer 22 October 1990]: We are actively looking at all possible ways to help relatives. As I announced on 24 October, we are setting up a PO box in London to which letters can be sent. Our embassy in Baghdad will accept mail for postage in London.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will arrange for letters, books, clothes and other articles to be sent from the United Kingdom by relatives and friends of British citizens held in Iraq by British diplomatic bags; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  [holding answer 22 October 1990]: We are actively exploring all possible ways to help relatives. As I announced on 24 October, we are setting up a PO box in London to which letters can be sent.

  Pakistan
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the recent elections in Pakistan.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  According to the information so far available to us the elections in Pakistan took place peacefully. We shall study the reports from international observers when they are available. We look forward to working with the Government who emerge.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether British officials made any representations to the Pakistan authorities about the conduct of the Pakistan elections; how many complaints about the conduct of the Pakistan elections have been received by him or British officials; and whether British officials have been in contact with the international delegation monitoring the Pakistan elections.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The Government of Pakistan were aware of the importance which we attach to free and fair
  391
  elections. It would not be for us to receive complaints about the conduct of the elections and none has been made to us. British officials have been in contact with international observer groups monitoring the elections.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will arrange for reports by British officials on the conduct of the Pakistan elections to be placed in the Library; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  No. Reporting from our high commission is classified and will be treated in the usual manner.

  Eastern Europe
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what extra resources have been available to the British Council in respect of English language teaching in eastern Europe.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  [holding answer 26 October 1990]: British Council expenditure on the promotion and development of the teaching of English in central and eastern Europe and the Soviet Union rose to some £2·5 million last year and is scheduled to rise to £5 million this year, the money coming in part from increases in the council's direct grant and in part from the know-how fund.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what extra resources have been made available to the British Broadcasting Corporation foreign language services in light of the developments in eastern Europe; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  [holding answer 26 October 1990]: We recognise the value of World Service broadcasts to eastern Europe and are in regular touch with the BBC about the resources needed. Funding for the BBC World Service is set for periods of three years. In 1990–91, the final year of the present triennium, funding is 40 per cent. higher in real terms than in 1979–80 and 13 per cent. higher than in 1987–88. Funding for the next such period, beginning in April 1991 falls within the 1990 public expenditure survey and will be announced following the autumn statement.

CIVIL SERVICE

  Employment Terms (South-west)
  Mr. Speller
  To ask the Minister for the Civil Service what representations he has received on civil service terms of employment as they affect the south-west region.

  Mr. Mellor
  I am not aware of having received any representations on this subject.

  Trade Union Lobby
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Minister for the Civil Service if he will agree to meet civil service trade union leaders on 31 October during their lobby of Parliament.

  Mr. Mellor
  I understand that the lobby has been postponed.

  "Next Steps"
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Minister for the Civil Service what recent discussions he has held in connection with progress with the "next steps" agency programme.

  Mr. Mellor
  I have frequent discussions on the excellent progress which is being made in implementing the "next steps" initiative.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  EC Budget
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the latest figure for the provision which has been made for expenditure relating to agriculture in the 1991 EEC budget; and what was the estimate for 1990.

  Mr. Curry
  [pursuant to his reply, 15 October 1990, c. 764]: Revision to the sterling-ecu exchange has caused some amendments to the figures originally given in reply to this question.

  The provisions for expenditure relating to agriculture in the European Community's 1990 budget and 1991 draft budget are 30·0 billion ecu (£20·9 billion) and 33·4 billion ecu (£23·3 billion) respectively. In addition there is provision in each year for a monetary reserve of a further I billion ecu (£0·7 billion), which may be drawn on if unfavourable movements in the ecu-US dollar exchange rate cause an increase in expenditure on agricultural price support of more than 400 mecu (£279 million).

  Sea Trout
  Mr. Onslow
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research his Department has commissioned into the decline of sea trout stocks in United Kingdom waters.

  Mr. Curry
  I refer to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Scottish Office, to a similar question. For England and Wales, there has been an overall fall in the catches of sea trout by rod and line in 1989 and 1990. This may not, however, be conclusive evidence of a decline in the stocks of sea trout supporting the fisheries. The interpretation of trends is complicated by the fact that there were dry summers in both years, as well as by the natural fluctuations in stock availability.

  Departmental scientists are continuing to monitor the situation in co-operation with the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland and the National Rivers Authority.

  Spongiform Encephalopathies
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what advice he has received on spongiform encephalopathies from Dr. Carleton Gajdusek; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  The Government take account of all available research findings, including those of Dr. Gajdusek.

  Diet Survey
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information was obtained about the dietary intakes of food additives and contaminants from his survey "The Dietary and Nutritional Survey of British Adults"; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  The survey in question was carried out on behalf of my Department and that of the Department of Health. The intention was to gather information on the current dietary behaviour and nutritional status of the adult population, and in particular to establish a database of the range of food, drink and nutrient intakes of adults. It does not, therefore, contain any information on dietary intakes of food additives and contaminants although it can he used to calculate these in conjunction with data on their levels in individual foods obtained from analytical surveys.

  Less-favoured Areas
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent representations he has received concerning the problems faced by farmers in less-favoured areas.

  Mr. Curry
  I have recently received a number of representations concerning the problems faced by farmers in less-favoured areas.

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement outlining the initiatives currently taken by his Department and his future plans to assist farmers in less-favoured areas.

  Mr. Curry
  Farmers in less-favoured areas (LFAs) benefit from a range of support measures which are available to producers generally, including particularly the suckler cow premium and sheep annual premium. In addition, Government expenditure on hill livestock compensatory allowances, which are paid only in less-favoured areas, will amount to about £127 million this year; we have recently announced that the suckler cow premium for less-favoured area producers will be increased to the maximum amount payable under the EC regulations; and less-favoured area sheep producers will benefit next year from a special addition to the sheep annual premium of 4 ecus per eligible ewe. We shall continue to keep the position of less-favoured area farmers under review.

  Ewe Premium
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make it his policy to bring forward from February 1991 the date of payment of the special £3·10 ewe premium.

