Written Answers of 24 April 1991

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Evidence Acts
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will examine the use of the law of evidence Act by local authorities, and give guidelines on the practice of not having officers present in the court on all occasions for which a formal application is made under the Act; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Key
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Evidence Act 1938 and the Civil Evidence Act 1968, to which I assume the hon. Gentleman refers, apply to local authorities in the same way as to everyone else. I am not therefore aware of any evidence of need for such an examination or such guidelines.

  Assault Cases
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Attorney-General whether he plans any changes in the procedures employed in preparing pbhzcution cases in incidents of assault where the victim or the only witness is mentally defective.

  The Attorney-General
  No. I am satisfied that the existing criteria contained in the code for Crown pbhzcutors, together with the internal procedures adopted by the Crown pbhzcution service in reviewing cases, are sufficient to promote considered and proper decisions.

  Judicial Review
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Attorney-General if it is the normal practice for potential beneficiaries from the outcome of cases of judicial review to have to make concurrent applications.

  The Attorney-General
  Potential beneficiaries from the outcome of judicial review may make concurrent applications if they wish to do so. However, in cases involving a number of potential beneficiaries it is not unusual for one of their number to apply for judicial review in order to test the arguments to be advanced.

  Privatisation
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Attorney-General whether any studies have been undertaken by or on behalf of the Lord Chancellor's Department into the privatisation or contractorisation of any services within its responsibilities.

  The Attorney-General
  As required by the "next steps" initiative, the Lord Chancellor's Department considered the options of privatisation and contracting out in relation to the Land Registry and the Public Record Office when considering their suitability for executive agency status. In both cases the most appropriate way forward was found to be the granting of executive agency status. The Land 434
  Registry was established as an executive agency in July 1990 and the Public Record Office will follow in April 1992. The Lord Chancellor's Department has contracted out nearly all basic services such as cleaning and catering and, in addition, has contracted out the Registry of County Court Judgments and the investment manager function of the Public Trust Office.

  Like other Departments, the Lord Chancellor's Department keeps under review the options of privatisation and contractorisation in respect of a wide range of its functions.

ENVIRONMENT

  Property Services Agency
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether, prior to the offer for sale, Property Services Agency services will be structured into two separate businesses;

  (2) if he will make a statement on the progress towards privatisation of Property Services Agency services.

  Sir George Young
  Property Services Agency services were restructured last autumn into two main businesses, one dealing with project management and design and the other with maintenance. This will make it possible for Property Service Agency services to be offered for sale in more than one part, but final decisions on sale have not yet been taken. The businesses continue to make progress in reducing staff and costs in order to become competitive.

  National Rivers Authority
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the National Rivers Authority expects to publish the results of its 1990 national survey.

  Mr. Baldry
  I understand that the NRA intends to publish results this autumn for comparison with those from the 1985 river quality survey.

  Common Dog Whelk
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has on why the common dog whelk has not re-established itself around the Isle of Wight since the banning of tributyl and the reasons for the differential between the island and other areas.

  Mr. Baldry
  The dog whelk is the most sensitive species to TBT contamination. Use of TBT-based paints on yachts until the ban in 1987 caused many populations to decline, especially in areas, such as the south coast, of intense yachting activity. Since the ban, there have been gradual improvements in water quality. However, the dog whelk has only limited ability to disperse and recolonise areas which were heavily impacted. Thus, it is likely to be some time before the Government's monitoring programme is able to demonstrate recovery of this species. There are surviving populations along the south coast of the Isle of Wight, but these have not contributed to any significant extent to the recolonisation of grossly affected areas. This is no different from the situation in other parts of the country where similar conditions prevail.

  Drinking Water Quality
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a comprehensive list of every agreement that has been made with a water company for relaxation of any of the standards in the EC drinking water directive, together with dates by which compliance is required.

  Mr. Baldry
  My right hon. Friend has not entered into any agreements with water companies for the relaxation of standards. He has authorised relaxations of certain standards in certain circumstances under regulation 4 of the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 1989, which implements article 9 of the drinking water directive; and he has accepted undertakings from companies under section 20 of the Water Act 1989 where he was satisfied that the company was taking all appropriate action to secure or facilitate compliance with a particular standard.

  Details of all authorisations and undertakings are available on the public register maintained by water companies. Copies of them are included in the register maintained by the Director General of Water Services and are available in the Library. In most cases compliance must be achieved by not later than 1995.

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish full information about compliance with drinking water quality standards in every water supply zone.

  Mr. Baldry
  Each water company maintains a public register which contains full information for each water supply zone about the results of analysis of all sampling carried out by the company under the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 1989. Individuals are able to obtain copies of register entries from the companies. The first annual report of the drinking water inspectorate, to be published later this year, will summarise the extent to which each water company has complied with the requirements of the regulations in its water supply zones.

  St. John Ambulance Brigade
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what facilities he is making available to staff in his Department to contribute to the appeal that has been launched for people with the name of John to help raise £5 million for the St. John Ambulance Brigade.

  Mr. Heseltine
  My Department is in contact with the St. John Ambulance Brigade and will be giving publicity to the "Over to you, John" appeal through its in-house journal.

  Benzene
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he intends to establish an air pollution monitoring network in the United Kingdom to include the monitoring of benzene levels and other hydrocarbons.

  Mr. Baldry
  My Department has been carrying out limited monitoring of United Kingdom levels of hydrocarbons, including benzene, for several years as part of a programme of research developing the technology for measuring these pollutants.
  436
  As announced in the environment White Paper, the Government aim to expand the existing urban monitoring networks. A first stage of this expansion is to be implemented early next year and will include two additional sites measuring benzene and other hydrocarbons.

  Leeds Development Corporation
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the level of actual expenditure by Leeds development corporation on publicity and promotion in 1988–89, 1989–90, 1990–91, and the proposed level of expenditure in 1991–92; and if he will list the main elements of expenditure under the heading of publicity and promotion.

  Mr. Key
  Leeds development corporation's expenditure on publicity and promotion was £223,000 in 1988–89, £324,000 in 1989–90 and £480,000 in 1990–91. For 1991–92 the proposed level of expenditure is £500,000. The main elements of expenditure under the publicity and promotion heading are marketing of the urban development area and Leeds in general; the marketing of specific sites; publications; exhibitions; and community liaison.

  Audible Bird Scarers
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to publish a revised code of practice relating to the use of audible bird scarers; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  As soon as our work in responding to the recommendations of the noise review working party will allow. The recommendations include three on codes of practice.

  Water Supplies
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what measures his Department has taken to assess the impact of the mild winters on domestic water supplies this summer in Chelmsford; and whether his Department expects any disruption to the supply of water.

  Mr. Baldry
  Such assessments are primarily for the water companies to make in conjunction with the National Rivers Authority, but I understand that in areas affected by shortages, including Chelmsford, companies expect to maintain supplies with selective restrictions on less essential uses until rainfall brings a substantial recovery in resources.

  Standard Spending Assessment Handbook
  Mr. Favell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to make available his Department's publication entitled "The Standard Spending Assessment Handbook 1991–92".

  Mr. Key
  My right hon. Friend has today placed copies of this document in the Library of the House. Copies have also been sent to every local authority in England and to the local authority associations.

  Green Belt
  Mr. Evennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received concerning the development of redundant hospital sites in green belt areas; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Yeo
  [holding answer 23 April 1991]: My Department issued a consultation paper on this subject on 11 March. The closing date for responses is 13 May. To date, 25 responses have been received.

  Mr. Evennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has any plans to introduce a scheme for classifying green belt sites according to their environmental and amenity value.

  Mr. Yeo
  [holding answer 23 April 1991]: No. Such a scheme could imply that some parts of the green belt were less protected than others.

  Council House Sales, Harrogate
  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the total number of council houses sold to tenants of Harrogate borough council.

  Mr. Yeo
  [holding answer 23 April 1991]: A table showing the available information on total sales for each English local authority since 1979–80 was recently placed in the Library. In the case of Harrogate borough council, almost all the reported sales have been to sitting tenants.

  Industrial Sites (Noise)
  Mr. Speller
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what is the maximum level of decibel noise laid down as reasonable for a B1 and B2 classification of an industrial site.

  (2) what categories of industrial site are required to operate at a decibel level not exceeding 30 decibels.

  Mr. Yeo
  [holding answer 23 April 1991]: Industrial sites are not categorised by reference to decibel levels in planning, pollution control, or environmental protection legislation. Planning conditions may impose particular noise limits in individual cases.

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

  Truancy
  Sir Gerard Vaughan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will empower the governing bodies of schools as well as local education authorities to initiate prosecutions in cases of truancy.

  Mr. Fallon
  My right hon. and learned Friend has no plans to do so. Truancy needs to be tackled vigorously. Local education authorities have the power to prosecute the parents of truants, and it is important that they should use that power in appropriate cases.

  Foreign Teachers
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list by local education authority(a) the number of foreign teachers recruited from abroad who are teaching in schools for the latest date he has available and (b) the countries they come from.
  438
  Mr. Fallon
  The information required is not collected centrally. From records held, out of 397,200 teachers in full-time service in local authority-maintained nursery, primary and secondary schools—England and Wales, March 1988—1,300 were trained outside the United Kingdom. Details of the countries in which they were trained are not readily available. The country in which they were trained is not necessarily their country of origin.

  Insurance
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of state for Education and Science what estimates he has on the total cost of insurance premiums and insurance claims made by the education authorities in England in relation to teacher absence for reasons of sickness in 1988, 1989 and 1990; and what information he has as regards the first quarter of 1991.

  Mr. Eggar
  This information is not available centrally.

  School Library Books
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what average amount per pupil has been spent on school library books by Durham education authority each year since 1987.

  Mr. Fallon
  Information on school library books is not collected separately, but is contained within a figure for local education authority spending on text and library books. Figures returned by local education authorities for spending on books need to be treated with caution because of differing local authority practices in classifying spending between books and equipment. The table therefore shows, for each year for which information is available, spending figures for books and equipment together as well as for books separately.

  Durham—Expenditure per pupil

  Year

  Books and Equipment

  Of which Books

  £

  £

  1986–87

  30·68

  9·42

  1987–88

  33·92

  10·27

  1988–89

  44·87

  12·38

  St. Thomas More High School
  Mr. Andrew F. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what discussions there have been between Her Majesty's inspectorate, the Catholic church and Tameside metropolitan borough council about lack of space and facilities for the national curriculum at St. Thomas More high school, Denton.

  Mr. Fallon
  There has been no discussion between Her Majesty's inspectorate and the Salford Roman Catholic diocesan schools commission. There has been discussion between Her Majesty's inspectorate and the school and between the Department and the Salford Roman Catholic diocesan schools commission and Tameside metropolitan borough council.

  School Buildings
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will set out, by local education authority, the level of capital spending on school buildings in 1978–79 and 1984–85, and the latest available years.
  439
  Mr. Fallon
  The readily available information is shown in the table.

  Capital spending by LEAs on school buildings

  (£ million cash)