  Mr. Curry
  As part of the price-fixing arrangements earlier this year, the EC Council of Agriculture Ministers agreed that sheep annual premium payments should be supplemented by a payment of 4 ecu per eligible ewe for producers in less-favoured areas. The agreement provided that the supplement should be payable from the 1991 sheepmeat marketing year which begins on 7 January 1991. There is little prospect of any change in timing, which would require a proposal from the European Commission and agreement by the Council of Ministers.

  Store Lambs
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he has concerning the average current price, in real terms, of store lambs; and what were the comparable figures for such lambs in each of the last three years for which figures are available.

  Mr. Curry
  The table sets out the average price of store lambs in England in September of this year and the previous three years. The figures in brackets reflect the prices at 1990 levels.

  £

  Lowland store lambs

  £ LFA store lambs

  First quality

  Second quality

  1987

  35·07

  29·84

  31·99

  (44·28)

  (37·68)

  (40·39)

  1988

  35·67

  32·70

  30·18

  (42·55)

  (39·01)

  (36·00)

  1989

  32·05

  26·66

  29·97

  (35·54)

  (29·56)

  (33·23)

  1990

  29·94

  25·90

  25·89

  Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowances
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the current level of hill livestock compensatory allowances; and what was the comparable figure in real terms in each of the last three years for which figures are available.

  Mr. Curry
  The table sets out total payments of hill livestock compensatory allowances in the United Kingdom for this year and the previous three years. The figures in brackets reflect the payments at 1990 price levels.

  £ million

  1987

  112·8

  (139·3)

  1988

  114·6

  (134·9)

  1989

  118·9

  (129·8)

  1990

  1126·8

  1 Provisional.

  Sheepmeat
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take steps to bring forward from 7 January 1991 the green pound devaluation for sheepmeat.

  Mr. Curry
  This devaluation will come into effect at the beginning of the sheepmeat marketing year on 7 January 1991. This is the normal practice and it would be an exception to the usual rules for a devaluation to take place before the start of the marketing year. Such an exception would have to be proposed by the Commission and agreed by the other member states.

  Advisory Committees
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the financial remunerations that the chairmen and members of each of his advisory committees receive; and if he will make a statement.
  395
  Mr. Gummer
  Details collected earlier are set out in "Public Appointments" issued by the Women's National Commission in July of which a copy is in the Library.

  Animal Feedstuffs
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the occasions in the last 12 months, when animal feedstuffs containing ruminant-derived protein have been shipped abroad, giving the quantities involved, the destinations, the date when the shipment occurred, and whether they reached their destination; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  This information is not available.

  European Community
  Mr. John Greenway
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the outcome of the joint meeting of the Agriculture and Trade Ministers on 26 October.

  Mr. Gummer
  I represented the United Kingdom at this meeting together with my hon. Friend the Minister for Trade.

  Discussion concentrated on the Commission's proposal for a Community offer on agriculture in the current GATT round. A text was eventually produced by the presidency with Commission support, which made two changes to the draft offer and defined in general terms the Community's attitude to any agricultural measures which might be needed following an agreement in GATT. However, two member states were unable to agree and in these circumstances the presidency felt unable to put the matter to the vote.

  I very much regret that, because of the failure of some member states to agree to the implications of commitments they had previously accepted, the Community has been unable to meet the deadline for submitting its offer. This is bad for British farmers, continental farmers and for trade as a whole. A further Council meeting is expected shortly.

  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what agricultural activities, including the responsibility for the storage and disposal of surpluses, have been transferred from the European Economic Community to member states in each year since 1973; and if he will publish a table indicating the expenditure involved in such transfers from the EEC to member states and to the United Kingdom in particular.

  Mr. Curry
  [holding answer 17 October 1990]: No significant responsibilities for agricultural policy have been transferred from the European Community to member states since 1973.

  Surplus Produce
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what provision has been made in the 1991 EEC budget for the dumping and destruction of surplus food and wine.

  Mr. Curry
  [pursuant to his reply, 15 October 1990, c. 764]: Revision to the sterling-ecu exchange has caused some amendments to the figures originally given in reply to this question.
  396
  The 1991 European Community draft budget provides for 854 million ecu (£595 million) of expenditure on the withdrawal of agricultural produce, not all of which is destroyed.

THE ARTS

  Yorkshire and Humberside Arts Board
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Minister for the Arts by what process he intends to appoint the chair of the Yorkshire and Humberside arts board.

  Mr. Mellor
  I am awaiting advice on these matters from the review team set up by the Arts Council to examine ways of implementing the broad principles for regional funding arrangements that I announced on 24 September.

  Arts Council Funding
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what proposals he has to revalue the Arts Council funding to keep pace with the rate of inflation.

  Mr. Mellor
  Arrangements for Arts Council funding will be the same as under my predecessors. Government funding of the Arts Council is now at its highest level ever in real terms, and I shall announce the level of the grant for the next three years next month.

  Greater London Arts
  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what changes he proposes to make in the composition and responsibilities of Greater London Arts; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  The Arts Council has announced that Greater London Arts will be replaced shortly by a new London arts board. The Arts Council has also announced the arrangements for the management of Greater London Arts in the period before the new London arts board is fully operational. I hope these arrangements will result in greater confidence in London's arts body.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Minister for the Arts how he intends local authorities to be involved in arts administration in Greater London.

  Mr. Mellor
  I expect the new London arts board to conform to the broad principles that I announced on 24 September, which reserve one third of the membership of the new regional arts boards for local authority nominees.

  Theatres
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what information he has on the level of deficits in national and regional theatres.

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

  Regional Arts
  Mr. Cran
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what progress is being made in the restructuring of the regional arts funding bodies.
  397
  Mr. Mellor
  I announced on 24 September broad principles for regional funding arrangements which are currently being examined by a review team established by the Arts Council, and led by Timothy Marsh.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister for the Arts how he will ensure a wide representation of local authorities on regional arts boards.

  Ms. Abbott
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what plans he has to involve local authorities in the structure of arts administration.

  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Minister for the Arts how he intends to involve local authorities in regional arts boards.