  LEA

  1978–79

  1984–85

  1988–89

  Barking

  ·5

  2·1

  1·3

  Barnet

  1·4

  ·9

  2·6

  Bexley

  1·3

  2·2

  3·2

  Brent

  1·3

  1·8

  ·6

  Bromley

  ·7

  2·4

  6·6

  Croydon

  ·8

  1·3

  5·0

  Ealing

  1·2

  ·7

  1·6

  Enfleld

  1·6

  ·7

  4·0

  Haringey

  ·9

  1·0

  3·3

  Harrow

  1·3

  ·9

  2·6

  Havering

  ·4

  ·9

  3·4

  Hillingdon

  2·1

  1·4

  7·8

  Hounslow

  2·0

  2·5

  5·5

  Kingston

  ·2

  ·4

  1·7

  Merton

  ·7

  ·9

  2·4

  Newham

  2·5

  4·5

  2·9

  Redbridge

  1·3

  1·8

  4·0

  Richmond

  ·7

  1·2

  ·8

  Sutton

  ·3

  1·3

  3·1

  Waltham Forrest

  1·5

  ·9

  6·4

  ILEA

  12·7

  10·4

  21·3

  Birmingham

  2·8

  8·3

  4·2

  Coventry

  2·3

  1·5

  8·2

  Dudley

  1·5

  4·0

  3·6

  Sandwell

  1·8

  1·3

  ·6

  Solihull

  1·2

  1·1

  2·1

  Walsall

  2·4

  2·1

  2·8

  Wolverhampton

  2·0

  1·0

  1·9

  Knowsley

  ·8

  1·3

  1·2

  Liverpool

  1·9

  1·6

  9·7

  St. Helens

  2·5

  1·4

  1·5

  Sefton

  1·4

  1·2

  1·7

  Wirral

  ·8

  2·2

  4·7

  Bolton

  1·0

  1·3

  2·2

  Bury

  1·8

  ·6

  1·0

  Manchester

  1·1

  5·3

  8·6

  Oldham

  1·0

  1·5

  2·2

  Rochdale

  2·0

  1·2

  2·5

  Salford

  1·9

  1·8

  3·3

  Stockport

  ·8

  ·9

  2·8

  Tameside

  1·2

  1·8

  2·4

  Trafford

  ·4

  ·6

  1·4

  Wigan

  2·4

  1·8

  3·7

  Barnsley

  2·0

  ·1

  1·7

  Doncaster

  1·5

  ·7

  ·8

  Rotherham

  1·6

  1·3

  2·2

  Sheffield

  1·6

  9·1

  9·0

  Bradford

  2·2

  11·2

  10·6

  Calderdale

  1·3

  1·5

  3·3

  Kirklees

  1·9

  4·0

  2·9

  Leeds

  3·9

  5·2

  15·1

  Wakefield

  2·3

  1·3

  5·6

  Gateshead

  1·1

  2·4

  3·0

  Newcastle

  1·4

  1·6

  4·4

  North Tyne

  1·2

  1·3

  2·8

  South Tyne

  1·4

  3·3

  2·5

  Sunderland

  1·4

  2·4

  4·9

  Isles of Scilly

  ·1

  0·0

  n/a

  Avon

  3·0

  4·3

  6·5

  Bedfordshire

  5·7

  2·3

  4·4

  Berkshire

  4·9

  9·0

  n/a

  Buckinghamshire

  4·1

  8·6

  6·3

  Cambridgeshire

  5·9

  6·8

  15·4

  Cheshire

  10·4

  8·3

  21·9

  Cleveland

  3·3

  3·5

  5·1

  Cornwall

  4·3

  3·3

  6·5

  Cumbria

  1·7

  4·0

  5·2

  Derbyshire

  6·1

  8·5

  11·5

  Devon

  4·0

  6·7

  11·3

  Dorset

  3·4

  3·2

  3·5

  Durham

  2·8

  3·2

  3·7

  East Sussex

  2·8

  6·3

  10·2

  Essex

  11·6

  7·1

  n/a

  440

  LEA

  1978–79

  1984–85

  1988–89

  Gloucestershire

  2·9

  4·2

  5·8

  Hampshire

  11·6

  16·1

  24·6

  Hereford and Worcester

  5·1

  2·9

  n/a

  Hertfordshire

  3·1

  8·0

  10·7

  Humberside

  7·7

  6·0

  11·1

  Isle of Wight

  1·2

  ·6

  1·8

  Kent

  9·2

  5·3

  11·4

  Lancashire

  6·1

  5·0

  10·6

  Leicestershire

  4·6

  4·9

  10·2

  Lincolnshire

  3·1

  5·2

  6·7

  Norfolk

  4·9

  4·6

  6·8

  North Yorkshire

  4·5

  8·5

  6·1

  Northamptonshire

  5·3

  4·4

  4·8

  Northumberland

  2·7

  1·3

  1·7

  Nottinghamshire

  5·9

  3·9

  n/a

  Oxfordshire

  1·4

  2·3

  6·1

  Shropshire

  3·5

  2·2

  4·2

  Somerset

  1·8

  2·5

  n/a

  Staffordshire

  8·4

  5·5

  7·7

  Suffolk

  5·1

  4·0

  10·1

  Surrey

  5·1

  9·1

  18·4

  Warwickshire

  2·5

  2·4

  3·3

  West Sussex

  2·2

  5·4

  7·2

  Wiltshire

  1·8

  5·5

  3·7

  Notes:

  1. n/a indicates data not available.

  2. Expenditure is given in cash terms, rounded to the nearest £0·1 million; it includes provision from within the Department of the Environment's urban programme, and covers nursery, primary, secondary and special education.

  Further Education Colleges
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will place in the Library instructions given by his Department in relation to proposed contracts entered into by local education authorities concerning the assets of further education colleges since his statement in March.

  Mr. Eggar
  After my right hon. and learned Friend's statement, an official of the Department wrote to all chief education officers. Copies of this letter have been placed in the Library today. Further guidance will be issued shortly, and will also be placed in the Library.

  Schools (Asbestos)
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether his Department will undertake a survey on the levels of asbestos in schools; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Fallon
  Risk of exposure to asbestos in buildings, including schools and colleges, was reported to be low by a Government working party in 1987. It is for local education authorities and other responsible bodies to judge the need for surveys in schools. In 1986 the Department distributed updated guidance on asbestos in educational establishments, including advice about the circumstances under which a survey might be required.

  Haberdashers' Aske's CTC
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what specific mechanism has been incorporated in paragraph 8(ii) of the funding agreement for the Haberdashers' Aske's city technology college for agreeing the value of the 99-year lease to be granted on the sites to be used for the purposes of the college.
  441
  Mr. Eggar
  Paragraph 8 provides for the value of the lease to be agreed in writing between the Secretary of State and the CTC. after reference to the district valuer, at the time it is granted. If agreement is not reached, the value is to be determined by an expert appointed by agreement between the two parties, or if such agreement is not reached, one appointed by the president of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, the cost of this being borne equally between the two parties.

  Higher Education (Expenditure)
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what the Government have spent(a) per student and (b) per graduate of higher education in each year since 1978–79 in (i) cash terms and (ii) real terms, indexed so that 1978–79 equals 100.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  [holding answer 22 April 1991]: Estimated public funding per student is shown for those higher education students at universities in Great Britain and polytechnics and colleges in England. Data are given for the financial years 1980–81 through to 1988–89. Data on cost per graduate are available from 1981–82 and are for higher education students in universities and polytechnics only for academic years.

  Higher education: public funding per full-lime equivalent student

  Cash

  Real index

  (£)

  1980–81

  3,490

  100

  1981–82

  3,700

  97

  1982–83

  3,960

  97

  1983–84

  4,040

  94

  1984–85

  4,150

  92

  1985–86

  4,240

  89

  1986–87

  4,360

  89

  1987–88

  4,600

  89

  1988–89

  4,840

  87

  Higher education: cost per graduate (first degrees only)

  Cash

  Real index

  (£)

  1981–82

  9,900

  100

  1982–83

  10,300

  98

  1983–84

  11,000

  100

  1984–85

  11,500

  99

  1985–86

  12,100

  99

  1986–87

  12,800

  101

  1987–88

  13,600

  102

  1988–89

  13,800

  96

  The unit public funding figures are calculated by dividing estimated aggregate expenditure by financial year full-time equivalent student numbers.

  The cost per graduate estimates reflect both recurrent and equipment costs. They exclude research and superannuation costs. The figures are necessarily approximate. Account is taken of average course length and the costs associated with those who fail to complete their course successfully. The real-terms indices have been calculated using the gross domestic product deflator.

PRIME MINISTER

  Privatisation
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Prime Minister what was the total sum paid out in fees to outside organisations in the furtherance of privatisation by the Cabinet Office in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his estimate for 1990–91 and budget for 1991–92.

  The Prime Minister
  No expenditure has been incurred by the Cabinet Office on fees to outside organisations in the furtherance of privatisation since 1979–80 and none is planned for 1991–92.

  Senior Civil Servants (Degrees)
  Mr. Page
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will numerate those Under Secretaries who have engineering, science or mathematics degrees; and what percentage that is of the total.

  The Prime Minister
  [pursuant to his reply, 19 February 1991, c. 89]: Information now available records 110 Under Secretaries—22 per cent. of the total—with degrees in one or more of these subjects. Twenty-seven have engineering degrees, 70 have science degrees and 16 have mathematics degrees.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Police Escorts
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration he has given to the costs and other consequences of police escorts for wide and heavily loaded vehicles; if he has considered whether this work can be taken over by public companies and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The Association of Chief Police Officers has recently reviewed the current arrangements for providing police escorts for wide and heavily loaded vehicles. Its report is expected shortly and we shall consider any recommendations which the association may make.

  Marriage Guidance
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he intends to make available additional Government funding for Relate marriage guidance for the financial years 1992 to 1995.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  This is under consideration as part of the current public expenditure survey.

  Public Order Act
  Mr. Nicholls
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answers to the hon. Member for Wolverhampton, North-East (Mrs. Hicks) of 6 February,Official Report, column 141 and to the hon. Member for Teignbridge of 14 February, Official Report, column 547, and to his letter to the hon. Member for Teignbridge of 26 March, when he expects to announce the results of his review of section 39 of the Public Order Act 1986.
  443
  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  We expect to announce our conclusions on section 39 very soon.

  Non-animal Testing
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action his Department is taking to promote non-animal tests for cosmetics.

  Mrs. Angela Rumbold
  Before any project licence is granted, the applicant must show that he or she has considered alternatives not using living animals for any of the procedures. In the particular case of cosmetics, licences are granted only for the safety testing of these substances, generally in order to satisfy national and international regulatory and legal requirements for the protection of the public.

  The Home Office, although not itself responsible for these regulations, will continue to support moves to encourage regulatory bodies to review their requirements so that they do not entail unnecessary testing on living animals.

  In addition, the Home Office funds research into ways of reducing, refining or replacing the use of living animals in scientific procedures. Since the research scheme was established, some 10 projects have been funded, one of which was concerned with refining eye irritancy testing. This project may have particular implications for the safety testing of substances used in cosmetics, as well as many other products.

  Fire Service
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list those stations which the London Fire and Civil Defence Authority proposes to close and remove pump appliances from operational service.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  This is at present wholly a matter for the London fire and civil defence authority. It will not become one for Ministers unless the authority submits proposals for closures of fire stations or reductions in the number of operational firefighters or firefighting appliances in accordance with the terms of section 19 of the Fire Services Act 1947.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will quantify the savings in mobilising time from fire stations in London that are currently being achieved by the CMC mobilising project in the London fire brigade.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  The main objective of the London fire and civil defence authority's central mobilising project was to replace three centres and their outdated equipment with one which, with modern technology, would maintain high standards of emergency response throughout London. I am satisfied that this objective has been met.

  Child Abuse
  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many criminal convictions there have been for offences against children where children were abused by a parent in Blyth Valley and Northumberland in the last two years.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  Except in the case of homicides, no information is collected centrally on convictions of parents 444
  for offences against their children. I understand that for Northumberland police force area there were two homicides of children in 1988 and one in 1989 which resulted in convictions of their parents for manslaughter.

  Probation Service
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what was the average weekly cost per case in report work for magistrates courts by the probation services in England and Wales, including local and central costs in the last year for which records are available;

  (2) what was the total cost to the probation service in England and Wales, including both local and central costs, of report work for magistrates courts in the last year for which records are available; and how many such cases were handled in that year by probation officers.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  No separate information is available on the cost of report work for magistrates courts. The estimated average cost per social inquiry report completed, which includes reports for magistrates courts, in 1988–89 was £210, which the average for other types of report was £860—"Probation Statistics, England and Wales 1989", table 12.3. In 1989, a total of 140,230 social inquiry reports were prepared for magistrates courts, 7,160 domestic inquiries about custody of and access to children, 1,990 conciliation cases and a number of other types of report—tables 9.1, 9.2, 9.3 of "Probation Statistics". The cost estimate was based on information collected in 1977 and will be updated when the results of the 1990 national probation survey are available.

  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average weekly cost per case in the provision of matrimonial supervision work by the probation service in England and Wales, including local and central costs, in the last year for which records are available.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  The readily available information is the annual cost per domestic supervision case, which includes those cases resulting from matrimonial proceedings. In 1988–89 the average estimated cost per case was £610—"Probation Statistics, England and Wales, 1989" table 12.3. The estimate was based on information collected in 1977 and will be updated when the results of the 1990 national probation survey are available.

  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what was the total cost to the probation service in England and Wales, including both local and central costs, of report work for divorce courts in the last year for which records are available; and how many such cases were handled in that year by probation officers;

  (2) what was the average weekly cost per case in the report work for divorce courts by the probation service in England and Wales, including local and central costs, in the last year for which records are available.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  No separate information is available centrally on the weekly or annual costs per case of report work for divorce courts. The costs are included in the estimated average cost per report for domestic reports, bail information means inquiries, inquiries for county courts and reports prepared on court appearance
  445
  for sentence after deferment. In the financial year 1988–89, the estimated cost per report completed was £860—table 12.3 of "Probation Statistics, England and Wales 1989". In 1989, the probation service dealt with 25,420 domestic inquiries concerning custody of and access to children—table 9.2. The cost estimate was based on information collected in 1977 and will be updated when the results of the 1990 national probation survey are available.

  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total cost to the probation service in England and Wales, including both local and central costs, of matrimonial supervision work in the last year for which records are available; and how many such cases were handled in that year by probation officers.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  The available information is for the average cost per case receiving domestic supervision. In 1988–89 the estimated annual cost per case was £610; the number receiving domestic supervision following matrimonial proceedings was 3,240 in 1989—tables 1.2, 12.3 of "Probation Statistics, England and Wales, 1989". The cost estimate was based on information collected in 1977 and will be updated when the results of the 1990 national probation survey are available.

  Durham Prison
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects slopping out to be discontinued in Her Majesty's prison Elvet, Durham; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Angela Rumbold
  Slopping out is now planned to end at HM prison Durham late in 1994.

  Crime, Blyth Valley
  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what has been the percentage change in the number of crimes in the borough of Blyth Valley for 1990–91;

  (2) how many car thefts were reported in the borough of Blyth Valley in the last three years.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  The information requested is not collated centrally for the borough of Blyth Valley.

  Deportation
  Mr. Cohen
  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 how many copies of form IM3A are distributed in each year by officers to persons stopped by them while on patrol and as to his policy on the issuing of each form to persons not guilty of any offence.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I understand from the Commissioner that he is not aware of any instances of such forms being distributed to persons stopped by officers on patrol.

  Form IM3—notice as regards liability to deportation—and form IM3A—acknowledgement of receipt of form IM3—are normally served on persons who are not British citizens, at the police station and following charging with an imprisonable offence.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many nationals from middle east 446
  countries issued with notices of intention to deport on national security grounds between November 1990 and January 1991 and who were removed from the United Kingdom following the making of a deportation order against them were so removed on or after 16 January.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  None.

  Burglaries, Leyton
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many burglaries there were in Leyton in each of the last three years; and what percentage those were of all reported crimes in the area.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  The information available centrally is for Waltham Forest and is given in the table. Tables giving numbers of offences recorded by the police in each borough of the Metropolitan police district are placed in the Library quarterly.

  Notifiable offences recorded by the police in the Waltham Forest district of the Metroplitan police district

  Year

  Number of offences of burglary

  Percentage of all recorded offences

  1988

  3,601

  20

  1989

  4,352

  22

  1990

  4,813

  23

  Bail
  Mr. Shersby
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will undertake a survey to determine the extent to which persons, who have been charged with an offence and subsequently released on bail, commit further offences prior to their cases being finalised by the courts.

  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  We have no plans to undertake a national survey of this kind. A number of police forces have made studies of crimes alleged to have been committed by people on bail.

  Drug-related Offences
  Ms. Abbott
  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 outlining the standing policy of the Stoke Newington division in policing drug abuse and drug dealing in its area; and what assessment has been made of the effectiveness of the policy.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that the Stoke Newington division pursues an active multi-agency approach to drug abuse and drug dealing. The arrest of drug dealers was one of the main objectives for the division in 1990, and remains a priority for 1991. The division liaises with the local authority, commercial concerns and community groups.

  This approach has resulted in the arrest of 120 persons for dealing in drugs during 1990, and there are indications of a slow but steady reduction in the number of peopie to be seen dealing in drugs on the streets. There have also been many drug seizures, including a particularly significant seizure of 240 kg of cannabis.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Leighton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what studies the Government have(a) made and (b) published concerning asylum seekers in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  From time to time, and particularly in the context of their present review of asylum arrangements, the Government have made internal assessments of relevant issues. Published material on asylum seekers includes an annual Home Office statistical bulletin, most recently "Refugee Statistics, United Kingdom, 1989", issue 22/90, published last July, and specific chapters in the annual reports of the immigration and nationality department.

  Mauritius
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department ( 1 ) how many(a) men and (b) women have been allowed entry into the United Kingdom from Mauritius in each of the last five years;

  (2) how many students from Mauritius have been allowed entry into the United Kingdom in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The available information is given in the table:

  Numbers of Mauritian citizens admitted to the United Kingdom, 1986 to 1990

  Year

  Total

  Students

  1986

  17,600

  350

  1987

  20,100

  440

  1988

  20,000

  510

  1989

  21,700

  570

  1990

  23,100

  690

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people from the island of Mauritius have been allowed the right of residence in the United Kingdom in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  The number of Mauritian citizens accepted for settlement in the United Kingdom between 1986 and 1990 is given in the table.

  Mauritian citizens accepted for settlement in the United Kingdom, 1986–90

  Year

  Numbers

  1986

  270

  1987

  300

  1988

  280

  1989

  220

  1990

  320

  Animal Welfare
  Mr. Wiggin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance he gives to local authorities regarding the department in which the official with responsibility for animal welfare should be stationed; and what information he keeps on the number and location of those officials.

  Mrs. Rumbold
  Local authorities have a number of officers with responsibilities for animal welfare who, in turn, have links with a number of Government 448
  Departments. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary does not issue guidance about how local authorities should allocate duties to their staff; nor is any central record held of the number or location of the staff concerned.

TRANSPORT

  European Community Transport Council
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the outcome of the meeting of the European Community Transport Council on 27 March.

  Mr. Rifkind
  I attended the Council which made useful progress and prepared the ground for decisions on a variety of issues at the forthcoming Council on June 20 and 21.

  On railways, Ministers reached broad agreement on greater autonomy from government for national railway undertakings, financial restructuring of those undertakings, public service obligations and the desirability of separate accounting for operations and for infrastructure. A range of views was also expressed on Commission proposals for access to railway networks by new operators for both domestic and international services. The presidency invited the committee of permanent representatives—COREPER—to consider the issues further in the light of the discussion with the aim of revised proposals being brought before the June Council.

  In aviation, the Council adopted a measure which will enable quick action to be taken against air carriers engaging in predatory activity. This safeguard is a vital complement to the liberalised single market being developed in the Community.

  In the course of a discussion about the effect of Gulf hostilities on air carriers, the Commission undertook to present to the Council a report on state aids. The Commission reported that negotiations on air services arrangements with Norway and Sweden had ended successfully and that a draft agreement would be presented to the Council shortly. The Council considered whether the air cargo regulation adopted at its previous meeting should be extended to additional carriers, and concluded that further work was needed.

  The negotiations on alpine transit being conducted by the Commission with third countries on behalf of member states were discussed at length and included a lunchtime session with the Swiss and Austrian Ministers. It was concluded that the talks should continue along the lines of the existing mandate. The Commission was given additional flexibility to pursue, with Austria, the possibility of a system which would limit total gaseous emissions from transit vehicles and, with Switzerland, the possibility of exemptions from the Swiss 28-tonne limit for HGVs.

  Turning to road safety, an agreement in principle emerged on roadworthiness testing for cars, but consideration was postponed until June. The Commission urged on member states the benefits to be gained from further safety measures, and stated that it would analyse the recently published Gerondeau report on road safety to see what scope there was for proposals to be made. Several member states stressed the importance of the Council giving careful consideration to the report. The presidency undertook to produce a draft resolution on the report for consideration in June. Talks on the Community driving

  449
  licence centred on the introduction of the new format in certain member states and provision for the testing of motor cyclists; the proposed second directive was referred back to COREPER for technical points to be further considered in preparation for a decision in June.

  Finally, on a general note, the Transport Commissioner, Mr. Van Miert, said that he intended to draw up a white paper, setting out the Commission's broad approach to future Community transport policy, for discussion at a forthcoming Council.

  Road Safety
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will set out the arguments on which Her Majesty's Government have based their view that article 75 of the treaty of Rome empowers the Council of Ministers to legislate on road safety matters;

  (2) when Her Majesty's Government came to the view that article 75 of the treaty of Rome empowered the Council of Ministers to legislate on road safety matters.

  Mr. Chope
  The Government have always recognised that there is doubt whether a successful legal challenge could be brought against a Community measure on road safety based on article 75 of the treaty. The arguments on competence were most recently set out during the Standing Committee debate on 13 March 1991 in EC documents 9228/88 and 10333/90 on the compulsory use of seat belts.

  MV Polly Anna
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action he has taken in response to the complaint made to his Department by Mr. S. Norman in January concerning the infringement of safety standards relating to the MV Polly Anna; what information he has on the whereabouts of the MV Polly Anna; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  Following the complaint in December 1990, my Department placed the Polly Anna, which is not a UK-registered vessel, on the watchlist for inspection if it returned to the UK. However, in Janauary the vessel was detained by the Gibraltar authorities because of its general condition, the condition of its equipment and its lack of proper certification.

  The vessel broke the detention order by sailing from Gibraltar on 26 January. She was immediately placed on the watchlists of all other administrations which are signatories of the memorandum of understanding on port state control. It is now understood that shortly after this the vessel was detained in Greece, and abandoned by its crew. My Department has sought further details from the Greek authorities.

  Stansted Airport Rail Link
  Mr. Wells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the projected rate of return on British Rail's Stansted airport link investment; and what is the rate of return(a) so far achieved and (b) estimated for the current year.

  Mr. Freeman
  The projected rate of return on investment when the Stansted express was approved was 7 per cent. The Stansted express has been operational for 450
  only one month so it is too early to comment on its performance so far or provide estimates for the current year.

  Speed Limiters
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has as to which foreign countries require speed limiters to be fitted to cars.

  Mr. Chope
  I am not aware of any country which requires speed limiters to be fitted to cars.

  A1, Northumberland
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has any further plans for improvements to the Al in Northumberland.

  Mr. Chope
  Initial investigations by the joint A 1 steering group identified a number of low-cost safety schemes for the route in Northumberland which have now been included in the regional programme. Any further proposals must await the final report of the steering group.

  Channel Tunnel
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when direct passenger trains will start to run through the channel tunnel(a) from London to Paris, (b) from Leeds to Paris and (c) from Edinburgh to Paris.

  Mr. Freeman
  Day services from London to Paris will commence when the tunnel opens. Negotiations are continuing between British Rail and the manufacturers to overcome technical difficulties relating to the day trains for direct services from cities north of London. No timetable for the delivery of these trains has yet been agreed, but they are unlikely to enter service before 1994. British Rail still plans to run night services both from London and direct from cities north of London when the tunnel opens.

  Chelmsford Roads
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures his Department is taking to tidy up litter along the Al2 Chelmsford bypass and other roads in the parliamentary constituency of Chelmsford which come under his Department's responsibilities; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chope
  As from 1 April 1991, the responsibility for clearance of litter from trunk roads was passed to the district and borough councils under the terms of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on progress on the widening of the Al 2 Chelmsford bypass; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Chope
  We hope to let a design commission this summer and announce our preferred option in 1993.

  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the progress on the building of the proposed M12 from the M25 to Chelmsford.

  Mr. Chope
  Design consultants were appointed at the end of 1990. The target for announcement of a preferred route is 1993.

  Smoke Hoods (Aircraft)
  Mr. Dunn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has yet reached a view on the mandatory provision of smoke hoods in aircraft; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Rifkind
  The CAA is today publishing a report on "Improving Passenger Survivability in Aircraft Fires—a Review" (CAP 586). In that document it reports its view that after a prolonged investigation of this matter, it believes that the compulsory provision of smokehoods would on balance not be in the interests of safety.

  I have noted that the majority of expert opinion including the aviation safety authorities of other countries who have looked into this matter, share the CAA's conclusion. However, other views have been expressed and I welcome the CAA's assurance that it will keep under review all technological developments both in smoke-hoods and other survival techniques.

  Transpennine Road
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to publish the consultant's report on the transpennine road crossing.

  Mr. Chope
  [holding answer 23 April 1991]: We expect to receive the final report shortly. We shall make an announcement after assessing its findings and recommendations.

EMPLOYMENT

  Docks (Accidents)
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give the number of accidents and injuries reported to the Health and Safety Executive in each of the former national dock labour scheme ports in each year since 1979 by port.

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

  Training and Enterprise Councils
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what criteria were used in training and enterprise councils making application for a share of the extra £120 million awarded to the employment training programme; what criteria were used by the Training, Enterprise and Education Directorate in distributing the funds; and whether any training and enterprise councils have complained to the regional director about the amount they have received.

  Mr. Jackson
  The additional £120 million for employment training in the current financial year was made available to allow ET to make the same contribution to assisting the long-term unemployed as had been expected when original budgets were allocated to training and enterprise councils in November 1990.

  Additions to ET budgets were agreed with TECs to help ensure that the Government's guarantee of an offer of an opportunity to 18 to 24-year-olds unemployed between six and 12 months and the Government's aim of an offer of an
  452
  opportunity to 18 to 49-year-olds unemployed for two years or longer were met. Additional resources were also allocated to enable TECs to assist other long-term unemployed people, especially those with special training needs. TECs have welcomed these additions to their ET budgets.

  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what proportion of the extra funds awarded to the employment training programme has been specifically targeted by training and enterprise councils to enhance the unit price of training for people with disabilities and learning difficulties; and if he will give an analysis of where the £120 million was distributed by TECs.

  Mr. Jackson
  It is not possible to identify separately the proportion of the additional £120 millions made available for employment training in the current financial year which has been targeted by training and enterprise councils on provision for people with disabilities and learning difficulties. The extra money has been incorporated in TEC business plans which are commercially confidential.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Middle East
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he now proposes to take to promote arms control in the middle east; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hurd
  We want to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and the missiles used to deliver them. We will work through the nuclear suppliers group, the Australia group and the missile technology control regime to choke off the supply of the materials, components and technology needed to manufacture such weapons.

  We will also pursue a more responsible approach internationally to conventional weapons transfers, including through a UN register of arms transfers to monitor the scale of arms build-up in any country.

  Mr. Archer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on recent efforts by Her Majesty's Government to promote the peace process in the middle east.

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made by Her Majesty's Government towards the convening of an international conference on the middle east.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made since the end of the Gulf war towards a comprehensive peace settlement in the middle east.