  Mr. Mellor
  Under the broad principles that I have announced, one third of the membership of regional arts boards will be reserved for local authority nominees.

  Ms. Armstrong
  To ask the Minister for the Arts by what process he plans to appoint the chair of the Northern arts board.

  Mrs. Golding
  To ask the Minister for the Arts by what process he intends to choose the chair of the West Midlands regional arts board.

  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what consultation he will require the Arts Council to undertake before the appointment of local authority representatives on regional arts boards.

  Mr. Mellor
  I am awaiting advice on these matters from the review team set up by the Arts Council to examine ways of implementing the broad principles for further strengthening regional funding arrangements that I announced on 24 September.

  Mr. Haynes
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what consultations he had with regional arts associations and host authorities before announcing his plans to revise the structure of regional arts boards.

  Mr. Mellor
  I met the chairmen of the regional arts associations and representatives of the main local authority associations shortly after my announcement was made. I have set aside two months for consultation with all the interested parties.

  Theatres and Museums (Repairs)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what information he has on the level of backlog of repairs and maintenance in theatre and museum buildings.

  Mr. Mellor
  I take account of the building and maintenance needs and priorities set out in the corporate plans provided for me annually by the national musuems and galleries which I sponsor. Most of these institutions have now carried out extensive studies of their buildings since untying from the Property Services Agency in 1988. It is for other relevant funding bodies, including local authorities, to determine the requirements for the buildings within their responsibilities.

  I understand that the Theatres Trust is carrying out a small pilot study to establish whether a systematic examination of the national state of theatres could be undertaken at reasonable cost.

  BBC Chairman
  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Minister for the Arts whether he will meet the chairman of the BBC to discuss the arts; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  I have no immediate plans to do so.

  Arts Funding
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what have been the percentage increases in arts funding from his Department over the past five years in relation to inflation rates; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Mellor
  The figures requested are as follows:

  Central Government Arts Programme

  Inflation rates retail prices index

  Year

  Cash total £ million

  Percentage increase on previous year

  Percentage increase on previous year

  1986–87

  343

  —

  —

  1987–88

  368

  7·3

  4·0

  1988–89

  414

  12·5

  6·0

  1989–90

  446

  7·7

  7·8

  1990–91

  494

  10·8

  110·0

  1 Percentage change of first six months of the financial year over the same period of the previous year.

  This clearly shows the Government's commitment to support of the arts.

  North-west and Merseyside Arts Board
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what plans he has to involve local authorities in the administration of the north-west and Merseyside arts board.

  Mr. Mellor
  Under the broad principles that I have announced, one third of the membership of the regional arts board for the north-west and Merseyside will be reserved for local authority nominees.

  National Heritage
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Minister for the Arts when he next expects to meet civil service trade union leaders to discuss funding and staffing levels in relation to the national heritage.

  Mr. Mellor
  I meet representatives of the various civil service trade unions when appropriate to discuss matters of mutual interest. I intend to meet representatives from the IPMS to discuss recent developments at the natural history museum.

HEALTH

  Child Patients
  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of child patients discharged from a stay in hospital had been nursed in an adult ward for each year from 1979 to 1989.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The information requested is not available centrally. Guidance on the welfare of
  399
  children and young people in hospital, on which the Department is currently consulting interested parties, re-emphasises our policy that children should be treated in discrete children's departments, separate from adult wards.

  Community Nursing
  Mr. Sims
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if, further to the Minister for Health's reply to the hon. Member for Chislehurst,Official Report, column 423, 26 July, he can provide further information as to where responsibility will lie under the National Health Service and Community Care Act for improvement of the recruitment, administration and payment of those involved in community nursing.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Health authorities, or NHS trusts where appropriate, will have responsibility for the recruitment, administration and payment of community nurses.

  The working party set up by the NHS management executive as mentioned in my earlier reply will set out the general principles which should inform the management and organisation of nursing services in the community. Draft guidance explaining those principles will be issued for consultation in December.

  Kidney Disease
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received about the provision of full renal units in England and Wales; what information he has on their provision in France, Germany and Italy; what proposals he has to increase such provision; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Dorrell
  A number of representations on a wide range of issues concerning renal services has been received. Planning and provision of renal services is a matter for health authorities. Information on the provision of renal units in this country and in Europe is collected and published annually by the European Dialysis and Transplant Association.

  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the arrangements to provide suitable transport for patients requiring dialysis outside the home where the nearest dialysis facilities are more than 40 miles distant.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Ambulance service transport is available free of charge for all patients, including those requiring dialysis, regardless of the distance to be travelled, provided their medical need for transport is certified by their GP or hospital consultant.

  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what facilities for dialysis outside patients' homes exist within the health authority areas of Somerset, Cornwall, Bath, West Dorset, Gloucester and Cheltenham.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Somerset health authority does not have any facilities outside patients' homes but it is actively considering services for patients with chronic renal failure.

  Cornwall health authority has facilities for acute haemodialysis, which has been available at Treliske hospital in Truro since 1987. In April 1988 a satellite unit at Treliske hospital was established.
  400
  In Bath health authority there are two continuous arteriovenous haemodialysis (CAVH) machines for use by patients at the Royal United hospital. Patients also have access to treatment, on referral, at the Southmead hospital, Bristol.

  In West Dorset health authority, patients requiring dialysis outside their home are treated at the renal centre in Portsmouth. From 1 November 1990, West Dorset patients will be able to receive dialysis in a self-care dialysis unit at the Dorset county hospital. This new unit will provide facilities for approximately 12 patients per week, and it is expecting delivery of three Fresanious 1008 haemodialysis machines next week.

  Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) training was set up and became autonomous at the Gloucester Royal hospital in January 1988. This service provides for Gloucester and Cheltenham residents. Some patients have care provided jointly by Oxford and Gloucester. A consultant nephrologist is now in place in Gloucester and plans are in progress for a haemodialysis service for Gloucestershire.

  Satanic Rituals
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement in respect of what directives his Department has issued for the diagnosis of child satanic ritual abuse.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Diagnosis is a matter for professional judgment and would not be appropriate for issue of a directive. The Department of Health is considering guidance on the handling of cases with an element of organised or possibly ritual abuse when reissuing "Working Together", a guide to inter-agency co-operation for the protection of children from abuse.