  Mr. Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the current stage of the middle east peace process.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Since the end of the Gulf conflict the United States Secretary of State has launched a new
  453
  initiative aimed at starting peace negotiations between Israel and her neighbours, including the Palestinians. He has visited the area three times. We support his efforts to secure agreement from the parties to attend a regional conference, and are encouraging them to do so. Our European partners are in agreement with this approach. We still think it likely that an international conference under United Nations auspices will be needed at a later stage.

  Kuwait
  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the authorities in Kuwait about the treatment of Palestinians in that country since the end of the Gulf war.

  Mr. Hurd
  I expressed concern to Kuwaiti Ministers, even before the liberation of Kuwait, that the rule of law should be re-established as quickly as possible after the Government's return. My right hon. Friends the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Defence both raised the treatment of Palestinians during their visits to Kuwait soon after liberation. Our ambassador has reinforced this message. I expect to visit Kuwait myself very soon.

  British Hostages
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will indicate what recent action has been taken to obtain the return of the hostages in the Lebanon.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We continue to make every effort in our contacts with the Iranian authorities, who we believe to have a decisive influence, to secure the release of the hostages. We have also contacted other countries, and the EC troika, to reinforce the point in their own dealings with Iran.

  Most recently, my right hon. Friend the Minis ter for Overseas Development raised the matter with the Iranian Foreign Minister on 20 April.

  Moscow Human Rights Conference
  Mr. Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether it is Her Majesty's Government's intention to attend the human rights conference in Moscow in September.

  Mr. Hurd
  We shall decide somewhat later.

  South Africa
  Mr. John Carlisle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he intends to meet the new South African ambassador.

  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has any plans to visit South Africa to discuss recent political developments; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hurd
  I met Mr. Kent Durr, the new South African ambassador, on 18 April. I hope to visit South Africa in the summer.

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to ensure the implementation of the United Nations declaration on South Africa, adopted in December 1989.
  454
  Mr. Robert Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to ensure implementation of the United Nations declaration on South Africa, adopted by the 16th special session of the general assembly in December 1989.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to ensure implementation of the United Nations declaration on South Africa adopted in December 1989.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  We continue to encourage all sides in South Africa to maintain progress towards the aims set out in the United Nations declaration—the end of apartheid and the adoption of a non-racial democratic constitution arrived at by peaceful means through negotiation.

  Ms. Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to ensure the implementation of the United Nations declaration on South Africa adopted at the 14th special session in December 1989.

  Mrs. Chalker
  We continue to encourage all sides in South Africa to maintain progress towards the aims set out in the United Nations declaration—the end of apartheid and the adoption of a non-racial democratic constitution arrived at by peaceful means through negotiation.

  Lithuania
  Mr. Andrew Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on recent developments in connection with Lithuania.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We were encouraged by the news that negotiations took place between Lithuanian and Soviet authorities on 4 April. We shall continue to urge both sides to negotiate constructively to reach a solution acceptable to both sides.

  EC Legislative Competence
  Mr. Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will ask the European Commission to make a declaration of the areas of legislative competence over which the EC will choose not to claim competence; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  Areas of Community competence are defined by the Community treaties, as interpreted by the European Court of Justice. The extent of Community competence is one of the questions under discussion in the intergovernmental conference on political union. But my hon. Friend will not be surprised to hear that Her Majesty's Government are not convinced of the need for any significant extension of Community competence.

  Poland
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has any plans to send medical aid to Poland; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We have already done so, together with European Community partners. The EC provided £2·8 million of medical aid in 1990. The United Kingdom
  455
  share was about 18 per cent. The EC has received no further requests for medical aid from the Polish Government.

  Our bilateral health co-operation agreement with Poland promotes wide-ranging medical contacts. We have also supported several medical training projects under the know-how fund.

  Vietnam and Cambodia
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last discussed Vietnam or Cambodia with the American Secretary of State.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary discussed Cambodia with Mr. Baker in New York in September 1990 and the Vietnamese boat people issue in Washington on 28 February. Indo-China issues are regularly discussed with the Americans at senior official level.

  Syria
  Mr. Madel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on United Kingdom relations with Syria.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Since resumption of relations, the Syrian Foreign Minister visited London in February and last month I met President Assad in Damascus. Syria has an important role to play in regional security and the peace process.

  The Gulf
  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a further statement on how many countries have made contributions in cash or in kind to the United Kingdom's military and logistical effort in the Gulf.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Cash contributions promised so far include about £660 million from Kuwait, £565 million from Saudi Arabia, £275 million from Germany, £250 million from UAE, £183 million from Japan, £15 million from Belgium, £15 million from Hong Kong and £8 million from Denmark. We have also received assistance in kind worth about £250 million from some 16 countries.

  Yugoslavia
  Mr. Roger King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last visited Yugoslavia.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has not yet visited Yugoslavia. I visited Belgrade and Zaghreb on 25 to 28 February.

  Human Rights
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reaction was given by the United Nations committee on human rights to the presentation of the United Kingdom's third periodic report on 1 and 2 April; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  The human rights committee considered the United Kingdom's report at six public 456
  meetings on 1 to 3 April. There was a detailed and constructive dialogue. While individual members of the committee expressed a number of specific concerns, there was general satisfaction with the report and the manner in which the dialogue took place.

  Political Union
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the United Kingdom's proposed definition of subsidiarity in the context of the intergovernmental conference on political union.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  We should like to see a clear definition of subsidiarity in the treaty, as a general provision covering all areas of Community activity. The definition would clarify the division of responsibilities between member states and the Community. It should make clear that action should be taken at the Community level only when the objective in question cannot be satisfactorily achieved at member state level.

  Nicaragua
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last visited Nicaragua.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  I visited Nicaragua from 18 to 20 March, mainly to attend the seventh annual "San Jose" meeting between Foreign Ministers of the Twelve, central America, Mexico, Colombia and Venezuela. This was a successful meeting, which discussed a wide range of political and economic issues. I also had a brief bilateral programme in Nicaragua, including a meeting with the Foreign Minister and the signing of an agreement allowing the Commonwealth Development Corporation to operate in Nicaragua.

  Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty
  Mr. Cartwright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on progress in the implementation of the conventional forces in Europe treaty.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We and our NATO partners are continuing to press the Soviet Union to ensure the full and early implementation of the conventional forces in Europe treaty.

  United States of America
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next expects to meet the President of the United States and Secretary Baker to discuss United Kingdom/USA relations.

  Mr. Garel-Jones
  My right hon. Friend is regularly in touch with Secretary Baker. He expects to meet him and President Bush again next month.

  Sudan
  Mr. Allen McKay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps are being taken to persuade the Sudanese Government to allow human rights and freedom of worship to prevail in Sudan.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We take every opportunity to impress on the present Government of Sudan the need for
  457
  all the people of Sudan to enjoy a full range of human rights. My right hon. Friend the Minister for Overseas Development last did so on 18 April when she saw the country's Finance Minister. Regrettably, none of the representations made to the Sudanese authorities have so far borne fruit. Sudan's record on human rights remains deplorable.

  Iraq
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 17 April, why at the meeting between General Schwarzkopf and the Iraqi military authorities no consideration was given to placing of limitations on the use of helicopters.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The Iraqi use of helicopters was considered at the meeting between General Schwarzkopf and the Iraqi military authorities on 3 March on the suspension of hostilities. No limitation was placed on their use.

  Palestine Liberation Organisation
  Mr. Latham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on the meeting between Her Majesty's ambassador in Tunis and a representative of the Palestine Liberation Organisation. Mr. Hakam Balawi; and

  Closures of local authority homes for the elderly

  Authority

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  Total

  Borders

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  1

  2

  Central

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Dumfries and Galloway

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Fife

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  3

  Grampian

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  2

  Highland

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  2

  Lothian

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  1

  0

  0

  3

  Strathclyde

  0

  0

  3

  2

  0

  0

  1

  0

  2

  4

  12

  Tayside

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  2

  Orkney

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Shetland

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Western Isles

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Scotland

  1

  0

  4

  3

  1

  1

  4

  1

  3

  8

  26

  In addition 56 new local authority homes were opened, giving a net increase of 30.

  Underspends
  Mr. Sillars
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which Departments under his responsibility will have an underspend of over £500,000 in the past finacial year.

  Mr. Lang
  Wholly reliable estimates of outturn for 1990–91 are not yet available. The best estimates currently available are published in the "Summary and Guide to the 1991–92 Supply Estimates"—Cm. 1454—and the estimates themselves.

  Provisional outturn for 1990–91 on cash-limited expenditure will be reported to Parliament through a White Paper as soon as possible. Details of outturn on non-cash limited voted expenditure will be available in the appropriation accounts in the normal way.
  458
  whether the ambassador conveyed to Mr. Balawi Her Majesty's Government's expressed concern at the support given to Saddam Hussein throughout the Gulf war by the Palestine Liberation Organisation.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Her Majesty's ambassador in Tunis has frequent meetings with PLO officials, including Hakam Balawi, whom he last saw on 15 April. He has made quite clear to the PLO our strong disapproval of its equivocal policy on the Gulf crisis.

SCOTLAND

  Homes for the Elderly
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list, for each local authority, the number of homes they run for the elderly which have(a) closed and (b) transferred out of the local authority sector, in each of the last 10 years.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Information in precisely the form requested is not held centrally. However, I am aware of one home which has transferred from local authority ownership and information on the closure of homes derived from a comparison of local authority returns is set out in the table.

  Departmental Service
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will commission a survey of customer satisfaction with the Scottish Office on the same basis as that recently conducted for East Lothian district council; and if he will make a statement on public perceptions of the quality of service provided by his Department.

  Mr. Lang
  No.

  Nuclear Fuel
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his policy for the storage of used fuel from nuclear installations in Scotland after 1993.

  Mr. Allan Stewart
  Questions about operational aspects of nuclear installations in Scotland, such as spent fuel storage, are a matter for the operators concerned. Scottish Nuclear Ltd. has recently put forward proposals for the long-term storage of spent fuel at both Hunterston and Torness; these proposals are currently being evaluated.

  Renewable Energy
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the sources of separate expenditures on renewable energy programmes in or for Scotland in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Allan Stewart
  Government support for programmes of research and development into renewable energy sources is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Energy.

  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list his Department's current and planned renewable energy programmes in Scotland by type, cost, site location and capacity.

  Mr. Allan Stewart
  These programmes are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Energy.

  Teachers
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimates or figures he has on the total cost of the insurance premiums paid and the claims made by education authorities in Scotland in relation to teacher absence through sickness in 1988, 1989 and 1990.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I understand that no education authority in Scotland has taken out insurance for this purpose.

  Schools
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list for each year since 1980 the number of children in each local authority region in Scotland transferred from special schools to mainstream schools, expressing this(a) as a proportion of the special school population in each region and (b) as a proportion of children in each region.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The information requested is not held centrally.

  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many primary school boards within the Paisley, South constituency have communicated with him directly on the subject of national testing; how many indicated opposition to his proposals; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Two school boards have written letters recounting parental concern expressed at public meetings.

  Unemployed Young People, Renfrew
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many young people under 18 years there are in Renfrew district who are not employed and have not had a youth training opportunity offered to them.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Sixty.

  Community Care
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has any plans to bring community care currently undertaken by social work departments within the scope of fund-holding general practitioner practices.
  460
  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  General practitioners already play a major part in supporting community care services. I shall be giving further consideration in due course to how fund-holding practices in Scotland might be further involved.

  Trunk Roads
  Sir Hector Monro
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about progress on trunk road schemes during 1990–91 and those proposed to start in 1991–92.

  Mr. Lang
  Details of major scheme starts in 1990–91 and expected scheme starts in 1991–92 are as follows:

  Schemes with an estimated cost of over £1 million started since 1 April 1990

  A74

  Upgrading Millbank—Nether Abington

  A74

  Upgrading Elvanfoot—Paddy's Rickle Bridge

  A74

  Upgrading Kirkpatrick Fleming—Gretna

  M74

  Maryville—West of Fullarton Road (Advance works)

  A96

  Nairn Railway Bridge Replacement

  A75

  Carrutherstown—Hetland

  A77

  Bennane Hill

  A1

  Tower—Dunglass

  These schemes have a total value of £122 million.

  Schemes with an estimated cost of over £1 million expected to start by 31 March 1992

  A74

  Upgrading Nether Abington—Elvanfoot

  M74

  Maryville—West of Fullarton Road

  M8

  St. James Interchange

  A96

  Bucksburn Diversion

  A9

  Greenloaning—Blackford

  A929

  Tarbrax—Forfar

  A94

  Brechin Bypass (Dualling)

  These schemes have a total value in excess of £130 million. I have made a further £4 million available in 1991–92 over the public expenditure provision I announced in November to accommodate the substantial programme.

  In addition, I expect good progress to be made with the route action plans being developed on the A96 Aberdeen-Inverness; the A85 Perth-Dundee; the A7 south of Hawick; and—jointly with the Department of Transport—on the A I Newcastle-Edinburgh routes. I expect to be able to give a more detailed account of the full extent of our proposals for Scottish roads in a policy document to be issued later this year.

  As to completions of major schemes, 10 were completed in 1990–91 and 11 are expected to be completed in 1991–92.