  Spinal Cord Injury
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what statistics are kept by his Department on spinal cord injury; if he will consider ways in which the collection of statistics can be improved; and if he will consider making spinal cord injury a notifiable condition.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Statistics are produced from anonymised hospital records which contain details of diagnosis and treatment. The collection of these statistics is improving with new computer systems for patient administration statistics. There are no plans to make spinal cord injury a notifiable condition because only communicable diseases are notifiable under public health law.

  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received concerning the Spinal Injuries Association's programme for the prevention of spinal cord injury and on the effectiveness of such a programme; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The Department is aware from discussions with the Spinal Injuries Association that it has obtained funding for a three-year period from the Monument Trust for a programme for the prevention of spinal cord injury. We have received no representations concerning this programme.

  Chronic Arachnoiditis
  Mr. Ashley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research is being carried out into chronic arachnoiditis; whether he has considered making it a notifiable condition; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The main agency through which the Government support biomedical and clinical research in the United Kingdom is the Medical Research Council (M RC) which receives its grant in aid from the Department of Education and Science. The Medical Research Council is not currently supporting any research specifically into chronic arachnoiditis. The Department has not considered making chronic arachnoiditis a notifiable condition.

  Number of abortions over 12 weeks gestation performed on women resident in the South East Thames Regional Health Authority 1985

  Place of usual residence

  Age of woman

  Under 20

  20–24

  25–34

  Over 34

  Total

  South East Thames Regional Health Authority

  562

  582

  386

  118

  1,648

  Brighton District Health Authority

  46

  46

  38

  9

  139

  Eastbourne District Health Authority

  26

  27

  17

  12

  82

  Hastings District Health Authority

  26

  13

  13

  2

  54

  South East Kent District Health Authority

  43

  32

  30

  14

  119

  Canterbury and Thanet District Health Authority

  34

  31

  23

  9

  97

  Dartford and Gravesham District Health Authority

  32

  16

  11

  5

  64

  Maidstone District Health Authority

  17

  13

  8

  4

  42

  Medway District Health Authority

  40

  33

  26

  4

  103

  Tunbridge Wells District Health Authority

  28

  24

  18

  5

  75

  Bexley District Health Authority

  31

  30

  9

  3

  73

  Greenwich District Health Authority

  40

  31

  28

  8

  107

  Bromley District Health Authority

  41

  26

  26

  11

  104

  West Lambeth District Health Authority

  43

  55

  31

  9

  138

  Camberwell District Health Authority

  62

  126

  74

  12

  274

  Lewisham and North Southwark District Health Authority

  53

  79

  34

  11

  177

  Number of abortions over 12 weeks gestation performed on women resident in the South East Thames Regional Health Authority 1986

  Place of usual residence

  Age of woman

  Under 20

  20–24

  25–34

  Over 34

  Total

  South East Thames Regional Health Authority

  556

  681

  416

  117

  1,770

  Brighton District Health Authority

  43

  55

  28

  9

  135

  Eastbourne District Health Authority

  26

  13

  12

  5

  56

  Hastings District Health Authority

  24

  24

  10

  6

  64

  South East Kent District Health Authority

  32

  33

  26

  11

  102

  Canterbury and Thanet District Health Authority

  45

  29

  23

  11

  108

  Dartford and Gravesham District Health Authority

  27

  17

  13

  1

  58

  Maidstone District Health Authority

  12

  12

  10

  5

  39

  Medway District Health Authority

  40

  41

  13

  10

  104

  Tunbridge Wells District Health Authority

  14

  13

  13

  4

  44

  Bexley District Health Authority

  13

  28

  20

  5

  66

  Greenwich District Health Authority

  40

  43

  32

  12

  127

  Bromley District Health Authority

  32

  39

  27

  5

  103

  West Lambeth District Health Authority

  48

  83

  44

  8

  183

  Camberwell District Health Authority

  83

  147

  74

  12

  316

  Lewisham and North Southwark District Health Authority

  77

  104

  71

  13

  265

  Number of abortions over 12 weeks gestation performed on women resident in the South East Thames Regional Health Authority 1987

  Place of usual residence

  Age of woman

  Under 20

  20–24

  25–34

  Over 34

  Total

  South East Thames Regional Health Authority

  601

  722

  542

  117

  1,982

  Brighton District Health Authority

  54

  67

  39

  7

  167

  Eastbourne District Health Authority

  20

  19

  16

  9

  64

  Hastings District Health Authority

  25

  17

  16

  5

  63

  South East Kent District Health Authority

  34

  30

  24

  5

  93

  Canterbury and Thanet District Health Authority

  44

  44

  27

  12

  127

  Dartford and Gravesham District Health Authority

  37

  18

  17

  3

  75

  Maidstone District Health Authority

  16

  12

  10

  7

  45

  Medway District Health Authority

  47

  40

  30

  9

  126

  Tunbridge Wells District Health Authority

  25

  22

  15

  1

  63

  Bexley District Health Authority

  37

  27

  15

  5

  84

  Greenwich District Health Authority

  40

  56

  49

  9

  154

  Bromley District Health Authority

  26

  35

  17

  5

  83

  West Lambeth District Health Authority

  58

  80

  74

  11

  223

  Abortions
  Ms. Richardson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the number of abortions over 12 weeks' gestation performed on women under(a) 20, (b) 20 to 24, (c) 25 to 34 and (d) over 34 years of age, resident in the South East Thames regional health authority, and in each constituent district health authority thereof, in each of the years (i) 1985, (ii) 1986, (iii) 1987, (iv) 1988 and (v) 1989. respectively.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The information requested is shown in the following tables.
  403

  Place of usual residence

  Age of woman

  Under 20

  20–24

  25–34

  Over 34

  Total

  Camberwell District Health Authority

  60

  118

  108

  10

  296

  Lewisham and North Southwark District Health Authority

  78

  137

  85

  19

  319

  Number of abortions over 12 weeks gestation performed on women resident in the South East Thames Regional Health Authority 1988