  Haemolytic Anaemia (Kuwait)
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has had from WHO, UNICEF and the Red Cross about alleviating haemolytic anaemia in Kuwait.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 15 April 1991]: There have been no representations from these organisations to my right hon. Friend about haemolytic anaemia in Kuwait. If the hon. Member has a particular concern about this matter, he may wish to write to me about it.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish in the Official Report an analysis for the years 1966–67 to 1990–91, otherwise identical in format to table 2 of "Scottish Local Government Financial

  461
  Statistics: Summary Volume 1975–76 to 1987–88", of rate fund services revenue account but which distinguishes domestic rate revenue from non-domestic rate revenue.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 15 April 1991]: Table I gives figures for 1966–67 to 1974–75. Due to differences in the form of the data collected prior to 1975–76 the format of this table differs slightly from that published in "Scottish

  Table 1

  Summary analysis of rate fund revenue account 1966–67 to 1974–751

  1966–67

  1967–68

  1968–69

  1969–70

  1970–71

  1971–72

  1972–73

  1973–74

  1974–75

  Expenditure (£ million)

  General expenditure

  274

  298

  321

  350

  411

  477

  567

  681

  930

  Loans charges

  96

  107

  125

  152

  168

  177

  199

  256

  325

  Total expenditure

  370

  495

  446

  502

  579

  653

  766

  938

  1,254

  As a percentage of total expenditure (per cent.)

  General expenditure

  74

  74

  72

  70

  71

  73

  74

  73

  74

  Loans charges

  26

  26

  28

  30

  29

  27

  26

  27

  26

  Total expenditure

  100

  100

  100

  100

  100

  100

  100

  100

  100

  Income (£ million)

  Rates2

  149

  151

  163

  177

  198

  227

  240

  267

  304

  of which domestic rates3

  72

  71

  75

  80

  87

  105

  110

  120

  131

  non-domestic rates3

  77

  80

  88

  98

  111

  122

  130

  147

  174

  Government grant RSG (a) Needs element4

  125

  114

  121

  138

  165

  192

  224

  287

  395

  (b) Resources element

  —

  38

  40

  46

  55

  64

  75

  96

  132

  (c) Domestic element

  —

  3

  6

  9

  13

  15

  17

  22

  26

  (d) Specific grants and subsidies

  49

  40

  41

  48

  58

  65

  86

  116

  160

  Total aggregate government grants (a)+(b)+(c)+(d)

  174

  196

  209

  242

  291

  336

  403

  520

  713

  Special domestic rate relief

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  Rate rebate grants2

  —

  —

  1

  1

  2

  2

  2

  2

  10

  Fees and charges

  54

  59

  68

  81

  93

  104

  125

  160

  186

  Total income

  376

  406

  441

  501

  584

  669

  770

  950

  1,215

  Income less expenditure (£ million)

  6

  1

  –5

  –1

  5

  16

  4

  12

  –39

  As a percentage of total income (per cent.)

  Rates2

  39

  37

  37

  35

  34

  34

  31

  28

  25

  of which domestic rates3

  19

  18

  17

  16

  15

  16

  14

  13

  11

  non-domestic rates3

  20

  20

  20

  19

  19

  18

  17

  15

  14

  Government grant RSG (a) Needs element4

  33

  28

  28

  28

  28

  29

  29

  30

  33

  (b) Resources element

  —

  9

  9

  9

  9

  10

  10

  10

  11

  (c) Domestic element

  —

  1

  1

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  (d) Specific grants and subsidies

  13

  10

  9

  10

  10

  10

  11

  12

  13

  Total aggregate government grants (a)+(b)+(c)+(d)

  46

  48

  47

  48

  50

  50

  52

  55

  59

  Special domestic rate relief

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0

  Rate rebate grants2

  —

  —

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Fees and charges

  14

  15

  15

  16

  16

  16

  16

  17

  15

  Total income

  100

  100

  100

  100

  100

  100

  100

  100

  100

  1 Totals may not be exactly equal to the sum of their constituent parts due to rounding.

  2 Rates figures for 1966–67 and 1967–68 include rate rebate grant.

  3 The breakdown of rate income into domestic and non-domestic rate income is estimated pro-rata to rateable values.

  4 The RSG figure for 1966–67 comprises general grant, echequer equalisation and transitional grants.

  Table 2

  Rate income 1975–76 to 1987–881

  Year

  Total

  Domestic

  Non-domestic

  £ million

  £ million

  £ million

  1975–76

  389

  165

  224

  1976–77

  448

  185

  263

  1977–78

  522

  213

  309

  1978–79

  589

  196

  393

  1979–80

  683

  222

  461

  1980–81

  930

  305

  625

  1981–82

  1,205

  395

  810

  1982–83

  1,387

  452

  935

  1983–84

  1,321

  380

  941

  1984–85

  1,361

  392

  969

  1985–86

  1,543

  458

  1,085

  1986–87

  1,653

  505

  1,148

  1987–88

  1,868

  580

  1,288

  462
  Local Government Financial Statistics: Summary Volume 1975–76 to 1987–88". Table 2 gives an estimated breakdown of rate income into domestic and non-domestic income for the years 1975–76 to 1987–88, consistent with the figures published in the summary volume. Table 3 gives figures for 1988–89. Figures for 1989–90 and 1990–91 are not yet available.

  1 The breakdown of rate income into domestic and non-domestic rate income is estimated pro-rata to rateable values.

  Table 3

  Summary analysis of rate fund revenue account: 1988–891

  1988–89

  Expenditure

  £ million

  Staff costs

  2,812

  Running expenses

  1,616

  Loans charges

  539

  Revenue contributions to capital

  12

  Rate fund contributions to housing and trading services2

  105

  Adjustment3

  –312

  Total expenditure

  4,772

  As a percentage of total expenditure

  Percentage

  Staff costs

  59

  463

  1988–89

  Running expenses

  34

  Loans charges

  11

  Revenue contributions to capital

  0

  Rate fund contributions to housing and trading services2

  2

  Adjustment3

  –7

  Total expenditure

  100

  Income

  £ million

  Rates4

  1,973

  of which domestic rates5

  669

  non-domestic rates5

  1,304

  Government grant RSG6

  (a) needs element

  1,690

  (b) resources element

  216

  (c) domestic element

  92

  (d) specific grants and subsidies7

  257

  Total aggregate government grants (a)+(b)+(c)+(d)

  2,255

  Rate rebate grants

  190

  Sales

  29

  Rents, fees and charges

  288

  Other income

  92

  Total income

  4,826

  Income less expenditure as a percentage of total income

  Percentage

  Rates4

  41

  of which domestic rates5

  14

  non-domestic rates5

  27

  Government grant RSG6

  (a) needs element

  35

  (b) resources element

  4

  (c) domestic element

  2

  (d) specific grants and subsidies7

  5

  Total aggregate government grants (a)+(b)+(c)+(d)

  47

  Rate rebate grants

  4

  Sales

  1

  Rents, fees and charges

  6

  Other income

  2

  Total income

  100

  1 Totals may not be exactly equal to the sum of their constituent parts due to rounding.

  2 Excluding contributions to transport undertakings.

  3 Inter-account and inter-authority transactions deducted.

  4 Excluding rate rebates and domestic element of rate support grant. Includes net cost of collection of rates.

  5 The breakdown of rate income into domestic and non-domestic rate income is estimated pro-rata to rateable values.

  6 Near final figures as prescribed in RSG (Scotland) (No. 2) Order 1989.

  7 As defined in appendix C of the report on the Rate Support Grant (Scotland) Order 1987 and as returned by local authorities.

  8 Includes rate rebates (DSS), disabled persons rebates, enterprise zones rebates and revaluation rebates.

THE ARTS

  Arts Funding
  Mr. Bowis
  To ask the Minister for the Arts what progress has been made in implementing the reforms in the structure of arts funding.

  Mr. Renton
  Good progress has been made since my statement to the House on 19 December,(Official Report, columns 300–01).

  The chairs of seven of the 10 new regional arts boards have now been appointed with my consent, and a good
  464
  start has been made in appointing other board members. All the new boards are on target to be in place and operational from 1 October.

  The Arts Council has also submitted the advice that I called for on the staffing structures for the new system, and on the initial stage of delegation of clients to the new boards from 1 April 1992. I have today written to the chairman of the Arts Council setting out my conclusions on these matters, and a copy of my letter has been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  I am confident that the process of reform on which my predecessors and I have embarked will produce a system which delivers a better service to the public through a clearer definition of responsibilities. I am anxious to ensure that one of the original aims of the reforms—that of securing administrative savings—is also achieved.

  I have therefore asked the chairman of the Arts Council to build on the work already done by the Arts Council and the regional bodies to ensure that this is realised. To assist in this process I have set as a guideline the achievement of a progress administrative saving of at least £1 million per annum in current terms by 1993–94, by which time the present reforms will have been substantially implemented. This represents around 10 per cent. of current staff costs. I have every confidence that the Arts Council and the regional bodies will be able to achieve a saving of this order. It is a challenging but attainable target. It is most important that the public throughout the country get the opportunity to see more performances of quality and that arts organisations get a greater share of the public subsidy.

  I have asked the Arts Council to ensure that the necessary further work is undertaken quickly to ensure that the new boards are fully operational from 1 October 1991 as planned.

  I have also approved an initial list of bodies for delegation from the Arts Council to the new regional arts boards on 1 April 1992. As I said in my earlier statement, further significant delegation from 1993 will need to await the outcome of work on the national arts strategy, due for completion in the middle of next year. The Arts Council has proposed that there should be some scope for further delegation in the meantime.

  I would see this happening on only a fairly limited scale, and where it is clear to all parties that this would be beneficial. The Arts Council has also proposed, and I have accepted, that the new boards should be involved now in the joint assessment of clients who in due course may be administered by them. This will be most important in building up the confidence of clients in the ability of the new boards.

  A great deal of work has also been done to improve still further present systems of planning, budgeting and control. I have asked the Arts Council to ensure that this work is translated into a clear statement of policy objectives for all parts of the system, and that management systems, including an appropriate range of performance indicators, are developed to ensure that these objectives are achieved. These indicators will also need to assess customer satisfaction. I shall expect to see the results of this work reflected in the Arts Council's corporate plan for 1992–93, and in the corresponding corporate plans for the new regional arts boards.

  I expect these decisions to lead to a better structured and leaner arts funding system which will be able to

  465
  manage the further delegation of clients with a corresponding benefit to the ultimate beneficiaries, the clients and the general public.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Uprated Benefits
  Ms. Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many(a) widows and (b) recipients of income support, who are liable to pay an increase in their council rents from 1 April will not receive their uprated benefit until 9 and 15 April respectively.

  Miss Widdecombe
  People in receipt of housing benefit have their entitlement recalculated to take account of any rent increase from the date on which the increase takes effect. Those in receipt of income support are entitled to maximum housing benefit which can meet up to 100 per cent. of their eligible rent.

  The most recent information available shows that, in May 1989, there were 48,000 women in receipt of state widows' benefits and pensions, but not income support, who were also in receipt of housing benefit and living in local authority accommodation.

  In February 1990 there were 1,760,000 people in receipt of income support who were also living in local authority accommodation.

  Ms. Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much money is saved by the Government as a result of the arrangements for payment in arrears of widow's benefit and income support to those whose council rents were raised on 1 April.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The information requested is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Industrial Injury
  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many cases of compensation for industrial injury have been discounted under the 14 per cent. rule in each year from 1986 to 1990.

  Mr. Scott
  Available information for such disallowances is as follows:

  Period

  Claims disallowed

  December 1986 to March 1987

  12,348

  April 1987 to March 1988

  47,234

  April 1988 to March 1989

  41,755

  April 1989 to March 1990

  41,741

  April 1990 to February 1991 (latest date available)

  36,213

  Adjudication Regulations
  Mr. John Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what has been the total amount awarded by his Department under regulation 72 of the Adjudication Regulations for each year since 1987; and what was the average and median amount awarded in each case for each year, adjusted for 1991 prices.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The information requested is not available.
  466
  Mr. John Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security in how many cases regulation 72 of the Adjudication Regulations has been used in each year since April 1987 for each(a) type of benefit and (b) claimant category.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The information requested is not available.

  St. John Ambulance Brigade
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what facilities he has made available to staff in his Department to contribute to the appeal that has been launched for people with the name of John to help raise £5 million for the St. John Ambulance Brigade.

  Miss Widdecombe
  We have not made any special arrangements for staff to contribute to this appeal. However, it is possible for staff to contribute to St. John Ambulance under our arrangements for payroll giving to charities.

  Criminal Injuries Compensation
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many people in England and Wales lost their entitlement to the reduced community charge rate of 20 per cent. as a result of receiving an award of criminal injuries compensation during 1990–91;

  (2) in how many cases his Department was notified by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board of a compensation award to an individual receiving social security benefits;

  (3) in the last year for which figures are available, how many claimants of social security benefits ceased to receive benefits, or had their benefits reduced, as a result of receiving an award of criminal injuries compensation.

  Mr. Scott
  Reduction in benefits resulting from an award of criminal injuries compensation is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. I understand from him that the information is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Social Fund
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of income support claimants in Leicestershire are repaying social fund loans; and how much money is outstanding.

  Mr. Scott
  The administration of income support and the social fund is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. and learned Member with such information as is available as soon as possible and copies will be placed in the Library and the public information office.

  Pensions (European Community)
  Mr. Bendall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether the Government have received a reply from the European Commission to the letter of 9 October 1989 from the United Kingdom permanent representative to the European Communities seeking its views on the position of bridging pensions in the context of directive 86/378/EEC on the implementation of the principle of equal treatment in occupational social security systems.
  467
  Miss Widdecombe
  A reply was received from the head of directorate general 5 of the European Commission on 17 April 1991. I am arranging for copies of his reply to be placed in the Libraries of both Houses and to be sent to those organisations and individuals who have expressed an interest in the issue.

  Low Incomes
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he makes, on the best available evidence, of the numbers of persons, and the percentage of the total population, who were living on incomes less than 60 per cent. of the national average in 1960, 1965, 1970, 1975, 1980, 1985 and 1990, or in those years nearest to these dates where the relevant information is available.

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 6 December 1990]: Information in precisely the form requested is available only for the years for which "Households Below Average Income"—HBAI—has been published. Other information is available for earlier years, but the methodologies and

  Source

  HBAI

  RoI

  RoI

  FES Report

  Equivalised household

  Income measure

  disposable

  Household disposable

  Household final

  Household gross

  Unit analysed

  Persons

  Households

  Households

  Households

  Coverage

  Great Britain

  United Kingdom

  United Kingdom

  United Kingdom

  Percentage with less than 60 per cent, of mean income

  1987 (13·8 million people)

  25·5

  —

  —

  —

  1985 (10·9 million people)

  20·1

  34

  —

  —

  1980 (9·4 million people)

  17·81

  30

  —

  —

  1975

  —

  28

  27

  —

  1970

  —

  —

  28

  28

  1965–66

  —

  —

  —

  26

  1960–61

  —

  —

  —

  26

  1 Average of figures for 1979 and 1981

NATIONAL FINANCE

  Late Payment Charges
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the revenue coming to the Exchequer from charges and penalties for late payment of(a) VAT, (b) income tax, (c) national insurance and (d) corporation tax in each financial year since 1979; and what was the number of individuals and companies paying such penalties in each year.

  Mr. Maude
  Information is not available on the total numbers paying penalties or charges for late payment of tax, nor on receipts for all the years requested. The available information is:

  Receipts from interest charges and penalties for late payment

  (£ million)

  Year

  VAT1

  Income tax2 3

  Corporation tax2

  1983–84

  —

  77·8

  43·0

  1984–85

  —

  86·9

  50·6

  1985–86

  —

  100·5

  53·7

  1986–87

  —

  117·6

  64·7

  1987–88

  24·8

  133·8

  77·4

  1988–89

  71·2

  156·7

  92·8

  1989–90

  82·1

  187·1

  131·1

  1990–91

  83·2

  —

  —

  468
  definitions used differ substantially and it is therefore not appropriate to make direct comparisons throughout the whole period.

  It is also important to remember that real personal disposable income per head in the United Kingdom has risen substantially during this period. The percentage of the population who were living on incomes below any constant threshold has fallen. Thus, for example, the numbers of people living below 60 per cent. of the 1979 national average equivalised income, before housing costs, fell from 9 million in 1979 to 6·9 million in 1987.

  Sources are the CSO's annual redistribution of income—ROI—articles and the published family expenditure survey—FES—reports; the estimates listed in the table are made from the most appropriate published source for each year. All the pre-HBAI analyses are in terms of numbers of households rather than population, and none of them used equivalisation to adjust for differing household sizes and compositions. Various different definitions of income have been used, and the one from the FES reports in 1960–61 and 1965–66 is a pre-tax gross income measure.

  All the figures are derived from the family expenditure survey and thus cover only the household population.

  1 No charges or penalties for late payment of VAT prior to introduction of VAT default surcharge from 1 October 1986; negligible receipts in 1986–87.

  2 Information for 1990–91 is not yet available.

  3Includes small sums in respect of class 4 (self-employed) national insurance contributions. Penalties generally for late payment of NICs were introduced in the Social Security Act 1990, with effect from 1990–91.

  Manufactures
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish a table showing the balance of trade(a) in manufactures and (b) in manufactures, less erratics, with the EC at current prices on a balance of payments basis in 1989 and 1990.

  Mr. Mellor
  Information on trade in manufactures with the EC on a balance of payments basis is available on the Central Statistical Office database which may be accessed through the Library of the House. The information requested for manufactures less erratics is not available on a balance of payments basis.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish a table showing the balance of trade in manufactures, less erratics, on a balance of payments basis for each year since 1970 in terms of 1990 prices together with the corresponding figures for imports and exports.
  469
  Mr. Mellor
  Information from which trade in manufactures less erratics at 1990 prices may be derived is available on the Central Statistical Office database which may be accessed through the Library of the House.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish a table showing the balance of trade in finished manufactures, less erratics, on a balance of payments basis for each year since 1970 in terms of 1990 prices, together with the corresponding figures for imports and exports.

  Mr. Mellor
  Information from which trade in finished manufactures less erratics at 1990 prices may be derived is available on the Central Statistical Office database which may be accessed through the Library of the House.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish a table showing the balance of trade in manufactures, less erratics, with the EEC Twelve on a balance of payments basis for each year since 1970 in terms of 1990 prices, together with the corresponding figures for imports and exports.

  Mr. Mellor
  Information on trade with the EC is not available at constant prices.

  Pensions
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of the national income was spent on retirement pensions in each year since 1975.

  Mr. Mellor
  Retirement pensions paid out by the national insurance fund, together with pensions and other benefits paid by public and private sector occupational pension schemes are estimated to have amounted to the following percentages of national income:—

  Per cent.

  1975

  10·9

  1976

  11·1

  1977

  11·3

  1978

  11·3

  1979

  11·4

  1980

  12·2

  1981

  13·7

  1982

  14·1

  1983

  14·2

  1984

  14·2

  1985

  14·4

  1986

  15·2

  1987

  15·2

  1988

  14·2

  1989

  14·2

  Consumer Goods
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish a table showing consumption of consumer goods other than food and fuel as a percentage of gross domestic product in each year since 1961 together with his estimate of the proportion supplied by imports.

  Mr. Mellor
  Information requested for the first part of the question can be derived from data on the CSO's database, which may be accessed through the Library. The database identifiers are:

  GDP at market prices (CAOB)
  470
  Consumers' expenditure on goods other than food and energy products

  Sum of:

  Durable goods (AIIL)

  Alcohol and tobacco (CDFH)

  Clothing and footwear (CDDE)

  Other goods (CCED)

  In respect of the final part of the question, information on the proportion supplied by imports is not available. Such information as is available on the import content of demand is given in CSO's periodic input-output tables, for example, tables 2 and 3 of the 1984 tables. Information on import penetration has also been provided in "Business Monitor" MQ12.

  Trade Statistics
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish a table showing the gross output of manufacturing industry, excluding inter-industry transfers, in 1970, 1973, 1979, 1985, 1988, 1989, and a forecast for 1990.

  Mr. Mellor
  The information on gross output for manufacturing is published annually at current prices in "Business Monitor `PA1002' Report on the Census of Production" summary volume. Copies of this volume up to 1988 are available from the Library. Transfers of goods produced by a business to departments not covered by the census, including other businesses in the same enterprise group, are treated within output as sales, valued as if sold to an independent buyer. Forecasts of gross output are not available.

  Central Office of Information
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total sum paid out in fees to outside organisations in the furtherance of privatisation by the Central Office of Information in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his estimate for 1990–91 and budget for 1991–92.

  Mr. Maples
  No fees have been paid by the Central Office of Information in the furtherance of privatisation. However, the COI has been involved in privatisation publicity campaigns. Details for years 1979–80 to 1989–90 were given at column 167 on 13 March 1990. Details for the year 1990–91 are as follows:

  December 1990

  Electricity: Distribution companies

  March 1991

  Electricity: Generators

  The costs of these campaigns have been included in answers provided by the Government Department concerned.

  Current Account
  Mr. Lawson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table showing, for each year from 1970 to 1990, inclusive, together with the "Financial Statement and Budget Report" forecast for 1991, the current account payment surplus or deficit expressed as a percentage of gross domestic product.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  The information requested is as follows:
  471

  United Kingdom current account balance as a percentage of money

  GDP

  Per cent.

  1970

  1·6

  1971

  1·9

  1972

  0·3

  1973

  –1·3

  1974

  –3·8

  1975

  –1·4

  1976

  –0·6

  1977

  —

  1978

  0·7

  1979

  –0·2

  1980

  1·2

  1981

  2·6

  1982

  1·7

  1983

  1·2

  1984

  0·6

  1985

  0·8

  1986

  —

  1987

  –1·0

  1988

  –3·3

  1989

  –3·9

  1990

  –2·4

  11991

  –1·0

  1FSBR forecast.

  British Telecommunications (Government Shareholding)
  Mr. Dunn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he proposes to sell the Government's residual shareholding in British Telecommunications plc.

  Mr. Maude
  As my right hon. Friend announced in his Budget speech on 19 March, the Government intend to sell part of their residual shareholding in BT in the coming year. No decisions have been taken about the precise timing and the number of shares to be sold. We have, however, begun to appoint advisers to certain of the key roles.

  Preliminary and main expenses incurred in connection with the sale of shares will be met from receipts from the sale. Parliamentary approval of the expenditure will be sought in a token new estimate in the summer supplementary estimate round. Expenses incurred in advance of the sale will be met by repayable advances from the contingencies fund.

  Once the sale is complete and the final costs are known, a supplementary estimate will be presented to provide substantive provision for the main sale expenses of the sale and a compensating increase in appropriations-in-aid. The balance of the receipts will be paid into the consolidated fund.

  Crown Property (Rates)
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans the Government have for the payment of contributions in lieu of rates on property occupied by the Crown; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maples
  My right hon. Friend the former Prime Minister announced on 15 December 1989 at column 834 that responsibility for the valuation of the Government's estates for rating purposes would be transferred to the Inland Revenue valuation office from April 1991. The Government have since decided that, for reasons of efficiency and economy, the other responsibilities of the Rating of Government Property Department should also
  472
  be transferred to the valuation office. The valuation office is, in consequence, responsible for the payment of contributions in lieu of rates on Government property and recovery from occupying Departments. It is also responsible for payment of rates and diplomatic property as well as for recovery of a portion of the community charge and rates from foreign missions and international organisations.

  Taxes
  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what proportion of total central Government revenue is raised by corporation tax in(a) the United Kingdom, (b) France and (c) Germany;

  what proportion of total central Government revenue is raised by income tax in (a) the United Kingdom, (b) France and (c) Germany.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  [holding answer 22 April 1991]: Figures for tax revenues disaggregated by tax for the United Kingdom, France and Germany on a comparable basis are published in "Revenue Statistics of OECD Member Countries" which can be found in the Library.

  Food and Drink
  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how much the United Kingdom's trade in(a) food and (b) drink is forecast to be in deficit in 1991.

  Mr. Norman Lamont
  [holding answer 22 April 1991]: The Treasury does not forecast trade balances in food and drink. The Budget forecast is for the overall visible trade deficit to fall from £18 billion in 1990 to £12 billion in 1991.

HEALTH

  Water Fluoridation
  Mr. Jopling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the incidence of decayed, missing or filled teeth among 12-year-olds in the South and East Cumbria health authorities' areas; which of the Northern region's 16 authorities had a higher figure; and if he will estimate the reduction which might ensue if South and East Cumbria's whole population received water at optimum fluoride levels, if the response was similar to that over the United Kingdom as a whole where water supplies had been brought to the World Health Organisation's optimum level.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The most recent survey of caries prevalence conducted for the British Association for the Study of Community Dentistry in 1988–89 showed the following results in the 16 health districts in the northern region:

  District

  Decayed, missing and filled permanent teeth

  South Cumbria

  1·82

  South Tees

  1·80

  North Tees

  1·64

  Northumberland

  1·55

  East Cumbria

  1·53

  Darlington

  1·39

  South Tyneside

  1·38

  473

  District

  Decayed, missing and filled permanent teeth

  Durham

  1·38

  South West Durham

  1·36

  West Cumbria

  1·32

  North West Durham

  1·32

  Sunderland

  1·30

  North Tyneside

  1·25

  Newcastle

  1·22

  Gateshead

  0·91

  Hartlepool

  0·71

  In the north-west Durham, Newcastle, Gateshead and Hartlepool districts all 12-year-old schoolchildren are likely to have received fluoridated water at a level of 0·7 parts per million and over since birth. The incidence of decayed, missing or filled teeth in those districts which are similar to other districts where water fluoridation has been introduced at the World Health Organisation optimum level, is an indication how the dental health of schoolchildren in south and east Cumbria could be improved. Hartlepool has the best record in England and Wales.