  Place of usual residence

  Age of woman

  Under 20

  20–24

  25–34

  Over 34

  Total

  South East Thames Regional Health Authority

  701

  774

  573

  146

  2,194

  Brighton District Health Authority

  41

  61

  36

  12

  150

  Eastbourne District Health Authority

  36

  24

  17

  10

  87

  Hastings District Health Authority

  26

  16

  11

  5

  58

  South East Kent District Health Authority

  38

  33

  15

  4

  90

  Canterbury and Thanet District Health Authority

  42

  32

  27

  9

  110

  Dartford and Gravesham District Health Authority

  24

  22

  14

  8

  68

  Maidstone District Health Authority

  27

  19

  9

  7

  62

  Medway District Health Authority

  73

  44

  40

  8

  165

  Tunbridge Wells District Health Authority

  22

  18

  12

  2

  54

  Bexley District Health Authority

  41

  37

  18

  9

  105

  Greenwich District Health Authority

  51

  50

  38

  11

  150

  Bromley District Health Authority

  43

  46

  24

  5

  118

  West Lambeth District Health Authority

  58

  111

  70

  13

  252

  Camberwell District Health Authority

  82

  132

  119

  23

  356

  Lewisham and North Southwark District Health Authority

  97

  129

  123

  20

  369

  Number of abortions over 12 weeks gestation performed on women resident in the South East Thames Regional Health Authority 1989

  Place of usual residence

  Age of woman

  Under 20

  20–24

  25–34

  Over 34

  Total

  South East Thames Regional Health Authority

  600

  694

  620

  133

  2,047

  Brighton District Health Authority

  38

  41

  42

  9

  130

  Eastbourne District Health Authority

  30

  26

  26

  4

  86

  Hastings District Health Authority

  21

  21

  16

  4

  62

  South East Kent District Health Authority

  24

  30

  16

  7

  77

  Canterbury and Thanet District Health Authority

  46

  33

  19

  13

  111

  Dartford and Gravesham District Health Authority

  27

  31

  16

  5

  79

  Maidstone District Health Authority

  18

  19

  9

  3

  49

  Medway District Health Authority

  68

  33

  36

  13

  150

  Tunbridge Wells District Health Authority

  11

  17

  15

  3

  46

  Bexley District Health Authority

  33

  24

  23

  5

  85

  Greenwich District Health Authority

  45

  48

  42

  4

  139

  Bromley District Health Authority

  31

  40

  35

  7

  113

  West Lambeth District Health Authority

  61

  95

  87

  10

  253

  Camberwell District Health Authority

  87

  109

  118

  27

  341

  Lewisham and North Southwark District Health Authority

  60

  127

  120

  19

  326

  Deaf-blind People
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether his Department has undertaken or sponsored any research into the development of the hand-tapper communication system for deaf-blind people; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Dorrell
  No. I understand that this system is being developed by University college, London and that funding has been provided by the Science and Engineering Research Council and by the Nuffield Foundation and the National Deaf-Blind League.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether deaf-blind people are able to get hearing and sight-impaired communication systems through social services.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Items of equipment for disabled people, including people with a sensory disability, may be provided by health authorities or local authority social services departments. Local authorities have a duty under section 2 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 to meet the needs of people who, in the opinion of the authority, need an item of equipment to provide for their 404
  greater safety, comfort or convenience. Local authorities are empowered to recover all or part of the cost of any equipment they provide. Voluntary organisations also make available a range of specialist equipment for people with a sensory disability.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many deaf-blind people there are currently residing in long-stay mental handicap hospitals.

  Mr. Dorrell
  This information is not held centrally.

  Mr. Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what action he intends to take to ensure that professionals working with deaf-blind people receive specialist training;

  (2) what steps he intends to take to monitor the response of local social services departments to the social services inspectorate report, "Signposts";

  (3) what action he intends to take to encourage local social services departments to implement the recommendations of the social services inspectorate report, "Signposts".

  Mr. Dorrell
  It is the responsibility of health authorities and local authorities to make arrangements for the
  405
  training of professional staff. In 1991–92 the specific grant to local authorities for training social services staff will be extended to include staff who work with people who have physical, sensory or mental handicaps and will be increased to support expenditure of £35·5 million.

  The recommendations in the report, "Signposts", were discussed at a seminar with directors of social services in October 1989. The seminar, which was co-hosted by the Department of Health, the Association of Directors of Social Services and a number of voluntary organisations, was aimed at promoting models of good practice in the delivery of services for deaf-blind people.

  Local authorities will be expected to include in their community care plans services for people with multiple disabilities, including those with a multiple sensory disability. Such community care plans will be open to public inspection. We expect the social services inspectorate will play an active part in inspecting the plans and monitoring performance.

  Camelford Pollution (Research)
  Dr. Bray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether his inquiry under the chairmanship of Dame Barbara Clayton will consider epidemiological evidence from the research carried out by Surrey university funded by the Natural Environment Research Council.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The Lowermoor incident health advisory group considered evidence from the university of Surrey when originally investigating the Lowermoor incident.

  The reconvened group has been asked to advise on any recent studies into the health of the population at Camelford.

  Dr. Bray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether his Department will fund the research into the long-term effects of the pollution of the water supply in Camelford, Cornwall, previously funded by the Natural Environment Research Council.

  Mr. Dorrell
  I have asked the Lowermoor incident health advisory group to advise me on the recent studies of the health of people in the Camelford area. I will be guided by it on the need, if any, for further research.

  Health Visiting, Greenwich
  Mr. Cartwright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Woolwich on 29 June,Official Report, column 369, when the nursing officer from his Department visited Greenwich health authority; and who was present at the meeting.

  Mr. Dorrell
  A nursing officer from the Department visited Greenwich health authority on 13 June and held an informal meeting with the then chief nursing adviser/ director of training (acting) and the director of community nursing (acting).

  Second Sensory Impairments
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance is given to local health authorities to ensure that people who are deaf or blind are adequately monitored for the development of a second sensory impairment.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The Department of Health does not issue guidance to health authorities on such clinical procedures.

  Deaf People (Eye Tests)
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will consider allowing free eye tests for deaf people, given the problems of dual sensory impairment.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Government recognise the vital importance of sight to deaf people, especially where they also have visual problems. All children (including deaf children) are already entitled to free sight tests under the NHS, as are full-time students under 19, people on low incomes, people with exceptionally powerful lenses, diabetics, glaucoma sufferers and their relatives aged over 40, and people referred by their GP to the hospital eye service. These categories were decided on in the light of medical advice.

  We shall consider carefully the views on this matter which were recently put to officials by a member of the Social Services Select Committee.

  Whittington Hospital
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals he has received to convert the Whittington hospital into a self-governing trust; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  I am not aware of any proposals for the Whittington hospital to apply to become an NHS trust.

  London Ambulance Service
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the cost of the new central computer at the London ambulance service; to whom the contract was let; and what is its expected period of operation.

  Mr. Dorrell
  A contract was let in 1987 with International Aeradio Ltd. to provide a computer-aided despatch system, in the sum of £3,293,620. The date for operation was scheduled for January 1991, but this is currently under review.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what load testing has been undertaken on the London ambulance service central control system; when this was done; and if he will publish the results.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Load tests were undertaken on the central control system on 26 June and 13 September 1990. The results did not meet the standards set down in the user specification in either test. We do not intend to publish the results.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the number of patients who have been regraded from chair to walking by the London ambulance service in the months of April, May, June, July, August and September.

  Mr. Dorrell
  No patients have been reclassified from chair to walking. The London ambulance service accepts the classification given by the ordering authority unless the crew finds that a patient requires further assistance and needs to be regraded from walking to chair case. The reverse situation is never applied.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the total number of non-urgent patients whose transport has been cancelled by the London ambulance service per week in June, July, August and September.
  407
  Mr. Dorrell
  Data are not collected in the form requested but monthly figures for the non-emergency service are available as follows:

  Patient journeys cancelled per month

  June

  4,197

  July

  4,329

  August

  4,825

  September

  7,372

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the cost of the central ambulance control of the London ambulance service for each year since 1989 in constant terms.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The available figures are as follows:

  £000 (cash)

  1989–90 outturn

  2,569

  1990–91 budget

  2,823

  It is not possible to convert the 1989–90 figures to 1990–91 prices as general inflation outturn for 1990–91 is not yet known.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the total number of non-emergency patients carried by the London ambulance service in(a) emergency vehicles, (b) taxis, (c) non-emergency ambulances and (d) the hospital car service for the months of April, May, June, July, August and September.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The information is as follows:

  Patient Journeys

  (a) Emergency ambulance

  (b) Taxi

  (c) Non-emergency ambulance

  (d) Ambulance car service

  April

  5,270

  6,591

  64,039

  13,894

  May

  5,463

  10,929

  71,939

  14,020

  June

  4,302

  11,611

  72,077

  14,892

  July

  4,615

  12,285

  74,070

  14,097

  August

  5,101

  9,728

  67,415

  13,549

  September

  4,887

  10,559

  61,071

  14,785

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what involvement the National Audit Office has had in the installation and funding of the London ambulance service central control computer.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The National Audit Office has had no involvement in the installation and funding of the London ambulance service central control computer.

  Legionella
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will institute a study into the dangers to employee and public health arising from legionella in power station cooling towers.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Legionella bacteria are naturally occurring organisms widely distributed in the environment and from time to time are known to exist in power station cooling towers. There have however been no documented outbreaks anywhere in the world of legionnaire's disease among employees or the general public, associated with 408
  large natural updraft cooling towers such as those used in power stations. Neither has the public health laboratory service found any such association in its outbreak investigations. Research is under way to determine whether or not the absence of any outbreaks of legionnaire's disease can be attributed to the relative isolation of power station cooling towers; or whether some design feature of these towers renders them unable or less likely to disperse legionella in an aerosol form that can be ingested and cause legionnaire's disease. The Department is keeping in close touch with this research.

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether those hospitals, units or whole health districts which are granted self-governing trust status will be eligible for regional health authority development funds.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  No. NHS trusts will receive funding through contracts for the services they provide. In addition they will be able to borrow within external financing limits, which will be set for each trust annually.

  Electoral Statistics
  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will arrange for the numbers of registered overseas voters in each parliamentary constituency to be published in the 1991 edition of the electoral statistics to be produced by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys.

  Mr. Dorrell
  These statistics will be included by the OPCS in "Electoral Statistics 1991" (series EL No. 18) to be published next year, a copy of which will be placed in the Library.

  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the number of people on the electoral roll for England and Wales in 1989 and 1990.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The total numbers of parliamentary electors on registers in England and Wales in 1989 and 1990 were 38,560,541 and 38,596,117 respectively. Corresponding figures for each constituency have been published by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys in "Electoral Statistics 1990" (series EL No. 17), a copy of which is in the Library.

  NHS Campaigns
  Mr. Riddick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much(a) his Department and (b) the national health service spent in the last year for which figures are available on marketing (i) the national health service itself, (ii) health education campaigns, (iii) healthy eating campaigns and (iv) AIDS campaigns.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Expenditure figures for 1989–90 on public information campaigns, in the four areas requested, run by the Department are as follows:

  £ million

  National Health Service

  0·356

  Health Education (Drug Misuse)

  3·808

  Healthy Eating (Food Hygiene)

  0·373

  AIDS

  1·493

  The Department also funds the Health Education Authority whose total expenditure in 1989–90 was just

  409
  over £27 million. A large proportion of this money was spent on healthy eating and AIDS health education campaigns.

  Health authorities have to date reported spending of over £13·25 million in 1989–90 on local HIV prevention initiatives. They also ran other local health education campaigns, but the financial details of these are not held centrally.

  Psychiatric Services
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what sum is currently transferred from Mersey region to Wirral for psychiatric services; and if this sum could be divided between acute services and community support services.

  Mr. Dorrell
  We do not hold this information centrally. The hon. Member may wish to contact the chairman of the Mersey regional health authority.