  Salmonella
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the results of the public health laboratory service survey for salmonella in eggs carried out on samples collected from high street outlets during February.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The public health laboratory service's survey involves the testing of some 43,000 United Kingdom-produced eggs that will be purchased from various retail outlets. It is intended that 15 PHLS laboratories will each test eggs in four seperate months spaced throughout the year, the last being in November. The survey has been structured to include investigation of any seasonal variations that might exist. When the investigation is completed at the end of 1991, the data will be collated and analysed.

  Smoking
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information he has on the yearly mortality in the United Kingdom attributable to(a) heavy passive smoking and (b) average active smoking.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The independent scientific committee on smoking and health has concluded that the number of deaths from lung cancer among non-smokers associated with a lifetime's exposure to environmental tobacco smoke might amount to several hundred in the United Kingdom each year. The number of deaths caused by active smoking is estimated at around 110,000 in the United Kingdom each year. This figure represents the death toll for all smokers, but the vast majority of deaths occur among regular smokers with a long-standing history of tobacco use.

  Renal Services
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to improve the coverage and delivery of renal services.
  474
  Mr. Dorrell
  The planning and provision of renal services is a matter for health authorities to decide, taking into account local needs and priorities.

  Cholesterol Testing
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if his Department will establish a national campaign to encourage medical practitioners to test all patients who have high blood pressure for blood cholesterol levels.

  Mr. Dorrell
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 19 April at columns 282–83. Decisions about cholesterol testing will be taken in the light of the outcome of consultations on the Standing Medical Advisory Committee's report.

  Health Education Authority
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total sum paid out in fees to outside organisations in the furtherance of privatisation by the Health Education Authority/Health Education Council in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his estimate for 1990–91 and budget for 1991–92.

  Mr. Dorrell
  This information is not held centrally. The hon. Member may wish to contact Sir Donald Maitland, the chairman of the Health Education Authority, for details.

  Policy Objectives
  Mr. Carrington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he is yet in a position to announce his Department's policy objectives for 1991–92.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  I have agreed a statement of the mission, goals and priorities for my Department for 1991–92 and the following three years. It identifies specific aims for the different areas of the Department's business. The NHS policy board has agreed a separate statement of the strategic goals for the NHS management executive for 1991–92, which flow from those departmental aims. Copies of both statements have been placed in the Library.

  Research and Development (NHS)
  Mr. Carrington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has for research and development in the NHS following the White Paper "Priorities in Medical Research" and the appointment of his Department's first director of research and development.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  I am pleased to announce a major initiative for research and development. A new R and D strategy and programme for the NHS will be introduced to provide a firm scientific basis for improving health. It will focus on the introduction of improved methods of health care arising from research and on the cost-effective use of resources.

  Because of the importance I attach to the development of a research base for the health service I believe it is important to move towards the use of up to 1·5 per cent. of NHS expenditure to be used for research and development.

  The key principles of the R and D strategy are:

  1. That research and development is a prerequisite for achieving a cost effective service responsive to changes in health needs and innovation;

  475

  2. Accordingly, the NHS should invest at an appropriate level to achieve a coherent R and D Programme;

  3. Responsibility for R and D needs to be devolved as far as possible to regional and local level with accountability for performance;

  4. A mechanism is required to achieve overall balance and coherence;

  5. R and D priorities which merit national rather than purely regional attention need to be set;

  6. NHS—university collaboration needs to be ensured as well as close links with the Medical Research Council, charities and industry.

  The R and D strategy will have the following main elements:

  i. a planned and managed approach by the NHS to health research to provide a scienfic basis for action to improve health;

  ii. a new countrywide R and D programme to be carried out by regional health authorities within a national framework;

  iii. the setting of national R and D priorities;

  iv. the setting up of a Central Research and Development Committee chaired by the Director of Research and Development;

  v. a requirement of regional health authorities to prepare, publish, resource, and implement (and be held to account for) research and development plans;

  vi. information systems on research outcomes for purchasers and providers of health care, for health policy and planning;

  vii. emphasis on practical developments arising from research, the prompt introduction of cost-effective developments into the NHS;

  viii. challenging but manageable national and regional expenditure targets;

  ix. collaboration with other research funding bodies to address issues of agreed national priority.

  An announcement giving further details, including preliminary information about the subject matter and the management arrangements for the programme will be made towards the end of 1991.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Mr. Gerard Clarke
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement in respect of Gerard Clarke, a prisoner in Crumlin Road gaol as to what reason he gave for going on hunger strike at the end of March; and if it is still continuing.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Gerard Clarke has been refusing prison food since 27 March and continues to do so. He is protesting about his removal from association with other prisoners under prison rule 25 (Northern Ireland) 1982.

  Northern Ireland Electricity
  Mr. Clifford Forsythe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the cost of the PJR report on Northern Ireland Electricity; and what was the purpose of the report.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 22 April 1991]: The PJR report cost £52,225. PJR's remit was to examine the appropriateness of management structure of Northern Ireland Electricity in the light of its proposed privatisation.

  Drink Driving
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how long it usually takes for information to be made publicly available as to whether a driver had taken alcohol before driving and being killed.
  476
  The Attorney-General
  I have been asked to reply.

  Information as to whether a driver had taken alcohol before driving and being killed is made publicly available on the hearing of a coroner's inquest. The time taken to release this information varies and no records are kept.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Regulation and Codification
  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from farmers regarding the increase in regulation and codification of agriculture; and what response he has made.

  Mr. Curry
  I have received no recent representations from farmers regarding the increase in regulation.

  Milk
  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make it his policy to support the maintenance of the EC safety net intervention for beef cattle in order to help mitigate the effects of further cuts in milk quotas.

  Mr. Curry
  We recognise that any cut in milk quotas will increase the volume of beef coming on to the market in the short term. However, we do not believe that it is sensible to turn a high-value product like beef into a low-value product by freezing it for intervention and to build up large stocks which then overhang the market. It is not justifiable to continue provisions which permit uncontrolled access to intervention at prices considerably in excess of the market price. In the negotiations currently in progress we are arguing that dependence on intervention must be reduced, and that strict controls are needed both on the quantity purchased and on the prices paid for it.

  Abbatoirs
  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many abattoirs in England have gone out of business in the last 12 months.

  Mr. Maclean
  All abattoirs in England and Wales operate under licences granted by local authorities. With the exception of abattoirs approved for intra-Community trade, records are not routinely maintained on the operational status of individual abattoirs. However, annual statistics derived from state veterinary service visits indicate that numbers of non-export abattoirs in England and Wales dropped from some 720 to around 640 in 1990. Of the abattoirs approved for EC exports, two have ceased trading in the last 12 months. We do not have information on the reasons for closure.

  Livestock Production
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on his Department's policy on the National Cattle Breeders Association code of practice for livestock production.

  Mr. Maclean
  We are aware that the association has prepared a code of practice which it is discussing with
  477
  other farming organisations. We understand that the details have not yet been finalised, but in principle we welcome initiatives by the industry to improve the marketing of British produce.

  Livestock Diseases
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what arrangements he has made for the continuation of diagnostic analysis for bovine spongiform encephalopthy and other livestock diseases currently being carried out at the veterinary investigation centres he is proposing to close.

  Mr. Maclean
  The his topathological diagnosis of BSE by the veterinary investigation service is currently organised on a national basis and will not be adversely affected by the closure of veterinary investigation centres. As indicated in the announcement of the outcome of the review, where centres are to be closed diagnostic and other work will be transferred to one of the remaining centres.

  Common Agricultural Policy Budget
  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make it his policy to seek an increase in the CAP budget ceiling to allow for the impact on the common agricultural policy of the costs related to eastern Germany.

  Mr. Curry
  The amended 1991 budget for the common agricultural policy already includes 1,315 mecu—£920 million—to cover increased market support costs arising from German unification and all member states agreed last October that this amount could be accommodated within the guideline. Other factors are now leading to higher than predicted levels of CAP expenditure, but it remains Government policy to seek an agreement on the Commission's 1991 agricultural price proposals that is fully compatible with the guideline.

  Growth Promoters
  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make it his policy to ban imports of beef from those countries where testing indicates that the use of hormones and other illegal growth promoters is widespread.

  Mr. Maclean
  The use of growth-promoting hormones in beef production in the European Community is illegal. All imports of beef from third countries must be accompanied by suitable guarantees to the effect that hormones have not been used in their production.

  All beef-exporting countries are required to establish a residue testing programme approved by the EC standing veterinary committee and their meat plants are subject to inspection by Commission officials. Testing programme results are then subject to further scrutiny at Community level to ensure that compliance with EC standards is maintained.

  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make it his policy to increase the proportion of imported beef which his Department tests for hormones and other illegal growth promoters.

  Mr. Maclean
  The Ministry already has a very extensive programme of surveillance for veterinary drug residues,478
  including the banned hormones and other illegal growth promoters, and both home-produced and imported meats are covered. None the less, the surveillance programmes are under continuing review and if there is evidence of a particular problem we will of course consider whether the level of monitoring in that area should be increased.

  Baby Milk
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects the new European directive on baby milk to be adopted; if he will take steps to ensure the retention of the United Kingdom's existing voluntary agreements; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Curry
  Publication of the infant formulae and follow-on formulae directive agreed in Brussels on 15 March 1991 is expected to appear in the Official Journal of the European Communities shortly. The Government will aim to maintain existing arrangements when considering implementation of the directive in United Kingdom law.

  St. John Ambulance Brigade
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what facilities have been made available for staff in his Department to contribute to the appeal that has been launched for people with the name of John to help raise £5 million for the St. John Ambulance Brigade.

  Mr. Curry
  No special facilities have been set up for single donations to the St. John Ambulance Brigade appeal, but anyone who wishes to contribute regularly may do so by using the departmental facilities for payroll giving to charities.

  Calf Imports
  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make it his policy to seek limitations by the European Commission on the number of calves being imported into the European Community from eastern Europe.

  Mr. Curry
  The Commission has already made it clear to the Agriculture Council that it intends to limit the import of calves in 1991 to 425,000 head, the average of the three years 1987–89. Negotiations to this end are in progress with third countries.

  Bovine Somatotropin
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects bovine somatotropin to be licensed for commercial use in the United Kingdom; and if he has assessed there to be a socio-economic appraisal of the consequences of the drug's approval.

  Mr. Maclean
  Under the provisions of Community law, no BST product may be licensed in any member state, before 1 January 1992. No product will be licensed in the United Kingdom thereafter unless our independent scientific advisers tell us that it fully meets all the criteria set down in the Medicines Act and Community legislation. I cannot say when or whether that will happen. The Commission is examining the socio-economic implications of licensing BST and should present a report before October.

  Wildlife Poisoning
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will place in the Library a copy of his pesticide safety division report into the use of strychnine for the poisoning of wildlife in April 1990 on the Fermor-Hesketh estate.

  Mr. Maclean
  On 11 April 1990 a dead fox was found at Kirby farm, Pury End, Northants, together with the remains of pigeons and rabbits. As is normal in such incidents, a post mortem examination was carried out by this Department. Laboratory analysis of the stomach contents revealed the presence of a residue of strychnine. Despite detailed inquiries by a departmental investigation officer it has not proved possible to identify who was responsible. The pesticides safety division has not produced a report on the incident.

  Agriculture Council
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the outcome of the Agriculture Council held in Luxembourg on 22 and 23 April.

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

  Discussion concentrated on the Commission's proposals for 1991–92 farm prices. I reiterated the United Kingdom position on the lines that I recently explained to the House. Discussion is currently scheduled to resume on 21 May.

WALES

  Community Care
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he has any plans for the introduction of improved arrangements for community care.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The phased programme of implementing the reforms of community care in Wales from 1 April 1991 to 1 April 1993 will continue as planned with managing of social services the responsibility of local government.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Public Houses
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has any proposals to provide compensation for public house tenants displaced as a result of brewers conforming to the 1989 Tied Estate Orders; what representations he has received; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  Following the Monopolies and Mergers Commission report on the supply of beer, the Government introduced the Landlord and Tenant Act 1990 in response to concerns about security of tenure for pub tenants. The Act extends to pub tenants the same protection as other business tenants and for the first time requires brewers to 480
  pay statutory compensation to tenants whose pubs are taken back into management. Tenancies entered into after 10 July 1989 are already protected by the Landlord and Tenant Act while those entered into before that date will be protected by July 1992 at the latest. The Government are naturally concerned about current threats by certain national brewers to issue "notices to quit" to tenants who are not yet protected by the Act. We understand that most of these notices will be issued for the purpose of renegotiating the terms of tenancy agreements and will not ultimately lead to evictions.

  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what information he has on the total number of public houses which are owned by the regional brewers.

  Mr. Redwood
  The latest information we have is the Monopolies and Mergers Commission report on the supply of beer published in March 1989 which found that regional brewers owned just over 7,000 public houses. As a result of the measures introduced in response to that report, in particular the requirement that national brewers should free from ties half their pubs in excess of 2,000, the total number of pubs owned by regional brewers is likely to change. The Director General of Fair Trading will be looking at the number of pubs owned by regional brewers when he conducts his review of the effectiveness of the measures introduced in response to that report in 1993–94.