  Ondansetron
  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether all patients receiving chemotherapy cancer treatment at a self-governing trust hospital or a directly managed hospital will have the drug Ondansetron available to them if it is prescribed by the senior medical doctor in charge of their treatment.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Ondansetron is available for prescription by doctors throughout the national health service for the treatment of nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy for cancer. Some hospitals, however, have drawn up formularies of preferred treatments for many conditions from which the doctors involved would usually prescribe.

  HIV
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much is planned to be spent in the HIV budget in the Wirral during the current year.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Of the £3,602,000 allocated this year to Mersey regional health authority for HIV-related services, I understand that the region has allocated £269,000 to the Wirral health authority.

  Hull Health Authority
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the length of the waiting list of orthopaedic operations by hospital in the Hull health authority area; and what is the number of patients awaiting treatment.

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 19 October 1990]: Information about the number of patients on hospital waiting lists is collected according to the specialty in which treatment will be given and not by the diagnosis or type of operation. The information is available centrally only in terms of the district of treatment, not individual hospitals.

  The number of patients waiting more than a year in trauma and orthopaedics in Hull district health authority has fallen from 343 in March 1979 to 51 in March 1990. In addition, the number of patients treated in this specialty in this district has risen by 35 per cent. between 1979 and 1990 from 2,300 to 3,100. The total waiting list reduced over the same period, from 874 to 452. The total number
  410
  waiting in March 1990 therefore represented on average only eight weeks' work in hand, compared with the 20 weeks' work represented by the total list in March 1979.

  School Milk
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he will make it his policy to provide immediate repayment of moneys spent on the provision of milk for the under-fives for individual schools and nursery units that qualify for free milk under the Welfare Food Regulations 1988; and if this provision is made for private nurseries.

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 19 October 1990]: The Welfare Food Regulations 1988 allow for the provision of free milk for the under-fives in registered day nurseries, local education authority day nurseries and schools, or those in the care of registered child minders. Repayment for the milk provided is made as soon as practicable following the receipt of an application under the regulations.

  The provision covers all registered private nurseries.

DEFENCE

  European Fighter Aircraft
  Mr. Hind
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a further statement on the future of EFA.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The United Kingdom remains committed to the EFA programme. There will be a continuing need to ensure the future air defence of the United Kingdom and British forces wherever they may be located.

  Armed Services (Discipline)
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he intends to review the disciplinary arrangements for members of the armed services.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Such a review has already been carried out in preparation for anticipated legislation on this subject in the forthcoming Session.

  Middle East
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if, during his recent meeting with the United States Defence Secretary in London, he discussed the deployment of chemical and nuclear weapons in the middle east.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  My right hon. Friend discussed a range of current defence issues when he met Mr. Cheney on 15 October.

  Kuwait Invasion
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the additional daily cost per vessel incurred by the extended stationing of Royal Navy ships in the Persian Gulf and/or the Indian Ocean in response to the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Costs are not collected in this way.

  Fuel Air Explosives
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what stocks of fuel air explosives are held by United Kingdom armed forces; and what research is currently being undertaken on such explosives in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The United Kingdom does not hold stocks of fuel air explosives. It is not the practice to provide information on detailed aspects of our research programme.

  Arms Sales Conference
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if his Department has received an invitation to attend or participate in the day-school colloquium "Future of International Arms Sales", organised by the Trust for Research and Education on the Arms Trade, to be held in Liverpool on 17 November.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  No.

  Nuclear Submarines
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will institute an inquiry into the long-term health effects of radiation doses received by civilian fitters who worked on the refit of the nuclear reactors in the Royal Navy submarines HMS Renown, HMS Dreadnought, HMS Churchill and HMS Warspite.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  I see no need for such an inquiry. I refer the hon. Member to my answer to the hon. Member for Clackmannan (Mr. O'Neill) on 19 October,Official Report, column 964.

  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the progress of the refit of HMS Churchill and on her future deployment.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  My right hon. Friend announced in his statement on 25 July 1990 that the Royal Navy would maintain 16 submarines in the longer term, of which around three quarters would be nuclear powered. Following this announcement, the Government have decided to decommission a number of older nuclear-powered submarines, including HMS Churchill. Work on Churchill's refit has therefore stopped.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will institute an inquiry into the levels of radiation exposure received by civilian refit workers in the reactor room of HMS Renown in the early 1970s.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  I see no need to institute such an inquiry. In all submarine refits individual exposure levels have been controlled in accordance with MOD and statutory instructions.

  Royal Ordnance Factory, Chorley
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the cause and consequences of the explosion at the royal ordnance ammunition factory at Chorley on 13 October.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  This is not a matter for the Ministry of Defence.

  Arms Sales
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will obtain a copy for his departmental library of the videocassette and transcript of the BBC2 television programme, "Death on Delivery" on arms sales, broadcast in the "Open Space" series on 3 July.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  No.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what role the Defence Export Services Organisation has played in the sale of weaponry and military equipment to Iraq since May 1979.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  The Defence Export Services Organisation, in all its assistance to industry, has scrupulously followed Government policy as it has developed in relation to military sales to Iraq. Prior to September 1980 all potential exports to Iraq were considered on a case-by-case basis. In September 1980, at the beginning of the Iran-Iraq conflict, all exports of lethal equipment to Iraq were prohibited. This prohibition was further developed in the guidelines announced on 29 October 1985,Official Report, column 450. In conformity with the United Nations resolution, all exports to Iraq, except for some medical and humanitarian exports, are now banned.

  Submarine Patrols
  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether any Royal Navy submarines or North Atlantic Treaty Organisation submarines were on patrol off the Aberdeenshire coast on 4 October.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I assume that the hon. Lady is referring to an incident on 4 October involving the fishing vessel Moray Adventurer. No United Kingdom or NATO submarines were in the vicinity at the time of the incident.

  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps are taken by his Department to advise coastguards, fishermen and harbour-masters of patrols by Royal Navy or North Atlantic Treaty Organisation submarines in fishing waters off the coast of Scotland; and if he will make a statement on the efficiency of such communications.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  For security reasons details of individual submarine movements are not disclosed. The more usual areas in which submarines exercise in United Kingdom waters are, however, clearly marked on Admiralty charts.

  Submarines (Fishing Nets)
  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many incidents have been recorded by his Department of the snagging of nets of fishing vessels by Royal Navy or North Atlantic Treaty Organisation submarines in each of the past five years giving the location of such incidents.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The information requested is as follows:

  Date

  Vessel

  Location

  18 February 1987

  Summer Mourne

  Irish Sea

  26 September 1987

  Heroine

  North Channel

  6 December 1987

  Prevail

  North Channel

  413

  Date

  Vessel

  Location

  27 October 1988

  Brilliant Star

  Sound of Bute

  3 December 1988

  Mount Eden

  North West of Mallin Head

  17 April 1989

  Laurel

  Irish Sea

  28 June 1989

  Huntress

  Firth of Clyde

  12 September 1989

  Contestor

  Irish Sea

  13 November 1989

  Scotia

  Butt of Lewis

  Nuclear Tests
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if scientists from (i) the atomic weapons establishments, (ii) the Blacknest verification centre or (iii) his Department have(a) been given access by the United States Government or weapons development laboratories to data arising from United States nuclear tests in Nevada and (b) been permitted to be present to monitor United States nuclear tests since 1979.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Under the 1958 agreement between the United Kingdom and the United States for co-operation in the uses of atomic energy for mutual defence purposes, such information may be exchanged and joint experiments may be conducted. United Kingdom scientists may be present at the nuclear test site in connection with joint United Kingdom/United States tests for periods of several months.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will set out in the Official Report the proportion of overall costs of the United Kingdom nuclear testing programme that is made up by (a) research, design and development, (b) nuclear testing and (c) deployment and storage.

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

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of nuclear warhead tests conducted by or on behalf of the United Kingdom in Nevada since 1979 were undertaken to check the safety and reliability of the warheads.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Such tests are carried out in order to maintain the effectiveness of the United Kingdom's nuclear weapons capability and it is not our practice to comment on specific aspects.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total radioactive inventory that has been vented to the atmosphere from United Kingdom nuclear explosive tests conducted underground at the Nevada test site since 1963; and whether his Department has conducted any survey on the potential adverse health effects posed by such releases of airborne radioactivity.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The total radioactive inventory released from United Kingdom underground tests at the Nevada test site amounts to less than 100 Curies—3·7 terabecquerels—and consisted of short-lived gaseous isotopes. No releases were of any health or environmental consequence on site or off site.

  Cambodia
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, further to his answer of 18 October,Official Report, column 923, if he will indicate details of the recent exchanges between officials of his Department and Messrs de Normann and Mackenzie Geidt.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The exchanges between officials of my Department and Messrs de Normann and Mackenzie Geidt that followed the Central TV programme "Cambodia—The Betrayal" shown on 9 October related to their concern about allegations made in the media about them and the Ministry of Defence.

  Smoke and Noise Emissions
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how he intends to ensure that the emission of smoke and noise on defence property that might cause a public nuisance will be kept to the minimum necessary to protect the national interest.

  Mr. Tredinnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how he intends to ensure that the emission of smoke and noise on defence property that might cause a public nuisance will be kept to the minimum necessary to protect the national interest.

  Mr. Kenneth Carlisle
  The policy of my Department is to act at all times in an environmentally responsible manner. However, essential activities, such as military training and research, unavoidably result in the emission of smoke and noise, in consequence of which an amendment has been made to the Environmental Protection Bill to exempt such nuisances which occur on defence premises. It is intended that the nuisance caused by smoke and noise will be kept to a minimum and I have placed in the Library a policy statement to this effect which is being circulated within the Department and to visiting forces.

  Community Charge
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the percentage of service personnel in service accommodation in Britain who are liable for community charges(a) below and (b) above the average, as calculated for the purposes of reimbursement.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  [holding answer 22 October 1990]: The totals were (a) 48·2 per cent. and (b) 51·8 per cent.

  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the percentage of service personnel 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.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  [holding answer 22 October 1990]: A total of 33·2 per cent. in 1990–91.

  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the percentage of service personnel in service
  415
  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.
  416
  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  [holding answer 22 October 1990]: A total of 18·7 per cent. in 1990–91.

  CIVIL LEGAL AID: ELIGIBILITY LIMITS
  CIVIL LEGAL AID: ELIGIBILITY LIMITS
  EMERGENCY TELEPHONES ON TRUNK ROADS
  EMERGENCY TELEPHONES ON TRUNK ROADS
  AGRICULTURAL MORTGAGE CORPORATION
  AGRICULTURAL MORTGAGE CORPORATION
  WAR CRIMINALS: PROCEEDINGS IN AUSTRALIA AND CANADA
  WAR CRIMINALS: PROCEEDINGS IN AUSTRALIA AND CANADA
  BUCKLEY HALL YOUNG OFFENDERS INSTITUTION
  BUCKLEY HALL YOUNG OFFENDERS INSTITUTION
  PRISONERS HELD IN POLICE CELLS: DAILY TOTALS JULY/OCTOBER 1990
  PRISONERS HELD IN POLICE CELLS: DAILY TOTALS JULY/OCTOBER 1990
  PRISONERS HELD IN POLICE CELLS AT 1st OCTOBER 1990: BREAKDOWN BY POLICE FORCE
  PRISONERS HELD IN POLICE CELLS AT 1st OCTOBER 1990: BREAKDOWN BY POLICE FORCE
  INDUSTRIAL SECTORS: ENCOURAGEMENT OF SUCCESS
  INDUSTRIAL SECTORS: ENCOURAGEMENT OF SUCCESS
  CAMBODIA: AID
  CAMBODIA: AID
  BRITISH-IRISH INTERPARLIAMENTARY BODY
  BRITISH-IRISH INTERPARLIAMENTARY BODY
  COMMUNITY CHARGE: PROPERTY UNDER REPAIR
  COMMUNITY CHARGE: PROPERTY UNDER REPAIR