  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what information he has of the number of public houses which are currently being put on the market for sale by the major brewers in order to comply with the 1989 Supply of Beer Orders; what representations he has received; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  The Supply of Beer (Tied Estate) Order which was introduced in response to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission report on the supply of beer requires the national brewers to release from ties half of the pubs they own in excess of 2,000 by November 1992. As a result, approximately 11,000 pubs will be freed on an industrywide basis. There are a number of ways in which national brewers can do this including leasing free of ties, selling to another brewer or selling to a sitting tenant. The steps so far taken by the national brewers suggest that they are using a mixture of these options to meet the requirement in the order. It is up to each brewer to decide how many premises to sell and how many to lease free of ties and we do not have figures for the total number of pubs which the national brewers currently have on the market. However, the Director General of Fair Trading will be looking at the number of pubs sold by national brewers when he conducts his review of the effectiveness of the measures introduced in response to the MMC report in 1993–94.

  Marinas
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to extend the fair trading and monopolies legislation to marinas.

  Mr. Redwood
  Under the Fair Trading Act 1973 it may in certain circumstances be possible to make a monopoly reference to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission of
  481
  services provided by marina owners. I have no plans at present to amend the Fair Trading Act to include special provisions relating to marinas.

  Trade Statistics
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will publish a table showing the volume of manufactured exports, less erratics, each year since 1970, and for each quarter since 1 January 1986, relative to the increase in the volume of manufactured exports in Germany, France, Italy, the United States of America and Japan.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  A series showing the United Kingdom's volume of exports of manufactured goods, less erratics, is published in table B8 of the "Monthly Review of External Trade Statistics", which is held in the House of Commons Library. Comparable figures for other countries are not available.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is his estimate of trade-weighted index of competitiveness of United Kingdom exports on 8 October 1990 relative to that of West Germany.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  Between 1985 and the second half of 1990 the United Kingdom's trade-weighted index of unit labour costs had increased by 5 per cent. compared with a 28 per cent. increase in Germany. Data for trade-weighted unit labour costs are calculated quarterly and are therefore not available for 8 October 1990.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the base year used to get the trade-weighted average index of United Kingdom export competitiveness for manufacturers in the Monthly Review of External Trade Statistics; what is the corresponding International Monetary Fund figure; and whether the International Monetary Fund figure for the United Kindom is based on the weight for the United Kingdom trade with the other 15 countries or the weight of those countries globally.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The base year used in the trade-weighted index of unit labour costs, as published in the "Monthly Review of External Trade Statistics" is 1985. This series is produced by the IMF and hence the base year for the IMF series is the same. The trade weights used to construct the United Kingdom's index of relative unit labour costs are based on the exports, in 1980, to the United Kingdom from the other 16 countries covered.

  Paint Exports
  Mr. Shersby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the value of British paint exports for the most recent 12-month period for which figures are available; and what were the comparable figures for 1986 and 1981.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The information requested is available in "Overseas Trade Statistics", which is available in the House of Commons Library. Trade in paints is recorded under SITC 533.41–43.

  Security Interests
  Mr. Riddick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he is in a position to make a statement on his response to part II of the report of Professor A. L. Diamond reviewing the law on security interests in property other than land.

  Mr. Lilley
  Yes. Professor Diamond's report was published in January 1989. Part II recommended a radical reform of the law on security interests. The recommendations were numerous and covered complex issues where changes to the law could have significant implications for the raising of business finance. We therefore allowed an extended period of public consultation.

  A clear majority of those representing interests governed by English law argued against major reform. Reform would be complex and, in view of the proposed registration arrangements, potentially costly to the Government and business. It could be contemplated only if there was a strong commercial justification. That did not emerge from the consultation and I have therefore decided not to accept the recommendations in part II of the report for England and Wales. However, the report served a useful purpose in airing these important issues.

  Some of those responding to the consultation supported some limited changes to the law relating to security interests and the acquiring of title to goods and I am giving these suggestions further consideration.

  There was, on the other hand, a call for action to facilitate the granting of security interests in Scotland. Scots security law differs from English law in that it is impossible, except in limited circumstances, to create an adequate and workable security over moveable property without the creditor taking possession. Respondees to the consultation argued that this puts Scottish business at a severe disadvantage. This is clearly an issue which needs to be explored further. The Department's Scottish solicitors will therefore prepare a draft of a Bill introducing new forms of security over moveables into Scots law which will form the basis of further public consultation. The draft should be ready for consultation in about 12 months' time.

LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  Facsimile Communications
  Mr. Atkinson
  To ask the Lord President of the Council, further to his answer of 19 February to the hon. Member for Hampstead and Highgate (Sir G. Finsberg),Official Report, column 120, what proposals he has for better arrangements for the transmission of facsimile communications for members of the United Kingdom delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and the Assembly of the Western European Union.

  Mr. MacGregor
  Following the agreement of the House of Commons Commission on 25 March, free direct dialling from the Palace of Westminster to the Council of Europe and the Western European Union is now possible. Guidance issued to Members by the Serjeant at Arms includes details of the transmission of facsimile messages under these new arrangements.

DEFENCE

  The Gulf
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is the current level of additional allowances paid to RAF personnel at Dhahran;

  (2) what changes have occurred to the additional allowances paid to RAF personnel at Dhahran in the last six months;

  (3) if he will provide details of all the additional allowances that are currently being paid to service personnel in the Gulf region; and what changes have occurred to those allowances in the last six months.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his current estimate of the total cost arising from British military involvement in the Gulf.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The latest estimate for the additional defence costs, to be spread over several years, is that they are expected to be of the order of £2·5 billion.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will provide his latest estimate of the cost of military equipment lost and damaged during the Gulf crisis.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The value of major equipments lost and munitions consumed in the conflict and in associated training is currently assessed as approaching £450 million.

  Air Electronic Operators
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) whether new tasks arising from the deployment of new apparatus will be taken into account in revaluating the jobs of air electronic operators;

  (2) when the next job evaluation of air electronic operators is to take place;

  (3) whether independent scrutiny will be carried out in any future evaluation of the jobs of air electronic operators.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  A job evaluation of air electronic operators, involving an independent consultant, is taking place and will take account of all apparatus used in their peacetime role.

  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many air electronic operators were down-banded arising from the regrading exercise carried out by the joint services job evaluation team in 1989.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  A total of 354.

  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the factor scoring plan in accounting for the operational supervisory roles of air electronic operators; and if he has any plans to revise it.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The factor plan used for all RAF trade groups is considered to be flexible enough to meet the supervisory responsibilities of air electronic operators. It is kept under regular review.

  Iraq (Nuclear Weapons)
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his Department's current assessment as to when Iraq will be able to produce nuclear weapons.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I have nothing to add to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Islington, North (Mr. Corbyn) on 12 December 1990,Official Report, column 430.

  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information his Department has as to the movement of Iraqi safeguarded material out of the nuclear facilities prior to them being attacked by allied forces.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  We do not know whether the Iraqis moved safeguarded material out of the Tuwaitha nuclear research centre near Baghdad prior to the attack by allied forces. The material was inspected by the IAEA in November 1990 and was reportedly all accounted for. Inspections of Iraq's nuclear facilities to be carried out in accordance with United Nations Security Council resolution 687 adopted on 3 April should provide an opportunity to determine the location of the safeguarded material.

  Battle Stress
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of service men suffering battle stress; and what contribution his Department is making to deal with this problem.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  Casualty figures, our own research and medical reports and information from other sources indicate that the level of battle stress among participants in Operation Granby is modest and manageable. This can be largely attributed to the education programme, the provision of a network of psychiatric support particularly in operational areas and the targeting of extra support to personnel who have been exposed to exceptional stress.

  Birmingham Arms Fair
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department is taking part in any way in the forthcoming Birmingham arms fair; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  Representatives from my Department will be participating in the defence components and equipment exhibition to be held in Birmingham next month.

  Unix Computers
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the uses to which the Unix computers, supplied under the contract recently won by ICL, will be put.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  These machines will be used for a wide range of non-operational, administrative support functions.

  Soviet Union (Information Exchange)
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many times in the last two years personnel serving in(a) the Army, (b) the Royal Air Force and (c) the Royal Navy have met their Soviet counterparts to exchange information.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  There are regular meetings, in both bilateral and multilateral fora, between the United Kingdom armed forces arid representatives of the Soviet armed forces, involving all three services. A considerable number of such contacts have already taken place and others are planned. We do not maintain a central record of the number of times members of the three services have met their Soviet counterparts.

  Services Accommodation
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans exist for the provision of accommodation for those service personnel and their families who will leave the services as a result of "Options for Change".

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  We are continuing to examine ways of meeting the housing needs of service personnel in the light of changing circumstances.

  Environmental Improvements (Germany)
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans exist to carry out environmental improvements to the land and buildings currently being used by the British Army of the Rhine and RAF Germany.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  There is a continuing programme of improvement works and maintenance on the sites occupied by British forces in Germany. This programme takes into account commitments entered into with the German authorities and Her Majesty's Government's own environmental initiatives.

  Service Personnel (Training)
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans exist for the provision of training for those service personnel who will leave the services as a result of "Options for Change".

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 12 June 1990 at columns 142–43 and to that which I gave the hon. Member for Motherwell, North (Dr. Reid) on 28 March 1991, at columns 568–69.

  Direct Fire Weapons Effect System
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is the current status of the planned procurement of a direct fire weapons effect system for the British Army;

  (2) what companies have expressed an interest in supplying the British Army with a direct fire weapons effect system;

  (3) what effect the "Options for Change" study has had upon the planned procurement of a direct fire weapons effect system;

  (4) what is the approximate quantity of direct fire weapons effect systems that the British Army will require.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  Several companies have submitted tenders for the direct fire weapons effect system. These are 486
  still being considered. It is not our normal practice to reveal the names of the companies concerned at this stage in a competition. Actual numbers of equipment to be procured are classified, but quantities have been adjusted to take account of "Options for Change".

  US Forces
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with his United States counterpart regarding the withdrawal of United States forces from the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  My right hon. Friend has had a number of discussions with the United States Secretary of Defense on the future of United States forces in this country.

  "Options for Change"
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what effect the "Options for Change" study has had on the defence procurement budget to date.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  I am not in a position to add to my answer to the hon. Gentleman of 19 December last year, at column 212.

  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which budget vote sub-headings have been affected by the "Options for Change" process; and by what amount.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The effect of "Options for Change" on vote sub-heads will depend on decisions on the final size and shape of the armed forces, which have yet to be taken. Even when decisions are taken, it will not be possible to identify the effects on individual sub-heads without disproportionate effort.

  Military Budget
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will place in the Library copies of information on the British military budget to be provided as part of the agreement reached on the Vienna confidence and security-building measures document.

  Mr. Archie Hamilton
  The United Kingdom budget information, in the format specified by the Vienna document, will be placed in the Library when it is released in Vienna.

  Weapons (Exchange of Information)
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration has been given to the North Atlantic Assembly's resolution to consider the exchange of information on the production of weapons and equipment.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  All the resolutions adopted by the North Atlantic Assembly during 1990 have been discussed in the North Atlantic Council and, following normal practice, comments on them forwarded by the NATO Secretary-General to the secretary-general of the assembly.

  Tanks
  Mr. Clelland
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the suitability of the British Challenger II tank as a replacement for Chieftain tanks.
  487
  Mr. Alan Clark
  My Department is making a full assessment of the suitability of Challenger II as equipment for our future main battle tank fleet.

  India (Arms Sales)
  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the value of arms sales by British companies to India during 1990.

  Mr. Alan Clark
  It has been the practice of successive Administrations not to provide such information as it relates to specific countries.

  CFE Treaty
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has received from his United States counterpart regarding concerns over Soviet compliance with the conventional forces in Europe treaty.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I have been asked to reply.

  We continue to be in close touch with the United States and with other allies about our mutual concerns over Soviet compliance with the provisions of the CFE treaty. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister raised these issues personally with Mr. Gorbachev in March. NATO is agreed that it is for the Soviet Union to resolve these concerns.

  Military Equipment (Exports)
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with his NATO counterparts regarding a possible increase in the export of military equipment resulting from the CFE treaty.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I have been asked to reply.

  During the negotiations, NATO secured agreement to provisions in the CFE treaty that require any equipment of types limited by the treaty in excess of the treaty limits to be destroyed or converted to non-military use according to internationally agreed procedures.

  Conflict Prevention Centre
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what resources he is planning to make available to the conflict prevention centre to be established by the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I have been asked to reply.

  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Bury St. Edmunds (Sir E. Griffiths) on 15 April at column 105.

  KUWAIT: THE FOURTH GENEVA CONVENTION
  KUWAIT: THE FOURTH GENEVA CONVENTION
  EC TRANSPORT COUNCIL, 27th MARCH
  EC TRANSPORT COUNCIL, 27th MARCH
  STANDARD SPENDING ASSESSMENT HANDBOOK
  STANDARD SPENDING ASSESSMENT HANDBOOK